Furball Friday: Husky finds his howl

This is just too adorable for words. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!



"Rhino Puppy Teether Dog Chew Toy" (Google Affiliate Ad)

Dog Lounge Deep-Seated Pet Bed (Google Affiliate Ad)

Creatures of Habit

This morning, I woke up just before 6 a.m. and honestly felt pretty grand! I believe that's partly owed to my new supplement from Mission Ready, called Sleep Ready.

I went for my second morning workout this week, and I was rewarded by seeing I've lost 2.5 pounds this week.

I always have great intentions about going to the gym when I leave work, but (as many of you probably find) it just usually doesn't work out. Maybe I don't get to leave the office until late, or I have to run errands after work. Sometimes the traffic is just terrible, and many days, I just feel too lacking in energy!

So this week, I got the guts to ask my boss about adjusting my work hours. I'm now free to come in as late as 9:30 a.m. and leave later in the evening. (Morning glories, please spare me the "I get up at 5 a.m. to work out" speech. It's just not happening for this night owl.)

Yesterday, I did squats, lunges, stability ball chest press, bicep curls, dumbbell triceps extensions, crunches, stability ball leg lifts and 35-second planks. In addition, I did about 20 minutes of cardio.

Stability Ball Ab Exercises: Leg Lifts -- powered by ehow

Today was just cardio on the elliptical and the recumbent bike.

I realize, though, that I absolutely cannot leave working out to chance. It's become clear to me as I get older that I'm a creature of habit. I like my morning routine. I get a shower and eat breakfast while my hair air dries. I start my morning coffee right before I take the dog outside so as not to waste time. And when my routine is disrupted, I'm totally off kilter!

So now, exercise is part of the morning routine and will become a good habit. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Tyrann Mathieu in rehab

I'm disturbed to hear that former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu has foregone enrolling in an FCS school in favor of entering a rehabilitation program. It's not because I don't want people who truly need help to seek it out, but because his "rehab" is merely a PR stunt to win favor and get back on the field with the Tigers in 2013.

One thing I really like about LSU is that its policy on drug use for athletes is stronger than that at my own alma mater, the University of Florida. (It's definitely something we can do better, Gators!)

It's all but fact, now, that Mathieu was kicked off the team for violating its drug policy, seeing as he has publicly "entered rehab." But if LSU allows him back on the team, its policy basically goes to pot - no pun intended.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a stickler for rules and regulations. If it says three strikes and you're out, LSU, then he's out. I don't care that he's the "Honey Badger." It doesn't matter if he goes through rehab and stays in school at LSU. He knew the rules and completely disregarded them. No doubt he thought he was above the rules because "Honey Badger don't care" and "Honey Badger takes what he wants."

Players at all levels and in all universities need to start understanding the privilege they have in playing football at the collegiate level, especially for FBS schools with national title hopes year in and year out.

Follow the rules, and everything will work out fine. Don't, and lose your opportunity at free college, a football career and all the perks that come with it. Hundreds of athletes would kill to be where you are, so if you blow it, tough luck.

Actually, it has nothing to do with luck at all, and more to do with the fact that you can't stop smoking weed for three years in order to earn the opportunity of a lifetime.

If I knew I could earn millions of dollars per year if I just kept my nose to the grindstone and stayed out of trouble, I could give up anything for two to three years. I don't feel sorry for you at all.

Furball Friday: Cat vs. Puppies

Happy Furball Friday! I love this video - especially the brazen puppy at the end that just tries his hardest to get the cat to play...

I dare you not to smile! Happy Friday.

Save 30% on Mission Ready Sleep Ready

I shared my product review of Mission Ready Sleep Ready with the company, and they were kind enough to extend a 30 percent discount to my friends & family through Aug. 31.

So, if you purchase Sleep Ready, use code GTR912 through Aug. 31 to get 30 percent off! They already offer a buy one, get one 50 percent off deal.

Be sure to follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr to get the latest info and great health tips!

Mission Ready Sleep Ready product a worthwhile investment

Note: Mission Ready offered my social circles a 30 percent discount on Sleep Ready or other supplements through Aug. 31. Get it here. 
 
I haven't done a ton of product endorsements - or even reviews, for that matter - but today, I feel like one is warranted.

A couple weeks ago, I lamented on Twitter my lack of sleep due to a variety of factors: stress, noise, new environment, etc. I've only been in Atlanta a couple months, started a new job, moved in with my boyfriend and facing a variety of challenges with being in a new city.

My sleep was seriously suffering. I'd even been prescribed Ambien from my physician, but I'm not a fan of taking anything that can be habit-forming.

My colleague introduced me to Mission Ready Sleep Ready, a "100% natural, vegetarian and gluten-free sleep aid." According to the Mission Ready website, it contains melatonin, magnesium, vitamin D-3, Gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA), valerian, lavendar and passion flower.

I'll admit I was seriously skeptical whether this would really help. I've taken a straight melatonin supplement from GNC in the past, and it made me feel terrible.

I started taking Sleep Ready on Monday, Aug. 6. I try to go to sleep by 10 p.m. during the week, so I took one tablet at about 8:35 p.m. I definitely noticed a sleepy, relaxed feeling within an hour of taking it. However, it wasn't as if I couldn't function. I just felt calm, relaxed and peaceful. The instructions say you can take one to two tablets each night.

That night, not only did I sleep well, but I don't recall waking up once - not to turn over, adjust pillows, go to the bathroom, nothing! I typically wake up several times throughout the night for one or all of those reasons.

This continued throughout the week. I noticed a deeper, more restful sleep, and as a result, I was more alert, focused and positive during the day. I'm not sure I realized how much my poor sleep was affecting me daily.

This week, I didn't take my Sleep Ready on Monday night. I definitely noticed that I didn't sleep as well. I reverted back to waking up to adjust pillows or go to the bathroom.

I can honestly say that, at least based on the past week, Sleep Ready is an incredibly valuable product that has not only improved my sleep, but helped improve my life overall! Further, the company was started by former U.S. Navy SEALs, and anytime I can support our military or veterans, I will.

In full disclosure, the bottle of Sleep Ready I received was complimentary, but I intend to be a faithful customer going forward. Additionally, this is not intended as medical advice, and I am not a medical professional or qualified to advise anyone on medical problems.

Furball Friday: Utah sheriff frees moose tangled in swings

What an amazing video! A sheriff's sergeant uses what looks like bolt cutters to free a moose's antlers from the chains of a swing set. Bravo!

A college degree: to pay or not to pay?

Having worked in higher education for awhile, I've seen the outrage over increasing tuition costs, particularly at Florida's public universities.

Today, Mark Cuban linked to an article describing the student loan industry as the next "financial stability issue," comparing it to the housing market crash. My response got yet another recent graduate complaining about the rising tuition cost being the problem.

I am not an economist. I never took anything beyond a basic micro economics course, and I certainly don't claim to be a finance whiz by any stretch of the imagination.

However, I get highly irritated when students and their parents keep complaining about the rising cost of college tuition.

You are still opening your wallet and paying for it, often with student loans. Simple supply and demand from Microeconomics would demonstrate that, since students and their parents continue clamoring to be accepted to and matriculate at these universities, the cost is just fine.

If it costs too much, take fewer classes and work or save more to pay for it, rather than putting yourself in a financial hole with thousands of dollars - or even tens of thousands of dollars - in student loan debt.

This thought comes not just from my logic, but also from personal experience. I am in the hole for more student loan dollars than I make in a year. And I will concede that I have a pretty reasonable salary, especially for my field and given the current economy.

I frequently say "I'll be paying my student loans off until I die." And that really isn't sarcasm. I'm not a doctor or a lawyer, either, so the amount of my student loans was really excessive, and frankly, unnecessary.

But people - family, friends, financial aid officers - will not caution you against taking out so much debt. You will hear how it's an investment in your future. You will hear that the payments are low; you can pay over time; there may be options for loan forgiveness after you graduate.

Don't listen. The best piece of advice I can give you is to not take out student loans at all. Do whatever you have to do to avoid student loans. (Also, don't even consider financing your education on a credit card.)

Work full time and take fewer classes. Apply for scholarships. Live with several roommates. Use campus commuting options instead of buying/using a car. And most importantly, ensure that whatever your degree is will allow you to make a living after graduation.

I'm not encouraging you to major in something you hate. But ensure there's a market for what you love. If not, then keep your passion as your hobby, and make your career something that will support you.

If I could do it all over again, I would not have taken out even that first student loan. If I ever have children, I will do everything in my power to ensure they understand the dangers of student loan debt.

The sacrifices you make during those four to six years in school will pay off in the end. Otherwise, you'll likely be making sacrifices for a considerable time period after you graduate, like me.

Brussel Sprout Surprise

Even the look of brussel sprouts grosses me out, but my sister posted a photo of her meal from awhile back to Facebook, and it even had ME salivating despite the fact its main ingredient is brussel sprouts.

So, here's the recipe and a photo. Looks delicious & I plan to try it out soon.

1. In a large frying pan, add some butter and a few diced onions at medium-high heat. 
2. Cut brussel sprouts in half while the onion becomes opaque, slightly brown. 
3. Add brussel sprouts to pan and turn down to between medium and medium-high. 
4. Add a little olive oil, if needed. Add maybe a little more butter. 
5.  Put the lid on and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
6. Slice up two slices of Hormel pre-cooked bacon (found at Costco) and some mushrooms. 
7. Take the lid off and stir. Cook another minute or two. 
8. Add bacon and mushrooms. 
9. Cook another minute and season with salt and pepper. You just have to eyeball it. The brussel sprouts were in a package that said it was 3 servings.