It's a Doggie's Life!!!

When we first brought Gabbana home, we knew she was going to be trouble (in the cutest , possible ways). From day one she never coward, not even when spoken to in a stern voice ...she just looked at you bounced  and started a game of catch me if you can. Picture two adults and another Yorkie (Dolce) giving chase to this  petite ball of hair. Courageous and smart ... she quickly learned that only someone her size could fit under the sofa and behind it ... and whenever she has something like a sock or Dolce's toys you can bet she'll go to her  safe place.

Thankfully Dolce is a big boy now - a whole 3 years old and is adorably sweet... he tolerates gives in when  Gabbana is digging through his toy box, or takes naps in his cabin, and goes for his tail or legs. He does let her know who the boss is ... (and Gabbana being a girlie girl, lets him believe He is..lol)

For all her feistiness and bark, when it came to Stella (our Yellow lab) Gabbana would bark up a storm than runaway from Stella. Now that Gabbana is 5 months Stella is fair game with Gabbana.

Stella looks at her two pint size furbaby-siblings as both older sister and entertainment as they chase her around or climb on her with lots of paws and licks.

           When it's outside playtime, Gabbana follows Stella around .....

paying attention to Stella's every move....

One of Stella's favourite things to do - is roll around on the grass....

No surprise that after 3 years Dolce also likes this past time...

as Dolce and Stella exchange paw tales ... Gabbana is in the background trying to figure out this rolling on the grass thing!... They are a joy to watch and bring much happiness to our lives and home.

Portion Distortion ~ The Other Side of Thin Part 5

Corporate American food providers desperate to keep customers coming back, continue to increase the portion size of their products.Overtime we have been brain washed decided that MORE is Better and demand our moneys worth (forgetting "more" - is not necessarily healthier); often resulting in getting quantity over quality.

To fill our need for "more" even the size of plates, cups, glasses and bowls has increased significantly over the past years. All this contributes to our portion distortion of what a serving really is and thus we end up consuming perhaps 2-3 servings, thinking we are only eating a single serving (thanks to super sizing options and larger portions in general).

It's important to understand that a serving size is a standardized amount used as reference in determining the nutrients and calories in a specific food - and how much to eat. A portion is the amount of food you choose to eat.

So, are we really getting "More for our money"? not really if you stop to consider what more really does to our health. Good health is priceless ~ "more for our money" is costing us ~ our health.

It's easy to see by the image above how simple excess fat and calories can pile up without you knowing.


If you have been eating healthier and are still be driven bananas by not seeing the results on waist size, it's time to take a look at how much you are eating.

Here is a quick challenge, pour yourself a bowl of cereal (how you normally would) now before adding milk, pour the cereal into a measuring cup and note that measurement. Pour cereal back into bowl and add milk as you normally would. This next part is a little tricky ... using a strainer pour the bowl contents into another bowl or measuring cup, let the milk drain in. Note the measurement of milk.

Now compare these quantities (cereal and milk) you normally eat to the serving size and calories on the box. Chances are you will be surprised at how much your healthy cereal is adding to your day's intake, by the portion you are pouring each morning.

I did this and will share my own discovery in the next The Other Side of Thin series post.

Previous posts in The Other Side of Thin series can be found here.

A week of Celebrations...

The first week of July in North America is a joyous occasion ~ starting July 1st with Canada Day celebrations; followed by the 4th of July celebrations in the United States of America!

 Of course the first week of July is also the official kick off into summer adventures for many people ...fireworks, picnics, BBQs, trips to the beach, road trips, kicking back in the backyard, visiting family and friends that live far away.

How will you be spending your summer?

To all my Canadian readers and friends HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

To all my American readers and friends HAPPY 4th of JULY!!