Barefoot Running, Park Pictures, Parallel Parking

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Hi Friends! I hope your weekend is off to a great start!  I work weekends, so am not able to enjoy them quite as fully as if I wasn’t working, but I make the best of them, that’s for sure.  It’s so nice out this time of year, I just love the weather.   Low 70s, crystal blue skies, not as many tourists and things are less crowded in general, it’s great!

Park with trees and sidewalk

As I mentioned earlier in the week about hitting up tons of parks this past week, here’s a few more park pictures from our many trips to various parks.

Young girl standing and smiling swinging arms at park
Woman and child sitting at picnic table smiling
Child standing next to picnic table smiling
Close up of woman and child siting at picnic table smiling
Self-portrait, not photoshopped.   
Yes, it happens in the ‘sphere for those of you who were shocked when I mentioned that before.

Sounds like most of you enjoy city parks, trails, and outdoor spaces, too.  Even if you don’t use them as much as you want to, at least you try to get out there.

Tall trees and some play equipment at park

Thanks for bearing with my last “real” post (after some Google Reader Glitches) about finding a food or product 10 years later, that was simply relabeled as something different, but it was indeed the same actual product.

Oh I was so happy about this mustard!
Sweet Hot Mustard bottle on countertop
Many of you told me you have tried this exact mustard in the form of “President’s Choice Sweet with Heat” brand and also as a Kroeger Grocery private labeled mustard.

It sounds like many of you know that Trader Joe’s private labels many of it’s products and they are the same as other products you may find elsewhere, and they simply relabel them as their own brand.  If you missed the post, read all about it Here.

Then there was my 50% off Coupon for Vita-Mix, Excalibur Dehydrators, Kitchen Aid Mixers, Sun Warrior protein and more.  I am going to work with Open Sky and various vendors and supplies to hopefully keep these types of things coming!

I could not believe the overwhelming response!  As in, within minutes of posting the code Friday night, you guys were all over it.  Sweet!  Glad you scored some ridiculously great deals on Vita-Mix, Excalibur Dehydrators, and Sun Warrior.

Lately I’ve been enjoying homemade kombucha from my oak barrel

Oak barrel of Kombucha on warming pad

 

Glass of kombucha with ice next to bottle of liquid vanilla steviaClose up of bottle of liquid vanilla stevia
And I’ve been adding a few drops of Vanilla Stevia to it.   Thanks to NuNaturals.  So tasty!

And here’s one of my Veggie Bowls:
Stevia Leaf Edamame Salad with Romaine, Stevia Leaves, Tomatoes, Edamame, and Artichoke hearts (I steamed them for 1 minute in the micro in a shallow pool of water with plastic wrap over the top of the bowl)

Stevia Leaf Edamame Salad
Stevia Leaf Edamame Salad with Vegan Slaw Dressing

 

Dressed With Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing using Reduced Fat Veganaise.
The dressing seeped into all the crevices of artichoke heart, just the way I like it: well coated with every bite!
Jar of Vegan Slaw dressing with ingredients in background
Salad dressed with Vegan Slaw Dressing up close
 For my thoughts on the Stevia Leaves and if it’s Worthwhile to Get a Stevia Plant, Click Here

Dessert:

White chocolate chunks in bowl
Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cupcakes with Mint Chocolate Frosting & White Chocolate Drizzle in paper linersClose up of one Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cupcake with Mint Chocolate Frosting & White Chocolate Drizzle

Tip of the Day: My Zevia Give Away!

***The contest ends on Wednesday, September 22, 2010*** 
 Zevia Drinks in multiple flavors
 
Have fun everyone!  Thanks Zevia!

 

Click Here to Enter!

Questions
1. Best Thing You’ve Done or Ate so far this weekend? 
Me = a great leisurely walk with Scott & Skylar and just being with them.   I’m about to get in an At-Home Lifting Session from my Workout Tab. 

2. What’s on your agenda for the weekend?
I’m working, spending time with my family, and enjoying the lovely weather.  I know the weather will just end abruptly one day and go from fabulous to winter coat, in the blink of an eye. 

3. Parallel Parking.  Are you good at it?
I was watching a woman yesterday literally “bumper cars” her way into a parking spot.  Like, she wasn’t just tapping the person’s car behind her, she was rocking it.  

That’s why if I know I’m going to be at place where I will have to parallel park with strangers trying to parallel park all around me, I take our older car if possible.  It’s not me I’m worried about.  I’m a pretty decent parallel parker.  It’s just those people who can’t parallel park who have no issue, or no clue, they’re ramming and slamming into other cars while trying to get into their spot.  After watching the way people drive and park, it’s really not a surprise that I was the recipient of a hefty auto repair from a hit and run that likely happened in a parking lot.

4. Barefoot walking/running.  There’s a big movement towards barefoot running and although I can see the virtues from an anatomy perspective for some people and various foot/leg/knee alignment issues, for me personally, I cringe when I see it on city streets.  On the beach is one thing, but on the city streets, I wonder if those people have nerve endings in their feet!  Not to mention, I live in an urban area and there is animal waste, litter, razor blades, syringes and needles, used condoms, you name it, not what I want my bare feet to touch!  Not saying that I see these things every day, or even often, but living in a city, yes, I have seen them.  All big cities have things on the streets you’d never want touching your feet!

Have you ever ran or walked on a place other than the beach barefoot?  Would you ever try barefoot walking or running?  Do you think shoes and ankle and arch support are a help or hindrance?

Have a great weekend everyone and I’ll see you tomorrow!   

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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