Healthy Eating Everyday...post number 877

I have received a few requests asking what I eat on Weight Watchers.
First I need to clarify that WW is NOT a diet but a lifestyle change.
Technically no food is off limits...but every food has a point count and you are alloted a number of points that you stay within every day if you want to lose weight, so it's up to you.

I really like the flexibility of the plan.

The plan has trained me to make healthier food choices and to add exercise into my daily routine.
I did not want to join a gym as I have done that in the past and gave up my membership not once,
but several times which is a total waste of money.
Nor did I consider buying expensive exercise equipment as we have a very small bungalow and the only spot would be in my hobby room and that would be a very tight squeeze...so I chose walking.
It's free, I can vary the route, and then there's the bonus of the fresh air!
I can run errands in the neighbourhood while walking and stop to chat with neighbours and greet passers by,
or opt to walk with a friend and chat along the way.

Having those basics out of the way...
you asked what I eat in a day.

My breakfast varies  ~ often I have an egg scrambled with steamed vegetables.

Fat free yogurt with fruit and a small topping of nuts... is my favourite.


Salad is the easiest lunch for me...
Kale or spinach and assorted veggies and some protein.

I love the Bolthouse yogurt dressings...
they taste great and are low in points!

I eat a modest amount of protein
a larger amout of salad or vegetables
and a smallish portion of starch...

Dining out usually means a few extra points so fish is my "go to" entree ~ fortunately I love salmon.
I'll ask for extra steamed veggies instead of fries or saucy starchy sides and I never order anything fried!
I push the bread basket out of reach,
enjoy a salad and opt for the salad dressing on the side.
I will have one or two bites of a dessert but only if someone else orders it and wants to share.
I'll enjoy one or two glasses of wine.
If I know ahead of time that I am going out I will eat fewer points for breakfast and lunch so that I know I can enjoy dinner and not go over my points.

I try to eat sensible snacks everyday and fruits like apples are best for mid afternoon and I'll add a small cube of cheese or a tablespoon of peanut butter or hummus.

I like to eat foods that are fresh, locally grown
and in season.
Bright colours attract me and I love to mix up different foods to appeal to the eye as well and the appetite.

Fresh herbs add flavour without adding points.

I love harvesting food from the garden...
our home grown tomatoes smell great and taste delicious picked right off the plant!

The peas rarely make it inside The Humble Bungalow as they make a sweet treat when outside gardening...
we have snap and English peas which are also a favourite snack of our grand-daughter Isla!

In our back garden we are currently growing zucchini, spaghetti squash, mustard greens, beets, potatoes and asparagus.
The asparagus season has been over for a few months and our plants are too young to harvest yet...
next year!


I hope this sheds a bit of light on the WW regime and I would encourage anyone wanting to lose weight and get fit to join WW attend the meetings and weigh in weekly. Tracking points keeps you accountable and the gals that you meet at WW are very knowledgeable, understanding and supportive. The leaders have all previously been members who have lost weight using the program so they know only too well the challenges that we newbies face.

Have you got a fabulous weekend planned?

It's more painting here in The Humble Bungalow...

things are looking good Mr. HB!

 really looking forward to sitting outside on our deck...

in the meantime...

 we have been enjoying sitting on the front porch.

Have you got a home project underway?

I don't know about you but I love puttering around the house...

it's so rewarding.

Trying new recipes helps keep my repertoire energized...

a new no knead bread ciabatta recipe was actioned yesterday

 I took pictures and will post soon when I get the chance.

Take care,

Hostess

A practical ~ casual OOTD...August attire.

My OOTD ~ walking attire...
rather unremarkable.

I have recently been on a de-cluttering binge and have donated several bags of too large and baggy clothes to the Hospice Thrift Shop.

My loss is someone else's gain...
please pardon the pun!

Walking gear:

grey Cool Max capri's

(Costco)

white tank 

 (H and M)

Mondetta light weight jacket

(Costco)

sunscreen ~ Alba 45 SPF

Perrier bottle

 IPhone

keys

 Roots leather cross body bag for walking

I am amazed what I can fit into this wee bag

IPhone

prescription glasses

debit and credit cards

cash and coin

a tissue

lipstick

keys

prepared for a garage sale or a stop at the shops

I walk past this stone garage regularly

this must have taken someone hours of meticulous work ~ just imagine the dedication to this vision

the street numbers are visible just under the peak of the roof

I love the red door and the geraniums spilling forth from the planter

not to forget the grassy rooftop

the fence is built out of the same rock

the vegetable patch is large and impressive

there is even a lighthouse!

the "green roof" looks a wee bit dry

I suppose our watering restrictions prohibit roof top watering...

many people let their lawns go brown

our back lawn is dry in patches

but our wee tuft of grass out front of The Humble Bungalow is healthy and lush

Regular sprinklering helps keep this grass green.

Many homeowners opt for xeriscaped gardens

lawns are a thing of the past and they are replaced by rocks or gravel with drought tolerant plants.

This home has always captured my fancy

it feels a little out of place in our neighbourhood

and it might be more "at home" in the southern states.

This arts and crafts bungalow has just had a makeover...

new paint in a flattering shade of taupe.

It was dark brown and rather dull until the past few weeks when it has been reborn anew

like a butterfly emerging from it's chrysalis. 

WOW!

Daisies are so cheerful.

This home has great bones...and a beautiful garden.

Speaking of beautiful...

I ate every tasty morsel of this WW Points friendly dinner.

We shared a lovely evening with our besties as we sat on the deck at the marina in Sidney.

We were celebrating their recent purchase of a new boat...

which has us thinking that our boating days may not be over.

Meet Sam

he's 5 years old and rather handsome,

my sister will be training and riding him in the local equestrian events.

Mother and I went out to feed him some fresh carrots and apples

before taking tea on the deck in the Highlands this week.

The wind is brisk this evening and the wind chimes sound like a riotous drumming band.

I'm sipping a glass of chardonnay after clearing up the dishes

after a walk with Mr. HB to drop off a Santa Montefiore book to Mother.

I am looking forward to spending a quiet day in the garden tomorrow...

I bought some late summer veggie starter packs and will be getting dirty in my garden.

Hope that your week is chock full of good things.

OOTD ~ Casual BOHO ~ Hostess Style

Do you ever feel like you want to dress in a carefree hippy dippy way?
Feeling somewhat artsy or a bit Bohemian?

I've observed many women at our local Farmer's Market
dressed in tie dyed maxi dresses,
hair flowing and casual Birkenstock sandals...
Interesting woven baskets spilling over with a colourful array of healthy vegetables.

I think I am too conservative and too advanced in age to get away with this look,
I'd feel a bit of a fraud....like I was trying to reconnect with my youth.

I feel that dressing is a reflection of my personality so I must be genuine about my image.
(Even my dirty gardening clothes show the real me!)

I often get the urge to throw caution to the wind and be a bit more daring...
a bit more of a carefree spirit.

Here is my take on that vibe...

Chalet linen top

Jackpot pants

 H and M tank top

I love the design of this asymmetrical top with the loose front detail

It's from Sunday's Snowflakes in Cordova Bay at Mattick's Farm.

The Jackpot pants are also from their store.

Mattick's Farm a great spot to shop if you haven't already been there...

a green grocer

garden centre

wine shop

card and gift shops

mini golf

and a gallery.

 "Something More" 

a ladies clothing store has recently opened

it's a great addition to the mall

focusing on natural fabrics.

 Adrienne's Tea Garden 

is a perfect place to recoupe after an afternoon of retail therapy!

Abalone shell buttons add a bit of interest

and the bangles are getting another day out!

These earrings were made by my friend Peggy Turmer

at least 15 years ago 

 I still love the design.

Interesting jewelry is a great way to add flair to any outfit.

 I apologize for this shot as it is a wee bit blurry but you get to see the whole outfit.

My hair is overdue for a cut and my hairdresser is on her summer holidays

so it will be a few more days...

When it comes to jumping out of your safety net...how do you dress?

Do you feel a bit like you are pushing the fashion envelope?

Have a great week!

Point Ellice House, Joesph Joesph and a Weight Watchers report.

Last month I visited the historic home and garden of Point Ellice House with my BFF.
The grounds are lovely and the home is situated on the Victoria waterfront...
back when it was built ~ visitors could arrrive by boat at the dock, however my BFF and I arrived by car!

It is set in what is now an industrial area of Victoria but do not let that disuade you from visiting.
The cream tea alone is worth the trip!

We ventured out early on a Sunday morning to attend The Island Mavins Market.

Some of you may remember that I attended last year

the weather this year was much more favourable

and although I did not buy as much 

it was such fun to share it with a good friend.

 a fragrant rose 

citrus overtones

creamy perfection

wicker chairs lined up along a table 

under the tent

great for a rest and a pot of tea

and one can sit and gaze out toward the sea

glimpses of ocean peeking through the trees

lots of people came out to this event

warmth and sunshine make it easy to meander about in the garden

perusing the wares

bunting and bouquets

a colourful combo

artists and crafts people were showcasing their creations

everything from hand made soaps to quilts

to cards and clothing

vintage collectibles

all nestled snugly inside the gorgeous grounds

a vast potager was smack dab in the middle of it all

heritage hollyhocks

some seedlings were available for sale

The house and garden are linked for indoor outdoor living

by verandas and patios 

I bought this antique box to hide various cords and chargers

the techy tools that we use daily

the camera, IPhone and IPad.

On the frontier of new gadgets...

Joesph Joesph is all the rage...

this garlic rocker works like a charm.

On the Weight Watchers Front I am a few ounces short of 20 pounds lost with 5 to go....

who would have predicted that I would be able to accomplish this a year ago?

Not me.

With support anything is possible!

Ebbing on the low tide...

Life has it's ups and downs.
This week has been a tedious one for many reasons.

We lost a family member, my beloved uncle, who was in hospital with pneumonia.
Fortunately Mother and I were able to visit him on his birthday.
We had no idea that he would pass away the next day...

The skies opened up and it rained..

the first in over a month

I thought it appropriate

like the sky was shedding tears.

I didn't go for my walk

I had arranged to meet a friend for a lovely walk and then a coffee

but I had to cancel.

Instead I had to go over and give Mother the sad news.

She took it very hard.

It's the end of an era...

My father was first to pass in 2007

then my Aunt in 2010 and now my uncle in 2013.

We sat and hugged and chatted for awhile until I felt she was composed and able to be left alone.

I visited the florist and picked out a bouquet to be sent to my cousins

and set about getting the ingredients to make a huge lasagna to take over to the family.

I rolled up my sleeves and got busy in the kitchen chopping and sauteing 

assembling a roasting pan full to the brim of nutritious veggies 

 a spicy tomato sauce topped with grated mozzarella cheese.

It felt good to be alone with my thoughts and busy with my hands.

I wept

as I remembered my uncle

 pictures of past events formed in my mind

it is in this simple way that I am honoring him.

He made this necklace for me in 1971

I cannot remember what the Chinese character means...

but I do recall him mentioning it was something that he chose just for me.

I wore this when I was the flower girl at his wedding

My aunt and Uncle gave it to me as a gift that very day

It is something that I dearly treasure.

Soon we will gather together as a family

in his honour

to share our thoughts and reminisce...

and keep him alive in our hearts.

~ ~ ~

The tide ebbs and flows

I take a breath and smell the salty air

there is a cool mist of fog on the horizon

 I see an empty bench...

 I take a moment and pause 

reflecting on how precious life is

and how fortunate we are to have had special people in our lives.

Namaste.