About life - Random

Waking up alone

2011-06-18T08:01:00.002-04:00

Is awful. The realization of emptiness hits me square in the chest and the tears just start pouring out.
Where is my fluffy puppy? Where is the little bundle of warmth on my chest?
It's gone. Stone fills the place of warmth, stone that's sits in my chest and crackles with the pain of loss. I made her go away and I put that stone in there.
Her warm brown eyes won't look up at me, she won't settle across my shoulder and under my chin, and I can't put my face on her tiny head. She won't nestle next to me and I won't see her wobble down the street looking for a potty spot. Her things are all picked up and are thrown into the spare room, a bed left out here and there (as she had so many), pieces of her hair locked in a plastic bag. Her medicines, shampoos, treats - out of sight. Herself, out of sight.
It hurts so much to wake up without her, it hurts like breaking stone with a sledgehammer on my chest.
I'm going to build her stone garden over the grave and speckle it with beautfiul flowers. I will build this and weep.
Will this ever end?

I understand that I will not have her bodily presence with me ever again. I do.
I understand that her memories I should keep, and those should keep my heart warm.
But right now that heart is trying to stay a stone, but its hardness is no protection at all, no, it's condensed pain, it's grief, and it hurts.

I miss my fluffy angel, I miss you POOH!

Dear Shastapooh

2011-06-15T10:08:00.002-04:00

Last night in the torrential rain I stood and felt your letting go. I felt you and I felt sad but energized. After I soaked myself I came inside and let the black cat in. He was happy and kept looking around and sniffing. I was sniffing too. I even had my face down on the carpet, where your dishes used to sit and where you have peed, looking for your scent. It was barely there.
Then we watched tv and I went to bed to read and fall asleep around 1030. And sleep I did, through the night, till I had to get up to pee, waking from an eventful silly dream. I didn't want to look at the clock like I used to do, in fear of knowing how early it was and realizing how tired I was, but it wasn't late at all, it was early.
I know this because when I laid back down I got that clamp down on my chest of missing you and feeling your void. I must have woken the cat who knocked something over which made me get up, let him out, and look at the clock. It was 4:53. So I slept so long and hated waking, hated the clenching feeling of emptiness, trying to make myself pick up the silly thread of my earier dream. It didn't come and I was up.
I know you just went to sleep but your warmth, that missing warmth left such cold and heaviness that it hurts, physically hurts!
I miss you my dear pet, I miss your breathing, your softness, your little moans and groans, I miss and miss all of you!
It is good to write...
I'm off to work but after I plan on working on your garden over where your tiny body lays, making a beautiful sanctuary for your memory.
Jason will help and we will make it just like you: magnetic with beauty and life.

You are in the air,
You are everywhere,
You are everywhere.

Letting Shasta go

2011-06-14T19:44:00.002-04:00

My most painful duty, my most hurtful time of writing, my most horrible life event, my letting go of Shasta.

It was the weekend and she has had a peaceful night, the one before, so I was not filled with sorrow and worry about her tiny, warm existence that has seemed to have taken on a bitter quality when fighting for respite. Relief from the tiny coughs that almost seemed dainty, had I not known they meant her heart was working in futility; relief from the urge to empty her bladder but not wanting because it was painful, doing her endless, wobbly laps in the grass, on the pavement, tripping and swaying as her hind legs gave out and she pulled her tail down tight for protection.
Protection. I could not give. Relief I could not give. Cure that was not.
Countless intervals of comforting, holding, crying, singing softly, stroking her soft hair, cuddling her tiny, fragile, warm body, listening to hopeless whimpers, wanting to make it all go away and just keep the warmth and softness of her precious being.
Then Saturday came and the cycle started again: coughs, pee urges and fruitless circles, cradling her and giving her medication after medication. I kept to this cycle and helplessly followed her every sigh and cough. I gave her anything she wanted to eat, just eat! And she did...
During the night no respite came, just more intervals, going to the backyard for a quick pee, lapping up some water and taking the heart medication so she can lay down and breathe herself to sleep. I nestled her next to me, as always, but anxiously watched and waited for the next episode. All I wanted was rest, both for her and me.
I was worn out for months now, and come Saturday I started thinking about the end. The end to the cyles, intervals, episodes, painful tries and cries, envisioning the whole process of putting her to sleep. I felt disgustingly selfish and guilty, but I still saw the relief at the end. I cried but I stopped myself because I knew I was only preparing for something she would not be part of, the chilling cold and dark her missing presence will leave with me. I stopped because I wanted to be good to her, to cuddle and love and care for her while she was here. I sang the "You are my sunshine, My only sunshine..." song to her every night, sobbing into her soft hair, feeling her little heartbeats ease and her body relax in my arms, the rhythm and resonance of my shrieking pain lulling her to sleep. I felt awful and awful and awful but was so thankful for having her in my arm, across my chest, heartbeat to heartbeat.
Sunday came and I watched, heartbroken, frustrated and angry, how she couldn't get better, couldn't get relief, couldn't stop coughing, couldn't go pee-pee, couldn't just enjoy the wind in her face as she always used to do. I set my stone heart to make the call.
I was amazed at how diplomatic and efficient I was tracking down a house call vet and leaving a message requesting euthanasia, that day, if possible! MONSTER! MONSTER I am, I thought.
Monday afternoon she needed more pain medicine and after having taken it she deflated on my chest, as I sleepily held her in place, right over my heart as always, the fan blowing on her nosey. We went to sleep. Blessed afternoon nap. Like we used to do. Her and I on the big red couch, curtains and blinds drawn, fan air whipping, fluffy cover over us, spoon in spoon.

She died on that red couch, in the opposite corner, six o'clock that evening. I went to Wendy's for a double bacon cheese burger and chicken fingers, gave her a bowl of food she inhaled with gusto, drank lots of water and had an unsuccessful pee walk attempt. I held her and held her, the vet was late. My friend was sitting outside with us, her face is full of sorrow and sympathy, the pain of helplessness and knowing. My dear boyfriend was sawing and hammering away, building her tiny box from the pinewood I bought ages ago to build floor-to-wall book shelves. Now they will be her coffin. He layed her pink baby blanket inside and placed her oval pouty bed there too. The vet showed up and Shasta got a sleepy shot with painkiller. So I got to hold her while she went to sleep, the deep unconscious sleep, the unnaturally peaceful sleep. She fell in my arms, all nine pounds of her, as I layed her on her side, ready for the shave and the killer shot.
I can't write another detail about this horrible event that left me with a sizzling stone heart: at times is spews lava sparks that stick to me like melting plastic, or crackling sharp pieces of cutting pebbles that land inside me like projectiles.
We layed her tiny box with her tiny body and her softness and warmth in a hole under the window. She is decomposing as I write. I picture her rigid little body and soft little eyes and I think: YOu MOnster!

As I picked up all her things in the house and built a little shrine on the dining table I thought I could just make up for not having her breathe on my chest anymore. She wouldn't have wanted to go. I couldn't suffer for the both of us anymore.
She is not gone, what I have buried outside is my will to fight and my capacity to sustain the hurt that her care brought. I buried a piece of myself. Shasta, however, is not gone at all. She is the most spoildest, sweetest, stubbornest, daintiest, toughest and adorable little creature I've ever had in my life. And so shall she remain to be. With me forever.

Shasta's soul is in the air,
She's bringing me the rain,
She's bringing me the rain.

More on taping injuries

2011-01-25T18:21:00.005-05:00

My experience about the KT brand is mixed, and I'm writing this to fine-tune general knowledge of the benefits and uses of taping techniques.
The KT people have done something wonderful in providing an expansive and easy to use base for everyone. However (and of course I've got a "however"), their generalization may disocunt the benefits and proper technique of taping. Here's why. Their tapes are precut and pre-split. Actual taping requires varying lenghts and unsplit sections of tapes, neither which can be found in the pretty boxes of KT.
I recommend "Accutaping" or "The perfect kinesio taping" book to further your knowledge as these are my sources for my "howevers" (and I haven't found any others). In both of these publications, one which is written by two doctors, and the other which is written by the original Japanese Kinesio taping gurus (with often funny syntax, like those instructions translated by Chinese to English), the precise causes, symptoms and methods are examined and illustrated. One thing though I haven't found in either of my sources is reference to stretching or NOT stretching the tape, which I found very useful from KT. It is clear, however, after looking at other sources (even Rock taping on youtube), that when taping serves to losen tightened msucles, tendons and ligaments and the body is in a stretched position (as in a dorsiflexed foot before applying plantar fascia taping), the tape is partially stretched (never at the end where we lay it down last)... When mobilizing an area and/or opening up range of motion, as in the shoulder or back, where the bones in the joints may be misaligned or damaged (rotator cuff, knee) the tape is often unstretched.
In closing, as with anything valuable, you must find the reason and the mechanics for using tape, learn the body (sceletal and muscular map) and identify the source of injury. This is the most important paragraph in my ramble, KNOW what and why you are doing to truly help yourself or others. I have found great results in taping but sometimes it's accompanied by trial and error because the injured person cannot, in whole, relate the symptoms, or the symptoms may overlap with many causes that warrant different methods. In all, taping will not damage, if it doesn't fix, nor will it increase your risk for anything damaging. It will speed up recovery and enable usage. lessening pain and discomfort in the meantime.
Research, learn, and get the actual Kinesio tape in a roll that you can cut! I also have KT on hand for general quick fixes but what good does it do if it's too short, or rolls up at the splits that should've been solid?
ok, I do have real work to do, so Arrivederci gente!

For muscle, tendon, ligament injuries

2011-01-25T13:24:00.002-05:00

In all my years of breaking down my body I've learned that less is more when it comes to injury treatment, unless it's an acute or debilitating injury that needs attention.
Here are my beliefs:
1. Ice is a miracle treatment, but needs to be applied right away and combined with number
2. rest
3. Kinesio taping is absolutely wonderful and if applied correctly can increase recovery and mobility and use by a LOT.
4. Invasive stuff, and here I'll include drugs too, should only be used if really necessary. Some study was released recently showing a 4 fold increase for chances of cancer for people who regularly use certain NSAIDs. Top of the list: ibuprofen. Bottom of the list: naproxen. And we haven't even gotten to the replacement options that MARKET artificial joints then 10 years later show up in TV ads for suing the manufacturer. Just like DePuy hips now. REgardless, they don't generally last more then 10 years and the people who have had them and believe to be doing fine look like zombie movie extras. I personally know of a (popular) athlete who insists on doing Ironmans and full marathons while running like he has just gone through a minefield (and scored), dragging a leg behind and tilting to one side. I also know of another one who is so old, and so slow, that his 10 mile a day runs probably take him 4 hours while everyone watches with pain. Because it looks painful. If you'd ask them they'd tell you they are doing fine, doing great! Such world-class performance (from a cripple - sorry).
Jack Lalanne would tell them to sit down.
Injections and manipulations may or may not work. Why take the chance?
Me, I just keep on running on a torn ACL, keeping my steps VERY much inline and neutral, taping and moaning. I just run less and a bit slower. No more plyometrics, lateral movements and downhill impact. Geez, 20 years from now I'll be an artifical knee candidate, but if I've rested enough in the onset period I wouldn't have this problem now.
It is perhaps the hardest part... rest.

IN the meantime, taping is much better than pills. Ice is much better then heat (unless you have a nerve issue, but 90% of the time it's not the case). Proper conditioning and rest are key to avoiding getting here.
Still, try ice and tape before reaching for anything else. No, I'm not a doctor. Or a zombie-runner minefield-shuffler.

:)

All Natural Products - semantics

2011-01-25T13:16:00.002-05:00

OOOOOOOOkay, so would you say that catpoop is natural? It's certainly not manufactured. Who would want to...?
So your all natural food may, technically, contain catpoop. If you are lucky. I've seen worse natural things than that. Maggots, for instance.
But that's enough grossness. Just realize that the word: natural: means just that. It does not mean that your food is wholesome and pure and clean and yummy. It means that the companies have found yet another marketing trick to get you buy their product: marketing is all this is. Not "goodness"!!!!

More secrets revealed, as NOT seen on Dr. Oz

2011-01-09T21:53:00.003-05:00

If "Tide" is improved with baking soda and tooth paste is improved with baking soda, then why don't we just wash and brush with baking soda?

If you must moisturize your hands while you are washing dishes you are in denile. Not in Egypt. Just not very smart... Wash, THEN moisturize. I don't need my dishes glistening with lotion.

If you can lose weight by having your stomach shrank (shrunk, shrinken, effen irregular English verbs), then wouldn't it be easier to shrink your plates and bowls or tape your hands together? Just seems less invasive...

If you are unhappy, don't think the LORD has special plans for you and it all has a reason. No, you need to make a change and change is hard. So get off your ass and stop waiting for a sign (that more ()*^&%^& is on the way - for no reason). Take charge, take responsibility and stop waiting for things to HAPPEN to you. There is no script. And no, you are not getting paid for this performance, no matter how much you suffer... geez! Heaven is closer than you think, you're just refusing to get there, keeping everyone around you in HELL (and dead people rot, I'm afraid, and why would "god" collect all the weak, pitiful, useless souls anyway? We all rot, but some of us manage to bloom before that). oopos, sidetracked.

Have a lovely evening and a brand new day! Help someone and be pleasant to and patient with others. Even if they choose to "suffer" in promise of a false paycheck...geez!

The secret fuel efficiency of the Prius

2011-01-09T21:50:00.002-05:00

Its drivers drive 10 miles UNDER the speed limit, at all times.
Annoying but true... very efficient... almost beats a bycycle - morons.

doggie dog life

2011-01-09T21:19:00.003-05:00

Well, good news: Shasta is not going blind
Bad news: she is going cognitively numb
In other words: her brain doesn't open the emails her eyes send. So she doesn't get the messages.
but it's ok, as she was also found with acute heart failure and kidney and bladder stones, all of which is under control now, and,if we are to believe her lovely vet with his dimples, she can live a long life with meds.
She only has to go on a diet with veggies and hardly any meat. Yeah, right...
But! I fixed that too... inquired a visiting dog, Cody, who inspires Shasta to eat everything in sight. In her blind state she managed to find Cody food bowls and left overs and she eats it all up. Today, I fed her 5 times. Out of the can and with raw, chopped up veggies. She would never have eaten that, was it not for her comeptition.
She figures (that's funny to picture - her figuring), so she figures that if his food is gone he'll be gone too and things will get back to normal. Actually, Cody is the one suffering because I'm so afraid of not balancing the attention well that I probably deprive him, not her. Never her.
In any case, life is good, the weather is ridiculously awesome, and the park is green with blue sky over it and lots of pee spots and cool breezes.
I love this life and everyone in it.
Peace!!!

and be nice to others - for no reason at all

losing sight

2010-10-05T21:35:00.008-04:00

My beloved doggie, Shasta, is going blind.
She's terrified and behaves oddly. Not unlike before, when jumping onto invisible curbs or missing the real ones and tripping over them, or walking down the hallway looking for me, pausing at each room entrance and missing the one in which I was sitting with my pants down...no. She's terrified of her foodbowl and is wincing and jumping back from it as if it was waving an invisible hand in her face. She doesn't eat out of her bowl, not without me sitting next to her, taking bits of food out and holding it in my palm for her to sniff, or dropping it on the ground and waiting for her to sniff around for a long time to find it and gingerly grab it off the floor with her teeth, testing it, dropping it back off, looking for it again, and...eventually, abandoning the hunt out of frustration. She will eat little pieces of buttered sourdough toast that I share off my breakfast plate, or bits of chips and cheese nips (she loves cheese nips), but it takes her a long time to acknowledge food and work up the courage to take it, and master the art of eating, again and again, each time with fear.
My ownership of this little dog may have crossed lines of animal/humna relationship, but my intuition and awareness of her "being" cannot be questioned. No, I don't need to scoop her up and hold her to my chest every chance I get, but I do. No, I don't need to rejoice every instance she produces a poopy, but I do. I don't much mind cleaning up her pee spots either. All 132 of them in fact. But I do need to recognize signs of change and distress, may they come in the most subtle way. And I do, for the most part. Aside from selfdiagnosing problems of itchiness: if it's fleas, allergies or a need for bath: I do know my puppy. And I'm scared too...
I'm scared of her faiding away and becoming less functional, maybe even depressed and unable to enjoy her otherwise beautiful life. The rides in the car have turned into shake sessions with whimpering and agitation that is unstoppable. WHat happened, I wonder? She used to just LOVE having her nose in the wind, standing on the arm rest and leaning against my arm, her seatbelt. Now our trips require Zanax (right now for her only). She's frightened.
Food just sits there and I throw out enough of it to feed two strays on the block. I don't know what to do. How do I make the spots she sees that keep popping into her eyes go away when there's nothing there? How do I make her smell her food and dip her head into her bowl with gusto? How do I make her not afraid?
I don't know. When the routine of life becomes chore-like, the FUN of life goes away. I want to help her adapt to her new condition, even if it's blindness. I can carry her, handfeed her, and make sure she doesn't have to jump or miss curbs, but would she like it? I'm gonna try, silently crying inside...
This awful property of life that balances the miracle of growth and development of a being is so painful to witness: the demolition of all. When you couldn't see, talk, walk, and fend for yourself, you may be again.
I abandoned my preplanned medical carrier due to my unsilencable compassion. I feel what I see, and I hate powerlessness. I don't accept it. If I was slowly going blind I would deal with it and have another full life in darkness. Let me go blind. Give me control, give me power, give me pain. But not like this...

I have to share these beauties

2010-04-24T19:30:00.002-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzKsNIRrV4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9PpefcBX6o&feature=PlayList&p=EB33964863A30232&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ78f1gUa5Q

be human

2010-04-16T21:32:00.002-04:00

I am not the only one...I am just overloaded with mirror neurons. And I need to slow down...
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/daniel_goleman_on_compassion.html

there's always a reason

2010-04-04T21:56:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45bQ1JuApYU

Essence

2010-03-22T22:14:00.003-04:00

I have to impress - I am a fighter
I have to succeed - I am a competitor
So I endure - I am an athlete

I fail - I am human
and I fall - I am humbled

I trust - I am cocky
I doubt - I am lonely
I love -What do I love?

Hold, sooth, caress - Imbalance me!

Where did my opinions go?

2010-02-24T13:02:00.003-05:00

I look at my website, and click on the tab for my blog. Geez...why is this even on my website? I suppose I could make a far connection to health saying that writing is good for my mental being, but how come it doesn't seem to improve?
Just kidding...I think my mental health has greately improved since I've been divorced and am in total control of my future. I just don't have the time to write in my blog, because of other priorities that cut into even my sleep time sometimes. That's no excuse, because my readership of 4, I'm sure, is hugely disappointed that I don't rant anymore. I do. You just don't hear it.
Right now though, life is sunny and the grass is green and Shassy is walking - so I am happy! My critical thoughts are still there, and I will be back to analyze some observations of mine to entertain you. Just remember: if you've arrived here through my website you may have been misdirected to expect a "health" related blog. I apologize. It is only related to MY health.

Good day, everyone!

life is like a box of chocolates

2009-12-21T22:00:00.003-05:00

Quick carbs, sweet stuff, yummie yummie yummie...

but no steak in the wrappers.

Shasta doesn't know

2009-10-25T09:59:00.004-04:00

THAT
1. Mommy cooks for her
2. She eats better than at least 75% of the world
3. She gets her teeth cleaned (I don't )
4. She gets pharmaceutical grade fish oil (she hates anyway)
5. She gets $15 shampoo and $15 conditioner bottles (I use Pantene for everything)
6. She doesn't have a job, pay taxes, do housework, or contribute in any material way; she only has to be her.
7. She comes first, the world is second
8. She really is smaller than a Dobberman and 98% of the dogs on our street.
9. The cats just want to be her friends
10. How lucky she is...

Sitting and waiting for the traffic light to turn

2009-10-25T09:50:00.002-04:00

This is a memo to those people who didn't get the one 20 years ago about the sensor strips under the asphalt and the painted white lines over them.
This means, that when you pull up to a red light, and keep inching forward 3+ yards passed the white line, you have crossed the sensory area that will NOTICE that it should turn the light, so your inching really renders you invisible and stupid. But, I know the memo didn't go out to EVERYONE, so I am sending one to you now.

Stay where you are supposed to, if you want to go. Otherwise you will stay there forever. Hm.. kewl!

Publix Apron Simple Meals-or-What can we sell tonight?

2009-10-24T10:59:00.004-04:00

Dear Consumer,

I listen to radio on my daily drives and listen to some of the ads plaid on the major stations. One of those is by Publix, and the topic of my discussion. The "simple meals" project that is found as a free standing station close to the entrance seemingly tries to help people by providing dinner choices, complete with not only the recipe, but taste testing and ingredients close by as well. So I've listened to two of these in two consecutive days, and I can't stay quiet anymore!

The first ad had something healthy as a main course (I cannot remember what exactly) accompanied by a side of bacon cheese fries, which, according to the expert, needed to be dipped in ranch dressing. I said, yeih! what a great way to add an extra 1000 calories to your DINNER! Ok, cheesy fries, whatever. Topped with bacon, now you are cancelling the effects of fish oil capsules you've been taking. AND dipped in ranch? WHY??? Are those poor potatos lacking falvor still?

No, I tell you why. To sell stuff. Now we have gone from potatoes, to potatos, cheese, bacon and ranch. Bamm! Good job.

Next day, commercial: thai something salmon (thai always means sweet!), accompanied by something that had bacon in it.

Ok, here's the downlow: know what you are ADDING to your dinner. Little things add up, especially if it begins with "bac" and ends with "on". The main directive of any corporation is to sell stuff by appealing to someone. Providing easy recipes is one thing (though how hard is it to cook a piece of fish, or make a side dish?), turning something basically good into something totally bad is another. I will paste the link for the Apron's recipe site, and ask you too look hard and find how many of them do not have added sugar or added fat (for flavor, of course, or just in case we are bored with how real food tastes). These things are fun to eat every now and then, but cannot be part of your everyday cooking!

No surprise then, that when I was asked by my evening boot campers what to eat after 8pm (when the class is over), I said "Grab a sugar cube wrapped in bacon". Why the cooking? They didn't believe me...

Anyway, to save time, try baking a big batch of chicken breast and freeze it. It can be used with packages of vegetable stir fry (just the vegetables!) or rice, or salad, or anything you can think of! It is a great source of protein, and can be eaten hot or cold, alone or with someone else:)

Another trick I do is to get a really nice, thick sirloin steak and slice it like the Chinese do, thin. A quick seasoning and pan searing does the job in 10 minutes. Then this can be frozen too, or added in tomato sauce, on a sandwich, or eaten alone, even cold. Sometimes I just slice tomatoes or fresh fruit as a side. I find that the side dishes take the longest to prepare: like couscous, bulgur wheat, quinoa - all have a 25-30 minute prep time. So I don't make those for every meal. I am lucky though, for living alone I get to eat a serving of side dish for 3 days:)

Anyway, here's the link to the Publix Experts, use it with care!
http://www.publix.com/aprons/meals/SimpleMeals.do

poetry analysis

2009-10-17T20:34:00.003-04:00

I am in a class that is sometimes funny, sometimes mind boggling and other times scary. It can also be ridiculous.

It occurred to me that analyzing poetry is like working on a conspiracy theory. If there is something to connect to something else, we will find it. What's funny is that some of it is totally lost in translation or not applicable, but hey! I found it!!! The third letter of the second word of the first verse in the fifth Canto is the same as the last letter of the fifth word in the first verse of the second Canto. And by this I mean there is a connection in my overly overworked awesome mind that long ago stopped reading poetry and started breaking code! Holy Moly! And by this I mean I need to start building a card castle.

All I am saying is that sometimes, just sometimes, poetry is meant to be read and interpreted by the reader according to her emotions, experiences and ideals, with the underlying meaning in focus, but for each reader a unique voice that delivers that meaning. It's POETRY, not code. No way a true poet would have set out and deliberately constructed references to everything under the sun, in a volume that needs three books to print. No way. I'm not buying it. But it's funny! It's almost like a deranged child's play: "Mommy, I know what "walking along" means, it means we are having chicken for dinner, because the chicken was doing the walking in the other verse, and along could mean "along with dinner". Crazy *(#!

What I really think is that people who don't have the emotional intelligence to FEEL the tone and have no musical awareness to LISTEN to the left hand playing along have to find meaningless and barbaric references to the chicken dinner. It doesn't always have to be a conspiracy. What about conspiracy by accident, does that have a name? Yeah, it's called: genius, Genius!
And by genius, I mean hit you with a wooden spoon in the head.
The end.

if you are a vegetarian

2009-10-17T18:34:00.004-04:00

You must not know how the American and international farmers alike are being exploited and governed with seed control, pesticides, production regulations and all sorts of industrially favorable rules. I recommend reading "Animal, vegetable, miracle" for a little eye opening. Nothing that is profitable and consumable is safe anymore from human exploitation. The only solution I see is a compromise by reversion to self sustained communities and local food movement, such as the "Slow Food" movement of Italy.
And if you think "organic" is safe, think again. It's just another guideline and another business. It's not really natural and pure. I don't think any of the store bought food is. Even the soil is tainted and treated. And tainted. So there...We are so far away from sustenance, we are in the era of devourment conjoined with pretences to appear normal. Or, I could've said, we are in the era of over consumption and making a business out of everything else that can hide it. Eat this and eat that, get a value for your dollar and take supplements and get surgeries to hide away the greed. I wonder how many different versions of, say, ice cream there are in the US. Or bread. Or milk. Simple items that want to cater to some specific group. Then, there is a whole other industry of keeping people "healthy". WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN ANYMORE?
By the way, I meet more and more people who are vegetarians to some degree and are,sadly, obese. So there, again. What's the solution? I dunno... Simplicity and modesty?. Eating cantaloupe that was harvested in Chile by starving farmers who are on the verge of ruin as they try to comply with and stay within government guidelines is not it. Having to harvest produce prematurely that has to be packaged and transported (using fuel, yes) while competing with mechanized farms is not it.
But! Eating off the land of neighboring farms and having to miss Chilean cantaloupe off season is a sacrifice, something that is right next to modesty and sustenance. Dying.
I do miss simplicity.

assembly of a chicken

2009-10-17T18:25:00.003-04:00

I have pondered... if I were to take body parts of a chicken from packages of chickien body parts (i.e. 2 thighs from a package of chicken thighs, breasts from a package of chicken breasts, etc) what kind of chicken would be built? The answer: a superchicken, with breasts as big as Dolly Parton's, and legs like a power lifter. The next qeustion is. From what kind of chickens do these body parts come? I suspect it goes something like this: parts from genetically engineered big breasted ones, from genetically enhanced fat legged ones, and from ones that probably don't even have a head. Unless there is a market somewhere for chicken lips.
Sad, isn't it? Exploited animals. I would just like to eat an average chicken with cup size B, and shoe size 7. One that can run without tipping on her own breasts and is actually able to lift his legs off the ground. Geez...

training styles

2009-10-11T14:48:00.004-04:00

What's the difference between Crossfit, Boot Camp, Exercise Class, Kettle Bell workout, Interval Training and so forth?
They try to appeal to someone. It's like buying shampoo. There are mandarin scented ones with a hint of peach, or cucumber melon scented ones, or unscented ones...do they really differ that much? The answer is NO. Not really. They would get your hair washed, all of them. So how does that apply to all the special types of training? Do what you like. But do it with heart and do it regularly. Not everyone likes spinning and not everyone likes dancy workout classes. Fitness levels and likes and dislikes vary.
I vote for complexity, intensity and variety. That is why I like to do boot camp, as opposed to sitting on a broom handle in a closed up room, or bouncing around to music standing in one spot. I am also not a great fan of Crossfit because it wears on the body with too much intensity and provides for no recovery. Overuse injury is likely to result, however! I do think it is a good platform to drastically increase fitness levels and help with weight loss. You choose if you are willing to submit your body to overuse to get there. Not everyone is a Navy Seal.
H.I.T.T. or high intensity interval training is also a great way to get in shape and have a good mix of tortures in your workout.
Boot camp, on the other hand, can be whatever. I like to alternate between muscle strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and fun games. You can't go wrong with it!
So, yes, I am partial to my own technique, but I am also a participant and picky about my workouts. Remember, whatever you decide to engage in, make sure someone is paying attention to you and your form, your progress and your input. Make sure you get sweaty and feel great at the end of the workout. Make sure you look forward to your workouts.
Have fun and push yourself!

Birthday

2009-10-11T11:35:00.002-04:00

I have not had the opportunity to say something to all the dear people who have remembered my birthday and extended a good wish and made my day!

I cherish these relationships and thank you all for keeping it alive!
Ex-coworkers, old friends, new friends, clients and otherwise bored people (just kidding) THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I had a wonderful time out with a few friends and remembered all the ones that couldn't be there!

I hope your special day is happy one as well, and I hope I will remember it too!

Phfew!

2009-10-11T11:10:00.003-04:00

Or however it's spelled... big sigh...
I have been away (literally) from my computer for a while, because it had a nasty virus I didn't want to catch! Now it's all better, till I start downloading music again, so I will use this opportunity to get a few words in.
First of all - Uma Thurman is a butt-ugly girl, if she's even a girl, I suspect she could be an overgrown amoeba with boobs stock on her sickly frame that closely resemble her eyes: way too large and far apart. Her delicate face reminds me of butt cheeks squeezed apart as one sits on the toilet, before secretion. Now then. Off to more important things...
Matt Lauer is gay, or else he would uncross his silly legs from a girly dainty position they are ALWAYS in. Bad sentence ending.
Fat tax...hm. tuff one. I say yes, only because it IS a legitimate and pressing cause for many ailments that could easily be solved with a bit of effort. Effort to walk, effort to shop and cook and pack food instead of quick fixes, effort to admit that it is NOT OK and NOT PRETTY, effort to not think of food as a reward and a comfort(er), effort to actually work out instead of reading a magazine on a recumbent bike. It is, nonetheless, a liability to others who DO make an effort and exercise self control. When big people look at skinny people they say "It's easy for you to be skinny", well, do you really think so???????? I have news for you, it's not! Not in this country, where portions are enough for an all day intake (which we feel compelled to consume because we paid for it), and walking is left for the vagrants and poor people, and fitness and supplements have become somewhat of a joke and just another business, whose goal is to make you feel good about yourself for very little effort.
Finally, I have a new interpretation of break lights in front of me. One light = picked up phone or hung up phone, or looked down on phone to see who's calling. Repeating break lights (for no (*^*&%&^ reason) = text messaging is in progress. Driving 20 miles under the speed limit (no longer exclusively belonging to frail old ladies or incompetent drivers who are intimidated by the act of driving) = cellphone in usage. I remember a law that declared earphone use illegal while driving under the assumption that it causes distraction from the actual traffic around. What do we call cellphones? A menace, I say! And I will admit - I am the first one to use mine while driving, because it's time used wisely, phone calls returned or made (not texting though). But seriously, I will gladly put mine away if that means no one can use theirs either. It is so ridiculous having these new roads built and having these high tech cars so we can drive with no eyes on the road and at most, 60 miles per hour speed. Something is gotta give. I hope a new law will be implemented to fix this.
Now, I've got much work to to, but plan on ranting some more soon, so don't miss it!

How to safely and effectively lose weight at any stage

2009-09-18T15:56:00.002-04:00

Eat half of what you are eating now.
That will be $100 dollars.

Leap movie

2009-09-18T15:32:00.005-04:00

I have recently been sent an invitation to view this film. I watched the trailer... you can too http://www.leapmovie.com/
Aaand...,ok. I haven't gotten over worrying about my credit score. Now they tell me it's not even real! Pfh!
Well then. I am not sure if I would call this "mind opening" or "mind clouding". Because (and this is only my simple minded argument), spiritually speaking, many REAL LIFE events have been "spiritualized" by the ancients, due to the lack of knowledge that could explain things. Spiritually, some have also believed that throwing little children to their death off the mountain will bring rain. And so on and so forth.
What I do agree with (and I haven't seen the film, only assume certain messages and meanings from it) is that much of what we VALUE is bogus and we have to almost devolve (yes, I made that word up) to take in all that is around us and truly be happy with what IS. Instead of worrying about credit scores, just cherish Earth and humanity and take care of all things living with respect. Profit is humanities downfall. His best buddy is greed. Together they will guide us into the abyss where the vast majority of us belong. No Hail Marys can nullify this fact. I am not a socialist, nor am I a worshipper. I just am. Living in my reality.
But I digress, as usual. So if you have seen the film, please comment on it and enlighten us.
Peace

food for recovery

2009-08-22T12:52:00.000-04:00

I found this useful too:
http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Post-Workout-Fuel-You-Need.htm?act=EMC-Active&Vehicle=Nutrition&Date=08_20_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=Post-Workout_Fuel_You_Need&TextName=Post-Workout_Fuel_You_Need&ArtText=Txt&Placement=3&Dy=Thu&lyrisid=20099089&dart=

runners' injuries

2009-08-22T12:50:00.002-04:00

This is a great article everyone should read!
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/6-Common-Running-Injuries-to-Avoid.htm?act=EMC-Active&Vehicle=Insider&Date=08_19_09&Edition=1&Sections=Articles&Creative=How_to_Avoid_These_6_Common_Running_Injuries&TextName=How_to_Avoid_These_6_Common_Running_Injuries&ArtText=Txt&Placement=1&Dy=Wed&lyrisid=20097013&dart=F

the truth about personal training

2009-08-21T12:24:00.004-04:00

I have made a sad discovery in my quest for "marketing" myself as a personal trainer: People -for the most part, I would say 98 percent - are not looking for training, for achieved goals, for improvements, or for value for their money; they are looking for entertainment. Why do I say this? Because that's what sells, and there is not a lot of professional training going on. I mean, they are "doing stuff", but sometimes it's painful to watch. They are mostly happy that some poof poof muscle guy with a shaved head and tight shirt is paying attention to them. Yes, I'm talking about women. I would be interested to see what percentage of trainees are male, because what can a woman (or anyone) possibly teach a guy who's been swinging his bicep curls away for years. And women want to feel better about themselves. "Yes, I have invested in myself, I am working out, and this manly man is smiling at me." Do you look different in a year's time and after thousands of dollars spent?
So how do I top that? Do I need to?

I saw an ex-bootcamper in the gym doing lateral plyometrics (jumping side to side on a Bosu), as her "personal" trainer watched over. I asked her why she quit coming to workouts. She said, because her knee can't take it. Go back to the previous sentence. What was she doing? Jumping side to side. Okaaaaaaaaaaaay. Here's the icing. She is an orthopedic surgeon.
Your honor, I rest my case.

I do not want to be a personal trainer anymore...I am not a clown or a babe-for-hire. If you want to make yourself feel better get a new haircut. I mean, $60-$100 an hour for fake compliments?

I will close this post. It makes me irritated...

email etiquette`

2009-08-21T12:02:00.003-04:00

I don't even know if I spelled the word right - etiquette. Anyway, I am not going to let it go! I will be the last dinosaur on Earth and start emails with a "Dear" or a first name, and close it with regards. Or something. Anything.
I resent getting responses on a professional level from strangers, using one line short sentences more similar to text messaging. Are we this busy? Are we really? Because to type, it takes a lot less time than finding letters on the phone, and including three more words and two extra lines CANNOT possibly take up enough time to justify its omission. Exclamation point. Twice.
Geez! I would like to be addressed when spoken to, and dismissed with even a "New York haveaniceday"
When I see movies and how they just hang up, and doesn't say enough words on the phone to convey the camera's action and facial expressions I think: how rude! Softly placing a receiver down with gazing eyes conveys absolutely nothing to the other end. Hello!!!!???Can't see ya!

I think we should be extra careful and communicative when writing. Make the extra lines, say the extra words, even if its automatic. One has to see and read them. It would be helpful if colleges focused more on actual creative writing instead of the tedious and STUPID research papers. What's that all about anyway? Gosh, don't get me started!
"Hello, young adults, this course's objective, for which you have paid )*^&^%&* dollars, is to teach you how to use google and a spell checker. No independent thoughts need be expressed. But you must site 20 references in the bibliography, and use APA style properly..." Greeeeeeeeat...just so you can sit in your high paying corporate chair and write two line emails that, when read aloud, actually sound rude and primitive.

Please, insert the niceties to strangers and business correspondence.
Thank you!

Best regards,

for palm beach residents, dogs and cats

2009-08-05T14:47:00.002-04:00

I have been searching for some place to take the kats that I am feeding outside where I could get affordable care for the little munchkins. I called VCA and they quoted $240 for one cat, with blood test and vaccinations. Only after which they would consider neutering...God knows how much THAT might cost there.
So, after many phone calls and unanswered emails I spoke with a lovely woman from Peggy Adams who referred me to this site, where I am hoping to get an appointment as I write. If anyone is acting on behalf of needy dogs or cats and is on a limited budget should check out this place - they are sooo reasonable.
http://www.paws2help.com/

good luck!

song of the week

2009-08-02T20:21:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZrao_GX4nk

what it means to be human

2009-07-12T13:10:00.003-04:00

In the core of things, before motherhood and creativity and evolution, there is the fundamental element that separates us from the animal kingdom.

It is compassion. It is selfless act. Away from survival insticts, from reproduction insticts, from nurishing and building and thinking and so forth, it is the very ability to consider others and to do something unrecognized and selfless, for no personal gain whatsoever.

Ponder this thougth for a minute then ask yourself: have you been a good human being today? This week, this year?

(Ps: not because god told you to, not because you are scared of punishment if you aren't a good human.
Although, there is one HUGE reward that makes humanitarianism not completely selfless: it's the deepest, warmest flash that starts as a tiny spark and explodes into tears that choke you up when you know you have brought some kind of relief or some measure of happiness to another human. Sometimes it's just a smile or a genuine greeting. Many many things ignite this spark. However, it does not make up for other wrong doings; there is no mathematical formula for being a selfish asshole or an abusive person, or just plain mean. There is no set number of community hours or hail mary-s that cancel out badness. Not even your 10% that goes towards annual fees at Frenchman's Reserve...wake up people!)

another example of relativity

2009-07-12T13:00:00.002-04:00

All things are easy or difficult, according to perspective. It can be "relatively" easy to run up to the top of a parking garage, but it could also be "relatively" difficult.
For those of you whose perspective dictates that it IS TOO difficult and walk away, take a look at this, and ask yourself: whose perspective would you rather have: your own, or this guy's?

Well, you can guess my answer. Garage runs are not easy, but I always get to the top....
http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_zahab_treks_to_the_south_pole.html

religion vs. science

2009-07-12T11:26:00.004-04:00

In my humble opinion religion offers fear, contradiction and division.
Science, on the other hand is "truth and beauty" (not my original words, but couldn't find more fitting ones)

So watch this and wonder! Just think... and decide for yourself:
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_bolinsky_animates_a_cell.html

doggie intelligence

2009-06-06T10:13:00.002-04:00

My dog Shaz has developed a great talent for pouting and expressing her feelings in general. I believe that dogs exhibit as much emotions as they are receiving, in other words, my pooch, who is spoiled with attention has the capacity to talk to me without words in a very expressive way.
She would lie down facing away from me, butt turned to me, but taking a glance behind her now and then. She also has a "pouty" bed that she uses when she wants to "hide away" from me, but also in a way that she is able to take glances at me through her half shot eyelids...
She sits with me, in my lap or next to me ALL OF THE TIME. She is never on the ground when I am home, except of course on her walks. So... when she comes up to me as I had just sat down, and prances away backwards as I reach for her to pick her up - well, that's an expression of "I want something from you, I am not going to sit just yet!" There are many more, as she is also capable of smiling and jumping for joy. I like to think that I have learned her language quite well and am able to interpret her body language and cater to her needs. So, basically, I am the trained one...but I don't mind at all.
When I see signs in parks saying animals are not allowed, or no dogs, I wonder who the hell we think we are when we restrict a natural life form from its habitat. The sad thing is, that I realize the actual message saying "no irresponsible animal owners are allowed", it still screws it up for the rest of us. I mean, what do they do with the animals that are there and are without people who can read the signs to them? Do they get chased or fined? Silly s*&%^!

Now... I have to find Shasta who has decided to get up from her pout position and leave me altogether. She might be peeing in the hallway - just to put an exclamation point on her request...

comments

2009-06-06T10:10:00.002-04:00

I want to thank the people who take the time and send comments on my posts. I have gotten some great info from others as well. Please continue to send your opinions and ideas my way, I love it!

comfortis

2009-06-05T09:08:00.002-04:00

In case you haven't heard, Frontline and Advantage are out! Comfortis is in! The best and newest flea treatment that is virtually impossible to overdose. Only one little interaction problem, it doesn't play nice with high doses of invermectin. Read about it here http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/200073.html

However, it does really work and it may provide the much needed relief for your little friend struggling with skin issues, restlessness, face rubbing, and general anxiety, all related to not getting relief from the ithcies.

I love the stuff!

buddy 125 genuine scooter

2009-06-05T08:37:00.006-04:00

I want to provide a few useful posts, that is the reason for these entries you see here. What I have learned from experience might help out another with the same issues. That is one of the reasons why this platform is available, to help others. And you know how I loooooove doing that!

So, about the scooter. Firstly, it's not the most inexpensive one in its class, but it's well worth the money. It's adorably cute and comfortable and powerful. Its performance and looks are second to none, however, I found these minor issues that are easily fixed:

1. Its mirrors are silver and rust like crazy. I started cleaning them with a Brillo pad and WD40, which works just fine, but it has to be done periodically and it looks bad when it's not done. Plus they come lose while riding and constantly have to be retightened, which is not very safe when you are riding and need your hands and eyes to do what they are supposed to do. Definitely no texting on motorcycles!!
So I will replace them, as soon as I find a right and a left thread! Most scooters now only use right thread, this one has one right and one left! Important detail...

2. It may, while running, start missing and actually act like it ran out of fuel and stop altogether. It started happening to me and I would pull over, wait a while and start it again. Then it would do it more frequently, to the point when it wouldn't start up again. I had it towed once and had a really great mechanic trouble shoot it for a whole day. Well, the problem is with the fuel gage and fuel valve. Since it does not have the traditional outside turn valve that most motorcycles use(d), it uses a hose that runs under the seat, that pushes fuel (by its weight) down the line. When there is not sufficient weight (amount of fuel) left in the tank, it might start skipping and act like it ran out of fuel. Then, after it had time to settle with more fuel weight, it will open again... new inventions are not always an improvement...
On top of that, with these little tanks, it's easy to really top off the fuel which in turn will stick the cheapo fuel gage to the top, which will falsely register more fuel than there is in the tank. Those gages are highly inaccurate. So, in my particular scootie, I put gas in just below half a tank shown and I have not had any problems since. So basically, I refuel more often and never let it go down to even a quarter tank. Problem solved. If I come across any more tricks I will post them on ze veb. Doggie doodledoo

VW leaky sunroof solution

2009-06-05T08:32:00.002-04:00

I have struggled for years with my leaky sunroof in fear of incurring body work and replacement part costs...well, here's the dealio: it's a typical problem quickly and inexpensively solved.
There are drains that extend down the columns of the windshield that supposed to drain the excess water out, but get clogged from time to time. They need to be blown out. One hour's work and $75 dollars later (which, by the way, my mechanic performed) I was good to go. No more yoga mats on the roof and reptile habitat under the floor board. No more left turn showers and broken overhead lights. No replacement of any kind needed. What a relief!!!

iwiw

2009-06-03T15:11:00.003-04:00

What is it? International Who Is Who. IWIW. It is a (theoretically) a great platform to reconnect with people all over the world. The problem is that it is not working half the time, the website is sluggish and a pain in a (insert body part) to navigate. I wonder if Indians has designed it, like the dell website, because it is just as asinine. Plus I have all sorts of krraaazies marking me as acquaintances, and mind you, I have forgotten half of my school mates, I know when neither a face, nor a name looks familiar. So, for now, I will take the GOOD part and stay on it, but I visit it as little as possible due to its non-userfriendliness...

watch out for the sauces!

2009-05-25T10:29:00.004-04:00

Yeap, the evil sauces. Why? Because they add stupid calories to your food.
I say, no one is perfect and living on algae is no fun, therefore, we all must choose our stupid calories wisely.
Human nature is inquisitive and indulgent, so it is OKAAAAAAAY to enjoy food, to drink alcohol socially, to taste the goodness of KFC, and to have bacon for breakfast - sometimes! You see, there are already plenty of stupid calories floating around and we all want our share. So don't let the sneaky stupid cals take up the room for the occasional stumble and poison your foods.
The sneaky sauces, such as marinades, ketchup, anything Thai, anything dipping, anything teriyaki will add flavor and calories to your foods, mostly in disguise of my favorite condiment, the corn syrup! These can be easier avoided and left off, making room for that 1/4 of decadent dessert that you might indulge in. Or that glass of wine. Or that piece of bread. In any case, avoiding sauces has worked well for me, and avoiding piling up stupidity works even better. For instance, one cannot have wine, bread, pasta and dessert in one meal. In my case, I would choose wine and pasta. Or wine and one piece of bread. Or just wine. Furthermore, the stupid calories have to be carefully accounted for - just because you only choose one item, it doesn't mean you can have a bushel of it. Or barrel, or a whole dessert. One should never consume a full order of any sweet or starchy food that is served in a restaurant.

Another human notion is gathering. We gather stuff, including wealth, food clothes, and other collectibles. It's pretty much pointless. It is greedy and has no benefit to us, it actually makes one miserable, fat, pretentious and miserable. And fat. So instead of gathering and accumulating, try having needs satisfied and sharing the surplus. Save for later, but what's not used, don't discard - give away!
I am not a socialist - I believe in individuality and having good traits and deeds rewarded. But I do not believe in building dynasties for future generations to squander, and having to buy perfumes of Tori Spelling and Paris Hilton. Why? I think if someone doesn't know how to use wealth and what to do with it, to make oneself worthy of having it in the first place, than it's a waste anyway, might as well give it away. I also do not believe in supporting useless people (I use this in its harsh sense) or providing for the ones who waste themselves and contribute nothing to this world. So where is the balance??? I really don't know. But I do know that Bill Gates is doing a lot with his fortune and that each of us have to stop gathering stupid calories and stupidity, period. Less is more, believe me!
Many of our current issues revolve around the greedy gathering characteristic of our race... just take a look at everyone's giant house that no one could afford and now being written off, accumulating more debt. Just take a look at our need to get bigger plates served at the restaurant so we can buy products and services that promise instant fixes without us expanding effort. Just take a look at having all monies on the market only to make more monies that will be invested back into the market to earn more monies - and loosing the whole stupid illusion, all at once...Just take a look at our appetite to devour everything and our need to stand out by having more (of anything; botox, guns, clothes, cars) that has no real meaning in the universe and in the course of human history anyway. If Galileo lived now and preached about how tiny Earth is and how we don't see the big picture - we might burn him on a pile of wood chips too. Consumption is the enemy, and on top of that, the sauces.

So forgive my rant (again), and stay away from the sauces. Big fixes don't happen overnight, and sauce seem to be a good first step:)
Instead of treating symptoms we should nix the cause. THAT is the only permanent fix, my friends.

everything is relative

2009-05-10T10:08:00.009-04:00

The law of relativity... how sucky my life is, compared to Bill Gates's. Or how lucky I am, having a roof over my head. It's all BS.
We are comparing apples and oranges. Instead, should look in our immediate environment and see what we can improve. Not compare, demand, expect, IMPROVE. If each of us tried to do something nice for another person, animal, plant, or oneself, and enjoy everything that is already present in one's life, than there would be a lot more happy people.

My sister in law talks to me on Skype from Hungary, while my brother is overseas, trying to make a buck to support his family. Silvia is home with two little boys, ages two and a half and one, in a one bedroom apartment. She calls her rooms, "little room" and "big room". The big room is the family/living room, also serving as the parents' bedroom. It is so, to combine usage of one area without sacrificing privacy, and due to the lack of "extra space" (I live in a "3 room" apartment) that we are so accustomed to elsewhere. The family/master bedroom is quite doable, because the parents normally are the ones to rise first and sleep last. We also have beds that have a hollow compartment underneath, so to strip and store the linens every morning and use the bed as a great big "couch" during the day, where the whole family fits and plays. I never thought much of this till I realized, sitting across from her on the video camera, how spoiled I have become. On the other hand, they are a happy, wholesome family with bright kids and a satisfied mother who is able to spend her days with her most precious possessions, and make those days into anything they want to, each time around. She also takes them to the park for 3-4 hours every day. To her, it's not work, it's not hardship, it's the best life has to offer. Did I mention that she is really really happy?

I have a huge living room, a huge bedroom and a huge "office" room, with two full baths. Why? Because I can...So it's all relative, you see.

We eat because we can, it's all around us. If we see someone walking (away from the downtown area) we assume they are "lowlife" or poor people, or drunk, or homeless, or some other person of misfortune who CANNOT drive. Because we can all drive everywhere and eat till the plate is clean. Then flip to the other side, become holistic about green living and veganism, while sporting over sized breasts of the not so holistic kind... whatsup? Go to yoga and church and pull out of the parking lot, ignoring everyone else on the road. We burn up energy to condition the air in our living and working spaces, but we do not use the sun to dry our hair and clothes. Instead, we use more energy for dryers, that heat up our living area that has to be conditioned with more energy to make it cool again. Is this not a bit wasteful???

I am no angel, I admit, I could scale down on some of my indulgent habits, like having 17 pairs of running shoes and more than 8 beds for my dog around the house.

I wonder why we are so wasteful and superficial still, knowing that others are literally starving to death, and knowing that this planet will not sustain our indulgent asses (regardless, it will cycle into its deadly changes). I wonder why (and here I will step on some toes, and get "witchy"), still we have to fear and beg a nonexistent human form, in the name of god, and go to wars, in the name of god, and believe in contra-scientific FACTS, in the name of god, who was created long long ago, BECAUSE we couldn't deal with life and explain the unexplained, and get comforted and reassured, and regard our passing life as passing, and reach for solutions that were beyond our realm of knowledge and understanding. Oh... I forgot to mention, it is also the greatest, most profitable and longest standing BUSINESS ran by the biggest hypocrats in the world (who have your little boys and girls in their laps).

And the answer to all is that we are still crawling. As a species and a life form, we are, at best, toddlers. Some of us can speak already, some are just drooling and screaming for instant gratification... sounds familiar?? Yeah... little kids, who cannot conceptualize every aspect of life, time, and the "whys". This is what I think.

So this post is merely a think-out-loud for me, not a rant, not a scolding, more of my own reasoning to explain our, my shortcomings. This way, and not because some god figure tells me, it is fathomable that we just don't know how to be better. Yet.

The comforting part is, that against the best efforts of religion to keep progress from happening, there are, have been, and always will be inquisitive minds, pioneer minds, and brave, independent thinkers, scientists and motivators who carry the spark of humanity forward (not in the form of burning women on stakes, or feeding babies to a fire pile, or blowing themselves up). So cheer to humanity, and if you are inquisitive, seek out the knowledge and keep walking... the tunnel has another end. I am sure!

In the meantime, I am trying to identify and cease my selfish habits that are programmed through society and are so meaningless, in the long run. They really are...

Does anyone know the ownership-line of ancient art, does anyone know the shoemaker of Luis the XVI? Does anyone know what brand of writing instruments Newton used? No... and who cares. It is all relative. We care about what Paris Hilton wears...but the future generations will only look to accomplishments, discoveries, reforms and improvements and other, beautiful creations. THAT is what's relative on the big scale. What we do and how we think... not the credit score and brand of clothing and cars...do you see?

My newest interest is the slowfood movement that started in Italy... check it out.

Also a last note about religion: I do not need to be "scared" into being a decent human being, nore do I need to pay my way into heaven. Or wherever. I regard my NOW life with care and concern and not wait to chill lazily on top of clouds (probably getting skinnier as I eat more and more), laughing at others, who are burning in hell (must have missed a payment, or got bad credit rating). I do not judge anyone's belief, only if it's an extremest kind (an extremist of any kind is unhealthy, even a workout freak). I do not argue sicentific proof. Seriously...
I do what I can NOW to improve something. And it doesn't always take money.

the year in review

2009-05-01T21:00:00.004-04:00

Ph! What a trying first 4 months these were!!

I have made it... And I sense a change in the winds for the upcoming months. I will take the summer to reevaluate and rediscover life, slowly and sweetly. In retrospect, the year has had nothing but trials for me so far but I really feel I can breath easily and I really feel I have accomplished a lot without losing focus.
Focus on what, you ask. Focus on not focusing on unimportant things. And what would those be, you ask. Pretty much everything we "think" is so important.
Just to keep it brief, I'll give you a quick rundown.
Important: love, respect for life, respect for self, positive outlook, help and consideration for others, being able to live with all your decisions, moving forward, finding solitude, all things beautiful (colors, sounds, living things, literature)

Unimportant: money, things you own, credit or the lack of (credit rating??? arbitraty...), things you collect, clothes, cars, how many places ahead you get between traffic lights, who made your shoes, etc.

But, that is not the title of my post, so I shall post something that accounts for my hardship for the past four months. Those were, in order:
a (short) notice to move due to short sale
a notice to ship out to Afghanistan with the Army
a knee injury
a move (and midterm)
dog got INFESTED with flees (in a house we looked at as potential residence) car died (and got half-assed fixed for a lot of money)
latissimus injury (and finals, with the last week of school missed because I couldn't drive, couldn't sleep, and didn't eat because I had PAINKILLERS in my tummy!!)

BUT! I have also had some heartwarming heat flashes of being overwhelmed by emotions due to some of the following.

Having talked to my nephews and my brother via Skype video;
Having talked to my Hungarian ex, with whom I came here and actually being able to be friends
Having seen my teen idol band's lead singer LIVE in concert in my Klub, 3 feet away from me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Having talked to another ex who was very dear to me but almost cost me my life (and his as well), and knowing that he is doing OK.
Sitting through Rigoletto (and "hearing"my father singing those arias when I was little)
Reuniting with a dear dear classmate from Hungary from (I don't' know) xyz Conhead years ago
Attending an appreciation lunch at the center where I volunteer

and these are just a few... I sometimes tear up watching a puppet show on the street (childhood memories??) or seeing a woman feeding her baby ice cream (lost love, lost life(s)), and all sorts of other, hormonal and emotional outbursts.

Now I feel like I have grown up 20 years worth in 4 months. Probably because I am fighting alone and I appreciate more of the everyday pleasures and little wonders around me. I love my plants in my apartment, love to watch them grow. I gather the lost lizards and bugs and dragon flies and carry them outside my door. I marvel at the breeze that comes off the water as I am sitting in the park with my precious puppy in my lap. I inhale the sweetness of the blooming gardenias on my long runs. I speed down the freeway to turn my last paper in as the wind whips through my open windows and sunroof in the cool spring afternoon. I watch the sunrise and feel a rush of gratitude flood over me to have another day in which I can fight and save my critters and watch the skies and breath the breeze and taste the scent of flowers and feel Shasta's heartbeat as she lay in my lap...
life is good... for me, and for us... and even for the Hottentots who sleep with their heads propped up on one arm,on the ground so the bugs don't crawl in their ears. We are all alive...THAT alone is precious... don't squander it.

Good night Palm Beach!

please consider

2009-04-17T11:53:00.002-04:00

Dear friends,
I know you are all good people who care about their environment and do some good for others and the community, but I am sure you could do some more by sending some help to one of the animal saving entities that care for abandoned and abused pets. Their lives are the most heartbreaking because they are without a voice, and I admit, that I do not have the stomach to actually work with or keep an animal with such a sad disposition... I just don't. But I do know that I have a few bucs every month that I don't even miss, and is being deposited for ASPCA to help fund this care for these voiceless creatures.
I am a pet owner and a compassionate person, I cannot even say much more about this because it is so simple, please give a small monthly contribution to one of these agencies and you'll have done a wonderful deed!

PLEEEEEEEEASE!

http://www.hsus.org/humane_living/memorial_and_planned_gifts/other_ways_give.html
http://www.aspca.org/
http://www.hspb.org/Page.aspx?pid=192

a trainer's diet

2009-04-11T16:29:00.003-04:00

Well, the lack of, anyway... the night before I had for dinner, two cups of roasted, salted and pepperred pistachios with two glasses of vino. For breakfast, the following day, I had some dim sum and a piece of the Killer Chocolate cake from Toojays.

Life is good...

pfewh!

2009-04-04T21:20:00.003-04:00

or however sigh is spelled... with a relief...

I have been away too long... with reasons. However, today I saw a bus, and on its side there was an advert with the following: "Wellington Regional ER doctors. Board Certified" with a big medical cross and other things promoting the hospitals ER. Hmmm. What is the purpose of this advert??? I wondered... is it to let people know that their doctors are board certified?? Well, I should hope so... big news there. Or is it to tell people, hey! If you end up in an emergency situation, please request Wellington Regional for ER treatment because we are the best! Do people generally have a choice in that, anyway?? Maybe if one chops one's foot off with a weed whacker (Annette..heehee) and decided to take it for sewing to the, hm... furthest emergency room, that would be Wellington Regional. Or maybe if one is trampled by a polo horse one could request a Wellington Regional board certified ER doctor at the Wellington Regional ER. Whatever. I don't get it...

another issue... I had problems with some of my students who seem to pay no attention to my instructions, constantly being in the state of confusion and not knowing what I just said and emailed what is it that they are supposed to be doing... is it a coincidence that they are the ones with OTHER discipline issues, like weight control and cutting corners while doing drills and cutting the running loops short??? Is it a coincidence??? eeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrgh!! Makes me so mad... because they make it seem like I HAVEN'T done my job and I HAVEN'T given clear instructions and I HAVEN'T made sure they got the message... whatever. I guess I am just having a hard time thinking I will fail these people because I cannot save the unwilling. I have to let it go... progress will come slowly and I have to be patient and firm - I think.

On another note... there is a girl at one of the gyms who seems so perfect and pretty and well coordinatedly dressed... she wears tight little shorts and low cut little tops with her perfectly matched chest jewels and flat tummy. She is pretty much not eating, I am sure. Living on green stuff and self reflexion in her mirror. She is quite pretty, as a glass doll - transparent and rigid... I will not envy her because it must be boring being locked into that self admiring existence. Even if her tummy is nice and flat...

One more...
two gypsies are sitting around about to take the last two shots of their bottle. One glass is more full then the other, and when the first buddy takes his glass he picks up the fuller one and chugs it... the other looks at him in disbelief and says "you know what, that was wrong!" "why?" says the first one? "what did I do?" "you took the full one, I would've taken the lesser one!" "then you got what you wanted, why aren't' you happy?"

It's the principle, people, just the principle
and perception...

it has been a while

2009-02-23T14:32:00.004-05:00

WOW!!

I keep thinking about things I want to post or talk about and before I know it a month has gone by... wow!!

I had not much good news and plenty of stress so I didn't want to project all that negativity by venting on my blog... we get enough negativity from the news and from uncaring and selfish people anyway.

I did have a rather large wave close up overhead and take my breath away for a moment, but I was determined to stick my head out again and fill my lungs with air... so I am doing that now. You have no clue what I am talking about.

Well, the army decided to call me back to active duty and I am gathering documents right now to ask for an exemption, given that my contract is going to expire this October anyway and I am in the middle of a language degree at an advanced level that I shouldn't interrupt. Unless of course I will be stationed in Rome... fat chance for that, fat AMERICAN chance for that one!!

Then, as my landlord advised me to look for a place to live unless I want to wait for the bank to padlock the place, my searched seemed to be so fruitful and lucky when I found a house two doors down the street. Only to discover that it was infested with fleas which my poor little girl has carried home on her back and infested our house as well... she is still recovering from the vicious flea invasion....

On top of that this week I have to work on three exams, one written assignment and a draft of my term paper, along with a regional report and oral presentation for later... hmmm...

And I am supposed to ALWAYS keep my business up front because that is how I survive... which is time consuming as well.

So, prioritize, Violet, prioritize!

A friend of mine pointed out to me (as I was feeling sorry for myself, wondering why my life is written my a talk show producer) it is always like this with me, things are never at idle speed and if so, not for long... there are things and emergencies and overdue projects and pressing career issues all of the time,l but they somehow get done one by one and with great results. So it seems that it's life as usual and I just haven't gotten used to it...

Life is good and it is exceptionally beautiful here in Florida, have a great week y'all!!

to attain balance

2009-01-31T20:25:00.003-05:00

Many people (especially the older generation) are concerned with balance and want to train using the fancy shmancy unstable surface doohickies, like air disks, Bosu, balance board and stability ball. That's all fancy, but it will not get you better at balance.

Not significantly. It has its place and it's a good "break up" of the old routine, but frankly, nothing replaces the good old strenght training, body weight exercises and sprinting.

Here is why. BALANCE IS A BIPRODUCT OF STRENGHT. It does not exist separately and cannot be isolated as a training goal. It can be improved with the fancy shmancy doohickies, but it cannot be established standing on one foot all day.

Core strenght is key as well. What I would start to establish balance is train the legs and core. Do multiplane compound exercises. (What is that?) Such as walking lunges... ok, that's not doable for everyone. Than start with squats against the wall with a stability ball. Try adding isometric exercises. Like sitting against the wall for a minute at a time. Then add weight to that. Leg presses are good too. And just squats, squats and more squats. Dead lifts or hip bridges from the floor are great hamstring trainers. Then progress to jump squats, or wall balls...bla bla bla...

But, standing on a surfing board and wobbling like a fool for 10 minutes will build nothing.
Should do box jumps and jumps up on the bosu. Should do medicine ball tosses standing on a disk or sitting on a balance ball on your knees. Etc.

I never train for balance. But I can still sit on my heels on a balance ball or stand on a disk on one foot till the cows come home. How is that? I have a strong core and sufficient leg strenght, is how. I believe. So get out there and move some weight around or start doing 100s of air squats.

Drink water and chew slower:)

the human animal

2009-01-25T17:47:00.003-05:00

We are little removed from our animal state... little, just barely human, mostly cocky monkey state.

For individuals to think that they are superior and unique as a life form, to use the word "prestigious", to be a collector of pricey somethings and accumulate wealth and have insane expenses just to LIVE while everywhere there are people in distress, people without hope, people in need, people who are the same animals as their prestigious rulers and have only one life like everyone else, but are burdened by suffering and hopelessness that could be easily relieved with a fraction of this wealth.... yes, I believe we are animals... superficial and petty predators that will eventually devour this beautiful world around them and kill off their own species...

Our vision is so narrow and our awareness so dim. We ALL have surpluses... if some of that real human suffering was in our neighborhood we would pitch in and do something about it. We can honeymoon in Paris and see the grand sites of the world but are so removed from poverty and pain - and what's not seen is not known to us. We take our fat comfort for granted and want more - the newest Iphones, the biggest freakin' TV sets, the biggest Hummers - where does it end? Why the greed? Why is it so hard to give? To share? To care? Why do we define human worth with status and wealth, instead of compassion and achievement?

Yes, you might say that only a non-aristocrat can talk like me... well, I don't know that if I was one I wouldn't hate my kind. It is just so shallow to be materialistic and not see THE WORLD as it is, as a whole, with all us human animals in it, and try to make it better, ESPECIALLY here, where we have so much surplus and so much power with so little concern and understanding for others... yeah, keep Christ in Christmas... where do you think He went???

We have to save instead of creating debts, we have to give instead of asking for bail outs. We have to see how LITTLE we can consume and how much we can give away and create. Everyone has the power to do some good. Every one of us... At least be patient and appreciative. That's a start... it's a good start...

what makes a good trainer? Part 9867756

2009-01-22T21:04:00.002-05:00

Competence, patience, poise and character.

1. She must know the principals, I mean really know stuff!

2. She must have patience with clients and gym owners.

3. She must be a diplomat and a princess. (huh?)

4. She must carry herself accordingly and not deviate. She must be a role model and a professional.

5. And there is more, much more... it's not about how many outfits one has, or how many silly toys one throws in front of the client... it's not always about results either, in a fitness sense.

I will say more about this when I can keep my eyes open long enough to type a whole sentence...
good night y'all!

the few and the good

2009-01-22T20:31:00.004-05:00

Because it's so much easier to criticize and because I also like my sarcasm and like to b... about things, for a change I thought I'd document some simple acts of kindness that, in their simplicity, left me almost in tears.

1. One of my clients whom I see at the crack of dawn twice a week at her house had given me extra $20 a week ago. So this week, on our first appointment I told her to pay me less or tell me why she overpaid me: was I supposed to pick up something for her? To which she replied "Oh no, that's your fee; it's a new year and you come from far away - have a long drive, so I'm giving you more" Just like that... what do you say to something like that...?

2. Last week Thursday I left my newly bought drink bottle, in which I carry my liquid protein dinner, sitting on the floor. I returned a week later today, and found it hanging on an unused back door handle... so I left a note thanking the person who saved it for me....because it really made my day!

But there are other things that people do, as they go out of their way, or do something unsolicited, just as an act of kindness and being considerate and respectful. Not everyone is rotten, only the ones that drive the speed limit. Which brings up another topic I've been dying to write: What would I do if I were a traffic police?

Here's is a sample traffic check, conducted by officer Mess (haha):

"Good evening Sir, how are you this evening?

"I am fine. Could you tell me why I am being pulled over?"

"Sure...I need to look inside your trunk and ask you a few questions or you can tell me why you are driving the speed limit... Are you high?

"no...?(**^#??"

"Are you transporting drugs?"

"no, Ma'am"

"are you drunk or illegal or have a warrant out for your arrest?"

"no!!"

"is this car stolen?"

"but, NO!"

"can you see alright?"

"yes!"

"do you know where the gas pedal is?"

"yes, of course!"

"is there a medical problem that's keeping you from depressing it?"

"....no..."

"then get going, Sir, you are being tailgated by 7 cars, press that pedal and get a move on - speed limits are set to filter people who have something to hide or are incompetent to drive...and you should look in your rear view mirror and see the sea of headlights that are inches away from you a...., good day, Sir, don't let me crawl up on you like this again!"

Well, a little exaggeration... but you get the point... hang up the )*(^&*%$ phone, and drive...talk to Tom (Tom) and drive that 80+ thousand dollar "driving machine" you use to float your overweight, oblivious, complacent butt and don't even know how to park...

thank you:)

more on crazy Richard Simmons

2009-01-19T18:27:00.002-05:00

Actually, I say "crazy" endearingly, because I happen to like the guy. Here's what he says about how to control weight, the first thing that is wrong in our society - portions! Agreed...
Dominos now has a "bonus" with your stuffed pizza order: frosted chocolate squares for dessert!

anyway... Richard also says that the other thing we have to fix quickly is the lack of PE in schools. Kids don't exercise. He is so right...

I would add another really bad and easily fixable thing: take desserts out of cafeterias. It is not part of the meal!!!!!!Serve it to those who earn it in PE class. And only on occasion. Like once a week. Take desserts out of all government cafeterias and hospitals and even the army. You can buy it outside, separately, or order Dominos or Papa Johns or whoever wants to fatten you up this week.

anyway... I say: Go Richard Simmons!!! At least people listen to him and he's not using it to sell products or sell himself; he wants people to care about themselves and change bad lifestyles and get healthier. He is a good motivator and he doesn't try to bottle bulls... So I say: Go Richard!!!

Jillian Michaels

2009-01-19T08:35:00.006-05:00

I saw her on the VIEW on TV where she was demonstrating exercises to the two VERY overweigth subjects and I thought, GREAT, she is showing off and forgetting about her subjects... These obese women had to do one arm DB rows while balancing in a push up position. Then they had to stand on an upside down Bosu... Then they had to perform walking lunges with a twist... why not send them mountain climbing???

Nice... just an observation...She's crazy...they could've gotten seriously hurt on national tv. But she looked good...

the birds are here

2009-01-19T08:30:00.006-05:00

I have recently put up a bird feeder and was getting concerned about the birds GPS and thought maybe I should also put out signs in the treetops saying: All you can eat birddin-din, 24-7, no cover!

But they came..a couple of Cardinals, pretty red birds, boy and girl. Now they are getting so chubby I'm afraid I'll have to put up a birdcalator or birdmill or hire a little chirpy Richard Simmons-bird to take them on a cruise so they can get back into their birdipants again...

But I love seeing and hearing them... I hope they will settle in a big tree and have little Cardinals. We'll see...Fortunately, Shaz is oblivious to them and hasn't started barking them away...so far so good...I love animals... they don't crack their knuckles:):):):)

2009-01-19T08:29:00.003-05:00

2009-01-19T08:29:00.001-05:00

not for polls

2009-01-18T21:37:00.004-05:00

I have to express some of my dislikes of some of the "Americanisms" in general. Starting with knuckle cracking... what the )(&&)(?? It is quite disgusting and annoying, especially while one is trying to remember words in a foreign language on a foreign language test... STOP!!!!
Then there is ice chewing. Again, what's that all about? Though it's not annoying, it's just retarted. Annoying would be clearing one's sinuses by sucking snot down one's throat with a snorting sound. Not good...might as well go out and hang the sack of nuts (not wall-) on your trailer hitch...

but, you know what? It all doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things, what matters is how we treat each other. So if you don't' want me to loath you, refrain from doing these above mentioned things, including the trailer hitch ornament.

I am only kidding, this is a little sarcasm. Which might be annoying to somebody else...but, I am nice to everyone, in general so I can be sarcastic on a Sunday night.

Be well, and invest in yourself: hire a trainer!

stuff

2009-01-18T21:29:00.003-05:00

Product review:

Headphones: Sennheiser moisture resistant ear buds. Awesome sound, awesome accessories make awesome fit and they are also very affordable on Amazon.

My freakin' windshield wipers that I wrote about last summer - still going! I forgot their names, something like ANCO? Made in Mexico and not inexpensive. Forty box for the pair, but they still work fine after having my car sit in the sun for 8 months.

Best investment of 2008: Publix apple corer: $3.99!! I am not kidding, it is simply marvelous, works like a charm to produce perfect 8 little apple wedges ready to eat or pack and take with you. I gave them out as Xmas presents...heehee

Basta!

news bits

2009-01-11T14:57:00.004-05:00

Germ control...

Riveting news revealed last week that we are all doomed when it comes to germs and are exposed to a plethora of viruses in (guess!...no, think hard!!!) public places. Such as gyms, guard rails, supermarket shopping cart handles, airports and doctors' offices. They actually left out your own car, which I think carries germ colonies as well.
But fear not, Howie Mandels, because I have two simple cures for this. Perhaps three. 1. Keep your hands away from your face at all times. 2. Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water (no need for antibacterial stuff, any soap will do) but make sure your hand washing takes long enough (just as your teeth brushing should). and 3. Keep a strong immune system. This is the hardest one because it's a complex task. It needs good nutrition, supplements and healthy mind and body. Big task! But, keep up with the first two and you will greatly reduce your germ exposure. End of story.

In other news, it is revealed that running is actually good for you. Who wudda thunk... If you can walk, you can probably jog and then nothing should keep you from running a bit. Don't have to start with a Marathon. 100 yards will do, one after another. It does not break the body down and it does not cause heart attacks. But if 10 people drop dead with a coronary, and nine of them are obese and one of them is a runner, we will hear about the runner. Runners are not invincible, but will live longer due to a stronger cardiovascular system that functions on a more efficient level. The end.

christmas

2008-12-28T21:15:00.003-05:00

Well, another has come and gone...
this year it was special...
no snow, no tree, no family around me, BUT! I had a wonderful Christmas experience.
I had clients who had shown extreme generosity and (I'd like to think) expressed their deep appreciation of me which made me feel on top of the world. I also had the opportunity to bring a little smile to the people I care most about. In addition, Shasta had passed her blood test with flying colors and got excellent report about her health and organ functions. Plus, I again reconnected with friends whom I had long lost and whom I cherish still today. This all came after my semester closing of four A's, which put me on the honor's list at FAU. Whoohoooooo!
I feel great and love my life today. I look forward to the sunrise tomorrow and running into the sunset in the evening. In between, I will soak up my puppy's undying love and affection and the fulfillment of my "work".
I tell you, this IS my bucket list. I am living it, every day. For if I die tomorrow, I will not think of why I haven't learned to fly a helicopter or had gone hang gliding, but I will think of the many sunsets over the water and the slow walks with Shasta, my clients beaming face in exhaustion, my medals hanging on the wall, the feel of a hot shower after a bone breaking long run, and the taste of a good wine (Barefoot Shiraz, $5.99 at Publix) on my cushy red couch. I will not think of places I haven't seen and books I haven't read, love I didn't make and children I didn't raise. I will think of the many special people in my life, my triumphs and my contributions, and who I am as a whole, good and bad, strong and beautiful. This is my bucket list...
But, I am not ready to check out, because my personality dictates that I will look for improvements and challenges to come. This is my strenght and my downfall. This makes me better with age, but restless in everyday life. I cannot keep an intimate relationship because I dread the usual and will always look for something better. I am stuck in eternal dissatisfaction IF I stick with a mate. So there. My bucket list ends with someone as unsettled as I. someone I can love for his craziness and personal quest to find balance that doesn't exist. Hm.. can't win every battle, but I will love the fight and embrace the war.

Peace to all, and love who you are (no matter what your psychiatrist tells you...)

What? Did I title this Christmas? Oh well...Christ is in here somewhere...

news stuff

2008-12-17T12:39:00.002-05:00

Well, I actually had a quiet period when I didn't have to vent about anything or anyone... But just check the news now... mother murders adorable angleface girl, because she was hindering her social life. Selfish little b... make her volunteer for the rest of life, cleaning up kennels at the pet adoption center.
Then there is doubleyou. George, that is... with shoes flying at him... and stand up Americans saying how disrespectful it was for that Iraqi to throw them. Well, my friends, here is a slice of reality from an eye witness: we have destroyed that country... The town where I used to be stationed and was pretty big and lively with its markets and universities exists no more. Children are running around in the rubbles shoeless, begging for food (the ones that are not trying to throw handgranades inside the Humvees). School?? What's that? How can they even think about that? Half of them are bombed out anyway. So life, as it used to be, has changed dramatically. But we don't' know that because it's not on the news. We don't have to live in bombed out buildings in the cold and dark (they have to ration power too), fighting for food. So a shoe in the face from a frustrated father is quite appropriate.. I think I would've thrown at least a rotten egg at the greedy idiot. That's just my opinion...

And for the financial meltdown of another greedy bastard: cliches say it all sometimes: if it's too good to be true, chances are, it is not true. So 'don't put your eggs in one basket', but that doesn't excuse the behavior of one selfish ass who gambled away people's hard work (and inheritance). No fix here...

By the way, watch out for the latest trick in stores! accidentally leaving bags full of merchandise at the register!!! Since I usually multitask and try to stay distracted so I don't start hating the people in the stores acting rude and inconsiderate, I sometimes don't pay attention (imagine that..) to what I am walking out with. It happened to me twice in one day. The clerk just doesn't hand me my stuff and I have to go back to pick up what I had already paid for. Make sure to check and have everything becasue if one out of every ten people doesn't care about a lost grocery or shopping bag or is not able to travel back, they have made some extra bux with your money. And it's annoying to have to drive back... I did it three times last week... I am going to fix this.

and, Christians everywhere: we cannot take Christ out of Christmas because it's spelled like that so chillllllll!!!!!

aspirations

2008-11-30T08:19:00.003-05:00

this really should be comment of the week.

I read in Shape magazine (after watching the interview on the Today Show) from Faith Hill that to avoid getting bored and for the best workout to stay toned she does Pilates... really? I thought helo-skiing would be more appropriate. This blows my mind every time. Pilates??? How do you elongate 15lbs of fat? Or does it just get airbrushed off ya? And for someone like Faith Hill (who should have access to ANY kind of workout she can think of) to say that the ultimate challenge and variety comes from Pilates...???? Really? ah, that's how she thinks Tim Mcgraw is hot.. like Pilates.
Without being judgmental, it's fine for everyone to choose their best interest, the only problem I have is with a star like Faith to put the wrong idea in little people's heads. She probably has a very good nutritionist, maybe even a personal chef, and other fitness and health professionals advising her and keeping her in shape. Three one hour classes a week won't do it. So let's be honest! Pilates is a great extra, however, it is not a solution for any of your fitness dilemmas. Except maybe for core strenghtening. But you can only do that if you are not 30 lbs overweight and are able to hold yourself up in any position. There has to be a base built even for Pilates.
So, if Pilates is *(^*&%&^, Faith, you need to get out more.

I was also asked recently why I don't teach Pilates (having Mat Pilates Instructor cert.). To which I responded with "It's not my speed". I don't love it and it bores me to tears. Up, two, three, four, and down, two, three, and four. Inhale, inhale, three, four, and exhale, two, three and four.

Yeaaaaah...

Back to one of my core beliefs: life is not rolling on pulleys and you're not always strapped in. Train to live better, to stay stronger, chances are, your body will not be airbrushed for a magazine cover...don't believe the crap you read!

peace within

2008-11-29T20:22:00.002-05:00

hmm.. more private matters - shared in cyberspace (and with my three readers).

I am fighting my eternal dilemma of finding peace without self loathing, without prejudice, without doubts and without any other questions to myself. Yes, peace within.

That's a BIG WORD. Because, for me, there is always a counter word. always. If I am happy, I will wonder if it's real, how long it will last, and I can not relax and have peace, because there is always something. Something else. If I am confident, something will come along and take it all from me. Something, (usually) that I let into my life KNOWING that it will derail me. Oh, you say, is that the definition of selfdestruction? perhaps. And that worries me too. Yet, I cannot seem to stop doing it. I don't want to be perfect. I don't, at all. for several reasons. One is, that I know without inflation, that I can be top notch good- being half assed... second is, because I get bored easily, and being ALL GOOD takes all your focus and determination and energy, leaving nothing for actual self expression. I don't want to loose myself in the process. Take me with my imperfections, my human downfalls, AND my talents and compassion.

Sometimes I feel that I have something extra, that is what makes me unique, and strong, and there are times I feel I have something missing, and that is what makes me feel, well, the opposite - and weak. Weak is the worst. Weak cannot get out of any holes, weak will wither away... I am not weak, just lost. Sometimes. But for most of the other times, I am able to improvise and pull off a pretty good performance. Pretty darn good. Though I am not bragging and I am not proud of it, it's almost like I am laughing to myself a little bit, like when tricking my father into thinking what a hard worker I was when not even doing homework, because I am coasting on my natural abilities. Being fortunate for having some, and being doomed with my EQ, that has a range of INSANE to HALF DEAD. What am I to do???

I am not sure. But more and more I think that I have to tone it down. Both ways. I will not be the great savior of the human race, nor will I be the destruction of myself. Somewhere in between I shall find the golden median, where I can help some people and make myself happy without pretence. Without pretence. With eternal peace... No, I will not find Jesus, he's not lost. I have to find myself. What? You say 40 years should've been enough? oh yeah? By whose standards?? Who's setting the rules?? Bow down to society? I don't think so. If nothing else, I will try to be true to myself and will not give up this search till I stumble upon what I am looking for. Even if I am 80. At least I will have been true to one thing: my search.

Compromise is death. Conform to society, family, husband, career, 2.43 children, 401K.
Are you happy?? Are you in PEACE?

Few of us are. Don't' give up search. Don't be afraid. It's hard and it's lonely and it's difficult to keep going. But one thing you cannot expect from anyone else is to bring it to you.

Maybe the peace within is accepting eternal imbalance... could I be so lucky?

Holidays

2008-11-24T18:52:00.003-05:00

Dear readers and everyone I know,

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

my roots and my profession

2008-11-17T16:29:00.002-05:00

I recently received a comment (and I was very happy that I did) about my previous post that talks about my roots and Hungarian bad foods. This anonymous person wrote to me to defend Hungarian foods, saying that there are NO bad foods only lazy lifestyle. Which is sort of true. However, in case this tiny fact escaped the writer's attention, I claim to be a fitness guru and know a little about nutrition. Know enough that cooking with LARD is not going to make you any good foods. Putting it on bread either. Frying dough and sifting powdered sugar on it won't do it too. Eating lots of fats, trans and saturated, is NOT GOOD. Neither here nor there. I grew up in Hungary (in case that wasn't implied enough) and I didn't grow up eating fish and vegetables. I grew up eating floury stuff, fatty things, processed meat (such as salami, pate', sausages and other cold cuts), and breads. I also say that we ate other vegetables that are not common to eat here and are very very good for you, like beets, radish and cabbage. We also ate lots of fruit. But the staple "thing" that gave flavour to our main meals, usually, was FAT. If you think that is GOOD for you than you may blame this country for getting fat yourself, I suppose. Yes, we also walked everywhere and carried our groceries home in bags all the way from the supermarket. We walked to school. We walked to work.

The fact remains, fats are bad and too many carbs are bad as well. BUT, that also doesn't mean that are no fit Hungarians... did I say that???? I'm one too.
It is also OK to eat BAD FOODS in measure, and that's not a bucket, if you know what I mean. So live a happy full life eating what you like but not too much of it, and do some extra work because our lifestyle does not allow for enough mobility anymore (here). I hope that cleared up some of the 'bad air' and no one got offended. I just don't like the blaming game where we say, "oh, it's not the foods we eat that are bad or badly chosen, it's the lazy American lifestyle". Well, no, you are wrong. It's both.

Mangia!

nuttin in pa'ticular

2008-11-16T20:25:00.002-05:00

nothing to report, anyway. or nothing blog rated.. heehee
sorry guys, I too, have to maintain my politician's profile in zee public eye, since I put myself out there. So, what's new? Cold weather in Florida, an Achilles injury, papers due in school, the world's greatest pork roast and Shasta's new best friend. Ok, that's pushing it.

I had a very eventful and emotional week and I hope the next will be just as intense - I live for drama! I am my own soap opera. Aren't we all, though?

Christmas is approaching which means more self reflection and more emotions. More wine too. But I've got a plan to derail this train and will promptly escape from it by travel and other activities. Sex would be a good one. Just imagine, if I was a qualified therapist I would so tell everyone to have more sex and relieve stress and derail negative thoughts by focusing on the highest attainable pleasure for self and immersion into the scent of someone else. Sounds good, doesn't it? In the case of lack of partner, wine always works. heehee. We'll stop there for now.

I most say that training, clients and friends and my puppy, along with wholesome cooking and good wines are the essence of life (in the absence of family, in my case), and I am happy with all of the above. If I only didn't have homework... but then I would not be writing to pass the time I would otherwise have to spend writing (a stinking paper). So when I have walked the dog and cleaned the house, have folded all laundry and baked for hours, what else is there to do but write? It's a good outlet and a good way to realize how great it is to exercise because sitting here is giving me all sorts of pains.

I will come back with more nonsense as soon as my fingers uncramp.

happy aioli!

why I live in this country

2008-11-11T20:23:00.003-05:00

Tonight, after talking to my family via Skype in Hungary and cooking a couple of awesome steaks (and leaving them uneaten) I left my backdoor open for doggie-pooh so I could go out for my night training along the intracoastal. As I was running with my Garmin GPS giving me distance and rest time (I was doing mile repeats) I thought about how lucky I was. Not because rain was soaking my tank top and weighing it against my body and not because I was running against 15 mile an hour winds, just because I could do all this! I could cook my steak, use my gadgets, leave my house door open and run along one of the most beautiful sites of the world. Then come home, eat my steak, walk my dog and drink my imported Italian wine. It is these everyday comforts and freedom that are so elementary and make life here so wroth while.

Everything is relative. If in another country, everyday comforts and little perks will mean something totally different. Sometimes that's good. I can also love a little Tuscan country home with its old fashioned plumbing, wholesome foods and bicycles. I could live without the gadgets and technology (and maybe whithout steak) because then other things would be pleasurable. Lot of different things are, in fact, it all depends on where you be (bad grammar on pupose). When I was in the desert, the most precious thing was our short hot showers in running water, and indoor plumbing toilets you could sit on. There was though a common denominator as well, which was running. It always is therapeutic and refreshing, rewarding and cleansing. I think, most of all, I am lucky that I discovered that - thanks to my father - and was able to revive it when I needed it. It's work, it's a challenge, it's a sacrifice; maybe that is exactly why it's so rewarding to me. Because of its "price".

Well, what's your common denominator? What could you take to any part of the world and cherish and use without much preparation? Is it music? Is it writing or reading? Is it praying? There is, there should be something, do you know what it is? Do you know why you are NOT living in another country?

I'm still going to Italy though, even if temporarily, to discover another beauty and maybe find another common denominator. Because I might not be able to run when I am 90...heehee. Maybe I'll paint. I will paint scooters with little puppy faces and church bells... Ok, now that's oxygen deprivation talkin'. Time to go.

revamp the exercise field

2008-11-10T19:52:00.004-05:00

There is a general disconnect between all health related sciences and professions, such as medical, rehabilitational, preventive and consulting. A dietitian is not a doctor, a doctor is not a trainer and a trainer, well, a trainer is not much of anything most of the time. A psychiatrist is not likely to tell you to exercise regularly because she may give herself the pink slip. Exercise is THAT GOOD for you. A doctor may tell you to use mismatched weights when exercising unevenly developed sides of your body. A dietitian will not know what to do with an old rotator cuff injury. And that is normal, it's just fine, I mean, can't expect everyone to know everything. So why the exercise field?

Because, a trainer is in a powerful position. He or she has to be a role model and spends a lot of time (most out of the above mentioned professionals) with the client. And frankly, to become a trainer, to obtain a nationally accredited certification along with insurance and CPR is not rocket science. Bam, you're a trainer. In a powerful position. Now, I think that's wrong! Trainer certification I think should include the following and should be made into a bachelors at least: some nutritional and diet principals, some physical rehab and a lot more basic anatomy, some physiology. I know there are bachelor degrees designed with this in mind, but it's not mandatory to have in order to train people. I don't have a bachelor's in exercise science. I was going to get one till I found out I would have to drive to Davie and take day classes, that is the nearest place for it. I wanted to do a dietitian bachelor's instead, but that's down in Miami. I wonder why there is no entity that certifies fitness professionals and health counselors, even masseuse! People listen to other people who are in their lives regularly. Training someone three hours a week is a lot of time that has a "lot of weight ", if you know what I mean. So why so little training needed to be in such a responsible position?? A trainer can make or break a client's success and have huge influence on his or her well being, aside from the training time and the session and the workout program. There is a lot more going on there. It's entirely up to the trainer to research, be inquisitive and conscientious about his or her profession and somehow, gather enough knowledge and expertise to guide the client. I don't know about others, but I do not take this position lightly. I see a big disconnect and a lot of bad advice. It's just hard to try to weed through stuff in the media and in between new fads, while keeping up with the latest scientific discoveries and new concepts. Our bodies are complex organisms (quiet amazing!) and its components cannot be hierarchied or singled out; they must form a perfect mosaic, a pretty picture of kaleidoscope, when working well together. It is difficult to create a balanced, harmonious system that is an efficient machine - no one is that smart or perfect. But we thrive to be, so it's crucial that we can turn to people for advice who will not completely sabotage our goals. That happens more often than not. Plus, who has money to hire all these professionals separately??

So, my point remains: fitness trainers must be trained better, much better, and regulated, almost as in a medical field. I don't know why this is taken so lightly in this lovely establishment of liability and responsibility ditching nation, since the position is a serious one. Maybe some day we'll realize that exercise is reaaaaaally important and it'll gain the corresponding respect and other perks that define a field that deals directly with one's health, and not just physically!

With this I close and wish you all a splendid week!

big day in history

2008-11-04T22:04:00.002-05:00

I hope you have voted... and don't go startin' no riots in yo' neighborhoooood!
ya hear? I would stay up to find the winner but instead I will get up before every normal person and check the news then.

And life goes on...
Tomorrow, there will be another sunrise and another present, live it as such!
Happy Wednesday!

who should you listen to for training/weight loss advice?

2008-11-02T06:32:00.004-05:00

Maybe not your doctor. That's right, not the doc!
I have seen it repeatedly where doctors give training advice and say, well, not so smart things. They are not physical therapists, not coaches or trainers. They are highly trained professional DOCTORS. I don't try to give you blood pressure medication, right? They do that.
My advice is, find a trainer you know does the right things because he or she looks healthy, works hard and does train as a professional, both self and clients.
Or, ask another professional you trust. For instance, I have a pool of people whom I recommend for others when looking for a nutritionist, a chiropractor, physical therapist, sports medicine, and some other, health related help. I send them elsewhere, but not without knowing that if I needed one of those professionals I would definitely go to one of those guys. So talk to someone whose opinion you respect but only ask what's in the realm of that persons knowledge and take his or her referral. Otherwise you might as well strike up a chat at the check out line in Publix and ask for training advise or how to fix your achy wrist.
Don't be lazy and don't be stupid. If you read headlines in the magazines (that make me really mad and furious, most of the time) you will fail. If you believe infomercials you deserve your failure. The "on sale" sign really just means it's for sale. There is no special deal...

Ps: I am a firm believer of walking the talk. If your psychiatrist is a disheveled basketcase he's is not a good professional and cannot be trusted with advice to others. If your trainer is packing on 15lbs extra and she lives on caffeine and energy bars than why would you listen to anything she tells you? See where this is going? Ok. So there.

And a good professional will not hesitate to give the referral...

ask me

Who was the greatest opera singer ever?

2008-10-26T19:44:00.006-04:00

Enrico Caruso and Maria Callas.
At least according to my late father. I cannot argue with him. Why is this important? I am not sure. I am getting very sentimental and starting to idolize my dead father even more now that the memories are fading. I am afraid of being dust already. Without a (my) family I wonder if any of this matters at all, what I do, how I live, where I go, what I buy... Does it?

I am a hermit. I like being home and like spending time with the many, many things with which I can never catch up, such as reading, listening to and playing music, studying, working out and cooking. An old bat. Turning batty...heehee

I strive to make a difference because I want to be noticed (?) I strive to make a difference because I want to have a purpose (?) I strive to make a difference because I am not doing anything else... What the heck?

Ok, you all are witnesses to my soul searching right now, and I know, that no one will, no one should or can answer. I will find the answer because that is also what I do. I find solutions. I am practical and impulsive at the same time. Contained bipolar. From flower to prowler in a heartbeat. I mean, like a puma, OK? Not Chrysler. When I write I get sad and sometimes scared. So I'll finish now to go enjoy the world's greatest chicken soup, to which, incidentally, I have unlimited access!!! Woohooooooo! I do too have a purpose! Death to the chickens!!!

I love animals

2008-10-19T20:15:00.003-04:00

I do, more than I love people sometimes. They are innocent, without malice, and as for pets, they are very reflective of our own moods and care for them, and of our love for them.

Some may think that my overly caring attitude is a little flippage and a buggy-old-lady syndrom (there I go again). No, it's just genuine care. If you think about it, there is a little creature, living and breathing, that is completely reliant on his owner's goodwill and character. Why not treat our pets and all animals well? We were that at one time too! We may be that again... But, I REAAAAAAAALY promise not to go religious here. I screwed up with the politics already, I'm keeping the rest out. But I digress...

Truthfully, I think animals deserve the absolute best care, so do plants and anything living that is not able to complain about treatment. Like handicapped people and babies. I think we should be at least kind to all of these creatures and anything living. Anything that doesn't present potential harm to us. Like a spider. A spider deserves marginal kindness. Don't burn it, smush it! A cat also deserves marginal kindness. I mean long ago we have stopped eating catkebobs, now they drink out of our toilets. I'm just kidding, I love kitties!

I think anyone who is unkind or cruel to anything living that is not a danger to, rather a dependent on human compassion should directly go to hell in an express elevator. I believe those are the "ant"people. I, for one, am coming back as a canary and going to sit in a window sill in Tuscany or Sardignia and sing my heart out. Yeah, that would be grand. Sing and fly. Wouldn't it?

Good night, be kind, not just to others but yourself as well.

sunrise

2008-10-18T08:07:00.002-04:00

Precious.

The meaning of life, another day, another hope, another challenge, another start.

Unique

Every day, every sunrise is different. Beautiful, everchanging, bright, cloudy, shadowed, subdued, breathtaking.

Unrepudiatable... I just wanted to throw that in there...heeheee

If you can, make sure you look at the sunrise every morning. That is my God... my new energy, my teary smile, my shivering beauty. If you think I'm exaggerating than you haven't looked. I am fortunate to live close to the water and I can see the sun come up over the horizon and change colors in the blink of an eye. It is different every day. Another present - don't squander it!

Happy whatever day it is today!

word of the MONTH

2008-10-16T14:25:00.004-04:00

REPUDIATE

By John pout-ie face McCain in his (very) limited vocabulary. Repudiate, repudiated, repudiate. Blah Blah Blah... Tuff turf, going up against a poised, composed and talented Obama. No wonder he was fidgeting the whole time and making faces... he probably went and called daddy after the debate.. no, wait, is he alive still? He would be like a 120 years old, cause McCain is about 90. And just think, if he passes - because his heart cannot handle so much frustration and he does not look like he possesses much physical energy - than we will have a cheerleader with all her babies preaching the bible word for word, as a president. Oh goodie! How wonderful! I'll go stick my head in the sand now...

wake up, people and go vote!

Obama does NOT want a socialist country, he wants a waitress to be able to go see and pay a dentist and anyone who works 3 part time jobs, or is self employed making 35k a year to be able to see a doctor when sick, and save a little money for entrepreneurship or college for their kids. That's all. He does NOT want to take anyone's precious wealth away. Nor does he want to send more troops to die in the freakin' desert and at 10 BILLION DOLLARS a day, nor does he want your raped daughter to carry a pregnancy to term. And he can see the neighbor's garage from his backdoor. McCain doesn't even know what that means, he probably lives on compound of some sort... give me a break! His connection with the real world while in the Airforce ended when he made his confession tape (after 3 days of suffering) so he could be shipped home to daddy admiral. Purple heart? POW? Some people and their actions are an upright mockery of what this country preaches and what it is SUPPOSED to stand for. Honor, freedom of speech, hard work, where do these two fit in? Where? I think it could be Micky Mouse and Betty Boop running for the republicans, as long as they were pumping out the "I'm not going to raise taxes", you would blindly go and vote for them. It could be a mass murderer and a chicken farmer, as long as no danger of dampening my portfolio is promised... Bush hasn't thaught you anything. Life is still good, leave it alone. Well, as Bill Maher said, there is a certain layer of this country that is made up of contemporary progressive people who are well informed, well traveled and are aware of our position and perspective in the global sense and who want to have their voices heard. So...

Not to get political, but pull your heads out of the sand people and go vote for Obama! Your wealth will only stay and grow with you if you do the right thing. You are NOT the only person in the world, without the others you would be nothing...think about it.

A must see for nutrition!

2008-10-13T19:59:00.003-04:00

Here's my friend, Leslie's website that you should all check out and at least read its overview. It goes to show you that I am not the only nut preaching hard work and due diligence. Leslie is a great professional who knows how to be a service to her client and not lie and make false promises just to get her fee...
There are people like that, you know!

So, if you are serious about doing something and sustaining results, you got your man here. And she is very nice! LOL.

Go, read! http://nutrition2physician.com/overview.html

about cereals

2008-10-05T19:48:00.003-04:00

One thing I want to put out there in the universe, cereals are not real food!!!
Not even Kashi, even though it tastes like cardboard, it is not the best choice for nutrition!
It's better to have a piece of toast with honey, a piece of dark chocolate and some fruit, whole oats (I know, you have to cook them, takes 10 minutes) with milk, or something that was around a 100 years ago. Cereal and bars were not. It is not the best choice. When in doubt, stick to natural. Fruit and protein doesn't come in a tube, sorry guys!
I share the same view, by the way, about dog food.
It's market driven. Dogs are perfectly fine eating wholesome real food diet without the junk,, except that is more time consuming and requires responsible and thoughtful planning. Who's got time for that? Dry dog food is not natural. That's all I have to say. And believe me, I am not the enemy of evolution, we all know who SHE is.
I'm just sayin'...

wasn't sick

2008-10-05T17:54:00.003-04:00

No, I wasn't, not with the flu, anyway. I had a severe sinus problem, which in turn created severe throat problems. So I took to the good old fashioned Hungarian remedy of covering my face with a big towel over a steaming bowl of water and something (I used eucalyptus and mint), then gargling with warm salt water and Listerine. I also got antibiotics, not sure why, so I tossed them. I seem to be fine now, with the occasional hacking and throat clearing, but at least I can go for a 6 mile run without the needles in my chest. I so missed running...My back was also getting sore from coughing so much, but I fixed that with a good back workout of lat pulls, rows, pull ups and back extensions.

So, all is better now. I am better now:)

I am also trying very hard not to get "political", and will keep it that way, because sometimes I feel that I don't know enough to talk about it and it's not worth losing friends over. Or readers. So I'll steer clear of that topic. There really isn't anything else I can gripe about so I'll be back later.

Remember EVERY DAY TO:
sing a song (I like doing that while driving and showering)
smile at a stranger
take deep breaths before speaking when upset
treat yourself to something little (LITTLE!)
just be a good person, project positive energy and it'll come back to you
challenge yourself, make an effort

being sick

2008-10-01T14:15:00.004-04:00

Well, this flu business is always an issue and it gets everyone, eventually.
Flu has become a business, everyone has to get shots for everything now. I wonder why no one has thought of flu care services, for the poor devils who do end up sick with the stuff. When I say flu I mean it in a collective way, including anything that makes you not want to get out of bed and wish your mommy was there to make you hot tea and soup.

This is my point. Flu services would come in and take care of people who live alone. Or take care of their animals. Get it? Yeah... I am sick. And it already sucks, struggling with the watermelon in my throat, it doubly sucks that I have no mommy to make me feel better and take care of me and let the freakin' dog out. You all know I love her, but she relies on me being there for HER. So sick time sort of interferes with that. I manage to make the world's best tasting chicken soup and ate it for a whole week too. I managed to make hot toddies and started drinking 3 every night... enough of that. I had so much honey that my tears taste sweet now too. So see, it triply sucks to have to be sick, alone, and with a dog to take care.

Anyways, I refuse to give into the shotomatic doctors and will get none of the flu, pneumonia or any other type of shots. I will also stop going around saying "I haven't been sick in years!", because guess what! Then I will get sick. I have got it. So I have to wait years now to start going around and saying that again, anyway!

Shasta doesn't understand. She knows the park is out there waiting for her, the ice cream shop is missing her, and how long has it been since we had some fish and chips together? I suppose it could be worse, I am still alive and able to do everything, just really don't feel like it right now... I could stop whining, but than it would be like I'm not even sick. I am. And feel sorry for me. You know why? Because you might be next. Than you'll understand...unless you have your Mommy....

things shut down...

2008-09-30T12:27:00.003-04:00

I have been trying to log in to blogger for the past few days. I don't know what the deal was. First, my computer took a day off, than the internet went with it, after which blogger seemed to be down. So, my new ideas and gripes and events are all stale in my head already and I'm just going to write now because I can.

I got really bad news yesterday about an old friend whom I worked next door to way back when, the kid was ten years younger than I. Really nice boy, we even hung out once or twice. That was at least 10 years ago that I met him. Now he's dead. Got knifed a block away from his home and died in the hospital.........

I am still trying to digest this, he was only 30 and was a sweet, smart kid, trying to make it on his own. Now it's over. Just like that. He was going home... I am so in shock over this, I cannot believe he's gone! So here it goes, Nick: I hope you are at peace with the world now and know that you are missed! Farewell old friend, we will keep your memory! I am sad that you are no longer here, but will always remember your smile...

I will close this post and start anew...

40 years of Violet

2008-09-26T17:58:00.006-04:00

Yes, I survived myself. wuh! I should get an award... oh yeah, I'm alive! Need I more?

No, not at all. I am happy to be here. And I would like to thank EVERYONE who took the time and commemorate my 40th birthday, thank you guys, you made my day! I was sad to find that my brothers in Hungary forgot all about me, but that's one of the painful separational sidekicks, so far away in distance, removed from the heart. Well, of course, we love each other, but only when I call home. Anyway...

A special thanks to Tosh and Andrea, they helped me let my hair down (lol), another special thanks to Beverly, who gave me thoughtful little presents and made me feel special, another one to David and Rene who kindly remembered me AND gave me a present also, and also another one to Marius, who still finds kindness for me. It's over, moving on now, kids!

Firstly, I have moved up in the age group to a 40-44 section, who knows, I might even win a few events from now on. I'm going to try one tomorrow. Sick and sweaty, limping with a strained calf muscle and fighting off a cold, I am going to run this 5k and give some registration money to the animals. I will take Shaz to motivate me. I will have to leave her in the car while running so I'm sure I will run as fast as I can to make sure she doesn't suffocate in the locked car at 8 in the morning. I might even run a 10 minute 5k. MIGHT! Or cut the course short. More likely. Will see... I might not be able to breath in the morning. BUT, I'm not going to project negative thoughts, I will be out there for a good cause, and after a long period of not competing. Not that I am at my best now but I need a base line from which to move up.

So here I will close, I missed writing but school is keeping me very busy and I almost dread having to sit at the computer because it's just work anymore... I have lots more to say, perhaps I'll finish in the morning. Till then, I will consult the google and see how what kind of cold home remedies I can find.

Ciao ragazzi,
A dopo

Who is a good trainer?

2008-09-13T17:01:00.008-04:00

Me

I am

Beacuse I am hard on excuses

I believe in everyone's ability to change lifestyles and habits

I can find a way to start anyone who is committed and keep them going on their own

Because I am hard on excuses

I already said that

Because I love progress

Because I love to see people happy(r)

And I love me

one solution for eating problems

2008-09-13T11:09:00.003-04:00

I figured it out! I got it! It hit me!

I noticed today, that, just like all of the other days, I do not have regular meal times. More precisely, I cannot conform to regular mealtimes because I'm always off and seem to always be eating. I know that my wake up time is a little off the norm but that doesn't mean it's the cause. Let's examine MY eating times. 1st feeding between 5 and 7am. Second feeding between 1000 and 1130. Third feeding between 230 and 330pm. Fourth, and usually last feeding between 6-8pm. The first is a little breakfast, just to break the fast, such as a banana and a chocolate square (yes, I eat chocolate for breakfast), second could be a sandwich, some eggs and bread and fruit, something a little more substantial. The third is like lunch for me, something warm or something with pasta, potato or rice and definitely a meat and veggies and/or fruit. It's not always a warm meal though. The last meal mostly a hot meal, more of the lunch stuff (since I cook for myself and usually eat the same sh.... for several days) or something else, seldom a salad but than it's a big one and one with meat. Oh, and wine. Wine is part of dinner. I tried to make it not to be but why fight the force of nature if it's so hard to do!? So I have a glass of wine. No chocolate or junk food or even fruit, if possible. If I reeeeeeally get the notion to snack, than I take a few nuts or a tiiiiiny bowl of chips. So there.
Bottom line: I eat at least four meals. And you should too!!!!!!!!

I mean, waiting for lunch has always been a nightmare for me; I would be listening to my stomach and try to keep from moving my head too fast because that would make me dizzy, while waiting for lunch time to come. An apple or a a yogurt just doesn't hold up till then. Then, around 330, I'd get the dizzy feeling again and couldn't WAIT to get home to eat. But do I eat dinner at 530? No, I'd probably just skip it and do errands and other stuff, then eat around 7. So more bad hunger and snacking problems here. Do you see this?

It's so simple, snacking between meals is not necessary, really, what's necessary is making your 3 meals into 4 and spread them evenly throughout the day. I challenge you to try it. So that society is not set up like this, who cares?? Last time I checked, in this great free country of the good Christians and the Palin-like anti-evolutionaries, one can still eat whenever one wants to. Put yourself first and try this out for your own sake. Who knows, maybe we can start a nutritional revolution and the first step will be to have 4 meals instead of 3. This would alone solve so many of your problems, I swear! Why not try?

It's working for me swell! And I don't get the loud stomach-dizzy head-syndrome...

obesity is the only way

2008-09-07T14:12:00.003-04:00

I want you to read this with an open mind. This is not an America bashing piece, but it is an observation or a critical analogy of why obesity is such an issue here.

Everyone from birth is set up for failure. So to speak. Is set up for fatness. The mothers barely have time to breast feed and make other simple baby foods. Toddlers are definitely pawned off in day care and already set up to watch tv, and do activities other than physical or partner involved, because WHO HAS TIME AND PATIENCE FOR THAT? Than the early school years. What does a PE class consist of? Any real activity? Any games? Anything that is measured or tested as a physical performance? Some, but very little. Here I go with the "in my country", but seriously, in my country we changed clothes for PE and changed back after PE and the whole time it was go go go! Almost every day we had a PE class. Sometimes first thing in the morning and sometimes in the middle of the day, or at the end of the day. Then in grades 5-8 we got serious. It is true thatI went to a special sports performance and math oriented school but even in the average schools everyone had PE classes where different events were measured and had to be passed. One could repeat a year if those standards weren't met. We had one chubby kid in our class who was a wrestler and had to struggle through even gymnastics to make the class. And he did. Here? I ask again, what is a PE class? Go out in the courtyard, beat each other up, get a little dirt under your nails, what? Do they go to the track? Do they use medicine balls? Do they climb walls and ropes? Do they have mat exercises and group competitions? Do they learn different sports, or about sports in general? I dunno. I hear not. So then we get to high school. It's more important to have a Louis Vuitton purse than to know what a pentathlon is. Or how much time does it take to run a 400m. What? Yes. High school is serious about sports because the student has to get seriously into studying and have more commitments and a much bigger load in general.

So what is the one thing that builds cohesion, pride, a sense of achievement, discipline, helps with brain efficiency and performance, attention, energy to stay up, sleep better, feel stronger, look better, develop better eating habits and get used to diligence in training and working, I ask you: WHAT IS THAT ONE THING? The one thing that everyone dismisses from early years. Is it a drug? No. It is sports. Physical activity. And why is this a secret, why something so simple is not implemented. Do you know why? Because it's not a great "business" and it's not budgeted. Why is it not budgeted? Because it's not deemed important. It's important for the better-off parents to drive the little brats around to socker practice and cheer leading. But only the better-off parents. The others have to work and have no money to spare as an extra expense for sports. They need tutoring and clothes and gas money.

Then the child becomes an adult. If, at this point, he had no introduction to sports, no concept of physical training, how on Earth is he supposed to be healthy?????? HOW? To eat not processed foods takes time and money. To work out without knowing splat about working out takes money. Where is that supposed to come from? WE establish a pattern for irresponsible behavior than go around signing up people to unlearn that and become something else. It is EXTREMELY difficult! I cannot even blame obese people, or look at them with contempt because they fell into this consumer society's trap. You are a good consumer, you buy tvs and video games, you buy snacks and frozen meals, you get entertained at the movies sitting on your a..., you watch some more shows at home, you get a big car that takes you everywhere and then, when you're sick of looking at yourself in the mirror: hire a trainer or get a gym membership and go to classes to reform yourself. Then you buy supplements, products that do more harm than good, and more consumptions on top of more consumption. You have to keep businesses alive by buying sh... Going outside and walking or using the heart trail in the park will not boost business. Not enough. So there. You have to swim against the current to be a fish that lives and lives well. It is very difficult.

One thing we can all do, teach children to love sports and find something they are good at and encourage them never stop doing it. Fight for better programs in schools for all ages. Take a little extra times and cook meals, buy fresh and eat more unprocessed foods. Limit your tv time and find other activities for entertainment. Hang on to the simple things, teach the kids to appreciate what's around them, rather than what they can GET. Be outside as more. Slow down. Make my new slogan yours: "Slow down, for less is more!"

sentimental

2008-09-07T13:46:00.002-04:00

Hello again, it's been a while since I wrote: not that I haven't thought about it, just didn't do it. Lately I've been thinking about how great it is to be here on this Earth and how many wonderful things we get to experience on this journey. It all disappears into the daily grind and the self absorbed superficial human mind, but every now and then it's good to stop and reflect on some of life's presents that we receive without much notice. I am not going to get evangelical on you(z), just want to say something about aging and how I feel about it, to maybe wake up the deeper self in you too.

I will be foaty soon and never before had I felt the need to think and feel and live so much as I do now, I wonder why!? I am not dying, not going anywhere, really (well, not right now), but I am by myself and in peace with the world. When I'm not driving... But seriously, I have been given the opportunity to just be and feel right now. So that's what I'm doing. The stupid statement people say that they don't regret anything, well, I do! I regret not treating people better, I regret not treating myself better and I regret now slowing down and listening to my conscience more. The rest I cannot regret, otherwise I wouldn't be here, this person who is regretting things. I would not be this person.

But because I am this person and I am very capable of learning and growing at light speed, I am now big enough to recognize some things and take it all with a grain of salt. I do regret causing pain, I do regret being angry and I do regret being weak minded sometimes.

On the other hand (so this post doesn't turn into a sob story), I have to announce that I am so very thankful for everyone in my life and everyone who ever have crossed my life, because they are all somehow a little part of me. I am thankful for my parents and my brain and physical attributes; I think I got a pretty good hand of cards to play. But, as it turns out, I only like to play poker wehre there may be a lot hinging on a facial expression and a lot of ways to gamble away your loot sometimes. There has been. Now I'm crazy with a purpose...heehee. Yeah, times are changing, I am nutty with a mission, loony with reason, and refined as fish oil... what? Never mind. I hope you can, some day, find your peace and look at every day as a priceless treasure, and try to make tomorrow better for someone other than yourself. So Happy Sunday:)

to be a leader

2008-08-25T20:17:00.002-04:00

To be a leader you have to live what you preach. You have to be the best and most consistent. You have to be solid and humble. You have to be approachable, attentive and assertive. You have to be tactful and patient. Most of all, you have to be inspiring by being kind and being helpful. Then people will not only look to you for answers but will strive to be more like you, will strive to "please" you with their achievements.

A leader is not a dictator, an impostor or a a person who cannot embrace his/her own shortcomings or not recognize them and make allowances for them. A leader will always strive for improvement and value the interest of others'. A leader is to be followed, it's a heavy, heavy task! So don't call yourself a leader if you are lacking basic values and or self esteem. You cannot yell your way through a battle, you have to fight yourself and have the men proudly and eagerly follow you into the fight. A good leader is not a perfect person but learns from others and, as said earlier, strives to improve. No one is perfect. The question is though, how much imperfection are you willing to overlook, how much is important and what do you deem dismissible? How strong are you to get up when wounded and keep your warface on through trying times? How do you deal with your own inside battles and how many losses can you take without falling?

Are you a good leader? You don't have to be. But pick someone who is. The rest is unimportant. There will be people around you who are just casualties. Don't try to follow them! Pick your leader well or be one yourself. Either way, keep on fighting, it's never over!

Stay strong in heart and spirit, be kind and keep on sweating!

where I get my inspiration

2008-08-17T19:42:00.003-04:00

I have one group of people with whom I work twice a week and do a short musical workout session. Few of them walk, none without crutches or a walker. They all have huge physical and/or psychological challenges. The kind that would devastate any one of us average people. I was very choked up and scared when I first saw them. I thought I would be working with a group of people who were not necessarily medically, but financially challenged and fighting their way to make a better life for themselves. I thought I could bring some regularity and some accomplishment to them by providing a positive environment where they are truly making progress and enjoy the process. I thought I could strenghten their motivation and cohesion and all of the other good values that exercise and good mentorship offers to all.

Well, it turns out that they have provided a challenge to me and have given me the most fulfilling two half hours a week that I have ever had! I look forward to going there and seeing them. I look forward to playing our music and seeing smiles and fatigue and more smiles. I always wish there was more I could do for them and for more than just this group. They know they can count on me to be there and to be energetic and entertaining. They know it's going to be a bit of hard work and they get each other to come to the sessions even if there are other things going on or they have to be a little late. There is no pressure, no judgement, no negativity of any kind during our workouts. People stop and look in to see what the commotion is about. Staff comes in and starts dancing around or doing our exercises for a minute or two. They sometimes recognize me in the supermarket or outside the institution and make sure they greet me and play me a complement about how much my program is enjoyed and appreciated.

Program. ? . I am just there. Just there to soak up their spiritual strenght that makes me tear up as I leave. I am just there because I know they like me there and I am never ill received or dismissed. I am just there because it makes ME a better person, a stronger person, a more humble human being. I am just there... and I love it!

olympic update

2008-08-17T19:28:00.002-04:00

Michael Phelps turned into a computer virus. It's everywhere. Beach volleyball is just phenomenal, I cannot get enough! And who cares who's running in the other lanes on the track?
Redcliff, bunked bad... it was painful just to watch her. Poor little skeleton woman. Put some muscle on your bones.
On the positive side, it's really good to see mothers, young and middle age, to be top competitors! Even in their 40s! Go GIRLS!
Now, we will have some coverage of the track events, at least the ones the American athletes compete in. Don't you think it's a kind of censorship to be so freakin patriotic that we forget what the event is all about and don't allow the public a chance to get acquainted with the true magnitude of the games? It's NOT always about America, it's not, or is it? OK, I'll stop. I don't much care for the superpower mentality. And give that kid Phelps a chance to breath.

sunday list

2008-08-10T19:11:00.002-04:00

Since it's Sunday, I will write a list for which I am thankful today. Here it goes:
I am thankful for all of the people in my life, they've all enriched this experience, called "life".
I am thankful for my ever so loyal puppy, Shasta, for she has cheered me up today and has given me many licks and tail wags (and a yellow spot on the bathroom floor). I am thankful for understanding music and culture. I am thankful for living in beautiful Florida and being so close to the ocean. I am thankful for a restful day and a reflection on self. I am thankful to know I have a plan, a dream to fulfil and am moving towards it. Have a great week!

olympics

2008-08-10T10:37:00.002-04:00

oh, goodie!

The games are on!!

now I get to watch more.....()*^&*(^%& basketball!!!!!!!!!
What is wrong with this country anyway? Could the Olympics be covered with SOME track and field and less biography and shorts down to ankles and fat girls playing volleyball....seriously!
Would it be so terrible to expose the people of the Americas to some sport where your shorts do end above your knees and your underpants are not hanging out at the waist? Do people know what javelin and discus is? Pole vaulting and steeplechase? The classic events; the ones that OTHER countries compete in and win occasionally too!

Oh hell, it's not really a surprise, I mean what sells viewership? Pole vaulting or beach volleyball...hmm? I went through this agony before, the major networks cover sh..., go America! I'll get on the internets and see what the rest of the world sees. I am sad to say, that the Olympics have probably never been covered adequately from here, as much air time as it is devoted to the "show" here, it's all it is: a show. Thank you for the lenghty biographies and the heart wrenching stories of how hard the poor US athletes train in their poorly equipped facilities managing their daily hardships. Who would've thought anyway, that to be a top athlete one has to train..., like, a lot! Thank God they have shoes and swimming pools and heart rate monitors! And not only by technological and economical and geographical advantage, but by gosh, hard work and steroids, the US athletes manage to bring home most medals by country in the overall games. You know what? The US is taking the spirit out of the games. Moves in and takes over. Screw everyone else. WE are special. We will walk down behind our flag, blue tooth in the ear and talking on the *(^&&(%% cell phones while other countries had to COLLECT money for their hand full of actual athletes to travel to China. I hate this cockiness and ME ME MEEEEE attitude. I will stop here to avoid some negativity that is about to spew out of me, since I am "only" a naturalized citizen. Are you proud to be an American, all of the time??

Makes me sick... go Kenyans!

truth about fat burning zones

2008-07-30T15:45:00.008-04:00

Fact 1: The cardio machine manufacturers have come up with the "fat burning zone" and "calories burned" to market their equipment and make it attractive and easy for people to use, just like every other great invention of mankind that claims to slim and tone you without having to expend the necessary effort. All of the infomercials and supermarket magazines lie, all of them! If you are looking for a shortcut you are setting yourself up for failure and will never see results. Aside from the treadmill, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and any other cardio machines are mostly over calibrated, some as much as 25%-30%. They don't ask your age, resting metabolic rate, sex or anything, but they give you a "value" for calories burned. HHHHHHmm. They're either very intelligent machines or marketed falsely. You guess!

Fact 2: The fat burning zone is one where you are working at a lower output rate (less effort, less taxing) but are in a higher fat to carb ratio, meaning, more of your energy comes from burning fat than burning carbs. I will NOW reveal the trick to it all: if you are working harder and your total output is much higher, even at a less favorable ratio you are burning more TOTAL fat (and total calories) than at a lower effort. Let me explain it again: say you are working in your "fat burning zone": that is 70% of your heart rate, that burns 600 calories per hr. Your fat burning zone's ratio will burn 40% fat of 600. That's 240 "FAT" calories. OR, you put some real effort into your workout and do some high intensity interval training with short bursts of taxing intervals such as hills and/or sprints, the kind of workout that burns 900 calories per hr and gets your heart pumping at 85% MHR. Your fat burning is not optimal (as far as a ratio) but at 30%, you are still burning 270 "FAT" calories.

Say that you have worked for a half an hour in your fat burning zone (I'm sick of writing this already) than you got a 300 total calorie negative with 240 of those from your fat a... Say that you have worked ABOVE your fat burning zone for half an hour than you get a total of 450 negative cals with 270 of those from your fat a...Well, which is more?

Fact 3: If your goal is to burn a certain amount of calories, doing high intensity interval training will be more effective (faster) hence cutting your workout time.

A good general rule for judging where the heck you are: if you are panting and gasping for air and dripping sweat you are NOT in your "fat burning zone" but you are smart and are working hard. If you are reading a novel and chatting with your neighbor you are both in your comfort zones and are the average gym goers who will never shed a pound. But you are in the "zzzzzone"... the stupid, lazy, unproductive one... at the end of the day it all depends on one thing. Where do you want to be, what is your goal? If it is to make friends and socialize than who am I to judge? This blog is not for those though:) tah-tah

these will move you

2008-07-23T15:36:00.004-04:00

Two things from my previous Sunday evening tv watching. Some of you might have seen these. You will know what I meant by "move".

The first is the Venezuelan National Orchestra, and the power of classical music and the power of human compassion and perseverance. This musical group is comprised of children from the slums (starting at age 2) and is (now) sponsored by the government, organized by one man, and admired by many, all over the world. This doctor who started the group in the 1970s has built a huge orchestra of energetic (and desperate) children who start playing an instrument as early as age 4. They grow up in poverty, in REAL poverty (the kind we have no clue about) and some of them are from gangs with little hope to reform and become something in their violent, and pitiful world. They play with such vehemence, as if to cry their escape or salvation from the nothingness in which they were born. One can only understand this if experienced or at least has seen the lives of these people. It's barely human... music, however, is passionate, sad, happy, cheerful and energetic, it is without borders and boundaries and limits and restrictions. It is mastering emotions and sending them off through one's fingertips and delivering it to the world in a harmonized sound. Music is power and this power has been given to these kids by one man, whose dream is now a multibillion dollar project, self supportive and widely successful! They have become the symbol of hope and the tiny bright light in their dark alleys. They recruit and teach their kids and make some of their own instruments. They give hope and life back to the destitute. They are real heroes.

The second one is one hopeless man who found, rather, created hope for all man kind. John Kanzius, indeed. Just read about him and judge for yourself: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/10/60minutes/main4006951.shtml

shasta notes

2008-07-16T19:42:00.002-04:00

I was at a TRX workshop (which I absolutely loved, by the way) this weekend so I asked a friend to come and look in on my puppy and take her for a walk a few times. While she gladly accepted she also wrote this this little story that made me smile and appreciate her even more (my friend, that is). I thought I'd share it with the world because it's so adorable. Please read on....

"Sunday, July 13 - Mom is gone. Slept peacefully until about 11 am when this loud, blond woman showed up and started calling my name. I thought I was pretty well hidden but she found me in the computer room closet. I knew it was rainy and wet so I ignored her and refused to get up. I guess the rain let up later because she came in, scooped me up and made me put on my "bra". I decided that a walk did sound like a pretty good idea. We headed to Olive. It was sprinkling a little but nice and cool I found a good place to pee at the corner. Then we headed south on Olive. About halfway down the block I paused to do some serious sniffing and found the perfect place to poop. It took that woman FOREVER to untie the bag from the handle of the leash! You would have thought I had invented the cure for cancer the way she bragged on me!! I convinced her that saving the bag in the refrigerator for mommy to see later was NOT a good idea. She put it in the trash later...One more pee stop, then we went back home. I thought for sure mommy would be there. I looked for her but she wasn't there. Oh well, I went back to sleep. It apparently rained the rest of the afternoon. Around 4pm that woman showed up again. She caught me in the living room, where I was waiting for mom. The rain FINALLY let up and I was ready to go for a walk. I gladly put on my bra and hopped out the door. There were a couple of good pee stops and I saw a cat down the street. I told her who was QUEEN and ran her off! Now I am snugly warm on the funny white pillow. I can see the door. Maybe I will sleep a little. Hopefully, the next voice I hear will be my mommy home at last!"

why I say no to sugar free

2008-07-08T19:38:00.002-04:00

Please read this! I am copying straight from my certifying entity's, NCSF's newsletter. When I talk about it, it doesn't sound so scientific, but I am serious about my core beliefs and this is just a little proof that maybe sometimes the mad Hungarian is right... check it out:

"Individuals on diets tend to rely on flavored non-caloric soft drinks and beverages as an integral part of their meal plans. Foregoing calories from beverages without giving up taste is a luxury offered in thanks to the development of today’s non-caloric artificial sweeteners. However, recent studies seem to indicate that the artificial sweeteners used in these drinks may possibly have the opposite effect of what was intended when a person incorporates these non-caloric items into his or her diet. The body has a regulatory system in place that, in theory, allows it to anticipate the intake of additional calories related to the sweetness of a food. This trait is believed to be developed early in life, when animals and babies associate breast milk with nourishment. If the anticipated calories do not appear, however, the body’s caloric intake regulation becomes altered to account for the absence of the perceived energy. This action possibly leads to an overall increase of calories. When the adjustment to correct the caloric intake drives a person to consume more calories, the intake can lead to a positive energy balance and potential obesity over the long term.
Researchers theorized that compensatory eating in response to adjustments in the brain mechanism would occur when rats were fed yogurt sweetened with saccharin. The researchers performed three interrelated experiments on different groups of rats. In the first experiment, the researchers fed the rats yogurt along with their regular meals for six days of each week for five weeks. On three of the six days, the sweet-predictive group was fed plain, unsweetened yogurt; the other three days the rats received a yogurt sweetened with glucose. The second group also received plain, unsweetened yogurt three days out of six; on the other days, they ate yogurt sweetened with saccharin. The control group ate glucose-sweetened yogurt only on the days the rats who were assigned to the artificial sugar group received their saccharin-sweetened yogurt. The researchers measured the weight gain at the end of five weeks and found that even though the sweet-predictive group took in 58 additional calories per week, the rats that ate the saccharin-sweetened yogurt gained the most fat weight throughout the five weeks.
Research has also demonstrated that the body has an innate ability to compensate for increased caloric intake by reducing caloric intake later. Researchers looked at this link and attempted to establish a further connection between the real and artificial sugars and the body’s caloric compensation mechanisms. This time the researchers used a 14-day window and employed the same yogurt diets. At the end of the 14 day yogurt diet, the accompanying rat food was removed overnight. The next morning, half the rats in each group were offered a pre-meal chocolate drink that was left out for half an hour before the rat food was returned to all the rats. Again, the rats fed the yogurt sweetened with saccharin consumed the most calories. Also, the rats ingesting the saccharin-sweetened yogurt gained significantly more weight than either the control group or the glucose-sweetened yogurt group. Most significant to this experiment, the rats fed the glucose-sweetened yogurt ate significantly less rat chow on the days they were fed the pre-meal chocolate drink than on the days they did not receive a pre-meal shake; the non-predictive rats fed the saccharin-flavored yogurt did not show such negative caloric compensations. They consumed essentially the same amount of rat food regardless of whether they received the pre-meal shake or not.
Lastly, the researchers examined the theory that a thermogenic response to the taste of sweetened foods would evoke a higher core body temperature, and thus a slightly higher rate of caloric burn, in the rats already familiar with the glucose-sweetened yogurt than the rats not exposed to the glucose-sweetened food. The rats were first implanted with remote-operated transmitters that monitored core body temperature; they were then fed in a manner identical to that of the second experiment. The core temperatures of the rats were affected by the time of the testing, the type of yogurt the rat consumed and whether or not the rat drank the pre-meal shake in conjunction with the saccharin-sweetened yogurt or the glucose-sweetened yogurt. The sweet-predictive rats showed the greatest increases in core body temperature when they were fed the sweetened yogurt as opposed to the plain yogurt, while the non-predictive group showed very little change in body temperature -- only the last test taken an hour after the yogurt was eaten showed a slight increase. The results were similar when testing was performed in conjunction with the pre-meal chocolate drink.
The results of this study seem to indicate a plausible and interesting link between non-caloric, artificial sweeteners, positive caloric balance and weight gain. In each experiment, the rats fed the saccharin-sweetened yogurt ultimately consumed more calories, gained the most body weight and increased body fat. Additionally those same rats showed the lowest thermogenic response to feeding and failed to regulate their caloric intake to compensate for the additional calories in the pre-meal drink like the other rat groups. This link parallels the apparent relationship between the increased use of non-caloric sugar substitutes and the increasing rate of obesity in the country over the past eight years. While sugar substitutes have long been recommended as one way for dieters to reduce calories, this study seems to indicate that the artificial sugars may in fact add a possible hindrance to efforts to reduce one’s weight. It should be noted that humans have cognitive control to mediate internal drive and can regulate actions using psychological controls. Unlike humans, rats simply follow physiological drive with no cognitive, emotional, or psychological association between their food intake and the decisions they make regarding food choices or total calories consumed. Even if the human body mirrors the physiological mechanisms of rats and increase its desire for calories when artificial sweeteners are used, there are certainly still arguments that the zero calorie foods are useful in maintaining lower caloric intakes. More research is certainly needed before switching back to high calorie beverages containing sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. It is still likely beneficial to consume a diet beverage and a turkey sandwich with low calorie, high fiber bread, than a regular sugar-rich cola."

at the end of the day - about life

2008-07-06T20:09:00.002-04:00

What is this all about? What does everyone want, at the end of the day? I'll tell you: to be loved. To have affection and human touch, and have some to love. Fat, skinny, blue, white and yellow, we all want some affection. But also, at the end of the day we must ask: is it worth denying self, is it worth the sacrifice, the hardship, the friction and the sadness? I answered this myself and now I am alone. And I can tell you this much; loneliness is painful and it takes a lot of fish oil to keep smiling. But at the end of the day I know that I like myself and I like who I am. I cherish everything I have and everyone I know. It's all precious and I am fortunate to have this all. But at the end of day it's sad to be alone and it physically hurts sometime.
So how important is it? Is it worth the pain?
I am not sure...

at the end of the day - about training

2008-07-06T19:49:00.003-04:00

When I said in my earlier post that one who doesn't accomplish his or her original goal is a failure, I was wrong. And I didn't mean it literally. What I should've said is at the end of the day we have to ask ourselves what is really important. I mean, REALLY important. That is when we have to be brutally honest and sharply self assess and weigh the outcome together with the necessary work towards that outcome. For instance, take an average trainee who sets out to loose weight while working with a trainer for 3 months, 6 months, a year, any length of time. She works when supervised but lacks discipline and commitment on her own. She gets stronger and fitter by far, but the weight is not coming off. It's not increasing either. Is this a failure? Well, here we go! It could be! But this is the end of the day; what is really important to this person? If loosing weight was, I think she would have made a more serious commitment and wouldn've known not to waste all that time and money just to beat herself up about not loosing weight - expecting a miracle! As we say in the military: you set yourself up for failure...So, is it really the weight loss? Is that the ultimate goal, or should that be revised to, say, maintaining weight while living a comfortable and familiar lifestyle and improving overall fitness. Is that not a great goal, better than most people achieve? It certainly is! When setting a goal this person should've been more realistic and decide how much she's willing to sacrifice and how long she can actually commit to a strict discipline which may bring her the desired weight loss. And if that happened I ask, would it be something that is a life long change or a temporary triumph, one that will actually ignite an even worse self indulgence when abandoned? Because, my friends, at the end of the day the question you must answer is this: Do I want a life style change, or do I want a happy median? What can I live with? How important is this desired change to me? Are you tracking?

And now, I wow to be brutally honest with everyone when starting a program with me: if you tell me what you want and I tell you what you must do and supervise some of your work, I will not not fail you. I promise you that! But I will also not stand there trying to come with things to say when asked for why all this time has not brought the result that was promised by me. Hmmm...Now you're tracking...

when training is a waste

2008-07-06T07:31:00.002-04:00

I had a not so good day last week when (starting at 5:30 am) one client after another was "going off", looking for reasons to blame, what else, their own failure, on me! Which, I must admit, really disheartened me and made me sad for the rest of the day. I know it shouldn't have, but I felt such an overwhelming sense of helplessness and frustration that I had to talk myself out of spiralling down with the bad mood currents. I tell you exactly why this is so sadly pathetic and why it got to me so much.

The first client is a golf fanatic, so much so, that she had set a handicap goal of "0", and she employed me as her trainer to get her stronger for her game. Than she has golf pros and other trainers with her at all times, only to improve her golf playing skills. And it's not coming along. Why? I don't know. Because she started too late, she is a sucky player, or just doesn't have what it takes. Is a "0" handicap a reasonable goal, anyway, I ask you? Hell no...but I am to blame for her lack of improvement. I am not doing "my job". Ok, that was just out of the realm of reality and I had to let it go. I have, now...let it go. Give me a break, Ms. Cookoo!

The next one is an overweight, overindulging, fun loving, fun fellow whom I enjoyed training from day one. It's been almost 6 months, on and off, with a few breaks here and there and the weight is not coming off. It's not going anywhere. He has gained a lot of strength and some stamina but the weight...? Hm, it's sticking. Why? Because this painful and dreadful workout is not working. So why continue? If someone works with a trainer twice a week and sometimes even less, not doing anything at all on his own and having the nightly cocktails and good dinners and parties and so forth, what am I supposed to accomplish without having him on a crack diet? What indeed? Is it reaaaaaaaaaaaaly my shortcoming or his lack of commitment and work? How does one measure success?

My point here is that if I am hired to help someone attain a specific goal and he or she doesn't get there I would like that person to honestly evaluate all of the factors going into the process, STARTING WITH THEMSELVES, that goes something like this:

Am I eating well, keeping to a smart nutrition, one that is parallel with my goals?
Am I doing MY homework and the additional work I am not paying this person to do with me?
Am I sleeping enough?
Am I consistent with all of the above AND my training?

Now, why is that trainer not giving me a proper workout? Is my program kaka? Is my trainer and idiot?

Thank you, and good bye. Start with the mirror, people, and don't freakin' lie to yourself, I am not in the business of indulging sorry people. I am NOT the failure, YOU ARE! And until you realize that, not me, not your mom, not your dog, no one can help you get better, you are ultimately in charge of your results and I am a damned good aid to get you there - if you keep up.

Woooooh!

Eating tips for non dieters

2008-07-05T17:46:00.005-04:00

These little "rules" will help optimize your nutritional awareness and perhaps aid in weight loss. If you can adopt one rule, maybe you can adopt two, than three and more, and before you know it you have revamped your eating habits. Also check out my more detailed nutritional check list on my website that you can download and go through every night to help with smart eating. I hate calling it weight loss. Let's just say; smart eating and no greediness.

Here we go: for starters, don't skip meals, ever! Must have the main three and two little meals or snacks in between - this is the MINIMUM! Yes, I eat 5-6 times a day, sometimes more. I might snack on fruit, apple, nuts (macadamias or walnuts or almonds), figs, ginger, veggies, cottage cheese or yogurt, whole grain cracker, tuna, etc. Try to stay away from low fat and fat free and sugar free. If these were labeled "chemical laden", or "slightly poisonous", than you wouldn't touch it, would you? Well, guess what? They are... so eat real and eat small. Get smaller serving plates for your home. Seriously, get smaller plates and bowls. Your portions will shrink automatically. Do not eat anything out of the package, put it in a small bowl or on a small plate and stop there. Drink a little water before you start eating and after. Also drink water at bedtime to aid the digestion of your food and keep hydrated through the night. You will not have cramps and headaches and dry mouth when you wake up. You may have pee pee in the middle of the night but it's worth it. Have water at your bedside too. Eat proteins and complex carbs and fats all, but try not eating anything sugary (including fruit) after 6 pm. Do not eat up to two hours before bedtime. If you feel hungry grab a few nuts or a few crackers only. Try and clear up your liquids, that is: drink water only!!! Drop the soda, the juice (maybe 4 oz a day) and even the milk. One glass of milk a day is enough, you can get calcium from other dairy such as cottage cheese, regular cheese and whatever else squeezes out of cows (yumm!). No fried foods! No desserts! Did you know that dessert is NOT part of a complete meal, it never was till the all American cafeteria food makers made it so, probably because it's cheap to throw some puddin' into your daily calories. There are lots of dessert alternatives, such as fruit, fruit smoothies (sherbet, not the milky kind), but if you really have to, get a piece of chocolate withouth the crap in it, just plain chocolate. By the way, peanuts are not the greatest either and they're not even nuts. Look it up. Soy, in higher quantities, is even bad for you. So don't substitute.

See, this is my philosophy (and that's my big word for the day); if nature wanted us to drink soy milk she would've made bean cows. There's no such thing. If nature wanted us to have sweets without sugar we wouldn't have sugar at all. We wouldn't know sugar. Sugar would be an element on a distant start that we hoped one day to reach with our high powered machines. Maybe sugar would be a fuel, it wouldn't be for consumption. OK, I digress, you get the point! Don't inflate, polish and recolor the fruits and vegetables, don't spike the animals with hormones and don't take the good tasting stuff out of food - eat less of it! Eat with measure and eat colorful! Unlike like the Britt's...lol, the only color on their table is beige. Eat lots of fish or take fish oil! Unlike the Cubans. The only condiment they use is frying oil! Ok, I stop poaking fun, I told you that I grew up on lard...ewh!
Eat enough, not as much as you can! Separate your food when dining out and put it in a go box right away - eat half of what they serve (except if you are in the Cheese Cake Factory, than eat a quarter portion). Be happy but not fat - go see Wall-e!

88 posts

2008-06-29T18:54:00.002-04:00

That's what I have so far. And why? oh, well, self expression, I guess...Venting... Reaching out, being frustrated, being overwhelmed, being happy and elated and hopeful and disgusted.
Which is it today?

hmmm.. how much wine have I had? None, so far. So it should be a happy one. I don't particularly have any passionate issue floating in my head right now (and lately), just the usual suspects. Such as my adorable puppy Shasta and my fun and lovely scooter, my mostly rewarding work and my overwhelmingly inspiring volunteer group and the disgusting human race.

oops! Yeah... went to the movies.
And I continue doing this and surprise myself when I find how much I don't enjoy doing that. People are not pretty, for the most part. Families, couples, women, children, overweight, overfed, and messy and inconsiderate. And this is MY free time and MY way of spending money? Why? so I have a BIGGER SCREEN and a louder sound?? Is everything better heightened to the roof?? Not if I have to be in a zoo!

Standing in line, I count the next 10 people and cannot find a not overweight one. So I count to 15. Than I get one. But everyone is carrying the horrible snacks that the theaters serve up for a lot of money. I mean, you could get seared tuna for the price of nachos, and so on and so forth. Why do we still need to have crap to eat at the movie theater?? Is this a law? In THIS free country? I don't get it....

Than inside, after the reminder to shut the f...n fones off, someone will have their cellphone go off and lets it ring because he's not supposed to talk on the phone so he won't answer it. Than the exiting process when people just stand up and walk away from the pig sty they and their children leave on and around the chairs. Because they are OUT. And it's not their job to pick up the trash and take it to the receptacle.

Just like earlier this weekend when I stopped by Old Navy to check out the sale... I spent 3 minutes in there...you would think it was a mob inside the store, everything was thrown everywhere, people tripping over things and other people. It's so sad that we want a better life, we want to be treated better, get better service and have a nicer environment but we cannot even act as a decent human being. I don't get it.

Than I come home, flying on my pistachio scooty and being greeted by my loving girl, Shaz who (as scheduled) peed on the bathroom floor and wants to have her dinner right away because she hasn't eaten in days... or so it seems. But I love her and I love being at home. I love watching my subtitled foreign films and munching grapes or sipping wine and having the little heater sitting next to me waiting for a hand to pet her soft hair. I love my own reliable good company and the scent of eucalyptus on my coffee table. I love the simple comfort my huge red couch offers and the freshly bottled cold tap water in my fridge. I think I am turning into a hermit and I'm not sure that I mind at this point.

I only hope that by being nicer and fitter and more passionate about things than the average bear I spread some awareness and/or a desire to change things by changing ourselves. WE cannot expect to have a better anything if don't expand some effort of our own first. It's a funny thing, this being a better citizen/person thing, it is sort of catchy! So try it, pick up after yourself and teach others good manners. Be patient and courteous and always respectful with the elders. Kids need to know their place, they are NOT in charge of the family or anything, for that matter. And lead by good example - if you're overweight, take some freakin' nuts to snack on and don't drink that soda! Or else, don't expect sympathy... I've got none. Might as well start smoking too.

Have a great week, be back soon!