meat - yes or no?

Part of me really wants to stop eating meat.  And part of me finds it a good (inexpensive, filling) protein source.  But maybe it's just familiar to me, therefore easier.
If I could always buy organic, truly farm raised meats, my problem would be over.  Whole Foods is a great source, but a bit tough on my budget. 

Am I making excuses?
Do I need to align my money with my values?

I found this fascinating:

John Ikerd, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, Columbia: The biggest single problem with factory farming is that it shows no respect for the sanctity of life — either the life of farm animals or human life. Factory farming treats feedlots as biological assembly lines, where the animals are simply machines that produce meat, milk, or eggs for nameless, faceless consumers, with no respect for the people who work in them or live in the communities where they operate. This lack of respect for life undermines the ethical and moral fabric of society.
And Carolyn's post from the National Conference to End Factory Farming is even more fascinating.  Thanks for sharing Carolyn!

good and bad ideas

I knew the name was too sexy.  Turns out the Brazilian Blowout I got last year was a really bad idea.  Not only did it take a year for my hair to recover, it seems the product contains formaldehyde (!) and the FDA may be pulling it.

I learned about the formaldehyde in Crazy, Sexy Life, the blog I found by Kris Carr after reading her {very awesome} book, Crazy Sexy Diet.

Speaking of good books, I just finished "Cooking for Mr. Latte" an adorable story of Amanda Hesser's courtship with her husband.  I've also fallen in love with Food 52, her new website.  {WARNING: Do not go there hungry.  Do not.}

rainy days and (Fridays?) always get me down

Today was rough.   But at the end of it, here's what I know:

*I can't wait to make these with my daughter:

*I'm so impressed that Jenny can do these projects, like make arched bookshelves, from her NYC apartment.

*A good cry is followed by a wonderful sense of peace and relief.  

*This is good to remember. Always.
"My happiness depends on me, so you're off the hook."

Gym germs

Three tips for NOT catching colds and flu (or other nastier things) at your gym:

1.   Shower flip flops

2.  Anti-bacterial wipes -- your gym should provide them, but use them BEFORE and after you use equipment

3.  Do not touch your eyes or mouth with your hands while you are working out.  Wait until you've soap-and-water'd them several times post-workout.

Kudos to American Public Health Association for sharing "Stay Healthy and Infection Free at the Gym."
source: APHA

Mirabella in a dress just like mama had a mere 40+ years ago.  :)
Thanks to Rebecca at Tomboy Design Studio for doing a wonderful job on the dress (and from a tiny, tiny, old photo).

Phit and Frugal: grocery shopping

Anytime someone decides to eat more veggies, buy more produce or eat healthier, their first reaction is "this is expensive."
The problem:  they haven't added up the chips and snacks they didn't buy. (Or maybe they still bought them, and that's the problem.)

It's interesting that (even to me) $4 for a carton of raspberries seems expensive but $4.25 for a latte sounds perfectly reasonable.

Yesterday Amazon delivered Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Diet" and I love her point about spending on health instead of sickness.  She believes that spending on organic, whole foods is an investment worth making, and I agree.

You'll still catch me at "Fourbucks" getting the latte, so gotta work on that.

The point: dollars are finite.   So the more we can stretch them, the better.

Fitness magazine recently shared three tips for spending less at the grocery store:

3 Easy Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bill

Cut back on coupons.
"I've seen it over and over in my research: People buy things they wouldn't normally choose, because they have a coupon," says consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow, PhD, coauthor of Gen BuY. "Cheap prices allow you to rationalize less-healthy purchases." Ask yourself if you would want it without the coupon. No? Skip it.
Shop after you eat."When you're famished, you naturally crave the most calorie-rich foods," Yarrow says. The next thing you know, you're piling your cart with corn chips and doughnuts.
Leave the kids home.

As soon as you walk into the store, they start up: "I want candy/cupcakes/ice cream. Please, please, please!" Cue the tears. You end up buying more than you planned to. Have your husband watch them while you shop. Or trade babysitting time with another mom.

via Fitness Magazine online

Photog envy: cinemagraphs and hipstamatic

Don't you LOVE the cinemagraphs that the talented photo-bloggers are doing?  My favorites are from Jamie Beck and her "From Me To You" tumblr. 
Jamie is darling but SO TALENTED.  You have to check out her tumblr. She can make a plain ole beer look better than champagne.

Here's a tutorial I found on making a cinemagraph.  If you are a decent photographer and know your way around Photoshop CS5 it won't be hard.

I shouldn't have a need for instagr.am, given that I have albums from the 70's and 80's that are full of original photos with rounded borders, Polaroid-esque white frames and "Filters" (which used to be just plain old bad lighting).  But seeing the fun photos on blogs makes me want to trade in my Blackberry for an iPhone just to have this cool app (please Blackberry?).
And despite my splurge on a Diana camera (only dipped my toe into lomography, want so bad to learn more!) I really want the hipstamatic app.
C'mon Blackberry, you're gonna lose this seven year customer for a couple cool camera apps. 
image credit: From Me To You

7 Ways to Make Your Neighborhood Healthier

The people you hang out with affect your income, your success and your health.
And if you don't live in Washington D.C. or San Francisco or one of those other "Fittest Cities?" Try one of these strategies to improve the health of your own community, I bet other folks join you.

1. Rethink the bake sale. Though school lunches have gotten healthier over the last few years, foods sold in vending machines, at fundraisers and at school events like sports matches haven’t. Research has found that the unhealthy food available at these places contributes to childhood obesity. Offer to host a healthy-foods fundraiser (fruit kebabs, veggies and dip) or work with the parent group that runs food sales at events to find healthy alternatives. For more tips, click here.

2. Start a neighborhood walking group. Ask friends on your block to join you, then reach out to others. The camaraderie will keep you committed, and the sense of belonging to a group is a great health bonus. For a how-to-start video from the AARP, click here.

3. Organize a “walking school bus.” If your child’s school is within reasonable walking distance, volunteer to escort the kids on foot. Arrange with other parents along the way to pick up their kids at a set time and place. Click here for a step-by-step guide. Also check out the National Center for Safe Routes to School ( SafeRoutesInfo.org), which helps parents, communities and schools develop safe and effective ways to get more kids (including those with disabilities) walking or riding bikes to school.

4. Turn the office “doughnut day” into fruit day. Instead of bringing in baked goods to “treat” everyone, pick one day a week on which everyone brings in a different fruit. Research shows that eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is the best way to get disease-fighting antioxidants.

5. Connect your school with local farmers. Start by contacting local farms or farmers’ market managers and talk to the principal and head of food services at your school to see if a program might be feasible. Then put together a “Farm to School” meeting. You can get meeting materials, including a sample agenda, from the National Farm to School Network. There are also companies like Revolution Foods that provide healthy meals and nutrition education to schools; talk to school officials about them.

6. Bring health mentors into your high school. An organization called HealthCorps trains young adults and places them in high schools to help kids incorporate healthy habits into their lives. They teach a hands-on HealthCorps curriculum, which includes showing kids how to make healthy food choices and get enough physical activity. The mentors also work with school officials and students to make healthy changes in the community—such as creating school gardens, starting local farmers’ markets, bringing healthier food to school vending machines, and more.

7. Start a community garden. Gardening is not only great exercise, it also encourages residents to incorporate the healthy herbs, fruit and vegetables they’re growing into their diets. Find ideas on how to get started by visiting the American Community Gardening Association’s website.

via Woman's Day; July 1, 2011

Phit Finds on the Web & Goodbye June

Mr Right and I have a joke.  "If there isn't a Starbucks in the lobby, Angela thinks she's camping." 
I'll be enjoying the holiday weekend at home.   It's too darn hot to be sleeping outside.

Hello July, goodbye June.  This means I can gather up all my favorites from the month in one post.
Summer is wedding season, and dresses are coming in all colors.  This green one is amazing!

I've been thinking for two years about putting a leopard rug runner on my stairs.  These folks have more courage than I do; they really dressed up their steps.

A marketing lesson from last month:  apparently Lady Gaga took down the Amazon.com servers with her new release (for 99 cents!).  Web marketers everywhere are salivating.

A new blog, Hello Giggles, started by Zooey Deschanel and friends, posted a review of Gaga's new album.  Apparently the lyrics are just plain bad (no, don't act surprised), but a couple songs are reminescent of aerobic room sounds in the '80s.  (Which will work well on my "Cardio - Desperate!" playlist.)

This "Cup of Jo" post on fatherhood was really, really good.  I wonder if I acted like I was on drugs when I was a new mom?   (I certainly felt like it.)

And I fell in love with lucite when I saw this on The Glamouri.   I am lucky that I rarely want to be younger, but every now and then, this gal makes me long for my twenties.  

And here is why there is no denying that I'm NOT in my twenties...Bryce Howard is modeling for Kate Spade.   Richie Cunningham's daughter.  Yes, I can even say Opie's daughter.



Happy Fourth of July to Opie, Richie, Bryce and everyone.  My daughter turns 3 on Sunday and I am over-the-moon happy and nostalgic about how fast time is passing (not just June).

Phit Chick lit

4 Hour Body is well researched and, given the scientific level of the information, easy to read.   I became a huge Tim Ferriss fan (like everybody else) after "4 Hour Work Week." 

His smart a$$ style - which I would normally find offensive -- doesn't come off as obnoxious.  Instead it feels like a really intelligent conversation about becoming your personal physical best.  And his tone actually is the best part; it's like extreme science over a beer instead of in a lecture hall.   (Though I don't drink beer, and apparently he doesn't either, so not the best example).

And get this Phit Chicks...you will LOVE this about his plan:  Cheat day.  

One day a week you eat anything you want and as much of it as you want.  Yep, anything.

I like this plan because it gives women an emotional edge -- you DO get to have the chocolate, you just have to wait a couple days.   (How about that for a change?  An advantage in dieting!).

I know that you Moderation Police are going to scream at me.  My apologies, but moderation doesn't always work for busy, emotional or high-achieving women (that would be nearly all of us). 

All things in moderation, including moderation.

There is no better therapy -- physical, mental or emotional -- than laughter.

I literally laughed out loud all the way through Bossypants.  I read it on a flight to New Orleans and I'm sure the folks sitting near me thought I was already sipping Hurricanes.

Jobs, kids, husbands, family -- Tina covers it all with a fresh sense of humor.  These are not the same old jokes.  And she makes you feel good about yourself as you giggle at her up's and down's, which she portrays as being remarkably parallel to your own.  (OK, except she has tons of money and a fabulous career and TV show.)

Both would be terrific weekend reads. 

Phit mama decisions: car or no car?

I will not raise my daughter to be shallow, vain or consumed by materialism.


But I really, really want her to have this car for her third birthday.

A dead-ringer for the Mercedes SLK Convertible. Probably even has a sippy-cup holder.

Tell me parents, how do you reconcile that?

Phit twin fitness rules

After I posted the phenomenal photos of K&M of Twin Fitness, Michelle emailed me a few rules she lives by to maintain her super-fit shape.
The girl keeps her business and her body in tip-top shape, while prioritizing "family first."   Family includes a three year old and a 6 month old.
Michelle's advice:
1.  Be consistent over time
2.  Eat 100 grams of complete protein every day
3.  Never let four hours pass between meals

Thanks Michelle!

Top 10 Liver Loving Foods

So I've been stalking a couple of cool people on the internet.

One is Csilla Bischoff, HHC, a holistic nutrition coach.  She specializes in "Sugar and Carb Cravings, Low Energy and Mood Swings." 

Whoa.   Did she hit the nail on the marketing head there or what?   The marketer in me is impressed.   The working mom trying to stay fit {phit} wants to hear more.
Here is one of her recent newsletter articles that I found interesting on loving your liver. 
Top 10 Liver Boosting Foods

1. Lemon, with its astringent and antiseptic qualities, is great for detoxifying the liver. It also contains potassium and vitamin C, and is possibly the best fruit remedy for people who have had a high fat/high protein diet. Lemon helps to increase the formation of fluids in the body, and this helps to flush out impurities. Start your day with a tall refreshing glass of water with the juice of 1/2 fresh lemon.

2. Dandelion root tea. This simple tea enhances the entire digestive track and it is particularly effective at relieving digestion after a high fat meal. Dandelion is also an excellent herb for weight loss, as the leaves are diuretic and the root improves fat metabolism.

3. Radishes are very useful for getting rid of excess mucus, and old residual waste in the body. They also clear the sinuses and helps indigestion. Regular use can help prevent viral conditions like colds and flu. Slice some radishes and add to soup, salad, sandwiches .... or slice in half and dip into hummus for a crunchy snack. My favorite is daikon radish.

4. Cabbage is great for the stomach and intestines, is used to treat constipation, and has a high sulfur content which destroys parasites and purifies the blood. It promotes circulation within the lungs and the elimination of waste. Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) is wonderful for cleansing the digestive tract, improving the good bacteria necessary for digestion in the intestines, and treating constipation. Look for fresh, raw sauerkraut as opposed to canned. Add sauerkraut as a regular side dish to your meals for a savory flavor!

5. Asparagus contains a diuretic called asparagine, which helps the body to eliminate water through the kidneys. Also helps to cleanse the arteries of cholesterol and stimulates metabolism. Add asparagus to soups, stir-frys, pasta, even fruit salad!

6. Watercress promotes circulation in the lungs and is beneficial for the skin, as it helps to clear facial blemishes. It helps to remove stagnant blood and increase the flow of energy in the body, and is used as a remedy for intestinal gas and bad breath. Toss some watercress into your salad or include in your favorite fresh vegetable juice.

7. Fennel is a good digestive aid which helps to rid the body of excess gas. It also stimulates liver and kidney function. It has a sweet flavor and a crunchy texture. Roast some sliced fennel with a little olive oil for an interesting addition to your meal.

8. Leeks help to promote good digestion, and they also help to clean out the intestines. They also stimulate the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. Leeks promote warmth and move stagnant energy through the body. They clean out the arteries and slow the growth of viruses, yeasts and other organisms that often show up with an unbalanced diet. Add finely chopped leeks to salads, omelets, soups or stews for extra flavoring!

9. Ginger is known for its circulation-promoting properties. It helps to prevent the blood from sludging, which is one of the causes for heart attacks and strokes. It is also an anti-inflammatory, a digestive aid and improves appetite. Treat yourself to a cup of ginger tea after a meal or sprinkle some grated ginger over vegetables as a garnish.

10. Garlic and onions. They contain allicin, which is a sulfur based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic helps the liver rid the body of mercury, certain food additives and hormones.

Your Assignment from Csilla:
Pick three or four of these veggies and incorporate them into your diet in the next 10 days and see what difference this alone will make in terms of how you feel.

Double the power; Double the fun

I have no business whatsoever posting any comments about fitness competitions. None.

This blog is about real women {not} balancing work and family and hopefully sneaking in a little cardio.

But inspiration is inspiration, and I have to share these photos and make one comment: wow.

Kristie and Michelle of Twin Fitness have a special place in my heart.  I recruited them to teach aerobics (relax, you progressive group exercise instructor youngsters, that's what we called it then - aerobics) over a decade ago. 

I worked with these high-energy gals as a consultant when they opened their studio and again when they wanted to add a new business component training competitors (looks like they might know what they are doing).   So I am thrilled to see them doing so well.

Kristie - business owner and Mom to 11-month old twins, Ali and Rylee.   Geez.

Michelle - business owner and Mom to three-year-old Skylar and six-month-old Tenley. 

Yep, you read that right, six-month-old!

 

Like I said, I've known these girls for awhile, and I can promise you they are doing these things religiously: 

1)  NEVER touching white flour, starchy carbs or sugar

2)  Hitting the streets for a run at 4:30 am at least five days a week

3)  Consistently doing some really smart strength training.

It's quite awesome (and motivating!) to buy baby gifts and then see the Mom merely a few months later looking smokin' hot in a bikini like this!     Kudos girls!

New Yorker cartoon

inspired by Cup of Jo

"Healthy Marketing" webinar

I'm excited about this webinar I'll be leading next month for the National Wellness Institute. Please tell your exercise/wellness colleagues and friends.

Here's the details:


Healthy Marketing: Effective, Affordable Promotion Ideas for Your Programs
In this webinar, learn the most cost-effective ways to promote your health or wellness business, your wellness programs, and yourself. Important checklists will be covered, but new ideas that are easy-to-implement will be shared so you can increase attendance and participation right away. We will cover marketing techniques that are based in authenticity and purpose, not in-your-face selling or obnoxious advertising. Learn the latest and most effective ways to market and to get more people healthier!

Following the webinar, participants will be able to:
•know specifically what to include in headlines and content to increase participation in programs.
•choose from 30 new cost-effective, easy-to-implement ideas to promote their programs, their business, and themselves.
•understand the importance of personal branding and its relevance in helping people make healthy choices

Who Should Attend:
•fitness trainers/instructors
•wellness program coordinators/directors
•health and wellness educators, wellness coaches, wellness business owners
•members of organizations such as NWI, ACSM, IDEA, CHES, and NSCA

Registration Fee:  NWI Member: FREE
Non-NWI Member: $55

Love and {Many} Other Drugs

"Prescription drug spending rose to $307.4 billion in 2010, which translates to nearly $900 spent for each and every American.

This is a 2.3 percent rise over 2009 spending levels -- but it actually represents a slowing in drug spending in the United States. I am on a mission to get as many people off of then as possible!!! Lets be respons-able for our health!"

This was on fb today, posted by Super Phit Chick Kelli Calabrese.

More here in this article: "What Are America's Most Popular Drugs?"

My little girl seems to have allergies, so I have to add that I am very grateful for our advances in medicine and pharmaceuticals.  My sweet girl can be miserable with watery eyes and a runny nose, and with one teaspoon of medicine, return to the state of a normal trouble-making 2-year old. 

But let's be real, with a little work and a lot of support, we can free many people from many drugs.  Anti-depressants seem to have the best debate going here.   Nope, I'm not anti-anti-depressants, I know many people who are living a better life taking them.  Have you read the study comparing exercise and Zoloft?    What do you think?

BTW, a fun movie: Love and Other Drugs.  A co-worker called this "a sexy movie" and she was right. Jake G creates some steamy scenes. Interesting view of pharmaceutical sales too.  

Phit fellas

Giovanni's Italian restaurant in the French Quarter.
Live opera singers.
Pinot and Chianti.
A past president and the president elect of STFM (day job).
Some business, but mostly just good conversation.
Laughing until my cheeks hurt.  Really hurt.
Now that is wellness: laughter.

Dr. Kruse left his watch there (long story) and when he went to retrieve it, the wait staff told him we were "legends."  "Legends" in the French Quarter -- not bad for an old married woman.   :)

Be yourself, be the truth, be different.  Sounds like the same old message.  But it's not.
This is a must watch.   One of my favorite parts:  "being different just to be different is just another kind of conformity."  
via Get Me Jamie Notter

phit finds

Yoga and Pilates are going to medical school. Amen! Hurray!  Whoo-hoo and all that!

80's Heart throbs, then and now. Patrick Dempsey wins.

Exercise is just what the doctor ordered! Take note physicians.

dinner in the sky - if you're not afraid of heights...

I get chills just looking at these pictures.   It's a brilliant concept by a company in Belgium.   I have a relatively new phobia that has my knees shaking when I'm above the fourth floor (showed up when I was pregant).   Prior to that, I would have LOVED this...

beautiful bodies en (and in) Vogue

I LOVE opening the mailbox and finding the latest issue of Vogue.
Rihanna is on the cover and as expected, she looks fabulous. "I wonder who her trainer is?" is one of my first thoughts. 
Ok, that's my second thought.  My first thought is "I miss being young."   (I was right, turns out Rihanna is a mere 23.)
Ary Nuñez is the artist’s feisty personal trainer and owner of Gotham Global Fitness. A Brooklyn native, Nuñez has three black belts and is a professional dancer.  I haven't heard of Ary before but she's obviously quite talented (and just scored BIG with her client on the cover of Vogue). 

Photo via Vogue.com

Dance, Stretch or Spin through NYC?

I'll be in NYC in less than 10 days and they offer workouts that you simply don't find anywhere else.  I'll only be able to fit in a couple of these, but here's my long wishlist.

"Broadway Cardio" at Broadway Bodies.  I could spend a week here -- "Michael Jackson Mondays" and "GLEEful" sound like a blast.

"Dance Workout" at Downtown Dance Factory.  Unfortunately I won't be there on a Tuesday to hit "Rock and Roll Ballet."

Pure Yoga is a fave and I must return; all the classes are superb.

Kimberly Wilson's sparkly, pink blog turned me on to Jivamukti.   I have yet to run into Russell Simmons, who is a regular, but maybe this time...

And I've wanted to hit Physique 57 since Mirabella and I ran into Kelly Ripa in Miami.  Kelly's body will convince you to follow her and her gym bag everywhere she goes. 

Maybe a spin class at Flywheel or Soul Cycle.

"Ready...OK" - Cardio Cheer a big hit in Philly

The Lithe Method, founded by former USC cheerleader Lauren Boggi, has students jumping for joy, and fitness.

Boggi, the founder of the incredibly popular Philly-based Lithe Method, uses a cardio-cheer-sculpting method at her studio.

Although there’s a barre in the room—don’t let that fool you. Instead of concentrated low-impact movements a la Lotte Berk, this boutique workout owes its inspiration to cheerleading.

“We do a lot more cardio, aerobic activity than your average barre class,” Boggi explains. “Lots of people come in and expect Pilates and barre, and you are going to get that, but your feet are definitely going to leave the ground.” Resistance bands suspended from the ceiling complete the system.

Inspiration and photo courtesy of Well and Good NYC

Zip-a-loc bags slim you down

This morning, the scale said I dropped five pounds.  Overnight.  Just like that.

Well not just like that.  It didn't move for a week, then it dropped five pounds.  Yay!

Loved this article on the RealAge website.  They suggest that making up mini-snacks saves you huge calories (it does).  My belief in zip-a-locs is related to meal planning.   By creating a week's worth of meals on Saturday or Sunday (like I did here in "22 Meals in 120 Minutes") really saves calories through the week. 

And it really saves stress.  Just ask any woman in an office "what are you feeding your family for dinner tonight" and you'll see a look of exhaustion and guilt.  

I don't like using all that plastic, so I try to rinse and re-use when I can.   But you can't beat it -- this convenience gets pre-cooked, portion-controlled, lean protein and veggies on plates in five minutes.
Love it!

How Hard Can it Be?

I've been frustrated with my nutrition "Spring Cleaning" and wondering if I can ever manage to get through one month without cheating.  Have had my highs and lows.
Mr Right left to go skiing this morning, so that will help.  (Darling husband showed up at my office yesterday with two cupcakes.  So sweet. So many calories.  And no, I didn't HAVE  to eat them.)
I saw this new show coming, "How hard can it be?" and had to laugh.  Surely if people are flying in houses a la Karl and Russell, surely I can skip sugar and starch for one month?



Image via NGC Blog; inspired by Black Eiffel, a very cool blog.



Breastfeeding love and trials

I loved Joanna's post on breastfeeding.  Memories flooded my mind after reading it.

Selling the pump made me cry.  Was surprised by that.

When pregnant, I really intended to breastfeed for three months.  I actually did for a year.  I was even more surprised by that.

Smuggling frozen breast milk through customs.  (How do you declare it, even if you want to?   "Dairy" was the closest option.)

My first trip away from M took me to Toronto overnight.   The hotel had so refrigerator for my room.   It was a small hotel, with one of those mini gift shops next to the check-in desk.  Desperate, I stashed the milk in the bottom of the ice cream freezer.   Had to hurry down the next morning and retrieve it before someone thought Medela was a new kind of ice cream bar.    It's funny.  Now.

A couple hotels were NOT helpful.  I begged a hotel manager in Florida for freezer space when the tiny dorm room fridge they gave me wouldn't freeze milk.   He said no.   I snuck down to the lobby bar after it closed and stuck my milk in their ice machine overnight.  

Another helpful conference hotel had no refrigerators.   You haven't lived until you've had to excuse yourself from a Board meeting every two hours to pump and then again every hour to run to your room for the ice bucket, hit the ice machine and then refill the ice in your sink to keep the milk cold.   For three days.   {Thanks for nothing, San Antonio Hilton.} 

I'm lucky to work for family physicians who are really supportive of breastfeeding and of working Moms.  I can't imagine having my employer act inconvenienced on top of the work and stress required to pump milk.

I remember going home after work on Tuesday to pump and squeezing into a 34E sports bra and then putting a second sports bra on over it before heading to step class to burn a few of some stress.   34E. 

Working moms get  a double-whammy because you have to pump and don't get the milk right into the baby.  When you aren't pumping, you are washing the pump, the attachments, the cords, etc.  Then drying pump, putting pump away, carrying milk to the freezer.  Then you have to wash bottles that the baby ate the milk from.   I calculated that I spent 7 hours per day producing and providing breastmilk.

Hard work.   And the little peanut will probably not appreciate it until she's a mom.   But I'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

46 and Hot!

All three of these women are my age.

Sarah Jessica Parker is exactly one week older than I am.

Courtney Cox and SJP --Clearly they don't sit around eating starchy-carbs, but I've always chalked these gorgeous bodies up to a definite genetic advantage.  Obviously thin frames that very little flesh lives on.  

Sandra Bullock?  My envy, my idol.   Apparently her favorite workouts are Pilates and running.  Whatever it is, she is obviously very loyal.  

I became a really serious fan when she dedicated her 2010 Oscar to "the Moms who take care of the babies and children no matter where they come from."   Nobody knew about little Louis then, but what a powerful, well-deserved acknowledgement to those Mom's.

These women have inspired my pre-birthday "Spring Cleaning."   As in cleaning me.   I've written off sugar and starch, and I really hope to stay injury-free long enough to be consistent with my workouts.  Miracle weight loss probably won't occur (though welcome with open arms), but come April 1, I will know I've given my best effort to turning 46 in good health.

Friday Facts

1.  The spokesperson from the Heart Attack Grill died.  From pneumonia.

After accounting for factors such as lifestyle and education, moderately obese men -- those with a body mass index between 30 and 34.9 -- had a 40% greater risk of pneumonia compared with those of normal weight (BMI of less than 24.9). Men who were severely obese, having a BMI greater than 35, were twice as likely to get pneumonia," said this news article last year.


Rueters says obesity may increase pneumonia risk, particularly in men.

2.  Employer-based health coverage is on the decline.  I hate this.   The horrible colds my family passed around last month and my daughter's nasty fall last week required time in doctor's offices and hospital.  I can't imagine adding to the stress of those situations by not having insurance.   I hate it even more that insurance is so expensive and that this has to be a difficult decision for employers.  (Yet another reason why I am so lonely in politics.)

3.  Since discovering her a couple weeks ago, Garance Dore has been everywhere in the media and blogs.   She is so hip.  Adding her to my "want to be her" list.

4.  Fitness Magazine featured ways to turn up your metabolism, which were quite good.  No surprises, but good.   I am working on getting over my attitude.  I have to quiet my reply: "you're turning 30 and you're metabolism is slowing down?  just wait."   Sounds old and cranky and I won't allow my phit self to go there.

Have a good weekend.  Workout.  Sleep late.  Eat healthy.  Indugle (once!). 

no guilt in Paris

Garance has a fabulous {old} post on going to the gym -- through the eyes of a gal in Paris.   NOTE: click on "translate" in the upper right corner to see it in English.

This darling blogger was featured in the New York Times.  Add her to my list of "I want to be ...."

My favorite from this post:  
Et attendez, la control freakitude de la recherche de la perfectitude physique ne s’arrête pas là, les calories sont indiquées PARTOUT ! Un cookie, c’est 500 putain de calories !!! Chez Starbucks c’est paranoland. Vous ne voulez pas savoir le nombre de calories d’un Frappucino, je vous assure.

Tout ça, ça n’arriverait jamais à Paris. Enfin, pas dans mon Paris à moi, fait de croissants, de cigarettes et de rien foutage à la terrasse des cafés. Yep, sans même de culpabilité.
OR...
I swear, I know lots who get up at 6 in the morning to go running in their gym! Even I sometimes I think! But I do not because I'm too lazy! MY GYM OPENS AT 5am !!!!!! They are crazy people or something?


And wait, the Control Freak attitude, totally to the pursuit of physical perfectitude does not stop there, calories are listed EVERYWHERE! A cookie is 500 calories whore! Starbucks is paranoland. You do not know how many calories a Frappucino, I assure you.

All this would never happen in Paris. Well, not in my Paris to me, made croissants, cigarettes and anything foutage the terrace cafes. Yep, without guilt.

knee-friendly jump rope

Fitness Magazine caught my eye with "Burn 160 Calories in 15 Minutes."

The exercises are pretty much all jumping rope, and my 40+ knees sometimes like jump rope more than others.   (Many women have told me a bigger problem is post-mom bladder.)

I have to say that jumping rope is a surprise, and though it looks like a highest-impact activity, it actually isn't.   The lower leg muscles have to control the rebound, and you don't leave the ground hardly at all. 

(Bonus: lower leg muscles toned for spring dresses and heels.)

I find what folks really hate though, is tripping on the rope.  How can it be so hard to do something I did for hours when I was 10 years old?
Two options that are a bit more knee-friendly (and less frustrating!):
1)  No rope.  That's right - just pretend you are jumping.   As silly as it sounds, you won't get frustrated tripping on the rope and you won't have to quiet the "Cinderella, dressed in yella..." chants from your childhood (which make you feel even more silly).

2.  Jump Snap.    I've gotten emails from these folks for quite awhile, and apparently Dr Oz gave them quite an endorsement.   Try it!   

My imaginary rope OR the Jump Snap will make a great cardio option for an interval workout.   Jump for two minutes, then do a strength exercise.   A simple, cheap and effective workout for indoors until the snow melts! 

Party of two and a half

Mr Right and I used to have fabulous parties for watching the Oscar's. 

Gold buttercream cake?   Wow. 
I've been holed up with a cold, and now my whole family has it.  I won't be wearing these beautiful accessories or getting a rad manicure for an outrageous party.  I'll be catching up on work and laundry.  Hopefully I'll have a healthy toddler by then.   But what a glittery start I have to planning a 2012 Oscars Party.   :)

Dear Fairy Godmother

Dear Fairy Godmother,

I don't need a prince. Happily-ever-after is going well.

Here's what I would wish for:

Woodway Treadmill - this seems to be the only thing that can carry my 40+ knees on a run longer than 5 miles with no pain the next day.   They have them at my gym and I love them.  Wouldn't it be wonderful though, to skip the drive, parking, checking in and lockerroom and just go jump on this floating-belt-platform guy for cardio?   Could take a 2.5 hour chunk of my day and cut it into a 1.5 hour commitment.  And I could use that hour.

Martha Stewart Craft Room furniture (I don't even do crafts - ??  Love this though.)



These abs.   A bit on the hard side for my tastes, but I would have so much fun "softening" them just a little! 

A week here.

And this to drive, preferably near the ocean.

Sincerely,
Angela B.
P.S. Happy home, family, friends and fulfilling career mean I would, in reality (if the whole fairly godmother thing came to be reality), pass this wish off to someone who needed a job, home or warm meal. Thanks for indulging my fantasy post.

Crescendo

Crescendo, originally uploaded by acastellano.

This makes me want to take surfing lessons.

Maybe not start with this wave :)

Can't you just feel it's energy?