Odds and Ends

i haven't updated in a while, i realize this... life was a bit chaotic... and i have minimal groceries in my place.... i bought some crazy plates frozen pasta dishes to get me through until the weekend. it is then that i will go grocery shopping and start planning menus again... next week i start my new job... so i intend to start my ROUTINE then, which will include every night on the treadmill... and mornings will include either pilates or yoga... haven't decided how i'll work that exactly. but since i don't go in to work until 9am, i intend to leave enough time a few mornings of the week to do pilates, and maybe do yoga as part of my bedtime routine a few days a week... haven't figured all of it out yet. but one thing is for sure - MENUS will begin again, and TREADMILL will.

in the meantime... i only have 3 shifts left at this job... then i'm going out with people from work after my last shift (friday)... alex will join us there. mom and dad also get home that day! yay!!! on saturday i have nothing planned... and on sunday alex and i are going to see superman at the imax and in 3D!!! i'm so excited!!!

i took a few quizzes while sitting here waking up...

You Are 32% Control Freak

You have achieved the perfect balance of control and letting go. You tend to roll with whatever life brings, but you never get complacent.

Are You A Control Freak?

You Are An Intro-Extrovert!

Sometimes you're social - sometimes you're shy You've got a bit of an Introvert / Extrovert split going on You enjoy all sorts of situations. Parties, small groups, and alone time. Too much of one, and you'll long for the other. You need varity! Chances are, you've got both serious and fun friends - and they don't get along.

Are You An Extrovert or Introvert?

You Would Pick Your Boyfriend Again!

While the initial new couple spark has faded for you two, You've built upon your attraction - and formed a deep love. And although things are never perfect, they're usually pretty great. So don't let your eye wander. You've got the best catch for you, at home.

Would You Pick Him Again?

Keep Him :-)

This guy's got marriage on the brain - and should propose soon... That is, if you play your cards right. Keep doing what you're doing. Marriage material guy doesn't like drama - or hot today, cold tomorrow relationships. So keep it flowing peacefully, and you'll capture his heart. How to make sure you're ready: Make sure that you love marriage minded guy because he's a fantastic catch - not because he's eager to walk down the aisle.

Is He Marriage Material?

Your Relationship Will Last... A Long Time!

Your guy is ideal, as close to Mr. Perfect as he could be If you took this quiz, you may be doubting that... Don't! No guy is perfect but yours comes really close You guys will last for many years, as long as you appreciate him!

How Long Will Your Relationship Last?

You Are a Light Pink Rose

You represent sweetness and grace. Your vibe: Kind and gentle Falling in love with you: is like falling in love with a best friend

What Color Rose Are You?

Bye bye SickKids!!

i accepted the new position at the new agency today! it's a great feeling... some exciting new challenges headed my way between teaching at humber college and doing this new job...

my parents left today for hawaii... mom called when they drove past my apt to the airport... and then text msg'd me when they landed in Los Angeles for their 1hr layover... they should be landed in hawaii by now... i text msg'd her the latest (me accepting the job)... hopefully she gets it. i just hope they have fun and get home to me safely!!!

tomorrow's thursday... so i won't post any menus... but my new job is a mon-fri job... so i'll have a routine and can plan for the week and post menus then!!

just got a text msg from mom... they landed safely in honalulu!

i'm still here!!

i hope you all haven't forgotten about me... and my weight loss journey!

i'm pleased to report that last week i was down 1.6lbs... bringing my total to 55.8lbs! i'll take it!

i've not been posting my menus because i just haven't been that organized... and i was at my parents' house since saturday... i can't plan menus for when i'm there... i still stay on track, my mom is a lifetime member and hopes to stay that way.. so we work together for meals... but i just can't plan my menus ahead of time when i don't know what food is in the house and what mom plans on for meals...

i also have some news... i've been offered a position with a different agency... no more shift work, no more frontline work... i'm excited at the opportunity, just have to iron a few things out before i make a final decision.

my parents leave tomorrow for hawaii... i'm not taking it very well. i'm so nervous that something will happen to them.. even though i know the liklihood is slim... i still worry.

that's all the news from here... i'll update with menus once i feel in a bit better space and back to normal... until then, i continue with good food choices... and tracking my points! cross your fingers for another successful weigh in on thursday!

Recipe Review - you must try it!

if you're a pumpkin pie fan like i am... you have GOT to try this recipe i found on the internet!!!

it's a core recipe and it's called pumpkin pudding...

all you do is take 1 3/4 cup skim milk and add a pkg of FF vanilla pudding... mix it up. then add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!)... and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice... oh... my... gosh... it's yummy!!! and it's totally core!! but, if you're like me... you still like to know the points. the best i can figure it out to be is 3 points for 1 cup... or 1 point for 1/3 of a cup. not too bad.


i also made strawberry soup today.
you take 16oz frozen strawberries and put it in the blender with 2 cups plain ff yogurt... then when you're ready to eat it you take 3/4 cup of the strawberry mixture and add 1/2 cup diet gingerale... (although i added sugar free black cherry seltzer instead)... it was pretty good too!


alex and i went out last night to a work function of mine... i had lot's of fun! i love when he and i go out and have a good time... he's great in social situations... he makes me so proud when he has everyone busting a gut laughing... (although let the record show - i AM funnier than he is and people DO laugh at me more!).

happy saturday everyone! so far i'm good with sticking to my menu!!! my watermelon is just cut ready for my snack! i had eggs for breakfast... it's a good day! except for the fact that i have to work a night shift... ugh.

Hard-Core Menus!!!

Saturday - LN
breakfast
*2 eggs, scrambled (4)
*EVOO (1)
*blue menu ketchup (0)

Snack
*watermelon (1)

lunch
*1/2 c FF cottage cheese (2)
*lettuce, tomato, black pepper (0)
*chicken salad (3)
*strawberry soup (1)

dinner
*soy burger (5)
*lettuce wrap (0)
*baked potato (3)
*tbsp cottage cheese (1)
*SF FF vanilla pudding (1)
_____________________________

Sunday - Long Night
breakfast
*oatmeal (2)
*cinamon(0)
*applesauce (1)

lunch
*1/2 c ff cottage cheese (2)
*cucumber, tomato (0)
*chicken salad (3)
*strawberry soup (1)

dinner
*1 c ww pasta (3)
*EVOO (1)
*1/4 c cottage cheese (1)
*chicken breast (3)
*garlic (0)
*SF FF pudding (1)
______________________________

Monday - off
breakfast
*banana cinamon oatmeal (3)

snack
*watermelon (1)

lunch
*egg salad (2 eggs and ff miracle whip)(5)
*lettuce, tomato (0)
*strawberries (1)

dinner
*curried chicken (4)
*1/2 c brown rice (2)
*pumpkin pie pudding (2)

snack
*3 c popcorn (1)

_____________________________
Tuesday - off
breakfast
*banana cinnamon oatmeal (3)

snack
*watermelon (1)

lunch
*taco salad (4)
*1/2 cup cottage cheese (2)
*strawberry soup (1)

snack
*carrots (0)

dinner
*curried chicken (4)
*1/2 cup brown rice (2)
*pumpkin pie pudding (1)

snack
*cucumbers marinated in vinegar (0)



and there you have it... menus for now! if anyone wants a recipe... just ask!!

update!

well, i guess it's time for an update... i was avoiding it until i would hopefully have some news on the job front... but alas, my number one fan has complained that there hasn't been an update as of late...

i can tell you that i am the newest faculty in the child and youth worker program at humber college, teaching assessment and recording to the accelerated program students. that's exciting! i'm a college teacher!

i'm also waiting to hear back about another opportunity... but i'll keep that under wraps until i hear a final yay or nay.

i was home on the weekend for father's day and mom and dad's 30th wedding anniversary... and i ate way too much stinking fudge. here i was in a previous entry saying it's crunch time for michele's wedding... and i go eating a whole truck load of fudge on the weekend (but boy do i make some darn good fudge!!). so, i have made a decision. i will be doing core until michele's wedding. i will not necessarily follow core when alex and i go out to dinner on fridays... but for the most part - i'm going to do core. i've looked up new recipes, written them out... and will go grocery shopping on friday (i'm working a LN right now, will leave here and go straight to a hair appt, go home and get some shut eye... then head to weigh-in, followed by my footlong sub).

friday i have a doctor's appt and then alex and i have to attend a good-bye party for one of my coworkers... haven't decided what i'll eat friday night yet!! either a salad or a sandwich i think.

saturday and sunday i work long nights and then i'm off monday and tuesday. i'm going to post the menus for these 4 days in another post!

I. Am. Going. Crazeee!!

i was up 0.6lbs today. but that's what i expected, so that's not why i'm going crazy. i am for another reason. i hate sitting and waiting... essentially to find out if your life is about to change...

i got SENT HOME!

well, i got sent home from work today at 1pm... was supposed to work until 7:30... but one of the clinical leaders was concerned with my cold/flu symptoms persisting... and she didn't want to risk the health of everyone at work, including all the kids with compromised immune systems... so i was sent home today and have the day off tomorrow....

and my hair was looking good today too. hmph. alex bought me my chi-pet... so i did a deep conditioning treatment on my hair yesterday and took my time straightening it... i'll post photos.

my points were off today... meaning they're under... i don't have enough energy to eat... although i just ate a muslix pita... raisin and cinnamon... it's good. and i've eaten a lot of watermelon... and had some chicken.... and my cereal at breakfast... and that's it.

anyway, here's the photos of my 'do!!

remember me?

i realize i haven't posted in a while! i went to weigh in on thursday and was up 0.2lbs... i thought i'd be up a bit more than that - so i was okay with those results.

the rest of my week off was good... did some stuff, did some relaxing... unfortunately by friday night it would appear i may have been hit with the flu (or so alex thinks)... my whole body ached so bad... i spent satuday lying very still on the couch and sleeping most of the day... it hurt to even stand up, felt like it was too much pressure on my spine... crazy!

but today i've felt better... just stuffed up now... planning on returning to work tomorrow.

i don't have a formal menu for tomorrow... i'm going to throw one together now... and update tomorrow night probably.

tomorrow:
breakfast
- 3/4 cup ww cereal (2)
- 1/2 cup skim milk (1)

lunch
- tomato, cucumber (0)
- 1/2 cup ff cottage cheese (2)
- watermelon (1)
- 2 fruit snacks (2)

dinner
- chicken (3)
- teriyaki sauce (0)
- steamed vegetables (0)

*** clearly i'm under in my points... i'll snack on something at home tomorrow night... i'll update this tomorrow. now i must retire to bed and read "something blue" by emily giffin... it's the follow-up to "something borrowed"... i love these books. i've read almost the entire something blue today... after this i'm scheduled to read "the devil wears prada" before it comes out in theatres!

happy monday!

and to my new person i supposedly inspired to join weight watchers - good luck! you're already a beautiful person inside and out... so my goal for you during this journey is just for you to feel good! and enjoy it!!!!

alex - thank you for my present. i love it! hopefully soon we can go shopping for that congratulatory present i want to purchase for myself. chicklet says she loves you

grocery shopping day!!!

i love when i do my big grocery shopping trips (except when it comes to carrying everything back up to my apartment).

today i bought more soy burgers from blue menu (i LOVE them!!! especially using bob haper's rule of using lettuce to wrap it in)... i decided to buy omega 3 brown eggs (blue menu as well)... i also bought chapman's frozen yogurt in the maple walnut flavour. oh! and i bought the blue menu raita (indian) dip... i tried it tonight on a lays baked tostito... it was good!!

and i bought stuff to make a cheesecake pudding... it sounds gross... but all you do is take a container of fat free sour cream and add a pkg of the sugar free vanilla pudding... voila! has a cheesecake-ish taste... and it's core!!!

i also bought an avocado to make core guacamole (avocado, bit of FF sour cream, and salsa)... turns out - i'm not an expert at buying avocado and i bought one that was tooooo ripe (rotten some would say). so tomorrow i'll buy another one.

those were my exciting purchases at the grocery store. i bought cheese... but bought the smallest pkg of president's choice light old cheddar... i figure if i have a small pkg... i'll eat less cheese overall! i still haven't bought a loaf of bread... guess i don't miss it as much as i once thought i would!!! although i wouldn't mind having a grilled cheese... oh well, i'll have cheese in a lettuce wrap instead i guess.

tomorrow is weigh-in... wish me luck please!!! and while you're at it... maybe wish the edmonton oilers some luck as well... after tonight - they may need it!