Hiya Jo… welcome! I have never heard of oral allergy syndrome that sounds really difficult to deal with. I have not read Disease Proof Your Kids. I don’t have kids. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it though.

I did take the entire weekend off. I did some work here at home, but not that much, and I didn’t even do the housework I intended other than laundry. I napped, I read, I watched old musicals on cable.

The meal plan idea sounds really wise. I need to think about that. I did cook some black bean soup and the red lentil cauliflower curry yesterday so I’m good for the next few days. I went to the store today and got my lettuce for the week and they had strawberries and kiwi on sale so I grabbed some of those. I am pretty convinced that my ultimate weapon against cravings is lots and lots of fruit. I am going to stop tracking calories again too. I think it just messes with my head. I need to concentrate on eating nutrient dense food and let the calories take care of themselves. If I eat extra fruit or beans and go over some days I don’t need mfp telling me I’m a bad person.

Karrie, woohoo for the 4 pounds! Doing great on your latest juicing adventure. I hope you can figure out a way to get better sleep. And oh how I can relate to your statement that “normally a disappointment means I can cheat and have something I’ve been craving” … so great that you asked yourself what you really wanted and stayed on track. Awesome!

Peas I love the idea of your balcony garden. Are you going to have some herbs too? I definitely feel better since I started eating primarily plant based and when I do get sick it doesn’t seem to be as bad or last as long. Maybe the fitbit thinks you are walking in your sleep haha! As to the greens, I love salad so I don’t have a problem getting that in every day. One thing I’ve found from looking at so many vegan recipes over the past few years is that adding greens to things is so easy and then you aren’t sitting there eating a big pile of steamed kale. Not that I don’t like steamed kale (tossed with a mix of soy sauce and Dijon yum) but I like throwing a couple handfuls of spinach in a soup or a couple handfuls of kale in a casserole or tofu scramble, some bok choy or cabbage in a stir-fry, etc.

Interesting article Sabine, thanks for sharing. It really sounds like you and your husband enjoy cooking together and eating well. I still get a kick out of your profile that you say you are on a “low crap diet.”

Lia, tax time is mostly February and March. I don’t actually have to do the taxes, but I have to put together accountings for all our cases and coordinate with the clients and our CPA to get returns done. Our CPA makes it so much easier though, he is my hero! I still haven’t tried the buffalo cauliflower. What recipe do you use? Good for you getting out in the cold for a walk. It is snowing here again with 3 to 5 inches expected. Ugh. Snow is pretty but I hate driving in it.

Terri, glad to hear you enjoyed your trip and it sounds like you are really back in the groove. Your plans for dinners this week sound wonderful. I need to start planning out my weeks better.

JCN, martinis are never a bad choice. That’s very cool your whole family is trying to eat this way. I think most kids object to certain foods at times. I don’t think I ever noticed the artichoke lentil loaf in the ETL cookbook. I will have to check that out.

Okay, I think I am all caught up with everyone now! I’m off to bed.