Tuesday, September 20, 2011

To Run Barefoot Or Not: That Is The Question!

The newest way to run seems to be without our shoes.  There are articles published touting the fact that all sneaker companies are redesigning their shoes to give the runner an experience closer to running barefoot.

You use your foot differently when you run without shoes and that alone takes an adjustment.  

Many months ago on TV we saw Luke Russet walking in those shoes which look like gloves for the feet.  Now you can find those "shoes" on people in place of their regular footwear.

From the Vibram FiveFingers website, www.vibramfivefingers.com:

Our revolutionary design makes feet healthier by allowing them to move more naturally and freely.
The typical human foot is an anatomical marvel of evolution with 26 bones, 33 joints, 20 muscles and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons and ligaments. Like the rest of the body, to keep our feet healthy, they need to be stimulated and exercised.


I came across this article by Dr. Andrew Weil which offers insight to the debate as well as a link to a website from Harvard University, discussing this subject.

Thought it made good reading: 


http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400991/Better-to-Run-Barefoot.html

I do think that we need to be selective on what is on or not on our feet.  I cannot imagine walking barefoot in NYC, yet the beach would work although you could cut your foot on a cracked shell.

I myself have yet not tried these shoes, but when I do, I will be happy to review them.
 
No matter what we are wearing on our feet, the most important thing is that we are moving!

Friday, September 2, 2011

For Coffee Drinkers, It's Dean's Beans or No Beans




While shopping at Cronig's Healthy Additions Store in Martha's Vineyard, www.cronigsmarket.com, I ventured to the coffee area looking for something interesting.

What first got my attention was this dark green bag with a colorful label.  Picked it up and started reading about the coffee.

The coffee comes from Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company, www.deansbeans.com and they are out of Orange, MA.  All their coffee is certified USDA Organic by Quality Assurance International.

"No hype or spin, just great coffee and fair dealings all around."

"We only buy beans from democratic cooperatives and small farms, and we know the farmers personally.  In partnership with the growers, we also design and fund People-Centered Development projects to contribute to the well-being of the coffee lands."

Now a word about the coffee:  I have not had a better tasting cup of coffee since I was on a coffee plantation in Costa Rica.  And I have made the coffee using various methods:  drip, press and with an espresso maker, all producing a great cup of coffee.

One of my favorite coffees is called "Ring of Fire" which is a "dark, smokin' blend of high mountain beans from the active volcanic soils of Indonesia, Timor and Papua-New Guinea. Eye-opening!"  As of this writing, it is not showing up on the website but will be available after 9/06/11.

There is also an interesting selection of decaf beans, which I have not yet tried but will be ordering as soon as I can add "Ring of Fire" to my shopping cart.

Check out their website, www.deansbeans.com for other products such as organic sugar and cocoa.

On their site you will find a link to see where you can buy their coffee.  I did some research and even though I can get it,  it's possible that some merchants may not carry all the varieties.  You can shop locally and try one of the varieties the store does carry to see how you like it.

Dean's Beans ships UPS and will deliver next day in the Northeast, excluding Saturdays and major holidays. Although it may be a bit costly, the coffee is fairly priced and you will have your beans right away instead of having them sit on a truck.  You can choose to have it shipped USPS Priority Mail or for orders less than 5 pounds, USPS Flat Rate Box.

The aroma of my freshly brewed coffee is in the air, so off I go to enjoy it.  Have a good day.

Where to shop:  www.deansbeans.com