We're finally losing weight and it's not hard!

A few friends have asked what I've been doing with food. I've finally been losing weight after years of trying. It's coming off slow and steady, which is great!

This is the way I'll eat forever. It's not a diet.

Small meals, 5- 6 times a day...protein at almost every meal, lots of veggies, one or two whole grains a day.

Here's some examples of choices I make:

Breakfast....

Some form of protein, about the size of my fist. (I do not add a grain here, and it seems to make a difference.)

some of the choices---chicken/turkey burger/even an occasional turkey sausage/2 eggs/ a large bowl of fat free cottage cheese

Lunch......

Usually a Large spinach salad with really good dressing (I like Eltorito --pepito dressing)

I add crushed corn chips and shaved parmesean cheese for protein. Sometimes I add grapes to the salad....love that with Ranch and Cheddar...yum. Of course, added veggies are good. Love the bags of organic broccoli slaw.

Another option I have used is a bunch of broccoli slaw spread flat on a pan. Then cover with seasoned scrambled eggs....sort of like healthy egg fu yung.

snack.....

this is a true confession....usually a homemade, cafe mocha with organic whip cream ..um, yah!
Another good one is fruit. I love an apple with peanut butter.

dinner.....

a regular dinner....1 protein, large vegie serving, 1 grain (no white flour, corn, potatoe,sugar, etc.--- at least while I'm trying to loose)

around 9:00....another small meal....this varies..usually something small and easy....celery with p.b., carrots with ranch, toast, or leftovers from dinner.

before sleep...around midnight for me.

either a really yummy salad again, or toast with p.b., or believe it or not, cheese chips.

I eat whatever on Sundays. I usually have a half of my favorite dark chocolate bar. This keeps me going and does not mess me up. I also do celebrations, provided they're not happening every day. Since it's a lifetime commitment, I don't have to stress over a few celebrations.

Sometimes there are weeks where I don't loose, but then I get more careful, and start loosing again. Little additions do make a difference,and it is also important not to skip meals. If I skip a meal, or don't eat enough veggies, my cravings kick in and the self-control goes out the window.

Eating small meals frequently helps keep cravings down, but not if you don't eat enough.

I also like mocha chocolate kashi bars. I keep them in the car for when I'm supposed to eat and I can't get to food. By the way, fast food is usually pretty high calorie, so watch out! I try to aim for about 200-300 calories a meal.

My husband did a similar plan with pre-packaged stuff. It worked for him and now he's transitioned to regular food and keeping the weight off. He has a company that he might work with to help his patients with finding easy food for this type of plan. Let me know if you have any other questions or ideas!

Here's a funny video to celebrate the feast....Eggs! Meat! Cheese!

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17 good years

My husband and I are married 17 years this Sunday. We're visiting St. Barbara's monestary to celebrate and we're staying at my Mom and Dad's house! This all sounds ironic I suppose for an Anniversary celebration, but Mom treats us real well and the Monestary is a great place to be...very welcoming. They are so good to the kids too. We love being there.

Tag you're it

RULES:1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.2. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I want my kids to learn cursive before print.
2. I often get my news from Jay Leno.
3. If I had to work, I would like to teach art classes to kids in my own home.
4. I have dishes in my sink and I'm blogging anyway.
5. I would like to study Byzantine chant with an expert chanter.
6. If you like dark chocolate, I can give you some really good recommendations.
7. I like planning parties.
8. I seriously need a live in maid.
9. I'm a wannabe crafter, 'cause I rarely get to it. I want to do quilts/ mosaics/ knitting/ felting/ soap making and others.
10. I have 3 dogs, 2 rabbits, 1 bird, and 1 cat, and I'm not an "animal lover." It's amazing what we end up doing for our kids.

Anybody have hints for tightening your budget? I need to make some cuts and would love to hear some creative or basic ideas.

Party food

Yummy party sausage.....slit the sausage without cutting all the way through. Add mustard of your choice. Stuff each sausage with 3 pitted prunes. wrap with bacon. Broil 15 minutes turing around half way through. Cut each sausage into 3 pieces and spear with toothpicks. from Outdoor Food.

Mama's been busy

Planning parties in May. We had a fun party for John. A breakfast at the beach with friends. It was really nice. We had two families with us, as well as my parents. We had boiled eggs, fresh bagels, lots of fruit, sausage, and juice. The beach was almost empty...really nice. John loves to build sand castles, Christopher and Sam had a great time body surfing, and Katherine loves the edge of the water. Happily, my Mom helps out. It was nice to hang out with a friends and family.

Katherine's party this week was at a local farm. We had snacks and spent time with the animals. Katherine was so cute when Mom gave her a dress at home. She was spreading it out and looking at it from every angle. At the party, she decided the tissue paper was a blanket for her doll.

The animals were They were just like dogs and even sort of barked. The cows scared the kids....too loud, and we saw them milk the cows. That was fun. It was a really nice day. Simple and fun.

Next...the wedding shower!

John, told me this morning, "Mom, one good thing can mean many Joys. Like my trash truck. I liked it. Now Katherine likes it....one bad thing can mean many joys, like pushing out a baby. Many joys...like Katherine."