How does one celebrate completing 21 days of purification?
With one steaming hot cup of fully caffeinated, dark roast, that's how!But, only one, of course!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Whatchya Been Up To?
Aside from my running and doing our purification, there really has been little going on here lately. Of course we had a gathering for last weekend's football championship game, as well as the pinewood derby. Tonight we are going to my brother and sister-in-laws for dinner after a special mass for Catholic schools, and I am taking the early part of the day tomorrow to travel close to Pittsburgh to meet some dear friends for brunch. I guess I can't say that we have had nothing to do, but it has felt more laid back, since the holidays are over. Spring is creeping up, and thus will begin the birthday celebrations, Easter, Jacob's first communion, Concerts and school fundraisers, Memorial Day, Mother's and Father's Day, 4th of July and vacation, and then before you know it, the holidays are back upon us again! This little lull in our schedules doesn't last long, and I am trying to enjoy every moment of down time. What are you doing during this quiet time of the year?
Naturally, we have had some shoveling to do recently too. Andrew has been a big help!
"Mom, I love the way the snow sparkles on my shovel in the sunlight!"
Getting ready for the big game last weekend. "Here we go, Steelers!"
"Hi Mom! Wonder where I got these boots?"
"I cleaned out your coat closet for you! That's where! Shoes all over! Na na na na na na!"
"You're a poopy butt!"
Naturally, we have had some shoveling to do recently too. Andrew has been a big help!
"Mom, I love the way the snow sparkles on my shovel in the sunlight!"
Getting ready for the big game last weekend. "Here we go, Steelers!" "Hi Mom! Wonder where I got these boots?"
"I cleaned out your coat closet for you! That's where! Shoes all over! Na na na na na na!"
"You're a poopy butt!"Friday, January 28, 2011
An Uphill Battle
There are a lot of different options for running in this area. There's a nice cushy track at the local high school (well, actually the track is beside the junior high, but let's not split hairs.) If I want to run through the woods, we've got trails for that. If I want to run on the street there are plenty of back roads with traffic ranging from low to moderate, and inclines ranging from nil to steep. The track is probably the best option for joint health, but it's boring. Unless it's just a victory lap, I tend to avoid the track. We all know my feelings on dirt, so trail running is out for me. I don't want to muck up my nice white kicks! That pretty much leaves road running for me. Meep! Meep! (Sorry, I had to do it!)
I have always chosen routes which had a variety of inclines, just to test myself, but I was never too extreme. Recently, I was talking to a fellow runner who said, "people who don't run hills are doing themselves a great disservice." "You know," I thought, "She's right." And with that thought, I began pushing myself up the steeper inclines. I've run up the "Double Dips," Lindsey Street, Newry Lane, and half way up Sylvan Heights drive (to the sharp curve, for you locals), among other hills of varying degree and lenth. At the top of each hill I always feel like I just might collapse. I might. But I haven't yet. In fact, when I get to the top, in pure exhaustion, I push forward, and with a few yards of level ground (or in some cases, decline), I feel great! I have accomplished something! I have conquered a hill, and more often than not, I'm ready for more!
Today I started my run with the intent of running a 4.05 mile loop, beginning with the half climb up Sylvan Heights Drive. When I reached the half way mark, however, I didn't stop and turn off on one of the side streets. Instead, I kept going. I don't know why, really. I just did it. Soon I was 3/4 of the way up the hill, and by then I had challenged myself to run the entire hill.
Sylvan Heights Drive is about 2.25 miles long from where I start it (which actually is a road with another name, but they are all connected) to where it ends at the crest of Frankstown Road. The first half of it is fairly steep. The second half, though not as steep, is still a consistent incline. 2.25 miles up hill is a tough way to start out a run, but I did it. Not only did I do it, I ran the entire way to the top without walking once, and with keeping a respectable pace, close to a 10 minute mile! When I reached the top I was absolutely thrilled with myself. Utterly exhausted, but absolutely thrilled.
As I started back down the road, 3/4 of the way, I decided that I was not going to take the easy way out and run downhill the whole way home. I veered off onto a side street, and careened myself through Elmwood, one of the ritzier housing developments in the area. I found myself eventually on Lower Brush Mountain Road, and followed that back to a more familiar route home. When it was all said and done, I had run 5.25 miles, with more than half of it being up hill. Talk about a confidence boosting run!
I can't say enough how much I love running. With each run, I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and invigorated. I'm so grateful to breathe in the fresh air, cast my gaze over God's beautiful earth, and reflect on life's blessings. Likewise, when I'm in the process of a run, I get excited thinking about my next conquest, the next hills I will take on, the length of my next run, how far I can keep pushing. I never pushed myself beyond my limits before, and this new found ability is simply enchanting! Perhaps running a half marathon is not such a ridiculous notion after all....I'll just have to see how the next few months go.
I have always chosen routes which had a variety of inclines, just to test myself, but I was never too extreme. Recently, I was talking to a fellow runner who said, "people who don't run hills are doing themselves a great disservice." "You know," I thought, "She's right." And with that thought, I began pushing myself up the steeper inclines. I've run up the "Double Dips," Lindsey Street, Newry Lane, and half way up Sylvan Heights drive (to the sharp curve, for you locals), among other hills of varying degree and lenth. At the top of each hill I always feel like I just might collapse. I might. But I haven't yet. In fact, when I get to the top, in pure exhaustion, I push forward, and with a few yards of level ground (or in some cases, decline), I feel great! I have accomplished something! I have conquered a hill, and more often than not, I'm ready for more!
Today I started my run with the intent of running a 4.05 mile loop, beginning with the half climb up Sylvan Heights Drive. When I reached the half way mark, however, I didn't stop and turn off on one of the side streets. Instead, I kept going. I don't know why, really. I just did it. Soon I was 3/4 of the way up the hill, and by then I had challenged myself to run the entire hill.
Sylvan Heights Drive is about 2.25 miles long from where I start it (which actually is a road with another name, but they are all connected) to where it ends at the crest of Frankstown Road. The first half of it is fairly steep. The second half, though not as steep, is still a consistent incline. 2.25 miles up hill is a tough way to start out a run, but I did it. Not only did I do it, I ran the entire way to the top without walking once, and with keeping a respectable pace, close to a 10 minute mile! When I reached the top I was absolutely thrilled with myself. Utterly exhausted, but absolutely thrilled.
As I started back down the road, 3/4 of the way, I decided that I was not going to take the easy way out and run downhill the whole way home. I veered off onto a side street, and careened myself through Elmwood, one of the ritzier housing developments in the area. I found myself eventually on Lower Brush Mountain Road, and followed that back to a more familiar route home. When it was all said and done, I had run 5.25 miles, with more than half of it being up hill. Talk about a confidence boosting run!
I can't say enough how much I love running. With each run, I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and invigorated. I'm so grateful to breathe in the fresh air, cast my gaze over God's beautiful earth, and reflect on life's blessings. Likewise, when I'm in the process of a run, I get excited thinking about my next conquest, the next hills I will take on, the length of my next run, how far I can keep pushing. I never pushed myself beyond my limits before, and this new found ability is simply enchanting! Perhaps running a half marathon is not such a ridiculous notion after all....I'll just have to see how the next few months go.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Can We Call A Truce?
For those of you with multiple children, what is your daily life honestly like? I am genuinely curious to see if the amount of fighting my kids do is normal or above the baseline for sibling rivalry. When I say that my kids fight ALL THE TIME, I am not exaggerating. Literally, within 2 minutes of being together, conflict begins. More often than not, it is Andrew wanting something of Jacob’s or simply pestering Jacob that begins the altercations. Jacob then responds with an over-the-top reaction, which sends both of them into a spitting, hitting and screaming frenzy.
I have talked to Jacob about how to temper his reactions too many times to count. He can’t do it. He can’t ignore Andrew’s taunting, “Jacob wears diapers” or “I throw your Legos in the torlet.” Instead of sitting down, looking forward and asking for my assistance when Andrew starts walking towards him with a toy held high above his head in combat mode, Jacob darts wildly around the room, which sends a message of “game-on” to Andrew. Melee ensues. If Andrew is simply playing with a truck, pushing it around on the floor, Jacob immediately enters panic mode, and starts wildly prancing, practically hyperventilating, and insisting that I stop him before he nears Jacob’s toes. This one is particularly disturbing for me, because we have a huge living room. It’s 18x35. If they are on opposite ends of the room, there is no way on God’s green earth that Andrew would accidentally run over Jake’s feet. It’s a complete over-reaction. This over-reaction sparks an idea in Andrew’s previously (albeit temporarily) docile brain that maybe a little battle would indeed be a good idea. He then goes into attack mode, and Jacob responds once again with hyperbole. Fight. Fight. Fight. I’m not kidding, it’s constant. CONSTANT.
This morning, they were both up by 530, which meant 2 whole hours of arguing before we even left the house. They both like to sit and watch TV when they first get up, which is fine, except that even though we have two large couches and a roomy chase lounge, they both want to sit on the chase lounge. Again, this would be fine, if they could sit there in harmony, but they can’t. It’s truly not Jacob’s fault in this instance. This is another one of Andrew’s favorite games. Andrew sits nicely beside Jake for 2 minutes, and then he starts pestering. He’ll push on Jake or try to take Jacob’s lovey blankie. Jake will try to ignore him, but Andrew perseveres. He will then rub his butt against Jacob, lick him, and if those actions don’t get under Jake’s skin, he finds toys to hit Jacob with. If I move Andrew off of the chair, explaining that if he wants to sit with Jake, he needs to sit nicely, Andrew just climbs right back up beside Jacob, and resumes the harassment as soon as I walk away. If Jacob moves to another seat, Andrew follows. It’s a lose: lose situation.
At dinner, Andrew will try to climb onto Jake’s seat with him. If Jacob gets up to get something from the kitchen, Andrew jumps into Jake’s seat. When we leave for school in the mornings, if Jacob turns the TV off before Andrew, Andrew has a tantrum. If Jacob is watching a TV show that Andrew doesn’t like, Andrew turns the TV off. If I turn the TV back on and say, “Don’t touch the TV. Jake is watching it. That’s not nice,” Andrew turns it back off as soon as I walk away. If Jacob’s backpack is left anywhere within Andrew’s reach (which is pretty much anywhere at this point, because he will get chairs to make his own little ladders), Andrew takes Jacob’s stuff out of it, and Jacob pitches a fit. Andrew has flushed a number of Jacob’s action figures and Legos down the toilet, as well as one of Jacob’s school ties. I could continue, but you get the point. It’s making me crazy, and I don’t know what to do.
I asked my mom last night if my sister and I were this bad. I remember arguing with her, but I don’t remember having this continual upset in our home. Mom said no, we were not as bad as my two children. Great. That’s a comfort. We’re freaks, and my kids hate each other, or that’s how I feel most days. I feel terrible most days, in fact.
I feel bad for a ton of reasons. First of all, I want my boys to love each other. I completely understand that sibling rivalry is normal. I know that no siblings have a love-love relationship all the time, but I can’t believe that most siblings fight as continually as mine do. It’s so disheartening. I pray that they will grow to love each other as adults, if not right now. At this rate, I hate to think of what the future holds.
I also feel bad because (I hate to even say it) I rarely enjoy being with both of the kids at the same time. That’s a drastic understatement. It’s beyond not enjoying it. I nearly hate it. I feel so incredibly frustrated and irritated with them. I’m drained, exhausted with being the mediator, the constant enforcer of rules that are utterly disregarded. My voice is no longer heard. I’m no longer setting a good example of conflict resolution for the two of them, because frankly, I have become a screaming meanie a majority of the time.
Which leads me to another regret that I have – not spending enough quality time with Jacob. My parents take Jake all the time. They pick him up randomly at school and have him over for dinner. My mom takes Jacob with her to visit relatives in Pittsburgh even when I do not go with Andrew. Jacob spends every Friday night with my mom, and usually most of the day on Saturday. They go shopping, to the movies, out to eat, you name it. Now, I am eternally grateful for the help. It’s wonderful that they have fostered such a great bond with Jake. No matter what happens, Jacob always knows that he has his own little refuge at my parent’s house, full of unconditional love and peace when he needs a break from a rowdy little brother. By separating the two boys, it makes it much easier on me. Andrew still has tantrums (he is two, after all), but he is much more open to redirection when it’s just the two of us. And it’s great for me to be able to spend quality time alone with Andrew, giving him the same kind of one-on-one attention that Jacob got as a toddler. Most younger siblings do not get that same attention, and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide it to both of my boys. BUT…
…I have this intense and nagging guilt about giving tons of my attention to Andrew and having hardly any time to spend with Jacob. This came up in my conversation with my mother as well. When I complained about the boys fighting and how nuts I feel, she offered for Jacob to come live with her! I would like to say that she was joking, but I believe it was only a half jest. She would gladly raise Jacob. While it’s great that he is getting all kinds of quality time with her, I feel left out of his childhood. The only real time I get with Jacob is the 15 minutes I spend reading to him each night before bed. It makes me very sad. I don’t want him thinking of me as a woman who does nothing but yell all the time and never listens to him. I get so frustrated with the boys when they are together, and more often than not, I yell at Jacob because I expect more of him, being the older brother. I expect him to set a good example, and moreover, I expect him to absorb and apply the advice I have given him. I understand that repetition is what reinforces learning, but honestly, I have repeated, repeated, repeated so many times I feel like a broken record. Just when is he going to get it?
So the guilt of not spending enough time with him, coupled with knowing that the time we do spend together is often tainted with some kind of conflict is weighing heavily on my mind. What is the solution? I need some “out of the box” suggestions, because I have tried practically every traditional way of handling this intense sibling rivalry in our home. I have done time-outs for both of them, removed toys, and obliterated privileges. I have offered rewards for good behaviors, talked nicely about how to treat others, tried to lead by example, and given Jacob responsibilities to “help and teach his little brother” to make him feel useful. I have stood up for Jacob against Andrew, in an attempt to keep things fair, but honestly, fair flew out the door a long time ago. It feels like there is little justice in my home these days, just upset.
The boys are upset with each other and with us for not handling the situations properly. Greg and I feel fried and frazzled dealing with constant loud and chaotic discord. And I am racked with guilt for feeling like I don’t even want to spend time with my kids, a notion that is shameful indeed. Being blessed with two vibrant and healthy children, I need to find a way to channel God’s love and appreciate my blessings. Instead, I find myself pining for bedtime every single day, thinking, this isn’t what I signed up for…
Or is it? Is this normal? How long will it last? I’m going a little crazy right now! Please send me some encouragement!
I have talked to Jacob about how to temper his reactions too many times to count. He can’t do it. He can’t ignore Andrew’s taunting, “Jacob wears diapers” or “I throw your Legos in the torlet.” Instead of sitting down, looking forward and asking for my assistance when Andrew starts walking towards him with a toy held high above his head in combat mode, Jacob darts wildly around the room, which sends a message of “game-on” to Andrew. Melee ensues. If Andrew is simply playing with a truck, pushing it around on the floor, Jacob immediately enters panic mode, and starts wildly prancing, practically hyperventilating, and insisting that I stop him before he nears Jacob’s toes. This one is particularly disturbing for me, because we have a huge living room. It’s 18x35. If they are on opposite ends of the room, there is no way on God’s green earth that Andrew would accidentally run over Jake’s feet. It’s a complete over-reaction. This over-reaction sparks an idea in Andrew’s previously (albeit temporarily) docile brain that maybe a little battle would indeed be a good idea. He then goes into attack mode, and Jacob responds once again with hyperbole. Fight. Fight. Fight. I’m not kidding, it’s constant. CONSTANT.
This morning, they were both up by 530, which meant 2 whole hours of arguing before we even left the house. They both like to sit and watch TV when they first get up, which is fine, except that even though we have two large couches and a roomy chase lounge, they both want to sit on the chase lounge. Again, this would be fine, if they could sit there in harmony, but they can’t. It’s truly not Jacob’s fault in this instance. This is another one of Andrew’s favorite games. Andrew sits nicely beside Jake for 2 minutes, and then he starts pestering. He’ll push on Jake or try to take Jacob’s lovey blankie. Jake will try to ignore him, but Andrew perseveres. He will then rub his butt against Jacob, lick him, and if those actions don’t get under Jake’s skin, he finds toys to hit Jacob with. If I move Andrew off of the chair, explaining that if he wants to sit with Jake, he needs to sit nicely, Andrew just climbs right back up beside Jacob, and resumes the harassment as soon as I walk away. If Jacob moves to another seat, Andrew follows. It’s a lose: lose situation.
At dinner, Andrew will try to climb onto Jake’s seat with him. If Jacob gets up to get something from the kitchen, Andrew jumps into Jake’s seat. When we leave for school in the mornings, if Jacob turns the TV off before Andrew, Andrew has a tantrum. If Jacob is watching a TV show that Andrew doesn’t like, Andrew turns the TV off. If I turn the TV back on and say, “Don’t touch the TV. Jake is watching it. That’s not nice,” Andrew turns it back off as soon as I walk away. If Jacob’s backpack is left anywhere within Andrew’s reach (which is pretty much anywhere at this point, because he will get chairs to make his own little ladders), Andrew takes Jacob’s stuff out of it, and Jacob pitches a fit. Andrew has flushed a number of Jacob’s action figures and Legos down the toilet, as well as one of Jacob’s school ties. I could continue, but you get the point. It’s making me crazy, and I don’t know what to do.
I asked my mom last night if my sister and I were this bad. I remember arguing with her, but I don’t remember having this continual upset in our home. Mom said no, we were not as bad as my two children. Great. That’s a comfort. We’re freaks, and my kids hate each other, or that’s how I feel most days. I feel terrible most days, in fact.
I feel bad for a ton of reasons. First of all, I want my boys to love each other. I completely understand that sibling rivalry is normal. I know that no siblings have a love-love relationship all the time, but I can’t believe that most siblings fight as continually as mine do. It’s so disheartening. I pray that they will grow to love each other as adults, if not right now. At this rate, I hate to think of what the future holds.
I also feel bad because (I hate to even say it) I rarely enjoy being with both of the kids at the same time. That’s a drastic understatement. It’s beyond not enjoying it. I nearly hate it. I feel so incredibly frustrated and irritated with them. I’m drained, exhausted with being the mediator, the constant enforcer of rules that are utterly disregarded. My voice is no longer heard. I’m no longer setting a good example of conflict resolution for the two of them, because frankly, I have become a screaming meanie a majority of the time.
Which leads me to another regret that I have – not spending enough quality time with Jacob. My parents take Jake all the time. They pick him up randomly at school and have him over for dinner. My mom takes Jacob with her to visit relatives in Pittsburgh even when I do not go with Andrew. Jacob spends every Friday night with my mom, and usually most of the day on Saturday. They go shopping, to the movies, out to eat, you name it. Now, I am eternally grateful for the help. It’s wonderful that they have fostered such a great bond with Jake. No matter what happens, Jacob always knows that he has his own little refuge at my parent’s house, full of unconditional love and peace when he needs a break from a rowdy little brother. By separating the two boys, it makes it much easier on me. Andrew still has tantrums (he is two, after all), but he is much more open to redirection when it’s just the two of us. And it’s great for me to be able to spend quality time alone with Andrew, giving him the same kind of one-on-one attention that Jacob got as a toddler. Most younger siblings do not get that same attention, and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide it to both of my boys. BUT…
…I have this intense and nagging guilt about giving tons of my attention to Andrew and having hardly any time to spend with Jacob. This came up in my conversation with my mother as well. When I complained about the boys fighting and how nuts I feel, she offered for Jacob to come live with her! I would like to say that she was joking, but I believe it was only a half jest. She would gladly raise Jacob. While it’s great that he is getting all kinds of quality time with her, I feel left out of his childhood. The only real time I get with Jacob is the 15 minutes I spend reading to him each night before bed. It makes me very sad. I don’t want him thinking of me as a woman who does nothing but yell all the time and never listens to him. I get so frustrated with the boys when they are together, and more often than not, I yell at Jacob because I expect more of him, being the older brother. I expect him to set a good example, and moreover, I expect him to absorb and apply the advice I have given him. I understand that repetition is what reinforces learning, but honestly, I have repeated, repeated, repeated so many times I feel like a broken record. Just when is he going to get it?
So the guilt of not spending enough time with him, coupled with knowing that the time we do spend together is often tainted with some kind of conflict is weighing heavily on my mind. What is the solution? I need some “out of the box” suggestions, because I have tried practically every traditional way of handling this intense sibling rivalry in our home. I have done time-outs for both of them, removed toys, and obliterated privileges. I have offered rewards for good behaviors, talked nicely about how to treat others, tried to lead by example, and given Jacob responsibilities to “help and teach his little brother” to make him feel useful. I have stood up for Jacob against Andrew, in an attempt to keep things fair, but honestly, fair flew out the door a long time ago. It feels like there is little justice in my home these days, just upset.
The boys are upset with each other and with us for not handling the situations properly. Greg and I feel fried and frazzled dealing with constant loud and chaotic discord. And I am racked with guilt for feeling like I don’t even want to spend time with my kids, a notion that is shameful indeed. Being blessed with two vibrant and healthy children, I need to find a way to channel God’s love and appreciate my blessings. Instead, I find myself pining for bedtime every single day, thinking, this isn’t what I signed up for…
Or is it? Is this normal? How long will it last? I’m going a little crazy right now! Please send me some encouragement!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Pinewood Derby Take One
This afternoon, Jacob took part in his first ever Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. He and Greg had been working on his car for several weeks. Jacob carefully drew his design and Greg assisted with sawing and assembly. Jacob finished the painting all on his own. It was a shame that Greg had to work today, and missed the actual derby, since of the two of us, he had the most vested in the event, but I'll admit that I was glad to spend the day with Jacob. We don't often get much time together, and I'm glad I was able to be there, just the two of us, for today.
This was my first derby too. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. When we arrived, we weighed the car, and it was under weight. They advised us to put quarters on it, to weigh it down. We used duct tape to secure some quarters to the bottom of the car, because Jacob didn't want to effect the aesthetics. Well, when we took it back for it's second weight check, we were told that they had to be taped to the top of the car. Uh...OK. So we went back to the "editing" table where we duct taped the quarters to the top as beautifully as we could. At least the duct tape was the same color as the car! When we took it back for the third time, they sent us once again to the editing table, because we had "forgotten" to put graphite on the wheels. We didn't forget. We didn't know we had to graphite the wheels. I didn't even know what that meant. Scribble on it? I must have looked perplexed, because the man who weighed us in was nice enough to give me a tube of graphite and show me how to apply it. Then another man must have seen me and thought, "what the heck is this woman doing?" because he stopped and asked if I needed help. I graciously accepted and allowed him to finish graphiting our car.
We took the car back for a 4th weigh in and it was just a little too heavy, because of the damn graphite! OMG!!! The officials could see the frustration in my face, (and also hear the gigantic sigh I let out) and took it upon themselves to cut a small piece of the duct tape off to get the car into the right weight range. With that taken care of, we were free to wait for the show to begin.
And wait is exactly what we did. It was a full hour and a half later until they even started the races! Jacob had cotton candy, popcorn, a hot dog and a can of soda, and was running around like a nut ball with some of the other kids in the pack for what seemed like an eternity before it started. Thinking that it wasn't going to be all that long, I only brought myself water. They had apples, so in the 4 hours that we were there, I was able to eat an apple and drink water. By the time we got home, I was famished!
I'll be honest, I was hoping that he disqualified in the first heat, so that we could go home quickly. I thought for sure he would, since it was our first derby, and the poor kid had me as his guide. You can't get much less experience than that. But then the races began. He won the first race. He won the second. He won the third. With each win, he got more and more excited (and I'll admit, I was excited for him). Out of six races run in the first heat, he won five. Good grief, we were going on to the semi-finals.
So we waited around for the second heat. He won the first race in the second heat, but he came in a close second on each subsequent race. He didn't qualify to go on to the finals, but he gave it an honest, cub scout try, and he came awfully close. He was proud of how far he made it, and I was proud of him. He was gracious when his run in the race was over, and moreover, he worked on that car, with some help from Greg, all by himself.
I can't tell you how many cars I saw there that I know were either done completely by the parents, or as another parent pointed out, possibly purchased just for this event. It was sickening. Jacob didn't notice, and I am glad. I thought that a cub scout derby was to teach the boys about healthy and HONEST competition. While many of the boys did compete honestly, there were a few who did not, and that is no fault of their own, but rather lies solely on the shoulders of their parents. Shame on them.
To those who gave it their all, and tried their hardest, good job, kiddos. What a long day!
Trying to smile through the nerves on game day!
A little cotton candy takes the edge off of just about anything!
Kaleb and Jacob, Hickory Street was well represented in the semi-finals!
Saying a little derby prayer.
Setting his car on the track.
That's his in lane one, winning by a nose!
Set up for another race.
"I think it's in the lead again!"
"Mom, could I please just have a few Swedish fish? Please? I'm pretty certain I am starving."
"What? It's just a little popcorn!"
This was my first derby too. I had no idea what to do or what to expect. When we arrived, we weighed the car, and it was under weight. They advised us to put quarters on it, to weigh it down. We used duct tape to secure some quarters to the bottom of the car, because Jacob didn't want to effect the aesthetics. Well, when we took it back for it's second weight check, we were told that they had to be taped to the top of the car. Uh...OK. So we went back to the "editing" table where we duct taped the quarters to the top as beautifully as we could. At least the duct tape was the same color as the car! When we took it back for the third time, they sent us once again to the editing table, because we had "forgotten" to put graphite on the wheels. We didn't forget. We didn't know we had to graphite the wheels. I didn't even know what that meant. Scribble on it? I must have looked perplexed, because the man who weighed us in was nice enough to give me a tube of graphite and show me how to apply it. Then another man must have seen me and thought, "what the heck is this woman doing?" because he stopped and asked if I needed help. I graciously accepted and allowed him to finish graphiting our car.
We took the car back for a 4th weigh in and it was just a little too heavy, because of the damn graphite! OMG!!! The officials could see the frustration in my face, (and also hear the gigantic sigh I let out) and took it upon themselves to cut a small piece of the duct tape off to get the car into the right weight range. With that taken care of, we were free to wait for the show to begin.
And wait is exactly what we did. It was a full hour and a half later until they even started the races! Jacob had cotton candy, popcorn, a hot dog and a can of soda, and was running around like a nut ball with some of the other kids in the pack for what seemed like an eternity before it started. Thinking that it wasn't going to be all that long, I only brought myself water. They had apples, so in the 4 hours that we were there, I was able to eat an apple and drink water. By the time we got home, I was famished!
I'll be honest, I was hoping that he disqualified in the first heat, so that we could go home quickly. I thought for sure he would, since it was our first derby, and the poor kid had me as his guide. You can't get much less experience than that. But then the races began. He won the first race. He won the second. He won the third. With each win, he got more and more excited (and I'll admit, I was excited for him). Out of six races run in the first heat, he won five. Good grief, we were going on to the semi-finals.
So we waited around for the second heat. He won the first race in the second heat, but he came in a close second on each subsequent race. He didn't qualify to go on to the finals, but he gave it an honest, cub scout try, and he came awfully close. He was proud of how far he made it, and I was proud of him. He was gracious when his run in the race was over, and moreover, he worked on that car, with some help from Greg, all by himself.
I can't tell you how many cars I saw there that I know were either done completely by the parents, or as another parent pointed out, possibly purchased just for this event. It was sickening. Jacob didn't notice, and I am glad. I thought that a cub scout derby was to teach the boys about healthy and HONEST competition. While many of the boys did compete honestly, there were a few who did not, and that is no fault of their own, but rather lies solely on the shoulders of their parents. Shame on them.
To those who gave it their all, and tried their hardest, good job, kiddos. What a long day!
Trying to smile through the nerves on game day!
A little cotton candy takes the edge off of just about anything!
Kaleb and Jacob, Hickory Street was well represented in the semi-finals!
Saying a little derby prayer.
Setting his car on the track.
That's his in lane one, winning by a nose!
Set up for another race.
"I think it's in the lead again!"Of course, to while away the time between heats, Jacob took full advantage of the snack bar...
"Mom, could I please just have a few Swedish fish? Please? I'm pretty certain I am starving."
"What? It's just a little popcorn!"Getting Out
What do you do on winter evenings when cabin fever strikes? Well, around here, there's not a whole heck of a lot we can do, especially with a 2 1/2 year old. Last night Andrew and I decided to hit up Toys R Us and had a rockin' good time!
We participated in a few sing-a-long rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle" at the CD preview machine...
Stopped for a chat with an overstuffed penguin....
Spent some time chillin' in a mini cooper...
Strummed a few verses of our favorite TV theme songs...
Dreamed of warmer days ahead, with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair...
And ended the evening playing a Handy Manny ukulele while taking a ride on J.J. The Jet Plane.
We participated in a few sing-a-long rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle" at the CD preview machine...
Stopped for a chat with an overstuffed penguin....
Spent some time chillin' in a mini cooper...
Strummed a few verses of our favorite TV theme songs...
Dreamed of warmer days ahead, with the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair...
And ended the evening playing a Handy Manny ukulele while taking a ride on J.J. The Jet Plane.Who knew Toys R Us could hold so much adventure!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
How Deep Is Your Love?
I have been a runner for what seems like forever. I remember running the track with my friend Jackie as early as 7th grade. I never competed on any teams, because, well, I'm just not competitive. The thought of racing someone, being judged for my performance, and possibly letting down a team was always just a little too much pressure for me. It still is. I have thought about signing up for races, but I can never quite bring myself to do it. Performance anxiety just hits hard when it comes to running. I have always just done it for myself. I compete with but myself, and I am my own biggest rival.
I ran for a little while in college until one evening, about a mile from campus, I tripped on a fallen tree branch and tore the ligaments in my right ankle. I shouldn't have been out at night. I can't see at all in darkness now, but I felt the beginning onset of night blindness even then. It's pretty stupid to run in the dark, when you can't see where you are going. I hobbled home, propped my foot up for the night and when I awoke, it was the size of a bowling ball! I then hobbled to the school health center, which sent me directly to the local ER for x-rays. Nothing was broken, but I'll tell you, it took longer and was more painful for that ligament tear to heal than when I completely broke several bones in my foot years prior.
I gave up running all together for a while, out of necessity. I just couldn't do it. I swam instead, and really, at one point I was a very strong swimmer, doing freestyle laps straight for about 45 minutes. I have no idea what my distances were, because I never counted, but that was a heck of a workout. I actually really enjoyed swimming. I had a lot of time to think and the water drown out all outside distractions. I have often wished I could return to it, if not full time, then at least some of the time. Right now, with Greg's crazy schedule, and the kids being young, it just doesn't work out, but that doesn't mean that a YMCA membership isn't in my future a few more years down the road!
When I could weight bear again, I didn't run, but rather used the elliptical, or "funny runny," as my college pals and I called it. The funny runny became my go-to machine for many years. It wasn't until after I had Jacob that I began actually running again. Greg had gotten me a gym membership, and I started there, on the treadmills, to rekindle my love for running. Running on the treadmill, however, is not as hard as running outside. It offers no resistance. No wind resistance, and even the belt itself, with it's movement, propels you forward. And you can get off of it when you are sick of the jog. There's no option to just quit when you are out on the road, 3 miles from home! The treadmill is better than nothing, but it's certainly not my first choice.
I gave up running again towards the end of my pregnancy with Andrew and during the subsequent 24 month struggle with horrendous headaches and awful medications. Once I finally got that under control, I was resolved to start again. Since spring, with just a minor knee injury, which was caught early and treated quickly, I have been mostly outside on the go 3-5 days every week. I was thrilled with my Garmin Forerunner runner's watch that Greg got me for Christmas! I no longer have to drive routes before I run them to know how far I have gone. It makes it even more enjoyable to know that I can run all over, and still feed my OCD's need to know every single detail of the run. I'm more relaxed and more focused, because the details are taken care of for me. It's great!
Running has always been a way for me to clear my mind. If I am angry or upset or have a problem to solve, I run better. I don't know if it's that the mental distractions detract from any physical pain I may feel or if it's just a constructive release of frustrations. It really doesn't matter. I know for sure that the solitude and the increased respiration and blood circulation help me to think more clearly. When I'm not upset, I love to run just to run. It feels good. I feel strong, capable, empowered. I suppose those emotions of well-being are what they mean when they refer to a "runner's high."
Today I worked until noon. I rushed through the grocery store, amidst the typical (and unwarranted) panicked pre-storm shoppers, just so I could get home and get out for a two mile run before getting the kids (and before snow hit the ground, making it impassable for however long). If I have to stay long at work, I take my clothes with me and I run on my lunch break. Sometimes I run after I am done working, but still in Altoona, just because I know I will not have time for it otherwise. I make the time for it as much as I can. Running is not just something that is good for my health, not something that I do just so I don't get fat, but rather something that I truly love. I don't need to do it. I want to.
There's a similar motivation with the purification program. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's a lot of work. I budget the money before hand to afford it, and I take the effort because I am passionate about it. It's not just about weight loss, it's about whole body health. The foods we eat and the synthetic substances we ingest effect our whole person, mind and body. Will I stick strictly to the purification culinary guidelines all year long? No, I won't. I'll eat a chocolate bar. Let's face it, I love desserts. I will also drink coffee again, and eat bread and cheese and all kinds of other foods that are less than ideal from time to time. Eating isn't always about nourishment. Sometimes it's about socialization. Sometimes it's about comfort. Sometimes it's just about a decadent and selfish splurge! The trick, as with all aspect of life, is in balance, finding that balance between splurging and responsibility.
Or maybe it isn't a matter of bad vs good at all. Maybe I should approach eating more like I approach running. Finding joy in eating healthy, feeling the benefits of a balanced diet, the increased energy, decreased irritability, stabilized mood, healthy body are becoming something more that I want to do, rather than something I feel obligated to do. I think I have been on the road to the enjoyment of thoughtful eating for a while now. I get "hungry" for knowledge about food's effects on not only our bodies, but also the environment and the economy. I am motivated to make good choices, and I want to share that knowledge with the people I love. Will it be a straight love affair, like running? No, it won't. Because the past is hard to change. You see, just as I have always loved running, I have had an even longer standing, very distorted relationship with food. Those habits die hard, and the thoughts that feed such habits die ever harder. But I'm working on it, and I can honestly say that now, more than any other time in my life, I feel more capable to fight the demons. Bring on the big hills and the big guns, because I am armed with knowledge, motivation, an awesome pair of Asics and my Garmin Forerunner!
I ran for a little while in college until one evening, about a mile from campus, I tripped on a fallen tree branch and tore the ligaments in my right ankle. I shouldn't have been out at night. I can't see at all in darkness now, but I felt the beginning onset of night blindness even then. It's pretty stupid to run in the dark, when you can't see where you are going. I hobbled home, propped my foot up for the night and when I awoke, it was the size of a bowling ball! I then hobbled to the school health center, which sent me directly to the local ER for x-rays. Nothing was broken, but I'll tell you, it took longer and was more painful for that ligament tear to heal than when I completely broke several bones in my foot years prior.
I gave up running all together for a while, out of necessity. I just couldn't do it. I swam instead, and really, at one point I was a very strong swimmer, doing freestyle laps straight for about 45 minutes. I have no idea what my distances were, because I never counted, but that was a heck of a workout. I actually really enjoyed swimming. I had a lot of time to think and the water drown out all outside distractions. I have often wished I could return to it, if not full time, then at least some of the time. Right now, with Greg's crazy schedule, and the kids being young, it just doesn't work out, but that doesn't mean that a YMCA membership isn't in my future a few more years down the road!
When I could weight bear again, I didn't run, but rather used the elliptical, or "funny runny," as my college pals and I called it. The funny runny became my go-to machine for many years. It wasn't until after I had Jacob that I began actually running again. Greg had gotten me a gym membership, and I started there, on the treadmills, to rekindle my love for running. Running on the treadmill, however, is not as hard as running outside. It offers no resistance. No wind resistance, and even the belt itself, with it's movement, propels you forward. And you can get off of it when you are sick of the jog. There's no option to just quit when you are out on the road, 3 miles from home! The treadmill is better than nothing, but it's certainly not my first choice.
I gave up running again towards the end of my pregnancy with Andrew and during the subsequent 24 month struggle with horrendous headaches and awful medications. Once I finally got that under control, I was resolved to start again. Since spring, with just a minor knee injury, which was caught early and treated quickly, I have been mostly outside on the go 3-5 days every week. I was thrilled with my Garmin Forerunner runner's watch that Greg got me for Christmas! I no longer have to drive routes before I run them to know how far I have gone. It makes it even more enjoyable to know that I can run all over, and still feed my OCD's need to know every single detail of the run. I'm more relaxed and more focused, because the details are taken care of for me. It's great!
Running has always been a way for me to clear my mind. If I am angry or upset or have a problem to solve, I run better. I don't know if it's that the mental distractions detract from any physical pain I may feel or if it's just a constructive release of frustrations. It really doesn't matter. I know for sure that the solitude and the increased respiration and blood circulation help me to think more clearly. When I'm not upset, I love to run just to run. It feels good. I feel strong, capable, empowered. I suppose those emotions of well-being are what they mean when they refer to a "runner's high."
Today I worked until noon. I rushed through the grocery store, amidst the typical (and unwarranted) panicked pre-storm shoppers, just so I could get home and get out for a two mile run before getting the kids (and before snow hit the ground, making it impassable for however long). If I have to stay long at work, I take my clothes with me and I run on my lunch break. Sometimes I run after I am done working, but still in Altoona, just because I know I will not have time for it otherwise. I make the time for it as much as I can. Running is not just something that is good for my health, not something that I do just so I don't get fat, but rather something that I truly love. I don't need to do it. I want to.
There's a similar motivation with the purification program. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's a lot of work. I budget the money before hand to afford it, and I take the effort because I am passionate about it. It's not just about weight loss, it's about whole body health. The foods we eat and the synthetic substances we ingest effect our whole person, mind and body. Will I stick strictly to the purification culinary guidelines all year long? No, I won't. I'll eat a chocolate bar. Let's face it, I love desserts. I will also drink coffee again, and eat bread and cheese and all kinds of other foods that are less than ideal from time to time. Eating isn't always about nourishment. Sometimes it's about socialization. Sometimes it's about comfort. Sometimes it's just about a decadent and selfish splurge! The trick, as with all aspect of life, is in balance, finding that balance between splurging and responsibility.
Or maybe it isn't a matter of bad vs good at all. Maybe I should approach eating more like I approach running. Finding joy in eating healthy, feeling the benefits of a balanced diet, the increased energy, decreased irritability, stabilized mood, healthy body are becoming something more that I want to do, rather than something I feel obligated to do. I think I have been on the road to the enjoyment of thoughtful eating for a while now. I get "hungry" for knowledge about food's effects on not only our bodies, but also the environment and the economy. I am motivated to make good choices, and I want to share that knowledge with the people I love. Will it be a straight love affair, like running? No, it won't. Because the past is hard to change. You see, just as I have always loved running, I have had an even longer standing, very distorted relationship with food. Those habits die hard, and the thoughts that feed such habits die ever harder. But I'm working on it, and I can honestly say that now, more than any other time in my life, I feel more capable to fight the demons. Bring on the big hills and the big guns, because I am armed with knowledge, motivation, an awesome pair of Asics and my Garmin Forerunner!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Recipes
Today Greg and I are ten days into the purification program, half way there! We both have been feeling great and eating well. I thought I would share some of our recipes with you. A few of them I have posted before, but there are some new ones too. I hope that you all can enjoy some low-carb, healthy eating too!
(Just a little side note - these recipes were given to me either by the chiropractor or by friends. I'm not exactly a "good" cook, so know that anything I put on here, unless I specifically say so, isn't an original by me! Nonetheless, they are worth sharing!)
Sweet Potato Custard
2 sweet potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked
¼ cup water
4 eggs
¼ cup apple juice concentrate
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
¼ tsp salt (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Pour into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 F in a water bath 1 hour until set.
Green Smoothie
1 ½ cups water
1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
3-4 stalks of celery
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 pear, cored and chopped
1 banana
Juice of ½ lemon
Mix water and greens in a blender. Add fruit and blend until smooth. Makes a large blender full, enough for 3-4 servings.
Hamburger Casserole
2 lbs hamburger
2 large onions, chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 green or red peppers, diced
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 T chili powder (or more, to taste)
1 ½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp white pepper
Sauté onions and green peppers. Brown and drain hamburger. Combine all ingredients in a baking dish and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
Brined and Roasted Chicken/Turkey (Compliments of my brother-in-law, Rob)
Brine for 6-24 hours.
In a pot big enough for the bird, mix 1 cup of apple juice concentrate and 1 cup of sea salt per gallon of water (enough to cover the bird). Add 1-2 T rosemary, 1-2 T thyme and 1 T of lemon juice to the water. It seems like a lot of spice, but you throw the water away before cooking. Dunk bird in water and refrigerate (may have to put a heavy plate on top to keep it submerged).
Take bird out and do not rinse. Rub the bird with a mixture of melted butter & vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on rack in roasting pan. Add carrots, onion, celery to the cavity of the bird and bottom of the pan, if desired. Tie legs together with butcher’s twine. Bake at 350 covered for the first hour, then uncover. Use a meat thermometer to determine when done (170F in fat part of thigh) 6 lb bird took about 2.5 hours. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
Do not use the drippings for gravy. They will be to salty, since the brine was not rinsed.
Chicken Chili
2 pounds boneless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite size pieces
1 ¾ cup chicken broth
1 small bunch of scallions, chopped
4 ribs of celery, finely diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter (for sautéing)
1 tsp cumin
1 T chili powder
3 diced tomatoes
Diced chilies to taste (I used one jalapeno)
1 cup water, if needed
Turn slow cooker on and let it warm up while preparing veggies. Sauté scallions, celery and pepper in butter. Add chicken and cook just until the color turns. Combine the chicken stock, tomatoes and spices in the slow cooker. Add chicken and vegetables. Cook on high for 1 hour, then turn heat to low for 4-5 hours. Serve over brown rice.
Cucumber Avocado Salad
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
2 avocados, peeled and cubed
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice from ½ lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients. Stir gently to coat. Serve chilled. Eat within 2 days.
Spinach Wraps
2-3 bunches fresh spinach leaves washed and drained
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups chicken stock
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 egg
Pinch of salt
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, onion, garlic, egg, rice and salt. Use a spoon to dip out and place inside a spinach leaf. Wrap spinach around turkey mixture (you can leave the stems on the spinach, but it works best, if you take them off). Place in a deep baking dish. Keep rolling the spinach leave and turkey mixture and layer them in the pan. Pour 1 cup of the broth over the rolls. Bake covered at 350 for about 45 minutes. Check the juices periodically, and add the rest of the broth if needed. Uncover for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Quinoa Pudding
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 cups apple juice
1 cup raisins (I like dried cranberries better)
2 T lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash of salt
2 tsp vanilla
Bring quinoa and water to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Mix in remainder of ingredients. Cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or cold.
Lentil and Cauliflower Curry
1/2 cup lentils
3/4 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
3 plum tomatoes, chopped and leave out the “innards”
4 cups cauliflower florets
1 jalapeno pepper, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon EVOO
2 teaspoons cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 3 tsp minced garlic)
2 teaspoons ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
Combine lentils, onion, curry powder, salt and water in a large pot and cook on low for about 40ish minutes. Stir occasionally. Add cauliflower, tomatoes, and jalapenos and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Heat cumin, garlic, and ginger in the EVOO until the garlic browns. Add the cayenne pepper. Throw all of that in with the lentil/cauliflower mixture. Stir in lime juice, cilantro, and sugar.
Serve over jasmine rice.
(compliments of my friend, and fellow health food fanatic, Abby http://www.abbynormally.com/)
(Just a little side note - these recipes were given to me either by the chiropractor or by friends. I'm not exactly a "good" cook, so know that anything I put on here, unless I specifically say so, isn't an original by me! Nonetheless, they are worth sharing!)
Sweet Potato Custard
2 sweet potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked
¼ cup water
4 eggs
¼ cup apple juice concentrate
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
¼ tsp salt (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Pour into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 F in a water bath 1 hour until set.
Green Smoothie
1 ½ cups water
1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
3-4 stalks of celery
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 pear, cored and chopped
1 banana
Juice of ½ lemon
Mix water and greens in a blender. Add fruit and blend until smooth. Makes a large blender full, enough for 3-4 servings.
Hamburger Casserole
2 lbs hamburger
2 large onions, chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 green or red peppers, diced
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 T chili powder (or more, to taste)
1 ½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp white pepper
Sauté onions and green peppers. Brown and drain hamburger. Combine all ingredients in a baking dish and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
Brined and Roasted Chicken/Turkey (Compliments of my brother-in-law, Rob)
Brine for 6-24 hours.
In a pot big enough for the bird, mix 1 cup of apple juice concentrate and 1 cup of sea salt per gallon of water (enough to cover the bird). Add 1-2 T rosemary, 1-2 T thyme and 1 T of lemon juice to the water. It seems like a lot of spice, but you throw the water away before cooking. Dunk bird in water and refrigerate (may have to put a heavy plate on top to keep it submerged).
Take bird out and do not rinse. Rub the bird with a mixture of melted butter & vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on rack in roasting pan. Add carrots, onion, celery to the cavity of the bird and bottom of the pan, if desired. Tie legs together with butcher’s twine. Bake at 350 covered for the first hour, then uncover. Use a meat thermometer to determine when done (170F in fat part of thigh) 6 lb bird took about 2.5 hours. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
Do not use the drippings for gravy. They will be to salty, since the brine was not rinsed.
Chicken Chili
2 pounds boneless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite size pieces
1 ¾ cup chicken broth
1 small bunch of scallions, chopped
4 ribs of celery, finely diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter (for sautéing)
1 tsp cumin
1 T chili powder
3 diced tomatoes
Diced chilies to taste (I used one jalapeno)
1 cup water, if needed
Turn slow cooker on and let it warm up while preparing veggies. Sauté scallions, celery and pepper in butter. Add chicken and cook just until the color turns. Combine the chicken stock, tomatoes and spices in the slow cooker. Add chicken and vegetables. Cook on high for 1 hour, then turn heat to low for 4-5 hours. Serve over brown rice.
Cucumber Avocado Salad
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
2 avocados, peeled and cubed
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice from ½ lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients. Stir gently to coat. Serve chilled. Eat within 2 days.
Spinach Wraps
2-3 bunches fresh spinach leaves washed and drained
1 lb ground turkey
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups chicken stock
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 egg
Pinch of salt
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, onion, garlic, egg, rice and salt. Use a spoon to dip out and place inside a spinach leaf. Wrap spinach around turkey mixture (you can leave the stems on the spinach, but it works best, if you take them off). Place in a deep baking dish. Keep rolling the spinach leave and turkey mixture and layer them in the pan. Pour 1 cup of the broth over the rolls. Bake covered at 350 for about 45 minutes. Check the juices periodically, and add the rest of the broth if needed. Uncover for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Quinoa Pudding
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 cups apple juice
1 cup raisins (I like dried cranberries better)
2 T lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash of salt
2 tsp vanilla
Bring quinoa and water to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Mix in remainder of ingredients. Cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or cold.
Lentil and Cauliflower Curry
1/2 cup lentils
3/4 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
3 plum tomatoes, chopped and leave out the “innards”
4 cups cauliflower florets
1 jalapeno pepper, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon EVOO
2 teaspoons cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 3 tsp minced garlic)
2 teaspoons ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
Combine lentils, onion, curry powder, salt and water in a large pot and cook on low for about 40ish minutes. Stir occasionally. Add cauliflower, tomatoes, and jalapenos and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Heat cumin, garlic, and ginger in the EVOO until the garlic browns. Add the cayenne pepper. Throw all of that in with the lentil/cauliflower mixture. Stir in lime juice, cilantro, and sugar.
Serve over jasmine rice.
(compliments of my friend, and fellow health food fanatic, Abby http://www.abbynormally.com/)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Hooray For Purification!
Today marks the official end of the first week of purification. We are 1/3 of the way through. It is goin quickly, in my opinion. After such a positive experience last year, I looked forward to doing it again this year. It feels a lot easier for me this time too. I think knowing what to expect, knowing all the benefits I am going to reap, and having less going wrong physically this year has made me even more receptive to the program and it's advantages.
Last year, I found it incredibly difficult to give up both coffee and sweets. I remember practically salivating over the boys peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I would make their lunches. Last year, I ate rice with agave nectar (which is no longer permissible, for reasons I can get into later), just to cure my need for dessert. This year, I honestly did not have a single craving until Thursday, 5 days into the program! Better yet is that the cravings I am having are easily subdued with a piece of gum! (OK, technically gum is not allowed on the program either. The artificial sweeteners are really, really bad for your digestion. I have been cheating by chewing 2-3 pieces of gum a day. I plan to ask the doctor exactly how bad that is at my next appointment. If it's terrible, I'll have to give that up too.) I have not felt hungry at any point during the last week, and when I look back on my day's log of eating, I have been thinking that I should probably eat a little more! No, my sleep has not improved. For many reasons, I believe that I will always struggle with sleep, but despite sleeping poorly, I already notice that I have tons more energy. I just love this program. I noticed the increase in energy right away, as I did last year. I didn't have this much energy in high school! It's an amazing thing!
I joked that I could be the company's spokesperson, I love it that much! I'm constantly trying to recruit people to join me, not because I want to burden them with my way of thinking, but because I truly believe that everyone, even those who are not experiencing poor health, can benefit from purification. The cleansing enables your body to heal itself, and the three week long strict eating regimen initiates a change in lifestyle that many people seriously need. I'm not just referring to weight either. Yes, many Americans are overweight, but this program is a focus on whole body health. It offers lessons on eating organic, eating meat that is not given hormones or antibiotics, and eating outside of our normal parameters. What I love about those lessons is that they automatically expand into ethics. For me, this is a program on "thoughtful eating." Thinking about what we are putting into our bodies, how it is effecting us, how it is effecting the environment, the economy, and the treatment of the animals who have been sacrificed for our nourishment. There's a lot of disrespect in the food industry - towards the animals, the farmers and all of the other "peons" who make it possible for us to purchase and eat the things we do. I feel strongly about changing that cavalier disregard of life and integrity.
Unlike me, however, Greg did not have a wonderful experience during his first week of purification. He couldn't sleep at all, had terrible headaches, was extremely irritable and felt run down all week. I felt very dismayed at his experience. First of all, it was me who recommended it to him, which carried a bit of guilt for his poor health. I was also hard to spend 10 days (his mood changes started when he gave up coffee 5 days prior to starting the program) with someone who was not my husband. He was so grumpy, I swear he was picking fights with me. Towards the end of the week, I simply stopped talking to him unless he asked me something specifically. Anyone who knows Greg, knows that the words grumpy and irritable are not typical descriptions of him. He felt bad, and I felt sad. On Friday, I was driving to a home visit at work, and I heard a song on the radio. I don't even remember what song it was, but I actually felt like I missed my husband, even though he had the entire week off and spent it with us! I missed joking with him. I missed cuddling with him. I missed just being able to talk to him. As much as I love the purification program, I wanted him to quit so I could have him back. He called the doctor, who told him that people who have the most toxins to shed, feel the worst for the longest period of time during the beginning of the program. It's your body's reaction to the cleanse. Greg didn't want to throw in the towel. Quitting has never been in his blood, so he toughed it out.
Last night, Greg worked night shift. When he got up from his afternoon nap, I could already see a change in him. He was more talkative and joking around like the Greg I know and love. Even so, I was seriously worried about how he would make it through the night feeling the way he had been. When he came home this morning, he greeted me with a smile. I asked how the night was and he said that even during a crazy busy night at the plant, he couldn't remember ever feeling better on night shift! VICTORY! I'm praying that this is the turn-around for him, that his body has released it's toxins and can start repairing now. This morning when he was getting ready for bed, he all but sang the praises of purification and eating right! So, now I'm thinking that I have a cohort for my campaign! It feels good to set things right!
Last year, I found it incredibly difficult to give up both coffee and sweets. I remember practically salivating over the boys peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I would make their lunches. Last year, I ate rice with agave nectar (which is no longer permissible, for reasons I can get into later), just to cure my need for dessert. This year, I honestly did not have a single craving until Thursday, 5 days into the program! Better yet is that the cravings I am having are easily subdued with a piece of gum! (OK, technically gum is not allowed on the program either. The artificial sweeteners are really, really bad for your digestion. I have been cheating by chewing 2-3 pieces of gum a day. I plan to ask the doctor exactly how bad that is at my next appointment. If it's terrible, I'll have to give that up too.) I have not felt hungry at any point during the last week, and when I look back on my day's log of eating, I have been thinking that I should probably eat a little more! No, my sleep has not improved. For many reasons, I believe that I will always struggle with sleep, but despite sleeping poorly, I already notice that I have tons more energy. I just love this program. I noticed the increase in energy right away, as I did last year. I didn't have this much energy in high school! It's an amazing thing!
I joked that I could be the company's spokesperson, I love it that much! I'm constantly trying to recruit people to join me, not because I want to burden them with my way of thinking, but because I truly believe that everyone, even those who are not experiencing poor health, can benefit from purification. The cleansing enables your body to heal itself, and the three week long strict eating regimen initiates a change in lifestyle that many people seriously need. I'm not just referring to weight either. Yes, many Americans are overweight, but this program is a focus on whole body health. It offers lessons on eating organic, eating meat that is not given hormones or antibiotics, and eating outside of our normal parameters. What I love about those lessons is that they automatically expand into ethics. For me, this is a program on "thoughtful eating." Thinking about what we are putting into our bodies, how it is effecting us, how it is effecting the environment, the economy, and the treatment of the animals who have been sacrificed for our nourishment. There's a lot of disrespect in the food industry - towards the animals, the farmers and all of the other "peons" who make it possible for us to purchase and eat the things we do. I feel strongly about changing that cavalier disregard of life and integrity.
Unlike me, however, Greg did not have a wonderful experience during his first week of purification. He couldn't sleep at all, had terrible headaches, was extremely irritable and felt run down all week. I felt very dismayed at his experience. First of all, it was me who recommended it to him, which carried a bit of guilt for his poor health. I was also hard to spend 10 days (his mood changes started when he gave up coffee 5 days prior to starting the program) with someone who was not my husband. He was so grumpy, I swear he was picking fights with me. Towards the end of the week, I simply stopped talking to him unless he asked me something specifically. Anyone who knows Greg, knows that the words grumpy and irritable are not typical descriptions of him. He felt bad, and I felt sad. On Friday, I was driving to a home visit at work, and I heard a song on the radio. I don't even remember what song it was, but I actually felt like I missed my husband, even though he had the entire week off and spent it with us! I missed joking with him. I missed cuddling with him. I missed just being able to talk to him. As much as I love the purification program, I wanted him to quit so I could have him back. He called the doctor, who told him that people who have the most toxins to shed, feel the worst for the longest period of time during the beginning of the program. It's your body's reaction to the cleanse. Greg didn't want to throw in the towel. Quitting has never been in his blood, so he toughed it out.
Last night, Greg worked night shift. When he got up from his afternoon nap, I could already see a change in him. He was more talkative and joking around like the Greg I know and love. Even so, I was seriously worried about how he would make it through the night feeling the way he had been. When he came home this morning, he greeted me with a smile. I asked how the night was and he said that even during a crazy busy night at the plant, he couldn't remember ever feeling better on night shift! VICTORY! I'm praying that this is the turn-around for him, that his body has released it's toxins and can start repairing now. This morning when he was getting ready for bed, he all but sang the praises of purification and eating right! So, now I'm thinking that I have a cohort for my campaign! It feels good to set things right!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Purify Me (And Greg!)
Well, today is the end of the third day of our 2011 quest for purification. I feel pretty good. A few headaches are to be expected, and I have had off and on head pain for the last few days. Other than that, though, I am doing very well. I personally feel like this year has been much easier than last year. I haven't had any intense cravings for sweets, like I thought I would, and I haven't been hungry at all either. I've even been running (although it is a skimmed down version of my usual workout). Perhaps the ease is due to the fact that I've done it before, and I know what to expect. Maybe it's because I know how much there is to gain from going through the program. Maybe it's just dumb luck and next week I'll be overcome with mad desire for chocolate cake! I don't know, and honestly, I'm not questioning. I'm just happy to be having a good experience and to be getting back into a healthy eating pattern after all of that gluttony over the holidays.
Greg, on the other hand, has found it a little bit harder than me. He's still searching for the right balance of protein, veggies and fruit to keep him feeling full and his blood sugar stable. He's looking to me for advice, which I try to give, but I feel terribly under qualified to help him when it comes to the big things. I have told him to eat what he wants from the allotted food groups. I've suggested spacing for the shakes and vitamins. It's very difficult for me to gauge his needs, though. First of all, I am not sensitive to low blood sugar like he is. Even when I am not going through a purification program, I can go almost all day without eating a bite before I start to feel ill. I've always been that way, for better or worse. Also, I'm half his weight. So what it takes to sustain me isn't going to cut it for him, no matter which way you look at it. He really can't eat the same portions at meals as I do and expect to feel good, not when what we are eating has very few carbs.
I think the biggest hurdle for Greg is mental. The only times he has been on a regimented eating plan, he has done so to bulk up, eating more than normal. That's quite different from now. Greg is not trying to lose weight, but the goal is not to gain either. It's to cleanse his palate, steady his blood sugar and set him on a path of healthful eating. As any of us who has been on a diet knows, just the thought that any one food is forbidden makes you crave it. I have been on many diets and thought the entire time, "I'm starving!" I wasn't starving. It was all in my head. Greg needs to relax about his eating and his mind will follow suit. I'm cautiously optimistic.
That said, I have felt (many times over) like handing him a huge cup of coffee and a donut and saying, "Please, please just drop out." No, I would not do that to him. I really don't want him to fail. I'm rooting for him to succeed, big time. I want him to feel as great as I do! But he has been an absolute grump for over a week now. It started before we began the program, when he gave up coffee, and has just continued since. It's a bit hypocritical of me to say I'm sick of his bad mood, because if anyone is ever guilty of unjustified complaining, it's me. I suppose it's because it's such a switch in roles for him to be the grump and me to be the one saying, "It's ok. Just relax." I am not exactly qualified to tell anyone to relax!
Like I said, I'm remaining optimistic about the outcome. I know that it's the best thing in the world for me. And I believe that if Greg can hang on despite the struggle, he will begin to see the light too. I know he will feel great when it's all said and done. Sometimes a harder journey reaps a sweeter the reward.
Greg, on the other hand, has found it a little bit harder than me. He's still searching for the right balance of protein, veggies and fruit to keep him feeling full and his blood sugar stable. He's looking to me for advice, which I try to give, but I feel terribly under qualified to help him when it comes to the big things. I have told him to eat what he wants from the allotted food groups. I've suggested spacing for the shakes and vitamins. It's very difficult for me to gauge his needs, though. First of all, I am not sensitive to low blood sugar like he is. Even when I am not going through a purification program, I can go almost all day without eating a bite before I start to feel ill. I've always been that way, for better or worse. Also, I'm half his weight. So what it takes to sustain me isn't going to cut it for him, no matter which way you look at it. He really can't eat the same portions at meals as I do and expect to feel good, not when what we are eating has very few carbs.
I think the biggest hurdle for Greg is mental. The only times he has been on a regimented eating plan, he has done so to bulk up, eating more than normal. That's quite different from now. Greg is not trying to lose weight, but the goal is not to gain either. It's to cleanse his palate, steady his blood sugar and set him on a path of healthful eating. As any of us who has been on a diet knows, just the thought that any one food is forbidden makes you crave it. I have been on many diets and thought the entire time, "I'm starving!" I wasn't starving. It was all in my head. Greg needs to relax about his eating and his mind will follow suit. I'm cautiously optimistic.
That said, I have felt (many times over) like handing him a huge cup of coffee and a donut and saying, "Please, please just drop out." No, I would not do that to him. I really don't want him to fail. I'm rooting for him to succeed, big time. I want him to feel as great as I do! But he has been an absolute grump for over a week now. It started before we began the program, when he gave up coffee, and has just continued since. It's a bit hypocritical of me to say I'm sick of his bad mood, because if anyone is ever guilty of unjustified complaining, it's me. I suppose it's because it's such a switch in roles for him to be the grump and me to be the one saying, "It's ok. Just relax." I am not exactly qualified to tell anyone to relax!
Like I said, I'm remaining optimistic about the outcome. I know that it's the best thing in the world for me. And I believe that if Greg can hang on despite the struggle, he will begin to see the light too. I know he will feel great when it's all said and done. Sometimes a harder journey reaps a sweeter the reward.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Just Hanging Out
It feels very good to be in a slower version of our normal routine. Over the last week, we saw family and had some of the usual obligations, but it was much, much more relaxed than the previous two months. The only bad part is that time is still flying by way too quickly. I can't believe that we are already done with the first full week of January and heading in to the second!
Greg and I both start our purification program today. I'm really excited that he is doing it with me. I think it's a lot of fun to do things like this together, and I am also hoping that he feels the benefits from it like I do. He has been a little nervous about it, and I'm hoping that once we get started his nerves will calm and he will start to simply enjoy resetting his body, getting back to a healthy lifestyle, and retraining our taste buds to love food in its simplest, most natural state. I know in my heart that he will be glad he chose to do the program with me. It's just a matter of time before he realizes it!
Other than than, things here have been very low-key, not much to report. Here are a few photos from the last week. I hope everyone else is off to as good of a start in 2011 as we are!
If given the right model, he can be nice!
Dogging around!
"Sophie, look cute and maybe we'll get a treat!"
"Oh my! What a long tongue you have!"
It's going to be a while before he can fill his father's shoes!
The new Hanes Seamless Feeding bag. It's the latest rage in hobby horse accessories!
Doesn't everyone wear socks around their head when eating apples?Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Eve Photos
A few pictures from the New Year's Eve party, not necessarily in order. I didn't feel like fighting with the blogger up loader this morning!
The lead guitar players needed a rest. Standing and playing for long periods of time is hard!
"Uncle Fred, nobody can strum a six string like you!"
Katelyn, Karissa and Ed.
Ryan, Monique, Katelyn, Karissa, Dale Ann, Rob, Me.
Brooke, Katelyn & Karissa live it up at midnight!
"Santa, I know there must be something in the bag for me!" 
"Thank you, Santa!"
"I knew if I waited long enough, you'd come through for me, Mr. Claus!"
Santa gives presents to all good girls and boys, even those in their 40's!
Everyone admiring Santa's generosity.
Some of Greg's side, pausing for a photo-op.
We were thrilled that Aunt Carmen and her crew were able to join us.
The Williams men, and Freddie, of course!
The band, our manager, and our #1 fan toast the new year!
Apparently, Mom, Kathy and Betsy have been good girls!
Angelique & Scott
Tonk! I don't even know who won! I heard the pot was up to almost $50!
Band jam in the game room.
"I try your guitar, Uncle Freddie?"
Kathy & Larry
Whoa, Buddy, that's just a bit much first thing on New Year's day, don't you think?
Mimi & Jake
Washing his hands with a silver dollar to bring prosperity in the new year. This kid will do anything for money!
Just a few of us, waiting for the ball to drop.
Kirk, Martha and Mame.
The lead guitar players needed a rest. Standing and playing for long periods of time is hard!
"Uncle Fred, nobody can strum a six string like you!"
Katelyn, Karissa and Ed.
Ryan, Monique, Katelyn, Karissa, Dale Ann, Rob, Me.
Brooke, Katelyn & Karissa live it up at midnight!
"Santa, I know there must be something in the bag for me!" "Thank you, Santa!"
"I knew if I waited long enough, you'd come through for me, Mr. Claus!"
Santa gives presents to all good girls and boys, even those in their 40's!
Everyone admiring Santa's generosity.
Some of Greg's side, pausing for a photo-op.
We were thrilled that Aunt Carmen and her crew were able to join us.
The Williams men, and Freddie, of course!
The band, our manager, and our #1 fan toast the new year!
Apparently, Mom, Kathy and Betsy have been good girls!
Tonk! I don't even know who won! I heard the pot was up to almost $50!
Band jam in the game room.
"I try your guitar, Uncle Freddie?"
Kathy & Larry
Whoa, Buddy, that's just a bit much first thing on New Year's day, don't you think?
Mimi & Jake
Washing his hands with a silver dollar to bring prosperity in the new year. This kid will do anything for money!
Just a few of us, waiting for the ball to drop.
Kirk, Martha and Mame.And that, my friends, is a "year end" in photos!
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Jake takes time out of his special day to bond with the dogs.
Sharing the burden of blowing out the candles.
Jake and Pap
Jelly Bellies and Tequila...the ultimate birthday gift for Pap!
Legos Mars Mission - the ultimate birthday gift!
Mimi's homemade birthday cake is very kind to Pap.