I thought I’d share some photos of my dinner which is a rice noodle beef stir fry with ingredients from the Japanese supermarket:

Tags: cooking, dinner, japanese food

Treating myself to what feels like a really sweet super indulgent breakfast and yet is a lot healthier than something like French Toast or Corned Beef Hash and Hash Browns. Yummy morning. (It’s not on the photo but there’s a side of half grapefruit here too).

Tags: breakfast, Food, healthy eating, meals

It is four thirty in the afternoon and I’m really just kind of getting going. Despite the stereotypes about people who work from home sleeping in and spending all day in their pajamas, I don’t usually do this. Actually, I didn’t do it today either. I did get up and take a package to UPS and get some groceries but then I came home and I felt tired so I thought I’d take a quick nap and before I knew it the day had slipped away. Sometimes you have to honor what your body needs.

That’s actually going to be a big focus for me in the next month or so. On the one hand, I’m getting back into an exercise routine and trying to get going with that. But on the other hand I’m making some changes to my medications and I’m not sure how they are going to affect the way that I feel so I need to pay attention to that as well. I had been on Ambien for awhile and am now almost completely off it so that’s one change down. Now I’m on to what may be a bigger change – getting off of birth control pills.

I’ve been on birth control pills for about five years straight through. Prior to that I had been on them for several years in the past with a gap between that and the most recent usage starting. I’ve decided it’s time to come off of them for several reasons. An obvious reason is that I’m not in a relationship anymore and I don’t foresee starting one anytime soon. And even if I do, I would want to use condoms for a long time with any new partner until we both had been monogamous for six months and done STD testing, etc. You know, the whole adult approach to sexuality. So as far as preventing pregnancy, I don’t feel like I need the pill.

I also don’t feel like I want to be on it anymore because I have this underlying sense that my body is changing and I want it to be able to do that without synthetic hormones so I can get a sense of what’s really going on with it. I’ve gained a lot of weight in the past year or so and it’s hard to take it off and I’m not sure why that is. It could have absolutely no relationship to the pill but I feel like it may be some type of aging hormonal thing and there’s a nagging intuition that going off of the pill may help. We’ll see. I’ve done the research and there’s a possibility of either weight loss or weight gain when going off the pill but either way it should even itself out after a month or two. And after that I’ll see where things stand.

I have some nervous feelings about going off of the pill. For one thing, I’ve been on it continuously, cycling through, meaning that I only have periods about four times per year. I’ve always had some bad PMS symptoms when off the pill and I’m not relishing experiencing those once a month again. More importantly, I worry about how this might affect my moods. The PMS symptoms I’m aware of are all physical. Prior to going back on the pill, I hadn’t really realized how affected I was by serious depression. That depression is now under control with medication but there’s no telling what kind of moods or feelings will be incurred during the process of getting the pill out of my system and getting my hormones back in working order. My psychiatrist is aware of this and these days I have the good sense to ask for help if I need it so I’m not scared but am a little nervous to see what happens.

At the same time, I’m also a little curious. This is really the first time in my life that I’ve been truly in touch with what’s going on with my body and my moods and I think it’s going to be a good experience to have the opportunity to learn more about the natural state of my body (mostly natural – I’ll still be on anti-depressants). So we’ll see. Hopefully all goes well.

Tags: birth control, going off birth control, health, stopping birth control

I won’t bore you with the details of my desire to get back into shape right now except to say that I used to regularly do yoga and pilates then I sprained my ankle last March and have basically allowed that to be my excuse to be lazy ever since. I’m trying to get out of lazy mode and I’m starting with trying to find good free online videos for twenty minute ab workouts. I’ll just go from there. I started today and here’s the one that I used:

It seems like a nice basic routine and I think I’ll stick with it for another day or two or until whenever I get bored with it and want to find another one.

Tags: ab workout, getting in shape, home workout, workout video

There is a Cheese School in San Francisco and although I’ve never taken any of their classes I do subscribe to their newsletter because I have good intentions of taking a class one of these days. And I have to confess that I’m a little giddy over a new offer of theirs – a 3-Day Intensive Cheesemonger Program.

This is an example of a random thing that I think sounds like terrific fun for no other purpose than my own edification. The class is actually intended for “working and aspiring cheese professionals and others in the food service industry, including cheesemongers, chefs, servers and other front-of-the-house staff, caterers, wine and specialty food retailers” and that’s not me but it still sounds fun. And it does say that it’s also for “anyone else with a serious interest in deepening their understanding of cheese”.

At a price of $1100 I’m not actually planning to take it. I actually know very little about cheese other than that I like it a lot and it would make a lot more sense to take one of their basic classes. But doesn’t this sound like so much fun?!

The three-day class includes:

• Education by a cheese expert who among other things has been an international cheese competition judge. I just like the idea of knowing someone like that!
• Classroom instruction to learn how to “procure, sell, care for and serve premium cheeses”.
• Take-home materials for additional instruction.
• A local creamery tour.
• Certificate of completion. You know, to hang on my wall and express my coolness since I’m not actually planning on being a cheese professional.

Tags: cheese school, cheesemonger, classes, education

Nobody should be afraid of trying out new experiences.

Often, we’re at our happiest when we have something to look forward to. These five ‘life-changing’ ideas are all about setting goals for yourself, working towards those goals and enjoying a sense of achievement when you reach them.

Sometimes the things we would like to try cost money. How often have you thought ‘if only I were a millionaire …’? Getting on top of your finances as they stand today is a good place to start working towards a wealthier lifestyle.

Go traveling

They say that travel ‘broadens the mind’. Sometimes a change of scene is all that’s needed to lift yourself out of the doldrums. If you don’t know where you’d like to go, ask friends and relatives about their travels and where they recommend. Borrow travel guides, watch documentaries and research countries and cultures on the internet. You don’t need to go around the world for new experiences – a simple city break may be all that’s needed for a change in perspective. Set up a savings account for your travel funds and watch it grow over the weeks and months.

Change career

If your career is leaving you unfulfilled, have you ever considered retraining in something else? You could volunteer in your spare time in a role that interests you. Perhaps you’ve always had a burning passion to work with children or animals, or to write a novel? If you’re in a steady job with a secure income, you’ll need to think very carefully before you do anything hasty like ‘jumping ship’. However, there is no harm in seeking career guidance.

Get (better) qualified

If your qualifications (or lack of them) are holding you back, look into government funding, bursaries or student loans for your chosen field of expertise. You might be eligible for government funding for teaching and nursing as well as for some other professions. Education can be for fun too – dark winter evenings can be brightened up with an evening class in something that interests you. Taking up a new course can be a good way to meet new people and get your grey matter working.

Repay debt and start a savings account

It’s always a good idea to have some savings in your bank account for a rainy day. If you have debts, it can be difficult to save – but repaying the money you owe is a worthy goal in itself.

If you have debts and you’re struggling to pay them off, you might be able to change your situation for the better on a debt solution like a debt management plan or an IVA (find out more about these here). These solutions are only for people who are really struggling to repay their debts – but anyone in debt can take a few steps to improve their situation.

The first step is to draw up a budget and address your spending. If you’re spending more than your income, try cutting back on spending where you can. If you’ve already tried this and it’s not making enough of a difference, it might be time to get some expert debt advice.

Volunteer

Volunteering for a charity that means something to you, or for a cause you believe in, is something probably everyone should try at least once in their lives. Whether you want to help other people or develop your career through voluntary work, volunteering is a worthwhile way to invest some of your spare time. If fitness is your goal, there are dozens of charities that need people to run, swim and climb mountains to raise money on their behalf.

There are dozens of ways to change your life for the better. You really need to think about your personal values and the things you want to achieve in your life. Think about what you would need to do to get where you want to be in life and use that as your motivation for change. Good luck!

Tags: health, lifestyle, Personal Finance, self-improvement, wellness

I thought of a handful of different topics for the “H” letter of the A-Z Blogging Challenge and then I thought well then H is for Handful!

H is for Happiness

Happiness is important to me. Not everyone sees happiness as a goal … some people see it as a byproduct … but it is a goal for me. I would rather be happy than successful. I would rather be happy than rich. Not that these things are mutually exclusive but for me happiness is the ultimate goal. To that end I am always exploring ideas of what makes me happy, how to change my thinking to increase happiness and how to manage unhappiness to minimize it as much as possible.

Do you see happiness as a goal or the pleasant byproduct of other goals?

H is for Health

Because not much matters if you don’t have decent health! And it sure is hard to be happy without it.

H is for HubPages

I have to throw in a mention for HubPages because I really like writing for the site. I have written there for four years and recently reached a milestone of having written more than 1000 articles on the site. I earn passive income on the work I’ve done there through Adsense and some affiliate programs. I write about the topics that interest me most at any given time.

Right now HubPages is running a contest where you can earn money for writing about long tail topics. Check it out!

H is for How To

The first “H” that came to mind was “how to”. I write a lot of “how to” articles for a lot of different sites. And when I don’t know how to do something the first thing I’m likely to do to remedy that is to look up a “how to” in Google. I noticed that a lot of other people chose this phrase for the H of their A-Z blogging challenge too!

Tags: a-z blogging challenge, happiness, how to, hubpages

If you are one of those people that can’t wait for the latest show on criminals, criminal minds and why they do what they do then a degree in forensic psychology will be the first step in landing your dream job. This mental health degree program is really a crossing of two distinct careers, one of a psychologist and one in the criminal justice system. As a professional you will be involved in understanding why someone does what they do and preparing information for court testimony on mental health findings.

One of the major roles of a forensic psychologist in the criminal court system is to assess and evaluate a person’s ability to stand trial. In other words you will be responsible for determining a person’s competency in understanding right from wrong and legal from illegal. This leads into the second major task of a forensic psychologist, which is being able to give testimony in court about the accused person’s mental state at the time of the crime, which may be very different from their current mental state. These two aspects are critical in determining if a trial can proceed as well as assisting with sentencing and long term treatment plans for the individual if found guilty.

Not all forensic psychologists work in the criminal justice system with offenders and those accused of crimes. They may also have a focus in family courts, specifically in custody cases involving children. The forensic psychologist in this case looks into the family history, competency and capacity of both parents and also completes written custody evaluations or visitation risk assessments if there is a finding of abuse or family violence. Many work with families and children in therapeutic psychotherapy sessions through the courts or by private referrals.

Getting Started

Typically a forensic psychologist has a Bachelor level degree, often in psychology or a related field, and then at least a Master level degree. Many students also have a dual degree at the undergraduate or graduate level in criminal justice or law, but this is not a requirement. Most individuals will go on to complete a Master level degree in clinical psychology or forensic psychology, depending on the school at which they study. Not all psychology departments offer a specialization in the forensic field. Each state in the United States also has different licensing boards and different requirements for forensic psychology. Check with your state board to determine just what you need to have to meet licensing requirements.

Most forensic psychologists will also complete a Doctorate level degree within their focus area. This allows the student to really become immersed in both the legal as well as the psychological issues in their specialization. Those with a PhD in forensic psychology may themselves choose to go into teaching, research or running local, state or national programs for rehabilitation of those in the criminal justice system or other related fields.

Typical Courses In The Degree Program

Every college or university that offers degrees in forensic psychology will offer both core courses of study as well as electives. Core courses are required for all students to earn the degree while electives allow you to focus on areas of interest and specialization.

The core courses for the program will include studying human development and behavior, developmental and social psychology, abnormal psychology, clinical courses as well as criminal investigation and the law. Elective courses may include such diverse topics as public policy, child development, probation and parole systems, criminal justice, organizational consultation, law enforcement, treatment of adult and juvenile offenders, victims’ rights and treatment, behavioral science and general treatment and assessment of mental and emotional disorders.

If you haven’t looked into the field but it sounds like something you would like then you may want to find a forensic psychologist in your area and talk to them about what courses you can take to prepare and what the job really entails on a day to day basis. After all, not all forensic psychologists are going to do the same job, which is part of why it is such an interesting field of study.

So, do you still think a degree in forensic psychology is right for you? What areas or specializations are you most interested in?

Kitty Vogen is a writer who researches information about college degrees of all kinds including the forensic psychology degree.

Tags: college degrees, forensic psychology, forensic psychology degree, Mental Health

You would be shocked if you knew how much money I had spent on my teeth. I wish I could say that they are perfectly straight and stunningly white. But no, I’ve had to do serious work on them because of dental problems, not cosmetic work for appearances. I now take really good care of my teeth but it wasn’t always this way. That’s why I wanted to make a note of an article online called Tips for Oral Hygiene and Teeth Care. It provides a great reminder of how to take care of your teeth every day so you don’t encounter as many problems as I’ve had with mine!

Tags: dental, health, teeth

Like many people, I have a love/hate relationship with exercise. When I do it regularly, I feel good and I like that. When I don’t do it regularly, I can’t remember what I liked about it and I have to drag myself back to it kicking and screaming. (Actually, kicking and screaming isn’t really accurate because that would be much more active. I suppose that I have to drag my body out of bed as it resists by slumping into a heavier and heavier state!)

Of course, the trick is to find exercise that you truly enjoy doing. And I do have that. In particular, I like hiking. I also like other active, strength building things like indoor rock climbing and pilates mat classes. Unfortunately I just can’t make these things happen on a regular enough basis for them to be my sole form of exercise. I need more cardio in my life in order to feel good.

So what I’d really like to do is find a way to make exercising at home more fun. Home-based exercise is great because it doesn’t require any preparation, it works in any weather and you can fit it in between work and social networking and watching TV and whatever else you’re already doing at home. There are certainly drawbacks to home-based exercise and I definitely don’t think it could be my only exercise option either but combined with out-of-the-house activities it offers a well-rounded exercise option.

In theory. The problem is that it’s tough to find a home-based workout that I can actually get enthusiastic about. It’s easy to start one and then halfway through it decide that I’m done for the day – a huge flaw of the home-based workout. So, in an effort to get excited about exercise again, I decided to try a dance workout with Barbie.

The truth is that I love silly campy things. I love retro things that were sort of kind of cool when they first came out and are now just totally ridiculous. They make me laugh. And if you can laugh while you’re working out then you can enjoy what you’re doing, getting many more benefits than you would get with just straight gritting-your-teeth-through-it kind of exercise.

So I turned on this 30 minute video thinking that the silliness of it would at least get me excited about moving and being active in my home. It’s supposed to be for ages 6 and up so I didn’t expect a major workout. Boy was I wrong! Although the exercises themselves aren’t tough in the way that holding a yoga pose or climbing a mountain is tough, I found it nearly impossible to keep up with the dance moves of the Barbie instructor. How the kids on the video learned those dance exercises is beyond me.

But the truth is that it worked. It made me laugh. And I got most of the way through the video before I gave up on it, did some crunches and quit my home workout for the day.

What do you do to workout in a way that you actually enjoy?

Related article: 5 Ways to Burn Calories (that aren’t all about exercise)

Tags: exercise, smartchick