Lower Mainland BC?

[babetteq]

Anyone low-carbing in southern BC? I'm in South Surrey. It was absolutely glorious today and I'm hoping to get up to the interior this weekend.

Anyone there?

[msmoon]

Yes, it's been just beautiful here and it's not suppose to change to our rainy season for a while longer. I am up the coast from you...Sunshine Coast where it never rains actually
Send me a pm if you wish.....we have something else in common as well!

[babetteq]

I haven't figured out how to pm yet. maybe I don't have enough posts?

Won't be long though... by the end of the weekend I'm sure~!

we have something else in common as well!

NOW you have me curious!!

[msmoon]

Hiya! If you click on my avatar it should take you to my profile page and on the right side in the top middle of that page it will say, "send a private message"...just click on that. If you don't see it then I guess you are not able to send pm's yet. I think there is some sort of waiting period for some privileges like getting in to the playground and such. Hope to hear from you whenever you get it figured out. Oh and welcome to the forum. This is a great place.

[babetteq]

Not allowed!!

I have to wait 25 days before I can PM and I've only been on for like... I dunno... 4 days? So, public talking is the only talking for now!

but I'm still curious about what else we have in common......

[msmoon]

The wait begins!

[babetteq]

Cruelty so soon? I hardly even know you! lmao

[msmoon]

Ya gotta be cruel to be kind....I'm just toughing you up for the playground which you will have access to (I think) around the same time as your privileges to use the pm service.
As soon as you get pm status, send me a heads up okay. In the mean time, I see you did the grind or a portion thereof, how was it? I have done it once many years ago and damn near died....or at least felt like it!

[babetteq]

I've done the grind 3x this summer. It was great.I loved doing it. I stopped every time I got winded, brought some trail mix and water with me and it wasn't so bad. As long as you know you can stop BEFORE you die.

One of the times I was going up a guy ahead of me started throwing up. I thought "Dude. Stop already".

It takes me about 3hrs to get up it. 3x longer than the stick people but I don't care. I still got to the top.

My only advice is don't buy any food up there. It's horrifically expensive and TERRIBLE. They really need to step it up in the kitchen department for such a tourist attraction.

I'd say it's worth it. I'll do it next summer too. It makes for a good day, but I really like being in the woods.

[SherBel]

Hi Guys,

I don't know your names, but I'll introduce myself...I'm Sherry from Maple Ridge. I've been off low carb for a few months...just fell off the wagon. I'm starting back on Monday the 28th. I have 'fear of scale', haven't weighed myself for weeks and weeks, argghhh.

I can't even IMAGINE doing the Gr. Grind! I have knee/back problems, although (knock wood), I'm doing really well these days in that regard.

(I used to live in S. Surrey, by the way. Boy, has it ever changed, all those new buildings!)

[babetteq]

Hi Sherbel from Maple Ridge! The grind is hard on your knees. For sure! I see lots of people going up it with braces on their knees. It's 2.8km of stairs really. There are lots of other hikes to do that aren't so 'stairy'.

South Surrey has changed a LOT. OMG I'm in a mall & townhouse vortex. In my yard you can't see it. But as soon as you get to the road you can see it all. Luckily I'm still close enough to the farming community to pick up decent eggs!

I was going to start the woe on monday too, because I was going into the interior for the weekend, but that didn't happen, so I started it 2 days ago. I'm on day #3 and I've lost 2lbs so far. Not bad for that much whipping cream!!

I'm glad that there are a few of us from this neck of the woods. We should alert each other when there's a good sale on meat (pork shoulder at Save On .99/lb yesterday) and butter!

You know, I'm going to post here every time I see a good sale on protein and fat.

Nice to meet you Sherbel!

Sherry, I just looked at your homepage. Your beads are incredibly beautiful! Breathtaking really.

-Megan

[CaitSith]

Hiya! Welcome to LC friends!

Im located close to Delta. My nickname is J. I am turning 34 next week and I am married. Nice to meet everyone!

I think giving eachother the heads up on great deals is a GREAT idea. *subscribed*

As for the Grouse Grind...WOW! I have the utmost admiration for anyone that can complete it. Good on ya I prefer more traditional forms of exercise: weightlifting, yoga, walking outside etc...anything that wont kill my poor knees, hehe.

Look forward to staying in touch with you gals

[SherBel]

Good morning, everyone! Today I'm heading out to The Superstore to stock up on a few things, it's great that they have a larger "organic" area, so I can get Rabbit River eggs, etc. (I was buying the Superstore organic eggs, and the last two dozen that I bought REEKED of fish when I cooked them! How gross! It's because they add fish meal to the diet to up the Omega 3s, and the taste comes through in the eggs...*shudder*) But the Rabbit River seem to be fine.

I'm not a fanatic for organic stuff, by the way, but because I do eat a lot of eggs, I try to stick with free range/organic when I can. I have tons of chicken and meat in the freezer, so that's great.

Exercise. Hmmm. NOT one of my strong points. Walking is nasty for me, and I'm totally self-concious about walking, because I'm so slow. I do have a really good stationary bike though, and I think I'll start with it again tomorrow. It's boring, but the iPod really helps; I have some playlists that I've made up that add up to twenty minutes so that when the music's finished, I know that I'm done.

I'll keep an eye out for sales, too, and post them here as well.

Megan, thank you so much for the kind words about my work!

[babetteq]

Welcome Cait! And good morning everyone else!

Well after 3 days of eating like this I've lost 4lbs. Crazy huh? Haven't been cranky or sluggish or anything. Just stuffed!

The grouse grind isn't for everyone, but really, the first time I did it I just figured that I didn't have to go up it fast. I just had to reach the top. So, I walked, stopped, walked, stopped and before you knew it... I was at the top. It's not so hard if you don't think you have to run up it.

Walking is fine with me, if I can get myself out. Once I'm there I'm fine. I went through a couple of weeks doing 5km walks everyday. Really though, I don't have a lot of stick-to-itiveness when it comes to exercise. I don't beat myself up about it, I just know that I'm a binge exerciser. It's my way. Maybe that will be different when I'm not lugging the equivalent to 4 big bags of flour with me.

It looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day again!

Fishy eggs? BLECH! why not eat non-fishy eggs and incorporate some salmon into your diet? Problem solved! (not that salmon is cheap).

I got my partner 2 seasons of 'charmed' for her birthday and we've been doing a 'charmed marathon' over the last couple of days. Not only have I not been doing any exercise, but I've been sitting like a lump watching tv. Funny, because I'm not a tv watcher normally. I put my back out last week though so I think the rest might not be a bad idea.

Hope you all have a great day!

[Grizzy]

Waves Hi from S Surrey!
I do most of my shopping in Bellingham, esp now that I have discovered Trader Joe's but I love Penguin Meats in DT White Rock for rib eyes and ground buffalo for making jerky. They also have rib bones which are hard to find in the grocery stores and hideously overpriced when you do find them.

I agree about the changes here. I still have my nice private tree lined property but am surrounded by evil subdivisions that I detest.

It is nice and sunny and hot here today again! I need to get my towels on the clothesline LOL.

[msmoon]

Hey Griz!!!I think we've met all ready.... somewhere on this board.
I miss the deals I use to find when I lived in the L.Mainland....sigh, living in paradise has it's price. Years ago I use to do a "milk run" over the line and like you, found some great deals state side when there. These days I am trying to do the 100 mile diet which has me eating more local fruits and veggies as well as local fish. I have canned and smoked enough to get me through the winter now. Even made chutney this year which turned out too good!
Hi SherBel and CaitSith. Best of luck to all of you on your journey to a healthier you!
Beautiful day here too. I'm off to the fall fair for the day.

[CaitSith]

Hello Ladies! Babs, Sher, Grizz and Msmoon

Nice to see more faces pop up in this lil' section of the boards
If you're ever up in my neck of the woods and you want some lovely cuts of meat, there is a nice little butcher shop called Prime Beef on Scott Rd and 64th Ave. The place is SO clean, you could eat off the floor. The family that runs the place is so friendly and attentive...real community folks. They have some beautiful roasts, steaks and seafood. They even sell free range eggs in store, along with some other LC goodies (bacon, cheese, pickled veggies)...

On the weekend, I work in Ladner. On the way home from work, I stop by this local farm called "Vandula's". It stocks the produce they grow right behind the storefront. The price are AMAZING and the produce is SO flavorful and fresh. I definitely notice a difference in the quality of farm fruits and veggies vs. supermarket stock. If you ever get a chance to stop by, you will not regret it.

Have you all been enjoying your activities this weekend? Friday is my Monday, so I have been working At least, I have internet access at work!

[SherBel]

Prime Beef sounds like a great store; I've had a hard time finding a decent butcher in Maple Ridge. In fact, one of these days I'll treat you guys to a nice litte rant about the business of selling beef, and calling it "natural" and "free range", (which are both meaningless terms in regards to beef.)

I met a rancher at the farmer's market in Abby a few months ago, and they are selling certified organic beef. Nice, but I can't buy a half cow for two people! Especially when one of the people is a picky eater, lol.

I'm in Surrey occasionally, and I will for sure head to Scott Rd and 64th! I like the sound of a family-run business that's not a franchise like Clancy's or Meridian. I've heard many good things about Vandula's, too!

So....this weekend we cleaned the yard, I got rid of all the annuals, (by September I'm fed up with them....I feel that it's time for them to die. So I kill them.) and cut the grass, etc. I'm painting a huge abstract, so I did some work on that last night, and today I shopped. I'm boiling eggs and pre-cooking a pile of bacon so that tomorrow I'll have some food handy; and planning meals for the rest of the week, sort of two-tiered meals, low carb for me, non low-carb for the hubster.

[SherBel]

Good Morning!

Got on the scale for the first time in months, (I was scared!), and I'm 250. I thought that I'd be MUCH higher.

Hubby's off to the island for the day, I'm cleaning house. Have a good day, everyone!

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by msmoon

Hey Griz!!!I think we've met all ready.... somewhere on this board.
I miss the deals I use to find when I lived in the L.Mainland....sigh, living in paradise has it's price. Years ago I use to do a "milk run" over the line and like you, found some great deals state side when there. These days I am trying to do the 100 mile diet which has me eating more local fruits and veggies as well as local fish. I have canned and smoked enough to get me through the winter now. Even made chutney this year which turned out too good!
Hi SherBel and CaitSith. Best of luck to all of you on your journey to a healthier you!
Beautiful day here too. I'm off to the fall fair for the day.

OK when did you move to the sunshine coast? Did I miss it or am I confused? I thought you were out in Abby

I try to buy local as much as possible and organic if I can find it and it is reasonable.

/envious of anyone who lives on the sunshine coast

[msmoon]

Originally Posted by Grizzy

OK when did you move to the sunshine coast? Did I miss it or am I confused? I thought you were out in Abby

I try to buy local as much as possible and organic if I can find it and it is reasonable.

/envious of anyone who lives on the sunshine coast

I've lived here for a very long time now....off and on that is. I've tried other areas but always come back to the SS-coast. Use to live in Roberts Creek for years, then bought a place up on the north end of the island then back here (on the upper end of the SS-coast this time). I think I live in paradise now.
On a clear day I can wave to Chippy, not sure if she can see me or even looks but I do wave at her.
I did live in Abby many moons ago though,...near the golf course. Gadzooks it's grown so much since then but then again so has the entire province.

[SherBel]

We'd love to live on the island, or the Sunshine Coast. Hubby's job keeps us in the lower mainland, though.

[CaitSith]

hello ladies,

Just checking in...worked a couple hours this morning, then did some grocery shopping. I stocked up on all LC foods. I am now making stuffed mushroom caps and meatballs..SO YUM!

ditto /envious of anyone who lives in sunshine coast *sigh*

Hope you all have a great Monday!

[babetteq]

I really miss living up in the Haida Gwaii. I love the islands. But, work brings me here too. I'm always envious of anyone who can live in rural coastal BC. Really, seriously, it's the way to be.

I've been insulating the attic on the house we rent. Last year was 300$/mo in heating. It all morphed into lovely icicles that went from roof to ground last year. They were pretty, but I don't want to pay for them again. Really.

Off to Save On to pick up a few things and to see if there's more meat on sale. Also - I seem to have used up my whipping cream.... I love that part of this woe.

Have a great day everyone!!!

[msmoon]

Originally Posted by babetteq

I really miss living up in the Haida Gwaii. I love the islands. But, work brings me here too. I'm always envious of anyone who can live in rural coastal BC. Really, seriously, it's the way to be.

I've been insulating the attic on the house we rent. Last year was 300$/mo in heating. It all morphed into lovely icicles that went from roof to ground last year. They were pretty, but I don't want to pay for them again. Really.

Off to Save On to pick up a few things and to see if there's more meat on sale. Also - I seem to have used up my whipping cream.... I love that part of this woe.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Hiya babetteq, Gwaii is one of those places! I use to deliver fall bunt nets for CanFishCo. and when in Rupert it was a must to head over to the islands. At one point I really wanted to move up there but not sure if I could have handled the long rainy nights over long winter months. I live pretty rural now but close enough to major places should I ever get an urge to see a good play, artist work at a gallery or whatever. Life is good!
Hi to everyone too!

[Grizzy]

Originally Posted by babetteq

I really miss living up in the Haida Gwaii. I love the islands. But, work brings me here too. I'm always envious of anyone who can live in rural coastal BC. Really, seriously, it's the way to be.

I've been insulating the attic on the house we rent. Last year was 300$/mo in heating. It all morphed into lovely icicles that went from roof to ground last year. They were pretty, but I don't want to pay for them again. Really.

Off to Save On to pick up a few things and to see if there's more meat on sale. Also - I seem to have used up my whipping cream.... I love that part of this woe.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Last winter was crazy. It was colder and snowier than all of the 20 winters I have been in S Surry combined. It cannot possibly be that cold again this year and there will be no snow. I know that because of the Olympics They will be manufacturing it up on Whistler for the games

[babetteq]

but not sure if I could have handled the long rainy nights over long winter months.

Oh you could... Because in the summer it gets more sunshine than Victoria, and it only rains for like 2 hours at a time, then gets all sunny and sparkles like a jewel. And walking in to the forests was amazing. There is so much moss that everything would hush when you walked in. Like walking into a big secret.

The winter? bitter bitter winds - it would be -4, but -18 with windchill. But the storms on the water are so amazing to watch I used to bundle myself up like the michelin tire man and go out to watch them. The ocean would spit out giant cedar trees like they were children's toys. The waves were so big and crashing that your heart beats just watching them.

Rupert always seems kind of gray and depressed though. I couldn't warm up to the place.

I anticipate that we will have wackier and wackier winters...and hotter summers. Things seem to be getting more and more extreme as the years go on. On the other hand, when I was a child (30+ years ago), I have pictures of us making snowmen where the bottom ball was bigger than us. In Vancouver!! I wonder if we went through a warm patch and just forgot the snowy winters?

Well, my eating was pretty good today. I went over 20gms of carbs according to sparkpeople, but that is because it counts eggs as having more than one gram of carbs each. I think that's wrong and I refuse to count it. I believe that I was 20gms or less.

For dinner we had grilled cheese sandwiches. We used beef patties for the buns. Delish. I made a shrimp and fake crab salad on a leaf of romaine and we had some cauliflower mash.

My cockatoo loves mashed potatoes. He got all excited when he saw it. He was bitterly disappointed when he tasted it though. You can't fool a cockatoo. He gave me the "what are you trying to poison me?" look. I might have to have small, bird-sized portions of mashed potato in the freezer for him for treats.

[Mallory]

Not sure if this is a bit of a threadjack, but I am travelling to BC in a few days and will be in Vancouver and Nanaimo..any good shopping there for low carb stuff?

[SherBel]

Hi, Mallory!

Not sure what kind of products you're looking for? The store Roots Naturals in Maple Ridge carries a few things like Thick n Thin, nut flours....stuff like that. For things like sugar-free Davinci's syrups and so forth I order online from Netrition. Shipping to Canada is a bit of a killer, so I get as much stuff as I can in each order.

[babetteq]

I'm finding the low carb stuff is naturally low carb stuff. There isn't much in the way of "low carb products" ie: carbquick, low carb breads etc. Health food stores you can get nut flours, xanthum gum stuff like that. Where in BC are you heading? It will make all the difference