30 day Paleo : week 1

 Day 1: August 29, 2011


Part of my challenge for life is to feel physical better. As of late, I haven't felt like myself at all. Lethargic, sad, hormones out of whack, and numerous other silly things.  I even went to a Endocrinologist and had tons of blood work done (all normal).  So, I am starting with the obvious: DIET and EXERCISE. 

With the help of my wonderful husband, I am going on a 30 day Paleo diet. This diet has been known to cure diabetes, cancer, and several other diseases. Hopefully, I can eliminate certain foods that make me feel craptastic.  My money is on gluten products. 

Here is the website if you want to learn more about it.  http://robbwolf.com/  

The best way to keep track of what you eat is to go to http://www.livestrong.com/ (I think Lance Armstrong is a big douche, but that is besides the point. It is a great website to help with weight loss and healthy living).  There are also paleo friendly recipes.  Speaking of recipes http://everydaypaleo.com/     is a great site for yummy recipes.  (My husband makes most of the recipes since he is the domestic god in the kitchen).

I also will share with you my weight and measurements.  Drum roll please.......
Weight: 156  Height: 5 feet 9 inches  Bust: 35 1/2  Chest: 31 1/2  Waist: 35 1/2 Hips: 38 1/2  (I wish I had a way to measure my body fat %)


I want to make a point, that I don't think I am fat and I am doing this to FEEL better.  Yes, a bonus is to tone up (lose some of that cellulite) and have a better self image.  I am doing this to have energy and to keep up with my young son.  


Day 7: September 4, 2011

End of week one. Over all I felt confident about my eating and exercise.  I had a couple of weak moments where I started to dream about a candy bar or a dough nut.  But, I over came those cravings and kept thinking about the end result.  


Everyday I kept a log of what I ate on www.livestrong.com . It helped me become aware of how much protein, fat, and carbs I was taking in.  The food log kept track of my calories and factored in my daily calories burned during exercise.  I was able to keep under my goal of 2,000 calories a day.  (I actual kept my calorie intake below 1,500). 


End of week results:  Weight: 151  Bust: 34 1/2  Chest: 30 1/2  Hips: 38

Domestically Disabled

Today was like a comedy sitcom in my kitchen.  It could have easily been on a Friends episode.  Listen people, I can bake.  That was until we went GLUTEN FREE.  Cooking with gluten free flour can be a real hurdle.  I have mastered some recipes, like my blueberry paleo muffins and pancakes.  Now I have to master the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip cookie.   Oh man!

I got this fab recipe off the back of GUITTARD semi sweet chocolate chip bag.  I envisioned these beautiful fat gewy cookies. I couldn't wait to get started.   Well....here is my first try.  Please feel free to laugh at me.  My husband always says  "You could burn a salad".

When the timer went off, I happily skipped over to the oven.  When I opened the oven door I saw a monster of a cookie. Well, the cookies weren't burnt.  They just formed one giant cookie.  The size of a pizza pan.   Instead of crying, I just laughed and took it all in good fun.

I am pretty sure combination of the Paula Dean size butter portion and the consistency of gluten free flour caused all the little dough drops to melt together and form the mammoth cookie you see before you.

So, I decided to freeze the cookies for about 20 minutes.  This is what I got....

Maybe it wasn't my Betty Crocker cookie commercial fantasy, but I got one happy little boy out of this baking experience.....

Oh Virgo!

My first challenge I gave myself was the daunting task of the dreaded PANTRY!  Uhg!!!  Living in rentals, space is always  an issue.  With our small pantry and growing family.....space is limited.  As the days, weeks, and months go by the crap in the pantry is stacking up.  My first instinct is to close it shut and ignore it.  My second and very intense instinct was the need to ORGANIZE.

I was born in September, so I am your typical VIRGO.  Yes, we have a bad reputation for being a Perfectionist.  But, it can work  in our favor.  We get these urges to organize and obsess over details.  So, let's use that for good not evil.

Now with my tight budget, this is what I came up with for my pantry makeover.  I am not totally satisfied and probably go to the dollar store for more glass jars.   (Another trait of a Virgo... super duper critical....and yes we want to be perfected).

BEFORE...................

AFTER..............

I used glass jars to store cookies, pasta, cereal, trail mix, nuts, flours, dried fruit, and gosh knows what else.  I took my hanging shoe rack  and hung it from the inside of the door.  It holds can goods, tea, cooking oils, and this/that.  The plastic bins hold snacks, baking supplies, and vitamins.   I organized each shelf by a category and the floor of the pantry has my Kitchen Aid, a file box (it holds wax paper, baggies, aluminum foil), and a recycle bag (contains grocery bags). 

You wouldn't believe how much stuff I threw out!  I think a few more storage bins and I should be satisfied.  Oh Virgo! 

A Challange for Life.

As my 33rd birthday draws closer, I feel my chest tighten up and the anxiety of getting older begins to fester.  I often stare in the mirror and look for for flaws.  Like how many wrinkles I have or the grey hair starting to creep in.  Or how going for a run just isn't enough these days to lift the ol' Wilcox butt up.  I keep thinking about how tired I feel. The amount of energy I need to have in order to keep up with my toddler.  I reminisce of my Rock-n-Roll days in my 20's (Damn I had fun!).  I wish I had the energy I had then. I wish I had the life inside me I had then.  What happened? Why am I wasting time wishing for those things or dwelling on negative thoughts.  It does me no good.

Then I had an epiphany, if you will.  I took a hard look at myself....a real hard look at who I am now.  I took a deep breath faced the not so good qualities and bad habbits I have developed over the years.  I came to find out.  I really don't like myself. I don't like who I have become.  Kinda this lazy, half assed, procrastinating, passive, dreamer.  I sit back and let things just.....happen....or NOT happen.  Now with that said, I do admire the person I am at work. If anything, my parents taught me EXCELLENT work ethic. Now I just need to bring that drive home to my personal life.   I don't think I am a bad person.  I think I have turned kind of into ADVERAGE.  I don't like being adverage.  I can be better...I can be great.  I am going to OWN it and accept full responsiblity for all of it. 

I have decided to give myself a challange.  A CHALLENGE for LIFE!  I commitment to myself and to my family to be the best I can be every day (super duper cheez..right!).  But I think it is most important that I am doing this for me, cause I want to.   Otherwise, I wouldn't be fully commited. 

So, with that said, I am using this blog to hold myself accountable for none other than myself.  I hope you follow me through my journey.  Cheer me on.  I know this wont be easy. I know I will still have my dark moments. But I think that this will be the best kind of thearpy for me.  I will blog about my daily "challanges"... like organizing my pantry to becoming better mom to plucking my eyebrows to finishing my crafting that I started to blog about a few months ago. 

My journey starts now. 

Patch work designs....

I have been enjoying my hobby so much, I might consider selling these patchwork toddler shirts, etc on Etsy.  I first need to master sewing and experiment with materials.  I have made a few designs (below) some of which are not completely finished. 

I made this shirt for my son's girl-friend.  I think I might call this design the Forever. 

The next design isn't finish.  I might name this one Mod Racer.  I am in the process of completing this shirt.  I will post pictures of Reece modeling it when I am done.  Maybe I will do a photo shoot with Luna and Reece in there new t-shirts.

The next set of designs are my tree's.  I am going to sew them to a pillow for Reece's Woodland theme room.

And here is my awesome score at Hobby Lobby.  I bought all these fabrics for under $5 bucks total! Thank you scrap bin!!  My little man LOVES the movie Cars.  So, I have to think of a cool design for the Cars fabric.  I can't wait to start more projects!!

Bitchin' Stitchin'

After lots of distractions and a busy month of May, I final finished my first stitching/patchwork design.  I am very proud of myself.  I finally worked through my so-called phobia of sewing and realized how relaxing it can be.  I can't wait to start more projects and designs like my retro owl design.   

Second Chances

After being in a funk for so long, I feel like I have been given a second chance at many things in my life.   I look back on the past two years and keep wondering why I put up with so much bullshit.  At the people I let influence me.  At the back stabbing bitches that I was surrounded with at work. It got so bad at work, that I didn't even realize how it was effecting my personal life, until it was almost to late.  I keep wondering why did I put up with that.  The girl I know would have told those people to fuck off.  I still struggle with that.  I struggle with being to aggressive or to passive. I wish I could just be more assertive. It is a work in progress.   But, I am trying to leave that silliness behind me and moving on.  I should start by deleting people from FB....

I have met some really cool mom's, that struggle with the same issues I have.  It makes me feel sane to know that I am not alone.   But, life has been great lately!  I only work a few days a week, at a wonderful little grooming shop.  The owners are so nice and I have tons of freedom.  They understand that family comes first.   My little family and I have been keeping busy.  Camping, swimming at the lake, splash parking it up, BBQing, enjoying time with close friends and our family.  I have been on working out, running, eating right, and reading books.  Enjoying glasses of wine with my husband on the patio during dusk.  Keeping up with my hobbies.  Spending time with our dogs.  Cooking and baking together.   It is what really matters in life.  It is real and it feels fantastic! 

Stitchin'

Now that I am making "me time", I am trying to be more crafty.  I have started painting again...great...but oil painting takes 4 ever! So, while I wait for the paint to dry, I thought I would start stitching.  I liked the idea of it, but have always hated most of the old fashion patterns that you see in your grannies house.  My Aunt Lila, cross stitches beautiful patterns...almost like paintings.  I love those, but I am not experienced enough for those types of cross stitch.  I want to start small.  Stitch some pillows, cardigans, t-shirts, etc.  I found a website that has super cool patterns...tattoo, pin ups, retro patterns.... I am going to start there.  Here is the link  http://www.sublimestitching.com/

Here are some images from the Sublime Stitching website.  These are examples of what I would like to stitching.  

The hippy in me....

My husband and I try to eat organic and healthy.  My son is on a gluten free diet and my husband is on a Paleo diet for life!  We try to get creative with our cooking.  The Paleo Blueberry muffins are the fav of the whole family.  I try to stay away from as much gluten as I can.  I do eat granola, so I also wrote down my HIPPY GRANOLA recipe as well.  I will post pictures next time I make these....

The cheapest way to make all of this, is to buy in the bulk bins at the health food store.... Almond meal can be expensive prepackaged....(12 buck for a 1lb) I found it for 4.99 lb at the health food store bulk bins.....Once you start buying in bulk, store bulk food in glass containers.  It keeps them organized and it just looks pretty. I am sure you can find all kinds of cool glass jars at GOOD WILL. You can refrigerate most of these items so they keep longer. 

Paleo Blueberry Muffins

3 cups Almond Meal
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp Coconut oil
3 eggs
2 bananas
1-2 tbsp honey (to your taste)
1-2 tbsp almond butter (optional)
1 cup frozen blueberries

*oven 350   bake 25-30 minutes...they will be moist and spongy unlike regular muffins

Combine all wet ingredients (including banana's)  into mixer....then add all the dry ingredient a little at time into mixer.... add frozen blueberries last.... bake!

HIPPY Granola

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup of nuts your choice (I like almonds)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (shelled)
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup of honey
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1/2 -1 cup of dried fruit...raisins cranberris....your choice (they go in after you baked the granola)

Bake 300 degrees  for 30 minutes....stir every 10 minutes....make sure pan is sprayed....granola will stick to the pan!  Add dried fruit when done baking!

Few of my favorite things....

Here are some things I like.....It is a fun reminder of what you like or what you are into at the moment.  Posting this stuff helps keep me in check, especially after a long day with the kiddo. 

Okay, so the Sookie Stackhouse novels are sooooooooooooooooooooo delicious! They are a fun and steamy read!   As for the TV Show...ooohhh la la Eric! 

I have always loved the Pin-up culture and the whole era from 30's-50's....... I love to watch old black and whites.  One of my fav's is Some Like it Hot .......

We went to the Lone Star Round Up....love old cars....but I know nothing about them...haha...I don't pretend to know about cars...usually hot cars...hot dudes.... I enjoy photography.  These are some I pictures I took with the ol' point and shoot digital camera.  Nothing fancy.

These are just a few things.... I will have more junk to add in the future....

Owl Madness.....

Obsessed.  Yes, that is it.  I am so drawn to owls.  I love all the new retro owl designs.  Owls are amazing creatures.  When we lived in our cabin on the edge of the hill country, we had two Great Horned Owls living in our trees.  We would see them almost every evening and hear them all night.  It was just magical!  I even love that movie Gardian's of Ga'hoole.  The books are next on my list to read.

I am slowly changing my son's room over to 'Woodland Creature' theme....Owls being the main focus.  I started an oil painting.  It will be more like the retro owls, rather than the realistic owls.  I will post pictures of the painting process soon.

Thirtysomething...

A friend of mine inspired me to start a blog.  Like many mom's, we tend to loose track of ourselves somewhere along the way.  Even in relationships.  I was in such a rut for so very long and let negativity consume me.  I have become proactive in my life and want to be a better version of the young 2osomething I use to be (and like).   I quit my job, got rid of the negative people surrounding me, and shed that skin right off.  I feel lighter, happier, and surrounding myself with women friends who actually are strong caring friends.  It is like a total clense.  My relationships with my husband, child, and friends have only improved.

This blog seems like the right outlet.  We can inspire one another and I can remind myself of who I am when I start to feel bummed out.