So I want to take some time to talk about something a little different, though still very much something that is in my life every day. Eating and cooking.
Last summer, I decided that I not only wanted to start cooking and eating with whole, natural, organic foods, but to also try to each seasonally and locally. At first, I never thought I'd be able to make the switch, but by doing it one meal at a time, and only one meal a week, then two, etc., I now find myself cooking and eating this way without much more work.
I'm going to start including recipes, tips, and everything else that I find helpful on here, so that anyone who has been thinking about making this switch will have a little help.
When Killian and I made this switch, I felt the difference within a few weeks. Getting away from processed foods as much as possible has made me feel healthier. And, as it turns out, cooking has become a beloved hobby. :)
So.. what do I do? Well, for starters, in the spring/summer, I purchase a CSA, a Community Sponsored Agriculture, in which I pay the farmer in the spring, and in the summer and fall, I get a share of the crops. From this, I learned how to cook using the whole fruit/veggie, how to prepare veggies in many different, delicious ways, and how to store these fruits and veggies so that we could enjoy them year-round.
In addition, I started to look at the everyday food items we eat, such as cheese and yogurt, and find ways of making it at home. This not only cuts down on the processing and preservatives, but on the impact on the environment as well. Have you ever looked at where your food is grown, shipped, packaged, and then shipped again? The amount of energy used just for you to get your food is outrageous. Anyways, I've found many easy ways of making food items at home.
1. I make my own mozzarella. It only takes 30 min., and is a delicious treat. You can buy the cultures here.
2. I bought a yogurt maker, and with only a tablespoon (or two) of plain yogurt and a few cups of milk, you can have wonderful homemade yogurt in 8-10 hours.
3. I bought a bread machine (off of craigslist for 5$!!! Look for deals people), and it only takes about 10 min. to set up, pour all my ingredients in, and I let the machine do the rest!
I have many, many other toys for the kitchen that help make my quest for whole, nutritious, homemade food easier, but I'll discuss those as the time goes by.
If you're interested in reading some WONDERFUL books about eating seasonally and locally, I suggest these (in order)
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingslover
The Ominvore's Dilemma by Michael Pollon
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollon
I always suggest books on CD if you, like me, spend time in the car during a commute. I find that I 'read' more books this way. :) All are available at your local library as well.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Little Joys
So I spent a few hours doing something that I should do much more often.. playing with Killian. I think a lot of mothers can agree that there's always something else that seems to need to get done instead of playing with a little one. Well, I decided to take some time today and play with him. Well, I learned so many things about him (and got a work out :) ). Here are a few funny things that my little monkey did tonight:
1. Applied make-up to my lips, eyes, and cheeks :)
2. Gave me a leg, arm, and foot massage (yes, I've been trying to teach him how to do this with lotion for months now.. and he finally caught on )
3. While reading a book, he pointed to a picture of chocolate, and when I said "chocolate", he said choclo and ran into the kitchen and opened the drawer that USED to contain chocolate :)
4. He got his first ever hiccups, and cried hysterically
5. He blew raspberries on my tummy.. totally his idea too
6. He tried desperately to jump in the air.. but crouching down, and springing his knees up, waving his arms.
Something I learned about myself:
Some large motor skills such as kart wheels.. are use it or lose it kind of skills. I thought they were procedural memories like riding a bike.. NOPE.
Any way.. I wanted to share this experience in hopes of encouraging someone else to spend some 'nothing to do but play with you' time with your little one. I know that there ALWAYS is something else that needs to be done (especially being a single mother with school).. but it's good for you and your child. I have to say that it destressed me to let everything go and just laugh with Killian. :)
1. Applied make-up to my lips, eyes, and cheeks :)
2. Gave me a leg, arm, and foot massage (yes, I've been trying to teach him how to do this with lotion for months now.. and he finally caught on )
3. While reading a book, he pointed to a picture of chocolate, and when I said "chocolate", he said choclo and ran into the kitchen and opened the drawer that USED to contain chocolate :)
4. He got his first ever hiccups, and cried hysterically
5. He blew raspberries on my tummy.. totally his idea too
6. He tried desperately to jump in the air.. but crouching down, and springing his knees up, waving his arms.
Something I learned about myself:
Some large motor skills such as kart wheels.. are use it or lose it kind of skills. I thought they were procedural memories like riding a bike.. NOPE.
Any way.. I wanted to share this experience in hopes of encouraging someone else to spend some 'nothing to do but play with you' time with your little one. I know that there ALWAYS is something else that needs to be done (especially being a single mother with school).. but it's good for you and your child. I have to say that it destressed me to let everything go and just laugh with Killian. :)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
This weekend
Well... we had an AWESOME, but exhausting weekend. Friday night Amanda came over for dinner of grilled cheese on my george foreman :) It was wonderful to catch up with her, even if Killian was crabby. She brought a laser pointer, and Killian and Stubby played with it for at least 20 min. Killian was zonked out from the chasing, running, and spinning :)
Yesterday, we had our usual Sat. morning fun at the mom and pop place, then after nap, we went to the animal shelter to donate some food and bones. The cats were sick :(, but we did get to pet the dogs.. oh how it makes my heart ache to see them all. One in particular warmed my heart. If I had the money, I would take one home.. Even though it was a VERY small room, and at least 8 dogs were barking at the top of their lungs, Killian was in heaven. He has such empathy and compassion for animals. He went from kennel to kennel smiling, talking to them, and letting them lick his fingers. He was very sad to go.
After the shelter, we went shopping with Amanda (two days in a row with her :)) for our mutual friend's baby shower :) I spent a little more than I wanted to, like always at Target, but I know how grateful I was for my baby shower gifts, that I wanted to help another low-income mother out. :)
Today, we went grocery shopping in the morning, and in the afternoon made puppy chow (Killian had never made or eaten this before).. he loved to help dump everything into the bowl, and got upset when I had to scrap the peanut butter out of the cup.. and then went to the Building For Kids (children's museum) for two hours. Killian had a wonderful time, as always.. and discovered the birds today. That boy sat and watched tiny finches eating, drinking and flying for 20 min. And should I say QUIETLY watched them... I couldn't even get him to say a work, because he was so absorbed by the little creatures. <3
Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I found 4 more scholarships to apply for.. which I also did this weekend, as well as file my FAFSA, do extra credit, organize my office, and .. oh the many little chores around the house. I just HOPE that I win at least 4 of the scholarships (I've now applied to over 20, and I found another that isn't due until May, so I'll work on that over Spring Break).
We made lots of wonderful memories this weekend :) Another week begins tomorrow.. oh.
Good things: I'm volunteering in Freedom with Lindsy on Monday, Wednesday and Friday :) The end of this week will mean only one more week of class :)
Bad things: I have an exam on Tuesday, which I just couldn't find the time/energy to start preparing for this weekend. It's another week of reading for 2.5 hours EVERY night. My house and body feel as though they're falling apart, and I need a week to put them back together.
Oh well.. such is a life of a working, going to school, single mother.
Yesterday, we had our usual Sat. morning fun at the mom and pop place, then after nap, we went to the animal shelter to donate some food and bones. The cats were sick :(, but we did get to pet the dogs.. oh how it makes my heart ache to see them all. One in particular warmed my heart. If I had the money, I would take one home.. Even though it was a VERY small room, and at least 8 dogs were barking at the top of their lungs, Killian was in heaven. He has such empathy and compassion for animals. He went from kennel to kennel smiling, talking to them, and letting them lick his fingers. He was very sad to go.
After the shelter, we went shopping with Amanda (two days in a row with her :)) for our mutual friend's baby shower :) I spent a little more than I wanted to, like always at Target, but I know how grateful I was for my baby shower gifts, that I wanted to help another low-income mother out. :)
Today, we went grocery shopping in the morning, and in the afternoon made puppy chow (Killian had never made or eaten this before).. he loved to help dump everything into the bowl, and got upset when I had to scrap the peanut butter out of the cup.. and then went to the Building For Kids (children's museum) for two hours. Killian had a wonderful time, as always.. and discovered the birds today. That boy sat and watched tiny finches eating, drinking and flying for 20 min. And should I say QUIETLY watched them... I couldn't even get him to say a work, because he was so absorbed by the little creatures. <3
Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I found 4 more scholarships to apply for.. which I also did this weekend, as well as file my FAFSA, do extra credit, organize my office, and .. oh the many little chores around the house. I just HOPE that I win at least 4 of the scholarships (I've now applied to over 20, and I found another that isn't due until May, so I'll work on that over Spring Break).
We made lots of wonderful memories this weekend :) Another week begins tomorrow.. oh.
Good things: I'm volunteering in Freedom with Lindsy on Monday, Wednesday and Friday :) The end of this week will mean only one more week of class :)
Bad things: I have an exam on Tuesday, which I just couldn't find the time/energy to start preparing for this weekend. It's another week of reading for 2.5 hours EVERY night. My house and body feel as though they're falling apart, and I need a week to put them back together.
Oh well.. such is a life of a working, going to school, single mother.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Past two days
Yesterday I was just too tired to write a post- so I decided to take a break from my Psychology textbook, and write a double post before I became exhausted again.
This interim class has been hard on me, simply because it's very time demanding, and I've already been exhausted to start with. But.. I'm pushing through. I refuse to except anything less than an 'A'. So to begin with.. yesterday's points: 23. Good for me :)
Today's points: 31. Bad for me. You can tell the days that I'm crabby and tired, because I stress eat. :( I really need to work on that. So total weekly points gone: 13. I really only wanted to use up 15, so hopefully I can keep myself on better track for the next 3 days.
On a separate note, I had some errands to run for my work today, so I picked Killian up after class and we spent about two hours puttering around Appleton. MAN, was that child crabby. He just HAS to sleep longer at day care, or I might lose my mind. He went to bed an hour and a half early tonight! 5 PM!!! Without dinner I might add. Tomorrow morning is not going to be pleasant.
I may cry everyday next semester for the first couple of weeks, because our schedule is going to change drastically- and Killian and I are not going to adjust well.
But, I'm taking this one day at a time. On a happy note, or maybe a bad note, depending on if you're looking at it from a 'I shouldn't spend money on things that aren't necessary' way- I did get some wonderful books from Half Priced Books. (I've got to stop buying books). Killian's second bookshelf is now half way full. I think I'm going to get a bookcase for my room soon- since I don't seem to be able to stop. :)
My sister, who is my first follower :), gave me $5.00 as a test for her paypal account. She told me to spend it on myself, getting an e-book. Well.... I might have bought her a Polar Bear book :) AND, YAY, I received an e-mail saying that one of my letters of recommendation is ready to be picked up. :) Now, I'm just waiting on my other one so I can turn in my scholarship applications. :)
Hope tomorrow brings me patience, sunshine, and happiness. I need a dose of all those. How I hate winter in Wisconsin.
This interim class has been hard on me, simply because it's very time demanding, and I've already been exhausted to start with. But.. I'm pushing through. I refuse to except anything less than an 'A'. So to begin with.. yesterday's points: 23. Good for me :)
Today's points: 31. Bad for me. You can tell the days that I'm crabby and tired, because I stress eat. :( I really need to work on that. So total weekly points gone: 13. I really only wanted to use up 15, so hopefully I can keep myself on better track for the next 3 days.
On a separate note, I had some errands to run for my work today, so I picked Killian up after class and we spent about two hours puttering around Appleton. MAN, was that child crabby. He just HAS to sleep longer at day care, or I might lose my mind. He went to bed an hour and a half early tonight! 5 PM!!! Without dinner I might add. Tomorrow morning is not going to be pleasant.
I may cry everyday next semester for the first couple of weeks, because our schedule is going to change drastically- and Killian and I are not going to adjust well.
But, I'm taking this one day at a time. On a happy note, or maybe a bad note, depending on if you're looking at it from a 'I shouldn't spend money on things that aren't necessary' way- I did get some wonderful books from Half Priced Books. (I've got to stop buying books). Killian's second bookshelf is now half way full. I think I'm going to get a bookcase for my room soon- since I don't seem to be able to stop. :)
My sister, who is my first follower :), gave me $5.00 as a test for her paypal account. She told me to spend it on myself, getting an e-book. Well.... I might have bought her a Polar Bear book :) AND, YAY, I received an e-mail saying that one of my letters of recommendation is ready to be picked up. :) Now, I'm just waiting on my other one so I can turn in my scholarship applications. :)
Hope tomorrow brings me patience, sunshine, and happiness. I need a dose of all those. How I hate winter in Wisconsin.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Short-Simple
Today's post is going to be short and simple, mostly because I'm EXHAUSTED. I stayed up to finish up a 45 page chapter for my interim class.
So here's my day's total:
21.5 points used. :) Yay. I did good today :)
I'll try to update on Killian's and my life tom.
Night everyone
So here's my day's total:
21.5 points used. :) Yay. I did good today :)
I'll try to update on Killian's and my life tom.
Night everyone
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Day One-Weight watchers
Okay, so though I'm sure that no one cares about how many points I've eaten or how much I've exercised, I'm going to take a few min. out of every evening to let the world know how I did that day. I figured that knowing that anyone in the world could read about how much I've eaten that day, would shame myself into staying on track. :) My daily points are 23 with 35 weekly. I'd like to only use up 15 weekly points, and exercise 3 times a week to begin with. This week, since I'm still so tired and not sure what's wrong with me, I won't hold myself accountable for working out, unless I get the lab results back and it's that I'm just a big, fat lazy american. :)
So, today I used up 28 points, which means that I used up 5 of my weekly. Not great for the first day, but I didn't feel like making dinner so we got a veggie burger from Toms. Kind of high in points.
On a separate note.. Killian and I had a nice weekend. Playing at the mom and pop place like always yesterday, then going to good will and Once Upon a Child (a second hand children's store) to find some good deals. I got him three pairs of pants, a HUGE bag of Mega Blocks, a baseball bat and ball on a tee thing, 11 books, a bike helmet, and two pairs of adorable shoes. I, of course, was excited for the books. :)
Today, we spend the morning in, water coloring, jumping on mommy's bed, and taking a nap. Then we played/destroyed my mom's house for a few hours before coming home for dinner, bath, books, and bed. :) Pretty quiet day.
Tomorrow, I have school. YUCK. I wish that I haven't been in school for so long, because the desire to be finished as soon as possible has forced me into an endless span of school. I have three weeks, then a week off, then the semester. When the semester is over, I have another 3 week class, then 5 weeks of summer school. YUCK. I only get 2 months off, then do the same thing next year. It blows my mind that Killian will be 3.5 when I'm finished with school.
Hope everyone is staying warm in this frigid weather!
So, today I used up 28 points, which means that I used up 5 of my weekly. Not great for the first day, but I didn't feel like making dinner so we got a veggie burger from Toms. Kind of high in points.
On a separate note.. Killian and I had a nice weekend. Playing at the mom and pop place like always yesterday, then going to good will and Once Upon a Child (a second hand children's store) to find some good deals. I got him three pairs of pants, a HUGE bag of Mega Blocks, a baseball bat and ball on a tee thing, 11 books, a bike helmet, and two pairs of adorable shoes. I, of course, was excited for the books. :)
Today, we spend the morning in, water coloring, jumping on mommy's bed, and taking a nap. Then we played/destroyed my mom's house for a few hours before coming home for dinner, bath, books, and bed. :) Pretty quiet day.
Tomorrow, I have school. YUCK. I wish that I haven't been in school for so long, because the desire to be finished as soon as possible has forced me into an endless span of school. I have three weeks, then a week off, then the semester. When the semester is over, I have another 3 week class, then 5 weeks of summer school. YUCK. I only get 2 months off, then do the same thing next year. It blows my mind that Killian will be 3.5 when I'm finished with school.
Hope everyone is staying warm in this frigid weather!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Looking Back- Looking Forward
Wow.. another year has come and gone and filled my life with wonderful memories. Here's a small peek into my small families' life over the last year:
Jan. 2009:
Killian officially started sitting up on his own:
Jan. 2009:
Killian officially started sitting up on his own:
Feb. 2009:
Killian and I moved into our 'Taj Mahal' of an apartment. After paying my dues in the tiniest one bedroom apartment for 4 months of my pregnancy and 8 months of Killian's life (sharing a bedroom with him too)... we finally had separate rooms and room to run :)
March 2009:
Killian was beginning to learn how to stand up, though he still couldn't crawl.
April 2009:
Spring came a little early, so Killian and I loved taking walks on the beautiful trails by our home.
May 2009:
Finishing up my second semester of being back at school, Killian learned how to crawl (FINALLY). We enjoyed the wonderful weather, and Stubby probably lost about 10 lbs. :)
June 2009:
Killian and I took one of the best vacations ever to visit my sister and her family in Seattle. It was WONDERFUL to see her for over a week, and Killian enjoyed playing with his cousin. When we came home, we enjoyed our CSA (Oh how I miss you CSA and farmer's market). Killian celebrated his 1st birthday, and a week later, I celebrated my 21st birthday. Yes, it was a BUSY but wonderful month.
Cousins playing with Uncle Ash
Out for dinner on my birthday
July/August 2009:
Killian and I enjoyed a relaxing summer of farmer's market trips, walks, bike rides to his daycare, playing at the park, and me only working 2 days a week.
September 2009:
Killian moved into the one year old room at daycare, and I started school again. We still enjoyed walks on the mornings that I didn't have school.
October 2009:
Killian enjoyed riding on his pony, little bear, and was a froggy for Halloween. :)
Carving his first pumpkin
Killian and his pony, Little Bear
November 2009:
Thanksgiving and a nice long weekend. Continued to be busy with school and work, but Killian continued to learn new words and large motor skills.
Killian playing with his friend, Keira during the unseasonably nice weather we had in November.
December 2009:
The cold set in, and Killian played outside in the snow for his first time. He loved it, though you couldn't tell from the photos. :) We had an exciting Christmas since Killian realized what presents are.
Reading his books he received from "Gammy".
WOW, what a busy, wonderful year we've had.
Looking forward, I have alot of hope for 2010. I truly hope it doesn't go by as fast as 2009 did. I'd like to enjoy my little one before he turns 2! Wow. I have lots of resolutions this year:
1. Lose the rest of my baby weight by end of April.
2. To keep my house clean and organized (most of the time of course).
3. To be stringent about my budget.
4. To take more time out of the day for Killian.
5. To give back more to the community.
Can I do it? I believe so. All I need is to remind myself everyday of what I want out of life.
Hope all of you have a great, safe, and happy new years. Remember, we make our own happiness. :) Mine happens to be in the shape of a sassy 1.5 year old.
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