Coming next

A month of veggies
Many successes
    Kale Pesto Pasta declared the winner, mostly cause it was made 3 times in 4 weeks
A few recipes that will soon be forgotten (for good reason)
And a clearer understanding of the food I want to be feeding my body

I think I could very easily maintain a 90% vegetarian lifestyle
     (with the admittance that I really love bacon)
My body thinks it could sustain on a diet of simply pasta and cheese
     luckily I know better

So while I found it easy to cut meat out of my diet,
I struggled more with adding in more veggies.
That is what I want to focus on.

More veggies in my cooking
not just a side dish of brussel sprouts
     although these were very tasty
Rather a main dish of veggies and a side of the pasta and cheese that my body craves

Dabbling with the idea of a whole foods diet: getting rid of most of the processed junk. My pantry isn't too shabby full of rice and beans and whole ingredients. But there is still pasta and granola bars and crackers.

Maybe a goal could be a couple whole foods only meals a week?
Combined with a couple vegetarian meals
Keeping the meat to once or twice a week

Yep I think thats the plan

completely admitting that i've already failed the goal of meat once or twice a week, but when I asked Jesse what he wanted now that he can eat meat again he said, shrimp and some yummy fish and chicken.  Much better than when he talked of a 5 meat dinner.

the secret awesomeness of toddlers

There is this balance of being a teacher: never knowing what the day will bring vs the chance to start fresh every morning.  Each morning is a brand new opportunity for awesomeness, for discovery, for laughter (ignoring the days filled with tears and wailing, frantic fire putting outing and constant conflict negotiation- do they give peace prizes for toddler teachers?)

Only a handful of times I've walked into the classroom, counting on my kids to pick me up and pull me through.  The morning a dear friend was deploying to war, one last conversation on my drive into work.  The morning I decided to pack up and move cross country again, still not entirely sure it was the right decision.  And today.

At least I sort of know what I'll be walking into.
I know that the GREAT BIG INSPECTOR will be here
We've been prepping for this day for a year

She may or may not even look in my room, may or may not even look at the 300+ items I pulled together showing off all the awesomeness that we do
Torn between wishing she doesn't observe my room (hello stress) and wishing she does, just so the work we've put in to the last year is recognized

I'm counting on a chorus of chants announcing my return to home school.  I'm counting on hugs and kisses and snuggles and hands tucked into mine.  I'm counting on laughter and silliness and smiles.

Grateful for the distraction.  For something concrete to think about.

Cause today my nephew is having surgery.  Nephews should never have surgery.
Knowing the once I walk into my classroom I won't have time to wonder/worry.
By the time I get to take a breath, drink some water and check my phone, he'll be done, starting the road to recovery.
1:30 can't come soon enough