Smith Meadows Farm at Dupont Circle

Smith Meadows Farm is an eighth generation grass farm and they sell beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. I am so happy they come to the Dupont Farmers Market. Today, I scored beef LIVER, ground pork, lamb shanks, ground lamb, ground beef, and beef sausage with basil and garlic. I am going to make the beef liver tomorrow and cannot wait!

Pork Jowls at the Dupont Farmers Market

Major score at the Dupont Farmers Market this past Sunday--pork jowls! I still made my way to Wagshals for the rest of the meat (steamship roast, spicy sausage, prime fat, headcheese, and ground beef), but so happy I was able to get the jowls--two of them and it was the only package they had available!

Elimination Diet Day 14 and Running to Super Bowl

Good day overall, with no new introductions.  I ran to the Freshfarm Dupont Circle Market in the morning, just as everyone was setting up. This is a goldmine resource for DC; so happy that it is available year-round. I went to Aaron & Dana's Super Bowl party and enjoyed lots of shrimp--on the list and safe. They had a ton of yummy options, which Steven enjoyed. Carly is the cutie dog (poodle/golden retriever mix). I came home and had veggies and an avocado.

Knee Pain Pushes Me to the Pure Barre

I have been having issues with my knees. First, my left knee; then, while compensating for my left and still running, my right knee. It took awhile, but I finally get it--my knees need a break from running.

A colleague at work told me about a free Pure Barre class offered at the Dupont studio (2130 P Street NW). January 31 was the last free class sponsored by Lululemon. Even though it was a mere 20 degrees outside, I half-ran/jogged to the studio for the 7am class. I am so glad I did.

As a newbie, I was welcomed into the studio and asked to fill out some paperwork. I removed my sneakers (Mizuno Wave Creation) and headed into the carpeted studio. The instructor, Mary Margaret, began the class right on time (love that).

We started with a warm-up of knee lifts and arm raises. At first I thought, No problem, I got this. Then we started using a small ball and squeezing it between the legs; holding and pulsing, while keeping good posture and tight abs. My legs were shaking in no time. This is normal; the instructor warned at the beginning. You want to get to this stage because it means you are fatiguing the muscles. Even more weird was during the ab/core portion when my abs were shaking. Very bizarre feeling.

I have never taken ballet classes, but this class did not remind me of a dance class at all (my pre-conceived notion). The class is an intense, low-impact workout with no jumping or bouncing. The bar is used for body weight resistance, stretching, and pulsing. It is so much harder than it sounds. Really, it is SO much harder than it sounds.

Initially, I found it strange that the instructor did not participate; you had to pay very close attention to every word of her directions. However, it made sense as we went through the class that she would walk around checking form and helping people--especially since I received three personal visits and each time it made a big difference. :)

Although I am not a fan of group exercise and I enjoy my solitary runs, I am considering trying it for a month. (Pure Barre has a special one-month deal for new clients.) And I will recommend this class and studio to others.

Watching USA v. Germany at Dupont Circle

We were among many World Cup fans at Dupont Circle today to watch USA versus Germany. According to WJLA there were thousands of fans!

UPDATE: Even though we didn't win...still going through to the next round!