One Week.

Sorry, this post is not a review on the movie of the same title.

Instead, it's a review of the past week - the week I didn't drink a drop of wine.

This is huge. It may seem trivial or silly to some, but for me, someone who usually has at least a bottle of wine on the weekend (if not two), this is a big deal.

There was even temptation this week! Last Sunday, I went out for dinner with some family - mom & dad were footing the bill, so that's the best time to order wine, right? Well, I didn't! Then, just a few days ago, I went to a WINE BAR with a couple of friends, and ordered 1 beer. The hardest was Friday evening - I like to have wine on Friday nights, watching a movie or whatever. Nope. I had 1 Keith's White.

To say I'm a bit proud of myself is an understatement. I'm very proud of myself. I've also put it in my head that instead of spending the money (that I don't really have to spend) on wine, I'll spend it on yoga classes. Much more beneficial.

So, one week down, 51 more to go!

Starting Fresh

2012 - a brand new year.

Over the last few days, I thought back about 2011. It was, for the most part, the best year of my life. I married my best friend & great love in July; I finished my last course of my BA in August; I graduated in November. Friends had babies, friends announced engagements, friends got married as well. I was in the best shape of my life (well, best shape since I was 18, hah). We adopted an amazing dog. Our hockey team finished 1st place. SO MUCH GOOD.

Then why was I so damn negative?

2011 was also a very stressful year for me. Planning a wedding; living away from my fiance for a few months; doing course work while planning a wedding; being unemployed. I found myself sad a lot; angry at the most ridiculous things. I was drinking a lot, and being unkind to myself. I stopped working out, which affects my mental health like you wouldn't believe, in a very bad way. I was a mean old witch who really had no true reason to be so vile.

This year is starting different. I am giving up wine (my biggest vice), though beer & caesars are okay, heh. I am going to actually join a gym soon, as soon as I have enough money to pay for a year outright (dipping into my TFSA i think). I am going to live an inspired life. Do things. Not just mope and watch copious amounts of useless TV (of course, I'll still watch 'my' shows, can't give up Grey's yet!). I'm done of being a Negatron. Time to be an Optimist Prime!

So far, I'm 4 days w/out wine. Temptation was there too, and I resisted! Way to go, me. You are pretty awesome when you remember that.

I went back through this blog to delete some of the negative. Still have a few more posts to edit, but here on in, let's be happy.

Tomorrow is October - time sure flies by pretty fast!

Things I love about fall:

- Apple picking
- Sweaters!
- Cozy blankets
- Drinking warm drinks & eating hot soup without overheating
- The colours!
- Fall hikes in the hills
- Less than 3 months till Christmas!
- Halloween!
- I will have my graduation ceremony in 1.5 months! (damn that's still so far away!)


I love Fall. i think it's a season that you start to appreciate more as you get older. Summer is great and all, but I no longer am a 18 year old who wants to prance around in my bikini. I'd rather be snuggly in my oversized cowl neck sweater!

and then there were three...

We adopted a dog
We adopted a DOG!!!

We welcomed our new doggy, Enzo (short for Vincenzo) on Monday, September 19th. He is a beautiful 4 year old chocolate lab rescue dog. We adopted him through Hopeful Hearts, a rescue located here in Ottawa.

His previous owners lived in Montreal, and his darling Foster Family brought him in just over a month ago. He had a torn ligament in his back hind leg, that was ignored by his previous owners for over a year (!!!!). His foster family got him the necessary surgery, and he was recouping at their home. It's been just over a month since he had the surgery, so he still has a shaved leg and limps a little.

He is a bit overweight, but his chubbiness is adorable (not healthy though!) He's lost 10lbs since his surgery, and we're helping him to lose more. He needs to lose probably another 15-20 pounds.

He is 1000000% adorable! He's very gentle and sweet, except when Frannie the guinea pig is out - he definitely wants to eat her! Otherwise, he's gentle, doesn't bark (only when we leave the house, and if he hears someone at the door, but we're working on that). He's absolutely beautiful, a deep chocolate color. His eyes will melt you. He loves squeaky toys, and treats (of course). Though, he doesn't like mushrooms!

we are so happy to be able to give him a forever home. he is absolutely smitten with vince, and i think he likes me a lot too ;). He has a favorite toy, which is a monkey i picked out just for him.

it's so wonderful to have such a lovely companion in our home. So really, I should be thanking Enzo. Thank you, buddy, for being here with us.

Recipe from the Top of my Head

In my attempt to become a better, happier person, it's about time I got back to doing things that make me happy...such as cooking.

I've been REALLY lazy when it comes to making good meals lately, and I hate to admit how many times we've used the 2 can dine for $9.89 coupons at McDonald's. (not a whole lot, but enough to be ashamed!)

Anywho, I have started to make weekly meal plans...not necessarily by what exact meals, but what style. For example, Mondays are 'ethnic food' nights - Thai, Chinese, Indian, you get the idea. Thursday is the designated 'crock-pot' night. We play hockey Thursday nights, so this way, a meal will be set, no matter what!

I got a bit sidetracked yesterday, so Wednesday's pasta night got moved to today, and tomorrow will be slow cooker day. I made a delicious (looking, and hopefully tasting) vegetarian lasagna.

i don't really measure so it's just approximations!

Janelle's Very Vegetarian Lasagna

- 1/2 pkg of whole wheat lasagna noodles, cooked & cooled (snap them in half for easier handling)
- 4 portobello mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 bush of broccoli, washed & cut down into small pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, washed and cut into quarters
- 1 yellow pepper, sliced thin
- 1/2 while onion, sliced thin
- 1 tomato, sliced thin
- 1 tub light ricotta cheese
- 1 ball of mozza, shredded (1 cup for ricotta mixture, rest for topping lasagna)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2-3 tbsps of shredded parmesan
- 2 bottles of tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Spices: basil, thyme, parsley, pepper

****
1. Cook the noodles until al dente. Set aside.
2. Pour the tomato sauces together, and add the chopped broccoli & asparagus. Set burner on low, to simmer/cook the veggies.
3. Add sliced portobello mushrooms to a frying pan, saute in flavored olive oil (i used cilanto & onion); drain juice & set aside
4. Mix ricotta, shredded mozza & parm together, with beaten egg. Add in spices, mix well.
5. Take a large size square deep baking dish. Coat the bottom and side with a bit of the tomato sauce (to prevent sticking)
6. Lay down a layer of noodles. Pour sauce on top. Add a layer of mushrooms, and a layer of yellow peppers.
7. Add another layer of noodles. Put a layer of the ricotta mixture on top. Continue layering with all ingredients (except tomatoes) until done. Finish with a noodle 'top'.
8. For the last layer, put sliced tomatoes on top. Sprinkle shredded mozza and cheddar on top.
9. Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes

Runnin' down a dream...

Just signed up for the Ottawa 1/2 marathon for 2012.

Emailed a dog rescue regarding adoption of a chubby chocolate lab.

Made some pillsbury veggie 'pizza' for a team party (i'm not part of the team, but my old man is), which i know i'll eat a ton of.


things are looking up for this unemployed jerk.

a friend of mine found out she has breast cancer. she is 28.

Heather and I go back a few years. we had our rough patches, but we got through them. she is a legit awesome person, and I am very proud to call her my friend. She is honest, open, and despite getting gas from it, she loves cheese as much as myself.

I already had full intentions on running the Terry Fox Run this september, but now I'm running for her. Fuck Cancer. I also intend on running in the CIBC Run for the Cure for her. Fuck Cancer. I am running because cancer is a fucking asshole. It has taken from me 3 uncles, a grandfather AND grandmother I've never met. Fuck you, cancer. My cousin's wife had breast cancer - she kicked it's ass out of her.

FUCK YOU, CANCER.

I'm running for all of them. I'm running for Uncle Kenny. For Uncle Bernie. For Little Pop Francis. For Little Nanny Lucy. For Uncle Jim. For Juanita. For my friend Heather. For Jack Layton. For everyone who has and who has yet to face the evil asshole named Cancer.

You might ask why I'm 'just' becoming passionate about cancer now. Guess what. It's not 'just now' that I care. I don't usually wear my heart on my sleeve. I donate money to charities when i can, and I don't usually make a big damn announcement about it. It's no ones business. But now...I feel different. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve, like i used to before I was all stressed out from school and crap. I want to show my support in cancer research & treatment.

I'm running for you all. I'm running for all of us.