Pia Lyotier

Today was one of those days in the garden, where I just couldn't get enough done or go fast enough. Yippee. I transplanted all sorts of things today, moved rose bushes to a better spot, I hope, and transplanted some hydrangias. OMGosh, they are taking over my yard. I need to sell some.

Also bought two new lilacs and planted them plus moved a bunch of stuff around. Had a great helper today, and got piles done. Moved some Bearberry and some other stuff. What a great amount of exercise.

Well, I have to do laundry, take a soak, and eat dinner. Starting with the house painting and some work on the yard tomorrow. Can't wait till Saturday to go to the nursery. Want to get some new ground cover.

Send some pictures to you all soon. Bless the rain and the sunshine, the bugs and all the new spring things. There was an eagle flying high and circling this morning. He was beautiful. A new baby.

More tomorrow....

Today was another type of day. Exciting and predictable at the same time. Rain, I mean downpour, hail, sunshine, warmer temperatures, and then cold breezes, not only that but even lighting and thunder. Yes, just a typical spring day in Greater Vancouver. If you don't like the weather, just wait an hour, because what comes next, just might be what the doctor ordered.

The garden barely had time for the spring blooms, and the wind came an took all the cherry blossoms and spread them all over the ground, like a carpet of pink. It was like confetti falling from the sky. It to was beautiful. All part of the changes coming up.

Today, I received an email that was talking about the following foods as fat burners. Not the way we believe now, but the way we used to believe in the old days, when everyone was healthy.

A Good Egg

Overweight adults who ate two eggs for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight (and felt more energetic) than those who started the morning with an equally caloric bagel, recent studies show. Other findings reveal that egg eaters consume 300 fewer calories per day, adding up to a loss of three pounds per month. “Eggs help level out blood sugar, provide energy-boosting protein and are full of nutrients,” says wellness coach Jessica Smith. “If you can’t stomach eggs in the morning, eat them for dinner instead.”

Sauer Power

Sauer power. The fermented cabbage called sauerkraut contains a “friendly” bacteria proven to enhance digestion, speed up weight loss and boost immunity, according to Smith. Rich in vitamins and potassium, sauerkraut has a mere 27 calories per serving. Stuff it in your sandwich, heat it as a side dish or load it onto a baked potato.

This Spud's For You

“Potatoes got a bad rap during the low-carb craze, but they are a perfect weight loss food – a blend of nutrients, fiber and protein with a low-calorie price tag,” says Smith. One baked white potato (with skin) offers six grams of protein, and over 1,500 mg of potassium, for under 300 calories. Top it with salsa or veggies and low-fat cheese for a starchy side dish or snack.

Go Greek

Rich, creamy, filling…and healthy? Once you go Greek (as in Greek plain yogurt) for breakfast or dessert, it’s easy to forego those midnight fridge raids (not to mention the midmorning snack attack). “It’s so delish that I like to cap off the night with yogurt instead of ice cream,” says Kara Wiley, star of the “Element: Slim and Tone Pilates” DVD. Opt for the version with two-percent fat; it’s more satisfying, with heaping doses of calcium, protein and good bacteria.

Quinoa is King

Deemed “the supergrain of the future” by Deborah Klein, author of 200 Superfoods That Will Save Your Life (McGraw Hill), quinoa is a high-fiber and high-protein replacement for rice that’s packed with nutrients (and gluten-free, to boot). “Since this grain is so high in fiber, giving you more satiety per chew, quinoa can help prevent overeating and thus help with weight loss,” says Klein.

Artichoke Folk

“Artichokes are the perfect weight loss food, an amazing source of fiber,” says Klein. One boiled artichoke has 150 calories, with over 10 grams of protein and plenty of calcium and folic acid. “For a great snack, have a steamed artichoke with your favorite flavoring—mayo, hummus, or Italian dressing—as the fat source,” Klein suggests

Barley's Back

As you’ve probably concluded, fiber is your friend when it comes to weight loss. Barley’s packed with the stuff, helping food digest smoothly as it curbs hunger for hours. The whole grain has promoted weight loss for 2,500 years, even impressing ancient physicians who endorsed it for shedding pounds way back in the day.

Lean, Mean Black Beans

“Beans are the healthiest food on earth,” declares Klein. Above and beyond their antioxidants, they regulate blood sugar to stave off cravings and bouts of overeating. “It’s a perfect balance of fiber, fuel and protein for increased satisfaction.” So don’t knock the “meatless” burrito or burger till you’ve tried it – most are loaded with black beans.

Taste the Paste

“It might sound off the wall,” says Klein, “but canned tomato paste is a great weight-loss food, providing five grams of dietary fiber per half-cup.” She recommends cracking open a can to thicken spaghetti sauce and tortillas. “It’s a great fat-free satisfier,” she says, “plus an excellent source of fuel.”

Flax to the Max

Here’s where a little addition to your food results in subtraction…on the scale. “Ground flaxseed is the number-one key food for weight loss,” says Klein, pointing to its high amount of fiber. “Sprinkle two tablespoons a day on top of cereal or fat-free yogurt to give you more for your chew

Almond Joy

Eating more (and better snacks) is key to any weight-loss strategy, making you far less likely to gorge on belt-busting meals. So enjoy 10 almonds with a piece of fruit, suggests Klein. “These nuts are high in fiber, quick to grab and excellent on the go.”

OTHER..........

Milk, Cheese & Yogurt

Low-fat, calcium-rich foods can help you lose weight in the long term. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that obese women who doubled their daily intake of calcium from 600 milligramsper day to 1,200 milligrams over the course of 15 weeks lost an average of 11 pounds—without cutting calories! Plain low-fat yogurt, especially the Greek-style stuff, provides muscle-friendly protein and contains less sugar than other types. In addition to building muscle, calcium will help you attain a strong, vibrant mane, because hair is almost all protein.

Beef

Nothing beats pure protein when it comes to building muscle. The problem with most store-bought beef, however, is that the majority of cattle are fed grain, which gives their meat a relatively high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. This, in turn, contributes to a host of problems. The fatty acids in grass-fed beef, on the other hand, are skewed toward the omega-3 variety. Such beef also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which studies have shown helps reduce belly fat and build lean muscle.

Bell Peppers

Bright-red peppers have high levels of antioxidant vitamins A and C, according to James O. Hill, PhD, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado and co-founder of America on the Move, a national weight-gain prevention initiative. Green and yellow peppers contain less vitamin A [than red peppers], but all peppers are naturally fat free and low calorie, and they contain 3 grams of fiber per chopped cup, making them excellent snacks or mealtime fillers.

Brussels Sprouts

Selenium is a vital trace mineral that mops up those pesky free radicals and helps protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, according to Matthew Kadey, RD. A cup of Brussels sprouts contains twice as much selenium as, say, butternut squash or kale. “Your thyroid can’t produce certain hormones without it,” he says. “You can blame hormones for a lot of bad stuff, but they also happen to run your entire system— and thyroid hormones,specifically, control the metabolism of every cell in your blood

Chicken Breast

In terms of lean protein, white meat chicken (minus the skin) reigns supreme. And lean protein is also a terrific source of coenzyme Q10, which assists skin cell turnover. (So goodbye flaky old dead cells, and hello fresh, rosy new ones!) You can easily grill enough chicken for a week’s worth of meals—to chunk into salads or slice for sandwiches, for example.

Prunes

A San Diego State University study turned up this bit of fulfilling news about dried plums, aka prunes: They’re supremely satiating. Women who ate 12 prunes one day, then ate the equivalent calories’ worth of low-fat cookies the next day, said they felt significantly less hungry 2 hours after eating the fruit than they did after eating the cookies. The abundant fiber and sorbitol (a sugar alcohol that the body metabolizes slowly) in prunes keep blood sugar and insulin levels in check. Prunes may also help shrink your waistline. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that among 74,000 women surveyed, those who got more fiber were 49 percent less likely to suffer weight gain.

Hummus

This is now your official go-to dip instead of the calorie bomb that is ranch dressing (75 or more calories per tablespoon!). High in fiber and lower in saturated fat and calories, hummus pairs equally well with veggies. To make it, mix the following ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy: two 10-ounce cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained, with 1/3 cup liquid reserved; juice of one lemon; 3 tablespoons olive oil; two garlic cloves; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cumin. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to use.

Tofu

Made from pressed soybean curds, tofu was once the bastion of vegetarians. But the plant protein in tofu— which comes in firm or soft varieties, and is delicious marinated and tossed in salads—provides a full complement of amino acids, as well as isoflavone, which helps muscles recover from exercise.

Tuna

Tuna is one of the best sources of lean protein, but instead of mixing in a lot of mayo and turning it into a fatty disaster, add pepper, hot sauce, and some fresh lemon juice. Or toss some chunk light into your salads. A 3-ounce serving contains 11 mg of heart-healthy niacin, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol and help your body process fat.

Treat Yourself to a Hot Beverage

In addition to getting your fill of cold water, soothe yourself with a nice hot cup of coffee or green or black tea. These drinks stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, and stimulation leads to calorie burn, says Lisa Davis, Ph.D., vice president of research and development for Medifast. Studies show that three cups of green tea a day can burn anywhere from 78 to 106 calories, says Dr. Davis.

I hope everyone in Canada is paying close attention to the tax rate on Housing, and the fact that in BC the HST is most likely coming into effect. There are many more homes on the market than demand, and in a minute it appears that there may be a big burst in the real estate market on the west coast of BC, Canada.

This is just my personal opinion. Does anyone out there have more knowledge about this and would like to share their views. Please do. I look forward to learning from my colleagues.

Today was a wonderful day. The spirit lifted me into another realm. Everything is falling into place and working. I went to church this morning and then to brunch with a friend. After that I wandered through the Punjabi neighborhood taking in the wonderful sounds, colors, and the smells of foods, spices and incense. I wandered into shops and touched and admired all the wonderful materials and noted the wonderful intricate designs and stitching. I admire the work and the colors so much. I even bought an ooutfit with earrings to match. Ahh, the beauty in all of it. Hope everyone out there had a wonderful day. Tomorrow I start on a new project. I am very excited. I will keep you all updated. Bless you all.

Today I have learned that friends come in all shapes and sizes, but that a true friend is one you can depend on for life. There is never a problem with a friend. They take one as they are and appreciate that person for what they offer as themselves, allowing for and admiring the similarities and differences. Friends allow for your mistakes. Friends support you when you are down and bring you higher when you are up. They challenge you and they play you. Thank goodness for the wonderful friends I have now, for the friends of my past that have moved on, and for the friends that I will have in the future. Always be honest with your friends, and be yourself.

Enjoy your weekend, and give a friend a call, just to say you are thinking of them.