Little Bits of Life

So, since my BFF N OKC Lorren is moving very freakin’ far away from me, I am in search of a new one.

Qualifications:

• Must be around my age. I guess I will be honest and tell you I will be celebrating the 8th anniversary of my 29th birthday in less than a month. (I said honest, not happy about it.)
• Must be willing to discuss all kinds of personal information including and not limited to your eating habits, personal cycle, afflictions on your sex life as you get older, and where new hair seems to be appearing on a daily basis. Again, that getting a bit older thing.
• Must be willing to deal with my minor neuroses and re-current self esteem issues.
• Must have kids who will like to play with my kids since my kids are almost always in tow. (Reia would like a friend who can sing every song to the High School Musical soundtrack!)
• Must think Hobby Lobby, Kohl’s and Target are the mothership trifecta (sp?) of shopping and you would never buy anything at Hob Lob that isn’t half priced. See next point.
• Must be okay with the fact that I am the most frugal cheapest person on the face of the earth.
• Must think Diet Coke is a sweet nectar made by the hand of God.
• Must understand Seinfeld is one of the greatest shows of all time and that The Office will be the next cult classic in the sitcom category.
• Chocolate is a food group. This point is non-negotiable.
• You will pretend to be healthy with me until it’s “that time” at which point you will ignore the mass quantities of food that pass through my lips. Better yet, you’ll eat with me.
• You agree that Chex Mix is best home made and only baked between late September and December 31.
• And lastly, you will console me as I grieve over my loss because Lorren is one of my favorite people on Earth. (Don’t worry Richelle, Theresa and Holly, Lorren has had to listen to me talk about ya’ll for the past year too!)

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I guess I’m in a post-y kind of mood all of a sudden. It’s unfortunate that school is about to start and I will have very little time for it.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how hard it is for me to be comfortable in my own skin. I started praying that I would see myself the way God sees me…the good stuff you know, not all my flaws. I’m certainly not ready for that just yet.

I grew up with great parents; not perfect, but great. Normal childhood. My parents are still married. And BAM! Low self-esteem. Why does that happen, and what precentage of women/young adults/teenagers do you think struggle with it?

So, it’s something I deal with. Some days I try not to deal with it. A lot of days I catch myself discussing my weight (and how to lose it) or my body (and how I wish I could change it) in front of my girls. It’s bad people. I don’t want them to be like this.

I want them to be confident. Not just in themselves, but the God who wonderfully and fearfully made every hair on their head.

So, I’d like to know where you stand. Is this something you deal with, and HOW do you deal with it? Do you feel like you are comfortable in your own skin?

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are-no more, no less. That’s the  moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” –The Message, Matthew 5

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We have finally, after five and a half years, had family pictures taken again. My friend Molly did these. I highly recommend her work if you need a photographer!

As a matter of fact, my children are quite adorable.

See?

A Family Pic

By the way, wait until fall for pictures. It was 8am and I was sweating like crazy through the whole thing!!

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Do you watch Seinfeld re-runs? Terry and I have literally seen every episode 20 times, and still love them. If you love Seinfeld then you know the episode where the gang holds a contest to see who can contain themselves from any, well, self-gratification, the longest. About 5 minutes into the episode Kramer walks out of Jerry’s apartment, walks back in 45 seconds later, slams is money on the counter and yells, “I’m out!”

That’s how I felt about day 5 of the challenge when I finally had a Diet Coke and I didn’t care one iota about anything else. I’m seriously addicted to it people. Let’s just call a spade a spade and say it boils down to self-control or lack thereof.

And, as usual, I was really beating myself up about it while I was running one day. Running 3 miles. Running that has been pretty consistent since it was 30 degrees outside. Running takes a fair amount of discipline and self-control. God was incredibly sweet to remind me of that. I just love Him.

So, I blew it. I love meat. And sweets. There is a Texas sheet cake happily waiting behind me right now to be eaten after dinner. And Diet Coke. (Lorren just called. The cake may not make it to dinner. )

I’m moving on now….but thanks to those of you who joined me and especially those of you who are still going. Anyone?

I am thinking about re-naming my blog “Cellulite and Loving it!” or “How to Love Your Love Handles” or “Sugar and Bacon Grease Make the World Go ‘Round”. What do you think? I’m kidding!!!

Life is soooo good!

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Let’s just say that this is much harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t think it would be easy, but Lord have mercy I didn’t think I would become all resentful over not having a Coke Zero or Dr. Pepper at will. Even with decaf tea at my disposal, I can’t quite get over the urge to run into a Sonic and shove my whole head under the soda spigot and fill er’ up!

The eating part has been hard too. If you go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant, you must have a will of steel. If you make Paula Deen’s banana pudding for dessert for the company that has come over for dinner…you just give up and plan to start again Monday morning. I should have had a coke while I was at it, but as my wise husband says, “Just because you have a flat in one tire, doesn’t mean you have to stab the other three with a knife.”

What I have learned so far:

1) As Lorren has already pointed out, I had no idea how much of my life revolved around food. Especially the “treats”.

2) If I could just have enough self-discipline for portion control, I would be just fine. I don’t really eat that poorly as it is.

3) Eating out gets me in trouble. Have a plan. Don’t go Mexican. Or Italian. Or anyplace with pre-dinner chips/bread/muffins/anything. Possibly take your own carrots or something.

4) I’d rather just exercise/run than attempt anything like this again. (BO isn’t that bad if I don’t forget my deodorant, right?)

5) Holy cow, it’s been a tad expensive.

6) Summertime is the best time to try this. Great fruits and veggies selection.

7) If I have cheater chips in the house, I will eat them.

Only 26 days to go!!! I’m not giving up. Yet. =) I am wondering if I don’t plan to keep this up after 30 days if there is a real point to continuing. Other than I have several of you started on it.

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So, today I woke up at 6:00 am to go for a run. Made it two miles. I would have gone farther,  but frankly I was running so slow that I ran out of time. After I came home I had a wee quite time and tried to go back to sleep. Ahhh, summertime schedule.

For breakfast I had a grapefruit. I missed the Coke Zero chaser that normally follows breakfast, but we had things to do today. Like go to Mardel and participate in teacher heaven which equates to 20% off all educational items. By the time we got home I was quite hungry so I snacked on a few pita chips and hummus while making the kids’ lunch and mine. Theirs was fun, mine was an avacado and tomato salad. Not fun, but delish none the less.

After lunch we headed to school where we preceded to take down the old bulletin board materials and the kids “played” school. I love that they enjoy that game. It seriously makes my heart happy. Now, I’ve had a glass of lactose free milk for a snack and we’ll be headed to Lorren’s for dinner. (She’s doing this too, so I know I won’t be sabotaged.)

I did however weigh myself. Two reasons, I want to know everything, if anything, this little experiment accomplishes, and secondly, I want to know how much weight I gained on our little trip to Napa.

Well, I gained a total of 7 pounds. So, I have that to mentally deal with. Still, the food in Napa was totally worth it. =)

Right now I am going to rest my eyes (as I call it) while the girls play. I am tired due to the lack of caffeine for sure.

***** a few hours later*****

Dinner at Lorren’s (an eggplant bake of some sort) was great! Topped the evening off with another glass of milk (good protein/low cal) and some sweet potato chips. Some, the whole bag, whatever. We were hungry. I’m a work in progress; don’t forget that.

All in all, I feel like I had a great first day. It was made easier by being busy the whole day so I wasn’t constantly thinking about hamburgers and fries. Plus the fruits and veggies I ate were fabulous. So far the only think I miss is Coke Zero.

How was it for you guys?

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Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 30 Day Inconvenient Challenge. I went to Sam’s today and spent a fortune on fruits and veggies (and some cheese and yogurt for the girls.) We had our “last meal” of poppy seed chicken and buttery garlic bread tonight. And for good meausre, we went to McDonald’s for dipped cones for dessert. That was Lorren’s idea I’m sure.

Tomorrow morning I have a grapefruit waiting for me at breakfast after a run. I haven’t done a real run in almost two weeks. You may find me passed out on the pavement somewhere in my neighborhood.

I will be updating each day and letting anyone who cares to read know what we had and how we are feeling. The girls are actually excited about it. Ok, Reia is excited. Reese wants to know why we can’t have ice cream for dinner every night.

Let me know how you guys are doing and leave a comment so I can see what you are eating each day. After a week, I’ll need some recipe inspiration! Tomorrow night I have salad planned for myself since Terry will be at the Foo Fighters concert.

Here we go!!

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We are having family pictures made at the beginning of August. In the pictures we will all be wearing white shirts and blue jeans. So, I am on the hunt for my white shirt that is summery and fun. Been looking all over Napa, Sonoma and San Fran. And while I have found lots of great shirts, none of them have been white. (Or less than $200 for pete’s sake. I’m all about paying a little more if you like something, but a limit…that’s way over it.)

I have found a great bracelet at Francesca’s whether or not wear it for the pics. =) See y’all back in OKC.

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Needless to say I’m having a good time. Maybe because I’ve been spending some much needed time with Terry. Maybe because I’ve slept until at least 8 a.m. (that’s 10am in OKC) for the past two days. Maybe it’s because the temperature has finally gone from 105 to 75 here in the valley. Or it could possibly be because of all the amazing food. I’ve had some of the most delicious vegetarian dishes while here and a few thousand pounds of bacon for breakfast.

So, if you really feel like checking out someone else’s vacation pics (add turkey and a box of wine to view Seinfeld/Costanza style) then go here.

Otherwise, I’ll be checking in when we get back!

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As I’m flying to vacation with Terry in Napa I figure I might want to get some of the guidelines down for the 30 Day Inconvenient Challenge down on my blog so A) I don’t wimp out on the whole idea and B) anyone who wants to participate in this crazy thing will know the “rules”.
I’ve talked to several of people about this and keep hearing that it sounds a lot like the Daniel Fast.  I prefer not to call it a fast though. For me, this is really more of an experiment that has been in my brain for several years. But I know it will be hard and there has always been something that stops me. Mainly, my appetite for cheese-burgers. =)
My friend Lori asked me whether or not I was going to do whole grains, and that comment got me to thinking about whether or not dairy is acceptable. I would really like to involve my kids in this so I’m going to allow for some exceptions to the whole “only fruits and veggies” premise.
Here is the list I have mulled over thus far. Please feel free to email me and let me know if you think I should consider adding/deleting anything. And also, let me know if you intend to participate so I can get my amazing man to help me with a little IC30 blog roll going on the side. It will probably be a short list. Haha! It may be just me. That’s ok too.
Fruits and Veggies—of course good ole’ fruits and veggies is what got me started on this so they are ALL included. Seems pretty obvious, but I’m listing them anyway. However, having them deep fried in cheese and dipping them in ranch or honey mustard makes them null and void. Even though I can think of nothing more delicious.
Dairy—I am going to include lactose free milk (Dairy Ease is my favorite), cheese if it is called for in a recipe in moderation and yogurt. I need to offer my kids some alternatives like string cheese and yogurt in the afternoons. I am going to try plain yogurt with berries mixed in or smoothies that have yogurt as apposed to Trix or Hannah Montana yogurt with all the extra colors and sugar.

The Bread Group—I am going to serve small amts of whole grain pasta, bread, and tortillas. I think whole grains are good for you and I can’t find anyone to dispute it, so there you go. I plan on finding fresh bread at my local farmer’s market  or health food store. If you happen to live near a Whole Foods or Central Market then you can get very fresh bread pretty reasonably. I have neither in OKC. Actually, lack of a really good grocery store is one of the things I would just about give  my left arm to change about the Metro. It may be worth a drive to Tulsa for a WF trip twice a month.
Nuts—Raw nuts if you will. This is something I can usually find in Wal-mart’s produce section. I love raw pecans and walnuts. Try to stay away from peanuts. There’s too much info on that to explain here. Maybe later.
Cheating—A good cheating snack is Ruffles, Lay’s or Fritos chips. I know this sounds crazy. But these particular chips are only potatoes (or corn), salt, oil. Except for the fat contents, they count. So if you feel like you need a taste of “real” food, go for it. Just don’t eat the whole stinking bag.

Terry and I already have dinner out plans during the 30 day period. I’ve begun planning what I will have to eat. And I am taking my own dressing whether they like it or not.
So, come July 17th—I’ve moved it back a day so I have time to go to the grocery store and don’t screw up the first day—the Storch family is all in.
How about you? Be prepared to share any great recipes you find and how you are doing.  I’ll be posting what we are actually eating every day and a skeleton menu plan for the first two weeks soon.
Oh, and one more thing…no weighing yourself. I’ll post on that later.
Still praying about it Cindy? =0)

I typed this in word and now none of the spacing is showing up. Naturally, I don’t have time to fix it. Maybe later. Hope it wasn’t too hard for y’all to read!!!

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