Layna is 3 months old!

I can’t believe how fast she’s growing! Everyone warned me but wow, seems like just yesterday I was finding out we were expecting a baby and now she’s been here for 3 months!

So far she:

• Loves to snuggle
• Loves to smile
• Loves to talk
• And has just started giggling

She also holds her head up completely by herself, tries to push off with her feet during tummy time (like she wants to crawl, already!), tries to roll over from tummy to back, loves to stand and walk (with our help, of course!), she can sit up by herself for about 30 seconds before falling over, she loves her bunny the most out of all her toys!

Dislikes:

• Car rides
• Bath time
• Pacifiers
• Bottles

This past month, she also had her first cold. Poor girl, she was so miserable, thankfully it didn’t last long!

Life with her is so fun! Everyday is an adventure and we’re loving watching her little personality develop. Mama and Daddy love you little Layna bug!

 

 

I’m back!

Okay, I’ve been away for a really long time but in my defense, I had a baby! Layna (light and truth)  Ruva (flower in Shona, hubby’s native language)  was born October 30th at 3:04pm weighing 8lb 15oz, 21 in long. We’re so in love!

If you follow my Instagram (right side panel), you can see many pictures of our adorable baby!

I’m hoping to begin posting more recipes! I’m happy to see that even though I’ve been away, my blog has received many visits. (Thanks Pinterest!)

I’m not really following any specific “diet” at this time as I’m exclusively breastfeeding my daughter and shouldn’t be “restricting” my diet. I am however, trying to incorporate lots more veggies, protein and less sugar!

Chicken enchilada recipe coming up in the next couple of days!

Love,

Amanda

 

A Non Food Post – Product Review!

I recently received my first ever Jolly VoxBox from Influenster and I loved it, so fun!!! Go on over and check them out and then join for your chance to earn free things. I will admit that you have to be VERY active on their website in order to qualify for free things. But if you blog and/or are very involved in social media, then it won’t be difficult for you.

Here is what I got in my first VoxBox:

• A full size box of Skinny Cow Candy
• A full size Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer
• A full size NYC New York Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow
• A Ducklings Mini Rolls (duct tape)
• Puffs

It was so exciting getting it in the mail and opening it up to see what kinds of goodies were inside! I loved everything, the only downside was that you don’t get to choose the colors of the makeup. The eyeshadow is fine but the Lip Lacquer is not my color at all! I wish it was though because I loved everything else about it!!

My favorite thing in the box was the chocolate, of course! I love chocolate and you can never go wrong with that!

I hope I qualify for more of these!

*Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Life and Sugar Detox UPDATE!

It’s been awhile since my last update, we’ve been SO busy!

My sugar detox is not going that well. It’s not bad but I’d give myself a grade of a B-. Our business keeps us very busy which is a good thing! My husband and I own a business doing computer repair in Vancouver, WA. Well, he does the repairs. I don’t know much about fixing computers!

For the most part, my diet is okay. Except for the occasional chocolate, piece of toast, and sugar in my coffee. I’ve done good at avoiding dairy and sticking with my workouts! I really need to get back on track with my eating and avoiding the foods I have an intolerance for. I broke out in tiny red bumps all over my face and I think what triggered it was exfoliating my face with ground up oats. Oats are one of the foods I have an intolerance for, and why didn’t I think about that before spreading it and rubbing it into my face? I don’t know. I just need to be more aware!

Anyways, here are some of the meals I’ve been eating (and loving!), people always ask what can you eat on a paleo diet so here is the answer!:

Crock pot pulled pork with brussel sprouts, onions and bacon. I cooked my brussel sprouts and onions on a low heat with some of the pork broth until they were cooked through and nice and sweet. Then added the crisp bacon at the end.

 

Pork meatballs baked with fresh tomatoes served with collard greens, peas and onions

Fried sweet potatoes with onions and peppers

A boring but common breakfast of fried eggs and sausage

I hope to try out some new recipes soon! I just don’t have the time to try out new things right now but hopefully soon! We’ll see.

My goal this week and the weeks to come are to stay on track with my diet and be a little more strict with myself! NO dairy, NO gluten, NO sugar and NO grains! I’ll check in again soon!

Update!

I am so frustrated, I have been trying to do this sugar detox and so far, I’ve tried two times this month. The first time, I went off track and that was my own fault. The second time, I was doing really good until I got a cold. I tried so hard not to take any cough medicines or cough drops (because of the sugar and sweeteners) well, my cold turned into the flu and I was feeling so crummy that I was desperate for any kind of relief and I didn’t care where it came from, so I broke the detox and had some (actually, LOTS) Emergen-C, cough drops, cough medicine and you name it.

So, I’m giving this whole sugar detox another shot. 3rd time is a charm, right?

Anyways, I’m starting over tomorrow!

REDO: Sugar Detox – Day 1 & 2

So, I restarted my sugar detox because I had some sugar and carbs a few days ago. I am being more strict with myself this time around because I want to make sure I do it right.

Yesterday was a breeze, no problems, no cravings, no temptations, no detox symptoms.

Today was the same as yesterday except for the mean headache and extreme lack of energy. So I’m downing the water and staying hydrated and hoping to help flush out any sugar and toxins left in my body. I’m also trying not to take any pain meds for the headache. Hopefully, it won’t last long!

Meals have been easy this time. Lots of protein, veggies, some cheese, almonds and lots of water and tea! (And some coffee, I love my coffee, even if it’s not sweet).

Meals have looked like this:

Broccoli cauliflower soup with chicken (no recipe because it turned out gross)

Beef roast with green beans sauteed with onions and mushrooms

Rotisserie chicken simmered with onions and tomatoes, green beans with onions and mushrooms and almond flour biscuits

Anyways, like I said I have no energy and my brain feels so foggy, it has taken me almost an hour just to make this simple post. So if I forgot anything, I’ll post it tomorrow or Monday!

I am going to post the recipe for the almond flour biscuits though, that shouldn’t take long!

Sugar Detox – Day 2

Today was a little more rough and I think I am either having an allergic reaction to some new tea I had yesterday or they’re just detox symptoms.

Some of these things might be a little TMI for you but I’m going to share them anyway just because I want to make sure I document everything, not just for myself but also for others who are giving this detox a try.

I noticed during the later part of the day yesterday that I started feeling a bit nauseous and had to run to the bathroom a few times, not to throw up but you know, for the other thing. That has continued through today.

I also broke out in a rash last night on my stomach, it just covers a little area and I think it might be hives? But I’m not sure because I’ve never had them before and I’ve never seen them before. But it’s a small area of red, raised bumpy skin that itches and burns a little. I put some rash cream on it and it seems to be a lot better today.

I’ve also had a headache and low energy all day even though I slept great last night!

I know all these can be detox symptoms but I just thought it was a little too soon to get these.

I mentioned at the beginning that it could be an allergic reaction to tea. Well, I drink tea a couple times a week and have never experienced these symptoms, but yesterday I had white tea for the first time ever and actually drank two cups of it. I looked up tea allergies and some of the symptoms I have are the same as the ones mentioned.

So I’m a bit confused – I really don’t know where these things are coming from?

Sugar Detox – Day 1

Today went much easier than I had expected. I had no cravings, only wants and wishes which are easy to overcome.

I didn’t have any detox “symptoms” but I think those usually come on days 2-4. I’m not really expecting to have a lot of symptoms because I already don’t eat sugar or much carbs.

The only thing I noticed today was that I didn’t have much energy and felt very thirsty all day, but I have occasional days like that so I’m not attributing it to the detox.

I do need to be better prepared though. All I ate today was some almonds, leftover pork, a piece of cheese, coffee with cream and some tea.

I need to find some good snacks to take to work with me and better lunches. The thing with doing a detox is that you have to prepare most things ahead of time.

Overall, it was a pretty great day!

Japanese Lanterns

My husband and I own our own computer repair business (the link to our business website) and we do a lot of on-site jobs. Our clients usually become our friends and not just our clients and I love to go along with my husband and talk to the clients and get to know them a bit. It’s fun and interesting to meet lots of different people and get to know their stories. We are really blessed because not only do we get the best clients and rarely, if ever, have any problems but they almost always tip us generously and give us gifts like these gorgeous bright orange Japanese Lanterns. Which are just in time for fall!

Just wanted to share these beauties with you guys, so you can enjoy them as much as I am! 😉

 

Indulgences and Making Up For Them

Yesterday I spent the day with my mom and had a really fun day! I splurged a lot and had quite a bit of carbs and sugar though. So I’m making up for it by eating tons of fresh veggies (from her garden) all day with some homemade ranch. I also spent two hours at the gym last night and surprised myself by jogging 3.5 miles! The most I’ve ever jogged was 1.5, I spent a total of 2 hrs on the treadmill and went 7.5 miles and burned 1100 calories, it felt so good! And I feel awesome today!