Monday, April 12, 2010

I'd Like To Introduce You To My Water Glass...

Ok...so, this is my water glass (well - not a glass exactly - but you get my drift) & yes...it's empty.  Empty as it has been far too much lately. 





Is it empty because I filled it up & drank all my water as I should?  NO!  It's empty because I don't fill it up as I haven't been drinking my water lately.  How hard is it to drink 8 glasses of water a day?  It shouldn't be hard at all.  So from this day forward, I WILL drink my water faithfully...8 whole glasses a day!  Do you drink all your water daily?

Oh, check out this great giveaway at Life, Health & Fitness for some Prairie Natuals Protein Powder.  Looks like great stuff!

Monday, March 29, 2010

It's Monday....Again!

On a good note...this is a short week! Hello Good Friday!

This morning I had some Bolthouse Mocha Cappucino before I left the house. This stuff is so yummy...I could be addicted :0)


For breakfast I had some Fibre 1 Honey Clusters cereal with Vanilla Almond Breeze & a sprinkle of Omega Crunch flax (I love this combo!) and, of course, some coffee with milk & Davinci Gourmet Sugar Free French Vanilla Syrup to sweeten.





Lunch was a salad and a leftover BBQ Chicken Breast from last night, with Dave's Hot Sauce for dipping.




I forgot my Vitamuffin today (my totally saviour afternoon snack) so I had to have the other half of my "Maple Nut" Cliff bar for my afternoon snack. Poor me…NOT! This is the first time I've tried this flavour...and it won't be the last YUM!!




Supper was some Brown Rice & Lentils with some Veggie Patch Falafel. I’ve never tried Falafel before….I’d have to say I’m not that impressed! They were edible but that’s about it. I expected them to have a beanier (is that a word?) texture, instead they had a bready (again..word?) texture. All I can give them is an OK. I had them with Salsa, but still not that great!




Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

While I was eating, my cutest little big dog stole a Falafel off the counter (bad dog!)…but I guess she didn’t like it either, because it ended up on my bedroom floor….not so nice!



You’d think we never fed her!

Oh and I received my giveaway prize from Lynn over at Life, Health & Fitness. I can't wait to try my OJ. Thanks Lynn!!



And…I received my Chocolate Amazing Grass too…so of course I had to have some as soon as I got home! Who knew nutritious could be so good!



Happy Monday & I hope everyone enjoyed their day!

P.S. - Sorry for the sideways photos...haven't figured out how to rotate on here.  I had my blog all done up with proper facing photos on Windows Live Writer...but it wouldn't publish....so this is a do-over!!  I'll get it all figured out one of these days!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

It' a Beautiful Day...Until You Step Outside..

My how the weather through the window can be deceiving.....brrrrrrr!

This morning is Zumba class - love it!  For breakfast I had 1 cup of Chocolate Almond Breeze with 1 pkg of Kid's Chocolate Amazing Grass.  Yum!

After Zumba came home & made a Yogurt Mess.  I think I am addicted to these little messes!  (Thought I took a picture...but I guess not...next time!)

Today was:
1/4 cup Coconut Liberte Yogurt
1/2 Banana
1 Tsp Flax
1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
1/4 cup of Fibre 1 Honey Clusters cereal

Put it in the bowl & just mix it all up....so good!

Then I got on the treadmill for a bit.  (Need to work off my supper last night which may have included a chocolate lava cake with Ice Cream!!)

This afternoon I met up with a friend of mine who I haven't seen for awhile.  She is such a hoot!  Note to self...must do girlie dates more often!  Our meet was at Tim Horton's.  I haven't had a Tim Horton's coffee since I started this diet/healthy eating thing in early January...I got scared when I checked out the calories & fat in a Large Double Double (230 cal/12g fat) aaaaaahhhhh!!  I can't say I really miss it either.  Today I opted for a medium coffee with double milk & Splenda (34 cal/1 fat).  I must say, it wasn't bad.  I never used to like Tim's coffee with milk, but this was pretty good.




After our hour & a half chat and a pledge to get together more often for some healthy activity, I came home & had half of a  Nature's Path Organic Optimum Energy Bar in Orange Chocolate.  It was pretty good...reminded me of eating a cookie.  Not a great lunch, but since it was almost suppertime, it will have to do!





Sorry about the pics....I'll learn to "rotate"!


Supper started with a salad topped with warmed peppers & onions.  Dressing was Renee's Wellness Tuscan Garden.  I have also just started adding granulated garlic to my salads and I'm liking it!  Main course was BBQ Chicken & grilled Asparagus.  Yum!  Also, added for dipping the chicken in was Dave's Hot Sauce (no pic)! 







Not sure what my snack will be tonight.  I managed to do pretty good today after eating out (ohhhh lavacake) last night. 

Have a great night!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Another Beautiful Day

I am lovin' this weather we are having this year.  It is a little chilly outside, but since it is March I guess that's understandable!

Just got back from Zumba.  I love that class!  Anything that makes exercise fun is a winner in my books!  I come home feeling all energized...but hungry ...noooooo!  I don't like the hungry part!  Must find something healthy & filling to eat.

I finally tried my Amazing Grass yesterday...the chocolate one - of course!  I was going to make a smoothie - but didn't quite make it that far.  I got all the stuff ready...was going to do spinach, banana, peanut butter, Chocolate Almond Breeze & my chocolate Amazing Grass.  Well....I mixed the Amazing Grass with a bit of water first, as instructed, then I added in the Chocolate Almond Breeze & thought I would have a taste....ummmm...I drank it all!  So much for the smoothie! oops!  It was so good I had it for breakfast again this morning, only this time I added in some Bolthouse Mocha Cappucino protein drink. Yum!

I hope to get better at this blogging thing & adding pictures & all that fun stuff.  I enjoy reading so many others and seeing their pictures and stuff.

Gotta go enjoy this beautiful March day.  Have a great day everyone!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Oh Look...Another Giveaway!

Giveaways are so much fun!  Check this one out for some yummy OJ!!  http://lifehealthfit.blogspot.com/2010/03/tropicana-essentials-review-giveaway.html

Monday, March 15, 2010

Giveaway Alert!

I love giveaways (maybe some of you have noticed)!!!  Check this one out over at Embracing Balance!

http://www.embracingbalance.com/2010/03/dst-and-super-giveaway.html

Exercise can be Fun....really!

I've been on this get healthy, lose weight journey since early January. So far I've lost about 17 lbs and I'm very happy with my progress. Until now, I haven't really been able to "get" the exercise part. I want to do it...but I guess it just boils down to being lazy! But, thankfully, I hope I am now breaking out of my "no exercise" rut! I have discovered ZUMBA. What a fun way to exercise!!! Now, I HATE aerobics! But for some reason I am loving ZUMBA. It is like fun dance aerobics to upbeat latin music...yes I said FUN and AEROBICS in the same sentence! If you have it in your area, you should check it out.

If you are in the Halifax area, check out http://www.zumbahalifax.com/

What is your favorite way to exercise?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

C H O C O L A T E GIVEAWAY!!!

What is better than a chocolate giveaway?????

Go check out "Confessions of a Health Nut" for a fantastic giveaway of Denman Island Chocolate.

Maybe one of these days I will be able to figure out more about this blog stuff and do actual links to make it easier on you guys!

http://confessionsofahealthnut.com/2010/02/15/giveaway-chocolate-because-its-a-health-food/

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Green Monster has got me.....

Spinach...in a smoothie....really?  Yup!  And it works!!! 

Reading through these awesome blogs I have been seeing so much about "Green Monsters" that I had to check it out for myself.  So, I went on over to http://greenmonstermovement.com/  and after looking at lots of interesting recipes for smoothies with Spinach (or Kale) in them...I decided to give it a go!

Yesterday was my first attempt...it was as follows:

Approximately 2 cups of Spinach
1 1/4 cups of Skim Milk
1 Tbsp Flax
1 Banana
1 cup frozen Blueberries
Ice
...and after taste testing...I added:
a drop of Vanilla
a dash of Honey

It was actually pretty good!  I didn't take a picture yesterday...but it was kind of an ugly grey color!!!  Didn't look so pretty, but tasted pretty good!

For today's "Green Monster", I made the following:

1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
1 cup Spinach
1/2 cup Skim Milk
1 1/3 cup frozen Summer Berries
1 Tbsp Natural Wheat Bran

Pretty tasty I must say!

Here is a picture of todays conconction:




It doesn't look very green today...it was more of a pale green.  I would probably add more spinach next time I make this one, but was trying for a smaller serving size today!

All in all I would have to say I'm a fan of "Green Monsters"...who'd a thought it!!  If anyone out there has been thinking about trying one of these....go for it!  I think you will be pleasantly surprised! 

Now what will the next one be....??  If anyone out there is reading this, please tell me your favorite "Green Monster" conconction!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Vita-Yum!!

Reading through these blogs I am discovering lots of interesting & tasty new foods....as well as lots of stuff that looks great but can't get around here!  More rants on that another time!

The newest one well worthy of mention are VitaMuffins & VitaTops - YUM!   I was lucky enough to find the VitaMuffins at our local Sobeys stores in Cran Bran & Blue Bran flavours - they are both pretty tasty but I do prefer the Cran Bran.  They also carry the Chocolate Muffins, but all local stores (yes I checked ALL local stores!) have been out of stock so far...can't wait to find some!  Did I mention they were chocolate???!!

I did find the Deep Chocolate VitaTops at Costco the other day....OMG!!  These things are a little piece of 100 cal, 1.5 g fat, 5g fiber HEAVEN!!!  They are the perfect treat for those of us watching what we eat.  If you haven't tried these....do yourself a favor & TRY THEM.  You won't regret it!

I would love to try the others...but so far these are all I have been able to locate locally...but I'll keep trying!

Monday, January 11, 2010

X-Weighted Fitness Test....

Ouch!!  I still hurt!  On a good note....it only hurts when I move!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

X-WEIGHTED!

Ok...I did it!  I signed up for the X-Weighted Challenge!  I am hoping for success!  Duh!  Sorry...I know that one is a no-brainer!

As far as the Fitness Test goes...lets just say that one of my goals now is to FINISH the fitness test!  lol...not good!  But since I haven't exercised for probably at least 2 years...what could I expect really!

Wish me luck and hope that I at least see some success from this!

Not Happy....

Day 4 - starts out being UP 1.5 LBS!!!   I was very good yesterday & stayed under my 1500 calories...1314 to be exact!  I did my exercise & didn't go out for supper.  None of my calories were junk food...and the lovely scale tells me this morning I am UP 1.5 LBS!  Grrrrrrrrrr.........

Here is a photo of my lovely friend, the scale, he may not be around long!!  Not sure why it's sideways..& don't know how to fix it ...but you get the idea.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Day 3 of Healthy Eating!

Finally 3 days ago I got my head around this Healthy Eating & Weight Loss thing...again.  I have to be mentally ready to do it or there is no sense even trying because, as the past has taught me, it won't work!!  So...I am mentally ready...& I have made it, kicking & screaming pretty much unscathed, to Day 3!!!  Yay me!  Lol...it's baby steps they say!

I am trying to keep my calories to around 1500 per day.  Wow!  I didn't realize how quickly that adds up!  I can't even begin to imagine how many calories I was eating before.  I'd like to know, but would be really scared to find out!  Did I mention that I love Junk Food!!!!  I mean I LOVE VEGGIES!  GO VEGGIES!  ugh!

So tonight I actually took a picture of my food...yeah wow!  Glad hubby wasn't home...but he already thinks I'm crazy so I'm sure he would just shake his head & move on!  I'll add it if I can figure out how to do that!  This blogging thing is new to me..

So, I trudge through this searching for tips & hints to make this Weight Loss/Eating Better thing easier.  I have been reading lots of blogs & find them to be quite motivating & I am getting lots of good ideas!  Thanks for that!! 

Here is a recap of my start so far:

Day 1 - Made the commitment to myself to "Do This" Healthy Eating & Weight Loss thing!  Was invited to go out for WINGS!  Noooooooooooooo!  Don't they know that I would have to live on water alone for like 3 days for 1 night of Wings??????  OMG!  Calories for the day - 1486.

Day 2 - Pretty much uneventful.  Stopped at the grocery store on the way home & picked up some more healthy choices.  Went out to a friends house....fatty cheese ball & artichoke dip were served.  Had only a few pieces...but planned that they may have food there before I went so saved some calories..total calories for the day - 1539 (oh yeah...the Martini...that's what put me over!!!)

Day 3 - Not a bad day.  We usually go out for supper with friends on Saturday nights so I was trying to keep that in mind as I ate & did my exercises!  We didn't end up going so that was good.  Made some sort of Chicken Taco concoction (pictured below).  Calories, so far, today - 1214 but will probably have a snack before going to bed.  I am suspecting that Saturdays are probably going to be my worst days normally so this was a good one!

Ok...now to try to add the photo...




Yay!  It worked!

I made this with:

1/2 cup chopped up chicken
1/4 cup kidney beans
1/4 cup salsa
About 1 cup of cut of red & green peppers & red onion
Taco Spice
Cumin
Garlic
Body Wise Flour Tortillas

I added a bit more salsa on the Flour Tortilla before I put the mixture on.  You could also add a bit of cheese or sour cream...depending on how many calories you have to spare!!  It was quite tasty!


Thursday, January 7, 2010

2010...A New Year...A New Decade...A New Start!


Ok..time to refresh & restart all those "goals".  I have a long list of goals for this year that I am still working on getting together..keeping them reasonable  &writing them down.  Of course losing weight & eating healthier are at the top of the list...again! 

Last year was a busy year & I didn't have much time or energy to accomplish last years "goals".  Soooo now I have a lot of catching up to do!  Oh well, a new year...a new fresh start!  No use dwelling on the past!

I do hope to start Blogging a little more...it's kinda nice to sit & write stuff down.  I do find it hard to actually say what I feel or open up about anything...so we'll see how that goes!

Welcome 2010....let's see what this year brings!