Lincoln's First Bites!

It was finally time for our big boy to try real food, and we were all really excited.  We had the video camera, big camera, and phones out ready to document this momentous occasion with our whole hearts (and technology).  Since I had been in charge of all nutrition up to this point, I let Bradley give him his first solid food--green beans.  I'm not going to lie.  The reaction was a little anticlimactic.   He started eating those green beans like they were going out of style.  Not once did he pause or slow down because of the texture.  He was READY to eat.

Bradley even joked that maybe he had already been eating at school when Lincoln STOLE THE SPOON and tried to FEED HIMSELF!  I joked that he must get it from me because the good Lord knows that I don't have any problem getting a fork to my mouth either. ;)













It was finally my turn to give a try too, and little boy didn't disappoint.  We had to shovel it in pretty quick to keep on his good side.








We even let sissy try.  Unfortunately by the time her turn rolled around, he was pretty full and starting to fall asleep in his chair.





One small bite of green beans but a giant leap for Lincoln.  My little boy is growing up too fast!

Kitchen Stuff

So, since I've become addicted to following "clean eaters" on instagram, I decided that I wanted to try to eat a little bit cleaner at our house.  By no means does this mean we have made the total lifestyle change, but if I can make small changes over time, maybe I will end up with some results.  In order for me to agree to do anything new, I have to make sure that it can be incorporated into our normal lifestyle.  I don't want to spend hours in the kitchen every night, and I can't in good conscience commit to something I know I will stop doing in a week.  Below are a few of the things that I have tried on my way to this goal.   If/When I make any progress, I will post some before/after photos.  :)

Easy Lunch at School:

• One can of Starkist tuna (in water)
• One bag of Green Giant Pasta and Vegetables in Alfredo Sauce (Steamers).
• Total Calories: 442

I was so full, that I didn't even finish the whole thing, and I wasn't starving when I got back from school.






Easy Dinner:  Chicken Alfredo with Spinach & Mushrooms

• 1 Medium Bag of Vegetable Medley of your choice
• 1-2 pounds of chicken breast cooked and cut into strips.
• 1 jar of Alfredo sauce (because I'm lazy)
• Fresh Mushrooms
• Fresh Spinach

I am not sure how many calories per serving this is, but I ate one bowl and was full for the evening.  AND there were plenty of leftovers for school.  This isn't the cleanest meal because of the store Alfredo sauce, but in my mind, it is a healthy alternative to real chicken Alfredo.  There was zero pasta in this version.




This photo was taken before I added the veggies.  Sorry I didn't remember to take an after photo.


Skinny Dole Whip

• One bag of frozen pineapple chunks
• One cup of almond milk
• Several squirts of agave to taste (I wanted mine to be fairy sweet so I added two big squirts)

Put everything in your blender and mix it up.  Serve while it is still in a frozen ice cream like consistency.






Easy Breakfast:

• 1/2 cup of Small Curd Cottage Cheese
• 1/4 cup Dole Pineapple Chunks (withe some juice)
• Total Calories: 175 calories

No pictures of this yet, but it's pretty self explanatory right?


I have made a few more recipes, but haven't taken any photos.  I will try to do better.

J. Brae's 28th Birthday

Bradley's birthday was the weekend that we were working on the Valentine's Day fundraiser.  I knew this ahead of time, so I knew we would need to be free Friday night to celebrate.  This was also the weekend that Mom and Dad would be out of town on a cruise, so Bradley got two birthday celebrations.

Wednesday night, we went to steak night at Greek Brothers with everyone.  This was perfect for Bradley because steak is his favorite food group.













On Friday night, Emmy and I took him to Shogun's for sushi.  I love sushi, so this was a treat for both of us.











Happy 28th birthday Bradley. Thanks for choosing to spend your years with us!

OMG!

When I woke up this morning, I made the most startling discovery. I was brushing my teeth and looking at myself in the mirror (as all truly vain people do), and what should I see but a DOUBLE CHIN! It is like it wasn't there last night, and NOW IT IS! Well it is just UNACCEPTABLE! I was already on a quest to lose some weight because I am not completely happy with my body, but this was my (pardon the pun) WAKE-UP call! I am cutting all of my portions in half and am going to move to 6-8 small meals per day. I also worked out with my sister this morning (pilates and such) and will run on the elliptical before bedtime. (Must make this the new routine) This is not a vain statement: I WILL LOSE WEIGHT. It is absolutely imperative. We are going on a cruise in late September with some of our friends. I CANNOT have a double chin on a cruise...I will cry when I look at the pictures.

I know that by putting this on here, you will help keep me accountable to my plan of attack. This is what I made for dinner tonight. Grilled chicken with Mediterranean veggies. Since Brad is on a quest to gain some weight (He really sucks!), I will have to add some cheese and leftover Mexican casserole from last night to his plate.


I will try to keep you posted on my progress, and for goodness sakes, if you see me eying a donut or other belt busting dessert, intervene before it is too late! :)

Fogo de Chao

On May 30, 2009, Brad and I went to a graduation party for Jayci at a restaurant called Fogo de Chao in Downtown Houston. This place was AWESOME! It is a Brazilian restaurant so I wasn't sure what to expect, but the food was incredible. After you are seated, the waiter explains the "rules" of the restaurant to you party. There is a salad bar that you can go and graze at to your heart's content....and then there is the meat... but first you need to know the rules. You have a card that has a red side and a green side. When the card is on the red side that means, "No meat for me right now." BUT when you flip it to the green side the waiters circle the restaurant bringing these slabs of different cuts of meat (Parmesan pork tenderloin, bacon wrapped fillet Mignon, lamb, prime sirloin, rib eye, pork ribs, bacon wrapped chicken, and pork sausages) and if they see that your card is on green they will ask you if you want some of whatever they are carrying...then they just cut some off onto your plate. The way that I am describing it makes it sound kind of gross, but it is a very elegant and fun atmosphere. Best of all, after you have stuffed yourself to the brim with all of these delicious foods, they come by and ask for your dessert order!! These I am unable to describe in words, but they were truly decadent! Jayci was gorgeous as usual, and a lot of her friends and family showed up to celebrate with her! Brad and I had a great time, and I took some pictures for you all to see! I think that we may take my dad there for Father's Day...need to check on reservations! Anyway...

CONGRATULATIONS JAYCI!!!!