Yesterday I went out on my bike for the first time in weeks. Since my surgery I’ve been trying to get out for a walk in the morning and then before sunset. I find leaving the house in the morning gets me in a good groove for the day. I have a coffee, soak up some sunshine, catch a  few Pokemon, take some photos, update Snapchat, all before 9am. ?✌?

I caught a JYNX today and then saw a man drawing a Poké Ball in his notebook at the coffee shop.

It’s amazing how much you learn about yourself going though a surgery or big life event. It was pretty hard at first not being able to reach for things or lift things but I managed. Sean has been really helpful in this whole process and tbh I’ve kinda liked not having to load the car for the cottage or carry groceries! (Thanks babe love you! He prob won’t read this ?)  I’m back in the kitchen making great snacks and have perfected a trick of using tongs to grab things high up.

I found this darling little Tuck Shop around the corner from home yesterday. I was there just as it closed but they make all kinds of delicious (sounding) food I can’t wait to try. So, I popped into Wallace Espresso on Dupont instead and picked up some real fruit pops and a cup of the most incredibly delicious chocolate ice cream. The Junction Triangle is seriously evolving, there’s a bunch of great spots in the area now. There’s also a Rancho Relaxo on this same corner to fulfill the need for tacos. HUzzahhhh!

This is a happy person on bike with wind in her hair. Watch the story on Snapchat here. 

Perfect top for coffee walk @sarasaraduke @StoriaPR! ☀️☕️#butfirstcoffee pic.twitter.com/1HApZ5wVHe

— CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) July 19, 2016

Wrote most of this while sitting on a great little bench I discovered today. Shoutout to Canadian Designer Sara Duke for sending this super cute ‘fatiqué’ crop top. It was the perfect thing to wear as I sleep-walked to get coffee. I could never wear this stuff before! Yay!

☀️ Sending you sunshine from across the internet! ????

Not gonna lie, I spent a significant amount of time yesterday searching and catching Pokemon. I never thought I’d be saying this! When I got home from the cottage it was so nice out I decided to go for a run (to see if there were any Pokestops or Pokemon Gyms near my house, there were!). I ran around going to all the closest stops collecting Pokeballs, whist stopping do a few exercises in between each one. I managed to get up to level 5 so I could finally join a team and battle someone at a gym. Pokemon is always fun, Pokemon Go is even more fun. Of course, finding a site like www.kigurumi.co, is downright amazing.

I had a friend who used to play Pokemon all the time when I was younger. He loved Pokemon Fire Red and would spend hours trying to catch all the different Pokemon to complete his Pokedex! We recently discovered that you can actually play the classic Pokemon games like Fire Red online using a site called Royal Roms, just click the link to find out more.

This all may seem foreign to you if you haven’t tried the game but let me tell you, it’s a phenomenon taking over with more daily users than Snapchat, Tinder, Instagram, OR Twitter. Pokemon Go is the fastest growing thing we’ve seen in a long time.

Here’s a few great resources I found on how you can use Pokemon for business and how it’s helping peoples mental and physical health, really.

#PokemonGO has amassed 21 million active users in days.

It is now the biggest mobile game in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/ihpknLYDEm

— Ryan Brown (@Toadsanime) July 13, 2016

Pokemon Go Is Driving Insane Amounts of Sales at Small Local Businesses

What not drop a lure and get the Pokemons to come to you! This article has some great ideas of how small businesses can jump on the Pokemon craze to help grow business. Near a Pokemon gym? People will be hanging around so why not offer a Pokemon team or player discount? READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.

GREAT idea for animal shelters!

????? from an animal shelter in Indiana ❤️?????? https://t.co/0h4WsPcVkl #PokemonGo pic.twitter.com/iM2Uzhab74

— CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) July 13, 2016

Pokemon & Mental Health

Pokemon Go is really helping people who don’t usually like to interact with strangers or even go out of the house to make friends and get exercise. Great short read here by Brock McLaughlin on Medium. There are a heaps of updates on tumblr I found last night about people saying it’s made a huge impact on their lives.

Stop Hating On People For Playing Pokemon GO Because You Don’t Understand Its Power

? Pokemon & Fitness

I asked early in the day yesterday if there was a Pokemon workout yet and by later in the day, I found this. It’s a great way to get out and walk around, why not throw a few exercises in to up your heart rate and work those muscles. I’ll give this a go today.

?? Canadian Launch?

Hopefully coming soon! The game launched in Europe today but only in Germany. Why does Canada always get things last? We’re a world class country and ‘apparently’ a leader in tech and business. Urghhhhhh!

• ? Read it: Pokemon Go launches in Eupope with Germany

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BE SAFE WHEN HUNTING FOR POKEMON,
USE YOUR HEAD LIKE DON’T GO INTO A VAN OR DARK ALLEY

????

P.S.A. If anyone sees this Van, beware, it is a trap, there is no Pokemon inside. pic.twitter.com/2InOkut5t7

— Heritage Liquor (@beergeekheaven) July 12, 2016

In other news, apparently there is a Pokemon Go movie in the works. I’m working from home this morning then heading to visit my sister (find Pokemon) in the beaches. Friday we go to Boston so I’ll be searching there all weekend! Ha.

Hello and good morning from Muskoka! We drove up to the cottage yesterday for a couple days of paradise. This week is a short one for us as we’re here till tomorrow, back to the city, then Friday we fly out to Boston for the weekend to see some friends. I am so excited!

Went for a nice little walk this morning but there were heaps of bugs swarming our heads. It’s a warm sunny 22 degrees so far.

If you stay still the bugs will get you, so you have to keep moving. #mondaymotivation #muskoka pic.twitter.com/A8AIWVUF58

— CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) July 11, 2016

After doing work all morning I’m heading out in to the water on my paddle board to get some sun and exercise. I absolutely love being up here. At the start of August we’re up here for an entire WEEK!

The sun is calling me… Enjoy the day!

Update: I don’t think I’m quite ready to get back on the board yet. My arm strength/chest muscles are still tender. Looks like I’ll be reading on the dock instead!

It’s been just over a week since my surgery and I’m feeling more like myself today, finally. I didn’t realize how much having huge boobs affected my mental health. Everyday when I got dressed I’d try an find an outfit that carefully hid them enough not to be obnoxious but also looked cute. I actually feel a big weight off not only my chest but my shoulders in an emotional way.

It was so easy for me to make a huge mess trying to find something to wear each day. Clothes mountain was a regular occurrence, I’d try things on then toss ’em on the bed or floor with frustration. I’m so glad I didn’t get rid of clothes that were a little too small, I can wear them now! Last week I wore a jacket from Nasty Gal I ordered online about 2 years ago and it fit like a charm. Before last week, it looked unbalanced and too small to sit nicely on the chest.

I’m a size 4 at most stores and often I’d get a tops size L or a 10 just to fit them in. Now, so many of my dresses, button down shirts, and T-shirts actually fit. They’re not stressed at the buttons or stretched. It feels amazing! 

The whole process of going through surgery was less horrifying and painful than I imagined. My surgeon, Dr. Rice, was really great and his staff helped calm my nerves through the whole process. For the first 3 days I was really in pain, couldn’t move much, needed pain killers. The next 2 days I was feeling good, able to walk around. On the 6th day I felt so great after my post-op appointment. I went out for dinner, then met up with friends, stayed up late, and had a few drinks. In hindsight, this was not a good idea. I was SO SORE the next day. Had a wee hangover plus the bruising was starting to get worse. I spent the next 3 days barely leaving the couch. Thank god for Netflix, iTunes, and a BF who loves to relax.

I’ve got about 2 weeks until I can do regular exercise. I’m so excited for this! Working out has been a huge sense of anxiety and me feeling uncomfortable for the last few years. I could never just throw on something cute and go for a run outside, working out meant finding the right bra (or 3!) to strap the bubs in, then covering up with something baggy to avoid unwanted glances. I’ve had dents in my shoulders from straps for years and thankfully my back/shoulders felt better almost right away.

I’ve booked a session with a trainer but if anyone has exercises they recommend, please LMK!

Also, if you’ve been considering a breast reduction and want to ask me about going through the process and how it was covered by Ontario Health insurance, send me an email casie[at]casiestewart.com. It was just over a year ago when I got a referral from my doctor and booked my first appointment to discuss with a plastic surgeon. I’m happy with the results and can’t wait till the bruising and swelling disappear.