Tuesday, September 30, 2014

All About the Attitude.

I had been in a bit of a funk; tired of doing everything myself, missing family, annoyed with the narrow minded questions, hurt by friends, overwhelmed with business, missing Jamie, and wondering where in the world we were going to be in 6 months. I was bitter with Jamie for not being around, and obsessing what his orders would say: home for Christmas for a couple weeks before off again for another 8 months, or home next year but hopefully for awhile? I was stressing out over things I had absolutely no control over, and I was allowing those things to get the better of me.

It had been almost a week since my mom flew back home, and nearly three weeks since we'd talked with Jamie. Life was beginning to bring me down, and I was feeling out of sorts.

This is when Nya began acting out. It was as if this sweet little child of mine was gone, replaced by someone I didn't even recognize. She was whiny, over-dramatic, and just not happy. Is this the terrible twos, I wondered?

I did not want to deal with her. My energy was completely drained by the end of the day after remaining calm through her endless outbursts. I had never looked so forward to her bedtime, but I had nothing left for myself, and did not want to write or work on all the many things I needed to do.

I was not liking my daughter very much, and that made me feel like the worst mother in the entire world. 

How could I possibly feel this way about the daughter I love so much? About the daughter I am so thankful to have? About the daughter that has taught me about unconditional love, and has brought me more joy than I have ever known?

This lasted about three days. I went to bed that third night and realized I needed to change my attitude. I had to pull myself out of this funk and get my act together. Whatever happens is meant to be, and my stressing over things and feeling down does not help anyone or anything.

The next morning I woke up in somewhat of a better mood. I was still feeling sad inside and it was a struggle to change my mind set completely. But I forced myself. I focused all of my energy on finding the good in my life, and chose to just be happy.


It sounds really simple, but it's not always easy to do. It was a challenge. Yet after only two hours, I began to feel happier. I began to appreciate the good things. My outlook was positive. And suddenly, gone were the feelings of bitterness, annoyance, resentment, anger, and frustration,

My attitude was in my control; I just had to take ownership of it.

When I changed my attitude, it was like a light was turned on in Nya. Her change in behavior was instantaneous when I changed mine.

Gone was the little girl who overreacted to everything. Gone was the little girl who whined over taking a bath. Gone was the little girl who cried because I asked her a question.

I felt like my little girl was back...The happy, calm, level-headed, understanding girl was back.

I know Nya reacts to the energy that's around her. I've seen it first hand a few times, and am aware how a small change in the environment has a large impact on her behavior. But it's still hard to believe how drastically different Nya is when my mood is unhappy.

Nya still is a typical toddler and has her moments. However, they are short lived. I'm able to talk and reason with her. She still tries to test me from time to time to see what I will allow her to get away with. Yet nothing has been like it was for those three days where I didn't know how I was going to get through the rest of this deployment.

I wondered if it was Jamie being gone, or my mom just leaving, or the dreaded terrible twos. Those things certainly could have contributed to her outbursts. But the immediate change was too drastic to be attributed to anything other than the change in my attitude.

Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs. Especially when you care so much. Being a "single", stay at home mom is even more difficult. You get frustrated. You get tired. You get angry. You get lonely. But our children look up to us for guidance. We are shaping how they feel about themselves, and how they choose to view the world.

I had asked my Loving Green family on Facebook how they handled difficult times, and I got some amazing responses. Find something that works for you. Remember how short and precious life is, and choose your "happy".


To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Raw Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Sugar Free)

This has been a crazy week with school and Spanish class starting for my little one. We had been on the go since Monday morning, and I couldn't wait for Friday to roll around...the one day we had no where to be and nothing to do. I was planning on taking it easy, and with all the rain that Friday brought, that turned out to be easier than expected!

Nya and I spent much of the afternoon in the kitchen. We created lots of new snacks for school, and this was by far our favorite. 


What I love about these...
  • You can eat them 3 ways (Raw, Living, Baked)
  • Minimal ingredients
  • Refined Sugar Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegan
  • Tastes like dessert -- they are DELICIOUS!
If you bake them in the oven or dehydrate them to keep living, they have a soft and chewy texture similar to a cereal bar or cookie. If you eat them raw, the texture is more sticky and the flavor a little more pronounced. If you're short on time, I'd roll them into balls, store in the fridge, and eat on the go! Either way you decide to go, the taste is AMAZING.


What you need:
  • 2 c  gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 c coconut flour
  • 1 c dates blended with 3/4 c water until completely smooth
  • 3/4 c natural almond butter (nothing added)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp pink Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 c vegan chocolate chips (I love Enjoy Life mini's for this!)

What you do:

1. Combine dry ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a medium mixing bowl.

2. Add pureed dates, almond butter, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

3. Stir in chocolate chips.

For No Bake Bites....

4. Roll into balls, refrigerate, and eat as desired. They also freeze well if you make extra.

For Living Bars....

4. Spread evenly, about 1/2 inch thick on a dehydrator rack and form into a square or rectangle (for easier cutting). Dehydrate at 115 (to keep living/raw) for about 5 hours. You should be able to cut them easily and they will hold shape when they are done.

5. Once cooled, cut into even rectangles. Store in fridge or freezer. Makes 12 bars.

For Baked Granola Bars...

4. Scoop and spread evenly into an 9 x 12 silicon pan. Bake at 325 for roughly 20 minutes until the bars are easy to cut and hold their shape. 

5. Once cooled, cut into even rectangles. Store in fridge or freezer. Makes 12 bars.

Notes:
  • If baking or dehydrating, be careful not to leave in too long or they will be dry and fall apart.
  • Use cacao nibs if you can...they're bitter and don't melt the same, but much healthier for little ones; or just skip the chips altogether!
These are great snacks, packed in a lunch box, or enjoyed as a dessert. Your kids will LOVE them!

To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Faking it... The First Day of School.

Nya began her first day of preschool Monday. The day I had been looking forward to and dreading, all in one.

We made the decision months ago that Nya would greatly benefit from preschool, and thus, began the tiring search of finding the right fit.

From the moment I enrolled her, I questioned our decision. I felt guilty.

Deep down I knew this was the right thing for her. She is young, but each child is different. I knew she would be ok, but there was still that fear and panic inside that haunted my thoughts. I had only left her a handful of times with either my husband or a close friend.

Was I ready for this?

The day before the big day, I was sick to my stomach. I didn't want my fears and hang ups to plague her experience. So I did what I began doing from the day she was born.

I faked it.

Inside I was a wreck, but outwardly, I was calm, cool, and happy. We talked all about it. It was just another day with another new adventure. Nya picked out her lunchbox and backpack. We read about Llama Llama going to school and missing his mamma. We talked about her teachers and the friends she would get to play with. I never put fear in her head, and I kept my emotions out of it.

Monday morning arrived and when I went into her room, Nya eagerly jumped out of bed exclaiming, "I go to preschool today!" She picked out her outfit with mismatching shoes, we grabbed a quick breakfast, and then I tried to capture this special moment in time before we headed off. I had seen the Pinterest pictures. I made my chalkboard sign. I was ready.

Unfortunately, Nya had other plans, and downright refused to let me get her photo...

Our "memory" of the first day of school. She is NOT into photos at the moment!
So off we headed to school. We got there early so Nya had enough time to use the potty and get comfortable with her surroundings. I made my goodbye brief and happy, and immediately walked away.

She didn't even watch me go. It was in that moment that my heart broke and beamed all at the same time. I was a flood of emotions. I was thankful and happy that she was so fine with me leaving, but selfishly, I wanted her to miss me as much as my heart was missing her.

I felt a little lost, and unsure of what to do with this new found freedom.

The entire three hours that Nya was in class, I counted down the minutes, envisioning our happy reunion.

I was sure she would squeal my name and run into my arms when she saw me, as she has the handful of times I have left her with Jamie.

But that moment never came. Nya was too engrossed in after school play to even notice me. She asked me to take her to the potty, then wanted to go back to play with her new friends. My already broken heart, dropped a little further.

Nya with her teachers after school.
I took that time to talk with her teachers, Nya did awesome and absolutely loved it. She told them when she needed to use the potty (one of my major worries), shared well with the other kids, and confidently navigated all of the lesson plans.

Nya was calm, confident, and happy. That is exactly what I want as a parent. So why has a piece of my heart fallen away?

More than the preschool, I realized this was just the first of many new firsts she'll have. She's growing up, and won't need me as much as she once did. Our relationship will never be the same.

Nya's her own person, independently navigating her path in this world. No longer my little baby, I wont always be at her side to protect her. All I can do is continue to raise her to think for herself, and love her unconditionally with everything I have. I pray for her to always be that calm, confident, and happy little girl as she continues her journey in life.

To many many more successful firsts!

This never happens anymore! Exhausted and asleep on the drive home from preschool.
To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Veggie Packed Mac 'N Cheeze (Dairy, Soy, and Gluten Free)


I don't think I've had or made macaroni and cheese since becoming completely plant based. And to be totally honest, I really didn't miss it. But I realize mac 'n cheese is a must for those with kids (even those without!). I created this amazing cheeze sauce that's great on top of a baked potato or steamed veggies, but I was looking for something different. So I began searching and requesting suggestions from mac 'n cheese experts and found this simple recipe to try, from Oh She Glows.

With a few modifications and lots of additional veggies (because we just can't get enough), this recipe turned out pretty awesome and close to the real thing. It does smell like, and have a slight aftertaste of butternut squash, so if you're not a fan, use one of the substitutions below.

What I love about this recipe:

  • It's loaded with veggies (which means tons of extra vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that we all need to be healthy!)
  • The texture is spot on
  • Freezes well for a later time
  • Simple to make
  • My little one LOVED it!
  • Perfect for Picky eaters!


What you need:

16 ounces whole wheat or brown rice elbow pasta

*1/3 c raw cashews

*1.5 c water

1 c loosely packed greens (I used a combo of kale, chard, and spinach)

1 c cooked butternut squash (can sub cooked potato, or extra cauliflower)

1 c cooked cauliflower (I had roasted some the night before that I used)

1 Tbsp tapioca starch (arrowroot powder or cornstarch also work)

6 Tbsp nutritional yeast

2 tsp yellow mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

juice of half a lemon

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic

* Can sub 1.5 c unsweetened, non-dairy milk

What you do:

1. Make sure your butternut squash (or other veggie), and cauliflower is cooked. This can be done anytime (I had cooked the butternut squash weeks ago, stored in the freezer, and defrosted overnight).

2. In a high speed blender, combine the cashews, greens, and water, and blend until smooth. (If subbing 1.5 c non dairy milk, you can add in the greens in step 4). Pour into a medium pot and add the tapioca starch, whisking until the clumps are gone, on low heat. (Will be slightly green if you're using the added greens...don't worry, the color will change when you're finished!)


Non dairy milk (cashews, water, greens) and tapioca starch
3. Stir in nutritional yeast, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and continue to cook on low heat for 5 minutes.


4. In a high speed blender, add the sauce, 2 cloves of garlic, cauliflower, and butternut squash (or other veggie), and process until smooth. Pour back into the pot.

5. Cook the pasta according to instructions. Once cooked, add it to cheeze sauce, coating well. Serve and enjoy!

This recipe made a LOT! If you have a small family, I would cut the recipe in half, or plan on freezing some.


To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.