Back from Hols and Ready to Role!

As much as I enjoyed my holiday, it is so good to be home.  We were in a holiday house and some of the kitchen appliances were really old or unusable.  There was a Vitamix blender that was from the 60's in the cupboard and the kettle looked like it was from a time when electricity didn't even exist so that meant no caffeine for me at all!

*Weigh-in*

After a week of good, healthy eating overindulging I was a little scared about the scales this morning, but the good news was that I was only up 200 grams.  We did a lot of walking and maybe that helped burn off the fresh caramel home made ice-cream from Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm. 

*Workout*

Just a quick 1 km swim this morning, the pool was really crowded as school goes back this week so all the squads are back at the pool and that means that the lap swimmers have 3 less lanes to swim in.  Also I start the 1 Million Kilo Challenge today.  I am so excited to have Me along for the ride and hopefully Sammy and some others if I can find the team request button.

What do you do on holidays.......

• Do you eat like a pig because you are on holidays? (I apparently do)
• Do you limit yourself to the more indulgent foods?
• Do you try and exercise or skip it completely?

I will be back later in the week with some holiday photos.  Until then, I have a ton of blog catch-up to do.  So glad to be back to my routine.  I felt a little lost without my morning caffeine.

Treadmills are for Everyone!

I love the cat wiping the sweat off his face, it cracks me up :)

I don't think I need to say much more about the cat treadmill!  Oh, maybe that I remove the toilet roll every night when he goes to bed now and that I don't lock him in the toilet, that's just where his litter box goes.  Gilligan either sleeps on the washing machine, in the laundry tub or on his bed.  I just wanted to clear it up that I don't lock cats in toilets.

Gilligan having a sleep at 15 weeks old

 *Workout*

This mornings workout was in the pool.  It was a pretty good swim, but I was a little tired.  Late nights and early mornings just don't mix, but before I knew it I was up to lap 5, it's all a little blurry before that.  That's another thing I love about the morning workout, I have actually started it before I have a chance to talk myself out of it.  

My morning alarm for swimming now goes off at 5 am, I have graduated from 5.30 am over the last few weeks.  My alarm started getting earlier because one morning I was awake at 5.20am and thought I may as well get up now and go swimming, after all, it was only a 10 min difference, plus the earlier you are the more lane choices you have.  I know it may sound a little weird, but I don't think I would have handled a whole 30 mins at one time.  Setting the alarm earlier by 10 mins every few weeks is definitely what works best for me :) 

*Breakfast*

My goodness do I have a smoothie treat for you.  It was delicious and so filling that I could barely finish it.  In light of the quantity and texture of this smoothie I had to find a name that was equally as extravagant.  I present to you the.....

Tropical Thunder Thickshake Smoothie

It was green cause of the spinach, but I promise you, there were no mushrooms today :)  It was so thick, it had the consistency of a thickshake and it was delicious with a banana / pineapple flavour.

Into the blender :

• 1 cup Almond Milk
• 1 handful of Spinach
• 40g (1 serve) Vanilla Protein Powder
• 50g Natural No-Fat Greek yoghurt
• 90g frozen Banana
• 88g frozen Pineapple

"Try it yourschelf"

I had better get moving cause Mama Solis arrives tonight, luckily it is hot and windy so all the bed sheets will dry in a flash.  Enjoy your day :)

Sneaky Snacks & Sucky Swims

This mornings swim sucked, I struggled the whole time.  I actually had to force myself to do the 1 km that I did do.  I wanted to stop after the 5th lap, but I reminded myself that I didn't get up early and drive to the pool for a 2 min swim so I just kept going.

I have a stupid allergy condition and no one knows what triggers it, but apparently 50% of cases like mine the cause is never found, basically anything can trigger an attack. When I woke up this morning my breathing was a little off, but because of my medical degree I just thought that a nice swim would help to regulate my breathing - I was so wrong!  My breathing was all over the place and for the majority of the swim, I felt like this.............

I did try a new face cream last night and I am wondering if maybe that is what caused it.  I didn't have all the usual symptoms I normally get when an attack is caused by a food so I am guessing again because I have a medical degree that one of the ingredients in the cream triggered it.  I know it sounds weird, but a heavily scented / perfumed deodorant can set it off, no Impulse for me :)


*Snack Time*

If your kids are anything like mine then you'll know what it's like to spend most of your day in the kitchen preparing food, my kids don't stop snacking all day long.  From the minute they finish breakfast, they start snacking all the way through lunch, up to dinner.

Their snacks include :

• Fruit (several pieces a day)
• Cheese (sometimes with crackers)
• Carrots
• Sultanas
• Yoghurt

The way I feed the kids got me thinking about why I don't feed myself the same way, as in, fruit not biscuits.  Why were all of my snacks full of fat, sugar and unhealthy? There is no way I would ever let the kids snack on what I was eating so why not join them?

I now use the kids snacks to inspire my own.  The first snack of the day today was carrots.  The kids actually go and get them out of the fridge then hand them to me for peeling and chopping.  The peeling is my fault cause I can't eat a carrot that isn't peeled, I'm a texture freak.

1 carrot and a blob of hommus

Don't be fooled by the Winnie the Pooh plate, this is actually my snack (and dinner plate).  Below is a yoghurt bowl made in the kids bowl.  It contains 100 grams of no-fat Greek yoghurt, a whole (peeled) apple and 1/2 a serve (15 grams) of Nesquik cereal. 

I know the cereal is chocolate flavoured, but it is made with wholegrains and the kids (who forced me to buy it) don't like it so I figured it must be sort of healthy if they won't eat it.

The yoghurt bowl is quite the snack, I think it's more of a mini meal and there is still room for more food in that bowl.  I think the fact that the average / standard crockery set is over sized is why I am really conscience of portions now.  I never used to be, which I have no doubt, is part of the reason I am wearing a fat suit now.  

Let me in on your sneaky snacks..........

• What do you snack on?
• Do you eat snacks you wouldn't let your kids eat?
• Would you consider the yoghurt bowl more of a meal?

Protein Smoothie & Portions

First up, breakfast!  After a good swim this morning I was ready for something cool when I got home and I don't think you can get much better than a protein packed fruit smoothie. 

Banana Honey Protein Smoothie

You will be happy to know that this morning's concoction did not contain mushrooms, but it did have cottage cheese - mmmmmm.

Into the blender :

• 250mls Almond Milk (organic)
• 50g No-Fat natural Greek yoghurt
• 40g Weight Watchers Cottage Cheese
• 20g Vanilla Protein Powder
• 7g (1 tsp) Honey
• 114g frozen Banana

The almond milk (first time I've had it) was nice and actually has less calories per cup (250mls) than the skim milk I usually drink - I think I may have just converted over.  I had a sip of the almond milk on it's own and guess what?  It tasted like almonds!  I couldn't taste the milk or cottage cheese in the smoothie at all.  The most prominent flavours were the banana and honey and this smoothie contained a whopping 23.7 grams of protein.  I should also add that it was very tasty!

*Laughing Cows*

I was asked by Pinky who writes It's All About Me what sort of spreadable cheese I used on my Egg & Cheese muffin and I really appreciate a picture of any product I am asking about so I thought I would do the same.

multigrain muffin with cheese wedge

light Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedges

8 wedges per pack

The reasons I love these little wedges are :

• Portion size is already taken care of
• They are spreadable
• They are tasty
• Per wedge : 
• 26 calories
• 1.6 grams of fat
• 21 grams of protein

If you are anything like me when it comes to cheese these wedges are a lifesaver.  I don't have to buy a jar or tub of cream cheese spread that I can use in a matter of seconds.  These really aren't that expensive, I think they were $2.99 for the pack of 8 which I don't mind spending.  When I have these I tend to ration them out and only have one when I really want it whereas if I have the jar or tub I just eat it.  I don't know what it is, but the wedges make me behave myself and not become a pig around the cheese.

*Breakfast Bowl Portions*

I used to use this bowl ~

average sized adult bowl

Then I swapped to this bowl ~

average sized children's bowl

Then I discovered ~

adult & child bowl are virtually the same size

I now use this bowl ~

this child's bowl holds a 40g serve of cereal with milk and no over-flow

the 3 bowls sitting inside each other

Although I am using my kid's bowls for my breakfast / cereal bowl, the thing that really bothers me is that whenever we are giving our kids something to eat using these standard / average sized kid's bowls we are actually giving them an adult sized serve.  No wonder childhood obesity is at an all time high.  

Normally you wouldn't think twice about the actual quantity of food you can fit into that tiny pink bowl that fits in my palm and although it sits nicely in the cat bowl, it is deeper and holds the same amount of food as the adult sized bowl - that is 1 adult sized portion, which is perfect for me, but not for the kids! 

Tell me your portioning secrets..........

• How do you control your portions?
• Is it just me or do the bowl sizes bother you?
• Have you ever measured out your kids bowls to see the actual portion size?

The Exploding chicken

Good morning all!  I hope everyone slept well in that hideous 40C (104F) heat.  It was still 39C at 8.30 pm last night, but luckily I put the "hair conditioner machine" aka, air conditioner on so, in the end I needed my quilt - it was wonderful.

*Workout*

This morning on my way to the pool it was 21C (71F) and that was at 5.30 am - not nice.  At least today is only going to be around 34C, I can handle that a lot better.  Considering the heat, the pool was the best place for a workout today.  According to Fat Secret, I burned 720 calories in the hour, I think I would have died burning that many in the heat.  The heat and I do not get along!

I did struggle a little today though, but I think that's because I have started to push myself passed / past (which one?) a comfortable pace.  I can feel my arms burning at my slightly faster pace and when I do some "sprints", I have to either stop or slow right down to catch my breath.  My time isn't any faster, but that's because my pace is all over the place.  I don't mind because I can work on my time and one day I will be faster - I'm not talking Ian Thorpe fast, but maybe cutting 5 - 10 mins. off my time.  I think that will be my ultimate swimming goal :)

*Breakfast*

After the pool, the heat had risen by a few degrees up to 24C (75F) and I just couldn't face anything warm so I pulled out my trusty blender and made something like this -

This isn't the smoothie that I made this morning, but it looked pretty much the same - green.  The smoothie in the picture is the Strawberry Swamp Beast, which is nice, but today's creation is (so far) my all time favourite.  It was delicious, cold, icy and tasted like pineapple.  It was the perfect breakfast for a warm morning.  I was enjoying it so much that I didn't even get a photo.  

Pineapple Delight  
(named by Hayden, he's 12 and liked it)

Into the mix went :

• 250ml Cocobella Pure Coconut Water with Pineapple (74 calories)
• 112g frozen Banana (100 calories)
• 56g frozen Pineapple (27 calories)
• 26g Baby Spinach leaves (about a handful) (6 calories)
• TOTAL calories - 207

I bought the pineapple fresh, cut it all up into cubes and froze it in an airtight container.  The little pieces were like ice cubes and made the smoothie so icy - it was pretty close to a slushy and the pineapple flavour was basically all I could taste.  I will definitely be making this one again.  I really don't think the coconut water with the pineapple contributed much to the flavour, but we will see cause all I have left is plain coconut water.

*The Exploding Chicken*

Last night as I was heating up the left over chicken I could hear some popping sounds.  This is fairly normal when re-heating meat so I wasn't too worried and then the pops got louder and louder.  I opened the microwave to find a BBQ chicken breast in pieces.  It was only 1 breast and I only put it in for a minute, but the damage was rather substantial - my son and I both just burst out laughing.  

I jigsawed the chicken back together and covered it in some extra sauce before serving it up with parmesan potatoes.  It killed me having to put the oven on, but at least it was just long enough to melt the parmesan cheese under the grill.

Last nights dinner was inspired by Pinterest.  I made this.......

Crockpot BBQ Chicken from stick a fork in it

To make the sauce -

• 1 jar (250 - 275 ml) of BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• There are some chilli flakes as well, but I don't use them
• I make this much for 2 chicken breasts

and these.............

Parmesan Potatoes from Iowa Girl Eats

To make the potatoes -

• Pierce each potato with a fork
• Place potatoes on a paper towel in the microwave
• Cook on high till soft - don't forget to turn them
• The time will depend on how many potatoes you have
• Cut them in half
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
• Melt and brown the cheese under the grill

I didn't have any chicken, but it got rave reviews from those who did eat it.  The potatoes I have been making for a while now and everyone loves them - even the kids.  I have even started making one to have on the side with a salad.  I am thinking about trying out a sweet potato instead.  Potatoes and diabetes don't mix well.

Both of these are so easy and quick to make, apart from the 6 hours in the crockpot, but making the sauce takes about 2 mins. and the potatoes take about 10 mins.  I can't complain about that - 12 mins. hard kitchen work time and your done :)

Good Start to the Year!

I would like to say it's been a great start to 2012, but so far it has only been good.  I managed to get in a swim on Sunday (New Years day), but only because it was so hot we decided to take the kids to the pool after Alski finished work.  I secretly packed my cap and goggles and put them on once I got into the pool.  

Fart Face Alan said "WTF are you wearing?" I just told him I was going to do some laps.  This is huge progress for me cause usually I would just forget about the workout and hang out in the pool playing with the kids.  It is so liberating not caring what anyone thinks I look like at the pool.  I was so self-conscience about it, even in my board shorts, but now I don't worry at all.  I'm not the fattest person in the world or at the pool, but by the 1st of October 2012, I will be one of the healthiest at the pool.

I am saying October 1 cause that is the goal I have set for myself.  If it takes a little longer, say December 1 then that is fine, but I am pushing myself (not too hard, don't want to burn out) and I am going to hit my goal weight this year.  October 1 is 41 weeks away and I think (must use positive language) know I can do it.

*Weigh-in*

Again, another reason I said good start to the year is because I gained 700 grams this week.  Although it is a gain, I don't really mind considering Christmas and New Years were both in that week.  In a way it is sort of a good thing knowing that the gain was only 700 grams.  In previous years it would have been so much worse, such as 2008.  I was going really well with my weight loss and I was down 30 kilos (66 lbs) then Christmas hit.  I had Christmas day, Christmas week, Christmas month all the way to June and BAM, I was 20 kilos (44 lbs) heavier - not bad eatin' oink, oink.

I don't do that anymore, so a 700 gram gain is rather pleasing, plus I am back on track straight away.  I am never waiting till June to get back on track again.  I have to keep remembering that......

 

 I have that desire :)

Sweaty Swim & Super Strawberries

I was up nice and early this morning, well early for me anyway.  I was at the pool and in the water by 6.30am and having a great time.  I loved the peace of the water and how it clears my head of any negative energy.  All you have to do is breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.  Sounds so relaxing doesn't it?  Oh, I also have to move my arms and legs so I don't sink.

Although I do find the pool extremely relaxing, I still get quite the workout.  I am sweaty after a swim, but I just don't notice it because I am in the water.  Once I am changed and in dry clothes, that's when I notice the sweat perspiration, the glistening.  Who am I trying to kid? I sweat and like a little piggy too.  I love a good sweat, it clears out all those nasty toxins and makes your skin feel good.

The difference for me sweatin' on the treadmill vs in the pool is that I have rosey cheeks instead of a beetroot face.

getting ready for breakfast after my sweaty swim

*Super Strawberries*

Check this baby out.......

Look at the size of this thing!  Out of curiosity I weighed it....................

48 grams

48 grams for 1 strawberry, that is huge!  What am I going to eat it with?  What can I make to have with strawberries?  I know, nothing.  I decided that these berries were just too good to mix with something else so I chopped up a couple and ate them as they were and they were delicious.  The berries were fresh and juicy, they had that real deep, sweet strawberry flavour, they were just perfect.

*Fashionable Friday*

Today's fashion piece comes from my very own wardrobe.  It's a size M which I am guessing is a 12-14 (US 8 - 10).  I just think this is so pretty and I can't wait to wear it next summer.

Swimming is Not Exercise..........

...Well of course it's exercise, it's fabulous exercise.  I absolutely love swimming and I had forgotten just how much I loved it until this morning.

I made up my mind yesterday that I would go swimming this morning.  I've been thinking about it since last Friday when I was reading My Journey - Am I There Yet? Me, who is the author of that blog has a knee injury, which got me thinking about the pool.  Not only is swimming great for cardio, but it relieves so much pressure from the joints especially if you do have an injury.

This is where I went, sort of

I used the indoor pool which was full of people.  There was a teenage swimming squad, which took up 2 lanes, an Aqua Play area which took up another 2 lanes and then there were 4 lanes open for lap swimming - Fast, Fast, Medium and Slow.

The Aqua Play area was full of older ladies and gentlemen who were chatting while walking up and down the pool lanes.  I on the other hand, jumped straight into the slow lane.  It's been years since I've swum laps and my fitness has dropped again since the flu, which turned into a chest infection that is just about gone now, so the slow lane it was.  

My lane of choice was okay for a little while, but I eventually moved to another lane.  It turned out that I was way too fast for the slow lane, but it's really not that hard to swim faster than an eighty year old man doing dog paddle.  Once the squad swimming finished, 2 more lanes opened up for lap swimmers which I was really thankful for as the lane I was in was getting a little crowded.  I ended up in a fast lane, but that's because there was no one else in it.

I don't really know how far I swam or how many laps I did, but I think it was a little over 1 km.  I lost count after about 25 laps and then I just swam till it was time to go home.  Hubby had to get ready for work and I had to feed the kids, but I did end up swimming for just over an hour.  According to my Fat Secret account, I burned 571 calories in this mornings session.  I entered in 30 mins slow swimming and 30 mins moderate swimming.  Once I went into the fast lane, I had to step up the pace a little, but I didn't mind, I loved it. I didn't realise how much I missed my swimming.  I honestly loved every single second of it and it didn't even feel like I was working out.  I was just enjoying the peace and quiet of the water. 

I am positive I will be getting back in the pool later this week and am even considering a membership at the Leisure Center.  I was really self-conscience at first about wearing swimmers in public, but I reminded myself that I was there for me, to enjoy my workout and that I really didn't care what anyone else thought I looked like.  I decided that I should congratulate myself for getting out of bed and getting to the pool rather than deflating what self-esteem I have left by worrying about what I look like in my swimmers.   Once I gave myself praise rather than self-loathing, I felt my attitude shift and I wasn't scared or worried anymore, I felt really good and that's a feeling I wouldn't mind hanging onto.