Christmas Came Early
This morning was my fourth morning in a row that I’ve gotten up early to work out with Jillian. I am so SORE, specifically my legs. I’ve been waking up with terrible leg cramps that have me leaping out of bed and hopping around like someone smashed a pickle ornament on the kitchen floor and I’m avoiding dill shards. Sadly, I know exactly what that is like.
After a little Googling, I learned that my nocturnal leg cramps are a direct result of the pain Jillian has inflicted, and is most likely a build up of lactic acid in my muscles. Ignorantly, I thought that since I am vegan and thereby consume no lactose that this would mean I wouldn’t have lactic acid in my system. Come up with that yourself, Paris?
In fact, lactic acid (or lactate) is produced by our bodies as an energy source during exercise (as an aside, lactic acid that is found in foods is often vegan as it is simply derived from bacteria and not from milk sugar). Though an excess of lactic acid may be responsible for nocturnal leg cramps, it isn’t what makes you sore after exercising, that is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (the tiny muscle tears repairing themselves).
So ends the educational portion of our blog post.
After my workout, I came in to have breakfast with Lulu. I had a green smoothie by Christmas tree light.
- kale
- spinach
- frozen strawberries
- frozen banana
- 1/4 c. cranberry juice
- 1/2 c. almond milk
- 1 T. vanilla soy protein powder
Lulu had an anti-vegan breakfast. She had shmear for breakfast.
What are YOU looking at?!
In true Lulu fashion, she removed every bite of cream cheese from her bagel and had no problem with leaving the crusty bagel corpse and asking for more. She is a condiment fiend. We are getting her this shirt for Christmas.
After lunch this afternoon, I was planning on taking the girls to run some errands, including picking up our Christmas cards and the Christmas gift Daddy and I have decided to forego the girls’ college educations and give ourselves (can you guess what it is?!). Unfortunately, Gigi had other plans. In fact her exact words were, “Mom, I have Christmas present for you! It’s a special dance performance!!!!”
Can I get the gift receipt for that? Yes, I’m aware that hell has a seat with my name on it.
I knew I wasn’t getting her out of the tutu and there was no way we were running errands in it, given the fact that it is 30 degrees here today. I decided my spending a ridiculous amount of money on something for myself that I don’t really need will have to wait for another day.
Plan B: Christmas crafts!
Though we share a mutual dislike of Rachael Ray, I promise you I am not as Martha Stewart as I may seem.
For example, Martha’s idea of a reindeer craft:
Our idea of a reindeer craft:
Personally, I think ours is cuter, and I didn’t have to go to prison or devoid myself of any human emotion to make it.
What we did do is trace the girls’ hands and feet, add a little glue, construction paper and markers and called it good.
Lulu hasn’t perfected her “pose like you’re proud” look yet.
When Daddy got home tonight he had a surprise! Not having been bogged down by tutu wearing, condiment-only consuming children, he had stopped to get our present.
Did you guess right?
I made dinner quick and dirty so we could just eat and play with our new toy.
I had a Morningstar veggie patty, some asparagus that I sautéed in a little olive oil, and a side of carrot fries with a squirt of the bottom of Lulu’s food pyramid.
I can’t wait to play with my Rebel tonight, though unfortunately I’m always reminded of the Andre Agassi ads.
I’m off to “Express Myself” and if that means marrying Brooke Shields, pinning in a mullet weave and using crystal meth…so be it.
So psyched you like the carrot fries!! But sorry about the leg crampies.
Hydrate, hydrate, and get some potassium! (assuming you have Charley Horse cramps, which is how it sounds)
Major jealousy over here! I’ve got a Rebel at the top of my Christmas list. Andre Agassi’s hair in that picture? Priceless.
Congrats on welcoming the Rebel into the family! Before we know it, Rebel will be donning tutus and spinning about the kitchen in a futile attempt to impress Mama.
YAY!! I totally guessed it!!! I know you’ll let us know what you think!! (Mike said he would buy me one for Christmas but I’m so freakin intimidated by all the options!!!) can’t wait to see your new pics!
I just learned about lactic acid in Human Bio! Gotta love the muscle system.
I’m pretty jealous of your private dance performance, gifts like that are so pricey now’a'day!
Can’t wait to see your green monsters and Hugh Jass salads shot with a rebel
Have a great night! Hopefully without leg cramps!
can you get me that camera for christmas too? mine basically died today.
Congrats on the new camera! Good lactic acid info – I had no idea!!
Bahahah! Have fun with your new toy!!!
Yay for presents!!!
SO JELLY!!! Santa is supposed to put one of those in my stocking….sadly he probably thinks I’m referring to the bagel corpse and not Reb
Love the cute reindeer! Martha Stewart has nothing on you!
Yay for the new camera!!! I’m SO jealous!
Whenever I get leg cramps, it’s usually from an electrolyte imbalance. Some salty snacks and usually it gets better, potatoes and bananas and coconut water are great too, you might need to boost your potassium. Also, quinine found in tonic water can help with leg cramps.
So can not exercising anymore. You should probably stop.
Just kidding. Enough with the advice.
Love the pictures, as always.
please get a mullet. that look would be hawt.
OH NO!!!!!!! I’m so sad about Lulu’s pickle!!!!! In true Carbzilla form, I quenched my shattered pickle grief with a leftover pastry (retroactively, but let’s not nit-pick). I had to share the whole “but she just got the pickle yesterday” story with Chris, while he pretended to be interested in my imaginary friends.
Have you tried potassium for the leg cramps?
i am usually more of a reader than a commentor but the fruit of the loom guy…. HILARIOUS!! i am seriously laughing out loud… hard.
Congrats!! I actually guessed a Vita Mix, but I think the camera will be useful in more situations
jealous.
I guessed right! I knew it had to be something you both wanted so it wasn’t a vita mix. Can’t wait to see even better pics of your wonderful funny family.
Ok so I know you’re going to get 97 reasons and rationales for your leg cramps but remember the D Mannose…just establishing I’m not a total quack first
But really what this is is a Magnesium and/or Magnesium-Calcium depletion. Mimics potassium but it’s actually Mag. I highly recommend Peter Gillham’s Natural Calm Mag or you can get it with Mag-Calcium. WF until you can order it from VitaCost for a fraction of the cost. Most people are horrifically mag depleted as any kind of envirnomental, mental, or physical stressors deplete your mag levels. The side effect of mag is wonderful sleep, regularity (not that vegans need much help!) and no cramps. Wonderful to take if you’re planning on having any more kids. Goodbye Brax Hicks. As well as for your Moon Cycle. Now that Ive written a medical journal in your comment field, I’ll shut up and
CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR NEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!! Ironically, you have some of the best blog pics out there. They couldn’t possibly get any better
xoox
4 mornings in a row? You are good! (I manage 3 x per week…).
Personally I’m loving your reindeer art best. It exudes happiness and warmth
congrats on the new CAM! that means I get more high def pics of my favorite ladies. Can you PEAS (and thank you) write a “mom” book on all your crafts and fun games so I can remember these activities when i have little girls!!?? Really PEAS someone publish this women!!!
Congrats on the new camera! I thought for sure you were talking about a Vita-Mix, but then I got to the part about you not needing to spend a ton of money on something you don’t need and I thought “Wha? Of course she needs a Vita-Mix…”
I’m so glad you’ve been able to keep your workout motivation. It almost makes me feel like *I’ve* been getting exercise, so I skip the actual physical exertion and move straight to coffee. Although I will likely do the same even if you slack. Who am I kidding?
Congratulations on the new toy!
That is so exciting about the camera!! I cant imagine ever better pics of your gorgeous kids!
Yay for new cameras!! Enjoy!
I’m a condiment fiend too! Seriously ketchup belongs on everything!
Nice camera!! I totally guessed a vitamix though. The camera will probably get way more use out of it.
I’ve been waking up with crazy leg cramps too! Funny because I really haven’t had this before. Jillian is a beast but sure knows her stuff.
OMG LOVE your Christmas present this year. We are doig the same by buying one big present for the both of us. I think it’s going to be a MAC. Ah, such a HUGE step for us, but totally worth it.
Adorable Christmas crafts!!!
Glad you are enjoying the Christmas month. Have a great day today!
I have DOMS today from PLYO this weekend!
I love it!
Music, Fitness, Food and Zevia Giveaway – http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/
I definitely thought it was a VitaMix, NOT a new camera!
Congrats!
Congrats on the new camera. I want one so bad!
Sweet camera! I am jealous
Thanks for the suggestion of adding sriracha to the curry, it was delicious — I had leftovers last night.
I enjoyed your lactic acid lesson, I studied exercise science this semester so I am all too familiar, ha ha.
De-lurking here because I was wondering if you would share which Jillian DVD(s) you use? I have been using the same Firm workouts for about 4 years now and the routines are really driving me batty! I need to freshen it up!
Also, I guessed VitaMix too.
Thanks!
Hi Christine! I actually don’t own any of the Jillian DVDs but they are ALL on my Comcast ON Demand. I switch it up so I don’t get bored. I find the most challenging are the “No More Trouble Zones” and the “Boost Your Metabolism.” The “Power Sculpt” is also good for a quick weights only workout. I like the Shred too, but I generally run after I lift, so it’s a little overkill with the cardio too. I would recommend any of them you can get your hands on!
YAY! Congrats on your awesome new Christmas present, that camera is awesome!
I love that green smoothie, it looks refreshing and very tasty. Might have to make one for dessert this evening…
I’d take your reindeer over Martha’s any day!!!
I thought it was going to be a Vita! But hot camera.
I love your kids, they are adorable. I like condiments too, so Lulu is not alone, haha.
Once, the day after doing NMTZ, I got out of bed and promptly crumpled to the floor. My legs literally would not support me. Jillian is a BEAST.
ooooo! I love new camera’s! Can’t wait to see the new pics on the blog
well HELLLLLLO Cannon
I have a Cannon SLR….film…boo, not digital.
I love my camera but would burn up MY kid’s college fund processing film
nice job! Can’t wait to see you pics with it!
I guessed a VitaMix but it seems you were EXTRA nice this year
I’m super jealous….of Andre’s sweet mullet that is!
Totally love that Lulu had shmear for breakfast. She would love Einstein bagels where I live, but you would need to tell them to make sure there was extra on her bagel. And they have lots of flavors of shmear!
When I read the ingredients of your smoothie, my brain somehow read “vodka” where you wrote “almond.” I think because of the “v” in vanilla underneath it. I thought, “Wow, those kids must have been giving her a hard time yesterday!”
The reindeer are such a clever idea…where do you come up with this stuff?!
Dangit, I guessed Vitamix. Although I don’t think you would have been calling it “a gift for us” in that case…unless the us included your readers.
You’ll see–someday you’ll have one and the hubby will grow to love it more with each creamy concoction you blend with it. And you can quote me.
Just don’t tell him I don’t actually have a Vitamix myself.
I’m interested in trying to make smoothies since I’ve never tried one and see them all over blog land. I have to ask you, do you use a fancy blender? I have a Kitchen Aid and hope that will do the trick.
Loving your blog and humor
Hi Stasa! I just have a Magic Bullet and an Oster. My long time readers know that I lust for a VitaMix. But yes, your Kitchen Aid will do the trick. Definitely try making a smoothie!
ooooh happy rebel day!!! who’s jealous? this girl, right here. i feel like a goober because the pilot offered to buy me one last spring when i got my camera, and i said no because they’re huge and bulky. not my smartest move, haha
don’t be hatin’ on m-stew -that’s my girl. i don’t care if i’ve never seen her smile or show excitement
have a great day! <3
I really like the ketchup shirt – it’s cute!
As for sore legs – booo! But perhaps the poor fellows need some time to Rest and Repair.
Either way, go Mama Pea!
“I’m off to “Express Myself” and if that means marrying Brooke Shields, pinning in a mullet weave and using crystal meth…so be it.” Favorite line of the whole entry!
So jealous of that smashing new camera! I totally thought VitaMix at first. Ha!
I may have to use that reindeer idea! Very cute. Congrats on the new camera.
Ohhhh, I’m ogling your new camera!
I’ve just made a mental note to make that reindeer project with my future students. Love it! Preeeeeeeety camera!! Have fun!
PS. I wanted to play Pincher Pincher with the kiddo yesterday but we didn’t have an oven mitt! Note to self: buy oven mitt.
Just found your blog. I get excited when I find other veg family blogs. (And yours is so fun!)
how crafty are you! my goodness, how in the world you come up with ways to entertain your kiddos each and every day is a wonder. when i finally do have kids im going to be calling you on the daily for help. or just shove a vat of hummus in front of their faces with some bravo housewives action…yeah, i have no doubts ill see you in hell.
wowza. have fun with your new gadget.
Oh we are using the same Camera! I love this Canon EOS. Enjoy your new toy!
My oh my Christmas did indeed come early. I am jealous.
What a creative craft idea! Simple really is best. Your new camera looks awesome! Oh, and you are too humorous… ketchup as “a squirt of the bottom of Lulu’s food pyramid” really brought a smile to my evening. Thanks, MamaPea.
Oh my gosh, that is an awesome camera. I cannot wait to see your new pictures. I told CD I wanted a new camera and an iPhone. Will you please email him to tell him those items are both totally necessary? Thanks Mama Pea!
Self proclaimed condiment whore here. I think it would fit me much better than your Jay Robb T.
After my condiment whore remark, I meant to write “I need that ketchup shirt!”
Lulu knows where it’s at–condiments make the world a better place.
AWESOME present! I am supah-jealous but I can’t wait to see your future pictures.
Mama Pea you are too clever. Your wittiness never ceases to delight me, lol. I loved the gift recipt one. Genius. Have fun with your new toy!!! Amazing!!!!
Welcome to the DSLR world!!
I love it, seriously. It’s the one toy I haven’t gotten tired of playing with after a day. It’s like my child!! 
Are you getting a new lens or using the kit??
OMG! I need that shirt! How awesome! I am also copying your Christmas craft idea. Love yoU! xoxo