3rd Annual Garden Easter Hunt and Picnic

We live in a great little neighbourhood that literally has a child 6 years old or under in every other house on the block. For the last 3 years we moms have put on an Easter egg hunt for the kids at the garden behind our houses then have a picnic, each bringing a snack to share. This year I decided to make Easter eggs out of rice crispy treats.

I had never ever made rice crispy anything before but I figured out pretty quick that it's a very cool medium to work with!!

1/4 cup margarine
10oz of mini marshmallows
-microwave together for 1 min then stir.
-microwave another minute then stir
-divide marshmellow mix into 4 diff. bowls.
-add food colour to each bowl and mix well
(I use wilton colours cause they're more vibrant)
add 1 cup of rice crispies to each mixture and mix well.
Working quick so they don't harden too much,
spray the inside of a plastic easter egg with spray canola oil (not too much, just enough so the crispies won't stick).
put in one colour after the other to make a striped effect. I over stuffed them then forced the eggs shut so they would mould really well into egg shapes.
I left them in the fridge overnight in the shells and popped them out right before serving to the kids.

I couldn't find our Easter basket from last year so I figured I would make a milk jug into a rabbit with Kai. He of course wanted it to be batman instead so that is what we did. Super easy! I also found this link about milk jug crafts http://www.squidoo.com/making-milk-jug-crafts

this was my egg hunting spiderman last year

Last year I brought these little gems to the picnic
(carrot eyes and carrot beaks)

Nifty nails

My last post was in Nov. 2006!! It has been almost 6 .5 years ago! Wow time flies. 

Since then the main thing that has happened is I became the mom of a fabulous little boy who is now 4.5 yr old. 

I'm going to post some of the fun stuff we do together or that I do in my spare time and hopefully I keep up a little better than last time...

My new years resolution this year was to wear more lipstick. With that I have also taken to painting my finger nails more often....Here's the last 3 weeks of nails. By no means am I a professional manicurist but I like 'em. 

purely playing around with my new yellow...

                   I wiped off these little peacocks the next day, they were getting ratty. Figured I should get a picture first though.

This weekend is Easter so I figured I would stick with the theme....
I'll post my nails of the week as I go along...

I DID IT!!!!!

So, It all started in 2002 when I was working at the world health club in Edmonton. One of my fellow personal trainers, Leanna Martens was a fitness competitior. She said I should give it a go and since then I have wanted to compete.
I started off at 140 lbs on May 18th 2006. The photos were taken on Nov. 18th 2006, 6 months later at 107 lbs. (with water in me (115 lbs probably)
Why do it?
Several reasons....
1. I wanted to prove to everyone that it doesn't matter where you start with your fitness, ANYONE can get into their best shape. I met a girl who had started off over 100 lbs over weight and competed looking great. also a 75 lb weight loss. I also know of a girl named Barbie and she has no arms who has competed in fitness. I feel there is no excuse good enough that says you can't get into shape.
2. I always wanted to perform a routine on stage, I like performing.
3. I wanted to see how disciplined I could be with my food. Yup It was tough. If I could do that than I would knew that I could accomplish absolutely anything.
4. I wanted to learn more about the sport of competitive fitness.
5. I never wanted to say if only I had given it a shot

6. When I got the idea in my head I couldn't let it go. It took 4 years to get around to it, but still. I started it so I had to finish it.

7. I wanted to know What I'd look like in the best shape of my life.
Iit was a very real experience. I learned a great deal about myself and I would like to do it again. However there are other things I want to focus on too. For now I will stay in "good" shape not "excellent "shape (It is very time consuming).
Beleive me there were some times when I sure didn't feel like getting up at 4:30am to workout or spend my night prepping my meals or when I really wanted to eat the peanutbutter but couldn't. The bruises, sprains headaches (learning gynastics) and stinky laundry was all worth it.
My goal was just to do the competition without landing on my face. I am not a very competitive person by nature so I didn't care what I placed I just wanted to look good enough to feel confident in a bikini (very small one I might say) in front of 600 people. Then as I got closer to the show, I thought hey I want to be in the top 5. I was thrilled to place 4th in my class.

It Has been a long time since then and Many obstacles have come my way since. Mainly I had to learn how to eat normally again, which for me was pretty tough. Many people ask If I'll do it again. I would like to but not this year. And it is very time consuming and self-preoccupying. Many competitors suffer from a poor social life. I will do it again I'm sure but ot for a while.

Yarrr Harrr Harrr! 3 weeks till show time!! Look forward to crossing off Goal #1 on my Life List.
So I haven't posted in a very long time. The reason for this is that my time has been all consumed by training,cooking,eating and sleeping. I set out to acheive this goal at the end of May 2006 and by golly it ain't been easy. (Especially at Memeres with des "Pets de soeurs"** cinnamon buns.)
I am more tired than I have been in a long time at this point. My regime has changed quite a bit since my last post. 2 hours cardio 6 days per week (up at 4:30 am in bed by 8:30) 3 weight training sessions per week and 3 routine training sessions per week. I'm diligiently dieting, reducing carbs periodically (making me a little slow upstairs). I have my tanning (spray tanning) booked, my clear hells, I mean heels, rhinestone bikini, routine pirate suit (being made), nails, waxing and hair booked. I'm sure there's a few other things...
Alot of people ask if I will do it again. Being in the midst of this I say No. But I think it's going to be a very fun day. One whose memories might make me think it's all worth it.
However, the amount of dedication it takes to do this and the amount of time I would like to spend doing other things and accomplishing other goals on my list make me pretty sure I won't do it again. Plus I don't think it's 100% the healthiest thing to do. But it's an experience to look back on. I have learned alot about myself and it's made me stronger. I told myself if you can do this than you can do anything and since I know what I've been thru during all this I truly beleive that I can accomplish anything I want. yes I have cried in frustration and injured myself and had inner battles with my love for all foods. But I am almost there! Wahoo. Can't wait for the after party!! Boston Pizza here I come.
If you want to look at last years competition to get an idea of what i"m doing, visit http://www.twixpix.com/contests/SWFC05/SWFC05-Intro.html and check out the fitness short photos.

** Recipe for "Pets de soeurs" aka "Nun farts" ( Thought Dean would like it)
Knowing the actual recipe which requires lard and deep frying, I wouldn't feel right knowing my loved ones were eating them. So I have taken the liberty of creating a calorie reduced but equally delicious recipe.

• makes 40 little farts. Or, to make One Big Fart, pour batter into a heavy cast iron pan and bake in a 375 oven for one hour.
  5 Tbsp margarine
  1/2 tsp steviaplus powder ( natural sugar substitute, available in all health food stores and organic section, 10 x sweeter than suger with no calories or side affects)
  pinch salt
• 200ml egg whites (50ml = 1 egg)
  2 cup sifted flour
  1 tsp vanilla
  cinnamon
  
  Combine margarine, stevia, salt, with 1 cup water in a saucepan and bring the mixture slowly to a boil. When margaine is completely melted, remove from heat.
• When you remove the pan from the heat, add all the flour at once, stirring until all of it is absorbed. When the flour has been absorbed into a paste, turn the heat to medium high and return the pan to it. Cook this mixture for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, scraping sides and bottom, until the batter clings together in a solid mass, and takes on a glossy look. Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
• Beat in the vanilla and allow the batter to cool a bit.
• Make a well in the center, pour in 1 egg, beat it into the batter until incorporated. Proceed with the remaining three eggs, beating them in one at a time.
• The pastry should be "flexible and soft, firm enough to hold its shape and not at all runny."
• Set it aside and let it rest for 45 minutes.
• Roll out the dough like a rectangle pizza crust till it's 1/4 inch. Cover the dough with stevia and cinnamon.
• Roll the dough into a rollup and slice into circles about 1/2" thick.
• Pour about a 1/4 inch of water into a casserole dish and bake at 375 F for 30 min or until they are golden brown, sprinkle very lightly with stevia.
• MMMMM warm farts and a glass of milk!

Yo Ho HO there! 3 months till show time.

Here is a sketch of the outfit I will be wearing for the routine portion of the fitness competition I will be in in November. I will be a pirate if that's not been clarified.
All the choreography's done and music mixed , Now it's just practicing to master all the crazy moves. My training routine is like this:
Sun: cardio 50 min before breakfast, routine training
Mon: cardio 50 min before breakfast, Shoulders/ Back
Tues: 1.5 hours routine training
Wed: cardio 50 min before breakfast, legs weights
Thurs: 1.5 hours routine training
Fri: 50 min cardio before breakfast, chest/arms weights
Sat: Rest
This will change as time goes on and depending on how my physique is coming along, more cardio may be added and carbs may go down.
My diet consists of the following:
Carbohydrates: sweet potato, yams, oats, brown rice, vegetables, 1 cup fruit juice after weights.
Protein- Chicken, turkey, sole, haddock, tuna, cod, salmon, egg whites and protein powder
Fat: udo's oil, ( occasional egg yolk)
I take glutamine and creatine supplements and drink at least 3-4 L water daily.
I look forward to the big day and showing people that anyone can do this. I'm hoping it will get more of my clients motivated to see how far they can go with their fitness.
Here's examples of a few moves I'm working on: they're harder than they look.

Oh, The Maritimes.......
So I just returned from my visit to NB and I had a lovely trip. I saw people I haven't seen in 12 years at campmeeting, I was able to spend time with my Papa, Memere, Uncle Fern and cousin Marc all who I haven't seen in 3 years. Saison and Dean are always a great time. I see cousin Jesse all the time but it was good to have her there aswell. It was Brads first time to the maritimes and I think he enjoyed it although he couldn't help but compare it to beautifull BC. He said " it's like Alberta with an ocean". I disagree and I think everyone who has lived in both provinces will agree with me. Unfortunatley before our trip we lost our digital camera and used a disposable while there which I haven't developed yet.
I loved being around family, One of my favourite times was sitting out on the patio with Brad, Saison Dean and Papa "drinking tea" with the christmas lights on. I couldn't have been happier listening to papa tell stories about a Hungarian fruitarian while wearing a guatemalan hippy shirt. He's a really funny guy. I wish my mom and Zaak and Amber and Blaise could have come too but they were all there in our minds.
I re-discovered my addiction to Jigsaw puzzles while at Memeres. Saison, Jesse and I really got
snared up it there magical powers, staying up till 2:05 am to finish them. If you have time check out www.jigzone.com for heaps of puzzle fun.
PEI was great, baby pigs, cows and chickens at an agricultural exhibition and watching my first live horse race in Charlotttown. The ripley museum in cavindish and Sandspit was a blast. Thou I got sand in my eyes on the go carts.
There were many great days to talk about but I will keep it short. In closing it felt like home and it was good to relax.

Improve your life Forever.
I have become involed in a very great thing. It would take way too long to explain it all but in later posts I will introduce you to it too. For now lets just say it is great and I am having fun discovering new things about myself. Here's a little intro...
The answers that we all seek are not only "out there". The greatest mystery of them all may be right inside our minds.
Imagine if every day was your best day. Wouldn't that be great? what's the best day of your life like? Where would you be? Who is with you? what are you doing? Can you feel the smile on your face? I beleive it is important to know what true happiness means to us. If we don't know what will make us happy then how can we ever have it.
I took a moment to think about my best day. Here's what it looks like.
PURE RELAXATION AND PURE JOY. IT IS SUNNY AND I AM OUTSIDE NEXT TO THE WATER OR IN NATURE. I'M WITH MY FAMILY AND THE FRIENDS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH THE HARDEST. I FEEL ENERGISED AND VITAL LIKE AFTER A GREAT WORKOUT. WE DO ANYTHING WE FEEL LIKE DOING, WE HAVE NO LIMITS TO WHAT WE CAN DO. WE EXPLORE, RELAX, PLAY GAMES, GO FOR AN ADVENTURE. WE HAVE NO OBLIGATIONS SO THERE IS NO STRESS. I WAKE UP NATURALLY AND HAVE TIME TO DO THE THINGS I WANT. EVERYONE IS HAPPY, EVERYONE GETS ALONG. WE ARE ACTIVE AND WE EAT FRESH FOODS. THERE IS GREAT MUSIC AS A SOUNDTRACK FOR THE DAY. I SLEEP WITH THE PURE PEACE OF A GREAT DAY LIVED WANTING ANOTHER DAY TO START. I FALL ASLEEP TO THE SOUNDS OF NATURE WITH A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE AND MY BEST FRIEND IN MY ARMS.
You should try it too. but don't just think about it, see yourself there, and experience the hapiness, let your emotions actually feel the joy. Then hold on to those feelings.

I am thrilled to now feel safe on the road.
Yes I have officially purchased my first car. and I love it!
I had a 1987 Nissan pick up and yes I felt a strong connection to it. However the stearing rods (I beleive that's what they were called ) were about to break. I drive the Sea to Sky highway , aka the deadliest highway in canada (they are working on it to make it safer) every day and I didn't feel thrilled about using an unsafe vehicle to commute. So I have a beautifull vehicle now and I feel like a new person. I got a good deal and it's pracrically new. 55, 000 km, 2002, Ford Explorer.

Oh Lala! Look I'm am posting another blog. Isn't it exciting? I know you have all been waiting in anticipation for more . As I mentioned in my previous post, I am poor at keeping up to date with recording my life. I did say however that I would do this daily/ weekly/ monthly or sporatically, since it was much easier to post a new blog than I had thought it would be may happen more often.
Anyhow, I would lik to share what I've been up to.
Last weekend I decided to write out my "Life List" Zaak, (my most inspiring brother) has a list and because I like to copy those I admire, I too have made my list and plan on fullfilling each thing on it to ensure that I have a life filled with the things that I will enjoy doing.I will write them on here cause I don't yet have a website. I started the list last weekend on the bus from Vancouver to squamish and after looking at Zaaks list this morning I realise we have some similarities, maybe subconsciously I got some ideas from you Zaak.
I have a feeling I will add more as time goes on. I'm super excited because I have no doubt that I will complete at least half of these things and Oh Boy don't they sound like fun?

1. Grow, maintain and eat from my own vegetable garden. ( Most of my house plants die so this should be a challenge)
2. Read the entire Bible (so far I have read genesis and exodus)
3. Compete in a fitness competition ( This is in the process of training the competition date is Nov. 18/ 06 )
4. visit every country ( even if I just drive thru I have to be on it's ground)
5. learn to scuba dive
6. learn ballroom dancing, waltz, tango..
7. learn to breakdance
8. become good at the guitar, and pretty good at the piano, at least 1 wind instrument and a brass instrument
9. write, illustrate and publish a childrens book
10. have a child and raise it with good morals
11. buy my own property and home or build the home
12. make a large scale mosaic
13. be in a large theatre production
14. get a tatoo
15. give tatoos to at least 5 people including Lalitha Ramalingam Taylor.
16. become a millionaire
17. Have a website and keep it up for at least one year
18. learn to cut hair
19. Start a clothing line with my artwork on it , (eg. underwear and t-shirts)
20. get my motocycle liscense
21. Sail for one year
22. Play as a contestant on a game show
23. learn to surf
24. Go spelunking
25. witness a miracle
26. get voice lessons to sing better
27. buy and ride a dirtbike
28. marry my sweatheart
29. read 1-4 books a month for 10 years in a row
30. Run a marathon
31. Record a cd of songs that I write and perform (minimum 10 songs)
32. rock climb something I think is substantial eg. Cheif in Squamish
33. Go "RV"ing
34. learn 3 other languages besides English and French , One being Sign Language
35. Keep an unusual animal as a pet
36. Get my portrait painted for the future generations to enjoy
37. animate a movie with Zaak for the film festival
38. Go to a county fair and win a ribbon for something
39. try 500 flavors of icedcream
40. appear on a talk show as a guest
41. take a canoe/kayak trip for longer than a week
42. go fly fishing
43. build a mini ship inside a bottle
44. create a life sized sculpture of a loved one
45. be an extra in a movie
46. write and publish a recipe book
47. Sponsor a child and meet that child
48. go one month without talking/singing/yelling. ( it helps that I will be learning sign language)
49. study a martial art
50. ride an elephant and a camel
51. swim with dolphins
52. get my Fire arms certificate and feel confidant firing a gun
53. go hot air balooning
54. perform 20 pullups
55. learn water skiing
56. witness a cultural ceremony in another country eg. burial, wedding, initiation into manhood..
57. go heli-boarding
58. Go dog-sledding
59. stay at least 1 week in a castle
60. go to and blend in at a nude beach
61. go to the top of the statue of liberty
62. hike up an active volcano
63. go to mardi gras
64. attend a burning man festival in nevada
65. Keep a jounal for a decade, ( mega challenge for me)
66. raft thru the grand canyon
67. Make my own soap and candles
68. attend a grand masquerade party
69. gat body painted
70. kiss the blarney stone
71. go on a cruise
72. eat greek salad in Greece
73. see the big heads on Easter Island
74. Visit pyamids in egypt
75. Go on Safari
76. Spend a month at a health spa
77. invent and patten something
78. knit asweater and sport that sweater
79. build a dollhouse from blueprints that my papa designed
80. ride a unicycle
81. Stay in an Ice Hotel
82. Get Photo or film footage of all my accomplished life list items
83. Walk a labyrinth
84. visit great cathedrals
85. Go to an auction where they ramble
86. dance to live steel drums in the caribbean
87. Juggle
88. Swing from a vine and land in water
89. floss daily for a year at least
90. be a motivationl speaker
91. go on an archeological dig
92. help someone lose 100 lbs and regain their life
93. eat something that makes me squirm just to be polite
94. figure skate
95. Tour Australia, tasmania and New Zealand
96. Become at peace with my spiritual beleifs
97. Draw charicatures of my family members
98. make a book of naturally beautifull people that I meet. 100 Faces, have to be strangers when I take their photos. (Otherwise I'd have everyone I like, you're all so lovely)
99. See a Las Vegas Show
100. Tour the Hershey Factory
101. Get accupuncture and reflexology done on me
102. Make goat cheese like mamma used to make
103. Live off the land for 1 year
104. Live without electricity for 6 months
105. Have a sticker collection of over 100,000 stickers
106. Make a sock monkey
107. Raise sea monkeys
108. Enter a sand sculpture contest
109. write 100 poems
110. have a painting of mine in a gallery
111. Jog across the Golden Gate bridge
112. Play in a chess competition
113. visit all U.S States and canadian Provinces
114. Drink 3 L of water daily for a good year or longer
115. Be able to read Braille
116. Complete a triathalon
117. maintain a healthy weight and body composition for a lifetime (unless illness revents it)
118. make my artwork into puzzles

So please if it is within your power to help me accomplish any of these things let me know and maybe we can do them together. I must go eat now. When training for fitness competition one must eat every 2-3 hours. I must not delay lest my muscles shall fade away.