I Ate a Burger and I Liked It

First of all, I have to explain that I have been a vegetarian for 20+ years, although I do eat seafood. Nothing with fur or feathers has been my rule. Not because of health reasons or because I don't like the taste, or because I don't think people should eat meat. Because I do. It's because I see body parts when I look at meat and I just can't stomach the thought of putting that in my mouth. But I love to cook it. I love creating recipes and getting positive feedback from my family. I still remember what each type of meat tastes like, so I season and prepare based on that memory. I think my discerning husband would agree that I do a decent job.

So, on this Paleo diet I am not allowed to have beans of any type, or dairy. That's likely where 50% of my protein usually comes from. Apparently my body rebelled against this lack of this body-sustaining nutrient and I started to crave meat. Not turkey, pork or chicken. That still has me nauseous at the thought. I wanted red meat...give me the beeefff! Not a slab of steak mind you, no, I wanted it ground up so it didn't look like a cows muscle stripped from its hind end somewhere. So I pulled a precooked hamburger patty out of the freezer, zapped it in the microwave and ate it. Yes, I did. And it was good. So there. 

Now before you carnivores cheer and pat me on the back to welcome me home into the barbecue eating fold, just know that I was equally disgusted with myself at the same time. So, tonight I made a tuna salad and felt slightly more like me. But I'm not saying I won't ever do it again.

Tuna, Olive Oil, Green Olives, Sundried Tomatoes & Avocados on a bed of Lettuce

Sunshine and Midnight

We have had some poor health issues on the homestead lately.

Firstly, our elderly, one-time alpha rooster had been attacked so badly by his younger counterpart that he was blinded in one eye. Fortunately for him, my eldest daughter wants to be a vet. She promptly set him up in an unused dog pen, giving him loads of attention, including a ride in her wagon. I'm certain that lifted his spirits. Lots. She then picked him out a hen. Then she put him on top of the hen so they could be "married". After I explained that he might not be in the mood, being recently blinded and beat up, she gave him a respite.

Sunshine, the Bantam Cochin Rooster

The Happy Couple (His Wife, the Bantam Silkie)

The Even Happier Bully and His Harem

And then, yesterday I also had the Equine Vet make a visit. Our Racking Horse mare has been limping off and on for several months, but her lameness recently became much more pronounced. I have very specific opinions about vets, having worked for one for 9 years. I liked this guy. A lot. He explained everything as he examined it and was really clear in his diagnosis. Plus, my good friend at Synergy Performance Horses recommended him, so he has to be the best. Her horses are spoiled. If I believed in reincarnation, I would want to be one of her horses in the next life. Apart from the whole exercise thing. Maybe she'd let me skip that.

Anyway, the vet feels my mare likely has arthritis in her shoulder from a severe injury as a baby, and ring bone (from arthritis) in her pastern joint on the same foot. We are trying her on pain medication. Bottom line, she gets to remain a yard ornament. Darn. There go my dreams to start barrel racing.

Dakota (aka Kody) and Midnight Summer Dream (aka Mindy)

I think she makes a very decorative yard ornament. Better than a gnome. Or one of those flamingo windmills.  By far.

And spring is here! The peach tree is blooming, the birds are singing, and love is in the air! Just ask Sunshine.  ;)

Paleo Diet Day 6

I told my loving husband today more of the details of this diet I am on. He really doesn't care what I eat as long as I continue to cook his meat and potatoes. Besides, he's used to me eating differently due to my vegetarian tendencies. So, he did ask me how I was doing on it. Well, honestly, really well. I'm eating tons, I'm never actually hungry, I don't miss anything, and I have lost 6 lbs in 6 days. Not to shabby at all.

Brunch Today: Eggs scrambled with tomatoes, peppers, spinach and cayenne.

Time for a Change

For the past 3 years we have started every school day with a bible study lesson from Grapevine Studies, and the kids have loved every minute of it. But, after having gone through both the Old and New Testament studies 3 times over, I decided to look for something a little different.

Now, I am not a fan of devotionals that take scripture out of context and attempt to relate them to some fictional, however touching, modern day story. Finding something that would keep both of my 6 year old and 9 year old happy, while focusing on the bible itself, not interpretations of it, was going to be difficult. However, while searching through Peace Hill Press's website to order the next level of our language arts program, I came upon their religious program, Telling God's Story. Since one of the collaborators is Susan Wise Bauer, whom I'm a fan of, I promptly ordered the Parent Guide Book, the Year One Book and it's companion Activity Book. So far, the girls LOVE it.

The focus is on Jesus, which I like. They are short, which I like since I have a 6 year old whose focus I need to keep. And the activities provide solidification of each lesson through fun crafts and games, which all three of us love.  A consider this a huge score in our homeschooling endeavors!

You're eating what???

So, I decided that one of the first things I needed to change were my eating habits. And then a sweet friend of mine, Heather, mentioned on Facebook that she was going back on the Paleo diet because it had made her feel so much better. Following some quick research, I discovered that this diet excludes all grains, legumes including peanuts, potatoes, dairy and refined sugar. Well, that sums up about 95% of my typical diet. Considering a diet that relies heavily on meat would also be a challenge to this vegetarian (who occasionally eats seafood). But, eggs are allowed, and since my hens are laying over a dozen daily, that was a plus.

So, after a trip to the grocery store and stocking up on lots of fresh fruits, veggies and a few specialty items such as almond flour, I am on my way to a healthier me. :)  My first step was to make a big bag of Superfood Salad that I had recently seen on The Reluctant Entertainer.  So I had that last night with some tomato, avocado and a great dressing I found that fit the rules.

This morning I got up a baked a loaf of Paleo bread. Since my oldest was sick, it had delayed our school anyway, and I was able to afford the time to bake. It turned out well and I actually found it quite tasty.

And for dinner I created a recipe that included roasted eggplant stuffed with green peppers, sundried tomatoes, olives and oyster mushrooms.  A piece of baked tilapia on the side, and I am one happy chickie.

My goal is to try this diet for one month. After that I will try adding dairy back since that is what I am missing the most. But, in the meantime, I am drinking loads of water, herbal tea and enjoying the change. I'll keep you posted on how this goes - whether I'm able to stick with it for more than 5 days (that pizza is calling me from the freezer), whether I lose any weight, and if I actually feel "better". I suspect exercise might actually have to be involved, but I'm not rushing to any desperate measures...yet.

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Maybe it is the rain.  Maybe it's because I'm recovering from a busy weekend away. Maybe it's because one of our closest friends had to have surgery to remove a brain tumor today. Or because one of my best friends is having an extremely difficult battle with breast cancer. Or because I am dealing with chronic back pain and the awful treatments I've been having are proving unsuccessful. Maybe it's because my life feels like utter chaos.  Whatever the reason, my heart is heavy, this day is gray and all of my paths seem unclear.

So what do we do in times of stress?  When nothing is actually wrong, but the correct direction is uncertain? I am frozen in my frustration, on the verge of depressed discouragement. But I know that this is how the enemy attacks us. He tries to weaken us, stop us from being effective. He brings about confusion to deafen us to the still, small voice that whispers to our soul. So I will pray, and I will sing praises unto Him who gave me breath this day. I will be still and know that He is God. And then I will take one step forward. Any direction is fine, for I know where the Spirit dwells and I need not be afraid. And I am thankful, so very thankful, for the abundance of good in my life.

To Begin...

Today was a very good day. It was a day that involved prayer, a full school day including some fun art projects, my children have eaten pretty well, the house isn't completely trashed.

I also managed to get the horses and chickens fed so my husband won't have to do that when he comes home. Oh, did I mention our animals? We have a few.  Well, more than a few. Two horses, 25 chickens, 3 ducks, a dog, a tortoise, 2 guinea pigs, several fish and aquatic frogs, and a couple of growing tadpoles, one barn cat and 2 indoor cats.

And...the girls even got some quality outdoor play time.

Now all I need to do is get out of my pajamas. And make dinner. And do my exercises. And clean up after dinner, get the kids to bed and do some work for the Tumbling Team Booster Club.  And it's 6:50pm.  *sigh*  Did I mention we had a great school day? :)