Welcome to Moon's Corner!!

so much has happened since my last blog entry!

 

sold my house, bought a house, packing like a mad-woman...i'm excited because we'll have so much more space and a special space for t-tapp workouts with clients/friends! soon we won't have to be in my living room and the guys won't be hesitant to walk around the house because we'll be in our own area away from the rest of them!

 

it has been very stressful for me and i've had lots of conflicting emotions along the way...i resisted selling for over two years...even up to a few days before we decided to sell....work has been very busy and i'm still training to certify for t-tapp.

 

in addition i think all the stress lowered my immune system and i ended up getting knocked out with a bad cold, a pinched nerve, migraines and random abdominal/chest pains...i am also very low in iron (seems to be a constant life-long problem) and now B12 is low even though i take a supplement! my dr. isn't too pleased so i'm doing a 10 week series of injections for both...iron shots suck but it beats taking pills...i keep forgetting them!

 

i took a week off exercise because i couldn't even fathom the idea of doing the basic 15 min workout...i'm back at it but still feel some lingering chest stuff that's clearing up

 

so how has my eating been?...ugh....i've had very good days and very bad days...we've got family visiting and may brings two birthdays, mother's day and my anniversary...lots of celebrations

 

so what am i doing?  i'm indulging and on other days i'm eating clean but i'm not feeling completely normal so after the last celelbration on monday i'm embarking on another clean eating mission! won't be easy because i've got a move scheduled and a baby shower in between there but no one ever said life was easy!

 

in other news...we've joined a hiking/biking/walking club and have enjoyed some fun outings

 

so...as you can see my head is spinning!

first things first....I PASSED MY PERSONAL TRAINER CERTIFICATION!

 

i passed the written exam in december with flying colours and this month i did my practical exam and i passed.

 

now i'm waiting for my certificate and final marks.

 

i was eagerly looking forward to getting this over and done with so i could focus on my t-tapp trainer training and that started a few days ago

 

i'm loving it and the family is excited because i'll be certifying in florida and taking them all with me for a family vacation after the certification.

 

my eating and exercising has been great too.  it's funny...when i focus less (ie. don't track everything i eat and don't weigh myself) i seem to do better.

 

i just finished a bootcamp today and i feel fantastic.

 

i'm off with the guys for march break and it feels nice to be home

 

soooo...how are you doing?

it was a successful six weeks.  i cleaned up my eating after the holidays, detoxed and got rid of my coffee and diet coke daily habit.

 

the last week was a bit of a train wreck..too many social situations and some wonky eating.  yesterday started well but i felt very anxious and stressed as the day progressed and i ended up having doritos! a sure case of emotional eating! i think a variety of things built up and got me nervous.  time to refocus and regroup.

 

in the next six weeks i'll have some challenges...i'm going to do my personal training practical exam, work is extremely busy, march break

 

i have to stay focused and keep tweaking so i see some progress.  i'm hoping that since the weather is getting better i'll be able to get outside more and take some lunch time walks too!

 

i wonder what i should call this next six week period or mission

wow...5 weeks are over.  last week of operation clean up

 

today i decided i "needed" to make mushrooms in a sauce like butter chicken

 

not so easy to make it vegan and without added oil or salt...it was great!

 

here's what i did

 

mushrooms in mock butter chicken sauce

 

    1 onion
    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    4 small cloves of crushed garlic

    a bag full of mushrooms, quartered
    2 teaspoons ginger powder
    1/2 teaspoon garam masala
    1 teaspoon ground turmeric
    2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce
    2 teaspoons ground coriander
    500 mL crushed tomatoes 

    1/2 cup plain rice milk

    1/3 cup raw cashews

 

Finely chop the onions. Heat a large saucepan or frying pan and add a bit of water. Add the onions and the cinnamon to the pan and water-fry lightly. When the onions are soft stir in the crushed garlic.  Add the mushrooms and cook until they are tender.  Then add the ginger, garam masala, turmeric, chili and coriander, and sauté over a medium heat. The spices are fried first to release their maximum flavor and this really enhances the dish. Add the tomatoes. Mix thoroughly. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes (you may need to add a little water).

 

Puree the cashews with the rice milk and add right at the end.

 

I served this with steamed spinach and cauliflower made like aloo gobi without the potatoes.

 

It was fantastic!!

 

Luckily I will have enough for lunch three times this week.  I threw in the remaining spinach and cauliflower since it was so tasty.

 

If you like butter chicken and miss it then you should try this.

wow...time certainly flies by

 

operation clean up is going well...i've been consistent with my workouts, i've broken my coffee and diet coke addiction, i've been eating very clean and i'm feeling less fluffy

 

i'd say it has been a success and i'm pretty sure i've cleared away all the toxic junk i had in me left over from the holidays

 

another 21 day unstoppable fat loss challenge has begun and i'm going to incorporate body brushing back into my routine...i need it!

 

in other news i'm working towards my PT practical exam and T-Tapp trainer certification.

 

I've got the basic workout down to memory and I've been working with others on their workouts so i get used to spotting and helping others

 

life is good...too bad it's still winter here...brrrrrr so cold

 

take care of yourself!

i'm feeling good...got myself set up at work with tea, soy milk and stevia because i still want something hot to drink in the mornings...it's good

 

i have vanilla roiboos and a herbal tea called bengal spice...it's like chai but no caffeine...very cinnamony

 

i'm also feeling less fluffy and more lean...weigh in tomorrow morning..i won't have anything to compare with since i didn't weigh myself after the holidays

 

i have a tendancy to get all worked up about the numbers so i decided not to weigh so often...each time i get hooked on the number on the scale i tend to mess things up

 

 

 

YES! Today has ended wonderfully.

 

It was awful driving home in the snow and I was dreading driving to workout with a client friend but my husband offered to drop me off and pick me up...so sweet of him.

 

The workout was great and exactly what I needed.

 

Then I read this article http://thetruthaboutfatlossforwomen.com/2009/01/27/mini-meals-metabolic-rates-fact-or-fitness-myth/

 

That made me happy because I feel bombarded by mini meal information and it conflicts with the Eat to Live approach to eating...ahhhh i am so relieved

 

Thank you Lani for doing the research and clearing that up!  While you're there subscribe to her e-zine...it has great information and so does her blog

 

G'nite all - Take care of yourself!

i'm half way! six weeks of eating clean hasn't been too bad.

 

i'm really enjoying working with other t-tappers too! it surely makes me rethink my form when someone else is watching..hhahahaha

 

i can see why other trainers call clients their "client friends"...with wonderful people to work with, there's no way they could be just clients

 

i feel super strong and resilient too...i had a sore throat starting but i refuse to get sick and let it take over...i keep eating my nutrient-rich food and visualising all those antioxidants doing their thing!

 

i'm still trying to sort out some space at a reasonable price so i can gather a group together for free workouts...people...send me good vibes or send me a contact for some free/cheap space!

 

take it easy

not much to say except i love how exercise makes me feel

 

i was cold and tired when i got home...not really in the mood to workout

 

i did the basic t-tapp workout and step away the inches and it was magic

 

i felt nice and warm, now i'm toasty and feeling great

 

off to bed..reading dr. bryce wylde's new book and enjoying it!

i'm in love with my water bottles...i did the switch from plastic to stainless steel and i just wasn't feeling it

 

in october when i was in safety harbour teresa tapp had a lovely large Voss water bottle and when i asked about it she so gracious offered to give me one of her smaller ones

 

my little bottle was the talk at the office and i got another small one and a large one for christmas...one of the best christmas gifts i got...i love it when people get me and actually go for something they konw i'll love

 

ok so i travel with the 375ml bottle and i use the 800ml when i'm home or for larger workouts

 

they are sleek and sexy...water is crisp and clean when you drink out of glass...ahhhhh.

 

check out the designs...i have the two middle ones.

 

i think i'm getting a hang of the no-caffeine thing...i'm less foggy in the afternoons and it feels great

 

we celebrated my aunt's birthday this past weekend and i went a little overboard then i was too lazy to exercise..not good but it was a happy day since it was her birthday and a few months ago she was very ill and very lucky to have escaped death

 

i have great news...first magazine is writing a story on Dr. Fuhrman's eating plan..Eat to Live or Eat for Health

 

i'm one of the possible sucess stories and was interviewed a few months back...we should find out soon who is selected

 

the lucky winner will have a photographer's visit for the magazine story...isn't that exciting?!...keep your fingers crossed for me

 

i'm looking for cheap or free space to start t-tapp training sessions...i should have some stuff sorted out by the end of the week

 

life is good!

today and yesterday i did the basic workout with extra effort on form...they were supposed to be long workouts but this week i've been super tired and drained so i'm not pushing too hard if i'm tired...i need to check my iron again!

i think the cold weather is really getting to me...i want to hybernate...i spend a lot of time feeling so cold...it takes a long time to warm up even if i'm in a warm place.

 

i even did hoe-downs at my mom's house today because i felt so cold...i also ate chocolate...not to warm up but simply to pass the time...lame, i know!

today's book signing was fantastic...it's always great to spend time with teresa tapp...she is so kind and supportive.  she even did a demo in the book store.  it was a wonderful networking opportunity for me and i walked away with even more willing clients who are excited to get free help while i'm training

 

i am so excited...i met some wonderful people and am super motivated

i also got an offer for space to do the occasional workout in so things are lining up

it is going to be a great year!

Here's a picture of Teresa Tapp with me and K who will be part of my training journey. 

 

it has been a great week but i'm really happy that the weekend is in sight

 

to top it off teresa tapp the creator of the exercise program i'm addicted to and working towards certification for is in town!!

 

i'm going to see her at a book signing on saturday...hoooray

 

much less sleepy today

 

i'm really feeling in tune with my body and what it needs...this is great.  i'm feeling less fluffy too so i'm glad...still not weighing...that is saved for the end of the month

 

 

well..if anything it certainly was a cold day! brrrrrrr...no lunch-time walk...way too cold

 

today i wasn't sleepy in the afternoon...hard to believe since i'm still getting used to no caffeine.

 

the boys loved their lunch...encore for tomorrow...and mr. anti-health asked for salad today before eating their veggie soup for dinner.

 

hmmmm...i think he has a crush on someone and is trying to shape up...lol

 

life is good and for that i'm thankful!

 

take care of yourself

ok...not bad today but i was really sleepy even though i went to bed early...strange...maybe i just want to hybernate because it is cold

 

this was the third evening in a row that my family wanted frozen fruit sorbet for a treat...i'm indulging them because it is all fruit

 

today it was 600 grams of a mixed fruit blend (peach, strawberry, melon, grapes and pineapple) along with 2 bananas, a splash of vanilla and some water to blend....i love my vitamix more and more

 

the mr anti-healthy is asking for a smoothie again tomorrow morning (3 mornings in a row) and both boys will have a super healthy lunch

 

salsa, beans and corn with baked pita triangles

 

just throw together 2 cans of black beans, 1 can of corn and enough salsa to taste...quick and easy

 

today for lunch i had the leftover sweet potato and bean chili i blogged about a few days ago...with steamed spinach

 

i'm feeling less fluffy so it's a good sign

 

take care of yourself and bundle up...it's going to be real, real cold around here

not a bad day! actually it was pretty good...eating was great, day off exercise but i did take a 40 min walk during lunch

 

i'm tired so i'm going to bed early

 

i'm hopeful again...my younger son (mr. anti-healthy food) asked for a smoothie for breakfast today and he wants one again tomorrow...and today he had fruit as an afternoon snack and ate his veggies without complaining...progress? who knows....we've been down this route before

 

the guys were craving something for dessert last night so i whipped up 2 bananas, 600 grams of frozen blueberries and a splash of vanilla with a touch of water.

 

i love my vitamix...it made it into a nice blueberry ice cream/sorbet...they asked for it again today...so i gladly made it

 

i've got to think about some other varieties for the sorbet because i can get some extra fruit in them that way

 

 

ahhhh it was a nice, quiet day...much needed before a busy week

 

i've survived the weekend without diet coke and coffee! yeah baby!

 

i made a video called "What do you eat?"

 

you can watch it by clicking here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_FrxCne1po

 

my crock pot is simmering another yummy dish...chana masala (indian chick peas)...it is a modified version of this recipe http://www.recipezaar.com/Channa-Masala-17471

 

i'll eat it tomorrow over steamed green beans & cauliflower...can't wait!

 

hope you had a wonderful weekend...take care of yourself!

today was great...

 

no coffee or diet coke...i've discovered vanilla rooibos herbal tea...mmmm the perfect cup of warmth since i was missing something warm to drink

 

i also turned down samosas...a favourite indian food but since i'm committed to eating as close to the 6 week ETL plan i turned them down and actually watched my family eat them

 

i met with someone and we worked on t-tapp...perfect practice for me.  i wasn't always as articulate as teresa is but i'm still learning...lol

 

i had some sweet potatoes that needed to be used and i was on the run so i dumped stuff into the crock pot and made this...

 

sweet potato and mixed bean chili

 

3 sweet potatoes...peeled and cubed

1 can red kidney beans

1 can navy beans

1 can black beans

3 tbsp onion flakes

1/3 c tomato paste

water...eyeball it...enough to moisten the whole mix

garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder to taste

chipotle hot sauce (my new passion)

 

i cooked it on high in the crock pot for 4 hours...it was yummy

 

 

wow...i'm starting to feel like a normal person again...no headaches today...maybe detox is over and i'm sure going to bed early three nights in a row did help too!

 

today in honour of the third birthday of one of my fave blogs i'll tell you about Fat Free Vegan Kitchen. 

 

check it out at www.fatfreevegan.com

 

susan has a wonderful variety of recipes and a blog with awesome pictures

 

i often go to it for ideas and inspiration

 

check it out and happy birthday FFVK!!

 

 

i'm getting closer to feeling like my normal self...good stuff!

 

this has been such a long week...i'm so unmotivated and feel like i've been going through the motions in the 9 to 5 world.  i think i need the weekend to unwind more than ever...the holidays came and went and i don't feel like there was a break from one year to the other since i worked on the non-holiday days.  yes there were some days off but with all the holiday madness it just didn't feel like a break.

 

eating was great, no coffee or diet coke again today, going to bed on time and i went for a walk during my lunch...all good.

 

i know i got a bit fluffy during the holidays...my clothes all fit but i can feel a bit of fluff.  i'm not weighing my self for a month.  i have no idea if i gained weight and by the end of the month i won't know how much i lost but i am choosing this so i don't obsess about the numbers.

 

each time i set a weight goal and focus on numbers i sabotage myself.  i read something good today that went kinda like this....

 

you'll never lose weight until you stop focusing on the weight and put other things first...that's what i'm doing--i'm putting my health first and each time i do that i'm successful.  this whole journey was a quest for health and if i focused on health it was much more relaxing too.

 

so go ahead, throw out your scale!

day 3 and i'm feeling a bit better than yesterday...wooohoooo...i'm on the climb up and out of detox!!

i think i'll go to bed early again tonight to catch up a bit more on my sleep too.

i took a quick walk during lunch...just 15 mins since it was slushy and slippery but overall that amounts to about 35 to 40mins of walking if you count my walks to and from the train station. i also did the basic workout today.

eating, moving and sleeping...all done right today.

what am i doing for my mindset these days? i listen to positive affirmations daily, reflect on one affirmation per day, journal, keep adding to my vision board, and i'm reviewing the unstoppable fat loss materials too.

now that the holidays are over i'm going to need to find a personal trainer to shadow so i can prepare for my practical exam in march!  i've e-mailed one in the hopes that they'll let me shadow them so i can gain more experience.

take care of yourself!

my lunch turned out to be tasty...i'm glad because i really had high hopes for it

i've had a migraine all day...the year has just begun and i'm feeling drained, tired and disinterested in facing the daily grind

i think i've figured it out...i'm in need of some extra sleep!!

sleep is so important and i didn't sleep in much over the holidays

i've probably got a debt to pay when it comes to sleep

in order to handle the exciting adventures and surprises coming my way in 2009 i need to maintain my energy and keep strong

no exercise today since i feel so weak and dizzy...i took a hot, relaxing soak in the tub instead...i'm sure that'll help with the detox too

 

i'm going to bed early!!

i'm not looking forward to the snow storm that is supposed to be coming tonight...they've been talking about it all day and part of yesterday...i'd laugh if it was a light dusting and nothing more....the media sensationalises too much...it's just a snow storm...geeze!!

well, as expected i had a headache and i felt tired - classic detox symptoms

 

no coffee and no diet coke! hooray!...i only had one of each per day but it was so routine.

 

i did manage to get a second wind even without the caffeine in me and had some active spurts.  i went for a 30 min walk during my lunch hour and i did the t-tapp basic workout as well as 40 minutes on dance dance revolution (DDR).  my kids got it for christmas and i hadn't tried it out yet so i just HAD to try it!

 

i got two huge bunches of kale...need to eat more greens

 

i didn't follow any recipes but i decided to improvise and it tastes good...lets hope it does tomorrow when i eat it

 

 

1 onion, chopped

2 red peppers, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

2 zucchinis, chopped

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1 can black beans

1 cup frozen corn

2 Tbsp chili powder

1-2 tsp cumin

1-2 tsp oregano

3 Tbsp onion powder

2 Tbsp dried onion flakes

1-2 tsp chipotle hot sauce

2 large bunches of kale, washed, chopped and microwaved to reduce the volume

 

I sauteed all the veggies with water until they were soft then i added the tomatoes, corn, beans and seasonings.  Once it was all simmering nicely I added the softened kale.  Stir, stir, stir, let simmer.

 

 

i'm ready to get back to normal...i'm going to stick to the ETL six week plan to aid in my detox and give up coffee

this is my six year anniversary of ETL and when i look back i can't believe how far i've come...i've indulged these past two weeks but it was nothing like the olden days and i feel lazy and tired so i'm really ready for things to get back to normal!

i want 2009 to be the year i get down to my fuhrman weight...i'm tired of hovering comfortably at this stage...i know and feel i still have those last pounds to lose

apart from giving up coffee and getting my eating back to normal, i'm also going to get my personal trainer cert this quarter!

 

to help me stay motivated i'm going to review the interviews from the unstoppable fat loss program.  i highly recommend this for anyone who needs to get their mindset in gear for changing their bodies...it's amazing how it spreads out to other aspects of life.

here's to feeling fine in 2009!!!

I wish you all the best in 2009!

 

I'm looking forward to a year full of pleasant surprises and wonderful adventures.

 

Above all I'm going to continue working on being the best I can be and helping others acheive this as well.

 

Take care of yourself and have fun!