The Stream Behind the House

Someone's Thinking of the Polar Bears

I just found this story, which mentions that the US has just placed polar bears on the Endangered Species list. Although it doesn't necessarily mean that the US will stop drilling for oil in Alaska anytime soon, I will agree with the experts who say this is a great environmental step forward. By calling even more attention to the polar bears' ever-shrinking habitat, more and more people will be made aware of the potential threats of any changes in the climate.

It's not entirely a canary in the coal mine, but still, I'd like to think that if we start to do something now, our children will still have the opportunity to see these great animals in the wild and not simply in a zoo.

Run Local

Okay, I guess I'm developing runner's blood or something. I perk up when I hear about races nearby now, and am trying to think of WHEN I'll race next, and what that challenge will look like (How much time will I shave off? Should I go for a longer distance instead?).

In the last couple of days, several websites were pointed out to me, both of which are great resources for ideas for new challenges.

This first can be used by runners and walkers alike, and is called Map My Run. It's rather similar to the Google application, gmap pedometer, but has more bells and whistles. One thing that I like the most is that you can search for routes near your address that other people have saved. Probably one of the best things is that it can be used anywhere (well, in the US at the very least).

The second is a list of local runs, and also contains other running resources. I've not dug too far down in the listing to see all of the races, but the person who pointed me to this site says there's an 8k coming up in (what I think is nearby) Belle Haven this summer. Hm, maybe that's my next one? Who knows!

I think once I got that first 5k under my belt, I finally considered myself a runner despite the fact I'd been plodding along for nearly a year. I'm still not fast by any stretch of the imagination (ok, I'm faster than walkers), but I'm proud to say that I've done something I once was told I could not do.

Putting a Good Face Forward

I've fallen under the spell of social networking sites.

LinkedIn and Facebook, specifically.

And I'm not too sure how I feel about it.

I'm rather cautious about protecting my identity online, and there is some use to sites like LinkedIn, where you can network with coworkers, colleagues and friends to keep your face out there in front of prospective business partners and employers. My first few days with Facebook (which truthfully resulted because the various media entities—my division inclusive—at work here use it to publicize new ventures) have been interesting. I think it's kind of cool that I'm suddenly connected to people I've not seen or heard from in years (admittedly, losing touch is partially my fault, as it takes someone an effort to pick up the phone). It's fun seeing what interests everyone has, based on their various group connections and lists. And I've started several Scrabble-like games with a couple of friends and my brother up in NY. I even have my GoodReads account connected to Facebook now.

Some people have even set links to their blogs. But I'm not convinced that's the route for me. I try not to use real names in my entries on purpose, so that I (and those I know) can't be that easily identified. But those of you who already know me in real life can figure out who or what I'm talking about, and there have been enough links to what's going on at work for someone to figure out where I am.

I must admit, however, I've enjoyed seeing my little "stats" go up when I post something that's been referred to by one (or more) of you out there, bringing new readers to this site. It's kind of nice to know that I've got a small list of readers.

But do I want people I don't know all that well—specifically, my work colleagues that I don't know all that well—to read my blog every time I post? Do I need to worry about offending someone (not that I would write anything with malicious intent—it's just not in my DNA)? Hrrm, I think not.

Does that make sense?

Perhaps, for the purpose of putting some editorial writing out there to link to Facebook as a bit of a writing CV, I need to consider a separate blog on which I can editorialize on current events til my face turns blue.

What do you think?

PS—In the meantime, if you're reading this and WANT to connect to me on Facebook or LinkedIn, shoot me an email.

BPA and Plastics

I'm catching up on my Nutrition Action reading.

April's issue talks about plastics and plastic-lined cans. In particular, studies that are just out—or still being conducted—on BPA in hard plastics such as #7 water bottles (think Nalgene), baby bottles, sippy cups, and some canned products such as soups or salmon.

I'd known from reading No Impact Man a bit about the plastics controversy, and my own workplace has provided aluminum reusable waterbottles to staff, in an effort to reduce not only the use of paper cups, but canned and bottled soda. But I hadn't thought too hard about my Tupperware, or my trusty Rubbermaid water bottle until reading this.

You know how the saying goes—everything old is new again? Well, I'm beginning to believe I need to seriously invest in more Corningware covered with foil and such or glass containers. Heavier, sure, but there won't be anything leeching into my food!

CSPI makes a point in the article that there's no evidence that BPA affects adults, but there also haven't been studies to look at that point. The real concern is with babies and young, developing brains. So, a little effort all around to reduce the use of these potentially potent plastics would be good for everyone.

Does that mean I'll stop buying my favorite Progresso soups and using my Tupperware? Not immediately, no. But I will be investing in more safe alternatives, and shopping Trader Joe's more often (which I should do anyway, as they have such yummy stuff for cheap).

The Luck Stops Here

Computerguy and I are a bit behind on watching our Tivoed episodes of "The Colbert Report." But tonight, I saw this, and really would LOVE to have a copy of this as a bumpersticker:

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=167376

A Sugar by Any Other Name

I read through my lMay issue of Nutrition Action this morning (it's not yet online, but should be soon) on the way into work, and was very pleased to find a rather comprehensive list of food additives, colorings, and sweetners inside. The list categorizes them as either "safe," to "cut back," "caution," "certain people should avoid," and "everyone should avoid."

What I found most interesting was the sweeteners bit. Most everyone knows (at least I hope they do) that Asparatame and Saccharine are big no-nos on the list, as independent studies have shown them to be potentially cancer-causing when used heavily. But one of the hot "new" sweeteners to the market is Stevia, a plant-based item which is being pushed as a sweetener instead of how the FDA currently allows it to be used (as a dietary supplement). Stevia has apparently been shown to cause reduced sperm production in rats and increased risk of infertility in rats, and thus the folks at Nutrition Action say it should be avoided by all.

In the meantime, one of my favorite artificial sweeteners, Sucralose (otherwise known as Splenda) has been bad-mouthed in some media reports as well as through e-mail streams touting it as a dangerous sweetener akin to Saccharine. But Nutrition Action reports there have been absolutely no independent tests conducted on this sweetener, and it appears to be safe for everyone. With that news, I'll happily continue to use it in my baking (with some real sugar of course) to trim some calories!

All this said, I still think the most natural sweeteners around like Sucrose (table sugar), Fructose (derived from fruit), Lactose (derived from milk) are much more healthy for you, but in small doses, of course, and this article seems to concur.

Xylitol, which is a sugar alcohol, and the sweetener in my favorite Trident gum, is another that should be cut back on, but is otherwise considered safe. Happy chewing for me!

I found it interesting that some items on the list that I know some "all natural" food companies would list on their commercials as items you should avoid—Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, and Propylene Glycol Alginate—are actually derived from nature(Carrrageenan and Propylene Glycol Alginate are made from kelp or seaweed). The names are kind of scary sounding, I'll admit, but it was nice to know that not every chemical-sounding item is an actual chemical.

The lesson? As always, read your labels and know what you're ingesting.

Better yet, eat more whole foods, including fruits and vegetables.

I'm definately going to aim to do that!

Ah-choo!

As most of you know, I am the queen of allergies (all year round, but the springtime is the worst). I've not had too many bad days this spring, fortunately, which leads me to believe that the allergy shots and my medications are working, hooray!

Either way, I still found this comic in Sunday's Washington Post Magazine hysterical. I'm going to print it out and post it on my wall. Soooo me!

I had a nice outdoor workout with a client this morning. Short spurts of jogging and then brisk walking down to the Ellipse and back. It felt good as the first run since Sunday's 5k, but I definately need more stretching. Yoga last night helped, too. Tomorrow will be a good strength-training day, and perhaps another run on Saturday with Computerguy to try out a neighborhood 5k that he mapped out for us.

Can't wait for the weekend! I really want to sleep in some on Saturday!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Unless...

You're talking about recycling used US Post Office property. It's probably one of the most ridiculous items I've seen in days.

Why would NOT allowing people to turn used priority mail boxes inside out and re-using them for another package—even if it's not going to be mailed via the priority service—keep costs low for everyone in the end?

I simply do not get it.

I Can Has?

For those of us who are dog lovers, I refer you to Ihasahotdog, the canine version of the ever-present and hilarious feline (and other critters) site, icanhascheezburger.

Enjoy, mah friendz!

Virgin No More!

...5k virgin, that is! ;-)

Sunday, Computerguy and I ran the 5k race of the GW Parkway Classic. I must say, I'm pretty pleased with myself. I'm not the fastest thing out there, coming in at 40:24 (a 12:52-min mile, and near the bottom of my age group). However, considering that it's my first road race, I'm pleased. On the treadmill, I know I was averaging about a 12:45 when I'd be really clipping along, but I was never consistently at that speed, and the treadmill DOES make you go faster than you intend to...

Computerguy left me in the dust (so to speak) early on in the race, pacing with me for the first 1/3 of a mile or so. He came in at 34 minutes and change (an 11-min mile). Not bad at all.

My right knee (which has chondromalacia) is a little bit wonky today, but I'll be treating it kindly over the next few days, and DEFINATELY hitting the gym this week to get a strength routine back up and running (har!) for my legs. I need to get that patella of mine back on a literal track. But at least I know the problem and can address it, right?

Our goals from here on out are to get faster. I'd like to work toward shaving 5 minutes off my time, and he wants to get back down to the "Army slowpoke" pace of a 9-min mile for the next goal.

When will we race again? Not sure. Perhaps the fall. Right now, I'm enjoying the knowledge that I've done something that only one year ago seemed like a near-impossibility.

Never say never, my friends!