Rainy Day Blues

Papa's working late tonight, so it's just me and my little sweet. It's down pouring and super dark out also, so there's not much we can do besides snuggle up under some blankets and watch 'Tangled'. On repeat.

Eh, but I don't mind. Just knowing I'm able to be here with her is enough for me. I still think I'm the luckiest. Actually, scratch that, I know I am.

In other news, I'm pretty excited about our dinner tonight. After raising Kiri on a meat-inclusive diet for the past three years, I was sort of apprehensive about letting her try veggie burgers. I didn't want her to become a picky eater or turn them away altogether. I finally got the courage after our -amazing- Whole Foods trip....(Kiri was quite impressed that they let her try oranges -they had a blood orange display up with some samples available!) and after she fell in love with the avocado smoothie and almond milk I had her try. BUT! Much to my surprise, she loved her Boca Chick'n patty! I don't even think she noticed a difference. Heck, even I couldn't! She even liked them so much, she asked for seconds! Day maker right there. My little healthy girl. Makes me smile, honestly. 

'Super Bowl' Sunday And A Super Bowl To Match

Being that this is our first year as non-meat eaters, my family's typical Super Bowl Sunday feast won't be anything close to what we're used to. The normal turkey burgers with all the fix-ins, heaping piles of mayonnaise-ridden potato salad and Bush's baked beans are just not gonna cut it this year. And for my beer and junk food loving husband, this could pose a challenge.

In preparation, I've been doing a lot of research. I'm trying to keep our diet as close to vegan as possible, so that when we feel we're ready to fully commit to it, it won't be such a shock to our system. So when I moseyed my way over to The Kind Life for my daily read, I was elated to see a post Alicia made about the very situation I find myself in today. Which gave me hope that you can appease your husband's burger-beer-football needs on Super Bowl Sunday. Touchdown!

So, this Sunday afternoon, when we're cheering on our home team (the New England Patriots, woo!), we'll be divulging in Boca Burgers, vegan potato salad and homemade baked beans! My stomach is already growling! 

Here's to a win in the kitchen AND a win on the field!

A Life-long Commitment: Our Humble Diet

Since the start of the new year, our diet has been completely, one-hundred percent meatless and a lot healthier. Despite some bad choices lately, (i.e. veggie pizza two nights in a row and calzones loaded with mozzarella and ricotta cheese---those have to be sinful!), we're still feeling better for the most part. And my digestive system is slowly improving. Slowly but surely. And slow is better than I've been getting, believe me!

I've been stuck like glue to the 'Engine 2 Diet' book I bought last week and I find myself frequenting Alicia Silverstone's 'The Kind Diet' blog. I'm so inspired that everything they do/live for, I'm just stuck. I have no idea where to begin. Some of the foods they discuss are so foreign to me.  I hear a lot of you talking about quinoa, spelt and tofu---how do I cook them? If I'm in a rush or on a tight budget one week, how do I get a hold of them? Hence why we've been eating on what seems to be a 3-day repeat. Nevertheless, I'm researching (well, er, googling!) nonstop, trying to come up with not-so fancy-schmancy dinners, but simple and attainable things that my toddler will enjoy. I've found some pretty awesome recipes, like homemade crock-pot vegetable stew and homemade black bean burgers that Bop and I are super excited to try. Things that give us a little nudge of reassurance! WE GOT THIS.

We've also been budgeting a time-schedule for some intense workouts. Now that Papa is working close to 70 hours a week and I'm logging in at the high 40's, we're struggling to find the common hours to devote to being together, never mind heading to the gym! But after sitting down and making up a schedule (kind of like a work one!) we've found 10 available hours a week that are reasonable, do-able and workable. This is exciting. Because every time I step foot in or out of that gym, I know I'm doing a good job. And the feeling I get once I burn some unnecessary post-baby fat is just wonderful.

So here's to a lifelong commitment to a good, whole lifestyle. I plan on working hard to make a positive change in my life. And with some severe dedication and the support from all of you, I know we'll make it.