tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32978618378887347252024-03-06T02:36:55.489-05:00Kelly's Eat Clean BlogMy name is Kelly Newell, and this blog is about the trials and tribulations during my family's journey on the the Eat-Clean Diet by Tosca Reno. In August, 2009, I lost my mind and decided to pick up a wooden spoon, and learn how to cook, one Eat Clean recipe at a time. Can a girl who has a reputation for burning water learn how to cook? Only time will tell.....kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-21375102801500661862009-08-30T22:10:00.002-04:002009-08-30T22:34:28.710-04:00Triathlons, Tornadoes and Cottages....Oh my!Once again, there's a lapse in my blogging! Sorry friends, I really would like to tell you that there is a reason, but alas, there is not. I will say that I was diagnosed with ADD or ADHD...or whatever you get as an adult, 6 months ago, and I tend to forget to do things, if I don't take my medication on a daily basis. Of course, remembering to take the medication in the first place is part of the initial problem. :-)<br /><br />Anyhow, about a week ago 7 tornadoes touched down in our region. It was a scary night, and a little bit exhilarating if I'm honest. There is just something so amazing about being scared out of your wits. Poor Hannah was quite terrified, and has been talking about death a lot in the past six months. She is very afraid that we are going to die. I hated being the bad guy, but I did let her know that it is part of life....this whole death thing. But dwelling on it, is not part of the whole life thing. Explaining it to her in these terms actually makes her feel better, and I feel like a good mom. However, I do have to keep her away from the news, as she is quite the little dweller on real life.<br /><br />Speaking of real life, I mentioned the tornado for a reason. It was the night that started a very bad chain of events for the Newell family, in which we started eating out more often than not again. Knowing that starting a dinner during a tornado watch would be just silly, we ate take-out food. Then the old habits took over. We ate on the way to our cottage, then again on the way back from the cottage Oh! Quick story. At the cottage my uncle taught me how to barbecue the perfect steak. He showed me how to tell how well done the steak is just by pressing the tongs in the middle to see how bouncy the meat is. A neat technique, with great medium-rare steak results. Delish!<br /><br />Anyhow....a week and a half later, and probably at least 6 meals eaten out, we are back on the wagon, and we did a major shopping expedition at the Wal-Mart Superstore or Supercentre, whatever it's called, tonight. Fresh fruits, veggies, and meat have taken over our fridge and I feel at peace again.<br /><br />Tomorrow night I will attempt to cook a pork loin roast. With apples even! This is a first for me....and roasts are so yummy that I do hope that I don't screw it up! Corn and sweet potats will accompany the roast. A nice end to a crappy summer (weather-wise....but nice in every other way).<br /><br />Another way to end the summer.....an entry into my first triathlon!! It's in two weeks, and i'm scared silly. Craig is fitting me for his bike. I was going to use mine, but his is 10 times better, and my event is the day before his THIRD triathlon. I'm just doing a baby tri....sooo not brave enough to do a sprint. That will come next year, I hope.<br /><br />Training has been fun. I have biked the 10k and then ran for over 1 k right after it. I would have kept going if I were wearing a proper sports bra. The girls were flopping all over the place, and after a 1 k run, I just couldn't take it anymore. But it was good to know that it was only my uncontrollable boobies that stopped me, and not screaming legs or a lack of will to go on.<br /><br />Also, during our cottage weekend, Craig and I thought it would be fun to swim to a small island in the middle of our lake. Turns out that the island is almost 1 km away. So a swim there and back is more than four times the length i'll be doing for my tri....and it was really easy. The swim is going to be the most comfortable part for me. The bike is what i'm afraid of....it's been a long time since i've biked out on the road, at a fast pace. This is my focus for the week, getting used to outdoor biking. Spinning classes, and road racing are two different genres..so I hear.<br /><br />And now, the beauty rest...I so need sleep. Nicholas, the almost-four-year-old, has been getting up frequently for drinks during the night, and I'm exhausted from it. Any help on breaking this habit? It was easy to do when Hannah went through it, but she was two, not four and stubborn.<br /><br />Off to sleep! Good night mes amies!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-61989984957681077932009-08-17T19:49:00.003-04:002009-08-17T21:39:15.112-04:00Blonde AmbitionYes, you read right. I am a blonde, ambitious girl.<br /><br />Tonight, I have questioned myself about the motives behind my quest to become a healthy, inspired, organized....chef...or even...cook.<br /><br />I really don't have a motive, I just want to show my kids, and I guess myself, that i'm not that much of a moran in the kitchen. Hannah told me tonight that she misses having pizza a lot, and going to get doughnuts. It's only been over a week, and we DID have pizza one night (Craig did a triathalon, we spent the day in 40 degree (104 F) at a beach in Toronto....by the time we got home, we were exhausted from the heat, and the kids wanted food now. I wasn't about to get into the kitchen and turn on the oven, so I reverted back to our old ways, and called for the Pizza Man. Craig says that it was a necessary matter, and that if we didn't, the kids would starve. OK I know they wouldn't, but we were just THAT tired).<br /><br />Anyhow...totally digressing on the issue with Hannah. She loves loves loves junk food. Salty carbs are her favourite. One time she actually cried when I suggested that she only eat half a bagel, and try some fruit with her meal.<br /><br />And there it is....my motivation. Hannah and I are made out of the same mold, and that mold is made out of Jello. We both have a love/hate relationship with food. She already has said that she wishes she didn't like food so much. She is only six, and this saddens me beyond words.<br /><br />So, showing her that I can make better decisions with food, will hopefully teach her, if not by my actions, then through osmosis. Monkey see, monkey do...that sort of thing.<br /><br />Tonight we had whole wheat pasta and pork meatballs. Not a very inspired meal, but it was eaten and enjoyed by all.<br /><br />I think i'm going to plan, and make sure that ALL ingredients are in the house for the meals for the next week and maybe two weeks. We are going away to our cottage this weekend, so this could be slightly challenging. I won't have full control over the meals...but I can certainly try to fit in at least three meals.<br /><br />Ambitious....let's wait and see!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-33943156565379169642009-08-15T17:19:00.002-04:002009-08-15T17:42:36.733-04:00Martyr, She WroteI have had a trying week, during these past few hot and humid days of summer. Most of the Toronto area are rejoicing, for summer has found us at last. But it hurt me, mes amies, it hurts real bad (sorry, that sounded like an 80's angst love song).<br /><br />I am a migraine sufferer. I have lived this summer, almost migraine-free and I knew it was too good to be true. The days frolicking around in the fall-like temperatures ended days before the heat came. My head should be purchased by The Weather Network, because it's bang-on with predictions of heat, and storms.<br /><br />Alas, it has been trying, but soldiered on. Hence, the title of this blog. Yep, i'm a martyr. I laid in bed for most of the day on Thursday, thinking how wonderful it would be to take a drill to my temple and just do a bit to relieve some of the pressure (please know I never would, but in my medicine-filled haze, these are the thoughts I have), and that I needed to get better to cook the steak I had been looking forward to.<br /><br />Craig came home to find me in a familiar state...flat out on my back, old-person's orthopedic pillow under my head, feather pillow on my face. The last of the daily allowance of medication had just been injested and I awaited for the pain to subside...as I tried to redirect it to my feet.<br /><br />Craig immediately said that he would make dinner. "No!" came the cry from under the pillow. "I MUST make dinner tonight." Very dramatic, I know, but it was very tempting to have him go to Wendy's and get salads and other take-out foods, that I swore that I wouldn't do again.<br /><br />I didn't get up to make dinner, and dinner that night actually was Kraft Dinner. The kids were thrilled. They hadn't seen KD in about a year, before we decided enough with the boxed foods. I was annoyed with myself, and my head.<br /><br />Friday: The meat was still there waiting, and I was determined to make a fabulous meal. I had leftovers of the potato mash from earlier in the week, and I was going to make some Clean bread crumbs for on top of it, and I would cook it in a casserole dish. Corn on the cob for the other veggie. I couldn't find a recipe for a steak dish in my ECD books, and our ECD book of recipes has mysteriously disappeared.<br /><br />Online, I found a steak marinade that sounded good and simple. I switched the sugar it called for with Agave Nectar (which I think is really just watered-down honey that they make us pay more for because it's organic....and it has a fancy name). And I didn't use the white wine it called for, it was replaced with water. Not sure if it was a perfect substitution, but it worked.<br /><br />I brought all of the called-for ingredients to a boil, and stirred them on the stove. Some fell out, and a great flame shot up scaring the bejesus out of me. I am very afraid of fire, but grabbed some courage and...I blew it out. It actually went out, and I moved on to a new burner. I call that Incident Number 1.<br /><br />Incident Number 2 started with the removal of the lid for the sweet potato mash. A double-take, and a gasp later and it was thrown out due to the Science class mold that graced the top of the mash. So, rice again!<br /><br />All in all, the kids were thrilled with dinner, Craig too, and plates were cleaned (well, nearly cleaned in Nick's case....which is great news).<br /><br />Oh, I made the yogurt cheese which is in most, if not all, of Tosca's books. I made the veggie dip recipe, and we all hated it. Sorry Tosca, much too earthy for all of us. I can't imagine any kids enjoying it. Perhaps with a bit of Agave or Sucanat. I'm not sure.<br /><br />That's it for now!<br /><br />Ciao!!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-7043829501450486662009-08-12T22:46:00.004-04:002009-08-12T23:15:01.681-04:00I am a very very tired little lady, and I mean that literally. I'm just over 5'1...most times I say 5'1 and a half....or if someone is conducting a BMI analysis on me, then i'm 5'2. And I am indeed tired.<br /><br />Yesterday was a bit of a flop. I was supposed to cook the Jerk Tilapia with Rice Pilaf and Asparagus. It didn't happen. This whole planning ahead, and timing thing is getting the better of me. I am trying to make sure that I have enough time to make dinner, before we head out the door to in t-ball. Our digesting on Tuesdays and Thursdays take place in folding chairs, squinting into the evening sun, and making small talk with other parents.<br /><br />Needless to say, we ate the pasta leftovers from Sunday (which were still delicious, AND gobbled up by the kids) and I vowed to cook the Jerk out of the fish today.<br /><br />And, here we are...yes there is fish in my belly, partying it up with the asparagus and rice. Looking back, this is a meal that I never would have had 6 years ago (apart from the asparagus, i've always had a mushy love for asparagus). You see, I had a thing about rice. I can't believe i'm going to admit this, because it's fairly embarrasing.<br /><br />I didn't eat rice for over 15 years because of <em>The Lost Boys</em> movie.<br /><br />You read it right, a movie had that much impact on my otherwise take-it-or-leave-it attitude I had with rice. In the movie, Keifer Sutherland, asks the Billy character how he likes the maggots he's eating. Billy looks down, and the rice he thought he was eating turned into maggots by the evilness of the vampire folk. It was such a quick shot, but it stayed with me way too long. I had to force myself to try it again, and thank God I did, because then I wouldn't have attempted to eat sushi.<br /><br />As for the fish. Shamefacedly, I have to tell you, mes amies, I only ate half of the tilapia. Although it's mild, there is just something about the texture still. I don't enjoy it, but I keep trying it with the hope that someday, by some crazy miracle, I will grow to love it. So far, no miracles, but at least I don't gag anymore when attempting to swallow fish.<br /><br />Hannah and Nicholas ate lean hamburgers without buns. I couldn't force them to eat the fish. I was forced to eat liver once, and I threw up on it. One of my finest moments.<br /><br />The kids haven't liked fish thus far, and i'm not going to push it. They like all other forms of protein, so it's not necessary. Hannah has even learned that the meat she eats is the animals that she has played with at a farm we visited. She said that she likes pigs....they taste good. Hysterical. I personally never touched veal when I found out it was a baby cow. It seemed wrong somehow. So, yes, another food item that will not make it into my meals.<br /><br />With that said, I do think some beef would be good for tomorrow night. Steak, perhaps? Let's wait and see!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-80678977555461784242009-08-10T22:27:00.003-04:002009-08-11T13:29:26.332-04:00If the Pot Fits...So many lessons learned today, mes amies, it's hard to know where to start.<br /><br />Tonight's menu consisted of two food items from the ECD Family and Kids. Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Crispy Chicken Bites. I added a side of broccoli melted with low-fat mozza, hoping that the cheese would be the winning factor, and the whole thing would be devoured (how wrong I was).<br /><br />The recipe for the sweet potats (ahh, that word..."po-tats", one of the many Nana-isms conjured up by my Scottish Grandmother) said to cook the potats until soft. But it didn't say how to cook them. I assumed boiled, but what if I was wrong and they needed to be baked? A quick look on the interweb told me that boiling before smashing was a regular occurrence. Good to know. I stuffed almost all of the SP cubes into the boiling water, and some didn't fit. Another lesson learned.....measure the pot vs. item being cooked. I refused to get a new pot, and boil new water, so the SP stayed jammed together looking like a steaming orange mosh pit.<br /><br />I know I said it before, but reading the recipe BEFORE starting to create it is essential. The chicken dish had me putting all sorts of things together, like oat bran, flax, egg whites, water. I mixed them all together, and then realized that the egg whites and water were not invited into the mix, and are the glue that sticks the "dry ingredients" to the chicken. After cursing, and kicking the oven, I went about making a new batch, keeping the dry ingredients far away from the wet ones.<br /><br />The meal looked somewhat like the pictures in the book, so I was pleased with that. I didn't find it that flavourful. Nicholas ate a tiny bit, and Craig said that he thought it was great (although secretly, I think he would say that even if I fed him cow poop because he just wants to make me happy). But Miss Hannah.....ohhh Miss Hannah. The girl did not want anything to do with the meal. Yes, it was upsetting because I could hear my own mother's voice in my head, "I cooked this wonderful meal for you, and you will eat it without any complaint." But, even with telling her that she could have a treat afterwards (yes, bad I know, but she needed to eat something healthy) she held vigil and did not eat anything tonight. Good for her. Standing up for her rights....except she's six, and this isn't a restaurant, there was nothing else offered for her.<br /><br />But, with tomorrow night being baseball night, the kids will be dining on leftover Baked Ziti (which pleased Hannah when she heard this news), and I will be making Jerk-Spiced Tilapia with Asparagus and Rice Pilaf. Fish is a new protein in my life. I spent many years thinking that fish only came in the form of Fish and Chips. Eating unbattered fish seemed wrong, and I never attempted it. Since starting on the ECD journey, i've had tilapia a few times. It's not bad at all.<br /><br />That's it for now!<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />OH!! - here's a ps. Does anyone else find it revolting to handle raw chicken? I had to de-bone the chicken breasts, and hearing the bones snap nearly did me in.kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-6682234789177616912009-08-09T22:28:00.005-04:002009-08-09T22:48:29.545-04:00SUCCESS! I am a COOK!<div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">So....it seems that I CAN cook after all. I just caught a glimpse of Craig and I at the grocery store on a repeat episode of Tosca: Flexing at 49. I noted that I can't cook, and Craig so nicely adds that I burn water. Not true, mes amies! Tonight, I cooked my first real meal using a recipe. And it was delicious. AND my family raved about it. This never happens. Hannah asked for seconds of the Baked Ziti, and was shocked to learn that there is tomatoes and carrots hidden inside. After the initial shock, and look of betrayal she gave me (Hannah does not like cooked carrots, nor does she like tomatoes in any form other than ketchup) she concluded that maybe cooked veggies aren't as bad as she once thought. Good for her I said! Nicholas left only a small amount on his plate, which is a big event. The little squirt weighs barely 30 pounds, and will be four in two months. His size is mystifying to us, as the rest of us struggle with our weight. So for a Newell to need to <em>gain</em> weight...well it just seems crazy to us. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">So! Here are the pics of my family before eating said Ziti, and one of the divinely golden masterpiece created by me. I'm so proud. The lantern in the middle of the table is circa 1996, part of the centrepieces on the tables during our wedding reception. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj0HVnoYPNcXOmkdnzw_ZcGn4m65lCe1TRawZsPD6ZwV1b55Blg8rerDDa4qHwRjfMOXi0UGvh_wLoJdXCiv0vcrLhLSF4GsiOK_S8HCy_RAsXsr-kKnuSXTi6_YoAcNgx03luGHQlfTc/s1600-h/first+dinner.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368160795222986194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoj0HVnoYPNcXOmkdnzw_ZcGn4m65lCe1TRawZsPD6ZwV1b55Blg8rerDDa4qHwRjfMOXi0UGvh_wLoJdXCiv0vcrLhLSF4GsiOK_S8HCy_RAsXsr-kKnuSXTi6_YoAcNgx03luGHQlfTc/s320/first+dinner.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ7YE6GCesuFvVpBf2ONkvHsAx70eamUqaoyZGC8JsP-iYTqriA17Oo75KmAtu-ds5iVZJSSDJ7PQB5-YprC-3AOJARRbzSPuF8Npl3OfbZNwb20y_hCet9hjIWRe_jktICPFqIZRmpnd/s1600-h/mmm+ziti.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368160992956438098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ7YE6GCesuFvVpBf2ONkvHsAx70eamUqaoyZGC8JsP-iYTqriA17Oo75KmAtu-ds5iVZJSSDJ7PQB5-YprC-3AOJARRbzSPuF8Npl3OfbZNwb20y_hCet9hjIWRe_jktICPFqIZRmpnd/s320/mmm+ziti.jpg" /></span></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Things I learned while in the kitchen;</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">1. Prep time = time to prep all the food before beginning to cook. I never really took that into consideration, and just started following the recipe from the top. If you read the recipe in its entirety beforehand, you may find that you have to multi-task. Like preheating the oven, while something else simmers away. That sort of thing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">2. Cooking ground turkey until browned. I believe that should be changed to Cooking ground turkey until "<em>beiged</em>", it doesn't get any browner than beige. Also, Tosca tells us to make sure that the skin was not ground into the turkey. I have no idea how to tell if it was or wasn't, but I decided to trust the president of the choice and deduced that there was no skin in my meat. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">3. Wearing an apron is sexy. No really, I put on the white apron that Craig normally wears (although, on him, it's more of a skirt, as he doesn't wear the bib thingy around his neck) and I looked in the mirror and I was immediately thrown back into the 50's. But the way the bib thingy, well, hugs the girls (and by <em>girls</em>, I mean boobs) and how tying the strings at the waist, gives an automatic hourglass shape, it is just very girly, and kind of sensual. </span></div></div>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-58108278713542848382009-08-09T09:01:00.002-04:002009-08-09T09:21:09.901-04:00Day One...Scared...yes Scared!<span style="font-family:georgia;">I woke up this</span> morning almost a little terrified. I sat up quickly, like they do in the movies when they cut from a bad dream to the person waking up. I was a bit sweaty, and did the suck-in-you-breath thing. I was dreaming about making a beautiful dinner, and my children were happily eating it, and we were all smiling at each other. Doesn't sound like a nightmare, does it?<br /><br />The reality is, we spend the most of our dinners convincing the children to eat. "Two more bites" is a common phrase used at our table (or in the living room, which is not to be used as a dinner table ever EVER again).<br /><br />So, here I am this morning planning ahead, as promised. Tonight I will be serving the Baked Ziti, as found in the ECD for Family and Kids.<br /><br />I walked into my kitchen, and I could almost see some of the counters. The next few hours will be spent cleaning and sterilizing the kitchen. Oh, just realized that I will have to become a bit of a cleaner too. Hmmm, perhaps lots of good will come out of this project!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-5191241856513013252009-08-08T16:30:00.005-04:002009-08-09T09:00:37.190-04:00Inspiration....at long long last!<span style="font-family:georgia;">I have been reading Julie and Julia, and I have become slightly obsessed with Julie. Yes, Julie Powell, not Julia Child. We have a few things in common. We are the same age (she is a Taurus, so she is slightly older than this Gemini), we both have a love for food, we both have aspirations to be writers (and, although my obsession is new, I believe her post-secondary education involved becoming a writer...i'll get back to you on that one), and we both have had to stop and think about what we want to do with our lives. Okay, it's not like we're kindred spirits, but it was enough for me to sit down, and get back to my blog. I don't know if anyone will read it, but I am happy enough to write again.<br /><br />So, thanks Julie Powell, for the inspiration.<br /><br />Now, what to blog about. Well....obviously Eating Clean. It's what I started this for. Originally it started because of the show I bullied my family into doing...Tosca: Flexing at 49. I learned a lot from filming, and from Tosca herself. So much was not aired, and i'm perfectly fine with that. I looked like a big blob, and it was hard to watch.<br /><br />The one thing that was emphasized, which i'm glad about, is the fact that I am an emotional overeater. A disease? Perhaps. The jury is still out on that one, and i'm not totally convinced. However, I do LOOOOOOOOOVEEEEE.....even, <em>lurve</em>, food. Is that so wrong? Well, yes, actually, it is. I tend to take my love for food to new levels. I can go weeks, even months, eating properly, and losing weight and feeling good about myself, then BAM! I throw it all away for gooey pizza, or chips. Then the downward spiral towards small binging and self-hatred begins. It's a bit sad, I know, but perhaps writing about it will be my final cure! Ha! We shall see.<br /><br />So, back to Eating Clean (yes, it's that important that it should be capitalized). Eating Clean is hard. Sorry Tosca, I really am, but it's one of the hardest things i've ever done. BUT...I do believe my horribly bad cooking skills, coupled with my impatience while waiting for food to cook, put a stopper into my otherwise good-intentions. Another downfall that I will try to change...(ohhh, "change" I hate that word...how about "modify") is my undeniable lack of being able to plan ahead. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail...and all that jargon that makes one feel bad for being a terminal procratisinator. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I also hate waiting. I'm always hungry when I cook, and waiting 45 minutes for chicken kills me. I end up snacking, and then not hungry by the time the said meal is ready. I eat it regardless of my almost-full stomach, because I need to show the kids that the food is edible, so they will eat it.<br /><br />Most meals I cook end up in the fridge, with a quarter eaten at mealtime. Then it grows mold, and then it visits the Green Bin for it's journey to the recycling centre. Or the dump. Rumour does have it that our Green Bin stuffs actually aren't composted, but just put in with the garbage. It's a rumour....I didn't start it.....must look into that later.<br /><br />Julie Powell actually had a love, or at least like, for cooking when she embarked on her Julie/Julia Project. I, however, hate cooking, and fully intend on learning to like it. For my family's sake. No more fast food (even Clean fast food....and I have found several places to buy Clean(ish) fast food). I will be cooking at least one meal a day from Tosca's Eat Clean Diet Cookbook only. It's a huge undertaking for me...so please bear with me if I swear a lot.<br /><br />I still have over 40 pounds to lost (I have lost 55), and this little project should help with that too. Day One starts tomorrow, Sunday August 8, 2009. Wish me luck!</span>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-9875565755343324892009-05-08T15:34:00.002-04:002009-05-08T15:50:51.008-04:00Been Too Long!Well, mes amies.....all four of you! LOL. It's been way too long since i've posted. So much has happened in the last 5 months. The weight is still coming off. I have lost 52 pounds, and I have about another 40 to go. I'm not even a candidate for gastric bypass surgery anymore, and i'm very proud of that fact. The Eat Clean Diet, along with the recognition and acceptance that I am a compulsive overeater, has really changed my life. I still struggle with wanting foods that I simply cannot eat anymore, but I know that in time I will be free of that.<br /><br />I have signed up to run a 10k and a half-marathon. The 10 k I want to run, and the half-marathon I just want to finish. I've joined a clinic that starts on May 19th, and I can't wait. Which in reading that last sentence, I realize that just those words alone are a miracle!! I would have never thought that I would even want to try to run, let alone finish a race. Miracles of miracles, I tell you!<br /><br />Hannah also struggles with Eating Clean on a regular basis, but she is eating a whole lot better. Nicholas has no problems with it anymore, he eats anything. Craig is a Eat Clean GOD. He makes my oatmeal with blueberries on most days, and other days eggs are a big part of breakfast. We are just trying to figure out how to get rid of our love for cream in our coffee. That is one thing we both did not give up....but it's full of fat an calories, and is not even close to being allowed in any Cooler. LOL. The show is scheduled to air on June 6th and the episode highlights are available at <a href="http://www.channelcanada.com/Article2896.html">www.channelcanada.com/Article2896.html</a>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-5899501748373077242008-12-31T00:43:00.002-05:002008-12-31T00:45:48.454-05:00Almost a brand new year!Just realizing that i'm actually posting on New Year's Eve....it is just that late. Must go to bed after this and get my zzzzzzzzzz's.<br /><br />Today was really bizarre, but here it is;<br /><br />M1 : Yogurt and berries, coffee<br />M2: 3 egg whites (hard boiled)<br />M3: chicken breast and steam veggies<br />M4: missed it!! oops<br />M5: whole wheat pasta with veggie sauce (I didn't have time to cook meat along with it, as we were heading to the gym).<br /><br />The gym - well my 12-year-old niece is here with us for a few days, and as the daycare is closed until the New Year, it has ben difficult for Craig and I to go to the gym together (Tosca really stresses the importance of working out with a buddy). So, we've been taking advantage of the family swim times instead, and taking turns doing our workouts.<br /><br />Well, Hannah really wanted us to "All" be in the pool together, so I dropped Craig off at the gym first (he wasn't ready for a meal anyhow) and made dinner for the rest of us. Then we headed to the gym about 1.5 hours later. Craig joined us in the pool, and we were there for an hour. I stayed in the deep end for 45 minutes, while I dove, swam and treaded water. I kept moving to keep my heart rate up.<br /><br />At the end, Craig took the kids home and I continued my workout. Let me tell you, trying to workout after swimming was HARD!! I did 10 minutes on the bike (very hard, mind you), 5 minutes rowing, 1/2 an hour working out my legs, and 10 minutes on the treadmill. I could only run for 2 minutes tonight, I was just so tired!!<br />Moral of the story....plan ahead, and try not to workout after swimming...your muscles will thank you! ;-)kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-30222736318505006102008-12-29T15:18:00.002-05:002008-12-29T15:37:00.412-05:00Trying Again!!Oh my! I have been having some major problems trying to post to my blog. But I think I have it this time!<br /><br />Anyhow, today I decided to look for some recent and not-so-recent pictures of me. Almost a before and after. It literally took me an hour to find the "before" picture posted below. The reason? Well, like many overweight women, I don't like the way I look. Therefore, I am always behind the lens (I am a photographer after all), or i'm being goofy and giving a fake smile to the camera. More often than not, I delete all photos of me. Again...it took me an hour to find one picture of me on our computer. This one must have slipped by my delete-happy finger.<br /><br />So here it is, an almost full length picture of me, at my heaviest, taken in March of this year. It really brings to perspective just why I chose to change our lives by following the Eat Clean Diet. I have had many ups and downs, but the fact is that I am down 39 pounds since this photo was taken, and 24 pounds down since starting to Eat Clean. I was able to lose 15 pounds somewhere along the line from March to September, by doing bits of cardio here and there at the gym. But the 24 pounds is from September to December is all from eating clean. 15 pounds in 6 months, versus 24 pounds in three months....i'm no mathematician here, but I think eating clean is the way to go!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCDEDp1kNlFi_GlLVbiAC5jOVo9tvtTY5DjJ0wjCP7LZtpzAUZYOe6SnNYuzFPz1Suo1nePoJ8Q-cAgHA-Z4dkrbsDIyrYcT79-DRdtUAhpNWtC_ebXqFKnnQGZQfh_fQMhVP9nK2RmwW/s1600-h/kelly+march+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309741104619458" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCDEDp1kNlFi_GlLVbiAC5jOVo9tvtTY5DjJ0wjCP7LZtpzAUZYOe6SnNYuzFPz1Suo1nePoJ8Q-cAgHA-Z4dkrbsDIyrYcT79-DRdtUAhpNWtC_ebXqFKnnQGZQfh_fQMhVP9nK2RmwW/s320/kelly+march+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here is the picture I took of myself today. It's a raw photo, which is what I wanted. It's me, without makeup, without a fancy hairdo, and just using a small flash. It's as real as I could get it. I'm wearing spandex...yikes, and not much on top. I was going to do a sports bra, but this is as brave as I could get. I couldn't get the same angle, as all my photography equipment was out in the garage, and it's cold out, and I wasn't changing again! HA! So, this was done without a tripod, and the photo above has the better angle...believe it or not. So again, it's a raw photo that I took of me today, and i'm proud that<em> </em>I posted it. It will be great to compare it to my future sexy photos!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQdHUIMjMwH2UxWWx6KmuOZSWplLESPw0IBW-Jpii18Q4KCgXvMEcKPuTBrbpMqtft4sdxRmXubIg2YWxuAmkocn0lNjgYjCtBsyZgZ4Syhw6CI3rRSA_boOgo98flAckAMocKWfFZ_gL/s1600-h/KELLY+DEC+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309507168978034" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQdHUIMjMwH2UxWWx6KmuOZSWplLESPw0IBW-Jpii18Q4KCgXvMEcKPuTBrbpMqtft4sdxRmXubIg2YWxuAmkocn0lNjgYjCtBsyZgZ4Syhw6CI3rRSA_boOgo98flAckAMocKWfFZ_gL/s320/KELLY+DEC+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I'm still not liking the way that I look, but I do think that I look better. Most importantly, I <em>feel</em> better. I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of January, and i'm hoping to get more tests done and get off all medication!! Wish me luck!</div>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-70497963220130976072008-12-09T07:18:00.001-05:002008-12-09T09:32:51.550-05:00An Emotional Roller Coaster!I haven't been keeping up with my blogging, and i've made a promise to myself to get back on it, so here I am!!<br /><br />Last week I made a few self discoveries that have really helped with my image issues. I have realized that i'm actually a good person, and that I deserve to be happy. So, instead of sabatoging myself when i'm down, I am looking to find a healthy habit to replace the drug that, until recently, helped ease whatever emotional pain I was in...food. I'm going to start with walking for 10 minutes or however long it takes for the feeling to go away. Walking will let me sort out the problem, and I might still be upset without having found a solution, but at least I won't be turning to food.<br /><br />With that said, I have been diligently following the clean diet and have been continuing with my exercise regime. I actually love exercising. The fabulous feeling I get afterwards is something I always look forward to.<br /><br />This past weekend was a girl's weekend with my friends Nancy, Andrea, Laura and Trina. These girls have known me since I was 14, and they have all known each other since grade school. The weekend usually involves copious amounts of food and alcohol. I promised myself not to have more than two glasses of wine, and I actually stuck to that promise. The red wine was one that I had never tasted before, and it was delicious. After the second glass, I was feeling more than a little tipsy, and there was a moment where I really wanted a third glass. Nancy promised to look out for me, and even said that she would drink the rest of the bottle, so I wouldn't have the third glass! But something inside me kept saying "no" to the third glass, and i'm pretty sure I heard Tosca yelling at me, saying she would kick my butt if I did.<br /><br />The food was delicious. Nancy made a wonderful spread. She showed us how to take rice paper, put it in hot water to make it soft, and then use it as a wrap. I had chicken, and all sorts of veggies in mine...with hot sauce. It was wonderful!! And so easy to do!<br /><br />The next day Andrea and Trina left early as they had family duties to get back to. Nancy, Laura and I had a light breakfast and we decided to head to the cemetary to have a visit with Laura's mom and my dad. I haven't been back to the cemetary since we had the burial ceremony. That was over 10 years ago. I was afraid that it would be to hard, and I didn't want to deal with those feelings. But i'm so glad that I went. I feel like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I wish I did it years ago. I will go as often as I can, and I will take the kids the next time I go.<br /><br />All in all, it was a very good week. Emotionally draining, but we all need to have weeks like this to regroup with our inner beings.<br /><br />Cheers to all who come across this!<br /><br />knkellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-79605088028909068672008-11-03T23:56:00.000-05:002008-11-04T00:06:39.235-05:00Trying to Keep UP!!!Holy cow, I can't believe how long it's been since I posted last. I thought that blogging would be an easy peasy thing to do, but my life has been so busy lately, that this blog has taken to the back burner.<br /><br />So, an update. I was accepted into the Ontario Self Employment Benefits program, and am currently in week 2, of 7 weeks of business training (how to start your own business, and market it, and get financing, and and and). There is a lot of information to take in, and i'm sitting in a class room for 5-8 hours Monday to Friday.....my body is NOT used to being idle like this. It's very hard to concentrate after awhile!<br /><br />Last week started out good, but the closer it got to Halloween, and the more unorganized I became, the stress in me was ready to come out. I was so worried about Halloween, and afraid that I would just gorge myself on the kid's candy, that I never really got to enjoy the night. I spoke with Tosca beforehand, and we discussed what to do with the candy. We basically decided that we would get rid of at least have of the kid's candy, giving it to those in need. I called around, and shelters cannot take loose candy items, so I ended up giving it to the cast of Cats (the show that the theatre group I belong to is putting on right now). Hannah loved the show, and was delighted that the cast was happily eating her candy. How's that for a generous kid?<br /><br />Nick, Hannah and I went through their candy, and they each picked 25 pieces to keep in their Halloween bags. This was to last them 3 weeks, with one candy a day, but some has been "disappearing", and it won't make it to the three weeks. Little sneaks!! heh<br /><br />As for me, I did have a few little chocolate bars, but I would say that I have eaten about 5 per cent of what I would normally have eaten in the past. It used to be a free-for-all in the past, and now I was able to have a couple, and leave the rest. Pat on the back for that one!<br /><br />Today I had yogurt, mixed with bee pollen and Kashi cereal. Yum!!! I need to add fruit to that next time. The pasta tonight with ground turkey and roasted veggie sauce was sooo yummy too. Mmmmmm!<br /><br />I'm starting classes at the gym in the morning (6:15 a.m. ... ugh), twice a week. Craig started a boxing class tonight, and just about died!! I guess it's my turn tomorrow. I'll write about it soon!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-70218564619634895972008-10-21T14:51:00.000-04:002008-10-23T07:57:07.785-04:00My Baby is THREE!!!!<div align="left">Today we had one of several parties for Nick's birthday. I can't believe that he's THREE! No more babies in the house. Booooo! Ah well, they do have to grow up, don't they?</div><div align="left"><br />Craig and I decided that we would have a "Clean" party, meaning that all the foods we were serving were part of our new healthy diet. We had chicken fingers (in rolled oats, flax seed and wheat germ), sweet potato fries, ground turkey baked ziti, and more. I was surprised at how much our guests enjoyed the food. OH!! Craig was sick, and I started to prepare the food on my own...I didn't get very far, and made Hannah get him out of bed. I just got stressed, and I couldn't figure out how to make the hummus in my Magic Bullet! LOL. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Anyhow, Craig powered through his yucky tummy, and we pulled of a lovely "clean" party. We didn't have time to make the clean cupcakes, so we did have a cake purchased at our grocery store. I didn't have any, and Craig stuffed two pieces into his mouth. The cake was meant for 5-6 people, and I bought it that way to serve small than normal portions, keeping with our clean theme. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Nicholas was given two pieces (equalling one piece) and went on a sugar rampage, and passed out at 6 p.m. He had lots of fun.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76WVmJVplPcqw4t1zjpGB9QNKTXRY0kdQMwe7S1fquZJ0ZMAJYJ4YQX6xkITVvMoUepouy2hl0-5a72NE8jk7fW0y0iWPTYXcuP60Y1JA3SsSiGyZZi_RYodHrij4EOzoUQ5r2cmxJXXt/s1600-h/IMG_8012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259683237074542178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76WVmJVplPcqw4t1zjpGB9QNKTXRY0kdQMwe7S1fquZJ0ZMAJYJ4YQX6xkITVvMoUepouy2hl0-5a72NE8jk7fW0y0iWPTYXcuP60Y1JA3SsSiGyZZi_RYodHrij4EOzoUQ5r2cmxJXXt/s320/IMG_8012.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Nicholas enjoying his trains on his new train table!</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNizjFtoG-gr0lcnokNUnThQ429QqRN36-8AE1PfQuGxwnmXD_ZfoUZxKwXKbFKdE2BI2NqArLAoiwOPM6KgY2uihfx-cQwbcULmFW8JgWCF3eOAPhXQHvpA-qk4IF7DSFz_aKQ60IwCL/s1600-h/IMG_7995.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0kBisJjxYYmyjyjcC_MuhkhfnWXwzsx11VSZ6nknjkCqRWc9N93JczV3auI4-QoOsfWZs2NUarG3zeXcl1fdL600jVgMfoMpKpeUJ2V8MVxIpWlV8XAbVbBG63OMgQ6ePT5A7ciyajro/s1600-h/IMG_7994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259682151543642530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0kBisJjxYYmyjyjcC_MuhkhfnWXwzsx11VSZ6nknjkCqRWc9N93JczV3auI4-QoOsfWZs2NUarG3zeXcl1fdL600jVgMfoMpKpeUJ2V8MVxIpWlV8XAbVbBG63OMgQ6ePT5A7ciyajro/s320/IMG_7994.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Tim, Kathryn and Gerald enjoying some cake....mmmm cake. I DID NOT have any!!</span></strong></div></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></p><div align="left">We had another party for Nick's birthday, but a small one for just the grandparents. We had turkey breast, sweet potatos, roast potatos, asparagus, carrots and pumpkin loaf for dessert. Very yummy, and we have lots of left over turkey breast. Oh yes, and we started it off with Roast Vegetable Soup!! The leftovers from that soup are going fast, and, I am addicted to it!!!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">With Nick's birthday celebrations over, i'm left with wondering what to do about Halloween. We have a tradition to go Trick or Treating in East York with Hannah's godparents, and their daughter (Hannah's BFF). The kids look forward to it every year, and have been talking about it non-stop for the past couple of weeks. I don't think it would be fair to get rid of all their candy....decisions decisions!<br /><br /></div><p align="left"></p><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-63266469772365414702008-10-13T14:33:00.000-04:002008-10-13T15:25:52.184-04:00Happy Thanksgiving!The much-anticipated day came and went, without any tears from me. HA! I didn't do too badly, but my meal was not totally clean. My mother made it, and isn't exactly against what i'm doing, but she feels that on big occasions we should be allowed what ever we want. Luckily it was being filmed, or else I might have given in to more temptation!! LOL<br /><br />Here's what my Thanksgiving meal consisted of:<br /><br />Turkey<br />1 tablespoon cranberry sauce (jarred, full of sugar)<br />1 tablespoon of dressing (white bread)<br />1 tablespoon of garlic mashed potatoes (skim milk, no butter)<br />4 sweet potato fries (from Tosca's book)<br />corn<br />turnip<br />1 slice of apple pie that my daughter and DH made with whole wheat crust, and filling made with Sucanut (sp?) instead of sugar<br /><br />AVOIDED: gravy, salt, ice cream, pumpkin pie, bread and butter.<br /><br />It was amazing to see parts of my plate that are normally covered (read: my plate is usually piled high on Thanksgiving).kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-33575853348023550892008-10-10T16:53:00.000-04:002008-10-10T17:22:29.562-04:00Photoshoot - Oh What to WearWell, today was our family photoshoot day, and, as usual, I couldn't decide what to wear. I did try a few things on that didn't fit before, but they fit now, and that was very nice indeed. However, it was very nerve-wracking, as I absolutely loathe my reflection in the mirror. Perhaps if I installed one of those mirrors they have in the clothing shops that are angled just so, that any madam who looks at herself, sees a much thinner, and slightly taller reflection looking back.<br /><br />Anyhow, Helen Tansey was very nice, and made us all feel welcome. She brought out some good smiles on our faces, and I gritted my teeth through it all. Someday I really do hope that I'll be able to smile at a camera, and mean it inside and out.<br /><br />Newsflash! Today is weigh in day, and i'm down 8 pounds! Hooray! Only a billion more to go...oops, there goes that negative talk again. Try to say something positive. I lost 8 pounds....think of what that looks like....wow, that's a lot! Things are fitting better...more good news!<br /><br />Hannah is still grudgingly following the Eat Clean way, but is missing her comfort food. But she was very happy to have had pizza today for lunch. It was made with low-fat mozza, rice flour crust, no sugar added sauce, and the crust was nice and thin. It was delicious, and almost felt like we were cheating, and yet all the ingredients are good ones. Yay! What I don't know is what kind of oil was used, but i'm going to guess that it was Olive, or some other good for you oil....it was that kind of place.<br /><br />Craig made us some yummy veggie egg white omelettes (with one egg yolk to I think 4 eggs), and we had the pizza. Not sure what is on the menu for tonight though. Hannah is very excited, as she will be Little Chef and helping Big Chef (Daddy) make the apple pie for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Off to see what Old Mother Hubbard has in her cupboard for dinner. xokellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-74209356753270234032008-10-08T12:58:00.001-04:002008-10-08T13:52:05.709-04:0030 Pounds of Apples Makes a LOT of Applesauce!<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Wow! What a busy busy time of year it is!<br /><br />Saturday we always start our day with getting ready for Hannah's dance class. She is slowly embracing the clean eating way, and decided on her own to have fruit for breakfast. While Hannah is in class, we go out for breakfast with our friend Gerald. It's become a bit of a tradition, so it was our first time trying to eat clean, while at a restaurant.<br /><br /><br />I ordered a Spanish omelette, and asked for it to be made with egg whites only. It came with whole wheat toast and home fries. Nick at the home fries and toast (I had one triangle). Nick had fruit before we left as well, so I wasn't too worried about the few home fries he did have.<br /><br /><br />Craig had a regular omelette with cheese and mushrooms. Craig is not a fan of eggs at all, so getting him to eat some is good. The cheese wasn't the best idea, but it's still a change from pancakes and syrup with ham (also loaded with syrup) and toast.<br /><br /><br />After dance class, Hannah was still feeling energetic, and wanted to do something outside. Nick was fast asleep in the car (he got up waaay too early), and we knew that he would stay asleep for a few hours. So Hannah thought it would be fun if she and Craig...oops, I mean, Daddy, went for a bike ride. They got out the bikes, and tuned them up and rode for about 15 minutes. Then Hannah came back in the house, and Craig went for a ride on his own!!! First time in months....and it was well over a year before that one time! He felt great!<br /><br /><br />I knew that I would be getting some exercising dancing at our community theatre fundraiser, so I wasn't worried that I stayed behind with Nick. And Nick...well, he finds ways throughout the day to be active. He constantly runs!<br /><br /><br />Below are pics of Craig and Hannah getting ready to go for their bike ride;<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254839711051545330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdCEJ2Y0csspfkxZ54uJywJDzCWDlSpBnQb_Fp1ayb7ukjnb7hjW0-wpejMTBqKVqe3Tl3MLnAVkyghQuf-Lpv26h9zOfs5S8eiV5Z871_Y5m6QO51eN5LhVj9oPOv2Ie3mplKJANjFxP/s320/hannah+and+craig+bikes.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254839408535021842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbYQVuTe0iiO7yjVcUSsuX7QoNs7M63MiVihFWFJ446M07L4h_LZXFXAo-IQt-splfyHztCDK87OI0rK-wg6wFU9nWNoqP-dOASdWy1KUrPmSxA8Qc_4AcklBf-DtzXVTOxMkLF5gDUBi/s320/hannah+bike.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />On Sunday we did our first Clean grocery shopping. It was great to figure out what to buy and how it will improve our health and weight loss. Craig and I could have spent all day there (and we almost did), but we had a date to go apple picking in the afternoon with the kids. The kids LOVED picking apples, and Hannah was very excited to go home and make applesauce with Daddy.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here are some pics from apple picking;<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254835290169972802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvSZlqx1z0yOSOPwq05MnEDZOh7N4Rzw-xb4bRpIKa_hw8r7BGsVh_Bu11bAR5Opx_YpX6itZTsGpuPFl7cwUDsuLbaXZpgd9Qcl1cxnrlO8KWDFSKxvOeQWR2Xc2fB-uqnIiiCdZ2Nq_/s320/Hannah+with+apples+smiling.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Hannah loved the wagon ride!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254834906073660898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBESQmz4rHrjoiOtNQ-LTe-Ed39JmxKJrSMPWC0h68vizfK1QHrhbk9RLxFiZDQn5LZ8M2HmnEt78BphT1ca5_SRH6Zqnpsm5cqfnCwW0Qn6Dg-K_Dfbrzh0oiB6UoSCjdlG9NdpQeKVm/s320/nick+apple.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center">Hmmmm! Should I make pie or applesauce with this one?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254835105092201266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsFmej8-f5ILFQsGoWHYa72cm-Gkk5Qcki2nGBn0PkZZ0lIwmhpfgEY_sDm4OfzY-KcXdZvF0NLMeSPBJ4qLa_Spq_VWYeBl2-CdQEsvx4hkNkQx09o3mfZFnovdLR_iI-I7cSq2S03ih/s320/hannah's+apple.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> See my apple mommy?<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254834560404775986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_1iGnElZmiaTRt27MBDhWMDblDQqe1lr_iSSTtg-ifQsKNGnwgGeDB5N9OJpvDjTe3C95WRbu5KmerDJ2McTo6XkNJovE9xoL4H4WNM-8BmrM-OCmG3Xz4x2M71f9dxo3ewi8mAWgoAj/s320/hiding+from+mommy.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> Finding apples, and hiding from Mommy!<br /><br /></p><p align="left">After we went apple picking, we headed home, and we were all tuckered out from running around the orchard. Craig, Nick and Hannah made applesauce, and we had a yummy dinner made by Craig of whole wheat rotini, chicken breast over baby spinach leaves covered in home made pasta sauce with lots of veggies. Hannah opted to not have the pasta sauce, but came back for seconds for chicken and baby spinach. A very fun day! </p><p align="left">Monday was pretty low key. Craig wasn't feeling well. We had leftovers for dinner, and Nick, Hannah and I went out for a walk. We were gone for about 45 minutes, and a lot of the walk was actual running, as we were playing "tag" on the way back. Tonnes of fun! Later on in the evening Craig was violently ill, and passed out. He hit his head on the way down, and woke up to me screaming for him to open the bedroom door (he was blocking it). It was very scary, but all is good. Telehealth called an ambulance, and they checked his vitals and spoke to him. Since he was coherent, and able to relay everything that happened, we decided not to go to the hospital. We think he had food poisining, and that it was possibly from grapes that he ate and didn't wash beforehand. No one else has been sick (today is Wednesday), and hopefully it will stay that way!</p><p align="left">Yesterday was another low key day. I had a meeting in the evening, and Hannah (who is being weaned off naps) fell asleep at 6:30. Craig was just getting back on solids, so he had bits of food here and there. Nick ate whatever clean food he fancied. </p><p align="left">And that brings us to today! </p><p align="left">This morning I had oatmeal with bee pollen and applesauce (homemade, of course). I loved it. Adding the applesauce to it, is sooo much nicer! It was also my first time with bee pollen. The texture was something I have to get used to, but doing the research on bee pollen, I can't believe the wonders it does! What an amazing supplement! I am hoping that it helps with my PMS, and migraines. But hey, to aide weight loss is another bonus!</p><p align="left">I did 30 minutes on the Wii fit today, and broke out into a nice sweat. That Advanced Boxing is HARD! It's raining today, so i'm not sure what activity the family will do tonight! Tune in!<br /><br /><br /></p>kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-715026389370337082008-10-04T12:28:00.000-04:002008-10-04T15:38:15.250-04:00The changes are coming!Well, Miss Hannah has NOT been happy with the changes we are making to better our lives. She actually cried this morning when I told her what her choices for breakfast were. She was so sad, and it broke my heart, but she needs this change as much as we do. Obesity in children is very scary, and I want her to outlive me!<br /><br />Hannah enjoyed some hummus and carrots today, and is drinking more water than she normally would. When she was on the phone with her grandmother today she said that, "We aren't having any sugar stuff anymore, because it's not healthy. So, no buns with dinner please and no dessert." I just have to teach her that there are other desserts out there that are yummy, not just ice cream. LOL<br /><br />Hannah and Craig went for a bike ride together. Hannah didn't last more than 10 minutes, but she did have dance class this morning, so i'm happy with that. Nick and I didn't participate, as Nick fell asleep early today, and I stayed home with him. I will be movin' and groovin' tonight at an event for our theatre group. Now I must plan our food for the rest of the day!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3297861837888734725.post-76548461295662774592008-10-03T07:05:00.000-04:002008-10-03T07:07:44.370-04:00My name is Kelly Newell, and the point of this blog is to track my new, healthy lifestyle, which will help me lose weight and live longer. My husband Craig, who is also 35, along with our daughter Hannah (almost 6) and Nicholas (almost 3), and I live just east of Toronto, and we're in this together.<br /><br />I recently found out that I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesteral. I'm only 35, and i'm now taking more pills than I ever thought possible. <br /><br />About a month ago, I heard that there was a production company looking for a family with young children who would like to better their eating habits, get more active, and generally change their lives for the better. I thought that this was an excellent opportunity for our family, and emailed right away a description of our family. I described that we are a family of four with very poor eating habits, and very little activity done as a family.<br /><br />We went for an audition, and they chose us!! The show will be called "Tosca", and it is based on her Eat Clean Diet. Tosca's written many books about eating clean, and we, as a family, are up for the task. We met Tosca today, and filmed our first meeting where she went through our kitchen and threw out our "unclean" foods (filling one HUGE garbage bag), and she went over what we will be doing, what kinds of food we will eat etc. She also listened to our stories of our childhood through to adulthood, and how far back our weight problems went.<br /><br />Mine started during puberty. I went through puberty at an early age, and I believe I used food to deal with my emotions of being teased by the other kids (boys always tease girls, but it was the teasing from other girls that hurt the most). I promptly learned to put on a happy face, even if I wasn't feeling it on the inside. I knew that food was always there for me, and thus, my pattern of binge eating started.<br /><br />I have tried many diets, from Weight Watchers to the Cabbage Soup Diet. Weight Watchers did work, but it was combined with doing intense spinning classes 5 days a week. Now, with two small children, life is pretty hectic to head off to the gym to hop on a bike. So Tosca said to start slow, with a half an hour of exercise per day. Not too much to ask. AND the whole family must be involved. So, after Tosca left, we went for a walk and played in the park. We did get a nice workout in, and the best part of it all was Hannah saying it was the BEST day ever! As much as i'm doing this for me, i'm also doing this for my children. Hannah is quickly following in our poor eating footsteps, and she is now considered overweight. I CANNOT let her be unhealthy...it leads to being unhappy. Already she has mentioned that she would like to be skinny like her brother. That just breaks my heart.<br /><br />So, with that all said, we start our clean eating today.....leading to our new, healthy, happier life!kellybellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09844405930920952858noreply@blogger.com2