Sea Changes, Health Challenges and Foodie Fun

I haven't worked out regularly. Family illnesses, another new writing job, a change in venue in my Examiner column, and time consuming personal challenges got in the way of my doing so.

Beyond testing and writing reviews for exercise videos, I'm just doing resistance training now and then. I'm not posting reviews on all the fitness DVDs I get. Because, frankly some of the workouts, well, frankly suck. Frank should pay me for the press.

The reasons are simple for not reviewing some exercise DVDs. The host is a bore or too cheerful, or a drone. The setting is not inspirational, or doesn't apply to the workout venue. Or the exercises / workout is a rip off from other routines. Think chatting Cathy in her too neat and tidy pink and purple exercise room, or in a cheap film studio. If you're doing one more version of Taebo, kick boxing, or whatever the latest trend is at the moment, I don't need another wannabe.

By the way, Kettlebells have a flaw. It's easy to skip negative reps. This equals a lack of muscle stimulation and growth. I think Jon Benson said so in a newsletter. Read up, kiddos. I digress.

Maybe I should warn you all off these mediocre or bad exercise videos. But the titles are new and often obscure. I'm not that worried you'll end up blowing a few dollars on a so so fitness DVD and not financially survive. If your budget margin is that tight, go here, or here.

I digress. I like to.

Things are settling down somewhat now. Summer is coming and hopefully that will mean more time to devote to non essentials - like blogging!

Yes, blogging is no longer a priority. It's not that I don't want to, I really do miss it. But when writing time should be devoted to better paying projects, I have to put my freelance writing first. My Examiner column, which started with my being assigned as a "Fitness Examiner" and later the "Nutrition Examiner" is now a completely different ball of wax. I'm now the "Healthy Recipes Examiner" and I love it!

I started at Suite 101 covering diet and nutrition, but quickly moved to the Food Section. Yes, a dream has come true, I am a Food Writer! Like old times, when my son was little and I was immersed in writing cookbooks, I'm hip deep in recipes and food experiments. Yum!

(I did gain ten pounds due to lack of exercise. As a family we've been sick with allergies, colds, and other crappy conditions most of this year. But I plan to workout more and eat less carbs soon.)

God willing and the sea don't rise, I'm back to blogging as often as my schedule will allow. For now, check out my recipes at the Examiner Food Section and my recipes at Suite 101.

I'm The Newest Columnist At The Examiner!

Click To Enlarge and See My New Examiner Column

























I'm the newest columnist at The Examiner (Examiner.com). I'm the Fitness Examiner for The National Edition. I'll be writing there a minimum of three columns a week and will cover diverse topics on fitness, nutrition, diet, product testing and reviews, recipes, and more.



My first article is a previous post here: 5 Bad Habits That Could Ruin Your Fitness Goals. I felt it was a good piece to share with The Examiner readers. I hope you'll become an Examiner reader if you're not already. They cover a wide variety of topics from politics to parenting, cocktails to cooking. You can read articles on diverse topics including sports, business, finance, family, games, health, home & lifestyle, arts and entertainment, real estate, pets, religion, restaurants, shopping, technology, transportation, travel, and more.



I'll continue to write here too, as well as work on my book projects. Since Bruno's back in school I have 8 hours a day to dedicate to writing. (Actually, I was making notes for one of my books late last night). I'm a writing junkie, kids.



Make sure to check out my Examiner column often. In the future, I plan to launch new articles there you may not see here.



Woo! Hoo! I got the job! I'm a Happy Camper! Um, Writer. *Doing A Little Happy Dance*



Thank You, Jamie! I appreciate your recruiting me and all your help!

Guest Bloggers Wanted

Want to serve up some dish?
















I recently was contacted by a health writer who wants to guest blog here at Kudos For Low Carb. I said sure. She hasn't gotten back to me yet but I suspect it's just a matter of time.

This offer was timely as Summer is coming to an end, Bruno's going back to school, and I want to spend my writing time on my real writing projects, not just this blog. I used to turn out a profit producing a cookbook every six months. And I started a new novel three years ago that's fallen into neglect. It's time to start working again.

This blogging has proved a huge distraction. I'm going to cut back a little on blogging - like posting three days a week instead of six - to work on my books and other articles.

So I'm putting out an open offer. Anyone who can write is welcome to submit a guest post on nearly any topic. I'll link the post to your blog or website and you can include an author bio, photos, etc. My only requirement is that you let me correct typos and awkward grammar or sentence structure. Email me at dr.c.bar@gmail.com or leave a message in comments if you're interested in being a one-time guest blogger or a regular guest blogger (weekly, monthly, less often).

Cheers, Carol

Work Overriding Blogging At The Moment - An Update

After nearly three weeks of the flu followed by a sinus infection I'm finally feeling like I'm recovered. Well, sort of, I'm still sleeping 10 to 12 hours a night. This flu was the worst one I ever went through because it went on and on and on. Usually I'm only sick 3 to 7 days but this was ridiculously long. I haven't worked out since February 20th! So far I've had no change in scale weight or body fat. My new Tony Horton 10 Minute Workouts are due to arrive today or tomorrow so I'll get back in the swing soon.

I am back to work full time which means writing at least 8 hours a day. My current project is finishing a book on weight loss I started in 2005. Because I switched projects about 2 years ago this one needs a lot of updating. I've finished a first proofread on the existing manuscript and I'm heavy into writing the updates, choosing photography, and working on the cover design. I'll be releasing this book as an eBook when it's complete, probably sometime in May if things keep going smoothly.

After that, I'm going to expand my existing cookbooks by rewriting them one by one and release each of them as eBooks including my 'The Protein Edge Cookbook'. I originally sold all my cookbooks in comb bound format at my previous website, eBay, Amazon, and to other merchants through drop shipping. At last count I'd written 12 cookbooks, all sold exclusive through my company Juicy Britches Publications.

I haven't been actively working at cookbook writing or sales for the last year - after starting my company in 1997 I needed a break and was lucky enough to be in a position to be a slacker. But I'm back at it now and excited about my projects. The economy being what it is I really can't keep living the life of the semi-retired. It's time to bring in more cash flow to help pay for the rising price of gas and groceries. And more exercise equipment and workout videos of course!

I'll have part three of 'You Really Are What You Eat' posted soon.

Hey You! You're Invited.

Are You A Who Done-It?

Introducing a New Blog Called “How-Tos By The Who-Done-Its”

No, it’s not about how to murder your boss or steal your best friend’s boyfriend.

Okay friends and readers, are you a blogger or writer with something to say on nearly any topic? I opened another blog and I’m hoping some of you fellow bloggers will join me in this endeavor. It’s actually an experiment until others actually join me because I don’t want to carry another blog alone.

My objective is to put together a collection of articles on topics including low carb lifestyle, fitness, health, nutrition, cooking, spirituality, opinion pieces, crafts, recreational activities, product reviews, and other topics. My husband might join us with handyman and remodeling how-to articles.

The only requirements are that the articles are informative. You don’t need to be a professional or authority on the subject(s) you write about it, just a “Who-Done-It” who can write factual and accurate how-to articles. The writing can be any style and any length within reason. You can submit already published blog articles or post the same piece wherever you like. You can submit one piece one time only or submit as many as you want. Feel free to include a short biography, photos and links. If you submit even once you’ll receive a link to your blog and/or website on the Contributors blogroll. The Who Done It site will be linked to my other blogs and get it's share of mentions (like posts announcing every new article) at my blog with the heaviest traffic Kudos For Low Carb. Unfortunately that’s the only compensation I can offer.

The blog will be advertising free and no profits will be made. All writing will remain the property of the authors. I only ask that you proofread your work for typographical errors. I see this blog – if successful – as a community project with one objective; to share our knowledge.

Some article idea examples:

“How To Begin A Low Carb Diet”

“5 Must Have Exercise Videos”

"What you can do about global warming."

“How To Start A Resistance Training Program”

“7 Ways to Get Kids To Eat Vegetables.”

"When to see a doctor and what you need to tell him/her."

“Starting a blog people will read.”

“How I lost 50 pounds.”

“My adventures in cooking quiche.”

“How to tile your bathroom.”

“Beginning a hobby that pays.”

"Fun with low carb cooking.”

“Where to go for a thrilling equestrian vacation.”

“Why I recommend buying the XYZ exercise machine.”

“Easy ways to cut 250 calories a day”

Use you’re imaginations and come up with your own titles and subjects. But most of all have fun!

If you're interested in participating as a regular poster, an occasional contributor, or as a one time guest writer/blogger, feel free to post a response here at my Kudos For Low Carb blog or my How-Tos By The Who-Done-Its Blog or email me at how_to_who_done_it@yahoo.com

Don't make me have to come begging.