Even more Halloween fun: Boo at the Zoo!

We made it out of the house early Saturday for the trick or treat event at our local zoo. Good thing, too, because it was packed! Sebastian and Mama had a blast (and I dare say even Papa had way more fun than expected). Safe trick or treating, animals, train & carousel rides? What's not to love?

Bas' first lollipop! He finished the first and had the second open and in his mouth before we even realized there was a second.

Carousel fun with Papa!

Okay, okay... Mama was having more fun than most of the kids.

On the go at the zoo playground.

Mama's little hatchling.

Caterpillar wrangler.

Hanging on for dear life!

Can't catch me!

A fantastically fun filled day! In fact, the only tears of the day appeared when it was time to leave... and once settled in the car, he was passed out in seconds. 3 Halloween events down, 1 to go. These events have been a very welcome distraction from the 4 canine teeth working their way through the little guy's gums (Yes! All four at once! It is aawful.). Mama is so appreciative.

Pre-Halloween festivities!

Utah is *NOT* lacking in Halloween celebrations. Just this week we made it to two parties! You will note below that it was very hard to get a picture of Bas as he was zipping around with excitement.

Bas' first mustache: cupcake style!

Too much fun! Can't sit still!

Finally! I caught him just long enough to snap one... & he wiggled like crazy until I let him go.

Yes, he has 2 costumes. I had lofty ideas of painting his face into a Day-of-the-Dead-like skeleton. Reasoning hit just in time and saved us from a big creamy mess. He was completely happy to wear the Elmo costume to the party at the Unitarian church. In one weeks time, Sebastian decided that anything touching his chin or throat is unacceptable. When we dressed him in Elmo for the Little Gym party, much screaming and complaining ensued. Lucky we had the skeleton onesie at hand. So so cute even without the makeup. Halloween might be our fave holiday... We'll let you know after Winter Solstice.

The proper way to eat Mac 'N Cheese.

1. Inspect the goods.

2. Approach with caution.

3. Abandon all caution for the sake of experience.

4. Savor the moment... and reflect.

5. Rate your meal: All smiles = 2 thumbs up!

Mac 'N Cheese was one of Mama's fave treat meals way back when. This kid has good taste. Of course, we wouldn't settle for just any boxed mac. It's gotta be Annie's with chopped veggie dog. Looks like we will be experiencing more of the mac in our future. Next up, we try our hands at the homemade from scratch variety.

An Autumn walk - the many hues of Utah.

The mysterious production of juice.

It's time for the grape harvest!!! We have been enjoying our many varieties of grapes in morning smoothies. As grape season is coming to a close and they are beginning to turn to raisins on the vine, Benjamin proposed a home made juice canning project. Here is just a small portion of the grapes we will/have juice(d). Ignore those silly zucchini... they are the last of the season and always eager to work themselves into any photo op.

We began with many boxes of grapes that looked something like this:

Then it was bath time!

Next, beautiful jars were cleansed & prepared...

just in time for the lovely juice to come:

Hooray! We are now the happy owners of many jars of home made grape juice. Not sure of all varieties used, but concord is the dominant flavor.

This naturally sweet (no sugar added) juice is ready for consumption, to be transformed into jelly... the possibilities are endless. Ben spent a good day and a half in the kitchen pumping out batch after batch. I helped in between caring for and occupying Sebastian. All in all, we ended up with 20 quarts (or 5 gallons). The crazy thing is: there are still loads of grapes on the vines! We are love love loving this harvest.

Autumn sleep takes over.

So, you know how there just isn't enough time in a day...? I can't remember ever really feeling any truth to that saying; until now. We have been filling our days with tiny bits of house cleaning, trips to the park, long walks, soup making & general family time. It is blissful to be spending much of the season's last sunshiny days outside and to just enjoy being together. On the other side of the day, however, I find myself falling asleep while nursing Sebastian to sleep. It would be one thing if he just went to sleep, but he has taken to singing and playing and talking to me for about an hour each night. I love it and cherish the time with him so much. I also miss my mama time. Usually I get some time to myself or with Ben after the kiddo snoozes... but I keep passing out and waking up around midnight. Woohoo. Just in time to brush teeth and hop into my own bed. I guess my body needs the extra sleep these days. I'm blaming it on the season change. The whole point is: I have a camera full of pictures to update this space with and little time to actually post. It's not that I don't want to share what is happening... It's just that I'm too busy living (and catching zzz's) to get them up. I am determined to reclaim my evenings. As I succeed, you will be graced with little visual snippets of our full days.

Autumn Cleanse: Days 6 & 7!

Day 6 fell on a Sunday. Sunday evening is our weekly family dinner with the Dud-in-law and we tend to do up a feast. There was a little part of me dreading Sunday night dinner and whatever delicious food might have been making its way to the table. Lasagna! Ugh... one of my faves. I did a whole lot of meditating around whether or not to partake. After a good self pep talk, I decided that the cleanse would continue after enjoying a little bit of the Sunday feast. I ate light all day Sunday and lost 6 pounds in 5 days. A little lasagna wasn't going to get me down. Benjamin even made a veggie version just for me. I don't think that I have ever truly enjoyed every slow bite of a meal in my life. It was more than savored. I allowed myself a couple glasses of wine. I even succumbed to a taste of chocolate (15 chocolate chips). I woke up this morning and weighed exactly what I did yesterday, so it was totally worth it. I did have a really hard time sleeping last night. Took hours to fall asleep and then I slept in until almost noon. That NEVER happens. Benjamin was sweet enough to allow me some snooze time by getting up and feeding and playing with Sebastian. It will be interesting to notice if my sleep suffers after next Sundays meal.

This is where I cease laying out all I am eating for your viewing displeasure. I don't think that I would find it very interesting to follow someone else's food intake. Plus, I am on track and have a plan. This week of typing it all out has helped me so much to get strong about my goals and to do some much needed self examination. Just know that I'm sticking to the plan & meeting my goals. As those goals are met, I will surely share my excitement. Just 4 more pounds to go until I am back at pre-pregnancy weight. YAY! If I can meet that unattainable feeling goal, the rest is a piece of cake (or maybe a handful of nuts).

Autumn Cleanse: Day 5!

A beautiful day spent with the fam: Decorating the sidewalk with chalk as requested by Sebastian. Tripping on over to the park for some playground fun (Guess whose idea that was!). Watching the chickens. Gathering cherry tomatoes before the frost hits. Harvesting seeds for planting now & next spring. Strolling around the farmers market (2nd to last of the season!) and scoring great deals on veggie + honey. Loving this city. Enjoying every moment of glorious sunshine.

So here is day 5 in cleanse-land:

-whole juice: frozen berries (rasp, blue & marion) blended w/water & ice.

-10 almonds.

-5 dried cherries.

-salad: mixed greens, cherry toms, cucumber, garbanzos, 2 tsp. albacore tuna, 1/2 tsp. olive oil, a touch of basalmic vinegar, 1 tsp. salsa.

-2 Cups mostly veggie soup: carrot, celery, onion, chickie broth, peas, corn, olive oil.

-1 gala apple w/ 1 TBSP. peanut butter.

-2 Cups popcorn (w/ corn oil & salt - no butter).

-1 Cup herbal tea.

-Lots of water.

-Green Vibrance.

-vitamins.

-45 minute walk (20 minutes brisk).

Confession: I don't just have *a* sweet tooth. I have a whole mouth full of them. Carbs have been a major source of comfort that I have been willing to cut back on, but sweets are something I couldn't even fathom not having every day. I'm talking like a couple of squares of chocolate after dinner or a popsicle or ice cream (every few weeks). I am generally mindful about what goes into my family and myself, so they're "quality" sweets. You, know: organic ice cream, dark organic chocolate, whole fruit & juice popsicles. Nice way to fool myself, eh? Sugar is sugar and I know I don't want to be eaten away by it... so cutting back is necessary. What better time than NOW? One of the amazing realizations that have come from this cleanse is that I don't need the sugar. I'm not craving it (other than that peppermint mocha craving... though it isn't as persistent today). The fruit that I am getting is enough to satisfy, is cleaning me out & tastes better than it did when sweets were a daily dealy. There has been weightloss! Talk about a reason to continue... No longer feeling stuck. The happy dance is just beginning.

Autumn Cleanse: Day 4!

I am feeling a little weird about displaying my eating habits for all to see. Honestly, I think my feelings are orbiting more around the guilt-o-sphere at clogging up the blog with such boring fodder. In my defense... It helps keep me on track knowing that someone might really read this and hold me to it. So, again with the thanks.

The nosh of the day:

-1 banana.

-10 almonds.

-8 green olives.

-salad: mixed greens, cherry toms, cucumber, garbanzos, 1 tsp. mild salsa, a splash of olive oil & balsamic.

-whole juice (concord grapes, 1 apple, ice & water). These daily salads are only about a Cup & 1/2 total.

-2 tsp. almond butter.

-2 Cups soup (chicken broth, carrots, onions, celery, peas, corn, olive oil).

-2 Cups popcorn (in corn oil - no butter).

-lots of water.

-vitamins.

-green vibrance.

-50 minute brisk walk.

Yep, I decided it was time for some popcorn. We had movie night at home... It was sort of required. The other craving that is making itself all too known is the peppermint hot mocha. I don't drink enough coffee to miss not drinking it, and when I do it is decaf... but it is that time of year when I enjoy a delicious holiday themed latte. So far water is getting me through. Maybe a good peppermint tea will fill that void. I am thankful for more energy and all around calm. Hooray for lightening up!

Autumn Cleanse: Day 3!

Low-key, laid back day. Began with a nice family walk and some time at the park to appease the kiddo. Ended the day with a whole lot of lazing around.

Foods of the day:

-whole grape juice (yellow-green grapes from our vines, water + ice).

-1/2 Cup Veg juice (like V-8).

-2 Cups herbal tea.

-lots of water!

-salad (mixed greens, cucumber, asparagus, cherry toms, garbanzos & a hint of olive oil/basalmic).

-1 Cup Autumn Rejuvenation Ration.

-1 gala apple w/1 TBSP almond butter.

-2.5 Cups home made veggie-chicken soup (chicken, broth, onion, carrots, peas, celery, corn, olive oil).

-vitamins.

-Green Vibrance.

-1 hour walk (30 minutes brisk).

Okay, yes to chicken. Strange... I don't usually eat much meat. I realized today why the meat crave is kicking in (aside from the obvious lack of grains and limited sugars). It's that sneaky moon time... you know, aunt flo and all that. Alrighty, T.M.I. moving right along.Once every month I get an insane urge to eat meat. It's usually the only time I *really* want some red meat. Not so this time. Looks like chicken and fish will suffice.

Still feeling good and a lot less hungry today. Thank you, protein! Oh yes, and there was an insane energy burst mid day. Bas napped. I cleaned the kitchen, baked mama milk muffins (recipe to follow - I resisted eating them! Made a batch for Bas and stuck 'em in the freezer to thaw out as needed), cooked up some carrots for Bas and I to snack on over the next few days & began the soup. Settled down to eat the apple and almond butter when the energy overload began; shaking, spinning and motor mouth are side effects. Once again, protein brought me back to earth.

Packages for Sebastian!

Oh boy. There isn't much that stirs up excitement quite like getting packages in the mail; especially when you are almost 2 years old. Multiple packages score BIG points.

"ELMO, mama!" - Who could know this kid so well? Grandma Winnie (my mom). He points to the jammies and says "Gramma Weenee".

The book is Elmo, too!?!? It's zoo themed?!?! He made us read it immediately... three times. That was followed by ten minutes of him pointing out to us who was who and which animal was called what.

If the tiny smile doesn't tell you he loves his gifts, the kiss below should. That kiss is sent straight over to you, Grandma Winnie. He says "Thank you! Oh my goodness! Elmo. Cookie monster. Happy.".

Grandma Winnie happened to tell me that there are a couple other packages coming in the next few weeks. Bas is going to be silly excited when he gets mail again. How much do you want to bet he insists upon escorting mama to the mailbox every day? I'm looking forward to it.

Autumn Cleanse: Day 2!

Oh my goodness: Benjamin and I had a real DATE! I vaguely remember those from way back when - ya, know...

pre kiddo. I planned it all out and it actually came together! Being 2 states away from most of our friends and family (+ a lack of desire to welcome strangers into our home to care for our kid) means we don't go anywhere without Sebastian. Overall we are completely fine with that. Lately, however, we have been feeling the need to spend some together time a l o n e. Ben's dad "Dud" offered to watch Sebastian for a few hours. I was thinking that might just be too much for both of them... but I worked it out so that Bas went down for nap 20 minutes before we had to leave to make it to the movie (UP! *Such* a cute movie. Also, incredibly tear jerking). We took our cell phone just in case. When I called to check in on them after the movie, Bas was still sleeping! Yeehaw! We were afforded extra time to get some dinner up the canyon at our fave restaurant, Ruth's Diner.

You may be wondering how this post classifies as autumn cleanse material? Imagine how hard it is to resist the only food I have actually been craving... popcorn! Okay, not so hard since we don't usually eat the popcorn at the theater. So, imagine how difficult it might have been to find something on the menu at a diner that is famous for its delicious mile high biscuits, burgers, omelets; etc. The strange thing is that it wasn't so hard to resist some of my faves as it was to find something that fit in with my cleansing plan. It seems obvious to me that a cleanse would immediately rule out meat. I knew that I didn't want to consume any dairy or wheat. Since fish isn't something I get enough of, Smoked Salmon Salad saved the day. Yummy, clean and full of protein. It was so good to have some time with Ben and stick to my cleanse.

Here is the menu of the day:

-whole grape juice (concord grapes from our vines, water & ice - blended).

-2 cups herbal tea.

-lots o' water.

-1 Cup Autumn Rejuvenation Ration.

-1/2 Cup kidney beans.

-1/2 Cup Bolthouse Veg juice (similar to V-8).

-Smoked Salmon Salad (mixed greens, cucumbers, a whole tomato, smoked salmon, toasted almonds & a carrot salsa).

-1 apple.

-vitamins!

-1 hour family walk (40 mins. brisk).

Feeling lighter. Thinking quicker. Farting less (hahaha... Ben was inputting). Seriously, feeling good enough to keep this up.

The Yums: Autumn Rejuvenation Ration!

This is straight from a book that I believe everyone should own, The Detox Diet by Elson M. Haas, M.D. Haas credits this particular recipe to his business partner, Bethany ArgIsle.

Autumn Rejuvenation Ration:

3 Cups spring water

1 TBSP chopped ginger root

1-2 TBSP miso paste (do not boil!)

1-2 stalks chopped green onion

chopped cilantro to taste*

1-2 pinches cayenne pepper

2 tsp olive oil

juice of 1/2 lemon

Boil water. Add ginger root. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in miso paste to taste. Turn off burner. Add green onions, cilantro, cayenne, olive oil & lemon juice. Remove from burner and cover to steep 10 minutes. May vary ingredient portions to satisfy flavors. Enjoy!

*I reeeeeeeeally dislike cilantro. A LOT... so I substituted it with parsley.

Also, I tripled the recipe since I plan to be drinking this broth all day for a few days. I opted for 4 TBSP ginger, 5 TBSP miso paste, 6 stalks green onion & 5 pinched cayenne. All other ingredients were just tripled.

Autumn Cleanse: the beginning.

I can already see the outcome of too much-ness in my future. If the season change keeps inspiring me to bake (and eat) sugary treats, my middle & mood will suffer. So, I figure beginning the season with a cleanse might just clean me out *&* put me on track. For the next short while (3 to 10 days) you will find a food journal and various detox recipes here if you check in. I will surely do my best to sneak some non-foodie posts in, as well. I'm looking to lose those last 10 baby weight pounds (and another 30ish beyond that) and this is the first step. Thanks for bearing witness.

I have found over the years that a good cleanse means eating light, eating whole foods & keeping hydrated. I am opting to throw out rigid plans this time around and go with how I feel. The commitment is to do a fruit smoothie (no milks or juices) each morning, a broth, a simple salad, herbal tea, lots of water + daily vitamins (I take prenatals, B-12, Omegas, vita C & Green Vibrance daily). Some might wonder: why the vitamins while cleansing? I'm still nursing. My body needs to keep up supply and have plenty of nourishment for both self and baby. The big cleanse will come when the nursing stops, but I think that is still in the distant future.

Today looked like this:

-A.M. fruit smoothie (concord grapes fresh off our vines blended with water & a few ice cubes).

-3 Cups Autumn Rejuvenation Ration* (enjoyed 1 cup at a time throughout the day).

-3 Cups Tazo CALM herbal tea (Chamomile, mint, rose; etc.).

-1 shiny delicious gala apple.

-P.M. small salad (mixed greens, cucumber, tomato from garden, asparagus, kidney beans, olive oil & a touch of balsamic vinegar).

-Green Vibrance (1 scoop in water).

-Vitamins (listed above).

-about 70 oz. water.

-25 minute brisk walk.

*Autumn Rejuvenation Ration recipe to follow in next post.

Family date day: petting zoo fun!

Today was what Sebastian calls "date" day. He's coming to love his dates with Mama, but today was even more exciting: family date day! We ventured off on our first petting zoo trip of the season. Goats, pigs, sheep, a calf, ponies, chickens, geese, bunnies... major good times for a 21 month old. There was much exploration, animal petting, rock climbing & talk about all of it for the rest of the day.

The fun was found at Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah. Awesome place! They host an annual month long witch fest complete with Breakfast With a Witch (sold out! shucks!), Witches' Night Out, Witchapalooza dinner theater & Extreme Witch Makeover (for 30 bux you get witchy hair, nails, makeup; etc.). I need to make friends with some super cool ladies before next year so we can make it to Witches' Night out. Lack of photos of anything aside from Sebastian can be blamed entirely on low battery power. Oops! Most of you want to see him anyway, so I suppose I am forgiven. Can you believe how big this kid is getting?

Another sweet date gone right. Hearts.very.happy.