Quick Takes Friday

-1-
I have slacked a lot on updating this blog (not a great start to the New Year!), but I did manage to write a new post this week: The Hermit's Guide to Working Out.

-2- 

I realized something odd the other day: whenever I pray the glorious mysteries of the rosary, I envision them taking place at my undergrad college campus. Weird huh? I guess it was college that I really started praying the rosary, so it sort of makes sense.

-3-
I had to chuckle when I saw this trailer at the movies last week. I won't lie: I might see it. 

-4-

My daughter has given up naps at 8 months old!  You would think that without napping she would want to go to bed earlier than 9:00 but not so, not so.

-5-

I have been trying to get into the book The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I am not feeling it. So far there isn't a single girl character in it— tattooed or not— and I find myself snoozing through the detailed explanations of Swedish corporate maneuverings. Tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel or this puppy is going straight back to the library.

-6-
Anyone in the DC area heading to the March for Life? My brother (who is a religious brother in the Dominican order) is coming into town for the march with a group of students.

-7-
Brrr! Is winter over yet? On that note, I'll leave you with a warm and fuzzy picture:

Have a great weekend!

Hermit's Guide to Working Out

Photo credit: Loving Earth

Once upon a time I did have a gym membership, but I can't say I got my money's worth because going to the gym means, well, leaving the house after a long day's work ;)


A friend of mine got me to try the Pilates workouts on Netflix, which not only were convenient, but got me in much better shape than my pitiful attempts at the treadmill. Working out at home also turned out to be very convenient once my daughter was born because I could exercise while she was asleep or playing. I thought I would compile a list of my favorite workouts for any other like-minded workout hermits.  

*Videos with an asterisk are available on Netflix streaming; the other videos I purchased on Amazon

Pilates:
Ellen Barrett is hands down my absolute favorite fitness instructor.  Most of her workouts combine Pilates, cardio, and ballet-inspired dance movements and she is encouraging without being obnoxious.

1)  Crunch: Fat-Burning Pilates*

This is a low-impact, standing Pilates workout that I was (mostly) able to do in my third trimester of pregnancy. The movements flow together and include a great sequence of standing ab work. Includes short mat routine at end.

2) Burn and Firm Pilates*

This is another great standing workout that requires a set of hand weights. More intense than the previous video, I usually skip the mat routine at the end, but it is worth it if you have the time.

Yoga "Fusion"

These are yoga-inspired workouts that combine yoga, stretching, and dance movements.

1) Yogini

 I like this workout because it starts out with some easy movements and stretches, but by the end you are definitely sweating! You will be sore the next day, believe me!

2) Fusion Flow

 
A little easier than Yogini, this is another great stretch and strengthening fusion. Includes a challenging set of upper body exercises. 

Dance/ Cardio
I normally don't go for the hip hop or zumba type workouts. Not that I'm against them, but I am not the most coordinated person and am too impatient to learn dance steps during the little windows of time I have to work out. I also don't go for the classic boot camp approach (Like the popular "30 Day Shred"). The following reflect my preference for a more feminine, graceful approach to cardio.

1) Fat-Burning Fusion 

 This is one of my favorite workouts right now. The elegant dance movements flow together and make me feel graceful while I am breaking a sweat.

2) Self: Slim and Sleek, Fast!* 

There are a few other "Self" workouts available to stream from Netflix, but in my opinion, they aren't worth your time. This video features Ellen Barrett and has a ballet warm-up, a fun cardio sequence (you will be jumping all over the place), and a final weight segment.

3) Ballet Conditioning with Elise Gulan

 

This is the only workout on my regular rotation that isn't Ellen Barrett. I don't have a ballet background and I am still able to follow this simplified but (in my opinion) intense workout. Gulan will have your thighs burning (and I mean on fire) in no time. The majority of the video is ballet strength training (no special equipment required, only a chair and a mat) but there is also very fun cardio ballet jumping sequence and a very intense ab section. 

Well, that's it! What are your favorite workouts? 

Movie Queue Monday: "Boomtown"

I recently discovered this (sadly) short-lived series through Netflix and was really impressed. Yes, it is a crime show, but "Boomtown" blows every other crime show I have ever seen right out of the water. Rather than the formulaic tendencies of, say "Law and Order", "Boomtown" centers each episode on an event seen through the different perspectives of the media, law enforcement, the district attorney, paramedics, and even the criminals and victims. The writing is truly fantastic and I found myself sympathizing in some way with each character even as their very serious flaws were revealed.  Unlike most gritty portrayals of law enforcement that are dark and depressing, "Boomtown's" themes of redemption, courage, and loyalty counterbalanced the serious problems dealt with throughout the season.

Another reason I think I liked this show so much was the performance of Donnie Wahlberg (brother of Mark Wahlberg) who plays a police detective struggling with a troubled marriage. I loved his portrayal of Colonel Lipton in "Band of Brothers" (another series I recommend) and he doesn't disappoint here either.

This being said, I only saw season one of "Boomtown" and I read online that the second season is dramatically different and disappointing. Also, this is not a show for kids, and the show has mild violence, partial nudity, references to prostitution, and a extra-marital affair. I would rate it PG-13. 

If you like mysteries, I definitely recommend "Boomtown". Five stars.

Quick Takes Friday

-1-

Whew! Christmas break flew by for us. I am happy to report that my daughter amazed us and was a perfect angel (mostly) on both 4 hour plane rides. Although, now that I am thinking of it, she did steal food straight from the hands of a lady sitting next to us. Good thing she is so cute.

-2-

This most recent trip has reminded me how exhausting and stressful traveling is- especially with a little one! We arrived at the airport at 5:00 for a 6:00 flight and barely made the flight. We waited for 35 minutes just to check in at Southwest and then for another 10 minutes in security. Then there was the train ride to our gate. I didn't have time to put my shoes back on after security and must have looked comical (my hair frizzy and all over the place, running sock-footed up the escalators and through the airport with a small child, my husband trailing with our bags) because the flight attendant chuckled when I slapped down my ticket for his inspection.

-3-

Thinking of seeing this movie?

Forget it. It is awful. Somehow I missed the fact that it is rated "R", and usually (without any exceptions I can now think of) a romantic comedy with an "R" rating means disgusting, vulgar humor and nudity.

-4-

My husband has been battling the flu-plague has been going around. The upside is his voice sounds like Christian Bale's in "Batman Begins".

-5-

We had a great Christmas with the extended family. Since my daughter is the first and only grandchild right now, she got the royal treatment. There were so many camera flashes as she opened her first present, it looked like she was working the red carpet.

-6-

I love the Duggars. Have you seen their show? They make reality television look wholesome which is pretty impressive.

-7-

Speaking of TV shows, I have been dying to review a great one I found. Stay tuned for more.

Have a great weekend!

Quick Takes Friday

-1-
Blogging? What's that? Oh right I have a blog. I almost forgot. ;)

-2-

Check out this cute video I found via a friend on Facebook:

-3-

I was completely floored last week when I took my 7 mo. daughter to the doctor's office for a flu shot. The nurse must have been very talented because she didn't cry one tear when she got the shot! Let's hope we get this nurse again!

-4-

I must have sent the wrong message when I talked to the Jehovah's Witnesses the first time around because they keep coming by. It is hard for me to strike the right chord between being nice (not telling them I am not interested) and being rude (slamming the door in their face). Last time they came I just didn't answer the door.

-5-

I have mentioned this before but I love, love, love the book Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe. If you are looking for Christian spiritual reading, I highly recommend it.

-6-

I have been stressed about trying to "fix" my daughter's sleep patterns, but after talking to several moms about it, I feel better. One big lesson I learned is not to tackle a parenting advice tome while sleep deprived.

-7-

We got our first real snow yesterday and I love how everything is covered in a beautiful layer of white. I might feel differently later when I have to get in the freezing car and drive around.

Have a great weekend!

Quick Takes Friday

-1-

Brrr! Boy it is never as tempting to stay at home when it is 23 degrees out. Wasn't it just 80 degrees and piping hot?

-2-

Isn't it frustrating how parenting books offer completely different advice? I guess you just have to pick a parenting philosophy and stick with it. I had been using the advice on sleep schedules in Dr. Sears' Baby Book and was shocked/stressed to find that a highly recommended book Happy Child, Healthy Sleep Habits had the complete opposite advice. I guess I will have to find a third option to compare.

-3-

My brother is a  Dominican and sent me this  great video of some brothers in Ireland having a snow fight:

-5-

It seems like Advent is slipping away this year faster than I can handle. I sometimes find it so hard this busy time of year to manage to find time to slow down and really pray. Is it just me or does Advent seem to fly much faster than Lent?

-6-

This is the first year we own a whole house to keep warm and we are trying to save money by not blasting the heat all day. My husband graciously bought me a space heater to keep warm (I am perpetually freezing) but it is too bad it does oscillate like a fan because I am always running back and forth like a mad woman trying to adjust it to where I am in the house.

-7-

I am braving a trip to the mall today for a change of scenery and some errands. Wish me luck!

Quick Takes Friday

-1-

I just finished the book Hunger Games  by Suzanne Collins and I thought it was tremendous.  If you haven't heard of it, it is a three book young adult series told from the perspective of a young woman living in a bleak, violent futuristic society. The characters are very well developed and Collins does a great job of showing the roots and consequences of a violence-craving society without being gory or crass in her storytelling.

-2-

We had a major poop disaster last night, and no, it didn't have anything to do with the baby. Since it has gotten bone-chillingly cold, we have been less than "on top" of taking care of our dog's business out in our yard. Well, last night we paid dearly for this when our dog stepped in a pile and then TRACKED IT ALL OVER THE HOUSE just as we were finishing dinner. You can imagine the panic, horror, and screaming that ensued.

-3-

 My mother-in-law showed me this really neat "flash mob" type video. It's amazing!

-4-

My husband and I are total soda addicts and so we just bought this to save money and cut down on all the cans we were accumulating. It is really neat!


-5-

One major drawback to my daughter having teeth is that she bites! She bit me really hard last night during nursing. Is there a way to train babies not to bite?

-6-
If you haven't already heard of it,  the Saint Nicholas Center is a tremendous resource for everything St. Nicholas! I used it a lot when I was teaching religious education and now I plan to get some ideas for St. Nicholas day.

-7-

Have a great weekend and happy Advent!