Goals of 2012

Each year, as the seemingly majority of America, I reevaluate, restart, and redo my list of goals. This year, rather than making a list of well intentioned goals, set myself up for failure, and throw in the towel January 2nd, I have committed myself to a manageable plan. A plan that allows me to make lists (something I cannot function without), and alter as necessary.

I have organized a list of things I hope to accomplish in the year 2012. The following is not inclusive, but a general overview:


Spiritual Goals:
Bible in a Year (Have been doing this in 6 months, but want to stretch it out)
Memorize 100 Verses this year (2 a week)
Find a church (have been searching for 4 months)
Complete our Personal and Family Mission Statements
Continue our prayerful search for mentors
Pray for ministry opportunities outside of home (ideally through our new church)

Relational:
Date night twice a month
Family/Friend visits once a month minimum

Motherhood/Parenting Goals:
Consistency in Discipline
Continue to add scripture to Bailey's heart training
Patience
Eliminate pacifier
Independent Play
Potty Training----maybe.

Homemaking:
Reevaluate our Menu Plan/Meal Budget
De-clutter: 30 items in 30 days at least twice this year
Evaluate and update Household and Emergency Binder
Compile a 3-5 day survival kit

Personal Growth:
Exercise 4 times a week
Read a minimum of 1 book a month



While the list is very manageable, I cannot succeed by taking it all on January 1st. So each week/month, I will be evaluating the list and chipping away bit by bit. With that said, the objective for January is the following:

8 Verses Memorized
Genesis and Job read (utilizing a chronological reading plan)
2 Date nights
1 Play date
Complete 1 Book
Exercise for 20 minutes 5x's week
Reevaluate food Budget

"Starvation" Update #1

It has now been three days since I have started my yeast free diet. In all honesty, it hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating. I have had a headache off an on and a few spells of weakness. The most severe symptom has been my non-stop crying. I cry over everything. A friend's text, not having any cold water in the fridge, dropping my pencil under the couch.... The worst is that every time Bailey cries; I cry. :(. (Wouldn't be as bad if she weren't teething.) Caffeine and dairy are not permitted on the the recommended diet. However, I am including both, as well as some fruit, in my "Nursing mama with a caffeine addiction" variation. So, with the exception of excessive fruit, pasta, and my daily dessert, I am not changing my diet to the extreme. The most difficult adjustment has been not having creamer in my coffee. It has only been recently I have started using creamer. I think the difficulty in that sacrifice is the half full container of delicious Chocolate Caramel creamer in the door of the fridge....right next to the container of carrots and cucumber. Maybe I should move those??

Food Allowances on a Yeast Free Diet

Vegetables.
Beans.
Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Fish, pork.
Eggs.
Whole grains (rice, barley are the two I am eating).
Whole grain oatmeal.
Unprocessed seeds and nuts.

Using the above as a guideline, the past couple of days my meals have consisted of: Stir-fry, salads, omelets, scrambled eggs, beef, chicken and lots of vegetables. Snacks have included: raw veggies, an occasional apple, raw sunflower seeds, almonds, and plain oatmeal with walnuts.

Oddly, my evening hives have not gotten better, but worse!! After doing some research , I have been told that is normal. I am also anticipating that, with my non-recommended additions, it will take longer to eliminate the hives completely. So with three days under my belt, I am feeling hopeful that relief is around the corner.

Starvation......

Shortly after having Bailey, I developed a skin rash diagnosed as P.U.P.P.S. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is a rash some women experience during the later stages of their pregnancy. Cure....delivery of a baby. I, however, was blessed to develop the condition after, yes after, the apparent cure. WHAT?? After many prayers, research, minimal medication (due to nursing) and several topical oinments, I finally found relief!!! I made a trip to a local mid-wife in the community where I previously worked (Amish Country). Her suggestion: eliminate yeast from my diet! In all honestly, I thought she was crazy! However, in my desperation, I made the sacrifice!! Amazingly, there was an immediate change. As each day progressed, my skin began to heal. I no longer had to cover myself in creams, lotions, and anti-itch ointments! I didn't have to cry myself to sleep each night because I was so miserable! And my skin wasn't red, blotchy and welty anymore! (if only those stretch marks would have faded away with them......) Yay!!!

Shortly after the rash disappeared, I occasionally splurged and ate bread, pastries, and crackers. So.... for the past 5 months, rather than the "prego rash," I have been battling hives.....every. stinkin. night. Fun.....right??!! So, I have stopped eating yeast. Getting better? Yes. Going away? No.

I am now working with a chiropractor (co-worker of the Mid-Wife) who is giving me a diet plan to eliminate this annoyance! He has suggested I forgo eating yeast, sugar, and starches. The idea is that yeast is fed by various foods. By eliminating those foods, the yeast will die. So by "starving the yeast" my hives will dissipate. Following? While I am unsure of the validity of the concept, I am willing to try. Omitting these from my diet will be beneficial regardless. This is a largely modified version of the typical "yeast starvation" diet. However, due to my nutritional needs as a nursing mother, my restrictions are limited.

After doing some brief research, I am expecting the next few days to be a bit rough: Headache, nausea, irritability, exhaustion, diarrhea, shakiness ...... and the list goes on. It sounds like the self-induced flu!! I am trying to remain positive. The worst is over in a few days, my hives will vanish, and I will get a few more recipes out of the whole thing. I will keep you updated as I progress!! :)

Training Update

Well, I have good news and bad news.

Bad news: I haven't (really) walked one time!
Good news: I have lost 4 pounds!

Let me elaborate. Due to the Alaskan like weather here in good ol' Indiana, I have not ventured outside to begin my mini-training. In all honesty, I am just too plain lazy to bundle up Bailey, warm up the car, and get my tushy cold to find a place to go and walk. However, I have walked on a regular basis to a walk-in-place DVD. While it is quite ridiculous, I do have fun watching Bailey laugh at me! I am anxious for our heat wave next week!! Maybe then I will start some "real" walking.

Also, due to some weird reaction I have been having to anything containing yeast, I have stopped eating all breads, crackers, and pastries. Sad. I know. While I never thought my diet was full of them, It has made a bit of a difference. Or........going cold turkey on my pack a day habit might have done the trick. By that I mean my pack of hot cocoa a day. I suppose I should assume the latter is contributing to the 4 pound loss...... but that really does make me sad.

So, I am hoping that next week I can get on the ball and start a stimulating training regime. Until then, I will be happy with my 4 pounds.

I will walk (500 Miles)

Well maybe not 500 miles......more like 13!

To raise money for our local Youth for Christ chapter, Michael and I have committed to walking in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon.! To be completely honest, I thought it was going to be 13 kilometers, not MILES.... A difference of 5 miles! While I was initially a bit shocked, that grew into excitement!

This is going to force me to begin a training regime...an entirely new experience. I am excited to keep you updated on my progress and the terrain we cover during this journey of ours. I am also hoping to shed several extra pounds in the process! Ideally, I would love to get back to my wedding weight. That would be about 15 pounds by May 7th, roughly 5 pounds per month.

So, I ask you keep me accountable, encourage me.....and pray that our local YFC organization's goal is met through our community's generosity.


P.S.... I just love The Proclaimers!