If it Grows I Shall Plant it.

In the spring of 2007 I purchased two small organic cherry tomato plants for my garden.  Little did I know that these tiny plants would take over my garden and return summer after summer.  Well, one can only eat so many tomatoes, so last year I decided to expand my gardening repertoire to include red and green leaf lettuce.  It was absolutely wonderful and satisfying to be able to mosey on back to my garden to pick the ingredients for my salad.  I really wish I took some pictures of this lovely sight, but unfortunately I didn't.

This year I've decided to go ALL out.  As much as I love shopping for my fruits and veggies at the local farmers market every Wednesday, I've decided that if they can grow it, I can grow it.  I only have so much space but was able to plant the following:

• carrots
• 2 tomato plants (unfortunately due to space constraints, if any of my cherry tomatoes come back I'll have to weed them out...this makes me kind of sad but will allow room for more stuff to grow, yay)
• 1 of each - green, red and orange pepper
• green leaf lettuce
• radicchio
• 1 cucumber plant in container
• 1 zucchini plant
• 3 strawberry plants
• peas from seed in container

Everything was planted on May 21st....check it out.  Can you spot the bird checking out my zucchini plant?

Here is the best full shot I could get (remember, this is on May 21st)...

And of course I have to include this adorable pic of my Roni checkin' out my indoor herb garden!  Thank goodness she hasn't been chomping on the basil.

The last week of May proved to be hot and dry and had me worried about my plants.  I actually got a bit stressed out seeing my lettuce limp under the hot sun.  But one morning I woke up and saw this and it helped me to remain positive....

The first week of June I was away in Montreal and leaving my man-friend in charge had me worried...would he water, would he forget to water, would he water too much, would he water too little (yes, my middle name is paranoid).  Well turns out the week I was gone it rained (he was so lucky).  Thank you mother nature (for saving Nic's a$$)!  I came back and I swear my zucchini plant was three times the size it was when I left and I can see the beginnings of strawberries, peppers and cucumbers.  AMAZING.  June 7th was a great day as I was able to enjoy my lunch salad with delicious greens from my garden!  I can't wait to enjoy the rest of the foods of my labour.

Speaking of foods of my labour, check out the growth (and it's only been 2.5 weeks!)...

The beginnings of a gorgeous green pepper!

Delicious cucumber!

Beautiful berries

And my gigantic zucchini plant!













As a side note, a book that has really inspired me to eat closer to where I live and grow what I can....

Locavore: From Farmers’ Fields to Rooftop Gardens, How Canadians Are Changing the Way We Eat

We should all start to become aware of not only what we are eating but where it came from and how far it may have traveled to arrive in our stores and on our plates.

From my garden with love
xo

Are You There Blog? It's me, Corrie.

So I started this blog with the hopes of well, blogging about food and fitness and anything else that pops into my brain.  I kinda fell off the wagon in more ways than one.  I have not really been blogging (although I'm making up for lost time now) and I've had a giant fail for the Bootyfication Challenge.  I blame it on my lack of self control in combination with la belle province and Galen Weston.

Why la belle province?  One word, poutine.  How can one go to Montreal without enjoying this delicacy not once but twice (I'm so ashamed)...and with a glass of Cheval Blanc (ashamed even more, but not really because it was down right delicious)!  Please take note of the healthy side salad ;)

 For those who are interested, the above picture was taken at Resto La Banquise, which I totally recommend, however my all time fave poutine place (because I'm such a connoisseur) to go to in Montreal is Patati Patata.  Be forewarned if you go it only seats about 13 and expect to wait...but oh is the wait worth it!  Take note again of yet another healthy side salad....

One thing I am proud of is that while on vacation I managed to exercise for all three days!  Day 1 was a bike ride up the mountain and days 2 and 3 I went for a run up (well I mostly walked up) and back down the mountain.  I don't know the exact length of the trail, one Web site stated that it is 6-7km to the summit.  Now THAT'S a work out!  What a great run too...my knees really thanked me for running on such a forgiving surface.
 
Why  Galen Weston?  Well you've seen his commercials and the most recent promotion of the PC Ice Cream Shop Flavours ice cream...and for $3 that only = trouble.  Now I know that I am suppose to cut out dairy and I've successfully nixed milk, yogurt and cheese (well minus those delicious curds) from my diet...but ice cream....in the summer...IMPOSSIBLE. But seriously, how fun is this?!  Ice Cream Shop

Just as a side note, I REALLY recommend the Maple Crunch...it's killer.

So obviously I've been feeling guilty.  I'm going to make up for it though, I promise.  Just check out the lunch and snacks I prepared for work...now if I could just sprinkle some cheese curds on that salad I'd be all set!  But it's all about "smart choices"...so lets all do the right thing, *sigh*

My New Fitness Régime

I'm totally going through Booty Camp withdraws.  I decided not to join for June, July and August in order to save some cash and besides, it'll be too hot and gross (stupid bugs) to work out, outside.  Hopefully I will join again in September, but until then, I needed something to do for the next 90 or so days so I don't gain back the 11.4 pounds and 12 inches I lost (since January, yay).

A friend of mine was nice enough to lend me (aka copy) the P90X DVD's!  So for the next 90 days I'm going to do my best and forget the rest!  The real challenge of this will be to devote at least an hour to working out, 6 days a week.  I'll try the cardio DVD's (plyometrics, kempo, yoga and cardio x) but have a feeling that if I slack, it will be with those ones.  I'd rather go for a run outside for my cardio then do yet another DVD indoors.  But we'll see how it goes....the cardio DVD's are a good back up when it sucks outside for running.

Tonight I did the first DVD, Chest and Back and also Ab Ripper X.  I was actually surprised (and relieved) that many of the moves on the DVD were similar to those that I've done in Booty Camp.  And wow, can I really crank out the push ups!  To think that last fall I could barely do 3 (real ones, not the cheesy lady ones) and now I can do about 25.  Ab Ripper X was difficult to say the least but if I stick with it, it can only get easier, right?  I also decided not to get a pull up bar and do the variations on the pull ups with resistance bands (since I already have em here)....this guy gave me the great idea of hooking it over my door with a roll of tape, brilliant!  Who needs to waster their money on extra equipment when everything you need is in your home.  It really is TOO easy to make excuses.

Pull Ups Sans the Pull Up Bar!

Wish me luck!

Eatin' Right thanks to Cookin' Light!

No matter how busy I am, I think it is very important to eat a good and healthy dinner.  It's always hard to find the time, but you have to make the time.  Usually on the weekend I will plan my dinners for the week so when I hit the grocery store I know what I have to buy.  Thanks to my lovely subscription to Cooking Light magazine, there is never a shortage of dinner options.  Here is one of my faves....more to come soon!

Thai Red Curry Shrimp with Ginger Garlic Green Beans