MIA

I know I have been a bit MIA. But I have been busy being a domestic goddess. Brad and I started this "PHAT Challenge". He stepped on the scale and saw that he would like to lose some weight, and well, I am still carrying around an extra 20 pounds from the babe. I like this "PHAT Challenge" because it isn't your typical weight lose challenge. It is based on points. (You get a point for water, exercising, eating fruit and veggies etc) so there is more to it than just weight loss. So I decided to take this opportunity to do other things to change how we eat. I know processed foods are terrible for you, so I am trying to cut processed food out of our diet. And after researching it I CANNOT believe how much we eat is processed. Things you would never think. So I started making our own granola bars and graham crackers (the babe LOVES graham crackers).

I have been getting freezer meals together (thank you pinterest). Everything is done all the chopping and cutting, I just open the bag and dump it in the crock pot. They are packed with veggies. The test: are they any good? I haven't tried yet.

Oh, and green smoothies. Easiest way to get your servings of fruit and veggies. My favorite: One big handful of spinach (which is about 2 cups), 1 banana, and 1 mango, and 1 cup of ice. Nothing else. I love it. (Don't mind the picture of me, I just finished a 45 minutes ride on the stationary bike).

And other things: We have been enjoying this unrealistic 55 degree weather in January. Enjoying some time on our new deck. (Oh, yeah, and the babe is growing. It is pure joy to watch her learn new things and continue to develop but I do it with a lump in my throat. My heart telling my brain, "No, no, no. Stay my baby forever." It can't happen, and it shouldn't happen, I know, but...)

Spending time with her best friend. It has been so cute to watch the Apple's relationships with the dogs develop. Sydney is definitely the maternal one. The loyal protector. Dixie is the friend. She makes the babe crack up like it is no one's business. We are still teaching the Apple how to be soft with the dogs (the reflex of just grab and pull isn't helping - but she is doing a great job and the dogs are amazing) Dixie takes it, and when Dixie is not in the mood for it she just walks away.

Anyway, we hope everyone had wonderful holidays. We missed our east coast family, but we will visit again after winter.