Vacation Favorites

It's been almost 2 years since we were last at the beach. This time my brother and his family weren't able to be there, but last week we met my parents and my sister and her kiddos at the condo my parents own in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Just like last time, it was hot and muggy. And just like last time, we had an absolute blast! We got back yesterday completely relaxed and a little browner from all the sun... with lots of great memories and pictures. Here are some of my favorites...

Me reading bedtime stories to the kids.

My guys on our first day at the beach.

Tyler and I looking for sea shells.

My best guys ~ aren't they handsome? :)

Tyler took a picture of me and Shawn...

Tyler got buried up to his ears in the sand!

Gavin caught some waves...

Tyler posed for me a bit.

Gavin loved playing in the sand and water.

We also rode some go~karts.

And went to see a real battleship.

Inside, we got to climb on the bunks.

And Paige cheesed for me :)

They kids looked at each other through invisible mirrors.

And then they got sent to the brig.

Gavin couldn't get enough of the mirror thing.

It's hard to get back to reality but I'm hoping with my new school system position (which starts in the fall ~ yay!), we'll be spending every summer here. So far, our summer's going really great!

After

We are done.  We made it through the end of the 6th day... at which point Shawn ate a bowl of applesauce and we shared some baked Pita crackers.  I have never tasted anything so delicious in my life.

Shawn lost 10 pounds and I lost 9 pounds in those 6 days of fasting and flushing.  I also lost 2.5 inches from my waist.  Keeping it off is going to be the hard part, especially with vacation approaching quickly.  Luckily we're staying in a condo and will be cooking in the kitchen rather than eating out a ton... that should help.  

I'm still not convinced that any toxins came out and today the difference I feel is a finally full belly and a weakness from lack of nourishment.  Shawn squeezed oranges ~ the best orange juice I've ever tasted in my life ~ and we shared a banana and an English Muffin for breakfast.  We're trying to ease back into eating again and are going to be consuming fruit, vegetables and whole grains and nuts primarily for the next few days.  

But the energy and lightness that I've read people feel after cleansing... well, I don't know that I'm there yet.

Though I don't think I was much of a sugar addict before, I do think I'm more sensitive to natural sugars, like those in fruit.  I don't think I'll be adding much to my morning tea anymore ~ it tastes just fine without sugar and milk now.  

I've been chopping vegetables all day... a salad for tonight and a vegetable broth for lunch.  Here's what it's looking like so far...

Tomatoes, green pepper, celery, onions, carrots and turnips.  I've never in my life purchased a turnip.  Hopefully I picked good ones?

Ready for roasting to caramelize the onions.

Simmering for an hour...

I hope it tastes as good as it smells and looks!

And now.... I must go eat :)

Cleaning Out

After being inspired by a friend and neighbor, as well as a rather frustrating plateau I've encountered on my weight loss, Shawn and I have decided to do a cleanse.  We aimed for a 10 day but then realized that with our upcoming vacation, 10 days won't give us time to ease off the diet and bring our tummies back up to snuff with non~liquid food.  So 7 days it is, with 3 to adjust to regular food.

I thought this would be a very difficult process ~ maybe the hardest thing I'd ever do ~ but it's gone surprisingly well so far.  The lemonade tastes Ok when you don't add a ton of Cayenne pepper (there's a pill that I take instead ~ I can't take the spicy heat!)... and though I'm already bored with the drink, we've survived 3 days and are well into our 4th day.  In those three days, I lost 4 pounds and 1 inch off my stomach.  I'm only 1 pound lighter than my plateau weight though ~ I'd gained a couple in our pre~cleanse gorge of sushi and Mexican food (not at the same meal).

I've never done a cleanse before and frankly am still not sure I think it's necessary or even a good idea.  I'm skeptical because it seems like our bodies are built for expelling toxins... but on the other hand, perhaps we haven't evolved quickly enough for our bodies to reject the new in the last century toxins like pollution and chemicals in our food.  So I'm trying to be open minded and watching for toxins to be expelled... this can happen in your skin, in your poo and on your tongue.  It's a very gross process, requiring daily sea salt water flushes... that get everything out of your bowels ~ and then some!   But if it works, I think the whole process will be worth it and I'll be proud in the end of my accomplishment.

The other reason for doing the cleanse was the weight loss.  I'm trying to keep that on the back burner but it definitely helps keep me motivated to watch the scale change.  Especially with a beach vacation right around the corner!

I'm really focusing on being healthier... making even better food choices and not splurging as much.  I still have 10 pounds to go to get back to my pre~surrogacy weight and I hate the word "diet".   I'm Ok with making good choices and calorie restriction but this has to be a way of life for me ~ if I don't watch it, I'll gain back any and all weight I've lost.  I've been exercising rather religiously and was trying to increase my level prior to the cleanse... but I have probably been giving in to too many little indulgences, which don't help the weight loss effort.  So I'm really trying to spend this time thinking of ways to eat smarter, take better care of my body and take advantage of the time I have to exercise when I do.  

I think this mind over matter part of the cleanse is helping me.  I'm starting to crave healthier foods and not junk food like I expected I would.  I'm really excited to see how I feel on Saturday when this is all done and I've done my last nasty flush.  

And maybe I'll get back into my size 8's before summer's over! :)