We planned a trip to the Aquarium and stayed in a nice hotel with an indoor pool and waterslide. Isn’t it funny when you plan these kinds of trips, you expect some appreciation from your child. Well I don’t kmow about others but my child is 5 years old and has it so good in life. I sometimes question myself about the parenting that I’m doing. I’m really trying to be a good parent………showing her how things work, read,teach, play, love, care, comfort, everything you can think of I’m doing. But it all comes down to did I give her too much as in treats  (candy, chocolate,ice-cream) new clothes or toys. When is it too much before they have you wrapped around they’re finger. I’m cutting a lot of treats out of the equation now when it comes to her misbehaving. I’m also going to start taking things away that mean something to her.

Ok just had to say all of that because now you know what the trip was like. All in all it was nice to do a family trip before back to the routine of lunches, snacks and after school swimming.

Oh yeah another thing is that we basically could of just as easily have gone to Mexico with the money we spent just going across the water on a ferry to the mainland.

We just got back into the swing of things today was our second run together and there is already improvement. We usually run as far as we can without having to stop. Today we ran a great route with hills and abit of trail. Slowly building up my distance. My main goal is to run the 10k again in April. This time I’m hoping my dad will run in it this year.

Stretching is something that really needs to be done after every run. I’ve managed to be able to have different techniques with all the clinics I’ve been apart of. My favorite muscle to stretch is the gluteus maximus I can’t stretch that enough:)

Another thing to remember is nutrition try eating small about of oatmeal or yogurt with a few nuts. Hydration is key also but if your running in the early morning try drinking enough water the evening before so you don’t get cramps or stitches. My favorite thing to eat after a run is a nice cold smoothie with lots of antioxidant berries like raspberries, blueberries and blackberries mixed with your favorite yogurt. I like to add a banana and 1 tbsp of almond butter. You can add whole nuts as well whatever kind of nuts you like it just gives the smoothie a bit more protein. I add water to blend the smoothie about 1/3 of a cup. Depends on how you like it thicker or thinner. Also add in some ice to give it that nice icy cold texture.  What a great start to my day now I have to clean up my house before the weekend hits it.

Cheers

I have to confess I’m totally excited about the Grammy’s being on tonight!!!! I haven’t watched the Grammy’s very much but I’m in the mood to see extremely rich singers dress up like crazy and be big headed. I have chips and dip for that. The chips are the blue corn organic from Tostitos  and the dip is baja ghanouj soooo yummy and healthy.

I have a metabolic mix body. It’s pretty basic, but it works!!
Also here are some examples of carbs, protein and fats that you can mix up together for a meal. Like I said it’s pretty basic.

I recently went to Punta Cana for those that have no idea where that is it’s in the Dominican Republic. I didn’t know it existed until I  was trying to find a really nice tropical place for me and my husband to have our honeymoon. It was beautiful, I was speechless when I took one look at the ocean. It was unbelievable how soft the sand was and how green the ocean was. It truly was amazing. Now for the resort that we stayed at it was great as in the people and food was actually pretty good. The rooms had a very strong musky smell to them and the king size bed was two doubles pulled together. So funny but we decided that this was ok for us. We were happy just to be swimming in the warm ocean it was like bath water. There was a family that were so over the top with complaints that they ended up wasting a day arguing to up grade to another room or hotel. They were annoying I can understand if your unhappy because of a bed that is kinda hard like a rock, but honestly what do you expect. Just be happy your in another country and your able to drink, smoke and eat when ever and where ever. How about being grateful that we live in such a beautiful and free country Canada. Just had to get that off my chest. Oh yeah I don’t think I would stay at that resort again. My husband and I will probably go somewhere abit closer to Canada like Maui next year. The plane ride was horrible going there. On the way back we made sure we reserved seats that were in a row of 2 seats. Smart idea pay 25$$ extra but at least your sitting just with your partner.

Breakfast

• 3/4 cup kashi high protien cereal w/ 1% milk
• Black coffee

• Snack Mid morning – Banana

Lunch

• 1 chicken thigh
• 1/2 cup potaotes & carrots
• Water to drink

Afternoon snack – Medium size apple w/ cheese string

Supper

• Chicken goulash
• 1 cup broccoli and squash
• water to drink

Evening had a cup of tea

day 1

530am – glass of water 8oz to rehydrate cells that were working over time as you sleep.

• 1/2 cup high protein & fiber cereal with 1% milk
• banana
• 2 small cups of black coffee

Lunch

• I Medium size bag of movie theater popcorn
• Handful of milk duds
• diet coke

I know it’s my first day of my weight loss plan and I already cheated………I have a really good reason. I brought my daughter to see A Christmas Carol with Jim Carey. It was kinda scary but my daughter thought the scary parts were funny. So I’m sorry for cheating,tomorrow will be better.

Supper

• Roast Chicken (size of my palm portion)
• 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
• 1/3 cup of corn
• water to drink

Last night was so much fun, we carved our gigantic pumpkin. Surprisingly there wasn’t alot of seeds or pumpkin guts! We have the best pumpkin the famous Micheal Jackson pose.

I have a couple Healthy Halloween recipes that I would like to share:

Yummy Pumpkin Cupcakes

Preheat oven 350F.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3 cups organic raw sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger or use fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup of wheat germ

Mix all the dry ingredients. Then add 1/2 cup of sunflower oil, 4 free range eggs, 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple drained, 2 cups of pumpkin. Depending on the consistence add about 2/3 cup of water or apple juice to make the batter just right.

Prepare muffin tins with some festive Halloween cupcake liners. Fill 2/3 full with pumpkin cupcake batter. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Until toothpick tested in muffin comes out clean.

Let cool then try topping with whipped vanilla icing colored with orange food coloring. Or cream cheese icing.

Use some fun candy treats to place on top of iced muffin. Small Halloween candies like spiders or eye balls!! You can also add your favorite nuts and dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.

Spooky!!!!!

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Layer some favorite cheese on top, jack, chedder, provolone all really good cheeses. Then load up on the meat. As for veggies I like to use spinach and arugula(spicy green) great flavor. You can add all the veggie you want like cucumbers,peppers,tomato whatever your kids will eat. Once you have every item in the carved out bowl add some dressing on the top of the cut out piece. Then place on top. Cut into 4-6 pie pieces and ready to eat. Yummy!! I usually bake some fries to go on the side. Sweet potato fries are really good too.