Push It Real Good

Yesterday was the first class of Push Up 101 with the Scottish Companion. It wasn't really a formal lesson as such. Just me attempting to do a push up on the living room floor. Then him telling me that my bum was sticking in the air and my hands were in the wrong spot. Then me screaming, "Yes, WELL, I don't know HOW to do them properly so if you could just TELL me how do them, NO DON'T SHOW ME, I could watch you do push ups all day and not learn anything!". Then him patiently explaining that my hands in the wrong positon; then me doing one very creaky, not-very-deep full push up before collapsing face first into the carpet.

Push Up Count for 2006 = 0.5

It can only get better from here.

. . .

Cheers for the positive response to the last entry, especially the idea of the healthy food blog. Now begins the typically long and tedious process of designing the blog templates and getting it all perfect before I even write a single thing. My goal is to have it up and running by the end of January. I'm currently fussing over a name for the new baby. It was much easier coming up with names for my other blogs:

• What's New Pussycat had humble beginnings as a What's New page for an old personal homepage, so it was a simple and unimaginative matter of adding "Pussycat" to the end of it.
• The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl started out as pure sarcasm: like my latest attempt to lose weight would be So Amazing, YEAH RIGHT! Also, I had a hilarious image in my head of myself in a lyrca bodysuit, attempting to fly off the couch (complete with cape, and mask to cleverly conceal identity on the big bad internet).

So I want something concise, catchy and not too obvious. No puns allowed. I don't want it have the word "blog" in it either, nor any of the following: food, cooking, kitchen, eating, healthy, chow, fare, fayre, gourmet, delicious, fresh, pig trotters.

I thought of simply calling it Ginger. Because ginger is fresh, healthy and easy to spell. Also because Ginger is what British people called redheads, and I am a redhead. It makes sense to me, anyway.

The Scottish Companion suggested a few variations: Ginger Beer, Gingerbread, Ginger Cream, Ginger Snap or Ginger Root. I rejected the lot of them, despite his fierce lobbying for Ginger Root, "Come ON! The Australians will love it!".

I've also considered calling it Mrs Feta. This was the title of the Dietgirl entry in which I declared, "I freaking LOVE feta and would leave SC and marry feta if it was socially acceptable.". I thought that might be a good title, as I do indeed freaking love feta cheese. Plus it's wholesome and relatively healthy, which is what the blog will be about - wholesomness and relative health ;) And I like the idea of Mrs Feta as another wee persona to play with, a la Pussycat and Dietgirl.

So what do you reckon? Ginger or Mrs Feta? Or something else altogether. Do you have any ideas? Please don't say Ginger Root because that is not an option!

Comments

[1 · Posted by Krista · January 09, 2006 at 01:47 PM]

Ginger Toot, in honor of the fart posts?

Seriously, though, I vote for Mrs. Feta. And I didn’t comment on the last post because of my general lurkitude, but I’d be thrilled to see you put together something like this.

[2 · Posted by Ellen · January 09, 2006 at 01:58 PM]

Definitely Mrs. Feta. Like you said "she" is a whole other person you get to be. Love it!

[3 · Posted by Tamara · January 09, 2006 at 02:38 PM]

I love both of your ideas, although I slightly prefer Ginger. Or Gingerama, because I love -amas.

Either is divine, though! Looking forward to it.

[4 · Posted by Timmi · January 09, 2006 at 02:58 PM]

I like Ginger. It's the name of one of my favourite restaurants. =) Mmmm... pho. *drool*

[5 · Posted by Christine · January 09, 2006 at 03:34 PM]

A vote for Mrs. Feta here. Since Mrs. Nutella wouldn't be quite so healthy.

[6 · Posted by Hilary Parkinson · January 09, 2006 at 04:30 PM]

Hi Shauna-

Instead of a new blog, why not pitch this idea to a newspaper as a column? You can always go for a free local daily, or just your local paper if you don't want to try something bigger (though you should!)

Go for it! I think you'd be great. Don't be afraid- you've a big readership here, you know what you're talking about, and you have the ability as a writer.

Best wishes for 2006!

[7 · Posted by V. · January 09, 2006 at 04:34 PM]

I vote for Ginger if only because I like it better than Feta! Either way, looking forward to reading!

[8 · Posted by Sarah · January 09, 2006 at 05:07 PM]

You could combine food and blog and call it a flog.

[9 · Posted by Elaine · January 09, 2006 at 05:10 PM]

I love "Mrs. Feta!" Who doesn;t love feta cheese?

[10 · Posted by Elaine · January 09, 2006 at 05:10 PM]

I love "Mrs. Feta!" Who doesn't love feta cheese?

[11 · Posted by Pamela · January 09, 2006 at 05:11 PM]

I prefer Ginger. Simple and basic, yet delicious.

[12 · Posted by Emily · January 09, 2006 at 05:12 PM]

When I decided I really wanted to be able to do a pushup a year and a half ago, I followed Krista's Mistressing the Pushup plan (http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle.php?aid=75) and it totally worked me up to being able to do a full one... Might be worth looking into.

On a good day, I can do ~25 of them now, albeit in three sets. On the other hand, I'm not as consistent about working on it as I should be...

[13 · Posted by PatL · January 09, 2006 at 05:21 PM]

Ginger, hands down. It's healthier than feta if you think about fat content, and I love the double-play on rehead. And it will be easier to compose a rememberable or guessable URL.

I tried to think of something else but, sorry, I'm not a particularly creative type when it comes to language arts!

[14 · Posted by anji · January 09, 2006 at 05:37 PM]

Ewwww, but ginger stinks *gag*
And you don't stink!

anji :)

[15 · Posted by Sarah · January 09, 2006 at 05:51 PM]

I vote for Mrs. Feta. It has more personality. Ginger makes me think of Gilligan's Island. Just my 2 cents :)

[16 · Posted by · January 09, 2006 at 06:20 PM]

GINGER! I absolutely love feta cheese but I think the sound of Mrs Feta is a bit too auntie-like for your personality compared to the fresh and perky sound of Ginger ;-)

All the best,
can´t wait for the new blog!

Meri

[17 · Posted by Donna · January 09, 2006 at 06:44 PM]

I was all with "Mrs. Feta" too until I read Meri's comment - I agree that something with "Ginger" suits your personality more. And the newspaper idea is brilliant... go for it!

[18 · Posted by Freida · January 09, 2006 at 06:47 PM]

Why do you want to have another persona? Why don't you just try to be one whole, happy, and complete person rather than splitting yourself into different personality with their own blogs. I've read through the archives of What's New Pussy Cat and DietGirl and the effect is quite eerie. You often blog about the same thing twice but with two different voices. Who are you really? One of these voices? A combination of both? Or neither because you are so careful to divide yourself up. Who knows! But I know your dual-identity keeps me reading your blogs- clearly I am hooked on amateur psychology!!

I've never met you, but I often wonder who I'd meet if we ever came face to face.

Have any readers of both your blogs ever met you??

F.

[19 · Posted by Kathryn · January 09, 2006 at 07:33 PM]

As much as I love Feta I vote for Ginger :)

[20 · Posted by dg · January 09, 2006 at 09:00 PM]

there's no dual personalities! honestly! it's just me. millions of people have seperate fat/non-fat blogs. fitness/weightloss is a very niche topic and it doesn't belong with the everyday stories on the other blog.

i shouldn't have said 'persona'. this is more about just exploring a different topic to write about. after five years of fat and funny stories i need to try something different :)

but split personality... eerie archives? freida! you're freaking me out... i am gonna send you an email :)

thanks for your comments, all of you! i think i am leaning towards ginger now, after reading Meri's comment.

[21 · Posted by Nessajane · January 09, 2006 at 09:09 PM]

Shauna I am soooooo totally with F on this one. Stop breaking yourself up into different personas and just become one fabulous Shauna with one fabulous blog. Anyhoo, I vote for Ginger and I love the double meaning.

[22 · Posted by Kylie · January 09, 2006 at 09:33 PM]

"i think i am leaning towards ginger now, after reading Meri's comment."

.... That's just because she used the word 'Perky' though eh ;)

"why that Miss Ginger, she absolutely has the most perky ....(insert ass, bust, etc etc)"

Oh to be referred to as 'Perky'. I remember being somehow irritated and insulted by it when I was younger - can't think why now!!!

[23 · Posted by dg · January 09, 2006 at 09:46 PM]

perky is a GREAT word these days kylie, i gotta agree.

i just emailled NJ about her comment, and Freida too. Can I just assure everyone I am not splitting up my personality? I am already "one whole, happy, and complete person", I am just simply writing about different interests!

I believe different types of blogs have different audiences. WNP is reserved for general adventures of my life, and has a general audience, 80% of which would not be interested in reading about weight loss. Dietgirl's audience is completely different. Fatblogs are a niche community! That is why you always see people blogging about how they feel such support and understanding from fatblogs that they don't get anywhere else.

Likewise, knitting blogs, sewing blogs, running blogs, music blogs, politics blogs, and food blogs are all their own thriving communities full of likeminded folk. This is simply just me wanting to explore another interest, try some different topics of writing, and play in another sand pit for a change!

[24 · Posted by ladymisstree · January 09, 2006 at 10:01 PM]

I'm with you on the personalities thing, sweetie and I think Frieda and NJ totally have the wrong end of the pineapple on this.

We are diverse people with diverse interests talking to diverse audiences. Having different names and voices for those aspects of our very complete selves is quite natural. Had Frieda made a similar comment on my blog, I would have been quite upset, I'm sure it's not her intent, but the comment comes across a little judgemental and a little rude.

But more importantly, GINGER ALL THE WAY BABY! I have met you, and you're hot, spicy and delicious, just like ginger. And you're a redhead to boot. Miss Ginger would be very cute, but then I have a fondness for 'Miss' in names.

Bring it on, Ginger!

[25 · Posted by verity74 · January 09, 2006 at 10:16 PM]

I vote Ginger - although I love Feta, Mrs Feta seemed a bit like Mrs Fetid - not nice.

Ginger snaps are lovely too! (and helped my sis in law when she had morning sickness).

Other ideas:
Red-top, like skimmed milk /tabloid news papers / hair colour?
Gold-top, like the full fat guernsey milk!
hahahahahahahaha bonk

You have no idea, but I started back on track dietwise last week, as I didn't want to logon to read DietGirl to find you had lost EVEN more weight and weighed less and less than I do!
So you have motivated me, I'll race you to Easter. My current weight 87.54 kg 193lbs.

[26 · Posted by Joc · January 09, 2006 at 10:30 PM]

Whilst I love Mrs Feta she sounds like an old Greek Auntie. Ginger on the otherhand reminds me of Gilligans Island, sort of funny, ditzy and young.

So I vote Miss Ginger.

[27 · Posted by airlie · January 09, 2006 at 10:40 PM]

heya chicken! thans for your recent comments on my blog - its like being touched by a little bit of stardom. I am going to go all out here and say that I don't think that either name is pizzazzy enough for you........but bagpipes I am a liking Ginger Root....but i have another idea, my absolutely favouritist billy joel song is a tune called root beer rag.......i figure that since this could be a newspaper like article that rag - slang for newspaper could be used so that you could have the......drum roll please.....

The Ginger Root Rag...........

Just a byline....I think that I am going to the bagpipe world championships in France and Scotland in July.....so excited!

[28 · Posted by Stephene · January 09, 2006 at 11:53 PM]

Hi Shauny,

I vote for the Ginger as well. It's perfect!

Good luck. I hope you post your new blog address here for us to read.

[29 · Posted by Rosemary Grace · January 10, 2006 at 12:17 AM]

I was going to vote for Mrs Feta, because it cracks me up, but now I'm leaning towards Ginger, because it seems more YOU.

Mrs Feta can do guest posts as a more greek mama type. One food website, TWO personas. Why limit your personas?

I'm picturing the "idiots guide" books where they have those little info boxes emphasizing or clarifying a point, and the box often has a graphic of a little character wagging their finger telling you stuff. Mrs Feta could chime in with cooking tip details that are so useful with recipes like how to tell if a wok is hot enough.

[30 · Posted by j @ rta · January 10, 2006 at 12:56 AM]

How about Mrs. Feta aka Mrs G. Feta (in honour of Dr G) aka Mrs Ginger Feta.

I imagine a green and orange colour scheme...perhaps the "a" could be a red head in an a-line dress?

[31 · Posted by Aimee · January 10, 2006 at 02:55 AM]

I vote for Ginger! It's perfect.

But I'm also a fan of Nutmeg...hey does the SC cook as well? perhaps he could contribute off and on. Ginger + Nutmeg????

[32 · Posted by Denise · January 10, 2006 at 03:04 AM]

How about Ginger Fizz? Sort of sounds like a cross between a soft drink and a porn star, don't you think?

[33 · Posted by babs · January 10, 2006 at 06:55 AM]

Trader Joe's has a cookie called Gingeroos...a tip of the hat to your Aussie roots?

[34 · Posted by Rachel · January 10, 2006 at 08:09 AM]

The Ginger Ninja - you could metaphorically hang the black karate outfit next to DG's cape and lycra.

I have yet to think of a suitable strapline to go with it (something about chopping through the nutrition info overload, only less naff and corny). Fortunately I only have a full-time job to distract me from thinking about this.

[35 · Posted by Kirsten · January 10, 2006 at 10:42 AM]

I'm voting for Ginger, partly because I don't like "Mrs". Also I prefer ginger to feta, taste-wise. More zingy. (I think people who don't like ginger have only come across the dried, powdered version!)

And I didn't comment before, but I would read a food blog of yours and I'm not at all a cooking person. If you wrote about sorting your socks, I'd read it, frankly. Because you're an ace writer.

[36 · Posted by Flora · January 10, 2006 at 11:08 AM]

Another vote here for Ginger. I love ginger, I love the pun on your hair color, and I agree with whoever said Feta sounds too much like Fetid. And for the record I love all the different personas. As long as you can keep up with them, it makes that much more for us to read, and that makes us happy.

Having said that, I really think you should be getting paid for this, DG. You're an ace writer and here's a huge need out there for a younger, hipper Sally Squires (don't get me wrong, as a Washingtonian I love Sally Squires and read her religiously). But don't let that stop you from starting the new blog right away.

[37 · Posted by Flora · January 10, 2006 at 11:13 AM]

Whoa! What are the chances that Kirsten and I would both be writing comments at the same time calling you an "ace writer"? I swear I didn't see hers before I posted mine! I think this is a good omen, DG.

[38 · Posted by beee · January 10, 2006 at 12:33 PM]

Why not call it... WHEATGRASS IS GROSS!!! :) I think that is rather catchy!

But if you don't like the thought of that, then Ginger is great!

[39 · Posted by Missy · January 10, 2006 at 02:19 PM]

I am sooooo totally liking Ginger...not that I have any thing against Feta, don't get me wrong, it's just that Ginger sounds more lively and upbeat, whereas Mrs.Feta sounds like my grandmothers neighbour, which wouldn't be so bad except my grandmother lives in a retirement village.
Maybe you could go with ladymisstree and opt for Miss Ginger.
Anywho, thanks for the blogs they are great.
PS. Just for the record, I don't think you have a split personality.

[40 · Posted by Missy · January 10, 2006 at 02:27 PM]

OOOOOOooooo I just had an idea, what about "Ginger Megs" like the cartoon character I know but it is also a combination of ginger and nutmeg???? maybe not....just a thought I had to share.

[41 · Posted by Marla · January 10, 2006 at 02:52 PM]

GINGER! Just plain ginger - perfect name: all fresh and happy and sassy, and RED HEADED. It's meant to be.

I don't like "Mrs. Feta" at all. The "Mrs." part is too fusty, and while I love the cheese, the sound of the word isn't pretty.

[42 · Posted by Julia · January 10, 2006 at 02:54 PM]

G I N G E R! I see also a cartoon version of you next to the title.

[43 · Posted by Cherie · January 10, 2006 at 03:57 PM]

Ginger-vitis!

HAHAHahahahaha ha ha ha ...

Erm. Sorry.

[44 · Posted by R Mutt · January 10, 2006 at 04:47 PM]

What kind of pushups are you doing?

If you're not doing this already, it's best to at least start by doing the pushups keeping your knees on the floor: "girly pushups."

Women have much less upper-body strength than men, so they find pushups much harder.

[45 · Posted by tszuj · January 10, 2006 at 05:41 PM]

Ginger!

A lively, emphatic, eager quality or manner: animation, bounce, brio, dash, élan, esprit, life, liveliness, pertness, sparkle, spirit, verve, vigor, vim, vivaciousness, vivacity, zip. Informal pep, peppiness. Slang oomph.

(From http://www.answers.com/ginger&r=67)

[46 · Posted by dg · January 10, 2006 at 10:18 PM]

yes! wheatgrass IS gross, dammit.

and i remember ginger meggs in the sun-herald... those were the days!

R Mutt - I've been doinbg the girly ones for years so i figured it was time to upgrade (ie stop being so lazy ;)

flora - thanks mate... i might try that once i get some momentum going round here :)

tszuj - i love that definition! you've totally sold me now!

although Ginger Ninja has a great ring to it!

[47 · Posted by eli · January 10, 2006 at 11:42 PM]

I vote for Ginger Feta, you will say: my name is Feta, Ginger Feta (as if you are James Bond). But if you are only having one I would vote Ginger. It suits you (your pretty hair) and I love ginger nuts mmm my favourite biscuit!
(call it ginger nuts? nuts about ginger?
ginger feta nuts? fetup of ginger nuts?

[48 · Posted by Jules · January 11, 2006 at 01:32 AM]

I was so onboard with Mrs Feta until I read all the comments and have completely jumped ship to Ginger. And from a natural point of view, Ginger is a great healer, awesome for the circulatory system and the best natural anti-nausea around. Especially for hangovers. So - go with Ginger. Glad to see you back into it and oh - how I would love to be able to do a push up. I love watching my man do push ups. Makes me want to have a Ginger Root. LOLLOL

[49 · Posted by Nicole · January 11, 2006 at 03:52 AM]

How about Ms Ginger Lane.

Slightly reserved, a bit sexy and out for a wander to see what she can find....about food and health. "Miss" sounds a bit girly and "Mrs" is my mother in law....Ms also hints at a bit of a rebel who won't tell your everything about herself

[50 · Posted by Elaine · January 11, 2006 at 05:12 AM]

Oh my god, I love ginger! I just discovered the not-so-healthy delight that is chocolate-covered ginger pieces... mmmmmmmm. And a great ginger-scented perfume from Origins, too.

If you don't want to go with plain Ginger, how about Ginger Ale?! Two of the best things ever, and good for mild nausea. :)

Or what about, "Ginger Snapped." Because you're so crazy about food, you snapped! Or, maybe good food got the better of you -- like a verb, "Oh no, I've been GINGERSNAPPED!"

How about, "Food Fetash" -- like, food fetish, only spelled like feta? Okay, that's just bad. And it looks like "lavash." (Though lavash is yummy too.)

Anyway, great blogs... definitely follow through on your resolutions to write seriously, it's meant to be. :)

[51 · Posted by Argy · January 11, 2006 at 09:32 AM]

Ummm...well...Mrs Feta. I like it, because I like feta and I dont like ginger. Plus Im a greek mama type ;)

But feta to me is so many things. Its versatile, yet unique, you can have it alone or mix it up, you want it no matter what the season is, and you can never have enough...just like your posts ;)

[52 · Posted by Beckie · January 11, 2006 at 02:25 PM]

Ohhhh toughy.

Ginger ninja was extremely catchy.

Mrs Feta is great but it sounds OLD.

Ginger Diner?
Miss Ginger's Kitchen
Miss Ginger's Diner
Ginger Cafe

The Ginger Spot - I like that.

Or something totally different like...

Miss Melons (too porny?)

Or something really Aussie like ..
Have You Seen My Coleslaw? or
Get Your Fingers Out Of That! or
Close the Fridge! or
Miss Lamington (daggy)

yep - sitting down before I hurt myself.

On a slightly similar idea of a food blog, have you visited the Points Cafe yet? I LOVE this idea. Done by Miss Nicky and Ryala. http://thepointscafe.blogspot.com/

[53 · Posted by Court · January 11, 2006 at 04:56 PM]

I love Elaine's idea for the name "Ginger Snapped". It's really catchy and cute.

[54 · Posted by Marjorie · January 11, 2006 at 06:28 PM]

Not Ginger! It's rhyming slang for homosexual (ginger beer, queer). Not that there is anything wrong with being homosexual, just that your blog would be more about food than gayness. That is all. :-p

[55 · Posted by La · January 12, 2006 at 01:46 AM]

Marrying Feta - that's so funny! I always said that I wanted to marry Bread! I looooooove bread!

I like GingerFeta or GingerSnapped.

[56 · Posted by rebeka · January 12, 2006 at 07:48 PM]

Mrs/Ms. Feta? Hee. I don't know but I am sure it will be fantastic.

[57 · Posted by kathryn · January 12, 2006 at 08:42 PM]

I like Ginger - it's a cute name :)

[58 · Posted by Joyce · January 15, 2006 at 02:49 AM]

I vote for Mrs Feta. It's catchy and weird, something needed when attempting to make a wholesome and relatively healthy blog!
p.s. I love this site! Thanks so much for putting it up. It's helped a LOT!!