Rolf Devinci

What happens when you go to the front of the net looking for a screened shot, tip or rebound when someone like this takes a slapshot from about 12 metres from the net...... Using a (hard) Mylec orange street hockey ball like this....... While you are in a similar position as player #24............ This is what happens............Ouchie! Needless to say it was one "sensitive bike commute to work this morning and a long day in the chair. The things I suffer through for the love of the game!Worse thing is it was probably a goal had I not got in the way. Got hit between the glute and the hip.Sore as a beotch but at least the swelling is subsiding. The question now will be how much bruising will occur...hopefully my platelets are higher than usual or I am in for a colorful, albeit temporary, tattoo.(wink)

An excellent interview with Matt Lalonde titled The Science Behind The Paleolithic Diet. Hosted by Evolution TVOL. My takeaways..... "...vegan for two years and vegetarian for eight...."  An unique perspective on Paleo tempered from experience on the other end of the dietary spectrum.I think this important and adds balance to his views. "....Using the evolutionary approach or if you're using the anti-nutrient approach...."   .Different methodology for different folks. I know I tend to fall within the anti-nutrient/toxin "camp" and base much of my diet on the foods that work for me (and,conversely, do not) rather than assuming everything neolithic is unsuitable.It's been my mantra for some time so it is gratifying to see some of the brightest minds in the paleosphere advocating an individualist approach...... "The only way to figure out what an optimal diet is for you is to experiment and observe ."          ...

"Fasting has been found effective in the treatment of type II diabetes, often reversing the condition permanently."                                                                Stephen Harrod Buhner An excellent primer by Idai Makaya on how IFing decreases insulin production while increasing human growth hormones which in turns promotes fat burning, lean muscle and the prevention of insulin resistence. "(IFing) is likely to reduce the risk for diabetes and many other ‘lifestyle diseases’ - is it not likely that people with diabetes (and on medication) will require less medication if their bodies were to adapt to burning fat (and using very little glucos...

After a pre dawn cold water dousing I opted to take advantage of yesterday's snow storm and take a hike through the woods. I love the woods in winter especially after a snowfall when the trees are shrouded in fresh powder. Not only is it quiet and peaceful but everything seems so pristine and clean. It was chilly this morning with temperatures listed at -7C but much colder at -16C with the windchill.That is the beauty of the woods in that the trees offer protection from the prevailing winds and combined with the rising sun it feels much warmer. The trees coated in fresh snow contrasted against the bright blue skies makes for awesome photos. What is it about streams in winter? How the trickle of partially frozen running water seems to loudly echo in the silence of the surrounding woods. I'm not sure why but it resonates with me? What also resonates with me after breaking trail in the snowy morning woods is a cup of coffee in the brisk...

Me - "I fast most days usually between 16 - 19 hours then consume my calories in a smaller eat window usually between 3 - 9 pm." Aquaintance - "Why would you do that. It`s not healthy?" How many times have I heard that reply since assuming an intermittent fasting way of eating(WOE)? My last conversation on the subject got me thinking about the health benefits of intermittent fasting and how it could make for some interesting blogger fodder. Intermittent Fasting and Heart Disease There appears to be benefits of calorie restriction and fasting for cardiovascular health with confirmations from the usual animal studies..... "Enhance[s] cardiovascular...functions and improve[s] several risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke including a reduction in blood pressure and increased insulin sensitivity" and that "cardiovascular stress adaptation is improved and heart rate variability is increased in rodents" and that "rodents m...

 I tend not to do product reviews because such things can really be subjective but since my accident in October I have become much more aware of how I (as a cyclist) am perceived by motorists.That awareness is made even more acute as a winter bike commuter in Canada.  I picked up one of the front (white) flashers last winter to facilitate a safer commute and it has been rock solid. Holds a charge well(no batteries required) but is recharged via an USB port. Brilliant! Easy to charge at home or at work.Waterproof and wrapped in flexible silicon housing it attaches to a bike's handlebar by placing the tail into an U shaped notch built into the body. No tools required except for your fingers. Brilliant. It offers a surprisingly bright illumination for the size with a couple options; steady or flashing. On the(un-illuminated) rails to trails path bypassing Joe Howe drive it lit up the route very well in the pre dawn darkness.Brilliant! ...

A cold Sunday morning in January meant the local murder of crows were probably really hungry so off to the feeding stump I went with todays offerings of PB&J sandwiches. Grabbing the camera I figured I would shoot some video and placed a small table next to the stump to facilitate the shoot. Crows are intelligent birds and right from the moment I walked away it was evident that they sensed something was different. On a frigid morning like today they are usually diving upon the feast before I have even departed the back yard. Not today. Acutely aware of their enviroment they knew something was afoot and were quite skittish about the table and camera. So I had some fun with the video.......the caws seemed to comprise a conversation so I ran with it.

It was a catch all kinda morning on a damp, blustery winter day. Ended up doing a real cornucopia of stuff in my outdoor playground with plenty of variety. After a warmup run it was some 50 metre sprints..... Followed the sprinting up with some deadfall squats. I really need to focus upon lower body strength this winter. Back on the softball diamond I opted to do some bokken kata. I picked up a bokken online to teach myself some sword play this winter just for the fun of it. Scratch another lifetime "must do" off the bucket list. As a historical reinactment fan sword play has always been of great interest.You Tube is great for these type of things. All kinds of instructional videos to self educate oneself. That said Aikido Ken-Gi is quite complex so my attempts are quite rudimentary to say the least.Things one does to help pass the winter away.....(wink) Followed up the katas with some sword spins. It took me the longest time to figure out the han...

Need I say more other than question why the glorious bean has only had supporting roles on my blog? I feel there is a definite need to right a wrong and end an injustice. Not only is it my favorite "pick me up" beverage and comfort drink but has many health benefits as well. Long demonized coffee is experiencing a long due renaissance and finally recognized as a legitimate part to any healthy diet. "It looks like coffee has two main ways of improving the health of your body: antioxidants and caffeine. Both these substances have health and anti aging benefits....." http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/a/coffee_health.htm Coffee linked to brain health and improved cognitive functions? "It provides coffee-drinkers with protection against certain age-related brain problems, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia.....A study published in the Psychopharmacology journal revealed that coffee-drinkers performed ...

On the heels of my hormesis post, inspired by KT's polar bear swim and a natural extension of my fasting regimen I have decided to tackle a cold water dousing experiment this Saturday on my favorite guinea pig......me!(wink) "Reporting benefits of improved circulation, healthier skin, overall vitality, and faster recovery from injuries, people from many cultures still swear by the age-old practice(cold water therapy) and it is recommended by Russian Systema teachers and some of the Asian (including Akido) Martial Arts practitioners."                                 G. Carver http://gregcarver.com/blog/2011/hydrotherapy-cold-water-dousing/ According to Russian Systema the practice of cold water dousing involves....."taking a large bucket, filling it with water as cold as you are able to get it from Nature (in our ca...

"(from Greek hórmēsis "rapid motion, eagerness," from ancient Greek hormáein "to set in motion, impel, urge on") is the term for generally favorable biological responses to low exposures to toxins and other stressors." Wikipedia "Spartan life was governed by the principles of discipline, self-denial, and simplicity.They did not surround themselves with luxuries, expensive foods, or opportunities for leisure. The life of the Spartans seemed to hark back to a more basic way of life....." H2G2.com Stephen Guyenet puts the concept into layman's terms......"Hormesis is the process by which a mild or acute stressor increases resistance to other, more intense or chronic stressors. It can increase resistance to a variety of stresses, not only the one to which you are exposed...." Surprisingly many people probably incorporate some level of hormesis into their lifestyle without even realizing or understanding the concept in regard...