Raichael's Standard Grocery List

As I mentioned in yesterday's post I have a standard list I use when I do my weekly grocery shopping. It varies a bit depending on what recipes I'm making that week but for the most part it looks the same:

• 4lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast
• 7 containers Danon Light & Fit Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 7 containers 2% milk fat Breakstone’s cottage cheese
• 2lbs frozen broccoli spears
• 6 (32oz) containers liquid egg whites
• Joseph’s Flax Wraps
• Ingredients for my Chicken Chili
• 7 Gala apples / Bananas
• 1 box 100 calorie pack Cocoa Roasted Almonds
• 1lb Butterball Everyday Thin & Crispy turkey bacon
• 1 box low-fat Eggo Nutri-Grain waffles
• 4 Hass avocados
• 1 large spaghetti squash
• 1 container steel cut oats
• 1 box Uncle Ben’s brown rice or 1 bag of Earthly Choice quinoa
• 1 jar Skippy All-Natural PB (once a month)
• 1 jar of Heart Smart marinara sauce (in addition to the chili)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce
• 4 tomatoes on the vine
• 1 bag salt-free rice cakes (once a month)

These are my favorite, go-to items that I can mix and match to make some really delicious meals!

Am I selfish? The Answer Might Surprise You!

As I stood in my kitchen last night at 8:00pm prepping food for the week for both me and my mum (blog to come later on that one), I found myself feeling guilty. I could hear Lucas in the other room, laughing and playing with my husband and my mother. And yet, there I was wasting precious moments I could be spending with him, measuring out brown rice and weighing chicken.

Many people would probably look down on me for my choice, they’d probably say “these moments are so fleeting” and think a better mother would have portioned out what “looked” like 4oz of chicken and gone on her way. But I’m not that mom. I meticulously and perfectly measure, weigh and divide pretty much every bite that goes into my mouth. I don’t guestimate on portion sizes or use the “deck of cards” method when it comes to protein. This is my constant. Probably the one (and only) thing in my life I have full control over. That’s not to say I don’t indulge – I had a very delicious soft serve ice cream last night – but 90% of the time I know exactly what I’m eating. There are no hidden ingredients or unknown items.

On any given Sunday my day consists of going to the gym in the morning, then heading to the grocery store with my standard list of foods, then spending a minimum of two hours prepping food for the week. When all is said and done, it’s usually around 1:30pm or 2:00pm when I can breathe a sigh of relief. Then, and only then, can I turn 100% of my focus back to Lucas; prior to that he’s either sitting in his highchair acting as my sous-chef watching me cook or playing with his dad.

My work week is then scheduled around my workouts. Monday, Wednesday, Friday I pick Lucas up from school, strap him in his stroller and head out for a 2-3 mile walk; Tuesday and Thursday my mother generously picks him up for me so I can go to the gym and get in my lifting sessions. Saturday and Sunday mornings are daddy-Lucas time when I go to the gym and then head out for a run. I’m very lucky to have the support I have from my family to reach my goals but at the same time I also know I’m missing out on time with my son by doing these things when he’s awake. I’ve tried switching my schedule to go to the gym in the mornings before work but when your baby is still up 2-3 times a night to eat 5am comes very early!

When I finally got into bed last night I laid awake staring at the ceiling for what seemed like forever thinking through these choices. The one thing that kept sticking in my head was “am I being selfish?” … and the only answer that I could think of is “yes.” BUT, for me I need to be selfish. I’ve said since before Lucas was born, I didn’t want to let his birth rob me of my own identity. I didn’t want to just be someone’s mother – I want my son to know he’s the most important person in the world to me and that I would lay down my life for him, but I also want him to understand that mommy is a person too. Mommy has things she likes to do but she also knows how to juggle and multitask so that I can be there for the important things. I’ve never missed a bedtime, or a bath because I was working out or preparing food, I’m always there when he cries at night and if he’s fussy while I’m cooking I always stop what I’m doing to take care of his needs first.

You’ve heard the saying I’m sure “happy wife, happy life” … well I think it applies to motherhood too. I know myself well enough to know that when I’m happy life is easier for everyone. In order for me to be the best wife and mother I can, it’s important for me to continue to do the things that make me happy. Which is why I’ve created the routine I have. It gives me the ability to do these things without sacrificing too much time with my family.

Ultimately, yes I’m selfish – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But I challenge any of you to tell me you’re not. That manicure you got last weekend instead of buying your child the newest toy, the childless date night you had with your husband or the romantic overnight trip you’re planning this summer … those are all selfish acts. And that doesn’t make you a bad person. That makes you human, alive, engaged… so if you want to look down on me or think less of me for my choices have at it! In the meantime, I’ll just sit over here doing what I do and loving every minute of it!

 

Happy Mother's Day!

The moment a child is born the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman yes, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. – Rajeensh

As I looked at my son yesterday, while celebrating my first Mother’s Day it hit me (again) how much my world has changed these past eight months. This little man came into the world and literally made me something I’d never been before and never would have been without him.

Scrolling through Facebook and Instagram was like looking through a Hallmark catalog – flowers, cards, presents – it was overwhelming. I too, was given a very meaningful gift from my husband and son – an Alex & Ani “Mom” bracelet. It didn’t cost a fortune, it wasn’t a grandiose gift by any means, but it’s probably one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever been given.

Being a mom means everything to me. It is by all accounts the best “job” I’ve ever had. Waking up every morning to Lucas saying “da-da” and snuggling into my arms is truly awesome. When he smiles at me, with his two little teeth, I can’t help but smile back no matter how rough the day was. When his eyes light up when I pick him up from school and how he curls into my chest at night when he’s sleepy … these are moments I treasure. Yes, I’m being sentimental and sappy but I just can’t help it. Being a mom, HIS mom is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. I love our moments together, whether he’s crawling on the floor or sitting in the stroller on our walks, those are the best.

I love that right now, in this moment in time he needs me – no one else can give him what I can. I’m his mom, now and forever. I know as the years go on our relationship will change and he won’t need me as much, but I hope he always knows how much I love him and that I’ll always need him.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!! I hope you felt as much love yesterday (and every day) as I did!

Birthday Cake Protein Muffins

Birthday Cake Protein Muffins

 

INGREDIENTS:

-          1 ½  cup rolled oats, ground in food processor
-          4 scoops Dymatize Birthday Cake protein powder
-          1 cup liquid egg whites
-          1 tsp baking powder
-          1 cup water
-          28g mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

-          Preheat oven to 350
-          Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (except chocolate chips), stir until smooth
            (mixture will seem “watery”)
-          Spray muffin tin with PAM (I used two 6 cup muffin tins)
-          Pour  1/3 cup mixture into each section
-          Top each muffin with 2.3g of chocolate chips
-          Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges start to pull away from pan, and tops feel firm

MACROS (1 muffin)

-          11.55g Protein
-          6.33g Carbohydrates
-          1.08g Fat
-          84.43 Calories