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May is Crazy and Some Big Changes for Me!!!

Hi guys!  Does anyone else agree that May is totally crazy?  The last few weeks have been jam-packed (kind of like normal), but my normal computer time hasn't been spent blogging (obviously since I didn't post my last two weeks of menus and I've missed hardly any weeks since I started this blog in 2008).

Anyway...Here are a few things that have been occupying my time.

1.  These kids...I love them!  They are super, super busy, but I'm so blessed to be their mom!  I loved mother's day and their homemade cards and gifts and extra effort to be sweet.   

2.
I know I'm not the only baseball mom out there.  :)  We have baseball practices and/or games almost five days a week.  I'm learning to love the game a lot more and my boys are enjoying it!  It's been a good experience for our soccer-playing-family.  Dinnertime and getting homework done has been a bit of a challenge lately.  Not much time to do anything else other than go to baseball.  

3.  My 9 year old got glasses and soft contacts a few weeks ago.  It's been a team effort to get his contacts in and I'm getting a lot faster at it!  

4.    Our ward boundaries were split a few weeks ago and we got to move into a brand new, beautiful church building.  With this change came a change for me and a new calling (church job).   I get to work with the kids in the primary program.  This has involved lots of phone calls, texts, emails, and meetings to get all the different positions filled and things figured out.  It's been a little crazy, but super fun.  I love being with the kids as they are learning more about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I'm so blessed! 

5.  This is the biggest thing for me....a huge lifestyle change for sure!!!
I went to a fabulous new doctor yesterday for a yearly well check.  And I got some bad news for me...I have high cholesterol.  Holy cow!  That sounds so...adult.    I have some horrible habits, most of which involve food.  I am definitely a stress snacker and I don't always snack on great things...chips, etc.  Gone are the days of eating as many cookies as I want with little effect on my body.  

The doctor agreed with me that I need to change my diet and hopefully I won't have to take cholesterol-lowering medication.  I have a family history of high-cholesterol, but I know that my eating habits are a huge part.

So, starting now, I am taking control of my diet.  I am thinking of food, not as comfort, but as a means to feed my body and make my heart healthy.

The doctor was listing off the things that should be eaten in moderation or that have high cholesterol and I just wondered, "what on earth will my family eat?"  We're a definitely a meat eating family (esp. beef thanks to my dad and his grass fed beef in my freezer).  We love dairy products, and lots of bread and cookies, etc.  I love to bake, but I think I need to have a new hobby.  :)  My kids love all things white...white bread, rice, etc.  Hopefully they don't starve or complain too much.

Menu planning is going to be interesting this week.  I think I'm up for the challenge.  Wish me luck!  I'm excited to go to the store and load up on lots of my fav fruits and veggies.  


I'd love to hear any of your favorite heart-healthy snacks or lunches or meals.  And, have any of you tried the new Our Best Bites flavored olive oils?  I'm tempted to get some to make some yummy salads for lunches.  

Have a fabulous day!  
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P.S.  Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram feed just for my blog.  It's only a few weeks old, but it's fun having a Instagram account just for food, favorite things, etc.  

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