Lunch Laughs At Nana's With Lessons On Cooking Skinny

Yesterday I had a really great time with Nana. I love Nana. She is such a kind servant and all around great person. She has a sharp moral compass, very opinionated, but comfortable that she can have her opinion without trying to influence anyone else to see things her way. She is likely my most favorite cook in the world. She is always happy to see us and never puts pressure on us to come back soon. She just says, "come when you can." We've spent the night with her with our boys in the recent past. It is like some serious vacation. Her house is full of peace. She cooks actual meals for herself. I appreciate this about her so much because I think it shows she has value for herself. She complains that all she does is sit around and eat (yet she is a very healthy weight.) Nana gets lots of exercise. She likes to walk to town and back in the mornings and does lots of physical labor in her yard. Yesterday she worked two hours cutting up trees. (Did I mention she is in her mid 80s?) She is very hilarious in a morbid kind of way, but I think that is my most favorite thing about her. She does funny things like orders sermons from TV preachers when they preach on really life-changing things like "Santa Claus Is Real." (I promise she actually did that.)

Actually, both my grandmothers provided me with great healthy genes. Both were considered to be catches of beauty. Both are in their mid-80s. Granny just retired this year from working at J.C. Penny's. Wha?!?!? Nana still works. She keeps her house, her yard, her rental properties. They are pretty much amazing. Nana takes a baby aspirin just for fun. Granny is almost the same way. Visiting Nana has always been one of my favorite things to do, but with three little dudes and a house that I can never seem to keep caught up, I neglected to go see her as often as I wanted. Some months ago I decided that I would rather I and my boys have Nana memories than a better kept house. I decided that we would visit her at least once a week without making it a law. It works out great because we attend the Monterey Library Reading Program and then go and eat lunch with Nana. She loves to cook for us, and we love to eat it. It is especially a big treat for Jack. It is really nice that I don't have to plan a lunch meal that day. The boys pack up a literal truckload of toys to play with. They build tracks and play cars and watch daytime television and eat chicken nuggets and ice cream. I get to eat things like Queen Burger and visit with Nana. (Queen Burger was the hamburger sandwich they sold when Nana and Pa started the Monterey Dairy Queen.) The midweek hour and a half to two hours is a much-needed restoration for all of us it seems. Yesterday was no exception, except that Nana was especially in rare form. I laughed so much I think my stomach muscles grew some mitochondria.

Nana told me lots of stories about her experience and Pa Noonie's experience in the depression. She lived on a nice farm, so they always had plenty to eat. It is crazy awesome to hear her describe what they had to eat on the farm. It's probably more variety than even we can get at the grocery store. She's a big believer in good food. Pa's experience wasn't that way. He was hungry. It really makes you think about our/my lifestyle. Why would I ever feel lack and be a food hoarder, when really it has always been a time of feast for me instead of famine? She lived in Walker Hollar. FDR's WPA crew was sent to build a road through the hollow. To keep the labor force working longer, they dug the road by hand instead of using the machines. But they ran out of money before they finished the road. To this day it is still unfinished. Nana's dad called it, "W.P.A. We Piddle Around." Ha Ha Ha

Nana loves to do sweeps stakes, but only in the mail. She despises thinking about learning computers and quite frequently shares her obstinate opinions about the laptop she got for Christmas. She complains that the sweepstakes are not as good anymore because most things you must enter on-line which she refuses to do. I really enjoy hearing her fuss about it. I usually get her going by accident. Yesterday it was over facebook. She said, "I never had any friends, and I don't want any friends. My only friend was Collie. I'm perfectly happy to have just a bunch of acquaintances." She told me a story about how she went to the post office where according to her, "Everyone knows everybody's business." While the Postal worker counted out her postcards, she explained to him about her most enjoyable hobby of sweepstakes. She told him seriously, "I guess it's not worth it for me to spend all this money on stamps. It had been years since I won anything, but this summer I won two bags of dog food and I don't even have a dog." She said he got so tickled even though she didn't mean to be funny that he had to recount the post cards all over again. She was laughing as she told me what she said. Nana doesn't have a dog, but she is definitely a dog lover. After she cooks thanksgiving, she takes the turkey scraps and cooks homemade dog food for the "grand-dogs," I guess you would call them. She is very frugal and I've learned a lot from her about this. Everybody, even the dogs, like to eat at Nana's house. My parent's dogs go visit her and she scrambles them an egg.

While she was fixing our lunch, I noticed in her refrigerator she had a container of bee pollen. I said, "Is that Bee Pollen?" She got this funny grin on her face and said in a funny manner, "Well I guess so. It was Collie's. He just left it here. His Bible is still up on his nightstand where it always sat, and he just left it here too. But I don't have a chair that nobody is allowed to sit in because he sat in it." It really was funny.
He died in 2004. They tried lots of nutritional substances instead of opting for chemo. They both decided they would rather die than feel like they had the flu for the rest of their life.

Nana is a big believer in being thin for more appearance sake than health. I really love that about her. Her shallow statements are filled with good intent, and it always draws a chuckle out of me. I've heard her make comments about ladies' weight. Once she said about a young woman who gained a lot of weight after she married, "Her husband must really be a nice guy." (I'm laughing as I type that because she really is not trying to be mean.)

I started telling Nana that I have changed my thinking on coconut milk. I told her why I used to think it was bad, but now I see how it is very beneficial. She let me talk a while about medium chain fatty acids and never commented, but she had this look on her face like she almost wanted to laugh. When it was her turn to speak as in we were having a conversation, she just responded with...

Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree,
Discussing matters as they ought to be.
Said one to the others, "now listen, you two,
There's a certain rumor that can't be true;
That man descended from our noble race.
The very idea is a disgrace.
No monkey ever deserted his wife,
Starved her babies and ruined her life.
And you've never known a mother monk
to leave her babies with others to bunk,
Or pass them on from one to the other
'til they scarcely know who is their mother.
And another thing you'll never see-
A monkey build a fence around a coconut tree.
And let the coconuts go to waste,
to keep others monkeys from having a taste.
Why, if I put a fence around a tree,
Starvation would force you to steal from me.
And here's something else a monkey won't do-
Go out at night and get on a stew;
Or use a gun, a club or knife
To take some other monkey's life.
Yes, man descended, the ornery cuss-
BUT BROTHER, HE DIDN'T DESCEND FROM US !!!!!"

Her poem caught me a little off guard. I was not expecting that. She is really too much sometimes.

These are a couple of Cooking-Skinny Tips from Nana that she talks about a lot and mentioned yesterday:
1) When she makes mashed potatoes, she cooks them with just barely any salt. She warms her milk before adding it to keep the potatoes from cooling. She only puts in a tablespoon of butter for a whole pot.

2) She buys the leanest meat she can, and cooks it with a little bit of water. She drains the meat then adds ice cubes to the broth to separate out the fat. She removes the fat then adds the broth back to the meat. VERY TASTY AND BASICALLY FAT FREE. She uses this method to make gravy for her roast too. It is very yummy. She thickens the broth with corn starch, but it is basically fat free.

I actually used this fat separation method one night this week for supper. I made chili and used lean beef. I browned the beef the night before, and poured the broth into a ziploc bag and put it in the frig. Of course any fat in the broth rose to the top. When it was time to throw the chili together, I just cut a little slit in the bottom of the bag and allowed the broth to drain in the chili leaving the solid fat in the bag. Nana says the broth is where the flavor is. I knew I would need some extra flavor because I added half the meat from my recipe and three times more beans than the recipe called for. It. Was. Amazing. Very flavorful and fat free.

Today's Flog
Today I ate Kashi Treats I had leftover for breakfast....AND lunch (I couldn't resist.)Recipe below.
I drank two cups of coffee.
I drank lots of water.
For Supper I made sauteed spinach with bacon pieces, baked sweet potato, corn on the cob, and we had leftover baked beans (and chili for Jack.)

Everything was DELISH. The spinach was so amazing that after it was all gone and supper basically over, I sauteed me some more. I must have eaten half a pound of it. I baked more sweet potatoes than I knew I we would eat because tomorrow I'm so excited to make sweet potato pancakes!!!!! The boys have been wanting them all week. I would eat these healthful things for supper!

I was still getting everybody settled for supper when I heard Luke say, "Beans are my favorite food. Jack, How come you don't like these beans. They are good, but even they make you poot so they are funny." ....heart me some preschool boy conversations!

I also let the boys (for Jack's sake) help me make brownies so that all would seem right with the world. They were good boys today, but Jack got a little upset over some trouble he got in and needed a distraction. He snapped right back into right-mindedness when helped me make his brownies. I ate more brownies than I should, but not too many.

Nutritional Nugget: Kashi Treats

Okay...I know I make these with marshmallows (a processed food made with corn syrup, but oh my goodness they are dandy!) The longer they sit out, the better. I would at least make these the night before so they can tenderize a bit. I came up with these in school when I did a health fair to promote fiber. There is 64 grams of fiber in the batch. I cut mine in 16ths so each one had 4 grams of fiber and just as much protein. I've eaten at least one for breakfast everyday this week. Everyday they get better. Only one left for tomorrow. :( My boys loved these too. This would really be a great dessert. I am going to play around a bit with the recipe to see if I can keep them simple, but still more healthful.

1) Soften about 3/4 bag of marshmallows in the microwave.
2) Mix in a box of Kashi Go Lean Crunch. (There is about 4 cups of cereal in the box so adjust your bowl accordingly.)
3) Mash in a pan. (I greased my pan.)

That's it! But I accidentally put in too many marshmallows this time because it has been a while since I made them so I used granola with raisins to make up the difference. Mmmm, Mmmm Good! I think I will always add raisins from now on.

Weekly Meals From a Guest Skinny Me.

My BFF since kindergarten came through for us again. She sent her weekly supper meal plan. Sounds delish! (Thanks again, Friend!)

We had a great week. Kinda Mediterranean.

Monday:
Cesear salad and dressing made totally from scratch.
Ginger Tilapia
Spinach
Rice noodles w/ fresh mozzarella and olive oil
apple slices for the boys
(Her picky eater said it was the best fish he ever had!)

Tuesday: Not at home.

Wednesday:
Ginger Salmon
Steamed carrots
Roasted asparagus
chocolate muffins w/ pureed spinach and blueberries added to them. They were fabulous!)

Thursday:
The rest of the cesar salad
Greek chicken--(Chicken stuffed w/ pureed sauteed onions and garlic mixed into thawed frozen spinach and feta cheese w/ an almond flour and butter crumb topping on chicken then baked in oven.)
Mac n cheese w/ pureed carrots and sweet potatoes added to it.

Friday: Not at home.

What a great week! I'm so proud of myself, but I don't mean to gloat. I just had
so much fun cooking, and when everything is from scratch its amazing how rich
and wonderful the flavors are. I even pureed the anchovies for the Cesear
dressing, whoa!

Well, my mouth is certainly watering, and I am super impressed! She is a fabulous cook. This gives me hope. By the way, I think another take-away from this is that she cooks healthful things when it is under her control. It's not a law that she has to eat all organic stuff. They are a really busy family so they are not at home every night and can't do "this" all the time. She said in her daily diet log that she keeps things on hand that would be considered convenience foods, but they are really just quick bites to eat like a handful of berries, dark chocolate, or whatever. There are really no "expectation" on how to do this "right." She also said that when they eat out, she just doesn't over do it. She lives life and good food is a part of it, but nutrition is not her life. I love her balance.

Nutritional Nugget: Diverticulosis/itis
Diverticulosis is the condition of having diverticula which are little pockets that protrude through week areas of the gut. When these pouches get inflamed or infected, it is called, "Diverticulitis." This is a common condition. The severity of pain in the belly associated with diverticulitis varies, but none of it feels good. I've had several patients over the years to be hospitalized with the pain, but I would say most people can get it fixed with a regular doctor's visit.

We don't really know what causes this disease, but the theory is that a low fiber diet is the culprit. This disease is more prevalent in countries with good ol' processed, low-fiber foods. We don't see it much in countries that have a high fiber diet. Lack of exercise may also increase risk of getting this, however this is not proven. What we do know is that constipation is not good for this disease. The straining may even be a causative factor in developing diverticula.

Because the cases of the onset of diverticulitis are so different, it is vitally important that a doctor be involved in the treatment. Usually, (I said, "usually"...please don't take what I'm about to say and treat yourself!) if a a person has diverticulosis, a high fiber diet with regular bowel movements keeps everything clean and pain/infection-free. They may restrict things like nuts, seeds, popcorn, or hulls. A doctor may even suggest higher fiber for someone with diverticulitis, but usually they recommend the bowels rest. This would mean a liquid or low-residue diet until the gut heals. Antibiotics will also probably be prescribed. Then after the infection is cleared up, they will probably suggest increasing fiber and water to a certain amount of fiber like a minimum of 25 grams a day, but probably more. Probitotics may help get the good flora in the gut established again after the bout of antibiotics. (Antibiotics kill the good guys too.)

Relearning the Food Thing.

So... if I had a box of comfort carbs,(namely, Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies or something,) I would totally be eating them right now. I'm tired. I have been tired all day. Either I just don't get enough REM sleep (because my REM cycle is obviously little Ben-dudey's alarm clock) or something is wrong. I need energy. Needless to say, I am beyond thrilled with myself because we have nothing in the house to provide me with useless energy at this late hour. We don't have anything good and processed in the house because we haven't bought anything like that. Tomorrow I will go to the grocery store with a healthful list and a weekly plan. I almost feel like I'm learning this cooking, grocery shopping, eating thing all over again. I still remember the first married meal I made for Wayne and me. I planned for it almost as long as I planned for our wedding. (It wasn't very long, trust me.) I made chicken nuggets from the freezer section, real mashed potatoes that I had to call his sister about how to make, take-n-bake rolls, and a broccoli casserole dish. I was very proud of it. It took me...well, years before I (and Wayne) would consider me a good cook. It can feel a bit overwhelming to me thinking of changing my grocery list and recipes. I enjoyed the ride of learning the first time, I will choose to enjoy this one too.

Flog
Today I ate El Tap and then a good, healthful supper with some friends....baked chicken, roasted potatoes, a roll and lots of cabbage. I drank only water all day. I did have an ice cream sundae for dessert tonight. I could tell from the sugar coma that followed that I have not been eating so much sugar. It was tasty on the way down, but made me feel yucky for a while.

Nutritional Nugget: Constipation
Constipation is difficulty or lack of bowel movements. Some peeps go three times a day and this is normal for them. One should never go longer than three days without having a bowel movement. Daily would be great. Common causes of constipation include:
* Inadequate water intake.
* Inadequate fiber in the diet.
* A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling.
* Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility.
* Eating large amounts of dairy products.
* Stress.
* Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which is sometimes the result of pain from hemorrhoids.
* Overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles.
* Hypothyroidism.
* Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
* Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum.
* Medicines (especially strong pain medicines, such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills).
* Depression.
* Eating disorders.
* Irritable bowel syndrome.
* Pregnancy.
* Colon cancer.

Preventing constipation is really easy. 1) Eat a well-balanced diet. Work up to the amount of fiber you might need. Fiber foods are plant foods...grains, fruits and veggies. 2) Drink plenty of water and avoid things that bind up water like colas. 3) Go when you need to go. 4) Exercise.

A Skinny-Me Guest!!!!

I asked for any Skinnies out there to help us out with a daily diet. I said, "You know who you are!" And one of my favoritest Skinnies in the WHOLE WORLD responded. Thank you very much! Believe me, I KNOW how much sharing stuff with the world can make you feel vulnerable. We appreciate it and welcome more!!!!

She said to edit, and I am not really going to edit. However, this BFF since kindergarten sends me ginormous e-mail (and text) messages without punctuation, so I am adding some. I know it's quicker, and she knows I'll understand. (I "hear" you, BFF, but I want to make sure everyone else does too.) I am also going to insert a bit here and there.

So here is a daily intake and some nutritional commentary from an AWESOME Skinny Me who also happens to be the person I would imagine would most likely be my twin if I had one. I have more unique memories with her than probably any girl buddy on the planet.

P.s. She is also an amazing cook!

(Can't thank you enough for taking time to share all this, Friend.)

I am not considered "skinny" by any means. Most health professionals would tell me to still lose weight because a women my height, 5'5'' tall, should weigh 135 lbs. I weigh 147 lbs and I am very content.  

And now back to Audrey...[Okay, two things here: 1) Ideal body weight for females is 100 pounds for five feet, then an additional five pounds for every inch over five feet. That means that someone who is 5'5" has an ideal body weight of 125 pounds. HOWEVER....This is also plus or minus 10%. So technically, the ideal range would be about 112 to 138 pounds. 2) Another big thing that I so very much LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that she said, was "I am very content." Can you hear that? Can you really grasp what she is saying? We could stop here and be satisfied. Contentment with self! Isn't that the key? I would venture to guess that she felt content BEFORE she reached this amazing weight. By the way, she looks very great! I figured her BMI calculation which is 24.5. That is within the healthy range anyway and she is very athletic. From a nutritional stand point on weight....well, done you!]

Now for my diet(or my everyday eating plan.) It is different than most people because I like to drink my calories instead of eating them. Either way, I still get the nutrition I need without feeling hungry.  I have had quite a dramatic lifestyle change to incorporate more organic food and MUCH less pasteurized foods. I try to avoid processed, refined, and enriched foods as much as possible.  The closer we can stay to the way God created the food in its natural raw form the better it will be for our bodies. Natural sweeteners and very bright, rich, colorful food is the most nutritious.  I Do Not count calories or fat.  Actually, the more fat the better, but you have to know your fats. [True that!!!] 

Seriously AVOID polyunsaturated oils and hydrogenated fats like the plague. However, saturated fats, (those found in tropical oils and animal fats,) are the best to use especially during high heat cooking.  They won't go rancid and produce harmful  free radicals in your body.  They are antimicrobial, antifungal and have a more balanced ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 which is crucial for healthy cells in your body.  Also don't forget that many and most of our nutrients cannot be absorbed by our bodies without the presence of fat, particularly saturated fat and also bacteria known as probiotics.  

[Okay...we just read what a real-life Skinny-Me said about fats, but I must say I've got more research to do before I can totally comment on this. I do agree with ZERO trans fats, which are the hydrogentated fats she spoke of. I am a BIG, BIG fan of monounsaturated fatty acids. (Olives, Olive Oil, Nuts, Seeds, Dark Chocolate, Avacados.) Ummmm...I'll have to see about the polyunsaturated fats. Research says polyunsaturated fat are essential (we must get them from diet because our bodies don't make them)...Omega 3 and Omega 6 are polyunsaturated and necessary. Omega 3's have been proven to improve heart health. These are the good guys. There is some debate I've seen about how much Omega 6 we should consume though. Saturated fats??? ...scary to me, but I see her point. They are more natural than processed, but to much? Oh no! I am just leery of actually choosing a saturated fat over a polyunsaturated one. I think the take-away is less processed, more natural!]

So I use organic expeller pressed extra virgin coconut oil for pan frying and sauteeing, organic real butter, (and yes it is pasteurized because that's all you can find at store,) olive oil and EVOO for salads, and grapeseed oil for baking.  

I avoid all purpose processed enriched and fortified flours. When a recipe calls for flour for baking, I use an organic label and substitute almond flour for half of the recipe. I eat lots of chocolate. I probably eat +/- 5 oz in a day of organic 85% cocoa dark chocolate. I drink two large glasses of chocolate coconut milk a day, and eat several different fruits oranges, apples, cherries, grapes, a fruit smoothie of blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and bananas.  I use only natural sweeteners like stevia, agave nectar, pure maple syrup, or raw sugar. Easy on the honey because unless its raw, it's been pasteurized, and thus it is a dead sweetener but sweet nonetheless. Stay away from artificial sweeteners they will ruin your taste buds and play havoc with blood glucose. Again....Yes to the closer the way God made it!

Her daily eating diet:

8:00 am liquid vitamin supplement

Breakfast:  12 oz. chocolate milk or more preferably coconut milk
 
Snack any time of day:  1-2 oranges, 1 apple, handful of cherries or grapes, about 4 oz organic cheese, few rice crackers or grainless crackers, 2-3 oz 85% dark chocolate, raw nuts like almonds or cashews.  I also like Bolthouse choc. mocha protein smoothies and fruit/veggie smoothies you can buy.  (I usually only have 1-3 items of the above listed as a snack.)

Smoothie, usually 1-3 days/week:  Handful of blueberries and strawberries, 1 banana, few slices of peach,  1-2 cups coconut milk for consistency, stevia to taste, ground flax seed, handful of spinach if desired.

11:00 am another vitamin supplement w/ energy boost and 12oz choc. coconut milk

I drink lemon water or plain water throughout the day.

For dinner, I occasionally brew green tea flavored with raw fruit and stevia or honey.

Dinner is any time between 4-7 pm. I never eat after 7pm unless absolutely unavoidable.  Because our schedule is such that we aren't always home in the evening, I don't cook every night, but 4 out 7 nights it will look something like this:
Coconut Curry Chicken: season free range, no steroids or antibiotics chicken breast cut into chunks or strips w/ raw sea salt, pepper,  curry powder and turmeric.  Pan fry in about 1 Tbl coconut oil and about 2 tsp fresh ginger.  When chicken is cooked through, add about 1/2 - 1 cup coconut milk, about 1 Tbl almond flour, and handful of cheese of your choice. I like Parmesan or white cheddar.  I like to add more turmeric here, maybe more ginger and salt and pepper to taste, or "as the spirit leads", and a good handful chopped spinach, and steamed carrots chunks.  Give everything a good coating and serve.  You can add rice of your choosing or pasta as well.

I like to have a side of secret mashed potatoes that is a mixture of mashed white potato, about 1/2 cup each of steamed cauliflower, white beans, and white squash all pureed together. Season w/ salt, pepper, garlic, cheese, and bacon bits.  I also like to have a serving of fresh fruit like apples or something, whatever you like.  I rarely ever fix bread or rolls for dinner any more. I would rather give the family something that isn't so processed or full of heavy grains in the evening that will just turn into sugar, stored as fat, and not used as energy.  

Dessert can be anything. I have made chocolate banana, avocado frozen yogurt that is very yummy. (Her picky-eater boy loves this.)

This would be like my best day. Not that I don't have days like this, but sometimes I'll have a stick of gum, maybe a cookie, or handful of chips. If i do it's because I'm at someone's house or somewhere. I don't go over board.  I never even keep stuff like this in the house anymore unless (Hubby) buys it.

Because my body and taste buds are now more accustomed to naturally raw and sweetened food, I don't really crave processed sweets or fast food. They still taste good when I have them, but I just don't want them very often. When i do eat out which is 1-2 times a week at El Tap or somewhere, I don't feel bad. I only eat what fills me up and not get stuffed to the gills so that I can't move.

I never buy a food product without looking at ingredients list, not the nutrition facts, but the ingredients list which is much more informational if you know what to look for.  My diet is by no means perfect. I don't expect it to be, but I think it's well worth its weight. ;) Remember i have been on both sides of this mountain too. I remember how I got there, and how I got here. It's not how much food you eat, but what kind of food it is, and when you eat it.  Losing weight to become healthy energetic and active is the slowest, but most satisfying loss you will ever endure. Trust me on that one. Losing 1 to 2 lbs per week is normal and healthy. Anything else can be dramatic on your body system and mental health. Who cares what the scale says its only a number, not who you are or how you feel about yourself.  My quest is to provide food and health for us the way God intended us to receive it, not what our government and corporate business tells us is healthy because what do they know? Not much from what i can tell.

Awesome. Thanks, Beth. Sounds delicious! I'm sold!

Sittin' Skinny

So I weighed myself a few days ago and it said(cue drum role,) I've lost like 40ish pounds. Um....don't get too excited. My jeans just out of the dryer are still a little clingy. Forty pounds should have made a big difference. I think the boys must have messed with the calibration. I do think I have lost some. I still continue to try to make more healthful things and search my soul when I fill like stuffing my face, but here is the deal... I've been thinking I've not been doing well. I am almost trying to put any sort of weight loss plan out of my mind. I haven't been writing down everything like I intended, but today I did. I even added it to my food diary tracker, and I discovered I'm not doing so terribly after all. I decided during worship that focusing on my good Daddy and strengthening my relationship with him is a whole lot more pleasant than counting calories. I don't want to make my body nor the lack of food I feed it an alter. Tomorrow I intend to be fully aware of where I am seated and it is not here in this overweight flub-o-sphere. Did you ever wonder why people dream they are skinny? (A BFF recently had a very important God-dream about me that she started off saying we were skinny. LOL! YES! I knew it!!!!) I believe it is because we ARE! The real us, the perfect us, is who we really are. I won't be fat in heaven and that's where my "not-so-big" butt is sitting! That means I must awaken to the reality. Skinny, seated, and sedentary (LOL!) in heavenly places. What a great place to be!

FLOG
Today I had coffee with creamer.
Two mini homemade flax, carrot, and apple muffins (recipe to follow)
Spinach Fettucini Alfredo (recipe to follow)
Fruit tea
And then some friends decided to bring us pizza AND I drank a coke...Wha?!?!?! I thought I was on a weight loss diet?????
I dreaded tallying up the ol' pointies. But guess what? Not as bad as I thought. Thank goodness I chose super healthy the first part of the day.....1430 calories! Yes and Yes!

Nutritional Nugget
Still doing colon health so I'm giving you two dandy little recipes I made today.
Bran Flax Muffins
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
3/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
2 apples, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup nuts, chopped
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together flour, flaxseed meal, oat bran, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in carrots, apples,m raisind and nuts. Combine milk, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Pour together and stir just until moistened. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Yeilds 15 muffins.

Sooo...I didn't realize until I typed this out that I forgot to add raisins and nuts. It was still good. Also, I think you could use any ground flax although I'm pretty sure flaxseed meal is cheaper and is the same stuff. I didn't shred the carrots and apples. (Do people who make up these recipes really believe moms will do all that effort?) What I did was save the solid gunk from when I juiced apples and carrots. Worked out extremely well. More bang for the buck.

Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo
(I remember loving this easy recipe when Fabulous Mrs. Flemming and I made it about 12 years ago...I think that is how it went. (Nicole please confirm.) I haven't made it sense because I also remember Wayne NOT liking it as much as we girly girls did. I decided to try it for my three little Waynes. They. Loved. It! YAY! (Well, Ben didn't eat it very well, but he is two and ....well you know.) After eating it today, I recalled that Nicole said grilled chicken added to it would be especially wonderful. I concur! This is so easy and so high in fiber-goodness.

12 ounces Fettuccini
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup water
6 oz reduced fat cream cheese
1 Tablespoon chicken bouillon granules or 3 cubes
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

In a large pot, cook the noodles as the package directs. Add the spinach to the water during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain in a colander and set aside. In the same pot over medium heat, combine water, cream cheese, bouillon, and nutmeg. Stir constantly until cheese is melted. Add fettucine and spinach. Mix well. Garnish with toasted bread crumbs and parmesean cheese. Makes 6, 1-cup servings.
295 calories, 8 g protein, 45 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber.

I got whole grain noodles that had lots of fiber. I didn't have chicken bouillon so I used beef and it was still good. I never add nutmeg. Especially Jack really loved this! I ate until I was stuffed and it was only about 1 1/2 cups. My belly growled before pizza, so I know I didn't over do it.

Destroying the Idol

I heard a message from Bertie Britt-Dynamic Love Ministries (Highly Recommend his website) that he introduced as, "a very basic grace message." Well, I don't care how "basic" it is, hearing a liberating message always liberates me. He made some statements about how the only way to leave a problem is to recognize who we are and concentrate on the God in us. Then we will see that it is not us who leaves the problem, but the problem leaves us.

...um....I've been thinking about this in regard to my "problem." I'm fat. I'm still fat. I'm finally as fat as I always thought I was. Lord have mercy! Why didn't I learn about being content when I was thin? I would have enjoyed that and stayed there instead of becoming what I have always "beheld." My focus and opinion of myself totally drove me right to it! After hearing Bertie's message, I realized that once again, I have made an idol out of what I am "not." It is time again to change my perspective. I am elevating my "imperfect" weight above the one who has freed me. When I am tempted to think of Fat Me, I will change my way of thinking. He gives us his ability to even get his ability. There is no way I can mess this up except that I think I can do it. I will change my focus to freedom and the weight will leave me instead of me trying to leave the weight. I'm destroying my idol. My idol that I HATE.

Flog....
I didn't do very well today. :( I forgive myself. (And I will tomorrow because my thinking is now changed.)

Nutritional Nugget: Colon Health---Intestinal Flora
We have "good" bacteria in our colon that have lots of cool jobs like: helping us digest carbohydrates for absorption, strengthening our immune system, keeps unwanted pathogens under control, makes Vitamin K and a B vitamin called Biotin, makes hormones to absorb fat, and aids in general gut health. Sometimes we can get diarrhea if we take antibiotics because it kills the good "bugs" along with the bad ones. This type of antibiotic-associate diarrhea can cause an over growth of a pathogen called Clostridium Difficile or c-diff. It's easy to see if this is the problem....basically just have to poop on a stick. If the diarrhea is caused from antibiotics and it is not c-diff, then what has happened is the carbohydrate metabolism has been altered. Too much "sugar" causes water to be called into the colon to flush out the sugar. Introduce fiber slowly starting first with bananas, apples, rice and toast (BRAT.) Try to work up slowly to an initial goal of 25 grams of fiber. Stay away from really concentrated sugary foods like things with high fructose corn syrup. Pay attention to what you are eating and notice if one day is worse after you eat certain foods. Can also add probiotics found in fermented foods with live cultures added such as found in yogurt and other dietary supplements. Also "Nutritional Yeast" might be helpful. Check with a health food store to see if they carry good source of these probiotic-type supplements.

Escaping from mind jail.

I can only feel free if I know it....

I haven't been acting free. I'm still feeling deprived a little bit. I need to ponder over my steps on this journey to get my mind focused back on the escape plan instead of the bondage. That is to say, I need to reread my posts. I hate being in bondage, especially to food. The truth is that we are already free from the flesh that weighs us down and causes us to need stretchy pants and crave donuts. I am only free if I know it. Being in bondage in our mind produces in our bodies. Concentrating on the thing that weighs us down keeps us where we don't want to be. It is like holding on to bars in a jail cell so close and tight that the bars are all I see. If I would just let go and take a step back, I would see that the stone walls have been removed already. If I take a step back and get a different perspective, I can see the solution I so desperately want while I'm holding up those bars. I will recover my sight, remember whose I am, and that he made me enough, and I lack nothing. (Wow. Just typing that out made me remember.) When I know that I have been given all things, why would I want to choose anything but life. Just like Luke Mitchell said..."Me and Jesus went to Wal-mart. We could get anything we wanted, but Jesus didn't get donuts. He got broccoli, so I got salad." Choose life. Step back and enjoy the freedom.

FLOG!!!!
I can't remember what I ate today. I need to do better writing it down if I'm going to calculate it. I mostly just snacked here and there like maybe eating a cracker when I got one for a boy or something. I never actually had a whole meal, but I ate. Supper was yummy homemade red beans and rice.


Nutritional Nugget: Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It usually affects the intestines, but can really occur in any part of the GI tract. It is a nasty, little, immune-response condition that causes inflammation of the intestines. (OUCH!) We do not know what causes it nor have a cure. Even the treatment for it varies among patients. Sometimes the pain is worse for some than others. Some people have it constantly. Some have flare-ups.

I've had several patients and a really great cousin who have this. Usually a patient would be on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) which means we feed them directly into their veins so their bowels can rest. Sometimes it requires surgery to remove part of the GI tract.

For a more detailed, We-really-have-no-clue explanation of this strange disease down in our depths, go to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001295/


Hey! By the way, does anybody have one of those "voodoo" (as I like to call it) books that tell the emotional issue associated with the disease, I would love for you to comment. Why would one get Chron's Disease? I personally believe it has more to do with stress and emotional health than nutrition. Who knows???? Either way, it would be interesting to see.

Choose Life

Thinking on this with everything I choose to eat and NOT eat....Choose Life!

Today's Flog
I have decided to change the meaning of Flog from "Fat-Log" to "Food-Log" I think this is a more healthful choice since I'm all about "choosing" today. I am considering posting everything I taste, lick, and chew right here on this little floggy bloggy. I'm not sure if I'll stick to it, but I like to think I will. I realize this is for my benefit and may be a truly boring addition, but I have come to realize that things unchecked go undone with me. Writing each and every calorie I intake will help me to "SEE" what I eat. I highly recommend keeping a flog for yourself. Also, I recommend confessing your weight to someone you trust. There is liberty in shedding the light. Maybe he or she could even become your accountability buddy (whatever that means to you.)

1 cup orange juice
Big mug full of coffee--sissy style.
(Belly Growl! YAY!)
Loaded baked potato with broccoli and a half of glass of sweet tea.
Wayne made homemade potato soup. I ate like 2 1/2 cups or something crazy and a piece of cornbread. I drank water. And I drank 2 cups of skim milk.
Um...I realize this is a terrible day. I worked today so it just worked out that way. Hopefully more green and leafies tomorrow. Today was 1425 calories, 40 grams protein, and 10 grams of fiber. Calories are about right even though it was not very balanced in food groups today.

The tracker: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
There is a light blue box on the right that says, "I want to..." To get started entering your daily intake, choose "Analyze my diet." Choose "Assess Your Food Intake." Type in something you ate and click "search." Choose the food that fits. Continue doing this until your whole day is entered. Then click the "Select Quantity" button and enter the food portions you ate. Then click, "Save and Analyze" and choose the calculations you want to look at. This is a helpful tool.


Nutritional Nugget: Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a genetic condition that affects our intestines when our immune system reacts to a protein called gluten found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Damage to the small intestines means our body has difficulty absorbing nutrients. This can sometimes cause more nutrient deficiencies. Symptoms of Celiac Disease include: gas, diarrhea, stomach pain, fatigue, joint pain, weight loss, itchy skin rash, lactose intolerance, stool that float and smell really bad. The treatment is to eat a gluten-free diet to allow the intestines to heal. That means avoid all flour made from wheat and the other grains that cause the immune response.

What Day Is It Anyway?

I've stepped back for a while. Today is September 7, 2011. It seems I'm waking up from my blogging coma. I've missed my little Flog! Actually, I've missed it a lot. Before my blog went dark, I had written several days worth of posts that I finally edited and posted today. It feels great to be back.

Life has slowed down and sped up at the same time. Our minds are more rested, but more opportunities have popped up. We are busy, but it doesn't feel like it. It seems every area in our life is in transition and we are totally taking it out on our house. There has been no stone left unturned. Unfortunately, the transformation required that I step away from my lovely flog for a time until I could literally plug back in. I must admit that I fell back into some old patterns just a bit. I recognize that I have even felt a tiny bit deprived and hence picked some poor food choices. I think I can relate the overindulge to my reaction to dust bunnies. Finding dust bunnies in areas of my heart just as I sweep out the dust bunnies in hidden places around the house that I haven't visited in decades. It feels good to get clean, but mess is byproduct for a time. God has been stripping sheets of yuck off me. I can literally feel it. He makes no mess, but reaction has been mess....messy eating. I underestimated the power in my daily ponder. Writing daily for me is sweeping up those dust bunnies of my heart and disposing of them in the proper place.

I think I feel a bit condemned that I couldn't "do" it on my own.....well, there is a resounding DUH! That IS the trap---I thought I could do it. I turned it into a work. I read a Chinese proverb today from a fortune cookie that somebody had taped to the nurses station at work. It said something like, "Don't rest from your duty, but in your duty find rest." (Wow, that sounds familiar. I think I know from whom they borrowed that.) It is actually ironic that in every other area, I've encountered more peace and rest, but I quit laboring to rest in my eating like I had been before I went AWOL. I've got my mind back on the journey. I haven't gained weight, but I realize now that this is equally as important to me as all the other parts of my life. I'm finding the WHOLE me in balance. It is strange though. When I say, "every part of our lives is in transformation" I mean EVERY PART. It is even creeping into our food. I've started changing the groceries I buy. Wayne even agreed that we would try vegan for a couple weeks just to see what it feels like. I'm pretty excited to morph into this state too. Not quite ready to take the plunge to vegan, but gearing up the groceries for it. We might have to tone it back to vegetarian with fish or something....we'll see what we "rest" into.

I think to get this party started right, I'm going to go back and glance at the steps on my journey...I'm going to read my blog. I mean "Flog."

Wins for today...
I'm back on track and I love it here!

Nutritional Nugget:

I know this is what we all have been waiting for! I'm going to write about colon health for a while! YIPPEE! My dad told me once that he thinks the reason I majored in nutrition is because I am so fascinated by poo. He might be right.

Have you ever been inside a colon? I can honestly say that I have. First was when I was interning at Skyline Hospital in Nashville. A colon exhibit came to visit. You crawl through the colon and learn about what a colon looks like healthy, with polyps, and with cancer. Secondly, we took a group of kids from church to the children museum in Nashville. They had an gastrointestinal exhibit with a colon slide. You climb through,(it sounds disgusting,)and then slide out through the anus. When you pop out, it makes a poop noise. It really was fantastic.

If you ever get a chance to travel through a colon. Do it!

Day 58 Food For Thought: The Supersized Woman

I am not sure what to say or even think about this.... All I know is that this does not make me happy. I am sad that she says she enjoys what I would call bondage if I was in her shoes. I cannot judge her motives or heart, but for this single mother to make arrangements for her two sons "if" she gets ill from her weight gain must disrupt the peace in her family. I am tired of "pondering" on people's decisions that are none of my business, but something about this article pricked my heart. I can't help but feel like she is desecrating her body. I know I can only see her through the eyes of my own circumstances. It just feels like she is wrapped in bondage, and I am truly sad about that.

One day of her food diary....(I'm amazed. I really am.)

Breakfast: 6 x eggs scrambled, cooked in butter 468 cals. 1/2 pound bacon 1,168 cals, 4 x potatoes as hash browns 672 cals, 6 x pieces toast with butter 600 cals, 32 ounce cream shake 1,160 cals. Snacking 1 x bag of animal cookies 1,950 cals, 2litre bottle of soft drink 800 cals, 1 x 10.5 ounce bag of barbecue flavour crisps 1,650 cals, 3 x ham and cheese sandwiches 1,576 cals.

Lunch: 3 x beef, bean and green chilli burritos with 1 x cup of sour cream 1,453 cals. Salad (1 head lettuce, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup carrots, 1 cucumber, 1/2 cup ranch dressing, bacon bits, 1 cup crumbled cheese, 1 cup chicken 1,479 cals.

Dinner: 12 x filled tacos + 1 x cup sour cream 4,906 cals, 2litre bottle of soda 800 cals, Dessert 8 x scoops vanilla ice cream 2,080 cals, 1 x small pan of brownies 1,200 cals.

Total: 21,962 calories

This is more than TWICE what I would need in a WHOLE WEEK! Surely there is more to life than eating.....Do I really, really, really, way-down-deep believe that?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026964/Susanne-Emans-bid-worlds-fattest-woman-52st-mother-2-supersizing.html#ixzz1VXdlbDvk

Wins for Today
I ate a big beautiful breakfast. I was very hungry for it. I ate a lot, but for no other reason except that I really wanted it. There were no emotional "needs" attached. It was tasty, and I was hungry (period.) Then I met a dear friend for lunch. I was not hungry. I got a beverage and had a nice visit. That was fill enough for me. Then I went to see my fabulous aunt and uncle. They wanted take-out from town. I glared at that menu, but just had no desire for the calories. I did not order me anything. (This is a big deal for me.) Basically, I am learning to take cues from my body instead eating because it is socially acceptable or because it is just the time to eat, etc.

Nutritional Nugget:

Smoothie Tips....
Okay, so I don't have one of those fancy-shmancy smoothie machines. It usually takes using my food processor, and blender, and a ginormous, speckledy-green mess everywhere, and I mean everywhere, until I get my alligator juice. So I've come up with a few less-messy and time-saving processes.

My little kitchen motors just didn't love my frozen fruits. They just didn't. So I allowed my fruit to thaw after my kitchen aids screamed and screeched at me. As soon as it thawed, I pureed it up nice and pretty and refroze it in portion-sized freezer bags. I also went ahead and mashed my bananas that were turning and froze those the same way. I pureed up the fresh spinach, lemon, and agave nectar and froze it in ice trays then put it in freezer bags. So now all I have to do it is use my one blender, throw in a couple spinach cubes, a bag of mixed fruit, a bag of banana and any other goodness I want. Works like a charm and incredibly faster and less messy.

Day 57 Food For Thought: This Rest Stuff Works!

I read a comment by the fantabulous Bertie Britt. I cannot say that I agree with any one person 100%, but I can say I have never disagreed with anything I have heard Mr. Bertie teach. There are plenty of people who have influenced where I am today, but I think it would be accurate to say that Bertie's messages have accelerated me into right-mindedness more than anyone.

He wrote, "The wonderful thing about the Gospel is that we are set free from fruit-bearing as the ultimate goal in life. The ultimate goal is to enter His rest and then we will see HIM BEARING HIS FRUIT IN US. The emphasis is not on us to become like Him but on Him to give birth to his life in us by us simply believing in what He has done on behalf of the human race."

...beautiful.

I applied this to my weight-loss journey. I became so happy when I really did realize, "This stuff is working!" Instead of me "TRYING to improve myself...to MAKE visible efforts...and FORCE behavior modification, I have been LABORING into rest. Putting off the mentality of "I must do to become" has not exactly been easy. There is a whole LOT of ME in the way. I want to make it about me. I want to make my weight loss about how good I am. There are so many temptations to let my reflection in the mirror catapult me into "will worship." It can be hard work to walk in rest, live in contentment, accept me for me just as I am. It is very humbling to try to see myself as my Father sees me. He sees nowhere I need to improve. Did I really admit that out loud? I can see plenty of needed improvements especially when I look in the mirror or try on clothes or put on pants that are not elastic. Trying on non-stretchy pants in the fitting room with walls of mirrors is the ultimate worst opportunity for me to fall into temptation of believing I am not good enough. I HATE to shop for clothes for myself. Isn't that ironic? How does weighing too much make me feel not enough?

My ultimate goal is not to lose weight (fruit-bearing.) My goal is to live in a state of rest. The more I rest, the more HIS fruit (his reality/my reality) is born in me. I can testify to that for sure. Cares of this world, weariness, and heavy burdens weigh me down. The more weight I let go of in my soul, the more I walk in rest. The more I walk in rest, the more physical weight I lose without trying. His fruit was born in me this week as I walked in rest. I was so at rest and so enjoyed my food that I thought I must have gained weight...Nope. (Cue today's win...)

Wins for today:
I lost another pound in just four days. How could that happen? All I remember eating was a donut and some smoked sausage. I rested for the most part, and my weight loss reflects that.

My new favorite saying: This rest stuff really "works!"

Nutritional Nugget:
Another Dandy Little Greeny.

Ingredients
1 banana, cut in chunks
1 cup grapes
1 (6 ounce) tub vanilla yogurt
1/2 apple, cored and chopped
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach leaves

Directions
1.Place the banana, grapes, yogurt, apple and spinach into a blender. Cover, and blend until smooth, stopping frequently to push down anything stuck to the sides. Pour into glasses and serve.

Day 56 Food For Thought: Skinny Behind the Wheel

I had quite a long drive home from work today. For many miles, I just meditated on what Skinny Me feels like. Our minds are powerful places. I'm pretty sure we do not have a clue of just how creative we are in the sense of actual creation. I do know that the velveteen rabbit says, "Everything created was first born in imagination." So today I imagined feeling small in the drivers seat and having clothes that felt a bit baggy. I have a feeling of satiety, but not feeling too full. At one point it really felt real. I think that happened because, well that is the reality. I feel Skinny Me more and more. I pray my eyes are opened, and I awaken to reality more everyday.

Today's Wins:
I'm beginning to love, love, love that feeling when my body really is empty of food, but before I get too hungry. Each day I experience that more and more. In the past, I hardly ever allowed myself to go there. I used to just want to eat all the time. I love it when my body tells me I am hungry instead of my mind, will, or emotions dictating when I need food.

Nutritional Nugget:
Green Smoothies
The Miss Healthy-health, Supermom, Heather Seyer taught our Grace-Full Women's class at church this great recipe that I think most of us still make on a regular basis. I have also googled "green smoothie recipe" and found some other nifties. Think the trick to this "Alligator Juice," as we call it on Blaylock Mountain, is the spinach pureed up with a a bit of sweetener and a WHOLE lemon (I usually do cut off the brown little ends and seed it, but I'm sure it is not necessary.)

Throw in the following ingredients as the spirit leads...
spinach
lemon, whole
sweetener. (Heather used Agave Nectar. So do I, but also honey would be great.)
frozen fruit
and whatever else kind of goodies you want....local bee pollen, ground flax or flax seed oil, fish oils, whatever you want.

This is really so yummy. One quart is 15 servings of fruits and veggies! WHOA!

Day 55 Food For Thought: Comfort Carbs with Hormone Soup

Still in that tug-of-war state of presence, but I've been enlightened. The only thing I can blame this dip in the journey on is that I'm wanting comfort carbs with my big bowl of hormonal soup. Sometimes, ladies, that just happens. I've entered the short time zone when I tear up at On-star commercials and happily-ever-after animations. ...This too will pass in probably three to five days.

I look forward to the days my flesh comes back in line with my real-me/skinny me desires. I like it better when my body works for me--when we are on the same team. This morning on the way to work, I so wanted to stop and indulge in some old habits. I'm happy I decided to discuss this with myself first. Those tasty saturated fats would not be worth it. I don't feel deprived. I just feel like I took a detour around a regret. At times like these when I'm glaring into the past, (the opposite direction of where Skinny Me is headed,) I feel like I'm dragging myself along. My flesh is like a distracted little kid. I feel like I'm walking along holding hands with a kid who decides they don't want to walk forward anymore. They get distracted and start looking and twisting everywhere or grow weary from walking and drag their feet so that you have to carry them by one arm. The distraction becomes more noticeable than the path, but you still travel forward.

I am the boss of this body! I will NOT be lead by my flesh (anymore.) "Yes, I'll have a bowl of hormonal soup with a large side of anything deep-fried and a whole chocolate cake." No, no, no! Straighten up, Youngun!

Wins For Today:
At least there is now a reason. I am disciplining my flesh. Flesh just wants to check to see who is in charge. I respond with a salad.

Nutritional Nugget:
Here's an old party trick. I don't know why, but it seems to work. If you know you have eaten your fill, but there are still too many tempting munchies? Brush your teeth. For some reason the hint of minty freshness makes you not want to eat anymore.

Day 54 Food For Thought: Chips and Roller Coaster Dip

I am driving myself crazy. I do not know what I want. I have a plan that Fat Me doesn't feel like following today. I eat salad and dream of saturated fats that deep down I know I do not want. I am in a tug of war with myself. I, the real me, the deep down me, desires weight loss and the good choices that accompany it. The flesh-driven fat me is craving overeating like it wants to gain weight. What in the world?

Sometimes this journey seems more like a roller coaster ride than a walk. Thankfully the peeks and valleys seem to be growing farther apart and leveling out. The past day or two has been a bit of a struggle with my flesh. I feel like I've come off the peek that I've been on for weeks and starting to take a dip. I'm content. (I keep checking myself.) I don't want junk because of some turbulent or exhilarating outside circumstance affecting my emotions. I have been sleepy, and I know that always influences my want of food. I really do not have a rhyme or a reason. All I know is that I've been thinking about things like hot fudge cakes instead of green smoothies. I'm still choosing the green-smoothie type options, but I'm having to watch myself because my heart just isn't in it today. My body is remembering old habits and desires. I'm not in a wrong state of mind or anything. I just am food-focused today. All I can say is, Thank God for a plan in place and his grace to keep me where I, the real me, wants to be.

Wins for today.
Well, I'm choosing the straight-and-narrow even though I feel like I'm on the fat-and-bendy. Taking the first exit OFF!

Nutritional Nugget
I read once (not sure where) that chewing gum increases appetite because of mouth stimulation. I'm not sure on the accuracy of that, but it is something to consider. There may be some of us out there who find that we do desire food more when we chew gum more. Maybe not.

Day 53 Food For Thought: Does the Scale Weigh On You?

One way to tell if you are enslaved to the scale is if you weigh yourself daily or more than once a day. Is the scale always on your mind? If you can't wait to weight, or if you dread the scale, it is probably not your friend. I have even read that people with eating disorders weigh themselves multiple times a day. One of the goals to try to set for them is to only weigh once a week.

Once I thought about giving our scale to consignment because I could tell I was sort of addicted to it. The numbers it read to me became my identity. It was really sick-weird. If I gained weight, it made me only want to eat more because I felt condemned and trapped in my weight. If I lost weight, I wanted to eat for celebration. I'm glad I didn't get rid of our scale now because I would just be buying a new one. It is just another tool. I have gone weeks and weeks on this journey without thinking to weigh. Last week I weighed twice, and I didn't realize I had already weighed that week. It is an accessory to my path, but it is not a reflection of it. The weightless feelings I have on the inside me are "worth the weight." I am glad, however, that I have lost some poundage. But I realize that it is a reflection of the heavy I have laid down.

Wins For Today
Today I drank a cola. I consider it a win that I cannot remember the last cola I had before today. I have not even missed any.

Ok all you Healthful-eating Skinnies. Can you help us out? (Don't be so modest...you know who you are!) I would love to post a daily food record of someone at a healthy weight. If you do not mind helping out, write down everything and the amount of what you eat during a day. Even times you eat would be helpful. The more detailed the better. Let's see how Skinny Me's eat on a regular day. I think menu ideas would help the Fat Me's a lot.

Nutritional Nugget:
So this is how our plate is "supposed" to measure out when planning for a meal. The thing is, it is not a PLATTER. It is like a regular plate. When portioned properly, you could still fit half the family-reunion-sides in there somewhere. We have trained ourselves to think we must eat more than we need. This is just a guide.