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.