Author Archives: jackmansjourney

Ontario Bucket List #1

04 Thursday Aug 2011

Posted by in Ontario Bucket List

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Don’t worry, I’m not going to kick the bucket.  But I am moving to another province.  With that I decided to create a small Ontario Bucket list.  So far there are 9 things.  I feel like I need to find a 10th.  I’m still thinking about what the 10th thing on the list should be.

I’m not going to reveal the list all at once.  I will blog about each one.  Most of them I have done already.  I did watch “The Bucket List” the other day to get in the mood – even though I’ve done almost all of them.  Maybe it was a way to draw my bucket list to an end.

I would love to hear your ideas of what I should do for my 10th event on my list.   It could be just about anything.

Ontario Bucket List #1   Art in the Yard – Elora

For this adventure I went on my own.  It was great.  I saw local artist and their work.  I found more people who create encaustic art, which I really want to try one day.  I was able to try a pottery wheel for the very first time.  I explored the town, which I had never done before even with the many trips to Elora Quarry.  I met a lovely artist who has a gallery there (we’re FB friends now!).  I ate in a lovely little French restaurant – Cafe Creperie.  Wonderful Crepes!  Wonderful service!  Wonderful Chef! I walked along the river.  I enjoyed some me and Jesus time as I took in the day and all of the creativity that was around me.

Visit Art in the Yard for more info on the annual event.
For more on Elora

A wonderful day in Elora at Art in the Yard and more!

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6.2K down to 5K down to ?

24 Sunday Jul 2011

Posted by in exercise

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I wanted to be able to jog 6.2K by the end of the summer.  Then I changed my goal to 5K by the end of the summer.  In order to do that I figured that if I got out to jog at least 3 times a week then I might be able to get it done.  I must say that perhaps this goal was a bit high, which is ok, but there is only 4 weeks left for me to attain this goal and at this point it looks like it won’t happen.  Maybe I will totally surprise myself and do it, which would be great!

Why am I not on track?  The heat.  Life.  Trying to get things together before the big move.  The big one.  Not being motivated to wake up in the morning before the heat turns on and get out there and jog.  Oh jogging partners where have you gone?  Come back to me!  Please!  I need you!  I cannot express enough how much better it is when you have someone to exercise with.  Whether it is going to the gym, going for a walk or a jog, doing a workout video at home, or playing a sport (like Tennis – here’s where I give a shout out to my Tennis Tuesday Buddies!).    I was talking to a friend about this today and it reminded me that I need this to keep me focused and on track.  Some people are motivated to just get out there and get going.  Me, not so much.

The goal for the next month?  Get out as much as I can and drink lots of water and don’t get discouraged if I don’t meet my big goal.

Do you work out best on your own or with a partner?  How do you stay motivate?  What do you do when discouragement starts to settle in?
 

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Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffin

24 Sunday Jul 2011

Posted by in baking

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Muffins are delicious!  I try to bake healthy muffins, but hadn’t found one that still had some fluff to it like when you bake with white flour.  I finally found a recipe I like thanks to Me & My Pink Mixer.  I did change up a couple of things.  So, here is my version of the muffin.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffin

Ingredients:
1 C    Apple sauce
2 C   Whole wheat flour
1/3 C Unpasteurized honey (you can use any kind of honey, but unpasteurized is better)
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 C fresh blueberries
1   Large egg
1 tsp  Vanilla
2 tbsp butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 325 and line muffin tin with paper liners
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium size bowl.  Whisk together.
3. In a small bowl mix egg, butter, vanilla, applesauce, and honey.  Add to flour mixture and stir until just mixed.
4. Fold in blueberries.
5. Scoop into muffin liners with a large ice cream scoop (a 1/4 c or soup ladle will work too!)
6. Bake 25 – 20 min or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Notes:
1. I wanted to make these muffins last night, but I didn’t have any blueberries, so I substituted two mashed bananas.  Before I put them into the oven I sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon on top.  I also used margarin instead of butter.
2. Next time I am going to try to make them with olive oil instead of butter.  I have tried this before and I think it was too much oil or olive oil is just not good for baking.  I will give it one more try.  Some baking just needs a little bit of butter.

Banana Version
You can see the cinnamon sprinkled on top
I think you could put almost any fruit in this muffin.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes

11 Monday Jul 2011

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This is a good pancake recipe.  Not as good as the Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes but if you don’t have buttermilk and oatmeal on hand, these will do just great.

Ingredients

1  1/4  C   whole wheat flour
2 tsp       baking powder
1              egg
1  1/4  C   milk
1/2  tsp   salt
1     tsp   vanilla
1     tbsp sugar/ splenda / honey (whichever you prefer)
1/2      C  blueberries

*note – add 1/4 c apple sauce instead of 1/4 cup of milk*

Instructions

1.  Blend together flour and baking powder and set aside
2. Beat together egg, milk, salt, sugar, vanilla, apple sauce (if using).  Add flour until moistened.
3.  Add blueberries or chocolate chips and stir
4. Pour approximately 1/4 C of batter on pan.  Cook until bubbly and flip or cook until golden brown.

* Depending on the pan you might have to lightly spray with cooking spray or a spot of oil since there is no butter or oil in the recipe to keep from sticking.

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Things that soothe my Soul #1

11 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in Me and God Time

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Elora, Ontario is a beautiful town.  If you haven’t been there, then you must go!  Places like this soothe (or sooth) my soul.  When I am down or exhausted or need to rejuvenate or be refreshed then all I need is a little place like this to be energized.  To relax in nature.  There are other things that sooth my soul.  I thought I would start out with this one.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  If you are in the area, I do encourage you to visit.  If you aren’t, find a place like it and take time to enjoy and reflect while you are there, on wherever your heart and mind lead you.  

I could have sat at this picnic table all afternoon and evening and listened to the sounds of the falls and enjoyed the smells of the fresh air and admired the beauty.  These are views that sooth my soul and the times that I feel closest to God.  He imagined.  He created.  He delights in.  We admire.  We admire.  We give praise.

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Camping – The Beauty

09 Saturday Jul 2011

Posted by in camping, Me and God Time

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One thing that I enjoy about camping is being surrounded by God’s beauty.  God created something that is so marvellous and mysterious and creative and soul resting.  To be in the middle of nature – God’s creation – lifts me up.

I know there are many people who don’t enjoy camping or they enjoy nature but wouldn’t stay over night.  I am in a tent so I feel relatively safe.  I haven’t gone hardcore and gone out with a back pack and slept under the stars without the slight safety net of shelter – the tent.  Which let’s be honest – anything or anyone can get into a tent so it really isn’t that big of a safety net.  There are people all around you being loud and at times crazy and you just want to tell them to be quiet.  But there are so many good things about camping which I’ve already mentioned – the site – the campfire – the food – the storm – but most of all the beauty.

I don’t know how to express how I feel when I am camping but all things are good.

I swam out past the rope
As I was treading water I looked out all around me
Surrounded by God’s amazing creation
I gave him thanks for what he has done for me
For where he has brought me and where he is taking me
He is my source and my light and my life
All I can do is find beauty and mystery in what he has made

This part of the Series: Camping.  Check out more posts on camping here.