Dirty 30

Disclaimer: I am getting over being sick so I may be having trouble with the words and getting them into sentences.

Today begins my trial version of the Whole 30. It's supposed to be 30 days but with my wedding coming up I know I can't go the whole month without straying. I will be strict about it, though, until my bridal shower which is in less than two weeks. I plan to be back on after that until my wedding dinner on May 4th. I say plan because we will be in Las Vegas and I don't know how much Whole 30 food I can find.

I am eating close to the W30 plan as it is (when I am eating right). I've already taken out dairy, grains, and most sugars and processed foods. The foods I am giving up now are coffee and the almond milk and splenda that go in it, and bacon...sweet delicious bacon... It's funny how I'm more upset about cutting out bacon than I am about chocolate. Guess it's just evidence that I traded one food addiction for another.

In addition to changing my eating habits I am going to start working out regularly. I had started to walk Glenn to school in the morning several days a week; a round trip of just under 4.5 miles. I am also going to start kettlebell training this week. I miss swinging the bells so much. I'm even contemplating training for competitions, but I'm getting ahead of myself. And a boot camp/fit club once a week. Yay, variety!

So, in summary:

Whole 30 until my bridal shower

Whole 30 for 30 days after my wedding

Walk Glenn to school at least 2 days a week

KB training 2 days a week

Boot camp Sundays

Kick ASS!

I'd say wish me luck, but I am confident I can do it this time.

Back On Track

At the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 I lost quite a bit of weight before finding out I was pregnant. Along with working out 6 days a week I loosely followed a paleo diet. I won't get into many details here but it is based on the notion that we as humans have not evolved enough to eat much differently than our ancient ancestors ate; which means no dairy, grain or processed foods. Now that Grant is here I am ready to get into shape so I'm back to paleo.

There are several things I have noticed since switching back.

First: I am more mindful at how I will feel after eating certain foods. I had done Weight Watchers in the past and lost some weight and felt good, but I was always prone to overeating and cheating and always regretting it after. I would try to reason with myself that I would feel like crap after, but the instant satisfaction of eating the cupcake was too powerful.

Second: My meals are so much more colorful and fun just to look at! When I have made some SAD meals they just look so bland. Chicken breast, rice, noodles, corn, potatoes, bread and even pears or apples when put on a plate together just look gray and blah. Not like this plate of amazingness:

It just looks amazing visually and tastes just as good. So that is how I have been planning my meals, by color and when they are so pleasing to the eye and the taste buds, you cannot go wrong.

Here's to many more tasty, colorful and healthy meals!

New Year's Baby

Well things have been a bit busy with me, going to school, working, being a mom, a girlfriend. Then the holidays hit and of course I over extend myself a little bit making gifts. I was actually not as bad this year as years past. I also became much more efficient in the kitchen (who would have guessed?) and did a bunch of baking and was able to use that as gifts to family and friends. Oh and there's the little matter of giving birth. Oh boy was my pregnancy full of twists and turns. But in the end I was rewarded with this little miracle:
That's Grant Shawn, born January 1st, 3:01 pm. Little bugger didn't want to share a birthday with Daddy or to be the first one born on New Year's. A little explanation on the name: Grant was what Brian and I agreed on, basically. I wanted Malcolm but Brian wouldn't have it, but after Grant was born, I was too tired to argue my point, plus he didn't look like a Mal anyway. And Shawn; for my good friend that passed away 2-and-a-half years ago due to complications from muscular dystrophy. I always regretted not spending more time with him or that Glenn didn't get to know him. But having Shawn as a middle name will be a reminder of what a great person Shawn was and to not take things for granted.

Well, as I alluded to I did lots of crafting and baking so I will be getting those posted in the near future! So happy new year and happy Valentine's day!

School Daze

I so have not been motivated to stitch after that whole fiasco with the Ranma pattern and I am STILL taking stitches out. I guess it's alright for now since school started and I'm super motivated this semester. The days are long, longer than work days actually but they don't feel like it. It's probably because am having so much fun in the lab! On Tuesday I got to prepare pizza crusts for the cafeteria, made a California quiche for our lunch and prepared about 20 pie crusts. Plus, I get to watch guys cook, bake and clean in the kitchen...*swoon*

Oh yeah, we get fed on lab days!! Some of what we are working on in lab that morning gets served as lunch. Monday was tri-tip, roasted potatoes, biscuits, mushroom pizza, steamed vegetables, minestrone soup and red velvet cupcakes. Tuesday was slow cooked pork ribs, California quiche, dinner rolls, mac and cheese and steamed vegetables.

Oh, and one more thing, tomorrow I get my knives!! This is the style I went with: San Mortiz Elite. I'm glad I don't take after my mom and cut myself easily (I burn myself, lol) because I am told that these knives are so sharp when I get them they will cut me by looking at them *gulp*

So far everyone is so nice and supportive and patient. I can't wait to learn lots more and master all the kitchen tools. I am an ace in the kitchen!

ARRRRRGH!

Well, a little update on the Ranma piece. Stupid symbols looked the same so now I have to pull out most of the black on Ranma and redo it in the right color. I guess I'm a little lucky I figured it out now and didn't keep going on it and figure it would turn out anyway and then be even more disappointed. This sets me back more than a week and I was hoping to finish this before the semester started.

Argh , I say ARRRRGH!!!

Make Me Wild Like You

Among my many W.I.P, this is the one I am currently working on and am so excited to get done with it soon! I will honestly be my first non-traditional piece to finish, and the shortest I have taken to finish any cross stitch piece. I am a very slow stitcher and often end up having to redo whole sections because I missed a row or miscounted. I actually had to redo two black sections; Ranma's legs (yes both of them) and Genma's leg >.< I usually pull the thread out so I can reuse it but these were such huge areas I resorted to my seam ripper.

But, I digress, it's coming along nicely now and should be finished by the end of the week! YAY! The only problem after that is do I keep it for myself or stick to my original plan and give it to a friend as a gift...

I'm Not Dead Yet

So, I am still around and I've been doing things. Crafty things, in fact! I have (several) cross stitch WIP and some completed sewing projects! I am very proud of what I have accomplished this past month.

First a little personal update on me: I have taken a leave of absence from derby. To be more specific a maternity leave. Very unexpected and shocking but I am one that believes things happen for a reason. What the exact reason is, I'm still at a loss for, but it's going to happen.

Anywho...I made an apron, finally. I've had the fabric for almost 2 years, which is somewhat typical of me. Yes, I love to cook and bake and never had an apron...until now. I did get a little tired of my family taking pictures of flour hand prints on my butt.

My favorite part of the apron is the seams, they are flawless. I have a tendency to fudge myself through the last bits of a project just to get done but I made myself slow down and take my time.

The boy wants me to make him one, and I will, in time. He currently has two aprons that fit him so I will be waiting until he grows out of them. The fabric will always be there, and there is PLENTY of it.