Fitness, Running, Life & Plans

FITNESS
I am doing pretty good with my new lifestyle eating changes.  I've lost 12 pounds since I really started working hard on it in June, and 18 pounds total weight loss for the year so far.  I have a ways more I'd like to go and I think at 1-2 pounds a week, that is a fairly good average since its a lifestyle change and not a crash diet.

RUNNING
I had to hold off on starting back running this past week, my hip flexor tear was doing much better, but I just had that feeling and could even feel the injury itself that it wasn't ready.  Instead I began gradually walking again.  1-2 Miles each day last week.  Less and less pain on the uphill each day, telling me the therapy I have been doing the past 2 weeks is working!
I do however plan to gradually resume running this week, it will be gradual probably not more than a mile a day.  Plus a 1-2 mile walk.  I'll let any sign of pain be the indicator on how that will go!

Sometimes even mountains covered in ski trails are beautiful:)

WORK INJURIES
I switched to new running shoes, and one pair is actually my new every day shoe.  It made a drastic difference on both feet and their different injuries.
My guess of my newer right foot injury being Nerve Entrapment, treating it for it at least.  Has proven to be spot on with how it is healing.  In fact I haven't noticed any pain/problems with it in almost 2 weeks now.
The original injury is also healing so fabulously.  I transitioned out of the orthodics the doctors had put me in and the timing was right, I've seen nothing but drastic improvement over the last 3 weeks since I did this.

I mentioned my debate.  Well, this week the 23rd is finally that Dr. Appt with the Specialist again.  I've been waiting over a month for it, but I have no signs of pain or problems.  So I am very tempted to cancel it.
However, if I cancel it, what if the pain comes back....  Well I'm going to think long and hard on this, and I will decide by tomorrow.

LIFE
I've had a fun week, caught up with a good friend over lunch one day.  Spent a little time up in the local canyons.  The pictures shared in this post are from a few of my sights this past week.
Had a great Friday playing with a few of my nieces and nephews, I actually played hide and seek with them for several hours.  I was exhausted by the time the five of them left.

PLANS
Thanks to the economy and the Pinterest bride:(   Summer brides this year around here seemingly are into the DIY backyard weddings, and there is not enough money in those to make it worth my time.
So since business has slowed a little and likely won't pick up too much until September, I have a lot of fun upcoming things planned.
Generally I am an after the fact blogger, for security reasons. But I'll give you a little peak into some of my plans without giving specific dates.

*  I have lots of upcoming camping trips planned (finally).  Which means fresh air and cooler elevation temps.  Ahhh I can't wait!  I hate planning and rarely ever do, but as long as its a short time away, then I guess it's okay to plan a little:)

*  Stand-Up Paddle Boarding - I've been wanting to try this for a few years now, and told my sisters about it and come to find out one of them loves to do it and wants to go with me.  So we are going to rent boards for an upcoming camping trip and do lots of lake paddle boarding!  If I like it as much as I think I will, I might really consider buying one!  I've already called a place and asked how much they'd charge to rent them out for a week and was able to get a pretty good deal!

*  Boating - My sisters and I were talking and we think it would be a fun idea to all go in on buying one of those large rafts to share.  It will be a lot more fun on trips if we can take ourselves and the kids up rafting.

*  I mentioned camping above, but I've also got a lot of hiking and fishing trips planned.  Thank goodness my injuries are fading out because this gal loves to hike!  Frankly I could fish every morning and evening, and hike every afternoon if life allowed!

WINNER
Thank you to everyone who participated both as a blogger hosting a giveaway or an entrant to the Fitness Favorites Giveaway Blog Hop.  Visit the giveaway page HERE.  The winner has been announced, you can check and see if it is you:)

So tell me, what was your past week like.  
Do you have some upcoming plans your looking forward too?

DIY Projects, Recipes and Modern Pioneering

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books for my review.  I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts and opinions below are my own.




I have a different book to review and share with you all today.  It's called Modern Pioneering by Georgia Pellegrini.

Why did I choose this book?  Well the title intrigued me alone, but with as pricey as life is getting, I was looking forward to learning a few tricks of self-sufficiency that I may not have know before that could save me money!

This book was pretty great, it's not one I sat and read cover to cover.  But instead flipped through it, stopping at the different projects of interest using a note card to come back to it when I was ready to give it a try.
I haven't tried everything in the book and probably never will.  But I do have a couple dozen note cards for DIY projects I plan to work on when I have time.

The book has over 100 recipes.  A lot of them, using things in your cupboards, or things in your garden that you may not have thought of using before to cook.

I do love the small space gardening tips in the book, and there are quite a few of these.  Which I highly recommend for anyone who has anything from a larger garden, to a porch or balcony only garden.

There are also lots of DIY projects, using household items to make fun crafts.  Additionally she has what she calls a "Superwoman Skills" section, which was really fun.  In fact I am seriously learning how to pick a lock because of it!

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites of the different types of projects:

Gardening section; which was one of my favorites.  Teaches you what kind of seeds to save so you won't have to buy seeds next year.  The shelf live of many popular seeds.

Tricks for using cardboard in your garden, yup I loved these tips to get rid of weeds for good!
My favorite section in gardening was the Edible Flower section.  Yes, I never realized you could eat flowers.
In fact if you use the correct flowers in certain sections of your garden, you not only won't have to use pesticides because certain flowers keep bugs away.  But those same flowers can serve two purposes, you can actually eat them.  Yes I tried it with a few, and I was pleasantly surprised!

I also loved learning how I could make a potato garden out of a black garbage bag, yes you read that right!  Although I have space in my yard, I was shocked to learn how you can grow a couple dozen potatoes right in a bag on your porch!

The recipe section; there were so many goodies in this section, several of which I tried.
My favorites were the Watermelon salad, pea pancakes, Melon Agua Fresca, Cauliflower Steaks, Ice Cream without an ice cream maker, Apple butter (yum), Sugared Flowers, Flower Lollipops and loved the section on how to eat a rose!  Yes, you read that right, who knew huh!

Like I mentioned above there are over a 100 of them, and they are using things in your garden, everything from weeds to fruits and veggies that you can grow.  The recipes are using things that you already have, so you can improvise and avoid going to the store!

There are recipe's to make all the essentials that you normally would buy in a store, everything from spices to oils.  Tips on how to become as self-sufficient as possible each year with your garden and save yourself lots of money.

A few "Superwoman trick" are also included, I mentioned picking locks above, yes it does teach you that!  I am still working on honing that skill!
But there are also other useful tips, like how to find water and clean it for drinking.  How to turn yourself into a human compass, making fire without matches (yup, so you will do awesome if you ever get on Survivor.)

There is also a weekend warrior section.  DIY projects like making your own cheese, making your own butter (I've tried that one), making your own tea's, sparkling cider's.  Turning your old mason jars into lanterns, chalk paint for you or your kids, how to turn your glass bottles into cute kitchen drinking jars., wreaths and candle making.  Birdhouses to Antiquing this book has lots of fun weekend projects to try as you have time.

If you enjoy cooking, gardening and projects, this is a fun and unique book that you will likely enjoy!  I am really enjoying trying them myself.  I also have been taking notes, so next year when I plant my garden's, I will be able to get much more out of them, and save myself in the long run!

You can CLICK HERE if you'd like more information on this book or to purchase it.

You can also learn more about GEORGIA PELLEGRINI by visiting he Author page.