A few weeks later

So here we are a few weeks later. Guess what? My husband has lost 15 lbs, now under 300 lbs, and I'm so proud of him, for me I've lost 2 lbs. so sad, it just doesn't seem fair, but hey, 2 lbs is 2 lbs. I must admit I haven't been completely strict, which I think is healthy. So we do end up having meat and dairy probably around 2 days a week, but a lot less then we used to have, and just being overall more health conscious. I really do need to exercise along with everything, it just seems so hard with baby. Anyways, we're doing good, love my family, we've been home a lot with baby and sick kids and sick baby, but he is doing better just is attached at the hip with me it seems.

Day 6 and 7 plant-based diet

Lentil and Rice Casserole (based on recipe from Practical Cookery: Vegetarian)
My own adjustments from this recipe my sister shared (My kids approved)

1 c dry lentils
1/2 c rice
5 c vegetable stock
1/2 sweet onion, diced
2 minced garlic
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 bell pepper, seeded and sliced
3 1/2 oz brocoli florets
1 tsp basil
salt and pepper

1. Put lentils, rice and vegetable stock in rice cooker for about 20 min.
2. Then add remaining ingredients to the pot
3. Keep in rice cooker for 10-15 min. or timer on rice cooker goes off and vegetables are tender

I made this last night, and everyone loved it. My slip-ups the last two nights have been cookies from Days (our local grocery store). I find I still need the comfort sugar food on really hard days. The baby more fussy and crying, my oldest crying with her new braces, overwhelmed with laundry, housework. There are more dishes with this diet, but I am starting to feel more energy so it makes up for that.

I went to the doctor yesterday, he thought it wouldn't hurt to test me again in a couple months and see if this diet has made a difference, he didn't know that it would. He also thought my pregnancy might have messed up my numbers as well and separating myself from the pregnancy as well might help my numbers too. So we'll see what a few months bring, but like one of my friends pointed out, it still is a good idea to keep eating healthy, living a better life style.

Organizing

So I've watched so many Clean Sweep and Clean House episodes and am trying to organize my cluttered home where I lose stuff all the time, I'm starting to dreaming of totes, storage baskets, shelves, labels, files, new hard flooring, open spaces so I can't even sleep with this weighing on me. I really am excited though, because last Saturday I went through all of my clothes storage and took the whole back of my van's worth to D.I. of clothes I don't wear anymore, clothes that are worn, clothes that won't store well.

I am trying to go through my piles of papers again, I couldn't find Jacob's soccer schedule I lose books, everything even with the organizing I have been doing, so I have so much more to do. Simplifying has been key, but we probably have another 3 loads we could take to D.I. I'm going to talk to my hubby about taking some time with me this weekend to look at stuff I feel guilty about deciding without him.

Also, I'm trying to eat more healthy, but I'm also trying to use what we have in the house, which include cream soups, packets, white pasta etc.. I've felt depressed about exercising with the weather turning cold recently. When we had the real Spring-like weather I went on walks every day and often at night to put Emmy to sleep, I am being concious of drinking more water and trying not to stay up quite so late.

I'm working on my millions of projects and ideas, it is one of my great weaknesses to start things but not finish so my great goals to complete something each week, really work on my starter projects. We'll I've announced it to the world, so bye for now so I can follow through on these great ideas.

Lasting days

Memorable days time passing like a needle through the day
My daughter in a play, wearing my old high school formal
My husband so vulnerable under anesthetic, surgery on a pinkie finger
My son endeared to me, struggling to know how to deal with boiling emotions
My baby clinging to me trying to find security loving her walks

I wonder how to make my home peaceful, how to deal with the teasing siblings
How to manage time so the important things are taught and sought after
How to care for the health and well-being of the family
Crying over others sadness and struggles feeling so blessed and grateful for what we have
The sunshine comes often at the end of the clouded days, giving life