Dearest friends and family,
So there's this blog that I follow....and for the past month the absent-minded blogger hasn't written anything. I mean, how irresponsible! Doesn't she know that people sometimes read it! Doesn't she care that there's grandparents who want to see their grandson, and friends who want to hear about her life! Doesn't she realize!!!!
Sigh. I guess that blogger is pretty irresponsible. And probably looks funny. And smells bad, too.
............
Wait...what just happened?
Oh ya, I was talking about myself in third person.
So. Here it is. Almost December. CAH-RAY-ZEE. What happened to the last month!? Where do I begin? (This is why its bad to do things the Whitney way and procrastinate because now I have to try and fit an entire month's worth of happenings in one post. Arg.)
My brother and mother were able to come visit us a few weeks ago! That was absolutely wonderful. Really. Lifted my spirits. I have the best family in the world.
Other than that...nothing really too exciting has happened recently... so I'll just skip to Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was a BLAST. David and I had over our friends Mun Kil and Boram, and their wonderful 15 month old son, Enoch. They are from Korea and we just love them. We also had over Eduardo and his 6 year old daughter, Jessed, who are from Mexico. Again...love. I made a huge feast with all kinds of traditional Thanksgiving food. All from scratch. Mostly farmer's market bought. All made the morning of in our tiny kitchen. See, folks, it CAN be done! I don't have pictures, but Boram took some and you can see them on Facebook!
Jaythan is just growing like a weed. He is now ticklish, and we love to hear that giggle when you scratch under his armpits! He also recently began grabbing at things. We aren't used to it yet, and have made the mistake--multiple times--of leaving something too close to him and having him knock it over or grab it. I guess we need to stop leaving butcher knives and cups of boiling water lying around the house....darn.
I finish my online classes this next week! (A&P and Microbiology...prereqs for nursing) And David just has a few more weeks to go before finals. The semester seems to be coming to a close, and we can't wait to board that plane on December 16th. Kansas, here we come!!
Here are some videos from a few weeks ago. Goodbye everyone! The Fullers love you!
Tuesday, November 29
Monday, October 24
Sleepy boy
Last night, something cute happened. David filmed it to make you all happy.
Hope it made your day!
love to all,
Whit
Sunday, October 23
Monday, October 17
I know...I know...It's been FOREVER!
Sorry guys. I know it's been a long time....too long, but things get SO CRAZY and I just never know where time goes. Perhaps I will have to use this excuse apology throughout the future of this blog!
Well, life here in Philly is starting to get cooler, with beautiful orange and yellow splattered across the foliage. I am serious. It is BEAUTIFUL here right now!
This week is reading week at Palmer, meaning David gets a nice break from classes. I, on the other hand, am still trekking away at A&P and Microbiology, both of which are kicking my butt, but I will survive!
Jaythan is getting huge! He had a well-baby appointment the other day, weighing in at 15 lbs 9 oz--78th percentile--which is actually down from the 94th percentile he was at birth! He is definitely healthy and happy! We have about a million videos and pictures of him, but uploading a video onto a blog is rather time consuming, so I have to be picky. But here is a great video from last week!
We have been able to take part in a lot of activities recently, and really feel like we have a wonderful, supportive community around us.
Last week, I went to a women's retreat for my church, and the next day all of the church families made a visit to Linvilla, an apple orchard. On the website I read about all the activities available there. You can pick your own fruit, go on a hayrack ride, buy pumpkins, play in hay, visit the farmers market. It was a field-trip meets farm kinda place.
As we were about to leave, one of our fellow church-goers told us that it was the DISNEY LAND of apple orchards. Once we got there, we saw what he meant. It was CA-RA-ZY. It reminded me of the Kansas State Fair! There were actually people in vests directing traffic to the huge field of a parking lot! There were children everywhere with sno cones and candied apples. Crazy. We left with some apple cider donuts and an apple cider slushie! It was fun :D
Last night, the international students club had another meeting, and David and I hosted it. This simply meant that we were in charge of food. Since we are the token Americans of the group, I decided to make Chili! And anyone who ate in a public school cafeteria knows that if you have chili, you HAVE to have cinnamon rolls! So I made my mom's Cool Beans cinnamon rolls...Duh... :D Thanks, Mom!
I will soon upload some new videos of the little booger.
We love you all!
Well, life here in Philly is starting to get cooler, with beautiful orange and yellow splattered across the foliage. I am serious. It is BEAUTIFUL here right now!
This week is reading week at Palmer, meaning David gets a nice break from classes. I, on the other hand, am still trekking away at A&P and Microbiology, both of which are kicking my butt, but I will survive!
Jaythan is getting huge! He had a well-baby appointment the other day, weighing in at 15 lbs 9 oz--78th percentile--which is actually down from the 94th percentile he was at birth! He is definitely healthy and happy! We have about a million videos and pictures of him, but uploading a video onto a blog is rather time consuming, so I have to be picky. But here is a great video from last week!
We have been able to take part in a lot of activities recently, and really feel like we have a wonderful, supportive community around us.
Last week, I went to a women's retreat for my church, and the next day all of the church families made a visit to Linvilla, an apple orchard. On the website I read about all the activities available there. You can pick your own fruit, go on a hayrack ride, buy pumpkins, play in hay, visit the farmers market. It was a field-trip meets farm kinda place.
As we were about to leave, one of our fellow church-goers told us that it was the DISNEY LAND of apple orchards. Once we got there, we saw what he meant. It was CA-RA-ZY. It reminded me of the Kansas State Fair! There were actually people in vests directing traffic to the huge field of a parking lot! There were children everywhere with sno cones and candied apples. Crazy. We left with some apple cider donuts and an apple cider slushie! It was fun :D
Last night, the international students club had another meeting, and David and I hosted it. This simply meant that we were in charge of food. Since we are the token Americans of the group, I decided to make Chili! And anyone who ate in a public school cafeteria knows that if you have chili, you HAVE to have cinnamon rolls! So I made my mom's Cool Beans cinnamon rolls...Duh... :D Thanks, Mom!
I will soon upload some new videos of the little booger.
We love you all!
Thursday, September 22
Behold, the amazing wonder baby!
Our baby is super.
Now, I don't just mean he is cool, hip, rad. I mean he is SUPER. Like....superman super.
Like, so super he could fight crime super.
Perhaps all parents say this of their children, but in our case...it's true.
I have also enjoyed going to the farmer's market that meets right across the street. Here are my pickings from a few weeks ago:
Now, I don't just mean he is cool, hip, rad. I mean he is SUPER. Like....superman super.
Like, so super he could fight crime super.
Perhaps all parents say this of their children, but in our case...it's true.
Here is a video to prove my point.
Life in Fuller land has been really great the past week! David is still getting the hang of classes, but he's going strong, and I am just so proud of him!
My online classes of Microbiology and A&P I have started! Whoohoo! Now the excitement will be learning how to balance our lives as students, workers, spouses, and parents. But hey...the rest of the world does it, right? So we can to.
Last Sunday we had a picnic with our new church and it was grand. We really like the church we have been going to. There are Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, Indians, Caucasians....people from all areas of the world and all walks of life! And there are a TON of young families with babies!!! Playmates for Jaythan!
Sunday evening we traveled to West Philly to meet with a group of other seminary students for a time of getting to know each other and eating good food. It was potluck style, and we intend to keep it up every Sunday all semester long!
I have also enjoyed going to the farmer's market that meets right across the street. Here are my pickings from a few weeks ago:
and here's David eating the goods....and Jaythan feeling the aftermath as kernels pelt his poor head.
He doesn't look amused. 
I couldn't get over how big the sweet potato was that I bought! Isn't it huge!
Big, yes, but it doesn't work to well as a telephone.
That giant sweet potato turned into baked sweet potato fries with rosemary and garlic. They were delish. With it we had lentil and wild rice burgers! Yes...they were literally made from lentils and rice. And they were good! Add some tomato, pickle, onion, and rainbow chard, and top it off with a whole wheat bun from Whole Foods. :D
Here's the recipe, if you were wondering: http://www.managercomplete.com/engine2/recipe.aspx?category=Dinner&id=55
Well, it's late here, and I should go to bed. Good night!
Sunday, September 18
Jaythan's Talk Attempt
So, this is two weeks old. But...better late than never, right?!
It's proving hard than I thought to keep this blog as updated as I want. Life is just a little crazy!!
Without fail, however, I will try to post videos of Jaythan for the eager grandparents out there, no matter how busy I am!
It's proving hard than I thought to keep this blog as updated as I want. Life is just a little crazy!!
Without fail, however, I will try to post videos of Jaythan for the eager grandparents out there, no matter how busy I am!
Tuesday, September 13
No meat....wait, what!?
David and I have recently made a decision.
For some of you, this decision might seem rather extreme, so I want to explain myself.
We have decided to drastically limit our animal-based food intake. This decision has been building up for a while, but it came to a culmination after we watched the documentary "Forks over Knives" the other night. The documentary followed a pair of medical doctors who spent their lives researching the effects of meat on our diet. And their findings are astounding. Really, you should just go watch the movie :)
On to our decision...
Now, those of you who know me, this may not be a big surprise, but for those who know David, well, just take your hand and gently close your jaw.
Now, I know that the issues of meat or no meat, locally grown or not, grass-fed or grain-fed, issues of HFCS and organic veggies..(the list goes on and on)....I know that these issues and many more have been debated for some time now. Both sides have very good arguments. Quite frankly, though, I think it boils down to one main point: America's demand for animal products is TOO HIGH. We need to take it down a notch (or 200 notches...or more) and realize that the amount of meat we eat is affecting our health and the world.
Here are our personal reasons why we have decided to eat a more plant-based, whole foods diet:
1. We value simplicity: We believe that simplicity is the best way to live. Not just in the objects we own, but the way we feed our bodies. Whole, unprocessed foods as well as plant-based foods are much simpler for our lives and our wallets!
2. We value our health: We Americans are paying for the way we eat. The top three killers in America are health-related issues, all of which are also diet-related. In 2009, Americans spent $147 BILLION dollars on obesity-related health care. Officials say that this generation is the first generation in history that will live shorter lives than their parents. Type 2 diabetes in children is running rampant. One in four Americans will get diabetes and hypertension in their lifetime. (all of these are from legit sites, I promise! If you want to know that reference, just ask) The list goes on and on.
The main culprit of diabetes is obesity and too much sugar intake. Most of our sugar comes from the 'unseen' sugar in processed foods.
Heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Hypertension and heart attacks are caused by too much saturated fat and trans fat in the diet. Our main sources of these two fats are through animal products and hydrogenated oils (found in processed foods).
Countries where there is little meat consumption does not have these problems. WE EAT TOO MUCH MEAT! WE EAT TOO MUCH PROCESSED FOOD!...and it's killing us.
3. We value the environment: The EPA states that it takes 16 lbs of grain and 2,500 gal. of water to produce 1 lb of beef. There are many other issues here, and good arguments on both sides, so many that I don't even know where to begin. Let's just say, the amount of meat, especially beef, we are demanding isn't good for the environment...I'm not saying all meat, I'm saying our current demand.
4. We value serving the minority world: David and I strongly feel a calling from God to go out into the world and help the less privileged, the under loved, the malnourished, the helpless. We have seen starving people in the world, and we cannot consciously reach out one helping hand, while we are shoving a big bacon cheeseburger down our faces with the other. I don't think that our demand of animal products is causing world hunger...but I definitely don't think it's helping, either. Remember....16 lbs of grain to 1 lb of beef....
So those are our top reasons. You can disagree, that's fine. We aren't trying to guilt others into adopting this lifestyle, but I do strongly urge you to do your research. Don't be content to be ignorant...please. There are many sources out there. Many ways to gain information. Look at everything and judge for yourself.
I do believe that all Americans need to re-evaluate the way they make meals. Instead of basing a meal around a meat, and adding "side dishes", base your meal on whole grains and vegetables. View meat as an addition to a dish to add flavor, rather than the dish itself. And trust me, you will get enough protein. Most Americans get PLENTY! The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of meat for an adult male is about 50 grams a day. For an adult woman its 45 grams. A 3-oz piece of beef (about the size of a deck of cards) has 22 grams. One cup of beans has 16 grams. One cup of cheddar cheese has 33 grams! Most foods (animal or not) contain some amount of protein...and it adds up quickly. Most Americans get over the recommended amount, even vegetarians do!
I challenge you all to try eating less meat today...see how it goes!
For some of you, this decision might seem rather extreme, so I want to explain myself.
We have decided to drastically limit our animal-based food intake. This decision has been building up for a while, but it came to a culmination after we watched the documentary "Forks over Knives" the other night. The documentary followed a pair of medical doctors who spent their lives researching the effects of meat on our diet. And their findings are astounding. Really, you should just go watch the movie :)
On to our decision...
Now, those of you who know me, this may not be a big surprise, but for those who know David, well, just take your hand and gently close your jaw.
Now, I know that the issues of meat or no meat, locally grown or not, grass-fed or grain-fed, issues of HFCS and organic veggies..(the list goes on and on)....I know that these issues and many more have been debated for some time now. Both sides have very good arguments. Quite frankly, though, I think it boils down to one main point: America's demand for animal products is TOO HIGH. We need to take it down a notch (or 200 notches...or more) and realize that the amount of meat we eat is affecting our health and the world.
Here are our personal reasons why we have decided to eat a more plant-based, whole foods diet:
1. We value simplicity: We believe that simplicity is the best way to live. Not just in the objects we own, but the way we feed our bodies. Whole, unprocessed foods as well as plant-based foods are much simpler for our lives and our wallets!
2. We value our health: We Americans are paying for the way we eat. The top three killers in America are health-related issues, all of which are also diet-related. In 2009, Americans spent $147 BILLION dollars on obesity-related health care. Officials say that this generation is the first generation in history that will live shorter lives than their parents. Type 2 diabetes in children is running rampant. One in four Americans will get diabetes and hypertension in their lifetime. (all of these are from legit sites, I promise! If you want to know that reference, just ask) The list goes on and on.
The main culprit of diabetes is obesity and too much sugar intake. Most of our sugar comes from the 'unseen' sugar in processed foods.
Heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Hypertension and heart attacks are caused by too much saturated fat and trans fat in the diet. Our main sources of these two fats are through animal products and hydrogenated oils (found in processed foods).
Countries where there is little meat consumption does not have these problems. WE EAT TOO MUCH MEAT! WE EAT TOO MUCH PROCESSED FOOD!...and it's killing us.
3. We value the environment: The EPA states that it takes 16 lbs of grain and 2,500 gal. of water to produce 1 lb of beef. There are many other issues here, and good arguments on both sides, so many that I don't even know where to begin. Let's just say, the amount of meat, especially beef, we are demanding isn't good for the environment...I'm not saying all meat, I'm saying our current demand.
4. We value serving the minority world: David and I strongly feel a calling from God to go out into the world and help the less privileged, the under loved, the malnourished, the helpless. We have seen starving people in the world, and we cannot consciously reach out one helping hand, while we are shoving a big bacon cheeseburger down our faces with the other. I don't think that our demand of animal products is causing world hunger...but I definitely don't think it's helping, either. Remember....16 lbs of grain to 1 lb of beef....
So those are our top reasons. You can disagree, that's fine. We aren't trying to guilt others into adopting this lifestyle, but I do strongly urge you to do your research. Don't be content to be ignorant...please. There are many sources out there. Many ways to gain information. Look at everything and judge for yourself.
I do believe that all Americans need to re-evaluate the way they make meals. Instead of basing a meal around a meat, and adding "side dishes", base your meal on whole grains and vegetables. View meat as an addition to a dish to add flavor, rather than the dish itself. And trust me, you will get enough protein. Most Americans get PLENTY! The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of meat for an adult male is about 50 grams a day. For an adult woman its 45 grams. A 3-oz piece of beef (about the size of a deck of cards) has 22 grams. One cup of beans has 16 grams. One cup of cheddar cheese has 33 grams! Most foods (animal or not) contain some amount of protein...and it adds up quickly. Most Americans get over the recommended amount, even vegetarians do!
I challenge you all to try eating less meat today...see how it goes!
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