Lent

Growing up I had several Catholic friends who would give something up for lent. We were Lutheran, so my parents never asked us to go without.

However, for the past few years I have considered giving something up for Lent, but never made the pledge to follow through. However, now that we have a baby, I feel like it would be a good lesson to instill in our youngling.

But the real question is WHAT should I give up? I figured that because I am a foodie and value eating, the item in question should be food-related. However, I want it to have a deep emotional connection, something that is a fair representation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us on the cross - something that I would truly miss. In addition, it would be nice if by omitting this item from my diet I would actually be improving my health. Here are some of the options that I considered:

• Chocolate - eh... an easy choice, as I have been known to regularly indulge in my beloved Green and Black's organic 85% dark chocolate
• Wine - I am still breast feeding, so I have not been enjoying wine regularly
• Sugar - a definite contender... however, we will be in NYC for another week and I really can't control the exact ingredients in everything that I will be eating, so this might be difficult
• Coffee - I only enjoy a single Americano each morning, so it's not a significant sacrifice

After much deliberation, I decided to give up all simple sugars and refined flours completely. I do strive to keep most sugar and white flour out of my diet; however, out of convenience they have started to creep in... mostly because I have not been making the time to cook and bake items myself.

But all of that stops when we get back home from NYC. Until then, I will ensure that I am making conscious food choices at every meal - asking questions, making special requests, etc.

I am back down to my pre-pregnancy weight; however, I am not as lean as I was pre-pregnancy and I know it is because I have not been completely dedicated to my workouts and eats. Today I rededicate myself and would love to see you do the same.

"Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?" Luke 9:25

Did you give something up for Lent? If so, what was the most difficult thing that you have ever gone without?

Tosca Reno on Good Morning America

If you missed Tosca's appearance on Good Morning America this morning, be sure to check out the interview here and her super yummy recipes here. Tosca was warm, vibrant and overall fabulous, as always. She has that je ne sais quoi! Congrats, Tosca, on an amazing interview that truly represents the Eat Clean mission.

Eat-Clean Diet Recharged

I received my copy of the Eat-Clean Diet Recharged yesterday. I cannot wait to read it cover to cover!

I spent some time flipping through the pages last night before bed and look what I stumbled upon...




Last summer, I was contacted by one of the editors at Robert Kennedy Publishing and was asked if they could feature my story in one of Tosca's upcoming books. I was thrilled to accept and really excited to see how the editor's would use my Clean Eating story. I was not expecting a full page feature, but am very thankful to be able to share my story with others! So, if you would like to read an excerpt from my transformation story, turn to Page 102!

After I finish reading the book I will be back with a full review!

Tosca just launched her new website and it is very nice. It has a professional feel and features several new resources that were not available on her old site. Overall, I think that the new website really shows off Tosca's personality and is a nice Clean Eating resource.

Thank you.

Thank you for your support, thoughts, prayers, and encouragement in the last month and a half. It has really meant a lot to both Allan and me.

Allan has been home from the hospital for about a month and is getting stronger every day. His attitude is very positive and he makes progress every day towards a full recovery. Thank the Lord!

We thank God daily for saving Allan's life so that he can experience beauty that God grants us each and every day. Allan's life is truly a miracle!

I plan on starting to blog again about my daily life, eats, and workouts. Even though I have not been blogging recently, I have been taking pics of the simple meals that we have been eating and plan on sharing those with you. Since Allan has been sick, I have simplified our eats and we are both happier that way.

Thanks again for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Picnics in the Park

"God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind."
Isaiah 40:28-31

Good Morning, Bloggers!!!

I'm soaring high today - what about you?

On our staycation, Allan and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon by Lake Calhoun with a yummy picnic, fun football plays and much needed relaxation on the sand. I love sunny days with my bubbs. ☺



Sometimes life just needs to slow down. I feel like I am always trying to fit so much into every week… ever day… every free moment. Why do I rush to get things done? Why do I take so much on by myself? I have no clue! God gives us the strength to make it through day by day and I need to trust him for the means to get by instead of relying on my own strength. I am weak and he is strong – right?

Let God be your strength today!

Today's planned eats:

Meal 1 - egg whites + chicken sausage + 1/3 c dry oatmeal cooked with 1.5 cups water, 2 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp wheat germ

Meal 2 - nonfat plain yogurt + pineapple

Meal 3 - leftover grilled salmon + romaine + balsamic vinegar

Meal 4 - leftover turkey breast + green beans

Meal 5 - leftover chili

No workout today, I am giving my knees a rest and will practice yoga tomorrow to stretch and strengthen. On my way home from work I plan on stopping by a local garden center to find a natural way to eliminate my garden's two munching problems: slugs and baby bunnies. Wish me luck!

Rough Waters

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it wont be a dead end -
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior."
Isaiah 43: 1-3

When you feel surrounded by rough waters you have a choice to either dwell on the troubles that you are experiencing OR focus on the things are going well in your life that you HAVE control over: clean up your eats, go for a run outside, do a body weight circuit at home, pray and meditate on God's plan for you.

Recently, Pastor Wende described trials and tribulations as God's way of smoothing out our rough patches. We all walk around with burrs and God uses these trying times to smooth them out and shine us up! Relish this time and try to find the purpose of God's plan for you. Today I heard another Pastor refer to humans as butter and he described God using his Son and the Holy Spirit to melt us into his image. Isn't that a fabulous thought?!?

Here are my eats for today:

Meal 1 - the usual... egg whites + chicken sausage + cinn-raisin sprouted toast

Meal 2 - yogurt + gingered/mint fruit + granola (at a brunch meeting)

Meal 3 - chili leftovers

Meal 4 - Vita Mixed: protein powder + 1/2 frozen banana + 2 strawberries + 1/2 serving spinach (in the car on my way to run errands)

Meal 5 - 1 banana (on my way home from running errands)

Meal 6 - Yummy Pasta Pomodoro (a new recipe that I made up the other day, this was its first day in the Test Kitchen)

Meal 7 - 1/2 serving pineapple (if necessary)

I am realizing that on days that seem to "escape" me, I tend to not eat enough veggies and rely too heavily on fruit. I would really like to work on that!

My knees have still been bothering me, but I managed to squeak out a 30 minute interval (incline) workout on the treadmill. By the end I was SWEATING!!! What a great feeling!

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Our staycation was wonderful! I loved the feeling of waking up every day and knowing that Allan and I could do whatever we wanted! I wish that we could spend every day together hanging out, getting some sun, eating good food and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It’s silly, but sometimes I look forward to the day that we can retire together. ☺

While staycationing I did not do a lot of cooking or baking, so by the end of the week I was really starting to miss being in the kitchen creating. Here is the one meal that I did make last week and it was a good one!

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Update: I started reading Psalms at the beginning of the summer and got through Psalm 50 and started feeling as though God was calling me to read Proverbs. So, I started Proverbs this morning and am really looking forward to becoming wiser through the words of Solomon.

So—join the company of good men and women,
keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths.
It's the men who walk straight who will settle this land,
the women with integrity who will last here.
The corrupt will lose their lives;
the dishonest will be gone for good.
- Proverbs 2: 20-22

Phantom Fat

This is a really interesting article about people who loose a great deal of weight and still see themselves as their heavier self rather than their REAL thin self.

Sometimes I feel this way - I am shocked when I look in the mirror and nit-pick at my problem areas. I am working on improving my self image and seeing myself in a realistic light. I am not a fitness model. I don't want to be a fitness model.

I want to be healthy and fit and I am.

I want to be a good example for others and I am.

I want to be able to run up a flight of stairs and not be winded and I can.

I want to go on long walks with my husband and I do.

I want to bike with my husband across town and we do.

I want to wear a bikini and not feel self-conscious and I will.

I want my future children to be proud of me and they will.

I want to be proud of myself and I am.

Challenge Yourself!

"There is only one success—to be able to spend your life in your own way."
—Christopher Morley

Isn’t the gift of choice amazing? I know that, at times, the overabundance of choices can seem overwhelming, but can you imagine living without them? God is so very good!

I bring this up, because this week I have chosen to make sacrifices in my diet in order to be successful. It has been challenging, but I am already half way there! I am glad that I can lean on God to help me through this season and make me the best that I can be!

How have you been tested in your life? Have you chosen your tests or have they been laid out before you? Know that with hard work and dedication YOU can accomplish anything through God who gives you strength! Keep your chin up, push forward and anything your heart desires can happen!

In my life, I have found that I am the most successful when I have a plan of attack. With one goal in mind, I can set milestones and prepare myself to rise to the challenge. This requires organization and dedication. Preplanning is the key to my weight loss journey and many of the other things that I have accomplished in my life. How are you organizing yourself to succeed?

Today is an excellent day to set goals and define achievable milestones along the way. Where do you want to be in 5 years? What will you do in the next week, the next month, and the next year to work towards this goal? How will you measure your success in the short and long term? What tools will you need in place in order to be successful?

Congratulations on your accomplishments so far and good luck in your future endeavors!

Change is Coming...

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
                                                           ―Mahatma Gandhi

This was today's "quote of the day" and I really felt like it expressed the way that I am feeling this morning. I want to strive to emulate the vision that I have for the world around me - faith, health, values, etc. 

I had a great choir rehearsal last night, including an hour long rehearsal of songs that I am singing on Sunday. What a beautiful way to spend an evening... meditating in praise and worship to God!!!

"The LORD your God is with you,
        he is mighty to save.
        He will take great delight in you,
        he will quiet you with his love,
        he will rejoice over you with singing."
                                           - Zephaniah 3:17

For the last two weeks, I have hit a plateau in my weight loss - this happens every few months. Whenever it does happen, I keep my chin up and switch things up from Cooler 2 to Cooler 1. Usually, I stay on Cooler 1 for 4 or 5 days, which shakes up my metabolism a bit, and regular weight loss follows. I plan on starting Cooler 1 on Monday.

Does anyone want to join me? If you will join me, I will commit to posting my eats every day next week.

To prepare for next week's Cooler 1 challenge, I will print out my Cooler 1 Checklist and Food Journal to plan every meal that I eat next week. Then, from my Food Journal I will make a Grocery List for tomorrow's trip to Valley Natural Foods and a list of the items that I need to prep this weekend (like Cooler 1 Protein Bars, which I plan on making into muffins). I may also make an egg bake with the veggies that I pick up at the Farmer's Market on Saturday.

On to some exciting news! I just received an email from Amazon that my pre-ordered copy of The Eat-Clean Diet for Men shipped last night!!! I am super excited to read this with Allan. I love reading any new information that I can find on eating Clean, Healthy, Real Foods.

I want to be a good tree...

No good tree bears bad fruit, 

     nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. 

     People do not pick figs from thornbushes, 

     or grapes from briers. 
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, 

     and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. 

     For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
                                                                       - - Luke 6:43-45

Strive to be a good tree today!

BTW, today was weight-in day and I am down 1.5 pounds this week!!! I guess Laura and Melissa were right when they told me that I could use a week off from heavy lifting to let my knee rest!