Plant-based Diet

I finally watched Forks over Knives.  My 24 year old daughter had been telling me that I should watch this documentary on Netflix and I finally did!  Now I can't eat the way I used to, and I think this is a good thing! The documentary talked a lot about how animal protein is actually bad for you.  The doctors in the documentary have done studies in which they have come to the conclusion that consuming too much animal protein can lead to so many diseases.  I've been on a diet, but it has just been by limiting my proteins and fats, and stopping all the junk foods.  Now my diet is including more fruits and vegetables because those doctors in the Forks over Knives have discovered that a Plant-based diet can actually reverse many diseases, including cancer.  A Plant-based diet can make a person feel better and it's so much better for our bodies.  So far, they are right on feeling better because I do!  I don't want to get sick and I want to lose weight, so I'm going to try my best to eat as close as possible to a Plant-based diet.  I'm going to do this gradually.  I don't know if I could ever give up pizza and burgers, but maybe if I make most of my diet out of fruits, vegetable and grains.  Yeah, grains are part of the diet!  So, see, it can't all be that hard to do. ;)

May Day!

It's May!  Almost my Marine's birthday.  Almost one of my daughter's birthday.  Almost Mother's Day.  Almost time for my semester exams.  Almost time for any graduations in the family.  Almost time so many things that I just need to breathe!  Right now I need to find where I put my book on Plato.  I need to get two papers done for my classes and I have nothing done.  They are both due in five days.  My goal is to have one done by early Sunday. Then, I'll do the second one.  Kind of makes me rethink my registering for three classes for the Fall semester.  Some days I think I should just forget school altogether.  My life would be a little bit easier.  I'm so close to finishing.  I want that degree.  Just a few more years.  Unless I push myself and take more courses per semester.  I can do it.  I did it before.  It's just so much stress.  ok, I need to get my laundry ready.  The dryer is rebelling, so now I need to go dry clothes some place else. ugh.  I'm going to think positive.  I can study or read while I'm there, right?  Right.  Negativity gets you nowhere.  :)

Mammogram Day.

Today I had my very first mammogram.  If you knew me, you'd understand my surprise that it all went very well.  I'm not one of those women that has very much on top.  I like how I look for the most part, but I'm small in the breast department.  That's why I never really believed that I could even get a mammogram.  Well, just so you know- it is possible!  Everything went well. I was pronounced "cancer-free".  Yay!  That's what one of my daughters said when I fb messaged her about my mammogram appointment.  I didn't think I had cancer, but just being there kind of gave me the willies.  You're there and you think- what if they find something?  The technician sent me to another room to wait after we got done with the mammogram.  Then, she called me back to have a redo of one side.  That made me worry just a little bit more, but I acted like I was just fine.  Then, after everything, she sent me to see the doctor.  Yikes!  No, it was ok.  He explained that I was fine, but that I needed to do a complete self-exam every month.  He made me feel a little nervous.  Nervous because he made it really seem like I could really get cancer one day.  He explained the results and demonstrated on himself how I should do a self-exam.  I really like that he seemed to care.  He could have just sent me on my way.  Instead, he talked about the importance of a monthly self-exam on my breasts.  So, guess what!  I'm going to listen to him.  I better listen.  If you are a woman and reading this, get a mammogram.  Do self-exams on your breasts.  Don't wait.  Be good to your body by taking care of it.

Bloated again!

OK, I am annoyed.  I am still on my diet and I'm exercising, but yet, here I sit typing this while I am bloated.  I hate it!  Seriously, hate it.  It makes me look fat and pregnant.  Why do I get this way?  Do all women go through this, or is it just me? And why do we not hear men complaining about the same problem?  So-not-fair.  I know it could just be that time of the month, but still, why do I have to go through it at all.  Or it could be from eating or drinking something made with milk.  Or it could be the salt in the food I eat.  I'm fine if I don't eat, but then, I'm starving.  I can't live without eating.  I already cut down on everything bad for me.  I really miss nachos with cheese.  Especially, the kind made with hot Rotel and Velveeta.  I'd really love some right now.  I don't eat that anymore.  That always made me bloat up big time.  So now, the closest I get to it, is passing by it at the store.  Ok, I'm done venting.  It didn't help much, but I got some of my frustrations out.  Thank you.

Up Late as Always.

I am up late.  I just finished praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. My mom asked me to do a novena and for a good reason.  It's my first novena ever.  I feel at peace after praying the novena and I have new hope.  Just in case you don't know what a novena is- it is praying for nine days and in this case, I am praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  There are all kinds of novenas you can pray.  Anyway, this novena that I'm doing ends this Saturday and the following day is Divine Mercy Sunday.  That's the day you can receive so many graces, if you do certain things that day-like go to confession.  Anyway,  I'm up and just finished and now it's time to work on other things.  I'm working on a study guide for Biology for my son who's homeschooled.  He has a major test.  Then, I have laundry.  I always have laundry.  Every day!  I wonder how the Duggars did it before they got famous.  I only do it for 10 people right now, but still!  Anyway, I find it interesting to know how other large families handle things.  Today was track for another of my sons.  I actually got to go see him!  Luckily, I had dinner read early.  Anyway, any time I am out of  my house, it just means there is more for me to do at night. It's really not too bad.  I can handle it.  If I couldn't, I wouldn't be here blogging. 

Homeschooling is Hard Work.

I'm here to tell you that homeschooling is really hard work.  Seriously.  My sister homeschooled her kids years ago and I always had a feeling it took up a lot of time.  It does, and she did it before schools were available online.  One of my sons is homeschooled online, but I still have to be here to guide and teach him.  Homeschooling takes up most of my time and his time.  I like that he is actually learning.  I'm learning, too.  I never did Algebra on a graphing calculator.  And Art!  You can take that course online!  Whodda thought?!  My son is doing great online with Texas Connections Academy.  I chose this school because they offer more in the way of courses and it seemed close to what he would learn in his previous school.  It actually is better.  I get to see what he learns and he seems to be learning quite a bit more. It's more intense. Plus, the teachers are great.  There is more one on one help.  My son can call them anytime, or he can ask for help during any of the live lessons.  It's just amazing.  There is also interaction with other students.  So, it's not like he's all alone on the computer.  I'm thinking he's going to do it for maybe one more year, then back to public school.  I want him to have the chance to experience high school life.  Plus, he has friends there.  Hopefully, he'll get to graduate with them.  From what I see, it looks like he will.  :)

Easter Come and Gone

Well, I survived Easter and Easter was great! Nothing went as planned, but I managed to get done what needed to get done.  Plus, I had some fun somewhere in there.  I also had to make up for eating my mom's coconut cream cake.  It was just so good.  I didn't have that much, but still, after three weeks on my diet, I don't want to get into the habit of having whatever I want.  So, today I worked out.  I rode my daughter's bike for two miles!  It was seriously hard to do!  I was just hoping someone I knew would pass by and offer me a ride.  A fourth of the way, I wanted to just turn around and get my van. And I did my homework!!  I turned it in at exactly midnight.  Almost late.  The assignment was pretty easy-just read Plato's Symposium and answer a discussion question.  So now, just doing the mom thing.  Cleaning, laundry and dishes.  Never ends.  :)

Holy Week 2015

It's already Tuesday of Holy Week and so far, I have nothing ready.  So, tonight we're going Easter shopping for Easter clothes. All my kids need something new.  Something for church and something for grandma's house.  I just hope we get it all done because tomorrow's going to be even busier than today.  I really need to get going on the prayers.  Prayers always and I mean always get me through.  I can probably get everything done without praying, but it's so much harder.  So, this is how I see it.  God gave me my family, so why not ask him for help with my family?  I'm only one person. I'm not supermom. 

Fishy Friday!

It's almost Easter!  Today I made fish, since it's lent and it's Friday.  I remember how my mom always made sure we never had meat on a Friday during lent.  Not me.  I admit, I don't follow all the Lenten rules when it comes to eating. Some Fridays I don't even realize it's Friday.  My days just run together and I just want to get done what I need to get done without going totally crazy.  Having a big family is work.  I don't have time to get bored.  I am pretty much always busy.  I do allow myself "me" time, so I can stay sane. Plus, everyone should give themselves a break and do what they want to do in life-when they can. Today, I got to go to the movies with two of my daughters. We kind of sneaked away to see the movie, "Home".  Good movie, except I had trouble keeping my eyes open during the last half hour.  It's not the movie's fault.  Just mine. I am sleep deprived.  One day I hope to catch up.  Right now, I feel drained. So, a good cup of coffee sounds really good about now.

Gramma day.

It's been another busy day.  Today I got to spend most of my day with my only granddaughter.  So, now I am all worn out.  When she's around, I feel fine.  She is fun to have around and the girl is unbelievably smart.  I'm not kidding.  She's tiny and smart.  The world better watch out for her.  Now I'm just here with my youngest daughter.  She isn't in school yet, so I let her stay up just a little bit later than the other kids.  But I really can't wait for her to fall asleep.  Right now she is busy with her books.  So, here I am just blogging.  I did well on my diet today.  Everything was healthy.  Well, except for the m & m's I ate when I was rocking my grandbaby to sleep.  They were there-I had to!  I made up for it later.  I had tacos for dinner-made with corn tortillas.  So good!  Just like my mom used to make when I was growing up. Well, except I added a little guacamole and salsa.  And no, I did not exercise.   I was just too busy and now am just too tired.  Tomorrow.  I will do it all tomorrow. 

Relief!!

I'm sooo glad my day is over!!  I just turned in my humanities paper and yesterday, I turned in my poetry paper.  Two papers in two days, and I got them turned in on time!!  This requires some serious celebrating.  Unfortunately, I am a mom and this just "ain't gonna happen!" What will actually happen is I will go catch up on everything that did not get done while I was working on my papers.  Hello, dishes; hello, laundry; hello house. On a good note, though-- I get to go running in the morning. I denied myself any running until after I got done with the papers.  I just gave up two days, so it's not the end of the world.  Getting back on the road will just be all the more fulfilling-- and freeeeeee.  Yup, I'm still high from all this stress relief.  I am just so glad I got the papers done and on time.  Plus, I think they turned out pretty darn good.  Oh, just so you know, I am taking classes with UHV.  I'm a mom and a college student.  And I run.  And I read!  I'm about done with that second book I started during Spring Break!

Running Shoes

Spring break is almost over. So far, it's been exhausting. I'm still busy as ever and I didn't get any of my papers done for my classes.  I plan to write one on Oedipus the King and an interpretative paper on a poem of my choice. I have nothing done. Not even the research.  We need a spring break for moms - but then, the world would just go to chaos and then, we'd have more work to do when our spring break ended.  Ok, I'm just tired.  Long busy day, plus, I took some of my kids shopping.  I found some running shoes I liked, but didn't buy. Nike-free 4.0. I need to do some research on them first.  I don't want to regret what I buy.  I'm really careful about that. Besides, if it's meant to be, the shoes will be there or online.  And no, I didn't workout.  All that walking while I was out should count as my workout.  Right now I'm just hungry.  I haven't eaten since breakfast and Saturday has just arrived. It's 12:05am where I am.   

Algebraic Thursday-Help!

It's Thursday night and at my house that means it's wrestling night.  While they do that, I'm trying to figure out my son's Algebra homework.  What happened to doing Algebra without a graphing calculator.  I was good with that kind, but not this new way.  My brain hurts. I need a good cup of coffee and a book break.  I've added another book this week- The Consequences by Colette Freedman.  I'm done with the first chapter and so far, so good.  My diet is still going ok and so is the working out. I'm still craving chips. That guacamole didn't help, but at least it wasn't cheese. 

What happened to Yesterday?

OK, what happened to yesterday?  I missed posting on my blog.  Don't worry, you didn't miss much.  I ran, did my grocery shopping  and almost died on the way back.  Not!-but it was a long hard walk.  I bought way too much.  I needed the workout, so I'm glad I suffered a little.  I made guacamole last night and ate way too much of it.  It was just too good!  I made some more today.  So, you get to see it.  I have an easy way to make it.  Just add salt and a little Hot Rotel to some mashed avocadoes.  Sooo good, but I'm always bloated afterwards and feel too darn full.  I think I'm going to go off my diet and have a little champagne with my "guac" tonight.  I'm still going to workout, but inside today- and I'm doing extra because of the "guac" snack.

 

Murky Monday!

It's Monday and it's just been one murky day. Not good, if you are going to the beach for Spring Break.  I didn't, but I did run! Two miles-with half of it walking and carrying my groceries.  Got my groceries in between.  It's the only way to get things done when you have a big family and still want to do things for yourself.  Anyway, that's what I did and it was cold and drizzly. Then, I had some homemade potato and egg tacos that I made for my brunch.  Then, again for my dinner.  I know, it sounds boring, but with my salsa, it's really good. And I've come up with a quick way to make them.  Just bake some potatoes in the microwave.  When they are done, cut them in half, scoop out the potato and add it to the scrambled eggs when they are almost done. Don't forget to add some salt. Then, eat with some flour tortillas and salsa. :)

Birthday today.

It's my son's birthday today-17 years old!  So, it was his day and not mine.  That means it's all about him.  That's the way it should be.  So, we had cake and off to Wallbangers for dinner.  That place has some really great burgers.  I ate mine with some lettuce, jalapenos and pico de gallo.  Sooooo good! Anyway, I plan to work out in a little bit and maybe a cup of coffee with some more reading.  I need to finish at least one book this spring break. 

Spring Break Saturday!

Yup, it's Saturday and yes, I did workout last night before bed. I'm not timing myself.  I worked out to 7 songs-mostly 80's music.  It was wonderful!  I'm still fat.  Had 12 kids and the last bunch kinda stuck- just a little, so don't be laughing. I was going to run today, but I didn't have time.  So, definitely tomorrow.  Today will just be another workout. My food intake was good.  I didn't snack! Nope-nada! Just had breakfast, lunch and dinner.  And water! I drank two bottles of water.  By the way, I did have coffee, but for some reason it just wasn't up to par. I might try making it again later.  Only a little.

 

New Day-Spring Break Begins!

It's Spring Break!  My Spring Break and time to finally start my blog. I want to start a new diet and start working out again!  I've been slacking for the last two months. Let's hope this blog keeps me in line. Today I ran - just a little, but I ate only a little.  Does that count?  I'll work out some before bed.  I'm also starting a new book- Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand.  So, right now it's just me time for some reading and some coffee- Community Coffee.  I need motivation.  It's been a long hectic week and I just want to relax.  :)