These are the last four days of my Izocleanze.

Day #11 Saturday
I went to Master class at 7:30am. I have a lot of energy and feel good.
The Workout
1 min each, 1 min rest between
Burpees (toes) - 18
K-Bell Swing (20kg) - 24
L-Sit - hold it as long as you could
Handstand Push Up (from parallel bar to abmat)-6
Pullups - 17
Squats - 53
Turkish Getup (25#) - 5
Double Unders - 40
Weighted Situps (25#) - 11
During the workout however I still feel as though I’m sucking wind. Now, it’s 5:30pm and I’m packing my purse with juice and protein drink as Brent and I head out to a Sydney’s school dinner/auction which goes from 6-11pm. I get home and email Tim about tomorrow’s liver/gall bladder cleanse. He assures me that everything will be in the cooler in the morning and to follow the instructions EXACTLY!

Day #12 Sunday
I teach in the morning at the gym, but don't work out...taking it easy today to prepare for tonite, so I head up to Malibu with the family. I have all my drinks in a cooler in the back of the car. I’m taking my mom and in-laws to a friend’s film which is screening at the Malibu Film Fest and Brent takes Sydney to the beach. I can’t drink anything after 4pm so I make sure that I drink that extra protein drink in the theatre to help hold me over. At 6pm we all meet up for dinner….I sit in the car with a cup of Epsom salts and a straw (and a piece of gum in case I want to vomit). It tastes HORRIBLE but I get it down…only to think that I have to do this again in another 2 hours. I sit through dinner at Coogie’s and we head home. Sitting through meals and not eating doesn’t bother me at all now. In fact it makes me see the difference between emotional eating and being conscious about what I am eating and putting in my body. At 8pm I suck down another cup of Epsom salts (I highly recommend using a straw so that the liquid goes straight down the back of your throat) then at 10pm I drink a cup of olive oil and grapefruit (within 5 minutes and then immediately lie down) this was pure heaven after the Epsom salts. As I am lying there I start to feel as if there are marbles traveling down a tube in my body (actually they are traveling through the bile duct). There is no pain and I then lie on my right side and fall asleep.

Day #13 Monday
I wake up and head to the bathroom (knowing that most of the day I will be on the toilet). I’m tired. I haven’t felt this tired in a while. I go get my cooler which is sitting at the door and I’m dreading the Epsom salts…but I only have 2 more cups to go (one at 7am and the other at 9am), then I’m back to my regular schedule of juices, teas, etc… I had my mom stay over last night just in case I felt really nauseas and couldn’t take Sydney to school, but I feel fine. I’m supposed to meet a group of girls at Paradise Cove for brunch at 11am and I’m thinking maybe that’s not such a good idea, but I go and of course I’m going to the bathroom every ½ hour or so, but at least I’m drinking my juices and not that Epsom salt mixture!

Now, I eat pretty healthy, I don’t eat a lot of fried foods or very fatty meals, so I thought I probably won’t see a lot of these stones that everyone’s talking about and just to let you know a gall stone is not a true stone. They are rubbery and soft and they float. The gall stones are greenish and the liver stones are brownish. They say sizes vary from rice grains to golf balls. Well, I was wrong, I saw a lot of things floating, however, I had one consolation which was my stones all looked smaller than a penny.
Here are a few websites if you want more information or pictures.

Kitchen Doctor
Henriette's Herbal

Day #14 Tuesday
My last day of juices! I now weigh 162 pounds. I go in for another colonic with Leah from Clear Way Health and we clean out some more. I go to the gym and workout and I feel great. I email Tim about his recommendations for cleanses and also about my next steps. Tim recommended a 10 days or more cleanze once a year (ideally 2-3 times a year) and a 3-5 day cleanse once every 2 months. He also recommends eating raw for a week or two after the cleanse so I order the Box from Rawvolution and start using my dehydrator again. I will definitely do this once a year…in the spring.

A few things that I noticed about doing a cleanse this long…it does get easier once you hit day 6. It’s great when you have family and friends that support you and don’t think that you are crazy. If it wasn’t delivered to my door, all prepared and with a schedule that I could follow, I don’t think I would have been able to do it. Personally, I felt really happy that I was able to “commit” to doing this, not just for myself but for my family...I want to be around to see another generation of strong women!!

Some of you may or may not know that besides being a mom and Crossfit instructor, that I am also program director of an NGO called The Next Right Thing. We connect children in medical need with people who can help. Our children come from the developing world, from countries rich in beauty and culture but currently without sufficient medical resources for their needs. Some of these children come from war torn countries and some have suffered such atrocities that many times I have cried thinking how can we allow this to happen to children.
Our sweet, shy friend Evaline was abducted by Joseph Kony, a warlord in Northern Uganda. She was wounded while protecting a younger child from a bomb attack, using herself as a shield. Shrapnel destroyed her face and she was forced to endure the agony of her wounds alone in the bush. We met her through The Rachele Center in Uganda, who took her in after she managed to escape. I met Evaline last year after her fifth reconstructive surgery here in the States and she is an amazing person. In December, we received an email from our contact Victor in Uganda.... "please take a deep breath and hold your heart!...Evaline's mother was poisioned on 24th December, the mother was with almost 9moth pregnancy and she had a fatal miscourage on friday and her mother died yesterday saturday......I am sorry this is not a very good news i was supposed to give you at this very moment of winding up year 2007 and we enter 2008. Its hard to tell why Evie's mother was poisioned but its bad feelings developed because of assistance given to Evaline from her treatment abroad to her current education.......short of nail bitting issues." How much can one child endure? My problems are nothing compared to some of the children that come to us. Right now we are working on getting a doctor to donate services for Evie. She is having some pain because her mouth is closing up a bit so she'll need another surgery.

I could go on an on about the many kids that are in need of medical care, their stories and what needs to be done, so if you'd like to know more please go to our website at The Next Right Thing.

Speaking of Uganda, friends of ours made a film that is screening at the Tribeca Film Festival April 25th to May 3rd, 2008. Forest and Keisha Whitaker are producers.
This is the story of World Champion Boxer, Kassim "The Dream" Ouma - born in Uganda, kidnapped by the rebel army and trained to be a child soldier at the age of 6. When the rebels took over the government, Kassim became an army soldier who was forced to commit many horrific atrocities, making him both a victim and perpetrator. He soon discovered the army’s boxing team and realized the sport was his ticket to freedom. After 12 years of warfare, Kassim defected from Africa and arrived in the United States. Homeless and culture shocked, he quickly rose through the boxing ranks and became Junior Middleweight Champion of the World.
Kassim, now age 27, seems to have obtained the American Dream with his jovial nature, fame and hip hop lifestyle. As Kassim trains for his next world title fight against Jermain Taylor in Little Rock Arkansas, keeping his demons out of the ring becomes increasingly difficult. His desires to reunite with family in Uganda intensify when Kassim’s only hope for a safe return is a military pardon from the president and government responsible for his abduction.
Click here to see the trailer Kassim The Dream

After my pretty depressing blog on March 24th, I called Timothy Martin and told him that I wanted to sign up for a 10 day basic cleanse program. My body was saying you need a drastic change…it’s spring..hey why not do some “body” spring cleaning. So Tim, who is the CEO and founder of the IZOcleanze asked “when do you want to start?” and I said, “well I’m supposed to go to a dinner on Thursday, and the Getty Villa with my daughter… I guess there’s no “good” time is there…pause…how about tomorrow?”

For about 3 months I’ve had a brochure from IZOcleanze. It stated that “the IZOcleanze is a 100% Organic, Raw juice-based full body internal cleanse program featuring a comprehensive blend of juices, teas, elixirs and superfoods designed to completely cleanse your body of toxins while providing you with an abundance of natural organic energy to get your through your day with a smile”. The thing that also got me was, “every morning by 6am you will find at your doorstep a collapsible cooler stocked with jars containing the day’s portions. You don’t have to prepare a thing.”

I told my husband I was doing this for 10 days and if he could support me through this…first he asked, “you’re not going to be grouchy or bitchy because you're not having food are you?” and I understood why he asked that because before when I’ve gone on a “diet” before, I just wasn’t eating and of course I was a raving bitch. I told him that this was different and he gave his blessing. I weigh myself… 171 pounds.

Day #1 Wednesday
My cooler arrives...11 mayonnaise sized jars, (green juices, red juices, teas (one called Purify and the other Elevate), lemonades, a protein drink) and vials of Quinton (a nutrient rich fluid harvested from the depths of an oceanic plankton bloom, which is supposed to restore cellular homeostasis and mineral balance), liver detox pills and a schedule of the order in which everything is to be taken. My mom comes to the house in the afternoon and I tell her what I’m doing. When I’m preparing dinner she gets out a plate for me, “are you eating?” “Uh, no mom I’m only drinking..for 10 days.” We sit down to dinner, Sydney, my mom and I. “Do you want a bite?” I look up from my jar, “no thanks, in fact I’m heading out to the gym, could you watch Syd?”. All the while thinking, “of course I want a bite, I want to chew something for god sakes, but I’m not going to.” I go to Becca’s Wednesday 6:30pm class…it’s a team workout and I don’t want to let the team down. I wonder if I’ll be able to hang…I feel good, however I realize that I have sweat coming off me the size of raindrops…hmmm I guess I’m well hydrated.

Day #2 Thursday
I do a 3 mile run and feel sluggish…it could be last nights workout or because I’m detoxing. I take it easy. At 1pm, my mom, Sydney, my friend Georgia’s mom, Anne and I head out to the Getty Villa and walk around there 3 hours, I’m carrying a backpack with my drinks so that I stay on schedule. On the way back we decide to have dinner at Gladstones’. I end up cheating and chewing on 5 bites (yes I counted) of lettuce from my mom’s salad…but I chew them a LONG time so that it turns into juice. I email Tim and ask him if he recommends colonics, he says, “yes, call Leah.” So I make an appointment with Leah for Tuesday.

Day #3 Friday
I go to Cill’s noon class and do the “Jackie”. I finish only 6 seconds slower than my time last year. I feel good, but wonder really how long can I do this…I think of calling up Tim and only doing 5 days...then I read on the website that you only get 50% of your money back…forget it…I can do this.

Day #4 Saturday
This is what I wrote in my workout log—REST DAY…Day 4 of the cleanse and feeling okay, but it’s getting tough...I really just miss chewing. This morning I made french toast for the fam and after shopping at the farmer’s market, I had to take Syd to a birthday party...pizza, salad, cupcakes and me with my Mayonnaise jars of liquid. Then I had to come home and cook dinner...baked salmon, cauliflower with goat cheese and prosciutto, and salad...that’s the hardest when I have to prepare meals for the family and then sit there and drink my dinner. Treated myself to a much needed Thai massage tonite. Hope to sleep soundly and not dream of food!

Day #5 Sunday
Taught my two classes and then worked out afterwards. I didn’t feel really strong but made it through the workout. Tonite during dinner it was really hard and I nibbled on a bite of Syd’s edamame seaweed salad. I email Tim and tell him, he says not to sweat it. I also tell him that since I’ve started the cleanse I’m always cold and I don’t wake up sweating (which is a good thing). I also let him know that I’ve lost about a pound a day so far, my nails are strong and shiny, my skin looks dewey and I that I love the protein drink (I get to have it at 12pm.. I look forward to it everyday. It’s made with hemp seed milk and tastes like a shake).

Day #6 Monday
Took Cill’s class and I still feel that my cardio has gone down. I’m sucking wind and I feel slow. I broke down and bought some chewing gum, which probably goes against those “religious” cleansers, but I just had to chew!

Day #7 Tuesday
I went and had my first colonic in something like twenty years. I was amazed at the crap (pardon the pun) that was going through the tube…this cleanse must have hit my gall bladder because we could see a lot of bile (which is yellowish to green). I won’t go into graphic detail but WOW! I called up Tim from IZO and asked about doing the liver flush which you can only do when you hit day #12 and #13. I decided that I’ve gone this far, I might as well go for it. Am I crazy?

Day #8 Wednesday
The workout was the “Nancy” 5 Rounds of 400 m. run and 15 overhead squats with 65#. I did it in 18:09. This is what I wrote in my workout blog.
Day 8 of the cleanse...6 more days to go! I felt really strong on the first round and was able to do all 15 OHS without dropping the bar...however every round after that I dropped the bar at least once (and boy did it suck to have to snatch that bar overhead 1 or 2 times). The last time that I did Nancy was in February of 2007 and I only used 55# on the OHS and my time was 21:46...so I’m pretty happy with my performance today.

Day #9 Thursday
Did a grueling 46 minute workout of handstand pushups and dead hang pullups. Feeling great but still getting hunger pangs between 4 and 7pm.

Day #10 Friday
When I drop Syd off at school in the morning, the teachers and a few parents comment on the way I look. I can definitely see a difference in the way clothes are fitting me and my stomach is flatter. It’s as if I’m losing all the baby fat that I haven’t been able to get rid of. I feel leaner. I arrive for Cill’s 9:30am class and it’s Tabata Madness day. I survive but end up lying in a puddle of sweat on the floor for almost 5 minutes when it’s over. In the afternoon I take Syd to a cooking class (why do I do this to myself). I show up with my bottles in a bag filled with ice packs and drink throughout the class where we’re learning how to make banana cupcakes. I am doing okay until I can smell the aroma coming from the ovens as they take them out, so I gulp the rest of my lemonade down and say to myself “you’ve come this far, don’t cave in now!” When the class is done I take Syd to a local restaurant where she gets grilled chicken breast with broccoli, zucchini and carrots and I get my red juice….I want to gobble up what she doesn’t eat but I don’t. There is definitely something to be said for will power. Tomorrow Brent and I have to go to a dinner for Sydney’s school, so I call up Tim and ask him to send me an extra protein drink to help with the hunger pangs and he says no problem. Weight 162 pounds. 4 more days!!!

Sir Thomas Wyatt wrote:
I find no peace, and all my war is done ;
I fear and hope, I burn, and freeze like ice ;
I fly aloft, yet can I not arise ;
And nought I have, and all the world I seize on,
That locks nor loseth, holdeth me in prison,
And holds me not, yet can I scape no wise :
Nor lets me live, nor die, at my devise,
And yet of death it giveth me occasion.
Without eye I see ; without tongue I plain :
I wish to perish, yet I ask for health ;
I love another, and thus I hate myself ;
I feed me in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain.
Lo, thus displeaseth me both death and life,
And my delight is causer of this strife.

Right now every one of those lines strikes a chord within me so deep that it brings me tears.
Living in the present---and being okay with where I am right now at this point in my life...knowing that this is exactly where I am supposed to be...it's not an easy thing to do. I want to be happier, stronger, faster, fulfilled, healthier, a better mom, wife, (and the list goes on and on)... I want....I want.....someday to be...."I AM".

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This morning I read an article in the New York Times--- Does TV Belong in a Child's Bedroom?
My answer---Hell NO! At least that’s my opinion, but I’m not alone…the article states that….

“a growing body of research shows strong associations between TV in the bedroom and numerous health and educational problems.
Children with bedroom TVs score lower on school tests and are more likely to have sleep problems. Having a television in the bedroom is strongly associated with being overweight and a higher risk for smoking.”

Personally, I don’t think young kids should be in front of the TV at all…I will admit that recently when we were traveling; my daughter got to watch a Sesame Street, Backyardigans or Dora episode on my Ipod. When she HAS to be confined to a chair in a cramped airplane then I figure a half hour won’t kill her, but any other time, she’s creating her own games, drawing, cooking with me or running and playing around. Yes, it takes time, work and patience but I’d rather her be running around being an imaginative, creative, healthy 4 year old than sitting in front of the boob tube.

Which leads me to this past weekend….I was in Romona, CA. This is a small town where most every household owns a horse and is located about 30 minutes inland from San Diego. If you weren’t going to the Wild Animal Park or to Brand X (the home of Crossfit Kids) you’d probably never go there. I was there for a Crossfit Kids seminar---learning how to teach Crossfit movements such as the squat, deadlift, push press, sumo deadlift high pull and more to kids, how important it is for kids to jump, spin, get upside down and lift weights, and more importantly how to make it super fun. We all know the slogan, “it doesn’t have to be fun to be fun”, well for kids, “it DOES have to be fun to be fun,” which is Crossfit Marina's slogan. It was an AWESOME seminar…the staff at Brand X are well informed educators and trainers and Jeff and Mikki Martin are great coaches and teachers…all you have to do is look at their sons (and as anyone with kids can attest, it’s not easy to coach your own kids!). I was really impressed by all the kids there and I came away excited to share my experiences and try them out on my daughter and her friends.
Some benefits of a fitness program such as Crossfit are:
Improved motor skills, increased bone density, reduction of sports injuries, improved balance and coordination, improved self-confidence, decreased chance of depression, enhanced social skills, improves brain function and higher test scores just to name a few.

A child’s foundation of a healthy lifestyle starts at home…we as parents are responsible--for how much exercise they are getting, what they are eating and how much TV they are watching.

Children are one third of our population and all of our future.
~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981

I'm running away!

What happens when your significant other is forced to go on strike?
Well, if you’re my husband Brent you do some standup, write and direct a few internet shorts




and buy a dinosaur costume….ahhh yes…that’s my husband…

For those of you who don’t know, Brent Forrester grew up in Malibu surfing the beautiful waves, playing soccer and winning oratorical awards. He went to SamoHi until 11th grade and decided he wanted to go to Crossroads. He stated his case of why Crossroads would do well to have him (he’s one of the top soccer players, top in SAT’s etc..) and they said, “sure”. Brent was accepted to Stanford, Yale (probably a few others that I've forgotten) and Columbia…he chose Colombia (because one of his friends was going there, but now thinks he would have liked to go to Yale). He graduated college looking for work and through a friend he got the chance to work on a staff under Susan Harris, the creator of Golden Girls. She hired him to write for Nurses. From there he has worked on shows such as The Ben Stiller Show (where he won an Emmy), Simpsons, King of the Hill, and most recently The Office (where again he has been nominated for Emmy's the past two years). Yes, he is funny...in fact I could write a comedy about some of the crazy, funny things that I have witnessed...such as wearing one of my wigs to a high powered meeting of agents (that he wanted to leave) while talking in a Britsh accent and saying he was "Alex Norton...Brent's manager." He stayed in character the whole time... 30 minutes in, the head of the agency told Brent to have a good life....oh and you'll have to ask him about his Katzenberg story...He has written screenplays, and has been hired to rewrite movies and for the past 2 years he’s been doing standup…for free. I keep telling him he should put a hat out for tips, but the club owners were against it.

So, back to the strike and that dinosaur costume….when I first met my husband it was on a blind “surf” date….while teaching me how to surf he shared his passion for being socially conscious and how he wanted to make a socially progressive show or something. Well, when Mike Huckabee stood up and said that he did not believe in evolution, something struck a chord in my husband and he went out and bought a dinosaur costume (actually it was a Teletubbies costume and he had to have someone make the dinosaur head). He stuck an American flag where the tele was on the belly of the Teletubby and then he got a cameraman friend to follow him around the farmer’s market and the 3rd St. Promenade. Then they put it up on youtube..




NOW PLEASE end the Writer’s Strike!!!

(ah you know I love you honey!)

It's that time again...and you might be asking...

Why is Super Tuesday so important?
More than 20 states go to the polls on Super Tuesday, but news pundits nationwide can not agree whether these states alone can determine who the candidate will be from each party. Here's why: On Super Tuesday, the Democrats will choose over 1,600 delegates from 22 states, but 2.025 are needed for the nomination. On the Republican ticket, close to 1000 delegates are at stake from 21 states, yet it will take 1,191 to secure a nomination. California has 370 delegates. Click here for an analysis about why any Democrat will still be shy of the delegates needed, but why a Republican candidate could emerge.

If you want to see which candidate best aligns with what is dear to your heart then take the quiz at Glassbooth Election 2008. Their site has a lot of great information so that you can compare candidates.

Now get out there and VOTE! You CAN make a difference.

I just got back from a week of skiing in Snowmass, CO with my husband, Brent, our 4 year old daughter, Sydney, my father in law, Jim, my brother in law, Justin and a friend of his, Todd. There were a lot of firsts on this trip…Sydney seeing snow, eating snow, catching snowflakes on her tongue and skiing. It was our first family trip with my in laws. It was my first time skiing backwards-which I did a lot of in order to teach Sydney. It was also the first time I really got to spend time with my father in law. He is a wonderful, intelligent, kind man, who is also a renowned cardiologist and an awesome grandfather to Sydney. He loves to play games with her, reads to her and really enjoys her company. He was so happy that she liked skiing and that she has already said she wants to go back next year!

Just before Sydney and I left on Friday (Brent had returned home on Wednesday), we were able to spend some quality time with Grandpa Jim. We had lunch and he asked me if I missed sports reporting and if I would go back when Sydney got a little older. He said it must be hard to give up your career to be a full time mom. We talked about relationships, family, work and life and then he said to me, “You know what Dawn, you are a good mom, really, you are and I just want you to know that.” I was so touched that I could barely speak and I was fighting back tears, because I never thought I’d be a “good” mother. I thought I’d be a mother but it scared the shit out of me, especially since I was having a girl. My mother and I didn’t have a great relationship when I was growing up and I did NOT want to make the mistakes my mother made.

Anyway, this evening as I was searching the net, I was directed to Dr. Sanity’s blog by another blogger. I liked the article and scrolled down to see "Where Have All The Mother's Gone?"

A great thought provoking article...and if you didn't hear me...thanks Jim....

A friend of mine recently told me she found flip flops that will tone her legs and burn calories just by walking around in them. I told her she’d have to walk pretty darn far in those things if she wanted to burn as many calories as we do in a normal Crossfit class!!

So, I looked them up online, (hey, I was curious and like most girls…I like shoes). Well, I have to say that I have pretty much seen and heard everything when it to comes to “get fit” claims, but Bath & Body Works' "FitFlops" latest takes the cake....(and FitFlops alleges they can take that cake)….off!

Their ad says that '"FitFlops" actually give you a workout while you walk and they are engineered to lessen joint strain. The unique design improves your core muscle strength, absorbs shock of your feet, knees, and back, and strengthens and tones muscles in your feet, legs, buttocks, stomach, and back.
They come in silver, black, and red, and they don’t look as clunky and granola as my Birkenstocks…hell, they actually look pretty cute…but they’ll never get me to give up Crossfit…NEVER!

Yesterday was a rest day for me so I decided to go to Willow Spa to sit in a bunch of sawdust....well not really sawdust...here let me explain...
A few years ago a friend of mine told me that this new spa on Santa Monica Blvd (across the street from Busby's Bar) opened up and it had something that NO ONE in LA has...a Japanese Enzyme Bath. I thought to myself, "uh great, but I'm not really into baths..I'd rather have a massage." Well, for my birthday she got me a gift certificate so I tried it and I thought it was awesome, so much so that I've been back there at least 4 times since then. It's a bit expensive so I only go on rare occasions when I really want to "get away". The atmosphere at Willow Spa is very Zen...you walk up the steps off of busy Santa Monica Blvd. to this little craftsman style house and check in with the receptionist. You are then whisked to the back of the house to a lovely cabana to change. Once you are dressed in the willow tie top and pants you walk out into the courtyard that has been turned into a beautiful botanical garden. Last night my technician was Yuki. As I sat down she offered me warm tea and took off my sandals so my feet could soak in a bowl of warm water filled with grapefruit pieces and rose petals. Then she gave me a deep tissue foot massage...I love foot massages...10 minutes later and it was time to go in to the Enzyme bath, but first I was given an enzyme drink (which tastes like honey) and changed into a disposable panty (you can bring a bathing suit), put my hair up and laid back in this big tub filled of what looks like dark brown sawdust. Once I'm settled Yuki covers me up with mounds of the stuff and then props up my head and neck ....here is the description of what the enzyme bath is all about:

This deep heating treatment was originally developed in Japan for the athletes in the Olympics. It is a dry bath that consists of a combination of finely cut wood shavings, rice bran, and fruit and vegetable enzymes. Its purifying properties can assist your body up to five times its natural ability in detoxifying. The natural activity of the enzymes breaks down the other ingredients to create a deep, penetrating, heat. While immersed in the Willow Enzyme Bath, your body's muscles begin to relax, your circulation is increased and your skin is cleansed.

I can imagine it might be a bit claustrophobic for people who don't like to buried up to their neck in, what looks like dirt, and it does get hot., however if it's too much you can always come out or take one arm out or both arms or a leg etc.... Anyway , there is something about it I love it...I lie back, listen to the beautiful music and just let my mind relax. After 5 minutes Yuki came in with cool water for me to sip through a straw and wiped my face with a cold cloth and then left the cold cloth on my steaming head. You are only in the bath for 20 minutes total and every five minutes the technician comes in to check on you, give you water and wipe off the sweat that by minute 20 is just streaming down your face as if you just did a 20 minute Crossfit workout! After the 20 minutes I brush off with a horse brush, yes a horse bruch and then walk into a running warm shower. I sort of wonder if all that stuff that's going down the drain goes into a garbage disposal...then I put on my tie top and pants and head in for a 15-20 minute Thai foot and leg massage. I love that they put headphones on your ears and cover your eyes when you lie down and the massage is sooo relaxing.
Check out Willow Spa for more info.
Oh and they claim that "you can burn as many calories in the enzyme bath as if you biked or jogged for 30 minutes." I don't know how they figured that out, but hey, I'll take it...so then I can claim that yesterday wasn't a rest day! LOL

I read an article about ants to my daughter (it was in one of her "My Big Backyard" magazines). It talked about "all the work that ants do", how "industrious they are" and at the end of the article it gave instructions on how to create your own ant-farm. She thought that was neat and said, "maybe we can make an ant farm," and I replied, " we already have an ant farm and they are in the kitchen...haven't you seen them?" Let me preface this by saying that, we never had a problem with ants until it started getting cold. Now, I've been seeing them coming out of the garbage disposal, around the windows, and even out of the stove. My first instinct was to grab the Raid which was left in the garage by the previous owner...two different kinds..."country fresh" and "ant and roach maximum strength". I remember my mom using Raid and spraying it around the house when I was a kid...of course, now I know better...that stuff is deadly, not just to ants, but to kids and adults as well. So, I wash them down the drain or squish them-- they are not big, little tiny things...but then, my daughter sees me squish one and screams, "don't kill it!". So, I lie and say "I just tried to brush it away, and I think it got smooshed." So, back to the ant-farm- her dad builds it, I make them put it outside and go about some bills...a few hours later I look outside our window onto our backyard and there on the deck is a plastic jug with goo dripping down the sides and onto our wood deck and my daughter is sitting there waiting for ants to show up to their new home. They must not be into sweet, gooey honey because they never went into the jug and the ants have currently moved from our kitchen and now I see them in random places like one on the tub, or on a chair...now I put a little cornstarch in my vacuum and suck them up....sigh...ants.

My daughter and I are now going to try the following recipe...she thinks it's another ant farm for the ants (I don't know how much longer I can get away with these little mistruths, but that's another story).
To make your own ant hotels, try:

1 cup borax
1 cup sugar water
4 shallow glass jars with screw tops
4 loose wads of toilet paper

In a bowl, mix the borax and sugar. Place a loose wad of toilet paper into each of four different screw-top jars. Pour a quarter of the sugar and borax mixture into each of the four jars, over the toilet paper. Fill each jar with water to one inch of the top. Screw the lids on the jars, and with a hammer and nail, make four to eight holes in the lid. Place the jars in areas where you have ants, but keep away from pets and children and label the jars "poison."

I found this great article about how to "safely" get rid of ants... and this website The Green Guide at http://www.thegreenguide.com has a lot of other great articles in it so check it out.