Healthy Life Lessons

  One thing most of my weight-loss clients have in common is that they rely heavily on restaurant food and take-out meals. This isn't surprising as researchers have found a correlation between number of meals eaten out and BMI.  Remember, the food industry is business. Its goal is to make money and your health is not their concern.  They will add as much fat, salt and sugar as it takes to make you love their food and come back for more.  Trust me, even dishes you think are healthy are generally far more indulgent than they would be if you made them at home (who would think to dump a crap-load of sugar into tomato sauce, or deep fry meat before throwing it into a stir fry?). I've heard every excuse from time to lack of skill, to not enjoying cooking.  Its all BS.  You don't have to cook anything fancy or time consuming, and it really doesn't matter if you like it or not. I don't like flossing, nor unloading the dishwasher, nor folding laundry, yet ...

Its Friday and we're back to uncharacteristically lovely weather.  All the snow has melted already, and its relatively mild and beautifully sunny.  We really have not had a true winter this year!  Its been delightful!! Despite the weather, there are still some nasty bugs going around.  Adam has been feeling crappy for a week now and it seems half the people I talk to are down with a cold or flu.  Not me though!  I've noticed a dramatic drop in the number of colds and flues I get over the past year or so. If I had to guess why, I'd say its a combination of the kids getting older and bringing home fewer bugs, taking probiotics daily, and my strict regimen of good nutrition, sleep and exercise.  Of course, frequent hand washing is also a must!  If you are not feeling quite as stellar as I am right now, you might want to try this recipe... It seems that I am quite possibly the only health conscious person on the planet that hates juice and smoo...

  Happy Hump Day! I actually love Wednesdays, but its not looking so good right now.  We have abruptly returned to seasonally crappy weather. Perhaps like many folks you made a New Year's resolution back in January to lose some weight this year? There are a million diet books out there. It can be very challenging for someone embarking on a weight loss journey to know which one to choose...if any! Most are a big sham.  Some are downright ridiculous: Cutting out entire food groups; Slashing calories too low; Consisting of hard to find and/or very expensive ingredients; Making all sorts of claims that are unproven.  When I was asked to review Thin from Within by Joseph J. Luciani, a psychologist, I was definitely intrigued because it focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of our eating behaviours, which are really most often what are at the heart of our struggles with weight. Unfortunately, Thin from Within is a bit thin.  ...

Its Monday, a February Monday.  But I feel amazing and the weather is spectacular.  Yeah, you heard me!  The whole weekend, in fact, was amazing: very mild temps and sunny.  WTF?  Perhaps that's why, despite having more than several beers Saturday night when we were at our friends' for dinner, and then a kick-ass workout at the gym yesterday morning, I feel so awesome.  Amazing what a little sunshine can do! Well, perhaps it isn't quite so delightful where you are, in which case I suggest a hearty breakfast to power you through your day.  Here is a delicious recipe that will tickle your taste buds and save you a few bucks.  It is kid-approved, and, in fact, Big A declared this the best granola she's ever had.  The only problem is, the girls are going through it so fast, I may have to hide some for myself! If you are looking to cut your grocery bill and you love cereal/granola, making your own is worth it.  Its so expensive to...

    I know parents of toddlers complain about the irritating television shows their kids love to watch, but trust me, you'll miss them once your kids start watching the teen/tween shows! Unfortunately, Big A started watching them a few years ago already, and she got her little sister hooked! Ugh, obnoxious, idiotic characters, all adults portrayed as morons, and laugh tracks that make me want to tear my hair out!  I miss the days when they would watch the innocent, animated shows on Treehouse! So I had no problem allowing Little A to review the DVD of Shimmer and Shine we were sent. I didn't even bother asking Big A, since at almost 10 years old, she is already watching adult shows. Little A was excited to be able to share her opinion with all of you! She was already familiar with the show, which is produced by Nickelodeon, in the U.S. and airs on Treehouse in Canada. She was more than happy to sit and watch the seven episode DVD all at once. So what is Shi...

Wow, is it ever snowy! It snowed right up until about 4pm tomorrow and we woke up to more snow this morning.  So much for all the shoveling I did.  Such is life in Canada.  So its a perfect day to stay inside and eat bon bons.  Healthy ones, of course. The girls and I made these for Adam for Valentine's Day, but I will openly admit to have gobbled up my fair share, as did the girls. Normally, I have little patience for cooking or baking with the girls because I hate mess and I hate waste and there is a lot of both when they are 'helping' me. Nevertheless, they are old enough now to be somewhat useful, especially for getting them to do tasks I hate: like rolling things into balls and dipping them in chocolate.  They actually did a fantastic job in this case, although, I know a lot of the motivation came from being able to lick their fingers.  I don't think they would have been nearly as eager to assist if I said we were making meatballs. Am I violat...

Happy Friday! Not only is this a long weekend for folks in Ontario (due to Family Day on Monday), but Sunday is Valentine's Day. Its certainly going to be a good time to cuddle up as tomorrow it is supposed to be -18 Celsius here in Toronto, the coldest day this year! Today is nutzo for me, so no time for a long post... Have a wonderful love-filled weekend and I'll be back next week.

Were finally have snow here and temperatures are supposed to plummet starting tomorrow.  I know salad doesn't usually scream winter food, but this is an epic warm salad recipe that is as delicious as it is healthy.  Its pretty quick and easy too, so don't let its good looks fool you. You'll want to make it all year round! Ground "meat" 1 tsp avocado oil 1 block tempeh (350-500g) 1 red onion, peeled and halved 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1 tbsp. taco seasoning or chili powder 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste, optional) 1 can tomato paste 1/2 cup or more water Vegan Taco Salad 1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and chopped 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1/4 cup sliced black olives 1/2 cup vegan cheese sauce or shredded vegan cheese 1/4 cup salsa Finely chop onion in food processor.  Break tempeh into pieces and place in food processor along with onion. Pulse until tempeh is the consistency ...

  Last week was definitely challenging with Adam away.  But it was also a stellar week fitness-wise.  On top of my own workouts, I had the kick-butt session at Lucid Fitness on Monday, and then Thursday I got on skates for the first time in years and skating with Big A's class.  Saturday morning, since my parents were visiting, I took the opportunity to get up early and go outside for a run. I was nervous as I haven't run in about 10 months, but I easily did 8km.  I'm proud of myself!!  Then later in the day, I went skating again with Little A at a birthday party.  I've avoided skating for past few winters because the idea of an outdoor activity in ridiculously cold weather doesn't appeal, but its been so mild this year, it was wonderful.  Unfortunately, the weather report is calling for temps to dip to insane levels by next weekend.  Of course, we've all been waiting for it.  Its pretty unrealistic to think we can get through an en...

I am really really really REALLY glad its Friday. Adam has been in  Washington, D.C. since Sunday and he gets home in the middle of the night tonight. I am absolutely done in the way you can only be done when you both completely physically and mentally fatigued. Although its much easier to be on my own with the girls now compared to when they were younger, I still don't sleep well when Adam is away. I have fitful nights and crazier than usual dreams.  I got the same number of hours most nights this week but the quality of my sleeps just sucked.  Especially last night.  I am proud to say I only had one major parenting fail this week: I forgot to help Little A prep for her spelling test today, because Adam usually deals with that stuff. He's been spending a huge amount of time with her every night on her reading lately, and I was focusing on trying to keep up with what he's been doing with her and completely ignored her teacher's email with the list of words...

 You know me, I'm a skeptic.  I want evidence of something if I am going to believe in it...especially if something, whatever it is, is claiming to be a quick fix.  So when I was invited to try the XBody Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) workout at Lucid Fitness , I was eager to do so, but mostly because I thought I would end up writing about what a scam it is.  The gym itself is hidden in the basement of a commercial building in Toronto's exclusive Yorkville neighbourhood.  It is run by owner Aman Hasebenebi, who does the XBody training, as well as regular personal training.  She also offers yoga and dance classes in the small space. While I might be a skeptic, I am also happy to admit when I am wrong and folks, I was so so wrong!  I definitely should have done some homework on exactly what XBody is before going.  Despite the lofty claims that it can give you crazy results with just 20 minutes 2x a week, it...

  Its February 1st. The first day of what is usually one of the most dreary, yucky months in Canada.  But you know what? Its gorgeous! Yes, you heard me! Its sunny and incredibly mild...and its supposed to be mild all week. I know I should technically find this concerning since it is likely a symptom of global warming...but its hard to feel bad on a day like this.  You can bet I'm going to be out on my bike today soaking it up!! Unfortunately, even great weather cannot make Monday mornings much easier with the kids.  Big A, in particular is making things tough these days.  She insists on showering in the morning, but the kid cannot get her butt in gear.  Its a constant battle to get her out of bed, then to get her in the shower.  Once in the shower, its fight to get her out.  Then if she doesn't have enough time to sit down and eat breakfast, she starts screaming at me and Little A, like its our fault.  On days like this I have to give...