Happy almost long weekend and beginning of September to you!

It’s a BEAUTIFUL day here today and I am enjoying it to the max. I’m trying not to think about the month ahead or the summer slowly coming to an end. Let’s just enjoy today and embrace the awesome weather while we still can.

Although I love love LOVED my time away it feels SOO good to be running again… and when I say running, I don’t mean anything intense (yet) and I’m okay with that. The farthest I’ve ran as of late is only about 30 minutes.. which is pretty sad because a couple months ago I was running 30km. But that’s okay.. I’m still loving it and feel motivated and refreshed. Yesterday I had a great fartlek run and enjoyed pushing myself.

I came home sweating like crazy and did THIS  great workout that I hadn’t done in a very long time. Not only did I feel like I needed a good stretch, I thought a good a**- kicking wouldn’t hurt either. But I LOVED it!

I’m starting to feel a bit better all around. Well, for one because I’m back into a workout routine which is something that I NEED… and G-Man needs me to have it aswell, if he wants a happy wife. Two, because I’m eating a lot better and hardly eating any of this [yummy] junk food . I’m definitely inhaling as much fresh produce while I can before you-know-what comes. I have tried to cut as many carbs out of my diet as I can because well, I  notice a difference when I cut back. PS: you are totally NOT going to believe that comment with what I’m about to show you below but… owell. I’m not completely cutting them out, just cutting back. Don’t worry, I’m not going all crazy like I did before and counting every little gram of carb that goes in my mouth. Carbs in general was one of my “fear foods” but dear lord, I could NEVER give up my beloved speghetti. So it’s all good in the hood.

I have been filling my face with these yummy salads every day. Sometimes twice a day because I make one for G-Man when he gets home from work and obviously, I can’t just sit there and watch him eat!

Remember what my handsome man surprised me with when I got home from the cottage? Well I made a little somethin’ somethin’ for him too. Get your mind out of the gutter.. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about THIS!

Wild Blueberry Cheesecake!!

Cheesecake is G-Man’s FAVORITE dessert, so I wanted to make it for him with love. Not just with any blueberries though… these babies are WILD blueberries and taste 2000x better than domestic berries. Ohh man, I wish you could try them. While away, we went berry picking a couple of times. We went way back, and I mean waay back in the bush to pick them.

They grow best in clear cut logging areas and grow really low to the ground in small patches. Although they look tiny, without a doubt they are FULL of FLAVOR!

I was able to freeze a couple bags of them too, so I’m trying to decide what else I should use them for! G-Man gave me an A+ on the cheesecake and absolutely loved it. I was really happy with how it turned out because it was soo tasty and “solid”, none of that fluffy-fake-cheesecake crap. I was surprised by how easy the recipe was too… maybe I’ll post it later.

The other night, I made some banana chocolate chip muffins. I got the recipe from Jenna’s blog. Thank you Jenna! These muffins are SO good and SO easy to make. I opted for regular size muffins and they turned out great. Not a lot of clean-up afterwards either.. my kind of recipe.

G-Man was ranting and raving about how good they were, so I was very happy!

~What was YOUR workout today?!

~What do you have planned for the long weekend?
– No idea! going to try and get a “long” run in tomorrow and not sure what else we have planned.

Beans, beans, the musical fruit… the more you eat, the more you…………

yeah, don’t worry.. I won’t sing that song. What’s that from.. gradeschool!?

Here is a simple, delicious and easy to prepare recipe that is great for potlucks, BBQ’s or even a go-to snack that’s ready to be served.

Mom’s Bean Salad

~ 1 can of yellow beans
~ 1 can of green beans
~ 1 can of kidney beans
~ 1 can of chickpeas
~ 1/2 cup diced peppers
~ 1/3 cup diced vidalia onion
~ 1 cup chopped celery
~ 1/2 cup cider vinegar
~ 1/2 cup salad oil
~ 1/4 cup of white sugar (modify to taste)
~ 1 tsp. salt
~ 1/2 tsp. pepper

Drain yellow and green beans along with chickpeas. Place in bowl. Rinse and drain kidney beans then place in bowl. Add veggies and mix lightly.

 
In a separate bowl combine oil, cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and mix.

Add dressing to bean mixture. Marinate at least 24 hours, stirring occacionally.

ENJOY!!

Happy Monday all!! I can’t believe how fast the month of August has gone by… too fast for my liking!! It seems that as each year passes,  the time goes by faster and faster. Does anyone else feel this way?

Today is a special day and I would like to wish my parents a very HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!! I hope you have 30 more years of happiness together Mom and Dad. Thank you for all that you do for us!!

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This weekend was another BUSY but FABULOUS weekend. Friday, I had a good workout on my TRX and then went for a short and (somewhat) speedy run. Saturday morning we were up early to get our errands done before a jam-packed day. Then we were off to work to shoot a wedding in the beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake. (As I mentioned before G-Man is a photographer and I’m his assistant.) It was an absolute pleasure to capture my friend Cathy’s wedding. Cathy and I met at a Young Adult Cancer Canada  Retreat two years ago in Montreal. It was amazing to see her and her now husband glowing from ear to ear. It was also an added bonus that I got to hug some INCREDIBLE survivors from my Cancer Posse who were at the wedding…. it had been awhile! I admire each one of them for so many reasons.

SURVIVORS!

a quick group shot before heading out!

Saturday night my loving ever-so-handome-husband took me out for a nice dinner for my birthday. Vegetarians, look away. We went to Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse  in Niagara Falls. I love the ambiance of Brasa and a big one for me – the service. G-Man and I are NOT big meat eaters at all, although we definitely enjoyed the fire-roasted meat served to us on Saturday. Gauchos carve the meat right at your table.

After dinner we went for a good walk which was much needed after eating more than we normally do… but hey, that’s allowed sometimes eh!

out for a walk in the city

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Sunday was another early morning. We were up and out the door to go meet my sister and brother-in-law. They invited us to a Blue Jays game in Toronto. What a FUN day we had!! It had been awhile since we had all spent time together so there was lots of catching up.

nice peace sign baby! haha

the 4 of us!

one of the players warming up

the sister and i!

I know I mentioned it here, but I really do have THE BEST SISTER EVER!! We all had so much fun together. After a brutal loss by the Jay’s we decided to walk around the city a bit and we came across the Busker Fest.

isn't he handsome!!

There was some great talent showcased and one in particular that I could not get over.

bad picture, i know.. but if you look closely you can see her in the box

A Contortionist. This girl had a KILLER body.. wowzas. The way she bended and twisted her body was crazzzy and just so not normal!! I can’t even imagine the dedication and hard work it would take to maintain a body like that. She stuffed herself inside a box that was about 16×16… eeek!

After an eventful day we were ready to head back home. Although being extremely tired I couldn’t help but feel incredibly greatful to be blessed with such a wonderful family and the absolute most amazing husband – ever!! PS: Look what I came home to after being away at the cottage:

Welcome Home Mami

AND this!

yum!

Isn’t he sweet?!

Tell me a highlight from YOUR weekend!!