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Month of fun: Day 25

September 25, 2011

Maybe I made a mistake by hanging out with the gorillas in Rwanda.

Because now I have my very own pair of gorilla feet.

I’ve been curious about minimalist running footwear ever since I read Christopher McDougall’s bestseller, “Born to Run,” which questions traditional running shoe wisdom, examines super distance runners and tells the story of Mexico’s Tarahumara tribe, whose runners log hundreds of miles at a time while wearing only thin sandals.

The Vibram Five Finger shoes follow that basic philosophy. It gives you the experience of running barefoot while providing a minimal amount of covering for protection from roadside hazards, like broken glass or rocks.

I’m someone who has actively tried to run for many years, but I was always sidelined by shin splints and foot pain before I could ever build any kind of endurance. It was only a year ago that I realized I was a heel striker, which I think contributed to the pain in my shins. Once I changed my running style, the pain went away. The Vibrams are just an extension of that for me.

I wanted to get back to basics and run the way humans were designed to run — without the pumped up kicks.

I had a sizable dividend check from REI that I had to use, so I sent off for the shoes a couple weeks ago. (In Palm Springs, you can check out Vibrams at the Birkenstock store, 138 S. Palm Canyon Dr., downtown.)

I bought this pair in a men’s size, because the men’s size has more length and my toes are long enough to peel apples.

After years of wearing cushioned, padded shoes, you’re supposed to ease into minimalist footwear. So I started by wearing my Vibrams to walk the dog. Then I took the dog a slow jog. Then I left the dog at home (sorry, Lemon) and did some walk/sprint intervals.

And today? It was my first time doing one whole session with the Vibrams. FUN!

Yes, they look silly. But they give me the sensation of being a manic kid again, running around the yard at top speed and enjoying every joyful second. For that, I’ll happily take the gorilla feet.

Month of fun: Day 24

September 24, 2011

Sometimes I forget what yoga does for me. It becomes a chore to drag the mat out. I think, “Oh, I’ll do some yoga later. Or tomorrow. Or next Saturday.” I have to force yoga upon myself, like a child eating her spinach, and then I spend the first few downward-facing dogs cursing the whole world.

You know where this story is going, right? By the end of yoga class, I’m humming “Kumbayah,” waving my peace flag and shining with sparkly love, gratitude and light like a big granola star. I swear I can even feel my cells dancing.

And that happens every single time I try to talk myself out of yoga. You’d think I would learn.

It’s the same thing that happened to me at the ashram in India. I was doing four hours of yoga a day, not drinking any alcohol, getting loads of sleep, meditating, eating a sattvic diet. I felt beyond fabulous. Then as soon as I was off ashram grounds, I had a bottle of cheap Indian wine in one hand, a bag of potato chips in the other and 10 clove cigarettes in my mouth. At the same time. And then I was all, “Why do I feel like crap? That ashram didn’t do anything for me.”

I actively buck and scream and fight the things that make me feel good. It’s tiresome and pointless.

Well, today I think I finally learned. I forced myself out of bed — away from stacks of fluffy pillows, a hunky husband and a freshly brewed pot of coffee — and headed to Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs.

Every Saturday there’s free yoga in the wellness park, a lovely gift from Power Yoga Palm Springs.

During the sweltering summer months classes begin at 8 a.m. Next week, (that’s Oct. 1, if you’re keeping track), yoga in the park will resume at its normal 10 a.m. time.

Founder Janet Vance says on her website that the class is “inspired by nature, a love of yoga and dream to make yoga accessible to all by removing barriers such as price, props and intimidating settings.” That means no mirrors, no chanting, no billowing clouds of incense. Just sweet birds, powerful trees and a desert sky hung so high and proud, you can’t help but feel invigorated.

It feels less like a workout class and more like a bunch of good friends getting together for a 90-minute shot of serotonin.

Here’s a photo I ~~stole~~ borrowed from Janet’s site.

Today’s class was like a complete reboot for my system. I left there as giddy as a toddler with cotton candy toys.

And it only took one teensy, positive step forward to make me feel the way I should all the time.

Month of fun: Day 23

September 23, 2011

It’s still well over 100 degrees here in the desert, but my soul knows it’s autumn somewhere. That’s probably why I’ve been craving the flavors of fall, from hot apple cider to the warm spice of pumpkin-flavored goodies, even though my environment is more suited for popsicles and watermelon.

So this morning I grabbed my last can of pumpkin puree from the pantry and got to work.

Unfortunately, pumpkin pie is not on my detox plan. Crazy, I know. But why should that stop me from enjoying the rich flavors of pumpkin pie while consuming something that’s also good for me? Here’s what I came up with:

Pumpkin oats (1 serving)

1. Bring 3/4 cup water to a rolling boil.

2. Add 1/4 cup steel-cut oats. (Not instant oatmeal). I use the cheap container from Trader Joe’s. Turn the heat to low and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and a splash of vanilla extract. Simmer for about two more minutes.

4. Let the oats stand for one minute before serving.

5. Top with oatmeal condiments of choice. I topped my bowl with a few chopped hazelnuts and a teaspoon of maple syrup. You could also try fresh blueberries, dried cranberries, honey, brown sugar, soy milk, crumbled graham crackers … whatever your dear little heart desires.

Keep in mind that these measurements are totally flexible. Want more vanilla? Pump it up, man! Hate pumpkin pie spice and want your cinnamon to go solo? Swap it out! Pumpkin oats are forgiving, and pumpkin oats do not judge. Just do whatever it takes to make it taste good for you.

I didn’t take a photo, because my oatmeal looked like cat food. Instead, here’s a photo I took at a pumpkin patch a couple years ago.

Who needs pumpkin pie when you could have oats, right?

OK, maybe you still need pie.

But these oats are good too — and they’re good for you.

Of course, you already know that oatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s loaded with soluble fiber, it’s low in fat and calories and it’s thick with cancer-fighting nutrients. But combine all that with pumpkin — packed with vitamins A, C and tons of good-for-you minerals — and you’ve got yourself the breakfast version of Wonder Twins.

Month of fun: Day 22

September 22, 2011

Sheet mask day!

Oh man, I got so hooked on these things when I was in Korea. This is how Asian women keep a youthful glow while also terrifying their partners/roommates.

Hubba hubba!

Sheet masks come individually wrapped in little packets like this.

Some of the Japanese ones feature Hello Kitty. So you can look as young and fresh-faced as a cartoon kitten! Me-OW!

The sheets are coated with serum, which varies depending on the effect you desire. Some have brightening/whitening agents, others are for detox, acne, anti-aging, moisture, whatever.

After you apply the sheet mask, keep it on there for a half hour or until your skin has soaked up most of the moisture from the sheet.

Because there was always a puddle of serum left in the packet, I usually fold the sheet carefully and tuck it back inside to reuse it again a few days later. But perhaps you are not as cheap as me. In that case, just throw your mask away when you’re done.

I can’t make a claim for the long-term effectiveness of sheet masks. However, I adore them. They are 100 percent soothing and cooling for my skin, which often gets too taut and dry. I would especially recommend this for anyone living in the desert.

And at just $1-2 per mask, that’s the kind of skincare treatment I can afford. Except now I’m going to have to get my fix from Amazon, instead of a vendor on the street corner in Seoul.

Month of fun: Day 21

September 21, 2011

The good thing about writing a book is that I can hang out in my pajamas all day.

The bad thing about writing a book is that I hang out in my pajamas all day.

Sometimes I miss going out to social events, making friends and having conversations with someone who isn’t my cat.

That’s why I was so excited about the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce mixer. Not only was this an opportunity to meet new people and hand out my business card as a freelance writer, but at last I had a reason to wash my hair and put on makeup.

Plus, giddy-up, y’all! This wasn’t some boring ol’ networking event. With a super-fun hoedown theme, the dress code was more jeans and boots than suits and heels.

Buses and jeep coaches brought all the guests to Metate Ranch, a little Western town tucked away in the crevices of the San Andreas Fault. There was music, a glowing bonfire, a shooting range, even a stand where visitors could pan for gold.

This sign reminded me of college. And if any of you have been to the Smiling Skull Saloon in Athens, Ohio, you’ll know what I mean.

Food was provided by Jackalope Ranch of Indio. I’m still on a food and drink detox (boo!) so I didn’t get to rustle up any grub, but I did hear plenty of raves about their signature mac and cheese.

Just when I thought the mixer couldn’t get any better, my friends and I took over the costume booth! Here I am indulging my inner cowpoke, while Xochitl plays the role of my squaw. Now this is original gangsta.

Our evening was capped off by a rollicking ride through the fault zone, courtesy of the fine folks at Desert Adventures. Naturalist guide Eric Harmon zoomed through jagged cuts of canyon, showing me a dramatic desert I’ve never seen before.

It was a mini version of their full fault line tour, and it was just enough to whet the appetite. I will definitely be back for more.