Good morning all,
This is a great reminder this morning from my devotional:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
In our own understanding we begin to reason and make excuses for they way we WANT TO eat: "The Super Bowl is coming up and that's always a huge party. I'm gonna EAT that night, and I'll start dieting again on Monday." No you won't. I lived there. That one excuse lead to another excuse and then five pounds here and five pounds there. FACT: the Super Bowl is coming. FACT: we are now seeking to be healthy as God desires for us. FACT: we can make our OWN pizza and take to the game. FACT: we can make our own cookies, or veggies, or no sugar added hot cocoa and have a FABULOUS time without the guilt and depression from buying into the lie that "I'll start again on Monday."
Monday is here. We all need boundaries in our lives and for me, especially in the area of food. This quote by Joyce Myer really spoke to me on many levels. "Exercising self-control and self-discipline, and establishing boundaries and borders in our life are some of the most important things we can do. A life that has no discipline is one that's filled with carelessness." I have been careless in the area of food for many years. The bad news - there are consequences to our carelessness. I wish that was not a FACT. But it is. My body was sick and getting sicker. Now my choice is health and I have established boundaries in one of my areas of weakness. And the consequences have been FABULOUS!
Where do you need boundaries? The problem with boundaries is that for a lot of us - we see them as moveable, which allows us to make excuses as to why we should step over them. Then........are they really boundaries? The person who stated, "rules are meant to be broken" probably never had a problem with food as I did. If you are going to establish boundaries - then quit stepping over them. Let them serve their purpose. WOW - lot's to ponder on a Monday morning. :)
Made a great phase 2 chili this weekend: LEAN ground beef and a couple of cans of fire roasted tomatoes, sea salt, garlic powder, onion salt, and chili powder. No added fat or veggies - just meat and tomatoes. YUM!!!
Choose life this day and eat to live! PK
Monday, January 9, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
January 7, 2011
Good morning to all,
I love the sunshine outside! I also love the cold, but with no heat (except 2 space heaters until Monday when the part arrives) I prefer the warmth outside. But, there is something to cold temps in the house that lead to "snuggling" on the sofa while watching a movie "that ain't all bad." wink
I went to Kroger yesterday is search of the Zevia and found it! They are located in the health food section but are a BIT expensive. In fact, they are about $1/can. This week, they are on sale at $3.99/6 pack. There are a variety of flavors though. I purchased the cola ones; but they also had black cherry and root beer. YUM! Even my husband loved the colas. It tasted almost like Tab from the old days. The various flavors will open up a lot of cooking options for us. LIKE........chicken can be marinated in one of the sprite flavored ones and then grilled with some Montreal Steak Seasoning! It is FAB with regular sprite - we will see. Also, apples can be cooked in the black cherry for a unique flavor. This is great news for our recipe base. I am already planning ahead to the spring for some new things we can do.
I told a friend who was fat loading when I saw her yesterday, "Go eat everything you THINK you might not eat again and you love. There's a chance when you get your weight to what you want it to be, you may not CHOOSE to eat that food again." I gotta be honest - when I started on January 24, 2011 - I had full intention of eating WHAT I WANTED WHEN I GOT MY WEIGHT OFF. I never dreamed that my body would get healthy AS WELL AS MY THINKING ABOUT FOOD. I told her that she could end up like me with a newly discovered JOY in eating what's right. That's not a bad thing, right? When I cooked my basa fish (not bass) for dinner yesterday, with no oil and no frying and my husband was so complimentary of the taste - I just smiled. I know I say this a lot, but WE CAN DO THIS! Every other time in my life when dieting I always purposed that someday I would "eat what I WANTED." You know what that meant, right?
Well, today I AM EATING WHAT I WANT. The difference is I want foods that I never thought I would. YEA! I have quit letting my excuse to run to my destructive past shape the road ahead. I now look at that statement with fresh eyes............I AM EATING WHATEVER I WANT. AMEN!
Choose life today and eat to live.......PK
I love the sunshine outside! I also love the cold, but with no heat (except 2 space heaters until Monday when the part arrives) I prefer the warmth outside. But, there is something to cold temps in the house that lead to "snuggling" on the sofa while watching a movie "that ain't all bad." wink
I went to Kroger yesterday is search of the Zevia and found it! They are located in the health food section but are a BIT expensive. In fact, they are about $1/can. This week, they are on sale at $3.99/6 pack. There are a variety of flavors though. I purchased the cola ones; but they also had black cherry and root beer. YUM! Even my husband loved the colas. It tasted almost like Tab from the old days. The various flavors will open up a lot of cooking options for us. LIKE........chicken can be marinated in one of the sprite flavored ones and then grilled with some Montreal Steak Seasoning! It is FAB with regular sprite - we will see. Also, apples can be cooked in the black cherry for a unique flavor. This is great news for our recipe base. I am already planning ahead to the spring for some new things we can do.
I told a friend who was fat loading when I saw her yesterday, "Go eat everything you THINK you might not eat again and you love. There's a chance when you get your weight to what you want it to be, you may not CHOOSE to eat that food again." I gotta be honest - when I started on January 24, 2011 - I had full intention of eating WHAT I WANTED WHEN I GOT MY WEIGHT OFF. I never dreamed that my body would get healthy AS WELL AS MY THINKING ABOUT FOOD. I told her that she could end up like me with a newly discovered JOY in eating what's right. That's not a bad thing, right? When I cooked my basa fish (not bass) for dinner yesterday, with no oil and no frying and my husband was so complimentary of the taste - I just smiled. I know I say this a lot, but WE CAN DO THIS! Every other time in my life when dieting I always purposed that someday I would "eat what I WANTED." You know what that meant, right?
Well, today I AM EATING WHAT I WANT. The difference is I want foods that I never thought I would. YEA! I have quit letting my excuse to run to my destructive past shape the road ahead. I now look at that statement with fresh eyes............I AM EATING WHATEVER I WANT. AMEN!
Choose life today and eat to live.......PK
Friday, January 6, 2012
January 6, 2012
Good morning all,
What a delight for me to walk in the office yesterday and see the staff all eating salads (well, the girls - the guys had gone out for pizza) but the GIRLS were being fabulous! They had their water, fruit, and no sugared desserts sitting anywhere. :) YEA! Then after work, we exercised together (did a three mile walking video). That's what I'm talking about. Slowly seeing the people around you come to see that life can be lived with sugar free options (because you and others take them to events and show everyone how AWESOME sugar free things - with xylitol - can taste) and then see everyone excited about health brings a smile to my face. Slowly the ship turns - yes? This was my first Thanksgiving and Christmas with salads and fruit at both meals. NEVER before. :) But Chip and I have started a NEW family trend and years down the road our bodies and children will be all the better.
I know this is a "quiet" subject, but if you're having trouble with your bowels during phase 2 (the manuals say you will and it's ok.......but, I don't feel it's ok) I have a product for you to try. It's called Cleanse More. You get it at health food stores or Herb Shops. It's all natural and does a great job of keeping you regular when the 500 calorie phase is trying to "slow things down." Also, getting your lemon in daily helps with the production of bile and this helps with elimination in several areas.
Wanted to pass along that Starbucks now has a sugar free mocha syrup and a sugar free peppermint. Occasionally when you need a pick-me-up (remember we try to avoid sugar free products containing aspertame and splenda, which can take up to 10 years to exit your body AND THEY MAKE YOU CRAVE SUGAR) a sugar free peppermint mocha is okay. I did have someone tell me a few days ago that those bad artificial sweeteners never leave our bodies. I have not verified that.
Also, my daughter told me this week that someone has come out with a soda product sweetened with stevia. Here is the picture - There are several links out and for those who like sodas, this may be your answer.
Off to work go I. Eat to live and your body will produce life! PK
What a delight for me to walk in the office yesterday and see the staff all eating salads (well, the girls - the guys had gone out for pizza) but the GIRLS were being fabulous! They had their water, fruit, and no sugared desserts sitting anywhere. :) YEA! Then after work, we exercised together (did a three mile walking video). That's what I'm talking about. Slowly seeing the people around you come to see that life can be lived with sugar free options (because you and others take them to events and show everyone how AWESOME sugar free things - with xylitol - can taste) and then see everyone excited about health brings a smile to my face. Slowly the ship turns - yes? This was my first Thanksgiving and Christmas with salads and fruit at both meals. NEVER before. :) But Chip and I have started a NEW family trend and years down the road our bodies and children will be all the better.
I know this is a "quiet" subject, but if you're having trouble with your bowels during phase 2 (the manuals say you will and it's ok.......but, I don't feel it's ok) I have a product for you to try. It's called Cleanse More. You get it at health food stores or Herb Shops. It's all natural and does a great job of keeping you regular when the 500 calorie phase is trying to "slow things down." Also, getting your lemon in daily helps with the production of bile and this helps with elimination in several areas.
Wanted to pass along that Starbucks now has a sugar free mocha syrup and a sugar free peppermint. Occasionally when you need a pick-me-up (remember we try to avoid sugar free products containing aspertame and splenda, which can take up to 10 years to exit your body AND THEY MAKE YOU CRAVE SUGAR) a sugar free peppermint mocha is okay. I did have someone tell me a few days ago that those bad artificial sweeteners never leave our bodies. I have not verified that.
Also, my daughter told me this week that someone has come out with a soda product sweetened with stevia. Here is the picture - There are several links out and for those who like sodas, this may be your answer.
Off to work go I. Eat to live and your body will produce life! PK
Thursday, January 5, 2012
January 5, 2011
Good morning to all,
I don't know about you, but the holidays brought many opportunities to cook new things and bake and drink lots of no sugar added hot drinks - which some days got me off track. As calories are calories, on days I ate a piece of healthy German Chocolate Cake I would not eat my fruits or all my veggies. I would substitute one for the other. This plan is not good! It may work for the holidays or special events, but we have to always bring OURSELVES back to protocol. Our bodies need lean protein, fruits and veggies daily to feed our cells. Could you imagine only feeding our children meat and baked goods? They wouldn't be very healthy nor live productive lives. So while many of us were in the pocket of 2-5 pounds weight gain over the holidays, it's time to really focus on feeding our bodies the vitamin-filled fruits and veggies that bring life to our organs. If you are on Phase 2 and are exploring with recipes, please share. Paulette sent a picture yesterday of shrimp steamed in tomatoes on top of a bed of steamed spinach. YUM! There are some recipes on my blogspot for Phase 2.
As I was visiting with a dear friend yesterday, she said that her boys had weighed the other night and were shocked at their weight. I find that many people find themselves here. While the scales can be manipulated on a day to day basis due to water retention, bowel issues, or stress - they still give us an average weekly look at our weight. And when I was so sick, my doctor continued to say, "if you could only loose 10 pounds, it would make a difference in your health." So our weight matters. I know sometimes looking at the scale is not pleasant first thing in the morning, but if you have not cheated, and you KNOW it, smile at the scale and declare, "you're not the boss of me." Then........KEEP GOING! Stress alone will keep your weight up - but if you "press toward the prize" in the end YOU WILL WIN. The good news is my friend made a plan with her children and they are now, as a family, embracing health. YEA! Now THAT'S a great new year's resolution to me.
Good news, Mr. Innis is MUCH better. He had an artery that was 100% blocked, but is now open and he feels wonderful! Praise God.
Fill your body with lots of good things today and choose life! PK
I don't know about you, but the holidays brought many opportunities to cook new things and bake and drink lots of no sugar added hot drinks - which some days got me off track. As calories are calories, on days I ate a piece of healthy German Chocolate Cake I would not eat my fruits or all my veggies. I would substitute one for the other. This plan is not good! It may work for the holidays or special events, but we have to always bring OURSELVES back to protocol. Our bodies need lean protein, fruits and veggies daily to feed our cells. Could you imagine only feeding our children meat and baked goods? They wouldn't be very healthy nor live productive lives. So while many of us were in the pocket of 2-5 pounds weight gain over the holidays, it's time to really focus on feeding our bodies the vitamin-filled fruits and veggies that bring life to our organs. If you are on Phase 2 and are exploring with recipes, please share. Paulette sent a picture yesterday of shrimp steamed in tomatoes on top of a bed of steamed spinach. YUM! There are some recipes on my blogspot for Phase 2.
As I was visiting with a dear friend yesterday, she said that her boys had weighed the other night and were shocked at their weight. I find that many people find themselves here. While the scales can be manipulated on a day to day basis due to water retention, bowel issues, or stress - they still give us an average weekly look at our weight. And when I was so sick, my doctor continued to say, "if you could only loose 10 pounds, it would make a difference in your health." So our weight matters. I know sometimes looking at the scale is not pleasant first thing in the morning, but if you have not cheated, and you KNOW it, smile at the scale and declare, "you're not the boss of me." Then........KEEP GOING! Stress alone will keep your weight up - but if you "press toward the prize" in the end YOU WILL WIN. The good news is my friend made a plan with her children and they are now, as a family, embracing health. YEA! Now THAT'S a great new year's resolution to me.
Good news, Mr. Innis is MUCH better. He had an artery that was 100% blocked, but is now open and he feels wonderful! Praise God.
Fill your body with lots of good things today and choose life! PK
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 4, 2012
Hey gang - not much today as my heat is out (went out sometime in the middle of the night) and I am freezing. UGH! Maybe shivering is a form of exercise???? I do have the stove open and am trying to warm the living room enough to think about getting dressed soon so I can go to work. My husband is under the weather and REALLY shivers when he leaves the heating blanket. Oh well - praise God for blankets and electricity.
My new found love is Stevia tea. It is naturally sweet and packed full of yummy things. It is an acquired taste, but I have learned to love it. I don't necessarily like Stevia - I prefer Truvia, but I love this. More details later when I can write more. Have an amazing day and keep praying for many who are doing another round of HCG.
PS - please keep looking at your labels carefully. Sugar is hiding in so many things....read the ingredients and check out how many sugars. That is important as well.
Gotta run - a little chilly, PK
My new found love is Stevia tea. It is naturally sweet and packed full of yummy things. It is an acquired taste, but I have learned to love it. I don't necessarily like Stevia - I prefer Truvia, but I love this. More details later when I can write more. Have an amazing day and keep praying for many who are doing another round of HCG.
PS - please keep looking at your labels carefully. Sugar is hiding in so many things....read the ingredients and check out how many sugars. That is important as well.
Gotta run - a little chilly, PK
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January 3, 2012
Hello everyone - just an update: Mr Innis is having a lot of tests run today to check his heart valves and Jeni's grandfather's funeral is also today. Please pray for them. And, Jennie Vaughn leaves for Texas in 2 days. Let's pray for she and Cheryl. And we better keep seeing those YUM recipes coming our way, Jennie. All working and no cooking means we ALL suffer. wink.
My devotional this morning IS TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE. Overeating and wrong food choices are all about temptation. Joyce Myers nails the truth about this. (sounds like much of what we discussed throughout 2011 - but who can say it better that Joyce Meyers????) Hope this blesses you! Choose life - PK
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
Day 3 of 365
Oh Yes You Can!
We all face temptation, it's an unavoidable part of life. The question is not, "Will you be tempted?" The question is, "When you're tempted, will you be ready?"
I really want you to get this: You can beat temptation. Stop saying, 'Joyce, I just don't think I can.' Take 'I can't!' out of your vocabulary.
In your own strength and by your own ability, you're right. You can't. But when you put God's Word in your heart, when you lean on His strength and trust in His promises, there's no temptation you can't overcome.
Over the years, I've noticed five things that make all the difference in overcoming temptation. First, you've got to be wise. Think about the choices you're making and the consequences before you make them. Wisdom looks ahead.
Next, you have to believe that you can resist temptation. Condemnation, guilt and shame work off of momentum, if you stop them early, they lose their power, but once they get rolling, they're hard to stop. Third, think of facing temptation as normal life. If you're expecting a fight, you'll always be ready.
Fourth, avoid areas of weakness. Don't put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, don't go to the mall when you can't afford to buy anything!
And finally, don't give yourself too much credit. We don't graduate from being tempted. It's so easy to think you've matured beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target.
God wants you to trust Him to bring victory in every area of your life. By His grace, you can!
Prayer Starter: God I realize temptation is a part of life. Help me not to be caught off guard or surprised when it comes. Thank You for the wisdom and grace to overcome any and all temptations and to live in Your victory.
My devotional this morning IS TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE. Overeating and wrong food choices are all about temptation. Joyce Myers nails the truth about this. (sounds like much of what we discussed throughout 2011 - but who can say it better that Joyce Meyers????) Hope this blesses you! Choose life - PK
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
Day 3 of 365
Oh Yes You Can!
We all face temptation, it's an unavoidable part of life. The question is not, "Will you be tempted?" The question is, "When you're tempted, will you be ready?"
I really want you to get this: You can beat temptation. Stop saying, 'Joyce, I just don't think I can.' Take 'I can't!' out of your vocabulary.
In your own strength and by your own ability, you're right. You can't. But when you put God's Word in your heart, when you lean on His strength and trust in His promises, there's no temptation you can't overcome.
Over the years, I've noticed five things that make all the difference in overcoming temptation. First, you've got to be wise. Think about the choices you're making and the consequences before you make them. Wisdom looks ahead.
Next, you have to believe that you can resist temptation. Condemnation, guilt and shame work off of momentum, if you stop them early, they lose their power, but once they get rolling, they're hard to stop. Third, think of facing temptation as normal life. If you're expecting a fight, you'll always be ready.
Fourth, avoid areas of weakness. Don't put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, don't go to the mall when you can't afford to buy anything!
And finally, don't give yourself too much credit. We don't graduate from being tempted. It's so easy to think you've matured beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target.
God wants you to trust Him to bring victory in every area of your life. By His grace, you can!
Prayer Starter: God I realize temptation is a part of life. Help me not to be caught off guard or surprised when it comes. Thank You for the wisdom and grace to overcome any and all temptations and to live in Your victory.
Monday, January 2, 2012
January 2, 2012
What a beautiful, brisk morning to start our first blog of 2012. Everyone is so excited about a new year and that excites me. Everywhere I turn people are beaming - there's "love in the air." 2011 was a year of conflict and chaos for many but "what a difference a year can make." Didn't we see that in so many of our lives last year?
Cheryl (I am re-attaching her pictures this morning) started her journey last April. She confessed and confessed, "Hi, my name is Cheryl and I am loosing 100 pounds." She said it everywhere she went. Cheryl did 2 rounds and was very successful and has maintained her weight for about 4 months now. Last week she started round three and the first day was down 4.4, second day down 2.6, and today 1.4. PTL - she is on her way! She continues to confess that she WILL loose 100 pounds. And guess what - she NEVER waivers and NEVER gives up. We did hit a bump in her first round where for ONE FULL WEEK she lost nothing. She and I both began to pray and I really felt the Lord saying, "don't give up." And she didn't - something broke - and she started loosing again. How many of us after a week of not loosing AND NEVER CHEATING would declare, "this is NOT working for ME" and quit? Today, she is walking towards her 100 pound goal, healthy and loving life! I am so proud of her! Check this out:
*****Picture goes here, sorry - it didn't attach
Isn't that amazing? I could cry! Proverbs 29:18 (NLT translation) reads "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." Sticking to the plan works! I know that many of us are on phase 2 again - let's pray for one another and continue to "obey the law" of lean proteins, veggies and fruits, and tons of water. We deserve to be healthy.
A few prayer needs this morning:
1. Jeni Sumner's grandfather graduated to be with the Lord shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve. She is there with her family now. Let's pray God's comfort on them.
2. Mr Innis Claude, one of our member's was admitted to the hospital yesterday with chest pains and they are running tests. He has lost 100 pounds and I know God has protected his heart on his health journey. He started getting healthy just "in the nick of time." We pray God's continued HEALTH for Mr. Innis and our love for him. "Raise him up quick, Lord and give Jan great peace that you are in charge and have all the details worked out."
Much love to you all - this is a great year for us to enjoy God's best in all areas of our lives. Declare it. Speak it out - this is the year of God's favor. :)
Choose life and eat to live, PK
PS - and GO Georgia Bulldogs! (our last game of the season)
Cheryl (I am re-attaching her pictures this morning) started her journey last April. She confessed and confessed, "Hi, my name is Cheryl and I am loosing 100 pounds." She said it everywhere she went. Cheryl did 2 rounds and was very successful and has maintained her weight for about 4 months now. Last week she started round three and the first day was down 4.4, second day down 2.6, and today 1.4. PTL - she is on her way! She continues to confess that she WILL loose 100 pounds. And guess what - she NEVER waivers and NEVER gives up. We did hit a bump in her first round where for ONE FULL WEEK she lost nothing. She and I both began to pray and I really felt the Lord saying, "don't give up." And she didn't - something broke - and she started loosing again. How many of us after a week of not loosing AND NEVER CHEATING would declare, "this is NOT working for ME" and quit? Today, she is walking towards her 100 pound goal, healthy and loving life! I am so proud of her! Check this out:
*****Picture goes here, sorry - it didn't attach
Isn't that amazing? I could cry! Proverbs 29:18 (NLT translation) reads "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." Sticking to the plan works! I know that many of us are on phase 2 again - let's pray for one another and continue to "obey the law" of lean proteins, veggies and fruits, and tons of water. We deserve to be healthy.
A few prayer needs this morning:
1. Jeni Sumner's grandfather graduated to be with the Lord shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve. She is there with her family now. Let's pray God's comfort on them.
2. Mr Innis Claude, one of our member's was admitted to the hospital yesterday with chest pains and they are running tests. He has lost 100 pounds and I know God has protected his heart on his health journey. He started getting healthy just "in the nick of time." We pray God's continued HEALTH for Mr. Innis and our love for him. "Raise him up quick, Lord and give Jan great peace that you are in charge and have all the details worked out."
Much love to you all - this is a great year for us to enjoy God's best in all areas of our lives. Declare it. Speak it out - this is the year of God's favor. :)
Choose life and eat to live, PK
PS - and GO Georgia Bulldogs! (our last game of the season)
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