Fallen off the wagon and now its time to get back on....

I have not worked out in about 2 months ugh - hard to believe that much time has gone by but it has and today I attempted to get back at the gym - got 15 minutes on the treadmill but my nephew stopped in for a chat so that was the end of my workout lol.

but to day I got an invitation from a exercise guy on youtube and so I checked it out and looks like he has some great exercises that I am going to now incorporate back into my exercise routine. I am hoping to be at least 30 lbs lighter by the end of the year. That is my goal. It won't be all of what i need to lose but at least it will be a start. I am feeling, at the moment, excited about getting myself back into shape. I kinda lost my motivation there for a bit but am hoping to get back on track again. If I can reach my 30lb goal for the end of this year I will rejoin the gym again and keep going. So if you want please send me as much encouragement and motivation you can muster to help me reach my goals.
Here is one of the video's from energyfactor which is the guy on youtube.

its been awhile

Okay I haven't felt much like blogging lately but not sure if anyone actually reads them anyway so then ya have to wonder why on earth am I writing into the great beyond anyway? I'll just say I felt like chatting and had no one to chat with - sure that works for me.

Today started out so beautifully too, the sun was out and it was warming up beautifully. the leaves are sprouting on the trees and it just feels like maybe just maybe we are possibly done with winter. I won't say for sure cause after all this is Canada and anything can happen here weather wise.

Had a nice visit with my mom this morning even if it was short as I had to workout with my sister at the gym. Got a nice workout in too. Worked on the treadmill for 13 minutes and then did some resistance band workout for the arms and then right into the abs and then we ran out of time.

I am now having to keep track of everything I am doing as I joined a free 12 week weight loss action plan through the Heart and Stroke Foundation. If you are interested you can check it out for yourself here
I just started myself so it will be interesting to remember to keep tract of all my exercise (well that part won't be hard lol), water intake and food intake and then I will have to submit for feedback from them that will help me successfully meet my weight loss goals. I just have to remember to fill it all out hahahaha.

I am hoping to actually lose some weight this time around as I have not been losing any weight since the first month of starting my workouts. So frustrating so I know that I have to be doing something wrong. This month I am hoping to workout more and really pay attention to what I am consuming so that I can lose a bit more weight before the summer assembly. My goal was to be a size 12 - not sure if I will make that goal by next month but I certainly want to be more determined to do so.

Any encouragement and tips would be greatly appreciated.

Tried a new recipe

Last night I tried a new recipe but changed it up a little. As you all know when I look for recipes I am trying to find healthier choices but still lots of flavor. I really was not sure how this recipe was going to turn out as it seemed a little drier when mixing it up.

As I said I changed a few things up. Instead of white flour I used whole wheat and instead of canola oil (which from doing some research does not sound like a healthier alternative) I used

a light tasting olive oil and unfortunately I had too use two full eggs as I did not want to waste my whole egg since I did not have just egg whites.

We just sampled the bread a few minutes ago and it was delicious and you could smell and taste the banana's and the bread was very light tasting. So I give this recipe 2 thumbs up.

Weight Watchers Oatmeal Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour)
- 1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp table salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 3 tsp canola oil (I used light tasting olive oil)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 medium egg whites, beaten
- 3 large bananas, ripe
- 1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add oil and eggs; mix thoroughly.
In a smaller bowl, mash bananas with a potato masher or fork. Add bananas and oatmeal to batter.
Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and bake until top of loaf is firm to touch, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Flip out and cool on a wire rack for another 10 minutes. Slice loaf into 10 equally sized slices.

Serving size is 1 slice
Each serving = 4 Weight Watchers Points

I also changed up another recipe as one of my boys asked me to make chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. I have included the link below.

With this recipe I once again changed the flour to whole wheat and for the oil instead of vegetable oil I used olive oil.

Now I know olive oil is a higher fat but its a better fat then your vegetable, canola or any other oil. If you are not sure do some research you will see time an again that olive oil is the most recommended oil as one of your better oils to use.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip-Muffins/Detail.aspx

So the white stuff returns

We knew it was eventually going to happen but after losing the snow and having gorgeous spring like weather its like being slapped in the face to wake up to the white stuff covering the entire ground.

Okay last week was not spring like as it was still very cold but the sun was out but there was no snow on the ground despite how cold it was. The spiteful weatherman kept telling us that the snow was coming but for some reason we managed to not get it until now..............

Yesterday there was a dusting of snow on the ground but at least it had the common decency to melt by the afternoon. This stuff could possibly be here on the ground until it warms up on Tuesday providing the weather does not change once again.

I do not particularly believe the weatherman - but I do head over to the weather network to see what possibly could be our weather. The weatherman likes to play with your hopes for better weather. You listen to the report then you make plans to enjoy a great day outside and then the next day the weatherman changes his mind. I'm sure he is in his back corner behind his green screen laughing at us fools for getting our hopes up that better weather is on its way.

Next week his report is that by the weekend we should have +20 weather. I am not getting my hopes up - I will wait to see what Friday brings and go from there. I do hope though I can get in some half decent walking days in - I have some weight too lose before June. If only the weatherman would just cooperate I could have been out all last week. But Jack frost was out nipping at noses for any who ventured outside.

If summer actually comes this year I will be a very happy camper. It was winter up until May 31st and we had 2 weeks of warm summer weather in June and then another 2 weeks of warm weather in August the rest of that was cold and raining. I think we all deserve a better summer this year. If not I'm firing the weatherman......................................

You're never too old to learn how to drive.....

I remember when I was younger I used to say to myself I will never be as bad as my mom in getting my license. I was right - I would be worse. My mom got hers when she was 28 years old. Mind you I do not have my full license yet but my G1 (learners permit) however I am going on 39 years old. You would think though as you get older you would be a little more confident in yourself and your abilities after all I am older and wiser right? Never mind don't answer that. Unfortunately it does not work that way. Waiting until you are much older to get your drivers license you sadly lose your confidence, and you tend to be a little bit more nervous. I've discovered I hate sharp bends in the road and I don't like stretch of road by the mall in NL. I will probably hate driving in NL as well but I haven't attempted that yet.

On the day of my writing my exam there was an accident - some guy coming out of one of the businesses along that stretch ran into a truck that was stopped to make his turn into one of the businesses. The car front end was all smashed in and the truck took some damage too. But this is not something you want to see when you finally decide its time to get your drivers license. its like the day I got married. I was married at the court house and had to watch some guy get taken away in hand cuffs. Who wants that memory for their wedding day, or car accident when you first get your license. It certainly is not a confidence booster if you ask me.

Today I drove all the way to NL and drove only as far as McDonald's and made my hubby take over from there. I didn't want to drive over to Tim Horton's - I want to get a little more driving experience in before trying to get used to all those turn offs into the businesses. I know you are probably thinking I'm a wimp. That's okay I would rather be comfortable then a nervous driver causing an accident. And I have to get used to checking my mirrors and blind spots when making lane changes.

I love cruise control - it helps me keep my speed under 100 lol. I know my hubby is not used to driving slower lol but I refuse to get demerit points on my beginners lol. But I am enjoying driving more now. I didn't like it much my first day and was very unsure of myself. But I know with more driving and experience hubby and I will be fighting over who gets to drive. Right now I get it cause I have to learn lol. I am thankful that my hubby is patient. So far he has only told me I need more practice with lane changes - but where we live we don't have that to worry about lol so today was my first time really doing it. I know in time I will get used to that as well.

I just hope when it comes to my G2 I will be confident enough to pass. Tests make me nervous lol.

Trying a new peanut butter cookie recipe

These are still too high in fat for my liking but I was looking for a peanut butter recipe that used whole wheat and I found this one that uses whole wheat flour and rolled oats so I thought i would give it a try. It won't have the nice rounded look of the peanut butter original cookies as these are a drop cookie instead of a rolled cookie. But still flattened with a fork. Cookies are just in the oven now so taste testing won't happen until after they have cooled off and by that time I will probably already be at the gym doing my workout lol.

Okay here is the recipe

http://www.recipezaar.com/Whole-Wheat-Peanut-Butter-Oatmeal-Cookies-130829

click on link to print out the recipe and check the calorie count.

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

SERVES 12 , 2 dozen (change servings and units)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bow combine the softened margarine and peanut butter.

2. 2

   I measure the peanut butter by packing it tightly into a metal measuring cup.

3. 3

   Then I scrape it out with my fingers.

4. 4

   Add the sugar or Sucanat and the egg to the bowl.

5. 5

   Mix it up really good until it is smooth, fluffy and glossy.

6. 6

   I do this with a wire whisk.

7. 7

   You could use a big spoon if you prefer.

8. 8

   Add the vanilla and stir it in a little.

9. 9

   Add the salt, baking soda, oatmeal, and flour.

10. 10

    Stir it all up really well.

11. 11

    You need a spoon to stir in the dry ingredients.

12. 12

    A whisk just won't work for this part because the batter is so thick.

13. 13

    Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

14. 14

    These cookies don't spread very well so flatten the cookies with a fork or the flat bottom of a cup which has been dipped into flour.

15. 15

    Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

16. 16

    Half a cup of chocolate chips may be added to the batter if desired.

Trying a new Muffin -

I haven't been able to taste test these first as they are just in the oven now. But this is the new recipe I have decided to try. Instead of canola oil I used vegetable oil as that is all I have on hand. But I am still very leery of using canola oil because of where it comes from. Though pushed as a healthier choice it is still has other fats in it to consider. My goal is to find an olive oil that does not leave a funny taste in baking.

Anyway I wanted an oatmeal muffin this time instead of a bran muffin so here is my recipe choice of the day.

These muffins are made moist with a hearty dose of applesauce, fresh blueberries and a splash of oil. They’re made with whole wheat flour and packed with rolled oats too. They’re low fat, whole grain breakfast bombs that will keep you full well into lunch. And the kicker!? They freeze well, so you can grab a frozen muffin as you rush out the door to work and pop it in the microwave for warm muffin perfection.

Low Fat Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins

makes 12-15 muffins

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

reheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray. I didn’t use muffins papers, I just greased and floured the muffin pan.

In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake for 16-18 minutes.

oh yummy......

I am always looking for healthier baking choices in deserts for my family. I try to find higher fiber and less fat whenever possible. Today I found the perfect muffin recipe. It is one of the lightest muffins I think I have ever had. And you weight watcher counters will love this recipe. From the reviews I have discovered that this muffin would count as just 1 point instead of 3 points for the suggested store bought muffin. People have also shared their variations of what they changed in the recipe. However I found the recipe perfect the way it was. However this time I made a change and used all whole wheat flour instead of half ww and half wf.

Okay I know you are wanting to know what is the recipe - stop typing and share it already. Okay here you go. its from allrecipes.com - I took them over to my mom's for taste testing and she and my brother liked them very much. My brother is a snacker by nature and he gave his approval and wanted the recipe. So that is a good sign. So even junk food people may find these delicious.

What I love is there is no butter or oil - it uses applesauce and non fat milk. You would never know the fat source is missing. I give this recipe a two thumbs up and will continue to use them. Oh my youngest sister who is working out with me at the gym also enjoyed the muffins as well. Even took another with her for a snack at work. So go ahead and try the recipe.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Low-Fat-Blueberry-Bran-Muffins/Detail.aspx

Low-Fat Blueberry Bran Muffins

Prep Time:
15 Min

Cook Time:
20 Min

Ready In:
35 Min

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups wheat bran
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup blueberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or use paper muffin liners. Mix together wheat bran and milk, and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat in bran mixture. Sift together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir into bran mixture until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into muffin cups.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 123 | Total Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 18mg

sweatin it off

See this face - this is after doing a 10 minute trainer program that allows you to get the most out of your workout in just 10 minutes. Okay don't mean to sound like an infomercial lol but I just can't help myself.

I did the lower body workout and when I walked down the stairs to speak to my hubby my legs felt like jello..... I had to concentrate to keep myself from allowing my legs to give into how weak they felt lol.

Oh and as you see you sweat. Tony Horton makes sure that you sweat in the least amount of time. I love the workout and if I feel energetic enough I can do it again later in the day. It's perfect.

Glad to see the snow has slowed down again. I just finished shoveling out the front walk - it was just cleared out last night but you would never know it after the snow and blowing snow filled it all back in again. My two bottom steps disappeared under the snow. And just as I finish getting it cleared the snow really starts coming down. Its kinda like after wash your car it rains kinda thing lol. Thankfully for the moment its just lightly falling now lol.

In a couple hours I go to get my hair cut. Its my treat after two months of working out at the gym. Unfortunately we haven't been able to workout every day like we had hoped but we keep going as much as we can. I know there is times where I could go by myself but I like the challenge of working beside my sister. We keep each other going - its not competing against each other but we certainly do push ourselves when we work together. My goal is to be size 12 by this June. If I am smaller then that great - but if I reach that goal then I will be so proud of myself. Its a goal I plan on reaching. I see it in front of me. I need to get a size 12 outfit to get into to make sure I keep it in front of me as well. Oh there will be some celebrating if I reach it lol.

Okay now I must jump in the shower and get ready for my appointment. Hope everyone is having a great day wherever you are.

Back from the gym and I am so happy to report....

As some of you may know I have joined the gym a month ago. We have gone every week even if we have not been able to work out every day. I have missed a whole week due to babysitting and missed a day or two here and there due to migraines or deaths in the family. So I really didn't think I had lost any weight. despite that fact that my hubby said he believed I did and my dear son said it looked like I had the other day. I thought they were just nice as I didn't feel there was any difference. However I am still just as determined to continue on cause I know one day there will be a difference.

Today my sister and I took our 2nd month photo. We took one when we first started and now again one month later. And this is where I am a little excited.......

I know our outfits are not completely the same but I am wearing the same shirt as I was in the first picture and my sister is wearing the same pants. Can you spot the difference. If you need to see the picture bigger just click on the image and it will open up larger.

I know when I put on my shirt today that it did not feel as tight. But I was not going to get excited. However when I put the two pictures up beside one another I got excited. There has been some weight loss.

In one month there has been progress and I am so excited about it that I just had to blog it. I was so excited that I haven't even jumped in the shower lol. Still sitting here in my sweaty gym cloths lol, not that you wanted to hear that lol. I can't wait to see our picture again in one months time. I was just so excited that I had to share our first months progress with you all.

Update

Its been a week since I have taken the time to post but things have been crazy around here the last little while.

Sadly on the 4th of this month my hubby's sister Diane passed away only one month after their sister Wendy had passed away. Diane's was a shock as we didn't even know she was unwell. She suffered from colon cancer and we didn't find out until last Saturday when my hubby and his other sister were at the hospital and happened to run into their sister there. It was such a sad situation that I can't even put it into words. I am so thankful for the truth and the promises we have of the resurrection. If Diane and Wendy are resurrected they will be reunited with their parents whom also have passed away in 1991(Jeannette), and 2001(Ronald). And all will get a chance to see the world the way God meant it to be when he first created man in paradise conditions. What a grand hope we have to look forward too. Revelation 21:4

Now onto a complete change of subject. I want to thank the sisters of our crochet group who have been so patient in teaching me how to crochet. Our first lesson a wash cloth and towel set. The pattern also came with a soap pouch but it was a little more intricate so we just stuck with the two. Here is the link to the bath set if interested.

This is my results from the pattern. this is the wash cloth. I had started out with the variegated cloth first but messed up and could not tell why so went with the solid colour and well did the same thing and thankfully to the careful eyes of my crochet friends they caught my mistake. It was frustrating at first cause I could not figure out what I was doing wrong but soon I caught my mistakes and found out I was crocheting into the same dc stitch as the one I had already crocheted into. So now i can catch my mistakes for that pattern lol. Now I am onto the towel. So far I just have the four squares crocheted and have another four to go before I can continue on with the pattern. I am really enjoying learning this finally. I have been wanting to crochet for years but just could not wrap my mind around it. Finally with the help of my dear crocheting friends I am finally able to grasp the concept. Knitting came much more easily to me then crocheting did lol.

Well its now 1:30 pm and I still have not gotten my assignment done for my talk in week and a half. So I must stop procrastinating and get at it. Its for the week of the 15th - now you will know why I am procrastinating lol.

Weekend is here

I think today was the best workout we had all week. I added a new ab workout to our routine today which I posted on facebook. I think its called Sexy abs. I think it will be something I will do not just at the gym but here at home too. I know eventually my body will get used to that movement and I will have to change it up again but right now even though I need to evenly get my body toned I really want to work on my abs and belly as I have allowed the stomach wall to go lax and I need to get that strengthened up. My goal is certainly to have a stronger flatter core by summer assembly which is in June. A much smaller dress size would be absolutely amazing too. Which means I will have to get a goal outfit to be in.

Today my sister and I did 1 round on the circuit and then went right into abs - doing the sexy ab workout, and a few others as well and ended off with a workout on the treadmill for me at a fast pace and Becky on the elliptical. The best feeling of today's workout is that I feel a lot of the stress I was feeling released. I think emotional baggage is just as damaging as the fat we allow to creep up on our bodies. So with that released I feel more myself again.

Okay with that said I need to get myself moving. I did a few more ab workouts mixed with some from Niki's site. And now I am going to give my body a break. A nice hot shower should do the trick.

Hope you all have a great weekend wherever you are in the world.

Thursday's Ramblings

Started out very tired and sluggish this morning as I didn't have a good sleep last night. Too much weighing on my mind to completely relax. Tried listening to the yearbook last night to give me good thoughts before bed but soon as I turned it off it took me a bit to get truly rested. Which only lasted til 5 AM when my hubby started the wood stove up. I could hear the wood snapping and crackling and I thought something was on fire. So I climbed back in bed and slept til I heard my hubby yell up the stairs to get my son moving as they were going to be late for school. I sat straight up and in bed and knew today I had another date with a migraine. Which reminds me a dear sister made me an eye pillow. I must get it and see if it will help reduce the pain in my head right now.

I was hoping my workout at the gym would reduce some of the strain I have been feeling but sadly my date continue's with my headache. And now my children are home and well they are boys so you know there is no such thing as being quiet. The only time I can expect complete silence is when they are sleeping. Right now I can hear the boys arguing downstairs, but on a positive note at least it lets me know I still have my hearing lol. Time to put my headphones on and try and drown out the boys. I will let hubby deal with it lol.

I had received a nice forward from a brother and thought I would share it as I thought despite some of the things we complain about we can actually find a positive note in it all. I thought if we actually thought of life in this manner then we really could reduce some of the stress we allow ourselves to carry. You may have received this forward before but always worth a second read.

I am Thankful :

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME AT THE KINGDOM HALL
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.


FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.


FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.


AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.


SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT . I JUST DID.


Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!