Pancake Tuesday, yum, yum, I'm Still Hungry

We had pancakes for supper last night. Why? Because, it was Pancake Tuesday and I’m a sucker for food-related holidays.

I don’t like to brag, but my pancakes turned out perfectly. Non of the credit goes to me, however. My success is 100% due to the electric griddle I picked up at WalMart last summer. How I muddled through life without one is a mystery. Well, not really. I wasn’t muddling through very well. Up ‘til now my pancakes have been terrible.

We had chocolate chunck pancakes with natural maple syrup and fruit on the side. It was like eating desert for dinner.

I used Aunt Jemima Complet Original pancake mix and added a chopped up square of Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate. It wasn’t the caloric nightmare I expected. A serving of two pancakes ended up being approximately 180 calories, 3.5 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Add another 60 calories for each tablespoon of natural maple syrup and it was still a really reasonable treat.

I was, however, absolutley STARVING by bedtime! I tried to temper my hunger with peppermint tea. I try to use peppermint tea to solve all of life’s woes, but it can only do so much.

Snowshoeing Update

I have the biggest, grossest blister on my foot from our snowshoeing expedition the other day. I have blisters on both feet actually, but the one is particularily disgusting. Just thought I’d share.

If you get The CW you might want to catch Dr. Oz today at 4:00 pm. I believe today’s episode is on weightloss. His audience will be comprised of people who have lost over 100 lbs and have kept it off for an extended period of time. It could be quite inspiring.

Get Out and Have Some Fun This Winter

I went snowshoeing with my sister yesterday. It was the perfect day for it too. It was warm enough to be comfortable yet cold enough for nice fluffy snow. We’re very fortunate to have some beautiful wilderness trails in our area.

Huffing and puffing our way up and down hills, we panted our agreement that we were having a great time. Being stuck inside the house all winter is boring and depressing and sucks, but if you can get out and enjoy everything the season has to offer, you’ll find that winter isn’t bad at all.

A lot of people say “I just don’t like the cold.”

To those people I say, “Get over it!”

Rule number 2 to combat Foodzilla

Thou shalt overcome thine aversion to cold.

As my husband is fond of saying, “There’s no such thing as too cold, just under dressed.” Once you get moving you’ll break a sweat no matter how cold it is. Grabbing some sunshine and fresh air is especially important at this time of year. It can really pull you out of your winter funk.

There are plenty of outdoor activities you can use to inject vitality into ho-hum winter days.

· Skating – inside or outside, it will get the heart pumping

· Downhill skiing – for daredevils

· Snowboarding – for über daredevils

· My personal favourite is cross country skiing

· Snow shoeing is fun and sometimes very practical

· Take the kids tobogganing

· Nobody’s stopping you from going for a walk!

· Shovelling snow – it may be a chore but it’s a fantastic workout

Winter is long. It can be a waiting game until summer or it can be a whole world of fun. The choice is really up to you. Personally, I choose fun.

Monday Weigh-In

Today’s weigh-in wasn’t great but if you read the previous post, you’ll understand why.

I’ve gained a pound since the last time I checked, although it’s been about a month since I checked; tisk, tisk. That’s why you’re here. I’m using you. I’m using you to keep me accountable.

I hope to lose 3 lbs this week. That would put me on the right track. I know it sounds like a lot to lose in a week and I don't expect to shed that much every time. I just have a feeling this week. It's going to be a big one. We'll see.

Starting next Monday I'm going to start to include measurements in my weekly progress update. It has been suggested that measurements may be a more useful gauge of progress at this stage.

I hope that others will participate in the weigh-ins. You can post in the comments section. You don’t need to admit your actual weight, just how much you’ve lost or gained. Measurements are also an option. Don’t worry if you usually weigh yourself on a different day. Just come to the Monday post and touch base whenever you’re ready!

Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Well, I said I would go overboard this weekend and I did not disappoint. We ate and drank a lot of calories. Our visitors brought us shortbread and the yummiest macaroons ever.

My Valentine bought me SEX AND THE CITY chocolates from Laura Secord. They tasted as good as they looked. I shared them with our guests but I still had more than my fair share.

I managed to fit a decent workout in yesterday. Today we went tobogganing, which isn't particularly strenuous, but I think Wii bowling may count as exercise. I hope it does 'cause I'm bowling LIKE A BOSS.

Dinner tonight had to be red, as per the tradition of red Valentine's suppers, started by my Mom when we were little. I made a big tomatoy jambalaya and we spiked our milk with strawberry Quik to turn it pink. It was relatively healthy but it was sabotaged by the chocolate cookies and Valentine's truffles that followed.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day. If anybody is already following this and would like to post their weekly successes or shortcomings in the comments section, you are more than welcome. The more support the better! Given the over consumption I've described above, I may have a disappointing weigh-in tomorrow. Don't be embarrassed to post a gain.

Oh, and don't forget that Tuesday is Pancake Day!

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Say what you want about the Olympics. I know there are a lot of issues to debate. Different groups oppose the Olympics for a bunch of different reasons and some of the opposition is probably justified. But, you really have to hand it to the athletes...the honest ones that aren't doping.

I get so inspired by the athletes. Not just for their physical abilities and not just for the daring feats they attempt when the stakes are high. I admire them for their dedication. Most people can't stay dedicated to a regimen of diet and exercise for a month. This elite group manages to, literally, keep their eye on the prize and join the ranks of the best competitors in the world.

I'm jazzed up after watching the opening ceremonies last night. I'm going to dust off my cross country skis this week. I like to zip around on them pretending I'm a medal contender. Grownups can make-believe too. I'll wait until nightfall and do my skiing under cloak-of-darkness so the neighbours won't see me fall. I prefer skiing at night anyway. For me, nothing is more invigorating than skiing on a crisp, cold, clear winter's night. It's a workout and a meditation in one.