Posts Tagged weight loss

Right here, Right now…

Aug 27

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

So many thoughts to put down but all they do is swirl about my head, taunting me to put them to the screen. I want to jump up and scream “I’m so happy!” but my headache of the past 3 days is causing me to be less than exuberant. I want to write a million words but my computer and writing set-up at the new digs isn’t all that comfortable. Yet. Despite these things, I wake up and embrace each day and look forward to coming HOME to my new home and My Guy. It’s been a while since I’ve truly let myself feel like this; and let me tell you, it’s exhilarating.

As Melissa over at Sugar Filled Emotions would ask: what am I thankful for?

- I’m thankful I moved back to Van city; even though I was just across the bridge, it feels like I’ve come home…

- I’m thankful we asked for a recommendation for a full and rich, IN YOUR FACE, red wine tonight at Firefly Fine Wines and for under $20 received what was the best red I’ve had in a long time. It was pure velvet on my tongue….a Malbec from Argentina by the name of Domaine Jean Bousquet. Once I finished my glass I suggested My Guy run back to the store and get a case of the stuff. Yeah, it’s THAT smooth. It’s proof a really great wine doesn’t have to break the bank. Oh and no, he didn’t go get a case…

- I’m thankful mom’s ultrasound was all good…

- I’m thankful I live closer to 2 very special people in my life whom I haven’t spent nearly enough time with as of late (G & L) It’s never too late to rekindle friendships; if you are missing someone, pick up the phone and call them. Don’t let people you love slip past you.

Enough about being thankful…let’s get to the nitty-gritty. I’ve put on some extra weight and it’s my promise to myself and to My Guy, to shed those pounds and be who I was. I’m ok with how I look; but I don’t LOVE how I look. I’m not the woman I was 2 years ago when the weight loss was kind of still new feeling and I was on cloud 9. Now I feel as if I shouldn’t have slipped. I feel like these extra pounds are weighing my spirit down and to work hard at losing them, would probably boost my self esteem. People say I’m not fat but that overweight girl inside of me will NEVER quite see that. I will always see who I was in the mirror…these pounds need to be lost FOR ME and me alone. I need to prove to myself I can do it again.

If there is something you’ve been putting off, maybe now is a good time to tackle it. I’d love to write more but damn this work space is sucking right now. Sleep well.

CM

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Mario Does Veg

Aug 14

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition, Vegetarian | No Comments

I have to admit I was a little surprised to read celeb chef Mario Batali was in the process of writing a vegetarian cookbook. I absolutely love watching the Food Network but often had to change the channel if too much meat was being flung around. Now while Mario did introduce me to a side of Italian eating I hadn’t seen before, I just couldn’t handle the odd cuts of meat (cheek, tail etc). I realize they are delicacies and all that, and I’m not one to push my beliefs on anyone….HOWEVER…I chose to not watch. An article in the New York Daily News reads he has confirmed he is writing it and also that he has cut down his meat consumption to five days a week. I don’t care what a person cuts their meat intake to, just the fact they are cutting it makes all the difference. It tells me they are aware, they are willing to make a change…and who knows, five days may go to three and so on and so on….

Little steps…

So yay I say to Mario for penning a vegetarian book! Stay tuned for the info.

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Home Sweet Home

Aug 9

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

I’m home. I arrived last week, and My Guy followed a few days later. It’s great to be home and in the place I grew up in, on the Island, but it’s also tinged with sadness at the place it’s become. It’s quiet. Like a ghost town actually…and that’s not how I remember it. Big Industry moved out of the town some years ago, and with that went a good deal of the population- in came retirees from all over North America to replace them…

This is still the sweet village I remember, just a little frayed around the edges and a little less people out and about. What hasn’t changed is the natural splendor of this small hamlet nestled in a valley surrounded by tall mountains, some still capped with snow. The pristine rivers still flow and the swimming holes remain as idyllic as I remember. What amazed me yesterday as we were out hiking and taking in the sights, how few people were out in the sun. I realized it’s not because they don’t want to- it’s because there is HARDLY ANYBODY to be out! We had the river to ourselves, took the Peppercorn trail through the still glistening wet forest, stopping at every rocky beach to behold the perfectly clear green water. You could all the way to bottom and count the rocks there…it was that pure and clean.

My Guy couldn’t believe the stunning beauty or the fact we had it all to ourselves. We didn’t talk much as we sat on the rocks and looked out over the river; there weren’t words to describe the colors and the tranquility we were experiencing.

There truly is no place like home. This is West Coat living at it’s finest- did I mention cell phones don’t even work here? (of course there is the Internet though, phew!) I’m so happy right now, and so content but with each moment I can’t wait to get back to The City and get on with The Move…new changes are a-comin’!

I hope this post finds everyone happy where they are in life, and if not, that you have the means to start making the changes to being where YOU want to be. Where you NEED to be. Now I’m going to go out t0 my parents back yard, sit on the swing in the sun and watch the blue jays play in the garden. And the best part? Zucchini from the garden for dinner.

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Is Gluten-Free the way to go?

Aug 1

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

Maybe it’s because I’m going through some digestive health issues, but it seems to me that ALOT of women I know are experiencing varying degrees of medical problems involving digestion and intestinal upset. Right now, I know of 6 women personally who are going through *something* that is equally frustrating and disheartening. They’ve all struggled through their doctors testing and re-testing…of living with some kind of pain…and of experimenting what they can and cannot eat successfully. I don’t know if it’s my little world, or is this a sign of something bigger?

Personally speaking, I don’t do alot of dairy. This isn’t because I’m a vegetarian (if I was a Vegan I would abstain from eating dairy) but rather because I feel my body can’t handle it properly and it just causes me too much discomfort in the end. I love my cereal but have found a soy milk I love (Silk) and eat cheese in moderation…

My next avenue to explore is a gluten-free diet. Gluten seems to be a major player in abdominal pain and in the 6 women I know of with issues, 3 are in some stage of attempting to go gluten free. It’s like a last ditch attempt at a pain free and uplifting day…

So what’s a person to do? Go gluten free? Go Veg? I firmly believe everything we put into our bodies must be something we are ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE is the right thing for us. We need to make conscious decisions and eat right….eat for LIFE.

In my research I’ve found some really great gluten free blogs and sites I wanted to share for those of you who may be looking down this avenue…

I’m really impressed with this site, Gluten Free Girl because it’s colorful, fun and the recipes are REAL. By that, I mean not frou-frou recipes that you have to hunt all over the city for a few weird ingredients that NOBODY in their right mind keeps in the kitchen. I’ve told a few people already about this blog and they love it….

A Gluten Free Day is another great blog mainly because the variety is really amazing….(plus the desserts!).

Stop over at I Am Gluten Free for one bloggers take on living gluten free and check out the yummy looking recipes!

All you have to do is Google “gluten free” for a wealth of information. This is definitely a road I’m considering taking, I’m just not 100% sure yet…I’m taking one day at a time and making sure I give my body the absolute best…

I’d love to hear YOUR story.

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Are you eating right?

Jul 13

Posted by Chere Michelle in Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition | 1 Comment

I know you’ve all been there….come home from work and open the fridge and stare blankly inside. Then you shuffle over to the cupboards, open those too and stand there, unblinking and gazing at the contents. But those contents never look appetizing do they? Meal time can be a seriously stressful affair that if you’re not prepared for; it can lead you down a scary path of cereal for dinner…night after night. (OK I am a a cereal addict but I do feel like I have it under control. Really.)

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.

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A New Chocolatey Snack…100 calories….really.

Jun 24

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

So I have a co-worker to thank for introducing me to VitaTops; an amazing 100 calorie cake-like muffin “top” that is actually NOT full of crap.

I didn’t believe her when she raved about it. I thought something has to give – they must be tasteless or a weird consistency….something! I tried one today and it was so rich and chocolatey, a moist cake-like texture, dotted with a few chocolate chips. I kept looking at the package to be sure I was reading right:

- 7 grams fibre

- 1.5 grams fat

- 4 grams protein

- 28% of your DV of Calcium

- 100 calories

I am always looking for new 100 calorie snack ideas. It’s a great number of calories for a snack and people are often amazed at what I can pack into 100 calories. If it was up to me, my snacks would be so much bigger and sweeter but I have to be smart and sensible…and this is why I’m really excited with the VitaTops.

They’re a Canadian Company and I went to the website to see what else they had. Imagine my excitement when I saw you can order online AND they have 12 packs for some ridiculously crazy cheap price. So I was happily  punching in my info to see what the shipping would be and can you believe it- from Ontario to Vancouver from a CANADIAN company it was $25! I figured whatever I would have saved in their low prices was obviously over run by the unbelievable shipping cost.

I did pick some up at Superstore; they’re in the frozen dessert section and average to less than $1 per top. Not bad! I found myself very satisfied and the Chocolate Beast within me settled down to a quiet slumber once I was done (and was licking the wrapper clean!)

Go ahead and experiment with making up your own 100 calorie snacks and take them to work or school…remember fruit is always a great snack of course!

If you have any snacks you swear by, let me know- I’d love to hear it!

Snack well and live happy.

Chere Michelle

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The Bean of my Dreams

Jun 9

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Nutrition | 2 Comments

Edamame.

“Eda-what?” OK, they’re really just baby soybeans but I’ve been in love with this little hairy bean for years…(hey only the pod is slightly hairy!).

In just one serving of edamame, there are 9 grams of protein alone! Seriously, that is equivalent to 4 slices of whole wheat bread and if you stick with the bean, you’re not getting all those extra carbs. Plus, one serving has about 10% of your daily value for iron- not too shabby for a plant now is it?

The most common way to eat edamame is boiled in the pod and tossed with salt. Personally I prefer a coarse sea salt over your average table kind but have been known to put too far too much on…You can also buy the beans already shelled and those I keep in my freezer to toss in salads.

I must admit I’ve neglected the soybean for about 2 months and as I was cleaning out the freezer tonight I came across a hard, icy bag. My heart fell to the floor. How could I be so callous and careless with my love? I vowed to bring edamame back into my life and bring it back with GUSTO.

How can anyone NOT like this super star legume? It’s salty…it’s fun to eat…it’s packed full of good stuff our bodies need and crave.

Wait- some of you might be thinking, “What about the fact soy is all over the news and supposedly bad for us?”. Know what? I’m waiting for MORE research and MORE facts on this; all the studies I’ve read are too small and too inconclusive. My personal experience shows me the benefits of soy outweigh any rumours…if I was to dissect any food out there, I’m sure I could come up with reasons to not eat any of it!

I go with my gut and what my body craves and I do it in moderation.

Now go out in search of the soybean and enjoy!

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Realistic Goals

May 29

Posted by Chere Michelle in Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Weight Loss | 5 Comments

Goal Setting. Ouch. Those 2 words diets and fitness regimes always bring up…

This is where things can get tough. Setting personal goals can be really challenging because we don’t want to fail and often put extremely high hopes on ourselves. The key to reaching your goals is to search within yourself and really ask what you want, and what YOU can do. Setting realistic goals will make achieving them easier because you can see the end and you can visualize the result. 

A good example of an unrealistic goal is, “I need to lose 50 lbs. by summer time”.  And let’s say summer is 4-5 months away. This goal seems so far in the distance and the amount of weight is astronomical to me at this stage in the game. Personally, I want to set a more realistic, reachable goal such as, “I will lose 5-10 lbs. THIS MONTH and exercise EVERY OTHER DAY for at least 20 minutes.” I know I can work at this goal because it’s a) short term, b) the lbs. to lose is within reason and believable and c) I’ve given myself a little extra with the goal of exercising every 2 days. Which one would you set for yourself and KEEP?

In your journal, write down 5 goals you would like to set for yourself and look at how to incorporate them into your life as soon as possible. This is where your daily affirmations come into play too as you can reinforce your goals daily through them!

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Inner Peace and all that jazz

May 27

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

Welcome to my new site! I hope as many people who stopped by my other blog will find me here and drop by…your comments and emails mean so much to me :-)

I wanted to touch base regarding my yoga class the other night. It’s a basic class to practice Hatha and after Zumba taking a beating out on my hips and legs, this was a much needed ‘break’. I absolutely loved it and forgot how wonderful yoga truly makes me feel. Doing it at home is somehow not quite the same as being in a room filled with other people, all breathing in sync and the sound of silence. I totally and completely re-connected with myself….and it was amazing.

Some people think yoga is all “weird” and for “hippies” but if you haven’t tried it, you may find you really like it. I admit it can be challenging at first in the sense that you REALLY have to pay attention to your breathing because this is what yoga is centered around. It’s about bringing yourself, your mind to a different level of consciousness….one where you are simply at peace. Once you focus on your breathing and learn to enjoy the quiet and intensity, yoga feels amazing. None of the moves are extremely strenuous nor do they require super-strength but they do require focus and patience. You can only do what feel comfortable doing. Yoga isn’t about the end…you will never ‘finish’ so to speak.

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Take your time and READ the labels

May 26

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition, Vegetarian | No Comments

I wanted to explore nutrition labels a bit more since I touched upon it in my last post about grocery shopping. I really want to drill it into your head to take the time when shopping, to read the nutrition labels on the container. Check out the serving size and daily value % of the various vitamins and minerals. Let’s talk cereal…”breakfast” cereals. I’m an addict and I freely admit it. Perhaps there is just something comforting about making a bowl of cereal, pouring the milk in and settling down to eat it. It reminds me of being a kid. I choose my cereals wisely though and stay away from gimmicky, high sugar and high fat cereals like Fruit Loops, Corn Pops or Apple Jacks. These are NOT cereal…I don’t believe children or adults should start the day with these because they are really no more than empty calories with a hollow promise of whole grain nutrition.

Some of my favorites are:

Kashi Go Lean Crunch: This stuff packs a punch! I copied this direct from the website- “Crunchy clusters made from Kashi Seven Whole Grains and sesame. They’re naturally sweetened with a touch of honey and cinnamon and then toasted to perfection for a hearty crunch.” I honestly love this cereal with milk, or even just to grab a few clusters out of the box a snack. This will not go soggy but then again, I never have it in the bowl long enough…Nutrition info per serving 9 g protein, 8 g fibre and made with 16 whole grains such as barely, wheat and corn to name a few.
Hero

Quaker Corn Bran Squares: If you’re looking for HIGH fibre cereal that has a sweet crunch, this cereal is awesome! At a 3/4 cup serving with skim milk, you’re looking at 30% of your daily fibre requirement! (20 g). There are no trans fats; which by the way YOU DO NOT WANT IN YOUR CEREAL- OR YOUR BODY REALLY…

Quaker Life: Yup, Mikey is still right. Since 1961 this cereal has been on kitchen tables all over the world and for good reason. It’s chock full of B Vitamins for one (great for converting food to energy) and at 8 g of fibre per serving, it more than meets my requirements! I have never tired of Life…

Okay these are only 3 cereals in a list of several other NUTRITIOUS varieties. The key to picking out cereal for you and your kids is read, read, read the labels. Ideally, the first ingredient should be a whole grain…and if you see the words “partially hydrogenated” put the cereal back on the shelf and step back. Check fat content and fibre content, calories per serving…you’ll get the hang of it once you really start analyzing those labels.

Don’t start your day by fueling your body with sugar and fat….

Live Well. Eat Well.

Chere Michelle

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