Moving Ahead

Hey y’all!

It was a busy week but soooo productive!  I’ve finally gotten through some of the simple basics on my to-do list…you know, like the vacuuming and dusting I never did in January (yikes).  It’s so nice to have a clear desk and polished dining room table again. 

It’s the little things…

I usually head out to Michael’s on Friday nights to spend the weekend, but every once in a while I take some ‘me’ time to tackle things around my place.  Nothing can ruin our weekend more than my brain racing with the list of chores not being done at home. 

This weekend I spent my Friday evening making freezer meals, meal planning, doing laundry, and clearing my desk of paperwork from my old job I no longer need.  And I loved it.  Saturday I tackled more minor household chores and took Chibi for a much needed walk throughout my neighbourhood.  When I arrived on Michael’s doorstep that evening, I was refreshed, felt accomplished, and was able to spend the rest of the weekend with him stress free.

We agree that this is one of the best things we do for our relationship.  Doing whatever it is we need to do to feel good about our own homes and lives.  We always feel better when we do this…even if it means we see a little less of each other that week.  He got his boys together for a long put-off poker game, so it was win-win!

I’ve also been tackling blog posts about our vacation…I’m almost done with cruise updates and will move on to New Orleans posts this week.  Take a trip over to my photo blog if you are interested.

Now I’m ready to start working on bigger projects from my to-do list… oh hello tax season.  Stay tuned for a kitchen reno ideas board on Pinterest, and some serious Spring cleaning around here.  My closets don’t know what’s about to hit them!

Maybe I even have some time for a new recipe or two.  Hmmmm.  Wouldn’t that be a kick?!

Have a great week everyone!

Jaime

#EmbraceMonday

Hey everyone!  I know today is Tuesday but sometimes you gotta shake things up (or you know, fall behind and re-evaluate!).  How was your Monday?  Did you set some goals and work hard to bang them out?

As usual I was already thinking about my week before Sunday was even over.  I have to admit that because I spend my weekends at my boyfriend’s I sometimes feel overwhelmed by chores and things I don’t have the opportunity to take care of on Saturdays and Sundays.  But I really don’t wish to sacrifice our time together so Mondays are now my go-to day. :)

Ya, that filing has been on there for two weeks now.  And it’s still on there.  Talk about a chore no one wants to do!

Looks like a few of you were joining in the #EmbraceMonday fun with me this week…

Love that people are catching on via my other Twitter friends!

Hope the rest of your week is just as fulfilling and fun!  Have a great one and see you back on Twitter next week to embrace another Monday!!

Welcome March

Even with an extra day February still seemed to blast by pretty fast dontcha think?  Yesterday I turned the calendar, updated my monthly budget, and flipped the page on my work out schedule.  Hello March!

As usual the first of the month brings up thoughts about what goals I should focus on for the next few weeks.  Since everything seems to be under control on the fitness frontier (yay!) I am happy to make a to-do list which includes a few fun things, instead of the usual chores and tasks.

• Having said that, item number 1 on my list is TAXES.  Blech. 
• And item number 2 is painting the bedroom baseboards. You thought you’d heard the end of that saga. At least the main living area is totally done though.

But everything else in the works is just fun and good times.  Weeeee!

• Monthly Girl’s Dinner tonight! Can’t wait to put on cute shoes and sip martinis with my girlies.
• Watch a load of movies cuddled up on the couch with my honey.  While watching the Oscars we realized we have seriously slacked on our selection of movies recently.

 

• Make time to do an outdoor photo shoot. It’s been forever since I have just grabbed James Dean and gone for a walk to take pictures.
• I have a new book to read.  I know, I might be the last person on Earth to read The Hunger Games.  Even Michael has read the series!

• St Patrick’s Day!  I have a plan up my sleeve to get some peeps out on the town wearing green and indulging in Irish Car Bombs.  There’s an idea for a cupcake brewing in my brain too!
• Three words:  Bacon.Cinnamon.Rolls.  Feel free to get excited.

How is your March looking?  Big plans? 

What should I label my March fitness posts?  There’s been January Joiner and Fit February so far. 

Today…

…is National Peanut Butter Day.  How do I know?  Because it’s the hottest topic among food bloggers on Twitter!  Oddly I actually bought peanut butter for the first time in months today.  Only because my Trader Joe’s almond butter is nearing it’s end and I haven’t managed to talk anyone into trekking across the border to replenish it for me.  PB will have to suffice.  I suppose.

…I’m making Kale Pesto.  I feel like this is brilliant.  And cheaper than real pesto.  If someone else thought of it before me please don’t ruin my fun by telling me.  I like to think I come up with ideas on my own.  I plan to smoooosh it into a grilled cheese sandwich.  See!  Brilliant.

…I am tackling the first of the to-do projects I gave myself for the New Year.  Painting my base boards has only been on my to-do list for about 14 months.  Not that I’m counting.  It involves a lot of painter’s tape and crawling around on my floor…not to mention moving my couch, TV stand and desk…so we’ll see just how much of this project gets done before Michael comes back from vacation and I enlist him for the heavy lifting.

…the first post for the #CanadianBloggerSeries went up over on Heidi’s blog, The Balance Project.  For obvious reasons I love her blog name.  For other obvious reasons I love this blog series.  Proud Canadians in the house!  Today’s post is all about Saskatchewan and courtesy of A Dash of Meg.  Stay tuned for posts every Tuesday, including one by yours truly next month.

…I want a cupcake.  That is all.

What did you do today?

Getting Ready

Yesterday may very well have been my last normal eating day for about two weeks.  Good thing there was coffee and a banana & almond butter sammich.

You see…I’ve let my fridge dwindle down to the near side of empty in anticipation of my leaving on a jet plane this Thursday.  Hence the leftover red Thai curry.

The snacks are getting all random up in here.  Iced coffee with ham slices?  Eat it up.

While running the 457 inevitable pre-vacay errands after work (nothing like driving to three stores to buy extra kitty litter) dinner was procured from the supermarket.  Clearly I’m addicted to pasta and mayo.

And because I don’t already have a two page to-do list and a double sided packing list that needs paring down I thought it would be fun to make a Peach and Blueberry Cobbler at 9:30 last night.

This is what I do.

I didn’t even get to eat it.  Just stared at it longingly while it cooled and I washed a sink full of dishes, cleaned my bathtub, and stared at my shoes trying to figure out which ones will be the most comfy and least touristy.

I’ll be sure to gnaw my way through this beauty today in between two big work projects, three loads of laundry, and choosing whether to bring an ugly (yet comfy) little daypack or a more stylin’ (yet uncomfortable) shoulder bag.

Travel prep is no joke.  Cobbler helps.

Run-around Girl

Whoa. Today was the day of the to-do list. Why, when I’m heading out of town, do I wind up with the busiest day ever?

Things started out calm enough.  Desk and priorities organized, coffee poured…

First hiccup was some dirty bugger in my building using all of the washing machines when I wanted to do laundry.  Thankfully after I made my toast and went back down they were done.

Squirrelly with Sunflower…

Work, work, work, laundry, laundry, laundry. Self manicure. Lunch!

Knowing I’d be away this weekend, last night I cleaned out the dead perishables from the fridge and chopped up the last of the carrots and celery.  Paired with some slightly past it’s due date hummus, rice crackers, and mozzarella cheeeeese.

Work, work, shower, work, run behind schedule, slap make-up on, run for meeting.  Grab much needed grande extra hot non-fat vanilla latte along the way.

Race through meeting, text about evening plans falling apart, buy groceries, get booze, fuel up (gas went up 4 cents over night!!), return home with stress relievers in grocery bag…

Did you know they make Valentine’s Day candy corn?  I do now.

The rest of the evening was a blur of packing, working, charging electronics, digging through my storage locker and eating too many of those gummy bears.  Dinner didn’t cross my mind until I sat down to cross things of the to-do list.

Dammit…kitty litter needs changing!  Anyone? :)

Rescued via impromptu text from a hungry friend…dinner involved me changing back into jeans, pulling my hair up, and running down the hall.  We drove til we found parking and an open restaurant.  Won Ton soup…thank you very much!

And now I’m ready for my weekend away with the girls! Tofino here we come!

Walk-Thru Coffee

I officially booked my mover today.  June 25th!  My worldly possessions (minus the cat, clothes and a few choice plants) will be loaded up and hauled across the country.  My road trip will start two days later.  Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Before I did that I checked another item from my never ending to-do list.  Took my car in for a couple of recalls and a burnt out brake light.  While I waited I walked up the block for my morning coffee.  Was heading for Timmy's (blech) when I realized that the drive-up cappuccino bar allowed walk-ups too!

I sipped a large triple non-fat vanilla latte.

Also munched this banana I carted around in my purse this morning.

After the car appointment I came home to work for a bit, then ran back out for a chiro appointment.  I've finally learned that going to the chiropractor the day after going to massage makes a HUGE difference. 

I grabbed a granola bar from the stash on the chiro's counter. :)

Before hunkering down to get some serious work done, I made lunch.  This baby watermelon has been staring at me all week, so today I made it a salad superstar!

Watermelon + feta = deeeelish

So a quick Watermelon Salad was born.  Insanely easy.

• 1/2 baby watermelon, cubed (about 3 cups)
• 4-6 romaine leaves, chopped
• 2 ounces light feta, crumbled
• drizzle of olive oil
• drizzle of balsamic vinegar
• s&p to taste
• missing today: fresh basil

This made two servings. 

Mary's Crackers on the side for crunch.

Dinner is going to be a bit late...cuz it's sushi at Doraku!!  Woooo.  Belated birthday dinner for Miss Sarah and I can't wait.

Just snacked on a bowl of cereal to hold me over.  Kickin' it old school with Special K Vanilla Almond with vanilla soy milk.

It ain't no Kashi Honey Almond Crunch, but I still lurve it.

Incidentally this is what I had for dinner last night after my incredibly sweaty and lovely yoga class.  After the class I stayed away from the computer, chatted with my Mom and didn't turn my brain on for kitchen options.  Sometimes that just the best!

Finding Time

I don’t think I can get on board with TGIF today.  More like HFIFA!! (Holy Fack It’s Friday Already?)!!!  People, I have so much to do!!

Every. single. thing. I have tried to organize for my tax preparation has caused me some annoying time-consuming issue.  Missing papers, missing tax docs, missing passwords.  I swear I had all of this stuff not all that long ago…but poof, gone.  I’m taking my paperwork in today whether it’s complete or not.  I need it off my to-do list!

It’s stuff like this that drive an organized person like myself around the bend.  How do I not have these things?  Blah.

Anywho…when I got up today I went straight for the coffee pot…

haha, what’s new?

And then decided that I needed a protein and energy packed breakfast to help get me through the grump-zone and on with my day.  Immediately I knew it would be a green smoothie of some sort!

Rummaging around in the fridge led me to some light coconut milk…which gave me the bright idea of a Chocolate Coconut Green Smoothie. 

In the KA today: 

• 4 ice cubes
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 2 tsp flax meal
• 1 tbsp coconut
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1/2 cup UCAB
• 2 huge handfuls organic baby spinach

Totally deeeeelish.  The sugars in the protein powder made up for the unsweetened milks and the chocolate gave it a somewhat malty taste.  This recipe is a keeper in my books.

When lunch rolled around I wasn’t starving and needed something quick, so I broke into the Steady Eddie again for some quick lunchtime toast.  (6 grams of protein per slice…nice!)

Schmeared with light herby cream cheese and topped with cucumbers and tomatoes.  Easy peasy.

Now back to work on my actual job, and hopefully into finding the one main ellusive tax document I need so I can cross this shiz off my list. 

** Don’t forget to enter to win some of the Silver Hills Sprouted Grains breads I’m always raving about!

** And while you are entering contests, head on over to Ali’s blog and see if you can get yourself some free CheeCha swag.  Or don’t…cuz I want it!  :)