I think it’s the perfect time to explain the title of the blog, considering I bought new running shoes this week!

I contemplated the title for a while. Then one night Sonny, Max and I were on a walk. I was wearing my Vibrams and I made a comment about being basically barefoot. And decided that would be the perfect blog title! I wanted a title that would incorporate the 3 topics I hope to blog about:

• being active (as close to barefoot as possible)
• healthy eating
• my attempt at living a “green” lifestyle

Basically Barefoot and being active:
This summer I discovered that I love being barefoot. I took Max on some barefoot walks. I did some barefoot gardening. And did a lot of walking and hiking in my Vibrams. When I bought my Vibrams (February 2010) I intended to run in them as much as possible. It turned out to be difficult for me to incorporate miles in the Vibrams into my normal running schedule. I ended up building up to about 2 miles before my injury.

During my time off from running the last couple months, I decided I would try to start running in the Vibrams once I would be able to start running again. Since I would have to start out with very few miles it would be the perfect time to get used to them. But now I have changed my plan a little bit for a couple of reasons. The massage therapist I saw this week recommends only running in the Vibrams on trails. Running on trails in the Vibrams feels great and more natural than running in them on pavement. So I think I have decided I’m going to stick to only trails in the Vibrams and normal shoes on pavement. The other reason I like the idea of running on pavement in normal shoes is that it’s now winter (which I hate by the way) and I think my feet will be too cold running in the Vibrams.

Basically Barefoot and healthy eating / living green:
When I think of being barefoot I think of things like “less is more” and embracing nature. I think this relates to my diet and my green lifestyle. For the last few years I have been more aware of the foods I’m eating and I have been eating as healthy as possible. I eat very little processed foods and try to eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. I have changed some of my every day habits to be more environmentally friendly. I buy as much as possible from local companies. Sonny set up a clothesline so I could dry our laundry outside over the summer. We recycle (of course) and have a compost pile.I’m excited to blog about new healthy recipes and new ways I find to be green!

Now it’s time to show you my new shoes! (purchased at Eugene Running Company where I buy most of my shoes)
I ran a couple of miles in my old running shoes last weekend and they felt so bulky. So I decided I needed to buy some minimalist running shoes. I wanted to find shoes that don’t have the barefoot feeling but are less than the normal running shoe.  And that have a hard sole. I bought a pair of Nike Free’s a couple of months ago and didn’t like them at all. They felt like marshmallows on my feet. So I knew I didn’t want the Free’s. I tried on the New Balance 101, the Saucony Kinvara, and the Brooks Green Silence. I have never liked New Balance shoes and these were not any better than what I remember. They just don’t fit my feel well and feel bulky. The Saucony’s felt a lot like the Free’s so I obviously didn’t want those. I knew when I tried on the Brooks I would end up buying them. They fit my feet perfectly and felt great. They are super light and don’t have much cushion. Check these out… they are awesome!When I got back in my car after making the purchase I noticed this:

So then I checked the box to see if there was an explanation and found this handy card with lots of info:

I was so excited to learn the shoes are made from 75% post consumer recycled material (including recycled plastic bottles, CD’s and tire materials)! Bonus. So far I have run 7 miles in my new shoes and I really like them.