Whole

Many of you know that I have delved into the untamed world of whole foods and nutrition this last year. So many times I have felt a lot like Joseph Smith describing the many churches calling "Lo Here!" and "Lo There!" on every side, but not feeling at home with any one of them. When I decided to make the health-food leap for Gavin's sake (we wanted to reduce his mucus production by eliminating dairy from his diet while still trying to fatten him up), I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. There is so much information of such drastically varying thought that it is hard to know what and who to trust. If it weren't for the word of wisdom, I think I would have felt adrift amidst a tempest of opinion. It has been a crazy ride full of research and prayer, but one by one pieces are falling into place and thankfully my husband is still by my side after hours of forced education on excess animal protein, decalcification of bones, raw foods and tofu, blah, blah, blah.

It's been difficult and frustrating at times to come to peace with the fact that I have to be satisfied with what I can do now, and not overshoot my capabilities. Sometimes recipes won't turn out, sometimes vegan cupcakes will look delicious and actually taste like chocolate covered cardboard. But that's ok. I'm learning, and luckily my children are at an age where they have no choice but to be patient. :) And miraculously, there are those days where everything goes right. I somehow manage to put together 3 balanced vegan meals packed with nutrition that *gasp* actually taste and look good. I like to think that those days are increasing in frequency, but I know it will still be a long time before I am at ease in this new world. My goal at present is to eat 2 primarily vegan meals a day with the kids, and then a nutritious dinner with a modest portion of meat for dinner (happy husbands make happy homes :) ). In the end, no matter what, I feel good because I am trying to live the word of wisdom, and discovering great new ways to eat along the way.

I know quite a few of you have been trekking the same road, and if you have some great recipes (vegan, vegetarian, or just healthy) I would love for you to share them! Here's one from me:

This is my favorite breakfast right now, fast, yummy, sweet and filling.

1 apple, seeded and chopped (leave skins)

1 banana, sliced

1/8 cup raisins (or more, to taste)

2 tbsp freshly ground flax seed

crushed pecans (to taste)

Sprinkle with a little soy or coconut milk just to wet everything, or:

blend a little Silken soft tofu with 2-3 pitted dates, some vanilla extract and a little coconut milk for a delicious and protein-packed sauce.

Serve fresh with a slice of wheat toast. for younger kids, just lightly blend everything to make a nice & chunky "fruit soup." They love it!

Variation: fresh pears, bananas, and craisins are also a delicious combo!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Two years old! I can't believe it. Of course, it's fairly easy to just pretend that he's only one, and not growing up too fast because he's so dang small. He weighs 19 lbs (coming in a few lbs behind his 1 year old cousin Sam), and is too skinny to hold up any pants without using his hands to hold them up. He looks so cute running around the house with one hand hitching up his britches. His hallmarks this year are his toothy underbite grin, contagious laughter and his super-sonic scream. If you've heard it you know what I'm talking about, if you haven't, lucky you. :) Lets just say he's barely below the range for shattering glass.

So as he enters into his 3rd year of life, lets look back over the last year and make some speculations as to what we can expect from the Gavinator in the long term.

Maybe he'll grow up to be......

A Mechanic?

A Mobster?

A Gangsta? (Please no!)

A Stunt-Man?

(FYI: This is not a mattress-bouncing injury, it is an Aliyah/Gavin as Tigress/Kung-Foo Panda- Meets the leg of the Kitchen Table injury. Just thought I'd clarify.)

The Next Donald Trump? (Sans combover)

"Mom! You're Fired!"

A Dentist? (Yes that is toothpaste)

As you can tell we apparently over-stress dental hygiene at our house

A Male Underwear Model? (Those are some mighty fine boots, Mr. Richardson)

An Astronaut

Hmmmm..... Maybe not.....

Or maybe he'll just grow up to be a "typical man?"

Well, no matter what he grows up to be he will always be the cutest little boy to his Momma, my little "Bam-Bam" (appropriate nick-name for a kid who survived 2 auto accidents in-utero right?). Happy Birthday Gavin!