Four Months Old!

More Max and Lou

Yummy Summer

It has been a great summer for veggies so far.  Last week our CSA share covered our kitchen countertops.  We've hardly had to compost any of our share because I've had lots of time to wash, chop, grill and cook the bounty!  Tonight we're having stuffed zucchini.  Last night was a garden pizza with salad.  I'm thankful that our kitchen remodel is finished...it's fun to spend time in a room that you love!

Geneva Turns One!

Our good friends, Adrienne and Paul, happened to be visiting Wisconsin on their daughter's first birthday.  They hosted a lovely birthday party in our backyard.  It really was not difficult to capture Geneva's cake eating skills on film...she cooperated very well!  It's hard to believe that Louisa will be celebrating "smashed cake style" in a little over 8 months.  Just like EVERYONE tells me, it goes by so fast - so appreciate it!  I know every child is unique, but if it really just goes by way too fast, we can always have another one, right? :)

Geneva greets Louisa: "Someday you'll turn one too"

Focusing on the sweet, sweet things in life

Vegetable garden cake to celebrate a Cizek family hobby

Sugar coma sets in

Bombsnaps Give Up the Title

Summer ultimate frisbee league came to a close last night.  Our team, Bombsnaps, lost 13-7 in the competitive division championship game.  Despite the loss, Louisa was our biggest fan, sporting her Bombsnaps jersey.  Max wore one too.  We knew it would be a tough game against a team that had only lost once the whole season, and we let them get off to a quick start, making it 7-1 at half-time.  Too bad.  Now it's time for me to focus on my half-marathon in November and Nate to focus on Madison Club - his highly competitive, men's ultimate frisbee team.  I'm hoping for another successful year so that we can all go to Florida in October for Nationals!

Our team name comes from a cruel joke Nate played on Anne when he was 12 - putting a bombsnap in her rice

The template (for a better view of Lou's jersey)

Loving the Simple Things

Louisa is starting to get the hang of grabbing things with those things we call "hands."  Who knew that watching a baby develop such simple skills could bring so much joy?  We shot the video below and then she had a nice nap from 9-10 am while I went running and Nate made up for missed sleep the night before.  Now Nate's at frisbee practice, the diapers are getting de-stained in the sun, and Lou is taking her second nap of the morning.  Life continues to be pretty darn easy even with "life changing Lou."  Oh, and this first picture is post-sink bath on Wednesday with a little glimpse of our new kitchen backsplash.  More kitchen pictures to come!

Cloth diapers drying in the sun.  Apparently this is supposed to help remove the stains?

Is raw cookie dough good for you?

Since returning to work as a dietitian, I've been reminded of how often people want to put food in distinct categories of "GOOD" or "BAD."  Generally, in response to the question of, for instance, "How about chips? Are they good or bad?" I scrunch up my face - probably in some attempt to alert the person that there is no easy answer to their question - before explaining that I think it can be harmful to put labels on food like this.  Then I'll ask the person if they really like this food they so badly want to label as bad and if the answer is yes, I encourage them to enjoy it in moderation in the context of a meal.  For instance, if you really like chips, don't sit down to watch television with the whole bag of chips.  Instead, make your sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread :), throw some carrots and hummus on your plate, then add a handful of chips.

By the way, in case you're curious, one reason that I think it can be harmful to label food is summed up by a dietitian named Ronda Bokram who says, "We label food as good or bad, and then when we eat the food, we put that label on ourselves."  In the example above, the chip-lover will likely have a hard time labeling herself as "bad" after she's finished.  Another reason I think it's harmful is that it pulls us away from developing a generally healthy lifestyle where we're open to eating a variety of foods and not obsessed with dieting.

So, what does cookie dough have to do with it?  Well, when trying to keep food safe, I do think it's okay to label food.  Cookie dough made with raw eggs is not safe, so I guess if you really want to slap a big 'ole label on it, you have my permission.  A friend of mine came up to me the other day and said (with a big smile), "Yesterday, due to my pre pre-lim stress, I ate a pound of raw cookie dough. What do you think about that?"  Unfortunately, it was too late to print this Cookie Rookie certificate out for Jason.  But it's not too late for you. Take the pledge today! 

Another thing that comes to mind when I think about food safety is the danger zone - that is, between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a dangerous place because that's where bacteria like to live and reproduce. When Nate and I first met, I taught him about the danger zone. He immediately made fun of me and to this day, still does.  BUT, I will stand firm on the importance of keeping food at proper temperatures in order to reduce the risk of food borne illness.

Why am I all of the sudden talking about food safety on a blog that is supposed to keep you updated on our lives?  Well, for helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods' Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at http://www.homefoodsafety.org/


WOOHOO!  I can write about something other than Louisa :) 

Be safe,
Alicia

Little Lou and Mr. Max

This is my second week back at work after a wonderful 12 week break. I work Monday mornings, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, Louisa goes to Max's house and on Wednesdays Max comes to our house. They're gonna be good little friends! I took this video 20 minutes ago or so, but right now Lou is trying to take a nap in her crib and Max is asleep in the ergo carrier on my chest. Wait, actually, she's fussing now. Probably needs help getting that pacifier back in her mouth!