I ate some fish and I liked it....

First things first though. I bought a new car...

I love it! It drives like a dream and is so easy to maneuver. It is awesome. :)

Friday night Ross and I stayed in a fancy hotel in the city. It was awesome. We got the Deluxe Spa Suite. The weird thing though...

Yep, the spa was in the main room... LOL A bit weird but it was fun. It was only the 2 of us after all. :)

For dinner we decided to take the plunge and order a fish dish. We couldn't decide between the Atlantic Salmon and the barramundi..

So we ordered both and shared. :) And Oh. My. God! They were absolutely divine! We have been missing out! LOL Seriously, some of the best fish ever. So soft and succulent. And the good news is, neither one of us felt sick afterwards.

Of course, we had dessert as well.

Pecan pie for me and lemon cheesecake for Ross. This we didn't share because I don't like cheesecake. :)

I have spent today taking photos to turn into Xmas cards. I got a couple that turned out well. It was a really fun morning taking all the shots. I have just finished editing and will head down to drop them at the camera shop to get printed shortly. Will have them on the FB page by the end of the week for anyone interested.

Nothing more to report. Happy Sunday everyone!

xox

Update

Sorry I have not been around a lot, this week has been dominated by Study. This is my boy Starr. He has made a little burrow for himself in the bushes along the side of the driveway.

Last night, after a looooong day of study, we went to a Solstice party up in the Hills. It was a great night. I made cheese-less mini-quiches to take.

They ended up as cheese-less by accident, I forgot to add the cheese to the mix. But they still tasted pretty good.

The party was awesome. Great people, great conversations, lots of laughs. It was a huge amount of fun.

Today was a bit of a lazy day. I submitted my first assignment this morning which was a great relief. Now I just have to wait for it to be marked. I did a bit more study, unpacked some more boxes from our storage shed, then sat down and watched Friends DVDs.

Ross got home from Archery and decided we were off to the beach for Veggie Burgers for dinner.

Yum!

xox

Sewing, Food, and Stuff

That is Kimba. No particular reason, just that she looks gorgeous in this pic. :)

Yesterday morning I was wondering what to do with my free day. So many options.  I decided to clear my study desk off...

And turn it into my sewing table. :)

I spent the morning sewing with Friends DVD's playing on the laptop next me. I managed to get the blocks for another quilt for me and Ross finished. I just need to buy the fabric for the sashings now, so that will be next month before it is finished. Then I will have 2 tops finished and just need to quilt them. I am hoping they will be done before the end of winter as they are for snuggling on the couch, but there is a pretty big time factor involved, and with my studies I am not sure if they will be done to use this year.

I also got some filler blocks done for a group quilt I am putting together. This is going to be for a gift, so I will not be able to post any pics until it has been given and received. :)

I spent the rest of the afternoon doing exactly what I had planned. Absolutely nothing. :) It was awesome.

This morning we decided to have pancakes for breakfast. I cheated and used this.

Only because we still had it in the cupboard. Although this says "No Artificial Flavours or Colours" on the container, it does have preservatives including an anti-caking agent (which is nasty stuff) so I will not be buying it again. From now on pancakes will need to be made from scratch.

I was planning on having it them with Maple Syrup, but it had gone off, so I had some lovely organic honey instead.

Yummmmmooooooo. Now I am waiting for Mum to come over to teach me how to make my own bread. I can not wait!

xox

Some Interesting Developments....

I am now nearly to 100 hours since my last hit of caffeine. On Monday morning the headaches were so bad I thought I would die. I caught the bus to work and spent the entire trip focusing my Reiki energy onto my head and the parts of me that needed help. By 9.15 the headache was gone.

Yesterday I was a bit headachey, and due to an excessively bad day at work really really wanted some Coke. But I didn't.

Today I have no headaches, but am tired and really really thirsty. The anxiety has started as well. The good news is that this time I was ready for it so am not freaked out by it. I can mange it and in time it will go away.

So for the last week or so I have been paying attention to what I have been eating. To the taste, the scent, the texture, and most importantly how my body feels during and after eating. I have discovered some interesting things. Some foods I thought I loved, I don't actually like the taste of. It is the texture that I enjoy. Some foods I thought sat well inside my stomach, do not. Some foods I thought I reacted to, I don't when eaten alone.

This is a really interesting time for me. Especially discovering that I do not actually like the taste of hot chips. It is the texture. So I need to focus on finding something with a similar texture (and none of the fat). I also do not like how I feel after eating them (especially the gas - I owe my Chiropractor an apology for last nights smells...) LOL

On other news I may not have mentioned, on the weekend I became attuned to Reiki level 2. I am now a qualified Reiki practitioner. It takes 21 days for the energies to settle then I can start actually doing this properly. The interesting thing is that on Day 21 I will be in the middle of a weekend spiritual retreat. I am expecting this to be a very powerful day for me (it is also my sister birthday although I am not sure of that will have any impact).

The spiritual retreat is something I have always wanted to do. This one came up only a week ago and I jumped at the chance to participate.

Lastly, in a week and a half I will be starting back in the world of study. I have been accepted into the Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. I am really looking forward to it. but also nervous abut studying again and the amount of time commitment it will be. But I really want this so I will make it work.

xox

Thinking About Eating

An any of you who have read this for long enough know, I struggle with my weight. Constantly. It seems to be never ending.

Several years ago I lost quite a lot of weight by calorie counting. But it took over my life and I literally fell apart. I have since gained back quite a lot of that weight.

Despite the fact that I know calorie counting and food restrictions work, it is too easy to lose sight of the rest of your life as you become rolled up in and obsessed with food, breaking it down into calories and nutrients and micro-nutrients. It can be all-consuming.

I have tried many times to get back on the calorie counting bandwagon with little success in the last couple of years. Unfortunately it messes my head up.

I have been reading an amazing blog lately called Sassying It Up. Sassy is all about intuitive eating. I have read about this before. I have the books, but I could never really get my head around it. Until this blog. She makes it a bit more simple (for confuzzled people like me).

I am over wanting to lose weight. I just don't care about the appearance factor anymore. I am who I am. But I do want to be healthy. And while I am reasonably healthy now (although not being able to exercise for the last 6 months has severely dented that) I need to be healthier. I am fast approaching 40 and as I want to live to see 80, I need to look after this body that I have.

So I have decided to experiment. I think it will take me a while to get it right, but so far I have been going okay. On the weekend I had a massive chocolate craving. So I bought some Haighs Peppermint Dark Chocolate Frogs. Normally a chocolate craving would see me devour a block of Cadbury.  But one dark, good quality frog, slowly sucked, satisfied my craving. And didn't kill me and far as fat and sugar consumption go.

When I am hungry, rather than reaching for the junk I am trying listen to my body and not my head. My head is the part telling me to grab the junk food. Usually my body is saying carbs, or protein, or veggies. If I listen to my body and make decisions that way, I will be getting what I need, not what I think I want.

This morning I wanted McDonalds Hash Browns and Bacon & Egg McMuffin (hold the bacon). Before driving into the drive through I tried to really listen to my body. It wanted carbs and fibre. I gave it oats. But, I also bought english muffins, cheese and eggs, and made my own Egg & Cheese Muffins for lunch. All cravings satisfied, I can now get through my afternoon without thinking about the foods I "think" I am missing out on.

I have no idea how this will go but I am willing to give it a try.

xox

Happy Birthday to me...

Yes, I am 38 today. :o)

I have had an awesome day, and been spoiled rotten with books and handbags, 2 of my favourite things! LOL

We went to lunch at Bliss Organic Cafe with our Mums. It is an organic vegan cafe. And the food is absolutely sensational!

Ross and I got a tofu burger and a vegan BLT that we shared. And I got a raw chocolate and fresh mint milkshake that was sooooo yummy and thick!

Tonight Em is coming over and we are having a quiet one to finish 2010.

Lots if exciting things planned for the next 18 months or so, and all will be revealed soon.

I hope everyone has an AMAZING New Year celebration and my wish for you all for 2011 is that you find and achieve your hearts desire.

xox

PS - I finished my Mug Rugs finally!

:)

Junk Food

Quote of the Day

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
            -- Frank Scully

My house is currently filled with junk food. There was so much leftover food from Saturday night it is ridiculous. A lot of it is stuff I don't like or am not overly fussed about, but some of it is stuff I LOVE....  Ross and my MIL are under strict instructions to eat that stuff asap.  I don't want it anywhere near me.  Last night I got stuck into the Smarties...  Oh how I love Smarties...

I have asked them to eat certain things today or else hide whatever is left and to tell me they ate it.  I just don't want to know.  I am doing so well with my food at work.  But I get home and it all falls to hell in a hand basket...  Not good.

However I am back on the bike this week and loving it.  My butt is sore though.  My Achilles was holding up really well, but this morning I stopped suddenly and put my foot down hard and now it is swollen. I don't have an ice pack at work (need to fix that) so have taken some anti-inflammatories and hopefully it settles down.  I actually hate taking them. but I know that they do help.

If it is feeling okay tonight I am going to try a Body Balance class. I have wanted to do Yoga for ages, but I am assured that this is better for a beginner, so I am going to give it a go.  I'll let you know how it goes.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 22

Today I am grateful for good advice. I love that other peoples knowledge and wisdom can have a positive effect on anothers life.

xox

Holidays: Day 13: The remainder of the day

I had to do another small post because yesterday afternoon was so much fun!  I went to my friends Emma's house for a massage.  Now, Emma and I have only been friends for under a year, but we have become quite close.  However in all that time I never realised what a complete sadist she is! LOL  She LOVES to inflict pain.  And she is GOOD at it!  LOL  I had several quite large muscle knots (that have probably been forming since my last massage about 2.5 years ago).  And she poked and prodded and jabbed and rubbed until tears ran down my face...

The good news - today I feel fantastic!  Thanks Em.

After the torture session we wandered down to Chinatown for some dinner.  I had Salt & Pepper Tofu.  It was sensational!  I have eaten so much good food lately.

Then we went back to her place while I waited for Ross to come and get me.  The result of sitting around chatting - a water fight in her kitchen!  I have not laughed so hard in AGES!  It was quite simply - awesome.  Of course, I left before the clean up - sorry Em - NOT! LOL

From there I went to watch Ross's Bowling league.  He didn't have a good night, but his team still managed to scrape in for the win.

xox

Holidays: Days 12 & 13: Hahndorf

Firstly I would like to say a huge than you to everyone for their positive comments yesterday.  I was really scared to put that all out there, but your love and support made me so glad I did.  :o)

Now, yesterday we headed to Hahndorf for the day and to stay the night.  We got there before we could check into the Motel and spent several hours wandering up and down Main Street.  There are so many interesting shops along the way it is easy to spend a day.

We stopped at a little place called Herbees for lunch.  I got the Swiss Brown Mushroom Burger,

And Ross got the Veggie baguette.

We split them in half and shared.  They were both great, but I have to say the burger was the best.  It was absolutely divine.

The Motel was small but lovely.  Only a handful of rooms, and they were small.  But they were clean, had a bed, a working kettle, and a bathroom.  What more do you need! LOL

Last night we went to the Bridgewater Inn for our Paranormal Group monthly catch up.  We missed last month so it was great to see everyone again.  The food was fantastic, but I forgot to take photos.  I had a Pumpkin Gnocchi that seriously melted in your mouth.  It was amazing.  It was well after midnight before we left, and it was nice only having a 10 minute drive to get home.

This morning we had breakfast in Hahndorf before heading home.

I got Belgian Waffles

OMG - They were so GOOD!

This afternoon I am heading over to Em's for a long overdue massage.  Then I am off to watch Ross bowl again tonight.

xox

Food and Gardening

Sunday morning saw us all troop down to the local Farmers Market.  It was an absolutely glorious day.  I even took my jacket off while we were there and walked around in a T shirt!  Spring must be on its way!  I forgot to take my camera which I am regretting because the colours and sights (as well as the amazing smells) were phenomenal.  We stocked up on some amazing in season veggies.  Bought some honey and fresh bread.  And finished the morning with a Bush Tucker ice cream.  This ice cream is to die for.  If you're ever in Adelaide and get the chance to try it, I highly recommend it.

From the Farmers Marker we went to Bunnings to get a few extra things for our gardening adventures.  Gardening lasted all afternoon.

This is what we started with

We started by scooping the top layer with the grass off

We then filtered this dirt getting as much of the grass and roots out as possible so we could reuse as much as possible.  The dirt is amazing rich and filled with lovely juicy worms which is sensational.

We had help from the Overseer of Operations

And our Site Supervisor

It took a few hours but finally the patch was ready

You can't see it yet but we have planted Snow peas, Dwarf Peas, Carrots, Bok Choy, Silverbeet, and in the tubs are mixed lettuces.  We also planted strawberries, but they are out the back.

We were amazingly lucky to have such a brilliant day for it.  The sun shone all day.  Half the street were out working in their gardens with their dogs running around.  It was a really fantastic day.  Half the patch is still empty and we are going to put in capsicums, zucchinis and pumpkin in the next month or so.  We also have a second tub ready for more lettuce.  We are going to sow it 4 weeks apart so we have a longer crop of it.  Honestly, we don't know a huge amount about gardening, but we will learn.

After gardening I went inside and made a big pot of green veg soup for tonights dinner (I always prefer soup the second day) using the most amazing fresh veg from the market.  When the soup was dine I worked on last nights dinner.

It started with Spinach pasta.  I got this from the Central Market.  Completely organic and home made.  

I served the pasta with garlic butter.  We also had mixed lettuce with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing.

And a dark crusty rye bread from the Farmers Market

It was delicious.  

This morning I find myself in agony.  Not only is my foot (again, I am sure it is the tendon next to the Achilles that is the problem) killing me, but 4 hours of gardening have taken their toll on my legs and walking is painful! LOL.

No Daily Tarot today as I forgot my cards.  I'l bring them tomorrow.

xox

Anniversary Dinner

Thanks for the offers of being my running buddy.  I only wish at least one of you lived in SA!  LOL  I will find someone, I am sure of it.  It will just take some time.

Last night Ross & I went out for our 3rd Wedding Anniversary.  We went to Cafe Mondiali on Unley Road.  They had an awesome vegetarian selection.  Ross had a vegetarian Calzone and I had Fettuccine with vegetables in napoli sauce.  I wish I had taken my camera because the desserts were to die for.  We had gelati desserts.  Min had peppermint gelati, surrounding with a thick layer of chocolate gelati, then rolled in chocolate and mint chips.  It was devine.

However we got some bad news when we got home.  One of Di's (MIL) oldest friends passed away last night.  He had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and never regained consciousness.  Unfortunately he is over in country Victoria so at this point Di can't go tot he funeral because Grandad's paperwork won't be through by then to get him into respite.  Ross and I are going to talk to our bosses and see if we can each get a day and half off so that she can take 3 days and go over there.  I am not sure if we will be able to swing it, but I hope we can.

This weekend will include a bike ride, a run, and my first book Club Meeting.  As well as some writing hopefully.  Plus I have an order for 120 of my cards, and as long as the last of the supplies arrive today I will also be making them.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xox

Sprints and Eating

Last night I did sprints for the first time, and can I just say...

OUCH!!!!!

Everything hurts!

I only did 3 sprints, 30 seconds, 24 seconds, and 23 seconds.  But I truly did sprint.  I went as hard and as fast as I possibly could.  I also ran up the tram bridge at a pace slightly faster than my normal shuffle and made it about 3/4 of the way up.

By bed time last night I could barely move.  Getting up to go to the toilet in the night felt like an endurance event.  And riding to work this morning... Well, let's just say I am surprised I am here!  I can not believe how much pain I am in.  I have pain in muscles I did not know existed.  Let's just hope it settles down in the next 34 hours or so as I have my first running group tomorrow night and I would like to be able to move at least a little bit.

I am still thinking about food a lot, trying to work things out.  I know that the best way for my running speed to improve is to start dropping weight.  The less I weigh, the less I have to lug around with me, and the easier it will be to move.  I know this.  But I just can't get my head around calorie counting again.  I will NOT do a fad diet or a shake type diet.  I know that I need to make better food choices.  Last night I realised that I am fine at home.  We bought chocolate on Saturday, and most of it is still there.  Last night I felt like a bit, so I broke off a couple of rows, savoured it, and I was done.  I guess that means that my old way of eating-everything-in-the-house-just-because-it-is-there has gone.  Finally.  I no longer have to eat everything that is there, I can put it aside once I am satisfied.

At home that is.

At work I still go nuts.  And I am sure it is related to my boredom levels and my personal satisfaction level.  At home things are fine.  I am usually busy with something, we all get along great, the cats are there, life is good.  At work I am bored, I don't like what I do, I am often dealing with crappy customers/agents/banks etc.  And I deal with this in the old way - with food.

I haven't worked out how I am going to get through this, but I do believe that if I can break through this work hurdle, I may be on my way to having a somewhat normal relationship with food, which will hopefully translate into lower weight.  I'll keep on mulling it over.

Daily Goals
1)  Drinks lots of water
2)  Get up from my desk and walk around as much as possible to loosen the muscles
3)  Make good food choices
4)  Try to get through my whole To-Do List
5)  Relax tonight and take some time out.

xox

PS - Mel, I would LOVE to do Tri Pink but there isn't one in Adelaide yet.  Last years was cancelled due to issues with the venue, and when I emailed them a couple of weeks ago they said they were "getting close" to securing a new venue.  Hopefully they will be here next year and then I am IN!

Thinking About Food

Last night was our first Cooking Class for this course which is the Gourmet Vegetarian class.  As with the last one we did, week 1 was a demonstration and information night.  Natalie made Parsnip Soup (which I plan on making tomorrow night), a Ricotta Flan with honey roasted vegetables, and Dreamy Pavlova.  We got to have a little taste of it all and everything was SO good!  Next week we are doing 2 recipes on our own - a sweet potato croquette with a tangy salsa, and sticky date and toffee pudding.  Ross is going to do the pudding, and I will do the croquettes.  I can't wait!

I have actually been thinking a lot about food lately.  While I am content with my plan to not focus on my weight, I am interested in being fit.  And part of fitness is what we eat.  In the last 2 months or so I have been getting out of control with my eating again.  Not all day like I used to, but in the mornings.  I have a good breakfast, then about 9.30ish I lose it.  I am not hungry but I start eating crap.  It finishes at lunch time when I am so full.  Then I don't eat in the afternoon, have a healthy dinner and go to bed.  The hours between 9.30am and 1pm are really ruining things for me.

I want to eat good whole foods - not crap.  And I want to be in control of my eating.  Not control it as in calorie counting, but be in control of myself.  So I am going to start slowly.  The one thing I have noticed I have started doing again is using butter.  I hadn't used it in a couple of years, now all of a sudden everything is slathered in it.  So the first thing I am going to do is stop with the butter.  The other thing is to stop visiting the bakery.  If I can do those 2 things I think I will be well on my way to starting to get this under control.

I have a book called "Intuitive Eating" by Evelyn Tribole at home.  I think I will dig that out and start reading it.  It teaches you to be aware of your bodies hunger signals and to eat what your body needs, not stuff it full of crap.  I really want to get control of this as I know that if I fuel my body right, my fitness will benefit.

Daily Goals
1)  Drink 1.5L of water
2)  Go for my final run before the MDC
3)  Dig out the Intuitive Eating Book
4)  Try not to get too annoyed at work
5)  Don't binge this morning

xox

Thanks for the Positive Running Vibes

They definitely helped.  So it had been 2 weeks since my last run.  My previous best was 6 minutes backed up by 6 minutes.  My goal for yesterday was to match that. 

First run, 8 minutes.  Felt like my lungs were going to explode and my heart was nearly cracking ribs.  But still - 8 minutes.  I am already impressed with myself.

Turn around for the down hill (I say downhill but it is very very slight).  Start running.  Feeling good.  Look at my watch, wow - 5 minutes already!  Keep going.  And going.  Get to 9 minutes 30 second and decide to go to 10 minutes.  Look at my watch again and I am at 10 minutes 15 seconeds.  What the hell, I'll go for 11. 

10.45
10.46
10.47
10.48
Bloody hell will this minute ever finish????
10.49
10.50
YAY! 10 more seconds
10.51
10.52
10.53
Jesus are you kidding me, how slow do these seconds want to tick over
10.54
10.55
10.56
Holy shit, I can't breathe, I am going to die
10.57
10.58
HELP!
10.59
11.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM A FREAKING LEGEND!!!!!!!!

LOL!  I am so over the moon stoked by that run.  19 minutes all up.  Talk about incredible.  I don't think I ever in a million years thought I would be able to run for 19 minutes within a 45 minute session.  Ok, so my running style is very reminiscent of Caitlin from The Biggest Loser - but who cares!  I did it and that is the main thing.

I can't explain what it was but I felt different during this run.  I am not sure hw to explain this but I will give it a go.  Usually when I run I feel like I am low to the ground.  Like my centre of gravity is quite low and I am almost dragging myself through.  This time I felt lighter and 'higher'.  That may not make sense but I don't know any other way to describe it.  I felt like I was taller, and it obviously helped.  I hope I can capture that again on Wednesday.

When I got back to the office to pick up my bike, the tummy pains from the weekend were back.  Buggar.  I am still feeling a bit ill this morning as well.  Hopefully it passes soon.

On a different note, I need help with morning food.  I am struggling riding to work in the mornings.  This is a ride I can do easily at any other time of the day, but not in the mornings and I think it is because I haven't eaten.  I have tried having a banana or yogurt before riding and it just sits in my stomach and makes me feel ill.  So I need some advice.  I need something that is only about 50-60 calories that will help me on my ride but won't 'sit' in my tummy half an hour later.  I am willing to try anything!

Hope you all have a great day

xox

Cycling, Cooking, Drawing and Running

I ended up having a really good day yesterday.  We got on the deadly treadlies and rode to the flat.  It has been quite a while since we have gone riding together, and it truly was fantastic.  We cleaned the flat - only a few things left to do - helped Mum set up her new internet - then headed home.

The ride home was into a killer head wind, but we rode most of it on the bike paths and enjoyed being together.  All up we did around 25kms in the day.  And when I got home I felt good.  I could have done more.  Over the next long weekend when we actually have some free time, we are going to have a big riding day.  It was so great to get back out there.

Already this month I have ridden more kms than I did in the entire month of March!  I am on fire baby!

I spent the afternoon drawing and playing with our Derwent Artist Coloured pencils.  I really haven't used them since we got them at Xmas.  I am slowly working on my first coloured drawing.  I'll share it when it is done.

Dinner was late and I made a super Quick & Easy Vegetarian Speghetti Bolognaise.  It was SOOOOO quick and easy and really did taste great.  Click here for the recipe.  It was a slap dash dinner that I expected to be average at best, but I guarantee I will be making it again.  My MIL even asked for the recipe, and was stunned that there was no meat in it!

Tonight I plan on going for my first run in 2 weeks.  I now have less than 4 weeks until the Mothers Day Classic and I am starting to freak.  My achilles seems to be better so I will just see how I go.  Any pain and I will stop.  Everyone send me positive running vibes though please.  :o)

xox

Back in the Kitchen!

Last night our good friend Megan came over for dinner and we tried out one of the recipes from the cooking class.  It was the Roast Vegetable Fritatta.  We changed it a tiny bit to put our own spin on it, but it truly was delicious.

The veggies we used were roast potato, roast sweet potato, roast capsicum and baby spinch.  Threw in some fresh basil and Yummmmmmmoooooo!  I'll get the recipe up over the weekend.  Megan brought devine pineapple mousse for dessert that she is going to give me the recipe for as well.  I love good food.

We had an awesome night.  Although it was late.  We were chatting away, I looked up at one point and the clock read 22:45.  Holy Crap!  I had no idea it was that late - and on a school night too!  LOL  But worth it.

xox

Cooking Class

Last night Ross & I had our first cooking class.  It is a 4 week class through the loacal WEA called International Gourmet Vegetarian.  The instructor is a lady called Natalie Playford who has this amazing wealth of knowledge of all things vegetarian and all things cooking.  The first class was just a demonstration of various dishes and cooking techniques, with a bucket load of information thrown into the mix.  The food was absolutely devine.  Things I would never in a million years have thought of cooking on my own I was eating and can not wait to try the recipes.

The first thing she made was a Gnocchi Alla Romana.  Now I hate Gnocchi.  To me, potato and pasta should never be combined in any way shape or form.  However this Gnocchi -not a potato in sight.  It was so delicious.  Easy to cook, although a little time consuming, but if I am cooking for friends I am more than happy to spend a day in the kitchen.  I can't wait to make it myself.

Then she made Chai Marsala.  I was a little confused when I saw this on the list - how hard is it to make Chai?  But she made it from scratch, with real fresh spices straight out of their pods.  And Oh - My - God....  I don't think I'll ever be able to have chai from a tea bag again...

Next up, roasted vegetable frittata.  I actually thought this was going to be really heavy because the main veg were potato and sweet potato.  But it ended up really light, although I would imagine quite filling.  Megan, if you are reading this, I'll be trying this on Thursday night.  :o)

Last of all a Pea & Couscous salad.  I'll be honest, I had no intention of trying this.  But now I am planning on taking it for my salad for Saturday nights pot luck dinner with my work mates.  Sensational!

The best thing I think we are going to get from this course is trying different flavour combinations.  Natalie uses a lot of herbs and spices in her cooking, the same as us, so I can't wait to learn more.  Next week we make 3 recipes.  Ross & I are going to make them together since that is how we cook at home.  We are doing sushi, indian spiced beans then we get a choice of a tofu recipe or an antipasto recipe.  Since we cook with tofu all the time we are going to try a couple of the antipasto recipes, including home made hommus.  And next week I will have photos.  I can not wait!

The other thing that came out of this class is that Ross is seriously considering becoming vegetarian as well.  He only eats meat about twice a week as it is, and red meat now leaves him feeling quite lethargic.  I am not going to push, but if he joins me as a vego I think that will be awesome!

xox

PS - We have already signed up for Natalies next class in May which is Gournet Vegetarian.  4 more weeks of more of her amazing recipes.

Weekend Recap

My weekend has been  busier than intended, and I really could do with another few days to recover.  But it was also pretty good so I shouldn't complain.

It started with our standard Saturday morning fare of eggs and soy 'bacon' rashers.

I love this breakfast.  It is so yummy and low cal and it feels decadent.  Then Saturday was spent out and about.  We had to help Ross's Grandad (who is 92 years old and still lives alone) with a few things, that turned into major dramas when he lost his only set of house and car keys.  Thankfully they were eventually found but it added a few extra hours to our running around.

In the morning I picked up some new Tupperware, and in my pack was my new steamer.  I have been waiting for this. 

Although I got it primarily for vegies, I decided to test it out on some Vegetarian Spring Rolls I got from the market on Friday night.

They were delicious.  Perfectly done.  And the steamer was SO easy to clean.  I love it.  And I will use it for veggies next. 

Today was my nephews 5th birthday party.  It was at a gorgeous park on the eastern side of Adelaide.  Ross & I were planning on riding there, but he has picked up a summer cold and can hardly breathe, so I went alone.  I decided to drive there and go for a walk around the lake before everyone got there.  My legs have been quite sore so I was planning on walking only.  Once I started walking though, my legs loosened up and I decided to give it a go.  I was a bit nervous as I was on a paved path and there were slight hills. 

The first run I did went for 2.5 minutes.  I was REALLY impressed with that.  It is equal to my best ever run and I am really only just getting back to it.  When I was walking again I noticed that there were markers every 200 metres.  So the next run I decided to see how long the 200m took me.  At 1 minute 40 seconds I hit the 200 metres.  I kept going and decided to aim for 400 metres.  At around the 300 metre mark my legs were screaming and my lungs were screaming and all I could think was where the F%^& is theat next marker?!?!?  LOL 

But I did it.  I got to 400 metres.  It took me 3 minutes and 25 seconds.  That is my absolute longest run ever!  I know it is not very far or very long, but for me this was a MASSIVE achievement, and I am SO incredibly proud of myself.  I am actually starting to believe that I might be able to do the Mothers Day Classic, then after that, who knows?  I feel great!

Daily Goals for Monday

1)  Drink my water

2)  Stick to my eating plan

3)  Get up early and do 30 minutes of exercise

4)  Don't try too many foods at my cooking class

5)  Organise one drawer at work (they are a mess and I only have time to do one a day)

xox