Now, if you're like me, you've kind of let things slide lately. I'm assuming a lot of you out there have had that happen, because it's gotten awfully quiet in the Moms on a Mission world on Facebook. I feel kind of guilty about that - I totally fell off of the bandwagon, and I'm afraid I let a lot of you down with my own fall.
I've climbed back up onto that wagon, and I'm hoping that this time, it will stick. So far, I've found a routine that works well for us (me and the kids), and I'm hoping that I will be able to stick to it once school starts. I've tried to be more flexible with my approach, and to not set my goals TOO high, and I think that's helping over here.
I've recently found out that Netflix allows you to instantly watch movies on your TV, through your Wii (or other gaming device, if you have one), and that includes a few fitness movies. They're not the best ones out there, I'm sure, but there are enough options to at least get someone started. If you haven't looked at it yet, I highly recommend it.
I started with a "10 Minute Solutions: Rapid Results Pilates" video. It's broken down into 5 different, 10 minute routines, and I've been doing 1 routine a day, rotating through the different body areas. Today was my 5th day doing it, and let me tell you, even though it's not the most aesthetically pleasing exercise video out there (no music, no cute sets, etc), my core muscles are SORE. Like, REALLY sore. Yesterday, every laugh, cough, or sneeze bordered on torture. Today, it's not as bad, but I finally found a set of weights that were the correct weight (otherwise known as soup cans that were the same size - I couldn't find ones that "matched" before), and did the arms/shoulders routine with those weights, so I'm sure that tomorrow I will be just as sore.
In addition to the Pilates routines, I've been working out on the treadmill for 30 minutes every other day. The treadmill routine is a mixed bag of emotions for me. Before falling off of the bandwagon this spring, I'd gotten back up to running short distances, and was on my way to completing the "Couch to 5K" routine. Now, I never used to be much of a runner, but did the C25K program between my second and third pregnancies, and discovered that once I was ABLE to run, I actually loved it. I've been looking forward to getting back into running, and had been on my way there when for some reason, I stopped this spring.
I've been doing one of the pre-set "weight loss" routines on the treadmill this week, purely because I cannot run right now. My muscles are too weak, and I've put some weight back on. I don't want to injure my back again this time (about a year ago, I decided to start running again, and totally put my back out of whack because I wasn't ready for it, physically). So, I do this weight loss workout, and while it can get challenging, it's really hard to motivate myself. It's all walking. I miss the running. A lot. So, for me right now, this treadmill workout is both motivating (in that I want to lose weight and strengthen my muscles to be able to run), but it's also depressing because I'm constantly reminded at how I've let myself down and gotten so out of shape.
It's been a week of staying committed to the exercise routine, and I'm proud to say that this is the longest I've gone in a long time with keeping it up. However, it's just a week, and I think for it to become a "habit," I'm going to have to keep going for at least another two weeks (they say 21 days, right?!?!). I'm trying, but I'm nervous that I will fail again.
How are you with your exercise routine? Are you still working towards your goal? What is helping you, or what would help you?
If you've let the exercise slip away (like I have), what happened? How can we get you motivated again?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Staying Intellectually Challenged
I have to admit that I'm surprised at how many people:
1) read yesterday's post
and
2) commented on it (either on Facebook or via private message/email)
Apparently, I touched on an issue that is one that a lot of you either dealt with, or are dealing with right now. The biggest comment that I got (and have heard in the past) had to do with keeping intellectually stimulated as a stay-at-home mom. It's hard - most of our day is spent interacting with children (in my case, very YOUNG children). Deep, intellectual conversations are pretty much non-existent in my house when it's only the kids and me.
I've struggled with this a lot in the past, and still struggle with it on a regular basis. Most of the day, I'm discussing the finer points of potty breaks, childhood games (Chutes and Ladders, anyone?!?), or "he said-she said" kind of things. I've often felt that I've lost some of my brain power - especially when I'm presented with a challenging math problem while balancing the check book. (And it seems more often than not, "challenging" is really basic math, considering I went up to Calculus III. Simple addition and subtraction seems to take all of my brain power nowadays, and I'm ashamed to admit that). Often, it feels like motherhood has made me "stupid." (Oops. That's a quarter for the "naughty word" jar, as "stupid" is not allowed in our house. I wonder if I even have a quarter laying around?!?!! Oops)
So, how do we moms stay true to the brainiac that we really are, when we're constantly surrounded with young children? How do we keep challenging our brains when no one else seems to be giving us reason to?
It's easy to let it slip by. I know that I have (and still do sometimes), and it's not until I'm out with other adults - often ones that don't have children - and I realize that I don't use "big" words anymore, even just inside my head!, or I haven't read a non-parenting book in months. I'm assuming a lot of you feel the same way.
I still haven't found the answer. Online moms' groups help: even if it's at 2 am when the baby is awake, you can find someone to have a discussion with that DOESN'T revolve around pee, poop, puke, or children's shows/music. I enjoy these moms' groups, but I've found that most of them shoo away any topic that I'm really interested in (namely politics and religion). Those topics - which are usually what I like to read about and discuss - are apparently not "polite" moms' group topics, and are usually taboo. So, for me, online groups/forums typically don't do the trick.
Another option that does help for me is trying to keep the time I get to read relatively consistent (and I've been trying to increase it lately). If you don't have time to read a whole book - or if you can't just pick up a book for 20 minutes at a time to read it (I can, but I know a lot of people can't focus if they only get to read a few pages at a time) - I highly recommend Brain, Child magazine. Unlike most parenting magazines out there, this one doesn't spend 50 pages of the magazine discussing cute, yet inexpensive children's clothing. The articles (and there are many!) are well-researched, in-depth, and usually make you think. Not all of them revolve around "parenting" topics, either - you'll often find a discussion on those taboo topics of politics or religion. While I may not always agree with the material presented, I appreciate the chance to read an "adult" article, especially when I only have a few minutes that day to read.
Now that my children are getting older, too, I've been trying to take the time to encourage - and develop - their own thinking skills and curiosity. I've found that doing this gives me a chance to learn as well (just today I was asked how bridges were built, and considering high school physics was A LONG time ago, finding the answer involved research and learning - for everyone involved!). I find science experiments for us to do, and even if I know what's going to happen already, I've found that the opportunity to teach my children makes me keep my own brain well-exercised.
So, how about you? Do you feel like you are/are not intellectually challenged? Why or why not?
1) read yesterday's post
and
2) commented on it (either on Facebook or via private message/email)
Apparently, I touched on an issue that is one that a lot of you either dealt with, or are dealing with right now. The biggest comment that I got (and have heard in the past) had to do with keeping intellectually stimulated as a stay-at-home mom. It's hard - most of our day is spent interacting with children (in my case, very YOUNG children). Deep, intellectual conversations are pretty much non-existent in my house when it's only the kids and me.
I've struggled with this a lot in the past, and still struggle with it on a regular basis. Most of the day, I'm discussing the finer points of potty breaks, childhood games (Chutes and Ladders, anyone?!?), or "he said-she said" kind of things. I've often felt that I've lost some of my brain power - especially when I'm presented with a challenging math problem while balancing the check book. (And it seems more often than not, "challenging" is really basic math, considering I went up to Calculus III. Simple addition and subtraction seems to take all of my brain power nowadays, and I'm ashamed to admit that). Often, it feels like motherhood has made me "stupid." (Oops. That's a quarter for the "naughty word" jar, as "stupid" is not allowed in our house. I wonder if I even have a quarter laying around?!?!! Oops)
So, how do we moms stay true to the brainiac that we really are, when we're constantly surrounded with young children? How do we keep challenging our brains when no one else seems to be giving us reason to?
It's easy to let it slip by. I know that I have (and still do sometimes), and it's not until I'm out with other adults - often ones that don't have children - and I realize that I don't use "big" words anymore, even just inside my head!, or I haven't read a non-parenting book in months. I'm assuming a lot of you feel the same way.
I still haven't found the answer. Online moms' groups help: even if it's at 2 am when the baby is awake, you can find someone to have a discussion with that DOESN'T revolve around pee, poop, puke, or children's shows/music. I enjoy these moms' groups, but I've found that most of them shoo away any topic that I'm really interested in (namely politics and religion). Those topics - which are usually what I like to read about and discuss - are apparently not "polite" moms' group topics, and are usually taboo. So, for me, online groups/forums typically don't do the trick.
Another option that does help for me is trying to keep the time I get to read relatively consistent (and I've been trying to increase it lately). If you don't have time to read a whole book - or if you can't just pick up a book for 20 minutes at a time to read it (I can, but I know a lot of people can't focus if they only get to read a few pages at a time) - I highly recommend Brain, Child magazine. Unlike most parenting magazines out there, this one doesn't spend 50 pages of the magazine discussing cute, yet inexpensive children's clothing. The articles (and there are many!) are well-researched, in-depth, and usually make you think. Not all of them revolve around "parenting" topics, either - you'll often find a discussion on those taboo topics of politics or religion. While I may not always agree with the material presented, I appreciate the chance to read an "adult" article, especially when I only have a few minutes that day to read.
Now that my children are getting older, too, I've been trying to take the time to encourage - and develop - their own thinking skills and curiosity. I've found that doing this gives me a chance to learn as well (just today I was asked how bridges were built, and considering high school physics was A LONG time ago, finding the answer involved research and learning - for everyone involved!). I find science experiments for us to do, and even if I know what's going to happen already, I've found that the opportunity to teach my children makes me keep my own brain well-exercised.
So, how about you? Do you feel like you are/are not intellectually challenged? Why or why not?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Working vs. Staying Home
It seems like the perennial struggle: moms who stay home with the kids want to go back to work, and moms who work want to be able to stay home. Nearly every time I talk to a mom - no matter what her occupation (SAHM - that's stay at home mom for those of you not up to speed on the abbreviations - or working mom) - the topic eventually ends up coming back to this great feeling of disillusionment with the current occupation.
I wonder if men go through this struggle? Although we've never talked about it in great depth, I don't think my husband has this internal debate very often, if at all. He may not like all of the politics and drama that goes along with being the only male resident in a world of female OB/GYN residents, he thoroughly loves his job. He loves the work he does - it both challenges and fulfills him. From other men that I've talked to, it seems to be the same kind of thing for them. Most men that I know - especially if they went to school to pursue some specific career - are pretty content in their day-to-day obligations and occupation.
Why is it that we women are constantly second-guessing the "career" path that we have chosen?
Some are quick to blame society - either that they don't give enough credit to the work that moms that stay home do, or that they don't allow women to climb as high on the career ladder and therefore, are not allowing working moms the same sort of fulfillment.
Some are quick to blame their own parents or their spouse - someone else is not providing enough support for them to achieve their personal goals.
I used to joke that "The Feminist Movement caused my depression," in that I constantly felt that the goal I'd held for myself since I was a child (to be a mom) wasn't "good enough" in today's standards. I was a failure, or letting myself down if I was "just" a mom, even though that was all that I wanted to do - what I had always felt was my primary vocation in life.
Nowadays, I'm not too sure that has anything to do with the feeling of discontent that I've struggled with for the past 10ish years as I tried to figure out what to be "when I grew up." Over the past few months, I've really spent time reading and learning more about my Catholic faith, and really taken the time to get to know Mary, the mother of Jesus. She's become a source of inspiration to me, and a source of strength as I try to be the best mother that I possibly can be.
I realize now that I had been looking at it the wrong way all along - I wasn't searching for something else to make me feel fulfilled or happy. I wasn't searching for the "right" career. The problem was that I wasn't really seeing the career I had been called into. I have been called to be a mom - and that is what will fulfill and challenge me, if I let it.
Sure, some of the days are really hard and the kids fight and I just want to get out of the house for 15 minutes or go and get a coffee and take a deep breath. But that's okay. Think about a "real" 9-5 job - you get breaks, right? There are meetings that you sit through that you just want to scream and shout at your coworkers because of the bickering or the lack of productivity. These are the meetings that you follow with a quick walk around the parking lot in the cool air, or with the 15 minute coffee break with the trusted coworker. There's no reason why I can't allow myself the same break during my job as a mom.
So this summer, one of the reasons that I haven't been around that much is that I've been focusing on my job as mom as a source of fulfillment. I'm taking the time to plan our days - outings, and days at home - and to make sure that I get those 15 minute breaks throughout the day. The boys are still little (6, 4, and 20 months), so it's not like I can leave them alone, but what I can do is set up a playroom in the basement next to the treadmill (which I did), and take them down there for only 30 minutes a day. It's new, and fun, for them as they get to play with toys that they only see for 30 minutes a day, and I get to plug in my earphones and focus on me (I usually end up listening to Christian music, so it's also a time for me to focus on my faith and meditate on something that I've read/seen/heard that day). That 30 minute break has become a needed part to our daily schedule - for all of us.
Another option (when it was too hot to stay home in the non-air conditioned house) was what a friend of mine calls "taking a sanity drive." My kids are little, so most of the time the heat would tire them out and being in an air conditioned car would do wonders for putting them to sleep. I'd drive until they fell asleep, go get a $1 coffee from McDonald's and park somewhere and read or journal as they slept in the air conditioning. If your kids are older, there's NOTHING wrong with letting them go play in an air conditioned McDonald's playland as you drink that coffee (as long as you bring along the Purell - haha).
I feel like I've come around full circle in the past 6 months and realized that I was working my dream job already - I just needed to change my viewpoint. Motherhood IS a job, and some of us ARE really called to it as our vocation. We have gifts and talents that need to be put to use in raising the next generation.
I realize that not everyone is called to the same career in life - there are moms out there who are not stay at home moms, either due to their family's financial need, or their own personal needs. And this is great, too. I think the sooner we can realize that we moms come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and careers, the better off we all will be. I'm not better than anyone else because I'm at home with my kids - and my kids will not be better off SOLELY because I'm a stay at home mom. My kids will be better off because I've realized that being a stay at home mom is what makes me happy and fulfilled - and challenges me to be a better person. I think as soon as a mom comes to that realization of her calling in life - whether it be an out-of-the-home career or an in-home one - her kids will be better off, too.
Thoughts?
I wonder if men go through this struggle? Although we've never talked about it in great depth, I don't think my husband has this internal debate very often, if at all. He may not like all of the politics and drama that goes along with being the only male resident in a world of female OB/GYN residents, he thoroughly loves his job. He loves the work he does - it both challenges and fulfills him. From other men that I've talked to, it seems to be the same kind of thing for them. Most men that I know - especially if they went to school to pursue some specific career - are pretty content in their day-to-day obligations and occupation.
Why is it that we women are constantly second-guessing the "career" path that we have chosen?
Some are quick to blame society - either that they don't give enough credit to the work that moms that stay home do, or that they don't allow women to climb as high on the career ladder and therefore, are not allowing working moms the same sort of fulfillment.
Some are quick to blame their own parents or their spouse - someone else is not providing enough support for them to achieve their personal goals.
I used to joke that "The Feminist Movement caused my depression," in that I constantly felt that the goal I'd held for myself since I was a child (to be a mom) wasn't "good enough" in today's standards. I was a failure, or letting myself down if I was "just" a mom, even though that was all that I wanted to do - what I had always felt was my primary vocation in life.
Nowadays, I'm not too sure that has anything to do with the feeling of discontent that I've struggled with for the past 10ish years as I tried to figure out what to be "when I grew up." Over the past few months, I've really spent time reading and learning more about my Catholic faith, and really taken the time to get to know Mary, the mother of Jesus. She's become a source of inspiration to me, and a source of strength as I try to be the best mother that I possibly can be.
I realize now that I had been looking at it the wrong way all along - I wasn't searching for something else to make me feel fulfilled or happy. I wasn't searching for the "right" career. The problem was that I wasn't really seeing the career I had been called into. I have been called to be a mom - and that is what will fulfill and challenge me, if I let it.
Sure, some of the days are really hard and the kids fight and I just want to get out of the house for 15 minutes or go and get a coffee and take a deep breath. But that's okay. Think about a "real" 9-5 job - you get breaks, right? There are meetings that you sit through that you just want to scream and shout at your coworkers because of the bickering or the lack of productivity. These are the meetings that you follow with a quick walk around the parking lot in the cool air, or with the 15 minute coffee break with the trusted coworker. There's no reason why I can't allow myself the same break during my job as a mom.
So this summer, one of the reasons that I haven't been around that much is that I've been focusing on my job as mom as a source of fulfillment. I'm taking the time to plan our days - outings, and days at home - and to make sure that I get those 15 minute breaks throughout the day. The boys are still little (6, 4, and 20 months), so it's not like I can leave them alone, but what I can do is set up a playroom in the basement next to the treadmill (which I did), and take them down there for only 30 minutes a day. It's new, and fun, for them as they get to play with toys that they only see for 30 minutes a day, and I get to plug in my earphones and focus on me (I usually end up listening to Christian music, so it's also a time for me to focus on my faith and meditate on something that I've read/seen/heard that day). That 30 minute break has become a needed part to our daily schedule - for all of us.
Another option (when it was too hot to stay home in the non-air conditioned house) was what a friend of mine calls "taking a sanity drive." My kids are little, so most of the time the heat would tire them out and being in an air conditioned car would do wonders for putting them to sleep. I'd drive until they fell asleep, go get a $1 coffee from McDonald's and park somewhere and read or journal as they slept in the air conditioning. If your kids are older, there's NOTHING wrong with letting them go play in an air conditioned McDonald's playland as you drink that coffee (as long as you bring along the Purell - haha).
I feel like I've come around full circle in the past 6 months and realized that I was working my dream job already - I just needed to change my viewpoint. Motherhood IS a job, and some of us ARE really called to it as our vocation. We have gifts and talents that need to be put to use in raising the next generation.
I realize that not everyone is called to the same career in life - there are moms out there who are not stay at home moms, either due to their family's financial need, or their own personal needs. And this is great, too. I think the sooner we can realize that we moms come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and careers, the better off we all will be. I'm not better than anyone else because I'm at home with my kids - and my kids will not be better off SOLELY because I'm a stay at home mom. My kids will be better off because I've realized that being a stay at home mom is what makes me happy and fulfilled - and challenges me to be a better person. I think as soon as a mom comes to that realization of her calling in life - whether it be an out-of-the-home career or an in-home one - her kids will be better off, too.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tasty Tuesdays: Canning Edition
Good morning, all!
Today is Tasty Tuesday, once again!
Today's recipe can be found over on the "In the Kitchen" page (follow the tabs at the top of this page). It's a super secret (Shhhh!!! Don't tell her I published it!!) relish recipe from my grandmother. It's easy, it makes great use of any cucumbers you have laying around....and the best part?
The kids can help! Mine helped feed the veggies through the food grinder, which they thought was hilarious.
Make some this week, and give it away as Christmas gifts - put it in pretty mason jars, and add it to a basket of jams/jellies, or bbq items. It's a great homemade touch - and very inexpensive to make! Enjoy!
Today is Tasty Tuesday, once again!
Today's recipe can be found over on the "In the Kitchen" page (follow the tabs at the top of this page). It's a super secret (Shhhh!!! Don't tell her I published it!!) relish recipe from my grandmother. It's easy, it makes great use of any cucumbers you have laying around....and the best part?
The kids can help! Mine helped feed the veggies through the food grinder, which they thought was hilarious.
Make some this week, and give it away as Christmas gifts - put it in pretty mason jars, and add it to a basket of jams/jellies, or bbq items. It's a great homemade touch - and very inexpensive to make! Enjoy!
Monday, August 16, 2010
A lot of changing going on...
Good morning!
If you're like me (Heidi here), you struggle with letting go of summer. Summer is a time for relaxation, a time for fun, a time for enjoying your family and friends.
The school year, however....is not.
Every year about this time, I start to dread the idea of getting up early (summers mean sleeping in), about having to get somewhere on time, and about the loss of our precious "outdoor" time. This year is no different. I'm struggling with the idea of getting back into our school year routine. This summer's been a good one. I know I've been bad about the blogging everyday thing (it's been over a month - eek!), but I am kind of proud to tell you why: the boys and I have visited 18 different state parks this summer alone, not to mention weekly playdates with friends, and visiting family in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. It's been a really good, fun, summer, and I have the sandal tans to prove it!
What I haven't done much of is work, and that kind of includes this blog. I enjoy blogging, and hope that someone out there enjoys reading what I have to say (although I completely expect no one to admit to that. haha), but it does require that I sit still and in front of the computer for at least a little bit of time. I haven't really done much of that this summer. It's been a beautiful Maine summer: warm (sometimes hot!), sunny, and thoroughly perfect for hiking, beach-going, and exploring historic sites. So.....that's what we've been doing.
It's starting to cool down now, and with that comes lots of canning and preserving, which I've been doing a ton of, chilly bonfires in the backyard, beach days where we DON'T go swimming, and ........the dreaded back to school events...
For most of us, that means trying to get our kids back on a "school" routine, which translates into: gasp! getting up early and going to bed early!!
This is where I struggle. The summer, for us, is full of staying up until dark, catching fireflies, cooking marshmallows over a backyard fire, watching meteor showers once it finally gets dark....and definitely NOT getting up early.
We started "Operation: School Starting" in our household today. With it, I've decided to play around with our home routine - and this blog. As we get back into our school schedule and are forced inside by colder weather (and rain, in today's case), I'll be joining you back on this blog more often. I've played around with the settings to 1) brighten things up and 2) make finding things a little easier. "Tasty Tuesdays" will now be under the "In the Kitchen" heading, and other blogs will be posted by topic, for the most part. General musings and discussions will still continue here, on the homepage, but we'll try to be a little bit better about sorting our blog topics, so that you can find things a little bit more easily (especially in regards to work outs and recipes).
Our first day of Operation: School Starting has gone relatively smoothly. I woke up at 5:30, and like I figured, the kids followed shortly thereafter (6 am). That's a little bit too early for them - school wake ups are usually at 6:30 am here - so I've got to figure out the best way to get myself up and exercised without waking them up. Our routines need a little tweaking to get back on the top of our game, but we'll keep working on it - and blogging about it! - and eventually we'll get there!
If you're like me (Heidi here), you struggle with letting go of summer. Summer is a time for relaxation, a time for fun, a time for enjoying your family and friends.
The school year, however....is not.
Every year about this time, I start to dread the idea of getting up early (summers mean sleeping in), about having to get somewhere on time, and about the loss of our precious "outdoor" time. This year is no different. I'm struggling with the idea of getting back into our school year routine. This summer's been a good one. I know I've been bad about the blogging everyday thing (it's been over a month - eek!), but I am kind of proud to tell you why: the boys and I have visited 18 different state parks this summer alone, not to mention weekly playdates with friends, and visiting family in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. It's been a really good, fun, summer, and I have the sandal tans to prove it!
What I haven't done much of is work, and that kind of includes this blog. I enjoy blogging, and hope that someone out there enjoys reading what I have to say (although I completely expect no one to admit to that. haha), but it does require that I sit still and in front of the computer for at least a little bit of time. I haven't really done much of that this summer. It's been a beautiful Maine summer: warm (sometimes hot!), sunny, and thoroughly perfect for hiking, beach-going, and exploring historic sites. So.....that's what we've been doing.
It's starting to cool down now, and with that comes lots of canning and preserving, which I've been doing a ton of, chilly bonfires in the backyard, beach days where we DON'T go swimming, and ........the dreaded back to school events...
For most of us, that means trying to get our kids back on a "school" routine, which translates into: gasp! getting up early and going to bed early!!
This is where I struggle. The summer, for us, is full of staying up until dark, catching fireflies, cooking marshmallows over a backyard fire, watching meteor showers once it finally gets dark....and definitely NOT getting up early.
We started "Operation: School Starting" in our household today. With it, I've decided to play around with our home routine - and this blog. As we get back into our school schedule and are forced inside by colder weather (and rain, in today's case), I'll be joining you back on this blog more often. I've played around with the settings to 1) brighten things up and 2) make finding things a little easier. "Tasty Tuesdays" will now be under the "In the Kitchen" heading, and other blogs will be posted by topic, for the most part. General musings and discussions will still continue here, on the homepage, but we'll try to be a little bit better about sorting our blog topics, so that you can find things a little bit more easily (especially in regards to work outs and recipes).
Our first day of Operation: School Starting has gone relatively smoothly. I woke up at 5:30, and like I figured, the kids followed shortly thereafter (6 am). That's a little bit too early for them - school wake ups are usually at 6:30 am here - so I've got to figure out the best way to get myself up and exercised without waking them up. Our routines need a little tweaking to get back on the top of our game, but we'll keep working on it - and blogging about it! - and eventually we'll get there!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The "Fun" Mom
This week's going pretty well so far. I've not blogged everyday, but I'm working on it! (I'm here now, aren't I? haha)
I've tried to get up early the past two days to spend some quiet time with God, but the boys have woken up with me each morning. I guess that's one downside to all sleeping in the same room. (It's HOT here in Maine, and we only have one window A/C unit, so we're all camping out in the air conditioning in the master bedroom). I'll try again tomorrow to get up before them - I think I'm going to turn the volume on my alarm down. If I hear it, I'll get up, if not, then we'll try again tomorrow at a slightly louder volume!
I'm doing well on the water goal. It helps that it's been so hot here - I'm trying to keep all of us hydrated, so I'm keeping ice water on the kitchen counter in a cooler. Every time I fill up one of the kid's cups, I make myself drink some too. Seems to be working so far!
The biggest goal for me this past week (so far) has been the "Fun" mom goal. I had gotten so busy and so caught up in my "to-do" list over the past few months, that I kind of forgot to enjoy my kids. I felt like I was always telling them "in a minute!" or "When I finish (fill in the blank here)." A little piece of me died every time I did that, but I just couldn't seem to stop myself. With it being summer, I've really wanted to make myself slow down and have FUN with the kids instead of constantly working. I'm happy to say that it's been a success - well, the having fun part. We've gone to state parks, we've gone to the beach, last night we had a Candyland tournament before bed, and tonight we played outside and worked in the garden together. It's been great spending this time enjoying my kids - I'm thoroughly loving every minute we spend together.
It's paid off with their behaviour, for the most part. For example, this past weekend was a holiday (Fourth of July was on Sunday). Since this is our last summer in Maine, I really wanted to cross off a really big item on my "Things I Want to do Before I Die" list: Go see the Boston Pops concert on the 4th of July. I've watched this concert on TV for years - seriously, as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to be there to see the fireworks, and enjoy the music. This year was my last chance, realistically, since we're moving to the other side of the country.
We packed the kids up, and with the help of nearby relatives who let us crash at their place (they live just outside of Boston), we were able to put together a trip that cost barely anything (just food and the train into the city). We left the house at 4:30 am on Sunday, pulled into the parking garage in Boston at 5:30 am, and were in line for the Oval (the area where the concert is located) at 6 am. The Oval didn't open until 9 am - so we had a long wait ahead of us. The boys not only waited in line wonderfully, they were troopers and made it all day until the concert started at 8:30 pm. "Making it all day" means hanging out on our blanket in the middle of the blazing hot sun, because seats were first-come, first-serve, and people have been known to move other people's items if you're not there guarding your spot. The boys - all three of them, ages almost 6, 4, and 18 months - were AMAZING. They made me so proud - I feel like I should go to Confession, I'm that full of pride!!! haha They were wonderfully behaved, and such good sports about it all. I think the fact that I've really tried to spend quality time with them really helped with their behaviour on Sunday: I think they're feeling more appreciated and secure in our relationship. I want to continue that this summer, and I've really got it on my mind in everything that I've been doing.
It's not all roses, though. I'm having a really hard time getting everything done and keeping a balance, now that I'm trying to focus more on quality mom/boys time. I'm behind in my commitments to other things: work (the youth group), school (the boys), the house (keeping it clean for showings). I haven't worked out in who knows how long, because by the time I sit down and get everything else done, I'm ready for bed, and it's almost midnight. I've stepped back from some of my roles with the youth group (on the Diocesan level, not the parish level, for any parishioners reading this!), and with preschool (stepping down off the board after this summer). Those are really the only things that I can "lose' right now: I have to still maintain the house, and the parish level youth group stuff is my part-time job. I can't really step back from everything else. My only solution is to find a way to balance it all.
For those of you out there who also find that you have to balance quality mom stuff with work/other obligations, how do you manage it? What kind of secrets/tips can you share with me, so I don't lose my mind?
Thanks!
I've tried to get up early the past two days to spend some quiet time with God, but the boys have woken up with me each morning. I guess that's one downside to all sleeping in the same room. (It's HOT here in Maine, and we only have one window A/C unit, so we're all camping out in the air conditioning in the master bedroom). I'll try again tomorrow to get up before them - I think I'm going to turn the volume on my alarm down. If I hear it, I'll get up, if not, then we'll try again tomorrow at a slightly louder volume!
I'm doing well on the water goal. It helps that it's been so hot here - I'm trying to keep all of us hydrated, so I'm keeping ice water on the kitchen counter in a cooler. Every time I fill up one of the kid's cups, I make myself drink some too. Seems to be working so far!
The biggest goal for me this past week (so far) has been the "Fun" mom goal. I had gotten so busy and so caught up in my "to-do" list over the past few months, that I kind of forgot to enjoy my kids. I felt like I was always telling them "in a minute!" or "When I finish (fill in the blank here)." A little piece of me died every time I did that, but I just couldn't seem to stop myself. With it being summer, I've really wanted to make myself slow down and have FUN with the kids instead of constantly working. I'm happy to say that it's been a success - well, the having fun part. We've gone to state parks, we've gone to the beach, last night we had a Candyland tournament before bed, and tonight we played outside and worked in the garden together. It's been great spending this time enjoying my kids - I'm thoroughly loving every minute we spend together.
It's paid off with their behaviour, for the most part. For example, this past weekend was a holiday (Fourth of July was on Sunday). Since this is our last summer in Maine, I really wanted to cross off a really big item on my "Things I Want to do Before I Die" list: Go see the Boston Pops concert on the 4th of July. I've watched this concert on TV for years - seriously, as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to be there to see the fireworks, and enjoy the music. This year was my last chance, realistically, since we're moving to the other side of the country.
We packed the kids up, and with the help of nearby relatives who let us crash at their place (they live just outside of Boston), we were able to put together a trip that cost barely anything (just food and the train into the city). We left the house at 4:30 am on Sunday, pulled into the parking garage in Boston at 5:30 am, and were in line for the Oval (the area where the concert is located) at 6 am. The Oval didn't open until 9 am - so we had a long wait ahead of us. The boys not only waited in line wonderfully, they were troopers and made it all day until the concert started at 8:30 pm. "Making it all day" means hanging out on our blanket in the middle of the blazing hot sun, because seats were first-come, first-serve, and people have been known to move other people's items if you're not there guarding your spot. The boys - all three of them, ages almost 6, 4, and 18 months - were AMAZING. They made me so proud - I feel like I should go to Confession, I'm that full of pride!!! haha They were wonderfully behaved, and such good sports about it all. I think the fact that I've really tried to spend quality time with them really helped with their behaviour on Sunday: I think they're feeling more appreciated and secure in our relationship. I want to continue that this summer, and I've really got it on my mind in everything that I've been doing.
It's not all roses, though. I'm having a really hard time getting everything done and keeping a balance, now that I'm trying to focus more on quality mom/boys time. I'm behind in my commitments to other things: work (the youth group), school (the boys), the house (keeping it clean for showings). I haven't worked out in who knows how long, because by the time I sit down and get everything else done, I'm ready for bed, and it's almost midnight. I've stepped back from some of my roles with the youth group (on the Diocesan level, not the parish level, for any parishioners reading this!), and with preschool (stepping down off the board after this summer). Those are really the only things that I can "lose' right now: I have to still maintain the house, and the parish level youth group stuff is my part-time job. I can't really step back from everything else. My only solution is to find a way to balance it all.
For those of you out there who also find that you have to balance quality mom stuff with work/other obligations, how do you manage it? What kind of secrets/tips can you share with me, so I don't lose my mind?
Thanks!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Battling the Stillness
I feel like every one of my posts recently has started with an apology. I've (obviously) been having a hard time keeping up with things recently - well, pretty much the past three months. I honestly can't really even remember the past three or four months - it's all been a blur. I can't believe it's already July, and almost a week into July, at that!
Summer has officially started here in Maine. It's hot (90s!!! No central A/C!! ACCCKKKK), it's sunny, and school is out. Well, school's been out for a couple of weeks now, and it's been beautiful weather for a couple of weeks, but I'm just now sitting down to truly enjoy summer. We had a wedding (my sister's), a couple of business trips for Mike that I tagged along on, an interview trip to Arizona, and then a mad dash to finish projects around our house so we could list it on the market. It's been a bit overwhelming.
I've fallen back into my previous pitfalls: snacking out of boredom and not really paying attention to what I'm doing. I'm snacking for comfort - the more stressed I get about my "to-do" list, the more I eat. I've been watching myself do it, in that kind of mind's eye viewpoint, and honestly, I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to even care about stopping. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and most of the time, I can force myself to not even care about what I'm doing to myself.
That has to change. I don't have a scale yet (never bought a replacement), and we can't find the DVD for our Wii fit - it disappeared while we were gone on one of the business trips, so I can't weigh in, but I can't tell from my clothes and how they fit, that I've gained a lot of the weight back that I had lost.
So, starting right now, I'm starting over. I'm going to do this in small steps - life is going to stay stressful right now, and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. But I DEFINITELY do not want to move to Arizona feeling like I do right now. It's hard to explain, but I don't feel CLEAN the way I am right now. I'm so sweaty and grimy, and the extra weight is just contributing to that. I don't feel cute or attractive at all, and I don't like that.
Each week, I'm going to try and set three goals and work on meeting them. Some are going to be weight-loss related, and some are just general goals for my life/mindset that I need to, or want to, work on before we move. This summer needs to be a time to recharge and revamp before things change again. I need to find my base before we pack up and move across the country.
So, this week's goals are:
1) Blog, blog, blog. I was doing SO much better when I was blogging before. I miss that outlet. I'm constantly thinking of things to write about, but I never take the time to sit down and write it out. It's not like I'm not on the computer - I seem to find time to email or check out statuses on Facebook, but I've not been taking the time to sit down and put my thoughts out there. It's more for me than you guys, because it helps me to formalize my thoughts, to put them into some sort of understandable format, so that I can return to them later and know what I was trying to say. I need that for my own good!
2) Have FUN this summer. My life is SO crazy during the school year with all the different meetings/time spent in the car, etc. I realized that this is going to be our last summer in Maine - and I want to enjoy my surroundings as much as I did the first summer that we lived here. Now that Baby #3 is easier to tote around and isn't napping as much, one of my goals this summer is to be a fun mom again. We're going to hit up the parks, the beaches, the state parks, etc. We've already started, and I'm loving it!!
3) Take a little bit of time each day and add it into my prayer life. I've been kind of shortchanging God recently, and had moved my prayer time to be as I was getting in bed. I'd read a little Scripture and then try to pray it- and often fell asleep in the process. God deserves better from me. My goal this week is to find a better time of day for that prayer. I've been getting up at 4:45 am the past few weeks for at least a couple days a week to take Mike to work (his car needs work, and we're saving up the money to get it done, so we're down to one car right now), and I actually really like getting up that early. I'd get a lot done. Summer is the perfect time to change this part of my schedule - I don't get hooked on summer TV usually, so going to bed early isn't as much of a struggle, so getting up early isn't as hard the next day. My goal is to get up at 5 am, take that time for my prayer time, and then eventually add working out into that time period as well.
4) Drink water. I've gotten kind of lax on this recently, and started falling back on my soda/coffee habit. It's going to be super, super hot here this week, and I need to make sure that I get myself back into the drinking a lot of water habit.
So, there they are. My goals that I'm going to start working on this week. I'm feeling pretty positive - I've enjoyed the trips to the state parks recently with the kids (goal #2), and I'm enjoying writing this right now (goal #1). I think it's going to be easier to stick with this time.
How are you all doing out there? Are you working on the same goals that you were six months ago, or have you revised them at all? Share!
Summer has officially started here in Maine. It's hot (90s!!! No central A/C!! ACCCKKKK), it's sunny, and school is out. Well, school's been out for a couple of weeks now, and it's been beautiful weather for a couple of weeks, but I'm just now sitting down to truly enjoy summer. We had a wedding (my sister's), a couple of business trips for Mike that I tagged along on, an interview trip to Arizona, and then a mad dash to finish projects around our house so we could list it on the market. It's been a bit overwhelming.
I've fallen back into my previous pitfalls: snacking out of boredom and not really paying attention to what I'm doing. I'm snacking for comfort - the more stressed I get about my "to-do" list, the more I eat. I've been watching myself do it, in that kind of mind's eye viewpoint, and honestly, I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to even care about stopping. I'm tired, I'm stressed, and most of the time, I can force myself to not even care about what I'm doing to myself.
That has to change. I don't have a scale yet (never bought a replacement), and we can't find the DVD for our Wii fit - it disappeared while we were gone on one of the business trips, so I can't weigh in, but I can't tell from my clothes and how they fit, that I've gained a lot of the weight back that I had lost.
So, starting right now, I'm starting over. I'm going to do this in small steps - life is going to stay stressful right now, and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. But I DEFINITELY do not want to move to Arizona feeling like I do right now. It's hard to explain, but I don't feel CLEAN the way I am right now. I'm so sweaty and grimy, and the extra weight is just contributing to that. I don't feel cute or attractive at all, and I don't like that.
Each week, I'm going to try and set three goals and work on meeting them. Some are going to be weight-loss related, and some are just general goals for my life/mindset that I need to, or want to, work on before we move. This summer needs to be a time to recharge and revamp before things change again. I need to find my base before we pack up and move across the country.
So, this week's goals are:
1) Blog, blog, blog. I was doing SO much better when I was blogging before. I miss that outlet. I'm constantly thinking of things to write about, but I never take the time to sit down and write it out. It's not like I'm not on the computer - I seem to find time to email or check out statuses on Facebook, but I've not been taking the time to sit down and put my thoughts out there. It's more for me than you guys, because it helps me to formalize my thoughts, to put them into some sort of understandable format, so that I can return to them later and know what I was trying to say. I need that for my own good!
2) Have FUN this summer. My life is SO crazy during the school year with all the different meetings/time spent in the car, etc. I realized that this is going to be our last summer in Maine - and I want to enjoy my surroundings as much as I did the first summer that we lived here. Now that Baby #3 is easier to tote around and isn't napping as much, one of my goals this summer is to be a fun mom again. We're going to hit up the parks, the beaches, the state parks, etc. We've already started, and I'm loving it!!
3) Take a little bit of time each day and add it into my prayer life. I've been kind of shortchanging God recently, and had moved my prayer time to be as I was getting in bed. I'd read a little Scripture and then try to pray it- and often fell asleep in the process. God deserves better from me. My goal this week is to find a better time of day for that prayer. I've been getting up at 4:45 am the past few weeks for at least a couple days a week to take Mike to work (his car needs work, and we're saving up the money to get it done, so we're down to one car right now), and I actually really like getting up that early. I'd get a lot done. Summer is the perfect time to change this part of my schedule - I don't get hooked on summer TV usually, so going to bed early isn't as much of a struggle, so getting up early isn't as hard the next day. My goal is to get up at 5 am, take that time for my prayer time, and then eventually add working out into that time period as well.
4) Drink water. I've gotten kind of lax on this recently, and started falling back on my soda/coffee habit. It's going to be super, super hot here this week, and I need to make sure that I get myself back into the drinking a lot of water habit.
So, there they are. My goals that I'm going to start working on this week. I'm feeling pretty positive - I've enjoyed the trips to the state parks recently with the kids (goal #2), and I'm enjoying writing this right now (goal #1). I think it's going to be easier to stick with this time.
How are you all doing out there? Are you working on the same goals that you were six months ago, or have you revised them at all? Share!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Budgeting for Health
So, this is kind of a continuation of Ellie's post...sorry in advance!
I'd been contemplating the same issues that Ellie dealt with in her blog post for the past few days, but hadn't gotten around to sitting down and: 1) sorting through my thoughts and 2) actually typing my thoughts out. I'm not promising anything with this blog - I still haven't really sorted through anything yet, but I'm going to try and "freehand" a blog post out of it.
I, too, have been really frustrated recently with trying to feed my family with GOOD food while trying to stay under our budget of $125/week for food. (This includes all packed lunches for Mike, and Babies #1 and 2, diapers and other baby items for Baby #3, and any household items, like paper towels, toilet paper, toiletries, etc). It used to be no problem - I'd regularly come in under budget. Recently, though, I'm not doing so well. It doesn't help that all 5 of us are routinely eating "real" food now, but considering that Baby #3 had to be supplemented with formula every week (to the tune of $25/week), I can't imagine that he's really costing me more than that. He is, after all, only 17 months old and has a teeny-tiny stomach.
Lately, I've been having to go over budget by as much as $50/week, just to make sure that we have enough food. I try hard and plan out each and every meal for the week on the preceding weekend, and plan those meals around what's on sale at our local grocery store (sometimes I do branch out if I'm going to be in Portland and store-hop, based on the best sales), but it's still not going as well as it used to.
I have tried to use coupons, but to tell you the truth, I just can't bring myself to rely on the items that the coupons are for. I'll use the dairy product ones, but when it comes to the other coupons, they're usually for things like boxed, packaged meals or snacks, and I'm trying really hard to keep us away from those things. With the exception of yogurt for the kids' school lunches (only because they're sealed well and not in the glass jars that the homemade yogurt is made in), cereal, and peanut butter, pretty much everything else comes from fresh ingredients. I make most of our own bread, jams, and snack items (breads, cookies, granola, dried fruit, etc), and the majority of our meals come directly from fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. It used to be cheaper to do it that way, especially when we lived in Lansing and could shop here.
That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Or maybe it is still cheaper, and the cost of packaged foods has gone up and I just don't know it. What I do know is that the cost of keeping fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains on the table has really gone up. It's frustrating, to say the least! I don't want to compromise our "food values" by buying the cheap, frozen meals instead of making my own, but it seems to be one way of cutting corners.
Have you had that experience? If so, how do you combat it? And out of curiosity, where in the country are you currently living? (I'm wondering if it's more of an East Coast thing).
I'd been contemplating the same issues that Ellie dealt with in her blog post for the past few days, but hadn't gotten around to sitting down and: 1) sorting through my thoughts and 2) actually typing my thoughts out. I'm not promising anything with this blog - I still haven't really sorted through anything yet, but I'm going to try and "freehand" a blog post out of it.
I, too, have been really frustrated recently with trying to feed my family with GOOD food while trying to stay under our budget of $125/week for food. (This includes all packed lunches for Mike, and Babies #1 and 2, diapers and other baby items for Baby #3, and any household items, like paper towels, toilet paper, toiletries, etc). It used to be no problem - I'd regularly come in under budget. Recently, though, I'm not doing so well. It doesn't help that all 5 of us are routinely eating "real" food now, but considering that Baby #3 had to be supplemented with formula every week (to the tune of $25/week), I can't imagine that he's really costing me more than that. He is, after all, only 17 months old and has a teeny-tiny stomach.
Lately, I've been having to go over budget by as much as $50/week, just to make sure that we have enough food. I try hard and plan out each and every meal for the week on the preceding weekend, and plan those meals around what's on sale at our local grocery store (sometimes I do branch out if I'm going to be in Portland and store-hop, based on the best sales), but it's still not going as well as it used to.
I have tried to use coupons, but to tell you the truth, I just can't bring myself to rely on the items that the coupons are for. I'll use the dairy product ones, but when it comes to the other coupons, they're usually for things like boxed, packaged meals or snacks, and I'm trying really hard to keep us away from those things. With the exception of yogurt for the kids' school lunches (only because they're sealed well and not in the glass jars that the homemade yogurt is made in), cereal, and peanut butter, pretty much everything else comes from fresh ingredients. I make most of our own bread, jams, and snack items (breads, cookies, granola, dried fruit, etc), and the majority of our meals come directly from fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. It used to be cheaper to do it that way, especially when we lived in Lansing and could shop here.
That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Or maybe it is still cheaper, and the cost of packaged foods has gone up and I just don't know it. What I do know is that the cost of keeping fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains on the table has really gone up. It's frustrating, to say the least! I don't want to compromise our "food values" by buying the cheap, frozen meals instead of making my own, but it seems to be one way of cutting corners.
Have you had that experience? If so, how do you combat it? And out of curiosity, where in the country are you currently living? (I'm wondering if it's more of an East Coast thing).
Still Going...
and going. Like the exercise bunny! With another 2.5 pounds, I am happy to say I have had the first "outsider" comment on the loss of weight and toning I have been doing. Of course, I have seen it (and for the first time in my life admitted it) but I had a lady at the library ask me my secret. LOL. My secret...well, work out. Everyday. Even if its for a half hour...and if its just a work out video, work out as if the trainer is with you. Yes, I almost THREW UP the other day after a Bob Greene Boot Camp workout. And eat in a way that makes you proud to share your diet. So what was that for me today????? Fresh Basil, Mozzarella and Tomato with a Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinegar.
One thing I have been struggling with is preparing meals. You know, the good for you, good for your kids, love it when they try it meals. The other day I posted on my Facebook site that I was in need of a new cookbook. We have a few (okay a few more than a few) but really, I need something that works with ingredients I have on hand. One person mentioned a book that has recipes for 5 ingredients. That is perfect...now if I can find it. Another mentioned Paula Deen. Paula Deen, I love you but I am sure I am not going to be wearing a bathing suit this summer if I am serving up your butter loving suppers. And of course there is the entorage of food experts (or cooks) that the Food Network puts out. The Barefoot Contessa, Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, etc...Heidi has recommended the Weight Watchers ones and perhaps that is where I will search when at the Library next, but what is it that YOU do for YOUR family to eat healthy?
Another thing on the same line is the COST OF HEALTH. Its really now not just a discussion for those struggling financially. GOOD HEALTHY FRESH products are increasing in demand and are struggling to make it to the grocer's shelves. With the natural disasters paired with the "raw food movement", your typicaly grocery bill may have jumped 25%. Sure, the Coupon Mom has her thing, where you can feed yoru family on packaged food galore for just $47.00 a week...but is that really what I want to put into my family's body? So another question to ponder...how do you save? How do YOU cut costs and feed your family healthy meals on a healthy budget! Looking forward to good responses!!!!!
Keep working out. Results aren't always quick to show but when they come, you'll know! Feel good about the woman you are becoming for yourself and your family! Til Tomorrow!
One thing I have been struggling with is preparing meals. You know, the good for you, good for your kids, love it when they try it meals. The other day I posted on my Facebook site that I was in need of a new cookbook. We have a few (okay a few more than a few) but really, I need something that works with ingredients I have on hand. One person mentioned a book that has recipes for 5 ingredients. That is perfect...now if I can find it. Another mentioned Paula Deen. Paula Deen, I love you but I am sure I am not going to be wearing a bathing suit this summer if I am serving up your butter loving suppers. And of course there is the entorage of food experts (or cooks) that the Food Network puts out. The Barefoot Contessa, Rachael Ray, Alton Brown, etc...Heidi has recommended the Weight Watchers ones and perhaps that is where I will search when at the Library next, but what is it that YOU do for YOUR family to eat healthy?
Another thing on the same line is the COST OF HEALTH. Its really now not just a discussion for those struggling financially. GOOD HEALTHY FRESH products are increasing in demand and are struggling to make it to the grocer's shelves. With the natural disasters paired with the "raw food movement", your typicaly grocery bill may have jumped 25%. Sure, the Coupon Mom has her thing, where you can feed yoru family on packaged food galore for just $47.00 a week...but is that really what I want to put into my family's body? So another question to ponder...how do you save? How do YOU cut costs and feed your family healthy meals on a healthy budget! Looking forward to good responses!!!!!
Keep working out. Results aren't always quick to show but when they come, you'll know! Feel good about the woman you are becoming for yourself and your family! Til Tomorrow!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
It was...
the video I thought. I can't believe it. That brain I pushed out three different times which makes me forget absolutely EVERYTHING hasn't failed me!
Leslie Sansone and her Walk Away The Pounds truly is a tough routine. With her circuit training paired with hand weights, you truly feel and see results after using it. When I first picked it up (again the Holt Library), I was skeptical, but being pregnant I wanted something "easy" and "light". Much to my surprise, Leslie did NOT fit the bill...at least not this work out...
For 30 minutes she switches from four types of walks (which you can make harder by adding a jump, bump or bounce), paired with handweights...I use 5 pounders, adding 10 pounds to the intensity.
By the half way mark, you are sweating and by the end you feel the work out not only in your legs and your arms but you feel the cardio work as well.
I highly recommend this work out for those who are getting back into workouts, this is also good for increasing the impact of your work outs. Try her sets, you'll see! Leslie Sansone may seem like she's working for the old ladies, but she can help you too!
Leslie Sansone and her Walk Away The Pounds truly is a tough routine. With her circuit training paired with hand weights, you truly feel and see results after using it. When I first picked it up (again the Holt Library), I was skeptical, but being pregnant I wanted something "easy" and "light". Much to my surprise, Leslie did NOT fit the bill...at least not this work out...
For 30 minutes she switches from four types of walks (which you can make harder by adding a jump, bump or bounce), paired with handweights...I use 5 pounders, adding 10 pounds to the intensity.
By the half way mark, you are sweating and by the end you feel the work out not only in your legs and your arms but you feel the cardio work as well.
I highly recommend this work out for those who are getting back into workouts, this is also good for increasing the impact of your work outs. Try her sets, you'll see! Leslie Sansone may seem like she's working for the old ladies, but she can help you too!
The Videos of the Week
Everyone says...Jillian Michaels is tough, but after doing 2 new workouts this week, I think its all perspective. I did Bob Greene's "Boot Camp" and also "Denise Austin" Cardio Kickboxing and if you are giving it your all, these three are all "Bears" in my book!
So that leads me to my next thought....work out videos don't work...at least that is what a lot of people I meet say. My thought is, of course not, if you don't do them. I have found however, in the past 4 weeks that I have done them, I am seeing results. Serious ones. My size 4's are fitting again. I have lost a substantial amount of weight--(another 2.5 as of Friday). So, like anything, I think if you work it, it works for you! You know, those people that BUY the home equipment and don't use it, they don't lose it...so my tip for the day is USE IT TO LOSE IT!
I promised a review of yet another video, but I am slightly off on my reports. I have no idea which I promised next, so I am going to have to take a look...until then, today is Mother's Day...do something for YOU! I worked out this morning to Bob Greene and he made me feel good!
So that leads me to my next thought....work out videos don't work...at least that is what a lot of people I meet say. My thought is, of course not, if you don't do them. I have found however, in the past 4 weeks that I have done them, I am seeing results. Serious ones. My size 4's are fitting again. I have lost a substantial amount of weight--(another 2.5 as of Friday). So, like anything, I think if you work it, it works for you! You know, those people that BUY the home equipment and don't use it, they don't lose it...so my tip for the day is USE IT TO LOSE IT!
I promised a review of yet another video, but I am slightly off on my reports. I have no idea which I promised next, so I am going to have to take a look...until then, today is Mother's Day...do something for YOU! I worked out this morning to Bob Greene and he made me feel good!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I skipped a day...
of working out...and I am nervous about this weekend. My parents are coming in and to be prepared I spent the day trying to clean the hosue for their arrival. This is no small task with landscapers galore, 3 children needing tending and of course the plethora of laundry that seems to accumulate whenever I am not looking. The baby was on her 3rd outfit by 9 a.m.
Anyway, I had intentions of working out. I am still in my workout clothes. But I just didn't get to it. Instead, after a tiring and overwhelming day I chose to go to McDonald's with my family. I was going to sit in the car not tempting myself with those fries that no one elses seem to come close to being like, but instead, I decided to go in...and enjoy. I chose a Happy Meal. I figure that serving size is perfect for an adult and though its only a "sometimes" food, it still allows me to create memories with my kids. They loved we got a 4th Mermaid to play with!!!!
And hopefully this weekend I will be able to get my workouts in. At least 2. One tomorrow and Saturday...that won't be so bad, and even if there are no work outs, there's always Monday!!!!!
How do YOU find time to work out in YOUR busy schedule. Share! I know a lot of mommies struggle with this balance!
Anyway, I had intentions of working out. I am still in my workout clothes. But I just didn't get to it. Instead, after a tiring and overwhelming day I chose to go to McDonald's with my family. I was going to sit in the car not tempting myself with those fries that no one elses seem to come close to being like, but instead, I decided to go in...and enjoy. I chose a Happy Meal. I figure that serving size is perfect for an adult and though its only a "sometimes" food, it still allows me to create memories with my kids. They loved we got a 4th Mermaid to play with!!!!
And hopefully this weekend I will be able to get my workouts in. At least 2. One tomorrow and Saturday...that won't be so bad, and even if there are no work outs, there's always Monday!!!!!
How do YOU find time to work out in YOUR busy schedule. Share! I know a lot of mommies struggle with this balance!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tasty Tuesday...Wednesday Morning
Since I have been on hiatus so long, I had forgotten to even think about posting for "Tasty Tuesday". You know, the day when we provide recipes for helful fare that both you and your children will devour? Over the lenten period Heidi and her family chose to give up meat...for us, we just started eating it ourselves :) My girls constantly asked for it and though I had been a veggie most of my life, my husband had only switched recently...so reluctantly we added meat to our weekly meals. Typically we eat it 2 or 3 times, leaving for veggie meals the remainder of our days!
Lately I am on a "Summer Kick". I am excited to say that this year we'll be planting a garden, and though its been many years since I have helped in one, I am hopeful by summers end we'll be dining on our own fresh goodies! I have also been noted to be the "Super Salad Maker". This started in college when I would cook for friends and enjoy it (oh how I love to cook). My chidren are known do pick "salad" while eating at a friends house over french fries.
My favorite meal of this past week was a salad that I not only ate for dinner but was lucky enough to finish off for lunch 2 days later. My dear friend Liane had noted that her "George Forman" was great for grilling chicken and while I don't own a grill or a "George Forman", I do have a "Cuisinart Griddler" This nifty thing has proved fun for lunches, breakfast for dinner and of course dinners themselves. After grilling 3 breasts of chicken--seasoned a la Ellie--read garlic salt, pepper, paprika and onion powder- (found a great organic, no antibiotic farm here), I simply chopped up the chicken laid it on a fresh bed of mixed greens and spinach and added mango, apple and avocado. Though I adore Bleu Cheese and felt it would be perfect on the salad, I knew the girls would prefer good old fashion Cheddar so we had that ont he side! I also found that the old theory of washing your greens and storing them in your salad spinner for added freshness is in fact true. Three days later, our leafy friends tasted wonderful and looked great as well! So I urge you to try this yummy meal and if you need something more hearty, fresh bread will always do the trick when adding it to any salad meal!
**Side note, we found Quorn to be wonderful in replacing chicken products. Though I have only found it at Wegman's here on the East Coast, the Lansing area has it in great supply. Kroger and The East Lansing Food Co-Op were some of our favorite places to pick it up!
ENJOY!
Lately I am on a "Summer Kick". I am excited to say that this year we'll be planting a garden, and though its been many years since I have helped in one, I am hopeful by summers end we'll be dining on our own fresh goodies! I have also been noted to be the "Super Salad Maker". This started in college when I would cook for friends and enjoy it (oh how I love to cook). My chidren are known do pick "salad" while eating at a friends house over french fries.
My favorite meal of this past week was a salad that I not only ate for dinner but was lucky enough to finish off for lunch 2 days later. My dear friend Liane had noted that her "George Forman" was great for grilling chicken and while I don't own a grill or a "George Forman", I do have a "Cuisinart Griddler" This nifty thing has proved fun for lunches, breakfast for dinner and of course dinners themselves. After grilling 3 breasts of chicken--seasoned a la Ellie--read garlic salt, pepper, paprika and onion powder- (found a great organic, no antibiotic farm here), I simply chopped up the chicken laid it on a fresh bed of mixed greens and spinach and added mango, apple and avocado. Though I adore Bleu Cheese and felt it would be perfect on the salad, I knew the girls would prefer good old fashion Cheddar so we had that ont he side! I also found that the old theory of washing your greens and storing them in your salad spinner for added freshness is in fact true. Three days later, our leafy friends tasted wonderful and looked great as well! So I urge you to try this yummy meal and if you need something more hearty, fresh bread will always do the trick when adding it to any salad meal!
**Side note, we found Quorn to be wonderful in replacing chicken products. Though I have only found it at Wegman's here on the East Coast, the Lansing area has it in great supply. Kroger and The East Lansing Food Co-Op were some of our favorite places to pick it up!
ENJOY!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Stress, stress, and more stress (AKA the job hunt)
I know, I know....go ahead and yell at me. I've been MIA (again!) for the past week or so. I'm not going to deny it - I've had a rough week. I've managed to stick - for the most part - to my eating/drinking water goals, but working out has gone by the wayside. I'm hoping that tonight I can climb back on that treadmill and get in a good workout. I'd gotten up to 15 minute runs, and I'm anxious to get back at that. Keep your fingers crossed that the kids actually go to sleep when they're supposed to and I can get a workout in. The past two nights, they've really fought bedtime and don't fall asleep until after 9pm, which makes it really hard to get a workout in before I have to head to bed.
Why the difficulties sleeping, you may be wondering? Well, Mike started working nights this week. So, now, from Sunday through Thursday, I'm a single parent from 4:15 pm until about 7 am the next morning. This also means that most days, I'm a single parent trying to keep kids quiet so that he can sleep. I don't know how families that have a regular night-shift worker does it - I find it extremely difficult and trying.
My stress level recently has really been affecting my mood. Do you have that problem? I find that when I'm stressed, I don't have any motivation - and that's also been part of the problem with climbing onto the treadmill to workout. I need to figure out how to de-stress, though, because we're flying out to San Francisco in two weeks, and I HAVE to lose at least 5 pounds by then to be comfortable in my clothes.
Stress is pretty much a normal state of things in my life, but the past couple of weeks have been pretty overwhelming. After eating out with some friends, and a new friend from the Life Teen office in Arizona, our job plans for the future drastically changed. Before that meal, we'd really only been focusing on being able to pay off our debts relatively quickly, and trying to stay either where we are in Maine, or move to an area that's closer to family (either mine or Mike's). It was pretty cut and dry - and Mike had interviews lined up for really good positions, both in Maine and near family.
However, by the end of the meal, everything had changed. We were dining with some friends from within the Catholic Church here in Maine, and a staff member from Life Teen, which is an international program for Catholic youth. No matter how the conversation flowed, it always managed to come back to a few topics that *ironically enough* are main topics of conversation at our household. Mike is an OB/GYN, and to be a Catholic OB/GYN is pretty difficult these days. Most Catholic doctors that find themselves in the OB/GYN world end up living two separate personalities : one as a doctor and then one on the weekends as a practicing Catholic. What Mike decided, during that meal, was to stop living two separate lives. He is planning on truly identifying himself as a Catholic physician, and practicing medicine according to Catholic teachings (for those of you who don't really know what I mean by this, it means things like not performing abortions, or not prescribing birth control and teaching Natural Family Planning only).
We left that meal, incredibly excited for the possibilities, and scared to death as to what this would mean for our family's future. We were both SO excited to get to truly be ourselves at all times (see my earlier post about black and white vs gray), but considering how only 1% of Catholic OB/GYNs actually practice like that, it threw a bunch of "unknowns" into our next few years.
I can honestly say that I have been amazed with what has happened over the past two weeks. Mike has been offered two different interviews in prominent practices, and had the opportunity to talk with someone about starting his own NFP-only practice here in Maine. It seems that instead of a bunch of doors closing - tons more are opening.
The stress level is unbelievable, though, as we try to figure out how to make something work for our family. Trying to find financing for his own practice, or trying to find NFP-only practices who are looking to add another doctor on board has been tough. They're out there - and we have a really good feeling about one of them in particular for many reasons - but they're mostly not ones that meet our requirements of financial security and living near family or staying in Maine.
Trying to reconcile all of the new factors has caused me to fall victim of my normal stress coping mechanism: sleep. While sleep is not necessarily a bad thing, it kind of takes up a lot of valuable working out time. I've been sacrificing the workouts - that I know will make me feel SO much better - to go curl up in bed and sleep.
If you're a praying person and could add us to your prayer list, I'd appreciate it. Prayers for a "de-stressed" household would mean a ton!!
Why the difficulties sleeping, you may be wondering? Well, Mike started working nights this week. So, now, from Sunday through Thursday, I'm a single parent from 4:15 pm until about 7 am the next morning. This also means that most days, I'm a single parent trying to keep kids quiet so that he can sleep. I don't know how families that have a regular night-shift worker does it - I find it extremely difficult and trying.
My stress level recently has really been affecting my mood. Do you have that problem? I find that when I'm stressed, I don't have any motivation - and that's also been part of the problem with climbing onto the treadmill to workout. I need to figure out how to de-stress, though, because we're flying out to San Francisco in two weeks, and I HAVE to lose at least 5 pounds by then to be comfortable in my clothes.
Stress is pretty much a normal state of things in my life, but the past couple of weeks have been pretty overwhelming. After eating out with some friends, and a new friend from the Life Teen office in Arizona, our job plans for the future drastically changed. Before that meal, we'd really only been focusing on being able to pay off our debts relatively quickly, and trying to stay either where we are in Maine, or move to an area that's closer to family (either mine or Mike's). It was pretty cut and dry - and Mike had interviews lined up for really good positions, both in Maine and near family.
However, by the end of the meal, everything had changed. We were dining with some friends from within the Catholic Church here in Maine, and a staff member from Life Teen, which is an international program for Catholic youth. No matter how the conversation flowed, it always managed to come back to a few topics that *ironically enough* are main topics of conversation at our household. Mike is an OB/GYN, and to be a Catholic OB/GYN is pretty difficult these days. Most Catholic doctors that find themselves in the OB/GYN world end up living two separate personalities : one as a doctor and then one on the weekends as a practicing Catholic. What Mike decided, during that meal, was to stop living two separate lives. He is planning on truly identifying himself as a Catholic physician, and practicing medicine according to Catholic teachings (for those of you who don't really know what I mean by this, it means things like not performing abortions, or not prescribing birth control and teaching Natural Family Planning only).
We left that meal, incredibly excited for the possibilities, and scared to death as to what this would mean for our family's future. We were both SO excited to get to truly be ourselves at all times (see my earlier post about black and white vs gray), but considering how only 1% of Catholic OB/GYNs actually practice like that, it threw a bunch of "unknowns" into our next few years.
I can honestly say that I have been amazed with what has happened over the past two weeks. Mike has been offered two different interviews in prominent practices, and had the opportunity to talk with someone about starting his own NFP-only practice here in Maine. It seems that instead of a bunch of doors closing - tons more are opening.
The stress level is unbelievable, though, as we try to figure out how to make something work for our family. Trying to find financing for his own practice, or trying to find NFP-only practices who are looking to add another doctor on board has been tough. They're out there - and we have a really good feeling about one of them in particular for many reasons - but they're mostly not ones that meet our requirements of financial security and living near family or staying in Maine.
Trying to reconcile all of the new factors has caused me to fall victim of my normal stress coping mechanism: sleep. While sleep is not necessarily a bad thing, it kind of takes up a lot of valuable working out time. I've been sacrificing the workouts - that I know will make me feel SO much better - to go curl up in bed and sleep.
If you're a praying person and could add us to your prayer list, I'd appreciate it. Prayers for a "de-stressed" household would mean a ton!!
Quick Fit Hip Hop Dance...
Quick Fit and exercise don't seem to go well together, but as many mom's know, 2 hours in the gym is pretty much not something you can do, especially if you stay home. Perhaps if you work outside the home you can skip lunch (not so healthy) and go then...but at home, its almost as if "MORE" is required since that is all you do...stay home :) In any case, with 3 kids not yet of school age (I know we're a little big crazy), finding time to actually work out was something I didn't do. But like I said before, I was putting them, and my husband before myself and becoming more and more unhappy with myself, in turn making life less pleasant for us all. Kindly, my neighbor said to me last night..."you don't need to lose". And perhaps for health purposes I don't NEED to lose, but I am lucky I carry my weight well. In any case, "Quick Fit" was what I needed.
Quick Fit is a brand that gives you 3 work outs in 30 minutes. Some are areas that focus on problems..i.e. hips and thighs, post natal, abs, cardio...etc, but its all about getting in there getting it done and getting it out of there. The great thing is if you devote 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week, that is 3 hours...which is a great start. Add a few walks, and a couple of quick crunches and you are set...especially if you are busy and on the run (as ALL Americans seem to be).
The Quick Fit Hip Hop Dance is great. Its easy enough that me and my two left feet can follow along and intense enough I break a sweat. Once the moves are down (which apparently I have them as my oldest suggested I make my own video), you can intensify...how? Some weights. Either hand weights (2,3,5 pounds each) or wrap around weights. My oldest suggested to make it harder I blindfold myself but well, that just isn't an option. For $9.99 at Target, this video has become a staple in my rotation. That is right, my rotation. As my friend Janis can attest, I have always had this "work out video craze" and perhaps I am one of the few people the videos work for because I become obsessed!
If you are feeling you need to add some time, I have found the Wii Fit is a great added bonus. It also allows you go get in 10 minutes of Yoga or Strength when you are waiting for something or just have a couple minutes on your hands. So I suggest that as an added bonus for those really pushing it to look hot for YOURSELVES this summer :)
Tommorow I will be reviewing the "Walk Away the Pounds" videos by Leslie Sansone. Though low impact, I have one that gets me working up a sweat everytime! Check back to see if its on your shelf...or should be!
Quick Fit is a brand that gives you 3 work outs in 30 minutes. Some are areas that focus on problems..i.e. hips and thighs, post natal, abs, cardio...etc, but its all about getting in there getting it done and getting it out of there. The great thing is if you devote 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week, that is 3 hours...which is a great start. Add a few walks, and a couple of quick crunches and you are set...especially if you are busy and on the run (as ALL Americans seem to be).
The Quick Fit Hip Hop Dance is great. Its easy enough that me and my two left feet can follow along and intense enough I break a sweat. Once the moves are down (which apparently I have them as my oldest suggested I make my own video), you can intensify...how? Some weights. Either hand weights (2,3,5 pounds each) or wrap around weights. My oldest suggested to make it harder I blindfold myself but well, that just isn't an option. For $9.99 at Target, this video has become a staple in my rotation. That is right, my rotation. As my friend Janis can attest, I have always had this "work out video craze" and perhaps I am one of the few people the videos work for because I become obsessed!
If you are feeling you need to add some time, I have found the Wii Fit is a great added bonus. It also allows you go get in 10 minutes of Yoga or Strength when you are waiting for something or just have a couple minutes on your hands. So I suggest that as an added bonus for those really pushing it to look hot for YOURSELVES this summer :)
Tommorow I will be reviewing the "Walk Away the Pounds" videos by Leslie Sansone. Though low impact, I have one that gets me working up a sweat everytime! Check back to see if its on your shelf...or should be!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Another Week another Pound....
or not....I did a fantastic job the week before this dropping 7 pounds. As I said on Facebook, I did stop taking the pill, however I am not so sure all of it is water weight. I am still sitting at 138.1.Literally. No loss on ounces either strangely enough. So at least I did not gain. I have 9.9 pounds to go until my goal weight of a BMI of 19 AND a weight of 127. I have been faithful in my work out and more confident in my body. For the first time in probably 2 years I was able to put on a nightgown in front of my husband instead of sleeping in a t-shirt and sweats. Seems like a small thing but for me it was a huge accomplishment and I feel great about it! In fact, laying in bed last night I told him it felt good to not be covered in sweats :)
I did promise another reivew of a work out video and today is a FAV. If we were rating with stars, this would be 5 out of 5. I first found it through the Holt Library, within the Capital Area District Library. I then purchased it on Amazon, so its still out there folks...its the Quick Fit Post Natal Workout. I know, 14 months after the fact I am still using it but let me tell you about the good points. Its 3 ten minute work outs so if you can't do it all at once, you can spread it out through the day. This is a huge plus for busy families! It also focuses on different areas of the body. Mostly focusing on strength training so you are increasing lean muscle mass to burn more calories through the day. How have I made it tougher???? Increase weight. No, I do not recommend baby wearing during this however adding 5 or 10 pounds weights to the work out seems to have increased my strength and toned up my arms and back a bit. Sure, I still have a ways to go but I still feel this work out when I really push it and increase intensity. So, if you are post partum, or just getting back on the exercise horse, I recommend this work out to you!!!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow...for......my review of the Quick Fit Hip Hop Dance Review...if I can do it, with my "elephant" self, you too can get this one down and have fun!
I did promise another reivew of a work out video and today is a FAV. If we were rating with stars, this would be 5 out of 5. I first found it through the Holt Library, within the Capital Area District Library. I then purchased it on Amazon, so its still out there folks...its the Quick Fit Post Natal Workout. I know, 14 months after the fact I am still using it but let me tell you about the good points. Its 3 ten minute work outs so if you can't do it all at once, you can spread it out through the day. This is a huge plus for busy families! It also focuses on different areas of the body. Mostly focusing on strength training so you are increasing lean muscle mass to burn more calories through the day. How have I made it tougher???? Increase weight. No, I do not recommend baby wearing during this however adding 5 or 10 pounds weights to the work out seems to have increased my strength and toned up my arms and back a bit. Sure, I still have a ways to go but I still feel this work out when I really push it and increase intensity. So, if you are post partum, or just getting back on the exercise horse, I recommend this work out to you!!!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow...for......my review of the Quick Fit Hip Hop Dance Review...if I can do it, with my "elephant" self, you too can get this one down and have fun!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Video Review
So how many of you have wanted to pick up a work out video at Walmart or Target wondering what it held behind that plastic cover? I think my obsession began with "The Grind" and moved into "Tae Bo" before I became a "workout video crazed" girl of the 90's.
So here I sit, 30 and owning about 20 videos. From "8 Minute Abs" to the "Quick Fit Post Natal" workout, I have it all. I have gone on wild binges making sure I use them daily, weekly, and monthly...but some of them just don't stand up. Some make me so sore I feel as if I've had a personal training session at Bally's (I used to work out there with a hot son of a gun) and others I could walk through with my eyes closed (read: my 3 year old can do it no problem). So I have decided I would share my favs with you!
I am starting with a popular one, shared with me by my friend C. She's a doll and a half in itself and this mom who is 8 months post partum looks awesome and motivates me to continue to work out as she's truly slimmed down and makes me ooh and ahhhh every week or so when I see her. This work out that has whipped her into shape and made me super sore on occassion is "Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred". With an uber intense 20 minute work out, the first time I tried it, I fell over after the 11th minute. Now I have a favorite of the three work outs (Phase 2) and enjoy sweating (big time) as I work away those areas that all women can shape! Personally, I feel if you are not in "semi-good" shape this video could seriously hurt you. So take it slow at first. But truth be told the $15.00 I spent at Target was totally worth it, and heck its about 1/5th of a months membership at the gym :)
Stay tuned for tomorrows review....The Quick Fit Post Natal Workout...and yes, I still use it 14 months later :)
So here I sit, 30 and owning about 20 videos. From "8 Minute Abs" to the "Quick Fit Post Natal" workout, I have it all. I have gone on wild binges making sure I use them daily, weekly, and monthly...but some of them just don't stand up. Some make me so sore I feel as if I've had a personal training session at Bally's (I used to work out there with a hot son of a gun) and others I could walk through with my eyes closed (read: my 3 year old can do it no problem). So I have decided I would share my favs with you!
I am starting with a popular one, shared with me by my friend C. She's a doll and a half in itself and this mom who is 8 months post partum looks awesome and motivates me to continue to work out as she's truly slimmed down and makes me ooh and ahhhh every week or so when I see her. This work out that has whipped her into shape and made me super sore on occassion is "Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred". With an uber intense 20 minute work out, the first time I tried it, I fell over after the 11th minute. Now I have a favorite of the three work outs (Phase 2) and enjoy sweating (big time) as I work away those areas that all women can shape! Personally, I feel if you are not in "semi-good" shape this video could seriously hurt you. So take it slow at first. But truth be told the $15.00 I spent at Target was totally worth it, and heck its about 1/5th of a months membership at the gym :)
Stay tuned for tomorrows review....The Quick Fit Post Natal Workout...and yes, I still use it 14 months later :)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Work Outs Work
So about 2 weeks ago, I got serious again. I figured I give my kids attention. I make sure they eat right, provide balanced meals for them, and I also make sure they get exercise through dance, tumbling, playing, and also ensure they are growing their minds heading to the library, reading, working on activities that help to enhance learning...why then do I ignore myself? When I do, I become sad. I don't want to move forward and be healthy, and I get into a rut. It had to change. With Summer coming I was still disappointed in my body. I was sad about the baby weight I had left to lose and I decided it was high time I ate healthfully and set aside 1/2 hour every day for ME to exercise. If it meant a little bribery, I was for it. Exercise for me, video for you!
With money tight, I had to go back to the good old fashioned videos. Yup. With a double jogger you can run, but with three girls too small to bike on their own, its not really realistic. We do love walking and hiking as a family so we use the double stroller then and sometimes even pop the third kid up front :) In any case, I had alway been skeptical about videos. Could they work? I have tested them and found out...yes, they do.
In the past two weeks I have been rotating through numerous videos. Jillian Michaels, Yoga Booty Ballet, the NYC Ballet Warm Ups, Crunch Series, and some others. I did try one that didn't suit my fancy but passed it along in hopes someone else could be happy with it. I have also included the Wii Fit in my day...and can get some step time in while my kids play around me :)
I began my quest at 140 pounds. I have not weighed that much except when pregnant, so really I had about 15 pounds to lose. I also "liked" Weight Watchers on Facebook looking for tips on how to eat healthfully and get myself feeling good about me. Not just "mom-me" but "ME".
Yesterday I hopped on the Wii Fit. Knowing my clothes were baggier and that I felt more toned, I was elated to see that I have lost 4 pounds in two weeks. YES. That means I am 136. Its not ideal, but its truly where I am right now...I figure with only 11 pounds to go by July, I'll be one HOT MOM :)
With money tight, I had to go back to the good old fashioned videos. Yup. With a double jogger you can run, but with three girls too small to bike on their own, its not really realistic. We do love walking and hiking as a family so we use the double stroller then and sometimes even pop the third kid up front :) In any case, I had alway been skeptical about videos. Could they work? I have tested them and found out...yes, they do.
In the past two weeks I have been rotating through numerous videos. Jillian Michaels, Yoga Booty Ballet, the NYC Ballet Warm Ups, Crunch Series, and some others. I did try one that didn't suit my fancy but passed it along in hopes someone else could be happy with it. I have also included the Wii Fit in my day...and can get some step time in while my kids play around me :)
I began my quest at 140 pounds. I have not weighed that much except when pregnant, so really I had about 15 pounds to lose. I also "liked" Weight Watchers on Facebook looking for tips on how to eat healthfully and get myself feeling good about me. Not just "mom-me" but "ME".
Yesterday I hopped on the Wii Fit. Knowing my clothes were baggier and that I felt more toned, I was elated to see that I have lost 4 pounds in two weeks. YES. That means I am 136. Its not ideal, but its truly where I am right now...I figure with only 11 pounds to go by July, I'll be one HOT MOM :)
How Do You Save?
In this economy, a simple "slip up" can prove detrimental to family finances. That is what we're facing now. Even with my husband working for an amazing company, making amazing pay, we've hit a rock.
We purchased our home last year and though on the high end of our budget, it made sense. Our mortgage payment would only differe $50.00 from the other home available to us in our price range AND the taxes here would be lower. So it seemed like the best idea for our move to the east coast.
The East Coast, where everything is more expensive. Sure, I lived here as a kid however I wasn't in charge of finances. And though I knew my parents were careful, I didn't want for anything. I rode competitively, enjoyed a nice home, private school education and had everything I needed. SURE, I didn't get everything I wanted but such is life.
In October, our home began to leak. It has proved to be disasterous. Long story short, we've hired a company to fix what a well-known "high-end" landscape company messed up. About $16,000 later, we're sitting with mass piles of dirt and I am struggling to cut on food.
When grad school was over, the thing I looked forward to most was fresh food and veggies. I looked forward to being able to grocery shop without a calculator and not continue to eat rice and beans constantly. Its been wonderful. I have loved it.
On to now. We've decided we have to cut. And cut BIG TIME! So, we're taking drastic steps to rebuild our savings again. No more tumbling or art for the big girls. No trips to costly family events (read: hikes here we come), no vacation fund, good bye IRA Savings, good bye "fun money", good bye "dinners out", we're trying to rid ourselves of our phone and cable but we seem to be bound by contract, even though they are raising my rates. YES, we are in talks with the original company and we are hoping to recoup some of the money, but we need to plan how to do it without. So, here we are. Embarrassingly, I had to decline on a first communion party becasue we can't afford a gift. I also had to say "no" to a new mom and meal swap because we can't make extra meals. This has totally drained us. Our last step is to decrease our spending on groceries. So here I am wondering what I can do to scrimp and save. Currently I spend about $100.00 per week on groceries for our famil of 5. This includes produce, dairy, breads, meats and veggies....but how to continue to cut back without cutting health? Any suggestions?
We purchased our home last year and though on the high end of our budget, it made sense. Our mortgage payment would only differe $50.00 from the other home available to us in our price range AND the taxes here would be lower. So it seemed like the best idea for our move to the east coast.
The East Coast, where everything is more expensive. Sure, I lived here as a kid however I wasn't in charge of finances. And though I knew my parents were careful, I didn't want for anything. I rode competitively, enjoyed a nice home, private school education and had everything I needed. SURE, I didn't get everything I wanted but such is life.
In October, our home began to leak. It has proved to be disasterous. Long story short, we've hired a company to fix what a well-known "high-end" landscape company messed up. About $16,000 later, we're sitting with mass piles of dirt and I am struggling to cut on food.
When grad school was over, the thing I looked forward to most was fresh food and veggies. I looked forward to being able to grocery shop without a calculator and not continue to eat rice and beans constantly. Its been wonderful. I have loved it.
On to now. We've decided we have to cut. And cut BIG TIME! So, we're taking drastic steps to rebuild our savings again. No more tumbling or art for the big girls. No trips to costly family events (read: hikes here we come), no vacation fund, good bye IRA Savings, good bye "fun money", good bye "dinners out", we're trying to rid ourselves of our phone and cable but we seem to be bound by contract, even though they are raising my rates. YES, we are in talks with the original company and we are hoping to recoup some of the money, but we need to plan how to do it without. So, here we are. Embarrassingly, I had to decline on a first communion party becasue we can't afford a gift. I also had to say "no" to a new mom and meal swap because we can't make extra meals. This has totally drained us. Our last step is to decrease our spending on groceries. So here I am wondering what I can do to scrimp and save. Currently I spend about $100.00 per week on groceries for our famil of 5. This includes produce, dairy, breads, meats and veggies....but how to continue to cut back without cutting health? Any suggestions?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Deadlines....
Do you set them? I'm notorious for setting deadlines and then waiting until the last moment (for most of them, anyways. There are a few things that I do over a time period) to actually accomplish the project. I almost always meet the deadline, but sometimes it requires a day or two of very, very little sleep as I crank it all out at the last moment.
I guess my weight loss goals are no different. I'd been neglecting my workouts, and my Couch to 5K plans for the past couple of weeks, until I realized that my deadline (a 5K about a month from now) was getting REALLY close, and really quickly!
This week, my main goal has been getting my training run/walks in at least every other day. So far, I've met that goal. In fact, two days ago I managed to run for 15 minutes, which is a huge milestone for me. We'll see if I can do it again as I climb onto the treadmill during naptime. Fingers crossed!
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous (okay, A LOT nervous) about running a 5K. It's been a long time since I was able to run that much. Even now, the most (mileage-wise) that I've been able to crank out at a time is a measly 1 mile. I know that's still pretty good, considering I've just recently started training for it, but it's slightly frustrating. I need to add about another 2 miles to that in the next month. I'm hoping that at some point, a switch will be flipped and it'll just come back to me and I'll magically make it from 1 mile to 3 in the next month. I miss running, and I remember that every time I get started on the treadmill. It's kind of like seeing an old friend again. I only just recently (read: 3ish years ago) really started running and enjoying it, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until this last month when I started working out again.
For all of you runners out there, any words of advice? Any words of motivation? I am feeling frustrated that I can't get past the one mile hump that quickly. I know that I'm still overweight and working on getting back into running shape, but it's still mentally frustrating. I guess I sort of expected that I would just fall back into it when I started it up again, and that hasn't happened.
What are your "go-to" motivating phrases for working out? Runners, what are your favourite running songs? (I think I need to mix up the music a little, too!)
I guess my weight loss goals are no different. I'd been neglecting my workouts, and my Couch to 5K plans for the past couple of weeks, until I realized that my deadline (a 5K about a month from now) was getting REALLY close, and really quickly!
This week, my main goal has been getting my training run/walks in at least every other day. So far, I've met that goal. In fact, two days ago I managed to run for 15 minutes, which is a huge milestone for me. We'll see if I can do it again as I climb onto the treadmill during naptime. Fingers crossed!
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous (okay, A LOT nervous) about running a 5K. It's been a long time since I was able to run that much. Even now, the most (mileage-wise) that I've been able to crank out at a time is a measly 1 mile. I know that's still pretty good, considering I've just recently started training for it, but it's slightly frustrating. I need to add about another 2 miles to that in the next month. I'm hoping that at some point, a switch will be flipped and it'll just come back to me and I'll magically make it from 1 mile to 3 in the next month. I miss running, and I remember that every time I get started on the treadmill. It's kind of like seeing an old friend again. I only just recently (read: 3ish years ago) really started running and enjoying it, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until this last month when I started working out again.
For all of you runners out there, any words of advice? Any words of motivation? I am feeling frustrated that I can't get past the one mile hump that quickly. I know that I'm still overweight and working on getting back into running shape, but it's still mentally frustrating. I guess I sort of expected that I would just fall back into it when I started it up again, and that hasn't happened.
What are your "go-to" motivating phrases for working out? Runners, what are your favourite running songs? (I think I need to mix up the music a little, too!)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tasty Tuesday's
Wow...when Heidi and I get back on track, we both seem to do it with gusto. This morning I woke up and got a work out in. THAT IS RIGHT. With two kids playing next to me I moved and grooved to the Burlesque Ballet by Yoga Booty Ballet. I am also on glass number 2 of water. Its a good way to start the day!!!!!!
Tonight I am making a joke of a meal...literally. It started when my husband began becoming a vegetarian. I had been one most of my life. We've dubbed it Tofu Surprise. Surprise! Yes, it became a surprise because he actually liked it.
Tofu Surprise
1 block of Extra Firm Tofu (drained and pressed)
1 package of Whole Grain Noodles (cooked, drained and set aside)
6 oz of Breadcrumbs (seasoned to your liking--we use 2tsp garlic, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 teaspoons paprika and 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
Slice Tofu into small cubes, dredge the tofu into breadcrumbs
Panfry Tofu Cubes in Olive Oil, toss with veggies such as peppers and onions (to your family's liking)
Serve over Pasta
ENJOY!
Tonight I am making a joke of a meal...literally. It started when my husband began becoming a vegetarian. I had been one most of my life. We've dubbed it Tofu Surprise. Surprise! Yes, it became a surprise because he actually liked it.
Tofu Surprise
1 block of Extra Firm Tofu (drained and pressed)
1 package of Whole Grain Noodles (cooked, drained and set aside)
6 oz of Breadcrumbs (seasoned to your liking--we use 2tsp garlic, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 teaspoons paprika and 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
Slice Tofu into small cubes, dredge the tofu into breadcrumbs
Panfry Tofu Cubes in Olive Oil, toss with veggies such as peppers and onions (to your family's liking)
Serve over Pasta
ENJOY!
Tasty Tuesdays
I've got two very different recipes for you this week, but both I've been experimenting with for the past few days.
The first is a make-it-yourself yogurt recipe. I didn't have a reliable crockpot, so I asked (and received) a yogurt maker for my birthday, and have been using that. However, if you've got a crock pot, then this is definitely a recipe you need to try out!!
Homemade yogurt
Second is something I made up, and when I made it, there was no measuring. I'm guestimating the amounts listed here, so feel free to play around with what I've got listed here.
Blueberry Pork Loin
1 store-bought pork loin (any size, just adjust the cooking time)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup blueberries (I used frozen, but I would think you could use fresh, you just might want to add some water)
1 tsp each of ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon
2 to 3 thickly cut orange slices
glaze: 1 tbsp cornstarch
sugar, to taste (I used about 1 tbsp)
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Layer orange slices on the bottom of your crockpot. Lay pork on top, and then just dump everything else into the crock pot (not glaze ingredients!). Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is falling apart.
Just before serving, scoop out about 1 cup of the juice/drippings that have accumulated in the crockpot. Cook on low heat to boiling, adding the cornstarch, blueberries, and sugar to taste. Once thickened, serve 1 tbsp at a time, over slices of the pork loin.
Enjoy!
The first is a make-it-yourself yogurt recipe. I didn't have a reliable crockpot, so I asked (and received) a yogurt maker for my birthday, and have been using that. However, if you've got a crock pot, then this is definitely a recipe you need to try out!!
Homemade yogurt
Second is something I made up, and when I made it, there was no measuring. I'm guestimating the amounts listed here, so feel free to play around with what I've got listed here.
Blueberry Pork Loin
1 store-bought pork loin (any size, just adjust the cooking time)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup blueberries (I used frozen, but I would think you could use fresh, you just might want to add some water)
1 tsp each of ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon
2 to 3 thickly cut orange slices
glaze: 1 tbsp cornstarch
sugar, to taste (I used about 1 tbsp)
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Layer orange slices on the bottom of your crockpot. Lay pork on top, and then just dump everything else into the crock pot (not glaze ingredients!). Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is falling apart.
Just before serving, scoop out about 1 cup of the juice/drippings that have accumulated in the crockpot. Cook on low heat to boiling, adding the cornstarch, blueberries, and sugar to taste. Once thickened, serve 1 tbsp at a time, over slices of the pork loin.
Enjoy!
Monday, April 19, 2010
When I Plateaued....
I got a bit discouraged and gave up. That was until recently. Last week I kicked back up into High Gear and by weeks end 6's felt GREAT. Feeling confident I became a "fan" of Weight Watchers, which seemed to bring some hostility about my body image, and then again about how I am raising my children.
Sure, like any mother I am fearful that I am doing it all right, and lets face it...I am not, but my choosing to like Weight Watchers does not create my self as a person, mother, wife or friend. Its simply something I hope to help me on my journey.....
The journey that I thought would be over by now...and so it was, but it must begin. When I began I cut sweets and was craving them on a daily basis. With Summer in high gear...okay, it was for like a week, I was loving living behind Rita's. I also however felt this could come to be detrimental.
So tonight I have decided to set some new goals, guidelines and boundaries. As humans we're continually growing, changing and creating the person we are. Funny...I wonder if we ever actually figure it out of if Heaven is the place you truly become your true self, but anyway, my new changes.
Tomorrow:
Back to NO SWEETS. Yes. Sorry children. Mommy is going to be a crab. To reward myself, I plan to have ONE Ice a Week. For those not familiar with Rita's Italian Ice, I suggest you become familiar...VERY FAMILIAR. These low or no fat ices quench that sweet tooth and inner ice cream drive!
There will be no snacks UNLESS it is Yogurt (GAG), Fruit or Veggies...and that is without dip...even though YES, carrots DO taste better with RANCH OR BLEU CHEESE.
Three, 8 glasses of water a day. NO QUESTIONS.
Four EXERCISE.
These seem like pretty simple changes...however after eating two bowls of cereal tonight, I am pretty sure they need to be written (or typed) out so that I can follow them....keep up on top of me....how have you made changes?
Sure, like any mother I am fearful that I am doing it all right, and lets face it...I am not, but my choosing to like Weight Watchers does not create my self as a person, mother, wife or friend. Its simply something I hope to help me on my journey.....
The journey that I thought would be over by now...and so it was, but it must begin. When I began I cut sweets and was craving them on a daily basis. With Summer in high gear...okay, it was for like a week, I was loving living behind Rita's. I also however felt this could come to be detrimental.
So tonight I have decided to set some new goals, guidelines and boundaries. As humans we're continually growing, changing and creating the person we are. Funny...I wonder if we ever actually figure it out of if Heaven is the place you truly become your true self, but anyway, my new changes.
Tomorrow:
Back to NO SWEETS. Yes. Sorry children. Mommy is going to be a crab. To reward myself, I plan to have ONE Ice a Week. For those not familiar with Rita's Italian Ice, I suggest you become familiar...VERY FAMILIAR. These low or no fat ices quench that sweet tooth and inner ice cream drive!
There will be no snacks UNLESS it is Yogurt (GAG), Fruit or Veggies...and that is without dip...even though YES, carrots DO taste better with RANCH OR BLEU CHEESE.
Three, 8 glasses of water a day. NO QUESTIONS.
Four EXERCISE.
These seem like pretty simple changes...however after eating two bowls of cereal tonight, I am pretty sure they need to be written (or typed) out so that I can follow them....keep up on top of me....how have you made changes?
Summer days....
I am SO looking forward to summer! The past couple of weeks, we've had glimpses of it here in Maine, and I'm getting a little impatient waiting for it to completely arrive. The grass is growing greener, and my hostas and daylilies are poking their heads through the ground. It's my favourite time of year - the time when days are getting longer and brighter, everyone and everything seems happier, and there's a sense of "I can do this!" in the air.
This time of the year always means two things for me, when it comes to my weight loss journey:
1) I can exercise outside!! The possibilities are endless: walks/hikes with the kids, bike rides, swimming, to name a few
2) FRESH fruits and veggies! Here in Maine, we're especially blessed to have an abundance of pick-your-own veggie/fruit places within an easy 1 hour drive from our house. During the summer, we can pick strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, raspberries, peas, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, spinach, cucumbers, and the list just goes on and on. If I can't find somewhere to take the kids to pick our own, the Portland Farmers Market (twice a week during the summer - yippee!!) has just about everything else. Once we get our own garden going, the amount of fresh produce in our house is unbelievable.
My goal this summer is to get outside as much as possible and get all of us - all FIVE of us! - moving. We have a great yard, and access to amazing hiking trails all around. I think I might be getting over my fear of ticks (EWWWWWWW) and am getting better at recognizing them. If we end up staying in Maine, I need to just get used to them - the outdoors are too marvelous to miss out on here. Ticks are a fact of life here - I need to accept that and move on.
The sun is shining today, I worked out last night, and all of the kiddos slept in today. It's a good day - and summer's coming! I can't wait!!
This time of the year always means two things for me, when it comes to my weight loss journey:
1) I can exercise outside!! The possibilities are endless: walks/hikes with the kids, bike rides, swimming, to name a few
2) FRESH fruits and veggies! Here in Maine, we're especially blessed to have an abundance of pick-your-own veggie/fruit places within an easy 1 hour drive from our house. During the summer, we can pick strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, raspberries, peas, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, spinach, cucumbers, and the list just goes on and on. If I can't find somewhere to take the kids to pick our own, the Portland Farmers Market (twice a week during the summer - yippee!!) has just about everything else. Once we get our own garden going, the amount of fresh produce in our house is unbelievable.
My goal this summer is to get outside as much as possible and get all of us - all FIVE of us! - moving. We have a great yard, and access to amazing hiking trails all around. I think I might be getting over my fear of ticks (EWWWWWWW) and am getting better at recognizing them. If we end up staying in Maine, I need to just get used to them - the outdoors are too marvelous to miss out on here. Ticks are a fact of life here - I need to accept that and move on.
The sun is shining today, I worked out last night, and all of the kiddos slept in today. It's a good day - and summer's coming! I can't wait!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
It's all for convenience's sake?
I think I made a mistake last night.
I finally gave in and watched "Super Size Me" - because I was able to find it and borrow it from the library, free of charge. Last night, Mike and I put the kids to bed, pulled out the couch (it's a fun sleeper sofa from Ikea), and curled up under some blankets to watch the movie.
I think I kind of wish I hadn't now. I was disgusted by the change in Morgan's health in just one month of eating McDonald's. I mean, I KNOW that no one is meant to eat from the golden arches every meal of every day - but there are a lot of people who do. Not only that, but there are a lot of people who eat only fast food for their meals, or a lot of people that don't MAKE their own meals, but eat just as processed, just as full of fat/salt/sugar meals that come from the frozen food section at the grocery store.
I'm still digesting (pun intended) the movie and I'm sure it will cause many, many blog posts, but for now, I've gotten far enough in my thought process to really want to try to eradicate fast food (for the most part) from our diets. We don't eat there much now anyways - but I do make special stops here and there. I don't want to be feeding that to my kids any more - so I've been trying really hard to avoid it for the past couple of weeks. I was pretty proud of myself for driving by multiple fast food places twice this week and talking myself OUT of stopping because it'd be "easier" and "faster" than going home making dinner or lunch from scratch. Sure, it would have been more convenient to go through the drive through - but I'm really happy that I didn't. Instead, the first night, I made a great dinner of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and home made dish of whole wheat pasta with a light cheese sauce (as a side dish). Each of the boys ate a great dinner - and I completely controlled the quality of the food they ate. The second time was lunch, and we went home to fresh sandwiches with fresh fruit on the side. Did it take me longer to make? Yep, definitely. BUT - it was higher quality food and they ate it just as well as the greasy nuggets or burgers they would have gotten from McDonald's.
I was shocked at Morgan's change in emotional health during the course of the experiment. I'll blog about that later, but I was thoroughly surprised in his increase of depression and decrease of happiness as he got more and more into the month of McDonald's. I'm still thinking about that - but I'm sure it'll come up in a blog in the near future.
A lot of the pull of McDonald's - or the frozen meals or pizzas, or whatever - is the convenience factor. It's really easy to have a meal ready in just a few minutes if you use those products - or eat at the fast food restaurants. But what's the payoff? What are we trading for that convenience? Our physical and emotional health? I don't know if it's worth it.....
I've been trying really hard to get boxed, prepared foods out of our house. It's more of an experiment just to see if I can actually do it more than anything else. I still have a few (Goldfish crackers are a MUST in a house with a 5 year old, a 4 year old and a 16 month old!), but I'm really trying to shift our focus onto fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh dairy products. I'll be the first to admit that the biggest stumbling block for me comes when I have to pack a school lunch. There are SO many restrictions on what I can pack (no nuts, no sesame, no garlic, no _______.....) that it does make it really hard to find enough food to pack. Through in a very picky 5 year old - he likes fresh fruit, but it can't brown at all before he gets to it, - and it's nearly impossible without relying on the boxed crackers and snacks that all his friends bring and that he WANTS. I really have a hard time finding things that he'll 1) eat and 2) meet all of the restrictions.
I'm still working through my reaction to the movie, but I know two things for sure now:
1) We're going to really limit our fast food indulgence. I think maybe once a month will be okay, but definitely not more than that. Ideally, I'd like to stop completely, but until more restaurants fit into our budget, I don't think that's possible. We still like to go out to eat as a family as a special night, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Until I have more choices for a family of 5 to eat under $25, I don't think we'll be ending our fast food indulgence completely.
2) I'm going to work harder to move us away from convenience foods in general, and work harder at fresh, home made meals and snacks. Summer is a perfect time to do this - the amount of fresh, inexpensive food just multiplies like crazy. I'm going to have a big garden again this year, and I'm going to focus on growing more of our staples (more tomatoes, more lettuce, Baby #1 is really insistent on peas, etc). I'll supplement that with the farm stand down the street, and see what we can make happen and if we can get into the habit of choosing fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.
What do you think? Have you seen the movie?
I finally gave in and watched "Super Size Me" - because I was able to find it and borrow it from the library, free of charge. Last night, Mike and I put the kids to bed, pulled out the couch (it's a fun sleeper sofa from Ikea), and curled up under some blankets to watch the movie.
I think I kind of wish I hadn't now. I was disgusted by the change in Morgan's health in just one month of eating McDonald's. I mean, I KNOW that no one is meant to eat from the golden arches every meal of every day - but there are a lot of people who do. Not only that, but there are a lot of people who eat only fast food for their meals, or a lot of people that don't MAKE their own meals, but eat just as processed, just as full of fat/salt/sugar meals that come from the frozen food section at the grocery store.
I'm still digesting (pun intended) the movie and I'm sure it will cause many, many blog posts, but for now, I've gotten far enough in my thought process to really want to try to eradicate fast food (for the most part) from our diets. We don't eat there much now anyways - but I do make special stops here and there. I don't want to be feeding that to my kids any more - so I've been trying really hard to avoid it for the past couple of weeks. I was pretty proud of myself for driving by multiple fast food places twice this week and talking myself OUT of stopping because it'd be "easier" and "faster" than going home making dinner or lunch from scratch. Sure, it would have been more convenient to go through the drive through - but I'm really happy that I didn't. Instead, the first night, I made a great dinner of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and home made dish of whole wheat pasta with a light cheese sauce (as a side dish). Each of the boys ate a great dinner - and I completely controlled the quality of the food they ate. The second time was lunch, and we went home to fresh sandwiches with fresh fruit on the side. Did it take me longer to make? Yep, definitely. BUT - it was higher quality food and they ate it just as well as the greasy nuggets or burgers they would have gotten from McDonald's.
I was shocked at Morgan's change in emotional health during the course of the experiment. I'll blog about that later, but I was thoroughly surprised in his increase of depression and decrease of happiness as he got more and more into the month of McDonald's. I'm still thinking about that - but I'm sure it'll come up in a blog in the near future.
A lot of the pull of McDonald's - or the frozen meals or pizzas, or whatever - is the convenience factor. It's really easy to have a meal ready in just a few minutes if you use those products - or eat at the fast food restaurants. But what's the payoff? What are we trading for that convenience? Our physical and emotional health? I don't know if it's worth it.....
I've been trying really hard to get boxed, prepared foods out of our house. It's more of an experiment just to see if I can actually do it more than anything else. I still have a few (Goldfish crackers are a MUST in a house with a 5 year old, a 4 year old and a 16 month old!), but I'm really trying to shift our focus onto fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh dairy products. I'll be the first to admit that the biggest stumbling block for me comes when I have to pack a school lunch. There are SO many restrictions on what I can pack (no nuts, no sesame, no garlic, no _______.....) that it does make it really hard to find enough food to pack. Through in a very picky 5 year old - he likes fresh fruit, but it can't brown at all before he gets to it, - and it's nearly impossible without relying on the boxed crackers and snacks that all his friends bring and that he WANTS. I really have a hard time finding things that he'll 1) eat and 2) meet all of the restrictions.
I'm still working through my reaction to the movie, but I know two things for sure now:
1) We're going to really limit our fast food indulgence. I think maybe once a month will be okay, but definitely not more than that. Ideally, I'd like to stop completely, but until more restaurants fit into our budget, I don't think that's possible. We still like to go out to eat as a family as a special night, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Until I have more choices for a family of 5 to eat under $25, I don't think we'll be ending our fast food indulgence completely.
2) I'm going to work harder to move us away from convenience foods in general, and work harder at fresh, home made meals and snacks. Summer is a perfect time to do this - the amount of fresh, inexpensive food just multiplies like crazy. I'm going to have a big garden again this year, and I'm going to focus on growing more of our staples (more tomatoes, more lettuce, Baby #1 is really insistent on peas, etc). I'll supplement that with the farm stand down the street, and see what we can make happen and if we can get into the habit of choosing fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.
What do you think? Have you seen the movie?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Living in a Gray World
And no, I don't mean the town.
I had a discussion today (which was actually a follow up discussion from this past weekend) that's really been weighing on my mind. It does - and it doesn't - apply to my weight loss mission, so take it with a grain of salt. The discussion wasn't in regards to weight loss, but the argument can be made across my weightloss journey, my faith journey, and my home life.
Before I get started, I want to point out that I do respect the person I was talking to. I just happen to disagree with them. I'm curious to see what others say.
This discussion was in regards to youth ministry. For those of you who don't know, I'm a Catholic youth ministry coordinator. Basically, what that means, I coordinate the religious education programs for the seventh thru twelfth grade students in our parish here in Maine. It's often a lot of work, and often very challenging. I love it, though - and have found that I'm kind of naturally conditioned to working with that age level.
But enough about me. The discussion revolved around whether or not you could teach basic Catholic teachings to teenagers. Some members of the discussion argued that no, you couldn't, and that teenagers are not open to hearing about the doctrine of the Church. Some argued that you could, but not as a "black and white" issue - that you had to be willing to present the gray areas. Some argued that you COULD present it as black and white, but with compassion for the gray.
I've been thinking about it since the conversation started two days ago. I think I've decided that you HAVE to present Catholic teachings in black and white - but with compassion for the gray. In my mind, you acknowledge the gray, but you don't concede to it. Just because it exists doesn't mean that we look the other way or bend the rules. Just because the gray is there doesn't mean that the black and white fades away - it just changes how we present the black and white. In my experience with the Church, I've come to grow into an understanding for the majority of the Church's teachings. Sure, there are still some that I am having a hard time with - we all have those struggles - but I think that if the Church started teaching that "this is what's ideal, but if you can't do that, then it's okay too" then the Church would start to dissolve and become the church. (with a little C, not a big C). I think that's a slippery slope for the Church to head down. I'm reading a great book right now about the scandal within the Church and idea of reform within the Catholic Church, and the author makes a great point that every good REFORM starts with a reversion to the basics. You can't reform until you return to the basics. I find that great food for thought.
As I drove home from my meeting this morning, I realized just how much this idea of "gray area" has permeated all aspects of our lives. I started thinking about weight loss and how we're all so scared of being honest with ourselves and our children - or the society we live in - because we're afraid of the "gray." We're afraid of offending someone, we're afraid of causing psychological harm to our children, we're afraid of stepping on someone else's toes. While I'm not saying that we disregard other backgrounds and experiences (this is where the COMPASSION comes into play), I think I'm starting to realize that at some point, I'm going to have to take a stand. When it comes to weight loss, I think that results in being honest with myself and my children. Am I overweight? Yes. Are they? Not at all. Could it have health consequences for me in the future? Definitely - it already has. Is that health concern what I base my diet and meal choices on? Yes. And I think it's okay to tell my kids that. Hiding the black and white truth, in this situation specifically, only will cause more gray and confusion in the future.
So today, I'm stating my black and white beliefs:
I'm a stay-at-home mom, and while I'm often struggling to pay the bills, I'm okay with that. I don't WANT to work. I WANT to be a mom. That's my black and white and I'm okay with it. No more hiding that truth because other people think I wasted a college degree. That's the gray - and I'm not living in the gray anymore.
I'm Catholic to the core. It makes sense to me, and I believe it's the Truth.
I'm fat. 'Nuf said. And I'm working on that because yes, I am at higher risk for health problems due to my weight.
How about you? What's your black-and-white? How does it relate to your gray?
I had a discussion today (which was actually a follow up discussion from this past weekend) that's really been weighing on my mind. It does - and it doesn't - apply to my weight loss mission, so take it with a grain of salt. The discussion wasn't in regards to weight loss, but the argument can be made across my weightloss journey, my faith journey, and my home life.
Before I get started, I want to point out that I do respect the person I was talking to. I just happen to disagree with them. I'm curious to see what others say.
This discussion was in regards to youth ministry. For those of you who don't know, I'm a Catholic youth ministry coordinator. Basically, what that means, I coordinate the religious education programs for the seventh thru twelfth grade students in our parish here in Maine. It's often a lot of work, and often very challenging. I love it, though - and have found that I'm kind of naturally conditioned to working with that age level.
But enough about me. The discussion revolved around whether or not you could teach basic Catholic teachings to teenagers. Some members of the discussion argued that no, you couldn't, and that teenagers are not open to hearing about the doctrine of the Church. Some argued that you could, but not as a "black and white" issue - that you had to be willing to present the gray areas. Some argued that you COULD present it as black and white, but with compassion for the gray.
I've been thinking about it since the conversation started two days ago. I think I've decided that you HAVE to present Catholic teachings in black and white - but with compassion for the gray. In my mind, you acknowledge the gray, but you don't concede to it. Just because it exists doesn't mean that we look the other way or bend the rules. Just because the gray is there doesn't mean that the black and white fades away - it just changes how we present the black and white. In my experience with the Church, I've come to grow into an understanding for the majority of the Church's teachings. Sure, there are still some that I am having a hard time with - we all have those struggles - but I think that if the Church started teaching that "this is what's ideal, but if you can't do that, then it's okay too" then the Church would start to dissolve and become the church. (with a little C, not a big C). I think that's a slippery slope for the Church to head down. I'm reading a great book right now about the scandal within the Church and idea of reform within the Catholic Church, and the author makes a great point that every good REFORM starts with a reversion to the basics. You can't reform until you return to the basics. I find that great food for thought.
As I drove home from my meeting this morning, I realized just how much this idea of "gray area" has permeated all aspects of our lives. I started thinking about weight loss and how we're all so scared of being honest with ourselves and our children - or the society we live in - because we're afraid of the "gray." We're afraid of offending someone, we're afraid of causing psychological harm to our children, we're afraid of stepping on someone else's toes. While I'm not saying that we disregard other backgrounds and experiences (this is where the COMPASSION comes into play), I think I'm starting to realize that at some point, I'm going to have to take a stand. When it comes to weight loss, I think that results in being honest with myself and my children. Am I overweight? Yes. Are they? Not at all. Could it have health consequences for me in the future? Definitely - it already has. Is that health concern what I base my diet and meal choices on? Yes. And I think it's okay to tell my kids that. Hiding the black and white truth, in this situation specifically, only will cause more gray and confusion in the future.
So today, I'm stating my black and white beliefs:
I'm a stay-at-home mom, and while I'm often struggling to pay the bills, I'm okay with that. I don't WANT to work. I WANT to be a mom. That's my black and white and I'm okay with it. No more hiding that truth because other people think I wasted a college degree. That's the gray - and I'm not living in the gray anymore.
I'm Catholic to the core. It makes sense to me, and I believe it's the Truth.
I'm fat. 'Nuf said. And I'm working on that because yes, I am at higher risk for health problems due to my weight.
How about you? What's your black-and-white? How does it relate to your gray?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Is fatty food an addiction?
I just recently saw this article on CNN.com that talked about a recent study at Scripps Research Institute. Basically, what it boils down to is that fatty foods - or "junk" foods - cause a chemical reaction in your brain similar to cocaine and heroin. It literally becomes addictive - even to the point that the lab rats were STILL choosing the bad foods even if they were receiving electrical shocks when they chose the bad food.
I'll pause here for a moment to let you read the article and then work your way back here......
.....
.....
Okay, time's up. What did you think? Do you think this study just confirms what you already suspected? Or do you think that it's a bunch of wacky science, and it's just a way for people to make their weight someone else's problem?
I'm conflicted. I think it has some standing - I mean, I know I physically feel cravings for "junk" food. My mouth starts to salivate, and I can literally not think of anything else except for that food item. Then, when I get it, I have an incredible wave of pleasure come over me until I start to feel guilty about eating that food. Happens almost every time.
But, I really wonder how much this study is going to cause a backlash in the weightloss world. I wonder if it's going to cause lawsuits ("Your food made me fat!!") and give people more of an excuse to not take care of themselves.
What do you think? Have you experienced this? What do you think the outcome will be?
I'll pause here for a moment to let you read the article and then work your way back here......
.....
.....
Okay, time's up. What did you think? Do you think this study just confirms what you already suspected? Or do you think that it's a bunch of wacky science, and it's just a way for people to make their weight someone else's problem?
I'm conflicted. I think it has some standing - I mean, I know I physically feel cravings for "junk" food. My mouth starts to salivate, and I can literally not think of anything else except for that food item. Then, when I get it, I have an incredible wave of pleasure come over me until I start to feel guilty about eating that food. Happens almost every time.
But, I really wonder how much this study is going to cause a backlash in the weightloss world. I wonder if it's going to cause lawsuits ("Your food made me fat!!") and give people more of an excuse to not take care of themselves.
What do you think? Have you experienced this? What do you think the outcome will be?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tasty Tuesdays
Think that you can't do an easy, healthy, CHEAP meal? I've got one for you:
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
salt/pepper, to taste
1/4 cup flour
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp thyme
2 cans (28 oz each) whole, peeled tomatoes
2 cans of chicken broth
1/4 cup sugar
Melt butter in a 5 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and onion, season with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is translucent - about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute. Add thyme, broth, tomatoes and sugar to the saucepan, breaking up the tomatoes with your fingers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Put half of the soup in a blender, puree it, and then return to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.
Heidi notes: I usually use a hand pureeing tool (that I used to make baby food) on the whole pot instead of doing the blender step. This makes 2 dinners worth of soup for our family.
Cost:
Usually I use canned tomatoes from our garden and chicken broth that I've made when I roast a chicken. However, I'm out of both of those, so I had to buy canned.
Butter: 1/8 of a package, so $0.25
Oil, spices, flour, sugar: pennies, since it's only a little bit. I'll give it $2 to overestimate
onion: 1 out of a pack of 8 that was $2, so $0.25
2 cans of tomatoes: 3.38
2 cans of broth: 1.38
1 can of tomato paste: 0.59
Total cost? $7.58, and it would have been less if my garden did better last year. I'm estimating 10 servings out of this (easily does 2 dinners for us), so it ends up at $0.75 per serving.
Throw in a nice tossed salad or some crusty, whole grain bread and you've got yourself a healthy meal!
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
salt/pepper, to taste
1/4 cup flour
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp thyme
2 cans (28 oz each) whole, peeled tomatoes
2 cans of chicken broth
1/4 cup sugar
Melt butter in a 5 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and onion, season with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is translucent - about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute. Add thyme, broth, tomatoes and sugar to the saucepan, breaking up the tomatoes with your fingers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Put half of the soup in a blender, puree it, and then return to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.
Heidi notes: I usually use a hand pureeing tool (that I used to make baby food) on the whole pot instead of doing the blender step. This makes 2 dinners worth of soup for our family.
Cost:
Usually I use canned tomatoes from our garden and chicken broth that I've made when I roast a chicken. However, I'm out of both of those, so I had to buy canned.
Butter: 1/8 of a package, so $0.25
Oil, spices, flour, sugar: pennies, since it's only a little bit. I'll give it $2 to overestimate
onion: 1 out of a pack of 8 that was $2, so $0.25
2 cans of tomatoes: 3.38
2 cans of broth: 1.38
1 can of tomato paste: 0.59
Total cost? $7.58, and it would have been less if my garden did better last year. I'm estimating 10 servings out of this (easily does 2 dinners for us), so it ends up at $0.75 per serving.
Throw in a nice tossed salad or some crusty, whole grain bread and you've got yourself a healthy meal!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Culture Shock
Is anyone else watching Jamie Oliver's TV special right now?
I am and I'm starting to feel depressed. I saw a sign outside a church during a scene in the TV show that read "Today: Culture Shock." That's truly what this is!
Our culture has become reliant on convenience and instant gratification. Now, before anyone gets all riled up at me, I'm going to take a stance on something here:
Our culture is ruining our lives. It's killing us.
I'm not blaming anything on the food industry. I'm not blaming pharmaceutical companies. I'm not blaming the medical system. I'm not blaming our school lunch programs.
I'm blaming US. The human consumers of all of those systems and industries.
Why can't we see that our need for instant gratification and our laziness is going to kill us? It's so evident in our food choices.....and where has it gotten us? A lot of us are fat, and a lot of us are on more medications than we can even count on one hand.
It's time that we take responsibility for our health. I find it ironic that this show is being shown at the exact same time that our politicians are trying to pass a huge health care reform bill. Why? Because a lot of that bill is based on preventative care and the need for preventative care. I 100% agree that preventative medicine is needed - but shouldn't it start at home?
I'm not talking about taking more supplements or self medicating. I'm talking about things that we laypeople can do: Eat REAL food: Food that we make ourselves. Not food out of a box or out of a can.
Convenience food is okay to eat......in moderation!! Should we be eating frozen meals for every single meal? No! Yes, they're perfectly fine and healthy to eat once every so often - but we shouldn't be putting that in our bodies ALL.THE.TIME.
But it costs so much to eat healthy!! Right?!?! Doesn't it?!?!
No, it doesn't. I hate to break it to you, but going to the produce section and buying fresh fruits and veggies will actually SAVE you money! Do you know how many meals you can get out of one head of cabbage? Probably three easily. Yes, it will take you a little bit more time to prepare.
But use that time to catch up on other things: Listen to the news while you wash your veggies. Let your kids help you prepare dinner, and spend that time talking about your day. Spend that extra 5 minutes chopping up the veggies to plan your next day's events or your next day's "to-do" list. It can be done!!
I'm sorry to be so blunt, but this show is really frustrating me. Baby #1 begs me for hot lunch every day at school, and it terrifies me to let him get it. I've seen the menu - it's exactly what they're showing on this TV show. I don't want him to eat that food. I want him to eat the fresh meat from the farm down the street. I want him to eat the apples that we picked over the weekend.
But our culture makes him feel like a "loser" if he doesn't eat the same thing everyone else is eating. How do we change that? This food - and our ability to eat three times the amount we need to eat! - is killing us!!
I'm going to step down from my soapbox now, but I ask you:
Do you eat a lot of processed food? Why or why not?
What do you think about food choices in America?
I am and I'm starting to feel depressed. I saw a sign outside a church during a scene in the TV show that read "Today: Culture Shock." That's truly what this is!
Our culture has become reliant on convenience and instant gratification. Now, before anyone gets all riled up at me, I'm going to take a stance on something here:
Our culture is ruining our lives. It's killing us.
I'm not blaming anything on the food industry. I'm not blaming pharmaceutical companies. I'm not blaming the medical system. I'm not blaming our school lunch programs.
I'm blaming US. The human consumers of all of those systems and industries.
Why can't we see that our need for instant gratification and our laziness is going to kill us? It's so evident in our food choices.....and where has it gotten us? A lot of us are fat, and a lot of us are on more medications than we can even count on one hand.
It's time that we take responsibility for our health. I find it ironic that this show is being shown at the exact same time that our politicians are trying to pass a huge health care reform bill. Why? Because a lot of that bill is based on preventative care and the need for preventative care. I 100% agree that preventative medicine is needed - but shouldn't it start at home?
I'm not talking about taking more supplements or self medicating. I'm talking about things that we laypeople can do: Eat REAL food: Food that we make ourselves. Not food out of a box or out of a can.
Convenience food is okay to eat......in moderation!! Should we be eating frozen meals for every single meal? No! Yes, they're perfectly fine and healthy to eat once every so often - but we shouldn't be putting that in our bodies ALL.THE.TIME.
But it costs so much to eat healthy!! Right?!?! Doesn't it?!?!
No, it doesn't. I hate to break it to you, but going to the produce section and buying fresh fruits and veggies will actually SAVE you money! Do you know how many meals you can get out of one head of cabbage? Probably three easily. Yes, it will take you a little bit more time to prepare.
But use that time to catch up on other things: Listen to the news while you wash your veggies. Let your kids help you prepare dinner, and spend that time talking about your day. Spend that extra 5 minutes chopping up the veggies to plan your next day's events or your next day's "to-do" list. It can be done!!
I'm sorry to be so blunt, but this show is really frustrating me. Baby #1 begs me for hot lunch every day at school, and it terrifies me to let him get it. I've seen the menu - it's exactly what they're showing on this TV show. I don't want him to eat that food. I want him to eat the fresh meat from the farm down the street. I want him to eat the apples that we picked over the weekend.
But our culture makes him feel like a "loser" if he doesn't eat the same thing everyone else is eating. How do we change that? This food - and our ability to eat three times the amount we need to eat! - is killing us!!
I'm going to step down from my soapbox now, but I ask you:
Do you eat a lot of processed food? Why or why not?
What do you think about food choices in America?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tasty Tuesdays
Hi again!
I've not had meat to eat since the beginning of Lent, and I'm kind of craving it now. So, to appease those cravings, I give you a few turkey recipes!
Turkey Pot Pie
3 cups cooked, diced turkey
1 bag frozen peas and carrots
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp cajun seasoning
2 tsp poultry seasoning
1.5 cups chicken broth
Pastry: (I don't use store bought, sorry)
3.25 cups all purpose flour
1 cup shortening
9-10 tbsp cold water
Directions
To make pastry:
In a medium bowl, cut shortening into flour. Add water, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing with a fork until a dough forms. Split into 4 balls of dough. Roll two out to be slightly larger than a pie plate and transfer into the pie plate, pressing it into the bottom and sides of the plate.
Leave other two balls in a bowl, loosely covered with Saran Wrap for now.
In canola or olive oil, sautee the garlic. Add the veggies (onion, peas, and carrots - you can add it directly out of the freezer, no need to thaw), and cook until crisp-tender. Stir in turkey and seasonings and warm through. Add flour, and stir to mix. Cook for just a minute, and then add chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until broth thickens. Remove from heat.
Split filling evenly between the two pie shells.
Pull out the remaining dough balls, and roll out to make a "top" for your pot pie. Cover your pies with the remaining dough, and trim to fit. Seal and crimp edges.
Cut a few slits into the top of the pie (I usually do smiley faces...haha). Cook at 350 degrees until lightly browned (about 25 minutes). Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
For a fun variation, I sometimes replace the Cajun seasoning with curry powder. I really like it this way, but didn't have enough curry powder tonight to use it for pot pie (I'm using it tomorrow night to make a curry). If you're going to do this, take out the Cajun seasoning, and replace it with 2 - 3 tsp curry powder (we like it closer to 3 tsp).
Number of Servings: 16
Turkey Curry
2 tbsp curry powder
4 tbsp butter
1.5 cups chopped onion
2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (8-9 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
3 cups cooked, diced turkey
2 tbsp lemon juice
hot cooked rice
Directions
In a large skillet, heat curry powder in butter, stirring for about 2 minutes. Stir in the onions, and continue cooking, stirring frequently until the onions are soft. Blend in flour and ginger; add chicken broth and pineapple. Heat to boiling, simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Stir in turkey. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes longer, or until heated through. Stir in lemon juice. Serve with hot cooked rice. Makes 4 (big!) servings.
Number of Servings: 4
Enjoy! (and save them for Thanksgiving leftovers this year!!)
I've not had meat to eat since the beginning of Lent, and I'm kind of craving it now. So, to appease those cravings, I give you a few turkey recipes!
Turkey Pot Pie
3 cups cooked, diced turkey
1 bag frozen peas and carrots
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp cajun seasoning
2 tsp poultry seasoning
1.5 cups chicken broth
Pastry: (I don't use store bought, sorry)
3.25 cups all purpose flour
1 cup shortening
9-10 tbsp cold water
Directions
To make pastry:
In a medium bowl, cut shortening into flour. Add water, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing with a fork until a dough forms. Split into 4 balls of dough. Roll two out to be slightly larger than a pie plate and transfer into the pie plate, pressing it into the bottom and sides of the plate.
Leave other two balls in a bowl, loosely covered with Saran Wrap for now.
In canola or olive oil, sautee the garlic. Add the veggies (onion, peas, and carrots - you can add it directly out of the freezer, no need to thaw), and cook until crisp-tender. Stir in turkey and seasonings and warm through. Add flour, and stir to mix. Cook for just a minute, and then add chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until broth thickens. Remove from heat.
Split filling evenly between the two pie shells.
Pull out the remaining dough balls, and roll out to make a "top" for your pot pie. Cover your pies with the remaining dough, and trim to fit. Seal and crimp edges.
Cut a few slits into the top of the pie (I usually do smiley faces...haha). Cook at 350 degrees until lightly browned (about 25 minutes). Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
For a fun variation, I sometimes replace the Cajun seasoning with curry powder. I really like it this way, but didn't have enough curry powder tonight to use it for pot pie (I'm using it tomorrow night to make a curry). If you're going to do this, take out the Cajun seasoning, and replace it with 2 - 3 tsp curry powder (we like it closer to 3 tsp).
Number of Servings: 16
Turkey Curry
2 tbsp curry powder
4 tbsp butter
1.5 cups chopped onion
2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (8-9 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
3 cups cooked, diced turkey
2 tbsp lemon juice
hot cooked rice
Directions
In a large skillet, heat curry powder in butter, stirring for about 2 minutes. Stir in the onions, and continue cooking, stirring frequently until the onions are soft. Blend in flour and ginger; add chicken broth and pineapple. Heat to boiling, simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Stir in turkey. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes longer, or until heated through. Stir in lemon juice. Serve with hot cooked rice. Makes 4 (big!) servings.
Number of Servings: 4
Enjoy! (and save them for Thanksgiving leftovers this year!!)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Couch to 5K
Hi again.
Twice in one day! This hasn't happened for awhile! Well, I did it. I got back on the wagon today. At about noontime, I decided that I'd had enough, and I needed to get my act back together.
And I did.
I was *relatively* healthy with food choices from that point on. (Too much coffee, but that'll be something I attempt to control tomorrow). I even got in a workout after the boys went to bed. I'm pretty tired right now, but it's a good tired. I'm trying to convince myself that I CAN get up with my alarm tomorrow and work out on the Wii in the morning. I've been having an incredibly hard time getting out of bed in the morning, and I really need to stop that. So, in preparation of having to talk myself into getting out of bed, my exercise clothes are sitting next to the bed (where I can see them when I wake up), the house is clean and ready to be enjoyed when I wake up, and my coffee is ready to go in the morning. I WILL get up in the morning!
For those of you who have, either now or in the past, fallen off the wagon - how do you get back on? What does that do to your mental motivation? How to you hit the reset button?
For those of you in the Portland area, I've got a goal that I'm challenging you to meet with me! A friend and I are going to run this race in May, and are starting the Couch to 5K program now. I challenge you to join us and do some good at the same time! Who's in?
Twice in one day! This hasn't happened for awhile! Well, I did it. I got back on the wagon today. At about noontime, I decided that I'd had enough, and I needed to get my act back together.
And I did.
I was *relatively* healthy with food choices from that point on. (Too much coffee, but that'll be something I attempt to control tomorrow). I even got in a workout after the boys went to bed. I'm pretty tired right now, but it's a good tired. I'm trying to convince myself that I CAN get up with my alarm tomorrow and work out on the Wii in the morning. I've been having an incredibly hard time getting out of bed in the morning, and I really need to stop that. So, in preparation of having to talk myself into getting out of bed, my exercise clothes are sitting next to the bed (where I can see them when I wake up), the house is clean and ready to be enjoyed when I wake up, and my coffee is ready to go in the morning. I WILL get up in the morning!
For those of you who have, either now or in the past, fallen off the wagon - how do you get back on? What does that do to your mental motivation? How to you hit the reset button?
For those of you in the Portland area, I've got a goal that I'm challenging you to meet with me! A friend and I are going to run this race in May, and are starting the Couch to 5K program now. I challenge you to join us and do some good at the same time! Who's in?
I know, I know...
I've been MIA. I know. I'm sorry.
I could make up a ton of excuses and come up with millions of reasons to rationalize why I haven't been online, and/or why you should forgive me, but I'm just going to come clean.
I fell off the wagon.
Big time.
Okay....big, big, big, big time.
I missed a couple of days, had a few days of sick kids or sick me, and never picked myself back up and got back to exercising or watching what I ate.
And I know I've gained back some weight. I don't know how much - my scale is apparently broken completely and even changing the batteries didn't help. And I haven't bought a new one yet.
So, I'm sorry. Very very sorry.
I'm getting back up, though. I know that I have said this before, but I really am this time. I was challenged by a friend to do Couch to 5K to get in shape for a race later this spring, and I'm too competitive to let that challenge get by me.
So tonight I start. I'll check back in after my first workout!!
I could make up a ton of excuses and come up with millions of reasons to rationalize why I haven't been online, and/or why you should forgive me, but I'm just going to come clean.
I fell off the wagon.
Big time.
Okay....big, big, big, big time.
I missed a couple of days, had a few days of sick kids or sick me, and never picked myself back up and got back to exercising or watching what I ate.
And I know I've gained back some weight. I don't know how much - my scale is apparently broken completely and even changing the batteries didn't help. And I haven't bought a new one yet.
So, I'm sorry. Very very sorry.
I'm getting back up, though. I know that I have said this before, but I really am this time. I was challenged by a friend to do Couch to 5K to get in shape for a race later this spring, and I'm too competitive to let that challenge get by me.
So tonight I start. I'll check back in after my first workout!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Is there a hold button?
***Fair warning time: I'm kind of grumpy. If you don't want a grumpy post to read, you might want to navigate away from this blog for a few minutes and come back later!! ***
With a warning out of the way, here we go...
Do you ever wish that life had a hold button? Or a way to transfer things/calls/emails/friendly reminders to a virtual voicemail? Somewhere that they can talk their little hearts out but that you don't have to listen to them?
(on a totally separate note - are there any receptionists reading out there? I'm 100% convinced that receptionists sometimes transfer you to voicemail or to an extension, knowing full well that you're not going to get a real, live person, and secretly enjoy making that transfer. I can see it very clearly in my head - a receptionist smiling to himself/herself, giggling, as they watch the little light - YOUR LITTLE LIGHT - blinking rapidly on their phone.)
Anyways, back to the post.
One of the goals that I set when I started this whole "mission" thing back at the beginning of the year was to make more time for ME. To force myself to take my time to work out or take better care of myself. For awhile, it worked. I worked out on a daily - or very close to daily - basis. I'd say "no" to a request, and people honoured it.
But then something happened. I'm not sure what happened, but it definitely did. I'm back to feeling like I'm clawing my way out of a deep, deep well when I try to carve out time for myself. I don't know how to balance it, and I don't think it's anything that I'm doing wrong.
So, what is it then, if it's not my fault?
I'm going to be brutally honest (and kind of crabby) here. It's YOU.
You, the person who won't stop calling me about something that needs to be done a month from now.
You, the person who sends me twenty billion emails asking me to do something that I've ALREADY said no to the past 20 billion times.
You, the person who asks me again "Hey, Heidi, have you gotten a chance to do X, Y, and Z yet?"
Now, please don't take any of this too personally. I do love all of you who call/email/text me. I really really do. I just don't know how much more I can do on my end, and still be able to take care of myself.
I need a little bit of time to work out, to cook healthy foods and not go through fast food because it's quicker, to maybe shower every day, and so on. And to do that, I really need people to respect me when I say no for something. Don't listen to me say no, and then in the 11th hour, email it to me to do. I can't stand the thought of letting people down and something not being the best for my kids, my job, my family, etc, so of course I'm going to sacrifice my own time to complete your request. Or even better, when I say I'm going to do something, PLEASE stop asking me when and how I'm going to do it. I like to make people happy - it's just who I am. Your request will get done, don't worry. I don't need you to nag me about it.
I'm sorry if this is a bit harsh, but I'm really trying here on my end, and I need some respect for that. But I'm finding it really hard to stay motivated because the easiest thing to cross off my "to-do" list is take care of myself. And if you push me a little bit more....I know myself. I'm going to take myself off of that list and focus on everyone else.
And I'm not strong enough yet to do that. I need to be able to focus on me for a little while longer before I start adding everyone else back to my "to-do" list.
Thanks.
I promise I'll be happier tomorrow. ;)
With a warning out of the way, here we go...
Do you ever wish that life had a hold button? Or a way to transfer things/calls/emails/friendly reminders to a virtual voicemail? Somewhere that they can talk their little hearts out but that you don't have to listen to them?
(on a totally separate note - are there any receptionists reading out there? I'm 100% convinced that receptionists sometimes transfer you to voicemail or to an extension, knowing full well that you're not going to get a real, live person, and secretly enjoy making that transfer. I can see it very clearly in my head - a receptionist smiling to himself/herself, giggling, as they watch the little light - YOUR LITTLE LIGHT - blinking rapidly on their phone.)
Anyways, back to the post.
One of the goals that I set when I started this whole "mission" thing back at the beginning of the year was to make more time for ME. To force myself to take my time to work out or take better care of myself. For awhile, it worked. I worked out on a daily - or very close to daily - basis. I'd say "no" to a request, and people honoured it.
But then something happened. I'm not sure what happened, but it definitely did. I'm back to feeling like I'm clawing my way out of a deep, deep well when I try to carve out time for myself. I don't know how to balance it, and I don't think it's anything that I'm doing wrong.
So, what is it then, if it's not my fault?
I'm going to be brutally honest (and kind of crabby) here. It's YOU.
You, the person who won't stop calling me about something that needs to be done a month from now.
You, the person who sends me twenty billion emails asking me to do something that I've ALREADY said no to the past 20 billion times.
You, the person who asks me again "Hey, Heidi, have you gotten a chance to do X, Y, and Z yet?"
Now, please don't take any of this too personally. I do love all of you who call/email/text me. I really really do. I just don't know how much more I can do on my end, and still be able to take care of myself.
I need a little bit of time to work out, to cook healthy foods and not go through fast food because it's quicker, to maybe shower every day, and so on. And to do that, I really need people to respect me when I say no for something. Don't listen to me say no, and then in the 11th hour, email it to me to do. I can't stand the thought of letting people down and something not being the best for my kids, my job, my family, etc, so of course I'm going to sacrifice my own time to complete your request. Or even better, when I say I'm going to do something, PLEASE stop asking me when and how I'm going to do it. I like to make people happy - it's just who I am. Your request will get done, don't worry. I don't need you to nag me about it.
I'm sorry if this is a bit harsh, but I'm really trying here on my end, and I need some respect for that. But I'm finding it really hard to stay motivated because the easiest thing to cross off my "to-do" list is take care of myself. And if you push me a little bit more....I know myself. I'm going to take myself off of that list and focus on everyone else.
And I'm not strong enough yet to do that. I need to be able to focus on me for a little while longer before I start adding everyone else back to my "to-do" list.
Thanks.
I promise I'll be happier tomorrow. ;)
Tasty Tuesdays
I know, I know, it's a day late. I'm trying, guys, I promise!!! Unfortunately, I can't blog from my phone, or else you'd be hearing from me a lot more. My computer's just too big to be carrying around with me!! ;)
So, a day late, Tasty Tuesdays!!
I don't know if any of you munch as much as I do, but I have to find ways to get my munching tendencies to be "healthier, so I've been trying to find healthy snacks. Today's Tasty Tuesdays is going to be about the snacks I've found over the past couple of weeks.
First up - a great dip for celery, pretzels, apples, bananas, etc (I got this from a New Us Moms reader: Lydia, and I think she got it from the Biggest Loser cookbook)
1 cup of sliky tofu, drained (about 9oz)
1/3 cup peanut butter
4tsp of honey
2tsp lime juice
Put it all in a blender and blend until smooth.
Second, a simple, quick dip for veggies. I use this to eat pepper sticks, carrots, celery, etc. It's great!
1 Tbsp whipped cream cheese and 2 tbsp of your favourite salsa: mix together and use as a dip for veggies
Today, we're making guacamole and home made tortilla chips. I'm going to make up the recipe for the guac, just using the fresh ingredients I bought from the store (avocado, tomato, onion, lime juice, cilantro, garlic) and if it works well, I'll post it tonight!
Enjoy the snacks!
So, a day late, Tasty Tuesdays!!
I don't know if any of you munch as much as I do, but I have to find ways to get my munching tendencies to be "healthier, so I've been trying to find healthy snacks. Today's Tasty Tuesdays is going to be about the snacks I've found over the past couple of weeks.
First up - a great dip for celery, pretzels, apples, bananas, etc (I got this from a New Us Moms reader: Lydia, and I think she got it from the Biggest Loser cookbook)
1 cup of sliky tofu, drained (about 9oz)
1/3 cup peanut butter
4tsp of honey
2tsp lime juice
Put it all in a blender and blend until smooth.
Second, a simple, quick dip for veggies. I use this to eat pepper sticks, carrots, celery, etc. It's great!
1 Tbsp whipped cream cheese and 2 tbsp of your favourite salsa: mix together and use as a dip for veggies
Today, we're making guacamole and home made tortilla chips. I'm going to make up the recipe for the guac, just using the fresh ingredients I bought from the store (avocado, tomato, onion, lime juice, cilantro, garlic) and if it works well, I'll post it tonight!
Enjoy the snacks!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Are your goals realistic?
As I sit here just shy of reaching my first goal of losing 10% of my body weight (I gained back 3 pounds while in Michigan, so I need to lose 7 to reach my 10 percent goal), I'm thinking of the goals that I set in my everyday life. I've been thinking about it since I read about the whole having to lose 110 pounds to reach my healthiest BMI. 110 pounds is a crazy goal in my mind - but now that I know it's my "ideal" weight loss, I can't help but feel a need to reach that weight loss. Are you like that? It's like someone planted a little bug into my ear, and I can't help but wonder what my life would be like if I lost that 110 pounds. I can't help but wonder what I could do to reach that goal, even if it's just for a little while, so I can see what it feels like to be that thin. It's become almost an obsession - I find myself thinking of it whenever I'm not "busy" (which really just means whenever I'm sitting/standing still).
I'm so tempted to set that goal for myself, even though I don't think it really is the healthiest one for me. Are you like that? Do you find yourself reaching for goals that you know are either 1) truly unattainable or 2) not healthy for you (in all definitions of that term)?
I am, definitely. I find myself striving to reach goals that are truly unattainable. I guess I'm a little two Type A.....but I don't even know if that's really it. It could just be my unbelievable amount of self-induced guilt as I strive for the goal, not just for me, but because of my incredible need to not let anyone down. Maybe it's the Catholic guilt, maybe it's the "mom" guilt, I don't know - I just don't want to disappoint anyone. There's definitely a part of me that wants to be the best at everything, including weight loss, and wants to reach those seemingly unattainable goals. I want to be the perfect mom, who's skinny and cute, who's always having fun with her kids, who can juggle a home life, a job, and a volunteer life, and who cooks perfect meals but doesn't eat too much of them. It's just me. I want to be all things to all people.
But I'm forcing myself to step back and try to focus on my original goal of 80 pounds for my weigh loss. It's still an unbelievable amount of weight to lose. When I get there, I'll re-evaluate. But for now, I need to keep my goal realistic.
How about you? Do you find yourself reaching for (or secretly wanting to reach for) crazy goals? Or are you pragmatic, and a realistic goal-setter?
I'm so tempted to set that goal for myself, even though I don't think it really is the healthiest one for me. Are you like that? Do you find yourself reaching for goals that you know are either 1) truly unattainable or 2) not healthy for you (in all definitions of that term)?
I am, definitely. I find myself striving to reach goals that are truly unattainable. I guess I'm a little two Type A.....but I don't even know if that's really it. It could just be my unbelievable amount of self-induced guilt as I strive for the goal, not just for me, but because of my incredible need to not let anyone down. Maybe it's the Catholic guilt, maybe it's the "mom" guilt, I don't know - I just don't want to disappoint anyone. There's definitely a part of me that wants to be the best at everything, including weight loss, and wants to reach those seemingly unattainable goals. I want to be the perfect mom, who's skinny and cute, who's always having fun with her kids, who can juggle a home life, a job, and a volunteer life, and who cooks perfect meals but doesn't eat too much of them. It's just me. I want to be all things to all people.
But I'm forcing myself to step back and try to focus on my original goal of 80 pounds for my weigh loss. It's still an unbelievable amount of weight to lose. When I get there, I'll re-evaluate. But for now, I need to keep my goal realistic.
How about you? Do you find yourself reaching for (or secretly wanting to reach for) crazy goals? Or are you pragmatic, and a realistic goal-setter?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Do you believe in the scales?
So many of us are so focused on numbers....
We worry about money, about our age, about our weight - it's all about the numbers. I'm no different. I worry about my weight, about finances, about time (usually worrying about the quantity, not the quality of it), among other things. One of the things we, as parents, worry about the most is our children's weight.
All of my children have been little, when it comes to weight. They've always been in the 5th-25th% with their weight. Baby #3 is the one exception - he was in the 75th% for awhile, but is now down to the 50th%. For awhile, doctors were threatening to diagnose Baby #1 as "Failure to Thrive" because he was in the 3rd percentile for pretty much the majority of his first year. I was so upset about that, and I could write a whole post about just that experience, but just let me say that he was thriving and I argued that case for pretty much 6 months of his life that he was just in the lower percentile of babies (which would be why it's a percentile, by the way - someone has to be in the lower part of it!!). He met all his milestones, walked and talked right on time, and grew on his own curve (i.e. never fell off the chart at any point).
Baby #2 and Baby #3 have been bigger than Baby #1 (and still are - he's still tiny for his age), but they've all been below average weight. And for each of their short lives, it's been all about the numbers on the scale or on the height charts. We seem to forget that life is more than just the numbers - there's a lot to be said for overall health. While each of my children have been on the smaller side, they have all developed "on time" and in some areas, are at the top of the scale (academics for Baby #1, physical ability for Baby #2, we're still waiting for Baby #3, but I'm pretty sure he's going to be incredibly smart and quick-witted with the way he keeps us laughing!). As a whole person, they're each a fun bundle of strengths and weaknesses, which you can't experience if you focus only on the numbers. My "failure to thrive" baby is a smart, caring, social butterfly of a little boy, and hasn't failed to thrive at all in his short little life.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing about this. Well, I didn't manage to weigh myself this morning. Baby #2 woke up with my alarm, and I didn't manage to get on the Wii - he was super needy this morning. I'm planning on doing it in a few minutes, while the two little ones play happily after their lunch. But, all morning, I've felt incredibly guilty about not weighing in to report to you guys. I've felt like a failure because I don't have the numbers to record. Nevermind the fact that my smaller clothes all still fit (including the new jeans that I had to buy while in Michigan because my old ones were falling off), and I'm making healthy choices with my food/drink intake. It was all about the numbers in my mind.
Then, in talking with a friend, we started chatting about the BMI scale, and where we fall on it and where we should fall on it. Seeing as it's been almost 8 years since I last looked at my "ideal" weight, I thought I'd look up where I should be, according to the BMI scale.
I was SHOCKED to say the least.
According to the BMI scale, to get into the middle of my "healthy" weight range, I needed to lose 110 pounds from my starting point.
GASP!! (let it all out - we'll have a collective catching of our breaths)
110 pounds!?!?!? That's insane!! That's 30 pounds LESS than the weight I was at my smallest, healthiest point. The point where I hit my Weight Watchers goal and stopped going to the meetings on a weekly basis. The weight I was at when we got married.....and the weight that I'm aiming for on this journey.
I can't imagine being the weight that was my "healthy" weight. (and mind you, that 110 pounds was only to get to the MIDDLE of my healthy BMI range - it would have been 120 if I wanted to get to the lowest "healthy" BMI). I honestly think that weight would be too skinny for me - which led me to wonder how much the number really means. Is the BMI scale like my children's weight as babies? Are we focusing too much on the number on the scale and not on the lifestyle changes or milestones met?
I really wonder if we are. And I wonder if we're not setting our children up for the same kind of focus on numbers, with our focus on them having to be in the 50%-75% when they're babies. With every one of my boys, we were pressured to try and "plump" them up to get past that 50% mark on the charts. Now, I'm trying to decrease my weight to get down UNDER that 50% mark on the BMI scale. Are we setting our children up for a life of focusing on the numbers?
Will they miss out on seeing what they CAN do because they're focused on the charts?
As I sit here, I realize that I spent all morning feeling guilty about not knowing my numbers on the scale, and ignoring the fact that I had a fun-filled morning with my children before school, that I managed to knock things off of my to-do list which will let me sit back and have fun with my kids tonight. I've been a pretty good mom today - so why does it matter that I didn't weigh myself?
Have you checked out your BMI lately? Check it out here.
And then let me know what you think!
We worry about money, about our age, about our weight - it's all about the numbers. I'm no different. I worry about my weight, about finances, about time (usually worrying about the quantity, not the quality of it), among other things. One of the things we, as parents, worry about the most is our children's weight.
All of my children have been little, when it comes to weight. They've always been in the 5th-25th% with their weight. Baby #3 is the one exception - he was in the 75th% for awhile, but is now down to the 50th%. For awhile, doctors were threatening to diagnose Baby #1 as "Failure to Thrive" because he was in the 3rd percentile for pretty much the majority of his first year. I was so upset about that, and I could write a whole post about just that experience, but just let me say that he was thriving and I argued that case for pretty much 6 months of his life that he was just in the lower percentile of babies (which would be why it's a percentile, by the way - someone has to be in the lower part of it!!). He met all his milestones, walked and talked right on time, and grew on his own curve (i.e. never fell off the chart at any point).
Baby #2 and Baby #3 have been bigger than Baby #1 (and still are - he's still tiny for his age), but they've all been below average weight. And for each of their short lives, it's been all about the numbers on the scale or on the height charts. We seem to forget that life is more than just the numbers - there's a lot to be said for overall health. While each of my children have been on the smaller side, they have all developed "on time" and in some areas, are at the top of the scale (academics for Baby #1, physical ability for Baby #2, we're still waiting for Baby #3, but I'm pretty sure he's going to be incredibly smart and quick-witted with the way he keeps us laughing!). As a whole person, they're each a fun bundle of strengths and weaknesses, which you can't experience if you focus only on the numbers. My "failure to thrive" baby is a smart, caring, social butterfly of a little boy, and hasn't failed to thrive at all in his short little life.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing about this. Well, I didn't manage to weigh myself this morning. Baby #2 woke up with my alarm, and I didn't manage to get on the Wii - he was super needy this morning. I'm planning on doing it in a few minutes, while the two little ones play happily after their lunch. But, all morning, I've felt incredibly guilty about not weighing in to report to you guys. I've felt like a failure because I don't have the numbers to record. Nevermind the fact that my smaller clothes all still fit (including the new jeans that I had to buy while in Michigan because my old ones were falling off), and I'm making healthy choices with my food/drink intake. It was all about the numbers in my mind.
Then, in talking with a friend, we started chatting about the BMI scale, and where we fall on it and where we should fall on it. Seeing as it's been almost 8 years since I last looked at my "ideal" weight, I thought I'd look up where I should be, according to the BMI scale.
I was SHOCKED to say the least.
According to the BMI scale, to get into the middle of my "healthy" weight range, I needed to lose 110 pounds from my starting point.
GASP!! (let it all out - we'll have a collective catching of our breaths)
110 pounds!?!?!? That's insane!! That's 30 pounds LESS than the weight I was at my smallest, healthiest point. The point where I hit my Weight Watchers goal and stopped going to the meetings on a weekly basis. The weight I was at when we got married.....and the weight that I'm aiming for on this journey.
I can't imagine being the weight that was my "healthy" weight. (and mind you, that 110 pounds was only to get to the MIDDLE of my healthy BMI range - it would have been 120 if I wanted to get to the lowest "healthy" BMI). I honestly think that weight would be too skinny for me - which led me to wonder how much the number really means. Is the BMI scale like my children's weight as babies? Are we focusing too much on the number on the scale and not on the lifestyle changes or milestones met?
I really wonder if we are. And I wonder if we're not setting our children up for the same kind of focus on numbers, with our focus on them having to be in the 50%-75% when they're babies. With every one of my boys, we were pressured to try and "plump" them up to get past that 50% mark on the charts. Now, I'm trying to decrease my weight to get down UNDER that 50% mark on the BMI scale. Are we setting our children up for a life of focusing on the numbers?
Will they miss out on seeing what they CAN do because they're focused on the charts?
As I sit here, I realize that I spent all morning feeling guilty about not knowing my numbers on the scale, and ignoring the fact that I had a fun-filled morning with my children before school, that I managed to knock things off of my to-do list which will let me sit back and have fun with my kids tonight. I've been a pretty good mom today - so why does it matter that I didn't weigh myself?
Have you checked out your BMI lately? Check it out here.
And then let me know what you think!
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