inspiration

Here's a bit of inspiration guys! This collage of images shows my friend Scott Herman from age 15 to present and shows young guys and everyone else that its possible to build your physique into something awesome. Check out Scott Herman Fitness, his YouTube channel, his Facebook page and Twitter for more. I know you can do it. Good luck guys!!! - V

triathlon

I'm looking forward to the return of the Vancouver International Triathlon which this year takes place on Sunday, July 4th and takes place along the scenic Spanish Banks area of Vancouver. The photo above was taken during the same event in 2008. In that event it was held in Vancouver's West End. Part of the route passed through Stanley Park. I'm hoping to take some more excellent photos in July. Have a great week! - V

muscle

Each person probably has his own definition of beauty, as in beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we all know that products where models are used to sell them won't get a lot of buyers otherwise. The model above is a prime example. Anyway, that being said, I don't know the name of the above model for sure but it does remind me of Tyson Paige though I doubt that's the answer. The photographer is unknown for the moment also but its a awesome job done well. You'll have to check out Chokerz4men to find out more about the men's jewelry. I've got a few ideas about a gift for my partner, so I'm sure you'll find something you like. You'll also find this model on their website. Check out the site for yourself. The lean muscle shown here should provide some inspiration for those seeking to get fit or fine tune what they've accomplished so far. Good luck guys with your efforts and have a great week! Meantime, good night!!!- V

house plants

My Zebra Plant (Haworthis attenuata ssp) is doing quite well in one of my two dining room windows. This succulent originates from the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It sprouted a flower stalk the last time I posted something about this plant. Now that stalk has reached over a foot long. The common name, Zebra Plant, comes from the marking on the succulent's leaves.
The flower stalk has reached over to the nearby pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). The latter plant has grown quite nicely too. I started it last year from the grown on a pineapple fruit. That crown quickly rooted in water and was then planted in soil in the pot you see. Below is a better view of the pineapple plant which originates from the South American country of Paraguay. This plant is a member of the Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) family. The name Ananas comes from the Tupi word for pine, Nanas, as recorded by Andre Thevenet in 1555. The word comosus means "tufted" and refers to the stalk. So now this plant with its edible fruit is better associated with Mexico and Hawaii than its original habitat, Paraguay! - V

Scott's - Ripped Ab Flexing

My friend Scott Herman sent me another email today, and I'm sure other interested people have received the same, with the question, "Ever wonder how male models get their abs so tight?" Well, to find out the answer to that question you'll have to check out Scott's video on Ripped Ab Flexing and Tips here! With a fit body and some imagination there's no telling what you can do. You could even climb to the summit of Mount Everest like Jordan, the 13 year old 8th grader from California, did recently. Dream big as the saying goes. Now go back to flexing those abs!!! - V

Scott's - Beat Me Down II

Recently, my friend, Scott Herman, sent me some photos of his Beat Me Down show. Scott's long time friend, Sean Seaberg, puts him through the paces for toning muscles, muscle gain, sports specific work...everything you could imagine and more. The series covers all aspects of fitness according to Scott. Here is a selection of photos I love the best. I hope they motivate you to get fit if you're not already, and to make improvements if you are. Being fit means we can get more enjoyment out of the activities that we do in our daily lives from running to cycling and so on. We can even look awesome in the clothes we wear! Get to it guys!!! - V

Scott's - Best SHF Rap Song Contest results

On May 16th, Scott Herman picked the winner of the Best SHF Rap Song Contest. The winner is Jonathan Ruiz. Check out the video here. Congradulations, Jonathan!!! I hope that motivates you get fit and stay fit. We need all the motivation we can get. Thanks, Scott, for letting up know who won and for posting the video on your YouTube channel! - V

Scott's - Beat Me Down

Here are a few photos from Scott Herman's Beat Me Down show. I love that first pic, don't you? His long time friend, Sean, is putting him through the paces. Check out Scott Herman Fitness website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter links for more. Meantime, there'll be more images coming. Enjoy these, and get yourself fit!!! - V

Eagle Mountain photos

Here is a selection of photos from last Saturday's hike up the Coquitlam Crunch Trail starting with an image of a Rugosa type rose and a collection of buttercups in bloom along the trail.
I took a few photos that included the hydro towers as I hike up the trail but I love this one that follows because it includes a view of where I started from at the bottom. The image after that is a plus. I believe there is an increase in elevation of 250 meters from the bottom to the top of the trail. From there, the elevation increases further with the hike to Eagle Mountain Park which is below the summit of the mountain proper.
The following photos include images of another Rugosa type rose with darker pink petals, then hawthorn blooms with an insect visiting and then a White Crowned Sparrow sitting atop a post along the trail.
Buttercups, wild flowers seen during the late spring and into the summer, are in flower everywhere you look as you've seen in this and the previous image.
I found a ball hockey rink/court deserted but on the way back it was full of guys out for an evening game. Eagle Mountain, the destination, can be seen in the photo below.
There were two distance and elevation signs seen on the way up. The photo above shows just one of them. Then there are a couple of images showing the scenery on Eagle Mountain Drive as I continued on up the mountain.
Someone had left a teddy bear on the top of a gate within the park. Certainly it was suitable for a photo opportunity.
There is a sign along the trail with a map of the many trails in the area of the Westwood Plateau below Eagle Mountain. Its certainly worth checking out further. There was an awesome view to the south east which included a sight of Mount Baker, a volcano! The mountains are awesome this time of year including some snow at higher elevations.
This Douglas' Squirrel stopped long enough for me to snap a photo and then quickly ran off. I watched the squirrel run a distance, stop, and then run further, stop again, and run further. The Spanish Broom is not as common here as the much more common Scotch Broom but I love the colour combination on the flowers. Both species of Broom are native to western Europe. Broom grows like a weed here. I guess that would be because of our mild climate.
I even spotted some very tall trees minus any branches at higher elevations on Eagle Mountain and also up the sides of some nearby mountains as well. I'll close with another view of Eagle Mountain Drive. Hope you've enjoyed the photos. I'm off to Buntzen Lake this weekend, so more photos are coming! Have a great weekend!!! - V

eagle mountain

The weather was excellent today (Saturday), so I headed off to Port Moody by SkyTrain and B-Bus and then on to Coquitlam. The destination was the Coquitlam Crunch Trail and then on to Eagle Mountain Park. After the hike up and then down again to the starting point, I headed home. Now I'm off to bed after a light supper and three beers (Samuel Adams Boston Lager) which all went down rather well considering the thirst. More tomorrow, including photos once they've been uploaded and edited for posting. Good Night all!!! - V

sun

The weather was awesome today. There was lots of sunshine with no clouds over head. That is to last into the weekend but Sunday may see some showers. Temperatures were around 18 degrees Celsius with a night time low of around 8 or 9 degrees. My daily mode of dress is a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I opted to leave the sweater at home a couple of days ago and likely won't need it much until autumn arrives. Its great to be wearing something lighter!

Today, I finished off the last of the duck leg with sweet and sour red cabbage plus potatoes, all for lunch. This evening I had sauerkraut with pork hocks and boiled potatoes for supper. I filled a mason jar with some of the stuff to take in to work for lunch Friday.

When my mother was alive, I remember her telling me that her mother used to make sauerkraut from scratch. That meant using a large earthenware crock and filling it in alternating layers with shredded cabbage, then a layer of salt, more shredded cabbage and so on. Then it was weighed down and the contents allowed to ferment in the forming brine. According to my mother, the aroma of fermenting cabbage would fill the entire apartment.

While on the subject of sauerkraut, I love having a hotdog on a bun with a generous helping of sauerkraut over top, a Coney Island hotdog I guess its called!

Well, now its time for bed once again. Have a good night and pleasant dreams all!!! - V

supper

I had the last of the duck leg with sweet and sour red cabbage for supper. Its usually served with boiled potatoes but I used the last of them for preparing tomorrow's lunch to take into work. The lunch includes the potatoes, sweet and sour red cabbage and part of the meat from a duck leg all in a mason jar. I'll remove the lid and microwave it before eating, however, I prefer re-heating on a stove top but this will have to do.

This evening I cooked up pork hocks with wine sauerkraut and tomorrow evening will re-heat it and serve it with freshly boiled potatoes. Some will end up going into work on Friday. Nothing particularly fancy. Simple food but tasty. Now I'm heading off to bed. Its another work day and 5 am comes early! Good Night!!! - V

thanks

The latest issue of Exercise for Men Only magazine features an article with Scott Herman as the subject, the Best Abs Winner, Scott Herman's Secret Routine. Its on the news stands now, so check it out.
While on that subject (Scott), last week he sent an email with a couple of links attached, including a YouTube video giving thanks to various blogs (and bloggers) by name. Check that video out here! We should be thanking him because he's done a lot for us as well. Thanks, Scott!!! We can benefit from each other, so keep it up! - V