Outdoor Living with Stacy

Fit to...Shovel Snow?

2010-02-28T18:02:00.008-05:00

The neighbors could hear me grumbling this weekend as I threw on my winter coat and boots to shovel snow again. As the cold air hit my face, I reminded myself that March 20 is the first day of spring, and a little smurk instantly appeared. While visions of my new garden were dancing in my head, before I knew it I actually had a great workout! I calculated that I burned 165 calories in 30 minutes.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that we have received our last layer of the white stuff.

A few quick snow shoveling tips:

PLAN AHEAD

Consult with your physician before shoveling or engaging in any strenuous activity. Be sure to stop shoveling if you feel weak, dizzy, or short of breath.
Don't wait until 6" has covered your driveway, get out there every 2" or so (you can thank me for this tip later).
Drink plenty of water as you gather your warm winter wonderland get-up. Staying hydrated and warm will make the activity less of a strain. Cold air makes it more difficult to work and breathe resulting in greater strain.
Perform a 5-10 minute warm up. March in place indoors, scrape the car windows, or walk around the yard.

PROPER BIOMECHANICS

First and foremost, choose an ergonomically correct shovel. Choose a shovel that is lightweight with a countoured handle.
Whenever possible, plan to push the snow straight to the end of the driveway or sidewalk.
When scooping and throwing snow, keep these guidelines in mind:

Keep feet in a scissor stance and concentrate on using your legs to lift the snow
Knees should be bent and back should be straight
Step in the same direction you are throwing
Keep one hand on the handle and the other hand close to the load
Hold the load close to the body
Avoid bending at the waist, twisting the spine, placing feet close together, overloading the scoop, and wiping your nose with your sleeve.

Correct Incorrect

RECOVER INDOORS

Rehydrate and have a warm snack
Stretch! Perform the Fit to Garden post-gardening stretches.

And above all, imagine the sun shining down as you reunite with the garden. 20 days and counting....

Gardener's Pre-Season Core Strengthening Exercise

2010-02-26T13:19:00.001-05:00

Gardener's Pre-Season Core Strengthening Exercise #3

Wall Push-ups

Begin by facing the wall arms-length away, feet hip distance apart, legs straight with weight in your toes. Place hands on the wall slightly wider than your shoulders.

Keep your head in a neutral position, bend elbows to lower head/chest toward wall, coming as close as you can to it but not touching it.
Straighten arms and return to starting position.

FOR MORE EXERCISES,

check out the Gardener's Pre-Season Strength Training video!

Gardener's Pre-Season Core Strengthening Exercise

2010-02-19T12:27:00.005-05:00

Gardener's Pre-Season Strengthening Exercise #2

Side Plank

Place your body in a straigtht line lying on your right side. Place your right forearm on the floor and bend your right knee so that your foot is behind you. Press yourself up and balance on your forearm and side of your bottom knee.

When you are ready to progress and increase the intensity of this exercise, straigthen both legs and place
your right hand on the floor.

Keep your shoulders down and naval in.

Hold this position 20-60 seconds and
repeat on the other side.

Performing this exercise will strengthening your core and shoulder girdle stabilizers to prepare your body for the marathon gardening demands at the beginning of the season.

FOR MORE EXERCISES,
check out the Gardener's Pre-Season Strength Training video!

Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo

2010-02-15T18:17:00.001-05:00

~Stacy's organic sugar cookies~

Get the recipe at http://www.thegreengirls.com/blog/post/2010/02/Organic-Valentines-Day-Treat.aspx

Gardener's Pre-Season Core Strengthening Exercise

2010-01-27T00:19:00.011-05:00

Gardener's Pre-Season Strengthening Exercise #1

SUPERMAN

If you're like me, you're itching to get outside

and get those hands dirty in the garden!

While we're waiting for the snow to melt, now is the perfect time to

start strengthening the primary muscles used while gardening!

The Superman exercise targets the core muscles.

Begin on your hands and knees. Stabilize your shoulder girdle and

keep your shoulder blades flush with your back. Slowly extend the right arm and the left leg, and then alternate sides. Imagine that you are balancing a glass of water in the small of your back as you move through the range of motion.

Perform this exercise 2-3 times each week and complete 8-12 repetitions to prepare your body for the marathon gardening demands at the beginning of the season.

Stay tuned for more FIT TO GARDEN exercises, enjoy!

Natural Cork Bath Mat

2010-01-24T20:06:00.003-05:00

I spent several days searching online for the perfect bacteria resistant bath mat. My organic shag mat never seemed clean enough for me and was falling apart from washing it so much.

I was excited to find this natural cork bath mat at Gaiam. It looks cool and feels great under my feet!

Even better, it's made from 100% biodegradable post industrial cork from wine stoppers, is sustainably harvested, and the manufacturer is a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council™.

Find it here:

http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/top+rated/cork+bath+mat+-+large.do?search=basic&keyword=cork+mat&sortby=bestSellers&page=1

Agent18

2010-01-23T12:01:00.002-05:00

I LOVE my new iPhone EcoShield! Agent18 has the coolest green products for techy toys. www.agent18.com

Organic Holiday Cookies

2010-01-19T16:52:00.005-05:00

I love to bake! Check out my holiday cookies.

Okay, okay...there is a lot of sugar in the photo, but all the ingredients are organic so it's alright with me!

Can't wait until Valentine's Day!

Fit to Garden Evolution

2009-08-16T12:09:00.001-04:00

Practicing my Fit to Garden skills at age 4

Organic Square Foot Garden Progress

2009-07-26T11:44:00.003-04:00

What fun!! So far I've harvested garlic and broccoli and have been enjoying cooking with the herbs!

Square Foot Gardening

2009-03-22T11:30:00.004-04:00

I attended the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show and had the opportunity to meet Mel Bartholomew! Mel created the Square Foot Gardening method. I'm planning on building my very own square foot garden this spring...stay tuned!

Check out his website http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

I love Nashville!

2009-03-06T10:53:00.004-05:00

I spent a few days in Nashville last week. My friend Amber recommended dinner at Tayst...it was fantastic! The restaurant is one of only two organic restaurants in all of Tennessee, check out their website. http://www.taystrestaurant.com/

You can't visit Nashville without hitting the Honky Tonks on Broadway. I happened to run into Elvis on my way to Tootsie's!

Snowboarding!

2009-02-21T14:33:00.002-05:00

I figured I should just embrace winter instead of fighting it! I had a blast snowboarding last weekend! It was frigid cold, but what a beautiful sunny day to be outside getting exercise. I was a little sore the next day...maybe it's because I'm still perfecting my wipe-outs!

I recommend snowboarders perform a few simple core strengthening exercises. Core exercises will result in improved balance, overall performance, and help avoid injury and next day soreness. Check out the Core Stabilization Training exercises in the Fit to Garden section of my website.

Spirit of Women Getaway

2009-02-15T20:13:00.007-05:00

In January I traveled to Mississippi for the first time. I presented my Fit to Garden program at the Spirit of Women Getaway in Tupelo. The ladies certainly gave me a warm southern welcome, and I had a wonderful day! I also enjoyed meeting The Southern Gardener, Norman Winter. His presentation was fantastic, the folks in the south are ready to get their hands dirty.

Thank you to all of the wonderful attendees. Happy gardening!

Take a peek at the website: http://www.nmhs.net/getaway2009.asp

Plant shopping

2008-11-14T20:40:00.001-05:00

Shopping at Mill Creek Nursery for our late season potting clinic.
What a great place!

Herb Society presentation at Everal Barn

2008-10-07T23:24:00.002-04:00

I had a great time with the Herb Society last Sunday. I shared my new presentation, and learned a lot too!

The website is starting to take shape, and I'm very excited to have more videos and tips posted soon. Stay tuned.