Whole30

A friend of mine just completed a 30 day challenge of changing her diet and seeing major positive changes in her life, physicaly and mentaly.  This struck me right away, so I looked into it.  Pretty much the low-down is to eat only protein (fish, meat, eggs), vegitables, and some fruit.  Nothing with preservatives or added sugar. Right away I knew this would not be easy, espeicaly because I LOVE whole milk, cheese, and bread.  And Skittles. WHAT have I gotten myself into??

A few of my reasons for doing this challenge:
1. Better nutrition for Emmett.
2. To try helping with Emmett's eczema and his love of spitting up.
3. To get myself more active in the kitchen (I have a hard time cooking, especially just for myself when Bill's working, which results in no food for Bill's lunches and me not making good food choices. Once I get myself cooking I do really enjoy it.).
4. I have extremely painful tendinitis in my thumbs, causing sharp pain in my wrists.  Many people who have done this program have had ailments heal. I feel skeptical about it going away, but I'll give it a shot!

Here is the official website for the Whole30.

http://whole9life.com/2012/01/whole-30-v2012/

I am so thankful that Bill is excited about doing this with me, it would be so hard doing this alone.

DAY 1

Breakfast-

scrambled eggs with sauteed mushrooms and spinach

Lunch-

taco seasoned ground beef, guacamole, salsa (so good!)

Dinner-

Thai chicken, cabbage, onions, red curry and coconut milk.

Snacks-

apple with sunflower butter, fresh raspberries/blackberries in coconut cream, cucumbers dipped in guacamole

DAY 2

Breakfast-

scrambled eggs with sauteed mushrooms and spinach

Lunch-

tuna fish mixed with avocado, tomato, lemon juice, salt

Dinner-

chicken apple sausages over sauteed cabbage, sauteed zucchini, onions, carrots (one of my favorite meals)

DAY 3 (today)

Breakfast-

sweet potato baked, split in half then topped with tomato sauce, italian sausage, sauteed mushrooms and onions, olives and sprinkled red pepper flakes. OH. MY. WORD. Delicious. 

Lunch-

coconut milk smoothie with fresh raspberries, a nectarine, and frozen peaches. I'll make something up here soon with more protien.

So far it's been pretty easy to follow.  I cleaned out the fridge in preparation for this change and I was shocked at how much food has preservatives and added sugar.  The biggest temptation was going to my little cousins 5th birthday party where there was ice cream and tons of sweet toppings.  It would have been so easy for me to cheat since it was only day 2, but I DIDN'T. I was so incredibly proud of myself. Bill told me later that he also beat temptation with a box of donuts at his work. WOO HOO! I did have a splitting headache last night, I know that these kinds of changes can bring on withdrawals and bad mood swings in the beginning.

I thought writing about all of this would help me stay focused and maybe encourage anyone else to make positive changes in their lives.

Happy eating!!! :)

Brief summery of current life:

Emmett is 4 months old now! He is 14lb 3oz, 25 inches long. He loves to smile, although he has an easier time doing so on his back.  His giggles make us giggle, and we keep him laughing till our faces hurt.

I love his face-making. I have NO idea who he could have gotten that from.

Last week we had a wonderful time camping in Central Oregon.  Emmett had a great time, spending time getting to know all his aunts, uncles and cousins. Here he's snuggling in with us early in the morning.

Daddy's getting him hooked on Drum Corps.

A very cute hat that his little cousin Nat sent with a box of big boy clothes.

4th of July with Grandma.  Chillin' with his shades on!

These smiles are what makes my heart melt.

We are looking forward to a trip to Eastern Oregon to spend time with our dear friends Brian and Hilary Miller.  And then a second camping trip in the Gorge.  It has been WONDERFUL being a stay-at-home mom, we've been able to take these trips without me having to take time off work. 

Lights of Hope Auction for Ethiopian Orphans

My dear friend Michelle is involved with a non-profit called Ethiopian Orphan Relief and every year they have a fancy auction for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Ethiopia.  Bill was sick so my mom came with Emmett and I.  It was at a fancy hotel downtown.

My friend Emma and boyfriend Rob, they won the $50 raffle for the wicked iPad! Steel of a deal!

Harold and Linda Doland were at our table too.

Michelle and I, she worked hard on this event!

We had a really great time.  There were at least 400 people there, double from last year.  The dinner was delicious! The live auction was fun, amazing how much people will bid each other up.  Would you believe that a chocolate cake from Claim Jumper went for.......$850!!!! Incredible! There is all this energy in the room, all this excitement that you just WANT to raise your number! So I did! I have no idea what I was bidding on, and it was up to like $1,000 but I just HAD to do it! It was all going so fast that I knew I would be outbid before I even put my hand down :) Exhilarating! 

I wasn't expecting to walk away with anything but at the silent auction there were some gDiapers (cloth) that I got for $25 (great price!), so I was pleasantly surprised by that.

Had a great time, and it felt good to know that I was a part of such a wonderful cause. 

Easter visitors!

When Emmett was 3 weeks old we had some wonderful visitors at the house.  Over the Easter holiday Bills parents, Ed and Mary, came from Wisconsin to meet their 12th grandchild.  His sister Peggy and her daughter Antara also came, all the way from Montana.  Peggy was only able to stay for a couple days, and Bill's parents for 2 weeks.

I was very thankful for all the help Mary gave me, and Ed found countless things to work on around the house.

We are suckers for family time :)

Antara meeting Emmett for the first time.

Grandpa Ed getting some time with Emmett, it was rare with all the ladies having to hold him :)

All ready to travel to the Sanchez grandparents for a big dinner.

My mom and dad had us all over for a wonderful dinner.  Mom always has super cute decorations.

Peggy and Antara were sad to leave after such a short visit.

Excited about the new nephew/cousin!

Every year my moms side of the family has Easter dinner together.  This year it was at my cousins Nate and Deana's new home.  It was great to see the whole family and show off Emmett.

Nate and Deana with their kids.

Melina and Karen.

 Schueler/Sanchez

 Schuelers

 Emmett and Levi getting some good Easter dinner.

The kids are such hams!

We had very special visitors from Australia, Krista and Austin Phillips.  They were passing through on their way to see family and stopped in for a quick hello.  Their little one Elise just turned one, she is SO CUTE!!  It was great seeing them again, Krista and I have been friends for quite a few years so it's so special to see her when she visits home.  We miss you guys!! Beautiful family!

Bill is involved with a high school winter drum line and we were able to all be at finals to see his band perform.  Emmett slept through most of it, he only had these head phones on for a few minutes but he looked so cute!

We were sad to see Ed and Mary leave, good byes are hard with new little babies.  We are so thankful for their generosity with their time and love.  Emmett has so much love from all sides.

We love you Grandpa Ed and Grandma Mimi!  Missing you lots!

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez

This was Emmett's second time to mom and dads house for a couple nights stay.  We had a few long nights at home and with Bill entering 3 shifts at work I thought it'd be best to let someone else lose some sleep :)

Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez LOVE having Emmett around, it's fun to see them play with him, especially now that he's starting to smile and respond.

Bath Time!

Buddy helping clean Emmett's ears.

Wish this was in focus, I love it!

Flying!

Grandpa Rick having some fun!

Emmet loves going to visit for the weekend.  Bill sure misses us when we're gone, but we're so thankful Emmett can spend time with his grandparents.  We wish Bill's parents were closer, we miss them dearly!

Happy Birthday Ginger!- May 9th

My dear sister-by-heart Ginger and her hubby Chris just moved into a nice home, so Emmett and I had to check it out and wish Ginger a happy birthday while we were at it.  Auntie Melina joined us too, it felt like old days but with three little ones with us now!

Laura was quick to want to grab at Emmett, she couldn't contain her excitement to see him!!

Heidi showing her smile.

 Reading to Emmett.

 Talking.

 Heidi's handy camera work.

Auntie Melina!

 My favorite picture of these two, Heidi was so sweet.

We had a great time with all the girls. Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend, sorry I didn't actually get any pictures of you Ging!

First Zoo Trip

My old boss, Dr. Ian Barr, gave me a year membership to the zoo as a gift for Emmett.  Bill had today off so we decided to get out of the house and see the animals!

The Lorikeets

 Bill admiring the Lorikeet.

 Such beautiful, vibrant colors!

Emmett's awake just in time to see porcupines. 

Checking out the giraffe. 

Look who's in Africa!! 

Some guy walked by us and said "I know you're not one of the exhibits but that's worth a picture!"....um....doesn't everyone hold their babies like this??

When we got home it was dinner making time! Being such beautiful weather we thought the grill would be the best idea.  My sister-in-law Sara Lee had mentioned a recipe she'd seen on Pinterest, so I thought we'd try it.

**Garlic and Balsamic Crusted Pork Tenderlion**

http://kitchenconfidante.com/if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-part-ii

 Got all my ingredients, so simple, only five things!

The outside was delicious! The meat was a tad bit dry, that is one reason I don't usually make pork, I have a hard time keeping it moist.  There was some dark meat and that stayed nice and juicy.  My sauteed veggies on the side were a nice addition.

I would try it again, maybe marinading it, cooking it slower, or making extra sauce to dip in.

And we couldn't forget dessert! Confetti cake cookies with cream cheese frosting (so sweet my teeth hurt just thinking about them) and a glass of whole milk. Yum. (Notice Bill just HAD to get in the picture?)

Overall a great family day!