Introducing the getting serious about exercise blog

I injured my back a couple weeks ago playing sand volleyball, which I've been dying to do for the past few years. I had a blast, but the result was a sore back. A week later, as I was eating my healthy wheat puffs, I suddenly choked, coughed, and that was that. I damaged a disc to the point of rupture...ouch! A week later, I am still limping around with a numb leg and foot as a result of a nerve being pinched by the slipped disc. This is all happening as I approach the ripe age of 30. In a few months I will no longer be in my 20's. It's been a great 10 years and, as I have now realized, my life is about to change. It's up to me to decide if I'm going to be one of those people who get grumpy and skeptical as I age, gaining a pound or more each year, or, if I will take the bull by the horns and use this ruptured disc and numb leg experience as a wake up call. I really want to play beach volleyball again before the end of the summer. In order to do this, I need to get on the yoga and pilates wagon and strengthen my cor. I want to be in top shape by the time 30 roles around and I don't want to be woozy from vicodin when the time comes! So, here we go...starting today. This is officially a blog about my personal health, fitness routines, aches and pains and everything else that comes with the end of the 20's.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey Remembered
NBC Chicago's Phil Rogers shares his perspective of what Paul Harvey meant to this city and this country.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29466443/from/ET/

a night about town

Alison's bachelorette party was a success. We had a great time together. I love seeing the Milbank girls...my oldest and dearest friends. I wish we were all in the same city! The mustaches were a hilarious addition to the evening attire. We joked about how much we all look like our dads! Great time. I just wish I could go to the wedding in Cabo!

Mountain Pine Beetle

Pete and I had a great weekend in Colorado. We spent time with all of my Denver cousins and their little ones and Pete's cousin, Danilo. I only managed to snowboard one day b/c I was such a wimp but had fun tubing instead on the second day! It was great to be in the Mountains again and to get out of the dirty city for a few days. While driving through the mountains, I was made aware of the reddish color of the pine trees. I guess there is an epidemic of mountain pine beetles that are killing thousands of trees. Here is a little more about it:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/15/beetle-infestation-get-much-worse/

Pickles

I just saw this recipe for pickles. I have wanted to make them for such a long time. I don't even know if I can find the right kind of cucumbers but I might give it a shot!

Dill Pickles

2 quarts water (1.9 liters)
1 quart cider vinegar (.95 liters)
3/4 cup canning salt (220g)
10 wide-mouth, pint mason jars
Approximately 25 pickles
2 bunches dill
tools: mandoline

1.Thoroughly wash jars and lids in hot water to sterilize.
2. Combine water, cider vinegar and salt in stockpot and bring to boil, stirring well.
3. Wash and trim ends from pickles.
4. Using a mandolin, carefully slice each pickle lengthwise. Stack pieces neatly in order, removing the two ends and place pickle in jar. Trim height of pickle as needed to fit. You should be able to get about 2 1/2 pickles in each pint jar. Place several pieces of dill in jar with pickles.
5. Pour hot vinegar/water solution over pickles filling jar to top. Screw lid down tightly.

You can find the link to this recipe here:

Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » in the kitchen with: sharon spain

Inspired

I am feeling inspired today. I wrote an email to my sister telling her what I've been up to and I really feel good about all of the things I am doing. I'm off to a good start this year so I thought I'd try to keep track of my progress! I have started my second quilting project and came across this woman's blog. I was moved by all of the peaceful projects she is working on http://mamaurchin.com/. I was also inspired to start this blog again. So off I go trying my hand at being crafty.