I've been job searching for 6 months and I've received 2 job offers. I accepted the first one I received because I was afraid I wouldn't get another one. I am having a hard time deciding what to do. I've talked to everyone I know about it, and I still can't make a decision. I thought I'd ask you all for advice.
Job #1
Major Retail Company
Administrative Assistant
Part Time 20 hours
$1 less then the full time job
I like the manager
the job duties change daily
10 minute commute
Morning Shift M-F and I would have rotating weekends, about once a month
Job#2
Major Financial Company
Customer Service Rep - Call Center
Full Time 40 hours
$1 more an hour then part time job
I don't know anyone that I will be working with or the manager
repetitive work dealing with cutomers over their credit cards and bills
15 minute commute
Afternoon shift 1230-900pm
I would have to work every saturday and have off sunday & tuesday.
My husband works Sat-Mon 12 hour shifts during the day.
I'm leaning towards the Part time Job because I will have my afternoons to spend with my husband and dogs.
But I would be giving up half the money
I would have a variety of tasks to do, not the same thing ever day over and over at the call center.
Plus I wouldn't have to deal with mean cranky customers on a daily basis.
But we need the money! and I can sleep in. But with that schedule, it seems like thats all you would have time for is sleep & work.
Oh decisions! I honestly thought I would get one offer and I would have to take it. I never thought I would have to make a decision!
And there is one more potential Job working for the State. There is no problem making a decision there, State Jobs are great!
So what would you do? Job#1 or Job#2?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Real Age
Do you know your "Real Age"? You're "Real Age" is the age that your body feels like. Years can be added or deducted due to your lifestyle. I've seen this on many tv shows (Dr. OZ, Biggest Loser) for many years and am just now getting around to doing it. (Thanks to my cousin Marie for sharing and refreshing my memory to do it!) Go to http://www.realage.com/ and fill out some questions about your life style and they will e-mail you your "real age".
I thought I would share with you my results. It's a little shocking, but I know I don't live the way I should. So, what is my "Real Age"? 42. My calendar age is 31.6. That's a difference of over 10 years! Living this life style has cost me 10 years!
When they e-mail you your results, they also tell you what is making you younger, what is causing you to be older and how to fix it. A few things that cause me to be older are being an ex-smoker, getting to much sleep, stress and many many more things!
So, even more encouragement to get my diet started again! I want to get those 10 years back!
Has anyone else taken the Real Age test? How did it turn out for you?
I thought I would share with you my results. It's a little shocking, but I know I don't live the way I should. So, what is my "Real Age"? 42. My calendar age is 31.6. That's a difference of over 10 years! Living this life style has cost me 10 years!
When they e-mail you your results, they also tell you what is making you younger, what is causing you to be older and how to fix it. A few things that cause me to be older are being an ex-smoker, getting to much sleep, stress and many many more things!
So, even more encouragement to get my diet started again! I want to get those 10 years back!
Has anyone else taken the Real Age test? How did it turn out for you?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Understanding Insulin Resistance
I had to post this article from Jillian Michales becuase I am Insulin Resistant and actually learned a couple new things from this article!
Understanding Insulin Resistance
We heard a lot about insulin in the days of low-carb diets. And for good reason. Problems with insulin are a root cause of some of the most dangerous health conditions, as insulin affects almost every cell in the body.
Insulin plays a critical role in how your body uses food. Its most important role is to lower the concentration of glucose in your blood. When you eat, your digestive system breaks food down into glucose, and the glucose recirculates in your blood stream. In response to the rise in glucose after a meal, the pancreas releases surges of insulin, whose job is to clean the glucose from the blood. Some of the glucose is diverted into the liver, where it's converted into stored glucose, called glycogen, for later use by the muscles. Insulin then helps turn any leftover glucose into fatty acids and stores them in fat cells where they can be tapped later for fuel.
By making poor food choices, like scarfing down too many highly processed, refined carbs (like white bread and pasta!), we can do things to cause our bodies to create too much insulin. When you repeat that cycle too many times (like by repeatedly eating sugary junk on an empty stomach) your pancreas will overcompensate and produce more insulin, which your cells will eventually start to ignore. This is called insulin resistance and it is the precursor to type 2 diabetes and it is common in overweight people. Turned away at the door, the sugar is left with no where to go. If it hangs around in your blood too long, doctors call this impaired fasting glucose (if measured in the morning) or impaired glucose tolerance (if measured two hours after a meal). You could develop full-blown diabetes if both conditions go unchecked.
While high levels of blood glucose trigger insulin release, low levels suppress it, Maintaining low levels of insulin — one of the primary goals of the diet — allows your body to more easily tap in to your stored fat for fuel. Conversely, being insulin-resistant can hamper your weight-loss efforts. Try to avoid spikes in your blood sugar, by eating regularly. Pair carbs with protein, eat whole foods, avoid sugar juices and fruits, and highly-processed carbs. When your insulin-release mechanism works the right way, it helps keep your weight in check. So strive to keep it balanced!
Understanding Insulin Resistance
We heard a lot about insulin in the days of low-carb diets. And for good reason. Problems with insulin are a root cause of some of the most dangerous health conditions, as insulin affects almost every cell in the body.
Insulin plays a critical role in how your body uses food. Its most important role is to lower the concentration of glucose in your blood. When you eat, your digestive system breaks food down into glucose, and the glucose recirculates in your blood stream. In response to the rise in glucose after a meal, the pancreas releases surges of insulin, whose job is to clean the glucose from the blood. Some of the glucose is diverted into the liver, where it's converted into stored glucose, called glycogen, for later use by the muscles. Insulin then helps turn any leftover glucose into fatty acids and stores them in fat cells where they can be tapped later for fuel.
By making poor food choices, like scarfing down too many highly processed, refined carbs (like white bread and pasta!), we can do things to cause our bodies to create too much insulin. When you repeat that cycle too many times (like by repeatedly eating sugary junk on an empty stomach) your pancreas will overcompensate and produce more insulin, which your cells will eventually start to ignore. This is called insulin resistance and it is the precursor to type 2 diabetes and it is common in overweight people. Turned away at the door, the sugar is left with no where to go. If it hangs around in your blood too long, doctors call this impaired fasting glucose (if measured in the morning) or impaired glucose tolerance (if measured two hours after a meal). You could develop full-blown diabetes if both conditions go unchecked.
While high levels of blood glucose trigger insulin release, low levels suppress it, Maintaining low levels of insulin — one of the primary goals of the diet — allows your body to more easily tap in to your stored fat for fuel. Conversely, being insulin-resistant can hamper your weight-loss efforts. Try to avoid spikes in your blood sugar, by eating regularly. Pair carbs with protein, eat whole foods, avoid sugar juices and fruits, and highly-processed carbs. When your insulin-release mechanism works the right way, it helps keep your weight in check. So strive to keep it balanced!
Pillow of Tears
Sunday night, I was afraid to go to sleep. I was afraid I wouldn't wake up. I have so much stress in my life right now. I know my stress isn't as bad as some peoples, but it's a lot for me. I got so worked up about everything that it caused me to cry, and then I got to crying so hard that I coudln't talk and could hardly breath. Then I started feeling tingles in my left arm. I was so afraid to lay down and go to sleep. I prayed to god for hours that he would let me be ok. So sometime a few hours later I woke up and it was dawn. I made it through the night.
I had a long talk with my husband and told him how my health had me so scared. At age 31, the thought of a heart attack shouldn't cross your mind. So I got online and started doing some research on warning signs, and small changes that I can start making to get healthier. I know diet is the best answer, however, I wanted to also find more information on things that especially benefit the heart. I will be posting an article on some foods that are heart beneficial later today.
So, you may be asking, "what's got her so stressed?" I'll answer. The main reason is Money and how I'm going to take care of things.
My unemployment runs out in 2 weeks and I didn't have a job
Money
I wasn't smart enough to save the unemployment checks when they came in
My mother reminds me of this almost daily
Money for Vacation
Money
I wasn't smart enough to not use credit cards, so i have charged them up again.
The Weather, cold, cloudy, rainy and snowy for the past 5 months
Money for Taxes
Job Searching & Interviewing has got me emotionally drained
My husband hates his job
I can't keep the house clean or find the motivation
and money.
However, It's a new day and the sun is out! It can only get better from here!
I had a long talk with my husband and told him how my health had me so scared. At age 31, the thought of a heart attack shouldn't cross your mind. So I got online and started doing some research on warning signs, and small changes that I can start making to get healthier. I know diet is the best answer, however, I wanted to also find more information on things that especially benefit the heart. I will be posting an article on some foods that are heart beneficial later today.
So, you may be asking, "what's got her so stressed?" I'll answer. The main reason is Money and how I'm going to take care of things.
My unemployment runs out in 2 weeks and I didn't have a job
Money
I wasn't smart enough to save the unemployment checks when they came in
My mother reminds me of this almost daily
Money for Vacation
Money
I wasn't smart enough to not use credit cards, so i have charged them up again.
The Weather, cold, cloudy, rainy and snowy for the past 5 months
Money for Taxes
Job Searching & Interviewing has got me emotionally drained
My husband hates his job
I can't keep the house clean or find the motivation
and money.
However, It's a new day and the sun is out! It can only get better from here!
Women Heart Attack Signs
The other night, I scared myself (I'll blog on it next) but lately I have been so stressed out, and being over weight has got me to think about heart attacks and the signs in women. I know the main warning signs for men, and I've always heard that the women signs were different, so I went to the trusty WebMD webiste and did some searching. I thought I would share the article with you below. The thing that gets me, these are common almost every day signs for people, especially those that are extremly overweight like myself.
By Katherine Kam
WebMD the Magazine - FeatureReviewed by Michael W. Smith, MDMost women know the symptoms of male heart attacks -- squeezing chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea. But as it turns out, the symptoms of female heart attacks can be quite different – and it’s important for all women to learn the warning signs.
For instance, Rhonda Monroe was mystified when strong pain struck her left breast and left arm. Monroe, who was a 36-year-old mother of three, didn’t know it at the time, but she was having early symptoms of a heart attack. “I certainly wasn’t thinking about my heart because I was young and healthy and had been skinny,” she says.
As the pain moved into her shoulder and back, Monroe took pain relievers and showered for relief. But the next day, she was overwhelmed with nausea, sweating, vomiting, and chest pain. An ambulance rushed her to the emergency room.
Her next hurdle: getting the doctors to believe her. “They didn’t take me seriously,” Monroe says. She didn’t fit the profile of a heart attack patient. The doctors told her she was too young, she was not overweight, and there was no family history of heart disease.
Bedeviled by worsening pain and weakness and convinced she was dying, Monroe returned to the hospital several times over the days that followed, only to come home with no answers. “I was angry and frustrated,” the West Virginia resident says.
Monroe turned to her primary care physician about her situation and went through more tests at the hospital. Finally, she got her diagnosis -- a week after the initial breast and arm pain. As Monroe recalls, a cardiologist who had previously dismissed her complaints made the diagnosis. “The doctor told me, ‘Well, it’s a good thing you’re persistent because you’re having a heart attack.’”
Heart experts say Monroe’s situation is all too common. Women who have “atypical” symptoms, such as arm or back pain or nausea, might not realize at first that they’re having a heart attack. Then when they do seek emergency care, doctors sometimes misdiagnose them.
Female heart attack symptoms
“Typical” heart attack symptoms include chest pressure or squeezing or stabbing sensations in the center or left side of the chest, says Myung H. Park, MD, FACC, who is director of the Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “It’s very typical for people to make a fist when they’re describing their symptoms,” she says. “Some people describe it as feeling like a vise encasing their whole chest area.”
But in women, symptoms are more likely to be atypical: Although most women experience chest pain or discomfort, many don’t. In a 2003 Circulation study of female heart attack patients, scientists found that during an attack, 43% of the 515 women studied had no “acute chest pain, a ‘hallmark symptom in men.’”
The study noted some common female heart attack symptoms:
• shortness of breath (57.9%)
• weakness (54.8%)
• unusual fatigue (42.9%)
Women had other atypical heart attack symptoms, too: nausea, dizziness, lower chest discomfort, upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that feels like indigestion, and upper back pain.
Often, women are unfamiliar with these atypical symptoms and blame them on heartburn or indigestion, arthritis, or stress, experts say. If they become short of breath with little exertion, they tell themselves they are out of shape, overworked, or fatigued.
Pay attention to heart attack symptoms
But experts urge women to learn the various heart attack symptoms and to call 911 promptly at the appearance of these signs. While every woman feels indigestion once in a while, experiencing a cluster of unusual symptoms or a sensation in the chest or stomach never felt before is reason to seek emergency care. Park has seen too many patients wait too long. Because women have lots of competing demands -- jobs, families, and sometimes caregiving duties -- “taking care of themselves, even if they don’t feel well, usually doesn’t make it to the top of the list,” she says.
That can be dangerous, experts say. “The longer a woman waits before getting treatment to open the blocked blood vessel to the heart, the more damage is done to the heart muscle. If a large amount of the heart muscle is damaged, the woman will be at risk for heart failure,” says Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD, co-author of The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide and director of preventive cardiology and research at McConnell Heart Health Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Assert yourself if you have heart attack symptoms
Unfortunately, doctors who are not familiar with atypical symptoms may overlook a woman’s heart attack, experts tell WebMD. In fact, according to the Circulation study, women have more unrecognized heart attacks than men and are more likely to be “mistakenly diagnosed and discharged from emergency departments.”
Be direct with doctors and other medical staff, Caulin-Glaser says: “Women arriving at the emergency room should state clearly that they think they are having a heart attack and need to be evaluated.”
At a minimum, an immediate evaluation should include being placed on oxygen, taking aspirin, having blood drawn, having an electrocardiogram performed, and receiving a cardiac monitor within minutes of arrival, she says.
Being bold can save women’s lives, Caulin-Glaser adds. “If the triage nurse or emergency room physician does not take their concerns seriously and begin the immediate evaluation for a heart attack, then all women should tell the emergency room physician they want to be seen by a cardiologist.”
Shortly after Monroe’s heart attack was finally diagnosed, she underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery. She reports that she didn’t know all the right questions to ask when she first felt symptoms, “but I definitely knew that something was wrong.”
Now she urges other women who believe they might be having a heart attack to advocate for themselves. “Persist. No one knows your body the way you do,” Monroe says. “I really believe the only reason I’m alive today is that I wouldn’t give up, and I wouldn’t relent.”
Learn about your local heart attack resources
One of the most important ways you can advocate for yourself is doing research. “Take action before you ever have a heart attack,” says Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD, co-author of The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide and director of preventive cardiology and research at McConnell Heart Health Center in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s important for women to do their homework regarding the hospitals in their neighborhoods. Find out which hospitals specialize in heart disease,” she says. Some questions for women to ask:
-Does the hospital have a cardiac catheterization lab that performs procedures such as angioplasties and stents?
-Is this “cath lab” available 24 hours, seven days a week?
-Is there a coronary bypass surgery program?
-Once a woman arrives in the emergency room with a heart attack, how quickly is she sent to the cath lab?
-Can doctors open a blocked blood vessel within the acceptable range of 90 minutes?
-Are all of the physicians in the emergency department board-certified in emergency medicine
By Katherine Kam
WebMD the Magazine - FeatureReviewed by Michael W. Smith, MDMost women know the symptoms of male heart attacks -- squeezing chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea. But as it turns out, the symptoms of female heart attacks can be quite different – and it’s important for all women to learn the warning signs.
For instance, Rhonda Monroe was mystified when strong pain struck her left breast and left arm. Monroe, who was a 36-year-old mother of three, didn’t know it at the time, but she was having early symptoms of a heart attack. “I certainly wasn’t thinking about my heart because I was young and healthy and had been skinny,” she says.
As the pain moved into her shoulder and back, Monroe took pain relievers and showered for relief. But the next day, she was overwhelmed with nausea, sweating, vomiting, and chest pain. An ambulance rushed her to the emergency room.
Her next hurdle: getting the doctors to believe her. “They didn’t take me seriously,” Monroe says. She didn’t fit the profile of a heart attack patient. The doctors told her she was too young, she was not overweight, and there was no family history of heart disease.
Bedeviled by worsening pain and weakness and convinced she was dying, Monroe returned to the hospital several times over the days that followed, only to come home with no answers. “I was angry and frustrated,” the West Virginia resident says.
Monroe turned to her primary care physician about her situation and went through more tests at the hospital. Finally, she got her diagnosis -- a week after the initial breast and arm pain. As Monroe recalls, a cardiologist who had previously dismissed her complaints made the diagnosis. “The doctor told me, ‘Well, it’s a good thing you’re persistent because you’re having a heart attack.’”
Heart experts say Monroe’s situation is all too common. Women who have “atypical” symptoms, such as arm or back pain or nausea, might not realize at first that they’re having a heart attack. Then when they do seek emergency care, doctors sometimes misdiagnose them.
Female heart attack symptoms
“Typical” heart attack symptoms include chest pressure or squeezing or stabbing sensations in the center or left side of the chest, says Myung H. Park, MD, FACC, who is director of the Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “It’s very typical for people to make a fist when they’re describing their symptoms,” she says. “Some people describe it as feeling like a vise encasing their whole chest area.”
But in women, symptoms are more likely to be atypical: Although most women experience chest pain or discomfort, many don’t. In a 2003 Circulation study of female heart attack patients, scientists found that during an attack, 43% of the 515 women studied had no “acute chest pain, a ‘hallmark symptom in men.’”
The study noted some common female heart attack symptoms:
• shortness of breath (57.9%)
• weakness (54.8%)
• unusual fatigue (42.9%)
Women had other atypical heart attack symptoms, too: nausea, dizziness, lower chest discomfort, upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that feels like indigestion, and upper back pain.
Often, women are unfamiliar with these atypical symptoms and blame them on heartburn or indigestion, arthritis, or stress, experts say. If they become short of breath with little exertion, they tell themselves they are out of shape, overworked, or fatigued.
Pay attention to heart attack symptoms
But experts urge women to learn the various heart attack symptoms and to call 911 promptly at the appearance of these signs. While every woman feels indigestion once in a while, experiencing a cluster of unusual symptoms or a sensation in the chest or stomach never felt before is reason to seek emergency care. Park has seen too many patients wait too long. Because women have lots of competing demands -- jobs, families, and sometimes caregiving duties -- “taking care of themselves, even if they don’t feel well, usually doesn’t make it to the top of the list,” she says.
That can be dangerous, experts say. “The longer a woman waits before getting treatment to open the blocked blood vessel to the heart, the more damage is done to the heart muscle. If a large amount of the heart muscle is damaged, the woman will be at risk for heart failure,” says Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD, co-author of The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide and director of preventive cardiology and research at McConnell Heart Health Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Assert yourself if you have heart attack symptoms
Unfortunately, doctors who are not familiar with atypical symptoms may overlook a woman’s heart attack, experts tell WebMD. In fact, according to the Circulation study, women have more unrecognized heart attacks than men and are more likely to be “mistakenly diagnosed and discharged from emergency departments.”
Be direct with doctors and other medical staff, Caulin-Glaser says: “Women arriving at the emergency room should state clearly that they think they are having a heart attack and need to be evaluated.”
At a minimum, an immediate evaluation should include being placed on oxygen, taking aspirin, having blood drawn, having an electrocardiogram performed, and receiving a cardiac monitor within minutes of arrival, she says.
Being bold can save women’s lives, Caulin-Glaser adds. “If the triage nurse or emergency room physician does not take their concerns seriously and begin the immediate evaluation for a heart attack, then all women should tell the emergency room physician they want to be seen by a cardiologist.”
Shortly after Monroe’s heart attack was finally diagnosed, she underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery. She reports that she didn’t know all the right questions to ask when she first felt symptoms, “but I definitely knew that something was wrong.”
Now she urges other women who believe they might be having a heart attack to advocate for themselves. “Persist. No one knows your body the way you do,” Monroe says. “I really believe the only reason I’m alive today is that I wouldn’t give up, and I wouldn’t relent.”
Learn about your local heart attack resources
One of the most important ways you can advocate for yourself is doing research. “Take action before you ever have a heart attack,” says Teresa Caulin-Glaser, MD, co-author of The Woman’s Heart: An Owner’s Guide and director of preventive cardiology and research at McConnell Heart Health Center in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s important for women to do their homework regarding the hospitals in their neighborhoods. Find out which hospitals specialize in heart disease,” she says. Some questions for women to ask:
-Does the hospital have a cardiac catheterization lab that performs procedures such as angioplasties and stents?
-Is this “cath lab” available 24 hours, seven days a week?
-Is there a coronary bypass surgery program?
-Once a woman arrives in the emergency room with a heart attack, how quickly is she sent to the cath lab?
-Can doctors open a blocked blood vessel within the acceptable range of 90 minutes?
-Are all of the physicians in the emergency department board-certified in emergency medicine
Diet: Staying on track when you're on Vacation
More from the fabulous Jillian! This one is really good for me since I will be on vacation in less then a month. Yay!
Q: I've been really good about my workouts and eating right, but I'm about to go on vacation with my family. I want to have fun and not be too strict, but I don't want to fall off the wagon completely! What do you suggest?
A: Here's what I suggest — EXERCISE! Even if you overindulge a little, you will stave off weight gain by exercising daily. Second, I would say that you should eat the foods you want, but in moderation. Have a bite of the cheesecake, but don’t eat the whole slice. Be smart about your indulgences: Don’t waste your calories. For example, instead of having a margarita by the pool, opt for a white wine spritzer or a light beer. Frozen margaritas have a whopping 700 calories. Think of your calories as an allowance. Save on calories where you can, and spend them on things that are really worth it, like chocolate!
Q: I've been really good about my workouts and eating right, but I'm about to go on vacation with my family. I want to have fun and not be too strict, but I don't want to fall off the wagon completely! What do you suggest?
A: Here's what I suggest — EXERCISE! Even if you overindulge a little, you will stave off weight gain by exercising daily. Second, I would say that you should eat the foods you want, but in moderation. Have a bite of the cheesecake, but don’t eat the whole slice. Be smart about your indulgences: Don’t waste your calories. For example, instead of having a margarita by the pool, opt for a white wine spritzer or a light beer. Frozen margaritas have a whopping 700 calories. Think of your calories as an allowance. Save on calories where you can, and spend them on things that are really worth it, like chocolate!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Should You Work Out When You're Sick?
I should have posted this during flu/cold season, but I guess better late then never!
Q: Should you work out when you have a cold? Anything special to keep in mind?
Jillian Michaels A:
The rule of thumb for exercising while sick is called the above/below-the-neck rule. If your symptoms appear above the neck (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), then yes, you can continue with a low-intensity workout. Studies have shown that exercising at a moderate-intensity level does not intensify cold symptoms or compromise the immune system. Avoid high-intensity exercise, such as heavy weight lifting and high-intensity aerobic training, which has been shown to have a negative impact on the immune system during a cold or any respiratory infection.
If your symptoms are below the neck (diarrhea, intense coughing, vomiting, fever), then the American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest you let your illness run its course before resuming physical activity.
Q: Should you work out when you have a cold? Anything special to keep in mind?
Jillian Michaels A:
The rule of thumb for exercising while sick is called the above/below-the-neck rule. If your symptoms appear above the neck (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), then yes, you can continue with a low-intensity workout. Studies have shown that exercising at a moderate-intensity level does not intensify cold symptoms or compromise the immune system. Avoid high-intensity exercise, such as heavy weight lifting and high-intensity aerobic training, which has been shown to have a negative impact on the immune system during a cold or any respiratory infection.
If your symptoms are below the neck (diarrhea, intense coughing, vomiting, fever), then the American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest you let your illness run its course before resuming physical activity.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Pub Guidelines if your on a Diet
A major part of many americans lives revolves around a Pubs, Bar&Grills and Alcohol. Anymore, Alcohol is as common to have at a picnic or ball game as hot dogs are. Over St. Patricks Day, Weight Watchers posted this article on how to stick to your diet and still have fun.
Bar food is notoriously salty, fatty and tasty. Here's how to enjoy the grub without gaining.
1. Don't drink on an empty stomach
"Alcohol enhances appetite and it also lowers inhibition," says Stokes. So if you intend to eat a meal, it's best to order it right away before the cocktails lower your defenses.
2. Do your homework
If the bar offers its menu online, take a look at it and decide what to order before you get there. That way you won't rushed into making a bad decision.
3. Fill up on fiber
When you choose dishes based on starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and potatoes, go for whole-grain options where possible, for extra fiber.
4. Cut down on salty foods
Avoid salty snacks such as chips and nuts, and heavily salted foods such as bacon, cheese and pickles. And to try not to add extra salt.
5. Make meals low in fat
If you're having a baked potato, ask for a low-fat spread instead of butter or, if you are having pasta, choose a dish with a sauce made from tomatoes or vegetables instead of cheese or cream. Steer clear of bacon, sausages, battered or deep-fried foods and creamy desserts.
6. Choose a dish with plenty of vegetables
A portion is roughly three heaped tablespoons of vegetables. Salads and vegetarian dishes are good options. If a dish comes with fries and vegetables, hold the fries and ask for extra vegetables.
7. Go for grilled, boiled, poached, steamed or stir-fried dishes
These involve less fat in the cooking. If you can't tell from the menu how a dish is cooked, ask your server.
8. Opt for fruit
If you want a dessert, choose a fruit salad or apple crumble.
9. Look for pubs that prepare food on premises
That's where it will be more practical for you to request healthier options.
10. Factor in your drinks
There is nothing wrong with having drinks with your meal — you are in a bar, after all. But alcohol is high in calories, so be sure to keep track. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
•12 ounces of regular beer: 2.5 POINTS® values
•12 ounces of light beer: 2 POINTS values
•5 ounces of wine: 2 POINTS values
•1 "shot" of 86 proof distilled spirits: 2 POINTS values
Enjoy!
Bar food is notoriously salty, fatty and tasty. Here's how to enjoy the grub without gaining.
1. Don't drink on an empty stomach
"Alcohol enhances appetite and it also lowers inhibition," says Stokes. So if you intend to eat a meal, it's best to order it right away before the cocktails lower your defenses.
2. Do your homework
If the bar offers its menu online, take a look at it and decide what to order before you get there. That way you won't rushed into making a bad decision.
3. Fill up on fiber
When you choose dishes based on starchy foods, such as bread, pasta and potatoes, go for whole-grain options where possible, for extra fiber.
4. Cut down on salty foods
Avoid salty snacks such as chips and nuts, and heavily salted foods such as bacon, cheese and pickles. And to try not to add extra salt.
5. Make meals low in fat
If you're having a baked potato, ask for a low-fat spread instead of butter or, if you are having pasta, choose a dish with a sauce made from tomatoes or vegetables instead of cheese or cream. Steer clear of bacon, sausages, battered or deep-fried foods and creamy desserts.
6. Choose a dish with plenty of vegetables
A portion is roughly three heaped tablespoons of vegetables. Salads and vegetarian dishes are good options. If a dish comes with fries and vegetables, hold the fries and ask for extra vegetables.
7. Go for grilled, boiled, poached, steamed or stir-fried dishes
These involve less fat in the cooking. If you can't tell from the menu how a dish is cooked, ask your server.
8. Opt for fruit
If you want a dessert, choose a fruit salad or apple crumble.
9. Look for pubs that prepare food on premises
That's where it will be more practical for you to request healthier options.
10. Factor in your drinks
There is nothing wrong with having drinks with your meal — you are in a bar, after all. But alcohol is high in calories, so be sure to keep track. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
•12 ounces of regular beer: 2.5 POINTS® values
•12 ounces of light beer: 2 POINTS values
•5 ounces of wine: 2 POINTS values
•1 "shot" of 86 proof distilled spirits: 2 POINTS values
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Whittle Your Middle
I've been posting a lot of Jillian Michaels post lately, however I've been trying to educate myself more on the benefits of weight loss... plus I'm way behind in my Inbox and thought I would do some catching up and share them with you!
More Reasons to Whittle Your Middle
I think we can all agree that "muffin tops" — the fat hanging over the waist of a too tight pair of pants — and beer bellies aren't attractive. Still, when it comes to excess belly fat, the situation is more serious than how you look. Excess belly fat has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and stress.
When you have stress, your body releases certain "fight-or-flight" stress hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands: cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine. When you first get stressed, these hormones kick into gear. Norepinephrine tells your body to stop producing insulin so that you can have plenty of fast-acting blood glucose ready. Epinephrine will relax the muscles in your stomach and intestines and decrease blood flow to these organs. Once the stressor has passed, cortisol tells the body to stop producing these hormones and to go back to digesting regularly. It's normal for your cortisol levels to go up and down throughout the day, but when you are chronically stressed your cortisol level goes up — and stays there.
When your stress and cortisol levels are high, the body actually resists weight loss. Your body thinks times are hard and you might starve, so it hoards the fat you eat or have present on your body. Cortisol tends to take fat from healthier areas, like your butt and hips, and move it to your abdomen which has more cortisol receptors. Hello ab flab! In the process, it turns once–healthy peripheral fat into unhealthy visceral fat (the fat in your abdomen that surrounds your organs) that increases inflammation and insulin resistance in the body. This belly fat then leads to more cortisol because it has higher concentrations of an enzyme that converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol. The more belly fat you have, the more active cortisol will be converted by these enzymes — yet another vicious cycle created by visceral fat.
So what if you have belly fat? Lose weight by following the best nutrition and lifestyle strategies that support you in times of stress, like the ones in my program. When you limit your caffeine to 200 milligrams a day, avoid simple carbs, processed foods, and refined grains, and get plenty of high-quality protein, in addition to de-stressing yourself, you'll automatically help your body keep your stress hormones, especially cortisol, lower. It's a day by day choice you'll have to make, but the results will be worth. Think how good it will be when you are as healthy on the inside as you look on the outside.
More Reasons to Whittle Your Middle
I think we can all agree that "muffin tops" — the fat hanging over the waist of a too tight pair of pants — and beer bellies aren't attractive. Still, when it comes to excess belly fat, the situation is more serious than how you look. Excess belly fat has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and stress.
When you have stress, your body releases certain "fight-or-flight" stress hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands: cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine. When you first get stressed, these hormones kick into gear. Norepinephrine tells your body to stop producing insulin so that you can have plenty of fast-acting blood glucose ready. Epinephrine will relax the muscles in your stomach and intestines and decrease blood flow to these organs. Once the stressor has passed, cortisol tells the body to stop producing these hormones and to go back to digesting regularly. It's normal for your cortisol levels to go up and down throughout the day, but when you are chronically stressed your cortisol level goes up — and stays there.
When your stress and cortisol levels are high, the body actually resists weight loss. Your body thinks times are hard and you might starve, so it hoards the fat you eat or have present on your body. Cortisol tends to take fat from healthier areas, like your butt and hips, and move it to your abdomen which has more cortisol receptors. Hello ab flab! In the process, it turns once–healthy peripheral fat into unhealthy visceral fat (the fat in your abdomen that surrounds your organs) that increases inflammation and insulin resistance in the body. This belly fat then leads to more cortisol because it has higher concentrations of an enzyme that converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol. The more belly fat you have, the more active cortisol will be converted by these enzymes — yet another vicious cycle created by visceral fat.
So what if you have belly fat? Lose weight by following the best nutrition and lifestyle strategies that support you in times of stress, like the ones in my program. When you limit your caffeine to 200 milligrams a day, avoid simple carbs, processed foods, and refined grains, and get plenty of high-quality protein, in addition to de-stressing yourself, you'll automatically help your body keep your stress hormones, especially cortisol, lower. It's a day by day choice you'll have to make, but the results will be worth. Think how good it will be when you are as healthy on the inside as you look on the outside.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Low Impact Cardio
Another good e-mail from Jilliam Michaels on Low Impact Cardio!
Got a bad back, bum knee, or trick hip? These kinds of injuries can prevent you from doing typical cardio exercises like biking and jogging. Sometimes even walking is painful. But an old injury isn't a free pass to skip your cardio routine! There are plenty of other lower-impact cardio exercises to choose from.
It might be time to hop in the pool — swimming is kinder to your body than land-based exercise because your natural buoyancy in water helps you avoid the jarring knocks that can cause injuries. In water, you weigh about a tenth of your normal weight, and the range of motion for the less-fit person is much wider because the water supports the weight of the limbs. So, swimming is a good choice for people who want to exercise, but who might have problems with weight-bearing, land-based activities. Swimming might suit those who have arthritis or back problems, extreme weight problems, or are pregnant. To mix things up and target different muscles, vary your strokes during your swim between breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke.
Got a bad back, bum knee, or trick hip? These kinds of injuries can prevent you from doing typical cardio exercises like biking and jogging. Sometimes even walking is painful. But an old injury isn't a free pass to skip your cardio routine! There are plenty of other lower-impact cardio exercises to choose from.
It might be time to hop in the pool — swimming is kinder to your body than land-based exercise because your natural buoyancy in water helps you avoid the jarring knocks that can cause injuries. In water, you weigh about a tenth of your normal weight, and the range of motion for the less-fit person is much wider because the water supports the weight of the limbs. So, swimming is a good choice for people who want to exercise, but who might have problems with weight-bearing, land-based activities. Swimming might suit those who have arthritis or back problems, extreme weight problems, or are pregnant. To mix things up and target different muscles, vary your strokes during your swim between breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke.
Jack's 2nd Birthday
On March 15th, my little puppy Jack, celebrated his 2nd Birthday.
This year I was going to bake him his own treats, however I ran out of time. I bought him a cookie from Three Dog Bakery. Jack has a sensitive stomach and we try to keep to basic ingredients. We bought him the basic bone cookie and had it personalized with his name. He looks all excited in his pictures, however he wasn't a big fan of his bone! He didn't eat one bite!
This year I was going to bake him his own treats, however I ran out of time. I bought him a cookie from Three Dog Bakery. Jack has a sensitive stomach and we try to keep to basic ingredients. We bought him the basic bone cookie and had it personalized with his name. He looks all excited in his pictures, however he wasn't a big fan of his bone! He didn't eat one bite!
Three Dog Bakery is a fabulous bakery, the food looks so good, I want to eat it! Click here to see if there is a location close to you!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What will keep me going
Lately I have been so stressed about things that I have been really screwing up my diet. I haven't focused on me or my diet... my life change... for the past month. A week or so ago I posted that I was so ready to get back on track... well it hasn't happened yet. I have a couple other blogs to catch up on and hope to get them done today. But on to "What Will Keep Me Going!"
In the past I have made a list as to why I wanted to lose weight. I was reading that list and realized that it was very motivational to me. However, my life has done a complete 360 since that list 3-4 years ago. I still have a lot on that list that will be put on to this list, however some things will change... like make mens heads turn, and to have men notice me and to be able to pick who I want to date, not just accept who wants to date me. I am married now and of course those things aren't inportant to me. Making this list also makes me realize that "morbidly obese" people have to go through so much in life that they shouldn't have too. I want to live a normal life and not worry about if I'm going to fit somewhere. I stopped living because of my size. I don't go to concerts or sporting games anymore becuase the seats are just too small. I make myself sick worrying if I will fit in the chairs at the job interviews I go on, and if I will fit on the airline this Spring. I've gained 100 pounds since that old list, and now my new list is twice as long. So let's get started.
In the past I have made a list as to why I wanted to lose weight. I was reading that list and realized that it was very motivational to me. However, my life has done a complete 360 since that list 3-4 years ago. I still have a lot on that list that will be put on to this list, however some things will change... like make mens heads turn, and to have men notice me and to be able to pick who I want to date, not just accept who wants to date me. I am married now and of course those things aren't inportant to me. Making this list also makes me realize that "morbidly obese" people have to go through so much in life that they shouldn't have too. I want to live a normal life and not worry about if I'm going to fit somewhere. I stopped living because of my size. I don't go to concerts or sporting games anymore becuase the seats are just too small. I make myself sick worrying if I will fit in the chairs at the job interviews I go on, and if I will fit on the airline this Spring. I've gained 100 pounds since that old list, and now my new list is twice as long. So let's get started.
- To be healthy
- To have a baby
- To live a long happy life with my husband
- To be able to tie my shoes like a fit person does
- To not have to use a seat belt extender in my Jeep
- To fit in an airline seat
- To fit comfortably in a stadium seat (Royals, Chiefs, Sprint Center, Concerts)
- To own a pair of "Skinny Jeans"
- To own a "Little Black Dress"
- To run a mile with out feeling like I've died
- To be able to walk a flight or two of stairs without stopping
- To not have to shop in a "Plus Size" specialty store
- To be able to cross my legs
- To be able to wear high heels
- To be able to sit in a Restaurant Booth and not ask for a table
- To be able to go somewhere and not be stared at and made fun of
- To influence others my size and help them on their weight loss
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Hello Spring!
Wait... this doesn't look like spring!!!
I woke up to about 5-6 inches of snow this morning! And it's still coming down at 7:30 PM! It was Sunny and 65 yesterday! I hope everyone else got to enjoy Spring weather today!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Love It!
I can't get enough of this weather! I Love it! Today was finally a nice day! The sun was out, the wind was gone, and it was mid 60's! Tomorrow is suppose to be the same for most of the day, however, it's suppose to snow later Friday night/early Saturday morning. WHAT?! SNOW?! UGH!!
So with that forecast, my husband and I packed up the dogs and headed out to the park. He was able to do some fishing while the dogs and I went for a walk. This park has a nice 1/2 mile walking trail around the pond. I normally don't like park trails due to all the shadyness and rapes/murders that happen at lakes/parks around here, however my husband was able to keep his eyes on us at all times.
The dogs loved it. They got to experience so many new sights and scents and sounds. Ducks, Geese, lots of children, a few other dogs and MUD! They loved the wet soggy ground and the mud. Jack was covered in mud up to his elbows. I wish I would have brought my camera to enjoy a few snapshots of the little boogers! Fred is so good at walking on a leash. He stays within distance and if he gets to far ahead, he stops and waits for mom to catch up. Jack, on the other hand, is a handfull. Not only do I get some cardio in, I get some strength training! He is a little bully and out of control! As promised, about two hours later we stopped and got them their free puppy cone from Twisters and they sacked out for the rest of the afternoon.
Danny didn't catch any fish, so I'm off to figure out something for dinner. Hope everyone had a good day too!
So with that forecast, my husband and I packed up the dogs and headed out to the park. He was able to do some fishing while the dogs and I went for a walk. This park has a nice 1/2 mile walking trail around the pond. I normally don't like park trails due to all the shadyness and rapes/murders that happen at lakes/parks around here, however my husband was able to keep his eyes on us at all times.
The dogs loved it. They got to experience so many new sights and scents and sounds. Ducks, Geese, lots of children, a few other dogs and MUD! They loved the wet soggy ground and the mud. Jack was covered in mud up to his elbows. I wish I would have brought my camera to enjoy a few snapshots of the little boogers! Fred is so good at walking on a leash. He stays within distance and if he gets to far ahead, he stops and waits for mom to catch up. Jack, on the other hand, is a handfull. Not only do I get some cardio in, I get some strength training! He is a little bully and out of control! As promised, about two hours later we stopped and got them their free puppy cone from Twisters and they sacked out for the rest of the afternoon.
Danny didn't catch any fish, so I'm off to figure out something for dinner. Hope everyone had a good day too!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
50 Worst Interview Mistakes
I've been brushing up on my interviewing skills and ran across this article on YAHOO and thought I would share. It made me laugh becuase over 1/2 of these are no brainers! Working the past 8 years in the staffinng industry, I can remember people doing just about all of these! Heres the article.
You may have heard the horror stories--job hunters who take phone calls or text during an interview, or bring out a sandwich and start chomping, or brush their hair, or worse. You wouldn't do any of those things, would you? Of course not.
But there are tons of other job interview no-no's you may not have thought of. Or that you've forgotten. The job hunting trail is long and arduous, and a little refresher course can't hurt. So for your edification and enjoyment, here are 50 (yes, 50!) of the worst and most common job interview mistakes:
1. Arriving late.
2. Arriving too early. (In my experience, I would recommend no earlier then 10 minutes early)
3. Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette.
4. Bad-mouthing your last boss.
5. Lying about your skills/experience/knowledge.
6. Wearing the wrong (for this workplace!) clothes. (I have been trained to tell my job hunters to dress one step better then the work attire. If it's casual, you should dress business casual)
7. Forgetting the name of the person you're interviewing with.
8. Wearing a ton of perfume or aftershave.
9. Wearing sunglasses.
10. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece.
11. Failing to research the employer in advance.
12. Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm.
13. Inquiring about benefits too soon.
14. Talking about salary requirements too soon.
15. Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
16. Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job.
17. Forgetting to bring a copy of your resume and/or portfolio.
18. Failing to remember what you wrote on your own resume.
19. Asking too many questions.
20. Asking no questions at all.
21. Being unprepared to answer the standard questions.
22. Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
23. Talking more than half the time.
24. Interrupting your interviewer.
25. Neglecting to match the communication style of your interviewer.
26. Yawning.
27. Slouching.
28. Bringing along a friend, or your mother. (If you have to catch a ride with someone, leave them in the car! I've had so many people bring their driver in to the interview, AKWARD! Also, employeers are really needing someone dependable, and showing that you have to depend on someone to drive them to their job all the time)
29. Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair.
30. Laughing, giggling, whistling, humming, lip-smacking.
31. Saying "you know," "like," "I guess," and "um."
32. Name-dropping or bragging or sounding like a know-it-all.
33. Asking to use the bathroom.
34. Being falsely or exaggeratedly modest.
35. Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly.
36. Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact).
37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does.
38. Becoming angry or defensive.
39. Complaining that you were kept waiting.
40. Complaining about anything!
41. Speaking rudely to the receptionist.
42. Letting your nervousness show. (Sometimes this is impossible to do! I am bad about covering this up!)
43. Overexplaining why you lost your last job.
44. Being too familiar and jokey.
45. Sounding desperate.
46. Checking the time.
47. Oversharing.
48. Sounding rehearsed.
49. Leaving your cell phone on.
50. Failing to ask for the job.
You may have heard the horror stories--job hunters who take phone calls or text during an interview, or bring out a sandwich and start chomping, or brush their hair, or worse. You wouldn't do any of those things, would you? Of course not.
But there are tons of other job interview no-no's you may not have thought of. Or that you've forgotten. The job hunting trail is long and arduous, and a little refresher course can't hurt. So for your edification and enjoyment, here are 50 (yes, 50!) of the worst and most common job interview mistakes:
1. Arriving late.
2. Arriving too early. (In my experience, I would recommend no earlier then 10 minutes early)
3. Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette.
4. Bad-mouthing your last boss.
5. Lying about your skills/experience/knowledge.
6. Wearing the wrong (for this workplace!) clothes. (I have been trained to tell my job hunters to dress one step better then the work attire. If it's casual, you should dress business casual)
7. Forgetting the name of the person you're interviewing with.
8. Wearing a ton of perfume or aftershave.
9. Wearing sunglasses.
10. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece.
11. Failing to research the employer in advance.
12. Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm.
13. Inquiring about benefits too soon.
14. Talking about salary requirements too soon.
15. Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
16. Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job.
17. Forgetting to bring a copy of your resume and/or portfolio.
18. Failing to remember what you wrote on your own resume.
19. Asking too many questions.
20. Asking no questions at all.
21. Being unprepared to answer the standard questions.
22. Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
23. Talking more than half the time.
24. Interrupting your interviewer.
25. Neglecting to match the communication style of your interviewer.
26. Yawning.
27. Slouching.
28. Bringing along a friend, or your mother. (If you have to catch a ride with someone, leave them in the car! I've had so many people bring their driver in to the interview, AKWARD! Also, employeers are really needing someone dependable, and showing that you have to depend on someone to drive them to their job all the time)
29. Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair.
30. Laughing, giggling, whistling, humming, lip-smacking.
31. Saying "you know," "like," "I guess," and "um."
32. Name-dropping or bragging or sounding like a know-it-all.
33. Asking to use the bathroom.
34. Being falsely or exaggeratedly modest.
35. Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly.
36. Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact).
37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does.
38. Becoming angry or defensive.
39. Complaining that you were kept waiting.
40. Complaining about anything!
41. Speaking rudely to the receptionist.
42. Letting your nervousness show. (Sometimes this is impossible to do! I am bad about covering this up!)
43. Overexplaining why you lost your last job.
44. Being too familiar and jokey.
45. Sounding desperate.
46. Checking the time.
47. Oversharing.
48. Sounding rehearsed.
49. Leaving your cell phone on.
50. Failing to ask for the job.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Job Interview
Well, after being rescheduled for the 3rd time, I had my interview. I didn't mind being rescheduled, it gave me more time to prepare. As previously blogged, I was nervous and worried about stairs. I reassured myself that no matter what, I was going to this interview. I tried talking myself out of it. But there was no good reason to 'not' go to the interview. I sit around sad and depressed because of money struggles and I sit and complain that no one has called for an interview... there was no way I was letting me talk myself out of this interview.
How did I do? Hopefully Great! I felt great when I left the interview. Lots of good questions and good answers. They offer everything that I have been wanting in a company and more! The company received over 600 resumes the first weeks posting. They narrowed it down to about 20 candidates. I was one of the lucky few that got selected for an interview. Today, they told me they received over 200 more resumes! I know times are rough right now, but wow, 800 resumes for one position! I've got my fingers crossed, my toes crossed and everything else I can cross. I should find out by the begining of April if I get the job. Wish me luck!
How did I do? Hopefully Great! I felt great when I left the interview. Lots of good questions and good answers. They offer everything that I have been wanting in a company and more! The company received over 600 resumes the first weeks posting. They narrowed it down to about 20 candidates. I was one of the lucky few that got selected for an interview. Today, they told me they received over 200 more resumes! I know times are rough right now, but wow, 800 resumes for one position! I've got my fingers crossed, my toes crossed and everything else I can cross. I should find out by the begining of April if I get the job. Wish me luck!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wear Your Green!
Here's just a few things thats going on in Kansas City this week to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Saturday 3-13-10
Snake Saturday
26th annual Snake Saturday Parade and festivle.
10am-3pm in North Kansas City. The Parade starts at 11 am and runs along Swift Street, Armour Road and Howell St.
for more info http://www.snakesaturday.com/
Brookside St. Patrick's Warm-Up Parade
30th annual parade starts at 2 pm at 65th and Wornall Rd.
http://www.brooksidekc.org/ for more info
Lee's Summit Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Day Parade
5th annual parade starts at 1 pm in Downtown Lee's Summit
http://www.downtownls.org/ for more info
Sunday 3-14-10
Shawnee St. Patricks Parade
28th annual parade begins at 1 pm.
The parade will head down Johnson Drive down to Monrovia and East on Nieman.
http://www.irishamericanclubofshawnee.com/
Browne's Irish Market 3300 Pensylvania
Guinness head brewmaster, Fergal Murrary, will stop by the store from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.
Enjoy Irish music, food and of course Guinness.
http://www.brownesmarket.com/
Wednesday 3-17-10
Kansas City St. Patricks Day Parade
The parade has been going on since 1973 and will start at 11 am and goes until 1 pm. Parade route starts at 33rd st. and Broadway. Parade makes its way through Westport to 43rd st.
http://www.kcirishparade.com/
Ragland Road - Power & Light District
Ragland Road will be celebrating all day long!
Irish Breakfast from 8-11 am.
They are offering a free shuttle from Ragland to the Parade between 10 am-2 pm.
They will also have Elevation- U2 tribute band perform from 12-5:30 pm and Connacht Town goes on at 7 pm.
http://www.raglandroadkc.com/
McCoy's Public House - 4057 Pennsylvania
Irish Breakfast from 7-10 am $8.99/person
The Beaumont Club -4050 Pennsylvania
Radio Station Q104 is having a St Patricks Day Blow Out starting at 11 am.
Another U2 coverband - Rattle and Hum, performs at 1:30 pm
Admission is $5
http://www.beaumontkc.com/
Crosstown Station - 1522 McGee
Live Music featuring the Blarney Stoned starts at 1 pm
Tickets $5
Green Beer, Guinness and Irish Car Bomb Specials
also check out http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/, http://www.theriotroom.com/, http://www.howlathtemoon.com/ for more live music and great beer specials.
Be Safe and have a fun St. Patrick's Day!
*information obtained from KC Star
Saturday 3-13-10
Snake Saturday
26th annual Snake Saturday Parade and festivle.
10am-3pm in North Kansas City. The Parade starts at 11 am and runs along Swift Street, Armour Road and Howell St.
for more info http://www.snakesaturday.com/
Brookside St. Patrick's Warm-Up Parade
30th annual parade starts at 2 pm at 65th and Wornall Rd.
http://www.brooksidekc.org/ for more info
Lee's Summit Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Day Parade
5th annual parade starts at 1 pm in Downtown Lee's Summit
http://www.downtownls.org/ for more info
Sunday 3-14-10
Shawnee St. Patricks Parade
28th annual parade begins at 1 pm.
The parade will head down Johnson Drive down to Monrovia and East on Nieman.
http://www.irishamericanclubofshawnee.com/
Browne's Irish Market 3300 Pensylvania
Guinness head brewmaster, Fergal Murrary, will stop by the store from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.
Enjoy Irish music, food and of course Guinness.
http://www.brownesmarket.com/
Wednesday 3-17-10
Kansas City St. Patricks Day Parade
The parade has been going on since 1973 and will start at 11 am and goes until 1 pm. Parade route starts at 33rd st. and Broadway. Parade makes its way through Westport to 43rd st.
http://www.kcirishparade.com/
Ragland Road - Power & Light District
Ragland Road will be celebrating all day long!
Irish Breakfast from 8-11 am.
They are offering a free shuttle from Ragland to the Parade between 10 am-2 pm.
They will also have Elevation- U2 tribute band perform from 12-5:30 pm and Connacht Town goes on at 7 pm.
http://www.raglandroadkc.com/
McCoy's Public House - 4057 Pennsylvania
Irish Breakfast from 7-10 am $8.99/person
The Beaumont Club -4050 Pennsylvania
Radio Station Q104 is having a St Patricks Day Blow Out starting at 11 am.
Another U2 coverband - Rattle and Hum, performs at 1:30 pm
Admission is $5
http://www.beaumontkc.com/
Crosstown Station - 1522 McGee
Live Music featuring the Blarney Stoned starts at 1 pm
Tickets $5
Green Beer, Guinness and Irish Car Bomb Specials
also check out http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/, http://www.theriotroom.com/, http://www.howlathtemoon.com/ for more live music and great beer specials.
Be Safe and have a fun St. Patrick's Day!
*information obtained from KC Star
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Trip to the Winery and Cider Mill
Part of my 101 list was to have a date with my husband once a month, and to visit a winery.
I decided to check out a local winery called Somerset Ridge Winery. I've lived in Kansas all of my life, and I've just recently learned of this winery. The best part is that it is only 20 minutes away. This would be my husbands first time at a winery. I've had the chance to experience some of the fabulous wineries in Napa Valley, CA. Somerset Ridge is a small down to earth winery located a few miles south of Louisburg, KS, the perfect environment for my redneck husband. After some wine tasting and a few pictures, we settled on the Buffalo Blush and the Ambrosia. Ambrosia has got to be the best sweet wine I have tasted in a long time!
While we were down in Louisburg, I also took my husband to Louisburg Cider Mill. (He is from Oklahoma and hasn't experienced the cider mill either!) They have the best cider and cider donuts ever! We couldn't have asked for better weather either. God decided to make the rain and snow stop and let the Sun come out and play. I had such a wondereful time experiencing a few first with my husband.
I decided to check out a local winery called Somerset Ridge Winery. I've lived in Kansas all of my life, and I've just recently learned of this winery. The best part is that it is only 20 minutes away. This would be my husbands first time at a winery. I've had the chance to experience some of the fabulous wineries in Napa Valley, CA. Somerset Ridge is a small down to earth winery located a few miles south of Louisburg, KS, the perfect environment for my redneck husband. After some wine tasting and a few pictures, we settled on the Buffalo Blush and the Ambrosia. Ambrosia has got to be the best sweet wine I have tasted in a long time!
While we were down in Louisburg, I also took my husband to Louisburg Cider Mill. (He is from Oklahoma and hasn't experienced the cider mill either!) They have the best cider and cider donuts ever! We couldn't have asked for better weather either. God decided to make the rain and snow stop and let the Sun come out and play. I had such a wondereful time experiencing a few first with my husband.
7 Simple Changes That Will Help With Weight Loss
For me having such bad luck on Weight Watchers, they sure do have some good articles!
Try these tips for small changes that can lead to very big weight-loss results.
Beginning a weight-loss plan doesn't have to mean drastic changes. You don't need to live at the gym or subsist on crackers alone to get your eating and exercising on track.
Instead, think of more realistic, sustainable changes you can make to your lifestyle. Sometimes small, simple adjustments can produce the biggest results. Consider these suggestions, and think about what other small changes might work for you.
•Trim back your eating a bit here and there, not altogether. For example, sauté your broccoli with one teaspoon of oil instead of two.
•Make some wise food substitutions, like opting for low-fat cream cheese instead of regular.
•Kick it up a notch in the activity department by taking the stairs instead of the escalator.
All or Nothing
"People put too much pressure on themselves to change everything in their diets, which sets them up for failure," believes New York-based registered dietitian Shari Mermelstein. Her advice? Set your sights on making several small dietary and lifestyle changes, and you'll lose weight without really missing out.
Need some incentive? Try this on for size: Cut back 100 calories on a daily basis and you could lose about 10 1/2 pounds in a year. One hundred calories equals:
•1 cup of regular soda
•1 tablespoon of butter
•1 ounce of cheese
Skimming Off the Top
Here are seven simple slim-down ideas:
1.A spoonful of sugar can add up over the course of a year. Add one less teaspoon of sugar (15 calories) to your cup of morning and afternoon coffee each day and you'll save about 10,000 calories—the equivalent of about 3 pounds per year.
2.Slim down that bowl of cereal: Switch from 1 cup regular whole milk to 1% milk (about 50 calories less per cup) every day. Once your taste buds adjust, you'll be thrilled! That's a tad more than 5 pounds lost by this time next year.
3.Take the scenic route. Park your car as far as possible from the entrance to your office, the shopping mall or a restaurant and get those legs pumping. Ten minutes of daily moderate paced walking (five minutes each way burns about 20 calories) can take off over 4 pounds a year.*
4.Get your vitamin C boost with a whole orange (60 calories) instead of a cup of juice (110 calories) each day. Your 12-month weight loss: 5 1/4 pounds.
5.Go calorie-free by switching from regular to diet soda (150 versus 0 calories per can). If you drink one can per day, that's nearly 16 pounds lost in a year.
6.Flavor your sandwiches with very low-cal condiments like mustard or vinegar instead of calorie-packed mayo. Leave off 1 tablespoon (100 calories) every day and you're looking at close to 10 1/2 pounds a year.
7.Downsize, don't super-size, fast food meals. Opt for a small McDonald's French fries (250 calories) instead of a large order (570 calories) at your weekly fast-food meal. You'll enjoy the same great taste all year long but with an added bonus: almost 5 pounds lost.
*For a 155-pound person at 3 miles per hour. Based on calculations from Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Try these tips for small changes that can lead to very big weight-loss results.
Beginning a weight-loss plan doesn't have to mean drastic changes. You don't need to live at the gym or subsist on crackers alone to get your eating and exercising on track.
Instead, think of more realistic, sustainable changes you can make to your lifestyle. Sometimes small, simple adjustments can produce the biggest results. Consider these suggestions, and think about what other small changes might work for you.
•Trim back your eating a bit here and there, not altogether. For example, sauté your broccoli with one teaspoon of oil instead of two.
•Make some wise food substitutions, like opting for low-fat cream cheese instead of regular.
•Kick it up a notch in the activity department by taking the stairs instead of the escalator.
All or Nothing
"People put too much pressure on themselves to change everything in their diets, which sets them up for failure," believes New York-based registered dietitian Shari Mermelstein. Her advice? Set your sights on making several small dietary and lifestyle changes, and you'll lose weight without really missing out.
Need some incentive? Try this on for size: Cut back 100 calories on a daily basis and you could lose about 10 1/2 pounds in a year. One hundred calories equals:
•1 cup of regular soda
•1 tablespoon of butter
•1 ounce of cheese
Skimming Off the Top
Here are seven simple slim-down ideas:
1.A spoonful of sugar can add up over the course of a year. Add one less teaspoon of sugar (15 calories) to your cup of morning and afternoon coffee each day and you'll save about 10,000 calories—the equivalent of about 3 pounds per year.
2.Slim down that bowl of cereal: Switch from 1 cup regular whole milk to 1% milk (about 50 calories less per cup) every day. Once your taste buds adjust, you'll be thrilled! That's a tad more than 5 pounds lost by this time next year.
3.Take the scenic route. Park your car as far as possible from the entrance to your office, the shopping mall or a restaurant and get those legs pumping. Ten minutes of daily moderate paced walking (five minutes each way burns about 20 calories) can take off over 4 pounds a year.*
4.Get your vitamin C boost with a whole orange (60 calories) instead of a cup of juice (110 calories) each day. Your 12-month weight loss: 5 1/4 pounds.
5.Go calorie-free by switching from regular to diet soda (150 versus 0 calories per can). If you drink one can per day, that's nearly 16 pounds lost in a year.
6.Flavor your sandwiches with very low-cal condiments like mustard or vinegar instead of calorie-packed mayo. Leave off 1 tablespoon (100 calories) every day and you're looking at close to 10 1/2 pounds a year.
7.Downsize, don't super-size, fast food meals. Opt for a small McDonald's French fries (250 calories) instead of a large order (570 calories) at your weekly fast-food meal. You'll enjoy the same great taste all year long but with an added bonus: almost 5 pounds lost.
*For a 155-pound person at 3 miles per hour. Based on calculations from Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Twlight Eclipse Teaser!
Thanks for my Twilight addicted cousin, she shared with me the teaser for Eclipse. Here's the links, Enjoy!
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2422342681/ or http://www.twilighteclipse.org/
4 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight
Weight Watchers released another good article this week about 4 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight. I have to say that I can relate to #2 and #3! I bought my huband some cookies the other day, he had a couple and left the bag out on the counter, before I knew it, I was plopped down in front of the TV with a glass of milk, eating the whole bag of cookies!
Heres the article:
If the scale isn't budging, you might want to consider these possibilities
If you're sticking to your weight-loss plan and the pounds aren't coming off, chances are you're sneaking extra calories and POINTS® values into your day.
But sometimes the reason behind the unaccounted for calories is subtle. If that sounds like you, see if one of the following is to blame.
1. You need more sleep.
People who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to gain weight than those who sleep more, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Sleep deprivation causes a cascade of physiological effects, including changes in the hormones that regulate hunger.
A study showed that married couples who joined an exercise program together were 94 percent less likely to drop out after a year compared to people who joined separately.
"For those who have difficulty falling to sleep or staying asleep, regular exercise will help you fall asleep and improve your sleep quality," says the study's author Sanjay Patel, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. So will the common-sense measures of avoiding alcohol, nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime, and keeping a regular schedule for getting to bed.
2. You're watching too much TV.
"Time spent watching television has been linked to increased weight gain and obesity," Patel says. In fact, a 2006 study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Diseases found that more than two hours of television watching per day was associated with a high body mass index (BMI) in men and women, which translates to being overweight or obese.
3. Your significant other isn't a healthy eater.
For better or for worse, your partner's eating habits greatly affect yours. University of Minnesota research showed that married couples share similar body mass indexes. The same environment and shared meals are the culprits, researchers found. The key is to convince your partner to become an asset to your weight-loss goals, and vice versa. One area to share and encourage one another in is exercise. A study at Indiana University showed that married couples who joined an exercise program together were 94 percent less likely to drop out after a year than people who joined separately.
4. You don't eat breakfast.
Eating breakfast will make you less likely to overeat throughout the day. Research from the National Weight Control Registry, which tracks Americans who have successfully lost weight in the long term, showed that nearly all of the 3,000 people, who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year ate breakfast every morning.
Says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, PhD, LN, a nutrition scientist at the USDA Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University, "When you skip a meal you start setting yourself up for starvation mode. Then you start just wanting to grab anything and you lose that ability to register when you've had enough."
Heres the article:
If the scale isn't budging, you might want to consider these possibilities
If you're sticking to your weight-loss plan and the pounds aren't coming off, chances are you're sneaking extra calories and POINTS® values into your day.
But sometimes the reason behind the unaccounted for calories is subtle. If that sounds like you, see if one of the following is to blame.
1. You need more sleep.
People who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to gain weight than those who sleep more, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Sleep deprivation causes a cascade of physiological effects, including changes in the hormones that regulate hunger.
A study showed that married couples who joined an exercise program together were 94 percent less likely to drop out after a year compared to people who joined separately.
"For those who have difficulty falling to sleep or staying asleep, regular exercise will help you fall asleep and improve your sleep quality," says the study's author Sanjay Patel, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. So will the common-sense measures of avoiding alcohol, nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime, and keeping a regular schedule for getting to bed.
2. You're watching too much TV.
"Time spent watching television has been linked to increased weight gain and obesity," Patel says. In fact, a 2006 study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Diseases found that more than two hours of television watching per day was associated with a high body mass index (BMI) in men and women, which translates to being overweight or obese.
3. Your significant other isn't a healthy eater.
For better or for worse, your partner's eating habits greatly affect yours. University of Minnesota research showed that married couples share similar body mass indexes. The same environment and shared meals are the culprits, researchers found. The key is to convince your partner to become an asset to your weight-loss goals, and vice versa. One area to share and encourage one another in is exercise. A study at Indiana University showed that married couples who joined an exercise program together were 94 percent less likely to drop out after a year than people who joined separately.
4. You don't eat breakfast.
Eating breakfast will make you less likely to overeat throughout the day. Research from the National Weight Control Registry, which tracks Americans who have successfully lost weight in the long term, showed that nearly all of the 3,000 people, who had lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for more than a year ate breakfast every morning.
Says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, PhD, LN, a nutrition scientist at the USDA Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University, "When you skip a meal you start setting yourself up for starvation mode. Then you start just wanting to grab anything and you lose that ability to register when you've had enough."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Good News!
As I sat and sulked in my big fat leather chair, thinking about how no one has called me for a job since October, I received a phone call. An interview! Yes! Finally, someone was interested in me. Super excited! An administrative assistant position for a major candy company. Great, a fat girl interviewing for a candy company. I have been going over all the "right" answers in my head. I've told myself 100 times to relax and not be nervous. I'm perfect for this position.
But..... 1 little word has me freaking out and about to cry. Stairs. The interviewer said "we'll go up stairs". Oh lord. Not only was I kinda worried already about my size, now I have to climb stairs? Let's just stack the deck even further against me. I can't do stairs. I have bad knees and I'm carrying an extra 200 pounds of fat on me! I will be so out of breath! My husband is trying his best to calm me, however I just want to cry and cancel this interview. The thought of being embarassed and losing a potential job because I am so damn fat kills me.
I just hope I can get past my fears and have a good interview!
But..... 1 little word has me freaking out and about to cry. Stairs. The interviewer said "we'll go up stairs". Oh lord. Not only was I kinda worried already about my size, now I have to climb stairs? Let's just stack the deck even further against me. I can't do stairs. I have bad knees and I'm carrying an extra 200 pounds of fat on me! I will be so out of breath! My husband is trying his best to calm me, however I just want to cry and cancel this interview. The thought of being embarassed and losing a potential job because I am so damn fat kills me.
I just hope I can get past my fears and have a good interview!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Biggest Loser
It's no secret that I am addicted to the Biggest Loser. Almost every episode touches my heart and puts more motivation in my step. I was sad to see Cheryl get voted off, my personal vote was for Stephanie.
My views of some of the contestants have started to change over the past couple of weeks. I am totally behind Sam and O'neal. Sam has grown up so much and has a strong determination. O'neal is such a motivator and his love and support for his daughter brings tears into my eyes. I can no longer stand Michael. I was totally cheering for him at first becuase he was the biggest contestant, however he just erks me lately! And what is it with that sweatband he wears around his head! He looks like a poofy mushroom!
Anyway, I can't wait until next weeks show!
Yankee Votive & Tarts for $1
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Smallest Things
Sometimes it's the smallest things in life that can brighten your day and lift your spirits.
It was last week, and nothing was going right. The dogs woke me up at 5am. The washer flooded, the paper shredder broke, the cat decided to vomit and my puppy sprained his knee. My part time job laid me off in December and no one was calling for an interview. Money is sparce, we owe a ton in taxes and we are going on a family vacation in April. Life was just getting me down. It felt like nothing was going right and all I wanted to do was cry.
On my husbands way home for work, he spent his last dollar to surprise me with a diet cherry coke from Sonic. My husband made my night by something as simple as a cherry coke. I love you Danny!
It was last week, and nothing was going right. The dogs woke me up at 5am. The washer flooded, the paper shredder broke, the cat decided to vomit and my puppy sprained his knee. My part time job laid me off in December and no one was calling for an interview. Money is sparce, we owe a ton in taxes and we are going on a family vacation in April. Life was just getting me down. It felt like nothing was going right and all I wanted to do was cry.
On my husbands way home for work, he spent his last dollar to surprise me with a diet cherry coke from Sonic. My husband made my night by something as simple as a cherry coke. I love you Danny!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Week of Failure
For the past two weeks, I have failed myself. I have taken the easy way and have gotten off track from my goals. I have ate so horrible for the last two weeks. I can feel the physical effects of what this bad food/life style has done to me.
When I stopped drinking regular soda and added more water into my daily routine, the swelling in my feet and legs dramatically reduced. They no longer looked like I was 9 months pregnant. The past two weeks I have noticed that the swelling is back in my feet and legs. I've noticed that I have lost energy and get tired easily. I've also noticed that my body physically aches. I did very well for over a month, and it only took two weeks for me to throw is all away. It scares me to death to think that all this change only took 2 weeks, imagine what a life time did!
I have failed myself. I have made it my goal to take those same small steps I took over a month ago and to get myself back on track and to start working my way to accomplishing my goals.
When I stopped drinking regular soda and added more water into my daily routine, the swelling in my feet and legs dramatically reduced. They no longer looked like I was 9 months pregnant. The past two weeks I have noticed that the swelling is back in my feet and legs. I've noticed that I have lost energy and get tired easily. I've also noticed that my body physically aches. I did very well for over a month, and it only took two weeks for me to throw is all away. It scares me to death to think that all this change only took 2 weeks, imagine what a life time did!
I have failed myself. I have made it my goal to take those same small steps I took over a month ago and to get myself back on track and to start working my way to accomplishing my goals.
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