What's for dessert tonight??? This is. Yum!!!!
David Lebovitz: A Butterscotch Pudding Recipe, Without Losers:
"Butterscotch Pudding
4-6 servings
Adapted from Ripe For Dessert (HarperCollins)
4 tablespoons (60g) butter, salted or unsalted
1 cup (200g) packed dark brown or cassonade sugar
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2½ (625ml) cups whole milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons whiskey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract"
Friday, February 29, 2008
True
This is well worth the read.
ruhlman.com: Food Rant: America's Fat Problem: "Americans need to be better educated about the food they eat, what’s truly good, what’s harmful, quantities that are necessary, and super-sizes we don’t need. Until we find out for ourselves from reliable sources the answers to these questions, instead of relying on knee-jerk media alarmism and marketing hooey, we’re not going to eat the food that both satisfies our souls and our bodies, and will perpetuate our fat and salt dysfunction."
Mary's been telling me this all along, so it's not new news... but you can now read it on a blog!
ruhlman.com: Food Rant: America's Fat Problem: "Americans need to be better educated about the food they eat, what’s truly good, what’s harmful, quantities that are necessary, and super-sizes we don’t need. Until we find out for ourselves from reliable sources the answers to these questions, instead of relying on knee-jerk media alarmism and marketing hooey, we’re not going to eat the food that both satisfies our souls and our bodies, and will perpetuate our fat and salt dysfunction."
Mary's been telling me this all along, so it's not new news... but you can now read it on a blog!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Fit Bowl Facts
So I started to think about the numbers. I've been tracking my calorie intake, and barring the over-eating of the past couple days:
I've been staying pretty consistent at eating 2000 calories a day (allowing for exercise).
So what was my calorie intake before the fit-bowl? Well, if 2000 calories a day leads to 3 pounds of weight loss a week, then I'm eating 1500 calories less than I was before the contest. (3 pounds == 3*3500 == 10500 calories a week, divide by 7 and get 1500 calories extra a day)
It's been relatively easy to eat just 2000 calories (plus exercise), so this gives me a lot of hope. Not only do I think I'll be able to maintain this in the long-run, but I can very likely eat a fair amount more and still maintain a weight of only 230 (or 220). I find that encouraging because a part of the problem I had with starting a diet/lifestyle change was the mental block that I'd have to starve myself. This is proof I won't starve (as though I've ever really had to worry about that).
I've been staying pretty consistent at eating 2000 calories a day (allowing for exercise).So what was my calorie intake before the fit-bowl? Well, if 2000 calories a day leads to 3 pounds of weight loss a week, then I'm eating 1500 calories less than I was before the contest. (3 pounds == 3*3500 == 10500 calories a week, divide by 7 and get 1500 calories extra a day)
It's been relatively easy to eat just 2000 calories (plus exercise), so this gives me a lot of hope. Not only do I think I'll be able to maintain this in the long-run, but I can very likely eat a fair amount more and still maintain a weight of only 230 (or 220). I find that encouraging because a part of the problem I had with starting a diet/lifestyle change was the mental block that I'd have to starve myself. This is proof I won't starve (as though I've ever really had to worry about that).
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
5 Weeks of Fit-Bowl
So I've been at it for over 5 weeks now. I'm down 15 pounds, woo-hoo!
What I'm happiest about is the fact that I lost 7 of those pounds while in Hawaii - where I ate ice cream and pudding and other things. Granted, I was walking 1 or 2 hours a day (or more), but it was nice to see.
Unfortunately at Mary's birthday party I pigged out, and the two days following I over-ate. So I need to reign things back in.
What I'm happiest about is the fact that I lost 7 of those pounds while in Hawaii - where I ate ice cream and pudding and other things. Granted, I was walking 1 or 2 hours a day (or more), but it was nice to see.
Unfortunately at Mary's birthday party I pigged out, and the two days following I over-ate. So I need to reign things back in.
Hawaii
So... we've been gone. On the 4th, we hopped on a plane and spent 16 days in Kauai. What can I say, it was awesome.
We did nothing but eat lots of fresh, tropical fruit and fresh fish, we swam almost every day, we walked lots, and we hung out watching the whales/dolphins/tortoises. Our place was right on the water, and the last day we were there we saw the full moon set, the sun rise, a baby humpback breech 30 or 40 times, and a beautiful sunset. It was a pretty awesome day.
The highlights of the trip were probably (in no specific order):
Here are some pics:
Simone's first day on the beach:
A random sampling of our fruit selection:
Simone and Mary playing in the sand:
A pretty typical sunset, with waves splashing up. This was taken from the condo:
Simone, a very sleepy baby:
We did nothing but eat lots of fresh, tropical fruit and fresh fish, we swam almost every day, we walked lots, and we hung out watching the whales/dolphins/tortoises. Our place was right on the water, and the last day we were there we saw the full moon set, the sun rise, a baby humpback breech 30 or 40 times, and a beautiful sunset. It was a pretty awesome day.
The highlights of the trip were probably (in no specific order):
- surfing lesson (I stood up and rode the wave onto the beach 5 or 6 times)
- Simone in her bright pink swim suit and hat, sitting in the bright pink inflatable boat just squealing with joy (wish we had a picture of that)
- shrimp marinated in soy sauce/sesame oil/ginger - huge and delicous
- nearly a papaya a day
- just hanging out with Mary, Simone, and Elizabeth
- Simone learning new words every day (she said "angst" the day we flew to Hawaii
Here are some pics:
Simone's first day on the beach:
A random sampling of our fruit selection:
Simone and Mary playing in the sand:
A pretty typical sunset, with waves splashing up. This was taken from the condo:
Simone, a very sleepy baby:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sybaris February 2008
Mary and I went to a restaurant in Albany for her birthday. I know, a nice restaurant in Albany, my pre-conceived ideas were about to be challenged. Still, the menu looked intriguing: Sybaris February 2008
The atmosphere was pleasant, especially as the light dimmed (which helped make the large space feel more intimate). The restaurant rotates art from different, local, artists every month, which is nice. But on to the food:
First of all, we loved our waiter. He was the only waiter there, and has worked for the chef for 14 years (including the 6 years Sybaris has been open). He loves his job and it showed. He explained a number of the dishes very eloquently and accurately (as the menu sometimes had brief and/or mis-leading descriptions). The only problem with service was there was only one of him (a hostess showed up about half-way through dinner), so he was a little short on time at each table. Our water was always full and empty dishes were promptly whisked away, I'm not sure how he did it all.
Then there was the food, I started with a Manhattan which was nice, nothing fancy, though the martini glass had a curved stem which I found awkward. Mary really enjoyed her Cabernet (I don't remember the vineyard).
We were both pretty hungry so we started with the appetizer:
It was small (we were forewarned), and tasted fine. I personally couldn't tell the difference between pheasant and chicken. The smoked meat was moist and tender, it didn't taste very smokey. The cumin and chipotle flavors blended well. Overall, it was nice, but it certainly did not stand out.
Our waiter thought tis salad was their best (of all the salads they make through the year), and he described it well enough to pique our interest:
I know, sounds mundane, but wow. The salad was large enough for 4, and while it looked like slightly wet romaine lettuce, it tasted vibrantly of passion fruit. We both really enjoyed the crisp, watery snap of the romaine and the bold passion fruit. A big thumbs up from both of us, this was a dish we'd both love to have again.
Mary chose the
My meatloaf was the size of my fist (large), and very tender and tasty. The gravy blended with the meat flavors well, though I had hoped for a little more mushroom flavor (and a few actual mushrooms). The mashed potatoes were delicious, but I couldn't tell there was hominy. I did enjoy the dish very much.
Because it was Mary's birthday, they brought out a little dessert (on the house) with a candle - the
We did order the
I think we'll be heading back to Albany in the future - the menu is probably more interesting than anything we've had in Corvallis.
The atmosphere was pleasant, especially as the light dimmed (which helped make the large space feel more intimate). The restaurant rotates art from different, local, artists every month, which is nice. But on to the food:
First of all, we loved our waiter. He was the only waiter there, and has worked for the chef for 14 years (including the 6 years Sybaris has been open). He loves his job and it showed. He explained a number of the dishes very eloquently and accurately (as the menu sometimes had brief and/or mis-leading descriptions). The only problem with service was there was only one of him (a hostess showed up about half-way through dinner), so he was a little short on time at each table. Our water was always full and empty dishes were promptly whisked away, I'm not sure how he did it all.
Then there was the food, I started with a Manhattan which was nice, nothing fancy, though the martini glass had a curved stem which I found awkward. Mary really enjoyed her Cabernet (I don't remember the vineyard).
We were both pretty hungry so we started with the appetizer:
smoked pheasant quesadilla with chipotle cheddar
and a toasted cumin sour cream
It was small (we were forewarned), and tasted fine. I personally couldn't tell the difference between pheasant and chicken. The smoked meat was moist and tender, it didn't taste very smokey. The cumin and chipotle flavors blended well. Overall, it was nice, but it certainly did not stand out.
Our waiter thought tis salad was their best (of all the salads they make through the year), and he described it well enough to pique our interest:
romaine with a passion fruit vinaigrette (for 2)
I know, sounds mundane, but wow. The salad was large enough for 4, and while it looked like slightly wet romaine lettuce, it tasted vibrantly of passion fruit. We both really enjoyed the crisp, watery snap of the romaine and the bold passion fruit. A big thumbs up from both of us, this was a dish we'd both love to have again.
Mary chose the
roasted partridge breast with oregon mole andand I had the
leg meat tamale tower
buffalo and wild boar meat loaf with wild mushroomThe mole was slightly sweet (made with prunes) and just a bit spicy (from the peppers) but very rich (from the cocoa), and it paired beautifully with the salty tamale. Mary wasn't very inspired when she first read the description, but she decided hers was better than mine.
sour cream gravy on hominy mashed potatoes
My meatloaf was the size of my fist (large), and very tender and tasty. The gravy blended with the meat flavors well, though I had hoped for a little more mushroom flavor (and a few actual mushrooms). The mashed potatoes were delicious, but I couldn't tell there was hominy. I did enjoy the dish very much.
Because it was Mary's birthday, they brought out a little dessert (on the house) with a candle - the
butterscotch pudding. We thought the flavor excellent, but the texture a bit grainy. We were also hoping for the peat smoked shortbread that was mentioned on the menu, but it was not to be found.
We did order the
chocolate ice cream, peanut butter ice cream terrine with bananas fosterMmmm.... the ice creams were divine, and the bananas foster delicious - the caramel was perfectly sweet. I wanted to lick the plate.
I think we'll be heading back to Albany in the future - the menu is probably more interesting than anything we've had in Corvallis.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Oregon Distilleries
There are some fine distilleries in Oregon, and they're making some very nice alcohols.
Two favorites of mine are from the www.bendistillery.com">Bend Distillery - two gins made from real juniper berries (just checked, I only see one gin on their web page, interesting - I've got two different bottles). Turns out they also make hazelnut coffee liqueur - so I bought a bottle of that, very tasty.
There are a bunch of other distilleries in Oregon. Here's a list I found from Oregon Distilleries: Clear Creek Distillery, McMenamins Edgefield Distillery, Brandy Peak Distillery, Ransom Spirits, Dolmen Distillery, New Deal Distillery, Rogue House of Spirits, House Spirits (Medoyeff), Bend Distillery, Hood River Distilleries, Indio Spirits, Sub Rosa Spirits, Highball Distillery, Sidepocket Distillery, Integrity Spirits.
I've had whiskey and gin from McMenamins, and brandy from Clear Creek. Only 12 distilleries to go.
I think I'll try to find some from each of the distillers that make small batch liquers. I've a feeling I'll find quite a few gems.
The Clear Creek Distillery came out with a Douglas Fir Eaux de Vie (brandy), which is a bright green like the new shoots on a fir tree (from which it's made). Very interesting sounding, but not quite enough to warrant buying a whole bottle. I took a tour of Clear Creek 12 years ago, the guy was real nice. At the time he just had the cherry and pear brandies, and was still working on his whiskey. He's got a lot of different liqueurs now - many that I'd like to try.
Two favorites of mine are from the www.bendistillery.com">Bend Distillery - two gins made from real juniper berries (just checked, I only see one gin on their web page, interesting - I've got two different bottles). Turns out they also make hazelnut coffee liqueur - so I bought a bottle of that, very tasty.
There are a bunch of other distilleries in Oregon. Here's a list I found from Oregon Distilleries: Clear Creek Distillery, McMenamins Edgefield Distillery, Brandy Peak Distillery, Ransom Spirits, Dolmen Distillery, New Deal Distillery, Rogue House of Spirits, House Spirits (Medoyeff), Bend Distillery, Hood River Distilleries, Indio Spirits, Sub Rosa Spirits, Highball Distillery, Sidepocket Distillery, Integrity Spirits.
I've had whiskey and gin from McMenamins, and brandy from Clear Creek. Only 12 distilleries to go.
I think I'll try to find some from each of the distillers that make small batch liquers. I've a feeling I'll find quite a few gems.
The Clear Creek Distillery came out with a Douglas Fir Eaux de Vie (brandy), which is a bright green like the new shoots on a fir tree (from which it's made). Very interesting sounding, but not quite enough to warrant buying a whole bottle. I took a tour of Clear Creek 12 years ago, the guy was real nice. At the time he just had the cherry and pear brandies, and was still working on his whiskey. He's got a lot of different liqueurs now - many that I'd like to try.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Why I Eat Grass Fed Beef
Supposedly the beef tastes better, I dunno about that.
I buy locally grown, grass-fed beef because:
1) it's local (supports local businesses)
2) it's grass fed (better for the cows, orders of magnitude less chance of them growing dangerous levels of E.coli)
3) it environmentally friendly
4) it doesn't support the big-business meat industry
I'm not going to watch the video, I imagine it is sad, depressing, disturbing and all that. But the write-up around it was informative.
U.S. Food Policy: Humane Society video of workers abusing "downer" cattle: "Beyond the cruelty evident in the video, the Washington Post explains that putting downer cattle into the food supply is dangerous."
I buy locally grown, grass-fed beef because:
1) it's local (supports local businesses)
2) it's grass fed (better for the cows, orders of magnitude less chance of them growing dangerous levels of E.coli)
3) it environmentally friendly
4) it doesn't support the big-business meat industry
I'm not going to watch the video, I imagine it is sad, depressing, disturbing and all that. But the write-up around it was informative.
U.S. Food Policy: Humane Society video of workers abusing "downer" cattle: "Beyond the cruelty evident in the video, the Washington Post explains that putting downer cattle into the food supply is dangerous."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Not Your Standard Obligatory Obama Post
I read some technical (programming, math, science) blogs, and for the most part they remain on-topic. Lately, as the presidential race as gotten more "exciting," they often post a "Don't usually do this... but vote for Obama, and here's why" post.
Pretty much all of those kinds of posts say to vote for him because he's a uniter, he's charismatic, because he's a good face for international relations, because he's young and not spoiled by Washington politics, because he's black, because Clinton is divisive, etc.
He may be all those things, and Clinton may be divisive (though is she only divisive because people keep parroting the news stories?). But none of those reasons address actual policies. What is he going to do as president? That is why you should (or shouldn't) vote for him.
Obama apparently doesn't want a fight, but if you look at recent politics, the Republicans have done nothing to help the Democrats - they've consistently filibustered the Democrats. How is Obama going to change that? He isn't, and if he's not up for a fight, then either 1) he's not going to get much done, or 2) he's going to work for things Republicans want (and Democrats generally don't).
He is sounding more and more like a Republican - which if that's what you want, fine. He thinks there's a crisis with Social Security (there isn't, it's with Medicare), he praises Reagan's fiscal policies (which began the rich-getting-richer trend that's left the bottom 95% of Americans with no real income growth over the past 20 years (so much for a rising tide...)), his approach to health-care was the weakest of Clinton/Obama/Edwards, he's completely fine with the free market system we currently have (which continues to further the rich-getting-richer), he bashes unions, and the list goes on.
My point isn't that Obama is a bad guy, he's probably just as magical as he appears. My point is that people seem to be jumping on the bandwagon for the superficial reasons. The thing is, the current power structures are not going to be wowed by his charisma, politicians are not all going to get along just because he is president.
It all depends on what you want from your president. If you want a charismatic leader, Obama is clearly the choice. If you care about the issues, you should see what the candidates' stances are.
Here are some articles I've read in the past that shed some light on Obama's policies:
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/krugman_speaks_about_his_battle_with_obama_campaign.php
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=472&Itemid=1
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-10/31street.cfm
http://www.correntewire.com/obama_stump_speech_strategy_of_conciliation_considered_harmful
Read them, see what you think. Try not to react with, "but Obama is a good guy" - instead look at the issues raised.
Note: I'll probably vote for whichever Democratic candidate is chosen, but I don't believe for a minute I'll have any effect on which one is chosen. I'm just saying that there's a lot of hype around Obama, when we should really look at what he's advocating. And if you believe he's going to find the middle ground in Washington, is that what you want? I believe great leaders don't find the middle ground, they lead on principles.
Pretty much all of those kinds of posts say to vote for him because he's a uniter, he's charismatic, because he's a good face for international relations, because he's young and not spoiled by Washington politics, because he's black, because Clinton is divisive, etc.
He may be all those things, and Clinton may be divisive (though is she only divisive because people keep parroting the news stories?). But none of those reasons address actual policies. What is he going to do as president? That is why you should (or shouldn't) vote for him.
Obama apparently doesn't want a fight, but if you look at recent politics, the Republicans have done nothing to help the Democrats - they've consistently filibustered the Democrats. How is Obama going to change that? He isn't, and if he's not up for a fight, then either 1) he's not going to get much done, or 2) he's going to work for things Republicans want (and Democrats generally don't).
He is sounding more and more like a Republican - which if that's what you want, fine. He thinks there's a crisis with Social Security (there isn't, it's with Medicare), he praises Reagan's fiscal policies (which began the rich-getting-richer trend that's left the bottom 95% of Americans with no real income growth over the past 20 years (so much for a rising tide...)), his approach to health-care was the weakest of Clinton/Obama/Edwards, he's completely fine with the free market system we currently have (which continues to further the rich-getting-richer), he bashes unions, and the list goes on.
My point isn't that Obama is a bad guy, he's probably just as magical as he appears. My point is that people seem to be jumping on the bandwagon for the superficial reasons. The thing is, the current power structures are not going to be wowed by his charisma, politicians are not all going to get along just because he is president.
It all depends on what you want from your president. If you want a charismatic leader, Obama is clearly the choice. If you care about the issues, you should see what the candidates' stances are.
Here are some articles I've read in the past that shed some light on Obama's policies:
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/krugman_speaks_about_his_battle_with_obama_campaign.php
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=472&Itemid=1
http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-10/31street.cfm
http://www.correntewire.com/obama_stump_speech_strategy_of_conciliation_considered_harmful
Read them, see what you think. Try not to react with, "but Obama is a good guy" - instead look at the issues raised.
Note: I'll probably vote for whichever Democratic candidate is chosen, but I don't believe for a minute I'll have any effect on which one is chosen. I'm just saying that there's a lot of hype around Obama, when we should really look at what he's advocating. And if you believe he's going to find the middle ground in Washington, is that what you want? I believe great leaders don't find the middle ground, they lead on principles.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Huh?
I was listening to NPR on the drive to work yesterday and heard a sponsor I'd not remembered hearing before: Go Nitro Tire.
They sell a system that inflates tires with 99% pure nitrogen. Like I care.
Sure, Formula-1 racers might care, but seriously, do every day folks care? No, they can't keep their tires properly inflated whether it's with normal air or nitrogen. What a scam.
They sell a system that inflates tires with 99% pure nitrogen. Like I care.
Sure, Formula-1 racers might care, but seriously, do every day folks care? No, they can't keep their tires properly inflated whether it's with normal air or nitrogen. What a scam.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Diet, Week 1
So, it's been a week. Things have gone fairly well. I know that both Sam and Ron have lost a bunch (10ish and 6 respectively), and that Ingrid isn't having much luck with her plan (my uninformed opinion is that she's not eating enough, but it's too quick to judge). I've no idea about the others.
Anyway, I've not weighed in this week, so I have no idea how well I've done in those terms. I do know I've cut out a bunch of food, and while I'm not deprived, I definitely think about all the food cravings I'm ignoring (or satisfying with a carrot or orange). Exercise is the key for me.
See, I'm targeting 2000 calories a day, plus whatever I exercise. I figure my basal rate has got to be at least 2500, probably more. So I'm cutting out 500 calories * 7 == 3500 == 1 pound a week. 6 months == 26 weeks, 26 pounds. I'd like to lose more, but I also want to end up with an eating habit I can sustain.
So, 2000 calories isn't really enough to satisfy me mentally, but if/when I exercise I can pretty easily tack on another 300-600 calories, and 2500 calories is pretty doable. Today, for instance, I ate 2650 calories - and that included a bunch of home-made pizza and 2 (yup, count them, one... two) whole cookies. Sure, I'm not eating my standard dozen cookies, but I'll live.
Anyway, here's how I fared with respect to my target eating goal this past week:
The big negatives are because I exercised and didn't eat enough during the day. Come dinner time I didn't want to just stuff myself, so I ended up a bit shy. I'll get better at planning that.
One problem both Sam and I have had in figuring out how much to eat is that all of the online calculators give different caloric measurements for both basal rates and for activity. Sam got some basal rates that differed by 1000 calories! So it's confusing and difficult to know where to start. As with most things, experience is what really can guide you.
Mary has been great - she's planned and cooked some great meals. I've just limited portions. So far, so good, I think.
Update: Sunday, Jan 26, 4:30pm. Down 4.5 pounds.
Anyway, I've not weighed in this week, so I have no idea how well I've done in those terms. I do know I've cut out a bunch of food, and while I'm not deprived, I definitely think about all the food cravings I'm ignoring (or satisfying with a carrot or orange). Exercise is the key for me.
See, I'm targeting 2000 calories a day, plus whatever I exercise. I figure my basal rate has got to be at least 2500, probably more. So I'm cutting out 500 calories * 7 == 3500 == 1 pound a week. 6 months == 26 weeks, 26 pounds. I'd like to lose more, but I also want to end up with an eating habit I can sustain.
So, 2000 calories isn't really enough to satisfy me mentally, but if/when I exercise I can pretty easily tack on another 300-600 calories, and 2500 calories is pretty doable. Today, for instance, I ate 2650 calories - and that included a bunch of home-made pizza and 2 (yup, count them, one... two) whole cookies. Sure, I'm not eating my standard dozen cookies, but I'll live.
Anyway, here's how I fared with respect to my target eating goal this past week:
The big negatives are because I exercised and didn't eat enough during the day. Come dinner time I didn't want to just stuff myself, so I ended up a bit shy. I'll get better at planning that.
One problem both Sam and I have had in figuring out how much to eat is that all of the online calculators give different caloric measurements for both basal rates and for activity. Sam got some basal rates that differed by 1000 calories! So it's confusing and difficult to know where to start. As with most things, experience is what really can guide you.
Mary has been great - she's planned and cooked some great meals. I've just limited portions. So far, so good, I think.
Update: Sunday, Jan 26, 4:30pm. Down 4.5 pounds.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Cheney Said He Approved Water Boarding
(forgot to post this when I first saw it)
Simply mind-boggling.
While I can understand if (that?) Obama doesn't want to start a bunch of partisan bickering, the only way to heal the wounds we have in this country - the only path to truly fixing what was broken over the past 8 years, is to bring the truth to light. Obama has taken some good steps in just the past few days with respect to how his administration (and the government in general) will act. We need to know what just happened as well.
Simply mind-boggling.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
While I can understand if (that?) Obama doesn't want to start a bunch of partisan bickering, the only way to heal the wounds we have in this country - the only path to truly fixing what was broken over the past 8 years, is to bring the truth to light. Obama has taken some good steps in just the past few days with respect to how his administration (and the government in general) will act. We need to know what just happened as well.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
3 Days Down, 180-ish to go
Fit bowl has begun. My plan is to eat 2000 calories a day (give or take 200), allowing more for exercise. The first day was a little challenging, the last two have been easier due to the fact I've been real active (Mary and I walked nearly 9 miles). Surprisingly, I've eaten about the same amount today as the first day, but today I feel stuffed - and I exercised today.
Today was very nice actually, we walked 4.5 miles with Simone in the Burley (napping). Then, after a nice lunch, Simone and I biked to the gym for a swim. I'm glad the fit bowl has helped motivate me, because this is the kind of active life I wanted anyway (Mary too). I do want to win the money, but the real goal is to get to a comfortable weight.
Who knows how long it'll take to adjust to eating smaller portions, but I've already noticed actual feelings of hunger and fullness. Who would have thunk?
Today was very nice actually, we walked 4.5 miles with Simone in the Burley (napping). Then, after a nice lunch, Simone and I biked to the gym for a swim. I'm glad the fit bowl has helped motivate me, because this is the kind of active life I wanted anyway (Mary too). I do want to win the money, but the real goal is to get to a comfortable weight.
Who knows how long it'll take to adjust to eating smaller portions, but I've already noticed actual feelings of hunger and fullness. Who would have thunk?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Fit Bowl '08
So, my buddy Ron decided we were too fat and needed to lose weight, so it was time for a competition. And since he won our money last time, he upped the entry fee to $100.
The weigh in was last Friday (I did it Thursday because of scheduling).
I'll let the picture do the talking (though I think his scale is wonky - it said 10 pounds more on the wood floor).
The weigh in was last Friday (I did it Thursday because of scheduling).
I'll let the picture do the talking (though I think his scale is wonky - it said 10 pounds more on the wood floor).
Simone Is Walking
So it seems she needed special shoes to really get her walking. There's a pair of shiny black shoes that she first liked, then we just got a pair of sheep-fur-lined boots 2 sizes too big, and she's racing around the house. It's pretty fun.
Her latest words are "teacher" and "happy" though "shoes" is still very popular.
Here's a picture of her at dinner where you can really get a good look at her favorite boots:
Yup, they accentuate her skinny little legs.
It just gets better every day.
Her latest words are "teacher" and "happy" though "shoes" is still very popular.
Here's a picture of her at dinner where you can really get a good look at her favorite boots:
Yup, they accentuate her skinny little legs.
It just gets better every day.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Simone, growing like a ... beautiful flower
Well, she's 19.5 months old and weighs nearly as much. Shoes are a big hit with her, she really wants to put them on - including the bright pink croc that someone gave us (just one, kinda awkward). Simone has been sleeping through the night pretty regularly, which is a nice change.
Her vocabulary has picked up dramatically, but some of her old words have changed into new ones, so we're missing some of the things she says (at least I am). She still thinks everything is "soft" - including my stubbly face, and loves to pet Jupiter.
We haven't been riding in a couple of weeks (that's soooo last year), but have gone on several walks and played on the playground equipment. She likes the slides, stairs, and the suspension bridges. Just today, she and Mary went to a Gym On Wheels class - basically a tumbling/walking/play class, and she loved it.
Here are a few pictures of her - one with her very handsome father.
And she really likes her sunglasses, she's getting all geared up for our Hawaii trip.
Her vocabulary has picked up dramatically, but some of her old words have changed into new ones, so we're missing some of the things she says (at least I am). She still thinks everything is "soft" - including my stubbly face, and loves to pet Jupiter.
We haven't been riding in a couple of weeks (that's soooo last year), but have gone on several walks and played on the playground equipment. She likes the slides, stairs, and the suspension bridges. Just today, she and Mary went to a Gym On Wheels class - basically a tumbling/walking/play class, and she loved it.
Here are a few pictures of her - one with her very handsome father.
And she really likes her sunglasses, she's getting all geared up for our Hawaii trip.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Gah, Commercials, They Conspire Against Us
So... we switched to Comcast for our phone, and the bundle of phone/internet/tv was cheaper than not having TV, so we've got it.
A couple of times, Mary and I have decided to flake out on TV after putting Simone to sleep. Most of the time there is nothing of interest on (70 channels, nothing interesting), but occasionally there is a movie or show worth watching. However, we're spoiled by watching TV shows off DVD, and the commercials are annoying. So, like any child of the remote, I begin switching channels to find something else.
But all the stations are showing commercials at the same time!!! It's not chance, it happens every time.
I do realize the answer is DVR, but we're ditching cable as soon as the introductory plan is over.
A couple of times, Mary and I have decided to flake out on TV after putting Simone to sleep. Most of the time there is nothing of interest on (70 channels, nothing interesting), but occasionally there is a movie or show worth watching. However, we're spoiled by watching TV shows off DVD, and the commercials are annoying. So, like any child of the remote, I begin switching channels to find something else.
But all the stations are showing commercials at the same time!!! It's not chance, it happens every time.
I do realize the answer is DVR, but we're ditching cable as soon as the introductory plan is over.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Technological Advances in Crayons
Just found out this weekend that you can erase crayons. It's true, go buy yourself some. Now, I'd prefer an actual eraser to go along with the standard crayons (less packaging than the erasable ones that are encased in plastic). But still, erasable is way cool.
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
News item for the day is the "cruel and unusual punishment" case in front of the Supreme Court: Supreme Court takes up major death penalty case
Now, I'm still up in the air on the whole death penalty. The jail system doesn't rehabilitate, so for lifers that have done really heinous murder/rape crimes, perhaps it's better to just apply the death penalty. But the system is also brutally unfair to minorities and has some very obvious cases that have been turned over by DNA, so I question the practicality of putting anyone to death.
Either way, I don't understand why any of the states stick by the 3-drug cocktail used to put people to death now. At least use the same thing we've deemed best for our most cherished pets - an overdose of a barbiturate.
Now, I'm still up in the air on the whole death penalty. The jail system doesn't rehabilitate, so for lifers that have done really heinous murder/rape crimes, perhaps it's better to just apply the death penalty. But the system is also brutally unfair to minorities and has some very obvious cases that have been turned over by DNA, so I question the practicality of putting anyone to death.
Either way, I don't understand why any of the states stick by the 3-drug cocktail used to put people to death now. At least use the same thing we've deemed best for our most cherished pets - an overdose of a barbiturate.
Monday, December 31, 2007
That's Code for, "I'm Lost, Too"
That's the winning headline for the following:
And it's mine. I guess that the fourth time is the charm.
Man: Excuse me, could you tell me where--
Biotech, interrupting: --Look, I don't have time to make up fake directions.
And it's mine. I guess that the fourth time is the charm.
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