It always seems absolutely right when the first day of the month falls on a Monday. And it happens again in March! (It doesn't take much to make me excited, does it?)

I managed to keep my BGL pretty stable over the weekend despite being at a quilting class both days where there were donuts, muffins and lunches brought in from Wendy's. Cheese, whole wheat crackers, apples and an orange did it. Now I need to get the darned scale to budge.

I hope your weekends went well too.

Went in this morning to have my blood tested. Today's fasting reading was 95. Higher than what I'd like, but not bad. As for butter tarts, the more I read up on them, the more it seems that they are somewhat similar to a pecan pie, but without the nut topping. I may just have to mosey on up north and savor an actual Canadian butter tart for myself. Excuse my ignorance, but is there a specific region of Canada that is known for their butter tarts? If I do manage to get to Canada, finding a homemade butter tart may prove difficult. Is there a restaurant and/or pastry shop well known for their authentic traditional butter tarts? Thanks for any and all info. I would try to make one myself, but since I've never tasted one to begin with, it just wouldn't seem right. It seems kind of wrong to be asking dieting diabetics about a sinfully delicious sugary treat, hehe.

MR. Z ~ yes, there should be a law or something against that ... no butter tart recipes or talk about them on threads for dieting diabetics ... or as Ruth says, NO FOOD PORN ALLOWED!

Honestly, I couldn't tell you where to get a REAL homemade butter tart unless you go somewhere near the Mennonites in southwestern Ontario. They make most of their food from scratch. And yes, they are like a mini-pecan pie but most people put raisins and/or nuts in them too; my landlady sometimes put chocolate chips in hers too: oh my, now that's really sinful!!!

My mother taught me to make them the old-fashioned way with brown sugar, butter, and eggs in real pie pastry. Sometimes, it seemed like she wasn't even measuring; she'd just throw in approximates. Here's her basic recipe:

1 cup brown sugar
1 tbl flour
1 tbl soft butter
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt (1/4 tsp)
1/2+ cup raisins

Pastry for pie cut into 12 large circles; I used to use a plastic lid about 3" across. Put circles into floured muffin tins; then put some raisins into each cup. Beat mix with a fork and put about 2 tbl into each tart or half-full. Bake at 350F for about 35 minutes until hot and bubbly.

NOTE: if you decide to make them or get someone else to make them for you; be sure to invite lots of buddies to share them, so you won't eat more than one.

We had a good day; it was still cold though -- about -15C and it's at -20C right now; but I bought myself a nice thick plush blanket today so that I can wrap up in it and keep toasty warm ... have a terrific Tuesday!

Hey! It's Groundhog Day! Wiarton Willie won't see his shadow but would be a darn fool to stay out today.

Rosebud, are you an "enabler"? Now Mr Z will be trying to make butter tarts and we all know you have to be an Ontario country lady to make a good butter tart!

Had a really hectic day yesterday but will spare you the details. Food was just fine though. Now why the heck isn't the weight dropping? Could it be the odd glass of wine? I think I need an absolutely pure week starting today.

Have a good GH Day whatever the big furry rodents predict.

THANKS RUTH ~ I was already feeling twinges of remorseful guilt as I was typing that recipe out last night; I guess that does make me a SUGAR JUNKIE ENABLER, doesn't it? Now you all know why I need to lose weight and how I got where I am; too good of a cook! Now I am not twisting his arm or anything like that ... he can make them or have his mom/wife make them -- OR NOT!

I surely don't want to create an addiction to butter tarts esp when he is doing so well on his plan ... I was just thinking that everyone should get to try one BT in their lifetime ...

We had lovely here all day, but it's very cold too, so we need it; but we aren't out there watching the groundhogs or gophers either ... becuz it's too cold and I'd be surprised if they'd even wanna come out of their holes up here ...

Have a great day people ... and I won't post anymore recipes for sweet and gooey, delectable treats ...

This morning it was freezing cold outside as I left for the gym (30 F). My personal trainer took it easy on me and we mainly worked on my core. It was humbling to learn that I had lost the ability to do sit-ups. For the next week, we agreed that I would focus on light cardio and strengthening my core. The weather is going to be nice today, with a high of 50 F. After my workout, I was completely exhausted. When I got home, I ate a little snack and took a nap. The dogs were more than happy to be couch potatoes with me this morning as I snoozed on the couch. Digger, a prairie dog at The Denver Zoo, predicted 6 more weeks of winter today. In Colorado, we have colonies of prairie dogs.

Happy Prairie Dog Day!

I work with a LOT of Mennonite and Amish women, and they used to give me baking, thinking that as a midwife I didn't have time to bake for my family, (true) so they could give me baked goods, and let me tell you, the wonderful food that schmecks is a part of the reason I have trouble controlling my weight.
The Buttertarts are great, 3 kinds, (no additives, or with raisins or walnuts) and the restaurant near me, Anna Maes, actually hosts bus tours for meals.

In spite this, I went to my parents' place for 2 days, usually a big challenge, cause they have treats all over the house, and managed not to cheat. I did have some popcorn in the evening tho, and woke up to a fasting sugar of 7.9!
clearly not a good snack for me. But it was really hard for them to accept my pre-diabetic condition. Mum is quite confused so I wasn't too worried, (she was really a food pusher tho) but Dad should be able to get it, but is quite wrapped up in his own situation with how difficult it is to care for mum.

Have not been able to exercise the last 2 days, although I did a lot of housework for my parents, so that helps, but got very tired. The cold have gone into my chest and I am tiring quickly. So early to bed now, to rest up and get better.

happy groundhog day, looks like we will all have a long winter.

ttfn

Well we are definitely back in winter here - the plough just went through.

I did something very foolish this morning. I got up late and tore off to the gym for 7:30. Got on the treadmill and felt very strange after a few minutes. I forgot to have breakfast and my BGL was very low (2.7) when I got home. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! I guess I'll get breakfast organized and on the table before I go to bed at night from now on.

Later today I'll go back to the gym for my workout.

RUTH ~ my DH does that sometimes, and when I was younger, I did the same; but not now; as my body sends me hunger pangs. When I was younger, I used to skip BF a lot; but today, I don't think I could forget it.

I make up 3 servings of my homemade Muesli and put them in individual C-thru containers in my cubbie. I just grab one; add milk & sweetener and eat. You could do the same -- put your favorite cereal in one on your table as a reminder.

I also cook up 3 servings of my porridge mix (oatmeal, natural cream of wheat, flax meal) ahead; then put them into containers in the fridge and just nuke it in the morning.

We had today; it really helps to warm the temps up for us. We had lots of fine feather visitors today; we always have more in February and March as these are our coldest months, so we put extra food out for them.

Ate well today; kept on plan, and glad for that. Have a lovely evening folks ... Rosebud

Ruth and Rosebud: I'm thinking smoothie before the gym. I am planning to go to hot yoga tomorrow am and I thought a yoghurt smoothie would be just the thing, before a work out. I am hoping that having a plan will help. Cereal seems like it is too much simple carb for me. But if I don't plan something else I just wake up hungry and reach for it.
The chest cold is keeping me down a bit, got on the treadmill and definitely couldn't get very challenging. Also, my hips are really sore for some reason.
Doing some stretches and scheduled a massage for tomorrow. into a hot bath with camphor for now.

MAD ~ if you like smoothies, by all means have that for BF. Some people like smoothies for a quick breakfast esp if they work or are on the go a lot; or they don't like the fuss of preparation or cooking. Each person should eat what they like and what works for them ...

The cereals I eat are not "simple" carbs though, they are all complex carbs made with whole grains so I find them really filling and lasting (large flake oatmeal; NATURAL GRAIN cream of wheat; flax meal; all bran buds; all bran bran flakes; etc). I alternate my cereal breakfasts with egg breakfasts 2-3 times a week.

Hope you are feeling better soon; a bad flu can definitely affect how your muscles and joints feel too.

Well, I did put out my Fibre 1 and a few raisins for breakfast but the darned milk was sour so I switched to scrambled eggs and some Ryvita.

I felt pretty rotten most of yesterday and did not go to the gym. I did do pet therapy at the Clinic though and felt better by late afternoon.

Don't fret if I'm not around for a few days. My PC is going to the computer graveyard today and being replaced by a newer model. I feel so disloyal! It may take a while to get back up and running - these transitions never seem to go smoothly.

I resemble this remark. Each morning I have a protein smoothie with frozen strawberries. As previously stated, it's quick and easy. Well, the weather took a turn for the worse here. New cold front moved in and we may get some snow today. Stay warm everyone.

hey there. i've been running like crazy here lately! good news is that i lose 8.4 lbs! i can;t wait to update you all on whats been going on with me. ttyl

in addition to a walk today I went to hot yoga. I have been really stiff and sore since i switched it up from yoga and pilates to much more aerobic stuff, so I hope this will bridge the gap. Had a great stretch and will go a few more times in the next week, IN Addition to walking on the treadmill or outside, or cross-country skiing. Since I have the time, I will up it a la biggest loser.
Not going back to work for a while so may as well get fit.
Ruth, you will be missed.
mr. z, I'm going for the smoothie thing tomorrow, rosebud, I find even whole grain cereals spike my sugars, my 2 hour pcs are always high even with steel cut oats and fibre one. so I need something other than peanut butter on toast for a change.
have a ski scheduled for the morning, hope I'm not too stiff after the yoga....