Let me start by saying... I am a HUGE CHICKEN S#!T... yep! It's true!!!
There is only one person to blame for this....
Freaking Michael Myers... ***SHIVER***
I'm deleting that pic off my computer ASAP!!!
Seriously CREEPY, scares the shiite outta me!!!
OK... Bunnies, unicorns, rainbows....
I'll attempt to continue :P
Back on track.... lol
This is my 3rd Hallowe'en sans gluttony! lol
Soooo I thought I'd share what has become my Hallowe'en tradition to avoid mowing down on chocolate etc....
Sugar Snap Peas!!!
They're crunchy and sweet and yummy (especially if you have some hummus)!!!
SSP's have been my go to since I first began my weight loss mission. From Hallowe'en to late night munchie cravings, they've been there for me.... *sigh* LOL
The next trick to avoiding ghastly gobbling ;) Buying treats you DON'T LIKE!!!
While some people (like my family) love NIBS etc. I am a chocoholic... Period! :P
These treats pose zero threat to my diet. YAY Me!!!
Now to avoid the hoard of mini chocolate bars that will soon enter my home.... :S
Wish this could be longer for you but my doorbell keeps ringing!!! ;)
Til next time...
and speaking of Protein... my Sin-O-Bun BeautyWhey is here!!!
Make sure to order some, it's ridiculously delicious! (More to come in a later Blog ;)
For all of my Canadian friends and family... Happy Thanksgiving!!! and for all of my American peeps, I will celebrate all over again in November in your honour! lol (any excuse for TURKEY!!!)
This pretty much sums up how I feel about this time of year! (wait til winter hits ;) lol
Wanted to share with you all some photos from my new favourite spot...
There is this great natural area just up the road from my house. Its been outfitted with some paved and unpaved trails, bridges, lookouts....
and strategically placed flat boulders which just beg to be jumped on! lol
I seriously ran past these my first time on the trail and backtracked to do plyo jumps!!! :P It was almost a moment of WWSD (what would Sam do?!) hahahaaaa
There are 6 of them in this spot, 10 reps on each = better legs and backside! :D
This is the view from one of the lookouts onto the pond.
As many of you know, I'm not a natural "runner", I force every step. BUT, for whatever reason, running is where I end up when I'm missing my Dad. This place has just become very welcoming for me :)
I find trail running a great challenge! Because of the constant change of terrain, its not "boring" and I find myself being continuously challenged with inclines, declines and ever appearing branches! lol
I didn't go to the trails here once during the spring or summer but the lure of fall colours were too much to resist. Low and behold, I have a new "home" to add to my list. Being that this is my first Thanksgiving without Dad, it's perfect.
Ok! I also promised many of you the recipe for my Clean Pumpkin Muffins!!!
So here it is...
Clean Pumpkin Muffins
Preheat oven to 350*F
1 egg + 2 whites
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) canned OR homemade
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup wheat bran
1 cup oats (not instant)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup dark organic chocolate chips (at least 70%cocoa)
approx 1/2 cup skim milk
*optional 3/4 cup mild cheddar cheese cut into mini cubes
1. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and honey
2. Add olive oil, pumpkin and vanilla
3. In a large bowl, mix remaining dry ingredients and make a well in the centre
4. Pour liquid ingredients into well and mix just until combined using the skim milk to loosen the batter if its too stiff
5. Divide batter into a lined muffin tin and bake for 25-30min
*it may sound weird but the cheese is really yummy, especially for kids!
Try substituting the pumpkin for mashed bananas, applesauce or even organic carrot baby food!
And if you don't know what to do with leftover pumpkin puree...
I freeze it in ice cube trays!!! Each cube is approx. 1oz
Try adding 2-3 cubes to your vanilla protein shake with some cinnamon! Mmmmmmmm!!!
Again, hoping you all had a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!
Well for all our Canadian kids today is "Back to School" day!!!
While I know many of us look at this time of year with the relief of not having to combat summer boredom, I love this time of year for many reasons!
Yes! Not having to deal with the "what are we doing today" or "I'm bored" is definitely a plus BUT I really love the routine that comes with going back to school.
While I don't have a "routine" 9-5 job, having even a basic set routine for my household makes so many things more manageable!!! I'm not talking about a full timeline of the days events broken down by the quarter hour... though that does work for many! (bless them for being that organized!!!) Lol
I can do a school drop off, hit the gym, come home to clean up and work etc. etc.
Just a simple routine can feel like a weight has been lifted (at least for me).
So this is my monkey on her first day of grade 7!!! Yikes!!!
I also find that September is like a new beginning, the same kind of feeling many get at New Years.
Goal setting and organizing feels natural to me this time of year, maybe it has something to do with Christmas coming "soon" OH NOOOOOO... I said CHRISTMAS!!! In September!!! lol I LOVE Christmas!!! And since it's my blog... hahaha ;)
Anyhoo.......
So with all this talk of routine and such comes the dreaded... packing of lunches!!! Aaahhhhhhh!!! lol
I know I've talked about the Clean Eating cookbook brownies before, they are a great alternative to prepackaged baked stuff. (Coach Compton and I even did a video on them! see the link below)
But for those just hearing about them or wanting the recipe to copy and paste... here it is!
Clean Black Bean Brownies (Single batch)
• olive oil cooking spray
• 1oz dark baking chocolate (pref. organic)
• 1 1/2 cups soft cooked black beans (I use canned, rinsed very well)
• 2 eggs + 1 white
• 2tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 heaped cup cocoa powder
• 1tsp. baking powder
• 1tsp. pure vanilla
• 1/4cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2cup honey
• chopped walnuts (optional but I don't add them ever due to nut allergies in school)
Preheat oven to 350*F and spray a 8x8 pan with olive oil spray
Melt baking chocolate in a saucepan or in microwave on low.
Layer the remaining ingredients in a large blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Add melted chocolate and blend. Stir in walnuts by hand, if using.
Pour into baking pan and bake for 30min.
Let cool completely before cutting! Makes approx 9
I can't believe I totally forgot to post this for you all to see!!! lol I started it way back in March and it must have gotten lost in the mix :(
Well better late than never!!!
Below you will find a photo of me that was taken by a dear friend of mine Vicki when we ventured off to see her all time favourite group... HANSON in Buffalo, NY (Yes I said Hanson! They're amazing in concert BTW!).
We ended up at Cheesecake Factory cause really, why wouldn't you?! lol
The funny thing about this photo is that it was taken about 2 weeks before I met Sandra "Coach" Compton. The rest you could say is history! lol
Now... Fast forward a year and a half later....
Here I am once again at the Cheesecake Factory after the Arnolds Sports weekend in Ohio!
This photo was taken by Jimmy the BeautyFit man after I showed him the above photo (which was the last time I was at CCF).
He quickly commented on how I had even shrunk in height... I attribute that to the loss of my "booster seat" LOL!!!
On the days that I feel like I still have so far to go, I stop to take a moment and try to really remember how far I've come.
There are many like me, that have overcome severe obesity and many many more that don't think it's possible for them.
I was one of those... one of the millions who had almost thrown in the towel thinking I was just destined to be fat with a nice personality. I say ALMOST cause clearly... I have lots of fight left in me ;)
It's different for everyone, the catalyst or moment you realize that being obese isn't who you are... it doesn't define you or in my case, become a really convenient reason to hide in the shadows or be less successful than I want to be.
When you get to "that" point, you'll know it and feel it... and when you've decided enough is enough, for real this time... just know that it CAN be done. Not overnight and not using a gimmick...
Til next time...
What starts with Cheesecake... ends with the treadmill ;)
Hugs... Crystal :) xo
P.S.
Here's some Hanson for you all! Dedicated to Vicki ;)
I can't believe how one day goes into another and the next thing you know... almost a month has passed since my last post :(
I'm currently in my busiest part of my year... wedding season! LOVE my job!!!
Many of my clients hire me to stay all day with them as a personal assistant, stylist and of course for touchups.
With long days comes traveling from location to location from getting the bridal party ready, to the church to photos and then the reception... whew!!! Or if I'm on a photo shoot in a studio or on location, I have to be prepared!
So what do I do en route or during down time? EAT! lol
This is my romantic meal of talapia, sweet potatoes and cucumbers (which I already ate lol)
I say "romantic" because I was on location at a vineyard eating by myself in my car! :P hahaha
I know I have written about food prep before BUT I feel that it is SO very important and it's the #1 topic I get asked about.
The worst feeling ever is when you're trying to stay focused on your eating plan and you find yourself starving... with only fast food as an option.
Do yourself a favour and be prepared!!!
You wouldn't head to the gym without your running shoes, don't leave the house without at least one food option for every three hours you plan to be out... this is how I plan and it work for me...
Example:
I have a wedding that has me starting at 8am and ending at 8pm... 12 hour day... 4 meals
(keep in mind that while it may be difficult to eat exactly every three hours, I at least have quick "grab and go" options)
I eat my breakfast as close to departure time as possible! lol If I need to leave the house at 7am then I'm eating at 6:45ish.
This helps me get into my work day without getting hungry too quickly.
I then make sure to pack things that are easy to eat on the go... *Disclaimer* Eating sweet potatoes, cucumbers, chicken etc. with your hands is perfectly acceptable as long as you're sanitary! lol (At least in my world!!!). Some of my fave things to choose from are...
* 2 rice cakes and a protein shake (isolate with water)
* hardboiled egg pre peeled and a banana or apple
* cubed chicken and sweet potatoes
* talapia and cucumbers
* sugar snap peas!!!
* 2 super clean "breakfast cookies" (recipe to follow)
And always ALWAYS have an extra scoop of protein powder incase of emergency!!! ; )
*side note* Can I just say how excited I am for the new BeautyWhey protein powders to come out!!! Mmmmmm!!!
If you check out one of my past blogs "How full is your plate" I posted a photo of my 6 pack lunchbox which holds absolutely everything I need for a full day away from the house. This includes ice packs, plastic food containers, shaker cups, water bottles and cubbies for my supplements! LOVE!!!
I have had brides comment on how big my makeup case is, only to inform them that it's actually my lunchbox!!! hahaha
I hope this has helped in giving you ideas or direction when trying to pack for your day!
And if you need a little extra inspiration... ;)
Super clean breakfast cookies!!!
No flour or sugar!
3 mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup apple sauce
2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl really well. Let this mixture stand for at least 5 minutes to let the oats become good and hydrated. Heap the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Store in the fridge.
That's right... I said it :( and I can tell you right now it tasted horrible coming out of my mouth!!!
"I can't" doesn't have a place in my vocabulary anymore.
So what happened, you may ask? Well... all in all it was a pretty amazing day with some fellow BeautyFit beauties helping out at our local Habitat for Humanity build site.
So our build day was insanely hot, 43*F with a humidex but so rewarding!!! We were tasked with building framing for the ROOF and nailing the ROOF sheeting.... notice the common denominator being the ROOF!!!
Little known fact... I don't like heights *insert short joke* but I figured I'd get over it. I got buckled into my harness... did my safety training... climbed up the ladder and through the framing like a monkey (which was crazy enough!!!) then got to where I needed to climb out and onto the roof. I got one leg out and attempted the other... the spins came and I said it... I can't do this... :(
Everyone there was super supportive and understanding. I took up my new assignment of building the roof frames safely on the ground and the day was awesome and super productive.
But... those words left a bitter taste in my mouth! Seriously!
Sooooo.... I have added to my "happy list" I need to get over my heights thing!
My first though goes right to skydiving... but before that....
I'm going to learn how to rock climb!!! :D
That's a bonus deal of conquering a fear AND getting in a stellar workout!!!
I'll keep you posted as to when this is all going down lol I'm sure there will be some fantastic photos to accompany that blog! :P
If you are a regular follower of my blog a) thank you, and b) you'll notice I have been M.I.A.
As the title of my blog suggests, this is a tough one to write.
The reason for my absence is unfortunately a sad one.
On Sunday May 27th my Father passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack at the age of 59.
*WHEW* this is as difficult to type as it is to say out loud.
Ok... deep breath!
My Dad... Walter John Harvey
I'm not writing this to re live the events of his passing... God knows those memories from the hospital will be forever engrained in my head.
I'm writing this for many reasons... therapy, tribute and to thank all those that have been so supportive (including my BeautyFit family).
For those who have experienced a loss, I know you "get it"... to be honest, I'm just wrapping my brain around everything. I've not had anyone really close to me pass away, both of my Dads parents are still living. Telling my Poppy (Grandpa) that his son had passed was heart wrenching to say the least.
I had no idea of the overwhelming amount of support that was to come...
Sitting at the hospital sending texts to a few close friends asking for a prayer for my Dad while we waited for information...
Texts filled with encouraging words, phone calls to come out front for a quick hug outside the hospital, and then when Dad passed... Sandra (Sam)"Coach" finding me and my family at the hospital to help any way she could... she knew I needed her.
Once word spread, messages started to flood in from all directions as they usually do. People in disbelief, offering kind words and prayers... all of these things so greatly appreciated.
Dad teaching Sidney how to play the guitar he and Mom bought her
(*Side note...Those who know me will not be surprised that in times of heartache or difficulty I turn to humour. It's my way of coping... just FYI lol).
Like all Dads, mine was big on teaching me about the regular stuff like honesty, work ethic, etc. etc.... but then there was the stuff he loved... the GOOD stuff ; ) lol For instance...
* hockey (he was a Leafs fan lol) Wendel Clark could walk on water and every year the Leafs were winning the cup! lol
I think I broke his heart a little when I decided in grade 6 to become a RedWings fan... since I'm a total Daddy's girl... he still bought me a wings jersey that Christmas!
* Janis Joplin... enough said :P
* boxing and Rocky movies! Apparently in his feisty years Dad dabbled in boxing. He had 4 fights that all resulted in knock outs... he was on the receiving end of all of them. lol
Still... Dad and I would sit on the couch together and watch Rocky movies whenever possible, his fave being Rocky 4 with "Ivan Drago" :P Immediately after, Dad would give me a lesson in self defence which included how to properly punch someone in the throat in a life or death situation!!! hahaha
I think it amused him to no end when I started Boot Camp and he saw me with my hand wraps on! He'd start jabbing at me seeing if I could actually block a punch... he was impressed that Coach taught me well!
My Dad never got to meet Sam though they were friends on Facebook lol In fact, my Dad waited til Sam added him so that he didn't look like a "dirty old man" adding such a "hottie" to his friends list! lol
Dad cringed every time Sam would comment on something (on Facebook) and call him Mr.Harvey... so she did it more! And when Sam cam into the room to pay respects to my Dad after he passed, she introduced herself and said "nice to finally meet you Mr.Harvey". True to form, she had my back.
The day after Dad passed I got a bbm form Sam... "Grab your training gear and come over when you can xoxo"
That night, with "Coach" and Momma bootcamp (Sams Mom), I ran my first 5k outside.
I broke down in the first K... my head filling with memories and eyes filling with tears.
Bent over trying to breathe I felt headphones go around my neck and Sam pulling me upright... "You've got this, leave it all on the pavement" and she (and Dad I'm sure) pushed me forward.
In the last K I ran through the sprinklers in front of McDonalds and was a dripping mess by the end... but my head was clear for at least a little while.
We all have our outlets in times of stress.... 2 years ago I would have eaten my way through this entire ordeal, no doubt in my mind.
Instead, I have a constant reminder of where I am NOW... seeing my boot camp and gym friends among the crowd at Dads visitation and funeral just solidified how much of a family we have really become and how far I've come.
Dads passing is still a very fresh wound... I don't think its really hit me that he's physically gone, I know when it does sink in it's not going to be easy.
I take comfort in the fact that I'm not alone in this and that if I need to at anytime I have training and cardio buddies that I can call on a whim. And for the days when I really miss him, I know I've always got Dad pushing me on the pavement.
So, in honour of my Dad.... here's a little Janis for you all!
