WoW ~ Week 12
This week, I am down another 2.5 pounds, my energy is up (thank goodness ’cause I have a ton to do!), and the cold I caught from the kids didn’t turn into bronchitis for once! If I can keep this up, I could hit my goal in less than 2 months. However, I am not really sure how the next three weeks will go since I will be traveling. I have yet to figure out what I can order at any of the fast food places… I mean really, what can you get when chicken and lettuce are not an option? “UM… let’s see, I’d like a hamburger, minus the ketchup, mustard, onion, lettuce and bun. Thanks! Oh, and can you add a tomato to that?” 😉 I guess I better plan on bringing a cooler.
I have found a new treat though!!! On Monday, when I was in town, I went into the health food store to pick up some more dates… I had really been wanting something sweet. I nearly died when the girl inside the door was offering samples of ice cream! Noooooo!!! I love ICE CREAM!!! How was I going to turn it down? I said, “Oh, no thanks, I can’t have dairy….” She said, “It is dairy free! It is made with coconut milk!” REALLY!!! I then asked, “Does it have sugar in it?” (As I picked up the container to look at the ingredients!) Nope!!! NO SUGAR!!! It was sweetened with Agave Syrup, which I can have. The very last ingredient was vanilla, darn… Oh well! The two biggies were out of the way, I was going to try some! It was heavenly, and so deliciously creamy! It is, of course, high in fat and calories… But, supposedly coconut fat is a “good for you” fat, and at this point, I DON’T CARE, this stuff is good for my morale!!! I bought 3 pints — 2 of which are already gone… and I STILL LOST WEIGHT! I can do this!
This weeks summary:- Week twelve progress: -2.5 pound
- Total lost in WoW: -8 pounds
- Make a list of foods that will be easy to eat while traveling.
- Find a way to make Coconut Bliss at home without the vanilla! (It only has like 5 ingredients, so it shouldn’t be too hard!)
To see everyone else’s results this week, head over to Regina’s!
“School Time” Toys
In the comment section of my post On Setting Goals, I was asked:
What are those “toys” that you take out only during school time? I struggle with getting my younger kids- 5, 4, 2,and 1 to leave me alone to work one on one with my first grader.
I think every mother of little ones must struggle with this! Right?? However, I notice that when I am organized it isn’t quite as big of a challenge. I think making a point to start the school day with the little ones will definitely help.
This coming year I plan on spending 15 minutes working on some sort of memorization work: memorizing a poem
We have a large variety of these “school time” toys that I have been collecting over the past years. My children look forward to playing with these toys, and I rotate them, so that they will hold their attention long enough for me to accomplish some school work with my older children.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Wooden & Foam Puzzles. I especially love the Lauri
- Various 20 piece box puzzles (Twinkle Toes loves these!)
- Lacing Shapes and Place & Trace
- Wooden Lacing Beads
- FeltTales and various other Flannel Board items (some of which are homemade!)
- Safari Toobs: Various Sets –At this point we have most all of them.
- Blessed Toys: Tales of Glory Sets
- Playful Patterns, Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks, Mighty Mind and SuperMind
- Bristle Blocks and Gears
- Coloring Books (I have a basket full for the children to choose from at anytime.)
- Various Memory or Matching Games
- Stickers!!! My girls love stickers!
I also have a collection of videos that the little ones are allowed to watch during school time. Our favorite series is definitely Signing Time. We have most of the original series, and we recently added 1-3 of Season Two to our collection. I am hoping to add 4-7 for this coming school year.
These toys are by no means necessary, but I do find them very helpful!
Mitten Srings for God: Chapter Nine
I especially enjoyed this chapter of
Mitten Strings For God:
Am I the only one that gets claustrophobic when shopping? All the STUFF is so overwhelming! This has started happening to me lately. I use to love to shop. Now, not so much. We truly do live in a very materialistic society. The more I try and distant myself from it, the more obvious it becomes. I am not saying that I am completely detached from “things”. I do enjoy my toys. But, do I need them? No. Not at all.
Today, before I went shopping, in an attempt to simplify my list, I reviewed it and wrote wants on one side, and needs on the other. I realized, just how little I actually **needed** (the only thing was a pair of Sandals for Twinkle Toes, seeing as how she outgrew last years sandals). Everything else on the list was merely wants.
How about you? Can you list, oh, how about 5 things that you want (that’s the easy part!), and then list 5 things that you really need? I’d love to hear your list!!!
As for my five, let’s see…
I want:
- to remodel our kitchen. (this will become a need eventually — until then, I can wait.)
- to visit Rome and Ireland.
- to hire help with the housework.
- S.U.G.A.R!!! (I am having withdrawals.)
- a laptop, so I can stay connected while we travel!
Ah yes, they are all wants, and definitely not needed… well, maybe the sugar! 😉
I need:
- to spend more time in prayer.
- more one-on-one time with my children.
- to exercise.
- to spend more quality time with my hubby.
- to make a schedule! (Seeing as all the above needs revolve around time!)
My favorite quote from this chapter was:
Mitten Strings for God: Catching Up!
I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but I have totally been slacking on keeping up with the Mitten Strings for God Book Study.
I hope to join back in, hopefully sooner rather than later, but for now, I thought I would just share with you my favorite quotes from the last few chapters, and send you over to Dawn’s blog to read her inspiring reflections… just click on each link!
Mitten Strings for God: Chapter Six ~ TV
“Once we see our homes as sanctuaries from a hectic world, then television begins to feel more and more like an unsavory intruder, robbing our rooms of life and meaning, stealing our time, and preying on our soul. When it comes to TV, less really is more.”
Mitten Strings for God: Chapter Seven ~ Play
“So much of the structure that we impose on our children’s lives is really intended to make our own lives easier. We don’t want to give up our freedom, and so we fail to grant our children theirs. As every mother knows, it’s easier to sign up for sports camp than to carve out a week to allow your children to follow their own inclinations at home. But children need time that is utterly their own – time to take up residence in their own lives, time to dream through an afternoon, time to play with the kids next door, time to wake up to their own pleasures. Above all, they need some time when we adults aren’t calling the shots.”
Mitten Strings for God: Chapter Eight ~ Secret Places
“Children need their privacy just as we adults do. In the secret places of childhood, the soul drinks deeply, is refreshed, and flourishes.”
Ah, I feel so much better now! 🙂 I hope you had a lovely day!
The Simple Woman’s Daybook~May 19th
FOR TODAY
Outside my Window… it’s a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day! It’s only suppose to hit 92 degrees today! 102 was way too hot last week…
I am thinking…about how great it will be to see all my in-laws next week, and how nice it will be for Snuggles to meet his Grandparents!
I am thankful for…that great stimulus check that just arrived! How cool is that!?!
From the kitchen…Kasha
I am creating…an activity/coloring book for each of our kids to do on our upcoming trip, with information on the various states (all 11 of them!) that we will be traveling to/or through.
I am going…to be getting my teeth cleaned this afternoon, and then run a few errands, to make the most of the trip to town. Do you think they will mind that I have to bring all 5 kids with me?? This will be interesting.
I am wearing…outfit number 1 (I took Outfit 3 and the skirt from Outfit 4 back.), barefoot for now, with some silver bangle bracelets and silver hoop earrings.
I am reading…Karol from Poland, John Paul II
I am hoping…for a productive week. It is proving to be very challenging packing for 5 children!
I am hearing…the sounds of crayons bouncing on the table, and children talking as they color a picture of Pope John Paul II. (His birthday was yesterday!)
Around the house…three loads of laundry to wash and hang dry, winter clothing, coats and snow boots to pack away and size 12-18 clothes to pull out for Snuggles.
One of my favorite things…is playing peek-a-boo with Snuggles. He has such a cute laugh!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…schedule swimming lessons for this summer, help Captain work on his First Communion Notebook, meet with Mrs. K Tue, Wed & Thurs so she can work with Captian, work on catching up my Aunt’s bookkeeping (I’m SO behind!), load our audio books and music onto my iPod, and
Here is a picture thought (or 2) I am sharing for you…
These were both taken from my kitchen door. I have been playing with my new lens, and need to get use to it… The are slightly blurry, and the color could be better…
To see more Daybook entry’s, click here.
First Holy Communions
Yesterday was the day for First Holy Communions at our local parish! The Mass was just beautiful, and the First Holy Communicants were all glowing! I’m so glad that we were able to attend.
I just loved how Father gave the children their First Holy Communion by intinction. I had not seen this done before, and I thought it was so neat and special! (Plus, it follows the long standing tradition of receiving on the tongue!)
During Mass, I was holding my baby, and since I have not gotten use to my new camera, I only took one picture as the children were processing out of the church.
Here you can see Sugar, and another little boy from our homeschool group:
Kayla Hadley, who so many of you have been praying for, also received her First Holy Communion! Regina took this picture of Kayla & Sugar:
Don’t they look beautiful?!?After Mass, the parish hosted a reception. I just love this photo of Sugar’s sister Boo holding Twinkle Toes.
Captain is even more excited as we finish preparing for his own First Holy Communion on the 30th.
Congratulations to all of the new First Communicants! May Our Lord give you all the graces necessary for the sanctification and salvation of your souls!
Since you asked…
… and since I would really love some suggestions on what to eat!!!
Lots of you have asked me to elaborate on the Food Sensitivity Test I had done recently. Since it happens to be Food Allergy Awareness Week, what better time than now?
I first found out about the test from some close friends of ours, who are also Rascal’s Godparents. They had both taken the test, changed their diet accordingly, lost lots of weight, and started having so much more energy!
I started reading more about Food Sensitivities and found that:
Reactions to foods are not always immediate. They can occur many hours later as bloating and swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, abdomen, chin and around the eyes. Much of the weight gained is fluid retention caused by inflammation and the release of certain hormones. In addition, there is fermentation of foods, particularly carbohydrates, in the intestines which can result in a swollen distended belly and gas production. Food allergies as well as food sensitivities can cause weight gain. Yes, it’s possible to have no other symptoms. You can’t count on seeing runny noses or sneezes with some food sensitivities. Instead, a person’s body perceives the food as a poison and limits digestion of nutrients, thus causing the body to store fat.
Symptoms of food sensitivity can include headache, indigestion or heartburn, fatigue, depression, joint pain or arthritis, canker sores, chronic respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, sinus congestion or bronchitis and chronic bowel problems such as diarrhea or constipation.
Hum… I could relate to almost all of those symptoms… The test sounded like just what I have been needing.
I had been trying hard, and eating well (for the most part) and was feeling lousy and tired almost all the time. I know that I am sensitive to some foods due to my angioedema, but I was wondering just what exactly my body doesn’t like. My hubby agreed, and we made the appointment.
Since that’s what he does, Rascal’s Godfather actually drew my blood! For those of you that know me, I have a horrible fear of needles. I would much rather deliver a baby completely naturally than have my blood drawn or be given an IV. Although, I must say, Ed knows what he is doing!!!! It didn’t even hurt! Thank you Ed!
Looking at the list of sensitivities I have, it’s no wonder I hadn’t been feeling well! I had been eating mostly foods that my body doesn’t like. Are you curious to see my results?? I sure was!
Here’s my list:
Severe Intolerance:
- BANANA
- CABBAGE
- COW’S MILK (Including all dairy products made with Cow’s Milk)
Moderate Intolerance:
ALMOND; ANCHOVY; BEET; BLUEBERRY; CAULIFLOWER; CHICKEN; CHILI PEPPER; CORIANDER; CRAB; CRANBERRY; EGGPLANT; FLOUNDER; ICEBERG LETTUCE; MANGO; ORANGE; PEAR; RADISH; ROMAINE LETTUCE (This would explain why I DO NOT digest Lettuce–any kind–when I am pregnant!); SHRIMP; STRING BEAN; VANILLA (NOOOO!!!!)
As well as Candida Albicans so avoid:
- BEET SUGAR
- CANE SUGAR (sniffle…sniffle… Do you have ANY idea how much stuff has Cane Sugar in it?? I had no idea till I went shopping last weekend.)
(So — what has my diet shake been made of recently?? Let’s see: Cow’s Milk/Yogurt/or Orange Juice, Vanilla Protein Powder, Banana, Blueberries, and I usually throw in a few Almonds… Isn’t that GREAT?!?)
Mild Intolerance:
ARTICHOKE; BAKER’S YEAST; BARLEY; BLACK-EYED PEAS; BOK CHOY; BREWER’S YEAST; BRUSSEL SPROUTS; CANTALOUPE; CARDAMOM; CAROB; CASHEW; CATFISH; CHICORY; CINNAMON; COCOA; COTTONSEED; CRAYFISH; CUCUMBER; EGG WHITE; EGG YOLK; FAVA BEAN; FENNEL; FIG; FRUCTOSE; GRAPE; GREEN PEA; HONEY; HOPS; KELP; LEMON; LIME; MACADAMIA; MALT; MILLET; MUSHROOM; MUSTARD; ONION; OYSTER; PAPRIKA; PEACH; PINEAPPLE; PISTACHIO; PLUM; POMEGRANATE; PSYLLIUM; RASPBERRY; SALMON; STRAWBERRY; SWEET POTATO; TUNA; WATERCRESS; WHEAT As well as:
- Gluten and Gliadin so avoid: OAT and RYE
- Casein so avoid: GOAT’S MILK and SHEEP’S MILK
What a list!! I didn’t know WHAT I was going to eat… I had been having Smoothies for Breakfast and Salad with Chicken for lunch! So I hit the store last weekend with my Green list:
Foods I CAN HAVE:
Vegetables:
ACORN SQUASH; ASPARAGUS; BROCCOLI; CARROT; CELERY; CHICK PEA; ENDIVE; GREEN PEPPER; JALAPENO PEPPER; KALE; KIDNEY BEAN; LEEK; LENTIL BEAN; LIMA BEAN; MUNG BEAN; NAVY BEAN; OKRA; PARSNIP; PINTO BEAN; RHUBARB; SOYBEAN; SPINACH; SQUASH (Yellow); SWISS CHARD; TOMATO; TURNIP; WHITE POTATO; ZUCCHINI
Fruits:
APPLE; APRICOT; AVOCADO; BLACK CURRANT; BLACKBERRY; CHERRY; DATE; GRAPEFRUIT; HONEYDEW (MELON); KIWI; NECTARINE; OLIVE; PAPAYA; PUMPKIN; WATERMELON
Meat:
BEEF; DUCK; LAMB; LIVER (BEEF) Ummm.. Yeah right!; PHEASANT; PORK; QUAIL; RABBIT; TURKEY; VEAL; VENISON
Dairy:
NOTHING!!!!
Seafood:
BASS; CLAM; CODFISH; HADDOCK; HALIBUT; HERRING; LOBSTER; MACKEREL; MUSSEL; SARDINE; SCALLOP; SNAPPER; SOLE; SQUID; SWORDFISH; TROUT; WHITEFISH
Grains:
BUCKWHEAT; CORN; RICE; TAPIOCA
Herbs and Spices:
ANISE SEED; BASIL; BAY LEAF; BLACK PEPPER; CAYENNE PEPPER; CLOVE; CUMIN; CURRY POWDER; DILL; GINGER; LIQUORICE; MINT; NUTMEG; OREGANO; PARSLEY; ROSEMARY; SAFFRON; SAGE; TARRAGON; THYME; TURMERIC
Nuts Oils and Misc:
BLK/GREEN TEA; BRAZIL NUT; CARAWAY; CHAMOMILE; COCONUT; COFFEE; FLAXSEED; GARLIC; HAZELNUT; MAPLE SUGAR; PEANUT; PECAN; PINE NUT; SAFFLOWER; SESAME; SUNFLOWER; WALNUT
Isn’t it a cool test! Now what you are suppose to do is avoid all the items in the Red, Orange and Yellow Categories. “RED indicates a severe intolerance and these items should be avoided for a minimum of 6 months YELLOW indicates a mild intolerance and these foods should be avoided if possible ORANGE indicates a moderate intolerance and these items should be avoided for a minimum of 3-6 months GREEN indicates acceptable foods / no reaction.”
Since last Friday I have actually been able to stick to it! It has not been easy, but it is getting easier as I wean my body from its sugar dependence, and since I am feeling so much better — and losing weight!!
Here is a picture of the groceries I came home with on Saturday:
It is so hard to find things made without Sugar, Onion, and Vanilla!! I do have one cheat, and that would be that Silk Hazelnut Coffee Creamer–it has some Cane Sugar in it… If I can’t get my mochas, I need to be able to replace it with something!!
Have any of you tried Corn Thins
Anyways, if any of you have any great recipes, snack suggestions, or food I can get “on the go,” made with the items on my green list, I would love, Love, LOVE to hear them!!
They totally spoiled me!!!
We have the best insurance in the world!! Look at what they sent me:
Not only have some of our items been replaced, I received upgraded items to boot!
The non-important items that were stolen or damaged, including: My Canon 35mm Rebel, Various Camera Accessories, Baby toys and Cookie Lee Jewelry, were enough to cover my deductible and then some.
Also, a big thank you to all of you who purchase items from Amazon, after using my links in the sidebar. I was able to use the referral bonus to help pay for this
Now I’m ready for the next Shower of Photos!!! 🙂
Non-Important Facts about Today…
Our power went out last night for a few hours beginning at about 9pm… I was just about done with a couple posts… I am so thankful for bloggers auto save feature! Whew!) I had a load of laundry half done in the washing machine, a sink of dinner dishes that needed to be washed, and a movie to watch that hubby had picked up! The good thing is, I went to bed early and slept well!! And so did Snuggles. He slept all night!!
We are heading to town this morning for Mass, and then the boys have Blue Knights tonight, so it is going to be a busy day.
It is also going to be HOT. Yesterday it hit 101, and today the forecast says 102. Yesterday I actually had to turn on the AC! It seems like just yesterday it was snowing!
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
From Thy Bounty Fair – First Communion Celebration
Do you have a child, or know a child, who will be receiving their First Holy Communion in the near future?
Don’t miss the first edition of From Thy Bounty over at Catholic Cuisine:
Mary did a wonderful job, and I can’t wait to check out all the submissions!
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