My Renewed Mind

As I started my Trim Healthy Mama journey I had high hopes that I would lose weight and feel healthy. I have surpassed those hopes and achieved them. I feel healthier, my energy is up, I don't feel sluggish, I don't snore while sleeping and I feel great overall. Each meal has been a victory of overcoming the stress eating. Every time I exercised I was in control of my body. I finally felt free from the guilt of over eating and being overweight.  I rejoiced when I discovered something new on my body be it my ribs or finding my knee caps, it was and still is exciting. As I shared my journey with others my desire to keep at this new lifestyle increased because I wanted to share this experience and the knowledge I learned with everyone. I told anyone who would listen about THM. I was quickly becoming an advocate for THM because I knew it worked. I was seeing a trim body, becoming a healthier mama but one area hadn't changed and that was my mind.
  When I first started losing weight, I couldn't really tell. My clothes did get loose but until I took pictures I didn't see the results. I had many people tell me I was looking great, and the scale was moving down. This was all good it actually made me feel great but when I looked in the mirror all I saw was the fat me. I would belittle myself all the time. When I would weigh myself I did it three or four times in a row believing the scale was off or broke. I didn't want to go clothes shopping because I knew nothing would fit cause I was too fat. These thoughts would run through my head all the time and I let them. I was tearing myself down, being a bully to myself. No one likes a bully but that was exactly what I was doing. How many of you have found yourself being a bully to yourself? Have you wondered how to get out of that bully mode so you can have a renewed mind? Well I have some ways to help you, things I have learned to try and do on a daily basis.
 There is a change that happens when you lose weight, you do gain confidence but if you don't change your mindset it will affect you. Every time I had a negative thought about myself I would feel the need to eat. I wanted junk food, that so called comfort food. Sometimes I succumbed to these urges but the majority of the time I stuck to THM. When I would start to bully myself I would think of something nice that I liked about me. I would pray that God would help me. In the mornings I made sure to either dress nice or do my hair. Who doesn't feel pretty when you get dressed as if company was coming over. I read the Bible and found verses that would help me get my thoughts in control. Slowly but surely I saw a change in how I percieved myself. When I pass a mirror I smile at myself and congratulate myself on how far I have come. When my hubby tells me I am getting skinny inwardly I jump up and down with glee. My children get excited with me when I tell them I have lost weight. I have my own cheerleader section and I love it! Just as we control how we eat and exercise, we must control what and how we think. We are becoming Trim Healthy Mama's in every aspect of our lives. This includes having a trim, fit mind. We need a toned mind to match our toned bodies. A scripture that I use to help me is found in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Every time you look in the mirror tell yourself that you are a beautiful Trim Healthy Mama no matter where you are in your journey.

THM Explained

E = Energizing (Low Fat)
5 grams of fat or less (Equivalent to 1 tsp, 2 at the most)
45g of carbs per meal max
Lean meats and legumes are recommended for this type of meal.

S = Satisfying (Low Carb)
5 grams of carbs or less (low starch veggies)
Plenty of good fats like real butter or coconut oil
Recommend fattier meats for this type of meal.


The basic are:
Eat every three hours (Very important to regulate insulin levels)
Wait at least three hours after an E meal to change to an S meal, and vice versa.
FP's(see below) can be used as an in between snack for either of the E and S meal types.

After a few months try:
FP= Fuel Pull (Low Fat & Low Carb)
Less than 5g of fat and less than 10g of carbs.
Mainly protein meals like lean meat or eggs.

Main rule:
Never include large amounts of fats and carbs in a single meal until your goal weight is reached.
Fats and carbs should be spaced out by at least three hours.
Highly potent carbs like bread and potatoes are to be avoided. Sweet potatoes, starchy vegetables, brown rice, quinoa and old fashioned oats are recommended instead because they have a less drastic effect on blood sugar and insulin production, very important. There will be more on insulin levels and weight gain in a later post.

For more information read Trim Healthy Mama.

Weight journey contined

 If someone had told me seven months ago that I would weigh 100lbs less than I did, I would have laughed. Fast forward seven months to the present and I am not laughing I am jumping for joy, which by the way is eaiser to do now. I am not at my goal weight but I am so much closer.

 

 

This has been an incredible journey that is still going on. See where I started. I love food and I don't feel deprived from it with THM which stands for Trim Healthy Mama, a new way to eat that yields wonderful results. When I look at the pictures above, I wonder how I let myself go that long. I was miserable, lacking energy, and even depressed. I needed a change and I found it with THM. If I can do this, then you can do this. It takes one good decision at a time. One nutritious meal, one satisfying snack, even one refreshing drink at a time and did I mention those can all be healthy too. We succumb to poor eating habits one choice at a time. We learn to overcome those habits one lesson at a time.

This is me 100lbs lighter!!!! I am happier, more energetic, and I am healthier. Many have asked me about food journals, I don't keep journals. The way I did this was by setting a timer, to eat every three hours. I start my day with an S breakfast, lunch normally is E, and dinner is whatever goes with the meat I am using. See THM Explained if you didn't understand that. Most of my snacks are Greek yogurt with Polanar jelly, celery with Laughing Cow Cheese (which my husband hates paying for), cheese sticks and pepperoni, and Fat Stripping Frappes (a THM recipe). I just started adding fuel pulls in my regiment, since I have S and E meals down. I don't stress over it, I follow the recipes, adapt my own and go with it. I don't have a secret way to lose weight. I just follow the plan. When I can't, like at some restaurants or church dinners I don't feel bad, I just get back on plan at the next meal.

The thing that helps me most is the wonderful THM community. The THM Facebook page has helped tremendously. The support, encouragement, recipes, and openness of all the ladies makes this journey easier. The days I get discouraged, I encourage myself with others' success. We are like a family supporting each other. 

Waffle Tacos THM

Taco Bell has come out with the waffle taco, and it looks so good. I don't eat at Taco Bell, its on the bottom of my list of fast food, but I want a waffle taco! What is a girl to do? Its not worth it to cheat, but I can't get them out of my mind, not to mention how many times I see the picture of it on my Facebook news feed. Well I decided to THMify it, if you don't know what THM is its Trim Healthy Mama, its not a diet it is a lifestyle. I have been doing THM since August with fabulous results.
These waffle tacos can be made as an E or an S meal. For more information on the THM lingo like "E" and "S" see THM Explained. The THM book has a recipe for E pancakes. The authors have asked that some recipes not be shared. So, I found a substitute that will work. Both recipes make 9 pancakes or 8 waffles.

E version from Protein Pancakes without Protein Powder
1 cup egg whites
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
Cinnamon
Truvia or stevia
Mix in blender, cook on griddle or waffle iron.
Fill the waffle taco with scrambled egg whites, turkey bacon and top with sugar free syrup. Yum yum.

S version from Gwen's Low Carb Pancakes
1 egg
¼ c. Ricotta Cheese -full or low fat
2 Tbl Flax Seed Meal
½ tsp. Baking Powder
dash of salt
sweetener to taste -You can use 2-3 dashes of Stevia Powder
optional: 1 t. cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg
½ t. vanilla extract
Mix in blender, cook on griddle or waffle iron.
Fill the waffle taco with bacon or sausage, whole scrambled eggs, and top with sugar free syrup.

Tip for pancakes: Cook slowly until they are firm before flipping.

Now my craving is satisfied and I don't have to eat at Taco Bell. Stay tuned for more updates on my progress and maybe a recipe or two.

My "Weight " Journey

  As long as I can remember I have always been big. I am big boned so I figured I would be big my whole life. There was no need to watch my food intake or exercise that much. Well I was wrong, it is important. If I want to live to see my children grow up I better fix my thinking. I did, and started many different diets. They worked a little bit but as soon as I quit the weight came back and then some.  So I got discouraged and gave up. I wasn't happy with how I was, embarrassed to be in public, and hated clothes shopping.
  Well I thought I was doomed but I heard about Trim Healthy Mama. A friend was doing it and her results amazed and inspired me. I jumped on board and guess what, it works. I eat better, exercise more, and my energy is back. I feel like a new person.
  I am sure someone who is reading is thinking, yeah works for you not me. Well no it won't if you don't try. This was very hard at first. It overwhelmed me, but I started with one meal at a time. I did a little exercise at a time. Nothing happens overnight, it takes time. You didn't gain your weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it overnight.
  Do you need some proof? Here are my pictures, first one is in August 2013 when I started. Second is in October 2013, and the most recent is December 2013. I have lost 75lbs. I am not at my goal weight but I am getting there. I am 25lbs from my first goal to lose 100lbs. This is a journey that I will be on the rest of my life. I will no longer let food rule me, I have a better understanding of my body. I am happy, healthy and getting trim to be a better wife, mother, and keeper of my home.
Check out the book.
Trim Healthy Mama.

Perfection

 Have you ever met a perfectionist? Perhaps you're a perfectionist. What is a perfectionist? According to Webster its

 a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable; especially : the setting of unrealistically demanding goals accompanied by a disposition to regard failure to achieve them as unacceptable and a sign of personal worthlessness.

Wow, is this how you feel or perceive yourself? How do you respond when your well planned plans go awry? Do you take your frustrations out on those closest to you, or do you just go with the flow, being flexible.

  I don't know what you do, but I know what I do. I am not a perfectionist but at times my actions say I am. You know the saying "action speak louder than words." I love having every detail laid out just so and everything go according to my plans. I do get frustrated when things don't go right. Sometimes I take it out on those close to me. I will even go so far as to put myself down. I let these things rule my life and my attitude. Is this pleasing to God? No its not in any way and He is showing me this. 
  What does God say about Perfection? We know we are to be perfect even as God is (Matt 5:48). I found 121 verses in the Bible that mentions the word perfect. Majority of the verses talked about God's perfection, which is complete. One verse stuck out at me though, its 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power:and he maketh my way perfect. Oh my word, this verse hits me right in the heart. I try to be perfect in my own strength and power which normally ends up leaving me frustrated and feeling worthless. We are to strive for perfection but with God's strength and power we achieve it. He can make our way perfect and he usually does.
   As I continue to let God perfect my way my plans don't seem so demanding. If you are a perfectionist and struggle with the letdowns and frustrations give it to God. He will perfect your way.

Where can I go?

 Its been a tough week so far and its only Tuesday. House is a mess from trying to sort things out so we can pack to move, kids not wanting to do all their school work, the baby was sick all day and last night, packing needs done for youth extreme, and this mama feeling overwhelmed. Through it all though I keep singing the song Where could I go but to the Lord. He already knows what I am going through and he has been helping me, normally I would be biting everyone's head off but Praise the Lord he has given me an extra dose of patience. My hubby has even mentioned how nice I have been. This makes me glad and sad because I know I have not always been nice when in transition. I have a very quick temper and have trouble keeping it tamed down.
 I am going to be honest with myself and you all, sometimes I get so upset I feel everyone should know it. Unfortunately this is wrong and it takes time and the Lord to help me with this. I hate change but its necessary, and worth it in the end. At times I chaff under the responsibilities of being a SAHM, homeschooling, and even being the wife I need to be to my husband. I can't express it to many people but I can go to the Lord who knows that I love to be free but also be the best mother and wife. He knows how contradictory I am in my mind yet I will still follow His will. So in this season of my life I am taking it a moment at a time. If my house is in disorder that's OK we are moving this happens. The children are not wanting to get school done its OK, we keep at it, that's the freedom of homeschooling. Baby was sick we just cuddle and pray. I will have everything ready in time I always do. I will lean even more on the Lord, have a song in my heart and a smile on my face. When the new problem arise which it will, I will keep my cool and go with the flow.
  This has been a process I have been going through and I wanted to share with you how the Lord has helped me, maybe your going through some transitions, or just finding it a little difficult to be wife, mother, keeper at home, teacher, nurse, or whatever it is your struggling with, just go to the Lord. Like the song says:
   
      Oh where could I go, oh where I could I go,
      seeking a refuge for my soul. Needing a friend
      to save me in the end. Where could I go but to the Lord.
   

You have your hands full

 If you read my title this is what I often hear when people realize how many kids I have. I don't think people say this to be mean but just as in, wow I couldn't do that. My reply is most often not really, to me it seems easy. I feel if you have structure, responsibilities, correction and love you can do it.
 Structure is a must if you have lots of little ones :) If we didn't have some type of schedule I would go nuts lol. I make sure all our meals are basically the same time everyday. There is always nap time and quiet time for the older ones. Of course now that we homeschool that comes into play also. Kids thrive on a schedule or some type of structure in their lives. In fact I think we all do, the days that we don't follow our schedule are the worst. So this is very important.
 Responsibilities is what keeps a house going, everyone contributes to the house some way or another. Daddy brings home the bacon and keeps everything in tip top shape. Mommy cooks, launders, makes things to sell, and teaches. There is more that mommy does but too many to list :). The older two children help by putting away their folded clothes and their buddy's clothes. Big brother puts towels away and keeps the kitty watered and fed. Big sister helps mommy with the cat litter since mommy can't inhale it because of the baby in the belly. She also helps with the girls by brushing their hair and playing with them. Big sister has a very calming personality that really comes in handy with the little girls. Now both the older two children help get breakfast and lunch (this is teaching them how to prepare food, I love it) and mommy does dinner. The little girls help pick up toys and they try to put laundry away. Each one of us has chores and responsibilities and this helps the house to run smoothly the majority of the time.
 Correction is also important, there must be some type of correction when we misbehave. This should be done in a loving way and WITHOUT anger. We also apologize and give hugs so that we learn how to ask for forgiveness and give forgiveness.
 Love is something that seems so simple but sometimes very very hard. As a parent you have a love for your child that continues to grow as they do. They become your world but there are times when you wonder if you have enough, at those times its important to seek for more from the One who loves us the best, GOD. There was a wonderful lady I met when I was expecting my first child and she taught some of us ladies lots of valuable information with raising children and running our homes. She is a mother of 10 so I think she has experience :) One thing that I will never forget is that she said when she ran out of her own love she asked God to supply her with his Alpha love. I do this almost daily so that I don't run out. God's love surpasses ours in so many ways. I want my children to know my love but also God's unending love.
 So this is just a few ways I do things so that my hands are not too full. I love my children and want as many as the Lord sees fit. As we are preparing for baby number 5 I do sometimes wonder will there be enough but I know with the Lord's help there will be. Being a wife and mother is the best job there is and I love it. Not everyday is peachy but those days are few. This is my calling and I want to full fill it with everything within me.

Chili Leftovers

   If your like me I don't like to eat the same type of leftovers for days on end. I do like leftovers but I want them different. This week I knew it was going to be cold so on Tuesday I made a large batch of chili. This is one leftover I can't stand in the same form at all, I am not a big chili fan but I do like it when its cold out. So to make it more interesting we ate chili and cornbread muffins Tuesday night, then we had chili dogs on Wed night, and then we had my favorite Chili dip tonight. We finished off the chili and it lasted for three meals :) Now if I had made a much larger batch I could have stretched it further. We love chili dip and I don't mind eating that more than once. Now my dear readers I will share my chili dip recipe with you :)

Take a casserole dish and spread a package of softened cream cheese on the bottom of the pan. Next take your ladle and pour chili over the cream cheese until its covered and you have a thick layer. Now take some cheese any kind you want that melts easily,(I use velveeta the off brand) and put this over the chili. Now you want to spread this out a lot. You don't want to see that much chili. Now you pour some more chili over that cheese. Now sprinkle shredded cheese over this. Bake at 350 for 30 min and serve with tortilla chips. Now if you don't have enough chili for it to be two layers don't worry just skip the melted cheese and just sprinkle shredded cheese and bake.

 Now I still have some cornbread muffins left over but I don't worry about those since Jeff likes to eat those for breakfast in a bowl of milk ewwwww.
Well I hope you try my recipe out and let me know what you think.

Whole Wheat Bread

Ok so I am going to post the recipe I use to make our bread. I love this bread and I have tweeked it lots of times. :) I will give you the basic recipe and then let you experiment with it. That's how you learn :)

Ingredients:
1.5 cups warm water
5 tbsp honey ( I use about 6-7 it seems to taste better)
2 pks of yeast( I buy the big jar of yeast, so its 4.5 tsps).
4 to 5 cups whole wheat flour(Its best if you can grind your own which I WILL do once I get a new grinder :). I burned up my last one lol.)
1/4 cup butter (I use one stick which is 1/2 cup, I also made the last batch with coconut oil and use 1/2 cup).
2 tsp salt
2 large eggs

1. Combine water and 1 tbsp honey in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast then let stand 10 mins. It should be bubbly. Add 1.5 cups flour and stir well. Place plastic wrap on bowl and let sit 20 mins. It should be doubled.
2. Add butter, salt, eggs, the remaining honey to flour mixture stir well. Add in 2 more cups of flour stir then add 1/4 cup more flour.
3. Kneed the dough until it is smooth (usually 10 min) then put in a greased bowl(I put olive oil in the bowl then I turn the dough once so both sides are greased). Place plastic over the bowl then let sit for 1 hr , this gives you time to sweep, or do a load of laundry. It should be doubled in size when you come back.
4. Punch that dough :) then kneed it to get the air pockets out. Grease two bread pans then divide the dough. Now some people like to shape the dough but I don't. I press it flat in the pans so when it rises its even :). Cover with a towel for 30 min.
5. It should be doubled in size then bake at 375 for 20-25 min. I only go 20 but it depends on your oven. You should be able to knock on the bread and it sounds hollow :)

That's all there is to it friends. Oh and don't cut that bread until its cooled down so maybe a half hour. I also wrap mine in plastic and store them in my bread box. ENJOY

Coconut Oil

Ok so I decided to buy some coconut oil because I read its really good at helping to lose weight, which if you know I have been on the Atkins Diet since the first of May. I have lost 4 skirt sizes and I seem to have come to a stop ugh. So I buy the oil and I DON'T use it lol. It has sat in the cupboard for about 2 wks and I made myself use it today. I made my whole wheat bread and substituted the coconut oil with the butter. Then I made granola cereal and replaced the coconut flakes with the oil and it has a coconut flavor. I think I am starting to like this oil.
 This oil is not only great for baking but also for the skin. I gave Phoebe a coconut oil bath and her skin looks and feels so much softer.(She has a bad case of eczema). I was reading on this oil and you can use it on sunburns, WHICH I think is awesome. So now I have been won over by the coconut oil. I am thinking about taking spoonfuls to see if it helps with the weight loss too :) Well this is my little spiel on Coconut Oil.

Its been awhile

Its been awhile since I have written on this thing. We are finally moved in our new home and the house is settled lol. It was so fun to unpack in the our new home. I had everything put away in 3 days. Adjusting has been fairly easy but I miss my friends but I have made a lot of new ones.
 We have done lots of church hunting in the last few weeks and its really hard to find a church out there that is just right. There are so many things you are looking for and when you find a church that seems like it might be the one you find something that just doesn't work out. We did attend a church this weekend that we really enjoyed. During the services you could feel the presence of the Lord and it was so refreshing. The preaching and teaching just made you think and ponder. I LOVED it.
 The children love living in Rolla. They adapt to things so well. Joshua has made several new friends with the neighbor boys and at church. Gracie is doing good, and growing like a weed. Anna is still Anna lol she is the lively one of our bunch. Phoebe is getting so big and her favorite word is no. If someone does something she says no. They are getting so big.
 I am getting closer to setting up my farmer's market. Got a brand new canopy for $55 at the Goodwill. Going to get a folding table and I will be ready :) I can't wait to start doing this. Since I am not babysitting this will help me feel like I am doing something to contribute to the family. I know I cook, clean, and take care of the kids but I get grumpy if I don't have anything else to do. I never realized this until we moved here and Jeff pointed it out lol. I guess I just like to stay busy :)
 Well that is a brief update of what we have been doing. I should be able to blog more once we get this new adventure settled.

Waiting, Waiting, and more Waiting

  As I have been waiting for the phone call to say that our house is ready I keep thinking how I hate to wait. I am not a very patient person SURPRISE lol. Waiting seems to make me grumpy and very impatient. This wait however has been helping me a lot. I find that as I pack I get excited for the new possibilities of getting my new home ready. I have designs, layouts, and decorations all planned. I want everything just right.
  Now waiting is a normal part of our lives. We wait for doctor appointments, hair appointments, food to get ready, paychecks, our husbands to come home, for some waiting to get off work. Waiting is a great percentage of our lives. My thoughts on waiting though is how do we handle waiting for the coming of the Lord? The other night my three year old was wondering why when we were in church everyone was crying. So my husband and I sat down and talked to her about Jesus. Well we got to the part how we were waiting for the Lord to come back to take us to heaven and she quickly linked that to waiting on our new house to be ready. She got so excited. How often do we get excited about the COMING OF OUR LORD???? Some days I pray Lord come now and other times I want him to wait.
  The world is getting worse but if we hold on and look onto that day with excitement and think of the time when we stand face to face with our Savior it might make the wait go easier :) I personally can't wait to worship him, hold the babies that I have in heaven and to see loved ones that have gone on before. Can you imagine talking to the greats like Abraham, Paul, Peter, John, Moses. WOW it just does something to you as you start to think about getting to heaven.
  So instead of complaining about how long we have to wait for things lets just look for the possibilities of what we can do when it happens. By the way I got the call yesterday that the house is ready. We will move on Memorial Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your spouse is not your enemy.(BORROWED)

This is a great read and helpful to those who are married. I am posting this again since it went off my blog somehow. (I borrowed this from Laura on www.Heavenly Homemaker.com)

When your spouse does something to hurt you or upset you; when your spouse is thoughtless or inconsiderate; when your spouse forgets to do something you asked him or her to do; when your spouse makes you mad or causes you pain; when your spouse doesn’t seem to be on your side…

You need to remember that your spouse is not your enemy.

The enemy is your enemy.  Satan is the enemy.  The enemy doesn’t want your marriage to survive.  The enemy doesn’t want your marriage to be strong.  The enemy doesn’t want your marriage to make an impact for God’s Kingdom.

Your spouse is your teammate in this war against the enemy.  The enemy wants to tear your marriage apart.  You and your spouse are in this marriage together and you are not enemies.  You may not always see everything the same way, you may not always agree in every situation.  You may feel like your spouse is choosing to be your enemy.  But no, that isn’t true.  Your spouse is not your enemy.

No matter how tough your struggles, no matter how terrible your pain, no matter what your spouse does or doesn’t do…you must remember that your spouse is not your enemy.

Recognize the enemy when he tries to attack the teamwork of your marriage.  Do not focus your thoughts around your spouse when you are hurt or upset, thinking that your spouse is the enemy.  This will get you nowhere, except to keep you hurt and upset.

Instead, focus on prayer to the One who is holy and righteous, and much more powerful than the enemy.  Focus your prayers on asking God to preserve your marriage, to strengthen your marriage and above all, to defeat the enemy.

May you be blessed as you and your spouse work together, letting God strengthen and protect your marriage against the enemy.  Praise God for His unfailing power and for the hope He brings to your life and to your marriage!

Still Packing

Well the packing continues lol, I have been working on the utility shelf and kitchen items. So far its going at a decent pace. I haven't done much cooking lately since packing is taking over. I do intend to make my own granola cereal, whole wheat soft pretzels and chewy granola bars tonight and tomorrow since its suppose to be cooler. Have you ever noticed as you pack you tend to throw things away that you really never used, well I have been doing this and its got me thinking. How often do we do that in our spiritual walks. We keep collecting scriptures and promises but after awhile when it seems like we haven't really used them or seen the results from them we just give up and throw them away. Wow how thoughtless, I mean lets look at Abraham he had a promise from God that he would have a son. Well he had to hold onto that promise for years, AND then finally it happened. What would have happened if he just decided hey I don't want to keep this promise its not been fulfilled so I just give it up. I will let you ponder on this while I go back to my packing. Have a great day.

First Blog

Well this is my first blog so it will be short lol. I am in the process of trying to pack so we can move and its actually fun. Now I am not normally one who likes to pack, usually I let the hubby do it since he is better than I am :). I hate moving but God has been helping me see that this is just another adventure with my hubby and babies. So I am enjoying each moment I am packing thinking of where I will place these items in our new house. I am so very excited. I already have a new kitchen theme and one for the bathroom as well. So I wonder how many of you like to pack and what kind of things you do while you pack.