Saturday, February 26, 2011

be impressed

Are you sitting down? I went to McDonalds today. *GASP *
We (the kids and I) were invited by Grandpa and Grandma for a celebratory lunch. It was Tadderbug's last basketball game of the season and he did AMAZING! So not wanting to disappoint everyone we went. It was fun for the kids to get out of the house and play and spend time with their Grandparents. Everyone ate ...but me. I felt a little bad about not eating. I have never not ate when someone was offering lunch before. In fact I reminded myself of the type of people I hate to eat lunch with! You know the type, they invite you to lunch and then after you order something both amazing and fattening they order a salad....with dressing on the side. UGH! Am I seriously turning into one of those people?! Let's hope not. But I truly did not eat anything there. Two kids enjoyed non-fructose chicken nuggets (once again ...gasp. Although you would know that if you had watched the video!), and the red Rapunzel enjoyed her self a Big Mac... and YES, she can eat the whole thing! It's quite impressive for how little she is.
While we were on the drive home Tadderbug commented..."McDonalds isn't really that good is it." Shout HALLELUJAH (or hella ya!) the kids have finally come around! Eating healthy IS GOOD and good for you. Who da thunk?

Friday, February 25, 2011

Yes I did

Why yes, I did add flax seed to my apple crisp. Top it off with a little ice cream and you have all the food groups covered! I don't even know why I bothered with dinner first.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Thank you and goodnight!

So I know at least one person who will be disappointed in today's post, sorry Mom. I am too tired to tell you that I made some bread for the neighbors.... this time NO exploding glass pans! Or that I did some damage at Costco....but not to their hand dipped ice cream bars. I only ate 1/2! I will tell you that I have left the vanilla ice cream in my freezer UNTOUCHED for over 2 weeks! A personal best, and I am quite proud of myself. Plus the fructose is quickly leaving our house thanks to scouting banquets that require plates of baked goods. I love killing two birds with one stone. It totally makes me look like a contributing member of the scouting society, AND it frees up some pantry space. (Remember I am NOT buying or using things with fructose in it! And that also reminds me......WATCH THE VIDEO!)
On a totally separate note THANK YOU to everyone who has left me a email or comment about how much you are liking this little 30 by 30 experiment of mine! I am so grateful for all the words of advice and encouragement! THANK YOU! It makes me so happy that people are actually reading this thing! Keep sending all your knowledge my way..... I promise I'll take all of it! THANK YOU!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

feeling good!

So I think the small changes I have made are already working! Not so much on the waistline but just in feeling good allover! I feel healthier. It feels good to know that I am helping my kids to eat healthier too. I NEVER feel hungry... yet I don't think I eat as much as I used to. I think I finally understand that all food is NOT created equal. No more 'empty ' calories for me.
My family has made some changes too and I feel like I owe someone an apology.
I'm sorry McDonalds. It was a hard breakup but it truly was me, not you. Your food was somewhat tasty, the toys were fantastic, but I feel like my family deserves better. I am sorry you do not see our car at your drive-through window a few times each week. You might have had to let a few workers go because of our absence. I know with our purchases alone we were able to pay a few worker's wages .... but times change and so do taste buds. I no longer get a thrill smelling fresh fries in the car. It is comforting to know that my food is now prepared fresh and I no longer need to unwrap it. And this may be hitting below the belt but sadly enough the kids don't miss you. I wish you the best but I think it is best for both of us to just go our separate ways, never to meet again.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Call me Martha

Guess who made bread today?! ME! It was easy, fun, and tasty! I made it out of whole wheat flour and it contained NO sugar!
Everyone LOVED it except for a certain redheaded Rapunzel. She thought it tasted like a dog biscuit. She is a snob when it comes to any bread other than Grandma Sycamore's White Bread that her Grandma buys for her. (It's a special Grandma treat that she toasts and then dips in hot chocolate) We have been buying Grandma Sycamore's Honey Whole Wheat for years. And all these years I have been thinking that I am such a great Mom making my kids eat whole wheat. Turns out that I have just been poisoning them once little slice at a time. Grandma Sycamore's contains High Fructose Corn Syrup! UGH....is there anything out there that DOESN'T?!
Just to prove that I am trying hard to make a healthy improvements in my family's diet I have posted some pictures of my bread success! And one unfortunate failure!
The recipe I used was from this website http://www.superhealthykids.com/Recipes.html And in true fashion I didn't follow the recipe as it was written. This is how I did it.........

3 2/3(ish) cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 TBS yeast
2 1/2 cups hot tap water
1 TBS salt
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey
1 1/4 TBS bottled lemon juice
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Mix together the flour and the yeast with a dough hook (stand mixer). Add the water all at once and mix for 1 min. Cover and let rest for 10 min. Add salt, oil, honey, and lemon juice. Mix for 1 min. Add the last 2 1/2 cups of flour a little bit at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be VERY soft. Turn the dough onto an oiled counter top. Divide and shape the dough into 2 loafs. Place them into oiled bread pans.
Pre-heat the oven for 1 min...and then turn the oven OFF (this is just to get the oven warm). Place the bread into the warmed oven and let them rise for 10-15 min until the dough reaches the top of the pans. DO NOT REMOVE BREAD FROM OVEN. Turn oven ON to 350 F and bake for 30 min. Remove from pans and cool on rack.


Don't be sad if your 1st attempt doesn't look as pretty as mine did. I have a gift. And I am sure that with practice yours too can look as nice as mine.
But just so you all know that even perfect people can make mistakes I posted this next picture.


This was going to be my second attempt at bread. This was going to be Artisan bread. It required that you add water to a pan underneath the baking bread to give it steam and produce a crusty outer crust (my favorite!).
I knew it was a bad idea to add cold water to a glass pan in a hot oven but I totally was adding BOILING water to it and I thought I would be safe. WRONG. Glass shattered and went everywhere! Luckily the kids were all in bed and no one was hurt. I will try again in the morning, this time with a metal pan.

Monday, February 21, 2011

TMI

This post will contain TOO MUCH INFO. Stop reading now if you would still like to be able to look me in the eye without feeling slightly weird or awkward. If you are a 7 year old boy I am quite sure that you will get a kick out of this post!
Floater or Sinker? Yes people, we are talking about POO. No, I do not have any pictures to post with this. Your welcome.
After watching the video (Have you watched it yet?! You NEED to! It will change your life!) It has been brought to my attention that my family and I are not getting enough fiber. I was talking to the Hubbs about ways we can add more fiber into our everyday diets and trying to come up with easy, simple ideas. After much talk this was his question to me...."Do you know how you can tell if you are getting enough fiber in your diet?" Me... "No". His answer, "If your poop floats." Great. I am so glad that he is such a fountain of knowledge.
I personally have never had a 'floater'. (See this was the TMI I was warning you about!) I honestly can say that I didn't even know there was such a thing! Now that's all I can think about. I MUST be a horrible eater to never have a floater! Not only am I paranoid by Fructose but now I am worried about not getting enough fiber too! This whole healthy eating thing has totally consumed my life. I guess it's a good thing. But my biggest problem now is that I know all this stuff......how do I apply it?! I have enough going on in my life: Trying to raise kind, healthy, happy children. Keeping a house clean. Keeping a yard up to Better Homes and Gardens condition. Being up to date on world events (thanks Star magazine). Volunteering at my children's school (ha, let's not kid anyone about this... I have been once.). Making the world a much prettier place through my job, which I LOVE! It's a lot for a girl to take on!! I have no time to make my own ketchup, tomato soup, or cereal! I thought part of the joys of living in the year 2000 was that life would be easier. But after walking up and down the isles of the grocery stores I had only placed 4 items in my cart. I couldn't bring myself to place anything in my cart that had the word fructose in the ingredient list. I was also on the lookout for high fiber foods. That was a little bit easier but then when you check out the ingredients that darn fructose would be there AGAIN! You would be SHOCKED at how many things contain it! So once again I am asking..... WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO?! Should I now add master gardener to my list of things I must do to be a good Mom?! I do have a big garden I began destroying last fall. Perhaps this spring I can resurrect it to it's original glory. I have been told by many of my neighbors that the previous owners were wonderful gardeners. Well good for them.... I make WONDERFUL cookies! I think our neighbors would rather have a fresh plate of warm cookies than a bushel of fresh produce, right?! Plus the Hubbs had high hopes of the garden growing into a basketball court this summer. I guess we will see how long this 'health kick' lasts.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Reminder

This is just a reminder that you still NEED TO WATCH THE VIDEO I posted a few days ago! It really is well worth your time. Put the kids to bed, invite your significant other to snuggle up next to you, and watch it. I took notes..... you might want to too. Leave a comment letting me know you have watched it. I will NOT post another thing until EVERYONE has watched it, and left a comment.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Lighter

No not me....just my hair! And don't worry I told the Hubbs BEFORE I did anything so he would notice this time. He defence for NEVER noticing last time. "Dark is Dark. When I am reffing a game all I see is black and white. It doesn't matter if it's purple, orange, red, blue or black....I am calling it all black. How am I supposed to notice your hair is darker?"
Isn't he a charmer ladies.... Sorry hes all mine.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

MUST watch

This video is amazing. I learned SO much! We will be making some MAJOR changes at our house!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Yummmm ...... butter

Be prepared now people. This post will be long, obnoxiously long. Still NOT as long as one of my sisters Facebook status updates, but long none the less! I apologize ahead of time.

Well, I am trying. Really, I AM! Just when I thought I was making progress I went to the Dr. just to have them tell me that I weigh the SAME. The scale at home said I am down 8 lbs. How can I trust my cheep white scale I bought on sale, over a scale with a PHD and fancy buttons?!
I am the first one to admit I haven't made any HUGE changes... but I thought not eating out, drinking water, and exercising (somewhat) would have made some differences. Perhaps the problem is MY cooking?! Trust me.. I am a FANTASTIC cook... but I might not be the healthiest cook. Paula Dean has nothing on me. I buy butter every week! And not just one box. I am talking Sam's club size people! And I am sad to say I have been making myself a treat every night for a few days. Italian Cream Sodas! Delicious! But alas, they are made with HEAVY whipping cream.....and I am afraid I know now how it got the name heavy.
So whats a girl to do?! Stop making my wonderful baked goods and creamy sauces? Stop eating dessert every night? Those are things I just can't walk away from, nor do I want too. So my other option will be to try new things. I can try new healthier recipes on weekdays and my good tried and true recipes (aka deliciously fattening) on weekends. That doesn't sound too bad right?
I have found a few great websites/blogs that have pretty tasty looking recipes. A little adventure never hurt anyone right?! I might need to hit the store up everyday to get fresh veggies. (How is it that my fridge kills fresh vegetables and fruits after a few days?! Does anyone else have this problem? Am I the only one? Is my fridge just a big mean bully who hates fresh things that have just been plucked from outside sources?) I also might have to look up pictures of a few of the ingredients that the recipes call for ....just so I don't wander around the produce section looking like a crazy lady that hasn't seen a vegetable before.
What the heck is a chickpea? A veggie? a bean? Does it come in a bag? a can? frozen? Will I need to shop at a health food store? These are questions I need to know the answers to! And how can I get the salads that I make at home taste as good as the ones in the restaurants? Do they have better iceberg lettuce than me? Am I going to have to buy a steamer? If you microwave a veggie does it lose it's nutritional value? UGH! I am getting so worked up! Perhaps I should just stop now before I get so stressed out that I have to find a dark corner where I can rock myself back and forth in. Please leave any comments that might be helpful for this big undertaking! I can do this! right?

Saturday, February 12, 2011

cough* cough*

I think I might be getting sick. Dry cough, scratchy throat, voice leaving...... Yep, I might actually lose weight after all! As a friend once said, " I am a few good stomach flus away from my goal weight." I'm not, but missing a few meals couldn't hurt.

Friday, February 11, 2011

New Low

By reading the title of this post you make think that I have good news to share. Unfortunately I do not. I have a new low.....a bad low.
For dessert tonight I made strawberry crepes. Delicious, Yes! But after I ate it I felt like I needed a dessert. A DESSERT for my DESSERT?! SERIOUSLY?! Yes. Seriously. Cookies and Cream Ice cream. Also delicious! I am now depressed. Goodnight.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Easy smeazy

Apparently weight loss can be as easy as smelling grapefruit! Research has shown that the smell of grapefruit oil helps you fight cravings and spur weight loss! Sound too good to be true?! Perhaps, but worth a shot don't you think?! I must get my Scentsy lady on the phone ASAP! They have a Grapefruit Spice smell that is sure to do the trick (plus it is my FAVORITE scent, next to Fresh Cut Grass of course)!
This weight loss stuff is easier than I ever imagined! I wonder why it's not all working quite yet? I guess it just takes more time. It couldn't possibly be the lack of regular exercise and proper eating habits.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Splenda. Not so much.

I have noticed that many 'diet' foods have no sugar, less sugar, etc. Why does sugar make you fat anyway? Is it just that sugar makes everything taste better so you eat more?! Whoever got rid of sugar and tried to replace it should be fired! They think Splenda is the answer?! BLEH! I don't care if it does save me 60 calories. NOT WORTH IT! I actually saved more like 100 calories because I threw out my cup of rice pudding after 2 bites! What am I going to do with 7 more? It would be such a waste to throw them all out, even if I did save $1.00 on them with my coupon. Maybe I could pass them off to my Mother-in-law. She can't taste anything anyway.
And seriously people she can't taste anything ....really. I am not just being rude.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Feeling good.

So YES I did wear sweat pants to the Super Bowl party. And I don't feel bad about eating the Chicken Buffalo Dip because I totally used Philadelphia cream cheese 1/3 less fat. Plus I made homemade guacamole dip! Guacamole has Avocados in it....and avocados are GOOD for you. Check it out. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Who's ready!?

Tomorrow is SUPER-FULL SUNDAY! Or Super Bowl ... whatever. I am just excited for the food and commercials!
I will be cutting my nails SUPER SHORT tonight. Why you ask? Well, because in my new Shape Magazine it says that clenching a tight fist and tightening your arm muscles will boost your willpower, giving you the strength to resist temptation. So I figured I have a lot of temptation coming at me tomorrow like Chicken Buffalo Dip, Artichoke Dip, Pizza, and many, many more tasty treats. How is a girl like me going to make it through the day?! I can't decide..... should I wear my tight pants so I am uncomfortable (and maybe not eat so much) or do I just throw my hands in the air and wear baggy sweats and enjoy? I think we all know the answer.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What's the point?!

So I dyed my hair 2 days ago and the Hubbs still hasn't noticed! And YES it is a very noticeable change. In fact it's so noticeable that a receptionist at my daughters dance studio noticed as soon as I walked through the door! So my question is this......If he can't tell a change in hair color how on earth is he going to notice a 5lb difference in weight?!
So NO, I am not going to tell him about my hair. And you all can't either! I feel very confident in writing this on here and him still not finding out. He never reads my posts. The only thing he reads on the internet is sports related. I wonder how long it will take for him to notice. All I know is the longer it does the bigger my Valentine's present will get! So here's to oblivious Husbands!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

New treat!

I found a new treat! POPCORN! Yes, I realize that it is not 'new' but I found a new-ish topping for it... Kernel Season's Nacho Cheese. They also have White Cheddar and Butter flavored. The best part. 2 calories! That's IT! Seriously people that is better than a stick of gum! Combine it with some fat-free popcorn and your calorie total will not even reach 40! And that's for an ENTIRE BAG! Forget about portion control! I am having a WHOLE bag tonight! Heck, maybe TWO!
Here is the link so you know what to look for....... http://www.kernelseasons.com/index.php