Yeah, the Mindstorm system isn’t really a toy but more of an entry level robotics system. You can do some really cool stuff with them, but the learning curve is kinda steep particularly if you don’t have a set project in mind. I would bet that a majority of the sets that Lego sells are to the middle and high school…

And for those who aren’t on competitive teams, but regularly go to a gym or even fitness classes, you should still go and do what you can while you’re injured. It keeps you in the routine of regularly going to the gym, keeps your fitness level up as much as you’re able and gives you a chance to see friends.

The advice for returning from an injury is exactly what both my physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon gave me when I was returning to the gym after knee surgery (torn meniscus). He suggested adding back just one activity/exercise at a time and starting slow. Instead of 15 squats, do 5. See how things feel. Pay…

Decrease the amount of butter or oil in the recipe by half. Replace with chocolate syrup. Add in a couple of handfuls of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate M&Ms and teaspoon or two of good vanilla (if the recipe/back of the box doesn’t already call for it). Enjoy!

Wonder if Bing will offer this Hulu option (Hulu Plus + ?) as one of their options for Bing Rewards.

Yeah, I’m recovering from knee surgery...there’s not a lot of cardio you can do when you don’t have access to a pool and aren’t allowed to put a lot of load on your knee. I hope to get cleared to start putting some resistance on the stationary bike later this week and maybe think about getting on an elliptical machine…

Yep and pretty much all of the south and anywhere else that suffers from high humidity during the summer. But my grandparents had one in their house in Michigan before they put in air conditioning and it made a huge difference.

My family’s favorite quick and easy dessert is Chocolate Eclaire Dessert. It does take a bit of planning, as it needs to sit in the refrigerator 8 or so hours (overnight is best).

Yeah. I’m a female aerospace engineer and I had a grandfather who taught me how to build and rebuild things. I’ve been on Habitat sites and mission trips where they take all the girls to do things like paint and set out lunch while the guys try to figure out how to use the power tools. I usually find a way to drift…

Depends on your goals. If your goals are functional strength, endurance and overall fitness, definitely yes. Body weight exercises along with some kettle bells and maybe some resistance bands are great for that. You might also want a jump rope, a mat and a sturdy bench of some sort (doesn’t have to be a weight bench).…

Unless you don’t have a lot of space at home to devote to equipment and/or you live in a climate that doesn’t readily allow for working out outside for a significant part of the year (I live in Texas where it’s approaching “stupid hot” fairly quickly...not gonna be working out outside for until the fall) or you prefer…

I would also add:

I agree that it's definitely dependent on personality (probably less on gender and age). I do a lot of things on my own as well (as a not as young as I used to be woman) and enjoy a lot of them. I have no problem going to the movies alone (just saw the new Avengers movie by myself yesterday). If I'm going to sit in…

Shovelglove? http://shovelglove.com/

I've looked into that as well. Some specialty camps do offer adult options (Space Camp finally is doing week-long adult programs again). Outward Bound does adult camp, hike, canoe trips/programs. But it's more expeditions rather multiple activities from a base camp. About the closest thing I've found to going to camp…

There's always milkshakes or ice cream. A little more cutesy, but as another non-coffee and alcohol drinker (also taste related), it would work for me.

I've used BrickLink a couple of times to get parts for my First Lego League (middle school robotics competition which uses the Lego Mindstorm system) team. One time it worked great. One time the parts weren't in as good a condition as advertised. One time the seller flaked and I was out the money. More recently, I've…

I like to replace half the oil with chocolate syrup. Makes them not healthier but definitely more chocolatey. Sometimes I also toss in a handful or three of semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate M&Ms for even more chocolatey goodness.

My favorite frugal dish is rice and beans.

For me, when I am with my family (even though we're no longer in my childhood home) part of the joy is a lot of the family traditions. I like doing the same chores as when I was a kid and sitting at the same seat at the table. It reminds me of when I was a kid and that's comforting and makes me feel safe and relaxed.…