Paleo Weeks 1-2

This week marks the completion of 2 weeks on the paleo diet. We have really enjoyed eating healthy, and the benefits that have come with it!

I have lost almost 10 pounds!! The majority of that came off within the first week, which was a huge motivator. My birthday fell right in the middle of week 2, so we went out for dinner, and had a cheat meal. We both agreed that it just didn't taste as good as we thought. But that's okay. This is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. Normally, just the thought or smell of something could send me spiraling off of my diet, but this time it's different. And I am thrilled about that!

Eric has lost 7 lbs, and is definitely losing size. He isn't snoring as much either! It's so nice to have him on board with all of this. He is such an encouragement to me, and is so kind to listen to all of my new paleo findings, and recipes.

The boys have been doing great with making healthy choices. They are eating vegetables, and fruits that I never thought they would! They were never too picky, and I think that has really helped. I didn't think it was a good idea for me to pull everything out of their diet cold-turkey, so I have been slowly removing things, or cutting back on quantity. They seem to be sleeping better, and haven't had as many tummy aches or issues like before. I even think Brandt's eczema is a bit better! It's not cleared up by any means, but even a little bit helps! The boys have been showing me their muscles multiple times a day so I can see how big, and strong they are getting! Zane has even started doing "push-ups!!"

Here are some of my new favorite things to cook with:
*Coconut oil
*Coconut flour
*Coconut Milk
*Almond Flour

Favorite foods for weeks 1-2:
*Almond butter with apples or a banana
*Ham breakfast casserole (without cheese!)
*Smoothies
*Turkey sausage with spaghetti squash, onions, and bell pepper
*Turkey bacon with eggs
*Coconut squares
*Homemade ice cream made with coconut milk
(Stay tuned for these recipes!!)

I've been spending so much time cooking full meals, and not just throwing meals together. I am loving just about everything about it, except for the clean up! I haven't figured out how to cook a meal without using just about everything in our kitchen! :) I think it's worth it though!

Family Love

Recently it's become very apparent that me, and one of my sweet boys are very different in how we think, act, and react. I've been struggling with the whole situation, and just trying to understand it, and there has been lots of frustration, and tears from the both of us! All of that to say that my family has been so encouraging these last few days, and I'm so thankful for them! 

My mom has patiently listened to me share my thoughts, frustrations, and concerns, some of them while crying! She has been active in praying for wisdom and guidance, and even found great articles for me to read! I am so blessed to call her mine!

My daddy always makes me smile, and is always so encouraging. I love our morning talks so much. Even if it's just for a few minutes, it brightens my day! He means the world to me!

Libby has shared her stories, experience, and wisdom of raising boys with me. I've gotten new insight on a couple of things, and now know that I'm not as crazy as I thought I was! :) I'm very thankful my sweet mother-in-law, and our friendship! 

Eric has been so patient with me! He has been kind, thoughtful, and extra loving. Tonight he came home with flowers, an unsweet tea (my favorite!), and some paleo groceries. How did I get such a great man?!

Thank you all for your honesty, your wisdom, your love, and for being blessings to me. I love you all so much!!

Dream Girl

Last Wednesday was my birthday, and the boys treated me like a princess!! I woke up to the sweetest little voices singing "Happy Birthday To You!!" As the day went on they moved from the traditional version of the song, and onto the version where I smell and look like a monkey! LOL! Silly boys! Zane also called me "Birthday Mom" all day! Our day was pretty normal consisting of preschool, chores, eating, and naps! Of course, it's not a normal day without a few tantrums! :) Eric took me out on a date to Outback. We split a steak, salad, sides...and a Bloomin' Onion. It really didn't taste as good as we thought it would! It was so nice to have uninterrupted conversation, and I was able to finish my meal without having to share with 3 little boys! We went back to Fred & Libby's house for dessert, and presents. Libby was so very sweet to make a dessert that was paleo friendly, and it was delicious. She made a coconut dessert. I will put the recipe on here soon.

The boys handpicked cards for me! Brandt chose a princess card that came with a birthday button. It had a picture of Rapunzel, and said "Dream Girl." He made me wear it all night, and the following day! He was so proud! Jax also picked out a princess card that had stickers. That boy is all about the stickers.  What was so sweet about his card is that he wrote "Mom" & "Jaxon" all by himself on it!! Zane picked me out a superhero card! :) It is so much fun to see him start writing sentences, and spelling out words the way they sound! I got some pretty awesome gifts, too! I got a ton of different things for cookie decorating!! I am thrilled to use them!! I also got a couple of cook books, a jewelry organizer, blanket, gift card, and a lovely gag gift (watch out family, it will come back around!!)

The day wouldn't have been complete without talking to Mom and Dad on the phone. I wish we had all been together, but I'm thankful that we could talk :) It never does get easier living 8 hours away from my family, but it's really neat how far technology has come since I have lived here in MO. One of our favorite things to do is Skype with Mimi and Papa!!

It was a great birthday, and I can't believe how old I am. I know it's not THAT old, but I'm finally starting to feel older. :) My sister in law, Michelle, asked me an interesting question...What is one thing that took you 26 years to learn? My answer would be to enjoy the little moments as much as the big moments because they go by SO fast. This past year I have really started enjoying the little things, like little handprints everywhere, or the sound of feet running down the hall, because I know in the blink of an eye my babies will be men. That makes me tear up just thinking about it!!

I am thankful for so many great memories, lessons learned, and adventures this past year. I'm excited to see what God has in store for this year :)

Zane's Take On Paleo

I love this boy more than words. He is a gift from God, and I can't believe he is already five!! Where has the time gone?!

This year he starts kindergarten, and he is beyond thrilled. He takes after his mama, and is a lover of all things school...including cool school supplies!!

This week we sat Zane down, and talked about how we were going to start eating healthier. We talked about eating foods that will make our bodies feel good, and help us grow stronger. And that all of the food will be on Superman's list!! :) He loved that!!

It is important to me that the boys learn how to make good food choices, so we decided to send a healthy snack to school with Zane, then gave him the choice to eat that or the snack from school. I think that as we become more accustomed to eating whole foods that the boys WILL feel the difference in their bodies, and start making good choices. He said he would like to eat the snacks I sent to school, but I was so curious to see what he would choose in the moment.

Well, he surprised me!! He chose apples from home over pretzels, homemade fruit snacks over chocolate chip cookies brought in for a birthday (will power!!), and homemade "granola" over crackers!! Today he did decide to eat string cheese, and we were able to talk about how it made him feel, being the only dairy he's had all week! :)

I was worried about how he would feel around his classmates with this big change, but he assured me it was okay, and he just wanted to be healthy & strong. His friends have been curious about his different snacks, and he's even taken the opportunity to have conversations about eating healthy with them! Lol! He's such a little man!

I know we are only in week one of this new lifestyle, but I can't tell you how good we all feel. :) We. Are. Hooked.

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Yesterday, we made our own healthy fruit snacks! They were super easy, and yummy! Check out The Paleo Mama for this great recipe! We have been busy daydreaming new & different fruit combinations for fruit snacks! I don't think we will ever go back to store bought.

My little helpers!

Here's the final product! Mixed berry...YUM

I am so surprised how well the boys are adjusting to our healthier eating. For lunch we had bacon, grilled onion, and tomato lettuce wraps. They have been asking for fruit or nuts, instead of processed foods, and snacks!  

Jax eating like a champ!

And a final picture of my sweet Buzz Monkey, as he dubbed himself :)

2013

Happy New Year!!

This is going to be a year of change for our family. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated. We haven't made any New Year resolutions, we decided to have a life overhaul! There are many areas of life that have lacked focus, intent, self-control, consistency, or discipline. Eric, and I have given those areas of life over to God. We are failures on our own, but we know that through God we can be where we need to be.

That being said, here are a couple of things I'm going to work on:

1. Grow, and deepen my relationship with God.

Time, and time again I have pushed God aside for my selfish desires, or motherly duties. I have chosen to spend the boys' nap time on Facebook or Pinterest when I hadn't even spent time with God. I have felt life spiraling out of control because I have not been living out my relationship with God. I am so thankful that His grace and mercies are new everyday! Today, and everyday I pray that I am intentional in loving God, spending time in prayer, and God's word, and honoring Him with my life and actions.

2. Eat better, and exercise more!

I am so tired of feeling blah, and looking even more blah! Today we started eating Paleo, or you may have heard it called the 'caveman diet.' Basically, you eat meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds. Sounds primitive, right?! I found some great websites through Pinterest with recipes that look delicious. And as a bonus, they are very kid friendly! I've read person after person rave about how good they feel when they have made this lifestyle change. What sold me was a few ladies telling of their children's eczema clearing up! I know Brandt has flareups due to certain foods he eats, but I've never been able to pinpoint it. With us eating dairy-free, and gluten-free his little body will be able to get rid of the toxins, and hopefully as I reintroduce things to him I can figure it out! I'll update some with how we are doing!

3. Be more organized!

This area just flat out needs attention! With three little boys running around, I need everything to be in order and running smoothly (for everyone's sanity!). Laundry has always been the hardest for me to keep up with, but I just implemented a new system that I think will work wonders! As long as I am consistent... :)

4. Document our life more!

I always have good intentions, but never keep up with documenting life. Oh, I have tons of pictures...but they are all on the computer or SD card. I really want to start documenting our daily happenings, and funny things the boys say. They are getting bigger, and I so badly want to remember this time of life.

5. Stop letting things, and people get to me.

I have been very bad about letting circumstances or people rule my mind. To the point of just thinking about something in particular will dictate my attitude for the rest of the day. It's not good for me, or my family. I have been in a lot of prayer about this, and it's so wonderful the peace that God will give when you allow Him to. I am memorizing this verse this month:

(photo credit)

Here's to a new year filled with love, spent honoring God, and serving others!

Boy Crazy!

Today at Kelly's Korner, moms of all boys are linking up! I thought it would join in on the boy fun!!

We have three little men in our family! They are very close in age, and we wouldn't have it any other way! Life is crazy, messy, and very loud...but so much fun! I love having superheroes save me every day, exploring nature and bugs, and having little gentlemen hold the door open for me. They are sweet, precious little boys that will one day grow to be men, husbands, and fathers. I am so blessed, and honored that God chose me to be their mom, and allow me to raise them to be Godly men.


Zane is four. He is a bit shy, filled with compassion, and very meticulous. He is very much a leader, and loves to help his brothers. He likes dressing up as superheroes, building things, and playing games. He has recently started to like milk, and his favorite pizza is veggie! He is so sweet!

Jaxon is three. This little guy could make friends with anyone! He loves to be in the spotlight, and is so vibrant and passionate about life! He is also as stubborn as they come! You can find him creating, and coloring on anything he can find (yes, our walls!!). He is such a joy!

Brandt will be two next month, and he is my little helper. He loves playtime with his brothers, but his favorite times are beside mom and dad helping! He loves to sing songs, and pretend to be animals. This kid can eat (and of course he has food in his mouth in this picture!). Brandt has never turned down food, even sour kraut! He is such a boy!!

Zane, Jaxon, and Brandt are best friends. They have never remembered a time without each other! They have silly inside jokes, and finish each other's sentences. They are happy, silly, and very playful boys.

"Of all my toys I have to play, I'd choose my brothers any day."

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."-Marc Brown

"Pockets full of pebbles, bear hugs & worn out knees. Cookie crumbs & kisses, my boy is made of these."

There is just something very special about being a mama to boys. They love me, cherish me, protect me, help me, and show me such a sweet side to their rough and tumble nature. I am boy crazy!!!