Dominique Dawes and Drew Brees on Board for First Lady's "Let's Move" Initiative

Michelle Obama just visited an elementary school in Washington D.C. this week during her "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity to announce the new co-chairs of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Superbowl 44's MVP Drew Brees and Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes are now on board as co chairs of this well need program and initiative of the First Lady. Among other duties, Dominique and Drew will be starring in workout videos for kids. Now, how cool is that?

I remember watching Dominique perform in several Winter Olympics, and she was always impressive and an incredible joy to watch whenever she took the floor. It's good to see that she is still busy on the fitness tip, and is looking great. Life after all that insane, hard training required to win Olympic medals seems to agree with her. (and I bet she's glad that all THAT crazyness is over! ;) ). I digress....

On another note, here is an excerpt of one of the videos featuring Dominique and the Sesame Street characters. This one is clearly appealing to the younger set of kids, but hey, it's never too early, right? Hopefully they have something for the teens as well. I think this entire idea is great. Go, Mrs. Obama! Work that program!

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I Tried to Watch the World Cup Today, But Those Damn Vuvuzela's....

.....about drove me stark raving mad after 5 minutes. I'm serious! After 5 minutes of it I was ready to claw my own eyes out. I had to flip the switch and watch CSI instead. I did try, though. I swear.

How the hell do you guys sit through that insanity??? Here I am, trying to branch out, broaden my horizons and embrace this world sport of soccer, and I didn't care who was playing -- I'd committed to sit there and get into it -- after watching Wimbledon, of course....
and those damn horns did not stop blowing for one full second! OMG! When did they start doing THAT? I swear, I don't remember hearing those crazy horns while catching a few minutes of it at the bodega last year.
I need to ask, are some of you watching the games with the sound off? That, to me, would make more sense.

I can't even fathom "getting used to it", and I don't want to try. I'll just find out who won later. The same as I always have. Enjoy the noise!

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Some Eco Friendly "Stay Cool Without Using A/C" Tips

This summer, in trying to do my little part to be more eco conscious and responsible, (and also to give Con Ed much less of my hard earned $$$), I've decided to go the entire summer without using the A/C in my apartment.
When the weather first began to turn warm, this was not much of a problem. I was sitting in here just as cool as you please. However, as the summer temperatures are now starting to hit into the mid and high 90's, I will admit, I am starting to suffer a bit. Even having the fan blowing directly on me is not enough. Wearing little to nothing around the house helps... a little. One of the benefits of living alone is that I can wear anything I want when at home.. or not! Another one of the gifts of being single! ;) I don't even have to worry!
But still, it's damn hot in here when I move to get up and walk around. So, determined not to cave in and install the AC back in its place in my living room window, I'm gonna fight this thing. I decided to search the net and see what suggestions I could find to keep myself cool during these hot summer months without wimping out and doing it the easier, more expensive way.

I found some really good suggestions on WikiHow, and these will be the ones I try first. I already do the half naked thing, but the getting into a bathtub of cool water actually sounds interesting, and I plan to do that one next. I'm curious to see just how long my body temperature will stay cool and keep my that way in this blazing heat. Wish me luck! ;)

Here, I copied the suggestions I really liked on WikiHow

Maybe you'll find some of them useful too!

1* Ball up and soak a t-shirt in the sink, wring it out, put it on and sit in a lawn chair (or other chair that lets air through to you) in front of a fan. Re-wet as it dries. Make sure not to soak it with cold water. It can be colder than you think. Instead use lukewarm water so you get cool without freezing. Using a synthetic shirt will ensure no "wet T-shirt" look.

2* Wear a short sleeved shirt and put water on the sleeves. If there is a breeze or fan blowing on you, you can actually get cold. Use a squirt bottle, the sink or hose if outside to keep your sleeves wet. If you are outside and wearing long pants and you put water on your legs, the water will cool your legs.

3* Fill your bathtub with cool water and get in. Once you are used to the temperature, let some water out and refill with cold water. Keep doing this until you are sufficiently cold. Your body will stay cool for a long time after you get out.
# Or just soak your feet in a bucket of cold water. You can do it almost anywhere and don't have to stay in the tub. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body.

4* Dress (or undress) for the heat. There are several strategies to dress, depending on your situation:

** Nothing: If you're in a situation where you can go without clothes, this can be the most comfortable, natural way to stay cool.
** Next-to-Nothing: Put on a swimsuit, or wear your underwear at home.

** Summer Clothing: Wear natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen) rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers (with the possible exception of performance fabrics).

** Wear Light Colors: Darker colors will absorb the sun's rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat. Wear natural summer clothing.

If you have any suggestions on how to stay cool as a cucumber in super hot weather, DO share! I'm dying over here!! ;D

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Escape to Shape!

This just came across my desk, and I thought I'd pass this info along. I did write about going on a fitness vacation a few months back. Well, for those of you that have thoughts of ever doing such a thing, here's a good place to consider. They seem to have everything you'd ever want...

Escape to Shape

ESCAPE TO SHAPE was founded in 2006 to provide luxurious vacations that combine comfort, culture and fitness at exceptional destinations around the world, while respecting the environment along the way. Featured in Vogue in Feb 2009, this is a unique traveling spa concept with destinations changing throughout the year to give guests the opportunity to discover a new history, people, food and natural wonders of various cultures while toning the body and meeting new friends along the way. Additionally, Escape To Shape selects Eco-friendly accommodations, while never compromising on luxury along the way. Past guests have enjoyed African dance lessons in Cape Town, South Africa, stepped in the footprints of Jimi Hendrix in Essaouira, Morocco, have trekked horseback through the vineyards in Colonia, Uruguay and conquered Mt. Etna in Sicily. All this combined with luxurious accommodations, delicious food, Vinyasa flow yoga classes, hikes, culinary delights, cultural discoveries and language lessons daily.

Ideal for solo travelers (men and women) as well as for couples and groups of friends of ALL fitness levels and all ages. Escape To Shape takes the planning and stress out of a vacation, leaving more time for relaxation, exploration and pleasure.

Yoga guru, travel and fitness expert and entrepreneur Erica Gragg is one of the founders of Escape to Shape and offers guests the vast knowledge of her yoga expertise, cultural insight and intricate organization skills. Known for teaching a very powerful, yet playful "Vinyasa" flow, Erica’s practice is inspired by the subtle to the grand discoveries each individual makes through their practice.

With classes set to music, from tribal, to lounge to classic rock songs, guests are able to find their own personal rhythm and expression through each asana. Erica was the co-creator of the acclaimed fitness program Bikini Boot Camp and is the author of Bikini Boot Camp - Two Weeks To Your Ultimate Beach Body. Erica is now enjoying a new journey with Escape to Shape and is lured by the opportunity to travel and experience new cultures while pursuing her true passion, teaching. Erica strongly believes that each and every person can make a difference, even in the seemingly smallest of ways, and that life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, each and every breathe to the fullest.

All fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products are organic and supplied from local producers. All excursion guides, chefs and staff are hand selected - the very best in their field- and trained by Escape To Shape, so as to support the local community and economy. Many of the Escape To Shape locations are self-sustained, utilizing solar and wind energy.


ESCAPE TO SHAPE’s program is a combination of:

- Luxurious, 5-star accommodations

- A total body workout, including yoga and/or Pilates, circuit training and hiking

- Delicious, organic local cuisine

- Cultural excursions and activities- from language classes to dance lessons

- Spa Treatments


2010 Calendar

St. Petersburg, Russia July 17-24

Taormina, Sicily Sept 18-October 9

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia November 20- December 2

Plus….

ISTANBUL, TURKEY 2010

OMAN & PETRA, JORDAN - 2011

BHUTAN -2011

CAMBODIA/LAOS- 2011

ESCAPE TO SHAPE’s accommodations, cuisine, excursions and spa treatments reflect the culture of each unique country they visit. The number of guests is limited so that everyone receives the attention and quality of service they expect and deserve.

Please visit the website at www.escapetoshape.com for more information.

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Fearless Friday - Bungee Jumpiing. Would You?

My jury is still out on this one. I mean, I want to sky dive, and that is definitely on my bucket list, but the bungee jumping thing? I just don't see why it's so to die for! (no pun intended!). It reminds me of the Batman ride that I went on at Great Adventure years ago. You strap into this little compartment, they take you waaayyyy up high, and then when you reach about 400 or so feet up, they drop you in an instant, and you descend so fast that your stomach ends up in your ears. FUN, right? lol. I actually liked that! Ha! So, maybe bungee jumping is for me after all!

As for bungee jumping, I had to wonder, who invented this crazy activity? And here, according to Wiki answers it is:

"Men on Pentecost Island in the South Pacific have been doing land jumping for hundreds of years.

This ancient custom caught the interest of some students at Oxford University in England. In the late nineteen seventies, they formed a group called the Dangerous Sports Club. They liked to invent risky and sometimes crazy activities. They were some of the first people to test several of what are now called extreme sports. They are said to have invented modern bungee jumping.

In the spring of nineteen seventy-nine, members of the group jumped off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England. They were attached to the bridge by a bungee cord, a long elastic rope that stretches. They were dressed in black and white clothing and held bottles of Champagne wine. The press quickly reported on their wild activities. The group soon received even more attention when they organized a bungee jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

A man named A.J. Hackett of New Zealand later heard about this group. He decided to make the sport into a business. Mister Hackett worked with his friend Henry van Asch who was an expert at skiing. They started developing bungee ropes and materials. Scientists at Auckland University helped them. The two men knew that people would find bungee jumping exciting and fun. And they knew people would pay money for the experience."

Sounds like a great bunch of guys to be hanging out with, huh?

So, have any of you bungee jumped before? What was it like? If not, would you? If I were in a place that had it, being the daredevil I am, I probably would. I can never resist a dare!
We'll just have to make sure those bindings are strapped on reeaaal tight, ya know? ;)

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