New year, new eating, new life

No, it was not a New Year's Resolution. Just a talk that inspired change.
When we first moved to Charlotte, we moved to the University area, very close to Harrisburg and Concord. We chose primary doctors in Harrisburg (Lawrence) and Concord (me). Anyway, three years ago, we moved to Southeast Charlotte, very close to Matthews.
We never changed doctors.
Not even for the kids.
Checkups, sick visits, everything was up in Concord. For Philly people, imagine going to the doctor near 69th Street when you live in East Oak Lane. Without public transportation.
Yeah.

There was a health fair at Lawrence's job one week, and there was a doctor that was new to the office right up the street from us - one that we were checking out, but was too lazy to go... lol! He visited the new doctor, and thought the place was nice. So I decided to go.

When I made my appointment, Lawrence's doctor wasn't available, so I was given Dr. Hutchings. Okay... whatever. Hopefully he's nice.
Went to the appointment today, and the doctor reminded me of my friend Nicole's husband... it was interesting, and made me feel comfortable - like I knew him for years.
I started talking about how I wanted to lose weight. Dr. Hutchings asked how much I wanted to lose. I gave him a range around 40 more lbs (yes, I'm fat). He asked me what I weighed pre baby weight. I told him. He said I should get down to that. That's a 100lb weight loss.
Now, I was a bone pre-baby. I can't go back to that weight. My skin would drag to the floor! I laughed at him.

We started talking diet. He said I need to eat lean meat, fruit and veggies, and nuts. And if it doesn't rhyme with water, I shouldn't drink it.
He was talking about the Paleo diet. It's drastic. It's different. I'm nervous.
But I know it's doable.

After talking to him for a nice length of time about it, I decided it was what I needed. Something I can do and not feel too deprived - although no bread and no ice cream is scary.
And my COFFEE!!! GASP!!

Fast forward a tiny bit through the day - after talking to a few online people who are already enjoying the diet, I went on Pinterest to get a few ideas. There was a list of foods to eat on the diet. It made me feel much better about it. Lawrence was even pleased (especially since we can eat bacon). I grabbed the list, and we went shopping.

The shopping trip was good. Because we've been trying to eat a little healthier anyway, we didn't have to change much of what we were buying - just didn't buy certain items. The one thing that drove us crazy was passing the bread aisle so many times. It smelled so good! But we resisted.
By the time we got home, it was 9pm, and we were both starving. I didn't take anything out for dinner, so I grabbed a couple of items - some frozen ground turkey, zucchini, and grape tomatoes. I browned the meat, sauteed the tomatoes and zucchini in some garlic and coconut oil. Seasoned it with ginger and basil... and we had dinner! It was rather tasty, if I say so myself.

My first Paleo creation!

One thing I made sure I checked while on Pinterest was desserts and snacks. Lawrence and I love to snack. I know if I fail anywhere, it will be with snacks. I want to make sure it's not a problem, so I'm going to be experimenting with quite a few snack and dessert dishes.
Tonight, I thought I'd try something simple - fried honey bananas recipe from The Crohn's Journey Foundation.
My first batch... not pretty. They tasted good, but I sprinkled cinnamon on while they were in the pan. This is the second batch, and they were MUCH better. They tasted better (not that the other ones were horrible - we ate them).

Fried Honey Bananas

So first night went pretty well. I plan to try and talk about my experiences periodically.
Yes, I know, I know... I'm not one to stay up on my blogs, BUT I think I'll do well with this one for a while. I have something to talk about. It's probably recipes all the time. Talking about the successes and failures. I'm not saying I'm going to blog forever, but at least on and off for a month. Lawrence and I will also update you on our weight loss.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned! 

The beginning of our new journey

I can't swim

Today is National Swim A Lap day. I never learned how to swim.

When I was 5, I went to the neighborhood pool with my aunt and my sister. My sister, who was about seven at the time, decided I needed to get in the water quickly. She picked me up by my waist, and dropped me in 5 feet. Well, you know at five years old you're not tall enough for 5 feet of water. What I remember is staring at the wall... I'm pretty sure I was floating... and then a man grabbing me out of the water by the back of my bathing suit. Amazingly, I held my breath and didn't swallow any water, but I was rather afraid of swimming after that.

When I was about 15, I started working at a camp, and we went to the pool almost every day. I then learned how to hold my breath longer, and I learned how to float. I was even able to move a little - although I wouldn't call it swimming. Thought I was doing well. Problems started, though. As I got older, I had trouble holding my breath, and even had issues with being chest deep in cold water. Lawrence has tried several times to teach me, but it's been useless. I just can't swim. 

I am happy that most of my kids can swim. Two out of the five have a fear of the water but the other 3 love it. I don't even like the water too much anymore... 

Anyway, Can you swim? If so, go out and swim a lap or two. If not.... take a class!

 Tomorrow is National Log Cabin Day and National Catfish Day. Yum!