Avery Attitude

Breakfast

• Probably the best drink in the bunch

• Can use fresh and frozen berries

• Used ground Flax meal - seemed the same

• Used natural peanut butter instead because I had it

• Use only the juice of the lemon

Lunch

• Celery: If using the bagged celery stalks most grocery stores sell, use only two stalks and chop into small pieces

• Cucumber: Peel it and remove the seeds.  I opted to add half and slice the rest as a snack

• Kale: Remove stem and only add the leaf.  

• Apple: I did not peel it 

• Lime: DO NOT ADD THE FLESH!  It makes the entire drink bitter. Simply add the juice.

• Coconut Oil: Heat it or add it as a solid. I didn't notice a difference

• Pineapple:  I used canned (no heavy syrup!)

Snack

The plan calls for a snack smoothie.  It can be a duplicate of your favorite drink.  I opted for cucumber slices and a banana.  You underestimate how much you enjoy chewing your food until your drinking everything! If you decide to include a snack, plan your shopping trip accordingly.  Those extra ingredients are not considered in the pre-made shopping list.

Dinner

• Cayenne Pepper: Odd addition and over powers the entire flavor of the smoothie.  I decided to omit the spice on days 2 and 3

• Mango: Take some time to pick out a good one.  A tasty mango makes this drink taste even better

• Lemon: Like the lime, only add the juice.  

Despite the hype and the somewhat unsuccessful nature of resolutions, every January I jot down a list of things I would like to accomplish during the year. I usually vow to be more organized, wake up earlier, eat better and go to the gym more.  The list is where most of my resolutions end.  Life always seems to get in the way and there just aren't enough hours in the day.

This year my motivation is fuel by more than just the new year.  I have a beach vacation coming up in a few weeks and I still have the dreaded......baby weight!  To be honest I didn't gain very much weight during my pregnancy (somewhere between 20-25 lbs).  I lost a majority of it shortly after Maddy was born and by the time I returned to my doctor (6 weeks later) I was within 5 lbs of my original pre-pregnancy weight. My body shape had changed but I was proud I dropped the weight so quickly.

I was doing great but, when Maddy stopped nursing, the pounds packed on. For those that don't know, when you breastfeed you can eat mountains of food because your body is always "working".  When my body quit, I kept eating like a football player (bad combination).  All of a sudden clothes that had fit were shrinking around me.  My selection of jeans dwindled down to a measly 4 pairs and I was too stubborn to buy newer larger ones.

Last but not least, the act that forced me to pull the trigger on all my promised resolutions, recently I was asked IF I WAS EXPECTING!! If you want to sucker punch a new mom's confidence, ask that question. I felt terrible (and still do). I took a hard look at the things I love to eat and the things I don't.  I love anything creamy...I love wine...I love coffee...I love pasta...I love cheese.  I don't care for green veggies...tons of water...and many of the other healthy things that seem to lack the pzazz of sodium-packed-high-calorie-foods.  I realized none of the foods I loved could ease the self loathing inspired by the question above.

So I start 2014 like so many others with a promise to myself to eat better and be healthier.

This past weekend we celebrated an unusual milestone.  Maddy turned 40 weeks old.  It doesn't sound like much but to me it was huge. Maddy has officially been out longer than she was in of the womb.

80 weeks ago (and change), Maddy existed as two different cells.  40 weeks ago she was new to our cold, loud and bright world.  Since then, she has grown into the joyful little girl we see today.

When babies are first born you're told to recreate the conditions of the womb because that is what they have known.  It comforts them. You swaddle them, rock them and lull them to sleep with the sound of a heart beat.  Now that environment is in Maddy's past.  It isn't what she has known for most of her young life. I hope the norm for her now includes: cuddles, hugs, kisses, bath time giggles, playtime with Jackie and Malibu, raspberries on her belly during her diaper changes, snuggles when the nighttime is just too scary and lots and lots of love.

My Everything

Why does your new status as a mom mean you exchange your once flowing locks for a short "mom" cut. Long hair and motherhood appear to be mutually exclusive.  After 4 months of mommy-ness, I've discovered the answer...