Grocery Store Epiphany

I used to loathe grocery shopping. But since I started eating healthier, I actually enjoy going to the store and picking out new healthy foods and buying fresh fruits and veggies. Maybe I'm a weirdo. I mean, I wouldn't like to go every day or anything crazy.. but it's less of a chore now.

This last time I went to the grocery store I noticed something I've never noticed before:



This is the set up of the grocery section at the Super Target I go to. The entrance is at the bottom of the page. I don't know about YOUR grocery store, but this seems to be the set up of every grocery store I've ever been in. I had a few things on my list that were in the center aisles, but probably 80-90% of what I purchased was from the outer area of the grocery section.



These are the things that I purchased from the center aisles (labeled "BAD!" in blue on the drawing):
-low fat honey mustard dressing
-ketchup
-nutmeg
-sesame seeds
-kashi go lean crunch granola
-peanut butter
-whole wheat pita bread
-whole wheat english muffins
-truvia
-special k snack bars (only for emergencies when i'm really in a hurry and need a snack)
-coffee
-half & half
-graham cracker cookies for Brayden

For the most part, the center aisles are filled with sugary foods that will leave you hungry in an hour. The foods on the ends of the aisle (pink on the drawing) are even worse! They are placed there simply to catch your eye and cause you to make an unneeded purchase.

The majority of your shopping trip should be spent on the outside aisles: dairy, meat, and produce.







The biggest part of my purchase included fresh fruits and vegetables, soy milk, almond milk, skim milk, low fat yogurt, white fish, shrimp, eggs, low fat feta cheese, etc. When I put my groceries away, I scatter them in the fridge so basically everywhere I look is something healthy! Makes it much easier to decide what to eat :)

So, if you're trying to eat healthier, stay out of the center aisles!!

Embrace the Camera: October 6

Just a quick post with some pictures of me and my sweet boy embracing the camera :)





Blurry. Crazy crop. But I don't care because this is so representative of Brayden at this age. He just wants to go go go and play play play. If he ever stops it's to give me a 1/2 second slobbery kiss or maybe steal a few bites of food. It's nearly impossible to get a clear, focused picture of him - unless he's sleeping.

Now go embrace the camera with your loved one(s)!

Fitness Update

I figured it was about time for a weight-loss/fitness update.

High weight: 164 (October 2010)
Start weight: 153.6 (August 14, 2011)
Current weight: 144.6 (October 5, 2011)
Goal weight: 130



Since I started the couch-to-5k program on August 14, 7 1/2 weeks ago, I've lost a total of 8.5 inches (arms, legs, stomach) and 9 pounds. Today I did Week 9, Day 2 of the C2-5K program which means I only have one day left. I really didn't think I'd be able to work my way towards running 3 miles all at once in less than two months. But surprisingly, I can. My first 5K time was 39:30, not bad I say, not bad. So proud of myself for actually doing it, and seeing it through, start to finish! I actually have improved a TON on my mile time as well. Last summer when I first started running, my first mile time was over 16 minutes; last night, my new mile time was 9:40. Yay! Now I need to scour the internet (aka Pinterest) to find a new workout routine ;) Ideas??


Chicken, avocado, and tomato salad with Ranch & Franks Red Hot

Up until now I have pretty much just been watching calories and trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugary stuff. On Monday I bought the 17-Day Diet book and started the diet yesterday. I'm not following it absolutely to a tee (I cannot STAND green tea), but using the menu plans provided for the most part. Can't say how well it's working since it hasn't even been 48 hours but I plan to do a review post at the end of the first 17 day cycle.


Everything thin bagel with turkey, cucumber, and roasted red pepper hummus


Cherry tomatoes + agua


Hard boiled eggs = love :)

InstaFriday: Sept. 30

Woahh, and bam, just like that tomorrow will be October. Pumpkins and ghosts and changing leaves followed by turkey and inevitably snow and winter. :( I really like fall itself, but I have a hard time enjoying it knowing what follows! Anywho, I am joining Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.



Here's a look at our week


We went to visit Dad and hit up the Science Zone. Brayden loved every second!


Brayden tries so hard to be a big helper! Sometimes he succeeds, and sometimes he does not. This was actually a job well done :)


Reading with Daddy at IHOP before we had to leave town :(


Headed home. Jesse stuck one of Brayden's foam blocks to my sunroof, I was sure it would fall soon but it's actually still there.. lol, 4 days later. Oh, ya think I need to wash my windshield? Yeah, me neither.


Oatmeal + Pecans + Maple Agave = Delish


Counting beans while Mom cooks


Just being stinkin' cute, getting into stuff


Making feta & basil shrimp, yummy!


Burned the CRAP out of my hand. Bumped the heating element on the oven this morning while I was flipping the bacon I was broiling. Yeah Ouch is an understatement. I text my Aunt who is a nurse and she suggested putting honey on it and wrapping it up for 24 hours, sounds funky to me but I trust her! We'll see how it looks tomorrow, the burning is gone so that's good!


Happy Weekend!

Time for another one...?

I get asked this ALLLLLL the time.

Other person: "Oh he's getting so big! How old is he now?"

Me: I know! He's 19 months.

Other person: "Aw, about time for another one then, huh?"



Me: Umm.. no


Seriously is 18 months like the magical number? Oh, your kid is 18 months old, time to get busy on the next one! I am amazed at how often I have this conversation. It seems to happen one a weekly basis. Don't get me wrong, emotionally, I'm definitely ready for number 2, BUT what about everything else??

I suppose I could understand people asking this question to a married couple who are both done with college, have good steady jobs, stable income, etc. Being 20 years old, a full time college student and mother to a 19 month old keeps me plenty busy without adding an I-need-attention-24-hours-a-day infant to the mix. It just seems so odd to me how that is the first question anyone asks me.. "when are you having another one?" Not for a while folks, not for a while.

And while my BRAIN knows this to be true and the right thing to do, my heart on the other hand is aching for another. Absolutely aching, I have baby fever like crrrrazzzyy. So, world, please stop asking me if it's "time for another one" because I might just cry if you ask one more time!





...Seriously.. look at that yummyness. How could I not want a second dose?

Embrace the Camera: September 29

I'm glad it's starting to cool down a little. Well, at least in the evenings and overnight. But I'm not so glad about the dang allergies that are kicking my butt, and Brayden's too!

Embrace the Camera: September 22

This picture is actually from a few weeks ago, but this week has been super busy trying to get ahead on homework and clean the house because we are leaving town this afternoon and won't be home until late Monday night.

Brayden loves being outside! I'm sad that in a few months it will be freezing cold and snowy. I'm sure we'll still be outside plenty, the kid loves it I tell you, but instead of it being nice and lovely outside, I'll be freezing my arse off! :) I guess I'll have to look back at this picture on those days.