Rain, rain go away ...

This is what the drive to work looked like today, very foggy! And very humid, it is suppose to rain for the next couple of days. In a way it is nice because the rain will help clean up all the gravel and dirt left over from the winter, make the grass grow and turn a nice shade of green but it also sucks cause it isn't nice to walk in the rain. I haven't taken the dog for her walk for two days now! She is going nuts in the house and needs to get out, I promised her that no matter what I will take her for a walk today!! Maybe I can find an umbrella like the one in this pic so that she doesn't get as wet when it's raining!? LOL

Tomorrow is suppose to be the first Street Legal race of the season but I doubt we will be racing. I still have to get in the trailer and clean it out and I still need to take our sleeping bags to the dry cleaners! That is the plan for Saturday, I have to work (at my full time job) so I will have time in the afternoon to take on the trailer and run to the dry cleaners. I think it will be a challenge for me to make sure I still eat healthy on the weekends I'm working at the track, on Fridays I will have to bring my supper with me to work and eat it on the way to the track so I will have to find something that is not only easy to eat on the go but is simple enough that I don't have to eat hot!? I may have to switch my dinners and lunches around and I will have to make sure that I pack my meals for the rest of the weekend on Thursday. I think it will be a lot more work this year then previous years but eventually I will get into the habit and just know what to take. I'm trying to convince the hubby that we should bring a microwave out to the track with us just cause it will be easier to cook veggies and lunches in a hurry. He says we don't really have a power supply out there big enough to power a microwave but then I reminded him about our generator!! It's big enough to power a little ole' microwave! he he The good thing about it is that we only live about 20min from the track so worst case scenario I can always run home if I forget something.

When I was grocery shopping on Tuesday they had Mango's on sale for a buck! I have had mango's before but they are already cut and prepared (like in a can), so I was a little unsure on how to pick a good mango but I figured for a buck I couldn't go wrong. Now I'm a little unsure on how to eat it!? Does it peel like a orange or is it like a melon that you scoop out the guts!? I thought I would Google it and share the info with you, in case you were also curious!?

--Never buy completely green mangoes, as they may never ripen. Under ripe mangoes can have an unpleasant chemical taste if eaten raw. When buying, no fragrant aroma most likely means no flavor.

--There is no trick to getting the flesh off a mango easily - it can be very messy. Peel and then cut the flesh off around the pit as best you can. The pit is flat, so try to cut the flesh off along the flat side of the pit. Then just nibble the rest off the pit. Its messy, but absolutely delicious.OR - Get a MANGO SPLITTER

--SELECTION - Choose firm plump mango's that give slightly when pressure is applied. Avoid those with bruised or dry and shriveled skin. The ripeness of mango's can be determined by either smelling or squeezing. A ripe mango will have a full, fruity aroma emitting from the stem end. Mango's can be considered ready to eat when slightly soft to the touch and yield to gentle pressure. The best-flavored fruit have a yellow tinge when ripe; however, color may be red, yellow, orange, green, or any combination.

--Never burn mango leaves or branches, the toxic fumes can cause serious irritation to the eyes and lungs.

--Be very careful of the stem end of mango's if any part of the branch or leaf is attached, as the sap can cause allergic reactions.

Trivia

** UPDATE **

So my brother called last night to let me know that they took Kenzie off the oxygen just before noon and she seems to be doing good. She has also been eating a bit from the bottle and not bringing it back up so that's good. She still has a cough but hopefully she will be able to go home tomorrow?! :)

My inlaws come home today from their Mexican holiday! Their plane lands at 5pm so we will probably end up going out for dinner with them and hear all their fun stories of their trip!

Tomorrow is also weigh in day and I'm a little nervous about it, I don't think I have had a single NS meal all week! I have been on my own about 95% this week and I'm curious to see if I did ok!?

Thinking of trying something new? How about ...

Eggplant
Eggplant, although commonly thought of as a vegetable, is actually a fruit, specifically, a berry. There are many varieties, ranging in length from 2 - 12 inches (3 - 30 cm), in color from white to rich purple and in shape from round to oblong. Choose an eggplant with firm, smooth skin that is very heavy for its size; avoid those with soft or brown spots. Eggplants are very perishable and become bitter with age. Store in refrigerator and use promptly. When young, the skin of most eggplants is edible; older eggplants should be peeled. Cut eggplant just before using as the flesh discolours very quickly. Eggplant can be prepared in many ways including frying, baking and broiling.

PREPARATION - Wash the eggplant just before using it, and cut off the cap and stem. Use a stainless steel knife because carbon blades will discolor the eggplant. Eggplant should not be eaten raw. Eggplant may be cooked with or without its skin. However, large eggplant and most white varieties have thick, tough skin and should be peeled prior to cooking with a vegetable peeler. Unlike many vegetables, eggplant is not harmed by long cooking. An undercooked eggplant can have a chewy texture; but overcooked eggplant is just very soft. Do not cook in an aluminum pot because the eggplant will become discolored. Spices that enhance its flavor include allspice, basil, bay leaves, garlic, chili powder, oregano, sage, thyme, marjoram, and parsley. Eggplant is most often paired with tomatoes or onions.

BAKING: To bake a whole eggplant, pierce the skin with a fork several times, and cook it at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Baking whole eggplants produces a soft flesh that is easy to mash or puree.

BROILING: Cut the eggplant into thick lengthwise slices, and score them lightly with a sharp knife. Place the slices on a broiler pan or grill; brush them lightly with oil. Broil about 5 inches from the heat, and turn slices when they begin to brown. Eggplant should be cooked for approximately 5 minutes per side.

Eggplant may also be MICROWAVED whole, cubed, or sliced. Cooking times vary from 6 to 8 minutes for a whole eggplant to 3 or 4 minutes for a pound of cubed eggplant.

STEWED EGGPLANT is called ratatouille. For this dish, eggplant may be stewed alone, or with other vegetables. Simmer, covered with a liquid such as tomato juice, until the eggplant is tender. The cooking time is usually 20 to 25 minutes.

Tuesday trivia

I'm awfully stiff and sore today, not too sure why? I didn't do anything extra yesterday just the usual 30min walk and Pilate's? Maybe it's old age? LOL I got my shipment yesterday and yes my 60lb bear was present and accounted for! he he There are a few things in my order that are new and I'm excited to try. Like the cherry vanilla pudding and I noticed that they have changed the packaging on the vegetarian chili? It is now in one of the little microwave bowls and not in the tray, more like the chili with beans?! Well today is grocery day and I get to go by myself cause the hubby got his shipment of metal tubing for his car and he is excited to get started on that. I'm totally fine with going by myself, in fact I think I like it better, I don't feel so rushed and I can take my time and try and find new healthy foods! As long as he helps unload the car when I get home it's all good! ;)

I found this on the WW website and thought it was good info and I'd like to share.

Q: I don't know how to store fresh veggies in the fridge. Do I take them out of their plastic bags? Is there anything special I should do before putting them in the fridge? How long can I expect them to last?

A: Although the best storage methods for fresh vegetables can vary within each vegetable category (green onions differ from Spanish onions, for example), here's a list with some basic guidelines. A few overall points to keep in mind first, though:

**Refrigeration can damage some vegetables (such as potatoes), yielding an off-flavour or mushy texture. -- I always put my potatoes in the fridge ??
**Keep vegetables that are not stored in the refrigerator (such as potatoes and onions) away from heat sources and out of sunlight.
**Some vegetables (like tomatoes and eggplants) can be left on the counter to ripen and then refrigerated to extend their lifespan.
**When storing veggies in plastic bags, make sure to poke some holes in the bag to allow for proper air circulation. Or buy perforated plastic vegetable bags.
**Keep vegetables and fruits in separate produce drawers because some fruits, such as apples and pears, produce a substance called ethylene that hastens ripening of other produce. --I've heard this before and try to keep my apples separate but my fridge is only so big!
**Do not store potatoes and onions together because they each give off gases that can cause the rapid decay of the other. --Who knew!? Not me! LOL
**Although some vegetables can last for long periods of time when properly stored, try to use them sooner, rather than later, for optimal flavour and nutrient value.
**Add crispness back to limp veggies like celery and asparagus by placing them stem-side down in a small amount of water; refrigerate until crisp.
**Last but not least, do not wash vegetables until you're ready to eat them! -- I always wash my veggies as soon as I get home so that they are prepared and ready to eat whenever I want! I guess they stay fresher if you don't do that ?

I found that the WW website is quite helpful and usually has tons of tips. If you are curious you should check it out, WW Website. Hopefully soon I will be able to get my new fridge, bottom freezer, then this way all my veggies will be at eye level and the first thing I see when I open the door!

Trivia Tuesday

I'm awfully grouchy today, not too sure why? I think it's my job..... I love my job but I also hate my job. I love that I get paid a fairly good salary to sit here and surf the net and write posts for my blog, answer the phone once and a while and talk to customers. But I'm not sure I enjoy the co-workers, my boss isn't really the "training" type, every time I ask him a question he either does the job for me or doesn't know the answer?! We are a new location so we aren't too busy yet which makes for really long days, the "assistant manager" is 65 and should have retired a few years ago (after his heart attack) I sometimes often feel like I know more then him - I think his title is just something they felt obligated to give him? Me and him switch shifts every week, this week is my early week and he is on late shift. Which I think is fair, but it seems like every time I'm on the early shift he takes days off which forces me to start early and stay late! Pisses me off that I have to put in all these extra hours and not get paid for it! The drivers are like children that you need to babysit and can't operate under their own brain power! I think a part of my grouch feeling is due to the fact that I want to start a family but the other half isn't quite ready. I am more then ready to go on mat. leave and blow this Popsicle stand! I just have to be patient and wait a few more months! ;)

Anyway I suppose that is enough of the complaining whining, my step count from yesterday was down again (even though I went on the same path as I did 4 weeks ago) 5942. I am on my last notch on my belt again so I think when I go get a new pedometer this weekend I will also buy some new pants and another belt. I don't think I will be able to wear my rings for too much longer either, they are getting so big that I'm worried they will fall off! I need to get them sized but I think I will wait until I am at goal or close to it.

So with all the recent TTC talk I thought it would be fun to let you in on a few foods that are suppose to increase you sex drive or be aphrodisiacs!


You may already know the most common ones:

Chocolate :
-- Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat.

Oysters :
--Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters." An additional hypotheses is that the oyster resembles the "female" genitals. In reality, oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.

But did you know that these are also aphrodisiacs:

Pineapple :
--Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence. Add a spear to a sweet Rum drink for a tasty prelude to an evening of passion.

Asparagus :
--Given its phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience. The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful effect."

Avocado :
--The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl" which translated means "testicle tree." The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.

I think the most important thing I got from reading this is that usually alcohol helps! It mentioned a couple times that with the combination of wine or rum the myths really do work! Maybe it is just the alcohol? Now I just need to figure out how to get a non-drinker drunk, but not too drunk! ;)

CANDY:

**Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day are the biggest candy selling days in that order.

**The Dutch are the biggest eaters of candy, at 65 pounds per person a year; Americans eat about 21 pounds a year.

**It is supposedly against the law in Idaho to give anyone a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds.

With Christmas being the second most popular candy day you might want to think twice before reaching into that Pot of Gold! I do not think you will be finding any gold in that box!? he he I know that for myself if I am not sure what to get someone for a gift on x-mas I usually get them a box of chocolates? What else do you get someone that has everything ?

I got my shipment last night !! And guess what was in it? Yup 40lber! And it is skinnier then the 30lb bear, I wonder if they do this on purpose? By the time I get to my goal all the bear will be is fabric- no stuffin! LOL I also got to try a couple "new" things. Last night for my dessert I had the Chocolate Caramel Popcorn. I found this treat to be just as good as the regular Caramel popcorn and as for the chocolate - it was kinda non-existent? I liked it, and when I did stumble upon a chocolate bit it was a nice treat, I would order again! For breakfast this morning I had the "new" Peanut Butter Granola Bar. It was amazing!! If you like peanut butter you will love this one!! Yum!! Now if only it was a tad bigger! I can't wait to try more of the "new" and "improved" foods I received in this order! I also noticed on NS website today that there are WAY more new and improved items then before !! I can hardly wait, these new choices came out just in time - I was starting to get a little bored of the old items!

Trivia Tuesday

Are you Naughty or nice Your Result: Your Nice! all sugar, no spice! You're all about sweetness, sunshine, and smiles. We've never met anyone nicer than you. Actually, we wouldn't be surprised to come across you sitting in a peaceful green meadow, surrounded by adorable baby animals eating out of your hand whilst your halo shines in the sun. Ah, we're just taking the mickey. But you are awfully good. Certainly, you may have dipped your toe in the naughty pool once or twice, but you generally stay in the shallow end, leaving the deep waters to the leather-and- nude-magazine crowd. It's all well and good to follow the straight and narrow, but it's okay to walk on the wild side once in a while, too. Have a drink. Organise a practical joke. Go to a strip club. Trust us - as long as no one gets hurt, it's fun to be bad!
your Naughty! wild thing!
Are you naughty or nice?

Tomorrow is Saint Nicholas Day, I'm not really sure if it's a true holiday or just one that my in-laws made up so they get more gifts? Anyway if you've been good all year you get a gift from Saint Nick but if you've been naughty you don't get anything? Now I've never heard of this before I met my hubby but every year so far I have gotten a small gift on Dec.6th and the MIL says its for Saint Nick Day? I guess I'll find out tomorrow if I've been naughty or nice! lol

Christmas Food Trivia:

-Hiding an almond inside rice pudding is a Christmas custom in Sweden. Whoever gets it has good luck for the new year.



-In Oaxaca, Mexico, Christmas Eve is also the Night of the Radishes, when large radishes are cut into animal shapes.



-The Dutch eat chicken stuffed with sauerkraut at Christmas to mark the end the year and celebrate the beginning of the New Year. The reason for chicken? Because the animal scratches the ground, it symbolizes scratching the earth over the old year.

Trivia Tuesday

Today I would just like to mention how important it is to take a multi-vitamin as well as eatting healthy. There are lots of "one-a-day" vitamins out there but I like to take one that is formulated for women, cause it has extra folic acid in it. Here are some facts on why you should take a multi-vitamin.

You may be showing signs of malnutrition if you ...
-feel tired and weak.
-feel like you never have the energy to clean your home, make meals or even do the dishes.
-have difficulty losing or gaining weight.
-can't easily get to sleep.
-feel stressed and/or nervous.
-feel drowsy during the day.
-sometimes can't concentrate, you're mind feels numb, or you get confused easily.
-have problems with your digestion.
-have constipation and/or hard dry stools.
-have mood swings, or get easily upset.
-don't have patience for anything.
-sometimes feel depressed.
-have overly dry or oily skin.
-sometimes have nausea and/or abdominal pain.
-have annoying eye twitches.
-bruise easily.
-have muscle cramps and/or low back pain.
-sometimes get cracks and sores in the corners of your mouth.
-notice that your nails have become thin and/or brittle.
-are losing your hair.
-have water retention.
-have uncontrollable temper outbursts.
-don't eat a well-balanced nutritious diet EVERY DAY

I think alot of these symptoms could also be from other issues too and I know that I have had alot of these things happen to me, I hate when my eye twitches! Now I'm not a doctor and have no degree so don't get all freaked out if you have alot of these symtoms, I'm just trying to let you know that maybe you aren't getting all the nutrients you need from the food you eat so it is always a good idea to take a daily vitamin as well! And if your like my mom who hates to take pills you can always take a chewable childrens vitamin- anything is beter then nothing!

Trivia Tuesday!

Did you know?? : The potato is a relative of tobacco and the tomato.

Up until the late 18th century, the French believed that potatoes caused leprosy. My husband always says that "potatoes hurt his feet" I just thought he was nuts ..... maybe they really do? LOL

During the Alaskan Klondike gold rush, (1897-1898) potatoes were practically worth their weight in gold. Potatoes were so valued for their vitamin C content that miners traded gold for potatoes.

In 1952, Mr. Potato Head was born, and was also the first toy to be advertised on television.

About 3 1/2 years ago I quit smoking, cold turkey. It was hard and sometimes I still think about it and how easy it would be to start again. I like to compare quiting smoking to loosing weight because I believe they are kinda the same. Both are addiction related and both are habit forming. I always swore that I would never be one of those "reformed smokers" that always complained about it and try to tell everyone how much better I feel now, but it's true and I find myself becoming more disgusted by the smell of smoke that it turns my stomach. I bring this up because last night we put our Christmas tree up, it's not a new tree, it's a tree we got off of the MIL and before that it was my Grandma's (both heavy smokers). The tree is still in really good shape and it's a really nice tree but as we were putting it together I said to my hubby that it smelt "funny" he said "yup, smells like cigarette smoke" and then I recognized the smell and that's all I could smell! YUK ! So I think I need to go buy some pine smelling air fresheners - the little tree ones, to hang on our tree to make it smell better cause right now it is quite disgusting! So for those of you that are smokers I highly recommend quiting, you really do feel better! Kay, I'm done my "get healthy - quit smoking" pitch! he he


It is suppose to get down to -20C as a high on Friday !!! With a low of -30C!! It's not even December yet! I think we have been spoiled the last couple of years and this year is going to be a doozy! Last year we never even saw any snow until Christmas eve! I'm going to have to wear my insulated coveralls to work! he he

~~Trivia Tuesday~~

Did you know??? -The average strawberry has about 200 seeds. Strawberry seeds are all those little bumpy spots on the surface of the berry.

-There is a centuries old custom that if you break a double strawberry in half and share it with someone else, they will fall in love.

-Strawberries were once avoided by pregnant women because it was believed that their children would be born with strawberry birth marks.

-The U.S. is the leading producer of strawberries, and supplies about 20% of the world's strawberries. California grows about 75% of U.S. strawberries.

-Strawberries are low fat, low calorie; high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, potassium


Have you ever had one of those mornings where you looked in the mirror and actually felt good about what you saw !? It's been a long time since I have had that feeling and this morning I felt it !! And to make it even better I went to do up my belt and I'm up another notch! So maybe I'll see high numbers on the scale tomorrow! Although I have felt this way before and the scale didn't agree with me!? he he

Took the dog for her daily walk yesterday but this time I thought I would bring my disc man with me. So I start walking, push play and on comes the Beach Boys - California Girls!! Which was quite funny to listen to as I walked in ankle deep snow. But it did seem to make me pick up my pace a bit and I found myself skipping along to the music, I wonder if anyone could tell I was dancing in my insulated coveralls and my Sorel boots? Walking in the snow sure is a workout, I probably add about 10lbs with all my winter gear on! By the time I get home I have to get changed out of my clothes cause I'm so sweaty!

Trivia Tuesday

Interesting Food Facts...

·ASPARAGUS IS THE FOOD HIGHEST IN GLUTATHIONE, AN IMPORTANT ANTICARCINOGEN
·FENNEL HELPS FIGHT OBESITY, AS IT ACCELERATES THE DIGESTION OF FATTY FOODS
·MACADAMIA NUTS ARE SAID TO DISCOURAGE THE CRAVING FOR ALCOHOL
·CARROTS ARE GROWN IN ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW, INCLUDING ORANGE, YELLOW, RED, WHITE AND PURPLE.
·EATING RAW RADISHES, REGULARLY, HELPS PREVENT VIRAL INFECTIONS SUCH AS THE COMMON COLD AND INFLUENZA.
·RAW BROCCOLI CONTAINS AS MUCH CALCIUM AS WHOLE MILK

Did you know...that some foods and natural compounds appear to slow or halt the progression of prostate cancer, including soy, green & black teas, pomegranate juice, fiber and lycopene.

Humans are the only mammals who drink milk beyond the time of infancy...and humans typically drink the milk of another species-- a cow.
Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing

Oh and if you haven't checked it out yet http://angryfatgirlz.blogspot.com has a couple neat quizes that test your calorie knowledge and compare todays servings to ones 20 years ago, I didn't do that well - see how you do! Check it out !

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!

Today is another fun Trivia Tuesday and Halloween !! So I thought it would be extra fun to have Halloween Trivia!! I will post the answers in the comment box and maybe while you are checking your answers you could also leave a comment!? he he *hint hint - nudge nudge *



Halloween History & Trivia Quiz

1. Most experts believe the _________ were the first to observe Halloween on October 31st.

a.Druids
b.Celtics
c.Irish
d.Mexico



2. The biggest pumpkin in the world tipped the scales at:

a.590 pounds
b.683 pounds
c.998 pounds
d.1,385 pounds


3. The sweetest day of the year is:

a.Christmas
b.Halloween
c.Easter
d.Valentine's Day


4. In the British Isles, jack o'lanterns are carved from large:

a.Pumpkins
b.Heads of Cabbage
c.Turnips
d.Oversized Lemons


5. Pope Boniface designated November 1st as which religious holiday:

a.All Souls Day
b.Arbor Day
c.All Hallow's Day
d.All Saint's Day


6. A male witch is commonly known as a:

a.Witchman
b.Warlock
c.Halloweenie
d.There's no such thing


7. Which country celebrates "The Days of the Dead" instead of Halloween?

a.Cuba
b.Mexico
c.Scotland
d.Ireland


8. The first Halloween greetings card was made in:

a.700 B.C.
b.1492.
c.During the Revolutionary War (1770's).
d.Early 1900's


9. According to The Phobia List, which phobia is the fear of Halloween:

a.Hallowphobia
b.Triskaphoibia
c.Samhainophobia
d.Eat-to-much-candy phobia


10. The concept of crazy people passing out poisonous candy probably dates back to:

a.700.B.C.
b.1800's
c.1932
d.1964

A mini-challenge begins!!

Another challenge between NS member Jordanna (Memoirs of a fat kid) and I has begun!! Bang the gong it's on!!! She has kinda fell off the wagon lately and I'm hoping this challenge will bring her back! We have decided to see who could come the closest to loosing 18lbs by Christmas, starting this Friday! I figure it should be fairly easy to kick her butt and I think I should be able to average out 2lbs per week. The best thing I have going for me is my dog, she is my motivator and gets me off the couch even when it the last thing on my mind! So by walking her every night I think I have this challenge in the bag! he he

Speaking of walking the dog...... last night I decided I would give this jogging thing a try and see just how hard it is! What the hell was I thinking!?!?!? I ended up jogging about ....... a minute, three lamp poles and fortunately for me the dog decided to stop for a pee, so I stopped too and could barely breathe! Holy crap that hurt! My lungs were all tight and my throat was killing me- from one minute !?!? Now I think to myself why on earth would anyone want to do something like this to themselves!? I know I've said in the past that as soon as I hit 199lbs I will start jogging but now I'm thinking I had a "male moment" and just wasn't thinking! LOL I don't want to hate taking the dog out so for now and for a while I think walking is just fine by me!

I had so much fun with the Friday Fun Facts that I thought Tuesday Trivia would also be a nice way to break up the week. (and I'd like to thank Jordanna for the idea!) he he So for the first Tuesday Trivia:

Milk

The Average American Drinks 25 gallons of milk per year.

Did you know that about 88% of all milk is water and only about 12% is solidsubstance that has food value?