Dukan Day 2

So I'm finishing day two of the Dukan diet. Day 1 was much harder. I felt kinda weak and yucky yesterday. It didn't help that I love my coffee to be super creamy and nonfat milk just doesn't do the trick. So I didn't drink my coffee and was feeling the effects of caffeine withdrawls.

It was a challenge to eat protein only - and not just protein, but LEAN protein all day long. This morning I was down just over a pound though. So today it was a little easier and I made myself down my coffee so I would get my caffeine fix and feel better.

I have two more days of protein only before I can add veggies back in (no fruits or carbs still). I can do it, I can do it, I can do it...

Kiddos singing Bob Marley

I love this video (you have to click the link if you're getting this in your email). 

This is one of our favorite songs. 

Miss Pessimist Comes for a Visit

She's here. Miss Pessimist. The little pessimistic part of me that comes out every now and then.

Woke up this morning to Mother's Day with my period. Great. This is MY day and here Aunt Flo shows up with all her bloat and sugar cravings. Yeah... thanks a lot!

Went to my parents for breakfast and had lovely whole wheat pancakes and fun time outside with the kids. The boys got so worn out and Ry got to stay with Gams and Pops.

I came home and put the kids to bed. Then what did I do? I decided to do laundry, edit client images, and clean the downstairs room and get it ready to be the play room (it was just finished and I'll take pictures of it soon). Then I decided to do a little laundry. If anyone watched the last episode of "The Middle" and saw what that mom did on Mother's Day - well that's how I felt today.

I didn't want to cook so Peter got Panda Express. I went all out with the tasty goodness and then felt guilty for doing it. It didn't help that I was already totally bloated and sweaty and gross.

Speaking of bloated... we just finished month 2 of p90x. I have been working SO HARD with this program. I have lost ZERO pounds and ZERO inches. It is incredibly frustrating. I feel strong and am seeing muscle tone in my arms, but the fat isn't going anywhere. I have been trying to be positive about this but it's hard to keep being positive when I'm working so hard and not seeing any results.

Tomorrow Peter is off and my mom is coming to babysit so Peter and I can go out on a much needed date. Tuesday I'm starting a new diet called The Dukan Diet. I'm nervous about starting a "diet" but perhaps it's the jumpstart my body needs.

ps) I will continue with the p90x exercise

2 Videos

Pretty Much What I'm Doing

A friend posted this site on Facebook and I went and checked it out:
http://www.nourishingourchildren.org/Home.html

I was happy to see that it's basically what I'm doing! And trying to get the kids to do too. I was thrilled when Kai ate a whole bowl of salad and cucumbers with his dinner. Ryenne wouldn't touch it... but little did she know her meatloaf was full of veggies. :)

In terms of weather and fun things with the kids, yesterday was great. In terms of my diet... not so much. What's really amazing to me is how mad my body got after what I fed it. I had Taco Bell for dinner last night.

After feeding my body real foods, my body did a total flip out on me and I've had bubble guts since last night - sorry tmi. The healthy eating was back on today and my body is starting to forgive me.

Today's menu:

Breakfast:
1 Serving Gluten Free Organic Oats
Blueberries
Stevia
Butter
Coconut Milk
Coffee with Half/Half

AM Snack:
Skipped - oatmeal held me over for a while

Lunch:
Egg salad made of spinach, avocado, mustard and egg in food processor
Ezekiel Bread
Water

PM Snack:
Coconut Milk
Miracle Whey

Dinner:
Homemade Meatloaf (all natural beef) with oatmeal and zucchini inside
1/4 C Brown Rice
Spinach & Cucumber Salad with Blush Vinaigrette

Before Bed Snack
Miracle Whey & Water

Exercise: 58 Minutes Core Synergistics

The exercise and good food today made me feel a ton better.

We've just been relishing going outside... it was another gorgeous afternoon. We cleaned the garage and washed a car. The kiddos helped and I think they got pretty pooped out (they are all snoring right now). 

I had a great time with my mom today which was awesome. The kiddos and us had a phenomenal tickle session before bed. It was just one of those afternoons where Peter and I looked at each other and told each other how we can't believe how lucky we are. 

Here's Cookie Boy for your Thursday viewing pleasure. 

Muffins with Mom

 I had such a wonderful morning with the older two monkeys at their preschool this morning. They were so excited to share muffins and the goodies that they made at school. 

I dropped Kai off in his class and headed to Ryenne's classroom first for muffins with her.

 Ryenne had decorated the box with pretty paper.

 Inside was a lovely mug that she decorated with flowers and rainbows.

 Then it was back to Kai's classroom where he had a bag waiting for me.

 He made me a birdhouse!

 He liked the muffins a lot. He even stole mine.

 And before I left he gave me yellow roses. This is his teacher, Miss Jenn.

a beautiful day

No menu today.... just stories of a beautiful day.

We had a strange cold front that came through - weird after having weather in the mid 90's! But it's gorgeous outside again.

We decided we need to work on the curb appeal of our house. When we moved in, it had a lush, green carpet of grass. I quickly killed it. Since we decided to put the house on the market (yep!) we need to get it looking shiny and pretty again.

We took the kiddos to Lowe's where they got to "race" in the racecarts. We got some ez-seed (lets hope it lives up to it's name!) and came home to a gorgeous afternoon. We put the porta-crib outside and stripped Cruz down to his diaper so he could enjoy the afternoon sun. He rolled around enjoying the sunshine and played cars and just enjoyed being with us. Ry and Cruz got invited over to play at a neighbors house - so they were off having fun. Peter and I hoe'd the yard, planted seed, installed a sprinkler, and soaked up vitamin D. I convinced Peter that all the hoeing and gardening was good enough for the day. We soaked up so much sunshine we were all pretty tired. Nothing that a call to Domino's can't fix. We all enjoyed our pizza and baths and finished off Peter's weekend with big smiles.

Tomorrow is muffins with mommy at the kids' preschool. They each have made something for me. I'll be sure to take pictures!

Yesterdays Menu:

Breakfast:
1 Slice Cinnamon/Raisin Ezekiel Bread
2 Eggs scrambled with tomato, spinach, and basil in coconut oil
Morning coffee with organic half/half

AM Snack:
Skipped

Lunch:
Lean Sirloin Steak cooked in organic butter
Mixed greens salad with tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and avocado in a apple cider vinaigrette

PM Snack:
Banana with almond butter

Dinner:
Gluten Free pancakes with coconut oil and syrup
Bacon

Exercise: 1 Hour Core Synergistics

Note... I didn't really care for the gluten free pancakes. My mom's whole wheat pancakes are hard to beat!

Have Less. Do More. Be More. 

... yes ...

Menu Week 2

I fell off the wagon yesterday (ice cream). And I hadn't posted my menu's because I wasn't sure if anyone really cared, and then I got a call from my Grandma that she was reading them and where did they go? 

So today I took Ryenne to Sunflower (like a cheaper Whole Foods) and we stocked up on some stuff. I bought these rice noodles called Tinkyada Rice Pasta that is gluten free. I made them for dinner... but first the menu for the day:

Breakfast:

Yellow Squash and two organic eggs scrambled in coconut oil

1 piece Ezekiel bread with butter

Coffee with Coffeemate (bought organic half and half at the store to replace it)

Snack:

Raw Trail Mix

Lunch:

Egg Salad Sandwich on Ezekiel Bread (no mayo) with mixed greens

Afternoon Snack:

Banana

Organic Almond Butter

Dinner:

Rice Pasta tossed with homemade spinach/basil/Pecans/Parmesan/Olive Oil

Shrimp

Coconut Water

Exercise: 45 minutes Cardio

So back to the pasta. I LOVE pasta. I can't get enough. But it does make me feel sluggish and tired after eating it. I researched online that it's because of the gluten that makes it hard for the body to digest and that's what gives us a sluggish feeling. So I bought Tinkyada Spaghetti cut Rice Pasta today. I cooked it according to the package and it is VERY starchy. You have to rinse the cooked noodles really well to get off the extra starch. I tossed it into my homemade pesto and some shrimpies and OH MY GOSH. It was awesome. It has the same al dente texture as regular pasta, though it's whiter, and was amazing. Here I am after a full bowl of pasta and I feel fabulous.... I'll be switching to this pasta for the whole family - especially since they're such big spaghetti eaters! 

Another beautiful day. *sigh* I have had so many beautiful moments around me and haven't picked up my camera. I guess I'm just holding those moments dear to my heart for me and only me. 

Breakfast this morning at my parents house was divine. I relished in my whole wheat pancakes. I'll be going fully gluten free this week so I'll post on that. I have to go get some more groceries tomorrow with the monkeys. I do love how they love to go grocery shopping. They love to help pick out fruit and talk about veggie colors and hold things. It makes me look forward to grocery shopping too. 

Peter got this pic of me and Ry today. Love it. 

So I feel like I belong on Maui. I'm not even going to fight it or deny it. I feel like the island is calling back to me - to my family. You know... when I left Maui I was very upset with the island. I was upset that I couldn't have everything that *I* wanted. I didn't want to give up my cable tv or my *stuff*. I wasn't interested in hiking or discovering the island. So you know what Maui did? Maui chewed me up and spit me out until I learned what was important. Now that I have, She's calling me back home with welcoming arms. I have 100% faith that it will work this time. I know in my heart and soul that it's my home and the home I'm meant to raise my family in. I can't fight it. It's where I belong. 

This week I'm *gasp* talking to a Realtor friend to see if we could sell our house and walk away. Crazy, right? I do feel like this great big house is too much for us. I would love to move on. Wow... that felt really good to type out. Really, really good.

I'm going to tell you a story about my trip to San Francisco. Before the trip, I watched a movie called The Secret (it's on Netflix). It's about the power of attraction. It's about telling the untiverse what you want and the universe will provide it. The powers of positive thought... it's a beautiful thing. Anyway, I checked the weather before I left. It called for rain. I imagined a beautiful few days in San Francisco and believed it with every part of my being. It was amazingly beautiful despite the weather predictions for bad weather. On the way back home I checked a bag. When I walked to the baggage claim area in Austin before the bags came out I said out loud, "Thank you so much for taking my bag off the plane with such care and I'm so excited it's the first bag out onto the conveyor." My bag wasn't the first out. It was the second. I was blown away. Had I done this? Was it just a coincidence? Is it a coincidence when I go to check my email saying, "I KNOW there's a new booking in my email!" and sure enough there is one? Every now and then negative thoughts can creep up. But for the most part the positive thinking is doing great. I'm a believer. Thoughts are definitely things. I KNOW we're going to do well on Maui this time... I just know it.

On a World side note... it's being reported that Osama Bin-Laden has been killed today. What a horrible, horrible man. So proud of our Country for (finally) getting him!

Weekend

It's been a nice weekend. There was a huge garage sale near our house that was a benefit for Japan.  The kids scored some cars and some clothes. It was nice to see so many people coming out to support such a good cause.

I had a little bitty wedding yesterday in Wimberley right on the Blanco River. It was lovely. It was really, really humid and hot. I was a giant sweatball, but it was a lot of fun. I love little 2 hour weddings. They are my favorite.

We had a lovely morning with Gams and Pops for breakfast. I have another photo shoot this afternoon. It's just been nice and mellow.

I've decided when Marissa gets here I'm going to purge a lot of crap and have a big garage sale. There's just too much clutter around me right now. I need a good purge... it's cleansing. All of the monies will go into our "Maui Fund" :) Speaking of Maui, I have a mover coming on Tuesday to give us an estimate on how much it would cost us to move back home. Exciting!

Today's Menu

Todays Menu - I went a little over my calories today - but not by much.

Breakfast:
Protein Shake (Mercola Whey, half a banana, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 tsp coconut oil)

AM Snack:
Coffee with coffeemate (I seriously need to kick the coffeemate habit!)
1 Medium Aplle
Handful of raw pecans

Lunch:
Albacore Tuna (in water) mixed with 1 tsp Guldens Mustard and 1/2 Serving of Mayo
Put onto Ezekiel Bread and toasted with some colby jack on top


PM Snack:
BIG CHEAT..... a bite of the kids Easter Chocolate

Dinner:
Shoyu Chicken (cooked with molasses and honey - it's still sugar, I know.....)
Half Cup Brown Rice
10 Broccoli Spears

Late Night Snack:
Half Serving Mercola Whey Powder with 1/2 Tsp Coconut Oil blended in ice water

Exercise: 74 Minutes Legs & Back + ab ripper

Yesterday's menu and happenings

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day in Austin. The heat wasn't too crazy - it was windy (dare I say similar to tradewinds?) - it was absolutely gorgeous.

Took the older two to preschool and came home with Cruz for breakfast and living room play. He went down for a nap and I got some work done at my desk. When he woke up, we drove to an outdoor mall area where Old Navy and The Rack is. It's a really nice, long stretch of walking so we walked the mall three times and enjoyed the sunshine. I tried to find some tank tops at Old Navy but they were too long. The Rack was a joke. No way am I paying $50 for a tee-shirt no matter what name is on it! Mostly Cruz and I just enjoyed the walking and sunshine. I was making his stroller "Vroom" around like a race car which made him laugh.

Then we got the older monkeys from school and when Peter woke up we headed to Marshall's to try to find Kai Boy a Lighting McQueen suitcase. We had found a princess one there for Ryenne a couple months ago and had hid it for our Maui trip, but she found it and Kai has been asking about his. We've been looking but haven't found one (yet). So we parked kinda far out so we could all walk around the area. We had fun looking - I have even been looking for a bathing suit. No luck yet. We also walked to Target.

The kids were good and tired when we got home. A day of school AND walking all over was good for them.

After our workout I got a little migraine. It wasn't horrible, but I did have to go to sleep before Peter left for work. I was hoping to sit at my desk and catch up on work, but the good ole brain needed to shut down. I slept really well and woke up feeling like a "reset" button was pushed.

Yesterdays menu:

Breakfast:

2 eggs scrambled in coconut oil with 5 large spears of broccoli and 1 serving of Colby Jack Cheese
1 Slice Ezekiel Bread dry
Coffee with Coffee mate
Water

Morning Snack:

Peanut butter Lara bar (made from dates and nuts)


Lunch:

Mixed greens with shredded chicken, quarter of an avocado, carrots, cucumbers, and half serving of Brianna's vinaigrette
1 Mango
Green Tea

Afternoon Snack:

Chobani Green Yogurt (contains sugar!!)

Dinner:

Scrambled eggs in coconut oil
2 slices Ezekiel Bread with butter
4 slices thin, no nitrates/preservatives bacon
Water

Exercise: 45 minutes Cardio X

Menu Day 3

Yesterday's wonderful menu...

Breakfast:

2 Scrambled Eggs cooked in coconut oil with half a zucchini
Half Apple
Water

AM Snack:
Coffee with Coffeemate (addicted)

Lunch:
Mixed Greens Salad with Carrots, Tomatoes, Avocado, and Lean Steak with Half Serving Brianna's Blush Vinaigrette
Half a Mango
Water


PM Snack:
1 Cup Coconut Milk
2 Slices Ezekiel Bread with Butter

Dinner:

Dr. Mercola Miracle Whey Shake mixed with coconut milk
Half Breast of chicken sliced with Quarter Avocado, Guldens Mustard, Half serving of Mayo, shredded Lettuce mixed onto 2 slices Ezekiel Bread
Water

Before Bed:
5 Pecans (Raw)
Water

Exercise: 74 Minutes Back & Biceps and Ab Ripper

Sugar Challenge Day 2

I'm really bummed that I did so terrible yesterday.

It started out really well for breakfast:

2 Eggs cooked with coconut oil and avocado
2 Turkey Sausage Links
1/2 Apple
Coffee with coffee mate & Stevia

Then I had to leave for a photo shoot and I was gone ALL DAY. By the time I got home I was STARVING. I couldn't even get through my workout - felt like I was gonna vomit. So after the workout, Peter's coworker came over so we could talk about cameras and we got Cafe 1626. I wolfed down a burger and fries. I regretted it afterward, but it sure tasted good! And I slept good too.

Today I'm back at it.

No Sugar Day 1

Since I'm doing a week of cleansing for my body, I figured that I'd post exactly what I'm eating in case anyone wanted to try something similar.

Yesterday went really well - I did have a minor cheat which I'll explain below. The focus of this week is to eat whole, natural, beautiful food. In addition to the no sugar, I'm cutting wheat too, including bread and pasta. In just one day, the bloat from the past week has gone away. In one week I'll incorporate sprouted wheat breads back into my diet (Ezekiel bread).

Yesterday's menu:

Breakfast:

2 Scrambled organic whole eggs cooked in coconut oil
1/2 Zucchini & 1/2 Yellow Squash sauteed in coconut oil
6 Strawberries
Iced Green Tea

Lunch:

Spiru-tein Protein Powder
1/2 C. Frozen Blueberries
1 C. Coconut Milk
1/2 Banana
(blended together)
1 Hard Boiled Egg, chopped and mixed with 1/2 Avocado, salt to taste (just ate with a spoon straight outta the bowl)
1 Starbucks Via, 2 Stevia packets, Little bit Coffee Mate (this has sugar and is my cheat)
Water

Afternoon Snack:

1/2 Serving of raw nuts, seeds, raisins trail mix
1 Serving Newman's Own Spelt Pretzels (avoiding regular wheat)
Iced Green Tea

Dinner:

1 C. Fresh Pineapple
1/2 C. Fresh Mango
1 Serving Rotisserie Chicken Breast (no skin)
1/2 C. Brown Rice
1 Serving Mixed Greens with cherry tomatoes, sliced carrot and half serving of Brianna's Blush Vinaigrette
Water
1 C. Coconut Water

Evening Snack:

1 C. Coconut Milk

Exercise: 74 Minutes - P90X Triceps, Shoulders, Back + Ab Ripper

Don't know the benefits of Coconut Oil and Coconut Water? I recommend reading "The Coconut Miracle" by Bruce Fife.

Easter

I'll be honest, this was a challenging Easter for me. I haven't slept well in the past few days (I think it relates to all the junk I've been eating) and I was exhausted this morning. Peter brought the kids donuts early this morning and Ryenne ate them so fast that she threw up just as we were heading out the door to Gams and Pops house.

The "Easter Bunny" had three zones - one for each kid with their chocolate to hunt for. They all really enjoyed their little hunt. We ate french toast and bacon.

Warning... thoughts ahead may ruffle feathers... sorry just spewing thoughts...

I enjoyed talking to my parents about my thoughts on Jesus. I'd like to think that he was a wild, crazy 2 year old at one point like Kai. I personally need to humanize him. I wanted to examine my own thoughts on him - as to be honest - I don't understand the whole Easter thing. I like to think that Jesus was a person with inner conflicts and flaws, like me. I like to think that he inspires us all to look into ourselves for good and do good for others. But "Good Friday" got me thinking... I had to google what Good Friday was and to be honest, I don't understand how it could have been good at all. To have been crucified for one's beliefs. How is that good? Isn't that just awful? And for all of that suffering we still find ourselves in wars, people are being bullied and belittling others. Gays aren't allowed to marry the ones they love. People are chastised for going against the grain all the time. Isn't that the message that Jesus was trying to send to his people? That it's ok to be yourself?

I'm rambling. I guess I've just been deep in these thoughts for a few days now. I needed to get it out of my system.

Back to Easter.

The boys got to hunt for chocolate and cars. Ryenne got to hunt for giant chocolates. They loved it. 

I think Cruz is cutting two teeth at the same time. He has been super clingy and irritated all day. I feel like I haven't had a moment to sit down and just breathe all day. Thankfully when Peter woke up he realized that I was having a rough day. We headed back to Gams and Pops house for a beautiful chicken and mushroom dinner. Peter took care of feeding Cruz and I got to enjoy my dinner and red velvet cake without having to tend to anyone else or eat at the speed of light so I could help someone else.

I really hope that next year I'm more into it and more well rested.