Today is the day Rider fans have looked forward to since the dust settled in TO after the Grey Cup.
Training camp starts today as rookies hit the turf at Taylor Field. Veterans will join them Sunday.
So...
Are you ready to rumble Saskatchewan?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
The hair post - for my mom!
As a hairdresser's daughter I'm not too afraid of picking up a scissor to hack at my hair when it bugs me.
Nor am I not afraid to try a new colour.
After all, as my mother and I always say... It's only hair. It'll grow back.
In my life my hair has been blue (though it looked really black), red, copper, purple and various shades of each. I even managed to get beautiful hot pink streaks in it one time.
Anyway...
Fast-forward to last weekend. My ends felt brittle and crispy and I could stand it no more. So I grabbed the scissors and trimmed my hair. At least I made a fair attempt at it.
Then I bought a colour, too. Ruby rush. A fitting name, I think.
We did our best to capture the colour, but our digital camera isn't all that great at picking up things like colour.
It was scary to be working with a permanent colour that looks suspiciously like blood. Our bathroom looked like a crime scene by the time I was done. Colour long hair is a pain, let me tell you.
I like the results. It really warmed up my skin tone. I got lots of comments at work.
Changing our hair is so much fun.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
When all is quiet... the kids are up to something!
As a parent there are just things you never anticipate having to explain. Such as: "Please don't put lego in your sister's diaper." But as they grow you think those times are behind you.
Not really.
I have been getting the kids up a bit earlier than usual lately, just to give them extra time to get ready for school.
That way - I figured in all my hitherto acquired mommy-wisdom - they wouldn't have to feel rushed and could start their day relaxed and not frazzled or stressed.
The other morning as I waited for them to come downstairs after getting dressed I realized they were taking an awfully long time.
It was about then that the cat came slinking down the stairs very slowly... wearing one of Mikaela's baby t-shirts! It's pink with a teddy bear on the front and says, "I was born at RUH."
The children peeked over the bannister, wearing sheepish grins.
"Hi, mom," Logan said trying not to laugh too hard, while his sister busted up beside him.
Apparently my mommy-wisdom failed to anticipate the impact of a leisurely morning on our cat.
After several minutes of coaxing the cat to come close to me and then calming the cat down, while stifling a smirk, I carefully extricated the cat from the shirt.
The kitty for her part, tossed me a look that said something along the lines of... "You raised them!"
And then I found myself saying... "Please don't dress the cat in baby clothes."
I had to laugh when when they both replied so earnestly, "But why, mom?"
There are days...
Not really.
I have been getting the kids up a bit earlier than usual lately, just to give them extra time to get ready for school.
That way - I figured in all my hitherto acquired mommy-wisdom - they wouldn't have to feel rushed and could start their day relaxed and not frazzled or stressed.
The other morning as I waited for them to come downstairs after getting dressed I realized they were taking an awfully long time.
It was about then that the cat came slinking down the stairs very slowly... wearing one of Mikaela's baby t-shirts! It's pink with a teddy bear on the front and says, "I was born at RUH."
The children peeked over the bannister, wearing sheepish grins.
"Hi, mom," Logan said trying not to laugh too hard, while his sister busted up beside him.
Apparently my mommy-wisdom failed to anticipate the impact of a leisurely morning on our cat.
After several minutes of coaxing the cat to come close to me and then calming the cat down, while stifling a smirk, I carefully extricated the cat from the shirt.
The kitty for her part, tossed me a look that said something along the lines of... "You raised them!"
And then I found myself saying... "Please don't dress the cat in baby clothes."
I had to laugh when when they both replied so earnestly, "But why, mom?"
There are days...
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Day ten: aka Happy Birthday to me!
I've been ten days without consuming anything made with or contaminated with mold spores.
Yay me!
It's also my birthday, so I'm in a celebratory mood. I figured accomplishing ten days with any type of lifestyle change (even if temporary) is a reason to whoop it up!
So far I have concluded a couple of things...
I really miss tea. But I can live without.
And fresh is always best.
We have certainly become dependent on our convenience foods in North America and I don't think it's been to the benefit of our health.
Fresh is best. Fresh, made-from-scratch or grown yourself is even better.
We'll have to see what the coming days will bring as I start putting stuff back into my diet.
Countdown to football... 38 days... I think. I hope I counted that right...
Yay me!
It's also my birthday, so I'm in a celebratory mood. I figured accomplishing ten days with any type of lifestyle change (even if temporary) is a reason to whoop it up!
So far I have concluded a couple of things...
I really miss tea. But I can live without.
And fresh is always best.
We have certainly become dependent on our convenience foods in North America and I don't think it's been to the benefit of our health.
Fresh is best. Fresh, made-from-scratch or grown yourself is even better.
We'll have to see what the coming days will bring as I start putting stuff back into my diet.
Countdown to football... 38 days... I think. I hope I counted that right...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Day three: mold-free
It's amazing how much you take for granted when you don't have to think about what you eat.
Today is the third day of my mold-free adventure.
So far the toughest part was giving up tea and the ensuing caffeine withdrawal. The headaches are wicked, but I think that's subsiding now.
Still, I miss tea.
This morning I drank a cup of hot water, just because I missed my tea so much. It didn't quite measure up to a cup of sweet warm dark earthy taste of tea, but it was nice to hold something warm in my hands anyway. I've also squeezed a bit of lemon juice into hot water.
I am also going to miss cheesecake on my birthday. That had been my only request to Richard for my birthday. Creamy smooth, sweet cheesecake, with gooey toppings or chunky chocolate bits. Yum.
Thank goodness I can still have ice cream and popcorn or I'd got totally crazy.
But so far I'm coping. It's nice to know that it's only for 10 days. It's amazing what we can put up with when we know it's only temporary.
Pending assignments: 2
Today is the third day of my mold-free adventure.
So far the toughest part was giving up tea and the ensuing caffeine withdrawal. The headaches are wicked, but I think that's subsiding now.
Still, I miss tea.
This morning I drank a cup of hot water, just because I missed my tea so much. It didn't quite measure up to a cup of sweet warm dark earthy taste of tea, but it was nice to hold something warm in my hands anyway. I've also squeezed a bit of lemon juice into hot water.
I am also going to miss cheesecake on my birthday. That had been my only request to Richard for my birthday. Creamy smooth, sweet cheesecake, with gooey toppings or chunky chocolate bits. Yum.
Thank goodness I can still have ice cream and popcorn or I'd got totally crazy.
But so far I'm coping. It's nice to know that it's only for 10 days. It's amazing what we can put up with when we know it's only temporary.
Pending assignments: 2
Friday, April 25, 2008
Out to get me
Computers of the world are out to get me today.
I have no idea how I may have offended the collective circuitry of the world's computers, but it's becoming more than a little irritating.
Today I spend half of my time trying to solve a problem with a wee bit of potentially malicious code called spyware.
This particular bit of code would redirect any google searches to obscure websites advertising other websites. Annoying, but probably nothing sinister. Still anytime your computer is hijacked to a different web destination than originally intended there's the potential it will be eventually be sent to some place with damaging consequences.
So as I said, I spent any spare moment I had scanning, googling, scanning, and googling.
It all had little effect as both Ad-aware and SpyBot couldn't kill it.
They could happily point fingers and identify the perpetrator, but that's about it.
It's pointing at a nuclear missile silo and saying... yup, that's a missile all right.
Sigh...
I had to leave before the problem was solved.
I came home and decided to be a good little steward of my newly acquired MacBook and check for software updates.
Unfortunately, I was met with a privileges error as I tried to install the update.
I was dumbfounded.
Keep in mind trying to do anything on my Mac takes a few minutes longer than normal cuz the thought process goes something like this...
Run repair disk permissions in the disk utilities area, in the utilities folder.
And I'm like... utilities folder is in system preferences... wait no. Um... Finder... Go... Oh there it is!
Sigh...
It's a learning process.
Happily, the downstairs PC updated it's spyware scanner and all is well.
I think...
On second thought, I'd better go check...
I have no idea how I may have offended the collective circuitry of the world's computers, but it's becoming more than a little irritating.
Today I spend half of my time trying to solve a problem with a wee bit of potentially malicious code called spyware.
This particular bit of code would redirect any google searches to obscure websites advertising other websites. Annoying, but probably nothing sinister. Still anytime your computer is hijacked to a different web destination than originally intended there's the potential it will be eventually be sent to some place with damaging consequences.
So as I said, I spent any spare moment I had scanning, googling, scanning, and googling.
It all had little effect as both Ad-aware and SpyBot couldn't kill it.
They could happily point fingers and identify the perpetrator, but that's about it.
It's pointing at a nuclear missile silo and saying... yup, that's a missile all right.
Sigh...
I had to leave before the problem was solved.
I came home and decided to be a good little steward of my newly acquired MacBook and check for software updates.
Unfortunately, I was met with a privileges error as I tried to install the update.
I was dumbfounded.
Keep in mind trying to do anything on my Mac takes a few minutes longer than normal cuz the thought process goes something like this...
Run repair disk permissions in the disk utilities area, in the utilities folder.
And I'm like... utilities folder is in system preferences... wait no. Um... Finder... Go... Oh there it is!
Sigh...
It's a learning process.
Happily, the downstairs PC updated it's spyware scanner and all is well.
I think...
On second thought, I'd better go check...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Breakin' the mold
So I had an allergy test today.
It wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would. But I did learn some very surprising and not-so-surprising things.
First, it has been concluded that should Richard ever be on penicillin again, I shall continue to be vigilant and keep my distance. And I will not, under any circumstances touch the medicine bottles.
That was a given.
Nothing earth shattering there.
The test also revealed that I am allergic to tree and grass pollen.
Ok. Also no stunner there. I could have told them that.
And given that I am so allergic to penicillin it would stand to reason that I would react to molds of all types.
I also reacted to various foods like halibut, peas, cabbage, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, honey, coffee, strawberries and...
worst of all...
... chocolate.
The doctor is advising a mold-free diet for ten days. It starts on Sunday.
Sounds fairly simple, I think. I mean who eats mold on purpose?
Then I got the list of foods I have to avoid for a week and a half.
The list includes: cheese, sour cream, milk, beer, wine, processed meats (no trouble there, I usually avoid them anyway), vinegar and vinegar-containing foods, soured breads, breads made with large amounts of yeast, all dried fruits, melons (especially cantaloupe, watermelons, honeydew), soy sauce, tomatoes (other than fresh), malted breakfast cereals, canned or frozen juices.
It also means, I can not have leftovers more than 24 hours after they were cooked.
Hmm... that is quite the list.
So starting Sunday I shall be getting rid of the mold in my diet.
If I feel better then I can add back these verboten items one at a time. But if not then I get to eliminate the rest of foods that I reacted to.
Should be fun!
It wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would. But I did learn some very surprising and not-so-surprising things.
First, it has been concluded that should Richard ever be on penicillin again, I shall continue to be vigilant and keep my distance. And I will not, under any circumstances touch the medicine bottles.
That was a given.
Nothing earth shattering there.
The test also revealed that I am allergic to tree and grass pollen.
Ok. Also no stunner there. I could have told them that.
And given that I am so allergic to penicillin it would stand to reason that I would react to molds of all types.
I also reacted to various foods like halibut, peas, cabbage, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, honey, coffee, strawberries and...
worst of all...
... chocolate.
The doctor is advising a mold-free diet for ten days. It starts on Sunday.
Sounds fairly simple, I think. I mean who eats mold on purpose?
Then I got the list of foods I have to avoid for a week and a half.
The list includes: cheese, sour cream, milk, beer, wine, processed meats (no trouble there, I usually avoid them anyway), vinegar and vinegar-containing foods, soured breads, breads made with large amounts of yeast, all dried fruits, melons (especially cantaloupe, watermelons, honeydew), soy sauce, tomatoes (other than fresh), malted breakfast cereals, canned or frozen juices.
It also means, I can not have leftovers more than 24 hours after they were cooked.
Hmm... that is quite the list.
So starting Sunday I shall be getting rid of the mold in my diet.
If I feel better then I can add back these verboten items one at a time. But if not then I get to eliminate the rest of foods that I reacted to.
Should be fun!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
How to tell...
you're a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan...
1. You've ever spent more than an hour inputing the latest season into your computer calendar... complete with email reminders. Ok. Maybe that just means you're a nerd. Like me.
2. You've ever had the following conversation with your spouse...
"Should we?"
"I don't know. It seems kind of 'bandwagon-ish'"
"True."
"And you see them everywhere!"
"Good point!"
"We'll skip the car flag, and I'll just wear my jersey."
3. You've ever given or received a Rider jersey, t-shirt, bunny hug, hat, mittens, toque or other apparel as an anniversary, birthday or Christmas present.
4. You know the words to "Green is the colour..." and you've sung it with complete strangers in a public place at least once!
5. You've ever considered purchasing a one piece snow-suit on the off-chance the Riders make it to the playoffs. Hey, at least you'll be warm.
6. You've ever stared at a complete stranger in absolute awe who's wearing Rider Green gear in devil's playground like Calgary or Edmonton.
7. You've ever laughed at Rider put down jokes, cuz you know they're true.
8. You've considered painting your face green and/or you've ever purchased a watermelon with the intention of wearing it.
9. You plan your social get togethers around who has TSN.
And finally...
10. You can tell you're a Roughrider fan if you or any of your offspring have worn Rider gear before they knew how to talk!
Go Green!
1. You've ever spent more than an hour inputing the latest season into your computer calendar... complete with email reminders. Ok. Maybe that just means you're a nerd. Like me.
2. You've ever had the following conversation with your spouse...
"Should we?"
"I don't know. It seems kind of 'bandwagon-ish'"
"True."
"And you see them everywhere!"
"Good point!"
"We'll skip the car flag, and I'll just wear my jersey."
3. You've ever given or received a Rider jersey, t-shirt, bunny hug, hat, mittens, toque or other apparel as an anniversary, birthday or Christmas present.
4. You know the words to "Green is the colour..." and you've sung it with complete strangers in a public place at least once!
5. You've ever considered purchasing a one piece snow-suit on the off-chance the Riders make it to the playoffs. Hey, at least you'll be warm.
6. You've ever stared at a complete stranger in absolute awe who's wearing Rider Green gear in devil's playground like Calgary or Edmonton.
7. You've ever laughed at Rider put down jokes, cuz you know they're true.
8. You've considered painting your face green and/or you've ever purchased a watermelon with the intention of wearing it.
9. You plan your social get togethers around who has TSN.
And finally...
10. You can tell you're a Roughrider fan if you or any of your offspring have worn Rider gear before they knew how to talk!
Go Green!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The countdown is on!
The best part about hockey playoffs starting this week is it means only nine weeks left until Riders start their preseason.
Just saying...
...
Does that make me a bad Canadian?
...
First game will be against B.C. in Regina. Of course, the Lions will be looking for revenge after last season's crushing defeat at the hands of a hungry Rider team on their way to Grey Cup glory.
All I can say is...
Bring. It. On.
Just saying...
...
Does that make me a bad Canadian?
...
First game will be against B.C. in Regina. Of course, the Lions will be looking for revenge after last season's crushing defeat at the hands of a hungry Rider team on their way to Grey Cup glory.
All I can say is...
Bring. It. On.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
More culinary escapades
Last week I indulged in cooking up some rich (and yes fattening) treats for hubby and I while the kids were out of town.
Tuesday I made a delicious supper just for my hubby. I made cream of mushroom soup.
From scratch.
The recipe included half a bottle of red wine. And a couple of pounds of fresh mushrooms. The result was delicious.
With it I served a salad including greens, sunflower seeds, grapefruit and a creamy orange dressing. I also warmed up this amazing pepper garlic bread.
To end I served one of the most incredible desserts I've ever tasted... Chai tea pudding over fresh raspberries, topped with mango-ginger coulis. It was so light, fresh and spicy. The tart raspberries were a perfect balance.
A couple of nights later I made one of my all time favourite and easiest dishes ever... Shrimp with garlic and tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes melt into a delicious sauce. I served it over spaghettini.
Last Friday I invited a dear friend of mine and her three girls over for an Indian feast, along with another very dear friend.
Again, I served:
Grilled Tandoori Chicken with butter sauce
Basmati rice
Aloo Gobi
Naan bread
Salad (with cranberries and raspberry vinaegrette)
For dessert I discovered the most amazing combination. It's a treat for the eyes and the taste buds... vanilla ice cream topped with fresh mangoes and mini chocolate chips. Never would have thought of putting mango with chocolate.
Delicious.
So those have been my recent culinary exploits.
Pending assignments: 3... whee...
Tuesday I made a delicious supper just for my hubby. I made cream of mushroom soup.
From scratch.
The recipe included half a bottle of red wine. And a couple of pounds of fresh mushrooms. The result was delicious.
With it I served a salad including greens, sunflower seeds, grapefruit and a creamy orange dressing. I also warmed up this amazing pepper garlic bread.
To end I served one of the most incredible desserts I've ever tasted... Chai tea pudding over fresh raspberries, topped with mango-ginger coulis. It was so light, fresh and spicy. The tart raspberries were a perfect balance.
A couple of nights later I made one of my all time favourite and easiest dishes ever... Shrimp with garlic and tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes melt into a delicious sauce. I served it over spaghettini.
Last Friday I invited a dear friend of mine and her three girls over for an Indian feast, along with another very dear friend.
Again, I served:
Grilled Tandoori Chicken with butter sauce
Basmati rice
Aloo Gobi
Naan bread
Salad (with cranberries and raspberry vinaegrette)
For dessert I discovered the most amazing combination. It's a treat for the eyes and the taste buds... vanilla ice cream topped with fresh mangoes and mini chocolate chips. Never would have thought of putting mango with chocolate.
Delicious.
So those have been my recent culinary exploits.
Pending assignments: 3... whee...
Friday, March 28, 2008
Email withdrawal
My home email has been down since I got home from work. Boo-hoo. I finally phoned my ISP and I was greeted by a polite, but slightly testy voice recording saying...
We are currently experiencing techinical problems with some email accounts timing out and not accessible through webmail. Our techinicians are working to fix the problem. If you are calling regarding this technical issue, please hang up NOW!
Ok.
Apparently they've had a phone call or two already...
In the meantime I shall just keep hitting refresh. Sigh...
We are currently experiencing techinical problems with some email accounts timing out and not accessible through webmail. Our techinicians are working to fix the problem. If you are calling regarding this technical issue, please hang up NOW!
Ok.
Apparently they've had a phone call or two already...
In the meantime I shall just keep hitting refresh. Sigh...
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy birthdaaaaaay...
Ok. So it's not my birthday.
I can still celebrate. Especially since hubby got me my birthday present early.
He bought me a brand new Mac Book Pro.
I've wanted a Mac for a long time, so this was so exciting. I'm typing this on my new laptop!
Of course, my hubby's ulterior motive is to give me more freedom to do my writing - specifically fiction writing.
So I guess I have no more excuses for not getting that book written!
Pending assignments: 4 (eek!)
Listening to: The History Channel
Ok. So it's not my birthday.
I can still celebrate. Especially since hubby got me my birthday present early.
He bought me a brand new Mac Book Pro.
I've wanted a Mac for a long time, so this was so exciting. I'm typing this on my new laptop!
Of course, my hubby's ulterior motive is to give me more freedom to do my writing - specifically fiction writing.
So I guess I have no more excuses for not getting that book written!
Pending assignments: 4 (eek!)
Listening to: The History Channel
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My latest obsession aka Eating healthy part one
I'm currently waiting for company to arrive. Actually, they won't be here for about another two hours and I've prepped supper as far as I can for now.
So I thought I would post about my lastest obsession - cooking.
The obsession started a few years ago when I got introduced to a weekly email menu. This weekly meal planner (with grocery list included) became the highlight of my week, as I couldn't wait to try the new and innovative recipes.
They were innovative in that they didn't use ingredients I was used to. Some of them used techniques I'd never heard of.
Eventually, I found myself substituting more and more ingredients and recipes on these weekly emails. And my family was less enthusiastic than I about the recipes.
Then last year I was asked to write a profile of cookbook author Sandi Richard (seen on Food Network's Fixing Dinner). Again I found myself inspired to try new things.
This time I was armed with her cookbook, The Dinner Fix, which contained many recipes with ingredients like garam masala, fengugreek, curry paste and (I've yet to try) lemon grass.
I loved her bent towards Indian and Asian foods.
I used many of her recipes and a few of my own favourites collected over the years to construct a six-week meal plan - including grocery lists.
Oh. My. Word.
It's become like a lifesaver for m! I refer to it constantly.
Plus, I'm finding my kids turn up their noses far less than they used to. Partly because the meal plan gives each of them a dish to create (or help create) for everyone else. They love that part.
And to make this health conscious mamma even more happy... we're all eating more fruits and vegetables than ever before. I even make salad several times a week!
Last weekend I realized I'd had no time to plan meals for the coming week and I was nervous, because I didn't have much time to dash to the grocery store. Imagine my relief when I pulled out my menu (with five nutrious, balanced meals) complete with grocery lists in a plastic sleeve. I took out a dry erase marker and checked off the things I already had on hand.
Quick as that I was off to the store!
When hubby came to me to suggest on Monday that we invite our friends over tonight I immediately panicked. Then I remembered what we were having. Mentally, I added another quick sidedish. And I realized a quick stop at the grocery store to buy fresh mangos and naan bread, and we'd be set. Instead of allowing my panic to rob me of a wonderful opportunity to get to know these friends, I immediately responded, "Sounds lovely."
So tonight we are indulging in one of my favourite Indian menus (so far anyway!)...
Chicken with butter sauce
Basmatic rice
Aloo Gobi (curried cauliflower and potatoes)
A recipe I call Chunky Salad (cucumbers, carots, red pepper, celery all marinated in Italian vinaegrette)
Naan bread
And for dessert chopped mangoes or blueberries on icecream.
Not bad for middle of the week fare by a working mama, if I say so myself.
All because of planning.
Which brings me to the point of my post...
Eating healthy doesn't come naturally to those of us raised in North America. We've been conditioned to believe we don't have the time or skill to prepare delicious nutriously sound food.
Instead we stuff ourselves with pre-package meals... things I like to call... non-foods. It might be edible, but the real food has been processed so much it's largely a chemical-ladened cocktail. And the nutrients we should be getting from our food get lost in the processing.
So what's the best way to eat healthy?
Plan. Plan. Plan.
It's not going to happen by accident. It's going to happen by purposeful decision-making and a commitment to doing more than opening a can or ripping open a package.
But I'll save that for another post.
So I thought I would post about my lastest obsession - cooking.
The obsession started a few years ago when I got introduced to a weekly email menu. This weekly meal planner (with grocery list included) became the highlight of my week, as I couldn't wait to try the new and innovative recipes.
They were innovative in that they didn't use ingredients I was used to. Some of them used techniques I'd never heard of.
Eventually, I found myself substituting more and more ingredients and recipes on these weekly emails. And my family was less enthusiastic than I about the recipes.
Then last year I was asked to write a profile of cookbook author Sandi Richard (seen on Food Network's Fixing Dinner). Again I found myself inspired to try new things.
This time I was armed with her cookbook, The Dinner Fix, which contained many recipes with ingredients like garam masala, fengugreek, curry paste and (I've yet to try) lemon grass.
I loved her bent towards Indian and Asian foods.
I used many of her recipes and a few of my own favourites collected over the years to construct a six-week meal plan - including grocery lists.
Oh. My. Word.
It's become like a lifesaver for m! I refer to it constantly.
Plus, I'm finding my kids turn up their noses far less than they used to. Partly because the meal plan gives each of them a dish to create (or help create) for everyone else. They love that part.
And to make this health conscious mamma even more happy... we're all eating more fruits and vegetables than ever before. I even make salad several times a week!
Last weekend I realized I'd had no time to plan meals for the coming week and I was nervous, because I didn't have much time to dash to the grocery store. Imagine my relief when I pulled out my menu (with five nutrious, balanced meals) complete with grocery lists in a plastic sleeve. I took out a dry erase marker and checked off the things I already had on hand.
Quick as that I was off to the store!
When hubby came to me to suggest on Monday that we invite our friends over tonight I immediately panicked. Then I remembered what we were having. Mentally, I added another quick sidedish. And I realized a quick stop at the grocery store to buy fresh mangos and naan bread, and we'd be set. Instead of allowing my panic to rob me of a wonderful opportunity to get to know these friends, I immediately responded, "Sounds lovely."
So tonight we are indulging in one of my favourite Indian menus (so far anyway!)...
Chicken with butter sauce
Basmatic rice
Aloo Gobi (curried cauliflower and potatoes)
A recipe I call Chunky Salad (cucumbers, carots, red pepper, celery all marinated in Italian vinaegrette)
Naan bread
And for dessert chopped mangoes or blueberries on icecream.
Not bad for middle of the week fare by a working mama, if I say so myself.
All because of planning.
Which brings me to the point of my post...
Eating healthy doesn't come naturally to those of us raised in North America. We've been conditioned to believe we don't have the time or skill to prepare delicious nutriously sound food.
Instead we stuff ourselves with pre-package meals... things I like to call... non-foods. It might be edible, but the real food has been processed so much it's largely a chemical-ladened cocktail. And the nutrients we should be getting from our food get lost in the processing.
So what's the best way to eat healthy?
Plan. Plan. Plan.
It's not going to happen by accident. It's going to happen by purposeful decision-making and a commitment to doing more than opening a can or ripping open a package.
But I'll save that for another post.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Back in the saddle
I am preparing right now to do something I haven't done in a long, long time...
write.
Like in a freelance sense.
I write every day for my job, true, but it's completely different when it's just for me.
I have been contacted by four different editors recently asking for stories.
How nice.
To be wanted. Missed possibly.
Not that I've turned down work since starting my job, but there just wasn't much room for freelancing anyway.
The adjustment to almost-but-not-quite-fulltime work and all the crap that followed... like lice, not once but twice, grandma getting sick and passing away, all the craziness they call Christmas, followed by Richard getting sick, then me having an allergic reaction, and then Logan getting stitches in his head...
Yeah, freelancing wouldn't have fit in there. Good grief, sleeping barely fits in there!
But now I'm feeling at a better rhythm and adding freelancing sounds like a welcome adventure admist the normalcy my life has managed to achieve. In truth, I've been itching to get back at it for weeks now.
Since my job has started, for instance, i've honed my skills in my latest passion/obsession: mealplanning and cooking.
I'll have more on that in a later post.
Pending assignments: 2 with what sounds like 2 or 3 more on the way!
Listening to my space heater because it's rather chilly in our basement.
write.
Like in a freelance sense.
I write every day for my job, true, but it's completely different when it's just for me.
I have been contacted by four different editors recently asking for stories.
How nice.
To be wanted. Missed possibly.
Not that I've turned down work since starting my job, but there just wasn't much room for freelancing anyway.
The adjustment to almost-but-not-quite-fulltime work and all the crap that followed... like lice, not once but twice, grandma getting sick and passing away, all the craziness they call Christmas, followed by Richard getting sick, then me having an allergic reaction, and then Logan getting stitches in his head...
Yeah, freelancing wouldn't have fit in there. Good grief, sleeping barely fits in there!
But now I'm feeling at a better rhythm and adding freelancing sounds like a welcome adventure admist the normalcy my life has managed to achieve. In truth, I've been itching to get back at it for weeks now.
Since my job has started, for instance, i've honed my skills in my latest passion/obsession: mealplanning and cooking.
I'll have more on that in a later post.
Pending assignments: 2 with what sounds like 2 or 3 more on the way!
Listening to my space heater because it's rather chilly in our basement.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
What the crap?!
Okay... did Tillman take leave of his senses?
Quick check his coffee, cuz I think someone slipped a little stupid in his cup of joe.
Tomorrow, Riderville will officially confirm that Kerry Joseph... so lovingly referred to on this blog as KJ... will be packing his bags and leaving for the Argos.
What the heck? Did he like the city so much when he won the Grey Cup there, he decided to go back...?
Seriously... what is up with that?
Granted we do get a first round draft pick, a running back and some other dude...
But... but... for KJ?
I ask you, are three players of dubious caliber worth giving up the league's MVP... the most athletic quarterback in the CFL? ... the man who rallied the troops through thick and thin and... dare I say... aside from Kent Austin himself was probably one of the main reasons Saskatchewan fans will celebrate Christmas November 25th from now on?
I don't even know what to say.
It's just so sad...
Quick check his coffee, cuz I think someone slipped a little stupid in his cup of joe.
Tomorrow, Riderville will officially confirm that Kerry Joseph... so lovingly referred to on this blog as KJ... will be packing his bags and leaving for the Argos.
What the heck? Did he like the city so much when he won the Grey Cup there, he decided to go back...?
Seriously... what is up with that?
Granted we do get a first round draft pick, a running back and some other dude...
But... but... for KJ?
I ask you, are three players of dubious caliber worth giving up the league's MVP... the most athletic quarterback in the CFL? ... the man who rallied the troops through thick and thin and... dare I say... aside from Kent Austin himself was probably one of the main reasons Saskatchewan fans will celebrate Christmas November 25th from now on?
I don't even know what to say.
It's just so sad...
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Clearing the rubble
I'm back!
I survived the remainder of the month which included several trips to the doctor and an afternoon spent in the emergency room with my son while he got two stitches in his head.
So far things seem to be returning to a semblance of normal.
Right now we're in the midst of a study on Nehemiah in church. And I have to admit I am really enjoying it.
I got to thinking about rebuilding in my own life and how it can parallel the story of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Despite all the heartache and the past failures, Nehemiah convinced the people of Jerusalem to give it one final shot. They get organized, they have a plan, they have a fearless wise leader, they're ready to dry their tears and begin the work. In spite of their brokenness they found hope in his words.
I can't imagine how good it must have felt to see the progress as they went.
The first order of business was clearing the rubble. You can't build on top of unsteady crumbled walls, you've got to scrape away the rubble and find a solid, firm place to plant the foundation.
I thought of my own life and my efforts to rebuild... they've kind of started and stopped over the past month.
But it does start with clearing the rubble that I've clinged to...
... the discouraging words I still hear in my head from an old teacher, friend, or relative whose message of was clear: you're not good enough.
... the message of a culture who tells me in every medium possible day in and day out that my value should be measured by how I look and what kinds of toys I own.
... the pain of past failures... the writing career I've never quite succeeded in launching, the novel I'm never brave enough to write, the many failures in understanding and motivating my rather complex, high maintenance son, the educational goals I've never accomplished.
... the perfectionism that robs me of enjoying the NOW and sucks the fun out of everything. Life will never be perfect, I should stop expecting it to be and learn to be ok with "good enough".
Rubble. It's everywhere.
It's easy to feel as overwhelmed as the Jews as they looked at miles of walls and chunks of charred wall that had to be cleared away. They must have looked at their own two hands and thought the task was impossibly huge. Like where's a backhoe when you need it?
But they weren't alone in their task. They had each other and they had a heavenly father cheering them on, too!
It's good to know He's there when we need him. For the big projects and the little stuff.
I survived the remainder of the month which included several trips to the doctor and an afternoon spent in the emergency room with my son while he got two stitches in his head.
So far things seem to be returning to a semblance of normal.
Right now we're in the midst of a study on Nehemiah in church. And I have to admit I am really enjoying it.
I got to thinking about rebuilding in my own life and how it can parallel the story of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Despite all the heartache and the past failures, Nehemiah convinced the people of Jerusalem to give it one final shot. They get organized, they have a plan, they have a fearless wise leader, they're ready to dry their tears and begin the work. In spite of their brokenness they found hope in his words.
I can't imagine how good it must have felt to see the progress as they went.
The first order of business was clearing the rubble. You can't build on top of unsteady crumbled walls, you've got to scrape away the rubble and find a solid, firm place to plant the foundation.
I thought of my own life and my efforts to rebuild... they've kind of started and stopped over the past month.
But it does start with clearing the rubble that I've clinged to...
... the discouraging words I still hear in my head from an old teacher, friend, or relative whose message of was clear: you're not good enough.
... the message of a culture who tells me in every medium possible day in and day out that my value should be measured by how I look and what kinds of toys I own.
... the pain of past failures... the writing career I've never quite succeeded in launching, the novel I'm never brave enough to write, the many failures in understanding and motivating my rather complex, high maintenance son, the educational goals I've never accomplished.
... the perfectionism that robs me of enjoying the NOW and sucks the fun out of everything. Life will never be perfect, I should stop expecting it to be and learn to be ok with "good enough".
Rubble. It's everywhere.
It's easy to feel as overwhelmed as the Jews as they looked at miles of walls and chunks of charred wall that had to be cleared away. They must have looked at their own two hands and thought the task was impossibly huge. Like where's a backhoe when you need it?
But they weren't alone in their task. They had each other and they had a heavenly father cheering them on, too!
It's good to know He's there when we need him. For the big projects and the little stuff.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Addendum to stressful week...
I should have mentioned our stressful week included our car dying in the extreme cold.
It's such an adventure getting all four of us to where we need to go and home again without a car. Happily good friends were able to drive us to work/school and pick us up when the day was over!
Last night, our stressful week was capped off with a visit from the Saskatoon Fire Department.
No worries. It was just our carbon monoxide detector giving a false warning.
The firefighters came. Tested the air throughout the house and all is well. There is very, very little CO2 in our house.
Sleep after that was rather fleeting.
If y'all don't mind, I'd like to stop the planet and get off for a while...
It's such an adventure getting all four of us to where we need to go and home again without a car. Happily good friends were able to drive us to work/school and pick us up when the day was over!
Last night, our stressful week was capped off with a visit from the Saskatoon Fire Department.
No worries. It was just our carbon monoxide detector giving a false warning.
The firefighters came. Tested the air throughout the house and all is well. There is very, very little CO2 in our house.
Sleep after that was rather fleeting.
If y'all don't mind, I'd like to stop the planet and get off for a while...
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Another stressful week gone by...
Last week I played single parent while Richard recovered from a major infection.
This week Richad got to wear all the hats, while I was sick.
Apparently, I reacted to the drugs Richad was taking. Though my exposure to them was probably very limited (kissing, possibly sharing a cup - though Richard and I went out of our way to avoid both), I reacted very strongly.
When my doctor looked panicked at the sight of me, I figured that was a bad sign. He only calmed down once I told him it had been 24 hours since the onset. Under four hours and anaphylaxis becomes a major worry and I'm sure he would have bundled me up and sent me to the ER. He looked tempted as it was!
I had been trying to fight it all day with Benadryl, but it was getting worse.
When the pharmacist filled out my prescription, he told me I looked awful. I also figured that was a bad sign. When I added I had already taken an antihistamine, he was horrified.
Ok. So I looked bad. Covered head to toe in an itchy red swollen rash. I felt like my skin was on fire. That's when I wasn't so itchy I thought I'd go out of my mind.
After taking the prescription steriods and a stronger NON-DROWSY antihistamine (geepers Benadryl is a space trip!), I looked almost normal Friday morning. But by Friday supper I was covered partially in hives again.
Saturday woke up feeling not bad - itchy, but not bad. Just waking up is a good thing at this point.
Here's hoping the next dose of drugs finishes the job.
In the meantime, I'm beat. And this is as good as it gets for a blog post.
This week Richad got to wear all the hats, while I was sick.
Apparently, I reacted to the drugs Richad was taking. Though my exposure to them was probably very limited (kissing, possibly sharing a cup - though Richard and I went out of our way to avoid both), I reacted very strongly.
When my doctor looked panicked at the sight of me, I figured that was a bad sign. He only calmed down once I told him it had been 24 hours since the onset. Under four hours and anaphylaxis becomes a major worry and I'm sure he would have bundled me up and sent me to the ER. He looked tempted as it was!
I had been trying to fight it all day with Benadryl, but it was getting worse.
When the pharmacist filled out my prescription, he told me I looked awful. I also figured that was a bad sign. When I added I had already taken an antihistamine, he was horrified.
Ok. So I looked bad. Covered head to toe in an itchy red swollen rash. I felt like my skin was on fire. That's when I wasn't so itchy I thought I'd go out of my mind.
After taking the prescription steriods and a stronger NON-DROWSY antihistamine (geepers Benadryl is a space trip!), I looked almost normal Friday morning. But by Friday supper I was covered partially in hives again.
Saturday woke up feeling not bad - itchy, but not bad. Just waking up is a good thing at this point.
Here's hoping the next dose of drugs finishes the job.
In the meantime, I'm beat. And this is as good as it gets for a blog post.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Re-building
There are times when the building blocks we've so carefully assembled in our lives are shaken apart.
Some things, obviously, will shake them completely down to ruins. Major traumas like the death of a loved one, or a divorce, for example. Others will be like a one-hit explosion that takes out a few blocks but leaves the majority intact.
I feel like I've been through both recently.
As the "blitz" season, as we call it at work, came to a close I dealt with the death of my Grandmother.
That was followed by an intense shaking this last week with my husband's illness. He developed a severe infection after a tooth extraction. He experienced intense pain and swelling on one side of his face. To treat it he had to visit the hospital every eight hours to get IV treatments of antibiotics.
It took several days before we saw any improvement.
Due to the illness, the painkillers and sleep that was often interrupted by yet another trip the emergency room, he slept an awful lot.
Which meant much of everything in the day-to-day happenings of our lives were up to me.
I managed as a single mother for less than a week and I was pretty much exhausted. (How women do it on a regular basis is beyond my comprehension... and ability apparently!) In addition to the normal pressures of my fast-paced life, my son had a major school project I needed to help him with.
School homework is a major source of conflict for both of us, so the fact that we could even finish it at all without screaming at each other was a major accomplishment.
Friday came, hubby was released from his IV therapy and able to care for the kids as I went to bed at 8:30.
I slept for almost 12 hours.
When I awoke I felt like I'd just gone to bed. Then the tears started. I found the instructions for the school project and discovered we'd pretty much done the whole thing wrong. Then I found several unexpected bills.
I felt like the whole world had just crashed. I felt like such a failure. I crawled back into bed and slept off and on for most of the day. I cried a lot, too.
After a day of sleeping, a nice hot shower, and another good night's rest the world looked a better place.
Then my dad called to give me the news that his dad had passed away last night after a lengthy illness. While relieved his father isn't in pain or discomfort any longer, he's grieving the big gaping hole left by this beloved father and husband.
I found myself in tears again, for a grandfather I'd never met, for the grandmother I dearly loved and for a week that stressed all of us to the endth degree. It was like the darkness became palpable.
"It's too much," I told God. "Too much of everything."
But after a few more tears, it was like God put his arm around me and whispered... "It's all gonna be alright. Even this will pass. Tomorrow will come at last."
In addition, I realized after some very gentle, but stern self-talk that my psych prof would be so proud of! Grief takes it toll both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And the healing takes time. Time, of course, takes patience.
Healing doesn't happen in a moment. It's like rebuilding after a massive storm. It takes time. The debris has to be cleared. The holes mended and boarded up. New building materials assembled and slowly eased into place. The building blocks rearranged.
The best part is, we have the Master Carpenter working with us. Swinging the hammer long after we've lost the strength. Wiping the tears away when we think we've messed up beyond all grace.
We are truly blessed. The foundation my grandmother gave me continues to give me strength. I had many friends step up to the plate this week to help us out in ways that were invaluable!
And above all I had a Saviour waiting for the storm to pass, rolling up his sleeves ready to rebuild.
Looks like we'll be at it for a while.
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