What is your thing?

You know ladies.... the thing that you have to do to make yourself sane. For some people its getting the best deals, for others its having that couple cups of coffee in the morning. I have figured out that mine is getting ready for the day.

In my pursuit for order and saneness, I have discovered a few things. The first is that if I don't get a shower first thing in the morning, followed by hair, clothes and makeup, I feel awful! I end up feeling like the day is dragging by or that things are not getting done... blah. The other is that I have to straighten up my house before the day begins. Please don't misunderstand me.... I know its going to get trashed with toys and junk from the day. I however feel like I can face the day clothed and house clean.

Its not normal but its my thing. I think its a form of control. When things are getting crazy its something that I can control in my little part of life. For my girlfriends its something else. I have one that is all about finances. To not know where her money is at all times and exactly how it is being spent sends her over the edge. Another girlfriend is all about education. She needs to make loose lesson plans of things she wants her kids to learn or she feels lazy. One of my best girlfriends just needs a few minutes alone in the morning with her coffee to feel up to facing the day of leggos and barbies.

This has brought me to the conclusion that we all have our own thing that we are passionate about. What is your thing?

A more healthy ( and trimmer? ) me!

I went to the OB yesterday for various reasons. One of the main reasons was because I have been having too many blue days. I was a little worried that I would start listing "the dark place" as my place of address. I didn't think I have post partum, since the first four months after the birth of my daughter was totally fine. ( Sleep deprived but fine. )

The OB asked what has been going on and what has changed in my life. I couldn't really think of anything specific. After talking however I realized that my daughter had started solids and her breastfeeding had been reduced somewhat. My OB explained that when you breastfeed you are very low on estrogen. When there are changes in your breastfeeding, your estrogen kind of comes surging back. This can create havoc on your mental and emotional state.

I have been dwelling on what I could do to make some differences in how I feel. I know that part of the crummy way I am feeling is that I am so far from my pre baby shape that its not even funny. The kicker is that I am only two pounds away from pre baby weight but my shape is TOTALLY different.

It would be so easy to come up with all these grand rules and plans to start feeling better. I could say I was going to exercise everyday, eat only healthy organic food and plan to go on a date with my hubby once a week. I however am not that delusional... yet :) I realize that I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Then I will just feel like I failed and be worse off then before.

So I am going to take one step at a time..... I am going to introduce small things each week in hopes that I will slowly change my lifestyle. My prayer is that these small changes will add up to big changes for me. A better self perspective, slimmer figure maybe? and a happier mama. And everyone knows that when mama isn't happy, no ones happy!!!

So I have decided to expose this raw nerve to you ladies. It is hard for me to admit that I am not handling things well but your prayers mean more to me than any image that I wish to convey. Us mamas are in this together. We all have our kids and the fierce love that it creates in common. I feel like I owe it to my children to be the best mama that I can be. So I figure if I put it on line I will be held accountable to what I have promised to do...... so here goes.

I told you my changes would be small! My goals this week is to:

BODY- Drink more water! I drink no water and I think I eat more due to dehydration. I am going to try to drink 8 glasses a day.

MIND- I need to get out by myself once this week. NO kids and no doing a household chore during my time. This has to be totally something that I enjoy. It doesn't have to be a money spender. It could be a long walk in the park to pray and enjoy the quiet....

So wish me luck and if you feel compelled you could join me :)

Menu Plan Monday

My hubby is working alot of overtime this week so not too many fancy or complex recipes. The Hungarian stew however is one of my favorites! Serve it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles and your family will come running!! Perfect for the fall weather :) Enjoy!

Monday: Breakfast for dinner ( eggs, bacon, toast )

Tuesday: Shrimp and sun dried tomato pasta, garlic bread

Wednesday: Hungarian stew ( recipe follows) , cheddar biscuits

Thursday: Grilled Cheese, soup

Friday: Pizza Night!!

Saturday: Pot roast with carrots and red skin potatoes, green beans and homemade bread

Sunday: Fish, Mac and cheese

Hungarian stew

1/4 cup butter or veggie oil

1-2 med onions, chopped

1 1/2 lb stewing beef, cubed

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp marjoram

2 carrots, scraped and cut in 2" pieces

2 stalks celery, cut in 1" pieces

1 green pepper, cut up in 1" pieces

1-2 tomatoes, cut up

3/4 cup sour cream, for serving ( optional)

Heat butter, saute onions until soft and golden. Add beef, stir, then other ingredients. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour. Stir occasionally and add water if needed. Taste for seasoning, cook until tender. This may take up to 2 hours. I add a couple beef bullion cubers for added flavor, if needed. Serve with noodles or potatoes.