Uncovering the extraordinary in the ordinary: Change is good right?: As my family and I turn a new leaf in the food chapter of our lives today by going gluten free, I wonder, change is good right? I mean eve...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Change is good right?
As my family and I turn a new leaf in the food chapter of our lives today by going gluten free, I wonder, change is good right?
I mean even though I am constantly running my butt off, chasing children, working long hours and rarely sitting, I have somehow after birthing two children (from a previously super fit body) slide into a body I can barely recognize. Eeek, not sure how this happened. As a previous elite athlete former personal trainer, I of all people should have noticed myself falling down the slippery slope. Shouldn't I? I think I may have just been too darn busy.
Too busy to make time for 'real workouts,' too busy to make time to properly prepare meals, and surely too busy to pay enough attention to my increasingly noticeable muffin top.
Change is good. It has to be. Moving forward without change will only increase the likelyhood that this will get worse for all of us. I will get fatter, feel more miserable; my husband will remain ill and feel crappy and tired all the time, and my children will remain wild. Ok, well maybe only the first point is actually realistic but I do hope that the diet change will enable my husband's conditions to ease up a bit as all I know is he deserves some repreive from what he has been through. And, as for my kids, I do know that helping them make better choices about food can only help prepare them for a better food-life balance.
We have all committed, well my husband and I (children really don't need to know any better at their ages, except to know that they are now feeding their body properly and with more thought) at least to a gluten free diet. After two years of my husband struggling with a serious case of fibromyalgia and other serious issues, it is time for a diet change. I have always had decent eating habits. I like to graze, have small portions and like things that are generally good for me. But even I have slipped.
Its sushi I blame it on. I just can't get enough. Now Googling to see if sushi is gluten free as I really don't think I can live without it. Ok, seems like there are some questions I have to ask and it looks like I have to avoid soy sauce but I think I can still make it work. Phew.
Anyhow, I will post again about our adventures with our new diet. I have to also get back to regular fitness again. I have been dabbling with Cross-Fit which seems to be right up my alley as I love conditioning and recently we all bought YMCA passes. So, no more excuses for the flab, the fatigue and the depression that ensues. I am (we are) on a new path. So excited.
Now onto work on the post I have been meaning to put up for weeks regarding our family vacation and the Regina Folk Festival. I am so behind but hopefully it will be worth the wait!
I mean even though I am constantly running my butt off, chasing children, working long hours and rarely sitting, I have somehow after birthing two children (from a previously super fit body) slide into a body I can barely recognize. Eeek, not sure how this happened. As a previous elite athlete former personal trainer, I of all people should have noticed myself falling down the slippery slope. Shouldn't I? I think I may have just been too darn busy.
Too busy to make time for 'real workouts,' too busy to make time to properly prepare meals, and surely too busy to pay enough attention to my increasingly noticeable muffin top.
Change is good. It has to be. Moving forward without change will only increase the likelyhood that this will get worse for all of us. I will get fatter, feel more miserable; my husband will remain ill and feel crappy and tired all the time, and my children will remain wild. Ok, well maybe only the first point is actually realistic but I do hope that the diet change will enable my husband's conditions to ease up a bit as all I know is he deserves some repreive from what he has been through. And, as for my kids, I do know that helping them make better choices about food can only help prepare them for a better food-life balance.
We have all committed, well my husband and I (children really don't need to know any better at their ages, except to know that they are now feeding their body properly and with more thought) at least to a gluten free diet. After two years of my husband struggling with a serious case of fibromyalgia and other serious issues, it is time for a diet change. I have always had decent eating habits. I like to graze, have small portions and like things that are generally good for me. But even I have slipped.
Its sushi I blame it on. I just can't get enough. Now Googling to see if sushi is gluten free as I really don't think I can live without it. Ok, seems like there are some questions I have to ask and it looks like I have to avoid soy sauce but I think I can still make it work. Phew.
Anyhow, I will post again about our adventures with our new diet. I have to also get back to regular fitness again. I have been dabbling with Cross-Fit which seems to be right up my alley as I love conditioning and recently we all bought YMCA passes. So, no more excuses for the flab, the fatigue and the depression that ensues. I am (we are) on a new path. So excited.
Now onto work on the post I have been meaning to put up for weeks regarding our family vacation and the Regina Folk Festival. I am so behind but hopefully it will be worth the wait!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Time to work on getting some of my portfolio on line. Here is a link to my Flickr page.http://www.flickr.com/photos/65682259@N05/sets/
Thursday, May 26, 2011
So many stories little time to write
I am currently suffering from the opposite of writers block. I simply have too many ideas that I want to write about and not near enough time to tackle them. Between a full time job, two over time children (sometimes three), I am pooped. Even down to my little fingers which so desperately desire to have an outlet of their own. My creative energy is penting up to a point that will surely see me explode at some point.
But today is not that day. You see, I - ack as I was typing I was just ambushed by a two footer. He nearly succeeded. Anyhow, as I was saying, today I was able to take the kids out after work for a bike ride, feed them and lure them away to watch a movie. They barely fell for the usual appeal of "movie night" but somehow after I waved a pixar flick in front of them, they caved. Yes, (selfish) mom of the year!
So onto these stories I aim to tell. Most of them are inspired by my everyday surroundings, occurrences or meetings. I have a pretty neat job that luckily allows me to interact with great people. My curious nature about what is new and exciting always fills my head with ideas of stories that I think others like me would like to hear. Stories about local art champions, activists, travel, entrepreneurship, funny kid stories - got loads of those and much more of course.
So how do I make time? How do you all make time? I need to also eat, exercise and sleep too. Geesh, usually I think I rock in the organization and time department, but maybe its time for a reality check.
Ugh, the movie has just ended. Apparently, I shouldn't have done all those other things that needed to be done prior to blogging. I will learn one day. I promise.
But today is not that day. You see, I - ack as I was typing I was just ambushed by a two footer. He nearly succeeded. Anyhow, as I was saying, today I was able to take the kids out after work for a bike ride, feed them and lure them away to watch a movie. They barely fell for the usual appeal of "movie night" but somehow after I waved a pixar flick in front of them, they caved. Yes, (selfish) mom of the year!
So onto these stories I aim to tell. Most of them are inspired by my everyday surroundings, occurrences or meetings. I have a pretty neat job that luckily allows me to interact with great people. My curious nature about what is new and exciting always fills my head with ideas of stories that I think others like me would like to hear. Stories about local art champions, activists, travel, entrepreneurship, funny kid stories - got loads of those and much more of course.
So how do I make time? How do you all make time? I need to also eat, exercise and sleep too. Geesh, usually I think I rock in the organization and time department, but maybe its time for a reality check.
Ugh, the movie has just ended. Apparently, I shouldn't have done all those other things that needed to be done prior to blogging. I will learn one day. I promise.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Art lives in downtown Regina
Yesterday was such an exciting day and I was merely a spectator cheering on the fabulous creation of the Creative City Centre (CCC) in Regina. I can only imagine how excited those closest to this highly anticipated initiative must have felt.
Creative City Centre represents many things for our community, but especially to our downtown core. It is a home for multimedia artists to have a space to create. That talent will now live downtown. People, young people will now live downtown. It is in a revitalized space above the infamous Loggies Shoes. That space, owned by Harold Hague pays tribute to this inspiring man, as a gallery was opened and named after him in the CCC. It is bringing art downtown and it is allowing for more creation to take place in our city. After all, we have so much creative talent here, it is only natural for us to support it.
As an artist more so in my former life, this is a meaningful initiative and space for upcoming talent. Marian Donnelly, who spearheaded the creation of the CCC was a determined force working for the betterment of artists, heritage restoration, downtown revitalization and our city in general. It was because of her that the CCC opened and has been warmly received.
I am hoping to become part of this fantastic organization in any way, shape or form. Maybe I will work to support it, or lend my time as a volunteer, or maybe it will inspire me to simply get back to work as an artist. Either way, by way of it being created I am truly proud of what it represents.
Creative City Centre represents many things for our community, but especially to our downtown core. It is a home for multimedia artists to have a space to create. That talent will now live downtown. People, young people will now live downtown. It is in a revitalized space above the infamous Loggies Shoes. That space, owned by Harold Hague pays tribute to this inspiring man, as a gallery was opened and named after him in the CCC. It is bringing art downtown and it is allowing for more creation to take place in our city. After all, we have so much creative talent here, it is only natural for us to support it.
As an artist more so in my former life, this is a meaningful initiative and space for upcoming talent. Marian Donnelly, who spearheaded the creation of the CCC was a determined force working for the betterment of artists, heritage restoration, downtown revitalization and our city in general. It was because of her that the CCC opened and has been warmly received.
I am hoping to become part of this fantastic organization in any way, shape or form. Maybe I will work to support it, or lend my time as a volunteer, or maybe it will inspire me to simply get back to work as an artist. Either way, by way of it being created I am truly proud of what it represents.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Trying out the toe paint
All the pretty polishes lined up in a row. Which one to pick? My eyes dart back and forth by the florally pinks and springy yellows and settle on black, which for those of you who know me is obviously anti-climactic. Mm, I am not feeling overly adventurous during my visit to Jane’s Skin Care and Day spa for my highly anticipated and dually required pedicure. Perhaps it because the process to come it what is all about for me, or at least for the most part.
Once that extremely tough decision is made I sit back and take in the zen of the surroundings. Great magazines, warm fireplace and calming music envelop me as I prepare for my esthetician to come and fetch me. I slip my feet into my little slippers and drift away peacefully knowing that I have a whole two hours of me time today.
The esthetician gently calls my name and I dutifully follow her for what I know will be blissful. There really are fewer relaxing moments for a busy working mom of two besides getting a much deserved pampered treatment. And, I have lucked out. This lady gets my feet, she knows what I like. I am not sure how, but she has got me all figured out. The time passes all too quick and soon my winter feet are artfully transformed into pretty little digits ready to accompany the three new great pairs of black sandals that I have waiting for them at home.
Once that extremely tough decision is made I sit back and take in the zen of the surroundings. Great magazines, warm fireplace and calming music envelop me as I prepare for my esthetician to come and fetch me. I slip my feet into my little slippers and drift away peacefully knowing that I have a whole two hours of me time today.
The esthetician gently calls my name and I dutifully follow her for what I know will be blissful. There really are fewer relaxing moments for a busy working mom of two besides getting a much deserved pampered treatment. And, I have lucked out. This lady gets my feet, she knows what I like. I am not sure how, but she has got me all figured out. The time passes all too quick and soon my winter feet are artfully transformed into pretty little digits ready to accompany the three new great pairs of black sandals that I have waiting for them at home.
Friday, April 15, 2011
A night out in the t dot o dot
A shaky start as I settle into my high class digs as there is a huge plastic barricade view obstructing the lovely downtown hotel windows view of Toronto. Expecting to see a CN tower and realizing my view is now of scaffolding structure, this made for an unexpectant downturn to my initial reaction to the beautiful Royal York. Oh well, I guess that renovations have to get done and this is just a bad case of timing. To add to my dismay, there is a fourteen dollar a night charge for an Ethernet injection. Yipes, it was time to hit the streets.
However after a long while of circling the fashion and shopping district, well maybe, not sure actually of where we (me and a co-worker) were due to a scathy but adoring subway attendant, we finally found out where the action was occurring downtown. Then we settled on a home-style pub. The only one to be found really. Maybe it was the comfort of atmosphere, or the fact that they had beer, but when it came down to it, it was the only non lined up bar in an area of lined up bars, that we wished to enter. Luckily for us we had a very handy and willing to please bartender, Craig, who was able to guide us through. We had some good regular beer but the most interesting part of the bar, besides the fantastic DJ and bar staff, was the fact that across the street was a bar that lured in masses of the same people. Short tight dress – girl, dress shirt jeans – guy. Standing out could be a blessing in this town.
Anyhow, the most exciting part of the night was watching the police jump all over this place like a dirty shirt. First were the bicycles, then the cars, then wait, did I just hear clomping? Yes in fact in fact I did. It is the sound of massive beautiful police horse making their way down the street. Really the scene albeit chaotic is made interesting by the glorious horses. Then there is a van. Let me tell you, they sure have their stuff covered here.
Making our way back to our hotel took a familiar course. One of circularity that is. Anyway we were properly getting drenched but celebrating it in our temporary single life oblivion when bang. A shoe strap goes awry. Three blocks of clomping like a Clydesdale and holding on to my co-worker who began to resemble Tammy Faye, began to wear on me as she refused to give into my hippie ways of walking the streets in bare feet. Finally we make our way through the rain to the comfort of our room without a view. The night was fun but isn’t simplicity great? Having the ability to wander in a city full of choices sometimes makes you long for what is easy. Great friends, great beer, great conversation and greatest of all (especially to moms away from their children), sleep.
However after a long while of circling the fashion and shopping district, well maybe, not sure actually of where we (me and a co-worker) were due to a scathy but adoring subway attendant, we finally found out where the action was occurring downtown. Then we settled on a home-style pub. The only one to be found really. Maybe it was the comfort of atmosphere, or the fact that they had beer, but when it came down to it, it was the only non lined up bar in an area of lined up bars, that we wished to enter. Luckily for us we had a very handy and willing to please bartender, Craig, who was able to guide us through. We had some good regular beer but the most interesting part of the bar, besides the fantastic DJ and bar staff, was the fact that across the street was a bar that lured in masses of the same people. Short tight dress – girl, dress shirt jeans – guy. Standing out could be a blessing in this town.
Anyhow, the most exciting part of the night was watching the police jump all over this place like a dirty shirt. First were the bicycles, then the cars, then wait, did I just hear clomping? Yes in fact in fact I did. It is the sound of massive beautiful police horse making their way down the street. Really the scene albeit chaotic is made interesting by the glorious horses. Then there is a van. Let me tell you, they sure have their stuff covered here.
Making our way back to our hotel took a familiar course. One of circularity that is. Anyway we were properly getting drenched but celebrating it in our temporary single life oblivion when bang. A shoe strap goes awry. Three blocks of clomping like a Clydesdale and holding on to my co-worker who began to resemble Tammy Faye, began to wear on me as she refused to give into my hippie ways of walking the streets in bare feet. Finally we make our way through the rain to the comfort of our room without a view. The night was fun but isn’t simplicity great? Having the ability to wander in a city full of choices sometimes makes you long for what is easy. Great friends, great beer, great conversation and greatest of all (especially to moms away from their children), sleep.
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