The Great GORP Project

Master Angler Colleen?

 

Yup. . .I like the sound of that:)

 

This is a bass of some sort.  .small mouth? Large mouth? I can't remember. .. but what a battle!!!

It was MASSIVE. . .I wish we would have had our wits about us to take measurements or something??? But roughly 3 seconds after this photo was taken the line snapped and I went into a sissy fit screaming frenzy (which is what I do when I'm scared a wheezing fish's agenda is to swallow me whole instead of like maybe SURVIVE??), which then propelled Grant into save the fish mode. . .so no measurements. . and no time to convince him to let me keep it. . .I've got an empty spot above the fireplace that's screaming for a dead SOMETHING. . .;)

 
What a ham!?

. . ..here's to the last long weekend before harvest starts. . .smile lots. . .love your loved ones. . and take some time to remember what you are thankful for. . .that's what's on my agenda anyways. . .

After pulling an all-nighter making a LOAD of gorp bars for a wrestling tournament I am totally ready for some down time and some tequila. . um errrr I meant. . shut eye. .. yeeeeah;)

. . except there's work to do. . so onward and upward. . .the weekend is coming and I want to earn my downtime. . so soldier on Colleen. ..you can dream another day. . .

Shall we?

. .. lets!

. . .loving our french friend:)

 
Well. We broke it to the kids. . .they have a new french brother Honore. .. pronounced Honour + Eh! = our new son. . .except that we would've had to have been 14 when he was conceived. .. so he's more like a brother. . but regardless. . .he's ours now. I'm totally threatening to rip up his passport. . .when I can find where he's hidden it??!! (kidding. . .kind of:)

. . .I had him worried the other night. . .it was late, and I was forcing him to let me practice my franc-ais on him chatting in the kitchen. . I offered him some tea (en franc-ais of course), explaining that I often like to have tea before I go to bed. . .he looked at me kinda weird/worried. . .and declined the tea. . however I continued pressuring him to have some tea with me. . .he finally broke into a kind smile. . .realizing that the silly Canadian lady was obviously making a mistake. . .

Apparently, I explained to him that I always have tea right before I give birth. .. although in translation I have a feeling it was a bit more graphic than that. . oops:)

I've been pleasantly surprised. . that despite the language barrier we can actually communicate some pretty profound concepts back and forth.  . .the other night we were talking about seeing God in nature, living life to it's fullest and staying young at heart. . .This morning Honore handed me this poem that he thought described our conversation. . .I had to share:)

 General Douglas MacArthur: “Youth is not a period of time”

"Youth is not a period of time. It is a state of mind, a result of the will, a quality of the imagination, a victory of courage over timidity, of the taste for adventure over the love of comfort. A man doesn’t grow old because he has lived a certain number of years. A man grows old when he deserts his ideal. the years may wrinkle his skin, but deserting his ideal wrinkles his soul. Preoccupations, fears, doubts, and despair are the enemies which slowly bow us towards earth and turn us to dust before death.

You will remain young as long as you are open to what is beautiful, good, and great; receptive to the messages of other men and women, of nature and God. If one day you should become bitter, pessemistic and gnawed by dispair, may God has mercy on your old man’s soul.”

. . and that's fantastical in my opinion. .. love it!

My bass pictures will have to wait. . .Honore has them on his camera and lately I'm falling asleep while reading the kids bedtime stories and keep missing him. . .I totally should have kept it to mount. . .but a man who shall remain nameless made me throw it back:( Boooooo!

. . onward Hooooooo! 

 

Mugabe and the White African. . .

One family’s stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!

I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26th. The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform." Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

This documentary was shortlisted for an Oscar last year and is supposed to be excellent!

. . stay tuned. .  tomorrow. . .pictures of the MASTER ANGLER BASS I caught on the weekend. . .for reals!

 

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling. 

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts. But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances. Read an Excerpt (PDF) Read the Press Release

Je suis une pamplemousse. . .?

 

Yup. You read correctly. . .I am a grapefruit!

Ahhh. ..the memories of french class of yester year. . the fun we had. . .this was a joke that materialized sometime in those awkward early teen years between my sister and I. . .my recollection of the exact circumstance is somewhat fuzzy and is eluding me, but I suspect it was on a long road trip or something like that. We would often challenge ourselves to converse en francais. . .fun for a while, but then the fighting would begin. . .this insult surfaced when one of us was at the end of our available french vocabulary. . .out of desperation it was blurted out, probably because we didn't know any french curse words. . .grapefruit would have to do. . .what I do remember very clearly is that we ended up bursting into fits of laughter and it became one of those family jokes that we brought up again and again and again. . .(it just kept on getting funnier. .plus there were endless possibilities to insert other various fruits and vegetables into the mix.. .Tu es un pomme de terre etc. )

So naturally when our exchange student from France arrived the other day, it was only a matter of time before the terribly immature grapefruit joke would force it's way out of my mouth. .. it was sitting there in the back of my brain, I could sense it. . .it wanted out. . and bad. I did my best to repress it. . but unfortunately it made it's awkward appearance at the cabin last weekend. . I'll blame it on the sun. . and maybe the G&T I had earlier. . .I'm not sure how it actually went over. .or if Honore (our french guest) was too polite to correct me. . or if his smiling meant he thought I was the wittiest host EVER. . .but I wished I could have taken it back as soon as it came roaring out. . .

This is the thing. .. I've turned into a bumbling idiot? Honore is an awesome guy. . hardworking, great with the kids and he's totally eager to learn English. . .but what he probably didn't anticipate is his hosts equally enthusiastic eagerness to learn french. . .I imagine we are getting pretty annoying while we practice our rusty grade 9 francais out on him. . The worst part is how I transform into a super nerd in the presence of someone who speaks a different language than myself. . .I immediately start speaking poor english, then I start using excessive body language with wide eyed/wild eyed abandon in the hopes that my bulging brown eyes can somehow make my words more understandable???

Grant (because he loves me) gently pulled me aside today and explained that I am talking to our guest like he's 4, plus the sound effects I include in my communication with him might not be necessary! (ie. urrp. .zip.  .zing. . click click. . zoink! That's Colleen-speak for how to load the dishwasher. . ) Also, my tendency to unconsciously yell at Honore in the hopes that increased volume will help with the language barrier might not be all that helpful either. . .why am I acting like such a dolt?? I have to find someone fluent in french to come over so I can explain to him that I'm not a total dork. . I'm just acting like one. . .yeah, that makes sense. . .? Or should I say. .zink zink. .burrrr. .ding dong blich?

Other than my weirdness, having Honore in the house and working on the farm has been awesome. .  .we love him like family already:)

On a side note. . .if you are wondering how Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown workout video is. . .IT'S AMAZING. . I give it two thumbs up. . .I am totally sore today in all the right places:) I blew off my 5 am wake up call AGAIN. . .but am biking to pick the kids up from daycare today. . .so there we go:)

I love the idea in the comments yesterday from Kyla to put a sticky note on the alarm clock that reads "CHOOSE". I'm totally doing that! This is reminding me about this rant from a while back, to choose puts you in a postion of control and power. . .to feel like you "have" to do something is almost like a victim mentality. . .don't be a victim of your expectations. . instead rephrase your whole self talk and choose!!

Onwards and upwards. . .

Oh. . .and if you are interested there is a neat on-line community of women at www.toneitup.com. . .they have fantastic workout videos on youtube and diet tips, recipes. . you name it. . .check it out, I promise you will spend 5 minutes on the site and be inspired:)

Choices. . .

 

My choice right now is to either spend the next hour watching Seinfeld and blogging or hitting the hay so I can engage in some more Jillian Yoga Meltdown. . .oh yes. .last night I didn't get to bed as early as I wanted nor did I wake up as early. . .BUT I still engaged in some awesome hardcore yoga and conversed with God on the way to my meeting in the city. Not how I planned, but done all the same:)

I'm finding this simple concept to be the key. .. choose. choose. choose.

But. .time is ticking and I have a date with Jillian in the morning to try part 2 of her yoga video. . hopefully a video review will be coming in the morning!

Good night, God bless, and be mighty. . .and if you can't, try again tomorrow;)

foiled by a tooter & mail call. . .

 

Foiled by this cutie? yup! This guy tooted the night away and literally blew my 5 am wake up call out the window. . .up every two hours and not happy unless I was right beside him. . .even though every time I turn around something is interrupting my agenda, I'm choosing to hang on. In the past I'd be inclined to throw my 2 week plan out the window because the first two days were sabotaged by bad choices and bad gas:) But no more. . .I'm learning the power of consistency. Consistently choosing to forge ahead. I will have an after picture to post beside my before picture (which as a side note, I think I will also use to scare away rabid dogs on my running route. . bam!)
 
Plus. .. look what just showed up in the mail today!. .. .HELLO JILLIAN old friend, I know sometimes I glare at you (o.k. fine and occasionally call you names) then I push pause so I can loll around on the floor like a lame donkey. . but really, you are hardcore and I love you. . .:)

. .. and some other video that was on sale (I have no idea who this chick is, but the picture sold me in T-2 seconds flat. Whoa. . .I think I just found my after picture;) Kidding. . .I'm not that good at photoshop;)

Feeling inspired and going for day 3.

Goodnight:)

Sooooo. . .yeah. ... about that. . .

 

Project early to bed early to rise started out pretty darn awesome. . .I was so motivated by my thursday post that I actually woke up at 5 on Friday morning. .(which was three days BEFORE my challenge was supposed to start!) kicked some serious butt with Jillian Michaels for an hour, ate awesome. . did devotions. . it was sa weet. I was turbo powered all day long:)

Then came the weekend. .. an awesome time at the cabin where I swam, got my heart rate revved with some butterfly. . .there was a chip incident but that's cool.

Then this morning the official start date of my two week challenge, I calved. (I guess staying up till midnight reading for my 6 hour board meeting today kicked my 5 am wake up call in the chops:(

What a mental battle this is??!! Changing routines is h-a-r-d. I'm reading a book right now called "Who Switched Off My Brain" by Dr. Caroline Leaf cause that's what is feels like these days. . and i'm learning some super cool stuff about using thinking strategies and exercises to change the makeup and connections of the brain. .. it's crazy research. . .and the science community is dumbfounded and amazed. . of course what they are proving what the Bible has been saying for hundreds of years. . .renewing the mind is a Biblical principle. I love it when science comes up beside the Bible and says "Hey ya buddy old pal. . .don't I know you from somewhere?" Then the Bible is all like. .."ummm yeah. .. I've been trying to tell you that for ages dude;)"

Yup. . .judging by my Bible meets science commentary. . might be time to hit the hay. . .tomorrow is fresh. .  .I'm not giving up. . it's all about chosing every day to make a better decision in every moment possible. I sucked wind . . but I'm hitting the floor and doing 50 pushups before bed and setting the alarm for 5 bells. .. giddy up:)

Jillian. . we have something to talk about. .

 

 

Climbing back on the bandwagon. . .now where did I put my tuba anyways??

 
(hmmm. .wonder who got a hold of my camera???)

Get it?? BAND wagon!!

I promised some clean eating lunch ideas and here they are:) I've been procrastinating because I had this big idea of actually making them and taking awesome pictures so I can show you what these tasty creations look like. . but it just wasn't happening. .so fuel up your imaginations and forgive me!

After baby #4 (Moses) I've been dragging my clean eating heels and not exercising, it doesn't feel good and I'm slowly cluing into the fact that I NEED to be strong, fit and healthy in order to deal with my life. End of story. No excuses. I heard something the other day that inspired me. . .

DON'T USE YOUR CHILDREN AS EXCUSES AS TO WHY YOU CAN'T GET THINGS DONE, EXERCISE, EAT HEALTHY, BLAH BLAH BLAH. . ..THEY ARE REASONS TO DO IT. . NOT EXCUSES WHY YOU CAN'T!!. . .THEY ARE THE VERY REASON WE NEED TO KICK OUR OWN BUTTS IN THE MORNING AND GET OUR LIVES ORGANIZED, PRODUCTIVE AND IN ORDER. .. amen to that eh?? I needed a wake up to get back on track. . .I'll be honest, every few months I crash and feel overwhelmed, exhausted and down. Flitting from project to project and not really honing in on my priorities. I see the pattern now and it's time to put an end to it. ..

My two week challenge. . .(feel free to join me:)

I'm starting with SIMPLE. Going to bed by 9-9:30 every night.

Waking up at 5 am to exercise or do yoga.

Spending time with my Heavenly Father every morning for at least 30 minutes. (Seriously, when I don't make time for God it corresponds directly with my productivity. . .or lack there of I should say;)

Jumping back on the eating clean bandwagon:

    - drinking enough water all day

    - eating protein within 20 minutes of waking

    - no processed junk

That's it, that's all. The days of the 50 item "to-do list" are over. It's overwhelming and if I end up failing by lunchtime every day, I trash the list anyways. . 5 items max.

So. Early to bed, early to rise, Spending time with the Big Guy upstairs, fueling the body with clean goodness and exercise. Done.

3 awesome clean recipes:)

Lettuce and Smoked Salmon Wraps

3 leaves of Romaine Lettuce

3 tablespoons of reduced fat herb and garlic Philadelphia cream cheese

Smoked salmon

thinly sliced purple onion

capers

Basically you lay out the lettuce, spread on the cream cheese and lay everything else on top. . voila. easy. done. and packed with omega 3 and protein. My kids love this quick lunch, minus the capers. . it makes you feel full because of the healthy fat and protein, but you get absolutely no bloating out of the deal. .. .it's a good one:) Sorry for the lack of picture:(

This carrot soup recipe is amazing and really kid friendly. .

Carrot Soup

6 large carrots shredded

2 med. potatoes cut into cubes

1.5 cups of chicken broth

1 tsp. worchestershire sauce

1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

1 large spanish onion chopped fine

3 cups milk

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 cup chopped parsley

You will need two pots. In the first pot combine the first 7 ingredients and bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender. In the second pot saute the chopped onion in a bit of butter or coconut oil until soft, add the milk and sprinkle in the thyme and parsley. Then combine the two pots and stir. I always take out half the soup and blend it in the blender until creamy and add back into the soup. . .it's fantastic that way! Enjoy:)

Oh and here's a hot tip. . .if you live near Winnipeg, go to the Crusty Bun on St. Mary's road and pick up some pumpkin seed buns to go with this soup. . soooooooo chewy and delish. SERIOUSLY, the best buns I've ever eaten. . EVER. (Sorry to all Grant's Mennonite relatives who might be offended by this;))

. . .o.k.. .I made this next one up myself. . and to be honest, only Leo and myself liked it, but the rest of my family is obviously nutbar, cause I thought this was quite inspired. . .

So. First you make some healthy chili for your fam and eat it for lunch for a few days till everyone is sick of chili, then you do this!

The Cauliflower, Chili, Cheese Wonder meal of Yum!

One head of cauliflower chopped into large pieces

1 cup of skim milk

1/2 cup of shredded jalapeno mozza cheese

2 cups of leftover chili

Steam cauliflower and lay in casserole dish, combine chili and milk in a saucepan until hot, pour over cauliflower and sprinkle cheese on top. . .it's a 3C delight! The Cauliflower, Chili, Cheese Wonder meal of yum. Yup. That's the official name;) It was tasty and healthy and a good way to stretch the grocery budget if I do say so. .. anyone else notice the cost of groceries is RIDICULOUS lately?? You can buy a head of cauliflower for $2.50. . .just say'in:)

. . .the lowdown lately. . .our exchange student from France arrived yesterday so I'm trying out my francais on him. . . he keeps smiling and laughing? I must be better at francais than I thought!? So with a guest in the house, I'm pulling out my cooks hat again, my run of scrambled eggs every night for supper is over. My fam will be relieved:)

Starting Monday I'm cataloguing my new routine of early to bed, early to rise, just to keep myself accountable. .. hope it doesn't bore you to death! I also took a "before" picture. . .which I just have to say was quite the wake up call. . .try taking a photo at yourself from a true angle, meaning line the camera up with your belly button instead of angling down (which makes you look like a malnourished waif in desperate need of a burger;) I'll tell ya right now, I'm not posting that crazy pic until I have an "after" photo to put beside it. . argh! Now, don't get me wrong here. . .it's not all about what you look like. . .it's about being toned, strong and fit and not having extra rolls flopping over the jeans. . .I have a rant percolating about how we've taken this whole "love yourself just the way you are" movement waaaaaaaay to far. .. .it may sound rude or bold or nasty but really, it's not. . .it's coming. so beware. There are plenty of us who might be loving ourselves right into obesity and heart disease. . .and that's bunk. .. but that's not for today. . .

Try those recipes. . really. .. they rock:) And if you feel like doing the early to bed challenge with me, it starts Monday. . .come along for the ride and let me know how it works for ya!

be mighty.