Thursday.
I was actually very excited about my day today because of the food I was going to eat! I love food and trying new recipes. I decided to incorporate the cranberry drink from the Fat Flush Program- (Dr. Ann Gittleman.)
I jumped on the scale and wow! I lost 2 lbs!
I started the day with the prescribed warm water with lemon.
Breakfast was very yummy- just yogurt with cut up orange, a sprinkle of walnuts, ground flaxseed, sprinkle of almonds.
Lunch was a challenge because I did not get my veggies prepared for the soup the night before. I also realized that there was waaaay too much soup for just me at lunch. The beauty of this- it became supper as well! My kids were not home for lunch, how would they know??? Besides, I could not find the turkey meat I needed for the supper dish. Big Sigh...this is the difficulty of these recipes- finding the ingredients!
I walked in the door after work to the aroma of chocolate chip cookies.
Oh Oh.
My daughter swooped in for her kiss and hug- very proud of her endeavors. Ok, how can one resist just a nibble....mmm. My son was busy putting together the makings for Baking Powder Biscuits. I was going to let the kids have the biscuits and cookies- I would stick to this Super Foods plan....... It was a good thought....I indulged in a few biscuits and one very large cookie!
Who invented chocolate chips? Did someone just wake up after a nap and have an epiphany? I often marvel at the foods we have to eat and how they came to pass. Have you ever found a recipe for crackers???
In retrospect:I would cut down on the fresh food I purchased- either try to buy in smaller quantities or go shopping more often. The reason being, these recipes make a lot of food- especially at lunch. I am the only one home at lunch. They don't particularly freeze well.
Planning is needed to make sure everything is prepared as far as possible the night before.
And....
.....I definitely need more Tupperware TM !!!!
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
SUPER FOODS- TRIAL
On the first Sunday of the month I sit down with my recipe books and my tried-&-true meal plan tools. I really enjoying the time going through the books and pieces of paper- finding old friends as well as new recipes to try. I will sometimes go to the library and pickup some books.
I have been pondering Vegetarian. My kids are going through an anti meat stage. We have always eaten healthy. I tend to stay away from 'diets'. However, I picked up B (Melissa Perlman & Erica Gragg). What a wonderful plan and recipes. I would love to follow their plan, however after adding up the time it would take every day just to do the non-eating aspects of the plan, I would need at least 2 hours, a babysitter and a place to workout. I think I will just go to Amansala for a concentrated program!
In the past I have followed and quiet enjoy Dr. Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan. Great recipes and great program. I just wish we had something like this Canadianized! Next, I have a book called SuperFoods Rx by Steven Pratt, MD and Kathey Mattews. There is also another Super Foods book I picked up at the library- The Super Foods Diet Book. Now, I did not see the 'diet' part when I grabbed the book. I just 'saw' the Super Foods and figured it was more recipes by Steven Pratt.
After some more tea and much pondering, I decided that changing any habit takes 21 days. Perhaps if I just test these Super Foods out- make a commitment on this space- out to the Universe- I could honestly plot my course through to see how this works in the real world. I mean, here in Canada; as a single mom with a crazy work schedule and limited budget.
So here we are - Wednesday. Here is my report:
Meal Plan- even though I had the books, you still need at least 2-3 hours to put a two week plan together. This includes:
1) Picking out the recipes.
2) Recording the information in your Meal Planner. ( I have an excellent one I have used for 30 years)
3) Preparing a shopping list and finding out what is (not) in your cupboards.
Clean out your Fridge. Do a list of what you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards.
Put together a bag or two for your local Food Bank.
Start a food journal. Any book or journal will do. Write the start date, your goal, your measurements, your weight. See subsequent posts for more info.
In Retrospect: Give yourself a week to get organized.
So,
Sunday I planned
Monday I cleaned
Tuesday I shopped.....
Tuesday- I spent a good 2-3 hours cleaning the veggies/fruits/unpacking etc; preparing my lunch/supper for the next day. ( This is after shopping.)
I started my food journal.
In retrospect: I would have shopped earlier so the kids could have helped!
Wednesday:
Well, what can I say. The morning started off well. I managed to get the last pear so I was able to eat the breakfast as planned. However, the day got so busy, I did not eat 'lunch' until 3:30 pm. I had an evening appt so I rushed home for dinner- thank goodness most of it was ready!
The kids asked many questions, with strange looks on their faces, complaints poised on their breath...
So far, nothing has changed!...
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
I have been pondering Vegetarian. My kids are going through an anti meat stage. We have always eaten healthy. I tend to stay away from 'diets'. However, I picked up B (Melissa Perlman & Erica Gragg). What a wonderful plan and recipes. I would love to follow their plan, however after adding up the time it would take every day just to do the non-eating aspects of the plan, I would need at least 2 hours, a babysitter and a place to workout. I think I will just go to Amansala for a concentrated program!
In the past I have followed and quiet enjoy Dr. Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan. Great recipes and great program. I just wish we had something like this Canadianized! Next, I have a book called SuperFoods Rx by Steven Pratt, MD and Kathey Mattews. There is also another Super Foods book I picked up at the library- The Super Foods Diet Book. Now, I did not see the 'diet' part when I grabbed the book. I just 'saw' the Super Foods and figured it was more recipes by Steven Pratt.
After some more tea and much pondering, I decided that changing any habit takes 21 days. Perhaps if I just test these Super Foods out- make a commitment on this space- out to the Universe- I could honestly plot my course through to see how this works in the real world. I mean, here in Canada; as a single mom with a crazy work schedule and limited budget.
So here we are - Wednesday. Here is my report:
Meal Plan- even though I had the books, you still need at least 2-3 hours to put a two week plan together. This includes:
1) Picking out the recipes.
2) Recording the information in your Meal Planner. ( I have an excellent one I have used for 30 years)
3) Preparing a shopping list and finding out what is (not) in your cupboards.
Clean out your Fridge. Do a list of what you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards.
Put together a bag or two for your local Food Bank.
Start a food journal. Any book or journal will do. Write the start date, your goal, your measurements, your weight. See subsequent posts for more info.
In Retrospect: Give yourself a week to get organized.
So,
Sunday I planned
Monday I cleaned
Tuesday I shopped.....
Tuesday- I spent a good 2-3 hours cleaning the veggies/fruits/unpacking etc; preparing my lunch/supper for the next day. ( This is after shopping.)
I started my food journal.
In retrospect: I would have shopped earlier so the kids could have helped!
Wednesday:
Well, what can I say. The morning started off well. I managed to get the last pear so I was able to eat the breakfast as planned. However, the day got so busy, I did not eat 'lunch' until 3:30 pm. I had an evening appt so I rushed home for dinner- thank goodness most of it was ready!
The kids asked many questions, with strange looks on their faces, complaints poised on their breath...
So far, nothing has changed!...
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
Sunday, March 7, 2010
FULL MOM MODE
Saturday .
It was named no later than the second century for the planet (Saturn),[citation needed] which controlled the first hour of that day according to Vettius Valens. The planet was named for the Roman god of agriculture Saturn (Latin Saturnus). It has been called dies Saturni ("Saturn's Day"), through which form it entered into Old English as Sæternesdæg and gradually evolved into the word "Saturday". From Wikipedia
For me it is a day to transform from 'Career Woman' to Mom.
This Saturday was a spectacularly warm spring day. The sun was blazing in the sky and you could almost smell spring in the air. I noticed the pussy willows starting to bud on the trees in my yard.
I spent the morning with a Council of Women. Powerful, wise, unlimited Women. I started the day in a very high vibration!
I appreciate fully that Saturday is also a transition day. The kids, after having spent the majority of the week in school have to adjust to being around each other all day. I have to adjust to having them all together for the day!!
We have strict guidelines in our house in regards to the use of electronic games. During the week they only get ½ an hour. Saturday they get an hour. However, the beds have to be made, the weekly chores completed, kids dressed, breakfast eaten. I keep trying to impress upon my kids that the sooner they get the ‘work’ out of the way, they have the rest of the day!
We go to the library every Saturday. I love being at the library. I always get more books out than I will ever read. However, the beauty is, you can grab as many you like on a topic, then, when you get home and have time, you can narrow the choice down to what you really want to read. I love to get audio books- 1 kid friendly for the car and 1 for myself to listen to during the week on my commute to work and clients. The kids load up on music cd’s and movies.
After the library we hit the beach! A beach covered in ice and snow, but a beach none the less! Lake Nipissing. I sat on the bench facing the sun. I closed my eyes and felt the undeniably seductive heat of the sun warm my face. I watched the kids throw snowballs at each other…they got bored with this activity after a few hits. After a while they came and collapsed on the bench beside me and noticed the name plate on the bench. They asked why there were names on the benches. I explained that families donated money to the waterfront and in turn, were given a name plate. The names were picked by the families to honour someone they loved. I told them I had donated a piece of the TransCanada trail in honour of their Great Grandfather, Norman Clark. A whole other conversation ensued about the TransCanada trail! We moved from the bench to the lake. We walked out to look at some interesting wind socks and fishing huts. The novelty soon wore off and the 'can we go home now?' set in.
When we got home I made us some hot chocolate and we all tumbled onto the Great Round Couch to read. One of my kids got busy making brownies.....
All in all, a very good Saturn’s Day….
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
1. Divide up the house into sectors and determine how the rotation will be setup. In our house, I divided the chores up as follows:
a) Upstairs dusting, vacuuming, floor sweeping/washing
b) Upstairs bathroom
c) Downstairs dusting, vaccuuming, floor sweeping/washing
d) Downstairs bathroom
We used to rotate every week but there were too many arguments. We put a list on the Fridge and we rotate every month.
2. Be clear about what your expectations are and gear the duties/expectations to the age of the child. Do each chore with each child so they understand what has to be done.
3. Don't do chores longer than 2 hours. I have found that any activity after 2 hours starts to make everyone cranky!
4. Buy rubber gloves for the kids and put their names on the cuffs in marker.
5. Use environmentally safe products. I purcahse all my cleaning supplies from Melaleuca. If you are interested in being a member of Melaleuca (etc) contact me. It is easy and inexpensive to join. Their prodcuts are amazing! http://www.melaleuca.com/
6. If possible/applicable, keep the same cleaning supplies in the upstairs and downstairs. This ensures everyone can get their chores done.
7. Let your kids keep their rooms they way they want during the week but make it clear to them when their rooms have to be cleaned up. I tell my kids that by Saturday morning their rooms have to be cleaned up so we could get the other chores done.
8. We often put on music while we work. It keeps everyone's vibration a little higher.
It was named no later than the second century for the planet (Saturn),[citation needed] which controlled the first hour of that day according to Vettius Valens. The planet was named for the Roman god of agriculture Saturn (Latin Saturnus). It has been called dies Saturni ("Saturn's Day"), through which form it entered into Old English as Sæternesdæg and gradually evolved into the word "Saturday". From Wikipedia
For me it is a day to transform from 'Career Woman' to Mom.
This Saturday was a spectacularly warm spring day. The sun was blazing in the sky and you could almost smell spring in the air. I noticed the pussy willows starting to bud on the trees in my yard.
I spent the morning with a Council of Women. Powerful, wise, unlimited Women. I started the day in a very high vibration!
I appreciate fully that Saturday is also a transition day. The kids, after having spent the majority of the week in school have to adjust to being around each other all day. I have to adjust to having them all together for the day!!
We have strict guidelines in our house in regards to the use of electronic games. During the week they only get ½ an hour. Saturday they get an hour. However, the beds have to be made, the weekly chores completed, kids dressed, breakfast eaten. I keep trying to impress upon my kids that the sooner they get the ‘work’ out of the way, they have the rest of the day!
We go to the library every Saturday. I love being at the library. I always get more books out than I will ever read. However, the beauty is, you can grab as many you like on a topic, then, when you get home and have time, you can narrow the choice down to what you really want to read. I love to get audio books- 1 kid friendly for the car and 1 for myself to listen to during the week on my commute to work and clients. The kids load up on music cd’s and movies.
After the library we hit the beach! A beach covered in ice and snow, but a beach none the less! Lake Nipissing. I sat on the bench facing the sun. I closed my eyes and felt the undeniably seductive heat of the sun warm my face. I watched the kids throw snowballs at each other…they got bored with this activity after a few hits. After a while they came and collapsed on the bench beside me and noticed the name plate on the bench. They asked why there were names on the benches. I explained that families donated money to the waterfront and in turn, were given a name plate. The names were picked by the families to honour someone they loved. I told them I had donated a piece of the TransCanada trail in honour of their Great Grandfather, Norman Clark. A whole other conversation ensued about the TransCanada trail! We moved from the bench to the lake. We walked out to look at some interesting wind socks and fishing huts. The novelty soon wore off and the 'can we go home now?' set in.
When we got home I made us some hot chocolate and we all tumbled onto the Great Round Couch to read. One of my kids got busy making brownies.....
All in all, a very good Saturn’s Day….
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
SATURDAY CHORE TIPS:
(Note: We have four people who do the chores in our house- Ages 9, 12, 12, 50)1. Divide up the house into sectors and determine how the rotation will be setup. In our house, I divided the chores up as follows:
a) Upstairs dusting, vacuuming, floor sweeping/washing
b) Upstairs bathroom
c) Downstairs dusting, vaccuuming, floor sweeping/washing
d) Downstairs bathroom
We used to rotate every week but there were too many arguments. We put a list on the Fridge and we rotate every month.
2. Be clear about what your expectations are and gear the duties/expectations to the age of the child. Do each chore with each child so they understand what has to be done.
3. Don't do chores longer than 2 hours. I have found that any activity after 2 hours starts to make everyone cranky!
4. Buy rubber gloves for the kids and put their names on the cuffs in marker.
5. Use environmentally safe products. I purcahse all my cleaning supplies from Melaleuca. If you are interested in being a member of Melaleuca (etc) contact me. It is easy and inexpensive to join. Their prodcuts are amazing! http://www.melaleuca.com/
6. If possible/applicable, keep the same cleaning supplies in the upstairs and downstairs. This ensures everyone can get their chores done.
7. Let your kids keep their rooms they way they want during the week but make it clear to them when their rooms have to be cleaned up. I tell my kids that by Saturday morning their rooms have to be cleaned up so we could get the other chores done.
8. We often put on music while we work. It keeps everyone's vibration a little higher.
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