Are you ready to dig deep?

Are you wondering why I took these pictures of myself? If so, keep reading.
(Yes, my bathroom is from the 50's, soon it will all be destroyed!)

My muffin top that I want to get rid of!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Ever since I had my second baby, who is 3 years old now, I have not been able to loose the last 15 pounds! It has been driving me crazy. I could blame it on my non-functioning thyroid (which is the gate keeper to your metabolism) or I could blame that I am 38 years old now and my metabolism is slowing way down. These thought have fogged my mind for the last 3 years and I am sick of it! I am sick of not feeling comfortable in my clothes and with summer approaching I don't want to go through another summer not wanting to wear a bathing suit. Now I don't want to wear a bikini (little missie took care of that with all of the stretch marks she gave me), but I would like to wear a tankini type of bathing suit and look like I workout.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about this. God loves me for who I am, not the way I look, right? Then there was the vanity issue. Am I being vain wanting to be thin? Should I be spending this much time on myself? All of these ideas have been fogging my mind as I mentioned.

This is what it comes down to. I am not vain, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to loose these 15 pounds for me, no one else. I think God wants me to be the person that I know that I can be. If I feel good about myself then I am more willing to put myself out there. If I am confident, then I know I can stand up for God and myself in difficult situations. I think Satan has been fogging my mind with these thoughts because he knows this is my weak spot and I become obsessed by it. I don't want to be obsessed by it anymore. I don't want Satan to have control over my thoughts about how I look anymore.

Lately I have been really looking at how I eat. Overall I eat a healthy diet. I like my fruits and vegetables, I don't drink soda's or add any sugar to my tea or coffee. I use non-fat milk or non-fat half and half etc....I asked God what he wanted me to give up for lent, but I just don't think I was ready, or that I just needed to give up one thing. I needed a new approach to how I think and eat. As a mom I am always surrounded by things I should not eat. I try to limit the amount of processed and sugary foods my kids eat, but there's always the cupcakes, cookies, pancakes, breads etc...and if you have been following my blog you know I love to cook and bake (and eat too). What changes am I going to make then?

First off, I started back doing my own workouts. I teach 7 classes a week at the gym, but I really need to workout for myself, so I stared doing Insanity again. Take a look at the link if you are interested about the workout. I know that my diet plays the biggest part of loosing weight and I am going make some difficult changes. On Monday I am planning on not eating any dairy or meat during the week. I am going to use Almond milk for my coffee and eat a lot of legumes and quinoa for my protein. I am not going to eat processed foods or refined sugar. If we could afford it I would go to all organic, but we just can't afford that right now. I am going to give myself a little wiggle room so I can enjoy going out to eat with my family on Fridays and if there is some special occasion and we are eating somewhere else, I am just going to watch how much I eat. I don't want to be obsessed and/or difficult, I just want to be healthy.

I decided to put this on my blog so I am held accountable. I am going to take pictures of myself a long my journey. I pray that this is the turning point that I need to loose these last 15 pounds.

May 2nd 2011 I start Extreme Insanity!

Birthday presents without spending lots of $$!

There are a lot of birthdays this time of year and I do not have extra money for birthday presents. I scored today with some really good finds. I did not want to spend more than $20.00. I needed to buy my 2 nieces (who are twins) birthday presents, a present for little missie's little friend and I needed to get cards and frosting for little man's cupcakes for school and a cake. I also bought ice cream, but it was in the freezer (too hot to let it sit out). Was I able to buy all of this for under $20.00?

YES!
All of this for $18.22!





This is how I saved. First off, I had a coupon for Kohl's for $10 off a purchase of $20 or more. I knew I was going to buy the b-day presents at Kohl's and figured they would have some good deals. So off I went with kids in toe. While I was looking around I notice the 90% off shelf and found some Zhu Zhu accessories for little man's b-day coming up too! This is how I saved $73.65!

Zhu Zhu Pet armor $1.19 saved $10.80 (bought 2)

My Little Pony set $7.64 saved $9.35

Zhu Zhu ninja jet $2.29 saved $20.70

Set of 2 flip flops $4.00 saved $6.00 (bought 2 sets)

With my coupon and savings I paid $11.24!

Then I went to Vons. They have a $5.00 catalina coupon when you purchase 3 greeting cards (excludes .99 cards). I looked for the $1.29 cards but the lowest cards they had were $1.99 each. I bought 3 cards for a total of $6.00 and received a $5.00 catalina coupon. I then got 4 large frosting that are on sale 4/$5.00 and Kraft dressing is on sale for .99 each and I had 2/$1.00 coupon, so they came to .50 each. I paid a total of .98 for the frosting and dressing. I went to CVS after I dropped off little man at school since it is across the street. I bought the ice cream for his ice cream cake. I paid $0.00 since I had extra bucks. To celebrate I bought a coffee and the kids got chocolate milks. All and all a good day of bargain shopping!

Meal Plan Monday

I only cooked once last week so I have to get back to the routine of life this week. Saturday is little man's b-day and there is a lot of celebrating for him this year! This is what is planned this week:

Monday- Pork Chops w/smashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce and green beans

Tuesday- Chicken marsala with spinach salad

Wednesday- Pork and hummus sandwiches and pilaf w/fruit salad

Thursday- B-day dinner at the in-laws. Little man asked for spaghetti and meatballs

Friday- Out to dinner (making cupcakes for little man's class)

Saturday- John's Incredible Pizza

Sunday- Family dinner
Tri-tip, grilled asparagus, pilaf, Grillin beans, french bread and fruit
salad. I will make a ice cream cake for little man's 6th birthday.

Empty Tomb Cookies

Check out my step-by-step guide below on how to use the Empty Tomb Cookies to teach your young ones about the Resurrection.
Easter Tomb Cookies

Ingredients / Items Needed:
Bible
1 cup whole pecans
1 large gallon zipper bag
Wooden spoon
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup white sugar
Tape

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 Degrees and grab your kids.

Activity: Put pecans in a Ziploc bag and let children beat them with a wooden spoon, to break them into small pieces.
Discussion: After Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read: John 19:1-3.
Activity: Let children smell vinegar. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to a mixing bowl.
Discussion: When Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.
Read: John 19:28,30

Activity: Add egg whites to vinegar.
Discussion: Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read: John 10:10-11
Activity: Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl with the egg and vinegar.
Discussion: This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sins.
Read: Luke 23:27
Activity: Add one cup of sugar.
Discussion: The sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read: Psalm 34:8

Activity: Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes or until stiff peaks are formed.
Discussion: The color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read: Isaiah 1:18
Activity: Fold in broken nuts. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Discussion: Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Activity: Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Discussion: Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read: Matthew 27:65-66

Activity: GO TO BED.
Discussion: You may feel sad that we had to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were sad when the tomb was sealed.
Read: John 16:20

On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice…the inside of the cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Little man really enjoyed making them with me telling him the Easter story. I will make these again in the years to come. I got this recipe from Faithful Provisions.

Homemade French Bread

I make the french bread recipe that I had posted recently. It was really easy to make and was really good.

This is after letting it rise then cutting it in half and rolling it into a long loaf.

I let is rise again for 40 minutes before baking.

It had a nice golden crust from brushing it with the egg yolks.

French Bread
Adapted from AllRecipes.com
Prep Time: 25 Min
Cook Time: 40 Min
Ready In: 2 Hrs 40 Min

5-6 cups all-purpose or bread flour
5 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt {sea salt is wonderful}
2 cups warm water {110º F}
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. {Or knead in your mixer with the dough hook for 8 minutes on low-medium sped.} Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled {about 30 minutes to 1 hour}.

Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.

Grease a large baking sheet. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.

Bake in a preheated 375º F oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

Tips: For an even crispier crust, spray the loaves with water right before baking, then every 5 minutes for the first 10 minutes of baking.

Add-Ins: To make flavored bread, before rolling up the dough, add in the ingredients. The roll, sprinkle a little more on top, then continue on with the recipe.

Make your own pizza night

Hubbies Tri-tip and sauteed onion pizza.

Mine with prosciutto, basil and mushrooms.

Little man's, just pepperoni.

Little missies, pepperoni and mushroom.

The kids put their sauce, cheese, toppings on their pizza. I buy my dough at Whole Foods since it is only $1.25 a bag. I used 2 bags of dough. This is a good way to use up what is left in your fridge, the kids enjoy making them and they taste good!(I usually make my dough, but sometimes I am too lazy and Whole Foods is right by little man's school!)

Brussel Sprouts

My husband has discovered a new vegetable that he likes, brussel sprouts. I am not a fan of brussel sprouts, but I have found a way to cook them where we both enjoy them (sadly the kids do not).

4 slices of bacon cut into pieces
1/2 white or yellow onion diced
Brussel sprouts cut in half (1 lb or more depending on how much you want)
1/2 lemon
2-3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Take your bacon and saute in a oven proof pan. Add your onion once the bacon starts to sizzle and cook until the onions are soft. Add your brussel sprouts and olive oil and toss with the onion and bacon mixture for 2-3 minutes.
2. Place the oven proof pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes (stir once during this process).
3. Take out of the oven and place the pan back on low heat. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon and salt and pepper. Cover with a lid or foil until you are ready to eat them.

I like to roast my veggies, but sometimes you need them done a little quicker. I came up with this method so they could be done in 15-20 minutes. The brussel sprouts are fork tender, but not mushy. They have a nice caramelized coating on them from the oven and the lemon brings out the flavor. When I cook them this way the brussel sprouts are not bitter or have that strong brussel sprout taste.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Tri-tip, pilaf, beans and salad

Tuesday- Baked lemon butter tilapia, brussel sprouts and quinoa

Wednesday- Make your own pizza night

Thursday- Spaghetti and meatballs and I am going to attempt making french bread from scratch. I may throw in a salad.

Friday- Dinner at the in-laws.

News — FDA Decision of Food Dyes

News — FDA Decision of Food Dyes

After the FDA took two days to deliberate they decided by a vote of 8 to 6, that there is insufficient evidence to put a warning labels on foods that contain dyes and petroleum based additives. See this article for more of the details. The FDA did acknowledge a potential link between food dyes and hyperactivity:

For the first time, FDA staff said Thursday that studies suggest artificial dyes may exacerbate problems for some children who already have attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. About 5 percent of U.S. children suffer from the disorder, according to federal estimates

While this isn’t the greatest news, I do think that consumer demand can change things. Just recently Frito Lay announced it will be taking artificial dyes out of most of its products. Why? Because that’s what consumers want — and it’s showing up in sales.

Article from Raise Healthy Eaters

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday, April 3, 2011
Meal Plan Sunday

Sunday- Brats with Fruit (still full from brunch)

Monday- BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches with Coleslaw

Tuesday- Thai Chicken

Wednesday- Beef Brisket Quesadillas with Corn Salsa

Thursday- My Birthday, but little man has T-ball....so ????
Maybe a quick bite to eat.

Friday- I am going out of town with my sister and mom!!

Makes and Bakes:
Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies
Beef Stroganoff for the family to eat while I am gone