Educating Ella

Happy New Year! I haven't blogged for a bit. Not that I didn't have anything to say, just nothing interesting to say. BUT - E and I have embarked on a little project this year so I will be updating this blog with our progress. Here's what we're doing...

So, as a science teacher I like to end some topics with a movie. Not a documentary always, though my students love those, but an actual movie movie with real actors :)  So I searched and searched for a movie for the end of our bird unit. As we were leading up to winter break I wanted something fun. I came across the movie "The Big Year". Starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. I had little to low expectations of the movie. So did some of my students.  The premise is three avid birders competing to see who can count the most bird species in one year. These guys are maniacal in their search. One loses his family due to his birding, one gains perspective on what's important in life, the other strengthens his relationship with his father. And we learn a little about birds.                                                  

                                                                        

So, I ended up loving this movie. We learned about birding and life. It was awesome. The students really enjoyed it. The highest compliment;  "This is a lot better than I thought it would be." I ended up buying the video.

 I also watched it with Ella at home. She loved it too and we decided that birdwatching might be kind of fun. We decided to have a mini big year of our own. We started yesterday, January 1st, 2015. 

I decided our big year needed a big hat.

                                                                     

We started to traveling to a friends to pick up a pair of binoculars. I can't find mine. Bad way to start. We started our count right out the door. 

                         1. 3 American Crows crossing Roosevelt St.

                         2. 1 Chickadee singing in the friends pine tree - identified by Ella

                         3. 1 Nuthatch at friend's feeder.

On our way to our designated spot.

                        4. A Pileated Woodpecker flying along Main street.

We finally landed in our chosen spot - the bridge over the St. Croix River in Prescott, WI. This is where the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers meet and is a serious flyway for many species. This is what we saw:

                       5. Hundreds of Buffleheads

                       6. 3 Trumpeter Swans

                       7. Lots of Canadian Geese

                       8. 2 Bald Eagles

                       9. 2 Red Tailed Hawks. We named them Lennie and Margaret. Because, why not?

                                      

The smaller dots in the background are the Buffleheads. Here's a google image so you get a better idea:

                                                          

We really wanted to get ten species our first day out. We decided to keep our eyes peeled for some turkeys on the way home. We didn't see any but we got our number ten.

                  10. 3 Common Grackles. Sad.

But our day has lead to where we go next, what types of landscapes we need to visit and some specific spots we should try. We are both still trying to decide what bird we really want to see. I'm a fan of any owl, Ella just likes the adventure. She has already declared that she will be the best birding partner and that when she gets older she wants to go on a real Big Year and I should start saving up to finance her. Right. 

So, if you have a spot you think we should try, an active bird feeder or just want along for the ride to wherever we go next let me know. But you should know, If there was a word to describe incompetent amateur, that would be our motto.

As an added incentive - all adventures end with a cocktail for mom. Yesterday was a bloody mary. Not interested in birding but interested in cocktails? You can be the scouting party for the mom cocktail. 

Eureka!

Finally, I may have this new food lifestyle down. For once I was not disappointed when I stepped on the scale this morning. We may have turned a corner. And yes, I did eat ice cream yesterday. We have a houseful of it due to my daughters mouth surgery and generous friends.

So, first was no wheat no sweets. Now it's been portion control. Making better choices has started to become easier and the voice inside my head that says "go ahead, you deserve it" has now started to shut up. Have I had wheat or sweets lately? Yes. Everyday? No. There has to be exceptions or I fear I will not survive. National S'mores Day and surgery were the exceptions. Num!

The other evening I asked my daughter to weigh herself the next morning. I told her I was curious to see if my giving up sweets had affected her at all. She would usually join me in my after dinner treat. So she agreed. Now before you get all upset about my kid being concerned about her weight - don't. She weighs herself because she's curious. She doesn't fret about what the numbers on the scale tell her. It's more like she's watching herself grow up. So, she did weigh herself (I had actually forgotten I asked) and as a result of ME giving up sweets she has lost weight. We thought it was kinda funny.

So, entertaining has also taken a new twist - on Sunday for my S'mores party I wanted to make sure I served food I could actually eat. Veggies and dip, easy. One of my favorite summer apps is cucumber, cream cheese mixed with italian dressing on rye bread. Instead of the rye bread I scooped out a little of the cucumber and put the cream cheese mixture in the cucumber. I didn't even miss the bread. My favorite, though, was the zucchini pizzas. We all have an abundance of zucchinis right now. Either in our own gardens or the neighbors. So I sliced the zucchini, and roasted the slices with garlic grapeseed oil in the oven. I think when I make them again I will fry them in the oil instead so the zucchini stay firmer. I then topped them with cut-up grape tomatoes mixed with wildtree's hearty spaghetti mix (any italian seasoning should work) and fresh basil. Over that, some mozzarella - under the broiler until the cheese melts - delicious!

Easier

Okay,  still working on the whole change in diet/attitude towards food. The good news is I have been giving up bread and sweets for almost 3 weeks now. The better news is I no longer crave either. The best news is the pounds are starting to drop off.

I won't lie - there have been a couple of cheats. But that's okay, because I've jumped right back into choosing no bread/sweets. I'm also wrapping my brain around the idea that this has to be a permanent change.

Now I am starting to challenge myself more at the gym. Lift heavy or go home :) My goal is a 220# deadlift. Only because it scares my students to think I can lift that much. Hey, it's called classroom management.

One thing I discovered - paleo lasagna is delish. Use thin strips of zucchini instead of noodles. You won't miss the noodles at all.

I'm also going to attempt to make my own soap this week. Could be interesting. Wish me luck.

Errgh!

Well, if you're looking for a weight loss update then you're in for a disappointment. Because that's what I get every time I step on the scale. Obviously the scale is not my friend.

So instead I am going to update you on 2 revelations I have had today:

1. Early this morning I watched 2 videos. Colbie Caillat's "Try" and John Legend's "You and Me"

You can watch them here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoZLPSw8U8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3bc9lS3rg

Both are videos about women being beautiful no matter what shape, size, color, scar, hairstyle etc.  I thought that maybe it's time women quit being so hard on themselves and I thought about why I was so desperate to lose weight - and it was an easy answer, I would like to fall in love again. I then realized that no one else is going to love me unless I love myself. It's time for me to not worry about the numbers on the scale and worry about how I feel about myself and how I treat the people around me every day.

By the way John Legend - you're video losses some of the effect of your message when you walk off with your supermodel wife from your giant walk in closet at the end. Just Sayin'.

2. This afternoon I realized that it has been a long time since I craved a sweet after dinner. I am notorious for grabbing a handful of whatever after eating. I can't remember the last time I had the need or grabbed the chocolate. And that makes me feel good about the changes I'm trying to make.

So next up - the Today Show has issued a detox challenge for the month of August. I'm trying to figure out what else I can give up. I keep thinking alcohol - but I don't hate myself that much!

So, I've been told to update my blog. I looked and see it's been about a year! I've thought about updating but frankly nothing exciting has been happening around here. BUT, today, my 3 faithful readers, I invite you on my latest journey. This journey is about 35 years overdue. But here we go.

Many people know that I started crossfit about 2 years ago. I like that I feel stronger, my joints are looser and that my newfound strength scares my students a little bit. :) BUT, where's the weight loss? So far I've put on 20 pounds doing crossfit. Because my pants fit the same I know that it's muscle weight - still, I need to see the scale needle go the other way.

So, after countless documentaries, readings, tryings etc... I am going to start changing the way I eat. I watched my latest documentary last night and he said "I used to think that it was 80% exercise and 20% diet. Now I think it's opposite." I think he's right.

So, in this blog I will be keeping you updated on what I learn, how I feel and a little about what I'm eating. To start I will be "giving up" wheat and sugar. I put giving up in quotes because there's always room for a cheat day. I think if I give up what I love completely I'm setting myself up to fail.

If you're interested in seeing where I'm coming from then here is a list of my favorite documentaries, some I have watched more than once:
                                 
                           Hungry For Change
                           Cereal Killers (Ella and I watched this last night)
                           Food INC
                           Food Matters
                           Fat Head

I also watched "Forks Over Knives" and "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead". They were good but not as life changing, maybe, as the others. If you only watch one I would highly recommend "Hungry for Change" Most of these are available on Netflix.

So far I have given up pop, added protein shakes and chia, and am starting to look for a good source of grass-fed beef.

I have 2 paleo cookbooks on the way from Amazon (not planning on full paleo) and a goal of 50 pounds down. Wish me luck!

Economical

Holy Cow! It's been a long time since I've posted. Sorry about that. I have been busy finishing a college degree - which means more student loans - which means me trying to save money and cut corners. There are a few things I have done to save money that I feel I will stick with even should I win the lottery. They just make sense. So I thought I would share some of my favorite do-it-herself recipes with you.


Laundry Detergent

Even before student loans I really hated spending money on laundry detergent. That stuff is expensive! One day a fellow science teacher handed me a recipe for liquid laundry soap. It was okay but a bit of a pain to make. After I discovered pinterest I found the following recipe that I love:

      1 (4lb 12 oz) box of Borax
      1 (3lb 7oz) box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda - I usually find this at Ace Hardware
      1 (3lb) container of Oxyclean - optional but highly recommended
      2 bars of either Zote Soap or Fels Naptha - found easily in grocery stores or hardware stores
      1 (4lb) box Arm & Hammer baking soda - yep, they make them that big!
      1 bottle of Purex Crystals or Scentsy washer whiffs

Use a cheese grater on the bars of soap - the most time consuming part of the project. Mix it up with the rest of the ingredients. I use a giant bowl but a bucket would also be a good choice. After all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed put in any type of receptacle. I bought a giant glass jar and lid from Shopko. It makes me feel very Martha Stewart.

I made my last batch in January - it's now July and I still have a ways to go!

Body Scrub

I love body scrub - but I found myself not using very much to make the pricey stuff I like last longer. Well that's no fun!  So I concocted my own recipe. Billy loved it - I love it and now Ella begs me to make it for her. Make it fresh before your shower:

                            Sugar -  how much? - depends on how much scrubbing you want to do!
                            Olive oil - add to the sugar until slightly moistened. About 2-3 Tablespoons.
                            Moisten the rest with your favorite body wash - I prefer Dr. Bronner's
                                   Make sure it it just moistened - too much liquid and it's not a scrub anymore

Scrub away - yep, that's it. Sometimes I add some fresh squeezed lemon. It's great for your skin.


I'm thinking about experimenting with dishwasher detergent and fabric softener next. I'll let you know how that works out...

Erin's Favorite Things

Well, I know I haven't updated this blog in awhile, and for that I am sorry. It was a bit busy the last two months with the holidays. We had a blast seeing family and friends from near and far. One of my favorite traditions during the holidays is annual showing of "The Sound of Music". One of my favorites. It never get's old.

I like when Maria sings about her favorite things. I have a lot of favorite things. The problem is I have champagne taste on a beer (a cheap beer) budget. But when all the bills are paid, and the kid is clothed and fed, I like to treat us to a little something that makes life fun.

So, now, in a new year I want to tell you about a few of my favorite things I bought, gave or did last year. Hopefully if you're looking for something new in your life I can give you some ideas.

1. The Lodge at Grand Canyon - I would go back here in a heartbeat. It's on the north rim of the the Grand Canyon and if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation I highly recommend it. We stayed in an adorable little log cabin. Ella says "one of the best mother/daughter experiences was when we sat on the edge and looked down at the beauteous Grand Canyon"

2. Crossfit - Anyone that knows me well, knows how much I hate to exercise. Many years ago I was introduced to crossfit by friends Nell and Jeep. I guess I wasn't quite ready for it because I stopped going after a few months. Somehow, this past July, I got sucked back in. I have been going to the gym 3-4 nights a week since then to do these quick - hard - but with results torture sessions. We're trying to get Ella into crossfit kids but the 6 minute workouts seem to be too much for her ;)

3. Toad Hollow -  A lovely little sparkling white wine that I find delicious. Sure, I'd prefer some Veuve Clicquot, but again, cheap beer budget. Last year I took some to New Year's Eve and now several friends enjoy it too. I asked the liquor store to carry it last spring. As I was in there the other day picking it up for this New Year's the lady told me "People say this is pretty good" yeah, you're welcome lady liquor store owner. It retails for around $15.99

4. Lush - Ella wanted to take this one over, but I'll toss my opinion out first. Love. I saw a blurb on this store on Kare 11. I started some research. Since this year I have really started to watch what I put on my skin I was happy to see that Lush is completely organic (I'm already a faithful user of Aveda and Origins). I'm not a fan of weird chemicals all over my body. I told Ella to get me something from there for Christmas. She did. I love. We ended up getting friends gift's there too - there was something for everyone. My favorite item is their ultrabalm. Thank's to crossfit I have callousy man hands. It really helps soften those up. Now here's Ella - Well, my personal favorite is "fun". It's an awesome molding shampoo and soap. As you take your bath you can mold it into any shape you want and all the people that work there are really nice. And I love the bath bombs. They smell very nice and turn my bathwater pink.

5. Knoke's - A cute little candy shop that happens to make some fabulous truffles. It's located in Hudson, WI and I love a little treat from there now and again. The best chocolates I have ever consumed were when I was in Belgium, but these come in a close second.

6. 1448 California Red Table Wine - Again, beer budget, but I also happen to have a friend in the wine business. Occasionally I receive a bottle of this gem from him and man is it delicious. If you like a strong red with your red meat and/or chocolate then this is the one for you. I don't know where you find it or how much it costs - but if you run across it you might want to pick it up.

So my friends, it is my wish that you have a year filled with favorites. Here's to enjoying the little things in life.