A Few More Days Of No Sugar

Day 13: Madeline finally eats kale chips. We gave them a few days break from the kale chips and reintroduced them. Carson ate a bunch, too.

Things seem to be looking up.

Day 19: Carson sneaks candy from a visitors bag and eats all of it. SMH

Day 20: Our first no-candy Easter. It was unusual, challenging and worth it. I got the kids ThirtyOne mini utility totes with their names on it for their baskets and filled it with meaningless gifts. Fun things that they could play with at church. I really didn't have it in me to go search for things. We're down to one car and I'm tired.

I've had 2 canker sores for over a week, from where I bit my lip when I had the first one from the beginning of this challenge. I can't eat much and frankly, I don't want to be awake for them! They burn me.

Madeline head-butted me and I cried! Then, I cried harder because I used a different mascara and it got in my eyes (what?) and burned my eyes! I was a mess. That got thrown away. Poor Tim, running around everywhere trying to figure out what's wrong, console kids (who were worried and pouting-Madeline).

Day 21: I'm not sure how I feel about today so far. Nine days left in the challenge and I'm going to be excited to see it done with. I plan on eating a cake. I really do.

I'm down 4 more pounds. I actually worked out to get there. I've been walking for miles!

I think I'm going to make a goal of posting all my favorite recipes soon.

Day 1 of No Refined Sugar

We started the Healthy Families for God no-refined sugar challenge today. I've been calm/mixed with anxious. I just hope I don't blow it by absently shoving something in my face. I've also discovered that I'm more likely to mess up on one of these challenges when I'm hungry. So, I'm trying my best to not be hungry. It was tough around lunch time, I didn't have time for breakfast but I don't really care. I guess it would make lunch easier and I was thinking about making a shake for breakfast and I may get to that. If I can wake up 30 minutes earlier then I think I could do it. That means I'll have to go to bed between 10 pm and midnight and I'm not sure how I can do that unless I 'm more efficient and use my time wisely between 8 and 10 pm (8 is the kid's bedtime and quite frankly I like to sit on my butt and do nothing with Tim).

I made a breakfast granola last night. It took forever! More than the time it said on the recipe instructions, and it made my house smell weird, like an old cinnamon spicey cat lady's house. The smell has finally left the building 12 hours later! The kids hated the granola. LOL I should have paid attention to it being loose granola, best to be served with something! But what? Every yogurt I have found has a forbidden sugar/sweetener in it. Well, I did find ONE brand, and it was yogurt made from goat's milk. I'm down with that. In fact, even more so than greek yogurts and the regular stuff. Sehara is snacking on that granola/yogurt mixture, plus strawberry's mixed in.

Sehara's Snack

I'm actually nervous about eating goat yogurt. But(added later on in the day), it's pretty good!

The biggest problem I'm having right now is getting confused with this challenge, and I mean that most everything I find is not just about no-refined sugars, it's about being Gluten free and dairy free and a few acronyms and abbreviations that I can't care enough about to look up! We don't really need to go gluten free (right now). As far as we know, we can handle it.  Separating GMO's and going organic matters, yes, taking out GMO's is more important but they seem to go hand in hand as far as I can tell. I have found some things that don't, though, which is good for me because those things don't cost as much.

Now, with all that being said, we are definitely willing and happy to make recipes that take all that other stuff out, AS long as it is easy, not costly,  filling, and good (won't know until after we try it).

I'm seriously considering taking a tylenol for my headache. I'm assuming that's a withdrawal symptom? Either the sugar or I haven't had as much caffeine, or both! Heck.

Ok, here's my list of today's surprising sugar-added foods:
-breakfast sausage
-frozen broccoli and cheese "healthy" steamable (ha)We usually buy fresh, but got lazy, joke's on us.
-seasoned frozen french fries (also, usually buy potatoes and cut them, blah blah)

Meals:

For Breakfast: Healthy Families for God's granola mix and fruit (pineapple and apple)
Lunch: Onion, Garlic, Kale and Eggs
Snack: Goat Yogurt, Granola Mix, Strawberry's
Dinner: Quinoa, Corn, Tomatoes, Kale Chips, Pineapple
Snack: Banana and orange shake with vanilla and unsweetened cocoa

Birthday Party & Bad Chinese

We had a pretty fun Labor Day weekend. We went to a Family Movie Night on Friday at the Y, and that was horrible, the kids were way too rowdy, Tim took too long working out and didn't help me (and also made me miss any good time to work out), and we started getting mean looks from people around us. Not fun.

Saturday we wanted to get some Christmas shopping done, eat a meal, then go on a date but we didn't have a sitter. So we went to the Y, put the kids in child-watch and worked out together and with Kayt. Then went shopping and got a few presents. We met up with Kayt and Larry and all our kids to eat at T.G.I.F.

I sent Tim to the movies with his brother. I think they saw the Wolverine movie and I'm pretty sure they liked it.

Sunday was pretty uneventful. Church is always scary when Tim isn't there. I sent Sehara to sit with some friends where she took notes and behaved very well. Madeline had to go sit (she slept) with Joyce and Gail because I had to take Carson out and explain our rules for him about 20 times! LOL, CRAZY!!!

Sunday night we found a chinese place and thought it was great food, since we had been looking for a place to get our go-to Chinese from. Whenever we got it, which wouldn't be often.

For Labor Day, we drove down to Kentucky for Logan's 3rd birthday party. He had a super hero themed party and was too busy for my little camera to capture him.

Pops

Home is where your mom is!

Incredible Carson

Monday night ended up being painful. I was up all night in the bathroom, I'll spare you the details. I ate leftover Chinese and that's what came back up. So gross. Then, because I didn't get any sleep, when I did feel better come morning, I was too tired to function, especially because of the 4 hours of driving. Now Sehara has gotten sick from eating it (Tim did too, but he doesn't get sick like everyone else so it's hard to know when he is, and if it's something we should look out for the rest of us). 

I obviously didn't get to go to Ladie's Class yesterday, that would have been too much. But I felt so great by the end of the day that I did join Tim for his nightly workout, then I went swimming and sat in the sauna! So relaxing.

Catch 22's, Sleep, and Sewing

Well, there has to be something said for "catch 22's"! Where did that phrase come from anyway?

The night before last I had a delicious iced coffee, which kept me awake until 4 a.m. You can imagine I was pretty tired yesterday.
Last night I decided to go to bed earlier than 4 a.m., I tried 11 p.m., and I've been wide awake since 6 a.m.

I actually got a few consecutive hours of sleep in. So now I'm awake. But, nap time will come soon enough.
Carson goes to preschool at 9, and Sehara gets on the bus just before 8. If Carson is awake when it's time for her to leave, I'll have him tag along and we'll walk her together. He'll love that. When he sees a school bus he points and jumps and yells "SKOOLBUS!!!". 

If I am feeling energetic when I drop him off, then I may go to the YMCA to get a workout in. I've been doing good at remembering to actually go and work out. I found it's nice to walk a few miles around the neighborhood. It's been too humid for that the past several days.

I may also write some letters I've been meaning to get to. I have a few college ones that need to go out, and some friends in other places. I bought a fabulous card for Dreama. I signed up at church to send birthday cards to the Potter's Home children, so that must get done as well.

As for crafty stuff, I got a half yard each of some material I want to try out for bows and bow-ties. I thought about sewing some bibs, (I would get more fabric first) and I may get to that in the next few days. A lady at church suggested I buy batting for the middle. I found a tutorial that has a pocket on it, and I don't like that so much, so I thought about leaving it out. She basically traced a bib, and gave some extra room for a seam, put the right sides together, sewed it, turned it out, and sewed around the edges. I maybe could handle that. It wouldn't include a straight line though... But then I saw a few cute bibs with ruffles on them. Oh dear!

Well, it looks like it's Carson's lucky day! That means I need to stop typing.

My Veggie Bake

My Veggie Bake

I'm doing a 5 day slim down program through Beachbody. It's been fun because now I have a reason to eat all the things I've been wanting to, and should have been doing.
You could consider this "eating clean" or clean eating, or whatever.

My Veggie Bake:

Cauliflower
Broccoli
Carrots sliced thinly or baby carrots
Squash cut thinly
Onion(fresh or powdered)
Garlic (fresh or powdered)
Pepper
Olive Oil
Water

Combine veggies and coat very lightly with olive oil. You only want a hint, not greasy veggies. Pour the water in the pan (obviously don't use water if you're using a flat pan, just use a little more olive oil. I use these pans so I can use less oil and more water to cook the veggies). If I have garlic cloves on hand, I dump a few in, whole. They are delicious. Minced or chopped tend to burn. Sprinkle your seasonings to taste. More is more, less is less. I prefer more, healthy, seasonings in my dishes. This is exact, I use more broccoli than cauliflower because we like it more. I've put other vegetables in, too.

I DO NOT USE SALT. We get too much of that in other foods, no need to add it. If you feel it's bland, add some spices.

Bakes at 375-400 degrees, covered, for 40-45 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for 10 more minutes to get the veggies crispy on top. If that is too long, broil them after the foil comes off but keep your eyes on the prize or they'll burn.

Enjoy!

A Busy Saturday

My day has been so busy. I made a goal for this summer to keep busy with my kids, providing them ample opportunities to develop social and physical areas.
So this morning, we had Carson's swim lesson in which he has greatly improved in regards to comfort in the water.
We took a long, hot shower, then it was Sehara's turn for swimming. My girl has progressed from the beginner class, which I shouldn't have put her in, to the advanced class. I think they are called the "sharks". She has always been a water bug.
Madeline stayed with her Auntie Jeanine for the swimming because Tim had to work and I didn't have anywhere to put her.
We rushed back to the house for a quick lunch full of nutritious foods! This was the point where Sehara decided she wanted to argue with me about a picture in the paper. Not that I argued back, but she kept going. She threw away an opportunity to have a sleepover with Elli.
Right after that, we had her soccer game, where we ran into the tail end of Garon's game and got to see Kayt, Larry, Addison, and Garon for a few minutes. Kayt gave me her leftover cookies and those saved my life and her waistline. I'm a good friend.
Sehara performed so well during her game! Her team gets better every week!
Melanie, Gabe, and Hunter came out to cheer her on! She loves visitors!
I grabbed a diet coke, and we went back to the house so the kiddos could nap. I dropped my brand new and fresh diet coke on the carpet!! UGH. I soaked it up while Carson played on the stairs (a no-no). He wouldn't go upstairs! Madeline had soaked her diaper and onsie and she was starving. I got everyone up, plopped her on the bed and got Carson in his bed. I fed Madeline and messaged a friend(the mother of Elli to let her know Sehara wouldn't come and why).
So now, I have started a soup for dinner. Chicken is thawing and Tim should get off work in 30 minutes. I'm so excited! I miss him.

I also wanted to point out that I did something great last night. I love to help people out, and not be recognized, usually. But here's where I'm going to pat myself on the back because it has to do with helping AND avoiding sin. I donated my time and some money for a friend, and went to do physical activity to show support (it was a group thing). When I handed the money over, I was told to wait so I could get some raffle tickets. I wondered what for, because I didn't understand and I asked about it. I very politely said, "No thank you, I am just donating money and I don't need the tickets!"

Look at me, actually applying lessons from the Bible to my everyday life. In case you're wondering, raffle tickets are a part of gambling. But we won't dwell on that.

I know this post misses my pizaz and flare, but here it is! I didn't fill in the cracks, and there's a lot of them. I'm not asking for a super mommy reward or any of that junk. I'm just telling ya about my day thus far. ;)

About Juicing

You know, I don't really like juice. I think the concept is fine and all that, but I don't enjoy drinking juice.

I know this may come to you as a very random thought, but, it's really not.

I feel fat. I feel so fat, and I can't work up the motivation to go run in the snow with my newborn to lose the weight. Mind you, it's only about 10 lbs for now that I want to lose. I don't have a breast pump to go to a gym and I don't have the time to figure something else out (or the energy).

I tried doing some workout videos, I ended up getting in Carson's way. By the time he went down for a nap, Madeline woke up. When I got her settled and happy, Carson woke up again. It happens everyday. Really.

Those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them.

But, I am going to "juice". I don't want to strictly juice, I want to eat real food too AND I don't want my body to "detox" because of the breastfeeding. If I strictly juice, I'm pretty sure I'll go through a detox. It's not really as scary as it sounds.

I'm only writing this because I want to be held accountable. I usually don't write or talk about it in case I screw up.

I'm not starting yet, I'm going to let my taste buds get used to them. Tim and I tried buying all the organic fruits and vegetables and literally juicing them and it didn't work. It was too much work. We don't have a nice enough blender to put them in either. So, I'm buying the pre-made organic ones that have a bit more sodium than I like but I'm drinking them anyway. Organic does matter.

Don't judge me.

This Should Be Good

These are my resolutions for this year.  I pray that I remember I made them and keep up with them.
For my blog:
-Blog Flashback Linking. Like, this one. It's my first post.
-Post recipes I have tried and LOVED. I have quite a few already
-Wordless Wednesday.  I read Lil~Kid~Things and she does it. I love it.
-Post more often.  We all say we will. I just hope I do.

For my personal self:
-Make my blog cooler. See above.  What I write does in a way speak for who I am.
-Lose weight.
-Read more books or whatever.  I am currently reading 5 different books.  Finish them.
-Find less gassy foods. Anyone know of tasty ones? My husband says I stink.
-Give up sweets one day a week. I'm doing this mostly on Tuesdays. Except for three Tuesdays this year.
-Drink only water on another day of the week. I think on Saturdays, so that will start tomorrow.

I have to feel completely prepared for the Food/Drink so I don't get all anxious.  Controlling that sort of intake is huge for a fat girl. Just saying. I could weigh 100 lbs and still be a fat girl. I'm so serious.

Fat Girl want some cookies?

I worked out yesterday and today, and last week, twice.
Nothing like a fat girl running.

Those first two days, I went outside on the sidewalk to do my business. I walked 1/4 mile, then ran probably like 1/16th mile then walked the rest home. Both times. Fat girls start out slow.  Besides, I seriously felt like I broke my vagina and everything was going to fall out.
Yesterday I ellipticized for 14 minutes on crossramp 8, resistance 2.
Today I ellipticized for 16 minutes on crossramp 8, resistance 3. 

I probably won't go higher than resistance 3, ever. I don't want big meaty legs. I just want toned legs. I have done it before and I can do it again.

I found this workout on pinterest:
Week 1: Run one minute. Walk 90 seconds. Repeat eight times. Do three times a week.
Week 2: Run two minutes. Walk one minute. Repeat seven times. Do three times a week.
Week 3: Run three minutes. Walk one minute. Repeat six times. Do three times a week.
Week 4: Run five minutes. Walk two minutes. Repeat four times. Do three times a week.
Week 5: Run eight minutes. Walk two minutes. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 6: Run twelve minutes. Walk one minute. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 7: Run fifteen minutes. Walk one minute. Run fifteen minutes. Do three times a week.
Week 8: Run thirty

I'll most definitely be modifying that once I get to week 5.  There ain't no way this girl will run for 8 whole minutes. Hopefully my attitude will modify itself by then!

Day Eighteen

I think that in order to understand what a depressed person or a person with anxiety feels, you yourself must have depression and/or anxiety.  You could probably relate, but not feel empathy.  You could feel sympathy but I don't think you could truly understand what is going on in that person's mind.  That's why when someone I know goes off their rocker and does stupid crap and says outrageous stuff, I get hurt but not offended and I understand where they come from. I only get hurt when it is directed towards me.  It is kind of complicated, but not really.
I went through a situation today where I knew someone understood me, and then where I knew another person didn't.  I had the option of sitting with two different groups but chose to sit by myself.  I didn't do it to be mean, it was just the only option that made me feel comfort.  I saw a soft couch with people, a table with wooden chairs with people, then I saw two lonely wooden chairs and I chose those.  It seemed comfortable, well, and it was. My MIL commented somewhere along the lines that sometimes we just need to be alone.  She was right.  I didn't realize I had chosen an isolated spot until they asked me if I wanted to join them.  I just wanted to be where I was and there is nothing wrong with that.  She knows how I feel.
During those few minutes I realized that my depression/anxiety really is coming back.  To the point where I may not be able to function by myself. Ah, the good days.

On a happy note, click here.  I want this so bad for Carson. Too bad they are all out. I wonder if there is another brand.  I don't want anymore bulbs or electric suckers. I want one just like that. This one wouldn't hurt, either. It's a fight for him each day. EVERY SINGLE MORNING he can't breathe and it is so sad.  I also want to get a crib mobile for him but those bad boys are expensive.  You know what, there are a lot of things I want still.  Like a high chair.  I want a big honking pretty high chair, maybe a nice wooden one.  Those are coming back in style. For Sehara, I want her to have things with her name on them.  It's so unique.

Isn't she beautiful?

Hungry! He has found his fists!

I would eventually like a really nice sewing machine and all the colors to go with it.  Then, I would like a lesson to use said sewing machine. I want sparkle pumps.  Tim is getting me a pair for Christmas. Payless has one pair in size 7 that will do!  If I get lucky, tomorrow I will go get them for him to wrap and they will be cheaper so I'll be able to get a second pair 50% off.  Wouldn't that be exciting?!?  I would like skinny jeans too.  These are mostly all reasonable, besides that sewing machine.  Have you seen how expensive those things are?  KitchenAid mixers are high too.  Crazy high.  I would enjoy the book called "Play: How it shapes the brain...".  Tim wants some airsoft gear.  Megastore has this vest with a bunch of pockets and mesh covered goggles. 
I ran a little today.  It was the second time I have done it since birthing the baby.  Today was better than the other day.  I didn't go any further and I didn't try harder, but I did it and that's all I could do.  I am pleased with myself. I do plan to continue.  It's not hard to get to.

30 Weeks

This is supposed to be the final trek of pregnancy; the last ten weeks that fly by.  I hope they do.  These are also supposed to be the weeks that I start feeling like ultimate crap.  <---   I'm looking forward to that.  We have a membership to the YMCA and I'm using it as much as I can.  I don't want those symptoms that come b/c pregnant women are so sedentary.  Sehara loves the swimming part, too, and I guess I enjoy them.  It's hard to go in the pool and not be able to dive or see how long I can hold my breath and chill at the bottom of the pool.  I feel like I'll drown my baby if I do that. 

30 Weeks

My lovely bathing suit no longer fits me.  Well, I am sure I can get it over my belly and my boobs, but the fit is so tight and the girls spill out of the side (not a pretty sight).  Of course, this wouldn't be an issue if we had our own place, with our stuff in it.  Since Tim still hasn't found a job, we're still at his grandparent's and our crap is still in storage.  That's where all my fat-girl clothes reside.  Ya know, the ones that I could fit into right now...  That's also where all of my extra bathing suits are, the fat-girl ones.  We had to improvise, because we can't afford Motherhood Maternity's beautiful suits and I refuse to wear the skirted ones that Wally World sells.  REFUSE.  That's why I'm in a nice stretchy microfiber shirt with my bikini bottoms.  Good news is that the shirt will be great for post-baby workouts.

I have been having that pelvic bone pain for a bit now and decided it was time to consult with my OB/GYN about it.  I was right about it being the symphysis, but what I didn't know is that it means I'm softening.  I bet Tim wished that meant my temper, but nope.  I'm happy that my body is preparing so well for delivery with these Braxton-Hicks and the softening.  I love that word "softening", sounds so feminine.  Since I have been working out my back pain has gone away.  :)  I'm so smart.  I put my degree to use.  I knew it!   Now, I wish I could find the motivation to look for a chiropractor for my tail bone.  My emotions are on that everlasting roller-coaster.  I hit a low the other day, cussing everyone out around me (had to do some serious apologizing) and ended it by crying my eyes out trying to explain to Tim what it was I was feeling.  Glad that's over...until next week.

Oh, and I have realized that I am around the most unorganized people, ever.  My family (in KY) isn't OCD daily-planner material, but hot dang, at least we over share so much that we always know what's going down when.  My anxiety (only on my "flare" days) doesn't allow me to be able to go with the flow, so I need to have a set plan in my head.  Also, I don't appreciate going shopping with family just to be a babysitter.  That's ish is for the birds and I won't be doing that anymore.  I would rather stare at a wall for 24 hours than go with you just so you can have a babysitter.  Here's an idea: stop having kids so you can stop worrying about who's going to watch them.  That crap is lame. Stop.  If you can't handle your child, then don't have anymore, for the sake of your family's sanity.

Nuff ranting.  I really want some tea right now.  I bought a bottle of Brisk yesterday and it was atrocious. Like, gag material.  Ew.  I might revisit that at the end if labor doesn't move along.  I started washing all my baby clothes and it hit me like a tons of bricks!  I'm having a baby!!  Woot!! :) Peace out!