Jason and I watched a documentary last week called Forks over Knives which was about eating whole foods and eating a plant based diet. We researched it – checked out numerous library books, and cookbooks. I had previously read a book called the Omnivore’s Dilemma, and watched Food Inc. and Meet your Meat. We first thought about entertaining a full out vegan diet. Free of any animal products, and were going to try that for a month and see what results we got. (After you watch Meet your Meat you’ll want to entertain the idea as well). After scouting out the options,we settled on a happy medium [for us]. We’re going to cut out red meat, but will eat fish and chicken [caught ourselves/raised humanely]. We also plan to add a lot more whole grains, fruits, vegetables,and definitely WHOLE FOODS. I am personally going to cut out dairy. Do any kind of research and you’ll know why. Cheese is going to be very very difficult. Not because I munch on cheese all day or NEED to have it in everything, but because many recipes call for it. I will try though. We will substitute some of our chicken and fish meals with beans for protein and hopefully see better results, a healthier body and minds. We’re going to kick the habit (again) of eating junky processed foods and focus on healthier eating. We did try this back in February-April, and fell off the wagon,but hopefully with dedication, and better meal and SNACK planning we will stay on. And hey – if we fall off we can always get back on. One slip up doesn’t mean the end of healthy eating! So I will blog about our journey once a week and let you know how its going. Bon Appétit http://www.100daysofrealfood.com

Since we’ve brought Sadie home she has spent several nights in the bathroom ( to limit where accidents are) a handful of nights in our bedroom (because we couldn’t take the crying) although then its like a treasure hunt to see where she has all had accidents… and finally we’re now crate training. Night 1 in the crate we put her in around 11pm,and boy did she whine, and cry and thrash around in there. Of course its not fun being in a crate especially when you’ve gotten to sleep with your owners on a tempurpedic mattress… but we didn’t want the accidents… and I actually got less sleep when she’s NOT in her crate. We gave up on Thursday into Friday around 1am. Friday Sadie had her first shot,and her vet check which went well. They said she is really really healthy looking, and had no concerns. We go back in around a month for more shots! She even got a nail trim, and her ears cleaned out! Friday night into Saturday night (just last night) we went for crate training number 2. All of the research says that on overnights you have to be ‘hardcore’ and not give into whining, crying,barking and thrashing. That you have to completely ignore it so they don’t think that you’ll come to them every time they whine. Instead they will learn that crying is futile. We ignored her successfully, and everyone got some sleep! When she is not napping (which she does very frequently) she is out every 2 hours or so, and is getting pretty good at potty training. 🙂 She does very well in the crate when we’re away for a few hours, and its nice to know we can leave without our house being destroyed, or her, or any of our animals being in danger.

Since we’ve owned Tyler in 2005 I always kind of wanted a smaller dog… but Jason wasn’t usually too fond of the smaller breeds… in about 2009 or so Jason has agreed that a Jack Russell Terrier breed would be a good choice, and I really really wanted a JRT. My friend had one as well, so I knew about their personalities, and I had done lots of research. Well I finally found a breeder that didn’t cost an arm and a leg… so the Wednesday after Kirra’s birthday (11/16) Lisa, Kirra and I headed up to Clearwater, MN to get …..Sadie….. She is 9 weeks old, 5 pounds, and a little ball of energy when she is not cuddling and napping.

I’m still really feeling under the weather, and to be frank I’m SICK of it. Not that being sick is ever fun, but this is one helluva cold, and it’s kicking me hard. I want to just perpetually stay in bed, and have IV fluids give me all the replenishment I need, so I can sleep and not worry about needing to drink water. Once we got home Kirra and I were playing barbies, and she was playing Cinderella (which Sara got her at the MOA), and she showed Ken her underwear, and said, “Ken… don’t you like my underwear?” Ken [me]: CInderella, that is inappropriate. You should never show kens your unders. Cinderella: But they’re so pretty look at them. (puts barbies butt in kens face) Ken: Cinderella, that is naughty. Cinderella: Show me your underwear, I showed you mine. ** Play is formally interrupted. “Kirra. inappropriate” We haven’t played undie barbie since… I’m a bit worried about her sometimes :-). I’ve now been playing barbies with her for over an hour… which is a miracle,and a new record for me. I don’t know how I have lasted this long! It’s like a marathon!