Components of a Healthy Breakfast and Using An SLR

What does stress feel like in your body?  I start getting hot. Then my head feels like it’s being squeezed right at the top like cone head syndrome.    I’ve still been pulling hair out trying to get things going on this new site.  It can be so frustrating.  To top that off, work has been super busy this week. The market is up and we certainly reaped the rewards this week.

A super stress reliever or way to escape the stress source is a great workout and breakfast.  I did the last day of weeks 1 and 2 on the “Get-Your-Body-Back Plan”, from Muscle and Performance Magazine.

In the next 2 weeks, this program says to go to failure on the last one to two sets of each exercise.  That’s tough because to do that, I have to use heavy weights which means Ted has to be around to spot.  He’ll have to get up earlier…lucky him!   The starting set of 15 isn’t a light weight either. It should be fun.

After all that working out a good breakfast is in order and should go something like this…

A bowl of hot cereal such as cream of rice, steel cut oats, Bob’s Red Mill Hot cereals with fruit such as 1/2 a banana chopped, dried fruits (raisins, cranberries), peanut butter (such as Naturally More).  Usually it is 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry cereal serving.  I keep the peanut butter to 1 TBS, and same with the dried fruits.  The natural sweetness of the fruits eliminates the need for adding processed sugars.

Fruit on the side:  I have here 1/2 of a peach and 2 sliced strawberries.  Remember, if you put fruit in your cereal, don’t overdue the extra on the side.

A healthy source of protein.  1 scoop of Whey Protein Isolate with L-Glutamine, water and ice.  Make it as thick or as thin as you like.  I make sure my protein powders have very little to no carbohydrates due to the fruit carbs I add with the rest of my breakfast.

Food News:  I thought this would be worth while to pass on regarding food recalls in particular.  From the AIB Newsletter : food safety and recalls for consumers.  Here is the article:

HHS and USDA unveil new food safety consumer Web site that features the latest food safety and recall information. On September 9th, Health and Human services (HHS) and the USDA unveiled a new consumer Web site that is designed to help consumers get all the latest information on food safety and food recalls in one convenient place.
The new site, www.foodsafety.gov, will feature information from all the agencies across the federal government that deal with critical food and food safety information, including preventive tips about how to handle food safety, alerts on life-saving food recalls, and the latest news.
Consumers can sign up in one easy place to receive e-mail and RSS alerts on recalled or potentially unsafe food and hear from top scientific experts across the government on food safety.

Digital Photography

Last night was class number 2.  Here is a quick review since Ted and I are hitting the road to the great North East… no…even MORE North East than we already are.  We are going to a boat show in Newport, RI. 

Tips and Tricks and Gadgets and Things for a digital camera:

• Instead of purchasing an expensive macro (micro by Nikon terms) lens, try a filter:  A circular polarizing filter would be great as we get into the Fall since polarizing filters make colors “pop” out.  There are also skylight and ultra violet filters. 
• If using a filter, spraying hair spray on it or using vaseline on it will create different affects to the photo (may want to get a good cleaner)
• Try using a magnifying glass in front of the lens for some different affects.
• Great online sites: BHphotovideo, Buydig, Vanns, Onecall, Newegg …for cameras, accessories for great prices.
• Free photo editing software available from Google called Picasa3 (this is what I use…super program)
• We learned about using the Histogram.  What a great tool:  If the photo concentration is too far to the left, you need to + the exposure setting. If it is too far to the right (over exposed), you need to – the exposure setting.
• Exposure compensation:  leave at –3, then check histogram after taking a test shot.
• If you have active D-Lighting, use it. But be aware it is not good for sports or continuous shooting as it slows the processing down.
• Super Neat Find:  You might have a black and white setting on your camera.  This allows you to see the shot in B&W BEFORE you shoot it!

That’s all for now.  Let me know if any of the “tips and tricks” were useful… and make sure to check in to see what we are up to in R.I.  Have a great weekend!