Maxitone products & "Thank you Protein" campaign.

When Maxitone contacted me a few weeks ago to invite me to test some of their products as part of their Thank you Protein campaign I was a little bit apprehensive. I didn't really know too much about protein powder, its benefits and whether it was something I needed to incorporate into my routine. I must admit, my initial thoughts were that protein powders are for bodybuilding men who want bulging muscles and therefore they would be no good for me. My aim with my workouts is to look toned and lean, not like Popeye! It seems I was wrong and a little bit of research soon brought me up to speed.

Apart from the odd blip here and there, my diet and exercise regime are pretty good and have been fairly consistent since I lost my 2 and a half stone (ish). However since I became a vegetarian last year I have wondered if I get enough protein in my diet, and the answer is I probably don't.

I was sent a few Maxitone products to trial as well as a voucher for a spa day to say "thank you" to someone who I would like to treat. I haven't organised the outing yet but I'll certainly let you know when I have. I'd like to treat Jonathan to it as he has done so much for me over the last few months but he's a busy bee so I'm just waiting for a free date.

I'd actually quite like to apply for the Thank you Protein campaign myself as I feel quite proud of my achievements and the prizes are pretty awesome!

I want to add at this point that in no way, shape or form am I an expert in nutrition or what to eat and when, but it's a topic that really interests me and I am always trying hard to make my diet as healthy and varied as possible. This link and this link may be useful if you're interested in protein powders and would like more information on their benefits, but in a nutshell:

When we exercise, taking protein immediately after can help to repair damaged muscle so that we can recover better and as a result suffer less aches and pain. ‘Muscle burns calories’ and so if we look after our muscles we are optimising our metabolism and indirectly we are able to support body toning and weight management goals!

Given the choice between the Definity range (for toning) or the Sculptress range (for weight loss) I went for the Definity option. The website states Definity is perfect for those at their ideal weight wishing to tone and shape up, which fit my requirements at the moment, and I'm not interested in any meal replacements.

My thoughts on the protein powder

The tub says to take two servings a day, one at breakfast and another after exercise, by mixing one 30g scoop with 200ml of cold water.

I haven't been taking two servings a day but I have been having a shake after my workouts, and on days where I feel like I am particularly lacking in protein. Having just embarked on a new workout programme recently my muscles have been really sore so I like the idea of something working to repair my aching muscles. Do I feel like my muscles are less achey?! It's hard to say as I don't know how they would be feeling if I wasn't drinking the shakes, so it's a hard thing to measure.

I received the strawberry flavour which tastes absolutely fine. It's quite nice in fact! No complaints from me.

It looks as though the particular powder I received is discontinued but this one is an alternative.

My thoughts on the crisp bars

The bars are actually quite nice and make an ideal small snack following a workout. They only contain 83 calories so they don't feel too naughty and they obviously contain protein just like the powder does.

I find them incredibly chewy (jaw achingly so!) but this means they take me longer to eat so I suppose it's a good thing.

The bars aim to support toning but shouldn't be used to replace any meals, just to be eaten as a snack in between meals.



Will I purchase Maxitone products in the future? I doubt I will buy the snack bars as I can think of cheaper and tastier alternatives that I would rather eat, but I am definitely interested in keeping a stash of protein powder in the cupboard at home for taking after my workouts. Once I have got through this tub I will consider buying another, most definitely.

I make a lot of smoothies and I like the idea of adding a scoop of protein powder into those for an added boost. According to the Maxitone website this powder can be added to milk as well as water, so that's something I will be trying soon.

Do you make protein pancakes or smoothies, or take protein shakes? Let me know your thoughts!

You have read this article diet and exercise / share the love with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2013/03/maxitone-products-you-protein-campaign.html. Thanks!

Stitching up a storm.

I have been a busy bee recently working on a few different crafty projects and stitching cards and such. I have had a bit more free time than usual which has given me time to get out my storage box full of supplies and start some new projects.

Actually, one of the things I made recently wasn't from my stash of supplies at all but it was a free kit that came with the last issue of Cross Stitcher magazine. I really liked the design and thought it would make a lovely Mothers Day card (don't worry, this won't spoil anything. The card has already been posted and opened!)

The colours on the design were so pretty, bright and cheery and I really enjoyed doing this design, although I have just spotted a little bit of backstitching I missed. Darn it! I also gave the "French knots" a miss as they take me forever and a day to master.

The finished piece of stitching looked great in the pink polka dot aperture card. I think I will make cards using aperture frames more often.

I have also been working on a design by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. The Woodland Sampler to be precise. I signed up a few months ago when it was on special offer for $10.00.

Each month a new design is released and emailed out to the subscribers by email in a PDF. The PDF not only contains the pattern but handy hints/tips and details of the floss colours you will need. The detail that goes into the PDFs means that this project would be perfect for beginners, but it is also a lot of fun for cross stitching pros.

I am a little bit behind, only being halfway through the February design at the moment, but it won't be long until I have finished and can move onto March. The January design, with the two deers and snowflakes, is so cute.

I used the floss colour chart as best as I could then substituted any colours I don't own by picking the closest match (to save buying lots of new thread). I am using cream evenweave fabric as I had a spare piece laying around waiting to be used.

Once I am up to date it will be quite nice to have a small project to do each month when the emails are sent out. Plus, you know that December will be here before we know it and I will have my completed design to look back on and frame for the wall. I'll definitely share the finished piece with you, if not a few of the months as we go along too.

Are you working on any crafty projects at the moment? Send me a link, I'd love to have a nosy!

You have read this article crafts / DIY with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2013/03/stitching-up-storm.html. Thanks!

BACK HOME AGAIN

It really got cold last night but we stayed warm and toasty with my little electric fireplace in the bedroom.  Woke at 6:00 and had coffee while I did a little reading.  Had breakfast and walked the dogs then took them for a ride in their cart around the campground.  They looked so cute in their new purple sweaters.

Packed everything back into the basement of the RV and left the state park around 1:30 and arrived home at 3:00pm.

Xi Shi slept all the way home but little Cha Bu was enjoying the view out the window.

I was surprised to see her climb up on the dash.  She stayed there only a little while.

When the ride got too bumpy she got into her bed.

Can I drive Momi?

Tomorrow I'll try and find the right lock for the door and get that taken care of before my next trip.  I'm thinking of going to Florida then the Carolinas.

You have read this article with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2013/03/back-home-again.html. Thanks!

FINALLY GOT THE DOOR OPEN

Decided to call a locksmith today.  Found one in Grand Isle and he came over around 2:30.  An hour later he had the door opened.  He found the broken pieces and said he would take the mechanism to his house where he would attempt to patch it up.  He returned with a temporary fix and warned me to get it changed as soon as possible.  He said if I ordered the part he would install it for me for free.  He worked on it for 3 hours and  his fee is usually $60 an hour but he only charged me for 2 hours.  I was thankful for that.

He gave me a receipt and said to try and get my road side assistance to pay for it.  I hadn't even thought of calling Good Sam.  They just might pay for it.

So now I have to find the part.  I called Camping World and they said that they don't work on door locks and that I had to contact the dealership.  I think I will just try and get the part and let the locksmith install it.  It is a Tri Mark 60-650 and goes for$64.95 on Amazon.com.  I could probably install it myself as I watched him closely today as he took it apart.

I'll be leaving tomorrow for home and will look for a replacement at a couple of camping stores in town.  If they can beat Amazon's price I'll get it locally.

The weather here is getting colder with a low tonight of mid 30s which is just a tad too cold for the beach.

You have read this article with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2013/03/finally-got-door-open.html. Thanks!

LOCKED OUT OF THE CAMPER

The day started out as usual with little wet doggie kisses on my face.  Made my coffee and returned to bed to read.

There is a clock on the wall over the bed that just fascinates little Cha Bu.  She sits and stares at it for long periods of time and has tried to climb the wall to get to it.  It has a very loud tick, tick, tick and she wants to get to that ticking clock.

Make it stop Momi.

This is my Illinois neighbor Ken's beautiful Pleasure Way.

This is my Georgia neighbor in their awesome Road Trek.

Took the dogs for a walk on the beach this morning and was stopped by a maintenance supervisor who advised me that the dogs were not allowed on the beach.  I did not reply.  I did not tell him that the worker who checked me in said that there would be no one to bother me about taking my dogs on the beach this week.  I let him talk.  He went on to say that there was no manager or ranger at this time but that I should understand the rule of no dogs on beach.  I asked him to explain why the rule was put in place when for years we could take dogs on the beach.

He told me a story I had not heard before.  He explained that a woman in a motorhome reserved a 2 week stay at the park 2 years ago and she had 6 dogs that she let run loose on the beach which caused a problem that resulted in many complaints.  So they told her not to take her dogs to the beach.  She took offense and left the park, returned to her home and left the dogs, then returned to the campground for the rest of her 2 week stay and took photos of people walking their dogs on the beach.  Now she has a law suit against the park.  So it is this worker's opinion that I am adding fuel to the fire.  OK.  I understand.  I'll only take the dogs in their cart to the far end of the park and not on the state park.  No problem.

I'm really getting tired of this.  It puts a damper on my stay and I thought of leaving for home after this encounter.  It just isn't worth the hassle.

Later this afternoon I packed the dogs in the cart and took off for the town beach.  Enjoyed the afternoon and returned to the campsite to meet my friend Pat who was to pick me up to take me into town for some boiled crabs.

The fishing pier is closed.  It won't be long before the end of the pier is over the beach and not the Gulf.  This area of the park is building up really fast from wave action as well as the jetties.

Got to the camper and unlocked the door.  Put the dogs inside along with my phone, keys, and coat and slammed the door shut.  Rode my bike a little longer around the campground and then returned to the camper to wait for Pat.  Pulled on the door handle and it wouldn't budge.  Tried again and again and again and it would not open.  I'm standing there with no coat on and no phone and can't get inside my camper.  I walked around the camper to check if there were any windows unlocked and sure enough the one by the head of my bed was unlocked.  I opened it and stood on a chair but could not get in.  So I sat at the picnic table and waited for Pat.

He showed up about 15 minutes later and parked his truck so I could climb up on the back of it and then it was easy to climb into the camper.  He took the locking mechanism on the door apart but could not get it to work so I will have to bring in into a shop for repair.  Meanwhile, I have to use the driver's side door to go in and out of the camper.  Not very convenient.

We then left to go into town to get seafood at Camardelle's Seafood Market and grocery store in the little village of Cheniere Caminada - just over the bridge from Grand Isle.  While there I asked the manager if she would be interested in selling my latest book written about life in the area in the late 1800s.  She was and I sold her 5 books.  She asked for my business card and perhaps she will be calling for more books in the future if there is an interest.  So the money I made from that sale paid for my seafood.  Good deal.

Taking them out of the boiling pot after a good long soak to saturate the meat with the wonderful seasonings.

Laying them out to separate the males from the females and pack them up for waiting customers.

Returned to the camper and enjoyed my supper with an ice cold beer.  The female crabs were full of eggs just the way I like them.  They were delicious.

Giving some serious thought to going home early.  I'm paid till Tuesday but might go home Sunday.  Just bummed out about the door and the reprimand.

You have read this article with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2013/03/locked-out-of-camper.html. Thanks!