I have been working on a blog post for the past 8 days and I just couldn’t get it to flow like I wanted (not like I’m great at storytelling but I was still finding it difficult to pull it all together) so I am going to put it on the back burner for a week or so, write something else and get back to it when I am more inspired!

Today, my Ipad started acting up and wasn’t charging properly.  I think it has to do with the connection between the charger and the Ipad itself because I have tried 3-4 different cords and multiple outlets and it is still kind of hit and miss so, I thought I would go look to see if there were any other charging options I could try and there isn’t really.  Alrighty then, that was that.  But, I had some time between appointments so I decided to linger a bit and browse around Best Buy where I happened upon the Wearable Technology section…..I wasn’t even aware that there was enough wearable technology that warranted its own section in the store. Now that I think about it, I didn’t even know what wearable technology was.

So, what’s it gonna be today?  Well I am glad you asked – today I want to ask everyone, “what is this world coming to?”.  It all started with my new Fitbit – I love this thing!  It’s the new Fitbit Blaze and I didn’t even know I wanted or needed one until I got it for my birthday.  This thing is super cool! Along with keeping track of how many steps you do in a day, it gives options for multi activity tracking, it measures your heart rate and it even has guided breathing sessions, on screen workouts, smart phone notifications, reminders to move, tells you how you are sleeping and the all-important music control! If you are trying to get fit or already are fit, you seriously need one of these!

But, did you know that one of the earliest pieces of wearable technology (other than hearing aids) was the calculator watch introduced in the 1980’s? And in 2004 fashion design label CuteCircuit unveiled a Bluetooth connected electronics called the HugShirt which was the first wearable technology that took the form of a piece of clothing?  It also was the first Bluetooth connected and internet connected clothing. This product was included by Time Magazine in the “Best Inventions of the Year” special issue. I think I must have been in the dark ages, because I have never heard of the HugShirt.  Where have I been all my life and how did I miss it?  In 2008, Ilya Fridman incorporated a hidden Bluetooth microphone into a pair of earrings. Around the same time, the Spy Tie appeared, a “stylish neck tie with a hidden color camera”.  Again, where was this when I needed to find a gift for my dad?  He would have loved a spy tie! A study in 2014 by MSI and McAfee reported that 70% of people think that wearable technologies will soon send health vitals readings to physicians. I can actually see that happening, it would sure hold people more accountable for their health choices don’t you think or is it too much of an invasion?  I’m wavering between thinking it will happen and then hoping it doesn’t go that way.  I’m wishy washy like that.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_technology#History

I’ve digressed though so back to what I really want to say. Nowadays, it seems like everybody has cashed in on the wearable technology craze – Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Under Armour and Apple and can you believe it…..even Michael Kors and Kate Spade are getting in on this new wave of technology and I’m sure there are more that I’m not even aware of.  Have you ever heard of a Quell Pain Relief Starter kit?  It supposedly blocks chronic pain for widespread relief by using OptiTherapy technology to automatically manage discomfort and customize the dose of relief.  As someone who suffers from chronic pain with my MS, this sounds tempting but I’m not sure that it is something I would want to count on every day all day long.  Then there’s the Under Armour HealthBox connected fitness system which keeps track of your overall health using a UA Band activity tracker that monitors sleep quality, number of steps taken and resting heart rate, and the scale measures body weight and fat percentages. That’s just what I want to look at every time I look to see what time it is…….NOT!

Ok, now this one is just down right crazy – A Smart Shoe? Samsung is set to launch its golf shoe that analyses your game (I need this).  And what about emotion sensing wearables?  From mood diaries and breathing apps to biometric sensors, wearable tech in 2017 will care just as much about how you feel as it does to how fit you are.  Who couldn’t use a stress wearable, reminding you to breathe, take a walk or just walk away?   One device leading the charge is the Thync Relax which sits around the neck and creates a kind of mini brain massage, I sure could have used that after some of the meetings I had to sit through when I was working. Snapchat’s CEO launched a pair of camera-packing smart glasses that people actually wanted to wear. Be ready to embrace the arrival of a second gen pair of Snap Specs or something even smarter this year. I’m sorry, but this stuff sounds too Mission Impossibleish (?) to me, technology is moving at such a fast pace that the sky’s the limit where this stuff is concerned.  All I really want is a little clicker that can keep my total golf score……my needs are few!

But here is the end all be all that I saw today, which is the purpose of this post………BACtrack SKYN.  Have you heard of it?  Apparently, it makes tracking your drinking effortless. It measures the alcohol coming from your skin and gives you an estimate of your alcohol level in real-time. No more guesswork I guess?  I’m sorry, but if you need to see if you have had too much to drink, THAT should be your answer, am I wrong?  I can’t think who would need this? Am I missing something here?  It just makes me ask “what is this world coming to?” I consider myself a totally open-minded person but after thinking about it, I’ve decided that I’m not ok with this piece of technology.  It’s different if you are trying to lose weight, get more fit, fix your golf game or even manage your pain, but when this device fails and tells someone who shouldn’t be driving that they are “under the limit” and they get in a car and plow through a stop sign hurting (or killing) themselves or someone else including my grandchildren, technology has gone way beyond what it is intended for in my opinion.

Wow, do I ever sound like a fuddy duddy, I’m not sure that I’m ready for the world to be taken over by the technological revolution but I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s going to happen whether I like it or not so I either need to get on the train or be left behind at the station. It’s just another opportunity to learn new things and to rethink how we do things daily.  Bye for now, I’ve got to pack if I’m getting on this train!

While waiting it out, try this yummy Greek Orzo Salad!

Greek Orzo Salad

• Servings: 6
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

try this light summery salad at your next barbecue, it will be a winner

Ingredients

 Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil

3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 Teaspoon red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you can handle it)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 Teaspoon dijon mustard

1 drop Young Living Vitality Lemon Essential Oil

1 Teaspoon Greek Seasoning (or use 1/2 teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil)

Salad

1 1/4 cups (8 oz) dry orzo

1 cup (5 oz) crumbled feta

1 medium diced cucumber

1 whole diced tomato 

1 cup kalamata olives

1/2 cup chopped red onion

3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

1/2 Red Pepper, diced

1/2 cup diced celery

Directions

1. In a jar mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, red wine vinegar, greek seasoning, dijon mustard, Lemon Essential oil and season with salt and pepper to taste (keep in mind that the feta and kalamata olives are fairly salty), set aside.
2. Cook orzo according to directions listed on package. Drain and let cool (about 5 minutes)
3. Add all of the salad ingredients, including cooked orzo, to a large bowl and toss. Pour dressing over top and toss to evenly coat. Store in refrigerator, serve within a few hours for best results.

Enjoy!

Raegan