Dear reader,
- I’ve lost 4 lbs!
- Moments of starvation have been few and far between.
- I’ve now tried two flavours: chocolate and oatmeal/raisin. Both are v. tasty.
- Six cookies per day is a lot, especially since they’re surprisingly filling. Some days, I’ve even had only five.
- I’ve allowed myself to bend the rules a bit by having one triangle of Light Laughing Cow cheese per day. On the Weight Watchers scale, they’re only half a point each, so I don’t think Dr. What’s-His-Name would scold me too much for this small infraction.
- Crystal Lite + ice cubes + little paper umbrella = mocktail!
- Pushing a stroller at medium speed towards the mall is an acceptable form of exercise.
- Cucumber is a great vehicle for fancy finishing salts.
- I don’t miss carbs because the cookies are quite carby themselves, thus satisfying my bread/muffin cravings.
Yay!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
My new diet, or The Devil's Cookies
Dear reader,
My love of all things baked and sweet is well documented (see previous entry). Muffins, bread, cake, croissants, cookies, buns... simply enumerating these little lovelies is enough to send me into a diabetic coma. But lately, my capri pants have been tight. Real tight. And my jeans, well, let’s just say that if I take them off the hanger, the crease from said hanger might take days to iron out. So after hearing about the Cookie Diet (cookies! yay!) from two people who lost a nice amount of weight, I decided to give it a go. Today is my fourth day, and the following is the list of pros and cons I’ve run through my mind four thousand times.
Pros:
1. It’s cookies!
2. It’s different from Weight Watchers, which I’ve been doing on and off for several years. Enough with counting bloody points already.
3. It’s a no-brainer; you don’t have to figure out what’s for breakfast, lunch and snacks, it’s right there in your little bag.
4. You can have vegetables (preferably green) all day, as well as no-calorie beverages. Come to Mama, caffeine-free diet Pepsi! Hello, fruity packets of Crystal Light!
5. You can have a “normal” dinner.
6. I already feel like my pants are a tad looser. But that could also be because I’m wearing my laundry-day granny panties, the ones that are quite high on the waist and thus squish my wobbly bits.
Cons:
1. It’s not Oreos.
2. How many cookies can you eat in one day? Even a baked-goods freak like me can get fed up pretty quickly. Granted, there are several flavours and I’ve only tried one. And I'm sure those grainy dots eventually grow on you.
3. I hate green vegetables at 10 a.m. Also at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
4. It’s crazy expensive. Like, 10-bucks-a-day expensive.
5. The “normal” dinner must not contain carbs, red meat or dairy. Hmph.
6. It’s stupid to not eat regular food all day.
7. I’m f***ing starving.
I went to the supermarket earlier today and evaluated each section:
- Vegetables: go.
- Fruit: very limited.
- Bread: don’t even look at it.
- Meat: feel free to pick out the lean, white meats.
- Pasta and rice: bypass completely.
- Crackers: yeah right.
- Cereal: not.
- Cookies: if it don’t say “Dr. What’s-His-Name” on the bag, drop it.
- Cheese: roll on by.
- Ice cream: don’t get me started.
- Beer: the chick at the mall didn’t say anything about alcohol so I’ve been getting tanked for the past four nights
Truth be told, I know these diets don’t work. You lose the weight, but then you gain it back pretty quickly. But I really just need that kick in the butt to get back to my wedding figure, so at least lemme try it. I just hope that once I’m back in those jeans, I won’t feel the urge to celebrate by diving head first into a gigantic pool of Chips Ahoy. Wish me luck!
My love of all things baked and sweet is well documented (see previous entry). Muffins, bread, cake, croissants, cookies, buns... simply enumerating these little lovelies is enough to send me into a diabetic coma. But lately, my capri pants have been tight. Real tight. And my jeans, well, let’s just say that if I take them off the hanger, the crease from said hanger might take days to iron out. So after hearing about the Cookie Diet (cookies! yay!) from two people who lost a nice amount of weight, I decided to give it a go. Today is my fourth day, and the following is the list of pros and cons I’ve run through my mind four thousand times.
Pros:
1. It’s cookies!
2. It’s different from Weight Watchers, which I’ve been doing on and off for several years. Enough with counting bloody points already.
3. It’s a no-brainer; you don’t have to figure out what’s for breakfast, lunch and snacks, it’s right there in your little bag.
4. You can have vegetables (preferably green) all day, as well as no-calorie beverages. Come to Mama, caffeine-free diet Pepsi! Hello, fruity packets of Crystal Light!
5. You can have a “normal” dinner.
6. I already feel like my pants are a tad looser. But that could also be because I’m wearing my laundry-day granny panties, the ones that are quite high on the waist and thus squish my wobbly bits.
Cons:
1. It’s not Oreos.
2. How many cookies can you eat in one day? Even a baked-goods freak like me can get fed up pretty quickly. Granted, there are several flavours and I’ve only tried one. And I'm sure those grainy dots eventually grow on you.
3. I hate green vegetables at 10 a.m. Also at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
4. It’s crazy expensive. Like, 10-bucks-a-day expensive.
5. The “normal” dinner must not contain carbs, red meat or dairy. Hmph.
6. It’s stupid to not eat regular food all day.
7. I’m f***ing starving.
I went to the supermarket earlier today and evaluated each section:
- Vegetables: go.
- Fruit: very limited.
- Bread: don’t even look at it.
- Meat: feel free to pick out the lean, white meats.
- Pasta and rice: bypass completely.
- Crackers: yeah right.
- Cereal: not.
- Cookies: if it don’t say “Dr. What’s-His-Name” on the bag, drop it.
- Cheese: roll on by.
- Ice cream: don’t get me started.
- Beer: the chick at the mall didn’t say anything about alcohol so I’ve been getting tanked for the past four nights
Truth be told, I know these diets don’t work. You lose the weight, but then you gain it back pretty quickly. But I really just need that kick in the butt to get back to my wedding figure, so at least lemme try it. I just hope that once I’m back in those jeans, I won’t feel the urge to celebrate by diving head first into a gigantic pool of Chips Ahoy. Wish me luck!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Muffin Mania
Dear reader,
I've been making lots of muffins lately for my daughter, as a fun and delicious snack that sneaks in extra vegetables in her diet. Not that the Babe really needs extra greens, mind you... she loves vegetables and highly dislikes meat. Even cheese-covered pasta is not that popular. Gee! Meat, pasta and cheese: what's not to love?!?
To try something new, yesterday I made parsnip muffins, the recipe for which I discovered while watching Good Eats with Alton Brown. Now, I have to admit I had never even tried parsnips before since they remind me of turnips. Ew. But this recipe was intriguing, so I gave it a go, and I quite enjoyed them fresh outta the oven. I did make a few changes to the recipe, which I noted in brackets in the list of ingredients, so try it and let's tawk (especially you, Kerri, my parsnip-loathing friend)!
8 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I suggest using a bit less, otherwise it’s all about the nutmeg)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 whole eggs (I used 1 jar baby prunes and ¼ cup apple sauce since Louisa is allergic to eggs)
3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt (I used whole milk)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
8 ounces sugar (I used 3 oz. brown sugar, 2 oz. white sugar and 2 oz. old-fashioned oatmeal)
10 ounces grated parsnips (yeah, that’s a lot of parsnip)
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with the nonstick spray and set aside.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt (+ oatmeal) in a bowl and mix well.
Whisk the eggs (or prunes + applesauce), yogurt (or milk), vegetable oil, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture and parsnips, and fold with a spatula until all of the flour is moistened; there will be some lumps. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes. Store completely cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
I've been making lots of muffins lately for my daughter, as a fun and delicious snack that sneaks in extra vegetables in her diet. Not that the Babe really needs extra greens, mind you... she loves vegetables and highly dislikes meat. Even cheese-covered pasta is not that popular. Gee! Meat, pasta and cheese: what's not to love?!?
To try something new, yesterday I made parsnip muffins, the recipe for which I discovered while watching Good Eats with Alton Brown. Now, I have to admit I had never even tried parsnips before since they remind me of turnips. Ew. But this recipe was intriguing, so I gave it a go, and I quite enjoyed them fresh outta the oven. I did make a few changes to the recipe, which I noted in brackets in the list of ingredients, so try it and let's tawk (especially you, Kerri, my parsnip-loathing friend)!
8 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I suggest using a bit less, otherwise it’s all about the nutmeg)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 whole eggs (I used 1 jar baby prunes and ¼ cup apple sauce since Louisa is allergic to eggs)
3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt (I used whole milk)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
8 ounces sugar (I used 3 oz. brown sugar, 2 oz. white sugar and 2 oz. old-fashioned oatmeal)
10 ounces grated parsnips (yeah, that’s a lot of parsnip)
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with the nonstick spray and set aside.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt (+ oatmeal) in a bowl and mix well.
Whisk the eggs (or prunes + applesauce), yogurt (or milk), vegetable oil, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture and parsnips, and fold with a spatula until all of the flour is moistened; there will be some lumps. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes. Store completely cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Back from July "Vacation"
Dear reader,
I haven't blogged in over a month, gadzooks! Sorry, sorry. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Went to Israel for a week. Took me two to get over it when we came back.
2. Husband went to Germany for business. Had no time to shower, let alone write self-centred blog.
3. Too many reality shows to catch up with: My Life on the D-List, Top Chef Masters, The Next Food Network Star... and of course, the new season of Big Brother.
4. PMS. Last week was baaaaad. If I had blogged then, heads would have rolled and I would have lost a couple friends for sure.
5. Baby got her MMR/Chicken Pox shot. Of course the doctor didn't tell us that she was going to get a fever for three days and have a shitty weekend, so I had to phone Info Sante and speak to a nice nurse who basically said that our pediatrician was an a-hole.
But this is a new month, so let the blogging begin again! (Along with the dieting.)
I haven't blogged in over a month, gadzooks! Sorry, sorry. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Went to Israel for a week. Took me two to get over it when we came back.
2. Husband went to Germany for business. Had no time to shower, let alone write self-centred blog.
3. Too many reality shows to catch up with: My Life on the D-List, Top Chef Masters, The Next Food Network Star... and of course, the new season of Big Brother.
4. PMS. Last week was baaaaad. If I had blogged then, heads would have rolled and I would have lost a couple friends for sure.
5. Baby got her MMR/Chicken Pox shot. Of course the doctor didn't tell us that she was going to get a fever for three days and have a shitty weekend, so I had to phone Info Sante and speak to a nice nurse who basically said that our pediatrician was an a-hole.
But this is a new month, so let the blogging begin again! (Along with the dieting.)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
In praise of my BFF
Dear reader,
My best friend Annie and I met over 20 years ago, at the age of 14 or 15. We were introduced by a mutual friend who found it odd that we had a shared admiration for the band Fleetwood Mac, a love of all things hippie and a knack for vintage clothes, despite the fact that we lived about two hours by bus and metro from one another. We eventually lost touch with that friend, but the sisterly bond between Annie and I stayed strong throughout the years.
1. We speak the same language.
Neither of us can remember how or when our mutual nickname, Naya (and its derivatives, the Yiddish-inspired Nayaleh and the French-chic Néyette), was born, but it has stuck to the point of completely obliterating our actual first names. And from that, a whole dictionary of Naya Language followed suit. If anyone were to eavesdrop on a conversation or sneak a peek at our thousands of lengthy e-mails, they’d think we were speaking in tongues.
2. She doesn’t judge me.
Oh Lord, I’ve done some wacky shit in my lifetime. From converting to Judaism to buying a shack in the country to seriously considering having a baby on my own, from ill-suited boyfriends to multiple family dramas to roller-coaster mood swings, she’s been there to say “Right on, girl.” Secretly, she might have thought I was off my bloody rocker, and I wouldn’t blame her. But she never told me so. It’s not that she doesn’t have her own opinions on the way people run, or rather, mess up, their lives; she just usually keeps those for our private gossip-fuelled correspondence. Her silent disapproval seems to target many, many people, but never me.
3. She’s hilarious.
Ever since our first letters on yellow pads and girly stationary, and from the very first chatty mix tape sent in colourful envelopes that were, I’m sure, the stuff of postmen’s nightmares, I’ve been in stitches. I’ve shed countless tears of laughter, suffered hysterics-induced stomach cramps and thrown myself on many a floor. Together, we’re a veritable comedy show; we could have a major comical production here.
4. We’re both musical.
She is better than me in that field, I’ll admit. She’s a hit in karaoke bars with her renditions of Heart tunes and disco classics, and her accompanying theatrics and fearless disposition make her the envy of all wannabes (i.e. me). She is also a walking encyclopaedia of songs and albums and videos and trivia, and she’s attended plenty of cool concerts. She’s, like, best buds with Lindsay Buckingham! (Ok, she only has his guitar pick, but he DID throw it specifically at her from the stage.) At age 17, her and I were just like the Indigo Girls, minus the lesbianism and the record contract. Strumming our guitars and singing in harmony in her suburban basement, the one with the old band posters, multiple shelves of hi-fi equipment and occasional bottle of pink Creme de Menthe. Good times, man. And thankfully, a few of our jam sessions were recorded for posterity. I just hope we’re still able to listen to tapes 20 years from now.
5. She’s an original.
When I’m busy with work and baby, I don’t have a lot of time to e-mail and catch up with her glamorous, young-child-free life, and I feel the void. I need my daily fix! Fortunately, she understands my wacky schedule, so she patiently waits for a quick note from me to let her know that I am, in fact, still alive, and anxiously awaiting her accounts of sunny weekends with work friends, barbecues in the backyard and bargain-filled shopping expeditions. My best friend is a social butterfly, a charmer who livens up any party and regales one and all with humorous anecdotes. Not to mention that her fashion sense is unmatched; you can always count on her to show up at a function and turn heads with her creative, lovely outfits. I’ve tried to emulate her in this department as well, in vain. She can’t be copied; she’s simply one of a kind.
My best friend Annie and I met over 20 years ago, at the age of 14 or 15. We were introduced by a mutual friend who found it odd that we had a shared admiration for the band Fleetwood Mac, a love of all things hippie and a knack for vintage clothes, despite the fact that we lived about two hours by bus and metro from one another. We eventually lost touch with that friend, but the sisterly bond between Annie and I stayed strong throughout the years.
1. We speak the same language.
Neither of us can remember how or when our mutual nickname, Naya (and its derivatives, the Yiddish-inspired Nayaleh and the French-chic Néyette), was born, but it has stuck to the point of completely obliterating our actual first names. And from that, a whole dictionary of Naya Language followed suit. If anyone were to eavesdrop on a conversation or sneak a peek at our thousands of lengthy e-mails, they’d think we were speaking in tongues.
2. She doesn’t judge me.
Oh Lord, I’ve done some wacky shit in my lifetime. From converting to Judaism to buying a shack in the country to seriously considering having a baby on my own, from ill-suited boyfriends to multiple family dramas to roller-coaster mood swings, she’s been there to say “Right on, girl.” Secretly, she might have thought I was off my bloody rocker, and I wouldn’t blame her. But she never told me so. It’s not that she doesn’t have her own opinions on the way people run, or rather, mess up, their lives; she just usually keeps those for our private gossip-fuelled correspondence. Her silent disapproval seems to target many, many people, but never me.
3. She’s hilarious.
Ever since our first letters on yellow pads and girly stationary, and from the very first chatty mix tape sent in colourful envelopes that were, I’m sure, the stuff of postmen’s nightmares, I’ve been in stitches. I’ve shed countless tears of laughter, suffered hysterics-induced stomach cramps and thrown myself on many a floor. Together, we’re a veritable comedy show; we could have a major comical production here.
4. We’re both musical.
She is better than me in that field, I’ll admit. She’s a hit in karaoke bars with her renditions of Heart tunes and disco classics, and her accompanying theatrics and fearless disposition make her the envy of all wannabes (i.e. me). She is also a walking encyclopaedia of songs and albums and videos and trivia, and she’s attended plenty of cool concerts. She’s, like, best buds with Lindsay Buckingham! (Ok, she only has his guitar pick, but he DID throw it specifically at her from the stage.) At age 17, her and I were just like the Indigo Girls, minus the lesbianism and the record contract. Strumming our guitars and singing in harmony in her suburban basement, the one with the old band posters, multiple shelves of hi-fi equipment and occasional bottle of pink Creme de Menthe. Good times, man. And thankfully, a few of our jam sessions were recorded for posterity. I just hope we’re still able to listen to tapes 20 years from now.
5. She’s an original.
When I’m busy with work and baby, I don’t have a lot of time to e-mail and catch up with her glamorous, young-child-free life, and I feel the void. I need my daily fix! Fortunately, she understands my wacky schedule, so she patiently waits for a quick note from me to let her know that I am, in fact, still alive, and anxiously awaiting her accounts of sunny weekends with work friends, barbecues in the backyard and bargain-filled shopping expeditions. My best friend is a social butterfly, a charmer who livens up any party and regales one and all with humorous anecdotes. Not to mention that her fashion sense is unmatched; you can always count on her to show up at a function and turn heads with her creative, lovely outfits. I’ve tried to emulate her in this department as well, in vain. She can’t be copied; she’s simply one of a kind.
Friday, June 19, 2009
InStyle, take me away!
Dear reader,
Here’s a little-known fact about me: I have a subscription to InStyle magazine. It’s been my traditional birthday gift from my fashion-conscious mother-in-law for several years, ever since I started dating her son. Now, I myself am not much of a trend follower, rather opting for basic black, navy and white capris, conventional jeans, neutral t-shirts, no-nonsense sweaters (I luv argyle), a few plain skirts and one dress (black and now waaaaaay too small), as well as a couple of cute jackets I don’t wear very often (the pink velvet velour was my favourite until my brother-in-law spilled red wine on it and someone thought it would be smart to add club soda and salt and white wine to erase the stain. Shockingly, that only added to the mess).
I wear next to no jewellery, except for my engagement and wedding rings, and, if I’m going out or feeling particularly dainty, I’ll throw around my neck an amber heart pendant that was an early gift from Shawn or my sparkly little ladybug (a trinket, really, but it reminds me of my daughter, whose first birthday cake was shaped like the polka-doted creature). I do have very cool pieces from India, which were brought back from my husband’s business trip to Bangalore. He had a shitty time, but it was worth it: I look fantastic with all those bangles and intricate necklaces.
I do love to look at beautiful things, and InStyle never fails: classy, colourful clothing like works of art on glossy paper; gorgeous gems, pristine pearls and dazzling diamonds; fabulous furnishings and eclectic accessories. Granted, most of these baubles cost the better part of a year’s salary, but here are a few things I found in this month’s issue that could, possibly, be enjoyed by a regular person.
1. Chifundo Bracelet
I don’t actually know who Camilla Belle is, but on page 24 she’s seen wearing one of these really cool beaded bracelets. They’re handmade, so each one is original, and the best part, or second-best part, is that they’re only 40 bucks each. Not exactly pennies, but here’s the real best part: all profits provide education and resources for children in Malawi. Madonna can adopt them; we can help them a tiny bit and look funky at the same time. Me likey. (helpmalawichildren.org)
2. Bally Ballet Flats
Two pages later, Freida Pinto (the cutie from Slumdog Millionaire) wears black Bally ballet flats (say that three times in a row) that also come in two tones. Oh. My. God. Two-tone shoes have been my fashion Holy Grail ever since I saw Elaine wearing them on Seinfeld, back in the early 90s. I eventually got a pair, but they weren’t very high quality so they made my feet hurt, and I didn’t wear them much. And then they went out of style, and my quest for the perfect, Forties-inspired footwear pretty much ended. But now, here it is: the shoe of my dream! For 300 dollars, who could deny me that?
3. Havaianas
Still in the shoe department, Havaianas are killer. I’ve heard about these great flip-flops many times, and now I’ve seen the ad, but I’ve never spotted them in a store. According to their Web site, they sell them at Simons in Montreal, but I doubt they have as many styles as you can find online. The patterns are so lovely (the Peacock, the Garden and the Elephant, with embellishment, are just a few examples) that I might have to get 100 different pairs and wear them year-round! Are socks and sandals still a fashion faux-pas?
4. ZenBunni Organic Chocolate
Ummm... did I just read “non-dairy chocolate bars”? I’m drooling already. ZenBunni is a Los Angeles company that miraculously ships to Canada, so you can create your own box of nine bars (the flavours are limited, but the “grey sea salt” sounds delectable). They claim to make healthy chocolate, the buzz words being “raw”, “minerals”, “nutrients”, “antioxidants”... you get the drift. They had me at “chocolate.”
Here’s a little-known fact about me: I have a subscription to InStyle magazine. It’s been my traditional birthday gift from my fashion-conscious mother-in-law for several years, ever since I started dating her son. Now, I myself am not much of a trend follower, rather opting for basic black, navy and white capris, conventional jeans, neutral t-shirts, no-nonsense sweaters (I luv argyle), a few plain skirts and one dress (black and now waaaaaay too small), as well as a couple of cute jackets I don’t wear very often (the pink velvet velour was my favourite until my brother-in-law spilled red wine on it and someone thought it would be smart to add club soda and salt and white wine to erase the stain. Shockingly, that only added to the mess).
I wear next to no jewellery, except for my engagement and wedding rings, and, if I’m going out or feeling particularly dainty, I’ll throw around my neck an amber heart pendant that was an early gift from Shawn or my sparkly little ladybug (a trinket, really, but it reminds me of my daughter, whose first birthday cake was shaped like the polka-doted creature). I do have very cool pieces from India, which were brought back from my husband’s business trip to Bangalore. He had a shitty time, but it was worth it: I look fantastic with all those bangles and intricate necklaces.
I do love to look at beautiful things, and InStyle never fails: classy, colourful clothing like works of art on glossy paper; gorgeous gems, pristine pearls and dazzling diamonds; fabulous furnishings and eclectic accessories. Granted, most of these baubles cost the better part of a year’s salary, but here are a few things I found in this month’s issue that could, possibly, be enjoyed by a regular person.
1. Chifundo Bracelet
I don’t actually know who Camilla Belle is, but on page 24 she’s seen wearing one of these really cool beaded bracelets. They’re handmade, so each one is original, and the best part, or second-best part, is that they’re only 40 bucks each. Not exactly pennies, but here’s the real best part: all profits provide education and resources for children in Malawi. Madonna can adopt them; we can help them a tiny bit and look funky at the same time. Me likey. (helpmalawichildren.org)
2. Bally Ballet Flats
Two pages later, Freida Pinto (the cutie from Slumdog Millionaire) wears black Bally ballet flats (say that three times in a row) that also come in two tones. Oh. My. God. Two-tone shoes have been my fashion Holy Grail ever since I saw Elaine wearing them on Seinfeld, back in the early 90s. I eventually got a pair, but they weren’t very high quality so they made my feet hurt, and I didn’t wear them much. And then they went out of style, and my quest for the perfect, Forties-inspired footwear pretty much ended. But now, here it is: the shoe of my dream! For 300 dollars, who could deny me that?
3. Havaianas
Still in the shoe department, Havaianas are killer. I’ve heard about these great flip-flops many times, and now I’ve seen the ad, but I’ve never spotted them in a store. According to their Web site, they sell them at Simons in Montreal, but I doubt they have as many styles as you can find online. The patterns are so lovely (the Peacock, the Garden and the Elephant, with embellishment, are just a few examples) that I might have to get 100 different pairs and wear them year-round! Are socks and sandals still a fashion faux-pas?
4. ZenBunni Organic Chocolate
Ummm... did I just read “non-dairy chocolate bars”? I’m drooling already. ZenBunni is a Los Angeles company that miraculously ships to Canada, so you can create your own box of nine bars (the flavours are limited, but the “grey sea salt” sounds delectable). They claim to make healthy chocolate, the buzz words being “raw”, “minerals”, “nutrients”, “antioxidants”... you get the drift. They had me at “chocolate.”
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fun New Things
Dear reader,
For today’s instalment, I have decided to list the Top Five fun new things I’m all about these days.
1. OPI’s “Mermaid to Order” nail polish
I recently stopped breastfeeding my daughter, and with that came the return of long, polish-worthy nails (goodbye, middle-of-the-night nail biting!). So on a recent trip to Toronto, we stopped by Yorkdale Mall – a temple of shopping decadence if there ever was one – and I treated myself to this cool, sparkly turquoise shade at Sephora. Now, there’s been a Sephora store at my local mall for about a year, maybe longer, I don’t know; I’ve never set foot there. For me, Sephora belongs to that long list of American shops that, despite our clamouring, should stay in the U.S. and thus remain slightly foreign and mysterious to those who only visit once in a while, a list that includes such indulgences as Krispy Kreme, Target, Bath & Body Works, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma. Indeed, the fact that I bought my funky, what-the-hell-was-I-thinking polish elsewhere than the regular old shopping centre down the street makes it so much more exotic and cherished.
2. Kettle Brand Baked Chips
Shawn and I went back on the Weight Watchers Points system a couple weeks ago after the free-for-all that was our Niagara-on-the-Lake trip (although if I’m honest, I would say that the last 18 months have been pretty crazy food-wise; having a baby is a fantastic excuse for having two tubs of frozen yogurt in the freezer at all times). So we’ve been scavenging the supermarket shelves for diet-friendly snacks, and we found these beauties in Hawkesbury last weekend. We like to go to Independent and look for nifty new offerings by President’s Choice before they hit the Québec market. A cheap thrill. Anyhoo, these chips are delicious! Hardly any different than the original kettle chips, but less W.W. points. Shawn’s been doling them out in 100-calorie portions for lunches, disciplined eater that he is, and we’ve all enjoyed a tasty snack without the crazy guilt and extra-oily fingers.
3. Cuisinart Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Sorbet Maker
At 80 bucks, a splurge, for sure, but what the hell, it’s Father’s Day and the boy deserves a shiny new gourmet toy (the Cuisinart food processor with extra sausage-making attachments will have to wait). So last night we broke her in by making a simple strawberry frozen yogurt with soy milk. Delish, and full of potential for sweet, somewhat low-cal desserts. I’m particularly intrigued by the lemon sorbet my husband has promised to make – it will no doubt be delightful and perhaps the new staple of dinner parties on Dawson Street.
4. “Man Vs. Wild”
Bear Grylls is insane. Sure, he served in the British Special Forces and climbed Everest, but still: to be dropped off in the Costa Rican jungle or on top of an Alaskan glacier, among others, is plain wacky! Each episode of this show, which we recently discovered on the aptly named Discovery Channel, is more fascinating than the next, as Bear teaches his viewers how to survive in extreme situations with nothing more than a water bottle (great for drinking one’s own pee), a knife (for eating raw zebra) and shoelaces (to tie one’s legs and climb a naked tree).
5. Celebrity Baby Blog (http://celebrity-babies.com/)
I may or may not be obsessed with celebrity babies, crazy names and all. This Web site caters to my every craving for gossip, pictures and “breaking news” – Trista and Ryan have baby girl named Blakesley! Heidi Klum is pregnant for the 12th time! But the site also features very interesting mama-friendly products, such as the Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent. This super-cool shading device sounds great for my possible trip to Israel this summer since we would be about one minute away from beach heaven, and I was just thinking that I’d have to get a little parasol for Louisa. Thanks CBB! Another fun aspect of the site: links to other blogs, such as LilSugar, which features mommy-related articles and must-take quizzes like “Name that Diaper Bag,” which I failed miserably. Hmph. Looks like I’ll have to go back to Yorkdale Mall and brush up on my baby-designer skills!
For today’s instalment, I have decided to list the Top Five fun new things I’m all about these days.
1. OPI’s “Mermaid to Order” nail polish
I recently stopped breastfeeding my daughter, and with that came the return of long, polish-worthy nails (goodbye, middle-of-the-night nail biting!). So on a recent trip to Toronto, we stopped by Yorkdale Mall – a temple of shopping decadence if there ever was one – and I treated myself to this cool, sparkly turquoise shade at Sephora. Now, there’s been a Sephora store at my local mall for about a year, maybe longer, I don’t know; I’ve never set foot there. For me, Sephora belongs to that long list of American shops that, despite our clamouring, should stay in the U.S. and thus remain slightly foreign and mysterious to those who only visit once in a while, a list that includes such indulgences as Krispy Kreme, Target, Bath & Body Works, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma. Indeed, the fact that I bought my funky, what-the-hell-was-I-thinking polish elsewhere than the regular old shopping centre down the street makes it so much more exotic and cherished.
2. Kettle Brand Baked Chips
Shawn and I went back on the Weight Watchers Points system a couple weeks ago after the free-for-all that was our Niagara-on-the-Lake trip (although if I’m honest, I would say that the last 18 months have been pretty crazy food-wise; having a baby is a fantastic excuse for having two tubs of frozen yogurt in the freezer at all times). So we’ve been scavenging the supermarket shelves for diet-friendly snacks, and we found these beauties in Hawkesbury last weekend. We like to go to Independent and look for nifty new offerings by President’s Choice before they hit the Québec market. A cheap thrill. Anyhoo, these chips are delicious! Hardly any different than the original kettle chips, but less W.W. points. Shawn’s been doling them out in 100-calorie portions for lunches, disciplined eater that he is, and we’ve all enjoyed a tasty snack without the crazy guilt and extra-oily fingers.
3. Cuisinart Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Sorbet Maker
At 80 bucks, a splurge, for sure, but what the hell, it’s Father’s Day and the boy deserves a shiny new gourmet toy (the Cuisinart food processor with extra sausage-making attachments will have to wait). So last night we broke her in by making a simple strawberry frozen yogurt with soy milk. Delish, and full of potential for sweet, somewhat low-cal desserts. I’m particularly intrigued by the lemon sorbet my husband has promised to make – it will no doubt be delightful and perhaps the new staple of dinner parties on Dawson Street.
4. “Man Vs. Wild”
Bear Grylls is insane. Sure, he served in the British Special Forces and climbed Everest, but still: to be dropped off in the Costa Rican jungle or on top of an Alaskan glacier, among others, is plain wacky! Each episode of this show, which we recently discovered on the aptly named Discovery Channel, is more fascinating than the next, as Bear teaches his viewers how to survive in extreme situations with nothing more than a water bottle (great for drinking one’s own pee), a knife (for eating raw zebra) and shoelaces (to tie one’s legs and climb a naked tree).
5. Celebrity Baby Blog (http://celebrity-babies.com/)
I may or may not be obsessed with celebrity babies, crazy names and all. This Web site caters to my every craving for gossip, pictures and “breaking news” – Trista and Ryan have baby girl named Blakesley! Heidi Klum is pregnant for the 12th time! But the site also features very interesting mama-friendly products, such as the Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent. This super-cool shading device sounds great for my possible trip to Israel this summer since we would be about one minute away from beach heaven, and I was just thinking that I’d have to get a little parasol for Louisa. Thanks CBB! Another fun aspect of the site: links to other blogs, such as LilSugar, which features mommy-related articles and must-take quizzes like “Name that Diaper Bag,” which I failed miserably. Hmph. Looks like I’ll have to go back to Yorkdale Mall and brush up on my baby-designer skills!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
