Body N' Sole!

Strengthen that core, tummies up and bums down!
Come on...you can do it! 

I think something is wrong.

I am actually enjoying my bootcamp at 6 a.m. in the morning.  Or almost enjoying it.  Or...not dreading it.  One of those, but at the very least, I am not dreading it.  I joined my friend's boot camp again (her link is below...its Body N' Sole! Check it out!) right before Christmas, and crazy me...I was one of her "repeat offenders" and joined again for the January session (and I will probably join up again for March!  What IS wrong with me????).

When I first started (or started over again) in October, I could not even do 1 full push-up...I had to go from my knees...which is not bad, but the fact that I could not do a single push-up bothered me.  At the beginning I actually felt that I would never get there.   So it shocked the hell out of me when I realized that I actually could do it.  

At the start and end of each session, there is a fitness test where you do three things:  Sprint back and forth, do some step-ups onto a box and do push-ups.  Each thing is timed, and then you do the exact same thing at the end of the 8 week session to see if you improved.   Here are my results from last session, and while it's not an Olympic record, for me, the improvement shows me that I CAN do it.

Sprinting back and forth, 20 feet, timed for 2 minutes:  

• First Session:  9 1/2 times   
• Final Session:  12 1/2 times.  This number didn't change drastically for me, but the number improved slight.  Keep in mind I am averse to running.  So good for me for improving!

Step-ups onto a box, timed for 1 minute per leg.  

• First Session Right Leg: 30, Final Session Right Leg: 29  
• First session Left Leg: 21, Final Session Left Leg 28.  So my right leg was a bit less, but my weaker leg....I went from 21 step ups to 28!   Not bad for an old coot like me!

Push-ups, timed for 1 minute, and we are to keep track of how many full push ups, and knee push ups

• First Session:  23 Knee Push Ups.  
• Final Session:  15 Full push ups, 19 Knee Push ups!!!!   This was the biggest improvement for me, and the most meaningful.  At the beginning of the fall session, I had to start from my knees, and by the end, I could actually do a reasonable "bums-tucked-in" full push up (15 of them)!    

So what do I love about my bootcamp (or what do I tolerate)

• My exercise is done by 7 am 
• Super Fun! (hmmmmmmm........my goodness...what is happening to me?)  
• It's only 2 times per week...which is enough for me...anything else that I do is bonus (like dog walking!)
• Every week is different...we work hard, and it IS hard, but she always makes sure the workouts are unique and different.  
• My friend, the bootcamp-babe is so energetic, it is inspiring, and she gives me motivation to keep going!

So far, this is longest and most consistent form of exercise I have ever done.   Thanks Body N' Sole!   You have made me not dread exercise!  I may even be enjoying it (or enjoying the benefits of it, anyway!)  See you Monday morning!  I may even be on time!

http://bodynsole.ca/

Waffle Bacon Sandwich (dipped in home-made syrup)

Last night, the kids and I were on our own for supper since hubby had a hockey game.  I did not feel like cooking, and would have been fine with a piece of brie and a baguette, but the kids had other plans.  While I don't usually  let them dictate the menu, we had no brie and no baguette..so I was willing to listen.  They wanted to have breakfast for supper...a common meal in our house on days where we don't know what the heck to prepare.  Waffles.  Sounds delish.  Then, the icing on the cake...a full pack of thick sliced gourmet bacon waiting in the fridge.  Waffles and bacon.  Throw in some fresh strawberries and a glass of milk and you've got a full meal deal with the essentials...source of protein (milk); source of carbohydrate (waffle), source of fruit/vegetable (strawberries) and a fun food (BACON!!!!).

Then an idea struck...The Waffle Bacon Sandwich dipped in home made syrup.  What could be better than that?   And yes, home made syrup...easy and delicious.

From start to finish it really was a fantastic meal.  The kids and I prepared the meal together and chatted about school, friends, and just life in general.

There were even leftover waffles for breakfast the next morning...but sadly, no bacon.  We ate the whole pound on our own!


Recipe for home made syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup Golden Syrup (not to be confused with corn syrup!)
1/2 cup of water

Bring above to a gentle boil, let cool and then add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.  

Another hockey dance come and gone...

Another hockey dance has come and gone, but the memories last forever. Then there are the memories that over time, have turned into urban legends, spread like wildfire, and are never forgotten, but are like fine wine..they just get better every year.

Weird taking a pic of just me....
but I really liked my top! All ready
for the Ice Breakers 2013 Dance

This year was by far the best year and I decided to be the DD (!!)   In previous years, we rented a limo which always involved someone bleeding BEFORE getting to the dance, grouchy limo drivers, us all being stranded at 2 in the morning in minus 40 degrees AFTER the dance (nowhere near your house), and having our limo driver "lose" his keys in a snow bank (how did that happen, you ask...that's one of those urban legends....).  The limo was fun and I am glad we did it, but this year, I liked driving and being in control (I am a control freak).  Plug in the iPod, insert the metal buckle into the opening, and get ready to party! Though it was a bit squishy, we all had fun.

Prawns and Sea Scallops in chili butter with brown butter gnocchi and asparagus
Anyone drooling yet????

Pre-Dance was dinner was at Redwater Grill, and I am sure I dreamt about scallops and pancetta last night (sorry hubby!).  This is definitely on my A+ list of restaurants.

We ended up at the dance a little late due to a glitch beyond our control, but we made the best of it, and had a fantastic time anyway.  At the dance...that's what I do.  Dance. Visit. Dance. Dance.  Love it.  You get to see people you haven't seen in a long time, you get to let the music move you (isn't that a song?), and at the end of the night, though my Eddie Bauer Down Filled jacket was soaked with someone's beer, I had a great time.  I even made sure all of my passengers were dropped off at their door (no stranding anyone!!).

A good time had by all.  Cuckooo! Cuckooo!   Here's to the next gathering!

Happy New Year!

So I have been on a bit of a hiatus.

November: was filled with Christmas season busy-ness:  shopping, decorating, eating.  December had more shopping, more eating and ended with a great trip to Florida to see the folks.  January, as usual is a let down:  financial losses, weight gain, returning items that didn't fit.  and of course we can't forget making those "healthful" resolutions that will last at least 31 days.

But...what a better way for me to forget about the gains and losses, and show you a picture of the newest member of our family!  

Meet Lulu!  How could you not love this face???

Lulu stretching out...all 1.5 kg of her!

Our children have been bugging us (and bugging us and BUGGING us) for a dog for years.   "All our friends have a dog"  or "we promise to do everything" or "don't you love us?".    I too wanted a dog, but hubby was not too excited, and is not really a dog person.  Well, in November, he surprised me with his idea on what to get the kids for Christmas.  "I know what we should get the kids....a dog!".  I could not believe it.  His idea.  And he was serious.  We had originally wanted to wait until the end of our hockey/ringette season but we found our dog a few months early.  We met Lulu quite by chance while dropping off our son at a friends house.  Turns out, they breed dogs, and they were in the genre that we wanted:  dogs with hair and not fur, and small.  As soon as Lulu was put into my arms....I knew.   

We surprised the children for Christmas, and I can't even explain how excited the kids were.  They were in a state of disbelief when I had Lulu tucked away in my jacket.  It was an incredible moment.  

We've had Lulu with us now for just over a week, and I have to say she is doing amazingly well.  Her potty training is going well, and she hardly has any accidents now.  She eats well and poops on time.  I should really try and find a puppy growth chart and plot her on it!   She is playful and cuddly and the kids love walking her and we all help with the dog-duties.  

She is by far the best Christmas present, and she was worth the wait.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Katniss Everdeen!

I have never LOVED Hallowe'en.  I like it, but I don't love it.  Growing up in Nova Scotia, it was always cold and damp, and any costume you wore had to be modified with some sort of raincoat and rubber boots, or a winter jacket and mitts.   Calgary is no different, though the last 5 years here have been so mild that tonight's "freezing" weather threw me for a loop.  But...it's all about the kids, and they had a blast tonight.  

Welcome to Zombie-land!

For the first time since we have been taking them Trick or Treating, tonight was the first night that they went on their own, with friends.   At first, I thought I would be sad (no, I didn't!).   I came home after dropping my daughter at her friends and it was just my husband and I.  A strange feeling at first on  Hallowe'en, but then, we opened some wine, made a fancy cheese and olive plate, and I was no longer feeling nostalgic...but feeling proud that my kids had friends to be with, and proud that they were out on their own, having fun.  

All in all, it was a Happy Hallwe'en for everyone...kids AND parents!

Tricks and Treats for us too!!!  Yum!

Lasagne Florentine-ish!

Tonight was a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-dinner!

• Worked til 4:30. home by 4:55, with 5 minutes to spare before taking my daughter to dance.
• In that 5 minutes, it was quick thinking:  make dinner versus take out.  Nope...make dinner. Be good.

Then for a quick assessment of what I had (clock ticking)...

• Cooked chicken from Costco in the freezer, frozen bag of spinach, mozza in the fridge, milk, garlic, lasagne noodles....hmmmmmmmmm...this could actually work!
• 4:59....dump lasagne noodles in pot with water, turn on stove, and ask the boy to keep an eye on it while I drop his sis to dance.   He is so good...when I got home, the noodles were gently simmering, and he had pushed all the lasagne noodles to fit in the pot!

I was home again by 5:25 pm and had 35 minutes before I had to leave again to pick up the girl.

• Melt butter, garlic, flour, add milk...quick white sauce...done.
• Grate cheese
• Microwave frozen spinach and squeeze out water
• add fresh garlic and some mozza to spinach.  This will be the middle layer.....
• Chicken...all cooked cuz it was from Costco!
• Noodles...done.....

Time to put it all together....5:45 pm....here goes....

• First layer... noodles, then some chicken, sauce and a bit of mozza.   
• Next layer..noodles, and the spinach/garlic/mozza layer and a bit of sauce
• Next layer...noodles, chicken, sauce, and finish off with the rest of the mozza.  

5:57....3 minutes before I have to go get daughter from dance!

• Foil....oven....350.....I'm out the door, and dinner is in the oven!

Home again at 6:25 pm....dinner is almost ready, and I even have time to make garlic bread!

My biggest regret in all this?  I took no picture of dinner, as we were starving, and ready to eat!   It was actually pretty good!  What made it easy?  The chicken from Costco, the frozen spinach, and the fact that I basically think about food every time I am driving home from work!

Rivel Soup for the Soul...

Steaming bowl-a-soup, anyone?

 Both our kids were sick today...flu, cold, etc...I think most people, kids included, have their "safe foods" when they are feeling unwell.  My kids always ask for something called "rivel soup". I learned how to make this from my mother-in-law, and have to say, while mine is not as good as hers, it is pretty close (which means it is amazing!).  

It is dubbed "lazy man noodle" soup, but there is nothing lazy about it, unless you've been making it for years.   The first time I made it, it took me almost 45 minutes to make these rivels!



I always save my bones...be it from chicken or turkey.  I just bag 'em and chuck 'em in the freezer.  When I am ready to make soup, just add water, and boil 'em up.   I add a bay leaf or two, some soup base and some sea salt and pepper, and then the broth tastes amazing, fresh and cures what ails you. Start boiling it in the late morning and let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Strain out all the bones.  If there is meat on the bones, you can shred it off and use in the soup if you wish.

For the rivels, its simply eggs and flour, and you really need to see someone do it to know how to do it.   I will attempt to write the recipe out, though, just in case there are any adventurous people out there!

• start with 2 cups and a bit of flour
• add in 3 eggs.   NO water at this point.
• Mix together rubbing your hands together, and make it all look like sand at a beach.
• Then, you need to add water, but if you add too much, it will wreck it.  I find that if you just slightly wet your had under the tap, and mix it into your bowl, it works better.  Every time you do that, rub all the dough together.  Eventually, you'll get nice small little balls (I know, sounds funny). 
• If it still appears too fine, wet your hand again, and rub the dough all together between your hands.   
• Once it looks like this....then pour all your balls in a colander and shake out the tiny tiny balls, and use only the one's that stay in your colander.

The rivels.....

• The broth (which you should have ready after boiling up those bones) should be boiling, and then just add in the balls!  
• Boil for 5 minutes or so, and your soup is ready.  Add S&P to taste.  I know it has no veggies, but the broth, combined with the "lazy-man-egg-noodles" are just perfect for that comfort food that is much needed for colds, or getting over the flu, when you need those hot steaming liquids.  

One last pic of my perfect-rivels!

I am happy to say that my rivels were amazing today, and I made them in less than 15 minutes!  Practice does really make perfect!