This Week's Workout

Another week another workout. This one kicked my butt. Quite literally. It is quite amusing to watch me sit down right now.

1. Hammer strength chest press then modified push ups: 12 reps each, 3 cycles, no rest
2. V-grip lat pull down then stiff leg dumbell row (one leg per cycle): 12 reps each, 3 cycles, no rest
...the stiff leg is a tough balancer...standing with arms at side, slowly bend forward while raising one leg straight up behind you - forming a T with your body...then row

3. 1 arm dumbell rows on bench: 12 reps each arm, 2 sets, no rest

4. Bosu ball squats then tubing pull down with knee raise burns*: 12 reps, 3 cycles, no rest
...these were funny - my balance is for crap. My legs shook like I was freezing cold - it was quite amusing...stand on the platform side with the ball side down
5. 1 leg lunge on bench: 12 reps per leg, 3 sets, no rest
...standing in front of bench, set one foot back onto bench and "lunge" (seems squat like) down...sounds odd but isn't, plus, it's a toughie on the rear

6. Bosu ball donkey kicks then ceiling touches then fire hydrants: 12 reps, 3 cycles, no rest
...one word: ouch...also, reminds me of early Jane Fonda aerobic days.
...on all fours, one knee on ball - work one leg at a time thru cycle....kick foot back (horizontal to ground) then with bent knee & foot facing upwards, kick up then, well, pretend you are a dog at a hydrant - bent knee swing knee up & out to the side

7. Bosu ball hammer dumbell curls then tubing tricep kickback burn*: 12 reps, 3 cycles, no rest
...stand on ball part of the Bosu

8. Pike crunches: go until fatigue then do a couple more, 2 sets, 30 sec rest between sets

Note on the "no rest"...rest if you have to. I had to take some rests during some of the lower body exercises because my heart rate got up there.

*burn: rapidly do exercise until fatigue

Anyone want to try it with me? :)

Wordless Wednesday

Nfall2rt Prizes

I was cleaning up my work area yesterday and realized I had not blogged about this prize pack from Nfall2rt. Bad blogger, bad.

If you have ever seen Nancy's blog or shop, you know that she creates more than just paper goodies. And goodies they are. Heck, just look at the cute packaging.....

These little striped notecards are great. The color in this photo is not the best, but you can still see the cuteness.

And the mushrooms...gotta love the mushrooms...

Of Bears and Blankies

The blue blanket has been with the little guy since the beginning. He love the blue fuzzy soft side as much as the silky. He sleeps with it every night. It will often go on car rides. It has even made it's way into church a few times. It has been cleaned more times than I can count. It has only needed any triage twice...not bad for a 5 year old blankie.


Now the bear. He has been around since the beginning. But it was not until kiddo was almost 3 before it was a necessity. I have turned back around to home and retrieve it more than a couple times.


He came from Harrod's...not exactly around the corner when you live in Michigan. My brother and his wife brought him back from their London trip years ago. Has it been washed as often? Um, nope. I am so afraid to wash the little guy.He doesn't look too bad. Though not nearly as crisp white as he once was.


Anyone know how to safely wash a teddy bear? One that is necessary and not replaceable? Without spending as much as it would cost to fly back over to London and get another?

This Week's Workout

A while back I mentioned working out more regularly. And I have been. There was some stumbling around the holidays. More because of everyone being home than the holidays themselves. But I am back into it and have decided to post my workouts. I think it might help me stay on track.

I do cardio - mostly stationary bike and elliptical - for an hour at least 4 days a week. On the days with a longer weight routine, I may bring the cardio down to 30 minutes. The strength training tends to have enough circuit quality to keep that heart rate up just fine :P

So, this week's 30 minute routine is going to be done 3 days a week: (Normally the "weeks" will start on Tuesdays)

1. Plate presses: 12 reps, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...Chest press on bench with grip plate
   
   
   
2. V-grip lat pull down (12 reps) & reverse fly burn* with tubing: 3 sets, where a set is both exercises, brief rest between
   ...Lat pull down with rope attachment
   Using tubing around pole, quickly do reverse flys w/arms straight
   
   
   
3. Lunges with dumbbell hammer curl walks: 12 reps, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...This is a walking lunge with hammer curls on the step forward
   
   
4. Stability ball with dumbbell "power clean": 12 reps, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...Standing at a wall with the ball at my lower back, squat down with "catch" (curl weights as fall down), on the up raise weights above head. Reset and repeat.
   Very awkward for me at first, you don't need much weight - gets the heart rate way up there...you do these quickly.
   
   
5. Barbell curls (12 reps) & tubing curl burn*: 2-3 sets, no rest b/w
   ...basic curl, w/tubing either place under feet or at low point on a pole or something
   
   
6. Diamond medicine ball push up: 12 reps, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...push up w/hands forming diamond on ball...works the core too :)
   
   
   
7. Bosu ball half burpees: 12 reps, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...Burpee: push up type position with hands on the Bosu, "jump" legs in towards you and back out...it looks weird and a bit awkward, but tough (like pic, but hands are on Bosu and don't jump as far in towards chest)
   
   
   
8. Medicine ball cross choppers: 12 reps each side, 3 sets, 30 sec rest
   ...Sideways lunge position, keeps arms straight & "chop" the ball out and into the knee quickly...like chopping a tree, or so I am told. I have never chopped a tree.
   
   
9. Medicine ball sit up toss on bench: 12 reps, 2-3 sets, 30 sec rest
   These are fun...and you need a partner. Holding the ball, throw it from chest to partner, they toss it back & as you catch it, lay back (not all the way) & then sit up & throw it back again. And if you lose it and fall back, you are just laying down on the bench...trust me on this one :P

*burn: simply means to do this exercise rapidly until it burns...and then do 5 more :P

Etsyblogger Carnival: New Year

This week's Etsyblogger carnival is brought to you by Missie from Sykin and is either about business goals or personal resolutions. Since I just wrote about my year in review and included goals, I will go a bit into the personal side.

My biggest "resolution" is a continuation of what I began in August. The first step was dropping pop from my diet. I have only had 3 since the end of August. Two of which were during a migraine, which always helps. I have gone back to a mostly veggie diet and am working out again. I am proud to say that I have dropped nearly 20 pounds since then.

The exercise started with walks after I dropped the kiddo off at school. I began adding gym time on the elliptical and recumbent bike. Then in October I received a free personal training session for my birthday. Jackpot! I then got a few sessions myself. They were awesome! As an ex-exercise scientist, I know how & what to do to improve my health. Nitty gritty bits of nutrition and exercise know how are still jammed in this old brain of mine. But nothing can compare to the jump start from another person. Not to mention the accountability after paying for and scheduling sessions.

My goal is to simply continue and up what I am already doing. Cardio 4 days a week and strength training 3 days. Some weeks may have to be adapted for home workouts, but with the basement getting cleaned, that should not be an issue.

Tomorrow's post starts a weekly feature that details my workouts. It will be one more way to help keep me in check.

End goal - to have lost weight and get healthier. Numbers? Deadlines? Sort of. My most comfy lifetime weight is still 35 pounds away. At a healthy & doable 2 pounds a week, I am looking at a date somewhere around June. Just in time for shorts :)

And I have some prizes for myself along the way. Comic books for the smaller achievements, DVDs for mid range ones and some fun funky new clothes (most likely from Etsy) when I finally get there. I am using Livestrong's My Plate to track my food & exercise and Goal For It to track my overall progress and rewards.

Do you have any personal goals for the new year?

Friday Food: Quinoa Pilaf

Simple and very good for you. Makes a great side dish or small meal.

Servings: 4 bowls

Ingredients:

1 cup Ancient Harvest Quinoa

2 cups Organic Vegetable Broth, Low Sodium

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Red Bell Pepper, Raw

1/3 cup Scallions (or just a few stalks)

Directions:

Dice bell peppers and chop scallions.

Boil broth in pot (will need a lid later) while saute scallions & bell peppers in pan

Once boiled, add veggies & quinoa to broth, cover & reduce heat - simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed.

The quinoa will look translucent with a ring around the grains...like little spaceships.

Serve & eat!

Nutrition: per serving:

Calories 194,Total Fat 2.87g,Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 73.25mg, Total Carbohydrate 36.03g, Dietary Fiber 4.62g, Sugars 4.92g, Protein 6.6g

note:

No idea what Quinoa (KEEN-wa) is? Neither did I the fist time I made some. I found this online:

It is a light and fluffy grain with a slightly nutty flavor. A great alternative to white rice or couscous since it is lighter and not sticky.

Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2%, compared with 7.5% for rice, 9.9% for millet, and 14% for wheat. And it is gluten free for those that need to restrict gluten from their diets.

Quinoa's protein is a complete protein. It also provides starch, sugars, oil (high in essential linoleic acid), fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

And it cooks quickly!

Duni Prizes

I won these lovelies last month but have been slow in blogging about them. The sleep mask is wonderful! I have had a few migraines recently and it is perfect to help block out the light while I try to rest.

And she recently opened up a new shop on Etsy, PeriDot. Check out this lounge wear set....

Looks so comfy cozy - and even matches my lovelies from her!

She also has a shop a Dawanda, her own website and a blog where you can see all her latest creations.

Wordless Wednesday

Year in Review

I am not good at goal making. I know you are supposed to do such things for business, but I don't see how you can set a number for how many items you'll sell. How many to make, sure. To list, yup. To market, okay. But to sell...maybe a wish list :)

So, last year...

Blogs:

Crafts, kids, home & life had 4,964 visitors, 131 posts, currently 147 followers

Tilt's Creations had 5,757 visitors, 115 posts, currently 93 followers

Tilt Treasures had 15,620 visitors, 65 posts, currently 96 followers

Shops:

Tilt Etsy had 9,378 visitors, 31 sales, 46 new listings

The new listing this year included some non-bag items like stuffies, table runners & pillows.

And a bunch of banner changes. I can't help it, they are fun. I like to change it up seasonally and for sales. But as a customer - what do you prefer? The same banner that "marks" the shop or changing it up from time to time?

Tilt Too had 3,743 visitors, 47 sales, 51 new listings...all destash patterns and fabric

Tilt ArtFire had 2,091 visitors, 0 sales (so sad), new listings

Craft Shows & other had about 25 sales (I say about because I am missing something somewhere....still need to finish up some paperwork)

So...what does this mean? Aside from the fact that this is what "successful" shops do on a monthly basis :P

It means I want to do more. Sew more, list more and of course sell more. But to work I need actual numbers to focus on.

My "numbers":

Sew: minimum 3 days a week.

Photo: once a week for listings.

Listings: about 3 per week.

This should be doable. But I do give myself leeway for life - sick kids and such.

What will the sewing be? Not just bags. Between each batch of bags I will do some pillows, coasters, baskets, stuffies, etc. I know I've said this before and not always with the best results...but I have not yet hung up my machine.

Embroidery & other hand sewing: 2-3 nights per week. Note the nights. Read...as I watch tv :P

Non-sewing crafts and art: at least one day a week.

Whether or not this will be for me or for the shops is yet to be determined. I have already started on cleaning up the basement to make space for painting. I should have an area cleared for a February start.

Blogs: no change. I averaged 2-3 per week, I think this is fine. But I will try to have more focused day themes. Friday food, Thursday carnivals, keeping the Wordless Wednesdays. I'll do the kids and home and me posts more regularly. My life is kind of boring after all, there is only so much to write :P

What are your top 3 goals this year?

Kiddo's New Bed

New to him anyway. His older cousin got a room makeover over the holidays thanks to his Dad's 2 weeks off :) So with the help of Uncle Pat, his super duper drill, a few jokes & giggles, some pizza and a beer...Ta Da! New bed! It'll be great when the bottom mattress is gone & the small bookcase & toy box can move in to leave more play space elsewhere.


Last night I had him sleep on the bottom. Mom was too worried about tumbles down the ladder without time to practice getting up & down. Waking up at 2:30am to walk to the bathroom with him is one thing...waking to a thump & cry is another.



Now he just needs to practice climbing the ladder....

"See mom, I can do it!"

"Can you find me?"

"Okay, that was hard work"

"Time to rest - please leave now Mom"

Friday Food: Soup Storage

I love soup in the winter. The only problem I tend to have is the size of each batch. I want enough to last for a few days. But the problem is....it lasts for a few days. A few too many once life gets in the way and dinners change. I tried freezing them in individual ziploc bags. Filling them up and lying them out on a baking sheet to freeze flat. This was okay, but often messy. Leakage from unlocked tops. Small tears in the bags. Even the frozen wrinkles were a pain when thawing.

The solution...use the bowls I eat the soup in originally. Well, the ziploc bags are still there, but better. Finding the right size bowl was easy for me since I have such a mish mash of kitchen goodies.

Simply put a serving of soup into the bowl and place inside a freezer zip bag. Then, well, freeze. note: it's easiest to label your bag before the initial freeze.

Removing them from the bowls was tricky at first. But if you treat it like an ice cube...slight twist & pop, then it's easy peasy.

I am usually able to pop the frozen soup out right inside the bag. Much cleaner than popping them out and having to get them back into the bag without getting your fingers all ooky.

You are left with frozen bowl shaped popsicles of soup. When it's time to eat, just heat and serve.

If you want to save on bags, just freeze (carefully) with bowls sitting on a baking sheet...they shouldn't be in there long enough for freezer burn. Then pop the 'sicles into one large bag.

Now I am off to figure out what soup I will cook up this weekend :)

Happy Birthday Blogfire!!!

This month BlogFire turns 2!!!

Birthday Card by Nature Manipulated ...a Blogfire member :)

January 2009 saw our guild's first blog carnival. Did I manage every carnival...no. But I hit most months. My goal this birthday is to make sure I hit every month...and each carnival in at least half of them. Hey look...I got one down - woo hoo :)

Happy Birthday everyone!!!

Birthday Cake Whipped Cream Bath Mousse Parfait by AJ Sweet Soap

Let's toast!

Hand Painted Champagne Flutes with Swarovski Crystals by Handpainted Gifts

Big thanks to Guildmaster Alicia Mae! And don't forget to check out her blog, Crafts and Cooking.

Wordless Wednesday

Kiddo's Toys

Santa was very good to my youngest this year. And yet, he still only got about a tenth of his list...go figure :P

It has been fun watching him play with everything. For a kid who can't sit still, he has been playing intensely. Building like a maniac. And coming up with some very creative "stories" for when the toys intermingle. This often involves "contraptions". What exactly his "contraptions" are, I have no idea. It seems to involve one object moving into another and sending that object moving onto another. Kind of like dominoes, but being carried. Oh, he got dominoes too...Spongebob.

Onto the goodies....

We have the Imaginext space shuttle. A huge hit. It has been exploring the vastness of out 800 sq ft first floor like it was the size of Jupiter.


Legos...so many. Here we have a Power Miners set. This took all morning to build. All by himself.


Star Wars Legos were in town as well.


They seem to have run over some clone buddies...


Lego Atlantis set. Um, yeah, not yet completed...but well kept in their own little bowl.


Under the tree here you can see his Wolf Mountain car set and Marble track thingy. The wolf howls...loudly.


But it is not quite as loud as Stinky here. Stinky was from Santa. He knew Wyatt wanted one way back in October when they were on sale at Target. Not that Santa shops at Target....nope, must have been the Target elf room up at the North Pole ;)


Poor Snoopy. Got all tuckered out with all the playtime. Nap time for him.

Too bad the little guy never tired out. I know I sure did!!!

New Year - New Hair

I have been slowly going shorter and shorter. It's never been as long as it was 2 cuts ago (no pic...just add 3 inches to what you see in the before below). The look of the longer hair is great, but not the hassle and the in your face annoyances. Eventually I want to get back to my short short hair...but not until I slim down. I like hiding behind the hair still :P)

And apparently a camera...

before...

after...


from the side...it's longer in the front than the back...

I am going back and forth on the bangs to first longer length transition...not so sure about the bluntness. But I will most likely wait until the next haircut when another couple inches or so get chopped.

Anyone know a good site with hairstyle examples or even "try ons"?