Down $5

Well, the weigh-in did not bring good news to my wallet.  When we started this Biggest Loser competition (read it here), I felt confident that I had an advantage.  But, the fact that he's a guy makes a HUGE difference.  This mofo has lost 9-lbs and he's only been trying for a couple of weeks.  I've tried for 5-weeks and am still at 6-lbs.   I lost  1-lb from last week.  but, it wasn't enough for his 5-lb loss.  FrACk!

He has more work meetings so hopefully The Vendors will be feeding their gratitude to him with fatty deliciousness.  mwhahaha...FTW!

I have decided to add rowing twice a week to my Zumba.  Hopefully, that will help.  I'm slacking on noting my food on myfitnesspal.com, am eating one too many cookies/slice of cake, and skipped Zumba last week since we took The Boy to the Science Centre.

My silver lining is even if I lose another $5, if it motivates me to lose a couple more pounds, then I AM winning.

Reality:  I don't feel like a winner.   I LOST dammit!  grrrrr

Score:

1. Me: +5  Him: -5


2. Me: 0     Him: 0


3. Me: -5    Him: +5

Rainbow Cupcakes

I couldn't be bothered with icing, but white piped would look really cute as clouds :D

recipe is the BEST ever cupcake recipe, from nigella's domestic goddess :>

1. 
   
   
   
   Preheat oven to 200 degrees C
   
   Round up your ingredients
   
   Beat the sugar and butter together, until fluffy and light coloured
   
   


2. 
   
   
   
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a little flour each time, until you've added it all.
   
   


3. 
   
   
   
   Ad the vanilla essence, mix
   
   one tbsp milk, mix
   
   one tbsp milk, mix
   
   one tbsp milk, mix
   
   


4. 
   
   
   
   Divide between 6 bowls
   
   Bowl 1- Add half a cap full of red colouring
   
   Bowl 2- Add half a cap full of red and half a cap full of yellow
   
   Bowl 3- Half a cap of yellow
   
   Bowl 4- Half a cap full of green
   
   Bowl 5- Half a cap full of Blue
   
   Bowl 6- Half a cap full of Blue, half a cap full of Red.
   
   Obviously, mix after you've added the colourings
   
   


5. 
   
   
   
   Divide the purple bowl between the 12 cases. smooth to form bottom layer.
   
   Repeat with the other bowls in this order:
   Blue
   Green
   Yellow
   Orange
   Red
   
   Put in the oven for 15-20 mins
   
   skewer to find out if it's ready, if it come out gunky, put it back in the oven! if clean, then pop on a cooling rack
   
   


6. 
   
   
   
   Decorate!!!
   
   go crazy!
   
   

NOTE:  Use a box of White cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch.  Then start from step 4.  Homemade is always tastier, but the reality is, not everyone is a baker, has all the ingredients, or prefers the convenience of just having to add oil and egg to a prepackaged mix.

I didn't follow the colour order as per the recipe.  I just put whatever colour The Boy wanted to put next.  Although, when I do it again, I won't finish with green on top.  Got feedback that it looked like my cupcakes had moldy fungus!  LOL

Who's going to win $5 this week?

I think I was mentally blocking out that I lost at the second weigh in.

So far, it's been like this:

1. I win $5!  I lost 7-lbs.  Brother lost 2-lbs.


2. I gave his $5 back (sounds better than saying I lost).  I gained 1-lbs.  Brother lost 2-lbs.  It was the Jamaican Food! (read about it here) note:  when I weighed myself the next morning, I 'lost' that 1-lb.


3. Who will take it this week??

Now, I had a huge Chinese New Year feast yesterday.   I had Harvey's for lunch the other day.  Only had a burger (took off the bottom bun!), nibbled a bit on The Husband's poutine, and drank water.   It's not looking good.  My weight hasn't changed!  Happy that I haven't gained, but that's not good enough for a win.

I'm just going to have to Zumba my a$$ off, maybe hit the rowing machine for some extra calorie inferno time, and keep the garbage out of my mouth.

What's your order?

Is it unreasonable to ask that the chef get your order right? You ask me how I'd like my food. I tell you. Now, as I wait for my food, my hunger pain sends expectations to my brain setting up for a certain food flavour. For example, if you order your steak medium done and they bring you medium rare, wouldn't you send it back? Yeah, I could still eat it, but it will be a little disappointing. Right? I don't mind a little pink in my steak, but not bloody.

Now, take this same experience with someone who asks you what you want for breakfast at home. You ask me how I'd like my pancakes (I make my own mix with whole wheat flour. See Homemade Pancake Mix post). I tell you I want blueberry pancakes. Now, as I wait for my food, my hunger pain sends expectations to my brain setting up for a certain food flavour. The blueberries will add fiber, anti-oxidants, and flavour since I don't use syrup to help cut back on the calories. Especially, since I lost my weigh-in last week and this week is kinda iffy.

So, when I get pancakes with NO blueberries, I'm not completely grateful for the breakfast you've made. Just use syrup is the solution. WTH?!? It's hard enough to try to eat better and less food. But, now you want me to use liquid sugar, be hungry in an hour and eat more food. Are you on my brother's payroll to help me lose this week??

At least someone made me breakfast. I should be thankful and gracious and eat the damn pancakes. Which I did. (well, I ate the pancakes....:P)

OR

If you want it done right, do it yourself.

Let's just say, I made breakfast myself this morning. Thank you for your efforts, but I have too much to lose and cannot afford your mistake. My pride and $5 is on the line!

[polldaddy poll=4504803]

Homemade Pancake Mix

How to Make Your Own Pancake Mixes - Make either buttermilk or sour cream pancakes!

You can make these mixes as large or as small as you like. Keep the same ratio of ingredients to make it any size.

Homemade Buttermilk Pancake Mix
All Purpose Flour               cups 4
Sugar                                        cups 1/4
Dry Buttermilk Powder    cups 1/2
Baking Soda                           tsp 2
Baking Powder                     tsp 4
Salt                                           tsp 1

Homemade Sour Cream Pancake Mix
All Purpose Flour                 cups 4
Sugar                                          cups 1/3
Dry Sour Cream Powder    cups 2/3
Baking Soda                             tsp 2
Baking Powder                       tsp 4
Salt                                              tsp 1

For easier measurement, remember that one tablespoon equals three teaspoons.

Combine all the ingredients and whisk together to distribute evenly. Store your pancake mixes in an air-tight container in a cool place and it should last a long time.

You can buy buttermilk powder in your grocery store.

Use the sour cream pancake mix as a base mix for by adding fruit, nuts, baking chips or more. Of course, you can make it plain for some special, extra rich pancakes. We guarantee that it is better than most store mixes.

To use your mix:
1. Measure the desired mix into a large bowl.
2. In a smaller bowl, whisk one egg for every one to 1 1/2 cups of mix.
3. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter or oil to the egg for every one cup of mix.
4. Add 2/3 cup water to the egg mixture for every one cup of mix. Add the liquid mixture to the mix and stir until just combined. The batter will probably be too dry so add more water to reach the desired consistency.

Variations
Most popular pancake mix is Raspberry Sour Cream Pancakes. We also make a Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Pancakes Mix. We’ll tell you how to make your own sour cream pancake mix using dry sour cream powder. Use it as a base mix for by adding fruit, nuts, baking chips or more. Of course, you can make it plain for some special, extra rich pancakes. We guarantee that it is better than most store mixes.

Here are a baker’s dozen recipes to use your Gourmet Sour Cream Pancake Mix. Of course, this is just a beginning; use your imagination to create more great gourmet pancakes.

• Gourmet Chocolate Chip Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add mini milk chocolate chips). Serve with maple syrup, coconut cream syrup, or vanilla cream syrup.

• Gourmet Cinnamon Chip Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add mini cinnamon chips). Serve with maple syrup, cinnamon cream syrup, or cinnamon apple syrup.

• Gourmet Maple Chip Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add mini maple chips). Serve with maple syrup or maple cream syrup.

• Gourmet Walnut and Date Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add chopped walnuts and dates). Serve with maple syrup, cinnamon cream syrup, or maple cream syrup.

• Gourmet Apple Cinnamon Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add grated fresh apples or Fuji dry apples plus cinnamon). Serve with maple syrup, cinnamon apple syrup, or maple cream syrup.

• Gourmet Baked Apple Pancakes (add grated fresh apples or Fuji dry apples plus maple flavoring). Serve with maple syrup, cinnamon apple syrup, or maple cream syrup.

• Gourmet Cranberry Nut Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add chopped walnuts and dry cranberries). Serve with maple syrup, cinnamon apple syrup, or coconut cream syrup.

• Gourmet Caramel Pear Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add diced dry pears plus a touch of nutmeg and a little cinnamon). Serve with Cinnamon Cream or Vanilla Cream syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar.

• Gourmet Blueberry Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add fresh or individually frozen blueberries plus a touch of lemon and nutmeg). Add the blueberries at the last and don’t stir more than necessary to avoid turning your pancakes blue.

• Gourmet Fresh Peach and Pecan Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add chopped fresh peaches and chopped pecans plus a touch of lemon and nutmeg). Serve with Orchard Peach or Vanilla Cream Syrup.

• Gourmet Raspberry Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add fresh or individually frozen raspberries plus a touch of lemon). Add the raspberries at the last and don’t stir more than necessary.

• Gourmet Banana Pecan Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add a mashed banana and a little banana flavoring along with cinnamon and chopped pecans). Top with more sliced bananas. Serve with maple syrup or cinnamon cream syrup.

• Gourmet Fresh Strawberry Sour Cream/Buttermilk Pancakes (add fresh strawberries thinly sliced and a touch of lemon). It’s easier to slice your strawberries with a strawberry slicer. Serve with strawberry syrup or vanilla cream syrup.


My NOTES:
• I don't add the buttermilk nor sour cream when I make my mix.
• I use whole wheat flour, not all-purpose flour.
• I add 2 tsp of cinnamon to the 4 cup of flour.
• When I make pancakes, I just use 1 cup of mix, 1 egg, and add just enough milk (usually skim,
otherwise homo milk) until I get the right consistency.
• I just add the blueberries to the pancakes after I ladle some mixture into the pan. Cook. Then flip.

got it from here

Good Luck or Cash Grab?

If you are married then you are expected to pass on your good fortune to the children and singletons. The money train pulls in at the yearly Chinese New Year 10-course dinner with 40+ people of immediate family and first cousin level family.

As a non-married person, particularly in my youth, it was great. Piles of lucky red envelopes filled with money. It's add up to a trip to the mall for clothes/shoes and/or movies and food. As I grew older-older I felt embarrassed to accept the envelopes. Franklin and I have been together over 10+ years. I'm finished school, working and on my way to buying my first home.

It's a little different now. I'm married with children. Handing out red envelopes to the masses is part of our yearly budget. Of course a little extra goes to my darling nieces. I love them as if they were my own daughters. Then there's all the children that are in elementary school. If they are still in school, be it University or High School, then I think they should. Now, for the cousins who are grown up and out of University and working. Should they still get? How about the ones that are older than me and are working? Should their bf/gf get one too? There are an additional 9 people then. 20 people. Varying amounts. Then dinner costs. Uggghh!

The reality is, it's all worth it. They are family and I wish them all great health, happiness, and prosperity. Just like the I HATE You post:

"There’s so many variations that are the same:

1. Do unto others as others do unto you.

2. What goes around comes around.

3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

4. What you put out is what you’re going to get."

We will put out these positive vibes and be thankful that we are expected to give out the red envelopes. I have a great family, a roof over my head, food in my fridge, and am healthy. I hope every lucky recipient gets that in their life too.

[polldaddy poll=4504844]

Napping...A break from the waking world

Why do our little ones fight it? They either get super grumpy, super silly, or just listless.

I know he's tired. His dad knows he's tired. But, to ask him, he'll tell you "nooooooooooooooooooooo mommy". He gets mega restless and starts climbing all over you. This could just be cabin fever, typical crazy boy behaviour, or he's tired. We've got him in enough activities, crafts, toys, books, baking together at home, and cartoons on demand and video to keep him entertained. We STILL have to do the car ride trick to get him to take a nap. He needs it. If we have to resort to the car ride, buddy falls asleep before we hit the next block!

Now, with my little one, it's a bit different. He loves to be held. Who doesn't? But, to keep my sanity and to get laundry, dishes, and food ready, I cannot hold you 24-hrs. Sometimes, I submit and just hold him while he sleeps (trust me I love it, but I learned from the first one, if you don't put them down, you'll be holding them while you go to the bathroom too!) but, sometimes holding him just isn't enough.

He's already fed, burped, and has a clean diaper. So, he rubs his eyes. Is being fussy. I know he's tired. His father knows he's tired. But, to ask him, he'll tell you "waaaaaaaaaaah". So, my last resort after doing the monkey dance bounce-shuffle, I bust out the FIVE S.

I hold him side ways and monkey dance bounce in the bathroom with the lights off and the fan on. We don't do the pacifier. Heard too many nightmare stories from other parents. i.e. can't get rid of them when they get older, they cry in the crib when it falls out of their mouth every 2 minutes, it wrecks their teeth. Works EVERY time.

Don't know the Five S's to calming your baby? Google it, or here's some info from a site:

* Swaddling - Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support the fetus experienced while still in Mom's womb.

* Side/stomach position - You place your baby, while holding her, either on her left side to aid in digestion, or on her stomach to provide reassuring support. Once your baby is happily asleep, you can safely put her in her crib, on her back.

* Shushing Sounds - These sounds imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb. This white noise can be in the form of a vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, a fan and so on. The good news is that you can easily save the motors on your household appliances and get a white noise CD which can be played over and over again with no worries.

* Swinging - Newborns are used to the swinging motions that were present when they were still in Mom's womb. Every step mom took, every movement caused a swinging motion for your baby. After your baby is born, this calming motion, which was so comforting and familiar, is abruptly taken away. Your baby misses the motion and has a difficult time getting used to it not being there. "It's disorienting and unnatural," says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help.

* Sucking - "Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system," notes Karp, "and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain." This "S" can be accomplished with breast, bottle, pacifier or even a finger.