My Top 25 Workout Songs

When I'm listening to music to workout I am either running or on the elliptical.

For me, it has to have a crazy good beat for me to workout and not get bored.

Some of these songs I don't really listen to unless I'm working out.

Don't judge me.  I will definitely have a guilty pleasure songs list coming up, so there will be enough judgment to go around there. I also included the time just in case you wanted to download any of these to add to your playlist.

1. Satisfaction - Benny Benassi: It has a great techno beat.  Kinda makes me want to do the robot on the treadmill and then break out my glow sitcks. (I'm just joking, I don't have any glow sticks.... at the gym.) (06:31)

2. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas: It has a lot of energy, and a catchy chorus.(04:12)

3. Jawbreaker - The Dead Weather:  This is a different type of workout song.  This is a band with Jack White and while it's not a typical workout song, it keeps me energized.(02:58)

4. Like a G6 - Far East Movement:  You can bet you will hear this song on the radio, as it is overplayed.  That being said, it has the ideal workout beat. (03:38)

5. Power - Kanye West:  I am not Kanye's biggest fan, but my dislike for him does not take away the fact that he does put out some pretty good songs.  This song is not kid friendly. It is a motivating song with a constant beat. (04:52)

6. Bulletproof - La Roux: I don't know how to describe this song.  It's pop-ish but also has a mechanical background beat.(03:26)

7. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga:  Rah Rah Ah Ah Ahh I can't deny that I'm a Lady Gaga fan.  She puts on a great show and has catchy music.  This is one of many songs of hers I workout to.(04:54)

8. Telephone - Lady Gaga & Beyonce:  Between the fun tempo and Beyonce's ghetto rap, this song keeps my stride fast. (03:41)

9. Buzzin' - Mann:  This is a newer song with an old school beat.  I can't place it, it's either from the late 80's/early 90's but I recognize it. (03:16)

10. Pass That Dutch - Missy Elliott:  Also not kid friendly.  This brings out the gangsta side of me, I just like it. (03:48)

11. The Way You Move - Outkast:  I think most people know this song.  I think this song or at least the beat has been in multiple movie soundtracks. (03:54)

12. Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna: I am also a Rihanna fan.  She's one of those girls that doesn't use Auto-Tune and if she does it's rare.  She also doesn't make me want to punch my eardrums out when she tries to sing live.  (04:27)

13. Rude Boy - Rihanna: NOT kid friendly.  I just love this beat.  It has a memory to it as well, (nothing to do with the actual lyrics), just a funny time.  (03:43)

14. Music is The Victim - Scissor Sisters:  Not kid friendly.  I love the Scissor Sisters, they always the most interesting rhythms and fun lyrics (usually not kid friendly as well) (02:58)

15. She Wolf- Shakira:  I wish I could dance like her.  Sometimes I try to.  On the treadmill.  It doesn't work out too well. (03:08)

16. Back In Your Head - Tegan and Sara: Not really a typical workout song, but I just love this song that it keeps me going.  It does have a beat to it, not that fast so I use it during my "taking it easier" periods. (03:01)

17. OMG - Usher: Another song you'll hear on the radio 8 times in a hour.  However, it's good stuff.  Best believe. (unsure)

18. Check It Out - will.i.am & Nicki Minaj: Not kid friendly. Despite the fact they both use auto-tune, it's a tolerable auto-tuned song.  It's a great song as far as workout rhythm. I only like the songs she does with other people, not her own songs.  (04:12)

19. Ugly - Bubba Sparxxx - Not kid friendly.  My friend once played this 3 times in a row accidentally because it has the same beat all the way through.  It's definitely a one time a workout song. (04:30)

20.  Acceptable in the 80's - Calvin Harris:  Calvin who, you ask?  This song is off of the first Just Dance for Wii.  I liked it so much that I downloaded it and workout to it on a regular basis.(05:33)

21.  I Like That - Richard Visson & Static Revenger: All around a good beat, I'm not even sure what they are talking about.  Every now and then it cuts in a futuristic slow motion pace.  I'll take it. (02:23)

22. It's Tricky - Run D.M.C.:  I'm bringing it old school. (03:05)

23. Spin Spin Sugar - Sneaker Pimps:  This is a Techno song, but I absolutely love everything about it. (04:41)

24. Canned Heat - Jamiroquai:  The song that Napoleon Dynamite danced to.  You know you love it. (05:33)

25. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake:  He's last on the least, but you can't deny that Justin Timberlake is talented, although I tend to prefer him on SNL than anything else.  (03:56)

In case you didn't know...

It's cold outside... at least it is in Oklahoma.


It reminds me of that creepy Christmas song, "Baby it's cold outside". 
Have you ever REALLY listened to the song?  It's basically a poor woman held hostage by this man, and probably drugged.


Lyrics, just for you:
I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

C'mon baby

I simply must go - Baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - Ooh darling, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Man, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

Baby it's cold outside

Brr its cold.
It's cold out there
Cant you stay awhile longer baby
Well..I really shouldn't...alright

Make it worth your while baby
Ahh, do that again
-------------------
Anyway, since it's so cold and my baby dachshund is so little, I've started making him wear his sweater.  He's getting bigger so his other cute sweater looks like "fat guy in a little coat"

His new sweater is sort of Christmas-y, but it's all I have now.
He hates it.
I was never one for dressing up dogs, but now that I have one.... I do.

I thought I'd share a 40 second clip of Dexter trying to take off his sweater.  Keep in mind this is a 40 second clip of at least 10 minutes trying to take it off.  He finally succeeded.  (Sorry, it's kind of dark) 

 

Friday's Faves & Flops: Eskridge Honda

If you are in the Oklahoma City area and need to find a good car dealership, Eskridge Honda is an excellent place.

When it comes to car dealerships, it's a pretty tough time to find a good, trustworthy, and reliable place.

I've dealt with Eskridge Honda since 2006 when I bought my Honda Civic.  They always followed up, and I got a lot of service done there over the years.  It's not too pricey and the customer service is great.

In 2010 I bought my second vehicle from there.  A Honda CR-V.  

They gave me a great deal and the funny thing is that the same guy that sold me the Civic, was the exact same guy who sold the CR-V.  We didn't even request him, he was just the first one out there.

If you buy the vehicle and get services done there, your engine is guaranteed for life, which is nice.

I was very pleased the other day when I went to get my first oil change.  I was expecting to pay, and the first one was free.  They also informed me that with my vehicle I didn't have to bring it in every 3000 miles, it's going to be every 5,000 miles for an oil change. Saaaweeeet.

A couple of my friends have gone there and bought cars.  They have nothing but good things to say about them.

Just passing on another friendly review for those who want to know.  

Strawberry Banana Cupcakes

*Once again, I apologize for my crappy camera... a better one is in my near future.  Perhaps after my tax refund?

I wanted to try something different when it came to cupcakes… well different for me.

                      I decided to do Strawberry Banana Cupcakes.

I wasn’t really that happy with the result.  The batter was heavy so I knew it was going to be a dense “cupcake” (it basically turned into a muffin) 

I think it had too much flour to it and it wasn’t that sweet, so the second batch I added a little extra buttermilk and sugar to the mix.  The second batch was slightly better.

I’ll give you the recipe that I used anyway.  This recipe makes 24 cupcakes.

½ cup butter softened

½ cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 large ripe bananas, mashed

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 ¼ cups of flour (Like I said, I would reduce it by at least ½ cup)

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ cp buttermilk

½ cup strawberry preserves

1 cup milk chocolate chips_

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Place paper baking cups in 24 muffin cups.  Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar in bowl until light & fluffy.  Beat in bananas, eggs, and vanilla.

*In separate bowl, sift flour, baking power, baking soda, and pinch of salt. 

*Alternately add one third flour mix and half of buttermilk to butter mixture and end with flour mixture. 

*Stir in strawberry preserves and chocolate chips.

*Divide batter into cups and bake for approx 23 minutes.

Sprinkles Strawberry Frosting (I had to double it to fit 24 cupcakes, but I made a little more than used, so I froze it)

1 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed

2 cups unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold

Pinch of coarse salt

6 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed.

* In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy.

* Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined.

*Add vanilla and 6 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended.

Since I didn’t like the way my cupcakes turned out.  I poked a hole in the middle and added strawberry preserves to the middle.  I put some strawberry preserves into a ziplock bag, cut a small hole on the edge and put it into the middle.

I didn’t do any fancy design with these cupcakes, mainly because I was so frustrated with the end result.  I just used a cake spatula to spread the frosting over the cupcake (muffins).

I give this recipe a 2 ½ sprinkles  out of 5 sprinkles.  Maybe I’m being a bit too harsh, but I’m usually critical about my work.

Weight. Running. Shoes.

I was at Red Coyote Running Store yesterday to get a pair of really good running shoes.  I've been training for a 5k in March and I also plan to run in the Memorial Day Marathon with my work.  I'm not running a marathon, I'll just be running in the relay probably the 5k leg, maybe the 10k?
I needed to find some running shoes that were perfect for me.
This place is awesome, they have you run or walk on a treadmill and they video tape your feet.  They look at your gait to see what areas of your foot that need support.
I had a wonderful guy help me, and he was very patient as I tried on a billion shoes and couldn't seem to tie my laces correctly.  
This should probably be for my "Friday Faves and Flops" review, but there is more to this story.
I ended up getting these shoes (in blue stripes), they are so light and great!

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/product-detail/product.jsp?id=KSS409&sc=CX10M075&cm_mmc=portal-_-googlebase-_-na-_-rrs206-KSS409



As I was sitting there this other customer is talking to another customer that he knows.  There is a larger girl in there and he makes the comment to his friend, "She's getting running shoes? Gotta lose weight for the new year."  Then they laughed.


People are so insensitive sometimes.  So what if that's what she is doing?  At least she's trying to better herself as a person, which they should try to better their attitudes.  As someone who has struggled with her weight starting at 12 years old, it's not something that is easily fixed.  I've gone over countless diets throughout the years, binge diets, fad diets, weight loss pills, etc...  Obsessively hovering over the scale and pinching areas of yourself you wish you could take off. You can do it for so long, but it doesn't really ever change the source inside you that makes you eat and overindulge.  As of now, I'm just sticking to eating healthier and working out toward a goal that I made for myself.  If I lose weight in the process, that would be great.  


Who knows if that girl in the running shoe store will lose weight?  Maybe this is the beginning of a life changing year for her and she doesn't need people knocking her down.


I once had a friend that said that "fat people disgusted her".. that watching The Biggest Loser made her want to vomit.  She would say, "just stop eating so much!  Eat a salad!"  I asked her if I gained weight, would she still be friends with me?  She told me that it depended on how much weight I gained, 250 lbs would be her limit.  This is in all seriousness, and I was very hurt by this, when she knew how much I struggled with eating better and getting in shape.
This friend was diagnosed with depression, and was being treated for it.  I never mentioned it to her, but I probably should have... People that have problems with eating are no better or worse than you and your depression.  It is a mental/emotional problem that we deal with, just like you do. 


She never understood it, she claimed to be so open-minded, but was very ignorant when it came to that subject.  To make a comparison, I wish I would've told her that there is a certain level at which she was depressed that I would stop being her friend. (Which I wouldn't have done, we parted ways due to other matters.)


Regardless, I wish that more people would just be loving and supportive instead of sitting in judgment to things you have no idea about.  You have no idea what has gone in that person's life.  


1 Peter 8-11
⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Arts and Crafts

I'm on a blogging streak, which is rare for me.


I'm not an artsy person, I would love to be more crafty and I'm really trying at it.
I'm even going to start trying to crochet.  I follow this blog that this girl makes really cute headbands and scarves through crocheting.  


If you are like me and have gobs of jewelry and earrings that you can't keep together, then you need something more organized.  I love being organized, I guess it's the Type A personality in me.
I got the idea from my friend Kaylee, but instead of the backing I used, she used wire.


It makes me want to go out and buy more earrings.  I don't even have all of the ones I own on there yet and some are on the cute jewelry holder that Kaylee got me for Christmas. (Shown in pictures below)


Either way I'm pleased with it and I may even start making them as gifts for people?

This is my nightstand setup... Isn't it cute?  ($20 nightstand at a thrift store)

I also realize that I said a loooong time ago that I would post pictures of my apartment and such.

Well, I'm obviously not posting pictures of the outside for creeper reasons, but here is a shot of my dining room.  It's a small little room, but I love my pub table and cozy area!

- B