Back from A Busy Weekend

Hello Bloggers.

If you get a chance, check out a web radio interview I did today: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/GoodNewsShow/va/2009/02/09/Patti-Black-Chere-Tosca-Reno

The last few days have been slightly insane. I flew out to Vancouver – host city of the 2010 Olympics – on Thursday to do a seminar for the vast numbers of creative souls who are building the Sea to Sky Highway. This is the highway that will lead from the Pacific Ocean where Vancouver is and on up to Whistler, the world-class ski resort. Kiewit and Sons, the company contracted to build the highway, has an initiative to impart wellness to their employees. The joy of it was that I worked with Executive Chef Daryle Ryo Nagata of the beautiful Pan Pacific Hotel to create a healthy, Eating Clean menu. In fact I am so thrilled right now because he wants to incorporate some of my Eating Clean recipes in his menu at the hotel. How thrilling is that? I will keep you posted.

I then flew back home to Toronto, had a quick sleep and drove to Kingston and stepped on stage to address graduating students at Queen’s University, my alma mater. What a thrill that was for me! Here was my opportunity to give back to a school that had helped me so much! I along with Chris Cuthbert, play by play announcer for the NHL and now for the upcoming 2010 Olympics and Desmond Lee, a hot shot young Toronto lawyer, had the job of describing how our degrees from Queen’s helped us get where we are today. It was such a thrill!

Then it was on to celebrate my daughter Kiersten’s 21st birthday. We went to dinner at Olivea’s in Kingston and loved the yummy eats. We started with big fat olives and yes a fab glass of red wine too. Then we had grilled swordfish served with grapefruit salsa, brown rice and steamed veggies. We all enjoyed the time and the food. Dessert was tartufo and fruit. I had a latte with a delicious biscotti as my dessert treat. After dinner we relaxed and had an early night and finally a chance to sleep in!

The weekend was fabulous. Now back to reality!

Hugs!

Gotta train and eat now.

T

Another Busy Week Ahead

Good morning bloggers,

We're battling yet another snowstorm here in Southwestern Ontario. I ventured out this morning to have a visit with my friend Franca in Milton. This is my one day of peace in the middle of yet another BUSY week.

So does anyone else feel like they are on a treadmill these days? And I don't mean the good treadmill at the gym; I mean the treadmill of life. I'm constantly on the go. Sometimes I don't know if I can handle it all. I go to bed thinking about what I haven't done in the day. Sorry... whining. But I guess it's good to know that I am not immune to stress! It gets all of us. It's how we handle it that shows our character and ability to succeed. Let me tell you... handling stress does not involve a bucket of ice cream and sweatpants. That used to be my plan of attack and it got me even more stressed.

As for this week, I have a lot of adventures ahead of me...
Yesterday I spent ALL DAY filming for The W Network. I wish I could give you all an air date for the show, but I have no idea when things will be done. We just keep filming more and more.

Thursday I fly out to Vancouver, BC because on Friday morning I will be guest speaking at Kiewit & Sons Annual Conference. I am the motivational speaker for the wives at breakfast on Friday morning. I have worked with the chef at the hotel to create a clean-eating spread for the breakfast talk. I hope they enjoy it.

Friday afternoon I fly home from BC so I can be in Kingston, Ontario for Saturday morning. I am really honored to be speaking at Queen's University, my alma mater, as successful alumni. Click here for the information for those of you who are in the area. I don't know if it is open to the public or if it is just for students, but it's worth a look.

This weekend is also my daughter's 21st birthday celebration. Does anyone have any recommendations for 21st birthday gifts? I'm at a loss.


Phewf!!!

I know I said I would keep you posted on my progress for the Arnold coming up in a month's time, and here's where I have to get good and honest. With the amount of work on my plate, even I have had more than my share of days off. When my hubby and I have made it to the gym we have been working with 4 sets. The first set is 25 reps with light weight and the following 3 sets are 6 reps with ultra-heavy weight. As for eating.... it's Cooler 1 ALL THE WAY!!

Enjoy the snowshoeing pics everybody. I took those this weekend with Chelsea and the pups when I finally managed to peel my butt off the desk chair after working on recipes all weekend.

I'll update you on all the week's adventures... and I will answer questions soon.