The Fed Up Challenge -- I'm in!

Day 1 of the Fed Up Challenge, and I have faced my sugar demon head on. I made my morning latte without any chocolate syrup. Usually I am a morning mocha person, but in the last few weeks I have been reducing the amount of chocolate syrup in my morning mocha. I have been using either Torani Dark Chocolate Syrup or Trader Joe's Midnight Moo Organic Chocolate Syrup. Neither have High Fructose Corn Syrup, but do have substantial amounts of sugar (organic or not, sugar is sugar).

When I learned that 4 grams of sugar equal 1 teaspoon of sugar, I could clearly visualize how much of the "white stuff" I am putting in my drink, in my body. I do like chocolate, but over the years have cut back to where it flavors my foods, not IS my food (ex. I like mint chocolate chip ice cream better than straight chocolate ice cream and a couple years ago cut my Starbucks' Grande Mochas from 4 pumps of syrup to 2 and recently to 1).

In April, I learned of Eve Schaub's book A Year With No Sugar (based on her blog) and read it, gleaning some insight from her family's experience cutting out added sugars for a year. I watched Dr. Robert Lustig's video on You Tube "Sugar: The Bitter Truth," which enlightened me on the medical and physiological side of sugar and how it affects our bodies. Finally, I saw the documentary Fed Up yesterday. And I am on board with the movie's challenge to go Sugar Free (no added sugars) for 10 days.

I know I can do it. We have been slowly cutting back on sugars anyway, trying to weed out products with lots of added sugars and using sweeteners more sparingly. We cook a lot from scratch and eat out infrequently (and when we do, we choose wisely). I am looking forward to seeing how I feel and what I eat, if I have any cravings, and how my moods are.

I will keep you posted.

Fed Up Challenge

Favorite TV Spies & Agents

When thinking about fictional spies and cops, many might name James Bond first. Not me. I love TV spies and agents.  They are handsome, brave, romantic, and adventurous. Who are my favorites?

1. Chuck Bartowski from Chuck. Chuck was played by Zachary Levi. This show just ended its 5-year run. A computer geek turned spy who is both sexy and nerdy. The show was so fun--a real mix of action, comedy, and drama.

2. Lee Stetson (Scarecrow) from Scarecrow and Mrs.King. Stetson was played by Bruce Boxleitner. This ran from 1983-87 (yes, it's dating me), and it also had Kate Jackson. The show took place when Russia was the USSR and there were more communist countries. Scarecrow was a great spy and a ladies' man until Jackson's character (Mrs. King) tamed him.

3. Michael Weston from Burn Notice. Weston is played by Jeffrey Donovan. This USA Network show has great action, a real spy hero who still has a heart and a conscience. We even get lessons in how to blow up buildings w/o getting caught! The Miami setting is great too.

4. Agent Fritz Howard from The Closer. He may not get start billing with his TV wife Brenda Lee Johnson Kyra Sedgwick), but Jon Tenney is one handsome and sexy agent. He loves Brenda and tolerates her putting him second to her job. And he loves cats!

5. Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds. Played by Shemar Moore, Morgan is tough yet caring. It's great how protective he is of Garcia. He is an agent I would want on my side.

Catching up on TV shows

Busy is usually the word that describes me. Busy with work--class prep and grading, busy with house work, cooking, and errands. Busy going places with my husband (he does lots of running races and triathlons). When I have time to kick back and unwind, I either read or watch TV shows. The best way I enjoy TV is either shows I've DVR'd or watching DVDs/Netflix.


Last fall, I watched all 5 seasons of How I Met Your Mother on DVD (my son owns them all). It was fun to watch the shows in order, seeing the characters and plots develop over time. Season 4 to me was a little of a let down. Maybe it was due to the TV writer's strike, but fewer episodes were made, and some of the episodes were disappointing, less interesting.

We have Scrubs on DVD, all except the last, revamped season. It's a great DVD show to watch too. And it's consistently funny. I have watched most the 8 seasons I own.

Last week I started watching the '90s show 3rd Rock From the Sun (streaming on Netflix). It is a show I did not watch much when it was on TV, but I am really finding it funny. The commentary on our lives still rings true. I am still watching season 1, getting to view only an episode or two at a time. Since it was on for 5 seasons (more than 100 episodes), I will be watching for a while.

Any shows you like watching on DVD or Netlflix? Why? Which shows hold their humor over time? Which ones seem less funny now than when they first aired?

Have you seen "Paul"?

During spring break, we wanted to see a movie at the theater. We don't often go to the theater due to the ticket prices and having to agree on a  movie and time to see it. Our younger son Eric first wanted to see Hall Pass, but my husband really wanted to see Paul. After reading the positive review on Paul in the Post-Dispatch, we headed to the Cine 15 in O'Fallon on Friday, the day it came out.

The tickets were $8.00 each. We get Netflix for a whole month for a little more than that. However, some movies are better in the theater, the big screen, the sound, the big bucket of popcorn ($8.00 also). We got there early (the second group to arrive) and passed the time till the previews and commercials started by playing games and checking out Facebook on our phones.

The movie was very funny, fairly fast-paced, and well written. We caught a number of references and spoofs of other movies such as Back to the Future and Close Encounters. If you do not care for cussing, you may want to avoid the movie; there is plenty of that language. The acting was good, the characters interesting and sometimes unpredictable. Paul is the alien and what a character!!

I am not a huge sci-fi fan, but I like a well done movie. If you want to laugh out loud and get your money's worth, go see Paul.

Season Finales & Summer Viewing

When spring semester ended, I entered that wonder gap of "free time" between grading work and planning for summer classes. It was "my time." And I enjoyed it. I have been catching up on shows I DVR'd and books I started to read but never finished.

For TV shows, I still have to watch the last few episodes of season 1 of "The Good Wife." I couldn't avoid all the promos, so I know a little of what will happen. I did catch up on "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Big Bang Theory." Both are so funny, and I am looking forward to new seasons in the fall. I watched "Chuck" and continue to be impressed with the writers' ability to weave multiple story lines and keep the show funny, fresh, action-packed, and a little romantic too. "Glee" has not wrapped season 1 yet; I still love to watch the drama and musical numbers. Yes, I watched the "Idol" finale. It was a bit overdone, but I saw the season through and was fine with Lee taking the title. And I did watch "Celebrity Apprentice." I admire the editors of that show. They don't give too much away, but kept me watching till Donald said, "You're Hired!" to Brett Michaels. It's great to see him bouncing back after his multiple health problems.

Now we are transitioning into summer TV viewing. What used to be Re-run Time has become a great place for reality TV and some Cable TV scripted shows. What am I looking forward to watching. Well, here is my list:

1. "Hell's Kitchen" (after a few episodes I may lose interest, but I do enjoy watching Gordon slam these chefs).
2. "Burn Notice" (a fave spy show--I would love to see "Chuck" meet up with "Michael Weston.")
3. "The Next Food Network Star"
4. "Drop Dead Diva" (yes, I DVR'd the marathon of season 1 on Sunday and have been re-watching them to prepare for season 2 which starts this Sunday).
5. "The Closer" (TNT played with me by showing a few episodes during the winter. I am ready for a full season).
6. Warehouse 13--part history, part action, part mystery and crime, great characters. SyFy has a hit with this show.

Along with teaching classes, cooking, shopping, and house projects, my summer TV shows will keep me busy. What are your favorite summer shows?

Chuck is Returning in January!

One of my favorite TV shows, "Chuck," was slated to return for a 3rd season in March. But great news--Jan. 10 will be the 2-hour season premiere. This show mixes comedy, action, a little drama, and a little romance all into one well-written, well-acted hour.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out episodes on NBC.com. It's a great escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Ready for Fall TV

Summer was busy with work and activities and favorite TV. I like that cable has new programming in the summer. I am not a TV addict, but I have a few favorite shows as well as trying out a new show or two.

My favorite summer shows were The Closer, Burn Notice, The Next Food Network Star, Warehouse 13, and Mental. We usually DVR some of the shows and watch at our convenience. That is one of the greatest inventions, isn't it? Warehouse 13 is a SyFy show, with a mix of comedy and drama, a little mystery. I thought it would be more like X-Files, but it's not really. I like the history element and the solve the problem nature of the show. They are still showing new episodes, so look for it (Tuesday nights).

Both Burn Notice (USA network) and The Closer (TNT) have mini-seasons in the summer and winter. I think that's interesting to break the season up like that. It frees up time between the new episodes. Both are good shows. I've been a fan of Burn Notice since it first aired a couple years ago. Filmed in Miami area, it has lots of action, a little comedy, and great storylines.

This fall I am looking forward to a number of shows returning. The Big Bang Theory is a favorite. The only problem with Monday night is there is so much competition. I also like House (and last year Chuck was on at the same time--now Chuck will start in March). I watch How I Met Your Mother and Rules of Engagement too. Give me a funny sitcom at the end of a busy day and I am happy. Last spring we tried out Parks & Recreation and found it good. When I want a crime drama, I'll watch Criminal Minds, any of the CSI shows, and Numbers. I have a Wed. night class, so I will have to DVR Glee. I watched the special premiere after Idol in May. It was funny.

I don't watch a lot of TV during the day, but if I am home I'll watch Rachael Ray's talk show or 30-minute Meals or a few other Food Network or HGTV shows. I can multi-task when they are on. What you won't see me intentionally watching is much sports, depressing news shows, nature shows (where animals get eaten by other animals), or stupid movies (won't go into my criteria at this point).

TV--not the vast wasteland some profess, but there is good and bad, junk and quality. I try to pick and choose, so I can get my work done, do things outside the house, but still have quiet time in front of the TV. We all deserve that.