Sunday, July 28, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
FitDog Friday: Is Your Dog Keeping You Fit?
"If exercise was a pill, everyone would take it!"
We dog owners have to take responsibility for our dogs' fitness. We monitor their weight and food quality, and we know they need exercise every day. We also have a responsibility for our own health. As the saying goes,
"you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself".
When you take the opportunity to stretch your legs along with your dog, you can make a big difference in your well-being.
According to active.com:
We dog owners have to take responsibility for our dogs' fitness. We monitor their weight and food quality, and we know they need exercise every day. We also have a responsibility for our own health. As the saying goes,
"you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself".
When you take the opportunity to stretch your legs along with your dog, you can make a big difference in your well-being.
According to active.com:
Researchers at Michigan State University found that dog owners are 34 percent more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week than non-dog owners. The study also found that owning a dog promotes health and fitness even after you take your pup for a stroll, increasing leisure-time physical activity by 69 percent.
The 2008 U.S exercise guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity like brisk walking, at least 5 times a week - 150 minutes.
"Most people do not realize that sustained bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity completely change our bodies from the inside out."
- Scientific American, Aug. 2013, Why Exercise Works Magic. Bassuk, Church, and Manson, p. 77.
Did you know you can turn some of your genes on or off with regular exercise? Scientists are in the process of identifying these genes, which affect a wide range of body systems.
In fact, scientists say each of these interacting parts of your bod are improved by exercise: nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and immune systems. Result? Less risk of cancer, depression, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, fractures, falls, and last but not least the big killer of women, heart disease. And they can explain how exercise works its magic "at the level of cells and molecules ".
"But it's so darn hot!"
True. I love it that my workouts are in an air-conditioned studio. I go early in the morning and get home before the sun really starts cooking. I'm already sweaty anyway, and walking Toby is a great post exercise cool-down. Grab your leash, dog, and [stainless steel] water bottle and try it!
Oh, and follow all of the excellent advice from the other bloggers about looking out for your pup when exercising in the summer heat :)
"But it's so darn hot!"
True. I love it that my workouts are in an air-conditioned studio. I go early in the morning and get home before the sun really starts cooking. I'm already sweaty anyway, and walking Toby is a great post exercise cool-down. Grab your leash, dog, and [stainless steel] water bottle and try it!
Oh, and follow all of the excellent advice from the other bloggers about looking out for your pup when exercising in the summer heat :)
FitDog Friday: Is Your Dog Keeping You Fit?
"If exercise was a pill, everyone would take it!"
We dog owners have to take responsibility for our dogs' fitness. We monitor their weight and food quality, and we know they need exercise every day. We also have a responsibility for our own health. As the saying goes,
"you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself".
When you take the opportunity to stretch your legs along with your dog, you can make a big difference in your well-being.
According to active.com:
We dog owners have to take responsibility for our dogs' fitness. We monitor their weight and food quality, and we know they need exercise every day. We also have a responsibility for our own health. As the saying goes,
"you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself".
When you take the opportunity to stretch your legs along with your dog, you can make a big difference in your well-being.
According to active.com:
Researchers at Michigan State University found that dog owners are 34 percent more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week than non-dog owners. The study also found that owning a dog promotes health and fitness even after you take your pup for a stroll, increasing leisure-time physical activity by 69 percent.
The 2008 U.S exercise guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity like brisk walking, at least 5 times a week - 150 minutes.
"Most people do not realize that sustained bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity completely change our bodies from the inside out."
- Scientific American, Aug. 2013, Why Exercise Works Magic. Bassuk, Church, and Manson, p. 77.
Did you know you can turn some of your genes on or off with regular exercise? Scientists are in the process of identifying these genes, which affect a wide range of body systems.
In fact, scientists say each of these interacting parts of your bod are improved by exercise: nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and immune systems. Result? Less risk of cancer, depression, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, fractures, falls, and last but not least the big killer of women, heart disease. And they can explain how exercise works its magic "at the level of cells and molecules ".
"But it's so darn hot!"
True. I love it that my workouts are in an air-conditioned studio. I go early in the morning and get home before the sun really starts cooking. I'm already sweaty anyway, and walking Toby is a great post exercise cool-down. Grab your leash, dog, and [stainless steel] water bottle and try it!
Oh, and follow all of the excellent advice from the other bloggers about looking out for your pup when exercising in the summer heat :)
"But it's so darn hot!"
True. I love it that my workouts are in an air-conditioned studio. I go early in the morning and get home before the sun really starts cooking. I'm already sweaty anyway, and walking Toby is a great post exercise cool-down. Grab your leash, dog, and [stainless steel] water bottle and try it!
Oh, and follow all of the excellent advice from the other bloggers about looking out for your pup when exercising in the summer heat :)
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wordless Wednesday - Rejects
Wordless Wednesday
For today's post and your amusement or disgust I am using a few of the reject photos from past attempts...
 |
| Dizzy much? |
 |
| Didn't your camera come with a flash? |
 |
| This just looks wrong. |
 |
| Not my husband's best look nor Toby's best side! |
 |
| Look here Toby...here Toby...CHEEZ Toby! Sigh. |
 |
| This one's not bad ( thanks Ted) but I used one where Toby (finally) looked at the camera. |
Okay, now go look at your blog photos. They look pretty fantastic don't they!
Wordless Wednesday - Rejects
Wordless Wednesday
For today's post and your amusement or disgust I am using a few of the reject photos from past attempts...
|
| Dizzy much? |
|
| Didn't your camera come with a flash? |
|
| This just looks wrong. |
|
| Not my husband's best look nor Toby's best side! |
|
| Look here Toby...here Toby...CHEEZ Toby! Sigh. |
|
| This one's not bad ( thanks Ted) but I used one where Toby (finally) looked at the camera. |
Okay, now go look at your blog photos. They look pretty fantastic don't they!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Missing My Human Brother - Monday Mischief
My human brother didn't come home last night. I waited under the front window all night for him. I wonder if it had something to do with the suitcases and packing on Saturday. And driving to some mysterious place called D.C. twice last week.
Yes Toby. We're sad but also proud that Kevin has begun his new job teaching English to little children in South Korea. We aren't going to see him for a year. So we are sad. But what an adventure for him.
Adventure? Who needs adventure if it's going to make my people sad? Sounds like MISCHIEF to me!
See Toby, unlike puppies, who stay in the house with their families when they grow up, human children must start living somewhere else when they grow up. They need to be independent and someday, if they're lucky, have their own families and pets. It's just how it is for humans.
Well I'm certainly glad to be a canine then. Because I'm quite happy to let you take care of the details of giving me The Good Life! And I'll provide the comfort for as long as you need it.
Missing My Human Brother - Monday Mischief
My human brother didn't come home last night. I waited under the front window all night for him. I wonder if it had something to do with the suitcases and packing on Saturday. And driving to some mysterious place called D.C. twice last week.
Yes Toby. We're sad but also proud that Kevin has begun his new job teaching English to little children in South Korea. We aren't going to see him for a year. So we are sad. But what an adventure for him.
Adventure? Who needs adventure if it's going to make my people sad? Sounds like MISCHIEF to me!
See Toby, unlike puppies, who stay in the house with their families when they grow up, human children must start living somewhere else when they grow up. They need to be independent and someday, if they're lucky, have their own families and pets. It's just how it is for humans.
Well I'm certainly glad to be a canine then. Because I'm quite happy to let you take care of the details of giving me The Good Life! And I'll provide the comfort for as long as you need it.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
O Summertime
O Summertime
Sung to the tune of "America the Beautiful"
O sweltering white-vapored skies
And yet it does not rain.
O sweat the drips into my eyes,
that brings the sting of pain!
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Thank God for the A.C.!
Without its chill
We'd be a-grill
From sea to shining sea.
O wilting, drooping vegetables,
That cook whilst in the ground.
O sand, deck, dirt unwalkable
Could fry an egg quite brown!
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Thank God for peach iced tea!
'Neath shady trees
We seek a breeze
From sea to shining sea.
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Our energy is sapped.
Too hot to run
In the blist'ring sun,
Thank goodness we can nap!
This post is part of the Thankful Thursday blog hop hosted by PepiSmartDog.com!
O Summertime
O Summertime
Sung to the tune of "America the Beautiful"
O sweltering white-vapored skies
And yet it does not rain.
O sweat the drips into my eyes,
that brings the sting of pain!
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Thank God for the A.C.!
Without its chill
We'd be a-grill
From sea to shining sea.
O wilting, drooping vegetables,
That cook whilst in the ground.
O sand, deck, dirt unwalkable
Could fry an egg quite brown!
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Thank God for peach iced tea!
'Neath shady trees
We seek a breeze
From sea to shining sea.
O Summertime, sweet summertime,
Our energy is sapped.
Too hot to run
In the blist'ring sun,
Thank goodness we can nap!
This post is part of the Thankful Thursday blog hop hosted by PepiSmartDog.com!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Tropical Fruit Kong Filling
After a hot and humid walk this morning I wanted to reward Toby with a treat that would occupy him too. What about his heavy-duty Kong stuffed with peanut butter?
His weight is stable at 60 pounds now. At his checkup Toby's vet give him a thumbs-up on his weight...but really she'd prefer him to get a little closer to 55 pounds.
Peanut butter is one of Toby's favorite foods, but it is a high-fat, high calorie treat. Toby's favorites also include almost all tropical fruits, which I just happened to have on hand after visiting the commissary a few days ago. So out came the blender and in went 3 of Toby's favorite fruits:
1. Banana
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. Potassium has a crucial role in nerve and muscle function. It can help protect bones and the cardiovascular system. Bananas have been called one of the "world's healthiest foods".
2. Mango
Mangos are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and fiber. There are only 1.3 grams of fat in a whole mango.
3. Avocado
Avocados are rich in 3 kinds of "good fats": phytosterols and polyhydrated fatty alcohols (PFA's), both of which are anti-inflammatory; and oleic acid, which helps with absorption of antioxidants. They are a great source of fiber, Vitamin K, folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, and potassium.
When I blended these ingredients (1/2 avocado, 1/2 mango, 1 banana) the result seemed a bit soft to put into a Kong toy. I stirred in 1 tablespoon of ground flax meal. Though still a bit loose, the result held together well enough to insert into the Kong. Of course the stuffed Kong could be frozen before serving it.
Tropical Fruit Kong Filling
1 banana
1/2 avocado
1/2 fresh mango
1 T. ground flax meal
Serving size: 3 tablespoons
Number of servings: 3
Calories per serving: 102
Honestly, when I tasted it I thought it would make a pretty yummy dip or spread for the humans!
Tropical Fruit Kong Filling
After a hot and humid walk this morning I wanted to reward Toby with a treat that would occupy him too. What about his heavy-duty Kong stuffed with peanut butter?
His weight is stable at 60 pounds now. At his checkup Toby's vet give him a thumbs-up on his weight...but really she'd prefer him to get a little closer to 55 pounds.
Peanut butter is one of Toby's favorite foods, but it is a high-fat, high calorie treat. Toby's favorites also include almost all tropical fruits, which I just happened to have on hand after visiting the commissary a few days ago. So out came the blender and in went 3 of Toby's favorite fruits:
1. Banana
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, manganese, and fiber. Potassium has a crucial role in nerve and muscle function. It can help protect bones and the cardiovascular system. Bananas have been called one of the "world's healthiest foods".
2. Mango
Mangos are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and fiber. There are only 1.3 grams of fat in a whole mango.
3. Avocado
Avocados are rich in 3 kinds of "good fats": phytosterols and polyhydrated fatty alcohols (PFA's), both of which are anti-inflammatory; and oleic acid, which helps with absorption of antioxidants. They are a great source of fiber, Vitamin K, folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, and potassium.
When I blended these ingredients (1/2 avocado, 1/2 mango, 1 banana) the result seemed a bit soft to put into a Kong toy. I stirred in 1 tablespoon of ground flax meal. Though still a bit loose, the result held together well enough to insert into the Kong. Of course the stuffed Kong could be frozen before serving it.
Tropical Fruit Kong Filling
1 banana
1/2 avocado
1/2 fresh mango
1 T. ground flax meal
Serving size: 3 tablespoons
Number of servings: 3
Calories per serving: 102
Honestly, when I tasted it I thought it would make a pretty yummy dip or spread for the humans!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Can You Comment On This?
Recently I saw some comments about...commenting. Like, should the blogger reply to the people who comment? Do the commenters come back to check on whether the blogger replied to their comment?
I also saw some comments that if you don't have something special or profound or new to say, it's rude to leave a comment like, "Great post" or "Thanks for the info!".
Hmmm. Personally I like to get comments. I don't care whether they are super long or special (although that's fun too). I just like knowing someone saw my post and enjoyed the photo or bothered to read what I had to say. Then I enjoy replying if I can because it seems nice to say 'I saw your comment, thanks' or words to that effect. But sometimes I don't have time or I forget to reply to the comments. Then I worry that I've hurt my visitor's feelings...but do they actually even know?
Occasionally I might go back to see if a blogger responded to my comment, especially if it WAS long or sharing something new. But me, I don't get upset if the blogger didn't respond.
I've seen that a couple of blogs I follow are using something called Disqus (sp?) that notifies a commenter of replies from the blogger. Does that seem worth doing?
I asked Toby about this issue and we agreed that we need help. So what do you think - leave a comment! BOL!
Hmmm. Personally I like to get comments. I don't care whether they are super long or special (although that's fun too). I just like knowing someone saw my post and enjoyed the photo or bothered to read what I had to say. Then I enjoy replying if I can because it seems nice to say 'I saw your comment, thanks' or words to that effect. But sometimes I don't have time or I forget to reply to the comments. Then I worry that I've hurt my visitor's feelings...but do they actually even know?
Occasionally I might go back to see if a blogger responded to my comment, especially if it WAS long or sharing something new. But me, I don't get upset if the blogger didn't respond.
I've seen that a couple of blogs I follow are using something called Disqus (sp?) that notifies a commenter of replies from the blogger. Does that seem worth doing?
I asked Toby about this issue and we agreed that we need help. So what do you think - leave a comment! BOL!
Can You Comment On This?
Recently I saw some comments about...commenting. Like, should the blogger reply to the people who comment? Do the commenters come back to check on whether the blogger replied to their comment?
I also saw some comments that if you don't have something special or profound or new to say, it's rude to leave a comment like, "Great post" or "Thanks for the info!".
Hmmm. Personally I like to get comments. I don't care whether they are super long or special (although that's fun too). I just like knowing someone saw my post and enjoyed the photo or bothered to read what I had to say. Then I enjoy replying if I can because it seems nice to say 'I saw your comment, thanks' or words to that effect. But sometimes I don't have time or I forget to reply to the comments. Then I worry that I've hurt my visitor's feelings...but do they actually even know?
Occasionally I might go back to see if a blogger responded to my comment, especially if it WAS long or sharing something new. But me, I don't get upset if the blogger didn't respond.
I've seen that a couple of blogs I follow are using something called Disqus (sp?) that notifies a commenter of replies from the blogger. Does that seem worth doing?
I asked Toby about this issue and we agreed that we need help. So what do you think - leave a comment! BOL!
Hmmm. Personally I like to get comments. I don't care whether they are super long or special (although that's fun too). I just like knowing someone saw my post and enjoyed the photo or bothered to read what I had to say. Then I enjoy replying if I can because it seems nice to say 'I saw your comment, thanks' or words to that effect. But sometimes I don't have time or I forget to reply to the comments. Then I worry that I've hurt my visitor's feelings...but do they actually even know?
Occasionally I might go back to see if a blogger responded to my comment, especially if it WAS long or sharing something new. But me, I don't get upset if the blogger didn't respond.
I've seen that a couple of blogs I follow are using something called Disqus (sp?) that notifies a commenter of replies from the blogger. Does that seem worth doing?
I asked Toby about this issue and we agreed that we need help. So what do you think - leave a comment! BOL!
Friday, July 12, 2013
See Beautiful: Without Vision, Just the Heart
Do you know Duchess?
Duchess is a blind therapy dog who works with autistic children. Duchess wears a beautiful Golden Retriever smile.
Duchess is known for her compassionate heart. Though she cannot see the children who love her, she sees what matters about them. She "sees" them as humans with the same needs for companionship and comfort as neurotypical children.
Similarly, Duchess "sees" the young and vibrant person within the wrinkled, spotted skin of the elderly people she visits.
When I stumbled on the Duchess the Dog website, I knew I was Seeing Beauty. Because she is blind, she symbolizes the "seeing" that looks beyond the attributes our vision notices. She personifies the kind of love that doesn't ignore frailty, tics, stimming, or lack of eye contact; rather, it skips beyond these outer differences.
Duchess is not the only therapy dog with this kind of love for people others might regard as 'peculiar' or 'useless'. Rather, her blindness highlights love that sees only with the heart.
Please click here if you'd like to see more photos of Duchess at her website. From there you can learn more about her on Facebook. May you See Beautiful with your heart my friends, just like Duchess!
Duchess is a blind therapy dog who works with autistic children. Duchess wears a beautiful Golden Retriever smile.
 |
| From the Duchess the Dog Website |
Similarly, Duchess "sees" the young and vibrant person within the wrinkled, spotted skin of the elderly people she visits.
When I stumbled on the Duchess the Dog website, I knew I was Seeing Beauty. Because she is blind, she symbolizes the "seeing" that looks beyond the attributes our vision notices. She personifies the kind of love that doesn't ignore frailty, tics, stimming, or lack of eye contact; rather, it skips beyond these outer differences.
Duchess is not the only therapy dog with this kind of love for people others might regard as 'peculiar' or 'useless'. Rather, her blindness highlights love that sees only with the heart.
Please click here if you'd like to see more photos of Duchess at her website. From there you can learn more about her on Facebook. May you See Beautiful with your heart my friends, just like Duchess!
See Beautiful: Without Vision, Just the Heart
Do you know Duchess?
Duchess is a blind therapy dog who works with autistic children. Duchess wears a beautiful Golden Retriever smile.
Duchess is known for her compassionate heart. Though she cannot see the children who love her, she sees what matters about them. She "sees" them as humans with the same needs for companionship and comfort as neurotypical children.
Similarly, Duchess "sees" the young and vibrant person within the wrinkled, spotted skin of the elderly people she visits.
When I stumbled on the Duchess the Dog website, I knew I was Seeing Beauty. Because she is blind, she symbolizes the "seeing" that looks beyond the attributes our vision notices. She personifies the kind of love that doesn't ignore frailty, tics, stimming, or lack of eye contact; rather, it skips beyond these outer differences.
Duchess is not the only therapy dog with this kind of love for people others might regard as 'peculiar' or 'useless'. Rather, her blindness highlights love that sees only with the heart.
Please click here if you'd like to see more photos of Duchess at her website. From there you can learn more about her on Facebook. May you See Beautiful with your heart my friends, just like Duchess!
Duchess is a blind therapy dog who works with autistic children. Duchess wears a beautiful Golden Retriever smile.
|
| From the Duchess the Dog Website |
Similarly, Duchess "sees" the young and vibrant person within the wrinkled, spotted skin of the elderly people she visits.
When I stumbled on the Duchess the Dog website, I knew I was Seeing Beauty. Because she is blind, she symbolizes the "seeing" that looks beyond the attributes our vision notices. She personifies the kind of love that doesn't ignore frailty, tics, stimming, or lack of eye contact; rather, it skips beyond these outer differences.
Duchess is not the only therapy dog with this kind of love for people others might regard as 'peculiar' or 'useless'. Rather, her blindness highlights love that sees only with the heart.
Please click here if you'd like to see more photos of Duchess at her website. From there you can learn more about her on Facebook. May you See Beautiful with your heart my friends, just like Duchess!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Two Parks, One Week: From Mountains To The Beach
We had planned to spend the week of July 4th at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. The jet stream made other plans for us.
It picked up water in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped it on the mountains of the East Coast. I'll share our resulting itinerary and some photos:
Sunday: drive to Grayson, set up campsite, build campfire, eat dinner, listen to rain on tent roof all night
Monday: Rejoice that rain stopped, hike the Wilson Creek Trail, cook hot dogs/vegan dogs over fire, listen to rain on tent roof all night
Tuesday: Hike the Twin Pinnacles Trail, Scales Trail. Picnic lunch on ridge top, skip campfire for park-sponsored folk music, beat rain to tent by 5 minutes, listen to downpour like kettle drums all night
Wednesday: Wake up to rain. Spend day under screen house in rain gear (Toby under picnic table) watching river run through campsite; read; eat PB&J in tent for dinner; listen for rain to stop all night (it doesn't)
Thursday: Still raining. Get forecast from ranger; pack up; drive home; give poor muddy Toby a bath immediately!
Now at this point, we were a bit downcast about our vacation. Then our son-in-law Billy texted Ted, offering to share their reservation at False Cape State Park on the weekend. Hurray!
Dogs are not allowed at False Cape, for the protection of sea turtle and shorebird nests. You can only get there by hiking 5 miles or riding a bike. But once you have hiked in you are spending July 4 weekend at virtually your own private beach, 5 miles from the mayhem at Virginia Beach. Don't believe me? Look:
Sunday: drive to Grayson, set up campsite, build campfire, eat dinner, listen to rain on tent roof all night
Monday: Rejoice that rain stopped, hike the Wilson Creek Trail, cook hot dogs/vegan dogs over fire, listen to rain on tent roof all night
 |
| Rain does create beautiful waterfalls and rapids! |
 |
| Views from Little Pinnacle, Big Pinnacle |
 |
| View from picnic spot... |
Thursday: Still raining. Get forecast from ranger; pack up; drive home; give poor muddy Toby a bath immediately!
Now at this point, we were a bit downcast about our vacation. Then our son-in-law Billy texted Ted, offering to share their reservation at False Cape State Park on the weekend. Hurray!
Dogs are not allowed at False Cape, for the protection of sea turtle and shorebird nests. You can only get there by hiking 5 miles or riding a bike. But once you have hiked in you are spending July 4 weekend at virtually your own private beach, 5 miles from the mayhem at Virginia Beach. Don't believe me? Look:
From one end of Virginia to the other in one week!
We are lucky to live in an incredibly scenic state, in all weather and every season.
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