Saturday, April 30, 2011

Working on My 4 Hour Body

As I mentioned previously (in this post) I have been reading through The 4 Hour Body by Tim Ferris. Definitely a fascinating book. As a fan of experimentation, I asked Jobina if she would like to try doing the 4 Hour Body fat burning diet for a month to see how it goes. I actually have been experimenting with parts of it already (between that and the death diet, I have already lost 10-15 pounds) but I want to see if I can lose 5 or 10 more. Essentially I'm curious and I want assist Jobina with her own goals. This plan is actually quite simple:

1. Avoid "white" carbs
2. Eat the same few meals over and over again
3. Don't drink calories
4. Take one day off per week (yes, a cheat day)

Yes, that's it.

This of course is only the beginning, in addition to this I plan to use other powerful techniques the author has tested including:

-daily track my total inches, body fat, and weight
-use thermal loading/cold techniques to quicken my metabolism (ex/ ice water on awaking)
-take a photo of everything I eat and post it on weight loss blog
-use social awareness to increase adherence (public blog charting progress & bets with friends)
-take an unflattering "before" picture and put it in a prominent place
-when I get mid-week cravings, write down the foods I crave and plan/look forward to eating them on my cheat day

Most of the above techniques are psychological and have been proven by research to assist people in their goals. Tracking your progress is by itself sometimes enough to help people lose significant weight. I am 100% convinced that if I follow through on my plan I will lose the weight, possibly all within a month or two. I invite you to visit my experiment blog (here) to ask questions, shout slogans at me, tell me I'm out to lunch, or just say you've stopped by. Please do, it will help me out! After I lose the weight, I plan to experiment with Ferris' other techniques for gaining strength, adding muscle, and increasing endurance. . .

Short Book Reviews

Well, I just finished my busiest month ever counselling wise and my schedule is starting to slow down now. Although I haven't been blogging I have still been thinking, reading, and reflecting (when I have the time!) and here are a few books I've read since the start of the year:

Mark of The Lion Series by Francine Rivers: This trilogy of books is written by often maligned (especially by myself) author Francine Rivers. While lower on the expected romance then I was gritting my teeth for, it was high on sex - shockingly so. Not in graphic detail, but definitely on subject matter. Of course the books are set in ancient Rome shortly after the death of Christ so most of it is understandable. Yet even so I found myself unsettled by it. Perhaps it was the author's intent? I would describe it as Danielle Steele meets Stephen Lawhead, "Gladiator" meets "Acts." I had lost a bet with Jobina so I had to read half of the 1st book but after 4 chapters I was hooked and read them all. I was actually very moved in my spirit with the stories of faith. I rate these books "R" for content and A+ for readability, 4 ninja stars out of 5.

Too Small To Ignore by Wes Stafford: Jobina's friend Lee (who she recently went to Ecuador) lent me this book and it pretty much rocked my world. Wow! It is the best book on the importance of children I have ever read. Stafford is the founder of Compassion International and so it's not surprising that he cares about children. How much though, and why - now that is surprising. Stafford shares with much vulnerability and honesty how his growing up years in Africa shaped him and how God used his painful experiences to develop a super passion for children the world over. Excellent book whether you read it is as a biography or as a treatise on the importance of ministry to children. I rate this 4.6 ninja stars out of 5.


Multiple Streams of Income by Robert G. Allen: I picked this up at my local library and have renewed it twice. This is a great overview of several different streams of income (stock investing, real estate, network marketing, business, internet, etc) that is essential reading for anyone interested in finances. Though a little outdated and a little weighted toward American readers, I learned alot. His view of balancing the different kinds of income is actually done in a conservative way and I think even the most picky person could find at least one form of wealth growing that work for them and their family. If you go to Allen's personal website, you can actually email him for a free copy of his book. I rate it 3.8 ninja stars out of 5.


How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: This is a classic of American literature and while it is over 75 years old, it's truths are completely applicable today. Carnegie shares the simple but often forgotten truths that help us out in human relationships. This book is about how to influence people in powerful ways, not by control or power but by creativity and patience. Some might see his techniques as manipulations but I didn't take them way. It's funny, 10 years ago I would never have been able to accept many of these principles but Carnegie uses stories to illustrate their power and effectiveness in every day life, especially in business. The principles aren't perfect, but useful to anyone in a significant relationship. I've already recommended this book to several of my clients. I give it a rating of 4.5 ninja stars out of 5.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 YEARS OLD!!!
Woohoo! Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Design Fetish!
A big thanks to all you followers and fans out there!
You're awesome!!!


=)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go the Fuck to Sleep


Beautiful, subversive, and pants-wettingly funny, Go the Fuck to Sleep is a perfect gift for parents new, old, or expectant.

Go the Fuck To Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don't always send a toddler sailing off to dreamland. Honest, profane, and affectionate, Adam Mansbach's verses and Ricardo Cortés' illustrations perfectly capture the familiar—and unspoken—tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night, and open up a conversation about parenting in the process.

Here is a sample verse:
The cats nestle close to their kittens now.
The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
You're cozy and warm in your bed, my dear
Please go the fuck to sleep.


[via]



Facebook Icons


Really like the first two! By Leonard Savage.
Find them here.

[via]


Spray Paint Can Cocktail Shaker


The stainless steel Graffiti Cocktail Shaker, designed by William Kellogg, holds 14 ounces. 9" tall x 3" diameter. Built-in strainer.

[via]

Casualties of War: Special Toy Soldiers


Soldiers who since return from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are involved in brawls, beatings, rapes, drunk driving, drug deals, domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, kidnapping and suicides.

Three times as many veterans and active service members are dying soon after returning home than those being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.

We hear little about the personal hell soldiers live through after returning home.
This is a tribute to them. By Dorothy.

Its pretty harsh but definitely a strong statement. Wonder if there is a similar version of the innocent victims that die during the wars…

[via]


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Papercraft Audi A7 Replica


A 4-foot long papercraft replica of the 2012 Audi A7 was launched at the 2011 New York Auto Show.
This project was started by Taras Lesko, graphic design artist, who designed this project with 285 sheets of paper. Using photos and A7 blueprints from Germany, he designed 750 model pieces out of card stock, which he then printed, folded and glued together. His equipment was a laser printer, two desktop cutting plotters, glue and an X-ACTO knife. More than 245 hours later, he had created his own bold vision.

[via]

Dear Blank Cards


Your favorite 'Dear Blank' jokes (from dearblankpleaseblank.com), now available in the form of stationery. Check out the complete collection and buy it here.

[via]


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Working Room Designes

Working Room Design
Working Room Design
Working Room Design
Working Room Design
Working Room Design
Working Room Design
Working Room Design

Polka Dot Bedding Styles

Polka Dot Bedding Styles
Polka Dot Bedding Styles
Polka Dot Bedding Styles
Polka Dot Bedding Styles
Polka dots could produce a great theme for your room. Let your creativeness take actual and believe of all of the fantastic items you can produce. Your room bedding sets come in many many designs from lady bugs to robots to poodles. Boy or girl, your room can be crafted to healthy any style.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Back Of A Web Page

 

Hehe! BackOfAWebPage.tumblr.com features hypothetical illustrations of what the back of some iconic web sites might look like if they did indeed have a back.

[via]

Book Bed


"Created by Japanese artist Yusuke Suzuki using sheets for the pages and pillows for bookmarks."

[via]

Coca Cola's 125th Anniversary Cans

Bulletproof designed Coca-Cola cans featuring cans Varga girls for Coke's 125th Anniversary.

[via]