Off to the fair!

So as we're going for a full day of fair fun.  Not only are we watching our waistlines but we are also watching our spending.  I have packed lunch, snacks, and  a cooler for drinks.  I love fair food!  A nice sausage and peppers with some french fries and vinegar!  Emmmmmm.....Yummy!  I do know that my stomach doesn't take well to "fried food" anymore.  That's a benefit for me in the long run.  I won't have a full order but I will have a couple.  "Moderation."  I'm packing a whole wheat roll just in case I happen to have half of a sausage with peppers and onions.  My hot dog rolls are half the size of their white roll.  So I still get to experience "fair" but in moderation.  Now some say fair and you know it means carmel apples, cotton candy, funnel cakes, etc.  I love all of that stuff.  My goals to be healthy and fit are much more important to me than "junk."  I will not take part in any of that other "stuff."  Will I someday in the future, probably yes.  After I've met my weight loss goals and am maintaining.  The "stuff" isn't important to me anymore.  It's life that is important!  So as the fair season for you approaches - try things in moderation!!

Taco seasoning!!!

Taco Seasoning



Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt  ( I omit this)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

I found this recipe for taco seasoning.  These are real spices and aren't packed with preservatives and things that I can't pronounce.  I make several batches of this ahead and keep it stored in a tupperware container.   I use about 3 Tbsp per lb of ground meat.  You can always adjust this for your taste.  I'm sure it's cheaper in the long run and I know it's definately healthier!!

A new healthier veggie dish

Some people wonder what they would do with all these veggies that are about to go bad.  Before they go bad here's a recipe for you. 

Take each of those veggies - just to name a few:  carrots, peppers, onions, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, turnips, or anything else you can find that would be  great in a hot dish.  You slice or dice the veggies the way you want them.  Throw then in a pot add some water and steam some.  Wait for the water to cook down most of the way.  Add some Fat Free Italian dressing.  For those of you who are saying fat free really?  All I want to say is my husband has been on fat free dressing for years.  He loves it and really never had a problem with it since I told him it was healthier.  Give it a try.  It won't hurt.  So back to the recipe really.  You can cook these down the veggies with get soft - it has lots of flavor.  I'm sure you could cook this in a crock-pot as well.  The best way I've found to cook it for flavor was on a campfire in a foil pan.  (helps to save on your pans and dish washing)  Also to make it balanced and some chicken in there and there's a complete "one pot" meal.

Try and enjoy!!!

Making of the larabar

I have wanted some larabars since i've been on my renewed plan however they are pretty expensive.  So, I thought I would see if there was a recipe posted on the internet anywhere and I found most of them on there.  Some that I'd rather not have but I would try for my children.  The healthier one with chocolate are definately better than betty crocker ones.  You can keep them in idividual packages in the fridge.  They are a take and go treat on the way.  I haven't tried any of these yet but  I can't wait to.  I just have to find "dates."  I've never eaten them so I have to see if I can find the healthy ones with no added anything.  Here's what I found on one website:

CASHEW COOKIE



• 16 oz of Dates (whole or chopped)
• 3 cups of unsalted cashews
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Place the cashews in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
2. Add the dates and vanilla, and resume processing until it all comes together in a dough.
3. Press into a foil lined 11×7 Pan, and place in the fridge to cool and harden.
4. Cut into 1 inch by 3 inch bars.
5. Makes about 20.

• 16 oz of Dates (whole or chopped) $4.57
• 3 Cups of Unsalted Cashews $4
• 1 tsp Vanilla (made my own) (i haven't yet but plan too once the vanilla i have on hand gets low)

Total= $8.57! or $0.43 a bar!


Let me know if you try this one or anyother one.  Remember you can find most on google.com just type in larabar recipe and the flavor you want.  I'll update you once I try them.  I'll probably make apple pie!! or peanut butter cookie!! Definately my fav's!

Check our the new surprises on my exercising

My cousin Lyn has been in town and I have actually accompanied her to the gym a few times.  She's showed me what she does or how she started when she went to the gym.  She's a great example.  She's close to her goal weight and she's lost lbs and gotten toned and she has the right mindset.   A great christian Lady.  Alot to be learned yet but I'm getting there.  She was showing me free weights and some core exercises.  She's also showed me alot on the treadmill.  I even got on the elliptical.  I never get on the elliptical because it's torture for me.  However I'm going to try and build my resistance to that machine.  I got on for so many minutes Sunday and Tuesday i will start out on the elliptical and try to do a few more minutes each time I get on it.    The past two nights I've had a visitor on my nightly walk.  To all surprise, my mother has accompanied me.  It's been great time and great walk.  We walked the  1.1 mile track and we will build her up to the 2.0 mile track.  Can't wait for her to be able to see some progress!!!  It's the Ripple effect!

New path

So I went for my walk tonight and decided that the nightly walk i take was definitely not challenging enough for me.  The walk I was taking was like 1.1 miles and this new one was 2.0 miles.  However, it still didn't seem challenging enough so I've got a plan to lengthen it.  to over 3.  So that will be my new walk.  Even though you can walk a certain distance and have it be okay you have to push yourself and so far I'm not to that distance.  The more you loose or the more you get used to something the less calories you will burn.   If you want something you have to go after it.  Do it for yourself, do it to be a good influence to those around you, do it to bring glory to the Lord. 

Breakfast for the wee ones

My oldest son begging to use his waffle maker that he got for Christmas.  I bought whole grain waffle mix a while ago.  So we made whole grain banana pancakes with agave nectar, turkey bacon, and scrambled eggs.  They loved the pancakes.  To tell you the truth I was a little worried about trying it because some of the whole grain/wheat products aren't so tasty.  However, it was delicious.  I'm so glad my family is evolving with me.  The boys love to go on walks now that we moved.  Sometimes I allow them to ride their bikes so that I have a little more fast paced workout to keep up with them.  At points it's almost a jog.    I can't wait to see what our next activity and or next quality healthy meal is. 

Tuna Noodle Casserole Healthy!

Tuna Noodle, yum yum

1 1/2 cups of medium whole wheat egg noodles
1 onion diced
1 garlic clove minced
2 stalks of celery diced
1 cup of chopped mushrooms
1 cup of plain non fat Greek yogurt 
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
2 cans of white albacore tuna packed in water
1/2 cup of skim milk
2 tablespoons of oregano
salt and pepper to taste or leave it out 
a few shakes of Tabasco sauce
2 slices of whole grain bread
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)


Dice all your veggies, next take all your veggies and put them in the skillet just to soften.  From there take your 2 slices of  bread and toast them, when they are finished toasting, add them to a food processor or blender or you can even use a cheese grater.  Set them aside. From here you want to add your tuna to the veggies just to heat through and then add them to a casserole dish, mix in the oregano and Tabasco sauce (low sodium hot sauce if desired).  Now on to the thing that makes tuna noodle casserole creamy.  In a small mixing bowl add your yogurt, lemon juice and milk.  Mix them and pour them over the top of the veggies and tuna.  If desired sprinkle your cheese over the top and top it off with your bread crumbs.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or so depending on your oven.

More More More

So today while being on track more emotional drama hit in several ways.  Uhhh... not to mention it was really hot and with my physical problems all I wanted to do was crawl up with the heating pad!!! Go figure right!  However there was a bright part of the day for dinner I made healthy zitti!  My little boys ate it and loved it.  My hubby even ate it and loved it!!! Homerun!! More wholewheat noodle recipes on the way!!!

What should I do when I'm bored?

So I've been sitting here cruising the Internet figuring out some things for next month when we're on vacation at knoebles campgrounds.  My husband is watching the race.  I'm bored.  I figure I would sit here and talk to you instead of picking up a snack when I'm not even hungry.  Yep, I was doing that too when I was not "on track."  This is the last time I'm gonna break habits. I'm gonna live this way the rest of my life.  This is what I want.  If you live this day over and over and over eventually living a different way will be the odd out of place thing rather than being "on track."  So to keep myself busy I think I'll go grab a dog and go for a walk that way I'm burning some energy.  Besides walking late at night gives me time by myself and gives me some peace.  I pray while I'm out walking.  I talk to the lord while taking in the night sky and the stars.  Watching the trees and the wind.  What a beautiful world he has given us.  Can you imagine what heaven's like if living on earth is supposed to be our hell?

Great tasting whole wheat carbs...

So I wasn't in favor of eating whole wheat products when I first started.  My taste buds are used to the "white" products.  One thing that I found that I like from the start are called Sandwich Thins.  No, I'm not getting anything for saying this but I LOVE these.  You can find them at most any place.  Locally you can find them at the bread outlet store, tops, or sheddens.  I love them with turkey sandwiches, hamburgs, and fried egg sandwich.  Try them!!!

or try these to entice your children to eat some whole wheat products

Calories	120	Sodium	170 mg
Total Fat	2 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	19 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	3 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	4 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	4 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	2%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	8%

 

Calories	120	Sodium	170 mg
Total Fat	2 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	19 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	3 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	4 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	4 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	2%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron

A gift of pure enjoyment

Recently we bought a home.  This wasn't even a home I would have considered looking at the pics online.  There was an electric blue room and a hot pink room where both rooms were color on the floor the walls and the ceilings.  The bathroom looked as though you needed a tetanus shot before you entered it.  However we went and looked at it.  It was mid march covered in snow.  In needed some work to make it livable.  When we were done making it livable the snow had melted and we were in for some trouble.  We looked around at our yard and seen it was an entire mess.  We've found bones, glass, and mattress's all around our yard.  The shrubs and such are way over grown.  It looks like nobody took care of it for the past 15 years.  However you can go out lay in the backyard listen to the birds chirp.  It's such a beautiful noise.  A god given noise.  Now that we're past the point of things blooming I've found that I have another beauty around the house.  We have a mulberry tree and alot of "black caps" some people call them blackberries etc.  It's great to be able to walk outside to pick some berries to have on yogurt or on your cereal in the morning.  Totally blessed there.   We are working on the outside of this house while it's warm out and then this fall when its getting colder we will unpack!!! That's right we're camping out of our own house!  Next year we intend on buying some trees to start apple, pear, peach, and plums growing here.  We'd love to have strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, grapes, and then grow a garden.  I would love to have asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, squash, potato, onion, sweet potato, cantaloupe, watermelon, peppers, pumpkin, and our own little herb garden.  I know it won't all happen next year or start producing next year but with love, care, and prayer I know we will be fruitful. 

Recomitt and weigh in:(

If there's ever a time where you slack off and forget or ignore the reasons you want something, I suggest that all you think about it encourage yourself to get back there.  I don't believe people would start something and not want to continue and finish with it.  If it's important enough to start it's important enough to finish.  So I'm continuing mine, I'm living it ---My journey. 

I want my lifetime of Heath and Happiness.  So after all this depression and health problems I'm sure everyone wants to know what my weight is.  I'm not happy about this but I have gained.  I've gained alot more than I wanted to.  However, I'm letting God run my life.  With his help and Fawns and everyone positive support I'm sure I can start loosing weight and learn how to live this life and not fall into a slump.   My weight is 295 lbs. 

In order to loose weight I'm eating "clean" now.  I'm also started exercising again.  I want to get a bike for me to ride to the gym which is about 7 miles away.  That will have to wait because of funding issues.  That's what I desire anyway.  I'm also making a commitment to blog at least every other day so that blogging helps me stay committed as well. 

Last weight in was                    265 lbs
This weigh in is                         295 lbs

This is a 30 lb weight gain:(

Stay with me, pray for me, and keep me accountable!!!!

A life not yet lived to Health and Happiness? ? ? ?

So the title of my blog is A life not yet lived to Health AND Happiness.  Lately I quit living and I feel like I'm existing watching the world go round without me.  I feel like there's no reason for me to be on this earth.  That there is a little bit of what I'm going through on a daily basis.  There's not one day that doesn't go by that I have shed any tears.  Tears of happiness, NO.  I can't put my finger on what they are mad, angry, pitty, or sad tears.  It's probably a little bit of it all.  I'm experiencing the big "D" word.  Depression.  Enough said.  I don't understand why now.  The only other depression I've dealt with is baby blues.  Someone told me that maybe God has allowed me to be in this depression to learn something.  I know I will gain something from it.  I don't think I have yet but I will.  I hope it's sooner rather than later because I don't like feeling like this.  I'm so glad that I have my husband without him I don't really know how I'd make it.  He is my soul mate - he gets me.  We have been together for 13 years and he can finish my sentences.  He may not look like much to any of you at all but he doesn't have to answer to any of you - he's got a great heart and he's got my heart.  Next my outside of my home family who is there for me and supports me emotionally and doesn't  add to the rest of my stress - thank you.  To my other family.  The ones who support me from inside our side of my church - my christian family you guys really help me so much.  Each little talk or long talk may seem like nothing to you but just think that you may have helped my day be just a little bit better.   Hopefully those talks in the near future will make my day.   This journey of mine is a journey of mindset right now my mind isn't set.  I want it to be so bad.  I want this depression to go away and if it doesn't go away to just be manageable.  This is my journey for life so I'm not as regimented in the ways it used to be but once my mind feels better my body will too and so will my regimen.  Prayer, Prayer, Prayer yes I ask for it and welcome it.  Please pray for me.