The Realm and the Writer

Morning Makeover

1 Wake-up workout.
When your eyes open, sit up slowly without using your hands. With legs straight out, lean forward until you feel a gentle stretch in your back and hamstrings. Hold; then, using your abs, lower yourself flat. Rest and repeat two more times. Strengthens core. Burns 10

2 Go for the grains.
Not ready for Twigs & Rocks cereal? Sprinkle on a few tablespoons of wheat germ or oat bran. Work up to 3/4 cup of low-sugar whole-grain cereal with at least three grams of fibre per serving, and you’ll pass on that Danish. Saves 100

3 Add some protein.
The more you eat earlier on, the less you eat as the day wears on, research has shown. So after your cereal, add a hard-boiled egg or a part-skim mozzarella cheese stick to keep you feeling full—and away from that pre-lunch brownie. Saves 200 (or more)

4 Balance booster.
While you brush your teeth, alternate standing on one leg as you switch mouth quadrants (every 30 seconds). Balancing develops your core muscles and may even be good for your brain. Burns 10

5 Be a ballerina.
As your coffee drips, stand sideways, put one hand on the counter, and lift the outside leg straight out in front of you, keeping it extended. With upper body straight, hold for a few seconds and move it to the side; hold and extend it behind you. Do five to ten times on each leg. Tones outer thighs, hip flexors and quadriceps. Burns 10

6 Coffee saver.
Instead of pouring that 1⁄3 cup of half-and-half (a whopping 105 calories!) into your mug, replace it with the same amount of 2 percent milk. Saves 60

7 Better your bagel.
You can walk 10,000 steps to justify your 500-calorie bagel with cream cheese, or try this: low-fat spreadable cheese like Laughing Cow Light on an English muffin. Saves 300

Nine-to-Five Fixes

8 Tone in traffic.
Use the time spent bumper-to-bumper to develop your buns of steel: Squeeze your derrière each time you tap the brake, holding for ten seconds. Shoot for ten to 15 squeezes a trip. Burns 10

9 Snack smarter.
Portion out the day’s snacks into pint-size zip bags, or buy single-serving portions. For example, four regular Oreos have 200 calories versus the 100-calorie snack bag version. Go for the lower fat chips: a Lay’s Light bag has only 75 calories, while the regular has 150. Saves 175 (over two snacks)

10 Casual day payoff.
You will blast more calories during the day wearing comfy clothes like jeans or khakis, sport shirts and soft-soled shoes than donning constricting suits, skirts and heels. Why? Because you walk more, a study found. Now you just have to convince the boss. Burns 25

11 You know squat!
At your desk chair, pretend you’re going to sit but don’t—stop and come back up without using your arms. Always start squats by lowering your hips, not bending knees forward, and keeping your weight on your heels. Repeat the motion throughout the day (even at the potty!) for 15 to 20 total. Strengthens quadriceps. Burns 15

12 Switch your soda.
Your body doesn’t register calories from liquids the same way it does those from foods, so you won’t get those “stop eating” signals to help you compensate for the overload later on. Change from two glasses of regular soda or fruit juice to diet soda or a flavoured seltzer. Saves 300

13 Talk it UP.
Every time you grab the phone, stand up and pace around. Heavy people sit on average two and a half hours more per day than thin people, according to the Mayo Clinic. Burns 50 or more

14 At lunch, pick a pita.
Use one mini whole-wheat pita instead of the usual two slices of white or refined wheat bread for your sandwich. Saves 70

15 Get face time.
We use e-mail so much we’ve forgotten what our co-workers look like. Pick a colleague or two who sits farthest from you and deliver ten of those daily messages in person. And go out of your way: Hit a bathroom or a copier on another floor—and take the stairs, of course. Burns 100

16 Firm as you file.
Pause from your papers with a few wall push-ups. Place hands wide at shoulder height against the wall. Take a couple of steps back so your body is at a slight angle and your weight is on your toes, and do three sets of ten push-ups. Strengthens chest and triceps. (For more desk exercises, go to changeone.com/workout.) Burns 10

17 An apple (or more) a day.
They’re packed with fibre and water, so your stomach will want less. Plus, studies out of Washington State and Brazil have shown that people who eat at least three apples or pears a day lose weight. Try two small apples and two fewer large cookies. Saves 100

18 Try a simple chair workout.
• Dips: If your chair has wheels, brace it against something. Facing forward, place palms on the front edge of the seat with knees bent at a right angle. Lower butt toward the floor; raise and repeat for two sets of ten. Tones triceps. Burns 10

• Lifts: Seated in a chair with your back straight and your feet on the floor, squeeze knees together and gently bring them toward your chest. Do two sets of ten. Strengthens abdominals. Burns 10

Around Town

19 Carry some weight.
When you’re grocery shopping or running errands, wear a backpack with a five- or ten-pound bag of sugar inside to increase resistance and burn more calories. Add purchases to your load as it becomes easier. Burns 20 (for an hour of errands)

20 Tweak your treat.
Instead of a large café latte and a chocolate cream-cheese muffin, get a small nonfat latte and a small low-fat raisin or carrot muffin. Saves 340

21 Pump at the pump.
Instead of fuming over gas prices, think about firming your calves: With one hand on your car, stand on the balls of your feet and slowly rise up and down for as long as it takes your tank to fill—for an SUV that might be 50 raises! Burns 10

22 Do the pizza pat.
Blot your slice with a napkin to cut anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of grease—and calories. Saves 50-100

23 Shop till the pounds drop.
At the mall, try on at least ten outfits, both pants and shirts. No need to buy! Burns 60

24 Eat like a kid.
You don’t have to give up that quick lunch if you order smaller portions: Instead of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and large fries, opt for the cheeseburger Happy Meal. You can even play with the toy. Saves 390

25 Recharge yourself.
Anytime you’re waiting in line, stand evenly on both feet, clasp hands behind your back and squeeze shoulder blades together to open your chest, an energizing yoga-based move that stimulates the nervous system. Hold for ten to 20 seconds while slowly breathing in and out, taking longer on the inhale. Burns 5

On the Home Front

26 Jog for junk mail.
Turn clutter into a challenge: For every piece of junk mail you pull from the mailbox each day, do one lap around your house or building, or up and down a flight of stairs. Burns 35-140

27 Use better butter.
No, you don’t have to give up the real deal—instead of a tablespoon of stick butter, use a tablespoon of whipped and cut half the calories. Saves 30

28 Step on it.
Before you lug those backpacks upstairs, stop and stand on the bottom step for these calf toners. Hold the banister with one hand. Bend your right leg and place the toes of your left foot on the edge of the step. Let your heel drop down, press into the ball of your left foot and rise to your toes. Pause; repeat with each foot for eight to 12 reps. Burns 10

29 Start with soup.
Order a clear soup instead of a salad soaked with two tablespoons full-fat ranch and you can save twice the calories. Plus you’ll feel fuller, so you’ll eat less when the entrée comes. Saves 100

30 Play footsie.
After dinner, while you’re still sitting at the table, extend your right leg out and slowly bend it up and down, squeezing and holding in the up position for at least five seconds. Repeat on each leg five times. Sculpts quadriceps. Burns 10

31 Make perfect pasta.
Substitute whole-grain pasta for semolina and you’ll be satisfied with a smaller portion (11/2 ounces instead of two). Saves 50. Or use the same amount of oat- bran pasta. Saves 90

32 Climb up!
Taking the stairs for a total of just two minutes, five days a week, gives you the same calorie-burning results as a 20-minute walk. Burns 100-140

33 Fill up with fruit.
Like pie? Here’s how you can cave to the craving: Sprinkle fresh fruit—some cut-up apple, pear or a handful of cherries—with some Splenda or Equal, cover and nuke for a minute or so. Tastes just like pie filling. Saves 275

34 Have your cake.
Pick up an angel food cake for dessert. It’s packed with air and has fewer than half the calories of, say, pound cake. Saves 70

35 Ease into evening.
Sitting with feet uncrossed, grab your wrist and raise your hands above your head to lengthen the spine. Take a deep breath in as you reach and hold the position, breathing slowly in and out for 20 seconds, taking longer on the exhale. Instant relaxation. Burns 5

36 Get your chocolate fix.
Instead of a candy bar, try a sugar-free, reduced-calorie Jell-O chocolate pudding snack with a squirt of nonfat whipped cream topping. Eat it with a baby spoon to savour it longer. Saves 185

37 Crunch for your clicker.
The average half-hour TV show has eight minutes of commercials. Make reaching for the remote control worth it: Place it out of reach on the coffee table or, if you’re lying down, on the opposite arm of the couch. Every time an ad comes on and you reach for the remote, crunch until the show comes back on; you should reach 100-150 or so. Tones abs. Burns 24

38 Lift those hips.
Before you tuck yourself in, lie on your back on the floor with your legs up on the edge of the bed or a chair. Slowly bend your knees, lifting your hips off the floor. Hold for five seconds, relax and repeat ten to 12 times. Firms up hamstrings and core. Burns 10

The Weekend

39 Sing a song.
Spend Sunday morning belting it out in the church choir. Burns 70 per service

40 Make it bacon.
At the diner, order three slices of crisp bacon instead of two sausage links, and pat off the extra grease. Saves 90

41 Move it, Soccer Parents!
After every quarter of the game, get up from the bleachers and take a lap around the gym or field. Four or five times around a typical one is about a mile. Burns 75

42 Movie time.
Most people eat 45 percent more popcorn from large-size containers, so make sure you get only a small and skip the butter, which adds more calories than the popcorn itself. Bring your own seasoned salt or Parmesan cheese for more flavour. Saves 350

43 Orient yourself.
At Chinese restaurants, be sure to avoid anything named General Tao or Crispy, which means fried. Eat only the filling of the egg roll and not the shell. Saves 400-500

44 Catch this!
Spend a half-hour tossing a ball or Frisbee with your kid. Burns 90

45 Cut the cheese.
Order your pizza with half the cheese or even cheese-less, and then sprinkle with a few tablespoons of Parmesan. Saves 100

46 Have a hot dog!
Pile on the pickles, onions and sauerkraut—these fibre-packed condiments will fill you up and prevent you from eating a second dog. Skip the cheese and chili. Saves 250

47 Think about your drink.
Consider beer or wine instead of a frozen drink: A glass of regular beer has 140 calories and a serving of wine has 126 calories, while a strawberry daiquiri has about 300 and a margarita 340. Saves 150-200

48 Fix your fries.
Rather than asking for medium fries, get an order of onion rings (eight to nine rings). Saves 60

49 Scream for sorbet.
Indulge in chocolate sorbet instead of chocolate ice cream. Saves 125

50 Make whoopee.
Instead of a bowl of ice cream as a bedtime snack, have a robust tussle with your spouse. Burns 300


Reposted from thread at Calorie-Count.com

1. What are your favorite kinds of plant life (plants, flowers, etc)? Why?

2. Do you associate any memories with certain things (flowers, objects, etc)? Any you'd care to share?

3. By what method do you keep track of your memories (blogs, scrapbooks, etc)? If you don't do anything to preserve your memories, how do you keep track of them? Does it matter to you?






1. I love flowering vines...and ivy. There's just something about watching them reach for the sky and spreading over an entire surface.

2. Absolutely! Mostly smells and songs. Like the smell of sunblock, especially Hawaiian Tropic. It brings back memories of my mother taking me to the beach and singing along to the radio with the windows down in the car.

3. I like to 'relive' old memories by going to the places where they happened or incorporating some of the remembered objects into my daily life.





Would you like to participate?

While talking with a friend the other day it occurred to me just how oppressing our countries new health kick is becoming.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all about personal health and fitness, but there comes a point when sharing valuable information becomes preaching.

I had been a bit down last week and needed a friendly voice to help bring me up. I chose a long time friend who always seemed to know just what to say. The conversation was going well as we worked through my downs until they began haggling me about my eating style.

Whoooah boy! Hold the reigns here! I've always felt that a persons 'personal choice', and I stress that phrase, of what they eat is purely their business and perhaps that of their doctors. As the conversation continued on the feeling of being patronized and looked down on for my eating habits had turned my currently sad demeanor to almost pure rage. This friend was in NO way a doctor and NO way was I going to be beaten up and pushed around for my own personal choices.

I began searching the web for others views on this subject to ensure I wasn't merely loosing my marbles. I came across a few other individual comments on Yahoo Answers who had the same questions. Has the obsession with health become a religion? And, When did literally EVERYONE in this country seem to turn into a health nut?

It really set my mind churning as I read the responses to these questions. It made me feel validated to know I was not the only person who KNEW it was wrong to push you beliefs, no matter the subject, on others. One user seemed to speak from my heart when saying

"...Why health nut ..it is not nutty to be healthy...but to impose your beliefs on others IS like religion. Legislating or making things illegal like the fats restaurants use, or smoking in a bar,is like forcing religion down the throats of the masses.
If you do not like the fat that is being used go to another restaurant or open one that does not use offending fats. If you do not like smoke in a bar do not patronize the ones that have smoking allowed or open a smoke free bar. Be healthy, but do not judge and impose. Live the way you want and leave the others alone."

Amen brother! I couldn't have said it better myself. Now I'm not giving up on my friendship with my 'health nut' friend, but I hope others find the time to step back and look at themselves from someone elses perspective. This new organic, raw, vegitarian, gluten-free, low-carb life style is very hard to jump into. Whether it be a financial matter (the gluten-free and organic products are OUTRAGEOSLY expensive) or just a simple matter of personal beliefs, I feel that everyone deserves this privacy.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now (LOL).

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Intimidated :: Bullied
2. Brush :: Savanna
3. Masquerade :: Ball
4. Procedure :: Surgery
5. Tattoos :: Moorea
6. Square :: Foot
7. Tuck :: Stop
8. Boyfriend :: Husband
9. Badass:: Biker-babe
10. Thousand :: Island


Participate! Unconscious Mutterings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (30 minute) package television slot
• 15 commercials, chopped
• 1 large script, shredded
• 1/2 cup bad story plot
  
• 1/2 cup underdeveloped characters
  
• 1/4 cup bad actors, well strained
• 1/4 cup over-inflated pride
• 1/4 cup cheap booze
  
• 1 tablespoon rehab
• 1 tablespoon washed up guests
  
• 1/8 cup scandal

1. Preheat the cameras to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together television slot and commercials until well blended. Mix in the script and bad story plot, then beat in the underdeveloped characters. Combine bad actors, over-inflated pride, and cheap booze; gradually stir into plot mixture. Mix in rehab, washed up guests and scandal by hand.
3. Divide dough in half. Form two sections (15 minutes in length) on a 1 hour VHS tape that has been monitored by the FCC. Dough may be shallow; wet hands with extra booze to handle dough more easily.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated television, or until test audiences are light brown. Remove from television, and set aside to mull over for 3 months. Increase television airing time to once a day at 1:oo am.
5. Cut program apart diagonal, slant ways, unfairly and backwards into 3/4 of the actors have been replaced. Lay on criticism until properly degraded. Yields 3 seasons.

WritingFix.com - Left Brain Critical Recipe challenge

It seems in our country today, many have forgotten what it means to be American and have laughed off this auspicious occasion in favor of Cinco de Mayo and many other non-American holidays.

Please take this time to remember our great country and to thank those who have helped preserve these freedoms.

The following presentation was created in July 2008 by GoDaddy.com and still remains as beautiful. Please enjoy and remember to celebrate our freedom!

Please click on the image below to view the presentation, thank you.

Things would be simple, if I were young again.
Without the burdens of the world.
Without responsibilities and knowing.
Things would be simple.

Things would be simple, without all the wars.
With peace and forgiveness and perhaps even more.
Then, things would be simple.

Things would be simple, if we only let them be.
If we stopped worrying about money and success.
If we only stopped to be kind and care for others.
Things would be so simple then.

But, things just can't be simple.
According to the world.
Things must be difficult and complicated and unjust.
But, if that all went away, then things could be simple.
They could.
They could simply be simple.


WritingFix.com Left-Brain Start & Stop Challenge.