Dear Urban Outfitters,

What are you selling?

Are you selling clothing? I thought clothing was supposed to accentuate and flatter our bodies, not devalue them.

No, I think you aren’t. In fact I think you’re selling out. Selling out to what people want to see and hear and feel. You are selling an ideology, which is funny because in my experiences, the only ideologies with price tags on them and so ghastly disguised are the ones that are destructive and harmful. These are the ideologies that ruin lives.

And it’s funny because we buy the clothes that make us feel good about ourselves and make us comfortable and confident in our skin. But look at how you have turned something so innocent into something so malignant. Getting girls to wear these shirts just promotes the cancer that so many people struggle their entire lives to overcome.

But you’re preying on the weaknesses of women everywhere that outer appearance is somehow reflecting self worth. You’re making a few bucks off of the naiveté of young girls everywhere, and you’re fostering destructive and deadly feelings of body image.

Am I wrong?

Then tell me, Urban Outfitters, what are you selling?

Sincerely appalled,

Abby Normally

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all so much for your suggestions! Since I am only picking one book to read, but have almost 40 suggestions, I just decided to write them all down into a book list and hopefully cross them off over time.

You all are some well read, peeps. And I like that.

The Booklist:

• The Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffith
• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
• Girl with a Dragon Tattoo (+ series) by Stieg Larsson
• The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Garman
• Feed by Mira Grant
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
• God on a Harley by Joan Brady
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolve
• Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• Into the Wild Jon Krakauer
• Rebecca by Daphne Du
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck (a personal favorite!)
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Pact by Jodi Picoult
• Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
• Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
• Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult
• American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolve
• Love Story by Eric Siegel
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
• Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
• Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan
• Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendall
• A Dubious Place by Fred Vargas
• Wash This Blood Clean from my Hand by Fred Vargas
• Seeking Whom He May Devour by Fred Vargas
• Saving Fish From Drowning  by Amy Tan
• Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
• Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers by Thomas Mullen
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

(I crossed off the ones I have read)

Well it was a very hard decision, but some books were recommended a few times, so I decided to pick one of those…

Without further adieu…

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

When I did some research and saw the words “medieval” and “knights”, I was hooked. Actually, I’m already 75 pages in! Maybe that’s cheating, but I know I can’t read in the car because I get car sick like a cat, so I’m trying to make up for lost time. So far, I LOVE it!

If you’re looking for suggestions from me, click on “Libri Boni” (Latin for ”good books”) at the top of my page. There is also a link for my Top Ten book list plus the reasons why they are my ten favorite books. You should hop in a car for 13 hours and see how far you make it through that list.

I have decided that my time in the car will be spent either sleeping or playing with my new toy:

That’s right friends! Bye bye Crackberry, hello Android! It’s an HTC Eris and so far I love it. Although I make a lot of typos. But that should get better. AND I got a sweet car charger that will also charge my iPod, and more importantly my Garmin. I think I’m more excited about the charger than the phone actually. Proof that you really can’t buy me love. Well, you can, but it’ll only cost you about $30 and your local Verizon retailer. What can I say, I’m easy to please!

And speaking of toys, my favorite kitchen toy, my food processor just died. I am crestfallen. But don’t worry, I have half ground Roasted Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter to console myself. Call me an emotional eater, this is devastating.

My! Look at the time! I’m off to finish some things. This is beach prep week, which is always super busy. But it makes the beach so much nicer!

Favorite cell phone of ALL TIME?! GO!

Obviously I’m partial to my Eris, but my freshman year of college I had this Nokia that came with a clear case and paper so that you could customize your own phone. It also had a built in flashlight that came in handy during fire drills. That was kind of cool…for 2004.

Glad you all like the last barefoot post! Thanks for your feedback, and don’t forget that you can submit your own questions!

Now I’ve got a question for you all…

Remember how the last time I went to the beach, I took three books based on the wisdom of C.S. Lewis?

“…it is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.”

Well, since I’m beach bound again this weekend and I’m stocking up on my literature I have realized that I only have two books this time!

DISCLAIMER: Before you read any further, please note that I am unleashing my inner nerd. It’s a scary sight, that is for sure, and if you’re frightened, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

My “new” book this time is actually really new! Just released by Os Guinness, The Case for Civility. This was recommended to by my friend Gary. The leaf inside says,

“In a world torn apart by religious extremism on the one side and a strident secularism on the other, no question is more urgent than how we live with our deepest differences—especially our religious and ideological differences. The Case for Civility is a proposal for restoring civility in America as a way to foster civility around the world. Influential Christian writer and speaker Os Guinness makes a passionate plea to put an end to the polarization of American politics and culture that—rather than creating a public space for real debate—threatens to reverse the very principles our founders set into motion and that have long preserved liberty, diversity, and unity in this country.”

Fascinating, right?! Oh.my. I am so excited!

My “old” book for the trip was brought to  my mind during Sunday’s sermon when our pastor was discussing the passage in John 21 when Jesus commands Peter to “Feed my sheep”. He noted the different words for love in the Greek in this passage, both agape and philo (and being the nerd that I am, I was using my Greek Bible and saw it for myself ). So I decided to read The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis. NO vacation is ever complete without a book by my favorite author.

So now I need your help!

What should my third book be? I’m going to pick one of your suggestions! So just leave a title and if you want, leave an explanation if you want.

Here are the rules:

1. Has to be a book that I have never read before (I’ll just rule yours out if I have read it, but don’t hesitate to suggest a book because obviously you don’t know what books I have read and what books I haven’t)
2. Has to be some sort of story. These other two books will give me my fill of Philosophy and Theology and other forms of serious thought. I’m looking for a good story..you know, with characters and all (but it can still be deep and make me think…I like those).
3. Cannot be anything by Nicholas Sparks or books of the same genre. I just can’t stand it, so please be kind and don’t trick me.
4. Has to be relatively appropriate. I am a firm believer in that little saying, “Garbage in, garbage out”. I don’t want to be disappointed in your suggestions.
5. Has to be a book that you love. None of this I heard it was good, or I didn’t really like it but you might. The books that we enjoy say so much about this, and I want to know about you!

Oh, and feel free to suggest a few! I’ll let ya’ll know what book I pick when I decide!

Ok… ONE MORE THING! I posted a new “Greenhouse Roof” post today! It’s extra nerdy so proceed with caution!

Greenhouse Roof and Reflections of the Sun: Eucatastrophe

I.Love.Nerdy.Books.

Here it goes: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?!

Hey, friends!

I’m currently sitting out on my lovely porch enjoying the cool breeze, green trees, and summer-y smell of a charcoal grill. Ah, this is the life. But I did begin my day with a PB&J Larabar and a five mile run, so how could it not be good.

And yes, I did paint my toenails, thanks for noticing. Another reason to go barefoot: show off all the pretty colors that you use to hide the ugly mess that running shoes have created of your once beautiful toenails.

Kidding—I only use one color. And it’s never really pretty.

Enough about girly stuff, let’s talk running!

Barefoot Bit: The Runs

I did two runs this week for my transition-to-barefoot running plan. The runs this week were supposed to be 4 minutes of running and 1 minute of walking, x4.

The first run was completed on a treadmill and covered a little over 2 miles in 20 minutes. The second run was after a shod run. I know I covered 2 miles, but my Garmin was dead as a doornail so I don’t know if I followed my plan exactly. Oh well, still felt good.

I didn’t get a chance to run entirely barefoot on either run. I was using the college gym when I was on the treadmill and there’s a big sign that says, “Shoes must be worn” (I wonder if the director reads my blog?), and the second run I was sweaty from my run in shoes and sweaty feet + barefoot running is bad news bears! That’s a sure-fire way to get nasty blisters on your feet (think of all the chaffing you get from running clothes when you’re sweaty or wet..just on your feet, and bloody, and with gravel in the wounds). The extra moisture in your feet softens your skin…

Barefoot Bit: The Dreadmill

It’s no secret that I hate the treadmill, but after running on it in my Vibram FiveFingers, I have a new found hatred for that darned hamster wheel.

First of all, it just doesn’t make sense for barefoot running: In barefoot running, it’s all about natural, and treadmill running is just about the most unnatural form of running possible.

Second of all, it screws with your stride. I never noticed it before in sneakers, but my FiveFingered feet were extra sensitive to the change. When running barefoot or in minimalistic footwear, you learn to keep your strides short and light. When your strides are short, your feet become your springs so you can quickly move from one step to the next. When you lengthen your stride, you use your energy to push your legs forward and you lose the bounce from your feet.

So many runners think that the longer the stride the better, but I beg to differ. The more you lengthen your stride, the more difficult it becomes to land on your mid- or forefoot and the more you alter the way your body absorbs the impact from each step. When your stride stays under your body and perpendicular to the ground, your feet work as they should, absorbing the impact with each bend and turn of the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. When you lengthen your stride, you hit more on your heel. Think of that position: when your heel hits, that impact has a direct shot up your legs and the only things to absorb the impact are your knees. This is NOT good. If you notice this about your stride, I suggest you work on fixing it before your knees or hips give out on you.

I also noticed that I hit the treadmill with so much force, which is not good. I want my steps to be light and easy, but as that belt was rotating towards me I noticed I made so much noise and hit the belt so hard that by the end of the 20 minutes, the balls of my feet were sore, but not in a good way.

As you transition to more natural footwear, or none at all, your body responds to the change by developing extra fat pads on the bottom of your feet. Because these pads are still developing on my feet, I have to be careful with how far, how fast, and how hard I run. They are easy to wear down. I would venture a guess to say that I wore them down on that treadmill run. Now I will have to slow down my barefoot runs a bit to give my body a chance to rebuild those deposits.

On a happier note, there is now a “Barefoot” Running Q&A page on Abby Normally! Complete with a question/comment box! Head over there and submit your questions if you have any. I’ll add them to the page as a receive and respond. Also, feel free to submit suggestions or add to my responses. I am not an expert and I hope to learn from you all more seasoned barefoot runners, as well!

Happy Running!

So what are your thoughts on treadmill running? Do you notice any change in your stride when you’re on them?

The Bare{foot} Essentials I

The Bare{foot} Essentials II

The Bare{foot} Essentials III 

The Bare{foot} Essentials IV

I love all things summer…except for one thing: running. Despite my dislike of winter, I love running in cold temperatures.

So in the summer I’m forced do make a decision between running in the heat and humidity or running on the treadmill. And the only kind of running that I hate more than summer running is treadmill running. So I’ve had to learn how to help my body cope with the heat and primarily the humidity.

And since I’m on bullet-point kick right now, let me list some of the things that I keep in mind during the summer months (please note, these are my tips, not expert advice!):

1) The obvious (and my answer for everything) is hydrate! Obviously you’re going to be sweating a lot, so you want to fill up before and after, and maybe even during your run. A good way to see if you’re drinking enough water is to weigh yourself before and after your run. You should weigh about the same, but if you lose weight during your run, you’re losing water, so drink more!

2) Eat the foods that will help you to…wait for it…retain water. Weird, right? But totally necessary. Skipping coffee before a hot run is probably a good idea, but looking for foods high in sodium is a must! Pickles are my absolute favorite pre-run fuel. I usually eat them the night before a long run. Another excellent food that helps retain water? Chia seeds! I can’t say enough good things about chia seeds. They are also excellent on a grouchy stomach like mine because they retain water so well. These little guys should be a staple in a runner’s diet.

3) Don’t be cocky. Don’t expect that you’ll be as speedy as you are in favorable weather conditions. Slow down and tell yourself it’s ok to take walk breaks. High body temperatures are dangerous, so give your body a little extra help by not pushing it like you usually do.

4) Electrolytes! When you sweat, you don’t just lose water, you lose essential electrolytes. Make sure that you’re replenishing these with things such as coconut water or Gatorade. My husband also takes Endurolytes before all of his bike rides. I married a smart man!

5) Remember Badwater. Huh?! Badwater is an ultramarathon considered the world’s toughest foot race. It’s a 135 mile run through Death Valley, California in the middle of July. Yea, that means that temperatures easily top 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Runners have to run on the white lines in the middle of the road to keep their shoes from melting—it’s that extreme. So when I’m struggling in 95 degrees with 85% humidity, I remember Badwater and my ultrarunning pretend-boyfriend, Scott Jurek.

But wait, there’s more!

Humans are uniquely designed for running in heat. In Born to Run, Chris McDougall talks about the anatomy and physiology of humans over other mammals that give them advantages for both long distance running and running in high temperatures. The book explains that one of the functions that allows humans to push in heat is our ability to sweat and therefore lower our temperatures. Animals, with few exceptions, cannot sweat and therefore rely on their breath to release excess heat. There’s a catch: animals for the most part can only breath once per stride. Think of cheetahs when they are running.

When they are extended, their lungs have room to inhale to their fullest.

When they are contracted, they are exhaling and all of the organs in their bodies are lurching forward, pushing all of the air out of their lungs. And then the cycle repeats. But, according to McDougall a cheetah will shut down when its temperature reaches 105 degrees, which in their fur covered bodies, comes very quickly.

So animals will overheat very easily, whereas humans sweat and breath as much as needed to regulate their body temperatures. So whenever I am struggling in the heat, I take the moment to be thankful for the unique design and abilities that allow me to enjoy the warm summer sun.

Do you prefer winter or summer running? Is there anything specific  you do to keep cool on runs?