Tues 31 Jul

I think Grandma had a nice birthday even though the waiters at El Mezcal didn't sing to her. She enjoyed her dinner and I hope she liked her gifts. I only gave her a little chocolate - a box of TJ's assorted chocolates - but she hugged it and said she had hoped someone would give her chocolate. Glad I didn't decide to totally cut it out. I gave her a scented wrap that can be microwaved for warmth or used at room temp on the shoulders, lap, or wherever a pleasant scented weight feels good. Her first reaction seemed uncertain, but when I had her sit with it on for a bit, she seemed to really like it. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, Roundy's 0% plain Greek yogurt, 1 c blueberries, 2 slices cinnamon melba toast 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew, med peach 7:30 pm Trident salmon pattie, multigrain sandwich thin, 1 tbl mango peach salsa, 5 cherry tomatoes, kale leaf, 2 c watermelon chunks, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video 5:05-5:25 pm Walk to Pilates 5:30-6:45 pm Pilates class 6:50-7:10 pm Walk home

Mon 30 Jul

Happy 94th Birthday, Grandma! The plan is to take her to El Mezcal for dinner, where hopefully the servers will sing Happy Birthday to her. Weekend in Mpls was very nice, now back to reality. No other real "vacation" plans until the Minnesota State Fair over Labor Day and the real McCoy in mid-September. In August, we will help Laura move on Sun, 12 Aug and bring her back to Stevens Point on Fri, 23 Aug for the United Way duathlon on Saturday. Food: 6:45 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 103 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am Coffee 12:00 pm 3 oz jerk-seasoned grilled chicken breast, tossed salad, breadstick 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew, 4 g mint M&Ms Exercise: 4:40-5:50 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 29 Jul

Woke to the delightful view of real rainfall, though it has ended now. Wish we could see that at home! Beautiful breakfast again at Sofitel with exquisite service. We have had wonderful food on this trip and have fully appreciated it. I hope we get to do some walking today, but I'm not sure time will allow much more than wandering in a few stores. The rain is stopped for now, but it still looks a little forbidding. Had fun last night with the Origins salesgirl who introduced me to the products. We returned after dinner last night because I had checked that she would be working. She remembered me enthusiastically and showed me all the things that were new since I had last visited her, then she gave me a mini-facial. I left with a plethora of samples, an herbal wrap that can be heated or not for Grandma's birthday tomorrow, and a small spearmint oil aromatherapy for me. Even dad got a free sample of pre-shave. Food: 8:45 am Egg white omelet w/spinach, sun-dried tomato, and goat cheese, 1 1/2 slices toast w/butter and orange marmalade, roasted cherry tomato, 6 oz fresh squeezed OJ, coffee 1:30 pm 16 oz chocolate shake 2:15 pm Sugar brioche roll, large banana

Sat 28 Jul

Michael is going through hard times again. Help him, Lord, and help us to help him as best we can. Give us all the strength to get through difficult times. Breakfast at Sofitel was delicious as usual. We bought some simple pastries and I snagged an apple from the exercise room for lunch while hiking. I don't need a big lunch since we'll go out for another nice dinner tonight. I think the chef at Cafe Maude knew I was coming and created the special just for me with all my favorite things. There was a garlic braised lamb shoulder, nicely shredded and topped with seasoned rice, roasted golden and red beets, many kinds of lovely mushrooms, and a dollop of goat cheese. Yum!!! Food: 9:15 am 3 smoked salmon crepes, 1 tbl hollandaise, 6 oz fresh squeezed OJ, coffee 2:00 pm Sugar brioche roll, large Granny Smith apple 2:45 pm DQ small Berry Light smoothie 6:45 pm Less than half rum cocktail(tasted like straight rum), 4 oz braised lamb shoulder, .75 c roasted beets, .5 c mushrooms, 1 tbl goat cheese 9:45 pm Kir royale Exercise: 11:50-1:25 pm Hiking, some hills 2:00-2:30 pm Hiking, flat

Fri 27 Jul

I was a bad girl and skipped my morning workout today in favor of another hour in bed. It is a vacation day, after all! Hopefully we will get some time for a significant walk in Minneapolis today, around one of the lakes or to Minnehaha Falls perhaps. Amazing how much greener and cooler it is in Minnesota. Feels like a different world from central and southern Wisconsin. Most amazing delicious wine tonight,a Pine Ridge chenin blanc/viognier blend. I will definitely try to find this in the wine stores. Food: 7:00 am Laura's oatmeal w/protein powder, blueberries, flaxseed meal, soy milk, 1/4 med/large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am 1 pc multigrain toast w/butter & strawberry jam, 1/4 c hash browns, 2 egg scramble w/3 oz smoked salmon, red onion, iced tea 6:15 pm 6 oz chenin blanc/viognier, small slice Italian bread w/carmelized onion spread, 1 c seafood macaroni & cheese, roasted beet salad w/arugula & 3 small balls of herbed chevre, 1/2 carmelized banana, 1/4 c vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate & caramel sauces Exercise: Walking in mall & various stores, spending money!

Thurs 26 Jul

One more day of work before the Minneapolis weekend. Yay! Brand new Fitbit arrived today. Not bad since I only notified customer service of the problem this past weekend. Their service department is top notch! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, slice whole wheat bread, 61 g oven roasted chicken breast, kale leaf, 31 g Jarlsberg, large peach 5:15 pm Chocolate calcium chew, 4 oz Red Ass Rhubarb wine 6:15 pm Salsa crockpot chicken, 1 c watermelon chunks, 12 oz skim milk 7:45 pm 1 c hot fudge brownie flurry w/grasshopper ice cream Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Brand New Butt DVD 7:30-8:00 pm Walk to Belt's and around neighborhood

Wed 25 Jul

My Fitbit left the postal service facility in Indianapolis this morning. Hope I get it soon. I miss the information it provides and don't want to get out of the habits of wearing it. Salsa chicken in the crockpot for tonight's dinner: chicken breast, cumin/chili powder, petite diced tomatoes, onion, red pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and black bean salsa. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Peach soy shake, English muffin, 1 tbl Jif, large peach 1:30 pm Scotcheroo, 2 Twizzlers 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 5:00 pm 12 oz Diet Dr Pepper 6:15 pm 1 c slow cooker salsa chicken, 1/2 c brown basmati rice, 12 oz skim milk 8:00 pm 1 small chocolate chip oatmeal cookie Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 24 Jul

Had energy enough to exercise this morning, but feeling a little drained now. I never seem to have as much pep when the A/C has to be on. Hopefully the temps will drop enough soon to turn it off again, but it does allow a decent sleep. Pilates will go for two additional weeks into August! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, cinnamon scone, 1 c watermelon chunks 4:30 pm Chocolate calcium chew 7:30 pm Slice 100% whole wheat bread, 63 g oven roasted chicken breast, 31 g Jarlsberg, kale leaf, 143 g homegrown tomato, 12 oz skim milk, Jello sugar free pudding cup Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video 5:05-5:25 pm Walk to Pilates 5:30-6:45 pm Pilates class 6:55-7;15 pm Walk home

Mon 23 Jul

Yesterday evening's dinner at Quivey's Grove was excellent, and we got some good errands run including Dad picking up his saw. We will plan to be back in Madison to help you move on Sat 11 Aug. I'm pleased that Fitbit has been very responsive and cooperative in dealing with my lack of display. They will promptly be sending me a new unit. They apparently have had several people with similar issues. Food: 7:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, cinnamon scone, med peach 1:30 pm 32 oz plain iced tea 5:00 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6!15 pm Trident salmon pattie, multigrain sandwich thin, 1 tbl mango peach salsa, kale leaf, 3 slices homegrown tomato, 1 c watermelon chunks, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:55-6:05 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 22 Jul

Disappointed that I went over my food allotment for the day, given that I wasn't very active yesterday. I have been doing much better at sticking to the program lately. And today we're driving to Madison for Restaurant Week. I did ballet this morning, but as it is primarily for toning and not as cardio-active, I may again find it hard to meet the goal. It may be difficult to tell because my Fitbit seems to be on the fritz. I can't get the device to display, either on or off the base station. I have an email in to Customer Support, but of course it's Sunday so it will likely be at least tomorrow before I get a live response. I got an automated response acknowledging receipt of the question, but I'll have to wait for an answer. Food: 7:55 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 86 g blackberries, 49 g raspberries, coffee Exercise: 6:55-7:45 am Brutal Ballet DVD

Sat 21 Jul

Kind of a gloomy, cloudy day today. We have a party at one of my coworker's country homes this afternoon. I also need to attend to Grandma's bills, a task I've been procrastinating on. And laundry. Yay! I made it through Barb's lovely party and truly only ate one Scotcheroo! And didn't touch the other desserts! Food: 7:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 78 g blackberries 12:15 pm Blueberry soy shake, cranberry/orange scone, large peach 4:00 pm Chocolate calcium chew 5:00 pm 2 glasses unsweetened green iced tea, 12 oz Brisk diet tea, 12 oz blueberry wheat beer, hamburger, bun, 1 tbl ketchup, 1/2 c pasta salad, 2/3 c salad w/greens,apples, dried cranberries, light dressing, 1 c watermelon chunks, 1 Scotcheroo Exercise: 3:00-3:45 pm Walk at Schmeeckle

Fri 20 Jul

What a lovely day! I actually wore my t-shirt to exercise this morning for the first time in probably a couple of weeks. I had just been exercising in the sports bra when it is really hot. I did get pretty sweaty, but not overheated. I also was able to keep the sheet and blanket on most all of the night last night for the first timme in ages. Makes for better rest than constantly readjusting. Hoping to get up for a hike tonight if this great weather holds. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 100 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, cranberry/orange scone, large peach 4:00 pm Chocolate calcium chew 7:00 pm 6 oz baked cod, 3/4 c Israeli cous cous, 2/3 c green beans, 12 oz stout 8:30 pm 1/2 c Schwan's lemon frozen yogurt Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am The Firm Boot Camp DVD 5:00-6:20 pm Partial hike of Rib Mt

Thurs 19 Jul

This month is starting to fly by as well. We're getting a full helping of summer this year, but it always disappears too quickly. Looks like it just might rain a bit more. Heard Madison got quite a bit yesterday. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 med cantaloupe, 99 g raspberries, coffee 1:00 pm Peach soy shake, blueberry scone, med peach 4:00 pm Chocolate calcium chew 4:30 pm 6 oz Red Ass Rhubarb wine 6:45 pm 3.8 oz extra lean ground beef, multigrain sandwich thin, leaf kale, 3 slices tomato, 1 tbl asiago, 1/2 c snap peas, 1 tsp olive oil 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:47 am Kickboxing DVD

Wed 18 Jul

Nice to hear the rain falling this morning. We had a sprinkling that started around 4:30 am when I got up but only lasted half an hour or so and netted .05 inch, but now it's raining again and sounds a bit more productive. Would be nice if it continued through the day at a soft enough pace to soak into the poor parched earth. It's probably too late for the crops that haven't been irrigated, but the farmers who have spent a small fortune on irrigation will get a little break. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 113 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, blueberry scone, med peach 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6:15 pm 4 pc Manhattan roll, 4 pc Canada roll, 5 pc Kamikaze roll, 1/2 seafood salad, 5 oz riesling Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD 5:35-6:00 pm Walk to Tokyo Steak House 7:10-7:35 pm Walk home

Tues 17 Jul

Motivation continues to be a struggle in the mornings, but today I overcame inertia again. One day at a time, that's all you can do. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 99 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, cinnamon scone, large peach 2:45 pm 1 Dove egg 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 7:30 pm Multigrain sandwich thin, 1.7 oz Dubliner cheese, leaf kale, 2.8 oz garden tomato, 1 c blueberries, Jello sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video 5:05-5:25 pm Walk to Pilates 5:30-6:45 pm Pilates class 6:55-7:15 pm Walk home

Mon 16 Jul

Back to the grind for a bit. Next planned outing in two weeks to Minneapolis for a weekend. We are planning to drive to Madison this Sunday to sample Restaurant Week, but that is just a brief foray after church with Grandma. Spent too much of the day in A/C today and am craving a little warmth. May go for a short walk tonight to get real again. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 32 g blackberries, 97 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, cinnamon scone, large peach 2:30 pm 1 Kopiko Cappuccino hard candy 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6:30 pm 2/5 oz grilled pork chop, 1/2 c rosemary red potatoes, 1 c sauteed zucchini/summer squash, 1/2 tbl butter, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video 7:15-8:05 pm Walk with Dad

Sun 15 Jul

Hope you had a lovely Bastille day yesterday. Also the 100th anniversary of the birth of Woody Guthrie. We sang "This Land is Your Land" in honor of Woody and enjoyed a delicious cassoulet for Bastille Day. Today is another beautiful sunny day in Green Bay. We did church at Vince Lombardi's former parish just a block from the inn. There are three Catholic churches within easy walking distance of St. Brendan's. I believe we have been to each of them now and I liked the atmosphere of this parish the best. Music was so-so, but the old priest gave a good homily and people were friendly. Looking forward to a walk on the river path. We met a woman at the farmer's market yesterday selling homemade tamales that looked great. She sells them frozen, but I couldn't buy them yesterday and hope to keep them safe, even in the cooler, in that hot weather. She gave us her number and offered that we could call her today and pick some frozen ones up before we head home so I plan to take her up on it. I also want to stop at Kaap's and pick up another small box of chocolates for Grandma which I will freeze til her birthday in a couple of weeks. She seemed to really enjoy the box we brought her when we first rediscovered the existence of Kaap's. Food: 7:30 am Large peach 8:00 am 2-egg omelet w/tomato, green pepper, ham, shredded cheese, fresh scone, 8 oz OJ, coffee 10:15 am Chocolate calcium chew 1:45 pm 2 scrambled eggs, 5 oz smoked salmon, 3 grilled asparagus spears, 2 pc wheatberry toast, 1 pat butter, 1 tub blackberry jam, iced tea 5:30 pm 3/4 c coffee toffee ice cream sugar cone 7:15 pm 2 c watermelon chunks Exercise: 8:40-8:50 am Walk to church 10:00-10:10 am Walk back to inn 10:55-1:30 pm Walk along river path

Sat 14 Jul

I am very proud of myself for limiting myself to one scone at St. Brendan's for breakfast even though they were still warm from the oven. I did take a second along for a mid-day snack if needed but I will try to fit it in to forego other vacation goodies if I eat it. I look forward to another one tomorrow. I am making the effort since joining the office weight-loss challenge to consciously modify my willingness to eat what I want, as often as I like. I tried to be as honest in my estimates last night as I could in entering the food on Fitbit and it said I stayed in my daily range for the exercise I did, even with wine and half a dessert. I had been very frugal through the earlier part of the day and we did take a short walk after dinner. Food: 8:15 am Small omelet with tomato, green pepper, 1 tbl cheese, 1 tbl ham, 6 oz OJ, only one cranberry scone, coffee 10:00 am Farmer's market samples: small slice cherry bread, 1 cheese curd, small piece fresh tomato, 16 oz iced tea 1:00 pm Crab cake burger, bun, slice tomato, lettuce, 2 pickle slices, 2 tbl cajun remoulade sauce, 1/3 c kettle chips 6:00 pm 5 oz red wine blend, cassoulet of white beans w/trace of lamb and sausage, confit duck leg, trio nut torte

Fri 13 Jul

Looking forward to going to Green Bay/Door County this weekend. Taking off work around 2 pm so we can drive up and do a wine tasting at Captain's Walk before dinner this evening. Hoping to sit out on the deck overlooking the river while we eat. Hard to motivate to exercise again this morning, but did it. Hope this motivational difficulty passes soon. Maybe if the new weight loss initiative starts having success, it will help. Scale was down a bit this morning, but likely just fluctuations at this point. Getting ready to head out! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Peach soy shake, Roundy's plain Greek yogurt, large peach, 201 g fresh tomato 2:15 pm Chocolate calcium chew Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Thurs 12 Jul

Had a hard time motivating to exercise this morning, not because I was tired but my body was slightly achy and not really fired up to move. I chose the perky Denise Austin Power Zone, but allowed myself to quit after 45 min without doing the abs section. Maybe I'll try to fit something fun in tonight like Zumba or hula dancing. Heather brought me a bottle of Red Ass Rhubarb wine from a winery they passed on the trip I helped plan for them. It is the signature wine of this winery and a multiple award winner. It is definitely a fruit wine, but it's very nice. Took a walk around the block for some air. If I even walked 5 minutes, SparkPeople says I burned a whopping 17 calories! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, Country Hearth English muffin, 1 tbl Jif PB, large peach, 111 g fresh tomato 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6:30 pm 4 oz rhubarb wine, 2 small catfish nuggets, 1/2 c heiroom blend rice, 1/2 c fresh peas, 3/4 tbl butter, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:35 am Denise Austin Power Zone DVD 7:50-7:55 pm Walk around the block

Wed 11 Jul

Bob said the job is progressing sufficiently that we can hike tonight. Sounds great to me. The weather has been more moderate and I'm itching to get back to the trails. Also nice that I don't have to plan what to make for supper since we'll be going on our own and then likely following with the Dane. I am getting excited for the September vacation. I found a website for the "Inn from Heaven!" and we decided to splurge and stay there for 3 nights while exploring Acadia National Park. We can get a room for $180/night which is not as bad as many of the local fancy inns, but this one sounds perfect to me and is on the quiet side of the island. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original flaxseed, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, hard boiled egg, large peach, 115 g blueberries 3:00 pm 2 Finn Crisp wafers Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 10 Jul

The cooler weather is most welcome but we still have some residual humidity here. I'm usually cool enough to sleep, but periodically I still get a sweaty back. It's minor enough that a breeze from the window or even the ceiling fan usually takes care of it. I feel like I did very well at the retirement potluck lunch today. One small Arby's beef sandwich, a little fruit and quite a few fresh veggies. I did indulge in one of the awesome cupcakes made by a baker friend of one of the girls, but it was regular size. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g raspberries, coffee 11:45 am Arby's regular beef sandwich, 1/8 c fruit salad, 1/2 c snap peas, 1/4 c baby carrots, 3 cucumber slices, 4 pepper strips 4:45 pm Calcium chew 7:30 pm 1/2 Narner on honey wheat, no mayo; large peach, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video 5:05-5:25 pm Walk to Pilates 5:30-6:45 pm Pilates class 6:55-7:15 pm Walk home

Mon 9 Jul

Here we go for another week. Started planning vacation yesterday. We will go to Vermont and Maine in mid-September. Once you start planning, it starts becoming real. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice whole wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, large peach 5:00 pm Chocolate calcium chew 5:45 pm Black sangria (no more berries - sigh!) 7:00 pm 3 oz chicken breast, 1/8 c onions, 1/4 c portabellas, 1/3 c red pepper, 1 tsp olive oil, fresh garden herbs, 1 med/large garden tomato, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 8 Jul

Still really appreciating the cooler weather. Dad and I are talking about a hike this afternoon. We deemed it too hot in the afternoon to hike, but by the later part of the day it was worth a try. We did hear lots of thunder and a storm moving in as we were hiking, along with a sprinkling of rain. It was close enough to cause us to cut the hike short. Food: 8:00 am Morning bun, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries 12:00 pm Crepe, 2 scrambled eggs, veggie mix, coffee 3:00 pm 7 g dark chocolate mint M&Ms 7:00 pm 4 oz Thomas English ale, bowl pork green chili, beer bread roll, 2 tsp honey butter 8:30 pm Chocolate calcium chew Exercise: 6:55-7:45 am Brutal ballet DVD 5:15-6:30 pm Partial hike at Rib

Sat 7 Jul

Proud of myself. Took the Pushup Test - how many pushups can you complete in one minute. For my gender and age range, I was in the Excellent category, and only one short of Excellent for males in my age range. I completed 33. This would have been the top end of the Good range for a woman in her 40s and the top end of the Average range for a woman in her 20s. I don't believe I'll hang the sheets outside as the sky looks like possibly some badly needed rain today. The dryer will have to suffice. Food: 7:30 am Laura's oatmeal w/blueberries, protein powder, flaxseed meal, soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 8:20-8:21 am 33 pushups

Fri 6 Jul

Looking forward to coming to Madison tomorrow. It was a short work week, but I still find it difficult to be motivated in the hot, lazy summer. I even allowed myself to fall back in bed rather than exercise this morning, so now I have to get up and exercise tomorrow before I can leave. My bad. Breakfast meeting with my client at Ranchito's this morning. She stood me up so I came home and wolfed down a bowl of cereal. Needed the protein/carbs so my vitamins did not upset my stomach further. Proud of myself. I made up for going back to bed this morning by going to the gym for the first time in too long. I lasted 50 min on the elliptical before just hitting the wall. Food: 7:00 am 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 8:30 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain cereal, 1/2 c light soy milk 12:00 pm Peach soy shake, large peach, leftover half of grilled ham/Swiss/tomato/grilled onion sandwich 6:00 pm Pint Wylie's pear cider, 5 oz baked fish, 1 c baby reds, 1/4 c cole slaw, 1/2 slice rye bread w/1/3 pat butter, 1/2 pc strawberry rhubarb custard pie Exercise: 4:10-5:00 pm Elliptical

Thurs 5 Jul

Kind of mad at myself for over-indulging last night, though I didn't really realize it at the time. I was enjoying the visit with Hartmans too much to think about the quantity of food I was eating (and drinking). I could have reduced my portions a bit, and definitely shouldn't have had the beer after enjoying the glass of sangria at the beginning of the meal. Oh well, onward. On the positive side, I did not have much motivation to exercise this morning as my body is a little sore but I did it anyway. Even the nasty centipede in the stairwell did not deter me! Ended up spending a majority of my day on one client, including driving over to Marshfield to spend some time supporting her as she waits for her daughter to recuperate from a serious overdose. On the positive side, the daughter was conscious this afternoon and moved out of ICU. I have a bag of Georgia peaches to share with you if we see you Saturday. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Half grilled ham, Swiss cheese, tomato and grilled onion sandwich on whole wheat, 1 c fresh fruit 3:00 pm 65 g molasses cookie 5:45 pm 1/2 c fresh blueberries 6:00 pm Chicken apple gouda sausage, wheat bun, 1 tbl black bean corn salsa, 2.2 oz baby carrots, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Buns/Abs of Steel 2000

Wed 4 Jul

Happy Independence Day! We will have a cookout with Hartmans here tonight. Means some food prep and housecleaning for the day. I believe we will plan to eat indoors since the temps continue to hover around 99°. I want to make some homemade sangria for sipping. Very sweaty exercising this morning! Excellent time at the cookout. Michael and Eddie also joined us. Afterward, Kathy, John, Dad and I biked down to the riverfront to listen to Eddie play in the city band concert. Very hot and sweaty, but fun. Food: 8:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm Small half leftover bomber sandwich from Wheel House, 83 g raspberries 2:30 pm Chocolate caramel pretzel rod 4:45 pm Glass blackberry sangria, 6 oz grilled salmon, 1/2 c grilled potatoes/onions/mushrooms, 2 c watermelon chunks w/fresh mint, 1 small cob corn, 10 oz beer, peach crisp w/vanilla ice cream Exercise: 7:35-8:35 am Burn It Up DVD 6:45-7:00 pm Biked to riverfront 8:10-8:25 pm Biked home

Tues 3 Jul

Didn't sleep very well last night - not sure why. I took it easy in the evening, but I had gotten my 10,000+ steps in for the day. A/C was on so I wasn't too hot. Just restless, I guess. This morning I have to meet a client who is organizing myself and two community women to taste test chocolate bars he wants to use for a fundraiser for Community Friends and ROCC Point. I really don't understand why they need to be taste-tested, but he has been working very hard on this. So I guess I go nibble some chocolate this morning. Well, there were 8 different bars to sample, and we tried to break off small pieces but this wasn't always easy. I expect I consumed the equivalent of about 1 1/2 bars of VandeWalle's chocolate. What I do for the cause! Went out for sushi with Dad. Nice treat on a hot day. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 100 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am 1 1/2 bars VandeWalle's chocolate 11:15 am Vanilla soy shake, slice whole wheat bread, 1 tsp soft margarine, .95 oz Dubliner cheese, leaf kale, 2.5 cherry tomatoes, .75 med peach 3:15 pm Square retirement chocolate cake w/whipped cream frosting 6:00 pm 3 pc each Alaska roll, unagi maki roll, yellow fin roll, 2 pc sunflower roll w/one quail egg, cosmopolitan 7:45 pm 1 1/2 c watermelon chunks Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am Jane Fonda Original Workout video

Mon 2 Jul

In for a hot week if the forecasters are at all on their mark. Don't know if we'll be able to brave it for any hiking. Looks like the best chance will be today or tomorrow if there are no thunderstorms. Wunderground is talking heat indices of 104°-108° for the rest of the week. Maybe this is the week to go back to the gym. Met Bill Pyke for a pre-birthday lunch at Tokyo Steak House today. Always good to catch up with Bill, but hard to hear him talk about how miserable work is at my old agency. I continue to be grateful I had an opportunity to get out, but feel bad for those who remain in the poisonous atmosphere. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 4 pc simple sushi, 2 crab rangoon, 2 oz beef, 3/4 c mushrooms, 1/3 c green beans, 1/4 c pork w/sauce, 1/4 c sesame chicken, 4 pc tempura veggies, 1/4 svg tempura ice cream 3:00 pm 2 caramel pizzelles 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6:00 pm Slice 100% whole wheat bread, .95 oz Dubliner cheese, 1 tsp soft margarine, leaf kale, 1/2 med tomato, 2.95 oz baby carrots, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 1 Jul

Had a really nice mini-vacation in Waupaca Fri night/Sat afternoon. The B&B was lovely and the owner gave us a tour when we arrived at 3:30. We settled in and checked out the little walking paths down to the Crystal River that runs through their property. They gave us a glass of wine and some homemade bean dip w/chips while we sat on the porch with the other two guests. Dad had to work through lunch and was hungry, so we went fairly early to the Wheel House for pizza. It was every bit as delicious as it has always been many years ago. We were told we had to have ice cream at Scoopers next door to Wheel House to complete the experience, so we obliged. There were also freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies waiting at the B&B. We read and crashed fairly early when I couldn't keep my eyes open. In the morning, I got up early and read on the comfy leather couch in one of the public sitting rooms. She had set out really good coffee to help yourself. Breakfast was a delicious veggie crustless quiche, a small peach smoothie, a nice fruit garnish, and homemade pistachio bread. We packed up leisurely and headed out to Hartman Creek State Park where the trails are really nice. We chose a somewhat shorter loop as we had not brought a picnic lunch and it was already really quite warm. We hiked about two hours, then headed back to the Wheel House to try their sandwich menu - also yummy! Amazing how good a pint of Capitol Amber tastes after a really warm hike! Food: 7:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/4 large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 eggs, 3 strips bacon, 1 pc French toast, 1/2 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee 3:00 pm 2 c watermelon chunks 5:30 pm Peach sangria (more than half fruit) 6:00 pm 6.3 oz grilled sirloin, 1/2 c sauteed onions/portabella mushrooms, 1 med freshly picked homegrown tomato, 1/8 c brown rice, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Brutal ballet DVD