Healthy Lifestyle Update- The great and the ok...

Let me start with the OK. Usually I update you with great news of my weightloss, but today, when I went to my clinic I only last .6 lbs. I was told that at one point this would happen, but still, I wasn't ready in my heart for this. I was disappointed and wasn't come home and share with you.... but I had time to calm my heart down, reframe, look at the big picture and now I am pleased to share with you my journey so far... I've come a long way baby!

Now the great! Since September 19, 2011 I have lost 66 lbs, my BMI has gone from 57 to 47, I have lost 6 inches around my waist, 1 inch around my neck and 10 inches around my hips- oh yeah folks, hips don't lie! Whenever people comment on my progress, it's always around my butt, my hips... and thanks to eating well and now working out... I mean really working out, my hips really do hurt- but a good hurt.

This is a lecture to myself.... the scale is just one way to measure my success on this journey. How about this awesome before picture - one summer ago, just before my friend Gaetane moved...

... and now, a few weeks ago with my friend Gaetane again.

I actually look forward to exercising... I would have never said this before in my entire life. I feel 'grumpy' if I don't go for my big walk. What started out as torture for 15 minutes 10 months ago is now a pleasure, an addiction. In fact, I have made a 'walking' play list that has super fast beats... how about some Def Leppard or some Michael Jackson and even Justin Bieber's 'All around the world' - it's just gotta have that fast, driving beat. I have increased my walking from 3 times a week for about 35 minutes to walking 5-6 times a week for 1 hour. Never thought that would have ever been possible back then. Here's something else that I thought would never have been impossible... running. Oh yeah baby... when I went to visit Gaetane for a long weekend, her husband, a triathlete, was talking to me about exercising and something he said just inspired me. So when I went for a walk early one morning up north, I jogged for 10 seconds- HUGE deal for me- and since then I have been increasing it a little bit everyday. I am probably up to 30 seconds now... realizing- I need to get some supportive undergarments pretty soon! I want to be a runner- Visualize- I see myself running with white runners, white tank and white yoga pants... I see it!

Oh, no- I'm not done.... last week for the first time in my life I did Zumba. It was incredible rush of music, power and energy. The instructor was awesome, the class was pumped and the best was that my friend Lily told me about this class, $5, pay as you go, and I brought Melanie and she had a great time too! We sweated like crazy, it was a full 60 minutes and we did the whole class. It was exhausting, but the kind you get from running a marathon I am sure... and I can't wait to go again this week-armed with a sweatband and towels!!! I would have never been able to do this last year, but now I have the stamina and energy to keep up with the class. AMAZING GRACE!

Ok, so bottom line, my folks at the Wharton Clinic and I came up with some new strategies. Since I have lost so much weight, I now need to eat less, so I now need to eat 1900 instead of 2100 calories a day. Make sure I log everything I eat, all the time. Spice up my workout my routine... your body gets used to the same exercise all the time, so I told them that I do laps in my pool and aquafit too and of course the new Zumba sweat lodge! Also, keep track of my BMI, my theory is that I am now building muscles and muscle weighs more than fat, so keeping track of my BMI will show me if I have gained more muscles.... Ok, now I feel better about it all, therapy session is OVER!

My Parent's Garden

I was at my mom and dad's recently and thought I would share the most beautiful little flowers I have ever seen with you. Here's the tour...

Look at this. One second it's a closed bubble...

Next second it's a beautiful purle star. It's like magic, really, like nature unfolding a card trick right in front of your eyes.

How about these lovelies.... a whole bunch of daisies!

And some purple cone flowers... also known as echinacea.

And of course, the old favourites, red geraniums. These used to be my grandfather's favourite flower I am told. Well that was a short tour of my mother and father's garden- hope you had a nice tour y'all!

Too much fun at Bath and Body Works

Can I show you how much I love Bath and Body works? See below!

Are you thinking- Woh Chantal, you spent so much! Did you buy the whole store? Hold on...

This is what happens when Bath and Body Works has their semi-annual sale. Melanie and I were in the mall for another reason and stumbled upon these great buys.  See those little hand-sanitizers- regular $2.00 but they were $.50 each... so we bought a few, for me, her, Brent, in the purse, in the backpack in the car....

I love body wash, that's all I use, in fact up until recently Melanie didn't know what a 'bar of soap' was because I have never bought them for my house. These were like 70%... so we bought a few... :-)

And then big girl sizes... My favourite winter scent- Warm Vanilla Sugar, my favourite summer scent- Coconut Lime Breeze- but who knows, Forever Sunshine sounds nice!

We live off these antibacterial soaps- at first I didn't like the foamy pumps, the pump would always get stuck. I used to like the gel with the hard little blue crystals, never really like the cream, but now these pumps are my fav's.

And look at what Melanie made me buy for my purse. It's a mini hand sanitizer holder. All the cool people in my office have them- that's you Sarah- so when they were $.50 too, I thought what the heck... now I have one on my purse.... and although I am not a germaphobe... I do use it after I pump gas to feel fresh and clean.

First Dinner on the Patio- What a treat!

Ok, I have been waiting a few weeks to post these pictures... but I wanted to share them with you still. Our first Dinner on the Patio this summer. I took out our favourite plastic dishes, so colourful and festive- they just make you want to put fun, healthy food on your plate.

Brent BBQ'd some chicken breast, a staple around our house! He is a master at getting the perfect 'doneness' on these.

Polka dot plates, stripped platters...oooooh I love it!

I served a nice salad with almonds, cucumbers and blueberries and threw in a few organic croutons for Melanie.

Here's my family enjoying their first bites outside. Guess why I am happy to share these photos with you though? Do you know that last year we didn't eat outside once- not one single time! It was too hot, too humid, I couldn't fit comfortably in the chairs... I couldn't be bothered. Every time Brent suggested it I would come up with an excuse.  Well this year, we are out there whenever we can! I have beautiful planters back there, I chopped down some dead tree/weeds so my pretty flowers could be showcased. I am working on my tan and doing pool aerobics whenever I can. It feels GREAT! and no, I am not Tony the Tiger. I am just a fit, alive, healthy-eating/living woman! Roar!

Tex-Mex Burger- A spicy Twist

You guys know I love my homemade real ground beef burgers every week. Well I have been experimenting with different ways to change it up! You saw the Hawaiian burger a few weeks ago, well let me introduce you to his Mexican cousin... Tex-Mex Burger.

Yummy for your tummy! Grill your hamburger, then grill some sweet colourful peppers.

Melt some cheese on your burger, then add salsa and place your roasted sweet peppers on top. And if you like it really spicy, like Mr. Halliday, add some jalapenos!



On my way to the Spa... with gratitude

Recently, I was given a wonderful gift. You see, my boss recognized that I had worked really hard at putting on our big conference and to say 'thanks' she gave me a day 'off' to go to the Spa. Nice!

Even though I was working long, late, hard hours, I was feeling the love, was feeling appreciated and giving love and appreciation back to all the great people who were helping me put this on... everyone pitched in and I was able to run a successful conference because of the people that were helping me in all different ways. Number One rule in the Law of Attraction- You GET what you GIVE- Give Love and Appreciation and you Get Love and Appreciation. It's so true, and I never felt it so much as I had here.

So I was off to a Spa in Streetsville where the flowers bloomed...

...and bloomed....

...and bloomed...

...and bloomed...

... and bloomed, have I mentioned I LOVE flowers?

Here is where I went to enjoy a morning of relaxation and peace.  The Body & Soul Spa. Really nice place, great service - here's the link http://bodyandsoul-dayspa.com/

Oooooh, it was so fancy in there... I knew I would be well taken care of when I sat down in the reception area and checked out the complimentary beverages- Keurig coffee, teas, and bottles water... took a water for later. I was taken to the upstairs and given a robe and slippers- and guess what folks.... the robe fit me, in the past I would just never wear it, it just wouldn't ever do up. Success!!! I was taken in a dark purple room for a nice aromatherapy massage and then to a teal room for a beautiful facial... where I was told my skin surely did not look like a 45 year old's - ah, gee, thanks... good genes- thanks Mom! But most of all, thanks to Claire who made this morning so special for me- Thanks for the Thank You gift!

After my most enjoyable treatment- this is what I spotted across the street, I didn't want to go home yet....

... I wanted to bask in the GLOW of this amazing feeling, inside and out. See... I am glowing (because I was scrubbed, masqued, washed, and moisturized for 1 hour). I was prepared to now enjoy a nice treat!

I had the largest of the large skinny latte and a grilled cranberry orange scone. I sat right by the window and was checking out all the people walking by.... so happy inside because this was such a nice way to end a perfect morning. Thank you!



Canada Day Nails

Here is a little glimpse into what I have been up to with my nail design. An 'Ode' to Canada Day. Red, White and Sexy Nails.

I used my Konad Nail Stamping Kit and made some designs... I am still new, so they are not perfect! But they are each 'VERY' original! I did a base coat in a Happy Red colour and did the stamp with the Konad White nail polish that I ordered especially for the stamping part as it had to be thicker. It did work out much better than the first time. That's for sure!

Fun Food- Fruit Kebab Satellite

Like I said in my previous post, kid parties can't have just junk food... Let me introduce you to my Fruit Kebab Satellite!

Quite a centerpiece idea for you next party... don't you think? This idea came to be from a few images I saw on Pinterest and my own creative flair for edible sculptures!

Here's Mela helping me with the melon balling, it's quite a long process. But as you can see, the results are worth it!

I suggest choosing some fruits that are already shaped like balls- grapes, blueberries, strawberries would have worked too- it just saves time when you have to skewer 30 kebabs.

Here's a little close up for you.

Mela's friends were impressed, and they actually all got eaten at the party. Kids really liked them.

Here I am posing with a few of my kebab friends.

Having a fruit kebab fight!

And don't forget to feed the Bieb's- it was after all a Justin Bieber Party and he deserves to taste one too!

Cool & Serve Square Tray- Too much Summer Outdoor Fun

You had a glimpse of this cool Cool & Serve Square Tray on my Canada Day blog. But now I am going to go through an anatomy lesson of the coolest kitchen gadget I have ever owned.

I served this at my daughter's end of the year pool party... after all, kids do need other things than Pringles and Bits and Bites at parties... I had to through in some nutrition here. I served a low fat ranch dressing and a roasted red pepper hummus for dips.

But here is the cool thing here guys. These green trays actually go under those plastic veggies and dip trays. You put them in the freezer and when you are ready to serve, you just take them out. There are 2 sides- a deviled egg side (my favourite) and a flat side.

Here are the 2 flat sides... you could put watermelon slices or cantaloupe slices on there and not worry about the heat, they would stay cool and fresh.

And so here you have a half of the veggies and dip tray.

And the final product, all cold and crisp, and it even has a lid so you bring it to all your summer parties and be the talk of the town!

Justin Bieber early birthday/pool party and sleepover

Melanie wanted to have a end of school/early birthday/pool party and sleepover at the end of June because she was changing school in the fall and thought this was a good way to have some old friends celebrate with her before she left them. So it was 2 months early... but we celebrated just the same. (she will be at Disney World for her b-day as you know).

Here she is ready to party with her Birthday pin and beach wear.

Ok, no, this is the most ready one could be for the party... with her surf board.

She wanted a Justin Bieber themed party, so since we couldn't have him come over we got a poster that her friends signed so that she could remember the special event.

We had to get plates and napkins, but of course!

Melanie wanted a Blizzard Cake, this almost broke the bank... but heck you only turn a 'fake eleven' years old once in your life!

The girls partied in the basement and her BFF gave her a JB book, and I had to share the photo because he looks like he's really there.

The party continued with her 2 BFF's sleeping over and then we took them for an ice cream at Lick's in Bronte. Her first time!

She spotted a bird making it's nest in a tire on the lake... quite observant!

Posing with my girls... she calls me 'Melanie's Mom', not Chantal, or Mrs. Halliday? She wants to call me that... so funny eh?

Here's my sweet husband and I hugging on the pier.

And here we are posing with our super cool daughter with her scarf!

This is my favourite shot though... it started to rain and Melanie loves umbrellas, so you bet she brought hers for this little walk, so she opened it up and the friends started to walk together... If there was ever a photo that could say 'FRIENDSHIP'... this would be it!