book review

{book review} Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook: Good training food for you (and your family)

by Monica on August 16, 2011

I somewhat reluctantly picked up Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook My Father’s Daughter (not your typical cookbook name…not jumping off the shelf for sure) from the library. I thought it might be plagued with privilege from an actress who has Steven Spielberg as a godfather. But I have to admit, I love it. Yes, her kitchen and her children (and she herself) are beautiful, but I am in love with her relationship with food. Fresh ingredients cooked in healthy ways. I tried one of the dishes out on my teenage children and even got an unprompted “good chicken Mom” from my son. The never ending battle known as “dinner” has me always looking for more to offer at the table. Gwyneth uses food to entertain, bond with friends and teach her children. This cookbook is centered on her family both past and present. An idea I embrace. Some of my favorite moments are sitting at the table with my family enjoying a meal and the casual exchange of conversation that accompanies culinary togetherness. She also reminds us that just preparing food can be about family. I think back when my son was home from law school at Thanksgiving — I learned a lot about his life from a session of peeling potatoes. My daughter studies while she bakes (or is it bakes while she studies?). Somehow thoughts of quizzing her from her flashcards comes to mind if the smell of baked chocolate is in the air. Taste, smell and the warmth of connection felt around the kitchen form mental snapshots like these that we carry with us. Gwyneth is trying to do the same for her children.

And for those of us runners who are always looking for miles from our food I must note that she offers some good healthy options here. She also works hard on her body so she can eat a plate of Paella or pancakes. Sound familiar?

And yes, I do get that we don’t all look like Gwyneth, but I think we can learn from this renaissance gal. I have to admit, I am a little jealous of her perfect life…but mostly just in awe.

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{book review} Orange is the New Black — Piper Kerman (running for her life)

by Monica on May 31, 2010

When Piper Kerman was incarcerated for a year on a ten year-old drug charge, she ran everyday around the track to keep from losing her mind. The kindness of fellow inmates in this stripped-down world provided her comfort. This book reminded me of the redemptive qualities of running. And although this story is not about running, it plays an intimate part in the outcome. Running sometimes saves us from ourselves. It can provide peace to a troubled mind or solace to a busy soul. It can act as a catalyst to knowing that we are capable of coming back from pain. If life is like a race, we keep running, even when it really hurts.

The unexpected friendships that developed for Piper within the walls of the prison camp brought to mind threads of running friendships. Although not even comparable to prison life, a shared experience of long training hours and personal triumphs (reduced to the toughness and the kindness within us) can bring forth some of the most unlikely bonds. True colors are shown and respect is earned. Humor and connection trump competition and rivalry.

Orange is the New Black – My Year in A Women’s Prison is a really good read that opens your eyes to the injustices within the walls of our prisons. So much of it made me cringe. Piper is one tough cookie. I could not put this one down and was left wanting more.

If you’re looking for more about this book and Piper Kerman, see these videos and interviews:
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{book review} A “Healing Night” Sleep — the Runner’s Holy Grail

by Jamie on March 3, 2010

It’s amazing when you get to a certain age, and you talk about sleep in the same way you spoke about getting inebriated… I got eight hours last night. It was fantastic! Johnny Depp

Often, on running mornings, the first thing we talk about is our state of sleep. “I got to bed too late.” “I woke up at 3 and couldn’t get back to sleep.” “I’m tired!!” Sleep, like so much of youth, was a simple activity, taken for granted. In middle age, I court sleep. And fret over it. While sleepy, I am cranky, tedious and famished. A good night’s sleep is the holy grail of comfort and restoration. I bask in it.

I recently read, Healing Night, by Rubin R. Naiman, Ph.D. Naiman is a clinical psychologist specializing in the field of sleep. He works with natural wellness guru, Dr. Andrew Weil. The book is replete with new age flourishes. But, the vast amount of information about sleep is enlightening……I thought that I would share some of it here.

Yet another debt crisis to fear: sleep debt. Chronic lost and damaged sleep has a deleterious affect on our mood, physical well being, mental acuity, athletic ability and waistline. Falling asleep within 5-10 minutes of hitting the pillow signals a sleep debt. Sleep should be a gradual process (akin to walking into a lake).

Naiman recommends that we avoid looking at the time once we begin to enter the sleep state. If 20-30 sleepless minutes have passed, he advises us to get up, do something else and await sleepiness. My obsessive mind wanders–has it been 10 minutes? 20? 24? Should I get up now? In 5 more minutes? I’d better peak at the clock. What time did I go to bed again?

The term “cognitive popcorn” is bandied about. It refers to those thoughts (often anxiety filled) that enter our consciousness and prevent us from falling asleep or wake us up mid-sleep.

Sleeploading is recommended. That is, make up for sleep debt by spending a week or so going to sleep and waking up when the body chooses…even on vacation, this transcendent opportunity rarely presents itself!

Our bedrooms should be cool, dark and quiet.

We are biologically programmed to nap.

The BFF of runner’s, NSAID’s (Advil, Motrin,Aleve), compromise deep sleep by inhibiting melatonin production.
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{book preview} More on Dara Torres — Age is Just a Number

by Monica on March 20, 2009

I finally went to the doctor today to check out the constant nagging pain in my foot. The one that has been keeping me off the road and out of the Boston Marathon. Feeling a bit defeated, I decided to get an official diagnosis. The doctor thinks it is a stress fracture or heel spur and sent me for an x-ray. On my way out of the house, I grabbed the mail which included the newest edition of More magazine (April 2009 issue).

As I sat there, if there was an ounce of pity in my thinking, it was now gone after reading the cover article on Dana Torres. Motivation in the form of a 42 year old fireball. I read the excerpt from her new book, Age is Just a Number , and was completely engaged. She describes the tedious, mythodical pre-race ritual for her Olympic medal winning effort. Funny, honest and totally inspiring commentary from a hard working perfectionist.

I love it when she says…”you don’t have to put an age limit on your dreams, that the real reason most of us fear middle age is that middle age is when we give up on ourselves”. (this is why we run ladies!)

I chuckled at her describing her rolling suitcase being laughed at by the younger swimmers and was intrigued by her relationship to her body. It’s a great article and truely made me re-think the way I look at my own injury. I look forward to reading her book. Go Dara! You’re amazing.

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{book review} The Outliers — thoughts on the running and writing connection

February 7, 2009

I just learned that Malcom Gladwell is a distance runner. I saw him speak at the Philadelphia Library this week about his new book– The Outliers. He started one of his comments by saying that he was a runner and had always wondered about the reason so many great runners come from Kenya. He was [...]

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{book review} Annie at work (and in the flesh)

December 4, 2008

I recently saw Annie Lebovitz at the Free Library of Philadelphia speak about her newest book Annie at Work. She sat calmly reading, going through a few of her photographs, telling stories, and relaying thought processes. It was such a gift to hear an artist explain first hand their work- a tiny peek into not only how she got [...]

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{book review} I got David Sedaris for my birthday

October 22, 2008

For my 46th birthday, as a present from some friends, I went to see David Sedaris read from his latest essays on his book tour. I laughed so hard my face hurt the next day. I didn’t realize how much I liked him until I heard his voice. It suits him, and the idea of [...]

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