Whole 30 Progress-Week 1

It's been about a week and half and here we are-alive. That sounds a little dramatic, but it's true. We are feeling so alive! We realize it hasn't been very long, but we are already feeling lighter and healthier already. It hasn't been all roses and rainbows (hellooooo sugar cravings), but we are definitely feeling some of this hard work paying off. Let me back up, though and start with a few thoughts from this week. . .

 I would kill for a cookie cake right now.

I bet she has a peppermint mocha in that red Starbucks cup.

Would it really be so bad to cheat? 

Wow, my skin looks clearer.

Did I really just beat my last workout's time by almost a minute?

I feel lighter; not as puffy.

My clothes are definitely fitting better.

This recipe actually tastes better with coconut oil.

I could eat this every day. Even after we're done with this!

As you can see the thoughts transitioned from negative to more positive. Our mindset definitely shifted this week as we realized the good that was coming from keeping up with the healthier eating. Something that really helped us was starting with a plan.

I had meals figured out for the next week and a few snack options in case we got "hangry". I knew we needed to have a plan of action in place when those nasty cravings attacked, and boy did they (did I mention the sugar cravings?). But with the foods we had readily available it wasn't too bad. It only got really tempting when I was out and about and saw all the options around me (oh, Starbucks, how I miss your chocolatey goodness).

Here is a look at what we ate this week:
Sunday-pork chops, brussel sprouts, collard greens
Monday-turkey zucchini bites, salad, sweet potato fries
Tuesday-fish tacos (lettuce wraps), carrot fries, sautéed green beans
Wednesday-chicken fajitas (no tortilla), spinach, cauliflower
Thursday-chili, eggplant fries
Friday-steaks, grilled shrimp, sweet potatoes (from Outback)
Saturday-cilantro lime chicken, sautéed spinach, sweet potato fries

It definitely wasn't boring. In fact, a lot of the items above are things we ate any way. I doctored a few recipes to make them compliant, but was really happy overall. Pinterest has been so helpful through this! I honestly don't know what I would do without the wisdom of those who have done this before us.

Here's to hoping the next week goes just as smoothly!

Haha. Yep. 

Check out my healthy eating board on Pinterest for lots of yummy recipes.

Mommahood

My sweet husband blessed me with an amazing devotional this year for Christmas-Out of the Spin Cycle by Jen Haymaker. Sound familiar? That's because I wrote about how wonderful her book Seven was here. I've only read two of the devotions so far, but Jesus has already used her words to strike truth in my heart. Love when that happens!

She opens the book with an amazing word for all mommas. She speaks to the momma who has one baby and the momma who has a whole litter. She calls to the momma who breastfeeds and the momma who rocks out the formula. She shouts to the momma who stays at home and the momma who runs the company. She talks to us all. Without further adieu, "a (fairly lame) ode to motherhood". . .

By: Jen Hatmaker

An ode to the marvelous woman called “Mother” 
Though not one of us is exactly like another. 
From the second we’re born to the minute we die 
Our preferences are as limitless as stars in the sky.

We might have been perfectly gracious before 
But childbirth entered us in the Mommy War. 
Rather than letting everyone else be 
We criticize parenting that isn’t exactly like . . . me.

So once and for all let me put this to rest 
None of us owns the title of “best.” 
Natural childbirth does not make you a hippy 
Epidurals are not just for women who want to feel trippy.

In a bathtub with a doula or in a hospital bed 
We all got a baby with limbs and a head. 
Nursing is great if nothing goes wrong 
But some nipples turn inward and refuse to play along.

This is a choice for each mom–it’s her route 
So it’s just A + B and everyone else can C their way out. 
Schedules and timers do not make you cruel 
Feeding on demand does not make you a fool.

In the nursery with a monitor or in the family bed 
Every chick gets to pick where her baby lays his head. 
If I see one more mom roll her eyes at “organic . . .” 
“Partially hydrogenated” throws some of us into panic.

But neither judge Sonic burgers and fries 
Some of us just want to enjoy food before we die. 
Preschool, home school, public, or Montessori 
Listen, my friends, and I’ll tell you a story:

Two moms differed on favorite school trends 
Their kids turned out pretty much the same. The end. 
If a girl gets the title of “mom” accidentally 
The worst thing we can do is treat her judgmentally.

How about some love, some help, some advice? 
She needs our love and we shouldn’t think twice. 
Discipline through various methods will prevail 
Look, we’re all just trying to keep our kids out of jail.

These things are just preferences, not right or wrong 
What matters more is teaching our kids to get along– 
To love and to share, to speak gently and kind, 
To obey so that mom won’t go out of her mind.

Showing them Jesus is our common ground 
Teaching them how he can always be found. 
He’s present in public school and Waldorf (so trendy) 
He’s over at Whole Foods but also at Wendy’s.

Jesus never cared about these sorts of things 
It’s our hearts that he wants and the worship we bring. 
It’s time for us moms to declare a truce 
Regardless if we buy Capri Sun or 100 percent juice.

My way is not your way, and your way isn’t mine 
But both of our kids will turn out just fine. 
Rather than judging and looking down our noses 
Let’s enjoy the common ground motherhood poses.

As believers, we all love the same good Lord 
We all have children who tell us “I’m bored.” 
We all need more sleep than these tiny five hours 
Most of us struggle to find time for a shower.

We haven’t been to the bathroom alone in an age 
Our mothers have all told us, “Relax, this is just a stage.” 
We all love our babies so much we could die 
We’d take a bullet for each one without batting an eye.

Though we are different, we’re in the same tribe 
Motherhood requires a similar vibe– 
Love and affection, sacrifice and grace 
Laughter, which keeps the whole mechanism in place.

Though different, by the grace of God, I suspect: 
ALL our children will rise up and call us ... collect.

She looks well to how things go in her household. ... Her children rise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:27—28 AMP

No matter what type of momma you are, God chose YOU to parent your child for a purpose and you are doing an AMAZING job!

A Whole New Way of Eating

Have you heard of Whole30? You've probably heard it mentioned a time or two in passing. Or maybe you know someone who is a pretty healthy eater who lives it day in and day out. I first heard mention of it a couple of years ago and thought it was poppycock. Give up dairy? No way, Jose! Say no to my nightly sweet treats? You must be crazy! Eliminate ALL processed foods? Here, let me direct you to the looney bin. 

I mean, we've always eaten fairly healthily but nothing super extreme. Usually a meat and two veggies at supper with bread a distant thing of the past. Our (started as mine and I slowly brought David's tastebuds around. . .) downfall has always been dessert. Have you seen the foodie section of this blog?? It wasn't until my kidneys stopped responding to the steroids as they had in the past that I started really investigating our diet and what we were doing to ourselves. I was amazed at how poor our choices had become over time. It was time to hit the reset button.

So, that's where we are-hitting the reset button. We're not going into this in hopes of losing weight, but more in jumpstarting our bodies. Trying to kick the sugar addiction (yes, it is a total addiction for me!) and eliminate the ick that we take in. It certainly won't be easy, but we believe it will definitely be worth it!

For those of you who have walked this path I would love any advice you have on food and good recipes. Pinterest has been super helpful, but I love hearing what worked for real people! 

Christmas Pictures 2014

I have always loved sending out Christmas cards and knew that this year would be no different! As soon as the fabulous Jennifer Bartlett of Three Loves Photography sent information out about Christmas sessions I knew we had to snag one. Jennifer blew us away yet again with the great shots she took of our little family! Here are a few of our favorites. . .

Veggies and Cheese Egg Casserole

I knew that I wanted to make something special for us to enjoy on Christmas morning. My mom always had lots of stuff to choose from, but with just the two of us eating I knew I only needed to make one thing, but to make it good. I found this recipe and tailored it to our tastebuds. In the week since I first made it we've already made it again. This is a great, healthy meal tat can be warmed up and snacked on throughout the week. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients

1/2 cup yellow onion, diced

1 cup mushrooms, chopped

1 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped

1 cup tomatoes, diced

12 eggs

2 cups mozzarella cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Crack eggs in bowl and whisk.

Stir in veggies and cheese.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes in a greased 9x13 pan.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!