Leg Day...who needs it?

Some of you may know that this summer I've taken on several projects.  After finishing the veggie bed two weeks ago, the man-candy & I jumped right into the next (& much longer project) of re-doing our ENTIRE deck.

We spent all of last week staining & Monday & Tuesday of this week placing boards just on the front leg of our deck.  My ass & thighs are insanely sore from bending, stooping & squatting.

Instead of just bending at the waist, I thought I'd work my legs & ass by engaging those muscles, as well as tightening my core, when needing to rip out old screws (which believe it or not is the HARDEST part given that the screws are old, sunk, & stuck in 30 year old swollen boards), set in new boards, & screw those in place.   The result is the most productive ass & leg work out I'd ever imagined.

The problem of course lies in the lack of range of leg & ass exercises (since it's mostly squats, dead lifts, & the skip-a-step lunges on the stairs since the deck is on the second floor).  BUT since I'm using real life scenarios (muscles being engaged all over the body), I don't feel entirely lacking just yet. 

It made me think about how I sometimes would carry my groceries from the car into the house in one trip while lifting them like dumbbells, how I would walking lunges while vacuuming, or ass & thigh clenches during my crazy long commute in grad school.  How do you incorporate "exercise" into your daily routine?  Share your tips below!

A Recipe for your Skin That's Good Enough to Eat! (I just wouldn't recommend it)

Even though it's spring, my skin is still battling winter dryness.  I live in the dry mountains so even if the days are warm, the evenings and mornings are still cool.  My showers have not lessened in intensity of their boiling temperatures.  Because of the hot-cold-hot-cold game, my skin is dry and actually crackly.

To combat icky dry crackling skin and get supple, smooth, and silky, here's a DIY skin scrub I ADORE.  I only need to use it 1-2 times a week for long-lasting results.

*1 part oil (olive, safflower, grapeseed; if using olive oil use 1-2 tblspoons of vanilla to mask the smell of the olive oil)
*1 part brown sugar (you can use coarse/kosher salt, but if you have cracking skin I would stick to sugar)
*1.5 parts oatmeal

Mix dry ingredients then stir in oil.  You can add scented essential oils in lieu of the vanilla; eucalyptus, lavender, and sweet orange are fantastic options or you can add a drop or two of clove oil for a more musky "masculine" smell (ew, did I really just gender-ize a smell????).

Rub onto skin in a circular motion on affected areas (back, elbows, legs, etc.) either before showering or even inside the shower, prior to shaving.

Warning: your lover may be compelled to uncontrollably nibble on your skin. Proceed with caution and much debauchery. 

Also, here are some other amazing oatmeal options for amazing skin from The Daily Green.

What are some of your homemade DIY skin-recipes? Share them with us in the comments section!