Quote

If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere. 

~Marilyn Monroe

Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.

~Malcolm Forbes

The fearful are caught as often as the bold. 
~Helen Keller

Your flaws, no matter how hard you work to improve them, will never be as good as your strengths. 
~Amanda Linehan

My favorite fruit is grapes. Because with grapes, you always get another chance. Cause, you know, if you have a crappy apple or a peach, you're stuck with that crappy piece of fruit. But if you have a crappy grape, no problem - just move on to the next. Grapes: The Fruit of Hope.
~Demetri Martin

When you're stuck, and sure you've written absolutely garbage, force yourself to finish and then decide to fix or scrap it - or you will never know if you can.
~Jodi Picoult

I know several amazing people that move forward. Most of the time I don't even know about it. They just do it. They don't talk about it much. They just do it. Move forward. Seems easy as I am writing this out. It isn't. I find this to be a strength and I strive to move forward.

Everything around us moves forward. Winter leaves. Spring comes. The sun shines. The mind thinks; yes it does! Even when you think it thoughtless.

Go get yourself daffodils. I am drinking in their promise. Albeit it slowly.

Talk Like Sir Paul

I love Downton Abbey. And, after every episode I find myself trying to sit like Lady Mary and speak like Lady Mary. Yeah. Lady Mary. I'm a bit obsessed.

And longing to work a bit of British-speak into my life.

Arse - I have loved this word for years. Sounds so much better than, "Move your ass you f-ing dumbass." This is usually said while I'm driving.

Bum or Bottom - What do we think? Would we rather have, "I have a big ass"?

Knickers - the perfect replacement for that word, panties (shudder).

Bloody - well, this one is self-evident. It's perfect. "Bloody hell. Bloody marvelous. Bloody awful. Bloody brilliant."

Brilliant - this one as well. It's brilliant!

Tidy - what do we have? Neat? Neato Frito? "He's so neat." Unless he's really special I'd rather know he's tidy.  :)

Twit - love this one. Much better than idiot. And doesn't sound as mean. Maybe? Ha!

Suss - figure something out. I love to suss around. Do you?

Blow Me! - I guess I won't be using this one. Simply means, "I'm surprised!" Heh!

Cheeky - I love to be cheeky. Doesn't have anything to do with my big arse. 

Fancy - desire something. I fancy you. I fancy some tater tots. What? No tater tots in England?

I'm Easy - hmm . . . we better not use this one. Actually means, "I don't care." This wouldn't be good to say if someone fancies you.

Posh - I do fancy that posh pocketbook.

Pocketbook - handbag

Puff - such a good word for flatulence! Although in my house it's "toot". As in, "Pup? Did you toot?"

Hoover - Vacuum the rug. "I'm hoovering today. Pick up your room."

Rubbish - This one really appeals to me. Much better than garbage. "It's Friday! Is the rubbish all in the bin for pickup?" 

It's at the weekend hooches! So pull up your knickers, be cheeky, and suss something out.

Sweet Treat for Your Sweetie

Valentines Day

Has there ever been a day more fraught with high expectations and occasional disappointment? I say every year that I feel sorry for men just a bit, yet when given this sweet little bouquet from my Pup yesterday, I pouted for a minute.

Mostly because it looked like something you'd give your kid's teacher. And I kinda hate smiley face stuff.

Pup is the sweetest man ever, but he hasn't a romantic bone in his body. And that's okay. He has millions of things that I love about him and a smiley face mug of yellow roses and daisies isn't going to make me pout for very long. In his defense, he knows I love daisies and coffee.

Marriage, yes? I'm done pouting and am rather sheepish today. I am a beast!

But since it was Valentines Day I wanted to make a dessert that my Pup loves more than any other. He loves pumpkin pie!

I try (emphasis on the "try") to eat less sugar and found this recipe originally on Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes waaaaaay back in the beginning of my eating less sugar and carb days. I mean way back. 2002 if I think about it. I have made a few tweaks here and there, but here is the recipe.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
15 oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup granular Stevia
1/4 cup caramel or vanilla sugar free syrup *Erythritol could be subbed*
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and beat until thoroughly mixed. Pour into a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350° 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool, then chill before serving. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

8 servings  *yeah, right*

Per serving: 120 calories; 10g fat; 3g protein; 7g carbohydrate; 2g fiber

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pup and I went to the movies, stopped at Super America (gas station/convenience store) for his Cool Whip (they were out - yay!), and had a piece of pie with real whipped cream.

It's quite delicious and I have a couple of recipes for a grain-free crust I am thinking about trying with it. Pup's favorite way to have this is sans crust and frankly, you don't miss it.

*all photos courtesy of my lovely phone - so classy

Get Your Love On

Apologies!

Courtesy of Too Legit to Quit

What Foods Are Primal/Paleo?

White fish via the Dominican Republic. Not popcorn. I wouldn't mind sneaking this into a theatre though.

I frequent Paleo Hacks and Mark's Daily Apple  for a lot of my help with eating the Primal and Paleo way.

I do a combo of these two philosophies; a mash up.

For example:

• I use heavy cream in my morning coffee - many Primeos (like that? - no?) eschew dairy altogether. I kinda live for my morning coffee so this wasn't going to happen. Nope.
• I love Mark Sisson's 80/20 rule. Which basically means, "Hey, you're a human being and you're going to want a glass of whiskey from time to time. With a splash of ginger ale." How can Mark see me? He's a super-hero, that's how.
• Not all of my meat is from a grass-fed source. Some of it. Not all of it.
• I haven't entirely made the switch up to organic either. I'm picking my battles.

And movie popcorn is an indulgence I am loath to give up. 

Here's what Mark says:

Popcorn is not Primal, but it’s not the worst snack you can have. If you’re buying at a movie theater, make sure they pop it in coconut oil and add real butter (not butter-flavored soy oil). If you’re doing it at home, use a good pot with ghee or coconut oil. And stay away from microwaved popcorn at all costs.

I love going to the movies. I love getting a small popcorn and eating it during the previews. Having to leave that all behind to be Primeo would break my heart. I'm putting this in my 20 column and calling it a day. 

I have found a chi chi movie theatre that uses everything good and that's where I'll be watching.

BTW - has anyone seen Silver Linings Playbook? I want to own this movie it was that good. I went right home and bought a lot of the music from the soundtrack as well.

Check out this link for an at-a-glance reference of basic Primeo foods: Basic Food List

Get your Grok on!

today

I am . . .

• listening more, talking less
• making check marks on my list - you know the list - the LIST!
• laughing more
• flushing dead mice (omg - or, as an FB friend said, better dead than alive)
• drinking lemon water
• trying something different with hair - still wondering about this - messy does appeal to me

• thinking constantly about a friend that is in the middle of troubles
• because of her troubles I am able to see any troubles I thought I had in a new light
• I have no troubles
• looking at gardening ideas - I know! Who am I?
• I had Grammy fever - love love love watching all of it - red carpet love
• scratch the above bullet - Grammys were not that good
• learned how to remove a fake tattoo - which was easier once I looked at my favorite book, the internet
• learned I can thrift shop and resist many of my obsessions, I left a few wooden bowls, clusters of glass fruit, and gray sweaters behind
• although a gray dress, piece of handmade pottery, and a painting came home with me - some things I cannot resist

We got a bit of snow yesterday - it was a lovely afternoon watching it swirling about.

The Kickoff

It's Super Bowl Sunday!

I'm kinda excited about seeing Beyonce sing at halftime today. I shouldn't admit that. She is fascinating!

We opted to not have anyone over (just a couple of friends) for the game. Pup is busy with work this time of year and has to hunker down in his office most of the day although he would have been a willing participant.

We had company last weekend and I'm still recovering because I'm . . . I'm . . . oh hell I'll say it. I'm in a down place at the moment.

No damn reason for it. Except I live in Minnesota and it is dark for a good portion of the day and it's been gloomy for days and I might veer towards down times here and there. More here than there at the moment.

I am climbing out from this down place.

My friend Alli McBeal reminded me I have a tanning bed and to get my ass in there for a recharge. She's right! It helps beat the blues since I can't live in Mexico for the entire winter season. Although I swear I will someday. Love you Mexico.

FitFluential plan for the day is a little work, a little working out, some game and commercial watching, and a little cooking.

Here comes the sun.

Turn Up the Heat

February 1

I don't think of myself as much of a bitcher. I know that's not entirely true because who doesn't complain now and again? This month brings all things bad right out of me. I'm not a fan. The best thing I ever can say about this month is it is short. Gah. All of us will live through it. We will! Even though as I sit here writing the thermometer says it is 12 below. 12 BELOW! That is some cold shit hooches.

I found this lone shot of the swim up bar from our Dominican Republic hotel.

It made me break out the flannel I have to say. I don't know where I got it, but I own the tops only of a pair of flannel pajamas. No bottoms. If I thought hard about it I bet I could remember. I'm not going to exert myself on that just yet.

I sleep like a cat when it's this cold. To that I have to say yay!

It feels good to snuggle deep in your bed with heavy blankets on top. And cool sheets to move my legs to when I get hot. I sleep so hot. In fact, when Pup and I were fighting our dual sicknesses at the beginning of January, one morning he thought me seriously sick when my skin was cold. He said he actually put his head on my back to make certain I was breathing.

I not only sleep hot, but, for some magical biological reason, I throw off more heat than most others. I don't know why. It's weird and I do keep all the mosquitos busy so they leave everyone else alone.

This just reminded me of a story.

I was standing, waiting for a bus at a park-and-ride. It was a steamy, sticky, summer morning - probably around 7:00 a.m.

I approach the line of people. The guy in front of me greets me and then says.

"Hey, you have a bunch of gnats surrounding your head."

I say, "I do?" and begin swatting them away.

"Yeah!" he says, "They're all over!" He gets a look on his face and I feel I need to explain. A particularly annoying trait of mine - over explaining.

"Oh no!" I say. And keep swatting.

He is really looking at me now. It isn't good.

"It must be because I'm so hot." I explain.

"Oh yeah, that's it," he snorts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yup, yup, and yup.

If you like that, I'm here every Friday. da da dum!

I'm going to cozy up here at home and work on a rewrite. I had the MOST confusing meeting yesterday and let's just say it was both eye opening and confounding. No worries - I have a plan.

Do you like how I take notes?