Wednesday, October 31, 2007
SUNFLOWER SEEDS & GOOD MUSIC
If you work odd hours and find yourself stuck in traffic, buckling- in for a long commute home... this blog's for you.Thought it might work well anyhow... coming off my last blog about sleeping. Since the valley's so spread out, unless you're lucky enough to work where you live, commuting is probably a big part of your day. It sure is for me. I live in Gilbert and commute about half an hour, twice a day (in the snow, uphill, both ways) when there's no traffic. For anyone who doesn't know, our station's the big building you can see off the Southwest corner of Black Canyon Highway at the Indian School exit (the one with all the big saucer satellite dishes- you can't miss it). Since we start by 3:30 every morning, I often hit the downside of my caffeine morning highs by quittin' time, which can be anywhere from noon to... much later, depending on whether I'm working a story. I know I can't be alone when I buckle- in dreading the long drive home... fighting the urge to not just unwind, but to darn near fall asleep! Here's what I've come up with- and maybe you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it.
Sunflower seeds and loud music.
Don't just crack the windows to let- in fresh air, crank up the music & keep a bag of sunflower seeds (BBQ's the best!) in the console. The music keeps my feet tapping and sometimes, I'll sing along. No, I can't sing like Mike, but in the confines of my own car- I'm only torturing myself. The sunflower seeds take me back to my college days, pulling all-nighters to cram for a test or finish a paper. They work like a charm to keep you busy and awake as you head home. I'm also a fan of the hands- free phones, catching up on phone calls to family and friends you never seem to have time for once you get home and have to start thinking about dinner and laundry, maybe the kids and cleaning...
If you have a trick to make the most of your commute- send me an email- I'd love to hear from you! ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 10:17 AM by Nicole
Sunday, October 28, 2007
EARLY TO RISE-- WHEN TO SLEEP??
Are you getting enough sleep?
If you wake up early in the morning to start you day for work or by choice, you know how tough it can be to make sure you're getting enough Z's at night. But do you get 8 hours? That's been the usual rule of thumb, or so I thought! I've always been told, the hours you lose of sleep at night, take years off your life. Friday morning, we had a sleep expert in studio, Dr. Michael Breus. He said the 8 hour rule, isn't a real rule, as long as you figure out what works for you.
Some need 9 hours, while others can get by on 6. So, what works for you?
Starting our day here at the station by 3:30 a.m. means going to bed earlier than others. Early to bed, early to rise, right? Hmm, maybe not. I think I've always been a little nocturnal. Here's how I try to live a somewhat normal life... I get as much sleep as I can at night- and sneak- in naps when I can too. (The 15 minute, set your cellphone timer naps are quite efficient!) Mike asked about weight gain with lost sleep- and found out, yes, there is a correlation. Bummer!
As for those naps, try setting an alarm- I've always found I sleep more restfully when I have a timer set- otherwise I'm always shifty, waking up afraid I've overslept. Good luck.. and good night!
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
If you wake up early in the morning to start you day for work or by choice, you know how tough it can be to make sure you're getting enough Z's at night. But do you get 8 hours? That's been the usual rule of thumb, or so I thought! I've always been told, the hours you lose of sleep at night, take years off your life. Friday morning, we had a sleep expert in studio, Dr. Michael Breus. He said the 8 hour rule, isn't a real rule, as long as you figure out what works for you.
Some need 9 hours, while others can get by on 6. So, what works for you?
Starting our day here at the station by 3:30 a.m. means going to bed earlier than others. Early to bed, early to rise, right? Hmm, maybe not. I think I've always been a little nocturnal. Here's how I try to live a somewhat normal life... I get as much sleep as I can at night- and sneak- in naps when I can too. (The 15 minute, set your cellphone timer naps are quite efficient!) Mike asked about weight gain with lost sleep- and found out, yes, there is a correlation. Bummer!
As for those naps, try setting an alarm- I've always found I sleep more restfully when I have a timer set- otherwise I'm always shifty, waking up afraid I've overslept. Good luck.. and good night!
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 7:48 PM by Nicole
Monday, October 22, 2007
OCEANFRONT PROPERTY IN ARIZONA
Close your eyes and imagine ...waves crashing on the beach... the ocean surf calming your senses. Ahh. Of course there's no "ocean- front property in Arizona," but from my back porch, you can imagine the sea. (a- la George Strait).
I just set up a hammock on my back patio and have to say this cooler weather's really done wonders for relaxing, it just takes a little um, creativity. Let me explain. If you're like me, it takes a lot to escape the sounds of traffic, the horns, the hum, the occasional ear- splitting motorcycle. Most subdivisions are butted right up against major traffic, which makes for a new surround sound if you're not from around here (or an even bigger metropolis). Growing up in Tucson, there wasn't this kind of development at the time, and living 3 years in the quiet of Spokane, Washington, getting used to the valley's traffic was tough. Tough to commute in, and tough to live with.
It all comes down to positive thinking (which I've found to be good advice for just about everything in life). So in my new hanging, swinging, lazy hammock, I can at least close my eyes and imagine the whir of traffic is really the wind- whipped tide on a beach wherever I imagine. Try it and you just might convince yourself to spend more of these beautiful Fall evenings outside at your backyard beach.
Email Nicole at ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 11:02 AM by Nicole
Monday, October 8, 2007
Doggone Diet!
If you watch CBS 5 Morning News regularly, you know Mike's a cat person, and I'm a dog lover. As office spouses, that's just one way our opposites attract.
My Rottweiler, Onyx (seen here playing with my husband) is 11 going on 12 years old now.. which is pretty old for dog years, and extremely old for Rotties. As you can see from the picture- he's one heavy boy- 155 pounds. Our vet advised we get him on a diet and try exercising him more so he can shed some weight, making life a little easier on his old man hips. Since he's a bit of a beast who was never raised to swim, and running him may only hurt those hips more, my husband and I began to look for other ways to help ease his pain. I recently did a story on canine cancer and met some great dog lovers who had some advice to help my "Ox" lose a little weight. I figured I'd pass- on the good word since most dog lovers love to spoil their babies... here's something you won't feel guilty about in getting them to diet.
We always give Onyx treats when we come home & through out the day (okay, whenever he begs for one). This became a bad habit fast with those fatty jerky treats dogs love. How about this- try carrots! It's true- not only is my dog the size of a horse, we've trained him to dance around the fridge for carrots- thinking it's a forbidden treat!
As for the tip I just got that's tricked him into even better health... it's all about the green beans!
Cut your dog's diet by a cup & replace it with canned green beans. I thought I'd be pushing it- but was I ever wrong- they're a HUGE hit! So much so, he dances around as soon as I pull out a can- he knows the goods are on the way! Poured right over his dry food, I'm told it fills them just the same, but does a great job helping them diet. I've heard other veggies work well too, but haven't had much success otherwise. The celery gets a sniff, the broccoli got spit right out... but I'm a believer- treat it like a treat, and they'll really look forward to it! Wonder if that works on kids?
Email me if you have a fun story to share or want to know more ncrites@kpho.com
My Rottweiler, Onyx (seen here playing with my husband) is 11 going on 12 years old now.. which is pretty old for dog years, and extremely old for Rotties. As you can see from the picture- he's one heavy boy- 155 pounds. Our vet advised we get him on a diet and try exercising him more so he can shed some weight, making life a little easier on his old man hips. Since he's a bit of a beast who was never raised to swim, and running him may only hurt those hips more, my husband and I began to look for other ways to help ease his pain. I recently did a story on canine cancer and met some great dog lovers who had some advice to help my "Ox" lose a little weight. I figured I'd pass- on the good word since most dog lovers love to spoil their babies... here's something you won't feel guilty about in getting them to diet.
We always give Onyx treats when we come home & through out the day (okay, whenever he begs for one). This became a bad habit fast with those fatty jerky treats dogs love. How about this- try carrots! It's true- not only is my dog the size of a horse, we've trained him to dance around the fridge for carrots- thinking it's a forbidden treat!
As for the tip I just got that's tricked him into even better health... it's all about the green beans!
Cut your dog's diet by a cup & replace it with canned green beans. I thought I'd be pushing it- but was I ever wrong- they're a HUGE hit! So much so, he dances around as soon as I pull out a can- he knows the goods are on the way! Poured right over his dry food, I'm told it fills them just the same, but does a great job helping them diet. I've heard other veggies work well too, but haven't had much success otherwise. The celery gets a sniff, the broccoli got spit right out... but I'm a believer- treat it like a treat, and they'll really look forward to it! Wonder if that works on kids?
Email me if you have a fun story to share or want to know more ncrites@kpho.com
Posted at 8:49 PM by Nicole
Friday, October 5, 2007
First -Timer
I've never "blogged" before- but looking forward to this..
Stay tuned as I get in the swing of how this works..
more to come..
Stay tuned as I get in the swing of how this works..
more to come..
Posted at 12:43 PM by Nicole
Wednesday, October 3, 2007