since i am still reading gone with the wind (it's epic), i don't have too much to say in terms of books. EXCEPT, that gone with the wind is amazing. i think on sunday some of the girls from my book club are getting together to watch the movie. also amazing!
i've been listening to a few good audiobooks lately. the first, which i finished either yesterday or on friday (who can remember these things?), is the third angel, by alice hoffman. this is a story with three separate parts, focusing on different characters who relate to each other in very interesting and unique ways. i didn't really enjoy the first part too much. there was too much, "so and so didn't believe in love" which i think is ridiculous. who are these hard-hearted characters? i don't like them. the second and third parts were so awesome - the author really redeemed herself.
the book i started listening to on friday or yesterday is freakonomics by steven d. levitt and stephen j. dubner. it's very interesting! not your traditional economics book. it's actually about subjects that appeal to your average joette (me), and not just about numbers and money.
last night i rode the stationary bike for 30 minutes, and did some situps. this morning i went for a 40-minute swim and tonight i plan on doing a 20-minute yogadownload, maybe hatha #2, or maybe #1, the same as last time. i have got to mention how sore my muscles are from this yoga. i am loving it! especially the muscles in my back. i love to know that i am working these muscles.
my eating at set times, high-protein diet is going alright. i'm sticking to it at least until friday morning. it's only hard because a) i am a carboholic who eats oatmeal for breakfast AND dinner several times per week and b) i am also a saltaholic and have cut it out cold turkey. just for this week. i can do it. maybe some of food's natural flavour will return to me.
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
book talk
do you want to know what i'm reading? i'll tell you, no arm twisting required.
physical books
1. gone with the wind: one of the true epics. i'm just beginning this one. it's overwhelming because it's so huge. i have a really old mass market edition that i picked up for $2.99 in a used bookstore, and i've wanted to read it ever since ponyboy was reading it to johnny in the outsiders. thankfully it is relatively light. when i was a kid at sleepovers, parent's used to put on the movie to make us fall asleep. i don't remember the movie at all, which is how i like it. books are always better.
2. the independence of miss mary bennett: a novel. this one was written by the same author as the thornbirds and it's kind of a sequel to pride and prejudice but the focus is on mary bennett, the only unmarried sister, and it's twenty years later. it's an interesting read so far. the only thing i don't like is that they are implying that elizabeth's marriage to mr. darcy turned sour quite quickly. nooooooooooooooooo! how dare someone ruin my mr. darcy fantasy! anyhoo...
3. the devious book for cats: a parody. i got this book for christmas and it's a bathroom reader type of book. it's hilarious. i'm pretty sure it's a parody on those daring books for boys and girls, but i don't know much about them so i can't be sure. the book is written for cats, by cats, and talks about different things like cardboard boxes, kitty litter, and "your human." obviously you have to have a cat or be a cat lover to appreciate this. there is also one for dogs.
audio books
if you didn't know i listen to audio books in my car, and sometimes load them onto my mp3 player and listen whilst walking on the treadmill.
1. run by ann patchett. i don't think i would enjoy this book if i had to read it, but i like listening to it. it takes place over 24 hours and is a complicated story about a family. a family in which the mother dies, after having one child of her own and adopting two boys. the father (after the mother's passing) becomes the mayor of boston, and so their lives are somewhat public. one night after the two adopted boys are grown, the father takes them to a lecture on a snowy night. after the lecture, one is going to be struck by a vehicle but is pushed out of the way at the last second by a woman. this woman turns out to be the adopted boys' birth mother! she has an eleven year old daughter who is with her. the oldest son (not adopted) has just returned from africa where he was stealing and reselling AIDS medication. see... complex plot. but interesting... and the reader has a very pleasant speaking voice.
2. clara callan: a novel by richard b. wright. this story is neat because it's about two sisters from small town ontario in the 1930s, and it's all written in letters (to each other) and journal entries. one of the sisters moves to new york to become a radio actress, and the other deals with some pretty heavy stuff back at home. there is also more than one person reading, which makes it feel like an old radio program.
for breakfast this morning i made an egg white wrap with 100g microwaved egg whites (1 point), a flat out wrap (1 point) and a TBSP of salsa (0 points). it was a pretty hearty breakfast for only 2 points.
my bum is a little sore from yesterday's goddess booty dvd, and that's excellent. i was never one for derriere exercises so there is no time like the present to start becoming bootylicious.
physical books
1. gone with the wind: one of the true epics. i'm just beginning this one. it's overwhelming because it's so huge. i have a really old mass market edition that i picked up for $2.99 in a used bookstore, and i've wanted to read it ever since ponyboy was reading it to johnny in the outsiders. thankfully it is relatively light. when i was a kid at sleepovers, parent's used to put on the movie to make us fall asleep. i don't remember the movie at all, which is how i like it. books are always better.
2. the independence of miss mary bennett: a novel. this one was written by the same author as the thornbirds and it's kind of a sequel to pride and prejudice but the focus is on mary bennett, the only unmarried sister, and it's twenty years later. it's an interesting read so far. the only thing i don't like is that they are implying that elizabeth's marriage to mr. darcy turned sour quite quickly. nooooooooooooooooo! how dare someone ruin my mr. darcy fantasy! anyhoo...
3. the devious book for cats: a parody. i got this book for christmas and it's a bathroom reader type of book. it's hilarious. i'm pretty sure it's a parody on those daring books for boys and girls, but i don't know much about them so i can't be sure. the book is written for cats, by cats, and talks about different things like cardboard boxes, kitty litter, and "your human." obviously you have to have a cat or be a cat lover to appreciate this. there is also one for dogs.
audio books
if you didn't know i listen to audio books in my car, and sometimes load them onto my mp3 player and listen whilst walking on the treadmill.
1. run by ann patchett. i don't think i would enjoy this book if i had to read it, but i like listening to it. it takes place over 24 hours and is a complicated story about a family. a family in which the mother dies, after having one child of her own and adopting two boys. the father (after the mother's passing) becomes the mayor of boston, and so their lives are somewhat public. one night after the two adopted boys are grown, the father takes them to a lecture on a snowy night. after the lecture, one is going to be struck by a vehicle but is pushed out of the way at the last second by a woman. this woman turns out to be the adopted boys' birth mother! she has an eleven year old daughter who is with her. the oldest son (not adopted) has just returned from africa where he was stealing and reselling AIDS medication. see... complex plot. but interesting... and the reader has a very pleasant speaking voice.
2. clara callan: a novel by richard b. wright. this story is neat because it's about two sisters from small town ontario in the 1930s, and it's all written in letters (to each other) and journal entries. one of the sisters moves to new york to become a radio actress, and the other deals with some pretty heavy stuff back at home. there is also more than one person reading, which makes it feel like an old radio program.
for breakfast this morning i made an egg white wrap with 100g microwaved egg whites (1 point), a flat out wrap (1 point) and a TBSP of salsa (0 points). it was a pretty hearty breakfast for only 2 points.
my bum is a little sore from yesterday's goddess booty dvd, and that's excellent. i was never one for derriere exercises so there is no time like the present to start becoming bootylicious.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
midweek already
i really didn’t want to wake up this morning. i mean really! i set my alarm for 6:45am, so i could get up and swim with lots of time to get ready, but i didn’t get out of bed until 7:15. i still went swimming, i was just later getting to the office (where my mom works... so not a huge deal).
i stayed up a bit too late a) watching the election results (no real surprise!) and b) finishing this bad danielle steel book that i got from the library. does anyone else feel the urge to finish every book they start, even when they are crap? this one was called “amazing grace” and about an earthquake in san francisco. too bad really. one of my favourite books is “jewels” by danielle steel, so i know it’s the specific book and not the author. there is just too much describing of feelings and thoughts, and not enough dialogue or scenic descriptions. that’s my big criticism.
yesterday i tried something new. instead of counting points (and eating the most food possible for my amount of points), i decided to just eat when i was hungry, but choose relatively healthy things. it’s only one day. i really ate a significant amount less than i usually do, and i didn’t feel out-of-control-hungry or anything. the only time i was really hungry was 5:30-7:00, but i was driving home, stopping at the grocery store, voting, etc. so there just wasn’t time to eat.
today is a good day. why? because my PB2 peanut butter is coming in the mail. i love UPS. the tracking is always so right on and updated frequently. i know a lot of people are sceptical about powdered peanut butter but it’s really very delicious. i like it anyway. if you are attached to skippy or another super creamy brand then maybe it won’t work for you.
i’m not sure when i’ll hear about the job. hopefully this week! i would really like it because it’s a good one. the location is not the best but beggers (who don’t have jobs and have to work pity jobs with their moms in the burbs) can’t be choosers. ;) i was a bit flustered over a few questions because i let my mouth talk faster than my brain could think, and then my brain would say, “don’t say that idiot!” and i’d get a bit jumbled. bah – interview questions are never fun.
tonight is date night and i am not going to eat any liquorice rainbow twizzers (i didn’t last weekend either – i drank out of one but didn’t eat it). it’s already midweek... woohoo!
oh, one more thing. this morning my body fat was between 16 and 17% and i did definitely NOT see anything resembling an ab. =D
i stayed up a bit too late a) watching the election results (no real surprise!) and b) finishing this bad danielle steel book that i got from the library. does anyone else feel the urge to finish every book they start, even when they are crap? this one was called “amazing grace” and about an earthquake in san francisco. too bad really. one of my favourite books is “jewels” by danielle steel, so i know it’s the specific book and not the author. there is just too much describing of feelings and thoughts, and not enough dialogue or scenic descriptions. that’s my big criticism.
yesterday i tried something new. instead of counting points (and eating the most food possible for my amount of points), i decided to just eat when i was hungry, but choose relatively healthy things. it’s only one day. i really ate a significant amount less than i usually do, and i didn’t feel out-of-control-hungry or anything. the only time i was really hungry was 5:30-7:00, but i was driving home, stopping at the grocery store, voting, etc. so there just wasn’t time to eat.
today is a good day. why? because my PB2 peanut butter is coming in the mail. i love UPS. the tracking is always so right on and updated frequently. i know a lot of people are sceptical about powdered peanut butter but it’s really very delicious. i like it anyway. if you are attached to skippy or another super creamy brand then maybe it won’t work for you.
i’m not sure when i’ll hear about the job. hopefully this week! i would really like it because it’s a good one. the location is not the best but beggers (who don’t have jobs and have to work pity jobs with their moms in the burbs) can’t be choosers. ;) i was a bit flustered over a few questions because i let my mouth talk faster than my brain could think, and then my brain would say, “don’t say that idiot!” and i’d get a bit jumbled. bah – interview questions are never fun.
tonight is date night and i am not going to eat any liquorice rainbow twizzers (i didn’t last weekend either – i drank out of one but didn’t eat it). it’s already midweek... woohoo!
oh, one more thing. this morning my body fat was between 16 and 17% and i did definitely NOT see anything resembling an ab. =D
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
blah blah blah
last night was my book club. you can see the book in the posting below. this book was awesome! it was about this young man in the 1920s (i think) who joins the circus. it is very exciting and descriptive... the idea of a traveling circus is really interesting to me. our next book is the 1966 classic "valley of the dolls" and i'm really looking forward to reading it.
last night after my book club i came home and ate leftover birthday cake. why? i don't know. i should just throw it out. i didn't get home until 11:30 (late!) and i hadn't been home all day long, because i had to finish the book in time for the meeting. i had two glasses of wine at the restaurant and maybe that's why i thought the cake was such a good idea. 1) it didn't even taste that good (but i can recall it tasting amazing at the party) and 2) it make me feel too full and like a giant tub of blob which is not a good feeling either. i am going to commit this feeling to memory and the next time i want something like leftover cake, try and remember how it didn't really do it for me.
today is another long day because it's my sewing class after work until 9pm. when will the madness end? just kidding. i don't mind but my apartment is très sale. thankfully i do not care (yet) because i am not having any parties this weekend :). and i can clean tomorrow. or friday. or whenever. who cares? not me.
today i got up and went for a quick 4-mile run. i didn't wear my hrm, but when i do wear it, i assume it's accurate. i mean, why wouldn't it be? the heart rate goes up when i go up hills or work harder, so i assume it's giving me the correct calorie burn (p.o.m.) but maybe it isn't. i guess it's not a bad thing to be burning more calories than i think i am, right? i've heard that people burn roughly 100 calories per mile, but i do have really low blood pressure. does that matter? and you know, to assume makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me." i know, i'm so funny...
i think my body hates extreme amounts of sugar! blah blah blah...
last night after my book club i came home and ate leftover birthday cake. why? i don't know. i should just throw it out. i didn't get home until 11:30 (late!) and i hadn't been home all day long, because i had to finish the book in time for the meeting. i had two glasses of wine at the restaurant and maybe that's why i thought the cake was such a good idea. 1) it didn't even taste that good (but i can recall it tasting amazing at the party) and 2) it make me feel too full and like a giant tub of blob which is not a good feeling either. i am going to commit this feeling to memory and the next time i want something like leftover cake, try and remember how it didn't really do it for me.
today is another long day because it's my sewing class after work until 9pm. when will the madness end? just kidding. i don't mind but my apartment is très sale. thankfully i do not care (yet) because i am not having any parties this weekend :). and i can clean tomorrow. or friday. or whenever. who cares? not me.
today i got up and went for a quick 4-mile run. i didn't wear my hrm, but when i do wear it, i assume it's accurate. i mean, why wouldn't it be? the heart rate goes up when i go up hills or work harder, so i assume it's giving me the correct calorie burn (p.o.m.) but maybe it isn't. i guess it's not a bad thing to be burning more calories than i think i am, right? i've heard that people burn roughly 100 calories per mile, but i do have really low blood pressure. does that matter? and you know, to assume makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me." i know, i'm so funny...
i think my body hates extreme amounts of sugar! blah blah blah...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
wednesday book review
the title of my post suggests that every wednesday i make book reviews, however, that just isn't the case. i am today though!
what have i read lately? well... in the past couple of days i read losing it: and gaining my life back one pound at a time by valerie bertinelli.
i liked it, although it's more of a life-story than a weight-loss memoir. it goes into details about her personal life, and then mentions in a by-the-way kind of way, i weighed such-and-such at this period of my life and felt like crap. i would recommend it, because it's a really fast and easy read, it's cute, and neat if you want to know any details of the sordid life of eddie van halen.
this morning i did a quick workout at the gym. 3 x 10 minutes running, and arm weights in between, finishing with sit-ups and stretches. i have decided to continue working out almost every day because it makes me feel really good all day. however, i'm not going to push it too hard every day. like today for example, i had a nice workout, burned about 300 calories, and feel energized and optimistic about life in general. great success :)
tonight is date night, yippee! i am thinking about making pasta for dinner. mmmm pasta, the gluttony of it.
today on the menu is:
1/2 cup shreddies
berry medley high fibre oatmeal
1 T flax
1/3 cup all-bran
1/4 cup wheatberries
1/2 small banana
1/2 can chunky chicken gumbo soup
ezekiel english muffin
1/2 cup plain 2% yogurt with no sugar added jam mixed in
cherries
dinner - pasta?
what have i read lately? well... in the past couple of days i read losing it: and gaining my life back one pound at a time by valerie bertinelli.
i liked it, although it's more of a life-story than a weight-loss memoir. it goes into details about her personal life, and then mentions in a by-the-way kind of way, i weighed such-and-such at this period of my life and felt like crap. i would recommend it, because it's a really fast and easy read, it's cute, and neat if you want to know any details of the sordid life of eddie van halen.
this morning i did a quick workout at the gym. 3 x 10 minutes running, and arm weights in between, finishing with sit-ups and stretches. i have decided to continue working out almost every day because it makes me feel really good all day. however, i'm not going to push it too hard every day. like today for example, i had a nice workout, burned about 300 calories, and feel energized and optimistic about life in general. great success :)
tonight is date night, yippee! i am thinking about making pasta for dinner. mmmm pasta, the gluttony of it.
today on the menu is:
1/2 cup shreddies
berry medley high fibre oatmeal
1 T flax
1/3 cup all-bran
1/4 cup wheatberries
1/2 small banana
1/2 can chunky chicken gumbo soup
ezekiel english muffin
1/2 cup plain 2% yogurt with no sugar added jam mixed in
cherries
dinner - pasta?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
thursday, back at work - and book reviews
hello. it's thursday and i'm back at work. i don't technically *have* to come in, but i want to. why? because my heart rate monitor is here! i have it in my hands - finally! it's been so long. now i have to read the thousand page instruction booklet it came with. and i wanted to come in because a) i don't have any more work at home to do and b) yesterday i didn't leave my building once and that's depressing. i am a person that can easily become a hermit.
first things first - here is my haircut. it actually looks cute in these pictures. i think i look a little like a shakespearean boy who is playing a female in a play, but that's probably ridiculous. it sounds ridiculous! anyway, now i'm more cool with the length... it flips under my chin if i don't straighten it which i hate so i'll just have to straighten it... every day. and my bangs are too short but they will grow so fast.
and now for some book reviews:
1) Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Jillian Michaels.
my review: this book is interesting. it's for people who really want to shape up and lose that last 0-20 pounds and get a really defined, toned, strong body. the idea is good, except it's too rigid. you have to follow a specific exercise program and meal plan, right down to the recipe. and it's mostly about strength training, not cardio. i like strength training but i really like cardio. so all in all, i think this book is good for advice, and i'm going to copy some fitness moves and recipes, but there is no way in hell i would follow a plan like this for 30 days. maybe if i lived alone on top of a mountain and had a personal chef and didn't have to interact with any other humans... then and only then would this plan work for me. and there is no booze allowed. :o(
2) How Not to Look Fat by Danica Lo
my review: this book is supercute. personally, i think the title is eye-catching and hilarious but i think some people may be turned off by it. i showed this book to my sister and she looked at me in disgust and said, "you do not look fat, why are you reading that?" but then, after she flipped through the book, she was really into it. i didn't pick this book up because i think i look fat. i don't. this book is a funny guidebook for women. it wants you to accept and embrace the shape you have and then accentuate your best assets by wearing things that flatter you the best. it talks about underwear, suits, shoes, bathing suits, jeans, shirts... everything. for example, did you know that a three-quarter length sleeve is the most flattering for all women? it's true. even my boyfriend liked the idea of this book (i left it in the bathroom). he said the illustrations were really cute. and they are. a worthwhile read and nice classic style guide in my opinion.
this morning i ran 5 miles bringing me to 10/15 for the summer challenge (this week). i still need a vegetable. today on the menu is:
all bran bar (2)
astro yogurt (1)
shreddied shoved in my mouth (1)
(4)
apple cinnamon oatmeal (2)
added flax and pumpkin (1)
added shreddies (2)
2 clementines (1)
(10)
pc blue menu lasagna (6)
carrots and hummus (1)
(17)
apple (1)
source yogurt (1)
(19)
peas (1)
veggie burger on pita (3)
(23)
first things first - here is my haircut. it actually looks cute in these pictures. i think i look a little like a shakespearean boy who is playing a female in a play, but that's probably ridiculous. it sounds ridiculous! anyway, now i'm more cool with the length... it flips under my chin if i don't straighten it which i hate so i'll just have to straighten it... every day. and my bangs are too short but they will grow so fast.
and now for some book reviews:
1) Making the Cut: The 30-Day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You by Jillian Michaels.
my review: this book is interesting. it's for people who really want to shape up and lose that last 0-20 pounds and get a really defined, toned, strong body. the idea is good, except it's too rigid. you have to follow a specific exercise program and meal plan, right down to the recipe. and it's mostly about strength training, not cardio. i like strength training but i really like cardio. so all in all, i think this book is good for advice, and i'm going to copy some fitness moves and recipes, but there is no way in hell i would follow a plan like this for 30 days. maybe if i lived alone on top of a mountain and had a personal chef and didn't have to interact with any other humans... then and only then would this plan work for me. and there is no booze allowed. :o(
2) How Not to Look Fat by Danica Lo
my review: this book is supercute. personally, i think the title is eye-catching and hilarious but i think some people may be turned off by it. i showed this book to my sister and she looked at me in disgust and said, "you do not look fat, why are you reading that?" but then, after she flipped through the book, she was really into it. i didn't pick this book up because i think i look fat. i don't. this book is a funny guidebook for women. it wants you to accept and embrace the shape you have and then accentuate your best assets by wearing things that flatter you the best. it talks about underwear, suits, shoes, bathing suits, jeans, shirts... everything. for example, did you know that a three-quarter length sleeve is the most flattering for all women? it's true. even my boyfriend liked the idea of this book (i left it in the bathroom). he said the illustrations were really cute. and they are. a worthwhile read and nice classic style guide in my opinion.
this morning i ran 5 miles bringing me to 10/15 for the summer challenge (this week). i still need a vegetable. today on the menu is:
all bran bar (2)
astro yogurt (1)
shreddied shoved in my mouth (1)
(4)
apple cinnamon oatmeal (2)
added flax and pumpkin (1)
added shreddies (2)
2 clementines (1)
(10)
pc blue menu lasagna (6)
carrots and hummus (1)
(17)
apple (1)
source yogurt (1)
(19)
peas (1)
veggie burger on pita (3)
(23)
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