[eeyoretam]

Jenna - I have to pick my garden spot based on the dogs as well. I've already caught the chow eating blackberries and the border collie/lab we have will eat anything (even pollen). The backyard is so full of trees that I'll have to keep an eye on all the squirrels too.

Steph - It's good to "see" you. Take your 12 hours 15 minutes at a time if you have to. Hopefully the orthpod can help resolve the issues you are having.

Jan - I received the shakeology sample and will try it this weekend. Thanks again for sending it!

I did Burn It Off yesterday even though it was an "off" day and then did Burn 2 today. I had a little difficulty with it today though. Minor reaction to the allergy shot today so breathing was a bit strained. The rain has kept me from walking the dogs and we're finally getting enough rain tonight to hopefully clear the pollen. Once the pollen is gone I can taper the shots down to 1-2 per month instead of 2 per week until November and then it starts all over again.

I've been trying the resistance bands at home, and I know they're working, but I don't really like them (personal preference I guess). I complained enough that my DH told me to get some weights and I ordered Select Techs today DH has been wanting something to use at home for days he can't make it to the gym so we will both being using these.

[Jenna]

thankfully low impact options work just as well if you remember intensity. let us know how things go, Steph & we'll be thinking of you!

I haven't worked out yet today yet but I plan to as soon as I can get kids to bed.

[StephRN]

Jenna & Tamara, thx so much for the encouragement.

Tamara, I bought the Select Techs after my first month b/c I outgrew my Sports Blocks. I love them for versatility. They're a bit long for someone of my height but I assume most people are taller than me (5'2"). I just have to watch my form really well on some of the exercises to make them work the correct muscle groups.

You're both doing so well. I'm beginning to think I want to start a container garden from your conversations. I'm moving sometime in the next 6 months. So, it might be better to wait than try to transport the plants across town.

I'm off to work. Send me good thoughts.

Hugs,

[Jenna]

Hope you have a great work day! I'm about to go stand in the rain till Taliah's bus drops her off... fun. LOL

[StephRN]

Thx Jenna for the good thoughts. I actually had a much better day than I had anticipated. My knee was less painful than I had expected.

I have my 1st appt with the orthopod on the 21st. So, we'll see what he recommends. I sure hope I can get back to low impact before then. I don't want to rush it but I miss Insanity and CE. What a crazy thought, huh. It seems insane. Maybe there's something to that title.

[Jenna]

LOL Steph - maybe so. I wouldn't know - that's one I haven't gotten yet.

I have been eating great & working out so-so. I have been pulling pesky grass & still planting some things in the garden. My passifloras are growing! So happy with that, & I have cow horn & blue filius peppers growing too. I planted some ground cherries, purple beans, nasturtiums, spaghetti squash, & a couple of sunflowers. I started some sweet vine mini peppers in a couple of little cups on the sill because they need a little TLC. LOL I have some marigolds that the seller (ebay) sent as a freebie with my order - no idea what I will do with them since 98% of my plants are edible. I plant for beauty & functionality LOL. As soon as everything is sprouted I plan to snap some pictures & do a layout to include my garden "grid" too.

How are you other gardeners doing? Did you get your boxes finished & planted, Jan? I know that was the plan.

Gotta go finish prepping dinner - baked sweet potatoes. Yum!

[jeschaff]

Jenna, I think marigolds help repel snails. Why don't you put them in an see?

I've been having a weird week. Along with the stress of losing my doggie a week ago, we have also been frantically trying to get the house ready for termite tenting. The tent went up today, and Jeff and I are camped out at a hotel for a few days. The bad side of this is that my eating is off. The good side is that they have a small gym, so even though I can't do my CE, I can still do cardio at least. I treadmilled 1/2 hour and ellipticalled another 1/2 hour (my spell-checker doesn't like my "new" verbs!). I hope to hit the pool tomorrow, depending on the weather. When I get back home, I have one more day on the CE Push Circuit.

Hope you're all having a great week.

[ScrappingForever]

Steph, so glad you're doing okay, relatively speaking! lol Let us know how your appt today goes. And yes, missing Insanity is just a bit insane.

You are planting some really exotic things, Jenna! I haven't heard of half of those things! lol We did get everything finished and planted over the weekend. I'll be doing a blog post today about it, so I'll post a link to that when it's done.

JoEllen, termite tenting does not sound fun at ALL! But hooray for you for hitting the workout room at the hotel. It's just fun being able to switch things up every once in a while, isn't it! Hey, next week is when we come out your way. We will be arriving in LA on the 27, and we'll have the 28th and 29th free. How far away are you? Is it possible to get together?

I've been hitting Insanity hard the past two weeks, and still getting out running as well. Gotta get my Beachbody in the best shape possible before the Summit next week! Can't wait to work out with Tony, Chalene and Shaun T in person! It's gonna be a blast!

Anyway, out to get a bit of a run in before I get too hungry again. Already did Cardio Power & Resistance from Insanity this morning.

Have a great day everyone!

[Jenna]

You're burnin' it up, miss thang! LOL

termite tenting - they already eat our houses, we have to give them tents now too? sheesh! Seriously though - hope that goes quick & painless as possible - LOL at your new words. I like 'em.

I hadn't heard that about marigolds - I might try to find a spot & see since there are some snails & a number of grubs & slugs here. Bryan says he wants to order ladybugs & lizzards to eat aphids & biggies. We do have lots of frogs & toads around so I'm sure they help.

I'm off to workout

[ScrappingForever]

Hey ladies, I posted my blog post about our new Square Foot Garden. Check it out here: http://ow.ly/1BtT3

[jeschaff]

Well, no swimming for me today because it's 50 degrees with a heavy wind. Wouldn't be too bad in the water, but getting out would not be fun I did bring my CE DVDs, so I'm going to at least get in some extreme abs today. I'm not sure there's room for much else in this tiny little room.

The tent went up yesterday - blue and yellow stripes! How did they know we were UCLA people? It's down now, but we can't go in until sometime late tomorrow. The gas won't be turned back on until Friday, so we're staying at the hotel until then.

Jan, we're about 40 miles from where I think you'll be. It's really not a big deal to drive in though (we do it all the time), and I'm free either day. What sights are you planning to see? Perhaps we should take this conversation to a PM?

Jenna, just reading about your garden makes me hungry! Yours too, Jan! I just had to rip out my planter boxes - durn termites even ate the redwood - SHEESH!!! I plan to get some tomatoes into pots this year, but not much else.

Hope you're all having a great day!

[eeyoretam]

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been a bit absent, but life has thrown 2 major curve balls at us this past week. Chad is in Honduras for business until Friday night so I've been dealing with both medical issues with his family. I'll get back to posting more often when things get a bit more "normal."

I have been working out and that consistency is keeping me sane and grounded in this bit of chaos. I received my weights yesterday and I was so excited I almost hugged the FedEx guy. Great Burn 2 workout with them today.

[Jenna]

Hey ladies!

Jan - garden looks great, I subscribed so I can lurk. Apparently it doesn't like my comments so I will leave them here LOL

You'll want a trellis for the canteloupe (if it was there I missed it). Sounds great though! I read that snow peas like it cooler so they should give a good spring crop but might have a harder time in the summer (at least here - it's so HOT!). I haven't planted mine as I am afraid they won't be mature till it's pretty hot, but I might plant some in semi-shade & see how they do anyway. If they peter out I'll just plant in late summer & hope for a good fall crop. I will be planting pumpkins in the bed I have my melons in after I harvest them in late June or early July, that should give me some good ones in time for Halloween & far enough into Nov for pies & breads (& pancakes, & muffins, & pumpkin cookies, & soup, & - can you tell I love pumpin? great fiber, great protein, can't beat it!).

JoEllen - the best laid plans, right? Glad you were still able to workout though. I will be doing some of that this evening.

Tamara - hope everything works out for you - I'll be praying for ya. I was going to see if you were doing anything for Fiesta this weekend - I think we are doing something Sat & wanted to see if you were interested in meeting us. Or, I was going to see if you might want to crop at Michael's or my place or somewhere Fri? I think I will be taking Bry to work so I will have the van & the kids are out for "Battle of Flowers" day. LOL Sounds like you have your hands full though so maybe next time...

In other news, my much anticipate Intuos 3 (love ebay!) arrived today & it works! WOOHOO! My first tablet & I am soooo looking forward to learning how to use it! Any tips are appreciated greatly!

[StephRN]

Hi everyone, I've been reading your posts intermittently and wishing I could exercise. You all are doing a great job and the gardening is very inspiring. I wish I was already moved so I could start one too.

I saw the orthopod on Wed; had an MRI on Thur; today I went and had an ankle brace fitted for me. The orthotics guy was more helpful than my orthopod. He deals with alot of PF. So, he knows what works.

The good news is....there are no tears, ruptures or fractures. The fx he saw was probably the old one I didn't know I had 2 years ago. I won't need a medical leave from work.

The bad news is....I have fluid build up in my R ankle joint that can become a big problem. So, he's sending me back to physical therapy to fix my L foot injury (the rupture I had last year). He thinks I didn't rehab it correctly and is now causing the problems in my R foot and L knee.

Needless to say, I'm a bit angry with my podiatrist. I made it clear last year that I wasn't bearing weight evenly and still had significant pain with ambulation. She sent me back to work anyway. From now on, I'm going to my primary care physician to back me up if I'm not getting the care I want. She's the best. I've gone through insurance hades to keep her.

I have to wear the brace while I'm exercising. So, I can begin gently with the help of PT. I work this weekend but am looking forward to doing a short TJ on Monday.

I'm also doing gastroc & soleus stretches 3x a day. Rolling my heels on a nubbed ball and then rolling my feet over an ice bottle before bed. The hope is that I can force the progression of the PF to the point of releasing. Instead of waiting for it to happen on it's own. Send me good thougths. They really make a difference.

[Sara Arell]

I'm just a runner and a biker - no machines here - but I do have a treadmill - I am trying - thanks to Theresa! And her continued encouragement.

[Wxchic]

You go, Sara!!

Glad you are at least getting some answers, Steph...Good thoughts coming your way!

Today I did some Great Buns Guaranteed, and I CAN'T GET OUT OF MY CHAIR! Owch! It is a good thing, sure...but WHOA! Guess I need the butt work! LOL!

[StephRN]

Hey you gardners, I found this while I was looking for some drain maintenance info....

"In the Garden
Occasionally, lightly sprinkle baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from nibbling at your buds.
Sprinkle baking soda on slugs to get rid of them without having to resort to costly and toxic pesticides.
To sweeten your tomatoes by reducing their acidity, sprinkle baking soda lightly on the soil around your tomato plants. The soda from an old box used to absorb odors in the refrigerator is fine for this purpose."

The last part about making tomatoes sweeter is really interesting. Would love to know if it really works.

On an exercise note, the orthpod is sending me back to physical therapy. He believes my injuries are stemming from incorrect rehab of my original injury.

I made a short attempt to do some TJ last night and my knee is still very stiff & painful. So, I'm waiting a little longer,

Jan, I got the green shakeology yesterday and made it for lunch. It's pretty good. I tried it straight and then added a frozen 1/2 banana & some strawberries to the rest. It didn't make a ton of difference in the flavor for the added cals.

[Jenna]

well I have had some stomach bug the kids brought home from school for the last 2 days. Bryan & I have both been ill. I will be starting the couch potato to 5K program along with my weight training as soon as I am able to workout again.

Interesting about the baking soda - I might do that, any indication as to how much, or does it matter?

[StephRN]

Sara, I'm so glad you're joining us.

Jenna, I hope you are feeling well again.

After 25 days without exercise (other than physical therapy exercises), I started over on CE with Burn Circuit 1. I went really slowly and watched my form to the nth degree. I had to decrease weight on all the exercises but I kept my form good and I'm feeling a little sore and shaky. It's so good to be working out again.

I won't be attempting Insanity for awhile and then I will do it all at low impact.

How is everyone else doing?

[Vaughnde]

I'm doing better. A Physical Therapist startd coming and he was here saturday. I have homework aka exercises to do 2x a day with different movements. He'll be here again in an hour this morning. Then the rest of the week is going crazy! Chiropractor this afternoon, Dr. Thompson specialist about my ankle tomorrow, and Hemotologist on Thursday. Things are happening now with regards to the nasty fall I took March 5th...finally. The Hemotologist is to find out why my blood is producing extra red cells that I don't need. We are just in the beginning stages of trying to find out why...so I hope we get that matter resolved soon as well.

[StephRN]

Good luck to you V. It's good that things are beginning to roll towards an answer and better healing.

[Jenna]

I'm doing good - started couch potato to 5K today & the first day went well. I'll be first to admit that I am not a runner - I have always been good with sprints (although I am probably not too speedy anymore LOL), but distance has never been my strong suit, so just starting this is a big deal for me. LOL

I was also tickled to see Tony Horton make an appearance on Kirstie Alley's Big Life - I DVR it & watch on Mon mornings when I am walking (or today jogging) on the treadmill. She & her "cubby buddy" were getting bored with their workout routines & she saw the P90X infomercial. I knew it as soon as I heard the music da na na na na na nanana LOL Anyway, it appears that she started a BB workout too. She "tweeted" TH & he came over & did a personal session with them at her house. Fun - too bad I can't afford that! LOL Oh wait, yeah I can - I just have to push play!!! hehehe

I am going to try to find a lavender plant to put in my pot garden out front. I didn't know that lavender is culinary till today! (some of you are thinking "Duh") So the last herb I want to plant is the lovely & fragrant perennial. I am so excited - I like stevia but couldn't figure out how to use the silly stuff fresh. I grew it last year & again this year & have just been nibbling on a leaf here & there when I am poking around in the garden. Well net to the rescue! I grew a brain & googled cook with fresh stevia & found a way to make a simple syrup with bruised leaves & water. Hello! I liberally "pinched" my stevia back (along with a few other herbs that are getting jungle wild out there) & threw in a couple of peppermint leaves for good measure - pounded the patooties out of them with my meat tenderizer on the counter & crammed them in a washed picante jar along with a C of HOT water. Sealed with the lid & set it on the counter for 24 hrs. Today I strained it through a coffee filter & put it back in the same jar in the fridge where I read it will keep for a few weeks or in the freezer for 6 mo if I prefer! Wow! So a HEALTHY cal free sweetener that has been shown to possibly help regulate blood sugar & I can make it myself? Boy is it sweet too - I made it with my sun tea in mind, so I felt the mint would be good with it, but I bet it would be good in other stuff too. It's heat stable - so you can use it instead of sugar in cooking (so long as the sugar isn't required for the dish to rise - stevia won't feed yeast so it won't work as leavening).

Learned that lavender is a good flavoring for teas & lemonade too - I think I might be having some tasty tea this summer! LOL

Anyone know where I can get a healthy lavender plant? I haven't really looked yet, thinking Lowes or Home Depot would probably carry them. There is a lavender farm not far from San Antonio but I didn't see any info that led me to think they offer their plants. They do have some neat events there in the summer though, I might have to plan a family outing.

Glad to see you are back at it, Steph & V - something is better than nothing, right? I am feeling much better & glad to be getting back to my workouts too. Time to lose the sludge once & for all - I don't like looking good "for having 4 kids", I just want to look (& feel) good - period - no strings or modifiers included. I did it before. I will do it again. The weight will not defeat me.

[StephRN]

I'm with you Jenna. I bought the chi walking & running DVDs. I'm going to give it a whirl this week and see if I can do a slower version of C25K.

[StephRN]

Did Burn Circuit 2. It's warm today and I'm a sweat ball. Being this sweaty is great motivation to eat well so I'll be less uncomfortable through the summer months.

[Jenna]

Warm - ugh - try 91 today LOL. We scrimp too - so I keep the ac at 76 (trying to work my way up to 78 but it's humid here too & our home is not insulated very well so it leaks like a sieve). Ucky. You'll have to tell me how you like the chi stuff.

I am guessing that C25K is what I am doing - so much faster to type that way (duh, right?). So I am finally well again today & I did my week 1 stuff again. I missed Wed (sick) so I am thinking I might stay at week 1, or should I go to week 2? I guess I can try week 2 & drop it back if that's too hard. I didn't struggle at all today which is great since I am so not a distance runner. I sprint, I always have, I am good for a hard & fast (SHORT!) run... I haven't run distance since I left Basic Training. LOL That is changing now because honestly, I don't remember anything that ever got weight off faster than running. Now it could have been a combo of things (like we had about 2 min to eat - seriously), & I was younger for sure, but I was also under a lot of stress. I started Basic only 10 days after I married Bryan so that was tough & it's all a big mental game anyway. As much as I loathe running distance I figure I can train myself to run a little so Bryan will be happy (he loves to run) & with a treadmill I am not sacrificing my knees.

Anyway, I'd better turn in - sleepy time.

[StephRN]

Jenna, WTG with the C25K.

I bought the Chi Walking & Chi Running DVDs. I had to postpone the chi running workshop d/t fertility treatments.

I did CE Burn Circuit 3 today. My abdominal pain is finally better. I'm so glad I did the workout. It feels good to sweat and make my muscles flex. #3 is my fav in the Burn phase.

goal is to watch the DVDs tonight and try out the technique tomorrow. Burn Intervals is also on the calendar for tomorrow.

[StephRN]

I did Burn it Off & Recharge today. My hammies are so sore from yesterday's wo that I wasn't nearly as flexible as I used to be. It feels good to have sore muscles again.

BTW, I walked into a hydroponics store a couple days ago. It's incredibly cool and easy to set up. I'm definitely going to give it a whirl. I want to do a dwarf cherry tree. That will have to wait 'til I can order one in the fall. In the meantime, I might do a tomato & bell pepper. The best part is that I can do all of it with completely organic nutrients. So cool.

[jeschaff]

I did Burn Intervals and Extreme Abs yesterday. Will do Lean Circuit 2 today. I'm also doing a challenge that's going on at Facebook for pushups, having to modify them because of arthritis in my hands. It seems I can position them on the edge of the kitchen counter without pain, so that's the way I'm doing it. Pushups have always been the bane of my workouts - wonder how many I have to do on the counter to equal what I would otherwise be doing on the floor???

I'm really inspired by everyone's gardening efforts. I've finally gotten my "crops" in - tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, strawberries, and trying a cantaloupe. I only use organic soil and fertilizer when I'm planting edibles. I did see some "Square Foot" pre-mixed soil while I was shopping around, although I suspect it would be far more cost-effective to mix your own.

Hope everyone's having a great day!

[Vaughnde]

Got a new ankle brace today and its helping better. Was able to go outside twice today...once with the cane earlier this morning and again this afternoon without the cane. I think I'm still gonna need my cane a bit longer. There is still some pain...mostly my foot area near the bones. Still Limping...it'll be awhile before I can walk without a limp and without pain.

[StephRN]

JoEllen & V, it's good to have you back.

JoEllen, I think it's great that you're doing the pushups on the counter. That's a great work around. I also suspect that it's a good warm up for your ankle joints.

V, I'm glad to hear that your on the mend. Walking with a can must burn some good cals.

I did Burn Circuit 1. I watched the Chi Running DVD last night and I thinkiing I will give that a try in the next couple days. I need to practice a little more.