So much has happened since I last posted. Serenity is gaining more awareness about foods but still cannot resist somethings.
Case in point- Last week she had a birthday party she got to attend. And while there may be 50 ways to leave a lover, there is no way to tell a 6 year old she cannot have birthday cake at a party. So before the party I took her out for a late breakfast and filled her up with scrambled eggs, fruit, potatoes, whole wheat toast with sugar free jam and tea. Hopefully leaving little room for temptation. When she got to the party she had a fabulous time. She got to bowl for the first time and play with her school friends. When food time came she passed up the pizza and had some cake. Later that night when she was chattering 5 miles a minute(she usually does only 1 mile/min) dad said, "What did she eat?!?!?"
We took another trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods yesterday. It was less crowded and more manageable. I took Donovan with me, hoping he would pick out some things he and his brothers may like. He chose some protein bars. He also was a big help in reading directions to me to get us there.
Have you been watching the new Jamie Oliver show? I am loving it. First off I really like Jamie and have always enjoyed his cooking shows. Plus I do think he is 'spot on' with his assessment of the average American diet. I know I fell into the 'lets just order out' rut. Pizza one day, wings another, hit the drive thru, and our whole family has paid for it. Now that we are watching Serenity's diet more closely I think we may all reap the benefits.
I made Jamie's classic tomato recipe last week(found at http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution/recipes/ThemeGallery/395764) And most of us liked it. One boy(that I won't name) still added jarred sauce to his. Boo Hiss.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
So much to say
Oh dear where to start?
Well first off, Trader Joes and Whole Foods was amazing! I had a great day with my friend, Marcy and 3 of her kids. She directed me down then I let her take over driving. I found some really good things for our family and I am for sure going back in a few weeks. It was really crowded and I was just a tad overwhelmed so I did not buy near enough stuff. Serenity picked out some lovely roses for us. They were so pretty on our table last week. Too bad they can't last longer. The fruit leathers were a big success. The Irish bangers(sausage) were sooooo good, I wish I had bought more. The vegan cheese not so great, but the raw milk blue cheese for daddy and me is terrific. We were 66% on the fruit juice sweetened muffins, 2 boxes were good and 1 tasted like sawdust.
We had lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant. That was a cool experience. I am glad Serenity is an adventurous eater. It makes planning her meals so much easier.
Monday we had 3 doctor's appointments. I had 1 at 9 in Mercer for my neck/shoulder injury. I need an MRI(had it Wed.showed no injury to the spine must be muscle related) Serenity had her first at 11 in Greenville. Her palate showed no fissure but her tonsils were HUGE!!!! Thankfully the are not infected but still, jumping jackrabbits those babies touched in the middle! How had she been swallowing those huge fish oil capsules?!?!?! She also had some testing for food allergies. Guess what were 2 of the 3 that showed up. Milk and sugar!! I know, right? So it looks like we may be on the right path. The third was vinegar(?!?!?!?) He gave us some homeopathic things to try for the tonsils and we are staying away from the milk and sugar so hopefully those things will bring the size of the tonsils down.
Her second appointment(our third of the day) was at 3 in Sewickley to find out the results of her testing. Testing showed NO SIGNS of an autism spectrum disorder.(*I* never expected it to) But she does show for ADHD. The worst thing? Listening and writing at the same time, i.e. spelling tests. She is easily distracted. SQUIRREL!! (UP reference) and has trouble staying focused for long periods of time. All things we kind of knew. They also gave us some direction for overcoming these issues. We now will just wait for the final report from them.
So after 3 dr appts in one day, guess what. I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat. Sitting here Sunday afternoon I now have no voice. Should make work tomorrow interesting.
We are starting to think about our Disney trip more and more. That will be a huge challenge. I don't think there is any way to completely avoid milk and sugar there. But we will just have to make the best choices we can. On that note we just bought her a Tinkerbelle dress to wear when we are there. She is such a clothes horse! She loves pretty things, and wears them so well. And I love to buy them for her so it works out pretty good. We also just got her Easter outfit. Pictures will follow on Easter.
Well first off, Trader Joes and Whole Foods was amazing! I had a great day with my friend, Marcy and 3 of her kids. She directed me down then I let her take over driving. I found some really good things for our family and I am for sure going back in a few weeks. It was really crowded and I was just a tad overwhelmed so I did not buy near enough stuff. Serenity picked out some lovely roses for us. They were so pretty on our table last week. Too bad they can't last longer. The fruit leathers were a big success. The Irish bangers(sausage) were sooooo good, I wish I had bought more. The vegan cheese not so great, but the raw milk blue cheese for daddy and me is terrific. We were 66% on the fruit juice sweetened muffins, 2 boxes were good and 1 tasted like sawdust.
We had lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant. That was a cool experience. I am glad Serenity is an adventurous eater. It makes planning her meals so much easier.
Monday we had 3 doctor's appointments. I had 1 at 9 in Mercer for my neck/shoulder injury. I need an MRI(had it Wed.showed no injury to the spine must be muscle related) Serenity had her first at 11 in Greenville. Her palate showed no fissure but her tonsils were HUGE!!!! Thankfully the are not infected but still, jumping jackrabbits those babies touched in the middle! How had she been swallowing those huge fish oil capsules?!?!?! She also had some testing for food allergies. Guess what were 2 of the 3 that showed up. Milk and sugar!! I know, right? So it looks like we may be on the right path. The third was vinegar(?!?!?!?) He gave us some homeopathic things to try for the tonsils and we are staying away from the milk and sugar so hopefully those things will bring the size of the tonsils down.
Her second appointment(our third of the day) was at 3 in Sewickley to find out the results of her testing. Testing showed NO SIGNS of an autism spectrum disorder.(*I* never expected it to) But she does show for ADHD. The worst thing? Listening and writing at the same time, i.e. spelling tests. She is easily distracted. SQUIRREL!! (UP reference) and has trouble staying focused for long periods of time. All things we kind of knew. They also gave us some direction for overcoming these issues. We now will just wait for the final report from them.
So after 3 dr appts in one day, guess what. I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat. Sitting here Sunday afternoon I now have no voice. Should make work tomorrow interesting.
We are starting to think about our Disney trip more and more. That will be a huge challenge. I don't think there is any way to completely avoid milk and sugar there. But we will just have to make the best choices we can. On that note we just bought her a Tinkerbelle dress to wear when we are there. She is such a clothes horse! She loves pretty things, and wears them so well. And I love to buy them for her so it works out pretty good. We also just got her Easter outfit. Pictures will follow on Easter.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Monday, Monday, can't trust that day
It even feels like Monday. Woke up today with a 'bang your head against the wall' headache that just won't go away. I was in a minor car accident last May that messed up my neck( I am still going to PT for it) that causes some really whamo headaches. Today is one. So here I sit at 10:30 in my jammies drinking a cup of shade grown, free trade, organic, a portion of the profits go to a Tanzanian orphanage, socially responsible coffee with Stevia and half and half. And it even taste good. :D
Serenity is home with me today too. The alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 7:30, so she got a 'mental health' day as well.
So what am I doing with my time? I got on the Trader Joe's website and printed their Fearless Flyer to peruse. I think I am going to try to go there Saturday. While our local grocery store has an ok health food section for our small town, I think we need to do a mega trip to the big city.
Serenity is being uber-responsible with her food choices. She keeps asking, "Does that have sugar?" This morning I made her scrambled eggs with sugar- free almond milk, Ezekial 4:9 toast with all fruit spread and a mocha with 1/2 above mentioned coffee, 1 tsp cocoa, stevia and rest SF almond milk.
I bought her Nathan's hot dogs. She loves hot dogs(as do I) and it was a real chore finding a sugar free variety. So dinner last night was hot dogs on a honey wheat wrap.
We just keep feeling our way thru this lifestyle change. But I think it is helping. She got 13 out of 15 on her spelling test this week and 33 out of 40 on a grammar test. I don't know for sure if it is the diet change but I will take it.
Did I mention she is taking a tsp of flax seed oil and a fish oil capsule a day? Well she is and one of the benefits is her dry skin in not as dry as it has been. Bonus!
Ok rambling has gone on long enough. I think I need to go climb Mt Laundry since I am home.....
Serenity is home with me today too. The alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 7:30, so she got a 'mental health' day as well.
So what am I doing with my time? I got on the Trader Joe's website and printed their Fearless Flyer to peruse. I think I am going to try to go there Saturday. While our local grocery store has an ok health food section for our small town, I think we need to do a mega trip to the big city.
Serenity is being uber-responsible with her food choices. She keeps asking, "Does that have sugar?" This morning I made her scrambled eggs with sugar- free almond milk, Ezekial 4:9 toast with all fruit spread and a mocha with 1/2 above mentioned coffee, 1 tsp cocoa, stevia and rest SF almond milk.
I bought her Nathan's hot dogs. She loves hot dogs(as do I) and it was a real chore finding a sugar free variety. So dinner last night was hot dogs on a honey wheat wrap.
We just keep feeling our way thru this lifestyle change. But I think it is helping. She got 13 out of 15 on her spelling test this week and 33 out of 40 on a grammar test. I don't know for sure if it is the diet change but I will take it.
Did I mention she is taking a tsp of flax seed oil and a fish oil capsule a day? Well she is and one of the benefits is her dry skin in not as dry as it has been. Bonus!
Ok rambling has gone on long enough. I think I need to go climb Mt Laundry since I am home.....
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Teach your children well
Since it is tax season I am working in hubby's office as support staff. That means on Tues nights big brother Mattie takes Serenity to dance class(which he loves) Well tonight I got home to find Serenity eating Mickey D's french fries. Other big brother had given them to her because he didn't want them and I think because she really did not want to go to dance and he was feeling just a little sorry for her.
I didn't have the heart to tell them that those yummy fries are so yummy because they are made with sugar. Yep after the taters are cut the take a swim in a sugar water solution before freezing.
So now I sit here thinking, "What have I taught them?" Did I teach them to use food as reward or to sooth unhappy feelings? As someone who 'eats her emotions', I know I did. I have found myself turning to Ginger Snaps to placate my stress at the testing and changes we are making. Doing all this during tax season just adds stress fuel to the fire.
So now I have guilt....Maybe there are some french fries left.
I didn't have the heart to tell them that those yummy fries are so yummy because they are made with sugar. Yep after the taters are cut the take a swim in a sugar water solution before freezing.
So now I sit here thinking, "What have I taught them?" Did I teach them to use food as reward or to sooth unhappy feelings? As someone who 'eats her emotions', I know I did. I have found myself turning to Ginger Snaps to placate my stress at the testing and changes we are making. Doing all this during tax season just adds stress fuel to the fire.
So now I have guilt....Maybe there are some french fries left.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Hide and Seek.
What a weekend. I had no idea how far and wide sugar/dairy stretched. I guess if I had really thought about it I would have but jumping jackrabbits, its everywhere!
Remember that almond milk I felt pretty good about? Well while perusing my local food mart I saw there was an unsweetened variety. ?????? When I check the label there it was evaporated cane syrup. Ketchup on fries, yep, the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup. I knew that one just forgot. Oh and forget about bread, unless you want to spend $7 a loaf. I hope she is ok with all fruit spread on rice cakes.
Tonight was our Chinese school's Chinese New Year party. Fortunately the Chinese have never incorporated a lot of dairy into their cuisine. And we just steered clear of anything really saucy because of sugars. She could still enjoy her two favorites, wonton soup and lo mein and she had cantalope for dessert. So she was more than happy. The night ended with a really cool fireworks display. I love Chinese New Year!
So far this week I have two solid meals planned. Roast with veggies in the slow cooker and a spicy hamburger and brown rice concoction(the recipe is on the back of the brown rice). I am open to anymore suggestions/recipes.
We are still feeling our way through this. So far Serenity has been great about willingly avoiding what she knows has dairy/sugar in it. She even turned down a Ho-Ho tonight. What a girl!
Remember that almond milk I felt pretty good about? Well while perusing my local food mart I saw there was an unsweetened variety. ?????? When I check the label there it was evaporated cane syrup. Ketchup on fries, yep, the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup. I knew that one just forgot. Oh and forget about bread, unless you want to spend $7 a loaf. I hope she is ok with all fruit spread on rice cakes.
Tonight was our Chinese school's Chinese New Year party. Fortunately the Chinese have never incorporated a lot of dairy into their cuisine. And we just steered clear of anything really saucy because of sugars. She could still enjoy her two favorites, wonton soup and lo mein and she had cantalope for dessert. So she was more than happy. The night ended with a really cool fireworks display. I love Chinese New Year!
So far this week I have two solid meals planned. Roast with veggies in the slow cooker and a spicy hamburger and brown rice concoction(the recipe is on the back of the brown rice). I am open to anymore suggestions/recipes.
We are still feeling our way through this. So far Serenity has been great about willingly avoiding what she knows has dairy/sugar in it. She even turned down a Ho-Ho tonight. What a girl!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
New Beginnings
It has been a long while since I have used this blog. With Facebook and other sites I have been neglecting this one. But no longer, I promise. I will be using this one to chronicle a new journey.
My 6 year old daughter has been having some learning issues. Possibly ADHD, we are not sure at this point. We spent all of today in Pittsburgh at the Watson Institute testing for various things. I being the information driven person that I am have spent lots of time on the internet Googling, Binging and other searching to get as much info as I can on the subject.(read information overload). I settled on a few books and such to find a dietary method to help with the issues versus a pharmaceutical one. Thus our new beginning.....
Goodbye dairy, goodbye sugar and possibly goodbye gluten.
You see above my first purchases. Almond milk, stevia sweetener, fruit juice, almond butter, rice cakes, crackers, and brown rice cereal. I will join my little mei mei in her lifestyle change. Abandoning my lo carb lifestyle of the last year and a half to help her with her big changes. I know sugar is a problem for me so that won't be such a change. But saying goodbye to cheeses. GASP!! At least I still have goat cheese and chevre. But I love her more than cheddar and mozzerella combined so no biggie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
