Whine

Whine

I am still not losing weight and I can no longer blame the americanos as I did cut back. I was watching a television program where a nutritionist tried to prove a point about wine consumption by having someone add a pile of sugar to a glass of wine. The intent was to show how much sugar one is consuming by drinking vino. I hung my head in shame whilst watching. Technically I not drinking as much wine as I used to. I know longer drink on most weekdays where as most dinners in the past used to be accompanied by a glass or two. Still perhaps I am still drinking too much wine so I decided to investigate! I looked back specifically on last week’s wine consumption.

Friday night there was an impromptu dinner at Sanuk- where Adam and I shared a bottle of Kettle Valley 2003 Syrah. Saturday we were invited over to friends’ for a dinner party where 4 bottles between 4 people were quickly drained. Sunday night Adam and I started jonesing for good wine-a 2002 St. Frances Cabernet Sauvignon promptly appeared from the cellar. It, just as promptly disappeared between us. I guess that means technically I drank at least two bottles of wine over the three days...hello sugar-city!! Poor liver!

Now I am feeling especially guilty as next week the wine festival happens in Victoria and it really is the best time to try out some good wines. We have reservations for a Golden Mile Cellars winemaker dinner at Cafe Brio. I know, I know- the menu just looked too good to resist, plus we wanted to try out some of these wines and we’re not going to the public tasting. Also the price was right, so Brio shall have another chance and I shall have to put a halt to the wine drinking after next weekend.

My body wants to lose by the way. I’m yo-yoing 2pounds every week- but the scale still zips back up after the weekend (coincidence)? I then do fruit mornings on Mon-Wed. The scale goes back down but then the weekend comes all too soon.

Brandon started me on my “legs” program this week. WOW! My body was hurting that night and the next few days were painful too. My glutes, hams- everything!! He attempted to have me do squats!! Too hard! I just am too big and afraid that I’ll blow my knees out. So we compromised and I’m doing stairs two at a time. What a workout!! Working out these bigger muscles- glutes, hams, make you feel instantly stronger. Perhaps I’ll attempt squats after I’ve taken off another 30 pounds- but at this rate that seems in the distant future!

week 9 - 20lbs down- holding.

Americanos

Americanos

The above picture is not an americano. It is a meal prepared by my sweetheart who cooks for me on the weekends. Oven baked wild sockeye with onion and green olive tapenade. Served on top of chipotle brown rice and kamut with stir-fried boc-choy! Very healthy and low in calories.Then why the hell am I not losing weight?

I’ll tell you why - it’s the americanos - they are the culprits. I love them. I love them with cream. I especially love an americano that has crema so dense that it appears that you don’t even need cream. When you look at the finished product and see a rich ooze bubbling forth- like golden brown sugar lava, rippling along the top of the cup. You gasp, thank your barista and then add cream. Coffee cream is the best because it has more fat and you don’t need as much -thus not cooling down the treasured beverage.

At first the Americanos were only on Saturdays. Then Sundays. Soon it became a thing where I would have one if I went to my chiropractor. Suddenly I developed neck problems that needed to be addressed three times a week. Then I started hitting the Tim Hortons despite their insane lineups. The last straw was when I was so desperate that I settled for a cup of Starbucks drip which tasted like shit and I drank it anyway. It’s too much cream for a lady that needs to shed some poundage. I suffered a caffeine withdrawal headache the other day because I only had a cup of tea. The americanos - they have to stop. Saturdays only!! Maybe the odd Sunday....

I went to the gym on my own and did my new workout. It went really well and our new local gym is super nice and new with lots of sophisticated stuff. The workouts that Brandon taught us for shoulders involves working with cables. At the Crystal Pool where we workout with him the cables are kind of old and clunky. At the Esquimalt Rec Center they are smooth and efficient. My secret for avoiding any kind of a gym scene is to go at either 10 am or 2 pm. Not all people have schedules that are that flexible - but if you do, that's the time to go.

End of 8th week.

20 lbs lost- no movement!

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

You know I promised a little spiel on the CLA- Conjugated Linoletic Acid - so here it is. Well actually - it’s really boring stuff to write down but lets just say it’s a fatty acid that apparently reduces the body’s ability to store fat. It also supposedly increases the body’s use of fat for energy.

CLA used to be obtained naturally in the meat and milk of grass fed cows. Because most cows are now grain-fed and all those antibiotics interfere with it’s production , CLA is now made from safflower or sunflower oil; (Some companies are bragging that their products are better as they only use Safflower which is the highest quality of the two). The high linoletic acid content of these oils is converted into CLA. Yippee!

Those smart Norwegians did a pile of studies a few years ago. Punch it into your internets and you’ll find it all. It must be good because all of the big vitamin companies and fat-fighters are branding their own forms of CLA. Why not ? Yet another supplement that will help people attack that fat and empty their wallets at the same time!!

After doing some research I saw that CLA is the wonder-supplement that will not only knock off the blubber but also enhances the immune system, maintains blood glucose and insulin levels and lowers cholesterol. Why wouldn’t you rush out to Capers and buy a case of the stuff.

Alas... the Wikipedia is not so optimistic. According to their data CLA is a trans fat- not a bad trans fat though. However, taking CLA may actually result in insulin resistance and give you diabetes. What the hell? I’m trying to change my lifestyle to avoid the big “D” and now I’m taking a supplement that might provoke it! Well, I’m not currently taking the CLA. I’ll finish the bottle at some time but not right now - hopefully it doesn’t end up at the back of the cupboard with the bottle of LEANS PLUS that expired in 2003 which I don’t have the heart to throw away because it was expensive.

20 lbs down

Candida Royale

I woke up to the sound of loud knocking at the front door. I could see the fellow’s truck parked outside “The Sour dough Factory” displayed on the panel. I opened the door cautiously. "Excuse me madam, we are short of culture at the factory and word is out that you have more than enough to spare.”

I chased him off the property and burst into tears. It was true I had a raging candida infection and after all of that clean living, I didn’t know why. Well it is simply explained. Take a cheap bag of horrid Valentines day chocolate candies and follow up with a glass of wine with dinner . who cares if it’s a special occasion- candida loves special occasions! I considered doing a candida cleanse - but truly that is such a bland, boring cleanse that I decided to suffer instead.

The new gym routine is working out well. I did it again with Brandon and now feel that I have the confidence to do it on my own. The concentration is on shoulders and back. With all of the literature I’ve been reading about dieting and the body I do know that if one wants to lose weight one has to build muscle - especially the older one gets. It is boring but it works.

We had the last Aquarian birthday for my ex - Carl. I fixed Korean-style short ribs with white rice and kim chi. There was also a rich brownie that turned out to be more like fudge. I had not planned on eating any white rice or drinking as the boys were exploring imported beers
and I didn’t feel like having beer. My noble plans for shunning excess carbs were soon destroyed as Carl discovered that the rice covered in sauce from the ribs was too good to be true. Sure enough the combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin ,ginger and beef drippings topped on rice instigated a feeding frenzy. Adam reminded me that we had two thirds of a bottle of shiraz kicking around. I grabbed it with the eagerness of a weaning toddler. It too was soon gone. That night I had reflux for the first time in weeks- wonder why?

20 lbs down.

The Second Aquarian Celebration

I guess that it’s been about five weeks now and I’m feeling fairly confident although a little confused. I’ve been kind of floundering around and can’t really put my finger on what kind of a plan that I’m following. In fact I’ve been a little obsessive and have been reading so many diet books that I feel my brain is exploding with various pieces of conflicting information.

It’s all about the protein and the carbs. Brad King says that you need bits of lean protein all day long. The Okinawa folks seem to think that the protein is overrated and one should focus on lots of veggies with unrefined carbohydrates.Those brilliant minds that put together the Glycemic index would probably frown upon eating so much sweet potato and white rice.

My head is spinning. This week I have been eating eating mostly a vegetarian diet with whole grains as the main carb focus. To make my whole grain combo I put a mixture of brown rice and whole kamut into the rice cooker and always have it on hand as a base. I can reheat some for dinner- it’s very nice with some flax oil and Braggs. Or I can mix it in with one of my giant coleslaws or have some with a scoop of humus or babaganouche. It keeps you most regular!!

We met up with Brandon at the gym this week for a series of new exercises. It was overwhelming, what with a pile of new things to remember and the fresh reminder of the joys of gym culture. I guess that it wasn’t that bad but at times I felt that we were using someone else’s machines. I also got a kick from watching a young lady follow her boyfriend around as he strutted about, struggling with weights that were obviously too heavy for him.

And, at the end of the week, sigh...another aquarian birthday. Our friend Chris loves good food. We chose Cafe Brio which is a Victoria hot-spot for fine dining. None of us had ever been. Immediately upon entering the premises you realise that this is the place to be. There is quite a vibe. Friendly place full of savvy looking people.

Here were my choices

Hearts of romaine anchovy & lemon vinaigrette - Basically a caesar salad but flavors much more fresh and subtle than the norm.

Slow roasted pork, savoy cabbage, spaetzle, roasted apple puree. The pork was very smokey- almost tasted like ham. It melted in my mouth- honest!

Herbed frites-blue cheese sabayon. I insisted that these be ordered to be shared at the table. People did not complain. Could have used a little more sabayon. What the hell is sabayon?

Chocolate and blood orange Tart with Buller’s Muscat. - The desert did not disappoint

Wines: We stared the meal with a lovely Matua Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Paretai Estate Series 2005. Delicious!

Next up was the Quails Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2004- good but I had my heart set on the Note Bene which was sold out , so nothing could compare in my mind.

We’ve been discussing our Brio experience since then and trying to decide if we’d go back. We’re torn. We liked it and there were a couple of other things on the menu possibly worth trying....but only a couple. The service was good except for when the server cleared away the plates without asking. A big no-no in my books “There were two fry stubs left on that plate Miss.” I’ve been thinking more about the loss of those fry stubs than going back to Brio.

Anyway 19 lbs down.

Bikram's

For some reason I can’t really remember much about last week- then it all comes back to me in a damp rush....hot yoga!

Golly, I've been wanting to try out Bikram’s hot yoga for months- finally last week I got the courage. In fact, I went twice. You apparently get the benefits of three sessions if you do two in a row, besides you save yourself $10.00. Who can pass up such a good deal?

Now, I’m not a person who likes things hot. I’m of Norwegian heritage and I much prefer a brisk day on the fiord to time in the sauna. The purpose of the hot room at Bikram’s is to heat you up so that you can contort your body into all those difficult yoga postures. You work up a good sweat to cure what ails you. You work every muscle in your body.

My friend Owl has been going for three years and she is fit. I have always known her to be very slender but now she is buff- her arms and shoulders are nicely built and it’s due to hot yoga. Clearly, some people are very devoted to this practice.

First off I had to do some investigation. I had to know that this was not a place where yoga hotties would be laughing me out of the premises. I had to know that there would be all shapes and sizes and not just the sculpted ladies in their yoga couture. Apparently I could expect young and old, big and small.

And so I arrived at the Victoria Bikram studio in my full glory. My yoga mat, two towels, I forgot my water but was quickly given some.

The first thing that strikes you when you enter the building is the smell of feet. Sort of gym -like but stronger. I was introduced to the instructor who sits in the entrance as people for the upcoming class are arriving. Because I was new, the instructor took me into the studio to lay out my mat toward the back of the room where it is apparently cooler. The blast of heat that hit me when I entered the studio was a bit of a shock...it was hot...yucky hot. No turning back though The concept of hot yoga is pretty simple. There are 26 postures - you do each twice. The instructor does not actually do the routine- she or he is wearing a little microphone and talks the class through the postures. Most of the class know the routine because they have been there before- you watch what the others are doing and follow them. If you are doing something glaringly wrong or having troubles the instructor will come over and help you. My instructor was an angel. Her body was stunning. Sleek with the slightest hint of delicate curves tucked neatly into her hot-hot shorts. The whole session takes ninety minutes. About two thirds of the way through I felt nauseous. I carry much too much weight around my middle to do all of the postures and I’m not good at balancing. Three quarters of the way through I just wanted it to end. Coming out of the hot studio into a blast of normal air felt like heaven. I couldn’t leave right away because I kind of felt drained. Too bad because I ended up with a damn parking ticket.

Going back the next day was a good idea. It felt much better and I had an easier time with some of the postures. I didn’t feel as queasy either. After the second day I was very sore in my legs and butt. It was a good sore though, one that tells you that you did a good workout. I used city parking as to not worry about getting another ticket.

I would definitely go back sometime, in fact I’d like to try it again after losing another ten to fifteen pounds to see if it’s any easier. I couldn’t see making it a regular thing because it seems like such a ritual: driving there, parking, in total it’s at least a couple of hours out of the day. I was also fortunate to go at 9:30 am which is a less busy time. There were about thirty bodies and to me the studio felt full. I am told at peak times they fit sixty people in!! No can do !! I would be afraid that I’d inadvertently bitch-slap some poor soul.

If you are curious about hot-yoga- do try it out. People are extremely supportive. Newcomers are welcomed. One lady yelled out “Way to go” as the newbies sat, shell-shocked on the benches afterwards. I honestly did not get the weird vibe that I get from gym-chicks who frown upon fatties using their sacred leg-extenters. Indeed, there were all sorts of bodies at hot-yoga. Lots of older people, different sizes, very integrated.

As for the food intake for the week. I’m kind of floundering around without a real plan. Adam’s birthday festivities continued with a dinner at his parents house. I had my hopes up for some refined carbohydrates in the form of a cake or a pie. I got double the pleasure as Adam’s father made biscuits from scratch!! Oh my god!! I’m not sure what gave me the most sensory pleasure; the sight of the pool of butter as it was melting onto the innard of the hot biscuit or the taste of the liquid gold mixed with fluffy baked goodness. I had a hard time not cramming it whole into my mouth. Desert was carrot cake and somehow I got a pretty big piece. This was probably because I had hisspered into Adam’s ear-” A big piece for the lady please, birthday boy!!” The cake was from Pure Vanilla and my only criticism would be that it was on the sweet side. At that moment in time however, sweet was completely what I was after. I cherished every bite with the generous heap of cream-cheese frosting. A girl doesn’t do back to back sessions of hot-yoga and not expect to have a reward.

Sunday morning I mentioned to Adam that I was going to have poached eggs. “Wouldn’t you like some eggs Benedict?” said he- with the look of a pup. We leapt out of bed. If you don’t want to line up for hours at Mole you must get there no later than 9:15 am.Within fifteen minutes we were there. My morning was perfect. An Americano. (Mole is one of the only breakfast places that can do a superb Americano- always a double!) The mole benny: a low fat combination of a freshly baked biscuit topped with two medium poached eggs, avocado and smoked paprika hollandaise. We split a side of lean back bacon. Afterwards we walked hills, in the drizzle, for an hour.

total weight lost =16 lbs- big surprise- must have been the hot yoga!!

Yes- hisspered- a new word !!