Care to Canoe?

The new background on my computer is...amazing. I could just stare at it for hours - one of those pictures that makes you feel like you're actually there, isn't it?

Solar Energy and its Sunshiney Goodness

As I've mentioned, I love this little invention called StumbleUpon. As I was stumbling today, I just found a blog post about solar powered window curtains! How amazing is that?! They say you can generate enough electricity for what most people use in 1/2 of a day. Can you imagine...cutting your energy bill in HALF?! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure (especially with the current *cough* economic situation) that any of us can appreciate something so simple.

The tough part about solar energy (as with most natural forms of energy) is that you need some way to convert that energy into electricity. My parents own a solar powered home and it's great, as long as you don't need to use a hair dryer!

The initial costs tend to be expensive for solar panels and the converting system (including batteries and the works). However, in the long run, it's definitely worth it.

Why not save our energy and save the planet?!

Portland Power Yoga

I had my very first official yoga session last night. Sure, I've dabbled in the comfort of my living room (with Exercise On Demand!). I've never actually taken a yoga class though - just plenty of pilates during school!

Anyway, I went to a place right down the way that came highly recommended by both my best friend and my physical therapist. Portland Power Yoga uses a technique called power vinyasa yoga, keeping a steady flow of yoga (concentrating on breathing) in an environment of 90 degrees!

I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my entire life, but it was amazing - so detoxifying! Their slogan is so cool. 3-4 times a week to change your body, 5-6 times to change your life. Guess I'd better get my butt there at least 5 times a week then, huh?!

Batman The Dark Knight

Last night I went to go see Batman in Falmouth. It was a great movie, action packed and whatnot, somewhat long (edging on two hours)...but not the kind of long where you start thinking of how uncomfortable the movie theater chairs are.

Just before the movie started, though, there was a bit of a misunderstanding in the parking lot. It seems that a gentleman in a convertible cut off a bicyclist, after they both ran a red light. Needless to say, there were quite a few R-rated terms being thrown out (by both parties) and I can only agree with the man who walked in behind me who said, "They'll just kick the shit out of each other and be done with it."

Back to the movie though...I can understand now why they talk about Heath Ledger's character having something to do with his death. From what I read, they think that climbing into such a dark role put Heath in a super dark place, hence his overdose. RIP Heath.

StumbleUpon Cool Sites Online

I've mentioned StumbleUpon before, it's great when you're surfing just for fun! You add it to your toolbar, and press the StumbleUpon button. The site uses your interests to bring you to sites you might like. From there, there's all sorts of fun things you can do with it - network (it technically is a social networking tool), suggest sites, etc.

Here are some cool sites I found:

• Run. Find great trials to run in your area!
• Write Rhymes. Start writing sentences, then option-click and you get every word that rhymes with your query!
• Books Online. Read any of the books available online - there are a ton!
• Sun Salutation. One of the most invigorating yoga practices to wake you up in the morning!
• Pandora. Create your own radio station(s) and listen for free! (I live on this all day long!)
• Vegetarian Recipes. This site has some amazing cuisine!
• Great Advice. Amazing tips for living happily.

Do enjoy my stumblingsupon!

The "Guinea Pig Diet"

I mentioned yesterday that I eat "like a guinea pig," a phrase so coined by a coworker. Well, I thought I would share that I have a different little lunch plan for today: leftovers from my Flatbread dinner last night. (Only somewhat guinea pig-esque.)

I went to this "hippie-dippie" (heard a more conservative diner use the phrase on her way out) pizzeria in Portland with an old friend. We had the most scrumptious sun dried tomato pizza (not the one pictured, but close to it!) - with sweet glazed onions, mushrooms, spinach, mozzarella, and goat cheese on their organic brick oven cooked dough. This yummy delight was coupled with organic Riesling wine...of course.

The point is that if you've never been to Flatbread, you need to go. It's amazing...but the atmosphere is my favorite: so laid back and relaxed. Plus it's all organic and natural..that doesn't hurt!

5 Easy Tips and Tricks for Staying Happy and Healthy

The summer time always seems to bring out huge long lists of tips of getting skinny . Well...how about being healthy? Just a bit of different verbiage, but I think it's a better way to go about it. So in my mind (and from what knowledge I've collected), here are the best ways to BE healthy:

1. Exercise, and find the exercise(s) you enjoy. It's essential to exercise. No way around it. But you might as well enjoy it, right? I cheered in high school and college and loved it - kept me in phenomenal shape. However, once you hit your 20's, cheerleading isn't as easy (awful, I know). So I started doing yoga, and now I'm obsessed! It's not forced like other exercises (running outside and whatnot) for me.
   
2. Do things you love. Remember that life isn't all about work...some play needs to be involved! So even if you have a tight budget, find time for doing things you enjoy: going for a walk outside, hanging out with your family, or even renting an old movie you haven't seen in years!
   
3. Laugh. It's been proven over and over that laughing increase happiness (literally!) and decreases stress. So when something's funny (or maybe even if it isn't), laugh out loud!
4. Eat healthy, but eat what you want. I constantly get criticized for eating "like a guinea pig" with my tofu, carrot, and spinach lunches...but you know what? I love them! They taste good to me. So if even you like chips, you can substitute a healthy alternative like Soy Crisps. My personal vice is ice cream, so I go with the Edy's Slow Churned, it has less fat than normal ice cream, and less sugar than fat free frozen yogurt. The way I figure it, if you have a craving, your stomach won't settle for anything but what you're craving. So why not have a healthy sampling of it?!
5. Watch portion sizing. As Americans, I blame portion sizing for our obesity issues. It's blamed on parents (of course) as the "finish all the food on your plate" rule. When eating, just watch how much you have! Look at those labels and see what the portion size is, and STOP eating when you're full!

There are tons and tons of tips and tricks out there, and they all have some sort of clout. These are just a few that seem to work for me!

Official PT Graduate

About four months ago, I was injured while cheerleading right before my senior game. Not the best experience of my life, because as it ended up, I tore the ACL in my right knee and stretched a few other ligaments - but that wasn't as big deal. Basically, I was flying and I came down out of the stunt completely wrong (no worries - not a bad fall!).

Then in mid-April, I had ACL reconstruction, and have been in physical therapy since. More recently, I've spent my rehab with an awesome PT named Heather at Riverview Physical Therapy in Westbrook. And yesterday, I graduated!! I'm pretty sure that 12 weeks out and graduating from PT is some sort of a record...thanks Heather!

I originally had my surgery done by Dr. Hoffman at Orthopaedic Associates in Portland. I have my (final?) appointment with him this afternoon, and I'm just praying he clears me for yoga!

Need a little R&R?

I believe I shared this before, but last week my best friend moved to Arizona. I miss her desperately, but that's besides the point. The night before the big move, I went to this great little day spa right near where I work with her and my other best friend/current roommate. It's called Fabu Salon and Day Spa.

Jonica and I had the most amazing 30 minute massages. Jamie (my roommate) got a great french manicure. They are slightly pricey, but the experience is definitely worth it! They have five floors in my building and the melody of decorations (a beautiful bright green and black/white paisley) that rock my world.

If you're ever in the Old Port and suffering from an aching back, I definitely suggest stopping by this lovely little establishment!

A Visit to Peak's Island

Today I went out to Peak's Island, just a 15 minute ferry ride from the Portland Harbor.

It was gorgeous weather for a visit, and seeing how it was my first time there, it had to be a special occassion right? But of course! A celebration of Reggae Fest ensued, with locals twice and three times my age downing Coronas. Not in the mood for the Coronas, I still enjoyed the sun and the company of friends I haven't seen in over a year.

I found this beautiful picture on the Island's official site.

Asian Simplicity

I have a fedish for simple shapes, and this wooden box is just that!
THEN...look what it does!!!


How cool is that? A definite space saver! (I do question the comfort though...perhaps some psychedelic oriental cushions are in order?)

I found this awesome site while using StumbleUpon (a new fedish of mine..you HAVE to try it if you haven't yet). But the site is called apartment therapy, and giving me all sorts of new ideas for my place (even though I don't live in L.A., NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco!)

"Bliss cannot be disturbed by gain or loss."

If you've never experienced the amazing goodness of Yogi Tea, you're missing out, my friend. The organic tea (of course) bags each have an inspirational/deep/philosophical quote attached. The quote above was from my "Green Tea Slim Life" from yesterday.

More often than not, they get a little more intense than this one. But I thought I'd start my Yogi Tea quotage with a more subtle thought. Because if you think about it, it's true - if one is truly blissful, then losing or gaining anything will not change that fact.

Plus, on the tea boxes there are yoga poses (based on what type of tea you're drinking) - how cool is that?! How very zen. Thank you, Yogi.

Cruise Ship in Portland, Maine Harbor

I saw this ship yesterday, and all the tourists it brought. I didn't realize there were over 4000 people on the boat though! Holy moly!

What would we do without Sushi?

If you're a pseudo-vegetarian or pescatarian, like me, the sushi restaurant down the street (like Sapporo, in my case) may very well be your best friend. Basically, I'm not a straight up vegetarian, I only eat seafood.

I'm not on a quest to save the animals (although we all should), I just no longer enjoy the cliché barbecue with a big meaty steak on the grill. Plus, there's no way I'm giving up my lobster...I live in Maine for crying out loud!

Besides, in the effort to eat only lean protein, seafood is definitely the way to go. Coupled with all of the yummy vitamins and minerals you get, fatty omega-3 acids are a plus! If you're looking to become a pescatarian, be sure to watch the number of fish portions you consume. Otherwise, I'm a firm believer that this is one of the best vegetarian diets by far. I mean, you can still eat animal byproducts, so enjoy your morning omelet! (I would make it an egg white omelet though - low cholesterol!!)

Congratualtions to Arizona's Newest RN!

My best friend moved to Arizona...yesterday. Well, she's actually not quite there yet - taking a little trip cross country with the family on the way.

Jonica has always been quite the adventurous girl, so after we graduated from Saint Joseph's, it was inevitable that she'd be moving somewhere. She graduated with a nursing degree, took the NCLEX on Monday, and I looked up her grade for her just now. SHE PASSED!!

She was convinced she failed right after. The way it happens is you take a minimum of 75 computerized multiple choice questions, and the test will give you easier/harder questions depending on if you're doing well or not. Jonica took 75, and the test shut off. I'm very nearly certain she's one of the few to have passed with the minimum...can anyone say genius?

I may be getting ahead of myself with all that, but I couldn't be more proud to be the best friend of this brand new RN.