{Little Sign} Class 13 & 14 Review

Oklahoma was fantastic, and I even got to squeeze in a few days in Colorado with my best friend, Shannon!  The bummer is that I've been out for a week, sick. :(  So since I won't make it to class tomorrow, here are some ideas to keep up with your signing!  

Class #13: Friends & Feelings - FRIEND, PLAY, SHARE, NICE, FEEL, HAPPY, LAUGH, SAD, CRY

Class #14: Opposites - HOT, COLD, YES, NO, DIRTY, CLEAN, YOU, ME, BIG, SMALL, OPPOSITE, GAME

*Note - all of these signs can be found at www.signingtime.com/dictionary
(with the exception of BIG and SMALL, which are shown if you watch "Opposites" carefully on the DVD) 

SING & Sign:

*Start by playing the "Baby Signing Time Theme," from the Vol. 4 CD.

*Sing and sign along, and have fun interacting with your little one.  

*Try holding their arms and helping them sign BABY if they're willing. (Remember, Ellie fussed if I tried to guide her hands--then as she got older she asked me to help her fingers sign "H" and other things.  So you never know!) :)

READ & Sign:

*Read the book "WillYou Be My Friend?" by Baby Signing Time, while signing the words you know. 

(Use the cheat sheet at the back to help brush up on any you may have forgotten!)  

*Talk about the pictures and point to different things on the pages.

*Have some toys around to play with to help demonstrate playing and sharing.  After reading, do some free play.  Try signing things like SHARE, PLAY, NICE, and THANK YOU. 

*You can also bring out a stuffed animal and practice petting it NICELY.

WATCH & Sign:

*Show "Can You Feel It" to your little one from the Baby Signing Time DVD Vol. 4 "Let's Be Friends." (view the Preview tab to see part of this song in the link.)

*Imitate the emotions during the song (exaggerate and emphasize).  

*Talk about the babies on the screen.  "Ohhh, is she CRYING?  She feels SAD...  Look, now she's HAPPY!"  or "Look at them LAUGHING!  Can you LAUGH?" *tickle tickle*

SING & Sign:

*Play the song, "Opposites," from the Vol. 4 CD.

*Collect some hot (warm), cold, dirty, and clean items to interact with during the song.  Some ideas:

Hot: microwave a sock filled with rice

Cold: teething toy from the fridge

Dirty: puréed baby food

Clean: baby wipes

*Sign the word as you're playing with the item, and encourage little one to experience it as well.  ("See, touch it, what does it feel like?  Is it COLD?  Brrrr, COLD!")

Craft:

1) PHOTO BOOK - Take a picture of little one smiling, and another one of him pouting or crying. :(  Add this to your My Little Sign's photo book.  You could even do a messy picture (after eating?) and a clean one (after bath).

(You can find inexpensive 4x6 picture books at Target or the dollar store.  More ideas to add: pictures of little one doing activities--eating, playing, taking a bath, or getting a diaper changed; pictures of family members--mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, or even the family pet; pictures of baby holding/wearing/playing with a hat, shoes, book, ball, or blanket; and pictures playing outside with bubbles, in the grass, near a tree, or with flowers.) 

2) DIRTY & CLEAN - Make a sign for the dishwasher to show the opposites CLEAN and DIRTY. 

For CLEAN, trace little one's hand on cardstock.  For DIRTY, dip the hand in paint or brush glue on the hand, and after pressing the handprint on the cardstock, sprinkle sand/flax seed/glitter, or anything else messy.  Use a magnet below the appropriate hand to show the status of the dishwasher!  (You may want to laminate the paper or put it in a page protector to keep it safe!

3) BIG & SMALL - Trace your hand on black construction paper and cut it out.  Then brush white paint on to little one's hand and place it on the palm on the construction paper.  Such a cute contrast of big and small--and dark and light!

Now think of 3 signs that you're going to practice frequently this week!  My three will be: SHARE, HOT, and YES.  Feel free to comment below with your three!

Finished Week 2, & Calling It

After I started the Whole30 I read on their site that you should carefully plan WHEN you're going to do it.  Consider what's on the calendar, etc.  I'd been struggling because during my 30 days was going to be my 28th birthday and a 4-day vacation in Oklahoma to be in a dear friend's wedding!  I made it through my birthday fine.  Self-control and staying motivated and all that. :)

But with this vacation--I'd really like to enjoy it.  I realized I'd be stressing and having to put a lot of time into making Whole30-approved food (and there's never enough time when getting together with close friends as it is!!).

So with that in mind, I've given myself permission to call it.

I went halfway--15 days--and am really thankful for what I've learned and gotten out of it.  Will share sometime next week most likely!

I stepped on the scale today (did I mention how much I loved the Whole30 rule of putting your scale away and not looking at it the whole time??  So great for not focusing on each pound but on getting healthier and feeling better.  I was definitely noticing a difference in clothing fit, and my stomach slimming especially.

Here's a quick look after 2 weeks:

I tried to keep things as much the same as possible (no flexing, no makeup, wet hair, lol. and now I know my mirror needs cleaning!).  Except this time I did a selfie instead of the husband taking it--so maybe it's a different angle?  Either way--I am excited to say I lost 7 pounds and am feeling good!

I'm still going to eat well as much as possible while on vacation, but I definitely plan on having a glass of wine at our girls' night and enjoying some wedding cake. :)  Ohhhhh and a dinner roll.... oooh, and a bagel.... mmmm and a sourdough or French bread sandwich!  Oh bread, how I've missed you the most.

While I'm talking about the previously taboo food, this part of the Whole30 website is helpful to read at the end of your Whole30 (or in my case, my Whole15 hehe)--it talks about reintroduction and life after the Whole30.

So there we go.  Will I do another Whole30 all the way through?  Probably.  In the meantime I'm excited to try certain Paleo dishes that weren't allowed on the Whole30, and am going to keep packing my diet with protein, veggies, and fruits.

And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go brew some coffee to drink WITH creamer in it. ;)

Week 1 of Whole30

I've officially made it through my first week on the Whole30 challenge!  I'm on Day 8, and I'd say it's going pretty well.  I'm looking forward to sharing more specifics about what I've been eating, etc. soon, but for now here are three thoughts...

First, I thought I would have a much easier time eating veggies.  I love spaghetti squash...when it's in an ultra-cheesey casserole.  I love munching on mushrooms, carrots, snap peas, and slices of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers... when they're dunked in Ranch dressing or hummus.  I love mashed sweet potatoes or yams... when slathered in butter and milk.  I love steamed broccoli, zucchini, and cauliflower...  when oozing with butter.  You get the picture.  Eating the veggies by themselves?  It's just different.

But I think I know how to fix that.  1) Spices... Such as.... Lots of sea salt (yum).  Cinnamon (like on butternut squash). And Garlic powder.  Spices are my best friend in making my latest meals tastier.

And 2) Make my own sauces.  Cauliflower hummus.  Guacamole.  Creamy Italian dressing.  A lot of dips and dressings I've found (on Pinterest) start with a homemade mayo base--which I made for the second time in my life and this time it turned out much better (definitely not Best Foods status though).

Second, it takes way more time than I realized.  If you're wanting to do the Whole30, make sure it's not during a busy month.  Most likely I'm going to have to choose to do a Whole16 this time around because of things coming up this month and not realizing how much time and prep this takes.  Everything takes longer--planning meals cause they're all new recipes with many new ingredients, buying the food cause you're reading basically every label (which is also a good thing!), and cooking, because there are so many more things to make from scratch or roast for an hour ahead of time or chill or marinate, etc, and they're new recipes that you have to read through and stop and figure out.

I've seen some helpful blogs about buying and prepping a lot of the food for the week on Sunday, so that's one way to tackle it.  I was anticipating eating dinners as leftovers for lunch the next day as a time saver, but I've had some flops for dinners that I just can't stomach eating as leftovers.

And third (this is a positive one!), I've been so grateful for how it's forced me to be INTENTIONAL about what I'm putting in my body.  It is a radical game changer.  I love learning to cook with new foods (coconut milk, butternut squash, almond butter, coconut aminos, new spices, etc.), trying out new stores (Whole Foods and Sprouts), and learning to make new things (zucchini noodles for fritters, homemade mayo, etc.).  I've also let myself spend money on plenty of fruits and veggies and am actually eating them up quickly (before they die in my veggie drawer!).  Before I would mostly just feed them to my child cause they're expensive, but Mom and Dad deserve healthy food, too! :)

And gone are the days of licking my daughter's yogurt lid before tossing it in the trash, or eating left over bites of her sandwich, or even munching on cheese as I'm grating it.  I have to be SO focused and self-controlled as I realize just how many things had become habitual.

I'm learning and growing and being stretched SO much already.  And I'm excited to discover more yummy food and keep making healthy choices this week.

I'd say making it 8 days has been a pretty good birthday gift to myself. :)

Chocolate Coconut Chew LaraBar to celebrate my 28th :)

P.S. Follow me on Instagram @bethanyjanae and check out my Whole30 Pinterest board to see the resources and recipes that have been helpful to me!

I'm doing it.

Friends can be so inspiring, can't they?

Heather really inspired me when she trained for and ran the Chicago marathon last year.  Carly inspired me when she did a 12-week fitness challenge complete with intense work-outs, healthy eating, and weekly video diaries.  And Katie inspired me when she did the Whole30 program in January.  (Her post at Lion Named Parker came at the perfect time!)

It's kind of funny how seeing pictures of yourself and then getting a surprising number on the scale can also inspire you--in a horrifying way. ;)  (Somehow I've gained 20 pounds recently, on top of the 10 I had been holding on to since having Ellie.)

Needless to say, I've been inspired... And I've been taking baby steps to getting more healthy.  But today I'm JUMPING in. :)

Today, I start the Whole30!  (You can read more about the Whole30 program here.) 

Basically I'm committing to eating mainly meats, veggies, and fruits for the next 30 days, and ommitting sugar, dairy, and grains (NOOOOOO!!!!!!  This is my hardest one... Even though God says we can't live on bread alone, I truly believe I could totally live off of the Word of God AND bread alone).

I wanted to share this process on the blog in an effort to stay accountable, and I decided to even share before and after pictures to keep me motivated (deep breath).  Part of me skeptically wonders how much this will really help with my weight, so I'm looking forward to being proven wrong.. :)

Here are yesterday's pics: (Don't mind the wet hair and no make-up! yikes) :)

As I've been working up my motivation to jump on this healthy food train, the main thing that's been hanging over me is the PLANNING.  They say that's the key--the meal planning and the grocery shopping.

Here's how I've been gearing up....

First I read through their 8-Step guide for newbies.  I was surprised how fun and easy to read it was.

I'm using these lists from the Whole30 site as a guide for groceries:

I'm following this Pinterest board (Stupid Easy Paleo-Whole30--it has about 18k followers!) and this Chowstalker one. 

And I'm following @whole30 on Instagram. (will use #bethanyswhole30)

Other than that, I've been wading through some of the recommended blogs that Whole30 suggests for recipes and meal plans.  One of my go-tos will probably be from Meatified--with their 30 Days of Whole30 Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners.

One last thought...

Last thing I want to mention is that I'm super thankful for the body God gave me--pear-shaped and all.  My main goal is to glorify Him as I learn how to eat healthier and exercise self-discipline.  Having a daughter keeps me really accountable to teaching her a positive self-image--frequently reminding her that she's created in God's image, that He made her and she is precious to Him, that she has a beautiful body... And since becoming a mom I've needed God to teach me to accept the changes from and marks of my pregnancies.  I've had to adjust to being several sizes for the first time, and becoming comfortable in my own skin at those various stages.  And while accepting that, I also want to strive to be as healthy as possible (especially in light of trying for another baby).  It's all about balance!  

So here we go.  I'm excited to let this retrain the way I think!  And I'm excited to see what new foods I learn to cook with and come to love.  

(And hey, if it gets me a little more photo-ready to be in my dear Rachel's wedding next month, then all the better.) ;)

Sign of the Week: MUSIC

So this was actually from two weeks ago, but I've been focusing on some other things lately!  Time to catch us up. :)

First off, I have to say that I'm typing this from a sort of "vacation" spot.  Our complex has been doing a lot of renovations and construction (for oh... years.), and this time around they got smart and have some furnished units that we can use during the day!  Complete with a coffee pot (of course this is listed first), TV (woohoo cable!), wifi, and even beds--so my peanut could take her nap undisturbed (hallelujah)!  I can't tell you how thankful I am for the peace and quiet.  And Ellie's thankful for Disney Junior. ;)

Okay so here we go...

"This week's" sign from the Signing Time Blog is... MUSIC!
(from Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 4: Let's Be Friends)

I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a  photo album (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).

1) How to sign MUSIC:
MUSIC: Hold your left (or non-dominant arm) out in front of you, perpendicular to your body.  Make a flat hand with your right (or dominant) hand, and sway or swing your hand over your arm--almost like you're conducting music.

*The cool thing about this sign is it is also the sign for SING and SONG.  As you make this sign, just say the word you're intending it to mean!
Example--"Should we put on some MUSIC?  What SONG do you want to listen to?  'Old MacDonald?'  Okay, let's SING along!" (Meanwhile, you're doing the same sign each time.)

2) Watch Rachel sign MUSIC & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog here.

3) Signing Activities:
*Infants:
-Anytime you hear music--whether at a grocery store, listening to a Baby Signing Time CD in the car, or playing with a toy that sings a song--sign and say MUSIC.  ("Do you hear the MUSIC?  Oooh, what SONG is this?")
-Make a drum circle for little one out of pots and pans.  Let him use his hands or give him a wooden spoon "drum stick."  Clap and cheer for him as he makes music, and encourage him by saying, "Good job, you're making MUSIC!" (while signing MUSIC).

(Source: Play Create Explore)

*Toddlers:
-Make your own sound treasure basket by collecting, making, or buying fun instruments.

(Image source: Fine Solutions)

-Check out this fun pin for lots of ideas on instruments you and your little one can make and explore together:

(Source: Red Ted Art)

*Preschooler:
-In addition to the toddler ideas, try making this fun windchime!
Using an old xylophone (check thrift store, garage sales, ebay, or Craig's List), hang pieces to an embroidery hoop using fishing line.  Talk and sign together about the MUSIC it makes.

(Source: Craftster forum)

4) Today's Challenge: Listen to a song and dance with your little one once a day, and practice signing MUSIC.  "Do you like this SONG?  It's so fun moving to the MUSIC!"

Happy signing!

Granny Annie's Spaghetti Pie

The way food can recall a memory is so amazing to me. I can take a bite of Rice Chex cereal with sliced bananas, and suddenly I'm back in my junior year of high school, it's 6:42 in the morning, and I'm having breakfast with my wonderful dad.

When I take a bite of this spaghetti pie, it's April 8, 2009. I'm in Boerne, Texas at one of my closest friend's houses just days before her wedding. Around the table are the rest of the girls that make up the Fab 5, and we're digging in to some of the best home cooking west of the Mississippi, thanks to the mother-of-the-bride.

I loved each savory bite so much so that I begged Kristen's momma for her recipe. She showed me how she had prepped extras for the freezer--ready to pop in the oven at a moment's notice for any guests who might be dropping by during "wedding week"--and shared what a great meal it was to bring to a neighbor or friend in need. (Talk about thoughtful and hospitable!)

She gladly went and scanned a copy of the recipe from her cookbook that I have kept to this very day (and have since made numerous copies of for friends). 

Take one bite of this dish--with its perfect spaghetti and parmesan "crust," its flavorful sage sausage that's cooked in a delicious tomato sauce, then its balanced layer of sour cream with sautéed bell peppers and onions, and of course the oozing mozzarella cheese--and you will be sold.

I was so eager to share Ann's dish with my peanut and tell her about Granny Annie's spaghetti pie. We had such a sweet time making it together, and this mom was THRILLED that it got her eating veggies and meat. She loved every bite of it, and I'm sure Kristen's baby girl, Anna (Ann's namesake!), will love it just as much when she gets bigger.

Someday you may be able to throw your arms around Ann and thank her for one of the tastiest comfort foods ever when you join her in heaven... Until then, get to know the sweet, warm, wonderful momma and grandma that she was through making this special dish for your loved ones.

Granny Annie's Spaghetti Pie
From the Loving Kitchen of Ann Smith

8 oz. spaghetti
2 eggs
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. margarine
1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 c. sour cream (preferably room temp)
1 lb. sage seasoned sausage
1 c. water
6 oz. can tomato paste
4 oz. sliced Mozzarella cheese

NOTE: The gist of the layers will be:
1) Spaghetti mixture
2) Sour cream w/ veggies
3) Meat in sauce
4) After baking, cheese (then bake to melt)

Heat oven to 350 degrees and set out the sour cream to bring to room temp. Break spaghetti in half and cook in salted water until barely tender; drain (or you can use up that leftover spaghetti!). Beat eggs. (Ellie loves doing this for me! I ask her to keep the fork touching the bottom of the bowl when stirring, and to keep the fork in/just above the bowl when she pokes the yolks and lifts them to break them up.)

Add Parmesan cheese (I usually use the green canister one) and toss with warm spaghetti. [See earlier pic of Ellie holding recipe.] Put spaghetti mixture in greased 10-inch pie pan.

Melt margarine in medium skillet; add green pepper and onion. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not brown. 

Add sour cream to vegetables; mix and spoon over spaghetti. 

Cook sausage; drain off grease. 

Add to sausage, the tomato paste mixed with water (I usually do this in my liquid measuring cup. I fill it with water first and then dump in the tomato paste and stir with a fork.

Simmer for 10 minutes and then spoon over sour cream mixture.

Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

Then cut cheese into strips and arrange over top. (Try to cover the whole pie with cheese. I start with the slices that come out nice and whole and then fill in the gaps with smaller slices.)

Return to oven for 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Mmmmm delicious... It also makes wonderful leftovers (if there is any!!)

January Birchbox | 2014

A couple weeks ago, after going on a Daddy-Daughter park date that ended in a "mail walk" as we call it, Ellie came bursting through the doors with a bright pink box outstretched. 

"Mommy, LOOK what I haaaave!!!!" 

She knows how excited I get for my monthly Birchbox--it's kind of become a family affair. :)  She likes the anticipation as we open it up and explore its pretty packaging and colorful products inside.  When she was a baby she liked knowing if something was for eyes or lips, and would walk around holding them there on her face, haha.

This month, aside from my four beauty samples, the "lifestyle extra" I got was tea (I think there were three different blends).  But somehow I lost  them in my mess of a house.  They looked yum though!  Maybe I'll find them the next time I'm looking for the Apple TV remote... 

I really like when Birchbox started including each product's "how" instructions.  I remember one time using a clarifying shampoo as a daily shampoo, not knowing it was more of a once-a-month kind of a thing (thank you Kate, from The Small Things Blogs, for saving my hair on that one!)


Reparative Cream  |  Smoothing Night Cream  |  Eye Cream

I haven't opened these little guys yet, but I love that they're 100% natural and vegan.  My sis just said the other day that we might as well eat what we put on our skin, and that keeps resounding in my head anytime I put a soap or lotion on, haha. 



Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream

I am loving this Fekkai Advanced glossing cream.  I have frizzy hair, so this works great for lightly taming that frizz, while not being too heavy or oily.  And I love that it can be applied on wet OR dry hair.  Plus that size??  With only needing a pea-sized amount, this should last me a while. :)  Thanks, Birchbox!! 


Inika Mineral Eyeshadow

This INIKA eyeshadow is definitely a color I'd wear, and I really like what this product line is about.  Plus I've always liked the versatility of loose eyeshadows in general (wet or dry, layerable.)  [Tip: tapping the brush to dust off the extra, then "pressing" the brush into the lid tends to avoid it "spilling" under the eye.]  I'll have to swatch this color for you guys and show it in another post soon.

Nail Rock

This Nail Rock looks fun with all the trending nail styles right now, but the red and the glitter combined definitely seems like a way bolder move than I'd usually try. (Accent nail might be worth a shot... but even still not for an every day look--more for a special occasion.)  Maybe if I'd gotten the pink?  Except with teaching signing, I would imagine this would be SUPER distracting! :)

The background cards you see are perforated little cards that go along with Birchbox's theme for January--"It's Go Time!"  Check out their 20 Things to Try in 2014 "Go List."

What was your favorite thing in your January Birchbox? 

P.S. Today David and I have been married for 6 1/2 yrs. :)  In other words it's the day he answers the "How long have you been married?" question with "almost 7 years."  To my glass half-full husband, I love you. :)