Good Morning Colorado Workout

Red Rocks is perhaps one of the greatest assets we have in Denver, Colorado. The large outdoor ampitheater has been home to some of the coolest concerts and is also a great place to work out! I have gone to work out there a couple times with my friend Angie. There are individuals that have their headphones on as they jog down the stairs - or people doing yoga among the steps in the Colorado sunshine. But this last Saturday was perhaps one of the coolest things that I have been a party to.

Fitness On The Rocks is the brainchild of Alex Chapman, who I used to know when we worked at 24 Hour Fitness together. He brings together all different kinds of workouts from full body, to body combat, to zumba and more. Then tells all his friends, all of Denver and they tell their friends.

The final result? Over 8,600 people waking up to a Colorado sunrise doing a mass work-out together. Yes indeed. Colorado is a healthy state. I am glad I was a part of this.

As for next year, I would love to help him make it a bigger deal. Let's really get Colorado out there moving. There were workouts for everyone from the fitness enthusiast to the person who is just beginning their fitness journey (and for some of them just getting up the stairs to the theater was a big workout). Will you join me? I will save you a place right next to me next year!

Whole Foods Mozarella Class

I have been taking my kids to random free things for years now. At least since in got divorced and had to significantly reduce any kind of "budget" that I had for entertainment.

The most recent installment of the free kind was the mozarella class at Whole Foods. Whole Foods has free classes every Thursday. This was one of the first ones we attended. (Next week is Paella - sounds like fun). We made a true field trip of it - as it was not at the neighborhood Whole Foods but another one in town.

We arrived approximately 20 minute before class began - which enabled us to have front row seats. (That really wasn't by design it was just the odd traffic flow to that particular store). We took turns walking the store and trying the free samples.

The class began with simple instructions on how to make the cheese (it really is very easy as you just literally pour boiling water over the curds; ply & stretch gently, roll into a ball; cool in a water bath). The she proceeded to show us three different recipes using cheese. She talked about how fresh mozarella is seasonal - I had no idea! We received generous samples (at least 4 each) and then she opened it up to questions.

Plus, by hanging around and talking to the instructor, my son received the remainder of the cheese samples that she made.

The instructor was amazingly approachable. She was down to earth and friendly. It really seemed like she wanted to SHARE about cheese making - and not just show off how awesome she is. (Although I would fully admit she was awesome). We didn't plan on buying anything (did I mention I was on a budget). But we bought the take home version of the cheesemaking kit for just $5! So the fun will continue. We will attempt to make our own cheese.

Free entertainment that intrigued my 13 year old son who is really into cooking and my 12 year old daughter who is generally not into anything I take her to. While not all the classes seem like an interesting topic we will likely go again.

Word Wednesday: Fortuitous

I start all kinds of projects or have these great ideas that never seem to get off the ground. But one thing I know for sure, is that I love words. In all their forms. I will be reading and stumble on a word. I think in words and fonts (yes, all of my doodles look like I'm taking notes). I write lists.

But this morning, I work up with a word on my thoughts. That word? Fortuitous. I looked it up. Here is it's meaning:

a : fortunate, lucky <from a cost standpoint, the company's timing is fortuitous — Business Week>

b : coming or happening by a lucky chance <belted down the stairs, and there was a fortuitous train — Doris Lessing> 

 

So, I am going to start the day with a belief that I will indeed have a fortuitous day! Cheers to you! I hope you have a fortuitous day too!

 

Do you think in words? What is your favorite word recently?

What do you Fear?

I have been doing a lot of personal development studying in the past few weeks. (In almost a month I have devoured like 6 books!) Many of these books really remind me that many of the things I fear are fears simply in my head.

I was so proud of a friend of  mine who recently took this lifelong fear of snakes - and made a commitment to face her fears. She asked the help of a friend - who knows someone who owns a reptile shop. To allow her to pet a snake. I thought, "Wow, she's amazing to take this fear and really face it head on." I have been out hiking with her when she's seen a snake and jumped 500 feet in the air (Superman you're leaping a tall building in a single bound has nuthin' on her when she sees a snake!). I know this was a real fear for her so much so that she may have wanted to hike on certain trails during certain times of the year - but wouldn't because there were snake sightings.

While I was not there when she faced her fear, she did post photos on facebook when she accomplished the feat. I thought she would just touch the snake and be done with it. I thought the snake would stay safely inside it's cage (or whatever you call those tanks). But no, not only did she just pet the dang thing but she let it crawl on her arm!!!

What do you fear? Are your fears just in your head? What have you made so big - that it stops you from hiking the mountain you want to climb?