Live Well * Laugh Often * Love Much





Wednesday, June 30, 2010

June Goal Update

Leisure Time
I will read 10 books per year, 2 of which must be nonfiction.
* I haven't completed any more books, but I do have 2 on the go. One non fiction, and one fiction.

Personal Growth
I will reconnect with my friends by the end of the year.
* Still planning a poker night in June. $5 buy in. Anyone interested? This didn't happen. Maybe July.

I will post to my blog 12 times per month.
* We know how this one went.

Health and Fitness
I will work out for 30 minutes, 3 times per week.
* I have been working out about 6 times per week, at least 30 minutes per day.
* I have also been going for walks on occassion.
* I have lost over 20 lbs.

Learn to Ski by April 1st, 2011
* I will ski at least 10 days this coming ski season.

I will run in a 5 km run by July 15th, 2011
* I am going to start training after July 2nd. I haven't decided which 5 km yet - either Boogie the Bridge or Jo's Road Race.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Biggest Loser Update: Week 8

Have we reached the half way point already? 
I am well on my way to losing 32 pounds in 16 weeks.  It's time to up the ante. 
My new goal is to lose 50 pounds in 16 weeks.
Is this do-able or am I setting myself up for failure?


Week 8

Since I don't really have any journal entries to share from the past 4 weeks, I thought I would share some of my experiences and impressions.

The Centre is a modern day torture chamber.  Even just looking as some of the equipment, you know to be afraid, very afraid.  However, it's the innocent looking objects that seem to cause the most pain.

Take these Gliding Discs for instance.

Which can be purchased here by the way.

Look like something that could be fun, kinda like a frisbee, right.  WRONG!  These things hurt.  How you may ask.  Here's how.

Get down on your hands and knees, place each toe onto a frisbee, raise up on your toes, slide your knees to your chest slowly, then slide them back out again.  Repeat for 60 seconds or 1 minute.

I'll wait here while you do that.

(just another possible torture)

Done yet?
Hurts, don't it.

And that is one of many different possible tortures that these things are capable of.

And now for the moment you have all been waiting for...

2 month picture...

Weight: 245.8 lbs

Loss: 11.4 lbs
Total Lost: 24.8 lbs
Total Inches Lost: 12 inches
(arms, legs, bust, waist, hips)


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Life as a Hula Hunnie: Relay for Life




June 12th, 2010
A nearby riverside park
500 plus people
And I am dressed like this


Opps, I mean this...


Where am I?
Where else could I be but
The Relay for Life.


For anyone who doesn't know what Relay is, it is a 12 hour event for the Canadian Cancer Society. Basically, your team has to have someone on the track at all times during the 12 hours.


Our team, the Hula Hunnies, arrived early to set up.


We were a little late, but we did get there before it started. I was very impressed.
Once there, we set up camp,


Put on our sunscreen,


Put on our costumes,

This is my dad. We are so proud of him. :)


And had our coffee.



Then it was time for relay to start.



Between the rounds, there was a little fun to be had, visiting to do,










Water to drink,


And Hula Hooping to do.





All the wildlife came out to participate.


It was a fun day, but we were all there for a reason.  To raise money to fight Cancer, to honour the survivors, and to remember the ones we have lost.


\

A lot of tears were shed, but it was the perfect ending to a fabulous day.




Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Biggest Loser Update: Week 5, 6 and 7


The past 3 weeks have been up and down.  The weight has been coming off, but it has slowed down.  I have been having problems sleeping, so I have been going to my workouts feeling fatigued.  Doesn't make for a great workout.

Any loss is a good loss though.

I am sure you are all dieing to hear my progress.
And you will...
Saturday.

I want to give kudo's to hubby.  He started eating healthier with me.
As of June 12th, he has lost
18.6 lbs!

Yay him!!!!

Great job hunny.  You keep me motivated.

In honour of his weight loss, here are some recipes.

Chicken Stuffed Tomatoes
4 medium sized tomatoes
16 oz of cubed cooked chicken
2 tablespoons chopped onion
Red and green pepper finely chopped
Crushed garlic cloves
1/8 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons no fat dressing
Salt and pepper

Cut off the tops of the tomatoes and scoop out the flesh. Remove the seeds and chop the pulp to equal one cup. Set aside. Place the tomatoes upside down to drain the excess liquid. Place the rest of the ingredients, except the paprika in a bowl. Add the chopped tomatoes. Mix well. Spoon into the tomatoes. Sprinkle top with paprika. You can eat it just like this or broil it in the oven or just microwave until warm. You can make this recipe with tuna as well.
Makes 4 servings.
300 cals, 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs

Fresh Tomato Salsa
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
½ cup sliced green onions
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
½ teaspoon salt

Zuchinni Salsa
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 garlic salt to taste
1 small can green chilies
Chopped jalapeno or hot pepper if heat is desired
Combine all in a sealable container. Chill. Serve with chicken

Apple Salsa
2 medium red apples
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ cup chopped orange segments
½ cup finely chopped onions
½ cup finely chopped green pepper
1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Chocolate Loaf
½ cup quick cook oatmeal
2 cartons egg whites
1 cup pumpkin
8 packs of Sugar Twin (or to taste)
2 heaping tablespoons low fat cocoa
1 teaspoon extract (banana, coconut, peppermint are good choices)

Spray dish of loaf tin with non stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Mix ingredients together and cook in dish for 75 minutes. Drizzle with sugar free chocolate syrup for extra chocolaty flavor.
8 servings: 76 calories per serving : 34 calories carbs, 38 calories protein, 4 calories fat

Fast Chili Con Carne
1 lb minced beef, low fat
1 fresh chili
1 medium onion
1 clove of garlic
1 splash Tabasco sauce
½ cup tomato sauce
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin kidney beans

Cook meat. Drain any visible fat and then rinse with boiling water. Add onions in large pan with tomato sauce, garlic, chili and Tabasco. Add more of the latter if you want more zing.
When meat is browned and onions cooked through, add the last ingredients and simmer for 10-20 minutes.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Life as Kiera Sees It: 10 Months Old

I am 10 months old!!!
Weight: 22 pounds 8 ounces
Height: 30.5 inches

I got my 4th and 5th teeth.
I stood up without any help.
I said Dada.
I walked 1 step on my own.


What I have learned from Kiera
~ by mommy
Families are important. 
I want to have a closer relationship not only with my immediate family, but also with my extended family.  I want Kiera to have a strong realtionship with family.

Have fun. 
Even the smallest thing can be amusing.  Baby girl laughs at the simpliest things.  Life is hard, it is important to find joy everywhere you look.

Try new things. 
As well get older, our tastes and interests change.  You might be surprised by what you enjoy.

Persistance pays off.  
Just because you can't do something today, doesn't mean you won't be able to do it tomorrow. 

Trust yourself. 
I have not been around infants much in my life, so I was terrified at the thought of trying to raise a child.  Since everything I do, I do because I love her.  I have to trust that I am doing the right thing.





Monday, June 21, 2010

A Little Girl Needs Daddy


Fathers and Daughters

A little girl needs Daddy
For many, many things:
Like holding her high off the ground
Where the sunlight sings!
Like being the deep music
That tells her all is right
When she awakens frantic with
The terrors of the night.



Like being the great mountain
That rises in her heart
And shows her how she might get home
When all else falls apart.



Like giving her the love
That is her sea and air,
So diving deep or soaring high
She’ll always find him there.
~ Author Unknown





Sunday, June 20, 2010

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego.....


Or me for that matter....

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted.  Even I am asking myself why.
All I can say is that there have been sleeping issues - not related to Kiera.  This leads to a lack of energy,which leads to....
Well, you get the picture.

This week, I am determined to post everyday.  Ok, maybe not everyday, but at least every second day. 

You can look forward to these upcoming posts:

Life with Kiera: 10 months
Hint - she's a mover and a shaker.

Biggest Loser Update
Hint: there is less of me to love.

Relay for Life

Home Hardware Contest Winner

More Father's Day

Goal Update


So Stay Tuned



Life with Alexis: Fathers Day



To Dad

My father my father
I love he
My father my father
made me see
how beautiful i can be
My father my father
are you fourty three
My father my father
every summer he said to me
My daughter my daughter
come see me
My father my father
i can see my sister grow like a tree
my father my father
when it you and me
it can be fun, till three
my father my father
i love he
~ Alexis