Happy

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Better diet = much happier Megan

I don't think I've blogged much about my diet since leaving for Mexico.  Basically, I fell off the diet while in Mexico, and I have no regrets at all about it.  First, I didn't go crazy.  I just allowed myself to relax a bit, have fun, and enjoy the various foods.

I was able to stick to eating my brown rice cereal in the mornings since it is an allowed food import (I actually checked "yes" on the form and had the customs agent approve the foods I brought - brown rice cereal & raisins = OK; almonds = not OK).  For lunch I typically had brown rice mixed with various fruits and vegetables.  For the record, brown rice with cucumbers and strawberries and avocado is delicious!  For dinner, I ate whatever everyone else was eating.  The evening we had the private chef, that was the first one I truly abandoned all rules.  It was totally worth it since the meal was delicious.  The next night, we went to Super Burro which I knew would be totally worth it.  I also indulged in ice cream when we went into town, but I didn't eat any while at the casa.  Basically, I followed good eating habits when in the house, then laxed a bit when we were out.  I was very pleased with myself overall.

Mostly, I'm pleased that upon my return, I immediately ate along the lines of my elimination diet not because I had to (it's over since I blew the proper reintroduction schedule), but because I wanted to.  Clearly, I am significantly more motivated by having more energy than I ever was by losing weight or looking better.  I have been more tempted in the past couple of days, but most of the time, I've been either able to redirect myself to a healthier choice or to just have a few bites of something.  For example, tonight we went to get Avery a cupcake at New Season's after going out for sushi.  D ordered himself a slice of cheesecake.  I opted to not get any dessert, but rather asked D if I could have some of his.  This thrilled D as he's always wanted to be a dessert sharer, but I've historically objected to this idea.

Regardless, the end result of all this is that I'm so much happier I can't even explain it.  I don't know if it's that the food itself makes me happier (I know studies show that sugar and processed food doesn't help with depression), or if it's the food gives me more energy and this makes me happier.  I don't care.  I'm happier and that makes me happy. 

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School

Since yesterday, I've been thinking a lot about Avery's play-based preschool vs Childpeace Montessori a lot.  Making decisions on gut feels is our MO. My gut feel is that the play-based preschool is the right place for Avery and for us.  I can just see her being very happy there.  And this also means she would do kindergarten at the local public elementary school, rather than joining in first grade.  I was willing to do kindergarten at Childpeace, but I was less thrilled with that idea the more I thought about it.

It's much cheaper (more than 50% cheaper), but more a factor than simply saving money is that we can redirect those funds to save for something else.  The tentative plan right now is to put the saved money into a fund designated for international travel for Avery.  Then, when she's a bit older, we can focus on visiting various parts of the world.  I think that will be a much better use of funds than the Montessori school.

It's also a possibility that Elise will go to this same preschool.  If she does, she and Avery will be in different classrooms, but will get to play together for 1.5 hours a day of recess time (and maybe lunch?) We obviously won't tell Avery or Elise about this until they actually start school in case something changes for us or for RHG, but I do look forward to them being at the same school for a variety of reasons.

Oh, another thing that made me immediately take to the play-based school: their snack policy.  I will need to pack a lunch for Avery everyday, as well as bring in snacks for the whole class periodically.  I asked if the snacks can be home baked goods and the woman kind of smiled/smirked and said yes.  I didn't know until recently that most public schools (maybe private, too?) don't allow parents to bring in home baked goods anymore which I think is a ridiculous policy. I also liked her attitude that it would be ridiculous not to allow such a thing.

All that said, I'm still touring two more schools.  One is a Montessori; another is a private school, but I know it's not Montessori.  I'm not sure what it is to be honest.  It was recommended by a woman I went to HS with (Felicia G, for you Eatonians) after I asked her where her son is going to preschool.  We ran into each other at Portland's newest indoor play area.

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Reorg

I organized our new bathroom cabinet.  Do I ever love doing that stuff.  Then, because some of the containers I'd been using didn't fit in that cabinet, I was able to re-purpose those containers for storage in our kitchen pantry for Avery items.  That means I got to reorganize two cabinets, plus I still have one to go!  It's like crack for me.  I think I like reorganizing more than I do organizing.