Friday Fitness - Tag, you're it!

Jason, over at Scribblings of a Madman tagged me for a fun meme. I thought perhaps I would work it into my Fitness Friday post!


The Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Write down six things that make you happy
3. Post these rules
4. Tag six others
5. Notify me that you've tagged six others--or that you're not in a happy place right now...


OK. Here goes, six things that make me happy in terms of my current fitness level:

1. Wrestling and goofing off with my little ones and not getting winded or feeling like a beached whale!


2. Even my "skinny" pants are too big now! I was able to donate two bags of clothes to the local Woman's shelter - clothes that I will NEVER grow into again!


3. That my hubby totally supports my fitness efforts and enables me to work out every evening. He is amazingly supportive!


4. Having my five year old, four year old and almost-two year old join in and do "Mommy's TV exercises" There is nothing cuter than a Madigan doing a tree pose or Anderson doing lunges or DJ doing lateral jumping jacks! I also melt to pieces when I am playing soccer and I can hear them cheering, "Go Mamma Go!" It is AWESOME!


5. Knowing that I am doing something for me. Investing in me. Succeeding and keeping motivated. It makes me happy and proud to have worked hard to loose almost 65 pounds - and I am motivated to loose the rest!


6. Being a good role model for my children in terms of leading an active, fit, healthy lifestyle.

Wow, I had to stop myself at 6! There are so many things that make me happy in terms of my new commitment to fitness and healthy living. Completing a good run makes me happy. Knowing that this coming summer soccer season will ROCK, makes me happy. Realizing my potential, makes me happy. Relaxing in a warm bath after a good work out makes me happy. Not being too embarrassed about wearing a bathing suit in public makes me happy. Being able to choose new clothes in the latest styles, not having to buy whatever fits, makes me happy. Thinking about working towards, doing, and completing my fitness objectives make me happy. Being happy, makes me happy!

You know, these days, so much makes me happy.

Working hard at redefining my body, and my whole self is making me happy.

Taking control of my weight problem makes me happy. And not being too worried or upset about an half a pound gain last week (first gain in 21 weeks and weigh-in was the first day of my period - TMI!!!).

All the love and support I get from family and friends - especially all you guys - makes me happy.

So, my dear friends, what makes you happy????

Tag! You are it!

Fooled You All!

As I type this, my lucky parents are cruising the Mediterranean. They live about 35 minutes away from us and asked if we would mind sharing house sitting duties with their neighbours. Basically the neighbours would look over at the house on a daily basis and we would go in two or three times to water the plants and collect the mail. Not a problem. So, this morning after church we headed out.

About 8 minutes away from their house my hubby asks, "You remembered the keys, right?"

"Ah, FRIG, SHOOT! Nope!"

Silence.

"I'm an idiot...sorry....but, hey you are a bigger idiot!

"Me? Why?"

"Cause you married me! That makes you a bigger idiot than me!"

"Ah, no...I was fooled and did not know what I was getting into!"

"Well, then, you are fool & an idiot who just drove 55km and have no keys to get into the house, and you are stuck with an idiot wife!"

"You're right, I guess I am an idiot fool fooled into love with you! My fault!"

-----

Along with my hubby, here are a few other people I have recently fooled!

Mrs. Schmitty, over at It's A Schimitty Life thinks I am deserving of this award:

I also fooled Diane over at Forgetfulone at thinking I deserved this award:

Hee hee...do I ever have them fooled!!!! Both awards are handed out to blogs that show great attitude and gratitude. I am honoured to accept these super awesome, cool awards, and to pass them both off to the following bloggers, who are, in fact, the real deal! They all ROCK! Go check them out!

Tara over at If Mom Says OK.

Mrs. Incredible at That's Life 2.0.

Meredith at Pregnantly Plump.

Lainey-Painey at Life is Just so Daily.

Melissa at Hope Floats.

Kat over at Seeking Sanity.

Miss Sniz

Barry over at Barrie Summary.

Mighty Morphin' Mama

I'm Being Held Hostage at In the Gutter

And any of my other wonderful readers who would like to participate - ya, you! Here is what you gotta do to pay it forward:

1. Put one of the logos on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs with a great attitude / gratitude.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know you have given the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

Seriously...I am super duper appreciative and humbled by these two awards...and what means even more to me is that they come from two bloggy friends I adore. I. ADORE.

Menu Plan Monday

I have always found planning my weekly meals helps me keep organized and usually equated to fewer trips to the grocery store - thus, spending less money.

Another lesson I learned at my Weight Management class is that it also allows you to plan your calorie intake and eat healthier than if you did not plan. There is supporting numbers that individuals who map out future meals will consume twice as many fruits and veggies throughout the day than those who do not use pre-determine meal plans. There is also evidence that pre-planned meals are usually more savoury and lower in fat than non-planned meals.

Right now I am still on a liquid diet only - I have four medically prescribed shake mixes a day. But that does not mean my interaction and responsibility for food has disappeared. I have three little ones - the day is basically formulated around breakfast - snack - lunch - snack - dinner - snack!

Many people in my Weight Management class have been able to disassociate themselves with all food and food preparation or serving. This is not an option for me. So, I have found by writing out my menu plan for the week I do not think about it. In essence, if I do not have to decide "what would be good" then what I prepare for my family is no longer a subjective decision I made.

Do you get what I mean? I have no emotional connection with the meal. Instead of thinking of something good - something I would love to have, but cannot - I simply look at the plan and see what I have to make.

I thought maybe I would start participating in Menu Plan Mondays and posting each week our planned meals. Then, as I start my re-introduction to food I will use this as a placeholder for my own new healthy choices and options. I also plan on creating a section to post all the new healthy-lifestyle recipes I am getting acquainted with through my program.

So, here is what I am serving on The Fringe this week:

Monday - Homemade pot roast stew - I cut up the leftovers from the Sunday roast and added carrots, onions, potatoes, red & green peppers, kidney beans and black beans, fresh herbs from my garden and some chopped up garlic. I am also making a fresh loaf of whole wheat with flex and sun-dried tomato bread.

Tuesday - Chicken burritos with salsa and cheese. This dinner is pre-made at Costco - my hubby LOVES it and it is quick and easy since I have my class at 5PM.

Wednesday - "Long sgetti" with shrimp and a home made veggie-red sauce accompanied with a garden salad.

Thursday - Night Out - Hubby has a a Guys Night Out and I promised the kids an evening visit to the indoor-play park. The kids will probably order pizza or chicken fingers at the cafe there.

Friday - Broccoli and cheese casserole. The boys LOVE this easy and quick dish - I put cooked chicken, can of mushroom soup, chopped up broccoli and shredded cheese into a dish. Add some onions and peppers and mix it all up - add some bread crumbs on top and bake till bubbly-golden!

Saturday - Spinach salad and BBQ hamburgers - the weather man is calling for nice weather!

Sunday - Maple-onion salmon with cous cous and roasted veggies - a family favorite.

Well, that is what is being served at The Fringe. I for one will be sticking to my liquid diet - usually 2 chocolate shakes, 1 vanilla shake and 1 vanilla shake mixed with coffee. YUMMY!

What's on your menu this week?

For more ideas visit I'm an Organizing Junkie - the host of Menu Plan Monday.

Thursday Threesome

I have a threesome of things that I would like to brag about. My Thursday Threesome is about three things I am super proud of right now!

1) Diana at Forgetfulone was so kind as to recently present me with a wonderful award. Diane writes a wonderful blog full of insight, honesty and informative tidbits and inspiring scrapbook accomplishments that have all made me a regular reader and bloggy-friend.


I am so happy that my posts make her smile, and not run away screaming or even worse, shake her head in disbelief! In all seriousness, I am so honoured that she would present me with this award. Thank you Diana!

2) Nissa at Nissa's Niceties presented me with a great award and a wonderful compliment when describing the Lunatic Fringe. I blushed when I read it!



The rules that come with this award are:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.
4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link “Arte y pico” blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Show these rules.

So I'm passing this award on to:



Little Elvis' mom at Pregnantly Plump. I totally love her blog: she and I seem to have so much in common, starting with our equally adorable 18 month olds! Her wonderful photo and video montages ROCK! Go check her out!

Kathryn at Seeking Sanity is one amazing mom and blogger. Her honesty, sense of being and wit draw you into every post. It is like you are watching and enjoying life, right there beside her, her hubby and her three gorgeous little boys!

Amanda at Shamelessly Sassy is, well, sassy, brilliant, witty, edgy and simply wonderful!

Mishelle at Secret Agent Mama is a brilliant photographer - I would so buy a coffee book of her photos! She ROCKS!

Alf at I Shot a Man in Reno knocks my socks off - every post is funny and true - where else can you get grass-growing update photos and awesome lessons of life in the great west? Alf keeps me in stitches and while we could have played on the same soccer pitch in high school, I am sure she was too cool to hang out with the likes of me!

3) Finally, I am proud of a project I just finished. We are attending wedding of the century in 9 days and for weeks I agonized over what to give as a gift. I am sure I will get tons of blogging material leading up to, during and after this wedding, so I will not yet go into any details - but lets just say that with DJ being a ring bearer and the wedding being out of town, this wedding is costing us a fortune!

Normally I would not share a photo of upcoming wedding gift, but I am certain the bride is too busy and occupied to visit the Fringe. Plus, I want to show-off my handy-work!

I found a neat picture frame on sale (actually bought two so I could have one since the sale price was AMAZING! ) I inquired about the colour scheme and flowers for the wedding...then in a few days completed a small personalized cross-stitch for the bride and groom. I inserted it into the cool multi-picture frame and VOILA - home-made wedding gift!

I am quite proud of how it looks and I am proud that I only spent a third of what I figured a proper wedding gift would cost - I figure the time, effort and love that was placed in every stitch should increase the value!

Here is the finished product that I am very proud of...what do you think? Is it an acceptable wedding gift to give my hubby's cousin?





So, what three things are you proud of today? Take inventory - it makes you feel pretty good to brag a bit! Go for it!

Summer Recipe Round-Up

Yummy fun courtesy of Barrie Summary. Go check out all the yummy summer recipes - perfect to bring to picnics, family gatherings and BBQs.


I thought I would share a dessert that has become my signature dish!

One evening while visiting my in-laws we had the most yummy dessert. When I inquired about it, my mother-in-law asked, " You have never had sex in a pan?" I turned red and a bit embarrassed and replied, "Ummmmm, well, um, nope, cannot say that I have."

Well, that is when I was introduced to this wonderful recipe from my mother-in-law. It has become a party favorite. It is easy and delicious!

Now, that I am well experienced with sex in a pan, I add a little "variation" at times depending on my audience are participants...sounds so naughty...but ohhhhh so good!

SEX IN A PAN

3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine
1-8oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup icing sugar
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2 cup milk
1 pkg chocolate instant pudding
1 1/2 cup milk
1 large container Cool Whip

Combine almonds, flour and margarine. Press into 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

Cool. Mix cream cheese and icing sugar together until creamy, then spread on cooled base.

Beat together vanilla pudding with milk. Let stand 2 minutes, then spread on top of cream cheese layer.


Beat together chocolate pudding and milk. Let stand 2 minutes, spread over vanilla layer. Let stand 15 minutes.


Top with Cool Whip

OK...now for those who like a little variety or variation here are a few that I have done!

I have used graham cracker for the crust or Oreo cookie instead of the almonds. This is great if you are dealing with nut allergies.

I have also substituted different pudding combinations. Anderson like butterscotch and vanilla pudding and DJ like chocolate and strawberry pudding.

Sometimes I throw caution to the wind and add a layer of skor chocolate pieces.


Just this past weekend I made this for our Canada Day party. I substituted the plain cream cheese with strawberry cream cheese and then used cut up strawberries to decorate the top. It was a hit!




Now go check out all the other recipes listed at Barrie Summary - they all sound so good!

Middle Name Game

My great friend and scrapbooking and card stamping pal Karen tagged me many moons ago for this fun Middle Name Game.

But, before you read my take on this meme - please go visit Karen's awesome blog called The Dailey Stamper. You should see the cards and scrapbooking pages this girl makes. She is my idol!
These are the rules:

You must post the rules before you give your answers.
You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name.
Each fact must begin with that letter.
If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.
At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.

Here goes:

L is for LOONEY .... why else would I reside on the Lunatic Fringe! Having 3 kids in 37 months will do that to you!!!!

O is for OPTIMISTIC ... I always try to look on the positive side of things and I try not to complain too much.

U is for UNEXPECTED ... I never expected my life to be as wonderful as it is now. I have an amazing husband and three great kids and life is great. I never expected to love being a wife and mother as much as I do. I am one lucky gal!

I is for INDECISIVE ... When dining out, I have a reputation of being very indecisive. I fear order envy!

S is for SENSITIVE ... I am a sensitive, emotional person and I wear my heart on my sleeve. Unfortunately, at times, I am overly sensitive to what others think of me: I like people to like me!

E is for ENERGETIC ... I like to keep busy. I work part time from 4AM to 8AM on weekdays. I am a stay-at-home-mom with my 4, 3 and 1 year old. I find time to play soccer, go to boot camp, scrapbook and blog. I do at least one outing a day with my kids - swimming, climbing gym, walks, music lessons, play group - something. And I love it all!

OK. Now I am suppose to tag 6 people...but I have a better idea!!! Over the past few weeks a few LAURAs have been visiting my blog and leaving wonderful comments. So, I would like to tag anyone with the first name Laura, including:

Laura from That Grrl
Laura from A Day in the Life of a Mom of Six

Well...off to bed...my first day back to work after a year off for maternity leave...wish me luck!