My New Camera, the neighbor's rooster, and baby slings

[Did you get a chance to check out the new recipe for Mexican rice I posted, including a how-to on how to mince garlic, an update on oils, and Joseph's quick recipe for easy green beans?]

Big news.

I got a new camera!

We bought our trusty old camera seven years ago for a few hundred bucks with our tax refund. Newly married with barely a few pennies to rub together, we felt rich with such a nice camera (my camera's prior to that were disposable, remember those?). It's been good. But it's time has come and gone and it simply can't give me the kind of pictures I want to take with what I want to do on my blog.

Goodbye, seven year old Fujifilm Finepix! Hello, Nikkon D5100.

I admit, I really don't have a clue about technology (despite having my own blog) or cameras (point, click?). But I'm learning. And I'm so excited to learn.

Here are some of the pictures we've taken with our new toy in recent days that I think are cool.

We went for a walk this past weekend and one of our neighbors was out in his front yard with his pet rooster. Naturally, we all wanted to say hello to this beautiful little guy (my husband tinkered with the color, my hair isn't really that color, though I like it).
Hyrum, my oldest.

We gave the old Fujifilm camera to our boys. They love taking pictures.

My other son, Asher.

Doesn't he have gorgeous eyes? Can you tell who else is is in this picture (look closely...)?
Another cool trick with color below.

I love my baby sling--it's New Native style (although that's not the brand I have, I have a generic kind). I have used a baby sling with my fourth more than with any other of my babies because 1) it's convenient to have my baby next to me and have my hands free 2) I've realized the importance of keeping your baby close and 3) It keeps her happy.

Even though Salem is already one year old, she still fits, and still loves being next to me!
Other thoughts.

I have the next two weeks off for one of my teaching jobs (it's midterms and then Spring Break at UVU), so I have a lighter exercise load than usual, and the difference in how I feel and how much I eat is startling. I feel better exercising less. A truth that I've discovered through my own personal experience, and remember when I have breaks and a lighter exercise load.

It's true that exercise revs up the appetite (especially cardio), yet no one really talks about this, they just keep saying, you want to lose weight? Exercise, exercise, exercise! Exercise (or rather, lack of) is not the main issue with a weight problem. When it comes right down to it, it's the food.

A great example of the, "hit the treadmill for hours on end" mentality is The Biggest Loser. It isn't realistic to exercise 6 hours a day. No one outside of the reality TV bubble can do that much exercise and subsist on 1200 calories a day (for very long, at least) without losing their mind (and while we're at it, can we also talk about the overuse injuries that are most certainly occurring, but no one is talking about?).

I find it's much, much easier to exercise less, and eat fewer calories, than overkill it on the exercise, and then hope and pray you can ignore that intense hunger drive that will inevitably kick in after your heart-pounding, sweat pouring, calorie-burning exercise sessions (more thoughts on exercise here and here).

Giveaways Update

If you haven't heard about last week's giveaway winner, go here. Also, in the same post, I announce next week's giveaway (hint: it's an amazing cookbook, I know you'll love, and I have two to give away!).