Vitamins

A few weeks ago, I started to feel like I needed to be sure that I was getting enough of all the nutrients and that I should probably find a good multi-vitamin to take. After several months without dairy and eating what seemed like an awful lot of chips, I was really wondering if I was not getting all of what I needed. And, I’d been wanting to start Josiah and I on probiotics (I got Genestra) since we’ve not been eating yogurt or kefir as well as take some fish oil, which I’ve heard is really good for those with skin problems. So, I went to my local health food store and asked the friendly staff who recommended Her Daily Vitamin.

I must have been really low in my B-vitamins, because after just a few days I was full of energy and felt like a whole new woman. I could tell a huge difference and was loving the results. Now, after several weeks, I’m back to my normal self. I feel pretty good most days, but other days I’m really dragging. I think that the vitamins are worth taking and I’m continuing even though they cost a ton… When they run out, I’ll probably see if I can find a cheap, but good-quality whole-food vitamin – do those exist?

My kids don’t really like the fish oil, but they love the mango-flavored liquid multi-vitamin that I got for them. I’ve been mixing Josiah’s probiotic and fish oil and vitamin all in his orange juice and he doesn’t notice it at all. Eila drinks plenty of kefir and just takes the fish oil (with many protests) and vitamin (begging for more) straight. I’m glad I’ve started to do the probiotics especially with Josiah, but I wonder if (well, realize and know that) we should see a nutritionist or dietitian. I’m open to suggestions.

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Dairy-Free: Day 67

After about 2 months of staying clear of all milk proteins and even adding a slight avoidance of eggs for the past week, Josiah seems to be all cleared up and we’ve all adjusted pretty well to the change. Eila knows that her brother cannot have ice cream, cheetos, or goldfish and won’t share them with him even if he says “peas”. Josiah doesn’t seem to understand that he can’t have cheetos or ranch or cheese sticks, but loves the Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese and so do I. I also really like the Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. I don’t like Rice Dream – it does not taste like any kind of ice cream I’d eat!

I’ve learned a lot about the things that go into food and that eating at a restaurant or another person’s house is a real pain with a food allergy. I always feel like we’re imposing and being difficult, even when I bring own our food – of course, then I just feel like I’m being ungrateful and rude, but really I’m just trying to do what is best for Josiah.

It is hard and last week, I really wanted to quit, but he has had a couple of times where he had some of Eila’s dairy-full food and then had some sort of adverse reaction, so it seems to me that the sacrifices and inconvenience are worth the health and well-being of my little boy. It could be so much worse… he could need to stay away from dairy, eggs, gluten, and soy – and then we’d only be able to eat fruits and veggies, which might be healthy, but hard since it seems like Josiah is a strict carnivore, unless ketchup counts as a vegetable.

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Fresh From the Farm

We picked up our second 1/2-bushel of produce as part of a CSA farm share and also got some strawberries, asparagus and carrots from another farmer this morning. Our produce so far has consisted of radishes, zucchini, yellow squash, mixed lettuce greens, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, and a gigantic head of cabbage as well as a dozen delicious eggs.

I have found all the food to be top rate in taste as well as enjoy getting a weekly email update from the farm with what is happening there. I don’t usually like radishes, but these were pretty good. The spinach, lettuce and zucchini tasted great to me and the greens were even good sauteed in garlic and olive oil. We didn’t use the cabbage yet and am not really sure what to do with it as I am not a fan of cole slaws… The broccoli was used in a pasta dish with the other veggies and some pepperoni, oil and garlic that I will probably make again, since it was quick, simple and yummy. Last week, I also tried this with the addition of spinach and really enjoyed it tossed with spaghetti.

If you have any fabulous, easy recipes with these ingredients (that are also dairy-free), I’d love to try them!

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Looking Back

Over Memorial Day weekend, Brian and I did a lot of random tasks around the house, but we also had a lot of family fun. The trips out to dim sum, cemetery, zoo, parade, and Grandma’s were actually really refreshing for me. We were able to talk about the whole point of the Memorial Day holiday and remember and thank God for all the freedoms and gifts we have as well as remember and talk about other family members and even spend time with some of them. We didn’t really have to cook all weekend and ate really well, which is very relaxing for me. And, the time at home was pretty nice too. The kids enjoyed playing in the water table (with the arrival of summer and hot, humid weather!) and I felt like things that had been hanging over me to do for a long while were finished – what a relief.

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Caffeine

Drugs and I do not mix. I had a giant coffee this morning and I’m still reeling from the effects. I have been super productive as well as shaky with a slight feeling of spinning. I’m really starting to believe that water is the only drink for me – maybe soon I’ll start to act on that belief.

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My Diet Plan

Some women wonder how to lose all their baby weight and get back their girlish figure. This is what worked for me; it might work for you too:
1. Tandem Nursing
2. Exercise at least twice a week, especially while holding one or two kids (not including running after kids or walking with friends or at the zoo or shopping or cleaning.)
3. Drink a glass of water whenever you think you might be hungry, then eat.
4. Get the stomach flu, more than once really helps (but not much fun!)
5. Never weigh yourself.

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