Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe

I think I may be the last Canadian to have heard of the Vinyl Cafe and Stuart McLean's fantastic heartfelt funny stories. My friend Steve was telling me about him a while back and I made a mental note to pick up one of his books and give it a read one day. So, I did just this week. I just finished reading "Stories From The Vinyl Cafe" which I believe is the first published book of his stories. I'm now a true believer in the world of Stuart McLean. Dave and Morley are so real and so normal that one can't help but feel a kinship to them. It's really fun to read about the quirky things that happen to this seemingly normal family. What's best of all is the wee Canadianisms that are weaved into his stories. Some of it is only references that we will get. Classic really. My favorite in this particular book was the story of how Morley had to go to get her son a jock strap for hockey. Not knowing what a jock strap is, she wandered into her local Canadian Tire and asked for one. The story plays out after that in a fairly humorous manner. He broadcasts on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays and can be listened to online here. I'm going to totally start giving him a listen. Yesterday when I went to Fairs Fair to trade in more stuff, I traded for Stuart's newest book out "Secrets From The Vinyl Cafe". It's now sitting in my pile of books, and I'm totally looking forward to reading it as well. Check it out, you won't regret it, and your life will be enriched for listening to The Vinyl Cafe.

Report on First Attempt at Running

Just got back from my first go at a run. I did 20 minutes and I think that will do sufficiently for my first time. It's a little harder than I thought, but I did ok. I just did the loop around my neighbourhood. My cardio is up to par, but only just. It's funny, but people who run are always saying to me at the gym - "I don't know how you do that ellyptical machine, it's really hard for me" But, I don't think it's that hard, whereas it's the opposite for me and running - it's harder for me to run. Marsha suggested I do 1 minute of running, and 5 of walking at first and build up. I found today that I was able to do a little more than that to begin with, so what I did was just go as far as I could (or until I got a stitch) and then walked until I caught my breath. I'm no good at this timing business. If I had a spiffy running watch like Becka, I could probably manage it, but meh, the shoes are a beginning. Which brings me to my next point. Can't emphasize enough what an excellent investment those shoes were. I felt like I was gliding on air as I ran. Felt virtually no impact at all. You really can't skimp on good running shoes. You pay for what you get - usually. I must have looked interesting as I was running - totally mismatched. It was snowing lightly, so I had to bundle up somewhat. I wore these knit work-out pants that I bought at Wal-Mart (black), and my pink t-shirt. Over which I wore my red hoody and green Glasgow Celtic touque. I think I looked a bit like a Christmas tree actually, but I don't think it really matters what I wear as long as I don't go running in the buff. So, I will continue with my regular routine this week, and then give it another go on Saturday. When I sell my car I think I'll make it more of a routine as I won't be able to make it to the gym as easy without my car. Here ends my first report on adventures in running.

p.s. That's not me in the picture in case you were wondering. 1. I would not be carrying a plastic water bottle (anymore) and 2. I'm not that slender (yet)

Momma's got a new pair of shoes

Sorry yet again for the delay between posts. I don't think I'm THAT busy, but I seem to be - with who knows what? Anyway, this week, I bought this lovely set of trainers for my new adventures in running. I've never really been a runner before. Mostly due to the fact that the weight I was carrying would have done a huge number on my knees on impact. But, I feel now that I am sufficiently light enough that I can probably give it a try. I've been ellyptical-training for like 2 years, so my cardiovascular health is certainly up to par. Shouldn't be too hard to transition into running. Plus, like I said, I will be taking up mass amounts of biking after conference and after I sell my lovely 2003 Honda Civic - Black, standard transmission. (spread the word) So, yeah, I think I'll have my first running adventure tomorrow morning after my visiting teaching. Should be a good time. I'll let you know. I also plan to make yoghurt, take a trip to Fair's Fair to do some trading. (for cash, don't need new stuff), plan my primary lesson, and do laundrey all at the same time. I just love how everything one has to get done gets packed into one day of the week. (note the sarcasm) On a side note, I did retry making Yoghurt with skim milk, and it worked just fine with the proper appliance, and the proper waiting time for cooling. I think the major factor in my unsuccessful first attempt was that I didn't wait for the milk to cool long enough. I know now because it takes flipping forever to get to the proper temperature as per my thermometer. Adding the starter at the time I did simply murdered whatever culture was in there. So, that is my Yoghurt update, next exciting project is cheese. Just bought a book called "And That's How You Make Cheese" by Shane Sokol. It's apparently the most straightforward reference for home cheese-making available so it sounds just perfect for me. That project may wait a few weeks mind you because I've got a number of things to finish up before I am without a vehicle. I feel like some sort of Dairy-obsessed version of Martha Stewart, but it's really fun. I think there's a certain feeling of satisfaction that comes from knowing exactly what is in your food because you put it there. So, from shoes to cheese, that is my most recent update. Maybe I'll write more tomorrow.

Book Review - One Red Paperclip (or how an ordinary man achieved his dream with the help of a simple office supply)

I know that probably most of you heard this story while it was occuring, but for me - it is new. I hardly ever watch tv, and though I am a fan of George Stroumboulopoulos (even if I don't always agree with him) I missed that episode (and also the other one) of The Hour. So, Kyle is a pretty freaking amazing guy who is perpetually positive, and constantly an example for any one of us who have a dream. He truly is a person who realizes their funtential (see what I did there?) For those of you who don't know the story, I will try to sum it up. Kyle was a pretty average guy who struggled to pay the rent, and was between jobs whilst his girlfriend Dom worked as a Dietitian to keep a roof over their head and food on their table. One day, Kyle remembered about a game he played as a kid (which I also remember playing except the best I ever got out of it was a smelly old refrigerator) called "Bigger and Better". It's a game where you take a small item (such as a paperclip), and trade it for say a pen and so forth until you get something really cool in the end. So, Kyle was remembering this game with fondness, and a crazy idea formed in his head. Theoretically, there's nothing that can stop a person from trading all the way up to a house if they put their mind to it. So, Kyle - with a lot of support from Dom and his family and friends decided to put his effort into it. Through a series of 14 trades in a period of a year which started with an advertisement on "Craig's list", Kyle realized his dream, and now lives in the paperclip house at 503 Main Street in Kipling, Saskatchewan. What I love about this story is that it really isn't about what Kyle could get out of trading. It's about his journey; and WHAT a journey it is. It's tonnes of fun to read about his experiences as he goes where people usually only dream about. (I won't give away the details if you don't know them) I also love that Kyle didn't sell out his dream. When he started to get famous for his experiment, he got lots of offers from companies wanting to give him a house just to capitalize on his popularity. (he had over 3 million hits on his website, and now it's almost 8 million, with more hitting every day - people like me, the late comers) Kyle didn't sell out, and he made it about the journey. What a great guy, and what a great example of what someone can do if they put their mind to it. It kind of reminds me of the parable of the talents. The guy who was given 3 and the guy who was given 6 doubled their talents while the one who buried his one talent that the master gave him received nothing. Kyle portrays that lesson very well. He took something simple and turned it into a movement which is bigger than a house any day of the week. Seriously - you have to read the book. It's so entertaining at the very least, not to mention inspirational.

Kyle and George Stroumboulopoulos in Yahk, BC promoting Yahktivism


Kyle and Dom in their new house at 503 Main Street - Kipling, Saskatchewan

Katnip Kollege

I love how cheesy this is. It reminds me of every movie my parents ever made me watch only in cartoon form. My parents grew up during WW2, so we listened to a lot of big bands and swing music growing up and watched about every "fred and ginger" movie ever made. (I actually saw this on Kyle MacDonald's site and borrowed it)

Paninis and House Cleaning Items

I tried the Chicken Club one first and it's really good - it has bacon!!!!!

Then I had the Chicken, Spinach and Mushrooms one - just as good and filling too!

Today I ate the Chicken Tuscany Panini, fabulous and almost pizzaish. I know, I'm a living, breathing advertisement. No, I am not being paid, but I should be.

At work, I'm now famous for introducing the Lean Cuisine Paninis. For this new found fame, I must thank my friend Becka who first discovered them. I work with a lot of Dietitians, and they're all raving about them. (well, like the 2 that tried them), but they are stirring up a lot of interest anyway. I'm a huge fan. The only downside is the sodium content in these puppies. But, if that's the only thing one is eating that has a large amount of sodium in it, then you're on easy street. It's only about 35% of your daily sodium intake anyway. I never add salt to anything. So, yeah, I'm famous now. I'm the panini girl. I haven't blogged a lot this week - I'm sorry for anyone who reads my blogs regularly (not that I think I'm that popular or anything, but I check people's blogs regularly, and figure I must have 1 or 2 fans) Work has been a bit on the stressful side what with new schedule rotations and a rush to put templates into the schedule, etc, plus everybody wants a vacation for some reason. On top of this there is still all of those Diabetics who need some Education to book. But, you know, I like that kind of busy. It makes me feel useful to some degree. Tomorrow I have off (for which I am very grateful), but it is filled with all kinds of errands (or rather house cleaning items). I'm going to clean out my closet again, and take a trip to Value Village, make Yoghurt, go through all my videos and books and decide what I don't need in order to make life simpler (you know, in case I have to take up and leave or something - you never know) I've already bequeathed my James Bond collection to my buddy Mike. He and his lovely wife Katie will be watching bond all week-end now with our other friends Linda and Ryan. (Happy Easter friends!!!!!) I also have a plan to use some of my creative talents and decorate a mug (just because I need my own at work) with my name on it and everything. I'm just about to finish up this FANTASTIC book I'm reading - which I will review on here in the next couple of days. It really is awesome, and many of you have probably already heard the story though it's new to me. Not going to give it away, but keeping you in suspense until the next blog. I think that about covers my thoughts for the day and week.

Another Local Discovery

Had a lunch date today with one of my best friends, and we went to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant - which I discovered is next to this GREAT Health Food Store called Community Natural Foods. I've heard people talk about it before, but never really gave it a thought. Apparently they've been a Calgary business since 1977. Daniel and I decided to venture in today and I discovered a whole other world of Organic, fair trade, non gmo products. The book I've been reading about PCOS and diet tells me I ought to eat more natural foods as much as I possibly can. So, that description fits my needs at Community Natural Foods. Today I picked up organic apples, avocado, even better Yoghurt starter with 5 probiotics instead of 3, almond butter, home-made Tabhouli, and home-made soap. I could have bought more stuff, but all of that adds up pretty fast. They have 2 locations, one at Chinook Station (which is the one we hit today), and another not too far away from my work at 10th and 10th. So, yet another destination for my lunch-time walks. Pretty exciting!!! On a side note, I LOVE pickled asparagus, but think I ought to ease up a bit, because the salt is really starting to make me feel a bit thicker even if I'm not. I've eaten almost 2 whole jars since I last posted about them which was Wednesday. I think I'll give them a rest for a little while.