Monthly Archives: June 2010

I was all finished editing my video blog, but I couldn’t render the file.  So, I am going to get another software today and get that sucker posted.  I considered posting the raw footage in two parts.  But, there is a part where I am lifting and I like to do a voice over.  So, please be patient with me.

In the mean time, look at these cool little containers I got!  I use oatmeal every day and I wanted a container for it.  I found these and couldn’t resist.  I got one for my brown rice too.  I am thinking of getting one for my almonds.

Note how I have the measuring cup right in the container.  It saves me having to dig it out every day.

I am doing a video blog tomorrow to share a bit about what I have been experiencing.  I had a set back a few weeks ago.  I will tell you all about and how I put the positive prospective on the situation.  So, tune in!

I am so excited!! I have been craving Indian food, so instead of going to an Indian Food restuarant and being temped by cheesy naan… I went to the grocery store and picked up some Masala Sauce. YUM!! I also found some Hot Mustard Powder… not some sissy stuff, but the stuff that burns you up if you get too much of it.  It comes in powdered form and I mix it with water.

Now, listen up!  I use the Hot Mustard Powder on meals where I have carbs, like rice and chicken.  I could also use it on meals that have just fat and protein.  The Masala Sauce, on the other hand, has a higher fat content.  So, I only use that one on meals with no carbs.  Carbs and fat together are a fat STORING combination… so steer clear!  Use Masala Sauce only when the meal contains protein and/or fat.

I mean it is actually better for you!! When you are doing cardio. Try not to hold on the the handles. And if you need balance, try to balance with two fingers per hand.

I tell you, it drives me nuts when I see a person putting the incline up on the treadmill then they hang on to the console and recline. They completely cancel out the intention of the incline; might as well put the treadmill horizontal. So, if you are a hanger on’er…. next time, let go and swing your arms. See the difference in actual work being done… which is MORE calories burned. OR, if you like to hang on, just know that you are not burning as many calories as you think you are (and your pissing me off, lol!) Same thing applies to leaning on the stairmaster.

A good way to test this theory is to wear a Heart Rate Monitor
and use the watch to count calories. Then compare the calories burned on the watch to the calories the treadmill thinks you burned. It will be a big difference. And I will encourage one more thing. Wear thatHeart Rate Monitor
and do cardio outside, off the treadmill. You will be happy with your results; more calories burned if you hit the pavement.

You could also use a The Biggest Loser bodybugg ®
for this test. Which is a larger financial commitment, but it offers a lot more information.

NOW GO OUT AND GET FIT!!

Well, that is a bad analogy… and I am just teasing myself, really.  As peanut butter and jelly sound really good right now, but I am on a strict eating program, self inflicted. ;o)

But here… HERE is the match made in heaven!

An Aroma Rice Cooker and Food Steamer and a Hamilton Beach MealMaker Express Contact Grill.

Life is so much easier with these two items!! The Rice Cooker is awesome because you can make a bunch of rice and it stays fresh for a WEEK!!!!! Cutting down my meal prep time significantly! I just add water and rice and hit the on button and leave it cook. WARNING!! Don’t go cheap on this purchase. I have linked over the Rice Cooker model that latches… so no steam escapes. Keepin’ it fresh.

And now the Hamilton Beach Grill!! I know you must be thinking, okay, I could get a Foreman Grill…. but TRUST ME get a Hamilton Beach Grill. Do you see one of those sloppy draining trays sitting in front… NO!!! On this brand it is built into the side, and I love that!! On this sucker I can cook a pound or so of big, fat chicken breasts in 10 minutes. And my Tilapia is done in 8 minutes. That lasts me a couple of days… or if I want it fresh it is so easy to fire that thing up.

Okay, you get the point. When I diet (I hate that word)… when I am on an eating program, these two are my best buddies!

I am updating the website editor.  So some pages will not work correctly for a bit.  Give me a day to get back on track.

Thanks!

… we could take it to the condo.

And if you like the condo. We could move the party to the bedroom.

Say Aah (Aah, Aah, Aah, Aah)  [sing it Trey]

My new place!!  I am so excited to call it HOME!!

Well, I cant tell you how long my car has been my mobile closet!! And the beach bag has been my mobile bare necessity bag! Even before I came out to LA, I was practically living out of my car. I consider myself lucky I HAD the opportunity to be a nomad. I am lucky to have great friends that let me stay on their couches and in extra rooms. It allowed me to sift through LA and find out where I belong.

Well, I wish I were in Omaha today! I guarantee I would be going to the forest with my Dad. And then a really good breakfast or maybe a philly sandwich later on.

My Dad is one of America’s top birdwatchers. He has seen and documented over 800 American species of birds. Some don’t even come to shore, so he has to travel out on boats to get pictures. His photographs of birds are amazing!! You can see for yourself on this link: Nature Search. My Dad spent countless hours creating the bird section of that webpage. (I know where I get my perseverance from!!)

My Dad enters photo contests for the state fair and Audubon Society.  The last two years he sat me down and showed me a half a dozen really awesome pictures.  Asking me to choose which ones I think are the winners.  Last year he came out a big winner!

I just have to tell you more about his bird watching, because it is truly amazing.  My Dad can walk through the forest and just by listening, he can tell you which birds are there.  Then if he cant see the bird, or wants it to get closer, he pulls out his ipod, with a little speaker attached.  He finds the bird call, plays it over the speaker, and sure enough, here comes that little bird. Did your have any idea there was such a technique?!!

Aside from bird watching, my Dad is all about family fun!  Whenever the grandchildren are over, you will find my Dad playing spoons, old maid or apples to apples.  The kids will be giggling from the practical jokes and silly tactics my Dad uses to trick them.  I don’t know who laughs more my Dad or the them.  Same thing goes when it is just adults, card games!!  Me, my Mom and Dad have a running game of Hearts… Dad, read that tally, just wanted to see who’s winning ;o)  At a very young age I was taught 4 point pitch so I could play with my Dad around a table of men on vacation. Such good memories!

Well, I could go on and on, but here are my thoughts.  My Dad taught me to get out there and do it!  And not just go through the motions; do things with intention.  Play the game like you mean it, play to win and win with a light heart, giggling and laughing with your opponent.  No question I inherited my perseverance and integrity from my father!

One time, I asked my Mom about her relationship with my Dad, “On a scale of 1-100, how caring is Dad?”  Without hesitation, she answered 100.  And I gladly admit, I am looking for a man just like you Dad!!

A friend just sent me a video I hadn’t seen before.  Sweet.  Enjoy!