Change is in the Air

 As abruptly as the season changed from winter to spring, my life has undergone big changes this past month, both personally and professionally. It has been in a constant state of flux and non-stop work, but although there is stress involved, I am in surprisingly good spirits. I'm sure the spring sunshine has a lot to do with that, but having the unwavering support of my awesome boyfriend is an even bigger factor. Never have I known a person to step up to the plate so readily and take on such enormous tasks to help me. I feel very fortunate to have this man in my life.

How has my healthy lifestyle weathered this state of turmoil? Not so well to be perfectly honest. The diet has suffered terribly. The only workouts I've gotten have been the housework, gardening, and box lifting I've been doing on a daily basis. (Which isn't so bad actually...at least I'm still active.) I have my mom as a house guest for three weeks, and it feels like a vacation despite the fact that I'm still working, so there has been plenty of wine flowing and junk food eaten! I'm not being too hard on myself...I'm too happy to be weathering the changes with good mood intact. After all, my main concern is seeking vitality. That being said, I need to be sure to put a limit on this "break time" so I don't undo all my hard work.

My first 5 K run is coming up in a little over a month and I need to focus purely on training for that. The Killer Buns and Thighs workout has taken a backseat temporarily while I increase my aerobic endurance. I can't seem to fit both into my routine because of the time constraints and the fact that doing both at once is BRUTAL on my knees. The last thing I want is to injure myself, and since I made a commitment to run the race, that's what won out. I will run this evening, and maybe even get out of bed early tomorrow to get it done before work.

Happy Monday!

The BEST no-calorie drink on a hot day

Our streak of lovely spring weather continues unabated, which has allowed me to get a hefty dose of vitamin D this past week. I'm never as good at staying hydrated as I should be though. Even when I'm perspiring a lot, it doesn't occur to me that I should be replacing my fluids. Bad Heather! I kept it at the front of my mind yesterday evening though. As soon as I got home from work I was out in the yard planting the last of our seedlings and putting hostas in the flowerbed. It was hot work and although I would have loooooved a cold beer afterwards (they were beckoning from the fridge), I knew that it would further dehydrate me. But water wasn't appealing as a reward either. I compromised with the following:

An utterly refreshing and calorie-free take on homemade lemonade:

Toss into a blender:
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
2 cups cold water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons splenda (or whatever your preferred sugar alternative.)

Zap until blended and enjoy! According to my tastebuds it has the perfect blend of tart and sweet, while still being a great rehydrator (is that a word? It is now!)

Suddenly Summer!

Typical Alberta. We went from winter one week to what feels like full-fledged summer the next. This past weekend was gloriously sunny and hot, coaxing the trees into leaf and the new grass to grow shaggy overnight. There are still heaps of dirty, crusted snow here and there in shaded areas, but the lawnmowers are already out. Winter boots are still heaped in the entryway next to our sandals. We are all cynical (and superstitious) enough to believe that putting away all the winter gear would be pointless before May long weekend is over. Nevertheless, I am rejoicing in the new season and spending as much time outside as possible. Hauling bags of soil, mulch and compost, and raking and weeding have become my new workouts this past week.

I spent yesterday evening in the yard mowing, trimming, weeding, planting and supplementing our rock hard clay-based soil with fresh stuff. I placed a new clematis vine in the front yard that I have high hopes for...I've always loved the look of a climbing vine but have never had success keeping one alive. This time I followed the instructions to a T. As I was clearing the area around it, my neighbor commented "getting rid of that nasty weed finally?" Apparently I neglected to weed that small patch when I moved in last year and it's been an eyesore. Yeesh. Her yard isn't exactly nice to look at either!

In the backyard my boyfriend and I worked new soil and compost into a strip of garden along the garage. He installed a small picket fence border to keep the dogs out, and I planted my sunflower seedlings that have been on our kitchen table the past couple of weeks. I topped the whole thing off with some pretty red mulch. My hands are a little rough this morning- I know I should keep my gardening gloves on, but there is something so satisfying about feeling the dirt when you're working with it. When I went to wash them, the combination of earth and red dye from the mulch washing down the drain made it look like I had murdered someone.

There is so much more work to make this yard my own. I don't think I'll have much leisure time for the next month. Fingers crossed that the warm, sunny weather holds out!

Pep Talk Time

My friend pointed out that I hadn't written a blog entry for a week, and it made me realize how connected this blog is to my goals and habits. As I alluded to in last Friday's entry, this is a particularly stressful period in my life (the type we all must go through on occasion.) I'm holding it together fairly well considering the circumstances, but I fell into that seductive trap once again. Do I need to work out today? Don't I deserve a break? And while I'm taking a break, don't I also deserve some comfort (ie. junk) food? I have so much on my mind, can't I just forget about the blog, healthy food prep and daily workouts? That has been my internal dialogue. If falling off the wagon actually made me feel better, more vibrant and mentally stable, then I would say "go for it, self!" But in reality it makes me feel physically ill, sheepish and disappointed in myself. Last night was a low point in my mood, and I made a promise to myself to get back into healthy habits before I end up destroying any progress I have made. There is always time in the day to do a workout...even if I have to make time by getting up earlier. I am not being helpful to my loved ones by treating my body this way. Renewed effort is beginning today!

100 Calorie, Flour and Oil-Free, Delicious Chocolate Muffins? Yup!

This has been nothing less than a week of madness for me...a wildly busy and stressful period, so a lot of things took a backseat. I don't know when things will be on a more even keel, but here's hoping it will be soon. I'm not the type of person who particularly enjoys drama, although admittedly it does add some interest to life. Sigh.

HOWEVER...I did manage to get some exercise in (not every day, but every other day), and I even baked up a new low calorie version of the chocolate muffin! These are deeeeelicious little snacks, and at just 100 calories/ muffin, you can even have them for breakfast without feeling guilty. Or at least I did. Chocolate for breakfast is very comforting and satisfying! Here's what you will need:


1 3/4 cups Oats
3 large Egg White
3/4 cup Cocoa (natural, Unsweetened)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract, Imitation, No Alcohol
1/2 cup Sauce, Apple Unsweetened
1/2 cup Plain greek yogurt 0%
1/2 tsp Cream Of Tartar
1 1/2 tsp Magic Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1 cup Hot Water
1/2 cup Granular Splenda (you can add more if you like them fairly sweet)
1/2 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips


- Preheat oven to 350 F and spray or line muffin tin.
- Blend (or use a food processor) all ingredients except for the chocolate chips.
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Pour into muffin tin (the batter should fill 12 tins about 3/4 full.)
- Bake on center rack for 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. (My oven actually took 25 minutes.)

You will thank me when you bite into one. Bon Appetit!

Happy Mayday!

Anyone who lives in the Edmonton area as I do is probably shaking their heads at our recent weather. Monday morning we started getting flurries of snow. They progressed into a full-on blizzard style storm with gale force winds that lasted throughout the day. By evening, there was a good amount of snow accumulation and shovels were once again broken out. Tuesday the temperatures were below freezing all day and we got some additional flurries. It was particularly disheartening because we had FINALLY lost most of the winter's snow, and many people had spent the weekend doing their spring prep yard cleanup. At my place we planted our seedling trays, (planting outdoors doesn't happen until late may around these parts), raked the grass and put some fresh mulch down in the front garden. Now our yard is once again blanketed by a thick layer of heavy, wet snow. I cannot express how tired I am of looking outside and seeing a sea of white. It's spring! Mother nature, get the memo!

Thankfully the temperatures are now warming up with some lovely days ahead. So with that in mind, I am going to be thankful for May the first ushering in our spring season at long last. I am keeping my fingers crossed that our brief summer lingers long into the fall months.

Pre-prepared Stir Fry Seasoning Discs

I've been relying heavily on stir frys for dinner this past week, and it occurred to me that I could save some time by pre-mixing the sauce, and freezing it into individual portion sizes that I could just toss into the frying pan. Thus was created: the stir fry seasoning disc! It couldn't be any simpler (well maybe it could....but this IS pretty darn easy.)

1. Take a muffin tin, add 2 tablespoons of chicken stock, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of oregano to each cup.

2. Toss it in the freezer for a few hours or over night. (Note: because of the soy sauce it doesn't freeze completely solid.)

3. Remove from freezer and scoop discs out of the muffin tin with a large spoon. Place into a ziploc and put back into the freezer. You have to move quickly for this stage, as the discs start to melt very quickly when exposed to the air.

When you're ready for your next stir fry: sautee 1 teaspoon minced garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 2 cups of your preferred veggies and stir until coated and slightly wilted. Add in a seasoning disc- it should melt immediately upon contact with the frying pan. Stir until all the veggies are coated and cook on low until they are heated through. You can add meat of your choice too of course. I added some pre-grilled chicken to mine last night.

 Enjoy!

A Bad Day Won't Break Me!

I need to give myself a big ol' pat on the back today. Yesterday I was NOT feeling good. The weather was gray and windy, my throat felt scratchy, one of my dogs had to go to the vet (good news: he is a drama queen and was just constipated). All in all I felt generally fatigued and just wanted to curl up in a ball and read and eat junk food all evening. In the "old days" (like a couple months ago) that's exactly what I would have done. Instead I cooked a load of sauteed veggies and a grilled chicken breast for dinner, and I hauled my butt downstairs for a 40 minute workout after my daughter was in bed. I wasn't happy about it, but I did it! And when I had a crazy brownie craving afterwards, I ate a couple of my healthy "ice cream" sandwiches instead (frozen mashed banana mixed with nutella between two graham crackers.) I am super proud of myself, and that is all I have to say about that!

Can a Cookie or Two Keep you Full?

This will come as a shock to no one, but sometimes being a woman is a huge pain in the ass for a variety of reasons...most of them hormone-related. In this context I am complaining about the extreme food cravings that hit me twice a month. If you're anything like me, you find yourself able to control the ravenous junk food hunger-beast some of the time, but spin out of control when hormones are influencing you. You may not even be physically hungry, yet your brain insists that you obsess over food and shovel as much into your mouth as you can. This happens to me about 10 days out of every month. As a result, any healthy eating habits that I've managed to establish and stick to are thrown out the window, leaving me feeling uncomfortable, bloated and full of regrets. It's a vicious cycle.

I don't like the over-the-counter appetite suppressants that are available, mainly because they rely on massive doses of caffeine and I already get enough of that on a daily basis. But there are some days that I need a crutch to avoid huge helpings of junk food. Google yielded a fad diet that came out a few years ago which you probably remember: The Cookie Diet by Dr. Siegel. He formulated a recipe that is supposed to help people with under-active thyroids lose weight by both suppressing their appetites and stimulating their thyroids. His original recipe apparently called for beef (mmmm...beef cookies). I'm not interested in his whole theory or in purchasing his products (which are exorbitantly expensive from what I hear). However I AM thinking that a homemade high-fiber and filling snack would be a good thing to try.

There are recipes floating around the internet that mimic the benefits of Dr. Siegel's cookies and I found one that piqued my interest (it's beef-free, by the way). As per usual, I tweaked it somewhat to fit my needs better. As many of the reviewers stated, the batter is quite runny and similar to brownie mix. I bypassed the whole mess issue by baking mine in mini cupcake tins instead of on a cookie sheet, so technically they're not cookies, but "cupkies". This recipe yielded 36 cupkies at 95 calories apiece.

So how do they taste? They have a slightly springy texture with just a hint of sweetness. They are quite dense, which is to be expected. You'll want a glass of water when you eat them. The flavor is not unpleasant- I would have no issue eating these throughout the day to control my appetite. A couple of these with a piece of fruit would be very satisfying.

Here is the recipe I used:

2 cups All-bran Flakes

1 cup Rolled Oats

3/4 cup Non-fat Dry Milk Powder

1/4 cup Unprocessed Wheat Bran

3 tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Cinnamon, Ground

1/2 tsp Cloves, Ground

1 Banana, large

1/4 cup Butter, Salted

1/2 cup Granular Splenda

2 Egg

7 large Egg White

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract, Imitation, No Alcohol

1/2 cup Applesauce-unsweetened

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Combine first 9 ingredients in large bowl, mix well with spoon.

3. Blend banana, butter, sugar, eggs, egg whites, applesauce, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until well incorporated.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry, mix well and allow to stand for 5 minutes.

5. Scoop into non-stick mini muffin tins, filling each until it's level with the top.

6. Bake on center rack for 12 minutes

7. Remove from tin immediately and allow to cool.


Read more, including full nutritional information at: http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/dr-siegels-diet-cookie-heathers-alternate-version/#ixzz2RIY2T352

Habits Kept and Habits Dropped

The spirit of this blog is one of exploration and trying new things (as long as I consider them to be reasonable). Obviously this means there will be some stuff I try once or twice and discard. Here are the ones I haven't continued with:

1. The honey cinnamon tea. I know...I was really excited about this one for a couple weeks, but then I got extremely nauseous two mornings in a row after drinking it. That was enough to turn me off. I am still sold on its cold-fighting abilities though- and I will use it the next time I feel a virus coming on.

2. My complete ban on artificially sweetened and heavily caffeinated drinks. To be fair, I have still cut back drastically on the energy drinks and diet soda, but the total ban has given way to 3-4 servings per week. I don't know what to say, aside from: black coffee and water are boring (especially in places like movie theatres), and sometimes I want my caffeine in a cold and refreshing format.

3. Daily yoga. Ha ha ha....that one failed BIG time! I enjoyed going to yoga classes a handful of times and doing my routine at home, but it was never consistent. Now that I'm doing more high-impact exercises I'm far more successful at keeping it in my daily routine. I guess low-key just isn't for me!

4. The coffee grounds cellulite experiment. I tried it exactly once. As my boyfriend pointed out: a cost/benefit analysis makes it clear that the amount of time spent on this "treatment" just isn't worth it. The expensive cream would probably be better. I'm using neither. C'est la vie!

5. The oil method of facial cleansing. I'm not sure what happened there, except it just didn't take. It works well, but for some reason I fell out of the habit. Maybe it's just that extra couple of minutes that threw me off. Regardless, it's no longer part of my routine.

Now as for the habits I've kept:

1. I still drink smoothies (green or otherwise) ALMOST every day.

2. I am exercising almost every day for the past two months. This is a habit that has definitely stuck so far. I am at the point where I actually crave the sensation of sweating. Weird, I know, but true! I'm not going to argue.

3. I strive to eat as healthy as possible (most days.) I'm always looking for new, interesting recipes and have really enjoyed trying them out. It's actually become something of a hobby for me now, even if I AM the only one who enjoys the finished product. #*&%@# picky eaters! Sigh.

I think I've kept the most important habits, and I've maintained my spirit of exploration and the desire to share my experiences in this blog. I wasn't sure if I would be able to maintain my good intentions when I first started this, but so far it's been a great few months! Here's to many more.

One of my fur babies keeping me company as I work out. I have to shoo them every time I need to use the mat, and they like to make sure my forehead stays sweat-free when I'm doing floor exercises. I wouldn't have it any other way though...they make me laugh even when I'm gasping for breath.

Cheap Chic Treasures

A few years ago I got into eBay selling, mainly to make a bit of money from my daughter's quickly outgrown clothes. It's been awhile since I sold anything, but lately I've had a renewed interest. There's a bit of an adrenaline rush that happens when you get a bidding war on one of your items. It's not something that will ever make me a fortune, but it is a fun way to clear out some of the items you no longer want. Last spring I attended an auction with my boyfriend and picked up a few vintage items. They've been gathering dust ever since, so I finally listed them on my brand new eBay store! Follow the link....Cheap Chic Treasures. My favorite listing at the moment is for this beautiful blonde mink hat in pristine condition:

I love that it comes with the original box. If I thought I do it justice by actually wearing it occasionally I would keep it, but hopefully it will find a home with a collector/ vintage clothing wearer.

I think the spring cleaning bug must have really hit me lately since I have the strongest urge to clean out EVERYTHING and get rid of all the extraneous clutter...

Homemade Cleaner Roundup

If you're anything like me, you are always looking for ways to spend less money without sacrificing quality. That's why I love thrift store shopping, DIY projects, and homemade recipes. Aside from the economic advantage, in many cases homemade is simply better for you. I started making my own cleaners about a year ago and haven't looked back since. I found all of these (and many more) recipes online, but wanted to do a summary of my favorites. So without further ado: 

Homemade Bathroom Cleaner: This is THE magical formula which replaces all of your harshest bathroom cleaners. I use mine in the kitchen as well. My mom bought an old house with a tub that had most of the enamel worn away, and she assumed that's what the gray blotches were. After all, she had used every cleaner known to man and it stayed the same. I decided to try this formula on it just for kicks, and to my delight (not to mention hers) the tub came completely clean! Since then I keep this stuff on every floor of my house and use it on just about every tough stain. Bonus: it keeps bathroom hardware shiny and water-spot free for a long time.

• 1 1/2 cups blue Dawn dish soap
• 1 1/2 cups warm vinegar 
• pour into a spritz bottle, shake gently and spray onto dirty surface
• let sit for up to half and hour depending on severity of the stain
• wipe off with a microfibre cloth and water.
• enjoy the shine!

Homemade Laundry Detergent: An alternative to the expensive liquid detergent, and just as effective. I use old, empty detergent containers to store mine. 

• 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not Baking Soda}
• 1/2 Cup: Borax
• 1 Bar Ivory soap
• Bucket {2 gallon size or larger}
• Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.
• Grate Ivory Soap over large pot or saucepan
• Add 6 cups of Water.
• Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
• Add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Pour 4 cups Hot Water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
• Stir, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water.  Stir.
• Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
• Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.
• Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
• Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.

Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner: For a streak-free shine on your laminate floors, look no further. Be warned that the vinegar has a potent smell as you're using it, but it's harmless and dissipates fairly quickly, leaving nothing but the smell of clean!

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup isopropyl alcohol
• 2-3 drops of dish soap
• a few drops of your preferred essential oil(s)
• Pour into a spritz bottle, shake gently and spray onto your swept or vacuumed floor
• Wipe with a microfibre cloth. I use a Swiffer with the cloth attached instead of those disposable wipes.

Homemade Disinfectant: This is a great all-purpose surface spray when you want to make sure that your counters, table, etc are clean and germ-free. 

• 2 teaspoons Borax
• 4 tablespoons vinegar
• 3 cups hot water
• Combine in a spritz bottle
• Spray onto surface and wipe clean

I bought all of the ingredients pictured here for around $30.00, including the buckets. That was over a year ago and I still have some of them leftover. You really can't beat that!

Heartsick

I wanted to write something yesterday regarding my feelings on the Boston Marathon bombing but I just didn't have the heart to put it into words. Suffice to say I was sickened, saddened, and numb at the thought of anyone inflicting such senseless violence. It particularly hit home because I've recently started running again and have immersed myself into the online community. Runners are such an upbeat lot, and so open to sharing their experiences, triumphs and setbacks. There is an uncomplicated joy that comes from using your body in such a natural way, and it shines through in those who do it regularly. I am just a beginner, but even I can appreciate that aspect of it.

I will leave the topic at that. Not mentioning it at all seemed wrong, but I also don't want to be one of those who avidly recounts every gruesome detail and obsesses over the event. The victims and their loved ones are in my thoughts.

Treadmill Workouts and Apple Pie Smoothies!

After taking a week's hiatus from running I got back on the treadmill yesterday. I had been suffering from the beginning twinges of "runner's knee" from taking on too much too soon (I have a tendency to do that...it's all or nothing with me!) I had some fear that it would reoccur, but I did a full 30 minutes of HIIT, and even reached some new high speeds without any issues. Hooray! I also tried out my new motivational workout playlist, and it definitely helped my endurance. When you're pumped up from a high-energy song you tend to focus less on the burning in your lungs as you gasp for breath. When I finished up, I was dripping sweat and had that lovely blotchy red face that shows I've been working extra hard. My daughter looked at me with some concern. "Mom, how long did you exercise for? Why are you sweating so much? What's wrong with you?" I had to explain to her that sweating is a good thing, as it prevents you from passing out from heat exhaustion.

This morning I decided to take a departure from my usual workday breakfast of a green smoothie, and try out a new recipe; the "Apple Pie Smoothie" (mainly because I had to start eating one of the three tubs of greek yogurt my boyfriend brought home from Costco.) I got the recipe from my favorite resource, Pinterest.  The ingredients list is as follows:

1 banana
1 small red apple
3/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
5 raw almonds

Blend them all together until you get your desired consistency. This recipe did not disappoint- it was delicious and SO filling that I'm sure it will take me right through to lunch. Here's a link to the original post:
Harley Pasternak's Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

What are These Strange Bulges??

As I have mentioned, there has never before been a point in my life where I stuck with a consistent exercise routine for longer than a couple of weeks. Now that I'm coming up on 7 straight weeks of daily exercise, I am seeing changes to my body that are completely foreign yet wonderful. First: ab definition! Holy crap! When I'm standing up straight I can see the outline of my abdominal muscles...not an actual 6-pack, but it still looks awesome! (Can you tell I'm excited by the number of exclamation points?) Second: my thighs....ah yes....always the weak point. They have some serious muscle tone now. It thrills me to be sitting down and idly realize that the muscles are hard even without flexing. Who is this woman that can do all forms of lunges and squats with ease and expert form? Yup, that's me!

I am still getting used to these changes and figuring out the differences. I had a laughable moment today sitting at work. I had my legs crossed with one hand resting just above my knee, when I noticed that there seemed to be a bump/ ridge there. What the heck? I wondered if there was swelling that I somehow hadn't noticed before. I switched legs and felt above the other knee...same thing. Then I suddenly realized that what I was feeling was my now well-defined quadriceps. Well then. I'm quite alright with that! I've got to say it feels pretty damn good to be in my mid-30's and more comfortable in my skin than I was in my 20's.

Yes- all those painful workouts are worth it (and they ARE painful, no doubt about it). Hello thighs- I hardly recognize you!

Color Me Rad 5 K, Edmonton, Alberta

Most of you have seen the ads on Facebook; "Color me Rad" is a very popular 5 K race that is held throughout the US and Canada. It involves volunteers pelting the runners with colored cornstarch throughout, and the runners themselves throwing "color bombs" at their teammates as they cross the finish line. It's basically an excuse to get out and interact with a bunch of fun people and get really, really messy in the process.

The ads must have filtered into my subconscious, because one boring afternoon at work I suddenly decided that I HAD TO do this race. Never mind that they were almost sold out (I got in for the last time slot- 8:05 am on a Sunday), or that I didn't have time to get a team together. I let my boyfriend know my plan and promptly paid my registration fee and signed the online waiver. At the time that I signed up there were still some individual spots available, so I asked around and placed an ad in Kijiji to see if anyone wanted to join my team of one: "The Smokin Scorpios". I got some interest from various people, but only one girl who actually managed to register in time. We've never met, and she's only 18, so I'm hoping I'm not going to slow her down!

I've been running on my treadmill every second day, and will take it outside as soon as we lose this wretched snow. If I can get my time down to 35 minutes or less for 5 K (3.1 miles), I will be satisfied. I'm currently sitting at just over 40 minutes, but haven't really pushed myself for fear of injury. As it is, my right knee is having major issues so I need to take a few days off. I'm still doing my Jillian Michaels workouts in the interim.

My daughter is very excited about my race, and I assigned her the task of being my coach. She immediately took her role seriously, deciding that I should run the stairs in our house while she timed me. This weekend we will be going to the river valley in Edmonton to run their infamous stairs. (Or at least I will be running them while she eggs me on.) This fun run is just the thing I needed to maintain my fitness motivation, especially with  an 18-year-old teammate...the last thing I want to do is make a fool of myself!

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Smoothie...As Yummy As it Sounds!

Okay...first a disclaimer...the following recipe is so not low-cal, but it is full of good stuff, and the most filling smoothie you will ever drink. I have had serious peanut butter cravings lately and have been looking to satisfy them in various ways...healthy and not-so-healthy. But this is a healthy blog, so this is the one I will share. Yesterday morning I was facing a full day of bookkeeping from home (tax season...the bane of my existence.) I had my coffee and was contemplating a green smoothie, but what I really wanted was something comforting, filling and delicious that I could ingest one-handed while working. I had seen a couple oatmeal peanut butter smoothie recipes floating around Pinterest and decided that a working Sunday was a great opportunity to try one of them out. I tweaked it a bit to make it my own, as I am prone to doing. The result is the following (yes, that is a "Redneck Wine Glass". It makes me feel fancy yet down-to-earth. ha ha):

The ingredients were:

1 medium banana (frozen or room-temperature)
8 oz (200 g) 0% vanilla greek yogurt
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/3 cup oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tablespoons honey

Simply toss all ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. Voila! This is a 900 calorie smoothie, but you WILL be full for hours. I'm thinking it would be a great post-workout meal, particularly if you exercise early in the morning on an empty stomach.

Fat Loss Doesn't Always Equal Weight Loss!

I officially moved on from 30 Day Shred (30DS) yesterday, starting my rotation of Killer Buns and Thighs and Ripped in 30. Last night I did level one of Killer Buns and Thighs. I had done it a few times about a year ago, and then again right before starting the 30DS. I found that I was FAR more capable of completing it with good form this time around- a sure sign that my fitness level has increased. It is longer than 30DS; about 40 minutes with the warm up and cool down, but the time does go fairly quickly since I was totally focused on the moves. My hamstrings and glutes are feeling it today, which makes me happy! Tomorrow I will be trying out level one of Ripped in 30. What about today? Well I'm going to another concert with my friend tonight (Bon Jovi! Ah- high school memories), so I did 30 minutes on the treadmill before work, and that will have to suffice. As long as I sweat daily I'm satisfied.

Something interesting to note- I read about this but wasn't expecting it to happen to me: since starting my workouts I have actually gained 4-6 pounds on the scale (it fluctuates). Interestingly, my measurements are  smaller than when I started, and I definitely have more muscle definition. My clothes fit looser too. Just thought I'd put that out there, since a lot of ladies are tied to the scale when measuring progress, and it doesn't tell the whole story. Focusing on proper nutrition and muscle gain is the way to go, not obsessing over scale fluctuations. Weight gain is common in the first few weeks of a new workout routine (with varying theories on why) but don't let it discourage you!

How to Make Quinoa Flour

I've been wanting to experiment with gluten-free flour alternatives lately; not because I have any sensitivity, but to add variety and extra nutrients to my family's diet. I don't think I'll ever be completely replacing wheat flour in my cooking and baking, but why not try something a little different? I bought a large quantity of quinoa during a recent foray to Bulk Barn (love, love, love that place!) I cooked and used some in my muffins (see post Quinoa Banana Bread Muffins), but I also had a recipe from Pinterest that called for quinoa flour. I wasn't about to buy the flour when I have all the tools to make it myself with a little extra effort. A quick google search later and I had my directions:

1. Measure out 2 cups of quinoa
2. Toast in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. When it starts making a popping sound, toast for about 2 more minutes.
3. Grind in a food processor or blender until you have a fine powder.

Here's what my finished product looked like; as you can see it's a very fine powder. I used my Vitamix:

Keep in mind that while there are specific recipes that use quinoa flour, it can't be used as a straight-up substitute with your regular recipes. However it CAN be successfully combined with wheat flour to give it a nutritional boost. Another note: the toasting negates the need to rinse the quinoa ahead of time. If you DO rinse it, ensure that it's fully dried before toasting, or you may end up with cooked quinoa that won't grind properly into flour.

I did use the flour to make muffins, but didn't take any pictures. Here's a link to that recipe (hers are much prettier than mine anyway!):
http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/2012/02/recipe-strawberry-banana-quinoa-muffins.html

I found that they were quite good, but had a much different taste than muffins made with wheat flour. They were nuttier, denser, and more filling, so a small serving goes a long way.

March Retrospective

I just realized that since March is officially over, I should do an official summary of my progress, so here goes:

I did 100% awesome with the regular exercise this past month. The goal was to give myself a good head-start into a healthier lifestyle that includes exercise as a permanent fixture. This is something I've never been able to achieve before, but I find that blogging gives me that extra bit of motivation and accountability that I was lacking. I am stronger and have improved my cardiovascular endurance by quite a bit. My muscles are definitely more toned, although it's more a difference you can feel as opposed to a difference you can see. Either way- for just a month it's great progress. I have completed 30 Day Shred (cue the fanfare!)...I will now be moving on to a combination of three different workouts:

Jillian Michaels "Ripped in 30"
Jillian Michaels "Killer Buns and Thighs"
Cardio on my treadmill- I use the HIIT method with an incline of 5%

The Jillian workouts will be done alternately, 6 or 7 days/ week. Since they both move up in levels like the 30 Day Shred, I will be keeping track of the days completed on a calendar so I don't get confused. I should have all the levels completed in a little over 2 months, depending on the number of days off I end up taking. The cardio will be done in addition to the DVDs as much as possible, with a goal of every second day for 30 minutes.

I have not taken a "progress picture" for the end of March since there isn't a big difference yet, but I AM proud of the definition in my arms:

I will take a full body picture at the end of May upon completing the above mentioned programs.

Diet-wise I did quite well throughout March, although not as well as I would have liked towards the end. However, I still ate consciously and healthily the majority of the time. I do seem to have trouble focusing on both diet AND exercise for any length of time, and one or the other tends to fall by the wayside. But I am improving for sure!

I award myself an A- for the month of March...not as perfect as I'd hoped, but I'm still pretty proud of myself.

Spring Limbo

It feels like I'm in limbo today...Easter Monday is a bank holiday apparently, but not a stat holiday. But to further confuse things, I am the only one in the office today. Not that I mind the peace and quiet, but after being gone a week it's a little hectic and disorienting. To be honest my mind is a million miles away. I had a wonderful time in my backyard yesterday afternoon enjoying the spring sunshine. I spent over an hour chipping away the thick ice from our walkway while my boyfriend shoveled snow away from the garage and my daughter frolicked in the mud with her garden tools. It might not sound like an awesome time, but I was in my t-shirt! And not chilly! This is a big deal after a loooong winter. And the ice chipping was satisfying, not to mention a great workout. Sadly the weather forecast for the remainder of the week involves light snow, flurries and more light snow. Boo! We have enough snow to get rid of as it is. The sun is trying its best, but there's so much of it....the first brave plants are actually growing UNDER the crusted drifts. That's springtime in Alberta. Sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't. Mexico anyone?

March Daily Exercise Update

As we near the end of March I wanted to update my exercise progress. At the beginning of the month I had challenged myself to daily workouts, based around Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. I have never been good at maintaining any sort of consistent exercise routine, but this month I have rocked it! Monday will bring me to the end of the 30-day challenge. Level three is now getting easier, and I am ready for the next challenge. I haven't noticed much of a visual difference in my body (as I suspected!) but I am most definitely in better shape and ready to kick it up a notch.

I did take a few days off of the 30-day-shred here and there, but I always did some other form of exercise those days, such as hiking or running on the treadmill. Speaking of which- I have avoided using the treadmill for running due to the joint wear-and-tear that it can cause. Well a couple days ago I bought some new cross training shoes and wanted to test them out. I looked at the treadmill and felt frustration at being physically limited. Throwing caution to the wind I decided to go for it. I used to run, and there is nothing like that feeling you get during and after when the endorphins kick in.

I started off slowly at 2.5 miles/hr, with a 5% incline. (Using an incline helps prevent shin splints- it works like a charm and obviously adds resistance at the same time.) Maintaining the same incline throughout, I increased my speed by 1/2 mile each minute until I reached 5.5, then brought it back down to 2.5. I cycled through until I hit the 30 minute mark, drenched in sweat. This is known as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and is known to be far more effective for fitness training and fat burning than keeping the same speed throughout. As an added bonus, you get a better workout in a shorter amount of time.

I was very pleased to note that I had no aches and pains the following day. I will be adding this cardio into my routine as often as possible, which means I'll be running in the mornings before work. Did I ever think I'd be saying that? No!! But here we are.

Quinoa Banana Bread Muffins

Today was Good Friday- one of the few statutory holidays that falls at the end of the work week. We had gotten free passes to the West Edmonton Mall Waterpark, joining what seemed like half the city's population. The parking lot was absolutely overflowing. With some trepidation, we got through the line and made our way in. It actually wasn't too crowded in the main wave pool section and we all had a good time letting the waves carry us along and splashing each other. We spent a couple hours playing before the people got to be too much and we called it a day.

I also got a chance to play in the kitchen again today (I love this not working thing!) Since I have a bunch of pre-cooked quinoa in the fridge I wanted to incorporate it into baked goods, as I had read that it adds a nice texture and moisture, and of course it's healthy! I made some banana bread batter and added a cup of the quinoa.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup cooked quinoa
3 medium bananas, mashed
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon in a large bowl in set aside. Separately, mix the egg, quinoa, mashed banana, sugar and oil. Add to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. (Batter will be lumpy.) Fold in chocolate chips if desired.

Pour batter into a muffin tin or loaf pan. If using a muffin tin, bake for 20 minutes. If using a loaf pan, bake for 50 minutes. These are great warm or cold, but fresh out of the oven is always awesome! Enjoy...and see if anyone notices the "secret" quinoa ingredient. My picky daughter didn't!

Foot Scrub

Despite what the snow covered landscape might indicate, spring is officially here, which means summer is around the corner. Once the snow is all melted it will be sandal and flats season! Hooray! I always end up wearing the same pair of boots all winter long and craving the variety that summer brings with different footwear options. I have way too many pairs of seldom-worn shoes considering how short the season is. But hey, it's one of life's small joys.

I tend to forget about my feet over the winter since they're always encased in either socks or slippers, but this time of year I start my "foot rehab" treatments. A good scrub in the shower and some intensive lotion before I put on my socks in the morning. Pinterest yields some effective do-it-yourself foot scrub recipes, and I tried one of them out a few days ago. It is as follows:

2 handfuls of rice (ground to a medium powder)
2 TBL honey
Cider vinegar (enough to get the desired consistency)

Grind the rice in whatever tool you have....coffee grinders and blenders both work. You want it to be somewhat grainy still, not a fine powder. Add the honey and mix together. Pour in a small amount of cider vinegar to get a smooth, slightly runny consistency. Use the scrub on the heels, and whatever other parts of your feet are calloused/ have dead skin. Rub in a circular motion for a minute or so and rinse off. Be sure to follow up with moisturizer. I ended up with enough scrub to last about a week. I just keep it in the shower.

According to site that offered this recipe, this works great for severely dry heels that are cracked (mine are nowhere near that bad, but it worked great for me too.) The rice is an exfoliant, the honey is a moisturizer, and the vinegar is a gentle method of removing dead skin. You can also add olive oil for extra moisturizing power. I've been using it every day, and my feet are thanking me for it. Bring on sandal season!

A Weekend in Jasper

As mentioned in a previous entry, I booked myself two nights at a Jasper hotel over the past weekend so that I could enjoy the tail end of winter in the mountains. I chose to stay at the Whistler's Inn right in the heart of Jasper's downtown section in order to minimize my driving. The Edmonton area was absolutely walloped by a severe winter storm the day before I was scheduled to leave, so I was afraid that the drive would be a nightmare. As it turned out, the highways west of Edmonton were just fine once I got a few kilometers out of the city. It was dry and sunny the whole way, and since I was traveling alone I sang along to my iPod to my heart's content! (A major perk of solo traveling, just so you know.)

Once I got close enough to see the mountains I could feel my heart soaring. The sun reflecting off the snow covered peaks was mesmerizing. I'll never understand how anyone can speed through the mountains when they're driving, but I guess if you see it everyday it's not as special. I had a grin pasted on my face the whole time.

Stopping briefly in Hinton to stock up a few grocery items and some wine, I made it to Jasper in plenty of time to check in and do a bit of shopping before the Maligne Canyon ice walk tour I had scheduled. The hotel was in an excellent location and boasted two outdoor hot tubs on the roof. Those were the good points. The not so good points....it is an older hotel with very thin walls and a musty smell. The other hotel patrons tended to be very young and prone to drunken partying in the hallways. I think I might have been the only one that wasn't part of their group, as they all seemed to leave their doors open to wander back and forth into the early morning hours.

I decided to take a wander around town and explore the charming shops that lined the streets in abundance. I spent a happy hour window shopping before it was time to get changed for my Ice Walk tour. The company that was taking me was located right across the street. I discovered one of the drawbacks of traveling alone when the other group members showed up. It was comprised of three couples and myself. Hmm. I cracked a joke about it, and we all got along just fine after that. A short bus ride later, we were ready to explore the canyon floor. It is only in the winter and early spring that the canyon is accessible on foot- in the summer it's a raging river. We were supplied with waterproof boots (a necessity), and crampons to help keep us from slipping. There was still plenty of slipping on the icy paths, but I'm sure it could have been worse. The walk was fascinating and surreal. Recent warmer temperatures had caused some spectacular ice formations for us to enjoy.

Pictured below: Some of the ice formations; a view from the bottom of the canyon where a river is normally running; an ice climber (look closely!); and an ice cavern that we went inside.

Towards the end of the hike our guide asked if we were all interested in some cave exploration. Being an adventurous group, the answer was a resounding yes! I've always been interested in spelunking and figured this would be an easy introduction. Not so much, as it turned out! Once we got to the mouth of the cave he warned us that the first 20 feet or so had to be navigated on our stomachs, slithering like snakes, so if any of us were claustrophobic we should probably sit it out. Only one woman opted to do so (and it sure wasn't me- claustrophobia has never been one of my issues.) We put on some headlamps and slithered in one at a time. As you can imagine it wasn't exactly gentle, sliding across jagged rocks and ice. It did occur to me halfway through that I bruise ridiculously easily and would probably have colorful arms and legs in a couple days. (Incidentally I was right...my legs are a horror show right now!) It was so worth it though; we got through the narrow passage and climbed down to a larger, open chamber where I felt a sense of awe knowing that the weight of a mountain was on top of us at that moment. The air smelled earthy and warm, and when our guide suggested that we all turn off our headlamps for a few moments, the most complete darkness that I have ever experienced descended on me. It was like sensory deprivation...I felt like I had black velvet over my eyes. If one of the women hadn't been a bit squeamish and turned her lamp back on right away, I could have basked in it a lot longer.

We squirmed our way back out of the cave without incident and hiked back to the van, stopping along the way to try berries from a juniper bush. They tasted very intense, and very much like a concentrated burst of the gin that is distilled from them. I actually quite liked it... I might give martinis another try sometimes. We got dropped off at our respective hotels and parted ways.

I decided that I simply had to try out the rooftop hot tubs at that point, being a little sore from the cave exploration. I took a glass of wine along, which is actually allowed in this hotel, and was pleased to see that I had both hot tubs all to myself. It's a lot more relaxing to stretch out in an unladylike fashion when there's no one around to observe you! Ahhhh....best feeling ever! At some point during the brief period that I had been inside, the clear evening had clouded over and was flurrying like mad. Of course it doesn't matter when you're in a hot tub. I thoroughly enjoyed my soak, complete with wine.

The next day I slept quite late thanks to the late-night revellers...they got up early so I took advantage of the quiet and basked in my bed until nearly noon. Being a mom, this is a rare treat! I had a late breakfast/lunch and wandered across the street to the Parks Canada office. I asked where the best snowshoeing trails were and found out that most of them had very little snow left. But he gave me a map and suggested a trail right outside of town called the Valley of the Five Lakes. I took the short drive out there and found that he hadn't been kidding- there was hardly any snow at the trailhead. I took my chances, hoping it would be better further out. I had the trail to myself completely, which surprised me considering how beautiful it was outside. There was more snow once I got past the first short section, and I happily crunched along the ice and snow, enjoying the smell of the trees. The trail crossed a wooden bridge and rose higher, making for a gorgeous panoramic view of the mountains. As I stood enjoying the sight, a group of deer made their way past me, completely unafraid (as is typical of wildlife in the national parks). I never did make it as far as the lakes indicated in the title, but I still had a lovely walk.

That evening was spent walking around town again, watching the completely tame elk in the town square, and eating delicious pizza from The North Face pizzeria. I had gone down to the pub the previous night, and decided that tonight I would just stay in once I was done my walk. I snuggled up in bed with the rest of my pizza, white wine and Netflix on my iPad. (The tv reception was awful.) I fell asleep early... I'm such an old woman! Ha ha. But it felt gooood.

Going home the next day it was just as beautiful and sunny, but the drive was tinged with slight sadness that the mountains were now at my back. I immediately started formulating a plan for my next trip, which will be all about hiking. I felt better knowing that I would be back soon. Jasper, I adore you....so beautiful, and right in my backyard! Until next time...I will just have to enjoy my memories.

Irresistible Peanut Butter Play-Dough

I had a fantastic weekend in Jasper which I returned from yesterday afternoon. I have so much to talk about, but it will have to wait for tomorrow's post when I have a bit more sit-down time. I actually took this week off to be with my daughter for her spring break, but of course staying home means I have much less time with my computer!

I've been having fun in the kitchen today, and came up with an AWESOME edible play-dough recipe to keep her busy (for roughly five minutes.) It's as yummy as candy but far healthier and very moldable. I had a hard time not scarfing it down myself actually, but I managed to resist.

The recipe is as follows:
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup plus 2 TBL raisins
1/4 cup powdered milk
2 TBL salted peanuts
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBL honey

Blend all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until well combined. Turn onto a hard surface and knead until smooth. Add another pinch of powdered milk if it's too sticky. Toss it onto a piece of waxed paper and let your kids go nuts! (pun intended. Hehehe.)

The Coffee Grounds Cellulite Solution (My Firsthand Experience)

Depending which stats you look at, between 80 and 90% of adult women suffer from cellulite to a greater or lesser extent. The causes range from hereditary (me!), poor circulation, hormonal changes and accumulation of toxins. Like many of you gals, I do have the dreaded cellulite on my thighs and rear. It prevents me from comfortably wearing shorts and bathing suits as I am always hyper-aware of it. (It doesn't actually stop me from wearing them, but it would be nice to feel more confident.) I know mine is hereditary since it started showing up when I was 15, long before any possible toxin accumulation or poor circulation. Of course it's only gotten worse with time.

Yesterday one of my friends re-posted a link on pinterest showing how a person can use coffee grounds to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Intrigued, I did a bit more research to find out the how and why, and whether it was worth my time to try. It turns out that warm coffee grounds increase circulation to the affected area, helping to flush out toxins and excess water from the tissue and lessening the dimpled appearance. Sounds good to me! There are a couple of lotions on the market that seem to be effective as well (according to the reviews), but at $60 for a month's supply I'd rather suffer with the cellulite. I'm not made of money. Coffee grounds it was! I decided there was no time like the present, so after my evening workout and a bit of slacking off in front of the tv, I got to work. The simple recipe I chose is as follows:

1/4 - 1/2 cup of warm coffee grounds (heat in microwave for 10 seconds if they're cold.)
2 Tablespoons olive oil

I had to make some coffee to produce the grounds this time around, but I will save them in the future. The general consensus seems to be that you should use this treatment three times a week. The effects are temporary, so it's an ongoing process.

Step one: The instructions stated that I should stand on newspaper or in a tub/ shower, and rub the mixture onto the affected area with a firm circular motion for a few minutes, leaving as many of the grounds on my skin as possible. I decided to use the tub and I am very glad I did- it is MESSY! I don't recommend using newspaper, as you will end up tracking grounds everywhere. As it was, I had to wipe my feet when I exited the tub. After massaging the grounds into my thighs and rear I had a fair amount stuck to my skin, and even more on the bottom of the tub.

Step two is to firmly wind plastic wrap around the massaged areas and let it sit for about ten minutes. Okay. Thighs are easy to wrap so that didn't take long. The rear end though...that's a bit trickier. I ended up just putting saran wrap all the way around my hips in order to swathe my entire lower half. It was difficult to get it tight, but good enough! I was SO tempted to take a picture when that part was done since it looked quite hilarious, but I figured that would be a little too risque for my blog. I passed the next ten minutes watching Netflix on my phone and laughing at my reflection in the mirror. Note: firmly wrapping saran wrap around your rear isn't attractive. The poor thing was completely flattened out!

Step three: I got back into the tub and turned on the shower before attempting to unwrap, trying to avoid extra mess. It worked well that way. I simply unwound the plastic wrap and crumpled it into a ball for the trash, then rinsed the grounds off with warm water. Note: you are supposed to use ONLY water, not soap. It took awhile to get the mixture out of every nook and cranny, kind of like sand from a day at the beach, but I managed.

Step four: Dry off and use a rolling pin (yes, the one in your kitchen), to roll over the treated area firmly for a couple of minutes. This part was also quite hilarious and kind of fun. Bonus: it's like getting a massage. Once that part's done your treatment is complete! The whole process took about 20 minutes and should be repeated no more than three times a week as I mentioned. Any more than that will seriously dehydrate your skin.

My consensus: the coffee grounds not only smelled great but did a great job of exfoliating. The olive oil kept the whole area moisturized nicely and my skin ended up very nice and soft. Even if it does nothing for the cellulite it is obviously great for the skin. The treatment was a bit of a process, but it wasn't unpleasant, and if it helps then it's well worth it! I will continue to use it three times a week and update on any difference I see.

Meal Organization

My downfall with consistently preparing healthy meals at home is the same as many people's: lack of time and inclination. When you work full time and arrive home hungry (with a hungry child), it's all too easy to fill up with convenience food that isn't necessarily nutritious. I do well most of the time, but there are sometimes entire weeks where I fail to plan ahead. Not only does it result in poor choices, but it ends up costing a lot of money! Last night I was feeling motivated though. We loaded up on grocery staples including a bunch of chicken breasts, pork chops and various marinades. When we got home I divided the meat into single meal portions and poured a different marinade into each ziploc. Using my handy label maker (I love that thing), I made sure to indicate the type of sauce and calorie content so there wouldn't be any guesswork. (That's for my sake- I do like to keep track of my calorie intake since losing 35 lbs a few years ago.) The end result was two weeks worth of main dishes that I can thaw one at a time and pair with veggies and rice or potatoes. There is enough variety to keep everyone happy. There is something super satisfying about being organized like this...must be the bookkeeper in me!

Another One Bites the Dust

Yet another weekend has drawn to a close. I have to say that the continual snow has really put a damper on everything. We have had an incredible amount and it's STILL falling! It makes leaving the house a hassle, and driving into the city a bit nerve-wracking. It didn't actually stop us from going out, but it does add an element of difficulty.

On Saturday, my daughter and I got to watch my boyfriend play sledge hockey. He's on the Edmonton Garrison team and they were playing against another local team. Sledge hockey is an alternative version of the game that the disabled can play. They strap themselves into a sled-type piece of equipment that has two blades along the bottom. Using two sticks, they move themselves by pushing with one end, then flip them around to the other end to shoot the puck. It was quite entertaining to watch, and my daughter and I both enjoyed cheering on good old number 9!

Sunday was St Patrick's Day, so I started it off by making my daughter's favourite cauliflower pancakes (see my post: Hidden Veggie Recipes) with a fun twist. I added a bit of green food colouring to the batter and used a spoon to carefully pour it into shamrock shapes. Success!

The pancakes were a hit, but the water with green food colouring was a miss. She took one look at it and said "mom, I am NOT drinking that!" Oh well....it looked good in the picture anyway!

I continued with my exercise routine throughout the weekend. Moving up to level three of the 30 Day Shred was actually fun. I like the variety that it introduces, and it's not as scary as I had feared it would be. Yes- it's more challenging, but it's still doable and I can feel the changes that it's making in my endurance and muscle development. I didn't do so great with the healthy eating these last few days (okay- I've been terrible!) so today I am back on the wagon. It's not easy when it's so miserable outside though- all I want is comfort food! But I am strong...I will persevere!