What I've Been Up To...

It's been a while since I posted on my blogs because I've been on quite a journey to get back to health. I'm so excited to feel energetic and well again, and I can't wait to share with you how I got here!

In December of 2016, I literally felt like I was dying of something dreadful that no doctor could figure out. My body had so many symptoms, and I was overwhelmed with trying to navigate through it all.

I felt left on my own to figure out what was happening to me, and thankfully, I love to study and research. I found my answers! Through little bits of wisdom and knowledge here and there, I put the puzzle together. Honestly, I give all glory to God because I literally felt like He carried me the whole time.

Fast forward to August of last year when, through an interesting chain of events, I ended up enrolling in a health and life coaching certification program. I was terrified and exhilarated all at the same time!

It's now January of 2018, and I am amazed at where this journey has taken me! My mess is turning into a message!

I'm so excited to be able to help others believe they can walk in whole health. I love to encourage. I love to see others gain hope, perspective, freedom, and understanding.

I know that there are answers out there for any problem we face. I can't wait to share with you what I'm learning!

Lunch Wrap Idea/Intermittent Fasting

I really enjoy getting meal ideas from others so I'm going to try to be better about sharing my own. Currently, I am following the 5:2 Fast Diet plan which is intermittent fasting two days per week. I eat around 500 calories on those two days and up to 2,000 calories on the other five days.

I decided to do this mainly for the health benefits that I believe research is confirming. I do hope I see the added bonus of many pounds dropped too. I still have about 40 I think need to come off.

I'm making progress though! On my other five days, I still follow the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle of eating. This just makes me feel good! I feel so much better keeping my fuels separate and keeping my blood sugar stable.

Here is my lunch for today...a low-carb wrap with chopped, grilled chicken strips that I sauteed in a non-stick skillet with a little dry ranch dressing mix, low-fat veggie cream cheese, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, and spinach. I had a pickle on the side because it is salty and crunchy and helps me not miss chips so much! I had water mixed with a True Lemon Lemonade pack and my doTerra Lemon oil. I threw in a few cherries for a twist! It was deliciously satisfying!

Let's Talk Nails!!!

I've never had strong nails. Never, ever in my life. Even during optimal eating, I have noticed little difference in the strength or durability of my nails. 

This, unfortunately, seems to be the trend in my Mom's family line for some reason. My Mom takes biotin for her hair and nails. You've probably heard of biotin, as it has been promoted quite a lot lately. 

One day, I had a thought...what if I buy biotin in capsule form and just puncture a hole in the capsule and rub it directly into the nails?

Wouldn't that help the most? It made perfect sense in my head. :)

Well, as it turns out, fingernails must LOVE this stuff! As you can see below, my nails shot out and have remained strong! 

I seriously was amazed! Ever since my hysterectomy, the lack of estrogen hormone in my body has dried my hair, skin, and nails terribly. My fingernails and toenails were bending and ripping off! I'm so excited I found a solution.

Daily application was 1 capsule, punctured and squeezed onto a thumbnail, then massaged into all fingernails and toenails. I did this twice a day.

Of course, once I had some long nails to work with I wanted to paint them! Sadly, I noticed immediately that standard "drugstore" polish didn't help my dryness! Plus, I'm in general just trying to move to less chemicals going in and on my body. I do believe every little bit helps.

I ordered some of this LVX polish because it had great reviews. I have the 3-in-1 Treatment that I use as a base coat, this color that is pictured, and their gel topcoat.

I like how all the polishes went on. The brush was fine. However, my polish peeled off within two days. I was bummed. 

I CANNOT say that the problem is the LVX at all though. I use my doTerra essential oils off and on all day for various things. I'm wondering if they, along with my tendency to not be able to keep polish or artificial nails on long anyway is the true problem. I don't know if there will ever be any way of knowing. 

What I do know is that I like the idea of less chemicals on my fingernails and there is no disgusting odor while I'm trying to apply the LVX. I would definitely buy more, and I think it will work just fine for special occasions or weekends.

Beat That Flesh into Submission!

Hi there :)  It's been over a year since I wrote here. In my last post, I shared that I was going to focus on taking care of myself and building my body back up. That's exactly what I've been doing.

As it turns out, I didn't really understand, at that time, how run-down my body was. After hormone tests, I was instructed to take every opportunity to rest. I even had to be careful with exercise as my body just received it as more stress which perpetuated the cycle of illness.

Finally, though, I now feel like I am coming out on the other side! I have rested...and taken supplements...changed even more eating habits...used essential oils...spent time in prayer...

And now, I'm feeling better than I have in many years! In August, I will turn the big 4-0! My goal hasn't been a certain number on the scale or the tag of my jeans; my aim is to be the strongest I have ever been in my life.

I just want to feel healthy and fit.

I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating. I do go "off plan" some...usually on the weekend, but I have had great success still. I feel good inside. I have energy again!!!

Yesterday, I started a workout program that I did years ago, but haven't been well enough to do for quite some time. I was nervous giving it a go, mainly fearful that I wouldn't be able to do it and would feel discouraged. 

Good news though...I did it! I made it through, and I made it through well! I kept up and only had to modify the exercises that would put my neck in positions that could trigger a migraine. 

I hurt...but it was normal I-haven't-used-those-muscles-in-ages pain, not awful body issues or fatigue!

So yeah, Day One of my 6 week program done. Today is Day Two. I have just under 5 months until my birthday. I want to hit that target! I want to beat my flesh into submission!  

Getting Back to It!

Hi there :)

It's been awhile. First semester of school about did me in you guys! Yikes! 

We made it through though, and things are going pretty well now. I have cut two things down in my schedule which has helped tremendously.

Right now in Health at our co-op, I am teaching on mental health topics and managing stress and time. I think my sons just saw a very practical life lesson last semester!

But, alas...now I am able to make some time to focus on exercising and taking care of me! Not to sound selfish, but we parents tend to put everyone and everything else first and forget the importance of taking care of ourselves so we can keep giving!

So I am stretching, rebounding, doing some light strength training, and carb-cycling for my diet. Last week was my first week to do this, and it paid off nicely...5 pounds and 2.5 inches lost!!!

I'm sure it was a lot of water, but it still felt great because I was dealing with a lot of inflammation from the holiday eating. 

Hopefully, I can keep going strong and keep building my body up. I'm still a bit tender in my abdomen from my surgery in July, but I'm pressing on and doing what I can. I figure anything is better than nothing. You've gotta start somewhere!

I also have to give a shout out to doTerra Essential Oils company for their Slim & Sassy oil. Wowza! I'm taking 3-4 drops of this a day in a capsule to help curb cravings, and it has made a serious difference for me. I can definitely tell when I haven't used it or it's wearing off. (If you want to check it out, you can visit my doTerra webstore at the link on the sidebar.)

I've used these oils for just a little over a year now, and they have blessed my household so much. I'll try to share some of those stories with you in the coming posts...not to try to sell you something, but so you know that there are healthy options for your family's health and well-being.

Until next time, find some you time, set some goals, pursue them, and share some tips with others!

Meal Planning

Hey there! Are you feeling as busy as I am right now?

Getting back into the school swing can be tricky.  I can't imagine being a momma who works outside of the home as well.  I watch my friends and sisters do it, and I just don't even know how they get it all done!

Our schedule is very different this year than previous years.  Two days per week I am gone all day.  One day I am gone half.  That leaves me three days at home, unless I have to throw in an appointment of some kind.

So I thought I would write about what's helping me get food on the table for my guys each night.

I make meal plans.  

I've done this for the past three years I think.  This can seem overwhelming, I know, especially if you aren't the naturally organized type.  Don't fret though!  You could even start by jotting down on a calendar what you have each night for the next month.  This doesn't have to be complicated okay!

When I started, I just thought about what all we liked to eat and rotated it each month.  Later, I thought about ways I could make it healthier.  This school year, I came up with two months worth of meals!

I basically like to have a lean protein, low-carb starch, and a veggie or two at each dinner.  It doesn't always work out like that and there are times when I just don't feel like cooking so we grab something or do a frozen pizza.  Yep, it happens, and I'm fine with that.  

I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to let mealtime stress me out!  This is real life so let's just be practical.  Some things come easier to others.  Sometimes life's circumstances change our days and we need to do something different.  What I know is that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

I refuse to beat myself up over food! I am committed to making the wisest choicest possible with whatever a day presents.

But, there are some ways to make having a home-cooked meal with decent ingredients happen on a fairly regular basis.

Planning ahead with a meal plan helps take the frustration out of figuring out what to have!  It also helps keep your grocery bill down because you go with a list and stick to it.

When I get home from the grocery, I like to brown all the ground beef or turkey up at once with a little seasoning that works for every dish.  Then, I let it cool down and store it.  When I need it, I simply defrost in the fridge the night before I will use it.  

This has helped my sons learn how to cook things, as well as made my meal prep so fast.  You can also do this with chicken if you want or seal your steak in marinade and feeze it!  Yummo!

I have built in two crockpot meals for the two days we are gone so long.  It's so nice to come into the house and smell dinner ready for us to eat!  On the other nights, I try to use the stuff I have pre-cooked so that a meal doesn't take much work and is usually ready in minutes.

I have watched how planning ahead of time pays off tremendously! Oh, and many times, I will double a recipe while I cook it in the crock and freeze part of it for another meal.

I also have a list of snack foods, breakfasts and lunches that we cycle through each week.  It helps the kids not ask what they can have or are having over and over again!

So be encouraged that a little work to make a plan now can save you oodles of time and energy later.  It's worth the effort!  You can search for other people's meal plans online and get tons of ideas.

Happy planning!

On My Way!

Hi Friends :)

How's everybody doing out there?  

I hope you are continuing to pursue your own ways of living practically in a busy world!

I was hoping to have some more pictures of projects up to show you by now, but getting over the surgery I had in July has really kept me tired.  And getting my kiddos back into the school grind is taking much of my time!

I'm doing great otherwise.  Thank you for the messages and prayers.  I just find myself feeling so anxious to accomplish more things and my body isn't ready quite yet.

So, as always, I don't set my eyes on what I can't do, but what I can!  That's pursuing practical living!

I had to think through with a couple friends what I can do.  

I can stretch daily.  I can walk short distances.  I can use small hand weights.  I can continue to learn about nutrition and exercise.  I can watch what is going into my mouth (and I don't mean as I shove it in there)!

I can read, watch documentaries, teach my children, and encourage friends.

I know well what negative thoughts can do...how they can lead you into discouragement and depression.  I don't want to go back there by thinking on things I can't do or don't have...or people who aren't around or places I can't go.

No.  I have learned that right living begins with right thinking!  So when I can't walk out the steps or do the things I want to do to move in practical living, I make sure I am thinking about it, planning it, and preparing for it for when I can!

I'd like to shout out a thanks especially to my friends Amanda and Andrea who have been such an encouragement to me lately!  You continue to give me hope that things will level out again and this is just a season.

Be blessed today blogger friends!  Rest.  Set your eyes on what you have and what you can do and rejoice with me.

I love what Joyce Meyer says, "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God, I'm not where I use to be!"  Amen sister!

The Power of Fried Chicken!

Did your family have that one thing that your momma or grandma made that was just everybody's favorite???

I love these tradition foods!

I love the anticipation and how people just want to flock to the house and gather round the table. It makes the hard work worth it!

My dad's mom made amazing cheeseburgers. My mom's mom made creamy banana pudding. My momma makes the best sugar cookies around. My husband's mom makes fabulous cakes. His Grandma Ina made scrumptious Christmas brunch.

These ladies all made lots of yummy things, but those are the things we all tend to associate with them, ya know?

So what about me? Well, "my food" is fried chicken!

I didn't set out for it to be. My husband just really liked his mom and grandma's fried chicken, so I just wanted to learn to make it and bless him because we lived away in the military.

The funny thing about the favorite foods seems to be how the recipes get tweaked a little here and a little there until that person knows how to do it and can't really give you exact measurements!

So I just watched and listened and then watched cooking shows and eventually kept tweaking my own recipe until I realized that this was my food.

Somehow fried chicken became the thing my family begs for...the thing friends ask me to make...the thing nieces and nephews whisper in my ear and ask when I'll be cooking it again.

Now, I will admit that I do really love how it tastes and my chicken is my favorite fried chicken, but what I truly relish is that it brings people together!

It's a labor of love, but it's worth every smile and every memory. And I will tell you that I do use it as leverage to get my boys to spend time with me :) "Oh, okay guys, I'll make it, but you have to help through the whole process."

This is the meal they all want for their birthdays. This is the thing they invite friends over for!

Here are some pics of the process. I'd give you the recipe, but then they would all come to your house! Tee hee!

Sorry, this is one we are keeping in the family. Here is a tip though: soaking your chicken for at least 24 hours prior to cooking is key!

Sneak Peek!

Here's a little peek at one of the schoolroom/office projects.

I am super blessed to have lots of littles running around here all the time, and they love making art for me as much as I love receiving it!

I thought we needed a display area so my sweet little neighbor and friend, Addi, helped with some painting. Later, Adalee (my niece) told me where to hang things.

Here are some pics of our work and one of Sethy and Addi creating! (Oh! And one of Tom and Addi having an ice cream break because well, you know, painting can wear a girl down!)

American Summer Porch

I wanted a new porch look for summer, so I opted for All American!

I try to be very practical and buy things I can store and use over and over again. I also new that after having surgery, I wouldn't be able to water flowers on my porch.

I gathered some pretty artificial flowers and containers at the Old Time Pottery store. I picked up a wire wreath, pre-cut quilting squares, and ribbon at a craft store to make a rag wreath. I used a Pinterest tip of tying bandanas at the corners to cover throw pillows we weren't really using. I grabbed some cheap flags at The Dollar Tree and the two red flower pots at Dollar General. I used a couple other things I already had and boom chocka locka, I had myself a new look!

I think this little makeover turned out pretty cute!

Projects Before Surgery

Hey all! It's been a while because I was recovery from surgery. I'll share more about what helped me through that in later posts, but today I wanted to take you back to some projects I did before surgery.

I had a list of things to get done this summer, and when I realized I would be having surgery instead, I kicked myself into high gear on any good-feeling day I had! I gathered up some sweet little helpers every chance I could too!

I painted most of our basement, organized my schoolroom/office, organized almost every room, closet, and the garage!

Here are some pics of basement painting with my adorable nieces, Hadassah and Adalee!

Impromptu Nachos Anyone?

Hey blog world! 

I  had a dear friend in town visiting and we did lots of fun running around and eating out. The other night though, we needed something quick and convenient with few ingredients because I need to grocery shop!

After a little thought, I decided on taco meat. I had some soft shells, some crunchy shells and some multigrain Tostitos (my personal fav!!!). My thought was everyone could just do what sounded good to them with what we had.

When I bring ground beef home from the store, I brown it all up at one time with a general seasoning mix, and then store it in one pound portions in the freezer. This makes mealtimes so convenient for busy families!

I grabbed a couple frozen portions, defrosted them, and plopped them in my large electric skillet. After a few minutes of warming, I added some taco seasoning and water. It thickened in about 5 minutes. Simple. Fast. Dinner!

I sadly didn't even have any veggies to use, but we made do and my sweet friend Andrea was digging my impromptu nachos. They even looked pretty on the plate, so she said they deserved a blog post.

Here they are! I spread out the chips, spooned on the beef, drizzled some mild enchilada sauce and queso, tossed a little shredded cheddar, and shook on some dried chives.

Yuuuuummmmy indeed!

Cut Yourself Some Slack Jack!

Getting very practical about daily life is a must when you deal with chronic illness.  

There is so much that I would like to do differently that, right now, my body just will not allow.  Ideas and visions run through my head (or before my eyes on my Pinterest app!), and I quickly get disillusioned because I can barely keep my eyes open from the fatigue of sleepless nights!

It seems that no matter how intentional I try to be, I'm inevitably thwarted by some part of my body doing something that I can't stop. So, my thoughts for practical living for today are this:  cut yourself some slack!

I know.  I really do know how hard it is.  You have a standard you like to keep your house at!  You can't stand the messes you see lying around.  You try to ignore it all as you walk from one room to another and get lost in a sea of total disarray!  Where are those children you so diligently trained in chores??? Oh no!  They're being too quiet downstairs and you should see just what they are up to, but the mere thought of climbing those stairs...are you kidding me?

Or, wait, that's not you?  Perhaps you beat yourself up because the messes remind you of what a failure you have always been.  Maybe you never even knew how to train your children or you never got around to training them. Maybe you even feel guilty that you ask them to do things at all.  After all, people tell you that children should just get to be children and play.  They will have to work enough when they grow up.

The battering thoughts and voices seem to never cease no matter what part of the parenting spectrum you come from.  That's because the enemy is the father of lies.  The best the enemy can do is get you to doubt who you are and whose you are.

So...cut yourself some slack kid and get back to the truth!

For me, the truth is that I have diligently trained my children, but many times it seems you would never know it!  I can't make my body do things it's too tired or sick to do.  It's not sinful to ask my children to help.  I would do more if I could.  God still loves me just as much.  This will all be okay.  That's pretty much how I run it through my mind most days.

But, I get it.  It doesn't often feel like it will all be okay, does it?  God knows too.  Just try to offer yourself the same understanding and compassion that you would offer others if they were going through what you are.  You can't do it all.  You can't do more than what you are capable of.  Pushing yourself when God has not told you to only results in wearing yourself down even more, becoming sicker, and probably grumpier.  (Don't ask me how I know that okay!)  

Just do what you can do when you can do it.  Quit beating yourself up and stop caring about what everybody else thinks of you.  It only matters what the Lord thinks.  

Do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord.  That's all He asks. He knows your best and you know your best.  The rest of the people will just have to deal!  (Yeah, I know it's easier said than done.)

Do What You Can!

A few months ago I was thinking about how many changes have taken place in my body: my arms have a double wave now; my forehead and neck have huge lines; it's much harder to lose weight; bruises and scrapes don't heal as quickly; my normally "skinny" part (my legs) are not as effortlessly skinny anymore.

Sigh.

Aging. It's quite something.

It's unavoidable.

It's kinda discouraging.

But...it's also just part of life.

I have no desire to spend my money on potions or pills or surgeries. I will deal with what comes, but I did start wondering what I should be doing differently, so I researched to see what I could do.

I was amazed at how much muscle mass we can lose as we age! That's where I chose to start...with strength training to build muscle back.

I don't usually have a huge span of time in my day for a straight workout, but I read some great encouraging words about grabbing minutes where I can.

I started doing simple leg raises, small-weight arm routines and crunches while I listen or watch some kind of teaching or audio book. I hate wasted time and love to find ways to multi-task! One goal I made a long time ago was to read a chapter of something each day so that I continue to learn. With so much information available on technology now, I'm able to grow in knowledge AND do other things :-)

I also continued with my stretch routine I try to do first thing in the morning before I get out of bed because it helps me stay flexible and not hurt so much.

I am currently learning about the MELT Method, in which you use a foam cylinder to do different exercises that rehydrate the body's connective tissue. This is helping tremendously with back, neck, and head pain!

If I have time, I try to get in at least 15 minutes per day on my Urban Rebounder (a terrific mini trampoline). This is one of the best exercises one can do! It is low-impact and flushes the lymph system, removing toxins from the body.

All of these things can be done in just minutes a day and yield great results! Don't fall into thinking you don't have time. You make time for what is important to you!

Make time for YOU. You have one body so do what you can with it. Aging may be inevitable, but we can have some input on how we age! Do what you can!

Bread Alternative Lunch

Good Saturday afternoon to you!

I just ran to the store with my little fam and picked up the goods for our fried chicken birthday dinner. My son Alex turned 13 yesterday! All my guys want this meal for their birthday and it is a labor of love! Phew

Maybe I'll post about that later, but as I am grabbing a quick lunch, I remembered I wanted to share one of my favorite things that help me not miss bread so much!

Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbread. They have a few flavors, but I'm partial to the sesame myself :-)

Today, I put some preservative/additive-free ham on top with some ranch dip I made out of plain Greek yogurt, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and seasoned salt.

Sometimes I use turkey and cheddar cheese or chicken salad. It's a great alternative to bread...11g carb for 2 slices and a gram of sugar!

Tortellini Bake

I don't have a picture of tonight's dinner experiment but at least I can tell you about it!

I had a couple packages of Buitoni Whole Wheat Cheese Tortellini in the frig so I had a thought that I could use that and make a lasagna-type dish.

I defrosted a small bag of sausage as well as a small bag of beef. I poured a thin layer of Classico Four Cheese spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish (a trick to avoid sticking). I then used the remainder of the sauce to mix with the tortellini in a bowl. I put all that in the dish, then mixed the meat with some garlic seasoning and another jar of sauce and poured it on top the tortellini. I put a mix of Italian shredded cheeses on top and covered it with foil.

I baked it for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees and then removed the foil. I popped it under the broiler until the cheese was brown and bubbly!

I served it up with a simple organic romaine salad and it was splendid!

Fast Steak & Asparagus Lunch

We had steak for dinner the other night, so I took what was left and cut it into small strips that I could use later for steak fajitas or something else.

Today for lunch, instead of fajitas, I sauteed the steak in a little butter (REAL butter!), some garlic salt, chives, minced onion, and A1 sauce.  

I had some asparagus that sounded scrumptious as well.  I snapped off the ends, rinsed it in a colander, and threw it on a cookie sheet with extra virgin organic olive oil, Lawry's seasoned salt, and pepper. I toasted it under the broiler on high for about five minutes.  I really wish I had remembered to squirt some lemon juice on it, as my sis-in-law just told me the other night that she loves that.  

It was a delicious little lunch on the fly!  

Don't be afraid to try an idea.  Some of my favorite meals have come out of my experiments!

Happy Thursday everybody :)

Warm Lemon Coconut Water

I've discovered another yummy coconut oil drink!

Warm water-8 oz (I got mine from the Keurig)
Organic, virgin coconut oil-1 Tbsp
doTerra Lemon Essential Oil- 2 drops
Truvia-about 1/2 tsp (you could use Stevia if you don't like Truvia)

I wish I could have this ice cold, but the coconut oil would solidify. It's nice though.  You could use honey to sweeten as well.

Midnight Coconut Cocoa

I've been learning about the amazing benefits of coconut oil for a while now and last week I really committed to trying to get 3 tablespoons in my diet per day.

My favorite way to make this happen is in a warm drink. I can't drink coffee very often though, as my system doesn't like it. I like green tea okay, but I drink it a lot when I'm sick so it kinda just has bad associations now. Shiver. Other than that, I'm just not a huge tea fan.

Tonight, I was lying in bed, unable to sleep because I woke up with a tickle in my throat! I began (night) day-dreaming of something warm I could drink when all of a sudden, an idea popped...

So up I arose out of the bed, grabbed my fluffy robe, crept to the kitchen, fired up the faithful Keurig for some warm water, and gathered my supplies:

Organic, virgin coconut oil
Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
Truvia
Rhedi Whip

I have no idea how much of anything I threw in the mug in my midnight excitement, but I can promise you it hit the spot, warmed me up, and put a stop to that tickle in my throat real quick!

By golly gals, I believe I've found a new favorite drink :-) And the cool thing is that since adding the coconut oil to my diet, I've noticed my joints and muscles feel better, I've lost a half inch on my waist, and my endometriosis is better!

(No picture available as I slurped it down before I even thought of that!)

High-Carb Day

In general, trying to keep my complex carbohydrate and sugar intake low has become my norm. However, I find the hardest time to do that is when the people I spend the most time with are eating anything and everything on the weekend.

My husband, like many husbands I know of, doesn't care to make all the changes I want to make. So, of course, when he is home on the weekend, the boys get treats that I don't buy on a regular basis anymore. 

Rather than fight over it, I just use the weekend, usually only one day, to relax and have a high carb day, which can actually work in my favor if I am trying to lose weight!

Put simply, this sort-of works to jolt my metabolism so when I go back to low carb the next day, my body will respond to the change and not plateau. (You can study carb cycling if you are interested.)

This method seems to work out okay for me. I don't typically "fall of the wagon"  and ruin what I've been doing.

So, to show you an example, my meal for this past Sunday included a baked patato, which I tend to stay away from through the week. We also had steamed broccoli and pork loin, which we cooked in the crockpot with a bottle of pork marinade on low all day. Mmmmm!