Meet Liz...

Liz has been a cycling instructor since March 2003. She is a busy wife and mother of 3, who fell in love with indoor cycling while searching for a low-impact, high calorie burning exercise after baby #3 left her out of shape and listless. Liz loves music of all types and enjoys incorporating all different styles into her workouts for a well-rounded exercise program and choreography.

She also works part-time at http://www.cafekaribo.com/, volunteers at her youngest daughter's school and is an active member of First Baptist Church Fernandina. Though the opportunity is rare, when she's not doing any of the aforementioned things, Liz likes to sit on her behind at home and occasionally take in a good book!

Liz teaches Thursdays at 9:15.

Elizabeth McCranie

Meet Elizabeth...

The youngest of five, a graduate from the University of FL, and a native to New England, Elizabeth has always had a passion for exercise and fitness. She has taught cycling classes for the past 3 years. Elizabeth infusing each class with great music, inspiration and motivation.

Married for over 16 years and the mother of two amazing boys, Elizabeth finds it a must to pass this lifestyle on to her family. Through healthy diet, an active lifestyle and a positive attitude, she hopes to not only affect those close to her but also those she is privileged to meet along the way.

Elizabeth also has her own amazing catering business http://www.terra-ameliaisland.com/

She teaches Friday mornings at 6:00am.

Highlighting Sol Pedal's Handpicked Instructors

Meet Deborah Dunham

Deb became serious about cycling five years ago when she got hooked on triathlons. Whether mountain biking or road riding, Deb combines various strength-building, speed and tempo drills into her bike workout to prepare for races ranging from sprint to olympic and half-ironman distances. Deb is an avid runner, 12x marathoner, swimmer, certified personal trainer and has recently fallen head over heels in love with yoga. She will try any fitness-related activity -- from kayaking to surfing -- at least once! When Deb's not "playing", she can be found tethered to her computer writing articles for AOL Health and other channels, and hanging out with her hubby, Bruce and their two boys. She also has a teensy addiction to chocolate.

Deb also has a wonderful blog http://www.cooladventuregirls.com/

Deb and her husband Bruce alternate teaching on Thursdays at 5:30.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must stay moving. ~ Albert Einstein

Thank you all for riding with Sol Pedal.

Good things are happening!

Connections...make them.

Social networking is the way of the marketing/advertising future. Through Facebooking, blogging, tumbling, tweeting you establish a whole virtual community. Prime example, I had 3 young ladies visit Sol Pedal this morning. One from New York, Denver and one from New Orleans. Without these social networking vehicles, they may have never found us.

I always google (yes, used as a verb) spin or yoga studios when I travel. Usually you can see the facility, get a glimpse of the instructors and get the class schedules. Having conversations with others on some of the sites, you can find reliable reviews on where or what you are going to do.

It is really cool to think how connected we all are. Research social networking. If you have not felt the close connection, you soon will!

September 2009 poolside

How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends on how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you liv'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends on how much you giv'em. ~ Shel Silverstein

It all depends on YOU and your attitude!

Wabi Sabi
A new spice for sushi? Not exactly. Wabi sabi is a term that describes beauty to be found in imperfection. It originates in Japan, where artist will often leave subtle fractures in the glaze or a rough surface on a bowl as a reminder of the wabi sabi nature of life. Wabi sabi recognizes that all of life is in a constant state of change and that decay is as much a part of life as growth.

"The concept originated in 16th century Japan with the tea ceremony, a ritual that provided a way to step out of the chaos of daily life and reconnect with that which was simple and tranquil," says Diane Durston, author of Wabi Sabi: The Art of Everyday Life. "Through the centuries, wabi sabi came to mean an approach to life and art that is in harmony with nature, one that values the handmade and rustic, and recognizes the impermanence of life. It encourages us to be respectful of age, both in things and in ourselves, and it counsels us to be content with what we have rather than always striving for more. Wabi Sabi has a hint of wistfulness."

8 ways to incorporate wabi sabi into your life

1. Use what you have. Don't always feel the need to go get something new, see what you have in the pantry or in your closet. Appreciate the things you have already spent your money on.
2. Make wabi sabi friends. Chat with someone who you might think is your complete opposite. Chances are you will learn something.
3. Do your best work - within reason. Ignore this if you are a surgeon or air traffic controller. everyone else, lighten up!
4. Cook recipes from your childhood. Instead of picking up takeout, make one of your mom's recipes. Enjoy every bite.
5. Relax on your housekeeping standards. The world won't end if their is dust on the furniture or things are in the right place. The house will be cleaned, just maybe not today. If people don't respond as you like, see #2.
6. Practice the art of hanging out. Give yourself permission to ignore the clock and your to-do list as you focus simply on being with people you enjoy.
7. When you drink tea, drink tea. In other words, don't multitask. You will get more and and be happier. And even if you don't get more done, you can stop worrying about it because #8.
8. Remember that life doesn't go on forever. It may end tomorrow, it may end 60 years from now. Either way, keep in mind the question asked by the poet Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

mailed from my Mom - so sweet; taken from Womans Day April 2010