Amy and the City

I grew up in a very small town, population 9000.

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I went to university in Guelph, which is a city with a population of 200,000, but has a very small town feel to it.

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I now call Ottawa/Gatineau my home. Its city living, but pales in comparison to where I’m hanging my hat for the next couple of months.

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Hell0 BIG CITY!

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A big part of me would be lying if I said I wasn’t completely overwhelmed. It will take some time for me figure out my surroundings, but the other part of me is thrilled to be here.

I think the hardest thing for me is not having a car here. I know there is absolutely NO need for one, but for things like groceries it would be much easier to just to Google a store and drive over there.

Speaking of groceries, I NEED to locate a grocery store. I am craving produce in the worst way.

Next best thing: Subway. Buffalo chicken on brown.

 

With baked chippies.

I didn’t manage to sneak in a workout today, but I promise to get on that tomorrow.

I think I might watch a little Y&R on demand, and finish unpacking.

Until next time!

The day I didn’t screw up the pancakes

There is a small running joke at our house about pancakes. You see, despite being rather Martha Stewart’ish in the kitchen, I ALWAYS screw up the pancakes. I lack the flipping skills, I blame it on weak wrists!

On the flip (bahaha.. pun intended) side my husband, who fell VERY far from the “Gifted in the kitchen” tree, makes a wicked pancake each and every time.

This morning was different though. I made the most delicious pancakes EVER!

I cannot take all the credit though, as these pancakes came straight from a box. Fibre One to be exact. I picked up this mix a couple months ago on our US roadtrip.

Amazing I tell you.

They came out almost an inch thick.

  I’m still making an effort to add extra protein to each meal, so I added about 1/4 cup of vanilla greek yogurt on top.

Due to the fact I’m not living at home right now, my flower gardens were in a sad state of affairs. Andrew is talented in many areas (like pancakes making!) but lacks severely in the gardening depart. We spent a few hours getting them in tip top shape. They look SO great!

This sits on my front step. It used to my Mom’s saddle horse. I couldn’t bear to part with it, so it makes an excellent hanging basket holder. My plan is to refinish it… once I learn how to do that.

Also planted some herbies.  

And added some potted flowers to the back yard too.

Lets just hope Andrew can keep them alive.

The rest of the weekend was spent playing referee to these two.

Its actually pretty endearing  (even though the pictures make it look like she’s trying to commit murder) watching them. Jersey is sooo gentle and tolerant with him. I think she secretly loves him and wants a brother.

Overall it was a stellar weekend. I ate ok’ish (some treats were had yesterday) and I had a couple of great workouts. Now I must pack and get ready for the move to the big city tomorrow.

Think its time to fire up the grill. TTFN!

Last road trip

I made my last road trip from Huntsville-Ottawa last night, as I am relocating to Toronto on Monday and don’t really want my car in the city.

As per usual, I see a little furry friend. I stop and have a moment with him.

You know, practicing my moose calls and such. Note: Moose do not respond to the same noises I use to call my kitties. Must research proper moose calls.  When all of a sudden, he turns to see what is approaching.

A convoy of rain suit clad photographers, armed with SLRs and huge ass lenses.

What the fuck? I’ve never seen anything like this IN. MY. LIFE!

My moment with nature was ruined, and I think I actually ended up taking more pictures of the crazies photographers.

One little moose caused all that commotion,  not to mention a few near accidents.

Joke is on them though, because about an hour further into my drive I saw this guy who would have made an excellent model  for the professionals as he was pretty attentive. I had my 55mm lense on that doesn't zoom so as you can see, I got pretty close!  It was a pretty special moment. Just me, the moose and the 234980 blackflies that were feasting on my neck, ears, face and back. Not much on the agenda for this weekend. I hope to finally get around to planting some flowers, get in a decent workout, and relax.

Although, I’m not sure the relaxing part will happen. Why?

Look who is visiting for the weekend.

The Devil.  Click on the link to see how our household was turned upside down the last time the devil  Jasper came to stay with us.

Have a great Saturday!

Healthy Living Resumed

In case you were all wondering, I SURVIVED! I honestly thought I might not make it, but I'm a trooper and managed to rally yesterday!

I need to toot my own horn a little, because I managed to make it to Body Combat and had a wicked workout! I think I was sweating out rum (very similar to my Listerine experience) but man, I rocked it!

Healthy living is back in FULL force today.

On the menu today: Salad in a bottle, banana, a huge salad, and an All Bran bar.... H20 and coffee for hydration.

I'm slowly trying to eat all the produce out of my fridge... why, you may ask? I'm moving to Toronto on Monday! YAY! I've been in Huntsville for a little longer than expected, but I have to say I've loved the "small town" living. That being said, I'm really looking forward to be making the move to Toronto for several reasons. 1) Everything is walkable 2) Many more amenities
3) There is a Goodlife within 0.3km from where I will be living 4) I have lots of friends in Toronto 5) There are lots of beautiful bloggers in Toronto that I would LOVE to meet! :)

Have a wonderful day!

Clearly this is not salad...

So, remember my plan to have one salad each day this week?

Total fail.

Drinking on a "school night" not cool. I present my breakfast, from McDONALDS.

What the hell?

I receive a lot of comments commending me on my honesty, so here it goes:

I am hungover, greasy food makes me feel better, as does chocolate milk.

With the exception of the odd ice-cream cone, and a little late night mishap in Halifax in October of last year, I haven't had McDonald's in like 8 years.

Is it 5pm yet?

Making friends with salad

It was 30 degrees outside today.

It was about 50 degrees at step class tonight.

I was soaked to the bone afterwards. I have to say, Body Step is starting to grow on me. There is a lack of punching/kicking, and a  little too much clapping and hamstring curls… but hey, it makes me sweat my ass off and gets my heart pounding!

When I was at my absolute skinniest, I was eating salad for at least one meal a day. This week, I decided I will return to my skinny mini eating habits. Its going to be a hot week, so I can think of a better time to rekindle my friendship with SALAD!

Prettied up for pictures:  Iceburg lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red-green-yellow peppers, pumpkin seeds and shredded old cheddar.

I added a chicken breast with a little general tso’s sauce, and tossed the salad in a one tbsp light poppy seed dressing.

My goal this week is to create a different salad combination each night this week…. with a little help from you guys:

What is YOUR favourite salad combo?

Long weekend recap

And just like that, the long weekend is over.

Saturday in words:

• Hit up the gym bright and early to sneak in a little extra calorie burn in preparation for a day of indulgence.
• Attended my friends wedding. Despite the rather horrid weather, it was a lovely day.
• Was sad that I was missing good times in Halifax
• I was sad the Habs lost
• I was sad that I missed David Gray perform in Ottawa.

Saturday in pictures: 

 

Sunday in words:

• Woke up with zero hangover, as we made it an early night at the wedding.
• Headed to Barrie to hang out with my friend Krissy and her man-friend.
• I played with her 18-200mm lense. I want.
• Ate a lot of sushi. But sushi is delicious. And so are tempura bananas.
• Came back to Huntsville and went on a hot date to see Iron Man 2. It was kind of meh.
• Following the movie, we grabbed a bite. I had a burger and it was friggin’ delicious. I’ve been craving red meat of late. What does this mean?

Sunday in photos:

Monday in words:

• We slept in, and it was pretty much amazing.
• Had an early-ish lunch at a fabulous restaurant on the water. It was so fun to just people watch.
• I enjoyed a rather delightful BBQ chicken pita and a side salad.
• Andrew left around 2pm, so I hit up the gym. 1h20 mins were spent hating bonding with the treadmill, followed by 20 mins of upper body work and abs.
• I opted for the treadmill for 2 reasons: 1) its friggin hot out, and 2) the blackflies are ridiculous right now.
• I was still craving red meat at dinner, so I whipped up a “pita burger” with a side of broccoli and carrots.
• Currently watching the hockey game. I may be a very sad girl tomorrow should the Habs lose.

Monday in pictures:

 

Long day, long weekend!

*This should have got posted last night, however, its a little difficult to post when you have no internet connection. GRRRR! *

What a long day at the office today…. wow. Most of my co-workers left at noon to get the long weekend started early, but I got stuck working on a quasi emergency and didn’t leave the office until 5:00pm.

I’m not going home this weekend as we have a wedding to attend in this neck of the woods, so Andrew is en route here as I type this.

Speaking of wedding, this is my first time “dressing up” since I chopped off my hair. I emailed my hairdresser asking for an opinion of what he would do. He suggested using a large barrel curling iron to give it some body…. to quote him “Very hot on short hair”

I did a trial run this evening when I got home. What do you think? I like it!

Today was a bit of a weird day in the food department. I was up at 5h20 to make it to spin at 6am. Pre-spin was a banana.

Post spin was a coffee and an All Bran bar….and that was it, ALL DAY. This never happens in my life, as I pretty much live to eat. I guess work just kept my mind occupied all day.

As a result of my lack of proper nutrition today, I whipped up a quick chicken stir fry for dinner. topped with 1/2 cup brown rice.

This totally hit the spot, and it was exactly what I was craving.

Dessert: Apples and Caramel sauce. I only ate about a tbsp of the caramel sauce. It was almost TOO sweet!

Andrew left Ottawa at about 5pm, so he should be arriving within the next hour. I cannot wait to see him, and kiss his whole face!

Too all my lovelies in Halifax, I hope you’re all rubbing against each other inappropriate and that there is lots of motor-boating going on in my absence! xoox