Oh how we sometimes long for more land... But we have more than enough right now! 2.5 acres is pretty perfect. We spend hours in the field, always something new to uncover. Spending time outdoors with these littles is the perfect afternoon.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Springtime
It is gorgeous around here! We are getting excited for the garden, there's always lots to look forward to. One of my gal pals was picking my brain the other day about gardening and it got me so much more excited!
We've been collecting worms after rainstorms and feeding them to the chickens. The kids lift up the wood or rocks and I dig out the worms. It is a team effort.
How we spend most afternoons.
Trampoline static
Stopped at my favorite seed store in Petaluma last weekend! It was a whirlwind shopping trip but between Owen and I we picked out about 20 seed packets.
The turkeys are everywhere, I slept with the window cracked the other night and woke to the sounds of turkeys gobbling.
My sweet boy planting lettuce. We are going to rearrange the raised beds and get some new dirt so we were planting in pots. I am always itching to plant, always rushing to get things into the dirt!
Succulents regrow after the old ones die off.
The cherry tree is in bloom
Fungus everywhere
Friday, February 5, 2016
More attempts at more rest and relaxation
We have been getting more sleep around here! This is major news!!!
Right about when Arabelle started sleeping through the night (October 2015), Owen was having some sleep issues. He would fight us at bedtime and then wake up and would expect to sleep in our room. Since he was in charge, that is what we did. For months. Because when we would put our foot down he would make a loud stink and then we would cave and allow him to do as he wished.
How did we expect it to ever change? His behavior wasn't changing, in fact, he was waking up earlier and earlier, just as we would be going to bed, around 9/10pm.
We were so over it, the restless sleep, the interuppted nights of coughing, "I have to pee", and on and on. We love him, but not on our floor every night. Not for us. The zombie look is not dashing on us.
We tried "everything" to make his room more appealing. But he didn't want his room. He wanted us.
His pediatrician recommended we see a behavioral therapist. Sign me up! We needed help and encouragement!
The take away from the appointment was that Owen has fears, and in order to overcome them he has to face them. Duh. We know that. But we were never having him face his fear. Who likes to do that!!?? Not me!!
We prepared for this change of rules over a few days. We discussed it with Owen. We were going to start on a Friday. Thursday as we were falling asleep he woke around 10. He didn't get out of bed but was crying softly for us. We changed our behavior and didn't respond.
He stayed in his room.
Did you read that? There was no physical struggle, he was most certainly distraught, but he stayed there, without us having to "keep him in there". He was upset and vocal for about and hour and a half. At that point we decided to turn his light on and allow him to read books.
This is what I found in the morning:
I checked on him at 145, still awake. Chris checked on him at 4 and he was asleep. This was on a school night! He literally slept 715-10, then probably 3-6am.
In the morn he said his neck hurt from reading and he read every single page of the 60 books!
There is a light! We are slowly starting to get more sleep. He still wakes up to go pee here and there but he just sneaks out of his room and sneaks back in and falls asleep.
This has been flawless for 3 weeks, only one hard night, the first one.
We are tackling the next battle with bedtime tomorrow... So keep us in your thoughts. When he falls asleep, we have been in the habit of staying in his room until he falls asleep. We are weaning they tomorrow. I'm writing this from my phone laying in the extra bed in his room!
Fingers crossed it is a smooth transition. One of my biggest hopes for my kids is that they have good coping skills. I guess facing your fears and being alone sometimes is a way to strengthen them and give them skills to calm themselves and enjoy being with themselves.
Next step- we are out of the room
Step after that- turn the light off! The overhead light is on! It's like high noon in here! With a salt lamp and a night light! Whew.
Well he is asleep, and I'm headed there soon.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Gorgeous yet cold afternoon
It was a rainy morning, and then a sunny but freezing afternoon. Minutes after we came indoors there was a hailstorm, and then a rainbow. It was a magical afternoon!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Elimination Challenge
I used to think dietary challenges or cleanses were just a trendy way to lose a pound or two. Although that was a while ago, I have to admit I've changed! I think there is always something to learn about our bodies and how they work, and by eliminating items from our system for a set period of time there is always something to gain. I did a 14 day detox last year with Wynt. This year my elimination challenge was one I created, which I think is pretty important to success. Having some flexibility going into any elimination is important. Meaning it is better to account for 1/2 cup brown rice twice per week than "cheat" on pizza once during the challenge. I firmly believe that an elimination diet works best when completed as close to 100% as possible. I work with kids and adults in supporting them in elimination diets, and my role is to customize within reason. That means prior to starting the change rules are set. That means if there is a birthday party in the middle of your month elimination diet you need a plan for it before you are at the party. This is really key.
Also I see a lot of people who "cheat" and have pizza or ice cream. The problem I see with this is twofold. First, I never use the word cheat for seriousness. I use the words "off plan" especially with kids. We don't want them to think they are cheaters for eating pizza! That is the wrong message. The second part is that those foods are mixed foods of the potential offenders, for example pizza has wheat, dairy, and likely sugar in the tomato sauce. Ice cream has sugar and dairy. If we feel icky after eating it it's hard to tell who the culprit was. Off plan foods are not an option. If there is a holiday or a celebration, plan that into your elimination. Literally plan what you are going to do before you start, even if it is weeks ahead. That way there is no fudging! Pun intended.
During these last few weeks I have politely declined mimosas, glasses of wine, and dinner at family events. I have brought my own meals and dishes when dining anywhere else. I have found this isn't too hard to make work as most people eat a vegetable with dinner. I would bring an avocado, tuna, and another large salad.
Another important thing to remember is to have at least a week of transition if the proposed challenge is very different from your way of eating. This is what I do all day, and how I eat most of the time anyway, so I didn't have any transition period besides grocery shopping. I usually recommend at least a week to purchase new foods, try new foods/recipes, and make sure that you like them! Going hungry is not an option!
I am on my last day of my personal challenge. I do feel a sense of accomplishment as I stayed on plan and have felt some good changes.
Here's what I chose to avoid:
Dairy
Wheat
Processed grains
Daily coffee or caffeine (had coffee 3-4 times in 3 weeks)
Alcohol
Chocolate
Sugar besides occasional honey or maple syrup (occasional being once per week)
I chose to include whole grains like quinoa, brown rice or oatmeal, but sparingly, meaning 1/2 cup to 1 cup but not daily.
Why do this? Many of my clients follow some sort of elimination diet for 2-12 weeks in order to repair their gut, decrease inflammation, stop the bombardment to their intestines of potential IgG positive triggers (meaning foods that create an immune response, usually cows milk protein, wheat, soy, corn, and egg). The idea is that you avoid the triggers for immune response, thus decreasing the inflow of constant triggers (like the standard american diet), and then inflammation decreases, and then, after a certain period of time, foods are reintroduced, one by one, and then, it is narrowed down if there is truly an immune reaction to the specific food, or was there just some imbalance in the gut that was propelled by having offending foods constantly going down the hatch?
I chose these particular items as I was drinking more than I knew my body wanted me to, especially through the holidays. Almost every night, a glass or two, was usual. 90% of my intake is stellar, I love eating healthy. But who doesn't love corn chips? Or chocolate? Even every day! I wanted a break, a challenge. NO BITES OF ANY OFF PLAN FOODS! I stuck to my guns and it has been really amazing. So good to set goals and boundaries and stick to them. I did smell a friends glass of zinfandel, but other than that that was the close I came.
Also, I enjoy doing challenges like this because there is always something to learn! It gives me more credibility when I'm in the office, nodding at the parent who is looking at me like deer in the headlights.
This challenge I learned a lot. I learned that a new good quality extra virgin olive oil made my salads amazing. I had been using an unflavored one and for the last few weeks I used a lemon infused one from Winterhill. It was AMAZING and I took down the whole 8 ounce bottle over these 3 weeks.
In this time, I increased my frequency of epsom salt baths, increased my fish oil supplement, and hydration as able. I continued my regular intake of fermented foods, namely water kefir and sauerkraut. I continued exercising regularly. I lost 1-2 pounds and found that my nighttime weight wouldn't go up more than 1 pound. Usually my nighttime weight would increase 2+ pounds. I find this interesting with no specific explanation. My body fat % decreased 1%, I had less bloating in general, not that that was a huge problem, but maybe from 2 times per week to 1.
I felt and feel great most of the time, but I ususaly do! I did have 3 days where I felt yucky/low energy, which I think was propelled by fasting for some labwork, and then poor meal planning (even though I'm and RD doesn't mean all meals are perfectly planned out...) where I only had vegetables and nuts all day. I did about 5 days of grain free, where I felt okay but tired. Even just 1/2 cup of brown rice or oats felt like it gave my energy a shift in a day. But I'm not getting more than 4+ hours of consistent sleep in a row either.
Ok, enough about me! I want to hear if you've made any dietary changes this year so far! Or if you need any assistance in the future, feel free to comment:).
Here was a normal day:
Breakfast: roasted acorn squash with cinnamon, cashews, and turkey sausage
Snack: 1/2 banana and almond butter
Lunch: fennel apple salad with sunflower seed "cheese", tuna, and sauerkraut
Snack: hummus and vegetables
Dinner: chicken, roasted sweet potato, arugula
Snack: coconut almond milk (califia farms brand yum!), sunflower butter and an orange
(disclaimer: I do not spend time making my photos look great at this time. They are usually taken on my phone during a kitchen tornado)
Roasted acorn squash seeds
cabbage for kraut
kraut weighted down with stones
fermented veggies too this time
any squash for breakfast- best with half a banana and a sausage on the side!
And that's how you eat 10 fruits/vegetables a day! By NOT eating the filler grains. I don't think grains are the worst thing ever but they displace an opportunity to eat phytonutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables. Think about it!
Also I see a lot of people who "cheat" and have pizza or ice cream. The problem I see with this is twofold. First, I never use the word cheat for seriousness. I use the words "off plan" especially with kids. We don't want them to think they are cheaters for eating pizza! That is the wrong message. The second part is that those foods are mixed foods of the potential offenders, for example pizza has wheat, dairy, and likely sugar in the tomato sauce. Ice cream has sugar and dairy. If we feel icky after eating it it's hard to tell who the culprit was. Off plan foods are not an option. If there is a holiday or a celebration, plan that into your elimination. Literally plan what you are going to do before you start, even if it is weeks ahead. That way there is no fudging! Pun intended.
During these last few weeks I have politely declined mimosas, glasses of wine, and dinner at family events. I have brought my own meals and dishes when dining anywhere else. I have found this isn't too hard to make work as most people eat a vegetable with dinner. I would bring an avocado, tuna, and another large salad.
Another important thing to remember is to have at least a week of transition if the proposed challenge is very different from your way of eating. This is what I do all day, and how I eat most of the time anyway, so I didn't have any transition period besides grocery shopping. I usually recommend at least a week to purchase new foods, try new foods/recipes, and make sure that you like them! Going hungry is not an option!
I am on my last day of my personal challenge. I do feel a sense of accomplishment as I stayed on plan and have felt some good changes.
Here's what I chose to avoid:
Dairy
Wheat
Processed grains
Daily coffee or caffeine (had coffee 3-4 times in 3 weeks)
Alcohol
Chocolate
Sugar besides occasional honey or maple syrup (occasional being once per week)
I chose to include whole grains like quinoa, brown rice or oatmeal, but sparingly, meaning 1/2 cup to 1 cup but not daily.
Why do this? Many of my clients follow some sort of elimination diet for 2-12 weeks in order to repair their gut, decrease inflammation, stop the bombardment to their intestines of potential IgG positive triggers (meaning foods that create an immune response, usually cows milk protein, wheat, soy, corn, and egg). The idea is that you avoid the triggers for immune response, thus decreasing the inflow of constant triggers (like the standard american diet), and then inflammation decreases, and then, after a certain period of time, foods are reintroduced, one by one, and then, it is narrowed down if there is truly an immune reaction to the specific food, or was there just some imbalance in the gut that was propelled by having offending foods constantly going down the hatch?
I chose these particular items as I was drinking more than I knew my body wanted me to, especially through the holidays. Almost every night, a glass or two, was usual. 90% of my intake is stellar, I love eating healthy. But who doesn't love corn chips? Or chocolate? Even every day! I wanted a break, a challenge. NO BITES OF ANY OFF PLAN FOODS! I stuck to my guns and it has been really amazing. So good to set goals and boundaries and stick to them. I did smell a friends glass of zinfandel, but other than that that was the close I came.
Also, I enjoy doing challenges like this because there is always something to learn! It gives me more credibility when I'm in the office, nodding at the parent who is looking at me like deer in the headlights.
This challenge I learned a lot. I learned that a new good quality extra virgin olive oil made my salads amazing. I had been using an unflavored one and for the last few weeks I used a lemon infused one from Winterhill. It was AMAZING and I took down the whole 8 ounce bottle over these 3 weeks.
In this time, I increased my frequency of epsom salt baths, increased my fish oil supplement, and hydration as able. I continued my regular intake of fermented foods, namely water kefir and sauerkraut. I continued exercising regularly. I lost 1-2 pounds and found that my nighttime weight wouldn't go up more than 1 pound. Usually my nighttime weight would increase 2+ pounds. I find this interesting with no specific explanation. My body fat % decreased 1%, I had less bloating in general, not that that was a huge problem, but maybe from 2 times per week to 1.
I felt and feel great most of the time, but I ususaly do! I did have 3 days where I felt yucky/low energy, which I think was propelled by fasting for some labwork, and then poor meal planning (even though I'm and RD doesn't mean all meals are perfectly planned out...) where I only had vegetables and nuts all day. I did about 5 days of grain free, where I felt okay but tired. Even just 1/2 cup of brown rice or oats felt like it gave my energy a shift in a day. But I'm not getting more than 4+ hours of consistent sleep in a row either.
Ok, enough about me! I want to hear if you've made any dietary changes this year so far! Or if you need any assistance in the future, feel free to comment:).
Here was a normal day:
Breakfast: roasted acorn squash with cinnamon, cashews, and turkey sausage
Snack: 1/2 banana and almond butter
Lunch: fennel apple salad with sunflower seed "cheese", tuna, and sauerkraut
Snack: hummus and vegetables
Dinner: chicken, roasted sweet potato, arugula
Snack: coconut almond milk (califia farms brand yum!), sunflower butter and an orange
(disclaimer: I do not spend time making my photos look great at this time. They are usually taken on my phone during a kitchen tornado)
Roasted acorn squash seeds
My staple apple fennel salad with nut cheese and herbs
And that's how you eat 10 fruits/vegetables a day! By NOT eating the filler grains. I don't think grains are the worst thing ever but they displace an opportunity to eat phytonutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables. Think about it!
Friday, January 8, 2016
Didn't finish posting about Christmas cuz the other post was long
Turns out when you're having loads of fun there are loads of photos! The computer and photo uploading stars aligned today so this was an easy process, yay!
One of Owen's top gifts was a t-rex mask. It is a family favorite. Chris wore it in the car on the way to the Britton/Staydohar compound and they got a kick out of us driving up with a dino chauffeur.
Britton-Staydohar-Richardson Christmas
Cousin Mat is buried in gifts
Christmas at Grandma's- minus Dave. Dave had an icky headcold so he stayed home while we had a full day up at grandma's. We were SO BUMMED that he stayed home. Yes it's nice for the germs to be away, but I wish he could have felt up to coming anyway. He ended up sleeping most of the day so that was good for him.
Grandma made a special hot cocoa treat for the kids.
A few more photos out of order but lovely anyway~ Gonna let it ride~ enjoy the photo photos from the same events in order!
Crazy.
Family.Love.
Laughs.
THE BEST
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