We woke up to sunshine and blue skies. Our temps were still chilly and there were some scattered gray clouds in the sky that delivered some sprinkles, but all in all, it was a beautiful morning!
We are supposed to have three sunny dry days before the next two day storm arrives. Enough time to let our soggy soil dry out and for us to clean up the debris in our yard and get some quick yard work done.
We have been in a long drought, so this rain storm was both welcome and much needed. Our plants really needed it. I love the rain. I love how clean the air smells after it rains.
This morning, we ran out and took care of our errands at Costco -- we had a short list and filled the Jeep up with gas. While we were there, we also found a good space heater to use in our garage during our evening workouts. After our grocery run and a stop at Kohl's we were home for the rest of the day.
Tonight, we are meeting some friends downtown in the Gaslamp for dinner at Blue Point and then walk to a couple of other places and check out the bands and enjoy our local night life. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house after a housebound week of rain.
What are your plans this weekend?
TENNESSEE CALLING ~A WRITER'S JOURNEY~
1.23.2010
1.22.2010
SOGGY
We've been getting a lot of rain all week and it's soggy out there now. Last night I awoke to the sound of it raining hard against the house and our (very large) dog curled up between us. She started out at the foot of our bed, but I think all the noise outside made her feel uneasy, so she decided that scooting up between us was the best place to be.
I got her settled back at the foot of the bed and closed my eyes and that is when the lightning and thunder began. That is certainly not San Diego weather. This much rain is not normal for San Diego either, but anyway, the thunder storm moved out quickly and I went back to sleep until the next one rumbled overhead, this time I barely came awake before falling back into deep heavenly slumber.
Today, we are supposed to get more rain, more wind and more thunderstorms. We've had downed trees, power outages, flash flooding, and just lots and lots of rain. Snow in our mountains will be falling at the 3,500 foot level. It's gonna be another crazy weather day in Sunny San Diego...
I got her settled back at the foot of the bed and closed my eyes and that is when the lightning and thunder began. That is certainly not San Diego weather. This much rain is not normal for San Diego either, but anyway, the thunder storm moved out quickly and I went back to sleep until the next one rumbled overhead, this time I barely came awake before falling back into deep heavenly slumber.
Today, we are supposed to get more rain, more wind and more thunderstorms. We've had downed trees, power outages, flash flooding, and just lots and lots of rain. Snow in our mountains will be falling at the 3,500 foot level. It's gonna be another crazy weather day in Sunny San Diego...
1.20.2010
CATCH A FEW ZZZ'S
Start with one drowsy dog...
And this is how it usually ends.....
Sweet dreams, Kona.
1.15.2010
SHOW US YOUR LIFE
Kelly at Kelly's Korner is asking for her readers to share some ideas for diets, excercise and weight loss ideas in her Show Us Your Life episode this week. I have decided to participate as this is something that is relevant for me.
I am not going to claim to be an expert, because I am not. But I have had years of practice losing (and gaining) weight and I finally know what doesn't work AND how to do it right. I began eating differently in September and have lost close to 25 pounds. Its working and I know that the reason is because this is a change in the way I think and view food. Here is what I know.
First. Stop calling it a diet. Stop thinking that you can go back to eating all the junk that got you this way in the first place.
Change the way you eat. Forever. Eat healthful delicious food!
I believe in balance in the way you eat. I am not a proponent of "gimmicks".
Eat whole, fresh foods as much as you can. Stay away from processed foods. If it comes in a box or a can, try to avoid it. I know that it is tough when you are working full time but if you can do it most of the time...it's not a big deal.
Eat whole grains and pastas. They really do taste good and are so much better for you!
Eat your veggies and fruits. Your mother was right. They are GOOD for you! Include them with every meal and use them for your snacks!
Drink plenty of plain water. Personally I try to drink 3 1 liter bottles in a day...from the time I wake up until I go to bed (but you may want to lay off drinking a lot of water a couple of hours before your bedtime, for obvious reasons).
Portion control. Too much of any food is not a good idea. So you do have to eat smaller portions than you were. It will be tough at first, but pretty soon, you will wonder how you ate all that in one sitting.
If you eat this way, you can include that sweet or indulge in a glass of wine and not have to feel deprived. Real life happens. Enjoy it.
Now....all that being said. You must excercise. Your body was made to move, not to just sit on the couch watching reality TV. Calories in, calories out.
Strive for 30 to 60 minutes of excercise a day. You don't need fancy equipment--it helps, but its not necessary. And for Pete's sake, have fun with it. Challenge yourself. This is about YOU! Again, balance. Spending your entire day inside of a gym is not healthy either--make the most of your time while you are there. More is not always better.
And mix it up, take a hike, swim when the weather is good, run with your kids, walk your dog, train for a half-marathon. Do what works for you!
The internet is a an excellent source of information and support. Educate yourself on calories, excercise, cardio, resistance training. Its all out there. Find a network and connect and learn and get moving!
If you can follow this prescription 80% of the time...you have made great strides. No one is perfect. When you fall down, get back up and keep moving forward. That is what I am doing. It works.
Here is one of our favorite "go to" healthy meals.
Brown rice and Black Beans (or your favorite beans)
Cook rice, add drained, rinsed beans, sprinkle with chili powder (to your liking) and salsa (again to your liking).
Top with fresh chopped tomatos, chopped red onion, a dollop of sour cream and salsa. You can also add a sprinkling of shredded cheese on top, but this dish is so flavorful, that you won't need to!
Enjoy!!!
I am not going to claim to be an expert, because I am not. But I have had years of practice losing (and gaining) weight and I finally know what doesn't work AND how to do it right. I began eating differently in September and have lost close to 25 pounds. Its working and I know that the reason is because this is a change in the way I think and view food. Here is what I know.
First. Stop calling it a diet. Stop thinking that you can go back to eating all the junk that got you this way in the first place.
Change the way you eat. Forever. Eat healthful delicious food!
I believe in balance in the way you eat. I am not a proponent of "gimmicks".
Eat whole, fresh foods as much as you can. Stay away from processed foods. If it comes in a box or a can, try to avoid it. I know that it is tough when you are working full time but if you can do it most of the time...it's not a big deal.
Eat whole grains and pastas. They really do taste good and are so much better for you!
Eat your veggies and fruits. Your mother was right. They are GOOD for you! Include them with every meal and use them for your snacks!
Drink plenty of plain water. Personally I try to drink 3 1 liter bottles in a day...from the time I wake up until I go to bed (but you may want to lay off drinking a lot of water a couple of hours before your bedtime, for obvious reasons).
Portion control. Too much of any food is not a good idea. So you do have to eat smaller portions than you were. It will be tough at first, but pretty soon, you will wonder how you ate all that in one sitting.
If you eat this way, you can include that sweet or indulge in a glass of wine and not have to feel deprived. Real life happens. Enjoy it.
Now....all that being said. You must excercise. Your body was made to move, not to just sit on the couch watching reality TV. Calories in, calories out.
Strive for 30 to 60 minutes of excercise a day. You don't need fancy equipment--it helps, but its not necessary. And for Pete's sake, have fun with it. Challenge yourself. This is about YOU! Again, balance. Spending your entire day inside of a gym is not healthy either--make the most of your time while you are there. More is not always better.
And mix it up, take a hike, swim when the weather is good, run with your kids, walk your dog, train for a half-marathon. Do what works for you!
The internet is a an excellent source of information and support. Educate yourself on calories, excercise, cardio, resistance training. Its all out there. Find a network and connect and learn and get moving!
If you can follow this prescription 80% of the time...you have made great strides. No one is perfect. When you fall down, get back up and keep moving forward. That is what I am doing. It works.
Here is one of our favorite "go to" healthy meals.
Brown rice and Black Beans (or your favorite beans)
Cook rice, add drained, rinsed beans, sprinkle with chili powder (to your liking) and salsa (again to your liking).
Top with fresh chopped tomatos, chopped red onion, a dollop of sour cream and salsa. You can also add a sprinkling of shredded cheese on top, but this dish is so flavorful, that you won't need to!
Enjoy!!!
1.13.2010
HOME AGAIN
Well, we are back home from our fabulous weekend with A & K and Grace, celebrating lil Miss' very first birthday. I know that A will post birthday photos on her blog, so I will share some other pictures that we took while we were there.
Gosh, it's so hard to be back at work here in San Diego when I'd rather be playing with Grace in Utah!
I found some Sesame Street games and videos on my laptop and Grace was completely mesmerized by the Muppets and all the music. Here are a couple of pics of her watching them...she was so much fun to watch. 
Grace has changed so much since we saw her in August. Besides walking everywhere and babbling away, she has 4 teeth (the last one popping out about halfway) and she is so busy and smart. She loves music and dances away when she hears it.
She is the happiest little thing too! See that smile? She is beaming like that most of the time. She loves to laugh and imitate us when we laugh! A cute little character.
We were glad she liked the fire engine we got her for her birthday. I think she will have a lot of fun this spring and summer out in the yard and filling up the tank with water and getting wet on warm summer days.
Gosh, it's so hard to be back at work here in San Diego when I'd rather be playing with Grace in Utah!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)