Online Shopping : Wins And Losses

I’ve been online shopping a little more than I’d like to admit lately. Late at night , I lay in bed waiting for my meltanonin to kick in and make me sleepy. My screen glows as I scroll on Facebook and Instagram. My eye gets caught by products that seem too good to be true. Here are a few of the products that were worth the money , and some that were not.

(I have provided the links to purchase but receive NO compensation or free products if you decide to buy. )

Lashliner 

As a big fan of eyelash extensions , I was looking for another way to achieve the same look without the cost , dealing with lashes falling out unevenly, sitting on the bed for an hour at a time twice a month , and not being able to get my eyes wet for 24 hours each time.  I tried magnetic lashes and could not get them to stay after many attempts. I saw an ad that showed women putting on a “magnetic eyeliner “ and then popping on magnetic eyelashes. I read the comments and saw endless positive comments . Even though convinced I just wasted $40 , I was pleasantly surprised when it actually worked ! 

You can buy the liner with lashes or separately and use cheaper magnetic lashes like Ardell. You can also use the liner on top of your favorite liner for a cleaner look as it is a bit sticky and not as smooth as I would like. This video was very helpful to watch before using : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cfu3zEcNouA

https://www.lashliner.com/

Halo Vitamins 

I used halo vitamins for 30 days alternating Hair Skin and Nails and Kiwi Seed ( some of the ingredients overlap so you cannot take them the same day ). While I noticed no difference in my hair or nails , I went the first weekend since I can remember without needing foundation. Usually no matter where I go I at least need some concealer to cover breakouts. The saw palmetto is supposed to balance hormones and I believe it does since my jaw line completely cleared of breakouts. On my next order I will stock up on just the kiwi seed vitamins. I am definitely willing to spend $30 for 30 days of vitamins with results like these. I should have taken a before and after photo ! 

https://halobeauty.com/

Tranquility Weighted  Blanket 

I do enjoy the feel of the weighted blanket but I did wake up warm in the middle of the night so I think I will keep it just for when I am watching tv . I also wish I got one a little bigger than the one below , to cover my entire body.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tranquility-Weighted-Blanket-12lb/849521666?athcpid=849521666&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=14409ee8-873-16b619187c9dab&athena=true

Poshmark 

Poshmark is a site where you can sell or buy clothes, shoes and accessories from individual users. I ordered some shoes and pants I was unable to find in the store from poshmark but what I failed to realize is that you can’t return anything ! Unless I am positive of size , I won’t order again . 

https://poshmark.com/

My Stretch Zone Experience: Yes, I Paid Someone To Help Me Stretch.

After a 1000m row I walk into Stretch Zone tired feeling tight. Kenny welcomes me and has me lay on the table.

The tables have straps that keep clients on the table, helping them keep from trying to "help" with the stretch and overcompensating, and allowing pinpointing of specific muscles. Having someone else stretch you helps you relax into the stretch . I was told when I signed up for my free session that a  stretch practitioner can stretch you farther than you are capable of doing yourself. The stretch practitioners  are certified in the technique by attending a 60 hour training with founder Jordan Gold and passing a test.

Kenny pulls a blue belt across my waist and clips it . He lifts my left leg straight to the sky. He then pulls my leg across my body to stretch my IT Band. He stretches in this direction asking me to give him three numbers so he knows when to stop each time:

A 3: When starting to feel the stretch

A 5: When feeling a mild stretch

A 7: When feeling a Deep Stretch

I tell him I’ve had a slight pain in my knee and he tells me the IT band is a tendon that can tighten and pull on the kneecap, causing a mis-alignment. He also mentions that my piriformis is very tight. The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock, behind the gluteus maximus. When I’ve had massages the therapist has worked on this area by placing their elbow and then pressing their weight down, which is surpassingly painful. The stretch-method is definitely a better alternative for this .

Kenny moves me through a series of stretches , moving my legs in all different directions, having me twist to once side and pressing to deep the stretch and stretching my shoulders back to open up my chest and help reverse too much time in front of a computer . We do stretches using a bolster on the edge of the table to help open up my hips , another spot tight from too much sitting. All I need to do is relax and breathe . The hardest part is trying to not "help".


I get up at the end of the 30 Minutes and my body feels lighter. I feel relaxed yet energized. Packages can be pricey at about $35 a session but some that tried the therapy have been able to get back relief they haven’t been able to get from other methods. Some think it is a placebo.

I think that it does help but there are other alternatives if the price is too steep. Restorative yoga is amazing for opening the hips , helping posture and helping  stretch tight areas. Using a yoga strap I am not able to stretch exactly the same as Kenny stretched me but it really helps loosen me up after a workout or sitting too long. Many personal trainers and massage therapists are knowledgeable about assisted stretching so it is good to ask if they can incorporate into your workout or massage.

This experience definitely taught me more about areas I was holding tightness and was a good reminder that I needed to take more time for stretching. First session at Stretch Zone and many similar companies are free If you are unsure but curious. Whether a desk -jockey or cross-fitter, stretching can help reduce stress, stiffness, and soreness.




Additional Viewpoints on Assisted Stretching : 
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19700990/assisted-stretching-worth-it-boutique-fitness-classes/ https://www.prevention.com/health/a20517813/professional-stretching-review/


Source :

https://www.stretchzone.com/

When Cleaning Your Closet Changes Your Life : The KonMari Method

Messy Jessy was my childhood nickname. When friends came over I would throw everything into my closet and quickly shut the door before things tumbled out. These bad habits of being messy followed me into adulthood. I spent a lot of the time looking for things. I blamed messiness on being creative . This was a poor excuse. The truth is that I needed to find a better way.

My mom got me a copy of Marie Kondo’s Book “The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up.” When I finished rolling my eyes, I started reading.

The method of folding has been life changing. I can now open my drawers and see all of my shirts, allowing me take a quick inventory of what I have. Separating into small boxes keeps my drawers and cabinets easy to organize and helps solve the issue of every drawer becoming the “junk drawer.” I thought for a long time more fancy organizers from The Container Store were what I needed. In reality, I needed to look at what I had and decide what was worth keeping.  The problem was not that I wasn’t spending enough time tidying, it was that I was doing it the wrong way.

The author suggests tidying by category instead of room. You gather all items of the category from all rooms and lay them out so you can see what you have . Then you pick up each item - one at a time - and ask yourself “Does this bring me joy?” Going item by item forces us to really consider if that item is useful to us. Items that are not “useful” but truly  bring us happiness when we see them should be kept.

Kondo teaches us sometimes we hold onto things that have outlived their purpose and in turn we can’t appreciate the things that bring true value to our life. We need to thank our items for the value they had at one time and then discard them. A kind gift of a sweater from a friend that we will never wear is still clutter.

Some of Kondo’s ideas was a bit too much for me. The advice I chose not to take:

1. Getting dressed up for the cleaning event. I think I will stick with my sweatpants - but lighting a candle and playing some good music make it more enjoyable.

2. Roll my socks so they don’t feel smushed? I am still not completely finished so I might change my mind on this one.

3. Do all tidying in one go.  I did my best to do one category at a time to completion but I knew if I had to do this all in one “go” I would give up halfway. I am still working my way down the list of categories Kondo provides.  Know yourself and what will work for you.

Once I got over trying to fold perfectly like Marie Kondo , it became easy. I just focused instead of getting each shirt into a rectangle that could be stacked vertically. Being able to see all my clothes at a glance makes putting together an outfit effortless.

I tried to use mostly clear and opaque containers and stack items upright so I could see what I had . Having boxes for each category under the sink allow me to pull out
everything I need when doing my hair , then stick the box right back under the sink. I no longer have  items cluttering every surface. Shoe boxes also work great. Get creative - even a chocolate box will work !

After the book came out Marie Kondo got her Netflix series. I highly recommend watching it if you need some motivation to tidy your things. It also helped me understand the method better than just reading the book.

I travel often and packing is very easy because I know where everything is. I am no longer buying multiples of things because I am too overwhelmed by the thought of going through my many Rubbermaid bins of random items.  I’ve even started to tidy in my office at work with some cute drawer organizer boxes I got from Amazon .  I  am finding that I have more mental clarity knowing what I have and where everything is . Guess it’s time for a new nickname.

Pleasure After Pain : Returning to Rowing Post-Injury

 

 

 

I walk into the boathouse slowly. My body is buzzing with a mix of fear and excitement. It has been about two years since I got into the boat since my injury. The instructor Doug introduces  himself and asks if I have ever rowed before. I hesitate then tell him my story. He said he has also had a neck injury and is confident I can return to rowing again.  

 

We begin with some instruction on the erg [rowing machine]. I strap my feet in and lean forward to grab the handle. I scrunch my body forward , arms straight. I then push back with my legs , lean back and pull with my arms. I push my arms forward before letting my legs come back forward, the seat sliding to the front . 

 

Doug stops me mid-stroke to remind me to keep tension in the hamstrings. He explains that to keep stability in the hips I need to turn my heels slightly towards each other - balls of the feet away - softly on the recovery and aggressively on the drive. He says it looks like I am not pressing as hard on my right foot. When I explained I broke my right foot a few months ago he nods and says that would explain it.  Doug reminds me to sit up straight and  to look straight ahead , not down at my hands.

 

We flip over a boat and carry it  out to the water . Doug shows me how to screw  the oars to into the oar locks to secure them. I hold both oar handles to steady the boat as I get in .I roll my seat forward as I “feather” the blade by flattening it on the water. I scrunch my body forward until I am holding the oar handles  still between my stomach and knees. My left hand is over my right and my grip is loose on the oar. I then “ square” the blades so that they are dipping straight into the water. I look up towards the front of the boat and pull . The long paddles crash into the water, pull the water and boat  forward and then skip flat along the water on the return. The sun  reflects like a million tiny diamonds on the water. My muscles feel warm and I am falling into the rowing rhythm quickly. As John Dryden said ," Sweet is pleasure after pain."

I am moving backwards and have to look over my shoulder after about 5 strokes. I see the dock behind me and square my blade to hold water so I can begin to turn around . I realize I waited too long to turn and am soon backed into the dock pilings. Doug notices me and screams out to feather my left blade and row with the right to get out. After  a few minutes of figuring out the turn , I am out and paddle back to the beach. 

 

Doug tells me another coach offered to go over to over in a boat to rescue me but he told them I would not need any help. Sculling is very different than other types of paddling I have done. With dragon boating or sweep boating there have always been other paddlers in the boat. Now it was only me. Doug showed me I would be just fine on my own. He had faith in me so I did too. The boat was also now going backward but I was getting more comfortable with each  time I launched.  

We next take out a double and Doug sits behind me to further work on stroke mechanics, backing up , and turning. We pull the boat ashore and lift it on our shoulders to carry up to the boat racks. I look at the boat. It is gray and in yellow letters says “ I CAN , I WILL”. I smile.

 

 The journey back into the boat has been long and hard but I have come back with a new appreciation for my time on the water. It is my release , my solace , and where I belong.  In rowing , we face backwards in order to see how far we have come instead of how far we have to go.

One Foot In Front of The Other : Musings From My Time in a Walking Boot

thoughts along my journey healing a seismoid injury after 10 weeks in a walking boot :

26 bones . 1/3 of all the bones in the human body are in the foot/ankle... and these tiny bones along with 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, support the weight of our entire body. I have become a student hungry for knowledge about how the body works and the amazing ways it can heal itself. 

There has been a lot of sitting these past two weeks. When I feel frustrated I remind myself this is temporary. Now is the time to work on my creative projects , to learn to quiet the busy highway of my mind, and to learn to let others help me. I am on the mend and in the meantime I can learn to adjust. After all, broken crayons still color.

—————

This weekend I got picked up (people offer to drive you around when your foot is broken and you are in a walking boot) to join friends at the bar. I sat sipping my beer watching the country line dancing on the dance floor. I admired the boots moving so swiftly ; legs crossing , feet stomping , and heels scuffing against the floor. 

When an easier song came on I couldn’t resist and joined everyone . It may have not been the smartest decision but it breathed some life back into me to move. My foot felt swollen the next day. 

Sometimes we just need to make a decision and decide to get out there on the dance floor , even if we are unsure if we are ready or not. Life is a line dance .. a few steps forward , a few back , and then a few forward once again. Enjoy the dance.

——————

“You need to walk more on your foot or you will get weak. “

“You are walking on it too soon, you are going to hurt yourself. “

There are lots of opinions ,which I will listen to ,but at the of the day my healing is on my schedule and up to me. I am taking some *careful * steps. I am listening closely to what my body says and taking directions from there. I will hopefully remember to keep listening to its whispers so next time I don’t need to wait till it screams.

————

Phase : Rebuilding

As I took my first walk outside without the boot my first steps were timid. My mom looked at me anxiously “ you can do it !” My right leg felt like jelly. My knee ached. My hip felt out of place. But I put one foot in front of the other till the pain flared up. 5 minutes. But 5 minutes MORE than yesterday. I will measure in progress gained instead of how far I have yet to come. I will turn the pain into power.

————

Moving On Up : What I Learned From Moving Once Per Year for the Past 8 years

When recently looking for a new place to live, I told my realtor my top needs were safety and a quiet area. After dealing with an apartment getting broken into and being waken up many times a night by a train at another complex,  I learned the importance of these things the hard way.

Things to consider when looking for your next community :

1) How close will you be to your job ? Will you have easy access to a highway? Will you have a longer commute and/or more traffic to work or other places you go often ? If you can, drive the commute during rush hour. What you think is a short distance may be a much longer drive with traffic.

2) Besides rent price also check if any utilities are included i.e. cable , gas , electric , trash removal? Will you need to purchase anything extra like renters insurance or HOA (home owners association)fees?

3) What is the cost up front ? Most places require first and last months rent and security deposit. Is there an application fee ? Will you get the application fee back if not approved?

4) Find out what crimes have occurred in the area . Search the county or city website or ask local law enforcement.Try to visit the area both during the day and at night. Is the complex well-lit?

5) What is the noise level ? Make sure you check the community for proximity to railroads , airports , etc. it may also make a difference where in the complex you are. If you are only shown a model unit make sure you also drive over to the actual unit you to see where in the complex it is.

6) What are requirements to live there ? Do you need an interview with the HOA board ? Is section 8 allowed in your complex ?

7) Is there adequate parking for all members of the household and guests?

8) Are you renting from a individual or a complex? There are pros and cons of both options. A private landlord may be more apt to negotiate on items like rent price.  Renting from a complex, however, usually has a designated maintenance team to ensure items are taken care of promptly.

9) Is there a clause that allows you the ability to leave if needed? No one signs a contract expecting to not fulfill it but life happens and you may unexpectedly need to move. If it is not included ask that a clause be added to allow a fee if the lease needs to be broken.

10)  Are there items that need to be done to make home move-in ready? Have you confirmed all appliances work?  Wait until these items are complete/fixed before signing a lease.

This list may seem like a lot of work but it is time well-spent when determining the place you will call home. Your home should be the place you can come home to at the end of the day and feel relaxed, safe, and comfortable. Buying a home is not the best option for everyone . Having someone else responsible for taking care of the home can reduce stress. If you are not sure if you will stay in the area long-term, renting gives you flexibility. Renting a home or apartment can be a wonderful experience if you chose wisely.

Buti Glo Yoga

What is buti glo yoga? “Buti” is a Marathi Indian term meaning the cure for something that’s been hidden or kept secret. Buti yoga is a blend of tribal dance, primal movements, plyometrics, and vinyasa style yoga. The glo is included for versions of the class include painting the body or wearing glow in the dark gear.

Buti will sculpt your abs due to the “spiral structure technique” . This is a strengthening approach activating all part of the abdominal muscle groups: inner and outer, top to bottom, front to back , and side to side. Common yoga poses are held for about at least 8 breaths while dancing or pulsing.

We arrived and filled our small paint palettes with neon pink, green , yellow , blue and orange paint. In long thin strokes, we painted shapes and designs over our bodies. Our instructor Lauren told us that if we put the paint on too thick it would not dry by the time class started and our mats would be a mess. Soon the overhead lights turned off and the backlight was turned on. I snapped my glow bracelet and necklace till they glowed then put them on.

We placed our legs out the side of the mat and became dancing. We leaned over and started pulsing. We were- twerking?? In the dark room covered and in paint, I was no longer me. I was someone who didn’t worry what I looked like; someone who moved with grace and fire . I looked around. These other women were doing the same. I wish I could trap all the good energy in this room and take it with me when I left. Or maybe I could.

Our arms swayed side to side as we quickly dropped our heads and popped them back up. Then we stepped back into downward dog . Right leg went up and pulsed. Then left. Then big circles with each leg. Then booty time- we shook and shook and shook! After child’s pose and upward facing dog,  we rolled up slowly to standing then squatted down. We circled our stomachs in every direction, with our hands folded in front of our chest . We moved for almost an hour as the music pulsed. I could barely see myself in the dark but in the mirror but I could see where I had painted myself glowing back at me.  I was experiencing stepping outside of my usual self into this free –moving woman's body. My heart was open. It was pure joy.

We ended with a good stretch and a peaceful savasana . If you feel like you could benefit from letting lose I would recommend a Buti class. You might just discover a part of you that you never knew was there. Open your heart and mind.  Find your glo.