Let's talk about wasting time... one way in specific. I am a busy mom. I make meals, clean up messes, wipe faces and booties, play Barbies and pirates, build forts, teach ABC's, say lots of prayers... the list goes on. I love it but I am worn out most of the time. This past Sunday I started evaluating my/our daily life and I realized T.V. played a huge part in it. When the kids wake up too early, when I'm cooking dinner, when the kids won't stop fighting... the T.V. is on. I can't put it all on the kids... I LOVE my morning shows and when Troy gets home we just chill with our shows on. What I realized on Sunday (that's my day of reflection) was that using the T.V. as a babysitter for my children and a way to unwind for myself was not working. So this week I turned it off. My goal was to only have the T.V. on Saturdays. We did fairly well... evenings when Troy worked late was the hardest. Before I went to bed at night I tried to put out an activity for the kids to do as soon as they woke up. A coloring page, a little craft, play dough... nothing exciting or over the top. We had story time during/after breakfast. There was MUCH less fighting, the kids played so well together, and I wasn't near as worn out. Let me explain that last one... when I would start a show I would want to finish... now I didn't just sit there doing nothing. I returned emails, did stuff for my calling, folded clothes... but I came to find out that sitting there made me more tired. I still have done all of the same things but I listen to music or talk with my kids. Just like everything else in life, T.V. is fine within reason. I really enjoyed the differences I've seen/felt this past week with limiting T.V. time. We'll definitely be keeping this going. It was so eye opening and surprisingly freeing being honest about my overuse of the T.V. I've been able to see how miss managed my time was and how well my children actually get along without this interference. The spirit is so much stronger in our home. With all the "extra time" I've found without the T.V. on we've added a morning scripture study, had more playtime with my kids, my house is cleaner, and I'm able to come up with/try new recipes. I was allowing the T.V. to steal my productivity.
Okay... diet. When you are trying to be healthy or lose weight you have a plan. You're working toward this idea/goal and you know how you want to get to it. "I'm going to eat less, workout more, I'm doing paleo, and I'm becoming vegan." There are so many ways to approach this and even though I have my thoughts on what works and what is the "healthy" way to go about it, I believe it's a personal journey. That being said I feel like it shouldn't be done on a whim or just because you know someone that lost 20 lbs. in 3 days or whatever peaks your interest. I think it is a decision that should be researched and really thought out. When we became vegan there was a lot of study, thought, and prayer that went into it. I also believe that you shouldn't eat a diet you wouldn't feed your children (over processed diet drinks, bars, crazy crash diets) and vice-versa... if you wouldn't put it in your mouth don't give it to your kids (gummy snacks, goldfish, over processed "granola bars"). Whatever path of health you choose make sure it's one you can keep up for the rest of your life, one that you can feed your family. And be honest with yourself when it comes to living this path.
This last week, I started looking at everything I was doing to be healthy and started to see that I wasn't being very honest with myself when it came to eating. I was making my healthy meals/snacks but then also snacking while making my kids plates (I serve them more whole grains than I eat), and these calories were adding up. I wasn't eating anything "bad" but the few extra bites here and there made a difference on the scale. After I saw the mistake I was making I decided to change it. I knew (this goes for any weight loss program/lifestyle) that if I would stick to it for a week... like really stay on top of what I put in my mouth I would see a difference. That's just what I did this past week and I lost 3 lbs. Now I 'm even more motivated to keep an eye on what I'm eating.
Another thing that I am being honest with myself about is that I am not "fat." I've had several people tell me not to lose weight. I don't want to be unhealthy and lose too much but I have been smaller and I felt stronger/healthier, and that is what I'm going on. I'm not living a healthier lifestyle to be "skinny" or to look better. I don't think I look bad. I'm going off of the feel. Do I feel I'm in the best shape I can be? Do I feel strong? Our bodies are so amazing! I'm sure you've all seen/heard "workout because you love your body, not because you hate it." That goes for a healthy lifestyle as well. In the past five years my body has made 4 beautiful children. I've lost and gained weight, I've kept up with a busy life, we've moved 5 times... our bodies do amazing things so I truly believe we should be kind to ourselves in every way possible.
So be honest with yourself in all aspects of your life. It just hurts you more to turn a blind eye. If you really want to change things (diet, weight, lifestyle, parenting) it all starts with being honest about the short comings you can improve.
Weight loss update: Like I said, I've lost 3 lbs. I worked out 5 days this week for 30-35 minutes. I have eaten grains (homemade wheat bread and rice) at only one meal a day and lots of fruits and veggies. I had one cheat meal and one cheat treat.
Tips for picky eaters (adults and children): Last post I told you chopping veggies really small helps you to get your family to eat more. I just wanted to show you what I meant. I try to get at least 3 types of vegetables in the meals I make. When we first became vegan I just chopped the food we ate into bite sized pieces and I couldn't get my kids to eat it. My mother-in law suggested that I try cutting everything smaller and it worked like a dream. All four of our children eat every vegetable/fruit that I serve them. It's AMAZING being able to plan a meal and not have anyone complain. It's such a blessing (and relief). I chalk it up to chopping the food smaller.
I have a "scrap" bag I keep in my fridge. When I cut up veggies for my meals I take the "scraps" and add them to this bag. I got this idea from my mom... aren't moms the best? By the end of the week I have enough to make a soup. I take the "scraps" and add two potatoes, onion, garlic, and whatever other seasonings then boil it and blend that mixture until it's smooth. I love this for many reasons... I'm not wasting any part of the vegetable, I'm saving money, and it makes a great cream soup!
When I make meals I always serve my family more grains than I do myself. For example, this soup I made a few days ago. I added rice to theirs and I just had the vegetable soup. It's an easy way to cut down on some calories for yourself but keep you from having to make another meal for your family. Most of the dishes I serve that have some type of grain I will skip most of/all the rice, noodles, or whatever and eat the veggies over a bed of lettuce instead.