Thrifty and Healthy!

Oh how do I love salad! It's one of the only things that makes a lunch actually makes me feel full and satisfied!

Wendy's tips for eating healthy:

1. Leave the chips and cakes at the store. When you get hungry mid-morning, there's nothing wrong with having a small lunch at 10:30 and then another lunch at 1:00 and then another lunch at 3:30.

2. Leave the ice cream at the store. When you're hankering for something sweet, reach for an apple! They are so sweet, crisp, and juicy!

3. Thirsty? Drink some water, duh! If you don't like the taste of plain, filtered water, there is something wrong with you and you need to get over it.

4. If you are really hungry and your only/fastest option is the nearest Burger King, then don't get fries and don't get a soda, instead: get both a burger and a chicken sandwich and a cup of water. Then, don't let it happen again by packing 4 granola bars in your purse/bag for the next eating emergency and think ahead before you leave anywhere and pack a sandwich and apple if you anticipate hunger.

5. Never go to any Olive Garden, TGIF Fridays, etc. unless you're celebrating something (3 times a year) and feel free to eat anything you want: just drink only water and don't get a dessert.

6. Go to the grocery store 2 times a week to ensure a continuous supply of fresh lettuce and bananas.

9 months

Moving wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be after all and living here isn't as bad either. The cons about living here are: not across the street from the store, is cold, higher utility costs, maintenance, yard work. Although it can be harder to live in a big house than in a small apartment, the extra space does give a little more freedom. I put the futon mattress on the floor in the baby's room and now I sleep with her or leave her in there sleeping without worrying that she'll fall off and hurt herself. Since the house is owned by a family member, we don't have to pay rent: we just have to pay the property taxes and utilities and help fix it up. And the family members that moved out left us some sweet furniture.

It would seem selfish to keep this big house to ourselves, so I would like to rent the upstairs bedroom to someone. The idea is kind of scary and it would have to be someone that we trust. Or, should I just keep it available for visiting family members?

Since it's pretty cold in the house, I have to keep some clothes on the baby. So now I only sit her on the potty whenever she wakes up in the morning or from a nap and whenever I change her diaper. Crystal is still getting taller, of course. The last time that I sat Crystal on a bathroom scale, she weighed 20 lbs. Her shots appointment is next week and hopefully it won't give her a fever this time. I think that I want to space my kids 3 years apart, what do you think?