Garbage gobble

Often I think about the residents of Galveston after the storm of 1900. They had to clean the mess themselves. They had no help, no water, little food and little knowledge on how to clean up such a mess.

This weekend we spent cleaning up, not your typical "clean the house before you decorate" type of cleaning, but removing debris from the streets and public areas that are sill left from Hurricane Ike in an effort called "The Garbage Gobble!" We wore safety equipment, I had to sign waivers for myself and my two sons who are under the age of 18 and we were only able to work of 5 hours before they made us stop and supplied us with a healthy meal.

The goal is to have the city looking good for our annual "Dickens on the Strand!" This annual winter festival is a great boost to the lagging economy every winter and it's just fun.

As I look over some of the writings of the 1900 survivors, I realize that they all believed that God had saved them for a reason, and that while they were feeling the stress of the moment, the miracle of their survival was still fresh in their mind. Most felt lucky that they had the ability to help rebuild their city.

I look forward to our Dickens celebration this year, not because it's going to be the biggest or the best celebration we've ever had, but because we are here to enjoy it!

I ate too much!

Do you feel this way after your Thanksgiving dinner? It's amazing how that piece of pecan pie or (my personal favorite) cornbread dressing can tempt us into overeating.

If you are feeling a little on the bloated side today don't feel that you've undone months of great eating habits, just follow a few simple guidelines to help you get back on track and go back to that healthy lifestyle tomorrow.

Here are a few little hints that help me when I feel I've eaten too much.

• Hydrate - Hydrate - Hydrate - While adding something else in your stomach seems crazy, water will help keep you flush out extra sodium from your system.
  

• Take a slow walk - Don't try to run or do any heavy exercise, but a slow and steady walk around the block will help keep you from feeling tired and falling asleep.

• Go Shopping - While the crowds of Black Friday might not seem like a joy right now, the festive spirit will help you to feel fresh. You might also find that perfect little black dress to wear New Years Eve. (or for your wife to wear)
  

• Most importantly, remember that one large meal doesn't sabatoge a great eating plan that you've started, jump back on the healthy eating habit and stick to it! (Then that little black dress will look extra special!)

Lifelong fitness doesn't mean that you can't splurge now and again. Instead, it's a slow and steady race to a long life of health.

What I'm thankful for

I know not everyone celebrates the American holiday of Thanksgiving, but I can't help but think of what this holiday truly celebrates to realize that thought behind it is more then just American. Thanksgiving is a day, when two very different groups of people sat down and celebrated their commonalities.

The Native Americans taught the colonists how to survive those rough winters in colonial America, and the pilgrims shared with them modern devices that made their lives easier. While it's true that both groups had vast differences in many things, both took the time to stop, thank their god (or gods) for a bountiful harvest and ask for a blessing for the year to come. This tradition is remembered today with food and family, but it's steeped in a rich tradition of accepting the culture of others while still following your own traditions.

Today I am thankful for so many things I could not possibly list them all. I am most thankful that both our differences and our commonalities help us reach people and make their lives a little better.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

New Link to the World Wide Web

For those of you who check this blog regularly. Thanks for the emails asking if I was ok. A couple of weeks ago, the computer I was using after the hurricane destroyed my personal laptop died on me.

This horrible tragedy left me with limited access to the internet. I'm happy to say that I'm back. I finally purchased a Macbook Pro. Since the hurricane I'd been looking at replacing what I'd lost, but I just was not sure about what was right for me. After weighing all of the pros and cons, I finally decided on my new laptop.

I am still getting used to it, but I have to say that I love it! It's very easy to carry around, and it does all of what I need a laptop for plus a bit more!

Thanks for your patience, and I sure did miss you guys!

Bosu Ball Classes and Maniac Monday Workout

I bought a bosu ball about two weeks ago, and have really enjoyed adding it to my workout. Today I went to my usual Monday pilates class to find that I'm not the only one who loves it.

Hannah, my favorite pilates instructor, has been using her ball to help intensify her cardio workouts and decided it would be fun to add a little bosu work out into the classes offered. I'm hoping she'll have the class offered before Decemeber to help provide a little extra motivation during the holidays!

Of course the pilates class was as intense as ever! I have been taking pilates long enough now so that I can really tell the difference. My muscles feel strong yet my flexibility has increased. I am easily as flexible as I was in my early 20's, but with more strength. I also find that now I can do the workout without thinking so much about what I am doing and just enjoy the workout.

After pilates I walked a mile at the local track. It had rained the night before and the track was a bit slippery, so my usual gave way to the slippery track and my desire not to break something! The walk was a nice change of pace from my normally intense Monday cardio routine.

Hopefully soon I'll be able to tell you guys what an hour of instense bosu ball is like. If it's as intense as the 20 minutes of toning I've been getting, then Maniac Monday will have a whole new meaning!

It's Tuesday - Adding in a Bosu Ball

Happy Tuesday, and Happy Election Day to all of us in the United States. I voted last week during early voting, so today I was able to focus on my usual early morning workout. (If you can vote, get out and do it!)

Tuesday is glute/leg day for me. Today is no exception. This morning I started with walk to and from the high school with a mile run around the track. It was not as long as I normally run, but I decided to sprint the track and jog back. I took things a bit easier for my normal Tuesday cardio routine because I knew I was adding a new element to my glute/leg workout.

After running home I used my new bosu ball to help intensify my workout. Since I've only had the bosu ball for a few weeks, I've been researching internet videos and talking to some of my trainer friends about proper form and how to use the ball to help vary my workouts.

Todays workout consisted of ..

• Lunge with lateral raise 3 sets of 10 reps (Expert Village Video here)
  
• Side to Side Squats 2 sets of 10 reps (See Expert Village Video here)
• Leg Bridge (See Expert Village Video Here)
  

These videos really helped me assure that I was protecting my legs while helping to strengthen them.

I think I'll enjoy using the bosu ball as part of my "Fitness toolbelt."

Mamma Wannabe's Thanksgiving Contest

Mommawannabe.com is having an awesome Thanksgiving contest with cool prizes from many other wonderful sites. Take a minutes and pop in (the image is a link!) if you'd like all of the details.

She's also celebrating her 6th anniversary, so make sure you wish her a Happy Aniversary!

Here is a list of prizes as listed on her site - enjoy!

Grand Prize - 15,000 ec credits , 8 premium ad spaces plus you can choose 4 bonus prize

1. 10,000 ec credits from Momma Wannabe
2. 1000 ec credits from Pinay Jade
3. 1000 ec credits from Eastcoastlife
4. 1000 ec credits from Random Chronicles
5. 1000 ec credits from Random Detoxification
6. 1000 ec credits from Musings of a Pinay Blogger
7. 125x125 ad for 2 weeks at PR3blog My Fashion Link
8. 125x125 ad for 2 weeks at PR2 blog My Gossip Girl
9. 125x125 ad for 1 month at PR2blog Momma Wannabe
10. 125x125 ad for 1 month at PR4blog The Positive Life
11. 125x125 ad for 1 month at PR2blog EvilWoobie
12. 125x125 ad for 2 weeks at PR3 blog Multiply Themes
13. 125x125 ad for 1 month at PR3 Bloganol.com
14. 125x125 ad for 1 month at PR3 Bad Evan


2nd Prize - 10,000 entrecard from the following sponsors plus you can choose 3 bonus prize

1. 1500 ec credits from Positive Life
2. 2000 ec credits from Seek No More
3. 2000 ec credits from Politikon
4. 1500 ec credits from Weather for headphones
5. 1000 ec credits from BrainFoggles
6. 1000 ec credits from Michael Aulia
7. 1000 ec credits from Contest Whiz
8. 125x125 ad for 2 months at Love is a Perfect Gift
9. 125x125 ad for 2 months at A message From My Heart
10. 125x125 ad for 2 months at The Fountain Of Happiness

3rd Prize - 9000 entrecard from the following sponsors plus you can choose 3 bonus prize

1. 2000 ec credits from Everything Has a Reason
2. 2000 ec credits from Proud Mommy
3. 1000 ec credits from Path to Pegasus
4. 1000 ec credits from Bad Evan
5. 1000 ec credits from Realm to Prosperity
6. 1000 ec credits from Web Buzz
7. 1000 ec credits from E Pamilya

4th Prize - 8000 entrecard credits plus you get 3 bonus prizes

1. 1000 ec credits from Fantasy Baseball Advice
2. 500 ec credits from Mammadawg
3. 500 ec credits from Project Runway Philippines
4. 1000 ec credits from Fragile Heart
5. 1000 ec credits from Singaporean in London
6. 1000 ec credits from Dasboobs.com
7. 1000 ec credits from Read My Mind
8. 1000 ec credits from So Far So Good
9. 1000 ec credits from Asian Economist
10. 125x125 ad for 1 month at The Joy Of Life Forever
11. 125x125 ad for 1 month at My Life's Adventure
12. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Wonderful Things In Life

Bonus Prizes:

Free Advertising

1. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Blogging Hacks
2. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Joby's blog
3. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Blogging from Scratch
4. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Actiwiz Dot Com
5. Text ad for 1 month at Ragnarok Guide
6. Text ad for 1 month at Project Runway Philippines
7. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Proud Mommy
8. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Beauty of Life
9. 125x125 ad for 1 month at The Money Maker
10. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Starts at Two
11. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Heart Random
12. 125x125 ad for 1 month at There is Happiness
13. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Twinshappines
14. 125x125 ad for 1 month at Random Chronicles


Special Prizes

1. Blog Makeover by My Design Workbench ( for Blogger blogs only)
2. Customized Template by Earning Money Online ( for Blogger blogs only)
3. Free Domain Name : THESASSYHOMEMAKER.COM valid till September 2009 from THE PINAY BLOGGER!

Special Prizes - 2 Top Points Earner will share the following prizes

1. $5.00 paypal cash from Wonderful Things In Life
2. $10.00 paypal cash from Pink Hues
3. 1000 ec credits from Niacin Works
4. 1000 ec credits from SG Entrepreneur
5. 2000 ec credits from Freebie Reporter
6. 1000 ec credits from Google Stalking
7. 1000 ec credits from Name Sherry
8. 500 ec credits from Beauty of Life
9. 500 ec credits from Starts at Two
10. 500 ec credits from The Money Maker
11. 500 ec credits from Life of a Manila Gurl
12. 500 ec credits from Housewife at work
13. 500 ec credits from Free Famous Quote
14. 500 ec credits from Gift reviews
15. 500 ec credits from Better Interpersonal Communication
16. 500 ec credits from Journal of Journey
17. 500 ec credits from Jo's Reviews & Free Ad Space
18. 500 ec credits from Dota Guide
19. 500 ec credits from Wonderful Things In Life
20. 500 ec credits from My Collection
21. 300ec credits from It's my Party & I'll cry if I want too
22. 300 ec credits from The Joy Of Life Forever
23. 200 ec credits from My Life's Adventure
24. 500 ec credits from Love's Haven

Pardon the Dust

I've been changing the look of the site today. I'm hoping to find a cleaner look and space for a few new things I was hoping to feature!

Please pardon my dust as I move things around!