update your readers!

Hey Guys!  The party’s moved over to www.lindsayslist.co.

Go now…hurry…don’t be tardy for tha party!!

splendid…lindsay

start it off right

Where did the weekend go?  I swear it was just Friday and I was sending “TGIF” emails to Travis – “Thank God I’m Frisky”.  With Clara’s birthday party and this head cold from hell, I’m majorly lagging today.  Hopefully, my 5:30 Step Class will help remedy that.  No matter how tired I think I am, exercise ALWAYS gives me energy and I’ve never once regretted a workout.  But I’ve regretted NOT working out plenty of times.

I’m hoping not to fall off the step today.

Nope, not gonna happen.

Seeing how it’s Monday and all, I thought I’d start the week out right with a list of goals. Something to hold myself accountable to throughout the week so that I can’t back out of them.  If it’s written on the internet, it must be legit, right?  Plus, if you’re a crazy control freak like me, maybe you’ll enjoy it too.

I’m not including anything that is already easy or routine for me to do.  Every single item on the list NEEDS attention.  That’s why it’s on the list.  And you better believe I’ll be printing this sucker out and putting in on the fridge.  Behind my Travis magnet.

DAILY GOALS

• Floss teeth – I do this maybe every other day. 
• Drink 120 ounces of water 
• Eat one salad - My greens intake has been lacking as of late.  I’m blaming it on my failure to plan ahead.  So today at the grocery store, I bought organic spinach, brocolli, and cauliflower.  Add homegrown tomatoes and green peppers and I’ll make a huge salad and dip out of that all week.
• Read Bible  - My bookmark is in Acts, but it’s been probably two weeks since my last read.  Major fail!
• Attend at least one fitness class - I’m not sure if I even made this “blog public” yet, but I got the fitness instructor job that I applied for last week!  I’ll be teaching a couple of classes per week and doing personal training.  Just part-time.  I’m super stoked!
• Brush Henry’s teeth – Sadly, this needs to be made into a better habit.  We usually have something going on EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and by the time we get home, we rush through bedtime chores and Henry’s teeth suffer the consequence.

WEEKLY GOALS

• Clean off back porch – It’s as if a small angry wombat was let loose out there.  Not pretty.
• Bleach teeth - boy, I’m obsessed with teeth.  Thanks, hygienist Mom.
• Take car to have it cleaned
• Put all of Clara’s presents away
• Finalize new website – More on this to come…

That’s all I can think of at the moment.  I’ll try to check back in with these goals next Monday to see how it went where I failed.  Even if I can get half of these things accomplished, it will feel like a success. 

Plus, I’ll get to look at this pretty little face every time I go to mark something off.

My first ever question:  What are your goals for the week? 

splendid…lindsay

all the numbers

28 goodie bags filled with Dollar Store junk to go to 28 little rugrat children, who ate 4 dozen cupcakes and 10 bags of icing.

210 pictures and 30 minutes of videotape footage waiting to be edited down to usable blog material.

1 stubbed toe attached to 1 sweaty momma, who may or may not have elbowed a little rugrat child for going at baby cub’s cupcake.

20,098 calories worth of BBQ pork, coleslaw, and chips.

All to celebrate 1 little princess.

Totally worth it.

Now - 1 freshly showered Lindsay, eating just 1 more cupcake, watching Dinner for Schmucks, cuddled up to 1 handsome dude.

splendid…lindsay

slow reader

Today I woke up with the worst head cold.  Ugh.  I can’t say I’m surprised though….way too many shopping cart handles and open-mouth kisses from Henry will do that to you.  (I swear he just starts coming at you with his pooky lips and you can’t say no.  I don’t even want to think about him and girls for a really long time, k?) 

The run that I had scheduled for this morning just wasn’t going to happen.  I’m pretty hardcore about exercise, but you kinda need to breath in order to do it, so I sucked it up and stayed home to catch up on blogs.  Am I the only one who can waste an entire morning reading blogs?  Is it just me?  I must be a slow reader.  No way.  That might be one of THE WORST insults anybody can fling at me.  Right up there with being dirty.  “You’re a slow reader, you’re a slow reader.  Nana nana boo-boo.”

To them I say:  Your mom’s a slow reader.

After laying low all morning, we showered, dressed and went thrifting.  Even if I owned a private jet, I’d still shop at thrift stores.  They’re just that cool.  Sure, there is a TON of JUNK, i.e. 2009 Day Planners and white wicker shoes (I saw both today).   But there are also some gems to be found if you’re willing to elbow the elderly to get it.

All for $4.25! 

I’m thinking some brown rice or lentils need a home in there.  I love the yellow lid too!

We left Habitat for Humanity and went to the Habitat for the not-so-human, aka Walmart, to get stuff for Clara’s birthday party tomorrow. I decided not to wear my pajamas today.

(I’m really sorry if that’s you.  Or your mom.  Honestly…you’re probably a slow reader.)

Home now, we’re fixing lunch and putting the kids down for naps.  Excuse me now.  I’ve got 30 some odd party favor bags to make and some DayQuil to get loopy on.

birthday party recaps tomorrow.

splendid…lindsay

[healthy] asian broccoli slaw

Last week, as I was perusing the produce, I stumbled upon a bag of discounted Broccoli Slaw.  Normally $2.00, marked down to 59 cents (not even out of date)!!  I’ll buy anything on sale, and often times, out of date .  Just last week, I bought TWO tubes of Bengay because they were 49 cents a piece.  I’ve NEVER used Bengay in my life!!  But whatever.  They were practically free!!

(Travis would tell you that 49 cents is not FREE and that women tend to round DOWN when it comes to money.  Like, “Oh honey, this shirt is only $10!!”  When the price tag says $12.99.  Tomato, to-mato.)

I’ve been browsing recipes to use my practically FREE Broccoli Slaw in.  I usually use Allrecipes.com.  Or Food.com.  And sometimes other people’s blogs.  Most of the recipes I found for Asian Broccoli Slaw used butter and Ramen Noodles.  Now butter, I’m ok with.  A little butter never hurt anyone, right Paula?

Ramen noodles are a whole different story for me.  I think my blood pressure just elevated a little from looking at that salty cube.

21% of your daily allotted sodium.  And that’s for only HALF the block!!  Umm…no thank you!

I vaguely remember eating these when I was younger.  But only on rare occasions and we were never allowed to use ENTIRE packet of seasoning.  A healthy modification, I guess.

But I’ll do you one better.

{Healthy} Asian Broccoli Slaw

Here’s the original recipe, with my modifications in RED:

• 1 (16 ounce) package broccoli coleslaw mix
• 2 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles   1 (16 ounce) Shelled Edamame, steamed
  
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 cup unsalted peanuts  1 cup chopped raw almonds
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar  3 packets Stevia
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 bunch broccoli florets, steamed
  
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar and Stevia.  I used 3 packets, but you could add more or less, depending on your preference.  Honey could also be a great sweetener.

In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients.  Be careful when stirring not to slosh slaw and edamame out onto the counter.  If this happens, frantically scoop it back into the bowl (or your mouth) while no one’s looking.

Pour dressing over dry mixture and stir until combined.

Plate it up!

Not bad at all.  And cheap too!  I’d say I spent under $5 for the entire recipe.  So really $6.99. 

Eh…it was practically free!!

splendid…lindsay

bloggers are just good folk

One of the reasons I started blogging was to fill the time while my children napped.  Why I chose not to nap myself is a mystery, because now, I’ve started a ball rolling that I can’t slow down.  And I don’t want it to!!  Another reason I started blogging was to join a community!

If you don’t know already, bloggers are just good folk!  On a whole, they’re usually smart, articulate people who have great passion for whatever it is they blog about.  I like that.  There are SO many bloggers that I wish I knew in real life (Janetha, Sarah, Katie, Britt, Bonnie, Holly – just to name a few).  I’ve formed virtual crushes on you girls, for which there is no cure.  In fact, Travis and I were talking last night about what my “goal” was for the blog.  I said that all I wanted was for someone to sponsor me to go to an event (HLS, Foodbuzz, BlogHer) so that I can hug these ladies.  (Yes, I’m a hugger.  And yes, I WILL go to an event next year.  Mark my word! )

So I wasn’t surprised when a month or so ago, the Great Fundraising Act went down.  When fellow blogger, Susan Ehrhardt, was diagnosed with Lymphoma, the blogging community took action.  The GFA raised over $26,000, providing a great cushion for Susan to pay for her mounting healthcare bills.  That’s life changing, ya’ll.  This effort could literally be the thing that helps to save her life.  I like that.

Remember how I told you that I WON something in the auction?  Well, turns out, I actually won two somethings!  I had put in bids on several items but didn’t think I had the highest bid on anything but the homemade deodorant.  Turns out, I won Picky bars too!!  Score!

Both items came in the mail this week .  It was like God wanted me to be extra happy.  Probably to make up for the fact that He forgot to give me coordination – a gift that comes in handy when you’re taking Advanced Step.  Or just walking down the street.  My body is just awkward sometimes.

What was I saying?…

Oh yeah, bloggers.  Kudos to everyone who bid at the auction.  There were some VERY generous bidders (how much did that Chobani end up going for? like $600!)  But I wanted to give a shout out to the CONTRIBUTORS, without whom, there would have been no products to auction!!

First, the homemade deodorant.  Allie Finch (Colour Me Happy) was gracious enough to donate this awesome Lavender and Tea Tree Oil Deodorant that she MADE!  Yes, it baffles me that people make stuff.  I can make …..babies?

Allie is a gem!  We’ve been emailing back and forth since the auction and she didn’t make fun of me when I asked silly questions.  When I opened up the package, I see this note.

Uh, Allie, uh, what’s raw chocolate?

The deodorant melted a bit on the way from Arizona, so I couldn’t get a great picture of it.  Let me just tell you – it smells divine!  Lavender is my favorite!

I took a couple of pictures of me smelling my armpits after applying it (no really).  But those didn’t make the cut.  Thank you so much, Allie!

Another thank you to Heather (Heather Eats Almond Butter) for getting the Picky Bar company to donate for the auction.  Like I said, I really didn’t think I’d win these, but I’m really glad I did!

I got to choose from three different flavors:  Lauren’s Mega Nuts, All-In Almond, or Nutless Wonder.  Lauren’s Mega Nuts was the original flavor so I had to go with it.

“It’s Freaking Science Dude”.  Love that.  And the ingredients list.  And the nutritional stats.  And the consistency.  It’s freaking good, dude!  These will make a great pre-workout snack for my new job (yeah…I got it!)

I don’t know if you can tell, but there’s a chocolate chip in there.  In a nutrition bar.  I like that.   Even Henry agrees that this is a good bar.  He may have eaten four so far.

Like I said, I’m happy to have found a community that is GENEROUS and CARING, that looks out for a greater good, and rallies behind an amazing cause.

It doesn’t hurt when they include little extras like raw chocolate and chocolate chips either.

splendid…lindsay

one year ago today

If you haven’t heard (you’re living under a rock), today Clara turned one year old!!  They even gave her a free smoothie at the gym today!  Now THAT’S good customer service!

And to celebrate this milestone of her surviving with a mother like me, I thought I’d share Clara’s birth story with you guys.  I’ll warn you – it’s kinda long and quite possibly boring if you’re not her mother!  So if you’re not into this sort of thing, come back tomorrow for a giveaway.

[Totally joking...I don't have anything to give away.  Except maybe Henry after he's taken his pull-up off, pooped and then smeared it all over his arms and legs.  Yes, that really happened.  Four times.]

Clara’s story actually begins a week before her birth. I started having very intense contractions, each lasting a minute, but they would never evolve into a pattern. Family and friends were on high alert for days and after nothing happened, I started feeling a lot like the boy who cried wolf.

On Friday, the 13th, I saw my midwife. I was 3cm dilated, 50% effaced. She stripped my membranes and said, “See you this weekend”. Again, everyone was on high alert (Katy even took Henry to the lake for two days in case I went into labor). Nothing happened all weekend and by the time Monday rolled around, I was hoping that Clara would wait until the next weekend.

On Monday night around 11pm, my contractions evolved into a pattern – every 4 minutes, 1 minute in duration. This was it!! I called Katy and she came to stay the night with Henry. I figured I’d call the hospital and tell them I was coming. But when I talked to the charge nurse, she discouraged us from coming until the contractions were 2 minutes apart.  I knew that I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible, so we decided to wait it out.

I labored all night but the contractions weren’t getting closer.  Again, I felt so defeated.  I made Travis walk around outside in the moonlight with me MULTIPLE times.  The next morning, I called my midwife and she said come in and she’d check my cervix. We left Henry with Mom and headed over to Sylva. When I got there, I was so sure they would send us home, but alas, I was a 5, 80% effaced with a bulging bag of water.  YEAH! I’m wasn’t crazy afterall - this was true labor!

We checked into the hospital at 10AM. At around 10:30, I was dilated to a 7!  Mom arrived at 11AM with cookies and trashy magazines – I had NO interest in either, I was in “GO” mode   Around noon, Betsy came over and broke my water.  After this, there was no turning back – we would have a baby, one way or the other, within the next 24 hours.  (If the baby hasn’t been born within 24 hours of your water breaking, they’ll take it by c-section because of the risk of infection).

see, I warned you it was long….

Not long after my water was broken, the contractions got SUPER intense!!  I never got to this stage of contractions with Henry – the epidural took all the pain away.  Travis and I had decided that this time, we were going to try to have a natural birth – no meds whatsoever.  We read Dr. Bradley’s “Husband Coached Childbirth” together and were as prepared as we could be for bringing Clara out without any meds.  I give props to Travis for making me do my exercises every night for weeks leading up to the due date and for making a GREAT coach during the actual event!

As I transitioned from a 7 to a 10, I labored on a birthing ball and in the water-tub. When I got into the water, it felt fabulous – all of the pressure was off of my joints and the warm water helped me relax.  It was during this time that I began to push, in various positions, but I could never get into a good position.  My midwife suggested we move to the toilet.  I’ll admit, this made me freak out a bit – I remember asking if they’d make sure to catch her so she wouldn’t get dirty .  The toilet didn’t work - I couldn’t push Clara past my pubic bone. The last suggestion worked – moving to the bed.  It was there that I could really bare down and get her out.  She was “sunny-side up” so Betsy had to hold her neck and twist her in the birth canal.  The nurse pushed on my belly and with one last contraction, Clara greeted the world.  They placed her on my chest and she was perfect.  Black hair and a cute button nose.

One year later and her hair is lighter, but she’s still as cute as a button!

splendid…lindsay