Day 14

Day 14 is DONE!! I;ve got 2 snotty monsters so the house is a hot fucking mess HAHA... But the great news KEVIN COMES HOME TONIGHT! FUCK YES! He will mostly be worthless for the first 24hours. Having spent a week in the desert training and sleeping in his vehicle.  Hes will also smell, be super hungry, and have WAY to much laundry. I couldn't careless about that because AZ is going to be sooooooooo excited!

Breakfast

ezykle raisen toast with fresh strawberries and coffee

Snack

Chips and salsa 

No more pictures of food i had to charge my beast of a phone. Kinda tempted to upgrade to a smart phone but....holding back for some reason. We shall see. I'm short on time so here's the short of it:

-raining cats and dogs here, it smells. not sure why but it smells.

-had a teeny freak out at the market when i thought that the dark chocolate i have been eating had butter in it. Sarah calmed me down. (thank you love)

-completely hooked on Doctor Who. Fucking  brilliant.

Good night :)

Playing together!!! (small victories)

Day 13...fighting off "the funk"

GRRR..ARRRGG....BLAAA...

For the past 2 days I have been fighting of a "blah" feeling. I'm not sure if its just being over tired, worn out, or that I haven't been making or having the time to eat well. I haven't cheated or anything like that but i have come to notice that you can be a very unhealthy vegan. Deff have over done it in the carbs. could i be in a gluten induced funk? 

Breakfast and Lunch

Vegan pancakes with juice

Ezekiel toast with avocado and pepper

These are the only pictures i got today, Im kinda slipping in the taking care of myself area.  Kevin comes home from the field tomorrow. THANK FUCKING GOD!! Solos parenting sucks. A LOT. It takes a village and we don't have that here. Poor kids are just stuck with a tired me.  Got to step up my game tomorrow. i know it will make me feel better. It is a must! 

Day 12

 I was craving a savory breakfast, figured i would mess around with the vegan pancake recipe. Added onions, thyme, garlic, and basil. Besides eating to many "test" pancake's I think they are smashing! But lets be honest this would of been much better with an egg on top.

Breakfast

Savory pancake with apple greens

Lunch

Veggie wrap with oranges

My battle to today was when Azures speech coordinator left me a message that they were going to end his lessons a month early. I think i might have panicked a bit. I talked them into keeping him on till his 3rd birthday thank god! At least it was nice to hear that he is not "significantly" delayed anymore :) positive! 

Dinner

Turmeric rice with greens (wish i had a wine fairy for dinner tonight)

I'm ready for my hubby to come home. So tired. So very, very tired. Anyone have advice on how to be a single parent and still have something left of your self at the end of the day?? I'm in "Mombie" mode. One more day till my love comes home. Az and Eden are going to be sooo happy. Az has been running around saying "Daddy...OK?!"  Military life... fun times xxoo

Day 11

What a intense mommy day! Eden is cutting her 2 top teeth, so she is a snotty clingy mess. That of course sets AZ off into also being a clingy mess. I need two of me. Clone, i need a fucking clone.  Our morning started off at 4am so my whole eating all day was kinda out of whack. I couldn't seem to get a moment to just sit without AZ jumping on me or Eden crying. so it was what I'll cal a "grazer day".

Breakfast Snack Lunch Snack Dinner
Lets just throw it all at you because nothing happened in any sort of real regular eating pattern.

Ezekiel toast with peanut butter, coffee with almond milk, and fresh strawberries


Cold pasta salad loaded with veggies, bubble juice

Banana and juice

More toast and a second coffee. Today it was a fucking must to have my second cup.

bowl of Thai veggie soup, i literally ate this while giving the kids dinner and a bath. it has never taken me soooo long to eat a single bowl of soup. 

Today does mark the middle of my vegan journey. 11 more days to go! I really need to step up my game for the last half. AZ has Lena time tomorrow so I'm going to attempt to make something yummy while hes gone, that he might even eat. Besides the CRAZY mood the kids were in today i did have 2 nice things happen. 

1. I got to chat with Kevin YAY! 

2. i think i made a new friend 

:)

Day 10

Happy Monday bitches! Its was get back on track day in the Graham house. Fridge has been restocked, house is half clean, laundry is almost done, and Azure had his second meet with his new speech therapist, park time. Nice productive day :) 

Breakfast

Cinnamon raisin Ezekiel toast with fresh strawberries, Coffee with almond milk.

Snack

I'm obsessed with these chips by Snyder's of Hanover. Eat Smart Natural corn chips. They are gluten free and have Flax, chia seeds, and quiona. If i could get Az to snack on this i would be happy. If i could GET Az to snack i would be happy.

Chips and salsa for snack

Next it was time to take Az to his new speech at the preschool. Here's the deal. I LOVE his current speech therapist Karen from Inland Regional. Azure has made huge jumps forward in his communication skills. But Karen also has the kind of energy that azure responds to, calm + in control. So far he has had 2 session's with his new teacher. Already hes walking all over her. Shes doing her job well, but azure isn't responding to her at all... We shall see...

Dinner

Kinda rocked it for dinner! I've been craving soup. Tonight i made easy Thai green coconut curry. it took less then 10 min.

Broth base

1 can vegetable broth

1 can coconut milk

1Tbsp Green curry paste

1 tsp of sugar

pinch of salt

squeeze of lime

cilantro

VEGGIES: mushroom, cabbage, broccoli, peas, bell pepper, eggplant, bamboo shoots, green beans, zucchini... ANYTHING YOU WANT

Chuck it all into a pot, add HELLA veggies simmer for a bit and eat!

Eden LOVED it! xxoo

Day 9

Almost half way done :) we had a LAZY Sunday, after our Disney adventure it was needed. Ive been in my pj's all day. Best Sunday ever. Tomorrow everything will get prepped for week 2. But today i just munched on lots of fruit and veggies and tried to hydrate. Eden on the other hand was working on this all day...

I sat under this gate with her all day :)

Time for mama relax mode with my vegan pudding topped with coconut whipped cream (thank you Shelby!) yummy!

Day 8... DISNEYLAND!!!

What a GREAT fucking day! Not only did the kids and i get out of fort Irwin... we got to go to Disneyland! The icing on the cake is we got to go with Angela and Lanz. If anyone reading this ever get a chance to do a Disney trip with these too. DO IT. No matter what it takes, make it happen.  I used to hate Disneyland. They have converted me.  I don't even flinch at the 5 hour round trip car ride with 2 screaming kids. 

Our morning was a late start, didn't even think we were going to make it because azure had been sick the night before. SHITAPLOOZA at 2am. Fun times. I was so tired i just had cereal with almond milk and coffee. Still Az was acting perfectly healthy i just packed him some extra pants and short and a towel for the drive. Luckily we had no accident's all day at the park. I mean how could he have anything left in his body to expel? For a child that i feel never eats he really had a lot to crap out. 

2.5 hours later... Disneyland!!!

So many of the attractions don't have height restrictions. You can do more with a toddler and/or babies then you think in the park. On this trip we rode... Dumbos ride, the little train, jungle cruz,  Flick's flyer, Francis lady bug boogy, and Ariels grotto.

Az and i on the train

Eating vegan in the park wasn't that hard. Although watching Angela eat the corn on the cob had my mouth watering. For a late lunch we were in California adventure land, so we ate at the wharf. Lots of different food options. I went with the Soft taco monterey from Cocina Cucamonga Mexican

Monterey soft tacos NO sour cream or cheese

Eden shared with me but Az got to eat a mickey cookie. He loved it!

Relaxing

Eden and Lanz before our train ride

Azures bubble gun

Thank you Angela and Lanz, Disneyland is extra magical when we go with you xxoo

Day 7

One week down!! As of today I'm feeling really great about my vegan diet. I am stuck in a bit of a rut around lunch time. I feel that trying to get 2 kids down for a nap + feed myself all at the same time just isn't that easy. So far in the last week i have lost 4lbs and can now fit my wedding band back on my finger! Hopefully by the end of this adventure i might also be able to wear my engagement ring as well. 

I don't have food pictures today. It was a rush to get Az to school then run errands. The big to do today is prep for our Disneyland day trip tomorrow! Thank you to my AMAZING fairy god mother Winona, we can afford the gas to go!! I have got food for us to last the whole day. Fresh fruit, carrots, hummus, goldfish, granola bars, yogurt, peanut butter, almonds... its going to be a healthy snack food day. This amazing blog would of had me prepared if i could afford to buy food in the park. http://www.vegancowgirl.com/1/post/2013/06/vegan-cowgirl-does-disneyland.html

 She lists EVERYTHING all over the park that a vegan could eat. Its really a great read.
     

OMG.

At about 4:30pm the whole day went down hill. Something is up with Az today. he has been super clingy and whiny. I'm not even sure if you can call it a whine its more of a fighting cat screech. Dinner and bedtime Fucking sucked. Eden crying because Az is screeching, Azure screeching because Eden is crying. It was a vicious, ear piercing cycle.  I'm fighting the urge now that they are asleep to go curl up on the kitchen floor in the fetal position with all of the ice cream and girl scout cookies.

We got the call today. Azure now has his appointments at the Boone Fetter Clinic in LA starting in March. Does my son have SPD? Autism? asperger's? is he just a normal high maintenance kind of kid???  Did i do something wrong as a mother?  Will he ever make friends and have play dates? These question will hopefully be answered soon....this blog wont be about food anymore soon it will be about the journey that Az is taking us on...

Day 6 !!!!!

Here we go! Day 6 and i think I'm getting into a groove. Its Thursday so its our "lazy" morning. We don't have playgroup till 930 so no rush for us.

Breakfast

Oatmeal and blueberries. The fridge needs a restock so it slim picking for the day.

Oatmeal, apples, blueberries, Bee pollen shot and coffee with Almond milk

Lunch

No snack today. I know. I know. I did have a few nuts while running after the kids. But made an amazing salad for lunch. Mostly leftovers but super yummy!

Cabbage salad with , roasted corn, peppers, black beans, tomatoes, and hot sauce!

Dinner

Yes i know no snack again! but Eden fell asleep on me and she looked so cute i didn't want to move and cause her to wake up and scream at me. We ALL took a long nap. It was wonderful. I'm sure i will pay the price for it tonight....

 I made the best dinner. Even if it was only for me and Eden (Az had fish sticks... Ugggg) I love my Israeli couscous with roasted grapes and thyme!! its is really one of my favorite things to eat. Plus its insanley easie to make, when im on my own its a go to dinner.

Baked acorn squash with Israeli couscous, green beans and Mushroom gravy

Today went by fast! tomorrow i'll restock the house and post some recipes. I think Kevin is gone for training starting friday. the tone of all this might change....could get much harder.... single parent stress.... fun times.

WAIT... i did forget about this moment of weakness...

SUPER dark chocolate dipped in crunchy peanut butter..... totally worth it.

Day 5

Its a beautiful day on post today. Az is heading back to Lena's so that gives Eden, GG, Lola, and I a chance to get a good walk in.  Poor GG hasn't had a good off leash stretch in a while. One of the many reasons we miss being stationed in Baumholder was the big green open space that we could let him run in.  So today dude you are get to be FREE!

Breakfast

Fast and easy so that we can get AZ dressed and off to daycare. No fruit or veggie yet so I'm going to load up when i make my  "second breakfast"

Ezekiel toast w/smart balance 'butter', bee pollen shot, and coffee with almond milk

Snack or Second Breakfast

Herbed Polenta with roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, pears and blueberries 

Got the monsters walked! GG did not get off leash time. Instead we got to watch army tanks ride along our off leash trail. Still it is not fun outside. Gale force winds. I was worried Lola was going to blow away!
At least i got the house tidy! i didn't get to deep clean anything because Eden fell asleep in the stroller. So I'm tip toeing around her. i have never put away toys or dishes so quietly in my whole life. But i love our freaking stroller she sleeps like an angel in it! Baby Jogger City Select is the best <3

Lunch

Eggplant Wrap with LOTS of veggies, carrots and peppercinos 

   

ugg i ate so much this afternoon. We are stuck inside because of the crazy wind. Blaaaa.

Snack 2 and 3 and 4...

the last slice of pizza but i shared with Eden. Then a ...

bowl of oat squares with almond milk and...

toast with apples and peanut butter, Eden ate the apple sauce and Azure stole a slice of toast. So it could of been worse. 

Dinner

TACO's tonight. My picture looks horrible i should of taken a picture of Kevin's plate. He made neat little piles of toppings. I ended up with a burrito and  it did NOT roll for me. It tasted great so I'm satisfied. 

fajitas veggies, lime dressed coleslaw, avocado, salsa and black beans wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla w/side of BBQ corn

Day 5 is done! hopefully tomorrow wont be so boring. Send me some inspiration folks! 

Day 4...continued

What an amazing time at play group today! Az did so well with all the other kids. He even let another girl ride in his wagon with him!! WHAT?! If you know azure that is a big deal! Eden was also having a blast. Crawling and using the play cart to walk!

It helped to that i feel really good today. My Fluffy Pancakes this morning were filling with out being heavy. So i didn't get a sudden "hungry hit" halfway through  playtime. Plus i wasn't dreaming of sitting and having a coffee the whole time. I feel like I'm starting to get my energy from the foods I'm eating. Now that i eat regularly I have a steady supply of energy. Seriously why hasn't feeding and taking care of myself been a priority for me over the years???? 

Life is like a crashing plane. You have to put your oxygen on first before assisting others :)

Lunch

Left over Veggie pizza and salad tossed with  Lemon dressing and a splash of Cilantro hot sauce

even the next day this pizza was amazing!

Veggie pizza, green salad, and iced tea

Snack
I snuck in a square of dark chocolate after putting Eden down. I love that on a vegan diet you can still have dark chocolate!  I made a larger snack because we are headed to the park. To be honest I'm also LOVING the toast with avocado and basil. Its freaking delicious! 

Ezekiel toast w/ avocado, cucumber and fresh basil, raw almonds, and green grapes

Dinner
Easy dinner tonight of Cornish game hen for Kevin and roasted cabbage steaks with potatoes for me:) I of course put my magic cilantro sauce on my potato because that shit is amazing on EVERYTHING!
The cabbage steaks are so easy and healthy just cut a cabbage into round thick slices brush with oil and toss some salt, pepper and star anise on top and roast away.

It may not be the best picture of dinner but it was just what i needed tonight. Easy, filling and yummy!

I hit most of my goals today. In fact today was a really great day :) I'm kinda loving this vegan thing.  Tomorrow Az is off to school so that will give me time to bake the blueberry muffin recipe I've been eye balling.  

I'm ending the night with  a lemon icy  Dark chocolate and some crappy shows on hulu. Life is feeling blessed.

Day 4 -breakfast

Hello day 4!! I feel great today, it could be the healthy eating or that I got a 3 hour block of sleep last night. Thank you Eden.  This morning i did Fluffy Vegan Pancakes 

Breakfast

Fluffy Vegan Pancakes !! These are more like crumpet's so that's what i told Kevin they were...

Start off with everything you need.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup almond milk (or soy milk)

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

I was out of apple cider vinegar so i substituted with a lemon.

Mix all flour, salt and baking powder together in a larger bowl and set aside

Next whisk Almond milk, flax, and Vinegar until it becomes frothy and well combined.

.
Combine Almond milk mixture with the flour now add the water, oil, and Vanilla. Mix LIGHTLY so that everything is together but not smooth. you want it kinda lumpy.

Now you HAVE to let it rest for 10 minutes. It makes all the difference.

heat up the pan and cook on a low/med. they take longer then a normal pancake so don't panic if its looks like its getting over cooked before you flip it.

When its done to you preference plate it up and enjoy!!!

vegan crumpet/pancake, fresh strawberries and blueberries, Coffee with almond milk.  

TO BE CONTINUED.....

Day 3

What a long ass night of no sleep! Eden is teething... So is Azure... Brutal. Fucking brutal. On the up note, i got to make and eat breakfast  :)

Breakfast

Nothing fancy this morning. Its a holiday so i don't have to rush Az out the door. But that also means i don't get a "break" for a few hours. Oh and the term "break"  really means cleaning. 

Snack #1

Off to the park with the monsters. I'm so tired and we have to run errands so I'm was hoping that it will  tire them out a bit, so they will sleep at the same time today. Of course that DID NOT happen.  At least Az ate something while he was on the swing. He is the hardest thing in the world to feed! 

Apple, water, half of the granola packet Az got the rest :)

Lunch
This is when shit gets hard. I have a tired 2y, a 9m old that cant be contained to one spot anymore, groceries to put away, and a sleepy + cranky husband (that god bless him) probably doesn't realize  his negative energy today. I get it. We are all tired. We all kinda suck. PLUS IM FUCKING STARVING.  I need something to eat fast. so chuck a salad together from leftovers and to make it a million times better I added the Cheeseboard collective cilantro hot sauce. amazing!

Snack #2

Easy and fast snack!  Ezekiel toast with peanut butter, cucumber, bell pepper, carrots and hummus. With a tall cold glass of unsweetened ice tea!

Dinner

i love pizza, no i really fucking love pizza! We have it all the time. I make the  dough from scratch, we mess around with interesting toppings. Tonight I made a really amazing vegan veggie pizza! it had a hummus+basil blend as the base and sooooooo many veggies! i didnt miss the cheese at all :)

pizza, beer, and salad

Day is over, time for bed. I'm fucking tired but feeling satisfied and irritated all at the same time. I didn't drink as much water as i wanted to, the house is a freaking mess. I blame the old carpets no matter how clean you make everything they seem to just ruin it all. But i took my monsters to the park twice today and i ate healthy vegan food! So I'm going to pat myself on the back, watch a episode of Sherlock, eat my Italian ice and pray to the goddess that Az and Eden are finally asleep and i can power down.  

Tomorrow my goals are to... 

-Make the vegan pancakes!!!

-make it to playgroup (PG)

-talk to someone at PG that i dont know

-fold  at minimum one basket of laundry

-drink more water

-have only one coffee for the day

-and as always make my monsters laugh :)

Dessert