Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day 1
You know those people who seem to drop all their baby weight within a few months of the baby's birth with seemingly no effort? Yeah, well I'm not one of those. It has taken a lot of hard work between each kid to lose those last 15lbs to prepregnancy weight. Between Sweetcakes and Honeybuns I cut out treats and exercised for 6 months and lost 15lbs. Between Honeybuns and Little Peach I cut out sugar (not just treats) and exercised and lost the 15lbs. Here I am again needing to lose it and I have tried both of those strategies with no success. First of all, I have no energy to exercise. I am up multiple times a night and I stay up late enjoying my alone time, then wake up early with the kiddos. No nap for me usually. Whenever I try to work out, I wimp out on the DVD or someone needs a drink of milk or to be put down for a nap. I ain't gonna lie, it is difficult to get regular exercise.
Enter this book I just read, "Eat to Live" by Joel Fuhrman, MD. He has observed in his twenty years of being a doctor that his patients with diseases and obesity can reverse their health problems by following an eating plan that is high in nutrient rich plant based foods and whole grains and low in animal products. Sound familiar? Yes, it is basically the Word of Wisdom. He recites statistic after statistic where people who eat a diet high in animal products (the "Standard American Diet") have the higher rate of obesity and obesity related diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Also many types of cancer are found more frequently in this group of people than in the plant eating people.
So I was convinced after reading the recipe section. Sure you can talk all day about how bad my processed food is, but if it's not something I can incorporate into my daily routine or get my kids to like it's just not gonna work. Well, the recipes are totally stuff I already fix! Lentil soup, salads, smoothies, etc. It was awesome. Dr Fuhrman notes that once your body starts receiving the nutrients it needs, it detoxifies and the extra weight falls off. Cravings for junk food are erased, energy is restored, and a plethora of health problems are resolved.
Today I ate cereal for breakfast (only cuz I needed to obtain said fruits and vegetables at the store), grapes, carrots, cherries, and a banana for lunch, and lentil soup and broccoli for dinner. All was delicious and it was so amazing to not have that feeling of guilt that normally accompanies my eating. You can eat as many vegetables as you want, lots of fruit, and whole grains. Nuts and seeds are also in the plan. For the first six weeks you shouldn't eat any animal based products (meats, milk, eggs, dairy) but you can incorporate them back into your diet in small amounts after the initial six weeks. I was a little worried about my milk supply since I still have an exclusively breastfed infant, but it was fine today. I actually did not even experience any cravings for unhealthy food!
I'm gonna try to track my progress on this here blog and pretend that people actually care to know. :-) Six weeks away is September 20th. I can totally do it. Bring on better health! And good bye, extra 15lbs!!
Enter this book I just read, "Eat to Live" by Joel Fuhrman, MD. He has observed in his twenty years of being a doctor that his patients with diseases and obesity can reverse their health problems by following an eating plan that is high in nutrient rich plant based foods and whole grains and low in animal products. Sound familiar? Yes, it is basically the Word of Wisdom. He recites statistic after statistic where people who eat a diet high in animal products (the "Standard American Diet") have the higher rate of obesity and obesity related diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Also many types of cancer are found more frequently in this group of people than in the plant eating people.
So I was convinced after reading the recipe section. Sure you can talk all day about how bad my processed food is, but if it's not something I can incorporate into my daily routine or get my kids to like it's just not gonna work. Well, the recipes are totally stuff I already fix! Lentil soup, salads, smoothies, etc. It was awesome. Dr Fuhrman notes that once your body starts receiving the nutrients it needs, it detoxifies and the extra weight falls off. Cravings for junk food are erased, energy is restored, and a plethora of health problems are resolved.
Today I ate cereal for breakfast (only cuz I needed to obtain said fruits and vegetables at the store), grapes, carrots, cherries, and a banana for lunch, and lentil soup and broccoli for dinner. All was delicious and it was so amazing to not have that feeling of guilt that normally accompanies my eating. You can eat as many vegetables as you want, lots of fruit, and whole grains. Nuts and seeds are also in the plan. For the first six weeks you shouldn't eat any animal based products (meats, milk, eggs, dairy) but you can incorporate them back into your diet in small amounts after the initial six weeks. I was a little worried about my milk supply since I still have an exclusively breastfed infant, but it was fine today. I actually did not even experience any cravings for unhealthy food!
I'm gonna try to track my progress on this here blog and pretend that people actually care to know. :-) Six weeks away is September 20th. I can totally do it. Bring on better health! And good bye, extra 15lbs!!
Still fluttering
So newbies at FlyLady are said to be "fluttering" and eventually "flying" once they have their lives/homes under control. I have been doing this for one week and I am happy to say that things are still clean! My kitchen is shiny and neat and my upstairs bathroom is clean as a whistle. It takes about 10 seconds to do the swish n swipe (wipe the counters and swish out the toilet bowl) every morning and it is so awesome and encouraging to walk in there during the day and be greeted by cleanliness. A suggestion was made to me to clean my shower a little each day while I am in it, so I have been doing that this past week as well. This morning I finished! It only took an extra minute attached to each shower and now it is sparkly clean. Usually I wait until it is super grimy then set aside an afternoon, bring all my cleaning supplies into the bathroom, roll up my pants, and spend an hour scrubbing. Hard to do as a mom of young kids whose naps and appetites are unpredictable at times. There are other areas in my house that still need work but I am very proud of my progress so far.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
FlyLady
Have you ever heard of FlyLady? Well, I just signed up. My mom was involved years ago when I still lived at home and I am now finding myself in need of her services, motivation, and encouragement.
FlyLady is a website that helps people get their homes and lives organized. I am not an organized person. I married one, though. Since getting married, I have learned a lot about being organized and maintaining cleanliness, not only from my husband but also from my MIL. She is really good about putting stuff away right after she is done using it. It's amazing-- at her house the kids know that when they want to play with a new toy, they have to put away the one they're using. No matter how I try, I cannot get my kids to do that at home. But practice makes better, right?
So every few days I clean my house. Not like scrubbing, but putting clutter away. Once it's straightened, I breathe a sigh of relief and walk through the house gazing at all the clean surfaces. I do snow angels on the living room carpet and bask in the lack of toys on it. I rub my hands and arms and occasionally my cheek all over my counters and ponder on the smoothness thereof. Then I resume normal life. I don't really do anything to keep it clean and suddenly a few days later, it's messy again! I look around and say to myself, "how did this HAPPEN?!" The cycle repeats over and over.
You know those people who always have a clean house? You go over to their house and as you walk in the door they say, "my house is a mess, but come on in." Then you see one toy on the floor and one cup on the counter. Um, please don't ever come to my house, k? You might just wither away. There must be a secret. What do they know that I don't? Do they clean all day? Do they spend their kid-free time scrubbing toilets? Are their kids perfectly trained little custodians?
So I signed up for FlyLady. She's all about baby steps, taking it a little at a time. So the first two things I have incorporated into my routine are shining my kitchen sink, and the swish n swipe. Every night before you go to bed you're supposed to shine your kitchen sink, no matter the state of the rest of your house. I have done that now for three nights and it's a nice thing to wake up to. I also have maintained a clean kitchen which also makes me feel like I've given myself a present when I wake up.
The swish n swipe is right after you finish getting ready in the morning. You wipe your counters down and give your toilet bowl a quick swish. It takes under a minute and the goal is to always have a clean bathroom. Then you never have to "clean the bathroom." It's always looking sparkly. Oh, and you wipe the mirror too. I did this this morning for the first time and it was nice to have a good looking bathroom all day. I will see if this will stick.
Another FLyLady thing is to get dressed and do your hair and makeup every day. I already do this so I won't worry about it. I simply cannot function if I haven't showered and gotten ready. Ick. Even if I'm super productive for half the day and then take a shower, I feel like I haven't gotten anything done.
I'll let you know how it goes. So far so good. My goal is to avoid CHAOS ("Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"). Go me!
FlyLady is a website that helps people get their homes and lives organized. I am not an organized person. I married one, though. Since getting married, I have learned a lot about being organized and maintaining cleanliness, not only from my husband but also from my MIL. She is really good about putting stuff away right after she is done using it. It's amazing-- at her house the kids know that when they want to play with a new toy, they have to put away the one they're using. No matter how I try, I cannot get my kids to do that at home. But practice makes better, right?
So every few days I clean my house. Not like scrubbing, but putting clutter away. Once it's straightened, I breathe a sigh of relief and walk through the house gazing at all the clean surfaces. I do snow angels on the living room carpet and bask in the lack of toys on it. I rub my hands and arms and occasionally my cheek all over my counters and ponder on the smoothness thereof. Then I resume normal life. I don't really do anything to keep it clean and suddenly a few days later, it's messy again! I look around and say to myself, "how did this HAPPEN?!" The cycle repeats over and over.
You know those people who always have a clean house? You go over to their house and as you walk in the door they say, "my house is a mess, but come on in." Then you see one toy on the floor and one cup on the counter. Um, please don't ever come to my house, k? You might just wither away. There must be a secret. What do they know that I don't? Do they clean all day? Do they spend their kid-free time scrubbing toilets? Are their kids perfectly trained little custodians?
So I signed up for FlyLady. She's all about baby steps, taking it a little at a time. So the first two things I have incorporated into my routine are shining my kitchen sink, and the swish n swipe. Every night before you go to bed you're supposed to shine your kitchen sink, no matter the state of the rest of your house. I have done that now for three nights and it's a nice thing to wake up to. I also have maintained a clean kitchen which also makes me feel like I've given myself a present when I wake up.
The swish n swipe is right after you finish getting ready in the morning. You wipe your counters down and give your toilet bowl a quick swish. It takes under a minute and the goal is to always have a clean bathroom. Then you never have to "clean the bathroom." It's always looking sparkly. Oh, and you wipe the mirror too. I did this this morning for the first time and it was nice to have a good looking bathroom all day. I will see if this will stick.
Another FLyLady thing is to get dressed and do your hair and makeup every day. I already do this so I won't worry about it. I simply cannot function if I haven't showered and gotten ready. Ick. Even if I'm super productive for half the day and then take a shower, I feel like I haven't gotten anything done.
I'll let you know how it goes. So far so good. My goal is to avoid CHAOS ("Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"). Go me!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Giveaway
Check this out. Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is giving away a Britax stroller.
I totally want it.
I totally want it.
That's more like it
My husband is done with the bar!! Woo hoo!! He took it this past Tuesday and Wednesday and we are ALL glad he is finished. We hardly saw him for the past 2.5 months and now we see him all the time.
I have to admit, when a student husband who is normally gone and is then home for a break or whatnot, an adjustment period is necessary. Suddenly there's one more person around the house. A big person, not a tiny person like when Little Peach was born. Kids have two parents to answer to and listen to and play with instead of one. I'm not really sure whether to plan big fun filled family activities to enjoy daddy or schedule low-key days around the house to all be together. Or do I take the kids somewhere so Hubs can relax and enjoy peace and quiet? Then there're MY needs, aka ALONE TIME. We have to strike a balance.
I did have some mommy time this past week (thanks Hubs). It was amazing. I went shopping with my sisters and ate gourmet cupcakes. Another time I went to Target and walked around, looking at everything. It was delightful. I had a nap today, and twice Hubs has taken the two big girls to grandma's to play while I stay home with Little Peach (who slept and let me clean). Can I tell you what a difference that alone time makes for a mommy? It's astounding. Suddenly I have a ton more patience with the kiddos, I gaze at their beautiful little faces more, I remember my discipline goals better, and I'm excited to see them in the morning.
I also painted my fingernails. They are tangerine orange, which apparently is the "in" color this season for fingernails. I feel so on top of it.
I have to admit, when a student husband who is normally gone and is then home for a break or whatnot, an adjustment period is necessary. Suddenly there's one more person around the house. A big person, not a tiny person like when Little Peach was born. Kids have two parents to answer to and listen to and play with instead of one. I'm not really sure whether to plan big fun filled family activities to enjoy daddy or schedule low-key days around the house to all be together. Or do I take the kids somewhere so Hubs can relax and enjoy peace and quiet? Then there're MY needs, aka ALONE TIME. We have to strike a balance.
I did have some mommy time this past week (thanks Hubs). It was amazing. I went shopping with my sisters and ate gourmet cupcakes. Another time I went to Target and walked around, looking at everything. It was delightful. I had a nap today, and twice Hubs has taken the two big girls to grandma's to play while I stay home with Little Peach (who slept and let me clean). Can I tell you what a difference that alone time makes for a mommy? It's astounding. Suddenly I have a ton more patience with the kiddos, I gaze at their beautiful little faces more, I remember my discipline goals better, and I'm excited to see them in the morning.
I also painted my fingernails. They are tangerine orange, which apparently is the "in" color this season for fingernails. I feel so on top of it.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Meh...
I shampoo'd today. Yep. I had heard about this "transition period" where you have gross hair while it adjusts to no-poo, but wow. My hair was a grease pit yesterday. I couldn't stand it any longer and washed it with shampoo in the shower today. Then I went and got a hair cut where she washed my hair again. Take my greasy head to a professional hairstylist? No thanks. I'm still a poo-er. Maybe someday I'll try again. We'll see.
Can I just tell you how excited I am to see Harry Potter 7? I am waiting until after Hubs takes the bar exam (next Tuesday and Wednesday) so I'll see it next week sometime. Arrrg! I keep hearing how awesome it is and everyone is blogging about it (I probably will too) but I am not reading those blogs. I am going into it ready to be amazed. Eeeek!
I think my baby is teething. She is 4.5 months which is when my second daughter got her first teeth. She is cranky, drooly, and runny nose-y. I know "they" say that runny nose is not a symptom of teething, but anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise. Ya never know, I guess. My thinking is that you can blame any sleep/eating/behavioral problems on teeth until they are all in.
I love to floss. It is so incredibly satisfying. And now my children let me floss their teeth. It's so fun! Sweetcakes actually asked me if I wash my hands in between flossing their mouths (I do). Funny how she is becoming aware of germs!
Can I just tell you how excited I am to see Harry Potter 7? I am waiting until after Hubs takes the bar exam (next Tuesday and Wednesday) so I'll see it next week sometime. Arrrg! I keep hearing how awesome it is and everyone is blogging about it (I probably will too) but I am not reading those blogs. I am going into it ready to be amazed. Eeeek!
I think my baby is teething. She is 4.5 months which is when my second daughter got her first teeth. She is cranky, drooly, and runny nose-y. I know "they" say that runny nose is not a symptom of teething, but anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise. Ya never know, I guess. My thinking is that you can blame any sleep/eating/behavioral problems on teeth until they are all in.
I love to floss. It is so incredibly satisfying. And now my children let me floss their teeth. It's so fun! Sweetcakes actually asked me if I wash my hands in between flossing their mouths (I do). Funny how she is becoming aware of germs!
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