Thursday the 26th
Today we had in home therapy at 9:00-10:00 with Mindy and Candy. At 11:45 Kira had speech therapy, however her classmate was graduating from the class so there was a party. I had to go to the gluten free store and buy chocolate donuts because that is what the other kids were eating. Luckily they were on sale for $5 instead of $7 or $8 normally. Yeah gluten free stuff is expensive! So there is $5 not necessary. However last night I picked up a shift at the restaurant. I had my high schooler come and watch the kids from 4:15 until 7:15 so there goes $30 bucks but I tutored her on Wednesday which was $20 and my other tutoring is paying for the rest of the babysitting I need weekly. It works out nicely.
One bummer about today was Eric's car had a problem with the power steering. So he had to have the Suburban towed back to the house, thanks AAA! and He is now working on it and fixing it. I LOVE that my husband can fix just about anything. What is costing about $50 by him doing it would probably cost at least $100 if not more at a mechanic. Once again God has provided for us by gifting my husband with very skillful hands and a brain to understand things. Did I mention that I love that he is so handy? Because I do! I am glad that I have budgeted for mechanical issues with our cars.
Tonight I am getting my hair cut by my dear friend who works at Vidal Sassoon. SHe has been cutting my hair for almost two years now and I love her. She called and told me that instead of driving up to Costa Mesa and going to her work that she took a half day and she will cut my hair at their house here in San Clemente. How cool is that. I was actually dreading going up there but now I can just go across town and get it cut. Sweet! I love that she does not charge me I just have to tip her. So I usually tip her $20 because the cut would normally cost about $70 at least if not even $100 so a $20 tip is appropiate. That is better than going to Super Cuts!
So today I spent
$5 on donuts
$50 on the car
$20 on the hair
$15 tollroad and gas
________________
$90
but saved about $15 on gas and tollroads
So actually spending
$75
not bad for the car and hair that have been budgeted for.
Two more days of this interesting experiment.
Whoa what a crazy last couple of weeks.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Day 25 of Nothing
Wednesday the 25th
Okay I totally buckled today :( I went to the evil, evil store, Wal Mart. Okay maybe it is not evil but it sucks you in and takes all of your money. I got two puzzles for the kids, a storage drawer set that I need, well wanted, a music cd for the kids and two movies at the 2 for $10 bin, Shirley Temple collection of over 20 movies and Tomb Raider for Eric and I. $54 later I left Wal Mart. Now I am posting about this and watching Oprah. I am not a huge Oprah fan but I will have it on in the background if the kids are sleeping if anything good is on. Well today's show was amazing. It was a special report from Lisa Ling about The Faces of Recession. I was appalled st the number of homeless people just in Sacramento, CA. Unbelieveable to see these single moms and their children barely getting by. I felt so guilt of my purchase. I am so very thankful for the roof over my head and the warm bed and shower that I have. Before I was watching it and typing here I was ready to justify my spending but now I am almost ashamed of my spending. How can I say that I "need" anything. God has provided so much for us. If you have a chance to read or watch that episode of Oprah I highly recommend it. It is an eye opener of what is going on in the neighborhoods around us. I keep thinking things were not this serious but they are.
I was so blessed to work this evening too and was truly blessed with and average of 25% in tips. I know God is helping us and I need to continue to give to Him and He will continue to bless us. I love this scripture and it is a beautiful reminder of God's willingness to bless us.
Okay I totally buckled today :( I went to the evil, evil store, Wal Mart. Okay maybe it is not evil but it sucks you in and takes all of your money. I got two puzzles for the kids, a storage drawer set that I need, well wanted, a music cd for the kids and two movies at the 2 for $10 bin, Shirley Temple collection of over 20 movies and Tomb Raider for Eric and I. $54 later I left Wal Mart. Now I am posting about this and watching Oprah. I am not a huge Oprah fan but I will have it on in the background if the kids are sleeping if anything good is on. Well today's show was amazing. It was a special report from Lisa Ling about The Faces of Recession. I was appalled st the number of homeless people just in Sacramento, CA. Unbelieveable to see these single moms and their children barely getting by. I felt so guilt of my purchase. I am so very thankful for the roof over my head and the warm bed and shower that I have. Before I was watching it and typing here I was ready to justify my spending but now I am almost ashamed of my spending. How can I say that I "need" anything. God has provided so much for us. If you have a chance to read or watch that episode of Oprah I highly recommend it. It is an eye opener of what is going on in the neighborhoods around us. I keep thinking things were not this serious but they are.
I was so blessed to work this evening too and was truly blessed with and average of 25% in tips. I know God is helping us and I need to continue to give to Him and He will continue to bless us. I love this scripture and it is a beautiful reminder of God's willingness to bless us.
| Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! |
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Day 24 of Nothing
Tuesday the 24th
Today we went to Mommy and me class at the school and then we went to Kira's speech class. After all of our classes I went to the store and got fixings for tacos. Our friend from SLO is in town and is staying with us tonight. We came home had lunch, well Enzo fell asleep in the car on the way home, so it was just Kira and I. Then Kira and I rested in the living room. I started to finish the wallet, I am almost done. I just have the sew the flap for the snap, finish my last seam and topstitch it. I have no idea what I am doing at this point and I hope it turns out okay. I made tacos and our friend came right in time for dinner. Now he and Eric went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. Yummy!
I only bought the basics for dinner and I did not buy anything else today.
I can't believe I am almost at 28 days. I think I thought it would be much harder than it has been. Of course there were those days when I wanted coffee or wanted to go to Micheals and get stuff for crafts or wanting to buy fabric. That was definitely hard to not buy fabric. However it forced me not to start any new projects and to start projects that I have been putting off. I have tailored a work shirt, made a work apron and I am almost done with my wallet. I plan to start the kids comforters next.
Today we went to Mommy and me class at the school and then we went to Kira's speech class. After all of our classes I went to the store and got fixings for tacos. Our friend from SLO is in town and is staying with us tonight. We came home had lunch, well Enzo fell asleep in the car on the way home, so it was just Kira and I. Then Kira and I rested in the living room. I started to finish the wallet, I am almost done. I just have the sew the flap for the snap, finish my last seam and topstitch it. I have no idea what I am doing at this point and I hope it turns out okay. I made tacos and our friend came right in time for dinner. Now he and Eric went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. Yummy!
I only bought the basics for dinner and I did not buy anything else today.
I can't believe I am almost at 28 days. I think I thought it would be much harder than it has been. Of course there were those days when I wanted coffee or wanted to go to Micheals and get stuff for crafts or wanting to buy fabric. That was definitely hard to not buy fabric. However it forced me not to start any new projects and to start projects that I have been putting off. I have tailored a work shirt, made a work apron and I am almost done with my wallet. I plan to start the kids comforters next.
Day 23 of Nothing
Monday the 23rd
Today was definitely a recovery day. I was so tired from Disneyland. I slept in until 9:00 and stayed in pj's until 1:00pm. We had a great morning with the kids. I decided to do kind of a mommy and me class at home, well that is what I called it, but it was more like school with the kids. They understand Mommy and me better than school. We had breakfast and then came upstairs and had circle time. At their Mommy and me class through the school district they have circle time. There are little two inch laminated squares that are velcroed that stick to a board with carpet. As they go aroud the circle each child gets to pick a picture and we all sing the song together. So I got out my IPod and picked out six songs we could sing along with. I drew six corresponding pictures each song. I had the kids sitting on their chairs and they each had three turns. I made up motions for some and we danced around too. They loved it. I had fun too.
Then I got out three books and read them outloud to them. They especially loved this. Then each of them wanted to read their own books to each other. I told them to read books while I read my devotion and it was perfect. I think I am going try to do this on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
I got a call around noon and my high schooler's mom wanted to know if I was available to tutor at 3:30 and I said no problem. She came over and was so cute. She told me she had a test on Tuesday and she did not know anything. We went over homework problems that were going to be on the test and she totally knew how to do them. I love it when the student has no confidence when they arrive for my tutoring session and leave with 100% more. I do not think it is necessarily me that gives it to them, I think I allow them to realize that they truly do know what they are doing. So many times students tend to second guess themselves.
My wonderful mom made baked potatos and salad for dinner. I fed the kids and they watched a Backyardigan episode and then off to bed. Eric came home at about 8:45 and we watched "Heroes". I love that show! Then I was off to bed at 11:15. I was pooped and ready for an early night.
I did not buy anything and five days left.
By the way I actually typed this whole post without looking at the keys on the computer! I never do that and I actually typed fairly fast, nothing in the record speed but fast for me.
Today was definitely a recovery day. I was so tired from Disneyland. I slept in until 9:00 and stayed in pj's until 1:00pm. We had a great morning with the kids. I decided to do kind of a mommy and me class at home, well that is what I called it, but it was more like school with the kids. They understand Mommy and me better than school. We had breakfast and then came upstairs and had circle time. At their Mommy and me class through the school district they have circle time. There are little two inch laminated squares that are velcroed that stick to a board with carpet. As they go aroud the circle each child gets to pick a picture and we all sing the song together. So I got out my IPod and picked out six songs we could sing along with. I drew six corresponding pictures each song. I had the kids sitting on their chairs and they each had three turns. I made up motions for some and we danced around too. They loved it. I had fun too.
Then I got out three books and read them outloud to them. They especially loved this. Then each of them wanted to read their own books to each other. I told them to read books while I read my devotion and it was perfect. I think I am going try to do this on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
I got a call around noon and my high schooler's mom wanted to know if I was available to tutor at 3:30 and I said no problem. She came over and was so cute. She told me she had a test on Tuesday and she did not know anything. We went over homework problems that were going to be on the test and she totally knew how to do them. I love it when the student has no confidence when they arrive for my tutoring session and leave with 100% more. I do not think it is necessarily me that gives it to them, I think I allow them to realize that they truly do know what they are doing. So many times students tend to second guess themselves.
My wonderful mom made baked potatos and salad for dinner. I fed the kids and they watched a Backyardigan episode and then off to bed. Eric came home at about 8:45 and we watched "Heroes". I love that show! Then I was off to bed at 11:15. I was pooped and ready for an early night.
I did not buy anything and five days left.
By the way I actually typed this whole post without looking at the keys on the computer! I never do that and I actually typed fairly fast, nothing in the record speed but fast for me.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Day 22 of Nothing
DISNEYLAND!!!!!!
Okay I will reiterate that I have budgeted for this day. So having planned for all the spending I feel that it is not necessarily compulsive spending.
We got up at 6:00, or should I say, I got up at 6:00, took a shower and started getting ready. Our goal was to leave at 6:30. We left at 7:00 and headed up to the park. We got there around 7:30am. The park was opening at 8:00. We got front and center parking right by the tram, not in the structure but in Pinocchio on the ground.
We rode the tram over and proceeded to Guest Relations on the left side of California Adventure. As soon as we passed through the bag inspection we were rerouted to guest services because there was a "situation". We were not allowed to go to Guest Relations. But rather had to wait in line with all of the "Birthday" people. This year Disney is giving free admittance to the park on your actual birthday with proof of birthday. So about 40 people were already in line ahead of us. Usually Guest Relations is a wait of two to three people. Then this cast member came out asking if anyone was will call etc. I told her we were directed her to get Club 33 tickets. She told us we needed to go to Guest Relations. We got out of line and walked over to Guest Relations. As we are walking closer, we were met by this older security cast member. He told us we needed to go back away from this area. I explained we needed to go to Guest Relations and were told to go over there. I don't think I was being rude, but matter of fact trying to figure out what we needed to do. He was very stern and almost rude to me telling me "There is a situation and no one is allowed over there, you are just going to have to wait until the situation is over and get your tickets then!" I simple replied,"I don' t understand why we have to wait. We should be able to get our tickets like everyone else. I understand there is a situation, but what are we suppose to do?" He was a little nicer and told us to try Guest Services. Oh great we got out of line to go to Guest Relations and now the line has tripled. We walk back over to the lady who helped us before and told her the deal. She kindly took Eric's I.D. and said she would override and get our tickets there. Thank goodness she was able to do it. We got in the park and immediately went to Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain and Star Tours. We walked on each ride except for Space Mountain, we had to wait about five minutes. We did all of those rides before 10:00am. Oh yeah we were serious about going on our rides. We then went to the Tiki Room and then met everyone at Club 33 for our 11:00 reservation.
Mark, Jennifer, Nikki, Me, Courtney, Eric, Kevin and AaronOh how I love Club 33! The buffet was wonderful and full of choices. Yummy cheeses, shrimp cocktail, lobster tail, amazing fresh fruit, shrimp cocktail, lobster tail and did I mention about the shrimp and lobster. I love it. I ordered the New York steak with french fries and banana ketchup. Odd combo but tasty ketchup. There were eight of us and we had a blast. We were done around 1:30.
On Sunday the characters visit Club 33
We had a great time and actually stayed until 11:00, closing. We ended up going on all of the rides twice. It was so much fun not going with the kids. Even though I missed them dearly every time I saw a little kid that had a look of amazement, which was practically at every turn. We are planning on taking the kids for their birthdays within the next month or so, so I did not feel too bad. We got home and it was so good to see their sweet little faces sleeping. That was the first time I had left Enzo for more than a couple hours. My mom said they were great and we called a couple times to check in. This was a much needed date day. Eric and I have not spent the day together without kids for almost four years. Much much needed.
Love Captain Jack Sparrow
So budget wise we were right on for food, but I did buy some pj's that are super sassy. I do have a clothing budget so technically I did not spend, but it was not planned so technically I did spend :)
$34.00 for pj's, a bit pricey but I have not bought any clothes for myself for over six months so I do not feel too bad.
Day 21 of Nothing
Saturday the 21st
I made pancakes this morning with the kids help and this time I made two separate batches and they great, go figure. We played and had a great day as a family. I went to work at 4:00 and it was a busy night. I got off around 10pm again and came home without buying anything. I knew we were going to Disneyland on Sunday and we were planning on going early. I went to bed at 11:30, as early as I could go to bed. It usually takes about an hour to wind down from work.
I did not spend anything today.
I made pancakes this morning with the kids help and this time I made two separate batches and they great, go figure. We played and had a great day as a family. I went to work at 4:00 and it was a busy night. I got off around 10pm again and came home without buying anything. I knew we were going to Disneyland on Sunday and we were planning on going early. I went to bed at 11:30, as early as I could go to bed. It usually takes about an hour to wind down from work.
I did not spend anything today.
Day 20 of Nothing
This weekend was a bit crazy so I am playing catch up.
Friday the 20th
I was so happy Eric was able to stay home because there was no work, happy he was home with us, not so happy about no work. But I did not need a babysitter that night, so that saved me money. We had a great day with just the family. I went to work at 4:30. It was very slow, which is expected after a big holiday weekend. I got off work at 10pm and was starving. Okay I gave in and went to In n Out Burger. I was craving a burger, fries and chocolate shake. $13.19 later I was home and Eric and I enjoyed a fabulous midnight snack.
Add another $13.19 to the total spent. Well worth it though, I love In n Out Burgers!
Friday the 20th
I was so happy Eric was able to stay home because there was no work, happy he was home with us, not so happy about no work. But I did not need a babysitter that night, so that saved me money. We had a great day with just the family. I went to work at 4:30. It was very slow, which is expected after a big holiday weekend. I got off work at 10pm and was starving. Okay I gave in and went to In n Out Burger. I was craving a burger, fries and chocolate shake. $13.19 later I was home and Eric and I enjoyed a fabulous midnight snack.
Add another $13.19 to the total spent. Well worth it though, I love In n Out Burgers!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Look not too tough, still needs his mommy :)
After a hour Eric completely buzzed it
He sat there feeling his hair
Day 19 of Nothing
Thursday was such a lovely day, The sun was shining warm on my arms and face. I love when it is windy with a little chill, just enough to wear a long sleeve shirt but you almost get to warm in the sunlight, ahhhh! Love it.
We had in home therapy at 9:00-10:00 and then Kira had speech at 11:45-12:15. We went out for her class and back home. Jumped on the trampoline for a while and had lunch and took naps. I was working at 4:30, so my high schooler who I tutor came over to watch the kids. I left at 4:25, luckily I live really close to work, not five minutes away but close enough.
Work was nice. Not busy, but busy enough to make a few bucks and get out of the house. I got home at 10:30 and guess who was still up, you guessed Kira. All this last week she has laid down for a nap but has not taken one and I have been putting her down for bed at 7:30. I like that. But she actually fell asleep and then was wide awake for dad. Sorry Eric! I came home snuggled with her and we both fell asleep.
I did not buy anything today, I was a good little non-spender. It looks as though we are right on budget. I am even accounting for going to Disneyland. Oh yeah baby, that is right we are going to Club 33 on Sunday for Eric's cousin's birthday. No kids! No strollers! No worries just fun! I am so excited.
We had in home therapy at 9:00-10:00 and then Kira had speech at 11:45-12:15. We went out for her class and back home. Jumped on the trampoline for a while and had lunch and took naps. I was working at 4:30, so my high schooler who I tutor came over to watch the kids. I left at 4:25, luckily I live really close to work, not five minutes away but close enough.
Work was nice. Not busy, but busy enough to make a few bucks and get out of the house. I got home at 10:30 and guess who was still up, you guessed Kira. All this last week she has laid down for a nap but has not taken one and I have been putting her down for bed at 7:30. I like that. But she actually fell asleep and then was wide awake for dad. Sorry Eric! I came home snuggled with her and we both fell asleep.
I did not buy anything today, I was a good little non-spender. It looks as though we are right on budget. I am even accounting for going to Disneyland. Oh yeah baby, that is right we are going to Club 33 on Sunday for Eric's cousin's birthday. No kids! No strollers! No worries just fun! I am so excited.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Day 18 of Nothing
This morning we did not have any Occupational Therapy (OT). Enzo's OT was on vacation so instead of scheduling with another OT, I just canceled his appointment and we stayed at home. I love staying at home. If I had it my way I would be home everyday, all week long, but it is not realistic to be home bodies when you have two little ones. But today we were just that, home bodies and I loved every minute of it.
I tutored my college student at lunch time and the kids just love him. After we were done Enzo went down for a nap and Kira just laid there. After the fifth time of getting out of bed I told her to come in the living room with me. I don't mind if she doesn't nap as long as she doesn't wake up Enzo and she was pretty close to waking him up.
I started sewing a quilted wallet for my dear friend's birthday. I found a great tutorial for a full size wallet. However my girlfriend only uses the half size one. I found this tutorial and I am going to try to combine the two ideas. I love the quilted one but like the size of the second one. We will see how it turns out. Maybe I will attempt a tutorial. I know I have threatened that before, but maybe this time I will.
I got a text last night from a high schooler from my church, I am good friends with her parents. Her mom and I were talking about the fact I am a math tutor last Sunday. The girl asked if I had time tonight to tutor her. For sure, I got dinner all ready and set up the kids while I tutored her for a half hour. In turn she will babysit for me, nice I love bartering. I am working tomorrow night and she is babysitting for a couple hours until Eric gets home. Again, I love how God provides a shift at the restaurant and a free babysitter. The high schooler said she had a few friends that needed help too. PTL maybe I can get a group of high schoolers to come over and get tutored. Maybe I will ask the neighbor girl to watch the kids for two hours and tutor.
Babysitter for two hours: $14
Tutor two students: $80
___________________
Take home $66 for two hours of work, sweet I am still making $33/ hour. No bad, not bad at all.
I did not buy anything today and I made $55 in tutoring for an hour and a half.
I tutored my college student at lunch time and the kids just love him. After we were done Enzo went down for a nap and Kira just laid there. After the fifth time of getting out of bed I told her to come in the living room with me. I don't mind if she doesn't nap as long as she doesn't wake up Enzo and she was pretty close to waking him up.
I started sewing a quilted wallet for my dear friend's birthday. I found a great tutorial for a full size wallet. However my girlfriend only uses the half size one. I found this tutorial and I am going to try to combine the two ideas. I love the quilted one but like the size of the second one. We will see how it turns out. Maybe I will attempt a tutorial. I know I have threatened that before, but maybe this time I will.
I got a text last night from a high schooler from my church, I am good friends with her parents. Her mom and I were talking about the fact I am a math tutor last Sunday. The girl asked if I had time tonight to tutor her. For sure, I got dinner all ready and set up the kids while I tutored her for a half hour. In turn she will babysit for me, nice I love bartering. I am working tomorrow night and she is babysitting for a couple hours until Eric gets home. Again, I love how God provides a shift at the restaurant and a free babysitter. The high schooler said she had a few friends that needed help too. PTL maybe I can get a group of high schoolers to come over and get tutored. Maybe I will ask the neighbor girl to watch the kids for two hours and tutor.
Babysitter for two hours: $14
Tutor two students: $80
___________________
Take home $66 for two hours of work, sweet I am still making $33/ hour. No bad, not bad at all.
I did not buy anything today and I made $55 in tutoring for an hour and a half.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Day 17 of Nothing
This morning we had Mommy and me class at 9:00-11:00 and then speech therapy at 11:45-12:15. I successfully drove there and home without an urge to buy anything.
11 days to go, Whoo hoo!
11 days to go, Whoo hoo!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Day 16 of Nothing
Oh how I love Mondays! Since I got all the laundry put yesterday and our rooms were clean, I was so happy to just make my bed this morning and that was the extent of housework. Love it! Plus we were able to go to my girlfriends house for a play date with her kids. She has a son who is five and a daughter who is a week younger than Kira. We had a great time. We have always enjoyed play dates with them but for some reason the kids had an extra good time. It might be because they are all at the age of playing well together, either way they had fun and us moms had good encouraging conversation.
I don't know if it is that I am a very independent person and I don't always feel the need to hang out with other moms. But every time I do have a play date I always feel refreshed in someway, maybe because we can relate to each other and I don't feel like the only one going through what I am going through. I guess I get stuck in a rut of our daily routine that I don't want to do anything different. I think it is good to change it up a little. Plus the kids really enjoyed today and Enzo crashed out on the way home, Kira almost did but never fell asleep, oh well.
On the way to her house I had the option to take the toll road and save ten minutes, it costs $1.50 each way, however I did not take it. Yeah, it felt good just to take my time and enjoy the drive and not worry about having to been in a rush.
Yet another successful day of no spending. :)
I don't know if it is that I am a very independent person and I don't always feel the need to hang out with other moms. But every time I do have a play date I always feel refreshed in someway, maybe because we can relate to each other and I don't feel like the only one going through what I am going through. I guess I get stuck in a rut of our daily routine that I don't want to do anything different. I think it is good to change it up a little. Plus the kids really enjoyed today and Enzo crashed out on the way home, Kira almost did but never fell asleep, oh well.
On the way to her house I had the option to take the toll road and save ten minutes, it costs $1.50 each way, however I did not take it. Yeah, it felt good just to take my time and enjoy the drive and not worry about having to been in a rush.
Yet another successful day of no spending. :)
Day 15 of Nothing
Sunday was perfect. I was so happy to relax and not go anywhere all day. We got up and the kids had gone to bed so late on Saturday that they were grumpy pants, I mean really grumpy pants. I put them down for a nap at 11:30. They napped until 1:30. I got all of the laundry put away. I cleaned up the playroom and was able to blog a little too. Eric worked on his car and organized his stuff too. I did not go anywhere so I did not spend any money.
Halfway done with this month and it looks as though we are ahead with our money. What? That is right normally by the fifteenth we are start scrambling for money for our car payment and the rest of the month. As of right now we are ahead and it feels good. It might just be that I am am overly aware of our money and budget this month, but I think I might have to do this "nothing" thing more often or figure out a good solution to my spending issues. Maybe allowing myself $20 a month to spend on whatever or something like that.
Halfway done with this month and it looks as though we are ahead with our money. What? That is right normally by the fifteenth we are start scrambling for money for our car payment and the rest of the month. As of right now we are ahead and it feels good. It might just be that I am am overly aware of our money and budget this month, but I think I might have to do this "nothing" thing more often or figure out a good solution to my spending issues. Maybe allowing myself $20 a month to spend on whatever or something like that.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Day 14 of Nothing
¡Sábado Gigante! (Giant Saturday)
I kept it pretty mellow because I knew I would need all of my energy for work. I made heart-shaped pancakes. I doubled the recipe and they did not turn out as tasty as last week :(
Still yummy but not a fluffy, so maybe I will have to make two separate batches for quality control purposes. I decided to take in my work shirt. I have a XL black men's dress shirt. Arm length is great but I am swimming in it. I decided to sew two darts up the back and it made it a little more fitted and girlie. I also needed a new apron for work, my old one had holes in the pockets and was so faded it look almost gray not black. I had all of this black fabric laying around so I thought why not make a custom apron with pockets for my wine key (love the double lever), pen, crumber, lipstick, phone and check presenters. I used a double layer of fabric to make it thick and durable. It also lays nice. I left my old apron at work so I did not get the pockets just right, so I am going to have to adjust the position and pocket size. But it worked really well last night. I am happy with it and the lines are straight. I will post a picture after I wash it. It got pretty dirty last night.
Boy was it a big day! We have booked for at least four weeks for Valentine's Day. A wait list of at least thirty people. Yet we actually had people calling the day of, with confidence mind you, asking for a 7:00 reservation. Why don't you ask for a booth while you're at it. Ha ha ha (my evil sinister laugh). We had three reservations for every table, approximately 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00. Starting at 5:00 when we open ending at 9:45 being our last reservation. We had a set menu priced at $75 per person including a choice of starter, entree and dessert. Not including wine, gratuity or tax. I will address that in a minute. I went to work at 3:30 and we had people knocking at the door at 4:30, we don't open until 5:00. When we did open the door at 5:00, there was a flood of people and it did not stop until 9:30 for the lounge side of the restaurant.
My first table brought in two bottles of wine. Oh great this is how the night is going to be. I have no problem with someone bringing in a bottle of wine that is sentimental. However when you bring in a $7 bottle of wine that is marginal and the corkage is $25, you might as well order a great wine that is $35-40 on our list. My favorite part of this table was the fact the gentlemen insisted to have the wines decanted. Again, I have no problem decanting wines, but to decant a wine that does not need it is just showing off and wasting my time. I humored him and decanted both wines and set up different glasses for each wine and he redeemed himself a little by ordering a wine off our list, $35 Sauvignon Blanc though.
By this time they have two decanters, three bottles of wine, and four glasses on the table, just a little bit of high maintenance. Oh but it gets better. I guess out of the two couples at the table, the lady who made the reservation asked the owner if it was okay if her husband could just order dessert. He apparently doesn't eat very much but wants to take his wife where she wants to go on Valentine's day. She continues to tell the owner that they will tip as if he had the $75 meal. They proceed to take their own sweet time eating and I am getting nervous that the next reservation at 7:45 will have to wait.
The gentleman who brought all of the wines after their entrees is staggering drunk at this time, but the rest of the party isn't. Clearly this guy is on something else, because one minute he was fine and the next he is stumbling out the door. Just when you think it could not get worse, oh wait it does. I drop the bill and they split it two ways between the two couples. The one couple tips 20% but the husband who only ate the souffle tips 12%. What should have been a $80 tip turned out to be $56. I am not bitter, I just think it is funny. Why would you even come into the restaurant if you don't want our food or our wine. Hmph! This was my first table. Luckily most of the rest of my tables were not as bad, but they did bring in their own wine and half of them tipped an average of 15%. Well, if it was not for the quantity of tables we served, rather than quality of checks we would not have had a successful night.
I was very happy when my manager told me to transfer my last table to him and for me to go home. Yeah!, it was only 10:00pm. I paid for my water with a gift card that was left to us as a tip and called it a night. I got home to find Enzo wide awake eating mashed potatoes. My parents made a filet and lobster tail dinner for their friends, Eric, and I. Andy started up the grill and cooked the most perfect steak and lobster I have had in a long time. It was so yummy and well deserved treat after a long night.
I tailored a shirt and made an apron for free. Worked almost a full eight hours, making some great money and still had a Valentine's dinner for free. I don't think you can do much better than that.
I kept it pretty mellow because I knew I would need all of my energy for work. I made heart-shaped pancakes. I doubled the recipe and they did not turn out as tasty as last week :(
Still yummy but not a fluffy, so maybe I will have to make two separate batches for quality control purposes. I decided to take in my work shirt. I have a XL black men's dress shirt. Arm length is great but I am swimming in it. I decided to sew two darts up the back and it made it a little more fitted and girlie. I also needed a new apron for work, my old one had holes in the pockets and was so faded it look almost gray not black. I had all of this black fabric laying around so I thought why not make a custom apron with pockets for my wine key (love the double lever), pen, crumber, lipstick, phone and check presenters. I used a double layer of fabric to make it thick and durable. It also lays nice. I left my old apron at work so I did not get the pockets just right, so I am going to have to adjust the position and pocket size. But it worked really well last night. I am happy with it and the lines are straight. I will post a picture after I wash it. It got pretty dirty last night.
Boy was it a big day! We have booked for at least four weeks for Valentine's Day. A wait list of at least thirty people. Yet we actually had people calling the day of, with confidence mind you, asking for a 7:00 reservation. Why don't you ask for a booth while you're at it. Ha ha ha (my evil sinister laugh). We had three reservations for every table, approximately 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00. Starting at 5:00 when we open ending at 9:45 being our last reservation. We had a set menu priced at $75 per person including a choice of starter, entree and dessert. Not including wine, gratuity or tax. I will address that in a minute. I went to work at 3:30 and we had people knocking at the door at 4:30, we don't open until 5:00. When we did open the door at 5:00, there was a flood of people and it did not stop until 9:30 for the lounge side of the restaurant.
My first table brought in two bottles of wine. Oh great this is how the night is going to be. I have no problem with someone bringing in a bottle of wine that is sentimental. However when you bring in a $7 bottle of wine that is marginal and the corkage is $25, you might as well order a great wine that is $35-40 on our list. My favorite part of this table was the fact the gentlemen insisted to have the wines decanted. Again, I have no problem decanting wines, but to decant a wine that does not need it is just showing off and wasting my time. I humored him and decanted both wines and set up different glasses for each wine and he redeemed himself a little by ordering a wine off our list, $35 Sauvignon Blanc though.
By this time they have two decanters, three bottles of wine, and four glasses on the table, just a little bit of high maintenance. Oh but it gets better. I guess out of the two couples at the table, the lady who made the reservation asked the owner if it was okay if her husband could just order dessert. He apparently doesn't eat very much but wants to take his wife where she wants to go on Valentine's day. She continues to tell the owner that they will tip as if he had the $75 meal. They proceed to take their own sweet time eating and I am getting nervous that the next reservation at 7:45 will have to wait.
The gentleman who brought all of the wines after their entrees is staggering drunk at this time, but the rest of the party isn't. Clearly this guy is on something else, because one minute he was fine and the next he is stumbling out the door. Just when you think it could not get worse, oh wait it does. I drop the bill and they split it two ways between the two couples. The one couple tips 20% but the husband who only ate the souffle tips 12%. What should have been a $80 tip turned out to be $56. I am not bitter, I just think it is funny. Why would you even come into the restaurant if you don't want our food or our wine. Hmph! This was my first table. Luckily most of the rest of my tables were not as bad, but they did bring in their own wine and half of them tipped an average of 15%. Well, if it was not for the quantity of tables we served, rather than quality of checks we would not have had a successful night.
I was very happy when my manager told me to transfer my last table to him and for me to go home. Yeah!, it was only 10:00pm. I paid for my water with a gift card that was left to us as a tip and called it a night. I got home to find Enzo wide awake eating mashed potatoes. My parents made a filet and lobster tail dinner for their friends, Eric, and I. Andy started up the grill and cooked the most perfect steak and lobster I have had in a long time. It was so yummy and well deserved treat after a long night.
I tailored a shirt and made an apron for free. Worked almost a full eight hours, making some great money and still had a Valentine's dinner for free. I don't think you can do much better than that.
Day 13 of Nothing
I am posting these today because the weekend was crazy at work and I am pooped!
Friday was great, it rained almost all day. I love rainy days, I feel more inspired to clean because I am stuck in the house. That and plus the fact that all four of us were out of clean underwear so I had to do laundry. Six loads later with the help of my mom with the kids and folding, I was done with laundry. I will admit it is not put away and I have to put it away today or else it will move from a basket of clean straight into the dirty basket. I hate when I do that. I think I fold the clothes at least four times, when I should just put the silly clothes away, but for some reason I think that takes to long. Oh well.
The kids and I made mailboxes for their Valentines, well I made them but they made Valentines.
I covered the English Toffee Containers from Christmas
I cut out hearts and used the leftover edge on the bottom, I really did not plan it but it came out pretty cool and abstract. Kira dug it
Enzo wanted white and red. I made his simple but festive
On a different note, I finally found a babysitter!!! On Fridays Eric does not get home until about 7:30 or 8 because traffic is so bad. I usually go in to work at 6:30 and my mom will watch the kids for an hour if they are not busy, or I will ask this older girl to watch them every once in awhile. Eric and I decided to find a permanent sitter on Fridays so that I do not strain my mom with watching the kids. I called every gal I know and I could not find a steady sitter.
My mom suggested the neighbor girl, she is in six grade, twelve years old and has two younger siblings and babysits for other neighborhood families. Out of desperation I went over and introduced myself and asked if she would be interested, she said sure and I asked her how much she charged an hour. I am always scared of this question, because I have one sitter, granted she is in college, but she charges $20/hour for two kids!!! Are you kidding me? So when she said $5/hour, I smiled and said I would gladly pay her $7/ hour. She was stoked.
I talked to my manager at work and asked if I could come in early at 4:30 and be first off and he was happy to accommodate. This way I can get off work around 10 or 11 the latest. The neighbor girl came over at 4:00 and she was great. The kids immediately took to her. I had made noodles, garlic bread and green beans for dinner and had it all ready for them. I explained as much as I could to her and told her to text me if she had any questions throughout the night. So around 7:00 she texted me to see if her friend from down the street could come over. Oh great, what do I say. I asked a fellow server with two girls ages 8 and 10 what he thought. He is so funny, he told me for sixth grade sure but definitely not for a high schooler. I agreed. I texted her back "sure".
My parents came into the restaurant for dinner and when they got home they relieved the girls. The friend is thirteen and offered to babysit too. I go from no sitters to two great ones in one night. I was so happy. So now they are going to take turns sitting and the other may or may not come. Two for one babysitters at $7/hour, sounds good to me. The kids loved both of them and responded really well to them.
So Friday at work we were really busy, as expected. I did not buy anything from the restaurant even though I was hungry. I left around 10:30 and got gas for the car $45 filled the tank. The only cost I had for the week that is new is the babysitter for $28 a week. But then I remembered that I just started tutoring again twice a week and I have not accounted for the new income. I charge usually $40-$50/ hour. I have my degree in Mathematics, so I feel that I can charge that, especially here in Orange County, that is cheap. However, I feel as though my ability to teach math is a gift and I would never want to deter someone because of the price, I know I'm a softy. So I tutor this college student for $35/hour twice a week, plus he comes to my house and they kids usually are playing while I tutor. Look at that, I can pay for my babysitter and still make an extra $42 a week. It is so great how God provides! Love it.
So I had another successful day of no consuming.
So Friday at work we were really busy, as expected. I did not buy anything from the restaurant even though I was hungry. I left around 10:30 and got gas for the car $45 filled the tank. The only cost I had for the week that is new is the babysitter for $28 a week. But then I remembered that I just started tutoring again twice a week and I have not accounted for the new income. I charge usually $40-$50/ hour. I have my degree in Mathematics, so I feel that I can charge that, especially here in Orange County, that is cheap. However, I feel as though my ability to teach math is a gift and I would never want to deter someone because of the price, I know I'm a softy. So I tutor this college student for $35/hour twice a week, plus he comes to my house and they kids usually are playing while I tutor. Look at that, I can pay for my babysitter and still make an extra $42 a week. It is so great how God provides! Love it.
So I had another successful day of no consuming.
Friday, February 13, 2009
True Love
1 Corinthians 13
Love
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
I can only pray that I love in this fashion, with God's strength, definitely not my own strength am I capable to love this way. Notice PATIENCE is the first on the list, probably because it is one of the hardest to be. NOT SELF-SEEKING, how often does the world tell us we need to love yourself first. I think if you give of yourself wholeheartedly to your God, your husband, your family and friends, there is no better way to feel love than to give of yourself first. Jesus is the ultimate testimony of love, look at how much He gave and continued to give regardless of what He received.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Love Music
So I changed my music I will explain the first five songs to why I think they remind me of love.
At Last by Etta James- Love this song, I made a mix of old dance songs to practice dancing for our wedding and this was one of them. I remember being engaged and dancing in my living room/dining room at my apartment to this. We were so giddy. Still are.
Your Precious Love by Marvin Gaye-This is just a classic duet, I love Marvin Gaye, I love when he sings
"What you've given me I could never return
'Cause there's so much, girl, I have yet to learn"
He is so passionate and it gives me chills every time I hear it.
The Way You Look Tonight by Billie Holiday-Another song on my mix. This was our first dance song but Frank Sinatra sang it. We definitely laughed a lot trying to learn how to dance with each other, I tend to want to lead, oops!
Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe by Barry White-I mean who doesn't love Barry White. He is the epitome of romance, plus always so much fun to dance to.
Your My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White-Need I say anymore, I don't think I have to.
What is your favorite song that reminds you of your loved one, not necessarily a quote love song, but a memory?
At Last by Etta James- Love this song, I made a mix of old dance songs to practice dancing for our wedding and this was one of them. I remember being engaged and dancing in my living room/dining room at my apartment to this. We were so giddy. Still are.
Your Precious Love by Marvin Gaye-This is just a classic duet, I love Marvin Gaye, I love when he sings
"What you've given me I could never return
'Cause there's so much, girl, I have yet to learn"
He is so passionate and it gives me chills every time I hear it.
The Way You Look Tonight by Billie Holiday-Another song on my mix. This was our first dance song but Frank Sinatra sang it. We definitely laughed a lot trying to learn how to dance with each other, I tend to want to lead, oops!
Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe by Barry White-I mean who doesn't love Barry White. He is the epitome of romance, plus always so much fun to dance to.
Your My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White-Need I say anymore, I don't think I have to.
What is your favorite song that reminds you of your loved one, not necessarily a quote love song, but a memory?
Day 12 of Nothing
We had in-home therapy this morning for Enzo. While he was with the teachers, Kira and I made cupcakes. She had a Valentine's day party at her speech class this afternoon so we had to bring some yummy gluten free cupcakes. She had so much fun making them and licking the batter and the mixer after making frosting, pink frosting with red sprinkles of course. They were so tasty.
I had bought the mix about a month ago at Mother's Market but I just noticed them on line at Amazon for a much better deal. I might have to buy a case to have on hand for parties and such. I normally like to make my own but I have not yet attempted to make my own gluten free cupcakes. I would love a good recipe for cupcakes and for bagels anyone has one.
Kira loved eating her cupcake with milk (rice milk)
Enzo could not get it in fast enough, My Little ChipmunkI also found a Valentine's day card kit at Micheals for like $4 last month. They are foam hearts and you decorate them with a glitter glue. We had fun making those too.
I did not have to go to the store or anything so I had another successful day of nothing. Almost half way there. I know I can keep it up.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Day 11 of Nothing
I ran this morning with my running buddy, Elyse, at the crack of dawn. Much needed! We went to Enzo's physical therapy and they had a great Valentine's day craft with heart shaped sponges and paint. On the way home I was just about to go to Wal Mart and buy some sponges and other crafts for the kids and I refrained!! I again stayed the course and was good. I do not know what it is when I am driving and I feel like I need to kill time, I am finding that is when I go shopping for random things. Maybe I should not leave the house....well that won't last but a day. I did not spend anything today, so it was a good day when it came to nothing. Plus I worked last night and I was really busy and made some decent money.
So I have got to come up with a plan of how to beat the urge of consuming. Obviously there are times to consume but I need to cut myself off of random consuming. Does that make sense. I have always loved the idea of the envelope system but have never stuck with it.
Okay I am convicted on something and I need to share, openly and honestly. As you know I am a food server at a high end restaurant on the weekends. It was just brought to my attention, by my conscience, what I do with my tips. I usually have more credit card tips and will receive a check for those tips and I will have a small percent of cash tips. My reasoning or rationalizing has been sometimes if I have made cash then for some reason I think because Eric does not know how much I have, I will usually use it to buy things for the kids or sewing projects and not tell him.......uh oh! What have I been doing? Arggh! I really am coming to this conclusion as I write and I am not proud of it but I will have to resolve the issue.
First off I am going to have to tell Eric what I have been doing and ask for forgiveness. That sounds like fun, right? If I do not tell him then the behavior will continue and that won't do either of us good. Secondly, I need to tell him to have him keep me accountable. Every Friday I ask him if he got paid and then how much. I do this because I do the budget and go to the bank. I now realize that I need accountability so that I do not spend foolishly when we are trying to save.
Who knew I would learn something from my own post.
Do you ever find you have been doing something without even thinking you are doing it and then one day have an epiphany. You realize you have not been truthful and what do you do to make it right? I would love to hear about it if you want to share. Remember no judgement here. I am no saint and it is not my place to judge.
So I have got to come up with a plan of how to beat the urge of consuming. Obviously there are times to consume but I need to cut myself off of random consuming. Does that make sense. I have always loved the idea of the envelope system but have never stuck with it.
Okay I am convicted on something and I need to share, openly and honestly. As you know I am a food server at a high end restaurant on the weekends. It was just brought to my attention, by my conscience, what I do with my tips. I usually have more credit card tips and will receive a check for those tips and I will have a small percent of cash tips. My reasoning or rationalizing has been sometimes if I have made cash then for some reason I think because Eric does not know how much I have, I will usually use it to buy things for the kids or sewing projects and not tell him.......uh oh! What have I been doing? Arggh! I really am coming to this conclusion as I write and I am not proud of it but I will have to resolve the issue.
First off I am going to have to tell Eric what I have been doing and ask for forgiveness. That sounds like fun, right? If I do not tell him then the behavior will continue and that won't do either of us good. Secondly, I need to tell him to have him keep me accountable. Every Friday I ask him if he got paid and then how much. I do this because I do the budget and go to the bank. I now realize that I need accountability so that I do not spend foolishly when we are trying to save.
Who knew I would learn something from my own post.
Do you ever find you have been doing something without even thinking you are doing it and then one day have an epiphany. You realize you have not been truthful and what do you do to make it right? I would love to hear about it if you want to share. Remember no judgement here. I am no saint and it is not my place to judge.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day 10 of Nothing
Oh, how bad did I want and need a coffee today. We left for Enzo's therapy at 8:30 and it was cold! 44 degrees to be exact. Now I understand that it is way colder back East for all of you in Pennsylvania, New York and all, but it has been 70 degrees here. So to drop almost 30 degrees in a matter of days puts you in a little shock. I love cold weather, when I am prepared.
Today not so prepared. I wanted a steaming hot cup o joe. I was so close to stopping at this local drive thru coffee shop and order a coffee using all of my change in my wallet, oh yeah I had it even rationalized in my head. Stay on target! Stay on target! I did just that, I refrained from buying anything, it was hard but I started thinking that I have to post about today and I did not want to lie and not tell you about it. So I stood strong. I am now going to make my cup o joe and enjoy it because the rugrats are napping and I could use a little pick me up as I am working to night for someone. This week should be really busy at the restaurant for all of those not able to get reservations for Saturday.
We are booked for three turns on almost every table. Yee Haw! I will be running from 3:00pm until probably midnight. Hopefully people will tip accordingly, I find on Holidays people are cheap.
Now here is a great question how much do you tip? Being a food server and having worked in the business for over 15 years I have seen it all. I even got the one penny once. It was definitely not deserved but oh well.
I usually tip at least 20% on the total, not the subtotal. I will definitely tip 15% if I absolutely feel the server failed me miserably. I usually talk to the manager first, having been a manager, I would have liked to know where my restaraunt let someone down. But I have never not left a tip or done the penny thing.
Please let me know your reasoning for how you tip. No one will be put down. I have found people have strong reasons for how they tip. I would love to know them.
Here is my yummy decaf coffee treat
Today not so prepared. I wanted a steaming hot cup o joe. I was so close to stopping at this local drive thru coffee shop and order a coffee using all of my change in my wallet, oh yeah I had it even rationalized in my head. Stay on target! Stay on target! I did just that, I refrained from buying anything, it was hard but I started thinking that I have to post about today and I did not want to lie and not tell you about it. So I stood strong. I am now going to make my cup o joe and enjoy it because the rugrats are napping and I could use a little pick me up as I am working to night for someone. This week should be really busy at the restaurant for all of those not able to get reservations for Saturday.
Now here is a great question how much do you tip? Being a food server and having worked in the business for over 15 years I have seen it all. I even got the one penny once. It was definitely not deserved but oh well.
I usually tip at least 20% on the total, not the subtotal. I will definitely tip 15% if I absolutely feel the server failed me miserably. I usually talk to the manager first, having been a manager, I would have liked to know where my restaraunt let someone down. But I have never not left a tip or done the penny thing.
Please let me know your reasoning for how you tip. No one will be put down. I have found people have strong reasons for how they tip. I would love to know them.
Here is my yummy decaf coffee treatMonday, February 9, 2009
Day 9 of Nothing
Mondays tend to be my catch up day, with laundry, cleaning up after the tornado of the weekend. But today I had errands and yes in the pouring rain, so much fun. I had to go to the UPS store, the Post office and Trader Joe's.
I was sending leftover Christmas cards that got lost somehow, including one to my mother in law. (I am sorry Janie, I do not know what happened to your card)
I finally sent out the coasters from the giveaway day in December....how horrible of a host am I. I got so burned out from sewing all of the Christmas gifts I did not want to sew forever. I just sewed for the first time in two months on Friday. Note to self, don't have a giveaway on items you have not finished :) I spent $6.30 for postage and mailers
Trader Joe's was grocery shopping for the week. Now I did not disclose the special circumstance that we have living at my parents. We pay for room and board. So when I buy groceries, my mom reimburses me. That does not mean I go crazy, I still stick as close to my budget that I had when I was buying them. That being said I got basics again and a few toiletries, toothpaste and hand soap. I spent $130.00. Mind you this is for Eric, myself, the kids, my mom, step dad, and aunt. (Yes, I do sort of live in a compound :) ) I average about $85-130 a week for food, depending on the week. I do buy a lot of organic if the price is close to non-organic. So averaging $400 about a month for two kids and four adults.
I spent $6.00 at the UPS store for faxing six pages and three copies.
I spent a total of $12.30 for my unplanned errands
I definitely needed to do both of those purchases, but it was unallocated.
I did good at the grocery store finding the best deal on meat and did not buy any extra speciality foods.
I think I did just fine. Only 17 days left, but really only 16, since I already accounted for the 22nd at Disneyland. I am so happy with accomplishment so far!
I was sending leftover Christmas cards that got lost somehow, including one to my mother in law. (I am sorry Janie, I do not know what happened to your card)
I finally sent out the coasters from the giveaway day in December....how horrible of a host am I. I got so burned out from sewing all of the Christmas gifts I did not want to sew forever. I just sewed for the first time in two months on Friday. Note to self, don't have a giveaway on items you have not finished :) I spent $6.30 for postage and mailers
Trader Joe's was grocery shopping for the week. Now I did not disclose the special circumstance that we have living at my parents. We pay for room and board. So when I buy groceries, my mom reimburses me. That does not mean I go crazy, I still stick as close to my budget that I had when I was buying them. That being said I got basics again and a few toiletries, toothpaste and hand soap. I spent $130.00. Mind you this is for Eric, myself, the kids, my mom, step dad, and aunt. (Yes, I do sort of live in a compound :) ) I average about $85-130 a week for food, depending on the week. I do buy a lot of organic if the price is close to non-organic. So averaging $400 about a month for two kids and four adults.
I spent $6.00 at the UPS store for faxing six pages and three copies.
I spent a total of $12.30 for my unplanned errands
I definitely needed to do both of those purchases, but it was unallocated.
I did good at the grocery store finding the best deal on meat and did not buy any extra speciality foods.
I think I did just fine. Only 17 days left, but really only 16, since I already accounted for the 22nd at Disneyland. I am so happy with accomplishment so far!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Day 8 of Nothing
Oh how I love Sundays, especially rainy cloudy Sundays. We went to church this morning around 10:45. What a great service, if you have a chance listen to the sermon online, it should be up tomorrow, check it out. It was so good because Seth talked about having patience with how God has a perfect timing. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul was just made king and he was supposed to wait for seven days for Samuel, the prophet, to come with further instructions for the king before battle. He waited seven days but on the seventh day when Samuel did not come right away, he took matters into his own hands by doing something that only Samuel was supposed to. When Samuel arrived, he informed Saul that because of his impatience, he will no longer be king. Whoa! Talk about a messing up! The message was really about waiting on the Lord's timing. I was encouraged because sometimes I feel like we will never be debt-free and then we will never be able to move to New Zealand. But today I felt like God's timing is everything and we will be debt-free soon enough and when everything is in order we will move to New Zealand and not one day sooner. It took us time to get in debt and it will take us time to get out of it.
We came home from church and my wonderful husband made lunch for us, the kids took a nap and Eric and I had some time to talk and reflect about our financial situation. We have a few big decisions that we are praying about and are excited for the first time in a while about where we are and where we are going.
So today I was even more motivated not to spend money. We stayed at home and enjoyed each other and I did not buy anything.
Total spent so far $6.47
We came home from church and my wonderful husband made lunch for us, the kids took a nap and Eric and I had some time to talk and reflect about our financial situation. We have a few big decisions that we are praying about and are excited for the first time in a while about where we are and where we are going.
So today I was even more motivated not to spend money. We stayed at home and enjoyed each other and I did not buy anything.
Total spent so far $6.47
Day 7 of Nothing
Okay I bought something but I think it was very necessary. I worked last night at the restaurant and we were so busy. I ran my butt off, wishful thinking. Lately the restaurant has been pretty slow, when I mean slow I mean instead of 150 covers (people) in a night more like 75. Yes, the economy has hit my job too. But last night we did about 120 covers and because we have not been busy like that for a while, like summertime, we all got worked. However with much work comes more tips and we all like that. I did twice as much in sales than I have in a long time. So this is all my justification to my spending. I ended up selling some really expensive wines, $250 and $150 bottles and usually if the guest is appreciative of your service or just plan generous they will offer you a taste of the wine. Obviously this a very sweet jesture to share something that expensive with your server. I had two tables pour very generous glasses of wine. I love wine and work in a great restaurant with great wine, but I do not drink all that much so I really watch what I drink at work.
First off, because I can not function at work with too much vino.
Secondly, I have to drive home.
Thirdly, I have two rugrats so I do not indulge.
Lastly, I just do not like abusing the privledge of drinking at work.
Do not get me wrong I LOVE wine, but I have found with two alcoholic grandfathers it is best if I watch my alcohol intake. I try to stay at my one glass limit. Anyways, I had a couple sips of each and realized that since I detoxed this week I am a lightweight. Duh. I went in at 4:00 so I was the first off at 10:00 and I bought a salad. Not just any salad, the winter wedge salad. Baby gem lettuce with Mineshaft blue cheese dressing, Nusky bacon crumbles, pickled red onions and grated egg! This is one of my favorite salads with all of the great flavors. It is $12.00 but with my employee discount it was $6.47 with tax. Not bad for a great salad and I figure I could indulge when I made twice as much in tips than I normally do.
I have a love and hate relationship with Valentine's Day week. I love the extra work and money but I hate the ammetuers that come out of the woodwork thinking they are special. Don't get me wrong I love their patronage but hate their attitude. When people order a $35 bottle of wine and want it decanted, they are just showing off. Anyways enough about that.
So far I have spent $6.47 for unallotted items...well deserved though. Not bad for seven days.
First off, because I can not function at work with too much vino.
Secondly, I have to drive home.
Thirdly, I have two rugrats so I do not indulge.
Lastly, I just do not like abusing the privledge of drinking at work.
Do not get me wrong I LOVE wine, but I have found with two alcoholic grandfathers it is best if I watch my alcohol intake. I try to stay at my one glass limit. Anyways, I had a couple sips of each and realized that since I detoxed this week I am a lightweight. Duh. I went in at 4:00 so I was the first off at 10:00 and I bought a salad. Not just any salad, the winter wedge salad. Baby gem lettuce with Mineshaft blue cheese dressing, Nusky bacon crumbles, pickled red onions and grated egg! This is one of my favorite salads with all of the great flavors. It is $12.00 but with my employee discount it was $6.47 with tax. Not bad for a great salad and I figure I could indulge when I made twice as much in tips than I normally do.
I have a love and hate relationship with Valentine's Day week. I love the extra work and money but I hate the ammetuers that come out of the woodwork thinking they are special. Don't get me wrong I love their patronage but hate their attitude. When people order a $35 bottle of wine and want it decanted, they are just showing off. Anyways enough about that.
So far I have spent $6.47 for unallotted items...well deserved though. Not bad for seven days.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Best Gluten Free Pancakes EVER!!
I have tried so many recipes, mixes, and frozen pancakes and I finally found the tastiest recipe! YEAH!! This means a lot for me because I usually make pancake almost every Saturday morning for the kids and sometimes for dinner for an easy fix. The secret is a flour mixture. I have looked and looked for a common gluten free flour mix. Finally after much searching I discovered that most people used the same ratio.
1 cup Rice Flour
3/4 cup Potato Starch
3/4 cup Potato Starch
1/4 cup Tapioca Flour/Starch
This equals 2 cups of flour equivalent to 2 cups of wheat flour.
Then I used a regular pancake recipe not a gluten free recipe, Ah ha!
The best pancakes I think I have ever had.
Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 cup Flour-mixture
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp Xanthan gum
1 1/4 cup milk- I use rice milk
1 egg
3 Tbsp melted butter
Mix dry together and then add milk, egg, butter and mix until not lumpy.
Cook, smother with butter and Maple Syrup and Enjoy!
These were so yummy that I had to contain myself not to eat too many. Perfect consistency, fluffy and airy but a little crisp too. I am stoked I tried the regular recipe and they turned out good. I made 16 cups of the flour mix and I plan on making a pancake mix too with all of the dry ingredients so that I can have it ready and just add milk, eggs and butter Voila! Pancakes made easy.
Day 6 of Nothing
Friday was good. I actually made money! I tutored for an hour and I went to work last night despite the lack of reservations. Luckily it was busy, we had quite a few walk ins and it turned out to be a profitable night. I was good and I did not buy anything at work, yeah!
Detox Day 5
I decided to make Friday my last day of detox. I am feeling so much better, no more headaches. Friday I had my barley life and AIMega capsules. I had a gluten free blueberry muffin for breakfast, I made them the night before. They were quite yummy. I had a smoothie for lunch and veggies and hummus for my raw at dinner. My mom made tasty potato soup and I had a bowl of it. I had snack at work on pecans and dried cherries. Thanks for coming along for the ride. I think the detox went well and I definitely feel better.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Detox Day 4
I feel great today, no headaches and not as thirsty as the past few days.
I drank my barley-life in the morning, I had my yummy smoothie after. I had a dried fruit snack and a few corn tortilla chips (a little slip) for a snack. We had lunch at home. I had extra smoothie and a baked potato with hummus and red pepper sauce. I will have more Barley-life before dinner and will probably have a salad and rice or I might make some polenta.
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updated 7:50 pm Thursday night
Okay my intentions were good to eat good for dinner but, I was making pancakes for the kids for dinner and they looked and smelled so good. Guess what I had for dinner....pancakes and I was happy with the decision at the time but now, not so happy. You know how pancakes sit on the bottom of your tummy, well I have that feeling right now. Not so happy, oh well, that is what I get huh! Tomorrow I will get back on track.
It is funny how it happens when your diet, (meaning the way you eat in general, not diet in the way of starving yourself), is healthy and you feel good but then you see something or smell something that you just have to have and you eat it thinking "I've been eating fine, it won't matter". Then you feel sick after, was it really worth it? No never, but you can not beat yourself you have to just make a better choice the next time. I have been honest with you in order to make you realize we all fail and succeed but not to beat yourself up about it :)
I drank my barley-life in the morning, I had my yummy smoothie after. I had a dried fruit snack and a few corn tortilla chips (a little slip) for a snack. We had lunch at home. I had extra smoothie and a baked potato with hummus and red pepper sauce. I will have more Barley-life before dinner and will probably have a salad and rice or I might make some polenta.
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updated 7:50 pm Thursday night
Okay my intentions were good to eat good for dinner but, I was making pancakes for the kids for dinner and they looked and smelled so good. Guess what I had for dinner....pancakes and I was happy with the decision at the time but now, not so happy. You know how pancakes sit on the bottom of your tummy, well I have that feeling right now. Not so happy, oh well, that is what I get huh! Tomorrow I will get back on track.
It is funny how it happens when your diet, (meaning the way you eat in general, not diet in the way of starving yourself), is healthy and you feel good but then you see something or smell something that you just have to have and you eat it thinking "I've been eating fine, it won't matter". Then you feel sick after, was it really worth it? No never, but you can not beat yourself you have to just make a better choice the next time. I have been honest with you in order to make you realize we all fail and succeed but not to beat yourself up about it :)
Day 5 of Nothing
Today we had in home therapy for Enzo and then speech therapy for Kira. We went to the bank and made a deposit and then to Trader Joe's for bread. Somehow we ran out of rice bread, I usually stock up on it because it keeps well in the freezer. I got bread, milk and some dried mango and some turkey chili because it is a chili kind of day with the rain. I spent $30 at Trader Joe's.
I really kept from buying extra food that we normally don't buy, like frozen waffles or cookies.
I am feeling happy with how well I am able to to this. This weekend will be the true test. When I go to work it is always hard not to get a salad at the end of the night. I always justify it because it is half price but I am going to bring a little snack in case I get hungry.
I really kept from buying extra food that we normally don't buy, like frozen waffles or cookies.
I am feeling happy with how well I am able to to this. This weekend will be the true test. When I go to work it is always hard not to get a salad at the end of the night. I always justify it because it is half price but I am going to bring a little snack in case I get hungry.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 4 of Nothing
Today was easy I did not have any errands except to pick up my tips from work and get gas. I put $20 in the car which fills the tank half way but usually last for at least a week. I don't drive anywhere but within a ten mile radius most of the time.
I paid for rest of the half of our rent today. My parents are pretty understanding with our money situation. I pay half on the first and half on the fifteenth. It is hard because with my job I don't get my tips until Tuesday if the restaurant owes me money. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. So I don't get tips until Tuesday night which means I pick them up Wednesday if I really need them or Friday when I work next.
So today was good with no spending and I feel good not buying things. I think I need to keep this in mind daily whether I am doing this experiment or not. I would probably save a lot of money. It should be interesting to see what our bottom line is at the end of the month.
I paid for rest of the half of our rent today. My parents are pretty understanding with our money situation. I pay half on the first and half on the fifteenth. It is hard because with my job I don't get my tips until Tuesday if the restaurant owes me money. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. So I don't get tips until Tuesday night which means I pick them up Wednesday if I really need them or Friday when I work next.
So today was good with no spending and I feel good not buying things. I think I need to keep this in mind daily whether I am doing this experiment or not. I would probably save a lot of money. It should be interesting to see what our bottom line is at the end of the month.
Detox Day 3
Dinner was great last night, but I cheated a little with a small bowl of cereal. I was craving something sweet. I had gluten free corn flakes that were sweetened with honey and brown rice syrup and soy milk. Besides that I ate really good and I feel great.
Today was good. I woke up had my Barley life and then my smoothie. We went to therapy, came home and had a play date with cousin Shayli and Cadance. I had more Barley-Life around 11 am. We ate veggie slices and hummus for our raw for lunch. Then the kids had left over pesto pasta and I had a half of a baked potato with red bell pepper sauce and hummus instead of sour cream or butter and it was so yummy. We all had a great nap from 1:30 to 3:15. We snacked on dried fruit, no sulfates or sugar, and raw nuts.
Dinner tonight will be a big salad, baked zucchini and squash and leftovers. The zucchini and squash are super easy all you do is grate the veggies and bake in a casserole dish. Then once it is cooked you serve it with an extra virgin olive oil drizzle and herb salt and pepper. Super easy and yummy, the kids like it because it is not huge pieces of veggies and it looks cool.
I am feeling great, no headaches today and I am not as thirsty as I have been. I think this is just what I needed to get in to gear and start eating healthy. I love eating this way, yeah it is a little more time consuming preparing everything fresh but there are ways of cutiing time. Like cutting veggies all one day for a couple of days or washing and spinning your lettuce all for the week. I found if you place a paper towel in your ziploc bag with the cut, rinsed lettuce it helps keep it crisp.
I better go and make dinner now.
Today was good. I woke up had my Barley life and then my smoothie. We went to therapy, came home and had a play date with cousin Shayli and Cadance. I had more Barley-Life around 11 am. We ate veggie slices and hummus for our raw for lunch. Then the kids had left over pesto pasta and I had a half of a baked potato with red bell pepper sauce and hummus instead of sour cream or butter and it was so yummy. We all had a great nap from 1:30 to 3:15. We snacked on dried fruit, no sulfates or sugar, and raw nuts.
Dinner tonight will be a big salad, baked zucchini and squash and leftovers. The zucchini and squash are super easy all you do is grate the veggies and bake in a casserole dish. Then once it is cooked you serve it with an extra virgin olive oil drizzle and herb salt and pepper. Super easy and yummy, the kids like it because it is not huge pieces of veggies and it looks cool.
I am feeling great, no headaches today and I am not as thirsty as I have been. I think this is just what I needed to get in to gear and start eating healthy. I love eating this way, yeah it is a little more time consuming preparing everything fresh but there are ways of cutiing time. Like cutting veggies all one day for a couple of days or washing and spinning your lettuce all for the week. I found if you place a paper towel in your ziploc bag with the cut, rinsed lettuce it helps keep it crisp.
I better go and make dinner now.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 3 of Nothing
Today was great. I bought groceries and only basics about $45 worth of veggies, salsa and nuts.
I only had one inconvenient time. When we were leaving mommy and me class I was dying of thirst and I wanted to stop and buy a bottle of water but I did not. I almost went to Starbucks asked for a venti water since their tap is purified, but I would have had to get the kids out of the car. Instead I went home on got water and then we went to Kira's speech class. I did not go out of my way since speech is right by my house and I was going that way anyways. I just have to plan to bring water more, I usually do but for some reason I forgot in the hustle of going to mommy and me class.
So I did good today, it feels good not spending money.
I only had one inconvenient time. When we were leaving mommy and me class I was dying of thirst and I wanted to stop and buy a bottle of water but I did not. I almost went to Starbucks asked for a venti water since their tap is purified, but I would have had to get the kids out of the car. Instead I went home on got water and then we went to Kira's speech class. I did not go out of my way since speech is right by my house and I was going that way anyways. I just have to plan to bring water more, I usually do but for some reason I forgot in the hustle of going to mommy and me class.
So I did good today, it feels good not spending money.
Detox Day 2
Yesterday went really well, I drank Barley-Life as suggested and drank water too. I was so thirsty it was unbelievable. I think because of all the Benadryl most likely. I had a headache most of the day but not to bad. I just kept drinking water. You want to know the weird thing, I had the taste of the Prednisone in my mouth all day long. You know that yucky taste when you take prescriptions with just water, almost chalky and chemically. Yup, that one was the only thing I could taste all day. Gross! Talk about detoxing. I knew a girl that when she detoxed she had the taste of metal for days because of some serious medicine she had to take for a couple years. Creepy.
By the time dinner came around I was feeling really nauseous. I decided to eat a salad with expeller pressed safflower oil, lemon and herb salt. I also had a half of a baked potato with Bragg Amino Acid I usually only use Braggs on stirfry instead of soy sauce but since I am not allowed to have sour cream or butter (dairy), I tried it and loved it. I had some dried fruit around 9:00 and went to bed at 10 pm. I was exhausted. I slept great though and woke up feeling so much better. All the puffiness went away and I lost four pounds of water weight! Thank goodness.
Now please understand me I am not one for weighing all the time. I usually notice by the way my clothes are fitting and then by curiousity I weigh myself. I really do not like the constant weighing and measuring. I used to be a slave to the scale and I have really tried my best not to be. I would much rather tell by the way my clothes fit. I knew something was up this Sunday when I could barely put on old faithful, my favorite jeans that fit perfect. That being said, I fell much better and my jeans fit better too.
Today, I woke up bright-eyed at 7:00 am with the kids and my husband. I made smoothies for all of us. I drank my Barley-life and then my smoothie and off we went to mommy and me class.
By about 11:00 am, I was dying of thirst, for some reason I did not bring any water with me. I raced home got a big nalgene bottle of water and took right off to go to Kira's speech class at 11:45. When she finished I went to the store and bought stuff for lunch and dinner.
I got home and made hummus, super easy and tasty, I will put the recipe below. I also made a Red Bell pepper sauce too for dipping. I sliced up mushrooms, cucumber, carrots, and grape tomatoes and made platefuls for each of us. Yes, my kids eat raw veggies. Kira has taken a little bit of time to like them but Enzo has loved raw veggies from day one. We all ate our yummy veggies and for a treat for the kids they had unsweetened apple sauce with cinnamon. They gobbled every last bite, except for the tomatoes on Kira's plate. I make her try a half of one each time, but I still put them on her plate in hopes that one day she will like them. They are now napping and hence I am blogging.
The thing I notice is when we eat this way they are regular! If not like clockwork. Kira has always had constipation issues no matter how healthy I think we eat, but lately she has been so regular and happy about it. She used to dread going to the bathroom, who would not be the same way if they are constipated. Bless her little heart.
So today was a great day and I feel so good already. I love how quickly you diet effects you, well I like it how a healthy diet effects you right away.
Tonight I am making my own pesto sauce and putting it on rice noodles with pan roasted grape tomatoes. I will have my Barley-life and big salad then enjoy the pasta. I figured the pasta was fine because she says you can eat brown rice and all the rice pasta is brown rice and water.
Hummus
2 cans Chick-peas drained
1/2 cup tahini
garlic herb salt to taste
extra virgin olive oil
about 1/2 cup water
juice of one lemon
blend in your food processor or blender. I have a Vita-Mix and I use it.
Depending on how thick you want it add more or less olive oil.
Enjoy with fresh veggies
Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Pan Roast two red bell peppers sliced in sections for about ten minutes with a lid on.
Put peppers
juice of one lemon
extra virgin olive oil couple drops at a time
herb salt to taste
in your food processor or blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
You can add some of the red bell pepper sauce to your hummus and blend it for a different hummus. Drizzle the pepper sauce on avocados, salad whatever sounds good.
Enjoy
By the time dinner came around I was feeling really nauseous. I decided to eat a salad with expeller pressed safflower oil, lemon and herb salt. I also had a half of a baked potato with Bragg Amino Acid I usually only use Braggs on stirfry instead of soy sauce but since I am not allowed to have sour cream or butter (dairy), I tried it and loved it. I had some dried fruit around 9:00 and went to bed at 10 pm. I was exhausted. I slept great though and woke up feeling so much better. All the puffiness went away and I lost four pounds of water weight! Thank goodness.
Now please understand me I am not one for weighing all the time. I usually notice by the way my clothes are fitting and then by curiousity I weigh myself. I really do not like the constant weighing and measuring. I used to be a slave to the scale and I have really tried my best not to be. I would much rather tell by the way my clothes fit. I knew something was up this Sunday when I could barely put on old faithful, my favorite jeans that fit perfect. That being said, I fell much better and my jeans fit better too.
Today, I woke up bright-eyed at 7:00 am with the kids and my husband. I made smoothies for all of us. I drank my Barley-life and then my smoothie and off we went to mommy and me class.
By about 11:00 am, I was dying of thirst, for some reason I did not bring any water with me. I raced home got a big nalgene bottle of water and took right off to go to Kira's speech class at 11:45. When she finished I went to the store and bought stuff for lunch and dinner.
I got home and made hummus, super easy and tasty, I will put the recipe below. I also made a Red Bell pepper sauce too for dipping. I sliced up mushrooms, cucumber, carrots, and grape tomatoes and made platefuls for each of us. Yes, my kids eat raw veggies. Kira has taken a little bit of time to like them but Enzo has loved raw veggies from day one. We all ate our yummy veggies and for a treat for the kids they had unsweetened apple sauce with cinnamon. They gobbled every last bite, except for the tomatoes on Kira's plate. I make her try a half of one each time, but I still put them on her plate in hopes that one day she will like them. They are now napping and hence I am blogging.
The thing I notice is when we eat this way they are regular! If not like clockwork. Kira has always had constipation issues no matter how healthy I think we eat, but lately she has been so regular and happy about it. She used to dread going to the bathroom, who would not be the same way if they are constipated. Bless her little heart.
So today was a great day and I feel so good already. I love how quickly you diet effects you, well I like it how a healthy diet effects you right away.
Tonight I am making my own pesto sauce and putting it on rice noodles with pan roasted grape tomatoes. I will have my Barley-life and big salad then enjoy the pasta. I figured the pasta was fine because she says you can eat brown rice and all the rice pasta is brown rice and water.
Hummus
2 cans Chick-peas drained
1/2 cup tahini
garlic herb salt to taste
extra virgin olive oil
about 1/2 cup water
juice of one lemon
blend in your food processor or blender. I have a Vita-Mix and I use it.
Depending on how thick you want it add more or less olive oil.
Enjoy with fresh veggies
Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Pan Roast two red bell peppers sliced in sections for about ten minutes with a lid on.
Put peppers
juice of one lemon
extra virgin olive oil couple drops at a time
herb salt to taste
in your food processor or blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
You can add some of the red bell pepper sauce to your hummus and blend it for a different hummus. Drizzle the pepper sauce on avocados, salad whatever sounds good.
Enjoy
Monday, February 2, 2009
30 Days of Nothing Revisited
More like 28 days, to be exact. I am going to do this and I really am excited about it. What better time to fast from buying stuff than the shortest month when money will be for sure tight! I think I can do this. The only day that will be hard is the 22nd. We have been planning to go to Disneyland with Eric's cousin and friends. We are going to go to Club 33, since my family has a membership, and there is no better way to go. I have already planned to save extra each week to make up for the cost so that we do not have to put ANYTHING on our credit card! I will definitely have to blog about this more, I will try to daily but we will see. Check out Owlhaven for her 30 Days of Nothing, truly inspiration.
Day 1
Sunday Feb 1, 2009
I did it, I did not buy anything, yeah.
Day 2
Monday Feb 2, 2009
Today
Not hard, Mondays I usually spend at home after running in the morning with my great friend Miss Elyse, what the kids call her. Two down 26 to go!
Day 1
Sunday Feb 1, 2009
I did it, I did not buy anything, yeah.
Day 2
Monday Feb 2, 2009
Today
Not hard, Mondays I usually spend at home after running in the morning with my great friend Miss Elyse, what the kids call her. Two down 26 to go!
Detox
I need it! This last week I had an allergic reaction to something. I went to the E.R. and was prescribed medicine and I hate taking anything but sometimes you have to. I was on Benadryl 50mg every six hours, Pepcid, yes the stuff for acid reflux, twice a day and Prednisone once a day. I was wacky. I gained about five pounds this past week because of the prednisone, crazy huh. So this next week I am going to do a detox in hopes to get everything out of my system.
This is from Mary-Ann Shearer newsletter. I am going to do this starting today. I just have to do something to get out of rut. I will let you know how it is going.
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This is from Mary-Ann Shearer newsletter. I am going to do this starting today. I just have to do something to get out of rut. I will let you know how it is going.
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Drastic detox after the holidays
OK, so you feel like you can never get back on track and your health is lost forever! Here are some tips and guidelines for getting back on track with your health.
1. If you prefer a slower more permanent change then log onto www.100daystohealth.com for a free on line day by day program with recipes and tips and encouragement for 100 days. There is no catch but you will facilitate and aid your progress the most by making sure you have our book “Perfect Health – the natural way”, BarleyLife , Aimega and our organic salts. email info@mary-anns if you need help with this
2. If you have completed the 100 days program, repeating the program helps you get on track, but if you want do to something drastic to make a quick change to turbo boost your health, then follow these guidelines below.
3. Day 1 – 1 day digestive rest
Get up make your self a large glass of freshly extracted wheat grass or barley grass juice. Barley grass juice is at least 2 x more nutritious than wheat grass so you can have less and if you prefer you can use the dried barley grass juices from Aim called barleyLife. (We do as it is cheaper and so much more convenient than making your own!)
Go for a 10 minute walk to the corner and then turn around and walk back to make 20 minutes. Be sure to walk briskly but do not become so tired that you cannot talk or breath comfortably.
10-11am
Another glass of barley grass juice – you may have some fresh or dried carrot and or apple juice with this.
1-2pm repeat the juices above
3.30pm – 5 pm repeat juices
If you can manage, have the juices again for supper and go to bed before 9am and read in bed if you cannot fall asleep.
If you cannot go any further without eating then choose 1 of the following;
Either up to 4 pieces of fresh fruit
OR
A large dinner plate of fresh salad use some organic herb salt and a little olive oil if need be.
Day 2
Get up and have your green juice again (BarleyLife or other green leaves) This time include 4-6 Aimega capsules from Aim (the BarleyLife people) or 1- 2 Tbsp of a flax oil blend
Go for your walk
Make a smoothie when you get back consisting of;
a tight handful of raw nuts like cashews or almonds or seeds per person (sesame seed paste called tahini is also great)
some fresh pineapple or apples or mangoes or pears or a combination
Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries as an option
Add fresh orange or apple juice and or Ceres or Liquifruit mango and Orange/apple juice
Take in a bottle in the car if in a hurry or sit quietly and sip your tall glass (OK you can also do this while you work if you MUST!)
10-11am
Have 1-2 pieces fresh fruit
1-2pm
Have a large plate of fruit salad or fresh vegetable salad. You can just eat a cucumber if you like, but make sure it will fill 1-2 cupped handfuls. (OK so you don’t actually have to fill your hands but it gives you an idea of the quantities that eat person needs to eat)
You can include a small handful of sunflower seeds or raisins with either
3pm 1 glass barley grass (BarleyLife) juice
3.30pm-5pm
1-2 pieces fresh fruit
Dinner
6-7.30pm (do not eat after 8pm)
Repeat as for lunch with either option but now you can include;
1-3 cups of steamed neutral vegetables (see food combining chart at back of Perfect Health book)
Day 3 and 4 repeat
Day 5, 6 and 7 you may include either
1 – 2 baked potatoes or
1-2 cups of brown rice
1-3 sweet corn on the cob
During detox the following are not allowed
Coffee
Tea
Colas
Chocolates or candy
Bread
Pasta
Meat
Chicken
Fish
Dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
Artificial sweeteners or diet drinks
Cigarettes
Refined sugar
After day 7 follow either option 1, 2 or 3 in chapter 4 of Perfect Health as a maintenance program
If this is too drastic for you, log on www.100daystohealth.com and follow a program designed to help you get healthy in your own time.
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