High Tea

Ever since I started my diet (lost 8 pounds since September 10th, woohoo!), I've come to really appreciate the concept of 'Eye Candy'. According to Gwen, looking at photos of carbs isn't calorific, so it's safe. Every day I take the time out to look at baking websites and other goodies (Paula Deen! Squeal!) since I have to cut down on my delicious baking. Gwen and I email back and forth with recipes on a regular basis. It helps.

In fact, I have a confession to make, .... I visited an awesome new baking store in Sand-Land and .....

actually bought a cookbook called 'High Tea'. Yes, an entire cookbook for high tea.

You see, according to my Mum, I came out of her stomach holding a dainty teacup and a rolling pin. I have an obsession with tea. Not the drink itself, but the whole concept of having a cup of tea, or inviting people over for tea and baking for tea... and high tea. All my life, I've been baking to fulfill my dream of arranging high-teas for anyone and everyone. When we're rich and organized, Gwen and I are going to open our own bakery. We'll also have an adjoining tea lounge. White linen, comfortable chairs, teas, and beautiful treats. Music, wild flowers and .... sigh.

So, when I was in London earlier this year I made a point of dressing up and going out to high tea, regardless of how expensive it was (40 pounds per person!)... it was incredible. I left feeling inspired. I felt like a child again. Here are some of the photos from my experience at the Landmark hote. Evidently, you have to book the Ritz weeks in advance *insert snobbish voice of receptionist*

I have yet to perfect the art of making scones, but that's on my to-do list for life. Cheers!

I'm no longer afraid

.... of the scale. I used to hide the dreaded scale under my bed to make sure I never saw it. I started gaining weight in 6th grade when I moved from my beloved private school to a public school. In my mother's defense, I chose to move after grade five because I wanted to follow my older sister and be with her wherever she was. You see, at that time in this town there was only one private school and it went up to grade six. I may have been able to prevent all this extra weight had I stayed in that private school for one more year. It's too late to think about what 'could' have happened. Over the years, I got depressed, gained more weight, got married, lost weight, got divorced, gained weight... etc. Bottomline is, I'm overweight and I've been ignoring it for years. 

43 days ago my colleague and baking-friend Gwen and I decided to stop abusing ourselves. Since we're both food-lovers we decided to share our struggles and food cravings. She started following Atkins and I joined Weightwatchers . By God it's probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. I lost 9 lb since I started even though I got sick and stopped exercising for five days. Gwen on the other hand lost 16 lb because she's following Atkins. I'm cool with that.

The reason Weightwatchers works for me is because I have an obsession with numbers and calculators. The idea of putting in numbers and watching them add up everyday was just too appealing. I have an account (I pay something like 16$ a month I think.. who cares) and I have to confess to my PC every morning how much food I ate. I have to measure every single drop of anything that goes into my big fat mouth. It's so much fun. I can build recipes and measure exercise and swap exercise for extra food points. Then every Monday I have to confess my weight. I'd probably join Weightwatchers even if I were skinny just to play with those numbers. At the moment, I'm allowed 38 points a day (food allowance). Fruit and veg are 0 points. A tiny slice of nutella cheesecake is 20 points. I used to make that damn recipe and eat a large piece with a cup of coffee in the afternoon when I had guests without thinking twice. Little did I know that it was equal to a full day's allowance in calories. I learn new things everyday!

First Post

Everyone's first post usually goes something like this ... "Hey everyone! This is my first post. I'm a little nervous, but people have been encouraging me for years to start a blog, so here goes! Hope you don't get bored :)"...  blah blah blah...

Not me. I started this blog because part of my job involves writing serious stuff. I'm sick of serious. I want to complain and tell you about my baking and my cats. Today I have a cold and a shoulder-ache and I don't feel like working. There's a dust-storm outside. Oh, and I'm PMS-ing. I want to rant and my other outlets are tired of my ranting, so I need a new audience. I'm craving butter chicken but my taste buds aren't working so what's the point? Oh, and my friend  Gwen is also sick and tired and we're thinking of running away and setting up a farmhouse in Tennessee. We'll spend the rest of our lives baking and complaining. Welcome to my world.
PS (you'll notice that many of my posts will involve either Gwen or food)