Keep in mind these were ALL taken by my 2 & 1/2 year old daughter, Grace, and are pulled directly from her personal camera, unedited.
Dear Grace,
I love the way you see your world. Thank you for sharing it with me.
All my love, Mom
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Eyes of a Child
So I finally got around to downloading the software to the camera Grace got for Christmas. If you don't have kids, or are new to parenting, you may find their view of the world (especially thanks to Grace's ninja photography skillz) profoundly fascinating.
Keep in mind these were ALL taken by my 2 & 1/2 year old daughter, Grace, and are pulled directly from her personal camera, unedited.
Dear Grace,
I love the way you see your world. Thank you for sharing it with me.
All my love, Mom
Keep in mind these were ALL taken by my 2 & 1/2 year old daughter, Grace, and are pulled directly from her personal camera, unedited.
Dear Grace,
I love the way you see your world. Thank you for sharing it with me.
All my love, Mom
Sunday, January 30, 2011
50 Pounds Faster
Yesterday, I completed my 2nd effort in my favorite 5k, Hale Freezes Over. My good friend Laura came to do it with me, and we finished in 45 mins. I was hoping for 38, but the hill to Hale is the hill from Hell, LOL. The whole time I was thinking "50 pounds faster!" Since I was 50 pounds heavier at the last edition of the race.
I was pretty happy with 45, considering my fastest time is 43... on a treadmill. So I think 45 for a street run is pretty good for me. It was also a 15 min improvement over last year's entry, and I think shaving 15 mins off of any effort is kind of a big deal to any runner ;)
Grace is doing great on Primal. Her cough and bogies cleared up almost immediately after going off grains. I don't know if this is coincidence, but I'm not going to question or complain. She still asks for her regular staples, but I keep reminding her that we gave it to her friends. Then I show her all the yummy food in the fridge that we bought together, and encourage her to have anything she wants, which usually ends up being cheese, fruit, or yogurt. She loves bacon.
Stonyfield Farm makes a neat little yogurt drink that she likes, but they are expensive. Chobani started making greek yogurt for kids, but also expensive. Anyway, to save on the drinks, I did this:
1 container Chobani Champions (a plain greek yogurt would probably fly, too)
1/2 cup coconut milk
Strawberries
destroy in food processor for yummy smoothie. It makes a couple of servings, so I think it will help the grocery bill. The above recipe is loaded with healthy, natural fats, antioxidants, live active cultures, and protein.
We also found a better way to make pancakes! My first attempt, following a recipe in the Primal Cookbook using coconut flour, was a flop. They were super grainy and smelled of playdoh (not that I mind playdoh), and needed a lot of syrup and butter to "enjoy". Yesterday I found another recipe that uses eggs, bananas, and almond butter. THEY WERE FANTASTIC! Today I tried substituting coconut butter. Those turned out pretty good, too, but the almond butter ones were superior. Basically you do equal parts of the 3 ingredients, then cook them up like regular pancakes. Try it sometime. I think you'll thank me :)
Anyway, time to get ready for church. I promise I will post Grace's shopping experience soon!
I was pretty happy with 45, considering my fastest time is 43... on a treadmill. So I think 45 for a street run is pretty good for me. It was also a 15 min improvement over last year's entry, and I think shaving 15 mins off of any effort is kind of a big deal to any runner ;)
Grace is doing great on Primal. Her cough and bogies cleared up almost immediately after going off grains. I don't know if this is coincidence, but I'm not going to question or complain. She still asks for her regular staples, but I keep reminding her that we gave it to her friends. Then I show her all the yummy food in the fridge that we bought together, and encourage her to have anything she wants, which usually ends up being cheese, fruit, or yogurt. She loves bacon.
Stonyfield Farm makes a neat little yogurt drink that she likes, but they are expensive. Chobani started making greek yogurt for kids, but also expensive. Anyway, to save on the drinks, I did this:
1 container Chobani Champions (a plain greek yogurt would probably fly, too)
1/2 cup coconut milk
Strawberries
destroy in food processor for yummy smoothie. It makes a couple of servings, so I think it will help the grocery bill. The above recipe is loaded with healthy, natural fats, antioxidants, live active cultures, and protein.
We also found a better way to make pancakes! My first attempt, following a recipe in the Primal Cookbook using coconut flour, was a flop. They were super grainy and smelled of playdoh (not that I mind playdoh), and needed a lot of syrup and butter to "enjoy". Yesterday I found another recipe that uses eggs, bananas, and almond butter. THEY WERE FANTASTIC! Today I tried substituting coconut butter. Those turned out pretty good, too, but the almond butter ones were superior. Basically you do equal parts of the 3 ingredients, then cook them up like regular pancakes. Try it sometime. I think you'll thank me :)
Anyway, time to get ready for church. I promise I will post Grace's shopping experience soon!
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Day in the Life
Keep in mind, I intend to update this particular post throughout the day.
Today we are going grocery shopping. There will be pictures. You have been forewarned!
Grace's morning started with a small bowl of raspberries in coconut milk (yum!), followed by bacon, grapes, and pineapple.
Then we got dressed and headed to the store. Winco was first on the list. We picked up lots of veggies!
Next we hit Walmart, and got some meat, and basic household stuff. After that it was Target where I went bananas on yogurt (chobani started making greek yogurt for little tykes-- woot!). When we were done at Target, we visited Sunflower Market, then Harmons. We were pretty tired after that (and hungry), so we came home and I fixed some "fried" chicken breast for us using egg, coconut milk, and coconut flour. I think next time I will use almond flour. Coconut flour just tastes funny. I think it's headed toward my Frankenfood list, surprisingly.
Next we headed up to SLC to meet daddy for dinner. We went to Tucanos, the Primal eater's paradise.
The aftermath:
Grace took pictures, too! I will upload from her camera (yes, she has her own camera) in the morning. I need to go to bed soon. Running Hale Freezes Over 5k tomorrow :)
Today we are going grocery shopping. There will be pictures. You have been forewarned!
Grace's morning started with a small bowl of raspberries in coconut milk (yum!), followed by bacon, grapes, and pineapple.
Then we got dressed and headed to the store. Winco was first on the list. We picked up lots of veggies!
Next we hit Walmart, and got some meat, and basic household stuff. After that it was Target where I went bananas on yogurt (chobani started making greek yogurt for little tykes-- woot!). When we were done at Target, we visited Sunflower Market, then Harmons. We were pretty tired after that (and hungry), so we came home and I fixed some "fried" chicken breast for us using egg, coconut milk, and coconut flour. I think next time I will use almond flour. Coconut flour just tastes funny. I think it's headed toward my Frankenfood list, surprisingly.
Next we headed up to SLC to meet daddy for dinner. We went to Tucanos, the Primal eater's paradise.
The aftermath:
Grace took pictures, too! I will upload from her camera (yes, she has her own camera) in the morning. I need to go to bed soon. Running Hale Freezes Over 5k tomorrow :)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Grace Meets Grokling
Today was a big day in Grace's life. In the Primal Blueprint, the main character used as primary subject is a Paleolithic friend named Grok. He has 2 kids (a young son, and a toddler) and a loving mate. The baby is called Grokling. Wife is Mrs. Grok, boy is Grok Jr. You get the idea.
Anyway, Primal Blueprint promises health and strength and improves my firm belief daily that the body can heal itself of major illnesses, depending on the way one treats it (including nutrition). Every time I turn around, Grace is sick. She's either hacking up a lung or launching a snot rocket. I knew something had to change, but what? Just like my life, and knowing I have to get healthy for my next baby, and reverse my diabetes (which everyone says can't be done, but I know the cure is out there!), I turned to Primal Blueprint. And so, today, Grace turned into a Grokling. I am putting faith in the program that it will improve her health and immune system dramatically. In fact, I knew it was the right thing to do when she begged me for pizza for lunch. I obliged. Two bites in, she took it to the trash and dumped it, completely unprompted. I felt compelled to grab boxes and get all the processed stuff out of our lives for good. Grace even helped by putting HER "fruit" snacks, and HER precious mac n cheese in with the lot. I explained we were going to take it to her friends. I wish I had gotten pictures.
And so day 1 of my little Grokling's new healthy life has begun. I am still trying to figure out if it's okay to let her graze as she has been, or try to get her to sit down to actual meals.
Here's what she ate today:
raspberries & milk
2 pieces canadian bacon
2 laughing cow cheese
1 fruit cup
1 whole orange
8 oz Bolthouse Farms C-Boost Juice
2 pieces bacon
1 yogurt
I forget the rest, will try to keep better track tomorrow. It's all clean eating from here on out. If it doesn't have a mama or come right out of the earth, it won't be in our house.
Raspberries & coconut milk for breakfast tomorrow, then off to do some grocery shopping. I am hoping if Grace has a say in what we buy, that she will continue to transform into a thriving little Grokling :)
It is also in my intentions to start walking outside with her more, especially on the warmer days.
Anyway, Primal Blueprint promises health and strength and improves my firm belief daily that the body can heal itself of major illnesses, depending on the way one treats it (including nutrition). Every time I turn around, Grace is sick. She's either hacking up a lung or launching a snot rocket. I knew something had to change, but what? Just like my life, and knowing I have to get healthy for my next baby, and reverse my diabetes (which everyone says can't be done, but I know the cure is out there!), I turned to Primal Blueprint. And so, today, Grace turned into a Grokling. I am putting faith in the program that it will improve her health and immune system dramatically. In fact, I knew it was the right thing to do when she begged me for pizza for lunch. I obliged. Two bites in, she took it to the trash and dumped it, completely unprompted. I felt compelled to grab boxes and get all the processed stuff out of our lives for good. Grace even helped by putting HER "fruit" snacks, and HER precious mac n cheese in with the lot. I explained we were going to take it to her friends. I wish I had gotten pictures.
And so day 1 of my little Grokling's new healthy life has begun. I am still trying to figure out if it's okay to let her graze as she has been, or try to get her to sit down to actual meals.
Here's what she ate today:
raspberries & milk
2 pieces canadian bacon
2 laughing cow cheese
1 fruit cup
1 whole orange
8 oz Bolthouse Farms C-Boost Juice
2 pieces bacon
1 yogurt
I forget the rest, will try to keep better track tomorrow. It's all clean eating from here on out. If it doesn't have a mama or come right out of the earth, it won't be in our house.
Raspberries & coconut milk for breakfast tomorrow, then off to do some grocery shopping. I am hoping if Grace has a say in what we buy, that she will continue to transform into a thriving little Grokling :)
It is also in my intentions to start walking outside with her more, especially on the warmer days.
Gutted
Dear Loving, Supportive, Understanding Husband,
I should warn you that when you get home, you might freak out a little. Please don't freak out. I gutted the freezer. I gave away all of the processed crap (except your precious drumstick ice cream cones). I got rid of all of Grace's "fruit" snacks, mac n cheese, etc. Grace helped. She gladly put it in the boxes and bags. In fact, when I tried to feed her pizza today (which she specifically begged for), she took 2 bites, then took the plate with the food to the garbage can and dumped it. This, in fact, is what prompted me to purge our home from the monster known as FRANKENFOOD.
I also have the brilliant idea that I should be given the money directly to go shopping. It's been a long time since I've actively kept track of money, and I figure it will help rein in the grocery bill, especially after that last trip in which I went WAAAAY over budget.
I hope you're not too upset. I just want our family to be healthy, happy, and have a very long life together.
Love, me (even though it appears I may have quite possibly gone entirely crazy)
(The cereal container keeps our Larabars organized)
I should warn you that when you get home, you might freak out a little. Please don't freak out. I gutted the freezer. I gave away all of the processed crap (except your precious drumstick ice cream cones). I got rid of all of Grace's "fruit" snacks, mac n cheese, etc. Grace helped. She gladly put it in the boxes and bags. In fact, when I tried to feed her pizza today (which she specifically begged for), she took 2 bites, then took the plate with the food to the garbage can and dumped it. This, in fact, is what prompted me to purge our home from the monster known as FRANKENFOOD.
I also have the brilliant idea that I should be given the money directly to go shopping. It's been a long time since I've actively kept track of money, and I figure it will help rein in the grocery bill, especially after that last trip in which I went WAAAAY over budget.
I hope you're not too upset. I just want our family to be healthy, happy, and have a very long life together.
Love, me (even though it appears I may have quite possibly gone entirely crazy)
(The cereal container keeps our Larabars organized)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Best Ever!
So yesterday I went to gym, and since my body isn't used to burning fat as its primary fuel instead of carbs, I was pretty tired to say the least. It was completely maddening when I couldn't get Grace to take a nap. I needed one badly, and she refused to take one, even when I tried letting her lay down in bed with me. She went to bed early, but I was still pretty ornery by the time we had to leave to pick up hubby/daddy from bus stop for chiropractor appointment. I was even angrier cuz I didn't realize that dinner (delicious primal chili) was going to take 2 hours to cook, and I had already taken the ground critter out that morning. So we had to do something else for dinner, which always throws a wrench in my daily diet. I felt better after chiro (who is one of the doctors on board with my new lifestyle-- 1 down, 1 to go), and we stopped at Wingers for dinner. I had 2 steaks and steamed broccoli. Yum! Grace went to bed when we got home, and I was feeling better, emotionally, a few hours later.
I spent some time planning out my food for today, but when I woke up I listened to my body. It said it would like to fast. I started cooking the chili at 10a, and finished at noon. So that was a beautiful 18 hour body-led fast. When the chili was close to being ready, I poached 2 eggs, and cooked up some bacon. I had my chili over the eggs & bacon, with feta on top. OH MY GOSH, IT WAS TO DIE FOR! I wish you could have some. BEST EVER! Officially down to 170, I think. It's been a couple days where I've seen it now. Very exciting.
I hope you will think about checking out Primal Blueprint. What it's done for me is terrific.
I spent some time planning out my food for today, but when I woke up I listened to my body. It said it would like to fast. I started cooking the chili at 10a, and finished at noon. So that was a beautiful 18 hour body-led fast. When the chili was close to being ready, I poached 2 eggs, and cooked up some bacon. I had my chili over the eggs & bacon, with feta on top. OH MY GOSH, IT WAS TO DIE FOR! I wish you could have some. BEST EVER! Officially down to 170, I think. It's been a couple days where I've seen it now. Very exciting.
I hope you will think about checking out Primal Blueprint. What it's done for me is terrific.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
*Grunt* Me Tarzan
In case you're wondering, my new Primal Blueprint lifestyle is going great. I have a new wealth of energy and power that I hadn't owned before. The other night I went to the gym and almost effortlessly moved everything up 10 lbs in the weight room. It was really hard NOT to run on the treadmill, but I gave in and did one brief interval on 6. It was like walking on 4! I was amazed. Down to 171 today. Trying to convert everyone I know to Primal Blueprint. I wish everyone could feel like Superman, the way I do.
Andy is hesitant to change, but I am slowly winning him over with my Primal dinners and home made protein bars.
Today I did a body-led fast. I had all my food planned out for the day, but I wasn't hungry when I got up. In fact, I wasn't really wanting food until about 2pm. That's when I caved and had some corned beef rolled up in lettuce, followed by an entire bag of steamed vegetables, a cod fillet with coconut oil & shredded coconut, and 2 pieces of bacon. Life is good, and I'm enjoying experimenting with all the new recipes. I even made my own container of cereal the other night using almonds, pecans, walnuts, unsweetened coconut, and egg whites. Can't wait to have it with some coconut milk tomorrow! I also made almond butter, which is quite tasty.
How can you argue with a diet that encourages you to down steak & eggs for breakfast, or bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with creamed baby spinach for dinner? Oh and butt loads of delicious, healthy fat like coconut oil and, oh, yeah, BACON! Dirty, sexy bacon.
Andy is hesitant to change, but I am slowly winning him over with my Primal dinners and home made protein bars.
Today I did a body-led fast. I had all my food planned out for the day, but I wasn't hungry when I got up. In fact, I wasn't really wanting food until about 2pm. That's when I caved and had some corned beef rolled up in lettuce, followed by an entire bag of steamed vegetables, a cod fillet with coconut oil & shredded coconut, and 2 pieces of bacon. Life is good, and I'm enjoying experimenting with all the new recipes. I even made my own container of cereal the other night using almonds, pecans, walnuts, unsweetened coconut, and egg whites. Can't wait to have it with some coconut milk tomorrow! I also made almond butter, which is quite tasty.
How can you argue with a diet that encourages you to down steak & eggs for breakfast, or bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with creamed baby spinach for dinner? Oh and butt loads of delicious, healthy fat like coconut oil and, oh, yeah, BACON! Dirty, sexy bacon.
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Resolute Cavewoman
Christmas came and went. Ma was pretty good about keeping her opinions about my lack of house keeping to herself. However, she just wanted to sit on the couch and watch TV most of the day, unless I cajoled her into shopping or eating out. I tried my best to eat healthy, but failed miserably with all the irresistible goodies that inevitably found their way in to our home. A few days after Christmas, a funny thing began to happen. I somehow recalled/stumbled across the Paleo diet. I had come across it at the very beginning of my weight loss journey and it seemed, not only radical, but dangerous. Along the lines of the Paleo diet was also the Primal Blueprint. I began to look in to it a little, and finally found Marks Daily Apple. It seemed to me to be a little more relaxed form of Paleo. If you're not familiar with either, I encourage you to become so. If you're still scratching your head, going "Huh? What is she talking about?", allow me to put it to you bluntly.
THE GOVERNMENT & FDA ARE FEEDING YOU LIES.
It's a daring and radical statement. Mankind lived virtually disease free until the advent of agriculture and grain farming. Think about it. In the last century, when cereals and grains have been pushed upon us as a "nutritious" staple of one's diet, obesity has boomed, diabetes has run rampant, and we've seen more fatal diseases than our ancestors in the Dark Ages.
Okay, maybe the last sentence is a little dramatic, but obesity and diabetes are out of control since the introduction of a high carbohydrate diet. The basis of the Primal Blueprint is to go back to one's genetic roots, Caveman style, and eat what would have been available to them: critter, fruits, nuts, and veggies. No bread, no cereal, no grains, soy, or even dairy (although dairy is allowed in the Primal Blueprint lifestyle).
What does this mean for your favorite Pregnant Diabetic Blogger?
One day, after thinking a lot about Primal Blueprint, I was out with a friend and blurted out, "I've decided to become a caveman."
My friend, naturally, was baffled, but then intrigued after I explained it.
Now, mind you, I'm not going at this willy nilly. I've come armed and dangerous with several books, beginning with Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint & Primal Blueprint Cookbook, as well as the Paleo Diet for Athletes. They all encourage the consumption of plenty of natural, lean meat, veggies, and other organic substances.
So there's my New Year's Resolution. I've decided to become a Cavewoman. Dinner tonight was bacon wrapped chicken breast, stuffed with creamed baby spinach, and lots of veggies. It was yummy! I had orange key west shrimp salad for lunch with feta and walnuts, and tomorrow I'm making flourless pancakes.
You may all now completely freak out over my elimination of an entire food "nation". It's certainly going to be interesting to see how my doctor's react.
THE GOVERNMENT & FDA ARE FEEDING YOU LIES.
It's a daring and radical statement. Mankind lived virtually disease free until the advent of agriculture and grain farming. Think about it. In the last century, when cereals and grains have been pushed upon us as a "nutritious" staple of one's diet, obesity has boomed, diabetes has run rampant, and we've seen more fatal diseases than our ancestors in the Dark Ages.
Okay, maybe the last sentence is a little dramatic, but obesity and diabetes are out of control since the introduction of a high carbohydrate diet. The basis of the Primal Blueprint is to go back to one's genetic roots, Caveman style, and eat what would have been available to them: critter, fruits, nuts, and veggies. No bread, no cereal, no grains, soy, or even dairy (although dairy is allowed in the Primal Blueprint lifestyle).
What does this mean for your favorite Pregnant Diabetic Blogger?
One day, after thinking a lot about Primal Blueprint, I was out with a friend and blurted out, "I've decided to become a caveman."
My friend, naturally, was baffled, but then intrigued after I explained it.
Now, mind you, I'm not going at this willy nilly. I've come armed and dangerous with several books, beginning with Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint & Primal Blueprint Cookbook, as well as the Paleo Diet for Athletes. They all encourage the consumption of plenty of natural, lean meat, veggies, and other organic substances.
So there's my New Year's Resolution. I've decided to become a Cavewoman. Dinner tonight was bacon wrapped chicken breast, stuffed with creamed baby spinach, and lots of veggies. It was yummy! I had orange key west shrimp salad for lunch with feta and walnuts, and tomorrow I'm making flourless pancakes.
You may all now completely freak out over my elimination of an entire food "nation". It's certainly going to be interesting to see how my doctor's react.