Quote to end the year

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas."
-- Anonymous

Colour Therapy

Have you ever tried Colour Therapy?

I have actively chose the colours for classroom and other places with this in mind. What colours will stimulate learning, be relaxing, create atmosphere that feels safe and conducive to productivity.

"Green gently relieves tension and mildly sedates the body. It strengthens eyesight. Being highly medicinal and depressive, green is of great help in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. How can be sure to get benefits of green.
One method of colour therapy is simple: Just be sure to eat green foods. Eat any of the green vegetables and fruits such as gourds, spinach, plantain, lettuce, pea, green mango, gooseberry, pears, and beans." Joseph Then

Read more about how to apply Colour Therapy here

Quote for the Day

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.”—Jim Rohn

Interesting Blog : Crystal Tate

Update

Maintain my wait measurement at 112cm.

Had a bad few days eating wise - did exercise.

Mentally - not doing so good - can't understand why each time that I start making progress I seem to sabotage myself.

Need to some introspection but not allow myself to in wallow in self-pity.

More good news

Went to the doctor yesterday - the medical centre was running a special program for overweight people - So the doctor weighed me in and I am down another 1 kg - now weigh 107kg! YAY
took blood test and then listen to a talk by a nutritionist and personal trainer.

Next weigh in is on 28 November and a one-one with the nutritionist.

so I will continue with my measuring tape and at the end of the month I will have a weigh in.
Good news for the budget cause I just can't afford to buy a scale right now.

Update

Hi

I have lost 2cm YAY - this measuring thing is not so bad.

Struggling to get my water drinking done but I will persevere.#

Happy with the fact that I have exercised everyday since last Tuesday.

By the end of today I would have walked over 5km (over 3miles I think).

really happy that my daughter is enjoying making healthy choices and the fact that some of her clothes are getting to big for her!

Goals for the next 4 Days:

1. Watch Water intake
2. increase exercise

reward: hair mask ( I have bought it already!!)

Mind of matter

I have being undergoing an inner struggle with myself. fighting for a focus - fighting to find a plan I can hold onto. fighting the negativity that wants to creep in 0 even as write the post I am still feeling directionless but at the same time I know that i cannot continue to sit on the side lines of life - watching it pass me by. I cannot left go of my dreams and goals - to be healthy, fit and slim.

Thank goodness I have not put on the 5kg that I lost but now it is time to move forward again.

I still don't have my own scale but I wont let that be a stumbling block - I do have a tape measure.
Current: 114cm
Goal: 88cm

Yesterday i walked for 30min.

For the next 4 Days:
Physically:
I will exercise for 30min
Drink 4 glasses of water
Start keeping a food journal

Mentally:
20min relaxation exercises
Read a section from a mental/spiritual enhancing book

Reward myself with long hot bath and a facial.

Update

I am in limbo at the moment, trying to sort out my head - trying to get back into the game. That song from High School Musical 1 pops into my head every now and again.

Taken on some book therapy and gone onto anti-depressants.

My daughter is doing well on her exercise program and she eating better. some of the clothes that were getting tight and fitting her. I find that I am putting up a front so that I don't get my family down - I am making sure she has fun exercising and i am putting good food on the table (the problem is that I am applying that to myself).

There is another title of a book I saw that is screaming at me - Get out of your head and into your life.

Ideals are like stars

Ideals are like stars;you will not succeed in touching them with your hands.But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters,you choose them as your guides;and following themyou will reach your destiny."
*Carl Schurz*

Inspiration for the week

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.


Mother Teresa

Seems ol’ doc Bonnie did lose a few pounds…

Sorry, I just couldn't resist this when I saw the cartoon...

Maybe its lack of appetite, Or just the meals she has been eatin’, But from ol’ doc Bonnie the pounds are a’sheddin, If she gets much thinner, From skippin’ breakfast & dinner, Her uniform will fall off of her, no more will they be tight… If you hear from the old bag, Be sure to mention how her chest does sag, As well remind her to of her new clothes, Be sure to remove the store price tag… © ed [LOL] 10/16/08

Food Mistakes parents make

My daughters eating and exercise habits have improved. However, this weekend we had visitors and our old battle resurrected its head. Someone else cooked and made a vegetable she is not yet familiar with and she decided she did not want it.


6 Food Mistakes Parents Make

Been missing in action

"A true mirror neither adds nor subtracts anything from that which it reflects." Noah St. John

"Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having a bit of a tough time at the moment - I think the fact that I am in a new country and not working is starting to get to me. Feeling a bit stressed and down.

Cooking Apples

I was given some cooking apples and I have been looking for low fat/low Gi recipes. I made apple crumble this past weekend for the first time but it did not fall into either of these categories , it was for a potluck so I figured i was safe (in that I would not eat it all). I have actually never been an apple tart fan.

This recipe looks good (not sure its really low 7g fat- if I remember correctly it has to be 5g/100g to considered that but I guess its musch lower than a normal muffin)- not quite sure what they mean my wholegrain breakfast cereal - I am guessing anything like wholegrain sheddies, weetbix or soemthing like that.

Vanilla Apple Muffins (from Sanitarium Recipes)
2 cups wholegrain breakfast cereal

2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour

2 apples, cored and diced

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg, lightly beaten1 cup

low fat soy milk

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Combine cereal and flour in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre.
Add remaining ingredients and mix until just combined.
Spoon into a lightly greased 12 cup capacity muffin tray and bake at 180ºC for 20-30 minutes or until golden.
Makes 12

Per serve:

760 kilojoules (180 calories).

Protein 4g.Fat 7g.Carbohydrate 27g.Sodium 160mg.

Potassium 140mg.Calcium 40mg.Iron 1mg.Fibre 3g

Musical Inspiration

This is my song for this week. What is going to inspire you? keep you motivated and focused?
Its so easy to lose the plot, get distracted from our course (no pun intended).

Don't be afraid - take a step and another and another. We can do this!

"I Believe I Can Fly"

I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[1]
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly

See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[Repeat 1]

Hey, cuz I believe in me, oh

If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[Repeat 1]

Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Fly-eye-eye

"I am no longer afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my own ship"

- Louisa May Alcott

Scary

I enjoying doing little personality quizzes - this was scary because its almost all true.
Good thing the story of life is changing.


What Your Burger Says About You




You are very gluttonous. Even if you're full, you'll still clear your plate.



You are likely a fairly picky eater. And you're secretly a little squeamish about some foods.



You are a very open eater. You like many types of tastes, and you'll eat just about anything.



You are emotional. You have a big heart, and you tend to go for comfort foods.

What Does Your Burger Say About You?

BUT THE GOOD NEWS

You Can Change Your Life

You've probably already improved your life a great deal, and you're no stranger to change. You're able to make very difficult changes in your life. It's all about state of mind. And even if you have some trouble changing, you're smart enough to get support or take a different approach. So go ahead and dare to make things better. You know you can do it!

Can You Change Your Life?

Check-in

Nothing to report on weight - need a scale!

I have done a bit of exercise, eaten too many biscuits (would love to blame the visitors) - its funny how our weakness change as we get older.
Mine has changed from chips to chocolate to biscuits.

Ratatouille is becoming one of family favourite meals we make it at least once a week.
My husband walked my daughter to school this morning. I will have to make sure I do some exercise. She does swimming today, so we will probably pick her with the car.

Ratatouille

A soul-warming, guilt-free, gastronomical gift from on high.

Fun Factoid: 98% of the world's olive oil comes from the Mediterranean region, which has a 6,000-year history of olive tree cultivation.

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
2 small eggplants, cubed (about 2 cups)
1 small zucchini, cubed (about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I used low fat cheese)
1 lb. whole wheat spiral pasta (I use low-GI 100% durum pasta - any shape)

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a 4-quart sauce pot over medium heat.
Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add both the red and yellow peppers and sauté for another couple of minutes. Toss in the eggplant cubes and cook a couple more minutes.
3. Add the zucchini, garlic, bay leaf, and oregano.
Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook for a couple more minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 40 minutes, uncovered.
5. Boil and drain the whole wheat spiral pasta.

My child and weightloss

When we moved to Northern Ireland a nurse came to see us to check that my daughter had all her injections and if she needed any special care.
My daughter has been generally healthy except for two episodes of croup - something her father had and grew out of by the time he was 10. Thank goodness it seems she has already outgrown it.
Anyway, she asked if I had any concerns. I spoke of the fact that my husband and I are struggling with our weight and that she has now become slightly overweight and despite the fact that I try to boost her self-esteem and encourage her to eat healthy - I suspected that she was starting to develop a negative body image.
This led to a visit by the school nurse and subsequent appointment with a dietician. My husband had to go to that appointment because I had a job interview at the same time.
She came back very motivated to make healthy choices and to exercise. We are supposed to keep a diary.
I misplaced and so alas I am only starting it today.
Yesterday she wanted me to exercise with her but I didn't feel like it - so I managed to get kicking a ball around outside while I read my book and watched her.

Today she wanted to walk to school instead of driving - my husband walked with her-took them 30min.
I walked to walked to my volunteer job - that took me 20min.
Then the idea is I walk to her school and then walk home - it will take about 35-45min due to the fact that it will mainly be uphill. We walked home last week Tuesday.

I need strenghth to become a positive role model for my daughter. Its so easy to become distracted and neglect yourself - unfortunately the after effects / consequences do not only affect you but the people around you too.
As a child I was slightly chubby but after 10 I lost a lot of weight and for the next 8 years I was really slim - the next 6 years I struggled to stay under 60kg but I did it and then I went on the pill - ballooned - went off fell pregnant went to 89kg - after that I have just steady lost and then added on extra weight till the all time high this year of 111kg.
My daughter has only known me as overweight.
She has seen me camp, hike, play a little bit of sport now and again, do some open swims and 5km walks.
But she has also seen me go through a deep depression and struggle with food choices and continually eat incorrectly.

She came across the Biggest Loser program one day - and became almost obessessed about weighting herself. The scale is now broken (I secretly suspect my husband of sabotage - he refuses to replace it).
We have decided to use the Biggest Loser program as a motivator.
We have begun today!!! All of us.

Diet Articles you may want to read

Cut Calories without Counting Them

If You're Planning To Lose Weight, Experts Say "Think Sleep"



"Do not use your weight to measure your self-worth What does weight have to do with self-worth? Your self-worth is the sum of everything that makes you special and unique - not just your thigh and waist measurements! Add up your assets, talents, how you treat others, how you treat yourself, the contributions you make to your family, friends and community. Now you have self-worth."

Praise loudly, condemn softly
There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.
John Holmes (source SusanAnthony)

Check-in

Down another 0.5kg YAY

To celebrate I have spent sometime making a list of songs I enjoy listening to and ones I have enjoyed in the past but never had the actual music.

It was a great going down memory lane, dancing to some and sing at the top of my voice.

My daughter and husband also got caught up with the project - needed to put a 100 songs together for a swap. They helped me.

Quite a number of love songs, some I like more for the music than the words.

Goal for the next week to start recording what I eat and do so I can improve and modify my habits.

Anything Can Happen If You Let IT

Anything can happen if you let it.
Sometimes things are difficult, But you can bet it
Doesn't have to be so, Changes can be made
You can move a mountain, If you use a larger spade
Anything can happen it's a marvel
You can be a butterfly, or just stay a larva!
Stretch your mind beyond fantastic
Dreams are made of - strong elastic
Take some sound advice and don't forget
Anything can happen if you let i

George Stiles & Anthony Drewe

Weigh-in # 7

Maintain at weight at 108.2kg/238.5 lbs , this is an accomplishment considering that I went on a Woman's Retreat and had dessert for lunch and supper and had lots of biscuits in between.

The exercise definitely helped.

I am back on track but must admit that I am craving chocolate wheat biscuits.

Lots of things going on in my head right now.

What Question has changed you?

Procrastination Poem

I read and it really made laugh - this is no longer me.
Procrastination. Here’s a poem:

I spent a fortune on a trampoline,

a stationary bike, and a rowing machine.

Complete with gadgets to read my pulse

and gadgets to prove my progress results

And others to show the miles I’ve charted

But they left off the gadget, to get me started.

Inspiring thought

"Everytime you achieve a goal that you have never achieved before, no matter how small, you deconstruct a previously held limiting belief" Robin Sieger

Weigh In # 6

Progress Report.

Starting Weight: 111kg/244.7 lbs

Current Weight: 108.2kg/238.5 lbs Total loss so far: 2.8kg/6.2lbs

Target Weight: 65kg/143.3lbs

I am very pleased with myself. And to celebrate I walked 3miles/almost 5km in 1hr05 along the Scarva Centre path.

I have succeeded at exercising and eating more veggies. I have also done my visualisation exercises and motivational reading.
I need to work on water-in take and cutting out junk food.

Next 4 Days:
5 glasses of water (managing between 2 and 4 glasses - aiming for 8)
No eating out (make my own meals - will be good on my budget as well)
Maintain 25min visualisation exercise
Reading 42 Day Challenge motivational readings
20-30min Exercise
Do something positive/kind for someone else

Motivational reading from the internet:

Eating Your Way Thin

Cheating On A Diet: Avoid The Tailspin!

posted @8:00am ET on September 2, 2008

Weigh in #5

Well I am done another 0.5kg/1.1pounds.
Starting Weight: 111kg/244.7 lbs
Current Weight: 109kg/240.3 lbs Total loss so far: 2kg/4.4lbs
Target Weight: 65kg/143.3lbs

0.6lbs to go to reach my goal for this week - Before the end of this week I want to put up the 5lbs badge from the Healthy You 2008 Challenge.

What I am going to do to reach my goal?

I have working on and refining a plan.

This morning I started putting it into action.

I did a 25min visualisation exercise with SeeSlim CD
Exercise with Ann Crowther's Fitter Firmer Slimmer in 30 days DVD
I read a passage frm Robin Sieger's 42 Days to Wealth, Health and Happiness.
Drank 500ml (2 glasses of water)

The plan for the the rest of day:
6 more glasses of water
2 cups of coffee
cereal for breakfast
Lunch - I must still decide
Picnic supper - sandwiches with cold meat, salad and carrot sticks

For the next 3 days I want to complete the cycle of starting my morning with
2 glasses of water
20min exercise
25min visulisation
5min reading
5-10min planning/revising the days and menu.

Quote for the Week

"If you want the rainbow,
you've got to put up with the rain.”
—Dolly Parton

Success is not a matter of luck

I have been playing around with preparing healthy meals and I trying to find a plan that works for me. I try to follow a low GI diet something that has been amazingly more difficult to here than in South Africa. South Africa to seems to be advanced in labeling food items according to their GI value.

What I have been struggling with is to work out a menu for a week that I can stick to. This week I took out two books from the library Joanna Hall's Drop a size GI diet and Robin Sieger 42 Days to wealth, health and happiness.

In the later book he makes a statement: success is not a matter of luck, it is a matter of design.

I think that this book will complement the 4 Day Win approach.

My goal for the next 4 Days is to prepare myself physical and mentally by:

1. Spending 20min reading the two books.
2. 20 min exercise
3. 6 glasses of water
4. 20 min planning

The next 4 days I will put my plan into action and apply the Watch self principle. I will observe myself and see how can I adapt my plan to suite my lifestyle better.

Quote for the week

"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves. by Viktor E. Frankl

Weigh-in # 4

I am down 0.5kg/ 1.1 pounds - YAY. Total loss so far is 3.1lbs - I hope next week I can put up the 5lbs weightloss badge. Now weigh-in at 109.5kg/ 241.4 lbs.

Yesterday while walking, I did a lot of self-talk. I was really questioning my-self about what i really want. My weight is in my hands and I have the power to let go up, down or stay the same.

I wonder sometimes if dwelling on my weight is negative - really has not helped me lose any. At the same time ignoring it got me nowhere. My mother has always told me that I need to find a happy medium. Even though I don't really believe in star signs - I do seem to have the typical traits of Libra. Needing balance is one of them.

The song from High school Musical keeps playing in my head. Got cha head in the game. weighloss is not really a game but maybe if I look at in more playful manner it will be more mangable, fun and achievable - also it wont be overtaking my whole life. i know its just one part of my life. Its important but it does not define me.

The heart of it

"How does one become a butterfly?
You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." ~Trina Paulus

This quote has really struck me today. I wonder if I really want to lose weight. On concious level I know that I want to and need to. Most of the obstacles I have previously had to losing weight have been removed. I have the time to prepare meals and to exercise. I am exercising but that is abot all I am doing. And not always willingly.

Maintained my weight this past week 110kg.

Weigh-in # 3

I have been exercsing as planned the water drinking has not gone as well as I planned.

I have lost 0.2kg/0.4lbs. I now weigh in at 110kg/242.2. Total loss of 1kg/2.2 pounds.

Really feel its time for me to step it up a gear and get more focused!!

Hopefully taking some reading everyones posts will help.

The important thing is that I am losing and I am making small positive changes. Just getting exercising again is a big step in the right direction.

Let's do things in fours

Four Tips for Weight Loss

Four Tips for Weight Loss Motivation

Fours Rules for Mantaining your Weightloss Motivation.

What are your goals for the next 4 days?

Mine are:

6 glasses of water
3omin of exercise
eat 2 fruits and 2 vegetables - Aiming to get my 6-5 servings eventually.
mmmmm wonder if I should add in a 4th goal for kicks
10min visualisation exercise

I realise that while I do not dislike fruit , I also do not choose to eat as a snack. A week can go buy like this one and I see that my family has eaten some and some fruit are threaten to go rotten, but I have not eaten a fruit yet. I have had fruit yogurt and juice, not the recommended way of taking in your fruit.

Dieting the big fat lie

"You do need to wait six or seven months to see positive results, admits Cannon, but follow his rules and you will dig your body out of the dieting trap." Geoffrey Cannon

My husband e-mailed the link to the following article. It his way of trying to encourage me and deter me from taking short cuts.

Walking to fitness

I measured the walk I have been doing. It is 0.9 mile one way and mostly downhill. Takes me 15mins walking briskly. Then I wait for my daughter and we back 0.9 mile now mostly uphill and it takes us anywhere between 25-35min. Total of 1.8 miles or 2.8 km.

When her school starts I might have to fetch her walking some afternoons 1.4miles or 2.2 km one way. That should really help get fit. I just need to get a nice comfortable raincoat for the Irish rain.
And some "window wipers" for my spectacles.

Didn't walk today but I took out an exercise DVD from the library.

Weigh-in # 2

I have lost another 0.6kg/1.3 pounds. Sounds so much better in pounds - YAY.

I have been exercising and drinking water.

Now its time to tackle my diet!

More on that later today.....

Weigh-in # 1

I am calling this weigh-in #1 because it is my first weigh in since I have arrived in Ireland and started blogging again.

I have lost 0.2kg/0.4lbs since my last post.

Been exercising - 30min walk yesterday and swimming today.

My goal for the next 4 days:

15min exercise and 4 glasses of water.

Feel like I hurt my knee yesterday so I am going to apply the method of halving my goals - I want to do 30min of exercise and drink 8 glasses of water.

My sinus symptoms have improved but not disappeared. I also need to get my head sorted out - that is get focused o planning interesting yet healthy meals.

Guiltless Cheesecake to go with a guiltless life

I am back from a long break!!!!!
The damage - I went up 2kg - now weigh in at 111kg - my highest weight ever. I have now been in Northern Ireland for 3 weeks and I am starting to settle down a bit.
My daughter has gotten me to watch the biggest loser and she is very determined that I become one. So we have agreed to do our own Biggest Loser at home. She is 7 years old.

I am going to have to make dishes and desserts at least once to twice a month and I love cheesecake.
My husband sent me this recipe. Plan to try it out.

Yesterday we did a walk that left me breathless. Today I have not exercised my sinusitus is pretty bad, I have a lot of flem on my chest, coughing and feel dizzy.
Have a post nasal drip.

I am going to have to look for work if we are going to live comfortably here. I am determine to apply the 4 Day Win plan to my life.So I am going to start at the beginning. Up my intake of water and reduce junk food and coffee.

Yes, you heard me right coffee. That is one bad habit I have started again. Plus the sugar here taste less sweet than South African sugar, so I have been using too much.

I look forward to visiting my friends from the Healthy You Challenge and anyone else who leaves a comment.

Here the recipe:

Yogurt Cheesecake

Contributed By: menfe
California Milk Advisory Board

Cheesecake can be almost guiltless - that is, rich in good taste but low in fat. The trick is to use nonfat yogurt - see recipe below!
Ingredients
4 quarts (8 lbs) nonfat plain yogurt (do not use yogurt with gelatin)
1 cup Low-fat graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp Butter, melted
1 1/2 cups Sugar
3 Eggs
1/4 cup Flour
1 tbsp Vanilla
1 tsp Grated lemon zest
Assorted berries and/or cut fruits in season as desired, for garnish

Preparation

1. Set a colander over a large bowl, supporting it so the base of the colander is at least 2 inches above the bottom of the bowl. Line colander with 2 layers of cheesecloth. Spoon in yogurt.


2. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Chill 12 hours or overnight, pouring off whey as it drains. Scrape yogurt from cloth.


3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


4. In bowl, mix crumbs and butter. Pat evenly over bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside. Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat yogurt, sugar and eggs on high speed for 1 minute. Mix in flour, vanilla and zest just until blended. Pour into prepared crust. Bake 10 minutes.


5. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees and continue to bake for 1 hour or until center barely jiggles when cake is shaken. Run a thin-bladed knife between cake and pan. Cool slightly, then refrigerate, uncovered, until cake is completely chilled, at least 3 hours. Garnish as desired. Cut into wedges to serve. (If making ahead, cover when cool and chill up to 1 day.)
Nutrient Information
Calories 338
Total Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Carbohydrates 59 g
Protein 11 g
Vitamin A 64 RE
Vitamin C 2 mg
Calcium 348 mg
Sodium 267 mg
Iron 1 mg
Fiber 0 g

Untitled

Hi

My main goal in the next two months is not to stress eat. Yesterday I managed to drink herbal tea and water everytime I thought of getting a coke or a packet of chips.

When I mark test and exams it really gets bad. I just want to comfort eat. The past month I have put back the weight I lost so I am now 109kg AGAIN. Hopeful when I return to blogging I will have maintain the weight or lost some.

I am not managing to keep up with everything in my life. So I need to scale down on a few things until my move to Ireland is complete and my family is settled. This blog and my website are two of things I will taking a break from.

I will continue posting updates on my move and a bit of this and that on my other blog:
Simone's Butterfly.

Motiavation for the weekend

Got a busy weekend ahead. Suffering with migraines/stress headaches. Need to keep my sanity and sense of humour. Going to get some multi-vitamins.

Managed to exercise twice this week. Did too much eating out.

When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one,

but you won't come up with a handful of mud either.

By Leo Burnett

4 Days at a time

Well I am in need of a different goal setting for the next 6 weeks. I have so much to do to wrap up things at work and home.

My husband is going to concentrate on stuff pertaining to selling the major stuff and what we need on the other side.

I need to work consistently with my daugther. She is 7 years old in grade 1 but when we get there she will go to grade 2 so I have to help catch up.

Super Mom

The Busyness Thing
(To the tune - My Favorite Things)
By Glenn A. Hascall

Noses and diapers
And things that need wiping
PTA letters
And notes that need typing
Dishes are calling
And so are my friends
I move through the house like a hurricane wind

Sure there was Mary
But what about Martha
Scurry and hurry
Round her home and hearth, "Uh
Jesus tell Mary
To start helping out"
The Master's reply left little to doubt

Slow down and sit down
And stop all your rushing
Mary is quiet
Her spirit is hushing
Martha, dear Martha
You want what is best
Oh, come to the quiet and in My love rest.

Oh, so busy
In a tizzy
What am I to do?
Remember the story of Martha and Mare.
Then change your outlook too.

Read the script here.

Copyright Glenn A.Hascall, all rights reserved. This script may be used free of charge, provided no charge is made for entry. In return, the author would appreciate being notified of any performance. He may be contacted at glenn.hascallATgmail.com

Ireland Update

YAY

We got our visa's for Northern Ireland today.

We still can't really believe that this is actually going to have.

We have more or less 6 weeks to book flight tickets, confirm accommodation etc. on that side.
Wrap up work and household here.

"Like the gold of the sun, like the light of the day, may the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way. Like the glow of a star, and the lilt of a song may these be your joys all your life long." An Irish Blessing

Exercise Meme

Can you list 100 Reasons to exercise?

Tackle Any Issue with List of 100

I challenge you to list to post a list on 100 benefits/reasons to exercise.

Leave a comment to let me know when you have done it.

Mary Anne Shearer - 100 Days to Health

Day 38

Without exercise your program is not likely to work as well. Exercise regulates at least 18 different hormones and hundreds of chemical reactions.

Blogging Break/Go Slow

I am sure you have noticed that I have not really been with the program so to speak.
Things are not getting any better.

I am exercising and that is about it.

I am bit scatter-brain at the moment and finding it difficult to focus on any task for too long.

Its work,the uncertainty of our moving plans (our visa application finally went it last week) etc.......

Be the Difference

I have just completed making my list for my swap - 100 Things I would like to do before I die. I decided to search on this topic. I see many people have done their own list. There are even generic ones where you can just tick off (i have done a lot of things on those list).

In the process I started thinking about what can I do for others. I found this free e-book: 101 Ways to Change the World from Together We Can Change the World Publishers. In the book there is a link to a movie called Be The Difference.

I thought this was really some great stuff - some things listed are elementary (you are probably doing it already) but its sometimes good to get affirmation that what we are doing does make a difference.

Make of it what you will

First I used up all my bandwith. Then my husband kindly shared his with me. Then something weird happened to our internet connection.

It forced me to stop procrastinating on certain task.

I happy to report that I have been exercising and drinking water.

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Snowed Under

Sorry for not really writing for a while and things are not getting better.

Really busy with visa applications, work, car problems etc.....................

Struggling not to stress eat. Some moments I win and others I lose.

Homemade face masks

Looking for a way to reward yourself without breaking the bank or eating?

Rewarding yourself after you have reached your goals is positive reinforcement.

A few simple homemade masks

Oily Skin

egg white
1 tsp. cornstarch
Beat ingredients. Apply to face, let dry 10-15 min. Rinse.

Corn flour is an excellent ingredient if you're dealing with oily skin. Corn flour picks up oil from the skin and traps it, leaving the skin moisturized but with diminished oiliness and shine free.

Normal, combination skin, oily and blemished skin

Mix one egg white,
1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal
a teaspoon olive oil
a few drops of lemon juice until smooth.

Spread on your face and neck, leave on for 15 – 30 min then rinse with lukewarm water. Few drops lemon juice will help to reduce blackheads while egg white will leave your skin feel “tight” after this mask application.

Dry skin

Mix one egg yolk,
a teaspoon honey
a teaspoon olive oil
some vitamin E oil.

Spread over your face and neck, leave on for 15 – 30 min then rinse in lukewarm water. You can add more olive oil if you still feel dry on your skin.

For more recipes and some videos got to: Natural Skin Care Info

Earth Day Dieting

HYC Report: I have maintained at 107.2kg.

I walked to school 10min and walked back home this afternoon another 10min.

Tomorrow I would like to add in some extra exercise in the afternoon or morning.

SparksPeople: Earth Friendly food and fitness

100 Day Challenge:
Eat a plate of veggies before lunch and supper. Any veggie you like even if its cucumber

I hve not yet implemented this but I plan to start this evening.

Recipe: Garden Vegetable Frittata

Things happen for a reason

My car battery was dead this morning, so I walked to school. Walked back as well. My calve muscles were still sore from yesterdays walking.

It was a pleasant walk - i think I should plan to do that more often. It was a breathe of fresh air.

Take the T out of torture - Stop torturing yourself - make changes slowly - 4 days at a time.

That's the plan. Now work it. (i am talking to myself). How is your dieting going? What do you do overcome the temptations, overcome the cravings, stick to the plan??

Competitions and Giveaways

Bloggers/readers are the judges. Please vote for your favorite entry (a voting poll will appear in this post) beginning at 5:00 p.m. U.S. central time April 18th to 8:00 p.m. U.S. central time April 21st.

Here is my my entry: http://simonesbutterfly.blogspot.com/2008/04/write-from-karen-photo-contest.html

Please vote for me. Thank you.

You go here to vote:Photo Contest Theme - Spring Time!

Now for the Giveaway/Competition



Please no the following:

1. This contest is only open to U.S. addresses. My humble apologizes to my International friends, but these prizes are bulky and heavy and would cost too much to ship outside the United States - I’m so sorry.

Go read more about it on Write from Karen.

100 Things I like about myself

This is powerful technique I learned about in the beginning of the year.Tackle Any Issue With a List of 100 by Luciano Passuello.
With his permission I have been hosting swaps on Swap-bot doing the list he made.

This is what a view participants had to say:
"oh my gosh this was the hardest yet. I had such a hard time finishing my list. I was out of ideas at 50! I did manage to finish, just barely though. I think it may have boosted my self esteem a little."

"Being a bit of a pessimist and general sadsack I think this swap is just the thing to help me feel better about myself and life in general and look forward to sending my list out :)"

One of the participant's over to set up a blog for the swap: List of 100.

I started a little down today even after I went walking on the beach. Things are looking up now that I am going to do a List 100 - 100 Things That I have accomplished.

I have published some of my lists on my website: 100 Ways to Improve My Life

Here are the first 21 things I wrote about what I like about myself in no order of importance:

1) I like my hair

2) I like my calves

3) Good, healthy teeth

4) I like my confidence

5) Sense of humor

6) Sense of justice

7) Ability to empathize

8) Ability to listen

9) My helpfulness

10) Creativity

11) Ability to think on my feet

12) Resilience

13) I know a little about a lot of things

14) I am flexible, can adapt to various situations

15) Good acting skills

16) Poetic

17) Romantic

18) Good dancer

19) I don’t have many things that I regret doing.

20) Can be productive when I put my mind to it

21) I believe in God

Healing your headaches without medication

Today I have a major headache and I do have any painkillers in the house and don't want to drive into town to buy - so I am going to try this instead.

Drink water and do the following relaxation exercise.

Solace

From Daily Om messages - I read this today and it spoke to me.

I have had a great week and then the weekend hit and I feel like I am about to sabotaging myself. Yesterday I isolated myself and just did nothing constructive, even though I knew there were some important things for me to do.

I think being part of group like the Healthy You Challenge is a positive way of reaching out to others and not just being focused on yourself. It gives off positive energy. So even I just feel like retreating within I am not going to.

Solace In Service
Doing For Others

When we feel bad, often our first instinct is to isolate ourselves and focus on what’s upsetting us. Sometimes we really do need some downtime, but many times the best way to get out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other people. In being of service to others, paradoxically, we often find answers to our own questions and solutions to our own problems. We also end up feeling more connected to the people around us, as well as empowered by the experience of helping someone. 

When we reach out to people we can help, we confirm that we are not alone in our own need for support and inspiration, and we also remind ourselves that we are powerful and capable in certain ways. Even as our own problems or moods get the better of us sometimes, there is always someone else who can use our particular gifts and energy to help them out. They, in turn, remind us that we are not the only people in the world with difficulties or issues. We all struggle with the problems of life, and we all feel overwhelmed from time to time, but we can almost always find solace in service.

In the most ideal situation, the person we are helping sheds light on our own dilemma, sometimes with a direct piece of advice, and sometimes without saying anything at all. Sometimes just the act of getting our minds out of the obsessive mode of trying to figure out what to do about our own life does the trick. Many great inventors and artists have found that the inspiration they need to get to the next level in their work comes not when they’re working but when they’re walking around the block or doing dishes. We do ourselves and everyone else a great service when we take a break from our sorrows and extend ourselves to someone in need.

Daily Om Website

Quote for the week

Success is a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets. ~American Proverb

Weightloss

Hi

I am happy to report that I now weigh 107.2 kg (236pounds) - a Whole 2kg (4.4pounds) loss. YAY.
Also lost 3cm around my waist its now 112cm (44inches)

Goals:
To get to 88cm (35inches) around the waist)

To to lose 10% of my body weight in the next 6 weeks.

How:
Careful meal planning.
Following my plan 80% of the the time , 4 days at a time.

This week I locked in adding veggies to my meals and exercise. Reducing refined carbs and sugar.

New goal cut out refined carbs and sugar completely and re-enforce new habits.

Dealing with cravings and Brain Exericse

Tried out this recipe today. Its Oh so good. Definitely will deal with my cravings for Lemon Meringue ( I never eat the top of the meringue). Got it on the Somersize Board run by BetsC from Looks Aren't Everything:

LEMON ZEST TART:
Preheat oven to 350.

Crust:
1/2 C plus 2 T vanilla whey powder
2 1/2 T sugar (I use WL)
5 T butter

Melt the butter and mix all three ingredients in an 8x8 cooking pan.
Press down on the bottom of pan. I use a spoon to 'even' it out.
Cook for 5 minutes.

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 C sugar-again whey low
3 eggs
1/2 C lemon jc.

Cream sugar and cream cheese together with mixer. Add eggs one at a
time, mix well each time. Add lemon jc. Mix until well combined.

Pour over warm crust and cook for 20 minutes. Let it cool, and then
refrigerate until cold.


Well I decided to have a rest day. I did try out a few minutes of T-Tapp from You Tube. I am very interested in Brain Gym - Left-Right Brain for learning etc....... I am so adding this to my wish list of DVD's.

"What can T-Tapp hoe downs do for you?
• Increase mental clarity
• Help control hormonal mood swings often experienced with PMS and menopause
• Drop glucose levels quickly. (From 62 to 85 points upon completion and an average rate up to 100 points at 10 minutes post completion
• Burn off excess glucose before it converts to fat.
• Optimal brain balance, because hoedowns involve simultaneous left/right brain cognitive processing. Because of this, initial coordination doing the single count lift/touches from front to side can be challenging, but within a week cognitive processing significantly improves. It is important to exercise the brain as well as the body for quality of life in senior years.

Hoedowns are really aerobic AND they work your legs, butt, core, lats and abs all at once, (and if you're really twisting those thumbs back and getting your elbows forward you'll feel it in your arms as well!) So try Hoe Downs once or twice a day and see what they do for you."

Exercise Galore

Taken on Saturday's walk by Rooi Els

I have now exercised for 4 days in a row. YAY
Saturday it was a walk in Rooi Els
Sunday - Taebo 2
Monday- 15min weights and stretching, 45 min walk in the mountains
Tuesday- 3km walk on Strand beach (sat a coffee shop after 1,5km)
Wednesday- 1 hr walk via the mountains and along the road.

Today I was not very excited about exercising. My body was sore and I can feel a blister on each big toe but my husband has promised me another foot massage.

Tuesday Check In Week 13

The moment of truth. I got on my friends scale again yesterday (mine is still missing) and I am afraid to report that last weeks weight gain (which I did not report) was not an April Fools joke.

In the two weeks that I lost my scale, wrote the itels exam and was dealing with my painful prolonged bleeding and cysts I gained all the weight back that I had lost since I signed up - 3,7kg.
Last weight was 109.7kg and yesterday 109.2 kg.

And though I feel tempted to get down on myself, I also feel good about myself. Its strange. I feel as though I have been through a mini-crisis and come out richer (hehehehe not in weight gain) .

I am not sure how to express but I have learned new things about life, supplements, food and myself. I don't feel despair and I like giving up.

Good news is that since I have been taking the natural supplements I have not had a menstrual cycle for almost two weeks. That is win for me. NON SCALE VICTORY -passed the the Itels exam and the application to Ireland is almost ready. Just waiting for a few original letters from Northern Ireland - the school, the pastor we will be renting from and my husband's employee to say he has been offered the job.

Four Day Win in a Nutshell

This a great podcast where Martha Beck gives you a book in nutshell. At least this is a nut you don't have to avoid!!

From SimonSays Podcasts


http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/0743564154/PC65_0743564154.mp3

Inspiration from Martha Beck

Listening to this was just as much fun as reading her books. Plus she mentions South Africa. This talks about transforming using the the Butterfly as an illustration.

Hope you have a transforming week!

Spring Time - Help me choose

I am thinking of entering Write from Karen's Photo Competition.


Its starts on the 11 April 2008. Voting starts on the 18 April 2008.

These are photographs from Spring 2007, West Coast Nature Reserve

A

B


C
C

D


E

PollPub.com Vote

Which Picture should I enter into the Competition?

A
B
C
D
E



View Results

Poll powered by PollPub.com Free Polls

Message from Mary-Ann

This arrived in my e-mail box and how applicable it is !

Day 6

OK.. so maybe you thought you blew it once or twice this week, remember that there was nothing to give up and no restrictions, so any restrictions you have were created by yourself. And even if you did eat after 9pm, no one was counting except you. Get over it and get on with what you can do.

You will fall and make mistakes, thank God we all do, but that is a wonderful opportunity to make better choices and do things better at the next meal.

Bless you!

Mary-Ann

Day 1 of the new cycle

I have done 30min Taebo Workout Basic 2 no.2 . It is bit more difficult I could not do all. But I know I will get there.

Liquids: 1 Coffee (oops I was supposed to stop today)
4 glasses of water (will drink more before I sleep)
1 orange juice


B: 1 apple
S: none
L: 2 slices of wholewheat toast with a little avo
S: none
SP: hard one - my daughter wants the traditionl Afrikaans dish that we have not had for ages.
But its dairy and I love it - Melkos.

Melkkos
(Serves 4)
2 litres milk 300 ml Snowflake cake flour (165 g) 5 ml salt 15 ml butter cinnamon sugar

1. Bring milk to the boil.

2. Sift the flour and salt together and rub in butter. Add to milk and beat. Lumps will form, but keep stirring well.

3. Cover with lid and simmer for 5-8 minutes, until cooked.

4. Serve hot with cinnamon sugar.

I always use 2% milk.

My actual plan was to have fish, veggies and salad mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Day 4

Exercise today was running after children and picking up shells on the beach.

B: Shake with fruit
S: Herbal Tea
L: One low fat burger with egg and cheese and salad
S: Coffee
SP: 1 pita bread with tuna salad and a glass of orange juice

Water in take 5 glasses plus the tea make 6!

YAY that is a 4 Day WIN for me.

Reward:

Get myself something nice for the bath either radox bath salts or oil.

Next 4 Days
Up my water and herbal intake by 2 to 8 glasses a day
Continue exercising - 2 aerobic days, one weight focus day and yoga/stretching day.
Ensure that I have 2 fruits and 2 veg servings everyday (Dietician recommended 3)
3-5 Protein servings
Going to see if I can keep the carb servings at 2-3.
Cut Dairy and coffee out
Continue to record what I am eating

REWARD: A Healthy You NSV badge next Tuesday.

If I get hungry I am going to try looking a the list of free food on Somersize plan or increase the protein.

This weeks progress

Today I did the 30min Taebo II workout.
Drank 3 cups of herbal tea and 3 glasses of water

B: a few grapes and tea
S: coffee and carrot muffin
L: 1 slice of whole toast with egg and cheese
Glass of orange juice
S: none
SP: Avocado pear, Marconi with a tomato & veggie sauce (lots of veggies) topped with a bit of cheese.

3 Day going strong on meeting my 4 day goals.

I have also finally decided on a definite eating plan which I will implement tomorrow. Also added coconut oil to the list of supplements I am taking. It is apparently good for fighting candida and weight loss.

Somersize

Weigh-in Tuesday

I weighed myself at my friends but I have decided that she must have played an April's Fool Joke on me cause there is no way I could have put on 3kgs in the last two weeks that I did not weight in.







QUOTE: "Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours." ~ Swedish Proverb

Todays Report:
I did a run/walk around the block with my daughter. Going to measure it with the car tomorrow.
Splashed around in the pool this afternoon

Drank 3 glasses of water
3 glasses of herbal tea
1 cup of coffee with sugar and milk

Breakfast 1 apple
Snack 1 medium popcorn and coke (went to the movies)
Lunch 2 slices of cheese and onion bread
Snack Few grapes
Supper 2 slices of toast and butter

Missing Scale

Today I really looked for my scale and it was nowhere to be found. I beginning to suspect foul play but it is not the 1 April.

I have arranged to weigh myself at friends tomorrow morning.

Drank 4 glasses of water today

Did 20-25min if yoga. Felt good afterwards. Did not feel so while I was doing it - I could not do all the poses. Not sure if it is just my weight that is in the way or if I have become less flexible.

Tomorrow I intend on doing some aerobics.

Eating was going well until my husband brought some hotcross buns...........

One of my 4 goals that I have not yet completed is recording what I eat. So goes my next try. Please note that this is not a particular diet but what I actually ate.

M: Glass of water
B: 1/2 Pronutro and 1/2 glass of milk
S: herbal tea and Homemade Low GI Jam tart
L: 2 Burghers and salad
Herbal and more water
S: 2 Hotcross buns with Real Butter and a glass of milk
SP: 2 rolls with cheese ( I gave my family fish, salad and green peas - but I just did not feel like eating that)

Reflection:
I started of the morning with good intentions but as the day progressed I made unwise choices.

The focus this week is to add in good things - not to focus on what I should stop doing.

So tomorrow it is going to be important for me to have at least one fruit and 1/2 veggies and 2-4 more glasses of water/herbal tea.

100 Days to Health - Starting TODAY

Day1 - Week 1 ~ 100 Days to Health! Theme: - Adding the good things! You will be focusing on adding more of the good things to your existing diet. You must not give up anything. Rather focus on introducing some raw fruit or vegetables before each meal. http://www.mary-anns.com/100Days/Week_1.htm GOOD HABIT 1 Start all cooked meals with raw vegetables or fruit

Coffee?

One of my hobbies is doing personality tests and quizzes - saw this over at a friend's blog and could not resist doing it.

You Are an Iced Coffee

At your best, you are: hyper, modern, and athletic At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you're out with friends Your caffeine addiction level: medium

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Cravings

Isn't ironic how we crave the foods we are to avoid. My sinuses are really bad this week. I woke up this morning feeling really sick, sore throat, no voice, blocked nose, groggy head etc..... Yesterday i ate ice-cream, yoghurt and I had milk.

Took my mom to visit a friend - so my water in take was only 2 glasses and exercise 0

On track

Yesterday I managed to get food and vitamins I needed. I walked and I drank water.

Struggled to sleep last night - we have a snag in our application to Northern Ireland. It may take longer now. Which means I have to continue working and being in Limbo.

Today I am taking my daughter and friends to the beach to look for shells.

Scale, Scale

I got this morning determined to get on the scale and then I got distracted. So I will take stock tomorrow.

For now I need to re-group my self and set some goals for the next 4 Days.

I am on "holiday". My mom is visiting for 2 weeks. I still have some work to do before the school term begins and our move to Northern Ireland to plan. We are now waiting for the English exam and for contact from Lawyers in the UK before we finalise our visa applications and then hand in our resignations.

Goals for today:
*Work out an eating plan for the next four days and then go shopping.

*Buy nutritional supplements sinusitis and heavy irregular menstrual bleeding. After week of no bleeding it start again. I know the gynae next step is to put on the pill. I have done some reading up on my condition I am going to give nutritional supplementation a try. I don't have money to go the whole alternative treatment but taking supplements may help.

Vitamin C, Ginger and Eucalyptus for the sinus.
I will continue with the tissue salts and using 1/4 warm water with a pinch of salt and pinch of bicarb to "wash" my nasal passages.
Omega 3 and 6, iodine or iodide or kelp for the bleeding.


*Drink water 6-8 glasses

* Exercise
I
Thought this poem was funny.

Have a great day!!

BATTLE WITH THE SCALE
by Valerie Steiner
Friday, November 15, 2002

THE SCALE CALLS...
PLEASE COME STEP ON ME
I WANT TO MAKE YOU
HAPPY OR SAD

I WANT TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU FEEL
BY THE NUMBER I SHOW
COME TO ME OFTEN
SO I CAN FRUSTRATE YOU

THINK IT WAS A GOOD WEEK
I CAN PROVE YOU WRONG

AND EVEN IF YOU STAY AWAY
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESIST
COME TO ME AGAIN

THROW ME OUT
AND I WILL STILL HAUNT YOU
AS I NEVER FULLY DISAPPEAR
I WILL BE WHERE
YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE ME
AT THAT ONCE A YEAR VISIT

THE MEDICAL PEOPLE REALLY LIKE ME
AND LOVE TO KEEP ME
SO SEE YOU SOON
I KNOW YOU CAN'T RESIST ME
FOR I AM THE SCALE