Vegmom Moments

A Lettuce Taco Shell

I had some Vita-Mix Hummus and mashed Black beans left over from my Mom's visit. 

Also a few Veggies but not many and some Quinoa and Brown rice... What to do with all these Yummy Vegan Fixin's....  Make a lettuce taco of course:

Before:

After:

OH MY YUM!!

Green Juice in a Pitcher

I finally found a Glass Pitcher that was big enough to hold oodles of Green Juice...and had a lid.

My Green Juice is basically a watered down Green Smoothie.. So it serves that Quick Gulp feeling when I don't have time to make the real deal.

And this pitcher is just perfect to hold that Oodles of Goodness!!

 

Mmmmm, Good!!

Dividing Tasks

Normally at the beginning of a new year, I do the following:

• File away all paper work from prior year
• Taxes
• Fill Scrap Book album with all Momentos from the prior year
• Balance Checkbook from any thing that I got behind during busy season of the prior year.

There was a time when I did all this as I went...  Have a receipt, file it... before it became a bucket full... Have a momento, stick it in the book... before it becomes a bucket full of stuff...

Then I became a full time parent with a full time job and many things to be done on a daily basis... some things I keep up with and other things not so much... Those other things become buckets full of stuff by year end.

2010 however, is my Simplify year.... I realized, I don't have to spend my whole holiday or vacation time sitting in a room alone sorting through all this stuff...There really is no drop dead date.  I set that upon myself.  In reality, the bills are paid, who cares what happens to the receipts.

Of course I DO, but it doesn't have to all be done at once... So I used the January holiday break for having fun with family and cleaning out closets in between.

I spent Veg's birthday break with him and my Mom and a few naps.... and now I'm spending each week conquering one task...

Before going back to work, I got our taxes done... the next day, I got my paper work sorted.  This weekend, I got my Momento Scrap Album all caught up and bills done.  Next weekend I will get the sorted paperwork in to files...

And while it may be March by then, I will have all my big daunting year long tasks complete...  The following week, I may develop a new filing system so the end of this year doesn't look so horrifying!

Its all about Simplifying and Dividing tasks.... Not everything HAS to be done NOW!  And I'm OK with that (some times) *wink*

Why I Love my Vita-Mix Reason #1250

Yes, I know all blenders do mixing and mashing... But since I've had Mr. Vita-Mix I have mixed and mashed the best creations.

And tonight, I forgot he just did some chopping... Hubby wanted Bean dip, and I was in no mood to cut all the veggies for it.  Then I saw my Mixing/Mashing monster in the corner and went to town..

Dropped in Spinach, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Seasoning, Lemon juice, Carrots...   And it chopped everything to the perfect size.

Poured on top of Refried Black Beans (mixed with lemon juice and taco seasoning) and popped the whole glass container in the oven...  Total prep time 4 minutes... And I didn't even get tears from the onions.

How something can make Ice Cream out of frozen Bananas, and pulverize greens in to a smoothie without a single leafy floating bit... and still chop veggies without disintegrating them, I HAVE NO IDEA...

But I do love my Vita-Mix!!!

$25 Dollar Check your luggage fee?

REALLY???  What the Kadoodles is up with that?????????????

Plus $380 plane ticket... Its no wonder my Mom's flight was empty!! 

Would be 1/2 the price to ship your stuff!  The big shipping companies should open up shop right next to the Baggage check Kiosk.

Think I will drive for now on!!!  Oh yeah, I don't have a choice but to drive, because flying for a family of only 3 is not possible anymore!  Let alone a family of more.

Shame Shame on Airlines....(in my best Mommy voice)

<<hopping off soapbox>>

1/2 Marathon Training Update

We are hitting the big walk weeks before tapering down...  Last weekend we completed 10 miles, and this weekend we will be at 11 miles...

Admittingly, I'm beginning to feel it a little bit on those longer ones.  Anything over 8 miles and feet get a little sore.  

But the short walks, 6 miles and below are a piece of cake... Doing 3 miles is like a cupcake....  So easy now, you would think we've been training a while or something.... Oh yeah, we have!

Why I like this year (walking) vs. last year (running):

• Last year I was alone, no running partner (sigh sigh sob sob)
• Last year I wasn't eating all the right foods, and green smoothies were not an every day occurence
• Last year I was 18 pounds heavier
• When I ran, I bounced!  And I learned that I had a lot of things bounce...  Especially when the elastic snapped in my boulder holder.  THAT was fun!
• Last year I was trying to run, figuring out the shoe/sock situation, through blisters and shin pain, and hip pain, and not moving very fast.
• I didn't stay hydrated properly
• The bouncing of running, made bladder need to find bathrooms every couple miles
• Trying to find the time last year to train properly seemed hopeless.

AH BUT THIS YEAR!!!

• I'm a new me!  happy, healthy, feeling GREAT and eating what my Body needs...
• No bouncing for walking, so I can even put my cell phone in a pocket and not worry about it flying out and hitting me.
• My Bladder is solid, No bathroom stops
• I have a walking buddy that I'm so proud of for sticking with it through the cold and soreness
• And I happily make the time to get out and do something for ME!!!

Last year, finishing the 1/2 marathon was a HUGE accomplishment for me.  I felt so good to have completed something that I worked so hard for.

But This year, finishing the 1/2 marathon will be just as rewarding... only this year, I will feel good because I feel good!!!  The accomplishment will be just a bonus... Oh and the free shirt... EXTRA Bonus!  *smile*

Hubby Vs. the Ladder

Hubby was outside trimming shrubs and tree limbs away from the road and house today...  The ones near the house required a ladder...  and a chain saw....

I have a long time fear of the Chain Saw because I know the damage they can do...  My Dad had one almost chop off his hands once upon a time... Still has the scars..

But Mix Hubby, on a Ladder on an incline WITH a Chainsaw, and my fear becomes reality....(almost)

Sure it was 30 degrees today, but we had the house to ourselves and I made a Picnic on the deck... While setting the stuff on our picnic blanket, I see in what seemed like slow motion........

The ladder tip, hubby lost his footing, and they both come tumbling down!!  It was about an 8 foot drop, and he landed between the now sideways ladder and on top of a large tree root that was poking out of the ground.  I thought for sure he was broken in half. .... The Chainsaw... still running, landed about an inch above his head, splattering earth and not blood....  Shewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

At that point I could breath enough to run down and make sure he was alive....  If the chainsaw had been chopping him to bits, I'm not sure I could have looked....  But As Hubby says, God stepped in and saved him from what could have been much much much worse!  His faith is one of amazing strength, and instead of worrying about his possible injuries, he was thanking God for protecting him.

When I got out there, he was already walking, shaky, limping and breathing heavy, but alive and mobile....  Not much else matters....  A little while later, parts of his body were feeling numb, his fingers and arms the worse, he thinks he may have tweaked something in his back, but other wise, was doing Alright!

He is currently playing his video games so I know all his fingers are working again... and the limping was from his ankle but that is barely bothering him now.  Outside of being a little stiff, I think he is going to be OK!

And surprised to say, he doesn't have a single bruise....  Give that boy some more Kale!  *smile*

Don't get filled up

Yes, its me again.....My Mom is the theme of my posts today because she just finished her vacation with us at the "Veg Spa".... Where she sleeps till 10, naps during the day, and is pampered with natural foods, natural body products, and lots of love.

But sometimes, only sometimes *wink* she is lectured while here about her habits at home.  Well not lectured... I mean Educated.. I mean....Never mind... *smurk*

Ya see, While here, she is glowing and vibrant, and rested, and by the time she leaves, is pretty much totally Detoxed.  I send her with natural products, and snacks that will fit in her suitcase, and teas...and....  Tell her to keep up this trend and she will be feeling even better each day that follows.... Some times, I think she actually listens to me...  (maybe)

BUT----this time, she had a very valid question...  She said, that when she eats only vegetables and fruits, she is hungry more often, and she doesn't feel full with out animal products.  She asked how I get full...

And then... THEN, I gave her a Vegan Cooking and No-Cooking class....

We made Vegan Hemp "cheese" Sauce, Dehydrated Kale Chips, Hummus, Beans/Hummus Grilled Sandwiches, Heated Artichoke and Spinach dip, of course smoothies.  We made a HUGE Salad, and I handed her apples and veggies, and dried fruits, and raw nuts through out the day.  

Needless to say, she learned in those couple days what it is like to Feel Full and be Vegan.....  Yes, it is a different kind of full..  Not the bloated, and stuffed, and greasy feeling.... But it is still full.

A Vegan kind of Full, is feeling satisfied, no longer hungry, and having energy...  Napping because you can, and not because you have to.   Looking forward to the next meal or snack and knowing it will be just as tasty as the one before.

Vegan, Nutritious and Delicious.... It is possible!  And it is Gooooood!!!

Old Traditions make new ones

We used to call our Grandma by the name Niece (NeeSee)  I have no Idea where that came from, or why we called her that, but we did....

And when my Veg was old enough to speak, he called my Mom (NeeNee)  I have no idea where that came from, or why he called her that, but he did. 

We tried "Grandma",  "Gamma", "Grammy"..... NOPE!  He called her NeeNee and there was nothing we could do to change his mind!  And we didn't really try!   It was meant to be!!

When we were little, my Mom would decorate our room while we slept on the Eve's of our Birthdays....  And now I do that for Veg...

This Year, we ran out of balloons... So we made some out of Ziploc Bags... He actually thought they were pretty cool and asked if we could save them for next year.... And we will... A new tradition is born!

 

When we were little, my Mom, my Aunt and my Grandma used to say "Walk on my back" and we would... It was because they all have sore backs and we were too little to rub them properly...

Look what I found, upon coming home the other night:

 

The Vegman has taken over the torch of the Back Walker!  I think this should be an Olympic sport, it is very tricky after all, and takes much coordination.  Wonder if this is genetic?

In the mornings, when we were kids my Mom would make us something special for Birthdays...  I have done the same for Veg only Vegan... Everything from Cupcakes, to Strawberry biscuits, to fancy pancakes... But this year topped them all, with the Green Smoothie and candle:

 

He also received a candle in a cookie at restaurant with dad (day prior), a cupcake at home, and a candle stuck to a plate (since they had nothing Vegan) while at a restaurant with me and NeeNee.... 

The boy had some Unique candle birthday surprises.... BUT they all tied in to our old traditions, and some new ones...

When we were little we'd send our teeth to our Grandma Neice when they fell out.  We knew there was no tooth fairy (or at least I did).  But when I sent them to Grandma, I knew that some cash was not far away....

When Veg's first teeth came out, he was soooo excited that he had to send them to his NeeNee for her to see..... Coincidence?  I THINK NOT!  

I'm not much for some holidays, nor did I think we had too many family traditions... But it seems we do.... And they aren't intentional, they just happen...

I mean my kid is walking on my Mom's back...  Its almost a little creepy, in a good kind of a way!

Cardboard Microscope

My Vegman is doing a Project about Microscopes.  He has a real (kids) one that he received from his grandparents at Christmas.  And has been doing a lot of research at school about them along with using real ones while there.  But as part of the project you also have to "build" something that resembles your project of choice. (his being microscope)

So we designed something on paper and then ran around the house collecting supplies.... mostly I was the one collecting supplies...

Cardboard from the recycle bin, an old toy magnifying glass, a small mirror from an old make up container, and tape...  Also scissors and hole punch!

Here is our creation:

The small hole in the top of the paper towel tube, peaks down in to the magnifying glass, which has a bigger hole below it that peaks down to the mirror, which reflects the light to the slide....  So you can see what is on the slide through the tiny hole on the top.

It actually worked... Not 200x magnification or anything, but was a great experiment for the Vegman to see how a lens works (small hole looking through bigger hole), what the mirror is for, and how different types of magnifying items can do the same job with different results.

In addition, it is a recycled cardboard creation....That is actually functional.

We put dirt on the slide, with a dibble of water to further the magnifying process.

He was quite impressed that you can actually see the dirt from the tiny hole at the top of our creation.

Taking this to school along with a couple other Magnifying experiments will be great fun!!  

Watching his presentation will be even greater fun!

NeeNee meets the Kale Crisps

My Mom knows what I eat from this blog, but having her here introduces her to the tastes... And I think she's liked just about everything.

Green Smoothie Goodness, Hemp nacho sauce, Beany grilled (no cheese) sandwiches, Dark Chocolate goodies, Raw nuts, Dried fruits.... And now....Today..... She was introduced to the Kale Crisp!

She helped me "massage" the kale... She helped me load it in to the Dehydrator, she waited patiently for the wet kale to become dried kale...

 

And then she helped me eat two entire trays.....  And she said "Wow that is good, don't tell anyone".... But I am...  I'm telling the 3 people that read my blog... NeeNee liked the Kale Crisps!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY YUM!!! They were extra super good because I had a helper..  We did the work in 1/2 the time, and the flavors were massaged extra good in to the kale leaves.

We actually did save a couple tray's worth for tomorrow, but I can't much guarantee they will last a day after.

A Banana Story

Once upon a time there was a lonely browning banana:

 

He was very sad watching all his friends go in to smoothies one by one while he laid there on the counter with no love....

Then his owner said "We just can't have lonely bananas in the house"... and they went shopping:

Ahhhh All Better!!!  These bananas will make Raw Pudding, Raw Ice Cream and Raw Smoothies!  Hopefully none of them will get lonely!

A Vegan Clock

Coolest, Birthday gift of all time....  A clock that runs on Fruits and vegetables!!

 

Veg told his Uncle about this cool clock, and his Uncle said "Can it run off of hot dogs?"

And we said "No, its a Vegan clock!"   *smile* 

A Birthday Smoothie

Veg wanted a Green Peanut Butter Smoothie for his Birthday breakfast.... And a Green Peanut Butter Smoothie, he did get!!

Candle and all:

Happy Birthday Big Guy!!!

Sweet Card

A while ago, I made this card for Hubby, just because, and set it on the counter with his coffee pot for early morning viewing.

The other day, I noticed the card, and so I stuck it in the fridge with his Morning Smoothie, so he would see it when he woke up.   He told me that when he sees it now it brings a smile... so I planned to leave it hiding for more days to come.....

It says "Have I told you lately.... I love you" and a hand written note on the inside....

 

Well, tonight when I got home, look what I found on my pillow:

 

He went through my Card making stash, found stamps, inks, punches, scissors and made this cute little card...

I'm beyond impressed..... Even the little flowers in the little circles... hee hee... And the hearts for the corners.... he went all out!!   And his note on the inside is Sooooooo sweet... he even used my scrap paper, rather then dipping in to the full sheets.

And And And, he cleaned the stamps, and put everything back where he found it....

Awwwww, I think he loves me!  *smile*

The Faucet

Used to be when I'd go visit my Mom and wanted to flush the toilet, I'd have to turn on the bathroom faucet.

YES - to flush the toilet, you had to turn on the bathroom faucet in a certain direction. If you faced the right way, put your foot out , you may get the toilet to flush.

I would laugh and laugh.....  The toilet situation was fixed....  Then it became the kitchen sink... IF you wanted it to stop dripping, you had to turn the handle, turn the faucet, stick your tongue out, raise your right hand, and stand on your left foot, then maybe just maybe, the faucet would quit dripping.

I would laugh and laugh..... WELL, the joke is on me, I tell ya!!

Hubby put in these new water saving, fancy shmancy no chain flusher things......When you flush the toilet, the water goes out quick and only a little comes back in.... It works great... except when it doesn't want to work....

When the water pressure isn't just right, the toilets won't fill back up with water.... And then like 2hrs later you'd hear "Pshhhhhhhh" where it randomly decided it was ready to fill.

Finally, Hubby tells me after all these months... "You just have to turn the sink faucet on"

"REALLY, To get the toilet to flush, I have to turn the Sink on?"  What is the point of water saving then?

YUP!! Thats what you have to do.... So to my Mom..... It is your turn to laugh!!!

And don't forget to turn the sink on when you flush the toilet!!!  Hahaha!

My Garden has carrots!!

While at the farm on Saturday, we were shown how her carrots grow all winter long.  She said you just have to cover them with leaves... I posted about how that would be nice to know for next year.

Then Sunday, I was standing out on the deck and noticed our garden was sort of covered with leaves that the trees had dropped, and I thought to myself.... "Hmm?  Wonder if there are any carrots down there"

Guess what???

 

There were carrots... BIG FAT Carrots!!  Left to become their own compost.. I had no idea...  Most of their tops were gone, as you can tell, but look at that Orange Goodness!!  (under all the clay, dirt and worms)

I still have yet to wash them real good... But how fun!!  Who Knew they were growing in there all this time.

Something else I learned....  While at the farm.... RAISED BEDS ARE SO MUCH BETTER *smile*....  She plucked her carrots out with a little bit of black dirt, shwooped it off and rinse then eat....

OH NO, not my in ground garden... LOOK at the scrubbing that will take place to make these carrots edible....

But ALAS, Hubby wanted this kind of garden, so this kind of garden we shall have.... Even if Carrots are the only things that will grow *smile*

Happy Valentine's Day

This is another one of those Holiday's I don't quite get when it comes to married couples...Its supposed to be about LOVE....

But don't we love the people we love all the time?  If a gift is only given on a Holiday, and the rest of the year, emotion isn't there, then what is the point of the gift? 

If there is emotion and gifts all year, then what is the point of making it a big deal on one single day.

All of that said, I don't care what day it is, I LOVE HEARTS!  After all, our heart is the spot that handles our blood... It helps us tick, it keeps us going.  It goes Pitter Patter when we fall in love.  And a written heart just looks darn cute!

So for this Valentine's Day, I present you with the Heart of all Hearts:

 

Goji Berries and a Green Smoothie!  What a better way to show your love, then to give a gift that makes the Heart Happy!! 

Green, its the new pink! 

Happy Valentine's Day.... Lots of love today and always!  *smile*

Green Sludge for Three

Just because I can take pictures of Yummy Green Goodness, I shall...

This morning's Green Sludge for three (and notice the drip on the counter... always a drip)

Mmm, Good!! (and good for you)

Day At The Farm

Continuing with the theme of 2010 of no plans... just doing and going..  I woke up this morning with a brilliant idea...

Wait a minute... back up.....>>>>>  A couple years ago we went to a festival where we saw a local farm family with their animals and teachings....

Then Last year we saw the same couple at the Farmer's Market every weekend.  We would buy their goodies, and one day grabbed a brochure.

Turns out they give tours and other fun things, but most people would go in the summer, when their gardens are actually in full bloom. 

I however, woke up this morning with 20degree temps, flurries of snow, and middle of winter, decided it would be a GREAT idea to go to  the farm for a tour.

The sweet kind lady obliged me with my last minute phone call, and off we went!!!  Soooooo Glad we did this!

You see, they are a working farm with Chickens, Llamas, Rabbits, veggie gardens, fruit orchards and Honey bees.  BUT..

They are all organic, self sustaining, and use or sell almost everything that comes from the farm.  Even the Llama Poop.. Really!  It makes for good soil apparently.   They compost Everything with lots of compost beds.  And spin their own yarn from the llama and rabbit fur.  They also have Solar panels, and showed us how much coal is saved by using them.

Because it is an Organic Farm, they encourage good bugs and birds, so they plant things that attract them.  And shared that info with us.  But also have natural ways to discourage the critters they prefer to not have on their farm.

We saw everything from the animals, to the yarn being spun, a couple different wheels, what happens to the fur...to how the compost is turned and the worms that were busy working.  We also got to feed the chickens, grab some of their eggs, fill their water buckets, give the Llamas treats, and take one of the Llamas for a walk.

The dogs on the farm were Hubby's favorite... And I think they liked him too... 

We also saw how carrots will stay growing all year if covered with leaves... Sigh, wish I would have done that to ours.  *smile*  We learned about soil, compost, raised beds, rotating crops, and saw a new green house being built.

Such a great winter day of learning and fun....  

Feeding the chickens..

 

Sweet little bunny face:

Taking a Llama for a walk...  Much like a dog for a walk, only a lot bigger...

Yup, there are bees in there!  (listen closely)  Yeah, I didn't like this part so much :-)

But the Vegman was right in to the action.

 

You lookin' at me?  I know you aren't lookin' at me!

 

Normally the llamas can roam in that big field, but they came up close for us to visit with them. 

Next thing I knew, we were in there with them and they didn't care a bit.

Sometimes having no plans are the best kind!!!

A week of Surprises

Some surprises were great, like Hubby surprising me with dinner when I arrived home yesterday.

Some surprises Not so Great... Like when my feet hit a patch of ice, my body went flying and I landed on my back.

Good surprise from the ice incident is that I didn't break anything... Bad surprise is that my neck was sore all day...

Question in this surprise... Why would my neck hurt?  hello... back, butt, elbows, shoulders, I'd get... They are what pounded the pavement... but Neck?  What ever!

Surprise, we had a little snow at our house again, and it was the only spot on this side of town that had snow... how cool is that?  I love snow... even if it does make me airborne when ice is hiding underneath!

Good Surprise, I fell asleep last night at 7pm and actually slept ALL NIGHT LONG!

Had a conference with Veg's teachers today... not so many surprises there... He's basically, too smart for his own good... That I already knew.... The surprise part is that he knows it too, and uses this to his advantage (or dis-advantage depending how you look at it)....

I was also told he was a Strong Willed Child... ha ha Surprise?  Not sure really where he gets that from....  *smirk*  .....

Good Surprise, Hubby met me for lunch one day and we decided to have a coffee shop picnic, it was sooo nice... ordered our food and then went for a walk to eat at the coffee shop and yes, have some coffee...

Bad Surprise, Veg has 4 more teeth coming through so the dentist said, and no more loose teeth yet... so he'll have double teeth for a while and his little gums are getting sore again.  Good news, he has no cavities..

Bad Surprise... Hubby unknowingly spilled some of his choco ice cream on the floor and didn't pick it up (because he didn't know).... Good Surprise, my Pup asked to go out, before finding the choco ice cream.... I HOPE!!!!

Good Surprise... I've logged 12 miles of walking this week even with the Stiff neck falling incident... And.. one of the guys at work handed out little chocolate boxes for Valentines day!  So sweet!

So it has been a week of Surprises.. even if some weren't so good... The week has been great! 

I hope yours has been great where ever you may be!!

Raw Cookie Dough and Brownie Bites

I haven't made these in a while and couldn't resist doing so this weekend.  I found myself having a few hours home alone, so I spent them in the kitchen.

These are the Brownie ones... And were made for us Adults only!  

Raw Cacao, Walnuts, Almonds, Macadamia, Sunflower Seeds, Hemp Seed and Dates... All mashed together via Mr. Vita-Mix, and then formed in to balls..

Some have dark choco chips in them, some are plain, and some have goji berries....

 

Here are the Cookie Dough Bites.. Made with Veg and his sensitivities in mind... No Migraines will appear in the eating of these goodies;

Macadamia, Walnut, Sunflower Seeds, Hemp Seeds, Dates, and Coconut,  All mashed up with the Help of Mr. Vita-Mix.

And of course formed in to balls.  Some plain, some goji berries, and some with Carob chips and teensy bit  of cocoa powder for the marble look.

 

OOOOOOOOOOhhhhhh Sooooooooooo Gooooooooddddd!!!!! 

We could all just sit down and eat every bit in one second... But thankfully, I made some more Kale Crisps:

So we sat down and ate every bit of Green Goodness in One second... Saving the Cookie dough and brownie bites for the rest of the week....  OH MY YUM!!!

EXTRA GREEN GOODNESS

Yesterday was our first Big Walk toward the 1/2 Marathon since we missed a Saturday from the Snow.  That put us at 8 miles with 32 degree temps.  We did pretty good finishing in just about 2hrs as we planned.  The next few weeks we'll increase speed slightly, but that's for another blog post....

Knowing Yesterday was such a big fast Walk, I needed to prepare... More Green Goodness and Extra Nutrients... Not to mention keeping sick bugs at bay from work and school...Keeping my soreness down and avoiding cramping etc.  This Green Goodness had everything I needed.....

Greenandcrunchy posted her layered smoothie, and I tried to do the same but my picture is less then beautiful...Either way, you get the idea :-)

Started with grabbing lettuce from our indoor Garden:

My Layers have:

Coconut water, for hydration, calcium absorption, magnesium to keep away Veg's migraines and Potassium to keep away cramping along with all the other good stuff.

Spinach, Kale and lettuce Greens - for Nutrients and happy Spleen... Happy Spleen means happy Blood and no bruising.  Vitamin K, A and C, calcium and iron, great for immune and energy and blood and vision and skin and bones.   Also makes for a happy liver which means natural detox...  Keeping all the goodness flowing and cancer meanness away... And can't forget the fiber....I'm loving my greens, especially the drinkable ones!

Hemp Seeds - for those Omegas

Goji Berries- for their Antioxidants and energy

Banana - to make our smoothie Creamy but also some great potassium which helps with leg cramps.

Grapes - for their fiber and sweetness

Kiwi - for potassium and flavor and green goodness

Apple - Well because it keeps the doctor away of course

Dates - Fiber and Sweetness

And filtered Water Ice Cubes... Because I need some Icy stuff!

 

Blend Mr. Vita-Mix.... Blend with all your might!!

And that is some GREEN GOODNESS!!!  Enough fruits and veggie intake for an entire day.... . What a great way to start the day!! 

Enough for Me, Hubby and Veg....  And there was still some left at the bottom, so I added a little more liquid and turned it in to Juice... Figuring I'd have green juice for the next 2 days... Ummm NO!!!

My boys wanted seconds and thirds...  I decided to have seconds and thirds... This was some GOOD green goodness and we finished EVERY last bit within an hour.

Today, I made the same and didn't even bother with the juice!  We just drank it ALL up this morning! *smile*

Gulp Gulp Gulp.... 

OK, totally off topic, but just found this blog... Check out Lunchbox Limbo Lunchboxes... How cute are they?

HOW I STOPPED LATE NIGHT EATING

This happened by accident.  When eating healthier and more all day... including breakfasts which I didn't used to eat, and tons of veggies... My dinner ended up being a small meal.  I was already full.

So after Dinner, I'd brush my teeth and be done for the night... I wasn't hungry.  And if I was, then I would eat.  But it wasn't often.  Because of the clean diet, I was sleeping better and getting tired earlier...  So I didn't have a chance to be hungry or munch.

One night, I was up late and with habit, went toward a snack.... then caught myself, I realized I wasn't hungry.  It was the behavior of being up late and crafting that made me want the snack...  Every time I sit down to craft or at my computer for work, I'd grab a bowl of snacks.

Stop the late night crafting or working, and surprisingly the need for snacks went away...

And so there ya go!!  Changing the behavior, Changed the result!!  I think this goes with lots of things actually...

MORE ON THE ASKING

I posted yesterday about needing to ask my Hubby for things I want done... And I can tell you that since I figured this out, I'm no longer needing to do "everything".    Instead of expecting, I ask... and it is a wonderful thing!

Thankfully, I have a Hubby that I can communicate with and ask "What were you thinking?"  in most cases he will say "I wasn't"..... So when I saw this Video about the Nothing box, I was laughing too hard....

Then I talked to a friend who had her own scenario, and I was able to discuss with my Hubby to find out the Man's view....

OUR BRAINS ARE DIFFERENT

Hubby and I had a great talk tonight about things of the past and how we've improved.... It was ironic that some of the topics came up, because I was having the same conversation about him with a friend the other day.

So I began to ask him, WHY?  "Please explain to me how you don't just see something with out me asking. Why do I have to leave a list?"  And he said "Because I'm a guy, and we are different"... 

Then we talked about these two scenarios.....

What are you doing?

I've had a few people ask me lately what I'm doing besides exercise..  Many feel I was eating healthy before (as did I) so what could I possibly be doing now that is making such a difference???

Well here is a list:

A LIST

There is a fine line with Hubbies where leaving a list could be Nagging or Helpful.... You can cross that line very quickly in our house... so my Hubby-Do-Lists tend to be only the Manly variety...

But the other day I left a different kind of a list...  as in cleaning showers and toilets kind of a list.... Woah!!!  I wish I would have done this sooner.. :-)

I have come home the last couple days to some of the cleanest rooms in my house of all time..  As in moving furniture kind of cleaning... Dusting the high stuff that I can't reach kind of cleaning... Showers, toilets, floors, laundry....kind of cleaning...

He even put my stuff away... maybe on the wrong color hangers... but I can get over it!!

That Old Guy may drive me nutso, but I sure do love him... and Kudos to him for making my week 1000 times easier!

Aren't Lists Wonderful... Especially when they say "HUBBY-DO-LIST" on the top!

HIS WEIGH IN

My Vegman now wants to weigh in every day because he sees us doing it.... Realizing this isn't a good habit as it can create other issues later in adult hood, we agreed to let him.  But this is why!

When he started to have stomach troubles a couple years ago, he was loosing too much weight.  So every few days we had to weigh him, and make sure he was doing OK.

We'd Celebrate when he gained a couple pounds....  Fast forward to now... I have to be careful because this is the age where he can become obsessed with weight for the rest of his life, and I don't want that.  I want him feeling Healthy... not worried about the scale. 

So we had a conversation.... It had items like this on the topic list:

A PANT SIZE DOWN

I've never been "thin", my bones and genetics just don't do that kind of thing...  I've been "fit" before, I've been "healthy" before, but never a thin person.  So I've always had a little bit larger pant size.  I like to be comfy.  I like "relaxed" fit...  I don't like to paint on my clothes, and sucking in my tummy all day is not my thing.

Wow lots of "quotes" in this post :-)  

But a few years ago while being "fit" I got a few smaller pair of jeans and capris.   Slowly, I couldn't wear them...Eventually I just gave them all away, except two pair. (one of each)...

Last night for the heck-a-doodles, I tried a pair on!!  WOW!  They fit!   I couldn't pull them up past my Calves 6 months ago.  This means I've lost an entire pant size!  How exciting!!!  They even had a little bit of baggy room in the legs.

So I tried on my capris... YUP!  Same goodness... Then I tried on some dress pants.  Which I didn't even remember the size since I haven't used them in years. (kept for business meetings)... And guess what??

They fit!  Not the kind of fit they did before, where you could see the inside of the pocket popping through the outside... No, I mean Really fit!  As in how they were when I bought them.

I think my Body is really happy with my diet!  This must be what it needed all along!  Now I know... and I will not change!