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The CrossFit Fitness Craze: What is it and is it Right for You?

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

CrossFit is one of the most popular new fitness programs, promising to strengthen your core and burn fat. One of the biggest draws of the program is that workouts are kept fairly short and intense, perfect for people with busy lifestyles. If you’re looking for a new way to get in shape, why not learn a little more and decided if it’ll meet your needs?

The founder of CrossFit is a man named Greg Glassman, who opened his first gym in Santa Cruz, California the same year he was hired to train that city’s police department. Glassman developed the tenets of CrossFit mostly by himself, and it has spread like wildfire. There are currently over 3,400 CrossFit affiliated gyms worldwide.

Although the central CrossFit program typically takes only twenty minutes, most gyms usually incorporate them in an hour-long session that also includes a warmup and cooldown. A variety of modifications of the program also exist for different demographics, including pregnant women.

In addition to the exercise regimen, many CrossFit enthusiasts recommend following a low-carb diet program such as the Paleo Diet or Zone Diet. This isn’t strictly necessary for the exercise routines, but it has shown good results.

One qualm that some fitness experts have about CrossFit is that the fast pace of the exercise sessions can open people up to injury. Be aware of this if you intend to pursue a CrossFit program. And be sure to check with your doctor before undertaking any new exercise program!

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Most Romantic Classic Films from the 30s and 40s

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With the success of The Artist, film fans are starting to take a new look back at the golden age of movies. Many of these films are available in the public domain, and they’re all worth watching. Here are five classic romances from this period.

Gone With The Wind
Set in the Reconstruction era of the South, this adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel portrays one of the most legendary romances of all time between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler.

The Red Shoes
This classic 1948 drama set in the world of ballet is widely considered one of the best British films of all time. When a young dancer needs to choose between dance and love, the emotions light up the screen.

City Lights
This Charlie Chaplin silent classic shows that love doesn’t need words to blossom. When the Little Tramp meets a destitute flower girl, the pair’s lives intersect in a number of situations before they find each other at the end.

The Philadelphia Story
An irresistible 1940 romantic comedy starring Jimmy Stewart and Katharine Hepburn, this packs laughs and love in equal measure. When a socialite’s wedding is disrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband, old flames re-ignite.

Grand Hotel
One of the most majestic MGM films of the 30s, this sprawling drama assembles some of the biggest stars of the era for an ensemble drama that incorporates romance, action, intrigue and more.

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Five Unique Restaurants Around the U.S.

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Tired of eating at boring, run of the mill places? These restaurants take pride in being one of a kind, with good food to back up the cool setting.

Opaque
This San Francisco restaurant embraces the European fad of dining in the dark. Your meal is served in a pitch black room by legally blind servers. Depriving yourself of sight makes for an exciting dining experience, and allows the wonderful flavors to come forward all the better.

Lambert's Cafe
This tasty spot in Sikeston, Missouri, is a great place to grab a meal. Literally. Servers throw food at you. Keep your eyes open for flying dinner rolls and bring an appetite, because the food is quite tasty, even when airborne.

Worldfare BUStaurant
The Worldfare BUStaurant is a double-decker bus in Los Angeles. A clever take on the food truck, this bus serves gourmet food that may turn you into a regular passenger.

The Safe House
A Milwaukee spot for lovers of espionage, the Safe House offers pub comforts in a   spy-themed setting. Grab a beer and enjoy the fun surroundings with friends. Just don't forget the password!

The Airplane Restaurant
Located in Colorado Springs, this restaurant is a grounded, fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. It's a fun and unique experience full of aviation history and first-class food.

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It Ain’t Easy Being Sneezy: Managing Spring Allergies

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Nothing can ruin a beautiful spring day like those first signs of allergies – itchy eyes, a sneeze or two, and you know soon enough you’ll be miserable. Try these tips to nip allergies in the bud:

Keep it clean
You can’t control pollen outside, but you can at least keep your home as free from pollen as possible. Wash bedding weekly in hot water, clean and vacuum regularly, and keep windows closed during allergy season.

Talk to your doctor
There are medications with mild to nonexistent side effects that help tame seasonal allergies before they start. Make an appointment with your doctor to see if there's a prescription that is right for you.

Reduce clutter
Less clutter means less places for allergens to hide. Try to limit hiding places like throw rugs, and regularly vacuum and wash your carpets and rugs.

Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning
While a clean home will make you feel much better, the process of cleaning can throw allergens into the air and aggravate your symptoms. Protect yourself while you clean.

Change clothes and shower after spending time outdoors
Pollen can accumulate on clothing and in hair. Limit your exposure by getting rid of it as soon as you come inside.

Schedule around high pollen times
Pollen counts are highest outside in the late morning and early afternoon. Try to plan your day to avoid being outside at these times.

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An Investor’s Education: Five Essential Books about Business and Finance

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Whether you’re looking for personal investment tips, advice on running your business, or trying to understand the current global financial situation, these readable books on economic issues will help make an often confusing subject more clear:

On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System by Hank Paulson
You can’t get closer to the 2008 financial crisis than this account by former Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson. This no-holds-barred book lays bare the panic and desperation of the Fed in the face of a potential meltdown of our entire financial system.

Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
This 1934 classic originated the concept of value investing, which is employed with great success by investors like Warren Buffet. Both the updated and original 1934 editions are available and offer advice that still applies today.

The Alchemy of Finance by George Soros
The Alchemy of Finance is a fascinating look into the thought processes of one of the most successful investors of our time. Soros’s unique investment strategies stand to change the face of finance as we know it.

This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly by Kenneth S. Rogoff and Carmen Reinhart
This very readable book finds the commonalities across centuries of financial crises, including the 2008 crash.

My Years with General Motors by Alfred P. Sloan
Bill Gates's favorite book on business, this 1963 tome offers insight into business management and what makes a successful business, directly from the manager who helped make General Motors great.
 

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It’s That Time of Year Again

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year in the U.S. when clocks “fall back” from Daylight Saving Time to standard time. You get back the hour of daylight you lost in the fall. Remember that on March 11th at 2:00 am you will need to move your clocks forward 1 hour. Spring is on it’s way!

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Protect Your Phone: The Quirkiest iPhone Cases

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Once you’ve invested your money in a brand new iPhone, you need to keep it safe and stylish with a case. Amidst the wide variety of iPhone cases and accessories on the market, these are five of the most unique. Some look cool, some have unique functionality, but they’ll all change your iPhone experience.

PhotoJojo manufactures an incredible case that doubles as an SLR lens mount. You can now affix any professional SLR camera lens to your iPhone’s built in camera for exceptional shooting. Shutterbugs love it.

If you’re looking to make your iPhone useful at bars and barbecues, the Opena iPhone case is a great buy. Made of sturdy plastic, it boasts a slide-out bottle opener! It’s sturdy enough to open just about any kind of beer or soda.

There are many cool designs available for iPhone cases, but one of the most popular is designed to look like a vintage audio cassette, complete with label. Since the iPhone and iPod have basically replaced the Walkman as the portable music player of choice, this is a fun way to pay tribute to the retro look.

Urban Outfitters makes a hilariously charming cell phone case designed to mimic the form factor of 80s cell phones. These gigantic, blocky devices were often carried around in a briefcase, but these cases are significantly lighter.

If you’re the gaming type, one popular iPhone case is modeled after the classic gray Nintendo Game Boy. This staple of many 90s childhoods will have people complimenting your geek cred when you show it off.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Best wishes for happiness on Valentine's Day and every day.

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Five Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Are you looking for a memorable way to spend Cupid’s favorite day this year? Whether you’ll be celebrating with a long-time amour or a new romantic interest, these creative date ideas are certain to flutter your sweetheart’s pulse:
 
Outdoor Love
This year, why not skip the all too typical movie-and-restaurant Valentine’s routine and head outside instead? Consider a romantic evening picnic on the beach or in a park. Good wine, candles, and a warm shared blanket will make the experience especially cozy and intimate for the two of you.
 
Romantic Treasure Hunt
Rather than just handing a present to your special someone this year, consider making the gift-giving process extra fun. Hide your surprise and draw up a treasure map with intriguing twists and turns. You can also leave little romantic notes for him or her to discover along the way. 
 
Rev up the Restaurant Routine
It can be hard to choose a restaurant for a special Valentine’s Day meal, so why limit yourself to just one? Considering starting out with appetizers at one place, moving to another for the main course, finishing with dessert at another restaurant – and then capping it all off with a nightcap somewhere else? A fun evening of restaurant-hopping will let you enjoy a memorable variety of tastes and atmospheres with your sweetheart. 
 
Small Town Sweetness
Consider planning a romantic daylong outing to a small town near you, preferably one that you’ve never visited. Then spend the afternoon with your loved one exploring the town’s unique offerings – parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants. 
 
Arts and Hearts
February 14th often occasions cultural events like poetry readings, concerts, and museum exhibits, so why not enjoy some of these romance-inspiring offerings with your sweetheart? Check out local papers and events calendars to see what’s happening in the arts world. You can make the day extra sweet by capping it off with a creation of your own, presenting your special someone with an original poem or piece of art. 
 

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Make It Work: Five Great Design Sites

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The rise of the Internet has been great for designers and crafters, as it’s easy to share ideas and projects with people all over the world. A number of excellent sites have sprung up as resources for design-savvy people. Here are five that you'll enjoy having in your bookmarks:

Designspongeonline.com – A leader in the design blog field, the long-running Design Sponge offers a panoply of cool ideas, interviews, shopping advice, guest columns, and more. It’s an indispensable resource.

Swiss-Miss.com – The blog of a design studio run by a Swiss transplant to New York City, Swiss Miss is a fantastic visual archive of striking colors, textures, and materials. It's a wonderful place to look for inspiration.

Design-Milk.com – A great collection of funny, creative, and inspiring pieces from all over the design world, Design Milk has a sharp eye for great design.

Ikeahackers.net – An amusing concept makes this blog a must-read. Each post begins with a piece of mass-produced Ikea furniture and reconfigures it into something unique and stylish.

OhJoy.blogs.com – Oh Joy! is the blog of a working designer who shares her inspiration with the world. Her blog ranges from interior decoration to food to textiles, and everything is beautifully photographed.

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