Heaven in my Mouth

If you like coconut, this is the recipe for you.

Coconut Meringues

2 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 Cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.

In a medium bowl mix egg whites and vanilla with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add sugar, about a tablespoon at a time. Mix until stiff peaks form. (I had the problem of ALL the "batter" stiffening in the beater) Fold in coconut. (And by fold, I guess they didn't mean turn on high and forget about it while you check the gnocchi. Made it pretty runny!)

Drop batter onto cookie sheet using rounded teaspoon (It says 2 inches apart, but I ignored that). Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are brown. Makes about 30 cookies, unless you really like the batter and can only fit 28 cookies on the sheet. Then you eat the batter straight off the spatula and try not to get weak in the knees.

I can't even explain how good this batter is. If you like fluffy meringue-like gooiness full of coconut, then beware! The cookies might not end up baked. Even with my batter turning out runny, the cookies came out almost caramelized and are almost dangerous to have in the house. I'm trying to limit myself to 3 a day. (I'm actually hoping D eats them all this weekend when I'm gone.) *Wipes drool off desk*

Piss on the non-processed food week. I like pre-packaged cookies (actually organic cookie buttons!). And naturally I got a craving for faux cheese chips this week (and I luckily had baked cheddar & sour cream in my cupboard!). Still enjoying my fruit & yogurt mess at bedtime.

Speaking of bedtime. Last night right after supper (dishes were still everywhere) we lied down in bed. Slept until 8:40. Got up, had a smoke and a snack, went back to bed. Took a little bit to fall back asleep, but I think I was sawing logs again by 11. Yay for lots of sleep! I could have just slept right through at 8:40, but was concerned that I'd either A) wake up at 5am (and what the hell would i do at 5am?) or B) wake up a 9pm and not get back to sleep until 3.

Obviously I didn't get any exercise last night either. Tonight is questionable. My shin splint is a bit better, but still hurts when my foot is flat. Problem is, if I take tonight off of anything too, that will mean no exercise until at least Sunday. Minus some potential shop-walking-around on the weekend. Do I care? Not overly :D Perhaps I should. I'm still annoyed that I haven't done the 5Ks I mapped out. I'm doing a 5K fundraising run/walk in May (2 actually...but I think one is 6K) I want to watch my time go down! The "road race" at the end of May will be done with my runner friend and I've told her we're going to run the whole darn thing. I have to be ready so she doesn't end up having to drag my breathless ass to the hospital for an oxygen tank! Our fake spring has given way to cold winds and threats of rain/snow. I just want some sun. I don't think I'll have any trouble once the sun shines through, but right now I don't want to layer up or go to the gym. Turns out I'm not a fan of the gym (that's pronounced g-eye-m for those who don't know)

H2O and back to work time!

Pox! I've got the Pox! ... Chicken or Small?

Well, ok, I don't actually have any pox. But I DO have shin splints! WTF! (It's actually only one leg, so do I technically have a shin splint? I had big plans to do 5K last night after work. I was still really tired when I was leaving but thought I'd fight through it. Then I went outside into the cold wind and sprinkles of rain. Boo. As I was walking down the stairs my right leg started to bother me (then I remembered that it was annoying earlier). Consensus? Eff the 5K, did Skinny Bitch Abs instead. Which is not anywhere near as enthusiastic but...at least I did something!

I've never had the splints. I googled it this morning and am told most often they're from overuse. Um...what? Since when are my legs overused? I did a 40 min walk Sunday and Monday, but I wouldn't consider that overusing them. But. It hurts and is annoying. My leg is really tight, too, so I should probably go to Yoga on Friday. I haven't been in a few weeks because of other stuff going on (basically me wanting to leave early so feel bad about taking an hour for yoga at noon and then eating after it). This week is kind of the same. I'm going to the spa with my mom this weekend so will wanna jet outta here early on Friday.

Anyways. It's super fun to do ab work with an attention monger of a cat. Like the most fun ever. I kicked him numerous times, he thought we were playing a game a few times, sat on my stomach during crunches... Silly Roger. I did the best I could. It might be best to wait until D gets home to do abs, so Roger has someone who can pay attention to him!

Thats all I know today. I'm still a very tired Pennie and am wondering if my sleep bank is in the negative or if I'm coming down with something. With mom and dad here on the weekend the latest I slept in was 8:30. Then Sunday night D went to the Patch to see what was shaking there (He had Monday off...well...he thought he had Monday off!). I don't sleep very well when I know he'll be coming home at some point. So Sunday's sleep was a bust. Maybe I just need a weekend of mineral pools, pedicures, and body wraps to make me feel human again. Hope that's all it is!

Zzzz....Zzzzz.....

I am amazingly tired today. I got a good sleep last night. I drank a big cup of (German Chocolate Cake) coffee this morning. But I could fall asleep at any moment.

On to le food. I'm trying a "no processed food" week. I didn't have a terrible weekend (which is what would normally spark this experiment). I was up 1.8 or something on Friday due to a Chinese buffet (insert blushy face here. I don't know how to do it) the weekend before. Not surprising. And we know what that means....Big loss this weekend! It's already expected, and for 3 seconds yesterday I saw a new middle number on the scale. Wowza. It's still working! I wonder when I'll be done losing and start maintaining. The last year has been full of counting, measuring, scale-watching. It's been...interesting.

Anyways...back to le food. Yesterday's eats were good. Minus the Oatmeal to Go bar I had for breakfast. We got a new coffee maker over the weekend so I was more consumed with having delicious coffee to take to work than breakfast. Whoops. Borrowed the bar from a co-worker. Not worth the 4 points. It was ok in the taste department, but barely put a dent in my hunger. Yesterday's lunch will re-appear today because it was so good. Seems like when I have a less than stellar breakfast, I can't wait to have a good Breakfast for Lunch! Turkey bacon and egg + egg white on rye toast, with a side of sliced tomato and a grapefruit. I can't wait for lunchtime today! Supper was tacos. I love tacos. I used to pride myself on how many tacos I could get down in one sitting. Last night I had 2. It was weird, but I was pleasantly full after. Went for a 40 minute walk around the neighborhood and ended with an apple/pear/yogurt concoction which I plan to make my night-time snack for the week. It fills me up, is healthy, is delicious, and I know what's in it! No chips or popcorn (which I think I've been incorrectly counting all these months!!) this week. Shouldn't be too hard -- I'm all out of the delicious home-made salsa TPT brought when she visited. *sobs*

I remembered breakfast this morning. A giant mug of coffee and three yogurts. They're best before tomorrow and I still had about 6 left so thought I should put a dent in them. Turns out they aren't the best alone for breakfast. Lesson learned.

Away from le food. Mom and Dad were here this weekend! It was fantastic to see them and I was very happy to show them the house and parade them around the city. Mom and I took in the curling Saturday night, which was amazing! D and Dad stayed home and watched the Blackhawk game / Canada-Sweden game before coming to pick us up. We live close enough to walk, but by 10:00 it was getting chilly and with so many people coming and going from the rink we didn't think it would be very safe.

When we got home we looked up to the kitchen window....and Roger was sitting on the table!! Bad kitty! By the time we all go inside he was laying on the floor downstairs. Pretending to be innocent. So bad.

I can't believe it's only 10. More coffee!!

Coif. Look down.

Dear wind,
Please eff the eff off.
Love,
Pennie Lane.

First time adding pictures to this thing. We'll give it a whirl..

Here's me and Roger...

He's not so much for the photographs.  (I'm sure the flash scares him or something.  Everything else does!)

And here's the new 'do.  I'm not very good with self-portraits.  I always look like some sort of creepy weirdo (which we all know I certainly am)  It's shorter in the back.  Keep in mind this was after a full day of WIND and WORK.

I came...I worked out...I starved to death (almost).   Tuna helper on day 2 = delish. 

I was going to walk to the library tonight, but this wind...seriously.  Gusting up to 90 and the city is so dirty after the snow thawing that it's just a big ass dirt storm.  

Guess I'll have to throw on my Toews shirt and watch the Blackhawk game instead!

5 Servings of Vegetables?

DONE!
I have to blog about my supper yesterday because it was AWESOME. A HUGE ASS salad. Spinach, romaine, baby tomatoes, mushrooms, red, yellow, and orange pepper. With a big carrot for a prepping snack. YUM. Along with steamed spinach (how did I forget about this??) and tuna helper. I was a tuna-helper virgin before last night. It was adequate. Considering it takes all of 13 minutes to make and comes from a box, it'll do.
I'm SUPER busy at work today. I ate a sub at my desk whilst typing the longest email ever. Now I have a little bit of downtime before my 2:00. And I need to get a day-planner. I've been using the one in my email, but I think I prefer a book. BUT. Apparently it's almost impossible to find one in this city! I went to ... someplace ... and they had a great one, but it was May/09 - May/10. Now why would one pay $14.00 for a planner that will only be good for 2 months? At least put it on sale people! The other place within walking distance was completely out. What's happening that people all of a sudden need to plan? Staples is right by where my meeting is, so hopefully they can help me out. Note to self: Don't spend a million dollars there! I <3 Staples.
Adding on to my complaints yesterday about not finding time to exercise.... Never mind that. I got home just before 5 yesterday and went straight into the work-out clothes and did the 30-day Shred. Al...most...died. By the by, it's quite hard to do push-ups and ab work when your cat is of the curious persuasion ; ) The plan is to do the same today. Still 4 points in the negative, but with a surprisingly nice unofficial weigh-in this morning.
Oh email. Back to work I go!

Horse With No Name.

G'day.
I may have touched on this before. My question is...how the hell does one do it all? We're in the midst of fixing up the kitchen. The last couple days have seen everything from the top cupboards on the table and counters. How do you cook nutritious meals when you can't even see the stove? I'm also wondering how one finds time to exercise when they work 8 hours a day and then come home to eat supper quick before staining more cupboards?
I'm back to being tired. We bought this house so we wouldn't HAVE to do things right away. But instead we've painted 3 upstairs rooms and are working on the kitchen. I know it never stops, because as soon as you see how good one room can look, you want the rest of the house to look that way too. Apparently the next jobs are the garage and adding on to the deck, which I'm not even sure I want to do!
The weather has been great lately, but instead of getting outside for a walk/run, I'm unscrewing doors and getting high from stain fumes.
Arg. Spring fever much?
On a happier note, my parents are coming this weekend! I'm really excited for them to see our (work in progress) house. (Another downfall of this project is that it will not be finished when they come)
Got a haircut on Friday. I love it! The color is fantastic and the cut is something new and different for me. It's taken 15 minutes off my getting ready and is really easy to do. 2 very important factors for me.
Roger is a lovely little attention-monger. I actually think we got the cat alternative to ME because we both like hugs and don't like when people watch us eat.
Guess that's all for today. Food's ok. I thought Kit Kat ice cream was a good idea Sunday, but I tracked it! Normally I'd call for a free-for-all, but not this time. I am however already in the HOLE for the week. I need 7 AP's to get out of it (perhaps that is why I'm wishing I could workout instead of fix-up?)
Oh well. One week won't kill me!

What the deuce!

Because of my unofficial weigh-in this morning I realized that I'm 1.7 pounds away from a 40 pound loss. FORTY POUNDS. WHAT THE DEUCE!! I knew it was 35, then 32 (holiday-mode if you recall), then back to 35. Almost 40 pounds. I've talked about this with T, and how sometimes you get so caught up in the daily process and feeling like you blew it after a bad weekend (4 days). But when you look at the big picture and that picture has 40 less pounds on it? Wowza. It's amazing.

This whole week I've felt lighter. I've noticed that when I gain a bit one week, if I'm back on track the next I will see a bit of a bigger loss. Tricking the body and metabolism and what not. Almost makes it worth seeing a 1.2lb gain. (Depending on the week of course!)

Anyways. I got distracted by a phone call and lost my train of thought.

"Beauty comes in all sizes, not just size 2"
www.operationbeautiful.com

Roger that.

I'm in love. (Don't tell D). This new guy is great. He's strong, sensitive, and so cute. Has a few trust issues that we're working on. His name is Roger. He's five, orange and white, and likes to hide under the bed.

That's right...we got a kitty! I suppose 5 year olds aren't classified as kitties anymore, but who cares. We're just renting him for now, to see how he works with our little family. So far we love him. He's very timid, but sure came out of his shell at 5am! We got him yesterday at around noon and we spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening trying to coax him out from wherever he was hiding. D is home with him today and I'm so jealous.

Things are good in the food world. I'm feeling better since Thursday night. I also passed up an entire weekend of drunken fun. I didn't want to be hungover on beer OR on food. And I'm really happy that I made that decision. Although it made me Ms. Taxi at 12:45 Friday night and 1:30 Saturday night. (Don't offer to pick someone up if you don't want to have to do it. I can't complain. I always tell D to call me if he needs a ride and he rarely does. Not that he's out all the time.)

Back to work I go. I had a couple really good days last week. I'm hoping it drags into this week! Of course we all know my focus is on Roger right now!

But what does it all mean Basil?

The last few days I've been struggling to stay on track. Partially because I used up my weeklies PLUS MORE on the weekend so I haven't had much to work with all week. I know the key to this whole thing is exercise. I did the 30 day shred Monday and went to Yoga today (which was switched from Friday to today and completely screwed up my schedule).
I think I'm just worn out. Trying to work 40 hours a week plus get groceries, make meals, and keep the house clean is hard without trying to find time to exercise. This week has been extra difficult because D's parents are coming this weekend so the guest room had to be made up. We're also trying to get the bathroom fake-reno's done so one night this week was painting etc.
Ugh. I'm tired. And tired of being tired. And now it's Thursday night. The house is presentable. We're partially done the laundry. Still need to get this week's groceries and meal plan for next week.
I'm also trying to feel like I'm good at my job, which isn't always the case. I'm technically new until I've been there for a year and can work off my own history. It's hard when one client makes up 1/3 of the budget and they've cut their budget significantly. Oh right, and don't believe anyone is listening to my station anymore because of XM/Sirius. Just a daily struggle.
Plus I want a cat. I was at the SPCA yesterday and this GIANT orange cat named Roger and I fell in love. Like him drooling on my hand love. So I'm debating whether or not we should get him. Allergies aside, I'm nervous that he'll eat our (new in November) furniture. I've never had an inside cat before. He's so cute though. And we can rent (foster, whatever) him and see how he would work in our family. We'll see.
Tomorrow is a new day, and a new food week. And the weekend. AND I have 2 red-haired visitors coming who I haven't seen since before Christmas. D works 9-6 next week so the plan is to do some sort of exercise each day. Instead of coming home to sit around for an hour, I'll go to the gym, or do a workout DVD. Something...anything to help me feel better about this. I know it's a life-long thing and one week won't make or break me, but I feel like I'm losing and gaining the same 3 pounds. Blah.
L.A. Ink and fat-free ice cream here I come.

Tad of this, Tad of that

I've thought about blogging for the last 4 days, but pushed it aside for lack of substance.

Except now I forget everything I was going to type.

Enter list!

*Peanut butter filled pretzels are the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. Except I put a LOT of them in my mouth.
*Jillian's 30-day shred, LEVEL 1, kills me. My everything is sore today.
*I'm trying a "be busy all day each day" at work. So far, it's going pretty well.
*I'm also trying a "look through the 3 flyers we get each week and shop according to that". This is week one, and I've already found a way to save about $5 just by going to a different store. Seems interesting.

That's about all I have. Crappy eats all weekend. I blame it on the too many beer whilst watching the hockey game Friday night.

Back on track, once again!