Our Autumn Beauty Maple Tree

We have only once deciduous tree in our yard.  It's a autumn beauty maple (at least I think that's the name of it).  It gets gorgeous during the fall.  It has not completely turned yet.  However since the lighting is great outside today (sun shining), I decided to take some pictures of it.

Enjoy the beauty:

[gallery type="square" ids="4426,4427,4428,4429,4430,4431,4432,4433,4434,4435,4436"]

Coffee

I love coffee so much when we go to Walt Disney in late March/early April, I've trying to find ways for me to have my morning cup.  It's part of my breakfast routine.  Unfortunately they don't have a coffee maker in the hotel rooms but we have come up with a solution which is buying a resort cup so I can have my coffee in the morning and the rest of the family can use it for other drinks.

Several years ago, I was wanting Keurig.  I thought it looked totally cool and economical because I am the only coffee drinker in the house.  A week for Christmas, I told my mom and Hubby.  They both wanted to get me the machine.  Finally it was my mom who got me the machine and Hubby got me the K-cups.

I love using the K-cups but it can get expensive.  I bought the reusable K-Cup but it was a pain because you had to take the insert out in order to put the filter in.  I still have it but use it rarely.  I got another reusable K-cup but it did not have a flat bottom.  So it was a pain to put the grounds in because the grounds could fall out and get all over the place.  At Easter time this year, I found Cafe' Cup reusable K-cups.  There was four in a pack with a scoop for the coffee.  I love them because they are flat.  I use them all the time instead of K-cups.  The only problem is from time to time, the lid does not seal.

The best part of using reusable coffee filters is the economical benefit.  I can buy ground coffee for cheaper then K-cups.  One of y favorite brands is the Target's Archer Farms Ground Coffee.  Some flavors I have liked are the Caramel Apple flavor, Autumn Roast, Pumpkin Spice, S'Mores (summer flavor), and Dark Chocolate truffle (summer flavor).  As you can see, I love flavored coffee.  I usually get it when it's on sale.

Another coffee I like is from a local coffeehouse - Boston Stoker's.  I usually 1/2 pounds of this coffee.  Two of my favorite blends are Snickerdoodle and Highlander Grogg.  Both are delicious!!!!

I also like another local coffeehouse - Winan's Chocolates and Coffees.  I've discovered 2 favorites - Cashew Crunch (I believe that's the name) and Buckeye (which is named after the delicious chocolate peanut butter candy).

Finally my favorite non flavored kind is from Tim Horton's.

Another benefit from using a reusable coffee filters is not putting all that waste in the landfills.

What is your favorite coffee or even tea?

(No one has reimbursed me for my thoughts on these coffee flavors and reusable coffee filters.)

What I pack for breakfast, snack, & lunch October 15

Breakfast[gallery ids="4361,4362,4363"]

 

Lunch:

[gallery ids="4364,4365,4366"]

 

For a snack on my way home, I'll either have


Or


That is I'll eat it if I'm hungry.

I also have either a small handful of almonds or chocolate covered raisins between groups of students.

My travel bag

Today we are leaving for our big vacation. We are traveling to Charlottesville, Va for the night. Then we are traveling to Charleston, SC for the week. Then we are on to Atlanta, GA for 2 days and Huntsville, AL for a day before heading home.

I'm notorious for packing way too much food when we travel. I attempted not to have too much. We have the family snacks and then mine.

I'm going to talk about what I packed in my travel bag.






Snacks for me and Hubby (kids won't touch them):
Trail mix (2 types)
Pistachio, cashew, and almond snack mix

Snacks for only me:
Wheat thins (small bags spicy buffalo and sundried tomato and basil)
Snack mix (walking taco flavored)
Homemade granola (breakfasts for the trip)
2 containers of individual creamers (for beach house - only thing I put in coffee)
Dentyne Ice gum (lots - love it)
2 go picnic - salami with cheese (lunches for this week)
2 go picnics - hummus (lunches for this week)
Freeze dried pineapple
Freeze dried mango
2 containers of random bars and peanut butter/almond butter packets - even though I don't particularly like peanut butter)
Instant coffee
Fruit punch (1)

Other stuff:
Books (6)
Notebook
Folders with puzzles and coloring pages for boys
Folder with puzzles for me
Mechanical pencils
My purse
My camera

Strawberry Picking

[gallery ids="3408,3407,3406,3402,3401,3399,3398,3397"]

 

Yesterday the Imaginative One and I went to the zoo to check out the new dinosaur island exhibit.  On the way there, I saw a sign about strawberry picking so I asked him if he wanted to stop and pick some fresh strawberries.  Since he loves strawberries, he told me yes!!!!  So I followed the signs and found the farm.  

The owner showed the Imaginative One how to look for ripe strawberries by sight.  Strawberries stop ripening once they are picked.  He also told him to check the ripeness by tasting it.  So we tried a few freshly picked.  YUM!!!

We filled the basket to the top and even a few more so that it overflowed.  It was an experience that we will not forget.

The Wee One was not with us but enjoyed the fruits of our labor.  I had to tell him to stop eating the strawberries because I was afraid he would get a tummy ache.  

At one point, he was running through the house holding a huge strawberry singing "I like big strawberries, I cannot lie."

Letter to Moore, OK

The Imaginative One has decided to write a letter to those affected by the May 20th tornado.  He was saddened but also proud of the people of Moore, OK.  Here is his letter:

Dear people of Moore, OK:

I heard about the tornado.  I am sorry about the people who were hurt or killed.  I heard some sad stories but also some stories of real heroes.  Like a teacher who was found under a car with 3 kids under her.  Also one about a lady who telling about her experience of how her dog who was swept away from her during the tornado.  Suddenly they heard a sound and discovered the dog was just hidden under the debris and came out when he heard her voice.  

I am sure some of the missing people will be found but before they are found let's hope they are okay.  God be with them is my plea.  

If I could, I would go down there to help search for the missing people and give some of my clothes, toys, books, and other things to the kids who have lost so much.  

My prayers are with the people who live there.

The Imaginative One - May 21, 2013

My new favorite foodie place

Last month as I was getting ready to shop for my foodie pen pal, I decided to visit the Second Street Market.  I had driven by it many times but it was closed so I couldn't stop.  The boys and I went and got lunch before heading to another place.  The Greek salad I got at one of the vendors was so good.  It was the best Greek dressing I've had.

I tried to get back there but my Saturdays were busy so it was not feasible.  Note:  It's only open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  It's closes at 3 on all 3 days and I drive by it at 4 so I cannot stop.  

Last Saturday, I made the trek down to the market before heading to my digital photography class.  Foods I discovered on that day were a granola called "Triple Threat."  It has cranberries, white chocolate, and walnuts.  Not too sweet, great as a snack.  I also discovered Rahn's Artisan breads.  Their bagels are delicious.  Spice Rack and Bulk Foods has unusual tea combos.  There is not a lot of variety but that's okay because I'll eventually try them all.  I got Fruit Sangria, Coconut Truffle, and a Hazelnut Toffee teas.  My tea infuser from Charleston Tea Plantation has been put to work.  

So this week, I decided I was going to go once again to the Second Street Market and buy some local goodies for my foodie pen pal.  (I'm not going to disclose what I bought for her.)  The boys had gone north east to see their cousins so Hubby and I had free time.  We went out to see Gatsby on Friday night and went to the market on Saturday.  Two dates in two days - virtually unheard of in these parts of the woods.  We almost went on a third date to Sam's Club but that would have been too much.  One of the dates was to celebrate our anniversary.  The other was to celebrate my birthday.  

He was pleasantly surprised with the variety and smells of the place.  It was super busy but that's a good thing.  Vendors were selling their wares.  We watched a man making a bowl on his pottery wheel.  We heard a bluegrass band singing while little kids were dancing.  We taste tested different infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars.  Then we got our lunch.  It was so busy that finding a table was virtually impossible.  Luckily for us, as he got his fried egg sandwich a table opened up.  I got my Mediterranean veggie sandwich and Greek salad.  It was a great date!

Next week, we are hitting the World A Fair to taste test foods from all over the world.  We love going there.  I've already have a list of foods I want to eat there so I'm excited!

 

14 years ago today . . .

Let me take you back further than 14 years ago because that's where this story begins.  It was September of '97 and the fall quarter at the college I attended.  I was running late to one of my classes because I was doing my teaching practicum at a school that was 45 minutes away from my college.  I didn't have a car so I was riding public transportation to and from the practicum.  

I walked into the the teaching reading class and there was no seats.  Hubby was there and practically pushed one of his friends out of their seat.  Unfortunately for hubby, the professor found me a seat next to her.  

A few days later, I had a art class and guess who was in my class.  Yes, hubby!  A few weeks later, the professor of the art class had a sick family member so 3 classes were canceled.  We went over to my dorm room and just talked.

In October of '97, we began dating.  Our first date was at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton.  

In January of '99, I began student teaching.  During the time I was student teaching, we had a big snow/ ice storm that caused school to be cancelled for multiple days.  I ended up visiting at his parents' house for a week so that I was not in the stuck in the dorms.

I also ended up with either a stomach virus or flu.  On the day I was sick, he went with his sister to find me an engagement ring.  

Since school was cancelled was closed for multiple days, my student teaching was extended for about 3 days.  My last day of student teaching was St. Patty's Day.

The next day, I had class and all I wanted to do was sleep and rest afterwards because I was exhausted.  Hubby was insistent we go out.  Since it was a rainy/ dreary day, we didn't get to go where he wanted to - Glen Helen Nature Reserve in Yellow Springs.  Instead we went looking for apartments.  He was ready to move out of his parents' house and I was getting ready to graduate from college in a few months.  The first place we visited ended up being nice so he got on knee by the stairs in the apartment and asked me if I want

ed the apartment and him.  We were engaged!

That weekend we went to Pittsburgh to visit my grandma, aunt, and cousin.  It was the first time I had been back there in almost 14 years.  It was a nice way to celebrate out engagement.

Our plan was to live with each other for a year, plan the big wedding, and then get married.  My grandpa put a stop to that plan.  He basically told us that he didn't want us living in sin even though we had made a commitment to each other.  We decided to follow my grandpa's wishes of us getting married.  We picked a date that was on a Saturday for the following year and then began marriage counseling.  We were going to elope a month an

d a half after we were engaged.  

We ran into a snagfu while planning the elopement because we needed witnesses.  We decided to ask hubby's dad and my grandpa.  If we asked them, then the rest of the family was going to be there at the wedding.  We ended up having 12 people at our elopement.   Eleven were family members.  One was a family friend.  

It was a Thursday morning at around 11 am if I'm remembering right.  I only had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I took the day off.  It was als

o World Day of Prayer.  Our current pastor married us and then we went out to eat at First Watch.  That night we went to see Shakespeare in Love.  

14 years ago, today we were married.  Two days later, I turned 24.  A month later I graduated from college.  A year later, we had our big wedding and honeymoon at Walt Disney World.  A few months after our big wedding, I began working at my current job.  When I decided to marry my sweetheart, it began a snowball effect of life changes.  I cannot believe it's been 14 years!

Enjoy pics from our bigger wedding a year later

What I'm Thankful For - Last 10

11.  Hubby - He's been such a brave soul trying the new foods I've been cooking.  A lot of them, he's actually liked :)  Yeah!

12.  My favorite book series - Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series, Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swenson series - I love visiting my "friends" and catching up with them.

13.  Spring is almost here!  It's a time of rebirth and renewal.  

14.  My family - They are very important to me.

15.  Foodie Pen Pals - I've done it in October, November, January, and February.  I love shopping for a new person and trying to figure out their likes and dislikes.  Then I get my package in the mail and I get to try new foods from different places in the US.  Okay my last one was from five minutes from the house.  This month the person who is sending me my box is from further away so that's exciting.


16.  Going to the beach this summer - I love Charleston, SC.  We finally made a commitment to go to the beach.  Yeah!  I get to eat at my favorite restaurant there.  The boys are going to get to go to Piggly Wiggly.  They want to dump sand on grandpa down there.  We are going to Charlottesville, VA either on the way down or the way back.  

17.  the zoo - I love going there.  

18.  Coffee - Enough said there!

19.  Chocolate

20.  Being a teacher - There is nothing more fulfilling as teaching especially when the students have learned something new and are excited about it.

What I'm Thankful For - First 10

One of my challenges for Healthy Self is to make a list of 20 things you are thankful for.  It was suppose to be done on Monday.  Monday was such a crazy day for me so I didn't get it done.  Yesterday I was just LAZY plus because of the changes in the atmosphere - AKA snow coming in - my head was bothering me.

So today I'm going to make my list:

1.  Snow day - I'm suppose to be testing today so this does stress me out some.  However I got almost half done on Monday because I knew this was a possibility.  Go me because these tests are L-O-N-G and one on one with the student.  

2.  The Imaginative One - He always gives me a run for my money with his random knowledge.  He loves to learn but doesn't like to test (discussion in car the other day).  

3.  The Wee One - He had a music program on Monday night.  If he had a chance, he could have directed that program.  He was on top of the whole production.  There is a special needs student who visits his classroom.  He is so gentle and caring with the little boy.  During the production, he allowed the boy to play with his tie because he knew that the little boy needed that.  He also loves to learn.

4.  Losing 15.5 pounds in 2 months - On Monday, a retired teacher subbed in my room so I could test.  She hadn't seen me since either September or October.  One of the first things out of her mouth was "You lost weight."  Made me feel good that someone noticed my effort.  I'm down 2 pants sizes!!!!!  

5.  Learning to eat new foods - I never in a million years would have thought I would have loved eating shepherd's pie made with sweet potato/cauliflower mash on the top.  I was absolutely delicious!  I also never thought I would make double chocolate chip muffins with avocados.  Actually I would never have thought I would eat avocados.

6.  Cuddles with the dog when he's not sensitive to weather (shakes and won't leave me alone)

7.  Cuddles with the Wee One 

8.  The Imaginative One showing affection or appreciation towards me - These moments are fleeting but appreciated.

 9.  Being able to cook healthy foods for my family - I constantly tell the boys how lucky they are their mom cooks them dinner.

10.  Photography - I love looking at nature in a different way when I'm taking photographs.  Nature is cool!  I also love taking pictures of the boys growing up.  I have a few pictures of my childhood.  I really wish I had more.  My memories are visual in nature and I really wish I had the picture to go with my memories so I could share them with the boys.  

Sunday prep

This week I have parent teacher conferences so I'll be working late days. I made sure Hubby has food to feed both boys on Monday and Wednesday. I also need to make sure I have plenty of healthy snacks.

Ranch flavored veggie chips in individual bags

Carrot sticks

Italian Sloppy Joes

Asian Chicken Burgers

 

Ham and cheese scones

Almond Protein Pancakes

Celery Sticks

Sunday Food Prep

So today I took time out and did some prep for the week.  Tomorrow I'll be cooking a roast for burrito bowls.  The soup is for lunches and I ate it for dinner on Sunday night.  The Parmesan chicken is for one of our dinners.  I'm going to eat mine with the roasted veggies.  The breakfast apple crisp is my breakfast for 3 mornings.  I'm going to eat it with Greek yogurt.  The bbq pork is first going to be a dinner and then will be pork fajitas.  Yum!

 

Now what?

Now that I'm back to losing weight, I want to make mini goals. This way I'm not overwhelmed.

Goal #1 - healthly BMI

Goal #2 - reach the 130s/ get into single digit pants' size

Goal #3 - look svelte and awesome at my 20th class reunion on August 3rd - Hopefully in my 120's by then. (Graduated at 120 pounds)

It's Not Just About a Numbers' Game

To read about my weight loss journey, here are the links. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

During my first weight loss journey, I played what I called a numbers' game. I was obsessed with the amount of calories in what I was eating but not the nutritional value. I would then play the game of it "This doughnut is only 200 calories." to rationalize why I was eating a doughnut. Then I would make sure I would eat 200 less calories later on the day. Another trick I would do was look at a bag of potato chips and then divide it into smaller portions. "7 chips equals 70 calories so I'll only eat that many." I didn't care about how much fat was in the chips. All I cared about was the amount of calories.

I really didn't learn anything about how to eat healthier. So it was easier for me to to not maintain my weight in the long run.

Then there was the year I gave up drinking pop. I gave it up cold turkey and did great. After a year, I picked up my first can and gradually began drinking it again. Not a good thing - I was able to maintain my weight and my teeth were in great shape while not drinking pop. Soon I was drinking a pop a day, sometimes 2 pops a day. My favorites changed from time to time. By the time I stopped drinking pop 2 months ago, my favorite pop was Coke.

As I stated 2 months ago, I opened my last pop and drank a sip or two. Then I decided it was not worth it and gave it up once again cold turkey. I gave my Coke bottles to my sister-in-law so I don't have the temptation.

I've started on another weight loss journey. I decided not to just focus on the calories even though I do look at the calories of different foods especially when I'm eating out so I can make the healthiest choices. My changes have come from eating differently and healthier. I've eaten new things in the past month and have discovered new flavors - kale and quinoa are two of the things.

I also found Slender Kitchen. She has meal plans that are based on weight watchers. It's what I've been looking for. I've got plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do I follow them exactly? No but at least I've got a starting point. In the last two weeks I've followed those plans, I've lost five pounds! I'm feeling quite satisfied with the food so there is no overeating. Some if the recipes are simple and others require some prep time.

I do realize you need to worry about the calories you are eating versus the amount you are burning. For me, I need to focus on learning how to eat healthier.

Next step in my journey is learning how to be more active.

What I've eaten - Week of Jan. 30 - Feb. 5

Steak salad


Maple mustard chicken, corn, and cauliflower garlic mash


Sausage, kale, white bean soup


Coffee


Blueberry almond whole wheat muffins


Kale chips


Flat bread pizza


Roasted veggie ziti


Hash brown and egg casserole


Buffalo wing hummus


Buffalo wing chicken salad


Caprese pasta salad


Baked potato soup with cauliflower.


Grilled cheese Sammy


Skinny chocolate peanut butter cookie made with chickpeas

My Journey part 5

So November of 2012, I was transferred from the middle school to the elementary and I joined Elf 4 Health.

The bathroom right next to my room has a full length mirror in it. Almost every time, I went to the restroom. I would look at a side view of myself and just shake my head. I couldn't believe how I let myself go. I was afraid I would continue to gain weight. Not a very good feeling.

My first elf was Lyndi. She is awesome. We emailed each other on a daily basis, several times in the day. We discussed what we were eating and about our day. She encouraged me. During that time, I did most of the challenges and started to get my feet wet into a lifestyle change not just me playing a numbers game.

Then I was matched up with Gretchen. We still email each other several times a week. She also encouraged me. I felt like I can do this.

My third elf only emailed me a few times. Fortunately Gretchen and I continued to be each other's elves.

During the last few weeks of the Elf 4 Health, I participated in more of the challenges. I loved they were both for spiritual well-being and also physical health.

Although I had already learned some new eating habits, I learned even more. I tried new foods - chia seeds, PB2, and green smoothies. I started putting more veggies in my dishes. I became aware of how much fiber needed to be in my diet.

I learned how it's important to move and be active. I'm not where I need or want to be in that aspect of becoming healthy.

Most of I learned to love me! Once that occurred the extra weight began to come off. I'm now 0.5 pounds from having what is considered a healthy BMI.

My journey is not complete. I still have more to learn. But I'm on my way to becoming healthier.

My journey part 4

The first part of the journey

The second part of the journey

The third part of the journey

In the fall of 2010, I was transferred to the middle school. Soon after starting there, I gained more weight and increased my pants' size. It must have been from stress.

Soon I was back to the weight from when I started the journey. My body held onto it like it was a security blanket.

The next school year, I was back at the elementary school and continued to maintain that weight. I had about 3 or 4 pants I could wear comfortably to work.

At one point I tried to lose some of the weight. I played the numbers game once again. After a couple of weeks, I had given up and regained any weight I had lost.

I allowed myself to not take care of my health.

I once again was transferred to work with middle school age children. My class was very disrespectful. Also the stress of the job took the weight and really held onto it. I was gradually moving towards the biggest pants' size I had ever worn.  (I also wasn't eating breakfast on a regular basis, drinking Coke, and eating lunch was a balancing act.)

I was not liking how I looked.

In November, they transferred me back to the elementary and I joined Elf 4 Health.

To be continued . . .

My Journey Part 3

The First Part of the Journey

The Second Part of the Journey


My other grandma's health declined after her fall. We gradually began going through her belongings and cleaning out her house. She was unable to live on her own anymore.

I maintained my weight during that time but I was not as focused on my health because of the stress in my life.

Fourteen months after her fall, I received the call I was dreading. Grandma was slipping fast.

For the next 5 days, I sat by her bedside with the rest of my family. Christmas Eve of 2008 was the day she left her Earthly body.

I gradually gained about 10 pounds and went up 2 pants' sizes during the next year and a half.

Then I was transferred from the elementary school to the middle school.

To be continued. . .

My Journey Part 2

The First Part of the Journey

During the last Saturday of October 2007, I talked to my grandma (Grandma H.) for the last time about life and supper. Soon after that last conversation, her foot fell asleep and she tried to walk on it. She ended up falling down and breaking her leg. Soon afterwards her health began to decline.

The next day I got a call from my father's sister (my aunt). My other grandma (Grandma B.) was dying and was not expected to live past the evening. At 3 o'clock in the morning, I woke up suddenly. My grandma was saying good-bye to me.

While at work the next day, I got the call from my aunt that Grandma B. had died at around 3 o'clock that morning. I left work, went to the hospital to visit Grandma H. who broke her leg, and then went home to pack. My sister and I left the next morning to drive to Pittsburgh.

We went to her funeral on Halloween. Ironic because she had a big sweet tooth.

Although Grandma B. and I were not close, I associate a lot of memories with her. Her twin beds in her guest bedroom - one had plastic covering the mattress. You would slip and slid all night long if you were the unfortunate one to get that bed. She did not cook. How much she missed my grandpa who died in 1992.

Her death has impacted me but not as much as what was to come.

To be continued . . .

My Journey part 1

Five and a half years ago, I saw my weight creeping upwards. My youngest was almost 2 and the "I'm going to lose the weight when he's 1 no longer applied." It was time for action. Memorial Day 2007 was the official day I decided to take over my life.

But at that time, I believed and thought I almost needed to starve myself in order to lose the weight. I joined Spark people and realized I needed to eat differently not starve myself.

I kept eating some of the same foods but in smaller quantities. It became a numbers game instead if a real lifestyle change. (I love math so this was perfect for me.).

My biggest supporter was my maternal grandma. She and I would talk daily about life and what I was going to cook for supper.

By the time, I was back at work that fall I was down almost 30 pounds and wearing the smallest pant's size that I had ever worn as an adult.

Then October of 2007 came and my life completely changed forever. . . .

To be continued