Finding Peace

I am an introvert... through and through.  I would rather spend time reading a book in the bath then out shopping with the girls.  I would rather watch a TV show completely alone then to have a preview party.  Some popular writers have characterized introverts as people whose energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction. 
Sunday morning is a great time to worship with my church family and reconnect with people who I have not seen through out the week.  Sunday morning is also very draining on my introvert soul.  I am the preachers wife and everyone knows who I am and I am expected to know everyone. I am expected to say hello, ask about their families, and answer questions about upcoming events and activities both in church and in my family.  I really and truly do love the people who I worship with and who share life with me.  Sunday morning is just very draining.  I am ready to go home put on my yoga pants and get involved in a craft or some mindless TV, maybe even a nap.  I need that time on a Sunday afternoon to revamp my energies and prepare for Sunday night. 
The only problem is my husband and daughter who are met with all the same expectations as I am flourish in these situations. talking to people and sharing and reconnecting amp them up and they are full of energy by the time we get home from church.  Alivia is bubbly and bouncy and ready to play and eat and share about all the glorious things that she learned in extended session.  Michael is walking around bellowing praise songs from the service making lunch and wanting to do and entire play by play of the sermon.  I want my yoga pants.
Sometimes I feel like a "bad Christian" because instead of coming from worship feeling joyful and ready for the week I am more drained then before I started.  I have realized however that this is who God made me and that is good enough.  I don't have to be like everyone else is. It's okay if I find more comfort and connection to God from singing along to Christian radio in the care.  I am who God made me and knows what will bring me peace and comfort.  I just have remember that I am good enough just the way I am and I need to make sure I find some peace for myself. 

This is actually working!!!

I have lost 7 pounds in 19 days... that is pretty amazing I woke up this morning an weight in at 250.00 I started this thing at 257.00 considering I did strict diet and exercise for 2 months before and didn't loose an ounce... oh yeah and I have only walked twice this whole time..  Ok ay that is all.  I just need to rejoice with you all!!

Cauli-freado

As most of you know I am doing a modified Whole30.  So far it has been great I have lost 4 lbs and my bloating has greatly decreased.  I feel better and have figured out the things that I want to eat and the things to stay away from.  One of the hardest things I have faced is small group.  We eat together every Friday night for diner and it is delish!!! we usually eat very unhealthy choices much less things that Whole30 compliant.  Last Friday we had Italian food.  I made some Whole30 compliant food for me to eat so I didn't feel left out of the yumminess.  I will give you the recipe for the Cauli-freado  that I made and put over spaghetti squash.  Let me tell you this is so yummy that I would eat it even without the Whole30 program happening!!


8 large cloves of garlic minced
2 tablespoons butter
5-6 cups of cauliflower florets (I used one large head)
6-7 cups of veggie broth/chicken broth/ water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup whole milk or heavy whipping cream
1 6oz bag finely graded parmesan cheese ( the original recipe doesn't call for this but it gives it that real alfreado flavor and I find it necessary)

1. Sauté minced garlic in utter over low heat until the garlic is soft but not browned
2. Boil cauliflower for 7-10 minuets or until fork tender in the broth/water
3. Drain cauliflower keep back 2 cups of broth/water.
4. Add all ingredients to blender including 1 cup of the liquid and blend until it is a smooth puree

Yeah baby!!!

...In the words of Lucas (one of the little guys I watch during the week)  I have lost 3.4 pounds this week with my new diet changes!!  They aren't as hard as I first thought they would be I have quickly found what I like and what I don't.  Last night was my real triumph.  We had small group and that usually means lots and lots of not so good and dessert.  I ate a burger with no bun a ton of my roasted broccoli and some apple slices and for dessert I had some enjoy life cookies while my friends ate homemade ice cream and brownies. This is least I have weighed since I was pregnant with my dear daughter.  I am excited to see what next week brings!

Big Things Are Happening at the Dawson's house!!

I have big news to share with you guys...I'm preg.... nah just kidding! he he he... No, for real... you are looking at the new Sr. Minister and His family at Westside Church of Christ!  We got voted in by a  93% passing margin! 

 

Over all that means we are going to raise our children, grow old, and die happy and loved here in Lebanon, Ohio.  This takes a lot off my chest and makes me very excited to plan for our future.  Speaking of future, we got to work on our house this weekend.  I finished up some art projects for decoration, made a decision on window coverings, and my awesome husband painted one coat on all the trim (we have lots of trim).

 

 

I know what you are all wanting to know is how is my diet going... well I had more egg muffins for breakfast Sunday and for lunch we wanted to celebrate our good news so we went for Mexican.  I had a taco salad which was delish and I only ate a few bites of the bowl.  It made me sick then we went t a bonfire for our church youth group that evening and I hate 2 hot dogs bun and all and I was feel pretty miserable and gassy.  today I have been game on.  Breakfast...you guessed it more egg muffins, lunch was Tilapia, a spinach salad and a sweet potato with some honey and cinnamon, dinner is going to be a bratwurst and some saw zucchini and carrots.  I have not weighed myself yet but plan on weight Saturday.  I am feeling really good today, lots of energy and WAY less cravings.  So far so good and I will keep you updated!

 

It's 3:00 Somewhere

I hit a wall at 3:00.  I am ready for a nap or a really sweet snack to sugar me up and help me get through the rest of the day.  I can tell it is 3:00 just by the way I feel....lethargic grouchy and hungry but not in a "Oh my, I really want broccoli way".  Since today is first day of eating well I am blogging instead of eating.. not nearly as satisfying but it will have to do.  Today for breakfast I made some paleo egg muffins!  Can I just tell you they were AMAZING!!  Here is the recipe so you can also enjoy this deliciousness!

12 eggs
1 cup finely chopped spinach
1/2 of a medium zucchini graded
1/2 pound sausage cooked and drained

Wisk all of the ingredients together.  Spray a muffin pan with non-sticks spray and fill the cups up with your egg mixture.  Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minuets.  The freeze and reheat very well!

If you eat dairy a bit of cheese really makes it tasty as well but since that is not in the whole thirty it will have to wait until my 30 days are for cheese.  really these are so yummy I would eat them even without this challenge. 

For lunch I ate a  sandwich but not with bread with lettuce instead.... it was not satisfying at all and I had to put hummus on it to choke it down. I probably wont be eating that again.  Oh and I know hummus is considered a grain but it has never given me any digestive issues and if I am going to be eating all of these veggies  may as well enjoy them.  I am going to make my own paleo mayo tonight with extra light olive oil and an egg I post my results tomorrow as well as my dinner for tonight.  But for now even with the 3:00 ravings I am going to drink a big glass of water and eat and apple. 

Primal Momma

Well I have been doing lots of research, finding out what is okay and what's not.  Saturday will be my first day of my 30 day challenge.  I plan to make most of meals with fruits, veggies, and lean proteins.  I will however include cheese and hummus in my diet in limited quantities.  I feel like if I change my diet way to drastically at first it will make me miserable b/c I will be going through crazy withdraws.   I am pretty excited about what this change will make in my body and my mind.  I will be giving you guys what I eat and how I am feeling. I sat down today and did some meal planning for the next two weeks for breakfast and lunch.  At dinner I will be eating whatever my awesome husband fixes for dinner on adding to/leaving out the things that not compliant with my challenge.  **Side note**  My husband is pretty darn amazing and does most of the cooking in our house -----> lucky girl right here! **end side not**  Are you doing any kind of lifestyle change or challenge?  I would love to hear about what you are doing!!