silly boys

Here are my boys.

From a movie promo, 5 yo memorized the first two lines of a Ke$ha song. (Thank goodness it stops before the part about brushing my teeth with a bottle of jack...)

And then he taught little brother.

ch-ch-ch-changes

So for those of you who've been following, here's a fairly quick update on the lifestyle changes I've been making toward improving my body (weight loss and fitness) and overall health.

I've quickly adopted some nutrition strategies. I am in the middle of this book, which seems to fit in with my eating style, but with a change of perspective. (i.e. eating foods I enjoy, watching portions and cutting out certain foods.) I have abolished all white bread, white rice, mashed potatoes etc and replaced with brown rice, quinoa and lentils. When I eat a grain, I eat lots of veggies. Same with proteins. But I've been avoiding mixing proteins with carbs. Something about the way your body processes the sugars and stores them as fat. (I'm still reading and learning folks. Not by any means an expert...)

And I'm also combining this strategy with some new-fangled vegetarian recipes. I've had the Moosewood Cookbook for years, but have only ever made a handful of the recipes, until now. But there are so many other resources available. (And all at the library I might add...) I am even looking to Alicia Silverstone for some cooking inspiration.

The huz has been enjoying the changes and is fully on board. And the kids had no problem transitioning to whole wheat pasta. (Surprise!) But their diet is a lot less restrictive. For example, I made a veggie stir fry with tofu and whole wheat noodles. They enjoyed the tofu, but I quickly grilled some pork loin to toss with their noodles as well. Huz and I just ate the vegetarian version. And, of course, they are allowed to have pizza, ice cream, cookies and milk and other treats, when it's warranted, and only every now and then.

Results so far... (It's been 10 days since my original post.) I feel better and have significantly more energy (despite eating less). I enjoy shopping and planning ahead, picking the produce that looks best and adapting my menu to what is in season.

And weight loss so far is 2.5 pounds.

YEAH. Keep it up girl! (Says the skinny pre-baby version of me that still lives in my head.)

downtown library and a well-spent life

I have always been a fan of the library.

Many childhood Sundays were spent in the children's section at the Palo Verde branch of the Phoenix Public library. Sitting in the middle of an aisle, discovering new authors and illustrators. I hope my children develop a love of books in this fashion. Not just the enjoyment of reading, but the excitement of discovery.

So, at least a few times a month, we venture to our public library to make new discoveries and bring home our findings. Sometimes we visit the smaller Yucca branch since its children's section is usually very tidy and they also have a nice selection of puzzles to entertain younger brother while the five year old makes his choices.

But it's such a lovely treat to visit our huge downtown library. Not only is it an architectural marvel, but I also feel like I'm embarking on an adventure when I enter the glass doors.

Not everyone finds the library as magical as I do.

There are quite a few transients that hang around the entrance and occasionally you see one or two sleeping at a desk on the upper floors. And, I'm quite certain, there are a few who use the public restrooms as public baths. Note the scent of BO that nearly knocks you down when you open one of the upstairs restrooms. Thankfully, this is usually not the case for the restrooms in the children's area.

So this is what we discovered earlier this week on a visit to our downtown library.

On the fifth floor: Mom is attempting to locate some gardening books and a new cookbook. Kids entertain themselves by grabbing numerous pencils and index cards and writing secret squirrel notes.

Being goofy.

How great does this look? The top floor was nearly empty. But, we still had reminder lessons on being quiet in the library.

Our treasures.

And one treasure in particular, found on the New Books rack has me particularly excited, so I thought I would share it.

It's titled a perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life, by Mary Randolph Carter.


It's really just another decorating book. But the writing is lovely and reassuring too.


And the images are sweet, many very realistic (unlike many other interior design books).



It's nice to have a beautiful reminder that, while the cleaning does need to happen, it's also important to spend time with your children, exercise your writing skills, enjoy being outside.

Here's hoping you find your time well-spent today.

heavy

I have delayed any blog posts because of an uncertainty about what to write about when what is happening in the world is so much more important and devastating. My heart is heavy for the residents of Japan, and their loved ones in other parts of the world who have to deal with the not-knowing. I came across this incredible footage through a facebook post and found myself holding my breath as I was watching it.

And then I promptly headed in to the living room where my sons were dazedly watching an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and gave them way-too-tight bear hugs, thankful we don't have to think about how to rebuild a roof over our head, where we will get our next meal, or (holy sh*t) whether I can hang on to them tight enough or if a wave will take them away from me.

Huge breath.

On the other hand, this personal space is not about world news. It's a selfish endeavor. I created this blog to write about topics that are personal to me, our family, our home and the city we live in. Despite the world events, there has been one thought weighing heavily on my mind for the last several months. Sometimes I push it back when there are more pressing and important things to think about, but it always resurfaces. And then I start to feel heavy. Emotionally and physically.

I am referring to my body.

Over the last few years (after my first pregnancy, more or less) I have slowly but steadily put on some weight and have done little to nothing about it. To tell the entire story of my weight gain would be to make excuses. And there are plenty, believe me. But the bottom line is that I really enjoy eating food. I always have. And all kinds. I'm not picky. In fact, I am the least picky eater you will ever meet.

As a teenager this was never a problem. My metabolism was so incredibly fast, it was impossible to put on any weight. No matter how hard I tried. Nicknames circulated. Ostrich legs, momma long legs, beanpole and, my personal fave, Olive Oyl. Here's what I'm talking about.

That's me on the right, and not even at my skinniest. Check out those matchsticks! See I was on the tennis team and was exercising nearly daily. I think I'm around 125 in this picture. Too thin on my 5'9 frame in my opinion.

A few years later in college, I started really paying attention to my clothes and overall appearance and I think I looked pretty good. (Sassy!)

(Circa 1996, I think.)

(On our Belgian vacation in 2003)

And I stayed around this size (anywhere from 130 - 135) right up until 6 years ago, when I was pregnant with my oldest son. And then slowly, steadily, I added on until where I'm at now. Around 160.

This photo was taken last summer when I weighed in around 150. Imagine 10 more pounds on my belly, ass and thighs.

I think I have 2 main issues at work. 1) I don't exercise. (Ta Daa!) At all. Mostly due to time constraints. But, at this point, 10 minutes on the jump rope would be an improvement on the status quo. 2) I still eat like I did 20 years ago. I need to adjust my eating habits. And, not only that, continue to remind myself that I don't need to eat everything on my plate. Portion control woman!

This week is spring break for my sons. And, though I will still have to work, it is a really good opportunity to figure out some lifestyle changes. Just for me.

I keep making excuses. I really truly don't have time to exercise. And when I do, that time is dedicated to more pressing tasks. Cleaning, grocery shopping, sleeping for goodness sakes. But something has to give.

And lately it's been my waistline.

So, by putting this out there. By documenting my personal struggle, I am hoping that when the time comes to take my youngest son to his parent-tot swim lessons in June, I will be confident in my skin. And maybe I'll feel amazing in a swimsuit. It's been more than six years after all. About damn time.

Now, excuse me while I go watch updates on the death toll on the other side of the world. Followed by taking my sons out for some much-needed quality time together. Thank you for listening.

my little vegetable garden in downtown Phoenix

I have noticed over the last few years urban gardening has become quite the hip hobby. Normally I would laugh sarcastically about such yuppie fads (did I just age myself, are yuppie and fad used anymore?) and joke how it will only be a few more years before the next outdated hobby, say knitting, becomes fresh and trendy again. (Yes, I am about two years behind everyone and their cousin.) But how can I scoff at a hobby that is not only good for your health, but also good for the earth and an amazing teaching tool for our children?

I am sure there are other blogs in the downtown Phoenix area that touch on this topic, but I regularly visit Valley Permaculture Alliance and Cracking Good to read about other local residents and their adventures in city gardening.

Let me start by saying my plot for vegetables is very small. My husband did an amazing job of building a brick border on a small corner of our backyard patio. I'm viewing each planting as purely experimental. So, no matter what the result, there is no disappointment.

Last October (I think), I planted a variety of carrot seeds and beet seeds.

For some unknown reason (which I will research at a later time), my beets didn't yield any, well, beets.

But I pulled out all the beet leaves, washed them, and tossed them with other salad greens. Delicious!

Now here were my carrots. Beautiful, feathery, green carrot tops.

Here's the kaleidoscope assortment. Weird. But crunchy and earthy and yummy. And very very small.

And here's the sweet hybrid. Short and stubby. Very sweet and crunchy with a nice flavor. And very very small.

Here are my boys giving them a try after a good rinse.

Verdict: They loved them!

How cute are they? Wouldn't these look lovely tossed in a salad? Or served with a variety of dips?

I don't know why they never got to looking like store-bought carrots. Or even farmer's market carrots for that matter. As I stated before, this is all a great experiment. And I couldn't be happier that my boys thought they were tasty.

But to give you some further perspective. I am not exaggerating their size.

These carrots were really really small.

Now that this little harvest is done, for the spring I have planted corn, snap beans, three varieties of tomatoes, and some assorted flowers. I still have cilantro, a bell pepper plant and jalapeno that survived the winter frost. My beautiful basil died, so I have started another batch from seed. I have a little more space for a shade-loving plant and I haven't figured out what to put there yet. But, I am excited to see what this spring planting will produce!

spring goal

Just a little note to self: For the next few months, I am making it a goal to write at least two blog posts a week.

There. It's out there in the universe. Now maybe I will be more likely to follow through.

(Phewwwwwwww. That's me. Not holding my breath. :D)