December 31, 2011

Good morning to all,

I am SO glad to see the sun shining this morning! The light brings energy - it says JOY and hope to many who suffer from depression. It lifts spirits, it dispels darkness, it makes clear those things hidden in the night. (it's early and already I am preaching. I am believing God for more opportunities this year to do just that.) :)

What do we do on the last day of this year together as a family? We look back and thank God that we are not where we were at the beginning of 2011. The number 11 is a number bound with chaos and disorder. For many of us - that is exactly how this year has played out. However, the number 12, from a biblical perspective, is a very stabilizing number - a number of order and structure - a number that brings chaos into it's place. Can somebody say "amen?" I really believe that we, like the children of Israel in the 10 plagues of Egypt, will begin to experience something different in our "land of Goshen" as God continues to deliver the "plagues" that will bring about the end of time. This year will be a time when many of us will see things we've prayed about and held close to our hearts manifest. Those loved ones are coming to salvation, we are leaving the place of slavery with gold in our hands and we are moving to our place of abundance this year.

Let's thank God that he brought us together as a group of trends-setters - "being healthy is NOT a fad - it's a choice and we choose LIFE." We choose what we consume. We learned this year that freedom is something to fight for. We learned that refueling is a better choice of words than eating - because really it takes less fanfare to simply refuel our cells. We are not driven to plan the next extravagant meal - we simply refuel our cells and they provide us with a healthy life style which allows us to be used by God in a better way. We don't choose over eating, we don't choose disease and depression, we don't choose excuses and hiding our weaknesses as we drive through and grab another cheeseburger. We CHOOSE LIFE! We choose to create a healthy home for the Holy Spirit and we CHOOSE to live our lives to their fullest.

I thank you for choosing to walk with me - I really believe I could not have made it this year without each of you. You are truly a gift to me!

In 2012 - let's continue to choose life and eat to live! PK

December 30, 2011

Good morning to all - I am home and happy.  Great trip to Tennessee, although I was sick.  I had a sinus cold and about Wednesday began to fight my way out of it.  I was surprised as I had a flu shot, but I am better.

Today is my prep day.  Tomorrow and Sunday are my "load-up days" and Monday I launch into a 23 day journey.  (maybe 43 - just depends how fast I lose.  I am thinking that I am closer to my goal weight and won't lose as quickly)   I am grilling all my meats and getting the veggies ready.   Several of you have asked how my "load up days" will go on this side of maintenance.  I will simply going to eat a lot of good things - still no sugar or starch.  On Jan 24th (my health birthday) I will have officially been one year without any sugar or starch.  We can live life in the healthy zone.  This is my first year to not exit Christmas depressed with the thought that soon the layers of clothes must be shed.   :)

While in Tennessee I visited a health food store and found some yummy things for those of you on phase 3/4.  I will get back to there in late February, hopefully.  I found a hot cocoa mix that is sweetened with Stevia and not aspartame.  It is expensive, but good.   It's by a company called NOW Foods.   It says No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa and it's yum.  It's not as sweet as the packets from Sam's that DO contain Sucralose, etc. but it is healthier for us.  I also bought a cocoa powder and some unsalted buts from this company.  All were amazing.

While listening to the radio yesterday coming out of the mountains, I heard a staggering statistic - "over 60% of people living in America are listed in the obese category - and Atlanta falls right in line with that statistic."   This doctor also said that heart disease and death from heart disease is the number one killer in Atlanta.  I was grateful that I have moved from that group of obese into the next category down - overweight - and am headed into the normal weight range for my height soon.  How about you?  Are you keeping up with your blood tests, doctor's visits and health examinations across the board?  I am a big believer in check-ups - teeth, body, eyes.   All three areas are responding well to my weight loss!

Let's start this year with the proclamation that we will fight for our health and fight our way into the normal weight range for our height.   Let's start a new statistic - 100% of people who choose health and believe in the benefits of health.......can be healthy!   YEA!   It's not easy having to take apples and healthy nuts all over Tennessee and find foods that are healthy and not from McDoanlds or Pizza Hut when no one wants to cook - but it can be done!  I am worth it.

Praying for us as we enter a new year.  This is OUR YEAR!   Our health and our bodies will no longer limit how we serve God and others, where we go and don't go, or whether we have JOY that astounds others.  We are freedom fighters (Gal 5:1) and proud to be labeled as that.  We are standing firm and we REFUSE to allow the bondage of slavery to food to be draped on us ever again.  AMEN!   If you didn't memorize Gal 5:1 this year - start the new year with that in your heart.

CHOOSE life and eat to live - PK

  

December 30, 2011

Good morning to all - I am home and happy.  Great trip to Tennessee, although I was sick.  I had a sinus cold and about Wednesday began to fight my way out of it.  I was surprised as I had a flu shot, but I am better.

Today is my prep day.  Tomorrow and Sunday are my "load-up days" and Monday I launch into a 23 day journey.  (maybe 43 - just depends how fast I lose.  I am thinking that I am closer to my goal weight and won't lose as quickly)   I am grilling all my meats and getting the veggies ready.   Several of you have asked how my "load up days" will go on this side of maintenance.  I will simply going to eat a lot of good things - still no sugar or starch.  On Jan 24th (my health birthday) I will have officially been one year without any sugar or starch.  We can live life in the healthy zone.  This is my first year to not exit Christmas depressed with the thought that soon the layers of clothes must be shed.   :)

While in Tennessee I visited a health food store and found some yummy things for those of you on phase 3/4.  I will get back to there in late February, hopefully.  I found a hot cocoa mix that is sweetened with Stevia and not aspartame.  It is expensive, but good.   It's by a company called NOW Foods.   It says No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa and it's yum.  It's not as sweet as the packets from Sam's that DO contain Sucralose, etc. but it is healthier for us.  I also bought a cocoa powder and some unsalted buts from this company.  All were amazing.

While listening to the radio yesterday coming out of the mountains, I heard a staggering statistic - "over 60% of people living in America are listed in the obese category - and Atlanta falls right in line with that statistic."   This doctor also said that heart disease and death from heart disease is the number one killer in Atlanta.  I was grateful that I have moved from that group of obese into the next category down - overweight - and am headed into the normal weight range for my height soon.  How about you?  Are you keeping up with your blood tests, doctor's visits and health examinations across the board?  I am a big believer in check-ups - teeth, body, eyes.   All three areas are responding well to my weight loss!

Let's start this year with the proclamation that we will fight for our health and fight our way into the normal weight range for our height.   Let's start a new statistic - 100% of people who choose health and believe in the benefits of health.......can be healthy!   YEA!   It's not easy having to take apples and healthy nuts all over Tennessee and find foods that are healthy and not from McDoanlds or Pizza Hut when no one wants to cook - but it can be done!  I am worth it.

Praying for us as we enter a new year.  This is OUR YEAR!   Our health and our bodies will no longer limit how we serve God and others, where we go and don't go, or whether we have JOY that astounds others.  We are freedom fighters (Gal 5:1) and proud to be labeled as that.  We are standing firm and we REFUSE to allow the bondage of slavery to food to be draped on us ever again.  AMEN!   If you didn't memorize Gal 5:1 this year - start the new year with that in your heart.

CHOOSE life and eat to live - PK

  

December 24, 2011

Joy, joy, and joy - what a great season and reason to be filled with JOY this day.  We remember and celebrate the birth of OUR savior.  We recognize various days on our calendar when celebrations occur and "we remember."   I love all the parties, all the fun activities, and the feeling of JOY at remembering.  I always try to stop and really focus, even for a brief few minutes, on WHY I celebrate holidays throughout the year.   But this holiday - prompts special remembering and special JOY.   Regardless of our circumstances this day, we are chosen.   Regardless of our perspective on the "worldly" side of Christmas, the fact is that the greatest gift to mankind was offered to each one of us - that is a reason for celebration.   

We have talked a lot about choices this year (in our morning blogs) and I so believe that our attitude during this holiday is a choice.   We often see our size, our shape, our income, our undisciplined life, our failures, our "inadequate" lives and determine "everyone else is better off than me," or "my life will never be any better than this."  We allow what we determine as our failures in life to influence our attitude.  Stop, please.  I lived in that world for many years, and it is such a LIE.  Every Christmas Eve was filled with misery as I tried to find as many layers of clothes as possible to HIDE the fact that I had consumed a year's worth of calories in four weeks and blamed it on genetics.   YUCK!     Not this Christmas Eve.   :)     Seasons in our lives come and go - times change, some years are better than others - but in the grand scheme of life, we have so much to rejoice over.  My weight and the way I "saw" myself controlled my outlook.  Double YUCK!  

My spiritual son in Africa, sent pictures of a family that he and a friend helped this Christmas.   It was FAR from the extravagance that we sometimes use as our measuring rod of "it's a "good" Christmas."   These people were excessively poor, poorly clothed, mud floors, and yet smiling ear to eat as Justus took photos of fruit, a pair of used shoes, and a few other small items given to this family.  I looked and looked at that picture last night and "remembered," I am SOOOO blessed.  This family had JOY that I don't see on the faces of many this Christmas. In my opinion there are fewer lights, not many saying "Merry Christmas," and a solemn cloak over this year.  Those feelings have been in my heart for weeks, but seeing the pics last night confirmed that JOY and happiness are really different emotions.  One is a choice and one is not.  :)

If I never loose another pound, never change another size, never buy another article of clothing - touching lives in a sacrificial way is the real JOY.  It's not about me.   I got my gift (Jesus), have made my choice to serve him, take care of the Holy Spirit's house (my body) and now I turn my attention to bringing the gift of JOY to as many as I can.  It's not about MY understanding, MY feelings, or MY desires - the greatest JOY for me is knowing God is using me to be a blessing to someone else.   That brings me JOY.

So, Merry Christmas sweet fam - I am PROUD of you, I look forward to exploring new things with you this year, and encourage you - let your attitude and countenance say JOY to those around you.  Bring Jesus into every situation and allow HIS STAR (Numbers 24:17) to remind you that he shatters yokes, destroys the lies and excuses we choose to believe, and came to set us free.  (Galatians 5:1)

Eat your veggies and fruits and say "JOY" 100 x today - unspeakable, uncontainable JOY.   Thanks for helping me through Christmas!   Whew!   PK

PS - no blog until this coming Friday, 12/30.   Kisses   (headed to Nashville - Opry Land Hotel - here we come) 

December 23, 2011

TWO DAYS and counting and then the victory dance.  :)

As I study the Christmas story in Luke, the birth of Jesus was not just a difficulty ---- it was an IMPOSSIBILITY.  Mary knew that, Joseph knew that and all around knew that - BUT THE ANGEL OF THE LORD instructed Mary that the Holy Spirit would come and bring life to her IMPOSSIBILITY "for  NOTHING is impossible with God."   I wonder what situation in your life looks like an impossibility right now???   I don't want us to be unrealistic.....if you're blue eyed and want to be green eyed or something silly - maybe not.  :)   BUT.....is there a God dream in your heart, do you desire complete health, do you want to be completely free of all medication by the end of 2012.....does that seem like an impossibility???   WIth God all things are possible.   RIGHT???

In reading Luke 1: 35-37 - the power of the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and changed her circumstance - that's what we ALL need.  Amen?  I need the Holy Spirit LAYING on my flesh reminding me that fruits and veggies are crazy beneficial to my body.   I need the Holy Spirit reminding me of how destructive sugar can be.  I need the Holy Spirit helping me to choose LIFE everyday.   I MUST HAVE the Holy Spirit to love others as God loves them and ME.

Let's take our impossibilities before the Lord, stand in faith and watch God do the miraculous.  Let's do it TOGETHER!   

Write your impossibility (impossibilities) down and tuck them away and ask God to bring life!   Let's watch God turn things around this year in a manner only he can accomplish.  Then He gets all the credit.  :)

Love, love and love - PK

PS - I will be in Nashville next week and will not be sending the blog.  Paulette will also be gone all week.   Tomorrow is my last blog until 12/30.   I love connecting with you.   Please pray for Cindy - her brother is very ill and she is hurting.   Jennie leaves on Jan. 5th for Texas - pray for her transition as well.

 

December 21, 2011

Can you believe that it is four "wake-ups" as my grands say till Christmas Day?  Has this year flown by or what????   What a difference a year can make!  The pictures I sent last night represent LESS than a year of walking in health - choosing life - making excuses less and less and declaring that we will NEVER be in prison again.  I am not willing to sit in that state of depression and self-hating due to lack of discipline.   But I will tell you - FOR ME - moderation just doesn't work.   FOR ME - I had to find another route of escape.  FOR ME I am compelled to seek new recipes, cook my own, healthy foods and stay prepared.  If not, I will eventually be sitting behind bars again.  And after 50 years of being heavy, that is not an option.

I sent the pictures last night for a few reasons:

1. Sometimes it's good to SEE what freedom looks like.  I am totally not bragging but giving God a BIG SHOUT OUT for placing me on the path and allowing me to travel along this new life stye journey with a family.  (that's you)

2. As an encouragement - all three before and after photos represent LESS than a year.  You can do it!   Then, continue with us on the "life long" maintenance journey and let's keep each other accountable.

3. As a motivator to give YOURSELF the gift of health THIS year.   Start now - you don't have to wait 10 days to start.  Excuses only add fuel to past excuses.  Choose today.   Health is not a fad, it's a conscience decision to place LIFE over disease and sickness.  Chip and I come from a family of early heart attacks.  And yes, I know we don't confess that, accept that, or receive that.   BUT..........we can stand in faith all day long, fill our bodies with unhealthy foods, and guess what - have a heart attack.   Then people want to blame God or declare that "someone needed more faith."  NO!  God never opens our mouths, cooks our food, or goes to the grocery store for any of us.   We CHOOSE.   Let's give our bodies a fighting chance to live 100 years disease and pain free by eating properly, drinking TONS of water daily, and moving our bodies regularly.  (I think I feel that "preaching" thing rising up)

Anyway, time to study my Bible so I gotta run - but ponder this - the greatest gift for each of us OUTSIDE THE GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST, is the gift of health we give ourselves.  YES IT IS!   That gift can be opened daily, affects so many lives, and allows us each day to do something special in God's powerful plan for our lives.

So, choose that gift.  PK

December 20, 2011

Good morning all,

I know several of you have been sending me little notes about things and I LOVE it.  Sometimes I cannot respond as quickly, especially now.  I have been in perpetual "party mode" for over a week - last Thursday night rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service, Friday a party, Saturday a party, Saturday night took a big meal to someone who is injured, Sunday a party, Monday a party, and here I am today.  :)   It feels like all I've done is cook and party for a week.  So, while I read all your wonderful letters, I may not respond.   Thanks for extending grace - after this weekend, I will catch up.

As we close out this year and look forward to 2012, I wonder if you have any goals for your health?  I am already "looking" ahead to the spring and summer and am grateful that veggies and fruits will be more plentiful, water with lemon easier to get down (as now I crave mostly hot drinks) and outside grilling will be the evening norm.  I would love to be med free in this year - I move closer with every doctor's visit, I would love to exercise 3 days a week and tone my muscles for those tank tops, I would love to experiment with different recipes for veggies as that seems to be where I am the least creative, and I would love to publish my book.  How about you?   Are you planning too?  

Also, I would love to challenge our team to "kick it" to the next level.  How about this - we do a group photo and submit it to the paper and challenge people in our area to embrace health - not HCG, but health.  I am NOT after publicity - I don't believe in self promotion- but I am after FREEDOM.  I want people to know that there are alternative methods of cooking that are not laced with sugar and starch and unhealthy fats.  wink    I am just thinking out loud, but among us - we have LOST A LOT of weight in this past 12 months.  GO TEAM.

Here's another twist on the whipped cream recipe I sent last week from Shelly:   (she used the peppermint extract from Publix)

I went to a holiday dinner last night--- totally not low fat or sugar L I decided I would serve everyone so the focus of me not eating would be minimal. I filled my plate with lots of salad and passed on dessert. I had made the home made whip cream added a shot of peppermint and some cocoa so I made myself a sugar free non fat hot chocolate with fresh chocolate peppermint whip cream on top OMG so  yummy it was so worth passing up all the sugary desserts….Thank you Jesus one victory at time!!!

YUM, Shelly.  Can you bring that to work this week?   :)

Choose life (peppermint or no peppermint?) and eat to live - PK

December 19, 2011

Good morning to all,

Hope you are having a MERRY Christmas so far.  We heard a great message on this yesterday.  :)

Got any good food choices that you've been playing with that you could share??   I am always looking for the next yummy recipe - especially as I plan to start back on the drops on the 31st.   I will tell you that the hardened coconut milk that I used in the whipped cream gave an amazing taste - but my brother and my husband drank the remainder of the water from each can - it brought the royal flush.....  :)   (wink)  So, if you're having some issues in that area, go get a can of coconut milk - not the sweetened kind - chill it well - use the solid top to flavor your whipped cream and drink the bottom.  Best tasting clean out you'll get.  

Here is another amazing testimony.  I had a little cry over this one:

I wanted to tell you that I went to Olive Garden tonight for dinner with friends.  I can't believe that I did not consume pasta or bread and I didn't even feel deprived!!!!  I ordered the Caprese Shrimp with Broccoli and it was GREAT!!!  They poured the Shrimp and sauce over the broccoli.  I was surprised that it was such an easy choice for me.  HUGE mental step!!!!!   This is from Deena.  I am so proud of her!  And, I am looking for her to really bring some yummy, healthy recipes to the table (get it) for 2012.   :)

SOOOO - some not so good news, which is really GREAT news  - our precious Jennie is moving to Texas in a couple of weeks to take a multimedia position at a church.  By a fluke they saw her video that she made for our women's conference and LOVED it - contacted her for an interview and LOVED her.    She is going for a 3 month test run and then the final decisions will be made.  Even though this is hard for me, it is a great blessing for her.  She needs a job and this is what she went to school to do - so win/win.   Let's all pray for her as she prepares to relocate and bring her talents to bless another church. Maybe someday she will be home working at our church.   Let's pray God's best for her and her mom, Cheryl.

I am on the way to see my foot doctor for him to decide if the toe nail that I lost in a violent accident is growing back or lost forever.  My husband has prayed and stood in faith that God will restore and make that injury come to life. (remember, the nail was ripped completely off when struck with a 75 pound beam. It took 7 stitches and over an hour to bring the nail bed back together.  Not much hope given - we'll see - today is the day.)

Choose life and eat to live, PK

December 17, 2011

Good morning fam - you know how I love to share testimonies!  I am so proud that God is helping us ALL to be overcomers.  YEA!   My party went well last night - the crab legs fab and they loved the dessert - fresh fruit with coconut milk cream.  Jennifer was shocked that an all natural, sugar-free dessert could be so good!  Stevia tea added a great bonus.   I feel sooo good to have checked off another party in a healthy fashion.   My test continues:  today, birthday party at 11, family Christmas party tomorrow, party at my house on Monday, luncheon party on Wednesday, and lunch meeting on Thursday.   YIKES!   Praise God for apples.   Here's the truth:  I can eat anything I CHOOSE.   (get it - wink) 

OK  another testimony....

two parties in one day and down 0.3 pounds this morning!

I planned ahead and knew what was going to be at the parties and brought 
extra fruit and sugar free treats for me just in case.

I ate most of the food provided and honestly had a great time and great 
food.  Did not feel that I was left out at all as I shared in an earlier 
email, this is how I eat now anyway and love it so I am approaching these 
parties in a positive way.  I also drank tons of water all day to help

I have not come across some of my favorite holiday foods yet, so I know I 
must keep my guard up for sure.....  my temptation is just around the corner 
so I must be ready to face it head on with God's power.  I also plan on 
cooking my favorite holiday foods in a healthier way next weekend, so again, 
I am never left out as some people may think.

If you think about it, if you have great healthy foods you love at hand, 
then this healthy lifestyle should be must easier than if you are always 
wanting the other foods you thought you just had to have because you are 
hungry and have no other options in front of you to eat

Just like with having power scriptures on had in your head and hopefully 
heart (that is where the real power comes having the power of God in your 
heart where you believe and not just say something to say something just 
because......but say God's WORD, which is POWER from your heart and actually 
believe God will come to your rescue.   Then there is also the body of 
Christ to help you when you feel like there is no hope.....  you see all of 
this works together perfectly as God intended if we all do our part as the 
body of Christ there is bound to be a great outcome in some way (Rom. 8:28) 
One of my life scriptures!

God is good.  Now to yet another eating function today and weekend with 
family.  Then of course the next Christmas weekend.  and then the birthday 
weekend with my twin.   May God help us all make wise choices and enjoy our 
healthy foods so we don't have to give in to unhealthy eating which in my 
case can easily lead to eating bondages.

Shared with some friends at a party yesterday that I plan on still fitting 
into my clothes in Jan. 2012 and that is a great feeling!  Who else is with 
me?

Love to all,
Crissy

December 16, 2011

Good morning all,

There is something wretched about 75 degree weather and singing, "oh, the weather outside if frightful."   :)    I am asking the Lord for cold weather with my hot coco and sugar free whipped cream.   Maybe he will hear the humble request of his lowly servant.  RIGHT?   Of coarse some of you "snow birds" probably don't even like the cold, snowy weather but we Georgia girls SO DO.   I need a neck scarf, warm gloves, and a hot drink to really "get me in the mood."  Oh well, stop whining.   Enjoy the moment.   (wink - with expression)

I am having my husband's company party here tonight and we are all HCG folk - menu:   crab legs, steak, salad, almond flour cheesy biscuits, and fresh fruit with coconut milk creme.  OMGoodness - I am sooo excited.  We will add hot, spiced tea and a warm cup of coco outside around the fire pit to make the party jingle with joy.

We have a man that joined our team last week that has lost 15 pounds in one week.   YEA!   Love the victory stories that roll my way daily.  This upcoming year is going to be our best ever!   We are going to shape up, create new recipes, increase our health awareness in all areas, proclaim liberty and freedom to those in "prison" (read Isaiah 61 - and while I know this is talking about Jesus - can you see yourself helping others trapped by obesity?), laugh more, love more deeply and embrace God, each other, and our lives in a manner we never thought possible.   It's coming.  Yes it is!

Much love to you all - choose well THIS day - PK

December 14, 2011

Good morning all,

What a great season to be alive!  I know we are all excited about Christmas and the lights and the decorations and the gifts.  We love the fellowship and the family.  I love the feeling of enjoying something special and knowing everyone is also "in the moment."   But you know, the thing that most plays into this season is God's best gift to us, Jesus.  God looked at our lives start to finish and said, "they need a gift."   Have you ever seen someone in passing or standing in the market and you KNEW they needed a touch?  They needed something special.  God saw us and knew we needed a gift.  Not just ANY gift but a gift that we would unwrap daily and enjoy hour by hour.  Jesus - the gift of eternal life - given to us when we SO didn't deserve a gift.   That brings a smile to my face today.   Can you join me with a smile?

When I think back over the past year, I shake my head in sometimes utter dis-belief of the HELP from on high.  When I would want to quit, Jesus would be praying, the Holy Spirit would reach out his hand to steady me, and God the Father would smile as he knew his strength would enable me.  A dynamic trio FOR SURE with a heart to see me victorious.  AND.....God feels the same way about you.  This is a win-win combo for us.  Let's embrace the help, embrace the life-style changes, and embrace each other.  BIG love to each of you right here.

My weight is up this morning - knew it would be.  :)   Ate at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch - ate a BIG chicken dish (all legal but too many calories) and a huge piece of sugar-free cheesecake.  I ATE EVERY bite.  I loved it - and occasionally those things work.  :)   However, gotta love the scale who never lies.   Sometimes I want to throw that stupid scale in the toilet, but I "pet" it and say, "friend, friend, friend."   :)   All that to say this - there are places to eat "legal" and enjoy the group.  I asked for a side salad (instead of mashed potatoes) with ranch on the side, ate most of the asparagus, all the chicken and a few bites of the salad - dipped fork in dressing and grabbed the green stuff.  BUT THE CHEESECAKE - licked the plate.   I got mine with no strawberries or whipped cream and saved 140 calories.  Enjoyed every moment - start again today.  

I love our eating plan - eat healthy and more than normal OCCASIONALLY (still healthy though), gain some weight, STOP gaining weight as we go RIGHT back to protocol.  Amen and YES!

Choose life today - unwrap the power of Jesus all day long.  God is great.   Enough said.   PK

December 13, 2011

Good morning all,

GREAT news!  Somebody has been praying!!!!   Our drops have been released for now.  This is a not a "for sure" thing after the first of the year - but right now, we have some on the way.   Pray that the shipment arrives before next week.  It will be shipped today.    :)   So.....I need to meet with those who placed an order.  We gotta wait until next week to get them though. YEA!

Trina found a website that contains sugar free BBQ sauce:  www.guysbbq.com/catalog/6       Have not tried it - but with the spring 4 months away (isn't that a hoot?) a good BBQ sauce is always a plus.   Thanks, Trina.

OKAY - we are close to the half-way point in our victory journey from Thanksgiving until Jan 2nd.   YEA!  I am so proud of our team - many of you are contacting me to inform me of your holiday modifications which are allowing you to really enjoy this season without all the guilt and condemnation.  Our life is a gift - regardless of how we see it - but it's a short journey.   Noon of us want to "starve" and act pitiful because we are "denied" foods we love.  NO, no.  Last night my daughter prepared cauliflower pizza for her girls with stewed apples and cinnamon baked with xylitol.  Healthy and yummy.   My granddaughters loved it.  Training our kids to NEVER say, "I am having to diet." is important to me.  I'd rather hear US and our KIDS say, "I am eating healthy."  Announcing we are on a diet is a negative, but eating healthy - well......   :)   

My doctor cut my cholesterol meds in half and blood pressure down again in the weaning process yesterday following my latest blood work.  YEA!   In four months, I'll be tested again and maybe totally off everything.   It's amazing how FEW things I take each morning now.  Down from 2 handfuls in January - to ONLY three pills.   Praise GOD!   Blood sugar under 90 every time measured now.  :)

Gotta run - next two weeks are full of parties for me.  I am cooking, cooking, cooking and will always have an apple close by.  How about you?   Only a couple of weeks and we will all do the victory dance together.  :)

Choose live and eat to live - PK

December 12, 2011

Good morning,

After talking to some folks over the weekend, it appears some of the HCG drama is over not knowing REALLY what is in the bottles.  Also, the FDA doesn't like the premise of homeopathic solutions that don't appear to be real, but work, and they can't determine how, so maybe it really doesn't work????? Several holistic doctors weighed in on the subject as did regular docs.  Man - 2 so different opinions.   But remember - the Bible says "every man is right in his own eyes."   But several blogs commented on real HCG vs. homeopathic and everyone lost the same at the same ratio, from what I read.  And, I have a friend who didn't want to take the drops but followed our plan but at close to 1000 calories and she also lost weight - slower, but she did.  I am continuing to read and explore and know that God will guide us.  I will keep you posted as to how this shakes down but until then we know who our source is.  And He can never be regulated by the FDA.

I visited several websites over the past three days and one of the pictures was, at first, scary.  It depicted a young girl, trapped behind bars with sunken eyes and chains wrapped around her.  She was visibly pale and scared looking.  I wondered why anyone would have that on their HCG website.  Then I thought.....that was me when I felt trapped and had given up.  The isolation and sobriety of trying to live life feeling as though you are trapped with no resolve, is a miserable state.  

But we declare that we are FREE.   Free to be whatever we want to be!   Free to live and free to help.  I thought about yesterday how hard it is to help anyone while in prison.  BUT God understood that the longing of our hearts would be freedom........from sin, from death, from our minds, from ourselves.  And he wrapped himself - greatest Christmas gift EVER in flesh - and came to set us free.   You know, he could have busted us out of prison, but he's so "large and in charge" he's got the keys.  :)    How about that?  Can you see him handing us the keys and saying, "come on.  These keys were expensive - but they are for YOUR freedom."  Then, we unlock our doors (choosing health as a lifestyle as long as we are breathing), walk out, turn around and lock into that prison our past, our excuses, our old mindsets.    The Bible says, "whom the Son sets free is FREE!"  That's us!

Paulette, I and another friend talked yesterday about what it feels to be free.  Nothing compares in my mind.  I read so many testimonies over the weekend of the desperation of people without hope and HCG gave them the boost they needed.  We praise God for that - but if the government shuts it down, we talked about training people to choose well - lean proteins, fruits, veggies, water, and healthy fats minus sugar and starch.   This life style won't yield the results as quick - but it will yield the results.  God always makes a way for his people.  I believe this.  The Bible always demonstrates God's faithfulness to his children and he will be faithful to us.  He's given some of us a year to walk in health and we will not give up.  We have many years ahead of us and many who need our help.  :)

As you drink your 12 cups of water today (12 being a governmental number of stability and structure) thank God - after each cup - for this coming year 2012 to be the year your life finds it's divine order and all areas of your life are about to become stable.  Praise him! Thank him!

Choose life and eat to live - PK

December 10, 2011

Hey, hey - another successful party!   I was glad though that I took some food for me because the party was a share a dish and most people during the holidays share things that I can't eat.  So I took a sugar free dessert (boy was I glad I did) and some celery.  I counted on having meat and a greek salad, but upon arrival the Greek salad wasn't coming due to "sitter issues."  BOY WAS I GLAD I planed ahead.   AND.....to make it worse.......the green beans that were supposed to come ended up being a broccoli casserole laden with fat and crackers.  I asked (after realizing the salad wasn't coming), "where are the green beans?"   Reply - "oh, i decided not to make them as there was a salad coming."  Moral of the story - we are responsible - gotta be prepared.

My host realized we had no veggies and he knew I had nothing to eat and he started pulling things from the fridge for me to make a salad.  I tried to tell him I brought celery, but he insisted we had no "real" vegetables.  PTL!  So I was able to have meat and a salad and some fruit.   YUM!   NOW......the plot thickens.  One of the ladies at the party made this dessert that EVERYONE oooed and ahhhed over and I about died.   White chocolate cake with cheesecake between the layers of the white cake - frosting from Heaven trimmed with white chocolate, red striped, Hershey kisses.   Can you tell I was close to that cake????   Can you get a visual?   OMgoodness - that was hard.  People, including my husband, were raving.   At one point, out of sheer habit, I caught myself reaching to swipe a taste of the icing.  SLAP MYSELF back into reality and take my sugar free pumpkin spice cake back to the table and tell myself - "you are eating healthy.   Deal with yourself."   HARD TEST last night - can anyone identify????   But I did it.  :)     And, I feel GREAT this morning, but that was a sincere test.  I will be glad when my flesh FINALLY realizes it's not in control!   I would love to tell you that it was easy - but it was not.  White chocolate is my real weakness.

Anyway - today is a new day and I am excited to start again.  I do want to share a yummy topping for one of your Christmas dinners.  :)   Purchase a can, or two, of coconut milk - just the plain, not the "make PIna Colada kind" - and refrigerate it.   It should separate.   The milk should thicken on the top leaving the water on the bottom.   Chill your beaters and then scoop the thicken milk from the top (discard or drink the water - great for leg cramps) and then add a little xylitol and vanilla and whip that coconut milk up to a foam.  Serve over fresh cut fruit.  YUM!   Serve over coffee.  YUM!   Eat a spoon.  YUM!   Very low sugar content and great alternative for whipped cream.  Or, use a heavy whipping cream, same process and make your own plain whipped cream to also use as a topping.    

Are you getting your veggies in daily?  At least 2 fruits?  All your water?  Let's keep nourishing our cells and feeding them well.  If we take great care of them - they will take great care of us.  :)    Great team work.

Choose life and eat to live, PK

December 9, 2011

Hey gang,

I know many of you were impacted by the HCG regulations that are being kicked around as I was.  I think the FDA needs to come and study our team.  :)    All of us are thinner and healthier.  But, I know all products are NOT the same.  When my doctor started me on the White Dove product, she had done her homework.   And, while our HCG is homeopathic and safe, some is not and has no one regulating it.   People are so desperate to loose weight, they will buy and try anything.  I am NUMBER ONE among that.  I have purchased and tried all those cute herbs on TV (without caring - but THEY PROMISED that I would be thinner without changing my life style - so that meant I could still grab a BIGGIE fry on the way home and take their pill).   Those never worked.  I have purchased things from the drugstore, herb store, been to Weight Watchers 6 times, purchased almost EVERY workout routine so I could look like the person on the commercial.  YES I DID!   And guess what - no results.   I lived in a world of desperate lies and spent more money than I can confess - with NO results.

HCG pulled me OVER the hump and gave me the visible evidence that something was working.  That gave me the hope to keep going and my new health gave the KICK I needed to change my life forever!   I realize that some HCG is NOT homeopathic and probably needs to be regulated and some doctors are TRULY taking advantage of the suffering of obese patients.  On our team alone we have people who have come to us that have spent over a thousand dollars - others $400/month and got no support and no guidance.  I understand the FDA wanting to help in that arena as some of the drops (non-homeopathic) are being made in ways we don't want to discuss and some of the pills that doctors give are causing health issues - but some of the drops/shots are legit.  Our team is proof of that.   We have people on both who are doing well and healthy.

I truly believe there is a deeper picture here with the pharmaceutical companies and even some doctors (if we are all healthy and stop going as often to see them because our bodies are healed, how will that affect their bottom line?).   Obesity-related diseases/illnesses generate A LOT of annual income.   Money speaks loud and clear.  I could be wrong - so please - don't murder me if I am.  HOWEVER!   I may be right.  :)   GOOD NEWS:   I was able to get a few more bottles from my vitamin rep.  I think they are rationing them now.   There are some brands that I am not familiar with still available, but not White Dove.  It says they are out of stock.  I will continue to check daily and get what I can until the regulations are finally in place.   Beyond that - we trust God and move forward embracing our new life style of lean proteins, fruits and veggies and we continue to create recipes that give us options in a HEALTHY manner.   YES?  

I am attaching your early Christmas present - my German Chocolate cake recipe (your family will LOVE this - but it does take about an hour to make and then cooks for 70 min - so it definitely isn't something you can "whip up."   But it IS WORTH THE EFFORT once or twice a year.  My family, especially Mackenzie, is begging for me to make it for Christmas.  Also, I am sending my Cheesy Cheddar Biscuit recipe.  This last time I used mini cupcake tins and my family LOVED them.   Great for Christmas - but watch the portions.  Calories are calories.  The majority of our daily refueling should be on protocol.   But, once a year a healthy cake alternative and Christmas Eve some cheesy biscuits with your turkey sausage quiche is ok.   We will probable show an increase on the scale the next day  (as most did following Thanksgiving Day) but then RIGHT BACK TO plan.   YES!   Shorts and bathing suits around the corner.   wink!

I hope you like the recipes and know that Paulette and I are exploring options for our team - PK

December 8, 2011

Good morning fam,

OH my goodness - what an amazing testimony!   I am reprinting for the blog this morning.  We are overcomer's.  Love it - this really encourages me!!!    I too get the grilled chicken salad at Zaxbys with no fried onions and no bread.  Ranch on the side, dip my fork into the ranch, stick a big hunk of salad, and YUM!    LOVE it!  To God be the glory.   :)   I love it when God is exalted above the CRAP of our past and the bars of our prison.  Amen?    

Don't skip reading this fam:

Hi Kathy -  OK  one party down and several more to go....

Last night went to party and was not able to make my own food so I stopped
by Zaxbys and got a grilled chicken salad knowing I was coming late due to
school commitments anyway.  Loved my salad, esp. after I looked around and
everything had some kind of sugar or starch.  So glad I brought my salad.  I
did not feel left out at all as this is how I eat anyway and honesty love
the flavor and FREEDOM!  Most people continue to ask am I still on this diet
thing.  My response is I'm not on a diet, but maintaining a healthy
lifestyle of eating choosing to not eat sugar and those simple carbs we all
crave all day, etc.  Then one person did put a smile on my face and said
they were proud of me for not giving in to all the foods around me.  I told
them the benefits of FREEDOM and not going to bed feeling the let down of
the sugar and starch side effects is worth it to me.  I'm not missing out on
anything, except the bondage I was in for so many years.  I think some
people are missing the point.  Of course I heard some people tell me come on
just this once is OK.  I then shared that I have several parties to attend
this season so giving in to this party leads to the next party and then I
have given in several times a week and for me that is not good as my body
will go back into the mad cravings.  I know what can easily put me back into
the guilt and then want to get rid of it - Bulimia is not going to over take
me ever again if I choose to make smart decisions.  I know myself and if I
choose to eat crap, then I can't help myself to want to get rid of it.  Then
if I get rid of it, I get hungry again and this cycle can go on and on and
that is sick.

Then the stories start coming of how this person and that person need to get
back into whatever program they have tried before and they just need to
loose 15 pounds or so.  Lets face it I am in this not just to get the weight
under control for my health/back, but for the FREEDOM to not be in bondage
with the CRAP I put in my body that left me in prison to want more crap and
you know the cycle.  My blood pressure is normal now and my back feels
great.  My left arithric knee is not hurting.  I could go on and on.  It
just feels great to be FREE!  I have to choose DAILY to be free though.  God
gives us a free will to choose this each day.  I still have my days, esp.
PMS days, when my mind will want that certain food fix.  I just thank God
that HE has given me the grace to make good choices and have foods on hand
at home to eat that satisfy.

You know, by the end of the night at the party, several people commented
about that sugar rush and now they are on the low end of that rush and they
felt terrible kind of thing......I simply said I will not be dealing with
all that tonight and just smiled.

Love you,
Crissy

*********   LOVE this!!!!!   I am inspired by people fighting for truth and freedom.  LiVING LIFE with PEOPLE we LOVE, who mean well, is not going to end.  What is ending is our response to them.   We don't need to defend eating healthy - we are trend setters.  Sometimes that sparks jealousy in people who wish they could be free but are NOT desperate enough, as I was, to do something drastic. The FEAR (reverential of course) of prison slaps me into reality every time I look to the right or the left.  I am still  very hard core about my healthy eating choices, as I know sometimes one crack in the dam ultimately leads to it's destruction.  I am not willing to put the first crack in my NEW, healthy life.  How about you?   

My healthy birthday is coming up January 24th.   WOW!   What a difference one year makes.  I actually had people taunting me with, "this is just another fad in your life........you can't live this way forever."   I have to guard against the spirit of pride and anger that wants to retaliate by saying, "told you so," and personally accept all the credit, as that too can be a TRAP.  God saw my desperation and reached into my life and set my MIND on a different course.   That's really where the battle was - my mind.   Now I live each DAY choosing life and refueling my cells and empowering them to keep me healthy and strong.  I really live DAY TO DAY.   

Much love this day - choose life.  It is YOUR BEST choice.   PK

December 7, 2011

Great Wednesday morning to you all,

I SOOO appreciate all the birthday love and I sooo appreciate all the testimonies of how our team is staying in that 2 pound range.  I am WAY proud of you all!  And proud of me too.  Went shopping and got some skinny jeans in a SINGLE digit size.  FIRST time since I was anorexic as a teen.   YIKES!    :)

I know it's hard to watch that margin and weigh everyday during this season especially when it's cold and layer of clothes are necessary - but we gotta stick to the plan.   However, if you feel like you're beyond that and you want to give up....DON'T.   Get your books out and go back to protocol.  The hardest thing is to sometimes "tack into the wind" when you feel you are cheating and failing.  I know that best.   But tacking INTO the wind (a sailing term) gives you great momentum and unction. Let's make a commitment to annihilate all excuses like, "it's so late in the season, I'll really hit it hard in January."   How many times have I said that?   You don't want to know.   That statement alone empowers us to fail.  YES IT DOES!   But Jesus came to give us life and that life ABUNDANT (no excuses, no procrastination, no failure).   John 10:10 is one of my life verses, right along with Galatians 5:1.  

Looking at the stats - 60-70% of people who loose their weight with HCG keep it off.   I imagine that would be 100% if people could learn during maintenance to really follow protocol.  Sometimes when we loose, we reward ourselves with a "treat."   Now, I treat myself to a new shirt.   Amen?   :)   I want to really encourage you today - don't wait till January to "hit it hard."   Do that today, tomorrow, Friday and everyday from now on and forever.  We are new creatures who choose life and eat to live.  

AMEN!   PK

December 6, 2011

Hey gang,

Got up early, but ran into some issues with my "other job" and had to spend some time resolving some things.  So, no blog today.  :(    But, as it's my birthday, maybe you'll give me some grace.  I will say this is still a year of firsts.   Birthday dinner Sunday night - no ice-cream eaten that they brought to the table, birthday dinner last night - no chips and no fried ice-cream that they brought to the table, took mom to the cupcake store and she chose not to get one as I was not having one, and my granddaughter tried to stuff a mexican sweetbread with ice-cream and syrup all over it in my mouth - NO, NO.   We've come too far....   NO BIRTHDAY CAKE THIS YEAR - FIRST EVER!

I am so excited about life, excited about my health, and excited about my future in a different way this year.   What is God up to????

Have an amazing day - I am so proud of all of you that during this season you are being creative and eating to refuel as opposed to eating to out do last year's holiday weight gain.   Do it TEAM!   Victory party on Jan. 1st.   We're freedom fighters and we WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!

Love and kisses, PK

December 5, 2011

Hey gang,

Great Monday morning as we approach Christmas.   These next two weeks are going to be C-R-A-Z-Y with parties and dinners and group gatherings.  I don't know about you, but I am already making a plan.  Headed to the store in just a few moments to get some raw veggies to cut up and put in baggies to carry with me.  I saw the CUTEST veggie and cheese tray shaped like a Christmas tree with celery stalks at the top and layers of different veggies and cheese squares in rows to form the various layers of the tree.  I have several parties this weekend and I may do that for one of them.

I saw one of the fam created some baked cinnamon, xylitol pecans and posted that on Facebook.  YUM!   That makes a perfect blend of protein, and sweetness.  YUM AGAIN!   Also, Honeyville is running behind on getting their almond flour out, so if you were going to need some before Christmas - order now.  BUT - if you cannot get the flour to you - you can make it.  Cheryl bought plain almonds in a big bag and made her own.  She and Jackie took a small amount of nuts at a time and a food processor and created the flour.  It's really not hard - time, yes.  Hard - no.  I will clean up and type the German Chocolate cake recipe and send out later in the week.  It also is hard to make, but once a year - worth the effort.   :)   I drank a gallon of stevia tea on Saturday and so enjoyed having some flavor in my water.  I drank most of it warm and it really satisfied that "warm feeling" that I seem to need at this time - but it was still considered water - no caffeine - no sugar added.  YUM!   

I was telling someone today who only wants to loose about 10 pounds, simply deleting sugar and starch will work for that small amount.  But don't you know people freak out when they hear "delete sugar."  Or, they will say, "I cannot stop eating bread or pasta."   But we have learned how to turn that negative confession into a positive confession.  Haven't we?  We CAN make cheesy biscuits and pancakes with almond flour or coconut flour, yummy desserts, and muffins.   We CAN recreate angle hair pasta, mac and cheese and lasagne with zucchini and spaghetti squash.   We CAN create cauliflower pizzas and almond flour pizzas.  We CAN sauté spinach with garlic in EVOO just like Carrabas.  We CAN have an apple EVERYDAY and watch our bad cholesterol drop 25-30 points based on that alone (current research proves this).   We CAN love life and be fulfilled.  We CAN choose life and eat to live.   YES?

Loving and praying for you this day - PK

December 3, 2011

Hey gang,

Good morning.   Did you receive that awesome testimony from one of the fam yesterday?  Isn't it great to know that during a season where everyone else "plans" to gain weight - we are "planning" to eat healthy.  It's also nice when others can validate that we are winning the fight against obesity.  YEA!

On days like today, when it's sunny and warm, and the grill may be fired up, remember that roasting your veggies is a great way to add some variety into the day.  It's harder to me during the winter to think "veggies."  Maybe it's a mind set?  I love hot soups and chili - but sometimes I get into a place where I substitute a bowl of chili for my veggies and I have to remind myself to get those raw and cooked veggies in.  I am loving the experience of trying new things with spaghetti squash and zucchini sliced thin.   I saw a recipe the other day in which they used the zucchini, in really thin slices, and the spaghetti squash - like lasagna noodles - and made a lasagna.  Do some research on slicing the zucchini and letting it drain - with a tbs of salt - and then boiling it quickly to use.  Lots of options here.   YUM!   And, I saw zucchini strips that were baked using panco, spices, and parm cheese.  We could make bread crumbs with melba toast or  Ezekiel bread cooked really dry. Again, lots of options for getting those veggies in.

Okay - gotta run, BIG game coming on at 4.  Go DAWGS!   I am making cauliflower pizza and hot stevia tea.   YUM!

Choose life and eat to live, PK

December 2, 2011

Good morning all,

Dont' you love the way Song of Solomon reads?   It's such a beautiful assurance of how Jesus views his bride.  The word says he doesn't just say "how beautiful" when he sees his church, he says, "OH, how beautiful."  BIg difference, huh?  For many of us our appearance has been a consuming factor.  We often see every flaw and every wrinkle when NO ELSE does.  It's hard to be confident in our "beauty" when we are trapped in bodies that are undisciplined.  However, we ALL know that beauty is NOT merely what we see outwardly.   I have known excessively beautiful people that I thought were snotty - and people "not so beautiful on the outside" that I thought were stunning.

Part of what others see is the confidence we have.  Where does that come from?   God, yes.  But also from being free!   I am convinced that size has nothing to do with attitude, but HEALTH does.  I may never be a size 6, but if I KNOW I am healthy (at whatever size), that I am eating to sustain life and not spending hours eating to promote death, if I have victory over my appetite and learn to say, "you're not the boss of me," if I KNOW that I am not cheating and making excuses, if I am experiencing JOY from being out of prison - then THIS brings a confidence that others see and deem as beautiful.   I REALLY believe that.  My husband said, "even when you were so heavy, you dressed nicely and looked great.  But there is something about the way your eyes 'smile' in this season."   HOW TRUE!   

Eyes smile = the knowledge that I AM CHOOSING TO LIVE AND FIGHTING FOR LONG LIFE.   It's NOT that I am a certain size - it IS that I now know I can do this.  HCG gave me the jump start I needed by pulling that residual fat quickly from my body.  NO eating plan had ever given me such HUGE hope in such a short period of time.   God GIVES ME the daily courage to keep weighing, staying in the boundaries, putting color on my plate, celebrating life, etc............

Have an amazing holiday and remember that when God sees YOU - he says, "OH, how beautiful!"

PK

December 1, 2011

It's the first day of December and aren't we doing great?  I was laying in bed last night thinking how different one year can be.  This time last year I was baking life a fiend with as much sugar as I could load in every recipe, buying candy and eating tons each day in preparation for my diet in January, planning elaborate food items for parties that were definitely "artery cloggers," and trying to determine how I ever let myself get to this state.  Ever been there?   I remember when my grandkids were all coming for dinner and stockings.  I could hardly get my pants buttoned and my leather jacket could only hide so much.  I looked at pictures from last year and while I am smiling in the photo, I was weeping on the inside.  MAN - what a difference 56 pounds can make.  Can you imagine filling a trash bag with 56 pounds of butter - that's 56 boxes - that's over 200 sticks and trying to carry that around, hide that, and work around that????  OMGoodness - no wonder I was miserable.  BUT GOD....... :)    THANK YOU, FATHER!

And, each of you have played a part in this too by walking with me toward health for us all.   I pray that 2012 enlarges our group of health-conscious people who will fight to the death to remain free.  I KNOW some of you are struggling with a few pounds - that's ok.  Keep eating correctly every day - don't cheat and make excuses for it - sometimes our bodies need a rest and will hold a few pounds, but if you don't grow weary of choosing to eat correctly and get ALL your water in, your body will respond.  I promise.    

Love more deeply today than you did yesterday - touch an extra five people as they may need encouragement.  Sometimes this season, which is meant for giving and loving, only highlights the fact that some can't give as they wish and that makes them sad.   Give someone the gift of a smile - God is smiling at you this morning.  It's not what you give - but that you give.  Give BIG hugs today!   They count.

Glad you are in my life - PK

PS - Here is a recipe sent by one of the fam - can't wait to try it.   Looks yummy. 

Roasted Zucchini, Eggplant and Tomato Casserole serves 6-8

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini

3 small or one medium to large eggplant

1/2 red onion

3 plum sized tomatoes

3-4 cloves garlic

3 TBS olive oil

1 tsp sea or kosher salt

1/4 pound ground beef

12 onces of your favorite tomato sauce

4 sprigs fresh thyme

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Roughly chop all your vegetables into 1/2 inch chunks and mince the garlic nice and small.  Place the zucchini, eggplant and half of the chopped onion into a large casserole dish.  Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and mix to coat the vegetables.  Place in the oven.

In a large frying pan, crumble and brown the ground beef.  Once it’s browned, add the garlic and rest of the onion and mix well.  Let cook a couple minutes until the onion is softening and the smell makes your mouth water!

Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the leaves from 3 of the thyme sprigs.  Mix well.

Remove the casserole dish from the oven, and pour the tomato hamburger mixture over the vegetables.  Sprinkle with the feta cheese over the top and return to the oven.  Cook for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven and let sit 3-5 minutes before serving.  Garnish with segments of the remaining sprig of thyme.

Approximate cost/serving: If you have a side dish or two, this can make 8 servings.  It uses only a little ground beef which totally cuts costs.  Our beef was free and all the veggies were from the CSA, but if you bought everything in the grocery store, it would cost around $5.50 to make, so about 69 cents a serving.

Vegetarian/gluten free: This is still delicious without the meat and can even be vegan if you skip the cheese.  Totally gluten free as well.