WWTKW: Blogging Tips, Books, and My Toothbrush.

It’s that time of week again!  We Want to Know Wednesday!!  Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama.

Here are this week’s questions:

{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers?

{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?
{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?
{4} What color is your toothbrush?
{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?

My answers:

{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers? 

1 – Write about what you want and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.  Your blog is a reflection of who you are, and you’ll always have it to look back on.  Make sure you care about what you’re leaving behind.

2 – Enable your email!  One of my favourite parts about blogging is responding to comments and getting to know my fellow bloggers.  If I can’t write back to you, it gives me the sads.  (Don’t know how to enable your email? It’s easy!  Go to your DASHBOARD, Click EDIT PROFILE, Check off SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS, and SAVE!  Just like that!)

3 – Don’t stress about it.  I tend to do that too often – ohmygosh, I don’t have time to check out all the blogs I want to, I don’t have time to comment on every blog that I come across… Just breeeathe…We’re all busy people, and not everybody has the luxury of being a full-time blogger.  Just do want you can and what works for you!

{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?  I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut lately.  It’s been about six months since something I’ve read has really excited me.  These past few months, I’ve been floating through the Twilight series again because I haven’t been able to focus on anything, and figured I might as well read something comfy and cozy and familiar.  But the last books that had me jumping up with excitement were The Help by Kathryn Stockett (loved the book and the movie), and The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (read all three in a two-week-long whirlwind, and can’t wait for the first movie!)

{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?  Umm…my hair?  I seem to get a few comments on my hair, even when I don’t do anything to fancy it up.  People just often remark on the colour, whether I’m dark or blonde!  (Currently dark.)

{4} What color is your toothbrush?  It’s white with lime green.  A Norwex Silver Care toothbrush!  Which must be working reallllly well, because I had my best dentist appointment ever on Monday!!

{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?  If you were told it was time for your last meal, what would you order up or make for yourself?  What’s your absolute favourite dish or dishes?  (I’d give bonus points for pictures and recipes! haha!)

Looking to kill a little time with some Wednesday Q&A?  Go visit Mamarazzi and Crazymama and LINK UP :)

Let’s Talk…A mish-mash of Tuesday stuff.

• I had a Monday evening of guilty pleasures last night.  I had Zipped the movie Burlesque a few weeks ago.  (I’d heard on the street that it wasn’t nominated for any Oscars, but that’s never kept me away from a movie before.)  I finally decided to sit down and watch it with a few slices of homemade pizza, garlic dipping sauce, a Diet Pepsi, and a Mr. Big chocolate bar.  (The diet will wait one more day, right??)  Little did I know that watching THIS guy would be the biggest guilty (or not-so-guilty??) pleasure of all!

Ummm…yes.  I did enjoy the movie.  There was singing and dancing and Christina Aguilera and Cher and oh, did I mention, Cam Gigandet?  Yeah.  He was in it too.  Who needs an Oscar when you’ve got eye candy like that?!  It has now been added to my Amazon Wish List.

• Speaking of the Amazon Wish List… Are you wondering why I just put it on my Wish List and didn’t just go ahead and order it?  Well, that would be because I gave up my credit card for Lent.  Stupid stupid stupid.  But Lent was already a few days in when I realized I hadn’t given anything up.  I had already eaten chips and chocolate (my two biggest vices these days), and the only other thing I could think of to give up that would be that major was French fries.  And I just couldn’t do it.  Then I remembered that I had just paid off my credit card, and promised my mom I wouldn’t use it ever again. (lie)  But maybe – just maybe – I could sacrifice it for 40 days?  *sigh*  I miss it already.
• After watching Burlesque, I headed over to my momma’s to watch The Voice with her.  And yes, I did a little drooling over Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.  It was a Man Candy Monday for me, indeed!

I’m a little sad that the blind audition part of the show is now over – it’s my favourite part.  But I’m looking forward to seeing more of the handsome judges as the battle rounds begin next week.

• Sunday was the Daytona 500 party in my cousin Dale’s garage, where we all picked our drivers for the pool this year.  Last year, I had the 6th pick and I relied on my brother to help me choose my driver, since I knew nothing about NASCAR.  This year?  My knowledge still hadn’t improved much, but I at least went with a few names in my head.  Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle…all guys that my dad would’ve liked.  (He was a Ford man, and I wanted to pick a driver for him!)  But…I ended up with the 20th pick this year.  Second-last.  Needless to say, none of those guys were left when it came around to my turn to choose.  I ended up having to confer with my brother again after all, and selected AJ Allmendinger.

I have no idea who he is, what he drives, or if he’ll ever, ever win a race.  And he’s not even that good-lookin’.   He finished in 34th last night.  Doesn’t look like I’m going to be making much money this racing season…

And that’s all I’ve got this Tuesday!  Linking up with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!!  What are you talking about today?

Also linking up with Stacy Uncorked for Random Tuesday.

Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday

• Pinning.  That’s right.  I’ve finally fallen victim to Pinterest.  I signed up a while back, played around with it a bit, thought “meh, whatever”, and kind of forgot about it.  In the past week or so, though, I’ve been pinning.  A lot.  Especially recipes, which I’ll probably never make.  Are you on Pinterest?  If you care to follow my boards, you can find me here.

• The other day, I pinned this picture in anticipation of seeing The Vow on Tuesday night with some wonderful friends.  It makes me grin every time I look at it.

And, after seeing the movie, I know now that I totally, completely, 100% agree with this statement.  It was probably the most unbelievable part of the movie.  Not even Rachel McAdams – who I adore – could convince me that someone could wake  up from a coma and just not be in love with him anymore.  Uh-uh, not possible.  That’s more like a dream come true than a sentence.

• Foodgawker.  It’s like Pinterest, but for food only.  People share pictures and descriptions of recipes they’ve tried.  When you click on the picture, it takes you directly to the blog or website where the recipe and instructions can be found.  Once you sign up, all you have to do is click on the little heart below the picture to “save” the recipe to your Favourites.  I’m using some inspiration from there to make snacks for the weekend – finally going to try out “Crack Dip”!

• Looking forward to a “snow day” tomorrow.  I was planning to go on a shopping spree on my day off – for groceries, and a few other “me” items, like nail polish, Breaking Dawn on DVD…you know, stuff like that.  But I’ve decided to just do my groceries after Zumba tonight, and save the trip to Wally World for some other day.  My new plan, due to the forecasted 10 cm on it’s wasy -  is to hunker down, make hot chocolate, watch movies, prepare some snacks, and wait for my Book Club pals to arrive in the evening.
• Book Club.  This month, we’re discussing The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I read it last summer and looooved it.  But, beyond the book?  I’m just excited to have some friends in, enjoy some yummy food and some girl talk.  It’s been too long.
• I’m loving the thought of hanging out at the curling rink on Saturday with family & friends.  My brother and brother-in-law, as well as some of my friends, are going to be curling in a bonspiel.  Do I watch the curling?  No, not really.  But some of the best times I’ve had are sitting around up there, chatting & laughing.  Can you tell this is the sort of thing I’ve missed so much…and crave to do more of?
• I’m loving this little guy:

My friends Stacy & Ricky welcomed this adorable little bundle early Wednesday morning.  Tanner was born at 12:10 AM, weighing 9 lbs. 2 oz.  I went up to visit them at the hospital last night, and literally wanted to bring Tanner home with me!!  I can’t wait to visit him again, and to see how his big sister Maddy interacts with him. :)  (Picture stolen from his Auntie Shannon’s Facebook.)

Since I’m off tomorrow, and I’ll be so busy doing lazy-day things, I won’t likely be around the blog…so have a wonderful weekend, everyone!! :)

Oh, what I’d give for a day at the Spa…

It’s We Want to Know Wednesday, and how did the lovely hostesses know that I’ve been longing for a day at the Spa?!  This week’s questions are all about pampering!

Linking up with Mamarazzi, Queso & Crazymama.

 

Here are this week’s questions:

{1} What is your go to color if you paint your nails? do your toes and fingernails match?
{2} Have you ever gone for a mani/pedi? how often do you go?
{3} Do you color your hair? do you have a salon do it or do you do it yourself?
{4} Facials...have you ever had one?
{5} Would you or have you ever done botox?
{6} Beauty knows no pain, do you believe in waxing, electrolisis, eyelash extentions, anti-aging creams, micro-dermabrasion, peels, botox?

My answers:

{1} What is your go to color if you paint your nails? do your toes and fingernails match?  I like to switch it up!  In the past year, I’ve developed a nail polish fetish.  I simply can’t go to the store without picking up a new colour or two.  My collection of polishes has grown vastly, and it’s quite a range of colours!  Currently, I’ve got Revlon’s “Black Star” on my fingers, and Sally Hansen’s Complete Manicure “Raisin the Bar” on my toes…they don’t match, obviously!

Not my fingers!!  via Google Images

{2} Have you ever gone for a mani/pedi? how often do you go?  I’ve had one mani and one pedi in my lifetime!  Loved both, and would like to go more often.  In fact, I’d love to learn how to do them myself!

{3} Do you color your hair? do you have a salon do it or do you do it yourself?  I started colouring my hair a few years ago.  It started out with just a few blonde highlights, but I now go dark for the winter, and then put the highlights back in for the summer.  I go to my hairdresser to get it done.

Summer Blonde

Winter Brunette 

{4} Facials...have you ever had one?  I had my first one last fall at a friend’s Bachelorette Spa Day.  I was a little worried – I was afraid it might be bad for my sensitive skin.  I was wrong.  It was blissful.  The lady also gave a relaxing head and neck massage.  I loved every second of it, there were no problems with my skin, and wouldn’t hesitate to get one again!

{5} Would you or have you ever done botox?  I have never…I’m 28, I barely use wrinkle cream.  I haven’t got to the botox stage yet.  (At least, I hope!)  I don’t think I ever would, either.  That’s one luxury that I don’t think I’d bother with.

{6} Beauty knows no pain, do you believe in waxing, electrolisis, eyelash extentions, anti-aging creams, micro-dermabrasion, peels, botox?  As much as I love a good massage and a nice mani or pedi, I’m pretty laid-back when it comes to beautifying.  I mean, I just started using make-up about five years ago, and my expertise is pretty limited at that!  I take care of my skin, do what’s necessary, get my eyebrows waxed, and that’s about it.  I imagine one day I’ll look into anti-aging cream, but that’s about as far as I’ll go!

So…what’s your beauty regimen?  What lengths do you go to to stay looking young?  Go visit one of the lovely hostesses listed at the top and link up! :)

Let’s Talk…The Voice. And Adam Levine. Yum.

Anybody else out there a fan of NBC’s The Voice?

I loved it last season.  And now that it’s back for Season 2, I’m once again totally hooked.

I love the premise:  Talented individuals and duos are invited to “blind audition” for the four celebrity judges/coaches – Cee-Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton.

 

They sit in giant chairs with their backs turned to the stage, only able to listen to the singer, until the decide if they want that particular contestant on their “team”.  If they want them, they push their button and turn around to watch the rest of the performance.  If more than one of them turns around, the singer then has the option to choose which one of the celebs they want as their “coach”.  Each coach is to assemble a team of 12 singers, whom they will then mentor through the battle rounds until one talented performer is left standing and given the title of “The Voice”.

Cool, right?!

I’ve even got my mom into it.

I have to admit, though, despite the fact that I love the idea behind the show, there’s one other main reason I keep tuning in, week after week…

Adam Levine?  Sitting there, all sexy, in his “I WANT YOU” chair???

Hell yes.

humina humina

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. 

Really, Jill?  Thought you’d be more of a Blake Shelton kind of girl.

And you wouldn’t be wrong.  Blake is smokin’, too.

He’s an added bonus for tuning in to The Voice.  For sure.

But at the end of the day?

I’m Team Adam.

When Adam turns his chair around, and the contestant chooses another coach over him?  I’m always a little bit dumbfounded.  I know that if I was on that show, I’d be praying Adam would turn around for me and give me that sexy little “I knew you were awesome” grin.

So how about you?  If YOU were a contestant on The Voice, who’s chair would you be hoping would turn around for you?  Adam’s, Blake’s, Christina’s, or Cee-Lo’s?

If they all turned around, which one would you pick?

***

Linking up today’s post with Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!!  Feels good to be back, thanks for hosting ladies!!

Comfort Food: Montana’s on my mind.

I have a secret to share.

Okay.  Maybe it’s not a secret.  Especially to those of you who are my friends over at MyFitnessPal.

But over the past 6 weeks of turmoil, I haven’t been doing so well with my “healthy living lifestyle”.

Truthfully, I’ve abandoned MyFitnessPal.  I quit trying to count calories and points in my head a long time ago.

Instead, I’ve been shoving food in my mouth, left, right & centre, with wild abandon – save for a few days when my anxiety level was so high that the thought of food made me feel sick.

Those days didn’t last long, though.  I’ve once again fallen victim to the vicious chip-and-dip cycle.  I barely fit into my dress for Luke & Amanda’s wedding.  I’m suddenly craving chocolate all the time - and normally, I’m not a chocolate girl.  When I have spare time, I’m drooling over full-fat recipes at foodgawker.

It ain’t pretty.

And despite knowing all of this – knowing that I need to right the ship before it’s too late; before I no longer fit into my dress for Lindsay’s wedding – all I can think about is food.

And right now?  Montana’s Cookhouse, specifically.

Can’t.stop.thinking.about.it.

Yesterday, I travelled with Lindsay & Ryan to our friends’ baby’s Christening.  Following the Christening, we had to go to the Plateau shopping complex for Ryan to pick up his suit for their wedding.  And while there, we were discussing a general complaint that we have about the Plateau shopping complex.

The Plateau has a huge Wal-Mart.  Two large grocery stores, and a third is being built.  Banks.  Reno Depot.  A strip of outlet stores – Smart Set, Reitmans, La Senza, etc.  A liquor store.  An office supplies store.  Moore’s.  A movie theatre.  So, so much.  It’s one of my favourite places to shop, because you can find almost anything there.

The problem?

Food.

There isn’t a nice restaurant in the Plateau area.

There’s fast food of all makes, shapes, and sizes – McDonalds, Subway, A&W, Tim Horton’s, a pizza place, a sushi place…

But no sit-down restaurants.

As we discussed the lack-of-dining situation in the area, Lindsay and I started firing off suggestions as to which restaurant we’d like to see in there – St. Hubert’s.  Boston Pizza.  Kelsey’s.  Montana’s.

Ohhhhhh how I wish they had a Montana’s!

I have a crush on Montana’s right now.  In the past six months, when going out with friends to the movies or just for dinner, 95% of the time we’ve chosen Montana’s.  And that’s usually because I tell them I want to go there.

Since Christmas, I haven’t been out very much, but the one outing I did make was with Lindsay, and guess where we went?

The thoughts of their appetizers can make me salivate.  When I went with Lindsay, we shared the Four Cheese Spinach Dip and the Oven-Baked Antojitos.

I could stop right there.  Seriously worth the trip, just for those two appetizers.  And I’m usually full after eating that.  AND they go supremely well with one of their delicious Pickled Caesars, which they serve in a mason jar – love!

To be honest, I’ve yet to be truly “wowed” by anything else on the menu – the appetizers and Caesar are the highlights for me.

But when it comes to the main course, I’m a big fan of the Chipotle Firecracker Burger.

That’s a deeeelicious sirloin burger topped with bacon, crispy Cajun onions and jalapenos, Colby cheese, and Chipotle Honey BBQ sauce.  Mmmmmmm…I usually ask for a little side of Ranch or mayo, just to cool the heat a bit.  My God, it’s good.

I’m also a big fan of the Baked Chicken Penne.

Seriously.  Drooling right now.

Room for dessert?  Generally not.  BUT.  If someone twists my arm?

You can bet yer ass I’m going for the Skillet Cookie.

Sweet Jesus.

I just ate lunch, and if someone offered to take me to Montana’s right now, I wouldn’t say no.

I told you.  It ain’t pretty.  These are not MyFitnessPal-friendly foods, people.

Someone get me a damned Montana’s in the Plateau area NOW.

(Or maybe not.  I’d rather not be featured on TLC’s “My 600-lb. Life.”)

A Tribute to Dad

As many of you know, the past month or so has been quite a rollercoaster for my family.

My dad was admitted to the hospital on January 8, 2012 for minor surgery, which took place on January 10, 2012.  The plan was to remove a small section of his bowel, where a small cancerous growth had been found.  However, once the surgeon was in there, he discovered it was much, much worse.  Due to complications from that initial surgery, my dad had to have two subsequent surgeries, and spent the last four weeks of his life in ICU.

My dad passed away last Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – three days before my brother’s wedding.

I’m still not sure how we have made it through all of this, but together, as a family, we have managed to celebrate – first, my brother’s marriage, and then, my dad’s life.

I’m not sure what more to say…words are failing me as I try to explain how I’m feeling about it all.  So instead of trying any further, I thought I would share with you the Eulogy my mom wrote (with help from us kids), which my Uncle Paul delivered at Dad’s funeral on Tuesday. 

My dad was a very private person, and I know I didn’t talk much about him here on the blog – but I thought this might give you all some insight into the man we’re all going to miss so much… my Dad.

***

Brent was born in North Onslow, Quebec on December 10, 1940 – the youngest son (and eighth child) of Bay and Velva Young. He was presented to older brother Garry as his second birthday present! They have always been the best of friends and Garry has always taken wonderful care of his little brother.

The Young family left the farm and moved to Quyon when Brent was four years old. Here he spent his “growing up” years – in a place that was always very dear to his heart.

Brent and Elizabeth were married on July 22, 1972 and once again Brent chose to return to Quyon after living in Ottawa for several years. He bought the Stanton Rd. home and it was there the three children – Kara, Jillian and Luke - were raised.

Brent took great pride in all their achievements. In fact, one of his last comments as they left his room in ICU recently was … “good kids”.

Brent loved sports – playing softball and hockey in younger days, bowling and badminton in later years. Brent coached minor ball – and Jillian never let him forget that he had cut her from one of those teams! He was an avid fan of the Quyon Flyers and one of Luke’s biggest fans throughout his years in minor hockey – a dedicated father who loved to offer advice to Luke and coach him from the sidelines.

Brent and Garry made wonderful music together. “The Youngsters” were regulars at the Quyon Legion for several years in the ‘60’s & ‘70’s. He loved to entertain at parties with music and recitation – “Rindercella” was always a favourite with the young fry, and he encouraged Jillian and Luke when they showed an interest in playing guitar.

He was the proud “grandpa” to Caden and Danica - Kara’s children - and looked forward to their weekly visits.

He was always amused when he asked Caden about scoring goals at hockey – and of course he always scored at least one or two goals!

Brent loved to tinker in his garage. He was meticulous about where everything should be placed, and annoyed if anyone messed things up. He definitely wanted the cleanest car in town. Elizabeth is already finding this task difficult to maintain!

It has been a contest in the neighbourhood in recent years to see whose grass would get cut first – Bart’s, Randy’s or Brent’s. When one started the other two were quick to follow – don’t worry guys – Elizabeth is not sure she can keep that up, either!

Brent was a lifetime employee of the National Research Council. His career there as a supply officer in the chemistry department ended in 1995. He filled his early years of retirement working at Young’s Appliance Services, Ellard Kennedy’s & Mountainview, and for several years as Garry’s plumber assistant.

Brent disliked being the center of attention – not fond of birthdays, gifts, and definitely would not want a big fuss made over him today.

For a guy who liked to go fast in his “Mustang cars”, in later years the trucks – Jimmy, Maurice and Neil – (all named after former owners) – regularly toured the streets of Quyon at a snail’s pace. If you ended up behind him you were in for a scenic tour through town, as Brent puttered along, assessing community activities along his way.

When Brent made up his mind to do something nothing would stop him. It was that stubborn determination that definitely helped in his final battle. In one month he survived three surgeries and successfully came off a ventilator twice – no easy feat for someone who had battled COPD these past four years. He was not able to win this final struggle with cancer but the effort was amazing.

We pray that Brent is now at peace. Brent --- we will all miss you greatly!

***

I’d like to take a moment to thank those of you who knew the struggles my family faced this past month, and who sent messages and emails checking in; who sent food to the house; who came to the wake and/or funeral.  Your love and support during this difficult time will never be forgotten. xoxo

Power to the Purple. Do It For Daron.

February is “Power to the Purple” month.  The Do It For Daron Campaign is encouraging everyone to share this video to raise awareness for youth mental health.

On February 7th, wear purple in memory of Daron and all of the other kids who thought they had no where to turn.  Wear it to raise awareness.

Talk.  Talk to teens.  Talk to anyone who needs help.  And if you need help, find someone to talk to.

Nobody is alone.  Someone is always there.

Please visit DIFD for more information.

It’s Thursday? Let’s go random.

• I’ve set up camp at my mom’s these days.  With my dad still in ICU, and us unsure about what each day will bring for him, I decided to hang with Mom as much as possible.  But I’m starting to miss my own bed.  And Dad was doing well yesterday.  So last night, I said to Mom, “I think it’s about time I move back home.”  Her eyes about popped out of her head.  “NO!” she exclaimed.  I was confused.  “Really? I thought you’d be okay with it.”  She shook her head, looking a little horrified.  “Where would we put all of your furniture???”  I sighed.  “Mom, I meant move back to my place, not move back here permanently!”
• I’m pretty sure I should be insulted by the look of relief that crossed her face.
• That being said, there does seem to be a bit of a history in our extended family of grown, adult “children” moving back in with their parents.  So I guess I could understand her concern.

• I’ve neglected my place pretty badly since Christmas.  It needs to be cleaned in the worst way, and I need to re-stock the fridge before I “move back in”.
• I also need to clean my fish tank.  The slime is building, and the fish aren’t really visible anymore.  I go in once a day to feed them, and I’m always relieved to see they’re still swimming.  Told you guys I have gangster fish.
• Oh, and another reason I haven’t really bothered moving back to my place yet?  The TV is on the fritz.  Again.  Remember how I used to say I had to wiggle some chords when it decided to go all herky-jerky?  Well, the last time I did that, I yoinked the chord right out of the end attached to the satellite dish.  So all I can watch there are DVDs.  *sigh*
• Zip.ca and I are about to fall out.  I zipped the first season of Prison Break a long time ago and put it at the top of my list.  They keep skipping it and shipping me other DVDs instead.  All well and good, because I zipped them too, but what I really want right now is Prison Break.  Seriously, Zip.ca?  Is Season 1 of Prison Break THAT popular right now?!

• I would be switching to Netflix in a heartbeat.  But that would require me getting Internet at my place.  Which would mean I’d have to leave the Dark Ages.  And I’m just not sure I’m ready for such a big step.
• The best part of my life in the past three weeks?  Watching the All Star Draft on TSN, and when they asked Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators, after being drafted first overall by Team Alfredsson, if teammate Jason Spezza would be mad that he got picked before him, or happy for him.  Karlsson said, very clearly, very distinctly: “No, Spezza’s PISSED.”

• I think even my dad would’ve got a kick out of that.

Eat Chili, Get Skinny? It can work. I swear.

Well, I’m still around. 

Still in limbo, and still not quite in the right frame of mind to blog.

But there has been something on my mind.  And that is the fact that if I continue “stress-eating” as I have been for the past three weeks, there is a very good chance I’m not going to fit into that bridesmaid dress next Saturday.

I need to focus on eating better for the next week and a half – and beyond!  I need to get back to doing what works for me.

And what has been one of my main keys to success since I embarked on this current weight-loss adventure last August?

The Women’s World Magazine Fat Flush Soup!!

Guys, trust me…if you like Chili, you’ll love this soup.  My mom discovered it in her copy of the magazine last fall, and we’ve been eating it ever since.

Here’s the recipe:

Women’s World Fat Flush Soup

2 tsp. Olive Oil

1 ¼ lbs. Lean ground beef, turkey or chicken

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bell pepper, seeded & chopped

8 oz. Mushrooms, chopped

1 14 oz. Can crushed tomatoes

1 32 oz. Bottle reduced sodium tomato or vegetable juice

1 14 oz. Can beans, rinsed and drained (Kidney)

1 Tbsp. Ground Cumin

1/8 Tsp. Cayenne (to taste)

¼ cup each fresh cilantro and parsley, chopped (I used parsley flakes, and I skip the cilantro)

In a stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sautee meat until cooked through. Drain and set aside. Sautee onions, garlic, pepper, and mushrooms until soft.

Stir in remaining ingredients, except cilantro and parsley. Cover & simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in cilantro & parsley. Cover & simmer for 10 minutes longer. Store soup in fridge up to 5 days. Also freezes well. Makes 16 cups.

1 serving = 3 cups.

Calories 315

Fat 9 g, Cholesterol 65.8 mg, Sodium 1185 mg, Fiber 8 g, Protein 31 g, Carbs 30 g

I love Chili, so this soup tastes amazing to me.  It’s thick and hearty and oh-so-yummy; perfect for this chilly winter days!  And the serving size?!  3 cups?!  That’s a LOT of soup!  I usually only eat about half of that for lunch or supper.

My only issue with it is that I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms, but I’m trying to teach myself to eat them.  That being said, I’ve started dreading eating the soup, only because of the mushrooms.  So the next pot I make, I’m going to try subbing sliced carrots instead of the mushrooms.

There is also a whole diet plan to go with the soup, which I have not been following carefully.  I’ve only been having a bowl of this once every few days. 

(Ha!  I’m a big, fat liar.  I don’t think I've eaten it once in the past three weeks, but I intend to get back at it!) 

But my mom and I both swear that on  the days when we eat the soup, we lose weight.

It’s like magic.

I don’t have the magazine article handy with the rest of the diet details, but I did find a post on MyFitnessPal which you can look up here.

Here are the basics:

1. A protein-rich breakfast
2. 2 daily servings of soup
3. Fat-flushing snacks

Breakfast – choose one daily
•Eggs: 2 eggs plus ½ cup mixed veggies
•Fat Flush Body Protein smoothie:
In blender, mix
1 scoop Fat Flush Body Protein
8-10 oz. water
1 –1 ½ cups frozen or fresh berries
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds or chia
Ice cubes (optional)
•Greek Yogurt: 1 ½ cups each fat-free Greek yogurt and berries

Lunch – enjoy daily
1 serving Fat Flush Soup

Dinner – enjoy daily
1 serving Fat Flush Soup

 
Snacks – choose two daily
•Unlimited veggies with salsa
•Garden salad with 1 tsp. olive oil and fresh lemon or vinegar to taste
•1 hard-boiled egg
•1 piece fruit

Anyways, I’ve mentioned this soup to a few of my friends, and have been asked for the recipe time and time again, so I thought I would share it with you! 

If you decide try it, let me know if you enjoy it! :)

The Day the Dress Didn’t Fit

I’ve talked quite a bit about my weight-loss goals here on the blog, and as you may recall, the kick-in-the-ass that I desperately needed came in the form of bridesmaid dresses.

For some crazy reason, I keep ordering dresses that don’t fit me, vowing to lose weight to fit into them.  My sister has suggested this is a fabulous way to keep me on track – as long as I have a wedding to be in about every 6 months, I should drop 100 lbs. before you know it!! (ha-ha, yeah right)

First, I ordered a dress for my friend Lindsay’s wedding that was too small.  I had 9 months to work on losing weight to fit into it.  It wouldn’t be easy – losing weight never is – but it was very, realistically, doable.

Then – THEN! – I ordered an even smaller dress for Luke & Amanda’s wedding.  And I only had a month-and-a-half to figure that one out. 

Plus, Christmas was thrown into the middle of it.

No idea what I was thinking.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Two weeks ago, I was scheduled to go try on my dress for Luke & Amanda’s wedding.  And that day, I think I actually had a panic attack over it.  In my head, I was imagining this little Oriental woman who runs the store shrieking at me, “Oh nooo!  It no fit!  You say it ft!!!  You say you lose weight!!!!!  You bad, bad person!!!”

In my imagination, she turned into a very fiery, angry little dragon who told me she could not fix my dress, that I was too big, and that I should have never ordered such a small size.

And then I couldn’t breathe.  For real.

Thank God for those deep Yoga breaths Amanda has been teaching me.

I just had a gut feeling.  I knew that dress wasn’t going to fit.  Maybe if I’d been a little more careful over the holidays, maybe if I’d been more faithful in eating my fat-burning soup, maybe if I’d gone for a walk now and then instead of staying plunked in front of the TV so much…

So it was no damn surprise when I slipped on the dress, tugged a little at the zipper, and realized there was no way in hell it was ever going to zip up.

The pleasant part?  That little fiery dragon that had come to life in my mind was actually a total sweetheart.

I came out of that dressing room with fear in my eyes, and I said, “It doesn’t fit.  I can’t zip it up.”

She turned me around, assessed the damage, and then started crying, “It’s okay!  I fix it!  No problem, no problem!  It’s okay!”

And the little magic-worker didn’t let me down.  I have no idea how much she had to let that dress out, but when I went to try it on Monday, it fit.

Zipped up like a charm.

But the weight-loss project is not over – I hope to continue to lose weight until I reach my goal (still about 30 lbs. away from it) – and if I happened to lose some more of those pounds and inches in the weeks to come, I’ll only be more comfortable in my dress on Luke & Amanda’s big day.

I still have hopes that by the time Lindsay & Ryan’s wedding rolls around, they’ll need to take my dress in.

That would be a first for me.

That’s the new goal.

WWTKW: Easing back into it.

I’m still here.

As some of you know, the past week or so has been an absolute rollercoaster for my family.  My dad’s health and survival has been our main focus; our main concern.  Between sitting around a hospital waiting for news, and sitting around home worrying, you tend to forget about the outside world.  We were living in our own terrible little bubble.   I’ve heard the words “one day at a time” more often than I can count.

But yesterday, with Dad stable in ICU, I returned to work – as I told my boss Sue, when she asked if I was sure I was ready, “Well I can’t take the rest of my life off!” - and then I started thinking about the blog again.  Not that I ever really forgot about it; I just wasn’t in the right frame of my mind to even think about posting.  I’m still not sure I am.  This feeling of being in limbo is grating on the nerves; I feel on edge and uneasy all the time.

But life goes on.  So today, I’m going to attempt to ease back into it with one of my ol’ favourite linky parties – We Want to Know Wednesday, hosted by Mamarazzi, Crazymama, and Queso.

Here are this week’s questions:

{1} Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
    a. You only live once
    b. test the water before jumping in 
    c. stability is the key to life
{2} What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?
{3} Who is the last person you hugged?
{4} What song always makes you happy when you hear it?
{5} What's the first thing you thought about this morning?

My answers:

{1} Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
    a. You only live once
    b. test the water before jumping in 
    c. stability is the key to life

While I’d like to think I’m a., I think I’m more a combination of b. & c.  I like to test the waters before jumping in, and I like stability.  I’m the “I HATE CHANGE” girl.  That being said, I think if an opportunity presents itself, one should take it.  Regrets are a terrible thing to have to live with.  Last year at this time, I was in Cuba, and it was a trip I really couldn’t afford, but after losing two cousins the summer before, the “you only live once” mantra was in play, big time.

{2} What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?  This takes me back to Sunday evening, when my sister, her husband, and their kids were at my mom’s for dinner.  My 3-year-old niece Danica decided to “put on a show” for us, and made us all squish on to the couch together while she told us some story about a little brother going into the bush and finding some bears, and then “they kicked him out!”   We were laughing so hard at her silly little story, and she was giggling uncontrollably - the next thing you knew, she’d peed her pants…and that only made us laugh harder!  Thank God for kids to keep smiles on our faces!

{3} Who is the last person you hugged?  Well…last week was a huggy kind of week.  But honestly, I think the last person I hugged was my cousin Heather.

{4} What song always makes you happy when you hear it?  That’s almost too hard to pick…over the holidays, it was Bieber’s “Mistletoe”.  In general, I’d have to say “Jesse’s Girl” by Rick Springfield.  And I also just start beaming when I hear the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow”.  That’s my jam right there!

{5} What's the first thing you thought about this morning?  How nice it was to beat the Leafs last night!

Well, there.  I did it.  That wasn’t so hard after all. ;)

Many thanks to all who sent emails, Facebook messages, phoned, and visited last week.  The support of family and friends at such a difficult time truly makes these days a little easier to get through! xoxo

TAG!!!

Last week, while I was on a self-imposed I’m-on-holidays-so-I’m-ignoring-the-blog break, I DID get a little note from Lena at Mom2MemphisAndRuby to let me know she was playing a game of Tag, and I was IT!!

I just can’t turn down a good game of tag. ;)

1. Post these rules.

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.

6. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this."  Legitimately tag 11 people!!

Random Stuff About Me

1. I don’t even think about cookies when they’re stored in the freezer in the basement.  But where they’re upstairs, in the cookie jar?  I can’t seem to think about anything.else.
2. I have recently become a BIG fan of Tetley Rooibos Vanilla tea.
3. I still sleep with a giant stuffed dog that I got for Christmas at least 10 years ago.  His name is Zwillian.
4. I print off recipes that I find on-line, take them home, file them away, and hardly ever make any of them.
5. I always say Spaghetti is my favourite food, but the truth is, I would never order it in a restaurant because it always pales in comparison to Mom’s.  So, MOM’S Spaghetti is my favourite food.  And she would tell you she does nothing special.  Go figure.
6. I thought Twilight, The Hunger Games, and The Vampire Diaries were all hooey, and would’ve told anyone in the world that I would never, ever like them.   And now I love them all.
7. Can’t say the same for Harry Potter, though.  That’s one bandwagon I just could never get on, no matter how hard I tried.
8. I lost my favourite ring two weeks before Christmas, but somehow had this feeling that it wasn’t lost forever. I didn’t even really worry about it; I just knew it would turn up.  You should’ve seen the “I knew it”  smile on my face when I slipped my hand into the pocket of my old grey hoodie one evening last week and pulled it out.  I have no idea how it got there.
9. I voted 150 times for Ottawa Senators players to make it to the NHL All-Star game this year.  30 times per email address, 5 email addresses.  I’m sure some people voted more than me, but I felt pretty dedicated.  We’ll find out today if our hard work paid off!
10. I’m currently obsessed with Scentsy.
11. I’ve spent more money in the past year on nail polish than I ever have before in my life.

Questions From Lena

1. What was your favorite holiday memory this year?  As it is almost every year, The Coconut Song on Christmas Eve at Patti & Randy’s.   Followed closely by Silent Night at church played by Rolly and Jared on guitar, and Christmas morning hearing my nephew whisper, “There are some HUGE presents!” when he first saw what Santa had left beneath the tree.

2. If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be & why?  I think it would’ve been really cool to meet Elvis.  He’s my parents’ favourite singer, and we heard a lot of him growing up.  I didn’t develop a true appreciation for him until my late teens, but since then, I’ve read up enough to think it would’ve been really fun (maybe a little scary?) to sit and have a conversation with The King.  (After seeing him perform live, of course.)

3. What's your favorite fast food/ take-out order?  When it comes to fast food, I’m a Mickey D’s girl.  Love me my Big Mac.

4. What is your worst habit?  Picking my lips.  It’s been a nervous habit since I was a kid, and most of the time, I don’t even realize I’m doing it.

5. What is your least favorite household chore?  Unloading the dishwasher.  If I can, I leave it full of clean dishes for days…

6. What is the last thing you bought for yourself?  The Vampire Diaries Season 2 on DVD.

7. If you could change your name... what would it be?  I used to think I wanted to be called Allison.  But now I don’t think I’d change it.  I don’t know too many Jillians.  I love my name!

8. Have you ever had any supernatural encounters?  No, I don’t think so - aside from a few little “signs” from family members that have passed on, and an amazing psychic reading.  But as I mentioned yesterday, I would love to encounter a vampire…a nice one, like Stefan or Edward. :)

9. What is the ONE blog you MUST read every day?  She doesn’t post every day, but I never, ever skip over anything from MODG.  Guaranteed to be entertained.  Check her out.

10. Share your favorite joke!  Oh geez, I can’t remember jokes very well!  I laugh at something, and then I forget!  And I’m terrible for trying to tell a joke and then forgetting the punchline.

11. Best advice you've given or received about blogging is... I don’t think I’m really in a position to share advice since, after six years, I really don’t feel like I know the ropes when it comes to blogging.  But the best advice I’ve received was to write about what I want and not try to copy anyone else’s style.

My Questions For You

1. What is your one promise to yourself, or resolution for 2012?
2. If you could be anybody in the world – celebrity, rock star, author, ANYONE – who would you be?
3. What is your favourite recipe to make?  (Please share how to make it, or link it up if it’s somewhere on the Internet!)
4. Do you have a sport that you love to watch?  If so, what is it and what’s your favourite team?
5. If you could have the ability to expertly play any instrument in the world, what would you choose to play?
6. Why did you start blogging?
7. If you knew you could only have one last meal, what would you choose to eat?  Your last supper, so to speak?
8. Who is your hero, and why?
9. If you could bring back any old TV show that no longer airs, which one would you bring back?
10. You’re a superhero.  What’s your power?
11. Team Edward, Team Jacob, or screw that silly vampire crap?

The 11 People I've Tagged

1. Jodie at Ramblings of a Fabulous Brunette
2. Vandy J at The Testosterone Three And Me
3. Nicole at Life’s A Beach
4. Nay at Cover to Cover…And Everything In Between
5. Beth at Living a Goddess Life
6. Nathan at Life & Everything Else In Between
7. Lindsay at A Small Town Kind of Life
8. Shannon at Shannon’s Blog
9. Stacy at Blogging with Stacy
10. Stacie at Park Avenue
11. Sharon at Sharon’s 101 List

TAG!!  YOU’RE IT!! :)

2012: Let’s Make It Happen.

I’m not really one for resolutions.  I kind of make the same one every year.

“Lose weight.”

How boring.  And predictable.  And typical.

And never-ending.

So frig the resolutions, you guys already know that I’m in the midst of that battle.

But.  BUT!

There are things I’d like to see happen in 2012.  It’s a new year, and it’s fun to look ahead and think, I’d like to see that happen in 2012.

So, like my Christmas Wish List, things might get a little crazy here.  Okay, maybe really crazy.

But just go with it.  Use your imaginations.

1.  I’m fresh off seeing the flick New Year’s Eve, so this one is the first that comes to mind.  But Ashton Kutcher needs to cut his damn hair and get rid of the beard, if he hasn’t already.

That’s enough looking like a scruffy bum, Ashton.  Back to your sexy self, please.

2.  I’m dreaming of new wheels.  My car is old.  It’s a 1997 Rav 4 that looks  a lot like this:

And you know what?  It has served me well.  I bought it second-hand from my aunt & uncle in 2004, and for the past 8 years, it has been almost trouble-free.  I will probably never own another vehicle that treats me as well as this one has.

That being said…It’s time.  My goal for the next few months is to whittle away the bit of debt I have left and use my line of credit as a down payment on a new car.  Hopefully in the Spring/Summer.

3.  As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the Salvatore Brothers.  And 2011 was a big year for Edward Cullen and I.  I also spent some time with the True Blood vamps. 

So in 2012, I want to meet a vampire.  I’m starting to think they might really be out there.

4.  Sure.  While we’re at it, throw in a couple of werewolves too.

(I have no idea who Alcide is, but I’m figuring I’ll probably run into him somewhere along the way.)

5.  In 2012, I need to move out of the Dark Ages and get a PVR.  I mean, this is  ridiculous.  I used to have to go to my mom’s to set the VCR if I was going to miss a show, and now her TV in the basement isn’t working, so I don’t even have ancient recording capabilities anymore.

I had a little meltdown about this on the weekend, when my mom was pressing me as to why I’d want to waste money on a PVR.  My meltdown went something like this:  “BECAUSE, Mom!  If I have something on in the evenings and I have to miss a show, then I NEVER GET TO SEE IT!!!  Unless I watch it on the Internet, but that’s hard too because I don’t have Internet at my house!!  Bad enough that I used to have to run around finding a VCR, and now I don’t even have THAT!! AGHHHHH!!!”

My meltdown was met with unsympathetic rolls of the eyes.  Yeah, I know.  First-World Problems, right.

But I need a PVR in 2012.

6.  I’m thinking it would be great if I could somehow lure Chris Neil away from his wife & children in 2012 so that he could finally be my real boyfriend instead of my pretend boyfriend.

I’M JUST KIDDING MOM!!!! 

7.  This year, I’d like to finally find out who these people are and why the hell they’re famous.

Seriously.  What did the Kardashians do to become so flippin’ famous?!

I just don’t get it.

8.  2012 is the year when I’m finally going to write something. 

Other than a blog post.

I just need to be struck by that one great storyline.  The one that’s going to transform me into a real-life writer.

Something that hasn’t already been done.

It’s more difficult than it sounds.

But I think I can make it happen.

9.  In 2012, I want to somehow become Suzy Homemaker.  I want to learn how to knit and crochet and sew and quilt.  I want to try out new and adventurous recipes.   I want to learn to bake and decorate cakes.  I want to be more crafty.

Might be reaching here.  But yeah.  I want to try.

10.  And…and…I wanna lose another 50 lbs.

But what else is new?