A Rebellious Friend

in All Posts

Did you know this month is National Pomegranate Month?  Yay!  Better get your fresh pomegranates soon, because the season only lasts a few short weeks.

IMG_4709

I decided to celebrate with a POM Wonderful breakfast.  Introducing… POM Waffles with Christmas Icing!

IMG_4712

I made regular whole wheat waffles, added 1/4 cup of pomegranates to the batter, and cooked as I normally would.  But I topped them off with something extra special.

 

Christmas Icing

 

  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (plain)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • POM Wonderful arials, to taste

IMG_4711

Nom, nom, nom!

 

A Rebellious Friend

 

Today is a very, very big day in Caitlin land.  A new Rebellious Friend is coming to visit me.  Can you guess who is it?

 

My former friends included… a Nikon CoolPix S1. The Husband gave it to me as a birthday present and it has 5.1 megapixels.  It was a good, sturdy friend.  :)  However, it completely lacked the ability to take flash-less photographs (essential for a food blogger).

IMG_4713 IMG_4714

So, I broke up with Nikons and bought a Casio Exilim in January.  It was $170 and I bought it literally two days before my wedding.  The Casio took much better photographs, and even some flash-less pictures (as long as it was bright outside, but never with artificial light).

IMG_4715 IMG_4716

At the Healthy Living Summit, I experienced my first bout of CAMERA ENVY. :)  All the other bloggers on the planning committee (Kath, Tina, Jenna, Heather, Meghann) had really nice point-and-shoots that could take excellent indoor photographs.  I literally could not stand to be blogging about such an important event without a good camera, so I went to Radio Shack in Boston and bought my current camera, a Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS with 10.0 megapixels.

DSCN9964 DSCN9965

I LOVE my Canon PowerShot.  It is a great camera and takes excellent indoor photographs.  I rarely have to use the flash (normally dinner is photographed with flash, but the rest is flash-less). 

 

However…. at the POM Wonderful Harvest Tour, I was stricken with my second bout of camera envy.  I was inspecting some of the bloggers’ DSLR cameras and fell in love.

 

I’ve always liked taking pictures.  I took SO many photographs of my friends in college that I was nicknamed, “The Camera Nazi.”   Now that I take approximately 60 photographs a day (I photograph tons of things that never make it onto the blog), I have become interested in getting a significantly better camera.   I’m trying to make my photographs more artistic, too (so you like to look at them!).

 

So… I did tons of research and decided the Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens was the right one for me.  It’s considered to be one of the best entry-level and affordable DSLRs on the market, and a few photographers I respect recommended it. 

Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

The Husband gave me the go-ahead yesterday to buy the Rebel, and I immediately bought it through Amazon (and selected 1 day shipping!).  My Rebellious Friend will be here this afternoon!  :)  I have already decided to name her Bella since my Garmin is named Edward Cullen.

 

Of course, for my photography needs, I will continue to rely on my point-and-shoot Canon Powershot a lot.  But I’m so excited to have a great camera for races, vacations, and fancy dinners!  Do you need a DSLR or a point-and-shoot?  Check this out for a summary of each camera’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

What electronics get your all riled up?  Is it the iPhone, a big flat screen TV, a Garmin, computers, or a camera?  I told the Husband that cameras are my version of his obsession with flat screen TVs, and he understood right away.  🙂

{ 75 comments }

 

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is November 6, 2009, 8:36 am

    I’m so jealous!! The camera definitely gets me riled up!!

  • megan November 6, 2009, 8:37 am

    I would love to have a good camera. I know absolutely nothing about them though1 I’m going to look yours up on Amazon and try to learn more. My husband is starting to come around to the idea of me getting a nice camera. My blog is small, but he loves that I do it, so he wants to support me 🙂 I would love to take some sort of photography class. How in the world do you learn about all this stuff?

    • Caitlin November 6, 2009, 8:38 am

      i did a LOT of googling and asking other people. i’d look at blogs and if i really liked their pictures, id shoot them an email (or look in their FAQs).

  • Danielle November 6, 2009, 8:37 am

    Congratulations on the new and beautiful camera! I’m not a techie by any means but since my recent obsession with photographs (usually of food or the like) I’m hoping someone feels generous at graduation gift time for mine 😉 enjoy!

  • Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries November 6, 2009, 8:41 am

    I definitely share your camera enthusiasm! I loooooove my Canon but can’t wait for someone (it’d be great if my dad were reading this…) bought me a DSLR 🙂

  • Michelle November 6, 2009, 8:42 am

    I NEED:
    1. New MAC laptop or IMac..can’t decide
    2. SLR

    OMG…I need them both…NOW

  • Stacey November 6, 2009, 8:50 am

    Jas and I have been looking at new cameras!! I get so obsessed with them too! I could literally spend hours looking at all the different kinds and different features 😀 He is that way about computers, so he doesn’t mind! Yay for a new camera! I’m crossing my fingers santa will bring me one on Christmas hehe 🙂

  • Julie @savvyeats November 6, 2009, 8:51 am

    Definitely cameras. Or laptops…

  • Nicole November 6, 2009, 8:52 am

    You’ll love the camera! Getting a DSLR changed my life.. and now photography is my job! Cameras are definitely my obsession.

  • Britt - Runnerbelle November 6, 2009, 8:53 am

    Oh I have camera envy!

    I love my iPhone, but really want a DSLR & a Garmin. My hubby has the tv obsession too. He still seems to think he needs a larger one for his man room.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat November 6, 2009, 8:54 am

    Ah, I am jealous! I’m not a big electronics person but I guess I’ll be happy when I get a new phone that I can access the internet from (in January). But I would like a new camera too 🙂

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) November 6, 2009, 8:54 am

    I just got my nikon coolpix camera and I already want a dslr. I have camera envy and also feel like punching people who have a dslr. Jk. Have a great weekend!

  • Bridget November 6, 2009, 8:58 am

    I have a Powershot, too. It’s been toted across three continents in three years. I love it, but think I may get a new one soon!

    My favorite electronic device is my electronic dictionary for learning Japanese. I don’t even know how I ever lived without it!

    Enjoy your new rebellious friend!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 6, 2009, 9:01 am

    Electronics don’t do it for me … I have had a digital SLR (apparently a pretty good one, according to my hubby) for over a year now, and didn’t know that it was special. I am not very educated in that kind of thing!

  • Amy November 6, 2009, 9:02 am

    YAY for the rebel! I literally just got this yesterday for my birthday. I already am in love. But I knew I would be 😀 Can’t wait for you to receive and enjoy it!

  • Leah @ L4L November 6, 2009, 9:05 am

    Ack! MAJOR Camera evy! I want a Rebel SO BAD! I’ve been itching to get one! I have the casio that you had and it is good but not as good as I want! My most fav blogs ever have phenomenal pictures and I want to be in that caliber!

    I also got super excited about the Blackberry Storm and bought it immediately. And I am in love with my Wii!

  • Marina November 6, 2009, 9:05 am

    mhm, christmas icing is such a great idea!

  • Diana November 6, 2009, 9:07 am

    I have a Nikon D80 and I love it to pieces. It’s what I use for work but I play with it all the time too. I’m actually thinking about making an upgrade, probably next year. For now I’ve been investing in good lenses. 🙂 Good purchase. You’ll love it!

  • Mica November 6, 2009, 9:16 am

    Ooh, very nice! I’m sure you’ll put that DSLR to good use!

  • Ally November 6, 2009, 9:18 am

    Ohh, a Garmin was my electronic obsession earlier this year. I kept telling myself that I didn’t need one, I didn’t need one, blah, blah–but, then after logging my first 14 miler, I decided that, yes, in fact, I really did need one. I found it on eBay for a good price–obviously, it’s been love ever since. But, I need a new camera BAD. My point and shoot is 4 years old and wasn’t that nice to beging with–add four years of abuse, and, it needs to go bye-bye–but, I want a fancy pants camera too! Yeah, sure, can’t afford all that!! Maybe I just need a fancy point & shoot for now?

    Um, and that Christmas icing as me drooling 🙂

  • Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar November 6, 2009, 9:19 am

    I have a Canon Powershot SD110QIS that I got for my birthday last year and I looveeee it. In Macro mode it takes such gorgeous pictures without flash. I want a rebel, BAD, too.

  • Lindsey @ eatreadrun.com November 6, 2009, 9:19 am

    I got the Rebel XSi as a gift during my first marathon! I hit mile 3 and saw my hubby standing there taking pics of me with the camera I’d been obsessing over for months! A great surprise. Right now I really want a Garmin!! Have fun with your new camera.

  • Jesse November 6, 2009, 9:21 am

    that camera is sweet, now i have camera envy 🙂
    i’ve been thinking about investing in a good camera because i want to take some photography classes sometime in the near future. anyways, i just got a garmin for my birthday last month and a new computer SO i guess those are my current electronic obsessions! i love the garmin … and the new computer rocks! we are definitely an electronic obsessed home, we have two flat screens, two DVRs, two ipods, a desktop computer & an old almost dead laptop, a wii, an xbox … i could probably keep going, but i’ll stop! thanks for sharing about your new camera … maybe i can convince my husband to let me buy a new one sooner rather than later!

  • Matt November 6, 2009, 9:26 am

    Congrats on the new camera! Mine is a piece of crap but it takes a decent picture and gets the job done.

  • Bernadette November 6, 2009, 9:28 am

    You are going to LOVE that camera! I have the same one, I’ve had it for about 2 years now and it takes amazing pictures.

    Have fun playing with Bella today!!

    xoxo
    Berni

  • Jenna November 6, 2009, 9:28 am

    yay for the new camera!
    jenna

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) November 6, 2009, 9:31 am

    I am so jealous! I can’t wait to see new pictures!

  • Sara November 6, 2009, 9:38 am

    Wow! that Christmas icing looks AMAZING! I am going to have to try that! The boyfriend is an EXTREME camera lover..in fact we have probably 5 cameras between the 2 of us. We have the same camera you are getting! I am always scared to cary it with me beause it is a bit bigger so for day to day use I use my smaller camera. My next thing that I can’t wait to get is the New Apple Macbook! I currently have a desk top and I would LOVE an Apple laptop! This is on my Christmas list..I am hoping Santa will be good to me this year 🙂

  • Jess November 6, 2009, 9:54 am

    Hi Caitlin, I am looking for a new camera for personal pictures (vacations, etc.) and I was wondering if you would recommend the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS for these purposes? Also, do you know how many pictures it holds without a memory card or did you buy a memory card? Which memory card did you buy? Thanks!

    • Caitlin November 6, 2009, 10:04 am

      i really do think the canon powershot sd 1200 is a great point and shoot camera. i would highly recommend it if its within your budget. it does not hold ANY pictures without a memory card, and it requires an SD card. I have a 2.0 giga card and it holds 1,000s.

  • Kaye November 6, 2009, 9:56 am

    http://www.thepioneerwoman.com has some great photography tips!

  • Carolyn November 6, 2009, 9:59 am

    Wow! That’s a lot of cameras. I have a Canon point and shoot, but I barely know how to use it. I take a lot of pictures for my blog with my phone because it’s the easiest way to upload them.

  • Rose November 6, 2009, 9:59 am

    I recently bought the Nikon D3000. Best purchase of my life. Now if I can only figure out how to use it properly.

  • Evan Thomas November 6, 2009, 10:11 am

    That Christmas icing sounds awesome! I thought it was national peanut butter month, is it both? That would just be too awesome

    • Evan Thomas November 6, 2009, 4:04 pm

      I just made that frosting and put it over some pumpkin oats. It really is delicious! I wish I had more than just cinnamon in my dorm room, I bet the nutmeg works well

  • Samantha November 6, 2009, 10:14 am

    I have a Canon Power Shot and I love it. Doesn’t getting me going though. I dream of one day having a Garmin so I can track my distance runs outside. **sigh** someday…

  • Jessica November 6, 2009, 10:21 am

    I just bought a DSLR! I went with the Nikon D5000 (have you seen the new Ashton Kutcher commercials?!) So far I love it, but I am a total newbie when it comes to photography, so I’ve got a lot to learn about this camera and how to take artistic photos 🙂 Congrats!

  • Jessie (Vegan-minded) November 6, 2009, 10:33 am

    I want to get a DSLR so bad!! I have a great point-and-shoot for now, but I really want to upgrade eventually. As far as electronics go, my Macbook is my absolute favorite. 🙂

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life November 6, 2009, 10:33 am

    POM rocks!

  • Olga @ Healthing It November 6, 2009, 10:37 am

    My favorite electronics are my MacBook, my Garmin, my iPod and soon…the same SLR as you just got! I’m getting it as a graduation present 🙂

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans November 6, 2009, 10:58 am

    that exact camera is on the top of my christmas wish list! major camera envy right here! my current favorite electronic is definitely my macbook. what did I do before mac and apple products?

  • Nikka @ HealthfulGirl November 6, 2009, 11:13 am

    Ooooh I’m so happy for you! We have the same camera now, so I know you will just love it! There are so many great forums and flickr pages to learn from other photographers. Let me know if you’d like me to send you some links. Congrats on Bella!

  • Tania November 6, 2009, 11:16 am

    Yeah! Rebels are awesome!!! I looove mine. I usually use my cannon powershot, but I adore my rebel for really crisp pics. SO love that you selected one day shipping- so something I would do. 😉

  • Nicci@NiftyEats November 6, 2009, 11:18 am

    I currently love my SD CANNON1100, but I would love a Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital. Also I’m hoping for a beloved Garmin for Christmas.

  • stephanie November 6, 2009, 11:19 am

    I recently got the same PowerShot that you have and I really really LOVE it. I kind of wanted a DSLR, but since 99.9% of my photos are quick snaps of my on the move baby girl, I wanted something really small and easy. I’m totally satisfied with it so far. Hope you enjoy your new Bella 🙂 Oh, and I love our Garmin….I feel naked if I go out to exercise without it.

  • Amanda (modernation) November 6, 2009, 11:21 am

    I am really dying for a Garmin. It is on my XMAS list, but it might be one of those things I have to buy for myself because no one else will understand the excitement like me.

  • Sophie November 6, 2009, 11:22 am

    Woah ur hubby and i share the same birthday! Thats pretty cool, havent met or heard of another may the 8th!! go us haha

    That so sweet, the sponsoring of a child! Hope u enjoy bella, im a twilight addict too!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) November 6, 2009, 11:24 am

    I love taking photos, but I feel like I am not knowledgeable about photography.. I really regret not taking a class in college. That rebel looks awsome!! I’m not really into electronics, but I am sort of obsessed with my Garmin, so that counts right? PS. Too funny that you named your Edward Cullen!

    Btw, thanks for your sweet words on my blog, Caitlin! 🙂

  • skinnyrunner November 6, 2009, 11:24 am

    yeah for new cameras! my garmin is my absolute first love. i cant believe i just typed that. oh dear lord.

    • Caitlin November 6, 2009, 11:28 am

      i would make sweet love to my garmin if i could.

  • Bronwyn November 6, 2009, 11:29 am

    Totally have a Canon Point and Shoot.

    But I do have a garmin 310xt. 😀

  • Meghan@traveleatlove November 6, 2009, 11:30 am

    I am petty Blackberry obsessed. Its not good.

    • Jenny November 6, 2009, 11:35 am

      Meghan- mine should just be surgically attached to my hand. It’s really sad.

  • Kristin November 6, 2009, 11:30 am

    I am totally Jones’n for a iTouch. If we got AT&T where I live it would be the iPhone for sure althought the SLR cameras are looking mighty tempting these days too! I love gadgets!

  • Bree@beeskneeslife November 6, 2009, 11:32 am

    My wish list includes a DSLR and a Garmin… jealous! I am hoping to ask for some Christmas and birthday money to put towards one or the other 🙂

  • Jenny November 6, 2009, 11:34 am

    I love my powershot (we’re canon twins- mine’s blue, too!), but I am definitely envious of Bella. You’re going to have so much fun when she gets there!

    Let’s see…I have a slight iPod obsession (I have 3- one was stolen in Paris), but nothing comes close to the love I feel for my Macbook. It’s the new one with the aluminum shell and it’s like a child to me. It goes everywhere and has my entire life on it.

  • Bec November 6, 2009, 11:36 am

    congrats on your new camera friend, I love her name!

  • carolyn~ November 6, 2009, 11:41 am

    Gracias for posting that link. I have been toying with the idea of an SLR camera and have done some research. My obsession is with toys…ipods (2) I got a netbook in AUgust and just ordered a new laptop, about to order my new cell phone and yea for Christmas it is a new flat screen and Wii for our house.

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion November 6, 2009, 11:48 am

    YAY! I can’t wait to see new pics with it. I feel like fancy cameras like that intimidate me! I am obsessed with my Garmin though, so I totally understand!

  • micha November 6, 2009, 12:05 pm

    my mouth is just watering for those waffles….loooooove the icing!!!! making them this weekend for sure! thanks for sharing

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing November 6, 2009, 12:11 pm

    I totally have rebel envy too!! Enjoy your new camera. Lucky girl!

  • Janet November 6, 2009, 12:21 pm

    Congratulations on your new Rebella! 😉 I may be needing to get one of those myself soon!

  • Tay November 6, 2009, 12:50 pm

    A DSLR is on my camera wishlist!!! I want one sooo badly. Not just for blogging, but for regular photography. I was very into it in high school and love it so much. Congrast on your new friend!!

  • kelly November 6, 2009, 1:05 pm

    you crack me up!!! and remind me of myself. i was actually called “the camera nazi” in highschool too!! how funny 🙂

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) November 6, 2009, 1:06 pm

    Love tons of electronics! iPhone, Acer mini laptop, cameras, etc. I really want a new headset for when I’m on business webinars, a wireless one so I can empty the dishwasher or make lunch while listening. That new camera of yours will go on my wish list too. I would also like a new heart rate monitor! And I could keep going on LOL

  • Lizzy November 6, 2009, 1:35 pm

    i’m an iphone junky and i want one so bad, but i’m on verizon network. ahhh!!! so happy for your new camera! Your pictures are going to be fab!

  • Erika November 6, 2009, 2:20 pm

    Hi Caitlin! Yay for pomegranate month!!! They’re my current obsession. Do you know if you can freeze the arils, in order to enjoy the pom year-round? Just wondering.
    I don’t really have any electronic obsession to speak of… I’m more of a kitchen gadget freak (or so my husband says 🙂

  • Jaime November 6, 2009, 4:09 pm

    A DSLR is at the top of my “want” list…but I have a wedding and a trip to Mexico in my future so I’m sad to say the camera will have to wait.

    I had two of the Casio Exilims before I got my Canon. I agree with you…for a reasonably priced point and shoot I really liked the Casios. I lost my second one when it was only 6 months old, and that’s when I made the switch to Canon (I have the same one you do). I bought a Nikon first but hated it and returned it after two weeks (grainy picture quality).

    For the DSLR I would like either the Rebel or whatever the new version of the Nikon D60 will be at the time.

  • Danielle November 6, 2009, 4:34 pm

    Add me to the list of having camera envy! I’m known as the “camera nazi” among my friends now because I ALWAYS have my camera with me to document things. I’m trying to use this to my advantage so I can convince my husband to go along with me getting one 🙂

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) November 6, 2009, 4:38 pm

    Yum, your waffles and frosting look amazing. Nom Nom Nom, is right. Bummer that you can’t be at the awards but what an honor.

  • Susan November 6, 2009, 5:05 pm

    I can’t wait to see your pics with the new camera! I reeeally want a new one for Christmas. I have an old beast of a Kodak that takes decent shots, but why have decent when I can have amaaaazing? 😛

    I work in radio, so I’m geeky about digital audio recorders, audio editing programs and microphones. I’m also fascinated by heart rate monitors. I have a Polar that I lovelovelove, but I’m always checking out the newest models and functions from all different brands.

  • maria November 6, 2009, 5:51 pm

    I’ve been thinking about garmins and DSLR cameras lately. But right now i don’t have the funds to do either. 🙂

  • blunt November 6, 2009, 6:29 pm

    By no mean to insult you personally, but I really have to say this. I stumbled upon your blog a while ago. After reading thru a few days, I could not STAND your blog/writing. You seemed to be quite OCD about taking food photos (not great btw), running, school, work, exercising, and tried SO. HARD. to project this image of superwoman-who-can-do-it-all. Thus I’m not surprised that you have quite a few “envy’s”. While I read other bloggers doing something, and it’s almost like a chain wave and found it here too. A typical, Keep it up with the Joneses, bloggie-style. I command your effort with your Operation Beautiful. Try to keep your blog/life original like that one.

    • Caitlin November 6, 2009, 11:49 pm

      sorry you feel that way.

  • Anne November 6, 2009, 7:14 pm

    As a follower of this website for about a month, I must reply to the above comment. The reason Caitlin is “OCD” about taking food photos is that food is one of the major themes of her blog. You will see this on several other health/fitness blogs. The photos help document what a person eats (and help readers see the food more clearly if there are instruction on how to make something). If you don’t like her writing or photography, no one is forcing you to read her blog–create your own if you have better ideas. Personally, I enjoy her photos. She doesn’t claim to be a professional photographer, and this isn’t a photography blog. She is also being honest about what she does. Are you training for a marathon, taking night classes, and writing a book? I think those are commendable activities, and I don’t get the impression that she is “bragging” or trying to “keep up with the Joneses”…simply writing about her life. I’m not being syncophantic, just honest. It’s also OK to upgrade your technology if you have the means. I think the “chain wave” you refer to is overwhelmingly positive, since many people, including me, have been inspired in their fitness efforts and positive outlook on life from this blog.

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point