When I posted Mat Matters: The Failed Episode back in January, I thought that it would be the only "failed episode" of a video that I would ever post. 

I was wrong.

On Monday, Ben and I spent about an hour attempting to tape, and eventually, taping a 15-minute episode of Malebox, in which I interviewed him about his recent career transition and the challenges that came along with pursuing his "dream job." It was a great interview, and I thought he offered some wonderful insights about making big career transitions within your current field (once we got through all of the messed up takes and figured out the logistics). 

However, when I sat down at 8pm last night to edit the video and prepare it for posting today, I saw that somehow, the last 2 minutes of the video hadn't recorded. I had 13 minutes of a pretty solid interview, but the end was completely missing--it cut off right in the middle of a thought--and it was very abrupt.  

Distraught, I began going through the outtakes and the messed up final video, trying to figure out what I could salvage to share with you today. As I did this, and as I watched take after take, I began to laugh. 

I kept watching, and soon enough, I had tears running down my cheeks from some of the ridiculous footage that remained--primarily consisting of Ben acting like a fool simply because he wanted to and could. I also loved seeing how we started out chipper and cheery during the first few takes, and by the end, were downright frustrated and annoyed at each other. Isn't that the scenario so often in our lives? 

Thus, today, we have ANOTHER "Failed Episode." Hopefully the last of it's kind, but realistically, probably not. 

I hope that it makes you laugh, and that it's a good reminder that things don't always work out exactly as planned, but there's often a silver lining if you look close enough ;) 

Okay, let me be frank with you for a moment: Ben and I taped this video weeks ago, and then decided not to post it because we thought he came across as a bit of a know-it-all jerk. If you know him, you can understand how this might occur. 

Ben can be unapologetically opinionated, and yes, sometimes he is a bit of a know-it-all; Surprisingly (ha!), this attitude can rub people the wrong way. [We're working on it!] Although he hasn't dated since he was 22 (when we met and coupled off), he still believes that he has all the answers when it comes to dating. Isn't that just adorable? 

That being said, I do think that he gives some good advice in this video, so I made the executive decision to post the episode around Valentine's Day, as a nod to all of my readers who are single-and-ready-to-mingle (or, single-and-looking-for-a-know-it-all-to-give-them-questionable-dating-tips). 

Even if you aren't single, I think you'll get a kick out of watching Ben give unfounded advice on the topic of meeting people in your late-20's, early 30's. 

Oh, and I want to make a few disclaimers: 

• I still feel conflicted about Valentine's Day. 
• Being part of a couple does NOT equal self worth. This video is not for everyone, because I don't think everyone needs to be part of a couple--it's only for those who are currently looking for a partner. 
• I DO NOT stand behind Ben's comments re: being tan. Ugh. I'm SO annoyed that he said that. If you missed it, check out my thoughts on being tan/taking care of your skin. 
• If you think that Ben comes across as a bit of a jerk in this video, please don't judge him. He's a wonderful person and I love him dearly and we all have our quirks. 

Happy almost Valentine's Day! To me, 2/14 is really just an excuse to eat [more] chocolate and cry while watching rom-coms. Yes please. 

Hello, hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday yesterday! Isn't Christmas simply magical? We'll discuss the joys of Christmas in a bit more detail tomorrow (SJOTW), because today I have a very overdue episode of Malebox to share with you.

Ben and I taped this video almost two weeks ago, but I couldn't seem to find the time to edit it until today. The holidays and the arrival of our new family member caused me to get very behind on everything (partially because I've been busy, and partially because all I want to do is lounge on the couch and snuggle with Sayde), so I apologize for the somewhat outdated holiday references in the video. 

However, I'm still glad to be sharing this video about the Paleo Diet with you--even if it is somewhat overdue--and here's why: 

As you all know, Ben has been a member of the CrossFit community for many years now (and at different points over the years, I've joined him in this pursuit). As the CrossFit community has grown, so has it's association with the Paleo Diet. Many of our CrossFit friends are on this diet, Ben has been on a version of this diet [on and off] for about 3 years, and it's all over the internet, and therefore, the Paleo Diet has also been a common topic of discussion in our household. 

So, as the Paleo Diet continues to become more mainstream (I saw a sign for "Paleo Bread" in our local grocery store recently!), we thought it was worth discussing a bit here on the blog. 

But, before we do so, I want to make the following very clear:

I don't endorse the Paleo diet. I don't endorse any diet of any kind. Besides being somewhat gluten-free, I am now at a point in my life where I don't like any sort of dietary restrictions because I think that they lead to food/eating issues. In fact, I dislike talking about diets and think that eating healthy foods (protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains), and enjoying treats in moderation is the way to go.

This video is simply Ben's answer to a question that we received about the Paleo Diet, and a discussion of his experience with this diet--it definitely does not apply to everyone. Similarly, I know that many of my readers are vegetarians and vegans, so obviously, the Paleo Diet isn't even on your radar (it requires eating lots of meat!). If that's the case for you, feel free to just ignore ;) 

 [For more info on my thoughts re: eating and diets, check out Starr Struck's Guide to Healthy Eating]. 

Hoping to get back on track with regular episodes of Mat Matters and Malebox in the New Year! Until then, enjoy this week's vid...

Many moons ago, I mentioned that Ben bought a standing workstation to take to the office. When I posted this little tidbit on the blog--almost as an afterthought--I got many emails and questions about his experience with this product; Is it helpful? What kind did he get? Are they expensive? What's the point? 

Today's episode of Malebox is meant to answer some of these questions. 

At his old job, Ben used a standing workstation for about a year. As someone who is extremely concerned about his mobility (mainly because he's a CrossFitter, but also because he's naturally super tight), Ben decided that investing in a standing workstation made a lot of sense. However, upon receipt of said workstation, he learned that standing up all day isn't a simple fix--it's just the beginning of a new journey in learning how to stand properly (and with good form) by engaging the correct muscles.

Watch this week's video for the rest of Ben's insights about this interesting apparatus, but know that this is the bottom line: Poor posture is poor posture, whether you're sitting or standing. No matter what, if you want to save your body, you have to become aware of your personal "resting positions" and be willing to make an effort to change. That's the hard part (much harder than clicking "buy" in an online shop!).

Enjoy this week's episode! You can watch here or on my YouTube Channel. 

If you have any questions that you'd like Ben to answer on an upcoming episode, email me. 

PS. A long time ago, I wrote a post entitled Practicing Computerasana, about how horrible it is to sit at a desk/computer all day. If you missed it, it's worth checking out, as it goes hand-in-hand with what Ben is talking about here. Sitting all day is scary stuff!

If I had a nickel for every time that someone asked me about CrossFit making them "too muscular" or "too bulky," I'd definitely have enough money to buy a Sodastream and a new printer (just two of the items that are on my current "to buy" list). 

Seriously, ladies, what's wrong with getting a little stronger? A little more muscular? With being able to carry your groceries, your child, your moving boxes (fun!) without having to stop and take breaks? Nothing--nothing is wrong with it!

But, as you probably know, this is a concern for a lot of women. Remember when I was worried about my wedding dress not fitting my "big" back and shoulders? See--it's a concern. But it shouldn't be, and getting too bulky definitely shouldn't be a reason to stay away from a new fitness regimen (like, for instance, CrossFit), if it's something that you want to try.

So, on our second episode of Malebox, Ben talks CrossFit and bulk. As you'll see, Ben likes a strong lady (wink, wink), and he thinks that other men do, too ;) 

Also, he explains that CrossFit doesn't make you "too muscular"--and diwhy this is a common misperception about the exercise program.

You can watch here or on my YouTube Channel. If you have any questions that you'd like Ben to answer on our next Malebox installment, email me!

Remember two weeks ago when I told you that my husband, Ben, had warmed up to the camera and really enjoyed being on Mat Matters? 

Well, he liked it so much that we've decided to create an entirely separate video series in which he is the star(r). And in true, dorky, Starr Struck fashion, we're calling "Malebox." 

Why "Malebox?" Well, because Ben is male, and we wanted something clever that would denote that important distinction for my readers (in case it wasn't obvious), but also because the idea behind the series is that by answering your questions, Ben will provide us with a male point of view on things, or more specifically, his own (very opinionated) point of view on things. 

I think it will also be a nice change from just hearing my girly voice day-in and day-out, and am excited to be able to offer another viewpoint on the blog (and give Ben and audience for his lectures, haha!). 

So, in this first episode, Ben answers a question that I receive via email a lot, and a subject that he's SUPER passionate about--sleep. Or, how to improve your sleep.

 I'm a very heavy sleeper who can fall asleep within 5-10 minutes no matter where I am, but Ben is the exact opposite.  He often has a lot of trouble falling asleep, and has made many changes over the past few years to deal with this issue, so he is quite the expert and definitely speaks from experience. 

A few more things that I want to say about this video:

1. Please ignore the crazy wrinkly sheet behind him. I'm so embarrassed by it, but that's what happens when you try to make a video while moving--you have to cover the totally disorganized shelves with something, but have packed everything except 1 wrinkly white sheet, and have already packed the ironing board, as well. Thus, wrinkly sheet in the background of an otherwise somewhat-professional-looking video. C'est la vie!
2. Malebox is not replacing Mat Matters! We're just in the middle of moving, so I could only handle "producing" one video this week. Mat Matters will be back next week, and hopefully we'll both alternate the two series and have some weeks where we put out episodes of both (yay!). 
3. Feel free to write in with any questions that you want Ben to tackle in upcoming episodes! His areas of expertise are as follows: CrossFit, fitness/strength training, health/nutrition/supplementation, legal issues (he's a lawyer), investing, sports, Top 40 music, current events/politics, and almost all HBO Original Series. {As you can see, we have slightly different interests...}

Enjoy getting to know Ben better AND learning about how to improve your sleeping skills (SO important!)! 

You can watch here or on my YouTube Channel.