Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Approaching life with a different perspective

A few things:

I'm back after 3 long weeks on the road for work. I wanted to write while i was on the road but i was just so. darn. busy! Damn you, work!!!


So updates are all i can offer you my friends...


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I've gained weight. It's not my fault i SWEAR. I was in Quebec City for a familiarization tour (if you have never been then get yourself on a familiarization tour!!) and in Quebec City, all they eat is c-u-i-s-i-n-e.

Only the finest ingredients go into the meals in Quebec City. I've never been to Paris, but i would imagine that it would be very similar.


Oh! the cheese, and the wine, and the tartar and more wine and more tartar. Every. Day!


Foie gras and champagne and sugar pies - oh my!


They certainly know how to eat in Quebec City. I'm sure they also know how to eat in moderation. Unfortunately, i do not.


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On the same thread as eating, i recently read an article in the Globe and Mail about how a poor diet is directly linked to cancer. CANCER people. You can read the article here and i urge you to read it and ~ahem~ digest it.


For some reason, it hit home for me. I've always wanted to weigh less, but only because of vanity. Now, according to this article, you should be as lean as possible. On top of that, it says people should cut back on red meat, alcohol (all kinds!), processed meat (and i'm sure most other processed foods), fast food and high sugar foods.


Ok then. I've started eating as many whole foods as i can. We'll see how long i can keep this up. Now i feel like i need to lose weight. I don't want to get cancer. I want to be as lean as i can.


Mat and i have also decided to stop eating processed meat (or avoid it whenever possible). This is going to be a big challenge for us as we make sandwiches - with deli meat - almost every work day. This week we're eating tuna. After that, i'm switching to salmon. I love salmon, but Mat...not so much. He can't get past the bones-thingy and i don't blame him. They are pretty gross all crunchy and stuff.


Now before you all go waving your finger at me for eating so much tuna because of the mercury risk thing - i've done my research. The benefits of eating tuna far out-weigh the risks of mercury posioning. Same goes for pregnant women (i should know as i work for Ob/Gyns, Nurses and Midwives).


A little more on the food subject and i'll move on. I'm committing myself to drinking water. Again, guys - HUGE. For some reason i can't drink plain water unless i've just been exercising. I've always had to add crystal light. I've changed this. I am trying as hard as i can to get away from fake sh*t that i put in my body. The best trick i've learned is to put sliced cucumbers in my water. It tastes like i'm eating cucumbers when i drink water...amazing!!


Here's a breakdown of my resolutions (for your reading pleasure of course!)
  • No junk (except on the rarest of rare occasions)
  • No crystal light
  • No fast food
  • More veggies and fruits
  • No processed foods especially deli meat
  • No alcohol on a "regular" night (ie: no wine at dinner unless a special occasion)
  • Red meat only on rare occasions
  • Only chicken and fish and much smaller portions
  • Less honey in my morning coffee (i'm trying to train myself to enjoy things less sweet)

I think that's it. Oh, and i'll be continuing my gym routine at lunch time.



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Mat is the most wonderful person i know. Mat, i'm sorry that i'm not capable of writing more eloquently, but i just wanted you to know that i truly appreciate everything you do.



You see folks, while i was away working / vacationing (ok, in my defense it was 90% work), Mat held down the house and looked after the two doggies without one complaint (ok, i think he complained once that it was lonely all by himself, but i'm not counting that). He was always awake when i would call him late because i kept forgetting about the time difference. He decorated the house for Halloween and handed out candy all by himself because i told him it was important to me that our house participated even though i wasn't home. The house was spotless when i came home. He did all of my laundry, made sure the fridge was full of groceries, picked me up from the airport - with the doggies -- on a work night - well past bedtime. Had flowers waiting for me at home, planned our anniversary dinner, then still gets up extra early to walk the doggies and make me lunch before he leaves for work so that i can sleep in.



I'm sure there's a few things i'm forgetting, but i am so lucky and so grateful that Mat is in my life and that *soon* i'll be able to call him my husband. I hope he feels the same about me...

Just as an aside, Mat and i celebrated our 9 year anniversary on Monday :)



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I think that's all i have today. I do need to get some "work" done. I'm mentally drained, but hoping my new whole foods diet will help boost my energy and brain power.

8 comments:

aandjblog said...

Hey Roz

Don't forget Lemon or Lime in your water too. It works wonders!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! (Nine years, wow!) He sounds like quite the keeper. I'm glad you have him.

And good for you and your resolutions. You can do it. I promise.

Although all I can think about is the champagne you mentioned. Yum.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful guy you've got there :) Also, good for you with your eating and drinking better plan! I'm also making an effort to drink more water (I'm a fruit juice fiend) and I've been trying to get more veggies in. Glad you're back :)

Lara said...

Welcome back! I was just wondering this morning where you've been ;)

And wow - you've set some impressive resolutions for yourself! Good luck!

Sarah said...

I want to go to Quebec!! Mat sounds wonderful!! You're VERY lucky to have him!

We're glad you're back. I've missed your blogs!

Betsy Mae said...

Congrats Roz, nine years together is longer than many people are married!
Your trip sounds heavenly. Don't stress about weight, stress causes cancer too (heehee).
As for the water, herbal teas also count and they aren't bad for you. I also like orange slices in my water, or a combo of citrus fruit. Personally, I don't like the taste of aspertame or any artificial sweeteners so I have no trouble avoiding them.
I am not a fan of deli meat either unless is genoa salami but even then I don't care much for it. I try to avoid buying hotdogs or deli meat for the kids (even though my husband loves them). Instead, you can make grilled or roasted chicken and use the leftovers for sandwhiches, grilled marinated veggies are awesome for sandwhiches, homemade roast beef or roast pork...it's all much tastier and better for you not to mention cheaper. And if you must used deli meat, just cut back and add way more veggies.
You exercise which is half the battle...pat yourself on the back.

Roz said...

aww thanks guys!

b*babbler said...

Way to go, and good luck with the resolutions. Perhaps I'll borrow a few from you, as I've been wanting to lose a bit of weight for ages, and can't seem to get myself together. Gah. So frustrating.