The New Year has started out with a bang. Things are good. As we might recall, 2009 did not start well for me, and like most of the national psychology in 2009, I thought the year sucked royally. I was glad to kick the Naughties out the door. Begone, Naughties!
I'm still working on my goals, even though it's January 7, which is why you haven't seen a post for a few days. But it's been busy and good.
But I will say this: I'm ready for 2010. I'm ready for it to rock.
I'm ready for good things: travel, kindness, financial stability (maybe finally!), healthy body image, joy in small things, love, bouncing back.
I'm in such a different space these days. Despite a headache and getting yelled at today by a random driver and freezing temps that make me want to take up permanent residence under a fur blanket on my couch, it's a good space.
Bring it.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I Tried It: Bikram Yoga
Armed with some bravado and two friends, I attempted Bikram yoga last night.
(Psst: That's also known as hot yoga, usually a 90-minute practice in a room heated to 105 degrees.)
I think our class was a beginner class, so it was heated to 90 degrees and it was an hour-long practice of Vinyasa yoga. (Psst: Vinyasa yoga is more about flowing between poses rather than practicing them separately. Think: sun salutes and such.)
There is a yoga studio offering a free week of classes in a yuppie neighborhood in St. Paul (lovely, but definitively yuppie). I was a little reluctant to leave my "You can do it!" atmosphere at the Y for something I knew would be a little more serious and competitive. And laced with teeny-tiny girls with amazing flexibility and balance. But, I thought, life is short, say yes to adventures (especially with friends), do one thing every day that scares you, and I've been doing yoga for a year now, so it's time to put it to the test.
I was right about the atmosphere. One friend noted that she felt like she was in the middle of a clique and didn't fit in. That's why you do these things with friends, if you can. ;) The class was packed, and there wasn't enough room to fully feel like you had enough space. Like, I could reach out and touch my neighbor, who didn't know me, and most definitely would not appreciate my sweaty limb on hers.
My other deal was the instructor. She was nice, and maybe even helpful, but she was way too cheerleadery for my taste. Not that it has to be super hippy-dippy chakra examination talk, but it was hard to stay in the zone when she was saying, "Noooow, iiiiiinhale! EEEEeeeeexhale!" as though she was at a pep rally. And she sounded a little scripted. But I did like that she kept the focus on moving forward, letting go, and realizing you aren't always going to do everything perfectly. I need that reminder, often.
The gym was nicely appointed, and there were many drool-worthy items from Lululemon and other swank gym accessories/clothing companies in the shop area. The locker room was like a spa.
The hot yoga room itself wasn't as suffocating/saunalike as I expected it would be. Although my heart was racing like two sun salutes in, I assume in response to the heated room. The lighting was nice and dim, there was ample mirror space, and I liked the music they played (if it was a little loud).
About halfway in, I was really, really sweating. As in, dripping on my mat. I didn't mind the sweat (that's part of the point) as much as it was physically problematic for my mat and my hands and feet staying in place. I had a hot yoga towel, but it didn't have the little skid bumps underneath, like the fancy ones the sell in the lobby. I would not suggest the Gaiam quick-dry towels they sell for this purpose at Target, if you're worried about your footing at all. It just slides around too much on the mat. But it DOES have great sweat-vacuum properties and though it's yoga-mat shaped, could be good for gymming overall.
There were a couple of poses I just couldn't quite get through—probably because I haven't been hitting the gym as much lately. BUT, I felt a noticeable difference in my flexibility. Like, I TOUCHED THE FLOOR last night in a forward fold, people. I've only done that one other time in all my yoga history and I swear it was a fluke, or that I dreamed it. I TOUCHED THE FLOOR! (Cue Rocky theme here.)
I also—and this doesn't quite make sense to me logically—felt more balanced during the tree pose and other balance poses. Maybe just because my muscles thought they were hanging out on the beaches of Hawaii instead of a cold gym in the middle of winter. As a total freezebaby, I loved the heat.
Overall though? A nice free hour of yoga. An escape from the icy clutches of winter. An hour of sweat and exercise. Time with two friends who I don't get to see nearly often enough. And the realization that I CAN keep up (mostly) with fancier places. I CAN do this.
Namaste, bitches!
(Psst: That's also known as hot yoga, usually a 90-minute practice in a room heated to 105 degrees.)
I think our class was a beginner class, so it was heated to 90 degrees and it was an hour-long practice of Vinyasa yoga. (Psst: Vinyasa yoga is more about flowing between poses rather than practicing them separately. Think: sun salutes and such.)
There is a yoga studio offering a free week of classes in a yuppie neighborhood in St. Paul (lovely, but definitively yuppie). I was a little reluctant to leave my "You can do it!" atmosphere at the Y for something I knew would be a little more serious and competitive. And laced with teeny-tiny girls with amazing flexibility and balance. But, I thought, life is short, say yes to adventures (especially with friends), do one thing every day that scares you, and I've been doing yoga for a year now, so it's time to put it to the test.
I was right about the atmosphere. One friend noted that she felt like she was in the middle of a clique and didn't fit in. That's why you do these things with friends, if you can. ;) The class was packed, and there wasn't enough room to fully feel like you had enough space. Like, I could reach out and touch my neighbor, who didn't know me, and most definitely would not appreciate my sweaty limb on hers.
My other deal was the instructor. She was nice, and maybe even helpful, but she was way too cheerleadery for my taste. Not that it has to be super hippy-dippy chakra examination talk, but it was hard to stay in the zone when she was saying, "Noooow, iiiiiinhale! EEEEeeeeexhale!" as though she was at a pep rally. And she sounded a little scripted. But I did like that she kept the focus on moving forward, letting go, and realizing you aren't always going to do everything perfectly. I need that reminder, often.
The gym was nicely appointed, and there were many drool-worthy items from Lululemon and other swank gym accessories/clothing companies in the shop area. The locker room was like a spa.
The hot yoga room itself wasn't as suffocating/saunalike as I expected it would be. Although my heart was racing like two sun salutes in, I assume in response to the heated room. The lighting was nice and dim, there was ample mirror space, and I liked the music they played (if it was a little loud).
About halfway in, I was really, really sweating. As in, dripping on my mat. I didn't mind the sweat (that's part of the point) as much as it was physically problematic for my mat and my hands and feet staying in place. I had a hot yoga towel, but it didn't have the little skid bumps underneath, like the fancy ones the sell in the lobby. I would not suggest the Gaiam quick-dry towels they sell for this purpose at Target, if you're worried about your footing at all. It just slides around too much on the mat. But it DOES have great sweat-vacuum properties and though it's yoga-mat shaped, could be good for gymming overall.
There were a couple of poses I just couldn't quite get through—probably because I haven't been hitting the gym as much lately. BUT, I felt a noticeable difference in my flexibility. Like, I TOUCHED THE FLOOR last night in a forward fold, people. I've only done that one other time in all my yoga history and I swear it was a fluke, or that I dreamed it. I TOUCHED THE FLOOR! (Cue Rocky theme here.)
I also—and this doesn't quite make sense to me logically—felt more balanced during the tree pose and other balance poses. Maybe just because my muscles thought they were hanging out on the beaches of Hawaii instead of a cold gym in the middle of winter. As a total freezebaby, I loved the heat.
Overall though? A nice free hour of yoga. An escape from the icy clutches of winter. An hour of sweat and exercise. Time with two friends who I don't get to see nearly often enough. And the realization that I CAN keep up (mostly) with fancier places. I CAN do this.
Namaste, bitches!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Simple Indulgences to Daily Ritual: Baby Steps
I am not one who typically enjoys free time. On my days off I wake up early and strategies on what work I can get done that day while tossing and turning and ultimately getting not-so-tiny daggers from my wife. “Why can’t you just relax and enjoy the snuggles?” she often asks.
Good question: Why can’t I relax and enjoy my downtime? I work my tail off every day. You think I would relish any free time I might stumble across, however fleeting. Well, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
My one simple indulgence that makes my systematic life feel luxurious are long showers with fanciful products showered upon me by my wife. Typically my mornings are squeezed between packaging orders, exercising, or trying to wake the sleep out of my eyes from the previous nights Netflix extravaganza (pins and needles!)—and long showers are not an option. However, on those special days when my life is not consuming me head-first, kicking and screaming, out come all of these products and I cherish every single one of them.
My manhood is wholly affirmed. While I often do not hear my male friends talk about looking, smelling, and feeling proper that does not mean they shouldn’t. Why have men gone from looking so dapper (see image above) to completely disheveled (see Knocked Up)? I am not promoting excessive vanity (heck, I just mentioned I only do this on special days) but I am questioning why the simple urge to look good for your significant other—shit, society—has vanished. I guess I could raise a big middle finger to Brooklyn hipsters!
That said, I should segue from the podium back to my simple indulgence and leave this discussion to the more informed.
Soap: Soap is the kingpin to a great shower. Not only should it get you clean (often the only quality measured by men—Lava, anyone?) but it should energize you while relaxing your body at the same time. It should also smell great; I am not talking about a field in Ireland or an old boat either. It should be subtle, a backup scent that works well with your colognes, but has the depth to stand alone. (See Merry Clayton on Gimmie Shelter).
I prefer milled soap to standard off-the-shelf soap. Mostly because it distributes the fragrance evenly throughout the bar as well as making it harder and longer lasting—further incentive to pay a little extra for milled soap. Luckily my wife has a multitude of milled soaps to choose from, French milled, triple milled, hard milled ... While all of these feel great on the skin, very few are scented for men. One soap manufacturer that not only combines great milled soap with not-overpowering masculine fragrances is Organic Grooming. They have a wide range of scents to choose from—my favorites are Wild and Original. Both will leave your skin clean and soft, thanks to the cucumber and Kaolin clay, but also smelling wonderful because of the deodorizing rosemary and other fragrances.
Shampoo: Hair is a complicated thing. I won’t even try to sound knowledgeable in this area, but rather go off of my own experience. Men simply have more oil on their scalp. Simply removing all of this oil with standard shampoos can leave the scalp sensitive, dry, and irritated. The shampoo that works best for my hair is Aveda Pure-Formance. It does a great job and removing the excess oil, while keeping my scalp from drying out. On days that my hair is excessively oily, usually from wearing a baseball cap for too long, I use Aveda Pure-Formance Exfoliating Shampoo. I always finish with a little Aveda conditioner to refresh my scalp to a balance of shiny and dry.
Shaving: I wasn’t an early shaver. Hell, I still can’t grow a full beard and will probably turn 30 before I can get the five o’clock shadow look. Shaving is almost more important when your beard is not yet there. While full stubble can look rugged and handsome, as seen on George Clooney, chin stubble will only leave you looking like Spencer Pratt.
Back to the issue at hand, the act of shaving. This should always be the last thing done in the shower. Let the hot water soften your skin before you rake 3-5 steel blades across it repeatedly. I prefer Menscience shave formula as it takes the edge off of the blades while yielding a buttery smooth finish in only one pass. The price is not for the faint of heart—$25 for 6 oz. A more wallet-friendly substitute is Organic Grooming’s Shave Cream. While it has a much stronger scent, it still leaves the skin extremely smooth, thanks to the aloe, and feeling cool, thanks to the lavender and peppermint oil. Shaving will no longer be something you despise more than cleaning the drain or losing in fantasy football.
Now that you smell great, your hair is thoroughly cleansed, and your face is as smooth as butta you need to keep your skin feeling great and your body smelling great as you navigate your way around potholes, TPS reports, and garbage duty. Deodorant and/or antiperspirant are a necessity to men unless you want to smell like this guy. Deodorant should do just that: stop odor. If you are using your deodorant to smell great let me tell you something, you’re not. You are just letting everyone around you know you are sweating. Just stick to something clean and unscented. Let your cologne be responsible for your scent.
The harsh Minnesota climate can as quickly take your perfect skin and turn it into a pile of ashes as it can go from 32 and sunny (quite warm really) to below zero and depressingly gray. To combat against such extremes I love to use L’Occitane’s oil for men. It also has a wonderfully masculine scent, while not splintering your nose while shoving an old ship past your olfactory bulb.
Cologne: This is a highly personal choice that can change from day to night and season to season. I typically stick with one “signature” cologne, Lanvin L’Homme. I should probably mix up my scents to coordinate more with the seasons, but I would rather have one constant in my ever-changing and hectic life to remind my wife that I am her husband and always will be—even under all of that sawdust.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
It'll Be OK...Just Dance
OK, OK, I know that this is KIND OF a no-shitter, pardon my French, but wow. Exercising regularly really DOES make me feel better.
Here's how I know.
So, when I had that cold, I really didn't think I had the lung power to make it through an hour-long cardio class (not to mention the visions of snot flying out of my nose. Sorry. I've been talking about snot a lot lately.)
Then, I was on vacation, but between snuggling babies and my dog, and my birthday, I just didn't seem to find time to go to the gym. Then I was getting back into work mode ... Basically, I allowed daily life to get in the way of taking care of me.
So for the last four or so days, I've had wicked stomachaches around the 2-3 p.m. hour. I think this is a function of two things:
1. Sitting at a desk all damn day. After lunch I maybe need to move around more.
2. I hadn't exercised in like...ashamedly....10 days. 12 days even.
Yesterday, I felt terribly around my witching hour at work. I got permission to leave a little early. Walking out to my car helped (but that doesn't always do the trick). Still, I was all like, DUDE, I'm still going to the gym. By the time my power yoga/pilates/tai chi class was over, I felt amazing.
Today, I'm sore (and I definitely slid backwards in my two weeks off, so class felt really hard), but I still went to zumba class to stretch out and warm up rather than continue to let my muscles seize. No stomachache today. I feel really, really good. Yay for endorphins!
Back on track.
Here's how I know.
So, when I had that cold, I really didn't think I had the lung power to make it through an hour-long cardio class (not to mention the visions of snot flying out of my nose. Sorry. I've been talking about snot a lot lately.)
Then, I was on vacation, but between snuggling babies and my dog, and my birthday, I just didn't seem to find time to go to the gym. Then I was getting back into work mode ... Basically, I allowed daily life to get in the way of taking care of me.
So for the last four or so days, I've had wicked stomachaches around the 2-3 p.m. hour. I think this is a function of two things:
1. Sitting at a desk all damn day. After lunch I maybe need to move around more.
2. I hadn't exercised in like...ashamedly....10 days. 12 days even.
Yesterday, I felt terribly around my witching hour at work. I got permission to leave a little early. Walking out to my car helped (but that doesn't always do the trick). Still, I was all like, DUDE, I'm still going to the gym. By the time my power yoga/pilates/tai chi class was over, I felt amazing.
Today, I'm sore (and I definitely slid backwards in my two weeks off, so class felt really hard), but I still went to zumba class to stretch out and warm up rather than continue to let my muscles seize. No stomachache today. I feel really, really good. Yay for endorphins!
Back on track.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Current Obsessions II
Here are three things that I can't stop talking about.
1. The power of the Neti pot.
Look, people. Have you never used a Neti pot? Do you know what one is? Do you think it's a bunch of hooey?
I am here to tell you as a former Neti pot skeptic, that that shit WORKS.
In case you aren't sure what a Neti pot is, view Exhibit A:
That's not drugs, people, that's the power of the H2 and the O. And a little NaCl. See! I did learn something in chemistry class after all! (Side note, in my chemistry class we had to make a periodic table of the elements of ______. I chose Rock and Roll for mine. My mom helped me. We had so much fun! Elvis was Hydrogen and the Beatles were ... whatever matches up with Hydrogen on the other side of the table. It followed all the rules of the Periodic Table. I'm still proud of it. I wish I had kept it. Also, my mom's and my knowledge? Formidable. Anyway.)
So you put a little warm saltwater in the pot. And pour it through your nose. If you tilt your head properly, you don't choke or gag on it. It's amazing. It's not even gross. I swear. It just totally irrigates your nose! Clears you right out! AND, a big thing for me is that it doesn't dry me out, but instead moisturizes! I already have dry skin, live in a superdry forced-air situation in the winter, and have side effects from my stomach medicine that dry out my skin. Taking cold medicine really, really sucks the life out of me.
YES!!! A non-chemical cure. I swear it lessened the mouth-breathing suffering and general malaise by a few days. I'm not exaggerating.
2. The power of grapefruit seed extract.
Dudes. This is also a new one to me. When I announced on facebook that I had a cold (because I'm sure my friends care and want to know), my brother's girlfriend shared a secret remedy. Yep. Grapefruit seed extract. Stuff's not cheap. I think it was $13.99 for a small bottle. But all you need is like ... half a teaspoon to a teaspoon, dissolved in a LARGE glass of water.
It tastes a little bitter/sour and weird. But it's worth it. It's not overpoweringly gross and I'm telling you. I had a cold for like FOUR days. Usually it's at least a week to two weeks. And the symptoms started magically dissipating almost immediately after drinking it. Highly recommended.
3. LOST.
Ohmahgah people. LOST. Wm and I are halfway through the second season—don't spoil anything—and I cannot believe that I never watched this show.
Although it does NOTHING for my flight anxiety or the fact that I will be flying to tropical locales sometime in the vaguely near future ... order me up one extra Xanax, sir!
Such a great storyline, cool storytelling and effects, it reminds me of my love of Hawaii, and there are just so many smart, good things about it. I can't believe it was on network TV, actually. It's sort of been ruining my gym habit the last two weeks.
OK, you'll have to excuse me now. I have to go watch Sayyid. I mean, LOST.
1. The power of the Neti pot.
Look, people. Have you never used a Neti pot? Do you know what one is? Do you think it's a bunch of hooey?
I am here to tell you as a former Neti pot skeptic, that that shit WORKS.
In case you aren't sure what a Neti pot is, view Exhibit A:
That's not drugs, people, that's the power of the H2 and the O. And a little NaCl. See! I did learn something in chemistry class after all! (Side note, in my chemistry class we had to make a periodic table of the elements of ______. I chose Rock and Roll for mine. My mom helped me. We had so much fun! Elvis was Hydrogen and the Beatles were ... whatever matches up with Hydrogen on the other side of the table. It followed all the rules of the Periodic Table. I'm still proud of it. I wish I had kept it. Also, my mom's and my knowledge? Formidable. Anyway.)So you put a little warm saltwater in the pot. And pour it through your nose. If you tilt your head properly, you don't choke or gag on it. It's amazing. It's not even gross. I swear. It just totally irrigates your nose! Clears you right out! AND, a big thing for me is that it doesn't dry me out, but instead moisturizes! I already have dry skin, live in a superdry forced-air situation in the winter, and have side effects from my stomach medicine that dry out my skin. Taking cold medicine really, really sucks the life out of me.
YES!!! A non-chemical cure. I swear it lessened the mouth-breathing suffering and general malaise by a few days. I'm not exaggerating.
2. The power of grapefruit seed extract.
Dudes. This is also a new one to me. When I announced on facebook that I had a cold (because I'm sure my friends care and want to know), my brother's girlfriend shared a secret remedy. Yep. Grapefruit seed extract. Stuff's not cheap. I think it was $13.99 for a small bottle. But all you need is like ... half a teaspoon to a teaspoon, dissolved in a LARGE glass of water.
It tastes a little bitter/sour and weird. But it's worth it. It's not overpoweringly gross and I'm telling you. I had a cold for like FOUR days. Usually it's at least a week to two weeks. And the symptoms started magically dissipating almost immediately after drinking it. Highly recommended.
3. LOST.
Ohmahgah people. LOST. Wm and I are halfway through the second season—don't spoil anything—and I cannot believe that I never watched this show.
Although it does NOTHING for my flight anxiety or the fact that I will be flying to tropical locales sometime in the vaguely near future ... order me up one extra Xanax, sir!
Such a great storyline, cool storytelling and effects, it reminds me of my love of Hawaii, and there are just so many smart, good things about it. I can't believe it was on network TV, actually. It's sort of been ruining my gym habit the last two weeks.
OK, you'll have to excuse me now. I have to go watch Sayyid. I mean, LOST.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Winter Wonderland
So, we're getting socked with our first winter storm of the year. It's slippery and windy and snowy and gross. I went to weather.com to see the latest, so obviously I'm interested and/or concerned about road conditions and travel tomorrow.
But I have to say, this totally cracked me up.
On weather.com's home page:
But I have to say, this totally cracked me up.
On weather.com's home page:
Vicious winter storm blasts the Midwest
Parts of the Midwest are being ravaged by an December blizzard while the Northeast looks at a wintry mess.
Then, when you enter your zip code, it must do a weather-coding translation based on where you live. Because St. Paul's summary is this:
Light Snow
17°F
Feels Like
2°F
Muaaaaaahahahahahahaa! For the rest of the world it's ravaging blizzards, but for we St. Paulites, it's just a little light snow. Midwestern modesty kicking in. Or bragging rights? Or stupidity for continuing to live here? You decide.
Feels Like
2°F
Muaaaaaahahahahahahaa! For the rest of the world it's ravaging blizzards, but for we St. Paulites, it's just a little light snow. Midwestern modesty kicking in. Or bragging rights? Or stupidity for continuing to live here? You decide.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Crud
I haz it.
Loud, mouthbreathing, chest hurting, cracking lips and nose... UGH.
I really haven't had a cold in a looooooong time. I think I got one because I was just saying that I haven't had one in years. I'm loading on C and Zinc . . . I even drank this super bitter grapefruit seed extract this morning. It was horrible, but I think it might have helped! Then I took a shower with a eucalyptus shower tablet and that helped open my sinuses a little bit. I bought a Neti pot yesterday but I didn't realize we didn't have any regular table salt at home (we always use sea salt) and i've been feeling too cruddy to go out and get some. I've been wanting to try it out though!
When I was kid and we got the crud, as my dad always called it, I stayed home from school and he made a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup and we would watch People's Court and Love Connection ("back in two-and-two"). We laughed when Judge Wapner would put the smack down on people (the original cranksta judge) and when people on Love Connection went on horrible dates.
Then my mom would come home after she was done at work and I would look forward to the moment when she'd put her cool hands on my forehead to see if I had a fever. Even if I didn't, I still loved that moment. Just the other day I was throwing myself a pity party and I said, "Mom, will you feel sorry for me for a few minutes and pet my head?" She did. It still has the same curative power.
At least now I don't have to chew those awful grape children's Tylenols.
I need to get better! I have next week off and hope to hang with Pamcakes and her babies but I can't if I have the sniffles.
What are your favorite home remedies?
Loud, mouthbreathing, chest hurting, cracking lips and nose... UGH.
I really haven't had a cold in a looooooong time. I think I got one because I was just saying that I haven't had one in years. I'm loading on C and Zinc . . . I even drank this super bitter grapefruit seed extract this morning. It was horrible, but I think it might have helped! Then I took a shower with a eucalyptus shower tablet and that helped open my sinuses a little bit. I bought a Neti pot yesterday but I didn't realize we didn't have any regular table salt at home (we always use sea salt) and i've been feeling too cruddy to go out and get some. I've been wanting to try it out though!
When I was kid and we got the crud, as my dad always called it, I stayed home from school and he made a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup and we would watch People's Court and Love Connection ("back in two-and-two"). We laughed when Judge Wapner would put the smack down on people (the original cranksta judge) and when people on Love Connection went on horrible dates.
Then my mom would come home after she was done at work and I would look forward to the moment when she'd put her cool hands on my forehead to see if I had a fever. Even if I didn't, I still loved that moment. Just the other day I was throwing myself a pity party and I said, "Mom, will you feel sorry for me for a few minutes and pet my head?" She did. It still has the same curative power.
At least now I don't have to chew those awful grape children's Tylenols.
I need to get better! I have next week off and hope to hang with Pamcakes and her babies but I can't if I have the sniffles.
What are your favorite home remedies?
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