A Trio of Holiday Gift Suggestions

There's nothing better than a self-liquidating gift. One that doesn't hang around or, heaven forfend, need to be dusted. Which explains the popularity of the calendar as the perfect practical gift. It's useful, doesn't take up much space and you can recycle it when the year's up, yet while it lasts you can enjoy a new piece of art on your wall every month. This year's edition of the Artisan Cheese Calendar from our friend Tami Parr at the Pacific Northwest Cheese Project is made to order for the cheese lover on your list, with its new, larger size (13.5" by 9") and great photos of Northwest artisan cheeses for only $28.99. Order it online, and note that 25% of all profits from sales benefit the Oregon Food Bank.

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Though I was never able to convince my mother of the idea, I happen believe that a gift certificate is the ideal gift. These little slips of paper (or plastic as is often the case these days) allow the giftee to choose the object of their desire rather than what the gifter thinks they want. So if you've got a foodie friend who's been pining over classes in making cheese or artisan meats, Chrissie Zaerpoor at Kookoolan Farms in Yamhill has just announced a virtual laundry list of upcoming classes from Basic Soft Cheeses to Blue Cheese to Charcuterie for Beginners. I've attended a class and they're informative, not to mention tasty, even for those of us who are more interested in consumption than production. Check out the list of classes, or call 503-730-7535 for more information.

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And, last but not least, what better way to let someone know how much you care than giving them the gift of health? Kristin Jackson of Take It Outside Fitness is offering gift certificates for group classes, personal training, or lifestyle and weight management either in her studio or outside in the fresh air. I've taken her classes for awhile now and found them not only affordable but downright fun. She's able to gear the workout to your ability level, so if you're fit or not you'll get a good workout and have fun at the same time. To quote The Monkees, "I'm A Believer." Check the website for gift certificate details.

Hey, Take It Outside!

When it comes to exercise, I'm absolutely hopeless on my own. I've taken enough Pilates to do the routines here at home. I could do crunches first thing in the morning. But no matter how many promises I make to myself, I always manage to find something else to do...make coffee, check e-mail, walk the dog, write a post for the blog and, oh, by the way, maybe even do some work.

So I've come to the conclusion that classes are the way to go for me. And outdoor classes are so much more enjoyable than sweating in a stinky, humid gym, especially in the summer. Outdoors, moving through the trees, enjoying the sunshine and the company of like-minded souls. And fortunately this summer there's a series of small group classes with a trainer who really knows her stuff.

Unlike those "boot camp" type classes, Kristin Jackson's Take It Outside Fitness offers outdoor exercise classes that are geared to your needs, so if you're fit or not you'll get a good workout and have fun at the same time. Her drop-in rate is $10 per class, so you can start now and see if it works for you, then sign up for the next series when it starts in August.

All classes meet at Mt. Tabor Park, and the schedule through the end of July is:

Monday
9:15-10:15 am: Take It Outside general fitness class (cardio and strength-training)
6:00-6:45 pm: Take It Outside general fitness class (cardio and strength-training)

Wednesday
9:15-10:15 am: Walking with Weights (cardio and upper body using 3-5 lb. hand weights)

Thursday
5:40-6:40 pm: Walk, Jog, Pilates

Friday
9:15-10:15 am: Pilates in the Park

Saturday
9:00-10:00 am: Take It Outside general fitness class (cardio and strength-training)

Details: Take It Outside Fitness classes. $10 drop-in; call for exact meeting place of each class. Mt. Tabor Park, 6350 SE Yamhill. Phone 503-701-2179.

Fitness for the Masses

If you, like me, are wanting to get in better shape and build your strength and endurance before it's too late, I would highly recommend working with a personal trainer. Now, I know you're all thinking, "What? That's just for Madonna or rich society dames!" But there are alternatives to shelling out big bucks for someone to make you do a sit-up.

I've been working with Kristin Jackson of Take It Outside Fitness off an on for the past three years. I started with two other women working out with Kristin once a week, then later on started taking classes with her at the Northeast Community Center where she's been teaching Pilates and cardio fitness for a year.

She's now moving out of NECC and has lots of options for the rest of us, from personal fitness training to working on a Pilates machine called the Reformer to outside fitness classes in various parks around Portland. And lots of options in terms of cost, especially if you're willing to be part of a larger class. She's a terrific trainer, a great motivator and has a down-to-earth sense of humor. Above all, she's not into making you look good so she looks good. It's about your needs and goals and how she can help you meet them. I can't recommend her highly enough.

Details: Kristin Jackson, Take It Outside Fitness; Phone 503-701-2179.