Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New Year on the Horizon

And time to put away 2010.

This week, we have been busy around town, buying a few fun new things for the house, hanging pictures, that sort of thing. About time, I would say. Hubby went out of town for a couple of days last week, and I was happy to sleep the time away. We have had a lot of company during his days off, which has been nice. It is always a good thing to hold your loved ones as close as you can.

It has been a very rough month, with the loss of two of our nearest and dearest friends within two weeks of one another. Friends that will always be missed, and remembered with pure joy that we had them in our lives.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

May your sleep be short, my dear friend.......


Lisa Shwaluk 1957-2010

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of my beloved wife, dear friend and mother of our children on Tues, Nov. 30th, 2010. She will be sorely missed. Memorial service to be held 2 PM, Sat. Dec.4 at 227 Lakewood Blvd.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Wednesday

So, after all the fretting about gaining ten pounds on holiday, I got on the scale this morning to find I am a whole pound below what I was when I left! Airplane bloat, just like my dear daughter-in-law said!

Hubby being away to Montreal has made for some pretty interesting meals around here, but I have discovered the joy of 500 calories. You just eat 500 calories at a time, and don't worry about anything! Sometimes the calories are "healthy" and sometimes they are "emotionally healthy"! For instance, this morning, I had oven fries and eggs, with skim milk. For lunch? I had a Bounty bar. Yes folks, it is a meal replacement product. Supper was a gluten free pizza, topped with pineapple. Lunch was a couple of hundred calories below, and supper was about 60 calories above. It is four in the morning now (napping in my chair is a favourite pass time when hubby is gone!) and I am confused as to what to eat before bed! LOL Think I can safely say it is still cereal and milk time, with a little fruit! Or maybe an ice cream bar? As long as it doesn't have gluten in it, I find that this old body can process just about anything!

Tomorrow I will make a real meal, meat, potatoes, the works. Funny how easy it is to keep within range when you eat that way. Problem is, I am lazy, and it dirties too many dishes to do it every day. But tough it out I will, just for the man's sake!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Did you notice the follow button in the corner?

Imagine! I am very happy to have new and old friends wander around in my musings....please feel free to jump in and add your comments!

Sunday Morning

And the scales smiled at me this morning! I have lost seven of the ten pounds of holiday weight! Thank goodness! Hope the last three go down as quickly, although I highly doubt it! Wouldn't it be nice if we could shed a pound a day under normal circumstances?

Last night I actually made it through 'Letters from Juliette' without falling asleep! Not the most cerebral exercise I have had in awhile, but I enjoyed the lightness for a change. Not every movie needs to be an epic!

Today, we are off to visit our friend in hospital, packing up hubby for his week in Montreal and getting all of the laundry hauled down to the laundry room! My dear daughter-in-law did tons of holiday laundry for me, so the clothing is all clean....just the bedding and towels and a couple of delicate items need to be done. That ought to keep me busy this week!

The snow is still here. I don't think it is leaving anytime soon. You know you are in trouble when the cab drivers in hot foreign countries refer to your home as "Winterpeg"! Ah well. We all get a reputation for something!

A picture is worth a thousand words....


It was wonderful to be together for three whole weeks! The weather was warm but not oppressively hot, the ocean air was healing to body and spirit. I did gain a whopping ten pounds, but most of that has melted away. I chalk it up to airplane bloat! I have managed to get back to within three pounds of where I was on the scale. It would have been nice to lose a bit, but not this year! It is a small price to pay for all those mango margaritas! Now I have a month and a half to level out before the cruise and all the goodies that I will be tempted to consume there!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Master Plan

I read an article the other day, that stated that we eat the same foods day to day, rarely changing our pattern. Well. Do I? Am I not a culinary genius coming up with new and inventive ways to cook the old food? Not really, as it turns out. I do follow a bit of a road map. There are foods that I can not live without, and eat daily. Wanna know what they are? Well, you have to. This is my blog after all...you are a captive audience!

If I had list the things I absolutely need every day, it would go like this:

1 glass of skim milk
2 eggs
butter
1 tomato
Dill pickles or olives, or anti pasta - something with lots of vinegar!The better part of a jar of Vlasic Zesty makes a great supper...and portable, too! LOL If push comes to shove and you need protein? Eat slices of black forest ham alongside. But gotta have my pickles.

Then? The necessary optional choices between the following, to make up the day:

At least 1 2-3 ounce serving of meat or cheese, fish or chicken (which to me is meat)I don't like a lot of meat, but apparently I need the stuff. My face gets tired of accepting it for processing, a trait that my husband has come to know and love, since he usually gets half of my portion. I love fish, shellfish, anything that can live under water!

Salt. On nuts, potato chips or popcorn. I keep it to a 100 - 200 calories or so unless using for a meal replacement. Trust me. Since I don't use processed food as a rule, there is room for this little pleasure - and the resulting bloat!

Vegetables. Love them all. Sometimes yams, potatoes or corn - the odd time rice. Green things - leafy or firm. Hot or cold. If they are cold? Vinegar and oil, or lemon juice. If they are hot? Gotta have a tiny bit of butter or Parmesan cheese...or both!

Fruit. Because of the sugar content, I am limited as to how much I can have. I try to balance it out with the veggies I eat, but usually, I have at least one fruit a day. Favourites are the old standbys...oranges, apples. Once in awhile grapes. Berries of all sorts are usually in the house, fresh or frozen.

BEANS. I love beans and legumes. Baked beans, bean soup, pea soup. Lentil soup,kidney beans, green beans, yellow beans, cannelloni beans. Love them all!

Once in awhile, I dip into the GF bread category, but usually, I forget I have the stuff. Yesterday, I had a liver sausage and olive sandwich on GF Ciabatta bread for supper. MMMMM good! BUT it was the first in a long, long time. We are talking over a year here, I think. I remember that I made one once out of inferior gf bread, and couldn't even finish it. The bread was that disgusting. I usually end up picking the filling off the bread and eating it like a two year old. The benefits of getting old!

This new bread I am buying is terrific so this time? I ate it all up! An acquired taste, for sure, this liver sausage and olive, but I LOVE it!


As for desserts? On occasion I will break out the Kitchen Aid and whip up a cake if we know you are coming, but to make my heart race? Get out a big bowl of sugar free jello and serve it with a dab of whipped cream on top! Now THAT is good eatin' folks! A gf cookie once in a blue moon, or a gf donut, but frankly? I have had the same treats on the go for a couple of months now. One is enough, and two only if I am really in a sweet mood! A tablespoon of ice cream is okay now and again as well. But there again? It usually goes furry before we can consume a small container. Once it has been sitting in the freezer, it loses all appeal for me, so I have to wait until it is really chrystally before I toss it out and start again with a fresh container!

And that is what is usually on my plate.

Not blogging quite so much....

It is all part of trying to let go of the 'calorie counting' 'food worry' thing. I am still not sold,because how long have we been told that we are fat because we eat too much? I have found a way to work around it - is this cheating? I simply eat three or four meals of no more than five hundred calories each. I know that is a bit of a cheat because I am to turn myself loose with wild abandon, but how can you break the habit of a lifetime? I have noticed that when I don't keep track of my food, I tend to veer off the path easily, forgetting entire meals or food groups! I have been blessed or cursed with a short memory....the blessing is that I don't hold a grudge, and the curse is that I will forget who you are! LOL

ANYWAY I do have a problem after about four o'clock. All desire to eat leaves after that, and the most appealing thing to me is perhaps a bowl of soup and a good TV program! So, I have decided to go with that natural rhythm as well. Trick is to remember to have a bite before bed so not to upset the sugars, though. When I am roused from my big chair at two in the morning to go to bed? The last thing I want to do is eat a snack. I am overcoming this with orange juice and yogurt. Not near the five hundred calories, but still enough to keep me until the morning.


This morning, we went to Meyers to stock up on gluten free food. Six mini Ciabatta loaves (about the size of a Costco bun each) a baby pumpkin pie! MM MM PIE! Cinnamon buns too! Dinner rolls, hot dog rolls....yes, I do eat those disgusting things, and once more? I LIKE them! We picked up some cornflakes, vanilla wafers, panko bread crumbs and last but not least? Some corn pasta! I love my dear daughter-in-law's spaghetti sauce, and am really looking forward to her making it for me as soon as possible! Best to have it in the house, ready for the opportunity! The down side is that this bit of shopping took the better part of eighty dollars. But a little goes a long way, and this will do well into December if not past.

Breakfast: two eggs, a tomato, three strips of bacon and a glass of skim milk. I have taken to "frying" the bacon in the oven. I line the pan with Slide foil, put the strips of bacon in the pan and place it under the broiler. It is done to perfection in minutes. No smelly house, no flipping the bacon constantly. I end up with perfectly crispy bacon, and virtually no mess at all. The fat is easy to wrap up in the foil right after breakfast, so cleanup is a breeze.

Lunch: two little gf cinnamon buns, with butter and a glass of milk. OOOOO I am such a rebel! I have not had a cinnamon bun in literally years. And you know? It wasn't all that great. I am even sharing them with the man. If something good gluten free comes my way? He doesn't even get to smell it!

I am definitely craving veggies now,though.A spinach and mushroom salad for supper will sure be good! There is some ground bison in the frig as we speak so a simple patty will make a great protein choice for supper. Well, that is the plan...unless I lose interest!


** I most certainly did lose interest. We went shopping tonight, and when the man got hungry, we shared a small strawberry shake and large fries from McDonalds.

That little splurge was just a tad under 625 calories. Still, it could have been much worse. Definitely a calorie splurge, but not a disaster. It made me wonder. If there were that many calories in half of the fries and shake, what must the calorie count be for fries, and a burger and a shake all to yourself? It boggles my mind. The mystery remains. Why on earth can you always find room for crap? There was a ton of calories that just went down so smoothly...one salty, one sweet taste after another! A lethal combination.

In addition? When we stopped off at a friend's for coffee? There was dried mango just begging to be consumed! Who am I to argue with such a generous hostess? Don't the rules say that she has to add the calories to her day in the name of hospitality?

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Hobknobbing with the Rich and Infamous

We are back in town after a real whirlwind of activity!

First stop? Regina for a few days - the highlight of our stay there was going to a "Celebration of Life" at the Hotel Saskatchewan. The event was amazing from appetizer to creme brule! I tried not to count the calories as I chowed down, but it is so second nature, that I couldn't stop myself! The meal was beautiful as well as gluten free so I enjoyed every bite. Such luxury comes not too often in my life, and I was determined to enjoy every moment, every sip and every bite. The entertainment was amazing. A young couple with operatic voices beyond belief, and a belly dancer to boot! All in all? We had a wonderful time. Breakfast was always in the hotel dining room, although only once did I cave in and have Eggs Benedict...without the English muffin, of course. Very tasty indeed, and a real treat.

On Saturday, we moved on to Saskatoon. My sister was under the weather, so she did not feed us like a couple of French geese having our livers expanded for fois gras! There is definitely something to be said for visiting her after a surgery! While we were there, we went to an event sponsored party at a Dude Ranch. The highlight of that affair was "pitchfork steak". What is that, you well may ask. Well, it is a perfectly good steak submerged in oil and deep fried. Everyone else seemed to like it but me. I like my steaks charred a bit if it is going to be cooked outdoors, thank you very much! Although I wasn't overly impressed, it was good to see the same crowd again...Mine Rescue Conference, I believe. After awhile? Everything sort of fades together and you lose track of who belongs where!

We then moved on to a Fire Emergency Services Conference in Brandon. Since I know absolutely no one in Brandon, I had quality time to stay in the suite and watch TV and read my book...with ample naps in between the two activities. At long last we arrived home yesterday, just in time to buy a few groceries at Costco, wash the car, unpack our suitcases then joyously crash in front of the television to dream once more. It is so good to be home!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

It seems to be working....

I am not focusing on food (I am TRYING not to focus on food) and I have lost the five pounds that piled on when I was trying so hard to be "good". Well, go figure. So, I am just going to relax (yeah, right, I can do that???) and let it FLOW.....flow....flow....

Instead? What can I obsess over? Clothing? Trips? Jewellery? Oh, my. The list is never ending! LOL I am really enjoying wearing a few fall items, although it is still a tad warm for "wooly" things. Transitional. That is what this month is! You don't know whether it is winter or summer bound! The geese are making a heck of a racket tonight, so I guess that is the final word. It is fall heading to winter because the flying rats are on their trek north!

I made a pot roast tonight, for company. It looked really good, but was a tad overdone for my taste. However? I put everything on a plate, and it was gorgeous, if I do say so myself! I served it with mashed potatoes, and broiled asparagus. Simple, easy. Strawberry upside down cake for dessert. We bought groceries today, which was a bit foolish, since we won't be home for ages, but it does give me a sense of security knowing that there is ample food in the house for an oncoming blizzard. You just never know when you may be snowed in for days in this province!


How about this for changing my focus from carrots to carats? Dear hubby knows what I like, mainly because I buy it and then say thank-you! Works for us, and I never have to return a single gift! LOL

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Monday

Breakfast: combined with lunch
Lunch: 1 piece of cod, oven fries, ketchup, sweet peas
Supper: ham, laughing cow cheese, pickles
Snack: OHenry bar
Snack: popcorn with butter
Snack: apple, orange

That is what happens when you skip breakfast. Hungry all day!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday

Breakfast: chips and poached eggs, bit of ketchup and a glass of skim milk
Snack: O'Henry bar
Snack: orange juice, 100 calories
Supper: Bok choy, steamed, cod fillet, cornstarch dusting, pan fried in non stick pan

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Friday

Breakfast: English muffin, peanut butter on one side, plain on the other to dip into my two poached eggs! Skim milk.

Lunch: Poutine. Decadant, right? McCain lo fat oven fries, 1.5 oz of cheese, cut into tiny cubes and low fat gravy left over from our last chicken dinner. YUMM!

Supper: Glutino spinach pizza, Fresca

Snack: O Henry bar, with skim milk.

Not a healthy veggie day for sure. I need to go shopping!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Thursday

Breakfast: two poached eggs, GF Engish muffin, skim milk, coffee
Lunch:six slices of ham, 10 pickles, three Laughing cow wedges
Snack: O Henry Bar
Supper: scant cup corn pasta with spoonful of tomato (bison) sauce, Fresca, GF donut, tea

Wednesday

Breakfast: 2 poached eggs, English muffin, peanut butter, skim milk
Lunch: 4 slices ham, 8 pickles (sweet mix) 2 laughing cow cheese wedges
Supper: GF spianch pizza

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tuesday

Breakfast/lunch: (1 small potato) leftover potatoes, 3 slices crispy bacon, two eggs, skim milk
Supper: 1/2 cup of beans, 2 slices chicken, 1/2 tomato
Snack: 1 cup of chips, Fresca

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labour Day Weekend

Has come and gone. We had company for two days and it was WONDERFUL! When you have friends that you can fall asleep watching TV with? You know they are for life!

Meals were casual due to necessity. I was using a mandolin to slice potatoes for supper, and added a bit of finger to the mix. OUCH. So, the table remained unfussy, and the food equally so! There is something comforting about a roast chicken dinner, isn't there? I think it is the universal comfort food. Good for me, not so much for the chicken!

Sunday, we checked out the Nygard store. I had no idea that there were clothes that fit me there. Not only that? I did not require the largest size! The saleslady also told me that the line I chose was the smallest fitting of the bunch, so bonus! Once again my dear friend has opened my eyes to the fact that my body is changing, no matter how much I complain about the speed. The shape is definitely different, and I can see that now. I am thrilled that I can go to "normal" stores to buy now. Who knew? Anyway, here is a picture of the jacket I bought:



I will be able to use this as a suit jacket this winter, over a black dress, with a black skirt or pants, and jeans. For the fall? It will be warm enough to use as a light coat. It is a bit more expensive than I would have liked, but very versatile. I will try my best to wear it to death before it becomes too big, just to get my money's worth out of it! Unfortunately? My jacket does not narrow in at the waist like this! But it does fit me very well!


Today
Breakfast: two poached eggs, gf English muffin, skim milk, coffee
Lunch: popcorn, Fresca
Supper: fish, spinach with bacon, carrots, steamed potatoes,with a dab of butter, blueberry banana trifle with whipped cream, glass of red wine
Snack: chocolate bar

Yesterday
Breakfast: two 'fried' eggs, oven fries, milk, coffee
Lunch: Greek salad, five shrimp
Supper: roast chicken, scalloped potatoes, carrots, blueberry banana trifle, glass of white wine

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Friday

Another day off the chain! But this time? It is all my doctors fault. He called me in to give me the results of my tests, and a pep talk. Yes folks. This doctor sat me down and told me to stop obsessing about every bite that goes into my mouth, because it isn't my diet that is making me fat, it is ME. My cortisol levels go up when I worry, and believe me, food is a worry. Is it the right time, is it the right food, is it the right balance, is it?????? He told me to eat healthy foods, and forget about it. This is so not me. I am a calorie accountant by nature. I do not know what it is like to sit down to a meal and just not think about it. Isn't that what the diet books call mindless eating? And here is a trained professional telling me what my mother told me for years. Just eat. Sigh. There is just no winning in this racket.

Anyway, I decided to take his advice. I will always have some idea of the calorie value of my food. It is an automatic reaction to eat no more than five hundred calories at a time. Scorfing down a burger and fries is just not me. A burger, minus the bun? Yes. Fries? Yes. But not at the same time. So, to make a long story short? We went from the Dr's. office to supper. And guess what? We shared an order of fries, and I had my own small strawberry shake. I tried not to worry. Really.

Breakfast: two egg omelet, with 1/2 oz of Feta, mushrooms and 1/2 oz of Gouda melted on top. MMMM good! Skim milk, of course. Coffee.

Lunch: 1/3 of two heads of tossed romaine in oil, red wine vinegar and mustard dressing, 1/3 can of salmon, 12 almonds, 1/3 apple, water

Supper: small strawberry shake, 1/2 order of fries

Snack: GF pizza with two slices of added pepperoni, Fresca

Am I relaxed enough for ya?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Age old question....

My new purse arrived!




It is a MAXX python leather, and has all sorts of organizing pockets, inside and out. There is also a detachable wristlet, that will be very handy for travelling, as it will hold every bit of makeup that I need, close at hand.

The garage is still holding the aftermath of the wet sale we tried on Saturday, so sometime today and tomorrow, we will drag everything to Goodwill or back to the empty spots in the storage room! Still haven't deposited the proceeds though!

My hair appointment is at ten this morning, which begs me to ask the age old question all women have asked at one point or another. I wonder what I will look like this afternoon?

Breakfast: two poached eggs, toasted English muffin with Cheez Whiz
Lunch: 350 calories worth of chips. Sigh. My weakness. And a Fresca, of course.
Supper: 300 calories worth of mac and cheese. Six beet pickles. 1/2 can of green beans.

Snack: Two slices of rosemary ham, a Vlasic dill pickle and a laughing cow cheese wedge, with a cup of tea.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September 1

All the articles I have been reading lately are about fall wardrobes. Come on people! I just finished gathering together my summer one! Ah well. I guess I should start thinking of woolly sweaters and new jeans, but bonus! I did that last spring, so now I just have to get used to reaching for them in the closet, giving them pride of place over my summer goodies. I will have to purchase a couple of winter dresses for cold nights out, and a new long dress coat, but other than that? I think I have the bases covered. Does that sound like a "famous last word" statement?

To tell the truth, my heart is already in Mexico and the Caribbean. For someone that barely owned two summer dresses, I have morphed into a definite summer person! (as long as there is ocean in sight!) There are still things in my closet that I have not worn yet, so while the sun shines? I will have to make an effort to test drive them before packing them to take on holidays. We are planning five weeks away this year, so that doesn't leave much winter to deal with. December and February, mainly.

Breakfast: two eggs, fried (non-stick pan) English muffin, Cheez Whiz
Lunch: Tuscan flavoured potato chips - my bad
Supper: Two bison tacos
Snack: Marshmallow cake

I am losing interest in eating well, it would appear. But tomorrow is another day.

31st of August

Breakfast: English muffin, two poached eggs, skim milk
Lunch: O Henry bar....yes! They are gluten free!
Supper: 3 tacos made with bison, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and sour cream, Fresca
Snack: Peanut butter marshmallow square

So, not every day do I use candy as a meal replacement, but today? I was just in a mood to be "bad". Fact of the matter is, when I go on a tear, it still falls within my maximum calorie range, although for sure, it doesn't make nutritional goals! Ah well. Always tomorrow.

Just realized that tacos, although sounding rich and decadent? Are really quite calorie friendly!

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Aftermath

of a damp garage sale is waiting, no, make that lurking in the garage! As it is another rainy day today, I don't believe there is much chance of the soggy things drying out today! So, best get on with things indoors.

My aim is to simplify all areas of my life. As my hubby so aptly remarked the other day, I am never as happy as I am in a nice hotel room. I do not like clutter. I can live without nick knacks and assorted paraphernalia that others seem to think makes a home cozy. For me? They get in the way of living and actually using my home. After fourteen years of living in one place - a record for both of us, by the way- there was far too much stuff sitting around to suit me. We have had major clear outs before, but never were able to bring the house to a bare bones state. I will be working on this for awhile!

In the meantime? This is my goal.

"To live content with small means,
to seek elegance rather than luxury
and refinement rather than fashion:
to be worthy, not respectable
and wealthy not rich,
to study hard, to think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and buds,
to babes and sages, with an open heart,
await occasions, hurry never,
this is my symphony."
~William Henry Channing


Food for today:

Breakfast: GF English muffin with Cheez Whiz, two poached eggs, skim milk
Lunch: soup - lazy me will crack a can, and have it with some GF crackers and of course, a bit of butter!

Supper: To be Determined - I have failed miserably in my menu planning, so right after I hit "publish post" I am going to drag out my calendar and plan the week! Hubby is home all week, so meals will actually be served at five, at the table, maybe even with a bit of company!

*supper was a chicken breast, 2/3 cup of mashed potatoes and 1/2 cup of creamed corn. NUMMMY! But oh boy! Am I full!

Snack: Tw gluten free cookies. Cinnamon-O's. They are absolutely wonderful. Jo-sef Simply Delicious Cinnamon sandwich cookies. OOOOOOO SOOOOOO good and 150 calories for two. Sure not sorry I bought them at Meyer's today!

Snack #2: since I am going to a make-up party, where I will have to use all sorts of restraint, I allowed myself to have some of that peanut butter marshmallow goop cake. 200 calories for a piece of heaven!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday

Passport photo? DONE! Passport taken to Gov't officials in charge of that sort of thing? DONE! Garage sale signs installed at relevent intersections? DONE! Me? DONE!

Now I am waiting for my treat for today. The girls are coming over any minute for a quick visit. Can hardly wait to see the little one if only for a moment!

Breakfast: two eggs, two slices of crispy bacon, skim milk
Lunch: 100 calories of sliced ham, two Vlasic dills and 1 oz of cheese water
Supper: Glutino cheese pizza BORRRRRRRING! But the only freezer quick food I have found! Fresca
Snack: 1/4 cup of cashew nuts

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thursday

Today was the day we ventured into the garage to get all of the stuff priced, and organized for the garage sale. What a job! So glad it is over, and all we have to do now is to get people in here to take it away. I priced rock bottom so there won't be any dickering. If one of those difficult people comes along? I will tell them to take a hike, and give it away. Really, why bother with that whole energy waste? Buy it or leave. This is a no dicker zone! LOL

Breakfast: 2/3 of an english muffin, two eggs, glass of skim milk, two T of Cheez Whiz
Lunch: 200 calories worth of deli ham, coffee, skim milk
Supper: 1 cup of leftover Spaghetti and sauce
Snack: Devil potato chips were calling my name. So was the sour cream dip. Still came in at 1850 calories today, though, and have worked my fingers to the bone.

My pillow may be calling me, but my feet are hollering. Off to soak in a nice hot tub!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wednesday

Breakfast: Greek omelet with spinach, mushrooms, peppers finely diced, onion. Two eggs, 30 gms feta cheese, 1 glass of skim milk, coffee with non dairy creamer.

Lunch: Woops. Forgot.

Supper: 1.5 cups of corn pasta, 1 cup of sauce made with organic tomato sauce, bison, mushrooms, peppers, onion sprinkled with parmesan. Blueberries with 1 T whipped cream.
Fresca. Chopped tomato with parsley, tsp. of olive oil, Fleur de Sel and pepper.

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Weekend

We had a lot going on this weekend. Hubby arrived home late Friday night, and "the girls" were scheduled to spend both days with us! Of course, we had to polish and shine everything in sight before their arrival. Special people deserve special efforts, don't they? Our activities included the inspection of every stuffed toy I had squirreled away from her father's childhood, methodical perusal of the jewellery boxes
and a trip to Dairy Queen where the princess fell asleep and the adults indulged! Although I tried to stick to the program both days, I am faced with a gain. Could be hot weather and Buster Bar, water retention, but I am treating it as "CODE RED" and will be monitoring to the calorie what goes into the old body this week. Which brings me to the age old question. Why is it, that when I "behave" I gain, and yet some days, I chow down on chips and chocolate and show a loss the next morning? I am not complaining, but it just doesn't seem fair somehow.

Since the house is still pretty shiny, I think today will be spent running the roads, doing errands and in general depleting the checking account!

Breakfast: GF English muffin, 2 poached eggs, 100 calories spread of choice...can't make up my mind yet! Cheese Whiz, peanut butter, jam? *1 T Cheese Whiz won!

Lunch: 1 cup of Habitant Pea soup, water.

Supper: 1/2 order of fries at Wendy's with 1/2 a Chili, water

Snack: 4 slics of ham, two dill pickles and 28gms of Cheddar

Friday, August 20, 2010

ARGHHHH FRIDAY already!

And I have so much to do it isn't funny. I am expecting visitors of the crawling kind this weekend, so every little thing has to be picked up and put out of harms way. There are piles all over the house...some for the garage sale, some for consignment, some for garbage, and yes, some for the laundry! PLUS I need to pick up some food that makes it look like Gramma really does cook! I am so glad hubby will be home tonight and then home for a whole week. I am just about ready to start a tour with him just to get some rest!

So far, so good though. I have made the bed, organized my dresser drawers, and now? ON TO THE COSMETICS! Although I have pared down a lot, somehow? There is a problem with having way too much once again. Today is the day I have to sort it all out and get rid of the excess.

Breakfast: Two eggs, three strips of bacon. Last time we bought the low sodium stuff from Costco and it was really good. Yesterday, I saw a package of Schneider's, that answered the age old question of how many calories are there in bacon after you cook it! This one said 210 for two slices before, and 45 after. That is a huge difference, as I have been counting the higher number forever, using the logic that it is better to overestimate the consumption and underestimate the exercise. Somehow, that should balance out in my favour, right? ANYWAY that is what I had for breakfast. The milk had gone sour, so no calcium for me this morning!

Lunch:

Supper:

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Another day...

Today was busy, from morning till late afternoon I was running the roads! The weather has been nice, so I have been taking advantage of that and my lack of structured recquired activity at home. In short? While the cat is away, the mice will play!

I was in the company of my dear friend all morning,and then went to get my hair cut at one. Then on to shopping and errands. Nothing major really, just a stop here and there to pick up a few things. I somehow managed to lose my bank card, so a quick stop provided me with a new one. I LOVE my bank! No judgement, just service! LOL

Breakfast: two eggs, oven fries, skim milk

Lunch: grapes

Supper: chicken, onion and carrot stirfry garnished with almonds, fried rice - minus the egg, bacon, and all that good greasy stuff! Just finely diced peppers and brown basmati rice with a bit of GF soya sauce. I found a little package of chicken ready for the pan at the grocery store for 2.58! It turned out to be enough for two generous servings, when mixed with the carrot and onion. I am quite happy going to the grocery store to buy as we need, rather than do the massive shopping that I had t do for years when feeding a family.

Snackage: Two Toblerone bars. Hey, they were a lunch replacement! 180 calories each, the equivilant of a sandwich for the gluten tolerant world.... I am beginning to see why the scales are not shifting as quickly as I would like. Far too many "replacement" items! Whatever. I am happy, and working on healthy before svelte!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Minimizing

I am in the midst of a great decluttering, so haven't had much time for blogging. We have a mammoth garage sale coming up, with all leftovers going out the next week to charity. Between now and then, I am going through this house with a fine tooth comb, getting rid of all items that I wouldn't want to pay to move. One has to be able to turn on a dime these days, and you just never know what may lie ahead for us.

Yesterday, I went through all of my hanging clothes in the closet. Today? Drawers, shelve and toiletries. Hmmmm. That ought to take a fair chunk of the day! Tomorrow will be the hall closet, hubby's office closet (really, my storage, if truth be told). I have done the kitchen for the most part, and then all that remains is hubby's closet. We can do that on the weekend.

Coats are a problem. I have far too many of them, and very few of them fit. Fifty pounds makes a bit of a difference in the size you need! I dread giving them up, because it is so hard to find a full length coat. Even my red quilted ski jacket is too roomy, but that one? I think I will keep till the last thread gives up, I love it so much.

Breakfast this morning was another breakfast of champions. Wavy Lay's chips and vegetable sour cream dip. Who says you have to be a saint? Sometimes I get so tired of being so strict with myself, and lately? I think I have been rebelling against nothing in particular and everything in general. A lot of meanderings off the path of late. If only chips were full of gluten I would find it easier to resist them, but as it is? They are a legal treat. I will be glad when all of them are gone...that doesn't make sense, because the longer they last, shows I am not indulging to an excess, but as long as they share my airspace they will be a meal replacement! But hey, there are people that eat bugs. I can console myself with that little factoid.

Lunch: two eggs, toasted English muffin, skim milk

Supper: stir fry made with onions, carrots, cauliflower, peppers, mushrooms and celery, topped with toasted almonds, over a cup of brown Basmati rice.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Discovery

We woke up to a dismal, rainy day. LOVE IT!!! I almost feel human again!

After a good long sleep in, we went out into the world to purchase a few necessities. A sink plug, and groceries. Couldn't find a medicine chest. I am trying to buy just what we will eat during the week, to avoid a lot of storage issues, and deplete the stash we already have at home. Since hubby leaves on Tuesday again, I only had to buy a couple of meat items, milk, shredded cabbage, an onion and some cilantro. There were a few items that snuck in, that were not on the list, but my total was much smaller than usual, so I was pleased. I have a choice of grocery stores very close to home so if I missed buying something important, it will be easy enough to pop over to pick up an item or two.

Discovery. When I went to make the chicken breasts for tonights supper, I found that there was only one breast in the package. Undaunted, I cooked it up anyway, and was surprised to see that it stretched to feed both of us to an elegant sufficiency. Of course, I also made a pound of carrots, thinking I was cooking ahead...not so. We ate the lot! One potatoe made scalloped potatoes that fed us both with NO leftovers. I quite like cooking 'just enough', and although the balance of veg vs. meat is not the norm for most? It really works for us, it seems, as we both left the table feeling very content.

As a treat, I thought it would be nice to buy "real" dip - not a treat at all! I discovered that two tablespoons of dip were 130 calories, whereas two tablespoons of sour cream were only fifty. And full fat sour cream at that! So, I found some no-name vegetable soup mix that didn't contain gluten, mixed in a few spoonsfuls of that into the container of sour cream. Not only does it taste great, but I got twice as much dip for the same cost. I will
use it with veggies and yes, my guilty pleasure, potato chips. Which brings me to my snack tonight. (Keep in mind it is Saturday, and we are wild party people.) Four tablespoons of dip and a serving of potato chips! MMMMM wrinkly, crispy, tastey Lay's Wavy!


By the way? I actually remembered the shopping list I tore from my new calendar. I was quite impressed with the facts that A. I wrote the list, and B. I actually took it with me! This calendar is going to make a new woman of me! (What are the chances? LOL)

Breakfast: English muffin (gf), Cheese Whiz, two eggs, skim milk
Lunch: cup of bean soup, two GF crackers, Fresca
Supper: 1/2 chicken breast (skinless, bone in)1/2 potato, 2 T cream, 1 tsp butter, 1/4 of peeled, cooked carrots. 1/2 a container of rice pudding.
Snack: 250 calories of potato chips, 4 T of sour cream dip, Fresca.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday

And the weekend begins. Hubby just got in, and will pick up Chinese food on his way home. NUMMY! I love chow mien and almond chicken, two things that won't break the points bank too badly! This morning, I had two eggs, and three strips of crispy bacon, with skim milk. Lunch was a handful of taco chips with salsa and cheddar cheese, so I would say today was pretty much a bust weight watcher wise! Ah well. You have to slip off the wagon once in awhile!

Today it was raining cats and dogs...so nice to curl up in bed and doze the day away. I had all sorts of plans for the day, but they quickly went away as the day progressed. I am glad it is a cool weekend forecast, as we have a lot of sorting to do in the garage before we can put on the sale. I have gone through the house pretty thoroughly, and will finish off my closet next week, while hubby is in Pittsburgh. I really don't mind him being away as long as I have something to do with my time. The past two weeks have flown by, and I have a very organized storage room and laundry room to show for it! Although, cleaning up one mess makes another! We will deal with that this weekend, and decide on a date for the sale. I like to have things neatly arranged, and not all dirty and jumbled, so our stuff has gone quickly in the past. Here is hoping it will this time, too!

As for the diet? With this heat wave we had, I think I was doing well to breath, let alone worry about food! This morning I woke up to thunder and lightning, and a lot of energy! It was so nice to feel like myself again. The kitchen got a good scrubbing before breakfast, and the frig got a good clear out. No more out dated items or mouldy berries! I am going to buy as we go for a little while, until the our stores are depleted. I am really going to try to trace our spending. I have let things slide just a little too much lately.

Oh happy day!

I have my car back! It is purring like a kitten, so here is hoping all is well with it. First thing on my list to do tomorrow is to go to the gas station...I don't know how happy I will be afterwards!




My new Polestar calendar arrived, and I am very pleased indeed. It is the best calendar I have ever seen. It even has pages of lists to tear out, that you can make and take with you. I bought the 2011 at Costco, and just couldn't wait to start using it. I went to the website, and lo and behold, the 2010's were on sale for five dollars. Granted, the majority of the year is gone, but what price beauty? Some things just rock my world, and this calendar is one of them. It is going to work sooooo well as my memory. Want to take a peek?



http://www.polestarcalendars.com/product/AFC11

Breakfast: bacon and eggs
Lunch: Mac & cheese. Tried a new corn pasta and it was delish. Made a cheese sauce instead of using a ton of cheese...passable, but not great.
Supper: went out to Kelsey's, had a baked potato, two little containers of butter, half of the little dish of sour cream, and two skewers of shrimp.
Snack: I am contemplating....

Thursday, August 12, 2010

SOOOO excited!

I just printed out the documents for our trip to Mexico! (That is what you do when you wake up at three in the morning after snoozing in front of the TV!) I like to bind all the information we need for each trip into a convenient to carry booklet. It also makes a good souvenir after the trip, as I add little notes and reminders for the "next time"! Why I find the heat unbearable here, but pleasurable there, is a mystery. I think it has a lot to do with the ocean breezes. This week, I am 'test driving' outfits for comfort in the heat, so out of all this oppressive weather, good will come! A major change in my thinking has resulted in a lot more comfort. I now wear sleeveless garments. I do not care about my flabby arms. I feel wonderful with more air circulation! We get these ideas in our heads, such as "say no to sleeveless" that are really irrational. Who cares? No one but you. I would much rather have a smile on my face and flabby arms, than a hot miserable face, and covered flabby arms! Let the breezes blow and enjoy life. How late we learn the really important, life altering things!

ANYWAY once again, I am in the throes of packing decisions. I don't want to take a lot of stuff, but what if? ALWAYS the whatifs! I do not like carrying every garment I own with me, even on car trips, and find that even when I pack "bare bones" I end up not some things. So, with that in mind, I think the best plan of attack is to limit my wardrobe to a very few but very wearable things. After all, if you can build a wardrobe on ten pieces, shouldn't you be able to survive for two weeks on ten pieces?(with the addition of a swimsuit and cover up, of course!) I have been thinking of ways to jazz things up with accessories, as it would be a lot easier to carry a few bits and bobs, rather than entire outfits. Time to get creative, so any suggestions to tart up a simple black dress for dinners out would be appreciated. I am quite handy with a needle and thread, so I was thinking that adding a bow or bauble to a plain black dress might do the trick, as well as the usual jewellery changes and scarves, and shawls. The theory is, that what is visible over the table is what is remembere, I have no qualms about wearing the same thing repeatedly, as long as it is comfy, I will be happy!

Wednesday

Was not the most exciting day for food, but it was comforting!

Breakfast: Two eggs, bacon, skim milk
Lunch: Woops again
Supper: taco chips with cheese and salsa, Fresca
Snack: Toblerone bar. Best spent 240 calories of the day!

Not a good eating plan by any means, but with this heat? It is the best I could do!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I will try not to neglect journalling as I continue the great purge....

Breakfast: two egg omelet with cheese, side of broiled asparagus spears wrapped with a slice of rosemary ham, glass of skim milk

Lunch: popcorn (when the cat is away....:)

Super: Gluten free spinach and feta pizza, Fresca

Snack: Toblerone....ah, the value of chocolate as a mini meal!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Missing in Action

Food journaling has paid the price for the time I have been spending decluttering our house. In a nutshell, our menus have been same old, same old. Eggs for breakfast, salads and beans, grilled meats and berries. I am holding the line, but really, I am totally immersed in my current activity to the point that food is an unwelcome interruption! It has also been unbearably hot here, and the coolness of the lower level is so much nicer on these hot days! Inch by inch, I am purging, cleaning and organizing every square inch of this house! I now know why it is so relaxing for me to be traveling with hubby. Staying home brings on these extreme cleaning frenzies!

I am going through the house from top to bottom, purging unnecessary things. My closet excess is going to a consignment store. Hubby put up two closet rods in the storage room to hold the goodies destined for the consignment store. There is room in there now, because the storage room has yielded enough stuff for a very hefty garage sale. That stuff has migrated to the garage, which is now filled up!

I am trying my best to let things go. Quickly, and quietly. As things are removed, what is left is given even more scrutiny...if it is not necessary, used or lovely, it is living on borrowed time! I can see a second and third round of purging will be necessary. I want an echo in this house again!


I have been doing a lot of research on minimalism, and I must admit the concepts appeal to me. I get an odd rush from tossing things out! It is a lasting euphoria, vs. the fleeting euphoria from acquiring something new!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Slow day...

Started with breakfast, a Greek omelet (mushrooms, onions and 1 oz Feta) with a diced tomato.


Lunch: 3 GF breadsticks & butter, 1 cup romaine tossed with 3 oz of chicken,1 T of Miracle Whip mixed with buttermilk and rice wine vinegar, assorted pickles beet & gherkins (frig cleaning time!) Discovered that pickled onions are a total calorie bargain.

Supper: 60 gms of Havarti cheese, two Vlasic dill pickles 1.5 cups of cherries

Totals for the day:

1,628 calories fat 92.8 carbs132.6 protein 71.4

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Continuing on....

Breakfast this morning:



Lunch:


Supper: Now here, you will have to take my word for it! Hubby was hungry, so we sat down to eat without a photo shoot! I barbecued a chicken, and roasted cut small diced vegetables to roast alongside the chicken. Strawberries sliced with Splenda, 1/4 cup of ice cream and half a banana pudding made a nice dessert.

Snack: The evil twin demanded chocolate. I gave in. Sigh. When I fall off the wagon, there is a Tsunami somewhere!

Totals for the day: calories 1,746 fat 81.6 carbs 190.0 protein 71.2

After I find it amazing that the percentages, with the huge chocolate intake included, line up as follows:

Fat (43%) Carbs (40%) Protein (17%) Alcohol (0%)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A moment on the lips....

And a picture on my blog! Now you can see how I breakfast like royalty, lunch like a merchant and dine like a peasant!

I thought for something different today, I would do a show and tell. Here is breakfast -
Basic Cheese Omelet, a whole diced tomato dressed with a dab of olive oil
441 calories 35 fat 8.9 carbs 24.2 protein

Skim Milk
83 calories
0.2 fat
12.2 carbs
8.3 protein



Coffee is always the same. 1.5 tsp of coffee whitener and a Sugar Twin.







Next, comes lunch. Schar GF table crackers, spread with Laughing Cow wedges, lightly sprinkled with onion powder, topped with cucumber slices, washed down with a V8! MMM good!
373 Calories
15 fat
36 carbs
10 protein


And for the grand finale?
Chicken breast with scalloped potatoes and onions, roasted carrots and water.
479 calories
24 fat
44 carbs

Major woops here. I counted the whole dish of scalloped potatoes as my serving. I thought the totals were a tad high!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Riddle me this....

Why is it, that when I "behave" myself, I gain, and when I am "bad" I don't? For the last couple of days, I have behaved, left the chips alone, not had a single sweet. AND???? This morning? The scale was up four pounds! Sigh. I will never figure this out, but still, best to keep to the high road. Maybe soon, something miraculous will happen, and I will have a four pound overnight loss! Here is the plan for today. Breakfast is already consumed!

Breakfast: sautèd spinach omelet (2 cups of spinach, 1 tsp olive oil, garlic) 2 eggs
1/2 tsp butter, 3 mushrooms, dehydrated onion (lazy this morning!) .75 oz Gouda, skim milk, coffee with coffeemate, Sugar Twin

Lunch: 1 cup of sliced strawberries, 1 GF carrot muffin, Banaa pudding, water
Snack: orange juice, 230 calories worth of fabulous mint chocolate

Supper: 6 meat balls with sauce, 1/2 cup brown rice and mushroom/cauliflower/carrot/celery medley done on the barby, sprinkled with olive oil and a dusting of parmesan


The new 16 QT stockpot has found a home, and a use. It is perfect for holding potatoes! No more spoilage. They will be happy in their new dark home! A nice touch is three small holes in the lid of the stock pot....lets in just enough air to keep fresh air circulating! We are enjoying NOT eating off the Corelle dishes. Packed them up and sent them to the basement hidey hole last night, when we brought the new ones home. The thing with dishes, is that I always tire of them, and go back to using the plain white Corelle in all its variations of size and style. So, this time? I got smart! I bought one set of four place settings. That is it! No more! So, when I tire of them (usually after hubby drops a piece or two) they will hit the "donate" pile! There is something about new china that inspires me. The luncheon plate with this set is just right to help with portion control, too! It feels really good in the kitchen these days, as I have been reorganizing and discarding a LOT of stuff. Everything is now at hand, and easy to find when needed. Now, if only I could manage my closet like I manage my kitchen....

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Sunday

Breakfast: Glutino pizza, skim milk
Lunch: half of a Wendy's Biggie fries, and half a regular chili, with diet pop
Snack: slice of watermelon
Supper: 5 oz steak, roasted veggies, Fresca

Saturday, July 10, 2010

I am having not fried chicken for supper!

Breakfast:
Made another Greek omelet this morning, with a glass of skim milk.

Lunch: Tzatziki(3 T) with snow peas & mixed veggies (cauliflower, carrots, celery, peppers) (3 cup) 150 cals worth of garlic ham sausage, 2 wedges laughing cow cheese, 2 gf crackers

Snack: (5 o'clock)2.5 cups of cherries...mmmm....so good!

Supper: Buttermilk 'not fried' chicken from the Looney Spoons Ladies, warmed up potatos, side salad


[as it turned out, the coating isn't that great. The idea to take from this recipe is using the buttermilk. As for the seasoning? I think there are better combinations. Far too much thyme for my liking.]

Friday, July 9, 2010

Friday

Breakfast: 2 egg omelet with mushrooms and 1 ounce of cheese, V8 juice, coffee, skim milk
Lunch: 200 calories worth of ham sausage, dill pickle, beet pickles, two laughing cow cheese wedges, two gluten free crackers

Supper: corn pasta, pasta sauce

Snack: chips and dip. THANK GOODNESS this bag of chips is gone! They are toooooo good to have in the house! By not buying them again, I will save all sorts of storage space on the kitchen island shelf, too. yeah...like that will happen!

New shoes arrived today...keepers. I took them out of the box, put them on, and wore them around the house all day. Very comfy. Clarks makes a good shoe, I must say.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Thursday and a cute skirt!

This skirt is a keeper. The print is very soft, white and beige, and will be perfect for my "travel uniform"! I had a beige cotton skirt and black Tshirt when we went to Europe, and found myself wearing it over and over again. I am hoping this one will be the same. There is a yoke, pockets and an elasticized back. The fabric is soft, and stretchy enough to be comfy! Since I do not own a waistline, it is difficult to find a good fitting skirt. This one is snug, but by the time our holidays roll around I am hoping for a bit of a downward shift in the scales. What I wouldn't give to be one of those women that loses a pound a week!


This morning, I got creative with our usual omelet. It was picture perfect, but by the time I thought of snapping a pic, it was history! Anyway, back to the omelet story. I was in the kitchen, getting out the usual ingredients...eggs, cream, spices, thinly sliced onion, small diced red pepper, and seeded, diced tomato, when I had the thought that a Greek spin on things might be interesting. Soooo, out came the Greek seasoning (yes, I am that lazy. I have Italian seasoning too!) and into the cream it went, with the eggs and a good squish of hot sauce. I let it all sit while I prepped the rest of the veggies. Following the regular method to make an omelet, I cooked the onions till translucent, then tossed the red peppers in the pan for a minute, so they maintained a nice crispish bite. Added the egg mixture, and topped with a sprinkling of Feta cheese. Under the broiler it went until puffy and golden at the edges. On one half of the omelet, I put the diced tomato mixed with some chopped parsley, and then folded the other half over, and put an ounce of shredded Gouda, just for the meltiness of it all! Back under the broiler it went until bubbly. Was it ever good! I think it just may make my list of "Top Twenty" foods!

Breakfast: Greek Omelet, skim milk, small dish of fresh strawberries and Splenda
Lunch:
Snack: 2 Laughing Cow wedges, 2 gluten free crackers, 150 calories worth of ham sausage and a V8 juice.
Supper: 2 oz of pork chop, 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup of creamed corn, apple crumble.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Tuesday on Wednesday

Yesterday's menu:

Breakfast: cubed potatoes fried (YES FRIED. I am on a slippery slope) with gouda cheese, onion & mushroom omelet, skim milk - Mexican watermelon for "dessert" - isn't that what those little ones are called?

Lunch: chip and dip...will that bag never be finished? There is still so much left, and so little won't power.

Supper:steak, simple lettuce salad using Artisan baby lettuce and lemon poppy seed dressing
Snack: cornflakes, skim milk with Splenda


Today's Menu:
Breakfast: two slices of crispy bacon, two eggs, fourteen McCain low fat french fries, glass of skim milk, coffee

Lunch: too hot, too full. There is a little watermelon left for a snack before I go to the hairdresser.

Snack: quacamole & taco chips

Supper: Gluten free pizza, side salad, Fresca

Monday, July 5, 2010

Monday - the day of good intentions

Breakfast: three strips of bacon, two eggs, two GF crackers, 1 tsp peanut butter, 1 glass of skim milk

Lunch: thinking of supper...too full for lunch..

Snack: chips and dip...will this bag never be finished? It calls to me.....

Supper: poached turkey breast (stove top - I put the turkey in a shallow pan, add some celery, onion, carrot and a bay leaf and poach till done. Makes great leftovers for soup, too) leaf lettuce salad with vinaigrette, potatoes. Forget what they are called, but you slice potatoes and an onion on a mandolin, arrange in a concentric circle in a buttered pan and after you dot them with butter? Add some milk or cream, not to cover, but just enough to bake and "disappear" into the potato flesh. Bake at about 400 or so. I like the crispy bits that form on the bottom!

Hubby came home with chocolate...between the chocolate and the chips, my face is a mess and I am NOT losing any weight, that is for sure! LOL

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sunday Dinner

Pork chop, gravy, french fries (low fat oven fries, of course) and peas. Very pleased with the way the gravy turned out today. A tablespoon of butter, with a tablespoon of gluten free flour, lots of water, and voila! A clean pan AND nice gravy! For once I did not overcook the pork chops, and they were as tender as tender can be. I browned them in a skillet, then popped them into the oven until the internal temp read 155º F. MMMMM good!

Lunch: home made guacamole and taco chips, strawberries and 1/2 cup ice cream

Breakfast: omelet, Gouda cheese, mushrooms with a diced tomato and a glass of skim milk. I don't know what we will do for breakfast tomorrow...we ate the last tomatoes today! I think it is time to start in on the bag of red peppers I bought. I am sure that would be a good addition either in or beside our breakfast omelet! At the moment I am thinking of tossing them in a bit of oil, and putting them into a hot oven to roast while I take my morning shower...hmmmm that may work....

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Saturday

Breakfast: ham & mozzarella cheese omelet, skim milk, coffee, diced tomato

Lunch/Supper: three cabbage rolls, skim milk

Snack: chips and dip, Fresca

Half frozen, half fresh....

Well, I am finally starting to feel better. Yesterday, I managed to get out of the door, and into the stores. Long enough to buy food for the week, at least! It was hot and muggy, and I totally enjoyed the time out, but it was exhausting. The weather made me think of tropical holidays soon to come.

I am changing tactics, as there is too much food lingering in our freezers. Frozen fish is good, but meat seems to really lose something in freezing, so I bought our meat for the week and will use it while still fresh. I bought steaks, pork chops and turkey breast, so there will be no excuse for not making supper this week! Our shopping bill is completely out of hand. For two people to spend over 200 dollars for groceries for a week is unacceptable...especially when said old people don't even bother to eat the food they buy! I just have the mentality that there must be variety in the house at all times. Well, that notion is going to fall by the wayside PDQ! Nothing beats a bit of planning. A little self control would be nice too, but when I see those super sized clam shells of cherries, something just happens to my purse strings!

I do not find it beneficial to plan before I buy, since what I plan to make for the week, will likely not be on sale. So, today? I bought three fresh meats that looked fresh and tasty, and will rely on what is in the freezer and pantry for the rest of the nights. Until we "eat down" the freezers, I think this will be the best plan to follow. We are still munching away on the cabbage rolls, but I think today will be the last day for them. They just get better every day!


Weekly Menu Plan:

Saturday: pork chops, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and fresh chopped vegetable salad


Although I marinated the pork chops, by suppertime, I was just too hot to bother. We had leftover cabbage rolls instead. So, already my menu plan is fratzed! Everything will be pushed forward a day!



Sunday: pan seared turkey breast, mashed potatoes & gravy, peas and carrots, side salad made from baby cucumbers, onion & tomato with feta cheese

Monday: baked cod in parchment paper with onions and thinly sliced potatoes, broiled peppers, mushrooms, onions

Tuesday: T-bone steak, fancy baby carrots - when I am in a meat eating frame of mind, I do best to keep the meal simple!

Wednesday: pan cooked fish with higgelty piggelty sauce, steamed potatoes, peas

Thursday: pasta, mood to determine sauce! Could be cheese, could be tuna, could be marinara

Friday: deli chicken and salad, as it will be grocery day again, and a very simple take home supper make life easy!

Now this is the plan. Time will tell if it will come to be

Friday, July 2, 2010

Friday...already?

Breakfast: 2 egg omelet, 1.5 oz Gouda, 2 large mushrooms, two strips of bacon, glass of skim milk, 1 diced tomato with a drop of oil, salt & pepper.

Lunch: two cabbage rolls. These things are one point each! Can't beat that! Using brown rice upped the flavour on these puppies, as did the bison and finely diced celery and onion.

Supper: FOUR ears of corn - yes, I did.

Snack: bought these great potato chips from Costco...called baked loaded or something. Very good indeed. They actually taste homemade! Very tasty.

I recently switched from Extra Large Eggs to Large, mainly to make it easier to store them in the refrigerator. I really haven't noticed much of a difference in portion size, although the eggs are considerably smaller. I don't turn over the last few bites to hubby anymore, so I guess there is a three bite difference! Often, I find myself using him as a human garbage disposal. I just run out of steam before all the food is finished on my plate. I don't bother reducing the points though, because I am sure the odd thing slips by me, or I am off on my point estimation. I mean really, are samples a point a piece at Costco? (Or, as I fondly refer to it, 'dinner out' with Hubby!)

This has turned into a shopping blog as much as a food blog, and I certainly have been doing my share of shopping these days. I think it boils down to the fact, that when you can actually have nice new clothes to wear, you are more inclined to watch the calories a little closer. You take your good feelings from the mirror, rather than the refrigerator. The worst thing I have ever done in my life, was to completely ignore myself when it came to buying clothes. It was always so much more fun to buy for the kid, or the man. After all, they were my eye candy! I couldn't see myself! As a result, the pounds crept on just like they are melting off...slowly but surely.

Every time I talk to my dear daughter-in-law, I remind her to go shopping frequently. Forget about buying steak...buy a new tshirt, or something else that you need! The dinner is soon gone, but you get so much more mileage out of a pretty dress! I think it makes you a better person all the way around to dress well....just like I think you get bogged down emotionally when your clothing drags you down, or back to the past. There should be a rule that prohibits anyone from wearing something more than a couple of years old. If shoulder pads come back, they will not come back Dallas style. And pink spandex was never a good idea for cellulite sporters!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Clothing

is an 'addiction'. A 'necessary evil'. A 'not so guilty' pleasure! I now understand why my mother turned into a clothes horse in her old age! There is something very satisfying in knowing that you have several options for every eventuality in your life! It seems to me, that clothing prices are very low compared to the other costs in life. The availability of clothing in specialty sizes is better now than it ever was, so there is no excuse to hang onto anything that makes you feel less than absolutely fabulous. I must resist the urge to buy "one in every colour", though. So many times, I have found myself purchasing multiples only to find that I constantly wear the "black one" or the "red one". As we get older, we know ourselves better. Since I will be sixty on the eleventh of this month, I guess I am finally cluing into these things!

Breakfast: two egg omelet, Gouda cheese, mushrooms, chopped tomato, glass of milk

Lunch: leftover mashed potatoes, kernel corn, bison patty

Supper: Cabbage rolls - These may be the best I have ever made!(do I say that every time?) Ground bison, one cup of brown basmati rice (cooked), three stalks of celery and half a large onion. I used Safeway brand tomato sauce, with an added a can of the water I used to wilt the cabbage. I also added hot sauce, soy sauce, 1 1/2t of chopped garlic, 1 T of sugar and 1 T of vinegar. Very good indeed! I used my Nicer Dicer to chop the veggies rather than the food processor, and I am wondering if the larger chunks of vegetables make the difference. At any rate, they are delish, and very low point, I may add!

Snack: Big Turk

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wednesday

Breakfast: one chopped tomato with salt & pepper,drop of oil,two egg omelet with mushrooms, Gouda cheese, glass of skim milk an 1 T of cream for the omelet.

Lunch: a pear - boy was it good! Juicy and just right ripe!

Supper: 4 oz minced bison patty, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with 2 tsp butter, 1/3 cup creamed corn

Snack: big turk bar

I am really trying to keep my meals based on real foods, not too many steps from the ground so to speak. For instance, butter is a good thing, margarine is not. Like the taste hasn't told us that one?

Tuesday's gone...

Breakfast: one chopped tomatoe with salt & pepper,drop of oil,cheese & mushroom omelet, skim milk, three slices of crisp bacon
Lunch: fruit smoothie (1 cup berries, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 cup orange juice, Sugar Twin)
Supper: boiled potatoes, cottage cheese
Snack: chocolate almonds (16), 12 Lay's potato chips, Fresca

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Monday

Breakfast: one chopped tomatoe with salt & pepper,drop of oil, two omelet with two slices of rosemary ham, gouda cheese, skim milk

Lunch: six fancy baby carrots, 2 T Marzetti's dip, ten taco chips (had to do something with that leftover dip!)

Supper: fried fish (cod portions dipped in cornstarch, pan fried in canola with a bit of butter - worked well) with leftover potatoes dauphionoise and 1/3 cup peas 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream

Snack: 8 chocolate covered almonds

My Pennington's order arrived. The dresses were too big, so back they go. The nighties will be nice "at home" wear - I do have a tendency to wear nighties in the day time, so the one with pockets will be especially good, even if it does have a smiley face on the bosom and pawprint polka dots on the sleeves!


Sunday, June 27, 2010

What's for dinner?

Looks like chicken! Potatoes dauphinoise would be nice, and those fancy carrots I bought yesterday. Now the only thing standing between me and the end result, is getting off this chair and getting busy!

Breakfast: two egg omelet, with mushrooms and Gouda cheese, skim milk, and a strawberry smoothie.

Lunch: woops

Supper: chicken, potatoes and carrots

Saturday, June 26, 2010

It isn't even noon....

and I have already placed my clothing order for today! Is there a support group for online shoppers? I needed some white shorts
, and those dresses were so cute....sigh. Two
dresses
and a pair of shorts later, leaves me thinking that I just may be an online shopping addict! OR maybe I am just enjoying myself for the first time in years? There was always something "more important" to buy than clothing, so for years, I had a bare bones wardrobe. It makes me wonder what other women spend on clothing. The old me, went shopping twice or three times a year. I bought everything I needed and most of what I wanted, and that was it. These days? I seem to shop every week...errrr...sometimes every day. Filling a void? Maybe. Sure not the void in my closet thought...time to clean it out again! The husband just smiles and nods when I show him the latest acquisitions, so he is no help in the restraint department at all!

I woke up this morning totally puffy from the Chinese food last night. Too much salt...WAY too much salt!

Breakfast: fruit smoothie: four big frozen strawberries, 1/8 cup of yogurt, 1/2 cup of orange juice.
Lunch: GF perogies with onions and sour cream PLUS a sample piece of goat cheese with blueberries at Costco. Ended up buying some for a dessert one of these days.
Supper: two scallops, baked potato & butter
Snack: Kettle corn from the farmer's market. MMM good!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Happy

to be home again...


I love shopping in Regina! It seems so ironic that I live in a bigger city, but never seem to be able to find anything in the stores here. I think there is more competition for what I want to buy here. For instance? I found a great summer dress for travel, and a couple of nighties that I sorely needed by visiting just one store. Shopping here requires running from one end of the city to the other! Come next wash day, there will be a lot of sad and sorry clothing getting kicked to the curb to make room for the new. It was a great feeling to try on clothing and find that I needed a smaller size. Victory!

I arrived home to find several things that I had ordered, had arrived. There was a great sale on PUR mineral powder, so I now have at least a years supply of the stuff! The purple sundress and navy peasant dress will be good for the treks south this year. I am awaiting the delivery of white patent sandals that will complete the list of "must haves" for summer. Now, if they only fit! When these dresses are too large for "going out", they will make great at home clothes, as they are comfy, comfy, comfy. A bit on the dressy side for floor scrubbing, but hey, Cinderella had her good days too!




We had the most wonderful prime rib at my dear friend's on Monday...it was so good that we returned on Tuesday for the leftovers! I have never, ever had such tasty beef in my life! Enjoyed every single bite of it... And there were plenty of bites. Of course, the side dishes were pretty amazing as well. Lebanese stuffed grape leaves. MMMMMM nummy! A mixed vegetable salad, and mashed potatoes that were like creamy clouds! I could fit in only a bite of dessert - orange sorbet. How could I resist?

Of course, lured into a false sense of security, I proceeded to eat soup at a restaurant and get sick as a dog. After being assured that everything was gluten free. Sometimes I wonder about the people working in kitchens. "Oh, no, there isn't any gluten in the soup...." and then they put crackers on the plate? What do they think crackers contain and why would I want them? I think one of the ingredients of the soup had gluten, and they just didn't clue in to it. Anyway, lesson learned. Sure won't eat at Brewster's again! This is the second time I have been sick from their food. Ah well. Whine, whine, whine!

We are home for a solid three weeks. Can you believe it? It is almost too good to be true! I am planning my meals for next week on Saturday...what a luxury to have all of this time to plan ahead. The cornerstone of my plan, is to use up as much "freezer food" as I can, and to buy fresh things to fill out the menus.

Food today was:

Breakfast: milk, orange juice, two eggs, bacon
Lunch: pork chop, half of a baked potato, small spoon of corn
Supper: Chicken chow mien (the kind with bean sprouts...mmmm good!), chicken and almonds, and beef with broccoli. Yep. Chinese food is my weakness!
Snack: Big Turk Bar

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday

MMMM I love leftovers! Tonight's supper will be so easy to make! I cooked up the whole bag of potatoes, so I will also have some to take with me to Regina for "inroom fine dining". I think for a real treat? I will make Jello to serve with fresh raspberries and whipped cream. I use diet pop instead of cold water, and that always adds a nice fizz to it.

Breakfast: two egg omelet, skim milk
Lunch: baby potatoes, baby carrots with butter
Supper: chicken, potato salad, canned green beans dressed with mustard dressing

Friday

Breakfast: two eggs, three pieces of bacon and skim milk
Lunch: tuna salad with GF crackers
Supper: Tonight I roasted a chicken and stuck cloves of garlic under the skin, and place a quartered onion in the cavity. Rubbed on some "tanning lotion" aka canola oil, and sprinkled on some poultry seasoning. Oh my goodness! It was really, really good! Little potatoes and a tomato salad completed the meal.

Snack: Well, those evil chips my hubby bought are all gone...all the ones I can eat, anyway, so hopefully in the next while the scale will show a drop! But tonight? I had the last two little bags....sigh. Salt is definitely my weakness.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Now exactly where do good intentions lead you?

I had every plan to make chicken for supper, but one thing lead to another, so we ended up having cornflakes for supper! Grocery shopping was time consuming, but I found some nice tiny lettuces and baby cucumbers to make into salads for the next three days. Thursday's meals were:

Breakfast: one egg omelet (ran out of eggs!)skim milk and a half cup of stewed rhubarb.

Lunch: Shared a chili and chips at Wendy's with hubby. MMMM good!

Supper: cornflakes and skim milk

Snackage: two bags of chips and a Fresca

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Everything on my mind but food!

Finally! Our family's schedules came together, and we were able to make arrangements for a fun in the sun vacation together. Two weeks of solid baby time in sunny Mexico the first two weeks of November. I still can't believe it is actually happening! It seems so far away now, yet I know the time will pass in a blink. Obsessing over packing lists does make the time fly!

I was online most of today, scouting out different times and places, so food definitely took a back seat. ANOTHER spinach pizza saved the day. I am beginning to look at Glutino much like kibble for people. I do have a chicken thawing for tomorrow, so the menu will be more exciting, I promise.

Breakfast: GF English muffin, cheese whiz, two poached eggs, skim milk
Lunch: a carrot muffin and a rhubarb muffin, warm from the oven with butter and skim milk
Supper: Glutino Spinach pizza, rhubarb muffin and skim milk
Snack: small bag of Lay's plain chips

I must up the veggies tomorrow to make up for this weeks limited intake!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Something to look forward to....

Another cruise in January! Whoot!

This time it is eleven days, with five days in Florida before we set sail and one more after we disembark. I can hardly wait! But, it does mean tightening our belts around here, since I am sure you have deduced, we aren't known for living off our trust funds! With that in mind, my mission is to save whatever I can, wherever I can. Frugality rules for the next six months. Hmmm that is approximately a month per star! LOL The food budget is always the first place to start, as I do have a tendency to keep far too large an inventory "just in case", and can make do with far less than I buy. Eating down the frig and freezer will be high on my priority list. There should be some pretty interesting menus in the next few months! Of course, there are all the orders that must be placed for clothing...one can not start shopping too soon! If I were to be sensible, the one thing that I do need is a pair of all purpose, really comfortable walking sandals. But a few evening dresses are also on the list. The last event we had to go to, I went to my closet and found far too many of my evening clothes were just too big for me. Some I had never even worn. That hurt, let me tell you, but the pain was soon overcome by the joy of realizing that I have shrunk quite a bit over the last months!

Breakfast: two egg omelet with mushrooms, mango salsa and 25 gms of cheese, skim milk, stewed rhubarb
Lunch: 3 gluten free crackers with butter, sweet mix pickles and more cheese! (2 oz) Oh no!

Supper:Glutino GF spinach pizza....I was too lazy to make supper, and the man can heat a fine frozen pizza!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Who says you can't have dessert at breakfast time?

With duster in hand, I was caught by the internet while tidying my desk! I have been online researching hotels in Ft. Lauderdale for our trip this winter...anyone have recommendations they would like to share? We booked our cruise this morning, and I AM SO EXCITED! When they refer to a cruise as a floating feast? I totally agree. The food was amazing. I hate buffets, and only one time did we find ourselves desperate enough to tackle the huge amount of food spread out. My option that day was fruit and cottage cheese...a winning combo in the tropical heat. I do so much better when I am given a tablecloth, someone else to do the fetching and a limited choice. Quality has always meant more to me than quantity. I like suits and ties - not on me, of course, but I am sure you get what I mean! So, the idea of a freestyle cruise does not appeal to me at all. ANYWAY I found that with a structured meal time, I felt top of my game the whole trip - we did a fair amount of walking in the ports, but this year, I think we will "sit a few out" - while everyone else is out gallavanting, we will have the pool to ourselves. Although a beach experience would work out well....So, for now? Back to reality:

Breakfast: two egg omelet with mushrooms and 20 gms of cheese. Skim milk and coffee with a dish of stewed rhubarb from our garden for 'dessert'.

Lunch: Sigh. Skipped it again. Still not hungry.

Supper: to be determined. Fish and potatoes....mmmmm.....now there is something I can always enjoy! Ended up with a Glutino Spinach pizza with a Fresca.

Snacks: two oranges, crackers, cheese & pickles, little bag of Cheetos AND a big Turk bar. See what happens when you skip meals?

Weekend Update

We had a very quiet weekend for a change. Hubby worked Saturday, and was very happy to stay in when he got home. Saturday's breakfast was two eggs with a toasted GF English muffin, and GF penne and meat sauce for supper, with seasoned little tomatoes.(oregano, salt and pepper, tossed in a bit of oil) Yay leftovers!

Breakfast: 1 serving of oven fries (McCains low fat) & two eggs over easy, three slices of crispy bacon, skim milk
Supper: bison new york strip steak, steamed baby potatoes, sliced carrots. I cooked the carrots with a scant tablespoon of agave syrup, added ginger and a bit of butter before serving. MMMM good!

Snacks: four, yep, four bags of plain Lay's chips - not all at once - over the course of the day. I have to stop doing chips as a meal replacement! Amazingly, I woke up this morning a pound lighter. Up down, up down until the 'down' becomes the 'up' number! Yep. Leapfrog weigh ins! After all the salt and debauchery today, I wonder what the scale will say in the morning?

Friday, June 11, 2010

Wet Friday

Another day of cloudy dismal weather. So, I did my best to keep my eyes open, but eventually? Just had to have a nap. We had company for supper - if not? I wouldn't have bothered to get up at all! As it was, I made supper, then as soon as the company left? I slipped back into my pj's for a nice relaxing veg out in front of the TV!

Breakfast: Blueberry smoothy, scrambled eggs, mango salsa
Lunch: antipasto, three GF crackers, 2 oz of cheddar, Fresca
Supper: Chicken thigh, chicken leg, 1/3 cup of brown Basmati rice, 1/3 cup of cauliflower/red pepper/carrot mix with lemon juice and oil
Strawberries and whipped cream for dessert, two glasses of champagne

Snacks: Big Turk Bar, little bag of Cheetos

This was my day to use my extra points, that is for sure!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Thursday




Well, two of the three dresses I ordered from QVC arrived yesterday. The violet one has a hood. Details on the black one don't show, but there is a banded neckline and trim at the empire waist, with a tie. I was sorry to return a red polo style that was a horrid shade of red, but the two that I did like? Cute, cute, cute! And I don't usually do cute! These will be so easy to toss on during the heat of summer, and as my weight goes down? Will be perfect for wearing around the house. Spurred on by that success, I ordered a couple of peasant dresses this morning, and a pair of Capri's in a size down. It will be difficult to find white Capri's in the fall before going on the cruise in January, and best be prepared. the ones I have now, are comfy and just plain baggy. They fit very well fresh out of the dryer - it is just after I sit down for a minute that they stretch into the "too big" category! Definitely time to buy new ones.

Now, for today's menu:

Breakfast: 1 1/2 egg omelet, 1 strawberry smoothie, three pieces of bacon

Lunch: not on your life! I am stuffed!

Supper: corn pasta, spaghetti sauce, Caesar salad and a Big Turk for dessert.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wet Wednesday

Raining once again. At least I didn't have to jump out of bed to water the flowers! Breakfast: two egg omelet with mozzarella cheese, orange juice
Lunch: guacamole chips
Supper: Glutino cheese pizza with added red peppers
Snack: chocolate almonds

Very cheesey day!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

New Routine


For the last couple of days, I have started my day out with a smoothie. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing for my blood sugars, but it is great for my palate, I can assure you! This morning, I used a full cup of orange juice, a cup of cherries and a strawberry Activia yogurt. Before indulging in this bit of heaven, I tended to my potted plants - thank goodness they came back from the imposed draught I subjected them to! I am happy to see them nice and perky this morning...there was a light rain falling, but I watered them anyway! From now on, I will fall out of bed and tend to them right after I make the bed, and get dressed. Well, sort of dressed, anyway!

Breakfast: Smoothie - 1 cup OJ, 1 cup cherries, 1 Activia yogurt
Lunch: 1.5 oz of Havarti cheese, two Vlasic dill pickles, 3/4 cup of beans
Supper: 1 baked yam, 1 T of butter/salt
Snack: 6 cups of air popped popcorn with 1.5 T of butter, 8 chocolate almonds

Monday, June 7, 2010

Life is good....

Especially after a good night's rest. So bring on the day!

It was always my job to manage the finances in our household...and at some points? There wasn't much to manage. To go through life without nickel and dimeing it, and still be frugal? That takes talent! There is a big difference between being frugal and just plain cheap! I realized early on, that the biggest savings were to be had from cutting the biggest expenses. For instance, car expenses. We could never afford to drive an old car. I know they say that the biggest mistake you make is buying a new car, but I disagree. You pay no matter what, and if you have a new car? You don't have the repairs, or the headaches of fixing an old one. In the end? The universe of transportation is conspiring against you for your income, so my theory was always to give in and pay up front.

There are little economies that we still practice. Auto pilot habits that my mother instilled in me at an early age. A way of life. You have to save on the things that don't matter, to be able to spend on the things that do. A simple philosophy, but one that really has stood the test of time.

Our marriage truly has been one that demonstrates that two can live as cheaply as one. We eat the foods we enjoy, and I have learned that buying food on sale is not necessarily the least expensive way to go. It is difficult to keep up with the refrigerator, and eat everything that you buy, but if you do? The savings per week are astronomical. Bulk buying for two old people can be quite wasteful, if you buy everything at once in bulk, rather than picking and choosing. We can motor through a large box of tomatoes from Costco with no problem, if we take it easy on the other vegetables. It isn't cheap to buy strawberries in February when they are at their top price, but they are just what you need to get you through the dismal months of winter. Sometimes you have to spend a little more for a little less, that will be just enough!


Breakfast: 1 cup of blueberries, 1 Activia blueberry yogurt, 3/4 cup orange juice
Lunch: Glutino Spinach and Feta Personal Pizza (450 cals)& Fresca
Supper: two gluten free crackers, 2 ounces of havarti with dill cheese, two Vlasic pickles, 8 chocolate almonds and a Fresca.
Snack: orange

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Beautiful day!

First thing this morning, I went outside and deadheaded all of my flowers. Nothing like a little carnage in the morning to get you going, is there? I have no idea how you are supposed to tend to hanging baskets, to keep them nice and full...I am clipping back the stems in the hope that will do the trick. But I do have a black thumb, so I hope no one expects too much of me! The irises are in full show in the back corner. Now that is my kinda flower. It just does what it does every year, without any direction from me at all, as do the hostas. When we first moved in, I planted only perennials year, after year. Finally, I discovered why they weren't coming back. Hubby was ripping them up every fall. Now, the ones that made it through the learning curve are doing beautifully!

This morning's breakfast will be a fruit smoothie, which in my kitchen, consists of a cup of frozen berries with a yogurt cup, skim milk and a splash of orange juice. Simple, and a real treat for an early Sunday morning.


6 large strawberries, frozen
3/4 cup orange juice
1 Activia yogurt, strawberry flavoured
sugar twin


Lunch: 17 oven fries, 2 eggs, ketchup, Mozzarella cheese

Snack: two gluten free crackers, 1.5 oz of Havarti cheese, 2 Vlasic pickles

Supper: egg salad on a GF hotdog bun, 9 chocolate covered almonds and a glass of skim milk

Saturday, June 5, 2010

At the crack of dawn...

I was up and getting ready for a little shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart. First order of the day was breakfast. This morning, it was scrambled eggs and mango salsa.
It was a good day to use my points, and use them I did! I bought two of my Chanel perfumes, Allure and Chanel No.5 plus a few other goodies!

It worked out to a grand total of thirty-five dollars for 300 dollars worth of goodies. Plus a bonus gift! Needless to say, I also stocked up a bit on my favourite night cream, bought a new Smashbox eyeliner brush, and a new mascara. Amazing how quickly you can burn through that amount when it isn't real money you are spending! I also found a new cream blush that I have been looking for for ages. Nice neutral pink in a tiny container, which will be easy to travel with. No brush required! Gotta love this lady stuff!

Next? I dropped in on my dear friend for coffee. She, of course, was in the shower. so I commandeered a cuppa java from her hubby and happily waited for her! I loved catching her unawares for a change..she usually catches me in my nightie, but at three in the afternoon! We had a good gab, a second cup of coffee and then I went merrily on my way to the grocery store. Being in a rather frivolous mood, I bought "Big Turk Bites".
Now, whoever thought of this concept, deserves a prize of some sort! A bag of little bars that are so fresh and tasty that you have to have more than one, but it works out to less calories than a whole bar would be. So, lunch today? You guessed it! Five Big Turk Bites. (120 calories) No. Make that ten. I just got hungry thinking about them! Yes. Chocolate is a meal replacement!

Supper: GF perogies, onion, sour cream and European wieners. Oh. I did it again. But it was soooooooooooooo good! One plate of this goodness was 900 calories. I didn't realize that the perogies were "priced" by the ounce, not the actual perogie. When I did the math, I am sure the scream was heard around the world. I do have points left over for the week though, so no harm done. It will be interesting to see what the scales say in the morning.