Friday, May 20, 2011

Hungry for Hungary! | MM C3D3 [cycle 3, day 3]

Behold...


chicken paprikash | paprikáscsirke!

Hungry for Hungary!

Hah. So looking back at that photograph now, it looks a lot greasier and unhealthy than it really is. I'm not saying this is the most dietary rigid meal around, but it certainly isn't greasy, and that the yellow color isn't butter or cheese. It's organic chicken stock and paprika, along with the chicken that tints it that way, just to clarify.

Anyway, this is chicken paprikash, a Hungarian dish that we ate last night, and as always, loved it. Sydni especially favors this one, which is fine with me since there's really not much to it aside from exactly what you see. Chicken, mashed potatoes, paprika, a bit of flour, and just a touch of fat free sour cream.

self-sufficient feeding


This was one of my favorites growing up, and I would definitely recommend it! [Added benefit: Prep time + cook time = about 40 min., less if you're not mashing your own potatoes!] 

Just thought we'd show you some action shots of our paprikash party....


cleanin' up shop!


We're in the habit now of feeding ourself! One of the quirks of motherhood is attempting a task and realizing through it that your child has so many of your personality characteristics. Example: Without thinking, I dished out Sydni's food and we sat down to eat. I put some on her fork to feed her, but was met with a scowl and whiny protest... because sheeeee had to do it, alone. Does this make for a bit messier of an experience? Yes. Does she feel like a big girl? Yes. Was Mama the exact same way as a kid? Yes.  

el fin!
xo | cmd


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Day 2: Let's Talk Food.

Confession: I haven't started my Z-Pak yet. I feel most of this sinus goop clearing up on its own, so I'm going to revert to my stubborn ways and not take anything until I feel a little closer to death like I did last week. So there. :) My mom would be proud...

packed lunch | salad + cucumbers + cuties

So today I thought I would pay homage to one of my personal favorite things in the entire world: food.
Ever since I started this Moreno regimen, I've gained a whole new appreciation for food and what I should be defining as actual food.

There's a book by Michael Pollan entitled, Food Rules, and for anyone who's even a little curious as to what they're actually putting into their bodies, this is one of the best places to start. It's outlined simply: what we put in our bodies should be compatible with our bodies, not foreign and fake. I would definitely vote in favor of anyone reading this if they haven't already.

Anyway, back to this Moreno diet plan that I've been doing for the last 30some days. I'm not entirely unaccustomed to eating healthy; not much fast food, if any at all, rarely indulging in junk food, no pop [or soda, you silly people who prefer that word] eating cooked food when at home, and packed lunches for the majority of the workweek. I don't eat red meat, either, which isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, but a personal decision.

In terms of translating that into my tales I share here: ya'll must think I'm the only one that eats around our house! :) Well, if you've ever met little Sydni, you would be amazed at the amount of food she can intake in relation to her petite frame. It's pretty impressive. This girl eats like a champ! One of my proudest moments thus far in my quest as a mother has been the ability to make educated discernments regarding what will nourish well-rounded development of itty bitty bodies. It takes a bit more effort and dedication than giving her a bag of cheetos and a piece of processed lunchmeat, yes, but consistency makes the whole idea nearly effortless over time. I gained so much dietary wisdom from one of the best mothers to walk the path of motherhood, and if there's one thing I won't ever regret, it will be repeating some of the things she did along the way.


Here's just a touch of what little monster will devour if you let her ;) ........

fresh fruit crepe w/ organic yogurt | gluten-free granola | whole wheat toast

homemade whole grain chicken quesadilla | organic green beans
vit d milk [she wouldn't give that up for a photo]

And last but absolutely not least!! -

scrambled eggs | biscuits | lemonade w/ fresh berries [not pic'd]

now that's country.
Yessss, that's right, MISTER Dills is entering the cooking arena! [I am so proud :)]. I received these two shots via text, and had to share them here. I am so proud to say that he's expanding beyond his signature scrambled eggs to sides, and even a little downhome country food. This is good. This is really, really good. I wonder if one day we can occupy the same kitchen harmoniously, at the same time, while it's in use. Hmmm. Baby steps. ;).

SO..

For any skeptics out there, I can't stress enough the exponential difference you'll feel if you try it, even if only for a week. I'm not suggesting you do something drastic like a colon cleanse or grass smoothies [but if that's your calling, good for you!], but even starting small, like cutting back on how many pops [sodas, yeah, yeah yeah... ] you drink a day, or maybe eating a piece of fruit instead of a cookie if you're hit with a sudden craving for sweets. Even popcorn [not the super butter extra butt .. yes, I said butt] is a better substitute than half a bag of potato chips. Oh, and don't forget to do something other than sit on your behind [aka, exercise helps!]

Sorry. I'll stop my soapbox. :)

Happy healthy Wednesday!

xo | cmd

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Cycle 3: Day 1

chicken caesar salad | day 1
Cycle 3 is here. Cycle 3 = Achieve Cycle. Supposedly I'm allowed to eat pasta now, though in exceptional moderation. I'm cool with that.
-------
Oookay. I need to get this off my chest. If you've been reading along for even one entry prior to this one, you know that for the last 8 days now, I've been at odds with some sinus/allergy/sinusitis/or something... issues. Last Thursday, it got to the point that I thought I might benefit from the second opinion of a licensed professional. This pretty much goes against my normal thought process, but this is the same girl who also took a Sudafed on Friday. I think I'm losing it.

Right. So long story short, I broke down and scheduled this doctor appointment and although I was feeling substantial improvement, thought I'd keep it and see if the doc had any insightful commentary or recommendation. I remember now why I try to avoid this route for anything short of having a baby or having a bone pieced back together. Today, I could've probably received the same diagnosis from my tax consultant, the mailman, maybe even my 1-year-old. After about 6 seconds of shining a light into the back of my mouth, she was confident to tell me I had some drainage.

.......yep. Drainage.
She wants me to believe that drainage has been the culprit to be held accountable for prolonged sinus pressure, headaches, total stuffiness, and migraines. I suppose it's possible...


z-pak | ugh...

My options: Either I do a Z-Pak, or take the route of a nasal steroid. Pretty stark ends of a broad potential spectrum, I thought, but I'm not the one getting paid buku bucks to rattle off medical advice. The most interesting part came when I told her about my recent commencement of Neti treatments. Her first reaction:

"Oh, that's great. If you're doing that, you probably don't even need a prescription or any OTC allergy medicine."

Oh. Well all right then. I'm confused. Are the Z-Pak, Alavert, nasal steroid, and Neti Pot all synonomous?
Whatev'. I'll try out the Z-Pak and hope it kicks this bug, for good.

Tomorrow's Wednesday. Woot Woot :)

xo | cmd

SEVENTEEN [round 2!]

What better way to celebrate the end of another cycle in the Michael Moreno 17-day 'diet' fiasco, than to wrap your successful little self in a blanket of muted, soggy silver.
....sweet. sounds like fun.

The perpetual wetness that took such a brief yet welcomed hiatus from its nesting spot over Cincinnati is back. Technically, it came back Friday afternoon, but it's still here, and it's quite the drab adversary to ignore in hopes of creating an energetic Monday.


rain in cincinnati | originally uploaded by desizemoe

^^ I found that shot and had to include here: I love the graining he added and the character it takes under the clouds parting. 


serpentine wall | ohio river

The running theme here is this persistent weather and all of its insipid nothingness. *sigh.

Tonight, I had toyed with the idea of attending a Reds game, at the 2-ticket generous offerings of my bosses. Kalyn and I thought it over and decided she'd freeze and I'd end up sicker than I already am now; it just didn't seem conducive to our common sense to go. From what we saw on TV, the 6th inning would've made enduring the elements well worth it. Oh well. Nice job, Reds!

Oh yeah, P.S. - Day ONE starts (again) tomorrow! Cycle THREE: I'm comin' for ya.....



xo | cmd

Monday, May 16, 2011

Boogie's Back! [&MM16]

MM[Michael Moreno]16. That means one more day & cycle TWO is finished! I'm pretty happy with the ongoing results of this thing. I've not been perfect with every single day, but even so, I've noticed the changes. Thumbs up, MM.

Played some soccer today. The sinuses didn't care much for the constant sprinting and jogging, but too bad. I'm really going to miss these folks. It's not often you find yourself on an indoor team that can bond and have as much fun off the field as we try to have on it.


^ ah, tribute. xo.


In bigger news, little boogie came home from her mini-vaca at Nana & Pappy's. She of course had new clothes, new words, and even a new boo-boo (an itty bitty, barely noticeable cat scratch she obtained while attempting to carry the cat by its tail, I'm sure). Either way, she's baaaaaack[!!], and was more than ready to exhibit her newly-acquired singing voice all.the.way.home. :)


What a kid. ♥ ♥ ♥


Here we go new week, here we go! {insert double clap here!}

xo | cmd

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Satursinusday. MM15. Allyn's, too!

Mabuhay, weekend!

cottage cheese | fruit | almonds | spoon = enjoying♥

-- Did another sinu-cleanse/neti syringe this morning. I'm happy to report it was far less gruesome than the first round, and offered about 2 hours of "better" before whatever I've got going on up there came back to sit. [[ I'm imagining myself as a robot with a little alien the height of a pencap sitting in the control room that is my sinuses just pressing buttons and pulling levers unabashedly. He's a mean little guy, that guy. He might even resemble the little Mucinex guy. Who knows anymore. ]] And yes, I know I should lay off all dairy products until I get this straightened out, but it's day 15 of the Moreno deal, and I don't regret it. Not yet :)


my quarky little gem
 I'm also happy to report that today was one of those days that the little things just make you smile. In spite of these pesky head issues I'm battling, I dropped in one of my favorite thrift/re-sale digs and stumbled across a shirt that had gone on to that esoteric hangout with all the 'other socks' and teenage retainers (aka, lost it). It's one of those cases in which that particular item of clothing was purchased I-don't-know-how-long-ago and quickly became one of my favorites. Then it goes missing and I figure there's rarely even a minute chance in all of my graces that I'd ever find a replacement. Today I found a replacement. The exact same shirt, though a size smaller [still fits, because the shirt itself is just.that.stellar]. Good times, good times.


To top it off, I rendezvoused with Kalyn, Brittany, & Cameron for some dinner & a field trip out to Allyn's to see our favorite rising star Chris sing. Did we throw a chicken quesadilla into that mix? Who knows.....


chris | today i don't feel like doin anything | bruno mars

 
quesadilla? | ours? | who knows....

allyn's | c.k.c.b
So, as I've been doing all week, I'll be hopin' and a-wishin' for my  head to calm down. I've got a dr. appt. set for Tuesday; I really hope I don't actually need his services by that time.





xo | cmd




Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday the 13th [Moreno Day 14]

sudafed decongestant.

I don't wanna talk about it.

It really disappointed me that I broke down and actually took a pill today. My co-workers think I'm ridiculous for not having done this from the first sign of a symptom. Well, I held out for almost five whole days before I basically got sick of the pressure, the blockage, runny nose, migraine, and earache.

BUT..

As far as I know, this isn't a chronic condition for me. I have fuctioning senses to be ailed, and I have the means to remedy them if I choose. That's more than some people have. So I'm blessed, considerably, and should probably stop whining.

Okay, okay. Good point.

Happy weekend, blogbots :)

xo | cmd