Strike One

So last night I actually took the time to cook dinner. Yesterday morning I had pulled out some pork chops from the freezer so I would have something to cook other than frozen chicken nuggets or frozen pizza. But first I started on the cheesey cabbage. It was a very simple receipe so I thought it should turn out okay. I cooked up the pork chops and simmered them in some Tastefully Simple Sauce and then threw some peas in the microwave. I also set everything on the table for the kids to make their own salad. I barely got dinner started before I heard complaints, mostly from my darling daughter. I don't like pork chops, I don't want cabbage (keep in mind that is what she picked out). As we were about to sit down to eat my son asked if we could eat his red pepper that he had picked out (I love that kid). So I just cut it up instead of making the recipe for that. I cut it in slices then cut it up into little pieces and put a piece on each kid's plates. Ryan ate his right away and said it was just okay. I ate mine expecting to have to wash it down really fast(I was really not looking forward to it but wanted to set a good example). To my surprise it wasn't that bad. Ashley of course refused. She also refused to try her cabbage and didn't want anything to do with her pork chops. Really? Does this have anything to do with the chips and salas you were eating when you came home? She did however eat a lot of peas, which they happen to like anyway and made herself a big salad. I was smiling, until she took two bites and said she was done. Right about now is when I would like to say, fine, I give up. But I am really going to make an effort.

Needless to say, Ashley sat at the table until the dishes were cleared and most were washed. So when we couldn't wait any longer, we told her that she just needed to eat her salad, which she made herself, and the rest of her peas and then we would leave. We had to go to the store for a few things. Dad told her that if she ate those two things we would stop for a treat on the way home. She said she didn't care if she didn't get a treat because she was full.

Off we went to the store and stopped on the way home for our treat. Scott and I just got a shake and Ryan had a sip or two. Then Ashley decided she wanted to try it. Of course we both said no. But all of a sudden she was very upset that she wasn't able to have any. I'm confused. I thought she said she didn't care. I thought she said she was really full. Suddenly she was starving and she really needed something to eat. She was crying and being very dramatic. Imagine that, my daughter being dramatic.But I held firm. No treats for you.

Maybe she will learn? I hope.

Experiment

In my quest to get my kids to eat better I decided to try an experiment. I took the kids to the grocery store with me Sunday morning. That in itself is an experiment. If I left them to do the shopping we would have nothing but soda, oreo's and ice cream in our basket. What does that say about me? Ouch! Anyway, I told the kids that they both had to pick out a vegetable that they have never tried and we would make it at home. Ashley picked out cabbage while Ryan decided to go with a red pepper. Now, I feel that I should be trying these items along with the kids but the thing is, I HATE onions and peppers. I don't feel like I can tell my son that he has to try something but I won't. What kind of example would that be setting?

So, Sunday I just ended up making spaghetti since we had a late dinner. But yesterday at work (during my down time) I did some recipe research. I found one for cabbage that was called cheesy cabbage. It looked pretty easy and sounded kind of good. I mean it called for cream cheese and regular cheese so how could you go wrong with that? In my search for Ryan's red pepper I came across one that didn't sound too bad. It has rice and cheese in it. It looks like a stuffed pepper of some sort.

I was already to try at least one of my finds last night when my husband called me at work to tell me the roofers finally showed up to put our new roof on and that it was just too loud in the house so we would have to go out to dinner. Twist my arm why don't you. Needless to say after a somewhat short trip to the pool we ended up at Red Robin. Although my kids both had mac-n-cheese for dinner they both had fruit to go with it instead of a side of fries. In fact, Ryan ended up with apples and oranges. I was so proud!

Maybe I will try my experiment tonight.

Saturday, Saturday!

It finally happened. I actually got out of bed this morning and went for a run/walk with my sister-in-law. We met at 7:00 am and logged a little over 3 miles. Not bad for getting out on our first outdoor run in a long time. It was a little steamy but not too miserable. We are going to try and do a 10K in September. After I got home the family and I jumped on our bikes and rode up to Starbucks for breakfast. Iced Soy Vanilla Latte, pumpkin scones and oatmeal. I know it wasn't the best breakfast but it was a start. Plus we rode our bikes which added another 3 miles to my total for today. Can you believe it? Over 6 miles logged on my first day. I feel excited and ready to go. Come on excessive heat, let's go!

Lazy Anyone?

Okay, so a friend of mine has been on me about my blog. Rather she keeps making comments about how she keeps checking it and there are not any new posts. So this is for her.

So, I can't even remember the last time that I submitted a post. This is how my life goes. I get all gung ho about something and invest a lot of time into it right away and then I fall off a cliff. I'm not sure why I do this, part of my self sabatoage I guess. Don't get me wrong, I still want to be healthy and have a healthy family but I guess I am just too lazy to do so. Is it too much to ask to be super rich and just hire a personal chef to make all our meals? Oh I would also like to hire a super hot personal trainer to get my butt in shape as well.

So around April of this year I decided to go vegetarian and believe it or not I have actually stuck to it so far. My sister-in-law is veanish and turns me onto some great things I thought I would never do. Like running a 1/2 marathon, going vegetarian and sometimes vegan and blogging. Who knew I had it in me. I have been reading a lot about how horrible animal protein is for our bodies and how we are not really meant to consume it. I have a really good book listing several reason, even some relious ones refering to the bible, if anyone would like to borrow it. Being vegetarian has been pretty easy it is just the vegan part that is a little harder to deal with. I have given up real milk and switched to soy but I just don't think I am quite ready to give up cheese although I have cut back. I have to say that I feel much better since giving up meat. I used to feel really sluggish and would have irritable bowel issues. But now I feel pretty good for the most part.

I just wish I could get my family on board. My husband complains about being overweight (who doesn't) but he doesn't want to change the way he eats. Don't get me wrong, my diet is not that great either but I have made some small changes. Since I am pretty lazy and would rather go out to eat then make something healthy we usually go for something cheap. Which equates to not healthy. But I will say that even though the night before last we went to a burger joint, I did get the veggie burger instead of the regular hamburger but I still had the fries. So maybe one day I will get my act together and start to enjoy making healthy meals for my family. And maybe one day my kids will actually like to eat what I make. And one day maybe I will actually be able to get my big fat butt in gear and start working out again. One day..........