Thursday, May 3, 2012
Seriously...I am making it stick this time
You're asking yourself "What is she talking about?"
I'm talking about exercise.
In September of 2011, I embarked on a journey to go to the gym every other day. It worked for me. I was there every other day until school let out for Winter Break. When January rolled around, I made that same commitment in January. Unfortunately, it didn't stick as well. I really had no excuse not to go to the gym or get some kind of exercise...I only had class Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Needless to say, there should have been no excuse but I kept telling myself that school was more important.
That's a lame excuse. I know. But I was very serious about my choice. It was my last quarter and I needed to focus on my time-consuming classes (really, any class is time-consuming).
As of May 1, I am vowing to be on a better track to a better weight and a better me. My current weight is 219.8. Last summer I weighed 236. So, I do see improvement. By no means do I feel like I was last summer but I still want to be at a better weight and be more active without tiring out. Mind you, I am a bit more active than some of my thinner friends, but I want to be physically better. My first task is to get my heart rate and breathing on track. I'm not terribly interested in weight loss at this point. But I want to be thinner by my graduation in June. That's my second goal.
I am starting a new chapter in my life and I am beginning that chapter starting now. Besides, I think I am going to Costa Rica in August/September and I want to be better.
With this carton of coconut water, I am cheering to a better and healthier me.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Challenge
Ever since I declared English as my minor, I have been contemplating this challenge.
As some of you may or may not know, I am DEATHLY afraid to conquer the classic works of literature. I was forced to read them in high school and never enjoyed them. I don't know if it was simply because I was forced to or the writing itself.
A few weeks ago, I was at work and talking to my fellow English majors and asked them what their favorite era of literature was. One of them said he loved the Romantic works. I, however, cannot stand that era of work. I find it very difficult to get through. And when I'm talking about Romantic works, I mean anything by the Brontë sisters (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall). It may just be me and my own prejudices because of what I was forced to read in high school.
But my challenge is to read all of the books on Modern Library's list of 100 Best Novels (http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/). It is a challenge and I honestly don't think that I will be able to get through most of them. As it is, I have tried to conquer Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and haven't made it past the first 30 pages. I have also tried to read Herman Melville's Billy Budd for a class and the only reason I was remotely intrigued by this was because there are no female characters and there is a lot of erotic language (I had to read this for my Queer American Literature class).
This challenge is going to be hard, especially as I attempt to work my way through all of the classic Romantic works.
We'll see what happens.
As some of you may or may not know, I am DEATHLY afraid to conquer the classic works of literature. I was forced to read them in high school and never enjoyed them. I don't know if it was simply because I was forced to or the writing itself.
A few weeks ago, I was at work and talking to my fellow English majors and asked them what their favorite era of literature was. One of them said he loved the Romantic works. I, however, cannot stand that era of work. I find it very difficult to get through. And when I'm talking about Romantic works, I mean anything by the Brontë sisters (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall). It may just be me and my own prejudices because of what I was forced to read in high school.
But my challenge is to read all of the books on Modern Library's list of 100 Best Novels (http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/). It is a challenge and I honestly don't think that I will be able to get through most of them. As it is, I have tried to conquer Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and haven't made it past the first 30 pages. I have also tried to read Herman Melville's Billy Budd for a class and the only reason I was remotely intrigued by this was because there are no female characters and there is a lot of erotic language (I had to read this for my Queer American Literature class).
This challenge is going to be hard, especially as I attempt to work my way through all of the classic Romantic works.
We'll see what happens.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Geez...I'm Sorry
Out of 365 days in a year, I have SLACKED on this blog and focused more energy into graduating (and my other blog...*cheese*). If you don't know, I am graduating in March of this year with a degree in Theater and English. Now what I will do with those degrees is beyond me. I have no clue at all. Ugh.
Anyhoo, I just felt that I had to put something up here since I have been MIA for so long. I haven't forgotten about you all, believe me.
Part of the real reason why I hadn't been on this blog in so long was that I was feeling very misguided and not quite sure where I should focus my efforts. My mind constantly runs a mile a minute and it's hard for me to get my thoughts down (nor find the time to do so) and when I do get the time, I'd much rather relax with a glass of wine and a few episodes of MAD MEN or some other television show in my queue on Hulu. I just don't know what to write about anymore. The title of this blog is in the process of being shifted, but I like this title so much, that I can't let it go completely (besides, the title describes much of who I am as a person...analytical, thoughtful, etc).
As it is 2012, I don't want to start fresh. Initially, I had updated my facebook status on New Year's Day saying that I was ready for a fresh start. However, I can't get down with the context behind those words. What this says is that everything I have done/been/seen/experienced/lived (metaphorically or physically or emotionally speaking) is gone. I don't want that. I want to continue. I just want to continue being a better person and learning more and giving more of myself in a spiritual way and connecting more. Over the past few years, I have lost some of my gentle self I knew in my early college days. I was much more open to talking to people and getting to know them and just connecting with people in odd places. Those are the things that I would enjoy in 2012.
So, no fresh starts for me. Just renewed fires and grand continuations.
If you'd like to check out my other blog, here it is!
www.fullfiguredfoodie.tumblr.com
Anyhoo, I just felt that I had to put something up here since I have been MIA for so long. I haven't forgotten about you all, believe me.
Part of the real reason why I hadn't been on this blog in so long was that I was feeling very misguided and not quite sure where I should focus my efforts. My mind constantly runs a mile a minute and it's hard for me to get my thoughts down (nor find the time to do so) and when I do get the time, I'd much rather relax with a glass of wine and a few episodes of MAD MEN or some other television show in my queue on Hulu. I just don't know what to write about anymore. The title of this blog is in the process of being shifted, but I like this title so much, that I can't let it go completely (besides, the title describes much of who I am as a person...analytical, thoughtful, etc).
As it is 2012, I don't want to start fresh. Initially, I had updated my facebook status on New Year's Day saying that I was ready for a fresh start. However, I can't get down with the context behind those words. What this says is that everything I have done/been/seen/experienced/lived (metaphorically or physically or emotionally speaking) is gone. I don't want that. I want to continue. I just want to continue being a better person and learning more and giving more of myself in a spiritual way and connecting more. Over the past few years, I have lost some of my gentle self I knew in my early college days. I was much more open to talking to people and getting to know them and just connecting with people in odd places. Those are the things that I would enjoy in 2012.
So, no fresh starts for me. Just renewed fires and grand continuations.
If you'd like to check out my other blog, here it is!
www.fullfiguredfoodie.tumblr.com
Monday, September 12, 2011
Zimmern and Bourdain and Deen...OH MY!
Over a week ago I happened upon an article on my Yahoo homepage about Anthony Bourdain and the comments he made publicly about Paula Deen. Now before I go anywhere else with this article, Bourdain is a very outspoken man and we all know that. Like my fellow blogger said, we shouldn't expect anything less from him. In fact, it's what we expect of him. Needless to say he basically said that she was the worst and most dangerous person to America. And this is true...to an extent.
My fellow blogger pointed out to me and other readers that there are some opinions on this spat that I would not have seen. Not long after this came out, Andrew Zimmern commented on the Deen-Bourdain fight on his blog. He gave commentary up and down the board, practically praising Bourdain for his harsh criticism and down-playing Deen and other TV-chef personalities for their lack of concern in the health of the nation. In the first paragraph of his article, he points out the flaws in the nation (economic class) and yet blames "Deen & Co." (as they're coined) for continuing to make the nation more unhealthy.
But let's read the article some more. Like I said, he gives Bourdain all of the props in the world for using his voice to platform an epidemic that is sweeping the nation: obesity. He literally "shames" Deen for not using her power to help change the way average Americans eat.
And here is where my issue lies. Deen is a very influential woman and is the voice for the average American family. I don't know about some Americans but fresh ingredients can be expensive. I am a product of a well-cultured environment and I am able to afford the healthy things, but not everyone can. I hate to be repetitive, but has he seen the economy? Some people can't afford to eat like he does. I wish I had a fraction of his salary. I would be at Whole Foods all the time, but I can't afford to spend $80 for one meal for 2 people. He can. He has to take a step back and look at who Deen's audience is and what they can afford. Now, Deen clearly says that she cooks for the average family who can't afford expensive ingredients.
I understand where Deen is coming from, but I also understand where Bourdain stands as well. Because Deen is so well-known, she could use her "power" to ignite a change in her intended audience. She should not be blamed for the obesity of EVERY American. That's not her place. The 'weight' of the nation should not be on her own shoulders. It's not fair. We all know that Deen uses mayo in quite a few of her recipes. What I would suggest for Deen is possibly switch out mayo for something else. But I want to see if my theory is correct when it comes to cost. Let's just do a price comparison for a second. On walgreens.com, a jar of Hellman's Mayonnaise costs $7.49 for a 30oz. jar. A jar of Hellman's Light Mayonnaise costs the same amount but has 8oz. less. Already, a consumer is going to purchase the bigger jar for the same price. Now let's look at the calories. Regular mayo has 90 calories for 1 tablespoon and 35 calories per 1 tablespoon of the light mayo. Deen could break it to her audience that a substitute would be better for their health. In an article, Frank Bruni claims that unhealthy food is a personal choice. But as I stated earlier, it sometimes is the only way to feed the family.
Like my fellow blogger said, everything in moderation. While this is true, food items that are high in fat will ultimately hurt the people in the long run. But like she (lululovesdumpling) said, Zimmern doesn't quite fit into the skinny group himself. So how does he have the right to be so brash against Deen? He has a platform himself and yet doesn't exercise his social responsibility to educate his devoted audience. I must admit that I am a huge fan of his show (Bizarre Foods), but after reading his attack on Deen and jumping on Bourdain's bandwagon, I am looking at him in a different light. Not once does he stand up and play devil's advocate for both sides, but he beats down Deen for her place in the TV-chef realm. In fact, he spends one WHOLE paragraph on the ways we can change our health.
What good does one whole paragraph do to help change the obesity problem facing this nation? Nothing. Zimmern should practice what he preaches instead of standing on the sunken soap box of Bourdain.
*I know this entry may seem a little misguided, but my intentions were to play devil's advocate.
Sources: Zimmern's Blog
LuluLovesDumpling's Blog
My fellow blogger pointed out to me and other readers that there are some opinions on this spat that I would not have seen. Not long after this came out, Andrew Zimmern commented on the Deen-Bourdain fight on his blog. He gave commentary up and down the board, practically praising Bourdain for his harsh criticism and down-playing Deen and other TV-chef personalities for their lack of concern in the health of the nation. In the first paragraph of his article, he points out the flaws in the nation (economic class) and yet blames "Deen & Co." (as they're coined) for continuing to make the nation more unhealthy.
But let's read the article some more. Like I said, he gives Bourdain all of the props in the world for using his voice to platform an epidemic that is sweeping the nation: obesity. He literally "shames" Deen for not using her power to help change the way average Americans eat.
And here is where my issue lies. Deen is a very influential woman and is the voice for the average American family. I don't know about some Americans but fresh ingredients can be expensive. I am a product of a well-cultured environment and I am able to afford the healthy things, but not everyone can. I hate to be repetitive, but has he seen the economy? Some people can't afford to eat like he does. I wish I had a fraction of his salary. I would be at Whole Foods all the time, but I can't afford to spend $80 for one meal for 2 people. He can. He has to take a step back and look at who Deen's audience is and what they can afford. Now, Deen clearly says that she cooks for the average family who can't afford expensive ingredients.
I understand where Deen is coming from, but I also understand where Bourdain stands as well. Because Deen is so well-known, she could use her "power" to ignite a change in her intended audience. She should not be blamed for the obesity of EVERY American. That's not her place. The 'weight' of the nation should not be on her own shoulders. It's not fair. We all know that Deen uses mayo in quite a few of her recipes. What I would suggest for Deen is possibly switch out mayo for something else. But I want to see if my theory is correct when it comes to cost. Let's just do a price comparison for a second. On walgreens.com, a jar of Hellman's Mayonnaise costs $7.49 for a 30oz. jar. A jar of Hellman's Light Mayonnaise costs the same amount but has 8oz. less. Already, a consumer is going to purchase the bigger jar for the same price. Now let's look at the calories. Regular mayo has 90 calories for 1 tablespoon and 35 calories per 1 tablespoon of the light mayo. Deen could break it to her audience that a substitute would be better for their health. In an article, Frank Bruni claims that unhealthy food is a personal choice. But as I stated earlier, it sometimes is the only way to feed the family.
Like my fellow blogger said, everything in moderation. While this is true, food items that are high in fat will ultimately hurt the people in the long run. But like she (lululovesdumpling) said, Zimmern doesn't quite fit into the skinny group himself. So how does he have the right to be so brash against Deen? He has a platform himself and yet doesn't exercise his social responsibility to educate his devoted audience. I must admit that I am a huge fan of his show (Bizarre Foods), but after reading his attack on Deen and jumping on Bourdain's bandwagon, I am looking at him in a different light. Not once does he stand up and play devil's advocate for both sides, but he beats down Deen for her place in the TV-chef realm. In fact, he spends one WHOLE paragraph on the ways we can change our health.
What good does one whole paragraph do to help change the obesity problem facing this nation? Nothing. Zimmern should practice what he preaches instead of standing on the sunken soap box of Bourdain.
*I know this entry may seem a little misguided, but my intentions were to play devil's advocate.
Sources: Zimmern's Blog
LuluLovesDumpling's Blog
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Book Review: The Dorm Room Diet by Daphne Oz
The Dorm Room Diet by Daphne OzMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
The intended audience for this book is a few years younger than myself, but I am a college student and have fallen into the trap of eating pre-packaged foods because it's convenient. This book is an easy read and often repeats the same tips over and over again in different chapters. While this may be good to some, it was quite annoying to me. While the information is not the best, it is easy to understand and Daphne breaks it down as simple as she can.
View all my reviews
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Book Buying Ban - Revisited
So remember my last entry that said I was going to embark on a book-buying ban? Yeah, well I haven't purchased any books since then...especially since I don't have any money. To fill you in on the progress of the books I am 'slated' to have finished this summer, I have not completed 1 single book. O M GEEZ! Why is it that I have not completed a single book, you ask? Because it's summer! I remember years ago when I would do absolutely nothing during the summer and at least 2 times a week I am out doing things with friends. However, in my free time I am usually reading because I don't really watch tv. I save all of my tv watching for when school starts. Half of the time, my laptop does not even come on. This is the first it's been on in 4 days! I usually watch youtube and that's all I really do. I also keep up with blogs as much as I can (though not my own).
As usual, I am stressing about money yet again as I have to pay rent September 1 for my apartment back at school. I have a summer job, but they don't pay me nearly as much as my store in Riverside. I am basically poor and can't buy clothes or shoes or anything! What kind of life do I lead, really? A life of boredom. Hahaa, it's not boring at all. I love my life. If only others could love their own and quit being so negative. But that's a whole 'nother entry. I'll save that for a night when I am not falling asleep at the keys.
*yawn* *stretch*
Alright. That's my cue from my bed.
Goodnight. I'll hit you up soon (hopefully). At least I'm not promising anything...
As usual, I am stressing about money yet again as I have to pay rent September 1 for my apartment back at school. I have a summer job, but they don't pay me nearly as much as my store in Riverside. I am basically poor and can't buy clothes or shoes or anything! What kind of life do I lead, really? A life of boredom. Hahaa, it's not boring at all. I love my life. If only others could love their own and quit being so negative. But that's a whole 'nother entry. I'll save that for a night when I am not falling asleep at the keys.
*yawn* *stretch*
Alright. That's my cue from my bed.
Goodnight. I'll hit you up soon (hopefully). At least I'm not promising anything...
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Book Buying Ban
I know that I haven't been on here in months. I was in school and am now enjoying the summer. There has been a lot of drama and I'm still in the midst of that too. When it all blows over and when I feel like I am ready to divulge details (if I even feel like divulging) I will most definitely be back to let you know what it is that I have been experiencing and how it all turns out.
Just so all of you know, I like to spend the entire summer reading. Can you believe that I have not started yet? I am so far behind! I happened to be on youtube (which is literally an addiction) and saw that one of my subscribers embarked on a 'Book Buying Ban' for the summer. One thing that I've found is that avid readers buy books any chance they can, regardless of what they already have on their shelves. These avid purchasers of books go through their books and pick 10 books to read before they can buy more. They also pick a couple of alternative books to counter some of the choices they have that they may not be able to finish for whatever reason. And they also have a couple choices that don't count all the way because they were books that were started but never completed.
I have decided to take on this challenge, but I don't think that I even have 10 books to read. Because I am up at school, I usually have other books to read for classes and such. Now that I am home, I can read whatever I want.
I am working at my old store here at home in Irvine and I am working with a girl who happens to be an English major (and African American Studies major)! This is good news to me because we bonded over a new writer that a professor of mine, Stephanie Hammer, introduced me to. Haruki Murakami. THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE was one of my favorite books as well as THE DEW BREAKER by Edwidge Danticat. Back to the task at hand...here are the books that I have slated to conquer this summer:
I started reading this book a long time ago and never finished. My goal is to finish it!
That's it for all of the books right now. It's a lot to conquer.
Just so all of you know, I like to spend the entire summer reading. Can you believe that I have not started yet? I am so far behind! I happened to be on youtube (which is literally an addiction) and saw that one of my subscribers embarked on a 'Book Buying Ban' for the summer. One thing that I've found is that avid readers buy books any chance they can, regardless of what they already have on their shelves. These avid purchasers of books go through their books and pick 10 books to read before they can buy more. They also pick a couple of alternative books to counter some of the choices they have that they may not be able to finish for whatever reason. And they also have a couple choices that don't count all the way because they were books that were started but never completed.
I have decided to take on this challenge, but I don't think that I even have 10 books to read. Because I am up at school, I usually have other books to read for classes and such. Now that I am home, I can read whatever I want.
I am working at my old store here at home in Irvine and I am working with a girl who happens to be an English major (and African American Studies major)! This is good news to me because we bonded over a new writer that a professor of mine, Stephanie Hammer, introduced me to. Haruki Murakami. THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE was one of my favorite books as well as THE DEW BREAKER by Edwidge Danticat. Back to the task at hand...here are the books that I have slated to conquer this summer:
That's it for all of the books right now. It's a lot to conquer.
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