A New Year

2009 brought many changes and many blessings. I started the year off sick, and my main goal for the year was to get healthier. I changed my diet, went on new medication, paid off all our credit card debt, started to exercise regularly, made a decision about my future (career), and focused on being a better role model for the girls. Wow that was a busy year!

I think that I learned the most in the last month of 2009. Since it was the holiday season, I really let my diet slip. I ate breads (white) and just too many sweet things. I learned that although certain foods tasted good in my mouth for just a few moments, they made me feel horrible for several hours. I couldn’t even sleep good on Thanksgiving because I felt so bad from the food I ate. Is food really worth feeling bad over?  I know, easier said than done!

I also learned that raw vegetables, white bread, and too much dairy are not my friend. They do nothing good for me, in fact, they just make me sick! So I will stay away from them this year!

Because I strayed from my diet during the last month, I wanted to end the year and start the year off right.

This was my New Year’s Eve dinner:

(an organic steak, grilled shrimp, stemmed broccoli, mixed grains)

And this way my New Year’s Day Breakfast:

(steel cut oats with greek yogurt & flax seed, with a green drink: organic sprouts, romaine, celery, cucumber, and ginger). PS: ginger is my new best friend – love it!

I also went to the market yesterday to load up on good stuff and came home with this:

And my freezer just got filled with this:

That is 25 pounds of deer meat. Hormone/antibiotic free, lean meat that was processed by Jason. Doesn’t get much better than this!

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Wow, what a busy but fun month!

Look at the wonderful gifts I got from preschool:

We went to some parties and even had a dessert party for our Sunday School Group, here is a picture of a pile of shoes during the party:

(we had 14 adults and 15 kids in my (small) house! But I think everyone had a great time!)

Addie got a puppy for her 6th birthday. Named Georgia and oh so cute!

Christmas Eve was spent at My Mom and Dad’s and very few photos were taken, but here are the few:

Christmas morning was relaxing and fun:

Christmas Evening was spent at Jason’s parents, another enjoyable time:

We were all so blessed with such fantastic gifts, but more importantly, we were blessed with wonderful time spent with family and friends!

All I want for Christmas….

 

Marley: World of Zoo DS Game, Wii, and a shoulder shrug!

Claudia: Barbie Camper, Hannah Montana DS Game, Hannah Montana DVD and a Wii.

Jason: Bow Sling, Flannel Shirt, Watch

Wendy: The ability to park in the garage, speakers for MP3 Player, Starbucks cup.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to Jennifer’s for lunch:

Then headed to Jason and Cindy’s for dinner. Before dinner we took a walk through the woods and took pictures for my mom’s Christmas cards:

I ate way to much, but had a fantastic day!

Thankful!

Just a few things I am thankful for:

People: Family, Friends, Teachers, My Church Staff!

My House: Even though it is a small house, it is my home and it is filled with LOVE!

The Internet: I still think it is the coolest thing!

Coffee: I love my morning coffee!

I am also thankful for Claudia’s room mom who does cute things like this:

Wheatgrass: I really think it keep me healthy!

Coupons: Need I explain?

My Doctor: I was so lucky to find my Gastro Dr. 7 years ago. I went through several before I found the right one for me.

My dog, Maya: She keeps me company when Jason is gone, and she loves to cuddle!

Jesus!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Food for Thought

I haven’t blogged in a while. I have just had a lot on my mind. I have developed a yeast problem – more than likely it stems from the HUMIRA. I have been researching and reading like crazy, trying to figure out what’s going on (with 3 rounds of treatment from the DR). What I have realized, is that all of my problems could possibly be solved with food. Or the lack of certain foods. Is food the source of my Crohn’s Disease. Is food helping my Yeast thrive? Sure looks like there is a link.

But what am I to do? Could I go on a strict diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet that has proven to cure some people with Autism (not that I have Autism) and intestinal disorders? Or do I have the strength to go on the very strict Yeast Diet to kill all the yeast in my body? Should I go dairy free or try a gluten free diet? You know, no one has ever tested to see if dairy or gluten was a problem for me.

I feel very overwhelmed! To much info, and I don’t know where to begin! Right now, I am going to continue my healthy eating habits while I do some more research and sort things out. I will keep you posted.

Speaking of food, I decided to spend the entire afternoon in the kitchen, and here is what I did:

Started the afternoon out with a wheatgrass shot with ginger:

I started cleaning out the fridge and decided to juice whatever I could find.  Oh my, what a mess!

This is what I found to juice:

Apple, carrot, beet, celery, parsley, and kale

Bulgur Salad:

I made some Hummus:

Then I made Kale/Beans for dinner tonight and Lentil Soup for tomorrow night:

My kitchen smelled so good! Now I don’t have to cook for the next two days!!!!

Bedroom Makeover

Our master bedroom was long over due for a makeover. I am so excited with how it turned out!

Before:

After:

We moved the bed in front of the window. We love the change (the bed has been in the same spot for the last 9.5 years), it gives the room more space. I never really opened the blinds much, so this arrangement works well for us.

I love the new colors, they are so easy on the eyes. The room feels so peaceful and relaxing now!

I wanted to make our room about us. No picture of the kids allowed in our bedroom. I even framed a sweet note from Jason:

The Chair Before:

Chair After:

(I covered the chair with the ever so popular drop cloth).

 

I am so happy with the bedroom makeover. I feel like I moved into a new house!

I am joining DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land, check it out!