Jelly. Everywhere.

Yahtzee

2024-02-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

Once there was a boy named Ted he lived on the outskirts of a mining town out in rural Idaho. His house was on a dirt road. There was one other house on the road and it was abandoned.

His house was across the street from the abandoned house and often he would ride his bike up and down the dirt street and wonder what the family was like who lived in there,

back when the town was in it's heyday, and the mines weren't dry.

He was riding his bike one sunny afternoon and noticed a small figure run into the building and he sound tof breaking glass. TED lunchtime! He heard his mother calling himand he returned to

his cozy home on the dirt street.

Ted entered the kitchen and sat to enjoy the meal his mother had set out for him. Lunch was a pb & j, applesauce, and a glass of raw milk. Ted's mom was in the other room getting ready

for work. She was a cashier at the dollar store in town. Town wasn't too big, a couple restraunts, the dollar store his mom worked at, and a post office.

"How's the bike honey?" Mom asked.

"Good" Ted replied.

Ted had salvaged together parts for his bike from the junkyard a short distance from his house. Mr. McGee who ran the junkyard was too nice to have a junkyard. Even his dog

wasn too soft to be a junkyard dog. It was a shih-tzu.Anyways he let Ted take 2 new tires and a bike seat to fix up his old bike that was run over by a car.

"I gotta go to work, I'll be back at 10pm, make sure your homework is done and you're ready for bed before I get back."

"Yes, mother" Ted replied, his mind still fixated on what went into the abandoned house across the street. SlaM the frontdoor shut as his mother hurried to her closing shift.

It was bigger than a cat. He thought. But whatever it was was scurring on all fours like a rodent.

Ted went to the computer room and typed "bigger than cat rodent" on google. A picture of a capybara showed up.

"That's not it." Ted said to himself.

Ted went back to the kitchen, chugged his milk and applesauce, then hopped onto his bike.

He rode his bike over to the school library. The librarian greeted him when he entered but he did not hear her. When Ted is focused on something he gets extremely locked-in.

The librarian thought he was autistic or something and continued to read her book.

Ted hustled to the encyclopedias, took a couple, and went to the biology aisle for two books on mammals and reptiles, and then he grabbed a mythological creatures book from the fiction section.

Ted brought his chosen texts to a corner library table and started consuming the pages of content. As he skimmed, he learned all kinds of fun facts about animals. Bison have four stomachs.

Snakes can unhinge their jaw in a way where they can eat something way bigger than their head. If a human did that he can swallow a watermelon. The mandarin characters for penguins

read "business goose" and the male emperor penguins sit on the eggs.

Next thing Ted knew, the lights went out. The librarian left him and turned the lights out! She must have forgotten he was in there. Ted looked at the clock it said 9:00pm.

"Shoot I gotta get home before my mom!" Ted exclaimed, resenting the librarian for her absent-mindedness.

Just then he heard a clanging in the ventilation shaft above him. The cover came off and what oozed out of it was a humanoid type shape with pale-blue flesh and long extended fingers. The

dark pits where it's eyes should be stared deep into Ted's soul. Ted was gripped with fear, then he took out his glock-19 and shot the demon from the vents until it died. About

14 shots.

Ted sighed "whew close one", Then he left a three dollar tip on the counter for the librarian and dove out of the library window, somersaulting onto the grass outside.

He rode his bike home and was in bed before his mom got back.

The next day the remains of the creature were found in the library.

The End

Pictured below is a capybara

boy in the woods

2023-01-18T11:04:00.005-08:00

Jonesy, a young lad of about 8 years old, was out hiking with his family. All of the sudden a big lion parachutes out from the sky and blocks him and his family's path. The lion gives his family winning cruise tickets from some local radio competition. Then the lion tail whips the family and they all go flying all the way to the ocean to swim on board the new cruise that they are going to go on.

The lion yawns, briefly glances at Jonesy, does a down dog stretch, and then leaps into the brush off the side of the trail and bounds away. Jonesy, trying to understand the enigmatic turn of events, approaches the cliff to see if he can tell where the lion went. Just then the cliff crumbled beneath Jonesy's feet and he tumbled down the hill into a lush forest meadow.

Passed out unconscious, a number of forest animals approached Jonesy's body. Deer, rabbits, skunks, all were sniffing the boy. Jonesy's eyes opened and he sprang up using all four of his limbs to tackle one of the deer, sinking his teeth into the woodland creature's neck. "I'm on my own now," Jonsey thought to himself, "and it's survival of the fittest out here."

Lightning struck a nearby log in the meadow and Jonesy roasted the deer meat and ate until he was stuffed. Then, Jonesy scampered on all four limbs through the meadow until he found a cabin. Jonesy lept through the window of the cabin and continued to wreak havoc inside the cabin running on all four's.

The cabin was abandoned but there was (pre-Jonesy) neat and orderly furninture. A bookshelf, a table, a bed, a couple chairs, a stove, and some drawers. Now all that remained was a pile of rubble. Jonesy licked himself, some minor scrapes and dust were all over his body.

The boy found a map and a journal in the wreckage that pointed to a hidden treasure nearby. The cabin's perspicacious occupant must be out looking for the treasure Jonesy thought.

Instead of following the clues to a certain treasure, or at least a fellow human being who could help Jonesy out, the boy continued his obdurate streak of savagery. The boy cast a pyromancy level 5 spell at the cabin and burned it to the ground.

The boy felt ineffable magic energy coursing through his veins. He started flying above the treeline enjoying the cool night air and wind blowing through his hair. Faint mellifluous humming came from the trees below near the river. The boy descended. He saw a dwarf and an elf humming while they were panning for gold.

The boy slipped into the water and climbed into a large catfish's mouth. Then he controlled the catfishes body to approach the dwarf and elf. The boy-engorged-catfish sprung from the river at the dwarf and knocked him unconscious.

The elf was a beautiful female and came running to the dwarf's aid. The boy popped out of the catfish as she got near, gave her a big smooch on the lips, and then did a backflip back into the river and floated all the way down river to a big dam.

He fell off the dam about 100 feet but floated with his magical ability right before making impact, preserving his life. The boy then swam to shore and started wandering through the woods aimlessly.

End

---

Prompt: "Lost in the forest, a young hiker stumbles upon a hidden cabin. Inside, they discover a journal filled with mysterious entries and a map leading to a long-forgotten treasure."

Vocab Words

Mellifluous
Obdurate
Perspicacious
Ineffable
Enigmatic

dog gonnit

2023-01-12T17:52:00.002-08:00

"A stranger arrives in a small town, claiming to have the ability to bring loved ones back from the dead. But at what cost?"

I am including a few words to expand my vocabulary when I am story telling.

words to use: "Serendipitous, Whispers, Melancholic."

It's the wild west during pioneer times. A dog scampers into town. A crazed expression on its face, ribs showing, golden matted hair reflecting the sunlight, and tongue sticking sideways out of his mouth. The dog scampers into the saloon, trotting past a table of men bickering about a poker game, straight upto the bar. The dog stands on his hind legs and gazes deeply into the bar maidens eyes. "Out, shoo!" Quoth the bar maiden. The dog continued to stare, it's gaze growing melancholic.

The bar maiden had pity on the K-9 and gave him a dirty mug full of even dirtier water. The dog sniffed the water and pushed away the dirty glass with one of his paws. He strafed down the bar a few stools and hopped up onto the chair next to the town drunk who was passed out next to drink. The dog gleefully lapped up this beverage and was thankful to the unconscious drunk man. The dog turned to exit and hopped off the bar stool. As he was scampering to the door, shots rang out, and three men fell down from the poker table dead.

Without missing a beat, the dog trotted up to the dead men and pissed on all of them. The bullets popped back out of their body and their wounds were healed. The dog defecated by another table and left the saloon, much to the bewilderment of the bar patrons.

33 years later a man is in the town's city hall. He is petitioning the city council to approve his rights to drill for oil on his newly purchased plot of land outside the town. He stands at a desk while a clerk reads the coordinates, rights, and blueprints. The man looks around the office and sees a dog turd in a glass case. Puzzled, he asks the clerk about it, who tells him a story about a miracle working dog who saved his father and two other men from sure death.

Suddenly, a matted-fur golden dog enters the city council office. "A serendipitous encounter!" thought the oil man. If I capture this dog, then whispers throughout the town will reach my dearly beloved Mary-Beth, and perhaps she will move back here from Canada.

The man approaches the dog. The dog lights a cigarette, and puffs it, while still staring back at the man. The two of them nod at each other and the man felt the dog was better left to his own devices.

End

poetry

2023-01-08T20:47:00.003-08:00

Prompt: Write a descriptive poem about a person's experience walking through a forest on a foggy morning.

Ok so I am canning the 3 part story idea. I want to just pop in and do a quick something here and then cause it's light and fun that way.

A quick sonnet with no rhyme scheme but a little iambic flavor added

walking around the pines i have the urge
to jump and spring and dance and sing and prance
initial freedom is the sweetest
i love it half to death
my inner self sings true
and my legs run with vigor
I splash through a brook and bound through a meadow
directions are lost through misty fog but I feel found
all is surreal until the hunger beckons me back
back to the doldrums, the undeniable benefits of society
it's logical and yet stifling
my soul recharges here
back to the trail to find the way home
but I can always return

The door is ajar part 1

2023-01-03T22:17:00.003-08:00

Prompt: Write a story about a character who discovers a mysterious door in the back of their closet that leads to a magical world. They must navigate through this new world and confront the challenges and dangers that come with it in order to find their way back home. Along the way, they meet a variety of strange and interesting creatures and must decide who they can trust and who they cannot. As they journey deeper into the magical world, they begin to uncover secrets about their past and ultimately discover their true identity.

My dog keeps stealing my socks. Anyways. Time to attack the prompt. Attack of the prah-ahmpt. Attack. There once was a boy named jerry. Jerry was in 5th grade and quite small for his grade. He got made fun off on occasion and was picked last during P.E. class. He had a crush on a sweet girl in his class named Sally who was aware of his existence, but made no public acknowledgment of it. Poor Jerry.

Jerry's normal beta-male 5th grade fate was about to change however. And no, it's not that he started puberty. One night, when Jerry was going to bed, he heard a strange noise coming from his closet. It sounded like a faint scratching. Three faint scratches and then it would disappear. A few moments later, more scratches.

"It must be mice." Jerry thought. Jerry wished he had a cat. He would name the cat Rupert and task him with mousing. The scratching persisted nonetheless. "Alright." Jerry said as he pulled the sheets off of him. "What's going on here.."

Jerry walked over to the closet, and before he was close enough to open the closet door, it burst open. Jerry was surprised, not only at the doors suddenly opening, but at what was revealed behind them.

The entire back wall of Jerry's closet was glowing a violet-purplish glow. The aura seemed to pulsate and then concentrate into a perfect square that was about four feet on either side. The square formed in the middle of the wall and was completely dark.

Jerry realized it was empty space behind it. He reached his hand into the square and felt nothing but empty space. He retracted his hand and stuck his head inside. Looking around up and down, left and right, Jerry saw nothing. Wait a minute. Jerry's eyes got a glimpse of light coming from way down below. "It must be a hundred feet down!" he thought.

Jerry suddenly felt an urge to go towards that light. As he tilted more of his body into the square and started falling, he thought about the life he was leaving behind. Bullies, physically-present but mentally-absent parents, a prison called school.

A warm smile crept across the boy's face. "Whatever awaits me at the bottom of this chasm, death or life, I am at least free."

Part 1 of 3

Its-a-me

2023-01-01T22:23:00.001-08:00

Prompt: Imagine that you are walking through a dense, dark forest at night. As you walk, you begin to hear strange noises coming from all around you. You can't see anything, but you get the feeling that you are being watched. Suddenly, you trip and fall to the ground, and when you look up, you see a group of glowing, humanoid creatures standing over you. They have long, slender fingers and bright, glowing eyes. They don't seem to be hostile, but you can't shake the feeling that they are not entirely human either. As you lay on the ground, one of the creatures approaches and offers you its hand. Do you take it, or do you try to run away?

Ayy lmao an alien prompt. Aight bet. So I really don't think this thing could help me up. I am 6'8" and 250 pounds. Also, I know how to stand up fine on my own. Therefore I say, "Thanks sir, but I'm ok, what brings y'all around these parts?" The aliens motion at me and immediately I understand they're looking for berries. I whip out the pb&j that I have in my pocket. Blueberry jam on that bad boy. I offer one of the aliens the sandwhich. The alien is confused at first and then it's mouth opens up. It gobbles it in one gulp and turns purple. It's green comrades are shaking their arms up and down. What's this..betrayal? The purple alien grows in size and it's limbs turn into giant octopus tendrils. The purple beast thrashes about in the dense forest creating a meadow. I saw him crush his friends as I ran away. Then I went home and went to bed. When I came back it was a nice meadow. I built a nice log cabin in that meadow and then had children and grand children on that estate.

End.

mysterious object that grants wishes

2022-12-30T11:25:00.001-08:00

Prompt: Write a story about a character who discovers a mysterious object that grants wishes, but with unexpected consequences.

A monkey finds a banana and he bites it *clunk* it’s a gold banana. HOO HOO HOO the monkey is mad. He wanted a real banana. The gold banana shines and a real banana is produced. The monkey eats the new banana and his eyes are opened. His pupils grow large. He sees the aurora borealis fill the forest. HOO HOO HOO the monkey wishes his friends could see this. The gold banana glows and emits a warm gold light. POOF. The monkey’s friends are teleported to the same location. They’re scratching their heads and their butts not sure what’s happening. Then their pupils grow wide. The forest around them disappears and they see a wormhole open up which they start being pulled through at high velocity. HOO HOOOO WOAH AHHH. The monkey’s start screaming in human speak. After 12 seconds the monkeys return to the forest a few feet above the ground they were swept up from. Boosh they fall down to the jungle fauna. Well that was a trip said the monkey. Yes it was said one of the female monkeys of the pod. A monkey with a moustache named George said let’s make acai bowls and never invent the iphone. The monkeys calmly hooted in a civil agreement. But the lowest-status male monkey of the group named Perry crossed two of his finger-like toes behind his back. “I am going to get rich and get the Stacy monkey who never gave me the time of day before.”

Perry slapped sticks, coconuts, and uranium together. He made a phone. He held it up to his phone to make a call, but no other monkeys had a phone. He called up Joe Biden asking what he should do. Joe wasn’t sure either, but asked the monkey if he had any ice cream recommendations. Bananas of course. The monkey looked to see if he could find the gold banana to enlighten Joe Biden so that he could get better advice. But alas, the gold banana dissolved into the Aether after two wishes. Seems that was the limit. Perry then got brain cancer from his uranium iphone and died after slipping into dementia after a few months. The other monkeys enjoyed their Acai bowls and picked up surfing.

End.

A Dog's Life

2015-11-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Every day I wake up at the crack of dawn. I sniff the air then go back to sleep. Next thing I know I;m in a boat. Then I'm in class. Then I'm asleep again. By the time I wake up I'm looking at her face. She's looking back at me. I eat seventeen burritos then I go back to sleep. It's a good life.

Stay cool!

2011-05-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year where everything is warming up! So just remember to drink plenty of water, wear comfortable clothes, stay in the shade, and just keep cool! If you overheat you could pass out and that's bad for your health. ~Jelly

Ways To Boost Confidence

2011-05-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

Confidence is affected by many factors — including our own feelings of self-worth or perceived degree of success. If you’re lacking in these areas then you should check out the following top ways to boost your confidence — which will have you feeling able to tackle any given situation!

Get a new imageIt doesn’t matter whether you are male or female — what you look like will always affect your confidence. Your everyday appearance — including what clothes you’re wearing, how your hair looks and what make-up you’re wearing — will make a massive difference to how you feel. All of us know how much our confidence can be knocked when having a bad hair day, or by having unsightly spots appear overnight smack bang in the middle of our faces!

It’s well worth investing in your appearance with new clothes or a new hairstyle, as this will really boost your confidence. Wear some colours that cheer you up and make you feel good about yourself, or go for a smarter option if you think this will make you feel more confident.

Get a new jobIt might be your job that is causing you to lack confidence. If you’re in a place where you’re constantly undermined or lacking a challenge, then your confidence is hardly going to be sky high. If that’s the case, then it’s probably time to move on and find a more challenging role.

Look for that job out there that you really want, and then apply for it — rather than constantly thinking about going for it and then doing nothing. If you get the job then you’ll feel extremely uplifted and much more confident. Admittedly, there is always a risk that your level of confidence will go down if you don’t get the job, but don’t let that bother you; instead, be proud of the fact that you tried — and then try again.

List your good pointsWrite out a list of all the things that you are good at, to act as reminder to yourself that you are least good at some things! Then, when you’re feeling that your confidence is on the wane, take the list out, read it, and add something new to it. If you’re struggling to think of things to add to your list, then it’s possible you’re missing the obvious or being too harsh on yourself.

It’s also worth remembering some of the things you have achieved so far in your life. They don’t have to be earth-shattering achievements, but could still be something to be proud of — such as passing your driving test, raising a family, getting fit, or successfully saving up for a trip away.

Work on your small talkSome people really struggle in social situations such as parties because they feel they lack the confidence to engage in small talk with people they do not know. They constantly avoid these situations and therefore their confidence does not improve — and nor does their circle of friends.

Our advice is: if you get invited somewhere, make sure you go! The more social situations you get in, the more comfortable you’ll feel making small talk to people you’ve only just met. Remember: most people probably feel the same way, and will probably be so relieved when you break the ice that they’ll open up and talk to you in kind.

Mix with positive peopleBeing around positive people will rub off on you and will get you in a positive frame of mind — as well as brimming with confidence! If you’re surrounded by happy, smiling faces and laughter, then isn’t that going to be infectious?
Being positive is all in the mind — so you have to make yourself think positively. But if there are positive people around giving you advice, building you up, and pushing you in the right direction, then thinking positively will come more easily and your confidence will naturally increase as a result. So, if you are aware that the people you mix with tend to bring you down a lot, then do something about it by getting some new friends.
Get fit and eat healthilyYour body shape and weight can have a major impact on your confidence levels — although we’re not saying that everyone who is overweight, underweight or needs to tone up is always lacking in confidence, of course. But getting more exercise and following a healthier diet will boost your sense of well-being — and this in turn will have a positive effect on your confidence.
Getting fitter and eating more healthily will definitely make a difference to your confidence levels — no matter how much or little you improve. Remember the saying ‘healthy body, healthy mind’? Well, it’s true!
Be assertiveAssertiveness breeds confidence in yourself and gains the confidence of others around you. If you take control of a situation, you will gain confidence from that, and any positive feedback you get from others will surely help with your levels of confidence too.
Being assertive doesn’t have to mean being rude or bossy. You could start by making yourself stand tall so that people take notice of you and your oozing confidence. Then decide that each day it’s going to be you that makes everyday decisions at home and in the workplace, rather than waiting to be told what to do or being passive.
Take on a challengeDoing something new — such as learning a language, learning to play a musical instrument, or taking a class in some other discipline. Learning anything new is great for your confidence — and the added bonus is that you’ll meet lots of people who you’ll have at least one thing in common with.
If you are in interested in taking on an extreme challenge, why not consider running a marathon, or doing a sponsored bungee jump? Overcoming any major challenge will give you more confidence and will improve your self-esteem too. You will always have a sense of, ‘If I can do that, then I can do anything!’ after overcoming a personal challenge such as those suggested here.

Keep a diaryDo a ‘Bridget Jones’ and keep a diary that you can go back to and read or add to frequently. Diaries are a great way of raising your sense of self by reinforcing the fact that you and your opinions count.
Reading about what you’ve done in the past can help you realise what you’ve managed to overcome and how you’ve dealt with situations in your life — and you should be able to take some confidence from the fact that you survived or that you handled something in a positive manner. We can all learn things about ourselves by looking back; after all, experience breeds confidence.
Be philosophicalBeing philosophical about things means that if things don’t quite go the way you planned, you can put events into perspective and you won’t let the experience knock your confidence. For example, if you don’t get that job you had hoped for, then why not think about what else is round the corner, rather than ruminating too much on why you failed? Also, you should remember that failing to overcome a problem rarely means that it’s the end of the world!
Being positive and philosophical about things can be an attractive trait to have, because having a negative outlook can make other people want to shy away from you. It’s best to try to turn negatives into positives and not be too self-critical.

Pets help your health!

2011-04-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Many of the benefits of pets — companionship, affection and so on — have been well known for centuries — even numerous ancient Egyptians cherished their companion animals. However, data gathered during only the last few years have shown just how significantly our health is improved if we share our lives with animals.

A study undertaken in 2002 by the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition and United States Food and Drug Administration revealed that the heart rates and blood pressures of pet owners increased less when the individuals were presented with math problems to solve if their companion animals were present.

Another study, one conducted by the United States National Institutes of Health during 2001, showed that people who have pets not only "make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions," but are more likely to be alive one year after being treated for a coronary condition.

Several recent surveys of individuals sharing their lives with pets have revealed that most of them are convinced their health is improved by having animals around.

Ninety-two percent of the respondents to a survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) during 2002 indicated that they derive significant health benefits from their pets.

In addition, of the respondents:

76 percent stated their stress levels are reduced by their companion animals
65 percent indicated their mental health is improved by their pets
31 percent stated their physical fitness has been improved by their providing of exercise for their companion animals

A survey undertaken by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) in 2000 yielded results very similar to those obtained by the AAHA.



	Mixed Breed Cat

Eighty-eight percent of the senior citizens who responded to the APPMA survey indicated that "pets make their family or home life healthier, either emotionally or physically." In addition, 79 percent of all of the respondents stated they believe "pets help to create a healthier balance…with the increasing presence of technology" in homes.

"People feel that having a pet — a real being to care for and be with — helps balance the cold influence technology can have on a home," according to APPMA Communications Director Funda Alp.

"Pets are...more than just a member of the family — they are central to a healthy lifestyle," according to AAHA President Link Wellborn.

I couldn't agree more.

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

The unique bond we share with our pets dramatically enriches our lives, our physical health and our emotional well-being. Many studies have shown that while we are taking care of our pets, our pets are taking care of us.

In fact…

• Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure. A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
• Pets Help to Reduce Stress. Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
• Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease. Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease.(National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs. People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Fight Depression. Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

Reading

2011-04-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

Reading is beneficial for both children and adults. It can help you to cope with stress and anxiety, and provide a form of relaxation and escapism.

It is also a great ' brain tool', helping people of all ages to learn and develop important life skills, in terms of education, self improvement, positive life choices and all round well-being.

Children and adults can read to develop their language, vocabulary, and all round comprehension skills. Spelling and writing skills are also improved by regular reading.

If you have sight or reading difficulties such as visual impairment or dyslexia you can still enjoy the wonderful world of story telling and literature. If your child is unable to read themselves, you can read to them. If you have difficulties, ask others to read to you. Many books are available as audio CDs. And, you will be able to buy Braille versions of some books. Ask at your local bookshop for advice and information.

Never stop learning

As well as academic learning, reading also offers a wide range of other life skills. Books can help children learn more about the world around them. They can read and learn about morals, friendship, love and family.

If your child is going through a difficult time in their life, such as the separation of parents, starting a new school, the death of a loved one, bullying, or puberty, books can be a great source of information and comfort. There may be books that your child can read at these times to help them understand what they are going through. This may help to relieve any anxiety and stress your child may feel.

Reading can give your child the tools to make good choices in life, whether it be about positive relationships, education, health and lifestyle.

Children can learn about their bodies, healthy lifestyles, diet and exercise through reading books and magazines.

Reading is a more interactive activity than watching television. When children read they are involved with the book, imagining the characters and scenes, and painting images in their minds, rather than just staring blankly at a television screen. This encourages your child to be creative and think for themselves.

Bonding time

Reading is a great activity that you and your child can enjoy together. You could read to your child, or they could read to you while you enjoy the stories together. This is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your child, and can be a very bonding experience. Many people recall fond childhood memories of a parent reading to them at bedtime. Why not do the same for your child?

Reading with your child is also a great conversation starter. You can talk to your child about the ideas and messages conveyed in a story, and ask them what they feel about them. This will encourage your child to analyze what they have read and learned about, and form opinions which they can then confidently share with you, and others.

All about you

Reading is great for adults too! Settling down with a good book or a favorite magazine is a great way to ungas at the end of a stressful day, and enjoy some 'you' time. It can take your mind of your worries and woes, and often a bit of time out helps you to put things in perspective and cope better.

But don't think that the benefits of reading for adults are limited to relaxation!

Adults can also develop their vocabulary and improve their spelling, literacy and comprehension skills in the same way that children do. Life is a learning curve - it's never too late to learn.

There is a huge choice of books available to you. Novels, fiction, non-fiction, biographies - the list is endless, you are bound to find something you enjoy.

Self-help, self-improvement, health, motivational and educational books will give you a greater awareness and general knowledge.

Reading is a great way to expand your own horizons; you can learn about pretty much anything you choose!

Healthy lifestyle

Now that you're bolstering your brainpower and working on your wellbeing, you may as well fit in time for the physical as well!

If you do like to read, make sure you also take the time to do some exercise. You need at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. You could go for a walk, a jog, go to the gym or go swimming. Stay active to keep fit and healthy. If you are at a good part in your book - when you can't put it down! - you could take a walk to a local park or café and read the book there.

Also make sure that you eat healthily. Don't gorge on unhealthy junk food, particularly if you do like to read and spend a lot of time sitting still. Try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Munching on fruits, nuts and seeds will keep your body fit and healthy

"cheat" meals

2011-04-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

One of the most favorite things of anyone who's dieting or following a carefully regulated nutritional program is the so called 'scheduled cheats'.

These are basically meals or days planned into your schedule that allow you some leeway to eat the foods you are craving and relax your willpower for a while.

There are many different ways to incorporate cheats into your program as there are also both positive and negative aspects that go along with cheats.One of the common ways to incorporate a cheat into your plan is to have a cheat day. This is basically a day where you can eat whatever you want, not following a schedule.

How 'intensely' you choose to do this is an individual preference. Some people choose to just go all out and eat anything and everything they can get their hands on, often eating thousands of calories at a time

Another way to incorporate a cheat is to just have a cheat meal rather than a day. In this case the person would just eat whatever it was that they had been craving at one meal and follow their regular meal plan as scheduled.

Usually with these types of cheats, the focus is on eating 'forbidden' foods since they will be eating as normal for the rest of the day.

Physiologically, cheats can offer many benefits. If you have been dieting pretty hardcore, it's likely that you have low muscle glycogen levels. Along with this often comes a sluggish feeling during your workouts and less than optimal strength.

You may also find that you are fatiguing faster than normal and are not able to keep up with your previous performance.

A cheat meal or day, since it often means an excess of calories and carbohydrates taken in, will serve to replenish some of these stores, which will help give you more energy and train harder at your next workouts.

Along with decreased muscle glycogen that goes with dieting, there is also a slowing of the metabolism effect. The body senses starvation and tries to lower the amount of energy it needs to continue to function on a daily basis.

This means you will be burning less calories just sitting there than if you hadn't been dieting, which makes weight loss even harder.

When you shock your system with a high influx of calories at one time, the body's metabolism will show an increase and you'll kick start your 'furnace' into high gear once again.

This will help you body to get less accustomed to running on a lower caloric level and make getting lean easier.

Generally, the leaner you get, the more cheat days or meals will be needed to get this 'high gear' effect.

Note, however, that a better approach to dealing with this subject is more of a reefed approach where you will intake a large amount of carbohydrates, which are the body's main source of fuel, rather than just eating vast quantities of junk.Often however, with many bodybuilders or fitness elites, foods that they choose to cheat with are high in carbohydrates (such as pasta and bread) so they would serve this purpose as well.The next reason to consider whether or not you should cheat is how it will affect you psychologically. Many people feel that cheat meals help them deal with the feelings of restriction they endure while on a diet.

They find that by looking forward to splurging on their favorite foods they have an easier time sticking with their diet the rest of the time.On the flip side of the coin, though, cheating may turn into a negative psychological thing for some people.

Those people who decide to have a cheat day and eat so much in one period that they physically become ill or find themselves fantasizing about their cheat day for many days ahead of time may want to look at the possibility that they are becoming obsessed with food.It's almost like an all or none thing with these people, either they are 100% perfect all the time, or else detour and just go crazy and all out binge.

I feel that this practice may be setting them up for a more serious issue of developing an eating disorder or unhealthy views about food that may last a lifetime.

Sports

2011-04-23T16:11:00.001-07:00

So today I played 2 games of basketball at the gym. Which got me to wondering what sports do you guys play?

Do video games help kids with problem solving skills?

2011-04-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

When many adults think of video games, they envision bombs, bangs and blood. As a result, many parents try to restrict their children's gaming time. But according to new research, they might be missing some redeeming qualities.

"All these things that that have long been assumed to be rotting our brains, there might be this hidden benefit," said social critic Steven Johnson, author of the controversial new book, "Everything Bad Is Good for You."

Americans bought about 248 million games last year, enough for two in every household, according to a study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Johnson argues that video games -- violent or not -- are making children smarter.

"You have to manage multiple objectives at the same time," he said. "You have to manage all these different resources, and you have to make decisions every second of the game."

Video games typically require the player to complete a number of specific tasks to win.

"Well we have to get the Jeep, we have to ride up a hill, kill the snipers, drive past the mountainside, go into another giant palace and activate the remote," said one 10-year-old interviewed by ABC News while playing the Halo 2 video game, designed for the Microsoft Xbox gaming system.

Developing Problem Solving Skills

Children who play such video games exhibit what experts call "fluid intelligence," or problem solving.

"They have to discover the rules of the game and how to think strategically," said James Paul Gee, a University of Wisconsin-Madison curriculum and instruction professor. "Like any problem solving that is good for your head, it makes you smarter."

Intelligence test scores in the United States are rising faster than ever, experts say. One possible reason: Studies show video games make people more perceptive, training their brains to analyze things faster.

In a recent study by the University of Rochester, participants were asked to count the number of squares which were flashed on a screen for a 20th of a second. Gamers picked the right number 13 percent more often than non-gamers.

In the modern world of fast decision-making, e-mail and e-trade, games might be helping develop the kinds of skills kids need to succeed.

"They're out learning how to think in ways that will be absolutely useful to them when they go out in the world and do the same kind of thinking in an office," Johnson said.

Johnson says he would rather see kids playing non-violent games: and doesn't want his own young children playing violent ones. But even in the worst cases, he wants parents to recognize the potential benefits.

source: ABCnews.com

Liftin'

2011-04-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's spring break right now and I feel as if I have been slacking at the gym lately. So I went to the gym and pushed myself super hard. Every part of my body is exhausted and will probably be sore tomorrow.

What are your guys' favorite workouts?

I feel kind of guilty..

2011-04-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

My friends left for a week and told me to watch their dogs. I forgot it and when they came back they payed me $20 for taking so good care of their dogs.......... fuck

2011-04-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

I made a good food for breakfast. I combined oats, yogurt, cottage cheese, and strawberries. Have you ever invented anything that you were proud of? If not what is your favorite invention that you love?

2011-04-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Oh my gawwwd my stomach feels like its going to explode. Me and some bros just ate at a buffet, I don't go to them that often but when I do I always over eat. I probably ate the amount one should eat over the course of a week. I have legs workout today but for now I am going to nap. Pic related its the restaurant.

eating healthy is profitable.

2011-04-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Healthy eating will help you get the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It will help you feel your best and have plenty of energy.

Healthy eating is one of the best things you can do to prevent health problems, such as:

Heart disease
Stroke
High blood pressure.
Type 2 diabetes.
Osteoporosis.
Some types of cancer.

Mornings

2011-04-17T08:55:00.001-07:00

The only reason I get out of bed in the morning is to eat breakfast. What do you guys do in the morning?

cash?

2011-04-16T09:44:00.001-07:00

I ran a garage sale this morning, sold a lot of stuff to the mexicans. Gonna go to the gym tonight. How are youre guys' saturdays?

sports are good, especially for kids

2011-04-14T20:00:00.001-07:00

Sports serve as an excellent physical exercise. Those who play sports have a more positive body image than those who do not. Playing sports often involves physical activities like running, jumping and stretching and moreover a constructive expenditure of energy. Playing sports since an early age strengthens the bones and muscles and tones one’s body. Thus sports provide the body with a complete exercise.

Playing sports improves the Math skills in children. It develops leadership qualities and fosters a team spirit in them. Sports involve competition; they involve winning and losing. This exposes the players to both the aspects of life, successes and failures. Sports build a competitive spirit in children and teach them to be participative irrespective of whether the participation concludes in a victory or a defeat. Playing sports teaches a person to accept both successes and failures in a positive spirit. The most important benefit of playing sports is the sportsman spirit. Playing sports results in the development of a sportive nature, which is helpful throughout one’s life.

Playing sports is very beneficial for the development of social skills in a person. Sports teach a person to interact with people, act as a team. They foster collective thinking and develop planning skills in children. Sports build confidence in children and give them a sense of accomplishment. Sports thus play a vital role in one's social well-being.

Playing sports requires the children to plan thoughtfully. They need to device the best ways to score goals, the best strategies to win and plan carefully towards victory. Statistics show that kids involved in sports activities fare well in academics and their school and college activities.

A constructive expenditure of energy that sports bring out is very helpful in keeping a person happy. Exercise generates happiness molecules in a person’s body, thus contributing to his/her mental well-being. Sports generate a positive energy.

Playing sports serves as an excellent exercise, which has a wide variety of health benefits. It reduces blood sugar level and reduces the risk of blood cholesterol. Playing sports decreases the chances of hypertension and several other stress related disorders. Research has revealed that people who play sports regularly can deal with stresses and strains in life in a better manner. Depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders are less probable in people who indulge in sport activities.

Regular exercise helps increase the overall quality of life. Playing sports acts as a beautiful blend of recreation and physical activity. It is a combination of both enjoyment and exercise.

Having a Gym Partner is good.

2011-04-12T19:19:00.001-07:00

I bet you have come across a saying which states 'no man is an island'. This is very true especially when it comes to the gym. Although you can get results when you work alone, having a gym partner will yield greater results. This is especially so if you are training with someone who is highly motivated. The good thing with motivation is that it is very contagious. Working with a partner leads to positive competition which is very rewarding especially when you challenge each other.

Although working with a partner is good, working alone has its own benefits. This is because you get to challenge yourself, and in the process discover all your strength and weaknesses. When you are working alone you also experience a higher level of concentration. This is especially important when you want to do practice progressive resistance during weight lifting.

Working with a partner in the gym has the following advantages;

1. A Synergy of motivation is created. If you are lucky enough to find a partner who shares similar goals then you will be amazed by the level of your motivation. You will find yourself performing more sets and reps.

2. You'll be punctual always. If you are working with a dedicated partner, he will ensure you come on time due to the competitive relationship you have formed.

3. You will avoid plenty of trouble if you have a work out partner. The only way you can be able to avoid going out to pint on a Friday night is if you are comfortable at home with your partner playing poker. Alcohol will really slow down your ability to grow more muscles and become bigger. This is because alcoholic beverages contain about 9 calories per gram, with very little traces of protein. So when you partake in alcohol drinking ritual you are just taking empty calories. Alcohol also increases your fluid retention capacity and this is very bad for muscle formation. The bad effect alcohol has on your ability to gain muscles can not be overemphasized.

4. You could actually avoid a lot of injuries when you are working with a gym partner. The most common injuries are caused when you fall or trip with weight on your hand or back. If you had a good partner such types of injuries could be easily avoided.

5. Development of friendship.

You need to really trust your partner to the point that you expect him to protect you from sustaining injuries while you are in the gym. Such trust will naturally lead to a bond forming between the two of you.

6. A work out partner will help you adjust fast especially when you become a member of a new gym. A work out partner will help you overcome the awkwardness you get when you start training in a new gym, due to meeting people from different backgrounds.

7. Some exercises can not be performed without a partner. You can for example do arm to arm curls more effectively if you had a work out partner.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1711920

Jump Rope Benefits

2011-04-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

FreeStyle Jump Roping is minute-for-minute the single most comprehensive and beneficial exercise a person can do. It’s a sport that can be done as an individual or in groups and can easily be incorporated into anyone’s lifestyle. Best of all— Jumping Rope is fun and entertaining.

EFFECTIVE
Jumping rope can burn up to 1000 calories per hour, making it one of the most efficient workouts possible. It tones muscles in the entire body, developing long, lean muscles in all major muscle groups, both upper and lower. Jumping rope optimizes cardiovascular conditioning and maximizes athletic skills combining agility, coordination, timing, endurance.

EASY TO LEARN
RopeSport’s innovative training techniques and constant emphasis on “go at your own pace” allows people of different fitness levels and athletic abilities to enjoy the learning process and achieve their own level of success in an environment where they are relaxed and comfortable. Whether people want to simply swing the jump rope from side to side or they want to do double jumps on one leg, they are free to learn.

FUN
Due to the variety of jumps and movements that are taught, even at the beginning level, FreeStyle Jump Roping is fun. It encourages creativity and spontaneity, and gives people flexibility in their workouts.

INEXPENSIVE
Compared to many other popular fitness products flooding the market, Jumping rope is very inexpensive, making it accessible to everyone.

PORTABLE
All you need is a 3’ x 4’ area to jump rope. A living room, backyard, office, or gym are all ideal places to jump rope. Just throw a jump rope in a suitcase, briefcase, backpack, or purse, and you have the “greatest portable workout in existence.” Jumping rope is the perfect exercise for travelers.