I check a few blogs on a daily basis and none of them have been updated for over a week. Then I realized I hadn't updated mine either so who am I to judge? But here's the conundrum, if nothing out of the ordinary is going on, what do I blog about? So I decided to just blog about some random stuff that I'm doing these days.
Today is Friday. Friday is my weigh-in day. I have basically been maintaining my weight for months now (+ or - 5 lbs). Last week I was fairly low and feeling good. However, today I stepped on the scale and was up 3.5 lbs! Still within my "maintenance range" but quite a wake up call for a girl who works out at least 5 times a week, and eats salad for lunch most days. Okay, looking back on it, this certainly wasn't my best week... many sugary treats including a new recipe for "cheesecake bars" which I helped myself to. So I'm acknowledging the errors I made and am planning to correct them. So hopefully next Friday I'll see some or all of that 3.5 lbs gone :)
There is an almost empty bag of Honey-lemon Halls cough drops on my desk. It has been sitting there for months, just waiting for me to get sick again. I should probably put it in a drawer or something but now it's like my good luck charm. Sore throats will stay away just because the bag is on my desk.
Today is pay day. My check is a little higher than the one in December because the union and the U of L finally agreed to an increase for union employees and it took effect this month. However, we are owed back pay for the months of July - December 2008 and we won't see that until next month's paycheck. It would have been nice to see it today but oh well.... at least we'll get it eventually.
Yesterday I was so tired in the afternoon I almost fell asleep at my desk. You know when you start to drop off and suddenly your body protests and your head snaps up? That happened to me while I was sitting at my desk. Luckily no one saw it :)
The only part of my job that I'm actually enjoying these days is the Project Management part of it. I'm so over the programming. I'm really glad I'm taking my career in a new direction by earning a project management certificate and, hopefully, will soon have a job that uses those skills all of the time.
Okay, those are all the words I can think of right now. I hope you are all having a lovely Friday (or whatever day of the week you are reading this).
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
I'm a fan of ESBM :)
Lately I've been really into cooking. I've never been much of a cook but it has been a lot of fun exploring and developing my culinary talents.
However, developing culinary talents while trying to lose weight has been tricky so I was very happy to discover "Eat, Shrink, and Be Merry". This is the title of both a recipe book and a tv show on the Food Network. The authors/hosts take existing restaurant recipes and make them significantly healthier with a few substitutions. Then they do a taste test with the restaurant's customers or the public to see which is preferred. Cheesy puns aside, it's quite fun and an inspiration for adjusting existing recipes we all love.
I tried 2 of the recipes this weekend and was very happy with the results. Keep in mind, these are not "diet" recipes... they still have fat, calories, and other bad stuff but they have less of it and have more fiber, protein, and other good stuff than their restaurant counterparts.....
Smackaroni and Cheese... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8422 (anyone who knows me well knows I eliminated the mushrooms from this recipe and it was still yummy LOL)
The Better Butter Chicken... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8423
One I haven't tried yet but is on my radar is Shockolate Cheesecake... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8418
And if you are interested in watching the tv episodes that featured these recipes in a taste test just go to any of the above links, click on "Video" near the top of the screen, then "Full Episodes", then expand the option for "Eat, Shrink, and Be Merry".
Enjoy :)
However, developing culinary talents while trying to lose weight has been tricky so I was very happy to discover "Eat, Shrink, and Be Merry". This is the title of both a recipe book and a tv show on the Food Network. The authors/hosts take existing restaurant recipes and make them significantly healthier with a few substitutions. Then they do a taste test with the restaurant's customers or the public to see which is preferred. Cheesy puns aside, it's quite fun and an inspiration for adjusting existing recipes we all love.
I tried 2 of the recipes this weekend and was very happy with the results. Keep in mind, these are not "diet" recipes... they still have fat, calories, and other bad stuff but they have less of it and have more fiber, protein, and other good stuff than their restaurant counterparts.....
Smackaroni and Cheese... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8422 (anyone who knows me well knows I eliminated the mushrooms from this recipe and it was still yummy LOL)
The Better Butter Chicken... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8423
One I haven't tried yet but is on my radar is Shockolate Cheesecake... http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=8418
And if you are interested in watching the tv episodes that featured these recipes in a taste test just go to any of the above links, click on "Video" near the top of the screen, then "Full Episodes", then expand the option for "Eat, Shrink, and Be Merry".
Enjoy :)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sigh.... what is it with people?
A while back I posted about the grossness of not flushing a public toilet and other public bathroom blunders. Apparently that was the first in a series of bathroom rants I will be making. This is part 2.
Okay, I really don't care what people do in their own home. They can keep their surroundings in whatever state of cleanliness they like and become the most disgusting human beings in the world. It's their home and their hygiene habits.
But, for the love of all that is good and pure in our society, when you use a public bathroom please, oh please, wash your hands before you leave. The water will not hurt you. The soap will not kill you. The person who exits the bathroom immediately after you (and therefore will touch the door handle right after you) will thank you. Only good can come of this action.
Please also know that if I know who you are and I catch you not washing your hands, you will NEVER be able to live it down in my head. I may not say anything and you may never know my disgust, but I'll never forget it and the stench of that one indiscretion will taint my view of you forever more.
So please, pretty please with a cherry on top, when you use the facilities in a public place make it a complete bathroom experience by using the sinks and the soap provided.
Thank you!
Okay, I really don't care what people do in their own home. They can keep their surroundings in whatever state of cleanliness they like and become the most disgusting human beings in the world. It's their home and their hygiene habits.
But, for the love of all that is good and pure in our society, when you use a public bathroom please, oh please, wash your hands before you leave. The water will not hurt you. The soap will not kill you. The person who exits the bathroom immediately after you (and therefore will touch the door handle right after you) will thank you. Only good can come of this action.
Please also know that if I know who you are and I catch you not washing your hands, you will NEVER be able to live it down in my head. I may not say anything and you may never know my disgust, but I'll never forget it and the stench of that one indiscretion will taint my view of you forever more.
So please, pretty please with a cherry on top, when you use the facilities in a public place make it a complete bathroom experience by using the sinks and the soap provided.
Thank you!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Mascara Recommendation
A few months ago I was getting my hair cut & coloured at the salon. While I was in one of the "processing" phases someone came around and handed out some mascara samples for Kissme Mascara. I didn't think much of it, put the sample in my purse and promptly forgot about it.
Just before Christmas I was going through my purse (clearly not a common occurance) and found the mascara sample and decided to try it. It was a slightly different experience. Not so much with the application but with the wearing and removal of the mascara. I tend to have bad under-eye smearing problems throughout the day with mascara but not with this product. I also find removal a pain, especially with waterproof mascaras, but not with this product. I was shocked at how good my lashes looked at the end of the day and was slightly amused by the removal process.... it just takes some water and pressure and the mascara will actually slide off your lashes onto your finger. It's unlike any other mascara I've ever used.
For more details you can check out their website... http://kissmemascara.com/
Just before Christmas I was going through my purse (clearly not a common occurance) and found the mascara sample and decided to try it. It was a slightly different experience. Not so much with the application but with the wearing and removal of the mascara. I tend to have bad under-eye smearing problems throughout the day with mascara but not with this product. I also find removal a pain, especially with waterproof mascaras, but not with this product. I was shocked at how good my lashes looked at the end of the day and was slightly amused by the removal process.... it just takes some water and pressure and the mascara will actually slide off your lashes onto your finger. It's unlike any other mascara I've ever used.
For more details you can check out their website... http://kissmemascara.com/
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Holy Snowflakes Batman!
I'm really trying not to pick up my phone and complain to the city that the road in front of my house needs plowing. I know they are being inundated with people calling to complain. I know I live on a cul-de-sac so my street won't get touched no matter how much I beg. I know the crazy amounts of snow we have received are not the city's fault.
But when both Vince & I get stuck right in front of our house (in separate vehicles within an hour of each other) because some idiot in a truck spun his tires and made a giant trench that no one but the same idiot can drive through without getting stuck, it really sucks! So now, just to get out of our driveway, we have to drive on the sidewalk for a few meters before getting on the street just to avoid getting stuck.
And at the end of the street is so much snow that you have to be going at least 20 kmph just to have the momentum to plow through it. That's a little scary when you are going around a corner and you can't see what you are driving into.
So, since complaining to the city won't do any good and the budget just can't take a tractor to clear it out ourselves right now, you get to read all about it. The problem is still there but I feel slightly better. Thank-you, my blog therapists :)
But when both Vince & I get stuck right in front of our house (in separate vehicles within an hour of each other) because some idiot in a truck spun his tires and made a giant trench that no one but the same idiot can drive through without getting stuck, it really sucks! So now, just to get out of our driveway, we have to drive on the sidewalk for a few meters before getting on the street just to avoid getting stuck.
And at the end of the street is so much snow that you have to be going at least 20 kmph just to have the momentum to plow through it. That's a little scary when you are going around a corner and you can't see what you are driving into.
So, since complaining to the city won't do any good and the budget just can't take a tractor to clear it out ourselves right now, you get to read all about it. The problem is still there but I feel slightly better. Thank-you, my blog therapists :)
Monday, January 05, 2009
I'm not dead :)
I haven't updated my blog in a very long time so I thought I'd give it a go today.
First of all, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I had a great Christmas break.....
Dec 23 - Valerie's birthday dinner. I took the day off work to prepare for hosting 2 feasts on the 24th and 25th so it was great to go out that night and have someone bring food to me :)
Valerie's birthday is, in my mind, the real kick-off to Christmas. I'm usually done work by then and it's the first in a series of family gatherings. At this particular supper I sat between Ben and Scott... both of whom have new iPhones so I spent much of the meal being jealous of them as I looked sadly at my ghetto phone (which, BTW, I love in spite of the fact that it can't do anything more than call and text).
Dec 24 - Traditional 7's game. Usually we do a pot luck dinner and then play Sevens but this year I wanted to try out a bunch of new recipes so I told everyone to just show up and I was so surprised and flattered by the oooo's and ahhhh's and the fuss that everyone made over the food I prepared that I briefly considered changing careers and becoming a caterer.... VERY briefly LOL.
Dec 25 - Vince & I opened our stockings in the morning. I filled the stockings for the dogs and cat so I made Vince open them up too.
Then we exchanged presents and I had to confess that I went way over our agreed on $50 limit. But I had the best of intentions! It went like this.... I went to buy Vince a $50 gift card to his favorite golf store. While I was there I decided to get him something that I could tape the card to so he could unwrap something (instead of just open an envelope). I selected some new golf balls and, since it's Christmas I splurged on the best ones - they were about $50. And when I mentioned to the salesman/manager who it was for it turned out he knows Vince very well and he said he's holding a wedge for him as Vince wanted to buy it in the new year. On the spur of the moment I asked him to add it to my bill so I could give it to Vince for Christmas - it was about $130. So, as you can see, I really did only go in to spend $50... it's not my fault that I walked out with a $230 bill LOL. Thank you Visa :)
Immediately after the gifts were opened I was back in the kitchen preparing the Christmas dinner. I wish I had had the forethought to take a picture but I didn't so you get a list of what I made.... turkey breast with bone in (oh man, it was SOOOO good and just had the good white meat which is all that Vince & I like to eat), gravy made from the turkey drippings (I'd never done that before and it was, without a doubt, the best gravy I've ever made), mashed potatoes (a new recipe and it was very good), yorkshire puddings (my one disappointment... they didn't rise as much as usual but were still quite edible), green beans (sauteed and steamed with almond slices), salad, fresh homemade buns, stuffing (another new recipe made from cornbread and french bread.... delicious), corn, cranberry sauce (I was going to make it from scratch but at the last minute decided to use canned and it's just as well as I was the only one there who likes cranberry sauce), and I think that's it. We had regular and non-alcoholic white wine which complimented everything nicely (although my sister in law implied I was an alcoholic even though she has never ever seen me drink alcohol before.... that's a whole other story though). It all ended with a white chocolate cheesecake topped with kiwi and raspberry artfully shaped into a Christmas wreath. Okay, anyone else drooling right now? LOL. It all went well but I felt bad for Ben... he came over and was so sick he took a nap on our couch after dinner. What a trooper for coming over though. It wouldn't have been the same without him.
After those three days I didn't do anything too memorable except take a day trip to Calgary with Scott. We saw a movie ("Milk" which I HIGHLY recommend... not a dry eye in the theater at the end), and I was introduced to Pottery Barn (which didn't do much for me) and Williams-Sonoma (in which I could easily spend thousands of dollars and enjoy every second of it - but I only bought some measuring spoons and wooden spoons). The drive home was scary as the snow was falling and visibility was crappy... and, as you may know, I'm not a great passenger at the best of times - imagine how bad I was in scary road conditions. I joked with Scott that I might have to replace the "holy shit" handle in his vehicle as I was pulling on it so hard.
So those are the highlights of my Christmas break. I hope yours was good and that getting back to the usual routine isn't too painful :)
First of all, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I had a great Christmas break.....
Dec 23 - Valerie's birthday dinner. I took the day off work to prepare for hosting 2 feasts on the 24th and 25th so it was great to go out that night and have someone bring food to me :)
Valerie's birthday is, in my mind, the real kick-off to Christmas. I'm usually done work by then and it's the first in a series of family gatherings. At this particular supper I sat between Ben and Scott... both of whom have new iPhones so I spent much of the meal being jealous of them as I looked sadly at my ghetto phone (which, BTW, I love in spite of the fact that it can't do anything more than call and text).
Dec 24 - Traditional 7's game. Usually we do a pot luck dinner and then play Sevens but this year I wanted to try out a bunch of new recipes so I told everyone to just show up and I was so surprised and flattered by the oooo's and ahhhh's and the fuss that everyone made over the food I prepared that I briefly considered changing careers and becoming a caterer.... VERY briefly LOL.
Dec 25 - Vince & I opened our stockings in the morning. I filled the stockings for the dogs and cat so I made Vince open them up too.
Then we exchanged presents and I had to confess that I went way over our agreed on $50 limit. But I had the best of intentions! It went like this.... I went to buy Vince a $50 gift card to his favorite golf store. While I was there I decided to get him something that I could tape the card to so he could unwrap something (instead of just open an envelope). I selected some new golf balls and, since it's Christmas I splurged on the best ones - they were about $50. And when I mentioned to the salesman/manager who it was for it turned out he knows Vince very well and he said he's holding a wedge for him as Vince wanted to buy it in the new year. On the spur of the moment I asked him to add it to my bill so I could give it to Vince for Christmas - it was about $130. So, as you can see, I really did only go in to spend $50... it's not my fault that I walked out with a $230 bill LOL. Thank you Visa :)
Immediately after the gifts were opened I was back in the kitchen preparing the Christmas dinner. I wish I had had the forethought to take a picture but I didn't so you get a list of what I made.... turkey breast with bone in (oh man, it was SOOOO good and just had the good white meat which is all that Vince & I like to eat), gravy made from the turkey drippings (I'd never done that before and it was, without a doubt, the best gravy I've ever made), mashed potatoes (a new recipe and it was very good), yorkshire puddings (my one disappointment... they didn't rise as much as usual but were still quite edible), green beans (sauteed and steamed with almond slices), salad, fresh homemade buns, stuffing (another new recipe made from cornbread and french bread.... delicious), corn, cranberry sauce (I was going to make it from scratch but at the last minute decided to use canned and it's just as well as I was the only one there who likes cranberry sauce), and I think that's it. We had regular and non-alcoholic white wine which complimented everything nicely (although my sister in law implied I was an alcoholic even though she has never ever seen me drink alcohol before.... that's a whole other story though). It all ended with a white chocolate cheesecake topped with kiwi and raspberry artfully shaped into a Christmas wreath. Okay, anyone else drooling right now? LOL. It all went well but I felt bad for Ben... he came over and was so sick he took a nap on our couch after dinner. What a trooper for coming over though. It wouldn't have been the same without him.
After those three days I didn't do anything too memorable except take a day trip to Calgary with Scott. We saw a movie ("Milk" which I HIGHLY recommend... not a dry eye in the theater at the end), and I was introduced to Pottery Barn (which didn't do much for me) and Williams-Sonoma (in which I could easily spend thousands of dollars and enjoy every second of it - but I only bought some measuring spoons and wooden spoons). The drive home was scary as the snow was falling and visibility was crappy... and, as you may know, I'm not a great passenger at the best of times - imagine how bad I was in scary road conditions. I joked with Scott that I might have to replace the "holy shit" handle in his vehicle as I was pulling on it so hard.
So those are the highlights of my Christmas break. I hope yours was good and that getting back to the usual routine isn't too painful :)
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