Genetic Testing & Curiousity

Caught an article last week condemning the $99 23 and Me, Ancestry.com and other 'cheap' forms of DNA/genetic testings.  The topic discussed how these tests would lead to a further divide...even though we're 99.9% identical.  

I didn't take the 23 and Me testing to prove I am white, Irish, American, whatever.  I did it because genetics and human migration interests me on a hobby level. And it's been incredibly fascinating to find both close and distant relatives!  

Homo Sapiens migrated from Africa at some point in our past.  They made their way through the Middle East and spread out from there.  Each and every one of us are related to that intrepid group of people who decided to take a walk.  

Agreeing with the article, we are all cousins.  Open our hearts and minds and embrace each other. But, if you're curious of human migration, make your way to a site, donate your dollars, get your results then do a little digging.  It's neat to see the path your genetics took across the globe.  Just understand, boundaries, races, nationalities, are recent human constructs.  

We're all still homo sapiens. 

StrongLifts 5x5

Two workouts in on StrongLifts 5x5 and I feel comfortable with the app and what it can do for me.  I like the progressions, the adjust-ability and that it integrates with Google Fit. Now, just need to find a smartwatch, tracker thingy that I like.  My Fitbit Charge HR is nice but a. it's ugly b. it wears a sore on my wrist no matter how tightly/loosely I wear it, c. I like wearing a regular watch with a face, etc. 
              
The scale indicates I've gone from 222 to 216 this week.  Water weight?  Not sure...  Don't care.  It's a decrease. 
Been roughly following AltShift protocols. Meaning I'm not measuring or tracking instead eating till full then stopping.  But, also incorporating Intermittent Fasting.  Working to eat only during a 6h window from 6a to 12p and fasting the other 18hrs.  That'll be interesting come this weekend.  :/  Or, maybe I can set this process up so that I IF on work days and eat somewhat regularly on weekends....?  That's an idea. 
That'll work till the schedule changes the end of the month.  Which this may be easier with the 12h shift. 

Should be adding baby chicks the end of this week...I don't have a place set up for them in the house yet ... should prob do that first.  Just excited to get another batch going.  

All for now.  Work is in the way.  

Weights and Me

 

Is if failing miserably if I don't even try to do the 3 recipes a week??  Le` sigh.

I'm not worried about it.  This is my blog and I'll get to what I can when I can.  It is a challenge to journal and blog and work out and work and animals and partner and Life and whatever else happens in there.  

I picked up this weight bench from WalMart last week for just under $200.  Setting it up in the tool shed as there's just no room in the house and I don't want it on the porch.  Not quite that redneck-y.  Not quite.   It works in the tool shed....a little tight moving around but it makes me aware.  Which is always good for me.  And I did my first workout on it today.  I also did 3x10sec sets of 

sprints up/down the drive way.  Much to the Dogs confusion.  Bear was chasing me barking looking for what I was racing after.  Well, not really racing...I'm 220#s on a 5'4" frame...there's no racing.  

I'm using the 5x5 StrongLift app.  And yeah, I went ahead and paid the $10 for the upgrade.  It's worth it.  

I'm tired of being fat.  I'm tired of being winded after walking up a flight of stairs.  I'm tired of the low sex drive, the oversized appetite, the insecurities and embarrassment I am to myself. 

Just like you, broken promise after broken promise of what I'm going to change.  
Here's to hoping this is it.  


Here's me now...funky blogger layout and all.  
Let's find out what the healthy me looks like

Recipe Scrounging and Eggs

Recipe planning is hard work.  Meal planning, organizing the grocery list.  It's all a booger.

I've glanced around at the various apps but they all seem tied to particular cookbooks or ideologies.  As an occasionally backsliding paleo/primal person, I don't want flours, grains, and sugars to make up any parts of the recipe I'm trying...

Doing google searches of paleo recipes can be overwhelming.  I mean, seriously...17 MILLION!?  That is just about nuts.  And I'm sure Google search is missing a couple in there somewhere. 

But, my attainable goal is 3 new recipes a week.  And making leftovers for lunches.  And days I don't feel like getting into the kitchen...ground meats and veggies mixed in one pot.  
Totally Doable!!

Checked on the chickens yesterday and peeked into the nesting boxes...I HAVE EGGS!!!  Ten beautiful, multicolored eggs!!  I was surprised but sort of expecting this as the girls are coming to that age.  So excited to finally be getting eggs from them.  It's just a rewarding feeling.  Checked the boxes this AM when I turned them loose and found two more.  So, here's hoping the girls use the nesting boxes instead of leaf litter in the woods.  
Just look at that orangy yolk!!!    

Today is a day to get the coop cleaned out and fresh pine shavings in the boxes for...hopefully...more eggs to be layed there.  

The Americaunas lay the blue/green eggs.  The Black Barred and Black Sex Linked lay the various shades of brown.  Some eggs are small, some oblong, some decent size.  The girls are learning and Mr. Roo seems quite pleased with the ladies.  

So much fun!!

Enter 2016

It seems it is that time of year for renewed promises to one's self, family, friends, boss, Dogs and all other matter of being...that we're going to turn ourselves around, be healthy.  Be something, some version "better" of ourselves than we were the previous 365 days.  

I get it.  We are humans and as such strive to always be "better" than ourselves.  Better than others. Better ..... than....

Why?  Why do we do this?!

Because it feels good to that inner kid that needs the approval.  It gives us the acceptance from our peers that we crave.   It says "Yes!  I'm with you!".  Fist raised in the air.  Triumphant countenance. 

But it all lacks planning and patience. Usually not well thought out.  

We need to be patient and kind with ourselves. 

That's my new year's resolution.  

Happy New Years!