It Is FINISHED!

I am done with the Whole 30 and I completed it successfully! I am so happy to be finished with that chapter of my life.  There were negatives and positives about it.


The Happy:

1. I can live without sugar. It's ok I didn't die and I did not notice anything scary happening to me.
2. What a great reset for my mind in regards to food.
3. 3 meals a day = no problem. I don't REALLY  need all those snacks




The Sad:

1. Dairy is my friend. I was very depressed for the 30 days. I have read dairy boosts your serotonin levels and I believe this is the case with me. 
2. As I mentioned I was depressed.... I also felt super tired, achy, groggy and a whole bunch of other yucks.
I never found the energy that everyone on Whole30.com talks about


So retrospect I am very excited to have done this. It was challenging and soul-reveling. I am however, glad to be adding some things back into my life. My focus for this week is using My Fitness Pal and working out 30 minutes every day. I will check back in Sunday with some stats and start adding all my new recipes on here!

Feb 1st 2015

It's a new month and here we go. More lessons, more steps, more movement in my journey to take. Where shall I go and who will I be at the end of this? 
Today I begin Day 23 of Whole 30. 
This last week was filled with victories and moments of wanting to smack my face with the palm of my hand. 

It is an uphill journey and we all know when you are climbing a mountain of any size it is no small task. Last week I had moments where I just sat down like a small child and cried into my hands over the food I could not eat. I spent a lot of time wallowing in self pity. There were phrases like "I can't believe I can't eat that" swirling around me. At one point the Lord really spoke to me saying that he has called me out to be more than this. There is a greater and higher purpose for all this discipline. 
My phrase as I go into this week is "Don't give up and never stop praying" That is theme as I head into my final week of this challenge. 

Whole 30 Day 18

Have you ever held the answer key in your hand and thought.... "I could take  a peek and it would all be easier." Cheating can simple and that it is a quick answer to a difficult problem. My daughter asked me about cheating and I explained to her the other night if I did not know how to cook, I COULD order food from a restaurant and pass it off as my own to others but, I'd still be left in the same place of not knowing how to chef it up. The goal is not to fake learning but to actually acquire the skill.
I am feeling that this morning in my journey of health. I made a promise to myself and to God to complete this Whole 30 Challenge. This desire to cheat rises up in me like a ferocious dragon. Not in regards to answer keys and food preparation but, eating habits! It would be so easy to scarf down some yumminess but, I would still be left in the same place of eating re-training. I would not learn a blasted thing. Days like today make me grateful I live 30 minutes outside of town. It makes it easier for me to stay on track.
I am applying this scripture to help my focus today. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 

So I am going to do it... going to run and persevere through the muck of every day to desires. I am grateful for each new day that God has given me to work on changing my ways of eating and even thinking about eating. 

Of Whole 30 and Major Sidetracks

I admit it... throw my hands up in the air and admit it.
I... got... sidetracked.
I let stress, vacations and the holidays sway my sight from the prize and take me away.
After several months of steady non-healthy eating and only mild work outs. 12 pounds made their way onto my frame. For another person this might be an easy thing just a little diet change and lose it all.
For me, who is trying to drop additional weight it was a setback to say the least.
I did not let it get me down and purposed to get back on the road of good health.


I began the Whole 30... for those who are not familiar with the program here is what I can not eat.

Soy
Grains
Sugar
MSG/Sulfates
Dairy

It is only for 30 days so I thought of this as a great kick-start to renewed weight loss and healthy eating.
We can do anything for 30 days right? The point is to figure out addictions and really focus on GOD through this whole month. Cutting it out and just kind of facing up to what might be leading me astray.
I am excited to see my clothes getting looser and even though I am not to get on the scale ( I did) and it's gone down a bit too.
Hopefully I'll see you back here a bit more often. 

August 28, 2015

I've been testing and tasting some new healthy recipes this week and I'm excited to share some in a few days.
I had a moment of reflection a few days ago when I stumbled upon some old photos of myself.

 I struggled to make myself understand the woman standing in these photos. Sometimes I stop and compare myself to others forgetting how far I've come. I only need to stop and compare myself to the old me to see what progress has been made.


It's amazing what a story there is in a photo.

These tell the story of a woman who constantly felt ashamed, and ugly. She could hardly keep up with others while hiking and the kids wore her out daily.  She went to bed imagining herself in a different life with a changed body.

 These photos tell a different story. They tell of a woman becoming comfortable and confident in her own skin. A woman who is learning to love being in this body. A woman who hikes for fun and ENJOYS it. A woman who pulls her children along and gives them energy.
If you are on a journey toward health. NEVER ever forget to look back and see where you've come from. Just like in a trek up a mountain looking back gives you an amazing perspective.

Welcome September!

As we roll from toasty August days into the golden cooler days of fall I grow excited. I am going to savor the moments and try to just sit back loving the peace and joy God brings to me. This summer has brought new struggles with good old guilt. He is always around the corner telling me I have no business walking in newness of life with Jesus. He tells me I am not worthy, and that I'll never be good enough.
Romans 8:1 tells me though
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
I don't have to be good enough because, he was perfect and set me free. When I spend time feeling guilty I am not walking in the spirit but, am allowing my old master of sin and death to run free in my body.  

My plan for this fall is to embrace more of my Jesus and less of me. To be bold in the sharing of his gospel and his plan for people to be saved. 
I also plan to engage more in healthy eating and fun simple family times. Food has always been a struggle of guilt and deadly love. I am more than what I eat. 
Yesterday I was told by someone that she noticed what confidence it had brought to me. I stepped back mentally from what she said and was surprised to discover YES, I do feel more confident. I have less need to make others pleased with me because I am pleased with myself and I know how God feels about me. I was blessed by her observation as it allowed God to open my eyes and see myself in this new light. 

As summer fades to fall I wish God's blessings on you 
and may he reveal to you what his will is for you. 

Quinoa Salad

My recipe was prompted by a wonderful amount of peppers at a local farm. She was asking such a nice price I bought loads and am finding tasty ways to work them in.

Yes folks, most everyone around these healthy parts has their take on the Quinoa Salad and I am no exception. So let's delve into the how-to of mine. Take up your forks, and let's nosh!

My cell phone takes photos that do not convey the tastiness

Quinoa Salad

4 Cups of cooked and cooled Quinoa (cooking directions are found on the packages)
2 cups torn or shredded spinach leaves
1 cup red and green bell peppers
4 large mint leaves (shredded)
1 tsp crushed garlic
1/8 of a cup vinegar
2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
Cayenne Pepper
Salt to taste 
Sprinkle of cashews (Or as many as your cashew taste buds will allow) I LOVE THEM
Feta cheese (again to taste) Eyeball it, it will feel good to guess. 


Stir vinegar and honey together. Then, bring and introduce all the other prepped ingredients. Stir together and allow the delish flavors to meld.