Ok, so I've become re-dedicated to (read: obsessed with) working out again. This has happened before. One summer, when I was home on break between my years at college, I was working out constantly and that was probably the healthiest I have ever been. Well, I've been re-bit (re-bitten?? whatever...) by the fitness bug after years of pregnancy, newborns and miscarriage. But there seems to be a problem this time around.
I started the re-dedication on March 1st. During the first 6 weeks, 10lbs literally melted off. I was stoked and so encouraged!! Each week I've stepped it up a notch - increasing my miles, speed, weight used in resistance training, and length of workout sessions. I vary my workouts, too, doing different things on different days. In the last four days, I've worked out for 1.5- 2 hours every day. On top of it, my caloric intake is between 1600-1800 calories (and not empty ones either), and I've been careful to add lots of protein to my diet.
So today, I stepped on the scale, expecting to see a HUGE number since it's been another 6 weeks since my last weigh in. What did I see instead? A big, fat .5lb lost. WHAT!?! HALF A POUND!?!?! IN SIX WEEKS!?!?!!?!?
WHAT am I doing wrong??
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
My top 5 go-to lunches.
I don't know about you, but lunches around here have strict requirements. First, they have to be prepared FAST. Second, they have to be healthy. And third, they have to please my toddlers. That's not an easy task!! PB&J gets boring...so here are my other "go to" lunches.
1. Stir-fry: I LLOOVVEE stir fry and it's SO easy! Pour 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup soy sauce into a large skillet and throw in whatever fresh veggies you have lying around. Our favorites are carrots, broccoli, green peppers and tofu (*disclaimer- yes, I am well aware of the effects of soy on hormones, especially little boys', but I buy only quality, organic tofu and we don't eat it very often at all. Tofu is packed with protein, and because I work out everyday, I need that protein!!). MMMMM!! Let it simmer on medium heat while you make some instant brown rice with it - I like the Uncle Ben's "Boil-In-Bag" kind, they only take about 10 mins to prepare. Boom. You're done.
2. Grilled wraps/quesadillas: We almost always have whole wheat tortillas on hand...they're so versitile!! Put some veggies and cheese (or even some left over chicken from last night's dinner) in one, fold it in half and throw it in your microwave for 1 minute---instant, yummy quesadilla. Or, stuff it with some fresh spinach, tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzarella and basil and drizzle it with EVOO, wrap it up and press it in the good ol' George Forman grill...quick, fancy Caprese wrap!! And it took all of 5 mins to make.
3. Veggies and dip: My kids absolutely LOVE to dip things (it is my understanding that most kids do) before they eat them. Take some low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt, mix in some dill, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder - you get yummy dip. Put it in a little bowl with some fresh, cut up veggies and beans (big ones, like kidney beans) on the side and, I promise, you'll be astonished how fast your kids are devouring vegetables. Add a couple crackers and grapes on the plate when they're done, and you'll have a complete meal. My SUPER *I'm talking abnormally* picky 17 month old loves it...all because of the dip.
4. Mini-pizza: This one is fun because the kids get to help prepare it. Take an english muffin and open it up the way you would any other time. Let your kids help you spoon a little tomato sauce on it. Then let the creativity flow by letting them sprinkle some cheese on top and adding whatever toppings you have in the fridge...and don't limit them. If they want to put fruit on it...let them. Hawaiian pizza has fruit on it. Addisyn once told me she wanted to put pickles on hers. I let her and she ate that thing right up. Bake it in the toaster oven until the cheese gets all melty. I think when they help make it, lunch becomes more appealing to a 2 year old.
5. Leftovers: I'm a huge fan of leftovers. If you're preparing healthy meals in the evening, make a little extra...or, if it's something your family REALLY likes, even double the recipe. Our favorite "leftover" meal is enchilada casserole. I bake a big tray of it and it lasts us dinner one night, and lunch the next day. Huge time saver and I know it'll be a big hit both days...one less thing to worry about! :)
1. Stir-fry: I LLOOVVEE stir fry and it's SO easy! Pour 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup soy sauce into a large skillet and throw in whatever fresh veggies you have lying around. Our favorites are carrots, broccoli, green peppers and tofu (*disclaimer- yes, I am well aware of the effects of soy on hormones, especially little boys', but I buy only quality, organic tofu and we don't eat it very often at all. Tofu is packed with protein, and because I work out everyday, I need that protein!!). MMMMM!! Let it simmer on medium heat while you make some instant brown rice with it - I like the Uncle Ben's "Boil-In-Bag" kind, they only take about 10 mins to prepare. Boom. You're done.
2. Grilled wraps/quesadillas: We almost always have whole wheat tortillas on hand...they're so versitile!! Put some veggies and cheese (or even some left over chicken from last night's dinner) in one, fold it in half and throw it in your microwave for 1 minute---instant, yummy quesadilla. Or, stuff it with some fresh spinach, tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzarella and basil and drizzle it with EVOO, wrap it up and press it in the good ol' George Forman grill...quick, fancy Caprese wrap!! And it took all of 5 mins to make.
3. Veggies and dip: My kids absolutely LOVE to dip things (it is my understanding that most kids do) before they eat them. Take some low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt, mix in some dill, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder - you get yummy dip. Put it in a little bowl with some fresh, cut up veggies and beans (big ones, like kidney beans) on the side and, I promise, you'll be astonished how fast your kids are devouring vegetables. Add a couple crackers and grapes on the plate when they're done, and you'll have a complete meal. My SUPER *I'm talking abnormally* picky 17 month old loves it...all because of the dip.
4. Mini-pizza: This one is fun because the kids get to help prepare it. Take an english muffin and open it up the way you would any other time. Let your kids help you spoon a little tomato sauce on it. Then let the creativity flow by letting them sprinkle some cheese on top and adding whatever toppings you have in the fridge...and don't limit them. If they want to put fruit on it...let them. Hawaiian pizza has fruit on it. Addisyn once told me she wanted to put pickles on hers. I let her and she ate that thing right up. Bake it in the toaster oven until the cheese gets all melty. I think when they help make it, lunch becomes more appealing to a 2 year old.
5. Leftovers: I'm a huge fan of leftovers. If you're preparing healthy meals in the evening, make a little extra...or, if it's something your family REALLY likes, even double the recipe. Our favorite "leftover" meal is enchilada casserole. I bake a big tray of it and it lasts us dinner one night, and lunch the next day. Huge time saver and I know it'll be a big hit both days...one less thing to worry about! :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!! here's a recipe...
** Happy Mother's Day, Mommas. I hope you all had a beautiful day with the people you love the most. **
The four of us spent the afternoon over at my Sister-in-law's house, with her, her husband and three boys and my MIL and FIL. It was a really nice time and I made a YUMMY, EASY dessert. Want the recipe?? Here ya gooo...
Crockpot Peanut Butter Cup Cake - serves 8
you'll need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar, divided in half
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
Coat your crock pot with a good amount of non-stick cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. In the microwave, melt peanut butter for about 30 seconds, and then add to the mix along with milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir really well to combine. Spread this mixture into the bottom of your crock pot.
In a separate bowl, mix together cocoa powder, the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 cup boiling water. Pour this evenly over the peanut butter batter in your cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours, or until the top has set and an inserted toothpick (into the cake--underneath the cake is molten chocolate mmmm...) comes out clean. Let the cake sit uncovered in an unplugged crockpot for about 20 minutes, then serve warm in dessert bowls with some vanilla ice cream. It looks a little funky but don't be turned off by it, I promise...it's yummy :)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Is it really only noon??!?
We had a busy, busy weekend and what always suffers on weekends like that is the housework. The laundry is EVERYWHERE...some dirty, some clean and waiting to be folded, some folded and waiting to be put away. There are stacks of dishes in the sink (and on the counter) and we don't have a dishwasher so they all need to be washed and dried by hand (booo.) There are tiny landmines (read: toys) ALLLL over the living room. One of my sheer curtains is hanging awkwardly because my son tried to use it to rappel down the side of the wall. All the floors in the whole house need a good mopping and the rugs need vacuuming. You get the picture...
And we woke up today to rainy, chilly gloom outside. Sort of exciting considering my massive list of chores to undertake....who wants to be inside doing chores when the weather is gorgeous??
So I was up and at 'em by 8:15. By 9:15, barely anything was done at all...in fact, the mess was probably worse. Why??
Because (deep, dramatic inhale)...Addisyn threw a 30min tantrum about having a banana with her cereal rather than blueberries...and then about the banana being "too small" (sliced) rather than a "big one" (whole), PJ dumped the dog dishes out all over the floor, the dog got out of the backyard, Addisyn had a "potty accident" most likely to get back at me for ignoring her screaming, PJ climbed on top of the dining room table while I was cleaning fore mentioned "accident" and knocked over a vase of very dead roses, my next door neighbor brought the stupid dog back and proceeded to talk my ear off while Addisyn ran around half naked and PJ got into the refrigerator...
...and that was only one hours worth of activity. We've dealt with whinning, crying, pushing, multiple time-outs, arguements, books ripping, refusals of manners....
It's been just crazy all up until nap time at 12:15. Even while writing this, I've had to run up the stairs to discipline Addisyn for dumping as much stuff as she can find (her pillow and blankets, toys, clothes) and then climbing into PJ's crib...TWICE. I'm certain there is a direct correlation with the amount of vitamin D my children's' bodies produce from sunlight and their behavior. I'm praying they'll wake up refreshed and ready to start over.
Anyway, all that to say...there is still laundry and dishes everywhere and my floors are still embarrassingly unclean...unfortunately I've lost the ardor to tackle the undertaking. Someone please send some motivation my way!!! ...or just come over and clean for me? ;)
And we woke up today to rainy, chilly gloom outside. Sort of exciting considering my massive list of chores to undertake....who wants to be inside doing chores when the weather is gorgeous??
So I was up and at 'em by 8:15. By 9:15, barely anything was done at all...in fact, the mess was probably worse. Why??
Because (deep, dramatic inhale)...Addisyn threw a 30min tantrum about having a banana with her cereal rather than blueberries...and then about the banana being "too small" (sliced) rather than a "big one" (whole), PJ dumped the dog dishes out all over the floor, the dog got out of the backyard, Addisyn had a "potty accident" most likely to get back at me for ignoring her screaming, PJ climbed on top of the dining room table while I was cleaning fore mentioned "accident" and knocked over a vase of very dead roses, my next door neighbor brought the stupid dog back and proceeded to talk my ear off while Addisyn ran around half naked and PJ got into the refrigerator...
...and that was only one hours worth of activity. We've dealt with whinning, crying, pushing, multiple time-outs, arguements, books ripping, refusals of manners....
It's been just crazy all up until nap time at 12:15. Even while writing this, I've had to run up the stairs to discipline Addisyn for dumping as much stuff as she can find (her pillow and blankets, toys, clothes) and then climbing into PJ's crib...TWICE. I'm certain there is a direct correlation with the amount of vitamin D my children's' bodies produce from sunlight and their behavior. I'm praying they'll wake up refreshed and ready to start over.
Anyway, all that to say...there is still laundry and dishes everywhere and my floors are still embarrassingly unclean...unfortunately I've lost the ardor to tackle the undertaking. Someone please send some motivation my way!!! ...or just come over and clean for me? ;)
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Winds of Change.
They're blowing again, and trust me, I know a thing or two about change.
I'm pretty sure I've shared on here that we've moved 5 times in 2.5 years. Well, it seems we're gearing up to move again. Currently, we're renting a wonderful little house in a not-so-major city. It's right on the border between a nice neighborhood and a bad neighborhood, so we put up with some rough neighbors and their loud music and their cursing off their kids, and we've recently called the cops on them. And then last week, I was running (in the nice part of our neighborhood, actually) and some guys in a car started following me, yelling obscene things at me. They drove off but came back TWICE to follow me and yell some more. That was kind of the last straw. We feel like our time here is up.
I'm just so frustrated. I grew up in one general area my entire life. This is so foreign to me. I'm the kind of person that REQUIRES stability, and stability to me is digging roots into the ground, building relationships that last and staying put - all of which have been missing in my life the last 3 years. I'm SICK of moving!! I HATE moving!! I really want this next move to be semi-permenant, as in I don't want to even THINK about moving for at least 5 years....so we have to find somewhere condusive to that (i.e. good school district, 4 bedrooms, big back yard, safe neighborhood etc). I want to paint my walls, and I want to get a big dog, and I want to not have to worry where we are going to fit any subsequent children or if I'm going to be abducted while running. It's all I can think about, lately.
Tim's got an appoinment with our mortgage broker/realitor next Weds. We need favor.
I'm pretty sure I've shared on here that we've moved 5 times in 2.5 years. Well, it seems we're gearing up to move again. Currently, we're renting a wonderful little house in a not-so-major city. It's right on the border between a nice neighborhood and a bad neighborhood, so we put up with some rough neighbors and their loud music and their cursing off their kids, and we've recently called the cops on them. And then last week, I was running (in the nice part of our neighborhood, actually) and some guys in a car started following me, yelling obscene things at me. They drove off but came back TWICE to follow me and yell some more. That was kind of the last straw. We feel like our time here is up.
I'm just so frustrated. I grew up in one general area my entire life. This is so foreign to me. I'm the kind of person that REQUIRES stability, and stability to me is digging roots into the ground, building relationships that last and staying put - all of which have been missing in my life the last 3 years. I'm SICK of moving!! I HATE moving!! I really want this next move to be semi-permenant, as in I don't want to even THINK about moving for at least 5 years....so we have to find somewhere condusive to that (i.e. good school district, 4 bedrooms, big back yard, safe neighborhood etc). I want to paint my walls, and I want to get a big dog, and I want to not have to worry where we are going to fit any subsequent children or if I'm going to be abducted while running. It's all I can think about, lately.
Tim's got an appoinment with our mortgage broker/realitor next Weds. We need favor.
Friday, April 9, 2010
I have...
...lost 10lbs in 6 weeks. yessssss!! I feel GREAT!! and i'm wondering why it took me so long to become re-dedicated to exercise after having my kids.
p.s. that is not a picture of me. Although I hope and expect my belly to look like that by the end of the year ;)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Happy Birthday, sweet Baby.
To my sweet baby-
Tomorrow is the day you were supposed to be born. My body is supposed to start getting ready to help get you out, and Daddy and I are supposed to jump in the car and drive to the hospital. I'm supposed to get in an ugly hospital gown and wait in intense pain for you to arrive...meanwhile, nervous and excited and anxious and thrilled. The doctor and nurses are supposed to come in, and at just the right moment, you're supposed make your first appearance! I'm supposed to hear a shrill little cry as the doctor's and nurses' faces light up. Daddy is supposed to tell me how beautiful you are.
And tomorrow, they're supposed to place you in my arms. But they're not going to. I'm not going to endure the excruciating pain to experience the intense joy like none other of seeing your sweet face tomorrow. There aren't going to be any happy celebrations as we announce you've arrived. No one is going to ask me what we're going to name you.
I don't know why you couldn't stay. I don't know why I couldn't say goodbye. I don't know why I was able to carry you in my belly long enough to love you or see you on an ultrasound or, even though I couldn't feel you move, feel your presence with me. It doesn't seem fair to me, but I'm not the author or the finisher of your life.
Most mommy's endure 9 loooong months in eager anticipation of meeting their little babies...your mommy is going to endure a lifetime. Someday I'll see you, meet you, hold you, kiss you. But in the meantime, my tears and my broken heart will remind me that you DID and DO exist and that we already have a bond.
I love you, baby. Forever and ever.
Mommy
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