HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!!!!!!!

I would like to wish a Happy Mothers' Day to all the mother's out there!!!!

Yesterday, the hubby and I spent the day with my beautiful mother who is in the hospital in Saskatoon.

Before leaving for Saskatoon, I had a bowl of everything oats:




(Toppings: Chia seeds, granola, chocolate chips, almond butter, coconut).

We ate lunch at Fuddruckers. The portions are HUGE. I ordered the smallest burger, and could still only eat about 1/2:



I had a few fries too:



Dinner was a 6" turkey and veggie sub:



When we got home from Saskatoon we watched part of Transformers 2 before falling asleep. I snacked on 1 1/2 grapefruit, and 1/2 a coconut bar:





This morning I made a very green juice with 2 grapefruit (Hello, my name is Jolene and I am a grapefruit addict), 1 green pepper, and 2 kiwi:



We went for brunch and I had 2 eggs, 2 sausage, bacon, and a bit of my toast and hash browns, as well as about 84 cups of coffee:



In the afternoon I had the other half of my coconut bar, and 1/2 a can of diet root beer.

At the in-laws for supper I had a plate of Chinese food and a glass of ice tea:



A few Facts About My Mother:

1) She has more patience than any other person I have ever known.

2) She is an exceptional artist - unfortunately, since her MS diagnosis about 8 years ago, she hasn't had the motor ability for artistic endeavors.

3) She loves coffee, cheesecake, and staying up late.

4) She has always been really tiny (like 100 pounds) but she loves food! She likes to graze all day. She used to try and gain weight, and would buy or make foods specifically because they were calorie dense. It didn't work.

5) When she could still walk in them, she loved stilettos and wore them everyday.

6) When we were growing up, my mom was supermom, and little miss Martha in the kitchen. She loved to entertain, cook, bake, etc.. I always sat on the counter as she baked, just hoping I would get to lick the bowl.

7) She is the most generous person I know.

8) She is the most positive person I know. In the 8 years since my mom was diagnosed with MS, I have never once heard her complain, or ask "why me?" She is strong in the face of adversity, and always sees the beauty in life. I have learned a lot from her, but still have so much more to learn.

9) She is the mother of 3 children, and the grandmother of 1 three year old.

10) She is an everyday angel.

Tell me something about your mom :-)

A Taste of Spring

ast night (Thursday) the hubby, some friends, and I went to a foodie event in the city called "A Taste of Spring."

This is what I woke up to yesterday morning:



Ironic much?

I warmed myself up by making some scrambled eggs with salsa and red pepper. I also had a slice of toast and a glass of fresh OJ:



Lunch yesterday was leftover haystack, and 2 clementines.



Before going to "A Taste of Spring" the hubby and I met up with our friends Jeff and Alaina for some appies. The hubby and I shared some coconut shrimp, flat bread with dips, and mushroom strudels:







I also enjoyed a red wine, and then tasted a few more once I got to "A Taste of Spring." I also sampled a bunch of different foods from restaurants around the city:


(Pork steamed bun)


(Wild Pike creation on a cracker with gazpacho)


(Jalapeño cheddar soup)


(Sushi!!)


(Mushroom phylo with tzatziki)


(Mini dulce de leche cupcake)

The hubby and I shared the above munchies.

This morning I woke up to sunny skies, and a beautiful day. I had a bowl of white mocha oats:



My morning snack at work consisted of some fruit and a cookie:



I went to Earls for lunch with friends from work. I had the chicken and brie sandwich (with apples, fig chutney, and spinach). On the side I had the mixed green salad with goat cheese and pecans:



Dinner today was Thai coconut curry soup that I picked up at the local organic grocery store ... as well as 5 potstickers. Mmmmmm! I had a white freezie for dessert.





The hubby and I are heading to Saskatoon tomorrow to visit my mom in the hospital for an early Mother's day. On Wednesday she was moved to Rehab, and she seems to be doing well there. She has her own room, which means she is getting much more sleep than she had been getting. Now that she is in rehab, she will really be assessed, and decisions will have to be made.

What do you have planned for the weekend?
Are you doing anything special for mother's day?

Technology Troubles

I am having trouble uploading pictures :-( Is Blogger broken?

I will update ASAP.

Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger?

- Cheers,

Jolene

Mexican Haystacks

appy cinco de Mayo!

It's too bad that the 5th of May fell on a Wednesday this year. If it would have been on the weekend I would have had a Mexican fiesta! Today, I just felt like having a siesta.

I woke up to snow, and all day it was rainy, windy and ugly.

The other day I got so many great tips for running, and I haven't been able to go running due to this weather :-( There is NO way I will finish the 15 runs left in my C25K plan before my 5K on May 30th. I am going to have to just do what I can and hope for the best.

This morning I made some warm oats to take my mind of the snow outside.





Made with: 1/2 cup coffee, 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1/2 a banana, 1 T almond butter, 1 t maple flakes, 1/2 t mini chocolate chips.

Lunch was 2 slices of ham, leftover rutabagas, 2 clementines, and 1/2 cup of yogurt with 1 T granola.



Dinner was one of my favourite meals from when I was a kid at summer camp. We always used to call this meal "Haystacks" because you literally stack everything up in a big pile. It is basically like a taco salad - but better.

When the hubby and I first got married and I made him these, he insisted that we have them once a week, EVERY week. I thought that they would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

Haystacks

Stack the following ingredients on a plate in this order, and then eat:

1) Cooked rice (I used brown - 1/2 cup)
2) Sprinkle of cheese (I used 2 T)
3) Taco beef (I used organic extra lean, browned, with an organic taco seasoning - 1/2 cup)
4) Chopped tomatoes
5) Salsa
6) A few taco chips crumbled on top

You can also add: lettuce, black olives (we always add them), and anything else you would like in a taco ... sour cream etc..

They are so easy to make, yet they please everyone who tries them! This was always the favourite meal of the kids at the summer camp I used to go to. We looked forward to them all week.









Nom, nom, nom!

This evening I had a small non-fat, decaf latte from Starbucks, and a glass of fresh juice (2 grapefruit, 1/3 cantaloupe, 1 red pepper). Grapefruit juice is divine with a pepper added in.



What would you put on your perfect haystack?

Banana Softserve Vegan Overnight Oats

Angela is a genius.

VOO are so good and incredible easy to make. I prepped the oat mixture last night, and then layered it with banana soft serve (1 frozen banana done in a food processor) this morning.



Vegan Overnight Oats
(From: OhSheGlows)

- 1/3 cup oats
- 1 cup almond milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze) - I would also cut this amount to 3/4 cup next time or increase the amount of oats.
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 T chia seeds
- 1 package of Amazing Grass (Chocolate)

Mix all the ingredients with a whisk and refrigerate overnight. In the morning layer it with the banana soft serve (food process a frozen banana).



At work I had about 8 tortilla chips with dip.

Lunch was rice with hot sauce, edamame, and 2 clementines (I didn't eat the apple).







Dinner was salmon, rutabagas, asparagus and a piece of pumpernickel.





Salmon with veggies is one of my favourite summery meals, although it is not feeling very summery. Today was a windy, cold, sleety day.

The current conditions are:

Light Snow
45K/h wind
Feels like -5

Brutal.

Tomorrow is looking even worse. Snow. Not light snow, but SNOW. Barf.

This evening the hubby and I went to our friend's house for a game night. We played a nerdy card game called Bang! I love board games, card games, etc.. I never get sick of them.

What is your favourite board/ card game?

Also, have you ever made rutabagas? What are some other ways to prepare them besides boiling and mashing?

A Better Life

I came across a post on Dragos Roua entitled 100 Ways to Live a Better Life. I really liked this list, and I have picked out 5 that have really changed my life in the past 10 years, as well as 5 that I want to work on.

5 That Have Changed My Life

Avoid Fighting

Fighting is the biggest energy leak of your being. - I hate fighting and will try to avoid fighting with someone at all costs. I have learned over the years how to remain calm when upset, and it has helped me feel more at peace.

Forgive Someone out of the Blue

Don’t hold that grudge for that past insult. Grudges are heavy and tend to make the take off for a new life a little bit difficult. The longer you hold that grudge, the more difficult the take off will be. Forgiveness will lift you off. - I don't hold grudges, and I have no enemies. I also refuse to use the word "hate" when it comes to people. I have no problem forgiving and forgetting. This serves me well teaching grade 7/8s!

Don't Take it Personally, Ever

Never. Your world is shaped by your reaction to things, not by the things themselves. Don’t get upset, don’t think that somebody knows you enough to make right assumptions about you. Acknowledge and move on. - Another one that serves me well as a teacher! I know that in my life, people are going to talk about me, and not always good. So be it. I also know that sometimes people are snappy with me because they are having a bad day, and not because they don't like me. It is okay. I will kill them with kindness until it tortures them into not being snappy :-) Hehe.

Stop Complaining

Complaining is like an open invitation for troubles. The more you complain about something, the more of that something you invite into your life. Cut it out. You don’t get any comfort out of complaining, only troubles. - You will rarely hear me complain. I feel fortunate for what I have and although work can be tough some days, I love my job and am grateful that I have one. Same goes for my husband - you won't hear me complaining about him.

Being is Better than Having

Too much and too often we shape our life’s fulfillment degree to the amount we possess. The fundamental mistake. If you’re doing it, stop it right now. You’re not what you’re having. - The me that used to care about material objects died in high school. I don't care what brand of cell phone I have, or how big my TV is, or what kind of car I drive. What matters to me is LIVING and doing things, and being with people. Also - I am not impressed by other's material things. If I want an iphone, I will buy one. I don't. I am a believer in the "don't fix what ain't broke" mentality, and really hate to replace something that still works. As long as my car is still running well, I will be driving it. The more money I make DOES NOT equal the more things I will buy, bigger, better or whatnot ... but it DOES equal the more I will DO in my life in terms of education, travel, and social engagements.

5 Things I Need to Work On

Create A New Habit

We’re doing a lot of stuff on autopilot. Try to integrate in this category new things you want to attract into your life. Habits are powerful. Harness their energy for your own good. - Or break a bad one! I have a habit of running late, and procrastinating, etc. etc.. I would like to break these habits but also get into the habit of working out regularly, and picking up after myself (clothes)!

Learn to Take Risks

Your life may be so boring and fade because… err, you made it like this? When was the last time your tried something really difficult? When was the last time you challenged the odds doing something risky? Do it now. - I don't take a lot of risks, and I am afraid of change. I am doing a bit better over this past year, but it is very scary for me and I need to continue to take even more and bigger risks.

Wake up Early

This is not a habit, this is a lifestyle. Don’t just wake up early without a purpose. Be early. Be there before others. Look for opportunities and embrace them. Waking up early means keeping your eye open to every available opportunity. - I wish I had time in the morning to savour my cup of coffee and relax, move slowly, and just start the day out right. I start every workday morning moving fast, and rushing out the door. I hate it. This is very hard to change though, as I have never been a morning person. Over the summer I hope to make it a habit, by getting up early to bike, walk, or jog around the lake.

Throw away one Object a Day from Your House

Maybe your life is breathing so hard just because it’s suffocated by objects. Learn to let them go. You may donate them, give to charity or simply throw them away, but don’t let the clutter stay in your way. You’re not the objects you have. - You know how I mentioned that I don't like to replace things that aren't broken ... well I also don't like to toss things that aren't broken. I am going to try very hard with this one, but don't tell my hubby because he will get too excited ;-)

Live it Like a Holiday

Ever observed how nice you feel during your holiday? How light, joyful and authentic? Everything is just wonderful. Well, you are on a continuous holiday here. It starts with your birth and end with your death. Live it like a holiday. - Word. My new goal.

Today was a beautiful Monday. I started my day with a bowl of White Chocolate Chai Latte Oats (can I get a hell yeah!!?)

White Chocolate Chai Latte Oats

- 1/2 cup Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate (from Starbucks)
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
- 1/2 cup Organic Quick Oats
- 1 T White Chocolate PB & Co.





Lunch was 4 perogies and 2 slices of ham (I will spare you the ugly photo) as well as 2 clementines, 1 cheese stick, and some yogurt with 2 T chia seeds/ granola:



For dinner I had a giant chicken Caesar salad:



With a couple dried figs, and a chunk of goat cheese:



What things do you need to work on to live a better life? What changes have you made in your life that have changed who you are as a person?

Without a Plan

I want to thank everyone again for the wonderful tips and advice about my running - I feel motivated to go give it another try. The comment that I got today from Anais was such a great piece of advice:

"I think you will enjoy it when you will start to amaze yourself - like "woah, I just ran a 5k!!" or "woah - I just ran for more than 5 minutes at a time for the first time!~". That's when it really started being fun for me :)

Also, when you start to run just to run - not necessarily because it's time to run or whatever - that's when I find it really enjoyable :) Maybe one day go for a run without following a specific plan and just walk when you want and run when you want :) "

Thank you Anais. Why did I not ever think of doing this?!! Such a simple idea, but it just might be genius. This week I am going to go on a run without a plan, not as part of my training requirements ... no distance, or time in mind. I am just going to run because I want to. I will run when I feel like it and walk when I feel like it with no guilt, no stress, and no worry. I LOVE this advice.

I was MIA Friday night and Saturday as the hubby and I went to Saskatoon to visit my mom. She is on the waitlist for rehab, which could help her build some strength if she is willing and able to participate. We are pretty certain that she will be going to a long-term care home, as it is just not safe for her to be on her own anymore (she has very limited mobility).

I had a great day at work on Friday. Lunch was a chicken sub from Subway, some yogurt and a piece of cheese. After work I had a couple Guinness, and dinner was pizza! For breakfast on Saturday I had 2 pancakes. We had a quick lunch in Saskatoon at Edo Japan, and I had the Sukiyaki Beef with rice and veggies. Dinner was a chicken sub and some poutine (sorry no pics ... too much on my mind & forgot my camera).

Saturday night I had a few bevvies, and went out dancing with some friends. It was nice to be able to relax - the whole situation with my mom is very stressful.

Breakfast this morning was an egg muffin with 1 piece of cheddar cheese:





Mmm, I love me a runny egg.

The hubby ran a sprint triathlon this morning, and we went out for lunch after to Earls. I had the Hunan Kung Pao:



Dinner at the in laws was ham and scalloped potatoes with cream corn:





Do you enjoy dancing? What kind of music do you like to dance to?

I LOVE dancing. I prefer to dance to hip-hop or R&B, especially the old school stuff! Ginuwine anyone?