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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Box And Paper Magic

Posted by terrepruitt on October 9, 2017

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitWhen we first got Spot the Cat I wasn’t working. I think I was home for a few months. But when we first got her I still didn’t want to get her a big scratching, lounging type of tower. I couldn’t decide on a tower and I thought it was a good idea to change up her play structures. I thought that having large sturdy boxes that we could change was better for her to play in. I thought it would help her from getting bored. When we first got her my husband worked at a company where there was often surplus boxes around. He worked at a box company so sometimes the mock-up box created for a client would go unused. About once every three or four months either he would bring home a box or we would use one that we had something delivered in. He and I took turns cutting the box. We would cut “doors” and holes in it so she could jump in and out of it or crawl around. It is amazing how much fun cats have in boxes. Eventually we got a tower, but when we had access to a big sturdy box we use it, too. We do the same thing with our two cats now. Boxes and packing paper seem to be items that bring endless hours of entertainment and/or help bring the interest back in a toy.

A while back we got something in a big sturdy box. My husband cut the doors and holes in it and we gave to the cats. They love it. I have made my husband suffer through keeping the box. I move it out into the garage (and this is where the suffering comes in because it gets in our way) every once in a while, taking it away from the cats. I keep it out there for a month or so, then I bring it back in. I think this one, I had it out there for a long time this last time I took it out because my husband threatened to throw it away quite a few times. When I brought it back in the house it was totally worth all of our “suffering”. Our cats, especially Nessa when crazy over it. They rubbed all over it and jumped in it. Nessa was ALWAYS in it. They love their box.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitIt works well because Nessa is such a tiny light cat, she can jump up on it. Teagan can be on it, but she is not as much of a jumper as Nessa. The chase each other in and out of it. We use the fliers to have them play in the box. They love it.

Christmas is coming so the house gets crowded with the tree so the box will be going out again soon. It will be out for a few months then come back in.

But the packing paper will probably stay for a while. We use that to entertain the cats too. It comes and goes. So many things come packed in packing paper we always have some around. The cats love that too. Teagan will NOT tolerate a flier being under the paper. Or anything for that matter. She can be sound asleep and if you put a toy under the paper she will jump up and pounce on it. She is hilarious when it comes to something under the paper.

Nessa likes to play with toys and the paper, too. It is really as if the toy is brand new.

Two easy ways to bring life back into a neglected toy – use it with a box or packing paper. Also easy and simple ways to give something to the cats to play with. The box alone and the paper alone provide entertainment. Add a toy to it and there ya go.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitDoes your cat love packing paper?  Do your cats love to play in forts made of boxes?  Do your cats get hours of entertainment out of packaging?

 

 

Posted in Cats, Teagan and Nessa | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Sweet Memory

Posted by terrepruitt on October 6, 2017

Awww. Here is my first little girl. This is Spot the Cat. I came across this while looking for a picture to post for today’s Friday Photo. I decide on this one. This was from June 2011. She was a sweet cat.  She was an angel.

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Posted in Friday Photo, Spot | Tagged: , | 6 Comments »

More Fruit With Salad Greens

Posted by terrepruitt on October 4, 2017

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitIt seems like we are starting to be rid of our really hot weather. YAY! I love wearing my warm fuzzy socks around the house. The weather got cool, but then it did got hot again.  But not so hot that it never cooled down. I think I saw some predictions of temps in the 80° for this week, which is hot for me, but as long as it cools down at night, it is bearable. When it was still really hot we were eating fruit on our salad greens – Cool Summer Salads. For me it is basically the same thing . . . fruit on greens. But there are some interesting flavor combinations. I am finding that I really love lavender with the fruit. Here are two more ways we had fruit on our salads.

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Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitArugula With Plums And Walnuts

Arugula
Plums
Walnuts
White onion
Fig Balsamic Vinegar
Basil Olive Oil
Lavender Salt

 

A couple of handfuls per serving. Cut up a plum (you can use one for two servings or one PER serving) – depends on how much fruit you want per serving. Chop up a handful of walnuts per serving. Chop up some white onion (about 1/4 a cup per serving).

Put the arugula in a bowl with the cut up plum and chopped walnuts. Mix in the chopped onion. Drizzle with the fig balsamic Vinegar and basil olive oil. Then sprinkle with lavender salt.

 

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I love the lavender salt so much I bought some lavender. I thought it would be good to add to salads since I use the lavender salt. Plus I want to make some lavender salt, I am almost out.

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Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitArugula With Mango And Lavender

Arugula
Mango
White onion
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Lavender
Salt

 

A couple of handfuls per serving. Cut up a mango (you can use one for two servings or one PER serving) – depends on how much fruit you want per serving. Just like the plum. Grind the lavender up a little bit. Chop up some white onion (about 1/4 a cup per serving).

Put the arugula in a bowl with the cut up mango. Mix in the chopped onion. Drizzle with the Balsamic Vinegar and olive oil. Then sprinkle with crushed lavender and salt.

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I love the sweetness of the fruit with the spiciness of the rocket.  Then the layer of gentle sweetness from the lavender is so nice.  There is also the little kick from the onions.  I didn’t think I would like onions and fruit, but it turns out I do.

So what do you add to your salad when you put fruit on the greens?

Posted in Food, Fruit, Vegetables | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

A Different Perspective

Posted by terrepruitt on September 29, 2017

This is kind of a cheat because my husband took this. I was taking pictures of the bottle and the glass because I thought it was pretty and he set it up and took an artistic shot. I like it.

Artsy photo for today’s Friday Photo.

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Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Dang! I Love Pumpkin For Dinner

Posted by terrepruitt on September 27, 2017

It is that season! YAY! Stuffed pumpkins for dinner!!!! YUM!  I posted this recipe in 2013 in my post Pumpkin For Dinner. But I was cleaning up my desktop a bit and I found these pictures from 2015 which are so much better than the ones from 2013. So I wanted to share them.

My poor friends on Facebook get oodles of stuffed pumpkins pictures during the season!

This is one of my favorite meals and this is the time of of year!  Now I am so hungry for a stuffed pumpkin!

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Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFit

Have you tried it yet?

Posted in Food | Tagged: , , , , , | 14 Comments »

Baked Avocado Fries

Posted by terrepruitt on September 25, 2017

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitYou probably know that avocados are a source of unique fat.  Not just good fat, but unique fat.  Not too long ago I made my husband some avocado fries. Ya know, anything that is cut lengthwise and breaded is called a fry even if it is baked. But basically it is just breaded avocado slices. But he liked them. I make them again last night. I had bought the avocado on Friday and meant to do it then, but something came up. So by Sunday the avocados were softer than I would have liked. I had bought two, not sure if I had planned on making them both, but by the time I got around to it one of them was too soft. But the process is really simple, as long as you don’t mind getting avocado on your hands and under your nails. I do, but . . . whatever.

 

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Baked Avocado Fries

One firm avocado*
flour (1/2 – 3/4 cup)
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milk (1/2 – 1 teaspoon)
bread crumbs (3/4 to 1 cup)
seasonings**
olive oil
parchment paper

Options for dipping:

sour cream
ketchup
ranch

 

I used brown flour, panko bread crumbs, season salt, and garlic salt

**season salt, salt, garlic salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, use whatever you want

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle a little olive oil on the paper/pan.

Put the flour in a dish that allows you to put a few (or all) of the avocado slices.  Sprinkle some of your seasonings into the flour.  In a separate dish scramble the egg with a little milk. Sprinkle some of your seasonings into the egg.  Put the bread crumbs in a dish that allows you to put a few (or all) of the avocado slices. Sprinkle some of your seasonings into the breadcrumbs.  Slice the avocado lengthwise, then cut off the skin. Dip each slice in the flour, then dip each slice in the egg, then coat each slice with bread crumbs.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitPlace the floured-egged-breaded avocado slices on the pan. Space them apart so that they can get crispy.  Sprinkle some olive oil onto each slice.

Put the pan with the slices on it in the oven for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes check on the “fries”. Take them out and turn each one over. Then put the pan back in the oven for 15 or 20 minutes.

Once the coating is crispy. Take them out and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.

This second time I made them my husband used just plain sour cream to dip his “fries” into.  I do not remember what he used the first time . . . I don’t know what that orange stuff is (pictured).  I bet it was left over from something.  So not something we bought, just something we had on hand.

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*You can use a very ripe avocado, it just makes the dredging and dipping a little more challenging.  The avocado needs to be firm enough that the slices will hold.  As I said, the avocados I bought ended up more ripe than I would have liked, but it worked.

Do you like avocado “fries”?

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Posted in "Recipes", Food | Tagged: , , , , , , | 26 Comments »

Pretty Lunch Plate

Posted by terrepruitt on September 22, 2017

I love a good tea lunch plate. And this one was lovely. It is actually from LAST year’s birthday celebration at Lisa’s Tea Treasures, but I just ran across it. I thought it was lovely so I wanted to post it for today’s Friday Photo.

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Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , | 7 Comments »

Birthday 2017

Posted by terrepruitt on September 18, 2017

Sigh. We all grieve in different ways. We all feel it differently. For many of us we agree that there is no right or wrong way. Many of us navigate the waters of grief the best way we can. We also try to help others do so in their own way. Different days and different occasions affect people in different ways. Many people get emotional on the birthday of the loved ones that have died. I understand that because a birthday represents another year that the person WOULD HAVE been alive. It represents a passage of time when memories could have been created. Also the DATE of the death is a heavy one. I feel that even if I think I am going ok emotionally around the date of death, my body responds in its own way. The day I really get sad is on MY birthday. Today is my birthday and it is the first birthday where I am not getting a daughter card. You know, one of those mushy cards where a parent tells you how you are the greatest, bestest, light of their life. It is sad.

Last week, the 12th, marked a year since the last day I saw my dad alive. It was to be only two months until I visited him again, but . . . . .

So, today, I’m a little sad. There is a message on my answering machine (yes, we still have one of those) that I have played a few times. It is my dad wishing me happy birthday last year. I don’t know where I was that I wasn’t able to answer the phone. I think I called him back and talked to him . . .but it might have been the next day.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitFor me MY birthday is more poignant than her (my mom’s) birthday (I don’t know about my dad’s I haven’t experienced that yet). My parents were always so great in remembering my birthday and making me feel special. I am sad I don’t have that treat anymore. I often think back and marvel at how my mom had a job yet was always able to pull off an awesome party. Granted – kids parties back then were TOTALLY different than now. A house full of girls over for a slumber party was all I needed. But that is still a lot of work, but there didn’t need to be a photo booth or fancy favors for everyone. But homemade dinner and breakfast the next day was always on the schedule. They were great, my parents, for doing all that.

Yesterday we were at a wedding and the father-daughter dance was sweet. It reminded me of my dad when we danced at my wedding. My husband and I danced a lot back then (Country Western; two-step, West Coast Swing, Waltz, and Cha-cha) so my dad said he was really nervous. We were just stepping and sway and he kept saying, “Do you want me to do something? Should I spin you? Do you want me to dip you? Is this ok?” It was cute. He made me laugh. Last night’s father-daughter dance made me teary-eyed.

Not to say I am not having a happy birthday, it is just sad, no card, no call this year. And, not ever again.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , | 8 Comments »

Four Girls

Posted by terrepruitt on September 15, 2017

Look at these dogs. After Nia and stretch class once a month we go out for coffee at Peets near the community center. This guy walked up with four German Shepherds. And he just left them as he went inside. It was a sight to see. Four dogs just sitting there calmly. When he came out some of us walked over and asked if we could pet them and I snapped a couple of pictures. I love well-behaved dogs. These girls were awesome.

Last Friday was a bird this week I have dogs for the Friday Photo.

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What do you think?  Aren’t they gorgeous?

 

Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

The Amazing Internet

Posted by terrepruitt on September 13, 2017

I am always amazed and so very happy when my website brings someone to one of my classes. I know it is not very fancy and it might be a bit too much information, but I spend a lot of time on my website so I love it when it actually gets someone the information they need and they make it to one of my classes. So exciting to me. And the story of the latest student is really exciting to me. A few weeks ago there was a woman who came to one of my Nia classes. She introduced herself and said it was her first time taking Nia. Now, if you know about Nia, it is not about judgement, so I don’t look at my students often and make judgements, but the few times I focused on her I did think she must have had prior dance experience because she was catching on very fast and very well. After class I talked to her and she said no, she hadn’t danced before. “But,” she said, “I am really excited to be here.” I thought that was great. I was excited too. When she came back the next week I was telling her that we meet for coffee the last Thursday of the month. That is when she said she wasn’t going to be here. She was going home. I didn’t know she was visiting and I asked her where she was from and she said she was from Taiwan. She had found my class online and wanted to take it while she was visiting San Jose. She had found my class though my website.

That just makes me so happy. I was so excited. But then she explained more of the story and I was even more excited. She said that there is a Chinese Doctor who wrote a book. He had lost a lot of weight and decided to write a book to help people lose weight and get into shape. She said that in his book he talked about how diet was important. He also talked about how exercise is important. And in his book he said that he liked to do Nia. That is where this woman learned about Nia. She learned about it from a book written by a Chinese Doctor! So cool.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, Nia Technique, SJ City Fit, SJCityFitShe was going to be coming to San Jose, so she decided to look to see if there was a Nia class near where she would be so she could take it. Voila! That is when she found my site. I just love that! A woman in Taiwan found my website leading her to a Nia class in San Jose — all from learning about Nia in a book in Chinese!

Love it. So excited. Makes all the time I spend on my website so worth it!

She is going to come back, but not until next year. And when she comes back it will be for good. So I will have a new student. I am so excited.  It will be so fun to have her back in class.

Do you every look up your favorite exercise class to see if there is one you can take in a city you are visiting?

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

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