These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things This Year

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things This Year

December 7, 2014 / No Comments

The holidays are here again, and everyone is crazy busy. My shopping is done for the year — as usual I finished early — but if you’re still looking for that perfect gift, let me offer a few suggestions, à la Oprah. Dear readers, these are a few of my favorite things:

FOR THE TEA DRINKER: Melitta 40994 1.7-Liter Kettle

Our last electric tea kettle, a perfectly serviceable Proctor Silex started to die in January. M picked up this new kettle after reading some excellent reviews and I certainly put it through the paces. Unlike our last kettle, the Melitta can fill two large mugs of tea and still have hot water to spare.

FOR THE PERSON WHO LOVES AFFORDABLE, YET BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY: The Rose and Petal 925 Sterling Silver Ring

I decided to upgrade my look this year, and since we were saving for a house, I focused on accessories. This ring was my favorite item.

FOR THE GADGET GURU: Zak Designs E-Z-Rol Garlic Peeler

This gadget is so easy to use! Just pop in a garlic clove, roll and voila! All of the sticky paper is removed. For just $5, you’ll never have to deal with the odor of garlic on your hands again. Best of all, it’s dishwasher-safe. Also comes in festive red and green.

FOR THE COOK: Paprika Recipe Manager

For years I have searched for ways to collect all of my online recipes in one place. After trying archived emails, PDFs and numerous apps, I finally discovered Paprika. With this app, you can “organize your recipes, make meal plans and create grocery lists.” It’s a very handy tool and one that you can use on a Mac or PC, iPhone or Android, iPad, Kindle Fire or Nook.

FOR THE PET LOVER: K&H Thermo-Pet Mat

I bought two of these mats last spring for my eldest cats because their old bones just couldn’t take the cold anymore. The mats were so popular that I decided to pick up two more in the fall. I’m now the most popular kitty mom around. One small note: If you do end up buying one, cover the mat with an old pillowcase. This will make cleanup super easy.

FOR THE FASHIONISTA: Signare Tapestry Handbag

Big enough to carry everything you need, compact enough to not look like you’re Mary Poppins. More importantly, this purse is sturdy, which as most women can attest, is not always the case with bags in this price range.

FOR THE LONGTIME FAN OF “THE PRINCESS BRIDE”: “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride” by Cary Elwes

Elwes, who played Westley in the film, has penned a wonderful behind-the-scenes book about this cult classic. While I have no doubt the print/ebook versions are great, I highly recommend the audiobook to hear Elwes, Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, William Goldman, Norman Lear, Carol Kane, Andy Scheinman and Rob Reiner share their favorite stories about the making of the movie. M and I listened to “As You Wish” in the car over several weeks and had a blast.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS, OR AIM-TO-BE-MORE ADVENTUROUS: “I Dare Me: How I Rebooted And Recharged My Life By Doing Something New Every Day” by Lu Ann Cahn

This is a compilation of Cahn’s many fun and daring “firsts” — activities she’d never tried or hadn’t tried in about a decade. I decided to give it a whirl and this year I enjoyed quite a few interesting experiences. I avoided saying anything negative for a whole day, bought a rubber stamp that symbolizes me, figured out a way to eat, and like, brussels sprouts, got chased by zombies, had a letter-boxing adventure, became a vegetarian for a day, studied French, took piano lessons, took sign language lessons, shared a migraine photo, revealed my Oscar predictions, sounded a barbaric yawp in public, spent a whole day without looking in a mirror, stood up for a cause I believed in, took classes in astrobiology, the nature of terrorism, social media and archaeology, took care of someone after surgery, tried a fondue dinner and used a Youtube video to learn a new skill.

FOR THE PERSON RESOLVING TO BE HEALTHIER IN 2015: FitDesk v. 2.0

I picked up a FitDesk as a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband and ended up using it more than he did. Not only is the bike easy to ride, the desk part allows me to work while I do it (or more to the point distracts me while I do it).

FOR THE PERSON WHO WANTS TO STAY HEALTHY BUT HATES TO WORK OUT: Zombies, Run!

As mentioned in a previous blog post, I love this app. The game’s tagline says it all: Get fit. Escape zombies. Become a hero. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot. It’s great fun.
Seeking music to move my feet

October 7, 2014 / No Comments

While my husband was jaunting about Europe for his 40th birthday, I was tasked with walking our dog Duncan. To keep myself from going mad from boredom, I would take my iPhone along and turn on a wonderful app called Zombies, Run!.

Here’s how it works: The zombie apocalypse has arrived. The undead are everywhere, and it’s your job to run/walk for a certain amount of time and obtain supplies for your tiny town of survivors. When zombies get near, you run/walk faster (thus providing interval training). All the while, the app’s characters are giving you orders, sharing stories and basically making you laugh. In between the story segments, the app connects to your workout playlist and plays your favorite tunes to keep your spirits high as you trudge through the monotony of exercise.

The app’s tagline says it all: Get fit. Escape zombies. Become a hero.

After using the app for more than 20 hours, I’m almost finished with the first season of adventures. I reached my step goal last week and will likely do so again this week. More importantly, I’m dreading these physical activities just a little bit less.

The downside? I’m getting tired of my music. Here’s what I’ve been listening to:

* $165 Million + Interest (Into) The Round Up by David Holmes
* Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band
* Ain’t Nuthin’ But A She Thing by Salt-N-Pepa
* All I Really Want by Alanis Morissette
* Alphabet St. by Prince
* Beat It by Michael Jackson
* Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
* Bodyrock by Moby
* Breakin’… There’s No Stopping Us (12″ Club Mix) by Ollie & Jerry
* C’mon And Get My Love by Cathy Dennis
* The Chemicals Between Us by Bush
* The Classic Drum Battle by A&T
* Diamond Dogs by Beck and David Bowie
* Everybody by Black Box
* (The Forgotten People) by Thievery Corporation
* Freakshow On The Dance Floor by Bar-Kays
* Freedom by George Michael
* Get Off (Extended) by Prince
* Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) by C+C Music Factory
* Hard to Handle by The Black Crowes
* If by Janet Jackson
* Jazz Machine by Black Machine
* Jump N’ Move by The Brand New Heavies [featuring Jamalski]
* Jungle by Jamie N Commons & X Ambassadors
* Let the Music Play by Shannon
* Let’s Dance by David Bowie
* Let’s Go Crazy by Prince
* Living Dead GirlRob Zombie
* Love Runs Out by OneRepublic
* Man In the Box by Alice In Chains
* Mas by Kinky
* Modern Love by David Bowie
* Open Of My Love by Jennifer Lopez
* Peter Gunn by Art Of Noise
* The Power by Snap!
* Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic
* Pump Up The Volume by Marrs
* Push It (Remix) by Salt-N-Pepa
* Raspberry Beret by Prince
* Salome by Chayanne
* Samba Hey (Magalena Mix) by el general
* Shake Your Bon-Bon by Ricky Martin
* Shakin’ by Eddie Money
* She Bangs by Ricky Martin
* Sidewalk Talk by Jellybean
* Situation (US 12″ Remix) by Yaz
* Slang by Def Leppard
* Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson
* Supermassive Black Hole by Muse
* Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
* Techno Rave Entrance by Blade
* Thunder by Prince
* Too Funky by George Michael
* The Truth (feat. Roisin & J-Live) Techno Rave Entrance by Handsome Boy Modeling School
* U Got the Look by Prince
* UK Jamaican by Tricky
* Unbelievable by EMF
* Vogue by Madonna
* Weapon Of Choice by Fatboy Slim
* You Dropped a Bomb On Me (Single Version) by The Gap Band
* You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive

As you can see, I have eclectic tastes. While I do tend to prefer tunes from the ’80s and ’90s, I’m game to try just about anything with a good beat. If you have suggestions, feel free to leave ’em in the comments.
2013: The Year In Review

December 18, 2013 / 2 Comments

At the end of the year, I always take a moment to examine the ups and downs I experienced, both personally and professionally. What follows is my accounting of 2013:

* Produced hundreds of breaking news stories, including the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the intensive manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers and countless mass shootings.

* Blogged for The Obituary Forum, The Blog of Death, Hooked From The First Page and Afterthoughts.

* Passed the 29,000th tweet mark on my personal Twitter account (@jadewalker) and received the “I’m real” checkmark of verification.

* Penned 60 journal entries.

* Worked on my novel.

* Purchased a Fitbit, increased my daily steps/stairs and cut back on my sleep debt. Also started using FitBolt to decrease time spent sitting.

* Subscribed to the HelloFresh and Plated food services, then cooked a ton of delicious dishes.

* Read 38 books and countless magazines.

* Watched more than 30 films.

* Took classes in archaeology, disaster preparedness, health/nutrition, literature and photography.

* Launched The 10th Muse, a mailing list of writing prompts.

* Updated The Written Word.

* Participated in the New York City Writers Group, the South Florida Freelancers Group and the Journalism & Women Symposium.

* Attended The Society of Professional Obituary Writers (SPOW) conference in Canada and launched the group’s private Facebook page.

* Created a YouTube video about the future of obituaries.

* Featured in a CNN article about obituaries.

* Profiled on JobShadow.

* Built websites for my husband and grandfather.

* Redesigned The SPOW website as well as my own.

* Went house-hunting in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

* Dyed my hair red.

* Traveled to Burlington Vt., New York City, Toronto and Scotland.

* Visited the monument to Phineas Gage.

* Tended a garden of basil, oregano, catnip, romaine lettuce, mint, thyme and flowers.

* Dealt with the libelous rantings of a couple of cyber-trolls (yes, lawyers were involved).

* Saw Stephen King, Sting and Stuart McLean in person.

* Leased a new car.

* Perfected my versions of fudge, chocolate drop cookies, carrot cake, chicken pilaf and lasagna.

* Celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary.

* Turned 40.

* * *

Plans/goals for 2014

* Save up enough money for a down payment on a house.

* Write more snail mail letters.

* Work on my books.

* Write more obits.

* Write more poetry/short stories.

* Experience fewer migraines.

* Eat more fruits and vegetables.

* Exercise.

* Win the lottery.
Friendly accomplishments, part II

November 10, 2013 / 1 Comment

Last month, I wrote a blog entry highlighting the latest projects of some of my many creative friends and colleagues. Here are several more:

Photographer Angus Bruce has a gift for capturing the beauty of Scotland. His photographs are stark, honest and breathtaking. I own several.

A.J. Jacobs, editor-at-large of Esquire Magazine, wrote a fantastic book about “his humble quest for bodily perfection.” “Drop Dead Healthy” prompted me to move more, drink at least 50 oz of liquids a day, improve my dinner options and track my food/sleep/steps.

Amanda Koster is an internationally acclaimed photographer who combines an anthropology background with media skills to create projects about human rights, cultural diversity and global equality. Click here to watch her inspiring TED talk.

John Platt is a voracious reader, prolific writer and my favorite environmental reporter. If you’re interested in learning more about endangered species from around the world — and how to save them — check out his blog on the Scientific American website, Extinction Countdown. John also covers environmental issues for Mother Nature Network.

Radio producer Kate Sweeney will publish her first book, “American Afterlife: Encounters in the Customs of Mourning” in Spring 2014. Pre-order your copy here.

I’ll be showcasing the work of more friends in the weeks to come. If you have a new project you’d like me to promote, send an e-mail with the subject like “FEATURE ME!”
The Fitbit Makes Me Move

May 5, 2013 / 3 Comments

So the first full month of Fitbit tracking has ended. How did I do? Not bad, but I think it’s important to note where I started.

I activated my Fitbit on March 9. At the time, these were my stats:

Walked: 1,200 steps per day
Consumed: 1,931 calories per day
Burned: 2,005 calories per day

This would explain why my weight rarely fluctuates. I burn only a little more than I eat, and I live a very sedentary life.

My goal for April: Move more and sleep 7 hours a day.

Tracking my progress on the Fitbit definitely made me feel more accountable, which in turn forced me to increase my activity levels and decrease my serving sizes. By the end of the month, these were my stats:

Walked: 2,515 steps a day
Consumed: 1,575 calories per day
Burned: 2,399 calories per day
Lost: 2 lbs.

As for the sleep goal, well, the results were less than stellar. In March, I averaged about 5.5 hours of sleep a day (damn you, sunlight). In April, I raised that up to 6.24 hours a day. Not quite the 7 hours I was going for, but I guess it’s a start.

My goal for May: Move more and sleep 7 hours a day.

Wish me luck.