It's Not Easy drinking Green

I'm usually the last person to join a bandwagon. The green smoothie craze came to me (pardon the pun) very organically. It came to my attention that I needed to increase my vitamin B intake. I would suggest to everyone to have some current blood work done. There are so many vitamins that even healthy people are lacking in.

Also, mothers of multiples in particular should have their homocysteine levels checked. Your doctor will try to talk you out of it. Don't let him/her. Also, they will tell you levels above 7 are fine. They are not. The "averages" they speak to you about are created by comparing you to all kinds of people of various ages and weight. That's just misleading. Ask for the homocysteine levels on the cardiac panel. Your doctor won't ask you to have this test until you are already presenting symptoms or have your first heart attack. If you are feeling extremely lethargic this could be a sign of elevated homocysteine. Don't just convince yourself that it's normal to be tired.

Its important to note that coffee raises homocysteine levels. The vicious circle is, the more coffee you drink the more tired you will become.

We did invest in a vitamix. They are very expensive, but I can not gush enough about mine. It makes smoothie making a breeze. There are also so many other wonderful things you can make. Mine even has the hot soup option. It's divine!

There are so many recipes out there. You can customize your smoothies to your needs. Green veggies are my go to for Vitamin B. I like to load up on High C fruits during cold and flu season. You can also make protein into your smoothie with protein powders or nut butters. Agave, Stevia, and Raw Honey are my favorite sweeteners. When choosing or creating recipes one must be mindful of sugar & calories. I'm all about aesthetics, but I want my smoothie to deliver the most nutrition possible.

Using a vitamix to create smoothies really has been a sustainable way for me to get more fruits and veggies into my family's diet. We eat 100% organic. Often certain fruits & veggies are not available so freezing some in season and buying frozen organic are the ways I make sure I have variety during all seasons.

My twins love their smoothies. I use scrumptious coconut milk & coconut yogurt to make theirs extra yummy & sweet. I love making my hubby smoothies. He is so super busy that it's a great way for him to drink his fruits & veggies on the go!

Cheers!!

Here's a TOAST!!!!!

The first casualty of my baby B. being diagnosed with celiac was my morning toast. I was a tea and toast girl from birth. (Extra strength coffee and toast once I became a twin momma.) I tried every gluten-free bread on the market and I can tell you without pause that Udi bread is the best. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I keep it in the freezer and use my toaster's :"frozen" option in the morning. Viola! Perfection.

If you are just starting on a gluten-free path I guarantee you will feel a difference in your body and mind. I am gluten-free because of my daughters' allergies. Baby A was found to have celiac as well. My home is gluten-free because I am not willing to risk cross-contamination. I have more energy and less "brain-fog" since I got rid of gluten. Believe me, you need energy to be a full-time toddler wrangler.

I serve Udi products if friends pop over and I haven't had time to bake. Their double chocolate muffins are FABULOUS! Check out their web site for other gluten-free products. http://udisglutenfree.com/products/

If you have just decided (or have been forced by the fates) to go gluten-free DO NOT be overwhelmed. You've got this. You can do it. Take some baby steps. I'm here to help. Let's raise our bread and I'll propose a toast, "To being healthy!" *Cheers!*

February Break-Throughs (Zen and the art of folding towels)

February Break. I used to love it. Then it became a lot like a boyfriend I had TOTALLY outgrown. Travel was a given back in the day. It isn't possible with my kids health issues right now. (Don't leave. This isn't a Debbie Downer post! I swear!)

Are you still here?

Thanks!

I am not on a beach somewhere fabulous. (Thanks for all the beautiful picture texts Mom. *sigh*) However, I am having what is proving to be a darn good time!

I've been working on an article for Multiplicity Magazine. It's an online publication for ladies like me who gave birth to a litter. I'm so excited at the idea of connecting with other mothers of multiples!

I've been baking like a mad woman. More to come on that as both twins have been diagnosed with celiacs and a slew of food allergies. Cooking is a phenomenal way to bond with your children. It also creates a huge mess. The Twincesses are up to almost as many wardrobe changes as Anne Hathaway hosting the Oscars.

Laundry has taken over my universe. It's not the washing. It's not the drying. It's the folding. Sometimes there is so much to fold that I fantasize about putting it all in my SUV and dumping it in the woods, like a mafia hit.

I had to find a way to embrace laudry. I can't even doll it up with pretty fabric sofener smells. It is straight up Seventh Generation, eco-friendly detergent for my allergy babies. So at first I lied to myself. I told myself laundry was my hobby. This started to work a bit. I started thinking about great memories each of the items held: a shirt my hubby looks hot in, bath time with The Twincesses, etc. The task became more joy filled.

If this doesn't work for you - MOMMY TIP: Dump the laundry on your bed! Then you have to fold it! I know there are those among you who will be sleeping on your clothes...........

I count my blessings while I fold. I think about how lucky I am to have these amazing people to take care of, how holy being a wife and mom is. It's very zen. It's almost therapeutic. Laundry as hobby? Laundry as religion? Probably NOT! However, I may be on to something. First born begs to help with the laundry now. Perhaps she sees mommy radiating enlightenment as she folds? Perhaps it is a novelty? Perhaps she can take this over as a chore in a few years and I can read US Weekly?

I'm having a great February break. There are no photos for this post. Sorry, but I'm busy. I've got laundry to fold!

EGGxcellent!

After Lent one MUST indulge! This chocolate coconut buttercream Bunny & carrot cream cheese cake are exactly what the Easter Bunny ordered. Enjoy this GLORIOUS day everyone!!