Yet another "lifestyle" book = read diet.

I have started reading yet another diet book. The John Gabriel Method. Hopefully it helps me get to where I need to go. The good thing about most of the weight loss programs I’ve been on is that they all have the Glycemic index as a commonality. Which I’m hoping means I’m onto something. With the John Gabriel method, he advocates adding lots of veggies to your diet so your body actually has something to get nourishment from other than the empty carbs and sugars I keep feeding it. He also suggests removing stress from your life so your body doesn’t translate it into a survival instinct like – “What no money? Better put on fat since I don’t know when my next meal might be”. Lastly he really likes it when you start the meal with protein, and veggies then finish off with the carbs. That way your body does a better job of digesting it. Digestion is important too, so he gets you to add probiotics in the morning and add a digestive enzyme to every meal. And speaking of supplements, make sure you get lots (and I mean tons) of omega 3’s (something about them being necessary for weight loss too).

What I also get from his method is that you shouldn’t try to diet per se, but just add the stuff your body needs. Once it starts getting good nutrition, you will automatically stop craving the crap foods and your body will stop storing fat for a rainy day and the weight will just drop off. Oh did I mention that he also recommends exercise where you feel like you’re fleeing a predator? Yup, that way you trick your body into a stress that says “must keep alive – being chased by something with big teeth – must loose weight”.

Hmmmm, so what he’s saying is... eat better (ie more veggies and protein), add in the right supplements (omega 3’s, vitamins, probiotics, digestive enzymes), and exercise like your life depends on it (imagine yourself being chased by a rabid dog). Sounds like a lot of other weight loss plans I’ve seen. Did I mention he says none of this will work unless you can visualize yourself at the desired body shape and weight? The mind is a powerful thing and if you don’t believe you can do it, then you likely won’t. His visualization involves something called SMART mode though. It’s not a simple matter of telling yourself that you need to be 185 lbs rippling with muscle, you actually have to convince your subconscious that you need to be that way. Your subconscious is the one that controls those stresses in your life and decides if being unemployed means having to store fat. So convince your subconscious that you’re safe and don’t need to store fat, or better yet.... convince it that you’re better served by being lithe and muscular and your subconscious will take care of the rest. Figure out SMART mode and visualizations and you’re golden.

"Speed on Green" Camera's in Calgary

I lifted this from an email sent to me by a friend of mine. :) I cannot confirm the validity of this information, but why take a chance right? Slow down, and make sure you don't try to beat the yellow!!

Here's a list of locations where the "Speed on Green" camera's may or may not be located in Calgary. If you know where a guy can confirm this information, please send me the link! :) Thanks!!

Here is a list of the 44 intersections that have the new speed on green cameras. Until April 1st, you will only get a warning.

Macleod Tr / 162 Av SE
Macleod Tr /12 Ave SE
Centre St/ 20 Ave N
John Laurie Bv / 53 St NW
68ST /16 Ave NE
Sarcee Tr / Richmond Rd SW
4 St / 6 Ave SW
61 Ave / Barlow Tr SE
Crowchild Tr / 24 Ave NW
11 Ave / 4 St SW
11 Ave / 14 St SW
17 Ave / 44 St SE
14 St / Heritage Dr SW
14 St / Northmount Dr NW
64 Ave / 4 St NE
Anderson Rd / Acadia Dr SE
9 Ave / 11 St SW
Barlow Ttr / 32 Ave NE
52 ST / 32 AVE NE
Bowness Rd / Shaganappi Tr NW
Canyon Meadows Dr / Bowbottom Tr SE
Southland Dr / Acadia Dr SE
Fairmount Dr / Southland Dr SE
Elbow Dr / Southland Dr SW
Beddington Tr / Centre St N
Falconridge Bv / 64 Av NE
1 Street / 17 Ave SE
McKnight Bv / Barlow Tr NE
Barlow Tr / Centre Av E
Shaganappi Tr / Northland Dr NW
Blackfoot Tr / 42 Ave SE
Memorial Dr / 52 St NE
16 Ave / 10 Street NW
Edmonton Tr / McKnight BV NE
Memorial Dr / 28 St NE
Macleod Tr / 7 Ave SE
Bow Tr / 33 St SW
17 Ave / 33 St SW
Elbow Dr / Heritage Dr SW
Country Hills Bv / Beddington Tr NW
Glenmore Tr / Barlow Tr SE
McKnight Bv / Falconridge Bv NE
Macleod Tr / 25 Av SE
Country Hills BV / 14 St NW

A Restoration Project

Recently I was given this old Grandfather clock by my mom. It belonged to her parents before they passed away. After my dad passed away, my mom decided to begin the onerous task of purging the house of stuff that she doesn't want to take with her when she moves. Not wanting to throw out this treasure, she invited me to give it a new home. I gladed accepted and now host this beautiful time piece at place.

I believe my Grandfrather had this clock brought over from Europe and I believe it is over 50 years old. Regardless of it's age, it is a piece of my past and a reminder of my childhood spent out at the farm where this clock used to call it's home. I'm happy to have it in my home now too.

It needs a little TLC though, as it has seen better days. As far as I know the clock is still functional, but I'm damned if I know how to make it work again. I"m thinking that I should get a quote from a restorer to see what it would take to have it refinished and brought back to good condition again. My guess is that it's not cheap. In the meantime, I'll have to figure out how to use it, and once again enjoy the melodic ticking of it's pendulum and the chimes as it sounds out the hour.