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Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

Weighted Bar

Posted by terrepruitt on January 20, 2011

Look what my parents bought me for Christmas. Yup, I asked for dumbbells, but I did it at the last minute so then gave me cash instead—WAIT! I just realized that. Hmmm? Maybe I’m onto something . . . . Sorry, I digress. Anyway . . .they gifted me more than plain dumbbells cost so I got a weighted bar too! Yay! I just got it and I can’t wait until my toe is COMPLETELY healed so I can really use the bar.

A weighted bar can be used in so many ways. It can be used as you would use dumbbells. You can use it for bicep curls, bent over rows, dead lifts, lunges, triceps extensions . . . . pretty much like dumbbells. The length adds to the effort of having to keep it stable. So, I can use it now, sitting down, but since it does add an additional balance element to it, I need to wait until my toe is healed (and I can actually balance my foot) before I start adding that extra weight.

One reason wanted this was so that I could do Good Mornings, because that is one exercise that needs a bar. Holding the bar over your shoulders just makes more sense.

For now I am able to still do Nia in my classes, but I am limited until my toe heals. I am not doing much with weights at the time being. I am very excited to really get to work with my bar, though. So stay tuned.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: balance exercise, bent over rows, bicep curls, Christmas, dead lifts, dumbbells, lunges, Nia, Nia balance, Nia Classes, Nia exercise, triceps extensions, weight bar, weighted bar | 6 Comments »

New Year’s Day

Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2011

So how was your New Year’s Day? Did you get to a Nia class? Do you think that the first day of the New Year dictates how the year will go for you? I was thinking about that today when I started to make something to eat. I went into our closet that we use as a pantry — we had ants. They were after a particular box of cereal. The entire closet had to be emptied out so that we could find out where they were coming from. I believe we live on an ant hill because every time it rains they get washed up. Anyway, I didn’t want to spend my entire New Year’s Day cleaning up after ants. I have other household chores that need to be done, but I am trying to rest my toe. So I thought for a moment, “Great. If this is any indication of how the year is going to go — oh my!” But then, my hubby jumped in to help.

He emptied the entire closet . . . . which was awesome because as you can imagine emptying a closet is just a lot of walking back and forth. As silly as it may sound (and it sounds pretty silly) I thought that it was pretty great that we had this project to do together. He seemed pretty happy to be helping and I was so glad to have the help.

So, I am thinking of two ideas:

The first day of the year is not really an indication of how the year is going to go. It is just a day and if was covered in ants, oh well, move on and make it a great year.

OR, the first day is an indication of how the year is going to go and spending the day working on a project – no matter that it wasn’t a fun one we would have chosen – with my hubby gives me an idea of what a great year this is going to be. I’ll get projects done and I’ll be with my hubby.

That leaves me with questions for you:

How was your New Year’s Day?

Do you think that the first day of the year might serve as a hint into how the year will go?

How is your year going to go?

NOTE: Please remember my Nia Class in Los Gatos has a new start time beginning Friday, January, 7, 2011 – the class is now at 10:30 am.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2011, bad days, Happy New Year, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Nia Class, New Year, New Year's Day, Nia, Nia class, Nia Los Gatos | 6 Comments »

Looking Back to Look Forward into 2011

Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2010

Tomorrow morning is my last Nia class of 2010, it will be in Los Gatos at 9:30 am. I mention this because I am ending 2010 with three classes a week. I mention that because someone was reminding me that the end of the year Holidays (Christmas, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Advent, Yule, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Yalda, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, and the New Year – just to name a few) are difficult for some because it is a time of reflection and sometimes dwelling on all that was not accomplished in the passing year and maybe even dwelling on some of one’s failures. Once when I was sharing with one of my Nia students all that I still had to learn just in regards to Nia, she reminded me of how far I had come. Instead of listing my goals and resolutions for the new year, I am going to share some of the things I did accomplish.

–completed my second year teaching Nia

–consistently taught Nia at least twice a week all year

–taught up to four classes in one week

–subbed several Nia classes

–taught classes at a Park and Recreation Center

–consistently posted to my blog

–penned at least 200 blog posts (I post on other blogs)

–witnessed an increase of number of participants in my Willow Glen Nia class

–paid studio rent with funds solely collected from teaching Nia

–taught at a few Nia Jams

–held a Nia workshop

–raised over $300 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society

–been married for 12 years

–went from two Nia classes a week to three classes a week

–started up a new Nia class in Los Gatos

While some of these may seem small or as if they didn’t require a lot of effort, that is not the point. The point of this post / exercise is to celebrate things no matter how big, how small, how easy, or how difficult. It is just a moment to do a Snoopy Dance because they are. It is a way to not dwell on all that has not been done or all that has yet to be done. It is just to say, “Aahhh.” and with that ahh turn my face towards the future and the excitement of what 2011 will hold.

So? What about you? What is on your list of things you did?

Happy New Year.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2010, 2011, Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Kwanzaa, Los Gatos Nia, Multiple Sclerosis Society, New Year, Nia, Nia class, Nia Jam, Nia Los Gatos, Nia sub, Nia Teacher, Nia workshop, Park and Recreation Center, Snoopy Dance, teaching Nia, time of reflection, Willow Glen Nia class, Winter Solstice, Yule | 4 Comments »

FIREWORK (Katy Perry)

Posted by terrepruitt on December 28, 2010

When I got home from Nia one day last week, my husband was “singing” this song. I could not tell what he was singing so he found it on the internet and played if for me. I really love it. I think it is great. This song is from Katy Perry’s album Teenage Dream. Every time I hear it I get teary-eyed. I hoping to get over that soon as I received the album as a Christmas gift and I keep playing it over and over.

FIREWORK

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind wanting to start again
Do you ever feel feel so paper-thin
like a house of cards one blow from caving in
Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under screams but not one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you ‘cause there’s a spark in you
You just gotta

Ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the Fourth of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

You don’t have to feel like a wasted space
You’re original cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds after a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe a reason why all the doors were closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt your heart will glow
And when it’s time you’ll know
You just gotta

Ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the Fourth of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now its time to let it through-ooo-ooo
‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awwwwwwwwe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Can this be the song that the crowd stops their conversation for, raises their glasses, and sings along. Can this be the new anthem? Can we cheer each other on? Can this be the new girls’ night out song? Can we throw out “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” and “Before He Cheats” and embrace what everyone has inside? What do you think?

This song was written by: Katy Perry, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilheim, and Ester Dean

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: Before He Cheats, Christmas gift, Firework, fireworks, Girls' anthem, I’ve Got Friends In Low Places, Ignite the light and let it shine, Katy Perry, Katy Perry's album Teenage Dream, Katy Perry's Firework, Nia, Teenage Dream, words to Firework | 8 Comments »

Merry Christmas

Posted by terrepruitt on December 25, 2010

I am posting a picture of our Christmas Tree (again).

I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas.

If Christmas is not a part of your celebrations, I hope that you will still allow the joy and fun of the season in. It is my intent to wish you well for this season and for the New Year.

Thank you for your support.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: Christmas 2010, Christmas celebrations, Merry Christmas, New Year | 3 Comments »

Greenies Reduce Holiday Waste

Posted by terrepruitt on December 23, 2010

People that are interested in being “green”, remember this is the season of tremendous waste, so if you can reuse, recycle, and don’t waste.

In the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, American households generate 25% more waste. That’s about 1 million extra tons of trash each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That includes everything from food to wrapping paper, holiday decorations, packaging, and old cellphones and laptops that are unceremoniously dumped . . . .(copied directly from CNNMoney.com)

Be creative with your wrapping.

-Use newspaper
-Use the packing paper that came with the shipped gift.
Have the kids draw on it to make it special.
-Use some of the kids drawings.
From what I understand kids come home with a least ONE drawing everyday. Take a picture of it so you will have it forever, then pass it on to someone special. Use it to wrap gifts, or use it to cushion a gift.

You know I am a fan of shredding used gift wrapping paper to use as pretty packing in gift bags or boxes. Well this year I in additions to shredding that already used paper I just used it as packing paper. I just crumpled it and put it around the gift and cushioned the item with it. I thought of taking a picture to use in this post, but I didn’t want to take a chance the receiver (of the gift) would see.

One of my friends on FB said that when she sold the wrapping paper for the school fundraiser she actually used the swatched to wrap little gifts. I think that is an awesome reuse method.

My mother and I have a few cloth bags that we give back and forth. I laughed this year when I opened the box that holds my gift bags and found a note in one that said, “Give back to mom.” We will just keep it going back and forth until it can not long hold anything.

That can be both a fun and silly tradition as well as a “green” thing to do!

Then remember to save that wrapping paper and the bows you get this year to use for next year. If you are just going to shred the paper or use it for packing it doesn’t take up that much room. It can be folded.

Or use that wrapping paper to wrap some of those precious ornaments you just received.

Give a gift in a reusable shopping bag/tote. That is THREE gifts in one. You are giving a gift in a bag the receiver can use PLUS you are helping the environment. I count that as at least three.

What else? What do you do to help reduce the waste over this season? C’mon, share your ideas . . . we can always use more ideas on how to reuse!

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: cell phones, CNNMoney, Core Fitness, Core Fitness Los Gatos, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, gift wrap, green, holiday decorations, laptops, Los Gatos Nia, Nia, Nia Los Gatos, recycling wrapping paper, small gym | 2 Comments »

Scarves

Posted by terrepruitt on December 18, 2010

As I was getting ready for my Nia class the other day, I thought “How cold is it?” I was trying to decide how to wear my scarf. Then I thought this would be a great blog post because when I first learned how to wear a scarf I was amazed. Then as I grabbed the laptop to type this up I realized that a lot of my readers probably already know this because they are from colder areas than California. Maybe if you don’t live in the Bay Area then you might not know how we wear our scarves so I will be sharing that with you.

A few years back I was getting ready to leave work, I hung my scarf on my neck then grabbed one end and started wrapping. My co-worker saw me and started chuckling when I asked her what she was laughing about she explained that people in California wear their scarves different from people back East. She was from back East and was accustomed too much lower temperatures. I was so curious. I had never thought about wearing my scarf a different way so I asked her to show me. She took my scarf, folded it in half, hung it around my neck and tucked the loose ends into the folded end. WHOA! I laughed. I instantly recognized how much warmer that is.

Here in the San Jose Bay Area – maybe all over California we wear scarves more as an accessory than for warmth. Then when we want to be warm we throw one end over our shoulder. If we want to be REALLY warm we wrap the scarf around our neck a few times. All of these methods leave our lower neck/upper chest area exposed. But when you fold then hang it around your neck then tuck the loose ends your lower neck/upper chest area get completely covered. It is so warm and cozy that way.

I actually wear my scarves these two different ways. Usually on my way TO my Nia class I fold and tuck. On the way home because I am usually hot and sweaty from working out I just throw it over my neck and wrap. This helps me stay a little warm but not as warm as when I fold it and tuck it. So? What do you think? Did you know this?

How do you wear your scarf? Do you wrap? Do you tuck? Do you do one or the other depending on the need?

Folded in half then tucked.

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: Bay Area Nia, California weather, cold weather, East Coast, Nia, Nia class, Nia San Jose, San Jose Bay Area Nia class, San Jose Nia, scarf | 14 Comments »

Yarrow

Posted by terrepruitt on December 14, 2010

I once mentioned to a friend that I had a cough or some congestion in my lungs/chest, she suggested I take yarrow. She had said that it aides in lung health. When I looked it up, I remember finding information supporting that, but that was some time ago. I bought a bottle of capsules and took them on and off until they were gone. When I tried to find it again I had a difficult time finding it. It took me a long time to find another bottle. I think this all happened over a period of two or three years. So now here I am thinking I could post about it and the information I am finding on the internet is vast and interesting.

As with any supplement you are thinking about taking you should talk to your doctor so s/he can advise you of any adverse side effects that might occur when mixed with any medication you are currently taking.

As I look at the information out there today I cannot find but one thing that says it helps with “upper respiratory phlegm”, but not more about lung health. There is a lot of information that says it helps with a lot of things that could be associated with lung health. It actually looks as if this herb does everything. I see that it is used as an antiseptic and an astringent.

Information states that it aides in digestion and is used to treat inflammation.

It is used to treat colds, flu, and hay fever. Since it is used as an anti-inflammatory then it makes sense that it would be a good thing to use if you have a cold, flu, or hay fever because inflammation is a symptom of those ailments.

Yarrow contains flavanoids which are linked to antioxidants.

It is used to help with muscle spasms, gas (both preventive and expulsion), and over production of sweat.

As with most herbs there are several ways to use or take Yarrow. I myself have capsules and a liquid. There are oils and teas and compounds that can be applied topically.

I think that some of the things that yarrow is stated to help might actually need medical attention so even though this herb sounds great be cautious and don’t necessarily substitute medical attention with an herb. For me, even though herbs have side effects and we cannot always be certain of the purity of our herbs, I personally believe that herbs are a good thing to take as a supplement to a healthy diet.

What do you think about herbal supplements?

Posted in Flowers, Misc | Tagged: anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, cold help, digestion aid, flavanoids, flu help, hay fever, healthy diet, help congestion, herbal supplement, lung health, upper respiratory, Yarrow | 6 Comments »

Honey Do List

Posted by terrepruitt on December 11, 2010

Ok, so every year at Christmas my friends and I get together to celebrate. Today is our 24th year. I am explaining that because I am in a rush but I want to post something. I know if I don’t do it before I leave I won’t do it when I come back. Since I have my injured toe all I was able to do yesterday was teach my Nia class and decorate the tree. It takes me a long time to do anything so my posting is a little rushed. But . . . . I still think this is a great idea . . . .and that is why I am posting it. Its about the Honey Do List.

Are you lucky enough to have a partner that helps with things? Do you make a list? Well, I am lucky enough to have a hubby that does things. He always helps me a lot when I have company coming over and he is REALLY doing a lot because he wants me to rest my foot. I am going to share something with you that I think should be on EVERY Honey Do List all the time.

I think it is nice to let your honey know that s/he is appreciated. So I include that on the list of things to do. Yup. The list might look like this:

Silly, maybe, but I think this is part of wellness. My hubby works hard and I think it is important to let him know that he is appreciated. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated. I think it goes a long way. If your honey is looking at the list of things to do and sees that it could make his/her day. I think happy and positive go a long way. If your partner is running around doing things in a state of “grump” that just adds to the negativity out there. If s/he is running around in a state of “I’m appreciated”, it adds to the positivity out there.

Well, that is my take on it. What do you think?

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: appreciated, chores, Christmas, Christmas celebration, happy vibes, Honey Do list, how to get your honey to do things, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, positive vibes | 4 Comments »

Broccoli Mess

Posted by terrepruitt on December 9, 2010

I have to save up most of my “vertical” for my Nia classes right now. Even though I have injured/broke my toe I am still teaching my classes because Nia really is about the individual moving in his or her own way. But I still need to rest it as much as possible. Even though I am “letting go” of doing a few things this season, I am still trying to make it look “Christmasy” in the house. Since I was moving a lot today I was trying to come up with an easy dinner. Also, since I need to rest my foot my hubby has been cleaning the kitchen every night. So needing a quick easy dinner AND trying to use as few dishes that need hand washing as possible, AND trying not make a mess I was not thrilled with the thought of the mess that preparing broccoli makes.

I am going to admit that I have been making less broccoli than I think we should eat because I do not like to deal with the mess it makes. I usually just cut it in the sink so I can just rinse all the little particles down the drain, but I didn’t even want to stand that long. So I realized that I could just cut it while it was in the bag. YAY!!! No broccoli mess. No little particles all over the place.

Ok, I know this is a silly thing, but I thought it was a good idea. Saved me a lot of time. Since I am short on time that I can be ‘doing’, both this quick post and the quick tip are part of doing what I have to do in order to get to resting my foot in order to be ready for my Nia class in Los Gatos tomorrow.

Do you have any quick tips about dealing with broccoli?

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: broccoli, broccoli mess, broccoli particles, broccoli tip, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Nia Class, Nia class, Nia Classes, Nia Los Gatos, Nia Teacher | 4 Comments »

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Terre Pruitt's Blog

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

I teach yoga, Nia, and stretch online!

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