Decorating the Christmas Tree

Yesterday afternoon we put on the Christmas music, broke out the egg-nog and nutmeg and decorated our Christmas tree. Our four kids, their best friend next door, my Dad and stepmother, and Scott and I worked together to trim our tree, hang the stockings and position the nativity scene.

It was both a fun and overwhelming experience. My living room really isn't very big. And, have you noticed how much smaller your house feels when an 8 foot real Christmas tree occupies the corner and all the furniture has been shifted around? Now imagine four adults standing among five excited children, with smiles from ear to ear, swarming around the tree until every last ornament is placed. And in the background, to make things just a little bit more nostalgic, we played the Chipmunks Christmas Album. It was an absolute frenzy for about 15 minutes...and then it was quite again as they scampered off to play hide and seek with one another. It was a Christmas tsunami that left my living room looking both disastrous and beautiful. Once we put away the empty ornament boxes and swept up the pine needles that had been knocked off the tree, I couldn't believe how warm and festive my home felt from corner to corner.

I'm not a fan of winter, but it's really nice to have such a wonderful holiday to look forward to right when the weather turns cold and days become so short.

My Health Journal
Tonight I had half a steak, steamed green beans, potatoes for dinner (+ a raspberry turnover for dessert :$). After dinner I helped my girls with their homework, watched a little bit of "The Flintstones" with them and then put them to bed. After working for about 1 hour on a communication brief I completed a weight routine focused on my hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. I also completed a series of sit ups to work my abdomen.

How is everyone else doing with Christmas preparations and personal health and fitness?

Grade One Evaluations and Parent Teacher Interviews

Last week I received my girls school evaluations and tomorrow I'll be going to the school to meet with their teacher to discuss the results. For today's blog I would like to give my opinion on the subject of school grades, parenting and children.

I have to admit, when I reviewed the results for each of my children I was surprised. I have 6 year-old twin girls who are in the same grade one class. I spend about 15-30 minutes a day with each of them reviewing their homework, spelling words, reading and math. I have a very good idea about how my children are doing in each subject area in school. But, when I reviewed their evaluations I have to admit, I was confused.

Before I continue I need explain that I don't believe that parents should be pressuring young children to aim for straight As. Around this time of year you do hear parents talking about how important it is to them that their child achieve perfection. I don't agree with this approach. I believe learning is important, but getting the highest mark isn't the goal. I strongly believe that children should have as much time as possible playing with each other, moving around physically and discovering the world around them. Yes - school is important, but having a balanced life between school and play is essential for the healthy development of children (in my opinion).

Okay-back to my daughters' evaluations and my confusion over the results. On paper, one of my daughters was achieving higher results than the other in every single topic. What surprised me about this is that I know with absolute certainty that my daughter who was achieving lower results is actually working at a much higher level in some topics then the other daughter. How could their evaluations be so "off"? After contemplating this for a few days it occurred to me that the "results" on paper must be influenced by other factors. And then, in a moment of clarity, I realized that my daughter's behaviour must have influenced the results. My daughter (who received lower results) absolutely likes to set her own rules, is a social butterfly, and has a tendency to do what she wants. I can imagine that when compared to her sister most teachers would find her more difficult to manage. She isn't a tyrant by any means but she does have a streak of stubborness. And I can imagine that her sister is like an angle in class.  As a result, I'm almost certain that her behaviour probably influenced the teacher to give her a lower grade in a subject that she excels at.  

So, what will happen at the parent teacher interview tomorrow? I can tell you that for my kids the focus won't be on their grades. I won't argue about whether my daughter's grades were accurate or not. I won't discuss how I think her evaluations weren't purely based on skill level. My discussion with the teacher will focus on my daughters' overall personalities, attitudes and classroom behaviour. I believe that evaluations provide us with insights that go beyond the "grade"and I suggest parents use them to both gain a general gist of their skill level as well as understand how their children are doing emotionally and behaviourally.

I'd love to hear your perspectives on this topic. Please feel free to leave comments.

Junk Drawer Confessions

How many of you out there have a junk drawer that keeps collecting more and more junk until one day you can't even open it to throw more junk in? And, how many of you carry the stress of being discovered...wondering if one day one of your guests will stumble upon your crazy junk drawer. The fear you have...knowing that every day that junk drawer exists, is another day that your reputation for being such a well put together and organized individual is put at risk.

Do you ask yourself almost on a daily basis...What will it take to get me motivated to empty out this ridiculous drawer and get organized? Oh - I know you have one. Everyone's got a deep dark secret...drawer. You know it.

Okay...this blog post was inspired by a Twitter friend (@mlanger) who recently cleaned out her junk drawer and shared ever last detail of it in her blog post. I can relate completely.

Last week, while cooking one of my healthy recipes, I had such a hard time finding the right spices. Why? Because my spice drawer was scary scary place to visit. Anyway, I'm very proud to say that I took the time to clean out that spice drawer that day and it felt good. Sometimes I just open those drawers to look at how beautifully organized they are--finally. It's a very small thing...but also very rewarding.
Here are some pictures of newly organized spice drawers :).

Unfortunately, the spice drawers aren't the only drawer in my house. And, if you were to inspect every drawer in my house...you'd find that 75% of them probably could use a major re haul.

With four kids running around the house, I find it impossible to keep my drawers organized. Can you moms out there relate to this---or am I completely alone? I'm constantly picking up toys, folding clothes and trying desperately to keep the house looking clean and organized. One of my most employed techniques is what I call the "grab and stash".  This is the practice of grabbing any object that shouldn't be in sight...and stashing it inside any drawer that's within reach. The unfortunate side effect of this technique is the guilt associated with knowing that although your house may appear pretty organized...deep down inside you're a mess.

I'd love to hear your Junk Drawer confessions. Am I alone here?

Seven Strategies to Keep You Motivated to WorkOut

A few weeks ago I asked the question - "What keeps you motivated to work out and eat right?" Thank you Teri and TRB for sharing your tips with me in my earlier blog post. Well, I've been thinking about that question too and have put together the following list. If you have a hard time keeping motivated, try implementing some of these tips:

1. Entertain Yourself. Find an interesting show on t.v. and commit to working out while you watch it. Sometimes, working out can be a bit boring. So, when I do weights, I watch a show on t.v. to make it more fun.  
2. Keep Your Gym Bag in the Car. If you've got a membership at a gym, make sure that you keep your gym bag packed and ready to go. If you plan to workout after work, aim to head to the gym directly rather then going home first. Once you arrive at home it can be very tempting to stay and kick your feet up. So, don't go home first! Go straight to the gym and get your exercise in before heading home!
3. Join a Class. At first it may be difficult to fit a class into your schedule, but once things settle down and the class becomes part of your routine, getting motivated to go will be easier and easier. The more you go, the more likely you'll make friends and the more fun you'll have. You'll also feel accountable for attending if you have friends in the class who look forward to meeting up with you. If your workout is tied to a social activity, it not only makes it more fun, but will also motivate you to get up and go on those days when you are super exhausted.
4. Write a Journal. Writing this blog helps me keep my eye on the ball. When I write my exercise and food plans down, I feel accountable to it. 
5. Measure Yourself. If your goal is to lose weight, then weigh yourself everyday. If your aim is to build muscle, measure your self. Make sure you know what your starting point is and witness your daily or weekly progression towards your goal. It feels great to see numeric proof of your hard work. 
6. Talk About It. Share your workout plans with your friends. If your friends know about your workout goals they may help keep you motivated by asking your how its going. The more poeple you have on your side, the better. 
7. Partner-Up. Finding a partner to workout with can help you get through those days that you feel really unmotivated. If you don't know someone who is willing to actually workout with you, try finding someone who will call you or follow up with you about your workout plan. 

My Health Journal

Every day I take one tablet of echinacea and one tablet of vitamin C. For breakfast I had two slices of toast with tomatoes, a glass of orange juice and a glass of coffee. For lunch I had a green salad and a tomato, basil and cheese sandwich. And for supper I had a chicken casadias. My weight this morning was 159.1 lbs.

A Glowing Review - Putting Edge Fun Center

I’m always trying to find interesting things to do with my kids on the weekend. This week, a friend of mine was absolutely beside herself about her latest discovery and she couldn't wait to tell me about the “Putting Edge Fun Center” glow in the dark mini-golf. When she told me about it, I absolutely could not believe that I had never heard of this place before, because it sounds amazing.

Apparently, the experience for her whole family was just incredible. She raved about the cleanliness and design of the facilities. Both her almost 2-1/2 year-old boy and her 6-1/2 year-old girl enjoyed every second.

I checked out their website at www.puttingedge.com. They are located at 5 Roydon Place, Unit 1 Nepean, Ontario K2E 1A3. Children under the age of 4 can enter for free. Admission fees range between $7.89-9.89 depending on age.

If you want to get the most out of the experience, it’s best to wear some white so that you glow at maximum capacity.

I haven’t yet had the chance yet to go with my family…but you bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be taking my family at the very next opportunity.

What other fun family activities are there in Ottawa? I'd love to hear from you!

Planning for the Week

On Sunday's I try to get some cooking done so that I'm free during the week to help my girls with their homework, etc. Today, I'm making 2 maple pumpkin pies (because Amelie just loves them), a beef stew (for the kids hot thermos lunches and for a supper), and Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Arugula for dinner tonight. Holy red-meat week! 

I just finished making the maple pumpkin pies (from www.realsimple.com)...here is the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 store-bought piecrust, fitted into a 9-inch pie plate
• 2 large eggs
• 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Set an oven rack in the lowest position and heat oven to 350º F. Place the pie plate on a foil-lined baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves.
3. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the crust and bake until the center is set, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before serving.

Now I'm going to make the beef stew from www.realsimple.com. Here is the recipe.

Beef Stew

• 4 pounds bottom round, well trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup olive oil (plus more if needed)
• 2 large onions, diced (2 cups)
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 pound potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 pound baby carrots (about 2 cups)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Directions

1. Coat the beef in the flour. Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, a few pieces at a time, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer to a heavy casserole or a heavy, covered saucepan or Dutch oven. 
2. Add the onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and coat the onions; transfer to the casserole. Pour the wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits; add to the casserole. Stir in the broth, salt, thyme, and bay leaf.
3. Cook the casserole in a 325° F oven for 4 hours, or in the saucepan or Dutch oven on the stovetop over low heat for about 2 1/2 hours. In either case, stir occasionally and add up to 1 cup of additional beef broth if necessary. Add the potatoes and carrots during the last hour of cooking, and the peas just before serving. 

And for supper tonight I'm making steak with arugula. Here is the recipe. 

Ingredients

• Steak
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• pinch salt and pepper
• 1 tsp soya sauce
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 bunch arugula, thick stems removed (about 4 cups)
• carrots
• green peppers  
• parmesan cheese
  

1. Mix arugula, carrots and green peppers
2. Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper and soya sauce together to make dressing for the arugula. 
3. Toss arugula and salad dressing.
   
4. Season the steak with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and BBQ to medium rare.
   
5. Slice steak into strips and serve over top of the arugula. 
6. Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top of the steak salad.
   

I took a few days off "Working-Out" this week...for a couple of reasons. 1) I have a cold that I'm trying to fight off and 2) I got the flu shot on Wednesday and it really packed a punch - felt like I had a bruised arm for two days. Although my cold started over the weekend, I still worked out Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. and I think I over did it. But I'm happy to report that I'm starting to feel much better now. 

Tonight I'll be doing the Abdominal, quadriceps, hamstrings and calf exercises from Body for Life - A Woman's Plan for Physical and Mental Transformation by Pamela Peeke.

 

What Makes a Brand Successful?

A colleague of mine quoted Maya Angelou today in a marketing meeting and I thought it was worthwhile sharing with everyone.  

"...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"

Think about it. Think about the last time you got into a really bad argument with a loved one. Do you remember what was said or done? I don't. But I do remember how frustrated I was. And, when I think about the last time I laughed hysterically with Scott...I remember exactly where we were, and how I was feeling but for the life of me, I can't remember what he said that was so funny. 

This concept is very relevant in the field of marketing. Think about a brand that you are loyal to. The first one that come to mind in our house hold is the iPhone. My partner, Scott, has an iPhone. But, he doesn't treat it like a phone...he treats it like his best friend. He absolutely loves his iPhone and has spent hours introducing his iPhone to everyone he meets. What is it about the iPhone? Well, I can tell you without hesitation...that iPhone makes Scott feel happy...consistently. The iPhone brand is not successful because it has a superior logo or a better tagline then the rest. It's not even about the actual product (although the product, in this case, really rocks!). It truly is about how the iPhone makes Scott feel. 

It's about the experience. It's about what the brand promises and delivers consistently. And, to be memorable, a brand needs to connect with its customers on an emotional level. 

What do you think makes a brand successful?

Day 5 - RVR High School Reunion - Class of 1990

This week someone from my high school graduating class reached out to a group of us to start planning our 20th High School Reunion. I have to admit, my first reaction was shock...at the fact that 20 years have already passed by in the wink of an eye. And, I bet a number of things are probably crossing everyone's minds...from genuine curiosity about what has everyone been doing with their life...to worrying about whether you'll even recognize your friends after so much time has pasted.

I for one, am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends.
These are a few of the things that I remember about my high school experience.

• Listening to music...U2, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and New Order. 
• Mrs. Hemmings Chemistry class...especially the time Natalie Sanchez sneaked to the front of class to write "I heart molecules" on the chalk board.
• Painting a mural of 'The Mission' with Bianca Artizone's--who always had me laughing.
• Aerobics class with Mrs. Graham's..."Squeeze!"
• Geography class with Mr. Ewert and his 10 Commandments.

What do you remember most about your high school experience?

Day 4 - Family Matters

Today, I managed to get myself and both my girls vaccinated for H1N1 through our family doctor. I thought my doctor's office handled the process extremely well. They were organized and prepared. I lined up at 12:00 and by 12:15 we had all received our shots. Isn't that unheard-of?

Chloe, one of my twin girls, was extremely brave. She sat down, prepared herself for the needle and accepted it without hesitation. She paid attention to the sensation but didn't complain or shed any tears. She was very pleased with herself when it was over. For a six year old, sometimes she seems so adult to me.

The experience for Amelie was completely different. She seemed brave up until she witnessed me receiving the shot. I payed really close attention to the sensation of the needle because I wanted to feel exactly what my daughters were going to feel. And, truthfully, it didn't hurt one little bit. It was completely painless for me. I just smiled at Amelie as it was happening and I told her that it really didn't hurt. So, when Amelie started to panic, I was surprised. She struggled and fought the nurse and me - absolutely determined not to get the needle. It was a horrible feeling to have to hold her tightly in my arms to force her to receive the shot. And, in a moment it was over and Amelie admitted that it didn't really hurt very much..."Just a tiny pinch". Thank goodness. I'm glad that's over.

Scott's boys, Preston and Cole, very bravely accepted their vaccinations last Friday. Their mother works at a clinic so she was able to get them vaccinated without too much trouble either. Both boys were very brave and didn't shed any tears.

So, we are six in our family and we've all been vaccinated except for Scott. He'll be going sometime during the day tomorrow...and I'm pretty sure he'll handle the experience without too many tears :). So, even though as I sit here typing this blog, I can feel a dull ache in my left upper arm, I have to admit, the whole experience was really quite painless compared to the horror stories we'd been hearing on the news.

Kudos to the staff at my family's doctor's office for taking on the responsibility to vaccinate their clients. We certainly appreciated it!

Today, my weight is 160.1 lbs and for supper I had a large salad with radishes, avocado, cashews, carrots and left over pork tenderloin. For dessert, I enjoyed Chloe's chocolate chip rice crispy squares.

Day 3 - How Do You Keep Motivated?

Okay, it's day 3, and almost 10:00 pm and I'm exhausted. I've eaten well today and weighed myself 5 minutes ago--I'm at 161.6 lbs after dinner. I'm not feeling very energetic at all at the moment...and I think I might take the night off from working out.  That's okay because I've worked out three days in a row already - it's time for a break.

Note to self: Tomorrow, I promise myself that I'm going to pop the Gillian Michaels "Banish Fat. Boost Metabolism" DVD into the player and complete my first cardio workout in months. I'll let you know how it goes. O_o

For dinner tonight I served "Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin" from www.realsimple.com, rice and carrots. Here is the recipe for the pork: 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground coriander
• 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

Directions

1. Mix together the juice, honey, olive oil, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder in a large, shallow dish. Pat tenderloins dry and turn to coat in marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight. While pork is marinating, make the fruit sauce.
2. Lightly coat clean grids of grill with cooking oil spray. Heat grill to medium heat. Place tenderloins across grids and close lid. Cook 5 minutes, covered, then turn tenderloins on their sides. Cook another 5 minutes, turning again every 5 minutes until all 4 sides of the tenderloins are seared (for a total of 20 minutes).
3. Transfer tenderloins to a cutting board and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest 5 minutes. Slice tenderloins crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Arrange on plates. 

When your mind and body feels exhausted (but you know it's just in your head), what motivates you to get changed into your workout clothes and start a routine? How do you get past that desire to curl up on the couch with a warm cozy blanket, at box of after-eights and an episode of House, Grey's Anatomy, The Good Wife or Dexter? 

Anxiously awaiting any tips, tricks or advice from readers out there who know what I'm talking about.

Day 2 on My Journey to the Better Me

Today is my second day on this journey to the better me. I woke up this morning and jumped on the scale. It seems that my weight varies between 160-164 lbs during the day. So, my aim will be to bring my weight down to 146-150 lbs.

Last night my work out went well. I started at 9 pm and finished around 9:40. Tonight, at around 9 pm, I plan to do another weight workout--this time focusing on my arms. Because of the variety of exercises in the program I'm following, it's a longer workout. It takes about 1-1/2 hours to complete. So, I'll be done around 10:30 pm. 

Tomorrow I have to find the energy to do at least 30 minutes of cardio! I could really use some comments to support my training!!! I'm fighting a cold that has started in my throat - I hope it doesn't effect my new regime. 

For supper tonight I plan to make myself and Scott and "Arugula Salad With Chicken and Avocado" from www.realsimple.com. My girls aren't a fan of salad so I thawed the turkey pot pie I made a couple of weeks for them. Here is the recipe for my healthy meal:

Ingredients

• 4  6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
• 2  tablespoons  fresh lime juice
• 1  teaspoon  honey
• 2  bunches arugula, thick stems removed (about 6 cups)
• 1  avocado, sliced
• 1  bunch small radishes, thinly sliced
• Bread (optional)

Preparation

Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water. Bring to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the chicken, reduce heat to medium, and gently simmer until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. 

Divide the arugula among bowls and top with the chicken, avocado, and radishes. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Serve with the bread (if using).

It would be great to hear from anyone out there whose following some kind of health routine. Tell me what you did today! 

Launching My Journey Toward a Healthier Me

I woke up this morning having no idea that today, I would start this daily journal/blog. And, it's not a particularly good day for me to start this journey toward eating more healthily, working out and having a positive attitude. In fact, I woke up with a sore throat and am feeling pretty frumpy at the moment. But, then again, I don't think any day is better then the next to make a positive life change. So lets not waste anymore time Suzan!

Okay, so here are my 3 goals.

1. Eat healthy food and reasonable portions. My aim is to weigh 150 lbs! I'm a 36 year old, 5'11" tall woman. I bought a scale today and it's telling me that I weigh exactly 164 lbs. So I have 14 pounds to lose. That doesn't seem so bad.
2. Workout 5 times each week.  And, balance the workouts between weight lifting and cardio! I want leaner legs and stomach.
3. Write this journal everyday for 1 year!

Let's see how I do. Toward goal 1 - I'm going to have a healthy chicken stir-fry tonight for dinner. And, toward goal 2, I'm going to do the 'legs' workout from the book "Body for Life".

Here is the recipe for the "Sauteed Chicken and Peppers with Coconut Rice" meal I will eat tonight from www.realsimple.com

Ingredients

1  cup  long-grain white rice
1  14-ounce can coconut milk
1  tablespoon  plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2  pounds  boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and pepper
1  large red bell pepper, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1  large clove garlic, thinly sliced
1  19-ounce can black beans, drained
1/4  teaspoon  ground cumin 

Preparation
Cook the rice according to the package directions, replacing 1 cup of water with the coconut milk.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook for 3 minutes. Turn and move to the sides of the skillet. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the bell pepper is slightly softened and the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to individual plates and return the skillet to medium heat. Add the beans, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the remaining oil. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve with the chicken and rice.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for a kid friendly, healthy meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less? One of my biggest challenges is getting supper on the table quickly enough so that I have enough time after supper to help my daughter's with their homework (before bedtime)!