I tell myself it’s the weather. We had this teaser of sun last weekend. I got some colour and we lazed in the back garden after an awesome long urban bike ride. It was warm enough to be without a sweater and My Guy even dozed off on the grass…pure heaven. Then the rain came back. It’s a crappy excuse though because hey, I live on the Wet Coast. I know this is the weather we have. It doesn’t mean I have to LOVE it though. I try to tell myself I’m allowed to be in a funk if I want to be. Rumour has it the sun will come back, hopefully for the weekend and I can get back on my bike and feel alive once more.

I dread going to the gym these days. It’s only because the thought of being inside a hot, stuffy room with a bunch of whirling and thumping machines doesn’t appeal to me at all. But can I lose these extra pounds on the bike alone? Can I do it? Am I making lame-ass excuses again? I just want to be outside. In the warm air…

It’s just one of those days…it too shall pass. Tomorrow I’ll wake up loving life once more and excited to see what the day will bring.

I thought of another reason for my funk. Aslan, one of our cats, was ill (but on the mend). He’s never 100% due to the fact he’s a diabetic and has pancreatitis…but he had an attack (of pancreatitis) over the weekend and it really scared me. I was so thankful I worked in the industry and could bring him to the hospital; that I could watch him and had people I *knew* and trusted looking after him. My Guy and I were so worried because everything Aslan is – annoyingly cute, a brat, begger of food – he was not over the past 3 days. He was listless, his eyes were blank and staring. He also wasn’t eating. My heart broke because he can’t tell me where it ‘hurts’…perhaps it’s silly to be so attached to an animal- some might say. I say, screw them. He’s on the mend- and the difference is amazing…although the outcome is GOOD now, the anxiety and tension that was built up in my body has now erupted…and I’m drained.

But I digress. Perhaps I’ll retire to bed with a book and wait for this funk to pass.

Sleep tight.

I already blogged about the wonder of the Burrito. How you can make up an assembly line of wraps one weekend day and add some spicy beans, cheese and grilled veggies, roll up and pop in the freezer. Take these out the night before and chuck in your lunch bag, or the fridge for a fast snack. I’m also a fan of a pot of rice and beans in the fridge to make up wraps with. Now I vary my combinations to keep it lively; Spanish rice and black beans or Greek rice and pinto beans…it’s your choice!

Use a lazy Sunday to whip up a huge batch of homemade pasta sauce and freeze it in portions- this way you ALWAYS have a filling and nutritious pasta sauce waiting and you didn’t just crack open the lid on a jar of Ragu; you actually MADE IT! While you’re cooking that up, make up a pan of lasagna or a big pot ‘o chili and again, portion it out and freeze. Meal times are so much easier when you know you’ve got it covered and let’s face it, don’t you feel great when your tummy is satisfied?

GO NUTS. Keep nuts on hand for a quick handful as a snack or to throw on top of salads and a stir-fry!

Choose yogurt for a sweet treat after dinner, rather than fat-laden ice cream. Have you checked out all the amazing fruit flavor combo’s in the yogurt section of your supermarket lately?

Thirsty? Have water first…I had an acupuncture appointment last Thursday and what did the Acupuncturist tell me? Water is life. She seemed so shocked when I told her I didn’t drink enough water as I suspected I should…she asked me why. I replied, “Well, because I don’t really like the taste…” To which she looked at me sadly and said “Learn to love it. Water is life.” So true. I’m wondering how many times I need to be hit over the head with this snippet of valuable information before I learn to follow it.

It’s summer time (finally) and personally for me, it’s time to embrace the local fruit and veggies this amazing province I live in produces. Last week I feasted on fresh cherries and blueberries…this week it will be strawberries from the Island and new potatoes. Support the local farmers markets that are in abundance this time of year and relish in the feeling of spending next to nothing for several bags bursting full of FRESH and locally grown jewels.

Until next time, eat well and live happy.

Namaste.