I'm sorry... I had to...

Look... It's my before picture!!!

(No, this isn't a comment on my having or not having self-esteem. I USED to make jokes about me being Jabba the Hutt, but I don't anymore. I just thought it was funny!!!)

Halloween Chocolate + Chantel = Not-So-Great Choices

Alright, I'm going to preface this by saying - I am still OP.

But probably 8-10 points of those per day have been little chocolate bars. Man, those things add up quickly!

Should I just get rid of them? Lol! Yes!

Am I going to?

Welllll.... Eventually, I'll have eaten my way through them. :oP Then they'll be gone!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Well, it started snowing in earnest here in Whitehorse on Saturday, just in time for the trick or treaters... That means... Shovelling snow!

And what does shovelling snow mean?

ACTIVITY POINTS!!

I've now earned 17 activity points in the last 3 days, all from shovelling snow!

Granted, I don't necessarily want to keep that pace up, but it's a great way to burn some calories. It's a LOT easier this year, and I actually really enjoy the workout, and the fresh air. I'm sure that at minus 40, the air will be just a bit too fresh for my tastes, but for now, it's very invigorating!

And more AP's means more hot chocolate for Chantel!!!

Speaking of...

The REAL DEAL hot chocolate

3/4 cup water
1 1/2 oz dark chocolate
2 tbsp sugar
tiny pinch of salt
1 1/2 milk, 1%

Heat water and chocolate over medium heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate is completely melted and mixed in. Add in sugar and salt, and turn the heat up to high. Bring the mixture to boiling, and boil for 4 minutes. Turn heat down to medium-low.

Add milk, and stir to combine. Simmer until heated through, but don't let it boil or it'll get a skin.

You can drink it as is, or use a frother to, well, froth it!

Serves 2 @ 5 points per serving. (It's worth it... SOOO good)

Not weight-loss related... Well, sort-of...

Today, I'm speaking at a workshop for crafters who are looking at beginning to sell their crafts. I'm guessing you all know, but if you don't, I'm an avid beadworker. I've been selling my goods for a few years, but I've also taught classes, and worked in a bead store.

I'm really excited to have been asked to do this!

And the best part...?

I know how much easier this will be this year, than it would have been last year. Firstly, I feel a LOT less insecure this year than I did last year, but also... I don't have to worry so much about fitting into chairs with arms. I can stand up and talk, and not run out of breath. I'm less concerned that people are looking at my fat and not listening to what I have to say.

I'm actually really excited about this, and not worried! I know my subject matter, and I'm a really good speaker when I'm talking about things I'm passionate about. Plus, what they want to know about is my experiences, and really, that's a subject matter I know pretty thoroughly!

By popular demand... The recipe for STIR FRY A LA SCARY TOFU!!

Yup, I'm going to post it! Be afraid... Be very afraid!!

Tofu portion:

1/2 block extra firm tofu, cut into your desired shape
2 1/2 tbsp soya sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar (not packed)
1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated fresh ginger

Once you've cut up the tofu, set it onto some paper towel, and press it dry with more paper towel on top. (could you understand that sentence?) Leave the tofu on the paper towel while you measure the rest of the ingredients into a bowl or, for fewer dishes to clean up afterwards, a freezer bag, and mix them. (This is fun with the freezer bag... You can just smush them around!) Add the tofu into the sauce, and toss to coat. Let this marinate for a while... I left mine for just under 24 hours, but you could probably just do a couple of hours. It's pretty easy to do this the night before, though.

STIR-FRY A LA SCARY TOFUUUU!!!

Tofu prepared earlier
1 package of Udon Noodles (See the pictures in my 'picture' post for the brand... You can find them at most grocery stores, I think)
4 tsp of canola oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 cups of frozen mixed veggies, stir-fry or thai or chinese... Whatever you like
2 cup of bean sprouts

Place your frozen veggies in a Ziploc Steamer bag, and steam them for a little less time than the bag's instructions say.

Put the udon noodles in a bowl, and cover with boiling water. 

Heat the wok over medium-high heat, and put 2 tsp of oil in the pan. Take the tofu out of the sauce (sauce + hot oil = ouch) and saute until golden brown. Turn, and do the same thing on the other side.

Add 1 tsp of oil, and the garlic, ginger, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar to the pan, and then add the steamed veggies. Saute until heated through. Add the bean sprouts and saute until tender-crisp.

Remove the tofu/veggie mix from the pan, and put in the remaining 1 tsp of oil. Drain the udon noodles and add to the pan, sauteing until heated through. If you'd like, you can add some of the tofu marinade in, so that the udon noodles absorb some of the saucy goodness.

Plate the noodles, and top with the tofu/veggie mix.

Serves 2-3. (I calculated out 9 points each for 2 servings, but that's probably high, since I didn't use all the tofu marinade)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

Ponderings on the Flu

It's amazing how good an excuse the Flu is to lay in bed all day. Of course, when you have the flu, you'd rather be doing anything else, but you just... can't... work... up... *yaaaaaaaawn* the energy.

Red Nyquil is much nicer tasting than Green Nyquil. I'm not entirely sure about the 'improved flavour' of the Red Nyquil though... I rather think that they slap that label on there and hope that people will be dazzled by it, and not actually realize that the flavour is exactly the same.

A 1.5 litre bottle of water keeps you hydrated, and saves you many draining trips to get water refills.

Worried relatives call when you're napping/passed out.

You will rarely feel sillier than you do when forced to wear a 'pandemic-containing' mask in public, even if it's just at a flu clinic. However, it makes for great bonding with the other 'pandemic-containing' mask-wearing patients.

Not eating all day, and then overeating when you're finally hungry, does not make you feel any better.

It's amazing how many ways you can lay on the same bed!!

The same blanket will go from not nearly enough warmth, to boiling you alive, in about 30 seconds. And then back again.

Staying home from work gives you a lot of time to ponder all the silly nuances of being sick with the flu...

*hack cough*

Well, my weight-loss efforts have been somewhat sidelined for a couple of days, as I focus my efforts on getting over the flu...

So much fun!