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Guess what we did for dinner last night?

Yep. Went to Scalini’s so I could eat some of the famous, labor-inducing eggplant parmesan! I feel kind of silly doing things like this, but when it boils down to it, we had a fun little family outing at worst. And at best, the legend may be true. Plus, when you reach a certain stage of discomfort and deliriously wanting the baby out, you will do anything.

And the food was goooood. It started with one of the best house salads I’ve ever seen in an Italian restaurant.

It included beets, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, garlic, and a vinegary dressing. As well as some little balls of garlicky, doughy goodness.

And we can’t forget the super-star of the night. THE eggplant parmesan.

It doesn’t look like anything special, but it sure tasted phenomenal. Now let’s see how phenomenal it is at starting labor in 48 hours like it claims. All of these babies made it.

300+ babies! I even had to sign a special book. That way if I do have baby B in 48 hours they can send me a gift certificate and a special onesie for him. I’m not counting on it, but it still made for a fun night.

Guess what else? We should think like dudes. I recently read an article claiming that women would benefit health-wise if they thought or acted more like men in certain situations. These are the ideas from the current issue of Shape on what men do from which us women could learn.

• Men Eat A Real Meal: Women may not eat enough calories in their meals, in an effort to be “good”. Then, they consume extra calories mindlessly in a non-balanced manner. If we ate a real meal, we wouldn’t have the fluctuations in blood sugar or feel the need to overeat.
• Men Don’t Hold In Emotions: Women will hide feelings until they become too much to deal with in a rational manner. Men get it out right away.
• Men Drink Beer: Drinking the manly beer over the girly wine or fruity drink is a smarter choice for health and weight management. Something to do with the bubbles making you drink slower and it being more filling.
• Men Play Team Sports: Even as adults, men more regularly join in on team activities together. Women go their activity alone. The community of a team would provide more enjoyment in the exercise.
• Men Take Risks: Men will more likely do things like ask for a raise or go on an adventurous trip. Women try to take the safer approach in fear of the possible outcomes. Risks would provide us opportunities and help us embrace change.
• Men Don’t Mind Their Bodies: 8 out of 10 men are either indifferent or pleased with what they see in the mirror. Women critique themselves way too much and create a negative body image that can affect other areas of our lives. We need to learn to love what’s in the mirror more.
• Men Don’t Dwell On Things: Men will analytically approach a situation, find the solution, do what they can to resolve it, and move on. Women will emotionally dissect things for an extended amount of time before making any real changes or improving the problem.

Shape presented the ideas above. I guess quite a few of them make sense. Not too sure on the beer over wine thing though. I also know women out there do many of these things too. It still provided an interesting read and something to think about. I certainly can get on board with the notion that, as women, we tend to criticize ourselves way too much and could learn not to focus on the mirror. Personally, I can dwell too much on things in an unproductive way. I also could take more risks to really go for things I want. I certainly do more than I used to, but fear will still hold me back at times.

Question of the Day – What are your thoughts on the “Man List”? Do you agree/disagree with any of the points made?

Evening, friends! I had a doctor appointment this afternoon. I’m officially 38 weeks pregnant now. Baby B is apparently sitting pretty low and I have progressed to 2 cm dilated. Those are good signs things are happening a little, teeny, tiny bit…but still doesn’t mean much in terms of me going into labor soon. We can keep praying and hoping its sooner rather than later though!

Moving on. You all know how much I love the Fit Blog Chats. I didn’t get to participate this week because I spent Tuesday night chilling with my sister, but the topic intrigued me. I couldn’t go without sharing my thoughts on the 4 chat questions. So, here they are! Given by Poise in Parma!

Q1) Do you call yourself a "blogger"? Do you think there�s a negative connotation to the term? Or do you "own it"?

I most certainly call myself a “blogger” and I most certainly own it! I love love love blogging and it has become such a huge part of my life. I will tell anyone and everyone about my blog. When you love something so much, you can’t help but blab about it. Just like how I can’t help but brag about my little M any chance I get.

I think some people have a negative connotation about bloggers. I know I’ve heard some view points that bloggers are “self-indulgent” or not true writers. I’ve never really encountered that personally. Most of the people I know don’t quite “get it”. They don’t understand the work I put into this baby and the fact that it is more than just an online journal.

Q2) What is another topic or activity that you feel passionate about?

My family!!! I want the best for them and will do all I can within my power to provide for them and love them. I will do whatever it takes to nourish them – emotionally, spiritually, physically, etc.

Fitness. Working out and pursuing fitness-related goals give me so much drive. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

My church/faith. I want to serve any way I can in my church that also helps develop me as an individual. That is why I find such passion in leading an adult Sunday School class.

Q3) How does your passion influence your "every day"? Is your passion also your career? Is it a struggle to fit it in your schedule?

I feel very fortunate that my life honestly revolves around all of my passions. My “every day” life includes mothering Makenzie, supporting/loving my husband, making time for God, working on this blog, and soon enough pursuing fitness goals. I thank God for where He has put me so far in life, surrounded with such blessings and a life I truly love. I can’t wait to see where else it leads. I know even brighter things! That’s why I’m SO excited for this year. I just have a gut feeling about it.

Q4) Has that "passion" ever turned into "obsession"? What were your warning signs you crossed the line?

Well, my fitness passion crossed the line years ago when the only thing I could focus on was how I looked, what size I was, or fitting in workouts. As for blogging, when I did the 30 Days of Self-Love in September, I got discouraged when the participation didn’t remain as high as the initial days. I started spending way too much time thinking and worrying over stats. I got over it though because I remembered the original purpose of the movement and stopped trying to control it. Ever since then, I just do my thing and let my blog grow naturally. No obsession.

I think the biggest warning sign for me is when I can’t have balance. When I find one of my passions overtaking others for an extended period of time, I know I need to refocus myself. When I don’t have time for something else I value, then I have to stop and consider how I’m spending my time and energy. Usually that is enough to center myself and lose the obsession.

Question of the Evening – What are some of your passions? Do you have time to pursue them? Have they ever crossed over into obsession for you?

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