I'm a little nutty!

Yes, it's true.  I'm nutty...over nuts.  I've really started to incorporate nuts in a lot of things lately.  If you're allergic, then disregard this entire post. 

Nuts in moderation can actually be very good for you.  What am I talking about?

The benefits of nuts can include:

1) They are good for your heart (check out the Mayo Clinic)
2) They help to curb your appetite (listed here in ways to curb your appetite)
3) They help to increase your fiber intake (a list of foods to help with fiber can be found here)
4) They are a natural weight loss food (as seen here)
5) They are a good source of protein and minerals (as found here)

To eliminate some of the sodium in my diet, I tend to opt for the dry/unsalted varieties if I can.  My favorite go-to nuts/seeds right now are almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seed kernels.  I've started putting a half serving in my oatmeal in the morning, along with another half a serving on my salad for lunch.  If I have calories to spare, I may sprinkle a few on my dinner salad too.

Yes, they can be expensive, but if you are portioning them correctly, they should last for a while.  I picked up a large bag of unsalted almonds at Sam's Club and it lasts me several months.  The walnuts I picked up in a large bag *on sale* at Fry's and that has lasted me over a month as well.  Sunflower seeds are a bit less expensive and are a fun treat on a salad.  Yum! 

I'd imagine if you're nutty, like me, you might like to stir in some chopped nuts in your yogurt.  Where else do you incorporate nuts/seeds in your diet?  Do you eat them by themselves or with something?

It's good to be nuts over nuts.

Problems with weight loss...

Weight and being over weight is such a huge sensitive issue for so many people.  I just wanted to let everyone know that it is so individual to each person.  There are so many reasons why people struggle with weight.  Reasons can include:  a medical reason *a thyroid disorder, diabetes, or something else*, their budget is tight, or any other number of reasons someone can come up with.

My reasons for being overweight include:  laziness, a tight budget, allowing far too many treats, knowing that my hubby loves me regardless of size, and being 'comfortable' in my ways.

My reasons for losing the weight include, but are not limited to:  wanting to be healthy for myself and  family, wanting to be in pictures with my kids instead of always being behind the camera, not wanting to be out of breath when I chase after my children, setting a healthy example for my children, staying away from the diabetic diagnosis for a while longer *since it is so prevalent in my family history it's still a possibility*, knowing that I was unhappy in my own skin, and feeling like I am desirable to my hubby.

Why am I posting about this?  I can give advice, I can be the best cheerleader, I can blog helpful tips, and share my journey, but really, weight loss is individual.  My food choices may not be your food choices.  That's okay.  My methods may not be your methods, and that's okay too.  Sadly, I can't lose the weight for you, and no offense, wouldn't want to lose it for you either.  I think when you have a long way to go, the journey is what gives you strength.  The only one that can lose your weight is you.

If you're not happy where you're at, maybe it's time to make those thoughts of "I think I might be able to do it" and change them into a solid, "I'm going to do it...no excuses!"  Can your reasons for losing weight outweigh your reasons for being overweight?  If they can, then get moving...NO EXCUSES!

The Skinny On Yogurt

I have decided that life without yogurt is terrible.  It's terrible indeed.  My girls eat yogurt like it's their job and I have now incorporated it into my daily diet as well.  I know there are some people that can't get past the thought of putting it in their mouth *my grandmother is one of those people that does not like the taste of yogurt.*  Everyone is different.

I'm not really particular on yogurt type/brand.  I usually get what I can that's on sale or is cheaper than what's available at other stores.  I've recently branched out into Greek yogurt *within the last 4-5 months or so*.  I found out that the reason why it's more expensive is because they have to use more milk.  More milk = more cost for the consumer.

The brands you may see at the store are:

1.) Fage
2.) Chobani
3.) Oikos
4.) Yoplait
5.) Brown Cow

I know that there are several others, but these are the ones that I've tried.  And, believe it or not, all Greek yogurt is not created equal by any shape or form.  Out of the ones that I've listed, Yoplait is my least favorite.  The others have grown on me and I've been able to tweak them to my needs *especially if I get the plain variety and throw my own fruit in it.*  And, to be honest, I have one container of Yoplait left in the fridge, and the only reason I got it was because it was free.  I'm not too sure I'd buy it again.

When all else fails, and Greek yogurt is not on sale, I'll get the light variety of Activia, Yoplait Light, or the Kroger brand light/carb watching yogurt.  For me, what it really comes down to is, the healthy flora that yogurt promotes in your digestive track.  Also, yogurt is a great way to get some dairy into my diet as well.

What are some ways that you get calcium into your diet?  What's your favorite dairy item?  I'd also be interested to hear what you do if you're lactose intolerant...how do you get calcium into your diet?

Feeling more like me!

This past week, my beloved hubby cut me loose to visit my family for a week...alone.  And when I say alone, I mean alone.  By myself.  Sans children.  Me, myself and I.  Yes, he stayed home for a week, also alone, with all 3 girls and played daddy.  No he didn't 'babysit'...he played daddy for 24/7.  I had to laugh daily at his status, "It is now noon on day X of 7 being a single dad. All three kids are still alive!"  Ha!  He did fine.

My time away was busy, but good.  We celebrated my mom's 60th birthday the day after I arrived.  That night, we took my grandmother to the ER where I insisted that they do something more for her.  Don't mess with an angry redhead!  I went to breakfast to see a dear friend of mine that morning, and she said, "Why aren't you allowing yourself to enjoy your vacation?"  *Or something along those lines.*  I would love nothing more than to let loose for a week and not care about what I eat, but unfortunately, it takes a lot for me to get back on track.  So, I just don't even entertain that thought.  I also exercised while I was home.  I took my Slim in 6 and my band with me. 

The rest of the week was filled with seeing who I could in a limited time.  I feel like I should be alone for several weeks in order to fit everyone in.  Hubby's grandma was surprised to see me.  I spent time with my mother-in-law as well.  As usual, it seemed too short.  For a brief moment, I thought about staying a bit longer to help with my grandmother since she's still in severe pain.  She goes in for an MRI on Wednesday.

While home, I had some pictures taken by a friend.  I did them in part as a celebration for getting to goal, and in part, for my sweet hubby.  You can snag a glimpse by looking at my profile picture.  You can also see my friend's work here.

After a week, I feel more like myself.  And wow!  Ten days without riding my bike and I felt like a wimp this morning.  Sheesh! 

So where are you at?  Are you staying the course, even if it's hard?

Take that scale and....

...*you fill in the blank*.

Are you sick and tired?  Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Yeah,  I get it.

Are you letting the scale determine how you feel about yourself?  I often do.  It's hard not to.  In an effort to encourage others, I found this article.  It totally spoke to me.

I think I project my thoughts of others onto myself.  Or my perceived thoughts of others.  Does that even make sense?  I try to 'know' what they are thinking and how they feel about me.  Maybe that's why when my hubby and I are out in public and some random guy 'hits' on me, I don't see it.  My hubby sees it because he sees me for who I really am, not who I see myself as. 

Why do I care what others think of me?  Or how they see me?  When I walk through the grocery store, I often think about if I run into someone I know, what will they think of what I have in my cart?  Or the cashiers.  If they've noticed the amount of weight I've lost *which most of the women who work at our store have*...what will they think of what I have on the belt?  Crazy, right?  Or is it?

Part of this mentality is because we live in a small town.  Everyone 'knows' everyone else.  You generally can't go to the store *which is the only one in town and the only one between Flagstaff and probably Kingman on I40* without seeing at least one person you know.  So, it's a hot spot per se.  And, I might be guilty of checking out other people's carts or the stuff they put on the belt.  I might even *gasp* compare the stuff in their cart/or the stuff on the belt to how the person looks.  Smite me now!!!  Shameful, huh?  Please tell me I'm not the only one?  Please also tell me what an awful person I am!!

In knowing how I am, I think I imagine other people doing the same to me.  It's only fair, right?  So where am I going with this?  We just have this poor 'relationship' with the scale.  The scale is an extension of how we feel and how we feel others look at us.

So, how do we break this cycle?  I'm not really sure.  If I figure out, I'll let you know.  I think we are all creatures of habit, and this is just part of it.  But, if you have the answer...I'd love to hear it!  In the meantime, don't beat yourself up!

More signs of spring!

After our two feet of snow just a few short weeks ago, the weather has begun to return to the weather that we caught a glimpse of just before the snow.  According to the weather 'man', we should be getting up to 68 on Easter which is huge.  Normally we're getting more snow or the sun is out, but the air is cold.

When I questioned my hubby about the possibility of getting a bike/bike trailer in my seductive usual way, he really wasn't sure about whether or not this would be a wise decision.  To sweeten the deal, I suggested that this would be an excellent way for this one-car family to be more car free *at least for me and the girls* this summer.  If he had to go to work early, it would be okay because we'd have the bikes!  Work late?  It's okay...we've got our bikes!  So after all of my seducing pursuading, he agreed.

I ordered both this past Thursday, picked up the bike trailer at Wally-world yesterday, and my bike arrived today.  Yes, it took me an hour to put what little bit had to be put together, together, but it was a lot of picky things.  After getting it all set up, air put in the tires of the bike trailer, getting the bike trailer attached to the bike, getting water bottles, and everyone situated, we were off!  The oldest kiddo and my shortest were with me.  The oldest road her bike and well shorty...was in the trailer.  As we worked our way into 'town', my oldest kept saying, "Mom?  Can you slow down?"  Wow!  I didn't think I was going that fast, not to mention I was pulling a nearly 30 pound short person in a bike trailer.

We picked up middle kiddo.  I squeezed carefully adjusted the seatbelts so that both of the short people could sit in the trailer together.  It was snug pleasantly cozy and they both enjoyed the ride home.  All told, I burned just shy of 300 calories for that trip.

This is what my new 'ride' and trailer look like:

My sweet little girls.

My ride and the trailer.  Oh the endless possibilities this summer!

After the shortest took her nap, we went out again.  This time, we went to the park.  On our way, the oldest asked if we would be able to ride to the pool for our swim lessons.  Umm...YES!  This second ride earned me 300 calories.  I have to say, that this has been a very fun and enjoyable day.  The only complaint that I got from either of the big girls was that I was going to fast, but with middle kiddo riding her bike the second time out, I went a lot slower.

I truly can't wait to get out and ride again tomorrow.

Baked Apple Casserole

I've always wanted to come up with something of my own.  I can honestly say that I did not pull this from a recipe.  I even remembered to keep track of the ingredients that I was using.  I just realized how yummy this would be if you served it over ice cream, but maybe use a half serving instead of a full one.  Also, I got two thumbs up from both of the big girls and hubby.

Here it is:

Baked Apple Casserole

Ingredients:
3 pounds Granny Smith Apples (peeled, cored & sliced)
1/3 c + 1 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar (or regular depending on taste)
1/4 c raisins
2 tsp cinnamon & nutmeg (enough for sprinkling or to taste)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Peel all of your apples. Core and slice enough apples to cover the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Sprinkle with Splenda brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Core and slice more apples to create another layer. Again, sprinkle with Splenda brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Repeat one last time, topping with the 1/4c of raisins. Place uncovered in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until you've reached desired doneness.  Stir to coat the apples and allow the raisins to be throughout.  Serve warm *I think it tastes better that way.*

Serving size = 1/2c
P+ per serving = 4