Fashion Leggings Review

You know the fashion leggings that you see all the girls wear under their dresses, especially when the weather is marginal. These are great for running believe it or not! I think that as fashion progresses, fashion designers think it's a good idea to follow the trends of the people. Right now, running has seen a tremendous explosion across the nation, so it's no wonder that girls are wearing fashion leggings that look like running leggings.

I purchased mine at H&M for about $10, and I love them! I found these especially useful during snowshoeing. In New Mexico, snow accumulates on top of the mountain, but the skies stay blue all day (hard to imagine, no?), so fashion leggings are perfect to keep your legs warm during jaunts up the mountain or even during a chilly January/February morning run.

I wear the fashion leggings in the mornings, because the weather hasn't peaked up enough for me to just wear bare shorts, but the weather isn't cold enough to keep me inside either. I've found it to be tremendously beneficial. At first, I purchased the leggings for fashion. LOL, now they have been imprisoned in my work-out gear drawer.

So, if you are looking for something to keep your legs warm during the winter/early season, use fashion leggings! When Spring finally comes, you can rip off those fashion leggings and enjoy the nice hot sunshine. (I can't wait!)

As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or comments. If you have a story or video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email it to me at amybaker111@gmail.com.

Jiffy Seedstarter Kit

When I first got this seed starter kit at walmart, I'll admit it, I was a little apprehensive.  I thought that for $5 ,  there was no possible way I would get the results I wanted.  However, I have found this seed starter is superior to some of the competitors.


The plastic tray that goes over the seedlings creates a warm environment.  A warm soil temperature is critical for the germination of a seed to occur.  Over the years, I have always wanted success with seed germination.  I'd buy all sorts of kits, and they would never work.  Something that ended up working out was the florescent light.


They weren't lying in science glass when they talked about the greenhouse affect.  Seeds need to be warm, moist and have a lot of light to grow.  If those gases don't get trapped around them, the chances of their survival are slim to none.


I'd recommend every novice gardener out there to get a jiffy seed starter from Walmart, and also get a mean florescent light to keep those nice seedlings in the path of life.


As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or comments.  If you have a story or video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email it to me a tamybaker111@gmail.com.


Jiffy Seed starter Kit

Superfood Monday: Oranges

Oranges

Oranges have been known to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.  The fruit is also filled with a lot of soluable fiber which can get rid of fats in the bloodstream, not to mention the obvious intense amount of Vitamin C in the fruit!  One orange usually contains about 3 grams of fiber (20 grams should be your daily intake).  The natural oils in oranges can also make your skin look natural and smooth.

As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or comments.  If you have a story or video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email it to me at amybaker111@gmail.com.

New OrganicRunnings Forums!

Do you have an exciting race you will be doing in the future? Share with us on the forums! I just posted something about how I am going to the Disneyland Half Marathon in September. Check it out.

Click on the box to the side to be redirected to the Forums.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Camelpack Review-Not just for hikers, runners too!

Camelpacks are a great edition for those long runs where you an easily get dehydrated.  They say, on average, it's good to hydrate yourself with water every twenty minutes when doing vigorous activity.  The trick is not to drink too much.  (When that happens, you can easily get cramps in your stomach.)

For the longest time, I used a fuelbelt when I'd go out running.  The problem with fuelbelts is that they aren't designed as good as camelpacks are.  When running with my fuelbelt, I have come across many instances where a water bottle falls out during my runs.  Sometimes, it has been retrieved.  However, on a six mile run, and after running three miles only to realize you lost your water bottle some few miles behind you, it's very hard to recover.  On top of that, the bottles on the fuel belt constantly bump up and down on your lower back.  I have to wear fuel belts on my upper waist, or there is way too much bounciness going on.  Plus, it's really not enough water for doing super long runs, especially if you like to quench yourself with water after finishing (like I do, lol, and everyone should)!

I recommend these Camelpacks to any runner who needs more water, likes to run longer, and doesn't like too many distractions when running.  (Have you ever had to run with keys? Horrible.  The fuelbelt does have a nice side pocket you can store your car/house key in, and some camelpacks have pockets for these things too.)  Camelpacks are nice because you can run without the worry of losing a water bottle, being annoyed by the constant bouncing (if not wore properly) and if you enjoy lots of water on long runs.

Fuelbelts are good too, but I think it mostly depends on runner's preference.  (They do look pretty cool.)

As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or thoughts in the comments.  If you have a story of video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email me at amybaker111@gmail.com

Gardener's Supply Company Seed Starter Kit Review

Price: $150

Rating: 5/5 stars

I purchased this on an impulse buy at the end of December to get some seeds started.  I was surprised with the results.  This gardener starter kit does a great job keeping the seedlings moist, warm, and ready to sprout.  I planted lettuce, green onions, regular onions, rosemary, basil, and cilantro.  After about six weeks, the little seedlings have sprouted!  I know that once March comes, I will have strong lettuce plants to put outside.

When the company called it a starting kit--they really meant it!  The grow light doesn't connect to the bottom like you might think it would.  Instead, it can transferred over other plants.  This is great because when night hits, instead of turning off the light for the plant, I just switch it to a batch of some new seedlings I am working on.  Very economical.  

I strongly recommend this piece for anyone who is scared of starting their own seedlings, especially if there has been some failure in the past.  Gardening is all about trail and error (same with running too)--you just need to learn what works for you over time.  Once you figure out a set routine, you'll be good to go.

If you have any stories or comments that you would like to share, as usual, feel free to post them here. 

Also, if you have any gardening questions that you would like me to respond to for next Wednesday, feel free to ask them here, and I will try to respond to them with my best knowledge.  (Not to brag, but I am a librarian.)

As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or comments. If you have a story or video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email it to me at amybaker111@gmail.com.

Superfood Monday: Kale/Cauliflower

This recipe was found on the website Rocket Lunch.  For more great recipe ideas, be sure to visit their website.



Kale
This cancer-fighting vegetable is high in fiber and pretty much good for you all over the board.  The high potassium is great for fighting high blood pressure and calcium helps with keeping bones strong.  Antioxidants like Vitamin A & C help fight off all sorts of diseases.  Kale is truly a super food.  Eat up!

Cauliflower
This vegetable has been known to help prevent breast & prostate cancer by breaking down carcinogens.  Folate is in cauliflower too, which is supposed to help with getting pregnant.  For something different in your everyday meat-and-potatoes routine, try out this Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes recipe.

As always, please feel free to share your personal experiences or comments.  If you have a story or video clip about running/organic gardening or cooking/health that you would like me to post on this blog, feel free to email it to me at amybaker111@gmail.com.