Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Vitamin obsessed

I have taken pills my entire life.  Any 80's asthmatics remember Slo Bid?  Yep, I do.

Sometimes I get super tired of taking pills.  I have a giant morning/night pill container that I was putting asthma medicine, allergy medicine, prenatal vitamin, fish oil, vitamin C, turmeric, plus other supplements depending on what I had recently heard about (my mom, Dr. Oz, Today Show, etc).

I actually don't mind taking a bunch of capsules every day - but I'm so lazy, I hate filling up my morning/night pill container every week!  What a pain.  I know it's only like 5 minutes but sometimes I will literally open a bunch of bottles every night before I fill up the container.

So I was so excited when I was introduced to Ageless Essentials with Product B.  The initial appeal is that it is pre-packaged into morning and evening packets, just tear open and take them.

Then I started taking it, and MAN, something magic must be in there.  I really, really like how it makes me feel!  Usually I take supplements and don't notice a difference at all, but figure it 'must' be good for me so I keep on with it.  This is different.  I can't really describe it, but it's a feeling...

Maybe after seeing this description and graphic from the website:

Formulated to meet the latest in nutritional science, Essentials contains therapeutic dosages of key nutrients tailored to meet the nutritional needs of both men and women. 

This sounds pretty normal, like a normal multi-vitamin, right?  That's what I thought.  Read on:

Ageless Actives™ Contains potent amounts of CoQ10, Vitamin D3 and Resveratrol, as well as botanicals and other antioxidants to support healthy aging. 

IsaOmega Supreme® Supports cardiovascular health and brain health by providing you with a high-potency and highly concentrated amount of DHA and EPA omega-3 essential fatty acids. 

C-Lyte® A daily vitamin C supplement featuring Isa-C™ Complex, a combination of three forms of Vitamin C, designed to be easy on the stomach and give you long-lasting antioxidant protection. 

Product B IsaGenesis Product B IsaGenesis provides a potent blend of powerful bioactive herbs and antioxidants that work synergistically to result in maximum healthy aging benefits and telomere support.

Wow!  Even my organic, all natural multi doesn't quite fit the bill when compared to these.  Amazing.

If you are interested, click this link for more info or you can of course email, Facebook, tweet, etc me anytime.  Here's to better health!

Monday, September 28, 2015

I need a chef.

Would someone PLEASE come be my (pro bono) chef?  I could really use some help with cooking and mealtimes.  Jeff does a great job, but I know he wants me to help and I'm just terrible.  I'm tired at the end of the day, uninspired, don't want to take more than 15 minutes start to finish (excluding eating time), and have poor attention to detail in the kitchen.

I'm GREAT at making plans and shopping.  I'm terrible at follow through.

So if you're interested, Here's what I'd want you to make first:


Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 3 oz chicken w/ veggies • Old Pts: 6 pt • Points+: 7 pts 
Calories: 273 • Fat: 12 g • Protein: 30 g • Carb: 13 g • Fiber: 3 g • Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 260 mg • Cholesterol: 85 g 

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless thin sliced chicken cutlets
  • 3 tbsp homemade pesto (or store bought)
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • juice from 1/2 lime
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp raw honey
  • kosher salt
  • 1 lb asparagus (1 bunch), tough ends removed
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
  • olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

Marinate chicken with pesto, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.

Mix oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl.

Heat a grill over medium-high, be sure grates are clean and well oiled to prevent sticking.

Put veggies on 1 large grill tray or 2 smaller trays (or cook in batches), spray with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and cook, turning constantly until the edges are browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside on a dish.

Cook the chicken about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until grill marks appear and the chicken is cooked though, transfer to a platter, too with the veggies and pour the balsamic dressing over everything.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Skinny Jeans

So, my pants are looser.  YAY.

I took a trip to Lane Bryant to buy a new pair of black pants for work.  They are a size down, and that feels great.

I also tried on a bunch of other stuff.  On a whim, and because I was feeling confident (hey, I was preparing to buy a smaller pants size), I decided to try on skinny jeans and a graphic tee.

The jeans were SUPER comfortable - they were super super stretch.  The tee had too big of a neck.  I thought I finally looked trendy and cute.


But did I really?  Skinny jeans on a plus-size lady?  With a slouchy shirt?  Was I just grasping to be on trend?

So I employed my stylists - my mom and sister - via text.  One suggested grabbing a boot cut instead, and then told me that skinny jeans are going out of style.  Then the other one agreed, on Hoda & Kathy Lee (or some show like that) they said skinny jeans are out.

So the clothes stayed on the floor of the dressing room.  I left with my single pair of black pants.

All was not lost.  I came home to this cute art project from CMO.

And cementing my mommy of the year status...a picture of my kid with string around his head, watching Thomas...you're welcome.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Let's see...

Well, my phone died last weekend.  So, very few cute Ethan pics, sorry folks.  I know you're heartbroken.

JUST KIDDING OF COURSE I HAD MORE PICS, I TOOK A BUNCH ON SUNDAY SINCE I LOST ALL MY OTHER ONES WHEN MY PHONE DIED:

 

This last week was a crazy one.  It felt like nothing went right for me.  Let me be clear - things did NOT go right, but nothing terrible happened either (no health diagnoses or car accidents or anything like that).  However, what exactly happened, it doesn't matter.  It felt crappy.  I felt crappy.

Guys, Imma be honest.  I'm not very good at feeling my feelings.  Like, at all.  I invented the phrase 'fake it till you make it' when it comes to sucking it up and moving on.

Resiliency.  I think that's the word.  It's usually a really good thing.  It has helped me deal with a number of traumatic things in my life.  And sttill become a productive member of society.

But occasionally - when shit ISN'T hitting the fan but yet things just feel crappy, I think it's important to feel crappy.  So I did.  With a deadline I gave myself.

On Saturday, I had an awful day, and I just accepted it, and as my sister says "sat in my own shit".
(OK, "technically" Ethan was sitting there with me, the kid was attached like glue and I couldn't even go to the bathroom in my jammies in peace.)

But I put a time limit on myself, because it's not fair to me or my family to do it forever.  I think part of resiliency is knowing there is a bigger purpose and an end-game out there that we are not always privy to.

So Sunday, a day after I sat in my shit, I bounced back.  We woke up late (8AM!!!), hung out, flew kites, had ice cream, snuggled up, and had a good day.  FLEW KITES!?  Who knew that could be so fun???  Apparently my husband.  Jeff, you rock.


Thanks for all your texts, calls, and messages.  LOVE YOU ALL, mwah!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Birthday weekend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND DAD!

Guess who turned 60! and 61!  I love that they share their birthday.  It's pretty cool.  And I love they came to visit us to let us help them celebrate!

We hosted a little party on Saturday night after they arrived - BBQ chicken, salads from Fresh Market, and a cupcake for Dad and fruit tart for Mom.

(I just noticed the milk bottle and beer cans on the table.  Classy.)

Thanks to the Walkers for providing the kids to entertain Ethan (and subsequently the rest of us).  Hope you guys enjoyed our family!

On Sunday we went out for lunch at Brixx (mmm love that place, get half BBQ chicken no onions and half Americo), and walked over to Stride Rite to get Ethan his FIRST pair of real shoes!!!  At school, he needs closed toe shoes to go to the playground, once he starts walking.  Which I think will be soon because they really hinder his scoot.


He was so, so proud.  Ya'll, not even joking, he got them on and kicked kicked and then looked at all of us, just BEAMING!  It was about the cutest thing ever and totally melted a mommy's heart.


We celebrated this milestone as any good milestone gets celebrated - with ice cream from Marble Slab Creamery.  Ethan and I shared a baby scoop cup of Sweet Cream vanilla, the perfect way to end a fun outing.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Ga-Ga!