Monday, May 21, 2012

Deja vu

I said we’d have BBQ again for dinner last night… and we did.  Chicken for me & steak for the BBQ master.  Here’s our huge spread of meat (which we luckily have leftovers from.  I’m facing a busy week and know I won’t be able to cook every night).

DSC_0001

DSC_0004

Today my appetite is out of control.  My sweet tooth has been slowly disappearing since eating (mostly) clean again, but today it returned.  I decided on a type of banana soft serve.  1 banana, 1tbsp almond butter, 1/2tbsp cocoa, and a pinch of stevia.  It hit the spot perfectly.  It reminded me of a Wendy’s frosty… which is exactly what I wanted.

DSC_0006

DSC_0007

After this I made some cinnamon buns (because a certain someone here was begging me for them).  I avoided eating any (alright… I ate 1 bite of his) and had some romaine, lentil loaf, and Mmmm sauce.

DSC_0033

Here’s a little peek at our work from yesterday… our flower bed & a few flowers.

DSC_0008

DSC_0010

DSC_0015

DSC_0016

Sunday, May 20, 2012

BBQ season is here!

My BBQ King was hard at work last night on the deck while I was in the kitchen.  As much as I’d like to think I can BBQ a chicken breast… after he BBQ’s for dinner, I know he is the master.  So, while Mr. B. was outside cooking my chicken breast and his T-bone steak… I was in the kitchen cooking the mushrooms and potatoes he requested.DSC_0071

We enjoyed it so much that we’re having it for dinner again tonight.

I have to admit, I skipped my daily cardio today in favour of getting outside and working on our flower bed.  When we moved in to this house the backyard looked like this:

39578_481511525732_512500732_7350063_6081952_n

Not a total disaster, I realize.  I know it could be worse.  It’s hard to tell from this photo what a mess the grass truly is.  It’s all crabgrass and clover.  We’ve tried to put down topsoil and reseed several times already this spring and it’s not helping (we didn’t attack the crabgrass correctly).  We are surrendering and calling in the big guns.  Hopefully a professional can help.  We’re also creating one big flower bed along the fence line.  I’ll post ‘after’ pictures when it’s presentable.  We may end up cutting down the grapevine at some point too.

We’ve also had some recent visitors in the backyard as of late.

DSC_0026

Can you see the mom, dad and baby?  Cute little pests.

Now it’s time to sit with my treat of the day while we wait for the backyard to cool down before tackling the flowerbed again.

DSC_0074

Cheers

I hope you're all enjoying your long weekend! After a very stressful week (with no end in sight) we decided to remedy my stress STAT.

I'm trying to keep it mostly healthy & clean eats this weekend. I've also managed to still get in my exercise. I'm averaging 6-7 days a week of exercise! Woohoo! I may have indulged in a treat today...

And polished off a bag of my new favourite (& very expensive) kale chips! I wish I could master making the flavour as good as this company.

Tomorrow's plan is more elliptical time, a walk with the pup, loads of gardening, and BBQ for dinne (again)! Can't wait!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Well hello there

It appears I’ve taken a lengthy blogging break yet again.

I’m beyond happy that spring is well under way.  In fact, this weekend it’s looking like it could feel like summer… it’s going to feel like +29C!  Check it out…

Maylongwknd

It wasn’t so long ago (last month!) that we had another dumping of snow!

DSC_0046

So… what’s been going on?  Well, After my last physical my doctor had a lot of good things to tell me.  My thyroid is excellent, as is my cholesterol, B12, blood sugar, blood pressure… and almost everything else.  The only concern was my hormone levels.  After many more doctor’s visits and some ultrasounds, I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS.  It’s now crucial that I lose the weight I’ve gained.  I don’t want to live with these cysts inside me… and losing weight is going to be the best thing I can do.

I’ve been tracking food in my food diary (on My Fitness Pal) again.  I’m exercising 6 to 7 days a week.  I’m eating (mostly), clean.  Maybe it’s time to try blogging again too. I’ve found myself taking some photos of my food lately…

DSC_0019

DSC_0260

DSC_0017 (3)

DSC_0018 (3)

DSC_0798

DSC_0795-001

DSC_0796-001

I’ve been doing a different job since November.  It’s a job which has more stress and more work… but it’s also a job I’ve learned a lot in and been fortunate enough to receive a lot of training in.  The job, which started as a contract, has become a permanent position.  I, however, have decided not to apply for it.  I’m ready to go back to my 9-5 job.  It remains to be seen exactly when I will go back to my old job (it depends on when this one gets filled)… but it could be as early as mid-summer.  I’m hoping having that schedule back will help blogging easier again!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Beautiful Day

It’s Friday.

Grey skies from this morning cleared up.

It’s sunny.

It’s +18C here.

What more could I ask for in a Friday afternoon?

Some scenes from my backyard a mere moment ago…

DSC_0262

DSC_0263

DSC_0264

DSC_0265

DSC_0273

DSC_0269

 

My lunch was also a beautiful thing.

DSC_0260

Quinoa, tomato, avocado, cheese, salt and pepper.

My dessert is taken care of tonight:

DSC_0256

Happy weekend!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Don’t Look At Me

I’m so embarrassed.  This is what I made today:

DSC_0253

And I ate one.

Overall, I’ve been doing much better with my food the last couple of days. I’ve even been back to tracking what I eat in my food diary. We’re going out to dinner tonight and I’ve looked at the menu ahead of time and know what I’m going to order (at Joey – going to order the viva salad)

I thought spring was here last week, but yesterday I awoke to this

DSC_0023

Here’s hoping that’s the last of it and we can really welcome spring

DSCN8551

DSCN8552

And summer…

DSCN9500

DSCN9503

Ah, I can feel the heat on my face now.  Definitely going for more walks this summer.  Maybe I’ll even learn to jog?

Sunday, March 04, 2012

The lunch

Lunch was a beautiful thing today.

I have been craving avocado.  I wasn’t sure how I wanted to incorporate it in to my lunch, so I cut up 2 really small avocados and threw them in the food processor with a little EVOO, a little fresh squeezed lemon juice, garlic and sea salt.

DSC_0048-1

It was so freaking good. 

I threw it on some whole grain toast with some sliced tomato and cucumber.  Orgasmic.

DSC_0052-1

DSC_0053

I followed it up with some mango, flax seed and peach greek yogurt.  Multiple orgasmic.

DSC_0054

This was the perfect lunch.

Saturday, March 03, 2012

Cheers

 

DSC_0003 (3)

I spent 4 hours today doing work.  I’m working on becoming accredited to be able to provide 2 specific parenting programs.  I spent 4 hours and only got through 17 multiple choice questions.  I have 43 questions left.  Plus 6 role plays to come up with.  My accreditation is March 22nd.  I also have to work full time and provide service to all of my clients before then. 

Excuse me while I go pour another.

DSC_0006 (3)

Happy Saturday.  Happy weekend!  Cheers!

Thursday, March 01, 2012

This Day

A new month begins today.

Today, March 1st, signals the beginning of the end of winter.

Today, I woke up to this:

DSC_0049

DSC_0047

DSC_0048

Today, it seemed like the perfect day to have this for breakfast:

DSC_0026

DSC_0028

Today, despite the chaotic schedule I had, I remembered to stop and smell these:

DSC_0020

DSC_0025

Today, I once again enjoyed salad for lunch:

DSC_0029

DSC_0030

Today, I feel good.

Tomorrow, I will feel even better… it’s Friday!