You know what knocks Henry out, besides swaddling?  Celine Dion.  But only when the Husband sings ‘My Heart Will Go On’ as loudly as possibly.

 

Obviously… it’s hard to concentrate on work today.

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Lunch was more of the same.  A stir-fry with:

 

Brown rice

Mixed veggies

Broccoli slaw

Dark red kidney beans

Balsamic dressing

Pumpkin seeds

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Time for the weekly installment of…

 

For Your Reading Pleasure

 

Ranked: Disney Princesses From Least To Most Feminist

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Oh, the Disney princesses.  Much ado has been made about the Disney princess empire and the impact it does (or does not) have on girls.  This article ranks Disney princesses from least to most feminist – unsurprisingly, the newer films generally have a better message for little girls than the older ones.

 

All the Cool Kids Like Twitter and Facebook Is for Olds

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Is Facebook doomed?  Perhaps.  As more and more ‘old people’ join Facebook, teens are being driven away to the 140-character Twitter site, where they perceive they have more privacy.  “The thing teens like most about Twitter… is that it caters perfectly to their natural self-centeredness — whereas Facebook etiquette often demands that mealy-mouthed friend request from Aunt Jenny’s calico cat, Arthur, King of the Kitons, be honored, there’s no unspoken rule saying that people have to follow each other’s Twitter feeds.” <—Hah!

 

Delineating the Perfect Swim Stroke

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Here’s a question that always haunts me in the pool:  What do I do with my arms during the freestyle stroke?  Do I position my hands in the ‘deep catch,’ when my hands pull through the water in a long and deep stroke?  Or do I do the ‘scull,’ when my hands trace an s-shape in the water?  For what it’s worth, I normally do the deep catch.  And apparently, scientists at John Hopkins think that’s the way to go – the lifting motion of the deep catch provided the most efficient thrust, and sculling impedes lift and drag.

 

Has ‘Organic’ Been Oversized?

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Organic food has become a big business.  Did you know brands like Bear Naked, Whole & Heart, and Kashi all belong to Kellogg?  Naked Juice is part of PepsiCo.  In fact, giants like Coca-Cola, ConAgra, General Mills, and M&M Mars have ‘gobbled up’ most of America’s organic food industry.  The idealized image of our organic food coming from small businesses is idealized.  Is it a good thing or a bad thing that organic has gotten so big?  This article explores some of the issues.

 

Meltdown in Motherland

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A really well-written personal piece about post-partum anxiety and the struggles of adjusting to motherhood. 

 

Which Olympic Sport is the Hardest? Fourth-Place Medalist Ranks All 32

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A reader passed this article onto me as a follow-up to my post on Who Are The Hardest Working Athletes?.  This tongue-in-cheek list is an amusing look at which Olympic sports are the hardest.  I love the reason given for Number 1!  Major LOLs.

 

Your turn!  Who is your favorite Disney princess and why?  Do you think Facebook is on the way out?  Swimmers – how do you stroke?  What are your concerns about the organic industry?  Any mommy meltdowns? And can you ride a horse like an Olympian?  My answers:  Pocahontas because of the song Colors of the Wind; Facebook is still awesome, but I’m one of the ‘olds’; I do the deep catch; I only wish organic foods were cheaper; I’ve had a few mommy struggles but nothing too bad; horses are awesome but I’m no equestrian.

{ 41 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 13, 2012, 1:18 pm

    Oooh so much great reading material – I can’t wait! My favourite Disney princess was Belle, because Beauty and the Beast was the first Disney movie I ever saw as a kid and Belle was a brunette, like me. 😉 Regarding the organics thing, I think it’s definitely a huge issue with a ton of money and big business behind it. I could go on forever but I think I have a post coming up about it soon so I’ll save my soapbox speech for that! Have a great afternoon Caitlin!

  • Lindsey July 13, 2012, 1:20 pm

    I always loved Belle the most. Though Beauty and the Beast was not my favorite Disney movie, that would be Aladdin 🙂

  • Lisa @ The Splattered Apron July 13, 2012, 1:22 pm

    Love the Olympic sports article–and the fact that an Olympic triathlon was ranked #2. I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’ve done one! (The distance, certainly not as an Olympic-level competitor).

  • Annette@FitnessPerks July 13, 2012, 1:24 pm

    I love the movie Hercules, but I don’t really love Meg. So, as for actual princesses, hmmmmm, I like Belle, and I think Jasmine is awesome.

    I def do the deep catch in swimming, and I like FB more than Twitter…..

    Interesting reads!

  • Lisa July 13, 2012, 1:28 pm

    Deep catch for me. That’s how I learned as a kid, it comes naturally.

  • Megan@ The Running Doc July 13, 2012, 1:40 pm

    Belle and Arielle are my favorite princesses. I haven’t even seen the 4 movies with the most feminist princesses. I guess I need to start watching more Disney movies.

    I do the “deep catch” as that’s what I learned as a child and makes the most intuitive sense as you’re swimming.

    Ha, that Olympics article is ridiculous. It would have been better had he actually tried every sport and then wrote the article. I bet his order would have been a little different. 🙂

  • Rachel July 13, 2012, 1:44 pm

    I LOVE that Equestrian is #1 on that list. We always hear things like, “You just sit there, the horse does all the work!” and “It’s not that hard, just don’t fall off!” Um, OKAY. It’s so physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging to get a 1500lb. animal to listen to you, jump over stuff, not fall on top of you, and not buck you off.

    • Laura @ My Pink Thumb July 13, 2012, 3:47 pm

      I second this comment! it’s awesome to see my sport as #1 on that list. Riders definitely don’t get enough credit as being true athletes.

    • Michele July 13, 2012, 7:26 pm

      Agreed! Equestrians do not get enough recognition. It’s the only sport in which your teammate is a 1,000-1,500 lb animal who can’t talk back to you, could ultimately kill you anytime he wants, and you have to work together through invisible aids to look good AND be effective. Incredibly underrated sport!

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles July 13, 2012, 1:55 pm

    The Disney Princess article is interesting – never though of a way to rank the princesses before, and I’m sure the author will get lots of arguments and rebuttals.

    My favourite was Belle – and I think she should be higher up on the list than she is. I loved her because she loves books (like me), and always seemed really sure of herself and what she wants, but is willing to sacrifice for people she loves (her father)

    Pocahontas was my second favourite – any Princess movie that has a pug and a raccoon as some of the main characters just has to be awesome.

  • Sonia the Mexigarian July 13, 2012, 1:55 pm

    I laughed quite a bit with the Olympic article. dunno how I could have forgotten about my beloved water polo. That sport is TOUGH. We get bit, scratched, suits torn. Man I miss the game 🙂 Hungary versus USA = awesome!

    For the Disney movies… it’s funny, Mulan was never a favorite of mine when it came out (Sleeping Beauty [I think it’s because of Prince Phillip, yum] and Aladdin were) until years after, when I realized the message. It’s now one of my go to movies when I am feeling like watching Disney. Granted, I like the whole princess dress and stuff, but I love seeing a woman kick ass and face fear straight on.

  • Vikki July 13, 2012, 1:56 pm

    Mulan is the best Disney princess. She was a bad-ass who saved her friends, China, the emperor, and her very hot Captain. I love all the other Disney movies, but Mulan is the best princess.

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) July 13, 2012, 2:06 pm

    Its been about 11 yrs since I was on a horse but I rode Thoroughbreds back in the day and I loved every single minute of it….no kidding, though, Thoroughbreds, no matter how well trained, are incredibly powerful and it takes every ounce of energy and strength to control one! I miss riding so much!

  • Breanne July 13, 2012, 2:20 pm

    I haven’t read all of the articles yet, but I have to say that I wasn’t allowed to access the princess one at work and had to pull it up on my phone because of “adult/mature content.” LOL.

    Belle has always been my favorite because she loves to read. Facebook is still awesome and my little cousins have joined in (we’re not “friends” though). I alternate between the scull and the catch. I also wish organic food was cheaper. The Olympic article made me laugh, but no, I can’t ride a horse.

  • Alex @ Brain, Body, Because July 13, 2012, 2:22 pm

    I’m Asian and Mulan was released when I was 10 years old. Needless to say, she has always been my #1.

  • Brigid July 13, 2012, 2:28 pm

    I haven’t seen a lot of those Disney movies. I’m clearly getting old and still have no kids. Ha. Like a lot of the posters above, I think Belle got a bad rap on the list. She was pretty awesome — smart, strong, brave but also tender and loving. Those are not anti-feminist qualities, dammit. Those are human qualities.

    As for swimming, my high school coach was big on sculling, but I was never 100% comfortable stroking that way, so I have a weird hybrid of the two, I guess. I find “deep catch” to be more efficient for me, but sculling works my biceps and gives a little added momentum sometimes, so I tend to switch it up.

    And ha on the Olympics article. I definitely think water polo is the hardest and scariest sport. You are basically playing a sport that is the bastard child of rugby and volleyball while people try to drown you!

  • Erin @ erinberries July 13, 2012, 2:31 pm

    My favorite Disney Princess is Ariel. I have several reasons.

    1. She is the most outspoken, sort of.
    2. She is friends with a crab, come on!
    3. I can quote the whole movie.
    4. I’m a Zeta and a lot of our sorority secrets are in that movie. (Myth? Not so sure…but I see some of them!)
    5. And finally, she has the hottest prince. Hands down!

    I think I’ve made my point. 🙂

  • Katie July 13, 2012, 2:37 pm

    Have you ever tried taking a swim class? I wonder if you could find a swim team coach to give you a little lesson. Technique makes a big difference with swimming — you could probably swim a lot farther and faster with less effort. Or try a masters team! So fun!

  • Katie July 13, 2012, 2:39 pm

    I just realized you probably have zero time for that with your new baby. Sorry!

  • Amber K July 13, 2012, 2:43 pm

    I personally just can’t get on board with Twitter. Maybe I’m just too old, but I’m wordy! I need to be able to fully explain myself and that takes more than 144 characters!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats July 13, 2012, 2:57 pm

    I used to say Ariel because we both have red hair, but Belle is really my favorite. She’s by far the smartest and most independent of the older ones, and it’s one of my favorite movies!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape July 13, 2012, 2:59 pm

    I don’t think Facebook is on the way out at all, it’s just reaching a larger demographic. It was initially intended for college students, and then people as young as grade school started getting them. This is just growth in the opposite direction.

    And my favorite Disney princess is definitely Ariel, purely based on the fact that she has the best hair. lol

  • erica July 13, 2012, 4:02 pm

    belle & jasmine were my favorite princesses!

    i think i feel like i have to censor myself more on facebook because of the “old people” (parents, aunts, uncles, friends parents) that are on there…i do feel more free on instagram and twitter….but i think facebook is still large and in charge.

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious) July 13, 2012, 4:08 pm

    I always loved belle from beauty and the beast because she was smart and kind and strong. And I may or may not have envied her poofy yellow dress. 😉

  • Rebecca July 13, 2012, 4:22 pm

    I actually did a research project at school about feminism in Disney Princess films…
    My favorite princess until recently was Belle, probably because she loved books. Now, though, I think Merida is my favorite–even if she is both Disney and Pixar and not just Disney. Of the only-Disney princesses, I think I might say Rapunzel now.
    I don’t count Pocahontas or Mulan as princesses because they were not actually royal. They were important, and Pocahontas was a chief’s daughter, which is essentially the same thing, but… no.
    Have you read Cinderella Ate my Daughter or Love Distortions? I think it’s Orenstein who complains that one of the princesses is sick of housework but then becomes a wife and that means housework. Excuse me. She was a PRINCESS. All she had to do was stand around and look pretty. She had servants for everything. You have to think contextually. Things were different in the time period that the movie was set (and created) in. Duh.
    …Sorry.
    It’s an interesting book, but half of what Orenstein writes irritates me.

    Also, good timing on that Facebook/Twitter article! I think I might use it for a school thing.
    I have a Twitter account, but I don’t use it all that much anymore. I don’t use my Facebook a whole lot either. I check it, but I don’t post statuses nearly as often as I used to.

  • kell July 13, 2012, 4:57 pm

    love the disney princess article, thanks for posting!

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance July 13, 2012, 5:10 pm

    Good lord, I hope Facebook isn’t on the way out!!! I just joined and spent the last two months figuring it all out!!! just my luck. lol.

  • Sarah July 13, 2012, 7:00 pm

    That Mother Meltdown article is amazing.

    The thing I got out of this that PND can happen ANY time during the first year…. I always thought it was only PND if it kicked off soon after birth.

    I was on a high after both kids, especially my second. I’m pretty sure I’ve just come out the other side of PND that didn’t start till my youngest was about 9 months.

    For the record this saved me: http://www.12wbt.com

  • Liz July 13, 2012, 7:27 pm

    My favorite Disney Princess was always Ariel…because I loved the soundtrack. 😉

  • Claire July 13, 2012, 8:27 pm

    Isn’t swaddling just the best? Glad it has worked well for you. Plus they just look so hilarious all wrapped up.

    I’m really suspicious of the whole organic movement. I’m not sure how it works in the US, but in Australia growers have to go through all sorts of crazy hoops to get organic certification and really I would much rather try to buy locally grown produce in season whether it is organic or not. I think food labelling practices in general are really misleading and organic is another claim made on packaging without clarity about what that actually means, particularly for processed foods.

    Thanks for the great reads each week!

  • Carin July 13, 2012, 8:59 pm

    Please, please, please post a vid of the hubby doing Celine Dion! Classic!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well July 13, 2012, 10:44 pm

    Ha this is a great well-rounded post! I really have always loved Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She’s smart and strong. But I will say, the movie is quite out dated and there are definitely some feminist-lacking vibes throughout! (cough, Gaston!).

    As for Facebook, I do check it less often. I am totally into Instagram…which is now, owned by Facebook. I love its simplicity!

  • Nicole Sheridan July 13, 2012, 10:46 pm

    Hi Caitlin
    The swimming post got me in ( I have previously been only a reader of your blog) . I was doing laps this morning and had exactly the same thought- so thanks for the post. The other question I had is how deep should your your face be tilted down- as I am swimming I wonder if it should be really tilted (yoga type posture)- have been practising both. ( I have been swimming for over 45 years but just enjoying suddenly a luxury of being back in a pool with time to spare)
    I have been reading and enjoying your blog for about 2 years
    Your posts so much reminds me of me at your age -diet, running, swimming and (biking somewhat)- a few triathalons in my 30s. I think I am probably a bit older than your Mum (Mom).
    Henry is gorgeous. I admire your commitment to exercising during this phase – keep going! And also take as you do the time to enjoy you your life
    Nicole
    PS Your demographic profile has just gone up!

  • Sam @ Fit for My Fork July 14, 2012, 2:39 am

    I would love to be able to ride a horse like an Olympian – I’m working on it but I’d rather do it for fun!
    I like Facebook but I really can’t get into Twitter at all! I guess that means I’m not very hip and trendy or ‘down with the kids’ 😉

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 14, 2012, 7:50 am

    I completely agree with organics becoming too supersized. I doubt there’s really even much of a difference between organic cereal versus conventional cereal that comes from a big company. That’s why I don’t really care whether my food from the grocery store is organic or conventional. 😛

  • Kt July 14, 2012, 9:30 pm

    Loved this post. I don’t get why Belle is ranked so low. I think she should be ranked MUCH higher for how smart she is and how she loves reading.

  • Ashley July 14, 2012, 9:38 pm

    “I would much rather try to buy locally grown produce in season whether it is organic or not. I think food labelling practices in general are really misleading and organic is another claim made on packaging without clarity about what that actually means, particularly for processed foods.”

    x2

  • Lauren T July 16, 2012, 2:04 pm

    Loved the articles! Very amusing 🙂 My favorite princess is probably Jasmine. I used to have Jasmin and Aladdin bedding when I was a kid, and I still have a big stuffed Raja the tiger 🙂

  • Malinda July 16, 2012, 3:08 pm

    If you haven’t watched “Enchanted” by Disney, I recommend it. It basically pokes fun at all the stereotypical Disney movies and then kind of switches the gender roles (the princess ends up saving the prince, etc). I appreciate the fact that somebody at Disney had a sense of humor for the ridiculousness of some of their previous princesses and story lines.

  • Laura @ The Bright Side July 17, 2012, 2:31 am

    I teach High School and my students are all about Twitter, and I have heard some of them say that, “Facebook is for parents and ‘grown-ups'” Many of them think it’s much better to interact with Twitter because their parents haven’t discovered it. I recently had a student discover my very public Twitter account. I felt bad, but I sent him a DM telling him I had to block him. Awkward.

    I have always loved Belle. Belle is French, appears to have good values, dresses modestly, loves her family, is compassionate towards the beast, loves to read, and tells us that beauty truly is skin-deep.

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