It’s time for an upgrade. No, not the phone in your pocket or your computer (well maybe your computer). No, this week we’re talking about upgrading your life… Little things that can make a big difference.
There’s so much time and so little to do. Or is there?
We’re joined by Gabi Mazar of Pilates Tempe to share a ton of little things we can do to upgrade our lives. Join us, and please share your upgrades in the comments if you like.
Episode Recap
FRIENDLY TAKEAWAYS:
- Add cameras to your car for safety and convenience.
- Improve your golf swing with Pilates workouts.
- Small home upgrades can make your staycation luxurious.
Upgrade Your Car with These Easy Add-ons
Steve had his Islanders shirt on and told stories of the days that his shop was the official shop of the Islanders. Those famous players, like Mike Bossi, would hang out in his waiting room.
What can you add onto your car to have a better experience? Couple of cool things.
- First is a dashcam. It’s something you can buy on Amazon and install yourself. It’s especially a good idea for your young drivers. If you happen to be involved in an accident, you’ll have a recording. These videos can definitely help out with insurance claims.
- Something else you can do is a remote car starter. If your car has a transponder (keyfob), you can use this to start up your car, get the a/c started.
- Radar detectors started falling out of favor. Don’t speed. But, these devices can help you prevent getting caught. You can also use the Waze app, which shows cops on the road. Now, we’re not talking about if these are legal or not!
- You can also install a full baby monitor. It’s a camera that gives you a view of your kids in the back.
- How about a coffee maker right in your car? Yes, the hand presso will brew a fresh cup of joe right in your car. Just load it up and get your fresh coffee right on the road. Now, pull over and do this, not while you’re driving.
- You can also get a cell-phone signal booster. Plug it into the power, mount it in the visor or dashboard, and it boosts the cell signal.
- Backup cameras are also easy to install in less than a half-hour. Wired cams are the most reliable.
- Last, is the OBD scan tool. It’ll give you diagnostic codes when your check engine light comes on. It won’t diagnose a problem, but it’ll help you when you go to the shop. If you call or email in, Steve will give you one. These things are connected to the shop through the cloud, so Steve and his guys will know right away what’s going on. So, if you’re on a road trip, he can assure you that everything’s good to go or if you need to pull over and get it checked. It’ll also notify people if the airbag is deployed. These things are great for safety and maintenance, but they don’t have GPS tracking, so nobody’s watching your location. Call or email Steve to get one, or just visit the shop, and he’ll put it in for you.
Pilates: From Pro Football Players to Better Golf Swings
We were joined by Gabi Mazar of Pilates Tempe. What can Pilates offer for people? It’s not just for women. Professional athletes use Pilates for stability and flexibility. Even golfers — men and women — come in to improve their golf swing. They get Arizona Cardinals players, whose practice facility is right down the street. The players’ strength coach tells them to find a Pilates studio, so they come to Gabi.
It is so important to strengthen your core. Even a basic Pilates reformer workout can do that. Really, everybody can benefit from a basic Pilates workout. People with chronic injuries get great benefits from these workouts, from old injuries, disc injuries, pre-habbing for surgery. In fact, one person pre-habbing for surgery ended up recovering and didn’t need the surgery!
Pilates is a total body workout, not just a strength or power or flexibility workout. You get it all in one workout, as well as the mental and breathing aspects. Classes right now are very limited due to COVID, which actually allows Gabi and her trainers to focus on you more.
Gabi shared a story of a woman who had her pectoral muscles removed as part of a mastectomy. She was able to rehab and get back to full strength with Pilates.
So, Pilates Tempe is not a gym, but they do have live classes in addition to online, streaming Pilates, stretch and other classes — over 20 classes to choose from! There are also private, one-on-one classes. No matter what live class you take, masks are required. They are maintaining strict rules for COVID safety. Social distancing is maintained.
Gabi also does Fascial Stretch Therapy. This is a great way to stay injury-free while working out and to generally loosen up those muscles.
Gabi left us with a health tip you can do at home:
- Do stretches and meditation. That’ll help your mind and body, slowing down the parasympathetic nervous system. It’ll be a big help during this pandemic. Check out the Calm app.
Upgrade Your Staycation and Your Home’s Value at the Same Time
How can you upgrade your home these days? A lot of people are still staying home for staycations. So, what can you do to improve the quality of life at home and increase its value?
- Put some money in the landscaping. Go to a local nursery or cactus garden and get some plants. Shop local. These places have the real knowledge for local plants. Soil is different here from one Valley area to the next. So, talk to these experts and get the right info. Your yard will look beautiful.
- Add a firepit to your backyard. You can build one with a kit. That’s how easy it is.
- Add lounge chairs. Check out ‘At Home’ for cushions, chairs. This is a great way to upgrade the yard for cheap.
- There’s a place at Val Vista and Main that sells great art for your yard.
- Get a pergola. That is beautiful and adds shade to your patio. This creates a resort-like atmosphere, and it really adds value to your home. Gabi built hers out of reclaimed wood.
- If you have a pool, you can upgrade it. Add a water feature, add a bar, put in games. You can buy pool beer pong! For not a lot of money, you can really add more fun to your pool.
The Rest of the Team Weighs in on Upgrades
PK shared info on improving your life during a divorce. Make sure you have a clear mind, so that you can listen and be present. Slow it down and remain calm.
Lots of purchases going on in the mortgage world. Rates are still low. There’s a lot of activity out there. So, if you’re wondering what to do, contact Ryan and Felecia. Felecia pointed out that all these refinances will likely lock down the housing market a little bit.
Wrap Up
Until next week, Drive Friendly and Stay Healthy Arizona!
