Life with Chere Michelle

Inspirational Rambles by one Veggie girl trying to live happy & healthy.

Archive for category Keep Moving

Lions, Tigers and….Wolves? Oh My.

May 25

Posted by Chere Michelle in Eating Right, Healthy Living, Keep Moving, Nutrition | No Comments

It’s almost the end of May and it’s raining. Again. Or still? No, that’s not fair because we did have a few lovely days last week. Well one comes to mind actually- last Friday. It was clear and sunny….warm even. It’s summer in less than one month and if the sun doesn’t hurry up and hit this city I…I…um, well I don’t know what I’ll do but it won’t be pretty dammit! I. Need. Sun. OK, enough about what I need though and let me tell you what’s been going on lately…

We had a wolf drop by the clinic today. No, not a “pet” wolf- it was a wild one from the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife  who needed some medical attention. He came heavily sedated with his OWN Veterinarian and several others standing guard. I have to admit I was expecting this lithe grey coloured wolf like the ones recently featured in a National Geographic article I read…not the HUGE furry white beast that was carried in. His sheer size surprised me- he was massive. Had I familiarized myself with the Grouse Mountain website, I would have known what to expect! Weighing in at only 100 lbs though, it was pretty clear his coat was quite thick and dense thus attributing to that weight. For a ‘small animal practice’ it was pretty exciting to have a wild animal of that kind in our humble little clinic!

Last night, as My Guy and I sat through the most intense, nail-biter of a hockey game he said, “I can’t wait for hockey to be over so we can go for a bike ride again.” As much as we love our dear Canucks and the fact we’re in the Stanley Cup Finals, I don’t think we’ve even so much as glanced at our bikes for the past 3 weeks. Some may say it’s a sad excuse for hockey isn’t on EVERY night after all…but it’s our story and we’re sticking with it. We do have several days ahead of us however before the next game…so really there isn’t a valid reason I can’t get out and ride. Oh wait, yeah I forgot: IT’S POURING RAIN OUTSIDE!! Summer is creeping up on us and I’m not bikini-ready…

 I bought a big jug of OJ at my last grocery shop with the intent of getting back into taking my Greens. I used to take this stuff faithfully and felt great while doing it…and then I let life get in the way and I stopped. I started out using the Greens + Extra Energy and then with all the bowel and intestinal issues I had, I thought perhaps the Greens + Daily Detox might be a better product. I really did notice a difference on the Extra Energy but I got lazy. That’s all there is to it. This product doesn’t come super cheap but I truly feel like it’s money well spent because it’s so good for my body. I had some last night and will again tonight. If you haven’t tried the Greens products from Genuine Health I suggest you look into them and give them a try. Plus the website is jam-packed with info so that alone is a great place to start! Personally I’m happy and I’ve only tried 2 of them! Oh if only I could afford more! 

Coming soon will be some new recipes and reviews so check back often!

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Stuff I’m Excited About #6

May 8

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Keep Moving, Nutrition, Vegetarian | No Comments

I figure enough time has gone by since my last ‘Stuff I’m Excited About’ post and I can safely write another one without the fear of boring (or pissing off) some readers! Sometimes I need direction with my blog posts; I often just ramble and blab so feel free to shoot me an email and tell me to find a thought and stick with it.

Today has been a glorious day so far. I just got in from a bike ride and as I contemplated what to write I thought about the simpler things in my life that bring me such pleasure. Like the first bite of a cracker topped with olive tapenade, or a perfectly brewed and sweetened cup of Earl Grey tea. These 2 things are pure heaven to me. In fact I just had a sip of tea and it’s GORGEOUS.

So some things I’m excited about? Well first things first, my dear Mom has finally been exposed to Kicking Horse Coffee at a little cafe on the Island where she lives. She was so impressed she emailed me about how good it was and no word of a lie, she must have used at least a dozen exclamation marks. She has no idea what they were brewing there, only that it was indeed Kicking Horse. She went to her local Thrifty’s and looked at the selection available…and can’t wait to try it again. Ah my Mom, she’s the best. (Speaking of mothers- did you call yours?? It is Mothers Day after all…)

Something else crossed my path today…a new soy milk has entered the market. Or, quite possibly it’s been out for awhile and I have either been living under a rock or it’s not in Canada yet. It’s Earth Balance Soymilk. This is the company that makes a delectable vegan ‘margarine’ that is excellent for baking, and I had no idea they had milk too! I’m curious about it since I am a die-hard Silk fan, and it would have to be really, really good for me to switch. Maybe it’s not available in Canada…or maybe it is and I just need to make a trip to Whole Foods to wander through the aisles and drool.

My Guy picked up one of gardein’s complete meals: called a Trio. I think he got the Sicilian, but I’m too lazy at the moment to actually get up and go check in the fridge. It’s toted as a ‘complete meal ready in minutes’ and consists of their delectable ‘chickn’ with sauce, over top of brown basmati rice. We are going to try it together and I’ll have a review shortly. I imagine it’s going to be fantastic and this means another solid and satisfying (healthy) lunch time option for Veggies alike or those just trying to go a little Meatless these days.

I have a bell on my bike shaped like a little red bell pepper with a fist beside it. You pull the fist back when you want to ring the bell. Genius. My Guy and Moops got it for me for my birthday and I absolutely fell in love with it at first sight. A bell pepper for a bell! I am going somewhere with this…HUGE PET PEEVE…is cyclists who don’t use a bell when they’re on a crowded area such as the Seawall or not-so-wide bike paths. I think it’s courteous to give a heads up and let another cyclist (or a jogger, pedestrians etc) know that you are coming up behind them, and are about to pass them. In the same vein, if you’re one of those pedestrians and you are on a shared pathway with bikers, please be alert for the sound of a bell…we ring them for a reason. That’s it, that’s all today- enjoy your day! And Happy Mothers Day!

The coolest bike bell ever



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Saturday Thoughts

May 7

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Keep Moving, Weight Loss | No Comments

I got up today to the rain. I wanted to go right back to bed and sleep the day away. In fact, as I type this I’m watching a hail storm out my living room window; the hail stones are bouncing up as they hit the ground and pummeling the window. Ah Spring, how lovely you are…

Instead of going back to bed this morning though I decided to walk to work. No, I don’t work Saturdays but I told myself awhile back that if the gas ever goes to $1.40/litre or above, I have to think of an alternative method of getting to work. Since I moved off of the North Shore where I work, getting there isn’t as easy on transit…but of course it’s do-able. I don’t want to take transit though because is that going to save me any money, really? I drive a VERY economical car and the price of a transit pass in this city is pretty high…so no, transit wasn’t what I was thinking.

I thought I could always walk. I love walking. I knew the driving time and distance, but had never tried to walk it so today was a test run of sorts. I only planned to walk to Stanley Park, not actually walk across the bridge today, just to see how long it would take me. My house to the park is almost 6 km and I got there in just over 56 minutes and there is still a long way to go. Realistically, if I walk to work it COULD take me awhile. Once I timed myself, I needed to walk home of course…so I cut through the West End and took the Seawall home. The scenic route so to speak…now I’m dead-tired.

These ridiculous gas prices make me so mad. There is no reason for it and yet we will keep paying it…there will always be a group of people who can afford the higher prices and will keep buying. I’m seriously not sure how long I can justify the purchase though.

I can bike to work too. That’s a possibility. Something about cycling through downtown scares me though and it’s a silly fear. This city is COVERED IN BIKE STREETS. I have options.

That’s what is on my mind this rainy Saturday. I’m staring out the window thinking how lucky I am not to have been caught in that downpour earlier…and how schizophrenic the weather here is. Hours ago the sun was shining through the clouds and I was walking without my coat. Now it’s stop and start hail…

Sunshine where are you?

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Tuesday Night is the Best Night

Apr 12

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Keep Moving | No Comments

What a GREAT NIGHT! It began with a surprise visit with Moops- always a bonus. Then dinner was some gardein herb dijon breasts over rice and served with broccoli…and after that a bike ride! I’m the kind of person who NEEDS to know how many km’s I’ve just done, and I can’t tell you that yet because I haven’t mapped it out on Gmaps Pedometer yet. But I *think* it was a long ride. My thighs are saying it was a long ride…

We just got in and while My Guy ate some fruit salad and yogurt, I decided to try a cereal sample I was sent a few weeks ago. I wrote the review here so head on over to the Reviews tab and check it out. Final verdict? And remember, I’m somewhat of a self-diagnosed cerealaholic- is that it’s a damn good cereal. The Sog Factor is pretty much zero and if you know cereal, then you KNOW how important it is that the product be able to hold it’s own when faced with milk…Since I’m constantly trying to get more fibre in my diet, this cereal may be a good addition since one serving has about 25% of my daily requirement. Not bad, not bad at all…Curious? Check it out.

My Guy and I decided a few weeks back that we would eat more fruit and it’s been going REALLY WELL. We have a fruit salad every day- usually as a mid morning snack- and personally speaking, I’m loving mine. This is a time in my work day when my breakfast has worn off and I want to nibble, especially on sweet stuff. Knowing I have this container o’ fruit to pull out is a saving grace for me! If you’re looking to add more fruit, or fibre…or just want to snack healthy, than try bringing fruit to work. Sure it can seem a bit labour intensive but My Guy and I split the job…sometimes I get it ready, sometimes he does. We both feel great for doing it.

Now my friends, a hot shower is calling me…have a wonderful night and if you haven’t done so already- get out and MOVE!

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Climbing that Wall…

Feb 2

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Keep Moving | No Comments

Do you like to breathe clean air? Hate it when you’re walking down the street enjoying life and you take a deep breath only to get a lungful of second hand cigarette smoke? * I HATE THAT!*

February 27, 2011 will be the 10th Annual Stairclimb for Clean Air in Vancouver…it’s 48 storey’s of climbing all the way to the top of the Wall Centre Hotel and My Guy will be taking part! This event is to raise money and awareness for the BC Lung Association; going towards research, education and patient support programs across the province.

If breathing clean air is important to you, and have a little something extra to donate to this cause please visit My Guys Donation Page and give what you can. No amount is too small as long as you give with your heart…and I guess your lungs too ;-)

Think you can climb this?

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Persistence

Jan 28

Posted by Chere Michelle in Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Keep Moving | No Comments

I had a crappy day at the gym today. I had a little session about my body/weight etc and saw my body fat percentage…and my current weight. I knew I’d gained weight; hell only 1 pair of jeans fit me but how did I get like this? Actually, scratch that…I know how. Eating too much and exercising too little. That’s all there is to it. It’s simple really, but I am at that point where I have gained too much to just be okay with it and it will melt off…no, it won’t. This is weight gain and I feel terrible- but it’s all in MY HANDS. I have the power to change it and I momentarily forgot that today.

I saw the numbers and I instantly wanted to be home. I wanted to be surrounded with my stuff, My Guy, the Boys, you name it. I should have been driven to go work out by those numbers. I should have had the mind-set that I “AM GOING TO MAKE THOSE NUMBERS LOWER DAMMIT! IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!” But I did the opposite. I retreated into myself, let myself feel all blue and fled. I did go to Kins and buy a ton of produce though, if that counts for anything. I didn’t drown my sorrows in a Dairy Queen Blizzard or some greasy fries at the food court…

I know My Guy is disappointed and I don’t blame him. Just the other night he told me ‘persistence is the only thing that will pay off.’ Persistence. When I trudged in tonight he showed me a quote he had seen at work and brought it home because it was so relevant to how he felt:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

I have no idea who said it- perhaps one of his colleagues, I don’t know…I didn’t ask yet because I was letting words sink in, and trying to not be too disappointed in myself. This was ONE day I didn’t work out and walked out of the gym…I worked out at the beginning of the week, and last week…so I need to remember that this was ONE time. I also need to realize only I can change this situation I am in and make my body as healthy as it used to be. I don’t have an excessive amount of weight to lose, my road isn’t that long, but it’s one that feels uphill to me right now. I understand and sympathize with those of you who struggle on this journey to lose weight; I know it’s hard and can seem impossible at times.

I want you to read that above quote though, whenever you want to quit. Think about persistence and understand yes, it IS important and only if we continue to better ourselves will we get to where we want to be. We do have that power and I thank My Guy for shoving it in my face…(not literally, he’s a lovely man, really…)

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Are you too Busy?

Nov 6

Posted by Chere Michelle in Inner Happiness, Keep Moving | No Comments

I love it when I cruise the wonderful Web and find a random post that just resonates in my mind and I think: I have to share this! I just stumbled across this blog post, Have You Been for a Run Lately? The Author, Mark Vanderkam, asks some pretty important questions about how to achieve balance in our every day lives. What are we seemingly too busy to do, and how does this affect our productivity? Check it out, and then my friend, get your butt outside…

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A Bump in the Road

Sep 23

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Keep Moving | No Comments

I was so proud of myself. I was sticking to my running, I was feeling positive, I felt I had finally got back into my old groove I’d somehow misplaced…and then I stumbled. Literally. I stumbled and caught myself from falling by grabbing on to a mailbox at the end of the street. It was a week ago and I decided to go out into the early evening for a run, while My Guy & Moops watched a movie. I’d taken the past 2 days off due to a slight pain in my knee and felt stronger…ready to get back out. I’d been running for about 15 minutes and the slight pain turned a little more into a somewhat ‘nagging’ pain that at times throbbed. I saw the end of the block ahead and spied the mailbox. “Just to the mailbox…” I panted and kept going.

It was there I stumbled, sucked in my breath and hung onto the shiny red surface thinking, ‘OK this doesn’t feel good.’ I began to walk, trying not to limp and in my complete stupidity of the moment, even tried to take a few more running steps only to fall back with a choking cry like a baby, to realize there was NO WAY I was running back home. I didn’t have my phone either so I began to hobble home. At this point (and I had alot of time to think on the way back) I really thought I’d just pushed myself too hard maybe, or aggravated a muscle.  The pain after all was radiating from the inside of my knee; but on the INNER side of my leg. Actually by the time I got to my back door, the pain was pretty much encompassing the whole damn knee…the rest of my evening was spent with ice and a downward spiral of thoughts…I felt like I’d been socked in the gut with this injury, like I’d done it on purpose, I’d failed- you name the negative feeling and it was coursing through my mind at that moment. I knew in my head, this pain would take a few weeks to subside and that I had to let it heal. Properly.

The next morning led me to the ER…I’ll spare you the details but the bottom line is: Bursitis in my knee and the technical jargon is Pes Anserine Bursitis. This link gives you a great idea of where exactly the bursa is located, and why it hurts so damn much. OK granted it doesn’t look like much, but it hurts. Or else I’m a wimp. No, it hurts alot.

I feel a tad useless at moment as I can’t even go for a walk. It took me about 20 minutes to go 4 blocks the other day to get one little ‘ol tomato for dinner. I’m trying to use the rest and ice method but working all day at the clinic, keeps me from resting the area 100%.

I need to get back on track desperately though- this time to sit and think is getting me nowhere! I did however receive a really cool thing in the mail yesterday. The good folks at Dr. Natura sent me a free trial of the Colonix program. I’m looking forward to starting this to see if there is relief from this myriad of bowel problems I’ve been dealing with for so long now…

I don’t know that I have a moral or a message for this post today. I think, more than anything, I needed to vent about what happened to me and to realize it’s not the end of the world. I will be up and moving again SOON and I just have to find patience…that thing I can never find dammit.

Be well. And stretch good before you exercise; pay particular attention to your hamstrings.

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It’s Better with Someone…

Sep 9

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Keep Moving, Weight Loss | No Comments

Don't do it alone...

So I’ve given myself an hour to write tonight…I’m not 100% comfortable still in my ‘writing’ area but it’s shaping up slowly. A work in progress if you will…

I mentioned I’ve gained some weight back lately and My Guy and I decided to work together more vigorously at getting out and working up a sweat. (mind out of the gutter please!) Just knowing I have his support makes a world of difference. I don’t know if the average person, like my co-workers for example, can tell I’ve gained weight but I certainly can and that’s the issue. I’m not totally happy in this body in it’s current shape- so I need to fix that. It’s so much better to have a support system, and have that person you can go out and do things with. If you’re struggling to lose weight, or to even start on a fitness regime- grab a buddy. I can’t stress how hard it is to do this on your own…

When I lost over 50 lbs several years ago, at the beginning of my journey…I started alone. I had just left a relationship, moved to a new neighborhood and was depressed at the recent changes in my life. I felt I had nobody to ask to help me, and so I struggled through alone. I won’t lie…it was hard. Looking back I feel pride I did it yes…but I remember alot of loneliness during that time. There were people I could have asked but I didn’t want to ‘burden’ anyone. I know now, a true friend would NEVER think it a burden to help someone on a path to being more happy and healthy.

Having My Guy to come home to, and walk with or run with just gives me that added little kick-in-the-butt I need. After all, us BOTH getting out and moving only makes our relationship stronger….right?

I’m back to marking on my calendar with a funky little sticker, when I do get out and get my heart racing and blood flowing. I suggested this a few years back when I needed any little thing to keep me going…and I still stick to it. Looking at the calendar covered in smiley faces and seeing my effort laid right out in front of me really makes me feel good. Life is short and we gotta take care of the little things that make us feel GOOD. Plain and simple…

Grab a buddy, get out, get moving and feel how good it can be. Remember baby steps and go at your OWN PACE…

Love CM

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Just another day in Paradise

Sep 1

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Keep Moving | 2 Comments

Sometimes I feel like a utter and complete wreck. If it’s not my bowels bothering me, it’s my head…which pounded for 3 days and I went to the doctor at My Guy’s insistence. I grumbled, “I’m not a SICKIE!” but my doc said I’ve got an ear infection…in both ears. I wish at times I could rip these hunks of flesh off my head and chuck them in the ocean for all the grief my ears have caused me over the years. This was one more little thing to add on to make me feel just a little bit crappy…I’m on different antibiotic drops (with a steroid in it) and it’s only day 2 but I have high hopes. So to those who know me and work with me, just speak a little louder because I swear, I’m not ignoring you!

The new digs are great but there are some problems in the name of Aslan, the cat. He’s keeping us up at night, every night, with his meowing, batting at the pulls on the blinds, beating up his brother, swatting My Guy’s alarm clock off his bed-side table at 4 am….the list goes on. I thought maybe it’s just because we’re in a new place and surely he’ll calm down…but no, not so far and we’re both getting grumpy. Shutting the bedroom door does no good because Aslan just throws his big body against the door and howls in rage…then the other cat gets all agitated…and the madness never stops…See this vicious cycle?

On the bright side, everything I need is within walking distance now. Technically it was before but I had to wade through Suburbia-Hell to get to it, so I always hopped in my car to get where I needed to go that much faster. Now it’s different. I WANT to walk along Main…I want to walk to my doctors and take Cambie back or explore a new little street and discover a tucked away little family grocer I never knew existed.

I’m standing here on this invisible line; one step in front of me is this new life and I’m so eager to jump head first into it. It’s one step at a time, one day at a time and all these little obstacles (like my ears and Aslans night-time antics) are just little bumps along the way. Life is a collection of these little things and we should be in tune to them.

Before I leave, let me leave you with one little story…it happened this morning at 7 am. I decided to walk out with My Guy as he left for work, a little kiss on the back porch, you know how it is. As I’m standing there watching him walk off in the pouring rain, I see some of the items we haven’t really found a home for yet, getting wet so I think “I should go move those out of the rain.” I reach behind me and pull the door closed so the crazy cats don’t escape…little do I know My Guy has locked the door (the bottom twisty-type lock). I go about my business and move some stuff and decide it was a dumb idea, too cold and want to go back inside…BAM! I walk into the door as I attempt to turn the handle. It’s locked! It’s 7 am, and I’m in a robe and slippers…the more I hesitate the farther down the street towards the bus stop, is My Guy. I hitch up my robe, kick off my slippers and run down the side of house bellowing his name…he can’t hear me! It’s raining and he’s probably running for the bus…I bellow more for good measure though.

I had to admit defeat and thought long and hard about the possibilities of crawling through the barred windows (albeit the bars are quite decorative and all) while the 2 cats stared at me. No doubt they were wondering what the hell I was doing on the wrong side of the window when there was breakfast to be dished out…

Hundreds of thoughts flew through my head: ‘Yay I can take the day off, but wait how will I call in? And wait, what kind of day off will it be in the rain?’ Sigh. The landlords live 2 streets up the road so again, I hike up my robe, clutch my slippers to my chest and head out into the rain. It’s pouring- hard, typical Vancouver rain. Unrelenting. (Turns out the radio announced it was the wettest day today…but I digress) I run up the street in my bare feet, the cool water feels kind of nice actually and it’s liberating to fly by morning commuters in your robe; a flash of my fuchsia nightie lending me a touch of mystery (or so I like to think…).

I rounded the hedge to landlords house, and there He was. On the porch, face to face with a drenched mad-woman, no doubt homeless in a robe with wet slippers in her hand…I had nothing to say but ‘Um hi. I locked myself out…’ and he laughed. I laughed too.

…I ran home with the spare keys clutched in my fingers, the cool wetness no longer feeling that great because my feet felt raw….but I got in to the warmth and to my hungry cats!

That my friends, was a helluva way to wake up…and all before my coffee!

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