And so it begins...

After some reading and discussion with some friends at church, Chad and I decided to make a lifestyle change by following the eating recommendations of the Paleo Diet.  Yesterday, I am happy to report, we began the first steps on our journey.  The evening was spent purging our kitchen of unhealthy food and restocking it with healthier options-- here are my thoughts and feelings about the process.

OMGee, THE EXCESS!!!

I spent over two hours riding our fridge and pantry of all the items that we could no longer eat-- out of sight, out of mind.  I just felt that as a family unit we would have much more success making this drastic transition by doing it.  After 3 garbage bags full of expired/opened and stale/two bites left of food I cannot tell you the incredible sense of guilt I felt over how much food we had wasted. Thankfully, I was able to donate several items of unopened can goods and etc to our church which helped to ease the guilt some, but the overwhelming sense of excess that we had in our pantry and fridge has continued to be heavy on my heart even throughout today.  As we move, forward in this journey I pray that God will help us as a family to reel in the excess and over-consumption that has flooded our home and minds from traditional American culture.

EXCITEMENT!!!

I am really excited to see how this journey will change us.  Though Chad or I neither one have ever been considered overweight we both could stand to lose a few pounds to be at our optimal appearance.  I am interested to see how our body's will shift and adjust as we make these changes.  I personally though I am more excited to see how these health changes will make me feel.  As a wife,  mommy of two rambunctious little boys, full time professional and volunteer for about six million other duties it easy too understand why I might stay tired, but the lack of energy I have had recently is overwhelming.  It seems as even when I have time to sleep I am not able too, so I am hoping that as I become healthier not only will I look better but I will feel better too.

WHAT WILL THE BOYS EAT???

As I dumped the remains of Easter, Valentine, Christmas and I ashamed as I am Halloween candy into the trash bag I began to wonder if the boys would strike a coup d'Éta against me... no more candy, no more chips, no more Pop-Tarts-- whatever shall they eat!?!  I was blown away to see that the boys came home after my purge and restock and were absolutely THRILLED to eat the fresh strawberries and apples I had picked up instead of Cheetos or Fruit Loops.  Basically-- I have been a lazy mom.  Yup, I said it-- LAZY.  It is actually not about what the boys will or won't eat, its about the time I am willing to put in to feed them.  Handing them a bag or Pop-Tart out of the pantry is much easier and convenient than cutting up some strawberries and slicing an apple to hand them.  With that being said, I did keep a few toddler friendly items around such as milk (dairy is not allowed on Paleo) and hotdogs, but for the most part I am going to expect the boys to eat what we eat.

My favorite memory of day one:  Noal asking Daddy for more "weafs" out of his salad.  The kid sat and ate raw spinach leaves like it was M&Ms.  And I though they were the ones who would complain...

Be sure to check out an Instagram of our new Paleo friendly fridge!

Beach Vacation

Life gets a little crazy sometimes so I haven't been the diligent blogger that I should have.  I did want to take the opportunity to share some stories from our beach vacation with you.

This year we went to Destin, Florida with Yaya and Poppy.  It was an AMAZING vacation.  Super relaxing, lots of yummy food, a little shopping, and some chubby, sandy toes on my little boys; it doesn't get better than that.  Trace absolutely loved the beach this year, even got out in the ocean boogie-boarding with Daddy.  Noal was still uncertain about the whole thing, but he didn't mind being outside hanging out with the fam.  We were able to see dolphins off our balcony every morning and that was probably my favorite part, I have never seen that many dolphins that close before.  Poppy even caught one (don't worry, he cut it lose!) while him and Chad were fishing on the pier.

It is hard to believe that right when we got back from vacation, Noal turned two.  The boys are getting big so quickly and the saying that the days are long, but the years are short could not ring more true for us right now.

Here are some pics from our amazing vacation:

A lifelong friend...

My name is Megan and I have been an ASA for 9 years.  What ASA has done for me is provided with a lifelong friendship that is immeasurable.  

My big sis, Jodi and I

 About two years ago, I gave birth to my youngest son… 6 weeks early.  My husband and I sat in the hospital scared to death not knowing what was about to happen as a doctor stated, we have to deliver the baby for your health, but I can’t guarantee the health of your baby.   This was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.  2 hours later, I went in for a C-section and heard Noal cry as he was born.  What a great moment that was!  The next two weeks that followed were a blessing, but were some of the most difficult, because my son was here and he was alive; however, he was in the NICU and my health was still in question.  

When you see babies born on TV, you see the family, balloons and flowers that fill the room—which had been the case with the birth of my oldest son.  Our hospital room that included husband, mommy and baby was a revolving door of friends and family coming to meet our new addition.  With Noal, it wasn’t the picture perfect moment.  I couldn’t get out of bed to greet guests and with Noal in the NICU the only visitors he was allowed were mom and dad, so no one could go see our new miracle.  I could only touch my new baby through the hand holes and hadn’t even gotten to hold him in my arms.  I had been okay for awhile, but I hit a point in the hospital where I was at rock bottom.  Just in time, in walked my best friend, my big sister, Jodi.  Jodi came to see me; she was not concerned about the fact that she wouldn’t get to see the baby or that I wouldn’t be good host.  She was there to see me and to check on me and in that moment that was just what I needed-- someone to be there for me and Jodi was that person and has always been that person from the moment we met 9 years ago.  If it weren’t for ASA I wouldn’t have ever been able to meet “my person”.

 

Don’t be worried about us though…  About one year ago today, Jodi was there as we celebrated Noal’s first birthday and in about one month, on Noal’s 2^nd birthday, I will get to celebrate with Jodi as she gets married. I am looking forward to the day I can visit the hospital after the birth of her children, to be there for her.  ASA has provided me with this lifelong friendship and for that, I am truly grateful.