Paying Attention

Today I set out to walk 20 miles.  The AWBC is only 2 weeks away, and you need to rest the last week, so this was my opportunity to really push myself.

I had breakfast, got dressed in my favorite wicking yoga pants and socks, put on my AWBC tee and stretched.  I got my water and my fanny pack (yup, I said it...) and had Sam & Gregg drop me off at the forest preserve at 8 am.

It was HOT.  Already 80 degrees at 8 am with high humidity.  But I was committed.  The first 10 were no problem.  Piece of cake.  I stopped for lunch (Gregg brought a picnic) and some Sam lovin'.  1/2 hour later, I was ready  to go again.

Okay, a bit more difficult this time.  It had climbed up to 90 degrees and this portion of the trail didn't have as much shade.  I was trying to stay hydrated but after a while (mile 15) realized I had stopped sweating and it was getting difficult to breath.  Then I started getting dizzy.  I sat down on a log and realized I was getting dehydrated and showing early signs of heat exhaustion.
In the past, I've had ice-baths, IVs and ER visits for heat exhaustion and dehydration.  So I KNOW it's a slippery slope.  I called Gregg and with big sobs asked him to pick me up.  Problem was, I was in the middle of the forest and it wasn't vehicle accessible, so I had to walk out.  About 2 miles later I met Gregg (literally) on the side of the road.  I had only walked 17 miles.
It took a couple hours of rest, 1/2 gallon of watered-down apple juice, a couple of handfuls of pretzels and a 45 minute cool shower, but I'm better now.  I'm very disappointed that I didn't finish the full 20.  But I'm glad I paid attention and didn't end up collapsed on the trail or in the hospital.
This was unusual weather.  We don't see heat and humidity like this until July/August.  In fact, last week it was 58 degrees when I started my training walk.  I seriously doubt it'll be 90 degrees with high humidity walk weekend.  I really think I can do the full marathon on Saturday and 1/2 marathon on Sunday.  Of course,I'm going to pay attention, and won't see it as defeat if I need a sweep (van takes you 2 miles to the next rest station) or the medical tent.  But I REALLY hope I can keep hydrated and healthy and finish the walk.

Local walker buddy

We've all been told how important it is to have an exercise buddy: someone to challenge you, keep you on track, and someone you feel responsible to (ie: you don't skip workouts.)  

Thus far, I've been training for the AWBC (click on the icon to check my fundraising progress) w/ Sam in the stroller.  Now, don't get me wrong, Sammy is an awesome stroller baby and great training partner.  But he will only last about 5 miles, requires snacks, and isn't the best conversationalist.

Several weeks ago I posted on the AWBC board that I needed a training partner in my area...and got a response.  So today I trained with my new buddy, Christine.  It was amazing!  I felt energized by our conversation and we kept a great pace.  We even walker further than we had anticipated (8 miles) and it seemed like an easy 8.  We have a schedule worked out and will finish 2 weeks before the walk at 20 miles Saturday and 10 miles Sunday.  The next week (Memorial Day weekend) we'll do some easy 4s or 6s in our neighborhoods and then we'll be all set for Walk Weekend 2010: June 5 &6.

Zenful Mommy and her hubby are walking too .. we have a team of about 15 amazing individuals (Team Breast Intentions.)  But Zenful Mommy lives about 45 minutes away so it's great to have a buddy close by (10 minutes.)

I'm very excited ... we have less than 3 months of training left but I KNOW I can do this.  My buddy Christine and I have committed to each other to keep pace and stick together (ie: if one is injured or has to slow down we both do.)  We'll cross that finish line together (hopefully with Zenful Mommy, her super-hubby and other members of the team as well.)

So today I'm feeling confident in my workout abilities, strong and well, GO ME!!

Happy Monday

I haven't posted on a Monday for awhile. This is due in part to my kids being off of school for a week for winter break, a crabby baby due to immunizations , house guests and just being a little overwhelmed.

My lifestyle changes have been amazing and quite honestly.....life changing and contagious, spreading throughout my family like wild fire.

I have lost 12 pounds , gone down a size, lost inches everywhere but most of all 4 inches in my waist. I am on day 53 of my P90, incorporating yoga and pilates.(all of my fitness activities are done at home)

Nutrition: no soda, no processed foods but still having my coffee as I can't give it up. !☺
I am taking my supplements daily as well as drinking tons and tons of water.

Funny thing...I don't miss the crappy stuff. not at all. I was at my moms yesterday and was reading the back of a package of something she got at Costco. She said to me " don't read the back or you won' t eat it" E X A C T L Y!!!! She then went on to tell me that it doesn't matter what I eat, as it won't make me sick....CAN YOU SAY HEATED discussion....With me WINNING I must say! My younger brother and sister are both taking to a healthier lifestyle and I couldn't be happier as one is in college and the other a senior in high school. They have added exercise and good nutrition to their lives are feeling healthier and have more energy.

I guess Grandma was right "you are what you eat"

Happy Happy Monday everyone. Live in the Moment. Put into your body what nourishes your body. Eat what Nature Made.

Monday check-in

Slow and steady wins the race.  

I've always been the hare...running, running, running.  Often frantically.  My husband calls it "jazz hands."  But now, I'm trying to slow down.  Thinking about what I put into my body.  Meal planning so I'm not getting something on the go.  Planning time for workouts.  I'm staying veg and fitting tons of fruit, veg & fiber into my everyday eating.  I'm more satisfied.  I'm actually fuller eating about 1/2 the calories I used to.

And I've found that I WANT to be the tortoise.  Because the tortoise is winning.  I am winning.

Since January 1st I'm down 14 lbs and 1 size.  I am sleeping soundly and have energy to spare.  I run around with my son and hold nightly "dance parties" (which is quite interesting with a 1 1/2 year old in case you haven't tried it before.)

Thanks Zenful Mommy for challenging us ALL to be healthier mommies!

yucky week...mamavation

It was a difficult week for me, exerise wise, food wise....and everything else.

For some reason my kids, ages 7, 4 and 6 months...all decided to wake up thru the night, everynight.....so much that I had to offer "treats" at the end of the week if my oldest 2 stayed in their beds at night. I promised them ice cream on Friday night if they could stay in their beds all night for the remainder of the week. I saw a habit forming, of them coming into my bed everynight and didnt' like it....they woke me up everynight, at least 2 times and I was "QUITE" grouchy in the mornigs. The fact that I work out at about 9 at night and can't get to sleep until 1 am doesnt' help much either...so heres my report for the week.

Nutrition: Ok I guess, did the 5-6 small meals a day, no soda, still had my 2 cups of coffee a day(can't and won't give this up) Got in my fruits and veggies as well as my TONS of water a day. Also managed to have donut holes that my hubby brought home, as well as leftovers of my kids grilled cheese (yummo!)

Exercise: Did 6 of 7 days...it was hard as hell but I did it!

Health: Felt blah all week..still have a cold, but took my supplements and drank EmergenC

YIPPEE ! Down a pound....


How was your week?

Portion control & 150 a week

I have now learned the art of portion control.  I had NO IDEA how much I was eating before.  300 cal of healthy food is still 300 cal.  I took about 3 weeks to measure things out and now can pretty much eye-ball it.  I can tell you what 2 c of spinach, 1/4 c nuts, 1 serving of pretzels, 1 inch cube of cheese all look like.  I've also been getting my 150+ minutes of exercise a week.  That represents 30 mins/day for 5 days.  Last week I got in 180 minutes and my goal for this week is 200 minutes. 

Overall, I've lost over 12% of my weight-loss goal (okay, I'm just gonna say it and get it out of the way, I'm trying to lose 100 lbs to reach a healthy, "normal" BMI.)  I've given myself 18 months to lose the weight...slow and steady wins the race and insures the weight will STAY OFF this time around.

Stats: down 12.5 lbs in 7 weeks and almost ready to go down a dress size from where I started.

How are you doing on your "get healthy" goals?

Sam's Mom's Monday progress Check-in

Since Zenful Mommy has taken the helm and is checking in on her progress weekly, I figured I should do the same, since we are sisters in this 52 to Fabulous/get healthy/ build a better life endeavor.

I got the the gym 2x and logged a total of 14 miles.  I would have preferred to get in 3-4 times for shorter workouts, but with a toddler I'll take what I can get.  Once the weather clears I'll start walking at 5 am.  Don't particularly trust myself driving to the gym at that time of day.

I kept within my calories all week (currently 1360).  I also kept strict veg.  That's almost 3 weeks now. It helped to have similar meals to my husband & son (ie: when they had burgers I had a soy burger, when they had fatty homemade mac-n-cheese I had polenta w/ a bit of Parmesan...etc.)  I think I did a good job getting enough protein in as well.

I lost a total of 3.5 lbs for the week.  I'm not anticipating that loss every week.  It was a great jump start for me though. 

Total of 8.5 lbs loss in 7 weeks, which is just above 1 lbs a week.  That's a healthy loss so I'm thrilled.

How are you doing on your quest for a better you?

It's Monday! (mamavation monday)

So it's Monday again, boy how time flies. I definitely had some obstacles last week, mainly sick kids. Stomach flu or whatever it was that took over our home for 2 days and kept us all awake at all hours of the night and kept the washing machine going and going. We are all healthy now.

Workouts for me: did 5 out of 7 days ( wishing I could of done the 6th day, but the flu had me down) I did do my cardio one day with it, and thought I was going to pass out. I need to listen to my body and rest when needed.

Nutrition: I did great!Lots of fruits and veggies and healthy choices made. I did have pizza on Pizza night but made sure that myself as well as my girls had a healthy salad 1st. My daughters actually got filled up on the salad !

Down a pound and a half, full of energy and managed to fit into pre-pregnancy pants (actually pre pre pregnancy!) Happy with my progress and happy that my whole family is making healthier choices.

My goal for the week is to eat slower, it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full...so taking the time to eat slowly makes all the sense in the world.

Happy Monday and remember to take it one day at a time!

Going Veg

I used to be vegetarian.  I kept it up religiously for 8 months once, and then 9 months after a break of about 1 year.  I was good: tofu, eggs, dairy, beans for protein.  But I'd fallen off the wagon for about 1 year again.  Now I'm back on, and really committed. 

You see, for me eating veg is eating healthy.  I don't eat prepared (ie: frozen food section) veg protein patties (high in sat. fats), I don't eat gobs of cheese pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches, or other similarly fatty foods.  When I'm veg I'm hard core.

They say it takes 28 days to make a habit and 90 days to break it.  I've been completely veg (no fish) for 7 days now.  I was semi (just a bit of fish and one meal w/ turkey) for about 28 days prior. The first week is always the toughest and I feel like I'm really on track now.  Hard because my husband is a chef, and makes lovely pork & veal meatloaf, roast chicken and Italian sausage regularly...but after 1 week, I must admit the thought of those foods make my stomach turn.

My fridge is stocked w/ eggs, low-fat dairy, and tofu.  My pantry is stocked with dried and canned beans and quinoa (a grain high in protein.)  I even have veg chili (tofu &  red beans) for lunches.

I must say, I FEEL better when veg.  Not necessarily thinner or anything like that, just better.  Like my insides are getting clean.

I'm pretty proud of myself, making this commitment.  I hope to keep this habit FOR LIFE this time.

Have you recently made any dietary changes that make you feel GOOD on the inside?

Mamavation

So as moms, we all need a little motivation or "MAMAVATION" and Leah over at Bookieboo is offering a challenge to 2 lucky moms, to get fit! I am applying and need your support.

The 2 moms chosen will complete a 7 week crash course in healthy living, they will be supported by an army of moms. The Mamavation Cheerleader squad and Mamavation Sistahood will be behind them every step of the way. They will receive a Mamavation Mentor, which is a mom that completed the program and has stuck around to mentor another. And they will also be required to have a "fit friend," or someone who they know that already lives a healthy lifestyle.

The moms chosen will receive all that they need to succeed, a customized meal plan, footwear, a treadmill, Tao Bo Videos and TONS of support! The moms will have to keep a food diary(posted on line) as well as post progress photos as well as appear on MOMtv every Monday for the 7 weeks!

Am I nervous (YES), am I scared (OF COURSE), but by putting this all out there(IN THE OPEN FOR EVERYONE TO SEE )....I hope to get fit and live a healthier lifestyle and NOT have to cover up anymore!!!

See my video entry and support me on this journey to a healthier lifestyle!!!

Self confidence courtesy of Old Navy

This weekend I went shopping for a new pair of jeans.  I had lost 4 lbs in December, but then gained it back over the holidays.  (boo-hiss!) But my old jeans were looking really frumpy.  You know, when the gut of the jeans is too baggy and makes your pooch look even bigger than it is?  Like that.  I tried on some of my smaller jeans (I have about 4 different sizes in my closet), but they were a tad snug.  So I went out looking for a slimmer cut of the same size.

Now, I would love to report that I found I could wear a smaller size at Old Navy.  But I cannot.  Instead, I can report that I found a pair in a much slimmer cut: not the forgiving "trouser" jean style I had been wearing. They are definitely smaller in the thigh (circumference) and I believe smaller waist and seat, if only slightly.

I feel more confident in these jeans.  I felt like my old pair were a bit of a cop-out. These jeans are more flattering BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY FIT.  I have a tendency to wear too-big clothing but I know that's not the most flattering.  Clothing that fits is always more flattering. I love these jeans.

These jeans also make me feel like the food and exercise changes I'm making are paying off.  Even if not on the scale (yet) I think I'm losing centimeters (I wouldn't say inches yet.)

Do you have a special piece of clothing that makes you feel more confident, no matter your dress size?

New Years' resolutions a bit early.

My gift to myself this ME Monday is forgiveness. I’ve been working hard to change my eating habits the past several weeks, and it has paid off: I’ve lost 3 lbs. Or rather, I HAD lost 3 lbs.
Last week, Christmas week, I gained those 3 lbs back. It was shocking to step on the scale this morning and learn that. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; I ate like a PIG Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was disgusting. I literally gave myself a stomach ache several times over.
But as the song goes, I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.
I also know that I DO NOT want those fatty, sugary foods inside my body any more. I felt sick all weekend: so what’s the point? Sure a cookie here and there is FINE, but not to the extent I took it.


I will do better this week, and I’ve learned a valuable lesson about the foods I want to put into my body. So, here’s to new beginnings a bit before the New Year.

Holidays

So today's "me Monday" I thought I would make "we Monday". We , as in my family. Every year around Christmas, we take some time out for us. We get a hotel room and spend some quality time together, no phones, no email, no laundry etc.....The kids pick something that they want to do , which this year was a horse and carriage ride, and we make no other plans. We headed for Chicago for the night, rooms are VERY cheap right before Christmas, we paid $99 for the night at the Marriott on Michigan Avenue(they even included American Girl Doll beds in the room). We spent a lot of time talking, holding hands while walking around and just re-connecting as a whole family unit. This time is important for us as my husband usually gets home after the kids are in bed every night. The kids chose our restaurant for dinner , Rosebud on Rush, which they said has the best buttered noodles on earth!(i am not sure how you could ruin buttered noodles but whatever). Anyway, My husband and I enjoyed a nice dinner with our children, got to have a couple of glasses of wine and the girls couldn't have been more excited about their carriage ride, they were Princesses in their Carriage!Now that we are back home, they are already talking about next years trip!

Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday season!

Do you have any special holiday traditions?

Doing it for ME

A bit late on today's posting...but better late than never, right?

I have been so frustrated with my health/lifestyle lately.  I WANT to make positive changes, but I cannot seem to stick with them.  I WANT to eat healthy but feel I'm sabatoged by fast food and my husband's cooking.  I WANT to exercise, but I tend to blame the early darkness and the lack of energy to get up at 5 am.  I guess that means I don't WANT it badly enough.

So drastic times call for drastic measures.  Last week, I joined Calorie King, which is an online tool & community to promote and help you STICK with a healthy lifestyle leading to weight loss and weight management.  It IS calorie counting, but you don't do it...the computer does.  You have to be 100% honest and log every single morsel that passes your lips.  Every single one.  It then calculates your calorie intake for the day, and logs & graphs your nutritional intake as well.  Based upon your current weight, and how active of a lifestyle you lead, it calculates how many NET calories** you need a day to lose a healthy 1-2 lbs/week.
** NET calories are the calories you intake, minus the calories you burn through exercise. 

Calorie King promotes "incidental" exercise.  This is the exercise you don't know your doing.  Not running, not going to the gym.  But parking your car in a far-away space and walking through the parking lot to the store; taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator; walking the long way around the office to the bathroom; dancing at night w/ your child; pacing while on the phone, etc. etc.
For now, I need to take in around 1730 cals/day to lose weight.  Once I start exercising more (ie: gym) I'll need to take in about 150 more/day (if I go to the gym 3-4 times a week.)  I've found it's actually HARD to eat enough calories when you are watching them, spacing out your meals, and eating healthy foods.  For example, the leafy greens recipe I posted on Friday fills me up a lot more than bread or white rice would.  Come 8 pm at night, I've found I HAVE to eat something (fruit, yogert, popcorn) just to get enough cals in per day.
The site also has support groups to join, based upon how much weight you are trying to lose (decade club, century club, etc.) and age (silver club, golden club) and lifestyle (SAHM club, working moms club), etc.

The moral of this story: I think I've found something that will work for ME.  And I'm doing this for ME for the first time.  Not to look good in a particular outfit.  Not to be "skinny."  Not for low self-esteem or a myriad of other reasons.  But for ME.  And I think that's pretty great.

If you are trying to get healthy/lose weight what's working or not working for you??

Finding the ME in this holiday season

I'm sure the title of this post sounds odd, especially in light of this recent post.  But work with me a little and you'll see the message I'm trying to convey.
The holidays are stressful and I personally think they are MOST stressful on moms.  We try to make everything perfect for everyone in our lives.  Getting that PERFECT gift, decorating the house JUST SO (and I seriously have trouble keeping my house clean enough to avoid a DCFS investigation...), extra amounts of cooking/baking, finding cute-as-a-button outfits for the kids, trying to ensure those velvet dress pants from last year still fit after Thanksgiving, spending extra time with in-laws and extended family (which is ALWAYS stressful, let alone with this added pressure), and the list goes on and on and on. 
I remember as a child, my mom hid/kept all gifts in the basement.  We had an old (150 yr+ farm house with an unfinished (ie: cinderblock w/ dirt floor) basement.  It was cold and damp.  Mom MADE the majority of our gifts (sewing), but made sure we had a couple store bought ones as well.  Even back then, poor as we were, she went over-board with gifts.  Because my dad ran the farm and routinely worked 18 hour days, it was up to mom to get Christmas organized.  On the evenings leading up to Christmas she would spend hours in the basement at night after we went to bed.  Then Christmas Eve she's spend hours baking: cookies, cakes, sweet rolls, etc.  Come Christmas morning I cannot fathom how exhausted she must have been.  She did EVERYTHING for everyone else, and never took time for herself.  I often wonder if she enjoyed the holidays herself.
As a new mom, I'm committed to find some time for myself this season.  Otherwise, I fear, the stress would prove overwhelming and I wouldn't enjoy the holidays at all.  So what am I doing?  I'm making all gifts.  The time I spend on these gifts is actually ME TIME.  I ENJOY making things for others, but even more, I LOVE the satisfaction of homemade projects and the solitude it takes to complete the projects (usually in the basement where my sewing machine and craft cabinet are.)  It's a peaceful time for me.  I play Christmas music and reflect.  I emerge from the basement renewed and frankly, more sane.

What are you doing to take care of yourself this season?

Bliss for sale

Massage.


Did you KNOW about this magnificent bit of bliss conveniently located at your local nail salon?? At least, it's conveniently located at my local (aka: walking distance) nail salon. Until 3pm on Sunday, I had never had a massage before. Never. Ever. The main reason was, while my RSD was active, I couldn't. With all the surgeries and hardware in my back, no one would touch me, and quite frankly, I don't think it would have been the best of ideas. But I've been in remission for well over a year now, so I thought, WHAT THE HELL??
I paid such a ridiculously low price for 1/2 hour that I gave my masseuse a ridiculous tip (heck, it's the holidays, right??) She did surface work, deep tissue work, heat work, the whole nine yards of massage. She even climbed up on the table to get in a better position to "dig in." She was AMAZING! I've never done hard drugs but I'm guessing this was on par with crack.
I carry all of my stress in my back, so I'll likely need a massage every 2 weeks to receive the greatest benefit. Of course, I'm gonna consider it a medical expense rather than a frivolous beauty expense. Oh, and I think I'm going to call the Pres. and recommend 30 mins, 2x week for all world leaders. I do believe it could be the answer to world peace. I mean, WHO could think about invading a neighboring country, or forming a coup, or testing nukes if they are BLISSED OUT???
What about you...do you get massages?

Twihard with a vengence

We traded off last week: G had a night with the guys at his Alfa Romeo club meeting on Thursday, and I went out to see New Moon on Friday.  G didn't want to go see it with me, which was fine.  I actually went with his best friend because we are now officially "movie buddies" which means that I get a night out once a month to see whatever movie I want to see (G and I don't have the same movie taste.)  And yes, we are working on the whole "date night" G & me thing as well.  Although my MIL is moving to California soon, we have several recommendations locally and one is actually a preschool teacher so I'd have no reservations leaving Sammy with her, assuming he likes her.  Chances are, we'll do a 7:30pm date, so I'll put Sam down to bed before we leave.
But back to ME TIME.
Did I love the film?  No.  Did I like it? YES.  The action was great, the scenery was great, and they did a really nice job taking a very long book and fitting it into a 90 min movie.  YES they had to cut some scenes but I think the scene selection was the best they could have done.  Oh, and let's not forget the miriads of EYE CANDY on the screen.
All-in-all I had a great time, and strengthened my relationship with G's BFF, who has been in our lives since we met (G and Q have been friends for over 20 years and he was the best man at our wedding.)  It was nice to have an evening out, and believe it or not, I was 100% okay leaving both Sam and G.  G and I then spent some QT together on Saturday night, and I actually stayed up until (gasp) 11 pm, so we could have real time together, no just 1 hour after dinner.
We also had fantastic weekend weather, so I got a 6 mile walk in on Sunday, which was fantastic ME TIME.  Sam is a super-duper stroller baby and just sits back and relaxes.  I played some of my favorite music on my phone (without headphones so I could hear my baby) and that really motivated me: on the faster songs I picked up the pace and at one point was even jogging!
I'm really working on this balance thing and think I'm getting the hang of it.  Next up: DATE NIGHTS.
How are you taking time for yourself?

We've Got It

A short post today because I've got 2 kiddos home feeling under the weather. Yes, "we've got IT" whatever "it" is. We've got the FEVER, the RUNNY nose, that all over BLAHHH feeling. My 7yo Daughter was fever free and feeling well so went of to school this morning. My 4 year old and 13 week old are home with mom today....feeling the blues. Mommy is tired from being up all night and they are winey and clingy....we are snuggling, having hot chocolate and staying in our PJ's all day because being sick isn't fun but we're making the best of it. My daughter just came up to me and said "mommy I am thankful for you"...and that make is all worth it.

What do you do when the kids are home sick?

Pre-product review: Mineral Makeup revisited

A month or so ago, I did a product review on Mineral Makeup, telling you about Neutrogena's mineral line.  While I still like the ease of application, my sister recently had me check out another line.  It's the Signature Minerals line and I'm going to do a full product review soon.  Before that, I wanted to let you in on a little secret: you can try this makeup for FREE.  What?  yes, FREE.  You can pick out 6 samples, any combination of foundation, blush, concealer, finishing powder, and eye shadow to try and just pay $7 S&H.  No catch.  And if you decide to purchase some makeup, you can get $2.50 samples of new shades to try, before you purchase the full-size jars (so you don't end up with a drawer full of unused blue eyeshadow!)  The makeup itself is relatively in-expensive as far as mineral makeup goes.  It's a big cheaper than the Neutrogena line and has more variety.  It's about 1/2 the cost of Bare Minerals, which I used for close to 4 years. 

They post all ingredients on both the website and each product jar. On the website here, you can compare the ingredients in SM to other similar mineral makeup lines.  I was shocked at how much crap is in most makeup, even the mineral makeup I was using, which I thought was "pure."

Here is the link for the free sample kit.  Please get it, try it, and tell me what you think.


** please note that Inner HOTmama is not paid to promote any product.  We do try different products and give you our real, honest opinion.  That's it.  I literally stumbled upon this product line and can assure you that SM doesn't even know I'm blogging about their product.

To Eat or Not to Eat Meat

A little about ME,

When I was in high school , I made the choice to become vegetarian. My mother told me that you "HAD" to eat meat in order to get protein and that I wouldn't be healthy if I didn't. She told me that as a little girl I would only eat the bun, onions, pickle and ketchup on the McDonald's Cheeseburgers she would get me and that at around age 7 , I started asking for the hamburgers without the meat. I think she actually ordered it without meat for me once and it took them an extra 10 minutes to make one without meat, plus they all thought we were nuts and thus it embarrassed her. That was the end of that.

So as a teen, I decided to stop eating meat all together, no more chicken strips and no more lunch meat.....but mom politely told me "as long as you live in my house , you will eat meat". This made for the FUN high school years, fighting about food amongst all of the other things that teenage girls and their mothers argue about. College life was easier as I could eat what I wanted, since I was away from home, although it was usually processed food or my wonderful sandwiches made of Bread, Ranch Dressing, Cheese, Lettuce and Tomatoes. I lived on these sandwiches as well as Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Potatoes and Salad Bar items. I was not a healthy eater by any means, but I didn't have to chew any parts of an animal and that was fine by me!

Flash forward 20 years, I still don't like to look at meat nor touch it! Frankly, I don't like to CHEW meat. I was lucky enough to marry someone who understood me and would make it for himself. We have 3 children now and my DD 7 has claimed that she is a VEGETARIAN and will not eat baby chicks or anything else meat related nor will she eat beans, thus THE BIG PROBLEM, she needs protein in some form. My DD 4 LOVES all chicken and by chicken I mean "chicken is chicken" and "hot dogs are chicken" Turkey is chicken" and even "steak is chicken", she is her fathers daughter and that is fine with me. My 3 month old? too early to tell. What is interesting is that with each of my pregnancies I CRAVED meat, hamburgers,chicken, etc......and it didn't make me sick at all, they say my body must have needed it at the time. I didn't feel bad about eating meat during my pregnancies and just chalked it up as being a FLEXITARIAN. (being mostly vegetarian but eating meat when I wanted to or out of convenience)

So today, I stay away from meat completely. My husband and youngest daughter are true carnivores and my oldest is a self proclaimed vegetarian at the age of 7. I fed my daughter everything as a baby and toddler , as not to influence her one way or the other and now she is making a choice not to eat meat.I accept her decision and I will continue to help her make healthy choices from all of the food groups and make sure that she gets all of the nutrients she needs.

Is your household vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian? Is there also a meat eater, if so how do you balance it all?