Welcome

It is springtime after a very long snowy and cold winter.  The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming.  What’s not to like?

Exercise:

"Women who claim to be afraid to train hard because they "always bulk up too much" are often already pretty bulky, or "skinny fat" (thin but weak and deconditioned) and have found another excuse to continue life sitting on their butts.” ~Mark Rippetoe

Visit www.niahsanks.com for some great workout information.

 After being at the same Gold’s Gym for a few years, I have finally starting using the “big boy’s” area.  I’ve left the comfortable little ladies’ area of the gym and started lifting weights.  I had met with a personal trainer (PT) at the gym so that when I started strength training, I’d be less likely to hurt myself.  Well, the PT was very nice and it seemed like he might know what he was talking about.  But in order to hire him I’d have to sign a 12-month agreement with the Gym.  No way am I signing on for 12 months of something if I don’t even know what he’s going to be showing me.  He had no plan done up (“we’d work on that in the following couple of weeks”) and we didn’t agree on nutrition. 

This book is available on Amazon.com

So instead of hiring the PT, I ordered a book.  In my research on weight lifting and watching videos, I noticed the same man kept popping up.  After watching a couple of his videos, I realized I really liked his coaching techniques.  And there’s no wonder.  It turns out that Mark Rippetoe has several decades of experience as a strength coach and is a former powerlifter and a current gym owner.  He has some videos on the CrossFit website for barbell training.  He’s known for having a brash teaching style and humor.  I really get a kick out of some of his videos.  Anyway, I ordered his book, Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, and the accompanying DVD as a birthday gift for myself last month.  Now I’m a weight lifter and I love it.

Eat:

“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” ~Julia Child

LCHF is the shit –  look it up on Youtube…you gotta watch this video!  Hilarious and educational.  You’ll learn more about eating Low Carb/High Fat in just a few minutes.

I’m Keto-adapted and that’s a good thing.  The point of a keto diet (LCHF) is to be in ketosis – meaning that your body is breaking down fat and there are ketones in your bloodstream.  These ketones are burned up by your body as fuel (instead of the typical carbohydrates/glucose).  After your body has adjusted (become “keto-adapted”) to burning these ketones for fuel, fat becomes the preferred fuel.  Hormone levels are changed, glycogen is lowered, the body carries less water and you’re able to function very well – lots of energy, you can exercise, lift, build up endurance, etc.  There’s no need for a “carb-up”, and there’s no “bonking” either.

 

Have Fun:

“The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.” ~Isak Dinesen

The men are going fishing so I get to go spend a weekend at the beach.  We’ll be going to the Outer Banks (Nags Head) at the beginning of June and I can’t wait.  Last year when we went we stayed up further north in Duck.  We rented a jeep and drove up to see the wild horses and went for a helicopter ride.  I wanted to do a “land, sea and air” type of vacation last year but we didn’t get to the sea part of the adventure.  I’ve decided to do it this trip so I scheduled a dolphin tour cruise of the Roanoke Sound where the dolphins spend much of their time during the late spring and summer.  For only $30 it sounds like a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

A Weekend in New York City

Welcome.

“She has become a wicked and wild bitch in her old age has Manhattan, but there is still no sensation in the world quite like walking her sidewalks. Great surges of energy sweep all around you; the air fizzes like champagne, while always there is a nervous edge of fear and whispered distant promises of sudden violence.” ~Tom Davies

When I was offered the chance to spend a weekend in Manhattan with the cost of the hotel for two nights and tickets to a Broadway show already paid for,

I had to accept.  My friend was given a nice bonus at work and her husband didn’t want to go so she asked me to.  I’ve always wanted to spend a couple of days in New York and I really wanted to see a Broadway show.  So the two of us got on the internet and started planning how we were going to get there.  It turned out that traveling by bus would be the best way for us to get there and it was only $54 round trip.



Hotel Chelsea was my friend's "Must Do"



The hardest part of planning our trip was figuring out how to fit in what we wanted to do in the few hours we’d have.   We had a couple of hours Friday evening (we got to the hotel at 6pm) and then much of Saturday (we had until about 3:30pm to fit in what we could).  We each picked one “must do” and then spent the rest of the time close by the hotel and stumbling upon stores and sites.


We also managed to fit in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and saw the Broadway lights at night.  We visited the stores; Michael Kors, Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue (got some make up done at the Chanel counter), FAO Schwarz and Dylan’s Candy Bar.  We walked up and down 5^th Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue.  We took the subway a few times and managed to come out in one piece.  We had a blast and were exhausted by the time we got home on Sunday evening.  I can’t wait to go back again.



Mood Designer Fabrics - my "Must Do"
This is the silk that I picked out

Exercise.

“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”  ~Steven Wright



Walking the streets at Times Square



We walked, we subwayed (ha – not really a word I don’t think), we lugged luggage.  I got a great workout being in the city.  I could lose my gym membership completely if I lived in New York.  With all the walking and stair climbing I did I surpassed my usual workout.  And the subway was like a sauna because it is without air conditioning.  My body was quite worn out by the time we got home.  I was up 3 ½ pounds Monday morning compared to Friday morning.  All of that was water weight that my muscles were holding onto while they repaired themselves.  The water slowly went away during the following week.



Eat.

"My contribution, I hope, is to get people to eat full-flavored food.  If I could come away with that alone, that would be a fantastic accomplishment." ~Bobby Flay 

Shelfish Cocktails - Tasting of All Three
Lobster-Avocado, Shrimp-Tomatillo & Crab-Coconut

While in New York, we stayed at the Omni Bershire Place on East 52^nd Street. To keep things easy on us Friday night, we had dinner in the hotel restaurant, Fireside.   For breakfast and lunch we were able to find inexpensive (and uncrowded) cafes close by.  Dinner on Saturday night was our main meal and we wanted it to be at a nice restaurant prior to the show we were attending.  We also wanted something within walking distance between our hotel and the theater.  Once I got online and found that Bobby Flay has a restaurant in the area we were looking at, the decision was easy.  We went to Bar Americain on West 52^nd Street.  I had a dinner of a shellfish cocktail tasting and their version of French Onion Soup - fantastic.  My friend could have used bigger or more filling portions though.  She had a shrimp cocktail appetizer and the ricotta crepes.  She ended up eating the bread basket to fill up on.  Her meal was as much as mine and not nearly as satisfying.  All in all, though we had a nice meal.  I’d like to try Mesa Grill some day.

Have Fun.

“The most wonderful street in the universe is Broadway. It is a world within itself. High and low, rich and poor, pass along at a rate peculiar to New York, and positively bewildering to a stranger.”  ~Frank Rich

“Wicked” was the highlight of the trip.  We had great seats at the Gershwin Theater for the Saturday 8pm show.  The show went on for 3 hours (including the one small intermission break).  It was spectacular.  I enjoyed it much more than I expected to.  After reading the book I was a little hesitant because the book is very dark.  The musical was much more upbeat and wasn’t based closely on the book.  They kept the basic ideas but made it much more enjoyable.  The performers were amazing.  The show was humorous at times, very entertaining and thought provoking.   I completely understand now why people see this show more than once.  I highly recommend it and would happily go see it again.

What I'm making this week

I found a great border fabric on Girl Charlie and had to get it.  I’ve been looking for a border print lately because I’ve never sewn anything with it before.  This is a cotton jersey which is usually very stretchy.  But, because it is printed as a border fabric, it is cut sideways on the fabric so most of the stretching is lost. 

Once I got the fabric, I had to decide what I was going to make out of it.  I found a Butterick pattern on PatternReview that looked like a great dress to make out of the fabric.  If you’ve never checked out PatternReview, I highly recommend it.  You can find so much information there.  There is almost always someone that has made a pattern that I’m about to make.  And, they’ve already figured out any problems there might be in the pattern.  It’s worth the time to check it out – time saver/frustration buster.

Butterick 5454

Once I figured out which pattern I wanted I was able to search for it on the web.  I found it on Etsy and it was only $5.  Everywhere else I found it they were selling it for two to three times that much.  Shopping on line can be such a money saver.  I miss handling before buying but I like saving money too.

So, I’ve got the fabric mostly cut out and I’ll be marking it up and starting on the sewing phase this weekend.  I’ll crank up some fun music and spend a little alone time with my sewing machine.

What I bought this week…

Oh, such a bad girl.  I had no plans on buying a designer handbag this week.  But, I found this Michael Kors tote at lunch yesterday and really wanted it.  It had such a nice feel to it and it was a pretty good deal for what it is.  Anyway, I carried it around the store for a good 30 minutes while I shopped around.  I wanted to make sure the handle was long enough and the bag didn’t feel too big.  Needless to say, I bought it.  But, I didn’t buy anything else while I was in the store.

March-ing In Like a Lamb

Welcome.

It is one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens

What a difference a month can make.  Winter is just about behind us and we are looking forward to the beginning of spring.  Some flowers are starting to bloom.  OK – it is snowing today, but it isn’t even adding up in the grassy areas.  And it will be 50 degrees out again in a couple of days.  This is my favorite time of year.  And, it is my birthday month!  Happy birthday me J.

Eat.

I never worry about diets.  The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.  ~Mae West

I’ve read a lot of diet/nutrition books in the past few years.  The list of books I have read includes The 17 Day Diet, A Week in the Zone, Food Addiction – The Body Knows, and The 1,500-Calorie-A-Day-Cookbook.  And those are just the books on my Kindle.  I’ve got quite a few more that are at home or have been donated.  These are not fad diet books.  They are supposed to be instructional or at least informative on how to eat a healthy diet.  I’ve watched documentaries, read web pages, read studies, etc.  None of these actually helped me in my desire to eat healthy, lose weight and be happy with the physical part of me.

I tried Weight Watchers for years and lost and gained the same 10 pounds over and over again.  I was hungry all the time while I belittled myself for my lack of “self-control” or “will power”.   After eating whole grain foods, lean meats, low fat everything, plenty of veggies, I was feeling like crap.  I’d go into a WW meeting, get weighed, and feel like I had just spent the whole week of trying but not getting anywhere.  Of course, I gave up.  I figured that there was no point in trying if I wasn’t going to get anywhere.

Not very long ago, I watched the documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead.  This was a well produced movie of a man, Joe Cross, who was 100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease.  He was at the end of his rope and the end of his hope.  Joe went on a mission to regain his health by turning to the only option he felt he had.  He vowed to only drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for 60 days.  This extreme form of cleansing did him a world of good.  He was able to lose weight, get off of the many pills he had been required to take, and live a much healthier life.

Although I didn’t need to go to such an extreme, I did dig into information regarding juicing and the health benefits from it.  The website www.jointhereboot.com (Joe Cross is right there on the home page) has several “reboot” programs to choose from.  After my research into the benefits, I decided to try a 10-day reboot.  I bought a very nice Breville juicer, planned out my 10 days and went to the grocery store for tons of fresh, organic fruits & vegetables (which cost a fortune).  Most of what I consumed during this 10 day period was juiced but I was able to eat raw and cooked fruits and vegetables too.  That was a very long 10 days!  I was hungry and not very pleasant.  I had expected to feel wonderful.  I had expected to lose some weight.  In reality, I felt like crap and lost all of one pound.  Two weeks after all of this I ended up 4 pounds heavier than when I started!

I’m pretty stubborn and kept on reading books that I hoped would enlighten me to whatever it was I missing.  There had to be something that I was doing wrong.  Lots of people are skinny, healthy and eat much worse than I do.  So I kept on looking.  The last three books that I've read, I believe, have put all of that behind me.  The books are Dr Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, The New Atkins for a New You, and Why We Get Fat: And What to do About It.

I have to admit that the more I read these, the more I got PO’d.  For most of my life I had been told that if I just ate fewer calories, exercised more, cut out the fat, added more grains, etc, etc, etc,…I’d be lean and healthy.  According to these three books – that’s a load of crappola that we have been fed.  I’m not going to get into it here so you may just want to pick up one of these books – I really suggest Why We Get Fat: And What to do About It even if you aren’t overweight.  Many health issues (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugars,etc.) are discussed in this book.

I started following the first phase of Dr. Atkins’ approach, and cut my carbohydrate consumption way, way down to 20 grams a day.  Most people will only stay on such a low carbohydrate diet for the first two weeks.  I plan to remain on it for several weeks since I have so much damage to correct.   Naturally, since the carbs are lowered, and you don’t want too many proteins in your diet (although a good amount is needed) the amount of fats does increase; but not by a ridiculous amount.  I have found that my average caloric intake has dropped down to between 1500 and 1600 a day.  I did give up beer.  And I gave up all breads, rice, potatoes, corn, sweets, anything with sugar & flour.  But, I don’t miss any of it.  I feel alert, energized and generally healthy.  I also know that as time goes by, I will be able to add some of these foods back into my diet and continue to feel just as good as I do today.

Exercise.

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.  ~Plato

Exercise is not a must, in my opinion (and many others) for losing weight.  It is a must, though, for overall well being.  In moderate amounts, it will keep your heart and other muscles strong.  But, while on the first phase of the Atkins diet approach, exercise isn’t something that should be overdone.

I’ve been doing my walking at least a couple of times during the week.  I go out on every nice day and walk for 20 or 30 minutes.  Work has me working out of two different trailers and I’ve been doing a lot of shopping for each.  That has me out moving around and lugging cases of soda/water, etc, too.  I’ve also added a couple of yoga sessions a week to my activity.  YouTube has several 20- or 30-minute yoga classes that are easy to do at home.  I can get in 20 or 30 minutes in the evening when dinner is cooking.  I’ve signed up for a Yoga challenge on line that starts today so that will be at least 3 days a week.

Have Fun.

As long as you're having fun, that's the key.  The moment it becomes a grind, it's over.  ~Barry Gibb

This is the sweater I want to make with my merino wool

I’ve come to a standstill on my jewelry making.  Nothing has really inspired me in the past two weeks.   I’ve got a couple of things in the works but just don’t really feel like working on them.  I’m thinking that it may be beneficial to put the jewelry making tools away for a few weeks.  I’d like to bring out the sewing machine.  I’ve got some clothes to alter and plenty of fabric put aside to play with.  I could also work on my knitting.  I’m 2/3 of the way done with a sweater vest that I was working on earlier in the winter that I’d like to finish.  I’ve also got some gorgeous merino wool and a nice pattern for a sweater.  With this warmer weather we’ve had, my knitting just got put away.  It is hard to work on something for cold weather when it isn’t cold out.  I'm pretty slow at knitting though.  Maybe if I start now, I can have it done for next fall.

This is February?

Welcome.

Is this really February?  You wouldn’t know it if you went outside.  The temperatures have been phenomenal.  Bright sunny blue skies too.  I know we are really enjoying this beautiful weather in February but it makes me worried for August.  How hot is it going to get once summer gets really into the heat of it?  I’m also a little disappointed that it has been too warm for most of my winter clothes.  I bought sweaters and some awesome cute boots that I can’t wear.  It almost makes me want to crank up the air conditioner just so I can wear them.  But, since I’m not going to do that, I’ll just share a picture of my newest boots here.

Exercise.

To get in shape, I’ve decided on walking most days of the week as my first step - no pun intended (well, maybe).  I’m going outside for a 10am break each weekday.  This should help get me away from my desk for a bit.  And I will be adding a 2pm break next week.  Two 15 minute breaks during the day should be a part of my work schedule so why not use it well.  The first day was pathetically painful for being such a short walk.  My shins were killing me before I got back inside.  Slowing down a little helped keep the shins from burning so quickly.  So, that’s my February goal – 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of walking.

Eat.

February 1^st was the start of a 12-week challenge that I’ve joined.  I also joined a month-long February challenge.  The 12-week challenge is all about the Atkins Induction Phase.  The point of the challenge is to stick to the program, without straying.  The February challenge is for losing 10 pounds in the month.  If I stick with the first challenge, the second will just fall into place naturally.  Both of these challenges are on a public forum with everyone sharing their progress, meal plans, exercise routine and weight.  If that’s not motivating, I don’t know what is.

So, now I’m going to be eating low-carb and seasonally as much as possible.  This month’s best bets for vegetables and fruits are Brussels sprouts, cauliflower (love me some Cauli-mash), Jerusalem artichokes (no idea what it is yet), kale, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, cabbage, bananas, blood oranges and other citrus, passion fruit, pineapple and pomegranate.  Also included for this month are clams, haddock, halibut, mussels and oysters.  I’ll try to include many of these in my menu.  Fruits are out for me but not my family so they will be getting some of these.

Have Fun.

Sterling Silver Hair Accessories
Combs, Updo Hair Pin and Head Band

As of January 31st my Esty shop topped 400 views since I opened it on January 12th.  That made me happy.

I’m getting “favorites” on the shop and individual products.  No sales yet, but that isn’t really the point of why I make things.  It would still be nice to make some sales though.    But having no sales isn’t going to stop me from making more.  I’m working on two more pendants this week.  Both are specially purchased stones from another Etsy shop.  I’ve also designed a couple of pairs of barrettes that I intend to make within the next week or two.  I’m just waiting on the silver I’ve ordered.  In that order is some silver I picked out for another hair band as well.  I really like the first one I made and I want to try one a bit different for variety.  I think I’d like to get into making sterling silver and natural stone hair accessories.  There really aren’t many choices available in that category right now.  It could be a nice niche to slide into.

Designs By DW - Up and Running on Etsy

I've reopened my Etsy Shop and am excited to be posting some of my pictures here.  I create hand-crafted quality jewelry with natural stone and sterling silver.  This hobby lets me be creative and have some fun.  I might get a bit dirty and ruin a manicure here and there but it is worth it.  The dirt eventually washes off and my nails will grow back.

Here are a few of my latest pieces of jewelry that I've added to my shop...

Nataural stone and silvertone bracelet.  The clasp is sterling silver.

Sterling silver wire cuff bracelet.

Copper earrings with cherry quartz and pink coral.

Much more available at http://www.designsbydw.etsy.com/

Cubanos with Black Bean Soup

Roast pork for dinner on one night generally means we will be having Cubanos (Cuban Sandwiches) for dinner the next night.  I really like this sandwich and you must use good roasted pork to make it.  The sandwich consists of roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced dill pickles and grainy Dijon mustard.  I have read of others including Genoa Salami too.  Once assembled, the bread is toasted in a sandwich press similar to a Panini.

For each sandwich spread the insides of both halves of a split Kaiser Roll with grainy Dijon mustard.   Pile on the pork, ham, cheese and pickles.   Spread the outside of the bottom half of the Kaiser roll with a little softened butter and the outside of the top half of the roll (this is like making a grilled cheese sandwich).  I don’t have a Panini press so I use the iron skillet and the lid of a pan to press it into the pan.  Since I’m using this method, I wait until the bottom is grilled before I butter the top.  Once the bottom has a good browning, I butter the top, flip, press and gill the top.  Once the sandwich is good and toasted and the cheese has melted it is done.  Enjoy while still hot.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/black_bean_soup.html.

We had the sandwiches with Black Bean Soup.  I used the Eating Well’s recipe.  I changed it a little by using Chicken Stock in place of the Water called for and adding in some garlic powder and onion powder.  It is delish topped with the optional sour cream and chopped cilantro.