FamilyInShape

Really Missing the Farmers Market

 

Photo: "Healthy Food" by Spin Diva

I suddenly came to the realization that eating organic, market-fresh, good for me fruits and vegetables was going to be nearly impossible here in GiTMO and I am disappointed because this is, after all, a tropical island where things are supposed to grow abundantly year round.  So yes, my expectations were a little on the high side.  In the Dominican Republic, where I was born, we had just about everything we needed or wanted to eat growing all around us.  Not in GiTMO.  It seems that this beautiful weather comes with it's own set of consequences.  We have warm mornings, hot afternoons and cool nights in the Winter - everything gets about 20 degrees hotter in the Summer; however, we have the pool, the beaches and the AC to keep us cool.  Overall, it really is beautiful, every single day.  So what's the problem?  It doesn't rain.  The ground is dry, vegetation is scarce and the water is tightly controlled.  That's insane, how we could be surrounded by water (albeit, ocean water) and have such arid, dessert-like terrain.  That really stinks!!

I really miss the open air, farmers markets.  If you have them in your area, learn to appreciate them, visit them often and enjoy the real flavor of the foods you eat.  Unless one exists on base that I don't know about, it looks like I will have to depend on the food that we get at the Commissary (not always the freshest or bestest), frozen fruits and veggies (very limited options) and growing my own (Yikes!), I don't have the greenest thumb but maybe out of necessity I will acquire one, who knows. Will most likely be consulting my mother-in-law frequently in matters of the garden.

This makes being a semi-vegetarian very challenging but I'm up for it and will have to see what creative recipes I can come up with using only what's available to me from the produce and frozen isles; at least until something starts to grow in my own garden.  As for the dry goods I think I can make do with what we have. Many different types of grains are not available but I'm sure I can get someone back home to send me a box of goodies with things like Eight O'Clock Colombian Whole Bean Coffee (hint, hint), Quinoa, Bulgur Wheat, Barley and Sea Salt.  

In the mean time I will continue to climb that hill, get back in the swing of things with Spinning and Swimming.  The kids are spending a lot more time outdoors and because we are in such a small base there really is no competition or try-outs for sports, the kids just join a team and play "competitively" for fun, so we're looking at tennis, soccer, swim lessons and volley ball.  I'm really excited to get all that started. 

I hope you have resolved to not make resolutions this year; instead, put your time and energy into staying active, eating well, and enjoying life indefinitely!!

Stay Well,

For more GiTMO adventures check this out:  http://lifeingtmobay.blogspot.com/

It’s time to get back to the garden

Photo: Corn in its infancy by Spin Diva

Not long ago I told everyone about my plans to grow something in my garden, something we could enjoy eating.  Once I put it into writing for the world to see I realized that I am accountable to you, my readers and my family.  I have a feeling they're faith in my gardening skills has begun to fade and I can't say that I blame them.  I hope to change that this season. 

Today could not have been a better day for me to get back to the garden.  I strapped my little man (now 18 months, wow time goes by so fast **sigh**) into his car seat in the truck and off we went to pick up everything we need to get started.  Two hours into our shopping spree we emerged from the store where a 70 (ish) year old garden attendant told me not to worry and to bring my truck around, "Ah be rah back git that 'ole mulch 'n dirt in that ole truck-a-yars." Huh? Um, OK?  As I walked away I whispered to my little man "Did you understand what he said?" To which he replied "ook, more, acker, peeese, no, no, no." OK, that's what I though. 

I backed up to the mulch 'n dirt and there he was waiting to load up my truck.  I gave him the receipt and waited patiently by the driver side door.  He went to work load'n that ol' truck-o-mine.  The first bag went well, the second proved to be a bit of a challenge and I began to feel very guilty.  We moved on to some other, much bigger dirt bags..um, Garden Soil that is.  Needless to say, he was really having a hard time with this one.  So I offered to help.  He insisted he just needed to get a better grip and I said, "You're probably right, but if we work together we could get done much faster, this way you can get out of the sun and I can get my baby home for his nap **smile..big smile**"  You know, the way you talk to the kids when you want them to share with other kids whose parents are just standing there watching..it's like an extra nice way to say "play nice" while giving the hint of "you're kid needs an attitude adjustment!" Anyway, he agreed—thankfully!  After the last bag was loaded he said, "I am neva…eva..doin' this ageein; I'm supposed to be a greeter not dog gone loader…" he walked away grumbling "I wanna know who's bright idear it was to put me in gardnin'..you have a nice day mam!" I'm just glad I won't be on the receiving end of his argument, he was not a happy camper but he was very helpful.

Anyway, I digressed, now back to my garden.  This is when the fun begins for me.  The weeds are still pretty much gone since the last time I cleaned up and there were quite a few Tiger Lilies and other pretty flowers growing.  Hey don't expect me to know the names too, I just plant what looks nice then I watch them grow.  Hopefully they grow AND multiply. 

So the garden workout for today went something like this:

1. Carried the dirt bags garden soil from the truck to the back of the house.  Chased the little man back into the yard between loads (what is so attractive about the street…I just don't get it).  Upper body, biceps, triceps, chest and back; and of course, legs.
2. Used a hand garden aerator or garden claw.  This thing has 5 prongs at one end and a nice long handle shaped like a T at the other.  It works great to aerate and loosen up the soil as well as loosen up unwanted weeds.  (Yes, it is not mechanical, you must use your own power to work this tool.) The twisting motion gave my obliques a nice workout, my abs were contracted the entire time I was tilling (I made a conscious effort to do this).  My medial and anterior shoulders were parallel to the floor and there was quite a bit of pulling, twisting, and digging going on.  Overall a great upper body and abdominal workout.
3. Shoveled garden soil into the prepped areas and mixed it in with the garden claw.  Shoulders, back, legs, and arms.
4. Squatted down to dirt level to begin planting the seeds, (Corn, watermelon, beans, carrots, spinach, squash, and tomato plants—I'm not good with seedlings).  It's all in your lower body now: Glutes, hamstrings, and quads.
5. Watered my newly planted seeds, tomato plants, corn, grapes and the pretty flowers too!—Satisfaction, sense of accomplishment!
6. Watered the baby. He needed a bath!—Laughter and fun!

During our time outdoors, my little man played in the dirt or should I say he bathed in it!  He also sat in the swing and sang Itsy Bitsy Spider.  He climbed his Little Tykes fort and slide toy where I couldn't resist but mist him with the hose.  We had a blast; we got a good workout, drank lots of water and used sun protection.  He took a nap and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time alone before the older kids got home from school. 

Now I will have to remember to water my garden, watch out for critters, pick out the weeds and hopefully in the next 50-68 days I will be enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of my labor.

Live Life! Stay Well!

Spin Diva