Thursday, December 31, 2009

Was this in style ten years ago?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txaR2HvnwVg&feature=related

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Getting this train wreck back on the track....

I started the day with a cup of cooked oatmeal and a glass of milk. Love the stuff! Really takes the chill off these old bones, too.

Lunch: Well, again, it is almost two o'clock, and I am just not hungry yet. But likely? I will start to salivate as soon as I get into the car to go shopping, so a trip to Wendy's to share a chili with hubby will work! Watching him eat the crackers kills me though! And of course, there will be a sample or two at Costco...anything without gluten is fair game. Here's hoping for a little bite of protein or fruit!

Supper: halibut fillet, boiled potato, mashed (1/2 cup)with 1 tsp of butter on top, and a bit of skim milk to mash them with . These odd little broccoli things I found at Costco...sort of broccoli on a tall stem. Hope they are still good...things have a way of getting into my refrigerator and languishing there till death...hmmmm maybe I am hungry after all?

Snack: Still have those delish Japanese oranges calling to me from the kitchen island....

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

36 years....

and we are still eating Chinese food late in the evening! Rick got home around seven, so by the time we sat down to eat it was pushing nine o'clock. I didn't think of it at the time, but we ate Chinese food exactly thirty-six years ago today, on our wedding night! Is it any wonder that the sight of chow mein still brings a smile to my face?

Fourteen days until we will board the Equinox. Wanna see?

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=celebrity+equinox&scope=video&filt=all&docid=1340329689124&mid=339DAB5BECF2797503A8339DAB5BECF2797503A8&FORM=LKVR13#

I am getting sooooo excited! With the new rules on baggage regarding carry ons, we will have to check our bags through, which is arouses fear the size of icebergs in me, but hopefully, if something does get lost? We will be able to track it down before the ship leaves. We leave on the thirteenth and set sail on the fifteenth. We will have a full day in Ft. Lauderdale to sightsee, shop or just relax....I am so looking forward to this! It won't be as restful as Mexico was (there would be no problem packing in a purse for that one!) but it will be enjoyable in a different way.

I am beginning to think that the Windstar cruise might have a bit of competition from this one! They say that Windstar cruises are what the people who work on cruise ships choose, so it will be a tough comparison. By the looks of the food, I shouldn't have any problems eating gluten free, or keeping to good healthy choices. I really can't risk eating in unfamiliar places, either, so there goes the possiblity of scorfing down a thousand calorie burger for lunch! They say that the average person gains two pounds a day on a cruise. You are tempted to eat twenty four hours a day, but two pounds? Point taken though, to wear your tightest formal dress the first evening!

I have to track down a bunch of dry cleaning bags to pack my clothes this time. All the travel tip sites claim that it works to keep your clothing unwrinkled. Maybe it is time to get Rick's shirts laundered at the cleaners!

Next week will be time for the new haircut and pedicure to refresh my tomatoe red toes...it sort of kick starts you into vacation mode to get pampered a little!

Ahhh life is good.

Went to bed last night watching the TV show HOARDERS

And had terrible nightmares! I absolutely detest having too many things around me - I also was reading a really interesting fashion site. Those two things coupled to make a rough night! I dreamt I was trying to navigate through a house full of stuff, and clean at the same time...it just kept getting worse and worse! I think that was my subconcious telling me to get into that ten foot closet and get rid of stuff once and for all! I really recommend this site since the author has definite opinions, and sound advice for all body types in a very concise format. http://www.thechicfashionista.com I like her list of basics, too, as they are very similar to the items I have in my own closet and find myself wearing over and over again. I truly would be lost without my black tshirt and jeans for instance!

It is our anniversary today. It has been either 35 or 36 years. Can't quite remember! Hubby is in Thompson, and will be home for supper. We usually just enjoy the comforts of home on our anniversary, since that was the whole point of getting married in the first place! There is no other place we would rather be. So, maybe a bit of Chinese food would be nice? Just might light a candle or two....

Anyway, this diet business. I woke up this morning a full two pounds lighter after my day of debauchery yesterday. When I am left to my own devices? I am a total child. The thing is? I lost weight eating chips, chocolate covered almonds and cashews. Mind you I did polish off the day with mandarin oranges, so maybe it balanced out! I did keep my stress in check though...I am purposely willing myself not to worry about every mouthful of food I put into my body. I also got a lot of sleep last night. Maybe there is something to that article? Time will tell! All I know is that I reallyl enjoyed my grazing yesterday. When the cat is away, this mouse turned into a rat for sure! LOL

Breakfast today: toasted English muffin with cheez whiz yum-o! Speaking of Rachael Ray? I bought one of her garbage bowls from the shopping channel, and I love it. AND her measuring bowls. Bright, happy products that are so useful! The garbage bowl sits on my counter, and saves so many steps during prep time, I can not tell you!

Lunch: Hmmmm it is almost time for lunch and I just had breakfast. I am going to work on NOT grazing today, so maybe a good bowl of homemade soup? Lunch ended up being a toasted English muffin with plastic cheese at three. With a side of Sour Cream and Onion Lay's chips. I know. I am bad.

Supper: Chinese food is my plan! Almond Guy Ding, Beef and Broccoli with steamed rice. MMM good. Dessert was a double portion of chocolate covered almonds. Would rather have a meal like this than one at Hy's to tell you the truth! I love Chinese food!

Rick was in Thompson and saw the kids last night. The baby is getting wavy hair, and optomistic hubby sees her as having Glenda's hair. IF ONLY! Mother's lock up your sons!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Now this is interesting....

I haven't gained an ounce over the past few days. And that includes tying on the feedbag at a dinner party, having Chinese food one night AND delving into a ginormous bag of Lay's potato chips! (had help with that one!) So, I am thinking that there could be something to this sleep and body type business, because we did sleep a lot. I feel really rested, and quite content.

Although the scale is not dropping from all my debauchery, I am beginning to see a possible reason why I gain so easily. As I said before, the Doc told me I have too much cortisol. I have always been on a diet, and I have always had a weight problem. After reading the "body type" diet thing, and finding my body shape? The main culprit for me is stress, which produces the cortisol, which packs on the fat...and it also explains why I gained ten pounds after going to physio for four hours a day for six weeks years ago! The theory is this. Adrenal types (me) have bodies that are stressed by diet and exercise, and react by NOT losing weight but gaining it! The body goes into overdrive on the cortisol production. Ah ha! If this is true, it could explain a lot of stuff...like when I am really, really, really focused on food and exercise, that scale doesn't budge.

I was shocked every morning this past week to wake up to the exact numbers on the scale, no matter what my perceived "sins" were. (When faced with an unbelievable buffet? I kept to 3 oz of white turkey, 2 T cranberry sauce, 1/3 cup of whipped potatoes, 1 spoon of coleslaw and a small cabbage roll. Seconds for me, was another 1/3 cup of potatoes and another cabbage roll. My big delve into sweets, was four oatmeal balls.(how nice to have something gluten free on the table!)

In preparation for the main meal, I had a small breakfast and just nibbled a pickle and a bit of garlic sausage and cheese as I prepared snacks to take. I would think that was about 200 calories at the most. Breakfast that day was oatmeal and milk. Anyway, that was a good load of food for me, and I didn't gain an ounce! Go figure.

Today's menu:

Toasted English Muffin (GF) with 2 slices of bacon (80 cal) 1 tsp of butter (cooking and spreading) a slice of Kraft plastic cheese and an egg. Hmmm Egg McMuffin without the Mc!

Lunch: I just finished breakfast!

Supper: 2 servings of Lay's plain potato chips and 2 servings of chocolate covered almonds - with sparkling flavoured water. Hey, that item bit was okay!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Sleepy Sunday

Supper was the highlight of my day. I made a grilled steak, with mushrooms and a Caesar salad...not a full fat one, but it was tasty none the less. Quick, simple and soooooooo good!

Today, while researching what to pack for a cruise, I came across this new book - yes, another diet book by a Dr. Berg (www.drberg.com - of course he sells a butt load of vitamins etc, to detoxify your body which is quackery if you ask me) that had suggested eating plans for body types.

Would love to find out the suggestions, but, you know what? I don't think I want to give one more penny to these "miracle" diet people. I do plan on continuing to eat what makes me feel good and pleases me, though. The no gluten thing works like a charm. A LOT less discomfort in the old digestive tract for one.I feel better, so that change is here to stay. I didn't realize I even had discomfort, since it was always there! I just thought it was the way bodies digested food - painfully! I am such a woos now, that I can't even take a little gas! LOL.

Almost the end of another year....

Four days left until we start making mistakes writing the date on our cheques! I remember when I first learned that the year changed....fifty plus years ago, it was almost as much of a shock as it is now!

It has been an interesting year. New places, new experiences. I hope the coming year has even more adventures! We have resolved to take another restful vacation in the coming year. Mexico was such an education for us both - it was so nice to leave all the hustle and bustle behind us, and just deal with each day as it came. There is nothing like a long stretch of not too much to do each day! I would love to go back to Puerto Vallarta as soon as possible! A Mediterranean or Baltic cruise would be nice too. But only time and budget will tell! You just never know what is going to happen, so while you have the circumstances, you must do what you can. There is a window of opportunity between children and dotage that you have a little time to slip in some living!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

A Lovely day in the neighbourhood....

We shopped for a few things at Costco today. It was really quiet there, which made a nice change from the last months shopping expeditions that were more like battle deployments! We were able to pick up our milk and who knows what else in record time as there were no crowds to slug through!

We have a party to go to tomorrow evening, so that will be fun. I still do not know what I am going to wear, but something comfortable and resistant to staining would be a good start. I think dress pants and a nice blouse...maybe my new silk number, with nice earrings. Yep. that would be perfect.

So, this morning, we started our day with oatmeal. Lunch was at Wendy's where we shared a chili and french fries. If you dump the chili over the fries? It is really, really good. AND you have to add a package of hot chili sauce for that little zip! When we came home, I quickly made some GF macaroni with ground beef, and spaghetti sauce and cheese. It was pretty, I give myself credit for that! A simple romaine salad rounded out the meal. Rick loved it. I hated it. He is much more forgiving about the GF products than I am, it seems. I really didn't like the meal, and only ate enough to keep the sugars up! So, when we got home tonight, I treated myself to a hot chocolate and two small GF muffins. Mm Mm Mm good!

I really want to sleep in tomorrow morning. I wonder if that is possible?

Stretch Silk Blouse






Have you ever heard of such a thing? This is my new blouse that I just love! (they only had black but the details show up so much better on the pink) I washed it on the delicate cycle, and it came out of the dryer with nary a wrinkle.The picture is not good, but it has little ruffles on either side of the button placket, and a little tie at the back to give the illusion of a waist...which, tonight of all nights? Would be an illusion worthy of that guy that made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Ah well. Just had to share a modern miracle with the world. Washable, stretchable silk. It will be great on the cruise to wear with this skirt...of course, the details likely won't show up here, either, but there is a front panel of sparkly black beads. Another miracle fabric that arrived in the mail crease less and ready to wear! Remember the Turtles song? Well, here is my version....ooooooo I love spandex! And here is a picture of a blouse I ordered that did come in pink! It hasn't arrived, but I am hoping that it will fit as nicely as the first one.... There is nothing cooler than silk, or as easy to dress up or down. Since you are basically only visible from the waist up at dinner, I am trying to think of the lightest possible way to tote along enough clothing to wear for dinner, and for playing during the day. There are two formal nights that recquire a cocktail dress. Less is always more. I think that is why I am so thrilled to have found these blouses. They weigh nothing, and will dress up nicely for evening, with the skirt, and my "travelling" pants (made out of the same uncrushable fabric, that you could wear for a week straight and never get rumpled) for dressy "bottoms"- these four items alone will give me four outfits. I will wear my cocktail dress twice, with different accessories. And my "play" tops can easily be worn with the skirt, and a necklace to dress them up. who said you had to have a different item of clothing on every single day? I have favourite things that I wear constantly at home, so why would I need more if I was away from home? JUST IN CASE, the packer's lament!

Thank goodness the man is home!

It has been a bad few days for me! If there is one thing I shouldn't do, it is to use Cheddar Popcorn as the human equivalent of puppy chow when he is gone. It really whacks me upside the head, but I must admit it is my own laziness that does it. Today, my equally bad diet was as follows.

At noon, I slunk into the kitchen and actually made an egg and a toasted English muffin. That was good. With milk.

At about three? I had three gluten free donuts. Yes. And I am suffering now. My system can not handle things like this and I develop socially undesirable traits....or trails, depending on the severity of the situation.

At about seven? He phoned to say he was finally getting on a plane. I went to the kitchen, cracked the pickles and sliced up some Ukrainian sausage. Oh, my poor belly!

At nine thirty? We were sitting down to Chinese food. Almond guy ding, and beef with broccoli. I have been running ever since.

Tomorrow is another day. I will be more sensible, and make my oatmeal for breakfast at breakfast time, I will make soup for lunch, and we will have a proper supper. Well, if I hit two out of three I will be doing good!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Okay, this online shopping

is becoming addictive. BUT I paid off all my bills this morning, so what the heck! Here I go again!

This morning, I had a GF English muffin, a piece of bacon, a slice of plastic cheese and an egg. MMM good. For lunch? I had nine GF lemon wafer cookies. My theory is, that all food turns to sugar in your body, so eating cookies instead of lunch just eases the burden on the body. I am on a tear these days, out of control. Stop me! No, don't you dare! I am having fun.

Since it is six o'clock, I should be thinking about supper...where is that bag of cheddar popcorn???? This is so 'not a good thing'!

Monday

Breakfast: Oatmeal with brown sugar and skim milk
Lunch: Vegetable soup (homemade) cheddar cheese 2 oz
Supper: baked potato with 2 tsp of butter, 2 T of sour cream
Snack: white cheddar popcorn ( 6 cups) and two glasses of diet ginger ale

Lunch was not my creation but my friend's, so I can't take any credit for making such a wise calorie lacking soup! The taste was big but the calories were negligible! Company, of course, was as delightful as the soup!

First night without hubby is always the hardest. SO I ordered new bedding and yet another faux fur coat. Come on! I had to! The shipping was free you know!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Beans, beans the musical fruit...

I LOVE them! For lunch today, I opened a can of beans and added some dehydrated onion flakes and a tablespoon or two of maple syrup. MMMM good. The simplest things are usually the best, and wow, they were the best! To make it heartier for the man, I added a sprinkling of Tex Mex cheese to his portion, and a few shreds for me. Not because I was being "good" - just because I really like the taste of just the beans! They love me too, because they are still talking to me!

After eating beans for lunch I really wasn't hungry for supper, so my very nutritious evening meal consisted of four cups of Smartpop White Cheddar Popcorn. Yep. I fell off the wagon, hard. All that salt will show up on the scale tomorrow, although the calorie count for the day is still well under my alloted 1800 calories. I do feel very full though! Just have this urge to eat, because the "meals" were not very balanced today. The meals were:

Breakfast was 1 cup of oatmeal, brown sugar and milk.

Lunch; 1.5 cups of baked Beans with Ukrainian sausage slices(2" piece) and a tablespoon of shredded cheese.

Supper: confessed to the Smartpop incident earlier in this post.

Snack: hmmmm wasn't that just supper? Just may finish myself off by having a turtle or two. Back on track tomorrow.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Last night was a great success....

and tonight we will benefit from the leftovers! Love the cook once eat twice method. Although, I think the chicken will end up in a pot pie, with a creamy mashed potato topping. It all depends how I feel when supper time rolls around. One thing for sure though, it will be chicken and mashed potatoes! I still have two servings of asparagus left over, but I also purchased some fresh broccoli spear things that would be nice too.....

Breakfast/lunch: GF English muffin, with butter. Skim milk, two eggs and three pieces of bacon. Yes. Again!

Supper: chicken breast, potatoes, vegetables.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Fun and games with my remote....

I have been parking further and further away from the door when I go shopping...just to see just how far this gadget will operate! I am thrilled. Usually, we are not this foolish with out money, but hey, everyone has a vice, right? I do see the ridiculousness of the situation though. A two year old car, with 2,100 kms on it, hardly needs a remote starter! But who said logic had anything to do with it? I do feel like it will be a lot easier to get out and about on those blustery days, if I know my seat warmer has been turned on and is ready for my elegant bum ahead of me actually entering the vehicle, well, needless to say, I will be more apt to go out!

So, tonight we are having a dinner party. It has been so long since we had anyone but no fuss friends over, that I had forgotten just how much work entertaining can be! Of course, Rick was his usual wonderful self. He did the dusting and vacuuming, while I cleaned the kitchen and the front hall closet. I managed to get rid of one of his parkas, and that made room for another shoe organizer. There is room for 32 pairs of neatly stored shoes in the closet now, but I still have two of those shoe wheel things in my bedroom closet. Excessive? No more than anyone else, I would think. In theory? You only need four pairs of shoes. BUT in reality? You have to buy ten pairs to find the one good fitting pair you love, and can't live without. You really don't know which of the ten wil turn out to be your favourite go to shoes. I also managed to get the shower curtains and liners laundered. I love my shower curtains. They are both white, both soft and silky to the touch. Why I thought this had to be done before a dinner party is beyond me, but I am glad I had the time to do it.

This morning I had an omelet for breakfast, but couldn't finish it. So, one egg, two mushrooms and about 120 calories worth of cheese. Three slices of bacon and skim milk.

Lunch was a gf English muffin, with "plastic" cheese and a glass of milk. Supper will be a Greek Salad, mashed potatoes (with cream cheese, rather than butter) roasted chicken breasts and Bananas Foster for dessert...This sounds familiar because I did a trial run of the chicken and potatoes last night for supper. I bought regular buns for everyone but me, which is the reason I treated myself to anEnglish Muffin for lunch. Plus, it will make me a better cook, because I won't be trying to cook on an empty stomach. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Today I am going to do battle with my sewing machine and my 'way too long' slips! I have been putting off doing this for well over a month...the sewing machine took up permanant resident status on the spare dining room chair...we just don't see it anymore. BUT we are expecting company this weekend, and I would like to have my chairs available for bums, not for machines!

This morning, I started polishing the silverware, and forgot about breakfast. Bad idea. So, lunch was two eggs and an English muffin with butter. Very good indeed. I have no idea what supper will be though! I have to stick around to receive my gluten free order from Kinnikinnick, so I feel like I have one foot nailed to the floor. My first order of the day was to polish all of the silver flatware, and now I have one remaining challenge....THE DREADED SLIP SHORTENING.

Supper? A baked potatoe would suit me just fine. I found a bag of frozen broccoli the other day in the back of the freezer, so that would make a good addition. I could add a little protein by cracking a can of red salmon to eat on the side. I think it would be really tastey to mix some cream cheese, sour cream and cooked broccoli into the potato flesh, and restuff the skins. Trouble is I don't have any sour cream, but I imagine some whipping cream would do the trick, with a little sharp cheddar to add a little zip. I find that rich flavours in very small amounts are all I really need to satisfy both my appetite and taste buds. It seems that a lot of receipes leave you wanting more because there really isn't anything flavourful about them. What is broccoli without a little salt and a teensy bit of butter? GRASS.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

-24ºC -11ºF

Yay! It is warming up! Really good weather for soups and stews, if one had the inclination to stay home and make them. I like going out when everyone else is at home...makes it easier to drive. Speaking of which? Yesterday, I went to start my little heap, and nothing happened except a clicking sound. Took it to the dealership after Rick boosted it, to find out that I had a damaged cell....well, I could have told them I had several, mainly between the ears, but this one they could fix. New battery on the spot, no fuss, no muss, no bother and I was ready to roll. The downside/upside was, that Hyundai now installs remote starters. I now have an appointment on Friday morning to get one installed. The free battery is costing me a bundle! Ah well. In this weather? You need all the incentive to get out of the house you can manage. And apparently? This gadget will tell me things from 3000 feet. It will communicate with me through song.... Who would have thought that things would come to this! When I was young? Turning signals were optional! Literally. I can not tell you how happy I am with my little car. Great service, good product. What more do you want? All together now! A remote starter!

So, this morning, the man made breakfast, which severely limits the food intake for the rest of the day due to his love of quantity. But it was lovely. A toasted English Muffin (gluten free, of course, and tastes nothing like a real English muffin...just a good bun)buttered, with two strips of bacon, two eggs and a glass of milk. MMMM good. Lunch? I really don't want lunch after all that!

*Supper will most likely be fish in chili sauce and a bit of rice, with some stir fried or steamed veggies (frig pickin's). Speaking of pickin', we are picking up our new camera today (ours met an untimely demise on our last trip) so I will be able to post a few pictures of the culinary disasters errrrr recipes. Cooking fish this way is a real winner, so I am anxious to let you see how pretty it is, and how simple it is to make.

New in my kitchen this week, is a Rachael Ray garbage bowl. I love it! It is pretty innocuous sitting on the counter, and so handy. Since I was ordering the bowl, I splurged on a set of her measuring cups/bowls, that are just amazing. They are huge, but take up less space than all the glass ones I had. They are made out of polypropylene, so they are not harmful even if used in the micro, which I will not do anyway. But if I should happen to need them for something hot, i know they will not leach yuck into my food. Both items were on sale. Now the only thing that remains to be seen, is if they earn their real estate in the cupboards! I find myself baking more and more these days, since I can tolerate baked goods now. I avoided things with flour in them, and didn't even realize that I was doing it, so now? I eat more cookies, pies, cakes and muffins than I did before. In fact though, I have been known to order pickles for dessert in fancy restaurants if they didn't offer Bananas Foster...they have always been my one sugar weakness, likely because they never ever made me sick! Incidentally? The last Bananas Foster I made was killer. I can still taste the Appleton's rum! So much better than snooty old brandy!

December 16

*supper was Chinese takeaway...chicken guy ding and beef with broccoli. We cleaned our plates! I could never really eat a lot of Chinese food before, primarily because my favourite thing was breaded chicken balls - little gluten bombs. After the first bite I would feel queasy, but being not feint of heart, I would soldier on....but I certainly didn't have the heart to eat much of the good for you dishes that were primarily vegetables. I didn't eat the rice, but I do now!

I now understand why people are hungry after they eat a heaping plate of Chinese food. I was actually hungry shortly after eating supper last night! Enter tragedy. Hubby made a plate of taco chips with cheese and salsa, and that was such a bad idea! I still felt queasy this morning, not from the gluten but from the heaviness of it all. Live and learn.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Have you noticed? We are almost done with another year. Where does the time go? I have no idea, but I do know that it is going super fast whatever the destination!

We had oatmeal for breakfast. What a treat! It sticks to your ribs, and is a nice change from eggs. I finally got tired of the same old thing for breakfast, so a change is really appreciated! There are *chicken thighs thawing as we speak, so that is the backbone of our supper tonight. Lunch? Well, maybe a snack at three, because I am still full!

The grocery store beckons, so I really hope it isn't too cold out there!

*The chicken thighs were amazing. I browned them, skin side down in a skillet, flipping when they were crispy, golden and easily "released" themselves from the pan. I then moved them to a plate, and browned two medium cut up potatoes, chunks of onion and a few carrots in the same pan. When the veggies were almost tender, I put the chicken back on top of the veggies and finished cooking in the oven.

Just before they were done (I was aiming for an internal temp of 180º, about 150º) I brushed a mixture of honey, curry powder, ginger and soya sauce on the thighs, then returned the dish to the oven. WOW! Was that ever good! The pan drippings were great spooned over the veggies (worked out to be the same as garnishing the veggies with butter, as there was very little fat in the pan) and everything had the flavour that only roasting can give. I really wish I had a picture, because it was a pretty dish as well. I usually have one chicken thigh, but this was so good, I indulged in two!MMMMM mmmmm good! And the bonus? My blood sugar was normal before my snack at night. 5.5 to be exact. Life is good when you find food that helps you balance!

Sunday

was a full day...as in tummy full! We started the morning with gluten free oatmeal...mmmm good. Hubby made it, and it wasn't as good as mine! I usually add a bit of cinnamon, and brown sugar while it is cooking, and a couple tablespoons of cream to make it just the right consistency. I do not like to pour milk on it for some reason, and prefer to eat it like a big gooey cookie. I buy GF oatmeal, and although the cost is exorbitant, the flavour sure is good!

Lunch was TWO yep, TWO GF English muffins. I am in love with those puppies. Almost tastes like bread. I had two slices of plastic cheese on them, so I was in hog heaven! After a lunch like that, I had a big nap, just to work it off. Wonder if it worked?

Supper was scalloped potatoes, ham steak, steamed savoy cabbage and carrots. We had company, so I made Bananas Foster. The first bottle in the liquor cabinet was Appleton's Jamacan Rum, and I think that will be my booze of choice for finishing them from now on. I made whipping cream to top them with and they were the perfect ending to the meal. I am still full though, so I don't know what my sugars will be in the morning. I just can not possibly pack in one more bite!SO, my excuse for the indulgences today? I AM ON THE WENDY PLAN! That is my story, and I am sticking to it!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

There is a quick frozen food for me after all!

And I had it for supper. Frozen potato skins. MMM good. Bacony, cheesy goodness. I bought them to have snackage on hand over the holidays, but guess that plan isn't going to come to fruition, aye? Three skins were 210 calories, so supper was six skins and a little bit of Marzetti's light veggie dip. I tried to use cottage cheese, but it was moldy. Another victim of living in my refrigerator. I had every intention of eating cottage cheese, but just didn't get around to it. Not a good thing. Ah well, that is life. From now on I am going to pick buy it and eat it the same day...better yet? Just before dinner, send the man for it!

So, here is what the damage amounts to for today:

Breakfast: 1 GF hot dog bun, buttered of course. Not too much as GF bread products will not hold butter at all..it slides right through,making a mess in your fingers, but naturally limiting the amount you can have! Oh no! It was my last one! 2 fried eggs...tried out my new President's Choice frying pan. Very nice indeed. And eco friendly to boot. Eggs slid off the pan slick as a whistle with just a tiny soupson of butter, for flavour. It is even a neat colour...not teflon black but sort of a golden taupe...matches the wall colour in here perfectly!

Lunch: two GF muffins, with butter, water

snack: 1 oz of cheddar cheese and eight olives
( I am a pickle addict. I need a gallon sized jar of Vlasic's dills onhand always. Where can I buy them in the city though? I usually stock up in Wal-mart in Grand Forks. It has been forever since we went shopping, and no hope of going before Christmas. I can not tolerate crowds, and there is nothing but these days.

Supper; six potato skins, 1 T Marzetti's dip, flavoured bubbly water
Snack: the other box of those sweet little oranges! More water!

Notice the balance? That's because there is none! I will be back on track tomorrow when the man returns, but it has turned into a grab what you can lifestyle. To top that off, the house looks like a tornado went through it! Just me. I can't imagine the luxury of retirement - being able to share every meal, and have the man clean up all the time? LOL How sweet would that be! For now? I am often reminded of Cher in that movie where she had two young girls, and her big stab at cooking was h'ordouvres! Good ideas sometimes come from movies, you know....

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It is sooooooooooo cold!

I am just not ready to accept winter yet...I don't care if it is December, I want some heat please!

Today, I grazed and acted like a five year old. I had a toasted GF hot dog bun for breakfast with a slice of "plastic" cheese...you know the stuff we all love and won't admit to eating? Well, that was followed by four bags of Lays plain potato chips. Yep. Four. 90 calories each and all that fat. Supper was baked beans and a fruit nappie full of sweet mix pickles...more salt. Snack time? I demolished a 1.5 lb box of those tiny mandarines. I showed no mercy - ate the whole family, huddled as they were together in that little orange box proclaiming their sweetness. I have no idea how many calories that all was, but today? I don't care. I was out of milk so oatmeal wasn't an option, and I am tired of eggs for breakfast. Yep. It has finally happened!

So, that is about all I have to report...not much can happen to you if you don't stick your nose out the door! I did order the showstopper from the shopping channel today though...a head warmer.
It was a set of two, unisex (will look bad on everyone!) and most importantly, will be good for our trips north, to keep us warm in case of an emergency. Sometimes life up there is a constant emergency! Whoa Nelly it gets cold! And if it gets really really cold? I am not beyond wearing it with my dress clothes!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

There has to be a fancy word for slug...

there is no other way to describe me! I am cold, and the only place I am happy is under my quilt and duvet! Rick left for Toronto this morning, and his plane was delayed until supper time. Poor guy spent all that time at the airport, just waiting. So, when I hear he has safely landed, I can go back to bed and sleep the rest of the night away. It is so cold outside that I haven't even tried to poke my nose out.

Breakfast: half of a potatoe, fried with two eggs, and two pieces of bacon.
Lunch: Peach fizz jelly candies (I know. I am evil.)
Supper: a single serving gluten free spinach and feta pizza from Glutino. These are good! 420 calories and they are edible. So much gluten free stuff just isn't. And the serving size is just right for me. I had a diet orange pop to go with the 'orange coloured food crap' theme today!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sunday

was a busy day. We were running from morning till night, and then came home to veg in front of the tv. What a treat that was! Breakfast today was oatmeal and milk, lunch was chicken soup, with blueberries and whipped cream for dessert. Supper was shrimp and rice, with chili sauce, and stir fried veggies. Snacks in front of the tube? GF Muffins and milk! Ah, what a lovely day.

One of the things we did today, was to return a set of pots to Costco. We bought this set last January on a whim. I regretted the purchase within a month. Since the cost was quite high (599.99 - ouch!) I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask if we could return them, as they had proven to be dangerous. Every time I used them, I either got a steam burn or a "handle" burn. Not a good thing. Anyway, it turns out that we could return them, no questions asked. AND for real money on our credit card,not a credit note! Now, is that service or what? I LOVE COSTCO. If you are not 100% happy, they make it right. You just can't find a better place to shop! So, now my old Lagostina and Cuisinart pots are back in their spots and I was able to cook supper tonight, without pain! The man will have to spend a bit more time polishing them after supper, but you have to keep the cook happy...a good way is to not have me scorched or scalded every meal! However I do need to find a new "egg" pan...a nice slippery nonstick! Any suggestions?

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Dreaming....

You know how it feels when you leave a party early? Well, that is the way I am feeling about Mexico. I just wasn't finished, and I had to leave! I would love to have spent a few more days basking in the sunshine, and watching the waves carry all my troubles out to sea. It was such a simple vacation....no fuss, no muss, no bother. Not the Ritz Carlton, but a simple seaside hotel, requiring simple clothes for simple activities. I actually feel that I relaxed for the very first time in my life!

There is a feeling of acceptance there, that just isn't present in our culture. Fat ladies wear bathing suits. It is accepted, and not a problem. And if the locals can accept me? Why shouldn't I accept myself? NOW I know what a vacation is supposed to be! Not running from this to that,and shopping myself into a coma, but sitting and being in the moment...Michael Buble's music playing, preferably..... Sigh. Even if I turn up the heat, I just can not get that sort of warmth back into my old bones!

So, to self soothe, I have been frequenting my favourite travel sites on the net. I am not very interested in Las Vegas, although people tell me I should see it once in my lifetime, to take in the shows...but to tell you the truth? It is just too...Vegas! My mind goes back to that beach in Puerto Vallarta in my dreams.

I want to sit on that beach, soak up the sun, and finish de-stressing, if there is such a word! I want to be with my fella and not think about anything other than the sound of the sea and the words to the happy tunes filtering down from the hotel! I am already thinking ahead, past the cruise in January to our next adventure! Hopefully two weeks will be enough in January to see me through until the next vacation is booked.

By the way? The bathingsuits I ordered from www.alwaysforme.com did not work out. They must think that people do not measure themselves accurately, and work in a "fudge" factor or something because the suits were both a full size too large. How dissappointing, and how expensive that little exercise was. So, unless you know the brand and the size, ordering bathingsuits is risky business. Twenty eight dollars for shipping to get them here, and 22 dollars to send them back two hours after they came into the house! OUCH.

So, I knew when I was having my little shopping spree that I would have a few returns...cough...a few? The good news is, that all but one pair of shoes fit...the bad news is, where am I going to store four new pairs of shoes? A very happy problem! I really need to reorganize that closet of mine!

The best place of all to deal with was Zappos Canada. They charge ten dollars shipping, and you don't have to pay anything extra upon delivery, because they calculate the taxes for you, and include it in the price they charge to your credit card. It is a real struggle not to go back and get every colour of the shoes that did fit! But, self control is a virtue, and it is about time I started to try to be a bit more virtuous!

As for the clothing? Well, so far, only one item of the Lilly & Van collection has arrived. The quality is lovely, and I am eager to recieve the other items I ordered. I think I am finally learning to mix and match a bit...not buying everything in a coordinate group just because it is there. The one L&V item was a green tunic sleeveless tee - yep. Sleeveless! (Very comfy in the heat, and who cares if I have fat arms? I am going to be 60 next year. It is my party, and I can flutter my flab if I want to!) I am anxious to see what the coordinating jackets and bottoms fit like...if the quality is anything like the tee, well, let me tell ya, I will be a happy camper. If nothing else works, though, at least I have one more tee to wear with my current white bottoms! I am ignoring that last phrase, and hope that you realize I only have one bottom, but several items of white clothing to cover it!

So, that is what is on my mind tonight. I just polished off two tomato and bacon "bunwiches". Supper was half a baked yam and about 2 oz of pork chop. Hmmm no wonder I was hungry!

Menu plan for Saturday? I have no idea, but I am kinda getting hooked on the concept of oatmeal. It really does stick to your ribs, and carries enough protein to see you through until the next feeding time at the zoo!

Friday, December 4, 2009

New shoes!

Oh my. OH MY! OHHHHH MY!!! I am in love with ordering shoes online. Only one pair didn't fit - of course, they were the expensive ones, BUT they are now listed on eBay, because there is a restocking fee that soooo makes it not worthwhile to return. Hopefully, I will get the cost of the shoes back, and just have to eat the exchange and postage. That being said? I am very happy with the shoes that did work! I have a very, very high instep so that is why the one pair didn't work. They were soooo cute though! Sigh.

So, the parcels are steadily coming in from the far corners of the world. Well, make that the US, but you get my drift! My wardrobe for the cruise is filling out nicely, with the accessories needed coming my way one by one. The showstopper on TSC was a black shrug yesterday, which was just what I needed and didn't know it! I was looking for a black cardigan, but the shrug will work with more things, and not look old ladyish. What is it about a cardigan that adds years? Maybe the fact that you get chilly in the tropics and your personal central heating has burned itself out during menopause! LOL

So, today I made oatmeal for breakfast, and had two cups of coffee. Of course, I had to have two tablespoons of brown sugar on my cereal, but I figure since I don't put milk on my cereal that the calories even out. I bought gluten free oatmeal quite some time ago, and it really tastes good. I guess it should be since it was over five dollars for a tiny bag. Just to keep every scrap of contaminant at bay makes the price worth while though. No point getting sick when there are ways to prevent it.

Lunch was a four inch length of Overlander garlic sausage.

I have no idea what to make for supper, other than a spinach and mushroom salad. Hmmm. A chicken breast would turn that into a meal, wouldn't it. Wonder if there is one lurking in the depths of our refrigerator?

Last night I wore my new faux fur coat for the first time, and was it ever warm. I felt like a large, very fluffy leopard! LOL Very long, and very cozy. I didn't get chilled in the car even - getting into a cold car usually sets off chills that send my teeth chattering! I can hardly wait for the new car to arrive with the seat warmers. My car has them, and I LOVE them. We usually use Rick's car, and it is always in the way, so we have to freeze our butts until the car warms up!

Another exciting day in the life!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

After cooking supper for two nights in a row, I copped out yesterday, and had popcorn for supper. Breakfast today was a nice steamy bowl of gluten free oatmeal...now that went down well! Hubby of course, had raisins with his, which in my opinion? Is ruining a perfectly good bowl of oatmeal. Think we will have the same for tomorrow's breakfast. I didn't make the shepherd's pie, so ended up warming the leftovers from Monday for tonight's supper. 3 oz of beef, 3/4 cup of peas (80 calories! Should have read the bag before limiting my intake to 1/3 of a cup!)a cup of carrots, and 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes. Gravy, of course. Can't let you think I am totally WW brainwashed! And it was GOOD by the way.... Since we had a late breakfast and an early supper, I will likely have a muffin with my tea, and call it a day. It is so easy to make GF muffins from a mix...especially when you consider that six muffins are 5.99 and make you wonder why they didn't bother adding a few things to make them more palatable! Not to mention that I get 18 muffins from a 5.99 mix rather than six.... So, there you have it - another exciting culinary revelation from me!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sometimes relatives just make your day!

I spent a good part of the morning with my dear niece chattering away about everything from soup to nuts. Nuts being the operative word here! Isn't it funny how tiny children can grow up to be such interesting adults? Although we rarely see one another, every time I talk to her, I feel I am still talking to same wise soul I first met. She was all of three at the time, but always, always,always had such a likable nature. In fact, it was her behaviour that gave me the notion that maybe having a family wasn't a bad idea after all! We share a passion for travelling and homemaking and all things pertaining to the above, so it is easy to chat for two hours and not even feel like we have scratched the surface of all that needs to be said. She works with babies in the NICU, so has found a place to use her very kind and gentle heart. It is a treat knowing the people that are hanging from the branch next to you on the old family tree. An even better treat if you like them!

Food chat. I am still full from supper last night, but since the husband was making breakfast I made a polite attempt to eat it...fifteen oven fries and two eggs...didn't manage to eat it all.

Lunch time has passed unacknowledged.

Supper will be recycled roast aka shepherd's pie. I feel like having dessert, so I will open a jar of peaches and make a dollop of whipped cream for the top. MMMM good! And hubby will think I fussed!

My bathing suit arrived today!


I almost forgot to post this. I found this suit on EBay, and to my amazement, it fits like a glove. The print is a strange colour combination. Brown background, olive green, and shades of Pepto-Bismol pink!The irony is, that it was originally a QVC item! I had seen the suit on-line but this colour was sold out, so I totally knew what I was buying online. Plus it was new with tags, a nice extra.

A lot of other items arrived as well. They are just resting on my office armchair before beginning their long trek back from whence they came. The postage is killing me, but it is the cost I am willing to pay, to have the selection the world has to offer! I really think I should stop ordering things for the cruise though. I am planning on one carry on bag, and seems to me, not a whole lot is going to fit in that little case and my big black purse! I have a good skeleton wardrobe as it is, but the urge to splurge was just too strong to fight when I was all alone with this machine. What is a person supposed to do? Use self control? Naaahhhhhhh

What a Monday!

I was busy all day, but doing what I couldn't tell you! We had company for supper, so later in the afternoon, I popped a roast in the oven. We had spinach and mushroom salad, roast beef, carrots, potatoes and some pretty wonderful gravy. I used three tablespoons of my Kinnikinnick bread mix to thicken the pan juices. Well, I had no idea that the stuff would be soooooooooooo 'thickening'! One box of stock later, I had a smooth, silky gravy. MMM good. I think I will freeze small portions of the leftovers after I make shepherd's pie for tomorrow's evening meal.

Breakfast: one egg, two pieces of bacon (80 calorie kind) a
gf hamburger bun with butter.(that weights in at about 260, with butter)
Lunch: an orange
Supper: three hefty slices of roast, 2/3 cup of potatoes with gravy and 1 cup of carrots. Dessert was a gluten free apple cinnamon muffin.
Snack: antipasto and the crumbs of some gf rice chips that I found under the island a couple of days ago. They tasted just fine! Of course, antipasto would make a brick palatable, wouldn't it?