I get people tell me all the time that it is too expensive to eat the way we do. I know I pay more for certain things and less for others, I don't eat out, I don't buy expensive pre made foods or drinks. I think over all I don't really pay much more than I used to. In January (since we will have no TV and lots of time on our hands) I am going to keep track of everything we buy and cook during the month and how much it cost.
I will admit that the way I cook is a bit more time consuming but with some planning it can be super easy. I cook meals and freeze smaller portions for lunches or a supper in a hurry. We don't have a microwave so again I have to plan ahead even for heating up, I am thinking of getting a toaster oven though.
Once a week I will post what I spent on food. It is January so it will cost a bit more since I eat fresh produce and the price isn't so great this time of year. It will just be Wyatt and I most of the month.
I am curious how much it will be. I have not been very organized with our budget lately so I really do not know how much we have been paying for food (which is very odd for me since I am usually pretty on top of the budget).
This is a place to post about our adventures with homeschooling, crafts, games and nutrition.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Unplugged for January
Wow, January is coming up quick! In January we will be going "unplugged". We will be unplugging the televisions for the month and no social media (Facebook, twitter). I have decided to still blog and share what we do with our time without the technology in our faces.
It sounds like a simple thing to just unplug the televisions but really I think it will be hard. I fall asleep to the tv every night, tv is a part of Wyatt's bedtime routine, and it fills our day. We will find other things to do. I am going to have a busy basket with different things in it to keep Wyatt busy. We didn't have cable for 2 years and I loved it then we moved and had free cable for a bit which got me hooked back on tv.
January is kind of a hard month to do this because we are stuck inside more but I am sure we will still have fun with it.
We are continuing our Paleo eating even though this month has been hard. I am still making paleo meals and not buying junk but it is crazy the amount of treats there are everywhere this time of year.
It sounds like a simple thing to just unplug the televisions but really I think it will be hard. I fall asleep to the tv every night, tv is a part of Wyatt's bedtime routine, and it fills our day. We will find other things to do. I am going to have a busy basket with different things in it to keep Wyatt busy. We didn't have cable for 2 years and I loved it then we moved and had free cable for a bit which got me hooked back on tv.
January is kind of a hard month to do this because we are stuck inside more but I am sure we will still have fun with it.
We are continuing our Paleo eating even though this month has been hard. I am still making paleo meals and not buying junk but it is crazy the amount of treats there are everywhere this time of year.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Why we eat the way we do
I had a great conversation at our local market this morning about eating "Paleo". I have to say that I don't agree with the reasons behind "Paleo" eating. I don't eat the way I do because someone believes that it is the way cave men ate. I believe that what grains have become are not good for you, modern grains are not what they were in the past. It would be hard today to find grains that are not affected by modern farming (GMOs, pesticides, over used soil). Everything is so processed even "whole" grains that you buy in stores. I am still learning about grains and my diet and in the new year we may reintroduce some of the foods but I know I have never felt better and it is only making good changes in Wyatt.
Wyatt's behaviour has changed so drastically and we can see the immediate reaction to certain foods. I think it is so much more real when you actually see it happen in front of you. I don't think it is fair to Wyatt to give him the "treats" when we are out and then have him lose control because of them. This is such a hard time of year to make these changes since candy and treats are everywhere. We have had to take a break from some of the holiday parties and parades but we have done many fun holiday activities without the holiday foods.
The changes in food have made me realize how much we put on food in many of ways. A reward, a punishment, an emotional reaction, a way to celebrate or a way to socialize. I no longer meet a friend in a coffee shop (since I can't eat or drink anything there), I can't bribe the kids that if they are good at the grocery store we will get a cookie before we go, or make our friday game night about "fun" food like pizza and chips. We still make food that the kids find fun and they help me make it (always gives me the opportunity to talk to them about why we eat what we do).
Since we changed we have found new things to do with our time and our focus is no longer on food. I have communicated so much more with the children about their bodies and how we take care of them. The boys are also much more involved in choosing what we eat and why we eat certain foods together. It is more than just our eating it's our way of living and I am so happy that we made the change we did.
Wyatt's behaviour has changed so drastically and we can see the immediate reaction to certain foods. I think it is so much more real when you actually see it happen in front of you. I don't think it is fair to Wyatt to give him the "treats" when we are out and then have him lose control because of them. This is such a hard time of year to make these changes since candy and treats are everywhere. We have had to take a break from some of the holiday parties and parades but we have done many fun holiday activities without the holiday foods.
The changes in food have made me realize how much we put on food in many of ways. A reward, a punishment, an emotional reaction, a way to celebrate or a way to socialize. I no longer meet a friend in a coffee shop (since I can't eat or drink anything there), I can't bribe the kids that if they are good at the grocery store we will get a cookie before we go, or make our friday game night about "fun" food like pizza and chips. We still make food that the kids find fun and they help me make it (always gives me the opportunity to talk to them about why we eat what we do).
Since we changed we have found new things to do with our time and our focus is no longer on food. I have communicated so much more with the children about their bodies and how we take care of them. The boys are also much more involved in choosing what we eat and why we eat certain foods together. It is more than just our eating it's our way of living and I am so happy that we made the change we did.
Monday, December 10, 2012
A 4th birthday party
Yesterday was Wyatt's 4th birthday. It was a fun but busy day :) We had a party for him and hired a magician (Calvin's magic for anyone local). The kids LOVED him and so did the adults. He was so worth the money!
We stayed at the hotel for the night after the party. I am a home body and really prefer to be home in my own bed but the kids love staying at the hotel whenever they get the chance. I had about 2 hours sleep, it is now 6am and I decided to write a blog post :) Mike is taking the boys to an indoor water park today after our photographer meets us to get a picture for our Christmas cards (I know I am late).
Food was a challenge for me at the party. I really wanted to do healthy foods and would have loved to have all Paleo safe foods but as we added up the amount of people we realized it was going to cost us quite a bit. We ended up doing a fruit tray, a veggie tray, pistachios, clementines, cheesies, and fruit bars then we had pizza and cake. I let Wyatt eat whatever he wanted and of course he ate a good portion if cheesies .. Lol. He didn't want any pizza but had some cake. Mike made him real pancakes for breakfast too. He was pretty wired I think part of it was the food (and juice) and part was the excitement of his birthday party and all the friends and family there. I had a piece of pizza, cake and some juice and I have been regretting it since I ate. I love the way I feel when we don't eat things like that but they are everywhere this time of year. We are done with parties for a few weeks then it is Christmas and there will be lots of goodies to get into.
We stayed at the hotel for the night after the party. I am a home body and really prefer to be home in my own bed but the kids love staying at the hotel whenever they get the chance. I had about 2 hours sleep, it is now 6am and I decided to write a blog post :) Mike is taking the boys to an indoor water park today after our photographer meets us to get a picture for our Christmas cards (I know I am late).
Food was a challenge for me at the party. I really wanted to do healthy foods and would have loved to have all Paleo safe foods but as we added up the amount of people we realized it was going to cost us quite a bit. We ended up doing a fruit tray, a veggie tray, pistachios, clementines, cheesies, and fruit bars then we had pizza and cake. I let Wyatt eat whatever he wanted and of course he ate a good portion if cheesies .. Lol. He didn't want any pizza but had some cake. Mike made him real pancakes for breakfast too. He was pretty wired I think part of it was the food (and juice) and part was the excitement of his birthday party and all the friends and family there. I had a piece of pizza, cake and some juice and I have been regretting it since I ate. I love the way I feel when we don't eat things like that but they are everywhere this time of year. We are done with parties for a few weeks then it is Christmas and there will be lots of goodies to get into.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Getting ready for Christmas
Wyatt's birthday is this weekend which means we can decorate for Christmas :) We put our tree up the weekend before Christmas, this year we will be decorating on the 22nd. We wait until after Wyatt's birthday to decorate the inside of the house and I am so excited to get the house all Christmasy :)
We started our advent bags on the first. We do small bags with a nativity magnet in it with an experience and activity to do for the day. Wyatt loves them! This year Alex also got a Lego advent calendar and he is having so much fun with it.
I love Christmas and the feeling it brings. I love how excited my kids are around this time of year and seeing all our family together.
I have some posts in the making about what we have been up to in December so far. One is an amazing photo shoot with Darling Mine Photography. I am so impressed with the photos as always! She came and just hung out with us at home for the afternoon. I am also planning on a post about my crazy weight loss and our advent bags. So much to write at such a busy time of year.
Going to get some sleep for another busy day tomorrow!
We started our advent bags on the first. We do small bags with a nativity magnet in it with an experience and activity to do for the day. Wyatt loves them! This year Alex also got a Lego advent calendar and he is having so much fun with it.
I love Christmas and the feeling it brings. I love how excited my kids are around this time of year and seeing all our family together.
I have some posts in the making about what we have been up to in December so far. One is an amazing photo shoot with Darling Mine Photography. I am so impressed with the photos as always! She came and just hung out with us at home for the afternoon. I am also planning on a post about my crazy weight loss and our advent bags. So much to write at such a busy time of year.
Going to get some sleep for another busy day tomorrow!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
A lazy Sunday afternoon :)
Today was such a great day! We got up and dressed then Wyatt decided he wanted to put pjs back on and have a pajama day. I was ok with that :) we did some Christmas crafts from yesterday's advent bag and we learned to play a new card game with the cards from today's advent bag. Wyatt later decided we should cuddle in bed and watch the Smurfs. It really was such a great relaxing time spent with my boy.
I made a chicken in the crock pot since I needed some chicken stock. I use the recipe from 100 days of real food and I love it. We also made some mashed faux tatoes (cauliflower) with some baked carrots.
I got my 2013 calendar and I love getting a new calendar. I love the organization of writing all the information on it and it is so fresh and new. I know I am weird but I really enjoy a new calendar :)
I made a chicken in the crock pot since I needed some chicken stock. I use the recipe from 100 days of real food and I love it. We also made some mashed faux tatoes (cauliflower) with some baked carrots.
Supper |
Chicken stock ready to cook, it smells wonderful! |
Wyatt's pom pom tree |
Wyatt playing with stickers and colouring with breakfast. |
I got my 2013 calendar and I love getting a new calendar. I love the organization of writing all the information on it and it is so fresh and new. I know I am weird but I really enjoy a new calendar :)
New calendar :) |
Saturday, December 1, 2012
day 29 and 30 eating Paleo
We have finished our 30 days! In the last 30 days I have gained so much more knowledge and confidence that I can feed my family the way I have been wanting to. We have made a major lifestyle change that turned out to be the best thing we ever did. We found out that Wyatt definitely has a reaction to certain foods (we are still not 100% what yet). I know for sure that food has been causing so many problems in my body (I already knew that I was just not ready to take this step). I think even if we didn't have these reactions to foods that I would make the change anyway. The more research I do on grains the farther I want to get away from them. I have also learned that Wyatt and I are a fan of teas thanks to our naturopath.
Our final numbers from the 30 days are .. I am down 17 lbs and 3.5" .. Wyatt has gained 3lbs. More important than any number on a scale or a measuring tape is how amazing we feel.
I won't be posting what we eat everyday anymore, well maybe it will come up in posts but since I am done the 30 days I won't be specifically writing a post just for what we are eating. I will continue to eat like this. We will start to introduce some foods over the next few months, butter is being introduced this week.
We are going to start a new goal on top of the food for this month. On top of our new foods I will be working out 30 mins a day for the month of December. It can be in the gym, at home or going for a walk. November I really got off track with learning the new way of eating and how to get into a routine with it. We are also doing our advent activities and the holiday traditions we have (I will post about those). January we are unplugging our televisions for the whole month (this will be hardest on my husband when he is home).
Our microwave lit on fire last week and I have not replaced it. The more I think about it I don't think I am going to. I am not saying that the microwave is going to kill us or anything but I just think for our family right now we are going to just use the stove to heat things up. Maybe I will get a small toaster oven just for heating up leftovers since we eat so many.
So 30 days are gone but it is really the start of a new life for our family!
Our final numbers from the 30 days are .. I am down 17 lbs and 3.5" .. Wyatt has gained 3lbs. More important than any number on a scale or a measuring tape is how amazing we feel.
I won't be posting what we eat everyday anymore, well maybe it will come up in posts but since I am done the 30 days I won't be specifically writing a post just for what we are eating. I will continue to eat like this. We will start to introduce some foods over the next few months, butter is being introduced this week.
We are going to start a new goal on top of the food for this month. On top of our new foods I will be working out 30 mins a day for the month of December. It can be in the gym, at home or going for a walk. November I really got off track with learning the new way of eating and how to get into a routine with it. We are also doing our advent activities and the holiday traditions we have (I will post about those). January we are unplugging our televisions for the whole month (this will be hardest on my husband when he is home).
Our microwave lit on fire last week and I have not replaced it. The more I think about it I don't think I am going to. I am not saying that the microwave is going to kill us or anything but I just think for our family right now we are going to just use the stove to heat things up. Maybe I will get a small toaster oven just for heating up leftovers since we eat so many.
So 30 days are gone but it is really the start of a new life for our family!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Day 28 paleo
4 weeks!! Wow it has been 28 days! Today was the first day in a while that I felt like I am getting back into a routine. I am getting used to pre prepping meals and using leftovers. I pre pack snacks so they are easy to grab on our way out the door and I am not as nervous now to be out and have no idea what to give Wyatt as a snack.
We made it to the gym again this morning :) Wyatt is ok with not being able to have any of the sugary treats they have in the cafe there, really I think the fact that they have a whole row of candy at the gym is kind of crazy anyway. I have written on a comment card about it more than once since I believe the Y of all places should be promoting healthy living and the 20 varieties of candy is not healthy.
For breakfast we had some bacon and eggs with a banana nut muffin. Lunch was left over jambalaya and chicken sausage with cauli-rice. Supper was beef stir fry with the left over cauli-rice from last night. I finally got to use the coconut aminos for the sauce. It was so good and I actually liked it better than soya sauce it was a mix of coconut aminos, garlic, ginger and water. The cauli-rice is super easy to make you just shred raw cauliflower ( I use my food processor because it is fast) then fry it in a pan, I put about a tablespoon of coconut rice in the pan first. Cook until tender (it gets darker in colour as it finishes) add spices if you would like.
Wyatt and I spent some time in the classroom again this evening having fun painting, colouring, cutting and reading. I know I say it all the time but I LOVE my classroom! I got some prep work done for his next letter lesson which is the letter L. He already knows it really well so it will be an easy week :) We are really starting to use the Raising Rock stars program more which is from 1+1+1=1. I will try to remember to get some pics next week of some of the activities he is doing.
It is shedding season for my shepherd right now and it is driving me crazy! I went out and brushed her today and I can't believe how much hair I got out of her. I love the furminator. My back yard looks like I shaved the dog (Which I have thought of .. lol).
We made it to the gym again this morning :) Wyatt is ok with not being able to have any of the sugary treats they have in the cafe there, really I think the fact that they have a whole row of candy at the gym is kind of crazy anyway. I have written on a comment card about it more than once since I believe the Y of all places should be promoting healthy living and the 20 varieties of candy is not healthy.
For breakfast we had some bacon and eggs with a banana nut muffin. Lunch was left over jambalaya and chicken sausage with cauli-rice. Supper was beef stir fry with the left over cauli-rice from last night. I finally got to use the coconut aminos for the sauce. It was so good and I actually liked it better than soya sauce it was a mix of coconut aminos, garlic, ginger and water. The cauli-rice is super easy to make you just shred raw cauliflower ( I use my food processor because it is fast) then fry it in a pan, I put about a tablespoon of coconut rice in the pan first. Cook until tender (it gets darker in colour as it finishes) add spices if you would like.
While it was cooking |
mmm stir fry |
Wyatt would cut all day if I let him |
Some of the hair I brushed out of Bonnie today |
I have an exciting day tomorrow and I will post all about it tomorrow night with pics :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Day 27 paleo.
Today was our follow up appointment with the naturopath. Wyatt gained a little over 3 lbs in almost 4 weeks and he is going in for some blood work to make sure his levels are all right (he is anemic). The dr said he is doing good and to keep it up. We will be introducing butter into our diet on the weekend and I am super excited :) He gave us some yummy tea too it is a mixture of Chamomile and holy basil, Wyatt and I both love it. We bought some peppermint tea a couple days ago and Wyatt has been loving that too.
I finally made it to the gym while Wyatt was in nursery school. I really have to make more time to get to the gym. I love the feeling after a workout. I got there and did a run then did a fitness class, I was in the lobby talking to someone and a friend literally hauled me by the arm to go into Zumba. this was my first time trying Zumba and i was not really a fan ( I have NO rhythm at all!) I will try it again just to give it a chance but I like my classes better.
I just found out that a local farm Tree and twig has a winter CSA. I am signed up for a summer CSA with a new small organic farm close to me. I love having one because sometimes you get foods you wouldn't normally eat so you get to look up new recipes :) I am excited to start my garden next year!
Today for breakfast we had crustless quiche with sausage in it. Lunch was salad with salmon on it and mixed veggies. Supper was jambalaya from paleo comfort foods. It was a little too spicy for me and my belly did not approve but Wyatt loved it and I am sure Alex and Mike will eat it right up. we made it with cauli-rice. I am thinking of making a stir fry tomorrow since I finally got coconut aminos and have not used them yet and that gives me a chance to use the cauli-rice.
I finally made it to the gym while Wyatt was in nursery school. I really have to make more time to get to the gym. I love the feeling after a workout. I got there and did a run then did a fitness class, I was in the lobby talking to someone and a friend literally hauled me by the arm to go into Zumba. this was my first time trying Zumba and i was not really a fan ( I have NO rhythm at all!) I will try it again just to give it a chance but I like my classes better.
I just found out that a local farm Tree and twig has a winter CSA. I am signed up for a summer CSA with a new small organic farm close to me. I love having one because sometimes you get foods you wouldn't normally eat so you get to look up new recipes :) I am excited to start my garden next year!
Today for breakfast we had crustless quiche with sausage in it. Lunch was salad with salmon on it and mixed veggies. Supper was jambalaya from paleo comfort foods. It was a little too spicy for me and my belly did not approve but Wyatt loved it and I am sure Alex and Mike will eat it right up. we made it with cauli-rice. I am thinking of making a stir fry tomorrow since I finally got coconut aminos and have not used them yet and that gives me a chance to use the cauli-rice.
The reason I should not be allowed to use my husband's sharp knives. If it wasn't for my finger nail I would have lost the tip of my thumb. |
veggies ready to saute |
simmering .. mmmmm |
with some cauli-rice I didn't eat much since it was spicy but Wyatt ate 2 servings. |
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
A homeschool day (day 26 Paleo)
I get asked often what I do with Wyatt at home for learning. We decided to keep him out of full day junior kindergarten that most people in Ontario now have the choice to send their kids to but he still goes to a 3 day morning nursery school program for this year. We have always planned on homeschooling him (I would love to until grade 4 but it might be less or more we will see what happens). At his age we don't really have a curriculum yet. We do play based learning and we work on letters and numbers. I usually do a letter, shape, colour and number for the week and try to bring one of those into whatever we are doing. I pick books, songs, colouring pages, tv shows and games based on those things.
I love the letter of the week from confessions of a homeschooler and Raising rock stars from 1plus1plus1equals1. We also use Handwriting without tears activities and hooked on phonics. There is not really a certain amount of things we do I let Wyatt pick what he would like to do while in the classroom. He almost always picks play-dough and cutting.
I love the letter of the week from confessions of a homeschooler and Raising rock stars from 1plus1plus1equals1. We also use Handwriting without tears activities and hooked on phonics. There is not really a certain amount of things we do I let Wyatt pick what he would like to do while in the classroom. He almost always picks play-dough and cutting.
doing a letter A do a dot |
getting ready to make an A after rolling out the dough |
his A :) |
This is just a couple of the things he does in a day. I will try to keep track a bit more on what he does in a homeschool day for those asking :)
Today is day 26 of our Paleo eating. Tomorrow is our follow up appointment with the Dr, I have no idea what happens next but I will let you know tomorrow :) We feel amazing and I am sure this is long term. I am starting to get used to the prep and it is not as overwhelming as it was the first week. I need to get back into routine and start getting back to the gym.
Breakfast this morning was boiled eggs and grapes. Lunch was mixed greens with chicken, mixed veggies and kale chips. Supper we had leftover stuffed acorn squash with some broccoli and green beans.
We are reintroducing butter into our diet this weekend and I am excited to have the option of using butter again. I will not use it as much as I did before but having the option will be nice!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Paleo day 25
I was just thinking as I wrote the title that in 5 days I will have to think of something else to write as my title .. lol .. this was originally just to show a couple friends what we were eating for the 30 days of eating Paleo. As most people know I am doing it longer and hopefully long term. I love that people have started changing the way they eat from reading how easy it was for us to change our eating. I know that this way is not for everyone but there are some great healthy recipes even if you are not eating Paleo.
This morning was a rushed morning so we just had a banana on the way out the door and Wyatt had some olives. Lunch was left over cauli-rice with some chicken and raw veggies (I should make a dip for veggies, I will search later for one). Supper tonight was spicy stuffed acorn squash (from paleo comfort foods) I made it with fresh made chicken sausage meat from a local farmer. It turned out so good, Wyatt loved that he could use the squash as a bowl. We also made chocolate chip cookies they taste great but they definitely do not look as yummy as the picture in Eat like a dinosaur which is where I got the recipe.
Wyatt started Awana tonight. He loved it and I got to have a great chat with some of the women in our church :) He said he wants to go back next week so looks like he is now busy on Mondays nights and I have an hour and half free, yay!!
This morning was a rushed morning so we just had a banana on the way out the door and Wyatt had some olives. Lunch was left over cauli-rice with some chicken and raw veggies (I should make a dip for veggies, I will search later for one). Supper tonight was spicy stuffed acorn squash (from paleo comfort foods) I made it with fresh made chicken sausage meat from a local farmer. It turned out so good, Wyatt loved that he could use the squash as a bowl. We also made chocolate chip cookies they taste great but they definitely do not look as yummy as the picture in Eat like a dinosaur which is where I got the recipe.
stuffed acorn squash |
mmmmmm!!! |
Chocolate chip cookies. They don't look the best but they tasted good. |
Wyatt started Awana tonight. He loved it and I got to have a great chat with some of the women in our church :) He said he wants to go back next week so looks like he is now busy on Mondays nights and I have an hour and half free, yay!!
Wyatt tasting the cookies after mixing |
He helps me every day in the kitchen and we have been working on safe cutting. He loves it and is getting really good. |
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Paleo day 24
Only 6 days left if the 30 day meal plan.
This morning Wyatt woke up and he still has his cold so he got to visit his grandparents while I went to church. I also stopped at the grocery store on my way home, sometimes I forget how fast you can run into a grocery store when you don't have kids with you.
For breakfast we had some banana pancakes and blueberries. Lunch we had chicken on mixed greens with raisins and egg (When I write down our meals sometimes they sound weird but it was good.. lol). Wyatt tried sardines today and LOVED them, he must get it from his dad I took a couple bites and pretended to like it for him but I am not a fan. Supper was Highliner pan seared tilapia (I know a boxed food but it was in the freezer and I forgot to pick up fish for supper) with cauli-rice, butternut squash and baked beets.
Wyatt's behaviour has been amazing since we changed our foods. He has been a normal busy almost 4 yr old and I have not seen any of his out of control behaviour in weeks. He has had a couple treats at the parades and I got a little nervous but he was still good. Tonight about an hour after supper I seen his out of control behaviour back, he started tapping his foot like he used to when he just can't stop moving. It sounds bad but I was kind of disappointed because it meant it had nothing to do with food since we have not had any treats or anything out of the diet today. I then realized we had the boxed fish (this is now 2 hours after supper) I go downstairs and look at the ingredient list, it is pretty long with lots of stuff I can't pronounce. I am sure that something in that food is making him have this reaction again after 3 weeks of not having this issue at all. We go back to the naturopath on Wednesday and I will let him know the reaction.
It is snowing today and Wyatt is so excited to be able to make a snowman. There is not even close to that amount of snow but he keeps waiting for it :)
This morning Wyatt woke up and he still has his cold so he got to visit his grandparents while I went to church. I also stopped at the grocery store on my way home, sometimes I forget how fast you can run into a grocery store when you don't have kids with you.
For breakfast we had some banana pancakes and blueberries. Lunch we had chicken on mixed greens with raisins and egg (When I write down our meals sometimes they sound weird but it was good.. lol). Wyatt tried sardines today and LOVED them, he must get it from his dad I took a couple bites and pretended to like it for him but I am not a fan. Supper was Highliner pan seared tilapia (I know a boxed food but it was in the freezer and I forgot to pick up fish for supper) with cauli-rice, butternut squash and baked beets.
Highliner tilapia, butternut squash and cauli-rice |
Wyatt eating sardines |
Wyatt's behaviour has been amazing since we changed our foods. He has been a normal busy almost 4 yr old and I have not seen any of his out of control behaviour in weeks. He has had a couple treats at the parades and I got a little nervous but he was still good. Tonight about an hour after supper I seen his out of control behaviour back, he started tapping his foot like he used to when he just can't stop moving. It sounds bad but I was kind of disappointed because it meant it had nothing to do with food since we have not had any treats or anything out of the diet today. I then realized we had the boxed fish (this is now 2 hours after supper) I go downstairs and look at the ingredient list, it is pretty long with lots of stuff I can't pronounce. I am sure that something in that food is making him have this reaction again after 3 weeks of not having this issue at all. We go back to the naturopath on Wednesday and I will let him know the reaction.
It is snowing today and Wyatt is so excited to be able to make a snowman. There is not even close to that amount of snow but he keeps waiting for it :)
this is the snow we got today |
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Day 23 paleo
It is Saturday so market day :) I love going to the market! It was a cold one but we had a great breakfast and got to talk with amazing people like every Saturday. I love getting the fresh local produce but I also love the community part of the market. I learn so much every week :) You get to know the farmers and someone is always giving you a new idea on how to cook something. I am a huge supporter of buying local. I live very close to the american border and I can't tell you how many people I know that shop over there. If I can't afford to buy something local I will go without instead of crossing the border to buy (I will end the rant, that is a whole other post!). The market does not have as much in the winter but it is still a great place to grab what you can locally.
Wyatt has been asking me to buy apples to make juice, we get seconds from a local apple farmer and we use our juicer to make fresh apple juice, the best part of our apple juice is I always use different types of apples so it never tastes the same :) We also picked up kale, butternut squash, leeks, carrots, brussels sprouts, beets, broccoli, acorn squash, grape juice and eggs. I always let Wyatt pick a bouquet of flowers too. It is still hard to walk by my favourite bakery without buying my regular strawberry cheese danish. Wyatt did get a piece of a cookie today though since I was talking and the guys gave him one before I noticed (we know these guys and they give him a cookie every week).
Breakfast was eggs and sausage with an apple. Lunch was chicken and fresh cut carrots, celery and broccoli. Supper was chicken sausages from a local chicken farmer (these are so good!!), raw cucumber, butternut squash and baked beets. I have not been following the meal plan as much now but I am way more confident in the meals I can make. I still love the book and use a lot of recipes from it just not necessarily the meal plan.
We went to another Santa parade tonight and of course Wyatt got another boat load of candy canes but he was so good about it and I let him have one again. Today I was reminded of the "it's only .." way of thinking. Last weekend it was only one candy cane and a cookie at the parade, today at the market it was only a half of a cookie, tonight it was only one more candy cane, next weekend it is only a piece of cake at a birthday party and then it is his birthday. He has not had any other "treats" at all but there just seems to be a lot of "it's only.." times right now.
Our goodies from the market :) |
Wyatt has been asking me to buy apples to make juice, we get seconds from a local apple farmer and we use our juicer to make fresh apple juice, the best part of our apple juice is I always use different types of apples so it never tastes the same :) We also picked up kale, butternut squash, leeks, carrots, brussels sprouts, beets, broccoli, acorn squash, grape juice and eggs. I always let Wyatt pick a bouquet of flowers too. It is still hard to walk by my favourite bakery without buying my regular strawberry cheese danish. Wyatt did get a piece of a cookie today though since I was talking and the guys gave him one before I noticed (we know these guys and they give him a cookie every week).
Wyatt juicing apples and pears |
Our Apple pear juice, it was so good! |
Supper |
This is all the candy he got at the parade. He got way more at the one last weekend. He told me he will give it all to kids that don't get any candy. |
Friday, November 23, 2012
Paleo day 22
My weight has stayed the same this week (I am still down 15lbs from when I started). Wyatt gained another pound to make it 3 pounds since we started!
Breakfast was eggs baked in bacon cups, I see it all the time using ham but I didn't have any. They were good! Lunch we had leftovers from supper last night so chicken and brussels sprouts with fennel. Supper was kind of a clean out the fridge night since tomorrow is grocery day. We had salmon, chicken, mixed veggies, broccoli and butternut squash that I made tonight. It was filling and I got the fridge cleaned out.
Wyatt woke up with a cold this morning so we stayed home and just hung out in the house all day. I had to put everything back in it's place after having the house painted so I got to really clean the floors under all the furniture before I put it all back. The main floor feels so clean with nice freshly painted walls. The basement is all cleaned and organized, the main floor is pretty much there now all I have to do is get my vacuumed fixed and clean the upstairs. Oh and clean all 3 bathrooms, I hate doing bathrooms and I would really pay someone to come in once a week and just clean my bathrooms.
Wyatt woke up with a cold this morning so we stayed home and just hung out in the house all day. I had to put everything back in it's place after having the house painted so I got to really clean the floors under all the furniture before I put it all back. The main floor feels so clean with nice freshly painted walls. The basement is all cleaned and organized, the main floor is pretty much there now all I have to do is get my vacuumed fixed and clean the upstairs. Oh and clean all 3 bathrooms, I hate doing bathrooms and I would really pay someone to come in once a week and just clean my bathrooms.
baked egg in a bacon cup |
supper :) |
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Paleo day 21
Wow all done week 3! I can not explain how well we feel and how proud I am we have made it this far. I look back to my first post 3 weeks ago and I can't believe how much easier things are now.
Today I made it to the gym.. yay!! I only had 25 minutes while Wyatt was in swim lessons but it did feel good to get out and do something. I am hoping to get there tomorrow morning.
Breakfast this morning was fried eggs and leftover salmon. Lunch was banana muffins, broccoli, ham and leftover salad. The banana muffins were so good, not as good as my recipe (that we can't have right now) but still good! Supper was mustard glazed chicken legs, leftover broccoli and butternut squash, and baked brussels sprouts and fennel.
Today I made it to the gym.. yay!! I only had 25 minutes while Wyatt was in swim lessons but it did feel good to get out and do something. I am hoping to get there tomorrow morning.
Breakfast this morning was fried eggs and leftover salmon. Lunch was banana muffins, broccoli, ham and leftover salad. The banana muffins were so good, not as good as my recipe (that we can't have right now) but still good! Supper was mustard glazed chicken legs, leftover broccoli and butternut squash, and baked brussels sprouts and fennel.
Wyatt helping me make banana nut muffins |
he could not wait for them to be done |
He was smelling them and kept telling me they are doing good |
so good! |
mmmmm .. the only thing that would have made it better would have been butter |
mustard glazed chicken legs with baked brussel sprouts and fennel and left over broccoli. |
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Paleo day 20
We were getting our house painted today so I tried to keep Wyatt out of the house as much as possible. We went for a drive and did some errands, went to the bamboo natural food market, stopped at the Harvest Barn, played on a train, went to a park and then stopped at the bank. I thought for sure he would nap but no luck so I spent the afternoon trying to keep him in the basement away from the painters.
I finally got some coconut aminos and some raw dark chocolate today from the Bamboo Market. I also tried some kombucha while there and decided to buy a blueberry one for home. It claims some pretty crazy health benefits check it out here. I tried the lemon and it was such a different taste that I couldn't even explain it, the closest would be like a beer vinegar.
We stopped at a market (Harvest Barn) on the way home that sold produce and wine :) We got to make our own salad (sold by the pound) the ingredients were awesome! Wyatt loved picking his own food to put in the container. We had to skip most of it because there were quite a few pasta and potato salads and most pre made salads had dressing on them but we had a great selection of fresh foods too. Wyatt also loved playing on the wooden train outside and he told me that his dad will make him one if we move to the new house :)
Breakfast this morning was a banana and some bacon, we snacked shortly after leaving the house on more fruit. Lunch was our make your own salads at the Harvest Barn. Supper was left over salad from yesterday with sweet potato and lobster.
We have been working with Wyatt on his letters everyday and I love the different activities I have found for him. I really should do 2 posts a day one for the eating and one for Wyatt's homeschool activities.
It has been a long day and I am hoping Wyatt goes to sleep easily tonight. I would love to have a relaxing bath and then cuddle in bed and read my book.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Paleo day 19
I got a new cookbook today! That is exciting for me (I know I need a more exciting life). I got Paleo Comfort Foods from a recommendation from another Paleo family and the recipes look delicious! I will be making some of them this week.
Breakfast today was kiwis and ham (I know kind of an odd pair). Lunch we made a yummy salad with mixed greens, grilled chicken, shrimp, eggs, cucumber, jicima, celery, tomatoes, green peppers and I am sure more but I don't remember. Supper we had Salmon (It was on sale so we got some instead of the scheduled supper tonight) with steamed broccoli and left over yummy salad.
Salmon with broccoli |
yummy salad! |
Again I have to say it that I have not been at the gym and I really have to make a point to go out!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Paleo day 18
I am so tired today. I am not really sure why except that I have been staying up late reading and watching tv. I was hungry today too, it was really just an off day.
Breakfast we had eggs and bacon with pears. Lunch was chicken and salad. Supper was leftover spaghetti squash bolognese, it was just as good tonight as it was last night!
Sorry no pics today but it was a left over day and a lazy day :)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Paleo Day 17 and a 5k
This morning I had a 5k race and Wyatt came with me in the jogging stroller. He decided about 1/4 of the way through that he wanted to run and I let him. He was so cute he kept running and saying "it looks like I am winning" He lasted about a km running off and on then he asked to get back in the stroller and I got to finish the race. Clearly not my best time or anything but Wyatt loved it so much! It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day for the race.
Breakfast we had a fried egg and some fruit. Lunch we had eggs and sausage with bananas and oranges. We had Spaghetti Squash Bolognese and it was a huge hit!! I can't wait until tomorrow to have some leftovers :)
I had a donut today (I know I cheated but I am fessing up to it) There is something in donuts that my body does not like! I got the stomach cramps again within about an hour. It is crazy because I really didn't think it would happen from eating just one piece of food like that but it did. We will start reintroducing food again in January and I am now a little nervous. Wyatt had a cookie and a candy cane yesterday and I didn't see any difference in him other than that he didn't seem to eat as much yesterday or this morning. Tonight I was thinking about all the years of stomach pains, cramps and problems I have gone through and it is all because of a food that I could have eliminated years ago. It kind of peeves me off that after all the doctors I have seen not one had advised me to eliminate foods (other than spicy food).
My goals for this week is to get to the gym more. Todays run killed me since I have not been working out much so my body did not want to run.
Breakfast we had a fried egg and some fruit. Lunch we had eggs and sausage with bananas and oranges. We had Spaghetti Squash Bolognese and it was a huge hit!! I can't wait until tomorrow to have some leftovers :)
I had a donut today (I know I cheated but I am fessing up to it) There is something in donuts that my body does not like! I got the stomach cramps again within about an hour. It is crazy because I really didn't think it would happen from eating just one piece of food like that but it did. We will start reintroducing food again in January and I am now a little nervous. Wyatt had a cookie and a candy cane yesterday and I didn't see any difference in him other than that he didn't seem to eat as much yesterday or this morning. Tonight I was thinking about all the years of stomach pains, cramps and problems I have gone through and it is all because of a food that I could have eliminated years ago. It kind of peeves me off that after all the doctors I have seen not one had advised me to eliminate foods (other than spicy food).
My goals for this week is to get to the gym more. Todays run killed me since I have not been working out much so my body did not want to run.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Day 16 eating paleo
Today we went to a Santa parade :) I did let Wyatt eat one little candy cane and a cookie. He was soooo happy to have the candy cane. It was a beautiful day today and a great day for a parade, Wyatt had a blast dancing and singing.
This morning I knew we were not going to be home for most of the day so I packed a lunch bag full of food. Breakfast we had boiled eggs and fruit. We ate from the lunch bag for the day so lunch was included in that. We got home late so supper was leftover salmon and I made up some butternut squash.
This morning I knew we were not going to be home for most of the day so I packed a lunch bag full of food. Breakfast we had boiled eggs and fruit. We ate from the lunch bag for the day so lunch was included in that. We got home late so supper was leftover salmon and I made up some butternut squash.
Wyatt and I at the parade :)
eating leftovers for supper
Paleo week 3 day 15
Week 3! November is going by so fast!
Today for breakfast we had a banana and some cut up melon and strawberries. For lunch we had banana pancakes (leftover from supper last night) and some apple chips. Supper was steamed mussels, salmon and asparagus. I always forget to write down my snacks but we do snack all day on leftovers, fruits and veggies. I only drink water and Wyatt drinks water and coconut milk.
Today for breakfast we had a banana and some cut up melon and strawberries. For lunch we had banana pancakes (leftover from supper last night) and some apple chips. Supper was steamed mussels, salmon and asparagus. I always forget to write down my snacks but we do snack all day on leftovers, fruits and veggies. I only drink water and Wyatt drinks water and coconut milk.
steaming mussels (he could not wait to eat them!)
He ate 3/4 of these!
Rosemary lemon salmon and asparagus with garlic and lemon
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