Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
Someone's been sleeping in my bed... And it's not me! But oh the cute. The cute. |
Around the same time I went Paleo 2 years ago I also began making sleep a priority. I quickly realized that I am someone that NEEDS their sleep. 8 or 9 hours a night became my norm and I was a happier and healthier wife/mama/friend/person as a result.
Sleep affects everything for me. It affects my mood, my fitness, my attitude, my weight (whether I'm maintaining or trying to lose weight), and my appetite. Not to mention my energy levels, my focus.... OK, you get the point.
I. Need. My. Sleep.
Which of course with a new baby I'm not getting right now. Most nights I am sleeping 5 or 6 hours. I know some people routinely get that much and do fine, but I'm not one of those people.
I've been struggling getting to bed before 10:30 or 11:00. The baby tends to eat around then and instead of going to bed at 9 (yes, I'm a grandma and go to bed early. I really do puffy heart sleep.) as usual I just stay up until after that feeding and then go to bed. Then of course she wakes up to eat 2 or 3 more times in the night. Aaaaand, I still get up at 5 or 6 like usual.
"Nap when the baby naps," I'm routinely told. Funny thing: I hate naps. Yep, hate them. I always feel groggy and weird when I wake up. Not rested like you're supposed to feel. Also, they seem like a complete waste of productive time to me (I know, I know).
Bottom line: I need sleep! Things are going to head south fast (What a weird saying. Anyone know where it comes from? Wait, if it's inappropriate or something don't tell me...) around here if I don't get some.
Seriously, I had to go back through and edit this because I was repeating myself. I said sleep affects my mood like three times. Freudian slip?
I'm going to have to figure out how to make my sleep a priority in this situation.
First thing, I am going to try and go to bed at 8 or 8:30. Not sure if I can pull it off, but I'm going to try. If you see me on social media after 9 PM tell me to go to bed...really. I'm also going to try and sleep in a bit later. And, if I must, I'll nap. But really, am I the only one that thinks naps in the summertime just make you sweaty and icky? Just me?
The past few years I've learned that I have to take care of myself in order to be the best wife-mom-friend-blogger-person-etc-etc. Skimping on self care only cheats everyone in my life. I know how to take care of myself and I'm not doing it lately. I realize things won't be 100% perfect until she's a bit older and sleeping through the night, but I hope I can do better than I am now! Oh sleep, how do I love thee...
How about you: do you make sleep a priority? How many hours do you get a night?
Disclaimer: This blogger is operating on much less than optimum sleep levels. If any of the above comes out as nonsensical ramblings please move along. Nothing to see here.