August 31, 2011

Good morning,

We made it half way through the week and praise God for an extra day off next week.   I am holding at yesterday's weight.  How is everyone doing with your weight?  I love your stories of new life changes and all the benefits with that.

As you know - I am the "sugar nazi" and have known for years that sugar (101 names for it - check your HCG Made Simple book) that is not metabolized is stored as fat.  I found out why on Monday while I was in the doctor's office waiting and reading a medical journal:

"Fruit is the most healthful way to eat sugars and satisfy the natural craving for sweets.  In addition to sugars, fruits also contain:  1) Vitamins and minerals that facilitate the metabolism of sugar - converting it into energy. 2) Fiber, which slows the absorption of sugars.  For this reason, less insulin is required when eating fruit than when eating sugar alone or sugar refined products lacking fiber. The less insulin secreted, the less fat is produced, as one of insulin's effects is the synthesis of lipids or fats in the body."

Several things to see here: 1) eating sugar and sugared products - with no fruit - slows the metabolism of sugar and it STORES as fat.  I never ate much fruit growing up.  Only Kentucky Chocolate Cake.   :)  2) High insulin secretion (from high sugar ingestion) = high fat content stored in the body.  And, as we get older, we are generally less active, less activity means the "stove" isn't turned up as high and year after year we continue to add fat to our bodies.

Those are the scientific facts - plain and simple.   Can you look at your frig, cabinets, fast food orders and ask if these foods taken in are storing life or fat?  How about your lunch today?  Eating, whole natural fruits (with the skins for fiber) are giving more benefits than just taste.   Grab an apple today.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

(more on sugar-related diseases tomorrow)

August 30, 2011

Good morning fam,

Got a recipe for you for the weekend (by the way I lost 1/2 pound from what I gained - I think this heat is messing with me, or it's the fact that I am addicted to watermelon).

I know how family holidays are around the grill in the summer.   Here you go:

Bulldog Wings (my husband and I named them yesterday)

I bought just the drummetes, you could use the whole wing.

I marinated them in a large baggie in Texas Pete Wing Sauce for 6 hours (Phase 2 people, while there is no sugar, there is a thickening agent.   But, most of the sauce runs off on the grill.  So, I think this once you're ok)

Hot grill, down to low as I placed the wings on the grill.

Sprinkle with Montreal Steak seasoning, thyme and rosemary.   Wait about 5 minutes, turn and repeat the seasoning of the other side.   Leave the grill on low and open until the wings start to dry and get some color.  Turn about every 6-8 min.   Then, close the top and continue to let cook on low while they crisp.  Continue to turn regularly until they are as crispy as you like.  This takes about 30-40 min as you don't want to burn the wings, but you want them to be colorful and crispy.   YUM!

Crissy sent a recipe last week for the oven, but it was for Phase 3-4.   The above recipe could be used with all phases (Phase 2 for a special treat) as I added no oil or butter - even to the grill.

Jenny's lemon icy's would be good on Monday.  I am planning that with my fam.  Or, you could make gallons of sweet tea with xylitol, and none of your fam would know it.   I had a dinner party Friday night and I combined blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, with xylitol, to make a fruit shortcake.  I ate only fruit, but served the others on a shortbread with whipped creme.  I didn't use the THICK, SUGARED red sauce for strawberry shortcake.  The kids LOVED IT!   And NOT one person knew.  :) 

I have forgotten to share something with you that my niece, Heather, brought to my attention last week.  Or, maybe I did share......  :)      Coconut water - not coconut milk - TONS of minerals, more potassium than 52 bananas (in just one small container) and lots of electrolytes.   If you are bothered by leg cramps, this will help.   I have checked several places, (Fresh Market, Publix, Kroger) and many are carrying this now.  READ the back - some have sugar, and some don't.  The ones without sugar COUNT towards your water goal for the day and very helpful to your legs.

I have always read and heard that sugar puts fat on our body.   Yesterday, I found out scientifically why.  More on that this week.   

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 29, 2011

Good Monday morning to all of you,

I hope your day yesterday was amazing!  I am praying for a break in the temps and some rain - we need it desperately.  I don't know about you, but taking 90 minutes to water the plants is not my favorite thing to do.  I do get to pray and meditate - and that is good - but those wretched mosquitos!  YIKES!

I am up a pound today - I am sure I had too much fruit and too much half and half in coffee yesterday.  Back to protocol today - one pound is easier to grab than 10.  Amen!

I want to suggest a song that each of you need to buy from I Tunes and get on your phone, lap top, I Pod, or I Touch - it's "Holding Nothing Back" from the Consumed album written by Kim Walker.   It is really our theme song.   Listen to it and see if you agree.  I sang it about 5 times back to back last night and each time found myself making declarations and stirring faith.  POWERFUL!

This is a week of preparation for us as Labor Day weekend and college football is upon us.   Stay ahead of planning for your parties.   Remember phase 2 people - NO sugar, starch or fat across the board.  I talked to someone yesterday who said they really had not lost what they expected on the first round of drops.  As I listened, they really had not followed protocol as they didn't know the established plan well.   When in doubt, refer to your books.  We are only allowed 4 fruits on Phase 2: apples, oranges, 1/2 grapefruit, and strawberries.   On Friday someone said they had eaten corn at a meal.   I didn't jump in and correct them - but remember - corn is not listed as a veggie in Phase 2 for sure, and maybe not till final weight is reached.

I know sometimes I sound like a real "stickler" but as a coach, and desiring to help all of us walk in divine health, sticking with the plan is all I know to offer.  My heart is for all of us to be successful to the MAX!   Here's what I know - this is not about formulas, it's about health and the Holy Spirit is really the one who guides us into all truth.   But we can't make excuses about truth.  I read an article Friday evening that said "39% of all infants at NINE MONTHS OLD are obese."   I about fainted.  I am thankful that many in our family are changing the food cultures of their homes.   One of the group said she is allowing snacks at her house for her children, but only fruit and yogurt.  Great boundaries.  

OKAY - so can you share what you plan to cook for the weekend and what your plans for success are?   Please respond to me instead of the group, so we don't overcrowd everybody's emails.  I will cut and paste and send out throughout the week.   This is going to be our BEST Labor Day as we embrace health, wear our shorts with confidence, and EAT to live.   :)

I love you - let's make a plan and help each other make this holiday our turning point.  Family functions that focus on family and NOT FOOD can be the norm.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

PS - Mr. Innis and Jan started back on another round of drops and coming out of their first week back on, they lost more than 35 pounds collectively.  Protocol works.

PSS - please keep checking with your doctors and having your blood checked to make certain all is well.  I really want all of us to be safe in our journey.   

June 30, 2011

Good morning to all - I had a great day yesterday, stayed right on plan, right on time.  Scale down almost a pound today.   YEA!   I had a lot of pastoral counseling last week and most of it at restaurants. While we CAN do that - it's not the best - at least not 4-5 times in one week like i had to do.  I did find a grilled piece of meat and steamed veggies at each place.  The problem is sooooo much salt.   

When I went for my check up Tuesday afternoon - got a great report - except some minor swelling in my feet again.  I always want to be real with you.  You known I stopped the Lasix over a week ago, but my doctor said I should take it a few times each week.  Maybe my "cold turkey" approach wasn't the best.  I do swell more in the summer and I DOOOO think eating out has a lot more salt that I normally cook with.  Anyway, took a water pill yesterday and got some of the fluid off my ankles.  I will keep working on this as my goal is "medication free."   Outside of that - GREAT check up - blood pressure great - sugar great - weight great.   :)   I did have blood taken yesterday - will let you know what my cholesterol looks like when I get it.

I am having many of you ask if I will blog from Europe - absolutely!   I have a travel scale and will be weighing and recording my weight on my sheets DAILY.  I carry those in my purse.   :)    TIP:  if you are traveling and will be using a different scale, weigh on both scales for 3-4 days prior to your trip so you KNOW what your "true" weight is before leaving.   

I am excited to see beautiful sceneries, meet beautiful people, and eat beautiful LEAN protein, fruits and veggies.  :)

We have many people spread over the four phase journey of HCG right now - some loading (Phase 1), some starting phase 2, some working through maintenance, and some starting on a second round of drops.  No matter where you are today - remember - food addictions broken in Jesus Name!   We are healthy and walking toward freedom in our health.   Pray for one another.   This journey is more about Galatians 5:1 than we realize sometimes.

Much love, PK

June 29, 2011

Hey gang - hangin with the same weight as yesterday.   Hope all of you are doing great - I know you are!  Many are reporting when they are not getting enough water - they don't loose or gain.  That one element is really critical - so work hard at making that happen.  Water has so many awesome benefits - you know them.  :)

Just a note that two of our family have made the cauliflower pizzas that I sent the recipe for last week and LOVED them.  Now, they are a phase four, stabilized weight recipe - but all of us will get there.  :)   Here is the recipe again in the event you missed it:

For the crust:

1 egg

1 cup cooked, mashed cauliflower

1 cup grated mozzarella

Optional: herbs or seeds.  The original creator of this recipe used fennel, oregano and basil.  I kept it plain and focused on the toppings.

 

For the toppings:

Mild tomato sauce or purée

Ricotta cheese, for small dollops on top

Assorted vegetables of your choice

Top with grated mozzarella cheese

BAKE THE CRUST AT 400 FOR 20 MINUTES

ADD INGREDIENTS AND BAKE ANOTHER 20 MIN AT 400

Love you BIG - PK

June 28, 2011

June 27, 2011

Good morning fam - down 1/2 pound today.  Moving back toward final, final weigh in off phase 2.  I tell you, maintenance has it's benefits AND liabilities.  :)   YIKES!

Just an encouragement for next Monday - July 4th - plan early.  Also, remember, your new way of eating is bringing long term health.  Holidays were always about LOTS of food and LOTS of over-eating, feeling bad because I never felt good in a swim suit and worse because at the end of the night I was dealing with reflux and a huge sense of failure.  Just sayin.   :)   No MORE.  Reward yourself with 4 oz, on that one day, of a beautiful grilled steak and 2 tomatoes instead of one, if you need it.   Bake your apple with cinnamon and truvia and eat it like a dessert.  REMEMBER - this is ONE day - the next holiday you may be eating more (those who are currently on Phase 2) BUT.........even though you can - you may not want to.   The real issue is this new plan BREAKS our addiction to food.  

Obesity was killing me - now, 55 pounds down brings JOY to the holidays for me.  I will be in shorts or in the pool with my grandbabies - this has NEVER happened.  I will be happy at the end of the day to know I won't be dealing with reflux or depression for failing.  I will be thankful for re-fueling (eating to sustain life) as opposed to over eating and slowly killing myself.   I will be HAPPY.    

How about you?   Being healthy is not easy - AND, it is a choice.  I made excuses for BAD EATING HABITS for YEARS - "bad genes, hysterectomy, age."   I chose to be unhealthy, I chose to "reward" myself with unhealthy choices.   And I was taking handfuls of medication daily to soften the blow of those bad choices - but long term - I was going to die early.

I choose LIFE - I choose health.   The 4th of July is about FREEDOM - signing the Declaration of Independence.  On January 24, 2011 - I "signed" a different Declaration of Independence.   This 4th of July, I will be proclaiming Galatians 5:1 - "It is for FREEDOM'S SAKE that Christ set me free."   

Love to you all - PK

PS - this 4th, can we make a pact to look at this holiday differently????   YES WE CAN!

June 26, 2011

Hey gang - stayed the same today.  Didn't loose the pound I gained yesterday, but still had challenges.  DID do WELL though - but still off protocol somewhat.  I was really excited to have breakfast with friends yesterday morning, my husband take me to lunch AND I attended a BIG wedding last night and ate right - thank goodness for appetizers before the meal - they saved me.   When it came to meal time - I had to smash my food and move it around the plate, toasted with the champaign BUT drank my water and ate watermelon when I got home and not cake.   Didn't get all my water in though yesterday.   BUT TODAY - I will get that water in and follow protocol.   But I can say, another family member and i were texting during our events and I am so proud that we both left without those "I can't believe I ate all that" yucky feelings.  Ever felt those?????   It's great to be able to attend without feeling weird - announcing you're on some "new health plan" and leave feeling good about yourself.   :)    You guys are really doing great.   The big test comes in 2 weeks - but God knows my heart and will help me as he is ALLLLL of us!

Much love this Lord's Day - PK

June 25, 2011

GOOD morning - oh well......am up 1 pound today.  Thank GOD for this new way of living in which we weigh every morning - easier to grab one pound rather than 10 pounds.  Right?  It takes courage to weigh daily, but it is one of the KEYS to our long-term health.  I pray that all of you are doing this daily and making a commitment to continue beyond phase 4.    Why a pound - I KNOW why.    :)

Yesterday followed a night of eating out at a Mexican restaurant where the food was extremely salty - even though it was baked fish and talapia and cheese sauce - no chips, but still something new.   THEN......yesterday was my first venture to make something with almond flour and xylitol.  Great brownie recipe - needs some tweaking - I will work on it and send it out - BUT.....I ATE 2.5 brownies with cream cheese icing.  YUMMY.   But the scales reminded me that a couple of days of being too far off protocol make a difference.   NOT upset - just ON IT!    Guess who's back close to phase 3 protocol today?   Tomorrow the scales will be happy.

Again - if you are not weighing daily - which is the PLAN - you plan to hit a wall sooner or later.

Off to Senoia to the coffee shop with my husband and some friends.   Praying for us all - much love, PK

June 24, 2011

Hey Fam - We have a member of our group who has some size 14 jeans, shorts, and pants and some extra large tops that are taking up "room in her closet."   AW........ really?   :)   Anybody moving towards that size and want them?   I stayed the same today - and while i still want to loose - I will start doing some exercise next week (TOOOOO busy this week) and hopefully that will help.  My body is adjusting to no water pill - no lasix - and it is doing as God designed.  YES!  Listen - start planning now for your 4th of July.......don't get caught at a party unprepared.  :)

Here are some wonderful recipes that I am planning to try ASAP. :)    These are coming from our network as well.   And, if you didn't get my email yesterday - I will be out of the country July 10-24.  Need drops - let me know so I can order for you.  :)

Love you more and more each day:  PK 

1. Candied Apples (Phase 2)

4 apples

3 pkgs of Stevia

1 tbs cinnamon

2 Cups of water

1/2 tps vanilla

Cut apples in halves and if desired cut out core area.  Place apples in

baking dish.  Pour water over apples.  Sprinkle apples with Stevia and 

then

sprinkle cinnamon over apples.  Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees or until

apples are soft.  Then add vanilla to water and mix.  Pour water/vanilla

mixture over the baked apples.

*Phase 3-4 can use heavy cream topping (yum!)

2. Cauliflower Pizza

For the crust:

1 egg

1 cup cooked, mashed cauliflower

1 cup grated mozzarella

Optional: herbs or seeds.  The original creator of this recipe used fennel, oregano and basil.  I kept it plain and focused on the toppings.

For the toppings:

Mild tomato sauce or purée

Ricotta cheese, for small dollops on top

Assorted vegetables of your choice

Top with grated mozzarella cheese

BAKE THE CRUST AT 400 FOR 20 MINUTES

ADD INGREDIENTS AND BAKE ANOTHER 20 MIN AT 400

3. Veggie Pizza

• 1 large Portobello mushroom, stem removed
• 1 tablespoon sauce
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• Veggies of your choice
• Meat of your choice

Directions

1.     Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2.     Place the mushroom on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and spread spaghetti sauce in the cup of the cap. Top with veggies, meat and cheese.

3.     Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.

June 23, 2011

My body is finally moving again after holding for days coming off the lasix.  :)   

I talked with one of our phase four people yesterday and she is really eating quite a lot and has stayed within a pound of her final, phase 2 weigh in.  Then, another one who is on phase four is eating low carb yogurt, sugar free bread for sandwiches daily, and baked veggies as chips.  LOVES her new life.  One of our maintenance people made baked apples with cinnamon, heavy whipping cream with truvia and ate together for a dessert.   OMGoodness - can you say life-long options.  :)   Real, whole food just the way we were designed to eat.   We can do this......together.......one day at a time.

Much love - PK  

June 21, 2011

Good morning all - still holding steady PTL!  Listen, just wanted to pass along for my phase 3 and 4 folks, I found a meat marinade that is fabulous on pork - DREWs Smoked Tomato.   Soak your meat for several hours and transfer to the grill - OMGoodness!   All natural, no sugar..... Found mine in the health food section of Publix.    Got any cool things you've found to share?   

Love you all - PK

June 19, 2011

Good morning to all,

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, my husband was away all week for work and wanted all my time yesterday.  :)  He made coffee and wanted to talk and work in the yard - couldn't say no.

I DID stabilize yesterday - weighed the same thing three days in a row except for .2 lb.  YEA!  I still have 10 pounds I'd like to loose so I am not rushing into the almond flour/xylitol journey yet.  Still holding things close to Phase 3 protocol - even though I can branch out now.  I did, however, eat ranch dressing for on my salad for the first time yesterday.  :)   BUT then, I got up this morning and had LOST a whole pound.  REASON - ate a lot of watermelon throughout the day as my two fruits.  BAD girl - I know we are supposed to eat different fruits, but I wanted to celebrate.  Before HCG - celebration would have been a big dinner out or a piece of candy - now watermelon.  Go God!

Here's what's cool:  I could have done more in the food area yesterday, but I really had no desire.  Eating lean protein, veggies, and fruits for 4 1/2 months has created something new in me.  I was so excited to eat watermelon.  GO FIGURE!

One testimony from our family yesterday:  "I used to wear a 24 for years.  Last 5-6 years, up to a 26.  Now buying size 18 after one round of drops.  Inches melting away."    Can somebody praise God for victory?  LOVE stories like this!   Keep 'em coming.  We rejoice in the good of others.  Pray for our family today - some are facing some tough issues - beyond or freedom from food.  Pastorally, satan is trying to bring discouragement and destruction - even in my own family.  But we are LEAN warriors - not heading into battle over weight and sluggish.  

My daughter has a serious heart issue that has flared up again - need a miracle.  Can you pray for us today?  Hopefully the doctor can see us later this morning.

Happy Father's Day to my men - lead your family's well!

Much love, PK

June 17, 2011

Good morning all,

Close to stabilization.  YES!   Maybe tomorrow is my day to enter Phase 4.   :)

Just a reminder to my phase 2 people who love sweet tea, you can make a gallon of tea just like you always have by boiling the bags on the stove and adding the exact same amount of xylitol (measures and tastes just like REAL sugar) that you would regular sugar to your tea.  Place in the fridge with fresh mint - YUM.  However, this is in addition to your WHOLE, PURE water.  We are on a quest for whole foods.  Right?   My favorite lunch.....2 handsful of Romaine lettuce, my 3 oz of grilled chicken warmed and cut in chunks, 1/2 my apple and red wine vinegar.  YUMMY!   I always eat the other half of the apple about 2:30-3:00.
My phase 3 people - went out to eat last night at a FRENCH restaurant with a group - had them bring me a gilled chicken breast (even had mustard and pecans on the grilled chicken) and some steamed veggies.   Topped it off with club soda and lime and 2 pkgs of truvia.  YUMMY!   We can live without the food that was "weighing" us down.  Yes, we can.  I left there saying, "in another season, I would have had the fried platter, the bread and butter, the desserts, sweet tea, and the baked potato loaded."   Can I say I felt AWESOME and not BEATEN DOWN when I left.  I was completely full and not mad at myself. I enjoyed fellowship, ate to refuel my body, and left happy.   This is a new journey for me.   YIKES!

Thank you God for giving me the courage to break free and live in health.   It is for FREEDOM that Christ came to set me free.  (Gal 5:1)

Love you all, PK

June 16, 2011

Good morning HCG'ers......

Hope this finds you rehydrated from the storm.  :)  I am down half a pound after being up half a pound yesterday.   My body is still trying to find it's new, normal weight.   I am not discouraged as I have my weigh-in sheets from the last time to help remind me of how my body responded.   The day before I was so swamped at work that by the end of the night I only had 5 of my 12 cups of water.  I gained.   Got all 12+ in yesterday and got that weight right off.  

I want to encourage my phase 2 people, somewhere around the end of wk two and the beginning of three, you will usually stall for a couple of days in your journey.  PUSH the water and don't cheat.  You will be tempted to say, "why do this if no weight loss."   Remember - these are life changes.  Satan will always try to discourage you - don't by into that!   We are getting healthy...   But phase 2 people - once you crest the half way point, the weeks FLY by and you will be asking to stay on the drops.  My answer, "NO!"  Gotta follow the plan.  :)

My phase 3 people - don't be discouraged if you have not stabilized - I have not either.  I think I am getting close.  I am hanging around a certain number and while I wish it was 5 pounds less than this, I trust God and my body.  I am eating, drinking, and sleeping well.   Am beginning to add some exercise again now - but the scale is hovering.  We are close.  :)    Then on to phase 4 we go.

Gotta run - much love to you all - don't grow weary in well doing.  Lean protein, fresh veggies and fruits with lots of color are really the way God planned for us to eat all along.   PK

June 14, 2011

Down 1/2 pound of the whole pound I gained yesterday.  YEA!  Back to protocol always works for me.  I was a cooking fiend yesterday getting ready for the week: cut up cucumbers, celery, and watermelon (phase 3) for distribution for the week and cooked basa fish, asparagus, green beans, broccoli and cauliflower combined with a wee bit of real butter (phase 3) and some mushrooms with a wee bit of evoo (phase 3).   Got all my food ready for the week and weekend.  I remember the quote, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."   That is so me.  :)

Praying God's health and strength for all of us.  I am not stabilizing as quickly as last time, but it takes up to three weeks.  Just beginning week 2 of phase 3.  It will happen when my body finds its "new normal."   Still loving the plan and LOVING the NEW REALIZATION that meals are for fueling - not simply pleasure.  I now find pleasure in health, energy, clothes that fit, going to the pool in a bathing suit if I like, taking less and less daily medication for fat-related illnesses, freedom from a life-long cage of obesity..........my meals are not "oh I can't wait..."   now they are "have I gotten my fruits and veggies into this tank to provide FUEL for me to live?"   BIG difference.   I could eat the same thing daily and be ok now as food serves a different purpose than it has for 54 years of my life.  Thank you GOD that my stomach is no longer my god.  (Philippians 3:19)

Bye for now - PK

PS - how much has everyone lost now?  Please send current totals. I am at 55 down from Jan 24, 2011.   LOTS OF LOVE!

June 13, 2011

Good morning all - yesterday was on of those days where I knew I was in trouble....I came home from camp and didn't go to the store.  Had enough "stuff" t get me through till grocery shopping Sunday after church.  However, my husband created a 2.5 hour group of errands after church that did not include Publix and I was too tired to go at 5:30 when I got home yesterday.   So, not enough food......not enough water.......totally off protocol for Phase three......gained a pound.   BACK ON PROTOCOL today.   Who in the world would think not eating and drinking would cause someone to gain weight.  :)

So, that is my reminder to us all - stick with the plan, prepare ahead of time, and get that water in.   :)

Much love - PK

Everybody feeling good?

June 12, 2011

Good morning to all,

BIG day at ACC today as we ordain new senior pastors, new elders, and set in our children's pastors.  :)   God is making all things new and helping EACH of us reach optimum health so we can partner with the fresh wind of God blowing across the earth.   

I am down 1/2 pound today, even after eating out last night.  Although there was oil and butter on my salmon and veggies, I still had no sugar nor starch.  I was scared that I might gain, but actually lost.  Those on Phase 2, you will get to maintenance and eat normally soon.  :)  However, our new normal will look and feel differently.  People were saying last night, "Oh, I wish I could be good like you."  I just smiled, because I've said that 1,000 times, but in my heart I was screaming, "I choose LIFE!"   No food tastes as good as living a long, healthy life feels.  Right?

One of our family members shared this yesterday and we are always looking to help one another:

Also, something to pass along to the family.  I've made some Whey Protein
shakes and they are something a little different and filled with 26 g of
protein per serving.  0 grams of fat and 0 grams of sugar.  Stevia is also
an ingredient.

One serving is 110 calories.  I'm on phase 2 so I've made one serving and
added a pkg. of stevia and either strawberries  or cocoa.   I blend some
water and a few ice cubes and there you go.  It is different and a little
after taste, but keeps me going.  I can see in other phases being able to
add some yogurt and even later some peanut butter and when bananas are
allowed too - and other fruits.

The whey protein powder I found at a local herb shop is:

Whey 26 Protein by  Vitalabs, INC.

I saw three flavors:

French Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.  I bought the French vanilla so I
could use that as a base and add my own flavorings.   A little costly
though:   container 29.68 oz costs me $39.95 plus tax.  ( 28 servings per
container). But, something different and perhaps more fun on other phases as
I can mix up more food items.

Love you WAY more than I ever tell you, PK

June 11, 2011

GOOD morning - whew!   Back from camp.   Well the first group is almost one week into Phase 3 and doing good.   Those of you on Phase 2, shortly you will be transitioning too.   The time flies by!  While at camp, I was good with water and food - really proud.   Camp has been one of those times to eat candy with the kids and drink sodas.  NOT!  I had water and fruit.  :)   PTL!

I had gained 1.6 pounds on Wednesday, down 1.4 on Thursday and back to my final weigh in from Phase 2 this morning.   In Phase 3, it takes up to three weeks to stabilize.  Our bodies are trying to find their "new normal."   How is everybody doing?  Any new "tricks" to share with the team.   Praying for our health and prosperity in all areas this day.  Much love, PK

June 7, 2011

Oh my goodness, I LOVE hearing your testimonials of freedom each morning.  Learning to eat God's way and deleting processed foods, sugar and most starches is adding years to our journey.  So proud of you all.

Four of us are moving officially to phase three today.  OMGoodness - coffee, half/half (real) and truvia this morning is right up there with Jesus.  BROTHER!!!!   In love!

Final weigh-in for this second round of drops - 24.5 pounds in this six week period.   31 the first round, 24.5 on this one.  I can hardly believe this.  To God be the glory for giving me the courage and the ability to fight for my health when I had given up, and embraced the LIE that "I am no longer 16.  This is my genetic disposition."  Anybody else rehearse that lie????   KILL IT!  We are fueling our body as Daniel did and will look younger and be healthier for it.  I commend you and THANK you for walking with me. 

Going to camp today with our youth, no wifi in my cabin - so I will ck back with you on Saturday morning.  BUT.......if you want to text me your weigh-in results (770-560-9836), I would love to keep up with you. I will send mine.  I have my scale packed and food gathered. Gone are the days of Taco Bell and Wendys double stacks.  Amen!

Much love sweet friends, PK

June 6, 2011

Well ok - four of us are transitioning to maintenance tomorrow.  Whew!  I stayed the same today, which is good coming off the drops.  :)  I did want to share a recipe that I love that is good for those of you who grill.  If you take a whole, big vidalia onion and some heavy duty aluminum foil, make a boat with the foil, peel and dice the onion, place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of chicken stock in the bottom of the boat, sprinkle with sea salt and Montreal Steak Seasoning, then place on a hot grill and close the edges to the boat. Leave on grill about 10 min while meat is cooking, shake once or twice while on grill and serve hot with grilled meat as your veggie.  YUM!!!

Tomorrow, let's have our first team transitioning to maintenance record their final weight for the 6 weeks.  One more weigh-in on Phase 2.   :)  

Praying that God grant you courage to never settle for a lack of health, but the tenacity to fight for the temple of the Holy Spirit.   We fight for health for us and our families.  :)

Much love - PK

June 4, 2011

Hello - what a great and beautiful, sunny morning.  WOW - no drops today.  Freedom....but now the REAL work begins.  This is a life style commitment that I have chosen and I know LIFE will always try to draw us back to our weaknesses.  That is when we confess Galatians 5:1.   Anyway, I lost the 1/2 pound I gained yesterday and another 1/2 so that puts me at 54 so far.  My final weigh in for this round is Tuesday morning and while I was hoping for 60 pounds down, I imagine 55 is a more realistic goal.  I will loose the other five as I transition to maintenance.  Love you all and am praying for you.  How did everyone do today?

Get your water in, especially in this heat.  :)   PK

August 27, 2011

Gooooooood morning fam,

I am sitting on my new deck with my youngest granddaughter, Kailey, having coffee.  I got out here early and started reading my Bible before the others got up....  Love that quiet time.   Weighing in the same again today -  maintenance is great.  Saw my chiropractor yesterday and she was very encouraging that our lifestyle of lean protein, veggies, and fruits should be our mission.   And if we hang here, our weight should stay in the normal range for the rest of our lives.  YEA!   She said again, "that is really the way God designed our bodies to eat - all those processed foods are not the way.   Good for you."   I was happy.

A few FYI from the fam:  (things that have worked for people and they want you to know)

1. Apple day if your weight is stuck.  For one entire day and breakfast of the next day eat 6 large apples and push the fluids.   Helps to break the plateau.

2. Epsom Salt bath - draws detox junk from the body.  Can be done every other day.   Full body or just feet for 15 minutes usually draws the toxins and initiates a weight loss.

3. Seasons 52 restaurant - on the other side of town, but a TOTALLY healthy choice.  I was told all dinners are under 500 calories.

4. While on the drops, to get MAXIMUM results, follow protocol HARDCORE!   Even three almonds can stall your weight loss.   If you are not loosing right now - are you following protocol perfectly?

5. Measure your meats carefully!

6. Remember in this heat that swelling is a distinct possibility.  Push your fluids.

7. Make sure you vary your meats and veggies daily.

8. Pounds and Inches is a great book to read.   Several read it this week and really loved it.  One has been in the fam for four months and is on her second round of drops, and LOVED it.  I wanna tell you - every couple of weeks you should re-read the blue protocol book or something.   Sometimes we get lax and then it's easy to start cheating a pinch here and a pinch there. The Bible says, "it's the little foxes that spoil the vine."   Three almonds, extra milk, too many fruits can all be "little foxes."    Then we panic because we've stopped loosing at the same rate.   Make sure you're not feeding those "little foxes."

Okay fam - going to cook breakfast for my family.   I am exploring a gravy recipe with almond flour this morning and turkey sausage.  We'll see.  :)

Praying that this is day of correct choices ALL DAY for ALL of us.   Not blogging tomorrow  - we'll talk Monday.   (and, remember that if you have friends or family who are trying to eat to live and they are on another plan, they can access my blog daily for encouragement - I don't mind.    kathyshcgfamily.blogspot.com)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 26, 2011

Praise God, it's Friday.  And, we are grateful for every new day and every new opportunity to serve God and honor him with our lives.  I am hanging around the SAME one pound marker and have for awhile.  Praise him!

I talked to many of you yesterday and in the past couple of days who have been stuck on your downward spiral.  First, you are not alone.  Second, let me share something I feel the Lord shared with me this morning.  Several I have talked to are discouraged.  I totally understand.  BUT......I applaud those who stuck to protocol when everything in you was screaming "jump ship."  I told someone yesterday that SOOOOO many times in my life I might loose 15 pounds and then get "stuck" and finally give up in discouragement and "sedate and comfort" myself with a pan of brownies.  Discouragement is a wicked foe.   However, as I was meditating on it and asking the Lord about this he instructed me that the foundational pillar of frustration is FEAR.

Can I go back to yesterday's blog and back to Lot's wife?  I asked yesterday what would have caused her to turn around and look back to a place of filth, death, immorality, impurity.   The Lord opened my eyes to this as I was pouring my coffee.........maybe because of FEAR.  Maybe looking back is easier than fighting for a NEW NORMAL.    So many of you have said, "what if the drops have stopped working, what if I'm not eating the right veggies, what if this is all I can loose on this plan........."    That's all based in FEAR.   And fear comes from the greatest LIAR ever known to man.

DO NOT look at where you have failed before, DO NOT accept the lie that "this is as good as it is," DO NOT be afraid to live as a healthy, thin person, DO NOT worry about whether or not you can keep your weight off or is this just a "fad."   God is offering each of us a WAY OUT of Sodom and Gomorra......FEAR CAN cause us to look back, as moving forward is unknown territory and failure has been the route for many of us.   But, we are on a new route!

I need you to look UP first - that's where your help comes from; next, look OUT to each of us and let's draw strength and remind each other, "no looking back - a new life is in front of us;" then, look at  YOUR journey and remember that the new normal is not a place you can define yet, but it SURE beats the "hell hole" that you came from; and finally look DOWN and remember who resides under your feet.  (wink)

So here we go - new journey, God's leading us there, we are leaving a place of destruction and FEAR is not going to keep us from our new, happy life!!!

Are you willing to break that spirit of FEAR?   Annihilate it.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 25, 2011

Good morning to all,

So, this is how I live my life.  I don't like any level of deception or trying to hide.  I have spent my entire life hiding in big girl clothes and hating it.  I like to have all the cards on the table. 

I was approached yesterday by someone asking about HCG in light of the Dr. Oz show on Tuesday.  I appreciate people wanting to ask and talk!   As a retired, public school teacher I could neither teach nor assess without questions, so I love them!   I did not see the show, but I do want to state a few things:

1. I am not a doctor.  I started under a doctor's care, and I have my blood checked and a check-up every six months (have done this for 30 years as I was obese and needed meds for arthritis, reflux, blood pressure, cholesterol, fluid, etc......)   Now that I am 56 pounds down, my blood is finally perfect in all areas.

2. I didn't start this group on my own.  I just started with Chip and I and then added a couple of friends.  More than 50 people are now walking with us in the victory circle.   Two new fam members this morning!   Welcome.   

3. I don't have all the answers - but God does.   And, collectively we can share hope, encouragement, and recipes for life!  There is also accountability.  I had someone yesterday confessing the "doughnut thing" and we had to have a little "modification" talk.  :)   We adore each other and if I was wandering a wee bit I would want one of you to come along side and help me get on the path again.  :)   Please do that for me - don't let me ever be like Lot's wife and look back (at what, a city of sexually immoral people) and long for days of sugar and starch and fat clothes and take my eyes off health.  Someone say you'll help me.  

4. Rotating 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off the drops allows our bodies to rest - which is critical.   There are 20 different variations of the diet and varieties of the formula.   I only use one product and cannot vouch for the others.  I would not take the injections.   And, the formula really needs to be made in the US, as ours is.

5. I haven't heard of any side effects from our group except slight headaches in week one from sugar and caffeine withdrawals or being more cold than normal, which many of you love!

6. I HAVE heard amazing stories of lives turning around, spirits lifted, families learning to eat together in a healthy manner, God receiving all the glory and honor for helping us.   That's great!

Why am I sharing this?   Because it's important for all of us to be informed.  HCG is controversial - and I don't want to lead anyone astray.   I am just a person who experienced freedom for the first time in my adult life and I am reaching out to others desiring the same.    And because I hate those emails that clog up my system.  I always want us to walk together because we WANT to, not because you feel obligated and can't tell me.  If you've changed and gone in another direction - I still love you.  I promise.  Just send me a note and I will take you off the list.  NO PRESSURE!   And please remember, we are life-long family for eternity.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 24, 2011

Good morning to all,

Still in a stabilized weight number.   Whoo-hoo!  

I am so blessed this morning by your replies daily.  Many of you are loosing, many are stable, and many are enjoying maintenance.  Good for you!!!    Many are experimenting with food prep and teaching your children to eat healthy.   I was thinking the other day, and then heard someone say at work yesterday, "well, you know how kids are....they only love french fries and McDonalds (or chick-fil-a, etc).   That's a lie we have to break in us and our children and grandchildren.   One of the fam is experimenting with a wing recipe for phases 3-4 and she said her daughter loves it!  We are to "train up a child in the way in which it should go."   Have you considered this means in the way they should eat as well as behave?  While in our care, WE buy the groceries, WE create the portions, WE select the menu, WE drive them through the fast food lines (and ourselves).    I know this too well - I am a product of eating like my parents ate.    I watched Paula Dean's sons laugh the other day ad say, "we grew up cooking like our mama and that's why we're 'cuddly', but we are trying to keep our family recipes and learn to cook them more healthy for ourselves and our children."

As parents we are charged with protecting our children - can we protect them from obesity?   Yes, teaching them to choose fruit instead of fries, water instead of soda, and making cookies with almond flour and xylitol are ALL concepts we CAN TEACH.   Can their pallets be retrained?   Mine has been through this journey - what about you?   Can we raise of generation of offspring who are not fighting weight-related issues as I was???   I think we can.  It takes diligence, planning and fight within in you for your family.

I have seen so many of us make life changes that are bringing restoration back to our temple of the Holy Spirit.  Let's teach our children and grandchildren these life lessons early.  :)

Have an amazing Wednesday!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 23, 2011

Good morning all,

I was cooking and cutting up veggies for the week yesterday and I remembered a line from the movie Pearl Harbor that I want to share this morning.  If you remember after the harbor was bombed, the Japanese were celebrating and the commanding officer turned and looked at his leaders and said, "I fear we have only awakened a sleeping giant."   Here's what I want us to keep in the center of our choices today - while eating 2 cookies, or a McDonald's hamburger, or a candy bar may not show up too terribly on tomorrow morning's weigh in - the greater picture is the awakening the "sleeping giants" of heart disease and diabetes and other weight-related issues (I could make a list.....)   

These are not possibilities - these are definite issues that bad food and living choices awaken.   And no one forces us to make those choices.   BUT......we CAN choose the correct refueling items and leave those food-induced diseases sleeping.   Just because my family struggles with cholesterol issues, doesn't mean I will.   My family lived for the next gathering and eating ritual of seeing who could "out cook" the other.   The more decadent the better - the more unhealthy - the better!   We would laugh and pat each other's bellies after stuffing ourselves and make jokes about how fat we were.  (all while our children watched)   And yes, I awakened "sleeping giants" and found diabetes, arthritis, reflux, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure had "bombed" my life and were destroying me.

BUT GOD - whose spirit is bigger than any "sleeping" giant gave me the courage to fight back.   Today - the sleeping giants are dead in my life.   Loosing weight and keeping it off - choosing to eat right DAILY - keeps these sleeping giants SLEEPING.   

We are bodies of flesh and these enemies lurk and wait......come on fam, let's choose health and keep these giants from stealing our lives.   We CAN win!   But, we can't be asleep and look the other way while eating that doughnut and not expect these giants to position themselves for destruction.   

Crissy sent a recipe for wings and I will share it tomorrow.  Gotta get going - back to work after a week of babying this foot.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

August 22, 2011

Good Monday morning,

I was speaking with someone over the weekend about how boring the food selection can become.  It can.  :)   That's why trying some of the recipes we share can really help you.  Hope you got the blogspot that Jenny sent on Saturday.  Especially if you like fish; those sauces can really help.  I tried a fish last week that I hated - whiting.  BUT, I love orange roughy, mahi mahi, and my favorite - BASA.   (somebody thought I was spelling bass - no it's Basa)   Publix carries it in the frozen section with the other fish.  It's like 14.99 for a bag of 5-6 fillets and they are wonderful!   I squeeze a lemon and lime in the bottom of a pan, put the fish in, top with the juice of a lemon and lime, sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning and some tarragon.   Bake at 400 until most of liquid is gone and it starts to brown some.  YUM!!!   I promise.   For my folks who said fish is YUCK - try this.  Or try Jenny's cod recipe with a sauce.

It's time to start thinking out loud as a group as Labor Day approaches, football season approaches, fall apple season and apple fritters approach, Halloween, and the list grows larger.  I was asked about all these recently.   SAY REFUEL.   We CAN enjoy every one of these - and stay on protocol.  Apples are always a great treat for any occasion.  We are approaching apple season - find a large, sweet apple and enjoy.  Someone asked me about apple sauce from the store with no sugar.   IF no aspertame or splenda or sugar neurotoxin added, yes, if emergency.   ALWAYS our best choice is whole foods.   That's the way God created them and apples must be his favorite, as it is the first one mentioned.  wink.   :)

Start now making a plan for all these "events" coming up.   Don't be caught in a compromising situation and be embarrassed to tell your family your eating healthy.  Our country is out of control with childhood obesity.  Let's be trend setters and teach our children to ASK for lean proteins, whole fruits and veggies.   They can learn to enjoy eating healthy.   I would be so much better off if I had learned this as a child.  My self esteem might not be so scared.  :)

Here are a few group items I made to help with so many events in the spring of last year:

1 - Veggie MIx (all phases): thin slices of tomatoes, cucumbers, and vidalia onions.   Sprinkle with sea salt, cover bowl with 2/3 water and fill remainder of bowl with apple cider vinegar, add a couple of packets of truvia.  Mix well and let marinate over night.   YUM!   For phase 2 people, eat one the veggies at one meal, and another later with another meal.  Phase 3-4 folks combine.   This is a great family treat you can share with everyone.

2 - Deviled eggs - Phase 3-4 after stabilization - boil eggs as normal, combine yolk with olives that have been ground and Duke's mayo and a LITTLE salt (olives are salty).  Fill shells, sprinkle with a little paprika and chill for several hours.   YUM and not sweet.

3 - Cole slaw - Phase 3-4 people - 1 bag of angle hair cabbage (I pulse mine once or twice in the food processor), add a spring onion including the green part (chopped super fine), add a large cucumber (chopped super, super fine), dill weed to taste (be generous as this requires a lot - I add dill weed, let it set, taste and repeat until it gets to where I want it), sea salt to taste, duke's mayo, and a little bit of dill pickle juice.  Stir and let sit over night.  GREAT on your sugar free bratz for Labor Day - or grilled chicken.

Recipes above are ALL things your family can eat and enjoy!   That's what helps us as well.  Cooking for our fams and being able to eat with them.   You could use all three of the above recipes with a piece of grilled chicken and have a beautiful, healthy meal.   Add Jenny's lemon icy and BOY - what a fab Labor Day.

The thing I want to propose is planning - you've got two weeks.  Start gathering your thoughts and trying some new recipes that YOU can eat and your family will LOVE as well.   Be mindful that sweet relish, no sugar added, is sweetened with Splenda.  Sorry, that's why the above recipes are not sweet ones.  

Choose life and eat to live,
PK

August 20, 2011

WOW - our group is growing.  :)  Currently, we are over 50 people embracing the truth that "it is for freedom that Christ came and set us free."   For so many years we all embraced freedom in many areas of our lives as well as embraced the lie that we were "supposed" to be fat.   I heard that so loud and clear Sunday night.   I heard every imaginable excuse/lie for our weight bondage.   And, I was grateful to HEAR that I was not the only believer embracing a lie.  Whew!   :)

Well, dear friends, we are kicking that LIE to the curb.  Are there still areas of freedom to be conquered, absolutely!  I am doing a prayer journal that someone has asked me to complete and give them feedback as they would like to market it.  And, it is exposing a couple of areas that I have also made excuses for most of my life that are on the chopping block as well.  Freedom fighters......that's us.   Warriors who tolerate NO sin areas and who have the courage to annihilate even the "infant" sins  - whatever they may be.   For me, the chain of my obesity kept me from having the strength to examine other areas that needed work.  It's amazing to me how the removal of THAT chain has allowed other issues to surface.  I NOW have the courage to turn and deal with them as well.  Just speaking from my heart - may not be for you - but maybe??? 

My weight continues to be stable, PTL!   Chip called yesterday to ask "what can we drink other than water and tea?"  I could hear the frustration in his voice.  (although kudos to him....he keeps loosing steady through maintenance as God is bringing his body to God's perfect weight for Chip)  But Jenny shared Sunday night a very refreshing drink that she makes for she and her mom.  It sounded great!   (hope I relay it right.  If not, Jenny hit reply all and send it back to us)

Iced Lemonade (can be used on all phases and gets that lemon in which helps with the detox of our cells):

1/2 cup reconstituted lemon juice (no sugar - but keeps you from squeezing a million lemons)

add to belnder

Add water to make 2/3 full

Add ice to complete remainder

Add stevia or truvia to taste

Blend and serve

YUM!

And, she said if you have a strawberry or two left from the day, toss it in there as well.  Jenny, can you please send your blogspot address so the fam can ck out the recipes?  Mine is kathyshcgfamily.blogspot.com

I only have the blog I send you posted currently.  I wanted to provide a place for other Christian friends, on whatever fight to weigh loss freedom they find themselves, a chance to be encouraged on a daily basis.  I find that one of bondage links is the feeling of isolation.  We are better together.  :)   Well, I am better with you.    All of you inspire me.  PK

PS - no blog tomorrow, only blogging to the Lover of My Soul - Jesus.

August 19, 2011

Good morning to all - 

As hot as it is, I can sense a shift in the weather.   God changes things for specific reasons, but isn't it cool that he allows us to witness such beauty as he brings change?  It's like we are watching the "art gallery" of the earth be tweaked at such a level it's hard for me to understand.  Then I look at things like that and am amazed that God cares about the smallest part of my life.  I keep singing that chorus this morning, "He loves us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves."   Can I comprehend that a Father who can change the seasons of the Earth cares enough to watch every detail of my life and REALLY CARE???   Sometimes that blows my human understanding to realize that God never sleeps, never slumbers, never stops watching us and is ALWAYS ready to help - ALWAYS desiring to assist us in our lives.  Doesn't that bring a smile to your face?   

As you go throughout your day, ask God to help you remember your water, make the correct food choices, speak encouragement to others, love deeply and be sweet.  :)   I know sometimes when bringing our flesh under subjection, our tongue and SOUL get angry and want to lash out.  Our families don't deserve that!   Let's keep a song in our hearts about the goodness of the Lord who is guiding us out of the land of Egypt (bondage, obesity, depression) and into our promised land (health, abundance, joyful spirit).   God loves you MORE than you love him.  That's a fact!

Choose life and eat to live.....

PK

August 18, 2011

Hey gang and good morning,

Sorry I missed yesterday, I was so busy with details from work (although working from home) and a return to the doctor about my toe (have to see a specialist this morning) that I never got time to create a blog.

I have talked with Kina - she is doing ok, but would love to hear from some of you.  :)  Even though she is comforted by knowing her mom is in heaven, she is still deeply sad.  I so understand that. 

We had two of the fam reach mini goals this week (YEA!!!!!) and I want to talk around one of them.   We spoke awhile back about our muscles having memory (current, scientific research) and I know that for many of us we loose successfully to a certain point.  One of our group emailed yesterday and said she finally broke through a weight that she had weighed for years. KUDOS!  I forgot - I did the same thing on my journey.  I weighed a particular number for almost 20 years until I started gaining beyond that.  However, when I started back down on my HCG journey - that was a MAJOR road block for me.  I really had to push my way through that weight.  Let that encourage those of you who feel stuck.  I believe this is one of the tricks of the enemy to get us to give up and declare failure again.  NO - our bodies are NOT THE BOSS of us!   This is mortal flesh, and while it may "feel comfortable" at this weight, our spirits are stronger and we determine that we will win!   When you get close to a set point on your downward journey - be prepared.  Your weight will bounce around, sometimes, for days.  STAY ON PROTOCOL!   This also happens, or it did to me, around those 10 pound goals.  It seemed that the closer I got to the NEXT ten pounds, the longer it took to make it and pass it.  How about you?  BUT - we have enough data to show that "slow and steady wins the race."   

Also, I wanna talk through a situation that one of the fam is having that could be affecting others.  Starting back to school can be stressful enough, but one of us has found that it has interrupted her water and re-fueling schedule and she has gained a couple of days.  My encouragement to us all - fight for your water.  I realized that as I traveled in Europe last month and bathrooms were scarce - I had to rethink my water.  I either got up earlier and started it WAY early before we were walking or on the trains - or I used lunch and dinner to get a lot of it down.   Your bladder can be trained.  And food - YOU MUST eat whole meals, with protein, fruits and veggies.   Grabbing a "quick bite" leads to picking and that usually leads to "I didn't eat much today, so I need.........."   Even at work, I try not to snack, I try to use my 30 min lunch break to sit at a table, away from my desk, and eat on protocol.

Here's what I found......on maintenance, when I got "sleepy" (refer to blog earlier in the week), I stopped pre-cooking meats and veggies and cutting up fruits.   Then, I found I was un-prepared a few times and grabbing for nuts or a piece of cheese.  While these are not unhealthy choices once your weight is stabilized - they DO NOT substitute for a meal.    I had to really get back to planning and preparing.   Always, as soon as I got back on schedule with my water and my meals, I started loosing again.  I do not know why my body responds to the "routine" - I just know it does.    Maybe this is true for you as well? Praying for God to give each of us wisdom as we embrace our new lifestyle and new body........

Eat to live,
PK