OK...here are the details of the fitness challenge. Nothing major. But very major. Could I be less clear???
The fitness challenge will not be an organized workout. (However, if you need to know options for bootcamps, gyms, classes, home workouts etc., I can point you in a direction as well as maybe others in the group.) It will not be a certain diet (again, if you want to be pointed in a direction for a certain eating plan, I or others can help as well.) It will not be a public shaming forum, unless you wish to shame yourself. Instead it will be a forum where people can be held accountable and encouraged by other who also choose to participate.
I have chosen to be very public about what I am doing as that works for me and hold me accountable to myself and others. I have also decided to donate money to SOW to motivate me to work harder because this group really needs help. That is MY plan. However, YOUR plan may be different.
What I desire to do is to create an environment where people can be motivated and encouraged at a level that is appropriate for them. If it helps to publicly post you ate chicken and waffles to shame you into not doing it next time then do that. If it helps to post "I have eaten good this week," then do that. If it helps just to read what others are doing and never say a word, then just do that. If you want me or others to Tweet FB text or email you daily to eat good and exercise that can be done as well. If you are craving something bad and want others to tell you "Don't do it" that will be available as well. If you wish just to mock me (you know Hangover fat guy jokes) then do that. It doesn't matter.
I will share exercise routines, recipes, restaurants that serve good meals, and articles I find that help. Pitch in if you want. Or don't. The idea is to find something that works for you. Move more than you did yesterday. Eat better than you did yesterday. Share as much or as little as you like. Get advice when you need it. If I or others do not have answers, I know plenty of people that have them. Let's just encourage each other, make gains everyday tell others about this that need it. Like I said, I will be very vocal about this. However if I or any others can do anything to help you reach your goals, then this will accomplish what I wanted it to. I have several who have said they are interested. Let's get going. Jump in any time you want. Have fun and do better than you did yesterday.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
FITNESS CHALLENGE
In order to motivate myself to get rid of the last 20 pounds I want to get rid of, I have decided to start a fitness challenge. For myself this means I have PUBLICLY announced that I will give $10.00 for every pound I lose to Spirit of Women at their September fundraiser. I win by losing the weight. I am motivated knowing that I am helping someone else by doing this and I really do not want to let them down. I am accountable and motivated in many ways.
I know that people struggle with weight loss or attaining fitness goals. I have found that by making myself accountable top others, and making public statements, it encourages me and makes me accountable. Thus nearly 50 pounds lost in the last year. This is the reason I have decided to do this challenge. It is not a contest. It is not a public display of weight. It will be a group of people who are there to encourage each other. A group of people who will hold each other accountable. A group of people to share ideas about what is working and what is not working. A group of people to share recipes and tips they have learned from either their trainers, others they workout with, or information from books and magazines. This will be done, more than likely, via social media site like Facebook and Twitter. The more people that join in, the more ideas can be shared. I plan on stating what my progress is, what I have eaten so I can be accountable, and tips and recipes I learn from my most excellent trainers.
Anyone is welcome to join. I will work out the logistics when I see what kind of response I get. For myself, I will be posting my progress publicly because I am motivated to reach this goal and more importantly, help Spirit of Women.
If you are interested in participating somehow, get back at me at one of the links this blog is posted, or email me at rwjd12@gmail.com.
Let's help each others reach goals and help others.
I know that people struggle with weight loss or attaining fitness goals. I have found that by making myself accountable top others, and making public statements, it encourages me and makes me accountable. Thus nearly 50 pounds lost in the last year. This is the reason I have decided to do this challenge. It is not a contest. It is not a public display of weight. It will be a group of people who are there to encourage each other. A group of people who will hold each other accountable. A group of people to share ideas about what is working and what is not working. A group of people to share recipes and tips they have learned from either their trainers, others they workout with, or information from books and magazines. This will be done, more than likely, via social media site like Facebook and Twitter. The more people that join in, the more ideas can be shared. I plan on stating what my progress is, what I have eaten so I can be accountable, and tips and recipes I learn from my most excellent trainers.
Anyone is welcome to join. I will work out the logistics when I see what kind of response I get. For myself, I will be posting my progress publicly because I am motivated to reach this goal and more importantly, help Spirit of Women.
If you are interested in participating somehow, get back at me at one of the links this blog is posted, or email me at rwjd12@gmail.com.
Let's help each others reach goals and help others.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Gimme A Cup o' Joe
I drink a LOT of coffee. I mean a LOT of coffee. I start in the morning and end at night. Often there will be an empty coffee cup on my night stand in the morning. (I can drink espresso and fall asleep 10 minutes later...true fact.) I think this comes from my days of being a cop and working the night shift. I always told the local "stop and rob" proprietors to leave that last two inches at the bottom of the coffee pot for me to drink at 3:00 a.m. These were the days before Starbucks was even thought of. Coffee was relegated to "stop and robs" and coffee shops.
The coffee landscape has changed a great deal since that time. However, my love of coffee has not. I am much like Dennis Leary, I want "coffee flavored coffee." I don't regularly do lattes, frappes, crappes, whatever they are called. I do not do cream sugar or anything that will dilute the taste of the coffee. I drink black coffee. OK, I do throw in the occasional latte but never flavored, but my preference is for black coffee.
I also want to state that I DO NOT LIKE STARBUCKS. I try not to get political or biased in anything I post or write. However, I do have to state here that there are certain business practices that Starbucks engages in that I do not believe in at all. If I am traveling at night, I will drive by the Starbucks and get coffee from a stop and rob. I will not get into detail here what those practices are as I am here to talk coffee, however, if you want to know what my gripes are I will be happy to sit down with you over a cup of coffee and discuss this with you.
My feeling is the god of coffee in the Fresno area is Leo at Cafe Corazon. I regularly Tweet and Facebook about Leo. The reason: his stuff is great. Cafe Corazon is a local roaster. All the coffee sold there is roasted on site. In fact you can see the bags of green coffee beans sitting in the store. Leo is a coffee connoisseur and has great roasting skills. You can tell Leo what kind of taste you are looking for in a coffee and he will direct you to one of his fresh roasted varieties. He always hits the nail on the head, and I have gotten to the point where I just tell him to fix me up with a pound of whatever he thinks is good. Cafe Corazon sells coffee beans as well as cups of coffee prepared in an assortment of methods. He can explain each of these to you and the advantages of each. This place is truly a gift to Fresno and has been to me, a true coffee lover. However, do not expect the latte and frappuccino machines there. Cafe Corazon does coffee.
Like I stated above, I love good coffee, but also like the occasional Latte.' If I am going to sit down and enjoy a latte', I go to the Revue in the Tower district. If you have never been to this place, you need to go. This place is wonderful. When you walk in it appears to be a small coffee cafe, however, if you venture to the back of the cafe, there are large seating areas as well as a large event room. I have had many latte's and even desserts at the Revue. It is lively, but you can find an out of the way corner where you can work if you wish. Their latte's as well as other coffee drinks are delicious and they have great food as well.
If I am on the road Dutch Brothers is my place of choice. There are only two locations in Fresno, West and Bullard, and Ashlan and Willow. They do not have inside seating, in fact they are little drive through kiosks. However, their coffee is roasted by the company. The barristas are fun, lively, friendly, and usually have music blaring from the kiosks. It is the perfect place to get a cup of Joe for the road.
Again, you will not see me at the Starbucks, (sorry Starbucks fans). I know that there are other good places for coffee in the Fresno area, however, these are my favorites, and I rarely stray from these. They are all on Twitter and Facebook and can be followed there. If you have favorites, let me know and I will check them out. However, remember though, I am really looking for "coffee flavored coffee."
The coffee landscape has changed a great deal since that time. However, my love of coffee has not. I am much like Dennis Leary, I want "coffee flavored coffee." I don't regularly do lattes, frappes, crappes, whatever they are called. I do not do cream sugar or anything that will dilute the taste of the coffee. I drink black coffee. OK, I do throw in the occasional latte but never flavored, but my preference is for black coffee.
I also want to state that I DO NOT LIKE STARBUCKS. I try not to get political or biased in anything I post or write. However, I do have to state here that there are certain business practices that Starbucks engages in that I do not believe in at all. If I am traveling at night, I will drive by the Starbucks and get coffee from a stop and rob. I will not get into detail here what those practices are as I am here to talk coffee, however, if you want to know what my gripes are I will be happy to sit down with you over a cup of coffee and discuss this with you.
My feeling is the god of coffee in the Fresno area is Leo at Cafe Corazon. I regularly Tweet and Facebook about Leo. The reason: his stuff is great. Cafe Corazon is a local roaster. All the coffee sold there is roasted on site. In fact you can see the bags of green coffee beans sitting in the store. Leo is a coffee connoisseur and has great roasting skills. You can tell Leo what kind of taste you are looking for in a coffee and he will direct you to one of his fresh roasted varieties. He always hits the nail on the head, and I have gotten to the point where I just tell him to fix me up with a pound of whatever he thinks is good. Cafe Corazon sells coffee beans as well as cups of coffee prepared in an assortment of methods. He can explain each of these to you and the advantages of each. This place is truly a gift to Fresno and has been to me, a true coffee lover. However, do not expect the latte and frappuccino machines there. Cafe Corazon does coffee.
Like I stated above, I love good coffee, but also like the occasional Latte.' If I am going to sit down and enjoy a latte', I go to the Revue in the Tower district. If you have never been to this place, you need to go. This place is wonderful. When you walk in it appears to be a small coffee cafe, however, if you venture to the back of the cafe, there are large seating areas as well as a large event room. I have had many latte's and even desserts at the Revue. It is lively, but you can find an out of the way corner where you can work if you wish. Their latte's as well as other coffee drinks are delicious and they have great food as well.
If I am on the road Dutch Brothers is my place of choice. There are only two locations in Fresno, West and Bullard, and Ashlan and Willow. They do not have inside seating, in fact they are little drive through kiosks. However, their coffee is roasted by the company. The barristas are fun, lively, friendly, and usually have music blaring from the kiosks. It is the perfect place to get a cup of Joe for the road.
Again, you will not see me at the Starbucks, (sorry Starbucks fans). I know that there are other good places for coffee in the Fresno area, however, these are my favorites, and I rarely stray from these. They are all on Twitter and Facebook and can be followed there. If you have favorites, let me know and I will check them out. However, remember though, I am really looking for "coffee flavored coffee."
Friday, April 22, 2011
My Volga German Heritage And The Food That Goes Along With It
I am half Volga German. My grandparents as well as my father are full Volga Germans which means I have been exposed a great deal to this part of my family history. In the late 1800's approximately 25,000 Volga Germans fled Russia and settled in the Central Valley. My great-grandparents were a part of this immigration and settled in "Rooshian Town" in South-West Fresno. First, I am grateful to my great-grandparents (whom I was never fortunate enough to meet) for coming here, which allowed for the opportunities I, my family and my children have been able to take advantage of. Second, I am grateful for them passing down the rich Volga German heritage that I have been able to experience in my life.
I have fond memories of German food when I was growing up. The staples of our German food were Varingas (this is how we pronounce it. They are also known as Verriniki and many other variations,) "Dag-Grabble," beerocks and of course smoked German sausage. You could not find these items at local restaurants so we experienced these foods at family gatherings.
Varingas were always a favorite, and as a child I looked at these as a delicacy. They are a simple egg, flour and water dough, filled with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, boiled then fried in butter and served with melted butter. As I stated above, I looked at these as delicacies. However, I later learned that these version of the Pierogi, we made because the ingredients were inexpensive. Like many immigrants, my great grandparents, and my grandparents were field and dairy workers and did not make much money. Varingas can be filled with almost anything, however, we try to stick with the original recipe as this is what we are accustomed to. I do not know of any restaurants that sell these, however, varieties of these are available Fresno Pacific University Relief Sale held every year at the college campus in April.
Beerocks are probable the most well known German food. Again, in my youth these were usually homemade. However, the Beerock Shop at West and Bullard now sells these. In addition, the Edison Social Club and Hope Lutheran Church have sales yearly of homemade beerocks made by member of the Volga German community.
The main staple of Volga German food is German sausage. It was said when I was growing up that if there was not German sausage at an event such as a wedding or family reunion, the event was not a German event. The making of German sausage dates back to the Volga region of Russia. However, in the Central Valley the "king" of true German sausage was Ohlberg's German sausage. Ohlberg started making German sausage in Fresno in 1928. This tradition stayed with Fresno, and the original recipe, made by the original meat grinder, is still available today through Renna's Meat market at Ashlan and First. There are two varieties of this sausage, fresh and smoked. I prefer the smoked as this was what I grew up on, however both varieties are excellent and prepared from the original recipe. Helmuth's in Kerman also sells German sausage, and though I have not tried them, I have heard from many relatives that it is very good.
Again, I do not know of any Fresno restaurants that sell these items, except in part. I have to experience these delicacies at family functions, like the one I will happily attend at my cousin's home tomorrow. However, if anyone wants to know more about these items, let me know. I may decide to have a Volga German night at my house and include the community, as I was fortunate enough to work along side my grandmother and learn these recipes first hand.
I have fond memories of German food when I was growing up. The staples of our German food were Varingas (this is how we pronounce it. They are also known as Verriniki and many other variations,) "Dag-Grabble," beerocks and of course smoked German sausage. You could not find these items at local restaurants so we experienced these foods at family gatherings.
Varingas were always a favorite, and as a child I looked at these as a delicacy. They are a simple egg, flour and water dough, filled with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, boiled then fried in butter and served with melted butter. As I stated above, I looked at these as delicacies. However, I later learned that these version of the Pierogi, we made because the ingredients were inexpensive. Like many immigrants, my great grandparents, and my grandparents were field and dairy workers and did not make much money. Varingas can be filled with almost anything, however, we try to stick with the original recipe as this is what we are accustomed to. I do not know of any restaurants that sell these, however, varieties of these are available Fresno Pacific University Relief Sale held every year at the college campus in April.
Beerocks are probable the most well known German food. Again, in my youth these were usually homemade. However, the Beerock Shop at West and Bullard now sells these. In addition, the Edison Social Club and Hope Lutheran Church have sales yearly of homemade beerocks made by member of the Volga German community.
The main staple of Volga German food is German sausage. It was said when I was growing up that if there was not German sausage at an event such as a wedding or family reunion, the event was not a German event. The making of German sausage dates back to the Volga region of Russia. However, in the Central Valley the "king" of true German sausage was Ohlberg's German sausage. Ohlberg started making German sausage in Fresno in 1928. This tradition stayed with Fresno, and the original recipe, made by the original meat grinder, is still available today through Renna's Meat market at Ashlan and First. There are two varieties of this sausage, fresh and smoked. I prefer the smoked as this was what I grew up on, however both varieties are excellent and prepared from the original recipe. Helmuth's in Kerman also sells German sausage, and though I have not tried them, I have heard from many relatives that it is very good.
Again, I do not know of any Fresno restaurants that sell these items, except in part. I have to experience these delicacies at family functions, like the one I will happily attend at my cousin's home tomorrow. However, if anyone wants to know more about these items, let me know. I may decide to have a Volga German night at my house and include the community, as I was fortunate enough to work along side my grandmother and learn these recipes first hand.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I LOVE CUPCAKES!!!!
Anyone who has been my friend on Facebook or Twitter knows that I love cupcakes. Especially those that incorporate Spam or Bacon as an ingredient. (Don't go hating these are actually very good cupcakes. Trust Me.) Living in Fresno there are a plethora of places to get cupcakes. Maybe this is one of the reasons I have so much trouble losing weight maybe huh????? In any event this is a list of places in the Fresno area that I have been to that bake and sell cupcakes. They each have their own spin on the cupcake however they are all VERY good in their own way.
Cup Cakes is located at Cedar and Herndon. This was the first local cupcake specialty shop that I knew of.
Charlotte's is located on Olive in the Tower District. They not only have great cupcakes but also incredible sangwiches. (The G is not a mis-spelling that is how I say the word.) I can get lunch AND a cupcake. (Best BLT I ever had by the way but that is for another blog.)
Sugar Shack is located at Sunnyvale and Perrin. Now what I like about this place is not only do they make a cupcake that incorporates bacon and another that incorporate Guinness Beer they also sell soft serve frozen yogurt. I can get a bowl of yogurt the add the cupcake making one bowl of pure goodness.
Chiffono's is located at Cedar and Shepard. They make great cupcakes as well as other desserts. I am often torn between a red velvet cupcake and a lemon bar so the easiest thing is to just get both.
The Frosted Cakery is located within walking distance of my house. This is dangerous. They also incorporate bacon as well as the famous Spam cupcake. They share the spot with the SupportR which sells food. Again this place is very dangerous to me.
If I missed any let me know. These again are the places I have been to and go to often. try them all and I am sure you will find your favorite. (Then I can refer you to my trainer who is incredible in his own right.)
Now if only I could get someone to make a Fried Chicken and Waffle cupcake for my birthday!!!!!
Cup Cakes is located at Cedar and Herndon. This was the first local cupcake specialty shop that I knew of.
Charlotte's is located on Olive in the Tower District. They not only have great cupcakes but also incredible sangwiches. (The G is not a mis-spelling that is how I say the word.) I can get lunch AND a cupcake. (Best BLT I ever had by the way but that is for another blog.)
Sugar Shack is located at Sunnyvale and Perrin. Now what I like about this place is not only do they make a cupcake that incorporates bacon and another that incorporate Guinness Beer they also sell soft serve frozen yogurt. I can get a bowl of yogurt the add the cupcake making one bowl of pure goodness.
Chiffono's is located at Cedar and Shepard. They make great cupcakes as well as other desserts. I am often torn between a red velvet cupcake and a lemon bar so the easiest thing is to just get both.
The Frosted Cakery is located within walking distance of my house. This is dangerous. They also incorporate bacon as well as the famous Spam cupcake. They share the spot with the SupportR which sells food. Again this place is very dangerous to me.
If I missed any let me know. These again are the places I have been to and go to often. try them all and I am sure you will find your favorite. (Then I can refer you to my trainer who is incredible in his own right.)
Now if only I could get someone to make a Fried Chicken and Waffle cupcake for my birthday!!!!!
Fresno!!!!!
I have, as of late, seen many "complaints" "attacks" "bitches" about Fresno. It upsets me to see this. I was born here. In the OLD St Agnes in south Fresno. I have lived here my whole life. I went to under grad school here and recently graduated from law school here. I have also been fortunate enough to be a police officer and private investigator in this city. Because of this, I have learned a great deal about this city and the surrounding cities and what they have to offer. I like to eat, I like to meet people, and I like to experience things. This is my nature. I am curious and inquisitive, as is required in my chosen professions. I seek out the unusual. The things that many ignore but are truly gems in this area. So I have decided to blog, Facebook and Twitter (and any new social media site that comes out) about this city (area) and what I experience here. I am always actively seeking new places to go to, people to meet, and things to experience. The Fresno area has so much to offer that many people miss. I have a rich full life without leaving town. Everyone here can. My goal in writing on all these media sources is to expose people to what Fresno has to offer. There is a LOT, and I hope you follow along on this journey. I take suggestions, questions, and even complaints. Hang on because this will be a fun ride.
DISCLAIMER: I have no financial interest in any places, people, businesses that I mention. There are simply the ones I have come across in my 46 years. I have no favorites, I like just about anything. If I mention something, and you think there is something better or equal to, let me know. I will check it out. I am not critiquing here, just making people aware of things.
DISCLAIMER: I have no financial interest in any places, people, businesses that I mention. There are simply the ones I have come across in my 46 years. I have no favorites, I like just about anything. If I mention something, and you think there is something better or equal to, let me know. I will check it out. I am not critiquing here, just making people aware of things.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
LAW SCHOOL AND THE BAR ARE NOT THAT HARD
OK, this statement may seem crazy, especially to those in the middle of school or preparing for the bar. However, I made it through law school working full time, and passed the bar only using used study books and pilfered audio recordings. Did I study a lot? NO. I studied when I could and listened to audio recording when driving. From what I heard I should not have passed the bar. My study habits dictated I should not have even made it through law school. But I did, I passed all classes, was invited to law review every semester, completed law review, passed the MPRE the first time, and passed the bar the first time. I will share my ideas here of what I felt led to my success.
I THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS OVER AFTER I ATTENDED THE FIRST NIGHT OF SCHOOL
I still remember the first night of law school, orientation night. On this night, my school, had current and former students explain to our class what to expect from law school. The stories were all the same: life was over, all free time would be spent studying and reading and briefing cases. Relationships with significant others and families were put on hold. People were missing their children's activities. I sat there thinking, "Well I like my free time." "I have seven kids, one an infant and really do not want to miss their lives." "I like football Sunday." I was ready to make the sacrifices to obtain the JD, but wondered how true these statements were.
When the semester started, I read and fully briefed every case diligently. I took notes. I studied every free moment I had. I made outlines. I did everything I was told to do. However, I remember one instructor making the statement, "If you are studying what you already know, you are wasting your time." This made me think. And to be honest, I was getting tired of reading all the cases, briefing them, and writing outlines. It was exhausting and my life was passing by in front of me without my participation. My first epiphany came to me when it was time for the first Torts exam.
LAW SCHOOL OUTLINES ARE A WONDERFUL THING
One day in class, I received an email from my study partner with a Torts outline written by someone else. This was blasphemy. We were to write our own outlines. But that day I was tired. I was working a death penalty case as an investigator, and it was taxing me. I opened the file, RIGHT THERE IN CLASS. I then went to the part of the outline the instructor was lecturing on. I'll be damned if the same stuff she was writing on the board was the same stuff that was in the outline. EXACTLY. In addition, because I had a laptop, and the outline was a Word document, I could modify the outline as I saw fit. I left what was good, and added what I felt was missing. This was awesome. I was no longer trying to take the material I learned in class and trying to make it into a coherent outline. I was verifying accuracy, and adding material. Part of Football Sundays were back.
I used this system the remainder of law school. I found what appeared to be a good outline, made sure it was in a format I could modify it, and eliminated the task of writing my own outline. I decided to put this to a test. I had finished a huge trial just prior to the first Torts exam. My initial plan was to write a good outline the weekend prior to the exam which would allow me to study by writing, and hopefully produce a good outline from which I could build. However, I now had this modified outline. I was tired, my wife was tired as we had a newborn infant. We decided to go to San Francisco the weekend before the exam. I no longer had to write an outline and felt I could carry the outline with me and study during the drives to and from San Francisco, and during any down time there. This is exactly what I did. I still remember studying by the indoor pool in a spa near the Mark Hopkins, where we were staying. I studied on the way to and from San Francisco. I will admit I was apprehensive because this was not the method that was advised by instructors and former and current students. While others were at home writing, and studying away, I was eating at the Stinking Rose, and in North Beach with my wife.
THE RESULTS AND WHAT I LEARNED
When the exam results were returned, I was shocked. I had the second highest grade in the class. I had not spent the whole week and weekend before the exam laboring in front of my computer and case books. I was in my favorite city doing my favorite things. I learned that when others before you have done the work and laid the foundation, why repeat the work? Yes I still had to learn the material. However, I found what I believed was a simpler way to learn the material, while taking away the labor that was involved in learning the material. Yes I know some people like writing their own outlines. In fact this is how some people learn. I will address this in my next blog. However, if this is not a productive method in which you will learn, why do it? I also realized that I am a visual learner, and actually learned the SECTIONS of the outline. I could visualize the outline in my head while I was taking the exam. This has to do with methods of learning, which I will address in my next blog. So stay tuned.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Welcome To My Life 2011
I started this year weighing 229 pounds, employed as a criminal defense investigator, having recently passed the bar, and completing my moral character application with the California Bar so I can become an attorney. Today, the 5th, I weigh 219. I have accomplished this by following Tim Ferriss' Four Hour Body and being trained by G-Fitness. G-Fitness is Greg Johnson and he is incredible. I am doing things I was doing when I was in the police academy again. (Yes I used to be a police officer.) I am working on improving all aspects of my life. We will see how it goes. I am ready to move forward and do big things. I lost ten pounds in 5 days. I passed the bar without studying. (I will share my thoughts on this here) and got through law school while working two jobs and taking care of a family. I believe anything is possible.
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