Breakfast ~ 3 WW Points!

Our Weight Watchers leader spoke to us about starting our day with a satisfying breakfast.
One that stays with us and keeps us fueled for the morning, is gorgeous to look at, has a variety of food groups and is quick and easy to make.

My usual breakfast has 1 point

no fat yogurt and berries.

Wilt in a small amount of boiling water a handful of spinach and cherry tomatoes...

squish the tomatoes...

whisk up an egg with a fork

add a tablespoon of bacon bits

add to wilted veggies

cook until done.

Serve

Savour

 enjoy your new 3 point breakfast!

Feed your soul as well as your tummy!

The longer walks have provided an opportunity for quiet reflection

and the sleep that I experience each night is so restorative...

the calm and peace are a bonus.

My weight was down again but less than last week.

The pattern seems to be a smaller loss one week and a more significant one the following.

The meetings continue to make me laugh

as the women who are in my group have such a wonderful sense of humour.

The weeks' successes and failures are discussed in an open and supportive manner.

I cannot believe it took me this long to join WW.

If you are interested in losing weight in a healthy way this is a great program.

Have a fabulous day!

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OOTD...

I wore my new Lands End walking togs this past weekend.
Black active wear Performance pants and Polartec jacket in glacier blue.
Mr. HB  commented that it was "a younger look"...
just how much younger is that?

(it was a compliment that I enjoyed)

Does wearing active wear = youth?

I like the fit and quality of the Polartec jacket so much that I ordered another one in chartreuse...
no one can accuse me of buying only black and grey these days...
it seems that it's all about colour.

We are planning a trip to Seattle soon...

Thank you Mr. HB!
all of the above!
SERIOUSLY?
you do know how to spoil a gal.

I walked 

after breakfast

in the warm sunshine.

~ yogurt  ~  berries  ~  nuts ~

probiotic of course.....

I have introduced a Greens + shake by Sam Gracie into my mornings

it's an award winning product that has given me a much needed boost in energy after that boring bout with pneumonia.

there were some gorgeous blooms

they look vibrant against the blue skies

\

the view from the beach

Lots of folks had the same idea and I met quite a few smiling happy people on my walk.

I usually travel on the same familiar walking route...

 Along the ocean front and then along a curving road of waterfront homes before snaking back and looping up to the seafront again.

Walking is so meditative...a sublime time to be mindful.

I do not walk with an IPod

 I think it is important to make time to just listen to the steady beat of the heart 

 allow thoughts to bubble up and be recognized. 

Ideas and solutions to problems flow freely in the silence.

Decisions can be made when one is tuned in and focused and this time is perfect to mull things over.

Besides there is gorgeous scenery to soak in and savour.

Watching the Real Housewives of Vancouver is quite an eye opener.

The ladies have embraced youth and are having fillers injected into their faces 

seriously some of their lips look a bit too puffy for my taste.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives?

I think it's trash TV but I watch it anyway...

perhaps it's so far from my reality that it fascinates me.

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 

 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” 

~ Sam Levenson ~

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” 

~ Sophia Loren ~

It's almost the weekend how has your week been so far?

Take care and Be Well

Hostess

About face: amping up the arsenal in skin care.

Recently I have noticed more lines and deeper wrinkles and some slackening of the skin on my face.
Fear not it is normal for a woman of my age.
By 57 I have earned the right to have a few signs of age and as a mature woman I am not distressed or overly concerned about it.
Having said that I am not about to "give up" and do nothing.

I have always loved what Fiona has to say about her skin regime...wise words that make sense.

Sadly, the lovely and gracious Fiona from How to Be Chic is closing her blog.
Hers was a blog that I always delighted in reading....
pop on over and read what she has written in her posts and wish her well in her new endeavours.

Laying about this weekend meant that I could do some online research...
I refreshed my memory of what is important and what new weapons I could add to my daily routine and those products available that I could afford to employ.

Believe it or not there were serums and potions that were priced at over $300 for a month's supply.

Let's be realistic too,
we need to first eat healthy colourful foods to nourish the skin from within.

These veggies are so simple to make

wash and chop any desired veggies into sizes that when roasted will not be wilted

for example the carrots take longer than the zucchini to cook

so I leave the zucchini thicker.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Herbs de Provence

heat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 35 minutes.

Eat warm

or use as a salad and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Remember that water is vital for our organs, digestion and to keep our skin soft and supple.

I bought a stainless water bottle which I take to work, leave beside my bed at night 

and use in the kitchen when I am cooking.

If it's nearby and handy I drink water often.

I need to add flavour so I pop in a wedge of lemon or lime and I am a happy sipper!

I read a startling article on ditching the sugar for younger looking skin

you can read that here.

If you are over 40 there is information online 

that says you need to choose between your body weight and your face.

Being over weight most of my life this for once is "good news."

Everything else I have read makes me feel miserable about my weight.

(That's why I was swimming laps)

and as a result I am injured.

I have signed up for a less invasive Yoga class at the studio nearby

and will revisit the pool when I am pain free.

Reduce stress

yes stress can show up on your face.

Walk 

meditate

practice Yoga

be creative

get a pet

rest 

Invite and embrace JOY...

happiness looks great on everyone.

Remember to SMILE!

(consider whitening and brightening your teeth if they are stained) 

Research also indicated and suggested that adding a cream or serum with potent ingredients 

like Vitamin C or fruit acids would help.

There are so many websites on skin care it's enough to make your head spin

you have to filter what you read.

Hyaluronic acid seems to be a trusted reliable and well researched ingredient.

Cautiously I explored more on this as I need to be mindful of the Rosacea.

The next step was a walk to the local pharmacy where I buy my Avene line of skin care products.

I needed to chat with the Avene cosmetician whom I trust and respect and get her advice.

Avene

Eulage anti ~ wrinkle cream

Hypo ~ allergenic

I like how my skin feels after using this cream, it feel soft and tighter.

The cosmetician suggested that I start using it every other day for the first week to avoid any reaction.

So far so good...

Cold Cream lotion for my body

which after the winter has been quite dry.

It's soft gentle scent lingers long after you've put it on.

Gift ~ with ~ Purchase

a cute travel pouch

full of freebies.

Full size eye make up remover

and smaller travel sizes of product.

New Revlon with Shea Butter 

perfect for dry lips

glossy and available in a variety of fabulous shades

I grabbed two...

Don't forget to wear sunscreen 

and 

get a good night's sleep every night.

Wear your signature smile in style

in a bright and possibly daring new shade!

Now go out and have some FUN!

XO

Stop, Look and Listen....

A few weeks ago I entered a blog giveaway...
Adrienne of  The Rich Life on a Budget  generously offered gifts from Luxuria.
I find it hard to believe, but my name was chosen randomly!

The ring that Adrienne gave away is from Vanessa at Luxuria
please do pop on over and look at all her sparkly Bling!

Good things come in small packages!

I love the grossgrain ribbon bow 

and look it's in my favourite colours

black and white!

Adrienne has her own blogger cards

a nice touch...

As is her habit

Pepper had to supervise

She is licking the tissue paper

the tip of her tongue is just visible if you look ever so close.

Playtime continues...

The ring fits perfectly 

and in case you are interested the colour is Fume

it is multi faceted and really sparkles 

I am also planning to use it as a scarf ring

because of it's size 

it makes a statement and will not be lost in a scarf.

I am thrilled!

Thank you Adrienne 

and 

Vanessa

Pepper loves the bow

she's got her paw firmly planted

and she doesn't want me taking it from her

I'll let her play with it to her hearts content.

Yesterday I meandered in the garden 

in the sunshine with my camera...

Janet at the Gardener's Cottage 

enjoyed a morning walkabout with her camera

she has roses blooming

it will be several months before ours will even hint at flowering.

King Alfred daffodils

succulents have taken over the bird bath

this is what I call a happy accident

Hellebore

Hellebore

I love these but have forgotten the names!

Hellebore

another variety unknown

English primroses 

English Country Living 

with 

a springtime theme

I'll be sipping tea while perusing this luxe magazine.

Spring-ing into

Fashion 

In Style UK

can't wait to see what they are forecasting...

I will be offline

 and

 incommunicado

for the next few days...

I plan to

 read some books

 watch some DVD's

live simply

listen to the sounds of the birds

look at details - absorb beauty

breathe in the fresh air

 eat simple wholesome food

walk

ponder and reflect

Take care,

Hostess

Peaches n' Green....

I love roses!

Abraham Darby is a top notch performer.

 Petals of peach

 with the chartruese of Ladys' Mantle.

Peaches n' Green

a beautiful pairing.

This is the pairing today.

Our new teak deck furniture arrived.

I enjoy walking in our neighbourhood.

We are a block from the ocean where I tend to walk most often.

 I love to breathe in the salty air

there is usually a breeze

  and fierce gusts of wind are not uncommon.

I find myself garden sleuthing

looking at and making mental notes of ideas and plantings.

The drought tolerant gardens fascinate me...

river rocks, wood features and masses of grasses.

There are the cottage gardens which stop me in my tracks...

I am compelled to smell the roses that are near to the sidewalk.

 The gardeners who are out digging and weeding their patch are easily engaged in conversation...

I wonder about the owners of the gardens where the weeds have grown large and the grass is not trimmed...I am not judging, just curious.

I think perchance an elderly resident

or possibly the home is vacant.

Thinking and breathing come naturally when walking....

meditative mulling of minutiae.

My posts may be shorter and less frequent as I am embracing the walking regime...

 less time sitting at the computer...

 more time pounding the pavement!