The best I’ve felt was when I focused on whole foods and ate hardly any meat. So I’ve been looking at reducing my animal product intake.  To that end, I’ve been obsessively reading Peas and Thank You and love the attitude and way that she feeds her family and the way they live.  I’m definitely adding that to my list of favorite blogs.

I’ve also been reading a ton of books on vegan/veggie cooking. Look for the Recipe part of this blog to start happening. This weeks focus. No more red meat.  That’s for me and for the family.  I’m finding that there are so many other options out there.

The running part may take a little bit longer to get going.

It’s Thursday, Happy Rosh Hashanah!!

Another gymnastics competition this weekend. Hopefully she does better than last weekend.

Amor Towles

Published by Viking

Everything old is new again. Or at least that is how it feels these days with Mad Men being such a huge hit and other 50-60s themed television programs coming out this fall.  This book actually makes me long for that seemingly fun and simple time.  The time before the fascism of Europe and World War II but after the horrible times in our country that was The Great Depression. This book mostly takes place throughout the course of one year. As the book opens you can’t wait to find out what happened to Tinker Grey. By the mid-point of the book you realize it’s really Katey Kontent that you care about and want to her journey, her story.

The names of the characters in this book are solid typical and fantastic NYC names, Tinker Grey, Katey Kontent and Eve Ross.  And I suppose because of the time period, the beautiful descriptions of the clothing, the drinks, the atmosphere and all of these things combined, you can’t help but compare this to The Great Gatsby. Because of this, I started reading Gatsby at the same time. I soon after had to stop as I kept combining the two books in my mind and wanted to put Tinker with Daisy and Nick with Katey. Wait, wait. That’s not right. (and yes, blasphemy that I haven’t read Gatsby yet)

This book is written with such care and the characters have a depth within them that they aren’t flat. Writing in this time frame, that could easily have happened. But it doesn’t.  Even minor characters are shown to have their flaws and their good qualities. Interesting and multi-dimensional make these people real. Makes me want to go and have drinks with them. Or hang out on a Long Island Beach for a long weekend.

The other thing I really enjoyed with this book is how effortlessly various works of literature were interwoven throughout the story. Classic books such as Great Expectations and On Walden Pond became a part of the story. While George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation played such a crucial part in this story that it almost becomes lifelike and an actual character within the book.  I’m such a big history buff that I can’t wait to look up and see the story behind this little book.

The layers and depth to this story will easily stand the test of time. A basic story of being young when you don’t even realize that you are. Until it’s too late. In the meantime, give me a dirty martini with olives. This book deserves it.

In that pile there is some individual servings of Justin Peanut Butter. I’m trying them because Tina at Carrots N Cake is having a sale on OpenSky and I wanted to see if I would like them before I committed to buying three jars worth. Also, I bought some sunflower butter to see if I like that too. So many food bloggers rave about that so I decided I wanted to try it. There’s some granola in that mix as well as some Bob Mill’s Steel Cut Oats that was on sale.  The fruit was also on sale or the same price as what I would find at my local Publix so I decided I wanted to go the organic route since it was price comparable.

Today, is a typical Saturday. We have gymnastics, we have the library and we have a trip to Publix. I also need to go to Doris’ Italian Market to stock up on chicken breasts.  They have a great price and their chickens come from a farm that doesn’t use antibiotics. Always a plus for me since I do eat meat now.

Tonight we have another episode of Dr. Who on tap.  You don’t watch? Oh, you must. Right away.

Last Sunday I spent the day with some absolutely amazing people. Some of my favorite people at the beach.

The View we had for the day

We were at the corner of Dania Beach and Hollywood Beach. A quiet family section. First we hung out by the pool which I didn’t really take any pictures of. Then we hit the beach itself.

Sand castles were built

then they fell

Me and K

She wanted LUNCH! That beach makes you hungry

The week that followed was relatively quiet and calm. School and work. I did a lot of General Hospital viewing and that’s about it. No movies, no books. I’m in book funk. Nothing really appeals to me at the moment. Which kind of stinks since I have 4 books to read for review. Hopefully I’ll get to them this weekend.

Then Shy had gymnastics, while I went grocery shopping. I planned out my food week so hopefully I’ll be able to lose more weight this week.

Lunch was this

This was a before and after and a bad idea. Clearly, I may not be able to have these in the house. Since I’m doing Weight Watchers, I just counted the points and adjusted.

Then we went to visit my aunt who had surgery and helped put together a microwave and went to the library. This is one of our favorite things to do. Shy goes into the kids section and I peruse the shelves to see if anything catches my eye. There were a couple of things that did, including a cookbook by Jillian Michaels. I guess since I’m doing the 30 day shred I have her on my mind. We’ll see how that goes.

DInner was a hodgepodge of things. A roasted sweet potato, some steamed broccoli and a cup of chili. Good eats indeed.

seasoned the potato with thisAmy and Rory

And Shy and I finished up our evening with a new Dr. Who.  It started back in April and is a split season. Saturday night was the new show and it was awesome! While I love the Dr. let’s just say that I am Team Rory all the way.

It’s been a productive day already for me. Well, sort of. I’ve had coffee (you don’t need another picture of that do you?) I’ve caught up on where Hurricane Irene is headed (stay safe all my peeps all along the east coast) and, wait for it…

I worked out.

I’ll wait for you to collect your jaws off of the floor, counter or wherever you are sitting.  I did the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. Day one. I suppose I should mark the occasion with a picture. But I am a little too vain for that. Suffice to say, I have a picture of me and my backside that I can use as my before picture. I’m hoping that my the end of Sept. I’ll have made some difference.

I tweeted earlier that I’m experiencing book malaise.  I currently have 3 books on hand (plus several on my e-reader) to read for review as well as many of my own that I really want to read. I just can’t really work up any enthusiasm for any of them.  I did just listen to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’ve read the books and seen the movies and now I want to listen to them. I had forgotten so many little details. I really enjoyed listening to the audio version and I typically don’t like audio books. This one however, was stellar.

Last week my daughter and I started watching Smallville. It’s ended it’s run, I know, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Shyanne is really enjoying it as am I. Of course, we are only two episodes in and I never realized that Bo Duke was Superman’s father. Haha, well, what I meant was John Schneider. It’s good. Something else to watch.

Today’s breakfast was a simple pineapple coconut Dannon Light and Fit yogurt topped with Publix Cinnamon Oat Crunch cereal. It really hit the spot after working out.

Now, I’m getting ready to do our regular Saturday morning routine. Which includes a trip to three different grocery stores, gymnastics a visit to the library. Not to mention chores around the house.

Busy Saturday on tap.

What I really was thinking about (again I blame Fiennes) is does it matter if a movie is rubbish (in your opinion) regardless of whether or not your favorite actor is in it. What I mean to say is that for me, if I like (really like–top 10 like) an actor/actress etc, then I tend to be biased about the movie that they are in. The movie could be hated and panned and what do I do. I’d like it simply for the fact that I would get to spend 2 hours or so with my favorite actor. This happened with a particularly odd movie that I didn’t like at all with Matthew MacFayden. Because I really, really like him, I sat through the entire movie. The thought of turning it off never occurred to me because I like him.

Is that weird? Am I the only one like that?

Which goes to show that like the author Christine Shea mentioned on The Booklady’s Blog I too will most likely like and watch The English Patient. If for no other reason than I get to spend two hours or so with Ralph Fiennes.

I’ve had a problem thinking on the spot and can’t seem to fill that number ten spot.

So, tell me…who would you pick?

Lunch was eaten at my desk while I read a book. A book that I’ll be reviewing here later this weekend. Its non-fiction and a heavy topic so the reading is slow going. Much slower than normal. (normal for me anyway)

1/2 of a chicken salad sandwich on sour dough bread

fresh mango

And while I had lunch, Hurricane Irene sent us some of her outer bands. Although, in South Florida, in August, this type of weather is typical. The only difference it seems is that when it’s a hurricane related storm (I’ve been through plenty) the humidity seems to drop a bit. Anyway, we really got lucky. Not so much for my friends up the coast. Hope all of you stay safe.

Dinner was made by Nanny (my grandmother) and therefore not as healthy as I would have liked. But it was good. Chili over some white rice (spanish style) and steamed broccoli.

Then, I watched a little General Hospital. Bradford Anderson is really rocking his scenes this week. Who says soap actors can’t act.

Tomorrow is Friday and I just always enjoy Friday. Plus, this weekend is a big one. The Doctor is BACK!!!!!  Yes, ladies and gents, you heard that right. The Doctor is back Saturday night. Hopefully if the boy comes over he’ll understand that I have to watch that. It isn’t his cup of tea, but I’m sure he’ll deal with it. Or he can go home. Either way, I get me some Doctor this weekend!!

Ok, this fangirl is headed to bed. 5am comes awful early. And one of these days I’m going to actually work out at that time. Is tomorrow that day? Tune in next time to find out.

And I want to be hot again. Yes, there I said it. It’s all well and good when we talk about losing weight to get healthy and that we want to be physically fit by exercising and eating right. And that is true. But me, my ultimate motivation is that I want to feel sexy. And I don’t when I’m not eating and exercising. The best I’ve felt about myself I was technically overweight BUT I was running and working out and eating right and I felt amazing. And that translated into confidence. Which translated into hotness and feeling hot.

Lately, for obvious reasons, I haven’t felt all that hot. So, I’m changing that. I’ve been working on it and now I feel it’s time to add in some kind of exercise routine.

Of course, I want to run again. But in order to run, you must walk first. How cliche, but how true. Don’t expect me to sing about how wonderful it is. At least in the beginning, I’m pretty sure I’m going to hate every single, sweaty minute of it. It’s the afterwards that I’m hoping will keep me going. That and I want strut again. And dance.

And with that, I managed to charge my little camera so I can take photos of my food and of random funny things (that will most likely be me doing some form of exercise) and of course of my little gals.

I suppose in order to get up and exercise, I need to go to bed at a decent hour. Damn Rescue Me!!  Because I’m going to tell you that I’m off to bed, but really, I’m going to wind up watching Rescue Me. My entire family (men on my dad’s side) are firefighters and I don’t remember it being like this when we were growing up. Hopefully it wasn’t. Either that, or my parents hid a lot of shit from us kids growing up.

Either way, I’ll see you tomorrow.