Random Thoughts by Pina

It's crazy to think that at this time 6 years ago I was getting ready to start my new job as a nurse at Enloe and am going through the whole process again. I had no idea what would happen in those 6 years. This week was my first week at orientation and it was a doozy. I'm not used to sitting in lectures for 6-8 hours a day. I was exhausted by the end of everyday this week. By Wednesday I was feeling so much mom guilt. I have never been away from my kids this much and although they were either being cared for by their loving grandparents or dad, I could tell it has been hard on them too. But I think it was harder on me. Next week is going to be another crazy week but I just have to get through it and then my schedule will be more normal. I am so thankful for my parents for being willing to watch my kids so much and also so thankful that Sean has enough pto saved up to help get us through these couple of weeks. I will start patient care soon...I am nervous I won't remembe...

I hate it when Christians hide behind "religious freedom" to spread hate. I was reading about the new law Arizona passed that would enable Business owners to be able to with hold their services from certain individuals in order to "protect themselves from a lifestyle they oppose". Quote taken from this article,  http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/arizona-legislature-passes-bill-allowing-businesses-to-discriminate-against-gays-140225?news=852529.  What the hell?!?! I think the general public needs to be protected from Christians who use Jesus's name to spew hatred. If they truly wanted to represent Jesus they would not only serve the people, but they would invite them into their home (gasp) for a meal. If they wanted to go even deeper in obedience to Jesus and what he stood for they would make friends with the gay person...even invite them to their children's birthday party.  I would be a whole lot happier if those people would just admit thy maybe they a...

This is probably must favorite way ever to make curry. It is so tasty and pretty simple.  Ok so gather your cast of characters.  Protein- i used 1.5 lbs of chicken chopped. But you can use whatever you want!! Or no meat at all if you want to be vegan :) Veggies- I used a head of broccoli (stem included) and asparagus cut into bite sized pieces. I also used 1 diced shallot. Once again you can use whatever veggies you want. Zucchini, mushrooms, bell pepper...whatever you have (in my opinion...some people like to stay authentic but I use whatever is in my veggie drawer!!). And you will need half a butternut squash cut up into medium sized chunks. These will be boiled and purred for the sauce, so the size really doesn't matter.  Spices- curry powder,cardamom, garlic powder and salt.  You also need coconut milk and coconut oil. I have no idea what category that fits into. Get the full fat kind. It's the best :)   Ok, so fill a pot with water and add butternut squash ...

I told someone on Instagram that I would post this recipe. I need to actually do it before I forget. I get nervous when I post recipes because most of the time I just throw a bunch of stuff together and sometimes it turns out amazing. I get scared that someone will try to make if and it will be super gross or something and I will feel bad that they invested their time and ingredients. I will try my hardest to describe accurately what I did.  What you need  -chopped chicken sausage (I like aidells brand) about 3 I think.  -1 sweet potato chopped into small pieces -1 leek, chopped -1 head of broccoli cut I to small florets -7ish eggs -coconut oil -salt, chili powder, and cumin.    The first thing I did was brown some chopped chicken sausage in some coconut oil in an oven safe pan.  Remove sausage from pan then add 1 whole sweet potatoe (cut up into little pieces). Add a pinch of salt and a little more oil and cook that stirring frequently for a couple minutes...

2013 has been...amazing. To say the least. I decided dona year In review for the 3 of us. Unfortunately I only have pics from the last couple of months on this phone and I dont have a computer at the moment, so pics will be limited.  We rang in the last new year with our dear friends. I distinctly remember that night was the first night little 1 1/2 month old Eloise slept a 4 hour stretch. I wish she would sleep a 4 hour stretch these days!! Eloise went on to learn how to roll over, crawl, walk and say a few words. She started eating solids around April and quickly showed me that she was an independent woman who would only feed herself. I gave her finger foods almost immediately. Now she sits in a booster seat at the table and eats with a fork. She went on her first plane rides in August when we visited friends and family in TN and ND. She did great. She started using a pacifier around that time also and it was amazing. She starting sleeping long stretches and even through the nigh...

I need to be a better person. I have always had a bad habit of being really obnoxious, loud and overly sarcastic when in social situations. I often don't realize it till everyone has gone home, that maybe I joked around a bit to much. Maybe I embarrassed someone by making them the but if my joke, or maybe I just went to far with coarse humor. I know that part of that is just who I am and that is fine. Sarcasm is a wonderful tool when not overly used. I also have felt a conviction to try and be a better person/friend.  I have always been the class clown. I was the one who would humiliate myself just to make everyone around me laugh. For some reason when there is a lull in a conversation, I feel like I need to fill it up with some funny story or joke. A lot of times it is funny...but a lot of times it is awkward...and unnecessary.  I think part of this issue is the fact that I live a pretty isolated life these days. Don't get me wrong . I am so grateful to God and my husband for...

I am thankful that Jesus Christ was such a revolutionary and that his character is so much more gracious and loving then a lot of his followers make him out to be.  I am thankful for a healthy baby girl  I am thankful that Sean had such a great job that enables me to stay home with our baby.  I am also thankful that if I had to I could easily get a job and support our family with my RN license. I am thankful for a comfortable home, although it may seem a bit small at times, its the home we were able to afford.  I am thankful to live in Chico where I have access to amazing local,organic and healthy food. I don't have to look far for grass fed meat or pasture raised eggs and my csa is amazing.  I am thankful that I have access to unlimited free babysitting from grandmas, we may not always live in the same town as our moms but for now it is a good thing we do :)  I am thankful for best friends, even if they move away from you right when you need them the most ...

Today started off with Eloise's usual morning apple which allowed me to sit on the couch and drink some coffee before getting started in out real breakfast.  We had an egg and broccoli scramble made with our pasture raised eggs. It's amazing how delicious eggs are when the chickens are left to do what they are supposed to do. Which is forage, eat grass, weeds and bugs. The shells are super hard and the yolks are a vibrant orange, full off good minerals and cholesterol for a growing brain.  Eloise also got a spoonful of cocnut oil. She has got used to me giving her a spoonful of coconut every time I use it, so gets a spoonful most mornings. She also are half of a persimmon with her breakfast.  We went to the store to get a few thanksgiving essentials and Eloise got to have an organic fruit leather thing for the way home. She is so cute, I usually give her a piece ten start driving, when she runs out she signs please and sticks her hand out for it. Also while I was putting ...

In laying in bed wide awake while my husband and baby sleep the night away. I'm jealous. Maybe my insomnia has something to do with the 2 naps I took with my baby today. I didn't feel the greatest today and was nursing a headache, so I succumbed to the temptation of napping. You would too if you had this cozy little angel nursing all snuggled up against you.  Lately I've let a few things back into my diet that aren't that great. Like sugar. Even though it is pure grade b maple sugar or raw unfiltered honey, it is still sugar. Also those delicious little Justin's dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  I used to get headaches a lot but since I drastically changed my diet and quit coffee a couple years ago my headaches disappeared. They are back. I'm not quite ready to quit the coffe drinking. I still have a baby who doesn't sleep through the night but needs a mama who isn't dead tired.  I  going to try to cut out my sugar intake again and see if that will hel...

Saturday started out with my amazing husband letting me sleep in!!! Sooooo wonderful! When I got up Eloise was snacking on some sliced almonds. We had some bacon that needed to get cooked to I decided to make an egg casserole with bacon, kale and potatoes. I got started on that while Sean made the coffee (essential). We kept Eloise busy by feeding her the last of the persimmon muffins. She is so funny. She likes to take a bite, go run around for a bit, then come back and eat some more. I always joke around and say that she likes to work off the calories in between bites.  I had to leave before the casserole was done. I forced myself to go work out and I'm glad I did. It was a hard one, but with thanksgiving coming up I didn't want to miss a workout. Sean said she liked the eggs so that is good. We decided to go to Sean's grandparents house to get some yard work done.  Eloise had so much fun playing outside. It's great having a bigger baby who can just play and get dirty...

I decided to call this one what she are yesterday...since it's about yesterday. I am a genius.  Yesterday we started the day out with a pre breakfast of an organic Fuji Apple, to keep her busy while I got the real breakfast going.  The real breakfast was an egg scramble with kale, salsa and chile powder. She wasn't as into it as I had hoped. She used to love this combo, but has grown weary if it I think...le sigh. Here is a pic.  I am glad I caught this squishy face. It is her special trick that she does all the time and expects you to do it back to her. So freaking cute.  Weezy had a nice nap but woke up kinda cranky so we shared an apple on the couch and watched Kelly and Michael while she woke up.  Also please note the red mark in the middle of her forehead. I have no idea what happened but one minute she was standing next to me in the kitchen and the next minute she was face down on the tile floor. Also my nose ring decided to form a giant zit around it so t...

I decided to start a new series (ha) called "what she ate today". Basically I am going to take iPhone pics of what my baby ate that day and post them. Sounds amazing right?  Why an I doing this? Well, people always seem surprised by what my baby eats so I thought this might give other moms some ideas for feeding their babies. I have to say first and foremost that Eloise is only 1 and eats pretty much anything I put in front if her but I realize that it may not last forever. I intend to be honest and post even when she stops eating such a great variety of foods.   Also, I am not trying to toot my own horn...I may feed my baby well, but that is pretty much the only thing I am good at. I am the worst housekeeper, I am lazy, and I take to many naps...but at least we eat well!!!  We eat a mostly paleo diet. I say mostly because we do eat rice occasionally snd Also the occasional cheese . We also partake in the occasional bean :). When I talk about beef on this blog it wil...

Here I am, more pregnant than I ever thought I would be. Actually I had a feeling that this would happen. I feel like I tend to be extreme in situations that my body is in charge of. Like the fact that my morning sickness lasted longer than most, I threw up more than most, managed to gain alot of weight in spite of the previously mentioned throwing up, and now I get to stay pregnant longer than most. Although people are induced alot more lately and I believe that if they let themselves it is more common to be late then not. I had an ultrasound today to check the baby's biophysical profile and amniotic fluid levels. Everything is fine. She looked really chubby on the ultrasound. We even saw some belly fat rolls and hair! She didnt look very happy. I think because she had been up partying all night and was not happy about being woke up so early in the morning. Since everything is fine we are just going to continue to wait. I have been getting daily acupuncture, which I am sick of...

Saturday marks my 6th year of marriage to an amazing man. 6 years ago I had no Idea what was in store for me. I first met Sean when I was about 15 or 16 and he was about 20 or 21. We were both camp councilors at a kids camp at my church. I thought he was a cool and funny guy, but not as cool and funny as his best friend Kevin. That year (I believe) was when Worship Generation started at my church and even though it was meant for college kids, the high schoolers enjoyed going also. Who wouldnt enjoy going to hear amazing music, with less supervision than high school ministry and hearing a nerdy music geek teach us how to find God in our everyday lives (yes even secular music and disney movies!! GASP!!!) Sean was the guy who did the announcements. He would always add a little personal story or something funny to it. One time he did an announcement from the toilet...we loved it. As always with a large group of people there were some people who didnt quite fit in. This was a nice group of ...

I just noticed today that there was a comment left on my crock pot chicken recipe post. I think I know who it was from...I have a couple friends named Michelle so I am not 100% sure. She said she had just put the chicken in the crock pot. I immediately felt a little sick...like oh crap...people are actually reading...and trying one of my recipes...and I got scared. What if it didnt turn out good for them?! What if the hate it and it is a complete wast of food!!! So scary!! Anyways...I just thought I would share. Have a great weekend Y'all!

Ok, so I went to make this chicken the other day and suddenly realized that I had no onions!!! WTF...How did that happen? Anyways...I went ahead and made the chicken anyways because 1. it was the middle of the night (what can I say, I work the night shift) 2. I really needed the meat for another recipe I was making. So this is how you make delicious crock pot chicken. Usually when I make a chicken in the crock pot I am going to use the meat for something else. In my opinion, it is not as tasty as roasting it in an oven. But this time it turned out really good! It could have been the centerpiece of a meal! What you will need: -1 Whole organic chicken (I get mine from costco) I have no idea how much it weighed...sorry... -Lots of salt (like a couple tablespoons)...and I know what you are thinking, that seems like alot of salt, and it is for 1 meal. But depending on how many mouths you have to feed This chicken is going to make 3 or 4 meals. So dont worry about the salt. -A pinch of peppe...

So, since I started on this paleo journey I really have not looked back. Part of what I love about it is that I really dont have to think about what I am eating. I mean...obviously it takes some time to meal plan and prepare but I cooked every night before I started so that wasnt to hard of a transition for me. What I mean when I say you dont have to think about it is when you are eating high quality fruit, veggies, nuts, and meat there is no need to count calories or feel guilty after you eat. I used to eat a meal and instantly feel super fat and gross (I know that is also an insecurity thing, not just a food quality thing). Now I eat a meal and move on...well...usually I think about how delicious it was :) My version of paleo is a little more strict than the average person. For most people the bottom line is no gluten, and avoid corn, legumes, grains, dairy, sugars and sweeteners. The average paleo person will have a corn tortilla every once in a while. Some grass fed milk, and...

I think the hardest part about this whole deal is staying at home. I get so bored...and so tired of being at home all day long. It helps when people come to visit and break up the monotony of it. Good thing this is temporary!! Natalie brought me some awesome thai basil...my last hurrah before embracing this whole paleo world. Jenee brought some soup over which was a huge blessing. Sean even packed it for his lunch the next day. Erica and malachai came over twice. The first time they just hung out. Malachai read some Miley Cyrus magazines and then fell asleep on the couch. The second time they took me to Trader Joe's. My mom and grandma stopped by and dropped off some decaf coffee for me. And my mother in law is making fajitas for my lunch today. I cant wait to cook again. Hopefully my husband will let me soon. He doesn't want me to do anything...ever. I told him that women go through this kind of surgery all the time (c-section) and they have babies to take care of when ...

Ok...I feel like I am going through the darkest days of my life, so I have decided to list all of the things I am grateful for. I realize that people go through trials that are much harder than mine. I think I have just been blessed with such good health for so long that being hit with a chronic illness has really laid me out. I am a wimp! Ok, here is the list 1. Jesus Christ who is faithful even when I am completely without faith. I will admit that my faith sometimes doesnt seem as strong as even a mustard seed. 2. Sean, he has been very patient and loving and supportive and helpful. I keep thinking maybe he has had enough (I have been all over the place with my emotions lately) but he remains patient and kind. I think we have grown closer because of this. 3. My left ovary...LOL...seriously...it gives me hope, hahahaha. 4. All my friends who visited me and those who havent. I still feel their support. Poor Erica tried to visit me yesterday but I was so tired and kinda sick to my stoma...

This is a word I never thought I would be struggling with. But these past couple days my life has had some twists and turns that I never expected. I think it is interesting that my facebook status on thursday said, "My life is drastically different than I ever planned for it to be, and for that I am grateful." Than friday happened, and I am not sure if grateful is the word I would use to describe how I feel. I had a horrible experience with a doctor here in town. When I told him that I wanted a second opinion he basically said that was a stupid idea and that I should just trust what he says. I am sorry...but that is not the way I make decisions regarding my health. I am an educated person who makes educated decisions. He was trying to take that away from me. I called my the on call line for my gynecologist in tears and she reassured me that I didnt need to start the drug that day and she moved her schedule around to see me on monday. I am so glad. So now, I am facing some tou...