New Thing #116: Saw Anthony Bourdain at the Baghdad

Tony Tony TONY! You rock my world. I saw Anthony Bourdain give a Powell's book talk about his newest release, "Medium Raw." I think this picture is super funny! It was kind of how he was too. The guy was very, very funny in that off-putting, could buy him a drink way... two guys actually DID buy him a shot of whiskey, which cracked up the audience. Erin almost didn't get in because Ticketmaster didn't have her tickets placed at will call – those jerks! They charge like an arm and a leg in taxes and then poof, don't even deliver. But thankfully, she has a smart phone and showed her receipt on screen. We saw him on the street before and after the book talk. He was like 10 feet away from me – wicked! We also got amazingly great seats in the second row of the Baghdad Theater. I was kind of disappointed that all of the praise on the new book's jacket was about his previous book, "Kitchen Confidential," which I HAVE to read now. A funny interchange happened between Erin and I:
Me: "Wow, he's so skinny!"
Erin: "Heroin."
Me: "OHHhhhhhhhh!"

New Thing #115: Imogen Heap "Ellipse" tour

New thing was to see Imogen Heap at the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall. It was my first time at the Schnitz, which was gorgeous by the way, and also my first time seeing Imogen Heap perform live. She had a great vibe with the audience. Only annoying bit was that her two opening acts played for an entire hour before she opened even though the tixs said the show started at 7:30 p.m.. She didn't even come on until 9:15 p.m. We were definitely a captive audience :/ But still, she is an amazing artist. She improvised a song from a melody from an audience member and donated proceeds of that download to charity if we will go to iTunes and download it. Plus, she had a plexi glass piano and all this great electronic equipment. She could have ditched the hammer pants :) [Image from Imogen Heap press kit]

100 Top Fashion Pieces

For those of us who don't want to go through reading this book, "The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own" by Nina Garcia I have summarized the top 100. Sorry for the very messy formatting. But hey, I saved you like 20 bucks! Some of these seem a wee bit silly, but here you go:

1. A-line Dress_ x
2. Animal Print
3. Ankle Bootie_x
4. Aviators
5. Ballet Flat
6. Bangles
7. Belts_x
8. Bikini_x
9. SmartPhone_x
10. Black Opaque Tights
11. Blazer _ x
12. Boyfriend Cardigan
13. Brooch
14. Cable-Knit Sweater _x             15. Caftan                                         16. Camel Coat
17. Cape                                        18. Cashmere Sweater _ x                  19. Charm Bracelet_x
20. Clutch_x                                   21. Cocktail Ring                              22. Converse
23. Cosmetics Bag _x                     24. Cowboy Boots_x                       25. Cuff
26. Denim Jacket                           27. Diamond Studs_x                        28. Driving Shoe
29. Espadrilles                                 30. Evening Gown_x                         31. Exotic Skin Bag
32. Fishnets                                   33. Frye Harness Boot_x                   34. Fur_x
35. Gentlemen's Hat                         36. Gloves                                     37. Havaianas
38. Hobo Bag_x                               39. Hoop Earrings                             40. Investment Bag
41. iPod_x                                       42. Jeans                                         43. Jewelry Pouches
44. Khakis                                    45. Knee Boots                             46. Leather Pants
47. Lingerie_x                                      48. Little Black Dress_x                  49. Little White Dress
50. L.L. Bean Tote (beach bag)_x    51. Luggage_x                                  52. Mad Money
53. Man's White Shirt_x                  54. Mary Janes                             55. Missoni Knit       
56. Minnetonka Moccasin    57. Monogrammed Stationery_x         58. Motorcycle Jacket
59. Nail Polish_x                        60. Old Concert T-Shirt                61. One-Piece Swimsuit
62. Pajamas                               63. Peacoat _ x                                64. Pearl Necklace_x
65. Pencil Skirt_x                           66. Perfume_x                                   67. Plain White Tee
68. Polo Shirt                                  69. Pucci                                           70. Push-Up Bra_x
71. Quality Champagne                   72. Red Lipstick_x                                73. Robe
74. Safari Jacket                             75. Sandals_x                                 76. Sarong
77. Signet Ring                                78. Silk Scarf_x                                 79. Slippers_x
80. Spanx                                        81. Statement Necklace_x                 82. Stilettos
83. Striped Sailor Shirt                     84. Suit                                          85. Sunhat_x
86. Trench_x                     87. Turquoise and Coral Jewelry        88. Tuxedo Jacket _ x
89. Umbrella                                 90. Underwear_x                                91. Valid Passport_x
92. Vans                                           93. Vintage_x                                     94. Watch
95. Wayfarers                   96. Wellington Boot_x                        97. Wide-Leg Trousers
98. Wrap Dress                                99. Yoga Gear_x               100. Zippered Hoodie

Physical Activity Summary

Why is exercise or physical activity important?
Regular aerobic physical activity increases your fitness level and capacity for exercise. It also plays a role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is linked to cardiovascular mortality. Regular physical activity can help control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure.

How can physical activity help condition my body?
Some activities improve flexibility, some build muscular strength and some increase endurance.Some forms of continuous activities involve using the large muscles in your arms or legs. These are called endurance or aerobic exercises. They help the heart by making it work more efficiently during exercise and at rest. Brisk walking, jumping rope, jogging, bicycling, cross-country skiing and dancing are examples of aerobic activities that increase endurance.

How can I improve my physical fitness?
Programs designed to improve physical fitness take into account frequency (how often), intensity (how hard), and time (how long). Use the FIT Formula:

The FIT Formula:

F = frequency (days per week)
I = intensity (how hard, e.g., easy, moderate, vigorous) or percent of heart rate
T = time (amount for each session or day)

AHA Recommendation for most healthy people:
For health benefits to the heart, lungs and circulation, perform any moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week at 50–85 percent of your maximum heart rate. You can accumulate 30 minutes in 10 or 15 minute sessions. What's important is to include physical activity as part of a regular routine. Note: A maximum healthy heart rate is your age subtracted from 220 (Ex: 220 - 26 = 194 max). Moderate to vigourous intensity of this would be 97 – 165 bpm :)

What about moderate-intensity activities?
Even moderate-intensity activities, when performed daily, can have some long-term health benefits. They help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here are some examples:
walking for pleasure, gardening and yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise recreational activities such as tennis, racquetball, soccer, basketball and touch football

What risk factors are reduced?
Regular physical activity can also help reduce or eliminate some of these risk factors:
High blood pressure — Regular aerobic activities can lower blood pressure.
Cigarette smoking — Smokers who become physically active are more likely to cut down or stop smoking.
Diabetes — People at their ideal weight are less likely to develop diabetes. Physical activity may also decrease insulin requirements for people with diabetes.
Obesity and overweight — Regular physical activity can help people lose excess fat or stay at a reasonable weight.
High levels of triglycerides — Physical activity helps reduce triglyceride levels. High triglycerides are linked to developing coronary artery disease in some people.
Low levels of HDL — Low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL for men/less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been linked to a higher risk of coronary artery disease. Recent studies show that regular physical activity can significantly increase HDL cholesterol levels and thus reduce your risk.

What are other benefits of physical activity?
Physical activity builds healthy bones, muscles and joints, and reduces the risk of colon cancer. Millions of Americans suffer from illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity.
Physical activity also helps psychologically. It reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, improves mood and promotes a sense of well-being.
The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity also suggests that active people have a lower risk for stroke.

Spicy Sushi Sauce

Just two ingredients: Japanese Mayo and Sriracha Sauce from Thailand. The Kewpie brand is the most popular mayo brand in Japan.

Squirt amount of mayo in bowl desired, add appropriate amount of chili sauce to make it spicy to your liking-- A little goes a long way!

This simple dipping sauce is delicious with sushi! I was very impressed. I will try to make it when ... I make sushi for the first time :)

New Thing #114: Heirloom Variety

This new thing is productive, ideally :) I will be growing heirloom tomato varieties from seedlings I purchased at the Beaverton Farmer's Market. I got 4 varieties, two determinate and two indeterminate to see which type I like better: Costoluto Genovese, Green Zebra, Matina, Campbell are the varieties I'm trying. The Italian variety (Costoluto) can weigh up to a pound and has scalloped edges. The green zebra is a fresh green tomato. The Matina is ... well ... just a normal red tomato I think. And the Campbell is the tomato created by the Campbell Soup Co. in the R&D division 50 years ago! Neato! We'll see how this adventure goes. I'm already growing strawberries left over from our former neighbor. I am thinking about what other things to plant.

New Thing #113: Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival

Kevin had two free tickets to attend the Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival today. so we drove down from Portland and listened to like 30 jazz performances! I had never been to this festival before and it was very fun. Kevin was photographing the performances for Oregon Music News, where he volunteers. We stayed late and then slept in an adorable Bed and Breakfast in Silverton called White Oaks. Very fun :)