it's my girls' world

HAppy Friday everyone. Once again, I am linking up with the lovely ladies at Carolina Charm, The Good Life, A Liz Adventures and Hello Happiness. Let's do this!!

So in January, most of us are feeling the after effects of the holiday season. I for one consumed way too many baked goods, salty snacks, carbs and wine. Even though I worked out through the season, I still felt like crap once January came. So on Jan 6th, my workout buddy and I (along with our husbands) decided to really get serious. This 5 on Friday is dedicated to some very random fitness stuff that I've incorporated into my life. 

1- No Sugar

So this is the biggest one. And it really is a big one... anyone who knows me knows that this is epic!! We've totally cut out sugar from our diets. And sugar is in EVERYTHING-- even our breads and crackers. We still have natural sugars like those in fruit, honey and even some artificial ones like Stevia (I may also have on occasion had a Skinny Vanilla Latte and some sugar free ice cream). We give ourselves a cheat meal a week and so far it's been okay. Some days are harder than others but we've really begun to appreciate the natural sweetness in our foods. The other day, I took some Advil and loved the sweetness of the pill--- sad right?

2- Consistency with working out

I have to workout. I really don't feel great about myself unless I work out. I'm happier, have more energy, am more relaxed after... I really, really love it. I usually do it 4-6 times a week. Four times I usually do an hour and a half, the others 30 mins to an hour. But it really makes me so much less cranky. When I was in the corporate world and travelling lots, though I did work out, it wasn't nearly enough and it was one of the reasons I was not as happy as I am now (coupled with the stress, not spending enough time with my family, not having enough hours in the day--- all that sh!t)

3- The Card Workout

To follow #2, I think it's important to mix things up. I do spin twice a week, bootcamp, weights. At home, I have tons of DVDs. I love kickboxing, zumba and yoga. The other day, my workout partner and I did a card workout--- something like this.... it was intense!! I hated loved every minute of it! Of course face cards were high numbers and we even did burpees for the jokers.

4- Spin shoes anyone?

For anyone doing spin more than once a week, I highly recommend cycling shoes.  I just got some this year and it takes your workout up two levels. And now's the time of year to get these babies as it is not cycling season so there's lots on sale.

5- Smoothie love

We have been using our Vitamix every single day-- thanks to our new-found love of green smoothies. There's always something green like kale or green spinach. I've added whatever fruits we have on hand-- I've done apples, peaches, bananas, berries, mangos, clementines-- mixing and matching each day. Almond milk is our liquid of choice. I throw in unsweetened greek yogurt for the protein as well as hemp and chai for the omegas... I'm obsessed! I have so much more energy on the days that I have a smoothie and really crave it, the days that I don't. In fact, as I missed one for breakfast- I am going to make one for myself now for lunch.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Day #25- We left the littles at home with my mom (thanks mama) and headed to TO for some grown up fun!

Day #26

Happy Birthday, Uncle Nil. 

Brunch is such a civilized affair when the grown ups alone do it. 

It was also Sean and Catherine's wedding #imobsessed

Day #27

My mama left- I'm always a touch sad when we have to say goodbye to my mama.

A and I decided to brave the grocery in the sub zeros though.

Day #28

'Filling out' the checklist in the doctors office for A's 18 month checkup/shots. Also, look who has enough hair for a scraggly ponytail--- and I use the word 'ponytail' very loosely

On my birthday, last week, someone turned eighteen months. Someone  is officially not a baby anymore. We have to stop using the 'baby' label and move onto toddler....  sad  times in this house. Here's what's going on these days

Milestones

She no longer walks... she runs everywhere. 16 teeth have come in perfectly so much so, it sometimes looks like she has veneers. And she loves to chat and tell lots of stories. Most of them we don't understand. Her words are too many to count now also. She's beginning to have definite favourites in what she eats. Still sleeping like a champ but bedtimes can sometimes be tricky putting her to sleep. She gets very angry that it's time for bed. 

Stats

She's finally fitting into her 12-18 month outfits. Some 12 month stuff still fits but the pants are beginning to get a bit short. She wears size 4 shoes now-- Cass was a size 4 at 11 months!!

Likes

Climbing up onto high surfaces and then breaking our a$$es and then crying because of said broken a$$es.

Oatmeal- maybe it's the cold weather and getting something warm and milky in her tummy but she loves oatmeal... and asian pears... and Cheetos-- yes folks, I caught my almost 5 year old sneaking her some Cheetos and she went a little mental. 

Going to drop off and pick up Cassia. She loves walking into Cassia's class and washing her hands in the tot sized sinks- every-single-day

Books- sometimes we rip them but most times we turn the pages. 

Spraying saline up her nose.

All things technology- iPad, iPhone and TV. I may or may not use the iPhone when I need to keep hera bit quiet.

Dislikes: 

When  she doesn't get her way especially when Cassia grabs something away from her.... She says 'Ey' like a true trini

Sitting in a grocery cart for more than 30 minutes... Speed shopping anyone?

She still doesn't like anything in your hair even though her hair is beginning to really grow. 

Relationships

She still has this wonderful, co-dependent, borderline unhealthy obsession with her mama. She also shrieks with delight when Daddy comes home. She is getting more friendly with strangers though! Saying hi and smiling with people is something new. 

Personality

Anjali definitely has her own distinct, cheeky personality. There is a sweetness to her but also a very stubborn streak. She is growing up to be quite the comedian with the most bubbly, belly laughs. She has her own breed of cuteness and the most cheery smile ever. We simply can't imagine our lives before this little girl entered it. 

  

I had a wonderful, relaxing birthday filled with beautiful family moments and warm wishes from near and far. I felt special, loved and appreciated.... the feelings you should feel on your special day!  

Firstly, Cassia told me the day before "Mommy, you take care of everyone. It's our turn to take care of you." She called Darin in work the day before and she reminded him to get balloons, streamers and an eleven (?)  layer cake. She made a present for me and she was insistent that I not open it until my birthday. She was so sweet and thoughtful and caring all through my birthday. 

On my actual birthday, my family woke me up with hugs and kisses and told me to come downstairs for a special treat. There were balloons everywhere, a delicious breakfast and a cranky baby D woke her up early to be part of the celebrations-  bad idea! Then it was off the school, work and the gym. D, A and I had a late lunch in a bakery, I left them to get a mani/pedi and then it was home for cake. At night, the adults went to a really cool indonesian restaurant with some friends followed by $4 martinis (we are all class)  at a neighbourhood restaurant. 

Happy Birthday to me!

My post  workout drink 

Lunch with my sweeties