[ Content | Sidebar ]

Apps for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

January 2nd, 2012

You know how you make all these resolutions, and you either keep them in your head to easily forget or write them down on a piece of paper that you conveniently misplace?  Well, you guessed it, there’s an app for that!

2012 Resolutions is a free app from iTunes that will keep track of your new year’s resolutions in a clean, simple layout.

43things is a free app for setting goals and meeting them.

fooducate is a free app I have been using for several months.  You can scan a food item at the store, and it will rate how healthy that choice is, and give you healthier alternatives. If you are following Weight Watchers points program, it will also give you the points for the item.

sparkpeople diet and food tracker is another free app that you can use to track your food and fitness activity.  Sparkpeople also has a free motivational quote of the day app to give you that little boost to keep going!

mint.com has a great app to keep track of your finances, expenses, and budget.

Have I covered all of your resolutions? If not let me know and I will search for more! Here’s to a great 2012!

Replace the Plastic or Paper with Reisenthel Easy Bags

December 29th, 2011

I found these handy shopping bags a few months ago and was thoroughly impressed! The Reisenthel Easy Bags fit into your shopping cart, and are easy to fill, then unload at register, and refill and carry out. Keeps all items secure in the bag without having to worry about those little plastic bags overturning in the trunk. Then just carry the bag into your house to unload. You know I love a smart, clever, easy idea, and this is it.

The side hooks secure it to the shopping cart. There is also a zippered pouch to keep your coupons or shopping list. The top has a velcro closure so no worry to have anything spill out. They are very sturdy and well made.

Several patterns and colors to choose from.

Then when you are done, it fits into a pouch and is ready for the next use.

Sole Treadmill for New Year’s Resolution

December 28th, 2011

Well, did you eat enough fudge? Did your Aunt Norma make enough pies for you to sample? You know what happens next, right? New Year’s Resolutions. You can join a gym and have full access to all the germ filled; sweaty equipment (I have issues, you know this) or you can purchase your own equipment for your home.

About three years ago, I decided to research treadmills and get a really good one for my home. I purchased the Sole F80, after a lot of research. You may find that this treadmill at $1399 (no tax or shipping) from amazon.com, is more than you need. For me, it was perfect. I had already learned from a trainer that because of my torn meniscus, I needed a treadmill that could take impact better than most, and the Sole F80 fit that criteria. According to the research, the Cushion Flex system on the Sole greatly reduces the impact to your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine, making it comfortable for frequent runners or for users with running- and walking-related injuries. In a recent study, researchers concluded that the Cushion Flex deck reduced impact up to 40 percent as compared to running on asphalt. I’m the injury type, not the frequent runner type, in case you were wondering.

I also found out through research that the Sole Treadmill is the one carried by the entire Hilton Hotel line. Sole didn’t expand to the consumer market until 2000. I also wanted a treadmill that folded, and this one met that requirement also. This treadmill has the controls for speed and incline on both the console and the handles, making it very easy to switch. It is heavy in the box, and if you don’t have a couple of people to help you get it in your house or wherever you want it, you may want to plan that out once it arrives. But, once it arrives, and you have it in the spot you want, it is very easy to assemble.

 As you can see from the image, the treadmill has two handlebars on the side, and two grips at the bottom of the console. It has a very long running surface. There are also two deep bins on the console, which I use to keep my water, remote, cell phone, headbands, chapstick, a snickers (just kidding!) and anything else I can think of. Then there is a second tray that has two cup holders and another bin. I’ve never had a need to use the second tray.

I know that there are a lot of treadmills out there that are not this expensive, and that may be the kind for you.  For me, this one was and still is perfect.  I have never had any issue with it at all.  Still in great shape three years later.  And yes, I do actually use it!

Do you have any home exercise equipment? Share with me in the comments section.

Websites for Finding the Best Apps

December 26th, 2011

In case you received a new iPhone or other smartphone for Christmas and want to add some apps to your new pride and joy, here are some great websites for finding apps. If you haven’t noticed, there are billions and trillions of apps now, and sometimes it’s hard to weed through them all to find ones you will like.

 

appolicious.com

appshopper.com

iphoneapplicationlist.com

appadvice.com

bestappever.com