While fitness plays a role in my 2009 catalog of resolutions, it's actually a minor addition alongside more important subtractions. I'm giving up caffeine, specifically as a routine part of my daily diet. I plan to reserve caffeinated coffee, etc., for times when I really need it -- like finals week, or one of those days when I have a lot of work to do and just don't feel energetic enough to get through it. Those are the times when caffeine reveals its beautiful, divine nature. Mmm, sweet coffee, nectar of life.
But drinking caffeinated coffee every day, in every cuppa joe -- that's just overkill. Sacrilegious, one might say. And I'm pretty sure that caffeine + stressful workloads = Doc's failing memory :P So I'm detoxing, going cold turkey for a few weeks, and refraining from buying any caffeinated coffee for home. If I need it as a pick-me-up, I'll buy it one cup at a time elsewhere (which incidentally ensures that I won't enjoy it as much as when I brew it at home). However the idea is to eliminate caffeine as an *element of my diet*, and reserve it only for very special occasions.
Similarly, I'm all but returning to my teetotaler days: for 2009, I'm adopting a one-drink minimum & maximum policy. In some contexts, this will actually be an increase -- as in all the times my cohort buddies invite me out but I decline because of a stack of work on my desk. In others, such as Joe's parties, it will be a definite decrease. :) This resolution was borne from my realization that I don't actually enjoy intoxication; I get most of the pleasure from being around my friends when they're having a good time. Drinking itself usually gives me mild heartburn (and makes me crave caffeine), and it greatly dulls my senses -- so what's the point? Still, it's important to be social and all. :)
As for fitness, I'm not going to try and set a quota of hours to meet or anything like that. Rather, I've resolved to find activities that I enjoy doing that just happen to get my heart rate up. The fact is, I hate running and always will -- but if I can find another exercise that I actually *enjoy*, then there's a greater chance I'll do it with enough regularity to ensure that I live to see 40. :P So far, based on one trip to the fitness center in my apartment complex, I can conclude that running on a treadmill is more enjoyable for me. I appreciate the controlled environment, particularly the absence of cold air that would burn my respiratory system. Ugh. I think I'll enjoy the cycling machine too, if I can get it to work properly and give me some resistance. It's too bad we don't have a rowing machine. I think I nearly killed myself on the one at Millsaps -- I got so focused on how many knots I was pulling, I didn't realize what a vigorous workout it was. It's also nice to have more upper-body conditioning from a workout other than weightlifting, which makes me feel vain and pathetic. If we have to go out of our way to arbitrarily lift weights to build showy muscles, what purpose do the muscles have, aside from aesthetics? I think I'd be better off finding a sport I enjoy. Something a bit more active than chasing / wrestling with Szasz -- though gods know he needs to exercise too, the little meow mix vacuum.
Apart from the differences in content of my 2009 (re)solutions for better living, there has been a most important difference in the context of their origin. I think we often fail in our resolutions because January 1 is pretty much identical to December 31, and we immediately fall back into our routines. But I spent the first 9 days of the new year visiting a friend, more fully immersed in her Lebenswelt than falling back into my own. Instead of my usual routine of sleeping in, drinking a big cup of coffee, spending 1 1/2 hours reading news websites and then squandering most of the day on half-assed attempts to read or write, I woke up far earlier (most days) than I would have liked, and because Kati has a real *house*, I got to help out with the sorts of activities that we apartment-dwellers miss out on. I also learned a lot of new recipes and cooking techniques, and was introduced to some ingredients that I've shied away from in the past -- lots of brans and oats and organic things :) It's safe to say that starting the new year in a different place, experiencing other ways of doing some things, was a positive influence for making and keeping to my resolutions.
In the spirit of renewed experimentation with food, I checked out the Golden Grocer near my apartment. Their website isn't so hot, but it's your typical local food co-op sort of place, with organic products and veggie and vegan stuff. Most importantly, they have a more complete set of bulk bin ingredients than Dierberg's, and they're obviously much more convenient for me to get to. Rice and other grains, couscous, nuts, etc. They also have big jars of herbs and loose leaf teas that you can scoop into for much lower prices than buying herbs individually. I bought some 'Get Smart' tea, another item in my quest for staving off senility, and a big tub of delicious Brown Cow Maple syrup yogurt, the best stuff ever. I also bought a 10-grain bread mix, to try my hand at baking bread at home without any fancy equipment -- just two hands and an electric oven (which I still prefer for baking. You can keep your gas!)
Here's what my beautiful loaf looked like after 3+ hours of rising in various positions, just before I put her in the oven:
I forgot to take a picture when it was fresh out of the oven, but here's what it looked like after I'd already devoured half :
Mmm :) It's good stuff! I added a couple of tablespoons of honey to the dough, to give it a little touch of sweetness. It was perfect -- though I think next time I may try it with maple syrup (I know, I should give it a rest, but it's sooooo good. Try it in your coffee!)
In case you'd like to try it yourself, here's the manufacturer's link: http://www.bobsredmill.com/product.php?productid=3754
Of course, you could make bread from scratch without a " mix," but seeing how I only have 3 kinds of flour on hand in my pantry, and no yeast (the mix comes with a packet), this was a MUCH cheaper option for the short run :)
Well, I have 3 more list items to accomplish before I can go to bed, and I have to wake up early enough tomorrow to make it to the Meso lab for an inauguration viewing party. So I'll end this post and save some early impressions of classes for next time.
Szasz says good night:
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2 comments:
See, I dunno about that explanation for being more dedicated to your resolutions this year... because I feel like I can really stick to mine, too. I wonder what's different about 2009? (or if it will be different) :)
I like that picture of Szasz :)
he's a tricky photo subject. if i use the flash he blinks and looks like he's squinting. but he's usually too blurry without it. too much rapid movement! maybe they put caffeine in his meow mix.
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