My thoughts on going Paleo.

Whew, let's talk about our family's experience with going Paleo. In December of 2013 I was challenged by family (as a combined effort) to make some future goals for my health and to start taking steps towards our goal. My biggest goals were to eliminate most grains and sugar from my diet, and to get flexible. ;) I knew I needed Zack in on this with me, as it would be impossible to do with just myself. He agreed to two months, and we stuck to it for a solid months very strict, while slowly introducing some gluten-free options and limited grains in during the 3rd and 4th months. It was HARD, I challenged myself more than anything but I am stubborn as shit and knew that I could do it. I felt good. Never got that yucky full bowel feeling after eating, stopped getting headaches, and had such a healthy feeling gut. We could pile yummy fresh veggies on our plate and feel good about what we were eating with our kids.

What was Paleo for us? 
Paleo eating seems to be defined differently for everyone. I followed a few different guides and was incredibly strict to begin with (about 3 months before introducing "cheats"). We ate absolutely no grains. This included any bread products, chips, anything with flour in it. Also, we cut out refined white sugar and all by-products as well. I slowly introduced local raw honey as a sweetener for baking and coffee after I was able to "wean" from the sugar cravings. We also did not eat white potatoes or corn, as these were some of the restrictions for paleo eating.

Some of the websites we followed and got recipes from:
http://wellnessmama.com/category/soups-stews/
http://paleomg.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/elanaspantry
http://nomnompaleo.com/

                                         The Positives

 Weight loss was a big positive for us, especially for Zack who lost close to 30 lbs in 6 weeks. It was pretty extreme. I lost about 20 over the course of 3/4 months. (But gained back half of that as soon as I stopped being strict on no grains).
We felt energetic, had no headaches, and felt like our digestive systems were on track.
Felt good about what we were eating, and what we were giving our kids.

The Negatives
Cooking: Cooking for Paleo eating takes TONS of prep, buying all kinds of new ingredients and more work then I was used to doing. I enjoyed it, but not everything turned out yummy. It was a learning experience, for sure.
Milk Supply: My milk supply dwindled immensely. With no grains, I was able to only pump 2 oz at times, when I would usually get 12 or so! In order to give my baby enough milk I would have to eat something with grains in it before pumping if I knew I would be going to a birth soon. This was one of the biggest downfalls, and why I wouldn't go completely grain-free again.
Cost: The initial costs of switching EVERYTHING were pretty tough.We had to purchase new sauces, yogurts, dressings, snacks and meats. It has definitely changed the way we look at ingredients, and now we stick with the same sauces (the ones that do not have any added sugar or no refined white sugar) and have come to love and prefer them.

Would I do it again? Yes, if for a short time. I still try to do most dinners with a no grain or sugar mentality but we do have bread sometimes, or an unhealthy snack, and I am ok with that! I would absolutely introduce exercise while you've gained back your energy because I think the benefits would be enormous. I was never able to get in regular exercise while doing this eating plan and I wish I would have, for sure.

Why public school Kindergarten is not happening this fall

Disclaimer: This post is written by a very hormonal and emotional new (again) mommy. I am sleep deprived, running off caffeine, worn out from tandem nursing, and very upset about this whole school situation. 

Last Wednesday was a big day for the Pace family! 

It was Lincoln's Kindergarten screening day at our local district public school. We had an appointment set up with the school for 3 pm. According to our paper we received in the mail we would get a tour, see classrooms, see a dentist (!?) and Lincoln would be "screened" to see what he needed to work on this summer in preparation for Kindergarten.   We made it a family affair. All five of us went to Lincoln's big day. I wore Marsden in a wrap, and we had Asher in a little umbrella stroller. We walked in and I already started getting misty eyed. Going to his first school is such a big milestone for our oldest son. 

In a word the entire experience turned out to be AWFUL. A teacher came to take Lincoln to his screening while Zack and I went into the parents information session. During our session Zack and I were astonished to hear that kindergarten is now a rigorous, hard core grade that focuses on preparing the kids for passing the the state tests and getting everyone to the exact same level. Not once were the words CREATIVITY or IMAGINATION used. They explained that in the past there has been too much play time and craft time and that they had to focus and set rigid goals. The whole time I am sitting here thinking IS THIS MILITARY SCHOOL!? I could not believe that they start this right off the bat in kindergarten with little kids who many have never been to any school in their lives before. 

So, after our information session which was about 10-15 minutes long we were taken by a teacher and the school principal into a small room. There they proceeded to tell us about her screening with Lincoln. She explained that he just would not work right with the school this year and they recommended holding him back a year. Basically this was all they said in a nutshell. They told us "he couldn't even hold the pencil or write out his name" and asked if he had any school before this. I was so upset that I was not able to ask more questions at that time, I got up, grabbed Lincoln my awesome special boy and left, crying as I walked out the door. 

Why was I crying? What made me so crazy upset? Well first, I think it is insanely unfair to judge a child's development based off a 10-15 minute meeting in which he is sitting in front of a teacher asked to perform tasks, when I am sure he was incredibly intimidated by the situation in the first place. I first felt embarrassed and ashamed that I had not prepared him well enough for kindergarten. Then I got angry. I was furious that this was our option. I was beyond mad that they take away play time and hands- on, fun learning and make school such a strict rigorous program right from the get go. Not all kids learn that way, and not all kids do well at taking tests or performing for teachers. 

I want a place for my son that is SPECIAL like he is. I want some place that can nurture his strengths and help me to find the very best way in which he learns things so that I can foster that. I want him to feel empowered about every thing he learns, not feel like he has to catch up to be on par with the test level the school desires so they can get more funding!!! My son is NOT A ROBOT. My son will not fit into this box. He is amazing, smart and talented in so many other ways, who gives a damn about how well he writes his name (which btw he does very well with me at home while I direct him, and can point out the letters and their names, and is very amazing at coloring and staying in the lines) 

I am searching for the very best option for Lincoln this fall. I will be starting school as well and Lincoln is such a social child that he was really REALLY looking forward to starting school in a couple months. Back to the drawing board we go. Ive already sending out emails and frantically trying to make sure that my son has a place that he will LOVE and that will love him as well. 

Prepping for a transition

I am not sure of how typical it is, but both my boys seem to be going through new "phases" as we prepare to welcome this new baby any day. Let me go a little more in depth.

Lincoln-

has recently started this very odd oral fixation thing. Hands in his mouth constantly, biting and sucking on random things here and there. He has never been like this, did not even take a paci for very long as a baby. Now I am constantly asking him to take his fingers out of his mouth, and he is getting red irritated marks around his lips from doing it so often! I know there has to be some "reason" behind the whole thing. It seems very unusual for his age~ almost 5, to start something like this. Thoughts? What can I do other than ask him not to do it?


Asher-

Where can I start with Asher? Things have been really difficult with him lately. He is in this new "NO" phase and while I definitely know this is normal, it is just not in line with his usual personality. He does not and will not listen to me at all lately. He acts insanely defiant and pushes me to the verge of tears almost daily now. This whole thing was just so sudden and I am having a difficult time with holding my patience together dealing with him. Its this whole HUGE struggle to do our daily things like diaper changes, getting dressed or anything thats not his number one priority at that time. This may just be a coincidence that it is coming out right before baby, but it may also be him asking for more attention because he senses all the time I am putting into "baby Mars" already. Whew, I don't know!!!!!

North Carolinians again!

We are back in the good ole state of NC. It feels weird right now, probably because I am still on vacation in the outer banks, but to know I am not returning to live in my home in Ohio is such a strange feeling. I am sad, but excited for the future and something new in our lives.

I cried for a good two hours straight on my drive down here. Sobbed into my pillow, literally. I guess it was just so final, and so difficult to say goodbye to the house that means so much to me. I have lived there for 6 years just about, and my memories in that house will be with me forever.

LA got a new haircut!

Ch-ch-check it out.
                                                  Before

                                                 During

                                                  After

 

 

What do you think? It has taken me awhile to get used to it, but it is starting to really suit him and it looks great. :)

The Big Move.

Ohio vs NC

 

 
I have been asked many times by my friends and family why we are currently trying to move back to NC. I thought it would only be appropriate to dedicate a blog post to it, and set out some reasons we have discussed that are leading us to the south again.

1. Our dogs are becoming pansy little wimp dogs who just want to prance around in the house and avoid playing outdoors at all costs. I guess that happens when your cooped up inside a house for months at a time, and when the backyard is so teeny tiny they have to run around in circles to get any exercise. They lazy dogs have even resorted to POOPING on the back deck, cause god-forbid they get snow on their precious little (big) dog bellies! Here is a picture of the little brats/sometimes angels (but mostly brats):

                                   Tosko                                                                                  Abby

        2. Do I really even need to mention the weather?  
           Not only the weather, but also the scenery. There is no comparison, the part of Ohio we live in is drab and dull for almost 4 or 5 months of the year. I live in the city in a neighborhood with out much nature or beauty surrounding us. We crave the beauty of NC again. To have a house with a yard for the kids to play, and for us all to be able to enjoy more days outdoors, not bundled up in layer for fear of frostbite every time you walk to the car. Here is a good comparison, the same time frame, outside our house now, and outside Zack's moms house:
                                                                                 NC

                                                                     



                                                                     Ohio (same month)

            Don't get me wrong, Ohio does have it's beautiful areas, and times of the year. Perfect for visiting. I just think NC is gorgeous, especially near the mountains. Ahhh, just thinking of Boone makes me smile.

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul." -John Muir

        3. Family/Friends. While we have great friends and family in both places, we have some wonderful people in NC who miss us dearly, as we do them, and it would be nice for Zack's side of the family to see our kids more often. (Both his brother's live down there, his parents as well) I will dreadfully miss my family here in Ohio, and my best friends and all my mama friends up here!!!!!!
        4. A chance at a change, to start all over. And really change is good! We came here to Ohio at 19 years old and settled down, we have been in the same place-same jobs same house for this whole time, never meaning for that to happen. We just got stuck. So we took the plunge (well Zack did, by quitting his job last month) hoping that something good is going to come when you flip your world upside down.
        5. Southern Hospitality: Sweet tea, yes sirs and no mams, bojangles, four wheeling, fresh air, mountains, oceans, and just good ole southern charm. Can't beat it. 
        6. NC is where our hearts seem to be, we have longed for it for so long. And really I know home is where the heart is. :)