Anti-Inflamation Diet September 26, 2012

With my mom living with us, I am learning a lot about new styles of eating. She has had some heart issues in the past, so eating a heart healthy diet is something I’m learning to prepare for her. I’ve also been reading a lot about the anti-inflammation diet.

Wow! With her heart issues and being pre-diabetic, I am more and more convinced that this might be a healthy option for her. But oh man are there a lot of rules! She pretty much subsists on fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish. We can’t even do beans for her main source of protein because of the complex carbohydrates, though it seems brown rice is still an option.

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I’m also wondering how it would be to have a different meal prepared for you? I can’t imagine making that big of a change for the whole family – we just can’t afford it right now. But, I am willing to try to make these accommodations for her if it will work.

Have you done the anti-inflammation diet?

Morning Mama part 3 September 25, 2012

Last night was better! I went to bed at 10, and shut my book’s cover at 10:27! I was quite proud of myself. Then, C woke up at 10:30 and demanded to eat. I can’t be mad, but I was a bit bummed. She didn’t finish until 11:15 and I then didn’t wake up until 7:30am. Thankfully, I’m stubborn. And I will try again tonight. How did you do?

Morning Mama part 2

I have been failing miserably at becoming a Morning Mama. Friday night, my girlfriend called and wanted to go out for drinks. How could I say no? Saturday night, we had an evening baby shower to go to and didn’t get home until 9pm. It was fun, but putting toddlers in bed at 9pm is tricky. And Sunday night? Well, I have no good reason for that. It is what it is.

Now it is Monday night, 9:47pm. I’m calling it. I’ve done some of my Must Do list but not all of it.  If I go to bed now, I can even read a chapter in my current book before lights out at 10:30. Maybe earlier. I can’t believe it. But will I get up at 5 then???

Making A To Do List September 21, 2012

I really enjoy lists. To Do lists especially. I’ve spent a lot of time over the years refining my techniques on To Do lists. And yes, there are To Do list techniques.  I noticed that with my compulsive personality, I have a tendency to write down everything I want to get done ever on a daily to do list. The logic? Why what if I have a bunch of extra time on my hands?

Yeah, right. I have a three-year-old, a one-year-old, a mother and a husband as well as running a household and doing schooling. Extra time doesn’t really seem to fight in my world view right now.

What I’ve ended up doing, is making two lists. The first list is long. Long, long. Looooooooooooooooong, long. It is all the house projects that I want done, both little and big. The second list is my daily list. I try to keep it down to about five items on the list. For instance, my list today was:

Crockpot Marinara Sauce

Homework

Vacuum

Hang onions for curing

Play date

This list obviously doesn’t include many of the everyday things we do such as eating, naps, and dishes. But it does include a small amount of freezer cooking (the Crockpot Marinara Sauce), house cleaning (vacuuming), gardening (dealing with those yummy onions!), and a play date.

And let’s be honest, sometimes my To Do list is a little more…reachable.

Make Dinner

Play date

Shower

Homework

Hang onions for curing

In this house, showering and making dinner are legitimate to-dos some times!

And when the daily To Do list is a little light, I start tackling the big list.  Which never really goes down, but it has a lot of things crossed off on it!

There is something utterly satisfying about crossing off an item from your To Do list. How do you make your lists?

Morning Mama part 1 September 20, 2012

I am a night owl. I have been for as long as I can remember. In high school, I used to stay up until 1am every night to listen to a radio program that was broadcast out of California. That was knowing I had to be dressed and at school in 7 hours. Or, 6 hours if I was taking the bus.

Since having kids this has become a problem. Although they sleep in until at least 7 (thanks, kids!) I don’t get my energy until 3 or 4. So I’m sucking down caffeine like there is no tomorrow. Soda, specifically. Diet soda. I know!

With my mother recently moving in with us, we are all working on new habits and schedules.  She is also a night owl so she picked the right place to settle! I’ve decided to take this opportunity to adjust my sleep patterns…new habits and all of that. The first to tackle, is being a night owl. That’s right, I’m going to go to bed early! (and yes, it’s 11pm here)

Moneysavingmom.com had a great series called Making The Most of Your Mornings which I’ve been following and tomorrow night, it’s happening.  Tonight, I’ve made my list of my top five six must-dos.

1) Lay out my clothes for tomorrow

2) Kitchen cleaned up (this one will be *mostly* done tomorrow)

3) To-Do list for the next day

4) Quick House clean-up

5) Diaper/snack bags packed for the next day

6) Walk/run or other exercise

I’ll be honest, in the interest of time, not all of these will be happening tonight. My bedtime goal is midnight which seems late, but really isn’t so bad.  So, I’m off to finish my must-do list so I can go to bed. I’ll let you know how this goes!

Work It, Girl! August 22, 2012

Is it girl or gurl in the blogging world? Maybe grl? I have so much to learn!

During my WW journey, I’ve decided I must exercise. Must. When I achieved my goals through WW eleven years ago, I rarely exercised. At least nothing intentional. I walked to and from classes, etc. but does that really count? I would have been doing that anyways. This time around, I’m doing it right. Well, right enough.

So, I started out walking. Walking because that was cheapest, easiest, and I had all the stuff to accomplish it. Then, one day I decided to go for a bike ride. I had already walked for the day. What?! you’re asking. Am I now an overachiever? Well, usually, yes. But, it just seemed like something I should try. We have these great trails around our house that work well for both activities…why not?

And that started working out *twice* a day! I don’t do that often (it’s just too hard to squeeze in with two kids) but sometimes it happens. I never would have imagined that! Then, I started talking to my friend about running. She was training for a half marathon at the time. Running? you might ask. Well, I ran in high school so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities for me, it’s just not usual. But one day, I did it. Not a lot, but enough to be winded.

And, it’s pretty much devolved from there! ha ha I’m still working on running, using the Couch to 5k program. I do yoga at least once a week with the kids at a local studio. And suddenly I want to try Zumba. Have any of you done that? I’m intrigued! I love dancing, but am terrible at it so we’ll see, I guess! Apparently, I like variety.

I’m hoping this isn’t a phase. I know it is sustainable over the long term if I continue to make it a priority. What about you? How do you move?

Weigh-in Time! August 21, 2012

I usually don’t mind weigh in days. Well, I mind that I can’t splurge a little until after weigh-in, but overall, not a big deal. I know some people really get revved up by it, but I just don’t. I figure, if I’ve done what I’m supposed to do, it will be reflected. And if I haven’t, it won’t. Well, most of the time

Today I discovered an amazing thing. Exercise works! From my previous post I’ve been exercising a lot more, but this past week I’ve been also doing a lot of stress eating as I prepare for my mom to move in. Did you know that a combination of doughnuts and Diet Dr. Pepper can give you enough energy for an 18 hour day? It’s true.

I’ve heard before that muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, but I’ve never been that muscular before so I didn’t really care. “Save that for the skinny people,” I thought! But today, after a week of stress eating and very little running (though for some odd reason I’ve kept up with my sit-ups) I was actually down! I lost 1.4lbs. It has to be my newly acquired muscle. I was prepared to gain! This is great! This coming week is the week I go up and help my mom pack, so I’m more motivated than ever to get my exercise in and eat right so that I have plenty of energy for her. And this little gem of a bonus