December 19 Car ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?

I love road trips. I think I overdid it a little this last summer when I put over 3,000 miles on my car in aprx. 4 months, but I do love road trips. I think it probably has something to do with when I was a kid, we almost always drove places instead of flying. I remember a couple trips out to Washington D.C. to visit relatives. That’s about a 14 hr. car ride. Another trip that stands out to me was a road trip we took out west. We made a huge circle visiting places like Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, Devil’s Tower, the Badlands, etc. I’m sure we probably got sick of each other, cramped in a car for all those hours, but I don’t remember that part. Actually, the part I do remember is my brother and I beating Mario Brothers on our Gameboys. Sigh, memories.

But back on track. Car rides and road trips.

One of the things I remember the most and love the most about road trips is that when we went as a family, mom would pack up a huge cooler with bread, peanut butter, jelly, lunch meat, chips and cookies, and whenever we got hungry for lunch we would just pull over into a rest area and have a picnic. I’m not sure why I remember that the most, or why I think that’s so cool, but I do and it is I did the same thing on some of my road trips I took this summer. The farthest I went in one trip is up to Ely, MN; a good 12 hour drive. I packed up a cooler with all my favorite picnic items, and when I got hungry for lunch, I pulled over and had myself a little picnic. I guess it’s a tradition that my parents unknowingly started that I’ll be carrying on for quite awhile. Road trips and picnics.

I’ve been slacking when it comes to my blog (and I’m sitting here with some actual time on my hands, which is weird and unusual) so I’m going to try my hand at a Blog Challenge. I’ve been reading Molly’s posts (from Blah Blah Blah) for the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, and it’s inspired me to try my hand at it. I guess it’s as simple as following the daily prompts from the challenge, the hard part (as you all can attest) will be my motivation to actually turn on my computer and follow them.

So here goes. My first post of:

Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 Blog Challenge

December 18 Shop. Online or offline, where did you spend most of your mad money this year?

This was the first year I think I’ve ever shopped online for Christmas gifts. I think the fear of my purchases not coming in on time, coupled with the fact that I always thought it was a little impersonal buying someone a gift online instead of going to the store stopped me. And then this year came along, and I was like, screw it. It’s personal. I’ll wrap it up nice. And if I order them on Black Friday (which I did) they’ll have no problems getting here in time (and they did!) It was also nice to be a part of the excitement of Black Friday without actually having to leave my house.

So I’d have to give shopping online a big old thumbs up. And who knows? Maybe I’ve started a tradition for buying some gifts online on Black Friday, because there are some pretty good deals to be had right from the comfort of my kitchen

I consider myself a relatively healthy person. I don’t eat out very often, (though I have recently, but the Holidays shouldn’t count when we’re talking about “healthy eating”), I try hard to get my daily dose of fresh veggies and fruits. Since I became a vegetarian over a year ago, I’ve expanded my cooking knowledge, and try to make home cooked, well balanced meals. I’ve also been trying to be more aware of how big (or actually small) one serving size of food is. And let me tell you, an actual serving size is incredibly smaller than our restaurants lead us to believe.

(I don’t go as far as to ban myself from certain “fun” foods. I’m a sucker for cookies and chips and dip. Love ‘em. I also love cream and sugar in my coffee, and I don’t care how healthy I’m trying to be, alcohol will just always be a part of my diet.)

As I’m trying to eat as healthy and sensible as I can, I pair my diet with an active lifestyle. I try and make it to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, and also try to fit in some jogging around that. I’m no star athlete, and I’m not training to be one, but I do what I can to stay in reasonably good shape.

Now, after having said all this, it’s extremely difficult (and somewhat frustrating) when I come across articles that quote food experts telling us contradicting things. One food expert will swear that eating strictly organic is the only way to eat healthy, while another will tell you that you can’t always trust the “organic” label. One will say that eating as much soy as possible is a great way to be healthy, while another will tell you to limit your intake of soy products. You get the idea. There are literally thousands of diets and opinions out there. How do you know which one to listen to? 

As frustrating as these articles usually are, I do love reading them. I like comparing my diet to what’s being said, and trying to figure some good tips into my meal plans. But it leaves me wishing there were some miracle diet, or just one answer to the healthy diet question.

Of course, nothing in life is every that easy.

Here’s a link to the article that inspired this post. It’s very interesting, and has some great tips to follow, but it does set your head spinning just a little about how much there is to remember and how much you have to know to eat healthy.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-7-foods-experts-wont-eat-547963/;_ylt=AhthDKpDuPNYYjOqLPhY3fN0fNdF
(link sent to me by roomie)

Online shopping is the best.

I’m sitting in my parents kitchen, in my pj’s, drinking coffee, listening to Christmas music (hey, it’s allowed now), and I’ve just about taken care of my entire shopping list. Without having to leave the kitchen.

Love. It.

I’m all about getting a good deal, but Black Friday is just a little too much for me. I don’t like crowds. I don’t like the pushing and shoving. I don’t like seeing fact that Christmas shopping has turned into a competition.

Nope. Nosiree.

Do any of you brave the crowds of Black Friday?

That being said, since I’ve started this blog (about a year ago now) I’ve found that I kind of go through cycles with writing on here. There are some times when I feel like I write too much and have so much to say, and other times (like this past month) when I don’t really have much to say, and writing on here feels more like a chore than something fun.

But you know, I’m glad this isn’t something I force myself to do, because whenever I do write, I enjoy it :o)

However, it does leave me feeling guilty about faithful readers that have stuck with me through my slumps. To you guys I say a big thanks! You’re a huge part of why I love writing on here.

So, to show my appreciation, it’s time dust off some of these awards that I’ve gotten (some of them awhile ago. oops!) And, because I’ve been so bad at keeping track of things around here, I’m about 98% sure these awards came to me from BodeLou and Jo. They gave me the following awards:

I’d like to pass these out to:

Symphonic Discord, Jeanette, lollygagger, Nic, Krystyna, Elle, and Elenka

Thanks for coming by and checking in on me!

Also, thanks to Jeanette for including me in her top 10 followers. I’m not sure I deserve it, but I love the thought, and thank you so much for thinking of me!

I know I owe you guys painting pictures, but, more on that later

I have a Godmother who will call me just to tell me to turn on Dancing With The Stars because Michael Buble is singing.

I have friends who ask me what I’m up to on a Friday night.

I have an Uncle who will text me when he’s in town.

I have cousin’s that write on my Facebook wall just to say hi.

I have a roomate that will make me Caramel Appletinis after a long, hard day at work.

I have a Father that Instant Messages me almost on a daily basis.

I have a Mother that calls and wants to take me out to lunch.

I have a brother who understands my love of Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I have a job; I have a home; I have my health.

And I’m thankful.

They love each other!

I am a Christmas nut.

I was the wacky kid (and still am) that would get a craving for snow, christmas trees, and It’s a Wonderful Life in June while all the other kids were running through sprinklers and chasing down the ice cream truck.

I just can’t help it though. So why fight it?

Two days ago I started listening to Christmas music. It was just time. It felt right.

I’m not ready for it to be Christmas tomorrow, but I am ready and excited for the holiday season to start. The start of October is my very favorite time of year because I have three great holidays to look forward to, all leading up to Christmas. It’s all ahead of me. Pumpkin carving, costume wearing, candy eating, apple picking, Thanksgiving stuffing, present wrapping, cookie making, family gathering.

This is the time of year I want to make last forever, because I know the next two months are going to race by, and all too soon my most favorite time of the year will be over, and I’ll be left with January…And February…And March.

……

But lets not think about that yet. Kick it Bing!

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know………………

This week I started to add color. I concentrated really hard on going slow, and really paying attention to the lights and dark I put on the canvas last week. By matching the tone of my color to the tone of my underpainting, I tried to create the contrasts between lights and darks. I’m not sure if I succeeded or not, and I definitely have more work to do, but I’m glad that I took my time with it. Usually I tend to rush my strokes and get frustrated before I get something I like.

Anywhoo, tired now. Time for bed. Goodnight!

So this is the new epidemic/catastrophe that has people breaking out in cold sweats everytime someone so much as sneezes within a 5 mile radius of themselves.

The dreaded swine (a.k.a. H1N1)

Maybe I over-exaggerate a bit.

However, I’m a firm believer in following some basic good hygiene rules that should do a lot to help prevent coming down with your basic flu. These simple rules are: wash your hands, cover your mouth with the crook of your elbow when you sneeze/cough……..  And I’m sure there are more, but that’s pretty much all I do. However, I was sent this email at work the other day that goes into a little more detail about things you could be doing that will help keep you healthy; besides running out and getting the newest flu vaccination shot, or just hibernating in your apartment for the entire flu season.

Here’s the email:

>>> Prevent Swine Flu – Good Advice
>>>         
>>>        
>>> Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist)
having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions
like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial
etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid
clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
>>>        
>>> The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is
important for all to know
>>>        
>>> The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a
global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into
contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so
much of a problem as proliferation is.
>>>        
>>> While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1
infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and
development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully
highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of
focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
>>>        
>>>  1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official
communications).
>>>        
>>>  2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any
part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
>>>        
>>>  3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you
don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the
throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water
has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected
one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative
method.
>>>        
>>> 4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day
with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti
(very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard
once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt
water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
>>>        
>>>
>>> 5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C
(Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C
tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
>>>                 
>>> 6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
*Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse
direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the
stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

So there you have it. Simple rules of personal hygiene you can follow that will also help keep you healthy from the dreaded swine.

I did have art class tonight so I’ll have something up to show you guys later tonight. Have a great day!