To Kill a Low Cholesterol Diet

Since I began again attempting to control my cholesterol and liver enzyme levels through diet and no alcohol (and exercise, of course, once Nichole Miller returns to teaching NIA after giving birth to River), the world has conspired to defeat me. Latest is NPR's Meredith Bethune seeking Scout Finch's neighbor Maudie Atkinson's specialty Lane cake.Scout, Maudie Atkinson and Lane cake are all in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.  This comes about as its sequel Go Set a Watchman is published to much fanfare.  The New York Times offered a preview of the first chapter.  Interest in the original book (and movie with the wonderful Gregory Peck playing the wonderfully named Atticus Finch) has also been revived. So, we get to hear about the recipe of an unofficial Alabama state cake which most life-long residents no longer know about.  I thought I'd make it, except for... 8 eggs! 1 cup butter! 1 cup whole milk! 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon bourbon whiskey!  Not for the cholesterol-conscious.

Dancing with the (Dixon) Stars

You remember Nichole Miller, the brave soul who attempted to spread the word of NIA to Dixon and environs?  She now has The Studio in Downtown Dixon.  NIA instruction is limited to a Wednesday morning class (and that now may have been deep-sixed due to lack of participation), but we continue to keep our fingers crossed.  Meanwhile, she and cohorts are offering Zumba, Swing Dance and Yoga.  In fact, on Friday nights now, The Studio presents Friday Night Social, featuring a different theme of music every week.  There's a half-hour lesson which begins at 7pm and then, it's an open dance until 10:30pm.  All for only $5 per person. 

Need NIA

I know I have mentioned NIA coming to Dixon. Right now, Nichole Miller is on "summer break" which started in early May, and I am hoping ends soon!!  She and all of us lament the fact that there are not more NIA teachers in the Sauk Valley area. I feel the lack acutely and while I'm still not able to commit to something like that, I hope that others might want to take up the cause.

The next week-long White Belt training session in Chicago is coming up soon, 5-11Aug.  As the message says, the training is not just for those who desire to teach NIA, but also for those who seek the intensive exploration of physical and spiritual self.  In plain, familiar fitness language, NIA combines elements of modern and jazz dance, martial arts, especially aikido and tai chi, and yoga.  There are principals of interval strength training and deep breathing as well as opposites: balance/imbalance, flexible/rigid, dynamic/static, strong/fluid.

And, even if you can't commit to a whole week, the location for the training -- Soulistic -- is a wonderful space and part of the training includes (after long hours of instruction and practice) a daily one-hour class for all comers.  So, if you are in Chicago at that time (or Jamie Klausing teaches twice weekly at Soulistic, among other places), please do check it out.  Your body will hug you.  After each class I take, I feel like I've given myself a gift.  People comment all the time that I must have lost weight. I have lost just a few pounds over the years, but I believe the weight has shifted to my muscles which are more toned.  Exercise is about the only way after menopause to increase HDL ("good cholesterol"), and NIA is fun.

An Incredibly Busy Saturday Arriving Fast

I meant to remind everyone that Larry has been agonizing over which books to order and bring to offer for sale at Nachusa Grasslands' Autumn on the Prairie, come Saturday, 19 Sep (always on 3rd Saturday of September). It's probably too late at this juncture, but you can put in your 2 cents (don't tweet him -- just call on the telephone or send an e-msg) and if we have something on the shelf, I am sure he'll be happy to oblige.

I and Bri Boyer, our newest employee, will be holding down the fort at Books on First, because there are major bicycle races happening right on the streets of Downtown Dixon, and Larry thinks all these riders and spectators are going to want to quench their thirsts -- for liquid refreshment as well as printed material -- immediately. The course comes north on Hennepin (downhill towards the river) and makes a left turn right in front of our place onto First Street. I am told that professional riders can reach speeds of 30+ miles/hr coming down that hill and at that point, a hairpin, turn. Luckily (but fingers crossed, unnecessarily), Dixon Fire Department and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital are both nearby. I am still trying to figure out how all these thirsty people are going to be able to cross the street to reach the store, although I am assured that there is ample time between races, so that people can walk and will not need to worry about stray or lagging participants attempting to catch up or at least finish.

Distinctive Gardens is having its chili cook-off.

And, if that weren't enough happening in one day, I will be missing the return of NIA! to Dixon, as Nichole Miller, after a summer break and lots of Sunrise Yoga on the riverfront, starts up Saturday 5:30pm class at the Traditional Wellness Center upstairs from Touch of Thai. But, you don't have to, so be sure to give Nichole and NIA a try and I'll see you there next weekend.

And after a good workout for mind & body, come to Books on First to welcome classical guitarist Michael Lich who comes to us after many years of a Saturday a.m. larger double shot sugar-free vanilla latte customer, his father, Terry saying, "You gotta hear my son play." I am so excited that we finally will hear him live. And, I hope live music lovers everywhere will come to hear him, too. (Tony Fiorini's Wrong Element, who has been at Books on First, will be at Distinctive Gardens, but while the music is different, the events are not mutually exclusive -- where do you think we're going after we close at 9pm?)