Snow Day Round 2

What a treat to have Eric home to have a family snow day. To the boys it meant heading outside for plowing and playing in the snow. To me it meant gazing out at the snow from the warm indoors! Our friends' three middle grade aged girls came down to play with the boys! Such a treat for them! And with 6+" everyone was set.

Snow Day 2013

After what seemed like an hour to get all our clothes ready and on, the boys and I went outside for our first accumulated snow this season. It is a feat to get out the door with so many layers and not feel like you are going to over heat before you get out there. I was laughing hard at watching my boys turn into marshmallows. But I hoped once we got out there, it would be worth the time put in.

Sure enough, both boys loved it. I hardly had a chance to clear off the walk way and stairs before Timothy was requesting the shovel - we should get another, cause that boy's got some strength and was clearing our driveway (more in swirls than straight lines, you got to take the help you get!). And I was surprised to see how much Cayden enjoyed it. He was running through our yard, our neighbors yard, and even into the streets...it's hard for him to tell the difference once it's all covered with snow. I taught Tim how to make a snow angel. And we even got to see the snow plow clear our road, which meant the truck driving down our road a good four times. Such a treat for the boys.

I cleared a "driving path" for the boys to push around Little Tike cars and a shopping cart, but that soon turned to frustration for Cayden since his cart kept falling over, and I'm not sure how much of it was related to us having been outside for an hour at this point. There were many tears and I walked to the front door to open the back (so we could de-layer in the mudroom), only to get to the back 30sec later to see Tim pushing Cayden's face into the snow...needless to say, the fun snow day was over. I will try it again, but boy...boys!

Christmas Blessings

We have been blessed to have a wonderfully full holiday season! Here's a little bit of where we've been since pre-Thanksgiving:

*Cutting down our first tree with friends
*Hosting the Bucks (parents, sister, grandparents) and the Huffords (parents) for Thanksgiving amidst the stomach bug running through our families
*First day of December decorating the tree
*Celebrating the first Sunday of Advent with candles
*Riding the Holiday Train (schedule Holiday CTA Train)
*Quickly grabbing bratwurst, potato pancakes, and apple strudel at the Christkindl Market (since it felt like 10* outside!)
*Polar Express watching and then a reading over at Barnes and Noble by a "real" conductor
*Drive Thru holiday lights over in Valpo! Perfect for being in the car!
*Annual holiday dinner and tree decorating at the Huffords with family friends
*Hosting first (but hopefully annual) Christmas cookie decorating party with new friends

So many of these are spontaneous decisions which is not always my typical, but I'm thinking spontaneity is great!!

My Wild Things

Not near as perfect of pictures I wanted 

but this is totally their personalities coming through the blurriness. 

*For Halloween

Whole30: Final Stretch

Day 22:

Breakfast: 1/2 Fritatta

Lunch: Waldoft Salad

Dinner: Coconut Chicken with Spinach and Hash (Sw. Potatoes, Cabbage)

Positives: Using homemade marinade. Prepping Veggies for the Week! Yay!!

Negatives: Not getting in enough veggies in the morning. 

Physically:  

Be aware of: How effective prepping can be!

Day 23:

Breakfast: Fritatta
Snack: Fruit 

Lunch: Taco Salad (Spinach, taco beef, onion, green peppers, carrots, salsa, olives)
Snack: Cashews/Raisins

Dinner: DELICIOUS Beef Stew!! 

Positives: The beef stew turned out great, and I'd make that again and again post-whole30.

Negatives: Hungry in the afternoon - Maybe not enough at lunch? 

Physically: Feels like I'm getting sick...trying to fight that off with conglaplex 

Be aware of: Planning ahead for eating at others - bring extra food.

(Not sure why I didn't write more but here is my entry to the program about my experience:)

There is something wonderful about saying that I made it 30 days within the guidelines of whole30. I think I didn't realize how proud I would be until after making it through the successes and challenges of this life changing experience. 

The week prior to heading into whole30, I tried to cut out sugars and that did seem to help the cravings of that first week. Overall, I'm thankful that I was introduced to this by a friend. I was drawn in by the amount of weight she lost over her whole45 and was desperate to loose my remaining baby weight. However, looking more into what this offers, I realized this could open a world of change for my life. It could open my eyes to when I'm eating, what I'm eating, and why I'm eating it. I had a little bit of knowledge that maybe I would even look at food differently (boy, was I in for a surprise). 

wk1.

Positives: Week 1 seemed easy to me. I honestly felt like something must be wrong because everyone seems to comment on the first week being a craving-filled, headache producing, "I hate whole30" week. I was hyped up and energized. I was making new, delicious meals for my family (after being in a rut of "what do I make for dinner"). I was already sleeping more soundly at night (and have continued to throughout this process.)

Struggles: Initially I wasn't getting in the proper amount of vegetables at every meal which made me snack throughout the day. *Better after I upped my vegetables to 2C a meal.* I also didn't like the idea of not eating typical breakfast and felt like I was eating dinner all the time. This just took time, and it was helpful to be reminded that I could eat whatever I felt like within the guidelines at any meal was fine. 

wk2. 

Positives: This week also started off well with meal planning done and encouragement from friends and family. I began to see that there were typical times of the day I ate for comfort (during my children's nap times and later in the evening). I wasn't hungry, but rather drawn to the habit of eating then. I kept reminding myself, "Even if you want to eat doesn't mean you have to eat." Want vs. Need. I added some different vegetables that I don't typically eat and I was proud that I ate things I didn't like I liked. And my husband is loving all the fresh veggies.

Struggles: At the end of this week, I broke down emotionally. I was fighting a mental battle of "I don't want to eat like this anymore. I hate what I'm eating. I hate that I'm spending all this money for food I don't want. I don't want to look at labels. I don't want to know what I know." Yes, irrational, but honest. I also saw the real challenge of living in a small town where I don't have luxuries of Whole Foods and Trader Joes and being constantly bombarded by the "pre-packed" ease of what 90% of the grocery store has to offer. 

wk3.

Positives: I pushed through those previous emotions and began to feel better about my physical body. I looked forward to the meals I planned. I tried ghee butter for the first time - delicious and dangerous.  I realized, even when I don't want to eat leftovers, I do because I just spent a good amount of money on them!

Struggles: I was sick for a day or two and struggled to eat anything one day. I also hosted a bunch of friends and their children and realized that I had failed to eat enough because I was being the host.  There seemed to be more temptations this week. Although I didn't give it, I just seemed to think more about foods I couldn't have. And I did have emotions of, "I deserve to eat what I want to eat."

wk4. to the finish.

Positives: I've had a lot of support and encouragement from others during this process. During this last part, I had more, "I can tell you've lost weight!" "Way to go sticking to it!" and that is definitely a boost (though not the whole point). And my self-esteem has gone up. I am more accepting of my body. I prepped all my vegetables at the beginning of the week, and this was a huge time saver!! Why did I not do this before?! (Thank you Melissa!) I've been okay with others eating foods I can't have and bringing appropriate items for myself. 

Struggles: Maybe thinking about having cream in my coffee a bit too much.  Seriously though, I had a good week. I think I ate a few too many nuts and raisins in tempting moments. 

In conclusion, even if I didn't loose weight, I feel better about myself (probably would feel disappointed a little). I am more educated and will continue to make meals "compliant." I will be interested to see how my reintroduction goes as I've had past digestion issues. While I did miss a soda or two and want sugar occasionally, I missed dairy most - my cream, my cheeses. But I do see some long term changes coming and moderation in need. I want to set some realistic goals for the future and learn to enjoy more of what I'm eating. I'm looking forward to getting Well Fed 2 - reward for finishing this process and hopes to continue in it on a regular basis. And I know I found strength in God as I walked this up and down road! During those hard moments, I just said, "I can't do this on my own, Lord help me!" Whether you believe in God or not, have a support system, a friend, someone that you can share the successes and struggles of this journey. It helps to cope. I am thankful I made it through, and look forward to the future!

Whole30: Wk. 3

Overall, this week went better emotionally than last. It did feel like an off week with being sick and temptations and hosting. Whew, busy week, but I've got to watch out for slipping.

Day 15

Breakfast: ? (Don't remember)

Lunch: Chicken Salad (w/almonds, onion, and tom) in Lettuce Wrap, Steamed Broc and Cauli, 

Dinner: Lemon Garlic Chicken, Cauliflower "rice", and Cooked Spinach

Positives: Trying new things - Cauliflower "rice" is a nice replacement for rice (but not rice :)) 

Negatives: The chicken salad wasn't great but I didn't want to waste food.

Physically: Near migraine type headache and dizzy after dinner. 

Be aware of: Going to places with food smells. The mall was soaked delicious, temping smells of popcorn, nuts, waffle cones. 

Day 16
*Sick (see "Physically")

Breakfast: One fried egg with maybe a 1/2-1C of cauliflower "rice" and half a banana

Snack(10a): Small Handful of almonds to keep me from throwing up and tried to eat half a sweet potato which I couldn't finish (maybe a 1/4 of the potato eaten) 

Lunch?(12p): tried to eat a half breast of chicken - got through half before feeling like throwing up.

Dinner: Zucchini "pasta" with homemade meat/tomato sauce (I love this meal)

Positives: Making homemade meat sauce - I just throw in whatever sounds good! And this one was rockin'. And I tried Ghee butter for the first time - whoa! After not having butter for weeks, this tastes amazing. 

Negatives: Being sick

Physically: Sick -  - headache (leftover from last night) and nauseous/dizzy; Dinner I was feeling well enough to eat.

Be aware of: Ghee! Delicious and maybe could be a downfall. I've also introduced coconut oil to my cooking so I have lots of oil options. :)

Day 17

Breakfast: Fritatta with Cooked Apples (Yum!)

Lunch: Zucchini "pasta" with homemade meat/tomato sauce

Dinner: Stuffed Acorn Squash (Beef, Carrots, Onions and Seasonings) and Cooked Carrots

Positives: Cooked apples are almost a treat!

Negatives: When you don't like something you've made - dinner took twice as long as the recipe, and I didn't like it. I finished it. Another good example of when you spend money, you eat it. 

Physically:  

Be aware of: Time and size of cooked foods. I think that dinner took longer because the squash was maybe bigger than the recipe called for.

Day 18

Breakfast: Fritatta with Cooked Carrots

Lunch: Leftovers: Chicken, Cauliflower/Broc., 1/2 Sw. Pot, Raisins

Dinner: (out-Panera) Apple Chicken Salad (Chicken, Mixed Salad, Pecans, Onion, Cashew, Raisins with Fresh Lemon Juice and EVOO.)

Positives: Leftovers - for those non-motivated days

Negatives: There is so much you CAN'T each out. I wonder how to manage post-whole30 with the knowledge I have now. 

Physically:  

Be aware of: Salad dressings - Panera had some dressings that appeared okay, but I was glad I asked about ingredients cause it was packed with a bunch of non-compliant items. 

Day 19: Missed Documenting

Day 20:

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Sw. Hash

Lunch: Taco Lettuce Wraps (Gr. Beef, Onions, Green Peppers)
Snack: Cashews/Raisins

Dinner: Taco Lettuce Wraps (Gr. Beef, Onions, Green Peppers) with Broccoli

Positives: Enjoyed the wraps

Negatives: We were hosting and I did not pay attention to what I was eating and by the afternoon, I was hungry. And I know I did not choose a great snack option (exhausted after hosting). 

Physically:  Cravings (see negatives)

Be aware of: Making sure to eat appropriately even when busy

Day 21:

Didn't Document Much...
Dinner: Leftovers - Sw. Hash, Broc, Pull Pork

Whole30: Wk. 2

Sounds so good to me to hear I'm making it another week. Here's to making it to the almost half-way mark!

Day 8: 

Meals:

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Leftover veggies 

Lunch: Chicken Salad on Lettuce Wraps, Leftover Roasted Carrots and B. Sprouts
PreWO: Cashews (Didn't realize I need something different here till after)
PostWO: Chicken, Half Sw. Potato

Dinner: Chicken Vegetable Soup

Positives: Making homemade broth from previous roasted chicken and making delicious soup that the family loved! 

Negatives: Get more educated on workout snacks! I have to be better about this. 

Physically: Got in a great workout with the boys! Pulled both in the bike trailer and it kicked my butt!! 

Be aware of: 

Day 9: 

Meals:

Breakfast: Leftover Fritatta, Hash, and Cooked Apples (a treat!!)  

Lunch: Tuna Salad, Leftover roasted carrots and b. sprouts, olives

Dinner: Pulled Pork (crockpot) w/raw veggies and cooked spinach

Positives: Encouragement from family over dinner! Makes me feel like I definitely do this longer term with meals others like. 

Negatives: Apples don't taste great in EVOO. Water would be fine for next time. 

Physically: (don't remember)

Be aware of: Others eating does not mean that I have to. 

Day 10: 

Meals:

Breakfast: Egg Muffins, Hash, and Cucumbers  

Lunch: Spinach salad with pork, tom, olives, avocado, onion, carrots, raisins 

Dinner: Pulled Pork (crockpot) w/raw veggies and cooked spinach

Positives: Encouragement from family over dinner! Makes me feel like I definitely do this longer term with meals others like. 

Negatives: The days left feel long and boring. 

Physically: Emotionally down

Be aware of: Don't add to much salt and watch fats (lunch)

Day 11: 

Meals:

Breakfast: Eggs and Califlower 
Snack: Raisins, Cashews, and Watermelon

Lunch: Leftover Chicken Soup, Broc. and Olives

Dinner: OUT! - Grilled Asparagus with Fried Egg (romescu sauce) with Moorish Chicken with Roasted Cauliflower, Hazelnuts and Preserved Lemon 

Positives: If I'm eating, I'm making better choices that don't include sugar. And I was able to eat out!!

Negatives: More feelings of this not making a difference. Or that I'll get to the end of this and feel the same. 

Physically: Tired

Be aware of: Others eating does not mean that I have to (need to remember this!). Ate a morning snack as I was at a Moms group and didn't want to eat the treats. *TMI: Started my period today - may be playing into my emotions. Check at restaurants about food! It gives more peace of mind. 

Day 12: 

Did not keep records this day. Still feeling down. 

Day 13: 

Meals:

Breakfast: Eggs w/onions and red pepper, cumcumber, cashew butter

Lunch: Spinach salad with almonds, raisins, and apple (balsamic vinegar and oil) with leftover Pork

(party) Snack: Fruit salad (apples and pears)

Dinner: Leftover Pork with cooked spinach and carrots

Positives:  I make a side that I could eat at a party we went to. 

Negatives: (see physical)

Physically: Emotional breakdown. I lost it tonight. After feeling so frustrated trying to find items in our small town, I just broke down. Here are some of my thoughts from tonight (post experience): I hate what I'm eating. I have barely any options since this is really just a vegetable and meat diet. I feel guilty when I eat fruit or nuts or raisins. I hate knowing what I know - I can't find anything in the store that doesn't have crap in it for my kids or that does gooze of sugar. I want to go back and not know anything I know now. (All irrational but honest) 

Be aware of: Foods that trigger - all these fall candies and flavors make me want them!!

Day 14:

Meals:

Breakfast: Fried Egg over Sw. Pot Hash 

Lunch: Chicken Vegetable Soup with Banana and Cashew Butter

Dinner: Redo Soup, Leftover Hash

Positives:  I am feeling a bit better emotionally than last night. 

Negatives: Recognizing food is comfort for me. Food is pleasure for me. And I'm wrestling through that. 

Physically: Fine

Be aware of: Food to fill. I need to remember this isn't about self-sufficiency. This is about seeing the role food plays in my life, to find strength in the Lord as I wrestle through this.