I want to have good sleeping habits so a) I can live a better, more rested and happy life; and b) so I'll fit in with everyone else's sleeping habits.
Telling people that I have four kids, and we wake up at 9 in the morning (or later), usually gets a reaction of some sort, whether it's surprise or envy or ... something else.
Getting to the library for 10 am is hard for us. And if we want to participate in programs, we have to get up early and rush around to get ready.
Sometimes, morning play dates don't work well because by the time we've all eaten breakfast -- and I'm always last -- it's almost lunchtime. And by then our friends need to be at home, eating their lunch, while we're still full from our late breakfast and ready to start some activities.
Our differences make me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Since we're not the same as everyone else, I think maybe I'd better "buckle down" and "get on the ball."
But seriously, no one in my family is either a) in danger; b) unhappy; or c) deprived. We're just good sleepers. We take our time in the morning. We gradually ease into our day instead of jumping in with both feet.
At least, I do, and the kids tolerate that.
Is there really anything wrong with that? I wonder.
Having said that, I have been appreciating the benefits of an earlier bedtime. It's nice to open my eyes in the morning and think coherent thoughts. Granted, I still require at least one cup to reach full coherency levels, but while my brain is percolating with the coffee, I'm enjoying an extra hour of spring sunshine coming in the through my tall kitchen windows.
In between filling cups with milk, of course. And hunting through the cupboards for more applesauce.
I guess we all, as mothers, are terrified that our particular quirks may ruin our children for life. This may just be another one of mine to add to the list of potential reasons for future therapy.
In the meantime, I may as well use the motherguilt for good instead of evil, and let my wondering spur me on to become a little more disciplined. A little discipline never hurt anyone, did it? And neither did a little extra sleep.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I Missed My Bedtime! (AKA The Energy Project, Day 2)
Commitment to blog daily + Arriving home late from financial course = Failure to meet my first goal of Going To Bed At A Reasonable Hour.
I managed to get to bed by 11pm last night, though, and it was great. I woke up much more easily this morning than usual. Sheesh! If just changing my bedtime was all it took, why did I wait this long to do it?
I'd like to write more on the subject tonight, but my brain is already shutting down, and I fear the content would, well, suck. So I'll put us all of our misery and end now. Goodnight!
I managed to get to bed by 11pm last night, though, and it was great. I woke up much more easily this morning than usual. Sheesh! If just changing my bedtime was all it took, why did I wait this long to do it?
I'd like to write more on the subject tonight, but my brain is already shutting down, and I fear the content would, well, suck. So I'll put us all of our misery and end now. Goodnight!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Energy Project, Day 1
Something I've always struggled with is my daily schedule. I can't seem to consistently get to bed at a decent hour, like when I'm actually sleepy -- I seem to stay up past my natural tiredness point and then go to bed once it's passed, only to lay there trying not to toss and turn while all the things I thought I wasn't worried about start playing through my head. Then, of course, when morning comes and my kids come into my room, all perky and wide-eyed awake, I groan and send them away to play quietly while I try to wake up.
There's something wrong with this picture.
On top of my bedtime and morning-time problems, my energy level throughout the day is really quite pathetic. So far, I've been relying on coffee to bring it up to what I consider "normal," but the caffeine boost is becoming inadequate. And, I have a nagging feeling that there must be a healthier way for me to feel energized and motivated. But what is it?
I recently received a mailer full of doctors' testimonies touting the benefits of chlorella, a whole-food green algae in pill form which promises to cleanse out toxins while providing needed nutrients and fibre, thus increasing energy levels and youthfulness and even skin radiance. I have to admit, I'm curious. Could this algae be the solution to my coffee problem? Could it bring balance to my body and clarity to my overly caffeinated brain? Because let me tell you, when the caffeine levels drop around supper time and I'm feeling hungry to boot, my brain enters a super-foggy state of indecision and grouchiness, and I'm completely and totally physically exhausted until the kids are in bed.
(Because, of course, everyone knows that if you drink coffee after 4pm, you won't get to sleep at night, so I stop drinking it then. But does everyone also know that if I stop drinking coffee at any point, I lose all rational abilities and the will to walk around without napping?)
Even now, I've had four cups of coffee (a modest amount for some, an exorbitant amount for others), and it's not enough. I feel that fuzzy feeling coming on, but it's after 4:30 pm and I need to decide what to make for supper. The collective energy level in my house is about to increase, and I have no reserves left to meet the challenge. So do I brew some more coffee? Or do I place an order for little green pills?
I believe there's a better plan for my life. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it's about time I find out.
And, because this whole energy-level/proper-sleeping-habits thing has been such a habitual struggle for me, I plan to keep myself accountable to change by writing about it every day.
Let me just say, for the record, "Ack!"
Here are my goals:
I will figure out how to have a healthy, consistent bedtime, WHEN I'M TIRED. (Maybe a nice, peaceful unwinding routine will help. Something tells me the tv will NOT be a part of this.)
I will learn how to wake up in the morning like a normal adult.
I will find a healthy way to have energy throughout my day without relying so heavily on caffeine. (Will this include a diet change, a trip to a naturopath, or green algae? I'm as interested to find out as you are.)
There are many other related goals I could add to this list, like formulating a daily schedule, weekly meal plans, and all those other things organized, energetic people do, but I'm not into self-torture. I think three baby steps are a good first start, don't you?
There's something wrong with this picture.
On top of my bedtime and morning-time problems, my energy level throughout the day is really quite pathetic. So far, I've been relying on coffee to bring it up to what I consider "normal," but the caffeine boost is becoming inadequate. And, I have a nagging feeling that there must be a healthier way for me to feel energized and motivated. But what is it?
I recently received a mailer full of doctors' testimonies touting the benefits of chlorella, a whole-food green algae in pill form which promises to cleanse out toxins while providing needed nutrients and fibre, thus increasing energy levels and youthfulness and even skin radiance. I have to admit, I'm curious. Could this algae be the solution to my coffee problem? Could it bring balance to my body and clarity to my overly caffeinated brain? Because let me tell you, when the caffeine levels drop around supper time and I'm feeling hungry to boot, my brain enters a super-foggy state of indecision and grouchiness, and I'm completely and totally physically exhausted until the kids are in bed.
(Because, of course, everyone knows that if you drink coffee after 4pm, you won't get to sleep at night, so I stop drinking it then. But does everyone also know that if I stop drinking coffee at any point, I lose all rational abilities and the will to walk around without napping?)
Even now, I've had four cups of coffee (a modest amount for some, an exorbitant amount for others), and it's not enough. I feel that fuzzy feeling coming on, but it's after 4:30 pm and I need to decide what to make for supper. The collective energy level in my house is about to increase, and I have no reserves left to meet the challenge. So do I brew some more coffee? Or do I place an order for little green pills?
I believe there's a better plan for my life. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it's about time I find out.
And, because this whole energy-level/proper-sleeping-habits thing has been such a habitual struggle for me, I plan to keep myself accountable to change by writing about it every day.
Let me just say, for the record, "Ack!"
Here are my goals:
I will figure out how to have a healthy, consistent bedtime, WHEN I'M TIRED. (Maybe a nice, peaceful unwinding routine will help. Something tells me the tv will NOT be a part of this.)
I will learn how to wake up in the morning like a normal adult.
I will find a healthy way to have energy throughout my day without relying so heavily on caffeine. (Will this include a diet change, a trip to a naturopath, or green algae? I'm as interested to find out as you are.)
There are many other related goals I could add to this list, like formulating a daily schedule, weekly meal plans, and all those other things organized, energetic people do, but I'm not into self-torture. I think three baby steps are a good first start, don't you?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sugar-Free Christmas Baking Recipe
Well, I was quite frustrated this Christmas, as I mentioned in a previous post. I gave up on even thinking of baking a variation on sugar cookies, I didn't attempt gingerbread, and I just went ahead and made the truffles like always, complete with sugary coating. (But they're a favourite of friends and family alike, and I just couldn't disappoint them! To make up for my indiscretion, I only ate 3 over the entire course of the holidays. Not bad, eh?)
But... drum roll, please: I came up with a crazy variation of shortbread that doesn't really taste much like shortbread at all, but was quite delicious in its own right. Here's the recipe. I shall call it:
Christmas-Spice Buttery-Goodness Cookies
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. poudre douce spice (or a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
Cream butter in a mixer until fluffy. Gradually add in honey until nicely combined. (Honey and butter make a bit of a weird, lumpy texture instead of a smooth sugary texture. Not sure what's up with that, but it still tastes good.)
Add in the dry ingredients and mix until blended and a nice dough forms.
This dough will flatten and spread all over the pan if you try to make little cookies. (Kind of yummy, but not what I was going for. If you decide you want very thin, crispy cookies, place them really far apart on the pan and bake them just until they're golden, which isn't really long. Maybe 5-7 minutes?) I was going for a thicker, Scotch-shortbread texture, so I spread the dough in a spring-form pan (a shortbread mold would be nicer, I think, but I don't have one yet), poked it with a fork in a pretty pattern, "cut" the dough with a knife into little wedges so it'd break apart easily after it was baked, and then I baked it at 325 F until it was lightly browned all over.
Sorry I don't have proper baking times! I tend to bake by smell -- when it starts to smell great, I peek in at it, then it's usually a couple more minutes until it's nicely browned and done-looking.
Feel free to experiment with the spices -- I bet some cardamom would be a nice addition. Also, I tried about a tsp. of cornstarch in one batch to see if it'd make the dough crispier, but it was hard to tell with the spring form pan. And don't skimp on the butter!! That's what makes these cookies taste vaguely like shortbread. :)
Let me know if you come up with any delicious variations, okay?
Another strategy I discovered for sugar-free holidays was baking spicy nut mixes! Obviously, this won't work if you or your family are allergic, since a trip to the emergency room isn't really very festive, but if you've got the all-clear, a spicy nut mix is just the right thing for a tasty Christmas snack. (Why is special food such a big part of a holiday that celebrates a labour without a mid-wife in a cave full of animals? I wish I knew.)
Anyway, here's my recipe for the nut mix:
4 cups or so of Shreddies (or equivalent, like the PC version) cereal
A big (1 kg), yummy bag of nuts, like pecans. (Be generous -- the more nuts, the more special and yummy the recipe. Pick your favourite kind and treat yourself.)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp. - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, or a combination of the two (depending on how sweet you want it. I prefer it with less sweet and more salty.)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
salt
Preheat the oven to 325 F and cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, nuts, and cranberries.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the honey and spices. Let it get all bubbly, then take it off the heat and whisk in the baking soda. It'll get all foamy and light, and that's when you pour it over the nut mixture. Mix it all up and coat everything nicely. Pour the mixture onto the two baking sheets and spread it all out in an even layer.
Bake until it starts to turn golden, just about 5 minutes.
Once the pans are out of the oven, sprinkle the nut mixture lightly with salt (optional), and stir everything around. Let it cool down on the pan, then store it in an airtight container, preferably glass. (It's better for you, and it doesn't lend a plastic-y taste to the food.)
There! I know it's a little late to be giving out Christmas recipes, but maybe these will help all of us be more prepared next year -- so you won't be scrambling to come up with sugar-free Christmas baking at the last minute, like I was!
But... drum roll, please: I came up with a crazy variation of shortbread that doesn't really taste much like shortbread at all, but was quite delicious in its own right. Here's the recipe. I shall call it:
Christmas-Spice Buttery-Goodness Cookies
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. poudre douce spice (or a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
Cream butter in a mixer until fluffy. Gradually add in honey until nicely combined. (Honey and butter make a bit of a weird, lumpy texture instead of a smooth sugary texture. Not sure what's up with that, but it still tastes good.)
Add in the dry ingredients and mix until blended and a nice dough forms.
This dough will flatten and spread all over the pan if you try to make little cookies. (Kind of yummy, but not what I was going for. If you decide you want very thin, crispy cookies, place them really far apart on the pan and bake them just until they're golden, which isn't really long. Maybe 5-7 minutes?) I was going for a thicker, Scotch-shortbread texture, so I spread the dough in a spring-form pan (a shortbread mold would be nicer, I think, but I don't have one yet), poked it with a fork in a pretty pattern, "cut" the dough with a knife into little wedges so it'd break apart easily after it was baked, and then I baked it at 325 F until it was lightly browned all over.
Sorry I don't have proper baking times! I tend to bake by smell -- when it starts to smell great, I peek in at it, then it's usually a couple more minutes until it's nicely browned and done-looking.
Feel free to experiment with the spices -- I bet some cardamom would be a nice addition. Also, I tried about a tsp. of cornstarch in one batch to see if it'd make the dough crispier, but it was hard to tell with the spring form pan. And don't skimp on the butter!! That's what makes these cookies taste vaguely like shortbread. :)
Let me know if you come up with any delicious variations, okay?
Another strategy I discovered for sugar-free holidays was baking spicy nut mixes! Obviously, this won't work if you or your family are allergic, since a trip to the emergency room isn't really very festive, but if you've got the all-clear, a spicy nut mix is just the right thing for a tasty Christmas snack. (Why is special food such a big part of a holiday that celebrates a labour without a mid-wife in a cave full of animals? I wish I knew.)
Anyway, here's my recipe for the nut mix:
4 cups or so of Shreddies (or equivalent, like the PC version) cereal
A big (1 kg), yummy bag of nuts, like pecans. (Be generous -- the more nuts, the more special and yummy the recipe. Pick your favourite kind and treat yourself.)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp. - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, or a combination of the two (depending on how sweet you want it. I prefer it with less sweet and more salty.)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
salt
Preheat the oven to 325 F and cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, nuts, and cranberries.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the honey and spices. Let it get all bubbly, then take it off the heat and whisk in the baking soda. It'll get all foamy and light, and that's when you pour it over the nut mixture. Mix it all up and coat everything nicely. Pour the mixture onto the two baking sheets and spread it all out in an even layer.
Bake until it starts to turn golden, just about 5 minutes.
Once the pans are out of the oven, sprinkle the nut mixture lightly with salt (optional), and stir everything around. Let it cool down on the pan, then store it in an airtight container, preferably glass. (It's better for you, and it doesn't lend a plastic-y taste to the food.)
There! I know it's a little late to be giving out Christmas recipes, but maybe these will help all of us be more prepared next year -- so you won't be scrambling to come up with sugar-free Christmas baking at the last minute, like I was!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sugar-free, Delicious Christmas Baking -- Pure Fantasy?
Christmas baking is so hard now that I don't eat sugar! I'm still early on in my experimenting process, but so far the shortbread cookies made with whole wheat pastry flour and honey have NOT been exactly the same as their white-flour-and-white-sugar counterpart. Well, to be more specific, my taste buds were quite happy with their still-buttery goodness, but my mom was less than impressed by their new, healthier personality. Oh, and the lack of icing sugar made them spread out really, really thin, too. They were almost completely unrecognizable as good old Scottish shortbread.
Sigh.
But, I will press on! If there's one thing I've learned over the past week, even, it's that sugar and I do NOT mix well at all any more. If I want to have a "happy holiday," as they say, I'd do well to keep it out of my holiday baking.
Anyone who leaves any tips or recipes will be loved forever and ever...
Sigh.
But, I will press on! If there's one thing I've learned over the past week, even, it's that sugar and I do NOT mix well at all any more. If I want to have a "happy holiday," as they say, I'd do well to keep it out of my holiday baking.
Anyone who leaves any tips or recipes will be loved forever and ever...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Confessions of a Skinny Glutton, Part One
I've been thinking lately about food. For some reason, every time the weather turns cooler, I get strong urges to bake things. Pies, cookies, breads -- anything with cinnamon in it.
So, this last weekend, I baked some pies. I'd never really baked pies much before, and I struggled like crazy with some of the pastry, but the apple pies smelled so good and made me feel so cozy. (It helped that it was a cool, rainy fall day. I also did some knitting that day.)
But then... I ate some pie. And it was so delicious! I took two pies to my mom's place, and you should have seen the shocked look on her face. It was great.
However, that afternoon, after eating chips and hamburgers for lunch, with two small pieces of pie for dessert, I felt like I was going to throw up. My whole body was in rebellion from all that sugar and fat and salt. And I thought to myself, "This is how I used to eat all the time. And I used to feel like this, too. But I thought it was normal."
Now, I know better.
The funny thing is, I used to be a skinny glutton (and I still am, deep down inside). I thought that since I was the right size, I could eat whatever I wanted. So, I ate things that were delicious, and I usually ate far past the moment I was full, just because I wanted more of the lovely taste in my mouth.
Then, I got pregnant. The rules of weight gain change when you are pregnant.
Then, I got pregnant again. And again. With twins.
Yes, I had four kids in short succession. And then, after the twins were born, I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself anymore. I had put on more and more weight with each pregnancy, and it wasn't just falling off anymore with the breastfeeding. And, silly me, I had no idea how to lose that weight.
So what did I do? Actually, I joined my local Weight Watchers. I realized that I was eating all the wrong foods, at all the wrong times and in all the wrong ways. I ate hardly any fresh vegetables (I had two toddlers and two babies, remember?), I forgot to eat, and then I binge-ate whatever I could find because I was about to pass out. Oh yeah, and I drank a lot of coffee.
I still do drink a lot of coffee, but my other eating habits have changed drastically. But more than that, my attitude towards food has changed. For me, that has been the key to weight loss as well as better health. I no longer think the way the skinny high-school me used to think (thank goodness), and I don't take my health -- or my figure -- for granted any more.
Stay tuned for the next post to find out what changed in my head as well as in my recipes.
So, this last weekend, I baked some pies. I'd never really baked pies much before, and I struggled like crazy with some of the pastry, but the apple pies smelled so good and made me feel so cozy. (It helped that it was a cool, rainy fall day. I also did some knitting that day.)
But then... I ate some pie. And it was so delicious! I took two pies to my mom's place, and you should have seen the shocked look on her face. It was great.
However, that afternoon, after eating chips and hamburgers for lunch, with two small pieces of pie for dessert, I felt like I was going to throw up. My whole body was in rebellion from all that sugar and fat and salt. And I thought to myself, "This is how I used to eat all the time. And I used to feel like this, too. But I thought it was normal."
Now, I know better.
The funny thing is, I used to be a skinny glutton (and I still am, deep down inside). I thought that since I was the right size, I could eat whatever I wanted. So, I ate things that were delicious, and I usually ate far past the moment I was full, just because I wanted more of the lovely taste in my mouth.
Then, I got pregnant. The rules of weight gain change when you are pregnant.
Then, I got pregnant again. And again. With twins.
Yes, I had four kids in short succession. And then, after the twins were born, I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself anymore. I had put on more and more weight with each pregnancy, and it wasn't just falling off anymore with the breastfeeding. And, silly me, I had no idea how to lose that weight.
So what did I do? Actually, I joined my local Weight Watchers. I realized that I was eating all the wrong foods, at all the wrong times and in all the wrong ways. I ate hardly any fresh vegetables (I had two toddlers and two babies, remember?), I forgot to eat, and then I binge-ate whatever I could find because I was about to pass out. Oh yeah, and I drank a lot of coffee.
I still do drink a lot of coffee, but my other eating habits have changed drastically. But more than that, my attitude towards food has changed. For me, that has been the key to weight loss as well as better health. I no longer think the way the skinny high-school me used to think (thank goodness), and I don't take my health -- or my figure -- for granted any more.
Stay tuned for the next post to find out what changed in my head as well as in my recipes.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Carbon Footprints and Skateboard Handbags
Well, I seem to be suffering from writer's block. But I'll plug on ahead, anyway. Forgive me if the topics are muddled.
I've been wondering lately about global warming. Is it really, legitimately a bad thing? Isn't carbon dioxide really good for plant growth? I'm skeptical, and I find it so hard to sort through all the information out there. Plus, wikipedia basically says that "most credible scientists" are on-board. Translation: If you don't believe in global warming, you're an idiot. Well, scientists have been wrong before... and they seem to suffer from mass pressure to back the "in" research.
And I believe in reading the research and deciding for myself.
But the research fades and hides behind layers of websites toting carbon offsetting and the like, as if everyone who's anyone already knows what's going on and, of course, agrees. But how am I to agree when I can't find the basic data? More mining to do, I guess. If there are any great researchers out there who don't have four kids and a house to take care of, let me know. :)
Aside from my personal global-warming crisis, I found the most wonderful website today! I was reading my latest copy of Alive magazine and came across a picture of a clutch purse made out of an old skateboard. Intrigued, I walked my cup of coffee over to the computer and typed in the web address.
Jackpot!
As you'll see to the right side of my page, I even added a link to -- music, please! -- the wonderful fantasy land filled with beautiful and weird bags (have I mentioned I love bags?) made out of candy wrappers, cd's, chopsticks, and even juice boxes. Brilliant, creative, and recycled!
All in all, it was a good day.
I've been wondering lately about global warming. Is it really, legitimately a bad thing? Isn't carbon dioxide really good for plant growth? I'm skeptical, and I find it so hard to sort through all the information out there. Plus, wikipedia basically says that "most credible scientists" are on-board. Translation: If you don't believe in global warming, you're an idiot. Well, scientists have been wrong before... and they seem to suffer from mass pressure to back the "in" research.
And I believe in reading the research and deciding for myself.
But the research fades and hides behind layers of websites toting carbon offsetting and the like, as if everyone who's anyone already knows what's going on and, of course, agrees. But how am I to agree when I can't find the basic data? More mining to do, I guess. If there are any great researchers out there who don't have four kids and a house to take care of, let me know. :)
Aside from my personal global-warming crisis, I found the most wonderful website today! I was reading my latest copy of Alive magazine and came across a picture of a clutch purse made out of an old skateboard. Intrigued, I walked my cup of coffee over to the computer and typed in the web address.
Jackpot!
As you'll see to the right side of my page, I even added a link to -- music, please! -- the wonderful fantasy land filled with beautiful and weird bags (have I mentioned I love bags?) made out of candy wrappers, cd's, chopsticks, and even juice boxes. Brilliant, creative, and recycled!
All in all, it was a good day.
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