Homemade granola

Well, things have been pretty easy these last few weeks.  I have a baby that sleeps, the silly class I am taking is almost over, and work is getting to be a little less stressful.

I have been very focused on my goals and holding myself accountable by writing everything down.

Something I find really helpful is preparation.  I find if I am organized and plan things properly (such as food), I don’t feel any level of stress.  I have been loving my pre-walk snack of granola, Greek yogurt, blueberries, and Manuka honey.

Giggles Granola

Preheat oven to 350

1 tbsp Sunflower oil

2 tsp Maple syrup

1/4c Orange juice (you could you apple)

1/4 tsp Vanilla

2 – 3c Rolled oats

1/4c Coconut

1/4c Sunflower seeds

1/4c Sliced almonds

1/4c Pumpkin seeds

*you could use any seed combination and add dried fruit if you like

Combine everything in a large bowl.  Once well combined, spread the mixture on a baking tray and cook until crispy, stirring often.  Let cool before eating and store in an airtight container.

Once you have had homemade granola, you won’t go back to store bought.

Ergo Baby Carrier Review

We were lucky enough to be gifted a Baby Bjorn for our baby shower over the summer  We were thrilled because P had been wanting one to tote the Tank in and I was more than happy to let him have the carrier of his choice.

(photo credit from the Baby Bjorn site)

I had not done much research in carriers, simply because I didn’t think I would be the one using it.  Big mistake.

Once we felt comfortable enough to have him in a carrier, into the Bjorn he went.  He wasn’t a fan, and quite frankly, neither was I.  It was a bit of a pain to have him in and honestly, not comfortable for myself or P to wear.  I assumed the Tank would enjoy it more once he was able to be front facing and after a few attempts, waited until his neck was stronger to try again.

After waiting a few weeks, we tried the Bjorn front facing and it seemed worse.  The Tank couldn’t wait to get out and it felt like a total disaster.

To the interwebs I went and researched carriers like it was my job.  Review after review was leading me to the Ergo.

While not cheap at $130 (we purchased ours from Babies R Us), I was willing to try it out.  Keep in mind, I would have continued to wear the uncomfortable Bjorn had the Tank enjoyed his time in it and would be willing to be uncomfortable for the comfort of the baby but there was no need to be uncomfortable with the Ergo.

The moment I took it out of the box, I was in love with it.  With its large, padded straps and more back support, I was sold.  I was able to get the Tank into it quickly and by myself (both huge bonuses).  However, if the main critic of the house was not pleased, it was going back.  

He loved it.

Within 20 minutes, he was asleep. I assumed it was too good to be true and decided to try it a few more times before writing this review.  The true test would be to have him in the Ergo during what we sweetly refer to as “crank o’clock” between 6-7pm, before bedtime.  The same thing has happened over and over.  He is so comfortable that he falls asleep.  

Other great features include a front pocket to stash keys, cards, etc., a sleep hood, and the versatility of having the option to carry your child three different ways (front, back, and hip), not to mention the size advantage (up to 45 pounds).

Below is the exact one we purchased and love

(picture from the Ergo site)

I am happy we were able to try out two carriers and am thrilled the Tank has fallen in love with at least one.  I am now looking forward to milder weather to try it outside.

 

I’m back

After a ridiculously long break from blogging, I have been inspired by friends to start writing here again.

Many things have changed since my last post.  Most notably, I am a new mom.  The little tank is now 3 months and is growing like a weed.  Never thought I would be a mother and now I have no idea why it took me so long.

As my birthday is fast approaching and I am re-kindling my blog love, I will start my post off with my “32 by 33″ list.

1.  Run the Toronto Harbourfront half marathon and PR by 20 minutes

2.  Run the Ottawa Race Weekend 10k

3.  Run the Wolfe Island 10K

4.  Complete my Project Management certification by September 2012

5.  Have over $1000 in RESP for the tank by November 2012

6.  Own my own car by October 2012

7.  Complete nursing pre-requisites by March 2013

8.  Complete CPR certification by October 2012

9.  Go to Osheaga in August

10.  Go to Wolfe Island music fest in August

11.  Fall in love with yoga again.  Practice minimum 3 times per week.

12.  Do wonderful things with Lululemon (run club, possible employment) by September 2012

13.  Attempt camping with a baby this summer

14.  Read 3 books (it seems small but when you are in school with a little one, the time doesn’t seem to exist) by November 2012

15.  Take 3 photos per week to frame a massive collage by December 2012

16.  Have the house unpacked by May 2012

17.  Wholly enjoy this time off work – starting NOW

18.  Have a massive garden (fruits AND vegetables) this summer

19.  Try canning at the end of our giant harvest

20.  Find a new band to discover monthly

21.  Be caught up on dental appointments by August 2012

22.  New pair of glasses (no more putting it off) by June 2012

23.  Fall in love with painting and sketching again

24.  Craft night (emails already sent out to the ladies!)

25.  Purchase a pair of Toms by October 2012

26.  Donate clothes/shoes/old glasses.  Purge as often as needed.

27.  Donate blood minimum 3 times over the next year

28.  Stretch more everyday

29.  Be a FitFluential Ambassador

30.  Go to the 2013 yoga conference in Toronto

31.  Be the best mom I can be

32.  Blog once a week

My wish is that by putting it out there and blogging again it will hold me accountable.  I hope to revisit this list this time next year and have 32 things crossed off and ready for a new list of goals.

>The power of positive

>I woke up to the most intense dream I have ever had on Friday morning.

I was in Vancouver with a friend at an Eion Finn led yoga class. My eyes were closed and the teacher was controlling my mind. I saw purple and yellow circles.

I have never had a dream like that. What could it even mean? Maybe I need to stop reading the uber positive Smile With Your Heart before bed!

According to this site my dream colours actually have meaning.

YELLOW is the color of sunshine. It is associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy

PURPLE combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

Thursday, my day leading up to my dream was a very positive one for me. Great meeting with my bank, as well as a great meeting at work. It, by no means, was a perfect day but I tried to put a positive spin on everything…

glitch at work = opportunity to improve on some skills
having to walk 45 mins home because someone jumped the subway tracks = extra exercise
great bank service = sent emails to staff managers about positive banking experience

Again, I think this is more positive subliminal reinforcement from JT.

My 10 year goal is to be a nurse practitioner, as well as a yoga instructor. To own and operate my own little wellness centre for women with a yoga studio. Was that dream showing me that I need to focus more on yoga? I have my nursing entrance exam on Wednesday, things could be happening…

***All photos from this post are from Lululemon

>What the?!?!?!

>I finally had a brief moment to spare today and decided to play catch up with some blogs that I love. When I got to Alex’s blog, I was happy to find out she had been nominated for the Stylish Blogger Award! It was also very interesting to learn more about her.

I continued reading, I noticed she had links to other blogs. As I started reading the other blogs she posted links to, one link kept bringing me back to my own blog. I just couldn’t figure it out. Then I realised it was like one of those moments where you’re looking for your glasses and they have been on your face the whole time! My blog was there because Alex picked me!! What what!!!!

Alex, you rock my socks. THANK.YOU.

The conditions of this award are as follows:

1. Make a post and link back to the person who awarded this to me.
2. Share 7 things about myself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers to tell them they’ve won!

Seven things about myself:

1. Most people have nicknames usually based on what their name is. As my name is Julie, the usual one I get is Jules. I hate it. There are only 3 people that can call me Jules and I won’t cringe at the sound…my mom, sister, and boyfriend. Whenever anyone but those three people say that word, it makes my skin crawl. The biggest problem however, is that I’ve never told anyone.

2. I have been trying to obtain my undergraduate degree for a very long time. 9 years to be exact. I took a few years off after high school. I was very unsure of what I wanted to do and ridiculously stubborn. When I finally decided I wanted to go back, I could only afford to do it part time. I’ve taken many years off in between but I know that someday, I will get that diploma!

3. I used to analyse sperm. You read that right. When I lived in Montreal, I worked for a fertility clinic in the andrology lab, and one of my daily tasks was to
analyse the specimens that came in. I wasn’t the sperm lady, I did analyse many other things but people really seem to get a kick out of hearing my stories. I really, really, really miss that job.

4. I didn’t speak English until I was around 8 years old. I am fluent in both French and English.

5. To this day, my best friends are still the same old crew from high school

6. I’ve done a lot of Canadian travel but have never been outside of North America. As I type that, I know that needs to change. SOON.

7. I am not a jealous person at all but I have been feeling some serious pangs of jealously since finding this blog. She has accomplished everything on my bucket list; Nursing degree, traveling, yoga, running, living in Kits, and the list goes on. Just reading her blog puts a smile on my face. I wonder if she knows how inspiring she is?

I am supposed to nominate 15 bloggers, but I want to concentrate on the blogs I read regularly, and that have a positive message. Congratulations ladies, you are all so amazing!

Alex Happy Go Lucky
Jenn Smile With Your Heart
Caitlin Twenty-Fifth Year
Elise Hungry Hungry Hippie
Sarah White Blossom
Nicole Geek Turned Athlete
Beth California Training

>New and old

>I love yoga.

I have loved yoga for a long time. But I have a deep infatuation, almost obsession with any form of yoga in a heated room.

I’ll admit it, I am naturally sweaty. The thought of being in an environment that welcomes that is a-ok in my book.

Since leaving Montreal and my beloved Moksha studio on St-Laurent, I have been on the hunt for a replacement. I have tried the Moksha studio closest to me in Toronto (which is lovely) but it just wasn’t making the sweaty cut. I wanted more heat and I wanted more intensity, and then Tula entered into my life.

I remember my sister telling me about this great yoga studio close to her when I lived in Ottawa and being insanely jealous as Ottawa’s idea of a heated studio is some sun shining in the window…

*Photo from Tula site

Off to Tula Central I went last Saturday for my first class. With my SIL (sister-in-law) in tow, we discovered the amazingness that is Tula. The studio itself is beautiful, and the heat is PLENTIFUL. We attended a 75 min Hot Hatha class and it was wonderful. The teacher was great, the atmosphere great, and I really can’t find anything bad to say about it. I knew I would be back…

And so I was only 5 days later, this time with my sister and ready for a Hot Power Flow class. The class was even better than the Hot Hatha. It was so intense, I thought I was going to be sick. Needless to say, by the time I got home, I was already planning my next visit!

If you live in Toronto, I highly recommend Tula. I have only been to the Central location but my trigger finger is about to click purchase on a 10-class package!

*Photo found on blogto

On a completely un-yoga related note, but definitely tying in with the ‘old’ portion of this title, pupcakes.

Yes you read that word correctly. I love baking and why not bake for one of the great loves of my life? I’ve been baking these for a long, long time.

The recipe is modified from this recipe

Frost’s Favourite Pupcakes

1 egg
1/4c all natural, crunchy peanut butter
1 individual container of all natural apple sauce
1tsp vanilla extract
1c finely diced carrots
1tsp baking soda
1c flour (you can use white or whole wheat)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
I like to use a mini ice cream scoop and fill a mini muffin pan with batter.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

>Listen to your body’s whispers so you don’t have to hear it scream

>I had Friday off to unwind and study before my exam on Saturday (January 8th – I am the worst at publishing my posts). I took the opportunity of having some extra time to attend a yoga class.

I chose to go to a Yin class. The class was great. It was 90 minutes of stretching and wow did I feel it the next day and even more so the day after that.

Yin defined on the Moksha site as:

It was a great class and as much as I enjoy the convenience of the location, I much prefer the Moksha studios of Montreal.

I will definitely be back though.