May 17 - We Don't Do Bored

I like to know stuff. I am posting this for you all to remind me I don't have time to be bored. Just in case I become listless and forget.

Things I wish I knew a whole lot more about but never seem to have time to learn, in no particular order:


- Differential diagnosis. Yeah, I shoulda been a doctor.

- Playing the piano. Well.

- What herbs to grow for medicine and how to use them. Maybe I can be the local Medicine Woman instead.

- Quoting Psalms appropriately. Although Proverbs is much more my style.

- How to shoot a bow and arrow and hit a moving target.

- The true state of global climate change.

- Local and probably national politics. I'm accepting that the global scene is beyond my reach. Maybe.

- Where stray socks go when they're lost in the laundry.

- Outdoor survival skills. You can call me "FireStarter".

- How to use my phone for more than just text messages and Bakery Story.

I know. I'm weird. What do you wish you could learn?

May 16 - Water, Water Everywhere?

I have attempted to write this post a couple times, trying to sound intelligent and educated. I read articles. I looked up research and photos and charts. I couldn't quite pull it off, but the info is still worth sharing.

Some "fun facts" I learned from a National Geographic, uh, graphic (April 2010) while volunteering in Naomi's 2nd grade classroom last week:

- It takes 1857 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef.
- It takes 2900 gallons of water to produce 1 pair of blue jeans. Cotton is a water-intensive crop because of the water needed to dilute fertilizer waste.
- It takes 37 gallons of water to make 1 cup of coffee.
- It takes 9 gallons of water to make 1 cup of tea. Tea and coffee actually require the same amount of water to grow, but coffee produces less end product per acre.

This is based on the amount of virtual water needed, which includes amount drunk + what is used to grow feed + water used to clean the waste. Per expert scientists in the field, our efficiency in water use must double in the next 20 years in order to feed the growing global population. Water is already being calculated as a commodity, and it's export/import can affect trade decisions. We're currently blessed in this country with a positive export/import ratio, but we're pretty consumeristic and probably use more than our fair share.

Virtual Water Trade

So what does this mean for little me, who lives surrounded by marshes and lakes and really likes long, hot showers sometimes? I'm going with a little education and awareness is a good place to start. You can even go here and approximate your own water footprint (although I didn't find it that personally helpful). I guess it gives me one more reason to switch to tea.

May 13 - Mom's Day

This year, I arranged my celebration in advance, on Saturday. Sometimes a girl has to take responsibility for her own happiness, right? I made pancakes and sausage and grits for breakfast, then hauled the kids off to the movie theater for an Avengers adventure. (Awesome! by the way) We jetted out of there, grabbed gourmet Taco Bell, and headed for swimming fun at the Y. Next we zipped downtown to Metro Run & Walk. Mama needs new running shoes. Just enough time left to pick up new workout clothes and a sporty watch at Target before we slid into the 5 o'clock church service. Then home to make pasta and veggies for dinner, and read Hunger Games for a bedtime story.

I got to spend the whole day doing stuff I like with 3 kids I am totally in love with. How awesome is that?

I'd insert a really cool picture of their smiley faces here, except they're currently in a non-photogenic phase. As in, they don't hold still long enough in the same place for a camera to actually capture them. I have a load of fuzzy pictures of the backs of heads if you're interested.

May 11 - Second Chances

I've watched this promo about 10 times, and every time I get chills and teary at the same time. I have been given so many gifts of Second Chances already in my life, and the Twitter hashtag traffic around #SecondChances gives me goose bumps. Of course I had to give my friend, Tim, a bit of ribbing for being so spooky in the video. I'm looking forward to this series. Want to come too?

May 9 - More Strengths

In pondering strength a few days ago, I started thinking about all the other forms of strength besides building up muscle. Last weekend in church, Phil Cooke, a Christian and modern media guru, challenged us to find our strengths and join God's story. It's worth checking out here.

Basically, he noted that we fail primarily as a result of distraction in life, through doubt, temptation, overstimulation, etc.

Staying focused on our unique purpose can save each of us the angst of ultimate failure. He gave us four questions to ponder, and I thought I'd share them.

- What comes easy for you?
- What do you love?
- What drives you nuts?
- What do you want to leave behind?

I'm spending more time this week examining what God has wired me to do and regaining focus. I'd love to hear from others what this might mean to you. Yeah, I'm talking to you Arin and Lara. ;-)

May 7 - Strength - Use It or Lose It

A couple weekends ago, I spent hours and hours studying the science and research behind strength training with the brilliant Dr. Wendy Anemaet. I won't tire you with weeks worth of info, but rest assured that I feel smarter. And the next time your family member or friend whines about an achy back or fatigue, you should also know that your local physical therapist probably has something helpful and intelligent to say about that. (In a specific clinical setting, after professionally evaluating the problem, of course. No one wants to be held responsible for drive-by diagnosis and treatment.)

I thought I would share a few interesting items that are applicable to all of us. Resistance training can take many forms - we've all seen the sexy exercise bands and kettle bells - but the effects can be very helpful in preventing loss of function. Basically, the goals include increasing muscle mass, strength, power and endurance. So what's the big deal if I don't want to get all PUMPED up?

Here's the bottom line: physically inactive adults lose 3-5% of muscle mass per year after age 30. Yeah, uh, and they're not really losing weight till they get past 70 so... Yikes!

While there are definitely some intrinsic factors in muscle loss as we age, like decreased hormones and increased oxidative stress (more free radicals in the system), there are also factors that we can choose to change. Two of the primary ones we addressed were 1) nutritional balance with appropriate protein intake and 2) increased activity level incorporating resistance exercise.

There are about a zillion websites with suggestions and sexy pictures and "buy now entry-level" fees. It's overwhelming at best, and potentially dangerous. I think the first step is just to be aware of the importance of exercise and pay attention to your body. We may not all be triathletes, but any step above sedentary can help. Here's one way to start. Remember, our bodies really are designed to Move It or Lose It.

Technology Evades Us

Oh My Word. Check us out. We're just like the little old couple on YouTube who can't figure out how to Skype! Hahaha. At least we're cute.