Although I hate to admit it, I haven’t done much exercise since my last running post.
Today was a different story.
It was gorgeous out.
I’ve taken myself back to Week 7 of the C25K program. I figure it’ll be good for me to get my bearings again before I go any further. Or farther.
Mind you, I don’t know if it was the heat, or the fact that I’d skipped some runs. But I had to pause for a break at least twice on my route.
And another thing…
I’m casually hunting for sun protection. What I have is fine for now. But I really would like something that melts into brown complexions–and stays there.
I did my best to work my sunscreen into my skin before I left. But the more I sweated, the more it popped back out of my pores.
And it’s a sports formula, too. I thought it would’ve known better. 😉
Confession: One of the reasons that I’m suddenly on an exercise kick is that I’ve decided once and for all to eliminate my muffin top. Every now and then for inspiration I look up different images on Pinterest.
This morning I found a photo featuring a comment that mentioned Muffin-Topless. I don’t know if it was her site, or her Tumblr page, but I could’ve sworn that somewhere along the line, I saw a picture of Greek yogurt, stevia, and cocoa powder. (Mind you, from what I’ve seen of her, in hindsight I realize it was probably chocolate protein powder.)
I got excited. I thought to myself,”OMG, is that a THING?!? Because I could totally go for some chocolate yogurt pudding!”
Fact: I used to bake almost every week, but I haven’t in ages. And after I recently won* a box of cookies, I started to eat them, but decided to throw them out.
Anyways. Moments ago I went to the store.
I bought my ingredients.
And I decided to see what I could create.
I used
1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
2 heaping tablespoons of raw cacao powder
3 packets of stevia
I mixed these items together in a small bowl.
At this point, my mother was present.
Mom: What is it that you’re making?
Me: I. don’t. know.
I tasted my treat. Then, I furrowed my brow and added 2 tablespoons of agave nectar.
Still…Meh.
Fact: Healthy alterna-foods almost never taste as good as their sinful counterparts.
According to this web page, Greek yogurt “pudding” really is a thing.
But my gosh. This might just take some getting used to.
Back to the kitchen…
*Last week at a store I spent over a certain amount on groceries. My reward was a box of cookies.
I looked at it three times: Twice on Saturday, and a bit more on Sunday while I did my hair.
Like Downton Abbey, it focuses on upstairs/downstairs culture on an English estate in the early 1900s. The first time I saw it, I was overwhelmed by the pace. If ever a movie was like Downtown Abbey on crack too much sugar, this is it. There was a lot going on, and some people that I just never figured out.
One blog I skimmed said that Gosford and Downton were opposites. But I disagree. I think they’re very similar. Both were (are) written by Julian Fellowes. As already mentioned, they take place in the same worlds–only a few years apart. Both offer viewers plenty of scandal, sexual innuendo, and dialogue using words such as “Lordship” and “Ladyship”. In short, Downton and Gosford are both equal parts juiciness and class.
If pressed for a difference, I’ll be honest. The main thing that I noticed is that Downton has more humorous moments*, and it was easier for me to determine who’s who. (There’s an unhappy couple seen arguing in a couple of scenes. By the time my third viewing was over, I felt like I’d only just begun to understand their backstory.)
Also–although all of the actors were fantastic–I thank God for Maggie Smith. In fact as Ms. Smith is in Gosford, so she remains in Downton. She plays the “snarky-yet-charming aristocrat” flawlessly.
Overall, I enjoyed Gosford Park. If you watch Downton Abbey, once you see this movie, you’ll probably go, “Ah-ha! So THIS‘s where they get that from…”
*I know the trailer makes Gosford Park look like a hoot. But I felt its tone was more solemn than Downton.
Life is kind of beautiful if you just let it come to you.
(Emphasis added)
Consider the weight of those words. Real life-balance can be an enigma. At times I really struggle, trying to figure out when to push for what I want, versus when to let things happen. And the older I get, the less sense it makes for me to fuss over things that are beyond my control.
There are things that I long to get out of this life. Things that cannot be forced.
Matthew 6 contains an interesting passage. Jesus is talking about man’s favorite mental illness: worry. More often than not, we get worked up over a desire for material things. Deep down I believe that many of us measure ourselves by our possessions. But verse 33 says
…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Can I confess something? Often, when I should be sleeping, I’m online. Do you know what I’m doing?
Wasting time. Looking at things that I want. Not have.
WANT.
For, you see, one day I would like an apartment in a different city, a career that I love, some new clothes…The list goes on and on.
Meanwhile, there’s work to be done. (I’m thankful that I’m learning to use this season of my life to prepare for its next phase.)
Lately, though, I’ve been thinking that I need to stop fussing over the desires of my heart, and start focusing on my mission.
“…seek first the kingdom of God…”
I really shouldn’t worry about anything else.
I mean, what’s the point. Verse 34 breaks it down even further.
…do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
The other night, I had to talk to myself.
Staying up late fixating on things that I can’t afford really isn’t gonna get me anywhere. The day is done. And whatever needs to be improved upon will have to wait.
So then. How do I go about seeking the Kingdom? I’m not speaking in an obligatory evangelical sense. (If you know me, you’ll know that I’m no hyper-conservative.) I just believe that human beings were meant for more.
The other day, three things came to mind. I don’t take full credit. Nothing that I mention can’t be found in scriptures.
Do you want to bring the Kingdom to life?
Do good.
Stay true to your purpose.
Show love to your fellow man.
I believe that those three ideas are at the crux of humanity’s mission. They are the heart of what we were called to do. And of letting life come to you. Indeed, they’re all I have any energy for.
I don’t understand the Apple hate. I really, really don’t.
Several weeks ago, my phone’s contract was about to expire. I decided to step into the smartphone world. I did my best to research the three main players–Android, Blackberry, and iPhone.
You see, I’d fantasized forever about getting an iPhone. I’ve owned a Macbook for a while, and I had a hunch that the switch would go as smoothly as the day when I stopped using my PC.
I was right.
Before I made a final decision, though, I wanted to make sure it was the right one. Little did I know I would nearly give myself an ulcer.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding today’s technology. In spite of my instincts, I started to fall for it.
And of course, there’s the trash talk…
Did you catch that slogan?
“We need tools, not toys.”
The first few times I heard that, I winced. If I bought an iPhone, would I be taken seriously? (I kid you not. I swear, that’s what I thought.) However, once I owned the “toy” in question, those words started getting on my nerves. They sounded like the taunt of a schoolyard bully who does a whole lot of huffing and puffing…Yet in reality he’s jealous because the kid he picks on is every bit as cool as him–if not cooler.
I mean, really. Have you seen the photos I’ve taken lately? My phone earns its keep.
More importantly…If you’re like I was–yearning for an iPhone, but on the fence, let me ease some of your fears.
From a distance, an iPhone may appear cute and cuddly. But it’s only as much of a toy as you make it out to be. Honestly. I swear, except for the times I keep downloading and deleting Angry Birds I don’t really bother with games.
Seriously. It’s actually quite functional. You can download apps that cover almost everything–from the silly to the serious.
And then there’s that other reason people might hesitate. The keyboard.
“Can you imagine answering eleventy-billion emails using a touch screen?”
Ok, so, the woman in the commercial didn’t actually say “eleventy billion”. But a touch screen is nothing to be afraid of. As with most of my life, the only time I ever screw up using mine is if I sit there and over-think things. If I just focus on what I want to say and type away, I’m fine.
Furthermore, as I was working on this post, I stopped to watch a video where Arianna Huffington called typing on an iPhone “painful”. Her comment received only a few claps, not a cacophony of applause.
Maybe it’s just me. But I’m not looking to write a novel on this thing. Thus far typing short messages has been a breeze.
In these e-streets, everyone’s got their preferences. But if you’re like I was, swooning over the iPhone’s features, and hesitating over nonsense, I have one word for you.
claire.she.goes 