trainer, crafter, kristin

Tuesday Tutorial: Stretches for Gardeners

2012-01-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

I recently posted some pre-season exercises for gardeners, with a promise to talk stretching next time. I've shared some thoughts about stretching in the past, like whether stretching is good, bad or somewhere in between. Personally I'm pro stretching when--just like all exercises--done correctly (I'm such a nag. ;-). Whether you workout out or not, flexibility movements can be beneficial. Check

Jicama Salad with Ginger Dressing

2012-01-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

We're having brunch at Gayle's today. She always offers up a damn tasty main dish and friends bring sides. My contribution is usually some sort of veggie dish. Today, to go with Gayle's smoked pork shoulder pulled pork sliders I've made a jicama salad. It'll be a little taste of summer on a rainy winter day. Jicama Salad with Ginger Dressing 1 jicama, medium sized 1 carrot 1 cucumber 1/4 small

the world wide web of books

2012-01-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

You probably already know that I have an affinity for books plus I volunteer at the library every week. Seems info on just about any subject I seek is covered by books at my library. It's seldom that I search for a title that isn't part of the Multnomah County Library. Until this week, that is. I've been geeking out reading about osteopathic medicine, which somehow led me to books about the

Waste not Wednesday: recycle, repurpose old clothes beyond the thrift store

2012-01-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

Last week I showed you all my latest find at Goodwill. It was a cool shirt with a gross stain on it, which came clean after washing. But if it hadn't, I would have repurposed the fabric into something else. Which got me thinking about all those items at thrift stores that don't get a new home, plus the things I don't think they'll want from my want-not pile. Well, not to encourage us all to

Alternative to commercially canned foods

2012-01-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

You've probably already heard of BPA, short for bisphenol A. It's used in the making of plastic bottles, lining metal cans, and until recently, even baby bottles. It's been in the news a lot lately because folks are concerned about the effects it may have on our health. Primarily that is mimics the hormone estrogen, and studies shows it affects the sexual development in animals. Being an

Quote of the day

2012-01-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

"You need to know the rules before you can break them." --Unknown, (from the book Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun by Carla Sonheim I liked this quote. To me, it applies to both art and fitness. Best to learn how to use your tools, basic moves or techniques then take it from there and personalize your routine and style. Oh, and Carla's

Get fit for gardening season

2012-01-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

It may have snowed two nights ago here in Portland, and I'll I admit I'm a bit of a gardening sloth during the winter, but come January, I'm itching to get my hands dirty and grow some 'maters and beets in the veggie garden! At the first sign of the croci peeping up in the yard, a lot of folks jump into gardening like they've been at it all winter. Well, just like any other physical activity,

Waste not Wednesday + Goodwill Hunting

2012-01-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a new little project that required a thrifting trip yesterday. While I was supposedly there strictly for sweaters, I found this shirt. You know me and something sparkly! It's a silk/microfiber blend. While the Hipstamatic makes it look multi toned, it's actually a nice solid silver and it's looks very cool on. (gotta get me a dress dummy for these photos. . .) It was 7 bucks, but I

Taken outside

2012-01-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Taken outside

2012-01-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

Do you know where this photo was taken? Be the first to have the correct answer and win a month of one scheduled class series for free. No guessing if you were on the walk with me when I took the photo! ;-) Comment on Facebook or the blog, but be sure I know how to contact you.

Waste Not Wednesday: Beets, leaves and stems

2012-01-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

Once again, I'm referring to one of my favorite veggies: Beets! Last week mentioned The weird things I eat when I shared my beet sandwich with you. Well, in honor of Waste Not Wednesday I gotta share some some tasty ways to use up the rest of the beet plant. Here are a few of mine, some links to others and I hope you'll share yours too. The beets: roast them and eat them on a salad, sandwich,

Goodwill Hunting

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've never been a slave to fashion, and since my favorite magazine is The Week, I'm pretty clueless about what's "in", which is totally cool with me, because trying to be "in" means looking "out" if I don't keep up. I figure better to do something all my own, and here in Portland it's hardly like what I wear is weird. I've been reading a lot of bloggers who talk about their thrift store finds

I don't buy it: Store bought plastic containers

2012-01-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

Greetings! My occasional "I don't buy it" postings are not meant to be all high-n-mighty, just my musings over stuff we often buy, but might be able to make ourselves or find an alternative that is easier on the wallet and earth. Which makes me wonder why we buy containers like Gladware. With all the packaging foods come in at the grocery store, there's probably a jar, bottle, or plastic

Waste Not Wednesday: Crafty Christmas

2012-01-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have the best friends! We got recently for a darn tasty dinner and little post holiday gift exchange. I say they're the best because being a crafter means you like to make things for people. But not all people want handmade goodies. Some seem to prefer things made in China. Oh well! We all showed up with hand made from the heart one of a kind goodies. Well that and some food stuff, of course!

The weird things I eat

2012-01-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

I know I say posting what I eat seems really odd to me, but friends and readers say they love to hear about foodie stuff, so I thought I's share my snack/lunch today. I give you the BAC: Beet, avocado and cheese on brown rice bread! Now before you say, "Now that's just friggin' weird!" Hear me out. Cheese? Yum. Avocado? Yum and healthy! Beets?! Yep. Beets are like cilantro. You are either

I don't buy it: false hopes with every purchase!

2011-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

One of the many magazines I see on the check out line. You know that saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."? Well, case in point here, folks. Lose 8 Pounds in 3 days? Oh, sign me up! Not. Let's do some math. A pound is equal to 3500 calories. So to lose 8 pounds in 3 days you would have to create a 28,000 calorie deficit. Divide that by 3 days and you'd have to burn

Waste Not Wednesday: My new bike jacket

2011-12-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

In my on going search for the perfect cycling jacket, I recently picked up this wool hoodie at Goodwill. I want something breathable, light colored, warm --but not too warm--in the winter. Check, check, check. But I also want something with some reflectiveness to it. Well, I got crafty and this is what I came up with: First I ironed on some reflective strips on the sleeves. I used strips

Tuesday's Tutorial: 1-legged lunge

2011-12-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a great little exercise for strengthening your quad, hamstring and gluteal muscles. It also improves stabilization and balance. Since you hold one foot off the ground you're loading your standing leg more than with a standard lunge. Try adding them along on your walk or jog, or if you go to the gym, hold onto one of those big ol' pieces of equipment or squat rack. How to do a 1-legged

Taken outside

2011-12-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

I've found my new method of meditation. Watching the duckies in Sellwood Park!

Pilates and puppies

2011-12-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

Darma has good karma evidently. She also has bad judgement and ate a whole chicken carcass. Bad doggie! Her momma was pretty sure she was in the clear but I offered to let her hang out in class instead of the car. Here she is helping out with Swan Dive on the foam roller. The joys of running your own studio!

Taken outside

2011-12-20T09:58:00.001-08:00

Still some beautiful color around on the ground. Found this one last week while out on a walk.

Snack time!

2011-12-18T14:42:00.001-08:00

For some reason we all seem to be interested in what's on other people's plates. Friends tell me I should post the weird things I eat. Yesterday's late lunch seems like a good one to share. I topped an avocado half with curried salmon salad 2.0. This verson had chopped celery, cukes, and cilantro. The spiciness of the curry paired nicely with the smooth, creamy goodness of the avocado. Yum!

I don't buy it

2011-12-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry, but I just gotta start another category of posts: I'm entitling them "I don't buy it." As in I literally won't spend the money on said item(s) or I'm amazed that people fall for it. And honest, I'm not trying to piss off anyone, just trying to encourage us all to think before we buy, especially when so often we can do it ourselves. But if glue guns scare you and you have more money

12 Days of Fitness: Day 12

2011-12-16T07:10:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are, Day 12! But instead of it being the end, it's really the beginning. Last year on Day 12 I talked about setting long term goals and how to make the stick. We are just days away from the new year and with it lots of us try to turn over a new leaf, as if January 1st holds some sort magical spell to make all our goals come true. Uh, yeah, that's not gonna happen. Old habits,

Waste Not Wednesday

2011-12-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

Portland is mecca for upcyclers. We proudly shop at thrift stores, the Columbia-Willamette Goodwill system brings in more money than any other in the country, and we find some awesome prizes on Craigslist and while curb-side shopping. My sweet husband--even though he shudders when I drag home another "look-what-I-found!" item--says I see things most people don't in the discarded. Call it

12 Days of Fitness: Day 11

2011-12-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, whatchya make yesterday, as your crafty endeavor for the Day 10 of the 12 Days of Fitness? Personally, I upcycled some left over marmoleum flooring from our bathroom remodel. Well, today's plan is back to exercising! Yes, I'm recycling last year's Day 11. Enjoy!

12 Days of Fitness: Day 10

2011-12-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

OK, yesterday I mentioned John Medina's book, Brain Rules and here's a trailer about it if you missed it. Kind of cool, eh? Which leads us into today's 12 Days of Fitness idea. Get crafty! Check out last year's Day 10 of the 12 Days of Fitness. Yep, I want you to try some sort of creative endeavor. It could be anything! Get that guitar out of it's case and strum a few cords. Learn to crochet.

12 Days of Fitness: Day 9

2011-12-12T07:03:00.000-08:00

So, what's up for today, day 9 of The 12 Days of Fitness? We're pulling up last years routine, a cardio + resistance circuit! Other than a bench at the park or a chair at home you really don't need any equipment. I really hope you don't think I'm lazy to repeat last year's routine, but why reinvent the wheel, ya know? I want to throw out ideas for you all, but I also want you to be thinking of

12 Days of Fitness: Day 8

2011-12-11T12:03:00.001-08:00

Here we are, on a December Sunday. To recycle what worked last year on Day 8 of the 12 Days of Fitness, your mission if you so choose is to have fun! In addition to last year's suggestions, here are a few more ideas to make exercise fun! Jump rope Chinese Jump Rope-the Hawthorne New Seasons Market has some for sale. There are tons of videos on You Tube. This gal has some impressive moves.

12 Days of Fitness: Day 7

2011-12-10T15:32:00.001-08:00

Ooops! Missed posting yesterday, so today is Day 7 of the 12 Days of Fitness. Last year on Day 7 we did another quick little workout at the park. That could be your routine for the day, or you could try what I did. I went out for a walk-jog-hill routine at Mt Tabor. It was like a winter wonderland out there. The dense fog over night made it look like the park had been flocked this morning. I

Taken outside

2011-12-10T08:59:00.001-08:00

Taken outside

2011-12-08T16:09:00.001-08:00

12 Days of Fitness: Day 6

2011-12-08T14:39:00.001-08:00

Did you do your quickie workout yesterday? Hope so! Last year on Day 6 we did cardio intervals. Which is just fine and dandy, but I'm throwing a curve ball this year. Being the holiday season and all, I suggesting we all do some sort of volunteer work. What?! you say. How does this have anything to do with a healthy lifestyle and the 12 Days of Fitness? Studies show that when people volunteer

12 Days of Fitness: Day 5

2011-12-07T08:00:00.001-08:00

Last year Day 5 of the 12 Days of Fitness landed smack dab on Christmas day. But you know me, I'm always changing things up a bit. Like I said on day 1 of this year's 12 days, we started early as a way to stay calm and happy in all the hustle-bustle of the season. And today's routine is perfect when you say "Yikes! I don't have time to exercise!" No excuses. This one you can do in your house,

Taken outside

2011-12-06T20:00:00.001-08:00

12 Days of Fitness: Day 4

2011-12-06T11:28:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Fitness. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm refreshing you with what we did last year. With some additional thoughts, of course! Last season I suggested you try something different in regards to your fitness routine. If you are an avid runner, maybe try a pilates class. (Personally I think those two activities are a great combo!) Maybe you workout at the gym all

Taken outside

2011-12-05T20:50:00.001-08:00

12 Days of Fitness: Day 3

2011-12-04T20:55:00.001-08:00

Last year for day 3 I put together a mini cardio workout that focused on the lower body. Feel free to try it! Here are some other ways to incorporate intervals into your routine. On foot Walking + jogging Jogging + sprinting hills stairs bleachers jumping rope skipping hopscotch On a bike hills more tension on your gears speed on straight-a-ways In the pool speed work speed work with

Taken outside

2011-12-04T15:14:00.001-08:00

Corey and I are on one of our walkabouts. He just suggested I post pics of what I see each day, all "taken outside". He's so clever! I love doggies. These guys made me smile. Great day in a great town. XO

12 Days of Fitness: Day 2

2011-12-04T07:00:00.001-08:00

Hey there! So how did you do with your 10 minutes of calm yesterday? Harder than you'd think, huh? Sometimes those things that are hard for us to do are just what we need to do. Like starting an exercise program. We all need to move. A lot. But making it a new habit is the challenging part. Well, today's activity is simple and accessible. Go for a walk. Outside. For 30 minutes*. Check out last

12 Days of Fitness: Day 1

2011-12-03T06:48:00.001-08:00

Welcome! Today is the first official day of the annual 12 Days of Fitness! Last year we kicked it off with 10 minutes of absolutely nothing. Kind of a Meditation 101. The idea behind this first step is to clear your mind and slow down before shifting gears. Our lives are speeding by, everything is instantly accessible and in our faces 24/7. Quite time, meditation, whatever you want to call it,

2nd Annual 12 Days of Fitness

2011-12-02T07:14:00.001-08:00

Holy carp! (yes I know that says carp.) How did it get to be December 2nd already? This time of year really goes into warp speed and we can lose focus on our fitness routines, or maybe we just start thinking about them for January. To help out, I'm bring back the 12 Days of Fitness I posted last year that wrapped up on January 1st. Only this year I think we'll start it earlier! Ya know, so we

Little surprises

2011-11-23T18:24:00.001-08:00

How cute are these?! I recently stopped in at a new little second hand store, not looking for anything particular and then I saw these. (Hopefully the new momma who's about to receive them is too busy to read blogs these days!) These little baby booties are felted wool, in the original box and never worn. Score! Look what Baby G is getting! This is what I love about thrifting. You get so

Does this jacket go with this weather?

2011-11-22T08:03:00.001-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! I thought with the weather what it is today--super rainy--we'd talk about our favorite crap-weather gear. Personally I say, there's no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices. With that said, living in Portland, OR does require some wardrobe options. Here's what the Phys Ed class chimed in with this morning. Gigi absolutely loves her REI Taku jacket, which

Shoulder stablization

2011-11-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I showed how to do a tricep dip and Christine asked on Facebook if this move is safe for everyone or should it be avoided by some. Not every exercise is for every body, but everybody should exercise! For someone with wrist issues or a particular shoulder issue might be advised not to do it. A big key to a proper tricep dip is shoulder stabilization. Here's my super-simple way to

I heart walk/jog/runs in the fall

2011-11-12T11:51:00.001-08:00

Kate says I am now so 2007. I got an iPhone and iPad for my b-day! Not to be too much like a 13 year old girl, but now I can photograph and post blog-worthy things almost instantaneously. Plus this new habit gives me the excuse to stop running up hills to point and shoot. The leaves are exceptional this fall! Get out there and enjoy! I love the ones that are orangey-pinky colored.

this lil' piggy celebrated her birthday. . .

2011-11-10T11:07:00.001-08:00

. . .with tasty treats from friends! Today's Phys Ed class turned into a stretching-and-eating-cake class. In honor of my birthday Laura made a damn tasty Applesauce Gingerbread Cake for all of us. She only had black strap molasses and was concerned it might be too strong. We all thought it was perfect. So much so that I was told to post the recipe here for you to try too. Enjoy. . .and thanks,

Look Ma, no more bingo arms!

2011-11-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

Bat wings, dingle-dangles, bingo arm, whatever you call 'em, that area on the back of the arm can bea major gripe for a lot of women--and men. So today I'm sharing a simple, free, indoor/outdoor exercise you can do to target those tricep muscles, Here's how to do a tricep dip. You'll need a chair, bench or retaining wall on which to sit. Make sure whatever you sit on is stable and won't slide

I cannot lie

2011-11-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

A newbie after a class grabbed her inner thigh and asked "Can you get rid of this!?" I'm thinking, Huh? What is this girl talking about? She's trim, fit and looks great to me (with the exception of some really poor posture). She convinced she has fat thighs. We talked about what she eats, how she exercises, her family make up. I couldn't lie to her and promise her something that was probably

Be unique

2011-10-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have a true appreciation for designers/craftspeople/anyone who design original works of art. From graphic design to jewelry to the latest foodie trend, there's always someone out in front, with copycats on their tail to the point where an original becomes ubiquitous. Unfortunately. I also wonder how those out in front take the lead. Is it luck? Talent? A really good snow job, like the

welcome home

2011-10-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

When I get a vision and a few spare minutes, I start changing things around, mosaicing over found objects, repurposing household items. And since this is trainer, crafter, kristin, I thought you might like a tour of Casa de Chaos. (While my husband loves my creativity, I do tend to chase my pretty-sparkly ideas like a cat chases her shadow, which create a lot of upheaval around here. I'm working

Move it!

2011-10-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Do you think the nice kitty cares if you already went to the gym today? Our ancestors used to walk for miles. Everyday. To hunt, gather, and hightail it out of harms way. It was good for us, in more ways than one. So I'm befuddled when I hear people say, they've "already exercised for the day". What? Is another walk or bike ride gonna push them over the edge? I doubt most of us are

Cutting the plastic cord

2011-10-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

I've been using my reusable grocery bags for years. It's a habit now to throw them back in the trunk of the car after a grocery run. Or at least they sit by the front door until someone prompts me with, "The living room is a wreck. Let's put some of this shit away." Less plastic is a good thing. I just got this email from Care2 with great tips for cutting plastic out of our lives. Here are a few

Get crafty with the Rebuilding Center

2011-10-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

I heart the Rebuilding Center! We got our tub and sink for our new bathroom there. We donate LOTS stuff to them too. They have a little area in the store where the sell upcycled, functional home decor items, like book shelves, clothes racks, tables. All cleverly designed and executed. (You know what I mean. Some projects are best left undone. classy, eh?) Lumber and Bottle Shelving as

that's why they call him the Dalai Lama

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

When asked what surprised him about humanity, the Dalai Lama said, “Man…. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies

Meals in mere minutes

2011-10-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

So often I hear people say that they don't have time to cook. I don't buy it. It takes practice to be speedy in the kitchen, but tasty meals in minutes are possible. Honest! Take today's lunch. I was home so I sauteed up some beet greens, topped them with a fried egg and even whipped up some of my flat leaf pesto. The key to quick meal is keeping it simple and multitasking. While the greens

how to choose a personal trainer

2011-10-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

Sheesh! I've been training for almost 15 years, and blogging for over 3 and I haven't talked about how to choose a trainer, yet? Well here are my 10 cents. Is she/he certified by a nationally accredited organization? Since anyone can call himself a trainer with just a click of a button and a credit card, make sure your trainer is actually certified. Here is a comparison of the top

Olive Hummus recipe -Yum!

2011-10-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hold on! While it's fresh in my head here's how I made my Olive Hummus today. My hummus is like my meatloaf. Never the same thing twice. But Gayle over at Lula Harp asked me for my recipe when she tasted my chipotle version. You could add a bit of chipotle powder instead of the olives, if you want a different flavor. But this is what I had on hand today. . . 1/2 cup of walnuts 1/4 cup ground

Life without a microwave oven

2011-09-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Over a year ago I wanted more counter space and wondered just how safe are microwave ovens, so I went cold turkey, put it out at the curb, listed it on Craigslist. Gone! I figure I'm saving some cash too. I used to pick up a lot of Trader Joe's frozen entrees, but without a microwave oven, reheating leftovers is faster than cooking a frozen dish. I'm not crazy though. I still have a soft spot

I'm listening. . .

2011-09-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

When I train a client I get so focused on the individual that it's as if everything else recedes into the background. I'm listening, watching and giving her my undivided attention. But when I blog I kind of feel like I'm talking into a big black hole. Well a big black hole with my friend Gayle and mom swirling around in it. So, unless you're a honey badger and just don't give a shit, I

Stretches for crafters, desk workers and just about everyone else

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Kate, for suggesting I offer some stretches and exercises particularly for crafters, but really any anyone can benefit from more stretching and movement, right? So here are some suggestions*. Start with Your Posture While sitting, sit on your sitz bones, sit as tall as you can, draw in your navel, relax your neck, and keep your shoulders down and back. Yeah, I know that's a lot to

Raiding a hoarder's stash

2011-09-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after volunteering to help set up an estate sale, my friend Gayle and I agreed to shoot each other if we ever become crazy hoarders. Holy cow, this house was just packed! And even though I'm kinda pointing a finger at the poor lady who accumulated the stuff, I did come away with some goodies. ;-) I have an fondness for vintage embroidered linens so picked up some tea towels and pillow

What to do with extra kombucha starters

2011-09-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

A while back I shared how to make kombucha. Super easy and so much more affordable than store bought versions. But what to do with all those starters, right? I started thinking, hey if this thing is some sort of mushroom--which I've seen it referred to as on other blogs-- I wondered if I could use them as sort of compost, so I tried it. I'm no gardening expert, I learn by play and error, but

Decaying vs aging

2011-09-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

I'm always reading random health and fitness books looking to glean some sort of a-ha! tidbit to share with others. In Younger Next year, A guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond there's an entry titled Decay is Optional. Which made me think the lives of trees vs humans. Trees have an expected life span, they die, then they decay. That is as long as they don't get sick or injured

Grillin' With Gayle: Pizza on the Grill

2011-09-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Gayle's back to guest blog. This time she's all about grilled pizza. She's done all the research and gathered all the important prep tips to make your grilled pizzas at home. Check out her Grilled Beet Salad recipe too. She's a pro. . . Thanks, Gayle! I have been making pizza a couple of nights a week this summer on my grill. I know this blog is supposed to be about being

Summer’s not over yet

2011-08-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

While Kristin is on a bit of computer-time sabbatical, some friends are helping out with guest blogging. Here's some suggestions on outdoor swimming ideas from Anne Laufe.________________________________________ I spend a significant part of my summers searching for good swimming holes. Despite the enormous amount of rain we receive each year in our emerald oasis, finding a

A day in the life of a 66 year old retired nun

2011-08-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Kristin has some gracious guest bloggers while she's on the mend. We started with Gayle and her grill. Now Judith's up with musings about staying fit and part of our community. _________________________________ Well first of all, people always say, “I didn't know nuns retired?” Of course we don't retire from being “nuns” – we retire from an active career/ministry to what I prefer to call a

Grillin' with Gayle: Beet Salad

2011-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Kristin has some gracious guest bloggers while she's on the mend. First up, Gayle with her grill addiction. _______________________ I almost think I need to belong to grillers anonymous. . . "Hi. I’m Gayle and I’m a grill-a-holic." If it can be made in my oven, it can only be made better on my grill. Kristin laughs at me about how much I read about cooking and how much I grill. Did I say how

What to do when you are in a bike/auto accident

2011-08-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, I was hit by a car while on my bike this week. And because of that, I have been extremely limiting with time on the computer due to some issues with my shoulder. Even though I live in the cycling capital of the universe, I want to share a few quick tips if this ever happens to you. 1. DO NOT assume you are OK at the time of the accident. I thought I was fine. I'm

Your money or your life?

2011-08-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

If someone came out of that dark alley and held you up at gun point and yelled, "You money or your life!"more than likely you'd fork over the goods. Right? Well, then why do so many of us spend our days slowly killing ourselves, chasing our tails, the mighty dollar or ever-elusive online chatter, all of which leaves little to no time for active self care? I'm talking about moving our bodies,

For better grades, take your kids outside!

2011-08-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

I've talked before about how exercise positively impacts the brain and can make you smarter and happier, but here's an article with new info about what type of exercise effects the students in the classroom. Studies showed that just basic running around, skipping, walking--being a typical kid--raised kids test scores more than activities that required them to think and move at the same time.

a picture is worth a 1000 words

2011-08-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't one of those ads for the latest weight loss program. (But you should consider this the next time you see a set of "before and after" pictures.) No this is just a little wake up call for all of us in regards to our--wait for it--posture! See, last Friday some folks took advantage of my free postural assessments at the studio. Nothing too painful. I just had them each stand

Weekly Prize for August 8th-15th

2011-08-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard, I'm awarding folks with prizes for sharing their thoughts and inspirations here on the blog and Facebook. This week's prize--winner announced Monday, August 15th--is a FREE month of the class of your choice. Here's where to go for more details on how it works. Good luck!

comment and win!

2011-08-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jane E. for winning a free month of classes! What?! How did she win said prize? I'm rewarding you with prizes for sharing your thoughts and comments here on trainer, crafter, kristin blog and on Facebook. (She suggested I name my soon-to-arrive skeleton, Slim.) Wanna win prizes too? Here's how it works. speak up and win I'll announce a contest + prize at the beginning of the week.

go with the flow

2011-08-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

A little boy wants a pony for his birthday. That's all he wants. The day arrives and he walks into a room and it's filled with horse crap. Floor to ceiling. He grabs a shovel and giddily says, "There must be a pony in here somewhere!" Happiness is all based on your perspective. The day can be filled with crap, or with serendipity moments. Look beyond the immediate moment and you might just see

Working out while at work?

2011-08-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Walk, walk, walk. I walk to work, with clients, with my husband, with my 15 year old dog. It helps clear my head, sort my thoughts, boost my creativity. Plus there's all those health benefits from exercise I keep hearing about. Call me a traditionalist, but I have some issues with the treadmill workstations. I used to have a 9-to-5 job, but I switch careers because I felt trapped like a rat,

I'm a fitness geek

2011-08-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a fitness geek. Articles like this one about the shoulder girdle gets my attention. All those fitness magazines at the grocery store just make me laugh. They package the same vaguely-researched info month after month, preying on our insecurities. Seriously, who buys this!? Kiss Cellulite Good Bye, The Baby food Diet. Personally, I like to learn how cool

Who buys this stuff?!

2011-08-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

The world of fitness products never ceases to amaze me. Everyone is trying to get the non-exerciser to buy into the latest gadget. You know, the one that'll really work for you. Not like the ones you've already purchased and stuffed under your bed or hang clothes on. I just got a flyer in the mail for the Orbit. Concept wise, I like that some of the exercises done on the Orbit mimic those done

Love it to lose it

2011-07-28T12:24:00.001-07:00

Instead of beating yourself up with workouts you dread and food that even the dog wouldn't eat, how about actually being nice to yourself to lose weight? Yep, check out this article about the results of two weight loss groups. One went the traditional diet-and-exercise-route. The other got a bit more touchy feel-y. They dealt with emotional eating, overcoming weight loss barriers, and improving

get up, get creative, and quit yer bitchin'

2011-07-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for more than physical appearance as a motivating reason to get moving? Here are three good reasons to get up off that thang so you feel better, both mentally and physically. Exercise makes you smarter. It can boosts your creativity. Trading couch surfing for dog walking could even help alleviate depression and anxiety. I speak from experience. I've suffered from depression over the

Craft a New Body-make your own gliding discs

2011-07-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

I love all the ways you can use Gliding discs. I've been "gliding" long before these official discs hit the market. Plus I think it's ridiculous to have to pay a licensing fee to use them. So I make my own and you can too. Recently in Breathe Magazine, trainer and writer, Lisa Maloney featured some clever upcycling ideas to make your own fitness toys. She suggested using plastic or bamboo plates

The "whats" and "whys" of Postural Assessments

2011-07-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

When I explain what a postural assessment is and why it's a good idea to have yours checked, I use building construction as an analogy. Let's say you are going to build a house from scratch. You'd want to start with a level foundation and make sure your walls are square and of the same height. With a solid foundation and level walls pretty much everything else would fit into place. Windows

Nori Salad Dressing

2011-07-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

I love me some sushi. The fish, the wasabi, the nori, the pickled ginger. It's all good. I occasionally make my own sushi, but ultimately don't use all the nori sheets in a pack. What to do with the left overs, besides feed them to Ellie? Well, today I made some damn tasty salad dressing with them. Here's what I used 3 sheets of nori, torn into smaller pieces, maybe 3"x3" 3 tablespoons of mayo 2

What the heck is Functional Fitness?

2011-07-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

What exactly is functional exercise? Simply, it's movements that mimic real life activities and requires multiple muscles and joints of the body to simultaniously work together. In that same light there are nonfunctional and dysfunctional exercises. Nonfunctional exercises are pretty much just about building muscle mass and focuses onaesthetics of the body, not the functionality of it.

Tabor Farmers Market!

2011-07-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

Whoohoo! A farmers market is coming right to my neighborhood! Tabor Market officially opens Saturday, July 9th at 5633 SE Division in the parking lot of Café au Play from 9am to 1pm. So far, vendors include Artisan Organics, Shadrin Family Farms, Mickelberry Gardens, Pieku, Maryhill Orchards, Chiyu Confections, Happy Cow Farms, Elyon and Sweet Chaos. Personally I'm excited to have a farmers

A-line skirt class

2011-07-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of summer! Breezy evenings, concerts in the park, and a perfect excuse to wear as many skirts as possible between the raining seasons! I recently took an a-line skirt sewing class at Donna and Toots. Suzanne, the designer and seamstress extraordinaire teaches the classes, designs and makes a line of adorable women's clothing and runs the boutique. She can make you a custom fit item

Judith's Breakfast Cookies

2011-06-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

Looking for a portable breakfast to take on the way to work, on a hike in the Gorge, or pre-workout snack? Then this is just the thing! We're calling Judith's Breakfast Cookies because she's the one who brought them to class one day for us all to try. There was a collective "Yummmmm." And then a "Please give us the recipe." So here you go. Thanks Judith! Judith's Breakfast Cookies1 c bran 3 c

Upcycle your camping gear

2011-06-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm all about less is more. But before you give away or donate unwanted items, maybe you can upcycle some new life into your cast offs. We don't camp much anymore, so in our latest purge we decided to sell off our Thermarest Ridgerest camping mats at Village Merchants. But then I thought mine would make an awesome pilates mat. Ellie thinks they are quite comfortable as well. Here she is doing a

Top Ten Places to Swim in the Portland area

2011-06-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Some day the sun will come out. It will get above 100 degrees. And when it does, we want to go swimming! Here's a short list of outdoor swimming spots around the Portland area. Also includes indoor pools. Because, unless you are a Polar Bear Club member, you aren't swimming outdoors around here for at least 6 months of the year, right? Buck Lake from Flickr Mt Scott Pool and Community

Is stretching good or bad?

2011-06-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

Is stretching good or bad for you? Well, yes and no. The fitness and science community will agree to disagree on whether stretching is good or bad for us. But here's my take on it. It depends on why and what muscles you stretch, and how you perform each stretch. Let's talk "tight" back muscles as an example. Do you often say, "My back is tight."? Do you sit a lot, a little hunched in the upper

My Plate: seems simple enough

2011-06-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

Oh, thank God! The U.S. Agriculture Department has finally replaced the old "My Food Pyramid" with the "My Plate" visual aid to help Americans eat a healthier diet. The new "My Plate" graphic (above) vs. the old "My Pyramid" (below). Of course, with change comes a lot of protest, opinion and blogging. While the new image doesn't cover water intake or which grains are healthiest, and doesn't

Craft a new body: Motivational Calendar

2011-06-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

The other day I talked about how to create visual reminders for your fitness success. So today, I'm sharing my visual cue: My Motivational Calendar, and a tutorial to make your own! First off, since I created my calendar all from materials I gathered at SCRAP, our calendars will probably look completely different. And that's OK! I'll show you how to create your very own, hopefully from upcycled

Craft a new body: grow a garden

2011-06-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

A great way to live healthy is to take an active roll in what we actually shove in our pie holes. And I can't think of a better way than to grow our own fruits and veggies! Get some exercise, reap and sow some home-grown goodness, and maybe develop a calmer sense of patience. Now, I don't claim to have a green thumb, but I get by. And there are tons of ways to learn more.Talk to or become a

Craft a new body: Visualize your goal

2011-06-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

A key to achieving your goals is visualizing what success looks like to you. Then turning what you see in your head into tangible items to motivate, inspire, prompt you into action. Here are a few ideas of what I'm talking about.Have a mantra. Come up with your own personal shape-up slogan. My friend Sarah's was, I take care of my body. My body takes care of me. She posted it on her notebooks,

Top 10: Running Trails

2011-06-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I prefer to run on trails than on roads. Or run on a road to get to a trail. Here are some of my favorite spots in and around Portland, OR.Mt Tabor Park. Good hills and ravines and close to my house! Gotta love that.Forrest Park. The largest park within city limits in the US and plenty of trails for running. So close to town, yet feels miles away.Timothy Lake loop. A mostly flat trail around the

Are you ready for a change?

2011-05-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

According to James O. Prochaska, we go through stages of change before developing a new habit. The stages include precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, termination, and recycling.In relation to a healthy lifestyle, where are you on the scale of change? Let's see......you can't see your toes, you are on a first name basis with counter girl at Taco Bell, most of your

Put a bird on it, Tennessee-style

2011-05-26T10:44:00.001-07:00

Corey just returned from visiting family in Tennessee. One of the rituals of every trip home includes a visit to the Appalachian Center for Craft, part of Tennessee Tech. I always love visiting any crafty spot, while away or right here in Portland. Corey must have been channeling me when he found these cute little bird bowls.For us Portlanders we get the joke, but if you still haven't seen this

Doctors need more scale-side manners!

2011-05-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Can I get a "You go, girl!" for Kate? And can I get a "What the ?!" for her doctor?Kate has been kicking ass all month long in the Better-than-bootcamp Camp. You can see the visible changes in her figure. She walks taller. She's trimmer. She pushes herself. She's ecstatic about how great she feels. Plus she's funny to boot! So she's a pleasure to have in class and we love her. But we're oh so

Portland: a little slice of small-town heaven

2011-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

A functional mosaic by Mark Brody, seen on the 2011 Mt Tabor Art Walk I heart PDX. For a metro area compiled of over a million people, this is an amazingly small town. Start talking to folks and it's like you're talking recipes over the backyard fence instead of the bar at Pacific Pie Co. Ok, let me explain.Saturday, Ginny and I took in some art on the Mt Tabor Art Walk. Then I headed off on my

Quote of the day

2011-05-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.I love this quote. Most folks think these words came out of the Great Depression, but they were actually part of a campaign during World War II. But since the war was on the tail end of the depression, I'm sure most folks were already on board.Those same words could and should prompt us all to live a little leaner, especially today. There are more