hopefully the rain will stay away today

This week we had a deck built out back -- there was an area of the yard that dipped down after we stepped out of our house (on three shakey steps that I wiped out on 2 weeks ago) that was full of mini, annoying rocks that stuck to our feet and stabbed our toes when we walked on them. After that area is our back yard which we love...

We really wanted to find a way to bridge the gap (ahhh a term we love to use in the corporate world... all too much). So M got some of his peeps over (who just happen to have a little side gig making decks) and they built one in 4 days. AND...we...love...it. Seriously, but guess what, I don't have any pics yet. I have before pics, but those are boring. We got a little mini outdoor loveseat and table too so I'm just going to fancy it up a bit and then I'll share pics. But I love that I'm sitting out here, on my computer, sipping coffee on a breazy saturday morning.

But really, even if we didn't have the deck I'd be sitting out here any way likely sitting in the annoying little rocks... because I don't feel like doing anything else. I've already been to the gym this morning where I think I pushed myself way to hard. I don't think I'll listen the next time the instructor tells us to put more weight on our bars if we've been coming to the class for awhile. I almost cried three times it was so tough. She keeps saying we'll thank her for it soon but I'm not sure about that right at the moment.

I also went to a new market after the gym to check it out - I had $8 dollars in my purse and they wanted $5 for parking so I whined and asked them if I could give them $3 instead because it was my first time. They obliged thank goodness because then I wouldn't have had enough for my yummy lettuce, chard, dill (smells so freaking good) and purple scallions.

ANYWAY enough of this ranting -- I'm sitting out here contemplating what to do next for the day, which looks like it's going to be cleaning the bathroom unfortunately. We're heading to a BBQ later and I just hope the rain stays away at least until later on in the night when I will have had a few vodka tonics and I really won't care what the skies deliver.

Happy Weekend Y'all!

~lealou

eating your greens

I've been hearing a lot lately about how the food you eat can have a greater impact than imagined on the body -- especially when it comes to cancer. It may seem like a no-brainer, but it seems the majority of those in NA don't pay particular attention to the way they eat, opting for freezer meals and other processed foods.

i first started hearing about it from a friend of mine who had a freelance job writing about raw foods and the benefit they can provide the body. She went to a camp of sorts where several cancer patients were housed, eating only raw foods and partaking in spiritual programs and yoga. my friend said that she heard many a story of people going to the retreat with stage 3-4 cancer only to leave in remission. This is all because of mindset and eating lots of veggies and fruits.

Then on Oprah this week there was a woman - Kris Carr who has stage 4 cancer and she managed to control and essentially stop the growth of the tumor. she still has cancer but she's managing with diet and exercise. It was truly eyeopening.

Last night I was listening to CBC on the same topic and although i can't find the link to the radio program, the interviewee did say that all we have to significantly reduce our cancer chances is to eat according to the Canada food guide. Seems simple right? After the show i looked up the food guide and it's actually quite informative. Check it out here. he also said that supplements are a waste of money and the only ones we really need (if we follow the food guide properly) are vitamin D and Folic Acid. I'm going to do more research into this and try to make more of an effort to follow this thing -- paying special attention to getting my veggies!

TV is evil

a few weeks ago I decided to use up the rest of my vacation by taking all fridays off in August -- I had to change it up a bit because I needed two days to go to Calgary to help a friend move.

today was my last friday off -- I had the whole day planned out: get some freelance writing done in the morning, go to pilates at lunch and roam the streets aimlessly in the afternoon, perhaps stopping for a tea or two. ahhh the life.

Instead, I turned on the TV - something I rarely do these days and spent the morning watch dumb shows like Regis and Kelly and CityLine. I couldn't get motivated after that -- and I spent my lunch working on my freelance so I missed pilates and didn't get finished until 6!

Moral of the story -- get rid of your TV it's EVIL!

Oh well at least I'm meeting a friend for a fun night!

coffee break

I'm trying...once again...to ease up on my coffee intake. I really do like tea, but I LOVE coffee.

This is day one.

spaz-m

has anyone ever had a spasm in their calves? wow can I tell you the pain? After my soccer game last night I got a big one in my left calf as I was getting into the car. Thank god my sister was there -- she told me to get into the seat quickly and she would massage it, but as I was getting in I got one in my right calf! It's a very weird feeling... I feel like a big wimp 'cause I think I yelled pretty loud but oh well...

little wonders

M and I planted a garden in the back yard this summer and I thought for sure the racoons and squirrels would get to it before we were able to see any of it. But, I had heard that planting marigolds helps keeps the little critters away, and so far so good! Here are our first two cherry tomatoes -- and were they ever good!