Since my cleanse a couple months ago I've been more and more interested in eating "clean". I LOVE banana nut bread and I've adapted my recipe from Martha Stewart's. Hope you like it!
3 c. whole wheat pastry flour 1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. salt 1 large egg 2 large egg whites 1 c. agave nectar 1 1/3 c. canola oil 2 Tbs. vanilla extract 1 Tbs. coconut extract 4 over-ripe mashed bananas 1 c. chopped pecans (or walnuts) 1/2 c. almond milk
Preheat the oven to 350. Coat two loaf pans with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In the bowl on an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs, agave and oil on medium-low speed until combined. Beat in flour mixture. Add vanilla, coconut, bananas, nuts and milk and beat just to combine.
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake until cake tester comes clean, 45 minutes (in my oven). ENJOY!!
I typically keep one to enjoy now and freeze or share the other.
So, there really wasn't much to report for days five and six as they were pretty much the same as two through four. But now that I've gone through a full week I'm happy to report that I never felt tired, hungry or irritable. I've noticed that my skin has cleared up and it even has a bit of a glow to it. My dark circles under my eyes have faded (slightly) and my stomach is a bit flatter. I've also lost a grand total of 6 pounds, but that wasn't the reason I wanted to do this cleanse. It feels as though I've hit the reset button for my body and now all I have to do is keep up the (relatively) clean eating.
I'm going to try to institute "meatless Mondays" into our menus and incorporate some smoothies for breakfasts. I've also decided to cut milk (not all dairy) out of my diet because I really wasn't a big drinker anyway and I actually prefer the taste of almond milk. I'll still eat yogurt and some cheeses but they'll be limited. I feel great and I actually did find a recipe I plan on repeating the taco bites meal was FANTASTIC! I just realized that the truest testament is to also show you how I look without make-up. I haven't retouched anything. (bare w/the picture it's from my phone)
Day four is complete and I've lost 3.5 pounds! I have a feeling most of it is water weight and will come back once I start eating meats and (some) dairy again. But regardless I feel great and that loss was a bonus! Today I had the strawberry/banana "cereal" for breakfast, pepper salad w/ eggs (it called for sauted eggs but I personally don't like them so I made an omlette of sorts) then for dinner was the baked potato (I found an amazing way to make them here) w/ chickpea chili. Throughout the day I snacked on lots of fruit and a larabar.
For some reason Blogger wouldn't let me post for the past few days so here's the compilation of days 1-3:
Day one is complete and surprisingly it wasn't too bad of a day. I didn't feel crappy (like I usually do after the first day of some past diets/cleanses). It started off with a breakfast of quinoa mixed with almond butter (actually pretty tasty) and almond milk. It was a different texture and taste than what I was expecting (to be honest probably not something I would do on a regular day) but still satisfying. I didn't eat again until lunch time, which I plan to do different tomorrow. Lunch was a spinach salad topped with a veggie burger & salsa followed by 2 apples and some more almond butter (I think next time I'll just have one apple). I drank water with lemon throughout the day and completed 9 glasses! My mid-day snack was a LaraBar. I had heard of them but never had them before and was pleasantly surprised if you get the chance, try them (I found a box of 18 at Sam's Club for $15). Dinner was the chickpea chili topped baked potato. I think this is definitely doable for 6 more days and who knows maybe I'll find a new recipe I love...the "chili" was pretty good, though I think I'll tweak it the next time I make it.
Day two wasn't bad either. But I realized that I should have only been snaking on just an apple not an apple and almond butter (which incidentally is real good). I feel awesome and I noticed that I didn't need my afternoon pick-me-up (aka coffee). Today, I followed the menu as it was on the website.
Day three went great until tonight. I lost my drive and binged a bit tonight before bed. I could blame the fact that I'm PMSing but that would be a cop-out. Anyway, this morning I noticed that my shorts fit better! and it was an all around good day (not counting this evening). I didn't really care for the veggie stir fry, so I'm gonna try to think of a way to revamp it with out adding a bunch of needless ingredients.
Starting tomorrow I will be doing a week-long "whole food" cleanse. I've never been the type who can skip meals or maintain my sanity on a juice fast so this seemed right up my alley. The fact that I will be systematically scrubbing my "innards" clean while still enjoying eating real meals is what sold me. Basically we'll be eating nothing but whole grains and LOTS of veggies, which in the grand scheme of things is something we should be doing anyway, right?
The reason for this cleanse is mainly because I've been feeling as though my body hasn't been living up to it's potential and (if I may go a little granola here) I haven't been treating it as a temple, rather a trash can to hold all the crap I can cram into my face (hello, animal cookies, red vines and reeses pb cups). I hope that after this week (which I'll be blogging about daily) I feel re-energized, lighter and maybe have a bounce to my step! My goal is that this week long spring cleaning will help springboard me into eating more healthfully and with more awareness of what I put into my mouth! Let the eating begin!
I just had to show off my new cast iron dutch oven!! I've been wanting one for a few years now and B got one for me! What a great hubby! I used it to make this recipe and might I say...it turned out mighty fine!!
It's been a while since I've posted; being a mommy and maintaining 2 blogs is just not going to happen, but I thought I'd at least post this: I'm planning to organize my home and I'll be using a bowl full of lemons 21 day challenge. Check it out!
watching my husband and son interact. kissing the nape of my son's neck where his fine baby hair tickles my nose. photographing family. hearing the garage door open when my hubby is expected home. listening to my baby boy "sing". friendships. seeing my family on skype (what an awesome invention). Vera Bradley (see previous post). seeing my son's progression. knitting. fruit salad. laughing. baby feet. cooking. footie jammies. feeling my hubby's hair after a hair cut. knowing I am loved. crafting. all my accomplishments. being a wife. being a military wife. being a mommy. my life.
As in welcome to...I think I can safely say that I'm pretty well immersed in the mommyhood, now. And if someone were to ask me a question about babies (3 month old's and younger), breast feeding, scheduling, acting as a single parent (though I haven't been through a deployment yet...gulp), letting your partner parent his way and getting baby to sleep through the night I could answer it with confidence. That being said, I also am not shy about asking questions of friends, family and other moms who have been through it before me. Of course there are things I've been through that most of my mom circle hasn't (recurrent bouts of mastitis). Most days, I feel confident in myself as a mom but there is that inevitable day or couple of days where my little man will throw me for a loop and cause me to question every single thing I do. There will be times when I look at my friends and think to myself that I missed that chapter in the "mommy handbook". But all I need (and any mother needs) to remember is that I am doing the best I can for my baby and me and remember to Be kind Relax Enjoy Attitude Take one day at a time Have fun Embrace
After being over a week late; our son's story begins on February 18th. B and I drove to the hospital that morning and checked in around 6:30. When we arrived in our labor and delivery room we met our nurse for the day and the doctor from my OB office who would be on call.
I changed out of my street clothes and into the fetching hospital gown provided. Once we were settled the process of induction began. Our nurse got me started on my IV of pitocin and saline. She also hooked me up to the fetal monitor (an elastic band with a round disk stretched around my stomach) and contraction monitor (same concept different color). Apparently I had been having regular contractions the whole time and had no idea...who knew!
Once the pitocin kicked in I started feeling these contractions I'd been hearing so much about. I'm not gonna lie; they definitely weren't comfortable but I felt pretty good none the less. As B says I weathered them one at a time. I wasn't shy about letting my nurse know that I wanted an epidural as soon as the anesthesiologist was available.
The feeling of the epidural being inserted was a completely different sensation, but I'd do it again. When people say the pain goes away, they're being truthful, but I still felt every contraction and when it came time-the urge to push.
I started pushing around 3:00 pm and made really good headway (no pun intended). B was an EXCELLENT coach and kept me motivated and calm the entire time. We ran into a snag when baby boy's head got caught on my pelvic bone. He was close enough for our nurse to comment on the amount of hair on his head, but after two hours of pushing and no progression our doctor decided to call it a day in the pushing department and began the prep work for a c-section. I was very nervous but took it in stride as it was the best option for our baby and me. As I waited to be taken into the operating room, B donned his "disposable scrubs", hair net and shoe guards.
Around 5:30 pm I was wheeled to the OR; during which the anesthesiologist administered my spinal block. To be honest, I really can't remember much of the preparation for my surgery as my mind was elsewhere, but I do remember B coming in about 10 minutes afterward and the screen at my shoulders going up. I felt absolutely nothing during the c-section aside from a pulling feeling and some pressure. But after an hour our son was born at 6:32 pm! The sound of his cry made my eyes tear...we were now parents.
It took another hour to be stitched up and go to the recovery room. While I recovered B got to see our son's first bath. Around two hours later (9:30 or 10 o'clock) our baby was wheeled into our room and as they say, the rest is (our) history.
Through trial/error (and more trials), and recommendations from friends, I've discovered some items I could not have lived without through my pregnancy. This is really going to be more of a list than an actual blog post, but for those who are interested here they are:
Bella Bands: These were a Godsend when I was starting to grow out of my jeans/shorts, I even use them now (at 37 weeks) to add length to shirts I wear or to cover the belly bands of my jeans.
Drawstring Pants/Sweat pants: I still can (just barely) wear my pre-preg pants. These have literally carried me all the way through this pregnancy. Add to the fact that they're lightweight is a bonus (especially in Charleston, SC)
Maternity Jeans: buy at least 2 but make sure they have stretch to them. I bought 1 skinny pair which did not have any stretch at all and have kicked myself for not checking before I bought them; I was only able to wear them for a couple months. I also bought 1 boot cut pair, which I wear all the time.
Long/blousy shirts: note I did not say maternity shirts. I would say that 90% of the tops I've worn throughout this time have not been maternity. That being said I'm very lucky that the trends were such that I could get away w/ this...but just keep your eyes open because maternity anything will be more expensive than the non-maternity counterpart. Also don't be afraid to look in the larger sizes.
Body Pillow/Back Pillow: if you want to see me sleeping soundly (minus the multiple trips to the bathroom) you will find me cuddled up with these (much to my husband's chagrin). To keep them together, I made what my hubby calls the "contraption". Sounds like a torture devise but really it's just 2 pillow cases that I've cut/sewn together. I tried multiple pillows and this was the only thing that works for me.
Husband/Boyfriend Pillow: This is that pillow that looks like the top half of a chair. It's what keeps our fairly deep sofa comfy for me to sit in. When you get bigger you begin to feel like a turtle on it's back so getting up from a laying down, or in this case, sitting position takes some shimmying. This kind of helps me get to that point without causing an electrical fire with the static from my rear end.
Maternity Underwear: I'm actually kind of on the fence w/ this one. I got some and thought they were great until they started to unravel. I'm not a small girl, so just getting larger underpants wasn't exactly easy, but if you can-I say go for that instead of the maternity kind.
Freezable Dinners: This you can do on your own or do what I did. I went to Dream Dinners and made several meals to be stored in our freezer until after our baby comes. This way we still have home-cooked meals we can pull from the freezer, heat and eat-even husbands can do it!
Water Alarm: I've set 3 alarms on my cell phone to remind me to drink/refill my 32oz cup of water throughout the day. I'm always forgetting and these little alarms help me drink up my water quota.
Water bottle/cup.
Spa Day: if you can or at least a mani or pedi. I got a spa day from my parents for my birthday last year and decided to hold off on using it until I really needed it (which was last week). It was wonderfully relaxing and I'm so glad I was able to take the day for myself.
Slip-on Shoes: Believe me when I tell you that when the baby bump has turned into a mountain you will love those slip-ons. Putting on socks and tying shoe laces are a pregnant woman's nemesis.
A Digital Camera: I don't know a single person who doesn't have one, but if you're still holding out, now is the time to get one! I've used mine to cronicle my growing belly.
An Awesome Partner: Or someone you can lean on...all of these things are great, but without my amazing hubby I'd be sunk. He's always helping me out one way or another and almost never complains (and believe me, I've had my moments where "Michelle isn't here anymore"). Whether it's cleaning the toilets or rubbing my feet, I could not have gone through this pregnancy without him.
This past Saturday some dear friends threw me a baby shower. I had a great time and really enjoyed seeing my friends and of course the gifts were awesome! I felt blessed to have so many people share in this special time.
Now, the thank you notes have been written and B and I went through all the goodies to organize C's room. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little worried. Not about the delivery, rather what comes next...caring for our little guy. I guess you could say that I'm an instructions and lists sort of girl, as long as I've got something to reference I feel I can do a "job" adequately. Well, I've read and am in the middle of reading books on babies but I still have feelings of apprehension. I've got more questions than I do answers and I'm not going to lie, I'm scared.
I've got all these great things, but with some of them, I have no idea when to introduce them to our baby or even how to use them. I don't know if sterilizing a bottle or pacifier means running them through the dish washer or if I need to boil them (and if so for how long?). Should I leave the bumpers on the crib or should I remove them? How do I know what toys to give him? And what about pumping, when do I start doing that? I'm an only child so I have never really spent much time with infants or babies and the time I have spent with the moms has been maybe a couple hours. I feel like I'm going into this HUGE job of being a mommy completely blind; like I should have been shadowing and "expert" before I get handed the little guy who's been living and growing inside me all these months and who will be completely dependent on me.
On Tuesday, December 1st we went to See Me 3D and got to see our son! It was the most amazing experience. Once B, his parents and I were settled in the viewing room--a nicely decorated room with 2 easy chairs, a large flat screen TV and a comfy table for us preggos to lie on--the nurse began the ultrasound. We got to see our son's world for 45 minutes and were saying things like, "oh he's got your nose," or "he's got your cheeks". It was wonderful and emotional (in a good way). Enjoy.
I can now add THAT to the list of maternity togs I've acquired in the past few weeks and months. To be honest, I really didn't think I would need these and frankly didn't understand why maternity underwear was even invented. I mean, none of my "unmentionables" even go over my stomach, so what's the big deal? Well, along with an expanding tummy I've noticed that my hips have expanded as well (yippee). Unfortunately I never took after my mom in that region and consequently never had slim hips, so the fact that they're getting bigger is bittersweet. The pinching and the ugly red lines from too-tight-chonies prompted me to bite the bullet and began to peruse websites for undergarments for us preggos.
I was pretty amazed at the selection, I really thought that I would be limited to different versions of the ever so lovely, white granny-panties, but was pleasantly surprised. There was lace, seamless, patterned, even thongs in lots of different colors!! Now, I'm not going to go into what I bought, but I got over $100 worth--hey I've got a little over 3 months left of pregnancy and who knows what my body will look like after our little man is born. I've heard to expect to look like I'm six months along after giving birth, so I figured they'll definitely be put to good use. Here's to underwear that doesn't bunch and fits just right!
Though you can't see it in the picture (it's my first maternity outfit), my belly has most definitely "popped". B just recently mentioned that I have a mini shelf and whenever we hug or kiss each other we start laughing because the belly has made itself known! It just amazes me how it grows on a weekly basis. I've felt some flutters (which I assume are the baby) but no definitive kicks, yet. I have an appointment and an ultrasound later in the month, where we find out the sex of the bebe, and will hopefully see how much our peanut has changed into an actual baby.
From July 1 to this past Wednesday (August 6) I have been taking a photography course at the CharlestonCenter for Photography.I’ve always been interested in photography and frankly kicked myself for never taking classes when I was in school.So when Brandon gave me a Cannon Rebel for my birthday in June, I decided it would be a good idea to learn how to really use it (plus with the baby on the way having a useful nice camera around would be beneficial).A friend of mine, Jen, had told me her hubby had signed her up for a photography class and mentioned it might be fun to take together.Soto make a long story short; I signed up.
What an incredible learning experience!I learned how to do different techniques, within the camera, that I had always thought were done on the computer.I learned how to lighten and darken a subject, how to take portraits, how to use my lens to create a clear “3D” picture or to create blur, and my
personal favorite-how to take night shots!If there is anyone out there who has a general interest in photography or just how to use one of those “nice cameras”; I highly recommend you take a beginner’s class…believe me, it’s worth it!
Here are some of my best and favorite pictures I’ve taken over the weeks.You can also view my galleries here (mine have Michelle T in the title).
Since my cleanse a couple months ago I've been more and more interested in eating "clean". I LOVE banana nut bread and I've adapted my recipe from Martha Stewart's. Hope you like it!
