All or Nothing?

• Posted by Elisa on February 27, 2009 at 8:30am

What you give may be what you get.

I have been rolling this over in my mind this morning as I was kicking myself in the butt. Why was I kicking myself? Because I found myself in a situation of having to do something when it could have been done already. Months ago as we finished off projects around our condo before we listed, I was told to not paint the basement....there was so much other things to do. I knew there was lots to do,but the way the basement looked was a HUGE turn off for me being left in such an unfinished state SO close to being done......especially in contrast to the rest of the space. I went through many sleepless nights pondering the things we needed to get done and I decided to get out of bed and head to the basement and paint. I finished off the mudding and sanding in the stairwell and primed and painted the walls and the stairs as I thought about the other things I had to get done in other areas of the house and my life. I couldn't do much else while others were sleeping and in the end, it turned out well. But one thing lingered on my mind...."I really should finish off the walls in the living space as well.....it just needs a little sanding and I could prime and paint it while I have the stuff out. WELL.....I didn't. I didn't give it the couple hours of attention to just finish it off. I know I did something, but I didn't do it all and now I am back at having to finish it anyhow. It's taking more time as it is now a furnished instead of an empty room and I have to shuffle around and move furniture in order to get at the walls.

In all this I thought about applying myself to anything I want to do in life. I shuddered at the fact of doing anything with a half-attempt, not really caring how I do it or not or doing the work grudgingly. Where is the satisfaction in that? If I am going to do anything, I am going to give my all (or whole heart) to it....regardless if it is something I think I won't like. Because I realized, that regardless of liking what I do or not, it the getting it done and done well that I get a KICK out of. Ever clean up dog doodoo in the spring time?......not fun. However, after cleaning it all up off your lawn, you know that you can enjoy taking care of your lawn and going onto it without worrying about rolling in a dog's leftovers.

I also thought about wanting to get something out of what I put into it. If I am all or nothing, and I put nothing into it, what am I going to get out of it? NOTHING! If I put my half-effort into doing something, how much do I expect to get in return? I should expect half. But if I put my ALL and full effort into doing something, then I can hope to expect a whole lot in return. As I did my workout this morning I gave it my ALL. I didn't finish it all, but for what I did do, I got the most out of it. I did do something as opposed to nothing, but in the SOMETHING I did, I gave it my all! I have muscle awareness all over the place HAHA and it is soooo satisfying. I know that my example of giving my full effort to whatever it is I do, will be seen and hopefully lived out in my children, in my friends and family too. I AM going for ALL as half or nothing doesn't sit well with me. =D

CHICKEN SOUP!!!....What's in yours?

• Posted by Elisa on February 20, 2009 at 5:44pm

As I mentioned my happy dance for chicken soup on twitter today, other fellow FYMs have stated they enjoy chicken soup as well. So I decided to share what I tossed into the pot and would hope others share as well.

Onions, Celery, Carrots
Sea salt and black pepper
Garam masala, tumeric, cayenne pepper, fennel seeds, bay leaves
minced garlic cloves, grated ginger
leftover rotisserie chicken
some chicken stock and water
sweet potatoes

TADA!....chicken soup LOL.

Quote of the day

"you need a valley to reach a peak" - Annik

Thank you Annik! This made me think of all the contrasts we live in life and how we need one to help define the other for us.

What "valleys" have you been through to help you reach (or aim for) the "peaks" in your life?


Elisa

"Wall-E"....reflections part 1....use it or lose it

"Wall-E"....reflections part 1....use it or lose it

* Posted by Elisa on February 18, 2009 at 2:30pm

I can't share enough about this movie so I am doing it in parts.

First point: Use it or lose it!

What do we have to use? Our bodies, our minds, personal interactions, our choices. If we don't keep moving we will not be as mobile. If we don't keep thinking and challenging our mind and grow in what we know...well, we won't grow in what we know and everything changes and evolves around us, so better to keep up than get left behind. If we don't keep social and interact with others, we will not only miss out on challenging our senses, but lose on important feedback as well. AND if we leave our choices to be made by others, we will lose the experience, knowledge and wisdom gained from making our own choices.

DISCLAIMER - If you haven't seen the movie, try and get the opportunity to do so and then come back and read this beyond this point as I may spoil the movie for you =D.



Currently I am feeling like one of those people floating around on the hover thingys as I am experiencing joint pain (could be gout) and cramping. I haven't been very mindful of my eating amidst the stress either. I know I'm not going to stay that way, but as I am watching the movie with my boys, I am reminded to keep at it in the best way I can.

We are provided with a lot of information from the media and multiple sources telling us one way or another to do this or eat that. I would like to think that I question enough to want to check out the info for myself and make my own decision based on the information I sought out and was given. Of course, I wouldn't have sought out the information if it wasn't presented to me in the first place, but I can always expand on what I was exposed to. (Instead of letting a company tell me what to think, do, eat, wear, etc).

Our personal interaction helps us to learn and gain feedback and experience the fullness of life. Let it be with our environment, nature, the sun, the moon, the stars, flowers, plants and how things grow, we are a part of it and it influences us. Being involved in a community that offers support or being out and about and encouraging others and your environment gives encouragement in return.

And last but not least, the continual use, nourishment, and challenge of our bodies will help us to better interact mentally and physically with what is around us. If you want the change, choose to make the commitment in your mind and follow through with continual actions. Every little step counts. Put one foot in front of the other and start walking, jogging, running and skipping and enjoy life! (use that jogging track and help your muscles encourage your bones to stay strong and useful)


Keep on steppin'!


Elisa

For my personal reflection, but you can see too.....I love my smile =D

• Posted by Elisa on February 17, 2009 at 12:30pm

As we move and go through our blog posts, etc, You just gotta love where you are at as you look to the future was a blog I posted with pictures of me almost 3 years ago, 6 months after having my youngest son.

It's interesting to reflect as the body I see in the picture I don't recognize (I don't even know if I really acknowledged it), but I always gravitate to the smile on my face.

This smile encourages me (taken about 2 weeks ago) as it is similar to the first one, but with more support =D.

My "anniversary" at ClubFYM is April 1st, but wanted to express my gratitude before the move =D. Thanks again for being a part of why I smile =D.



Elisa

Carrot Banana muffins

• Posted by Elisa on February 15, 2009 at 8:30am

This is one of my favorite recipes I make. I modified it from Martha Stewart's Carrot cupcake recipe. I switch it up all the time and it's quick and easy.

Carrot Banana Muffins

Ingredients (Makes 12)

* 1/3 cup honey (or agave nectar) and some stevia (1/4 cup sugar equivalent...original recipe called for 1 cup sugar)
* 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use olive oil or coconut oil)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 large eggs (2 large ripe bananas or 1 banana and a tbsp of plain yogurt)
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1 cup chick pea flour
* 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
* 2 cups shredded carrots (could mix it up and use some shredded zucchini)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional....I don't use them)
* 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners. In a bowl, combine honey, vegetable oil, orange juice, vanilla extract, and eggs (or mashed bananas).
2. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, stevia, allspice, cinnamon, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.
3. Stir in carrots, walnuts, and coconut.
4. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 minutes.

Note: Being that I am allergic to eggs, I tend to use bananas (or yogurt) in place of. However, if you can do eggs and want to add the bananas as well, I would use one egg and one banana.


Enjoy!

Valentine candy, crass behaviour, and rewinding the clock

• Posted by Elisa on February 13, 2009 at 3:30pm

Why celebrate the example of others? Years ago a man with the name of Valentine was martyred and they celebrate on February 14th. There are several stories that are out as to why and how he lived his life and not really related to how it's celebrated today. I know that from past experience, when this time of year comes up, children hand out valentine cards and treats to their classmates. We got no notice from my son's teacher that he was required to hand out cards and I asked him if he would like to. He said he already did. He made one in class and gave it to his friend, a girl (LOL not the time to panic haha). When my son got home from school, we emptied out his bag and it was full of candy and cards. I felt like he just came bag from trick or treating or something hehe. I began to sort the candy from the cards and I put the candy in a baggy and set it aside. I am thankful for cards and the encouragement and my son can now focus on that as well. As we go into this weekend, and the rest of the year we can focus on encouraging others and that is worth celebrating.

Now for crass behaviour.......NOT a fan. Wasted pride and energy....it's ugly, destructive, and self-serving. It poisons the environment around you....don't surround yourself with it! (WOW, what a vent!) ....Where did it come from? I have neighbours who have been parking on the grassy areas in our condo complex.....sadly enough with leaking antifreeze and oil and with being the closest unit to the parking lot, it's kinda unfortunate that they would do so. The reason they started parking there? A few parking stall outlets are not working (including ours) and when the temperatures dipped in the minus 30s, they needed to be plugged in. After discarding their garbage, cigarette butts, and phlegm on our neighbour's car, it was time to ask them to stop parking there. I asked once, they moved the car and then parked it back there, with more......3 cars this time. I posted notices on their cars, and it was ignored. Police have been monitoring their actions and today as I saw them about to get into their vehicle, I asked politely if they could park in the parking stall. All but one was agreeable. And that one didn't even drive the car or LIVE there!! Not to say that in approaching them that they would be compliant, but I figured it was worth asking. Not only would they be towed, they would be fined as well.

After returning inside, I starting thinking in reverse. I started thinking about people I know and turning back the hands of time through their lives. Seeing their lives in the past and how they handled it reflects in the lives they live today. I am now realizing, that some of the people I know that are successful, accomplished, giving, and loving lived some pretty harsh experiences. They chose to be strengthened and also chose to act and respond in a way that would not encourage the harshness to continue in their lives. They made a change for the better. And I can not even imagine what the lady that started to bark at me lived like in the past. Even if her life was hard and harsh, it's how she chose to respond that has made the difference in her life today. Maybe even in who she has chosen to be surrounded by have rubbed off on her and she has chosen to "celebrate" their example and pass it on to others.

What positive, nurturing, life and love advocating actions and examples am I going to celebrate? Those of my family and friends that I have chosen to surround myself with as well as those that have set the example I want to follow in the past. There are even people I don't know (yet) that their positive contribution to the environment around them have influenced my life positively as well. I am grateful for "negative" interactions as they confirm that I want to move in a positive direction and stay that way.=D


Elisa

Numb....

• Posted by Elisa on February 12, 2009 at 10:48am

I'm not sure if it is done successfully or not, but I wonder how people get along well with little to no support. In just over a month it will have been one year since I joined ClubFYM. Before that I struggled with feeling alone and unsupported, looking to share my thoughts and struggles with someone tangible who would listen. Someone who would respond with emotion and concern, and express an interest in who I am as a person.

Without giving away too many details or letting my mind go off on a tangent, I am in need right now. I am feeling weakened and struggling for strength. To maintain sanity, I have put myself into sharing my thoughts and reaching out to others. I have had little sleep for a number of reasons and it leaves me open to feeling undone......it can be a good thing as it helps to bring about the necessary change needed, but I am lacking tolerance and focus. I thank you all in advance for your support and encouragement.

The doughnut you ate was not chewed on by your thighs

• Posted by Elisa on February 11, 2009 at 9:00am

I listened to Holly's interview with Scott Colby and I must say, it is fun to here the fun they have on these calls. But something in what Holly shared stood out in my imagination. It was in regards to spot reduction exercise. I know that many people tend to forget that their body is a complete system and see it for it's individual parts instead of as a whole. But the imagery that came to mind was a woman rubbing fat onto her thighs and then the other was of someone stuffing fatty foods under their skin. We don't consume food into the one area of our body. We put the food into our mouths and the "extras" get stored as fat after being circulated through our bodies (it's a generalization, but you get the idea).

Anyone have those cargo pants? With the big pockets? I used to wear these often and would just stuff the pockets full of stuff. Imagine if our body stuffed the extra fat in our eyelids? Or the gums in our mouth? How about our tongue? In our nose? We wouldn't be able to function. The fat gets stored on parts of the body that still allow us to have a range of motion and function as best it can to help us to survive. When we put into our body what it needs to function optimally, then the rewards of what it gives back encourages us not only to survive, but to thrive. With a full body workout program (i.e. FYM) and supportive nutrition habits we can focus on the whole package functioning instead of particular body parts holding on to fat.

Of course this parallels with how we contribute to our own success and in encouraging those around us. Do we focus on the flaws of others or do we encourage them as a whole package? Do we keep working hard at our flaws or decide to work our strengths to help strengthen our weakness and encourage others with what we are strong in? We as individuals are a part of the whole and what may be our "flaws" may be a strength to someone else. As I continue working on keeping my focus directed in a positive and productive way, I hope that by looking at the whole picture I may benefit by encouraging others and others encouraging me =D. Glad to be a part of whole picture here at ClubFYM.

Thank you ladies =D.


Elisa

I totally BONKED this morning

• Posted by Elisa on February 10, 2009 at 11:00am

Ok, I decided I would try out some info I came across to confirm if it will work for me or not. I woke up early before my children and decided that since I "missed" my workout yesterday as I chose to get the rest I needed after a fulfilling, but draining weekend, I would jump first thing into a workout today. I had a glass of juice and was going to get to it. Then my oldest woke up. Got him breakfast (hemp granola, plain yogurt and a few goji berries) and then headed to my workout. I jumped in after a quick warm up and I felt I was cranking. Actually I realized I wanted heavier weights cuz I counted past 12 in the set. I did a quick check to find out the store across the road would be getting a visit from me soon since I couldn't see any DBs on the site. Then my youngest woke up....put him on the potty (woohoo #2), got him cleaned up and sat him down for breakfast and went back to my workout. At this point I was thinking, "Well that sucks! It's well past 15 min and I am SURE I used up all the energy running around not focused on just getting my workout done." So I jumped back into the second set and I pulled off the first set, but at the end of it, I was waning at the end of it. Started into the second set and my oldest came down chatting at me and asking questions, trying to show me stuff......and yeah! Annoyed, out of energy, and lacking in focus, I let it be done at the end of the second set. I figured since I would be heading downtown to run an errand for the hubby, I could get the intervals in as I ran for the bus, as usual. Hubby noticed something missing on what I was going to turn in for him, so he had to get that taken care of (out goes the interval session).
What did I learn? I am STICKING to having my full breakfast first thing in the morning, and THEN I will proceed with my workout with a bigger window of opportunity to get my workout in....I'm a mom after all. I noticed I have a lot less frustration and a lot more focus after having a proper breakfast. My recommendation, go to bed at night with having had a decent dinner, have a good breakfast in the morning, and post-workout meal is not negotiable, especially as a mom =D.


Elisa

On the road again.....the ease of meal planning

Posted by Elisa on February 7, 2009 at 6:33am

I just finished my breakfast at my friends house a few hours south from where we live and I was satisfied with not only the meal, but with how easy it was for me to plan out our meals for the weekend while at our friends house. It's funny how I have been struggling with meal planning at home on a day to day basis being that last year it seemed to be simple enough to do. It took me, at most, 5 minutes to write down in my planner easy snacks and breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for 3 days. Let me share what I brought with us:

Cooked quinoa
Trail mix bags I put together (almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, raisins)
Sliced zucchini and red pepper
Apples
Hummus
precooked chicken
Organic plain, unhomogenized yogurt
Carrot muffins I baked
Rice milk
Hemp Granola
Multigrain tortilla chips
Juice

I packed the trail mix in little snack bags at the beginning of the week and set them aside. Then the morning before we left I cooked the quinoa as we had breakfast, sliced the veggies and mixed up the muffin batter before I walked my son to the bus stop and then baked the muffins as he was in school and in between packing up our stuff.

With just a little time spent planning at the top of the week, I had 3 days of fun options for the kids and myself, and we can spend our time having fun and enjoying the company of our friends instead of worrying about what to eat and if we can eat it or not. As it is not just me with food sensitives, but my kids as well, I wanted to make sure that my options were better than the tasty temptations we may encounter, but also simple to prepare. It also took up very little room and that is always a good thing when you are bringing food that needs to be refrigerated (and the fact that we were packed into the back seat of the car).

I have given myself a little peace of mind that one of our fundamental needs are met and not left in the control of those that may not know how best to meet that need. It's all up to me.

Tags: meal, planning, prepare, snacks

ROAD TRIP to Calgary!!!.....4 week results

Posted by Elisa on February 5, 2009 at 1:23pm

I'm excited that after years, we are finally heading South to Calgary for the weekend. It will be a welcome break from a lot of things including time with my hubby HAHA. He'll be going winter camping with the brothers (Male bonding ....grunt, grunt!) from the Calgary church and I will be visiting with friends in the city and be in fellowship with our church family before we head back up Sunday evening. Ahhhh, what a feeling =D.
Also, I began week 5 of the NYTC and I wanted to say YEAH!!! Love the deadlifts!!! Love the fly!!! And LOVE the way my lower back looks. My skin is looser, my tummy looks flatter, and I like my shape =D. I have no excuse for not getting in a workout really. I started my FYM journey with 2 minutes a day! It's what you make of it. I know that I can through in pushups or squats throughout my day. But at this time I am choosing to get the full benefit of how the FYM workouts are laid out as I know they yield results with my body.I'm still getting back to it, but I am thankful for where I am at with my focus at this time as I am able to share the time line with all the other tasks on hand atm. I'm going into business it looks like and it is just the beginning. So many options to work with. I am really enjoying my move to the advanced workouts and glad that my body is primed and trusting in me to give it what it wants and needs. My body trusts that I will protect it from harm and when I slip, it jumps in to help (not sure what I ate or was triggered by the other day, but always thankful for the additional cleaning hehe).

A picture of me in one of the goal jeans (don't let the picture fool you these are SNUG 80's style)...TRUE to life skinny jeans, but really warm in cold weather HAHA. I bought all the jeans SNUG,so I have no option,but to stay as I am or get a little leaner and THAT is my physical goal. And Mary, I got the brown boots....not as sexy as the black ones and I think that is a good thing HAHA (pssssst). I can't WAIT to see ME after 12 weeks let alone all the other women in this challenge. This ROCKS!

Results so far:
Weight: 145 lbs down to 140 lbs
Arms: 11" down to 10 3/4"
Chest (above breast): 33" up to 34"
Chest (under breast): 31" up to 32"
Waist: 29" down to 28 1/2"
Abdomen: 30 1/2" down to 30 1/4"
Hips: 36" up to 36 1/2"
Thighs: 21 1/2" up to 22"
Calves: 15" same

Tags: friends, goal, results, trip

Mung Bean Pancakes

• Posted by Elisa on February 4, 2009 at 5:46am

This is a recipe that was inspired by both Korean (bindae duk) and Indian (Pesarattu) recipes combined. I put my modifications into this version in italics.


Ingredients

* 1 cup split mungbeans (original recipe calls for hulled, I use whatever I have on hand)(I used whole)
* 1/4 to 3/4 tsp cayenne
* 1/2 tsp salt (original recipe calls for 1 tsp. omit and increase other spices according to your own salt comfort level).
* 1/4 tsp turmeric
* 1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
* 1 tsp garam masala (I think I add this to everything LOL)
* 2 scallions, cut into very fine rounds
* 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped (I just chop it) (I don't do tomatoes,so I chopped 1/2 red bell pepper)
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
* 2 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup water, plus soaking water

Instructions

1. Soak the mung beans for seven hours in lots of water. Drain, rinse the mung beans and discard the soaking liquid.
2. Put all the ingredients except the scallions, tomato and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until you have a smooth and light batter. Transfer the batter into a bowl.
3. Stir in scallions, tomato and cilantro.
4. Spray a good non stick pan with a little oil and wait until it is warm (the original recipe calls for lots of oil, but I find that not necessary). Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter in the center of the pan. Spread the batter with the bottom of a large spoon and form a pancake.
5. Wait until the bottom part seems done. Turn around and bake the other side.
6. Enjoy!

I dipped with a little tamari soy sauce, but can be eaten plain. Also keep your eye on the pan as they brown quite quickly (at least for me ;D).

Tags: beans, breakfast, recipe