Greek Lentil Soup

It's cleanse day number 4 and its going great! Yesterday I had a brief period of sweets and carbs craving but once those died down I was ok. The cleanse hasn't been as hard as it was last time, I don't feel as deprived from food and have actually enjoyed my meals. Last night we had company over, thankfully they are some of our crunchy friends and didn't mind cleanse friendly dinners. I wanted to make a lentil something because I am HUGE fan of lentils and cannot get enough of them. I actually crave lentils. Jeremy, not so much. So it's saying alot when we finished dinner last night he said "that was really good, I wouldn't mind that in our meal rotation!" It was by far the best lentil recipe I have ever made! I changed a few things so here is my version of Greek lentil soup. Enjoy!

2 cups brown lentils (washed)
1 large carrot
1 brown onion
1 large soft tomato or can of diced tomatoes
water to cover lentils (I used chicken broth with a little water)
1/2 cup olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
chili powder
diced chicken (optional)

Put washed lentils and chicken broth or water in larger pot to simmer while chopping vegetables. Chop onion, carrot, celery & tomatoes into small pieces (around the same size as the lentils or a bit bigger). Add veggies, bay leaf, olive oil, salt & pepper & chili powder

Add enough water or broth to cover lentils and bring to boil. Cover pot and simmer gently on med-low heat for around 40 min (stirring occasionally). Take lid off and simmer for another 5-10 minutes until soup thickens. Serve alone or over brown rice.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Dad's 50th birthday! I have so much respect for my Dad, if you know him you know why. Dad is an amazing man! He means the world to many people and has influenced so many, I feel honored to call him my Dad. I have watched Dad struggle over the last couple years with some health issues, and it hurts. It's hard to see someone you love so much and want to think is invincible struggle. Through it all I have only come and love and value my Dad more. Dad is the one who taught me God's word and built a hunger in me for the things of the Lord. He taught me to not lower my standards and wait for Mr. Right. He always encouraged us girls in the value of being a Mom, he taught us to bless our own Mom. Now, I have a child and she loves her Pappaw! I have a glimpse of the kind of love Dad has for us kids, its strong.

I could never thank my Dad enough for how he raised us and is still raising the ones at home. Dad never gave up on us and always saw potential and encouraged us to go for what was best. I love my Daddy dearly and will always be his little girl. He is my hero. Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Cleansing Time!

It's cleansing time around our house! I had wanted to do this 21 day purification program 2-3 times a year. I did it back in October and have been batteling some cold and congestion systems on and off for about a month and decided this was the time! Time to give my body the fuel it needs to be healthy and well. You can go to the link to read more about it, basically you eleminate things from your diet and add a shake and supplement routine to your diet. I had great success with it last time, felt wonderful when I was on it, lost 15 pounds which I kept off and overall just felt better. I know some people have issues with doing a cleanse while pregnant/nursing, and I find it funny that they won't take issue with eating McDonald's while pregnant/nursing. This cleanse is gentle and since I am still nursing I don't take one of the cleansing supplements and I keep protein (eggs, chicken and fish) in my diet the entire time rather then adding them to the 2nd half only.

I plan to blog my journey and some recipes on this cleanse. If you have been wanting to do something along these lines you can do the food without the supplements. It obviously won't be as effective but feeding your body fruits and vegtables your body will cleanse some iteslf. Give it a try!

Balancing Act

Balance seems to be the word for this season of life for me. Balance in so many areas of life! My child is to the age that I am ready to venture into some more hobbies and possibly money making adventures. I am working to get my Doula certification and get that business off the ground. I had taken photography courses in the past and still have a love for it. I would like to one day purchase equipment and get back into that. I am dying to take on a at home hobby, I purchased fabric to make curtains for Ava's room and am about to begin that adventure! That is if I can borrow my Momma's sewing machine! ;-)

We live in an apartment so housekeeping doesn't take that much of my time, which is the blessing of our small place! I am cooking more these days then I ever have in an effort to make more wholesome and nourishing meals for my family. I would like to expand my knowledge in that area too.

So what does balance have to do with all this? I KNOW that God has called me to support my husband and raise children and I wouldn't trade it for the world! Yet, I know I can do these other things on the side also. How much is the question. I don't ever want to wander from my ultimate purpose and I never want any of these hobbies/professions to do anything but support my ultimate vision. I am a trained midwife but chose not to take my boards for practicing, why? I did not feel that there was grace in this season of my life to do that along with starting our family. Maybe that will change one day but for now I am very content with where we are at.

What has your experience been with taking on hobbies and merging your professions with your family life? I am a newbie to the mommy world and fairly new to the marriage thing too and would love your thoughts.

30 day shred? Yes please!

I have started a new workout, Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD. Some things I really like about this workout...

1) Its 20 minutes long! Who doesn't want to workout for 20 minutes and see results!
2) I have know several people who have done it and heard great things about it
3) I have never had such a good workout in such a short period of time and been pouring sweat at the end.
4) Who doesn't like working out with her! I mean she is insane!

Let me tell you a little history in the world of Hannah working out. I have never been very athletic, just wasn't my thing. I struggled with my weight in high school and decided to do something about it and lost over 30 pounds. I became more active just for health reasons but was not hardcore at all. Before I got married I, like ever other girl out there wanted to get in shape for my wedding day. So I walked and I walked and did pushups and sit-ups. Felt great on my wedding day and on our mexican beach honeymoon! When I moved to NY (the frozen tundra..and did I mention I moved there in December) I needed some hobbies to keep me busy in a new place and living this new life for me. So I joined the YMCA and spent LOTS of time there and loved it! I got in the best shape I have been in my life and felt great. I wasn't anything impressive but for me it was! I became addicted to spin classes and that is a real workout! I had a couple friends who I worked out with some and that kept me going. That next summer...I got pregnant...and with that I got sick. The gym was the last thing I had on my mind! So for a couple months I layed on the couch, worked at starbucks and slept. Once I felt better again I got back into working out some but nothing like before just to keep me active during my pregnancy.

Now this brings us to the present! And wow, I am back to my pre-baby wedding day weight and can now wear all my clothes but...things don't look like they used to! I had these white shorts I wore that summer and I wanta wear them again! So my new goal is to firm up this body and who better to do it with then Jillian Michaels! I want to feel ok wearing a swimsuit this summer and be proud to wear a sleevless shirt. I'm telling you all this because I plan to keep you updated on my progress! And if you see me ask me about it..I need to be kept accountable!

Happy shredding!