Check this Out

Hey Chris!

I found a good place in town to recycle all old appliances. From Washers and Dryers to old Laptops/computers/phones/coffee makers....whatever! This place (suppossedly) strips them of all useful parts and uses the metal over as well. It's definitely better than the landfill option. I dropped off stuff today that we have been saving in hopes of not just chucking it in the dump. It seems like the place is really trying to salvage what they can. So I thought it would be a good place to pass on to our community. And since most folks tune into your blogs and e-mails I wondered if you might put the info out there sometime.

Here's the vitals:

Appliance Outlet
2025 E. English Ave
Indianapolis IN 46201
951-1234

I am hoping this was my best bet. I am also aware of some websites that might steer folks in another direction. The point is to not throw that stuff away anymore!

Here's a great website for folks who are looking to unload old appliances:
E.Scrap Indiana www.escrapinidiana.org

Peace,
Rob

"30 Salads in 30 Days" cont...

#16 - Wednesday:
Romaine lettuce leaves
Natural turkey breast
Purple onion
Tomato
Macadamia nuts
Honey mustard dressing

#17 - Thursday:
Mixed greens and spinach
Herb grilled chicken
Avocado
Sliced apple
Walnuts
Raspberry vinaigrette

#18 - Friday:
Spinach
Shrimp
Craisens
Slivered almonds
Walden Farm's dressing

#19 - Saturday:
This one really borders on being a "salad" in BTWG terms. We were dining out at a pizza joint and this was the best option they offered. It'll do, in a pinch.
Iceberg lettuce
Carrot slices
Thousand Island dressing
Pretty weak, right?

Human Machine? You decide...

"Human Machine"? Maybe so, in many respects. But I think that title sells David Goggins short. He's a little bit controversial in the ultra community, for several reasons, and he often speaks his mind when questioned; his views aren't always popular or what people want to hear, yet they are often accurate. No, he's anything but your stereotypical runner, but his authenticity makes me a fan.

Another reason I'm a fan? Along with being an accomplished ultramarathoner, Goggins is also an active duty Navy SEAL who has completed BUD/S training (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) three times (once to become a SEAL, twice just for the challenge!) and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Though he is in a whole-other-world catagory of athlete than I am, he runs and trains for many of the same reasons that I do. The video below explains some of those reasons.

I've enjoyed watching his career from afar and his continued notoriety in the media ("Runners World" and "Outside" magazine, just to name a couple). Recently, I've found it inspiring to watch how he is dealing with his most current challenge, recovery from heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart that he has had since he was born and never knew it was there. A guy who had not missed a day of training for YEARS, now has to deal with being unable to train until he heals - if that doesn't present an opportunity to bring out your best, I don't know what does.

You can check out his web site at: www.davidgoggins.com

At any rate, enjoy the vid!

Peace,
Chris

"30 Salads in 30 Days" #14 and #15

Monday #14 -
Spinach
Herb grilled chicken breast
Slivered almonds
Fresh pineapple
Walden Farm's dressing

Tuesday #15 -
Mixed greens
Spinach
Avocado
Tomato
Walnuts
Fresh dark cherries
Extra lean hamburger
Walden Farm's dressing

Pulling the Trigger

In the past couple days Jody and I have considered three pretty big decisions and after much discussion and prayer have "pulled the trigger" on all three:

1) On Wednesday, we adopted a 6 week old boxer puppy as our newest addition to our family. "Diesel", had a bit of a rough start but was rescued by a caring couple who kept him a couple weeks until they could find him a permanent home; that home is ours : )

2) Thursday, I mailed in my registration and am now committed to running my first 50 mile ultramarathon. At the beginning of 2009 I set a goal of running a 50 mile trail race and set about finding the right event for me. The "FJK 50 Miler" (www.jfk50mile.org) is on November 21st, in Hagerstown Md., and if my application is accepted, I'll be towing the line with 999 other participants. This event sells out pretty quick, but I was eligible for early registration as they accept only applications from military personnel and veterans during the first week of registration. We will see how it goes... in more ways than one!

3) Last year, as a 40th birthday/wedding gift, several of you contributed towards me continuing my education in yoga, or in some fashion to further my professional training and to do something I otherwise would not do, or could not afford to do. Since that time, I've stowed the money away, waiting for just the right thing, for what felt right to me. I explored many avenues, retreats, workshops, trips, monasteries, and more. In the end, I really didn't find anything that called to me or felt like it would be personally and professionally fulfilling. The answer began to present itself near the end of last year, and became increasingly clear in the past months. So, just moments ago, I "pulled the trigger" and completed my online registration for... Stay tuned for this one, I'll share the news in a few weeks.

Thanks for reading, thanks for the continued interest and support and thanks to those who are helping to make my dreams and visions become a reality.

Much Love,
Chris

#11, #12, and #13

Friday #11 -
Spinach
Peel and eat shrimp
Tomato
Celery
Slivered almonds
Walden Farms dressing

Saturday #12 -
Chicken fajita's
Peppers
Onions
Lettuce
Guacamole
Pica de gallo
And yes, some tortilla chips!

Sunday #13 -
Leftover fajita's
everything from above except guacamole and chips, included romaine lettuce and Walden Farm's dressing.

# 9 and #10

Wednesday - #9
Mixed greens
Spinach
Roasted Chicken breast
Grapes
Walnuts
Walden Farm's dressing

Thursday - #10
Mixed greens
Spinach
"Boars Head" brand natural chicken. This is about the only type of deli meat that I will eat/buy as it only has meat and some sodium in it; regular deli chicken and other meats also tend to contain nitrates and other chemicals that I'd rather do without.
Walnuts
Tomato
Carrots
Craisens (a little high in sugar, but yummy).
Honey Mustard dressing