Cookbook • BACON BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Let me preface this post by saying that I am aware that I spelt brusselS sprouts wrong in my book. I will fix it. Promise. #noshame

While updating some recipes and tacking some photos in my cookbook this week, I realized I didn't have much in my recipe collection that fell under the category of "side dishes." So, in my grocery shopping pursuits this week I saw the store had some really good looking brussels sprouts, something I don't eat very often. I usually stick with my basic loves for broccoli, green beans, and asparagus. And so begins another recipe adventure...

BACON BALSAMIC BRUSSELS SPROUTS

INGREDIENTS: 

+ 1 lb brussels sprouts
+ 2 tbsp sugar
+ 2 cups balsamic vinegar
+ 1/2 cup of bacon, cooked, chopped
+ salt & pepper
+ EVOO

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1. Cut off the stems of the brussels sprouts and remove the outside leaves that might be discoloured or rubbery. Wash. 

2. Cut the brussels sprouts in half and toss them in a bowl with a generous drizzle of EVOO and a liberal shake of salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°C for 30-40. At the half way point, turn over the brussels sprouts so they brown on the other side. 

3. While the brussels sprouts are cooking, make the balsamic reduction. In a sauce pan, bring to a boil the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Reduce temperature and let simmer until the vinegar has become thick and reduced by half (approximately 20 minutes). Set aside.

4. Remove brussels sprouts and add the cooked, chopped bacon. Plate and drizzle with as much balsamic reduction as your heart desires. I'm generous with my drizzles. I like a lot of that tangy goodness!

I loved the crunchy bits of bacon in this dish. I also loved the crispy leaves on the outside of the brussels sprouts from roasting them in the oven. Next time, I'll definitely roast these with some garlic (like I do when I roast all veggies - still not sure why I didn't do this in the first place. Everything is better loaded in garlic! Am I right!?) 

Cookbook is coming along nicely. I'm edging on the 30 recipes marks. Goal is to be to 40 recipes before summer vacation! I've been experimenting with techniques and flavours I experienced in Italy. I haven't written any of those recipes down yet. Once I do, I'll be sure to share one on here!

PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson 

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This is freaky...slash...I DID IT!

Woah, woah, woah!! 

Like I'm a little bit speechless right now. 

Goosebumps! 

Am I over-reacting? 

Ok, perspective. Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at my desk thinking about this blog and past posts. Sometimes I like to travel down memory lane and I'll pick a tag and read through those posts and reminisce and marvel at the growth and journey I've been on. 

So, while daydreaming, I vaguely remembered writing a post when I started this blog 6 years ago (SIX YEARS AGO!) about my travel goals in the future. And GUYS! I literally wrote THIS a little over five years ago. 

Re-reading it again now, my eyes well up with tears. I feel these emotions because tonight I'm taking flight and literally going on my dream trip for two weeks. Two weeks in Italy! First stop is Venice, then on to Florence, and finishing off in Rome. While in Florence, I'll be taking a day trip to Tuscany and Pisa. I'm sharing this journey of a lifetime with one of my greatest friends as well, Ken. It's a bit surreal, but the excitement I'm feeling is unreal!

At the end of that 2011 blog post, I wrote: "So here I am, declaring to you that in the next 5 years I will live my dreams and travel (through Europe)." Ok. So I'm not traveling ALL OVER Europe. But I am doing what I set out to do and I'm taking that trip of a lifetime. The one I've been dreaming about since I was 13.

Amazing where life leads you. Yeah, I wrote that down in my blog - but a small part of me did it half knowing that I'd probably never follow through with it. You know what I mean? One of those BIG goals you say "I HAVE TO DO THIS!" but is it truly feasible? It's a big world out there and 5 years ago at the time when I wrote that blogpost, little ol' small town me was quite comfortable in my little ol' Fredericton home living my comfortable and familiar life. In fact, I still experience a little anxiety when it comes to traveling and the unknown. That "knots in your stomach" kind of feeling when you think you might get lost, lose a passport, miss a flight, do something wrong and piss off the locals.

But, those feelings haven't stopped me yet! There's too much world out there to see for me!

"I often hear of friends and acquaintances travelling and seeing what the world has to offer. Why can't I be one of those people?" Dear 2011 Melissa: You are! 

Cookbook • CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAMA & PICO DE GALLO

As promised, I'm making cooking a priority again in my journey to #bebetter and focus on what makes me happy. I'm really good at telling other people to take care of "Number One" that sometimes I forget to heed my own advice. 

Over the last two weeks since making my presence again on the blog, I've created three new recipes, documented some "oldies by goodies" in my cookbook journal, and brainstormed some ideas for future kitchen adventures. Most of the time, my recipe ideas come to me when I'm walking the aisles of the grocery store. I LOVE shopping...at the grocery store and fruit and veggie markets. I love looking at all the ingredients, trying to come up with inspirations and ideas, thinking about what food adventure I could go on next. 

Ok, so who doesn't love tacos?! Seriously though. Tacos are AMAZING. And very versatile. Hard shell or soft shell. Corn or flour. Chicken or beef. Or fish! Salsa or sour cream. Or dare I say BOTH!? The options are endless. These tacos came from...well...a walk through the grocery store. I knew I wanted to make a taco recipe for the book, but wasn't sure what direction to go in. I have had this pico de gallo recipe in my back pocket for a few years now. So I knew I wanted it to have that. As I walked the produce section of the grocery store I go to here in Beijing, I saw the avocados. And the rest is kinda, sporadic. I just grabbed ingredients and went with it. And this is what I came up with: 

SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO CREAMA & PICO DE GALLO

Avocado Creama

+ 2 avocados 

+ 1/2 cup greek yogurt, plain 

+ juice of 1/2 lime 

+ cilantro 

+ salt & pepper 

Pico de Gallo

+ 2 tomatoes, seeded, diced* 

+ 1 clove garlic, minced finely 

+ 1/2 red onion, finely diced 

+ 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped 

+ juice of 1 lime 

+ sugar

+ salt & pepper 

Shredded Chicken 

+ 2 chicken breasts

+ 1 tsp garlic powder 

+ 1 tsp chili powder 

+ 1/2 tsp paprika 

+ salt 

+ juice of 1/2 lime 

Other

+ 1 cup purple cabbage, julienned 

+ juice of 1/2 lime 

+ hard corn taco shells 

*If I had my choice of tomatoes for pico de gallo, they'd be roma tomatoes. Not as juicy, which means your finished product won't be watered down. I haven't found roma tomatoes yet in Beijing, so I opt for "hot house" type tomatoes. If you have access to romas and you are making this recipe, use 4 tomatoes as they are generally smaller in size than hot house.  

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1. Poach chicken in 4 cups of water for 12-15 minutes. Remove and shred with forks. Add garlic powder, chilli powder, paprika, pinch of salt, and juice of 1/2 lime. Mix with hands. Taste and add seasoning as needed. 

2. While chicken is poaching, assemble pico de gallo. Combine chopped tomatoes, garlic, red onion, cilantro, lime, pinch of sugar, salt and pepper. Mix together and let sit for 5 minutes. Taste and add lime or salt as needed. 

3. Now, assemble avocado creama. In a blender or food processor, add avocado, lime, greek yogurt, and a handful of cilantro. Pulse until the ingredients have combined together into a smooth mixture with no lumps. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix with a spoon. 

4. In a small bowl, combine julienned purple cabbage and the juice of half a lime. Toss together. 

5. Once all components have been made, it's TACO TIME! 

6. TACO SHELL + SHREDDED CHICKEN + PURPLE CABBAGE + PICO + CREAMA

7. Serve with a side of creama, pico, and a lime wedge. 

I'm pretty proud of this recipe. The flavours work really well together. The tangy bite from the pico, the sweet & smooth flavour of the creama, the crunch from the cabbage and hard shell, the spice from the chicken. I ate three...and I'm drooling again thinking about the idea of getting to eat the leftovers for lunch! 

Something I'd like to try next time is adding cheese. Maybe crumbles of queso fresco (if I can find it in Beijing) would add another depth of flavour? I'm a woman on a mission for Mexican cheeses now! Watch out, Beijing! 

PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson 

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Cookbook • UPDATE

May 18th. The last time I posted on this blog. 5 months ago. I don't feel guilty about it, but I also don't want to quit blogging. I love writing down my thoughts! I love being reflective. And I am in a very reflective mood this week. I need to hit a big ol' red reset button and get back to focusing on ME. And the one thing that never fails to make me happy - COOKING. 

Yes, I am still writing my cookbook. Not as often as I'd like to be. I've never stopped creating. I just haven't been writing down my recipes as promptly and frequently as I would like to be. 

I cooked A LOT this summer. I had so many amazing summer recipes I wanted to try. A lot of them I never got to, but some of them I did. I documented a few, but I also forgot to document a lot of them. But what I am certain of is I had a wonderful summer back home in New Brunswick (blog post coming SOON!) 

So, tonight I am sitting with my good friend Amanda at one of our favourite restaurants, Moka Bros, sipping wine by candlelight, writing recipes and blogposts. Getting back to working on me. Because that's what I need to do right now. For me. 

Stay tuned for recipes of some of my favourite recipes I'm making right now, including my homemade Greek Pasta Salad, Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken, and Mango Pineapple Salsa. 

Cookbook • ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES

I did a good amount of cooking last week, which made me SO HAPPY! I wrote in my "Still Here" blogpost about how busy work life had been in April. I foresee it getting busy again in about a week or so as the school year is quickly wrapping up around here. BUT, until then, I'm focusing at home on cooking and building up my cookbook. Last week I added three recipes to my cookbook: Pad Thai (which I learned how to make in Thailand 2 years ago SLASH I'm just looking back now and realizing I didn't write about my cooking class in Thailand. Sad face!), Chicken with White Wine Mushroom Sauce, and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes. 

The chicken recipe was good, but it needs some work and some tweaking. It wasn't QUITE what I had pictured when I drafted the recipe the night before. Notes that I wrote in my cookbook journal include: "Flavour is off. I added salt, but was afraid to add too much because my side of rosemary roasted potatoes were on the salty side. Other flavours that could be added next time: thyme? parm cheese? (maybe as a crisp garnish"?) ????") So, I'm not ready to share THAT recipe yet. 

However, the potatoes I made were brilliant. And they are so versatile. You could substitute so many different herbs if you aren't a fan of rosemary. Or if you are a fan of rosemary, but just like to try new things and explore, like me!

They'd taste amazing with thyme as well. 

And also, grilled on the BBQ. I mean, summer is just around the corner guys and nothing says summer like a BBQ cookout! 

ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES

+ 20-25 baby potatoes
+ extra virgin olive oil (appox. 2 tbsp)
+ 2 tbsp roughly chopped rosemary
+ salt and pepper

Rinse potatoes and dice them in to similar sizes (this is really important to make sure they cook evenly!)

Put potatoes on a baking sheet and coat with extra virgin olive. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the chopped rosemary. Use hands to mix and make sure everything is coated evenly.

Bake at 350°C for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender and crispy on the outside.

PS - Make sure you flip and turn potatoes over half way through the cooking time.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! And let me know if you substitute with other herbs or flavours. I think the next time I make them, I'll use thyme and garlic. Garlic on everything makes it so much better!

And also, thank you everyone for the amazing support and feedback about my goals and new journey! The messages and comments have been an amazing motivator and I'm beyond thankful for all of you who are reading this!

PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson 
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The Beginning of a New Journey.

Guys, I'm writing a cookbook! A book full of my own original recipes. Cooking has always been a big passion of mine. I can't remember a time where I didn't love to cook. My dad shares this passion with me, so maybe it's in our genes?! But since moving to China, I've lost some of that passion. Partly because my kitchen isn't ideal (toaster oven and a hot plate have proven to be challenging at times), and it has become so easy to just order food at the end of a work day. But, still, when I do cook, I remember how much fun I have and how good it makes me feel to create. 

If I'm being completely honest, I feel like my life has been in a rut lately. I haven't felt any spark of passion for anything in a long time. I just go about my daily routine, and at the end of the day, I sometimes feel lonely and lost. A lot of that passion came from creating in the kitchen. I love entertaining and cooking for other people, and I love messing around with flavours and ideas. I love going to a grocery store and spending hours (seriously, HOURS) going up and down the aisles, looking at the produce, the cheeses, the meats, the spices, the possibilities! I'm literally grinning from ear to ear thinking about being there just a couple of hours ago! I truly do believe that a part of my life is meant to be devoted to creating delicious, feel good food in the kitchen. 

How did I come up with this idea? As most of you know, I'm a teacher. Last week, our grade ten students presented their personal projects to the school; a year long project they've been working on. They decided on something they wanted to create that they were interested in learning more about. Kids created stop motion movies, haute couture gowns, and pixel art. I "jokingly" said to a fellow teacher: "Man, I'm leaving here seriously motivated to create something of my own!" Little did she probably know, I honestly WAS motivated. That night, I thought about it more, and I decided that what I need to do is make a cookbook. I can explore my interest more, learn more, and ultimately decide if I want the culinary arts to be a hobby or more of a career-type thing. This is what I hope to get out of this "personal project" of my own. I'm on a mission, a journey, to find my passion and love for cooking again!

So tonight! The journey began. I went out, I explored the grocery store, and I came home the ingredients to make my first entry into my journal that will one day become my cookbook. I intend to blog some of my recipes, and others I'll keep only in my journal. I'll be Snapchatting my journey and posting on Instagram. You should follow me! My handle for both is mel_dickinson. Come find me!

So here it is. My first recipe!

SUNDRIED TOMATO, BACON, PESTO PASTA BAKE

Pesto Sauce:
+ 2 cups fresh basil leaves
+ 1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted
+ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
+ 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
+ extra virgin olive oil

Put basil, pinenuts, cheese, and garlic into a blender or food processor. Begin mixing on low and slowly add oil to the blender. Continue to add oil gradually while mixing until desired consistency.

Pasta Bake:
+ 1 package of your favourite pasta (I used large elbow macaroni. Penne would also be great!)
+ 8 slices bacon, cooked, choppped
+ 1 small onion, diced
+ 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
+ 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
+ 1-2 cups of spinach, roughly chopped
+ 3/4 cup of heavy cream
+ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
+ salt and pepper to taste

Cook your pasta in heavily salted boiling water according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside, saving 2-3 tablespoons of the cooking water.

Cook bacon in a frying pan until crispy. Set aside and chop once cooled. Use the leftover bacon grease to sauté the onions and garlic together. Once the onions become softened, add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. Add the sundried tomatoes and cooked bacon to the pan. Mix.

Add all of the pesto sauce from the blender or food processor to the pan. Mix. Stir in cream and mix until combined. Remove from heat. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Mix sauce with pasta in a baking dish. If it's difficult to combine the sauce and pasta together, add some of the reserved pasta water to the dish to loosen up the sauce. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°C for 20 minutes.

That's it folks! If I served this to my friends, I'd maybe add some chopped basil and a few crumbles of goat cheese to the plate. Eating myself, I just threw it in a the bowl and it was DELICIOUS with a glass of red wine.

When the timer on my toaster oven dinged after 20 minutes, and I took this dish out of the oven, I literally cried a little bit. I had to step away from the counter once I set it down and compose myself. I created this! I took things I knew from watching others, from reading cookbooks and recipes, and from my own palate and I created this dish! I tried something I've always wanted to, and I made homemade pesto. SO EASY! This is the result. Feel good food, and I'm feeling so full of passion and motivation, I can't wait to try my next recipe. I think it's going to be something sweet using inspiration from a family cookie recipe.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. For being interested in me and what's going on in my life. And if you try this recipe out, let me know!

PS - FOLLOW ME ON SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER: mel_dickinson 
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My 21 Day Fix Experience.

At the beginning of the year, I made a deal with myself to be better. What I mean by this is that I wanted to stop stressing about things I can't control and to be more patient. I also wanted to take better care of my body by eating healthier and being more active. January went by, and February, and there went March and I hadn't made any valiant effort at being better to my body. My biggest fault - snacking. Chips, chocolates, and sweets. In the afternoon, before bed, and any other time I felt bored. Before moving to Beijing, I had lost almost 40lbs on Weight Watchers. Over the last two years, Im embarrassed to admit, I've put it all back on. And then, I got looking at pictures one day on Facebook and stumbled across this one from the summer: 

I can see how my shorts are to small. My cardigan is being worn not because it's cold, but because it's covering my flabby arms. I also have a great muffin top going on. I know I am sounding very harsh about my appearance, but it's the truth. And if I didn't make a change, it would only get worse and I would only become less confident in my own skin. I want to look in the mirror again and see the reflection of the person who moved to Beijing two years ago. The person who was healthier and as a result, happier.

Before going on vacation in February, I tried on my shorts. Only one pair fit properly. The others I had to squish myself in to and they felt very uncomfortable. Jeans that I brought to Beijing with me that fit when I arrived are impossible to put on now. It's not only that my clothes don't fit, I just don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I had to stop complaining and making these bold statements about changing (soon), and I finally needed to do something about it. 

I had seen a few people from home posting on Facebook about the changes they were making to their lifestyle through the "21 Day Fix." I read their comments and posts, and finally decided to approach someone about it and learn what it was all about. I reached out to Sam. I've known Sam pretty much my whole life. She and I grew up together, went to Elementary school together, my Mom babysat her, and when she moved to another town we kind of drifted apart. But through social media, we've always been connected in a way. Sam told me about her experience, walked me through the program, and answered all of the MANY questions that I had. After much thought and research, I decided to take the dive. It sounded like this program would fit my lifestyle, and ultimately, it would teach me how to treat my body properly. 

Essentially, the 21 Day Fix is a program that teaches you how to eat clean, whole foods at appropriate portion sizes. You are given 7 coloured containers that help you to measure the correct serving sizes for the different food groups (green = vegetables, purple = fruits, red = proteins, yellow = starches, blue = healthy fats, orange = nuts, seeds, and dressing). Depending on your body weight, you are allotted a set number of containers of each colour you can have each day. In addition, there is a workout program. The workouts are 30 minutes long and you do one a day. The combination of the eating plan and the workouts will help you to lose weight and inches off your body. 

I was extremely excited to start the program. I went through the fridge and pantry and gave away all of the food that I was eliminating from my diet: meals in a box (AKA: Kraft Dinner, Sidekicks, Hamburger Helper), white rice, prepared salad dressings, processed meats, white pasta, potato chips, chocolate (which I may have eaten all of it prior to the morning of my start day...), and anything with added sugar or salt. I then went grocery shopping and stocked up on A LOT of fruits and vegetables, chicken, brown rice, whole grain bread, frozen fruit and plain greek yogurt. Day one started, and I was ready! 

I found difficulty in meal planning during the first week. I started the week by planning what I would eat EVERYDAY to ensure that I'd met my allotted containers for each day. This took me a long time to do, and as the week progressed, I found it very daunting. I veered away from the meal plan, and started doing my planning the night before. I found this much easier for my lifestyle. 

I've discovered that I am a woman of routine when it comes to my breakfasts. I've never been a breakfast person, and I was a frequent breakfast skipper growing up. So, I'm not very spontaneous with my breakfast choices. I've found something that I like, and I'm gonna stick to it. At the beginning of the program, my breakfast usually consisted of cooked rolled oats with cinnamon and blueberries, or banana and peanut butter. Then, when my Shakeology arrived in Beijing, I switched to having a Shakeology shake in the morning with banana and peanut butter. Then, around 10am I had my FAVOURITE snack of the day - plain greek yogurt with mixed berries and granola with cinnamon. YUM! And very filling. 

When I made my dinner on Sunday nights, I'd make extra protein to have for lunches during the week. One week I made extra chicken, one week it was lean ground beef, and another it was pork meatballs. I found that with planning and preparing the night before, I was more likely to eat the food in my fridge then opt out for the easier option of eating in the school cafeteria or buying instant noodles at the convenience store in our school.

Struggles I had during the 21 day's: Sometimes I had a hard time meeting the daily quota for each container. Usually I was short 1 protein or 1 vegetable. It wasn't until the last week that I figured out how to spread my containers out over the day properly. However, once I got my Shakeology, I was able to tick an extra protein off my list for each day.

Speaking of Shakeology! I love it! Shakeology is a protein shake that I drink once a day. Currently, I'm using vanilla but will be very excited when I get my hands on the chocolate. You can blend it up with a variety of things, but as I have been learning about myself over the last 21 days, I am a creature of habit. I love peanut butter! So, most mornings I have a Shakeology shake made with 1 banana and a teaspoon of peanut butter. It's gone in no time! It tastes like I'm cheating, but I'm not! And it's a superfood-protein packed with a multitude of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and all things good for your body. It's proven to help with weight loss, the building of muscle, and to cut cravings.

So now my 21 Days is officially over. I am so pleased with the results I'm seeing and feeling. I've lost 6lbs and 6.5 inches off my body. I am more energetic, motivated, and aware of what is going in my body and how I'm treating it. I am making better decisions about how I treat my body, while at the same time not depriving myself completely of some of the foods I love. I still go out on the weekends with friends to our favourite restaurants. In fact, every weekend since starting this journey I've eaten out. I've just made better decisions - I get grilled chicken with a side of mixed vegetables instead of a burger and fries. I have a salad and add cheese on it instead of nachos. I've had a few beers, and (to my surprise and happiness) I am still allowed to have wine on the fix! It's all about moderation and making wise choices.

I've decided to do a second round of the fix, which I will start next week. I'm going away to Hong Kong this weekend, and while I am going to be wise about my food choices, I'm also going to treat myself a couple of times. But once I'm back in Beijing on Monday, it's back to the routine that I have grown to love.

*This is not an advertisement for Beachbody or the 21-Day Fix. This is only my notes and personal experience on the program. Photos of the program and Shakeology were taken from the Beachbody website. I do not own these photos. 

5k or Bust.

I completed my first 5k race run on Sunday. And really it wasn't the first time I ran 5k, but I can hardly call it a race. I started, I ran, and I finished. AND I wasn't the last one across the finish line. But I wasn't racing. I was accomplishing a goal, taking part in a fundraiser, and supporting a cause that hits close to home and that I truly believe in.

First some background information...

How did I get here? Well, as I've discussed before on this blog, I've made a lifestyle change over the last six months. I knew I wanted to be healthier and I knew I wasn't happy with my body image and the way I felt. I am the only one who can change this about myself, so I did. I joined Weight Watchers and it has slowly transformed the way I live day to day and the way I think about the things I am doing to my body. I am much more concious of the decisions I'm making when it comes to the food I am consuming. Yes, I still make bad decisions - but at the time they feel good. I don't think it is fair to deprive myself completely of the things I crave, like a burger. However, I also don't think it's fair to treat my body so poorly and eat these things ALL of the time (like I was doing previous to turning my life around). There has to be a happy medium and I am almost there.

So, my eating habits have taken a drastic turn for the better. On top of that though, I'm exercising. And this my friends is a huge effing deal!!! Talk to my family and my closest friends and you will quickly learn that I am not the exercising type. In the past, 97% of the time I would much rather sit on my butt and do whatever then get up and work out in any way shape or form. I still have these moments, but I am pleased to announce that I am turning into a runner. I still haven't stepped foot in a gym over the last six months, but I have gone to the pool, ran, and did cardio classes in the comfort of my living room. I know eventually I'll make that step into the gym, but for now I am definitely seeing major results from running outside and swimming now and then. But like anything else, I needed a goal or something to work towards to keep me motivated. After talking to my good friend Jenny and asking if she would be interested in running with me, I signed up for a 5k in support of the Brain Tumour Foundation.

And that brings us to the present. It took me a while to be able to run a full 5k (and by this I mean reaching that distance, not running the entire way) but I can do it now and I am so proud of myself. My goal going in to the 5k was to run under 40 minutes and to NOT be the last one to cross the line. And I did just that. I ran the 5k on Sunday in 39:22 and I wasn't even close to being the last one across the line.



This hill at the end of the race ruined me.

My favourite part of the run? Well, besides the gorgeous scenery at Fish Creek Park where the run was held, my favourite part was probably the interaction I had with another runner as we approached the finish line. I know how I felt as I got closer to the finish line: tired, my legs were killing me, out of breath, and I was barely holding on! So I can only imagine how attractive and composed I looked to others. This one gentleman run up  beside me and yelled to me "Your doing it! We're almost there!" He slowed his pace down and ran to the end with me cheering me on the whole way. Once we crossed the line, he gave me a high five and told me that I should be very proud! And then he walked away. I was smiling so big I totally forgot about how much pain I was experinicing in my legs at the moment.

So, I did it. I did it for me, I did it for my health, and I did it for Grandad. Always & Forever.

For Grandad. For My Family. For Me.

I'm trying to be a runner! And by trying, I mean I'm working towards a goal. And by that I mean I have been struggling to find some form of exercise that I enjoy and stay motivated to do. I feel like this is a cluster of statements that don't make any sense - but most of the time the activity in my brain rarely makes sense. But I tried exercise videos, and they get boring. I swim - but I don't do it routinely. Gyms frighten me. So I tried jogging/running...and I quite enjoyed it. I love being outdoors, and I love that I am doing something good for my body. And I love that I can see the improvements and my progress. I feel motivated to do more, and I feel motivated to keep getting better. So far, so good! 

This weekend, I did some thinking and wondered how I could motivate myself or set some sort of goal for myself to work towards. At my Weight Watchers meeting this past week, a member talked about how she used to be a cross country runner in high school. She said that she had just recently started WW and decided after 2 weeks to try and run a 5k race. It was hard for her, and she said she was quite astonished at how out of shape she was, but it motivated her to get back into exercising. I know many people who have run marathons and short distance races, and I have never thought of myself as one of those people. But I did some research this weekend, and I found that Calgary has a TON of 5k races and marathons in the city this time of year. But one in particular struck a chord with me...

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada does a Spring Sprint in the city that involves a walk, a 5k and 10k race. I knew immediately that I wanted to do this - but I didn't want to do it alone. So I asked a good friend of mine if she would be interested in joining me, and she didn't hesitate for a second. The two of us both have a history with family members and brain tumours and are passionate about this cause. 

On May 9th, 2011 my Grandad passed away from cancer. It started 5 years prior to that as skin cancer, and returned as a tumour in the brain. 7 months of battling, and Grandad's journey with the disease came to an end. Since then, our family has become closer, found ways to cope, and grown as a whole. I have found my own ways to deal with this stage in my life: by wearing a Livestrong bracelet, cutting my hair for cancer patients, writing this blog, getting a tattoo, and wearing a heart shaped necklace around my neck everyday in memory of my Grandfather. Now, as I have become stronger, I find ways to commemorate the memory of my Grandfather that make me happy, and know make him proud. I am running this race for him, for my family, and for me. 

I would love if you could take the time to click the link below and donate to this cause. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me, and I can feel your love from miles away. 

RIP Grandad. Always and forever. 

To donate, click here!

Triumphs.

On November 17th, 2012 I joined Weight Watchers. As of February 13th, 2013 I have officially lost 23lbs. I promised myself that when I hit my 10% weight loss goal I would write a blog post update of my weight loss journey. So here it is!

August, 2012.

February, 2013.

When I started this journey three months ago, I promised myself I would lose 60lbs in a year. I would say I'm right on track! The biggest thing I've learned while being on this program is that portion control means everything. With Weight Watchers, you can still eat what you want it's just about controlling how much of it you're eating at one time. Are you craving a piece of pizza tonight? Then eat it!! But instead of eating the whole box, just have one or two slices. Seems like a simple concept, but when you've been battling with over eating for a while, it doesn't come so easy. And yes, there are times when I have caved and I just can't help myself - but most of the time I follow the simple guidelines.

My diet has changed a lot! I eat way more fresh fruits and vegetables now and I find I have way more energy. Again, it seems like a simple concept but it never had occurred to me before until now.

When I announced at the meeting on Wednesday that I hit my 10% goal, I was awarded with this keychain.

I then had to stand up in front of the group and tell them why I thought I was succeeding. My response? Having the support of my family and friends constantly. I really couldn't do it without them. And the people at the meetings give me all kinds of new ideas and support all of my decisions. I have tried to lose weight on my own before and most the time I fail or just quit. This time is different though. It's amazing what a support system can do!

And now I look ahead. A little less than 40 pounds to go. I'll be sure to update you again soon!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. It's been a busy month, as December usually is. With Christmas parties, work, and recently coming down with an awful cold and sinus problem, I honestly just haven't been all that motivated to write. And I'm always so stumped as to what to write about. I have been meaning to write an update on my new lifestyle change/diet, and I wanted to share another recipe with my readers. I'm in this routine now where on Sunday's, after getting back from swimming, I make a pot of soup to have for my lunches for the week. I find that it motivates me to eat better, and it keeps me from eating out as frequently as I used to (saves money too!) A couple of Sunday's ago, I made "Chicken Pot Pie" soup, a recipe I found on the blog Skinnytaste.com. For those of you who are interested, here is the recipe:

Chicken Pot Pie Soup*

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup flour 

2 cups water 

4 cups fat free milk (skim milk) 

1 large celery stalk, chopped 

1/2 medium onion, chopped 

8 oz baby portabello mushrooms, sliced 

2 chicken bouillons 

fresh ground pepper 

pinch of thyme 

10 oz frozen classic mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, corn) 

2 potatoes, peeled and cubed small 

16 oz cooked chicken breast, diced small (about 3) 

salt 

1.  Create a slurry by combining 1/2 cup of cold water with flour in a medium bowl and whisk until blended well. Set this aside. 

2. Pour remaining amount of water and milk in a large pot and slowly bring to a boil. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, chicken boullion, thyme, fresh pepper, frozen vegetables, and return to a boil. Partially cover and swimmer on low until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes. 

 

3. Remove lid and add potatoes. Cook until soft, about 5-10 minutes. 

4. Add chicken and slowly whisk in slurry, stirring well as you add to prevent clumping. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until soup thickens. Adjust salt and pepper to taste then serve!

This soup makes about 6 servings (1.5 cups each). It's a hearty soup, and I find it difficult to finish the full 1.5 cups. It's 6 points a serving and packed with vegetables. 

*A few tips: 

• I poached my chicken breasts with garlic and thyme, then shredded them when they were cooled. This added a little bit more flavour to the chicken, and made it super moist and tender.

• When washing fresh mushrooms, use a damp cloth to whip away any dirt. If you rinse them under running water they get rubbery as they act like a sponge and absorb any excess water left on them. 

I am nearing the end of my 4th week on Weight Watchers, and up to this point I have lost 11lbs. My goal was to lose 10lbs before flying home for Christmas, and I reached that goal a week early! I know that the holidays will be tough with home cooking and holiday treat temptations, but I have to remember to watch my portion control and also not to be too hard on myself, because honestly, Christmas comes once I hear and I think I can splurge here and there.

If you try the recipe, let me know what you think! I love reading all of your comments :)

*Recipe originally posted by Gina Homolka on her website skinnytaste.com

Motivation is the Key to Success.

What's important is not necessarily where you are, 

but in what direction you are going.

I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting last night, and I left felling extremely motivated and excited to start the program. Today is officially my first day of my new "lifestyle change." The program has changed a little bit since that last time I did it in high school. Your daily point total isn't decided upon solely by your weight, but figured out through an equation that takes into account your sex, age, height, and weight. I as given lots of resources and all of the welcome forms, and then I watched as person after person hopped onto the scales and found themselves a seat for the meeting. 

As I left work yesterday on my way to the meeting, I could feel a nauseous pit in my stomach making me question my motives and decision. To get to the building, I have to pass right by my apartment. I kid you not, I totally convinced myself not to go and turned the blinker to turn right onto my street instead of continuing straight. I was worried about so many things - would I be the only younger person? Would people judge me? Would people stare and know that I was new? Would the employees snicker about me? Would I look out of place? Talk about insecurities! Then I thought about how much I would be letting myself down if I backed out. I would just be quitting all over again - without even starting in the first place! So I went. And am I ever glad I did! 

We talked about the holidays and what to expect when you're on a diet. We talked about strategies and ways to still eat the things we love, but not over do it. I totally know that I'm starting a diet at the most inconvenient time. Christmas and the holidays are so much about family, and a lot about food too. But with will power and support, I know I can get through it and still enjoy all the Christmas fixings that I love so dearly (mmm, gravy and mashed potatoes!) 

This blog isn't going to turn into a tracking device for my weight loss. But the reason I did start this blog was to document my life and as a means to look back at this crucial and ever changing time in my life. All of the readers and support from my family and friends are just the cherry on top of a pretty sweet cake! So every now and then I might post about my successes and maybe some of my worries. 

At the end of the meeting yesterday, our instructor showed us the quote above on the board ("What's important is not necessarily where you are, but in what direction you are going.") Talk about relevant! Relevant to my new weight loss journey, relevant to my future career, relevant to my present day life. 

Did I mention that I left the meeting highly motivated?

Turning Over a New Leaf.

For about two years now, I've been promising myself that I would get in better shape and lose some weight. I did DVD workout programs, dieted, and tried to go to the gym/pool more often. What I found was that most of the time I'd lose focus once, and that would ruin it for me permanently. You know what I mean? Like those evenings when you're exhausted and you say to yourself "I'll go tomorrow." Or "Just this once." In the end, I quit. I don't like that I'm a quitter, but the reality is that it was easier for me to quit than to continue. So that's what I did. 

Now I'm at a point in my life where I have a constant daily routine and I have an income that can allow me to join a gym and dieting program. So, on Wednesday I will be attending my first Weight Watchers meeting. On top of that, I have been going to the pool every Sunday to do between 1 and 2 km in lengths (minus this past Sunday - congrats to whoever won the swim meet that took up the time block that is adult lengths). I have done Weight Watchers in the past when I was in high school with my mother. We both were quite successful and I think that this program will work for me again. I think the biggest difference for me between joining Weight Watchers and dieting on my own is the fact that I will have someone to report to once a week. They will be there to weigh me in and to view my point totaling for the week. They will know when I've cheated, and I will be focused on not letting them down, and subsequently, not letting myself down.

So, in preparation for my new routine, I went out this weekend and bought a cookbook at a used book store that is full of Weight Watcher recipes and their point totals. Like my mother, I'm not a sandwich person. I like one here and there, but not every day. So what ends up happening is that I eat out for lunch or just eat little snacky things to tie me over until supper time. I need to have stuff pre-prepared that are quick and easy to reheat that I can eat for lunch. My first recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup with Vegetables. I posted pictures on Instagram and had a lot of people asking me for the recipe and commenting on how delicious it looked. I'll tell you right now - it's AMAZING! So for those of you who are interested, here's the recipe. Super easy to make, and done in under an hour. 

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4 cups fat-free lower-sodium chicken broth
3/4 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs
1/3 cup quick-cooking brown rice
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and thyme; cook stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften (about 5-6 min). Add the broth and chicken; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

2. Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer to a cutting board; cool 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cover the saucepan and return to a simmer.

3. With 2 forks, shred the chicken. Add the chicken and rice to the saucepan and simmer, covered, until the rice is tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and salt. 

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think! I portioned it into 4 containers (1.5 cups in each) and put them in the freezer. The book says that if you microwave them on high for 5 minutes, they'll be hot and ready to eat. 

Wish me luck!

Recipe originally from the book by Weight Watchers entitled "From Pantry to Plate - Easy Meals from Foods You Keep on Hand"

Note to Self.

I think I win the award for the worst blogger ever…

The thing is though, I don’t always know what to write about. I feel this extreme pressure to write a post everyday, but I just don’t have something meaningful to write about everyday. Some days are just average. And to be honest, I love those kinds of days. In my life, average days consist of getting up early, spending the day with students at my internship, running some errands, making supper, and lately – watching Gilmore girls on the couch curled up in a blanket. Those are the kinds of days where I feel most relaxed.

And on those days, I just don’t feel like blogging. For me, blogging should be something that’s peaceful, reflective, and interesting. When I’m laying on the couch watching Lorelai and Rory sip coffee at Luke’s, and the thought pops into my mind that I haven’t blogged in over a week, I get a short feeling of stress and feel like I’ve disappointed my readers. But I started this blog for me. A place for me to write down my thoughts, feelings, ideas, memories, and rants. And slowly, this blog has turned into something not only for me, but for my readers. Which I love! I love that I have readers – I love that I can say I have readers. And I just want to thank all of you for taking five or so minutes out of your life to type in my web address, or click on the links I post on Facebook and Twitter to read about me.

Sometimes, I think of a post to write and then say to myself “Whoa! That’s way to personal to be posted on the internet.” And so the thought wanders away. I have a journal on my bookshelf. I don’t think I’ve written in it since the summer. I definitely can’t blame it on being too busy. If I have enough time to lay lifeless on the couch and watch three episodes of Gilmore Girls in one night, then I definitely have enough time to sit at my desk and write in my journal for thirty minutes or less. But I’m just not motivated.

And I have to remind myself that my posts don’t always have to be so personal. Sometimes I feel like I always have to write “this is what I did today/this week.” Some of the easiest posts I write are ones like this one. Reflection posts. Also, if you know me or are a member of my family, you know how much I love to cook. I should share more of my cooking experiences on here. And, with the end of another degree approaching, time and time again I find myself sitting and going over in my head the career possibilities for the fall and other pending roads in my near future. This blog should be a place for me to reflect on these decisions and make memory of this important stage of my life.

So, if nothing else, this post today was a motivation and reminder to myself as to why I started this blog. I started it as another means of journaling. Because for some reason in our technologically run world, I can’t seem to pick up a pen and scribble down some thoughts on a piece of paper routinely.

So note to self, blog more often.

The Road Not Taken.

This week, I'm teaching my students about symbols and symbolism - in life and in literature. In planning this lesson, I expressed to my cooperating teacher how much I loved Robert Frost and his poetry. She asked me why. I answered "Because the symbolism and the messages he writes about in his poetry always seem to find a way to impact me. His poems also tend to correlate with what is happening in my life." Smiling, she handed me a picture book filled with Robert Frost poetry. She recommended that I read through it and use it as part of my lesson this week. It was so hard to choose just one poem! They are all so good!

I did end up choosing one poem. This poem had me pondering for days afterwards, reflecting on the symbolism and the message Frost was sending to his readers. A simple but impacting message.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference. 

I asked my students what they thought Frost was saying through symbolism in this poem. I was astonished and pleasantly surprised as to how many of them caught on to the message and the bigger picture. Some of the answers they yelled out: "Uniqueness" "Don't be ordinary" "Don't be a follower" "Follow your dreams" "Be your own person." These are all superb answers and it warmed my heart how many of them were impacted by this poem, too.

Frosts message about following your own path - though maybe more difficult, results in a feeling of accomplishment and a life-time of happiness - makes me ponder my current situation in life. As I approach the end of my 2nd degree, I see the light of difficult life decisions approaching closer and closer. As well, family and friends are constantly asking what I'm going to do when I'm done school in the spring.

To be honest, I really don't know. I know I want to travel, and of course work with kids. But a part of me also wants to relax, go home for a while, and be me.

Take the road less traveled by...to me implies going out of your comfort zone; thinking outside the box. At the same time, I need to follow the path that sees me happy and enjoying my life. I can tell you right now, I am THE WORST at making decisions. However, the not knowing (for the first time in my life) is kind of exciting. My life thus far has been so planned out and nailed down in stone. Finish high school, go to university, summer jobs, get a BEd - all things that I've planned or been obligated to do. Now, this upcoming chapter in my life sees room for new beginnings, new traditions, and new territory. Scary and intimidating, but refreshing nonetheless.

So, here's to the unknown! But first, let's finish this degree :)

Someday

For as long as I can remember, I've always dreamt of taking a trip to Italy - Venice in particular. I just know from hearing other's experiences and doing research that the city of Venice would fit my persona and lifestyle so well.

I have a poster hanging in my room of the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy (like that pictured above). I use it as motivation and a reminder to live each day like there is no other. You only have one life to live, so live it the best way that you can.

I remember about two year agos, my friend Katelin and I came up with this brilliant idea to save up our dollars and take a Euro trip. We would hit up London, England for Wimbledon: go to Somerset, England for Glastonbury; Venice, Italy to fulfill all my dreams; and maybe just for kicks travel to Greece for the architecture and beautiful scenery. The moral of the story is that we wanted to experience as much as we could and live life to the fullest. Well, you can probably gather where this is going…the trip never happened. Actually, when I think back, I don't recall it being brought up more then 3 or 4 times. I often sit and wonder what would have happened and how my life would be different if we had taken our outlandish suggestions a bit more seriously… (no regrets!)

My dreams and ambitions to travel to Italy still remain. In fact, as I sit and type this, I would love to pack a bag and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. I often hear of friends and acquaintances travelling and seeing what the world has to offer. Why can't I be one of those people?

So here I am, declaring to you that in the next 5 years I will live my dreams and travel through Europe. I will become one of those people who can just pack up and go, living day to day. I'm young, not tied down, and after I'm done school I have no serious education or job commitments. Just those darn ol' student loans - ugh.

**For those of you reading this, remind me that I posted this to the world wide web for all to see - then maybe I'll take these large goals and ambitions a little bit more seriously.