Monday, March 02, 2015

Gluten free, Dairy free and added Cane Sugar free

Many of you think I'm crazy! Thanks for your input. I have taken all advice and opinions into account, but I continue on the path I feel I need to travel to be healthier. I also would like to state that this decision has not been reached lightly. I have spent years trying to eat healthier. As I reflect back over the things I have tried, the best I have ever felt is when I am following Phase I of the South Beach Diet. A complete removal of sugar and grains, and very little dairy. I really believe that the over abundance of wheat, dairy and sugar in EVERYTHING I eat, has caused my body to be intolerant to those things.
That being said, I know it will be a difficult journey. I really have tried, and failed, for years and years to change the way I eat. I really hope that this time the change sticks. It has become clear to me that I am a bread, sugar and dairy addict! And that just like someone addicted to any other substance, I need to completely abstain from those things. I'm hoping that this approach will allow me to be in control of my body. And to view food how it should be viewed, as fuel. I'm hoping that taking out the emotional component to my eating, will allow me to be successful this time. And will give me back my energy, my focus, my control and my health!
Yesterday, sitting in church listening to the 1st counselor in the bishopric talk to the Junior Primary children, it also dawned on me that I need to severely cut down the amount of meat that I eat as well! ACK! But, one thing at a time. My first goal is to bump up my fruit and vegetable consumption to half of what I eat, and to make sure that I am drinking 8 glasses of water a day. I am also trying to be gluten, dairy, and added sugar free, but I'm not going to stress out if I don't do that perfectly for the time being.
It's been over a week since I started attempting to eat this way, and already I feel better. It's easier to wake up in the morning, I can focus better, after the initial detox headache that lasted for three days, I haven't had any headaches. I am kinder and not as easily angered. My acid reflux has disappeared. And I have lost almost five pounds.
For those of you who feel sad for the rest of my family, consider yourself put at ease. I am making this choice for me and me alone. But I do hope that it will have some positive ramifications for all of us.

The list of positive health ramifications goes on, but I won't continue to bore my readers.

I'm still learning what I need to keep on hand to eat this way. So, a lot of my meals are improvised. Lunch was yummy! I oven roasted cubed sweet potato, diced onion, sliced mushroom, cauliflower and grape tomatoes with olive oil and chinese five spice. I ate the delicious concoction over penne Banza pasta made from Chickpeas. It was tasty :)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Oreo

We finally broke down and consented to let the kids have a cat. I thought it would be a nuisance, but we all have loved our new family member! She is a grey and white cat, which makes it funny to me that they decided to name her Oreo (oreos are BLACK and white). But at least they all finally agreed on something!
She likes to look out the windows. Poor thing spends half of the day meowing, begging me to let her go outside!
I swear she thinks Hadley is her kitten. Whenever Haddie lays on her bed this is where Oreo goes. She licks her head and runs her paws through her hair like she's grooming Haddie. It's the craziest thing! And Haddie just lies there and loves every minute of it!
This was cat watching over her "kitten" when Haddie had her recent bout with a stomach bug. Oreo did the same thing for Julia--laid above her head on the bed the whole time Julia was sick. Sweet cat!
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SANTA!

Santa brought the boys an xbox 360.
He brought Haddie bunk beds for her new baby dolls.
He brought the girls a volleyball net and each a new volleyball.
Of course, mommy and daddy didn't get as much cool stuff. I guess we weren't as good as the kids were this year. We'll have to work harder in 2012!
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Christmas morning

I created a new decoration for our banister this year. I think it's super cute! Julia added the little blue bow around the knob. It didn't really match, but I always love her help!
It's amazing to have a Christmas tree stay intact for the entire season. A definite sign that our kiddos are growing up!
Here's the crew waiting in anticipation to come down the stairs and see what Santa brought!
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One of Hadley's Christmas presents

I just have to post this because I LOVE the way it turned out. I found a youtube video on how to make a barbie bed out of a cereal box, pencils and some decorated duct tape! It was one of her favorite presents!
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Thanksgiving and Ryan's #12!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Matthews flew all the way from Los Angeles to spend Thanksgiving with us and be here when Ryan was ordained to the Aaronic Preisthood. Kind of cool because Ryan's birthday was on Sunday. He got to be ordained on his actual birthday! Uncle Todd, Aunt La-La and cousins spent a lot of time with us too! We LOVED every minute of it!!
Ryan turned 12! I can't believe it! We have a son in Young Men, passing the sacrament and doing awesome things in school, church and at home! We are so proud of you and the choices you are making and the young man you are becoming!
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Group birthday present

Uncle Todd and Auntie La-La bought all of my kids the game of Life for their group birthday present! We LOVE it SO much. We've already ruined the box because we play it all the time and it gets hauled all around the house! Thanks!
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#4 for Hadley

After Ben, we get to celebrate Haddie's birthday! She turned four years old. We had an awesome party for families. We invited four families over and had brownies, ice cream and lots of fun!
Happy 4th birthday to our DUDE! I know she's a girl, but she is definitely a dude. She knows what she wants and has a way of getting it. She has a little attitude that cannot be overlooked. You certainly make everyday an adventure girl-y!
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#7 for Ben

Ben turned 7 years old and we had a few friends over to celebrate! It was a lot of fun.
He loved his chocolate angry birds cupcakes. He got a lot of fun presents too and some money from both sets of grandparents! Happy birthday to my beautiful "son"shine! You really do make every day a better day!
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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Halloween 2011

Here they are: ninja, pirate, greek goddess, cleopatra and mermaid!
Hadley and her "best friend" Lucy both ended up as mermaids this year and spent the entire trunk or treat together. The little skeleton in the background is one of my "babies" from nursery!
This is Ben and one of his good friends from our ward. Couldn't even wait 30 seconds to get some of the delicious candy into their mouths. And that folks, is all she wrote!
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Back to school 2011

The fabulous four ready for their first day of school! I was awaiting this day all summer long, and then I was taken by suprise. I got a little teary eyed thinking of how big they all are, how much I love them, and how much I'll miss them while they are gone! I love all of you!
My big 5th and 6th grader off to the intermediate school!
My 3rd and 1st grader ready to hit the halls of the elementary school once again!
The little one left home all alone with only mom for company. She's already bored out of her mind and we're on day #2. Preschool cannot start soon enough! I just have to add here the name of this baby doll...Great Big Baby. The originality kills me every time I think of her name!
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Emily's baptism

What a wonderful day! Emily was baptized and looked beautiful in the dress that I made for her (well, Grandma Oliver helped me get all of the ruffles just right! Thanks Grandma!)
A quick picture of the fam!
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Visitors

We had visitors in June for Emily's baptism. Grandma and Grandpa Oliver came, but so did Uncle Derek, Aunt Cristina and our two wonderful cousins! We had SO much fun together! We were sad to see everyone go. Thanks for making the trip out!
Jude and Haddie looking at the gorillas at the Ft. Worth Zoo.
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End of the year teacher gifts

I wanted to do something special for my kids teachers since they all did such an awesome job! I finally stumbled upon the idea of making them luch bags. I think they turned out super cute and they are currently my absolute favorite project to make. I love all the different color combinations and how useful they are!
They have a drink pouch on the back for a water bottle...
and a pocket inside for a ice pack. I am in love! I only wish I had an excuse to make myself one, but seeing as how I most often eat my lunch at home, I can't justify it :(
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