Pig's ear

Who would've thought that a pig's ear would taste that good!

Burgers and fries

After trying to eat healthy for nearly a month now, I'm dying for something unhealthy. So tomorrow it'll be burgers and fries. But my way.

Homemade burgers, mixed the way you like it. Mustard, ketchup, mayo and cucumber in moderation, and with roasted potatoes instead of greasy fries.

I am looking forward.

How do they party?

Even though I may have given the impression that I'm into sports and healthy nutrition lately, I will never be fanatical.

As I'm now up to speed on the US 15 seasons of Biggest loser, I have moved over to the Aussie version, currently on season 4 (really like that they use kg's and not pounds which I do not understand). And even though the down-under trainers seem nicer than their American equivalents, they give brutal work-outs. And it makes me wonder. How do these trainers do when they party among themselves?

I picture a nibble on a salad, only lettuce obviously, without dressing, maybe a grilled chicken breast and something with egg white. I dunno, but it seems egg yolks are lethal, everybody seems to order something with egg white only. I don't get it, it's the yolk that tastes good! And what do they do with all the yolks they don't eat? Just bin them?

Then they probably feast on a large glass of water, maybe to make it extra partylike an ice cube and a squeeze of lemon too?

Nah, this extreme way of living life is not for me. On the other hand I don't weigh 150 kg's. I don't know how much I lost since I started the step exercise, but it's gotta be at least a few kg's. Thinking of investing in a scale, but am scared. Do I really want to know?

Falafel

A friend of mine came over for dinner and said that he would bring falafel and salad that was about to go bad, so I thought great, I didn't have to cook.

Since I've never eaten falafel (had in mind a delicious kebab-something-like) I googled it, and found out it was something with chick peas and fried. Naaah-way was I eating that, so as luck would have it I had a chicken that I did in the oven. Chicken and salad, oh yes! Falafel, took one look at it, and no. Won't be on my menu. Ever.

Home blind

You know, now that I lived in my new and might I add fabulous place, I am getting home blind. I no longer see what needs to be fixed or changed, 'cause I'm used to seeing it every day.

Therefore I'm (kinda) grateful to a critical friend, who always says what's on his mind. Not that I always appreciate it, but it makes me think.

So when he asked me "why is your wall so dirty?" I became defensive and explained it's because of the cats. And it is, it's next to the cat tree and they tend to climb half-way down the wall before jumping down.

But when he left, I tried to clean it and whaddayaknow, the dirt came off! So now I have this plan about my whole living room, gonna clean a bit every day and have the goal that after a month it'll be like new! Mind you, the ceiling will be tricky. But challenges are to be overcome, aren't they?

Room mate?

A friend of mine who I know since he used to live with me, renting my guest room, some oh-lemme-think maybe 9 years ago, has let me know that he may want to move in again.

What can I say? I'm irresistible.

Slim Europeans

Tonight I had dinner with the friend who threw the birthday party some time ago, and I was reminded of all the people there. Biggest loser-fan as I am, I remembered what I was thinking that night.

A beautiful long table set to host 25 people, and out of all of them, only one was fat. That would never happen in America. It would be the other way around. 25 fat people and one normal-weight.

So ok, one or two of us had maybe a few extra kilos for comfort, but none was fat except for this one. Maybe even obese.

That's a good sign for Europe!

Sporty me

Now, there's a headline you never dreamed of seeing on my blog :).

Stepper arrived today, and let me tell you, 5 minutes going up and down that thing gets you sweaty. 15 minutes makes you realize you have muscles in the legs and butt you weren't aware of. Not that I need to get legs and butt fitter, but hopefully it'll eventually affect the belly too.

And I'm very happy with the colours, that fit perfectly into my design scheme, as well as being brand new. So glad it didn't work out with the used one.

119/76

You know that I'm a fan of the tv-show Biggest loser, and one part of the show has the fat/obese contestants meeting a doctor in the beginning, and then meeting him again later. All very pedagogic, purpose is to show the fatsoes how bad their blood pressure / cholesterol / heart / whatever is, and then later how much it has improved, and how many medicines they can ditch just because they live healthier with nutritious food and more exercise.

I guess some of it has rubbed off on me (like the stepping board :). But seriously, I have had high blood pressure for many years now. Once I tried pills, but they gave me side effects. Every time I donate blood I get a lecture (they should stop, and praise me instead, 'cause I have a rare blood group!).

The point is that I have a blood pressure measurer at home, and use it on and off to check. Today it showed 119/76!!! Haven't been that low in the last ten years I wouldn't think. Guess these power walks (today in the friggin rain!) and cutting down on calories are actually working.

Mind you, after more than a week having chocolate at home, it is no longer. And I'm definitely not cutting down on wine and cig consumption, so not totally changing.

But one step at a time. A normal blood pressure shouldn't be frown upon.

No old stepper

I bought a stepper or stepping board or whatever it's called. There are stairs in my house, but since I have a little issue with astigmatism, it's not a good idea to run up and down those.

So when I found a used one on one of these auction sites for only 20 francs I thought it was a bargain. Emailed with the seller and we had agreed that I come pick it up yesterday at 13.00. In the morning she changed the time to 13.30, but I saw the message and fine. Was there between 13.30 and 13.40 and there was nobody with that name in the address given. Nobody in the houses around either. I pinged all the 6 flats in the house, but no answer. I only had the email address, but no computer with me so thought maybe she'd sent me a msg.

Went home and there was no email. I emailed her back to say I wasn't interested anymore (who wants to do business with somebody who's not serious?), and as expected got no answer.

First I got suspicious thinking she was planning to rob my flat while I was gone, but since she also only had my email and first name, there was no way she could've found out where I live.

What I don't understand, is why people are not serious. Show some respect for other people, live up to your promise, and if you fail do friggin apologize at least.

Anyway, yesterday evening I browsed another site, and lo and behold, I saw a brand new stepper for only 15 francs. Ok so freight is 12 francs, but still. 27 francs for a fresh new one! First I was doubtful since they wanted prepayment, and you're always warned not to do that, but it turned out to be a company only selling through internet, but registered on the auction site. And now I have gotten confirmation that I will receive it within a day or two. Holding my breath!

M-Apero V

I like to party. Everybody who knows me knows that. If there is one thing I'm good at, it's partying. Therefore it bothers me a bit that I left "early" tonight. Already at 1.30 am. Mind you, the party yesterday ended about that time too, but that's not a good excuse. Especially since tonight a 77-year-old man was still at it.

But as usual I blame my cats. I needed to get home so that I could cuddle with them, let them out, and be a good "Mummy". Hah! Like anybody would believe that.

A nice party it was, I especially enjoyed the toilet paper speech!

PS. Pics to come when friend can be arsed to send'm.

M-Apero IV

German invasion! I was just thinking yesterday of how many of ze Germans there were at my apero. Plenty. One Swiss and me. The rest were all Deutsch. Hoch-Deutsch. And it was funny, 'cause they thought that I spoke Switzedütch (Swiss German), which can mean one of two things. One, that I speak unintelligibly or two, that I speak German with an accent. I choose to believe number two.

It was less fortunate today when I was at this party, out smoking with a group a people, and just threw out there that I thought that Germans have no sense of humour. Having the group looking at me like I was an alien. Hmmm. Probably not the best comment when you're trying to make new friends.

But when confronted I asked them to come up with a good German joke, and was told one that involved a horse, a helicopter, a car and something else I cannot remember and the twist was "glühwein". Proved my point I'd like to think.

M-Apero III

Mingle. And it always pleases me to hear people saying they like my flat :).

M-Apero II

Goodlooking trio. See a resemblance?

M-Apero I

Yesterday I was hosting an apero for a friend of mine. I just love to plan, prepare and host parties and my flat is perfect for that.

 

But the day after...

 

One of these days

So today I was cooking soup. Again. Mushroom soup this time, and managing to not watch it closely enough, it boiled all over my stove. Sigh. Cleaning up.

But worse, this evening, while enjoying a glass of wine, I managed to rock it so that it spilled all over my bar, my computer mouse, the mouse pad and dripping down the sides, as well as on my pants. What is wrong with me?

And now I gotta go see the neighbours 1-year-old stinking wine. But probably best she gets used to it.

20 francs for a healthier life

Ok, so on this day three in my journey to a healthier life, I have done 20 minutes of powerwalk in the morning (wanted to do more but the blister on my heel is preventing me), and I have only eaten one liter of soup every day (300 calories), together with five slices of crisp bread with ham and tomato or cucumber. In the evening I have "snacked" on cucumber or carrots. It's friggin boring.

And you're gonna laugh now. I have signed up to buy a stepper. One of these thingies where you step up and down and it measures something. Not exactly sure what. I bought it online on the site where I sold stuff before, so it's used. I'm picking it up on Monday.

This better give results, or I'm going back to my comfy life.

Yummy cucumber

This trying to be healthier thing is a bit boring I must admit. So just now, when I'm feeling a bit peckish, I'm "snacking" on a piece of cucumber. How fun does that sound?

It's reminding me of the kid of a vegetarian friend who had to feast on broccoli and carrots, and I was feeling so sorry for him. Mind you, he's looking pretty healthy though.

But ok, I bet it'll feel better when I can get into my skinny jeans again.

Manor lost a customer today

Manor is one of the department stores here in Zürich, and I always went there instead of Globus or Jelmoli, the other big two. But as of today I won't.

I was looking for something, and after browsing the whole household department I hadn't found it so when finally finding an assistant I asked. She directed me to the place, but didn't walk me there. And when I found it, it wasn't what I was looking for.

I'm not the type to go back to somebody who so clearly couldn't care less, so went to Jelmoli instead where I got great service. They at first didn't have what I was looking for, but went to the basement and voila, came back with the thing. They even giftwrapped it for me.

Yes, Jelmoli you have gotten a new customer.

Powerwalking

The old cliche says today is the first day of the rest of your life. My aim is to start powerwalking every day, and today it was easy. First day, sun is shining and Zürich lays for my feet looking gorgeous, motivation on top. I walked really fast, arms swinging, probably looking like an idiot.

20 minutes later things were not so good. The jogging shoes that I had for many years and probably used once before, have given me blisters on both heels.

However, I must admit I feel empowered and full of energy. Motivation might even last until tomorrow!

Oldies but goodies

I really enjoy this volunteering work in the old peoples home. I walk in there, and Herr Müller is sleeping peacefully on the top of a shelf and we have a brief petting session, then I'm preparing the coffee machine (which badly needs a cleaning and why oh why isn't the old coffee machine that isn't working anymore being removed?). Then getting the hot milk and hot water and other drinks from the kitchen.

This is an enigma. When women are working in the kitchen, it is never a problem getting hot milk but when men are working there, hot milk is a problem. "No we don't have it". So why do women provide service, and men don't? You tell me.

But it really is a pleasure, and now I'm learning who wants what. A coffee with double cream? No problem. A tee cup with coffee 'cause his hands are shaking too much to hold a normal mug? No issue. The woman having lost fingers needing help with putting cream in her coffee? I'll do it for you. The old man who always orders a glass of wine, then another one, and gets louder with every deciliter (not that I could understand him being sober since he doesn't have all his teeth in), good for him still enjoying life, and the woman who always smiles but cannot remember if she paid or not, sweetie.

They are all darlings, if only it wasn't so friggin hot in there! They are always asking me if I'm not freezing, wearing a sleeveless top, while I'm sweating. It's like 25°C in there!

Immigration and racism

I have neighbours. Two of them are Romanians. One of them told me a story today with Romanians and Bulgarians now being part of EU or something, and as per this year being eligible to work anywhere they want. Apparently this became a big story in the UK, what with a minister standing at the airport on the 1st of January awaiting hordes of Eastern Europeans. And of course with the press ready with their cameras.

Two came. And both of them had jobs in the UK already. I dunno, them being Romanians I took the story with a grain of salt, but then read the news.

I think the fear of the foreign is more of a threat than actually being a foreigner. Like myself.

2000 vs 2014

Sorry, can't post the pic to illustrate one of the previous posts, 'cause my friend hadn't brushed her teeth. Like that would show in the pic!

Anyway, the point I was trying to make was that they sent me a pic of themselves wearing 2014 glasses, whereas I had a pic of myself with 2000 glasses from the millennium shift. Trying to prove my point that I was 14 years ahead of them. And no, it doesn't work with "I wasn't even born then" when having two kids.

Who needs enemies?

Next Friday I'm hosting an apero for a friend of mine who has visitors from abroad. You would think that would make him be nice to me. You'd be wrong.

We were talking about New Year's resolutions and I told him about mine, to be more active. He went into a frenzy, gesticulating wildly about me going to a gym. When I expressed emotions like "I'm not sure, I'm so unfit" he responded "but there are lots of old women there, 60 or 70". Hmmm.

I'm seriously thinking about cancelling Friday.

My very own USB-stick

I have a friend. He's irritating. He's the kinda guy that is all or nothing, black or white, you either love him or hate him, he is challenging. And he's my friend since 19 years.

To be honest, he's not somebody who I could be with 24-7, but then again, I'm not that type of person either. 24-7 with somebody scares the shit outta me.

So he has a lot of pro's and con's, and one pro is definitely, in this context, his control freakiness. He keeps everything. In another context that would certainly freak me out, and make me think of people who live in caravans surrounded by paper bags and empty bottles, but with him it's electronic.

So when I today asked him if he had a pic of us taken at the millennium shift he delivered almost immediately. And when I get permission to post a pic I'll tell you why I asked.

Snaky

I dunno know about some people. This belongs to a friend of a friend, who I met only a couple of times. Those times I thought he was nice and normal. Now I have learned he has a pet, that certainly doesn't meet with my approval. I may have to disown him. Not that he would care.

But seriously, why would anybody choose to have this one as a pet? It's beyond me.