Homemade Treats for My Best Friend

If I am going to make my own food so that I can be healthy, why wouldn't I do the same thing for my best friend?  I want us to be healthy together so we can do what we both love...have outdoor adventures.

Today I made homemade chicken jerky and Peanut Butter Banana Treats.  The chicken jerky was easy.  It was an already cooked piece of chicken breast that my husband didn't want anymore.  So I just sliced it real thin and put in the oven on 200 degrees until it was dried out.  Charlie approves!

I adapted the peanut butter banana treats based on Whole Foods Market's recipe.  I made my own oat flour and peanut butter in the Vitamix.  I also added ground flax seed because it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which are good for his skin and coat.  I also added granulated garlic because well, it's flea season again and it also is an immune booster.

Tastes do change over time!

I can remember a couple years ago when my bfff Kristie told me she was going to follow the Eat to Live program.  I thought she was crazy and I thought to myself, "I could never do that, I can't give up cheese!"  I remember she even let me try some of her Almond Milk.  I would have never bought it unless she let me try it, because let's be honest, it sounds weird and gross or at least it did to me.  :)  Now I exclusively use Almond or Rice milk.  Thanks for hooking me up btw!
I am living, walking proof that tastes can and do change!  I never liked fresh mushrooms and would sometimes tolerate the ones in jars.  Now I eat fresh mushrooms almost every day!
There are a couple things that helped me be willing to try new things:

• My pickings were slim--I had eliminated meat, dairy, and most processed foods.  Once I did, I realized that was the majority of what I ate!  So I had no other choice but to find new foods to eat because I still love food and was still hungry!
• I wanted to get healthy--I suffered from GERD, migraines, and sleep apnea.  I was in pain all day, everyday.  Pain is a powerful motivator for change!
• I wanted to lose weight--I was tired of letting life pass me by because I was too heavy to do anything.  I used to hate summer because I couldn't wear shorts and would just sit and sweat.  Ugh that is no way to live.  Now the more weight I lose, I hate winter because I'm so cold all the time, but I would never gain the weight back.  I'll take summer now!  :)  I'm not saying that I rock the summer wear but at this point I feel good about the 146 pounds I have lost and if anyone wants to look at the fat I have left, go for it, because it will be gone too, sooner or later!
• I wanted to feel good about my choices--I do feel better about the food choices I am making because it physically and mentally makes me feel good.  How can you not feel good about eating healthy foods?  The more colorful they are the better they make me feel!

Today was a rough day with all kinds of stuff going wrong (took Charlie to the vet for a bad leg, washer flooded the laundry room, and I got a migraine on top of it all).  Normally I would have just said let's order a pizza.  I actually considered it today but then thought about how bad it would make me feel.  

So I had a spaghetti squash that needed to be cooked.  I poked it with a fork a few times and threw it in the microwave for 10 minutes.  While it was cooking, I cut up two onions, 10 cloves of garlic, a pound of mushrooms, and a handful of cherry tomatoes.  When the squash was done I cut it open and let it cool.  Meanwhile I sauteed my garlic, onions, and mushrooms.  I scooped the seeds out of the spaghetti squash and then used a fork to get the "spaghetti" out, which I added to my pan.  I added a can of diced tomatoes and some fresh parsley and let it all cook together for about 5 minutes.  This was so yummy for my tummy!  

With everyone around me getting sick, I kicked up the dose of the garlic because I know it helps build your immune system up.  I have yet to get sick this year or last when everyone else was passing around the flu and nasty colds!  Plus garlic helps when you are suffering from arthritis!  The parsley is also an anti-inflammatory and helps you build a healthy immune system!  Not to mention the health benefits of mushrooms and onions...according to Dr. Fuhrman, we should be eating G-BOMBS everyday!  What are G-BOMBS?  Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, and Seeds. Check out his article to learn more about why you should do your best to eat these foods everyday!

Had a plan and stuck with it!

I have been feeling pretty proud of myself this week! I had a plan I have stuck with it! I have lost like 7 lbs so far but my weigh in isn't until Monday!  However it has not been focused on nutrition or what is good for my body! It has totally been on calories and what I like.   I am proud of myself because I have not binged on anything.  I have not ate any chocolate or anything bad.  Someone even brought it some cupcakes yesterday and I stayed away!  What I find is one of the best things is Yoplait Greek 100 calorie yogurt.  I am not a big fan of yogurt especially greek, but yoplait is quite yummie!  I am drinking a lot of water as well.   Also I have been exercising which is helping! Love my Zumba:) Anyway if you are interested in seeing what I am eating I have a account on myfitnesspal so add me as a friend! My user name huclkengirl and my diary is public of what foods I am eating.   It is really simple that is why I can stay with it.  For example my lunch is PB & J and carrots and hummus everyday.  I just really enjoy it:) If you get on there let me know what you think!

Blessings!

Changing it up

I never thought I'd be able to eat oatmeal without cinnamon and sugar and butter!  Dealing with a fungus overgrowth where my thumbs peel and losing two nails has made me take a fresh look and be willing to change things up a bit!

So this morning I made old fashioned oats with frozen blueberries (the only fruit I'm allowed right now), chopped pecans and sprinkle of cinnamon.  I have to admit it was pretty yummy and went nicely with my pomegranate raspberry tea!  Here's to a good day and good health!

ZUMBA!!!!

I was reading Denise's blog celebrate the small things! I admit I have a hard time doing that:(  So what if I lost 5 lbs I have 100 lbs to go.  However as I was reading it I decided yep I really do need to take a step back and celebrate the small things! For me that is Zumba! I have been doing Zumba for over a year maybe two.  I really don't remember but there were times I didn't do it for months.  Anyway Zumba is one of the things that motivate me! It is so fun and I know I don't look good doing it.  I just don't care! I feel better after each class and I am ALWAYS thankful I did it.  There are times that I wait to last minute to go because I really don't want to go.  Then I remember how great I will feel and how I feel better about myself.   Even though I go back and forth with weight gain and loss Zumba has always been there! When My mom died I had Zumba! When my grandma died I had Zumba! When my dog died I had Zumba! Every ounce of my being at times didn't want to go! My feelings were like why I am not even loosing weight.   However I went! Why you ask?  Not just because my instructor knows how to make Zumba fun! She is a great person and she is always smiling.  I love that! She motivates me! Also I have met so many people through going to that class that I have built great relationships.  Plus these people understand it all! I feel understood and they relate to what I am going through.  They also have great tips and ideas of their own that we share.  I love that! Not everyday I am going in a great mood! There are times I am depressed when I go! I might be annoyed with life and people.  So many things could be the reason! However Zumba is my medicine:) I always leave feeling like I accomplished something and I am happy!  So today I am celebrating Zumba:)

Celebrate the small things

Yesterday was not a very good day for me and typically it would have been my ticket to have a full on binge for the rest of the weekend.  I don't think I ate any vegetables yesterday unless you count french fries and spring rolls?  

Looking back on it this morning though I had to pat myself on the back because at least I did not eat meat or dairy and I did not eat after 8pm.  So I celebrated the small goals I was still able to stick with this morning and it helped me stay focused today.

Let me tell you that was not an easy task because I also started my menstrual cycle today (sorry for any guys reading this, but you ladies feel my pain)!  I have to celebrate the fact that I did not push the person out of my car that was eating Reese's Peanut Butter cups in front of me!  I was offered one but I celebrated the fact that I turned it down and did not shove it down his throat.  :) Hey we need to remember the small things that eventually will add up to big rewards.  I did buy some dark chocolate but only ate the serving size.  

Normally I would have said, "Oh one won't hurt, I deserve it!"  But I know myself enough now that one will hurt!  For me it will trigger an eating binge.  If I have milk chocolate then I think I have to have something salty because who can eat sweet without salty right?  So then I'd eat a whole bag of pistachios or a whole bag of chips.  I have to keep reminding myself everyday that NOTHING tastes as good as healthy feels!  

Even though I am still kind of at a plateau right now and am not enjoying the 5 pound a week weight losses, I have to celebrate that I am persevering and maintaining the weight loss.  

I have the perfectionist personality that thinks if I can't do it 100% correctly, why bother doing it at all?  I think that's why I weighed 400 pounds for so long.  I never thought I would be able to lose the weight and keep it off, so why even bother denying myself what makes me feel good right now?  I tried to lie to myself and tell myself that I was going to be happy with who I was, at the weight I was.  But let's face it, who can be happy at 400 pounds?  Who can be truly at peace when normal every day things cause you to have a panic attack for fear of embarrassment?  

I can remember having an anxiety attack every time someone invited me to a restaurant to eat.  I would wonder if they had table and chairs because I knew I wouldn't be able to fit into the booths.  I had to get to the restaurant half an hour before anyone else so that I could ask for a table instead of a booth without being embarrassed about asking in front of whoever invited me.  

So I have to remind myself now that I can celebrate the fact that I can fit in a booth, I can buckle my seatbelt, and I can even bend over and tie my shoe without worrying that my pants will split!

So instead of beating yourself up about all the things you aren't doing right, think of the things you are, no matter how small and pat yourself on the back, because this is not easy, but you are doing it!  What small things can you celebrate today?

Music sweeps the cobwebs from my soul

I go through phases on when I listen to music and what type of music I listen to.  Most of the time I try to stick to music that inspires or encourages me.  Lately, I've been drawn to Shawn McDonald, Chris Tomlin, and Point of Grace.  

This morning on my walk with Charlie I listened to Heal the Wounds by Point of Grace.  


I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of 
The place You brought me from 
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Chorus : 
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

This song really speaks to me because I really did and still do sometimes wish that I could erase my past or rewrite history.  I have had many wounds in my life, as I'm sure most everyone has.  I don't think we should be ashamed of them though.  I am actually proud of my scars now because it shows that I have survived and overcome what tried to destroy me!  

I do believe that everything happens for a reason.  Even though we may never know what that reason was, I believe that God will never leave us and He will give us beauty for ashes.  

I think this is why I am committed to myself to continue on this path of wellness.  I know that God intended for me to be vibrant and healthy so I can fulfill His purpose for my life.  I want to help pass that on and encourage others to embrace their past, it is what made you who you are today.  Forgive others for hurting you and forgive yourself for any mistakes you have made.  Wellness is not just losing weight and being skinny, it's being healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually.   

My 1st Step:)

http://healthygirlskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/reader-advice-day-getting-back-on-plant.html

I read this a while ago! How neat that you have problems and then I get a email because I subscribe to Healthy girls kitchen! A awesome blog if you want to be plant strong! Anyhow I asked in my earlier blog for advice and I got it.  I just bought the book The End of Overeating by Dr. David A. Kessler! So I guess that is where I am going next!

How Many Times Does One Start Over?

I am at a place in my life where I am sick of starting all over! I just want to change and stay with it.  I am even depressed because I feel like I can't get out of my hole! My motivation is very low as well for a lot of reasons.  It cost money to eat healthy! I have to cook for my family and a lot of things the kids will eat that are healthier than what my husband will eat but not as healthy as I would eat.  Here is a example: My husband likes meatloaf and potatoes.  The kids would eat Turkey Meat loaf and I can even add some veggies and they would eat carrots and green beans.  Now me I want to be meat, dairy, sugar, and processed free so my ideal meal would be soup and a salad.  So That is three meals which  I am not going to cook.   When I have the money I will work on doing at least two meals.   Of course I get the advice make what you want and if they don't eat it then they don't eat.  In a perfect world where you don't give a crap about anyone else and how they feel then yes that be great advice.  However in my world I want to make a good meal my husband likes because he works his butt off for his family.   I don't want him to work 12 hour day and then come home to a salad! Sorry he deserves better and I want to be a good wife.  I do know I need to take care of myself as well.  This is why I am writing this blog trying to figure things out and maybe change the way I think about things.

Going back to the reason I wrote the post is I hate starting over! I get I am not giving up and its great to get up and start again once you make the mistake.   I am just sick of making the mistake!!  When I see a cake I want to say no! I don't want my feelings to take control and me eat just because I am depressed! I can be happy as well! Emotional eating sucks! Is there a way around it?  It is like I don't even want to start again unless I know I can reach my goals! Is anyone else out there having the same issues with money and starting over? Any suggestions where to go from here?

My Inspiration & Motivator

The day Charlie came into my life I changed forever.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I cannot have a blog without mentioning Charlie!  

He seriously is my motivator in staying active.  On days like today when it is so cold out and all I want to do is lay around in my pajamas and drink hot chocolate he still manages to get a walk or two out of me.  I remember when I first got him I could barely make it to the end of the street with him pulling me there.  Now we walk at least 6 miles a day, 6 days a week and I'm usually pulling him home!  

I love his curiosity and enthusiasm for the outdoors though.  He is usually the one who finds us new trails to hike.  Walking a dog is also a great way to meet people.  Everyone has to stop and say hi to him and tell me how beautiful he is.  I have always said that I could walk naked and no one would notice as long as I have Charlie with me!  I have even had people stop while driving their car just to tell me how pretty he is.  

I tend to agree with them all though, he is beautiful and he has a beautiful spirit!  God knew what He was doing when He matched us up!  

So my advice to all of you out there who are finding it hard to stay active on a regular basis...get a dog, they won't let you sit on your butt all day!

Ming's

I just have to say how proud I am of +Kristie Clark and myself.  In the past when we got together on Saturday nights to hang out it was all about food.  Ok I'm not going to lie, it is still all about food, but the types of foods we eat now have completely changed.  

Before it was always just an unspoken rule that we were going to get Chinese at Ming's.  We could both do some damage at the buffet!  

Tonight however we had healthy taco salad.  We used blue corn chips, healthy queso dip from The Dextonista, refried black beans, onions, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa.  It doesn't look very good but it is freaking awesome!  

This is Kristie writing and I just wanted to make a comment that I went to Mings so much that when I called my order in they didn't even need my number anymore! I would come in and they would have several take out bags and knew who I was! I even went a while with not going and about two months later thought I would try it again.  When I came in they said.. "we not see you here for long time" I just smiled and said I know.  I just figured they had to lay off people since I was not spending all my money there.:)

From The Beginning

  Let's see I started my first Diet with Richard Simmons! Hey he was a great motivator and I never had to leave my house when exercising to the oldies! I like him and he was my official first diet attempt! I have done them all! Weight Watchers, Slim fast, Atkins, I took pills, I tried to throw up but I would just gag.   I remember I was pissed too because I wouldn't throw up.  I get it now it was God protecting me! He had to I was stupid! If it would of worked I probably would of been obsessed with it.  Like I am with food and the scale!   Sorry getting a head of myself!

I can't remember a time where I was not thinking about food! As a kid my mom worked full time and I be home for the summer and I was always hungry! My mom never had food in the house and when she did my brother would eat it and then threaten me if I told he beat me up.  So I just remember being hungry all the time.  As I got older I just hated the feeling I being hungry so I guess I just decided to stuff myself all the time.  I assume because of my childhood I consider being hungry being a panic attack! I have to stuff myself I may not eat for a long time.  Even though my fridge has food!
I have many other factors also in the equation but I could write all day.   I probably will in a future blog.  

All I know now is I don't want to eat dairy, meat, processed foods or sugar!  However I do eat these things on a daily basis! Denise is farther along then I am on this road trip!  Just because I want to eat this way does not mean I am actually getting it done! It is a goal of mine especially after reading Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman! Realizing also that my mom didn't have to die of Colon Cancer! Knowing there is a lot of truth to you are what you eat! I feel like I have a lot of knowledge and learn more stuff everyday but my emotional eating totally triumphs all when I am having a bad day. 

So for now I recommend two different sites! www.drfuhrman.com and www.plantpurity.com they are two sites that have helped me a lot for recipes and trying new things.

Blessings!

Kristie

I'm not who I used to be

In 2011 I decided to join Weight Watcher's and it was the best thing I did for myself.  I needed the accountability and the support the weekly meetings offered me.  I have made lifelong friends from that group that I will cherish.  

@ my 100 pound Weight Watcher's celebration

I lost my first 100 pounds with Weight Watcher's and it was amazing to have the whole group celebrate my accomplishment with me.  

I can't believe I am now at the point where I can tell people my weight and not have an anxiety attack about it.  So far I've lost a total of 146 pounds and managed to keep it off for the last two years.  I still have about 100 more pounds to go but I am trying to focus on being healthy and let the weight take care of itself.

I decided to go vegetarian back in October of 2011 because I had some severe allergic reactions to certain meats I ate. Pork was the worst where I would wake up in the middle of the night sweating bullets, cramping and stuff coming out of both ends for about half an hour.  So yea that was motivating enough for me to quit eating meat.  Although, at the time I didn't consider bacon meat and still ate that even though I called myself vegetarian! 

Then my friend Kristie told me about Dr. Fuhrman and Eat to Live.  I read the book and like the idea but I thought there is no way I would ever be able to give up cheese.

I slowly began incorporating more fruits and vegetables in my diet and switched to brown rice instead of the packaged rice loaded with preservatives and chemicals.  I guess it was kind of like that saying, "when you know better, you do better".  

I was finally able to go off all of my prescription medicines for heartburn and migraines so that kept me motivated too.  By the end of 2012 I was mostly eating just fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts/seeds but was still tempted by the unhealthy foods in the house (mainly cheese).  For new year's eve in 2012 I ate half a box of mozzarella cheese sticks, half a box of taquitos and onion rings.  I didn't poop for a week after!  

The horrible feeling I had helped motivate me to say 2013 was going to be completely meat and dairy free.  It's been over 3 months now and I feel confident I can continue this.  Maybe 2014 I will add sugar, oil, and salt free, but for now I am happy with what I have accomplished so far. 

I started at 421 pounds

146 pounds later!

 

Friends and Diets!

Denise and I are best friends and for years we have struggled with our weight! My highest weight was 293 lbs and Denise was up to 421 lbs! We have been friends for 13 years:) I know we both have had our weight issues and been together struggling through them.  We are in very different places with our lifestyle changes but our end goal is the same.  We don't want to eat dairy,salt, sugar, meat or any processed food.  Denise has been better at this then I have been!  I have tried it a few times and have even done well but always get sucked back into SAD (Standard American Diet).  We are not perfect by any means and that is why we wanted to start this blog.  We realize we are not the only people in the world who struggle.  We thought maybe if we write about things and share maybe we can help each other.  I hope you enjoy reading our blog and Denise and I will share different things I am sure.  We have went through a lot of the same things as well!  We both are very out going and tell things like they are.  Diets suck! Food sucks! Anyway that is how I feel right now in my journey! All I do is think about it day and night! What am I going to eat? How much am I going to eat? Is it good for me? blah blah blah....  Anyway I guess this is where we will start for now:) I am excited to start this Journey with my Best Friend!