Always Give it your Personal Best

In the world of personal bests, this morning I congratulate baseball's Matt Garza and the Tampa Bay Rays for pitching  his/their first ever no-hitter game, last night against the Detroit Tigers.  It was very exciting to watch and now, with Kyle living in Tampa, I feel a certain attachment to the Rays along with my Florida Marlins.  Great job, Matt.  I am sure he is floating somewhere on cloud nine this morning, as he should!

As my students continue to spoil me with homegrown gifts from Mother Nature, I try to actually build meals around them!  Thanks to the gorgeous mangoes I received yesterday and the juice of a Persian lemon from a bunch that I received last week, I put together a mango black bean salad, last night.  Diced mango, rinsed and drained black beans, onion, tomatoes, fresh cilantro ( I love the taste and even more, the smell of cilantro) and lime juice was mixed together and then placed upon some greens.  With my grill working again, I made some whole portobello mushrooms, sliced vidalia onions and sliced eggplant and cooked them directly on top of the grill.  I marinated the mushrooms and onions in a mix of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, fresh rosemary and some spices from the pantry.  One thing I have learned about eggplant is it will just soak up a marinade like a sponge so I just spray a little olive oil on the slices immediately before placing on the grill.  With a little of my already made brown rice from the weekend, I had a perfect (and quite beautiful) meal.

Yesterday I did a very eclectic home workout.  17 laps in the pool...assisted (toes on the back of a chair)  pull-ups with hands in 4 different positions...push-ups with hands in different positions...lunges in different directions...ab work, 1 part P90x, 1 part Physique 57 and 1 part Pilates...and few minutes of yoga stretches.  It kept me from getting bored and pushed me to do some exercises that I cannot do in group classes.  I am pretty sure I will NEVER be able to do a pull-up without assistance, but I always feel the work in my back the day after I do them, even though at the time, it feels like my leg is doing most of the work.  Thanks Kyle, for leaving that awesome pull-up bar with me.  I try to use it just once a week, but I also try for every week.

With temperatures soaring into the 90s every day here, (and a good chance wherever YOU are, too) we must all remember to hydrate more than ever.  No Lisa, that doesn't mean an extra bottle of wine :)  Drink lots of water, and do it often!  Also, keep your animals comfort in mind.  I am, as I leave NOW for my walk with Blaze, before the pavement gets any hotter.  We are taking a BIG trash bag with us today.  As I walked him last night, I noticed how much garbage was once again lining the streets of our neighborhood.  Its been a couple of weeks since we did garbage pick-up, Blaze and I.  It amazes me that Coral Springs was voted the 44th best city in the country to live in.  I love "my town," but at #44 I would think it would be just a little cleaner.  Anyway, I am not one to really b*tch and moan, so this morning, we are on a mission to clean things up. Off we go, walking, bending, cleaning and enjoying some time together before the day gets in our way.  Its just one way we get our PEACEANDFITNESS.  What will you do to get yours?  Whatever you do, do your very best!