One month and Michael's antics.

Just wanted to check in at the end of our first month here in Trumau. The weather is cooler now, with occasional windy evenings. Very pleasant days with sunshine, usually.

 

The adjusting continues. Andrew, to classes and much reading outside of class. Me, to long days alone with Michael with no car, limited cookware and no hobby materials = challenges my creativity with how to occupy ourselves! Michael has by now explored every inch of our small apartment and knows it well down to every light switch and heater knob. He and I are learning it's necessary for us to have a little routine so we don't go stir-crazy. I think his molars are coming in, from the amount of drool production and nose running, accompanied by a pretty constant cough lasting a month now. The cough worries me - I hope he is not allergic to something in the apartment. He is chipper enough though, or I would be extra concerned.

I'm back to baking our bread, both to give me something to do and to ensure we are eating as few additives/preservatives as possible as I still struggle to read the German food labels!

 2 zucchini squash from the ITI garden (compared to a beer bottle for actual size) made some nice hearty zucchini bread.

A delicious olive oil raisin bread.

Michael enjoys being master taste-tester - he's easy on me.

This is how yeast, baking powder and baking soda come packaged here. Guess we won't be using baking soda for homemade general purpose cleaner... flour here is still a mystery to me. Austrians seem to take flour quite seriously as there are many different types and grades, all Greek to me at this point but I look forward to experimenting.

A whole wheat bread. Even without my precious Kitchenaid mixer and the strange oven settings here, so far, so good!

 

Michael has been making the most of his small collection of toys. Lately, he enjoys finding the matching animals in this block set and has learned to line them in a straight row.

 

 He enjoys working on his utensil skills.

And utilizing a chair to attain his desired object(s).

 

 Guilty face!

 Taking apart the dishwasher...

Oh, it has wheels!

 He enjoys watching trucks go down the street and the older children playing around the living quadrant.

 

 Sometimes we walk down to the town park.

 Michael likes climbing the small hill the park features...

 ...and running down.

 

Taking it a day at a time, learning to adjust and be thankful for what we do have. Lessons in faith and trust are hard, but fruitful! Truly this is a season in our lives that is free from many distractions, and so for me it is a call to focus on the simple life, and to put more love and purpose into the (sometimes) mundane domestic works. There too can holiness blossom if we remain open...

 

"Holy is the dish and the drain, the soap and sink, and the cup and plate and the warm wool socks, and the cold white tile, showerheads and the good dry towels... and frying eggs sound like psalms, with bits of salt measured in my palm. It's all part of a sacrament, as holy as the day is spent..." -Carrie Newcomer

 

On to the second month!

Making a little Christmas cheer.

This week has been busier than usual in the kitchen...(excuse my morning hair.)

 Starting some bread dough early in the morning. Michael is interested in all the machines in the kitchen that make such strange noises.

And loves being up at Mama's level for some attention.

Sweet breads for our 2 wonderful priests.

Peppermint fudge for Andrew's work colleagues. 

Sending out a few cards...

wrapping a few presents.

 Michael kept busy alternately visiting me in the kitchen or at the desk, and reading his books, sometimes out loud - so cute to hear.

Turning into such a sweet boy.

O Key of David, O Sceptre of the house of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people into freedom.

I'll be taking a little break from here to celebrate with my little family. I have a bit of baking to do yet, 5 Masses to sing this weekend and we are invited to a parish family's home for Christmas brunch. The rest of the time will be spent napping relaxing, watching Christmas movies, enjoying some of the holiday cheer around Seattle, and maybe playing in the snow. Wishing you all a most peaceful last few days of Advent and a joyous Christmastide celebrating our Savior's birth! 

Paleo update.

 I've had a few requests about the Paleo regime we've been (mostly) following for the past few months, and so thought I'd provide a little update. So far I've lost close to 30 and Andrew 20 lbs, which we also attribute to being active. We've also noticed a significant energy increase, digestive clearness, and come to think of it, I haven't been sick at all, and Andrew only once, even during the cold weather shift. We have of course indulged in grains/sugars on occasion and notice its results, and so are learning to lessen our desire for those foods and/or counteract with smaller servings, and to up vegetable intake on the same day we indulge in a treat. :) 

Another benefit to eating this way, has been the ease of introducing Michael to solids. I didn't have to worry about a pre-mature allergic reaction to dairy or grains (although he has since been introduced to whole wheat). Since everything we eat is healthy and in its close natural state, we can mash/break it up and give it to him. He sits with us at mealtimes and we feed him off our plates the same fare we are eating. He quickly became accustomed to seasonings, and now will make a face if something is bland. He loves the taste of curry and chili, and his seemingly most enjoyed foods are squash, yams, tomatoes, and meat. He will eat banana and avocado, (he will eat anything because he wants to be like the cool kids) but doesn't seem to enjoy them as much as I thought he would, being a baby. Eggs were introduce last week...something I was a bit apprehensive about since he is only about 9 months. But I've seen Paleo moms give it to their babies as young as 6 months...so far so good here, but I plan to take it easy with those.

Clamoring for more food...

What's wrong with that?

Michael never got the hang of the sippy cup in the early days, so we've been using this trainer cup with careful monitoring at mealtimes. He still breastfeeds the rest of the day/night.

Some of our Paleo meals...sample lunches:

Eggs and salmon salad. And hot apple cider!

Gingered butternut squash soup. So easy and delicious.

Sample dinners:

Caldo de pollo. (The corn chips are not Paleo, of course).

Seasoned drumsticks, yam, and brussel sprouts w/bacon and apples.

Pork loin and braised red cabbage. The latter is so easy and delicious - I make it with red wine, apple cider vinegar, onions, apples, cinnamon and pepper.

Chicken mole over green cabbage.

Some easy substitutes I use for grain based products:

Noodles - zucchini strips, spaghetti squash

Rice - cauliflower, sauteed green cabbage (this is our favorite for curries and Mexican dishes) 

Bread - lunch meat, lettuce, spinach (fresh or sauteed) 

I make coconut tortillas, almond/coconut flour biscuits or muffins on occasion, but we really prefer to save on the heavy stuff for when we eat actual grains. :)

For snacks, we have Lara bars, nuts, apples/celery with almond butter, fruits/veggies, hard-boiled eggs, a piece of meat from the fridge, or dark chocolate (usually 65-70%ish). I also have this snack mix on hand, which is delicious.

Conclusion: I still have some ways to go to achieve my desired weight, but I now feel that I have the energy to start some intense workouts (my initial goal). Being a mother is hard, tiring work, and with lots of breastfeeding and the lack of a straight-through, good night's rest, I knew I needed to do something to assist my health and nutrient intake. I am inspired by the results of this gal and may go more hardcore like she did after the Christmas season to get closer to where I want to be.  Andrew and I have been impressed with the results of Paleo, and plan to continue eating this way, barring the occasional homemade or outing treat, especially on feast days and Sundays. The basic line: we feel good, are eating many more veggies than before, and I feel comfortable with my current health if I was to get pregnant anytime soon=done deal!