The Inevitable Five Pound Gain

I believe my metabolism takes a short break during the winter months. There is no other way to explain it. Unfortunately, it seems that no matter how hard I try for this not to happen, I always gain around 5 pounds somewhere between Christmas and New Years and then I have to wait until late spring/early summer before I start shedding the pounds, getting back to what I consider to be my ideal weight.

I've come to the conclusion that my body thinks it's a bear or some other type of animal that hibernates during the winter months and needs to store-up fat for the winter. Fat that I don't want. Fat that I don't particularly care for. Fat that always lands in places I don't want it to, like my stomach and butt. Why couldn't it store itself a little higher in an area that I could use the extra fat stores (i.e. my bust line)?

I know I shouldn't obsess about this. But I do. For some people, a five-pound gain doesn't seem like much, but to me it does. Especially since I just found out from a colleague that every 8 pounds you gain, you also gain a pant size. And that would mean buying new pants. And I don't want to buy new pants. I like the ones I've got. But I would have to agree with this theory about going up a pant size every 8 pounds, simply because I can feel the difference in my pants since the beginning of January. They feel more snug. They're not as comfortable. It's driving me crazy.

And since I'm on the topic of body woes, here's another one for you; uneven muscle tone. Where I work with my student we are involved almost daily in throwing cardboard boxes into a baler. This repetitive motion can go on for four or more hours a day, depending on what the recycling centre has as priority on any given day. And since I'm right-handed, this constant throwing of cardboard has provided some pretty nice biceps . . . on my right arm. My left arm is lacking the same tone and development, and therefore I look lop sided and I really don't like that. I've tried using my left arm more for hucking the cardboard, but because I'm not left-handed, my aim isn't as good and therefore more cardboard ends up on the floor than in the baler when I use my left arm.

I have decided that in order to increase the size of the biceps in my left arm, I'm going to lift weights at home using only my left arm, hoping to balance out the size of my arms. I got these really cool weight balls in the box of Special K cereal a few years ago. You fill them with either water, salt or sand and they turn into instant weights, especially designed for arm muscle development.

Having said all that I have thus far, I think I should reveal something to you. I don't diet. I hate diets. When it comes to food, my motto is, eat anything in moderation. I don't exercise. I hate exercising. But I wish I loved it. I'd much prefer to burn calories and gain muscle through my regular day-to-day activities, like hucking cardboard into a baler; or sweeping the floor for 30 minutes a day using a huge broom that requires power to push; or making myself walk up our staircase of 17 stairs a zillion times day just for the exercise; or going skating with my boys at the local skating rink. I'm not into regular exercise routines, although I must admit that if I had a Wii Fit, I would feel compelled to use it. That sort of regular routine sounds like it would be fun.

Before I end this post, I should also reveal that despite my complaints above, I really do appreciate the body I have and the simple fact that my metabolism is pretty good for someone my age. My BMI (Body Mass Index) is bordering on the "too low" level, which is why I know that deep down I don't need to fret about this 5 pound gain. It's just annoying to watch this happen and not have any control over it, year after year.

Let's just say I'm looking forward to late spring/early summer. That's when the inevitable Five Pound Loss will finally take effect.

Prayer Urgently Requested

If you have time, please visit my friend Corwin's blog and read his story. He is nearing the end of an adoption process for a child from Nicaragua and desperately needs prayer right now. A miracle is needed in order to finalize the adoption.

Thanks.

Black Forest Brownies and Cheese Pull-Aparts

Last week it was my turn to provide a birthday treat for a colleague at school, so I opted to make Black Forest Brownies. Some of you got wind of this and asked for the recipe, so, here it is. I'm also adding another recipe for Cheese Pull-Aparts which I mentioned several months ago on my blog . . . sorry it has taken me so long to do post these recipes. I wish I had pictures to go along with the recipes, but alas, I don't. I really should take photos of things I bake.

BLACK FOREST BROWNIES

Layer 1: The Brownies
*Note: This part is my own brownie recipe, called Fudgy Brownies. You could substitute any brownie recipe for the base.

1 C. margarine
4 T. cocoa powder
2 C. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/3 C. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13 in. baking pan. On very low heat, melt margarine and cocoa together in a 3 qt. saucepan. Melt, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time and beat hard after each addition, until well blended. Add the flour and vanilla (and nuts, if desired) and stir to blend. Pour into baking pan and bake for 30 - 35 minutes, until tested done with toothpick. Cool in pan. Cut edges with a sharp knife before adding the next layer.

Layer 2: The Creamy Cheesy Party
Soften an 8 0z. pkg. of cream cheese. Beat with 1/3 - 1/2 C. whipping cream, until smooth. Add 1/2 C. sugar (you may add more or less to your personal sweetness preference). Combine and whip until fluffy. Spread over cooled brownie layer. Refrigerate for approx. 30 minutes or until cream cheese layer is set.

Layer 3: The Cherries and Chocolate
Spoon a can of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer.
Melt 3/4 C. chocolate chips with 1 T. margarine in the microwave. Add a few drops of cream to obtain the desired consistency so that you can spoon the chocolate over the cherries and swirl. I have also used an icing bag to stream the chocolate over the cherries.

The last step: Chill until you are ready to serve. Eat and enjoy.

**Cook's Comments: I kind of "made-up" this recipe, so that's why some of the directions are a bit vague with regards to measurements. But I think if you follow my suggestions, it will turn out and be sure to be a hit.
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CHEESE PULL-APARTS

Dough:
1/2 C. white sugar
3 C. warm water
2 x 1/4 oz. active dry yeast

2 large eggs
1/2 C. cooking oil
1 tsp. salt
9 C. (approximately) all-purpose flour

Filling:
1/2 C. butter or hard margarine, softened
2 C. grated cheese, cheddar or marble

Stir sugar in warm water in large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over top. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve yeast.

Mix eggs, cooking oil and salt. Work in enough flour until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Turn onto floured surface. Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Roll 1 part at a time, 1/4 inch thick into a 9 x 12 inch rectangle.

Spread each rectangle with 1/4 amount of butter, and 1/4 amount of cheese. Roll each rectangle up from long side. Cut into 1 inch slices. Place cut side down in greased muffin tins. Cover with tea towel and let stand in oven with light on and door closed for about 1 hour until doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees F. for about 20 minutes. Turn out onto cooling rack.

Same Old, Same Old

I have nothing new to report. We are back into a routine for which I am grateful, although another three days or so of holidays would have been nice.

I just thought I should write a short post so that my readers wouldn't have to look at mine and Wayne's picture anymore.

So, I hope you're all having a fabulous week.

P.S. I wish I had a baby girl.

He Said, She Said. Or is it She Said, He Said?

This meme is circulating around blogville . . . I thought I'd participate too. The purpose is to reveal tidbits about my husband. I've taken it one step further and made this a two-part process. I took the quiz first. Then, without Wayne knowing my answers to the questions, I had him take the quiz as well. So, it's kind of in two parts and it was interesting to find out how well I know my best friend.

1. He's sitting in front of the television, what is on the screen?

Kim's answer: Prison Break, The Unit, Predator Quest, Surviorman, Mythbusters, M*A*S*H

Wayne's answer: Prison Break, Predator Quest, Arrow Affliction, Mythbusters

2. You're out to eat what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

Kim's answer: Thousand Island on a tossed salad, but he'd prefer Caesar Salad.

Wayne's answer: Caesar or Thousand Island.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?

Kim's answer: Broccoli

Wayne's answer: Fish
4. You go out to a bar, what does he order?

Kim's answer: He doesn't drink. But I know he loves Irish Cream.

Wayne's answer: Dark Rum and Coke. But he doesn't drink.
5. Where did he go to high school?

Kim's answer: North Battleford Composite High School

Wayne's answer: North Battleford Comprehensive High School
6. What shoe size does he wear?

Kim's answer: Men's Size 9

Wayne's answer: Size 9
7. If he was to collect anything what would it be?

Kim's answer: Guns

Wayne's answer: Guns
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?

Kim's answer: Peanut butter and honey.

Wayne's answer: BLT (Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato)
9. What would he eat every day if he could?

Kim's answer: Steak . . . rare.

Wayne's answer: Steak.

10. What is his favorite cereal?

Kim's answer: Shreddies.

Wayne's answer: Honeycomb (with cream).
11. What would he never wear?

Kim's answer: An argyle sweater.

Wayne's answer: One of Clinton Kelly's sweaters (which happens to be Argyle).
12. What is his favorite sports team?

Kim's answer: Calgary Flames

Wayne's answer: Calgary Flames
13. Who did he vote for?

Kim's answer: Kelly Block; Stephen Harper; Randy Weekes; Brad Wall

Wayne's answer: Kelly Block; Stephen Harper; Brad Wall and . . . (he couldn't remember Randy Weekes' name)
14. Who is his best friend?

Kim's answer: Henry R.

Wayne's answer: Henry R.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?

Kim's answer: Complain about my hair.

Wayne's answer: Surveys on the computer.
17. What is his heritage?

Kim's answer: German-Mennonite

Wayne's answer: Russian-Mennonite

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday what would it be?

Kim's answer: Black Forest Cake.

Wayne's answer: Cheesecake

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Kim's answer: No.

Wayne's answer: No.

20. What could he spend hours doing?

Kim's answer: Hunting.

Wayne's answer: Sleeping.

21. What's something cool about him?
Kim's answer: He is never cool. He's always hot. Seriously . . . what's cool about him is that he's a great dad.

Wayne's answer: Nothing.
22. What's something not cool about him?

Kim's answer: He is loud.

Wayne's answer: My wife probably said my glasses.