Schauers

NUTRITION TALK!!

2012-02-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

This is kind of a different post for me, but I wanted to share my thoughts!! Nutrition is a big topic these days with everyone trying to lose weight and stay healthy. I just wanted to share some things that I have found helpful along the way. In no way do I have all the answers to health. I wish I did!! However, with turning 30, I have had a lot of changes that have directed me back to the basics. Part of my diet includes having rules. You may have these and you just don't know it. If you pull up to the fast food drive through and make it a point not to order fries because you have decided no fries for awhile, or if you skip the caffeine because you've already had caffeine, these are rules!! A book I have found helpful, without boring you with all of my rules, is FOOD RULES, by Michael Pollan. In this book, he lists 64 rules that one could follow to make healthier food choices. Some of my favorites are about eating food instead of food-like substances, avoiding low-fat, nonfat foods, not buying foods that are pretending to be the real thing, eating only foods that rot, allowing junk food as long as you cook it yourself, and not skipping meals. There are so many more good ones, you MUST buy this book.

Now, several months ago I realized while watching a recorded episode of Dr. OZ, that I was feeding my kids all wrong. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been one to make sure my kids eat well every day. I don't believe in making kids clean up a plate, but I do believe in making them clean up some protein and make sure they know where their nutrient rich foods are on their plate. We are training them to make good decisions for the rest of their life!! BIG DEAL to me! My problem was that I would feed them and then they would keep running back for snacks. Now the meal was chosen with me, but the snacks were not. I have some big eaters too. They would grab one bag of chips, then fruit snacks, then a pop tart, etc. Oh, and don't forget the juice boxes. So, I had a sort of come to Jesus meeting with myself. I thought, how is it that this mom on Dr. OZ, who is broke, who has no groceries in her cabinet, still makes sure her kids are getting their food groups, when I, who am always blessed with a pantry full, have a difficult time deciding what to make my kids. It hit me hard! After this, I was determined to get back to the basics, get my foodie book out, and rethink how I feed my kiddos. I went grocery shopping with a whole new perspective. Now, we still enjoy our treats, (some processed, shhh!!) But mostly ones we make. I wanted to share these plates I found. Now these are paper, (we use paper plates, shhh!) However, I'm sure Munchkin or Ikea, or someone makes these in a plastic for those who are appalled at our wastefulness! As a momma of three, I have tons of dishes! My dishwasher is down, so while it is, I'm using paper. Anyway, I love these plates because the separate compartments remind me to put separate food groups on there. They also keep the food from mixing, which my kids love! For each meal I try to give them protein, dairy, fruit, veggies, and grains!! Now protein, dairy, fruits, and grains are easy. Veggies, not so much! Some tricks I've developed are letting them have a dip for their veggies, snipping a variety of veggies in tiny peices(with food sheers) and throwing them in a salad(my kids love salad), and letting them put their own peanut butter or salt on celery or a cucumber. We are far from perfect in these areas, but I guess since I had this revelation, I thought I'd share!! Maybe to inspire others to make better choices for our babies!!

This is a funny picture that I found of Gavin enjoying his fruit! This little man can eat a whole banana, and an entire package of strawberries all by himself! HE LOVES FRUIT!

House Flipping!

2012-01-25T14:27:00.001-08:00

Well an update on our adventure in house flipping is here!! We are soon to be moving out of our monstrous current home and into a more humble home on 4 acres!! We cannot wait! Best part is that the renovations are coming along so nicely! Our log cabin is taking new form:) We will miss this house I called "little piece of BC in Avon" It is beautiful and the pool, well, was to die for!! However, there is something about our new home that gives me that warm and cozy feeling that reminds me of home! Andrew calls me a "little old lady," and says I fell in love with our current home because it was done up for just a person! Oh, and we are not moving again for AWHILE!!!

Our new house...ignore the ghetto refrigerator on the porch!! When we do these renos, you never know what you'll find lurking around...usually a toilet or two, a fridge, you know!!

Stairs not done, but I love the birch ceilings...when they are done with the stairs, trim, rails, and spindles, this should be beautiful!!

Kitchen

Living room

The dining room

Our land!!

Back entry of our house

Here is a pic that shows the cedar logs that are the bottom half of our house, along with the hickory floors that will cover the lower part of the home, the stairs, and the upper hallways!! It will still get stained, so its not gonna be this light, but you get the idea!!

looking into the dining room

Front entry of the house!

Thanks to all the people who help make this happen! You know who you are, Andy's parents for all the support and help, workers for keeping up with our insanity, and our realitor who helped get us here in more ways than one!! Much love:)

New Blog

2012-01-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

Hey all, as you've noticed, my blog looks different! I printed my last blog and have decided to start from scratch!! I'm excited to try to do more this time around, but we will see! I have more websites to share, projects to share, then the usual family stuff!! Hope everyone had relaxing holidays that left them feeling more refreshed than stressed out!! I sure did:) I realized just how much I needed a break. We are back to the usual routine at home and it feels good! Our latest home flip is coming along wonderfully and I can't wait to share some pics with you all. God is Good, ALL THE TIME!!!