MindComet

Excercise Ball or Desk Chair… Which is better?

There is a trend at the MindComet office for people to use exercise balls instead of chairs.  I like my exercise ball because I like bouncing along to the overhead music.  The very first exercise ball chair was purchased for back health reasons, but the rest were purchased in an effort to maximize calorie burning and core exercises while we work long hours.  I just read an article in the New York Times that says there is very little caloric benefit to the ball and no hard data to support posture improvement.  While I was hoping to find better posture or loose a few pounds using my ball instead of my chair, I am still happy just bouncing along to the music.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Sep. 22, 2010

The Start of School

It’s that time of year….  School has started again.  It’s both a happy and sad time.  I personally am happy to get back into a sensible routine but I love everything there is about summer and I will miss it.  This year, Caboose and I had a bit of wanderlust and we went on two trips, a long one filled with family, planes, and fun and a second one to the beach.  But now our attention is turned to school and the important issues; is your new backpack cool?  does anyone else have your same lunch box?  do you know anyone in your class?
I always loved school (yeah, I was that kid) and I love new school supplies (never used crayons, freshly sharpened colored pencils, etc).  I am hopeful that this school year will be filled with fun, excitement, and learning.

Moms Unite!  School is back and we’re both released from our summer duties and held hostage by the school calendar.  Margarita anyone?

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Aug. 24, 2010

There’s A New Wonder Woman In Town!

Wonder Woman, the iconic super hero, is getting an updated look for her 600th issue.  She’s also getting a new storyline, according to a New York Times article.  There is a new writer on the series, Michael Straczynski (creator of TV show Babylon 5).  In this latest re-imagining of Wonder Woman, she does not grow-up on Paradise Island but rather is smuggled out as a baby.  It’s a much darker, more modern storyline and character.  As a Gen X girl, I grew up loving the Wonder Woman character and television show!  While I will always see Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, I am intrigued to see her new series.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Jun. 30, 2010

The Power of Sleep

In a study presented at SLEEP 2010, a conference for the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC, states that children who have regular bedtimes and who get adequate sleep score higher on developmental assessments (language, literacy, early math abilities).  The recommendation for children varies by age, but according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine preschool children should have a minimum of 11 hours per night.

Also at SLEEP 2010, researchers presented findings that show extended sleep improves athletic performance.  The research subjects were university football players who improved 20 and 40 yard dash times.  For this study, extended sleep meant a minimum of 10 hours per night.

According to the CDC, preschool children need 11-13 hours per night, elementary students needs 9-11 hours per night, teenagers need 8.5-9.5 hours per night, and adults needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night. 

Are you sleeping enough?  How much better would your life be if you slept more?  Think about it.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Jun. 09, 2010

Is The World Scarier Now Than It Was In 1984?

I was reading an article yesterday about the possibility of hackers hacking into your car’s on-board computer.  If someone can hack my on-board computer, they could control my car (forcing a stop, locking the doors or windows, shutting down the engine, etc).  I always assumed that those things were the realm of a futuristic thriller movie; possible but not plausible.  And this spawned a whole discussion with one of my co-workers about how scary technology has made the world.  I think I’m going to trade my car in for a 1970 Mustang.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 20, 2010

Eating and Energy

The journey continued….

As part of that discovery process I talked about last week, we took a hard look at the way nutrition plays a role in energy or rather the management of energy.  We had multiple sessions with a nutritionist and discussed eating as a strategy instead of eating as a habits.  An eating strategy is centered around maintaining a consistent glucose level - so you don’t over eat or under eat.  It’s all about fueling your body for optimal performance.  This morning Cheerios, and apple, and cheese are fueling me.  What’s fueling you?

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Apr. 21, 2010

So A Journey Begins…..

Last month I had the great privilege of attending a two and a half day workshop called “The Corporate Athlete”.  In this workshop, I learned many things about myself, personally, professionally, and physically.  The outcome of all this “discovery” was a new “story” and an “ultimate mission”.  I will chronicle my progress in both my ultimate mission and my supporting “training mission” as a way to be both more transparent and really, more accountable.  I hope you enjoy my journey as much as I will.

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Posted by Jennifer Carey on Apr. 14, 2010