Good, clean livin'.

Last week, I went to an AIGA Lecture (American Institute of Graphic Arts) at the Echo Science Center here in Burlington. Founder and CEO of Pangea Organics, Joshua Onysko spoke. "He is an exemplary model for smart, successful eco-living for both civilians and corporations alike. He thinks outside the landfill, and it shows in the company he runs and the products he makes." I took away 3 things from the evening:

• Read your labels and know what ingredients you’re using. All ingredients should be natural, edible and entirely organic-when possible. It’s not cheap but, make small changes when you can.
• Smart design can be the catalyst for change. For example:
- Choose to screen print on bottles so your manufacturer doesn’t have to cut out a label and create more waste.
- Less is more: Generate a concise message to print on actual packaging vs. the inclusion of a booklet inside each product that will ultimately end up in the trash.
- Why not put seeds in your biodegradable, molded egg crate style packaging? Use the product, stomp it into the ground once you’re done using it and then wait for a pine tree to grow. Biomimicry at it’s best.
• Free product!! For answering a question correctly. Woot, woot!

FYI: Your skin will absorb vitamins from the sun; chemicals; and anything else that it comes in contact with. Anything that your skin takes in will eventually wind up mixed with your blood. Perfumes, deodorants, hair dye, nail polish, moisturizers, cleansers all of these things can contain toxins that may make you sick. While many consumers assume that all skin care products current on the market are safe, the health and beauty industry isn’t that heavily monitored. Joshua said, “There are over 100,000 ‘ingredients’ in the products we buy. Only 10% of those are actually tested and proven to be safe for our use.” Read your labels.

OK. I'm getting off of my biodegradable soap box now.

Recoup.

It's been six days since my surgery. I'm feeling better every day although I'm far from 100%. I can't remember another time in my adult life when I've had a week off at home. This time has gone by so slowly, for better or worse. No one looks forward to being uncomfortable but, on this occasion staying home to rest and heal was necessary to get my body back on track. I'm finally off of my pain medication and getting around much more easily. Today, I'm back online at work--although I'm working from home today and tomorrow.

I can't thank everyone enough for helping to make things easier over the past few days. Allison, Max, Steve, Isaac, Nelia, Craig, Taylor, my family...and of course everyone who wished me a speedy recovery. It meant a lot.

Top 10 Post Op Moments:

• Getting my hair washed by Allison, (friends-4-life) and some coaching just before my first sneeze.

• Max's burgers, Allison's basil and avocado sandwiches and Taylor's sushi dinner!

• Flowers and a visit from Nelia.

• Completing the first 4 seasons of the television show, Weeds. Yup, you heard me.

• Realizing, in the middle of a crosswalk, how slow I really am right now.

• Iced coffee and porch time with Craig.

• High five from the JDK CEO whilst being wheeled out of the hospital. Hmm...

• Isaac for helping me put my shoes one when I couldn't reach them and for keeping me company a little longer once my initial pain medication wore off. Oh...and fingers crossed my hospital bill isn't higher because of you. Enjoy your props.

• Steve for shutting the windows at night, buying ice cream and getting rid of the cabin mice. Ew.

• Mysterious Sunday New York Times delivery.Woot, woot!

I'm excited to see you all out there real soon. xo!

Surgery.

My surgery is booked. In mid-July my three year old hernia will finally be repaired. I've never had surgery before so, I'm a little apprehensive. I've been talking with others who have had the same 45 minute surgery done before. Their message is, "It's not so bad. The sooner the better." I'm planning to do lots of cooking and freezing the week before the surgery so my friends can swing by, heat up some lunch for the both of us and spend some time hanging out while I'm recovering. I'm told I'll want to rest for the first 3 days after the surgery. I've taken part of the following week off from work too and then of course no heavy lifting for 6 weeks after that. Sigh. It will be nice to have this out of the way. My hernia had gotten so much worse over the last few months. I quickly realized all of the daily tasks that required the use of my abdominal muscles. Those are the things I haven't been able to do comfortably. I can't wait to get outside and start moving again once this is done! Onwards.

Three mistakes and a small victory.

Last night, I enjoyed a mellow evening with my friend Steven. We went to dinner at The Asiana Noodle Shop where we ordered up some jasmine tea, barbecued chicken samosas, pork dumplings and a huge bowl of five spice chicken noodle soup.  After dinner, we were hoping to take advantage of the Jazz Fest and catch some music on Church St. It seemed to be a quiet evening with most of the performances ending at 8pm. So, we called it a night. After I watched Steven engage in a quick spin of the giant padlock sculpture on lower Church St., I walked home and fell into bed.

At 6am this morning my body woke up all on it’s own-just my body. Mind? Nope, not awake. I definitely wasn’t ready for the day to begin. I fell back asleep (my first mistake) only to find myself late when I woke up again at 8am. I decided to give up on an on time arrival to work and rest for just 15 more minutes before getting vertical (my second mistake). This decision of course resulted in me having only 10-15 minutes to get myself together and out the door for work. Another decision was made. Skip the shower (my third mistake). So, by 8:45am there I was, half asleep, sitting in front of my computer, feeling exhausted and totally disenchanted with the prior sequence of events.

I was moderately productive at work despite the slight pinching I felt from the toothpicks that were holding up my eyelids. I knew I needed to turn things around or I was just going to feel cranky all day. I left for lunch at around 11:50. I popped into the bank and then home for a quick change into some running clothes. I had mapped out a running route in my head before I got home. I had no concept of how far it was but, it seemed manageable. I was off. Up Maple St., past the Burlington Country Club on Prospect St., down Ledge St. and returning to Maple via South Willard St. The run felt great. I later learned that the run was 2.4 miles which is a good distance to get me back into the swing of things. After a quick shower and some lunch I was back at my desk feeling energized and motivated!