Good afternoon!
I made a game time decision last night not to workout. I just was not feeling it and I felt pretty worn out from my work day. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between feeling lazy and feeling burned out or tired so I decided to do the ‘10 minute rule’. For the 10 minute rule I say that all I have to do is 10 minutes, if I want to stop I can.
I decided to do some Booty Camp while I watched 24. My body felt so weak and I immediately knew that I was not going to have a good workout and I needed rest. I did about 8 minutes of abs and called it quits! That was that. ;)
And because listening to the body is always a good thing, I had a killer workout this morning.
I don’t know why I hum and haw over skipping a workout because the next day I always end up having such a great workout and I totally forget about it. I felt rested and full of energy this morning when I got up.
Before my workout I had a delicious juice:
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1 beet, handful spinach, lemon, lime, 2 carrots, 1/2 cuke. For lunch, I used the leftover pulp in my Amy’s split pea soup and it wasn’t the best decision I have ever made. Much too lemony! Oh well.
The Workout:
Today I decided to do another strength session before my run. I really enjoyed doing this last week and I think it makes for a more challenging run.
Strength: Booty Camp Fitness DVD- Intermediate level (43 mins) Total body workout.
Run: An easy 3 mile outdoor run. I stopped to smell the roses snow melting. It was not very warm out yet since it was just 7am, but it still was nice to be out and I was warm after 10 minutes. Duration of run = 29 mins.
I came home and stretched. My body was begging for FOOD, food, food!
Energize Me Creamy Fruit Dip
This was inspired by Gena’s Banana Soft Serve.
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen bananas (if serving immediately, if not, use room temp)
- 3-4 tablespoons of milk (I used almond milk)
- 1 heaping tablespoon nut butter (I used cashew butter)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions: Throw ingredients into a food processor (or blender?) and process until smooth. I had to stop several times and stir. Makes about 3/4 of a cup.
Notes: I put leftover dip in the fridge and checked it a few hours later. The dip got really thick thanks to the chia seeds and it was very pudding like and thick. I almost liked it better after a few hours in the fridge! Also note that the dip changed colour a bit in the fridge (slightly brownish grey). I assume this is from the bananas and chia seeds. You might be able to add a tiny bit of lemon juice to prevent this from occurring. Let me know if you try it!
Wherever I end up when I die, I hope this is served 3 times a day. :mrgreen:
The cashew butter made it down right decadent, but still very light.
I had my dip with an apple. It was out of this world!
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This would be a fabulous dip to make for a party too!! It took just 3 minutes to make.
Next time I am going to experiment by making it with cocoa and/or carob powder for a chocolate fruit dip. Mmmmmm.
It was such a great post-workout snack! The chia seeds add antioxidants, protein, fibre, healthy fats, etc. and the cashew butter made it luxurious without being over-powering.
The Photography Process and Blogging:
Last week, I was asked how many photos I usually take for each post. I had to giggle because I take A LOT. For example, in today’s post I took about 40-45 photos (juice + dip shots) but only 5-6 shots made the cut!
I currently use Eric’s Canon 30D SLR in addition to a 50 mm lens and an external flash. I also use my Canon Powershot 800IS point and shoot when I go to restaurants or places I don’t want to lug the SLR.
Here are some of the thumbnails from today’s shots (you can click to enlarge):
I take the shots from different angles and using different settings. I play around with the external flash too. I LOVE photography. It is my favourite thing about composing each post! Eric and I are going to take an introductory photography class sometime this year.
As for editing my shots, I generally don’t do much, but sometimes I like to crop them to bring something into focus. For example, that last picture of the dip was cropped.
Here is the original vs. the cropped version:
Also, if the photo is too dark, I will adjust the exposure in Photoshop to brighten it up.
Here is the original vs. the one that I adjusted the exposure:
And that is as far as my editing skills go!
For all of you photography buffs or bloggers out there- tell me what your photography process is like. How many pictures do you take and what is your editing process like?
Updates:
- The huge blog directory I am working on will be available in April. I hope to finish it while on the plane…it looks like I will have over 300 blogs on it!
- Thank you for your FL shopping suggestions the other day. :)
- If you contacted me about a FL meet-up, I will be sending an email out to you in the next few days.
GIDDY UP!
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“Unless you’re willing to have a go, fail miserably, and have another go, success won’t happen.” ~Phillip Adams
I take about 6 of each plate/ bowl of food, sometimes a few more. I try the angle that works best, and then just shoot. I do no editing.
I felt the same as you yesterday with the whole listening to the body deal. I was so exhausted yesterday, I just couldn’t push my self to workout. I just did a bit of rolling around on my yoga mat and went for a little stroll around the neighbourhood (as the weather was gorgeous!).
Today though, I had an amazing workout! It’s funny how your body just knows eh?
I try not to take too many pictures, mainly because Im not a talented photographer and I know full well theyre not going to come out as nicely as I’d hoped! It also depends how hungry I am. Sometimes I’ll go with my first picture just because I cant go another second without putting something in my belly!!
I LOVE the bowl you used for your dip btw.
Hi Angela! So I have been following your blog for a while, but have yet to comment. After reading this post, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you so much for being a realistic healthy inspiration. I am recovered from my past ed and everything else, but still find times when I am forcing myself to workout even when I am just so tired. Yesterday I decided to try for ten minutes and then I quit when I just wasn’t feeling it. It was so great to see that it was not be just being lazy but giving my body the rest it needed. I admire your healthy outlook, and applaud you for sharing it openly and honestly. Thank you. <3
Hope you have a wonderful day!
-Katrina M.<3
You are always so creative and quit the chef.
That fruit dip sounds amazing!! I’ve been dipping fruit into a combo of yogurt and chia seeds but yours sounds even better!!! I may play around with that :)
I have seriously fallen in love with photography. I’m not that good at it but i looove it, I would really like to take some classes!
That dip recipe looks really good. What are chia seeds and where can I buy them?
no wonder your pics are gorgeous? i only take a few of each thing and hope for the best
Oh my gosh that dip is downright fabulous!!!!
Photography is such a great field. I love learning about all of the ways you can play with your images. I have a tremendous amount to learn and am not taking the best of photos but I am improving (pic by pic!)
What do Chia seeds taste like? I keep seeing them in the store and on blogs and my interest is definitely piqued.
Love this!! I usually take close to 10 pictures for each dish, at varying angles and focusing on different elements. Natural light is usually what makes or breaks my pictures, but I find playing around with the aperture on my SLR has made a big difference too. I did a lot of photojournalism in university, but it was all taking pictures of people and events. Food is a much better subject! ;)
the colour of that juice is GORGEOUS!!! And that dip sounds great!
I generally only take 5-10 pictures. But I have a lame little digital camera. If I had a nice camera like you, I’d probably take a ton more and have fun with different angles/lighting etc.
I used to take tons of pictures of my food, but now just one or two will do. I uploads hundreds of my kids every day, and then edit those. So I try to keep it pretty simple when it comes to the blog pics.
I’m a photographer (student..in 2 months!!) and I take a lot of photos to get one good shot! It depends on the shoot though. Sometimes I take 400.. other times 50..so graduating metimes 5. It depends on the subject and how complicated the set is.
If you ever have any questions feel free to ask!
I use Adobe Bridge to edit down my photos.. they have a rating system that’s easy to use. Everyone has a different workflow though!
Supposed to say graduating in 2 months!**
Hey Angela! The fruit dip looks incredible! I think I’ll give it a shot with some homemade raw almond yogurt I just made.
I laughed when I read how many shots you take in prep for a blog post! I just noticed last week that I shot 90 pictures for a post and that ended up having only 3 photos in it!
My editing process is fairly simply. Beside cropping and resizing, I use Levels for contrast and sometimes Hue/Saturation if I want a more unrealistic color touch. Little by little I want to develop more Photoshop skills. I’m really timid at trying new things, tho’, so it may take some time!
I do the same, I take so many pictures of my meals without even noticing! It really makes post processing take awhile but Lightroom is pretty intuitive, and it’s worth it!
I’m a perfectionist so I’m really just going for that one perfect shot. Editing is kept to a minimal as I like to work with what I have. Styling is key but I always visualize what I want to see before I set up or snap the photos.
i am getting more into photography through blogging. getting a better camera was a step in the right direction. i love my small one but i think one with a faster shutter speed and more zoom could be in my future.
thanks for the inside scoop. i find i do a few different angles as well and adjust and crop as needed. i do it all in iphoto, but investing in photoshop could happen at some point too.
I take about 20 pictures – if I made something cold (dessert, salad) I take more but if I want to eat the meal I only take as many pictures as absolutely necessary.
It’s always possible to crop them a little bit and edit them in PS :-)
My bf keeps talking about taking a photography course, he’s REALLY into photography
I don’t really do much with my photos except for rotate them :-) haha….What you see is really what I’m getting
It is fun to take photos! I should take more, like yourself, but to save time I only take a few of each meal. I do take a lot of pictures when I post a recipe for an in the kitchen category though. I have an external flash that I should play around with more, but I don’t have the time!
I always take about 20 additional photos than readers actually see!
WOoooow this dip looks amazing!!
Given how great your pictures are, I am surprised that you are taking a beginners class! The one with the spoon today is really great. Then again, I always say that your spoon shots are beautiful!
I have to try this dip, it sounds yummy! I have a question though, do you think that there is there any other fruit that could be substituted for bananas? I love them and put them in everything, but my husband does not like them in recipes; he only eats them whole. I could get him to eat more fruit if I provided a dip…. if you have suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thanks!
Mmmm, how good that dip/soft serve looks! A must try…
I just wanted to let you know about Color Me Katie (http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/) – a wonderful, positive and fantastic blog on which Katie challenges conventions and brings so much joy into life. Check it out! And check out how I did my very own Katie-inspired door and entryway http://stressstories.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-need-to-have-more-fun.html
Have a wonderful and glowing day :-)
Wow, that DIP!!! That looks totally & utterly amazing. I am definitely making this!
I love Gena’s soft serve, and this kicks it to the next level!
Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing:-) That dip is gorgeous!
I’m excited for the directory!
That’s a lot of pictures, but they are all beautiful :) I probably take 6-7 and 2-4 make the cut!
P.S. I had the same problem with my workout last night. I generally do the 10-minute rule, but I didn’t even have that in me. Looking forward to a nice run tonight! :)
I was sooo excited that you wrote a post about PHOTOS! I think good photos are 1 of the keys to a great blog, and poor photos are a total turn off [for me, at least]. Your photos are always excellent and it’s nice to know I’m not the only crazy one out there who takes 24 shots of a silly apple : ) Persistence and trial & error pays off. The first two veggie pics are my favorite =]
That fruit dip sounds awesome. Banana softserve is truly da bomb.
I love this info on photography. Your pictures are always so vivid and bright. I really like your style. I had no idea you took so many pictures for each post! I would love to take a photography class someday and learn more about it, as it something that I really enjoy (even though my pics are completely sub par).
That dip looks really good!
I take a lot of pictures when I’m trying to get something good. For a while last year I was part of a 365 group where I had to do a picture of myself every single day for a year. I would take a TON of pictures, filter out the good ones and then play in Photoshop with them. It would be great to take a photography class someday just so I can learn how my camera works!
K
The hard part about the taking so many pics is having to wait before you can enjoy the food! We also take a lot of pictures for our posts and edit them in PhotoShop. What would we do without PhotoShop! Your pics look great – you have a talent! Keep up the good work! :-)
This dip is such a great idea! Way to expand the recipe template :)
Holey Moley…I tried this recipe yesterday!!! I used the same ingredients and it processed just fine in my blender. The taste and texture was so incredible that I ditched the apple slices and just ate it with a spoon…until there was no more:) I will definitely be making this again…super easy and soooooo yummy! I think it would be good topped with a little melted Dark Chocolate Dreams!
I always take extra pictures, but not that many. Generally I don’t have time to spend taking pictures, because I need to eat my meal in order to get the heck outta the house on time. If it’s a baking project or something though, I’ll take a whack of photos.
I’m all about using my photo editing software, mostly to resize the image for the internet, adjust colour balances, and even sharpen photos that maybe weren’t quite right. I’ve also played around with other settings before, but don’t use them that often.