Eating Right=Feeling Great

So since hubs has been gone, my diet and exercise program have been bar none.  I've been a serious slacker but this week that all ended!  I've figured out that if I drink a ton of water throughout the day, and choose foods that are good for me, I feel better.  When I eat chocolate and other junk foods, I get a headache, become sluggish and just, overall, feel like a dud.

Hello? Isn't this disgusting feeling that I've come to realization with enough to pick up a piece of fruit instead of an Easter cookie?  Yeppp!  and this is my second day of staying away from sweets, and let me tell you, I feel GREAT!

Here are some GOOD choices I've made this week:
-banana
-apple
-filled up my water bottle twice throughout the day (need to increase that to four-five times)
-didn't cave into my sweet craving last night at 9:00 (well, except for the Snickers egg that was calling my name, but at least I didn't overindulge like I seriously wanted to!)
-took Teagie and Frankie for an evening walk
-laundry is just about finished

New Obsession: Must Have HOT Sauce

I've recently discovered this amazing condiment that dresses up the simplest of dishes.  Tonight I had a chicken salad with FF Catalina dressing and added a couple dabs of my new favorite chili sauce, Sriracha.  WARNING:  A little dab'll do ya!  It's VERY spicy, but extremely tasty!

Earache or Separation Anxiety?

I have the absolute most laid back child I've ever seen.  Since the day she was born, she has been a very happy, healthy and calm child.  These past couple nights, I'm trying to find where that child has gone...

It all started Saturday night. The night my husband left the state for three weeks for work.  Teagan started throwing these random temper tantrums, wanting to be held constantly and didn't seem to have much of an appetite.  Today is the first day that I've questioned if my independent, outgoing, and charismatic child has an ear ache or if she is experiencing a mild case of separation anxiety from her father... 

Since day 1, T has been daddy's little princess.  Their bond is unbreakable and really very admirable.  There was never a question in my mind that my husband would be a great father, but his natural parenting skills have definitely outweighed my expectations.  He changes diapers, gives baths and sometimes is the only one who can put T to sleep.

My poor baby girl.  I know she's missing her daddy, but I'm thinking if T's behavior persists, I'll be taking her for a visit to the doc.  I'm up in arms right now.  I've asked day care if they've noticed anything out of the norm, and of course they gave me the usual report of how perfect my child is and how she's been good as gold.  If she had an ear ache, I think that someone else would notice symptoms---at least someone else who knows Teagan's normal behavior.

This morning, T ate half of a pb&j  and drank an entire sippy cup of milk before we went to daycare.  She had a yogurt, banana, sandwich, crackers and veggies for lunch and snack and for dinner, she devoured three ham roll ups.  I think it's safe to say that her appetite is back.  Tonight T and I cuddled extra long, read a lot of books. over.and.over, and goofed around while she roared with laughter and endless chatter.  At 9:00 when I put her to bed she barely made a peep, and was sleeping for the night.

Being a parent is seriously the most rewarding thing that I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of, but sometimes I worry myself sick wondering if I'm doing the right thing and making the right choices.  T is going to my mom's tomorrow, and I'm going to see if she notices anything different.  If so, you better believe we'll be seeing her doc ASAP.  Otherwise we'll chalk it up as a case of my precious babe who just needs her daddy's loving touch <3

Sunday FUNday

Hubbs is out of state for three weeks for work, and I think my daughter wants to make this the longest three weeks of my life. Like it wasn't already going to be hard enough on me. UGH. After 12 hours of fighting sleep, Teagan has finally went down for the night. Hopefully :)

After a long day playing single mommy, I'm sitting down to do exactly what I want. I'm watching listening to Extreme Couponing, reading some of my new favorite blogs and eating the heck out of my favorite Easter candy, Cadbury Mini Eggs--oops!

Diet starts tomorrow.  I'm on a mission to lose 15lbs! 

** I did not take this photo.  I'm too embarassed to take a picture of my half empty bag that I just devoured!

What's For Dinner: Greek Marinated Chicken Kabobs

Earlier this week, hubby and I made the most delicious dinner to celebrate the amazing weather we've been having.  It is always so much fun cooking together, and I love seeing the glow on his face after he plays a part in dinner preparation. 

Greek Marinated Chicken Kabobs
1 (8 ounce) container Greek yogurt

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese with basil and sun-dried tomatoes

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into wedges
1 large green bell pepper, cut into wedges
10 wooden skewers

Combine the yogurt, feta cheese, garlic salt, black pepper and rosemary in a medium bowl.  Add chicken and marinade for 2-3 hours. 

Build skewers by adding a pattern of chicken, green pepper and onion.  Grill on high heat for 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Birthday, Cricut & Amazing Inlaws

Wow! Things sure have changed! Yesterday I turned 25, and although I've completely given up drinking in its entirety, I spent my day a lot differently than I would have even a few months ago. I spent my day doing things that make me me :) I woke up around 6:00am. My husband was getting ready for work-yuck for him having to work on my birthday :( -- somehow I met him in the kitchen as he was placing my present on the counter--The present that was actually from my inlaws, and 100% unexpected!

I've always had an interest in crafting. I wouldn't necessarily call myself crafty, but I definitely enjoy the hobby. A couple months ago, I mentioned that I wanted to get into scrap booking and my husband encouraged me by saying it would be a good way to capture T's life. I told him about the Cricut, which I frequently see on late night infomercials. I kind of think he was relieved that he was good to go as far as my birthday present was concerned.

That was a couple weeks ago. Since, I've told my husband that I don't want him spending that kind of money on me for my birthday and that a nice notebook for journaling would suffice. So--as I noticed that the printer-size box was actually the Cricut that I have been longing for, I became extremely emotional. When Lance told me it was from his parents and they said that 'you deserve it,' my eyes automatically filled with tears. My inlaws are the type of people that will give you the shirt of their backs and expect nothing in return. True Givers.

Of course, I spent a majority Saturday playing with my new Cricut. I created a thank you card for them to show them my gratification and wrote a little note to that expressed my thanks and appreciation for the gifts as well as allowing me to be their daughter inlaw :)

In addition to the quality time I spent with my new gadget, I also spent all day hanging with T and our Yorkie, Frankie, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and hung out in the yard. Afterwards, I baked myself a whole pan of brownies, and then, got to celebrate the gorgeous spring evening with my husband and inlaws enjoying pizza. My hubby and I attempted to watch 'The Black Swan,' but, as always, I barely made it through the credits. Overall, my 25th birthday was a GREAT one :)))

BLUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...

I've been feeling a bit blue lately & these pictures remind me of how lucky I am to have my baby girl and my husband in my life <3