Changes

I've been on a journey. A journey of change for me and my family. I've had my sight on this journey for some time but I wasn't sure I could do it or even if it was worth it. My journey has been food. More specifically the discovery of real, sometimes called whole food and the reduction of processed food or "food products". Thanks to books, documentaries (through Netflix) and family I have been enlightened to, what I feel, is a better way. I have become aware of how much the food we put in our bodies affects us, positively or negatively. I've even become aware of the healing qualities food can have. It makes sense to me. Heavenly gave us these amazing bodies capable of so many things. He also gave plants, herbs and other things found in nature to assist our bodies. This journey has just begun and though it has been rough at times, I think I'm getting better at it. We have started off slow by reducing our intake of processed foods, meats and some dairy. We have strived to eat more fruits and vegetables and make as many things from scratch as we can, thereby having more control as to what goes into our food. We are by no means perfect. But we have improved and we celebrate the successes and strive for improvement where we can. The two things I noticed first when starting this is 1. real food is not cheap. In fact I'm spending about double what I spent on groceries before. 2. real food takes time. I've double my grocery bill but I've tripled my time in the kitchen. So I no longer have extra spending money, but it doesn't matter because I don't have time to spend it anyways. I always am making something or cleaning something up. I did manage to save an extra $15 from the budget one week and bought the kids summer clothes at Salvation Army.

One of the first things I did for our family (after reducing our meat intake to about once a week) was get rid of all the processed food in our home. Basically if the "food product" has more than 5 ingredients, or contains high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oil, or there are ingredients I can't pronounce, or I don't know what they are I booted it from our kitchen. I've tried to eliminate the 5 whites: 

1. white flour 

2. white sugar 

3. white oil (we use olive oil or coconut oil)

4. white salt

5. white milk

If you were to ask my kids what they miss most from our pre real food days they would tell you "real milk" and "real syrup". 

At first I switch our family to almond milk, the kind you buy in the store. After reading all the ingredients on it I decided to try my hand at making my own almond milk. It was easier than I expected and taste better, too. It's just time consuming and expensive (almonds aren't cheap). But I'm learning that most "real food" is time consuming and expensive.

First I take raw almonds and blanch them to remove the skin. I have fond (time does wonders to change our memories) memories of this as a child. Whenever Clay got a shipment of almonds from his dad he would gather us round the table to "slip nuts". It was child (or slave) labor really. But now I know why he did it. Slipping nuts takes a long time! That is the lengthiest part of making almond milk.

After the almonds are slipped (skins removed) I soak them in water over night. Then I blend them with 4 cups of water, add a little salt, vanilla and pure maple syrup. Then strain them through a cheese cloth or nut milk bag (much easier and better way).

Alex was my slave labor this day. Don't worry I made him feel like I was doing him a favor by letting him slip nuts. 

The almonds (and their skin) after they're slipped.

Blend away, baby. Oh, I forgot to mention I add a little cinnamon, too.

Then strain...

...and squeeze. Kind of like milking a cow. Then you have delicious, nutritious almond milk. (Can you tell I'm practicing for my food blog that's going to make me lots of money, but that I don't actually have time to write.

Another thing we tried is homemade granola. Since I cut out cereal I was hoping the kids would take to this. They didn't care for it much (though Rob and I like it).

Homemade whole wheat tortillas and quinoa have become a staple in our home.

Smoothies are another hit. I always add spinach to the smoothies. Sometimes I get kale, carrots, avocado and celery in there too. Alex will actually request green smoothies sometimes.

Here Alex is helping me make homemade strawberry jam. He was a super strawberry smasher.

So there's the skinny on my journey and why I've had little time to catch up with blogging. 

Recital Time

The first week of June was busy with recitals. First we had Addilyn's dance recital put on after completing one year of ballet.

The theme was "Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales and Fables". Addilyn was a sheep in the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". 

Alex got to present Addilyn with flowers. She thanked him with a giant hug.

 

Our neighbors, Ella and Avery, came to support Addilyn. Maycie, as usual, brought along some stuffed animal friends. Alex was annoyed and having to pose in a picture with so many girls.

Next was the piano recital for both Maycie and Addilyn. The girls have been working hard this year and have really come a long way working with Carolyn Walker as their teacher. They both have gotten into good practice habits and there is actually very little whining about it. Finally!

Maycie played "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven. She had it perfect during practicing. She got a little nervous for her first recital playing in front of a crowd, but she still did very well.

Addilyn played "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter perfectly which was appropriate given her current obsession with the Harry Potter books. She is reading number 5 right now and reads way later into the night than I care for her to. Though I'm happy she has a passion for reading.

I'm so proud of my girls and their willingness to develop their talents. It hasn't come without tears, threats and headaches, but I know if will be worth it and they will someday cherish their talents and the hard work it took to get there.

Alex's 5th Birthday

May 11th, 2012

My sweet Alex turns 5.

This year Alex has been a pleasure. He is sweet, cuddly, curious and fun. He loves everything boy. Legos and Star Wars seem to be the theme of the year. Even better when those two things are combined. He's great at making up random songs about what ever is going on in life. He asks tons of questions and already thinks (or knows) that mom doesn't know everything. Once he asked me a question I didn't know the answer to (which happens a lot) and he said "See mom. I told you you don't know everything." He continues to show his athletic aptitude. He is so caring for his younger brother. My only complaint is he has a tendency to get busy and not want stop for potty break (both #1 and #2). Yuck. 

His favorite foods are applesauce, bananas and pancakes.

I love you my special little guy. I look forward to another wonder year with you.

The traditional breakfast in bed.

San Francisco with the Girls

My dear friends: Caitilin Summerhays, Alison Bergstrom and Catherine Dunn.

 Was it really 5 years ago we were doing "Joy School" with our oldest kids? Shortly after preschool graduation Catherine Dunn moved to Utah. Alison left a couple years later to Ohio and not long after that Caiti moved to San Antonio, Texas leaving me behind in North Carolina. 

 So, after missing the New York reunion trip they did 2 years ago I finally got to reunite with my "Joy School" mommies in fabulous San Francisco.

This is what greeted me when I walked off the plane.

Caiti took charge and was our guide for the trip.

I love the random things you see in SF. 

First scheduled stop. The Boudin Bakery on Pier 39 for some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. YUM!

Feeling a little left of out of the i-phone club. 

Breakfast the next morning was frozen yogurt in front of Bloomingdales.

"Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley".  We took a scenic ride on famous SF trolley.

The view from the top of Lombard Street, the curviest street in America.

A view of Alcatraz.

Other San Franciscan views from our trolley.

Next stop. Ghirardelli square where we enjoyed decadent cupcakes (now I finally understand the cupcake craze) and creamy ice cream (not on the same day).

China town.

This is beginning to seem like a food tour.

Crepes on Pier 39...

...and enjoying the Boudin bakery views.

That's a giant crocodile made out of sourdough bread.

More food moments.

In-n-out Burger is a must.

Man. I really need to get me one of those i-phones. I was like the kid in short pants with my dorky little samsung from Walmart.

We took a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. The weather was warm and sunny right until we hit the bridge. You can see the fog rolling in. It was like we warped to another world the change was so  fast and drastic. Suddenly it was cold and gloomy. As soon as we left the bridge it was bright again. Weird.

The Trans America Building.

Finally. All four of us together in one shot.

Saying good-bye is such sweet sorrow.

Thanks to Marilyn who watched the boys for me so I could go on this fabulous little get-a-way.