jarlsberg and turkey salad

This is what I put in my salad yesterday:

5 snow peas, toped and tailed and cut in half
6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/8 red capsicum, diced
Handful of lettuce/spinach leaves
50g shaved turkey breast
1 slice of lite jarlsberg cheese from the deli (which was 35g & 50 cents!) ripped up
2 tablespoons of praise 100% free dressing (Italian)

Stir together and eat right away. I really need to work on some other kind of dressing ideas?

I left work last night about 7pm and by the time I got home I was just over 6000 steps so I still had a lot to make up. This crazy storm sort of hit Sydney, really windy and I willed it to go away so I could go home, have some dinner then do my walk around the block. I got a call from my dad (who has been recovering really well for the most part) and then my mum so I didn't get to head out the door until just after 9. Ken didn't want to come because of the weather...probably a good thing because when I headed out I decided to do the 'big block' twice because it's about 2000 steps each round. I got to the end of the street and it started sprinkling. And then lots of lighting. And then a bit of thunder. Crap!

I considered going home but didn’t. I got moving and saturated and once I’d made it around once, went home to drop off my phone so it didn’t get ruined and around I went again.

And I did it. And, I actually felt really proud of myself, for not using the rain as an excuse. I was on such a high when I got home!

Off to my last photography class shortly. Only up to 4500 steps so far so it'll be a few times around the block when I get home.

Greek Salad

This is my version of Greek salad

1/2 Lebanese cucumber
1 Ripe tomato
50g Feta
1/4 Spanish onion
drizzle of dressing (I used praise Italian 100% free dressing as it's what was in the fridge)

Toss together and yummo! I do like olives sometimes, like cut up into smaller chunks and mixed in with other things but don't really enjoy them whole (how Greek salad is normally served). Of course, add them if you like them. Next time I'll chuck in some mixed herbs for a bit more flavour. I really enjoyed this as I'd been really craving feta.

I also had a really yummy snack this arvo - Lychee's - YUM!

Today back to work and actually made myself leave the office at 5:30 so I could go and take photos like mad for my last photography assignment that I had no idea how I would finish... By the time I left work I was sitting on 4,000 steps - all my running around taking photos helped. I went back after dark to take some more night shots and caught a guy putting some tinsel up in a tree in the street. I asked him if I could take his photo (I'm doing an assignment on a suburb) and he said of course! And that he wanted a copy and would pay me for one! I told him he'd be happy to give him a print...he runs a restaurant close to me so I told him I'd drop it off to him so I hope it turned out well!

I also got a really cool surprise in the mail today - 2 Christmas cards and a Christmas present from my relatives in the UK! I was so excited to receive them, I love mail (that aren't bills!!) LOL

When I got home from the night shots about 10pm and went around the block twice to make up the rest of my steps and was joined by Ken. This is new territory for us because I've often asked him to come for a walk with me and he's always said no. Now it's been twice in two days! I like it, especially the company late at night. Who knows where this may lead? I'm hopeful :)

Wow, what a great day! :)

weekends are too short!

Friday was a great day! Another super busy one at work but it ended in the sweetest way. My brother came to visit me at work and talked to my directors for over an hour before we headed out for dinner in Darling Harbour. We went to the lovely Cinta Ria – there was a bit of a line up and we got sent away and they called us when our table was ready. The food was lovely and lots of atmosphere. Afterwards we wandered around darling harbour for a walk and watched a street performer who had me in stitches! He really was hilarious! Here’s some of his stuff on youtube

I really had such a nice night, my brother is one of my favourite people and I really don’t get to see him as much as I’d like. He was only here for a few days for work but I really loved our time together. By the time I got home I still had about 500 steps to go so I went around the block (at 11pm!) – Total steps for Friday – 10,680



Saturday I did a few jobs, organised Ken’s Christmas present (I got him window tinting for his car) and afterwards we went back to my fave café. I took a few more photos of the tree so you’d get a better idea of what I was talking about



Isn’t it wonderful? :) I had the yummiest salad with haloumi!



In the afternoon I headed to the city to check out a photography exhibition but it had closed for the day about an hour before I got there so I went wandering around. It was about 5pm and I’d only so far got up to 3,000 steps! I spent the rest of the night in the city with a girlfriend and we walked about a fair bit before dinner. After I’d walked home from the train station I still had about 1,000 steps to go so before going inside I went around the block again and made it to the 10,000

Today I spent over on the Northern beaches helping out some friends with Christmas meeting for an animal welfare society. I must not have walked around too much because by the time I got home in the afternoon I only had 3,000 steps. So at 7pm I headed out for walks around the block, I found a bigger one which I tackled twice and then did my normal block another 3 times (which Ken joined me for which was nice). I was walking around that block for about an hour and a half! It's actually still a real effort to get to the 10,000 steps but I’m still just as determined! I went to the shops tonight and absolutely smashed my target with the most steps yet of my challenge!

As always the weekends are way too short but as always, I'm greatful for a good one! Hope you had a nice one too :)

one step at a time

Well I must say, I’m finding getting to 10,000 steps each day a lot more challenging then I thought it would be. On Tuesday when I started the challenge I thought my day to day activities of walking to and from the train station, and going for my lunchtime walk would have been enough to the 10,000 steps pretty easily. But whey I got home around 9:30pm after a late night at work, had dinner, I checked and I’d only done about 9,000 steps. There was no way I was not going to flake out and not reach my goal on the first day! So I started doing laps around the house and running on the spot. I had to do it in a few goes because I got puffed out but I got there eventually!

Last night I had photography class which I love! I love talking to others who share this passion with me and bouncing ideas off each other. I think taking this class was one of the best things I did this year….anyway after class I talk a walk with one of the girls around the Queen Victoria Building. I love that building! We were drawn in by the beautiful Swarovski Crystal Christmas tree and had to see it from the top so we climbed the stairs and, of course took photos of it. It really is so beautiful...make sure you go check it out if you can. I got home around 10:30pm and I was trilled that I’d already completed the 10,000 and then some. Hurrah! No running around the house.

Today was a challenging day to say the least. Work has been so stressful and I just feel like my workload is never ending lately, and just when I feel like I’m going to drown I get some more urgent tasks, argh!

I wasn’t going to have lunch today but by 2:30, well I guess I had the shits and needed to get out of there! So I went to a camera shop and bought myself a new tripod (and few filters and a case for the camera which I really needed!) I worked late again but left a little earlier today and was home by about 8pm. Ken picked me up today because he arrived home from Melbourne. It was good to have him home. I had not even come close to getting my steps though. I was only sitting on about 6,500....What to do! So I headed out and walked around the block of my house which is pretty huge. I did it three times and when I got home I managed to get to 9,995. Just 5 more steps!! I walked the length of the house twice and then I was done! It was a relief that I managed it when I wasn’t sure how the heck I was going to get there.

I guess I feel a bit flat today, so I wanted to come here and write about how even though I’ve had a tough day, I still managed to get my steps in and not resort to any sorts of comfort food like I’ve been doing lately. I feel like I’ve turned a corner. I really can do this and it’s days like this that prove it to me :)

December

I like that today is the 1st of December. It seems so fresh and like such a great day to kicking myself back into action again. I also weigh in every Tuesday so because today falls on a Tuesday, well I just think that makes it extra cool. I've decided I'm going to be really strict with myself to knock myself back into action. I've been having all too many treats and not treating my body well with the consistant exercise it needs. So I'm going to keep myself accountable and I've started a wearing a pedometer with the aim to get to 10,000 steps per day. It's currently attached to my hip right now and it's staying there! ;)

I've been giving it a test run for the last few days and haven't managed to get quite to 10,000 but I'm determined today is the day where that will happen. I've been flat out at work but made the decision that I was definately going out for a walk today at lunch. And it was raining and cold. But I didn't let it stop me. In fact, I came up with a brilliant plan. I went to the carpark that is closeby and started walking around, starting at the bottom and following the path a car would to get to the top and then back down again and it took me about 25 minutes and boosted up my steps heaps! I was lucky because there weren't many people coming and going and it's quite well ventilated in there. I actually felt proud of myself for coming up with such a brilliant idea and sticking to my plan to walk and not letting anything stop me! :)

I'm going to update my sidebar every night for December with my steps so stay tuned!

Ken's in Melbourne for the next two days (lucky thing!!) so I'm home alone. His work sprung the trip on him this morning so he only flew there at lunchtime which was a bit sucky because I didn't get to say goodbye. I think I'm more upset because I long to go back and visit Melbourne because it's just so awesome! LOL

Anyway last week when I weighed in I was up to 119.3....eek! and today I am 117.4 which is still up from when I was looking after my dad. I'm focused and I'm turning this around! I don't know what I've been thinking during November. But as a very wise woman (congratulations beautiful girl! x) said recently

Choose your future, not your past

and that's going to be my current mantra.

I'm excited about what I'm capable of achieving for the rest of the year :)

there's something about sitting under a shady tree

I've been working really crazy hours at the moment and I was grateful for the weekend just past. I managed to get to my favourite cafe on Saturday AND Sunday for coffee and this pear and raspberry bread with ricotta and mixed berry compote. I just love the way it was served and, my gosh was it delicious!



I just loved being out, under some shady hibiscus trees with a good coffee and a chat. It was so relaxing and peaceful. I'd love to create that kind of peace in my own backyard someday and serve up some of this yummy bread to guests. Our backyard at the moment is a big square of grass with lots of pot plants along the edges of various succulents I've got going and some frangipani trees and some lavender plants... One day!!



I also got some cooking done and made some stuffed capsicums which were delicious! Let me know if you'd like a recipe and I'll put it up.



I headed back to the doctor on Sunday because I still can't hear properly. My infection is gone and there is nothing blocking it anymore. Because he could actually see the eardrum this time he got to have a good look and my hearing loss is being caused by scarring on my eardrum. I'm being really positive and hopeful will return soon.

We got lots of housework done this weekend too. I had some tradies (unfortunately the not so hot kind!) come to install some insulation in our roof which has made a HUGE difference but they left a big mess and dust everywhere so we cleaned all that up and then I pulled our pantry cupboard apart. There was so much crap in there and it was all disorganised. How does that always happen so quickly? It's all neat and tidy and full of stuff I forgot I had that I'm going to work on making things with before they go out of date. I'm going to really and try to be more organised! And as my reward afterwards, I cooled off in our little backyard pool! ;)

Hope you all had a nice weekend. They are always too short aren't they?! :)

Salad Ideas

To help me in future when I seem to 'forget' how to put yummy lunches together, I thought I'd start to keep a record here on my blog with a photo and also use it to inspire me to try some different stuff. I'm mainly going to work on salads since I don't seem to experiment much with them. I don't know why, every time I make them I find them so delicious!

So I'm giving myself a crash course and hoping to expand on just throwing the same old stuff together and thus, getting bored with it. I thought I could then have a series of yummy salads to look back on to get inspiration from if I'm having 'one of those weeks'. Great idea right? :)



The ingredients for this salad were:
90g or half a pack of baby leaves with beetroot (and carrot)
1/4 capsicum
50g lite ricotta
2 tablespoons of praise 100% free dressing (Italian)
25g Chang's fried noodles

Stir it all up and enjoy. I thought this was really yummy - loved all the different sort of crunches I got as I munched my way though

I'm looking for more recipes so if you have some fab websites I'd love for you to share them with me :)

Photo of the week - Thursday

This week I bring you a creative photo!



I took this shot this last night, around 7pm. We had photography class actually out taking photos again, which are the lessons I particularly love.

I can't wait to play around with this some more. Does it make you feel a bit dizzy? :)

Had a bit of a fail moment when towards the end of class my tripod kind of fell appart and broke when it hit the ground... doh!

Lucky the camera was not on it at the time...phew!

Update

Here are some pretty teacups I found rummaging though Rozelle Markets 2 weekends ago. I'm working on a special project with them that I'll come back and share soon. I bet you can't guess :P

Hello blogger friends, sorry for the lack of updates lately. I was extremely busy I then got sick :( I managed to get an ear infection and then before that healed, got an ear infection in my other ear. In the last seven days I’ve been to the doctor 5 times! The second ear infection turned out to be quite a nasty one called pseudomonas aeruginosa and boy, did it attack me! I ended up at Concord hospital on Wednesday night waiting in emergency for a few hours because I couldn’t stand the pain anymore. I also had a fever. They suspected it was a superbug so changed my antibiotic that night and went home to sleep for a few hours. They told me to come back the next morning at 8am to see their ear nose and throat specialist (who I had to wait to see until 12:30pm) and then went home. I started feeling better. I honestly felt like a car had hit the side of my face, it was excruciating. I still can’t hear out of that ear properly as it’s blocked – I went back to the doc last night and he said it’s still too infected to unblock. At least the pain has become alot more manageable. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so bad in my life. It was tough because Ken was away from Saturday until Wednesday so it was tough having no one at home and being so crook. It wasn’t my best week. I also hit something on the way to the doctors one morning and broke the side mirror on my car :( I was also completely bummed to miss my photography class on Wednesday night.

It all started on Friday (13^th) of November, so I’m very much looking forward to just being ‘normal’ again – makes you realise when you get so sick how lucky I am to normally feel so healthy! I had from last Monday until Thursday off work so have so much to catch up on... I’ll get there, I’m so glad to just be feeling better!

In other news... I went to my friend’s baby shower on Saturday. It was so cool! Because I drove there, I didn’t take any pain killers (didn’t want any more car incidents!!) and was in some pain when I left. I took it easy for the rest of the weekend...I pretty much just lounged about and kept falling asleep off and on. The heat in Sydney was quite unbearable! Hitting the 40^s both days.

One thing I did manage to do was make the columns wider on my blog (yay!) I’d been wanting to do it for awhile. I also thought I’d personalise the blog a little more. I've put pictures in the header that represent me and what I talk about here. I don’t really like the look of the scales at the top but that was my very first weigh in at the start of this year. So, I’m going to update it at the start of next year with my current weight and use it as a reminder and motivation!

My weight loss has been stagnate, it’s not been my focus for awhile which has been bothering me. I guess I’ve had alot of time to think after being sick and I plan on making a plan on how I’m going to make things work for me again. Nothing like a plan!! I’ve put on a few kg’s in the last few weeks. It doesn’t make me feel good, and that’s crap because I like to feel good!

Anyway, just wanted to say hello. More to come! :)

Positive Thoughts

More quotes from Annette Sym - Author of the fabulous Symply too good to be true cook books

- Awaken the slim healthy you that may have been hiding for too long. Every day when you wake up know that today is another opportunity for you to shine, for you to get closer to your healthy weight and to be the best you can be.

- Imagine for a moment what it would feel like to be trim, taut and terrific. Imagine right now that you are at your goal weight, that your doctor has given you a clean bill of health and imagine that when you look in the mirror you see a person looking back at you who is proud, happy and in control of their life. Conceive it, believe it and dream it because this could be your reality if you step up and do whatever it takes to make it happen.
- What choices will you make today that will give you the results you desire. Will you say no to temptation or will you find an excuse to take you off course. Life is all about choices so pick wisely.

- Drink 8 glasses of water a day, eat healthy nutritious food that will energise your body, eat in moderate amounts and include activity into your day. These are the keys to weight loss success.

- When we have hope we have a future. When we have strength we can achieve. When we have love we are balanced. When we have self-respect we are able to stand tall.