Depressing

The weather has been so dark and grey for the past few days. It just grates on my nerves and puts in a crappy (ok crappier than usual) mood!
I just want it the sun to shine and the birds to sing! I'm so waiting for spring- except that I love fall clothing!
I've been loving all the sweaters and scarves out there. So pretty and so functional too.
Then there are those walking around in complete denial...wearing capri pants and sandals- IT'S OCTOBER- IN CANADA!! !Get a grip- you can wear them again next year! Really I promise!
anyway rant over... just wanted to post something -anything really!

My plans

I had so many plans for my blog. It is just so hard to keep up with all things work and life related outside the blog sphere that this tends to get neglected. Even harder now that the new TV season has started. Sorry to say but true!
I did however start a new blog. I call it my daily dinner blog. I do hope to post dinner ideas daily and am really looking for feedback and comments!
Check it out here.

run away with me

In light of the recent heartbreak and stresses we have endured I have decided to really commit to the running thing. I took myself out Monday night and ran about 3 km. It wasn't a long run but it was a run and I did it alone- my first lone run in more years than I can count. Last night FP and I ran together. We did about 5k together, and she likely did closer to 6 or more! (Cheers for FP!!!) I am really enjoying the freedoms of running. There is no schedule to abide by, if I am running late than I can still get out and do my run without worrying about interrupting an instructor or about not getting a good spot in the class. I don't have to dress up in "designer" workout clothes, I don't have to worry about my messy ponytail looking just right (as the gyms I tended to go to were often fashionable, trendy places where the patrons were sometimes more worried about how they looked on the floor than what they were often doing there-not that I am into all that but they were convenient and usually offered great corporate rates!)
I know it is late in the year to start running and I won't have a lot of time left to get the runs in before the weather turns unbearable to run but I will enjoy it while it lasts.

good bye dear friend

My dear kittie Jamie was an "impulse purchase." I had always loved kitten and wanted one of my own so my dear friend Jill and I went down to the humane society one Sunday afternoon 8 long years ago to pick out a kitty. There were so many to choose from but this feisty black and white one caught my attention the moment he was carried into the viewing room. He was the cutest, friskiest cat I'd ever seen. He was my first baby. I named him Jamie because I always wanted to name my first born Jamie and at that point in my life I was certain I'd never have human babies of my own.
I took him home and for months he slept on my pillow. He was small enough to hide in a tiny paper bag. He was smart enough to get in the elevator of my building and take a ride down to the first floor, where the building super spotted him and brought him back up to me. Jamie was a regal cat, his fur shined and he always took such pristine care of himself.
One things is for sure, he always wanted to be an outdoor cat. I never let him out and often chased him down the block and carried him back inside but he longed to be outdoors, chasing butterflies and falling leaves. This time I just let him go, he ran past me and I didn't chase him and bring him back. I was in such a rush and figured he'd be fine, He'd been venturing out for a few months already and he always came back.

We came home after dinner and I noticed a note on the door. The neighbor said a few kids from the local high school had knocked on the door to say a cat had been hit. It wasn't their cat and they knew it must be ours. We went looking for him right away but couldn't find him anywhere. We called around and nobody had seen him. Finally after searching and searching, flashlight in hand my husband found him lying between two houses. He looked so peaceful. He was gone. I will miss him. He loved me and was so loyal to me. Sometimes he wasn't so nice to other people but he was always loving and affectionate to me. He got me, and i got him.

My dear Jamie. I will miss you always.

A great mistake

Yesterday I was making a tofu stir fry for dinner. In the morning I chopped up all the vegetables. Went to take the tofu out of the fridge drawer only to discover it had frozen into a complete block. I was quite upset because I thought it had been ruined and wasn't sure I could use it when it thawed. Either way I left it in the fridge to thaw out and went to work for the day. After inquiring with a friend at work she said it was perfectly fine to use the tofu once it defrosted and to just press out the water with a paper towel. So i did just that. It was amazing HOW MUCH water came out of the defrosted tofu. ANYWAY to get to the point, cooking it once it was pressed out made SOOO much easier to cook!!! Normally when i make the tofu stir fry the tofu gets all stuck to the pan and doesn't really get crispy...well this time it cooked perfectly, got really brown and crispy. It was DELISHOUS, I was so relieved and very happy!!!

Here are a few pics of dinner in progress

The tofu and onions

Once the vegetables have been added

Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Fall is looming

It is September...ALREADY!!! Where oh where did the summer go??? Each year just flies by so quickly I can't believe more than half of 2010 is gone!!!

Each month on the first I review my resolutions for the year and assess how I am doing so far. Well this year I have actually kept to a few of them with great strength! My most obvious was the goal to lose weight through Weight Watchers. I originally resolved to lose 25 pounds but found that was just a little too ambitious so I re-evaluated my goal and lost a little over 20 which is just fine with me. Now I must learn to live at my new weight without gaining it back and without tracking everything I eat for the rest of my life!! I know how to make healthy choices that work for me...just need to use that knowledge to my advantage!
I also resolved that I would workout daily. I was doing really well on that front-for a while. Then I just fell back into the habit of excuses to avoid exersize. I do take lots of stairs daily and I do walk a lot but not nearly as much as I should or I would like to. For some reason my motivation in this area is a little lacking...need kick in-butt from someone!!
I wanted to start wearing make-up every day. I do. Sometimes it's probably not obvious but I know it's there and I know that without I wouldn't feel half and good as i do!
hmmm.. that is really all i can think of for now.
Just need to put it out there that I will start a more dedicated running program-i will, i will, i will ! I am registering to run with FP at the end of the month and don't want to feel like a complete dork doing it so i must practise! and i will.

A funny thing

Well not really funny haha but kind of ironic none-the-less. I had been feeling down as I had seriously thought I'd gained back a chunk of the weight I'd recently lost. I stepped on the scale last week for my weekly weigh in and was actually down the 1.2 lbs I had gained the previous week. Great ! So why was I looking at myself in the mirror and seeing bulges that weren't there before??? I had no idea UNTIL I realized my pants were just too big on me and really should be given away pronto. I have been wearing my size 10's and felt decent in them, I knew they were a little baggy in the tushy area but after 8 months of climbing 10-20 flights of stairs a day and following the Weight Watchers plan my butt is no longer as wide as it was and my pants just hang there...no more wearing my bigger/older clothes with a belt. It just won't cut it! My work out pants which I LOVED, which were very flattering (IMO) up till now look ridiculous and make me look wider than they should...time to let them go too!!! I have a pile of dresses I can't let go of and will be taking them to get altered ASAP!! Since they are mostly big in the chest but still fit in the waste and hips I hope there won't be any problem altering them to fit again! and now I have an excuse to buy a few new thing!
Off to do some shopping I must go!

Bye-bye summer sad to see you go but...

Summer is obviously coming to an end. The mornings are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. There is more need to bring a sweater than ever before.
This summer the fashion trends were quite varied but a lot of them leaned towards the super short shorts. I will not be sorry to see these go. So many girls have been sporting this style when really they should think about wearing their shorts just a wee bit longer. I really don't think everybody needs to see your almost bikini line or the hem of your panties peaking out from under the shorts. Then there is the too heavy girl wearing the too revealing shorts... i won't even go there, no need to create such an unpleasant picture in your mind on that one!

The next summer trend I'll be happy to go is the sandal boot. I just don't like them. I did try a pair or two on out of curiosity but really they do nothing for your foot/leg and I really don't think they look good with short, or skirts. Maybe, just maybe they are okay with capris and more okay with long pants-but so many people don't wear them with capris or longs... please ladies take a really good look in the mirror before you head out the door in these sandal/boots! UGH.

The gladiator sandal is another summer foot trend I just didn't get into. I like the beaded sandals and the ones with stones but ones with straps half way up the leg or too much leather on the top are just not my style (and honestly I have yet to see a woman pull this off looking chique and stylish)

Of course there were a lot of fashion trends this summer I will be sad to see go.
I love peasant tops. They are so cool and breezy, come in so many colors and fits- i had 2 which I really loved wearing with capris or jeans.
Printed t-shirts. I love all the butterfly and floral prints I found this year. I just hope they are trendy again next summer as I'd hate to only get one seasons wear from them!

Sundresses. These do come back from summer to summer and usually the styles are pretty similar so I'm sure that next year I'll be able to sport the ones I bought this year without much thought. I was never into dresses before but became somewhat addicted to them this year. I bought 4 summer dresses and wore them as much as I could. I have even purchased a little shrug I hope to wear over them when the weather gets cooler but still warm enough to wear skirts without hose/tights.
Dresses with leggings. I love this look but could never actually find one that suited me. Of course I only tried on one or two and then gave up... perhaps if i'd searched harder!

Can't wait to see what becomes all the rage this fall! I did notice some fall clothes in the store windows this morning...maybe i'll take a peak to see what i can find!

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

I used to LOVE cutting out recipes and trying them. I keep them in a binder and must have hundreds of them which look/looked good to me but I have never made. Yesterday my little guy wanted to bake a cake with me. I thought that was a great idea but couldn't find a suitable recipe for which I had all the ingrediants. Then I found this gem which was cut out of a Post Bran Flakes box in 1995!!!! (Yup you read that right. I had this recipe in my possession for 15 years and just NOW made it for the first time!!! )
Anyway here is the recipe:

2 eggs lightly beaten
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup mashed banana
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup bran flakes
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

• in a large bowl combine eggs, honey, oil, banana, peanut butter and vanilla
• combine flour, cereal, baking powder, baking soda and salt
• add dry ingrediants to wet mixture and stir until flour is just dampened. Spoon in 12 greased muffin tins, filling 3/4 full.
• bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and cool on rack.
  Makes 12 muffins

Nutritional Info

1 muffin: 278 cal, 5.7g protein, 15.6 g fat, 31.7 carbohydrate, 2.1g dietary fibre

They came out really fluffy and light. I did throw in a handful of chocolate chips in half the batter. They are quite high in fat and calories, equaling about 6 points each on WW. Next time I try these I would replace the oil with applesause for added flavour and to reduce the fat/calories. Since they don't have any sugar they aren't very sweet but my kids still ate 2 each!

My first run

in a really really long time.
A few nights ago I went for my first run in probably 7 years. I was inspired by Fansy Pantsy and since she asked if I wanted to meet up and join her for a run, I thought it couldn't hurt! Well I did about 3 k and felt really good about it. I know 3k isn't that much but I did that without any stopping or "wind sprinting" (running 1 minute, walking 3 etc)
Running is something I could definitely see myself doing regularly. It is so freeing and easy (not the actually running but the fact that you can put your shoes on and go-no driving to the gym, no hopiong something good is on TV while you pound it out on the elliptical) You just put your shoes on and off you go! Wonderful!
My legs were quite sore the next day and had a fairly hard time going up my 5 flights of stairs so opted for the elevator once or twice rather than kill myself. Today (Friday) my legs and butt muscles are kind of sore but I'm not sure if that is the running or the Zumba class I did last night!

A quick review

I had been eyeing these Skechers sandals for some time and when the went on sale recently (and I had an additional %10 off coupon) I decided to make the investment. Well they are supposed to help tone and shape your legs while you do the regular walking you do daily.
So far I have been very impressed with how comfortable they are. The souls of my feet don't hurt, in fact they are cushioned so well and almost feel like i'm walking on air. The toe thong isn't quite at comfortable as it should be but I think I need to brake them in a little more ( I often wear sandals with toe thongs but these just fit a little differently than the ones I normally wear)

They look great with jeans, capris and even some skirts...so shiny and lovely bling-perfect for our upcoming cruise!

I'm not sure my calves are really getting any more toned from wearing them but really I'm not overly concerned. All the stair climbing I do should certainly do that for me!

flashback to the past

This weekend we went all retro. Our computer was in the shop being debugged, our phone line had been accidently cut and niether of us have an i-phone, blackberry or any other method of checking email. We were forced to spend quality time together without all the luxeries of modern day communications. It was really nice!!! Since our computer is currently in the family room someone is often sitting there with their back to the room looking at the screen rather than talking and communicating with the others. I didn't realize how anti-social this was until we no longer had that option.
I am hoping to use this experience to change my internet-usage habits and spend more time talking, playing and getting down on the floor with the kids (and hubby too:)

Happy Anniversary

after months and months of talking and debating Gav and I decided that a much need vacation was in order. We then debated and discussed to DEATH where to go. Cuba and Mexico are both fairly reasonably priced but have reputations for sometimes being kind of -eh (and the food at the all inclusive resorts are often really blech) Jamaica and Dominican were also contenders but we couldn't find a resort that had a kids club for those aged 2+, most kids clubs only start at age 4. That just wouldn't work as I just know as soon as we left our big boy there the little girl would freak out and want to stay with her big brother (and frankly i don't think i'd want to leave him there without her- what is the point really?) So we opted for a Carnival Cruise. They have "Carnival Camp" for kids aged 2-11 and it is open from 9 am till 3am!! (Not that we'd ever leave the kids there for that long nor that late but it's available if need be!)
The cruise stops at a whole array of awesome places and we have choices of so many excursions to go on. I cannot wait!!!
and this is of course just another motivator to keep my hand out of the chocolate chips!
AND the absolute best part...the ship sets sail on our 6th anniverary- what a way to celebrate!!

Finally...

it's happened to me!!!
I finally got to my goal and maintained it for 6 weeks which means that I have now become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. I am very excited by this as now if I am able to stay on track and keep my weight within 2 pounds of my set goal I will never have to pay another penny to WW!! All I have to do is weigh in at least once per calander month and be no more than 2 pounds over of my goal weight-after some clarification from my leader I discovered that if i do decide to lose a little more now I can still keep LT status-that made me really happy. I am now planning on adding in more exersice and hope to start a really healthy routine for a lifetime of health and happiness :)
It is very important that I set a good example for my family and by eating right and exersicing I hope to do just that!
Looking forward to starting Zumba again soon and also plan on getting out my bike, which has been sitting untouched for almost 5 years now! I wonder if it still works! Maybe I will dust off my runners and take inspiration from Fancy Pantsy to start running again too! Time will tell :)

On A Search...

for spiritual guidance.

Recently I attended the funeral of a co-worker who passed away very unexpectedly. She was healthy one day and sick the next, then after a 2 week stay in hospital she was gone. I went to her funeral really not knowing what to expect. I had never been to a non-Jewish funeral and had never experienced any service with a gospel background of any kind.
I was in complete and utter awe. The family of my co-worker was so strong and so inspiring. They spoke with such truth and compassion about their loved one but they also thanked g-d and their lord with such deep rooted belief for allowing her to do her work in the afterlife. They truely believe that she is now performing her duties to g-d in her next life. They thanked g-d for lending her to them for the 40 years she was on this earth but were not angry and resentful at g-d in any way. I was so amazed by this, I realized that this is what I've been missing in my life. Spiritual guidance and unaffected belief in g-d. I am now searching for a place where I will gain a trust and deep belief in my g-d and find a community to become a part of.

Top Five things I've learned lately

All weight loss related...

5. come prepared. To work, to the zoo, where ever you are going, bring lunch, bring healthy snacks and you won't be tempted to buy the garbage. I always bring my lunch and always carry healthy snacks with me now. Makes life a lot easier!

4. Think ahead. This goes hand in hand with come prepared. If I am going out to eat I check the menu before hand and try to determine the points value of foods available in order to make the best choices. OR I only go to restaurants that offer their nutritional content information online-keeps it simple. If it is absolutely impossible to do this I really carefully evaluate my food options and choose what I feel is the healthiest alternative.

3. Don't cut everything out. I love my daily coffee. I cannot imagine giving it up. BUT instead of getting a double double proper, I have switched the cream to milk and have cut my points from 4 per cup to 2. I also love sweets, nuts, salty snacks etc...I still have them once in a while but now they are an indulgence and I carefully weigh and measure before digging my hand into a brand new bag to grab and eat! Once my portion is done, it's done, there is no more! It is just not worth it!

2. Don't talk about it to everyone. People just don't want to hear about my "diet". If someone comments on my weight I am happy to share my not-so-secret, secret. I blog about it more for myself but if my reader(s) want to skip the posts they can!!

1. Do Be persistant. A bad day or even a bad week doesn't mean the end. Each day is a new chance to make good choices and to start over again. A gain or not doing as well as you would have liked one week is not reason to give up! There were times when I was ready to give up hope and i just chalked up those bad weigh ins as learning experiences and kept at it. Now I am where i want to be, give or take a pound or two and I am happy with that!

Before and After

I thought i'd post some before and after pics of my weight loss...

here is a pic taken in January. Just a couple of weeks after I joined Weight Watchers. I hate this pic- even for a before pic it is super awful...

Here is a more recent pic...much better although my makeup probably melted off my face that day it was so hot.

What's in my bag???

I came across a post like this on Indy grrrl and kind of liked it so i thought i'd copy her....





In my purse (as we call it here in Canada) I have my cell phone, a small wallet, my sunglasses, my WW journal/tracker, a few pens and my spare face powder...not much but WHY is my bag so darn heavy?!?!



Would love to post pics but can't from my office and probably won't get around to it otherwise!

Amazing

who knew what fish, chips and a little food poisoning could do for ones weight.... while on our road trip to visit Chrissy we ate a lot of junk...A LOT! We stopped at McDonalds on the way for lunch and while my son wouldn't touch the hamburger i bought him and my daughter only ate a few fries I finished off those fries and even had a bite or two of the hamburger (which was really disgusting IMO-as a side note- the guy in front of me in line got one for his dog-said he'd never eat one himself) Then we had pizza for dinner one night- 3 peices later- even if it wasn't the best pizza around- i just couldn't stop myself and the topper of it all was the huge pile of fish and chips we got for lunch one day. They were the traditional British style ones wrapped in newspaper and all... my son wouldn't touch his and daughter again only wanted the fries, I finished them off- because there was nothing healthy on the menu for me to eat- so even though I only ordered the children's size portion it was HUGE and definitely enough grease to give a 300 pound man a heart attack! (although it was really tastey- irresistable actually) So after that eating fest I thought I'd better get on the elliptical pronto- and did 45 minutes which felt really great- and then 30 minutes running slowing on the treadmill the next day.
Then in Niagara Falls we did pretty well on finding healthy options, even at Mandarin Buffet we did well but somehow my son and I managed to get food poisoning from some watermelon I had brought with us...it completely emptied me out and the little guy too for that matter...
anyway to get to my point...Last night I went to my weekly weigh in and was DOWN 3.8 pounds!! In ONE week!!! I was in complete shock - and that is the most I've lost in one week since i started on Weight Watchers!!! Now my issue is that I am UNDER my goal weight. Crazy as that sounds- in order to make it to lifetime and keep it, one can't be more than 2 pounds over or above goal weight to maintain lifetime status...so now my goal is to GAIN one pound and stay there for the next 3 weeks...oy vey- never imagined this would be my predicament!! I actually think it might be harder than I thought to maintain my weight without fluctuating too much up or down!