How To Deal With : Avoiding the Binge

Is there nothing more frustrating than a fool running his mouth?

There was this effusive man on the street today that had the nerve to tell me that if person doesn't want to eat when they're bored, then they just shouldn't do it. 

Have you ever tried to sit down and analyze the difference between if you were hungry or bored?

It is difficult task, especially when you are the type of person who only eats generally, due to outstanding over-scheduling. My one true test, the one that has never ever failed, is one I know everyone has faced at some point in their lives. Have you opened a cabinet or fridge only to think, 'eh, nothing looks that good, but I know I want something"? In that moment you are telling yourself,"hey I feel like eating in general right now, not because I am hungry but because I feel like eating." People don't think like that of course - otherwise we would all be healthy physical and mental specimens. This mouthy man got me thinking. Who would actually sit down, think about how they were truly feeling, and then-instead of following a muscle memory habit-decide on a different course of action? Maybe someone who would have been taught the difference between boredom and hunger? It has been 20-something-years and I'm still learning that lesson.

I Dare You To Not Think About Pink Elephant Cookies!

Pink Elephant Cookies??

If someone tells you not to think about a pink elephant, all you can do is think about that fuchsia son of a bitch, right? So, by the same logic, when you are not supposed to think about something or do something that's all your mind can focus on. The same thing happens when at home, minding your own business, your only sudden desire is food. You think you might be crazing that little nosh. But you are not only indecisive about what you want to eat, but the quantity holds no shape in your mind either.  Oh sure, you can test yourself to make sure you are famished (see below for details), but who knows you better than yourself? Belief is a strong thing, ask any God-believing person, but denial is stronger, ask any shitty parent.

When a person is running on a high emotional level (sadness, anger, stress) the same thoughts creep in. This reasoning runs deeper than a mere fancy, it has become a habit. We see it all the time in film, sit-coms, literature, and commercials. Humans finding solace trough booze, drugs, and food is viewed as an average everyday thing, until it becomes abusive. And most people excuse it, calling it a normal and healthy response. It may be tasty, it may be normal, but it should not become your normal if you want to feel confidant about your appearance. Finding solace through food is the number one way of releasing control over your fitness dreams. This habit will further your rationalization that not only will eating that entire family pack of chips make you feel better, but that by repeating this action during this situation you'll feel better. The band-aid approach will only last so long! 

Hypocrisy Drives Me Dizzy...Sort of Like Stupid People

"Bad day? I'll get the cheese cake!"

It is a complete catch 22. 
Old habits die hard, and this one's a doozie from the whole of human response. Some people will say the most obvious of facts, just so they will sound like they know what they are talking about. They claim they know how you feel, because they have themselves faced similar conditions. The sad fact is that people who push phrases like,"What passed the lips, stays on the hips," are making judgments about you, themselves, and prove that humans are hypocritical by nature.

"Don't think about food.You are trying to loose weight, so count the calories, but don't obsess."
"Don't eat when you are bored either. You should learn the difference."
"Do not eat past 8 o'clock at night if you want to look good."

Others never know the journey of the people around them. To tell someone how to think, or feel, or act is an irrational and judgmental way to go through this life. I'm handing my personal list of busy work. If, like myself and a few of my friends, you feel like you need some help avoiding the binge fest in your kitchen, then maybe some of these tricks will help. Anytime I want a little snack, but have just eaten, will be soon, or should be getting to bed but cannot sleep, these are tasks that help me stay in control. No, I don't just rush off to the gym every time I need a distraction. . . I'd get all dizzy. 

 Ways to Avoid Mid-Meal Misdemeanors

1. Indulge in something filling but empty. If you are not sure if you are hungry, drink water. You will feel full if you are not actually hungry, and the bonus of getting hydrated is always helpful...especially during the hot days we are in for!
2. Avoid It. Chew Ice, Gum, or my absolute favorite, Listerine stripes. You stay hydrated, and minty to boot!
3. Distract From It. If you're not sure you're hungry, and have already had water but still want something, distract yourself with something that requires your full participation and attention. (I like doing my nails, especially if it is late at night, or other beauty tricks. Sometimes I'll brush and floss my teeth with extra attention, or I will try a new face mask. Teach yourself a new hobby or trick, like sewing or cross-stitching. I like learning new songs or monologues. . . or, you know, grab a good page turner of a book or hit up some Internet page you love to read! Wink Wink )
4. Get Out & Get Active. All you need is a good walk, a bit of fresh air, or a swim to fully feel yourself. (Maybe then the realization that you probably should have had a snack will dawn on your pretty head and you will feel less guilty for mid-meal snacking.)
5. Cave In To It. Sometimes the habit gets the better of you, and feeling guilty about it is just pointless. You want results, work hard. Don't punish yourself, all you'll get is a complex! You want better or faster results, work harder! Never deny yourself anything...except maybe bad things...like super chemicals...or dangerous stuff.

To give into a binge does not grant one permission to berate oneself. It means you fell back on an old habit, one that does not benefit you in any longer term way. Perhaps that was too many ones, but you get my meaning. To gain healthy means to give up old and unhelpful patterns- be they food related or simple notions from a fool's open mouth.

Blow It off with a kiss, and walk away...

Bye For Now XX

Introduction To Health Journaling

To Fail is Not Failing, But Learning There Must Be Another Way

I have made many attempts in the past with this theory, none of which worked. From Fat camp to mother interference, it always ended the same way. At first, I would just forget to jot down a day or two. Then, I'd forget to have it on me. And eventually, I just wouldn't care enough and thought it was unimportant anyway. Not one person I have know has done it and succeeded. Usually I hear great things in the beginning of the process, but there was the inevitable repugnance for the entire exercise in meticulous note taking. The discipline required was just too much effort, especially when no one else had to do it and mocked your efforts. 

There's this nutritionist back in New York who kept chiding me to keep a food diary. Constantly, she would tell me to write down the food I was eating, the times I ate, the quantities, and the calories of every little wisp of air that passed my lips to live on my hips. I can honestly say I like the lady doctor very much. In fact, when I'm States Side again, I am heading to her office with specific questions on portions and a good calories counter/pedometer she can recommend. However I cannot say that the constant counsel was helpful to me in the slightest. Keeping track of what I ate only made me more self conscious about eating anything at all. Obsessing over food is not the right path, especially for me - the over-thinker of eating of my generation!

The notion though, was spot on. It is useful, but the methods I have seen in the past have been a short term solution (they also never worked and most of my friends would go ape shit). I've engineered my own strain of the food diary disease, one that actually works for me.

For Those Of You Playing The Home Game . . .

What exactly is a food diary, Ashley?

Well, if you are not someone who has been fighting the flubber since childhood then you might need some answers. Having a food diary means that you log what you eat & when you eat it. No matter what it is or how small it was, you must be honest and put it in the book. However, most people that keep food diaries quit after a few days. Why? Because it is tedious and annoying, and people look at you funny. It took me years to finally just do it. The way I keep track now is completely different then how I was taught in the past. The method I wholeheartedly recommend is still a bit tedious, there is no escaping that. I write out exactly what I eat and drink, the time at which it is consumed, and the correct quantity (be it grams/oz, serving size, or number of slices). The distinction from all my previous attempts is that I document any and all activity as well. If I workout at the gym, I write every detail of the exercises and machines used. If I go for a walk, I write down the time and level of intensity. The lower the intensity, the longer the walk. By writing down both the ingestion and execution of calories, I can accurately keep track of my progress. I can see if I need to eat more of a certain items (vitamin, mineral, or food group), or if I need to increase my activity, or be more wary of my injuries. I can document rest days, and not so good choices of food days, and feel no guilt or shame about it. If I want faster results, I have to be more active not eat less. If I am injured or sick and cannot be as spry as I would like, then I have to be wary of how many calories I intake versus my output.

For example, if I cannot stand up cause my foot is swollen and I have to lay down and rest 80% of the day...Maybe I shouldn't eat Doritos and candy instead of actual foods. Or, for instance, if I have been to the gym for 10 solid days in a row and worked extremely hard, then having that slice of cake won't be the end of the world. 

 

To go from this ^. . . To This V

Also, let's call it something other than a food diary. Any more food obsessed and it would be a groupie! Hmm...How about Health Journal-ing instead, since you will be writing down fitness and cuisine together?

Health Journal Keeping 101 

Step 1 : Gathering Your Materials

You need to make a measuring blueprint to record your progress over the next (insert number of weeks or months). You can make one of excel, but I always like making it by hand. Gives you a feeling of accomplishment if you not only make it by hand, but plug in the changing numbers each month. For your health journal you will need the following items:

• A Journal or Book 
• Pencil and multicolored pens
• Skinny Markers ( I picked crayola, but you don't have to)
• A Soft Measuring Tape (comes in any sewing kit)
• A Digital / Polaroid Camera (To take a BEFORE and AFTER shot)
  

Step 2 : Set Up The Journal

Once you have everything you'll need to get started, it is time to build your book! Making the following pages in your health journal will keep you focused on you - not the food, not the diet, and not any other person's opinion.

• Page 1 - Progress Chart (Make a chart to measure yourself and weigh yourself monthly by)
• Page 2 - Key (colors=?, will each month be a different color?, workout intensity?)
• Page 3 - Medication Section (daily meds, multivitamins, sick meds/anti-biotic) *Might want to put that down on each day that you take them to keep track
• Somewhere Inside - Goal Sheet (write out a set of goals for yourself, be they fitness related or visual related)
• Somewhere Inside - Inspirational Quotes (thrown in anywhere in the book, to keep you from quitting)
• Last Page - Out Comes (Did you reach your goal? What did you learn during this process? What goals do you have now?)

Step 3 : Start with Honesty

The most important thing about keeping a health journal, is the keeping it. You have to be honest, you have to write out everything, or it will not help you in the slightest. Be accountable to those pages, not to someone else. Put the truth down in the book, every drink and every crumb! If you are not feeling well, write that down too. (If you are a girl, you might even start keeping track of that monthly annoyance - it not only affects your mood and makes you bloat, but it can affect your food choices. If you are a guy, you might want to keep track of your mood cycle - men have the same kind of monthly mood swings, just without the leech lunch rush.) By being honest within the confines of this book you will start to notice the following:

• Your Eating Pattern & Time Frame
• The Lack or Excess of Certain Foods or Vitamins in Your Diet
• A Connection Between Your Mood, Your Schedule, and The Foods You Choose

For those days I'm lazy!

If you want any benefit at all from this method, you MUST stick with it! You should have it on you at all times, ready to write everything down the minute it happens. Also keep some water on you! Anytime you go to write, take a sip! It'll keep you hydrated and you can make sure that you never just eat when you are bored! If you get bored, instead of reaching for the candy bag maybe go for a walk? No, seriously! We all might want to eat when there is nothing else to do but there is a whole world outside that kitchen! Get outside, get active, and soak up that sun before winter comes home! 
If you have no injuries to speak of, unlike your blogger over here, get your skinny ass up and shaking it off!!

 I hope you enjoy this new method of fitness secretary-ing and please feel free to pass it on it the method helps!

Bye For Now xxx

You're a Grand old Chef!

It's Independence day back home! 

A time of cook outs, bon fires, and other fun summer festivities where we burn or explode things! Where you can sit around, drinking and carrying on, and its all in the name of being Patriotic! The fireworks are something I love! Like my birthday and Halloween, any holiday with fireworks gets my heart racing and a smile stuck on my face! This year I am in England, so it is not gonna be the same. Considering this past Thanksgiving, and any other American holiday, I will most likely have celebrate alone, or with people who will love to eat my food. I won't truly be alone. I'll just be the only USA team member abroad celebrating it.

A Brief History of Explosions

"Many people tend to think that we celebrate the Fourth of July because that is the day we received our Independence from England...All thirteen colonies stood behind the Declaration of Independence and adopted it in full on July 4, 1776. This is where the Fourth of July holiday comes in. The Fourth of July is known as Independence Day because that is the day that the Second Continental Congress adopted the full and formal Declaration of Independence."   - This Helpful and Cheery Website

Kinda funny when you think about it! There was a war on and we won it. So now we set more stuff on fire in celebration of that. We are a wild bunch of coconuts, no wonder they kicked us out! Guy Fawkes tries to stand up to Parliament in much the same explosive fashion, and now England celebrates the 5th of November with fire works each year!

Martyr or Glutton?

I know that with all the festivities, it can be a challenge to keep active or to eat right. Making the right choices can sometimes be completely out of our hands, and in the hands of that BBQ party planner with the funny apron. You can be that social pariah, the one who sticks with water and veggie nibbles, flitting about trying to not salivate at the burgers, steaks and potato salad. But why punish yourself? Sadly, the flip side of the 'Martyr at the party' coin is the 'Glutton'. The person who thinks, 'hey I'm on vacation! Who cares? I'll just start back up tomorrow, and it will be fine.' You give into to the peer pressure of over eating, drinking too much, and the next day you regret everything. This year, make a change. Find that happy medium! Don't give into the Martyr or the Glutton, the peer pressure or the self imposed pressure. Everything in moderation! However, if you are anything like me that might be easier as a theory than action. So below are two BBQ recipes that will not only taste amazing, but won't ruin your health decisions!

Healthy BBQ Recipes

1) Slow Fired Spare Ribs + My Secret BBQ Sauce 

For Sauce: 1/2 cup vinegar 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon of Honey 1 cup ketchup 1 teaspoon of tarragon  pinch of oregano 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 Shot of Whiskey 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper And of course 4 pounds spareribs to douse it on

All Equipment You’ll Use: Tin Foil Oven Casserole Dish Medium Bowl Spoon Fork Sharp Knife  An Oven (preheated at 200 degrees)

This is one of my favorite indulgent recipes. I use this sauce for special occasions only, and this is one of the first recipes that I have ever told anyone about. My own creation! This sauce can be used for anything: chicken, fish, veggies, or meat.  These ribs are always in demand around the summer. Spicy, sweet, and smokey from the whiskey - they have a flavor that just can't be beat . . . well, maybe by a Texan who can BBQ better than me, but that is not important right now! Make these and you'll be cooler than this cat.

Step 1 Preheat Oven & Prep Casserole Dish (w. Tinfoil) Step 2 In a medium bowl, add all sauce ingredients together. Whisk with a fork until smooth and a bit runny. Set aside. Step 3 Prep the ribs with a quick rinse water. Pat dry. Place in Casserole Dish. Step 4 Lather the top half of the ribs with 1/3 of the sauce. Cover with a second sheet of tin foil. Leave for 90 minutes. Step 5 Uncover the ribs and flip them over. Lather the now top half of the ribs with another 1/3 of the sauce. Cover with tin foil and leave for another 90 minutes. Step 6 Put the ribs in the oven. Bake in open pan at 325° Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Step 7 Pour the remaining sauce over the ribs. Bake 30 minutes longer. Baste occasionally to make sure ribs are completely covered.

2) Mini Veggie Burgers

For Burger Patties : 1 19 oz can of Cannelloni beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained 1 ½ cups of soft bread crumbs ¼ cup of shredded carrot ¼ cup of white onion, finely chopped 1 egg 2 Tbsp of snipped fresh parsley 1 Tbsp of olive oil ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper ¼ tsp of black pepper For Burger Structure : Burger Buns Handful of spinach or lettuce

All Equipment You’ll Use : Medium Bowl Flat plate (for extra bread crumbs and parsley) Fork Large Skillet Stove Top Tooth Picks Spatula Cooking Thermometer

Summer is usually veggie booming time. I’m curious as to why and how we started burning meat in the middle of heat waves, instead of enjoying cold and light foods. Anyone know by any chance? Was it cavemen or something? Well, for my Veggie fans or the parents’/friends’ of veggie heads, please try these amazing tasting, but slightly high in calories veggie burger. Better than buying frozen chemical ones of course, but each mini burger is about 350 calories. A good meal, not a nosh!

Step 1 In a medium bowl, mash beans with a fork. Stir in half the breadcrumbs, the carrot, the onion, egg, half the parsley, the spices, and 1 Tbsp of the olive oil. Place the remaining breadcrumbs and parsley on a flat plate. Stir well. Step 2 Shape the bean mixture into 8 round patties (they will be soft). Dip both sides of each patty in the extra breadcrumbs-parsley mixture. Step 3 In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the patties, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (or until browned). Check with a thermometer that the centers are 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 4 Arrange patties on Buns with your burger works and eat them!!

I have a feeling like tomorrow is just gonna turn into the summer time Mardi-Gras of food. Even with that thought... I know what my evening will be like.

 

 

 

Bye For Now XX

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

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

What Would Be Your Movie Chase Theme Song?

What would you want to have playing as your soundtrack when you are running from the bad guys or fighting in an action scene? It has to have crossed your mind at least once. Otherwise, how would all these movies keep that tradition alive? Music completely influences us a species. Drums, for me, no matter what bring out this primal physicality equal to a Dothraki Dance circle. Oooow! Wind chimes and chanting too! Those are always goosebump inducing!
Lately I have been making running playlists, trying to inspire my body to be able to run. It helps sometimes. Does anybody else make a playlist like this? One that would make a perfect soundtrack to any movie or action sci-fi show? At the end of a workout now I can feel every cell in my body saying

Since I can never load the songs up for you, my fun audience, here is the latest list. Take a listen when you get the chance. These are so good, they ran off the web page!!! Enjoy! xx  

Bye For Now xx

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1	I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)		2:37	Icona Pop	Iconic - EP
2	It's Time		4:00	Imagine Dragons	Night Visions
3	My Mama's Broken Heart		2:58	Miranda Lambert	Four the Record (Deluxe Edition)
4	Let Me Be Your Star (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty] [Extended Intro]		3:43	SMASH Cast	Bombshell (Music from the TV Series "SMASH")
5	The 20th Century Fox Mambo (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Katharine McPhee]		2:42	SMASH Cast	Bombshell (Music from the TV Series "SMASH")
6	Cut, Print... Moving On (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Katharine McPhee]		3:06	SMASH Cast	Bombshell (Music from the TV Series "SMASH")
7	Let's Be Bad (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Megan Hilty]		3:02	SMASH Cast	Bombshell (Music from the TV Series "SMASH")
8	Don't Forget Me (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Katharine McPhee]		3:15	SMASH Cast	Bombshell (Music from the TV Series "SMASH")
9	100$ Bill		3:21	JAY Z	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
10	Back to Black		3:21	Beyoncé & André 3000	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
11	Young and Beautiful		3:56	Lana Del Rey	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
12	Love Is Blindness		3:18	Jack White	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
13	Crazy In Love (Kid Koala Version)		3:08	Emeli Sandé & The Bryan Ferry Orchestra	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
14	Bang Bang		4:39	will.i.am	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
15	A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)		4:01	Fergie, Q-Tip & GoonRock	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
16	Love Is the Drug		2:42	Bryan Ferry & The Bryan Ferry Orchestra	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
17	Hearts a Mess		6:04	Gotye	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
18	Where the Wind Blows		3:51	Coco O.	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
19	No Church In the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean & The-Dream)		4:33	JAY Z & Kanye West	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
20	Over the Love		4:21	Florence + The Machine	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
21	Together		5:26	The xx	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
22	Into the Past		5:17	Nero	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
23	Kill and Run		3:36	Sia	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
24	Over the Love (Of You)		2:59	Florence + The Machine & SBTRKT	The Great Gatsby (Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film) [Deluxe Edition]
25	Titanium (Extended)		5:13	David Guetta & Sia	NOW That's What I Call a Workout 2
26	Cinema (feat. Gary Go) [Laidback Luke Remix]		6:07	Benny Benassi	NOW That's What I Call a Workout 2
27	Hello (Razor N Guido Radio Edit)		3:37	Karmin	NOW That's What I Call a Workout 2
28	Shake It Out		4:38	Florence + The Machine	Ceremonials
29	Take a Walk		4:24	Passion Pit	Gossamer
30	Spectrum (feat. Matthew Koma) [Extended Mix]		6:01	Zedd	Spectrum EP
31	Snow White		3:24	James Newton Howard	Snow White & The Huntsman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
32	Still Into You		3:36	Paramore	Paramore