Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

Healing Stones

Posted by terrepruitt on March 4, 2010

 

 

Recently I have become curious about healing stones. I am wanting to learn more about Chakras and in doing some research about them I came across information about colors and gemstones that heal. It is all very interesting to me. I am at the point where I believe that everything holds energy. But how or if that energy transfers over from stones and has the power to heal, I am still iffey on that.

I have come up with ideas and reason where I can comfortably accept that this is possible so, I figured why not get some pretty jewelry to boot.

Here is my first piece of chakra jewelry. I have been told that silver has strong healing properties, but I just don’t wear silver, so in my search to find something that I would wear that was under $70.00, I found this. I thought it was gorgeous, so when I saw that it was under $30.00 I figured that I was meant to have it. I had been looking for weeks, so I was so excited to find this. When I received it, I was not disappointed.

CROWN CHAKRA: Amethyst for spiritual awareness, meditation & transformation
BROW CHAKRA: Sodalite for higher knowledge, intuition, wisdom
THROAT CHAKRA: Blue Agate for courage, strength, acceptance
HEART CHAKRA: Malachite for balance, peace, healing
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA: Aragonite for truth, mental and emotional stability
PELVIC CHAKRA: Peace aventurine for prosperity, success & creativity
ROOT CHAKRA: Poppy Jasper for healing, grounding, and completion.

I believe it is actually “gold plated” wire, but it is awesome. I will continue to research this information and post as I learn and go along.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Movie and More That Is The Difference

Posted by terrepruitt on March 2, 2010

A month or so ago I received a call and was told that there is a woman who is going to make a movie about making a difference in the world and that I had been picked to be a collaborator. I was intrigued. I was told it would be a two hour meeting in San Jose at which I would be told about the project and then I would have the opportunity to decide if I wanted to be involved. (This clued me into the fact that there was a price tag.)

Well, I went to this meeting. First of all, I hadn’t seen the information that might have been out there that it would be a small meeting. I also had not seen the website so I had no idea what The Difference was about. I was surprised that it was a small meeting. But for the small amount of people the energy from the women there was amazing. There were all types of different women who do different things to make a difference; there was massage therapist, psychotherapist, feng shui designers, personal assistants, energy workers, Nia teachers (ok, that was me!), etc. Jacqueline Bignell was leading the meeting and she spoke to us in a very conversational manner. She was amazing at presenting her passion. She was great at getting the group excited and yearning for more.

She is going to make a movie, a two-hour docu-drama that she believes will change the world, by providing answers to questions like the following:

–Why are you here?
–What do you think your life’s purpose is?
–What do you do in your life to be truly filled with love and joy?

Her vision is to get 6000 people to collaborate on this, answering these questions. Their ideas, opinions, stories, etc. will be filtered up to a National Group who will filter it up to the World Group and they will filter it up to the script writer. The idea is to have four main characters in the movie. But the idea of the script is not quite formed yet.

Her mission is to touch the lives of 6 Billion people. The idea is that 6000 people can touch 60,000, 60,000 can touch 600,000, 600,000 can touch 6,000,000, and so on, multiplying by 10.

It was an amazing meeting. Her idea incredible, change the world with a movie. A movie collaboration of 6000 people, never been done . . . . .all amazing stuff. And the real idea is to have the 6000 people fund the movie, or at least pay to be collaborators.

In addition to being a collaborator you receive a lot of other things for your part in funding of the movie. Some incredible things . . . .to me what I think of it as is purchasing a self-improvement package where the end result is personal growth, a 6 minute interview on an internet TV show, inclusion in The Difference Website and The Difference Network, and bragging rights that you were a collaborator on this historic project.

But one of the big “sells” is that one’s self, one’s uniqueness would touch 6 Billion people. Now that is a great “sell” and sounds so very appealing, but with the filtering process I am not sure that it is an accurate selling point. I am not confident that my uniqueness, would actually get through the filters. My story could be the one that was filtered out. In addition, I am not confident that all 6 BILLION people will be “touched”. See what I am saying?

If you desire to become a collaborator and you are able, I have no doubt that if you actually participate in all that they are offering it will be an incredible experience. I believe that the training and mentoring that they say they are going to provide would be amazing . . .but you have to commit to do it. This is about a two year commitment.

I admire her for attempting this. I believe that it is an amazing idea.

I look forward to hearing more about this. I look forward to watching the end product. I look forward to seeing the difference The Difference makes.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Illusions

Posted by terrepruitt on February 25, 2010

I had an appointment this morning where I auditioned Nia in Palo Alto.  (So I could be teaching a Nia class in Palo Alto in addition to San Carlos . . . interesting how it all unfolds.)  On my way back to San Jose, I was able to stop and have lunch with a friend.  I am so blessed to be able to spend the afternoon with a friend who so kindly made me lunch.  She made an awesome pizza and salad . . . . a perfect meal in my book. 

I didn’t know what to post today and so when I got home and had an e-mail from another friend I thought, “Perfect!  People REALLY love the Marilyn Monroe Albert Einstein Optical Illusion.  They will go crazy for these.”

So here you go:

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Dietary Supplements

Posted by terrepruitt on February 13, 2010

We have a certain expectation of things in the United States.  We have the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) that regulates Biologics, Cosmetics, Drugs, Foods (except meat and poultry), Medical Devices, and Veterinary Products so we expect a level of safety.  Did you know that supplements are NOT required to be tested and/or approved by the FDA?  There are NO “clinical trials” or safety inspection administered by the FDA that a supplement is required to pass.  Most supplements aren’t even required to be so much as registered.

An Act was signed into law back in 1984 by President Clinton, the Dietary Supplemental Health and Education Act (DSHEA) that makes the supplement manufacture responsible for self regulation.  The supplement manufacture is to make sure the product is safe and pure, with NO policing.  No one checks on them.  This is a $27 Billion business (it could be more that figure is the only one I could find and it is from 2007–three years old).

There are rules about the labeling and so they are “supposed” to be truthful in their labeling.  The FDA steps in where there is a problem (as in reported deaths or mass illnesses), but there is no testing done by the FDA to ensure anything about the supplement before it is marketed and used by the public.

I just find that so amazing.  I wanted to share it with you because even though I know this, I still forget.  I would think that if you are concerned enough about your health and wellness that you want to take a supplement, I would check with your doctor to see if you really even need to be taking a supplement.  They are expensive and you might be getting all the nutrition you need from your diet.  That is actually the best way, but I understand that it not always possible.  I would advise people to be careful.  I would suggest that one way to be careful would be to buy supplements that are manufactured by trusted companies.  I like to think that a well known, well trusted company is going to produce a safe quality product.

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When the Earth Moves

Posted by terrepruitt on January 7, 2010

I was awake and aware for two recent earthquakes felt in my area of San Jose.  When you look at the information regarding earthquakes there are earthquakes all the time.  We just don’t always feel them.  The earthquakes that I have been feeling lately have been somewhat different.  They have been JOLTS.  Well at least two of the last three.  But the two I felt just recently were both different.  The first one was small.  It measured 2.8.  It started out as a little rumble.  I didn’t hear a rumble, I felt it, like a truck driving by on the street, then it felt as if someone gave the house a little shove.

Then next one or the one I felt most recently was a 4.1.  It was more of the kind I am used to.  I am used to the shaking kind.  I don’t like the rolling kind, I am more familiar with the shaking kind.

So, yeah, if you have never been in an earthquake they are different.  I am assuming it has to do with what plates are doing the moving.  But there is the kind that shake, the kind that roll, and this sort of new-to-me jolting kind.  Odd.  Sometimes there are ones that shake and roll, but I don’t remember having felt one of those in a while.

I was not in the Bay Area when the Loma Prieta quake hit.  But I felt it all the way in Rohnert Park, near Santa Rosa, past San Francisco.  It was odd the way it worked out, the day before our neighbor in the office next door had been hanging pictures and banging on the wall and shaking it.  So my boss and I thought that was what was happening. 

I remember hearing a long time ago that each number on the Richter Scale actually is 10 times as much movement.  So if we have a point 4 earthquake it is actually 10 times as much movement as a 3 pointer would be.  So the difference just sounds like a digit but in actual energy and movement it is a lot more. I can’t even begin to fathom the example that was given.  It was something like, an earthquake with a magnitude of one releases as much energy as 6 ounces of TNT, but an 8 pointer is as much as 6 million tons of TNT.  Huh?  Either way, that is a HUGE, HUGE difference.  Way more than just 7 digits of measurement it sounds like.  

Earthquakes are weird.  There are so many things in our world that can make it move sometimes we don’t even realize we are having an earthquake.  I used to work in a building where every time someone stomped by my entire cubical it would shake.  So I often didn’t even know when we were having an earthquake, I just thought it was someone walking by my cube.

Today, I saw so much talk regarding earthquakes I was amazed.  It seems like everyone has something to say about an earthquake.  Either they were in one, they don’t like them, they do like them, they think they are fun, they are afraid of them, or they didn’t feel it.  Even people that have never been in one have stuff to say.  It is amazing.

Since so many people have stuff to say about them, I thought you might want to share something.  For me one of the three earthquakes I mentioned above made our house felt like it received a BIG shove.  Stuff was knocked off the walls.  Have you been in one?  Have you never been in one, but they are still scary? Do your animals freak out right before there is one?  Were you around this area in ‘89?  Share.

Posted in Misc, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Review Blog Year – Top Ten

Posted by terrepruitt on December 31, 2009

So here it is the end of the year.  I have been blogging since March (2009).  I have posted 130 times.  This is 131.  I thought I would end the year with a review of some of my favorites and according to the numbers some of your favorites too.  Here they are, not in any order:

Lyrics Gone Wrong . . . I had entertained the idea of doing this once a month, but after the second month I ran out of songs to play with.

Interesting Picture – Marilyn Monroe Albert Einstein . . . I LOVE optical illusions and this one is a doosey.

Hummingbird Tongues . . . they still fascinate me and I am still surprising people with the fact that the birds have tongues and use them more than the beak is a straw.  And usually they tongues dart in and out so fast it is a rare treat to catch it out for a picture.  Yay!

A Poem Says A Lot . . . Fabulous!  We Have Come To Be Danced . . .

Nia Belt System . . . Before you can move onto the next belt they say a year must pass.   You do not have to get involved.  It is a great workout without being involved with the belts.  The belt system only comes into play if you care to get that involved in Nia.  Nia’s belts mimic some Martial Arts; white, green, blue, brown, black.    I am learning so much with my White Belt, I can see myself waiting at least another year before I move onto the next belt.  There is so much to learn and enjoy in each belt, I am not in a hurry.

Say: “I Am Wonderful” . . . I like to say this, I like to hear this song.  I like to remind people to go to iTunes each week to download the free song.

A Brief Look At Nia . . . still excited to share Nia with people.  It is a great body-mind practice and a workout that can make you sweat yet not really feel like exercise.  It is learning to follow the body’s way.

Wrapping Tips . . . WHAT?  I was shocked that everyone did not read my blog.  On Christmas Day and the dayafter the bags and bags and bags and bags of wrapping trash that I saw on the curbs just blew my mind. In this day and in these times, I was just utterly flabbergasted that people don’t re-use the wrappings.  It amazed and saddened me.

My Favorite Mugs . . . so I found out that not everyone got my little joke.  Ya know, back in the day(what day, I don’t know), they used to call faces mugs . . . get it now?

The Seven Cycles Of A Nia Workout . . . The workout has cycles, somewhat like Jazzercise.  I like to share this aspect of Nia so people have an idea of what a workout class will be like.  We set a focus and an intent, step in, warm up and move all the way through the cycles to the floor, and then we step out.

Well, thank you so much for joining me on my blog.  I hope that you continue to read, I hope you enjoy and learn.  I learn from your comments so keep them coming.  Thank you for a great year.  Here is to the NewYear.

But . . .before we jump into the New Year, share with me what your favorite post from my blog was?  AND/OR give meideas on what you would like to see posted in the New Year.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Calories in Alcohol

Posted by terrepruitt on December 26, 2009

Tis the season I am sure you know that different alcoholic beverages have different nutiritional value. I am not going to post about the negative issues on alcohol, we all know that it is not the best thing that we can be including in our diet. There are choices that can be made when you know a few things. I just wanted to remind you of a few things. According to Fitday.com

White table wine (3.5 oz) has 85 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat

Reisling (3.5 oz) has 80 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat

Gewurztraminer (3.5 oz) has 81 calories, 2.6 carbs, and no fat

Red table wine (3.5 oz) has 87.5 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat

Merlot (3.5 oz) has 83.3 calories, 2.5 carbs, and no fat

Zinfandel (3.5 oz) has 88.3 calories, 2.8 carbs, and no fat

Burgundy (3.5 oz) has 86.3 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat

Eggnog made with whole milk (8 oz) 306.2 calories, 30.7 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of fat. This is not including the alcohol.

An ounce/shot of brandy has 64.2 calories, 0 carbs, and no fat

Online is telling me that 3.4 oz of champagne has 76 calories, 2 carbs, and no fat

I am not sure what type of champagne that is and I know that I typically drink sparkling wine not champagne. I am just sharing sharing some facts since this is the time of year where many people that don’t usually drink might have a drink or two. One way to assist yourself in avoiding alcohol altogether is to volunteer to be the designated driver. That is an additional incentive to not indulge.

Whatever you do, enjoy, but remember moderation is the key. And be responsible.

I don’t have a special “Holiday Drink” but I always hear about people have special drinks they indulge in over the Holiday season. I would love to hear about your special drink. Leave a comment sharing it with us all.

Happy Holidays!

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Wrapping Tips

Posted by terrepruitt on December 17, 2009

As you know I post about things other than health, wellness, exercise, and working out.  I do try to post helpful things.

Recently we got a box of wrapping paper down and I opened it up and there was a pile of folded kind of crumpled paper.  I pulled it out and set it aside.  I figured that I saved it to use to re-use for wrapping.  But it was so crumbled I didn’t have the heart to try to deal with it at that moment.  So as I was wrapping over the next couple of days it dawned on me what that pile of paper really was for—-packing.  A couple of years ago I started saving paper that had been used.  If it was pretty or I really liked it I save it. 

I use my shredder to shred the wrapping paper.  When I use those handy gift bags I use the paper shredded instead of using tissue paper.  I also use shredding wrapping paper when I am shipping packages (usually in addition to another recycled packing product).  I really like this idea of re-using the paper.  Other paper that works is the paper that is too small to use to actually wrap a gift.  It all looks really pretty and festive once it is shredded.  It works really great when you have two sided paper.

I love wrapping paper, but I think it is a huge waste, so if I can re-use something I love it.  I save bows to re-use themDrives my husband crazy  It used to drive my husband crazy, but I save them and re-use them.  Please don’t be offended if you ever receive a gift from me with a bow taped on the package.  That actually means that I recued that bow from being thrown away then loveing stored it and saved it until it had the perfect recepient.

I also don’t usually write on the gift bag or put the stick name tag directly on it.  I usually stick the tag on the shredded paper or stick it to itself over the cord/handle of the bag.  That way the recipient can use the bag again. 

Sometimes these bags can become family traditions.  You can use a gift special back to swap back and forth.  For years my family had a bag going back and forth.  It was a sea of white cartoon rabbits with one rabbit dressed in red and white.  It lasted a long time, but eventually it tore and we moved on, but it was fun while it lasted. 

Bags, tissue, bows, and shredding aren’t meant to last forever, but if they get more than one use, that is a great thing.

If you really want to be resourceful and “green” you could always give one of those reusable grocery bags as the gift bag, “wrap” the gift it that!

Do you have any wrapping re-use ideas?  What works out for you and your family?

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments »

Giving Thanks

Posted by terrepruitt on November 26, 2009

I am not a big fan of Thanksgiving. I don’t care for any of the traditional fare; sweet potatoes (especially with marshmallows, what is up with that?), stuffing, dressing, turkey, gravy, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. I don’t get excited for the big dinner. I do, however, like the idea of having a day where we give thanks.

It looks like the United States and Canada are the countries that do the Thanksgiving celebrating. But according to Wiki Grenada and the Netherlands do some celebrating to. The time of celebration was about the harvest, but now, as with a lot of Holidays it has morphed into something else.

I have been blessed with so many things to be thankful for, I make it a point to say thanks everyday. But with a day designated for giving thanks I get to gather with my family near my home in San Jose. Sometimes we get to be with both families, but this year it didn’t work out that way and we are staying local. I am thankful for all my blessings.  Including you.

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TechKaraoke SV and Silicon Valley Tweet-Up Joined Forces

Posted by terrepruitt on October 29, 2009

On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, TechKaraoke SV and Silicon Valley Tweet-Up joined forces and held one major party at Rosie McCann’s in Santana Row near the heart San Jose. There was talking, dancing, drinking, eating, singing, laughing, networking, and all of it going on at a very high decibel.

Some great prizes were raffled off:

- a bluetooth headset (a Plantronics Discovery 975)
- a portable storage drive from Seagate
- a cookie basket filled with Halloween cookies from Cookies By Design
- Archos/Viliv Mobile Internet Device (MID) powered by the Intel Atom Processor

There was so much excitement about these prizes that I barely heard the numbers being called and I didn’t hear who won anY of the fabulous prizes. This even was also raising money for Anissa Lopez Foundation / George Mark Children’s House.

Michael Brito, the founder of Silicon Valley Tweetup, announced he was leaving Intel for Edelman Digital.

I met several people and connected with some people I have had the privilege of meeting before. I love tweetups because it shows that the internet’s social media network is really a social network. People coming together in real life after having met and communicated via the internet is really an amazing thing. This was the first SV Tweetup that I was able to attend because I didn’t have a class.  I think I have missed the ones in the past because I was teaching.  I knew I had been missing out, but now I truly understand what I was missing. I am hoping that it will workout that I am available for the next one because I really enjoyed myself at this one.  Also, I believe I heard Michael announce it will be a book signing for Shel Israel, but then again, it was so loud I could have heard wrong. You will have to stay tuned to see . . . .

There were a lot of great costumes there, but this was my favorite!

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »