tigra

I think stuffing stuffed into the turkey is back in style- the stuffing police have lightened up and now just remind you to check not only the temperature of the meat, but the stuffing as well.

I do the poppers on Christmas Eve. Last year I made a Tyler Florence recipe- sweet potatoes mashed with bananas, butter and honey and topped with a pecan crumble. It was a HUGE hit and I think that's a new Thanksgiving tradition for me. I never liked sweet potatoes when I was a kid because my mom always used the canned ones- very icky!

Stretching, lots of water and eat some protein after the workout. It all helps!

Equal Employment Opportunity Act?? Good intentions, often abused ......... It is what it is...... But if we keep up along this path, this thread will end up in the Speaker's corner and I'd rather send eeneR good vibes. I no longer have to interview, hire or fire people and I am extremely happy about that!

"We" do lunges across the gym too, and squats, etc........ All sorts of fun stuff! This past year, when the weight started coming off, seems like most of it came off my ass and hips. Blame or thank the elliptical for that, but for a while, from my hips down, I looked like a boy! Now that I'm actually training and building muscle, I'm getting a bit of a booty again. The SO even noticed and said something. Go figure ...........

I also embarrassed my trainer earlier this week. He's a young guy, really sweet, and always professional. The other night, we (I) were doing one legged presses and WOW, did I feel it in my gluts! It was tough! As we were walking towards the next machine, I said to him "I guess I'll thank you for this when people start checking out my ass!" Poor kid, he's still not 100% sure how to take me but he took it very well. He hesitated for a second but kept a straight face told me he would look forward to that day.

I've come to the conclusion I am part bear. I'm eating more because my bear DNA thinks I need to bulk up for winter hibernation. Feel free to use this excuse. I also got up extremely early this morning so I hit the gym for 35 minutes on the elliptical. No weights or anything, but I feel pretty good. My regular workouts are helping to offset my increased appetite but still, instead of losing, I'm up about 3 pounds since the beginning of October. I'm OK with that long term- I just need to work on supressing my "inner bear" and cut back on the junk food! I stocked up yesterday on healthier snacks to keep at the office. Stuff like cereal and instant oatmeal so I can have breakfast and/or something before my evening workouts, plus high protein whole grain granola bars, etc. My young trainer suggested smaller meals more often- he really didn't buy into the bear thing .......

Absolutely! Its also nearly impossible to prove if a former employer sabotages your chances of getting a new job because of an "off the record" conversation. But what's technically legal or illegal and what actually happens in the workplace are 2 different things. I would call on a reference if I knew the person, or I might call someone I know at the place the candidate used to work to try and get more info, but technically, I couldn't use any negative information I received as a reason NOT to hire someone. (and I once had one of MY managers-who knew better- try to feed me blatantly "illegal" information that he found out about someone I had interviewed.) I would just need to cover my bases and make sure either that person clearly wasn't right for the job or I had a better qualifed candidate and most of the time, that isn't too hard to do.

Actually, its both. What's on the report contributes to the score and if you think companies won't wonder about a prospective employee with a really poor credit score, think again. Its not the only thing they'll look at but it is a factor especially if the person will be handling funds or sensitive customer information. And eeneR- most companies won't go through the trouble and expense of a background check unless they are really interested. Last time I went through the process, the background check took a while. They said they wanted to make a quick decision, but it was at least 2 weeks before I got the offer.

When I was in management, about the only time I would call is if I knew the reference personally, which did happen once or twice. Think about it- you aren't going to list a reference unless that person has something positive to say. And if you're calling to check previous employment, its illegal for them to say anything but position and dates employed- they can't even tell you if the person was fired for theft or other illegal activities. And if you do get some inside info from someone you know at that company and it isn't good, legally, you can't base your decision on that so you better have another good reason NOT to hire that person. Sometimes you are better off not asking and just trusting your gut. Most large employers use background checks and credit reports these days, and hope for the best. I still don't see how a credit score is a good indicator of what kind of employee a person will be, but when you think about it, most references are pretty useless too. Anyway, good luck! I hope you get the job!

Hey- whatever works for you. Congrats on the weight loss. I am not familiar with that game, but I'll bet if you contacted the manufacturers with before and after pictures you could at least get a free tee shirt out of it!

Capoera (sp?) is a Brazilian martial arts- think TaeBo latin style? Kicks, lunges and punches to a latin beat. At Ballys, they incorporate a lot of cardio and a little dance. Its really cool and I like it enough that I wouldn't mind taking a real class at a martial arts center one of these days. For cardio, at this point I can actually do the ellipitical for a really long time, just zoning out with my iPod and watching whatever is on the tv monitors in front of me, but the classes are a nice change of pace.

For months, I was pretty much only doing cardio on the elliptical but last spring I realized I needed to vary my routine a little bit so I signed up for the Latin Cardio dance. Its awesome- fun and a great workout- mostly cardio but she also really works your legs and throws some arm work in there as well plus stretching at the end. Plus I've met some new friends in the class and its easier to head out to the gym regularly when there are friendly familiar faces there, right? The same teacher also has a Capoera (sp?) class at a different location and I try to catch that class as often as I can. She's a lot tougher in that class! Still, I have to say the biggest difference since the spring is the strength training I started in August when I finally broke down and shelled out some cash for a trainer. I haven't lost any weight since then but I'm down another pants size. And I'm not "dieting" at all- I'm not counting calories, carbs or fat grams. I'm pretty much eating what I feel like when I feel like it. (yes, my eating habits have improved a little bit over the past year os so, but still...........) Proof that muscle weighs more than fat, I guess!

I'm glad you made it to the gym. Most of the time, I feel great after some cardio even if I felt crappy beforehand. I had a long workout last night- got off work on time and had an extra hour before my Latin Cardio Dance class. I was tired and hungry by the time I left the gym last night! Tonight is my night with the trainer and we'll be doing legs. YIKES!

Well, the purpose of any vaccine is to trigger an immune response, correct? Swelling, redness, mild fever, coughing and sneezing are all signs that your immune system is working which is why some people feel a little crappy after a flu shot. Makes total sense to me.

I think the story line with the money is interesting because at least twice now he's brought it back to a different time and left a lot behind. That money has to end up in circulation and at this point literally anyone could have some of it. I think it will turn out that the one FBI guy suspects the time travel and wants to use it to his advantage.

The whole time travel paradox usually bugs me, but I think this show handles it pretty well. What does bother me about the show is all the interpersonal drama and sub-plots. The "dead" fiancee he never really got over is his co-worker now and everytime he looks at her, he feels like he's cheating on his wife who just happens to be his brother's ex. The brother never really got over losing her but still loves his brother. And the wife's new boss will also become a factor. I could handle one or two sub plots, but all of them intermingled like this is distracting on top of all the time travel- a little too much.

YOU'RE happening! That's one reason your kids are so cool! Making captain her freshman year? Goooooooo Steffi!

I've never gotten one and I've had the "flu" maybe once in my life. I usually get one winter cold that makes me miserable for a day or 2 but normally that's about it and I've heard the flu shots can make you feel crappy- for me so far it hasn't been worth it. Isn't that how vaccines work though- expose you to a weak version of the virus to promote your own immune system to build up the appropriate antibodies so when the real thing comes along, your body is prepared?

Well, if I don't go as soon as I leave here, I won't workout tonight. And tomorrow and Sunday are both iffy, because unless I get up and go really early, I won't have a chance to go at all because I've got stuff to do all weeekend. I know I SHOULD go tonight, but there's a nice bottle of Chenin Sec all chilled and ready for me. ..... sigh ..... I don't think I'll decide until I leave work in about an hour- turn onto the expressway towards home or keep going up the street to the health club! Choices, choices!

Hey- congrats on that inch of clearance on each side!

I'm still hovering around (and lately just a bit over) that "milestone number" on the scale. Its just another plateau but I know overall I am healthier and my body is much more toned than it ever has been. I'm debating whether or not I should head out to the gym tonight after work or head straight home and hang with the SO. I doubt I'll make it tomorrow or Sunday and reading about other people's 2 hour workouts and 5000 pushups, crunches and flutter kicks is making me feel like a slacker, but it is Friday night, you know??

The trick is to keep the bowl and beaters in the freezer until you are ready. And use the real vanilla extract, not the stuff in your grocery store spice aisle.

I'm pretty sure the article in its entirety does include the definition of "overweight" and was referring to people who are about 20 pounds overweight or less. At least, the study the article is referring to makes that clarification.

He was doing talk radio on an AM station with a partner (Roe Conn?) and when his contract came up for renewal, he tried to shake down the station for more cash and they basically told him not to let the door hit his ass on the way out. Then he was off the air for a couple of years. I guess his career rebirth isn't going all that well for him.