Thursday, January 19, 2012

Wii Fit Challenge

I have serious issues doing things. I'm great at planning, but the actual execution part I have issues.

I'm kind of a naysayer and I'm really hard on myself. Like I should get in trouble for bullying... myself.

I really do have goals and hopes and I try to do things...

Do or Do Not, There is No Try.
I need to really work on my discipline and I have serious issues with going to the gym. I work out when I get to the gym, I just can't seem to physically get myself to the gym.

So I set up the Wii today and issues myself a challenge. Every day just play the WiiFit. Even if it's only to weight myself and take a fitness test. I need to just take care of myself and be healthy. I got the WiiFit set up, did my fitness test, and my results were less than stellar. I already knew that I have to pour myself into my jeans and then make sure I don't sit down in them. Or breathe. I can't say I was surprised.

I'm planning on checking in periodically to see how close I am to my goals. I want to lose 10lbs in two months. I want to not be depressed anymore. It's really tiring being depressed, and I really feel like if I could just start exercising more I'd feel better. So here goes again. To working out... like I mean it.

Do or do not. There is no try.

Monday, January 16, 2012

A New Obsession

Thanks to my good friend Sarah over at KnittedFoxTrot got me started on a whole new addiction.

Vintage Pyrex!!

This stuff is A-MA-ZING. It's milky glassware from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It totally makes me feel like that awesome house wife when I use it.  It's totally oven, microwave,and  fridge safe. Just don't put it in the dish washer. I mean, you could put it in the dishwasher, but then pyrexics everywhere would cringe and shudder. You don't want that. But none of that matters as you wont have to put these in the dishwasher because with some know how they come clean easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. 

There is a color or pattern for everyone and the thrill of the hunt is incredible. Plus I do a lot of walking which I tell myself is good and makes going to EVERY thrift/vintage store I can find. We spend almost 4 hours over the past two days in three shops comparing and pricing pyrex. After our second day, we all came home quite happy.

Here is they very beginning of my vintage pyrex collection.


On our first venture out I got the 2cup Pyrex measuring glass. I had to get it because it has both imperial and metric measures on it. Which makes doing my weekly articles for BitchBuzz that much easier. 

The second day I fell in love with the two Snowflake Blue fridgies. One has a chipped lid, and I honestly paid too much for them, but I HAD to have them. I see a lot of the Primary fridgies, but not as much of the patterned stuff. I'm sure with some time I'll find a better lid.

I also picked up the 043 Snowflake with lid and a 474 Snowflake blue Cinderella casserole. It didn't have a lid but it was only $5 and in beautiful condition so I just couldn't pass it up.

So begins a what I feel will be long pyrex journey.

Happy Hunting!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Pictures of the New Year

I was going to post about how I need to eat more vegetables. I decided to post some photos instead. Happy Monday.

Cute picture of the cat that drives me insane, Kamikaze.

We took a trip to Tacoma this weekend to attend Collin's Grandmothers memorial, it was a lovely gathering of family and we all enjoyed coming together to celebrate Lois. Here's a picture from Collin's Grandfather's patio.
What a beautiful view of the cascades! It was a perfect day. Could have been spring time with how sublime Yesterday was.

Before we left the area we went to visit Lois' monument and her final resting place had a lovely view of Mt. Rainer. It's so wonderful to live in the Pacific Northwest. It's just so beautiful out here.

Then on the drive home we caught some awesome shading during the sunset. I just loved the multi-layered grey-blues. This was a tricky shot to get as we were on the freeway. With all the bumps in the car it wasn't easy.


Then I got a quick pick of the sunset with Mt. Baker in the background. 


And then when we were almost home I caught the full moon. This shot was even more difficult. I screwed up and got some a the cars doorframe in the shot, but this was the only one that wasn't blurry. You can even see the man on the moon!


And then a shot of some trees in the sunset reflected in a pond.This one has the side-mirror in it. And a huge dirt smudge. But just ignore all that. Try and see the inner beauty or something.



Enjoy.

xoxo, Jenessa

Thursday, January 5, 2012

The only person in my way is me.

I'm on a mission to be the healthiest me I can be. I want to feel great and look a little better. I want my clothes to fit properly again. I want to prepare my body to be a vessel of life.

So today I hit the gym. ALL. BY. MYSELF! 
I was completely able to drink my water. No struggles for me!

After reading my editor Cate's blog 'Simple Tips on How to Be Happy' it just clicked. Something I've always known but never truly accepted. The only person standing in the way of who I want to be is me. 

No one is going to hold my hand and drive me to the gym. So I held my own hand for once and drove myself to the gym. The only way to loose my pooch from the holidays and stop my arms from jiggling in strange places is to work out. 

So I worked it out. Just me and Lady Gaga. While listening to Bad Kids the line, "Don't be insecure if your heart is pure." Just kept resonating with me.

I SHOULDN'T BE INSECURE!!!!

I AM BEAUTIFUL, AND LOVELY, AND CLEVER, AND FUNNY, AND SMART! I AM TOO GOOD TO BEAT MYSELF UP IN MY HEAD ALL THE TIME!

So today I ran 3.78 miles in 50 minutes. The machine said I burned 482 calories. I doubt that's accurate, but the # makes me happy anyway.

I am now 3.78 miles closer to being the healthiest me I can be.


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A New (Twitter) Name

I decided to change my twitter name. This is kind of a big deal for me. I've been the BionicBotanist for awhile now. I chose it in college back when I used to blog on the now defunct vox.com. I thought it was cute as I was a Plant Scientist it seemed like it fit. Other than I'm not a robot who plants things.

Fast forward a few years and here I am writing a weekly food column on BitchBuzz.com and being my hippy self. I've been thinking about my 'brand' lately and what I want to do with myself. I don't really feel like much of a botanist anymore. I've been out of it for so long that the only thing I cultivate these days are house plants. I also made some really sweet terrariums for Christmas. As soon as I figure out how to take a good picture through domed glass I'll post it. That's about all I do with plants anymore.

I'm not saying I have no skills. Because I do. I have mad skillz. I used a z. That means it's more serious than just regular skills.

Lately my skills are around the house and I'm loving it. I still struggle with motivation. I still hate the dishes, but I'm a lot better at doing them.

So that long story is why I changed my twitter name to something that suits me much better.

You may now tweet me @HippyHomemaker