A New Leaf

I began this blog to journal what's going on in my life. There's been some pretty big things that I have left out lately, though. I haven't written about the following subject because of many reasons. I wanted to make sure this wasn't just a new kick I was on that would come and go in a week. Also, I didn't want to sound preachy or self-righteous - I hate that. But, this has really become so much a part of my life, our lives in this family, that I just have to write about it now.

To say that my husband and I have made a change in our eating habits over the last few months is an understatement. We went from thinking nothing of eating Zaxby's (even if it was a salad) to eating mostly organic (and local when possible) fruits and vegetables and much less processed food than before. We eat meat one, maybe two times a week rather than every day and that meat is of the free range variety. I can't tell you the difference it has made in how we feel. Now don't get me wrong, we are no saints and love to still have our wine and some occasional pizza or Chipotle! It's all about balance, people!

I was a vegetarian for 11 plus years back in high school, college, and a couple years into marriage. I'd say the last 5 years has been a slow, but steep decline in my mindfulness about what goes into my body. That mindset has definately taken its toll in all sorts of ways, but one Saturday night back in February, completely exhausted from the day, I decided to lay in bed and watch a documentary called Food Inc. . It had a tremendous effect on me. It was a wake-up call.

I asked my husband to watch it the next night. Ok, I actually said, "You have to watch this - it will change your life - we are watching this together tonight! No ifs, ands, or buts", but asking sounds nicer. We both knew we needed to make some pretty big changes and now we had the motivation to do it. Thus began this quest to find out anything and everything I could about eating whole foods. I immediately turned to Tom's cousin's wife, who is an incredible woman and such a helpful resource on healthy eating, cooking, gardening, you name it. She pointed me in the right direction and gave me some great go-to sources for further research.

It has taken a lot of work, but it has been so rewarding. I still have a long way to go, but I finally feel as though I'm living and eating mindfully. It's amazing how changing your ideas about food can really transform so many areas in your life. Another post entirely.

So to give you a little taste of the newest addition to our culinary adventure, I give you these pics. A juicer was my Mother's Day present and I LOVE it!!! This is the green juice I make just about every day. I know it looks disgusting, but it grows on you (ha ha) and it makes me feel great. Clara loves the stuff!! Ingredients: All organic kale, romaine, cucumber (if not organic, then peeled), celery and pear.

The Evolution of a Photo

Whoa! It has been forever since I posted anything and it feels really good to be back. It has been a whirlwind the last few weeks. Lots of end-of-the-school-year performances and rehearsals for Tom which means lots and lots of "girl time" for me, my girls, and often, my mother (Lord bless her!) If it weren't for my mom I don't know how I would ever manage. She keeps me grounded, sane and often says the funniest things that keep life in perspective through laughter and a light hearted approach to everything. The best mom-ism of late was on Mother's Day. I dressed Clara in the cutest little pink dress complete with bloomers that had her initials embroidered on the bottom (thanks LeAnne). Mom comes rushing up to me as I held Clara and says, "Look, aren't those the cutest mammogramed bloomers?!?" That's right, folks, not monogrammed, but rather mammogrammed! I thought I was going to drop to the floor with laughter and if it weren't for the fact that I was holding my Chicken (aka Clara - I call her "chicken") I would have. Ah, Mom!! Anyway, Mother's Day was so great and I will be adding a post about the greatest Mother's Day present later, but for now I thought I would post a few pics...

I call this series of photographs "The Evolution of a Photo". All parents know what I mean when I say that it takes at least 5 tries before one picture actually makes it to the point where it is meant for public consumption. In this case I thought I would post all of the tries so you could see just how quickly things unravel while trying to get a single solitary image of the girls. I'll let you decide which one was the the "good" one. Good luck. Actually, I never got exactly what I had in mind and just gave up, but nonetheless I happen to love each photo!

Disclaimer: I am NOT a photographer as you will soon see below. All pics that I take are with my iPhone and are very grainy. Sorry, but that's how I roll. Thank goodness my husband is very gifted with photography or our girls would need therapy later in life due to lack of adequate photo love.