Happy 16th Birthday, Adrian!

Sixteen years ago... this awesome boy was born. Adrian turn 16 on December 19,2013! Whoooot! I love him so!

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Cuteness captured!

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How cute is my big boy... and look! He is wearing his new scarf... the one I made!

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Today...

Little Aiden's selfies! Aiden took these "for the blog, Mama." Love him!

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Snowy day!!!! Look at little Aiden's reaction to snow accumulation...

So funny!

The three week mark...

It's been three weeks and counting into our official Paleo transition and amazingly we were all looking forward to something a bit more substantial than broiled or stir-fry veggies, salads, beef broth or beef bone soup.

I must confess, that since we started our transition, I've haven't experience the usual stomach cramps that would often follow my meal of late... that that was one of my biggest surprise.
It is with this thought in the back of my mind, that we ventured into our next phase of our new Paleo adventure.

Our meal tonight... Grass fed beef burgers.

They were a great big hit... they taste so much better than they look! Little Aiden is still a bit skeptical about eating anything that looks like meat, but he ate half of one patty.
I used a cast iron frying pan... next time I think I'll use the grill. Progress!

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... And today...

Getting down and drummy at WeBop Jazz!

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Happy little brother...

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Today.... these two cuties!

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Pic of the day! Christmas has come to 129th!

From Vegan to Paleo

I have been a vegan quite a few years now and recently have been struggling with  a newly discovered "sensitivity" to wheat and wheat gluten. I am finding it ever harder to find vegan ingredients that are non-GMO (genetically modified organisms), whole foods and gluten free. With this in mind... We, my sons and I with blessing of my medical professional and the support of my friends and family, we begin our transition into the Paleo lifestyle. This is one of the biggest changes to be made in our household in a very long time... and it IS hard.

Thanks to Courtney, of BaxtronLife I am able to begin our transition from Vegan to Paleo much more smoothly than I anticipated. With "Practical Paleo" I am feeling more confident with our change and less panicky about our venture back into the world of the omnivores.
If you’d have told me, three months ago, when I didn't even included honey in our diet that I would be eating a primal diet  that WILL include meat and exclude soy and TVP, I’d have thought you'd completely lost your mind. But here we are... starting this new adventure... a bit shakily, but doing it nonetheless. We will continue to exclude fouls from our diet, along with milk... the two boy are allergic.

So what is the Paleo (Paleolithic) lifestyle about? The Paleo lifestyle consist of  a "Primal" diet of whole foods or "real foods" that fuels your body naturally and avoiding all refined, processed or nutrient poor foods... including grains, beans, refined sugar and pasteurized dairy products, to name a few.

Paleo is not a cut and dry lifestyle, but we are looking forward to improving our health by transitioning slowly. I know after years of living on a vegan diet, there will be some instances when I will reflexively want to object to some of the item that will show up on our plate, but once again... we will undertake this pilgrimage with patience and an open mind.

As of December 1,2013 we have begun our slow transition into the Paleo lifestyle. I am confident that with the support of my friends and family we will set out on this new adventure of enjoying, exploring and eating new foods... I hope you all will stick around and  walk this path with us.

Introducing... Pic post of the day!

A new daily post... a pic a day!

First up: Little Aiden!

How cute is this little guy?

"Tis the season!

I grew up drinking sorrel, especially around the holiday season, so it is no surprise that brewing and drinking this wonderful drink would be a part of my life and my children's life... sorrel! I love it and just can't get enough. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to get creative and made some sorrel based smoothie. They were scrumptious!!!

Sorrel Smoothie

1 16 oz Welch's Four Berry Mix
1 cup sorrel
A blender

Toss the Welch's Four Berry Mix and the cup of sorrel  into your blender and blend to your desired consistency.

Enjoy!

A new hobby!

Crocheting has been on my list of things to learn for quite some time now... and finally, here it is!

Initially, when I first tried my hand at crocheting, I seem to only get the same old  result... a squiggly swirly mess. If I put it together it looked like a flower, but that was it... no pattern... not resemblance to the scarf I want to make.

I had to go back to my instructor for another lesson on the basic of crocheting. Here is what I am able to do after that second lesson!

Now it's fun.. and relaxing!

Little Aiden's Conferral

So by now, most of you know that I am a Nicheren Buddhist... and have  been actively practicing for quiet awhile now. My eldest has been confirmed into the practice (our version of a Christian christening) so it was only a matter of time for Aiden who is considered a "Fortune Baby"... a child born into the practice.
The decision was made and on November 3,2013, Little Aiden was official confirmed into the practice as a Nichiren Buddhist.

... and of course, hang out with friends.

The end of WeBop for now...

It is the end of WeBop... for now... and it was awesome fun! We ended with with a live band!

Here are some pictures in frames.

So wish I had a better picture of the group.

Little Aiden and I can't wait for the new sessions to begin!

Ending October with a blast!

The end of October brought with it more adventures and crazy fun. Little Aiden is more aware of the places he has been and tends to remember specific incidents that occurs, which in turn makes for a smorgasbord  of great conversations and pretend plays. I was always fascinated with how his mind works... many things I have not considered, he has... from all different angles.

Here are a few of those moments in frames!

My little guy loves to travel, but sometimes motion sickness gets the best of him.

A little pony ride.

Look at that face! Ha!

Halloween 2013

As usual... it was fun times 10!