Saturday, October 31, 2015

IT IS HALLOWEEN TODAY - THIS WILL SCARE YOU

It is Halloween today. October 31. Is it really possible that the two people leading the polls for the Republican and Democratic nominations for the Presidency are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump?

This decoration in a neighbors front lawn across the street from me should scare everyone.

The two 'scarecrows' are what is really scary here. On the left, Hillary Clinton. (and boy oh boy, is she ever on the left!) and on the right, Donald Trump (the thing is, I think he may be on the left too!) In other words, the prospect of these two unelectable politicians competing in an election is a scary thought indeed. If one unelectable politician should run against another unelectable politician - one of the unelectable politicians will become President of the United States. Happy Halloween!

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I think after two plane trips and a bit too much walking in the rain both in Houston and Chicago, that your intrepid blogger might have caught a cold. I was chilled and dead tired last evening. I woke up yesterday feeling quite unrefreshed and after a quick breakfast, I downed another shot of Vicks NightTime medicine. When I awoke, I was feeling much better. Good enough to take a 13.1 mile hike in and around Lincoln Park and the Chicago Lakefront.

The 13.1 mile concluded by walking around the block in the neighborhood of Streeterville before I entered Whole Foods to grab some lunch.

Whole Foods: blackened whitefish, broccoli, sauté zucchini, and sausage

After lunch at Whole Foods I still needed to walk another 1.8miles to get home. Total dedicated walking today was nearly 15 miles. This was only phase I of my physical activity for the day. Last night was the final Friday of the month - that means Critical Mass Bike Riding. That is always something to look forward to. Last evening was my third time with this 'group.' Here is the route we took:

The Critical Mass bike ride ended up at something called the Monster Prom. Set up in an alleyway was a stage and apparently live music was to come later. I do not know whose party this was. I do not know how this party was linked to critical mass. Basically, the Critical Mass ended up in the middle of nowhere and it was still another 5 mile ride back home from the spot where the ride terminated.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Apples - Apples, 1 medium apple	80	22	0	0	0	16
Sargento - Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sticks 2% Milk, 3 stick (2g)	180	3	14	15	405	3
Frigo Cheeseheads - Superstring Cheese, 3 piece	210	2	15	15	510	0
	1,070	135	29	46	915	19
L U N C H
Generic - Whitefish, Lightly Blackened, 8 z filet	244	0	2	53	2,312	0
Bobak's - Polish Sausage, 0.5 link	115	1	11	5	0	0
Generic - Zucchini Saute, 4 oz	60	4	4	1	135	0
Broccoli - Broccoli, 0.5 cup	30	3	0	3	25	0
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 36.0 g (approx 6 pieces)	99	25	0	2	1	18
WHOLE FOODS - SUPERFOOD CEREAL RADIANT RASPBERRY, 33.15 g (1/2 cup)	109	16	5	3	9	5
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS, 0.28333305794727803 cup (30 grams)	102	16	3	3	204	2
Jongold - Apple, 2 large	160	44	0	0	0	32
	919	109	24	69	2,686	56
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Jongold - Apple, 2 large	160	44	0	0	0	32
	400	80	6	10	1,600	38
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS - MILK CHOCOLATE CHERRIES 1490, 11.25 pcs (40g)	225	31	13	3	13	26
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 57.75 g (3/4 cup)	252	42	7	5	63	16
	477	73	20	8	75	42

Totals	2,866	397	78	133	5,276	155
Your Daily Goal	4,652	581	155	233	2,300	174
Remaining	1,786	184	76	99	-2,976	18
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,722 extra calories from exercise today

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	166	2,682
Walking, 5.0 mph	23	377
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-337


Daily Total / Goal	190 / 30	2,722 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	599 / 210	11,170 / 4,130

.
TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2866 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED (13.1 MILE WALK, 1.8 MILE WALK) 2722 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 144 CALORIES

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220.0 lbs

I weigh 220.0 lbs.

I gained 1 lb this week

I have lost 89.0 lbs in 311 days. Today begins Day 312.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 220.0 lbs (311 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 28.8% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 29.43

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 304 days ago (Class III obesity)

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fitbit day 58

32210 steps

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Friday, October 30, 2015

BENEFIT OF LATE NIGHT DRINKING

Today is a completely tongue-in-cheek look at the benefits of late night drinking. Yesterday, I spent too much time with the dentist getting a temporary tooth which will eventually become a permanent implant. By the time 5:00PM came around, I noticed that my fitbit had only recorded something in the neighborhood of 4000 steps. Last week, after spending one night drinking and socializing until 2:00AM, I woke up the next day with nearly 5000 steps! The silly lesson to be learned here is that when one is active, steps accumulate. And the steps one takes in a bar late at night still count. The steps one takes walking in the early hours of the day back to your hotel, or walking home still count. There is something invigorating about waking up and realizing before you shave, that you already have 5000 steps 'in the bank.' Likewise, it is 'alarming' to glance at one's fitbit at 5:00 PM in the afternoon and discover that one only has 4000 steps. I suppose that the only reason that this is important to me is that I have vowed to myself to try to never let a day pass with less than 10000 steps. I noticed too, today, that a step earned on an elliptical machine set to the highest resistance is a lot tougher to earn than a simple step walking outside, even at a 4.5mph pace. Obviously a step earned on the elliptical machine is harder to earn by several orders of magnitude, the steps earned just shuffling back and forth from the refrigerator. The best gauge of measuring physical activity still comes from stepping on the scale. The scale does not lie. Although sometimes it does appear to be fibbing...

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Whole Foods 365 - Seaweed Rice Crackers, 52.5 Crackers	420	88	5	7	210	4
Clif Bar - Mint Chocolate , 68 g	250	43	5	10	170	22
	670	131	10	17	380	26
L U N C H
FRESH THYME - JOYVA. SESAME CRUNCH, 30 g (3 pieces)	160	14	8	2	50	14
Generic - Fresh Homemade Fruit Salad, 2 cup	480	88	18	0	420	56
WHOLE FOODS 5938 - UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS, 120 g (1/4 cup)	680	64	40	8	20	4
	1,320	166	66	10	490	74
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Nabisco - Oyster Crackers, 66 crackers	180	30	6	3	420	0
	420	66	12	13	2,020	6
S N A C K S


Totals	2,410	363	88	40	2,890	106
Your Daily Goal	3,923	490	130	197	2,300	147
Remaining	1,513	127	41	157	-590	41
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,993 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
elliptical	22	473
elliptical	22	508
elliptical	22	535
elliptical	22	545
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-68


Daily Total / Goal	89 / 30	1,993 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	409 / 210	8,449 / 4,130

For some reason, I could not set the timer on the elliptical machine to 60 or 90 minutes. The workout cut out after 20 minutes, with a 2 minutes cool down. I simply had four (4) sessions of 22 minutes. What I found interesting is that although, I felt as if I was getting tired as the nearly 90 minutes session continued. I increasingly had more endurance with each passing session as the calories burned continued to climb, just a bit from one workout to the next.

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2410 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 1993 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 417 CALORIES

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fitbit day 57

13585 steps

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The Tongue-in-cheek figure of speech is used to imply that a statement or other production is humorously or otherwise not seriously intended, and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

BIRTHDAY FARBRENGEN

A Farbrengen (/fɑrbrɛnɡɛn/, from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering"; German verbringen "to spend [time/solidarity/festivity together]") is a Hasidic gathering. This term is only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim, as other Hasidim have a Tish or a botteh. It may consist of explanations of general Torah subjects, with an emphasis on Hasidic philosophy, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hasidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.

At my local Chabad House there are four people celebrating their birthdays this week. One of those people is me. Last night at the Chabad House there was a Birthday Farbrengen for the community to celebrate. There are not too many gatherings of people more enjoyable than a Chasidic Farbrengen. My birthday on the Jewish calendar will take place starting at sundown on October 31, Cheshvan 18. My secular birthday, the one listed on my drivers license, will not be for about two more weeks, November 12.

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It is said that one cannot forget how to ride a bicycle. Prior to the Half Dome hike, I was using the elliptical machine almost exclusively for months and months. Since returning from the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at the beginning of this month - I have been walking as my preferred method of exercise. Today, I did not have an opportunity to walk during the day, so I returned to the elliptical machine for the first time in over a month. I wasn't sure if I would remember how to pace myself properly. It was silly to worry about that. As soon as I hopped on board, I set the resistance to the highest level as always and squeezed in a great workout in just 62 minutes. I guess the elliptical machine is like a bicycle - you don't forget how to use it.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 2.01 Slices	47	0	3	5	147	0
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	360	0
	1,007	180	3	21	507	0
L U N C H
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 71.5 g (3/4 cup)	312	52	9	6	78	19
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 40 g (approx 6 pieces)	110	28	0	2	1	20
WHOLE FOODS 9392 - YOGURT RAISINS, 60 g (approx 34 pieces)	255	42	11	2	23	38
WHOLE FOODS 9246 - 100% RAW CACAO GOJI, 50.4 g (approx 2 chunks)	180	27	11	4	9	18
WHOLE FOODS 7882 - GIN GINS ORIGINAL CHEWY GINGER, 72 g (2pcs)	240	60	0	0	0	60
	1,097	209	30	14	110	155
D I N N E R
Generic - Italian Sausage Link, 2 link	540	4	44	34	2,020	0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
	605	17	47	40	2,043	0
S N A C K S
Maker's Mark - Bourbon Whiskey, 5 oz	345	0	0	0	0	0
	345	0	0	0	0	0

Totals	3,054	406	80	74	2,661	155
Your Daily Goal	3,464	433	115	174	2,300	130
Remaining	410	27	35	100	-360	-24
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,534 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
elliptical	62	1,540
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-6


Daily Total / Goal	63 / 30	1,534 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	320 / 210	6,424 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3054 calories
total calories burned 1540 calories
total net calories 1514 calories

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fitbit day 56

20054 steps
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

After 6 days (five nights) in Houston, Texas I returned to Sweet Home Chicago by noon on my Southwest Airlines flight.

Apparently I brought the rain with me. And I had forgotten that Chicago can be a bit colder this time of year as well. I did set out for a 10 mile walk in the late afternoon early evening. It was rainy and it was cold and windy. I found myself walking against the wind which made it all the more difficult. My ten mile walk was broken down into two walks: 7.82 miles and 2.20 miles.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
General Mills - Nature Valley - Oats 'n Honey Crunchy Granola Bar, 4 bars	380	58	12	8	320	24
Dagoba - Organic Chocolate Dark 59%, 2 oz	270	30	20	3	0	23
	1,250	196	32	27	320	47
L U N C H
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	360	0
MARIANO'S - HUGE SPINACH SALAD, 1 SALAD	500	0	0	0	0	0
	860	72	0	0	360	0
D I N N E R
WHOLE FOODS 5938 - UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS, 30 g (1/4 cup)	170	16	10	2	5	1
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
	410	52	16	12	1,605	7
S N A C K S
Ritz - Toasted Chips 100 Calorie Bag, 1 bag	100	16	3	1	190	2
RITZ - SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CHIPS, 2 package	200	32	6	2	380	4
Southwest Airlines - Peanuts, 2 Bag	140	4	12	6	190	2
	440	52	21	9	760	8

Totals	2,960	372	69	48	3,045	62
Your Daily Goal	4,293	536	143	215	2,300	161
Remaining	1,333	164	74	167	-745	99
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,363 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	103	1,525
Walking, 5.0 mph	25	515
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	323
Add Exercise Quick Tools

Daily Total / Goal	129 / 30	2,363 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	257 / 210	4,890 / 4,130

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TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2960 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2040 CALORIES
NET CALORIES 920 CALORIES
.

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fitbit day 55

25715 steps
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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

PHOENICIA SPECIALTY FOODS DOWNTOWN HOUSTON

I have been coming to the October Houston QuiltMarket for about 7 seven consecutive years. Only yesterday, did I 'discover' a beautiful grocery store about two blocks from the convention center where the show takes place. (OK, technically, my brother Andy, discovered it) This store opened for business in November 2011. We walked over to pick up a lunch on the third and final day of the show. I barely had the time to look around, but this particular grocery store seemed to have everything. I quickly discovered that the salad bar included shrimp. That was all I needed to know. I prepared a spinach salad for myself that was heavy on shrimp. Next year, I believe that I will be having lunch at the Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown in Houston each day of the tradeshow.

This salad was simply delicious and clearly healthy as spinach and shrimp are not high in calories.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker Oats - Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon, 2 Bowl (43g)	320	66	4	8	400	24
Kellogg's - Special K Protein Cereal, 96 g	360	57	3	30	570	21
	680	123	7	38	970	45
L U N C H
Kind Plus - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate +Protein, 1 bar	200	17	13	7	40	9
Homemade - Spinach & Shrimp Salad, 3 cup	483	0	24	0	0	0
	683	17	37	7	40	9
D I N N E R
Cheesecake Factory - Fish Taco, 2 Taco	600	60	4	0	1,000	0
Vitamix - Avocado Tortilla Soup, 2 cup	330	44	14	12	944	8
	930	104	18	12	1,944	8
S N A C K S
Dewar's - 12 Years Old Double Aged Blended Scotch Whisky, 4.5 oz	312	0	0	0	0	0
	312	0	0	0	0	0

Totals	2,605	244	62	57	2,954	62
Your Daily Goal	4,457	557	148	223	2,300	167
Remaining	1,852	313	86	166	-654	105
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,527 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Add Exercise Quick Tools

Daily Total / Goal	0 / 30	0 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	128 / 210	2,527 / 4,130

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2605 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2045

TOTAL NET CALORIES 550 CALORIES

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fitbit day 54

37456 steps

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My final day in Houston was another day to explore the downtown area on foot. This time I ventured to the University of Houston Downtown before returning to my 'neighborhood.' It was so nice to be walking outside again after two days of SOLID RAIN. I am sure that my legs and feet enjoyed the two days off that I gave myself - although as days off - they may not have been so relaxing as I was standing around in a booth at a tradeshow for hours each day.