Monday, January 24, 2011

One week update

Ok, so it's been a week of gluten-free and sugar-free excitement for me.   I'm hooked.  Seriously, I'm hooked.

I figured I had done my duty so last night for dinner we had chinese take out.  I was careful to avoid the breaded stuff ~ and I even skipped the rice (which is not gluten but still?!?! I don't know) ~ but today I felt like CRAP.  And I was back to needing my afternoon nap. 

I really don't think it was coincidence, so I'm getting back on the wagon.  Ugh.  Life seems boring but I can't give up, knowing how much more amazing I feel going sugar- and gluten-free.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Day 4

I've successfully navigated the first three days of eating refined sugar- and gluten-free.  I feel great.  Yesterday was the first day in I-don't-know-when that I didn't hit a huge afternoon wall and want to curl up in my bed during kiddie naptime.  I still wanted to curl up in my bed to just take a break, but I didn't feel like I could sleep for three hours.  Maybe just 20 minutes.  :)

I visited a new-to-me bakery on Monday and I almost caved when I saw their Red Velvet Cupcakes.  But I didn't.  I've been super frustrated several times over the last few days and wanted to dive into the first box of cookies, crackers, and cereal I could find.  But I restrained myself.  My secret weapon has been the delicious citrus that is all over the place right now.  Tangerines, tangelos, blood oranges, navel oranges..... yum!  They are super sweet and delicious.  We are all devouring them like crazy!

I've been feeling more "hungry" and had to be a lot more mindful of what's going in my mouth.  Both huge pluses.  The key is that I've been much better prepared.  My goal is to eat mostly fruits, veggies, and protein (meat!).  We love meat at our house -- my husband's favorite food group.  (I am less in love.)  So I've been spending time the night before chopping, dicing, tearing, and measuring so that it's a billion times easier to eat nourishing food in a snap during the day.

Of course all this evening chopping-dicing-tearing is only possible because my husband got shifted to start work at oh-dark-thirty in the morning this week... which he hates, but I love because he's home in the evenings for dinner and then I can prep in the kitchen with him keeping an eye on any pre-World War III battles elsewhere in the house.

Whew.  I knew I could do it, and I knew it would take a while to get in the groove, but I'm really enjoying the benefits.  And I'm only on day 4.  My next step is to up my water intake.  I've gotten lazy about it because using the bathroom All. The. Time. is a big pain.  But I will survive.

Friday, January 14, 2011

We interrupt this program...

I'll be taking a break from the mundane police wife posts for a while.  I know what you're thinking: "Hasn't she been taking a break from all posting, period??"  Well yes.  But this one's different.  Starting Monday, I'm going sugar-free with The Nourishing Gourmet.  I've read her site for some time, and love that she makes (and shares recipes for!) delicious, nourishing food. 

I know that I have not been operating on all my cylinders for a while, and I also know it's in part because of the crappy food I have been putting in my body.  Not to say it doesn't taste good!  Man, those creme fraiche mashed potatoes were sure delicious on Christmas Day.  So was the cinnamon roll french toast my brother made.  But seriously..... Seriously!?!?!  I have to bring my A+++ game every day as a married single mom.  And I *know* you know what I'm talking about.

The problem is I just haven't been bringing my A+++ game lately.  It's been more like C, or C-, or let's be honest, C--- bordering on F.  Hey, I just call it like I see it!  :(  About four years ago I spent two months eating free of refined carbs and sugar.  My friend called it "The Meaty Meaty Diet."  Awesome.  :)  She was right.  Basically I ate protein and green veggies, with a few things like oatmeal or cheese thrown in a few times a week.  It really changed my outlook ~ I felt better both physically AND emotionally, and there is NO price you can put on that.

So, is anybody with me?  I'm crazy, I know, just say it!  But at this point, I've gotta bump that C--- up to at least a C+ and this is a great way for me to get started.  I'm planning to blog about my adventure next week at least once or twice. Hopefully it will be a lot more than that, but we shall see!  Check out the Sugar Free Challenge here.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

In my neck of the woods....

January 2011.

New shift for the hubs at work.
Week-long training class out of town for the hubs.  Oh, which he found out about only 5 days beforehand.  Gotta love planning ahead!
So, I'm giving myself permission to have breakfast for dinner while the husband is gone.
I'm giving myself at least a month, if not more, to get used to this new schedule.
And with all that "getting used to" and "permission" giving, I need a nap. 

bye!