Gentleman's Quick-tip: Healthy Breakfast

One aspect of a gentleman is his attention to detail and a very important detail should be his health.  While it might be easy to grab something quick and sugary for breakfast, an ideal breakfast should be high in protein and have enough healthy fats to keep you satiated for the first few hours of the day.

After you down a liter of water (you become dehydrated when you sleep) a good breakfast is the best way to tackle the rest of the morning.  I am a huge fan of cooking.  Sometimes things turn out badly, but after a while you start to know what would taste great.  That way you can experiment and create healthy meals for yourself, instead of being at the mercy of whatever the local restaurant serves you.  Here's a recipe for my latest success: 

The Eggwhite - Cottage Cheese Omelet

3 egg whites

2-3 Tbsp cottage cheese

1/2 tsp basil (fresh is best - of course)

optional - I add a load of red pepper flakes, because I love spicy food

sprinkled cheddar cheese on top for taste and appearance

Heat frying pan on a stove top set at medium-low to medium.  If your pan is not non-stick, you should spray it with a cooking spray first.  Allow the pan to heat for a moment while you combine the ingredients (no more than 2-3 minutes).

With a fork or whisk mix the eggs, cottage cheese, basil and other optional additions.  Pour into pan.  I put a lid on the pan to allow the heat and steam to cook the top of the omelet; this will make flipping the omelet much easier.  After you flip the omelet, add the shredded cheddar cheese to the cooked side.  After the eggs are sufficiently cooked through, serve and enjoy!  

For additional health tips, check out my classmate's blog about healthy living.  Her blog goes into greater detail about healthy diet and fitness.  Definitely worth checking out (link below).

http://inspiredbynutrition45.blogspot.com/

Gentleman’s Essential #5: Getting Framed

Having your formerly perfect eyesight change is an eerie experience.  In the past, I would try to image what it would be like to not see everything crystal clear.  I would blur my eyes so I could empathize with my family and friends.  Fast forward to the present.  I sit in Managerial Finance, and now I’m the one squinting.  I’m not glaring at the professor (I keep my loathing inside), I’m not going for the "smolder" look - I’m simply trying my best to focus on the presented spreadsheet on the screen.  Sure enough, Dr. Jim gave the grim diagnosis – I’m nearsighted now.  Is that a bad thing?  Eyeglasses are something new to me, so let us take a look at how they factor into the gentleman’s look.

If it’s your first time getting specs, go for a slimmer frame.  The look might not be as startling to yourself if you err on the side of caution.  After you get more confident in your new look, thicker framed, plastic glasses will be your secret weapon in your image arsenal.  After all, consider JT (pictured) – he’s sporting the thick plastics and he’s pretty much succeeding in every aspect of his life. 

There are three main points to consider when buying glasses:

1.  Get an idea of what the shape of your face is and find glasses that complement your characteristics.   If you have an oval face, you’re in luck.  Just about any set of glasses will look good on you.  Squared faces should opt for glasses that have curves to soften your angles.  Whereas if you have a rounded face you should go for rectangular frames; these will give your face a more elongated look.  If you need help with this, Lens Crafters has a great resource to determine your face shape (see link below).

2.  It’s a good idea to have a couple of pairs of glasses.  This will allow you to have a more conservative look, and also have a pair that lets you express your edgy side.  The other obvious big benefit of having a second pair, is that you have a back-up in case you loose or damage your glasses.

3.  Pick a size and color that work well for your characteristics. Try to make sure to get frames that are neither more narrow nor wider than your face.  Also, coloring is important.  Anyone can pull off black or silver frames, but guys with light-brown or blonde hair can also rock the tortoise-shell frames.

While I was researching this subject for the Guy’dbook, I found a great eyeglasses service called, Warby Parker (see link below).  They’re certainly worth checking out.  They are being called “the Netflix of glasses.”  Their great styles, amazing prices, social responsibility, and customer service set this innovative company apart.  The amazing thing - they send you five frames to try for five days for free before you buy!  I have my set of five on the way.

It’s fun to experiment with different looks, but don’t try to “will” a style onto yourself.  You might see a celeb with a certain look, but it doesn’t mean it’s right for you.  If it doesn’t feel quite right, trust your instincts – after all it’s what’s gotten you this far in life! 

So don’t be afraid to augment your style with a set of glasses, gentlemen.  I’m glad this discussion has brought the situation into focus for you.

http://www.lenscrafters.com/eyeglasses/whats-your-face-shape-find-eyeglasses-to-flatter-your-face

http://www.warbyparker.com/

Gentleman’s Essential #4: YES! I can hear you now.

First off, I appreciate Raleigh for telling me to write about this experience.  The other day, I’m sitting in the small waiting room while my car was being worked on, and the other guy in the cramped room answers a call with his Bluetooth headset.  And he starts talking… loudly.  A true gentleman will notice two issues with my scenario.  First – when to wear a headset. 

Bluetooth headsets while driving?  Okay, keeps you safe. 

Bluetooth headsets everywhere else?  Not at all okay. 

In the Wired magazine piece Ditch the Headset, Marin Jinnett delves into the possible reasons a guy would be mistaken into thinking BT headsets “make them look like the King of Coolsville,” but it really just makes guys look like “Count Clueless of Dorkylvania.”  (Jinnett, M., Ditch the Headset, Wired, August 2009)  The big reason for this probably has to do with Mr. Bluetooth’s insecurities.  Throughout history, people of higher status would separate themselves from the commoners with ornate jewelry and other trinkets.  Today’s overt gadget users are the manifestation of that same behavior from previous civilizations; self-ascribed people of status trying to put some social distance over the rest of us “plebs.”  (Sorry, you’ve got to dig into your history book to get that last one.)  See the footnotes for a link…

Problem numéro deux:  Now that we know that Bluetooth headsets belong in the car, let’s address the proper way to use a phone around others.  When you answer the phone, go somewhere off to the side or in another room.  That way you can have a private convo with your pals and not disturb the people near you.  Yes, we all have cell phones now and are fully aware of Bluetooth headsets – nobody’s impressed anymore.    

Despite my whine-fest, I really do think new innovations are incredibly helpful.  Information is at our fingertips and we can connect like never before.  It’s an exciting time to be alive!  With all of these conveniences and means of communication, it’s easy to forget the fundamental ways we should behave around and with each other.  Trust me, there will be more discussion about the “communication best practices” for aspiring gentleman (and decent human being) in a future installment. 

Be considerate of others around you, gentlemen.  People will appreciate it.

http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/order.html

Gentleman’s Essentials #3: Making Time

My New Media Marketing professor, Deb Ibsen, read a list of “Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know”  (Johnson, S., The Best Article Every Day, January 6, 2011).  Much to my dismay, one of the top items to get the ax was the wristwatch.  I feel that is a rather brash assumption that watches will go the way of the tape deck (and soon to be, cd player).  Admittedly, the wristwatch hasn’t been a gentlemen’s essential for too long.  Louis Cartier invented the first men’s wristwatch in 1904.  A little over a hundred years later, gentlemen rely on quality watches to help them keep time and act as the perfect style accent.  Sadly, if you were to ask a group how many wear watches, you’d only get a few hands – most people use their phones to keep time.  Just tell me something, when you watch the latest Bond movie, does Daniel Craig pull out his cell phone to check the time?  Of course not - he slides back his sleeve to reveal his Omega chronograph. 

Watches come in a variety of styles and materials depending on the purpose and look.   Let’s just keep it basic here.  The casing comes in round, rectangular/square (“tank”) shapes, in a variety of materials.  The bands typically come in metals that match the casing or leather.  Most watches are made from stainless steel or titanium and have a crystal face.  Stainless steel is ideal for your main watch.  It fits nearly any outfit or occasion, while being durable yet classy.  Choosing size of the watch face is a balance – too small and you’ll look dainty and frail; too big and people will think you’re over-compensating.  You don’t have to rob a bank to get a nice watch to accent your style.  You can don a nice watch by Armani Exchange, Diesel, or Nixon for around $150 - $300, Tissot for around $300 - $500, or a Tag Heuer starting around $600 .  At some point, any self-respecting gentleman will make the investment in a high-end timepiece like a Rolex, Omega, or Breitling.    

Why get a watch?  Men generally don’t wear too many pieces of jewelry – unless you’re going for the garish, Sopranos look.  A nice watch is a good way to show your refinement and good taste.  In researching this, many articles written by women expressed their feeling that watches made men exude sophistication, masculinity, and raw sexuality.  Aside from the functional benefits, do you really need any other reasons? 

Go pick up a nice watch guys.  It’s time.     

Gentleman’s Essential #2: WWCGD

Thank you for reading another installment of the Ultimate Guy’dbook.  I appreciate all of the great feedback and comments so far – I know it will help shape this into a forum for the “evolutionarily enhanced.”  Speaking of evolution, in 1964, Bob Dylan coined the phrase, “The times, they’re a-changin’.”  The great singer/songwriter wrote this at a time of rapid change socially, politically, technologically, and culturally.  There are many changes that should be eagerly embraced, but a gentleman’s sense of style … that should be timeless. 

There’s a general rule I follow in regards to style:  “What would Cary Grant Do?”  The logic behind this mantra, is that if you were to look at a picture of Cary Grant (see picture at left) from the 1940s or 50s, you could easily place him in any setting today.  While the standard of style is influenced by trends regularly, the iconic gentleman can look at the wild changes visible on the surface and hone in on the underlying theme.  For example, today you are likely to find huge, “chunky” scarves and clamdiggers on the guys in GQ and Esquire, but the more subtle, “timeless” trends are skinnier ties, and flat-front pants.  You have to ask yourself, “what can I wear today that won’t make me embarrassed if I were to look at a picture of myself 10 years from now?”   

In the end, the cool thing about style is that you can make your own.  It’s about knowing who you are and confidently going forward.  While you are finding your own image, find someone you can relate to.  You might identify with the sophistication of John F. Kennedy or the simple, rebellious persona of James Dean.  

Become iconic, gentlemen.  Be timeless.

Discussion time:  I’d like to hear who your style icon is.  (There’s no wrong answer.)  Ladies, who would you like your man to model his look after?  Side note:  for guys it’s style, not fashion.  

Gentleman's essential #1: Gratitude

This might seem like an odd thing to start with - Gratitude.  If you thought you'd be coming on this blog to learn how to impress people with your impeccable style, cunning wit, or proficient know-how, you'd be right ... later.  Bear in mind, gentleman-grasshopper, you must lay the foundation of what a true gentleman is before you go forward.

If a guy acts like a gentleman, but doesn't have genuine gratitude for those around him, others will see through him and think he has some ulterior motive.  Let's face it though, even if we are sincerely grateful, we all want something.  If we go out to eat, we hope for great service.  If we go on a date, we (usually) hope for another.  Try to appreciate that you are interacting with another person, who like you, has hopes and emotions.  For example, your server is probably hoping you'll be a considerate customer.  Your date hopes you'll be fun and thoughtful.  Don't simply look at people as a means to an end.

This is kindergarden stuff.  It's simple, but make sure to always sincerely say, "Thank you."  But even better, find something that the other person did that stood out to you and comment on it.  This could be something like, "Thanks for getting lunch with me.  You're really funny and easy to talk with."  A sentiment like that is good for a note or an email.  Otherwise, it's always a good idea to thank someone for their time or effort.  People appreciate being recognized for those sacrifices.

On a related note, here's my personal standard for gratitude with people who serve me: I always give 20% tip.  It's easy, it's customary to tip, and that little extra makes the other person's day.  Here's the simple math:

Take your bill > divide by 10 > then double it!

Simple, right?  $20 lunch - divide by 10 = $2, then double it = $4  Easy enough!

How does this gratitude stuff sound?  Do you think you can handle it?  Now it's my turn...

Thank you for reading this first official blog post.  I look forward to discussing trends and topics about "all things gentleman-ish."  I'd love your feedback!

In the coming weeks we'll discuss style tips, grooming, interpersonal engagement, cool tech and auto trends, and awesome date ideas.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions.  Additionally, if there's one thing that I've learned growing up, is that the women in my life can really bring insight into how to be a better man.  Please, all you great women out there - share your insights too.

Thank you.

Testing, testing...

This is Joel of the Ultimate Guy'dbook.  I'll do a more formal intro post later.  This is simply meant to be my test flight into the blogosphere!