I've just gotten a pressure cooker - Fagor Duo that came up cheap on ebay, needed two small parts replaced, and now fully functional - the duo refers to it having a low and a high pressure setting.



In experimenting with it, I began to suspect that it would be very efficient to bring the pressure cooker up to temp/pressure, and then put it in a hot box (of course my hot box would look much cooler and have higher insulative value, but why quibble) to finish cooking without burning additional gas. Has anyone tried this? I can't find anything about using the two methods together - in my cursory search of the intarweb.



Also I"m seeking suggestions, tips, and etc about using a pressure cooker. What are the many things one can do with a pressure cooker? It's got to be good for more than beans!

A hawk resting on the east railing of the foot bridge by La Familia Medical Center. I got within 10 feet of it before it flew away.

I've been interested in the bodyblade proprioceptive training device for some time. My dear friend and colleague, Sarah Walker brought one to Tai Chi camp in Wakulla Springs one year. They come up on ebay, and I found one for significantly less than the usual price, bwa ha ha ha!



Essentially a springy piece of fiberglass about 48" X 2" X 1/8" with weighting on the tips, and a handle in the middle. When you get it bouncing back and forth - in a myriad of different positions - is maximally stimulates the stabilizer muscles and joint proprioceptors throughout the body.



Used in conjunction with balance equipment - rock boards, balance balls, etc - it can be really useful at improving balance and over proprioception. Which should also translate to better reaction time. I also suspect it can help with training fast twitch muscles as well.

Vibram Five Fingers KSO's are really fun for arroyo running. I decided to plant sunflowers along the La Tierra Bike Trails, for trail stablization. And running seemed a better way than biking. It was great, up and down the trails. Almost as much fun as biking, heh.



I also thought it would be a good idea to get toe socks to go with the Five Fingers, and Injinji makes toe socks which I found at REI.



It was like running in almost bare feet. Definitely a plus given my winter softened soles.



I had so much fun, and enough spare time, I went home, grabbed the bike and went for another two hours of bike time.

Our wonderful local radio station KSFR is having one of their biannual fund drives right now. We all need to do what we can to support any and all sorts of public/non-comercial broadcasting.



I got invited to be on M.C. Domandi's Radio Cafe show this a.m. It was fun to do. Here is a link to the Santa Fe Radio Cafe podcasts. Today's show should be available shortly.



The show itself was an interview with TR Reid regarding his upcoming book The Healing of America, wherein he looks at other industrialized democracies that have Universal Healthcare. Generally they are spending about half as much as we are, and covering everyone.



Here are some links on the topic of Universal Healthcare that I came across while I was researching the topic in preparation for the show.



Physicians for a National Health Program



Health Action New Mexico



Gov. Howard Dean's Petition to " support healthcare reform that allows individual Americans to choose either a universally available public healthcare option like Medicare or for-profit private insurance. A public option is the only way to guarantee healthcare for all Americans and its inclusion is non- negotiable."