Belly Dance = Hard Work!

What a class we had last night at Belly Dance! Phew! I woke up sore this morning.

I think I've mentioned that we are performing mid-April for the Ladies Curling Banquet, in an attempt to grow the program. Last night we did a million run throughs of the two dances we are doing. The ladies in the class are really starting to panic. I won't feel panic until the day of. I have to put all my belly dance music on my iPod today so that I can practice my dances on vacay. I need to really learn the music cues. The one dance we learned 3 years ago, so I just have to tweak my arms and hands. The other dance though, we just learned this semester! YIKES!!

On the walking front, I have a 45 minute fast walk today, which I think I will run up to the Club for. It is nice enough outside, for sure, but....I'm afraid to go walking outside if I don't have someone at home waiting for my return.....silly, yes, I know, but.....it is all part of the silliness that is me! But I digress. I think the last time I did the "fast" walk on the treadmill, I did 3.7 mph. I know, not fast, but a starting point. So, today I will do....drumroll please.....3.8!!!! Woo, hooo. I have to be up around 4.0 mph by the actual marathon. That is 6.5 kph here, which is what my walking partner would like to do race day. So, not tooo far to go. Meanwhile - more iPod audiobook time! YAY!!

I have so much running around to do today - I'm quite tired and stressed just thinking about it. It will be a miracle if the timing all works out. I don't know what I was thinking when I set everything up - it has built in stress. Sheesh.

So, I'd better go have some breakfast, so that I can get started on my running around.

I'm going to be away from blogging for the next two weeks - so everyone stay on track, as will I. I'm funny, eh??

Have a healthy 14 days bloggers!!

Full on Boycott

It is official. I am boycotting American Idol. I was in a partial boycott after last week's elimination show. However, after last night, I won't even be flipping over during the commercials. They need to change the format. Maybe if the judges picked the bottom 3 and then had people vote, or something. But with the current format? I AM NOT WATCHING!!!!

Phew. Feels good to get that out.

So, today I did something crazy. I got my hair permed. It looks AWESOME!!! The gal did it with these huge rollers, and I have that wavy look now that people get with a curling iron, but I can't do because my hair is so freakin straight. I'm really excited.

No walking today, since it is a rest day. Tonight is belly dance. I have to hurry up and learn my choreographies, since I will be performing them in less than one month!!! What the hell was I thinking saying yes to that????

I just got a call from Synchro Mom, who is my walking partner. She sprained her right ankle. She has to stay off it for 2 weeks!!! I will be off on vacation for the next 2 weeks anyhow, and so was planning on training alone, but I feel really bad for her, because she is just starting her spring curling leagues. And she will miss finals. So awful.

Well, I was so busy getting my hair done that supper is now NOT done. I must away!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Hills

So, today was an hour of hill walking. I was supposed to go with my walking buddy, but we had a major snow storm this morning. So, I ended up at the gym on the treadmill. With my audiobook. I actually hadn't really played around with the levels on the treadmill that much. I think next time I can go higher. In any case, I got my hour done and it feels good.

I just had the best Greek salad for lunch. Instead of using the dressing that came with the salad, which was 140 calories, 15g fat per package (they give you two), I used this Japanese Dressing made from soy & vinegar. 40 calories & no fat and it was so good. Yum. It also came with 1/2 a pita. A nice complete lunch.

Well, I must away.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

General Musings

Well, I'm done work again. And not a moment too soon, since I have a jammed packed schedule the next few days. Ugh! I hate all this rushing around.

I really enjoyed my contract work this past week. Well, I enjoyed it in that I really liked getting to spend time with my former co-workers. It is just shocking how much I miss them.

So, today was my 45 minute fast walk. I was too lazy to drive to the gym, so I put on the iPod and .....went outside! Imagine! I had a good walk. Got my heart going and managed to listen to another 45 minutes of my audiobook. Just about killed me to have to turn it off after 45 minutes, but I promised myself that I wouldn't listen to it unless I was walking.

Tomorrow is an hour of hills. Oh, the inhumanity!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

MIA

Sheesh - it feels like it has been forever since I've blogged!

I had to work last week as well as today and tomorrow. Since I haven't worked since July, I'm a bit out of my routine. Yikes - talk about disorganization! My new crockpot sure came in handy - I've made many tasty recipes for dinner. I typically don't like chicken, but so far, my Thai Chicken Thigh & Polynesian Chicken Thigh recipes are changing my mind!!

Last week I didn't exercise. Too tired. This week I decided screw it, even tired, it has to be done. So, off I toodled to the gym right away after work. I did 35 minutes (yes, 35 freakin minutes) on the elliptical trainer. I feel very proud of myself. My legs are sore now though!

Sadly, as I was leaving the club, I had to take an alternate route because there had been a pedestrian accident. I'm not sure if the fellow had passed away or what, but I was quite shaken up driving home. Poor him! I've been checking the news, but haven't heard anything yet.

So, anyone out there going to be watching Dancing with the Stars? I kinda like that show, because I love watching the dancing. Plus, I think these people really have a lot of guts to get out there and learn those dances.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

American Idol

Short post, but I just have to say that I'm seriously considering a boycott of AI! I'm SO mad at who got voted off tonight - Ugh! I can hardly even think about it!!!!!! Seriously - am I the only one who figures that of all the bad singers, Sanjaya was the WORST!! Seriously, I was praying he would forget the words to his song, so we wouldn't have to listen anymore! Oh, the outrage!!!!

100 Things about Moi

1. I am the oldest of 4 children, though, because my youngest brother & sister were born when I was 15, I think of myself as 1 of 2. My own personal Borg designation
2. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I love every single one of the series
3. Both my sister & I have a dad named George, but they aren't the same man
4. We didn't know this until we were 14 and 11, and it was our cousin that told us
5. I have been married for almost 17 years and I am VERY proud of this
6. I do not think living together is the same as being married. The only thing like being married is....BEING MARRIED!!!!
7. I have a tattoo and my belly pierced
8. My husband doesn't like tattoos, but I plan to get another one
9. I don't believe for one second that man has been to the moon
10. I knew my whole life I would have a daughter - I felt it was my destiny
11. I picked my daughter's name when I was sixteen. It is still one of my favourite names ever
12. Fatinah is my belly dance name
13. If I could change my name to anything, I would choose Elizabeth
14. Elizabeth is, oddly enough, the name my husband hates the MOST
15. I wish Canada was truly bilingual - not just around the airports
16. I love being Canadian
17. I hate Canadian television - and get enraged when Global & CTV cut out the American feeds
18. I loved everything about having a baby and felt bad for my husband because he had to experience it all from the outside
19. I wish I had NEVER nursed my daughter
20. I haven't been to Church since my grandmother died
21. My grandmother had a parental role in my family
22. I truly believe that my grandmother loved me & my sister the most and I don't feel guilty about it
23. I got to tell her how much I loved her before she passed
24. I miss her so very much
25. I didn't get my driver's license until I was over 30
26. I didn't reconnect with my father until I was 20
27. I learned that you can't go back - while he will always be in my life, he will never feel like a father
28. When I was younger and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would think "part of a family", but answer a teacher or nurse
29. I hate when people comment negatively on the fact that I only have one child
30. I was polite for the first 3 years, and now I answer back rudely, because I find the comments rude to begin with
31. I'm still friends with the mom of a boyfriend I had at 17 - we often go and stay with them for weekend trips
32. I can never run for office because there is a topless picture of me out there (and it is smoking hot)
33. I can't get enough Buffy or Angel - I own both on dvd
34. I cry at the drop of a dime
35. This is the one trait about myself that I would change if I could
36. I took a year of personal growth during which I taught myself to write with my left hand AND I took a job that was completely out of my field
37. I used to have to stop in the washroom everyday before going to my desk in that new job, look myself in the mirror and say "You can do this"
38. I am very proud of this, because by the time I was done with the job, I was comfortable
39. My boyfriend when I was 16 hit me so hard I fell down
40. I knew at that moment I'd be able to handle anything, because I walked away
41. I drew on that strength to make my move out west
42. When I spend time with my one sister I feel bad that my daughter is an only child
43. I admire my sister - I think she has great strength and grace
44. I have a Tim Horton X-Large one and one almost every day - after "good morning", the first words out of my mouth are "let's go for coffee"
45. I can watch the same movies over and over - this drives my husband crazy
46. But not as crazy as when I watch a movie on tv that we own on dvd!
47. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Blade movies and was devastated when Blade the series was cancelled - I thought it was one of the best new shows on tv
48. I also love Underworld 1&2 - brilliant
49. I can't watch horror films though, or anything too suspenseful
50. If Morgan Freeman is in the movie, I can't watch it until I know if his character dies or not
51. Morgan Freeman's voice alone makes me want to cry - he sounds like such a gentle soul
52. I am attracted to older men and beards
53. I think all things being equal, black men are better looking than white men
54. I watch the movie "I, Robot" just for the shower scene at the beginning
55. I don't follow astrology, nor would I ever go to a fortune teller
56. I wish I could sing
57. I am a sucker for a sense of humour
58. And yet it always surprises me when my husband makes me laugh
59. I hate shopping because I'm so uncomfortable when sales people approach me
60. I am very sarcastic
61. I have trouble turning it off
62. I like to listen to songs that remind me of ages 10 - 13 - I don't know why
63. Easter is my favourite holiday, because it reminds me so much of my grandmother
64. I used to have the same nightmare every Easter because I would be overwhelmed with all the talk of Christ's death
65. I don't notice when people say f*ck, but I cringe when they say "for Christ's sake"
66. I am pro life - and I believe that is my choice ;-)
67. My favourite character in Star Trek is Worf.
68. The worst argument I ever had with my husband was over putting peas in the chicken fried rice
69. I am just now comfortable with my past
70. I have brown hair and blue eyes that turn green when I cry
71. I am a people pleaser, and I've come to accept it
72. I cried for almost a whole weekend after watching The Bridges of Madison County - I wanted her to get out of that truck soooo much!
73. I was shocked when my daughter didn't have my eye colour
74. I cannot pass up a mystery show - too much exposure to Columbo growing up, I suppose
75. I only read mysteries - fictional and preferably funny
76. When I go home for visits, I always stop at Kojak's for a Souvlaki Pita & Lafleur's for fries and sometimes a hot dog
77. I have such a strong gag reflex that one time a coworker made me throw up in the food court just by telling me a story
78. I put cayenne pepper or hot sauce on everything I eat, except toast ;-)
79. I have been belly dancing for....I think around 4 years now....
80. It improved my posture and confidence like nothing else I've ever done
81. I fell down the stairs after accepting my College diploma, it ruined my entire night
82. I want the sound track from the Big Chill played at my funeral
83. I never ask someone about their educational background because I'm afraid they will ask about mine
84. I'm embarrassed that I never went to University
85. I plan to someday when my daughter is out of high school
86. I would like to take theology or world religions- but will likely take languages
87. My husband is afraid that I will become a minister if I take theology
88. I don't even believe that women should head a Church!
89. My favourite colour is blue, but most people who know me would guess purple
90. My favourite number is 2. It always surprises me when someone has a different # as a favourite
91. I wish I could do the splits
92. I am addicted to fitness magazines
93. I still smoke occasionally
94. My best girlfriends are all girls that I met at 14. I have now been friends with them longer over the phone than in person
95. My favourite thing to order at MacDonald's is the Big Mac meal and although it comes with a drink - I never drink it
96. I prefer Pepsi
97. I feel blessed to have the life I have
98. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop
99. I get anxious if I'm running late for anything
100. This was way harder than I thought it would be

SparkPeople

So, I had been using FitDay to track my calories, which was great, and Amber (http://amberwl.blogspot.com/) left a comment that I should check out SparkPeople. Of course, I did. Yowsers! What a great program! I find it easier to use, and it sets up an exercise program for you to do! Plus, it has the elliptical listed as a choice. So, huge thank you to Amber for suggesting it.

Today is my 45 minute fast walk. I am meeting Synchro Mom at the gym - we are going to do it on the treadmill. I'm also going to do 22 minutes on the elliptical. If I get there early enough I will do 11 min warm up & 11 min cool down. If not, I will do it after. I have to co-ordinate it with my daughter's synchro schedule, so....

Tomorrow is my birthday. I've decided to post my 100 things tomorrow. I'm surprisingly nervous about it. But excited also, that you all will be able to know me better.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Casserole recipe & Temperatures

I just want to clear something up - I am not a hero for walking in 13 degree weather - I live in Canada and we use the metric system. I figure that for you folks in the States, it was around 55 degrees out yesterday. Nice enough to walk with no jacket - since the sun was shining and there was nary a cloud around.

My walking partner has the best route for training on hills. I couldn't believe how effective it was.

A couple of gals have asked about my Cabbage Roll recipe for the slow cooker. It is from "Canada's Best Slow Cooker Recipes", and it is just amazing.

1 1/2 lbs (750 g) lean ground beef or turkey (I used 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 ground pork)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
1/4 tsp (1 ml) black pepper
1 small can (7.5o z [221 ml]) tomato sauce
1 cup (250 ml) water
1 can (10 oz [284 ml]) condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup (125 ml) long grain rice
4 cups (1 L) shredded cabbage (I just bought a bag of coleslaw)
1/3 cup (75 ml) tomato juice or water
sour cream

1. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, combine ground beef, onions, garlic, salt and pepper; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat. Return to heat and add tomato sauce, water and half the can of tomato soup, mixing well. Add rice, stirring to combine.

2. Into prepared slow cooker, place half of meat mixture, then half of cabbage. Top with remaining meat mixture and remaining cabbage.

3. In a bowl combine remaining tomato soup with tomato juice, mixing well. Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours, until bubbling and heated through. Serve with sour cream

Workout High.....who needs X????

Yesterday's workout put me in a great mood, I was still flying high when husband & daughter got home!


I did my 10.5 minute warm up/cool down on the elliptical (total 21 minutes), and it made my 45 minutes on the treadmill a bit easier - my thighs didn't get as tight as they did last time. I chose the elliptical with the moving arms and what a difference it made! So much easier on my knees. I don't really understand why it was different, but it was. Husband & daughter gave me good advice on that one! I'm excited also because I think that I can increase my speed on Friday a bit - I felt like I could walk faster yesterday. I think doing some of my walks outside and some on the treadmill will be good - since when I'm on the treadmill I know how fast I'm going.....


Today is the 1 hour walk with hills. Since we are expecting a high of 13 today, Synchro mom & I will be going outside and ending our walk at Starbucks. Not my favourite coffee place, but my walking partner loves it. I'm a Tim's person through and through. We are doing our walk early today, which is nice because then I have the rest of the day to do my running around.


I tried a new crockpot recipe last night. The book does not give nutritional information, but the recipe was so good. It was Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole. The only thing I changed from the recipe was I did 1/2 ground beef & 1/2 ground pork. It was so lovely. Husband & daughter both loved it, and I had enough to freeze for an easy lunch on the weekend.


Tonight I will be running to the store to get the ingredients to try Winter Root & Sausage Casserole. MMMMMMM....I hope!! Even though I don't have the nutritional information, I figure as long as I use my weight watcher serving spoons, which measure out a cup and only have one serving....


Have a healthy day bloggers!

Elliptical Trainer

Crap. I was just trying to change the colour of the font I used for my post and I lost the whole thing. Crap, crap, crap... Eh, it wasn't my best anyhow!

Here I go again..........

So, yesterday, I went to the gym to use the elliptical. It was my cross training day. I was shocked at the fact that my heart felt like it may jump right out of my chest! Wow, what a work out.

I have only ever just stepped on the elliptical machine to try them in stores. This was my first time using one for a workout. I was only able to do 20 minutes! No resistance & no incline. I guess I have some work to do there. I figure each time I use the machine, I will try to add a minute. I would like to be at 30 minutes. I think that is long enough for a cross training session. Then I can work on hill profiles, etc.

Today is my 45 minute fast walk. That also means that I can listen to my book on iPod! Yay!! I will break my 21 minutes on the elliptical into two sessions and use that as my warm up/warm down time.

I had an accident last night with 6 spanakopitas & Mrs. Vicki's Sweet Chili chips. The spanakopitas were entirely my doing, but husband is responsible for Mrs. V - in that he brought them home! Evil bastard!!

Last night we had a power failure. Luckily, daughter had her phone alarm set, she woke us up....I, of course, was all aflutter until husband asked me what I had on the go today. I stopped, thought, and said, well, nothing. He then asked why I was freaking out. When I thought about it, I realized it was just out of habit! What a nerd.

Today will be a calorie friendly day.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Weekend Wrap Up

Oh, what a weekend!

Synchro Competition:
My daughter's team totally kicked butt! They won the combo and team events at their level. Woooooohoooooo!! She had a ball to boot - which is really the best part.

Walking:
Even with all the running around from the competition, I did my scheduled walks. You will notice my ticker is showing more hours walked. Well, you will now that I wrote that!

Saturday was an easy walk on the treadmill, during which I listened to the first hour of "Break No Bones" by Kathy Reichs (maybe you all know the tv show "Bones" on the Fox network Wednesday nights??). Listening to a book is the key to success for me on the treadmill - I didn't bang into the console once!

Sunday was my long slow distance walk, which I did with Synchro Mom outside. It was quite brisk for me - she has been walking for 2 years. Having said that, it was good to get away from the treadmill - I find it easier on my legs. Today is a cross training day. I will mosey up to the gym later today and hit the weights and eliptical.

Eating:
I kept FitDay updated, and am happy to say that even with our crazy schedule over the weekend, and a stop at Burger King, I was in the zone! For the first time EVER, I just got a BK Veggie Burger - not the whole meal. And then I ate 5 of my husband's onion rings. And it was good. I was full. And I was within my calorie limit. I rocked!

I do have some work to do on getting my fat grams down though. All calories are not equal, right?

So, I've been working on my 100 things about me post. At first it was hard to think of 100 things. Then, once I was done, I kept thinking about other things. I've been tweaking. Now I think I'm over thinking it. I just love reading other people's - why am I nervous about hitting publish?????

So, I have a new partner for the March Challenge. Amy. Her blog is: http://cantweight.blogspot.com/. I hadn't followed her blog previously, so I'm quite excited to be reading someone new.

So far, my March Challenge has been going well. I'm drinking water and writing what I eat like a fiend.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!!!!

Busiest Friday Ever!

I had the busiest day Friday! Not only was it busy, but productive. Nice change for me.

I did my weight circuit class, my 45 minute fast walk (on the treadmill) and curled the game of my life!

My weight circuit class was very challenging for me. Sometimes the combination of exercises just make it that much harder for me. Yesterday was one of those days. I thought my arms might fall off. And my legs. You get the picture??

Then, later in the afternoon I did my 45 min fast walk. Hmmm, it was fast for me, around 5.5k/hr, but I am going to really have to work on my time, because I think my friends are expecting to be walking closer to 7k/hr.....YIKES. Anyhow, I can't freak myself out. This is why I'm training, right?

Last night was the start of the playoffs for curling. I curl on a 6 man team, we just go with whichever 2 couples can make it. Anyhow, we were all on fire last night, and we played great! Husband & I are beginners, me more so than husband. It was exciting. Lots and lots of sweeping though. Oh, my arms were so sore. Unfortunately, when I'm sweeping, sometimes I forget to breath - I may have brain damage we were sweeping so hard!!!!

The rest of the day was running around getting everything ready for daughter's synchro competition that is going on all weekend. She has a very positive attitude about this competition, and I'm thinking she will place well in figures. This group of girls usually kick butt with their routines, so I'm not even worried about that. Although they had a good run through yesterday - that isn't a good sign sometimes. Anyhow, daughter has so much fun at the competitions - she just loves spending all that time with her team mates.

So, I ate over 2,000 calories yesterday. At first I wasn't going to update fitday, because it was a blowout, but then I thought - what the heck am I going learn if I don't update it? Plus, by the time I took into account my activities yesterday, my day wasn't that bad. Oh, not good by any stretch, but not bad.

Well, I have blogs to read, then off to the gym. Today is an easy walk for an hour. I'm thinking I'm going to get Harry Potter for the iPod to listen to on my walks. Music is ok for short bursts, but for an hour or longer, I find the change in tempo confusing on the treadmill.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Training

I started my training yesterday for the marathon. I did 1 hour on the treadmill doing hills. I can hardly walk today - good thing I stretched after, or I would be completely incapacitated! It felt good to finally get started - I really want to be ready for the marathon. The other gals I will be walking with are experienced walkers, and I don't want to be left behind. Nor do I want to slow anyone down.

I'm so excited - Sears dude is here right now fixing my oven!!!! $450 to replace the clock component. Can you imagine????? F*ck!!

I'm really enjoying using FitDay. It is so much fun to see the breakdown of what you're eating in a day. I eat way more fat than I thought. I really recommend it.

Short post today - I want to go make another ticker!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

I've moved again!!

Hi there!
I've decided to start posting again on Blogger. I can't for the life of me figure out how to add all the fun tickers and such that everyone has on their blogger sites over on Spaces, and I want to share in the fun!

More later.......