Elliptical

We're having record warm temperatures for January, sweatshirt weather really. I sent K to school in his spring coat, I can't seem to find mine at short notice.

The gym was so busy this morning, back to school for the kids, back to the gym for the moms. I decided not to join the throngs in the exercise class and hopped onto the elliptical machine. I hadn't used it in since I joined the gym a couple of years ago. I think that's my new cardio machine of choice. I noticed I burned more calories in less time than on the treadmill and I can still go at my own pace. I remembered there's a trick to using the ellipticals properly. It's more of a weight transfer 'skiing' motion as opposed to a 'stair climbing' motion. That seemed to make it more 'effortless'.

I baked some salmon and chicken wings today, along with some roasted eggplant and later this evening I'll roast some potatoes. As you can tell, it's all 'in the oven' for me lately.

L said the other teacher she gave a bead scarf to for Christmas came up to her today and thanked her so much, saying she wore it so many times already. How will we top this gift next year? (-: Sorry I didn't take a picture of these scarves to show you. I had kept one for L then decided the colour of it would better suit one of the teachers in question. I think that's why they were so popular, I tried to see which colours would suit the person best.

News

Winter thaw continues across the Greater Toronto Area
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18312.aspx

Fatherhood linked to higher prostate cancer risk
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080107/prostate_cancer_080107/20080107?hub=Health

Driverless cars possible in a decade
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080107/driverless_cars_080107/20080107?hub=TopStories

Experts change advice on kids' allergies
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080107/allergies_080107/20080107?hub=Health

Got a manuscript? Publishing now a snap

We're having a bit of a cold spell, still it's nice and sunny today.

My aerobics teacher just told me she loved the bead scarf I gave her for Christmas, she said she wore it New Year's Day. I had given her a greenish one to suit her colouring. So it seems jewellery is generally a good female gift (as I hone the gift giving skills).

It seems if you are an aspiring author you can now publish your book quite easily, as per the news article below. (Lulu.com, Amazon.com through its Createspace)

News

Got a manuscript? Publishing now a snap
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080102/ap_on_hi_te/business_of_life_2

Thousands of Quebecers win free air travel
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080101/air_travel_080102/20080102?hub=TopStories

Researchers work on cocaine vaccine
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080102/ap_on_he_me/cocaine_vaccine_3

Cell phone users tie up traffic
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080102/tc_nm/usa_phones_traffic_dc_2

Most Canadians don't feel they have movie star looks
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18204.aspx

Hostess Gifts

Found some wonderful Christmas planters at Costco for hostess gifts. I also got some vitamin D supplements so we can start taking them. The Canadian Cancer society is recommending 1000 iu daily dose for adults. Apparently daily multivitamins contain about 400 iu of vitamin D, so I'm letting the kids take the 400 iu size. Health Canada says it has to do more studies before it changes the existing 200 iu daily guidelines, but I guess we're getting an early start. Anything below 1000 iu is probably non-toxic. It seems a glass of fortified milk will give you 100iu of vitamin D.

I learned that an intensive care nurse makes around $40,000 a year. It sounds low considering
they do a lot of study/training for the job.

L attended her friend's violin concert last night after her tennis lesson. She said her friend looked so beautiful all dressed up on stage. It was great that a couple of friends could make it to see her perform. K was all candied out from a class party. At least 2 of the kids' teachers really liked the bead scarves we gave some of them. I was considering giving one teacher a gas card, then I found out after that he doesn't drive!


News

Foster care better for IQ than orphanages
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071221/child_care_071221/20071221?hub=Health

Principal moves desk outside after losing bet to students
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17882.aspx

Van Halen

This is where we were last night, it made the local news. We saw Van Halen. It was LOUD. Van Halen's son Wolfgang (with Valerie Bertinelli) is now a guitarist in the band. David Lee Roth is back.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071116/rim_concert_071116/20071116?hub=Entertainment

K started taking synthroid (low dose .025mg) today for his hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid which can slow your metabolism). The doctor feels he should take it until he's about 18 yrs old, ie, through puberty to be on the safe side, although his condition is mild. It seems that it's quite a common condition. So he is to watch for symptoms such as sleeplessness, headaches, heart racing...which would mean the medication needs adjustment.

I went to the Markham Country Decorating Show today, (the first day of wearing winter coats, actually). I bought some nice banana walnut bread, little assorted Mennonite cookies, and some bead scarves for gifts. They are made of several rows of long colourful strings of tiny beads (imported from India the guy said), that you can wear like scarves around your neck for a decorative effect, or even as a waist belt accessory. I also got one for L just in case. Something different.

M and I met with L's guidance teacher this morning, a lovely person. L's been doing some good career counselling work with her, you really can never start that stuff too early.

More News

Regifting becoming more acceptable
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_16817.aspx

Real estate in Florida is tanking so why aren't Canadians buying?
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/277054

Simple grain (chia or salba) offers health benefits to diabetics
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071115/salba_071115/20071115?hub=Health