Back from a Busy Weekend

The days have been flying by for me as I am certain they have been for all of you as well. There is something about this time of year that in the days before the holidays one day races into another and there is never enough time to complete the tasks at hand.

On Friday I had the absolute honor of meeting two of my biggest fans, Linda and her friend Joanne. Linda's husband, Gilles, organized the meeting. We couldn't resist the urge to hit the gym. We had a full body workout and followed it up with a pleasant lunch of grilled chicken, brown rice and steamed veg. It was a lovely afternoon.

Then on Friday evening we had our work Christmas party. We did something I've NEVER done before.... bowling!! The entire Eat-Clean Diet team took part initiating Bob and me into this sport. In the first game, I not only fell down, but I guttered nearly every ball. The 2nd game, however, Bob and I practiced and did pretty good. Overall, everyone was pretty bad at the game, but no one cared that much. It was such a fun way to celebrate the holiday and our team taking the focus off food (like most holiday parties) and putting it onto a fun activity. Love it!

My tree had been up in the family room for a week before a single ornament was place on it. Last night after having created a delicious Sunday feast of mashed celeriac, steamed broccoli and carrots, parchment baked chicken and grilled beef tenderloin, I suggested to my daughters, Rachel and Chelsea that since I had cooked the dinner they could clean up and then each of them could help finish decorating the tree by placing 10 ornaments on it each. Would you know it? In no time at all the tree was completely decorated and it turned out to be a pleasant experience topped off with Christmas music playing in the background.

Now it is Monday morning and my list is still long (minus one decorated tree). I considered not doing my run this morning because I was so strapped for time but I resisted that temptation and did it anyway. I figured I would just have to run faster and get it done in a shorter amount of time. So I logged my 3 miles in about half an hour and then did the Tosca Eat Clean Cooler #1 Breakfast – oatmeal, flax, salba and 4 egg whites.

My day will be full of To Do’s but at least I will attack it knowing I have not skimped on exercise or nutrition. It occurred to me that food choices are made by virtue of what is available in your cupboards, cooler or fridge. I have already cooked my hardboiled eggs for today and have a green salad ready to go. There is also the parchment baked chicken left over from last night as well as the steamed veggies. That is why I always do Planned Leftovers. It is so easy to pack up leftovers into my cooler and run for the rest of the day.

I am thinking of all of you as you dash about in the madness of the holiday season. I struggle too and I want you to know it is the smallest of actions – like packing a cooler or doing your cardio despite the time squeeze – that is a sign to yourself that you care... you care about you. And I do too.

Love and hugs.
Tosca