My thoughts, opinions & random advice

Yay Me!

2011-05-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back at the points system again and it seems to still be working. I did a weigh in last week and lost 3lbs. I'm very proud of myself for that. However this week I decided not to go to the meeting and weigh in because I was very naughty over the weekend. You see, we went camping and it's not easy to stick to a diet of any kind while camping. Think about it, spider dogs, roasted marshmallows, smores, hamburgers etc...So I decided to avoid the disappointment and stay home tonight. I did, however, go for a walk. Took me a whole hour. I feel great after that walk.

Now since I don't really have too much to report I thought I would share one of my favourite breakfast items as of late. Hope you enjoy!

Elisa's Omelet

2 eggs beaten with a few table spoons of water

veggies of choice

shredded cheese

2 tsp olive oil

Saute veggies in olive oil, I use green peppers, red onion and mushrooms most times. Remove from pan and set aside. Pour egg & water mixture into pan and cook until top isn't raw anymore. Add veggies to one side of eggs and add cheese at this time. Flip other side of egg over the veggies and cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. Remove from pan to plate and enjoy with a cup of coffee or orange juice.

-Elisa

Let's try this again

2011-05-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, I told you all before that I'm going on a diet. Well due some tragic events in my life the past few months, the whole diet things hasn't been working out for me. So, I will be officially starting Weight Watchers tomorrow night. Now hopefully this will be a good thing and not a "oh crap! what have a I gotten myself into?" kinda thing.

So, today I went to the doctor to get my blood pressure checked and thankfully I don't need medication for it (it's kinda high for my age group and the doc has been following me for a bit now), however the doctor wants me to watch my sodium intake. So, now I have a bigger challenge ahead of me besides losing weight, I have to read every friggin label I have in my cupboard to see the sodium content. Oy!

So, I will do my best to keep you all up to date on this. And also, sorry I haven't blogged in a while.

-ElizaSpring

What would I have done without her?

2011-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law was always a little overbearing, pushy even. I always complained to my husband about her. She would come to my house and do my laundry and say “You know if you would do a couple loads a day it wouldn't pile up on you”. That would send me over the edge most times. But, I never wanted her to leave, I was always happy to see her and glad that she was there. I enjoyed hearing some of her stories about where she worked (Neonatal ICU nurse for 20 years) and appreciated the advice she would give me, especially when I became a new mother.

When Geoff finally asked me to marry him, she was so happy for us. She was always very helpful with the wedding plans and gave advice. She helped me find someone to do the flowers and she went with me to help pick out the wedding dress. Now keep in mind, after seeing all that she has done, I lost my mom to cancer several years before my wedding AND that she never had a daughter to do all this stuff with. So, even though I didn't have my own mother to do those things with, I had Judy.

The day that we told her we were expecting our first child her face was glowing more than mine! Then she said “well I'll see if Dr. Sanderson will follow your pregnancy, and I'll talk to Dr. Paras about taking care of the baby”. Yet again, she became the mother that I longed to share all these exciting times with. She took care of everything. From helping paint the baby's room to putting the goop in my new baby boys eyes and signing his paperwork, she was there. Then along came my baby girl and yet again, she was so helpful and always doing things to make this an easier time for me...and Geoff.

For years Geoff and I tried to get her to come camping with us, but to no avail. She would say “when I was a Girl Guide we had to sleep in tents with no floors and cook alphaghetti from the can. I'd rather sleep in a bed at a hotel and be comfortable.” Just last year while we were camping at Great Bear campground, she made an effort to come camping, sort of. She spent the day with us, swimming & having a BBQ, but I couldn't convince her to spend the night. I was very proud of her for doing that much.

Oh how she loved Christmas, she had so many decorations that she could have decorated six houses. It didn't end at Christmas either, she would decorate for every occasion. And cook for them too. I loved her pineapple whip and carrot cake (which was banned from her place of work because it brought hectic days with it). I remember her making the candy for her candy apples at Halloween. They were so tasty.

Before she left this world, I promised her that I would take care of Geoff and the kids for her. Those are some big shoes to fill now. I just hope that I can do as good a job as she did.

I will sign off now because my tears are blurring my vision.

-Elisa

It just seems impossible

2011-03-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Eating right has never been so hard as it has been the past week and half or so. We have been running back and forth from Salisbury to Saint John. There just isn't time to eat healthy.

We have a family member in the hospital right now and trying to get a healthy meal at the Saint John Regional Hospital cafeteria shouldn't be too hard. Or so I thought. Now I know they have salads and stuff like that but when you smell the deep fryer and see the fries, oh man I go week. It's just so easy to grab a coffee and a muffin and get back to the family member. It has to be quick and easy.

On the plus side though, after having ate the fries I felt horrible. It's like my body was saying “what the heck is the matter with you? How could you feed me that stuff?” I (and my body) were not happy campers.

So, I've been doing my very best to get my salads back into me and get back on the straight path to healthy living and eating.

I haven't done a weigh in because I know it won't be pretty. So, next week I will hopefully be able to give better news and positive results.

-Elisa

I cheat!

2011-03-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

I hate dieting. I've never been very successful with it, as the title goes, I'm sure you know why. The thought of being told “you can't have that!” pisses me off. Drives me nuts to be honest. It's food, I should be allowed to have it if I want it. And as much of it as I want. And that is why I cheat.

However; I finally understand that it's not that I can't have it, I just need to make sure I don't over do it. That's not going to be easy for me, at all! But now that I'm getting older, and I'm not ashamed to say that my 40^th birthday is only two years away, I really do need to practice self control with my food. I have set a goal for myself. On my 40^th birthday, I will have reached and maintained my goal weight. I'm also not ashamed to say that my goal weight is 150 lbs. I want to be able to go and buy a little black dress and feel good in it, confident even.

Now that I've said what my goal weight is, I'm holding myself accountable to you. You, the person reading this blog. To my friends and family who, I hope, are reading this blog. You and a few very close friends (Joanne & Kim) are my support system (and my husband too). This is a very big step for me. I'm letting you into my life, not to judge me, not to tell me “Don't eat that doughnut!”, but to help me and encourage me. To say “cut the doughnut into four pieces and only eat one piece”.

Now, having said all of this, I will tell you what I plan to do to remove the extra weight and become healthy. I am going to be following a points system, I won't say what system it is, however I'm sure you can all figure it out because it's a world wide system. I do believe Duchess Sarah Ferguson is a member of this system. I am going to write at least once a week, I'll give a weigh in, give my thoughts and feelings on the whole thing etc.

What I want, no what I need from all of you are your comments. Positive or negative it doesn't matter to me, just try to be kind. The other thing is I will need your prayers. Please, don't let me be a cheater, because cheaters never win.

-Elisa

PS: Just so you know, even though I've cheated on this point system I have lost a total of five pounds in the past month or so.

A little history on me

2011-03-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

I was adopted. I was first taken from my biologicals (that's what I will refer to them as from now on, it's just easier) when I was six months old and from that time I was placed into 21 different foster homes by the time I was three. My parents got me when I was three and my adoption was final when I was six.

Now the stories that I've heard have been some what horrifying, to say the least. Such as, I was pushed down a flight of stairs and that is how I dislocated my left hip (I now have problems with my left hip, x-rays show that the ball is wide and flat instead of round). Stories of neglect and abuse. Now I don't know what's true and what isn't so I refuse to place blame or make judgments (that's not my call).

One of the stories that I've been told was about how the female biological loved her dogs more than her children (there were four of us in total). She fed her dogs and took care of them, she loved them. When my mom and dad got me they say that I was so malnourished they could count all my ribs from a short distance away. They also say that I used to go to the fridge, open the door and just stare into it for a few minutes. When asked what I was doing I would just say "just making sure it isn't all gone" or something along those lines.

Here I am, 34 years later. I'm over weight and I have issues with food. I have a six year old daughter that isn't fat, but she's solid as a rock (and sneaks candy and food). I have my fears for her.

I have been eating healthier, making better food choices in hopes to shed a few pounds and be an example to my children. The next few blogs will be about my struggle and my journey with food.

-Elisa

Rain Rain Go Away...

2010-11-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can see by looking out my window, it was a rainy day today. A bit of a bummer for sure, but it was nice too. We got to hang out at home in our PJ's, and we haven't done that in a long time. And I do love hangin out in my jammers.

Well, we made the best of it. We started our day with a nice pot of coffee, some toast, some cereal, some eggs. Over all, a nice classic breakfast.

Then I did some Facebooking and Geoff played his game (Civilization 5) and the kids watched some TV. Eventually Geoff went in for his shower and the kids and I did some colouring. I love to colour! It's very relaxing I think. Anyway, after the colouring and the shower (oh and Anna's bath), John made us lunch. It was a tasty lunch of plain pasta with butter, salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash. Yes it was a boring lunch but you have to remember, he's eight and just learning to cook things for us.

So, after lunch we made our way downstairs to watch a movie. We decided on Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers. We let the kids watch The Fellowship of the Ring a few weeks ago and they both really enjoyed it. So, naturally we decided on the second installment. John really liked it, Anna...not so much. She got bored with it and decided to come up stairs and rest on the couch and watch something she liked.

So, while the kids were watching shows I made supper. We were having some guests over so I thought I should make something special. Something comforting on a rainy day. I decided on a roast beef dinner with potatoes, carrots, corn and gravy. Doesn't get much more comforting than that, eh?

Well, with supper done, the kids went to play, me and my bud Joanne sat at the table and chatted and Geoff (my bitch) and Troy (Joanne's bitch) went to Toys R Us for some Christmas shopping.

So, over all I have to say. I had a really good rainy day. So, rain rain go away and come again another day, please.

-ElizaSpring

Who doesn't like free groceries?

2010-11-06T05:45:00.000-07:00

Click on the words "The Great Canadian Grocery Giveaway" to enter the contest:
The Great Canadian Grocery Giveaway | Meat and Poultry | Butcher | Maple Leaf Foods
Good Luck!

Finally got to do something "Mom"

2010-11-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

My daughter is in skating in Riverview. Her class is from 6:00pm til 6:45. Until today I've had to work til 7pm, well my new shift has started and it allows me to have Monday's off. So tonight it felt so good to be able to watch her skate. I was even going to do up her skates for her, but her father took over (go figure eh?). She is so good at skating and I finally got to tell her. Then I jammed her hand in the car door! I just had to ruin the moment, didn't I?

I can't wait til next Monday now, this time I'm going to do up her skates, and not jam her hand in the door!

-Elisa

I am a working mother now

2010-10-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

So much has taken place since my last post. Where should I begin? Hmm..Okay I know where to start.

So my last post was about egg poaching, in July! Since July have finished with the babysitting thing, only because it just wasn't paying the bills. I would've babysat forever if I thought I wouldn't go bankrupt. Anyway, we've done lots of camping this past summer, I finished babysitting in September, started a new job in the begining of October and sent my kids to a babysitter.

So, this job of mine. I am a Classified Ads Sales/Obituary Specialist with Brunswick News. I have really been enjoying my new job. It is, for sure, a challenge. I'm not so happy with the hours, but I have to start somewhere. I mean it takes time to work my way up to president of the company. I think the biggest challenge, since getting this job, hasn't been for me, it's been for Geoff. I have to work till 7pm each night which means Geoff has to take the kids to all their activities. My poor kids, some nights, are getting a slice of bread and butter for supper. However, they are doing okay. It has been a huge adjustment for everyone.

I will keep up the blogging about the whole "working mother" thing. I personally don't like sending my kids to a sitter and going out to work. I feel my place is at home with them. Doing homework, making homemade treats, making sure there is a decent meal on the table before scurrying off to evening activities. I will update you on my continued struggle.

Have an awsome and blessed day!

-Elisa

Egg Poaching Pt. 2

2010-07-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I wrote about poaching an egg in a bag. Today I'll show you how I did it the traditional way (kinda).

THE THINGS YOU WILL NEED

Eggs, a pot of simmering water (enough water to cover the eggs) & garnish (I used salt & pepper, again)

Crack eggs into individual bowls such as ramekins etc...I put all my eggs into one bowl cause I hate to do dishes.

Next dip the side of the bowl into the simmering pot of water to pour the eggs into the water.

Allow the eggs to cook for 2 -4 mins, the yolks will be runny. If you want your yolk firmer allow eggs to cook a bit longer.

When your eggs are cooked use a slotted spoon to remove eggs from water. Garnish and serve! This way of cooking was also a hit.

And this is how I enjoyed my poached eggs!

Adventures in Egg Poaching Pt. 1

2010-07-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

WARNING! The eggs I made today look nothing like this. Sorry!

So I asked my son this morning what he wanted for breakfast. He said eggs, I asked him "well how do you want them? Fried, scrambled, boiled or poached?" With a screwed up look on his face he says "what are poached eggs?" And that is how this began.

It has been years since I've eaten or even made poached eggs, so I decided I better do a little research. I fired up the laptop and typed in "poached eggs". Well you can just imagine how many hits I got. So, I read a few and did things my own way.

The first way I tried it was the "bag" method.

THE THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

Plastic wrap, a coffee mug, eggs

First get a piece of plastic wrap (big enough to hang over the edge of the mug). Place over top of mug and push down in a bit to make a "nest" for the egg.

Next crack an egg into the nest you made in the mug.

Very good. Now, carefully take the corners up and make a "bag" for the egg. Leave some room at the top. Oh, before you close it up add a spoon full of water, then secure the top somehow. I used a twist tie.

Now you're bag should look like this:

I appologize, I forgot to mention that you will need a pot of water to be simmering on the stove while you're doing everything else.

Okay, now you have a bag of raw egg and a pot of boiled/simmering water. Hmm...now what do you suppose you should do? Yes, that's right! Put the eggs in the water and allow them to cook for 2-5 mins ( I think I over cooked my first ones cause the yolk was solid)

When the eggs are cooked, carefully remove them from the pot

Open the bag and put on a plate. Garnish with salt & pepper (or whatever you want). Then serve!

They must have been okay. My boy ate them all up and wanted more!

Going Camping? Don't forget...Pt. 2

2010-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

So here are a few more things you may want if you are planning on taking a camping trip this summer.

BBQ, very important if you wanna cook a hotdog or hamburger
Propane for the bbq!
A camp stove is useful
pots & frying pans
Utensils
We finally broke down 2 years ago and bought a coffee maker to use on our camp stove.
I find making a meal plan is useful (so you don't over spend)
Grocery list with a budget.
Flash lights, lanterns, glow sticks or whatever lights up. It can be pretty dark on your way to the bathroom.
A quality cooler
Camp chairs
Something for starting your camp fire
Cheap, disposable, table cloth for the picnic table

Research! Always ask your friends, who camp, what campgrounds are good. It's always nice to hear what others think of certain areas and campgrounds. Use the internet too, there are so many places out there to camp. Some good, some not so good.

Now, camping isn't for everyone. So if you are a first timer, please don't go out and spend a poop load of money on a tent. You'd be better off looking for a second hand tent (in good shape) and camping equipment. That way if you decide after one summer of camping that you don't like it, then you haven't invested a poop load of money into it.

So, this concludes my camping advice for now. Have a great summer and happy camping.

-ElizaSpring

Just some FYI if you're going to Europe anytime soon

2010-05-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Travelling to Europe?

Passengers travelling to European Union (EU) countries are asked to take note of stringent regulations that apply to the importation of restricted products such as meat and milk products for personal consumption.

Certain meat and milk products are allowed to enter the EU, such as the following:

Powdered infant formula, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons, provided:
- The product does not require refrigeration before consumption;
- it is a packaged registered trademark or proprietary brand product;
- the packaging is intact.

Passengers wishing to bring other types of meat or milk products into the EU must:

Obtain, prior to travel, all necessary documentation from official veterinary services of the country from which they are travelling (the documents must state that the goods conform to all requirements for entry into the EU);
declare all such goods and present related documentation upon arrival at an authorized EU border inspection post for veterinary control.

All meat and milk products that do not conform to applicable regulations will be confiscated and disposed of at the EU border inspection post. Failure to declare meat and milk products may result in a fine or criminal prosecution.

Policies on restricted items vary from one country to another. Passengers should learn about restrictions as they apply to their destination by consulting websites like the following:

For the U.S.: visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
For the U.K.: visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.

How I feel about Geoff going to Rome for 2wks

2010-05-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Well here it is, the eve of Geoff going away for 2 weeks. I'm really sad that he's going cause I'm going to miss him terribly. The last time he was gone for that long was back in 2001 when he went to Kansas on business (with a different company). Back then though we didn't have any kids and lived in an apartment in Saint John.

Anyway, I am sad but I'm happy for him at the same time. An opportunity like this doesn't come along everyday. He's been working hard and proving to his company that he's the right person to go (so I guess all the overtime paid off).

The kids aren't really showing any emotions about him going, which I find kinda strange. John does tend to hold things in and then explode later on (gee, wonder who he gets that from?), Anna on the other hand, is so happy-go-lucky that not too much bothers her. Well, we'll see how they are doing tomorrow when we have to leave him at the airport.

Well, I'll let you know how I'm doing on Sunday (5/23/10)

Ciao!

-Elisa

Going Camping? Don't forget...Pt. 1

2010-05-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so me and my little family have been camping for a very long time. My husband and I started off with a tent in 1999 after we got married. So I guess you could say we were "virgin" campers. So, over the years we've collected lots of things for tent camping to try and make it more comfortable. I thought that I would compile a list for those of you who may be just starting out.

Don't forget...

The tent
Tent pegs
Rubber mallet for pounding the pegs into the ground
Tarps! Very essential part of camping. While tenting for 10 years, I think it rained every weekend that we went. Rather than give up on tenting we chose to embrace the rain and avoid wet sleeping bags.
Rope for the tarps. Yet another essential if you want to tie the tarp to a tree.
Sleeping bags and air mattress.

So, this concludes part 1 of "Going Camping? Don't forget..." I will add more in a few days.

God Bless & Happy Camping

-ElizaSpring