Eating Good While Dieting

So, I wanted to lose weight, obviously, after baby number 2. In an earlier blog post I wrote about my new found love of running, and that has seriously helped me to tone and burn some calories. But for some reason, I couldn't get those pounds to come off, and this was all due to my diet, and I knew it. I am a foodie at heart. I love to eat, cook, cook, and eat. I love to try new dishes, and eat until my hearts content. Unfortunately, this isn't a good way to lose weight, I've found. Running alone will not cancel out all of the second and third servings of dinner I had the night before. Or the ice cream. So, reluctantly, I decided to give Weight Watchers another try. I did WW for about 2 months after having Maddy and lost 15 lbs, but quickly lost my momentum when I did some traveling.
I was dreading starting it. I wanted to lose weight, and I knew it worked, but I wasn't ready to make the sacrifice. But WW works for me, because food is all based on points which are derived from the food's calories, fat, and fiber content. So it's a concrete plan, and that works for me. I learned I wasn't good at "winging it" when it came to dieting. Food would always win.
So I've been at it for about 4 weeks now, and have lost about 7 or 8 lbs already. They have a breastfeeding plan, and my milk supply actually got better after I started the plan. The secret is to learn to eat wisely. I am a lot hungrier throughout my day, but if I make poor choices and eat 1 cookie for a snack instead of 1 cup of grapes, 1 yogurt smoothie, and 1 rice cake for the same amount of points, I will be starving by dinner. I have learned that if there is junk food in my house, I will eat it. All. I have learned not to buy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (1/2 the fat) because measuring out 1/2 cup at night doesn't really suit me when I want to binge and eat half the carton. I have learned that I need to keep lots of produce in the house to snack on, because if there aren't options, I will head for the junk food.
Anyways, I just wanted to share some yummy recipes and food options I have been trying over the past few weeks. I actually think I have been eating better as far as tasty meals, way more produce, more water, and taking my vitamins more regularly (things that are all tracked on WW.) I got this great cookbook while I was attending WW meetings last time called "From Pantry to Plate" Easy Meals from Foods You Keep On Hand. I think I have referenced it before. Here is some of the yummy stuff I have been eating!! With points values included:

(FYI: I get 27 points per day, so I try to keep my breakfasts at or around 6 pts, my snacks between 2-3, my lunch and dinner between 6-8, and usually try to leave 2 or 3 points for dessert.)

Ranch Style Eggs Over Polenta (6 Points)

Brazilian Stuffed Chicken Breasts
(4 points for 1 whole stuffed chicken breast!!)

Curried Shrimp Noodles with Basil (5 points)

Egg Muffin Sandwich
(Whole Wheat English Muffin with reduced-fat cheddar, 1 slice of turkey bacon, 1/4 cup of egg substitute or liquid egg whites) (5 points)

Berry Waffles
(2 frozen waffles, toasted, 1 cup of fresh mixed berries smashed with 1 packet of splenda, 2 Tbs. syrup)
(6-7 points depending on syrup)

The last 2 breakfast meals were actually my own creations. It is pretty fun to come up with versions of the things you like or were already eating, and make them fit into a diet. We have been trying so many WW meals, and loving them!! Of course, Tad gets to eat more of it than I do, but they are so good. Again, it's about being prepared, planning in advance, and seeking accountability where you are weak. I'm no expert in this area, and I have definitely cheated, struggled, binged, and been too hungry at times. But as I am losing weight, I'm figuring myself out and learning how to be more efficient and smart about what I eat!! Maddy is always asking me, "is this for your diet? Am I gonna like it though?"
If you want any of the recipes for any of the above meals, just email me at steph4given@yahoo.com or leave a comment and let me know where I can email/message you! Happy dieting everyone!!

My kids in pictures

Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta

One night, I had some leftover basil, and some lemons that I didn't know what to do with. One of the only proteins I had on hand was chicken, so I just looked up Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta and found this incredible recipe!! I have already made it twice in the last few weeks, and it didn't last long in our fridge. Again, like a lot of my favorite recipes, it is easy, cheap, and only uses a few fresh ingredients. Tad and I are finding that those few fresh herbs, vegetables, or spices add so much flavor, and often taste much better than those with tons of ingredients, and those that aren't so fresh. So enough talking, start cooking! If you have these ingredients on hand, then make this dish! You won't regret it!!

Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta

1 lb. boneless chicken breast
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 lb. shell pasta (I use whatever I have in my pantry)
lemon pepper (I never knew how wonderful this spice is!!)
1 lg. lemon
1/4 cup water
1 cup fresh basil leaves (packed, julienned)
1 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan (I only used the 1 cup used in the dish, not the extra 1/2 cup to put on top, and it tasted fine!
freshly ground pepper

Pat chicken breasts dry.
Sprinkle heavily with lemon pepper.
Brown chicken in olive oil.
Bring water for pasta to a boil and add pasta.
Squeeze the lemon of all its juice, reserve the rind.
Grate 1 tsp. of rind, reserve the rind.
Once the chicken is browned, cut into 1" pieces.
Add water, lemon juice, grated lemon peel, and lemon rinds to chicken.
Cover and simmer chicken mixture until chicken is tender.
Rinse and drain pasta.
Add julienned basil, 1 cup Parmesan, and chicken mixture (with juices) to pasta.
Serve with freshly ground pepper and extra Parmesan (if you so desire!)

Have to give credit where credit is due:
http://www.grouprecipes.com/117599/lemon-basil-chicken-pasta.html

(This picture makes my mouth water because I know how good it is!!)

Running

(Right after the 5k, Run for Gus race T-shirts.)

I have never been a runner. In seventh grade, I was on track just because every other girl in my class was doing it, and so everyone did it. Let's just say, I was not a runner. Before one of my track meets, I was on the sidelines eating a big serving of fries. I learned my lesson after that one.

When I started dating Tad, I soon learned that running was one of his big passions. He started running in highschool after a really sad event happened in his life, and the running became therapy for him. He really enjoyed it and started running longer distances, training, running marathons, and logged 1000 miles in a year when he lived in Japan. He has amazing endurance, and can pick up and run about any race if he wanted to. I have seen him run a marathon without much training.
During our dating days, Tad would want to go on runs with me. This didn't happen much, but when it did, I did not get it. I would huff and puff about 30 seconds in, be ready to quit after about a half mile, and I would look over and he would be grinning from ear to ear and talk about how much he enjoyed running with me. Not only was I not good at running and didn't enjoy running, I didn't understand how it was any fun to run with someone like me who didn't enjoy it or get it.
Over the years, I have tried to lose weight in various fashions, and from time to time would try running. I would go out and time and time again, have the same experience. It was hard. My shins would hurt. I didn't enjoy it. And I would rather do a workout video at home.
Finally, in May of this year, I started running, and started enjoying it. I think I went out by myself once or twice, and then Tad and I ran together. He pushed me. He encouraged me to go further. I built up my confidence that I could go farther. I am a goal oriented person, so to say I could run a certain distance, and to do it, gave me hope that I could do it again, and maybe next time go further. This summer I have started to understand why Tad enjoys running. I have felt my feet hit the pavement, and I get excited. I have gone farther, longer, set goals, hit goals, and exceeded my expectations. On several runs, I would set a small goal, and then realize I felt fine and could go further, so much further than I ever thought I would go.
Now, I am not a fast runner, I am sure I don't have the right technique, and I need a lot more training, but I have definitely improved. I started with 1 or 1.5 miles, got up to around 2, and then was pushing 3 miles. I have been telling myself that I want to run a 5k and that I would sign up for one. I keep putting it off and saying I'll do it later. But Tad's hotel has a 5k that they run in July, and Tad said (about 2 or 3 weeks before), I should do it. I thought how I was already close to running 3 miles, and how maybe I could push myself and realize that I was already ready to run it. It seemed scary, but I decided to do it. I began actually "training" for a race. This gave me a number, 3.1 miles, and I really wanted to run it without stopping. I didn't know if this was possible. I was doing a 5k in my training, but with a 5 minute break half way through, and walking some along the way. I don't know why, but I felt like a failure to walk any part of the race. If I was going to pay money to run the race, then I wanted to run it, and not stop.
In one of my last runs before the race, I was suppose to run the 5k all the way through. It was a hot and humid morning. Almost no shade on the lakefront path. One of the hottest runs I had done. I could not run it. I felt sick and almost passed out. I thought, "there is no way I am going to be able to run the 5k." I was bummed.
But come race day, it was cooler. It was at 630 at night, it was about 80 degrees, and it was a beautiful night. Tad and I got to the race, had someone watch the kids while we ran, and got ready to go. I was nervous. Butterflies. When I saw all the "athletes" warming up and running before the race, I thought, "I feel so dumb. I'm not at athlete. What am I doing? What if I'm last? I don't even know how to warm up correctly."
Once that horn went off to start, I ran. I ran in that pack of runners. Tad said the difference between someone who runs for exercise and someone who is a "runner" is that someone who trains for races and faster times is a runner. He said, "Today, you become a runner."
A lot of people passed me, but I knew I had to keep my slow, steady pace to make it to the end. I felt good, motivated to be running all together, the same distance with these people. I chatted with a mom who was pushing her kids in a double stroller while running the race, passed Tad going the other way (who was so much further ahead of me), and jogged through the water stations and drank my water so I wouldn't stop.
I felt good, but towards the end, it was hard. Once I saw that finish line, I started running fast. I saw Tad and the kids, and I sprinted as fast as I could. I crossed that finish line, and I guess I was a runner. I ran the 5k in 36 minutes, which isn't fast, but for me, it was success. I didn't walk. I ran the whole way.
All these things are what Tad has been doing for about 15 years. Running. Training. Goals. Races. Success. And I love being able to join him in what he has loved for a long time. To go out on family runs and plan times to go out and run on our own. To enjoy it with him instead of always going to see his races and watching from the sidelines.

(Right after 5k)

I have realized that running is so much more than losing weight, or exercise. It becomes you. You show yourself that you can do more. You learn how to do it better. You train to go faster. You learn how to not give up. How to play those mental games with yourself when you are tired, but you know you can go further. I hope to continue to run, to do it better, to train to go faster, and to not give up. I want to run a 5k faster than 36 minutes. I want to hopefully train for a 10k. And I want to keep telling myself that I can do it, instead of "it's too hard."
Running is hard, but you push through, realize you can go the distance, and crush the part of you that said, "you can't do it."
Because I can. Today, I am a runner, and I will keep going.

(Out for a family run. Looking back on the city from out by the Planetarium.)

5 Years and Counting

July 30, 2005

I love this guy so much!! Happy 5 year Anniversary, babe!!

Tad and I met at Moody Bible Institute our freshman year in 2002. We were friends right from the start and served in ministry in Cabrini Green together and were on the same brother/sister floor at Moody. We started going to the same church, and the hour and a half commute there helped us to get to know each other quite well. Though we came from very different backgrounds, we hit it off right away. I'm so glad that we really developed our friendship that first year instead of rushing into a relationship. It got to the point where we were very comfortable together; we were friends before we pursued a relationship.


My cousin, Emily, came to visit me at Moody, and I had to go pick her up from the train station, so I asked Tad if he would come with me (I am still not good at navigating those things!). He subsequently asked if I would like to go on a date with him before we picked her up. So he knew I liked Italian food and researched to find one of the best little authentic Italian restaurants in Chicago. We dressed up, and I can still remember him leaning over the desk on the ground floor of my dorm waiting for me to come down. After we ate dinner, we got on the train, and he told me that was his first date!! I was completely taken back!! It was the sweetest thing and I could hardly believe I was his first date!!
From there, we didn't start "dating." We mostly hung out in groups, at church functions, in ministry for Moody, or on our bro/sis floor outings. It wasn't until that summer that we officially started dating.
Tad and I are complete stark opposites. We still laugh that God put us together, but we really balance each other out. Tad- listener. Steph - talker. Tad - peacemaker. Steph - fighter. Tad - sports. Steph - academics. Tad - homeschool. Steph - public and private school. Tad - big family. Steph - small family. Tad - lived all over the world. Steph - northeast Ohio. Tad - spontaneous. Steph - planner. Anyways, you get the picture!!
Our common interests right off the bat were that we wanted to be in ministry overseas, and we wanted a big family. We both ended up graduating from Moody with degrees in International Ministries, and hope to one day be living overseas doing some kind of ministry.
Our marriage has not been without its hardships, either. Our first year we were still in school, in choir, on exec for choir, and I got pregnant 4 months into our marriage. That summer, Tad worked 2 jobs and I barely saw him. Finally, I gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Madelynn. Tragically, 12 days later, Tad's brother was killed in a car accident with 3 of his friends. It was probably the best and worst time of Tad's life, and it was definitely hard on our marriage for the next couple years. I didn't know what it was like to lose a sibling. He didn't know how to talk about it. Nevertheless, we made it through.
There were some rough years in there, but looking back over this last year, we have really grown together, deeper and stronger in our relationship. In December of 2009, we welcomed our first son, Judah Paul, into the world. He is such a joy, and we love being a little family of 4!!
I never used to understand how people said, "I love you more today than the day I married you" until now. I loved Tad when we were dating. I loved him when I said, "I do." I loved him after our first baby was born, and after his brother died. But over these last 5 years, and 8 years since we have known each other, our love has deepened. I love him so much. I can't imagine spending my life with someone else. I still can't get enough of him. I count down the hours until he comes home from work. We text all through his shifts at work. We love spending time together as a family, and as a couple.
Tad, you are the love of my life. Thank you for making me a better person, for pushing me to do better, and for loving me unconditionally, no matter how bad I screw up. Thank you for not fighting, yelling, or being unkind. You are a kind, gentle spirit, and I hope to learn that from you. You are an amazing father to our children, and they absolutely adore you. I am so happy with you as my best friend and soul mate for life. I cherish your wisdom, see you growing as a man, and love you more than ever. Happy first 5 years!!

Nocturnal Mom

I wish, as moms, that we didn't have to sleep. Oh, sleep? That's just for the baby. Me, I'm good. Those babies need lots of sleep, but once you are big and all grown up, you just don't need sleep anymore! But on the contrary, I think I could sleep as much as my little baby. As much work as it is to take care of kids, not only through the day, but through the night as well, I am wore out!!
Sometimes I am up so much at night with the kids, I may as well stay awake all night. That way, I don't have to wake up, fall back to sleep. Jump up, put in pacifier, go back to sleep. Go in Maddy's room and wait until her night terror is over, go back to sleep. Here Maddy's door and go see why she is up, go back to sleep. Stay up for a half hour to nurse, go back to sleep. And then kid #1 wakes at 5:30 am. Good Morning!
Sometimes I feel like I was up more than I was asleep. I know this is just a season, but Dear Sleep, I miss you so!
If we didn't have to sleep, we could get so much done during the night, kid-free, whining-free, activity-free. It would be amazing. Our kids would wake up and we could have spent time with God, deep cleaned the house, had guests over, read a book, spent time online, spent time with our husbands, gotten breakfast ready, and felt fresh for the day. As it is, we wake up (hopefully to a clean house), and start the day with a list of things to do, all while trying to entertain little ones.
Maybe someone has mastered this already, but I find it kind of daunting. How am I suppose to keep my house cleaned, get dinner ready, nurse a baby, school a toddler, get out for an activity (or else Maddy goes insane!!), keep up with emails/Facebook/blog, keep up with finances, be in tip top shape, have a time with God daily, have the energy to work on my marriage and not let it just "happen"...you get the picture. I'm just saying if I had eight extra hours at night...
So, in conclusion to my rantings, and I know every mother feels this way, I am tired. I wish I didn't have to waste my time sleeping away naps and sleeping away the night time, but my body needs a rest after these crazy days! Someday, I will have time to deep clean my house and have guests over kid-free, but for now, I want to cherish these days where I do have my little kids to take care of, my little babies who need their mommy in the middle of the night, little mouths to wipe off after I have fed them, and a little one who climbs into my bed during a storm. So sleep tight, little ones. Mommy will be up with you soon.

Outerbanks!!!

Ahh, finally, a much needed vacation!! Every two years, my grandparents pay for a big beach house for my mom's side of the family to all gather and spend a week. We rotate between the beach and the mountains, and this year was the beach at Outerbanks, North Carolina!! Tad loves the mountain vacations, and I love the beach vacations, but both are really fun!! Tad likes more active trips, so for this beach vacation, he rented a kayak and a surf board. More on that later!!
We drove to the beach house, and it was an excruciating 23 hour drive!! We left at 8pm on Friday night and arrived at 7pm Saturday evening. Needless to say, the kids were ready to get out, but it was definitely worth the drive!!
This is my idea of a vacation. This is our pool at the house, and one day while the kids napped, I got to just lay out, listen to music, read a magazine, and get a tan. Well, a sunburn, but whatever. This is a rare treat for me these days with 2 kids! I enjoyed every minute of it!


Judah's first swim trunks, and he was having fun splashing in the water. I know, he's adorable!!!
Before we left for the trip, Maddy learned to hold her breath and swim. She was swimming with floaties and jumping into the pool. But while we were at the house, she learned to swim without her floaties, at 3 years old!! Tad used to be a swim coach and said he couldn't believe how much she was doing at her age!! She can jump in the deep end, hold her breath, and swim to Tad! It certainly takes a lot of worry away with swimming pools to know that she is learning how to swim!! Good job, Maddy!
We not only used the kayak in the ocean, but in our swimming pool. As you can see, like father, like son. Start 'em young.
A little kayak adventure in the pool.
Nana and Papa enjoying a well-deserved vacation. It was good to see them and spend time with them on vacation. My parents work so hard, and I'm glad they could come down!
Well, the waves weren't too big in the pool, but the girls did get their surf on!!
Carting the kayak down to the beach. Tad and my cousin Emily.
My brother-in-law Bill, and my nephew Gabe.
Judah just chillin in the baby backpack.
This girl is such a fish! She could have spent all day down at the beach. She loves the water, and the sand! And collecting jelly fish rings, or whatever they are called.
A little flip with the kayak, but everyone is ok!
Love this time of night, the beautiful colors over the ocean.
Judah had to get used to the waves crashing over his feet, but then I think he liked to cool off after sitting in the hot sun.

I could seriously get used to this.
Trying to get some more family pics on vacation!! Family pic #1.
Chocolate sandwiches (nutella) were the favorite of the trip. Swim hard, play hard, and come back and each chocolate sandwiches and then crash for a nap.
Boopa (Grandpa) and Judah. They are so cute together! 79 year difference. They almost have the same birthday!!
Each family takes a turn making dinner for everyone. Tad and I made spicy Indian style chicken kabobs, grilled asparagus, savory quinoa, and a chocolate trifle for dessert!
My cousins Emily and Charlotte, and me. Their family is in China serving as missionaries. They couldn't come back to the states this summer as planned, but the girls will be going to school here so they were back and could go on the trip with us!!
Happy boy!
Entertained by daddy! We love when Daddy doesn't have to work!

Nana and the 2 grandsons!
Swimming, swimming, swimming.... Oh and by the way, that is my niece Arianna.
Who needs clothes on a beach vacation??
Family pic #2
Awesome storm brewing over the ocean. We were all taking pictures from the third story deck.
Getting closer.
Arianna. She will be going into 1st grade in the fall already!!
Maddy! Homeschool Preschool in the fall!
Auntie Em, Auntie Em!!
It's a twister!!
After the storm we saw a double rainbow! Awesome!!
Kinda hard to capture, but it was beautiful!
A big Thank You to our grandparents for making this trip possible!! Thanks Boopa!
Thanks Grandma!!!
Family pic #3
My cousin Emily and Maddy. Her and I had some good talks, a run by the ocean, and quality time together. So good to see you, Em!!

Huge jellyfish!!!
Ahhh. Vacation.
I LOVE this guy!!!
Tad rescued a balloon out of the water for her so she dragged it around with her on the beach.


Maddy's footprint.
She never wanted to come out of the pool. Usually accompanied by kicking and screaming. Well, at least screaming.
That's my husband!! I think he caught a couple waves. He said it's much harder than it looks. But he gets an A for effort!!
Yes, he's eating wipes. Gotta keep the boy entertained somehow!!
Sunset not getting any justice from my camera.
We brought Maddy's new big girl bike (which she named Chum-Chum) to the beach. She loved it. Actually she rode it more in the huge beach house than she did outside!! But at least it kept her entertained!
Lifeguard post by the boardwalk to the beach.
Cool sand art. Maddy wanted to ride it.
My cousins from Florida minus one who was in Colorado. Jacob, Boopa, Jessica, Grandma, me.
Last night of vacation, walk on the beach.
Right before he zonked out in the backpack.
Family pic #4 + 2 random dudes in the background.
We had a great time!! We are still getting into the swing of things, being back. Catching up on sleep, adjusting to routines, getting Judah back on his schedule. Thanks for checking out our pics!! We were glad for a little break and time off work for Tad. And a big thanks to Jason for feeding our fish, Tweety, and watering my plants!!!
Happy Vacation!!