GF Check-in 12:05 PM

So far, so good.

I have found celebrating others' birthdays and achievements to be a task and a half, because "no thank you" won't cut it when there's cake on the table! I've cheated minorly once (maybe twice, shhh) but I mean very minor (licking off icing? Sure!).

I do have a new-found problem with sugar, however. I crave it. Clearly this is because gluten and wheat turn into sugar in your system, and by removing them, my body wants other sources of the sneaky sweet devil. It's been so hard to resist wolfing down a chocolate bar (my resolve used to be strong enough that I'd eat one piece and be satisfied, now I can't even touch the wrapper without knowing it will disappear!) and difficult not to go nuts with the honey and syrups and of course.... chocolate. This too shall pass! But until it does, I'm restraining the sugar intake to just fruits and the occasional drizzle of honey (see photo above, mmmmm).

Kudos to all gluten free gods who have a legitimate allergy, and have struggled and mastered the "diet" for their entire lives. There are times I feel like a fraud, just using the dietary choice as a fad, but I have to remind myself that while it has made me feel a lot better, it has also helped with some legitimate dietary problems I've had for a while. My insides are thanking me, and for that I will continue to please them with fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and the occasional gluten-free waffle in the morning (limiting, limiting, but once and a while I need the fake stuff).

The one comment that threw me off the rails for a second:

"Are you just doing this to lose weight?"

My answer? I'm sweating and swearing at the gym to tone up, and I'm eating healthier and in a fresh direction to please my body after years of sugar and wheat addictions that I never thought I could shake. I'm not looking to lose any weight, as my BMI is perfecto for my age and height. I'm interested in kick-starting my metabolism and re-awakening my love for fresh cooking, fresh produce, and treating my body the way it should be treated: with respect. So no, I'm not eating wheat-free to lose weight. I'm eating wheat-free to challenge my body and lifestyle to see how strong I can really be.

I'm off, dear readers, to munch on some raisins and contemplate the meaning of "potato flour".

goodnight, folks. 11:46 PM

insta-lately 12:23 PM

A sneak peek at my life lately, in square format.

 A new post coming soon featuring these guys, the cutest couple I've worked with to date (but I don't play favourites!)

 Good friends of ours were married at the end of August, and I was one of the lucky bridesmaids rockin' it with the polka dots.

Getting nostalgic looking through hilarious old photos of the fam (featuring a brand-new Toto 13 years ago, and long lost Sam, my aunt's late yellow lab)

 Briefly got to see this guy  on the stupidest day of the year: back to school, downtown. Never ever ever (ever!) will I drive downtown at the beginning of September. Ever.

You had me at impulse buy: I jump started the festive decorations and went all martha on our dining room. I forgot to get these guys last year; there was none of that this time around.

Speaking of which, it's coming up on one year in the house. This year went by so quickly it's not even funny... I graduated, Adam and I overcame some crazy shenanigans, and I met one someone who would quickly turn out to be one of my closest friends:

 AND. Fall is coming. Fall is COMING. FALL IS COMING.

All around... let's get 'er done.

insta-week 9:35 PM

 

(Top left: Single Lady Carrot Cake Cupcake, Adam and his relentless hair, my dining room editing suite, homemade bbq chicken caesar salad, Cupcakes Canada from a friend's birthday, sunny May morning, and some editing from a recent shoot soon to be released.)

Today's to do list: Conquer the kitchen. Our canisters on the counter were such a pain; the clasps always fell off, and as cute as they were (they came with tiny wooden spoons attached!) they were too frustrating to keep them. So of course, I got creative.

 

Martha Stewart office products caught my eye from day one, but I didn't plan on purchasing them (they're a little pricy)until finding these canisters. Perfectionnn! (And bonus: Adam fully thought that the labels came pre-written on. He smudged one and couldn't figure out why. I figure that means they look ok.)

These little gems are a dollar store find! 3 for $2, and 100% worth it.

 

I found that little guy in the middle on the top shelf for my heavily-used cocoa supply; another dollar store find. Going back to pick up some more, now that I know how perfect they all match! Makes my OCD happy.

And tonight... We got MAX!

 

....we tuckered him out. We've got him for a week while his real family is on vacay. I'm already in love.

insta/weekend 11:53 PM

 

 

good friends, good food, and a photoshoot I'm dying to show off. but not just yet.

sunny sunday, according to instagram 12:57 AM

so many updates, so little time...

 

 
...and so many of those updates will fly at you soon! Until then, here's a taste of the gorgeous weather we've been having, and the first touch of spring making my heart skip a beat. 


(And yes, I have acquired an iPhone! So expect lots of those quick snaps to see the world through my eager eyes.)