7 years...

 Well..... hello there! 

7 years. 

7 year sabbatical from writing on this blog.  Wow.... that is a long rest, pause, breath, break....  And, so much has happened over those....

7 years.

I was inspired to reignite this blog after reading my daughter Sophia's blog recently.  Honestly, I was wondering if my blog would still be here and if I would even know how to access it after.....

7 years. 

But, alas I found out that I am still somewhat savvy at computer stuff. Yay me!  I may have more grey hair -- no, I do not have grey hair --  for one, I dye my hair blonde with array of blooming streaks of color from time to time -- and I am not quite THAT old... it has only been

7 years.

And, I am a believer that wrinkles define journeys....and aging can be graceful and we can become more youthful as we age.  I am getting younger and smarter by the moment.  Haha, well, I like to think that. It is probably mostly just my eyes that are becoming dimmer with age, and therefore everyone looks fantastic! 

7 years.

I am not really sure what to chat with you about -- there is an abundant mouthful of seasons, journeys, goodness, hard things, hills and valleys of life that would be difficult to pour out in one blog post.  But, I suppose that a good place to start is maybe posting a few updated photos of my Lil' Daisies.  They are not so Lil' anymore -- as it has been....

7 years.

My four beautiful daisies have become ladies over night. They are still a sweet fragrance for this Mama -- a delight to me.  I wish I could share how much each of them mean to me as their Mama and friend.  God has blessed me with incredible lil' human beings -- growing up to be incredible big beans.....

7 years. 

Hopefully, I can be diligent to share more often -- occasionally - I don't want to give myself too much responsibility right off the bat.  I don't want to put too much in my arms all at once....I have enough to carry.... and occasionally sounds like a good amount of time to share.  I promise it won't be another

7 years. 

Okay....now for my incredible human beans (yes, I totally meant to spell it that way)

A few of my favorite....

I wanted to share a few blog/sites that I have found over the past several weeks that I love. 

These are sites that I have found recipes which I am hoping to try and that I have tried.   I am really excited about some of these places.  

Don't you just LOVE the good ol' internet where you can find EVERYTHING it seems?

Salted Paleo

 From this site,  I want to try:  The Hot n Crispy Cauliflower Tader Tots!

source

 Oh, the delicious meal plan for the day -- I want to have ALL of these to eat!  I think I just may!  Bananas and almond butter - oh yum.  And, I just love how she plated it.  What a cute idea.

 

 

source

 

 

 

 

The Cauliflower Crust Hot Pockets --- OH, YUM and so much better for you.

A daily process

So, as most of you know that I have been working through a process -- a DAILY, sometimes hourly process of getting myself to a state of better health... or maybe just being able to manage better the body I am currently given.   Either way,  I am on a journey.

I am making slow changes... but changes regardless.

I know for me... I can get those lies stuck in my head from the enemy that I am:

• unworthy
• will not be able to do this
• always destined to be this way
• incapable 

SO, I have to cast away those thoughts -- take captive those thoughts and put on the armor of God.  and claim the truth of God that I am:

• precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:4)
• through Him I can do all things (Phil. 4:13)
• an overcomer! (Romans 8:37)
•  victor in Christ Jesus. He has given me victory (1 Cor. 15:57)

It is a daily process.  But,  I have to PRESS ON and keep going.   And, I have to PRESS IN.... lean into the God who delivers.

So, how am I doing?

Well,  honestly I am doing "okay".    It is HARD.   I won't deny it.  There are some REALLY good days and there a lot of HARD days.  But,  I know that there is reward at the end of the journey and God is teaching me a lot through it.   I am thankful for those HARD days, because I know that it refines me and molds me... it helps me to lean in and trust the Creator God to be my Comforter when I am hurting.  He is my PEACE when the storm seems to chase high on my tail. He is my STRENGTH when I feel I have nothing left in me. 
If at all,  I am thankful that I know GOD who loves me deeply and cares about all the details of my days and moments.
*******************************************************
I have had several doctors appointments over the last several weeks or more.  They have been encouraging.   But, also a realization of what I need to do to take care of me.  I feel like I am learning lots about health and what my body does or doesn't need.     I am still working all of that out.

I have not been the best at being disciplined in what I need to do.   I give myself grace and move forward.  I can' t dwell in my short comings, or else I become depressed and fall into those lies mentioned above and self pity and doubt.  Not good.

I am trying to go grain free.  legume free. mostly dairy free. soy free. And anything processed is a big no for me right now too.

My mom gave me a copy of this book.   And, I have enjoyed it so far.   I am still reading it and still sorting out what I am going to do as far as diet.   So please pray for wisdom and discernment. 

Find info here

I have to figure out what things to eat for myself and my body -- but, I also have to plan for my family, who eats for the most part differently (there are 2 vegetarians in my family).   So, there is a challenge in itself, but I am working through it and finding creativity.

So,  I am asking for prayer.  But, also I would love any sites or recipes that you love that might fit into my weird eating habits?

Think Paleo/Primal/SCD/Grain-free etc.    Also, I am good at adjusting recipes too.  So, if there is an ingredient I can't have in there,  I am sure I know of a substitute or alternative. 

Thanks friends!   I appreciate you.

Raise your glasses "To Good Health" Part Deux II

So, the health plan.

You are wondering -- what is the plan?  Right? 
I kind of left you hanging in my last post.... a cliffhanger ending.  Well, almost.  Ha ha ha.

The plan:

I need a plan.  If I don't have a written out plan.  I fail. I struggle. I cheat. I am scattered and don't make the best choices.  So, I NEED a plan.

It has been many years of putting different types of foods into my body, that I know what works and what doesn't work.  And, I admit I am always learning new things about my body as well as understanding that some foods I ate awhile ago don't work now, and some foods I avoided do work now.  It's a tossed salad.

I read this verse lately -- and was encouraged by it. 

Isaiah 55:2

"...eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

I am being reminded that my hunger and thirst are first satisfied from the Lord.  That is to say, I need to find my strength and nourishment from HIM first to help me through eating the best things for my body.

And, it also applies (at least to me it does)  that if I eat food that is good for me, I will feel better and will be able to delight in the good food that God provides for me and serve HIM better.  I can not only feel better, but have more energy and clear mind to be with my family and do more things with them.  Enjoy them!


So.... The eating plan:


THE NO-NOs

1.  Grains/Gluten -- rice, barley, wheat, corn, oats, rye, etc.
2.  Soy
3.  Limited Dairy
4. Legumes -- seems beans don't like my tummy
5. Refined sugars


YES!! YES!! YES!!

1.  Lean meats
2. Veggies & Fruits
3. Seeds & Nuts - including Quinoa
4.  Natural sweetners -  honey, maple syrup, etc.
5. Limited Dairy - I can have goats milk, cheese, greek yogurt

There you have it!  For the next 60 days I am challenging myself to follow those as my guidelines.
I make my menu around those.   Here is the kicker, though.    I have 2 vegetarians in my household (one of them being my husband).  So, I have to really be creative in menu planning - because I don't want to make completely two separate meals every day at dinner time.   That is a challenge as well.

Here are a few dinner menu items on my plan:

Tacos --
Family - Corn tortillas, Beans, Shredded Cheese
Me - Ground Beef, or Shredded Pork,  Or Fish Tacos (all of my family will eat these)
All of us --  Avocado or Guac, Greek Yogurt, lettuce or cabbage, lime, cilantro

Curry --
All of us -- potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, onion, mushroom in coconut yellow curry sauce
Me --  Add Chicken

Pasta (Spaghetti) --
Family -- Brown Rice Pasta Noodles,  Marinara Sauce
Me -- Zucchini Noodles, Marinara or Meat Sauce


Okay.  That is all you get for now.   I will maybe share some websites next time that I find very valuable. And if you suggestions --  please share!

I do appreciate your support and prayers.   I will be honest,  it is hard for me to be disciplined and diligent.  I think that is why I choose to blog and facebook about it.  I need that accountability.

To better health!  "Cheers"

Raise your glasses "To Good Health"

I am beginning a new season for my health - or maybe just another step on a path towards health.
I know it is time  and I know the path will not be an easy one.  I think that is why sometimes I am fearful to take that first step. 

Just a little bit of a background about me and my health. And, I am skipping a lot of details. Your welcome.

I have always struggled with my weight growing up .. particularly after puberty hit (Junior High and High School - ya know those important years where everything around you is drama).  I have never been extremely overweight or obese...  but, I have not been thin and slim either.  I 've got chub.
And, with extra padding, it does make it hard emotionally and mentally.  You know those thoughts and voices in my head telling me that I am not pretty or attractive or fit.  And, well I was not fit.  But, then the voices of  ugliness, I know were lies.  But, really sometimes it is hard to break free of that. Honestly.

College came and so did the freshman fifteen!  Of course, I met a man who loved me...and said, "You are beautiful" .  We dated four years.  Graduated together.  He loved me unconditionally and we married.  Now, this man.... bless his heart.... got thrown into the first year of our marriage to a women who became terribly ill.  I became so ill I became hospitalized.  And,  yet this man stood by me. I guess he really meant it when said the vows "In sickness and health". (Ya, a keeper!)  It was a VERY mentally and emotionally difficult time for me...

I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease.    What? What is that?   My first year of marriage.  Sick. Ill. Depressed.  And, now another added into our marriage for the rest of our lives.

I was put on high doses of steroids and other medications.  I became very depressed, puffy face, gained even MORE weight and was miserable. 

Someone -- I don't remember who.   I wish I did remember who, because I would thank them from the deep trenches of my heart.  This "Someone"  gave information to me about a doctor locally who was a chiropractor, homeopathic, certified nutritionist.  

He was  a life saving gift.    I slowly went off medication.  I was healed with foods, supplements, herbals, chiropractic.   It took almost a year to become symptom free.... there was damage that took time to heal. 

For the next 10 years, I  was not on any medications.   I had 3 babies -- and felt WONDERFUL during my pregnancies.  But, then I also started eating bad, stop taking herbals .... those french fries, coke, and hamburgers, etc.  were becoming way too often my bad habit.

I had another flare-up.  And, had to be back on medications to help lighten the inflamation.  Thankfully, I had a great gastronologist this time and I was able to slowly get of the medications once again. I became pregnant with my last baby.... and again felt WONDERFUL.

But, since my last babe was born in 2011.... I have gone up in my weight and not always eaten the best.... and have battled with my weight up and down -- attempting all kinds of "diets.
   I did go to a Doctor and had blood work done and had very low levels of iron, B12, and others.  I am sure my adrenal glands were messed up.    I started taking supplements and still do today. (If I remember to take them!!)

It wasn't until 2012 that I realized about gluten.   And, even until August of 2013 I struggled with giving up foods with gluten off and on.   And, to truly have the benefits of going off  gluten.. you have to really GO off gluten.  In August 2013, my hubby was introduced by one of his clients to go off of grains altogether.    We took on the challenge for me to do this for 31 days.   I did it.

And, I felt VERY good.  It was one of the times I have felt my best.  But, then school starts and stress comes back in and I go back into bad habits.   I gain more weight.  And, I start feeling horrible.

So, now it is today.   March 2014.

I begin today on better health.  I have a plan. And, praying God will be my strength to endure.

 

GO-TO GENIUS!!

(Okay, I know that this concept I am about to share is most likely --someone's GENIUS concept that has been around for awhile--- but, I like it --and I am using it in my own way -- and this is how! -- )

As I have been re-evaluating, re-vamping,  re-vising -- re, re, re.... my meal plan (for the umpteenth time) - I was thinking about finding 5 "GO-TO" meals that our family enjoys and sticking them on the fridge where I can see it-- (Now, this is usually in addition to or along with my regular meal plan, that I am always re-re-revising.)

What do I mean by this "GO-TO meal"?

Define "GO-TO MEAL" --  a healthy and satisfying meal that consists of easy, on-hand food items that came make a complete meal in a quick amount of time without a lot of preparation involved. (Especially for those days when my schedule meal for that day is just not workin)

Why have these "GO-TO" meals?

Answer -  what I have discovered  when meal planning and trying to save a little bit of money in the bank account, is to have ingredients for these type of meals for days that you find yourself without much time, in a rut, and in need of something simple and easy to make -- yet nourishing, healthy, and satisfying too!

Because all too often, I find myself in a rush and then opt for the unhealthy version of a "meal" and pull into a drive through death trap restaurant or whip up a box of mac-n-cheese and hotdogs.  Uh, yeah.... not a great life style to obtain or by any means healthy.  Sometimes those kind of days happen and I am not going to beat myself up for it -- but,  I don't want it to become a bad habit.  Trust me, I have had this bad habit.

Soo, to save money  and work on correcting these bad habits -- I am being a better steward of our money, time, and health - by creating these "GO-TO" meals for my family. This was an idea I thought of to help me with this area. (Now, I am not the "creator" of Go-To meals -- there are a lot of people that use them and have them, it was just an idea I came up with to help me)

I am placing them on the fridge - so, that I can visually see it, and not have to rack my brain as to what to make that night in a rush.  I can go to the list, pick a meal and make it.    Now, the trick in my meal planning and grocery shopping is to make sure that I have all those ingredients on hand -- if I use it up that week, I put them on my grocery list for shopping next week.

I may not use any of the "GO-TO" meals that week.  But, the ingredients are there when I need it.

Here are a few of the "GO-TO" meals for our family.

VEG GREEK CHILI --  1-2 cans each of Garbanzo bean, artichoke hearts, sliced black olive, diced tomatoes -- italian seasonings.  Put it all in pot or crock and cook until heated through and seasonings marinated. Serve with bisquits or bread.

PANCAKES --  Who doesn't love Breakfast for Dinner? Gluten Free homemade mix or store bought mix with added extras if I have it ( fresh fruit or frozen fruit,  nuts, choc. chips, etc.)

BRC Chimichangas.  (Bean Rice Cheese ) -  Tortillas, cheese, rice and refried beans or pinto, salsa.  I cook rice in my rice cooker ( I usually always have rice) then put the cheese, rice, and beans in tortilla (if I happen to have cilantro or green scallion around, I will add that in).... then I put a little butter on top and bake them in the oven at about 375 for 20 minutes.  (I serve myself a gluten free version -- Burrito Bowl!!  All the stuff without the tortilla -- placed into a bowl)

PASTA - Any type of Gluten Free pasta - SAUCE:  olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes or lemon pepper.

 CEREAL --  Okay,  I just wanted to throw that in... ya know. ... there are some days when all I can muster up to do is Cereal.   Unfortunatley, my kids are NOT big fans of Cereal and rarely does this happen.  They would rather find some bread, toast. bagels.     Ha ha ha.  SO, that is probably not really one of my "GO-TO" Meals. 

Those are just a few.   Do you have any GO-TO meals that your family enjoys?   I always love simple, healthy meals. 

Things you will never hear me say

 “I love exercising. Honestly, I can’t exercise enough.”

“These jeans make my booty look WAY too small.”


“I wish my daughter would talk more. and screech more. and have more tantrums. Especially in the car and in the middle of the store.”

“My house is too clean. It is lacking that lived-in feel.”

“I have an even better idea…Let’s get two dogs… and some cats! Heck, let’s move to a farm.” (Okay, I might say this...)


“I love doing messy crafts with my children indoors. It doesn’t bother me AT ALL when they splash paint, glue or glitter all over the house. They are just expressing themselves.”


 "All the shorts that they are selling now in the stores are WAY too long."

 “I am completely caught up on laundry.”



Feel free to add your own in the comments.... what will you never say?