Yummy Muffins!

Today I embarked on a snowshoeing adventure with my dogs. In order to fuel myself properly I started off the day with yummy muffins. Here's the recipe and a few pictures. Enjoy!

Davidson is investigating the best way to go!

Another Busy Week Ahead

Good morning bloggers,

We're battling yet another snowstorm here in Southwestern Ontario. I ventured out this morning to have a visit with my friend Franca in Milton. This is my one day of peace in the middle of yet another BUSY week.

So does anyone else feel like they are on a treadmill these days? And I don't mean the good treadmill at the gym; I mean the treadmill of life. I'm constantly on the go. Sometimes I don't know if I can handle it all. I go to bed thinking about what I haven't done in the day. Sorry... whining. But I guess it's good to know that I am not immune to stress! It gets all of us. It's how we handle it that shows our character and ability to succeed. Let me tell you... handling stress does not involve a bucket of ice cream and sweatpants. That used to be my plan of attack and it got me even more stressed.

As for this week, I have a lot of adventures ahead of me...
Yesterday I spent ALL DAY filming for The W Network. I wish I could give you all an air date for the show, but I have no idea when things will be done. We just keep filming more and more.

Thursday I fly out to Vancouver, BC because on Friday morning I will be guest speaking at Kiewit & Sons Annual Conference. I am the motivational speaker for the wives at breakfast on Friday morning. I have worked with the chef at the hotel to create a clean-eating spread for the breakfast talk. I hope they enjoy it.

Friday afternoon I fly home from BC so I can be in Kingston, Ontario for Saturday morning. I am really honored to be speaking at Queen's University, my alma mater, as successful alumni. Click here for the information for those of you who are in the area. I don't know if it is open to the public or if it is just for students, but it's worth a look.

This weekend is also my daughter's 21st birthday celebration. Does anyone have any recommendations for 21st birthday gifts? I'm at a loss.


Phewf!!!

I know I said I would keep you posted on my progress for the Arnold coming up in a month's time, and here's where I have to get good and honest. With the amount of work on my plate, even I have had more than my share of days off. When my hubby and I have made it to the gym we have been working with 4 sets. The first set is 25 reps with light weight and the following 3 sets are 6 reps with ultra-heavy weight. As for eating.... it's Cooler 1 ALL THE WAY!!

Enjoy the snowshoeing pics everybody. I took those this weekend with Chelsea and the pups when I finally managed to peel my butt off the desk chair after working on recipes all weekend.

I'll update you on all the week's adventures... and I will answer questions soon.

Going to QVC

This is Kelsey leaping - check out the air she is getting!

Me

My makeup drawer.

Hello Sisters in Iron.

Was your week cold enough? My golden retriever thinks so. He would lie down in the snow when I took my dogs for a walk, and wait until I cleared his paws. I don't think he likes the ice much. Yeah! It has been cold. I don't mind it too much. As long as I can pile enough clothes on me and get out in the weather I feel like it clears my head. I actually like it. When you add some exercise to the picture, like snowshoeing for example, well you get pretty warm. I am usually quite sweaty after an hour on my snowshoes.

I told you earlier this week that I was going to work on eating smaller quantities. It can be done e! All week I have used smaller plates and eaten a bit less than what I would normally. I feel fine. And I noticed I still have abdominal definition even though I am not training for a contest right now. So less is more!

This weekend I am travelling to Kingston and then Belleville. Kingston is our first stop to drop off some things for Kiersten at Queens - lamps, blankets, clothes, groceries - and then we are going to drive to Belleville for the Quinte Ballet School Gala. Kelsey is dancing in the gala and we are getting all dressed up for the big dinner. We are going as a family and it should be fun. There will be dancing and dining and silliness but most importantly we will be supporting the school.

At the end of the week I will be travelling to the US to appear on QVC. That is the big American shopping channel. I will be on TV at 9:00 am on Friday, January 23rd. You can watch online at http://www.qvc.com/. I don't think Canadians get QVC on TV but I have watched my friend Bobbi Brown on my computer and it works pretty well. I will be doing a cooking segment and pitching my books. Should be fun!

All week long I have heard Oprah and Gayle King talking about the inauguration. History is definitely in the making. The sense of change and the dare to hope is back in the air. I am not an American but even I feel empowered by this man and his family. I find myself looking forward to the changes he has promised to bring about. I am proud of Canadians too because we are just as excited about what is going to be happening in Washington. It is good for us to once again believe in something.

Remember to believe in yourselves too. I do. Remember you are never alone. This weekend make a hearty stew for your family. Fill it with vegetables and spices for flavor. Gather up your family and go for a walk or a skate. Get out into the fresh air and fill your lungs with clean, invigorating oxygen.

Hugs to you all,

Tosca

Long Day on my Butt!

Hi Everyone!

What a day! It seems everyone is having a hard time adjusting to "back to school" and "back to work" mode. My kids are calling me telling me how tough it is to be back at school. The youngest is whining because she has so much homework and doesn't understand Grade 10 math. My MAN left the house at 6:oo am this morning and I still haven't seen him - long day for him too! And I still have a lifting session ahead of me.

I planned ahead and had put a roast in the slow cooker with a crazy pile of chopped root veggies and loads of garlic. It's a good way to feed the gang believe me!

I have been in my office pretty much all day writing like a mad Sistah in Iron. I have two books on the table. Well it got a bit much and by about 2:30 pm I thought I might go nuts. So I strapped on the snow shoes and took the dogs out for a while. Bailey is the golden retriever and Davidson is the black lab. What a gorgeous day! The sun was shining and well ... the photos say it all.

Have a snuggly evening! I plan to.

Goodnight,

Tosca