September 30, 2011

Thank GOODNESS it's Friday!

Our church is going through a big change right now as we are changing our name - GREAT - but there is a lot of work involved in making that happen.  I am on brain overload.   Could NOT sleep last night due to details, details.  

Let me personally invite you - prayer and worship is being held at my house tonight for our upcoming RAIN Women's Conference (October 20-22).   Everyone is invited to prayer (tonight) and the conference (in October).   This is the last weekend to register at the early bird rate - grab a friend and register.   The Lord told me that whatever "spiritual" container women brought, he would fill.   I felt like he was saying that the size of the container (spiritually brought to the conference) would be an indication of the faith level of the woman.   Bring a "cup sized container" to capture the Rain of the Holy Spirit - it will be filled.   Bring a "bucket" it will be filled - bring a "tractor trailer" it will be filled.   God is going to visit us.  What spiritual container will you use to capture the RAIN?

Tina Hopper was completely healed of suicidal depression when Pastor Giselle ministered several years back and sang over her.  Years of pain and medication BROKE as the song of the Lord brought healing.  POWERFUL!    Set aside time to come, capture, and embrace.  That's why prayer at my house tonight is critical - we are setting the platform.   Let me know if you can come.

Down .2 this morning - so YEA!   

I do want to bring up something - I feel awkward sometimes when I see some of you and I feel a disconnect and then you come and "confess."   That's not what our family or friendship is about.  We ARE here to help each other and to be accountable one to another - but your "staying on protocol" or "cheating" in NO WAY affects my love for you.  I'm not disappointed - I have walked this ROAD many times and am very aware of the intense battle.   I am praying for OUR freedom, OUR transformation, OUR journey.   Please don't feel awkward and don't shy away from me.   This plan is not for everyone.   If you want to remain on the blog list and do something else - cool!   If you want to be removed - I am cool with that too.   NO hard feelings.   What is difficult for me is when I feel you withdrawing and I know that condemnation brings that.  NO WAY!   Our relationship to one another is greater than our relationship to food.   Hands down!   

Choose life and eat to live,

PK 

September 29, 2011

YEA!!!   Down 1.3 this morning - ate all my meals, at the right time, and got 13 cups of water in.  YEA!  I know it seemed as though I was obsessing, but gaining a pound means THAT pound has to go if I want to stay healthy.   One pound turns into 10 quickly and the next thing I know - all those diseases start creeping in again.  NO way!

I met with a dear friend yesterday who totally has her clothes falling off  :)  and feels great!   We laughed and discussed that as hard as Phase 2 is (someone yesterday on phase 2 was asking if they could eat their arm - we've all been there) the structure is MUCH easier than maintenance.   We love phase 2.  Go figure.  So for those in that pocket and those just stating, there will come a day when the rigidity of that phase appears easy.  When I was going through the 6 weeks, I used hot water, lemon and Truvia to curb my appetite.  So works!   Or, if all else failed, I went to bed and waited to get up and weigh the next morning to get my "reward" at the scale for not giving in to my flesh.   On this side - eating healthy is still yummy!  I had lunch with Pastor Mona yesterday and a salad, grilled chicken, a few pieces of cut fruit and a large water was more than enough.   I LOVE this!

One of our family is on another round of drops and is actually loosing more this round than the first.   You go girl!    Here is a Phase 2 recipe she made and even her family loved it!  Just make certain your bouillon cubes have no sugar and that you use the onions as flavor as phase 2 can't combine veggies at a meal.   But phase 3-4, what a great meal - beef, cabbage and onions.   I can't wait ti try this.   My phase 3-4, you could take this hot soup and toss a few sprinkles of grated parm on top and OMGoodness!   Thanks for this recipe, I cannot wait to try it.

 

I made a beef broth out of bouillon cubes, 1 small cabbage (cut up), and 1 lb of 93/7 ground beef fried.   I added some diced onion (as much as you want). I brought all to a boil and let simmer about 15 minutes until
cabbage was to my liking.

Also, another friend gave me a recipe for a pizza crust using almond flour and no yeast.   She and her fam LOVE it - her kids ask for it.   I will make it early next week and let you know.   :)    Then, we can choose from cauliflower pizza (worth dying for) and this new recipe.  Everyday God is showing us new ways to enjoy being healthy.  I am thankful.

Some of the family are struggling with "a few bad days."   Listen to me - you haven't failed until you fail to get up.   Let me encourage you - fight harder for YOURSELF!  I hear over and over - "once I had a couple of cheat days, it's just too hard to start again."   I understand - that's why I advocate hardcore, but for those feeling discouraged you are in a group that prays and have all been there.   Please don't give up.  Let's use my formula once again - "I can do ANYTHING for 43 days."    Then start counting backwards.   If you could give 43 days without cheating, you may break the cycle once again.   Then, start counting backwards - 42, 41, 37, 34, 28..........before you know it - ground zero and you are ready for maintenance.   You CAN do it.   You CAN do anything for 43 days.   Right, fam?

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 28, 2011

Hey, good morning.

Loving the cooler temps - how about you?   I am fighting to get this pound I acquired on Monday off.   Still holding, but that pound has to go.  :)   Was off plan again yesterday as we had a staff lunch that threw my day off.  Didn't eat off plan - but schedule and water off.  UGH.   Today will  be better.   I am not discouraged but excited that I care about ONE pound.   I am not obsessing - just determined that I am not going to be Lot's wife (NO salt sculpture here).

It really does my heart good to hear that so many of you are realizing how deep into the funnel we were in the area of food.  Someone asked me yesterday if I could tell whether or not food had sugar in it.   Absolutely!  I went to a restaurant in Destin and the waitress assured me that the sea bass was probably the only item on the menu with no sugar.  I explained that I could not eat sugar or starch - but as I told some of you - when it arrived at my table, it had been grilled in a sugar mixture.   So I ate some of the middle and threw the rest away.   It's amazing how we become so aware when we realize the danger of reintroducing bad things back into our bodies.   I was also asked how do I live life without sugar - "happily" was my reply.   :)   I made a sugar free fudge that tastes like German Chocolate mousse and many ate it yesterday at the staff party and loved it.   I will make some for our share-a-dish, Holiday preview meeting at my house on Sunday evening, November 6th.  

At our next meeting, if you would like to bring a small amount of a holiday item that will help us all walk through our first holiday season as healthy, free people - that would be great.   This is my first season on this side as well.  My healthy birthdate is Jan. 24th.   Almost a year now - YEA!  At that gathering on Nov. 6th, we will share recipes and celebrate.   I am working on dressing for Thanksgiving, the chocolate mousse fudge  and a German Chocolate cake.  Of course all gatherings for the holidays should include beautifully colored veggies and lots of them.  Maybe Jennie will bless us with her mashed potatoes (cauliflower) so we can build those holiday, family dinners without compromise this year.   YEA!    I think collectively we can do it.  I know some will be on Phase 2 that evening and won't be able to sample, but a preview of dinners (without tasting - sorry) is something to look forward to.  Those of us on maintenance will only take a tablespoon of each item to sample as we are not going back to plates filled high.   :)    This is a night to assist the fam with cooking for the holidays so that we hit January 2nd, with arms lifted high, and waist lines that reflect victory!    Can you tell I am pumped???   :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK      

September 27, 2011

Good morning to all,

MUCH better day yesterday.   I know I sound like a broken record, but I do better when the rhythm of my life follows a pattern.  My body responds to the water and flow.   I told my daughter that I felt so different yesterday drinking water all day as opposed to the previous 2.  Can't do life without the natural water OR the water of the Holy Spirit.  Just can't do it.

I was reading yesterday in Romans 8 about living by the Spirit.  You should read the entire chapter again.  Powerful!   A couple of things from there: 1) I so adore the fact that there is therefore now NO condemnation in Christ Jesus.  Love it!   But that cannot become our excuse for an undisciplined life.  Right?   "Well, I just can't feel guilty about these cookies - no condemnation.  Right?   I had three good days, two pretty good days, and two bad days, but it's ok - no condemnation."   YES!   NO CONDEMNATION HERE.  That is not the issue - the issue is long term health.  We are not making correct food choices, when McDonalds would be easier, to please men (others - our families).  NO - we do this to be healthy and little compromises chip away at that.  Really - they do.  If you are needing a cookie fix - make some with almond flour and xylitol.   I made sugar free fudge to take to an event today.  Paulette served her fiancee almond flour muffins laced with stewed apples and xylitol a week ago and he LOVED them.   

If you read the rest of the chapter it addresses the death of the flesh and LIFE in the Spirit.   Jesus came to give us life - abundant life.   (that's what His word teaches)   That abundant life may embrace smaller amounts of junky foods - but this is what it looks like:   Denna had the most beautiful smile as she sported her new jeans (2 sizes smaller) this weekend; Cindy played like a kid at the beach without a cover-up for the first time in years; Paulette made muffins and pancakes and enjoyed with her fiance and he was so impressed (and she never used to cook); Cheryl continues to loose slowly even while on maintenance.    WOW!    This is ONE way of seeing abundant life for those who have been trapped in bodies that were imprisoned.  AMEN!  

A few food things for you to try:

1 - I love to fry BASA fish and couldn't due to seasoned bread crumbs having sugar and fillers.  So last night I took almond flour and added salt, pepper, basil, garlic, tarragon, and a seasoned salt spread I use with olive oil for guests to dip their bread in and made my own.  I breaded my fish as always and laid it out to dry before frying.   Then fried in a small amount of light tasting EVOO and OMGoodness - was fab!!!!!   The almond flour does absorb the oil more than bread crumbs - but the fish was not greasy.   My husband ate two whole pieces and was still "picking."   Maybe next time I will try crumbling some melba toast in there for added texture.

2 - Take that same BASA fish and bake it with lime, lemon, and old bay seasoning and enjoy a beautiful, NON-fishy fish.   All phases can do this.   Even my grandbabies love this!

Keep working on the recipes everyone - send them to me - and I will post to all.  Just send in a word file and I will add as an attachment.   

Choose life and eat to live, PK 

September 26, 2011

Hey, hey - it's Monday.  Love the freshness of a new, starting week.   I gained a pound and I know it is directly related to insufficient water consumption over the last two days.  On Saturday, I was driving home and chose NOT to drink so I had to stop less times and was not about to drink 10 cups of water past 6 PM.   Yesterday, was church and a church picnic.   I didn't get home until 6PM and didn't want to use the park restroom facilities, so I opted not to drink again.  I made great food choices, but isn't it amazing that just that one factor starts to add weight back to my body.   :)   Fresh week - back to hydration all day.  :)

It was amazing to me to see how people at the church picnic LOADED their plates with food and sugar items.  OMGoodness.  I never paid attention to that until yesterday, as I did the same thing.  NO wonder I was "plump."   :)   At least 10 people walked up to me and said, "I never saw you eat."  Didn't know I was being watched.  :)   I did eat prior to the picnic and went refueled, so I was not hungry and feeling deprived.   I am switching my confession from, "I can't have that" to "I really prefer fruit - I love it!"   Am I still trying to convince myself of that?   YES!   But if I say it enough......

I still fight in the area of sweets though - went by the table three times and checked out the goodies.  Somebody made a pumpkin pound cake with a rich caramel looking icing - I felt that tug.  :(   How dare they!!!    Oh well, I did finally eat a few pieces of fruit and it helped.   It felt really good though to leave the picnic without feeling guilty.   Somebody say AMEN!

As we enter the fall, apple season - let's be creative with our recipes.   I was thinking almond pancakes with stewed apples would be YUM!   Stewed apples are easy - slices of fruit (with or without the skin), water, cinnamon, and xylitol.  Boil until water is evaporated.  (all phases)  BUT, for phases 3-4, you could add a tablespoon of real butter while cooking and make some almond pancakes and top with those apples.   YUM!   Or you could make some sugar-free maple syrup with water, xylitol, 1 tablespoon of butter, and maple flavoring.  Boil until thickens and serve with pancakes.   Your family will love this!   Or, if you need a dessert, stew your apples and while they are cooking take heavy cream, add some xylitol and beat at high speed to create whipped cream (cream needs to be VERY cold for best results).  Serve over warm, stewed apple for a yummy, fall dessert.   :)   

Just remember though.......sugar free doesn't mean calorie free.   You can't consume as much as you want and still not throw your scales down the toilet in the mornings.   Nice scales, nice scales.  :)    We are breaking free of obesity and the lust of our eyes.   You can say NO as often as you need to.   Yes, you can!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 24, 2011

Packing up to leave - love the beach, but love my city as well.  Listening to the ebb and flow of these waves reminds me of just how fluid our lives are.  Movement is a good thing.   But as I was sharing with someone yesterday, the downward movement of the scales is only ONE of the barometers of our health.  When I wouldn't loose, my clothes would SHOW a loss.  (actually never figured that out, except that the drops help to redistribute the fat)  When the scale would say gain, I would KNOW that I had followed protocol and NOT cheated and that brought a smile of victory to my face.  You know what I am trying to say.

When we choose to walk away from a life style of feeding our flesh whatever and whenever it wants, there will be a fight.   But the Spirit of the Lord within us is stronger than our flesh.  The healthier I get, the more I realize I had totally given in and let my flesh control me.  I was so whacked out.  :(

When you weigh each morning, let me encourage you as you post that to your weight sheets - thank God for his help to turn your life around and get your body to your perfect weight.   No matter what the scale reports - choosing life is the victory journey for us.   NO discouragement - the weight will come off.   I promise.   :)

Loving you from my last look at the ocean - PK

September 23, 2011

My last full day on vacation....mixed emotions.  So missing my husband and yet this morning is picture perfect.   (the previous two were raining and most of the day yesterday was rain - but we shopped)  

God is really good to bless us with times of changing our surroundings. It reminds us that he created it ALL and he created it for many reasons - one of which was to display His creative beauty for our enjoyment.  I think of the most beautiful places on the earth I have visited and am reminded that Heaven is incomparable.  Blows my mind!

We have several adding to our group this week.  You can check out my previous blogs at kathyshcgfamily.blogspot.com (and I am ok if you want to share it with others - our goal is a community of healthy friends)    This will get you caught up and flowing with our family.  We are simply a group of people who love God, love life, love food, and choose to fight for our health.  Did I say love food?  Yes!   But now I love taking an apple and bottles of water to the beach rather than a Coke Zero and gummies, or chocolate, or pretzels, or...........you fill in the blank.   I love it.   And my granddaughters started asking for my apples instead of their chips!    YES!   We can leave a legacy of health.  I wasn't passed that baton, but now that I have it - I can pass it.   :)

God brought us together out of own desperation to help us stand with one another when we are weak.   Speaking of that - I touched base with one of our group yesterday who had a difficult week.   This caused them to really struggle.  As often as you remember, please continue to lift up our family.  Satan always desires to take us back to our past, put us in the bars, and lock the door.  But JESUS CAME to give us LIFE (healthy) and that life abundant.  Thank you, Lord.

Our reminder today comes in the form of "stop worrying."  I was one of those who planned my meals, and delighted in it, days in advance.  It gave me joy to think on the food I would consume.   I manipulated the data, reworked my schedule, worried and fretted about how I would get all the cooking in, etc.....just to get that next meal completed.  It really was my focus. YIKES!  Now, I buy healthy food, and when it's TIME to eat, I eat what is ready and don't care.   Refueling is simply eating to live.   Can you imagine how free it feels to be on vacation and NOT worry about all the meals to cook, brownies to make, or groceries to buy????  "The No Worry Zone" alone puts extra time with my kids and the water.    Worrying ROBS so much from us.  

We can never change our situations with worry - it only amplifies it.   So, as I head to the beach, no worrying today friends - let's all agree to go on a 24 hour fast from worry on any level.  Every time you start to worry - stop and thank God that He provides for the lilies of the field and the birds of air - how much more will be provide for us.   :) 

Drink your water - stop and hydrate your kids - make your coworkers take a water break - water the dog - I think it's all the water I am watching.

Jenny, can you send us the directions for the spaghetti squash?   I have heard from a couple of folks that it is a HIT.   YUM!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 22, 2011

Good morning, it is cloudy here but the wind makes the waves really pop.  I love sitting here by the water thinking about how vast God's love is.  I love seeing people walking and exercising and I LOVE drinking my coffee to the roar of the waves.  Only 2 1/2 more days and back to my normal life.  Gearing up for a strong fall season at church.  So many things going on in the earth - what a GREAT time to be alive.

My weight is staying very nice and stable while on vacation.  I am getting in my 12 cups+ of water daily, eating lots of fruit, and staying on plan.  I did go to PF Changs for dinner and even though I told the waitress I couldn't have any sugar or starch, and she assured me the sea bass didn't have either, as soon as it got to my mouth, I could tell it had sugar.  YIKES - cause it was expensive.   So I picked on the middle and brought the rest to toss later.  I hate that.   It's amazing how sensitive our taste buds are to sugar when we haven't had any in a long time.  BUT, could I request prayer........I am heading to the Crab Trap tonight to do my one splurge.  And, while crab is totally on program - I have no discipline when it comes to the amount.   PERFECT food, those crab legs.  :)   Oh well - at least they're on plan.   RIGHT????    :)

We have several new people who are starting this week and they are all doing soooo well.   I am proud that breaking the addiction of food is growing among the body of Christ.  It seemed to be the one "vice" we all accepted.   I always heard Christians say, "Over eating is the only bad thing I do - I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't cuss, and I don't cheat on my spouse."   In fact, I was in that group.  The only problem was that the food issue had blessed me with reflux, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and obesity.   AND......isn't it great to know that our body CAN HEAL itself.   Nine months of choosing health and I am free of all that.   God is so sweet to continue to give us multiple chances to "get it right."   

I encourage you to keep praying and pressing in.  As I walked the shore yesterday, i was aware of the jelly fish - transparent in color, hard to see in the water unless you spotted the four red spots, and bitterly mean when they attach themselves to you.   Just like our weight.   You can gain 10 pounds without it showing up much in your clothes.  Weighing daily keeps those "jelly fish" from attaching and causing pain.   Eyes open, fam.

Choose live and eat to live,

PK

September 20, 2011

Good morning to all,

It's been raining here and still drizzling, but getting lighter and lighter.  My daughter is not feeling well - please pray for her.  Without health insurance, we are at the mercy of God.  (and that is not a bad place to be - but is frustrating to my daughter).  But what a JOY for me when I made what Teree bought for the girls for breakfast, and the girls didn't eat much of that but asked for an apple!   Oh, I just kissed them and praised them.

I am making squash and lean pork with no bones for dinner.  I am marinating the meat in ANNE's smoked tomato dressing.  This is good for ALL phases and makes an amazing marinate for chicken and pork.   YUMMY!   Also, found  that pork skins make a GREAT substitute for chips when dipped in salsa.   :)   

Just a quick verse for us to tuck away today: Psalm 119: 45 "I will walk about in freedom, FOR I have sought your precepts."   Phase 2 is really the easiest of the phases - the challenge comes when we must "walk about" into our future and remain free.  Seeking the precepts of the Lord and the truth about how he created our bodies, what is beneficial for us to consume, and God's desire to help us live in health are part of the "walking about" process.  God will never tempt us with food, but Satan will always try to convince us that food is NOT an issue.  "Did God really say?............................."   Life is always going to ask us to make a stand on certain things.  The question is what will we make a stand for.   Is health, TO US, important enough to make a stand?   You bet it is!!!

I pray for each of us we make the correct choice.  :)  

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

   

September 19, 2011

Good morning,

After two days of being on vacation I am finally in a resting and meditating state.  Sometimes it takes me a few days to unwind.  :)  Yesterday I had am amazing time walking the beach and singing worship to the Lord and having him renew His vastness, visually, to me.  It's amazing - something I know that I take for granted.  I am in a glider right off the porch facing the ocean with the waves making that beautiful sound and displaying their power.   Really speaks to me.  The water is as clear as I have ever seen it.  We walked out to the knee and I could still see the floor.  WOW!  I wonder if the water being this clear is a sign from the Lord that he wants to make something CLEAR to me while here. Who knows???

Webster defines freedom as: freedom |ˈfrēdəm |noun......the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.   The Bible gives MANY references to freedom in many areas and usually describes being free from bondages or jail: physically, spiritually, emotionally. (more than 25).   Kathy's definition: walking the beach in shorts and a tank top with no cover up or over shirt.  :) OMGoodness - I didn't know I would love it that much.   :)    (now you gotta know I love the biblical references, but I did smile yesterday and enjoy the breeze on my arms without sweating because of layers of clothes.  wink)

We have several new fam members starting this week - please pray for health for all our team and that our flesh will decrease as the Spirit of the Lord increases (and brings us into all truth).   I am well aware that the longer we walk in health 2 things can happen: 1) we can become complacent and start making small "excuses" that eventually lead to major landslides or 2) we just get tired or eating the same things (gotta keep trying new things, varying our recipes and researching) or this too can be a road to destruction.   That is why I am glad I am in this group - I need help.  :)   Not afraid to say it either.

If you're discouraged today, look up.  If you're hungry, look up and away from the kitchen.  If you're tempted to eat that brownie, look up...then quickly throw it away and quit making and or buying them!  :)    My daughter told someone yesterday I was no longer fun to vacation with as I bought nothing but fruits, veggies, and healthy stuff.   Until this year, I used vacations as 7 days of fat loading.  But by the end of the week, found my self chained inside the condo under layers of clothes, eating 6 brownies instead of 2.   And..........feeling horrible.   NO longer.  

I pray that the joy of knowing God's freedom brings you hope and encouragement today.  Gotta run - gonna get on those shorts and walk on the beach.   YIKES!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 16, 2011

Happy Friday to my family,

Heading to the beach tomorrow for some rest, but will still be blogging each morning.  Tomorrow's blog won't be until late, as I am leaving at 5 am and my fingers don't type at 4:30 am.   :)

We have humming bird feeders at our house and I and my husband are captivated by the birdsa.   We have watched them all summer, but as the cooler temps are coming on and migration is about to occur, they have started swarming and FIGHTING for their food.  I mean they argue, run into each other, zoom in on one another as if their lives depended on it.  WELL.........their lives do depend on it.   They are about to travel a LONG distance to their winter homes and those who are not "fat" enough, will struggle with the journey.   As I have watched this during the week, the Lord spoke to me about my life.

I used to get really agitated when the food wasn't ready when I wanted it or when there wasn't enough and I was only getting a little - or none at all.  Can I be real?   I was amazed that people didn't know "how to prepare" or a variety of things that could be provided to feed a large group of people.  CHAIN BROKEN.   Like my birds - I eat to live now.   ONLY!    I approach an event or an outing in a mental state of "I'm not here for food to comfort me."   If I refuel at that sitting - great - if not, somebody's got an apple.   :)   My birds are fighting to survive.  I am fighting to survive as well.    I am fighting for a LONG life so I can serve God's purpose for my life in the earth.  I am fighting to have great energy to be a better wife, mother, and grandmother.   Now that is worth fighting for.     What am I fighting - sometimes hunger, sometimes frustrations, sometimes the comments of others, my past. 

But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! - CHAIN BROKEN!   I am a hummingbird fighting off all those things and preparing for a LONG journey.    But my fight for fuel (proper food and nourishment) is worth the energy.   I want to live!   I want 2 be healthy and live!   I choose to stand up against those things which so easily entangle me!   How about you?

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 15, 2011

Glorious Thursday - I am TWO days away from heading to the beach.  YEA.   My trip this summer to Europe was glorious, beautiful, an adventure, and work too.   Traveling between 12 cities in 3 countries within a 2 week period takes a lot of energy.   This week of vacation - vegetation.  :)

I wanna tag off yesterday's blog.   The Bible says that we should no grow weary in well doing for in season we WILL REAP a harvest if we don't give up.  (Gal 6:9)   I think most of us have experienced such devastation and failure in our past journey to health that we give up so easily.  I talked with several yesterday who were discouraged that they had gained .7 or didn't loose as much as last week.    That discouragement causes us to LOOK in the wrong direction!  Praise God we're not where we were and Praise God that we know a healthy life style of lean proteins, fruits, veggies, and pure water is LIVABLE.   Yes it is!  

When the scale doesn't confirm that we didn't cheat (now if you cheated, even a couple of bites, the scale serves as a reminder) then we must not give up.  The truth about our health is not dictated by JUST the scale.  What are your clothes saying, your lab work, your skin, your sleep patterns?   Our weight is ONE indicator - and NEEDS to fall into it's normal range - but it's not the ONLY indicator.   Don't give up!  Don't grow weary of doing what is right (eating on plan) and you WILL reap a harvest.   When people pronounce, "I've tried everything, every eating plan and my body just holds weight."   Stop it - I said that.  I was obese because I ate all day long, ate too much, hid food and ate behind the backs of my family, ate in the night, ate two big plates and said, "I have a healthy appetite."   I wasn't obese because I DIDN'T eat - I did and made excuses for it.   

I got tired - I had tried and failed so many times, I gave up.  To all our family this morning battling discouragement - don't give up!   And don't let the scale be the tormenter.  YES....weigh every day.  But step off that scale, eat whole foods, and praise God for your health!  Don't grow weary of eating healthy and you will reap a harvest.   Grow weary, give in to the depression, cheat on the plan, and reap a harvest too.    Something to think about.   Yes?

Much love today!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 14, 2011

Good morning - weight same today, but really surprised.  I was WAY off plan yesterday as far as water and timing.  I worked a funeral at church and never got to eat until 2:30 and then finished my protein at 4, so no dinner.   Also, didn't get the water in.  Will do better today.   :)

Just wanna share from my devotion this morning, as our journey is different from others.  I KNOW that I could not have made this trip without God.  My devotion this morning speaks about "It is good to sail with Jesus even if you are in a small boat."   The disciples were in a storm, in a small boat.  No stabilizer's - just Jesus!   We have to make certain that we KNOW that Jesus is IN OUR BOAT, NOT INTIMIDATED BY OUR ISSUES, AND THAT HE WILL NOT JUMP SHIP.   He told the disciples they were going across - no if, ands, or buts - they WERE crossing over.   Why did they doubt?????   Because the storm came.  In their MINDS, the storm trumped his words.   Really?????   This is jesus.    But we do it too, don't we?     I want you to remember when you get discouraged about your weight/health - Jesus will get us to the other side.  I can't get myself over - but he's in my boat.   :) 

I still fight for freedom daily - which is mostly a fight in my mind.   I have to be honest......I stood yesterday and thought, "ok, these nine months have been great, but when will it be over?  When will the past grab me again?"  For about 3 seconds I reverted - then the Spirit of the Lord came on me and I said, "NO WAY.  I am not going back.  This is the REAL me, the healthy me, I choose life.  Why does the past EVER have to clothe me again?"  YIKES!   Come on fam - our past is always tugging and God is saying, "make your stand and say NO to the past failures."   Today I feel encouraged again and I speak that over each of you.

Jesus is in the boat - don't look at the "storm" look at him!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

PS - Paulette and I are both gone this weekend.  So, if you need drops you need to get them from me tomorrow or Friday, or from her next week.  Paulette Triplett <dramaqtrip2@aol.com>

September 13, 2011

Good morning all,

Glad to report that I lost the 1.5 pounds I was up.  I am telling you my body loves the routine - eat at the same time and get that water in.   Actually I had 14 cups yesterday.  :)

I am reminded this morning that as the cooler temps are coming we start adding layers of clothes and usually layers of fat.   That is not going to be the case for us this year!   Usually, we wear layers of clothes for warmth - but in my case it was to HIDE the fact that the lust of my eyes caused me to stuff my face, be depressed, say ugly things about myself, HIDE again and start all over.   When we think of Adam and Eve in the garden, some think the clothes HID their nakedness.   NO, no.   The clothes were the outward reminder of FREEDOM.  God sacrificed an animal to cover their sins and in that - they were free.   Our team verse (Gal. 5:1) addresses this again - "It is for freedom that Christ came to set me free."   When we bring Christ into our daily food choices and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, courage, and strength - we don't HIDE food, sneak and eat, go through the drive through before going home (can you tell I've done all this???).   We don't hide - we walk in freedom in God's declaration and together as a family.  Our confessions and encouragements give me (us) wisdom and strength coupled with the Holy Spirit's voice and nudge.   What a great combo!    Keep layering the truth of God's word on your body and not those clothes - "I am more than a conqueror.  I can do all things through Christ.  It is for freedom that Christ came to set me free."  PUT THESE "CLOTHES" on and let's not walk in fear and cower down.  We are free to be all that God has purposed us to be.   DO NOT SAY - "well, the winter is coming, I always put on weight."   NO - we put on truth!

Here's a testimony from someone in the fam:

Hi, Kathy,

I don't know if Cheryl has shared this but good news is worth repeating. I spent a week getting mentally ready to start the diet and prepare my foods. I started my first load up day on Sept. 3 and my first 500 cal day on Sept. 5. I  understand the value of staying on protocol. Why? Because after my first week on the 500 calories, I have lost 10.4 lbs and I am loving this. It's not easy, but I find the hunger messages are a great nudge to pray for others. I am  growing and getting free! Praise God!

Thanks so much for your support. 

Love you all early - praying for you this day.

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 12, 2011

Good morning - am home and back to the blog world.  :)   I had a great weekend cooking for our interns, and they are amazing!   I am up 1.5 pounds not because I cheated at orientation (actually I was really proud of myself - made brownies, snicker doodles, and mexican corn with NO tasting at all) but I think I am off schedule.  It could be stress - a lot on my plate.  BUT - I am back to the routine of protocol and water.  Will let you know how tomorrow goes.

Here is a sweet testimony from one of the fam:

I am leaving for the beach in the morning and I have never been this excited!!!! I told my friend (who is coming with me and my fam) that we are excited because we are "skinny." I don't dread putting on a bathing suit or shorts...I have always loved swimming and weight issues have always held me back.  I feel so good physically and I look pretty good to:) even though it is still hard to say that.

Thank God for freedom to swim and do things we enjoy!   Thank God that shedding those pounds helps us to feel better physically AND emotionally.   Yes?   Being trapped in a "suit of flesh," that keeps us from enjoying life, is wretched!  I'm not sure that most of us knew the way to get the suit unzipped.  But PRAISE God - our new way of eating and our accountability to the fam has unzipped that suit from many of us!   I told someone last night that I never thought I would be free.  And, like the above person, it's still hard for me to think of myself as thin.  After nine months, you would think it would be easier.  Not there yet.  :)

Kina is back from Belgium, and we welcome her home.  We are sorry for the loss of your mother, but glad you are home safe! 

Someone told me this weekend that once ingested, aspartame and Splenda never leave your body.  Anyone know if this is true?  I will start researching.  Gotta watch those sugar free products - even no sugar added.  Keep us posted on what you find - we want our families to walk in health also.

Made great choices today - you are FREE!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 8, 2011

Good morning all,

I LOVE the cooler temps.  I actually wore a scarf yesterday and it was perfect.   Weight still steady.  YEA!

One of the fam tried sprinkling pumpkin pie spice in her coffee yesterday and was very pleased.  I also did the same think - TOO good!   I am a pumpkin spiced latte girl and it was great.  Of coarse your can sprinkle whatever flavor you like - but stay away from the syrups.  (refer to yesterday's blog)

I don't know if I ever told you guys about miracle noodles???   I am going off with the CI's from church this weekend and am making spaghetti for dinner.  Making the sauce that I can eat (wink, they will never know) and taking my noodles.   Here is the link for you to check them out: www.miraclenoodle.com    I do use them some - angel hair - but texture is something you must overcome.  :)

BUT, here is a letter from one of our family members, Deena, giving us some yummy food and drink tips that you could use for pasta if the miracle noodles are not something you wish to try.

Kathy, I have a Chai Latte recipe that I was going to share today anyway.  I got the organic Chai Tea bags from Kroger along with the Coconut Milk Creamer (just coconut milk & 10 calories for 1 Tbsp) and add my stevia packets and top with cinnamon.  It's just like having a chai tea latte from Starbucks!!!  Thanks to Jennie & Cheryl for showing me these wonderful products.   A side note. You have GOT to have spaghetti squash!!!  We had it on Sunday at Jennie's for dinner as Spaghetti (noodles) and it was amazing!!!!  I made some for the week and added lime and cilantro.WOW!!!!  It is the best!!!  I feel like I'm cheating b/c its like having pasta or potatoes.  I even had my roommate and her boy friend try some last night with out telling them what it was and they were amazed ; )  I'm already thinking ahead to Thanksgiving and making mac and cheese and maybe even dressings out of it.  I just need time to play in the kitchen ; )

Keep these ideas coming - the more we share, the more our lives come out of the box.  We are no longer living in the realm of "I can't eat that."   We are now living in the realm of "You should taste what I am eating.  YUM!"   I am amazed that every time I make cauliflower pizza, people cannot believe it.  "Normal" folk - who can eat the REAL thing, are making this and choosing it.   Trend setters - yes we are!

Thanks Deena, Jenny and Cheryl.   Keep it up!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 7, 2011

Good morning to you all,

Well, well, we did it........heard lots of GREAT reports from the holiday weekend with people staying on plan.  Had several say it was one of the best holidays as they didn't walk away feeling depressed due to stuffing all day long.  Even though it rained, people still focused on family and not food.  I felt wonderful and I am glad to hear from some of you that "food was decreased and family fun increased."   I know some didn't feel this - that's ok.  We're all just depending on God to help us each day make the right choices so that we live the life He designed for us to live.   Right?

KUDOS this morning to Jenny for coming off the first round of drops just shy of 46 pounds and 100 inches off.   Somebody praise God for victory!  I know she worked very hard, stuck to the plan seriously, and created some yummy recipes for the fam.  You can find them on her blog.   We are so proud of you!   We must always, also, thank the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  :)   (If you missed yesterday's blog, you can read it at kathyshcgfamily.blogspot.com)

Now let's talk about coffee as we are heading into the cooler temps and coffee consumption will increase.   Just a reminder that flavored coffees are so due to syrup, which is HIGH in sugar.   A pumpkin-spiced latte from Starbucks is laced with sugar (due to the flavored syrup) even if you add nothing.  AND......be mindful that you are not asking for a sugar free syrup without asking how they are sweetened.  Most sugar free syrups are sweetened with splenda and you are trading one problem for another.     Choose neither.  :)

Here's what you can do - if pumpkin spice is your favorite, go to the grocery store and buy a container of pumpkin spice that you add to pies, sprinkle some in your coffee, add your truvia and half/half and you are close.  I have recently (following my trip to Europe) started getting cappuccino's with extra, heavy foam and adding some cinnamon or vanilla (dry powder) to the top, along with truvia and half/half.   YUM!   I made one for mom Friday night and she was amazed that the "foam" was really good and she didn't need whipped cream.   Yes, she was.

Other coffee recipes?   Bring 'em on.

Praying for each of this day.  Keep watching the small things you consume unknowingly out of boredom.  It all adds up - remember the Bible says, "the little foxes spoil the vine."   A bite of this, a spoon of this, a pinch of this counts for nothing......right?   WRONG!   Calories are calories no matter how small.   I was taught to always taste what I was cooking and adjust.   I was never satisfied with one taste - in fact, I could eat almost a "meal" just "tasting" to see what I was serving.   Now - because I cook mostly lean proteins, veggies and fruits with no sauces, that has almost stopped.  Just felt that nudge of the Holy Spirit to remind us all - watch out for the "little foxes" today.

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 6, 2011

Good morning following a rainy Labor Day,

It was certainly a different day than planned but a great day.  How about you?  

I was so pleased that my daughter commented, "mom, we could so eat this for Thanksgiving and it would be healthy for all of us."  OM goodness - did my heart good.   I was concerned about the kids, but they ate the cheesecake with xylitol like the adults did and I have all this ice cream left over.  :)   (to the interns it will go)   And, the chips I bought if they didn't eat veggies were never opened.  They chose broccoli and cauliflower, salad, and sliced cucumbers.  I stood and shook my head - you really have NO IDEA what eating at the Sconyers house was like.  One of our little folks did ask for something sweet, but the response from one of his parents, "no, I don't want him at 50 trying to fight this thing."  How true is that?

Now, as I look at freedom fighting, I have to remember that people died that I could live in a free country.  I wonder if that could be applied to our healthy lifestyle?  I wonder if eating correctly could be counted as DEATH so our children and their children don't fight the same weight-related issues we do?  I can ALMOST assuredly say YES.   I told my daughter last night if we had grown up eating differently, we wouldn't have know any different.   We made sweet potatoes yesterday with real butter (light has sugar), vanilla with no sugar, and xylitol, which we poured over the skinned, cubed potatoes.  Sprinkled with real, squeezed orange and lemon, orange peels from spice section, cinnamon and baked on 350 for an hour.  FAB.   Even the kids loved them.   I only ate one piece, but I did eat a bite.  :)   My daughter said it was every bit as good as the sweet potato casserole that we make with white sugar, brown sugar, candied pecans, and eggs.  And the best thing - low in calories and sugar content.   We can do this!

Please pray for each other today - some have been struggling with eating off plan (i choose not to say "cheating") and really need prayer support.   I know God wants us to be healthy to serve his purpose in the earth.  Let's cover our team with words of faith and life today.

Father, in Jesus name, I declare that our family will walk in strength and health.  We will choose to eat only those things which bring life to our bodies and we will reject those that bring death.  I ask for your help, Holy Spirit, for each of us that days of wandering off and on will cease and we will be filled with power from on high to choose and enjoy healthy foods every day.  We are free and healthy to LIVE FOR YOU - not depressed and rejected and walking in condemnation where our focus is on our failure.   I ask you Father to touch those in critical need today and bring divine wisdom.   Your Word says is we ask for wisdom - you give it liberally.  I ask for our HCG family and our biological families as well that health will rest over us.   Let JOY be our portion and our stomachs, and the lust of our eyes, be restored to perfect health.   Lord, we honor you with our confession of love and in humility we come and say, thanks for helping us walk in freedom!   We can't do this alone - we have to have the hand of the Holy Spirit to live in freedom.   We reject chains of bondage and failure and we embrace FREEDOM.  

Choose live and eat to live,

PK

September 5, 2011

Good Labor Day morning - fam on the way - HEALTHY lunch today.  :)   Lean meats, BIG salad, broccoli/cauliflower blend, baked sweet potatoes with xylitol, fruit, sugar free cheese cake, and my only bad give-in: ice cream in a waffle cone.   :(    (mom said the kids needed something)    Our gatherings are changing - Chip and I are cooking - everyone follows us.   Are they really happy - no not really, but some year they will appreciate that we made a change.  :)   

Weight the same today.   :)

I was watching a movie yesterday called "Lying to be Perfect" and it was about a woman who created another person, photo-shopped her own picture and started writing an advice column under this name.   Immediately, as she was a great writer - the column exploded.  She lied and created this person as her editor would never give her a shot as she was fat.  I remember as a child and teen, people making fun of me as I was heavy.  YUCK.  However, the character in the movie started a healthy eating/exercising plan, lost her weight, feel in love and finally exposed the truth.  Good story line, one scene to fast forward through.  :)

I picked up on a line in the movie I want to pass along, "A piece of cookie or a whole cookie - both the same - neither one rejects me."  I told my mom - WOW - I lived there so many years.   Rejection comes from so may places, and sugar sedates and comforts.   Let's keep asking the Holy Spirit to show us the foundation of our rejection.   Then, let's forgive ourselves and others for rejecting us especially due to the way we looked and then embrace the TRUTH that God has never rejected us...... EVER.  He chose us, he adopted us, he paid a HIGH wage for us, he sings over us, he never leaves us alone.   This is the total opposite of rejection.   Thank you, Father.

So, let's receive the truth from God's word and REJECT the lie.  :)

Happy Labor Day!

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 3, 2011

Hey, hey - rain coming to Georgia.  Bring it on, God!   Water in the natural coming to the earth and lots of water for each of us today.  Make sure you're getting all your water in and SOME.  I always find on days that I slack on this ONE area, I see a change in my weight.   It's crazy.  :)  And - don't forget the Epsom salt bath.  Great detox solution.

Let's talk today about resting and sleeping and it's impact on the scales.   When I was at the doctor recently, she was talking to me about the REAL side effects of stress - one of which is releasing cortisol which gathers and stores fat around the belly.  I said, "I thought that was a joke - a media hype."   But she VERY much confirmed that stress is really the culprit in the production of cortisol.   There are other factors, but stress is at the top of the list.  I thought about how being heavy was at the top of my stress list - no clothes that fit, bad self image, no energy, eating to compensate and depression.  What a vicious cycle.  YUCK!  No wonder my belly was fat.

But, once I got on the journey to health with HCG, and got my addiction broken - that belly fat melted.  Then, my natural sleep returned because I wasn't depressed and frustrated and COULDN"T sleep.   That's the other end of the spectrum.   Cells need rest just like we do.   CELLS regenerate and replenish while we are at TOTAL rest and sleeping.   Then, when they are copying well, our body heals itself.  We MUST fight for more sleep and less stress.  It has everything to do with our journey.

And the million dollar question.......how?   I am not a doctor, but there are herbs that promote REM sleep - melatonin and valarian root are both really good.   Eliminating stress is more difficult.  I walk, sit in the swing, make lists, and meditate/pray.  How about you?  But the greatest stress release FOR ME was loosing 56 pounds.  I would love to hear from some of you as to how you handle stress.  I will pass along to the fam.

I am beginning my preparations for Labor Day today - making peach jam for the cheesecake (all sugar free) and pre-baking my chicken without fat - adding my herbs - so I can grill Monday.   This year - NO potato salad, NO mac and cheese, NO bread, BUT.........salad, sliced tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, chips for the kids, watermelon and sugar free cheese cake.  SAY YUM!!!    What about that?   My first Labor Day eating a healthy lunch and enjoying my family as opposed to covering up the fact that I was hurting because of my weight. 

Freedom feels amazing!  Did you ever listen to  the song from the Consumed album?   It's my theme song.

Love you!   Talk Monday morning.....

Choose life and eat to live,

PK

September 2, 2011

Good morning all,

Thanks for all the prayers.  It was amazing - the morning changed drastically and I started walking without pain.  I was praising God.  But, somehow as the day went along, the pain returned.  So, I am on a heating pad getting ready to jump up and get dressed for work.   Still confessing healing, but really might go get this hip put back.   :)

Weight still holding - it's amazing to see how stable my weight is after all these YEARS of gaining and months of loosing.   PRAISE God.

Just want to remind us all this morning of the importance of REST.  God worked and created everything in the world, and then he rested.  He established a principle for us that is very important on our journey.  Some of us were so excited about the drastic weight loss, that we didn't want to come off phase 2.   Some of you were upset when I made you rest.   But, I feel it's important to follow the plan carefully.  I was with my doctor last week that launched me in January.   She really firmly reminded me, "FOLLOW the plan!" 

As with anything else, if you start opening bad doors again - you loose ground and gain weight.  She has gained most of her weight back while her receptionist  did two rounds, with a REST in between, transitioned to maintenance, and added exercise and is now slowly loosing beyond her 60 pounds off.  My doctor told me that the mindset around HCG and following the maintenance plan is critical.  I TOTALLY agree!    Lean proteins, lots of fruits and lots of veggies is the plan.  Healthy fats, yes.   Healthy, smart carbs like brown rice or beans - if you want.  I probably won't as I get enough carbs from the fruits and veggies I eat.  BUT - sugar is the real culprit.

Here's the safe plan: 6 weeks on drops, 6 weeks REST, then, if you need to, 6 weeks on drops,  two months REST, round three????, 3-4 months REST.   Each REST period does just that - allows your internal organs to rest from having so much fat pulled from them (which is a GOOD thing) and the drops to flush out of your system so you don't build up an in-tolerance.  But the resting and transition to maintenance is a RESTING period that not only allows your body to recalibrate, it allows your mind to come in agreement with God's plan for eating to live.   So, REST from that striving to not follow the plan - we have the REST of our lives to walk this out.   :)

We'll talk about the importance of REST and sleep tomorrow.  

PS - one of the fam (on phase 4) made ice cream from a recipe I gave her 2 days ago that utilizes xylitol - she said YUM!   Was great!   We CAN live this life as healthy, thin people.  :)

Choose life and eat to live,

PK