Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! Feels odd that there is nothing special left to do today to celebrate the holiday. All the festivities took place yesterday so today is just a free Sunday. Maybe if the weather is decent, we'll get out for a walk or hike. Food: 8:15 am Pumpkin/cranberry muffin, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 9:45 am 1 Peeps chick 11:45 am 1 dark chocolate Peepster 12:30 pm 1 Butterfinger Nest egg 1:30 pm Vitamix smoothie w/mixed frozen fruit, 1/2 med banana, large pear, 1 tbl flaxseed meal, 4 oz Light N Fit raspberry yogurt, 102 g rhubarb kuchen 6:00 pm 92 g ham, 5 spears asparagus, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 10:10-11:00 am Ballet DVD 11:00-11:30 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 30 Mar

Ham is in the oven. Will get busy assembling cheesy potatoes and bean casserole soon. Will roast asparagus at the very end, hopefully around noon. Then we will gather all items into as portable as possible serving dishes, trying to preserve warmth. The plan is to have the food to Whispering Pines at about 12:30 pm. Michael, Leone, and Mick are coming. I cheated on dessert and bought Costco carrot cake cupcakes a couple of weeks ago and kept them in the freezer til last night. No one ever seems all that hungry by dessert so I don't always feel like putting in a lot of effort when it may not be eaten. This way, everyone can take their cupcake home if they're too full to eat it today. Cheesy potatoes and bean casserole are ready to go in the oven when the ham emerges. Haven't decanted the Jello eggs yet; hope they stay whole. Only three colors this year. I'm not taking wine as I expect I would also need to take wine glasses and Grandma and Leone don't drink it anyway. Wish your life allowed time for an Easter brunch tomorrow, but fully understand that you are wiped out. We would have brought you leftover cheesy potatoes and bean casserole (made with turkey bacon). Hugs instead!!!! Good lunch with Grandma and family. Followed by a good nap. I feel like the day should be over but there's still Vigil tonight. I'm discombobulated! Food: 7:30 am Amherst bakery pig's ear, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:15 am 1 dark chocolate Peepster, 1 Butterfinger Nest egg 11:30 am 1/2 Jello egg (rescue) 12:45 pm 4 oz ham, cheesy potatoes, bean casserole, Jello egg, 8 spears asparagus, crescent roll, 8 oz 1% milk, 5 oz sauvignon blanc, 1/2 large carrot cake cupcake 4:15 pm 1 Butterfinger Nest egg, chocolate chip cookie, 2 malted milk eggs

Fri 29 Mar

Good Friday. I decided that since I'll still have breakfast at the restaurant with my client as our usual Friday routine, I am forgoing the usual grapefruit/berries/coffee at home and not taking coffee along to work. I will just have a couple of eggs and toast, maybe a small portion of fruit and coffee at the restaurant. I'll survive. I usually feel a little guilty on fast days because I don't eat that much less than usual except for forgoing snacks. I cantor at the late shift (5 pm) service with Chuck and Deb this evening. It is a quite short service so very little music. It was nice to see Alycia Zalek singing with Kristin Malnory and other students at Holy Thursday last night. Stopped at the Amherst bakery and had the good fortune to have time to chat with the baker himself who is extremely talented and very nice. He has a bachelor's degree in classical trombone and played with several orchestras in his younger days, but also apprenticed as a pastry chef while doing his degree. I had stopped before my client visit to get a better selection and purchased several yummies for the next few days, but he told me he was putting hot cross buns into the oven that would be done in the next half hour. I had told him how much I had previously enjoyed his hot cross buns. Naturally, I had to stop back to get a couple to add to my goodies. When I came in, he grabbed one off the tray and disappeared into the back, then returned with it sliced and slathered with butter and handed it to me. They were good before, but still slightly warm and slathered with butter, it was ambrosia! I couldn't resist eating the one I bought for myself for lunch when I got home with my soy shake (no butter this time!) Food: 8:15 am 2 eggs, 2 pc homemade wheat toast w/butter, 1 pkg marmalade, coffee 11:15 am Hot cross bun w/butter 12:15 pm Vanilla soy shake, hot cross bun 6:25 pm Filet O'Fish, jicama slaw, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Kristi Yamaguchi workout DVD 3:45-5:00 pm Walk around town with Dad

Thurs 28 Mar

Holy Thursday potluck tonight. I'm planning to make the jicama slaw we learned at Rockman's cooking class last week. It was fresh, quick and relatively healthy. And I thought it would be a good fit for a Newman potluck since it's a little different. The Reese's miniature was a direct result of getting up to walk around the building briefly during my Intake shift. An example of why exercise sometimes gets you into trouble! Dad says, "Yikes!" He just saw the W in the address and thought it was the current street. Neither one of us seems to have the current address in our Contact file. Please send it. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11;35 am 1 Reese's miniature 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, slice stone ground wheat bread, 1 tbl Jif, large pear 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew Exercise: 4:45-5:20 am Salsa cardio DVD 5:20-5:55 am Reggaeton DVD

Wed 27 Mar

I get my annual physical this morning and find out whether I'm aging well. I'm planning to try to schedule a colonoscopy for Dad and me before I go in so Paul doesn't yell too badly. He's only told me to get this test for four years now and I always seem to forget about it. It's difficult to find time to get a test that requires different eating patterns for several days in advance. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Blueberry soy shake, brioche roll, 53 g turkey, pear 3:15 pm 3 See's butterscotch minis 4:30 pm 1 white chocolate peppermint M&M, chocolate calcium chew 5:45 pm 4 pc Canada roll, 4 pc Manhattan roll, 5 pc Kamikaze roll, 6 oz Relax riesling Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 26 Mar

I seem to have more energy today which is pleasant. And my Fitbit worked for sleep recording last night. I feel like I've had pretty restless sleep for the last 2-3 nights, so I'm hoping for better tonight. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 104 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, brioche roll, 57 g turkey, 53 g strawberries 12:40 pm 2 Moravian chocolate cookies 2:30 pm 2 Reese's peanut butter eggs 4:45 pm 1 white chocolate peppermint M&M, chocolate calcium chew 6:15 pm 3.75 oz roast beef, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 3 tbl gravy, 1/2 c sliced carrots, 12 oz skim milk, Jello sugar free dark chocolate pudding cup Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Cardio Dance DVD

Mon 25 Mar

I have fasting labs this morning, so I packed my usual breakfast to go to eat at my desk afterward. I have a cover for the Tupperware cereal bowl and a separate covered 1/2 c Tupperware to carry the soy milk so it doesn't get the cereal soggy until I'm ready to eat. I measured out my blackberries and bagged up 1/2 grapefruit so I'm ready to roll. I even have my vitamins packed in a snack bag to take after I eat. Bring on the needle! Somehow not very relaxing to eat your breakfast at your desk. Found a yummy new potato pancake recipe almost like my old one but using lemon juice instead of a little milk for the liquid. Nice tang. And I discovered I had no sour cream so we used plain Greek yogurt with no loss of flavor. Especially when paired with Nueske bacon! Food: 8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 1 tilapia taco, 141 g strawberries 12:40 pm 2 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 3:15 pm 1 3 Musketeers dark chocolate strawberry miniature 3:30 pm 20 g Lindt milk chocolate 6:30 pm 2 potato pancakes, 2 tbl plain Greek yogurt, 2 slices Nueske bacon, Mott's Blueberry Delight sauce, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 24 Mar

It was hard work to exercise this morning. I didn't much feel like getting out of bed even though I had a full night's rest, and my body didn't feel like moving. Not particularly sore, just in the throes of inertia. I made it through the full routine, ballet plus cardio dance, and I tried to put enough energy into my participation level, so I think I did the best I could. I'm still feeling sort of dragged out. Nap felt good this afternoon, but still had a headache that required ibuprofen intervention. Hopefully better now. Food: 8:30 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 crepes, 1 c blueberries in light glaze, coffee 3:15 pm 5 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 6:45 pm Small portion leftover shrimp florentine pasta, tiramisu Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:40-8:10 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 23 Mar

Just read an article on the benefits of dark chocolate and how to choose appropriately. Went to my drawer where chocolate bars I buy go to die because I'm too guilty to open and eat them. I had several different kinds that I could compare to their list of what to look for and discovered that I buy well. Unfortunately, one of the components is freshness and they have all been in there long enough for that to no longer be a factor. Regardless, I broke off a chunk of one and ate a little bit to see if there were any health benefits left to be gleaned. One interesting point was that there should be no milk products in the bar and you shouldn't consume chocolate with milk (sigh, hot chocolate is not health-beneficial) because milk counteracts the good health effects of the chocolate. Drove to Appleton this afternoon and did some shopping - Woodman's for groceries for Easter and Holy Thursday potluck, Dad bought himself a new Festool drill, I got a new dress from Target, etc. Dinner at Buca di Beppo which is a tad pricey but very good. Nice evening. Food: 8:00 am Laura's oatmeal w/flaxseed meal, cinnamon, protein powder, 1/2 c frozen wild blueberries, 2 oz soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 8:45 am 8 g dark chocolate 12:30 pm Vitamix smoothie w/1 c frozen mixed fruit, 1/2 frozen large banana, 1 pear, 4 oz plain 0% Chobani, 59 g Irish brown bread 6:45 pm Buca Bella (vodka/limoncello/peach nectar/prosecco), shrimp florentine pasta, broccoli, tiramisu Exercise: 9:00-9:35 am Latin Moves DVD 9:35-10:10 am Salsa Dance DVD

Fri 22 Mar

The cooking class was fun last night, and Dad did very well. I was frequently reminded to keep my fingers tucked in when cutting veggies, and also to be careful where I pointed the butane torch when carmelizing the creme brulee. Dinner was great and we got to bring home a little leftover shrimp w/linguini and a mahi mahi burrito. We could even eat the leftovers tonight for supper because there's no meat. So tired today - no good reason. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am 1 c oatmeal, 1/2 tbl unpacked brown sugar, 2 tbl raisins, 2 oz 2% milk, coffee 11:30 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 98 g Irish brown bread, 1/3 tbl butter, 2 Babybel light, 143 g strawberries 4:45 pm Chocolate calcium chew 6:00 pm Margarita, 2 fish tacos w/baked tilapia, chips & salsa, 1/2 c refried beans w/cheese Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Brand New Butt DVD

Thurs 21 Mar

Looking forward to the cooking class at Rockman's tonight. Michael texted Dad that he thinks he may have food poisoning because he's been throwing up this morning. I hope he gets better quickly, mostly because I don't want him to feel awful but also because I was really looking forward to us doing the class together. Que sera, sera. So Dad is going to take Michael's place since he still didn't feel well at 3 pm. Maybe Dad will discover that cooking can be fun! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, brioche roll, 53 g turkey, 164 g strawberries 1:15 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 4:30 pm 3 white chocolate pepperming M&Ms Exercise: 4:45-5:30 am Crunch Dance Party DVD

Wed 20 Mar

Here we go Hump Day - again. My quads have been sore the last few days which doesn't make my mood marvelous. And I'm not looking forward to celebrating the first day of spring by breaking out my parka and balaclava. I'm already wearing the CuddlDuds and wool sweater. I want warm! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Blueberry soy shake, brioche roll, 55 g turkey breast, 153 g strawberries 1:45 pm Slice porter cake 5:00 pm Chicken pasta casserole, 1/2 c pureed winter squash, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:35 am The Firm Bootcamp DVD

Tues 19 Mar

Today is Val's birthday and also my cousin Mick's. Happy Birthday to both. Cindy Chelcun posted a Facebook picture of a ginormous snowbank, complete with shovel. She commented that last St. Patrick's Day it was 75 degrees and she was planting grass. This year, she shoveled 3.5 inches of snow from her driveway. The photo is the current status of her snowbank. I'm tired of winter. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, 3 oz beef brisket, 1/2 pretzel bun, 152 g strawberries 3:00 pm 1 Hershey almond kiss, 15 g Choceur milk chocolate 5:45 pm Enchiladas, 56 g seaweed salad Exercise: 4:50-5:45 am Cardio Dance DVD

Mon 18 Mar

Hope you are managing to keep some balance as you get closer to the busiest times. I assume you will not be coming for Easter, though we did not expressly address this. If I am making an incorrect assumption, please let me know. We would love to have you here with us. Had to quit my workout just slightly early because of time crunch. I folded the load of clothes in the dryer which put me slightly behind schedule. Food: 6:45 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 10:45 am Pillsbury cinnamon roll 12:00 pm Chocolate soy shake, chocolate cherry roll, 142 g strawberries, 1 Babybel Light 2:45 pm 3 Musketeers strawberry dark chocolate miniature 6:15 pm 134 g portabello ravioli, 1/3 tbl butter, 1/3 c Prego roasted red pepper sauce, 1 tbl grated asiago, 1/2 c pureed winter squash, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:50-5:53 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 17 Mar

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope to have time and energy to try that Porter cake this afternoon. I found some of the lamb shanks at Costco in Grafton yesterday, so that will be our St. Paddy's entree tonight. I need to get to the grocery store for some potatoes and the citron for the cake. I will bake it in a bundt pan as I couldn't justify spending $9 on a specialized cake pan I might never use again. Porter cake is in the oven. If the smell/taste of the batter is any indication, this recipe will be a keeper! Supper was deliciously awesome! The Costco lamb shanks were wonderful, and we added the leftover creamed corn from Bob's lunch yesterday on the side. Not what you'd think from the name, it was made with whole kernel corn, cream, and shredded parmesan. Very rich and yummy. With a hit of the Black Bavarian from our growler, courtesy of Sprecher's. And the cake waiting for dessert! No longer waiting - it's still warm and wonderful! You can taste the porter. Food: 7:45 am 1 Gibassier pastry (light French sponge bread), 1/2 grapefruit, 104 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm 2 eggs, 3 pc bacon, 1 slice French toast, 1/2 tbl whipped butter, 1/2 tbl pancake syrup, coffee 5:45 pm 1 lamb shank w/mushroom red wine sauce, 1/2 c mashed potatoes, 1/4 c creamed corn, 6 oz Black Bavarian. 1/16 porter cake Exercise: 5:50-6:40 am Ballet DVD 6:40-7:10 am Cardio Dance DVD

Fri 15 Mar

Beware the Ides of March! I just sent you an awesome looking cake recipe using porter or stout. Yes, I know you are busy to your armpits and beyond, but sometimes a short break to do something wholly different can give you more energy to tackle your work more effectively. And having a good cake to reward yourself, one that gets better as it sits for a day or two, is also a good thing. I can't try it until after we get home from Cedarburg, but I'd like to do so. I discovered the Urban Dance DVD is not for me. The moves felt very foreign and I just turned it off. Food: 8:00 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 6:15-6:45 am Salsa Dance DVD 6:45-6:50 am Urban Dance DVD

Thurs 14 Mar

Tried a couple of new routines from the newest videos today: Cardio Kick and Cardio BootCamp. Not as many steps as the dance ones, but exhausting. Jumping jacks, pushups, weights, etc. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Vanilla soy shake, 3 Savoritz stoneground crackers, 2 tbl sweet tomato goat cheese spread, pear 1:25 pm Dark chocolate sea salt caramel 4:00 pm 1 Hershey almond kiss 6:30 pm Chicken casserole, 56 g seaweed salad, 12 oz skim milk 7:15 pm 2 Lebkuchen cookies Exercise: 4:45-5:05 am Cardio Kick DVD 5:05-5:45 am Cardio Bootcamp DVD

Wed 13 Mar

My extremely lucky client who has one several big money pools at her neighborhood watering hole just won another $500 yesterday. Last week, I believe she won $100 one day and $125 the next day. I have never known anyone to win so much so often. I go for breakfast with her today instead of Friday since Dad and I are headed to Cedarburg on Friday. Got to remember to go to my voice lesson tonight. Last week, I just completely spaced it and Mary never contacted me nor responded to my belated text of apology. I cantor Sunday so I will take my music along to work on. Casserole in the oven with chicken breast, a whole red pepper, a whole green pepper, a small onion, a bunch of fresh mushrooms, and and asiago cheese sauce with sweet potato pasta. Looking forward to tasting it! Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am 2 potato pancakes, 1.5 tbl sour cream, 2 tbl applesauce, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, 98 g chocolate croissant, large pear 5:45 pm Chicken casserole, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Coach Nicole's 28-day Bootcamp DVD

Tues 12 Mar

Even though it's the third time I've done this dance routine CD, I still feel like I'm learning the steps. Maybe this has something to do with losing an hour in the morning and doing it at 4:45 am. I can move through them okay, it's just that it looks new to me at times. Alzheimers, I guess. When we stopped at the Kerrigan winery on our way home from Green Bay, we tasted a lot of quite sweet fruit wines. We bought a bottle of their catawba because it didn't taste as sweet. Apparently that was because we tasted it after many other sweeter options, because on its own, it is dead sweet. I'll be somewhat surprised if we manage to finish the bottle. Food: 6:45 am Morning bun, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Vanilla soy shake, 3 stoneground crackers, 1 oz sweet tomato soft goat cheese spread, 158 g strawberries 2:45 pm 1 Kit Kat miniature 6:15 pm 5 oz catawba wine, pasty, 2/3 c asparagus, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Cardio Dance DVD

Mon 11 Mar

My hips are a little sore today, likely the result of the elliptical on Saturday. It probably didn't help that I wasn't very active after morning exercise yesterday. But we really enjoyed seeing you and Suman for dinner last night. It rained quite heavily all the way home, but no snow appeared til later. Looks like about 3 inches. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 99 g blackberries, coffee 11:30 am Blueberry soy shake, slice TJ's sprouted multigrain, 1 tbl Jif, 155 g strawberries 1:00 pm 23 g peanut brittle 3:15 pm 1 Lindt dark chocolate mint truffle 6:45 pm 2.8 oz pan-fried catfish, 1/2 c mashed sweet potato, 1/2 c pureed squash, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 10 Mar

Looks like dinner with Suman this evening is a go unless we get weather too nasty to drive. Haven't heard from Laura yet so not sure if she is in or not. We'll call if no email ensues. A tad sore from yesterday's elliptical session since it's been quite a while. Had a very nice dinner last night with the priest from Haiti. Our hosts were Erin Yudchitz and her husband - I had not recognized her married name so I didn't know til we walked in their door. They have a home a little older than ours on Wisconsin St, and they are very good cooks. It was a small group: Erin and her husband, us, two students, Fr. Tom, Joseph, and Fr. Evaneau. Food: 8:45 am 1/2 c Earnest Hot N Fit cereal, 1 scoop protein powder, 2 oz light original soy milk, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, 102 g blackberries, coffee Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:35-8:05 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 9 Mar

Got a cantaloupe at Woodman's last week and cut into it this morning. For this time of year, it's pretty flavorful. Also picked up a couple of chocolate croissants at the Amherst bakery yesterday. That guy makes the best chocolate croissants I have ever eaten. Even the awesome French pastries in St. Maarten I don't remember being any better. Nice to be able to get a top-quality treat close to home on occasion. And still far enough away that I don't get it too often to get tired of it (or to consume excessively!) Dad and I have committed to each other to go the gym this morning around 10 am. Seems to be the only way to make myself go if we both keep each other honest. Then we can also have a nice sandwich in their bistro for lunch afterward. As of about 9:15 am, we are experiencing a true March snowfall. Big fluffy flakes. Pretty. Food: 7:15 am Chocolate croissant, 1/4 extra large cantaloupe, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm 2 small slices multigrain bread, 1 c sauteed mushrooms, 2 oz Swiss cheese, 1/4 c roasted red peppers, leaf spinach, large pickle spear 2:00 pm 1 oz mango smoothie, chunk of mango and papaya, sm piece cinnamon roll, 1/8 c black raspberry frozen yogurt (grocery store samples) 2:30 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 3:30 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms Exercise: 10:15-11:15 am Elliptical

Fri 8 Mar

I am somewhat proud of myself for getting up to exercise this morning as it was definitely a "don' wanna!" day. I analyzed and realized I had enough sleep, plus I can sleep in tomorrow, and although my muscles are sore, they aren't THAT sore that I can't complete a regular routine. I did it and I'm glad I did. Food: 6:45 am 1/2 grapefruit, 103 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am Mushroom/onion/Swiss omelette, 2 slices homemade wheat toast w/butter, 1 1/3 pkg orange marmalade, coffee 11:45 am 115 g apple kuchen, 150 g strawberries 4:45 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 5:15 pm McD's Filet O Fish sandwich, 56 g seaweed salad, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:37 am The Firm Boot Camp DVD

Thurs 7 Mar

Sore and exhausted from morning cardio dance workout. Lacked in energy when I started, and even moreso towards the end. But hey, I did it! Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 12:30 pm Strawberry/banana soy shake, hot cross bun, 144 g strawberries 1:45 pm 1 dark chocolate sea salt caramel 4:15 pm 9.4 g dark chocolate 6:15 pm Enchiladas, 56 g seaweed salad, 12 oz skim milk, 1 TJs dark chocolate ginger biscuit Exercise: 4:40-5:11 am Cardio Salsa DVD 5:15-5:50 am Reggae Dance DVD

Wed 6 Mar

The week is moving by at a reasonably quick pace. Not that I'm anxious for my life to fly by, but this time of year, I'm not particularly interested in savoring cold, gray days. I will appreciate warmer weather, chances to hike, etc. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 9:30 am 1 3 Musketeers Marshmallow miniature 10:15 am 1 3 Musketeers Strawberry dark chocolate miniature 12:15 pm 5 oz grilled chicken breast, slice mozzarella, Kaiser bun, pickle spear 1:15 pm Banana cake w/frosting 4:45 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 7:00 pm 5 oz riesling 7:15 pm Pork sausage casserole, 1 c broccoli Exercise: 4:45-5:45 am Burn It Up DVD

Tues 5 Mar

I enjoyed my Cardio Dance this morning. It's good to repeat these videos and start to get to know the steps a little better. Eventually, I'll be able to perform full out, but I'm still working through them at this point. I don't learn as quickly at 5 am as I might if I could do them when I'm fully awake. Found myself thinking up morning greetings in French this morning. A good sign I'm starting to get excited about learning. Food: 6:45 am 1 c Trader Joe's multigrain flaxseed cereal, 1/2 c light original soy milk, 1/2 grapefruit, 104 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Chocolate soy shake, slice TJ's sprouted multigrain bread, 1 tbl Jif, 158 g strawberries 1:00 pm Dark chocolate sea salt caramel 2:45 pm 100 cal pack natural almond/walnut mix 6:00 pm Enchiladas, 2 oz seaweed salad, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:40 am Cardio Dance DVD

Mon 4 Mar

Here we go a Monday-ing. Again. I started working on my French yesterday, going through the first audio disc of the set we bought at Costco. I also located the more basic French book you gave me to work on tonight. I'm going to try to do an hour a day of some form to really get it into my head. I also have Dad downloading the Costco set to work with me as it recommends learning as a family to allow for practice. Michael was here for awhile at lunch. He is planning to fly out to Oregon for Memorial Day on his own. It will be really good for him to make his own arrangements and travel independently. He is growing up! A nice glass of wine makes the French lesson go down so much more easily. Unfortunately, the CD that accompanies your French 1 book doesn't work with this level of Mac OS. I will have to use just the book and hope the audio CD might be helpful. Tonight I did the Costco CD with accompanying written script. Much preferable to just the audio. Food: 6:45 am Gingerbread muffin, 1/2 grapefruit, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am Strawberry/banana soy shake, chocolate chip scone, 145 g strawberries 3:00 pm Lindt dark chocolate mint truffle 5:15 pm 5 oz riesling 6:15 pm 132 g Portobella Jarlsberg ravioli, 1/4 c Prego Heart Healthy sauce, 1 tbl grated parmesan, 1 c broccoli, 12 oz skim milk Exercise: 4:45-5:55 am Jane Fonda Complete Workout video

Sun 3 Mar

I appreciate adding a cardio dance video routine after my ballet DVD to increase the step count and energy burn. It used to be so depressing to get up and exercise for 50 min and have about 450 steps to show for it. 4250 is more like it, just by investing another 35-40 min. I was pleased that I got around 8000 steps yesterday even though I didn't do any formal exercise. Walking around those big box stores gives you lots of steps. You predicted our supper choice accurately last night. We did end up at Cooper's Tavern, even though we initially planned to go to Brocagh. We didn't find a parking space by Brocagh on the first pass, but as we went around the square, we found a good one quite near Cooper's. Aaahh, scotch ale! and a delicious grilled cheese on crusty bread with a shot of pumpkin curry soup. Life is good! Grandma looked quite good today. We had a nice visit. Food: 8:30 am Morning bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 100 g blackberries, coffee 11:45 am 2 eggs, 3 strips bacon, 1 slice French toast, 1/2 tbl whipped butter, 1 tbl syrup, coffee 3:30 pm 82 g cinnamon pound cake 6:30 pm Enchiladas, Mott's Healthy Harvest blueberry delight sauce, 12 oz Sprecher's hard root beer Exercise: 6:45-7:35 am Ballet DVD 7:35-8:12 am Cardio Dance DVD

Sat 2 Mar

I like weekends! Especially after a "straight-8" 40-hour week, it's nice to have control of our own time for a couple of days. I especially enjoy the weekends that we drive down to Madison to see you. Laundry has been started, so we will hit the road after showers and a little more laundry. Food: 8:00 am Large sticky bun, 1/2 grapefruit, 107 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 1 Mar

Just got an email that my Living Social voucher to Jamaica is about to expire. Guess I forgot to mark it used. Just thinking about it brings back memories of illness that I'd just as soon forget. No fun to have a relatively exotic vacation ruined. I'd rather just come down to Madison tomorrow and stay healthy. Food: 7:00 am 1/2 grapefruit, 102 g blackberries, coffee 8:15 am 1 c oatmeal, 2 tbl raisins, 1 pkg blackberry jam, 2 oz 2% milk, coffee 12:00 pm Vanilla soy shake, hot cross bun 1:00 pm 3 white chocolate peppermint M&Ms 2:30 pm See's mint lollipop Exercise: 4:40-5:20 am Jane Fonda Workout with Weights video 5:20-5:50 am Cardio Dance workout DVD