A few weeks ago Greg read a book that has changed the way we are eating. The book, called the
Engine 2 Diet, really isn't so much of a diet as it is a way of life. It's plant based, with no meats, eggs, dairy, processed foods, etc. We first heard about it a few years ago, bought two carts full of groceries at Whole Foods, and then I decided it wasn't for me. Greg stuck with it for a few weeks and said he felt great...but he eventually fell back to whatever I was eating.
This time we are both sticking with it...and both feel great. We've been shopping once a week, planning our meals accordingly, and because what we can eat is so limited, it has drastically reduced our eating out. I'm still serving chicken, milk, eggs, etc. to Olivia, but she has started eating a lot more veggies and fruit, and is wanting to try whatever we are having, which is great. I gave up Dr. Pepper (except for the occasional one, instead of my daily one), and milk (almond milk is not bad), but I have still been eating a little ice cream and cheese. I figure it is much better than what I would eat before. Breakfast and lunch have been fairly easy, but dinner has been slightly more challenging when preparing meals. Here is what we plan to eat this week:
Monday: Pizza-Kabuli crust, tomato sauce, basil, sliced Roma tomatoes and mozzerella (on Greg's half I nix the cheese and add more veggies) with a side salad and carrot sticks
Tuesday: Bean Tacos-Black beans, homemade (from Central Market...not my kitchen!) whole wheat tortillas, tomatoes, romaine, corn and Central Market 4th Aniversary Salsa....yummmmmm! Served with a side of rice.
Wednesday:
Farfalle pasta with veggies and a side salad with strawberries and blueberries
Thursday: Veggie Stir fry and brown rice
Friday:
Baked ziti and summer veggies with haricot verts and side salad
Saturday: Dinner out with friends
Sunday: Breakfast-Blueberry buckwheat waffles with maple syrup, hashbrowns and fruit salad
So proud of her backpack! (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge them to see them a little better)
She insisted that I take her picture with Perry.
Right now I am sitting on the couch, listening to the sound of peace and quiet. I can't believe that school has begun! I am selfishly excited because not only will I get some quality time with my little buddy, but I will also get some time to do all of my "chores" on Tuesday and Thursday, so that my time with Olivia will be spent playing house and having tea parties instead of folding laundry (she no longer thinks of laundry as a fun thing to do together, rather she tries to distract me into playing with her...in which case she wins and the laundry piles up!)
