Losing the Baby Weight - 25 Pounds Later

I guess you could say Weight Watchers is working for me. Above is a family picture from September 2011 and below is one from February 2012. I'm not ready to start posting full body shots of me in a swimsuit or anything, but you can tell in my face. Plus you get to see my cute family this way.

Last time I talked about losing weight I pontificated about the possible reasons why I was having such an easy time. People keep assuming I must be working out like a crazy woman to drop 25 lbs in less than 2 months, but actually since the knee incident I have not done much. I did dust off my Tae Bo videotape last week and had a date with Billy Blanks and his shiny blue unitard. Yup that baby is so old it is on VHS. However, for the most part this whole thing has been based on diet. Like I mentioned last time I feel like the fact that we are eating a lot more vegetarian and vegan meals are a huge contributing factor. I found an interesting article in the NY Times by Jane E. Brody that reported this:

"The foods that contributed to the greatest weight gain were not surprising. French fries led the list: Increased consumption of this food alone was linked to an average weight gain of 3.4 pounds in each four-year period. Other important contributors were potato chips (1.7 pounds), sugar-sweetened drinks (1 pound), red meats and processed meats (0.95 and 0.93 pound, respectively)..."

"Also not too surprising were most of the foods that resulted in weight loss or no gain when consumed in greater amounts during the study: fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Compared with those who gained the most weight, participants in the Nurses’ Health Study who lost weight consumed 3.1 more servings of vegetables each day."

That being the case I thought I would share a few of my new favorite meat-free recipes with you. Even if you are not trying to shed a few pounds, who isn't always looking for a new yummy recipe.



First and foremost like most red blooded American girls I am addicted to Pinterest. Anytime you want to see what might be on my menu check my Chow Time board. You can tell all the super fattening recipes are at the bottom when I first started and all the healthy vegan stuff is at the top. I discovered my new favorite website Vegan Yum Yum on Pinterest. I have spent my entire cooking life looking for a perfect stir fry sauce and have finally found it. We made the Sweet Chili Lime Tofu with Wok Steamed Collards and Quinoa and it was not only the best Asian sauce I had ever made it was the best tofu we ever made. We have since used the sauce on various other recipes and I am in heaven. Last night we tried her Pan Fried Tofu, Kale and Stir Fried Noodles and the mustardy sauce was another home run.

Another new favorite website is Oh She Glows. So much deliciousness. I was quite smitten with her 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta. Her Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese intrigues me. Just tried a sweet potato mac and cheese from Cooking Light last week that called for chorizo and used soyrizo instead. It was so-so. Anyway, Oh She Glows has a plethora of vegan goodness.

Eating healthier means a lot more trips to the grocery store. I have to go all the time for milk for the kids, but now that I am also eating their stash of organic fruits and veggies it means a lot more trips to Farmers Markets and what not. I am thinking of joining one of those farms where you get sent a bushel of fresh organic veggies each week. I have a Groupon for Johnson's Backyard Garden I keep meaning to cash in. Not only do they sell lovely veggies at the farmers market (I bought and used their purple Kale and purple cauliflower just last week) they also have scrumptious recipes on their blog to help you figure out what to make with your bushel.

Do you have any favorite vegan or vegetarian recipes? I'm all ears if you do. If I can just make it through the kids birthday party this weekend and I don't have to move (long story for another blog post) I am hoping to put a vegetable garden in the backyard this year. That would save me a bundle at the grocery store.

I Love to Create - Fabric Scrap Shoes

This is not my first time at the shoe making rodeo. Typically I have made pairs for my children (booties and chucks), but from time to time I whip up a pair for myself (whale slip ons and cameo mary janes). After a recent trip to Nordstrom where I was eyeballing a pair of colorful Toms I had new shoes on the brain. Today over at BlogHer I spotlighted the most adorable pair of Toms made to look like owls and it sealed the deal - I must make myself some new shoes.


SUPPLIES
Plain Shoes
Quilting Yo-Yo's
Fabric Scraps
Fabric Fusion Glue
Paint Brush
Scissors
Water


The first thing I did was raid my stash of fabric scraps. I don't hardly sew a lick, but nothing gets me more excited than coming across a bag of vintage quilting fabric scraps at a flea market. I have used the scraps to make ping pong ball necklaces, bracelets and more. Anywhoo, get your scraps together. The more random the better as far as I am concerned.


Using Liquid Fusion glue I started attaching my scraps to my plain white shoes. I diluted my glue with water and applied it with a paint brush. I would trim, glue and brush as I went. There is no right or wrong way. The more wet the fabric is the easier it is to mold to your shoes.


One tip is to fold the strips over the edges of the shoes to give it a nice finished look.


Rather than covering the straps in scraps I opted for some vintage quilting yo-yo's that I had.


After the shoe is completely covered how you want it allow the shoes to dry completely.


After the shoes are dry they might be a little stiff. A few rounds in the washing machine and some everyday wear should help with that.


I could have spent $40 at the mall, but I like my own custom quilted pair of shoes even better.

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

I Love to Create - Fabric Fireplace Screen

My fireplace has long been the bane of my home decorating existence. The fireplace is made of stone and has no mantle. The stone is very textured making it hard to hang anything. Living in Texas we don't have fireplace weather very often. That being the case 364 out of 365 days I stare at an empty soot covered hole. Finally, this past weekend my mother and I came up with a solution. Using some of the fabric I had leftover from Tallulah's bedroom we created a fabric covered fireplace screen.


SUPPLIES
Foam Board
Liquid Fusion Glue
Fabric
2 thin flat boards
Strips of magnet
Measuring Tape

The first thing I did was measure my fireplace. I then used those measurements to cut my foam board to the size I needed.


After I ironed the fabric (well ok, after my mom ironed the fabric) we wrapped the foam board like a package.


We used Liquid Fusion Glue to adhere the fabric to the board.


I didn't want to use wood board for fear one of my kids would pull the screen down on them. There is an existing piece of metal in the fireplace that houses the chainmail screen. I thought attaching a piece of lightweight foam board with magnets would be my best bet. However, with foam board I run the risk of one of those same kids pushing on the screen and breaking it in the middle. To prevent this we glued two thin boards across the back with Liquid Fusion Glue.

Using Liquid Fusion Glue we attached the magnet tape to the upper backside of the foam board. The magnet tape has sticky on the back, but it sucks and needed some extra help.


Most people hang art over the fireplace, I put mine in the fireplace. The colorful fabric print is busy enough that I'm not sure I need to hang anything else. Maybe I can finally be at peace with my stone fireplace thanks to my new fabric screen. It has only taken me 10 years to get here. Now why didn't I think of that sooner.


***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

Fabulous Free Fridays in February - M-Edge Custom Tablet or E-Reader Jacket

Attention all E-reading or tablet toting artsy types. M-Edge wants to give you a free custom Kindle coozie, iPad warmer or tablet toboggan. Whatever type of device you use and whatever type or artwork you can come up with - they will make a custom cover for you. Scan in your favorite crocheted cardigan, scrapbook project or even a photo of your kids. I love being able to customize things with my own personal designs. It is enough to make me wish I had my only tablet to create a custom cover for!

Leave me a comment about what you would use to personalize your electronics and I will pick a winner for a $60 gift certificate to M-Edge by next Friday.

I Love to Create - Heart Shaped Elbow Patch Cardigan

Since Tallulah got a new pair of shoes for Valentines Day I thought it was only fair that I make Baxter a themed outfit. I had seen the idea of heart shaped elbow patches on the Country Living website and loved it. They took the time to hand stitch their hearts, today for I Love to Create I took the time to hand paint mine.


SUPPLIES
Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in tan
Cardigan
Tulip Slicks Fabric Paint in brown
Tulip Sticky Fabric Stencils
Tulip Stencil Brush


The first thing you need to do is determine where your child's elbows will hit on your cardigan. Once you mark the spot place your sticky back heart shaped stencil right on top. Using tan paint and a stencil brush apply a coat of paint. Notice I did not get paint in the crown portion of this stencil. Also you might want to put something between the sleeves so that the paint does not bleed through to the other side of the sleeve. Allow to dry completely.


I love the look of hand stitching, but am not a huge fan of actually doing any stitching. I love to take the quick and easy route and fake the look with some Tulip Slicks fabric paint. Just apply small dashes all around the edges of the hearts to give a sewn effect.


Next pop your kiddlet in their new sweater and beam with pride. We have been referring to Bax as Professor Baxter in his new elbow patches cardigan. Super cute, snuggly and perfect for Valentines Day!

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

Losing the Baby Weight - Weight Watchers is Mad at Me Again

Thanks everyone for all your words of encouragement last time I posted about my weight loss goals. Reading that other people have done this, are doing it and plan to do it too really helps me stay motivated. So far so good, I have just passed my 10% goal and lost 20lbs. I am less than 10lbs away from my goal weight. This is going much father than I expected and apparently much faster than Weight Watchers expected.

Weight Watchers is mad at me again, but they can kiss my progressively skinnier butt. They are mad at me for losing too much weight too fast again. I swear I am not doing anything crazy. I get 33 points a day and according to their statistics I average 29 points a day. So yes some days I am 4 points under, but last night I went out for Indian food and helped myself to Tallulah’s ice cream and mango sundae. These are my thoughts on perhaps why it is coming off faster than it should....

1) I am still breastfeeding. You can tell Weight Watchers you are nursing (I did) and it supposedly allots you extra points accordingly. What they had no way of knowing is that my 11 month old still wakes up about 8 times a night to snack. Ya I know I gotta break that habit, but maybe since nursing burns extra calories his voracious appetite is burning even more extra calories.

2) I kicked Cokes to the curb. Another New Year’s Resolution to go along with my weight loss goals was to quit drinking soda. I drank the real thing baby, full calories and sugar. On average I bet I drank 3 per day. The Dr. in the hospital made the mistake of telling me I could have 6 a day before the caffeine got into my milk supply and I ran with it. Anyway, I switched to 1 cup of coffee a day so that knocks out probably 500 calories a day right there.

3) I’m not exercising, though my knee is a million times better. I got the results from the M.R.I. And the Dr. said the fracture in my knee “looked like a Christmas tree”. In other words I messed it up good. I have crutches in the car I am supposed to be using (did you know walking on crutches burns more calories than walking without), however I never use them now that I feel so much better. I might be out doing a little power thrfiting than I should, but that is not exercise.

4) I am eating so much healthier than I was even a month ago. For instance last weekend I helped throw a birthday party for my father-in-law (where I indulged in ice cream AND cake – see WW I cheat and use my flex points) anyway... There was a ton of left over vegetables we brought home. All week we have had salads, home made broccoli and cheese soup (made with whole milk and skim rather than half and half and whole), carrots with our vegan burritos rather than chips, Asian veggie stir fry and steamed veggie side dishes galore. Maybe adhering to a much more vegetarian/vegan diet is helping?

5) There have been some recent personal stresses around my house that might be contributing – new jobs, loss of jobs and sick kids. That might be doing it too. There is also that possibility that Weight Watchers does not want me to lose too fast because they are afraid I will quit their program when I reach my goal.

It has not all been smooth sailing around these parts. Last week I had gained a pound. Notice how I didn’t write a gushing blog post about that. Obviously, there is my knee. I can’t exercise for 6 weeks and have to get fitted for custom orthotics after that if I want to try running again. Also, there is the matter of my guttus-maximus that still looks like I am 6 months pregnant no matter how much weight I lose. I’m not sure there are enough sit-ups in the world to flatten out the flabby extra skin going on down there. I should take out stock in Spanx.

The hard part will be losing those last 10lbs and of course keeping the weight off. I have a friend’s wedding in the Florida Keys this fall and I am determined to not only go, but to wear a swimsuit and not feel mortified about it. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

How are your resolutions going? Are you sticking with them?

P.S. If I put on make-up today I'll post a picture.

Fabulous Free Fridays in February - HappyBaby

Guess what? Today is the start of FABULOUS FREE FRIDAYS IN FEBRUARY! You heard me right, every Friday this month stop by leave a comment and win some rad freebies. Oh man do I have some good stuff coming up. Let’s kick things off with a gift you can’t put a price on – occupied and quiet kids.

HappyBaby HappyPuffs are the easiest, cheapest, healthiest babysitter I know. How does a small piece of food babysit you ask? Well let me tell you...


For my 11 month old, who only has 1.5 toofuses these yummy little airy organic finger foods keep him endlessly entertained in his highchair. Baxter loves to practice picking things up off his tray and feeding himself. I have checked many an email at the kitchen table or finished up countless craft projects while Baxt sat content in his chair munching puffs. My favorite part about puffs is that they disolve really easily. Since we are lacking in the tooth department hard cereal still scares me a little bit.


But wait there is more... HappyPuffs also entertain my toddler. With a few staples from the pantry a full 20 minutes of free craft time could be yours while your kids entertain themselves with puffs. Put a glob of Playdoh on a plate. I have a recipe to make your own. Stick a spaghetti noodle in the center of that Playdoh sticking straight up. Next, give your toddler some puffs to thread onto the noodle. Did I mention these puffs can also make your kids smarter, this is improving hand eye coordination here people.

As if I didn’t love these puffs enough, did I mention the plastic containers they come in are BPA and PVC free? When we are all done with a batch of puffs I throw the empty container in the tub for my kids to play with. Why do kids think bath water is so delicious? Um gross, but I digress. Anyway, I use the containers to rinse the shampoo out of Tallulah and Baxter’s hair. Double whammy!


Ok so ya, the Happy Baby people gave me free stuff and I agreed to say nice things about them - but this is all true. My kids ate their puffs and food pouches long before this post. If you were to come to my house and peek in the tub you would really see empty puff containers co-mingling with boats and squirter toys. The best part is they want to give you some free puffs and pouches too!

All you have to do is leave me a comment and I'll choose a winner next Friday!

I Love to Create - 2nd Place Valentines Day Picture Frame

First things first, of course I don't think my daughter is second place. I think red ribbons (2nd place) matched my frame better than blue ribbons (1st place). Ok now that we have that out of the way, let's move on.


I love me some picture frames. I've said (and made it) before and I'm sure I will say (and make it) again. Valentines Day is right around the corner so I needed something fun, festive and most importantly handmade to offset all the Target frames I currently have going on.


SUPPLIES
Picture Frame
Sparkle Collage Pauge
Scrap Fabric
Random Crafty Curios
Scissors
Liquid Fusion Glue


The first you need to do is make yourself strips of fabric. I had an old red and white western shirt that fit my color theme perfectly. You might remember seeing this shirt in an issue of Altered Couture. This thrift store baby is the gift that keeps giving. Oh and this is Toofus McBruiser, my ever present craft helper.


Next using sparkly Collage Pauge wrap your fabric strips around your frame. This will take several strips and you want to get them pretty saturated so that you can easily smooth down rough edges and bumps. Also, try not to get Collage Pauge in your baby's hair like I did. Luckily, it is bath night around here.


Once your Collage Pauge has dried completely you can embellish your frame any way your heart desires. I put together a prize ribbon and vintage Kanzashi (Japanese hair flower). Using Liquid Fusion glue attach your adornments to the frame.


All that is left to do is fill your frame and set it out proudly!

Further Reading...
More Valentines Day projects
5 Kitschy Up-cyled Picture Frames
Terrarium Picture Frame
Wee Witch Shrine
Cafeteria Tray Picture Frame
Television Picture Frame
Milk Bone Memorial Picture Frame
5 More Kitschy Up-cycled Picture Frames

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***