I know I'm a little behind on getting this posted, but life has sprung up in weird ways this week. Anyway, week one of our gluten free diet went great! I cooked more last week than I think I ever have in my life. Almost everything has been made from scratch and it was all pretty wonderful! Even the things that seemed like flops turned out to be pretty tasty and I'm learning a lot in the process (like my Crockpot gets super hot and doesn't need nearly the whole time to cook chicken...unless of course you want it to be SUPER dry). So we're heading into week two--though I'm almost positive at this point that we'll be continuing this diet for the long term because of how well Carter's doing.
Anyway, here's the plan for this week.
Breakfast
Mini Crustless Breakfast Quiche
Coconut Flour Muffins with Chocolate Chips/Walnuts
Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Smoothies
Scrambled Eggs with Bacon
Lunch
leftovers
sandwiches; steamed veggies
chicken nuggets; fruit
Dinner
Lemon Chicken; Salad; Brown Rice
Tortilla Soup
Cheesburgers; Oven Fries
Easy Cheeseburger Pie; Salad
Tandoori Chicken with Rice; Salad
Boston Chicken; Quinoa Pilaf
Cheesy Beef and Rice
Thursday, April 28
Wednesday, April 27
Cleaning House
So the post where I bear my soul that was due last Friday? Life snuck up on me in the form of fussy kiddos, ER trips, and other issues at home. But I am going to post it this Friday.
I also have a post in the works on our family blog about our first week gluten free and I'll post a link to that over here as well when it's up...the changes have been surprising!
Today, however, I want to blog about a subject that I don't have much experience with...cleaning. I know how to clean and the reasons to do it, but I'm awful at actually doing it and doing it correctly (if there is such a thing). I have this grand idea in my head that the entire house should be scoured from top to bottom every day and when that doesn't happen--and let's be honest...it doesn't with 2 under 2 in the house--I get very distracted and discouraged. Combating my ADD also proves difficult in this are and I tend to jump from one thing to another never quite completing anything. This is frustrating for me and my husband is not a super fan of half finished projects....sooooo. Anyway, this book was just released called 31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way and i'm so excited to read it! I have been waiting for the money to buy it, but today if you blog or tweet about it, you can actually get the ebook for free!!!! I love free stuff :)
Anyway, if you're interested...head here to check it out and get your own copy!
I also have a post in the works on our family blog about our first week gluten free and I'll post a link to that over here as well when it's up...the changes have been surprising!
Today, however, I want to blog about a subject that I don't have much experience with...cleaning. I know how to clean and the reasons to do it, but I'm awful at actually doing it and doing it correctly (if there is such a thing). I have this grand idea in my head that the entire house should be scoured from top to bottom every day and when that doesn't happen--and let's be honest...it doesn't with 2 under 2 in the house--I get very distracted and discouraged. Combating my ADD also proves difficult in this are and I tend to jump from one thing to another never quite completing anything. This is frustrating for me and my husband is not a super fan of half finished projects....sooooo. Anyway, this book was just released called 31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way and i'm so excited to read it! I have been waiting for the money to buy it, but today if you blog or tweet about it, you can actually get the ebook for free!!!! I love free stuff :)
Anyway, if you're interested...head here to check it out and get your own copy!
Wednesday, April 20
Christian Women...a call to openness
I have a personal journey, we all do. There are stories about my life that are nice and fun and silly and romantic. And then there are stories that aren't so nice, things that aren't fun, and others that are down right uncomfortable both for me to share and for others to hear. What to do with these stories? The ones we try so hard to make sure no one else sees. This video touched me and I hope that you can find some level of yourself in her words (I found this video in this post on Rachel's blog, check it out for more inspiration on goals).
So how do we deal with this? What do we share? What is too personal to share in public or even with close friends? These are questions I struggle with constantly. I like to share some of my stories. I like to think that what I went through means maybe someone else won't have to or will find comfort in the fact that they aren't alone. I have met (in the last two years) two women who I was able to speak candidly with about one story. Two women who, to my great shock, were both indirectly dealing with the same issue. I would like to believe that I opened doors between them and myself that can create great and lasting bonds and friendships. I hope that they can see that there is success/merit/value/hope in the situation of someone else going through the same struggle.
Do you have a story like this? Do you struggle with wanting to seem "perfect" to those around you?
I have found that Christian's seem the worst at this! I had many friends in high school whose entire goal in life was to see who had it worst! Whose day was worse...whose parents were the worst...who had it so bad that no one could possibly feel anything but pity for their situation. What time I wasted in those feelings! On the other hand...I know that I've been guilty of going to church and trying to seem like everything is completely normal/together/fine when I feel like my whole world is crashing down. We all struggle with things--small and large--and you would think that your church family would be the ones most likely to be compassionate. Of course we all know the reality is that they are people just like anyone else. People who can be judgmental, back-biting, ugly, and mean. But do we give them the benefit of the doubt? Do we give people a chance to show their Christian compassion? A chance to show us Christ-like love? Or do we stay quiet, wishing someone would ask just the right question or make the right statement to let us know that they will be understanding.
I'm going to try something new here. I'm going to share with the world something that I struggle with daily. It may not be a big deal to you, though it is to me, but I hope that it will inspire others out there to share more of themselves and for a way for us to step up as Christians and be loving and kind to one another...to offer support...and maybe we might even realize that we are nowhere near alone in our struggles. I want this to be important, not just something I throw out, so please come back on Friday when I plan on sharing my story. It won't be anything earth shattering like a drug addiction, affair, or anything else you might think of when you hear the word 'confession'. But I hope that it will inspire!
So how do we deal with this? What do we share? What is too personal to share in public or even with close friends? These are questions I struggle with constantly. I like to share some of my stories. I like to think that what I went through means maybe someone else won't have to or will find comfort in the fact that they aren't alone. I have met (in the last two years) two women who I was able to speak candidly with about one story. Two women who, to my great shock, were both indirectly dealing with the same issue. I would like to believe that I opened doors between them and myself that can create great and lasting bonds and friendships. I hope that they can see that there is success/merit/value/hope in the situation of someone else going through the same struggle.
Do you have a story like this? Do you struggle with wanting to seem "perfect" to those around you?
I have found that Christian's seem the worst at this! I had many friends in high school whose entire goal in life was to see who had it worst! Whose day was worse...whose parents were the worst...who had it so bad that no one could possibly feel anything but pity for their situation. What time I wasted in those feelings! On the other hand...I know that I've been guilty of going to church and trying to seem like everything is completely normal/together/fine when I feel like my whole world is crashing down. We all struggle with things--small and large--and you would think that your church family would be the ones most likely to be compassionate. Of course we all know the reality is that they are people just like anyone else. People who can be judgmental, back-biting, ugly, and mean. But do we give them the benefit of the doubt? Do we give people a chance to show their Christian compassion? A chance to show us Christ-like love? Or do we stay quiet, wishing someone would ask just the right question or make the right statement to let us know that they will be understanding.
I'm going to try something new here. I'm going to share with the world something that I struggle with daily. It may not be a big deal to you, though it is to me, but I hope that it will inspire others out there to share more of themselves and for a way for us to step up as Christians and be loving and kind to one another...to offer support...and maybe we might even realize that we are nowhere near alone in our struggles. I want this to be important, not just something I throw out, so please come back on Friday when I plan on sharing my story. It won't be anything earth shattering like a drug addiction, affair, or anything else you might think of when you hear the word 'confession'. But I hope that it will inspire!
Therefore, confess your sings to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16
Tuesday, April 19
Cooking Gluten Free
This is our first week on our four week challenge to eat gluten free. We are embarking on this to try and help my son with his recent diagnosis as well as trying to resolve some of the health problems that my husband and I have dealt with or are currently dealing with (PCOS, heartburn, allergies, asthma, migraines, depression, ADD, etc). Hopefully this experiment with help, but we'll have to wait to see. I have read everything from 2 weeks to 6 weeks are needed to see a quantitative change, we're going with four because it seemed manageable to me and not too overwhelming to my husband.
The biggest change so far has been the need to plan more specifically. While I almost always menu plan dinners for at least a week at a time, I now have to plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for every day of the week. Buying convenience food that is gluten free (though possible) is expensive and it's difficult to find places that are safe to eat out. I also felt it would be easier to just focus on cooking while I'm still learning more about what is ok for us on the diet. I have made a general rule to not buy things with extensive lists of ingredients as I'm still not sure about all the hidden gluten-containing things I need to watch for. By buying things with readable ingredient lists, I have a better chance of getting things that are a) healthier and b) don't contain gluten.
For the most part we have avoided a lot of convenience type foods for ourselves, though I have splurged a bit on things that are quick or good snacks for my son...things like gluten free graham crackers
(which are surprisingly yummy), crackers, Lara
bars
(until I can make some from scratch), cereal bars, and animal cookies
. I also ordered a box of gluten free food from Angel Food Ministries which is an EXCELLENT way to buy some more convenient gluten free food and not go completely broke. I also try to spread out my shopping, only purchasing the absolute necessities at more expensive stores like Whole Foods and buying what I can at Aldi's (where I buy gf lunch meat, canned veggies and fruit, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc.).
So that is where we are right now. I'll update more as we progress :)
The biggest change so far has been the need to plan more specifically. While I almost always menu plan dinners for at least a week at a time, I now have to plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for every day of the week. Buying convenience food that is gluten free (though possible) is expensive and it's difficult to find places that are safe to eat out. I also felt it would be easier to just focus on cooking while I'm still learning more about what is ok for us on the diet. I have made a general rule to not buy things with extensive lists of ingredients as I'm still not sure about all the hidden gluten-containing things I need to watch for. By buying things with readable ingredient lists, I have a better chance of getting things that are a) healthier and b) don't contain gluten.
For the most part we have avoided a lot of convenience type foods for ourselves, though I have splurged a bit on things that are quick or good snacks for my son...things like gluten free graham crackers
(which are surprisingly yummy), crackers, Lara bars (until I can make some from scratch), cereal bars, and animal cookies. I also ordered a box of gluten free food from Angel Food Ministries which is an EXCELLENT way to buy some more convenient gluten free food and not go completely broke. I also try to spread out my shopping, only purchasing the absolute necessities at more expensive stores like Whole Foods and buying what I can at Aldi's (where I buy gf lunch meat, canned veggies and fruit, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc.).So that is where we are right now. I'll update more as we progress :)
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