I know, I know, it has been a long time since I have blogged.  I didn’t start out taking a blogging break but somehow, I got out of the habit of posting.  So anyway, for those couple of you who might still check this site, I thought I’d write a post about what [...]]]>

I know, I know, it has been a long time since I have blogged.  I didn’t start out taking a blogging break but somehow, I got out of the habit of posting.  So anyway, for those couple of you who might still check this site, I thought I’d write a post about what we’ve been up to…

Well about me…  I am happy to have this school year behind us and am enjoying some much needed time off from the usual rat race.  This spring I let things get way too busy.  Everything that we did was wonderful but I had trouble keeping up with the mayhem in a peaceful manner.  Note to self:  Don’t let that happen again!!!

About 16 months ago, I started a journey of trying to get my weight and my health into a better place.  I began (and continue) that journey at a local Diet Center.  I have lost 85 pounds thus far.  That number seems surreal to me even as I type it but I am thrilled to be the thinnest I’ve been in nearly 20 years and 25 lbs. thinner than when I got pregnant with Hope almost 18 years ago.

I have learned many things at Diet Center.  They have taught me that I cannot change my past mistakes.  I can just start out right now, right this minute doing the next right thing.  I don’t need to punish myself for a food faux pas.  I just need to do that next right thing. 

I go in to Diet Center about 3 times a week for 15 minutes or so for individual diet counselling.  And the support of my counselors (Ellen and Meg) has meant the world to me.  They have shared my triumphs and my falls.  They have encouraged me to persevere when I wanted to quit.  They have been there for me through everything.  And I can’t thank them enough. 

They even encouraged me to get off my lazy rear and get moving.  Of course they put it in nicer words!!!  With their encouragement, I have gone from a couch potato to somewhat of an athlete, who actually looks forward to exercising —well most of the time.

Last summer, I read a book called The Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney.  The author talked about her own journey from fat girl to fit.  She believes that in order to change the same old messages in her head, she had to change how she perceived herself.  In a nutshell, she began running and started to think of herself as an “athlete” rather than as a “fat girl”. 

When I read this book, I found her logic and her story inspiring.  However, at my weight (even having lost 25 lbs at that point with Diet Center) I knew that my body wasn’t ready to run.  So I started with “baby steps” (as Flylady would say) and began walking.  I walked and walked and walked for months until finally I started to slowly begin to run. 

I found a training plan online for transforming oneself from a couch potato to a 5K runner.  It was late February when I began my running and slowly but surely I have been able to increase my running time up to 35 minutes straight plus warm-up and cool-down walks.  I even joined the track club with my two middle children, Lenny and Lily.  Who would have thunk it???

I am a slow runner but I am running nonetheless.  And as Lisa Delaney predicted, it has helped me to start to change the way I view myself.  It is only a beginning but I have high hopes of running my first 5K race this fall.  I may very well be the last person to cross the finish line but who cares as long as I finish!!! 

AND BEST OF ALL, I AM NO LONGER ON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION!!!  I had to write that in bold letters!!!  I feel as if God has blessed me so greatly with all of the positive support he has brought into my path.  God is indeed good!!!

Well I know that this update was all about me but it’s getting long and I’ll close for now.  I’ll fill you in on the children and Len next time!!!  Thanks for reading…

Oh one more thing, I am (reluctantly, sheepishly) posting these before and after pictures in hopes that it will encourage you in your journey towards health and fitness.  I hope it helps to see how far I’ve come.

I really am feeling a lack of success today, so I probably need to write this list more than ever. 

My Small Successes for this past week:

1- I ground up a whole bunch of whole wheat this morning with my grain mill.  I have been a total slug with baking for my [...]]]>

I really am feeling a lack of success today, so I probably need to write this list more than ever. 

My Small Successes for this past week:

1- I ground up a whole bunch of whole wheat this morning with my grain mill.  I have been a total slug with baking for my family lately.  This leads to success #2…

2- I baked a couple of dozen whole wheat pumpkin ginger muffins for my family this morning.

3- I decluttered the main section of my house and am working diligently to keep it that way, despite not feeling up to par.

Check out more small success stories over at Faith and Family…

I saw this over at Ten kids and a dog and thought that it would be great for lifting my spirits during these dark, cold days of winter. Thanks Joann!!!  You can check out more over at Faith & Family Live!

Here’s my list:

1-  Getting back on track with formal school work this week [...]]]>

I saw this over at Ten kids and a dog and thought that it would be great for lifting my spirits during these dark, cold days of winter. Thanks Joann!!!  You can check out more over at Faith & Family Live!

Here’s my list:

1-  Getting back on track with formal school work this week after an extended layoff due to my husband’s being on vacation so much over the last six weeks.

2-  Exercising three out of the last five days even though I have been feeling a bit under the weather.

3-  Meal planning for this week.  When my husband is home, he enjoys doing most of the cooking.  Really, he enjoys it!!! I’m not making it up.   So I was having trouble getting myself back into “Betty Crocker” mode.  But Praise God, I did plan my menus and grocery shop within my budget ($120 per week) this week.

This afternoon, “the Littles” (Lily and Peter) and I had some fun in the kitchen making Cranberry Apple Muffins.  This is a new recipe for me that I found at allrecipes.com through a google search.  I modified the recipe with Whole wheat flour (hard white wheat) and sucanat (a type of raw [...]]]>

This afternoon, “the Littles” (Lily and Peter) and I had some fun in the kitchen making Cranberry Apple Muffins.  This is a new recipe for me that I found at allrecipes.com through a google search.  I modified the recipe with Whole wheat flour (hard white wheat) and sucanat (a type of raw sugar).  I must admit that sometimes having the children help with my baking, etc. can make the kitchen feel a bit overcrowded.  However, it does give me the chance to work on that rare and wonderful virtue called PATIENCE!!!

Cranberry Apple Muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups shredded peeled apples
• 1 1/3 cups sugar (I used sucanat)
• 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour – hard white)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl, combine apples and sugar; let stand for 10 minutes. Add cranberries, carrots, nuts, eggs and oil; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, coriander if desired and salt; stir into apple mixture just until moistened. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Yesterday we had a fun afternoon picking over-priced apples (3 bushels worth) to make lots of homemade applesauce.  Yum!!!

Peter helping Dad with the first batch of applesauce…

Well I did indeed have a busy day in the kitchen. 

1-  I ground my own whole wheat flour (this is new to us – I just purchased a Nutrimill from the Country Baker).  It is amazing how much better the freshly ground flour tastes in my homemade bread – which leads [...]]]>

Well I did indeed have a busy day in the kitchen. 

1-  I ground my own whole wheat flour (this is new to us – I just purchased a Nutrimill from the Country Baker).  It is amazing how much better the freshly ground flour tastes in my homemade bread – which leads to #2

2-  Homemade bread in our bread machine

3-  Four dozen whole wheat pumpkin ginger muffins

4-  Sweet potato puree made from at least 10 lbs. of sweet potatoes – I’m a huge fan of Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious.  I freeze the puree in ice cube trays so that adding the puree is very easy and convenient.  Two cubes equal approximately 1/4 cup.  It is a painless way to add veggies to our meals – which leads to #5 

5-  A big, big pot of chili for dinner and to freeze – I added carrot and red and green pepper puree.  This was a new recipe that I played with a bit and I found that the addition of apple cider vinegar really added a lot of flavor. 

Well it was a busy day in the kitchen but a yummy one!!!