...also know as, when it rains it pours.
Yesterday, my husband rushed one of our dogs to the animal hospital, after she ran under the truck. A severely broken pelvis led to an over night stay, plus surgery and another night stay, today. The prognosis for her recovery is very good, especially since she isn't very old. It is the reason we chose the surgery over the alternative. I hope she has learned that moving vehicles are not her friend, because I don't want her to ever go through something like this, or worse, again. I am just thankful she is alive and will be well again.
Then today, I'm pretty sure I burnt the motor on our emulsion blender while trying to blend dates. (Yes, they were pitted.) I don't have a regular blender or a food processor. I'm hoping it just needed a break and will work again. *Side note... Dates are very sticky, but I have a recipe to share when I get the pictures loaded on our main computer.
Speaking of the computer... the video card died last night. Fortunately, it should be up and running again by Sunday, so I should be able to blog (with pictures) about our snowy days and post a recipe! Maybe, if things go really well, I'll even have a video!
In spite of the things that haven't been going well, today has been a good day. My girls were super helpful today, as I told them they couldn't have their electronics unless they each gave me 1 hour of good help around the house. Blessing #2 helped me empty out the pantry, which I then cleaned. I decided to line the shelves with parchment paper (oily/greasy shelves are nasty and difficult to clean.) and then she helped me restock it. My laundry area is cleaner than it has been in a while. Two out of three bathrooms were clean and my downstairs is mostly tidy without me being completely worn out! Fantastic, I do say. Plus, I didn't have to make dinner or clean the kitchen afterwards, as my husband and children took care of all that.
It makes me glad that, even with all the things to weigh me down, I chose instead to see the blessings and the joy.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
The Sugar War
I've often told people, I am less worried about alcohol than I am about sugar. I don't really have a problem saying no to drinking, but no to a cookie, a piece of cake, doughnuts? That is a different story. So for Lent, I decided to reduce my sugar intake, as a start towards a healthier temple, (body.)
Aside from my Mentos slip, and the homemade waffles (2 days in a row) while being out of honey, I've actually be doing pretty good with the decreased sugar consumption. That doesn't mean I haven't itched for a fix from time to time, especially when offered sweet treats. Thankfully the Girl Scout cookies my husband brings home, I've had practice saying no to, but that's a different story.
I haven't really lost any weight, which, being post-partum is somewhat disappointing. (But, hey, I also haven't really started exercising either.) However, I have noticed differences. I have been cranky and irritable, as one would expect with withdrawls of any kind, but I can be that way anyway. What has really been noticeable for me is that I've been less tired and just felt all around better.
Even when sickness made some rounds through our home, recently, I didn't get sick. I feel almost a glowing feeling, like when you hit the 2nd trimester (for me anyway) where you don't feel sick any more but you aren't huge and all that either. Just a healthy glow.
Not only that, but, I've also been a little more adventurous. Today, I tried a date for, what I'm sure is, the first time. It was ok. Sweet enough, but the texture was... not my thing. Refusing to give up, (since I bought 3lbs through one of the local co-ops), I began looking up things to make with them and I'm excited to try some. Really, if I can still have chocolate, I might be ok. hahaha It isn't all sugar I'm wanting to eradicate from my body. After all, our body needs sugar, from fruit and honey and such. My vegetable intake has gone up a little bit, right along with my fruit in take. This, of course, has also helped with my feeling healthier.
The thing is, I like it. For the most part, I'm not missing the treats as much as I expected to. I like the radiance I feel, much more. And I'm realizing that the hunger I often feel, is usually from thirst more than hunger. I've know that for a long time, but to realize and accept that is a different story. Doesn't mean I've gotten much better about hydration, though I have gotten somewhat better.
I'm looking forward to seeing what the coming weeks will bring about, as I continue this journey. Maybe I'll be courageous enough to overcome my sugar addiction and let it truly go. Not returning to start all over again when the season is done. Instead, letting it be the start of a new way of living.
Aside from my Mentos slip, and the homemade waffles (2 days in a row) while being out of honey, I've actually be doing pretty good with the decreased sugar consumption. That doesn't mean I haven't itched for a fix from time to time, especially when offered sweet treats. Thankfully the Girl Scout cookies my husband brings home, I've had practice saying no to, but that's a different story.
I haven't really lost any weight, which, being post-partum is somewhat disappointing. (But, hey, I also haven't really started exercising either.) However, I have noticed differences. I have been cranky and irritable, as one would expect with withdrawls of any kind, but I can be that way anyway. What has really been noticeable for me is that I've been less tired and just felt all around better.
Even when sickness made some rounds through our home, recently, I didn't get sick. I feel almost a glowing feeling, like when you hit the 2nd trimester (for me anyway) where you don't feel sick any more but you aren't huge and all that either. Just a healthy glow.
Not only that, but, I've also been a little more adventurous. Today, I tried a date for, what I'm sure is, the first time. It was ok. Sweet enough, but the texture was... not my thing. Refusing to give up, (since I bought 3lbs through one of the local co-ops), I began looking up things to make with them and I'm excited to try some. Really, if I can still have chocolate, I might be ok. hahaha It isn't all sugar I'm wanting to eradicate from my body. After all, our body needs sugar, from fruit and honey and such. My vegetable intake has gone up a little bit, right along with my fruit in take. This, of course, has also helped with my feeling healthier.
The thing is, I like it. For the most part, I'm not missing the treats as much as I expected to. I like the radiance I feel, much more. And I'm realizing that the hunger I often feel, is usually from thirst more than hunger. I've know that for a long time, but to realize and accept that is a different story. Doesn't mean I've gotten much better about hydration, though I have gotten somewhat better.
I'm looking forward to seeing what the coming weeks will bring about, as I continue this journey. Maybe I'll be courageous enough to overcome my sugar addiction and let it truly go. Not returning to start all over again when the season is done. Instead, letting it be the start of a new way of living.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Not as Planned
So far things are not going as planned
The first step in my plan was to collect 2 dozen eggs and incubate them, starting last week. Sadly, I got just over a dozen. So, I will try again and hope there are enough and that none of them freeze! My goal is to hatch 3-4 batches of chicks. Then, when the time comes, we can process them in successive groups. This should help fill our freezer with our own chicken.
After I've dealt with chickens, I'd like to do the same with our turkeys. Though, I think I'd only bother with 1-2 batches.
There is also the garden planning. I would like to plant a really good, solid, hardy garden this year. Maybe even build some cold frames around the outside of our house, to grow somethings in the winter and/or to use for transplants for next year.
The hope? That we will be more self sustaining in the coming year. The best way to know you're eating quality food is to grow it yourself. The problem? I planned these things thinking that winter was already leaving and God proved me wrong!
I also have some home projects I'd like to do. I have those laid out and am working on the details of how to go about getting them done. I'm pretty excited and can't wait to see what I can accomplish.
After I've dealt with chickens, I'd like to do the same with our turkeys. Though, I think I'd only bother with 1-2 batches.
There is also the garden planning. I would like to plant a really good, solid, hardy garden this year. Maybe even build some cold frames around the outside of our house, to grow somethings in the winter and/or to use for transplants for next year.
The hope? That we will be more self sustaining in the coming year. The best way to know you're eating quality food is to grow it yourself. The problem? I planned these things thinking that winter was already leaving and God proved me wrong!
I also have some home projects I'd like to do. I have those laid out and am working on the details of how to go about getting them done. I'm pretty excited and can't wait to see what I can accomplish.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Itching for Spring
I am so ready for spring. Ok, in my heart I am, however, I still have a lot to do to prepare.
There is a garden to plan, seeds to buy and start them for transplanting. There are good hatching eggs to collect for the incubator, because this year, I have a plan. My goal, to not buy chicken from the store next year. The plan, raise up, in succession batches, chickens to fill my freezer with. Then do the same with the Turkeys.
So really, I'm not actually ready for spring, but my heart is. I'm fully of excited anticipation for what this year holds for us and am ready to get going to make these things happen. I just pray that in all my endeavors, I persevere even after my enthusiasm wanes.
May this be true for all of us during this year of Jubilee!
There is a garden to plan, seeds to buy and start them for transplanting. There are good hatching eggs to collect for the incubator, because this year, I have a plan. My goal, to not buy chicken from the store next year. The plan, raise up, in succession batches, chickens to fill my freezer with. Then do the same with the Turkeys.
So really, I'm not actually ready for spring, but my heart is. I'm fully of excited anticipation for what this year holds for us and am ready to get going to make these things happen. I just pray that in all my endeavors, I persevere even after my enthusiasm wanes.
May this be true for all of us during this year of Jubilee!
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