Terre Pruitt's Blog

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

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Strawberries

Posted by terrepruitt on August 14, 2017

I think I might have mentioned that I am not a strawberry fan. I will eat them, but I don’t go all gaga for them. Usually if they are in a fruit salad I will give them to my hubby. But we were invited to a Fourth of July party at the last minute and I didn’t know what to bring. I didn’t think about the Champagne Strawberries, but even if I had it was so last minute that would not have worked. I wanted to bring something cool since it had been hot and I wanted to bring something colorfully patriotic. And, of course, since it was the last minute I wanted to bring something easy. So I opted for strawberries, raspberries, yogurt, and blueberries. Red, white, and blue. Basically using the yogurt like a dip and dipping the fruit into it. Well, a little out of character (I’m usually running late), we arrived right on time. Which is always a bit shocking for hosts. There wasn’t much food out at the time because no one else was there. I thought I would try a strawberry in the yogurt (I like raspberries and blueberries even less than strawberries). Much to my surprise I liked it. I really liked it. The yogurt was Honey flavored Greek yogurt. Then this past weekend I was going to go to a friend’s so I bought some strawberries and yogurt thinking we could snack on that. But then I didn’t end up going. But, I did end up eating the strawberries and yogurt. So it got me thinking about the nutritional value of strawberries. I had thought I had heard something about them having a lot of fiber.

Of course one place I found information on strawberries was Wiki. Wiki says botanically the strawberry is not even a berry because the actual fruit (flesh) doesn’t come from a plant’s ovaries.

Several sources state that strawberries may help prevent heart disease. The World’s Healthiest Foods, says: “Research on the antioxidant content of strawberries is providing us with stronger and stronger evidence about their ability to lower risk of cardiovascular disease.” One website mentioned a study showed that young and middle-aged women’s risk of heart attack was reduced by 32 percent by regularly consuming one of the flavonoids found in strawberries. In animal studies, the anti-inflammatory flavonoid, quercetin, showed to “reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and protect against the damage caused by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.”

They may also help lower blood pressure with their high potassium and polyphenol content. High potassium, might help lower the risk of strokes. Their antioxidants might help lower the risk of strokes and cancer. The anti-inflammatory flavonoid, quercetin – as mentioned before – might even help with some allergy symptoms.

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, SJCityFitStrawberries are high in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Nutritional breakdown of strawberries according to the United States Department of Agriculture

Serving Size: 1 cup halves fresh strawberries (152 grams)

Calories: 49
Protein: 1.02 gram
Carbohydrates: 11.67 grams
Sugar: 7.43 grams
Dietary fiber: 3 grams
Calcium: 24 milligrams
Iron: 0.62 milligrams
Magnesium: 20 milligrams
Phosphorus: 36 milligrams
Potassium: 233 milligrams
Vitamin C: 89.4 milligrams
Vitamin A: 44.82 international units

So many people love strawberries. And they can be eaten so many different ways. They can be eaten fresh and all by them selves or added to any variety of dishes. They can be cooked, canned, preserved . . . so many ways.  I normally don’t like fruit in my yogurt, but I liked dipping the strawberries in it.

Do you like strawberries? Were you aware of the many perceived health benefits of strawberries? How do you like to eat them?

 

Posted in Food, Fruit | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Pretty Yard

Posted by terrepruitt on August 11, 2017

I teach at several different places. I teach yoga at two different community centers and I teach Nia at one community center and two different YMCAs. This is what I consider the “backyard” of one of the YMCAs. It is so pretty with the different color trees. One day while I was waiting to teach class I noticed how gorgeous it was outside and I snapped a few pictures. When I am looking through my pictures I always see this and want to post it. I think I posted it . . . or one like it . . . on Facebook when I first took it. But I thought I would post it here as a Friday Photo.

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Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments »

Ginger Beer – No Alcohol

Posted by terrepruitt on August 9, 2017

A couple of years ago we went to Napa and we were introduced to the Moscow Mule. I had heard of them before but never had one. Then we were taught that the best way to — the “only” way to drink one is in a copper mug. Ever since then my hubby has wanted copper mugs. He had some on his wish list on Amazon for a long time. But in learning about mugs there were a few things that we wanted. So the mugs on the list changed sometimes. And then when I was able to buy them they would be unavailable, then they would come back and be unavailable again. So, I decided to take our list of “must haves” somewhere else. I think I googled cooper mugs and looked at a website that claimed to be the original copper mugs. One of the key things we were looking for was “not too expensive”. I mean some mugs can get really expensive. I wanted to keep the cost to $15.00 a mug . . . but was looking for something even less. So going off of his list I found copper mugs. I got them for his birthday. They are awesome and they are a must for Moscow mules. With our new found love of Moscow mules I JUST discovered something – there is no alcohol in ginger beer.

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, SJCityFitOk, I am sure a lot of you are rolling your eyes because you knew that. Yeah, I have those moments, too, but when you think about it we all don’t know something someone else knows, and we all know something that someone else doesn’t. But something as general as no alcohol in ginger beer – you would probably think I would know. I didn’t!

When I was shopping for my favorite ginger beer in the store not to long ago they didn’t have it. So I asked an employee and she pointed me in the direction of some other ginger beer. I was pouting because it didn’t have alcohol in it. I didn’t want to buy it because I wanted my “regular” brand with alcohol. HA! Another reason I love Google and being able to look things up. I looked up my favorite beer right there and what did I discover? I was a silly wabbit! It didn’t have alcohol.

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, SJCityFitI find this very funny. I have had this idea for a post for a while now and whenever I scroll through my list of things to post about, I laugh when I see “Ginger Beer – No Alcohol.” Because I really thought it had alcohol.

It also turns out that “my favorite” might not necessarily be my favorite. One brand we bought was too spicy. But then when I couldn’t get my favorite I bought it again and it was fine. It could just be the batch. That first batch we bought was way too spicy . . . even John thought so. Not that it was too hot for him, it is just that the Moscow mule doesn’t need to be THAT spicy. But the second batch I bought was not spicy at all, in fact it seem less gingery. So I guess the quality control on beer is not that great. Because I know that I have purchased other beers with a hint of flavor and some of the bottles in the same pack can be very flavorful whereas some have none.

Anyway . . . a Moscow mule is a nice drink to have when it is really hot. Especially if you are drinking it from a copper mug. Those copper mugs stay really cold. So it is nice to hold on a hot day.

So . . . did you know that ginger beer didn’t have any alcohol?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Foam Fascination

Posted by terrepruitt on August 7, 2017

Our cats are still young and they don’t throw up. I think that as cats age their digestion changes — just like us humans — and they might not be able to handle the fur as well (not that we humans lick ourselves and get fur bellies). I think when they get older is when they start yacking up hairballs. Also, some cats just do it all their lives. I thought all cats did it all their lives, but as I said, our cats don’t. So, that is when I began to think it was an age thing. But, of course, the minute we have an inexperienced cat sitter, the cats throw up. Cat/cats we are not sure. Poor sitter didn’t know what it was. We think it was a hairball, but those of you that know hair”balls” they don’t resemble a “ball” at all. They look more like hairLOGS and then you start to wonder what end it came out of. Ok, gross, I know. TMI maybe, but c’mon . . . us cat owners know what I am talking about. So anyway . . . we have this dear friend of ours do us the ultimate favor and watch our girls and one of them throws up. Figures.

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, SJCityFitHe does his best to try to clean it up. I will tell you it took me years to figure out how to do it on our carpet. So, I am totally fine with there being a spot in the middle of our walkway because he did his best and the most important thing was that we had someone watch our girls. I didn’t even care about the spot. When we get home, I don’t even bother trying to clean it up “better” for a couple of days. Then, I think, “Geez, I really should see if there is something I can do.” So I spray some carpet cleaner on the spot. I think I’ll just leave it and let it soak in.

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, SJCityFitThis is what I find. Nessa sits there and watches it the entire time. She sees the foam and doesn’t move as it disappears. Hilarious. I don’t know if I sprayed it again to just have her be entertained for another hour or so (I really have no idea how long it took, I didn’t pay attention), but I sprayed it again. And she sat there the entire time watching it.

And, much to my HUGE surprise, it totally worked to get up the spot. YAY! So, not only did the spot come totally up . . . the process was entertainment for my cat. Maybe cat owners understand my excitement. Anything that does not harm my cats but can serve as a source of entertainment . . . . I am all for it! Anything that helps get those little brains and bodies occupied—WHOOPEE! So this was a double win! Well, actually it made me crack up . . . so I count it as a triple win!

Nessa, she is a thinker . . . she is fascinated by things. The foam disappearing completely fascinated her. Ha!

Posted in Cats, Teagan and Nessa | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Yellow Friday Photo

Posted by terrepruitt on August 4, 2017

Sometimes there is just a pretty flower that catches your eye. I was talking with my students after yoga class one day and I noticed this in the landscaping at the community center. My students were laughing at me because they knew the names of all the flowers and plants and I had no idea. I thought this one was pretty.

To me, it is a flower for today’s Friday Photo. Do you know what it is?

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Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Cool Summer Salads

Posted by terrepruitt on August 2, 2017

We are in a little heat wave. I just don’t like it. If it is over 75° F, I am uncomfortable. Today it is in the high 90’s.  Maybe it is even hotter, it was in the 90’s the last I looked.  I wish I would have planned for it. The last time I was home and we had super high temps I decided that we would be eating salads. Something I think of as “Summer Salads” although I had never done it before. I have heard about a salad where you mix onions and watermelon but I have never done it. In my last produce box we got a watermelon so I thought I would put some watermelon on our salad greens and we would have a summer salad. I did this even though I know my hubby does not like watermelon. I don’t know many people who don’t like watermelon, but he does not. But I don’t know of many things he really DOES NOT LIKE. He just doesn’t like it. As in he doesn’t go ga-ga over it like I do, or many people I know. So, I figured he would eat it, but he might not love it. I didn’t do the salad that I had mentioned, because when I say watermelon and onions, I mean just watermelon and onions . . . maybe something else, I don’t know, I looked it up so long ago . . . because I couldn’t believe it when I first heard about it. But I don’t remember if it was something else too. I have never risked making it and “wasting” watermelon. But this time I was really wanting something cool and refreshing because it was soooo hot. So I used watermelon and made a summer salad.

Another fruit I used was peaches. Now, I am the odd man out here . . . I don’t like peaches. I am like my hubby. I can eat them. And sometimes I do, but I don’t go ga-ga over them. I don’t seek them out. I will avoid them for the most part. My husband loves them. So I used peaches in my next “Summer Salad”. They were very yummy salads.

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, SJCityFitAnother thing my husband does not like is balsamic dressing. Because he doesn’t like it, most of the time, when I use it I don’t put it on his salad, but with the watermelon one I felt like it really needed it. He has given me permission to use it when I think it really needs it. So I did, I just didn’t put that much on his. With the peach one, I put even less, because I didn’t think it was as important on the peaches as I did the watermelon. I figured with the watermelon one I was already “torturing” him with watermelon why not just make it the way it “should” be and put the balsamic on it.

I think he enjoyed both salads. I know I did. Now here I am on this hot, hot, hot, hot day wishing I had salad greens and some yummy fruit to make a nice salad. I think I will be going to the store tomorrow. Here are two versions of summer salads.

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Watermelon With Greens Salad

Watermelon
Arugula
Onions
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Cut the watermelon into bite-sized pieces. Chop up some onion . . . you decide how much you want to put on each salad. Put a couple of handfuls of arugula in each bowl, then top with fruit, and chopped onions. Sprinkle with some parmesan, the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

 

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, SJCityFitPeaches With Greens Salad

Peaches
Red Leaf Lettuce
Arugula
Onions
Balsamic Vinegar*
Olive Oil
Salt**
Pepper

Cut the peaches into bite-sized pieces. Chop up some onion . . . you decide how much you want to put on each salad. Chop up the leaf lettuce. Put some leaf lettuce and a handful of arugula in each bowl, then top with fruit, and chopped onions. Sprinkle with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

*I actually used Fig Vinegar with , but balsamic would be just as yummy

**I actually used lavender salt, but regular salt will do the trick

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How about you? Do you put fruit on your greens? What kind of fruit? Do you put dressing on?

Posted in "Recipes", Food | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

A Little Imprint

Posted by terrepruitt on July 28, 2017

You might think this is one of the stupidest things you have ever seen. In fact, you might not even know what you are seeing. (Sigh). Well, I was planning on posting it on the anniversary of my cat’s death, but I was pre-occupied as I often am at this time. I am pre-occupied with death, but that of my father’s and trying to handle that stuff. Our cat died June 25, 2014. It has been three years, but just like with love ones that you are close to you still miss them not matter how long it has been. This picture here is a picture of her paw print. The last one she made in the litter.

Dumb. I know. You can’t even really tell what it is. But I know. I know that I didn’t swish it away right away. She was such a great girl. Here is a picture of her paw print.

Spot’s paw print for this Friday Photo.

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Posted in Cats, Friday Photo, Spot | Tagged: , , , | 10 Comments »

Spazzy Cat

Posted by terrepruitt on July 26, 2017

If you have read any of my blog posts you probably know that we have two cats. We had a cat . . .she was an angel . . . unlike any cat, but she died. We had her for 14 years. It took me a long time (about a year) to even thinking about getting another cat. Then I heard about a cat cafe (actually an adoption lounge) and decided to volunteer there. Then we started thinking about getting a cat. I had been stuck with the idea that I had to get a kitten, but that just seemed so daunting. Then I realized we could get a young cat. CAT. Not two, just one.  But the one I wanted came as a pair.  She was bonded with her sister. That stalled our acquisition, but then once the sister came out of where she was hiding we knew we wanted her too. They are both GREAT cats. I don’t know about you, but I love it when animals play by themselves. It is so cute. I can be in another part of the house and hear a toy. It makes me laugh. But the odd thing is, once they see you watching them they stop. So anytime I am able to get a video it is from far away. Here is just a quick video of Nessa playing with a toy.

This was shot when they first were let out of quarantine. You will see a beer box at the end of the couch. When they are in quarantine we used boxes as places they could go to get away from each other and us. And since we were trying to keep the possibility of infection down, we would just throw the boxes away and get new ones. When they first were let out after being locked up for 30 days we thought they might like to have some familiar to use. It was a new box because — again, didn’t want to spread anything. I think they did hang out in them for a little while. But it is tiring having garbage around so I doubt they were around long. Now they have tunnels and things they can hide in.

This is just 38 seconds of Nessa being spazzy.

Do you like it when animals play by themselves?  Do you have an animal that plays by itself?  Does your pet stop when it sees you watching? 

 

Posted in Cats, Teagan and Nessa | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

The City Of San Jose Has Two Different Exercise Programs

Posted by terrepruitt on July 24, 2017

I am going to address this again because so many people are not aware of the programs in San Jose that are available through the Parks and Recreation Department. Back in 2015 I wrote a post explaining the main difference of two of their programs. To summarize, there is the program that many of you are familiar with because many of us grew up with it, that is the program the city calls the Leisure Class Program. These are classes in the booklets the Parks and Recs Department prints and sends out. There are ALL types of classes – don’t let the name “Leisure” fool you. There are language classes, art and craft classes, music lessons, cooking lessons, dance classes, exercise classes . . . .and a lot more. They are set up in sessions where you register and pay for the entire session before the first class. The session consists of a set number of meetings and when you register you pay for all of them. You may be familiar with those types of classes . . you may have even signed up for one of those sessions and had it cancelled because not enough people signed up. That is always disappointing . . . that is why it is important to sign up early. Anyway . . . there is also another program called SJCITY Fit . . . it is a version of Group Ex which was discontinued in 2015. But it is somewhat the same in that it is like a gym membership. You pay monthly and you have access to all the classes that are in the SJCITY Fit program, PLUS the gyms at three locations.  The SJCITY Fit Program classes are exercise classes.

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, SJCityFitThere are a lot of people who are not aware of this program that the city offers. I talk to people all the time that think the exercise classes through the city of San Jose are just the leisure type of class. I teach both. I teach some SJCITY Fit classes and I teach some Leisure Classes. There are benefits to both, so it really depends on what works for you. But it is nice to know that you have options.

There are some people who like to go to a class everyday. For the people who just want to have a class to go to every day, the SJCITY Fit program is great. The SJCITY Fit classes are offered at three of the community centers in San Jose; Camden, Almaden, and Bascom. Some people like the convince of going to the community center that is closest to their house, so they might join the Leisure Classes. There are a lot more community centers that offer the Leisure Classes. It all depends on what works for you.

The SJCITY Fit classes are on-going . . . meaning there is no end. Yeah, sometimes there might be a cancelled class if the teacher has an emergency and can’t get a sub in time, but the class is scheduled to just go on and on.

I have all of my classes on my website, but since I teach for BOTH programs it might be confusing sometimes. I think it is important for you to know the difference so you can decide what class you want to take.

At the time of this post, under the Leisure Program, I teach two yoga classes. One class is at the Cypress Community Center and the other one is at the Willow Glen Community Center. You register for the session. Although Cypress is unique and will allow you to drop in. But typically, with Leisure classes, you need to register for the entire session.

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, SJCityFitAt the time of this post I teach THREE NIA classes under the SJCITY Fit program and one stretch class under the SJCITY Fit program. So for one monthly fee you can take all four classes a week. PLUS attend all the other classes that are offered through the SJCITY Fit program PLUS go to the gyms. If you don’t want to join the monthly membership you can drop in for $6.00 per class.

Usually . . . although I can’t say for sure . . . but usually . . the city has a special at the end of the year. They offer an annual membership for a great deal and you just buy that and you are set for the year. But they do not offer the annual membership all year. It is usually for a limited time. After that time is up any membership purchased is only monthly. We will see what they do at the end of this year. I will keep you updated.

I just wanted to share – trying to get the word out there – and try to clarify that there are two ways you can exercise with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Jose: SJCITY Fit and Leisure Classes.  These are GREAT programs – hopefully you will take part in what the city has to offer!

Did you know that the City of San Jose has something akin to a gym membership? Did you know that “Leisure Classes” include EXERCISE classes, too?

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Whose Feeder Is This?

Posted by terrepruitt on July 21, 2017

This is from a long time ago. We kept having orioles on the hummingbird feeder. They used to pick the yellow flowers off the hummingbird feeder. So we bought them an oriole feeder. But they like the hummingbird ones better.  The oriole feeder is really difficult to clean. Could be why they like the hummingbird feeders better. They probably taste better because they get cleaned better.  The hummingbird feeders can be taken entirely apart.  So I am able to make sure I get it ALL cleaned. Since the orioles pick the flowers off the hummingbird feeders so they can get to the sugar water, we just leave one or two off now.

Here you can see a hummingbird looking at the invader. Can you see him? Ya kind have to look closely.

Hummingbird and oriole for the Friday Photo.

 

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Posted in Birds, Friday Photo | Tagged: , , , , , | 12 Comments »

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