Juice Fast—Day 4

We're finally starting to get a system for making enough juice ahead of time. But also starting to get bored of the same old flavors. So, for breakfast Robb added a bunch of blueberries to one batch. Then this afternoon when I made up some new juice, I switched it up a bit. I made one batch without spinach, carrots and ginger. Then the next one I made without tomatoes and added tons of ginger. Anyhow, it was nice for a change up. 


Robb: Feeling pretty good today although I was getting a wee bit cranky by the end of the work day (I wanted to take Zeke trick or treating), but I don't think that had to much to do with the whole not eating thing.
Energy Level: good
Pounds Lost: too many
Crankiness: not to bad

Jess: Not much to report today. I kept up with drinking enough juice today, so I didn't have a slump this evening. I took a glance into Zeke's Halloween candy bag and was sorely tempted by a little Snickers bar. 
Energy Level: normal
Pounds Lost: 2
Crankiness: none (ha ha, maybe a little as it got later)

Halloween

Zeke got this little costume from his babysitter when she came back to town this fall. Since Robb had to work pretty late, David and Nel dropped by to take him downtown trick-or-treating with Oliver for a bit. I guess he was pretty shy at first. And Oliver didn't want to keep on his accessories (isn't he the sweetest little dragon?).

When Robb got home, we took Zeke over to the Currents, and then went home to wait for a little Zebra to drop by. I love the little ones in their costumes!

A Lovely Moment

I was feeding the baby and Zeke was demanding that I get HIM some milk. So I told him if he fed the baby I would go get his milk. I love how they are staring at each other. It didn't last for more than a minute though.

Autumn Love

It's the time of year when local nurseries have giant sales and Robb and I just ran over on our lunch breaks to grab a few. Now, if only Robb and Corren could have figured out how to unload this one...

Juice Fast—Day 3

Days two and three are supposed to be the toughest, so here goes!

A note on the juice: I'll admit that the first concoction we made was pretty hard to swallow. It didn't taste very good and I had to finish it in little sips. But gradually we've developed a recipe that works for us and also I've probably just started to get used to it. Our recipe is something like this:

2 cucumbers
2 apples
3 stalks celery
2 carrots
1 bunch spinach
3 tomatoes
1-2 lemons (peeled)
1 chunk ginger root
1 clove garlic

Robb: Today was pretty darn good! I stayed busy and drank more. I still had some of those moments when I thought I needed a snack, but it wasn't too bad. Tomorrow there's a potluck at work so I'm a little nervous. So we'll see..
Energy Level: good
Pounds Lost: I don't know
Crankiness: doin' good!

Jess: I can't believe it, but I feel really good. I'm waiting for some severe hunger pangs or grouchiness or cravings. Unfortunately, I sorta forgot to make more juice this afternoon, then got too busy. So, by about 7:00 I was feeling the mild headache effect of low blood sugar.
Energy Level: normal, well really tired by evening...
Pounds Lost: 1
Crankiness: mild (Robb says not so mild)

Juice Fast—Day 2

For dinner we decided to mix things up a bit and made some fruit drink. So good. It was just pineapple, peaches and apples. I also threw a little basil in our regular drink and that took it to a whole new level.

Robb: Well, things are a little better for me today but not by much. I've realized I just need to drink a lot of juice, and maybe switching up the flavors is good too.
Energy Level: a little sluggish (long cases at work today).
Pounds Lost: 0
Crankiness: only a little

Jess: So, I guess I expected to feel really hungry at this point, or to be obsessed with what I am going to eat in another eight days. But, nope. There are plenty of calories in juice, so if I'm drinking enough, it isn't really an issue. The only thing is when I make food for Ezekiel it does look pretty tempting. And I catch myself almost popping a goldfish in my mouth or licking the peanut butter off my hand. Not a bad second day though.
Energy Level: normal
Pounds Lost: 0
Crankiness: none

Juice Fast—Day 1

So, here we go. After a few months of casual juicing, we've decided to take the plunge and try a 10-day juice fast/cleanse. We first tried juicing right after we came home from the hospital with Lincoln. Dad and mom had been doing it for some time and talking about it constantly. With much skepticism, we finally watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (free on Hulu, but it's on Netflix as well if you are interested) and were inspired to give it a go.

Robb: I really don't eat that much, in fact I get made fun of quite a bit ("You eat like a bird"). Well apparently I'm very used always eating something small. THERE IS FOOD EVERYWHERE! grrr!
Energy Level: normal
Pounds Lost: 0
Crankiness: none

Jess: Unlike Robb, I'm not really feeling like this will be a big deal. I'll probably want to eat my words (and just about anything else) in a few days.
Energy Level: normal
Pounds Lost: 0
Crankiness: none

Milk

Lincoln luxuriates in his milk coma.

Milk (or meeyouk, as Zeke calls it) is quit popular in our home at the moment.

Barbery

Zeke got a new haircut tonight, thanks to Uncle Corren. Our last attempt was nearly a failure, so we were apprehensive to try again, but I think the novelty of Corren being the barber helped out. Also, Zeke loves to stare at himself in the mirror.

Auntie Cheris

Cozy together.

Sabbath Style

Robb loves dressing the boys for church. Today I thought Zeke looked like a little frat boy who had been partying all weekend. Maybe cause his hair didn't get combed. And Lincoln is wearing a little had that Grandma Marie got for Zeke, but that never fit his giant noggin. It won't fit Lincoln again either. What is with these giant-headed boys?

The Incomparable Mrs. Finkbiner

We had such a treat this week. My good friend Sherisa came for a visit TO TAKE CARE OF US! Unbelievable, right? She watched the boys while we went on a date last night, then today she brought Emmarie over so we could all hang out this evening and then she made supper for us. We feel so blessed.

A Brownie Breakfast

We had a very busy morning. Lincoln had his checkup at 8:00, and by the time we got home I had to rush to get ready for work. So, little Ezekiel had some time to himself and he made good use of it. I guess we left out at least half a dish of brownies (I can't remember how many were left, but Robb thinks at least half).

Anyway, he's been discovering that by pulling his little white chair around the house with him, he can reach even higher. And this is what I found when I came back into the kitchen. Little rascal even used the available butter knife to chop out chunks to devour.

Fuzzy

Nel and I actually got out for a stroller walk today. I think this is a first since we moved. It was a lovely fall day, I hope there are more like it. I noticed a fuzzy little caterpillar on the side of the road, and knew I had to get it for Zeke. McKenna has been keeping one for some time and let him play with it, he was so intrigued.

I didn't want to pick it up though. I know, what a wimp. I finally flipped it onto a cloth and plopped it in his lap. He (with helpful suggestions from Auntie Nel) named it Fuzzy. It will live in his room.

Laundry Shoot!

The job complete, Robb takes his tools back to the shop.

Zeke's pajamas are the first traveler down the shoot.

Here I am taking a design break to toss a bunch of laundry.

Okay, I'm super excited to announce that, thanks to my amazing husband, I have a laundry shoot! It has effectively cut out the piles and baskets of dirty laundry throughout the house.

It has also attracted the attention of our toddler. I haven't caught him using it yet, but so far I have found the following in the basement laundry basket: a screwdriver, two AA batteries and a random piece of baseboard trim.

Lincoln Photo of the Day

I just love it when he breaks out little poses with his hands. He was half sleeping here.

Storytime with Grandma

Grandma got this Curious George book for Ezekiel last time she was here, so they had fun enjoying a few bedtime stories tonight. His favorite story seems to be George and the Ducks, which is about a big dump truck full of dirt.

Lincoln Photo of the Day

Loving my drowsy little man.

Parting Shots

The proud artist and his work.

This morning we had planned an early departure, but we tend to get distracted. First, there was a walk through the woods to check out cabin spots. Then we wanted to go check out the progress on Uncle Larry's place. He has been making incredible headway!

Dirt Piles

Rolling in the dirt.

A cloudy evening view.

Playing in the dirt is one of Zeke's favorite activities, so he was ecstatic that there were several massive dirt piles to explore.