most recent self portrait

Project 365 FAIL and the Return of the Shutter. . .

The last time I picked up a camera was the end of May when my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. The time before that was in April when I took one of my last shots for Project 365.
I failed 365 miserably and have been a little embarrassed to post anything since I've quit the project. I don't know why I stopped. I have many excuses in my head and I've been very ashamed.  What's done is done and maybe I'll try again someday.  Time will only tell.
But, enough is enough. It's time to pick that camera up again and start snapping! It's about 37 degrees celsius with the humidity right now and the bed is an oven. Nami and I are hanging out on the balcony with a glass of water trying to keep cool because the apartment feels like the Apocalypse.
I'm looking forward to the coolness of Fall . . .

Eating 101: The Primal Blueprint

I first became aware of Mark Sisson's book a few months ago while researching diets for optimal health and nutrition.  It's a subject I continuously have an interest in as I have struggled with dietary restrictions for the past 6 years.  Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever written about it, so let me start again...

I have a mulittude of dietary limitations. Due to many factors in my past, including poor diet, birth control pills and overuse of antibiotics to treat reoccuring infections, I have a very weak digestive system. I can no longer tolerate grains (bread, rice, pastas, corn), milk and cheese, fruit, sugar and many chemical preservatives. I've had my ups and downs (many many downs) with such a restrictive diet.  I always felt like I was part of an unfortunate group of people, the Candida sufferers.  It became tiresome to explain to new people that I met why I couldn't indulge in the luxurious breads and delectable sweets that they could.  It was really depressing and I would adopt a "to hell with it" frame of mind and join in, paying the consequences soon after.

My consequences included migraines/headaches, bloating and weight gain, intestinal cramps, lethargy, depression, insomnia...the list goes on. 

Finding this book has been a godsend.  It's not a weight loss or diet book.  It's a lifestyle and one that I've adopted quite easily in the last three weeks.  The Primal lifestyle is based on a modern hunter-gatherer eating style including vegetables in abudance, fruit, eggs, meats & seafood, nuts and plenty of saturated and monounsaturated fats (yum). 

The diet is fairly spot on to the Candida diet I had adopted on and off for so many years, the only difference was the increase in fat.  By increasing the fat in my diet, I feel satiated for long periods and cravings for complex carbs and sugar have almost completely diminished.  I also feel like I'm part of a healthier community and not a community of constant sufferers (no hard feelings, but it's been a little depressing).  Mark's website, http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ is full of fantastic articles and answers any questions readers have about this remarkable way of living.  The success stories of readers are inspirational and truly moving.

My energy levels have been through the roof and my afternoon nap attacks that subsided after grain based meals are gone.  I sleep better and most mornings I wake up before my alarm, refreshed and ready to start my day.  I never had any intentions to lose weight, but I've been losing 1 lb per week so far and it feels great.

Anyone looking to "reprogram their genes" and feel more connected with their bodies with "vibrant health and boundless energy", I completely recommend this book. 

Awesome start to April

Loverly April is here.  The earth has thawed from our non-existent winter and the trees are starting to bud.  The weather has been freaking gorgeous with record highs of 25C.  Awesome Easter long weekend!  Let's hope we get more of this weather in the next coming weeks.

Here are the project 365 photos for the week.

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It's been a fortnight!

Hello old friend.  It's been a long time.  I'm sorry I've neglected you these past two weeks.  Things are picking up at work and I'll be starting week 7 of P90X tomorrow morning.  April will be better ... I promise.

Project 365 is alive and well and I will only be posting the few photos that I put some effort into (I have 20 some odd photos since my last post and I don't really want to post them all now).  But, if you want to see the rest, click on the Flickr link to your right :)

Here are a few photos from the past 2 weeks.

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Another week down

I feel bad I don't have as much time for this as I'd like to.  I'm always making mental notes of things I'd like to discuss or express here, but I just don't have the time.  My days are pretty stacked and it's difficult to cram one more thing in.  If only I could justify blogging at work; but my stupid ethics get in the way.

This week is Recovery week in P90x.  Monday started off with Yoga which was pretty good followed by Core Synergistics From Hell.  Core Synergistics From Hell is basically what the latter describes.  I always grumbled about Plyometrics, but Core has trumped to become the fully dreaded one.  Imagine an hour of planks, and running planks, push up planks, planks on stilts . . .

This morning was Stretch X or X Stretch which I had to miss this morning because my alarm never went off.  That's not an excuse, by the way.  I woke up very confused as everything was set up correctly.  It just never went off.  So the hour long Stretch has been skipped.  I'll make sure I stretch a lot at work today.  Like a cat.  I'm sure my colleagues will be delighted.

With Recovery week ending this weekend it means I've managed the first 30 days of Tony Horton's P90X.  I started a few weeks ago with only being able to do 4 or 5 push ups on my knees and now I can do at least 2 full push ups ON MY TOES!  That's an amazing accomplishment for me as I've always had the upper body strength of a slinky.

Here are the Project 365 photos for the first week of March.  I'm back to colour again.  Exciting!

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February: Week 4

I'm posting this a little late as it is now March 5th and the title is week 4 of February.  I've recovered from that wretched cold somewhat and have most of my energy back.  I started week 3 of P90x over to make up the time I was sick.  I just finished Legs & Back an hour ago and it's been tough getting back into it.  The two weeks I lost in the program was a bit of a set back, but I'm happy to report that I'm able to get through the DVD's pretty well, except plyometrics.  I hate plyo, it makes me want to throw up every time.

My illness couldn't have come at a more perfect time, though.  I was able to enjoy the Olympics (winter is my favourite) and was very thankful that CTV was streaming it live online, as I don't have cable (and never will again).  I love the speed skating.  Their grotesquely large thighs are so fascinating to me.  How do they buy pants?

Canada kicked some serious ass this year at the Olympics and although I don't consider myself a competitive person, I took great pride in our athletes this year.  They pushed themselves hard, harder than I would ever push myself.  I stay in my pajamas for entire weekends, sometimes (okay, most of the time).  There was a togetherness in this country for those two weeks and it felt good.  My friends and colleagues in Vancouver were on a two week high and many of them shared that they hoped the positive energy that exuded during the Olympics would continue for weeks after.  I hope it does too.

Here are the photos for Project 365 for week 4 of February. 

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Go Canada Go!

Although super pathetic to take a picture of your screen while you're watching the Olympics, I couldn't think of a better moment to capture for Project 365 than Canada defeating Russia.

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I am happy that February is over.  I gave myself the challenge of making the month black and white, but I got bored really quickly, as you can see with most of the subject matter.  Looking forward to March!