08.27.08

every calorie counts

Posted in Health at 10:37 pm by Paloma Cruz

I changed my approach to eating last October. I started eating fruits and vegetables. I cut out junk food. I started to drink lots of water. I cut back on my caffeine. I started to use phrases like “dressing on the side” and “hold the bread.” I watched what I ate, very carefully.

I lost a lot of weight. And I did it while continuing to eat out, without starving myself, and with very few slips.

I’ve stopped losing weight. I’m still overweight.

I know what the problem is. I’ve gotten relaxed, and I’ve stopped watching what I eat. I’m doing silly things like eating poppyseed dressing on my salad at home (200 calories per spoon, versus 35 for the light italian I normally use), drinking diet coke (with all that sodium), having cream with my four cups of tea a day, and cutting back on my water.

Calories add up. 150 here, 50 there, and before you know it, you’re gaining a pound a week.

My big fear is that I’ll let myself slide back into the size I used to be. I stopped losing weight about five months ago and have not gained it back. But it’s time to get back on track.

Every calorie counts. And this week I’m trying to get back into my good habits. That means reading labels, watching my sugar (fruit), and eliminating indulgences.

Wish me luck.

no more spam on your phone

Posted in Finances at 9:26 pm by Paloma Cruz

From ABC13’s consumer blog:

IF YOU GET UNWANTED TEXT ADS ON YOUR CELL PHONE TEXT THE WORD STOP TO THE NUMBER AND IT SHOULD END. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK, CALL YOUR WIRELESS PROVIDER AND ASK THEM TO STOP THIRD PARTY TEXTING ON YOUR DEVICE. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK CONTACT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/canspam.html

THIS LINK WILL HELP YOU FILE A COMPLAINT AND GET THE MESSAGES OFF YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.

08.07.08

Should you join the family business?

Posted in Career, Family at 11:02 am by Paloma Cruz

BNET asks this question and offers several views, from family ties to the rules of family governance. Then they ask: Are you in a family business? What are the pluses and minuses from your perspective?

I’d be interested in that answer as well. I don’t have a family business, but cannot imagine working with my siblings.

08.05.08

everyday news & links

Posted in Finances, News, green at 10:32 am by Paloma Cruz

McDonald’s may end $1 cheeseburgers
ABC 13 reports that the price increases in gas, and food, is being felt by fast food too. We should all prepare to see the $1 cheeseburger disappear. Prices will go up, or changes will be made to the food, but it won’t remain the same.

And an era ends…

Starbucks is running a sale, sort of
The Houston Chronicle reports that Starbucks will begin to offer customers a $2 iced coffee drink after 2 p.m., if they show their receipt from the cup of coffee that morning. They call is a response to consumers’ requests, I call it a sale to get customers back in in the afternoon.

No money? Visit your library!
It seems that I’ve seen a rush of stories about how great the library is, especially is you’re strapped for cash. The Houston Chronicle joins the ranks of library fans with a story from the Newhouse News Service which, basically, discusses libraries’ importance all the time, and especially when economic times are hard.

Old office buildings are going green
The bizjournal’s green channel reports that San Francisco is seeing a trend where old buildings are being brought up to LEED standards for “existing building.” This is a step to make the older buildings more competitive with new, sustainable buildings.

Gates to fund new “green” campus
Again, from the bizjournal’s green channel, a story about the Gates Foundation creating a new green campus for themselves. The 900,00 square foot project is expected to cost $500 million, be built to LEEDs gold standards and will be one of “the largest energy-efficient office complexes in the state of Washington.” Very cool.

07.12.08

the power of blueberries and where to find them

Posted in Health at 6:44 am by Paloma Cruz

TodayShow.com has a great reason to keep eating blueberries (my new favorite fruit): they are a memory-boosting food. “Berries have some of the highest antioxidant concentrations among fruit, and ALL berries are rich in healthy compounds called anthocyanins and flavanols… which may help protect against the breakdown of brain cells.” Good to know.

In case you need some help finding great local blueberries, the Houstonist blog just posted a very complete listing of all the farmers markets in Houston. I’ve been to a few, but this gives me many more options. Since I started eating better, I’m always looking for good sources of fresh fruits and vegetables.

07.11.08

financial news and links

Posted in Finances at 11:09 pm by Paloma Cruz

Need to figure out how much money you need to retire? Wikihow has step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish this. Putting it on my to do list. (Found via Lifehacker.)

On a personal note, I think I need to sign up for Lifelock to do something to safeguard against identity theft. I’ve had some stuff happen lately that’s made me wary. A friend recommended it as something that’s worked well for her. Just something on my TO DO list.

06.28.08

Recycle your compact flourescent lights

Posted in green at 5:06 am by Paloma Cruz

The Big Green Purse is reporting that the Home Depot is recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs. Good news for those of use who have been using them but were worried about what happens when they have to be replace.

Simply bring in your expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will be handled by an environmental management company that will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.

06.24.08

ordinary news & links

Posted in Finances at 10:57 pm by Paloma Cruz

A vacation you can afford
Get Rich Slowly gives some great advice on being a tourist in your own hometown. Tips:

  • Set a budget.
  • Grab a guidebook.
  • Book a tour.
  • Be adventurous.
  • Chat it up. Talk with the actual tourists.
  • Be unreachable.
  • Swap houses.
  • Think outside the box.

Cool clothes for big kids
BusinessWeek has an interesting article about retailers filling the need for plus-sized children’s clothes. I hadn’t considered the fact that the national trend for bigger kids would produce a related need in clothing. Nice to see that this is finally getting addressed, although slowly.

06.20.08

ordinary news & links

Posted in News at 12:02 am by Paloma Cruz

Sears gets a new image
The Associated Press reports that Sears is trying to get hip1, and catch a higher portion of the teen customer base. Why? Because, especially in today’s economy, “what’s certain, experts say, is that the chain led by financier Edward Lampert desperately needs to reinvent itself if it’s going to survive”.

An MBA or an MFA, or whatever
In a very timely post (as I continue to wrestle with the idea of going to get my Master’s Degree) Penelope Trunk, Brazen Careerist, gives us Seven reasons why graduate school is outdated:

  1. Graduate school is an extreme investment for a fluid workplace.
  2. Graduate school is no longer a ticket to play.
  3. Graduate school requires you to know what will make you happy before you try it.
  4. Graduate degrees shut doors rather than open them.
  5. If you don’t actually use your graduate degree, you look unemployable.
  6. Graduate school is an extension of childhood.
  7. Early adult life is best if you are lost.

Footnotes:
1 = Story found on the Houston Chronicle. Article may expire in a few weeks.

06.03.08

tips on being thrifty

Posted in Finances, News at 1:27 am by Paloma Cruz

The Houston Chronicle’s Shannon Buggs has some great tips on being thrifty:

  1. Make your home energy efficient.
  2. Don’t buy gasoline with a debit card.
  3. Don’t carry balances on gasoline credit cards.
  4. Plan daily commuting.
  5. Bring your personal life back in-house.
  6. Step away from the cutting edge.

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