I should have known this was going to happen, somehow in the midst of my cleaning I misplaced a library book. I have no clue where it could be, I searched all of my bookshelves, still nothing!
I remember having the book, I’m betting I set it down because I got distracted by something else. I eventually know I’ll stumble upon it, and I’m betting it will be in an odd place. The thing is, I don’t lose things often, so this is really driving me nuts, bah! Gaah!!!
Ebook readers are something I’ve been considering for several months. If I lost that then I’d be in trouble, but I haven’t lost an eletronic device yet.
If you asked me, a few years ago would I purchase an Ebook reader. The answer would have been NO! I want to hold a physical copy of a book in my hands, dang it! However, since I’ve been focusing on minimizing the amount of things I do have I’ve been giving it some serious thought. It simply makes sense. Will I miss my physical books? Yes, but I think I’ll get over it. When I think of it, I already do a lot of reading on my MacBook Pro, for my clients and on personal time too. So what’s the big deal if I’m reading a book using an electronic device? Hmmm….
An added bonus is that I can also borrow Ebooks from the library. Even the library where I borrow my books, Baltimore County Public Library is offering this feature. How cool is that? Instead of having to physically go to the library I can download the book from my libraries website. When the book is due, it expires off my device.
Amazon’s Kindle
I’m thinking I’ll purchase an Ebook reader near (or perhaps a little after the Christmas season.) I’ve tried Amazon’s Kindle. I played with it for a few weeks, and even wrote a review about it on a technology website. Although it did everything it was supposed to do (you know serve as an ebook) I wished it did more. Also, I didn’t like how it looked. Yeah… silly (I know) but there you have it.
Apple’s iPad
I have been looking at the Apple iPad. With the iPad, I’ll be able to read any ebook available. I do like its looks, and more importantly, I can do more with it too. My daughter is involved in a lot of after-school activities. Mommy is there with her, usually with a book or my MacBook Pro (if I’m working on an urgent project for a client) in tow. It’s definitely not a “ohh shiny” purchase since there are numerous flashy things I do without. When I finally do make the purchase you won’t hear me complaining that the iPad doesn’t work just like a book.
Question: What do you think about the Ebook readers?
This above cartoon made me laugh out loud. I titled it “Fit Gamer.” A few of my real life buddies fall into this category. They love video games, so do I. (I just don’t get to play them too often.) Anyway a few of them, aren’t as enthused about exercise like myself, however, they do like the benefits that come along with exercise. To make their workouts more entertaining they have managed to successfully make connections to games. I think they reward each other with in-game items too. It keeps them motivated. I discovered this cartoon earlier today, and naturally I sent it to them.
Yesterday was extremely busy, I had hopes of squeezing in a gym workout, but that wasn’t in the cards and so I worked out at home. I did a combination of cardio exercises and free weight activity. My heart rate increased, and the sweat was flowing, so yes yesterday was a great fitness day. I enjoy listening to music while working out, so I had my iPod on and listened to my “workout music”.
I received a few emails from people, via the Celebrate Life contact form, asking me about the different workouts that can be done at home. Although I had been working on posts that covered home fitness workouts, I had put them aside. However, because of the recent emails. I’ll be working on completing one of those articles by the end of this week.
Question: Leg raises, squat jumps, V situps, and walking lunges are a few of the exercises I do at home. What are some of your favorite workout at home exercises?
This week I decided to take a break from my normal gym fitness routine. Which are free weights, with a healthy side of cardiovascular activity. I decided to reverse my routine. Which means I’m doing a heck of a lot of cardio with a side order of free weights. I really enjoy mixing up my gym workout routines, they get boring to me if I’m doing the same thing constantly. I thrive on variety.
Each day this week, I’ve decided to devote around forty-five minutes to an hour of intense cardio routine. Yesterday I landed on the cross trainer, and although I usually just set the ramp on the highest incline (20) and just let it stay there. This time was different, I manually switched between 20 and nine, doing the same with the resistance. Vacillating between one and ten, I ran full speed the entire time. Running top speed is something I always do, but it was nice to add variety to my normal cross trainer workout. I’m definitely feeling a slight soreness in my leg muscles today. I did some things the same such as swapping between running backwards and forwards, and not holding onto the sides. I never hold onto the sides.
The beauty of exercise is that you don’t need to be in the gym to get a good workout. You can exercise at home even if you don’t have workout equipment or fitness tapes. Yeah, yeah I got bold happy there, but I did it for emphasis, mkay? At times, I do get annoyed when people whine about not being able to exercise because they don’t have a gym membership, or they don’t have fitness equipment at home. Please note I never voice this out loud to folks, it’s just something that plays through my head occasionally. I will offer tips on exercises they can do at home.
In my early twenties, I did exactly that (worked out in my home with no gym equipment.) I was living downtown in a small studio apartment. I hadn’t been out of college that long, and a gym membership wasn’t in my budget. I did pick up a few books from the library that showed me the types of exercises I could do at home, all that was required of me was too simply… do them! Imagine that? Motivation can be tough; yeah I know. I’ve been there before, and will be there again in some aspects of my life but you know what, my goals aren’t going to get accomplished sitting on the sidelines of life waiting for someone to do them for me. No, I need to get off my lazy butt, take the initiative, and get out and actively work at achieving my goals.
Do I need motivation to workout? No, not really I haven’t encountered that in years. But, at times I do need motivation in others aspects of my life (more on that later.) Exercise is a habit. Simple as that. It’s been ingrained in my life since I was a young child. In those days, my form of exercise was some type of play. I still do that, since physical play can be a workout. It’s something I’ve instilled in my seven-year old daughter too.
Technology has grown amazingly since I was a kid. People can spend hours, if the let it, glued to a seat with very little physical activity. I don’t let that happen. Those early and extremely active childhood days, carried over into adulthood too and so even if I’m required to be stationary for x amount of hours, you’ll still see me getting up to take breaks simply to move around. I don’t feel right when I don’t workout. You know something health-wise I don’t feel as great either, sitting on the “I’ll workout tomorrow sidelines” while I watch others “just do it” when it comes to physical activity isn’t going to happen for myself. Just remember folks, exercise is only part of it. You need to make healthy food choices too and take care of your mental health also. It’s all connected, surround yourself with positive folks, avoid the negative drama, you don’t need it.
Ok back to motivation…
There are times I do need motivation in other areas…
Remembering to actually list the recipe ingredients as I prepare a meal.
I create my own recipes; I’m used to not writing down the exact measurements.
Working on alternate streams of income.
I’m a single mom who works from home. Working from home can take motivation. It’s not for everyone. The great news about working from home is that I can work from anywhere? You want to know the bad news? I can work from anywhere, yes that includes the few vacations I take too.
Checking out the news can be sobering, unemployment hasn’t been this high, in the United States, in several years. So yes, now it means I’m cutting into my “me time” (not to be confused with time I spend with my daughter) but time that I could be reading, gaming, etc., Some of that has been whittled down as I focus on some of my goals and turning some of those dreams into a reality. I believe I’ve set well thought out goals for myself (followed up with a few mentors/friends that will be brutally honest with me.) I know I’ll be able to accomplish them, in time. I simply have to stay motivated. I set positive mental images in my mind of the things I want to accomplish and steadily work on attaining them, if I stumble. I pick myself up and keep moving forward. It’s the only way I’ll attain the goals I want. Sticking my head in the sand aka putting things off won’t help me since my tasks will still be waiting when I comeback to reality. Since that’s the case, it’s important that I stay focused and keep working on the steps needed to achieve my goals.
In my local gym, I have a few visual sources of inspiration. Two folks that really stand out in my mind. The first is an elderly woman that has cerebral palsy, she uses a walker to help her get around (the walker has gotten smaller over the years) but you know what, she’s still there working out. She’s improved a lot, and she doesn’t mind asking for help if things get a little complicated for her. Guess what, people are more than happy to assist her if/when it’s needed. (I’ve helped few times myself.) She doesn’t ask a lot. The second source of inspiration is a man confined to a wheelchair. I first saw him at the gym about three years ago, I looked at him and thought, I really cannot be whining about how things are “just too hard,” can I? 😉
Speaking of motivation; Bloggers worth reading…
I love being around inspirational folk, we might not be following the same path but I can still be inspired by what they’re doing and keep that as motivation in my own mind when things get challenging. When I think about bloggers there are two that really stand out in my mind.
Waist Whittling Wordsmith
The WaistWhittler is inspiring; she’s taking control of her health and fitness too. Putting yourself out there isn’t always easy, but it can be a motivational tool to keep you honest. I’ve enjoyed watching her progress as she actively works at attaining her goals. She’s a talented writer. I really enjoy reading what she has to say, Check out The Doers, the Dreamers and Me and I’m a Turtle and Goals for the week…
MonkeyBird
I met Maira via a Wordless Wednesday post, as customary I stop by anyone who leaves a comment on my blogs. I find a post that I enjoy and leave a comment. Just like the Waist Whittler, I really didn’t have too look long, since I found numerous posts that I liked. I enjoy how she weaves tidbits of her daily life onto her blog. My Wolf (my Lupus story) and Sorry Lupus You Will Have To Wait were inspirational she was sharing personal aspects of her life with the public (that’s not always easy.)
Many thanks to the both of you, and the many others within my life who continually inspire me to do my best, may we all achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves.
Whew… it’s been busy around these parts. Yesterday I tackled the laundry, three loads later and I was finally completed. Since it was, a hot day outside the clothes was able to hang outside to dry. I love the smell of clothes that have been dried on the line. We live in a rural area, so we really don’t have to deal with too much smog, and other odors that can make your line dried clothes smell, well… funky.
The bad part of being busy with the day to day housecleaning, keeping up with my clients (I’m a business owner who works from home), and just hanging out with my daughter meant that I’ve had to push a few “me time” online projects on hold. Like posting here at I’m Celebrate Life, or finally publishing one of my recipes for Black Bean Burgers, trust me, I’ll it them done, just not as soon as I was hoping.
I’m really happy with how things are shaping up with my bedroom. Last week, I tossed clothes in heavy-duty bags and piled them neatly in one corner of my bedroom. This past weekend, I went through the years of clothing I’ve accumulated and put many in my “give away” pile. Some of these outfits I’ve had for twenty years, I do think it’s kind of cool that I can still wear the clothes that I wore at eighteen (size four) but come on now… time to get rid of them! Since I always took care of my belongings (even the items that are twenty years old) they still look nice. You want to know something else? Those clothes never go out of style! I kept around four of my older pieces since I still wear them. Anyway, I hope all the items I’ve gathered find some great new homes.
Children can share too…
My daughter gathered up a several of her toys and told me to give them to children that really needed them. “Mommy, she said, “I know some children really don’t have a lot of toys to play with, I would like to share some of what I have with them. Can you see that they get them?” My reply, “I sure can!” It’s important to teach my daughter to be appreciative of what she does have, and don’t take it for granted. One of the ways I show her the importance is leading by example. I enjoy helping others and actively volunteer for local human and animal organizations.
Today’s breakfast was a simple but delicious affair, no fruit puddings this morning. The star performer for our breakfast meal was oats.
Last evening, I added one cup of steel-cut organic oats into a bowl, I poured in 1.5 cups of water, and let the oats soak overnight. This morning, the oats were soft, fluffy, and ready to be eaten. The only thing I had to do was add fresh fruit and serve. I meant to snap a few photos, but my daughter and I ate it before I even thought about taking a picture.
Strawberry Oatmeal
1 cup of steel-cut oats (if you don’t have those buy some old fashioned oatmeal) that have been soaked overnight
The beauty of letting your oats soak overnight, is that you don’t have to cook them the next morning.
1/2 freshly pureed or diced strawberries
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
*Add natural sweetener to taste. You could use honey (not vegan), or raw turbinado sugar, sweeten to taste
Directions
Split oats into two bowls
Add spices
Garnish with strawberries
Serve & enjoy!
*Makes two servings
My daughter and I are used to the natural sweetness of fresh fruit, so the sweetness from the strawberries was enough for us, however, if you need more why not add a natural sweetener? Another thing, sample the soaked oats before making your cereal, if you think it’s to chewy, by all means cook the oats. The great thing, is since the oats have been soaked they’ll be ready in minutes.
What are steel-cut oats?
Steel-cut oats are the inner part of the oat. Instead of being rolled, like your standard oats, they have only been cut two or three times by steel. This means minimal processing for the oats (good news for a person like myself who prefers whole food cuisine.) This results in a coarser cut oat. Check out the above picture, the oats resemble brown rice. I love steel-cut oats; it has a chewier and nuttier texture. Just remember, if you’re cooking steel-cut oats, the cooking time can be longer. Naturally, if you soak your oats first, that time is diminished.
A few oat benefits;
lower glycemic index
lower spike in insulin levels when eaten
Being the whole food diva that I am, it’s no surprise that I tend to reach for the steel cut oats instead of the rolled oats.
In other news…
My father turned 72 years old today, happy Birthday Dad! He’s still in phenomenal shape. He runs, lift weights, works around the house. He can still can beat men half his age in races, much to the embarrassment of them, heh. He was part time National Guard, along with his regular job. They still had to compete in PT (physical training test) and it was with great satisfaction that he still left the “younguns” in the dust up until he retired at 65. Nice to see he can still do that too, at 72! I imagine I’ll be similar to him, if I reach his age. I physically active, and love competition too. I’m definitely my father’s daughter.
Decluttering is almost complete, I try not to do work on Sunday’s however I think I might work a bit after church to get the last room (my bedroom) back to normal. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to post the bean burger recipe tomorrow
For the past several months renovations have been going on in our home, furniture, and numerous other items were moved while the work was being completed, and over time we were able to move things back into their proper home.
Some of the items found new locations because they simply fit better in the new space, and other items were donated to nonprofit organization or given away to family/friends.
Our house renovations are almost complete, the house is a little bigger, a litte more environmentally friendly, and more importantantly the house is feeling like home again. Our dog, Mr. Bentley is happy too, as the reigning king of “his castle” aka our home, he now has full command of every room, so his bouts with the occasional grumpy attack is becoming a distant memory.
To be honest, I’m shocked with the amount of items I’ve parted with over the past several months. Some items were things I had latched on for sentimental reasons and haven’t used in years, others were things I did use but realized I could do without them. I still have bookshelves full of books, and have no desire to get rid of them.
Regarding my books, I realize that our home can only house so many books. I get it, do I like it? No, but I’ve eased up on my book purchases. These days, I’m picking up books from the library, and I’m looking for alternative methods, like the electronic ebooks.
I’ve seen the Amazon Kindle, touched it, played with it, and even reviewed it for a few tech websites. It does a lot of the things you want from a ebook, but I didn’t like it’s appearance. I am interested in the iPad, love the looks and the fact that it’s more than an ebook device. I’ve been wanting Apple to release something similar for years. I’m in no rush to get one; it will be around when I finally decide to get it.
In other news…
Yesterday, my daughter, and I went to the pool. It’s always nice to take a break from your work/personal activities and spend time with the family. Yes, I did more aqua jogging to the delight of my seven-year old daughter.
Shortly after returning home, I made Black Bean burgers; they turned out amazing. They were slightly crisp on the outside, and moist on the inside. The combination of black beans, vegetables, and spices, made a delicious and healthy burger. These vegan burgers stayed firm, even during the burger flipping. I used a 1/2 cup of oatmeal to bind the ingredients, more on those burgers and a recipe (or two) will be posted this weekend.
Last evening my daughter and I had a craving for Chinese food and so I made stir fried vegetable rice. We’re not late night eaters, but it was a nice change, the vegetables tasted delicious, plenty of photos were taken, so I’ll be sure to post a few over the weekend.
Mr. Bentley, tomato guardian: You no take tomatoes!
Say hello to Mr. B, ferocious Shih Tzu that keeps our property safe from any unsavory elements that dares venture into our environment. He’s a tough little bugger and will attack his victim with licks, begs to be rubbed, all while batting his big brown eyes. So much for being ferocious, in this picture he’s guarding our tomato harvest, and could not be swayed from the area. Actually, I think he’s hoping for a treat.
I can be bribed with treats
Tomato facts
Tomatoes are colorful
Besides the customary red or orange color, tomatoes can also be purple, green, yellow, and brown. Add a few of those colors to a salad or lightly steamed dish and you’ll have a colorful display!
Tomato are fruits
Tomatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants
Tomatoes paired with broccoli are a delicious way to fight prostate cancer
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin B6, potassium, folate, and niacin.
Tomatoes are a good for bone health, since they contain vitamin K.
Why is Vitamin K important? I’m glad you asked. In the Vitamin K family, there’s a cool one named Vitamin K1. This vitamin triggers osteocalcin. Think of Osteocalcin as the top dog when it comes to non collagen protein in the bone. Perhaps that’s why Mr. B, is so protective of our tomatoes? Top dog, he’s a dog! Ok, ok that was so bad! Moving along… Osteocalcin latches onto calcium inside the bone. You need Vitamin K1 to maintain adequate bone mineralization; one of the tasty ways you can nourish your bones is by eating your tomatoes.
Upcoming gardening post…
I’m hoping I can post more gardening pictures today. It’s going to be busy in our household. My daughter has piano practice this morning. So we’ll be visting the piano teacher. Gardening wise, we still have a lot to harvest, or I should say “I still have a lot to harvest” my daughter helps for a bit than she’s off playing in the garden. I let her play, she does chores around the house.
What’s cooking?
Currently I have black beans cooking on the stove, here’s hoping I get around to making black bean burgers later today. Currently I’m trying to decide what type of smoothie I want. Mentally flipping through my stash of vegan recipes I decided to make a savory green smoothie. After all, I definitely have enough tomatoes.
I should have known this was going to happen, somehow in the midst of my cleaning I misplaced a library book. I have no clue where it could be, I searched all of my bookshelves, still nothing!
This week I decided to take a break from my normal gym fitness routine. Which are free weights, with a healthy side of cardiovascular activity. I decided to reverse my routine. Which means I’m doing a heck of a lot of cardio with a side order of free weights. I really enjoy mixing up my gym workout routines, they get boring to me if I’m doing the same thing constantly. I thrive on variety.
Today’s breakfast was a simple but delicious affair, no 
For the past several months renovations have been going on in our home, furniture, and numerous other items were moved while the work was being completed, and over time we were able to move things back into their proper home.
