Last day of January -- can't say I am sorry :) This week is my daughter's birthday and I am excited to go shopping for her presents etc. today. She loves to bake pies and has asked for rolling pin (if you can believe that!) for her birthday.
Wine not?
I use a cylindrical wine bottle (Italian brand) when I make pastry -- and my girl thinks Mom is a bit kooky/ghetto ;) It works great and you can pile ice cubes inside to keep the dough cool while rolling -- just like the old-fashioned glass rolling pin my mom and grandma used. However, I will seek out something a bit more conventional/typical for my daughter. She is still thinking about what she wants to do as far as furthering her education/career choices etc. Maybe a pastry chef is about to be born, who knows?
Mmmm.... Cake!
We are going to a restaurant for my daughter's birthday dinner and this place gives the "birthday kid" an amazing piece of ice cream cake that has all of the top favourites covered: chocolate, toasted almonds etc. However, she will be disappointed if I do not make some kind of cake for home also. We also have a tradition of waffles for breakfast on birthdays -- with strawberries and whipped cream of course (oink!).
Decisions, decisions...
So, I am searching through recipes this weekend, trying to decide on a great cake or cupcake recipe for the big day. To be continued.... xo
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January 23, 2010
Weekend Musings
Almost one week under my belt - well on my way to losing the extra inches I have packed on. Celebrated a bit today by buying a fabulous, reversible Betsy Johnson belt -- black patent on one side with a touch of leopard on the reverse.
I am feeling much better having cut out the sugar! I find the Atkins style of eating not only a great way to lose/maintain weight, but I feel less sluggish both physically and mentally-- like flipping the "ON" switch, you know?
My chest is a bit sore from Friday's work out -- but the sore back that I suffered with starting last Saturday seems to be gone. I think it was hormonal, because I didn't do anything (some sort of extreme exertion, that is...) to trigger it. It was scary because I could barely walk. I missed Monday and Wednesday workouts to allow my body time to rest. I am looking forward to going out to the museum with my son tomorrow -- his love of science reminds me so much of my dad.
Missing you Dad xo
Almost one week under my belt - well on my way to losing the extra inches I have packed on. Celebrated a bit today by buying a fabulous, reversible Betsy Johnson belt -- black patent on one side with a touch of leopard on the reverse.
I am feeling much better having cut out the sugar! I find the Atkins style of eating not only a great way to lose/maintain weight, but I feel less sluggish both physically and mentally-- like flipping the "ON" switch, you know?
My chest is a bit sore from Friday's work out -- but the sore back that I suffered with starting last Saturday seems to be gone. I think it was hormonal, because I didn't do anything (some sort of extreme exertion, that is...) to trigger it. It was scary because I could barely walk. I missed Monday and Wednesday workouts to allow my body time to rest. I am looking forward to going out to the museum with my son tomorrow -- his love of science reminds me so much of my dad.
Missing you Dad xo
Sunday, January 17, 2010
January 17, 2010
Newness!
Two weeks into 2010 -- glad to leave the cement boots that were "2009 issue" in the dumpster and moooove things along :) We have been experiencing unusually mild weather conditions this winter on the Canadian prairie -- bravo El Nino, we appreciate the break!
Typically our January weather is the peak of coldness and average temps are in the minus 30-40 Celsius range. Yesterday it was plus 2 or 3 Celsius! When it is cold I just want to hibernate -- even though I was born here and my ancestors on both sides of the family came to Canada in the 1880's, I just can't take the severe cold; I just find it demoralizing and immobilizing!
Healthy Living = Happiness
The cold combined with a stagnant/depressed economy is not a great mix, to say the very least. We are also finding (in the work world) that basic courtesies, appreciation and loyalty are scarce and cannot be counted on -- where is the honour? Are you experiencing this also? I would love to hear your take on things and your ways of coping, moving things along.
What I am finding amid this uncertainty and mistrust, is that the security of self is emphasized. Of course we all know this at a core level, but ultimately we can only rely on ourselves and can only control our personal reaction to things/events in our respective environments.
I am focusing on these goals for 2010 - growth, renewal, assurance of self and to maintain joy, positivity in the face of any and all negativity, opposition and fickle behaviours. I hope that you also will find a way to not only be productive and joyful, but to grow and thrive in this difficult, mercurial environment.
A great support to maintaining this course is to choose healthy foods and activities -- too often in my life, as a woman and as a mother, I have acquiesced, editing myself and my needs at times to almost extinction. I will no longer "go there". In particular, the past six months have allowed no time for some of my loves: belly dance, walking outdoors (the tread mill is sooooo soul sucking!) and guitar/African drums/music.
In the last few weeks of 2009 I was trying in earnest to follow a healthy diet that allowed for more carbohydrates, versus the Atkins-styled high protein/low carb eating plan that had been so beneficial for me. Unfortunately, I am just finding that with even a modest increase in carbs, I bloat and become more sluggish (this is amplified by the cold weather and short days) -- also, if I have some carbs, even healthy/high fibre/low sugar selections, it soon becomes a downward spiral common to the carb-addicted where I begin to want more and more carbs and I experience sugar cravings.
Suiting Up!
So... back to low carb for this lady! I am looking forward to fitting into some jackets (...and one darling grey pant suit in particular) this spring/summer. I will emerge from the ice and snow like a shimmering butterfly from the chrysalis!
I would also like to share a personal recipe for you. It is quick, low carb and high fibre and it was an experiment that worked out well :). Here it is... and "no", it has nothing to do with Dr. Seuss!
Pam's Green Eggs
3 hard boiled eggs
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise or peppercorn ranch salad dressing
salt, pepper and dill weed to your taste
Approximately one cup of broccoli florets
Place all ingredients in a food chopper or processor and blend to a spreadable consistency. Great in a flax or whole wheat tortilla as a wrap sandwich, or served on a small bed of mixed salad greens.
Enjoy!
Two weeks into 2010 -- glad to leave the cement boots that were "2009 issue" in the dumpster and moooove things along :) We have been experiencing unusually mild weather conditions this winter on the Canadian prairie -- bravo El Nino, we appreciate the break!
Typically our January weather is the peak of coldness and average temps are in the minus 30-40 Celsius range. Yesterday it was plus 2 or 3 Celsius! When it is cold I just want to hibernate -- even though I was born here and my ancestors on both sides of the family came to Canada in the 1880's, I just can't take the severe cold; I just find it demoralizing and immobilizing!
Healthy Living = Happiness
The cold combined with a stagnant/depressed economy is not a great mix, to say the very least. We are also finding (in the work world) that basic courtesies, appreciation and loyalty are scarce and cannot be counted on -- where is the honour? Are you experiencing this also? I would love to hear your take on things and your ways of coping, moving things along.
What I am finding amid this uncertainty and mistrust, is that the security of self is emphasized. Of course we all know this at a core level, but ultimately we can only rely on ourselves and can only control our personal reaction to things/events in our respective environments.
I am focusing on these goals for 2010 - growth, renewal, assurance of self and to maintain joy, positivity in the face of any and all negativity, opposition and fickle behaviours. I hope that you also will find a way to not only be productive and joyful, but to grow and thrive in this difficult, mercurial environment.
A great support to maintaining this course is to choose healthy foods and activities -- too often in my life, as a woman and as a mother, I have acquiesced, editing myself and my needs at times to almost extinction. I will no longer "go there". In particular, the past six months have allowed no time for some of my loves: belly dance, walking outdoors (the tread mill is sooooo soul sucking!) and guitar/African drums/music.
In the last few weeks of 2009 I was trying in earnest to follow a healthy diet that allowed for more carbohydrates, versus the Atkins-styled high protein/low carb eating plan that had been so beneficial for me. Unfortunately, I am just finding that with even a modest increase in carbs, I bloat and become more sluggish (this is amplified by the cold weather and short days) -- also, if I have some carbs, even healthy/high fibre/low sugar selections, it soon becomes a downward spiral common to the carb-addicted where I begin to want more and more carbs and I experience sugar cravings.
Suiting Up!
So... back to low carb for this lady! I am looking forward to fitting into some jackets (...and one darling grey pant suit in particular) this spring/summer. I will emerge from the ice and snow like a shimmering butterfly from the chrysalis!
I would also like to share a personal recipe for you. It is quick, low carb and high fibre and it was an experiment that worked out well :). Here it is... and "no", it has nothing to do with Dr. Seuss!
Pam's Green Eggs
3 hard boiled eggs
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise or peppercorn ranch salad dressing
salt, pepper and dill weed to your taste
Approximately one cup of broccoli florets
Place all ingredients in a food chopper or processor and blend to a spreadable consistency. Great in a flax or whole wheat tortilla as a wrap sandwich, or served on a small bed of mixed salad greens.
Enjoy!
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