My Bride really is the best thing that has ever happened to me. But where did my happy place go? I had lost it. I think it was the periodic careless days of watching "whatever" on the TV... or going out for dinner with friends. Now that family life really does dictate My Bride's and my EVERY move... the happy place has vanished. I think I found it though.
We bought a hot tub, and last night, Cheryl and I sat and bubbled away while it rained (really heavy rain too!!) I think we found the place again.
You see, the place doesn't have to be anything at all. It can be Yoga.. driving.. a walk with your pooch. But, it really needs to be there. 5 minutes of ME.
How's your belly? Ok.. that sounds absolutely disconnected from the Me place, doesn't it? But it's not. Stress is a huge part of our lives, but do you manage it? Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? My #1 is my family... that's stressful, then my radio station and show. Then there is my business, websites, DJing, and other stuff. So stress is real for me, as it probably is for you too.
In my quest for Abs by Maui, Rod from Spiritfitness and I talked about stress, and it's direct correlation with your mid section. We've begun the 100 day challenge, to train from a distance with Rod and look fit for Maui. It is about life changes, more than anything. You need to make time to work out, you need to ACTUALLY show up to work out. You need to drop the fast food from your diet, and eat RIGHT... and at the RIGHT TIME. But just as much as all that, you need your ME time. Drop the stress, and the workouts will move so much better. Maybe your workout can be your ME time... there, 2 bird solution. You've wanted to "clean things up", make small changes each day. Each decision you make gets you a step closer to a better balanced life. Including stress management. And Rod has helped me get there. Except for the changes he's requested to his website, spiritfitness.ca. Which I haven't done yet Rod.. sorry. I was in my hot tub. :) Hey, you told me to do it!
FYI - Rod, I hate lunges. You and I are fighting now. :) At least until I can walk up a flight of stairs again.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Leftovers are killing me...
Abs by Maui is not easy! I though for sure all I need to do was stop eating fast food, and watch a few Billy Blanks (??) infomercials and I'd get skinny!
Rod from Spirit Fitness has been helping every facet of changing my body... and I have conceded breakfast to him. My breakfast is now yogurt with hemp hearts, nuts and berries. But, I can't waste money.
I'm a Dad, I work through Dinner 5 days a week. My Bride is at home with the kids and makes the evening grub. So, I can only imagine, how at the end of a long day with the kids that baking chicken breasts and a high maintenance dinner is just not in the cards. Now, we eat well most days... but, sometimes it needs to be larger dinners that have leftovers. IE - roast beef, lasagna, meatloaf, etc...
I can't NOT eat leftovers and spend MORE money. We are a family on a budget. So, how can I still manage to eat leftovers and have a "LIFE" but still get fit.
Well, Rod has shared that if we cannot always make the perfect dinner decisions, that timing is important and sometimes that will ease the pain for a "not as perfect" meal. Today we had PIZZA @ Energy for a staff meeting. I'm not going to walk away from free lunch, to go spend $15 somewhere else. That's crazy talk.
Rule 1 of Abs by Maui - Life Happens, deal with it.
Rule 2 of Abs by Maui - Stress and Life Management are as important as the diet.
Rule 3 of Abs by Maui - Rod's workouts are WAY harder than mine are! OUCH!
Feel free to ask your questions of Rod through our journey, because I know I'm not alone in trying to manage life, a job, a family and more while trying to regain control of my ever expanding mid-section.
Rod from Spirit Fitness has been helping every facet of changing my body... and I have conceded breakfast to him. My breakfast is now yogurt with hemp hearts, nuts and berries. But, I can't waste money.
I'm a Dad, I work through Dinner 5 days a week. My Bride is at home with the kids and makes the evening grub. So, I can only imagine, how at the end of a long day with the kids that baking chicken breasts and a high maintenance dinner is just not in the cards. Now, we eat well most days... but, sometimes it needs to be larger dinners that have leftovers. IE - roast beef, lasagna, meatloaf, etc...
I can't NOT eat leftovers and spend MORE money. We are a family on a budget. So, how can I still manage to eat leftovers and have a "LIFE" but still get fit.
Well, Rod has shared that if we cannot always make the perfect dinner decisions, that timing is important and sometimes that will ease the pain for a "not as perfect" meal. Today we had PIZZA @ Energy for a staff meeting. I'm not going to walk away from free lunch, to go spend $15 somewhere else. That's crazy talk.
Rule 1 of Abs by Maui - Life Happens, deal with it.
Rule 2 of Abs by Maui - Stress and Life Management are as important as the diet.
Rule 3 of Abs by Maui - Rod's workouts are WAY harder than mine are! OUCH!
Feel free to ask your questions of Rod through our journey, because I know I'm not alone in trying to manage life, a job, a family and more while trying to regain control of my ever expanding mid-section.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Chad Horn - RIP
Sometimes you meet people you don't remember, and sometimes you don't remember people. Chad was a guy I met a couple times, but I remembered him. I didn't know him though, and details I quote here may be slightly off, but I'm trying to remember.
But I do remember him, somehow.
Here's what I recall. I was DJing at Outlaws in Calgary, and a guy named Chad came to work as a busboy. I didn't think anything of it, until he quit. I mean, he was a nice guy, but I've met a lot of bar staff that worked for 2 weeks then quit. It was about 2 weeks before he quit. As far as I knew he was friends with Candace, a friendly regular who I still get to see once in while.
Why do I remember this guy?
Chad quit because he signed up for the military. I remember, I thought he was crazy... but he was so excited. SO EXCITED. And, he was gone from the club. Then, some time later I recall him coming back with some army buddies to fire it up and celebrate completing their training. His hair was gone... but he was so happy. Then he was gone again. But for some reason, I remembered Chad even though I didn't know him. Each time there was a report of someone getting hurt in Afghanistan, I would wonder if it was "that crazy busboy... wonder what he's up to? Did he ever go there?", and then life went on.
Maybe I remember his enthusiasm?
Well, it happened last week... with 2 Calgary Soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Candace sent me a message and told me it was Chad. I even had to ask her, "was it that crazy busboy guy?"
Strange, but I remembered him.
YES. The answer was yes, Chad was killed.
My heart sank. For some strange reason, our random meeting stuck with me. Chad, I honestly didn't know your last name, but I remembered you. And I certainly will now. Thank you Chad for what you've done. That busboy is a bigger man that I will ever be. Thank you Chad for making me remember you. And for Chad's colleagues still fighting the fight, thank you.
I hope in your life, you can meet some random person that you don't even know, but sticks with you. I'm going to stop asking WHY now, and just accept it.
Maybe I remember him for the story. The story that I may tell my kids one day, about "CHAD the busboy" who eagerly chased bad guys half a world away so they could have their freedom. Maybe that has to be the only reason why.
I doesn't matter if I've remembered the details of our paths crossing. That's what I've learned. It's remembering why Chad has stuck with me. His enthusiam for being selfless.
"If you love your freedom, thank a soldier"
This presentation was put together by Candace for the funeral this week. I recommend you watch it, and realize how real life this is. And, I watched it too and remembered more of Chad.
But I do remember him, somehow.
Here's what I recall. I was DJing at Outlaws in Calgary, and a guy named Chad came to work as a busboy. I didn't think anything of it, until he quit. I mean, he was a nice guy, but I've met a lot of bar staff that worked for 2 weeks then quit. It was about 2 weeks before he quit. As far as I knew he was friends with Candace, a friendly regular who I still get to see once in while.
Why do I remember this guy?
Chad quit because he signed up for the military. I remember, I thought he was crazy... but he was so excited. SO EXCITED. And, he was gone from the club. Then, some time later I recall him coming back with some army buddies to fire it up and celebrate completing their training. His hair was gone... but he was so happy. Then he was gone again. But for some reason, I remembered Chad even though I didn't know him. Each time there was a report of someone getting hurt in Afghanistan, I would wonder if it was "that crazy busboy... wonder what he's up to? Did he ever go there?", and then life went on.
Maybe I remember his enthusiasm?
Well, it happened last week... with 2 Calgary Soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Candace sent me a message and told me it was Chad. I even had to ask her, "was it that crazy busboy guy?"
Strange, but I remembered him.
YES. The answer was yes, Chad was killed.
My heart sank. For some strange reason, our random meeting stuck with me. Chad, I honestly didn't know your last name, but I remembered you. And I certainly will now. Thank you Chad for what you've done. That busboy is a bigger man that I will ever be. Thank you Chad for making me remember you. And for Chad's colleagues still fighting the fight, thank you.
I hope in your life, you can meet some random person that you don't even know, but sticks with you. I'm going to stop asking WHY now, and just accept it.
Maybe I remember him for the story. The story that I may tell my kids one day, about "CHAD the busboy" who eagerly chased bad guys half a world away so they could have their freedom. Maybe that has to be the only reason why.
I doesn't matter if I've remembered the details of our paths crossing. That's what I've learned. It's remembering why Chad has stuck with me. His enthusiam for being selfless.
"If you love your freedom, thank a soldier"
This presentation was put together by Candace for the funeral this week. I recommend you watch it, and realize how real life this is. And, I watched it too and remembered more of Chad.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Grub-update
Is it possible for a Baker to go on a diet? I mean, it could be professional suicide.
Anyway, here's my effort to be transparent through that, as I'm not alone in trying to get fit... eat a little better and be a parent that is employed. That's where the hangup is. LIFE HAPPENS. And my friend Rod from Spirit Fitness and I are trying to come to a common ground. Rod gives me the idea scenario and plan, and I get as close as possible to it.
In my case, it's more about being committed (definite should be committed! Look out Ponoka!) and dedicated. And Rod is understanding that LIFE HAPPENS. The fact that I try to run a small business each day makes this tough enough.
OK, this isn't me complaining... just trying to relate to you. My schedule is different that yours, your job might start at different times of the day and your kids might be older and you're running to hockey and ball at night time. Regardless, we're busy. That is what I mean.
I challenge you to write down everything you eat in a day. It will shock you and make you aware how crappy our food can get. It's about making smarter decisions. And my weight is up... nuts.
Today - 200lbs on the nose.
Workout - Dug a hole for my new hot tub (comes Thursday!) About 3 hours of heavy lifting and breathing
Food (I'm trying to spread out my meals right now)
2 slices Multi grain toast with Peanut Butter. Coffee with milk @ 9a
turkey/spinach sandwich on multi grain @ 1p
1/2 liter of water
1 small slice of Freeway's Birthday Cake @ 3p
turkey/spinach sandwich on multi grain @ 4p
1/2 litre of water
Prime Rib with mashed potatoes @ 6p
And, I will have a glass of red wine watching Big Brother tonight.
Rod will post his thoughts and corrections to the day soon. Add your own comment/question for Rod too if you like!
Anyway, here's my effort to be transparent through that, as I'm not alone in trying to get fit... eat a little better and be a parent that is employed. That's where the hangup is. LIFE HAPPENS. And my friend Rod from Spirit Fitness and I are trying to come to a common ground. Rod gives me the idea scenario and plan, and I get as close as possible to it.
In my case, it's more about being committed (definite should be committed! Look out Ponoka!) and dedicated. And Rod is understanding that LIFE HAPPENS. The fact that I try to run a small business each day makes this tough enough.
OK, this isn't me complaining... just trying to relate to you. My schedule is different that yours, your job might start at different times of the day and your kids might be older and you're running to hockey and ball at night time. Regardless, we're busy. That is what I mean.
I challenge you to write down everything you eat in a day. It will shock you and make you aware how crappy our food can get. It's about making smarter decisions. And my weight is up... nuts.
Today - 200lbs on the nose.
Workout - Dug a hole for my new hot tub (comes Thursday!) About 3 hours of heavy lifting and breathing
Food (I'm trying to spread out my meals right now)
2 slices Multi grain toast with Peanut Butter. Coffee with milk @ 9a
turkey/spinach sandwich on multi grain @ 1p
1/2 liter of water
1 small slice of Freeway's Birthday Cake @ 3p
turkey/spinach sandwich on multi grain @ 4p
1/2 litre of water
Prime Rib with mashed potatoes @ 6p
And, I will have a glass of red wine watching Big Brother tonight.
Rod will post his thoughts and corrections to the day soon. Add your own comment/question for Rod too if you like!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Dippity Do
OK.. I've toyed with getting a new haircut for some time. Tried new people, tried new things... and nothin'. I feel I can't find the hairdresser of my dreams. My most recent cut I got in Airdrie, I totally didn't like it at first, but it grew on me. LOL! literally... and I liked it. But I can't go 2 weeks hating it.
Short of going all 'Beckham (nay the looks and abs) and shaving it all off.. I don't know what to do. Who is the MOST KICKASS HAIRDRESSER in Calgary? Slightly progressive and out of the box, with an air of classic corporate conservatism? I don't want orange and red hair (did that too!)... I own a business and still need to not look like a punk some days. But... I am in a pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt with corduroy sneaks on in the studio today. So, it's OK to a little "hip". Or maybe I'm too old?
I'm game for anything. And I don't want "my auntie cuts my hair in her kitchen" type of hairdressers. I'm sure your Auntie is very nice, but I want the shampoo, scalp massage... and a great cut.
Make your suggestions! Maybe you can get a friend on the radio! Who knows! zack@energy1015.com or post your comments here on the blog.
Short of going all 'Beckham (nay the looks and abs) and shaving it all off.. I don't know what to do. Who is the MOST KICKASS HAIRDRESSER in Calgary? Slightly progressive and out of the box, with an air of classic corporate conservatism? I don't want orange and red hair (did that too!)... I own a business and still need to not look like a punk some days. But... I am in a pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt with corduroy sneaks on in the studio today. So, it's OK to a little "hip". Or maybe I'm too old?
I'm game for anything. And I don't want "my auntie cuts my hair in her kitchen" type of hairdressers. I'm sure your Auntie is very nice, but I want the shampoo, scalp massage... and a great cut.
Make your suggestions! Maybe you can get a friend on the radio! Who knows! zack@energy1015.com or post your comments here on the blog.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Listeriosis hits home
We've all heard about the meat recall by Maple Leaf Foods regarding deli meats, etc and the (as of today) 15 people who have been killed by lunch meat. Of all ways to die. What killed grandpa? Bologna.
Some info for you. If you're healthy and not a young baby, or old person you're probably fine. Listeria presents like a flu (headache, fever, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, etc) but is a bacteria infection. It is checked with a blood test, that takes about 3 days for the results to come back. It can take 3 to 70 days to start to show symptoms though.
Well, my Sweet Pea started saying her tummy hurt. She's got a fever an pooping like she ate a burrito from a street vendor in Mazatlan. We call health link. Sidebar: Those nurses on health link are INCREDIBLE! We had to wait 20 minutes to get through; apparently we aren't the only ones concerned. The nurse says to monitor her and go to the doctor tomorrow.
And we did. They gave her the blood test. Boy, 3 days seems like a long time. How come they can do this stuff so fast on CSI?
We had meat in our fridge that WAS from the recall. And WAS from the CLOSED PLANT (#97B). CHECK YOUR MEAT. We were feeding it to our kids, and it makes us sick to our stomach. Turns out that the recall isn't just MAPLE LEAF meat... it's all kinds of meat, even if it doesn't have the MAPLE LEAF FOODS logo - doesn't mean it's save. Ours didn't have the logo, it had a different name on it, but was on the recall list.
Some Links:
The Maple Leaf Website for recalled items
Listeria Info
UPDATE THURS AUG 28 - No results back yet, but Sweet Pea is behavior a little more normal now, and her symptoms have faded almost completely. She also hasn't been complaining about a sore tummy. Fingers crossed. Hope to chaulk this one up to coincidence. Tell your friends to check their meat!
Some info for you. If you're healthy and not a young baby, or old person you're probably fine. Listeria presents like a flu (headache, fever, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, etc) but is a bacteria infection. It is checked with a blood test, that takes about 3 days for the results to come back. It can take 3 to 70 days to start to show symptoms though.
Well, my Sweet Pea started saying her tummy hurt. She's got a fever an pooping like she ate a burrito from a street vendor in Mazatlan. We call health link. Sidebar: Those nurses on health link are INCREDIBLE! We had to wait 20 minutes to get through; apparently we aren't the only ones concerned. The nurse says to monitor her and go to the doctor tomorrow.
And we did. They gave her the blood test. Boy, 3 days seems like a long time. How come they can do this stuff so fast on CSI?
We had meat in our fridge that WAS from the recall. And WAS from the CLOSED PLANT (#97B). CHECK YOUR MEAT. We were feeding it to our kids, and it makes us sick to our stomach. Turns out that the recall isn't just MAPLE LEAF meat... it's all kinds of meat, even if it doesn't have the MAPLE LEAF FOODS logo - doesn't mean it's save. Ours didn't have the logo, it had a different name on it, but was on the recall list.
Some Links:
The Maple Leaf Website for recalled items
Listeria Info
UPDATE THURS AUG 28 - No results back yet, but Sweet Pea is behavior a little more normal now, and her symptoms have faded almost completely. She also hasn't been complaining about a sore tummy. Fingers crossed. Hope to chaulk this one up to coincidence. Tell your friends to check their meat!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
REALLY BAD NAMES
We've discussed this on the radio before, but I recently ran into a REALLY bad name. Some parents have no mercy on their kids... but some have no choice.
My Bride and I were looking at getting a puppy, and doing some name research. On the list of baby names given to kids in 2007 (only had time to look at boy names) we found that some parents (in Alberta!) named their kids the following:
B.J. (that's it!)
Cowboy
Crue
E
Gretzky
Goon
Jackpine
Kees (Nuts, I can't find my Kees)
Kneaven (is this Kevin?)
Miller
Mawt
Oakley
Paul-Martins (political anyone?)
Pride
Rebyl
Rainbow (um.. it's a BOY!)
Rock
SaLmon
S
St.
Tee (FORE!)
Teancum (come on!)
Tru (be best if his brother's name was Dat)
Tommy-Lee
Well, some people just have no choice. Including a guy that I've been dealing with in an insurance claim, who's last name is "Sherstabetoff". Say it out loud... Yes, it is pronounced as you might think. PRON "Sure'stabeatoff". Poor Bastard.
My Bride and I were looking at getting a puppy, and doing some name research. On the list of baby names given to kids in 2007 (only had time to look at boy names) we found that some parents (in Alberta!) named their kids the following:
B.J. (that's it!)
Cowboy
Crue
E
Gretzky
Goon
Jackpine
Kees (Nuts, I can't find my Kees)
Kneaven (is this Kevin?)
Miller
Mawt
Oakley
Paul-Martins (political anyone?)
Pride
Rebyl
Rainbow (um.. it's a BOY!)
Rock
SaLmon
S
St.
Tee (FORE!)
Teancum (come on!)
Tru (be best if his brother's name was Dat)
Tommy-Lee
Well, some people just have no choice. Including a guy that I've been dealing with in an insurance claim, who's last name is "Sherstabetoff". Say it out loud... Yes, it is pronounced as you might think. PRON "Sure'stabeatoff". Poor Bastard.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Ken is creepy
So, here's something I challenge you parents to do. Let your kids pick a toy, ANY toy are Toys R Us one day. Much like the old cliche of give your kid an expensive toy, and he will play with the box... taking your child to the toy store will surprise you.
That's what we did; Go and pick a toy. OH, and they do. They walk around from item to item, picking up one then dropping it for another. Then another, and another. Then, the toy that they hang on to through most of the walk around is theirs. And, it's usually not the expensive one.
My Sweet Pea picked "KEN". She recently got her first Barbie Doll... and dropped all other things for KEN. She's Two. Don't get me wrong, I will threaten Ken with "I'm not afraid to go back to jail" one day when "KEN" picks her up for a date. But, picking KEN was good, until we got home!
What happened to KEN? Ken used to be a hunk! Barbie always had such good taste! It seems the Barbie people have been spending much more time working on "Barbie's" DNA more than Ken's, who is starting to look a little creepy. What does Ken drive these days? A white panel van? Seriously... I didn't know Barbie liked wig wearing creeps.
Sweet Pea loves him though. Maybe she'll marry Donald Trump or something...
That's what we did; Go and pick a toy. OH, and they do. They walk around from item to item, picking up one then dropping it for another. Then another, and another. Then, the toy that they hang on to through most of the walk around is theirs. And, it's usually not the expensive one.
My Sweet Pea picked "KEN". She recently got her first Barbie Doll... and dropped all other things for KEN. She's Two. Don't get me wrong, I will threaten Ken with "I'm not afraid to go back to jail" one day when "KEN" picks her up for a date. But, picking KEN was good, until we got home!
What happened to KEN? Ken used to be a hunk! Barbie always had such good taste! It seems the Barbie people have been spending much more time working on "Barbie's" DNA more than Ken's, who is starting to look a little creepy. What does Ken drive these days? A white panel van? Seriously... I didn't know Barbie liked wig wearing creeps.
Sweet Pea loves him though. Maybe she'll marry Donald Trump or something...
Friday, August 15, 2008
diet update
If you look below on the blogs, you will see my friend Rod's suggestions on the diet. So, if you're looking for some ideas or motivation, feel free to browse below! Here's the (soon to be) skinny on today.
9a Coffee with milk
11a protein shake
1p 2 chicken burgers, breaded and baked on whole wheat bun
230p apple, red :)
4p 1/2 of a banana ( the other half got crushed, and was icky. makes me gag)
6p my brides home made chili with beef veggies and beans. excellent.
2 vitamin water drinks - 1 litre ish total
tonight, I will have beer... lets be honest.
Rod? timing is better! Rod, please comment, and can you make some breakfast suggestions? I'm terrible at eating breakfast regularly.
Visit Rod's Website!
9a Coffee with milk
11a protein shake
1p 2 chicken burgers, breaded and baked on whole wheat bun
230p apple, red :)
4p 1/2 of a banana ( the other half got crushed, and was icky. makes me gag)
6p my brides home made chili with beef veggies and beans. excellent.
2 vitamin water drinks - 1 litre ish total
tonight, I will have beer... lets be honest.
Rod? timing is better! Rod, please comment, and can you make some breakfast suggestions? I'm terrible at eating breakfast regularly.
Visit Rod's Website!
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