Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy Birthday Sherene!

Last week was my 43 birthday, and for those who know me, you know I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY!  I think that most July people would agree that they too love love LOVE their birthdays, especially if have been blessed with being both July AND Leo!  Thank you to my family (who live quite far from me) for all the birthday wishes that were emailed, phoned, facebooked, texted, etc...  LOVE IT!   My aunt sent me my birthday horoscope, which I also loved:  Your birthday resolutions will have more power than usual this year, so think hard about what it is you most wish to accomplish then promise yourself that you will make it happen. Do something special every single day.

To celebrate my birthday week, we went camping last week with the kids, and 2 other families as well (both from my hubby's side of the fam).  We camped at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park, which is absolutely one of the most beautiful and clean and well kept campgrounds I have ever been to.  It's just outside of Fernie, BC, and the weather could not have been more spectacular.  It really was a great birthday week!  We had great food, happy hour drinks and happy hour appies, time to relax and visit, spent time reading (for me that was the second instalment of Fifty Shades), swam, visited friends of ours who have a place on Lake Kookanusa, spent a day on their boat (thanks!!), hiked around Surveyors Lake and ate the BEST home-made beef jerky ever, thanks to my fave brother in-law :-)

A beautiful, healthy and delicious
breakfast featuring my new fave
Oikos Yogurt!  Tres Yummy!

For my actual birthday (July 24th), I had an amazing continental breakfast presented to me (thanks to my "cousin-in-law"...who was also intertwined in Fifty Shades!) and got to relax in my gravity chair drinking my coffee and eating my delicious breakie (while my daughter gave me a foot massage!).

Breakfast AND a foot massage!

Cheers sis!! (wish my eyes were open!!)

My fave sister-in-law (also furiously reading Fifty Shades) gave me a beautiful scarf from Switzerland, which I LOVE, and Swiss chocolate!  Yum!!!







My son gave me a Pandora charm (my fave animal....a giraffe) and my daughter gave me some beautiful earrings along with some home-made gifts that included some Spa-coupons (her room for a massage), a home-made jewellery box, and other treasures that she created for me.  Hubby's gift....of course....it was Neil Diamond himself, singing in concert (awesome!).

Happy Birthday To Me!  What a great day
and a terrific family pic!

6 different kinds of jerky,
all meticulously labelled
and incredibly delicious!

My brother-in-law gave me the assortment of beef jerky that he made and it was really the best beef jerky ever (worthy of its own posting once I get all his ingredients and the brand of his food deyhydrator!).  Dinner that night was of course appies:  ribs, wings, and dessert was a delicious chocolate cake (made by my husband) but it was the black-bean cake recipe, which I know does not sound that good but truly, it was DELICIOUS!  It had a full can of black beans, no flour, and was so moist and fantastic and by the way...freezes beautifully!!!    The recipe and link for that is posted below!





I will be posting some of the foodie pics, and other camping pics, but for now, really just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made my day so special and memorable, and also need to say thank you to E. L. James (author of...you guessed it the "Fifty Shades" series), who provided some great entertainment during the camping trip!

Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.
2. Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender; blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information per serving:  Calories:  126   Total Fat:  5.3 grams  

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-brownies/

Who Are You Running For?

My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, and every year, my sister-in-law not only participates in the Run for the Cure, but she is very creative at fundraising, making delicious cookies and selling them with all the profits going towards the Cure.  I asked her to share her story in her words so I could post it for my faithful readers......here is her story, which is inspirational.  Thanks Tammy!

Hey Sherene, as promised, here is some info on my annual run. I started doing this run in 2001, the same year my mother was diagnosed. At a time where I felt lost and helpless against such a big and scary disease, I was introduced to a way to stand up to it. I was invited to join the Canadian Breast Cancer’s Run for the Cure. In October 2001, I joined thousands of others, including my brother Kelly and his wife Sherene, in the fight against Breast Cancer.  I didn’t raise a lot that first year but I did find confidence and courage in the face of some very scary circumstances. Within the year, my mother finished her treatment and the cancer was defeated. She may have been out of the woods but I realized that so many weren’t. I decided to keep up the fight. I have proudly participated in the Run every year since.

I have done what I can to help fund research; some of it right here in Calgary, and have witnessed many success stories. Every year that I go, every story that I hear, it emboldens me to show Cancer that I am not afraid, that I will see it’s end in my lifetime. That one day my nieces will ask me “What's breast Cancer?”.

My totals in the past decade help show my commitment. For the first few years I didn’t keep as accurate records as I do now but I think they are still impressive.

2001-2005: $1,215.00

2006: $1,725.00

2007: $950.00

2008: $1,177.00

2009: $3,585.00

2010: $4,388.00

2011: $1,275.00

So far this year I have raised $185.00 in spite of my late start which brings my overall total to $14,500.00. This is an impressive total but I can do better, WE can do better.  I urge anyone reading this to join in the fight and to spread the word. We can win and we WILL WIN against Breast Cancer.  Help me help others by donating today. You can donate directly to the Canadian Breast Cancer website at  http://www.runforthecure.com/goto/Tammyspage

Thank you for reading and thank you for standing up for the 22,900 Women and Men that will diagnosed this year. Thank you for your support and perhaps I’ll even see you out there on September 30, 2012 fighting alongside me.

Tammy Sieben

The Big Stink!

Ok, so before you think I am going all "granola" on you, just know that I am not.

But, here's the scoop.  I have noticed that since I have "aged" a bit, certain deodorants do not work for me as well as I would like.  I don't stink, but if I can smell me, then I don't like it.  I have tried everything from no deodorant (ick) to combo deodorant / antiperspirant to just the antiperspirant.  I have switched brands, tried to see if lasering the hair under the pits would help....everything.   And again, I don't stink, I am not a "smelly" person, but I have noticed (on me) that with age, comes a more "ripe" odour that I don't like.   It's okay for cheese to age and ripen, but really, that's not what I want for me!!!

This is not a topic that people usually have with each other, but a girlfriend at work and I have discussed it because we both have had our own issues with this problem.   She recently sent me something she found on-line about making your own deodorant.  Again, I am not going all granola, but hey, at this point, I will try anything!   So, I tried it.  It was simple to make with pure ingredients.  This week, I was even able to put the home-made anti-stink concoction to the ultimate test as we were camping.  The result?  This stuff really WORKS and it is just amazing!

Some good quality coconut oil

Aluminium free baking soda (left)
and the arrowroot powder

Some essential oils

Here is the recipe and the ingredients I used.    All of these ingredients are available at your local organic market (Planet Organic for me!).

1/3 cup of coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup aluminium free baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
essential oils (optional, but a nice touch)

Mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder in a glass bowl.  Add coconut oil (solid state...do not melt) and mix with a pastry cutter or fork to thoroughly blend with the dry ingredients.  Add 5 - 10 drops of your favourite essential oil.  For my recipe, I added vanilla (thought I would just do something nice but not to overpowering).  It was also recommended to add 1 - 2 drops of tea tree oil for the anti-bacterial aspect of it.  I don't like the smell of tea tree oil, but with the vanilla, it was fine, and the tea tree oil smell has since disappeared.   Add more coconut oil or arrowroot powder / baking soda if needed until consistency is similar to a commercial solid stick style deodorant.  Note that I did not have to add any more.  Scoop mixture into a small jar or container and store at room temperature.  In summer months, you may have to store it in your fridge because coconut oil will melt at 76 degrees.

To apply, use your fingers to scoop out a small pea size amount and massage it into your armpits daily or as needed.  Allow a minute or two for the deodorant to set before getting dressed.

Remember..this is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant.  It won't stop you from sweating, but hey, you won't stink!


**another tip that I have not tried?  It was suggested to me to save your old deodorant and just scoop in your new home made one and just "roll" it on as you would usually do.  Have not tried this yet, but will do it next time for sure!

Week 4 Update....

So end of week 4, and today was my day....but it was not meant to be.

I was 162.6 lb this morning...but....am I surprised?  Not really.   Factor in Stampede foods, going out to dinner twice (lucky me!) and only exercising twice, it's not hard to figure out why!

Well, there's always week 5.

Chocolate Energy Balls

Yesterday I tried yet again an amazing (and healthy) chocolatey treat.   Of course I had to have the recipe from a series of cookbooks that I have not heard of (which surprised me!).  The cookbook series is called "Whitewater Cooks" written by Shelley Adams.

I found different variations of these energy balls on-line.  The recipe itself is so versatile and looks like it would accept different ingredient substitutions.  One thing is for sure...Shelley Adams has created something amazing, simple and delicious and nutritious.  I even had one for breakfast.

Whitewater Energy Balls

1 cup toasted sunflower seeds

1 cup toasted sesame seeds

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup dried cranberries (1 used 1/2 cran, 1/2 raisins)

1/2 cup cocoa

2 cups peanut butter (out of necessity, I used 1 cup organic peanut butter, 1 cup of "Wow" peanut-free peanut butter)

1/2 cup of honey

1 1/2 cups toasted coconut for the coating. (I didn't have coconut so used cocoa powder to coat mine)

Put everything in a bowl except the coconut.  Mix ingredients well.  More honey may be needed to hold everything together.  I had to put mine in the fridge overnight to firm it up a bit.  Roll into them into timbit sized balls, and then roll in toasted coconut (or in my case, more cocoa powder).  From what I read, you can store these in the refrigerator for a week, or in the freezer for up to one month.

Healthy, nutritious and sinfully delicious!   Thanks Whitewatercooks!   I will definitely be buying this series of cookbooks and trying some new recipes!

http://whitewatercooks.com/index.html

Top Ten Stampede Moments

The Calgary Herald published their list "100 Unforgettable Stampede Moments".   The list was pretty impressive, and I enjoyed reading that in paper this morning.  Considering I only went for 1 day, I thought I could write my top 10 moments.  And it goes without saying that the best thing was spending time with the family, so that's not part of my top 10!

Shooting practice

Howdy!

10.  No line up for admission when we went!   This made number 64 in the Calgary Herald.  We went on Friday July 13th in the early afternoon and it was a fantastic time of day to go.

9. Found just about all of my Stampede Foods (these have also individually made it into my top 10).  Was sad that I did not find my jalapeno corn dog....next year, I guess!

8. Fantastic weather!  This actually made the Herald list at number 55.  The day we went was not too hot, not too cold...just right!

7.  Free Parking for us!   We decided to drive to the grounds instead of taking the LRT.  The first lot we tried, the dude there told us it would be 40 bucks to park there!  We promptly said "no thanks" (what a rip off!) and found a pay-lot a bit further away.   While we were pulling in, an kind woman offered us her ticket that was paid for until 7pm!  Thanks for that!   I have done this before as well with these types of pay-parking lots...pay it forward, and it'll all work out!

6.  Lemon Heaven Stands everywhere.  Our family loves the Lemonade from Lemon Heaven!   I tried the original lemonade with Splenda this time (their "Diabetic Lemonade") and it was delicious!

5.  Swing Up trampoline show at the Bell Stage!  This made the Herald at number 93, and we stumbled upon it...right place, right time and what a phenomenal show!

These guys were AMAZING....

Even in the heat, they did NOT stop
and did not disappoint! 

4. Deep fried Wisconsin Cheese with Jalapeno Ranch Dip.  My only mistake was not getting the combo plate.  We got the jalapeno cheddar....and yes, sinful, and no, not healthy, but sooooo goooood.......

3.  I won a prize!  I played the game where they had to guess my age (yeah, didn't go with the weight-one!) but the guy guessed 36!   I am well over that, so was happy with my Reggae Banana Stuffed Dude prize.

2.  Beef Brisket Poutine, Deep Fried Pickles, Pulled Pork on a Bun, Pulled Pork Parfait, etc...  Deep Fried Pickles made the Herald today at number 44, but Stampede goers need to make sure they are getting the BEST and ORIGINAL deep fried pickles with horsey-mayo from....my number one favorite place......

This was round 1 at Big T's.   Note that this food was NOT all
for me!  Our family of four shared it.   Hmm...it seems the pulled
pork on a bun is missing...probably eaten before the picture was taken

Round 2 at Big T's....fries (yummers) and yes, more
Deep Fried Pickles with Horsey Mayo!

1.  BIG T's SOUTHERN BBQ!!!!!!!   Our friend's restaurant rocked the Stampede this year....they worked incredibly hard in incredible heat.  Their line ups may have been long, but they were so quick to distribute their food (probably one of the fastest at Stampede) nobody was hungry for very long!  Thanks Big T's!



And for anyone who wants the Heralds list.....here's the link!

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/curling/unforgettable+Stampede+moments/6939056/story.html

Pumpkin Muffins

The following recipe was inspired by a cookbook put out by the Dietitian's of Canada called "Simply Great Food".  It's actually a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Nut Bread from the book, but I have modified it slightly and I think the result is excellent!   Just had to share this recipe...too good not to!  I always make a double batch, (that whole bake 'n freeze thing) and add in extras.  Here is the double-batch-modified recipe...

Regular sized pumpkin raisin muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
4 tsp ground allspice
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger

Mix all of these above ingredients in a bowl, set aside.  Now in a separate bowl, whisk together the following:

1 can (398 ml) of pure pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling!)
100 ml of Oikos plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup water (don't add unless needed)
1 cup of ground pecans (I used my mini food processor)

Mix the above ingredients together, and whisk well.  Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, and mix until just blended...don't overmix.  If the dough is too sticky, then you can add some of the water.

Now..because we have a few chocoholics in our house, as well as others who prefer raisins in their muffins, this double batch works out perfectly.  Divide the mixture in half and add chocolate chips to one half (makes about 24 - 30 mini muffins).  These mini's are great for kids, great to freeze and take camping or to take on a day trip somewhere for a quick snack.  The other half can make almost 24 regular sized muffins, which are great to keep my raisin-loving hubby happy.  Kids are happy, hubby is happy, everyone's happy!

I love this recipe from this Dietitian's of Canada cookbook (Simply Great Food, page 283).  I highly recommend it.  I added a bit of Greek yogurt to mine, and the Oikos brand has a lot of great protein and 2% milk fat.  Whether you use the one from the book, or add in my slight modification, the end result will be delicious.

Enjoy!

Some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for the kids (and me!)

A funny thing happened on the way to the Co-op...

So a funny thing happened on the way to the grocery store.

When I got home today from work, I felt energized by the warm summer night and our plans to see the Stampede fireworks later.  I changed from my work clothes, and quickly through on my jean capris and a tee-shirt.  Ahhh........love getting out of those work clothes and into my comfy stretchy clothes.  My husband and kids were helping the new neighbours build a play structure.  We decided to cook up some smokies and hot dogs for everyone, but I had to run to the store to grab buns.  So off I went to the Co-op grocery store.   I parked the car and walked at a fast pace across the parking lot.   I started to feel something.  Something drifting....or shifting....down my leg.  What was that?? I stupidly ignored it, but as I approached the entrance to the store, again I felt a sliding feeling of something soft running down the inside leg of my capris.  Finally, as I got to the door, the soft feeling shifted more.....I looked down.  What????? I saw purple, red and pink flowers sticking out the bottom of my capris...just hanging there.   I knew instantly that it was a pair of my panties caught in the capris.  OMG.   Quickly, I grabbed them, and shoved them in my purse.  I am sure by this time I was turning all shades of red (ironically, all the colours in this particular pair of panties).  OK Sherene, just get the buns and get the @#$% out of here!  Never in my life had I breezed so fast through a grocery store.  Buns....don't forget the buns!!!

And I guess now, I should take those panties out of my purse before I have to pay for something with my credit card, and oops! How did THOSE end up there???   All's well that ends well, though...one more mishap to share with friends for a laugh!

Breaking the Barrier...

End of week 3.   Post-routine weight is..........

161.4 pounds!

So while I am not exactly where I wanted to be at the end of week 3, I did manage to shave off a pound this week.  So that IS something to celebrate for many reasons:

1.  As you get older, every ounce, every gram that you lose needs to be celebrated.

2.  Today is the day that we go to the Calgary Stampede, and I have my list of foods that I will be indulging in and have the whole week to work my off the deep fried cheese, pulled pork poutine, jalapeno corn dog and deep fried pickles (okay, I may not go that crazy, but it's good to have a dream.

3.  I am closer to my goal this week than I was last week

4.  I feel great, even though up until yesterday it was tough to lower myself down on the toilet for any kind of activity down there....needed those rails on my wall.  All signs of a good workout, I am told!

So what are my next steps for this final week in my weight loss challenge?  I have to first keep telling myself that there is a bigger picture here...a "global goal", which is that this has to be a lifestyle and not a phase, or I will end up back where I started.  Next, I need to be okay with the fact that my goal initially set 3 weeks ago may not be reached.  And I am okay with that.  Perhaps my new goal could be just to squeak by that 160 lb mark, and go ever so slightly into the 150's.  This is adventurous, especially as I am indulging today!  I will have to do at least 2 bootcamps next week, plus may have to (sigh) do ADDITIONAL exercise (eek) to compensate.

So...the goal for this week....break that barrier, and head into the 150's with style, grace and a little bit of pulled pork poutine!

Boot Camp, Baby!

It sounds so simple....

...yet its just do darned hard to do!

So I finally did it.

I added exercise to my routine (today).   A friend of mine is a Certified Fitness Trainer and had a great summer deal to stay in shape (in my case...to GET in shape).  I "ebb and flow" with my exercise.  There are times when I am very regimented and work out regularly with my yoga, and my zumba (the mighty flow) and then it just stops because I don't make the effort to make the time (alas, the ebb).

That's really problem though, isn't it?  To make the time for ourselves to BE healthy and to feel and look great, and ultimately defy the aging process!   I think about my day today and it was busy even though I was not at work.  I unpacked from our weekend camping trip, did some camping laundry, cleaned some bathrooms, took kids to their annual eye doctor appointment, drove to pick up my daughters friend (who is lovely!), prepped dinner......and I decided that my "me-time" today would be boot camp.  I don't like exercise, I am not good at it, but I can say that right now, I feel great!  And we even did burpies and I survived!

The result?  I am proud of myself for joining the summer boot camp, I took an hour of "me-time" today, and am happy that my exercise routine is no longer in the ebb phase, but in the flow...now if I could just keep it there!

Win Some, Lose Some :-(

End of week 2 for my weight loss challenge.....there's good news and bad news.   The bad news first...I gained 1 pound this week.  My weight this morning, after my "routine" was 162.4 lb.    Up one pound since last week.   The good news is that my "net" loss is still down.

The challenges this week
Summer is here, drinks on the patio, my mom was visiting (so we ate out a few times), trips to the Farmers Market, ate a few too many desserts, wine, etc...

Challenges for the week to come
The main challenge this week is that the Calgary Stampede starts today.  While we are not avid stampede go-er's, we will go once to the grounds and will have to enjoy some of the Stampede foods.  I have my eye and stomach on the Wisconsin deep fried cheese and Big T's BBQ and Smokehouse (our friends own that place, and its AMAZING!  Best new food at the Calgary Stampede 2 years ago!).   Deep fried cheese?  I know, sinful, but I missed it last year!  So really, it would be a sin NOT to have it, right?   And Big T's....well, that's easy, my friends own that restaurant, and I am being  a good friend by supporting them, so it would be wrong NOT to go there....right?  

My plan
I will have to avoid all processed and sugary foods EXCEPT on the day I go to stampede!  While it is probably best to avoid the whole thing altogether, regarding the food at stampede, for me this is a bit unrealistic.  My compromise is to choose two things, and I choose the deep fried cheese and to enjoy something at Big T's (hey, it could be worse...I could just say to hell with it and go for all of it...the deep fried wagon wheels, the bacon sundae funnel cake, the jalapeno corn dogs.....)

We'll see how this week goes, but I am determined to enjoy myself AND work my way down a bit more towards my goal of being in the 150's-zone!




http://www.bigtsbbq.com/

http://cs.calgarystampede.com/fun-food/food.html

Happy 100th Birthday, Calgary Stampede!

Took the kids and my mom to see the mini-parade at the Children's Hospital today.  What a perfect parade!  Complete with great floats, bands, fire fighters and police officers, horses, a helicopter and so much more!  Easy parking, clean bathrooms inside, and running time for the parade?  30 minutes!  Plus, the bands, and all of the parade floats stayed afterwards, and you can take the kids and get pictures with everyone.  My shining moment was when I told my daughter that we should go see the fire truck....her response?  "Oh mom!  You just want to see those firemen!!!"  Kids say the darndest things!

All in all, it was a great way to get into the stampede spirit!

Happy 100th Birthday, Calgary Stampede!

Yeee-hawww!

The Sherene Special!

  

Last week when I weighed myself, I was pleased to see the progress with my weight loss, which was just over 2 lb.  Then came Finger Food Friday, followed by a trip to Banff and a Canmore bakery on Saturday, followed by a Sunday trip to CFM (Calgary Farmer's Market).  The list goes on.  Every day could be a special occasion, and you can always make an excuse as to why you could eat something you really shouldn't.  

The Sherene Special...available at Rea's

Today was time to get back to it, and it turned out to be a pretty good day for me.  I had a healthy day, didn't eat too much, ate foods from all four food groups, and even though we went out for dinner at one of my favourite Italian restaurants, I did well!  We went to Rea's Italian Cucina (formerly known as Sandro's Restaurant).  My mom is visiting this week, and she wanted to take us all out for dinner.  For those of you who know me, you know that I am a bit of a high maintenance foodie (okay, okay, I am just high maintenance!).   I am constantly looking at the menu, asking our server questions and never know what to order.   My dilemma today?  I really really REALLY love pasta, but really really REALLY wanted to be good and not eat too much.  But I also wanted to feel satisfied and happy with my meal and my entire restaurant experience.    This was not easy for me to do.  I decided to focus on the things that I really LOVE at this restaurant.  We shared a few appies (bruschetta and calamari adriatica).  I had half a piece of the bruschetta and some of the calamari, which I love!  It's not deep fried, but is in a tomato-lemon sauce and is just so so yummy.  I asked our server if they would make me up a plate of the calamari for dinner, with  a side of their caprese salad.  What an amazing presentation for my dinner.  The food was phenomenal, and I was 100 percent satisfied.

I did of course pick a little at my daughters gnocchi, and my husband's fettuccini, but all in all, it was much better than what I would have normally eaten, which would have been a full plate of pasta with cream sauce and at least 2 pieces of the bread they bring to the table.  All in all, I truly enjoyed my meal, which was followed by no dessert, but just a cappucino...and yes, of course I had wine (it lowers the bad cholesterol, you know).    The moral of my story today?  If I can go to an Italian restaurant, and be completely satisfied without eating pasta...anything is possible!


http://www.reasrestaurant.com/

http://www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca/