How To Deal With : H2O no?

Has Anyone Else Asked Who Turned On The Oven?

For the last few months, London felt like Manhattan in August - Sticky, hot, and hardly any breeze to comfort your sweaty & irritable blogger. At night, since we have no fan or air conditioner, we have used ice packs in the hopes of a comfortable nights sleep. By morning cold showers are not just a blessing, they are more necessary than the moon to the ocean current! For the last few nights I've journeyed to the gym for the beautiful air conditioning. Sadly sleeping in the stuffy flat becomes almost impossible. The buildings here in the UK are made to retain heat, since winters are so cold I usually wear every stitch of clothing I own. Now, just thinking about clothing makes me need a shower and some ice water down my throat!

Water...How beautiful, how essential it is in our lives. We flock to the sea shore for the sun and the refreshing embrace of the salty waves. Too cold and we wish it were warmer, too hot and we wish it chilly. Fickle, we are.

Important Liquids & Carbonated Eggs

Yup...This is an egg...

Water is something our bodies need to function properly, yet we seem to forget to carry it around to drink. Humans have put water fountains in schools and public parks, only to discover that some of them are not clean enough to drink from. In my fitness travels, I have seen many a water bottle, and many a forgotten-at-home one at that! Whether you are heading to the gym, the office, or just out for a walk in your back yard, you should be drinking water. They all say it, we all know it. Truth fact is we just don't want to.
What kid has not danced in anticipation, waiting for their parents to let them have that first sip of soda? When I was 10, it was a right of passage to be allowed soda, but I never knew just how bad it was for you. That is until I saw how well Coke can clean a carburetor, or how any soda can do this to an egg. About 6 months ago, I forced myself to kick the habit. Now, if I have any soda at all (which is rarer than a unicorn that's gone cannibal) it would be for a rum and coke or a ginger-ale to sooth mah tum tum! Kicking the soda habit is tough, but really worth it. How many people tell you to drink more water? I have been told many times by doctors, both on tv and in offices, magazines and books to drink more of it, to add lemons or mint to it, to replace it with other drinks. And for an ex-coffee addict, and a person who has finnally kicked the soda-monkey-on-the-back, there was no problem really. It was water, or juice, or tea...otherwise it would be smoothies, malts, or shakes. God those sound good right now... refreshingly cold...Opps! Right now, we gotta get focused up and psyched about H2O!!

Drink-Ability & Plastics

For the Survivalist in us all!

Water needs to be filtered, steamed, cold, clean, to be drinkable. Have you ever tried to purify water without a Brita? I only know of one process, and it uses a big of expensive charcoal. The first filter I had was kicked to the curb when I found that it was leaking little black dots into my drinking water. This doesn't seem like good filtering! Once your water is drinkable-hopefully you don't have a natural disaster screwing up your pipes-how would you carry it around? Just a glass everywhere? A red solo cup at all times? A water bottle!!! "But some water bottles can leak plastic into the drinking water after a while, don't they?" That is a truth fact, yes. Certain brands leak a bit of plastic, but others now have labels that say there is no Bisphenol A or BPA (It's used to keep make plastic stronger. Research says it is not Cancer causing, but that we should avoid ingestion as much as possible). People used to drink out of lead coated tankards, now we are ingesting plastic. Oh, how the future history books will mock that.

Trying to change the history books and he'll just go flippy!

That is why I recommend using glass bottles or non BPA bottles. There are some water brand that come in glass tubes (VOSS), but that can get a bit pricey. If you want to keep some green in your wallet without getting unreasonable then purchasing a non BPA bottle is the way to go. Another glass bottle route comes from our lovely friends at the Snapple Company. If you want some flavored tea (maybe not the best choice of drink out there, at least compared to water, but a great tasty tea!), why not save that bottle? Reuse it for everyday use in your classroom or office? We have a white wine bottle that we keep stocked in the ice box for fresh cold water.

Have The Borrowers Taken Your Old Water Bottles?

With all the options out there today, from buying a bottle everyday or investing in a long term relationship with a plastic buddy (no, not a humming toy), it can all just get a little daunting. How many times, even if you had your own water bottle in your locker or bag, have you just bought that dollar twentyfive aquafina from the vending machine at lunch? Working in theatre, we are taught very early on to leave a work space cleaner than we found it. You can't imagine how many empty plastic bottles, even after a non-theatre class, are left under desks with other trash. Hipsters, Hippies, & Green-Thinkers all say we need to decrease our carbon foot print (and for the record, I completely agree), which has led to a increase in demand for personal and reusable thermoses...but not for soups or coffee.
Many parents, before sleep away camp buses come to take the kids away for the summer, take their offspring to camping supply stores. This is something that I highly recommend. If you are gonna buy one, make sure that it has any and all features you want/need. For example, I want a bottle that can hold more than a pint of water, that can fit into my lunch box-bag & backpack, ice can be put into it, and its BPA free. If you want one that looks like the nanny robot from the Jetsons, or one with some emblem or cute dancing little frog, then be prepared for some sad truths. Unfortunately there are many sticky fingered people out there.

My Favorite Choice

I've had classmates and teammates alike leave their new and expensive bottles on trains, buses or just in classes. Its almost as if they sprouted little plastic legs and buggered off, or the sticky fingered devils strolled off into the middle of the day, pockets full.
However you choose to stay hydrated in this heat wave then chilly summer, just remember to drink any amount of water throughout the day at all all you'll be golden! Just, maybe, don't let your sweaty sticky fingers latch on to a bottle that's not technicality yours...unless you have found this during an apocalypse and need that water bottle to survive. But never trust a canteen, in could be a trap....Dollhouse....

Bye For Now xx

Wander Lust . . . Level : Expert

As you can tell from my various rants or just my mini bio in that left corner over there, travel is my hobby and my life. I'm just a no good, theatre gypsy running around with my little red suitcase, my neon blue turtle shell of a backpack, and my tiny little brown side satchel. I think I've spent more time in cars and airports than I have in the dentist chair - and that's a lot of my life. Back in my tender years, around 1998, my parents forced my off to sleep away camp. That decision set in motion a course of events that would map out the path for the rest of my life. I realized that I could escape my little world in Long Island and see the rest of one! I loved being on the road, I loved meeting new people, seeing new places, and learning new stories. The wander bug bit me before I even realized it.

My love of music and theatre added to this little wander lust. Not only could I perform anywhere, but I could see and experience people from all over this big blue marble. Have you ever just needed to get out, yearned to grab your bike or your keys and just go?

Most of the time, travel is just an addiction. I love the long day trip on a train, the road trip with the sun beating down on my shoulders, the late nights walking through strange cities with laughing friends and heavy bags. Coming at you live from an airport lounge, cosmopolitan in my hand, all I can say is this is the high life. Sadly I had to say goodbye to Claus, just for now of course (No Break Ups!). Huddled in our little love bubble with three carry on bags draped over us, romance could have been needed. I really wish he was with me here, since Heathrow airport has all these Doctor who paraphernalia around. I can't get too close to them, thanks to my pile of carry-on stuff.

Packing two carry on bags, making sure I have everything I'd need for the duration, and room for gifts to boot is very time consuming. I end up packing for a trip about 6 days before I leave, and then wear pajamas or gym clothes til the day of the trip. Granted, this week was hotter than a house on fire, and I did work out 2 hours per day until my foot flared up, but still. Pigtails and sweat do not a happy blogger make. Especially when my writing conveyance is burning a hole through my leg or my duvet cover! Sometimes I wish laptops were not so essential in today's world, since they weigh so much, get so hot, and take up room in my backpack.  

Since I am currently staring down a flight delay of almost an hour, I figured this would be more productive than drinking my calories here in this strawberry and tangerine lit lounge. It strikes me as funny, people watching here. There are smartly dressed men and women, looking like the Vogue equivalent of 'business CEO style', and average people decked out in denim and cowboy hats. Children are actually scarce, with the exception of infants. Please,  OH Travel God, a sleeping child with no crying or loud screaming! 

I am in for an 8 hour (maybe more thanks to a delay) flight, and I keep praying to the Travel God (who I should find a name for soon!), that we will have a clear flight, some decent in flight entertainment, quiet small children, and fellow passengers who wont reeks or become irate at the fact that I will be doing yoga posses by the bathroom when the seat belt sign gives me my go. Yes, I will even be working out in the air! During long flights, keeping yourself moving helps prevent clots and stress. By no means am I suggesting that we have a gym session in the sky, but a few stretches and some walking will keep you feeling your best. Also, the magic of H2O will help prevent you from getting sick off your flight.

Maybe once I land, and have some time to think about it more, I can write you some ideas for packing or some in flight stretching tips. That's all the advice I can give you ATM, thanks to payable Wifi connections. But while I am in the air, keep yourself sated on some of the older posts!
See you on the other side of the pond!

Bye For Now!

Work Outs, Work Outs Everywhere, But Not A One For Me??

"Accentuate the positive, 

Eliminated the negative,

Latch on to the affirmative.

Don't mess with mister in between!" 

 

The Commandments of Stupidity Health

From the tender age of 8, I have truly seen it all when it comes to weight loss and flawed logic. Fat camp does not work. At least when you are not taught the math behind weight loss/gain, or anything about portions sizes. Oh yes, you hear all the lessons:

1. Love yourself. Be confidant of who you are. (Don't allow others to make you feel bad)
2. Bully yourself about the number on the scale or that size. (Let others and yourself judge that number or shape)
3. Constantly think about not over eating food, or eating when bored, or food in general. (Worry about calories with no true idea about how portion sizes work.)
4. Stay Active, always! (Run, jump, dance, walk, play sports, do aerobics or yoga. but never ever get lazy - even when tired, sick, or in pain)

 Please God, Get Me Out of This Talk Circle And I Will Do More For The Earth!

But how are these helpful? Most of my memories about fat camp are grim when I look on them now. Not the over all experience, of course. Kids can make any situation a nightmare or a heaven, and I did love those woods. I was a dreamer kind of kid, one who thought awful things about myself, but never about my talents or my confidence. All of my bitterness was about being fat, and the idea that people treated me horridly for that mere fact. At that age, it didn't matter how active I was. Exercise was a solitary activity in my house. My mom would make me wake up at 5am to go to the gym before school five days a week and signed me up for sports too. No one in my house wanted to go for walks or bike rides with me for enjoyment. Always a punishment, never a joy. A popular punishment for rule breaking at fat camp was to run up a hill we nicknamed 'heart-attack hill', or to go for an early morning run before the long day of working out. But all the camp fire circle therapy sessions singing songs about confidence will never actually do anything. Yes, confidence is important. To want health is key to achieving that goal. But to a kid who knows very little about how the human body gets fat other than "oops I ate too many cookies", knowledge is vastly more important!

Think about it!

If you cannot loose or gain weight like others, would it not be helpful to find out why? Hell fucking yes. People are different. Some have food allergies, food sensitivities, or a chemical issue. It may not be the amount of food they ingest, but the types of foods. I can honestly say that after almost 20 years dealing with weight issues, not one person has shown or taught me how to measure food properly. Oh, I have been told to measure my intake, I have seen the funny visuals of 5lbs of fat versus 5lbs of lean muscle, and the food pyramid. Never how many calories are in a serving of fruits or veggies. Many diets, foods that come per-packaged or powdered, many nutritionists pushing for those or who want to write out a meal plan for me without explaining anything about it to me. Any one else realize this?

Math & Cake Are Lies!!

You can be told the same thing over and over, but never actually get shown what the meanings are to that math equation? And yes, it is all MATH! This is why we are taught math guys, so we could calculate money, time, and calories!

The Greedy & The Ill Informed

I was totally fed up with asking for help from people who mostly wanted me to look unrealistic within weeks, or just wanted my money and cared nothing for the human aspect of lifestyle changing. Sadly, most personal trainers I have worked with (and please remember that I have done extensive personal research since "Got Milk" Ads were still collectables!) were not very knowledgeable about much. They know the basics of course; the machines in the gyms, some sports drills, and perhaps enough knowledge about protein powders to try and make you buy them. But God forbid you ask for anything more personally oriented, like how can I achieve this goal result with this particular obstacle? That is nothing compared to those membership pushers, those non-P.T.'s who are trying to sign you up from that day pass or week pass to a full time contract that you will never get out of without many lawyers and maybe a paintball gun. One woman I used to take a spin class with was accosted by a front man personal trainer who had recently lost some clientele. He knew she had purchased a few monthly passes, but never anything longer than that. This was due to her job, she traveled more times that year than most people travel in lifetimes, and she was not shy about sharing that. He didn't seem to understand that however, and hovered around every station she visited throughout her gym time that day. He used every sale tack tic in the book. That is, until he began to not only disrespect her but became physically threatening. Not only did she stop buying her monthly pass, she calmly and quietly called him a penis, spit on him, walked out after 20 minutes into an hour workout.

The Death of Everyday Trust

Seriously, who can you trust these days about getting healthy and stronger? Your doctor? Nah, he/she costs too much money for advise you can research on Google or medicines that may do more harm than good. Your health teacher? Sorry, they know mostly 'keep active' notions and about sex stuff. Maybe a Personal Trainer who you don't see regularly? Nope. You know what I want? Do you know what I truly believe we all deserve?

 

Somebody who knows what the hell they are talking about! Someone who has not only the knowledge of all that food and portion control info, but can also teach it to me! So that it will stick in my head, or at least I can print off a cheat sheet of info! So fuck it.

I have decided that no one knows what is best for me, other than me! I am not gonna seek help from people who are not willing and adequitly able. I will do it all on my own, with the help of my Pinterest health board, the 12 Week Workout, and my food diary. With you all behind me, I know I cannot fail. However, it is still up to me...

 

Bye For Now X

It Ain't Easy Feeling Green

“Health is the natural condition. When sickness occurs, it is a sign that Nature has gone off course because of a physical or mental imbalance. The road to health for everyone is through moderation, harmony, and a 'sound mind in a sound body'.”
― Jostein Gaarder, Sophie's World

Being sick is nothing short of hell. 

Your head aches from swollen sinuses and mucus. Your bed has become the Gravitron ride, never ceasing its infernal spinning. Your stomach feels too full and wont stop jitter bugging. There is no control over body temperature or the room's air supply! There is no dam to ebb the flow of your fever sweat. Every stitch of fabric is trying to snuff your life out, but it is better than being outside the protection of it in the harsh 'cold' room. Sneezing hurts, and no amount of soft tissues will sooth the burn that's encasing your nostrils! Your lungs are having a tea party outside in the garden every time you cough, and your throat cough light up Amsterdam its so red! You're achy all over and just want to sleep. No matter how tired you are, sleep eludes you.

However, none of that is worse than missing something you have been waiting weeks for due to illness or injury. I have had to miss three fun days out due to awfulness! I was so tired and busy, I have not even checked the blog. Sorry y'all. Needed some rest desperately! I missed a goofy party, a live game show, and the Pride parade! Thank god for fantastic friends, or my theatre tickets would have gone to a total waste too! 

Is it just me, or do people judge others severely when they are ill or injured?

I always feel guilty when I cannot attend something or do something because I am under the weather or my foot has decided to become troublesome again. It makes me self-conscious. People will think less of me or look at me in a different light because of it. At least, that is what the little voice in my head says. That's the reason I usually push myself to go further, to do more, when I am feeling lousy of in a bit of pain. I once broke my ankle and performed in a walking cast that same day. A few weeks later, in another show, I was doing cartwheels in that same walking cast. All so I could show how dedicated I was, to prove I was reliable and could pull through. An ankle is no foot though. And an injury is not illness.

Honestly though, what blows more than missing out on fun due to . . . well, blowing chunks? Sorry for the visual, and the tacky puns, but a party girl is loosing out on fun due to tummy troubles. Whatever was bugging me has finally been resolved! The relief is undeniable and unending! I think the only truly good thing about being sick . . . possibly the way you can kinda let go and accept doing nothing. I can watch cartoons, eat matzo ball soup, listen to an audio book. Nothing really that physically or mental active. Just enough that I can distract myself from feeling icky. 

Was Getting Sick Better When We Were Small? Do I Remember That Wrong?

When we were kids, our parents had ways they would take care of us (or not, if you had a different sort of childhood/parenting situation going on). My mom always makes chicken noodle soup with broken angle hair pasta, extra celery, and would bring me lime juice. My dad would make very un-amusing jokes about me being sick, or tell me stories about how he was sick back in the day. I cannot tell you the amount of times I've heard the story of how he got drunk, ruined his mother's brand new carpets, and was told he'd get to sleep in the backyard if he was not better house trained. The punch line of this tale from my father's childhood? He got to sleep outside the second time he pulled that. Sometimes the five of us would just sit together. Other times I was kinda left in my room so no one else would get sick, and mom would check on me. She'd come bearing gifts (of soup, water bottles, a towel, a magazine, a thermometer, medicines) and then be off. When you live in a house with three kids, and only one of them is sick, you are desperately trying to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

 

Wish I had thought about the oven mitts!

I could miss school, I could stay in bed all day to paint, relax, do my homework that was due the next day. Being a kid and being sick was the best, unless it was serious sick. Like the chicken pox! That was a hell of a bad time! I remember throwing up right before my mom saw the first dot, in front of my entire first grade class. Not smart was I. She taught me what to do instead of scratch, slap the spots or put on calamine lotion. Any and every itch was met with the same love as a mosquito on the back of your neck.

What do you do when you are sick?

But now, my audience, we are but humble 20 somethings who have just flown the nest. We are just starting out on our own, living in our own spaces, working mind numbing or fun filled jobs. How do we handle getting sick? Do ya journey on, pretending you're healthy until it's true? Do you 'keep a stiff upper lip' and pop some medicine to get through the day? How do any of us cope with illness and injury, now that we are not only responsible for ourselves, but for our jobs too? Someone, anyone, please tell me.  

Bye For Now XX

How To Deal With: Introverted VS Extroverted Time

Being and extrovert in a relationship with an introvert is truly strange. 

I can be in a room filled with people, 7 days a week, working by butt off throughout that week, and only maybe needing a bit of along time. My boyfriend/fiance is the complete opposite. He can work hard for a solid day or go out somewhere new with me, but will desperately need a few hours each day to decompress and be alone. We have lovingly called this time "Introverted Time": Time where we can do whatever we need to feel grounded and happy. Whether that means being in one's own space, or out doing things. 

People have asked, "how can you deal with those kinds of fundamental differences in the relationship?" Honestly, and trust me I know how much of fool I sound for saying this but here goes, because we really do love and respect each other. Yes, we have different approaches, but we are actually excited by the same things and enjoy trying new things. You can only push someone so far, and as long as you respect that, then there is very little friction. Every now and again I'll want to go out, do something, and he would rather stay in. So? Who really cares? If it is not absolutely important to the other person that we go, we can just talk about it. I have friends I can go out with if he really needs the time to recharge, and he can go out with his when I need space too. These should help you, because the truly do help the opposite to understand.

VS

How would I spend introverted time, seeing as how I am the opposite? 

I'd rather spend my Me time doing something. I don't know, maybe it is the Disney princess in me, but give me a task to do! I absolutely hate down time and having nothing to do. I love being busy! I crave somewhere to go each day, dancing all night meeting strangers and having spontaneous adventures with my friends! When I am stressed, worried, or upset, the desperation for distractions is dire. I will clean like a fiend; every room, every surface, every item will be spotless and organized. One time I reorganized every drawer and cabinet in my flat, washed all the tiled floors by hand, and vacuumed so much that our home looked like a hotel. Sadly I always forget to document those moments in photographs to prove to my mother I know how to clean. 

• 

Other times, for instance after the rooms are clean but I have not expelled my emotional funkiness, I will head out the door to do something in the world. I'll head to the gym and kick my ass that way. I go for long walks, in no particular direction, and explore the city where I live. Back in New York I would head to the canals or the beach so I could watch the water. Anything at all really, so long as I am active. And then there are those rare occasion, those scant instances, where I pamper myself.
I'll get all girly and break out the tools. I'll set up a nails station, run a bath, get my hair cutting scissors, put on some relaxing music or an audio book I've listened to a million times before and relax. I'll read magazines - the tabloids, the intellectuals, and the Cosmos I've been neglecting due to preoccupation - I'll drink detox water (3 pints of cool water, 3 table sppons of cranberry juice, mint leaves, 2 lemons sliced, and 3 slices of cucumber), the works. I call them the girly spa days, where nothing on earth will make me feel happier than to stop the world and feel all clean and groomed. I save these days out of true need. And today I need it. I have been feeling icky lately, mostly my stomach. I have a super big audition tomorrow, and that means that I have to be feeling great, looking pretty and be confidant. Prepared as always! The outfit is set aside, the bag packed, the directions to the place written down, all alarms set for tomorrow morning, and packing a lunch later on today! The first half of the spa day, the setting up, is underway! I'm cleaning the flat as much as possible, before heading off to the gym for at least an hour. Then, after a final cleaning sweep, will my pampering truly begin. Nails, brows, hair, facial, and my absolute favorite bath salts in a warm bubble bath!

Yeah...She wishes she could go home with this bath...

But how would you cope without introverted time?

I'm a complete and utter extrovert, but even I need some time alone. Reading for me is an escape into another world, a conversation with new people and new topics. Revisiting old books is like reconnecting with old friends, but I'm not alone when I read. What do introverts, who are not video-gamers, like to do for their introverted time? What do other extroverts do for that matter? I am completely curious but not many people have answered this question.

Well, for now that might be all. Cause it is time for my Me time!

Bye For Now X

Summer Reading List 2013

*  Summer Reading List  *

*  2013  *

Welcome girls and boys to another list of books to read during your summer break!

But look how pretty the day is?

It's June 23, and you may have started your summer vacations. Mine must be lost in the mail! Have y'all been lying under the sun, getting sand in all your shoes and clothes, jumping into swimming pools or the sea, eating watermelon and pop sickles? Made you believe we had nothing up our sleeves huh? Oh, you thought you were free from this year's homework, didn't you? Liberated this year from your summer assignments since you didn't receive it in the mail 2 weeks ago, huh? Well too bad! We are just not an efficient school mailer. We got caught up in paperwork and a general lack of free time, but you have it now!

Damn I envy you all. I mean, I may have always looked forward to the reading assignments summer would bring, but that was mostly because I loved reading in between the fun moments of sunshine! I've been in England, where it feels like early spring in NY. All clouds, wind, awkward rain, and always needing a sweater! Come on weather Gods, what gives?! I didn't move to the Bay area! I'm not hunting for glittering bastards up in the pacific northwest! I miss the heat, the sunshine, the coconut oil! Even the stench of Manhattan in Mid July!

    

The Summer of Experimenting! 

Since the weather is driving me indoors most of the time, and my paint-by-numbers habit costs money, I needed something to do that will entertain without breaking the bank. I really want to broadening my recipe horizons. Last year, one of the books required some pretty pricey tools. And even though I borrowed most of 'em, I will never get another 'parts sold separately' toy again. I searched for new volumes that had minimal fancy tools, cheap/healthy ingredients and could all be created in a minuscule kitchen like mine. Seriously, Harry Potter's under the stairs bedroom was roomier!

"I have to get up, someone's keeping my past relevant"

The tricky factor was the ingredients. I have to read all the labels meticulously, not just for calorie obsession or salt intake. Did you know all those 'heart healthy' cheerios are actually high in sodium? I have some dietary limitations now (new food allergies replacing old ones and food sensitivities) and strong vigilance over what passes my lips is ever more vital. Nothing like being a trypanophobic who carries an Epi-pen to make you remember to be careful! Stocking my pantry with all safe yet delicious ingredients my body wont try to kill on sight is a start. But not all of the recipes I have now exclude those now deadly, or gaseous, fixings."Replace them then, Ashley! Just switch that ingredient for something you can eat." Well, thanks but sometimes that means the recipe wont taste the same or something will go wrong. Looking for recipes without alternations needed has been my task!

1. The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making by Alana Chernila 
This book was mentioned to me a few times over the course of my perusals. I love making things from scratch, and I'd rather earn my tasty unhealthy treats. A book promising to have a healthier recipe than the store bought original, sounded way too good to be true. It has some great ideologies: make it yourself and you'll know what is in it, and a shoestring budget never has to sacrifice delicious food and fun times. Alana, our culinary guide, is a woman who has done just that. She discusses the theories her cover advertises, the gadgets she uses throughout the pages, and how to properly use your freezer! Now, my freezer can hold about 1 ice cub tray and some frozen meat/fish. This section might not help me until I can upgrade to a bigger kitchen.

2. The Smitten Kitchen by Deb Perelman
Any time I need some kitchen inspiration on the quick, I always jump to The Smitten Kitchen online. Every recipe from the website I have tried has been amaz-balls! Hopefully, this book will not just be a compilation of the website directory. I am sure that Deb won't let me down. This beautiful, witty, travel obsessed lady is someone I would love to meet in person - to give her the biggest hug in the world! She is one of my cooking idols, a woman who travels the world, cooks, and makes a living by her wit and talents! If you cannot tell, I find her amazing. Not only have these recipes caught my eye, but I am hoping to add this book to my permanent collections.

3. Honestly Healthy: Eat with your body in mind, the alkaline way by Natasha Corrett
As previously stated, I need me some Star Veggie dishes. And where else would I find these amazing recipes, but among the Vegetarians and Vegans? I respect the veg heads who are dedicated to the cause out of true need or belief, not the 'occasional' veggie. I tried going V once and it turned into a family joke how I lasted two weeks before I realised I needed some fish. But I truly don't know how to make a main meal out of 'em unless it is a salad, a stir fry, a curry, or stick nibbles. Honestly Healthy seems like a good place to start.   

4. The Green Kitchen: Delicious and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day by David Frenkiel
I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book. Apparently, veg heads and carnivores alike would love these unique and delicious plates. There are even desserts in this one! I love finding out how to make new soups and stews, but vegan chocolate truffles will be a new adventure entirely. This 'cooking with the seasons' theme might make the table a little less leafy green come winter, but some root veg mains will be an amazing addition to stew season!

5. Vegetable Literacy: Cooking and Gardening with Twelve Families from the Edible Plant Kingdom, with Over 300 Deliciously Simple Recipes by Deborah Madison
Veggies are always needed in your meals, or so I have been told. Don't like 'em? Well, sorry, but we are not little kids anymore. Brussels sprouts are always gonna get the yuck face from me. I will never force veggies down, but why not make them delicious? Make them the main attraction and not the side salad? All these vegetarians have something I like, veggie recipes. I like meat but ever since my sad day of rabbit stew murder fest '13 I could stay on a break from critters for a while. Well, maybe not chicken breast or tuna in cans, but no faces for awhile!!! 

6. Healthy Breakfast Recipes by Alissa Carter
I am hoping for this breakfast encyclopedia to help me. Almost all the foods I cannot have are first meal orientated. I mean, come on! The most important meal of the day, especially for weight loss, and it is trying to kill me from the inside. Mutiny on your own time breakfast foods. . . like when I'm 90 and begging for jello! Basically, I need to find foods for that meal. So far when people see me munch on a tomato like an apple on the early morning transport, I get a lot of advice on eating regular meals. From strangers! IN LONDON!?! Really odd reactions, trust me, for not being in the states. SOS food Gods, a meal is missing. May this red checkered bible show me the word of . . . BREAKFAST!

But sometimes I will just grab that toast and say:



 

Enjoy your summer of reading and adventure!!

Bye For Now X

How To Deal With : Sleep Deprivation and Ramblings

After a night of insatiable insomnia, still have absolutely no idea as to the why or how of it BTW, and sleeping all throughout the day I am now wired near 1:30 in the frackin morning. Should I grab that sleeping pill by my bedside and drift the night away, or try to stay awake all night again in the hopes that my hours will revert back to daytime creature soon? I miss my morning routine! You know, wake up at 5 am all bright eyed and bushy tailed, head off to the gym for an intense 2 hours of sweat and smiles, and hit the ground running for the rest of the day. Maybe take in a show after a 10 hour day, or go out dancing til 3 am and start all over again.

But lately it feels like I am in a rut...a schedule one.

Do those exist? 

With not much to do during my days, unemployed and out of school for now, you'd think my apartment would be a bit cleaner. But cleaning is usually what I do when I am agitated or angry or worried or stressed...let's just say that you see me in a clean version on my room means I've been beating it up. But is this usual? Once out of school, waiting for someone, anyone really, to higher you for any one of the thousands of jobs you've applied for is kinda just a waiting game. I've heard the joke all my life about how actors are just waiter who struck luck, but honestly are we not all just waiters? Not the food server people, they seriously are amazing and I don't know how they can stay chipper in the face of ass-hole customers. I mean, are we not all just waiting?

Think about it. When you are a kid, you are waiting to be grown up. When you are a teenager, you are waiting for college. In college, you are waiting for that dream career to start. And then you graduate...and you work, but its not the dream job. Not this job, no, this one's my 'money-to-survive' job. I specifically remember hearing when I was a kiddie in the park from my dad that there was this path. A success and life path. You start in childhood, got through the school system and get good grades, get into a good college/university to receive a high degree, and then get the job that is the stepping stone to the career you always wanted. Then you work in your career, making money to support yourself and have enough money in the bank to own outright your own house somewhere. Throughout this time you date people, but never get into anything serious. Find someone you love who loves you back, marry them, and buy a house to live in with your kids. During all this time you must also save up for when you get old, and will have medical bills and stuff.

Wasn't this a great movie ? ! ? !

I know, a lot to tell a kid, right? But this path stuff was shoved down my throat for years until I believed it was my own belief. Worse than crazy catholic nuns with left handed people, my hand to God...Oops. God pun.
Kids are constantly told that, until they are 18, their lives belong to their parents. Their social lives happens underneath and in between the scheduled world of the adults around them. We are always waiting for our lives to begin, in our bedrooms or in the hallways of some a-typical high school. So much so that when it is our turn we have no idea. We can spend our whole lives waiting for our chance, that fleeting tiny flash of perfection that is truly ours, but we could miss it in a New York minute. 

Boom! 

Snap!

Poof!

Now you are in charge of other people, making sure that they have everything they need. The focus is on them, making sure they come first instead of ourselves. Oh adulthood, what a perfect trap you are.

Anyways, maybe I should pop that NyQuil ZZZ pill. Non-addictive or habit forming, I swear! No itchy wrists or drug addiction here. I'm nowhere near that interesting. I know they say sex and pain sells, but that is not on the menu here on this 'health and ranting' blog I am running.
Sleep well to those of you who can.

I am off! But before I beg my pillows for a sweet dream, here is a list of some of the stuff I have done to occupy the hours I was meant to be silent and sleeping.

How To Occupy the Silent Hours when Sheep Just Wont Do It!

1. Silent workout (mostly yoga, crunches, leg lifts, and stretches)
2. Sketch, Draw, Creative yet Silent stuff (paint it out, or doodle)
3. Write (blog stuff, correspondence, to do lists for the rest of the week)
4. Fold clothes
5. Listen to music (tried unsuccessfully not to dance around)
6. Watch Buffy, Archer, and Victor/Victoria on the TV
7. Pamper Myself (nails, trim hair, tweezers brows)
8. Down a HUGE water bottle

What do ya'll do to get through bad nights like these? Please tell me. Totally willing to try anything just short of bad for my health or tattooing myself in the face. 

Bye for Now x

The 12 Week Workout. An Introduction.

Hello again you gym rats, you lazy couch surfers, or whomever my audience is today.

From beginner to master, we all hit a wall with our workouts. We try new routines, new popular methods, a class here or there, but a new plateau or a wall springs up on us anyway.

I'm just so exausted...

I Just..I Just...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I for one am tired of feeling like quitting!

If you are anything like me, the plateau is a test. A test of your will to keep going on this healthy path, or giving into the temptation of that comfy sofa of your old familiar and perhaps somewhat lazy lifestyle. But then again, not everyone is like me. My friend, let's call her Buete, only really hits walls when old injuries come into play. What are our injuries, you new comers might be pondering? My foot, her knees. She is a complete health nut, and a nutter (she's British, so a Brit phrase is appropriate) in general about her body image. But hey, most of us gals are. If you are looking for a fun rant on confidence check it out here, but this is about something better. 

It is about a new plan, a new idea in the fitness world that possibly some 
people have thought of before me but I am putting it out there for the 
benefit of not only myself and my goal, but for you. All those women, 
and the handful of men in my audience too, who were never taught 
the right way to workout, who were never taught how to workout best 
for their own bodies. This idea came to me a while back, while lost in 
the labyrinth addiction that is Pinterest, browsing through the Health 
and Fitness section. After a few dozen hours searching workout routine 
ideas I finally came up with one of my own. If all these people, mostly 
girls, could create their own physical challenges with cut off dates 
(ie. Fab Ab February, Tough Butt April, Melt the Muffin May) 
why not me? 

I'm real!!

I have always wanted someone to help me create a plan for working out (A Doctor/Actor buddy of mine and Buete are the only two who ever have), so I decided I need to be the one who is the helper. 

There are some in this world who have strength all on their own, even if they are not in touch with it themselves. Being able to admit you are strong enough to do something on your own, that was the penny in the air. And when the penny dropped, I grabbed my arts and crafts supplies and began my work.

Overall Notes on 12WW

• This program is for 12 solid weeks. During these weeks you will see and feel a change in your body and state of mind.
• This is a workout for you, for anytime during the day. Devote 30 minutes minimum, use a playlist, watch an episode of Archer or Buffy while you do it.
• Keep at it, it is only for 3 months. The time will pass anyway, so why not spend it how you want?
•  You can stay at level 1 throughout the 12 weeks, however that plateau might make you feel bored. The levels progress so that you can as well. If you are under the weather, take it easy. If you feel you can push yourself further, then hit the throttle, tilt the bottle and go! ( In no way do I mean drink booze before your workout. You are not Ke$ha.)

You might have noticed that there is a color coding system...
Oh, you didn't. 
Well, bellow is another one, explaining it!  

 Level 1 :  Orange square only + A  (Sun)
 Level 2 :  Orange +  Green Squares  + B (Sun)                                           
 Level 3 :  O +  G + Yellow Squares + C (Sun)            
 Level 4 :  O +  G (increase intensity) + Y+ D (Sun)


Confused?

Okay, it is intensive.

And yes, those places that say "page 1 /1 pic @ a time" only really apply to me.

I have printed pictures from Pinterest that are workout routines I incorporated into the 12WW. There are varied levels and each page I have made is for focused sections of the human body. I have a page for legs, arms, abs, and even specific muscles. I highly recommend that you make your own, since I will have different body image goals than ya'll would have as well as a different physical history. Some of you might take a gym class, or a dance class, or go running like wild animals in the streets of your town. Anything you want, as long as you do it!

And of course tell me of your progress. I am by no means an expert, I am a fellow flubber fighter and no more. I love to see progress, even if my own is slower than a turtle in a race. Have a great night, and possibly work this into your morning routine?

 

                                                                     

Bye for Now XX