Sunday... skating, shopping and this and that...

This was a pretty awesome day.  I got to sleep in (thanks Mark), and eat pancake breakfast (oh I know it's twice in one week - lucky me!).  Then I actually braved the cold and ventured into that white stuff.  I did it for the kids, they were so excited to try out the new skating rink in the back yard.  So armed with two pairs of pj pants, coffee and sun glasses I enjoyed a morning with the kids.  Just in case you are wondering where the third one was, he was having an early nap today.  I think the poor kid is getting sick again.  So here are the pictures of our backyard adventure. 

Hot chocolate time!!!

So the awesomeness kept going and I went out with Annaliese to buy her some nail polish (as promised from like 2 weeks ago - kid sure has a good memory when it's something she wants!) but ended up getting myself a really cute workout top, in addition to birthday presents for next weekends birthday parties.  It was actually kind of fun hanging out with my daughter.  The little rug rat was giving me her two cents when I was trying on clothes and bras.  (as a side note: does anyone know when I'll get mine back?  Patrick is now done nursing and I'm still waiting...  a little help here)

I dropped Annaliese off at home and picked up the littlest kid and off I went grocery shopping.  I really really love grocery shopping.  It's so much fun.  I know, I hope I'm not making some of you sick with my dorkyness.  But I've been shopping at the same store for the past 5 years and they all know me.  Sure it helps that Mark's been working there almost 15 years (only once a week now though).  They are so sweet at Longo`s.  They cut open fruit to feed the kids, offer samples and run out their way to help!  So here is what I got for the week.  My pantry and freezer is well stocked so I didn't need any pasta/beans/lentils/beef/pork!  I also did a huge shop last week replenishing my baking supplies.  And yes I know we are spoiled but just remember that we don't spend a penny on take out... ever!!!!  

Sabotage

I don't feel sick anymore but I've been really tired these last couple of days.  Coupled with my cravings for junk food.  I wonder if it all started on Wednesday when I had that piece of chocolate on my downer day?  As I reflect I realize that I have no problem eating super healthy.  This morning I had my oatmeal bowl (hemp hearts, chia seeds, banana, nutmeg and chopped walnuts) with 4 egg whites, for snack I had my hummus and veggies, for lunch and diner I had bowls of chili and rice soup.  I also snacked on an apple slices dipped in natural peanut butter and greek yogourt with a bit of agave nectar- sooo good by the way.  But today I also had a piece of ice cream cake and 2 natej (which are like a custard tart).  Wow talk about junk food overload for one day.  Perhaps because I don't get a lot of sugar when I do my insulin spikes and I am very sensitive to the drop in my blood sugar because all I want to do is sleep.  It's interesting but I want to blame Mark for diet sabotage when he brought home these custard tarts, but really the issue is that I have no self control.  To live this healthy lifestyle I've been given props by a lot of people because my family eats so healthy but really it's because I would eat any and all junk food if it was in the house (when the temptations hits).  If Mark wants cookies, I tell him they have to stay in the trunk of his car so that I don't see them.   I also don't buy stuff for the kids that I wouldn't eat (in terms of sugar and salt content) so that way I don't have to be worried about being tempted.  And it's also a very good thing that we have no extra money to spend on take out (even though I know how ikky most of it is) I know I would indulge every now and then if the cash was available.  (my weakness is the gingerbread molasses cookie from Starbucks)  In many ways I wouldn't eat the junk food it was around but what I'm curious about is, what triggers the temptations.  Why would I let Mark sabotage my diet?  When actually he was just trying to do a nice thing.  It's seems so stupid really, I'm honestly trying to think of what is triggering this need to eat junk food (or cake) and I can't come up with anything.  Should I be able to know what is going on in my own mind?  Other than I'm feeling tired and I am tempted by sugar as an "upper", I have nothing.  I guess I should sleep more so that I crave less junk.  Monday I'll be doing Cooler 1 from Tosca's book!  wish me luck!

Friday night Musings ( because I have kids and I don't go out anyore)

I've been kind of mulling the idea that kids are happier with less.  All they really want is attention.  They would play with a spoon all morning if you were following them around interacting with them.  I'm not saying that's what happens here (for one, I don't stay in the house in the morning, and second if I dropped onto the floor to follow one of my kids the other two would climb on top for a free horsey ride - then the kid being followed would want to climb on and well... all hell would break lose and my glasses would break, someone's head would get stepped on, hair pulled and you get the general picture.  If you think of it though, wouldn't you want someones undivided attention? Someone you loved and looked up too.  Stuff just gets in the way of really appreciating what is there and free and available.  Money and drama is such a relationship clutter-er.  I feel like I've brought my diet back to a basic level, eating wholesome, home-cooked, naturally clean foods and my body is very HAPPY because of it.  So now I think I need to clean up my relationships.   Bring the basics back into focus.  Appreciate what I have and be grateful and thankful.  I'm going to start now! 

I am so so lucky to have such a supportive  group of women in my life.  Every one of these beautiful mom's has such wonderful qualities to offer.  I am blessed that I have their love and friendship.  I want everyone to know that I didn't have this 2 years ago and honestly having these amazing ladies in my life has given me more than they will ever know.  My life has changed for the better in so many ways. 

These ladies are amazing and I love them to bits.