Fabulous February

Feb6

Hi friends! Sorry my updates have been so sporadic! I intended on updating last weekend but to be honest I did a whole lot of napping after a busy Thursday!

Thursday morning we were up bright and early to head into Chilliwack with my brother for his doctors appointment. He really needs to find a family doctor that isn’t a forty minute drive each way away but I digress! It was a gorgeous morning. No it wasn’t!! I lie! It was raining and cold with a side of miserable.

Even in the rain the BC mountains are majestic!

On our way home from his appointment we decided to make a pit stop at the yellow barn market.

It is sort of a step back in time when you walk through the doors. A mix of homemade bakery items, fruits, veggies, preserves, etc. I spent a long time looking at the pickles and jams but decided not to buy any. We have lots of pickles left from or summer canning and I have farm strawberries in the freezer dying to be turned into homemade jam.

Kevin and I purchased some homemade farmer sausage, pork for him and turkey for me! While pricy it is very tasty.

On the topic of pricy food products have I ever told you I am a water snob? Well I am! Whenever we are out and I forget my water bottle or finish my water I always finds self making a pit stop for more. I also find myself drawn to the Smart water which tends to be pricier then it’s generic counterparts but for some reason it just tastes better!

After our adventure we headed home and I didn’t have much time to kill before it was time to get my cowgirl on and head to the Eric Church concert! Yes folks I’m a country girl at heart! I was raised on a farm, in a farm house and had horses. I’m that fine line where country girl meets city living! In other words I have expensive taste in everything from groceries to hobbies! Grocery shopping at Whole foods then a day trail riding topped off with some wine sounds perfect to me!

Before the concert we headed to a local pub called Finnagans, near the venue for dinner and it was really good. I’d definitely go back. I ordered grilled chicken which came with veggies, mash potatoes, and a mushroom sauce. Very tasty, despite my eating less then half.

Luckily we had a never ending supply of napkins with dinner! Which if you’re anything like me is a good thing to have handy plus you never know when you might need some cleavage help right Katie!!!!

The concert was a full house, loud and awesome!

However while Thursday was a great day it left me seriously exhausted. I am still getting use to this whole business of my illness and how much it takes out of me.

The rest if the weekend was pretty low key. I hung out at home and did some grocery shopping. I had lunch on Sunday with Katie and bought some new garden owls. I have an addiction!!

I was even to exhausted to go to the Superbowl party with Kevin. This made me sad but alas I’m learning to listen to my body. I did however drown my woah is me I missed the party feelings with a cupcake!

This week at work has been pretty low key! I’m heading to the gym shortly for a repeat of Mondays awesome workout! I may also repeat Tuesdays Starbucks visit and midday cloudy Muff walk!!!

I am really hoping this weekend comes with a side of sunshine!!

For now I shall go and conquer my work out!

Later lovelies!

That’s A Mighty Big…

Jan30

Grapefruit? Orange? Lemon? No, No, And no! It’s a Pomelo and let me tell you it was a real bitch to contend to!!

The before picture

The carnage

The reward

Apparently this member of the citrus family is the largest and is chock full of vitamins and healthy junk!

I suggest you try one if you have the patients to break into one!

Is It Wednesday Yet?

Jan29

Terrific Tuesday? Terrible Tuesday? I guess time will tell!! Well friends I’ve had a busy week! Last Wednesday I left work early to venture into Vancouver to the Lupus clinic. I met with my new specialist and I have to admit I really like her. My appointment was two hours long and incredibly through. I am on new pain meds, have to go for a mile long list blood work and tests on my kidneys, gallbladder, etc. I don’t have to go back for three months unless something major arises or changes. I do however have to decide if I am going to let them do localized injections into my hips and wrists. So much to think about.

The drive into Vancouver was quiet as I think we both had a lot on our minds. The weather on Wednesday was a direct reflection of how I was feeling!

After the appointment Kevin took me grocery shopping at Whole foods to cheer me up!

We bought some yummy things but my favourite by far was a loaf of cranberry pistachio bread made my Terra breads in Vancouver. It was amazing! We also bought organic maple sausages, vegan chocolate mousse, turkey cranberry apple dinner sausages, pineapple mango salsa, etc. Have I mentioned I love Whole goods and grocery shopping!!

After grocery shopping we went to Metrotown mall and wandered around Lush, Lululemon, and the Nike store. What can I say the man knows how to cheer me up and take my mind off things!! I ended up picking out a couple of bath bombs and a new Nike tshirt for the gym.

Thursday I attempted to sleep in on the advice of my specialist. My body had other plans and I was up at 8 am!! I made a big French toast breakfast and then we headed out for the day. We took Muffin for a walk around the duck pond, went to some thrift stores and got mini cupcakes before coming home and making yummy tasting plates of pickled veggies, crackers, meat and cheese. Yummy!!!!

Afterwards I headed to the gym with my Katie and Krista for an awesome work out and some girl talk! There may or may not have been Starbucks afterwards!

Friday we spent the day in Vancouver once again. This time on the UBC campus while by brother was at the MS hospital. To pass the day Kevin and I had lunch at a pub on campus, wandered around, found Menchies for some froyo then went for a walk on the beach at Pacific Spirit Park. BC really is a beautiful province and an great place to live. We have access to the Ocean, Rivers, mountains, country and city living.

After we came home I had the epic kitchen fail as you may have read about last week! Though I did have a great run that night so they was a plus. The rest of the weekend I tried to keep it low key because I came down with a cold. The germs finally got me! Yuck. Thankfully it didn’t get too bad thanks to my daily combination of honeyand cinnamon and my water with apple cider vinegar. I have to say I was skeptical at first but I’ve never fought off a cold so quickly not easily! The cinnamon honey mix doesn’t look glamorous but it doesn’t taste bad. The apple cider vinegar is another story!

We ventured out Saturday afternoon to the pub and had lunch with some friends. I couldn’t help but giggle at Patricia when Colin ordered her a shot. She took it like a champ!

There was no drinks for me as I’m still getting use to my new pain meds. However there was a cookie!

After our adventurous couple hours out I came home, put my pj’s back on and cuddled on the couch with the pups and my man.

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling considerably better and headed off to the gym for an hour long workout before returning to work. I have Muffin with me at work this week so I’m pretty content. I keep hoping we get a break in the icky weather so we can ho out for a walk. Until then… Cuddles!

And a snack!

Do You Smell Something Burning?

Jan25

So I have lots to share with you about my life the last few days but for now let me tell you a quick story!!!!

We got home from being in Vancouver all day at 6 PM. Upon returning home I turned the oven on and popped in the meatloaf I prepped last night. I then did a few things and in my heightened sense of frustration I decided to go for a 6 km run! I’m not suppose to be running but more on that later! After the run I went upstairs *we share a duplex* and had a chat with my brother. I mentioned to him I smelled something burning. Ten minutes later at 8 PM I realized what was burning!!!

It is safe to say the meatloaf is cooked and E Coli free!!!!

I don’t usually screw up in the kitchen but when I do it’s epic!!!!!

A Week In A Blink

Jan22

Please pardon my MIA status for the last week. I’ve been feeling very stressed with my up coming appointment at the Lupus clinic. I’ve been doing my best to keep myself occupied and busy. I succeeded at both for the better part of the last week!

Wednesday night after work my best friend, Katie and I hit Starbucks for some tea and small talk. I’ve found myself becoming more closed off these days even around those I love deeply. I think it is a combination of being unwell, the unknown, and the inability to even get out what I want to say. With that being said it was nice to have some one on one BFF time.

Thursday I ventured out to get my nails done, toes painted, and eye brows waxed! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Unfortunately that meant venturing outside in flip flops. Let me tell you it was not a warm experience!!!

I came home from my nail appointment to get love attacked by Maple and Muffin!

After I managed to pull myself away from the pups, Kevin and I ventured out to run some errands. We went to the wild bird store and then to edible arrangements before heading to Starbucks and to visit a friend. Our friends recently finished a kitchen renovation and oh my gosh it is seriously gorgeous!!!! So jealous! Once we got home Kevin had to force me to eat dinner before I was allowed to bust open the box of chocolate covered fruit we picked up at Edible arrangements!!!

If you have never tried anything g from E.A. I suggest you go… Go now… I will wait!! But seriously, so amazing…so not cheap! You’ve been warned!

Friday I got up early and headed to the gym. I got my workout in despite the pain!

I promise I burned more then five calories!!! I only have this photo because I’m still getting use to the iPhone! After the gym I had coffee with a friend and walked around the mall before coming home to a little family work party of wood chopping and stacking!

I was out on stacking duty because let’s face it I’m not chainsaw or axe handling material these days!!! After the work was done I was thoroughly exhausted but rallied to go out for the night with some friends. One of our friends is a musician and was playing at one of my favourite pubs! We spent most of the evening there, had dinner, some drinks then hit the hot tub!

I’m such a fan of tasting plates and this one was amazing!!! The pub makes their own marinated veggies and beer infused Dijon mustard! As well as the pretzel buns! I would order this again in a second!!!

The waitress and I become quick friends so she made sure my wine arrived as full as possible!!

The hot tub felt amazing in the freezing winter night. Thanks to my autoimmune issues I can only handle about ten minutes at a time so I got out and wrapped my self in blankets on the patio. I’m no fun!!

Saturday morning saw me power clean the house before heading into Vancouver for the day with a group of eight friends. We had a very entertaining day and a wonderful meal at a quaint little Italian restaurant.

The butter was rose buds!! I was a fan !!!

The rest of the weekend was rather low key because I was exhausted. When I think about last year at this time I get insanely frustrated because of how much my life has changed. Being sick has caused me to have to slow down. I haven’t been running and I miss it. I am going to the gym three days a week as opposed to five days a week as I was before. I guess I should be happy I’m able to go at all. I have to be honest I’m not feeling overly optimistic today. I really can’t wait until this specialist appointment is done with.

Anyways this week so far has been good. The gym yesterday was helpful temporarily in helping me forget how much I’m not enjoying my to do list this week!!

Tonight I made home made black bean burgers and they turned out awesome and of course I neglected to take a photo!!! Blogger fail!!

A few more pictures from the past week!!

Enjoy and goodnight friends 🙂

Snack Time With A Headache On The Side!

Jan15

Good afternoon! I have a headache that I can’t seem to shake today! Oh well.

I was in the mood for a snack and thought I would share one of my favourites with you all! Baked kale chips! So easy to make and jam packed full of nutrition. They are quick and require very few ingredients.

I started by tearing the kale leaves off of their stalk and ripping them into smaller pieces. This step makes me feel like a cross between Popeye and the Hulk!!! I’m so tough! Those kale leaves don’t stand a chance!!!

Once you have conquered the brutalizing of the veggie simply rinse the leave pieces well and pat dry with paper towel. I like to make sure they are good and dry so they don’t turn out soggy.

Once your leaves are dry pour on about 1/2 tablespoon of oil. I used grape seed but you can use olive, vegetable, whatever you like. Once the oil is on massage it through with your hands and then season. Again use whatever seasoning you like. I used organic salt free seasoning and garlic powder. In the past I’ve used everything from salt and pepper to chilli flakes, Italian seasoning. Really whatever you have a taste for will work.

Once seasoned to your desire simply toss again and place in a cookie sheet. I like to line my sheet with foil for easy clean up.

That is it they are ready for the I’ve oven! Pop them into a warm oven, I Usually go with 365 degrees for about 15 minutes flipping half way through. The edges will brown slightly and the whole chip will get crispy. I keep a close eye on them near the end cuz they can go from just nicely crisp to over done quickly.

They bake down substantially, so make lots or don’t offer to share ! Kale chips are a healthy, low calorie, fibre rich, filling snack. Kale itself is a little nutritional powerhouse, full of iron, vitamins and antioxidants.

Give them a try!

iPhone Blogging

Dec29

Hopefully the iPhone app works better then the Blackberry app did!

Life With The McGavins

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