Science Writing and Rejection

Last week, I prepared my first manuscript for publication.  It was the first thing I've tried to publish based on my research.  We submitted it to Nature Medicine.  We got a response this week that the Editorial Board was rejecting it and was not sending it to the Review Board.  I know they reject a lot of papers and it's not personal, but I'm still a bit disappointed.  Round 2 will probably be the Journal of Clinical Investigation.  Hopefully that goes better!

2010 Socks - Pair 4

Pair 4 done!  I call these Passionate Monkey socks as they are the Monkey sock pattern knit in Pagewood Farm Yukon in the color passion.

Maryland Sheep and Wool 2010

Over the weekend, I went to my first ever fiber festival - Maryland Sheep and Wool!  It was very interesting!  Kind of like a State Fair, but focusing only on fiber-related animals and products.  I really enjoyed it.  I only bought two skeins of yarn and some buttons (pics to come later) and managed to stay in my budget.  I camped on Patapsco Valley State Park, which was wonderful.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

-Campsite:

-Alpacas

-Bunnies (angora)

-Baby Sheep

You can find all of my pictures from the weekend here.

2010 Socks - Pair 3

Halfway done with my goal of 6 pairs of socks knit this year!  I think I might have to raise that goal!

I'm calling these "Snow Day Mystery socks".  The color is Snow Day from Sunshine Yarns.  The pattern was a mystery in that I didn't know what the finished sock would look like when I started.  It was a pattern I was helping to test knit.  I'm very happy with the results.  Despite the yarn name, I think they are perfect for Spring!

Thyroid/Gluten Interaction?

I received an interesting article from a friend today discussing potential interactions between thyroid disease and gluten intolerance.  I haven't had a chance to read all the references yet, but I will check them out.  However, in my experience, I've noticed that I feel much better when I am not eating gluten.  I relapsed to eating gluten as normal over the past few weeks, and I currently feel terrible.  So, if you have thyroid disease and are told your levels are normal, going gluten free might be worth a try.

Training Totals - March 2010

March Totals

• Bike - 207.53 miles
• Run - 33.76 miles

More than last month, but not as much as I was hoping on the run.  Still, I made a lot of good progress biking - my longest ride was 54 miles!

2010 Socks - Pair 2

My second pair of socks finished this year!  This is the Swedish Fish Socks pattern made in Sunshine Yarns classic sock in peacock (blue) and Bella's truck (orange).  Lots of work with the two colors, but I am really pleased with how they turned out!

Homemade Energy Bars

One of the biggest challenges I've had since going gluten free is finding energy bars I can eat.  There are a few flavors of Lara Bar that do not have almonds, but really not that many.  Plus, I like something closer to Clif Bar texture.  A friend forwarded me a great recipe to make your own energy bars.  If you find certified gluten-free oats, they can be made gluten free.

I made mine using gluten-free steel-cut oats, olive oil, 1/3 cup dried tart cherries, 1/3 cup dried orange cranberries, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 mashed banana, 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar.  They were a little too sticky, so next time I would add some more nuts, flax seed, or more oats.  I baked for about 35 minutes and they are still chewy, which is exactly the texture I wanted.

The final product:

Here is the recipe:

The Vibram Experiment

I've been interested in getting a pair of Vibram Five Fingers for quite awhile.  My husband got a pair of the Classic model last summer and I've worn his around the house a few times even though they are much too big for me.

The REI closest to my house recently started carrying them, so I was able to try them on in person.  This is really the best way given that the sizing can be quite tricky.  I knew I wanted the Sprint model because I like the adjustable heel strap and the strap on the top.  Plus, it would be more stable if I wanted to run in them.  I wear Injinji toe socks for running to prevent blisters between my toes, so I took those to try them on.  I ran into the problem that the size that fits best without socks was a little tight with them.  I ended ordering the smaller size because I don't think I'll be wearing socks in the summer.  REI didn't carry the model or color I wanted in the store, so I ordered them online.  They came today!

The shoes recommend wearing them for an hour or two at first for the muscles to get used to them.  It definitely feels different, but they are quite comfortable.  The sizing is the same as the Classics I tried on in that they are a little tight with the socks, but just right without.  I'm hoping they stretch a little bit after I wear them.

I'll keep you posted!

2010 Socks - Pair 1

One of my goals for the year is to knit at least six pairs of adult-sized socks.  I finished up my first pair last month.  This is the Duckies pattern, available for free on Ravelry, knit in Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport (mix of merino and cashmere) in the algae color.  I love how they turned out.  They are so soft and cozy to wear.