Never leave pot on stove on simmer - even when you are in the same room - especially with your best pot. Thanks to my lovely neighbor fortunately informed me my own pot was burning!
Get down the slow cooker you lazy girl!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Best Deal for Fitness this Summer!
One of the best deals every summer is to join the YMCA. On Oahu we have island wide membership which allows you to attend any YMCA gym and their classes throughout the island. They typically have great warm pools, lots of classes and trainers at reasonable rates. In Hawaii you can join for a single for $139 for three months, and $229 for a family - without at long term commitment to see if the Y works for you.
http://www.ymcahonolulu.org/about/news/commit_to_get_fit
Also, Seniors (age 65+) should inquire about their Silver and Fit membership if you are a Kaiser Medical Insurance Member - you will be suprised at how much you can get for so little (or nothing)! Both my mom and mother-in-law enjoy classes for free. Their classes in the water for those who struggle with weight issue or arthritis are truly life sustaining.
One of the best deals every summer is to join the YMCA. On Oahu we have island wide membership which allows you to attend any YMCA gym and their classes throughout the island. They typically have great warm pools, lots of classes and trainers at reasonable rates. In Hawaii you can join for a single for $139 for three months, and $229 for a family - without at long term commitment to see if the Y works for you.
http://www.ymcahonolulu.org/about/news/commit_to_get_fit
Also, Seniors (age 65+) should inquire about their Silver and Fit membership if you are a Kaiser Medical Insurance Member - you will be suprised at how much you can get for so little (or nothing)! Both my mom and mother-in-law enjoy classes for free. Their classes in the water for those who struggle with weight issue or arthritis are truly life sustaining.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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| Whole Foods Newsletter |
Just another reason to go to Whole Foods (like we need any more?) is their great bi-monthly newsletter. The picture to the right is a copy of the cover of the May-June 2012 issue.
Reasons why it's worth your time to check it out The Whole Deal:
- $55 in reusable coupons that you can print online at wholefoodsmarket.com/coupons. (My favs are $1 off two Almond Breeze, $2.50 off "Kiss my face", $5 off any Garden of Life RAW meal or Raw Protein powder (622 or 1130 grams - not packets), $1 off flax seed oil and $1 off any Whole foods (365) vitamin for women.
- Lots of useful tips and recipes on summer foods (lemons, strawberries)
- 10 nutritious low-cost recipes
- Nice article on the last page comparing the 365 multi to a leading multi-vitamin.
Monday, May 21, 2012
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| Cutex-One step pads |
Best inexpensive Nail polish remover I've found.
I don't usually wear finger nail polish because my hands are in the water too often, but this Mother's day my vanity got the best of me. I prefer pinks - but of course the polish (even with a top coat) wears off it two days and looks cheap for several more until I take it off. Historically, I've used the stinky acetone based products and it takes literally foreever for me to get it all off - even when using a cute-tip for the cuticles.
Today I whipped out a Cutex "Nail Polish pad" that i recently purchased at a local food store and in 30 seconds my nails looked human again. I'm never going back to liquids or more expensive removers.
Why I purchased Jungle Gym XT over TRX
OWN and use ALL Suspension training equipment... and this is the best.
July 29, 2011
Note from Joda - By request. This is a direct copy and paste from Cesar's review at Amazon. I purchased this items last week after extensive research along with ceiling mounts to enhance our "gym with a view?
So, I've owned the TRX force kit for about five years, XFit Rings for
about three years, and the Jungle Gym XT for about a month now, and I
have to say the Jungle Gym XT is the Best Over-all product, in almost
all categories. Here's the preferential order I would put the three
products: First place: Jungle Gym XT, Second Place: XFit Rings, and
Third Place: TRX. And I'm rating them REGARDLESS OF PRICE!!!!
I'm not trying to pick on any specific product. I'm giving my best over-all objective opinion based on my expertise (I am a personal trainer at an exclusive high level gym). To be fair to all manufacturers, I still use ALL three of the products. My intention with this review is to educate consumers so you can make an objective decision.
I'll just limit my review to the cons because I don't want to continue the redundancy of talking about what these products can do.
First: Hygiene! the TRX falls short especially if you are sharing the product with others. The Jungle Gym handles and foot cradles are made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer, which is a sturdy plastic with a rubber-like feel), and the XFit rings are olympic styled rings (lowest level is a very sturdy, almost invincible, hard plastic). Which both are easy to clean. The TRX, on the other hand, has a foam-like material over the handles, and the foot cradles over the nylon webbing. Which you can't clean unless you want to speed up the deterioration process. So, little microbes can fester on the handles and foot cradles. So if you share it with others, have an anti-bacterial gel nearby.
Next: Durability! I've had the TRX the longest, So it's been worked over!!! the main components of the straps are still well in tact. But!!! the foam on the handles have worn down, and are splitting. I've called FitnessAnywhere to find a solution, and they mailed me (for free), TAPE!!! Yes, TAPE!!! does it work? Yes. for how long? I don't know. Definitely not a long term solution though. There only other offer was another older model force kit for a discounted price (ten dollars less than the newest model). The Rings are solid and I know they will maintain its over-all integrity for many years to come. For the Jungle Gym, I'm familiar with many gym products and seeing the design and quality of the materials, there is premium quality, long lasting materials. You can tell it's the best made even if you compare all the products side by side if they were all new.
NEXT: Comfort. TRX, even with the foam handles, are last place. why??? the adjustable METAL buckle is designed to sit at a right angle to the handles. which means LOTS of snagging when doing pushing exercises. When I had the TRX the first two years, I would constantly have scratch marks on my arms, shoulders, and neck because of the metal buckle snagging me during use. Actually, an under armour long sleeve shirt (or similar) will go a long way. With the rings, the metal buckle can be adjusted to be away from your range of movement. The Jungle Gym, The adjustable buckle contraptions are modeled like the TRX except that it is made of a very durable hard plastic, contoured and rounded so there are no uncomfortable edges, and they lay flush (not at a right angle) to the handles. So... NO SNAGGING!!!
NEXT: Variations! you can do ALOT with any of the suspension trainers. But the TRX has the most limitations solely on the fact that both straps come to one point. So there is VERY LIMITED abduction exercises. and if you do try abduction... be ready for snagging. Not an issue with the other products. You'll be surprised how much MORE VARiATION there is simply by having each handle individually anchored, and able to control how wide each anchor point is. The Xfit rings don't have designed foot cradles, but if you are at an intermediate fitness level, you can stand your feet on the rings, and do all the foot cradle exercises comfortably. The jungle gym's foot cradles are by far the easiest to get in and out of, and the most comfortable.
LASTLY: Portability! Finally, the TRX wins in this category. One, it comes with a mesh drawstring bag. If you want one so badly, spend five dollars and get one for the other products. Also, the TRX packs the smallest. Actually, I have the first model Force kit, and it packs about a third of the size of all the current TRX models and is slightly lighter. I actually HATE that the newer TRX models are bulkier than they used to be. All the models have the bulkier (less expensive), nylon webbing. Don't be fooled if someone will try to lie to you and say it's better quality. it's not. I actually have the older, BETTER product. They're saving money!!! Even though they other products (XFit Rings, and Jungle Gym XT) don't pack as small, they are still VERY PORTABLE.
Because I have all the products, I have the advantage of doing total body suspension exercises. I can mix either of the products to achieve that. For my personal use, I'd use the Jungle Gym XT for my feet, and the rings for my hands (which coincidently, is the best buy), or you can get two Jungle Gyms, or Two TRX's. I'd recommend to getting two jungle gyms though.
This review is meant to educate consumers so you're not dazzled by the marketing, and you can buy confidently because you have as much objective information.
All the best on your fitness journey!!!
I'm not trying to pick on any specific product. I'm giving my best over-all objective opinion based on my expertise (I am a personal trainer at an exclusive high level gym). To be fair to all manufacturers, I still use ALL three of the products. My intention with this review is to educate consumers so you can make an objective decision.
I'll just limit my review to the cons because I don't want to continue the redundancy of talking about what these products can do.
First: Hygiene! the TRX falls short especially if you are sharing the product with others. The Jungle Gym handles and foot cradles are made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer, which is a sturdy plastic with a rubber-like feel), and the XFit rings are olympic styled rings (lowest level is a very sturdy, almost invincible, hard plastic). Which both are easy to clean. The TRX, on the other hand, has a foam-like material over the handles, and the foot cradles over the nylon webbing. Which you can't clean unless you want to speed up the deterioration process. So, little microbes can fester on the handles and foot cradles. So if you share it with others, have an anti-bacterial gel nearby.
Next: Durability! I've had the TRX the longest, So it's been worked over!!! the main components of the straps are still well in tact. But!!! the foam on the handles have worn down, and are splitting. I've called FitnessAnywhere to find a solution, and they mailed me (for free), TAPE!!! Yes, TAPE!!! does it work? Yes. for how long? I don't know. Definitely not a long term solution though. There only other offer was another older model force kit for a discounted price (ten dollars less than the newest model). The Rings are solid and I know they will maintain its over-all integrity for many years to come. For the Jungle Gym, I'm familiar with many gym products and seeing the design and quality of the materials, there is premium quality, long lasting materials. You can tell it's the best made even if you compare all the products side by side if they were all new.
NEXT: Comfort. TRX, even with the foam handles, are last place. why??? the adjustable METAL buckle is designed to sit at a right angle to the handles. which means LOTS of snagging when doing pushing exercises. When I had the TRX the first two years, I would constantly have scratch marks on my arms, shoulders, and neck because of the metal buckle snagging me during use. Actually, an under armour long sleeve shirt (or similar) will go a long way. With the rings, the metal buckle can be adjusted to be away from your range of movement. The Jungle Gym, The adjustable buckle contraptions are modeled like the TRX except that it is made of a very durable hard plastic, contoured and rounded so there are no uncomfortable edges, and they lay flush (not at a right angle) to the handles. So... NO SNAGGING!!!
NEXT: Variations! you can do ALOT with any of the suspension trainers. But the TRX has the most limitations solely on the fact that both straps come to one point. So there is VERY LIMITED abduction exercises. and if you do try abduction... be ready for snagging. Not an issue with the other products. You'll be surprised how much MORE VARiATION there is simply by having each handle individually anchored, and able to control how wide each anchor point is. The Xfit rings don't have designed foot cradles, but if you are at an intermediate fitness level, you can stand your feet on the rings, and do all the foot cradle exercises comfortably. The jungle gym's foot cradles are by far the easiest to get in and out of, and the most comfortable.
LASTLY: Portability! Finally, the TRX wins in this category. One, it comes with a mesh drawstring bag. If you want one so badly, spend five dollars and get one for the other products. Also, the TRX packs the smallest. Actually, I have the first model Force kit, and it packs about a third of the size of all the current TRX models and is slightly lighter. I actually HATE that the newer TRX models are bulkier than they used to be. All the models have the bulkier (less expensive), nylon webbing. Don't be fooled if someone will try to lie to you and say it's better quality. it's not. I actually have the older, BETTER product. They're saving money!!! Even though they other products (XFit Rings, and Jungle Gym XT) don't pack as small, they are still VERY PORTABLE.
Because I have all the products, I have the advantage of doing total body suspension exercises. I can mix either of the products to achieve that. For my personal use, I'd use the Jungle Gym XT for my feet, and the rings for my hands (which coincidently, is the best buy), or you can get two Jungle Gyms, or Two TRX's. I'd recommend to getting two jungle gyms though.
This review is meant to educate consumers so you're not dazzled by the marketing, and you can buy confidently because you have as much objective information.
All the best on your fitness journey!!!
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| Myndy Shoes from Born |
- Now that I have plantar fascitis on my left heel they are much more comfortable than flats (byebye to my ballerina flats and sandals)
- They are so cool in the summer and boots are so fun for the winter.
- They look good with anything I wear - as long as I keep heels below 3 inches (typically 1 1/2 to 2 is best for me).
- I truly can run in them!
- Since I'm not running very much I don't have to worry about the strain on my knees anymore.
- Born - they are so comfortable - totally worth the extra $$ (I've got the pink pair above and a brown pair, Kai has a fabulous black pair.
- Sears's comfort line
- Boots with slight heals.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The purpose of this blog is to facilitate a wellness & fitness dialogue supporting those who want to be healthier, more fit and happier, regardless of where you live or how you achieve your goals. I'll share my tips, lessons learned, problems, joys, concerns and do my best to respond to you questions in this short answer forum. My passion is to facilitate personal growth and well-being.
My philosophy. Exercise is medicine. I am a holistic educator who empowers individuals and families to reach their optimal health and fitness through integrated wellness coaching, personal training and good nutrition.
Who am I? I'm a personal trainer/nutritionist, competitive sprint triathlete, mother of two college-age daughters, triathlon and wellness coach residing in Kailua (Oahu), Hawaii with my husband and border collie - trying to maintain my own physical, financial and spiritual well-being and that of my family.
Contact information:
Email: email4wellness@gmail.com
Website: www.wellnessconsultantandresourcecenter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getwellgetfitgethappy.
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