Hello Spring!

We are in the second day of spring and it's snowing here in Pennsylvania.  The temperature also feels too cold for spring weather.  Enough of this already!

Yesterday after I picked Matthew up from preschool we rang in the first day of the season with a free Italian ice at Rita's, something we try to do every year.  It's a nice tradition and who doesn't love free stuff?

Brianna shared my watermelon Italian ice while Matthew enjoyed his own blue raspberry one.  Delicious! 

Happy spring everyone!

Winter Unpleasantries.

The weather outside is cold.  Too cold.  A snow storm is headed this way.  I am not a winter person.  Never was.  I don't like having to put on one layer after another and I do not like feeling the cold, crisp air beat against my skin.  It's not pleasant.  Not for me.  

I am so glad this week is almost over.  It's been a tough one.  We are all getting over being sick.  My husband had a bad cold and passed it along to me.  My son had a bad cough for a few days and now it seems to be draining out of his system.  Baby girl is coughing here and there and hasn't been napping well in the last few days.  In fact, she's in her crib fussing and crying right now when she should be sleeping.  I am not one of those moms who jumps to the rescue when the baby calls for me.  I'll wait and see if she doses off on her own. 

So as I wait for another load of laundry to finish drying and another load of dishes to finish getting clean in the dishwasher (two chores that are never ending) I'm sitting here on the couch drinking a cup of decaffeinated green tea while Matthew sits next to me playing a video game.  I'm doing my best to stay quiet in hopes that Brianna will fall asleep. 

Today the kids and I attended story time at the library and later today I will be going to my weekly Zumba class.  As much as I love being with my kids I do like that chance to get out and be among adults ... even if I'm sweating my butt off in the process.

I guess that's enough rambling from me.  Try to stay warm everyone ... unless you are already living in a part of the world where the temperature is already hot, in that case -- consider yourself lucky.  

Slim For Life

Some people have asked me why I want to lose weight and get in shape.  I wonder why anyone would have the audacity to ask someone that question.  I am not overweight but I do have some unnecessary, excess body fat I'd like to lose and keep off.  Something changed inside of me since becoming a mother and good health has become a significant and important part of my life.  Why not?

So in asking me why losing weight and being in shape is important to me I decided to give you 5 simple and good reasons:

1.   "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own" - 1 Corinthians 6:19.  Yes I'm going to add some religion here and a very important factor in my opinion.  My body is not mine.  It's only given to me temporarily while I'm living on this earth and while I'm borrowing it I might as well do my best to take care of it.

2.  I have watched my mother's health decline for years with obesity, diabetes and a stroke.  I may not be able to avoid some diseases but I can and need to do my best to stay as healthy as possible.  Obesity is not a hereditary trait.

3.  The lifestyle I live is the lifestyle my children will know and grow accustomed to.  Good health for me means they will grow to have good health too.

4.  A healthy life is a long life and I want to stick around as long as I can for my family.  They deserve that kind of wife and mother, don't they?

5.  Because when I look good I feel good.  It's simple. 

I have managed to find a variety of exercises that I work into a daily routine:  Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, basic cardio, running and strength training.  I'm doing at least one of these things every day and it has me feeling so good afterward.  I've also become a fan of the famous personal trainer Jillian Michaels.  I use her 30 Day Shred DVD quite often and have also found a very intense 6 Week Six-Pack Abs video on YouTube.  Jillian Michaels knows what it takes to get fit and her workouts are no joke.

So I've easily mastered getting myself on a decent exercise routine.  The one thing I lack is figuring out how to eat better.  I can't rely on exercise alone.  I need to add a well balanced and nutritious diet to the routine as well.  That's why I'm so happy that I now own a copy of Jillian Michaels' new book SLIM FOR LIFE.

I'm still working through the first chapter which talks about eating.  As I just stated, this is something I need to work on better.  According to the fitness guru, and what my husband has always been telling me, it's important to burn more calories than we consume in a day.  Well, that makes sense, doesn't it?  She talks about the dangers of certain diets that some people have become drawn to such as the low-carb, fat-free and yes even vegetarian/vegan diets.  It's important to stick to all the main food groups.  Our bodies need the carbs, fats, meat and grains.  Of course, Jillian Michaels also talks about portion control.  Eating less of everything is better.  Go for the smaller sizes.  Also, just because something is labeled "fat-free" doesn't mean it's free from high carbs and sugar.  Artificial sweeteners are also very dangerous (I was already aware of that one). 

Ms. Michaels also talks about staying away from any foods with chemical additives (processed foods).  I've recently become very turned off from any processed foods and I want to avoid bringing any of that into my home.  Many of the chemicals that are added to certain foods can make you fat.  The term processed food just makes me sick to my stomach thinking about it.  Why would I want to put chemicals in my body and, more importantly, in my childrens' bodies?

One quote from the book that I like is, "If it doesn't come from nature don't eat it."  She suggests going organic whenever possible.  Organic foods are more costly but as I read further she will explain how to go the inexpensive way.  She also talks about staying away from white foods ... uh oh ... I eat a lot of white foods -- white bread and white pasta to name a few.  I'm a huge lover of pasta.  The white food (made from white bleached flour) can be high in calories and send our blood sugar skyrocketing - yikes!  Mental note: no more white bread!

She also suggests buying local.  Not only will it help the local economy but it's also fresher and more healthier than the foods that have traveled for days from another location.  I guess a trip to the local farmers market is on the to-do list.


The last point I read before closing the book for the night was the importance of NOT skipping meals.  Especially breakfast.  She suggests only eating every four hours including a healthy snack between lunch and dinner.  So far I'm doing well with that today.  It's normal for me to snack consistently throughout the day.  Bad idea. 

I know, all of this seems to be common sense, right?  At least it should be.  So far I really like the book and look forward to reading the rest of it.  As I read I will keep notes and add them to the blog from time to time.  Jillian Michaels also talks about counting calories, but only for a few weeks.  That way we get a better idea of what we're eating and how much we need to work off.  Counting calories is something I never bothered to do before.  I have no idea how many calories I consume in a day ... time to start figuring that out. 

Valentine's 2013

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  For many, it's just another day.  I used to be one those people.  I never understood why we should take one day out of the entire year to tell someone we love them.  My husband and I share our love for each other ever day.  So for us Valentine's Day might seem unnecessary.  However, since I had children I decided I wanted to make a big deal out of every holiday and that included Valentine's Day.  This is a holiday to celebrate the ones you love ... so why not?

The day started with heart-shaped pancakes which has become our tradition.

 

Then  gifts were presented.  

My children received their own stuffed animal and small box of chocolates among other gifts.  I also gave my husband some chocolates as well.  

Here was the biggest surprise of the day!  After my husband left for work I found a gift bag in our bedroom.  Oh that sneaky man!  I wasn't expecting anything from him and he didn't even give a clue that he bought something for me.  In the bag was a card, with sweet words that literally brought tears to my eyes.  He gave me Jillian Michaels' new book Slim For Life.  I had heard about this book just a few days ago and mentioned I wanted to read it.  There was also a bag of chocolates.  Oh how I love chocolate!  The gifts actually gave me a chuckle ... a weight loss book AND a bag of unhealthy chocolates.  Too funny, but I love it!

I look forward to reading the book and I will definitely give a review on here.

Our three year old friend who lives across the street spent part of the day with us while her mother went to work.  My kids were happy to have someone to play with.  Unfortunately with all the chaos I didn't take a moment to figure out what to make for dinner.  I felt bad about that.  My husband decided to bring home a steak that he grilled.  We ate by candlelight.  It should have been a nice meal but Matthew suddenly felt ill.  He spent dinner time laying on the couch with a slight fever.  We had a bad parenting moment where we allowed him to skip dinner and go right to dessert.  The poor kid didn't even want to finish his ice cream.  I thought the cold dessert could help kick the fever.  Well, I later sent him to bed with fever reducing medicine and hopes that he would wake up feeling better.

Valentine's Day had it's ups and downs.  Better planning and hopefully healthier children will happen next year. 

Chicken Ranch Pasta ... oh delicious!

I have never been much for cooking.  I do enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing meals but I'm not very good at it.  Unless I have a recipe in front of me I have trouble throwing things together and coming up with a decent meal.  My husband is great when it comes to cooking.  I wish to do better.  That is why I'm so glad I joined Pinterest.  It has been a way for me to find ideas for crafting with the kids, how to decorate my house, and certainly it's helped me find many different recipes.  Last night, for the second time since finding the "pin," I made chicken ranch pasta.  Sure, it's not the healthiest meal but it is delicious.  My husband and both the kids didn't have any problem devouring every bite.

I didn't take a picture from my own creation but here is the one from the website.

I will also share the recipe.  It takes a lot of time to prepare but very easy to make and delicious to eat.

CHICKEN RANCH PASTA

8 ounces penne pasta

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp flour

2 Tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

2 cups milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup cooked chopped bacon

2 cups cooked chopped chicken 

In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.  

In the same pot melt butter.  Add flour and stir.  Cook flour for 1 minute.  Slowly whisk in milk.  Continue cooking until sauce thickens.  Stir in the ranch dressing mix and cheese.  Stir until cheese melts.  Add chicken, bacon and pasta.  Stir to coat.  

Recipe found: http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/09/chicken-ranch-pasta.html

As I was mixing the milk, butter and flour it took a long time for it to thicken so my husband came up with the idea to add a little more flour.  Eventually the sauce did thicken and it came out perfect.  I do recommend this dish to anyone.  Enjoy!

I look forward to finding/making more recipes for my family and sharing it on my blog. 

Hello 2013

We are 17 days into the new year.  Maybe I could add to my list of New Year's resolutions to update this blog more than once a month.

I was never much at making New Year's resolutions because, quite frankly, I knew I wouldn't keep them.  I mean, who does?  However, last year I decided to set a weight loss goal for myself and I proudly can say I reached that goal ... and then some.  I also discovered I enjoy doing something I never thought I'd love: running.  Yes that's right.  I said running.  Back in school I dreaded the days when we had to run track in gym class.  I barely made it around the track once without panting and wanting to fall over.  Now I look forward to the moment I'm able to slip away and jog around the neighborhood.  I also lift weights, do cardio and joined a Zumba class last spring.  I love Zumba.

Therefore, I can mark my 2012 New Year's Resolution as: COMPLETE!

Now for 2013 I am going to continue exercising but push myself a little harder.  I also need to work on my diet.  Eating healthier is a must if I want to get rid of this belly pooch.  All the crunches and sit ups in the world won't get rid of that flab.  I also need to get my spiritual life back on track.  Spend less time on the computer and more time with the kids - but I will blog more.

Let's make this a good year!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

However it sure doesn't feel like we are just a few weeks away from Christmas.  The weather here in Pennsylvania the last two days has been rather nice which isn't typical for December.  I do not like having to cover myself and the kids with layers of clothing and coats just to stay warm so this weather is very much appreciated.  Unfortunately it's not going to last, is it?

Like we do every year on Black Friday we started decorating for Christmas.  Rob pulled our pre-lit artificial tree out of the attic and set it up.  I spent a lot of unnecessary time trying to fluff the branches and then wrapped the garland and beads around it.  My least favorite parts.  Matthew was impatiently waiting for his chance to start hanging the ornaments.  I tried to lay out the rules of spacing the ornaments and not putting the same color balls too close to each other but then I decided to just bite my tongue and allow my 5 year old the chance to decorate the tree his own way.  It turned out pretty nice.  I love looking at the tree that was decorated by my child.  Someday my daughter will be able to add her touch to it as well.