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Eating Out

March 25, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: 7 Day Challenge, Dinning Out Leave a Comment

Day 5: 7 Day Challenge

 

I took it easy for majority of the day, only doing the bare minimum with three of the littles.  I was trying to stay rested for my date with Rose.  Dad took Rose and Sweetie to church for the morning.  Sparkles was sick and the boys needed to be home.  It was a very uneventful morning.  Dad returned with the girls around 3:00pm.  Rose and I ventured off for our birthday date.

I realized that I was running a bit low on fuel but didn’t want to stop for a quick fix/bad choice of food.  Rose and I shopped for 2 hours then we went to eat Mexican food.  I didn’t choose my normal cheesy dish.  Instead, I opted for the kiddie plate with shredded chicken, mole, beans and lettuce.  I also enjoyed some chips and salsa.  I followed my plan loosely and tried to make the best out of our night out.  The food was delish.  My only noticeable side effect was immediate gassiness.

Rose and I went to the movies to watch OctoberBaby.  We went with friends, another mother-daughter couple.  Both of us opted to pass on the snack bar.  I’m not sure that I would have had enough will power had it not been for Lent.  I despise movie popcorn—it always makes me sick.  Nevertheless, I usually can’t refuse it.  Praise God that I didn’t bat an eye.  It worked out, too, because the movie wasn’t a popcorn type of movie.

The date night ended with a visit to McDonalds.  We were just looking for a place to visit.  Not much will power was needed for me there since the food is a complete turn-off to me.  I had water

I returned home at 11am with little energy but wanted to share everything with dad.  It was 1am before I knew it.  Shame on me, I need to make sleep a priority!

————–

I’ve been thinking a lot about my trainer’s critique of my food log.  I’m not sure what he’ll think of today’s log.

image

————-
Breakfast: 

  • 1.5 slice – paleo pumpkin pie

Snack:

  • —

Lunch: IMG_1455

 

  • 1 cup – carnitas
  • .5 cup – guacamole
    • .25 – avocado
    • 4 – grape tomatoes
    • 1 tsp – red onion
    • lime juice
    • .5 tsp – green chilies

Snack:

  • .5 slice – paleo pumpkin pie

Dinner:

I ate out with Rose for a birthday dinner.  I opted for Mexican foods.

  • 1.5 cups – shredded chicken with mole
  • .5 cups – refried beans
  • 1 cup tortilla chips
  • salsa
  • lettuce

Drink:

  • 6 cups – water

Exercise:

  • walking/shopping

Sleep:

  • 1am– 7:00am (6 hrs)

More Food & More Prayer

March 25, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Caloric Intake, Health, Trainer Leave a Comment

Earlier in the day (on Sat.) I read my trainers critique of my food log for the past 3 days. He has urged me to eat more calories and up the veggie intake.

“I was very careful to err on the heavy side and I still only came up with 1,223 calories for day 1. That is way too low. Also, you only have 26 grams of carbs, not including your honey mustard dressing. If you are suffering from lack of energy, the first thing to do is increase your carbs. Try to get between 50 and 70 per day (I’m talking to Lena here!).
Your sleep looks great, so lets start with just adding a bunch more vegetable and getting some more calories and not changing anything else yet. We need to do this systematically. One change at a time. “ ~ Jason S, EPLifeFit Trainer

Sadly, my trainer overestimated my caloric intake for Wed.  Here are my stats according to FitDay.

fitday log 3.21

Eating enough food has always been a challenge for me. In fact, I agree that it may be a big culprit in my current decline of health.

—-

I kept his advice in the back of my mind the entire day. I didn’t want to change anything, I just wanted to be aware of what I ate, when I ate, and why I ate.

I realized that I’m waiting to eat when I’m hungry, have energy to get my food, and or the time.  I tend to stay away from foods that require some prep in fear that the prepping will zap my energy. 

My finances may be another factor in my current diet. I’m currently very limited financially and that has greatly affected the food that is available on any given day. I have help from my family and that goes a long way. I’m learning how to stretch the budget. I often set my mind on the ideal food choice, if that doesn’t fit within my budget, then I opt for the secondary choice that fits within the guidelines. This usually means that I end up with some sub-standard form of protein.

Fruits and veggies are a different story.  My father brings a bag of fresh produce to my home on a daily basis.  Still, I can never keep up with my kid’s veggie and fruit intake.

In conclusion, I have real limitations.  Yet, I desire to do what is necessary to get healthy.  I pray for His providence and grace.

Pancakes & Weights

March 24, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: 7 Day Challenge, Breakfast, Gear Leave a Comment

Day 4: 7 Day Challenge

Dad led the crew today as I took my sabbath.  The boys cuddled with me in the early morning.  It was nice while it lasted.  They ventured off with Dad.  He served me up breakfast in bed and experimented with more paleo pancake recipes.

He tried a pumpkin pancake and another coconut pancake.

photo-5

(Dad forgot to take pictures and had to pull these pancakes off the littles’ plates.)

These pancakes were delish.  The kids ate them without any toppings.  I’m excited that we found another food option for Dragonfly, he loved the pumpkin pancakes.

2.25.12 – my littlest guy has been making some great improvements. he is slowly venturing away from his pureed squeezies. wednesday it was carrots and friday it was fish mixed up in shredded cheese, of course. we’re taking baby steps!

photo-4

The overall winner by 5:2 was the  Pumpkin Paleo Pancakes from Primal 30 Day Challenge.

It was my first time tasting almond butter.  I think I am officially over my almond allergy.  Yea!!!  However, I’m still not brave enough to test other nuts.

I continued to stay up stairs until 2pm to give my body some much needed rest.  Then dad took me for an errand a date drive.  We drove to pick up some starter equipment.

starter rack

I needed to have some basic equipment in the convenience of my home.  It was too difficult to take a drive to my brother-in-law’s for my training.  By the time I got there I was too tired to get much done.  Now, I can work out whenever the energy strikes.  The best part is that my littles can be with me.

Dad and I left for our date drive without packing food—that’s a big no-no for us.  We stopped at a Safeway along the way to check their deli.  We  found some breaded cod and broccoli slaw.  Both selections were not ideal but it beat stopping for fast food or picking up some processed food junk.  I took off the breading and gave thanks for my cod filet.

We headed home and enlisted the help of my 17 year old cousin.  They straightened out the garage to clear an area for the squat rack.  It’s tough to find space when you have a garage filled with boxes from, homeschool storage, and seven bikes.  Dad has finally accepted the reality that he most likely will never have a garage to park a car.  It took about 1.5 hours for the mini purge thanks to my cousin.

The day ended with a hot bath and I was off to bed like a baby by 10:30pm.

 

————-
Breakfast: 

  • 2 – free range/organic eggs
  • 4 – bacon (I have a dispensation to eat meat on Friday)
  • .25 – pumpkin pancake

Snack:

  • —

Lunch:

  • 3 – BLTA wraps
  • 1 TBLS Mayo

Snack:

  • .5 orange

Dinner:

  • 1.5 – cod filet
  • .1 lb – broccoli slaw

Drink:

  • 6 cups – water

Exercise:

  • cleaning the garage

Sleep:

  • 10:30pm – 5:30am (7 hrs)

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Health & Fitness Edition

March 23, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Fitness, Health, Picture Recap 3 Comments

{pretty}

Camp Sacred Heart

Dad is getting ready for Camp Sacred Heart (in June) and has been going through the camp album.  (this picture was taken by Papi’s Godfather)

{happy}

home brewed kombucha

I successfully brewed my first batch of kombucha tea. 

{funny}

IMG_1411

My carnivore Papi didn’t skip a beat after his bath.  He went straight to the left-overs from dinner, tri-tip.

{real}

back squats 2.28

I’m working on getting strong for health.

I’m keeping it real at my other blog – Health & Fitness ALL FOR!

&

I’m taking the 7 Day Challenge in hopes to make it through my physical Lenten Program.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

A Blessed Good Day

March 22, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: 7 Day Challenge, Health, Journal Entry 3 Comments

Day 3: 7 Day Challenge

My physical aliments have returned and escalated.  They range from MS/adrenal/fibromyalgia-like symptoms.  I have dealt with these aliments for many years, thinking they were all in my head and that I could push through them.  They have come to point where I can no longer mask them.  I desire a complete healing but pray only for His will.  I’m opening up now about my health to seek healing, to give comfort to others who may be going through similar issues, and to ultimately glorify God.

Today was one of the tougher days.  I was barely able to pry my body out of bed this morning.  I said an ejaculation to the good Lord to give me the strength.  I managed to get out of bed and tend to the littles.  Dad and Rose were scheduled to be gone the entire day.  Dragonfly needed some attention but I couldn’t muster up the energy to walk down the stairs.  I was able to buy some time by giving him a bath.  Dad came to the rescue and took over for me.  I slowly ventured my way to the kitchen.

Everyone had already snacked on some fruit so breakfast was not an immediate concern.  I decided to shred the pulled-pork that dad placed in the crock-pot last night.  I knew it was going to be tuff for me to get food on the table without Dad and Rose the next day so I planned to make carnitas using a recipe found at Paleo Eats.  I couldn’t even begin the task so Dad sent me straight to bed while he fixed the crockpot meal.
IMG_1422
The meat was absolutely delish.  I couldn’t resist having a bowl for breakfast.  Papi, my four year old carnivore, had a bowl too.  Rose made eggs and sausage for everyone.  I sat to eat and was feeling good getting some protein.  I went for my glass of water but something was seriously wrong—the glass felt like it weighed a ton.  I couldn’t hold my glass of water.  I did my best to drink without my hands.  I’m sure that Dad and the kids thought I was nuts but they did not say a word.  They have learned not to question what mom does since it generally sends me in an emotional downward spiral.  Dad, especially, does a great job showing sympathy but not smothering me.  He leaves me to fend for myself as he keenly watches over me.  He knows that I desire to fight these moments of weakness and he gives me room to gain my strength.

The day moved on and not much improved.  The kids set up an indoor playground and I schooled from the couch.  The carnitas was the staple for the day.

I dear friend called me to chat for a brief moment.  It was a sweet consolation.  Then I came across a great inspirational story found at EveryDay Paelo.  It was another consolation that helped me get through the rest of my day.  God is good!

Finally, we ventured outside when Dragonfly knocked down the front door.  I bird watched while they raced down the street.  We ate at 4:30pm since I had some energy and I wanted to be certain that no one went without.  The girls took note of the early time.

Everyone enjoyed their indoor playground for one last time before the tear down was ordered.  It was seven  when I skimmed the clock, praise God.  I ushered everyone upstairs for the rosary and bedtime routine.  Sweetie started a load in the morning and had fresh pjs for everyone.  (She is being trained for laundry duty by Rose.)  The littles were on the ball, listening the first time and joyfully serving.  We said only one decade of the rosary since the intentions lasted just as long as the complete recitation of the rosary.  Off to bed at 8pm, exactly.

Sparkles noted during the bedtime routine that today was a good day.  When I asked her what she meant, she replied, “Today was a good day, mom.  No one was sent to time-out, praise God.”  Papi was not there when Sparkles gave that praise.  However, he noted the same thing as I tucked him into bed.  He gave praise, “Today was a blessed.  I love you.”  It was indeed, a blessed good day!  Sure it had challenges but everyone worked together.

It’s 9:45pm, Dad and Rose are still on the road.  Dad had a special appointment and Rose tagged along.  Then they  went to Adoration and a Solemn High Mass for the Forty Hours Devotion.  I trust that they were lifting me up in prayer.  Deo gratias!
————-
Breakfast: 

  • 1 cup – carnitas
  • 2 – pork sausage
  • 2 – -scrambled eggs

Snack:

  • .5 cup – carnitas
  • .5 – apple salad

Lunch:

  • 1 cup – carnitas
  • .5 – all beef frank (gluten free)

Snack:

  • 1 tablespoon – sunflower seeds
  • 2 – cuties (mandarin orange)

Dinner:

  • 2 cups – carnitas
  • 1 – all beef frank (gluten free)

Drink:

  • .5 cup – Kombucha Tea
  • 6 cups – water

Exercise:
Zip
Sleep:
I’m waiting for Dad to return.  I estimate that it will be 11pm.

~
Moments of Grace – Suscipio
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Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.

This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.

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