Vegan and Going Strong

Well I've surprised myself and am still going vegan! I'm doing even better then before 30 Day Vegan ended.  I was a little unsure with my last post about being a vegan, feeling a bit overwhelmed that maybe I couldn't live the rest of my life "this way".  I don't know what happened, but after I received the last post from Heather I continued to make vegan choices!  I'm not hard core, but I think I could get there.  The idea of 80/20 or 90/10 works for me.  I like having the option of eating meat or dairy if there are no other choices such as at a party or restaurant (and of course I need my splash of milk in my coffee!).  I had such an experience this past weekend.  I went to a party and beforehand I privately emailed a friend who would be there and asked her if she thought there would be anything there I could eat.  She gave me a list of what food were expected to be served and I decided instead of making something to bring or walking in with my frozen veggie burger, I would make the best choices I could while there. I ended up having a bit of meat, some potato salad, and that was my 10%.  No problem, no guilt.  


The only downside is the family is not vegan but I am doing pretty well working around their meals and making mine vegan, it's not as hard as it seems.  (I noticed The Husband making some different choices too since we watched Forks over Knives!!)


I feel good, although very tired.  Not sure if it's the changes in my eating, my children who are home all day now and how busy we are, or maybe something is going on with my thyroid? (I have hypothyroidism and maybe my medicine needs to be adjusted. I have an apt in a few weeks so I'll know then if it's the thyroid.)


Anyway, that's my story.


Off now to wrangle my kids and keep them from killing each other.


Have a great day my friends!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Now that June is almost over, I thought I'd give myself a little project for the month of July.  I found this photo challenge on Pinterest quite some time ago.  I saved it as a draft waiting for the right time and inspiration to do it.  Because July is going to a be a bit busy with camp and speech therapy for C, I thought it might be the perfect time to do it.  I'll have something to do that is creative and I'll also have something to share on the blog that won't take up much time other then uploading the photo with a few words. 

I'm excited about this one!

See you on July 1st....

Dance

is the hidden language of the soul.

Martha Graham

A's Dance Recital June 23, 2012

She did a beautiful job.  

(sadly pictures and video recorders are not allowed in the actual show.  Your butt will be thrown out if you even take your camera out!  Can you believe that????)

School's Out for Summer (but not forever, Thank Goodness!)

Wednesday was the last day of school and it has a been two days of busy fun filled goodness.  J and A both went to pool parties right after school on Wednesday (C and I joined J at his).  Yesterday both kids had a friend over to play and sleepover.  Today our guests will leave around 12:00 and I decided we will stay inside and chill out for the rest of the day.  They have been outside for two days straight in 90 degree weather with humidity that will melt your face off.  Up late last night (too late) and eating nothing but garbage.  (I on the other hand am still going vegan but more on that later)  Not to mention too much TV and video games.  I think today is a perfect day to stay inside with the AC and a good book.  We all brought home a good size pile of books from the library yesterday.   I'm just about finished with The Night Circus, now that I have some time, and will start The Historian probably tomorrow. 


The last days of school were tough for both of my kids.  They had an attachment to their teachers and the thought of not seeing them for quite sometime caused some anxiety.  A with sleepless nights and J with what he described as a lump in his throat. On the very last day I too was feeling some sadness.  Both teachers are wonderful and truly liked my kids and you know what?  I'm going to miss them too.  And now there is the anxiety of who will they get next year?   I wholeheartedly love the school the kids go to and every year they have had teachers that match them perfectly, but this year was the best one so far.  I'm still feeling some sadness today.  But I know, or I should say I'm pretty confident next year will be great too.


So now that summer has officially begun, we have lots planned.  The kids are each going to a one week themed camp, J is also going to a Basketball camp for a week, and two weeks of swimming lessons. We're going camping one weekend, going on Poppy's boat to see the fireworks and to the beach.  I'd love to make a list like Jamie did but I know my lazy butt will not be able to commit to it. So this is it for now.  It's going to go by so quickly and I want to enjoy it.  I want to take each day slowly even when there is lots of places to be, and driving to do. (Have I ever mentioned how I hate to drive? I do. I hate it.)  So I plan to go about this summer calmly and mindfully.  When it starts to feel overwhelming, I'll take a deep breath, tell myself it's OK to slow down, and plan better for the next day.


Here are some last day's of school photos.  (Sadly I was not able to get any of J because parent's sign up for parties and many teachers do no want younger siblings, which I find insulting and annoying, and with C home I missed his)

A's end of the year Ice Cream Sundae party

C getting a hug from his teacher.  She too is a great preschool teacher (my favorite of the three he had at his school.  shhhhh)

26 Days of Veganism

Days:  12-26


Things are still progressing along nicely only a few mishaps.  Ahem.  (Those pesky, but delicious m&m's and a fish sandwich.  OK, what is going on with the fish??) And yes Michelle, m&m's are not vegan!


Today is day 26 and it's starting to get old for me.  I'm missing cheese and when the family is eating chicken or some other meat I find I am really wanting a taste.  Sigh..


I honestly wish I could make being a vegan a life style especially after watching Forks over Knives.  But until I get the will power or something happens in my life that will convince me to be vegan, I don't see it happening.  I tried before to switch over to a plant based only diet and I'd go to a party and try that appetizer with bacon, or there's nothing to eat in the house but hot dogs and I say to myself, "OK, it's the hot dog or starve" and there is no way I will starve!  I like food way too much.


I'll keep doing my best day to day and see what happens.

Tonight we're going to have Vegetable Shepherd's Pie.  I found the recipe in an old Rachel Ray magazine under her Meatless Monday section.  It looks so yummy, I can't wait to try it.  Lots of vegetables, rice, and beans in this one.   

image source

Only 4 days left.....

Today

• I ate 500 m&m's.  I didn't officially count them, but I'm pretty sure I ate 500.
• I was invited to a tea at the kids school for volunteering this year.  I went and I had such a nice time, enjoying a cup of coffee and chatting with other moms, some I have never met until today.
• Looking forward to lunch with a friend tomorrow.
• Also looking forward to Friday because it's the first day in two weeks I have nothing I have to do, buy, write, create, etc, etc.
• I started a scrapbook project.
• Cleaned out the desk in the family room (which we are moving into J's room) and found approximately 6 more notebooks/journals.  I really do need an intervention!
• We had ice cream sundaes for dessert.
• Thinking about some projects we can do this summer. 
• I started Kelly's Your Summer Manifesto eCourse.  It started Monday, but I'm just getting to it.  I sooo love creative projects.
• I'm dreaming of summer days with nothing to do, but just be......

image source

Recently

Daddy had a birthday

C wanted to have a mohawk

(I offered to take him to get a real one but he declined)

Special day at preschool - "Preschool Olympics" (the party after)

A had a birthday

A baseball game

Memorial Day at Nana's

Above is Sophie below is Molly

"Major League Day"

So glad I can share pictures now.  Thank you sweet Husband for getting everything set and teaching me how to do it all.  

Our Little "Anne Sullivan"

A recently completed her 3rd grade biography project researching Anne Sullivan.  She put together a tri-fold board with facts and pictures.  She also read her report in front of an audience of her classmates and their parents just as J did last year.

One of the requirements is to dress in the outfit, costume etc. of your person.  Some are much easier than others such as J's, a baseball player.  Easy enough to get baseball gear.  However, A had to dress in the clothes of a woman from the late 1800's, early 1900's.  Not any easy task, let me tell you!  We referenced pictures of Anne on the Internet.  Using what we found online, we put together what you see here.  I know her costume is not historically accurate but I do believe it looks great.  I made the skirt (which went to the top of her feet) and the only white shirt we could find it the one she is wearing.  A long sleeved shirt would have been what Anne would have worn.  As a final touch, we added the cameo.  I think the cameo made the outfit.  It makes it feel more authentic to me.  

We were surprised that morning when she came up to the microphone with "Helen Keller".  It was a secret!  Super cute and very accurate.  Did you know that Anne stayed with Helen until she died?  They bought a home together and when Anne married, she made sure Helen would stay with them!  Every time A practiced at home and read her report I would get the chills because of the friendship and dedication these two women had for each other.    

A did an amazing job.  She was poised, made eye contact, read perfectly (no stumbling over words.  She had trouble with famine and Massachusetts when practicing at home.  Saying "fam" "ine" and Massachushits. Yup, she said it.  I helped her by telling her every time she had to say Massachusetts to think of the word zits.  HAHA, it worked!), and she finished with a smile on her face!

Proud parent, I am, I am!

My Heart is Heavy

Last night my sweet boy came down stairs crying after having gone to bed for the night.  He was sad because a boy in his class called him a "wimp" for reading the 39 Clues Books.  My heart completely broke.  The Husband and I kept it together knowing that keeping our cool is the best thing to do in any negative situation with the kids.  We talked with him, asking him if he enjoyed the books, did he want to keep reading them, what did he say to this child etc.  He said he really likes the books and that he would continue to read them and that he said and did nothing to the other child.  For all of these reasons I am proud of him.  Yes he was hurt, but he wasn't going to let this stop him from reading the books, and he was not confrontational.  He's such a  good kid!  I hate when my children are hurt by other kids.  I know kids can be mean, I've seen it first hand, however there is no excuse for it.  I often wonder what makes a child mean?  What makes a child so angry they feel the need to hurt others?  Why?  Of course I can be logical and say this may be why, the parents fight all the time, they are getting divorced, maybe they are getting abused, etc.  But why is it some kids going through some of the above are still kind and good natured?  I guess I'll never understand.  But I do know that I will fight for my children till the day I die.  I will never allow my children to be hurt to the point it damages them physically or mentally, if I can help it!  Of course I'm not going to go all crazy with the school over this incident, it is small and one of those things kids do, but if this goes any further I will not tolerate it.  That I know for sure.  I did contact the teacher to make her aware and we asked her to not confront the children about it but to please keep an eye and ear open for any other problems that may occur.  She agreed and understood where we are coming from and will keep us posted.  Good teachers are a blessing.  


Some days home schooling looks pretty good to me..........

Right Now

I am patiently waiting for The Husband to put all my pictures on my mac from our desk top (which is no longer connected to the internet) and to show me how to upload pictures from my camera to the mac.  I know, I know!  I'm pathetic not knowing how to do these things myself.  But I'm scared!  I always have been of computers.  Afraid I will mess something up so bad it's irreversible.  Does anyone else have this fear??


Anyway, I have a bunch of pictures I've been wanting to share but they'll have to wait for now.  I think if I ask him again to do this for me he may just lose it.  So I guess I'll let it go a few more days......

So Far,So Good: Days 7-12

As I prepare my meals each day, I think, is this going to get boring?  How much variety can I get from eating vegetables and fruit every single day for every single meal?  How do people do this for their entire lives?  


I was reading the comments on one of Alicia Silverstone's post from The Kind Life and a commenter wrote she has been a vegan for 20 years!  What?  20 years?  Here I am trying it for 30 days knowing there is an end date in sight.  Not that I am complaining, I'm not!  I am not counting down the days, I just know that this is a 30 day experience and I can make the decision at the end to continue as a vegan, go back to the way things were, or make healthy choices while eating meat and dairy.  Which is truly all I really want anyway, to make healthier choices.   I can picture myself a vegetarian for life, I was a vegetarian years ago and I feel there is more variety/choices and some vegetarians even eat fish.  *But fruits, vegetables and legumes for the rest of one's life? I'm not sure I can do that.  However, I'm not bored yet or dying for a cheeseburger, so I'd say, so far so good!


I don't have any recipes to share today but I do want to share my "go to" lunch, which has been a tortilla with hummus and chopped up veggies and kalamata olives. Easy and delicious!  And I even have added some chopped up left over veggies burgers which gives it a nice taste and adds a different texture.  I'm hoping to pick up some vegenaise this week to switch things up, you know instead of hummus on everything....


Off to eat some Sunbutter on flax seed bread.  YUM!


*(I know there is more to it than that, but I haven't ventured much beyond the veggies, fruit and beans)