#fitnesscartoons

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Regimen

The Backstory:

Remember junior high PE class?

In PE class, at my school, we had to wear awful shortie, one-piece blue jumpsuits. We all had to be in our assigned row by 5 minutes after the bell, suited up in our blue rompers, accompanied by dorky socks and even dorkier white tennis shoes. (Back then cool tennis shoes hadn’t been invented yet.)

Each row had a captain who went up and down the line to check to make sure we were properly clad because if we were missing something, like a sock, we had points deducted from our grade. It was probably the closest thing I’ve ever experienced that was militaristic and I shudder just thinking about it.

I was probably the nerdiest, dorkiest girl in the class, so I was always on time ready for whatever types of athleticism the coach had planned for the day.

One day, I was the first one out on the gym floor, and the coach told me not to waste time before class, that I should be stretching to prepare for exercise.

I knew how to do jumping jacks and windmills, but I had no clue what to do as far as a stretch. So, I faked it. And, it wasn’t until I became a more serious exerciser as an adult that I began to understand the importance of stretching.

Now, as a “seasoned” fitness fanatic, not stretching before attempting any kind of exercise session could knock you way off your game…permanently!

As you go through any stretching process it’s important to remember your breathing. Breath in deeply as you stretch and then exhale as you release. Try to hold each stretch for 30 seconds and don’t bounce. Push the stretch to the point where you feel tension, but not pain. It’s also a good idea to “walk it out” after you stretch just to get the blood flowing and your body ready for more strenuous exercise.

Read more

[glasbergen]

#glasbergencartoonoftheday  #exercise cartoons, #fitnesscartoons  #medicalcartoons  #doctorcartoons

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Hit the Books

Calling all bibliophiles! It's National Book Lovers Day everyone! In honor of this great day, I've put together a list of some of my favorite exercise/running motivational and inspirational books at: https://wimpygirl.com/hit-the-books/

Happy reading!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Pain

No pain, no gain

Pain while exercising? That's a good thing! If you have pain while working out and it goes away shortly after, then you are fine. If you have pain while working out and it doesn't go away, then something not so good is going on. Learn how to tell which is which at: http://wimpygirl.com/pain

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Asparagus Tips

The Backstory:

Today is National Asparagus Day! 

May 24, 2022 Celebrated each year on this day

So, Let’s Discuss Asparagus

Did you know that asparagus is a member of the lily family?

The name asparagus comes from the Greeks and meant “sprout” or “shoot. Way before humankind knew anything about the benefits of super foods (like about 2000 years ago), folks in the Mediterranean area prized asparagus stalks because of their unique texture, as well as their medicinal and aphrodisiacal benefits. Oh really???

Asparagus grows in sandy soil, and can grow up to 10 inches in a 24-hour period.  And it comes in 3 colors: green, white and purple. White is probably the rarest of the three because it is so delicate, making it difficult to harvest. Purple asparagus is supposedly much smaller, but I have to admit, I’ve never seen a purple asparagus. 

Nutri-toon Details

Asparagus is one of the most nutritious veggies you can eat. It’s high in folic acid and potassium, fiber, thiamin and vitamins A, B6 and C. 

It can be eaten raw (supposedly – I’ve never done it) or cooked. It’s a quickie as far as cooking goes. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it for bee stings and toothaches, and more recently it’s been touted to cure hangovers. Go figure.

I guess nowadays asparagus spears would be considered “influencers” because of their plethora of tips…wink, wink!

How long has it been since you’ve had a few spears? For this Wimpy Girl, too long!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Friday the Thirteenth

The Backstory:

So, I’ve just got to know. When you woke up this morning and realized that it is Friday the 13th, did you stop and think, “Oh, wonderful. More than likely, it’s going to be a bad day.”

I know, I know, you are not a doom-and-gloom Debbie Downer, and you probably won’t let a mere number or a day of the week effect your joy…or luck. But, come on, I bet you hesitated and vowed to be extra careful throughout the day, just in case. I know I did.

So where on earth did this hokey superstition come from, and why on earth have so many people through the ages been spooked by it?

People Didn’t Just Make this Stuff Up

Just like walking under a ladder, crossing the path of a black cat, and breaking a mirror, Friday the 13th has long been considered a harbinger of bad luck. (Just ask the cast of the Friday the Thirteenth horror film series.) Nobody is quite sure who or where it started, but it was a long, long time ago.

In western cultures, the number 12 is considered “complete.” For example, there are 12 months, 12 days of Christmas, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 eggs in a carton…things like that. But 13? It’s kind of an oddball number. How many 13th floors can you find in tall buildings? According to people who keep up with stuff like this, at least 80% of all tall buildings in the United States do NOT have a 13th floor. Most hospitals and airports also avoid using the number 13 for rooms and gates. The fear of the number 13 even has its own psychological term: triskaidekaphobia.

So, What’s So Mean About 13?

The 13th of the month probably got its unlucky designation about 700 BC when the poet Hesiod warned farmers about how unlucky it was to plant their crops on this day. It had something to do with the waxing of the moon. 

Many early Christians believed that because there were 13 guests at the table during the Last Supper it was a bad omen. And for a long time for dinner parties, gatherings, etc. folks believed it was extremely unlucky to seat 13 people at a table for a meal. It just wasn’t done.

During the late 19th century Captain William Fowler, a New Yorker, tried his best to remove the doom and gloom stigma surrounding the number by creating an exclusive society called The Thirteen Club. The group dined regularly on the 13th of each month in room 13 of Knickerbocker Cottage. They had a 13-course meal and before being seated each would walk under a ladder bearing a banner which read “Morituri te Salutamus,” Latin for “Those who are about to die salute you.” Four US presidents were members: Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison and Teddy Roosevelt.

So, What’s So Freaky About Friday?

So all this is well and good, but why is Friday considered so ill-fated? It couldn’t have popped up from nowhere. It’s the day before the weekend, TGIF, for heavens sake.

Again, many suggest that Friday’s negative rap was based with early Christian tradition. Jesus was crucified on a Friday. It was also said that Eve gave Adam the apple on Friday and Cain killed Able on (you guessed it) a Friday. Hmmm…I didn’t realize they had calendars back then.

Chaucer in Canterbury Tales fashioned Friday as “a day of misfortune.” But remember that Chaucer’s works are packed with irony and sarcasm. He would be a great Internet troll today. Nobody is quite sure if he was being superstitious or sardonic.

If you fast forward a few hundred years the English playwright Richard Flecknoe penned,

“Now Friday came, you old wives say, Of all the week’s the unluckiest day.”

Gotta love those old wives.

Mix Friday and 13 Together and KA-POW!

In recent history, there are many recognizable dates that that were the harbingers of terrible things. For example, December 7 – Pearl Harbor Bombing, and September 11 – Twin Towers Disaster were very grim days. But Friday the 13th has caused fear for centuries.

It was on Friday, October 13, 1307, that King Philip IV of France had hundreds of the Knights Templar arrested. Philip accused them of all sorts of illegal behaviors, but he actually wanted access to their vast financial wealth. Many of the Templars were executed and many think this was the start of the superstition.

But even more think that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the combination (Friday + 13) really “set in” as something to fear. In 1907, Thomas Lawson wrote a book called Friday, the Thirteenth. Lawson was a stock market promoter (think Wolf of Wall Street) and created a fictional tale of a stockbroker who deliberately crashed the market on this fateful day. Lawson may be devilishly pleased that the stir his work caused has lasted over 100 years. Today, the fear of Friday the 13th habitually causes a loss of between $700-900 million in revenue because shoppers and investors don’t was to “press their luck” on that day. You can fly cheaper on Friday the 13th because no one wants to be in the air on the unluckiest day of the year. Blame Lawson.

On a more positive note, car insurance companies report that there are FEWER accidents on Friday the 13th. Everyone is being super careful, I guess.

So how’s it going to be for you today? Are you going to blow it off, take the middle ground and just be cautious, or hunker down in your safe place until midnight of the 14th?

Things have been quirky the past few years. So, who knows what might happen?

Frankly, to me, it’s just another day. I’m always cautious anyway…generally. Okay, maybe I’ll be a little more cautious today AFTER I’ve had my coffee.

And, if you are thinking of staying hidden, out of fear, my advice is to you is to throw a little salt over your shoulder and enjoy the day. You’ll be fine.

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Yo Mama

Actually, my Mama never owned a pair of running shoes...ever. Despite her aversion to sweat, she gave me so much. I miss her. Read this special Mother's Day tribute toy my Mama at: https://wimpygirl.com/yo-mama/

Happy Mother's Day!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

5k Runner's Prayer

The Backstory

National Fitness Day is celebrated in the United States on the first Saturday of May. That’s tomorrow, so you have one day to plan how you are going to celebrate.

Being active and involved in some sort of fitness program can not only change your life, it can extend your life and in some cases save it.

Did you realize that:

♥ Your strongest muscle is your HEART! Just like any other muscle in your body, it needs to be exercised.

♥ The average person will walk about 70,000 miles in their lifetime. I’ll bet Fitbit is glad to hear this.

♥ Our bodies burn an extra 50 calories per day for every pound of muscle gained.

♥ No matter what your age or size, exercise is beneficial. It’s always going to be good for you.

♥ People who exercise for an hour a day, 7 days a week are 40% less likely to die early.  I don’t do 7 days a week, but I normally do 5. If, for whatever reason, I go for more than 3 days in a row without doing something, any kind of exercise, I morph into Snarky Girl. Not a good thing.

♥ Exercising regularly can help you sleep better.

♥ A brisk walk burns almost as many calories as jogging the same distance! Hip-hip-hooray!

♥ It takes about 6-8 weeks for your body to adjust to a new exercise program. Unfortunately most people give up too soon. Patience wins the medal when it comes to fitness.

♥ Weight training increases the number of calories you burn while resting.

♥ Only 10% of all people lose weight by dieting alone.

Okay, so being actively doing some sort of fitness program is a no -brainer.  But, what if you are already into some sort of exercise regimen. How can you keep motivated, and what can you do to celebrate Fitness Day?

Frankly, for me, running can get monotonous if you do the same path every day.  And staring at a screen while on a treadmill at the gym can get old. So, here’s a few ideas to keep you going:

Music Moves the Soul…and Your Feet

For me, running or exercising without music is like having a root canal without deadening. I’ve put in a lot of miles on a treadmill, and I know everyone around me knows when one of my favorite songs comes up on my playlist. In true Wimpy Girl style, I listen to a lot of Disney and show tunes. Capt’n Clean never works out next to me at the gym.

Variety Spices up Everything

For trail running, this is easy. If you get bored with one path, simply find another one. One clever app that I found for trail runners (and brisk walkers) is Zombie Run. There are all different levels, but basically, you (Runner  5) are one of the few survivors of a zombie epidemic and the app talks you through each of your runs as if you have been assigned tasks to help the human race survive. It’s great interval training because you have to speed up when a zombie starts chasing you. Sound effects are great!

If you are into a regular gym routine that is getting old, try a fitness class, or different kinds of cardio or weights. Get a trainer to help suggest different kinds of things you can do. Remember when you are bored with your exercise plan, your brain is going to come up with a plethora of excuses NOT to exercise. “New” is a good way to keep your  body moving.

Try…gulp…A Race

For me, during my lifetime, the scariest thing I’ve ever done was running my first 5k race. Okay, maybe not the scariest, but it was in the top 5.

If you can get past the “I’m old, I’m fat, I’m not athletic, I run like a dork, my stomach hurts” part, you might fall in love with it, like I did.

Most race runners are a little quirky, and fun people to hang with. They are encouragers. When you go across the finish line, they are there to applaud and whoop it up for you, even if they lapped you during the race.

If you are over 55 years old, for most medium-sized races (200-500 runners) your odds of winning a medal are pretty good. If you are over 65, your chances are even better. And, if you are in your 70s, placing in your age group is a given.

Heck, in one race, I was beat by an 86 year old woman. In another race, I got confused at the end, ran around all the vendor tents and ended up crossing the finish line from the opposite way! I ran another race benefitting brain cancer and there were folks who had had tumors removed from their brains that beat me. In fact, some of them could have probably carried me across the finish line, and I’m a big girl.

I’ve never been dead last in a race, and chances are, if you’ve been doing some sort exercise, you won’t either.

But you know what? Even if you are the very last one to mosey across the finish line, you are a winner because you have accomplished an incredible feat in loving your body enough to take care of it through exercise.

So, how are celebrating National Fitness Day tomorrow?

Get up and get moving Wimpy Girl!

Happy National Fitness Day!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

In the Jeans

The Backstory:

Hooray! Hooray! It’s National Salad Day!

Today, and actually all month, is a great time to pop some green by eating a plant!

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the Association for Dressing and Sauces created this event in 1992? I didn’t think so. Good trivia fodder for Jeopardy!

National Salad Month encourages us to incorporate more salads into our daily diet. You might say it ‘s a call to turn over a new leaf, change eating habits and get creative with salads. 

Days of Salads Past

The inquiring-mind geek in me found these absolutely riveting historical facts about salads:

4th Century BC Cheers for Chard  Aristotle wrote about the benefits of swiss chard.

1504 A Good Salad is a Work of Art In a painting called “Leda,” Leonardo di Vinci depicted the goddess of fertility holding a bouquet of lettuce. He was the first artist to paint salad.

1894 Ice, Ice Baby Iceberg lettuce was developed as a solution to long distance shipping issues.

1924 Hail Caesar! Not Julius, but rather Italian Chef Caesar Cardini, created (you guessed it) the Caesar salad. However, his version left out the  anchovies (fine with me) and only permitted the use of Italian olive oil.

1939 Belly Up to the Bar A Chicago restaurant opened the first salad bar.

Why Celebrate?

You may love salads, but if you are like me, you might not eat enough. And I have to be careful not to have a little salad with my dressing. Oh, how I love blue cheese. Even if cheese, another fatty dressing, or tortilla chips are prominently featured in your salads, you’re still bound to get some valuable nutrients from whatever veggies or protein may be hiding under the yummy stuff. But, this would be an excellent time to wean yourself off the fatty things that will make your jeans bulge.

Actually, I’ve come to love a green salad with an olive oil/balsamic vinegar dressing with a few mini-chunks of feta cheese. It will never beat blue cheese dressing, but my jeans thank me.

It’s Not so Easy Eating Green

If a plate of greenery makes you want to barf, don’t despair. We’ve got all month to celebrate, by experimenting and getting creative with salads. It’s okay to get fruity too. 

And remember, there’s very little guilt about eating salad. You shouldn’t feel bad about going back for seconds…and thirds! You are getting tons of nutritional value from chowing down.

A Cartoon Character Boosts US Salad Consumption

As much as I’d love to boast that this week’s toon helped folks eat more salad and get healthier, alas, it’s probably not going to have a nationwide impact.

But in the 1930’s the spinach and lettuce growers saw a 33% demand when a salty sailor named Popeye consistently saved the day and became invincible by wolfing down his spinach. 

Gotta love a guy with arms like that!

Now, go work on yours, and enjoy your salads this month!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Be a Hero

The Backstory:

Who is your hero?

A friend? Your parents? A co-worker? A teacher? Maybe even a spouse?

One National Superhero Day (April 28th) we celebrate more than just Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. We celebrate all heroes both real and fictional.

In 1995 a Marvel Comics employee created Superhero Day to honor everyone’s favorite hero. Reportedly, the day was initially designed to celebrate heroes who protect people and fight evil.

Our real-life superheroes may not have super powers or wear fancy capes, but they are ordinary people who, for whatever reasons, make themselves extraordinary.

You can commemorate this day by:

Dressing Up. Have a superhero party and invite your other superhero loving friends. Or, let your kids or grandkids dress up and take them out to do some “good deeds.” Heck, every day I suit up for a run, I pretend I’m a superhero!

Watch or Read. Watch your favorite superhero movie or read your favorite comic book. Capt’n Clean and I just finished watching all of the Marvel movies a few weeks back. They were awesome, and just looking over the cast, which stays the same for each picture, I think they selected only Oscar nominees or winners.  No shabby acting in these flicks!

Honor the Real Life Superheroes in Your Life. Surprise your hero with a gift, a special dinner, or dedicate a social media post to them.

And…don’t forget…

You too, can be a Superhero. You may be someone’s inspiration and not even know it, so it’s a great day to celebrate your own inner superhero!

Duck into that phone booth. Be a Hero!

Happy Superheroes Day!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

The Backstory:

Welcome to the very first Leafy Laffs cartoon post! Leafy Laffs is a collection of Wimpy Girl cartoons intended to be the spoonful of laughter to help the vegetables go down.  Some of them are fruity, corny, and every now and then a pancake or waffle may be invited to the stage. All are created to remind us all to make healthy eating choices. Eat your heart out Popeye!

Happy International Carrot Day!

Rising temperatures and snowman carnage (carrots) scattered on the ground reminds us that it’s time to celebrate spring with a splash of orange. Today we celebrate the commonplace carrot, a favorite for rabbits, 20/20 eyesight and yummy cakes. This amazing root veggie is jampacked full of vitamins and is tasty, to boot.

As a kid, carrots were probably one of the first vegetables that you either hated or loved. Because of the nutrition benefits of the carrot it is considered to be a super food, and whether you continue to hate or love it, it should be included somehow in your diet.

Hopefully this discourse will remind you how incredibly nutritious carrots are, as well as brand your brain with a lot of cool stuff about this tantalizingly tuber.

Cool Carrot Facts

Size Matters:

Most carrots grow to a length of 10-25 cm. For the records, the longest carrot ever grown was about 6 meters long.

They are Plentiful:

It is estimated that about 40 million tons of carrots are produced every year. China provides about 45% of the annual carrot crop.

 A Root with Roots:

There is genetic evidence of carrots in prehistoric Central Asia. Around 3000 BC there are records of carrots being grown as food in Switzerland and Germany. The first modern carrots were grown in Afghanistan in the 10th century. In fact wild carrots continue to grow today in Iran and Afghanistan.

Every Body Likes Carrots:

Carrot are loaded with alpha and beta-carotene as well as Vitamins B6 and K. They usually have around 0.2% fat. (Yay!)

Pesticide Free:

Carrots develop better in soil that is low in nitrates and phosphates. If carrots grow in soil that is too rich, they get hairy! Go figure.

They are social:

Carrots grow well next to other crops that, uh, stink. Smelly veggies, like onions, garlic and chives repel carrot flies (yes, there is such a thing). To repay the stinky neighbors, carrots attract wasps, who, in turn kill small pests that prefer the malodor.

Storage Wars:

Since it takes a while to grow carrots (about 4 months) they also require specific conditions to keep them fresh for a long period of time. They like the cold, and most carrots are good for a month in the fridge. For long, long-term storage, unwashed carrots can be placed in sand and kept at temps between 0-4˚ C.

The Raw Deal:

To cook or not to cook? That is the question that has perplexed chefs and nutrition-minded ordinary folks for centuries. My mama always told me that munching on raw veggies was always better than cooking them. But, my mama was not much of a cook. Nutritionists say that you get the most nutritional value from a carrot if you cook it. Raw carrots release about 3% of the nutritious value in your body, compared to 39% if the same carrot is cooked.

Don’t Blow Off the Top

Did you know that the tops of carrots are edible? The rabbits are probably going to get upset with me for advertising this since the tops are all they eat. Young carrot leaves are good in stir-fries and salads and if you chew on them they can freshen your breath. I guess that’s why bunnies are so adorably cuddly.

Everything in Moderation:

Speaking of bunnies, I’ve never seen an orange one, but if humans consume too many carrots they can develop a condition called carotenemia. I know, I know, it sounds nasty, but it doesn’t harm any vital organs. I just makes the skin turn yellow. This is not to be confused with jaundice, which is serious. Carotenemia doesn’t require medical treatment and usually goes away in a few months.

Super Powers:

Okay folks, I don’t want to pop anyone’s bubble, but carrots do not actually improve night vision. What?

This myth got started during World War II when the British were trying to hide their new-fangled radar technology from the enemy. The government broadcasted a propaganda campaign claiming that their fighter pilots were winning night battles because they were eating carrots to improve their night vision.

The government even started a Dig for Victory program encouraging people to grow carrots in their gardens. This was mainly done to support the propaganda, but it also helped avoid food shortages during the war.

So, are you craving a carrot yet? How about paying tribute today to this incredible root by eating carrots at every meal? (Click links for recipes!)

Breakfast: Start the day with some carrot-apple breakfast muffins. Lunch and Snacks: Add carrots to a healthy lunch salad, and/or have baby carrots with ranch dressing to snack on throughout the day. Dinner: Have roasted or steamed carrots as the vegetable accompanying your evening meal. And don’t forget dessert! Yummy, delicious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

My oh my, it doesn’t get much better than this.

“The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution.” ~Paul Cezanne

We’re rooting for you!

Happy Carrot Day!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

April Fools Day

The Backstory:

This holiday has me completely stumped as to its origin, or why we even celebrate it at all.

I’ve found two theories as to the origin:

Theory 1

Up until 1592, most people in the world used the Julian Calendar created by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. And old Jules began each year on, you guessed it, April 1st. Then Pope Gregory XIII came along and came up with a new way to track days. Old Greg’s years began on January 1st.

So there were loads of people who had a very hard time remembering exactly which day, April 1st or January 1st, marked the new year. (Think about all we go through with daylight savings time nowadays! Snap!) Those people that just couldn’t get the “hang” of the Gregorian system, and still celebrated on April 1st, were considered fools. Duh!

Theory 2

Backtrack a few thousand years to a poet named Chaucer, Geoffrey Chaucer. He wrote a little diddy called The Canterbury Tales. If you ever had to really dig into this piece for a Lit class, you may have found an obscure line where Chaucer refers to “March 32.” Okay, Chaucer was a joker and pranksters, and people loved his stuff, so was this the origin of April Fools Day, or just a misprint?

Wherever it started, hundreds of years later, people are still obsessed with pulling pranks on each other. If you don’t believe this, check out any social media site and watch a few video posts.

So if freezing bras at slumber parties or making prank calls is your thing, you have full reign to “go for it” today! Heck, we are all fools whether we celebrate or not, so we might as well PARTY!

And remember, today, on April Fools Day, don’t believe anything you hear and trust no one…just like any other day!

Happy April Fools!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Complicated

The Backstory:

It’s almost spring! Hooray! Capt’n Clean and I got so excited that we wet our plants! Okay, actually he’s the plant wetter in our family…I just enjoy the greenery.

But I’ve been thinking that this year maybe I should do a little gardening. Did you know that the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) claims that gardening qualifies as exercise? In fact, getting out in the yard for just 30-45 minutes can burn up to 300 calories.

The more challenging garden activities like raking, weeding and trimming can burn even more calories since they engage a variety of muscle groups. If you’ve ever spent the day raking leaves, you appreciate the “sore” you feel the next morning. But it’s a good “sore” right?

With my background in the fitness industry, and being an exercise and step-counting fanatic, I want to be able to make sure my gardening activities will count as a bona fide workout. Here’s a few ideas to make it so:

Treat it like a workout.

Stretch before you begin. Start with light activities and work your way up to heavier ones. Digging is probably going to be the most physically taxing activity you’ll do, so work your way up to it. Then cool down with activities like pruning (or picking) flowers. Don’t forget to stretch at the end too. Chances are you will use muscles that have been hibernating throughout the winter, so stretching will ease the aches you will feel the next day.

Remember, like running a race, gardening requires strength, flexibility and endurance. It’s best to work into it gradually.

Dig it baby!

As I mentioned, digging is probably one of the most intensive things you’ll do as a gardener. Pushing down on a shovel with your foot, and then lifting and turning soil does a lot more for your body than just get it dirty. Take every opportunity you can to dig. You dig?

Lifting your spirits.

When you are carrying heavy bags of mulch or pushing a mower over rough terrain, it’s very demanding for a rookie gardener. Resistance exercise is great for toning muscles and fortifying bone mass, but vary the heavy stuff when you first start out.

Become ambidextrous. 

If you are raking, spreading or trimming, it’s a good idea to switch hands periodically. You don’t want to be lopsided!

Keep good form.

This one is the hardest one for me. Years ago, when Capt’n Clean and I were doing yard projects, like digging a pond, he was constantly reminding me to bend at the knees instead of at the waist when lifting a heavy item. Duh!

Also, it’s a good idea to make sure your raking, digging and sweeping tools are long enough, so that you don’t have to stoop over to use them. Your back will thank you.

Go commando.

No, I don’t mean to do your gardening in the nude. I’m talking about using old-timey shears, mowers and edgers rather than new fangled ones that plug into an outlet. These antique relics require that you use your core, legs and upper strength to manipulate, and are beneficial to building endurance. I’m not so sure that sitting on a riding mower and steering really counts as exercise.

Face it, your body needs movement and gardening is a great way to keep moving and feel better.

Plus, you are communing with nature, improving your mental health, creating a beautiful yard and even producing healthy food. It’s a win-win-win-win no brainer!

So go get your sweat fix by playing in the dirt, Wimpy Girl! Enjoy your Spring!

[wimpygirlwebtoon]

Just a Girl

The Backstory:

It’s the favorite treat of Homer Simpson, cops, Barak Obama, and just about everyone. It is National Donut Day! I will probably drool all over my keyboard or gain at least 5 pounds just writing about it because I do love donuts.

National Donut Day got its start during World War I. During this time the Salvation Army sent a group of female volunteers to the front lines to provide soldiers with a little comfort food. This group was later named the “donut lassies.” It was difficult for these ladies to decide what food could be easily prepared in the dire circumstances of frontline battle. They decided that donuts were perfect because they could be fried up easily, and these remarkable women even used war helmets to fry up seven donuts at a time.

In 1938, Donut Day was established to honor all of the Salvation Army volunteers that helped the troops during World War I. Now, National Donut Day is celebrated on the first Friday of June.

Any Old Flavor Will Do

Whether served at a church meeting, a business gathering, or on Saturday mornings to give moms a break, donuts are scrumptious. What is your favorite flavor?

Read more at: Just a Girl - Wimpy Girl