I haven't done a Favorite Things post in a long while, so now's the time. Here are some things I've become obsessed with since the pandemic:
I've walked between 3 - 7 miles just about every day since March and I started to grow tired of listening to music. That's when I discovered Podcasts, quite late to the game, I admit. It has actually encouraged me to walk further so that I can finish whatever podcast I'm listening to. Some of my favorites are: Stuff You Should Know (Likeable duo Josh and Chuck give you the history of topics as varied as the Habsburg Jaw to Olympic Torches. I mean, who doesn't want to learn about Miniature Golf?), The ZDogg MD Show (Informative medical talk in easy to understand bytes, especially during the misinformation of Covid), Stuff You Missed In the Bible and In Church History (A former pastor dispels myths about what many people commonly believe the Bible says about a variety of topics like the rapture and suicide, as well as diving into some of the disturbing acts of the church, such as The Inquisition.) Not only am I not bored, I actually feel as though I'm learning a thing or two!
When I first heard about people eating Chia Seeds a few years back, all I could think of was the Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia commercial from my childhood. Do I really want to eat the seeds that people used to grow as Chia pets in terra cotta pots? Well, the more I read about the nutritional value, the more I decided to finally give it a whirl. Honestly though, the only thing I've tried are the chia puddings that you leave in the fridge overnight. My favorite recipe is the one pictured: chocolate raspberry. I use coconut or almond milk and cocoa powder and find that I don't need to add any sweeteners. There are a ton of flavor combinations on Pinterest, so it's something I'm glad I finally tried.
One evening while we were having dinner on our deck, a plane appeared above our heads so close and like this photo that we were stunned more than scared. We could read the Delta logo, just like this, as clear as day. How low was this plane flying? Well, I wish I had had the app Plane Finder on my phone. It shows you, in real time, flights around the world. You can plug in your location on a map and see what is flying over you at any given time. It includes type of plane, name of airline or carrier such as FedEx, altitude, and points of origin and destination. I'm not sure how long it will capture my interest, but it did crack me up when I told my husband about it and noticed him checking the app indoors when he heard a plane flying overhead. It's addictive!
OMG, I LOVE Chia Seeds! There is a place in NYC that I go when I'm there that servces chia seed desserts and they are so delicious. And I laughed when you mentioned Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia because I totally remember those commercials. In fact, they still sell them in Rite-Aid and Walgreens around the holidays.
ReplyDelete"We could read the Delta logo, just like this, as clear as day. How low was this plane flying?"
Ironic that you mentioned a low flying plane because two days ago when I was in my bathroom brushing my teeth, I saw in the medicine cabinet mirror the reflection of a plane flying very close and VERY low over my neighborhood. I couldn't read the planes' logo, however, it looked waaaaay to low to be flying over the city. YIKES!
Gotta try podcast because. like you, I do a lot of walking, so I think it would be something I'd really use.
Thanks for sharing, my friend. Enjoyed this.
Happy Labor Day weekend! X
Good morning! I can’t say I’ve ever seen a chia dessert on a menu anywhere. But omg that is crazy about seeing the plane’s reflection in the mirror. Too close for comfort! I’ve been surprised at how low some of these planes are flying. Let me know if you find any podcasts that you like. There are tons of topics out there. Most of my friends enjoy the true crimes ones, but they’re not my thing.
DeleteI love podcasts and always listen to them on my walks. Haven't checked out Stuff You Should Know yet, though I've heard good things. I'll add an episode or two to my queue.
ReplyDeleteThat app does sound addicting. We don't get a lot of air traffic here, but Ellsworth AFB is a few miles away. I wonder if the Plane Finder app works for military aircraft? Could be top secret.
Now I want to know if it shows military aircraft! Will have to zoom in on an Air Force base to see how they code the planes. A lot of the smaller aircraft here just say private but you can see their flight path and flight history, which is interesting if you’re a nosey Rosie! Lol!
DeleteI am going to look up - Stuff You Missed In the Bible and In Church History - it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI love that one. He always prefaces that you might not agree with him, but that’s ok. I like his attitude.
DeleteI tried chia seeds in oatmeal and it was not good. I'm not a fan. But put it on a face and watch it grow and I'll water that face. lol
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of the dry seeds. I’ve bought products where they are mixed into or on tortilla chips and they just get stuck in my teeth.
DeleteI've listened to a few podcasts, but I mostly listen to books--I have always worked out listening to books and it's a way to read another book a month (i tend to read 4-5 books a month, and one is generally via an unabridged audio). I have yet to try chia seeds. And I hope the guy debunked any serious foundation (outside of verses taken out of context) for the rapture.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
I just can’t listen to books. For some reason, I’ve always hated being read to and I just can’t stay ‘on topic.’ And yes, he goes into the history of the false teaching and why he believes the verses are misinterpreted.
DeleteOh wow! I am going to get that app! We do have planes that fly over us, granted not as close as that one lol! Never tried the chia seeds but will look for them in the store. I listen to sermons online while working and occasionally podcasts on things I might be interested in learning more about. Learned a lot of things about certain current movements by listening to both sides present their cases. Lots of good stuff out there to learn! Good for you for the walking you get in!
ReplyDeleteBetty
That plane was crazy close. It’s a fascinating app! I like to listen to both sides as well. It’s always good to be empathetic towards others, whether you agree with them or not. Unfortunately, it’s a skill severely lacking in today’s world! Let me know if you listen to the Bible one. I really like the guy because he explains the context to everything, which is a lot of customs of that day and colloquialisms.
DeleteI giggled at your chia seed commercial reference and had to sing it out loud myself. LOL I haven't eaten them, although if it involves chocolate and raspberries, I woudl certainly give it a try. The plane app isn't one for me, but I've been obsessing over my bird app. I've been thinking that a woodpecker was visiting every evening, only to find out it's a mockingbird. (womp womp). I don't do podcasts, but I'm completely addicted to Audibles. I'm currently reading The Poet and find it hard to stop listening.
ReplyDeleteCha cha cha chia! What an ear worm! I’m always about chocolate raspberry anything. Yummy! What is the bird app? I can probably only identify 6 bird calls. Years ago, I kept thinking mourning doves were owls! lol, it sounded like whoo whoo to me.
Deletelol I thought the same about morning doves.. they definitely do sound like owls. The app is called Chirp for bird watching and the app to identify different birds is Cornel Labs. I use both all the time. We just got chickadees.. would have never known it if it wasn't for app.
DeleteChick a dee dee dee dee dee (it’s one of the few I know!)
DeleteWell, I finally have a new keyboard for my computer, so I'm blogging again (I deleted my initial comment due to typos).
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of eating chia seeds, but the chocolate raspberry photo looks intriguing. I'd definitely try it.
When I lived in West Texas, the crop dusters would fly incredibly low. On the highway to Lubbock the dusters would swoop down dangerously close to the traffic. I never figured out if it was deliberate - or were they just reckless....?
Oh, I’m glad to hear you are back. I will ever over to comment bomb you! I’m glad we don’t deal with crop dusters in the suburbs.
DeleteWow, they really do have an app for everything. Could probably spend years searching all the apps out there. I still haven't bothered with podcasts, my mind is cluttered enough without another voice up there lol
ReplyDeleteI was never interested in podcasts until I got Covid-desperate!
DeleteI haven't listened to any podcasts, I keep meaning to but forget! Never tried Chai seeds, but might do now. I've recently downloaded two apps, one for covid tracking and the other is a step counter. I can see how the plane finder could become addictive! I watched 'Sully' last night, it was very good and very well made. Amazing how he safely landed that plane on the Hudson river.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look at the Covid tracker app. Yes, the Sully story was amazing!
DeleteGosh, Bijoux, I feel like a real slug! I still haven't turned on to podcasts, even though a friend has suggested I start one. I've got my writing projects keeping my busy (though lately I haven't been busy enough!) New apps and chia seeds have also been a no-show.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're making all these discoveries and learning new things. This is an awful time, of course, but I admire how you are expanding your world. You're going places even though you can't travel!
Covid fatigue is unavoidable , but we all have to find ways to escape. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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DeleteI listen to podcasts more than I listen to music. They are some of my most favorite things. My current favorites are Reply All, The Rewatchables and The Brilliant Idiots. I wasn't aware of chia seeds having that many benefits health wise but maybe I should check them out. My favorite apps are Reddit and Imgur. Have I shared too much?
I will look at those podcasts. I’m on Reddit, but honestly, the majority of commenters seem like idiots. I like it more for information on what’s going on locally.
DeleteThe comments are a cess pool.
DeleteLol, exactly!
DeleteMy husband listens to podcasts a lot now too. Started just this year. His favorite is Joe Rogan. I'm not into them much, but every now and again I'll listen to Jason Lee and Cluck's Here's Your Freakin' Podcast. It gets really raunchy though and there's a lot of profanity, so if that bothers you, I wouldn't recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI love me some chia seeds! I did post a few recipes on my blog that I love. The roasted berry chia pudding and the fruit and oatmeal chia breakfast pudding are my favorites.
Oh, and we live right by the airport, so we're immune to those low flying planes anymore. I'm just scared that one day some debris is going to break off and land on our house.
DeleteMy oldest used to love Joe Rogan on Fear Factor, but he is not my cup of tea. I’m not surprised that you have tried chia recipes, just from reading all your great blog recipes.
DeleteHonestly, I didn't even know Joe Rogan was the guy from Fear Factor. He's aged quite a bit. I find him a bit annoying myself, but I'll let Jason listen on long car trips as long as I have a book and can tune him out.
DeleteYou are right, he’s not looking that good anymore!lol!
DeleteI've never bothered with podcasts - maybe I should try some out. I've never tried chia seeds either. Our version of Plane Finder is Flight Aware, and like you we've got quite addicted to it. We had no idea how many cargo planes there are. And how many planes are in the air at any given time!
ReplyDeleteLol, isn’t the plane app fascinating? And I have recently seen a few Air Force planes in the area. It’s so interesting to see the different flight paths.
DeletePodcasts just drown out the birds and the sound of the wind through leaves ...... So does my lawn tractor and tiller, so I use 'em as little as possible .... ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe've been doing a bunch of day trips, mostly to chase Barn Quilts https://flxbarnquilttrail.com/
which led us to our new favorite brewery https://flxbarnquilttrail.com/ . They have one called Mafia Incider that's amazing, we buy it by the case .....
That would be fun! I have friends who chase waterfalls and covered bridges, but I think my spouse would have to be retired and bored to be talked into that sort of thing.
DeleteWell I can sympathize with him on that, but Queenie is kind and doesn't drag me along on every expedition. I love a drive in the country, though, and finding little gems like the Irish Mafia so I do the driving, she does the gawking and takes the pictures. Compromise is the key!
DeleteFor sure!
DeleteHi Bijoux, I'm a first-time visitor here having come in from Ron's blog. Yes, to listening to Podcasts which I was doing almost daily at the gym, until it closed, and I drifted away from them. But I've returned because as you said, there's actually things to learn about. Here's a few I've enjoyed: Every Little Thing, Side Door,Twenty Thousand Hertz, 99% Invisible, Snap Judgment, Story Corps, Modern Love. Lately, I've been tried listening to a couple of audio books, but they don't hold the same interest for me. Thanks for your recommendations too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for letting me know you found me through Ron. And many thanks for your suggestions! I will definitely check them out!
DeleteIt's great that you're walking so much! I've gained a lot of weight over the last year or so. Between breaking my ankle, then being home from the school closing because of Covid, the furthest I got was my patio and one too many snacks... but none of them involving chia seeds.
ReplyDeleteWe get so many planes overhead, that would be a lot of time on an app. LOL It's interesting though, I hadn't heard of it.
When you break your ankle, you don’t have much choice. I remember spraining mine about 10 yrs ago and had to keep off of it for a long time. I do remember you mentioning living in a flight path a long time ago. I’m starting to see a pattern in the flights, so my interest is waning.
Delete3-7 miles/day is a lot of walking! Congratulations! Makes my 1.5/day look pretty pathetic. . .
ReplyDeleteI seem to have a lot of time on my hands lately. I only do 7 miles if it’s split Into 2 walks in one day.
DeleteI love Chia seeds! Especially pudding. Great for smoothies too and overnight oats! Awesome walking routine you have going too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by.
DeleteI discovered the ISS Detector and SkyView apps and have spent several evenings outside watching for the International Space Station. I've watched lots of films (including a bunch of Sam Rockwell films) and listened to a couple of podcasts.
ReplyDeleteThat’s interesting! Thank you so much for stopping by.
DeleteSo glad that things have slowed down a bit so that I can visit my favorite blogs. Regarding podcasts, I really enjoy the BBC 4's Friday Night Comedy podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, and Goop. Chia pudding is easy, nutritious, and delicious...win win win. Have a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your recommendations, Liberty!
DeleteThose podcasts sound interesting. I like the idea of podcasts, but I'm overwhelmed whenever I try to find one to listen to. I might have to check those out. I haven't tried chia pudding yet, but I like to add chia seeds to overnight oats. I very rarely add apps to my phone. I have a bad habit of not deleting pictures or moving them for storage, so I seem to run out of space all the time. Plus, if I have too many shopping apps, I tend to use them way too often.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are tons of podcasts. I had trouble finding any I liked at first. Chia pudding is worth a try!
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