Friday, 13 August 2010
Week 24: Lift weights for 5 minutes each day this week.
Good afternoon. Luke and I just got back from our mini vacation and it was a blast. We stayed in a hotel where the hallways reminded me of the movie The Shining. I got some great footage of Luke riding his three-wheeler around with me in the background saying, “Come play with us Danny. Come play with us.” I thought it was cute. I don’t know what he’ll think about it when he gets older, but hey, for all I know there aren’t that many people out the there right now who get the reference.
How did my healthy lifestyle hold up? Not bad. I obviously didn’t bring my weights along – you try carrying a toddler with all the accessories and then add 40 lbs of weights to it. Not this guy. I did my crunches, push-ups and walk/jog though. I ate everything that I’m suppose to except for the beans ( I forgot them on the kitchen floor while I was packing). Now comes some of the bad stuff. One of my favorite fried chicken places was close to where we were staying, so both Luke and I got our grease on. I don’t feel bad about it. I was on vacation and I wanted something I don’t get all the time so…Oh, and it was good, by the way. Also, while we’re on the subject of clogging both Luke and my arteries, we also ate at one of our favorite hamburger joints. I could tell you that they use only lean beef, but I would be lying. And there you have it. Oh, and the burgers were also good, by the way.
But now vacation is done and it’s time to get back on track. To be honest with you, I needed to get away for awhile and have some fun. It did me a world of good.
I hope everybody has a great day and stays on course.
Later,
Barry J
Tags: food, kids, vacation
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Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Week 19: Eat 1 1/2 cups lettuce/spinach each day this week.
Good morning. Luke and I just got back from his follow-up checkup with his pediatrician, and Dr. B. feels he is doing much better. That may explain all of his rambunctiousness as of late, and if that’s the case then I’m cool with that. He will have to have one more round of blood work just to make sure all his levels are where they are suppose to be, but after that we both say, “No mas senor.”
I was lucky enough to get up fifteen minutes before the boy destroyer to get in all of my stretches and exercises, so that part of my day is done without any crazy incidents. We’ll be heading to the air conditioned library after I get done blogging, which is a total blessing. I’m not just talking about the books, Megan Evans the children librarian, or the fact that we have such a great library itself. No sir. they all are blessings, but I’m talking about the fact that it’s air conditioned. It’s so hot here I saw a bunny explode from the heat. Ok ok ,I didn’t see a bunny explode, but he looked like he wanted to. He didn’t even try to run away from me as I walked up the sidewalk when I got home last night from my first eight hour practice day at work. He just kind of looked at me as if to say, “You look like a waiter from a bad Chinese restaurant. What are you going to do, chase me? It’s too hot.”
Which brings me to the lunch I had yesterday at the E.D.R. — that’s Employee Dining Room, by the way. The casino business is like the military when it comes to acronyms. They just love to shorten things up, and if they can make a cute name out of something it’s even better. The salad bar was great. There were three different beans to choose from, mixed greens, and an array of fruits and vegetables. I swear even the baby carrots tasted pretty good. The best part was that it didn’t cost me one cent. I was amazed to hear some people complaining about the selection of foods and desserts after we got back from break. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, “IT’S FREE, MAN! FREE!” I swear I’ll never figure some people out.
I hope everybody has a great day and if you see that bunny, tell him I have to wear that uniform so lay off, man.
Later,
Barry J
Tags: exercise, food
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Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Week 19: Eat 1 1/2 cups lettuce/spinach each day this week.
Barry J
Good morning. Before Luke woke up I was looking for the knob hidden on his body that somebody must have accidentally bumped to… Dare I say it? Would it be politically correct to say the word “terrible” in front of the word two in today’s world without a million people coming down on me like an avalanche in a Jack London novel? I believe I’m supposed to use the word “terrific” instead of terrible. Well, it wasn’t terrific yesterday when he decided to go all Mohamed Ali on my butt for no reason when I asked him for a hug. A hug I did not get. Oh no, I got a left jab with a right upper cut. His form was outstanding, I’ll give him that, but where in the heck did he learn that move? It certainly wasn’t terrific when he didn’t want to eat the meal I made for him so instead of not eating it and throwing a fit…wait for it… wait for it… he threw the food…wait for it… wait for it…in his diaper! Talk about cutting to the chase. He did all of this with a grin that would make Dennis the Menace look like the poster child for Angel of the Month magazine. One minute I’m doing the dishes and when I look over, he has chicken, broccoli and baby carrots on his plate, the next minute he doesn’t. Now my Momma didn’t raise no fool and, sure, there is always some food fallout around him, but not the quantity that was previously on his plate so I walk over to check it out because I don’t like the grin on his mug. That was when I noticed the crown of broccoli sticking out of his Huggies Little Movers enjoying the ride. He started laughing like I just told him my best joke. So of course I have to get him out of this soiled / unsoiled diaper. I go grab another Huggies. I come back out to the kitchen to find that he has taken off his diaper burrito and is acting like a sprinkler system on the floor. TERRIFIC!!!
Man, you’ve got to laugh. It’s good material, that’s all I can say. So far there have been no mishaps, but I’ll roll with whatever he’s got. My healthy lifestyle is going great and I’m looking forward to trying Mark’s Magnificent Burrito today for lunch. I know, I know, sorry Carol, I used the phrase diaper burrito earlier, but that’s what it was. It was a brand new one. Those things are not cheap.
I hope everybody has a TERRIFIC day.
Later,
Barry J
Tags: food, parenting
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Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Week 17: Eat 1/2 cup beans every day this week.
Barry J.
Good early morning. I’m typing this blog at 1:15 am because Luke and I are going to be heading out to see an old friend when we wake up and I’m pretty sure I won’t have time to check in later on in the day. My friend Jim called me Monday to see if we wanted to come and play with his twin daughters who are almost two and a half years old. What am I going to say to that – No? Not on your life . First of all, Jim is my oldest friend, going all the way back to high school, and I don’t get to see him that much anymore now that we’ve both become parents. Just the fact that we have children makes us laugh when we talk on the phone. Looking back at some of the adventures Jim and I have had together, it’s amazing that we’re here at all. Example. Jim called me up one time from Prescott, Arizona back in 1992 and asked if I could come and pick him up. Mind you, I was in between jobs and had nothing better to do, and he was in a jam. It took me less than thirty-two hours to go more than 2300 miles. Don’t do the math and kids, NEVER, EVER try to do that. I hate to put myself down, but trust me, that was stupid. I was in a hurry to get nowhere fast for no reason. If I had to do it all over again I would have taken a lot more time and stopped at the world’s largest ball of twine.
Anyway. When I get up I’ll do all my exercises and have my oatmeal. I blended all my fruits and veggies together and will be taking the birdie juice with us when we split around 8:30 am. I can’t wait to see how Luke plays with the twins. I wonder if he’ll be confused because they’re identical. I know I’m going to be. I haven’t seen them since February.
I hope everybody has a great day and that my son never does some of the things that I have done.
Later,
Barry J
Tags: food, friends
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Saturday, 19 June 2010
Week 16: Walk 30 minutes, 4 days this week.
Barry J.
Good morning. I know sometimes I say I have to make it quick and end up typing for a good solid ten minutes, but seriously, I’m going to cut it short today. I picked up Luke and we’re heading out to a carnival up river in Wilkes-Barre. Can you say good time?
I just blended all my fruits and veggies together so I could take them with me in a cooler. Plus, so I don’t go crazy on funnel cake (for those of you who have never had the pleasure of this artery clogger, it’s deep fried dough covered in powdered sugar), I’m bringing along some apples, carrot slices, and grapes. To be honest with you, I’m not going for the food. Oh no. I’m going to watch Luke on the rides. There’s something about him laughing while driving a small car that just completes me as a Dad. Life is good.
I got all my exercises in before 7:00 am, so I’m feeling spry and fly as the kids used to say in the mid nineties.
Carol gave me next week’s goal and let’s just say there’s something in the air. Oh, this is going to be so fun and easy. I’ll give you a hint. It’s something I have to eat and it produces emissions.
I hope everybody has a great day and stays away from fried dough.
Later,
Barry J P.S. Happy Birthday, Larry!
Tags: food
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Friday, 18 June 2010
Week 16: Walk at least 30 minutes, 4 days this week.
Barry J.
Good morning. I woke up today and just felt like a million dollars. I’m eating oatmeal with Jif and a cup of coffee, but before I made that up I did thirty crunches and twenty-eight push-ups. I just can’t get to thirty on those bad boys but that day’s coming. After I got done getting pumped up and I put the water on to boil I thought to myself, “today I’m going to drink all my fruits and vegetables.” So I broke out the Montel, threw in everything Carol told me I’m suppose to eat during a day plus some blueberries for good measure and good color, and then hit puree. It’s in the fridge as I type and after I get back from my walk I’m gonna get my chug on. I figure, why not break it up every now and then? Mom, Luke, or I haven’t made juice in a while, so before it ends up in the laundry gym and is being used as a mini washing machine to get tough juice stains out, I figured I should save it from its purgatory.
Readers, I know you read the blog and if you see where it says “no comment” that means no one has left a comment on that day’s blog. If it says “1 comment” or “2 comments” obviously there are that many comments left on that blog. If you would like to leave a comment all you have to do is click on the “no comment” wording and it will take you to the page to do so. If there is already a comment just click on “1 comment” and so on. Now don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not trying to solicit comments – the reason I’m telling you this is that if you go back and read some of the comments my sisters have left for me, they are full of love, support, and humor, and this is what you, reader, get to read. But I’ll tell you what, If you could read the e-mails they send me on my personal address, I feel like I have an entire platoon behind me. The support, love, compassion, strength, and hope they give to me is unbelievable. I can’t thank them enough. When I got home last night and read my e-mails, I just couldn’t stop smiling. I truly believe that’s why I woke up feeling like a million bucks.
I hope everybody has a great day and if you have a brother or a sister, give them a call or a HUGE hug today.
Later,
Barry J
Tags: Family, food
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Friday, 4 June 2010
Week 14: Do at least 5 crunches each day this week.
Barry J.
Good morning. Guess what I’m doing? Yep, eating a breakfast salad with delicious blueberries in it and listening to Coldplay. I went to go visit Uncle Jim yesterday, but it seems he had to go back into the hospital. I’m heading there today with a funny book to read to him, if he’s up for a couple pages. He’s a fighter man – Go Uncle Jim Go.
My friends and I went out to a restaurant the other night where Maribeth ordered the hottest, spiciest item on the menu. I thought to myself, “Alright Maribeth, get your hot on.” You see I’m a big fan of the hot and spicy. Not the painful, mind you. I just like food that has a kick to it that really brings out the flavors. Her plate of zest was brought out to her and she tries one of the chicken bites. I go, “How is it, hot?” She’s like “Ehhh it’s not that hot.” Offers me a piece and I take it for a spin. I agree. She asked the server if she could please have some cayenne pepper. The waitress brings out a little cup of red and black “whoop it up” powder and Maribeth proceeds to sprinkle the majority of the” firecracker” dust on the bites and pops one in her mouth. Chews a couple times, starts nodding her head like a Chase Utley bobble head doll, and goes to me, “Now it’s about right Baar.”She offers me a taste and I mean this sucker is covered like a bridge in Columbia County PA (Google it, Bing it, or Cindy Harris it), but I indulge. Now I’ve had hotter. In fact this isn’t even close to the hottest I’ve had, but I’m thinking to myself, “Man her husband, Brian, must must have no taste buds left if she cooks like that at home.” Our friend, Teddy, who is one of the nicest guys I know, who also has four daughters,one of which is graduating tonight (congratulations Alexandra), and still manages to be sane, well…(just kidding Teddy) was also with us, but he refused the cayenne dusted hot fusser. It seems Teddy has had his issues with cayenne pepper and believe me when I say this folks, it a whole other blog for a whole other time. All I can say is make sure you get your information right before you try something.
But back to Maribeth and her sadistic ways. The following day I let her try some spicy chicken teriyaki and rice I made with Spiracha Hot Chili Sauce, which to me is one of the best tasting flavorful “bang bang” hot sauce that is out there. She tasted it and said it was delicious. Reader when I whipped up this batch I made it extra spicy just for her, and she didn’t even blink. It would have brought Emeril Lagasse to his knees. Not Maribeth. She just looked at me and said “Man Baar, I wish you brought more.” Your rock, Maribeth.
Also on a side note I would like to say congratulations to Little Larry, who isn’t so little anymore. He’s graduating tonight as well and I wish I could be there to see you walk out the door for the last time. I’ll be there in spirit, my man. Do as much good in this world as you can and have as much fun as humanly possible. That’s about all the graduation advice I can give.
I hope everybody has a great day and if a woman named Maribeth offers you something to eat, have a glass of milk handy.
Later,
Barry J
p.s. Happy 12th Birthday Christoper. I hope you have the best day and the best year. I love you sooooooooo much.
Uncle Barry
Tags: breakfast, food
Posted in Fitness Goals | 1 Comment »
Monday, 26 April 2010
Week 9: Eat a banana every day this week.
Barry J.
Good morning. This one time when I was living in Washington State, my friend’s mom was making what I thought to be grilled cheese sandwiches on the stove. She asked me if I would care for one. I have never been known to turn down a grilled cheese sandwich so I happily said yes. About six minutes later she comes out into the living room where Larry and I are planning some scheme or another and she puts the “grilled cheese” on the end table next to me. I thank her and she warns me that it is “piping” hot. So I forget about it for a couple of minutes until my stomach grumbles reminding me that two feet to my left is a delectable gooey hunger fixer. I reach over and take a HUGE bite. After the second chomp I realize this is no grilled cheese sandwich, in fact, I have no idea what is in my mouth and I run for the trash can in the kitchen spitting out my first and only bite of what I am thinking is a bad joke being played on me. Carol, Larry’s mom goes, “What, you don’t like the tuna melt?” Tuna melt? Tuna melt? You see, I never asked if it was grilled cheese, I just assumed it was. It sure looked like a grilled cheese sitting there on the frying pan. Do I like tuna melts? Well yeah, I used to. Not anymore. Because I was expecting one thing and got another. To this day I cannot eat a tuna melt. I know, weird. I still can eat the heck out of a grilled cheese, but a tuna melt – EEAACCKK. You’re probably wondering what my point is? A Pink Lady apple got into the bin of Fuji apples, and I brought it into my fridge unknowingly. This morning I bit into that Pink Lady apple unknowingly, and knew it instantly. Now I’m not saying it was as bad as what I refer to as the Tuna melt incident of ‘95, but again when you think you’re getting one thing and you get something else it kind of throws you for a loop. I should speak for myself. It throws me for a loop. Heck, sometimes it throws me for the whole amusement park not just the loop in the roller coaster. Well enough history on me and tuna melts and my idiosyncrasy.
I guess I’m going bananas this week. That’s right, Carol (my sister not my friend Larry’s mom, because if it was the latter I would think I was getting a banana, but it would be kelp wrapped in yellow seaweed or something) posted my new goal which is to eat a banana every day. Man I’ll tell you what, Luke is going to dig this goal as much as I am — my boy loves his “nanners”.
I hope everybody out there has a great day, and if you’re serving somebody a tuna melt let them know.
Later,
Barry J.
Tags: food
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Saturday, 24 April 2010
Week 8: Walk 25 minutes at least 3 times this week.
Barry J.
Good morning. Ahhhh. Did you hear that? I’ll do it again. Ahhhh. A sigh of relief. Life has gotten back to normal. I served an eviction notice to the squatter that was inside my head and put a for rent sign up. If you would like to rent space in my head it now cost $1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.08 a minute. Anyone is welcome, but I will need an hour up front for a security deposit.
I picked Luke up this morning and when we got home he helped me make up a new batch of Montel. I let him decide what vegetables and fruits went into the concoction. My boy can make up a fine batch of Montel – in fact, I wrote down what and how much we put in and I’m renaming it “Luke’s Birdie Juice”. Some kids have lemonade stands; Luke’s going to corner the market with his Birdie potion.
We’re going to be heading out now because it’s another beautiful day in Northeastern PA, and there’s a street fair called the Bloomsburg Renaissance Jamboree that happens every year. Luke and I love to go to it. OK, I love to go to it. Luke probably doesn’t remember last year, but he will this year. Can you say moon bounce? Can you say face painting? Can you say jugglers? I love me some juggling.
I hope everybody out there has a great day and gets a tiger face. At least that’s what I’m getting painted on my mug.
Later,
Barry J.
Tags: food
Posted in Fitness Goals | No Comments »
