Vibram Five Fingers

There seems to be a lot of discussion right now on the runner's blogs about minimalist or barefoot running shoes vs. traditional or modern running shoes.  I have had a lot of trouble finding a shoe I can run in without my foot moving around.  I know part of the problem could be that I'm "between" sizes. Even when I got a custom insert created for me, I ran into problems.  It tends to slide forward in my shoe because it's created for my foot length rather than my shoe length.  (Then I feel the heel of the insert under my heel instead of cupping my heel.)  Another issue I think I have is that my heel seems to move around--I think it might be narrow relative to the rest of the foot.

I keep thinking about this barefoot running idea.  I've seen it done at agility trials, either completely barefoot or, more recently, with the five-finger shoes.  I'm a litte grossed out by running barefoot in a place that dogs may be relieving themselves.  So the five-finger shoes are intriguing.

I am trying to make sure a walking/running path ends up in our yard design.  I think it would be a great use of an acre and a half, to have my own fitness track.  And if I could figure out the correct surface, I would love to use the track while barefoot.  I think there is something about being barefoot that makes us feel like we're closer to nature.

I tend to go barefoot a lot in the house as well.  I've even transitioned over time to more shoes that I can slip off under my desk at work, so I'm even barefoot most of the time in my office.

Of course these yellow VFF caught my eye!  There are several models of VFF now, as well as other brands besides Vibram (such as Fila) coming out with their own versions.  This model has an insert that comes out, so I could probably put my custom insert into it.  (Or would that defeat the purpose?)  I think a little more research, mostly of the trying them on variety, will be needed.  Or I can go completely barefoot.  Now, what kind of surface can I use for my path that will integrate into the design, not attract cats, and be fun to walk/run on?

A new car!

I have been drafted into the Prius army.

my Prius next to my Volvo

I will miss my Volvo--it was fun to drive a convertible (until the top broke) and it was a safe tank.  My Prius is shiny and new, fuel efficient, and My Volvo had a tiny trunk since it was a convertible (the top has to go somewhere); the Prius has a huge amount of space in the back and the back seats also fold down for more cargo room.  My Prius does not have a place to plug in USB drives, but I only started using them when we replaced my Volvo stereo with an after-market stereo.  (I had to take the old stereo out to remove a library CD that was stuck.)  My Volvo also had more pre-sets.  My Prius has controls on the steering wheel for the radio and temperature controls.  I will need some time to learn about my new car, but I'm excited to have a working vehicle.

Shoes are calling me.

I made it through the winter without finding or buying the shoes I have been trying to replace for a couple of years now.  My poor dress socks never made it out, except to test that the cheap shoes I bought when I was desperately trying to replace the originals (which were pretty cheap and fell apart) were still uncomfortable.  They were, and they weren't even the style I wanted.  I recently saw someone wearing the style I wanted and she told me what brand.  It appears I can get them online.  I wonder if I should get them now even though I won't wear them until next fall.

When I was in middle school, all the girls wore Chinese slipper shoes in black, sometimes with red flowers on the top.  I wanted them too.  But I never had them.  And by the time I could get them, my feet were too big.  I have found them occasionally in my size but always in prints instead of the plain black that I wanted so badly.

So I saw these Tom's and I think I might be in love.  But I will have to split my love between those and these.  And these.

So many cars, so little time

My Volvo is falling apart, so we are looking for a new car.  It will be my commuter car, so the primary factors to be considered are fuel efficiency, safety, and price.  I drive on the interstate with big trucks, so I don't want something unsafe.  My Volvo was our first "expensive" car and that has not ended well (maintenance has been very expensive).  And I drive 30 miles each way to work.

Of course the first car to consider is the Prius.  I'm reluctant because one, everyone has one, and two, I understand that the manufacturing is not environmentally friendly.  But it is THE most fuel efficient car, has very good safety ratings, and is reasonably priced.

My husband agreed to work with me to analyze the options and see what else could be possible.  After he worked on a spreadsheet, our short list included a couple of Volkswagons, a Lexus, and a couple of Hyundais.  The Volkswagons were both diesel, which is currently priced higher than other fuel.  While fairly fuel efficient, they weren't as good as the Prius.  And they were manual, which I haven't driven in about 20 years and my husband was not at all excited about.  The Lexus hybrid was the most expensive of the options, but still pretty reasonable and safe.  The Hyundai hybrid also did not match or beat the Prius.  The Hyundai Elantra is not a hybrid but seemed to be less expensive and very fuel efficient for a non-hybrid vehicle.  My BIL has one, but I think he bought it when they were still lower priced.  I test drove one, but the bottom line was that it was about the same price as the Prius, although I'd lose about 10 mpg in fuel efficiency.

Although several people will give me grief (and many more won't agree with our decision), I put a deposit on a  Prius and will be driving one by the end of the month.

Food Links

**My Empire of Dirt (how one man turned his big city backyard into a farm) by Manny Howard sounds like it might be an interesting read.  Here is a racy excerpt from an interview with the author:

(Q) What are some mistakes that we all, as hosts, make?

(A) I can’t bear it when a host apologizes for the condition or flavor of food in advance. Announcing that the main course is over-cooked as people are unfolding their napkins is akin to assuring your partner that you don’t and will not EVER swallow.

Beyond that, everything else is forgivable. That, coming from a guy who thinks nothing of serving his guests in excess of an hour and a half after the event’s advertised start time.

**We usually don't eat out on Valentine's Day, but I'm still surprised to find out that Olive Garden is the most popular dining destination on this Hallmark holiday, according to Google.

** I have most of these essential kitchen tools.  I need to use some of them more often though!

** Check out what KFC cooks abroad.  I guess they don't HAVE to sell us crap, they just choose to sell us the Double Down and other "food" products.  But I still love their cole slaw.  It must have crack in it.

** I would like to make perfect roasted potatoes, which I found from a link on brokeandchic.com (same as the interview above.)

** A whole lemon can be used to make something that gets great reviews: whole lemon bars.  And I think I can follow this recipe!

** Surprise--working folks might find cooking dinner on work nights to be difficult or think it can seem like drudgery!

** I try not to follow TOO many food blogs, but OMG...Oatmeal, Cranberry, Walnut cookies and No Crust Quiche.  I need to find more time to cook...