Friday's Feast

May 23, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: Wii, Playstation or XBox?
I do not own any of those. Look how much time I don't waste.

Soup: Would you ever go skydiving?
I cannot imagine ever getting to the point where I purposefully decide to jump out of a perfectly good plane to plummet to my possible death.

Salad: Name a sequel that you think is better than the original movie.
Bad question for me, I cannot remember entertainment names, cannot think of a sequel I liked better.

Main Course: Share your most wonderful birthday celebration.
It was my 21st birthday and my boyfriend took me and my best friend and her bf to see Cats. Then that weekend he ordered me and all my girlfriends a limo and we went to Chippendale's when they were still in LA, and then we had a party at a hotel. It was a lot of fun and I felt celebrated.

Dessert: If you dare, post a picture of yourself making a silly face.
I don't have a pic like that, I have a hard enough time find a pic i like to post at all without finding a silly face.

Wordless Wednesday

May 21, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

Yellow roses are meant to mean, "Yellow Roses indicate joy, gladness, friendship and "I Care"" according to this website. We got these beautiful roses at the local farmers market. And what a deal! Long stemmed, everyone of the dozen was good quality and only $7. They lasted almost a week.

I easily flow with change. I am always going in the best direction.

May 19, 2008

I easily flow with change. I am always going in the best direction.

I made this salad yesterday because I've read about how great quinoa is as a whole grain. It's pronounced 'Keen Wa' in case you are wondering and I have to say that my first attempt with this recipe was a resounding success! I love it, it's nutty and flavorful. I can't wait to have some for lunch. Along with my tabbouleh that I made yesterday and some feta cheese. I think I must be Greek and nobody told my family. I like the Mediterranean diet and I'm finding that I do not need a lot of meat in my diet to be satisfied. I found some lovely orange and yellow tomatoes yesterday and they are in the tabbouleh, plus a couple diced Persian cucumbers. Yum! I can't wait for lunch!

I'm feeling better and so my appetite seems to be back which is great I guess except I'd really like to keep off the weight I lost while being sick. I think I am, as long as I keep it healthy and balanced. So here is the recipe for the quinoa salad and please try it even if you aren't watching your weight. It's really good and I think you'll like it.

Quinoa Salad with Corn and Peppers
POINTS: 3 per serving (Weight Watchers)

INSTRUCTIONS
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 piece corn on the cob, steamed, cooled and kernels removed (I used 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed)
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), diced
1/2 medium yellow pepper(s), diced
1 1/2 Tbsp orange zest
1/3 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp canola oil
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp chopped almonds, toasted

Boil 2 cups of water over medium-high heat. Add quinoa and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes; cool to room temperature.

Stir lemon juice, corn, peppers, orange zest and juice, oil, salt and pepper into quinoa. Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with almonds and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

I went shopping yesterday and got a pair of shorts, bought them a size smaller than usual but I hate to try stuff on at the store, so I came home and tried them on and they not only fit, they were almost....almost too big!! So happy!

I didn't do that much this weekend, I really wanted to get out, was going to take my friend and her girls to a movie, but decided I needed to stay home and recuperate and I really do feel better today. The CT scan was normal, nothing major showed but the Dr. was going to send me to a pulmonologist. But now that the congestion and cough are going away I won't go.

I got a lot of knitting done on my clapotis, it'll be done tonight and then I'll take pics. I love the colors but it's definitely for cooler weather so it'll be a while before I can actually use it. It's wool and mohair and it's warm!

Friday's Feast

May 16, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the nearest big city to your home?
Los Angeles

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
10, I know how to keep a secret and I'll do it with honor.

Salad
Describe your hair (color, texture, length).
My hair is becoming more natural grey, platinum and highlighted with blond and it's darker brown in the back. I have pretty thick hair, above the shoulders. I drastically changed my hair about a year ago and I like it.

Main Course
What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?
Even living in LA, I find drivers more courteous than in other parts of the country and I think I'm courteous, aggressive when I need to be and I am usually not a speeder. I kind of am more laid back now and don't think it's worth getting upset and being in such a hurry, it gives me anxiety.

Dessert
When was the last time you had a really bad week?
Oh this week has been pretty bad, because I don't feel well, but I've only had one truly bad week and that was when something traumatic happened to me. My body kind of shut down for over 2 days, I slept nonstop that whole time, except going potty a couple times, and I didn't eat, I lost over 9 lbs. in 2 days. That was a bad week.

I splurged.

May 12, 2008

I splurged.

I splurged and bought mysel a Homedics Spa Fusion alarm clock with nature sounds and an ipod docking station. I'm pretty particular about alarm clocks because they have to have 2 alarms because I have a hard time waking up. And it can not have that really annoying alarm sound, you know the one. It gives me anxiety, I don't know why it does, but that noise does and so this alarm has 2 alarms and you can wake up to a beep, that isn't annoying, the radio, nature sound or my ipod. It's so cool. It charges my ipod too. So I can go to sleep listening to the ocean, or rain, or a waterfall, or sunrise, it's really soothing. And I ordered my free face plate today in blue to match my ipod. It came with black and green, pink, but I guess blue is a newer color, but they are sending it to me. I'm really happy with my spa fusion.

I'm home again from work today. I went to the dr. last thursday and they did a chest xray, i was suppose to hear something on Friday. I did not. Friday I got worse and worse. I left work early because I was coughing so much, totally exhausted, and I was so sick all weekend. Today I called the dr. and told them I'm even worse. I don't know what to do. They haven't called me back yet and it's 3 pm.

I've started another clapotis. It's good knitting for me now because after getting the beginning set up rows done, it's kind of mindless knitting. And that's what I need right now. So I sleep, get up and knit...

Friday's Feast

May 8, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?
Always...

Soup
Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?
We have a mix of tile, 1x1 white tile in the kitchen, laundry room, halfway and both bathrooms, hardwood floor in the dining room, living room and carpet in the bedrooms.

Salad
Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.
My mother may make martinis!

Main Course
Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?
Yes, someone close gave up a child for adoption.

Dessert
Name 2 blue things.
Aquamarine, my birth stone and my ipod is called blue but it's more like aquamarine.

It is okay to make noise. I express myself freely and joyously.

May 7, 2008

It is okay to make noise. I express myself freely and joyously.

Mamacita, Julie and I went to an Ayurvedic Workshop last night at a yoga studio. We weren't sure what to expect. None of us are into yoga right now but I would like to be someday. I know that I have to make exercise or movement of some type part of my day because of my general health but also because it would enhance my weight loss. So I've been contemplating taking some private yoga classes and I discussed this yesterday with the yoga instructor. She and another person who turned out to be her teacher suggested that that would be a great way to start. It's really embarrassing and awful to feel so limited sometimes. I just could not face going to a yoga class with others who are skinny and nimble and adept at yoga and trying to fit in. I knew I'd feel like a huge albatross fish out of water! So Mamacita and I may take a few classes together.

I've drug my poor Mamacita to a yoga class before. Several years ago and we can only laugh about it now, but at the time it wasn't so funny I guess. Let's just say that the beginning class was not exactly for beginners! But we tried! So the fact that I can get her to try again, well I give her credit for doing it.

So this studio is quite small and there were no chairs for us to sit and I just knew that I could not sit on the floor for 1.5 hours nor could Julie and Mamacita, so we got their early and planted our tushies on the only bench in the room with just enough room for our arses. It was not exactly comfortable but we did OK.

The Ayurvedic teacher was delightful. I loved her. She's from Australia but married to an American now and I was riveted by the basics of Ayurveda. And came to find out that I do some ayurveda things already without knowing it but haven't done them in awhile. Tongue scraping is one thing that helps get rid of toxins and helps your mouth health, I've done it in the past, but have to start again. Another is using a neti pot. And when she mentioned it, it hit me and I felt like an idiot. Here I am using a cortisone inhaler, nose spray, Zyrtec and another inhaler for allergies, etc. and I never thought of using my neti pot. I mean, duh! I'm the one who tells everyone else who suffers with any ailment above the shoulders that they should try a neti pot, but when I suffer, I didn't even think of it. Well I'll start that again too. We also learned about doshas, and how ayurveda treats the body, not disease. We learned about oil massage which I'm definitely going to start, once I find a good massage oil. You oil your body using massage to put it on your whole body, and then you let it sit and soak in, massage in again and then you shower and rinse it off. The teacher said she hasn't used soap on her skin for years. She talked about how good food and certain foods can help balance whatever ails you.

So now I'm trying to find out more information on Ayurveda. What I'd really like to do is start being treated by this teacher but it's initially some big money (for me), totally worth it I am sure, I mean if we should splurge on anything it should be ourselves and our health, so I'll see if I can save up for it. In the meantime I'll try to do other small changes.

I am created to succeed, and I give thanks for my success.

May 6, 2008

I am created to succeed, and I give thanks for my success.

Favor to ask of you to help out a new blogger. She happens to be my best friend and I've been yakking about my blog to her for awhile so I wanted her to get in on the fun. I helped her create a blog. Would you go say hi and give her a link to your blog so she can figure out the wonderful bloginess available out there. Go check her out at The Jean Pool. And thank you in advance...

I'm wearing a new top and pants today. I'm kinda cute! :) It's actually Mamacita's clothes, she got some new stuff for her birthday and told me I could wear it. I have on some Chanel No. 5 perfume today too, of which I love. It's a classic scent, it just gives me a glamourous feeling to wear it. I also like it because you can tell the quality of it because it doesn't fade right away. Not that it's overpowering, but it stays on. You turn a certain way and you get a nice whiff of it.

We did end up going to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and it was nice. We got oranges, pea shoots, baby flowering bok choy, snap peas, and beets. I also got a beautiful dozen long stemmed yellow roses for $7 bucks! Such a deal! And after 3 days, they are still beautiful. Mamacita found a lovely handmade set of earrings and a necklace and another pair of earrings for a good price and we also got some good greek humus with avocado and cilantro, tasty.

I read the following on a WW board yesterday. I'm pretty sure I've seen it before, but it's worth another read. Can you relate?

Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost.....I am helpless......it isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place; but it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in....it's a habit. My eyes are open.....I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down a different street.

I wasn't feeling well this weekend and didn't make it to work Monday. I'm better in my tummy, but now I'm getting a cough again and my throat and voice sounds funny. I kind of think it's still from having the flu a month ago. But dang, I'd like to get over this soon.

Saturday Sky #7

May 3, 2008

Saturday Sky #7

Saturday Sky~Southern California 5/3/08

It's a beautiful morning here. The skies are blue with just a few wispy clouds here and there. The heat will be mild today, maybe in the 70's.

We have lots to do around the house today, I have some laundry to do. I need to soak and block a scarf and pair of socks and block them. I'm getting ready to finish my clapotis and then I'll need to block that too. And I'm also working on a crochet skirt that I was asked to make. I haven't crocheted in awhile, so it's kind of interesting. I'm enjoying this project so far. It's crocheted squares that I will piece together. Should be cute.

We plan to take my brother to the Farmers Market today and we also may go to the movies. Busy, busy!

Friday's Feast

May 2, 2008

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?
I think it had to be Bugs Bunny. Those were the days...

Soup
Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?
I'd get a Champagne or Sable Burmese cat. I want one really badly ever since we went to a cat show last year and I fell in love with them. They are compact and cute and very personable. I cannot resist that round face and those golden eyes. I must have one. *Edited to add the name, I forgot. I'd have to see the cats personality, but it's be something regal like Rhys or Benton or Felicia for a girl. I'm not sure.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
7~ I like it, it's fun to primp and prepare, but it's also a lot of work.

Main Course
What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?
I usually listen to talk radio, but when I listen to music it's sock rock or country.

Dessert
When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?
I'm not sure I've ever bought a clock. Watches yes, but not a clock.

Life mirrors my every thought. As I keep my thoughts positive, life brings only good experiences to me.

May 1, 2008

Life mirrors my every thought. As I keep my thoughts positive, life brings only good experiences to me.

May Day! Boy we're missing out in America, they have all kinds of fun celebrations around the world and unfortunately in So. CA it marks the anniversary of last years May Day protest where a whole lot of Angelenos chose to protest and cause trouble and it became a negative thing. Several high schooler's chose to leave school and protest which I think should be illegal, they need to keep their butt in school. Protest AFTER school, and do it peacefully. It also has to do with immigrant rights and without getting on a soap box I'll just say that if you are an immigrant and do it legally ~welcome to the USA! If you do it illegally... you cost me more money because of the services here that you take advantage of and I don't like footing your bill. And if you do come to America, the language here is English and do not expect me to accomodate you. When I move to Mexico or Spain or Guatemala or China, I'll learn to speak your native language.

I cannot believe we're already into May, the time just flies.

I found a new meeting and it's in my home town. How sad that i've missed out on this meeting because the Leader is super cool and I liked her a lot. She was welcoming and interactive and I just felt so good when I left that meeting last night. I've already purchased my monthly pass so I will continue this meeting for at least May. My attitude today is more positive and more confident. That is what meetings do for me. I had mentioned that on a WW board and that I realized I cannot do this thing without meetings, I need it. Someone told me that she's at goal and still needs meetings and has just accepted that this is part of her life. So I'm thinking on that today. It would be a great gift to myself to continue, get healthy, and take care of myself with love and understanding.