I like to pretend...

...that we are normal!  But it's not true!  We are a wacky family mainly due to me and Brent.  But I'm okay with that.  Some people will see us as immature and they'd be right.  My girls alone tell me how weird I am and sometimes their friends don't "get me".  But hey, we each march to our own drummer, right?

I mean, both Brent and I are the babies of large families... we have that "baby" perspective.  I am growing to like who we are, now.  Where for years, I felt... well.... LESS.  Funny how losing my weight can help me feel like I am... MORE.

The other day, I got a great deal on some pre-cooked frozen shrimp.  So I made this stir-fry dinner (using cooking spray) with some veggies, 7 ounces of shrimp, and my "Wok with Me" orange glaze (which I can't find in Utah - only in Oregon) for my own "Orange Shrimp".  Yum.

Lastly, I wanted to post this picture I took from my back porch last night.  

We close on this house on Monday!!!  We had to take the leaning pergola down from our back porch and now we have this view of the mountain range at night.  The pic doesn't do justice to the colors that were there.  It was breathtaking!  I'm feeling very blessed.  

Take care, my friends.  Life is Good!!! XoxO ~Margene

How Did I Do?

We didn't have a single piece of candy or food item off plan through all of Halloween!!!  And you know what?  I didn't even miss it.  I think it helped that I already had decided NOT to so I didn't spend any time pondering the candy, looking at my kids' buckets of treats, or staring at the little cupcakes brought to us.... NOPE.  

In the past I would sometimes just "try" to stay on plan yet I still allow myself to think about the food I shouldn't eat or tempt myself until I finally snitched.  I just needed to STOP TEMPTING MYSELF.  That totally works!  I stop allowing the thought of eating it in my mind!  Get busy with other fabulous things!

And we did have something FABULOUS:  Yesterday we had a family over for a Halloween dinner of my Rosemary Ranch Chicken kabobs which was FABULOUS!  (I found the perfect timing to broil them:  5 minutes on one side, then 3 on the other and they come out so tender and moist!) 

The guests and kids all LOVED it!  Then we played Band Hero and Pit while the kids went trick or treating.  It was great focussing on fun instead of the candy and goodies.  Plus the lime/banana/coconut knox blox were a HIT to snack on!!

I'm choosing my LIFE over unhealthy foods!

 ~ Life is GOOD!! ~

NO Candy today - Who's with me?

Hi friends,

Okay, today is the big day... Halloween.  Happy Halloween to ya'll.  Today and building up to today, I have promised myself that I would NOT give in to Halloween Candy.  NOPE.

It wasn't that long ago that I was snitching more high calorie desserts here and there and was telling Brent how hard it is to NOT eat that stuff.  I told him I needed something to help me "take control".

He said something to me that made SO much sense.  He said "When you were on plan before you just did it!  You simply made that choice."  And he is right!  The truth is, when I really want to stick to my eating plan, then I DO!

So, it wasn't any certain thing, pill, therapy, etc. that I need to avoid my off plan foods, I simply need to get my head in gear and CHOOSE BEFOREHAND that it is NOT an option.  (See previous rationalizing post).  So far, no pieces of candy has passed my lips.

But I have enjoyed some awesome new knox blox flavors:  Lime/Banana/Coconut, and Raspberry/Mango!  I'm enjoying the food I do have, and then not focussing on food at all!

Below are some tips I liked from Dr. Anderson (co-founder of Take Shape For Life):


Well, there are a few helpful tips to remember when your sweet tooth is twitching…..

1. DO NOT buy any Halloween candy! Or, buy candy that you do not like. It is better to give out small packets of pretzels or play-do or fruit roll ups.
2. Keep in your mind that there will always be candy, but you are choosing to improve your health right now, and candy will not help you reach your goal!
3. Make your own fudge cycles by freezing the chocolate shakes.
4. Freeze crystal light for a fruity, candy-like desert.
5. Sugar free jell-o is a great candy-like snack (KNOX BLOX!!)
6. Do not stay at home on Halloween handing out your treats.  Instead, grab a bottle of water and take a nighttime walk around the neighborhood to take in all the ghoulish sights!
7. Bring healthy snacks to work (see Healthy Snack list) to keep from being tempted by candy in the office.
8. Cut up a Medifast bar and put it in a baggie.  Freeze it for a sweet treat later!
9. A great idea to help keep the piles of candy from going into your children’s body…Have them pick out 5 pieces of candy out of their bag and “buy” the rest of the bag from them for 10 dollars and then take them to the toy store to get a prize! Remember to throw the bags of candy away or give to a shelter!!!!!!
10. Stay in touch with your Health Coach, he or she can help you stay strong

Remember, a great analogy is the concert pianist… If you were a child, and you wanted to be a concert pianist (primary goal) you would need to practice every day (secondary goal), and make choices that may not be your favorite (not get to play with friends, travel, lessons, miss parties, miss play dates, etc…) But… you would perform these secondary goals if it helps you to reach your primary goal.

Well, we are doing the same thing… our primary goal is to lose weight and get healthy.  Some secondary goals are…exercise daily, drink water, stay away from extra carbohydrates and starches, do not drink alcohol, possibly decide not to go to some parties, and do not eat Halloween candy!  And we will make these secondary choices because it will help us to reach what is most important to us right now… to lose weight, feel great, and to look and be healthy!!

Halloween 2007 and then 2011

Three P's...

 A new favorite snack or mini-meal I've been enjoying has been to take my low fat cottage cheese and add a little dill weed & garlic powder and then use it as a dip for my favorite veggies, like red peppers.  I love it!

I tried a yummy meal the other night.  I took some slices of tomatoes and put them in a pan on the stove and sprinkled some light cheddar cheese on them and then grilled them on both sides.  I added them to my simple chicken salad here and I was amazed at how TASTY it made it  The cheese and chicken were my lean -  and then salad, cucumbers and tomatoes my green.  The hubs loved it too.

 Our doggies are having fun whenever I fire up the treadmill in our room.  They love to walk on there with me and sometimes we get it going really fast and offer treats when they keep up the pace.  It makes us laugh our heads off to see these cute little wiener dogs just cruising it.

 One of our kitty’s (Tommy) got sick and had to be put down.  (A very sad story... deserves a separate post, really).  But Today we brought home a new kitty from the animal shelter and we named him Mango.  So we have Tango & Mango kitties, and Chloe and Zoey doggies.  Mango is so mild and has adjusted quickly.  Mango is on the left here and Tango is just meeting him and feeling a little apprehensive to have a new kitty in his territory.

It’s amazing how our pets have added to our lives so much and just a little over 3 months ago, we were in another state and had no pets.  Our lives have changed so much.  We really do love it here in Utah.  And..... we are actually set to close on our house within 2 weeks!  It’s taken endless months and countless prayers but it looks like it’s going to really happen.  

I’ve been thinking lately of three “P’s”. 

PERSISTENCE

PATIENCE

PRAYER

When I am struggling in any certain area, I usually need to pick up the slack in one of those 3 P’s.  It is extremely applicable to making decisions that affect my health as well.   I am well aware that the adversary is always trying to bring back my old habits, and to get me into negative thinking.  Sometimes we just have to look at how far we’ve come instead of only seeing little progress in the short range.  That is where persistence pays off.

I pray for my blogging friends who may be struggling and discouraged.  I pray that you will find the strength to be persistent and also to be patient with yourself and the results you are going for.

Smile!!  Life is good.  XOXO ~Margene

Heaven from Down Under!

This week we had a friend visit us from Australia!  It was his first time in America and we were thrilled to show him around.  He also brought gifts:  Cadbury chocolate and other chocolate treats from the land Down Under!!

I looked at Brent and we decided that we'd try a little of this rare treat.  And I have to tell you that I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!!  The choice to eat a bite or two (or three or four) was a conscious decision yet there ARE times when it's overwhelmingly tempting to eat some high calorie unhealthy food placed in front of me without thinking about it.

Here is what I found from my "Habits of Health" that I've adopted.  

It's the STOP, CHALLENGE, and CHOOSE method.

STOP - and think about your goal

CHALLENGE - yourself as to what is more important

CHOOSE - the choice that supports your goal.

This is what I do when I attach a mental picture of myself to every food choice.  One picture is of the morbidly obese me, the other is of the me at my goal weight.  I choose the food that supports that "goal" of my mental picture.  Makes it an easy choice.  (It's hard to rationalize when it's a blatant choice like that)

Dr. Anderson also has these steps to follow:

1. Identify the foods, situations, and feelings that trigger your bad habits.  Write them down.
2. Decide that you are going to learn to control them. Only work on one trigger at a time.
3. Stop, Challenge, Choose

Be conscious that there are always moments of temptation and then the decision will be made. And the decision maker is you.  The choice is yours to make.  It is a great feeling to be in charge of your self and your choices.

This week I made Broiled Tilapia Parmesan and it was pretty good.  I substituted olive oil for the butter and used less and my family enjoyed it.  

Then with our Australian guest, we made taco salad.  I used 93% fat free ground beef mixed with ground turkey for the taco meat.  While our kids used whole grain tortilla shells - we used iceburg lettuce to wrap our taco's in.  Another time we just put it on our bed of lettuce and added some salsa.  Delicious!

Weight Loss Story Highlighted on blog

I was recently contacted by Tiffany at Half Their Size and asked to answer some questions about my journey.  She is using this blog to document her own journey as well as highlight stories of those who've lost weight.  I thought that was a great idea for inspiration and encouragement and I was honored that she wanted my story.

Hop on over and check it out and maybe even share your own story!  :)

Making Meals

I am actually enjoying getting the hubs back on plan and how it helps me plan the meals and stay on plan myself.  We already know what our parameters are so it's not about tempting ourselves into eating certain foods.  I love that!

Today we did a Costco run and loaded up on lots of great lean meats and healthy veggies.  Our fridge and freezer is stocked and I have several meals I can plan.  I love that I only need to worry about the one meal.

The other day I made a huge batch of our Medifast muffins (that I actually do in a brownie pan) and have them all ready for the hubs.  And I pre-made my puddings (chocolate w/ sf PB syrup and banana w/ sf coconut syrup).  Not that the food need sf syrups, I just have gotten to where I love to explore new flavors. 

Then I made or chocolate peanut butter balls out of the Medifast hot cocoa and using pb2.  Then I freeze them and we pull them out and defrost when we want to eat them.  YUM.  I have that recipe posted in the "Medifast Recipe" tab above.  I love getting all prepared!

Two days ago, I made these egg, cheese and veggie frittatas.  Can you believe one whole pie pan of his is one complete "Lean and Green"?  So yummy, especially with salsa, and so filling.  I made them with 1.5 cups eggbeaters,  small sprinkle of low-fat cheese (1-2 ounces), 1/2 cup zucchini, 1/2 cup mushrooms, garlic powder, s/p -- mix altogether and pour into dish and bake for about 17 minutes at 350.  Eat with salsa.  (Beware, you may not be able to finish it!)

Last night I made Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs from this recipe and it was SOO delish!  I've made this before and was excited to make it again.  I like to use my yogurt based bolthouse ranch dressing because it's so creamy and low in calories and fat.  That rosemary ranch sauce in this recipe is SO good.  I only had zucchini and one bell pepper on hand so those were the veggies I used.  I usually skewer the meats and veggies on different sticks because the meat often takes longer to cook.

     Before baking (we have no grill right now)                      After baking

Today I am happy with myself.  You see, we don't watch TV but we do have Netflix and so I've started watching the "Lost" series.  When I take a break or eat a meal, I'll sit in next to my bed and watch it on our Google TV.  Sometimes I'll sit for 2 episodes - long after my meal is done!  I've been tellling myself that this is not acceptable, so I procured this free used treadmill today and had Brent move the chair next to my bed and  put that treadmill there!  Now, if I want to sit and watch my little TV series, then I've got be walking on that treadmill.  If I want to watch 2 episodes, that's fine, as long as I'm walking on that treadmill!  Yes, it takes up more room and isn't the most decorative, but hey, it gets me moving!  I feel so genius!

So now its Brent who has a chair on his side.  Maybe I should find him a good used Gazelle somewhere and surprise him!!  (tee hee)

And now I leave you with a couple pics of our newest in-house super heroes!  These are our little doxies, Zoey and Chloe, and they really add so much fun and spark to our home! 

Chloe is a little more hesitant about being a hero if you can tell on her face, though.  :)

Have a fabulous, on plan, positive, lots of water drinking weekend!!  XOXO ~Margene

PS - Life is GOOOOOOD!

Rationalization

I have been realizing how much this little word has contributed to my obesity in my past and how it tries to take over my thoughts at times even now.  On dictionary.com, the first definition of rationalize is:  

to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that superficially seem reasonable and valid but that actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious and often less creditable or agreeable causes.

This is a key way that I have sabotaged myself, by basically deceiving myself or allowing myself to be deceived in my choices of what I eat.  It’s those thoughts like:  This is the last one, I’ll go exercising later and burn these calories off, I’ll start fresh tomorrow, I really deserve this, I’ve had a hard day, it’s just a small bite, it won’t hurt, and on and on.   

First and foremost, I’ve had to FACE the fact that I have rationalized my eating choices and that it is NOT ACCEPTABLE anymore.  In my mind, I’ve even decided to attach a picture of myself to every food choice.  A healthy, on-plan choice will be an image of me at my goal weight and remembering how great it feels.  A high-calorie, unhealthy, off-plan food choice will be an image of the past morbidly obese me that was in constant pain and full of self-loathing.  The me I NEVER want to go back to.  

With each food choice, I am choosing one or the other!  

THAT is the plain reality!

The fact is (in my opinion), that the feeling of having no control is a deception!  The feelings of being out of control or not being able to conquer a craving or bad choice are real feelings but not based in truth or reality.  the TRUTH is, we have a choice!  I have a choice as to what I eat, what I think, what I focus on, and how I choose to steer my life.  We each have MORE control over our lives than we may realize.

For me, this journey of losing weight and getting into a healthier lifestyle has been even MORE a spiritual journey.  I am working on giving into the desires of my spirit over the desires of my body (mind over matter).  It’s about “bridling” the appetites and desires (cravings, sabotaging thoughts, etc.) of my physical body and allowing my spirit and the influence God (my Creator) to guide my choices in what is best for me.  This is why prayer has been my secret weapon in overcoming.  I need to remember that even now!

So those have been my thoughts as of late... as I continually refocus and realign myself to my healthy habits.  I will not give in to thoughts of having no control like I used to in my past.  I’ve seen for myself that I DO have power to control my thoughts and my choices.

Here is a simple plan that is working for me:

1. Keep unhealthy (high fat, high calorie) trigger foods OUT of the house and/or OUT of view completely!
2. Keep lots of healthy on-plan food choices in my house and readily available.  Plan ahead of time for going out.  Keep healthy snacks with me when out of the house.
3. Drinks LOTS of water!
4. Pray every day for strength to overcome temptations & negative thoughts.
5. Find ways everyday to be active and move my body.

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On a new note - my husband has started back on the Take Shape For Life Plan and we are excited to help him get down to his goal weight!  He lost 100 pounds in our quest to change our lives but didn’t quite get to his goal.  Then he had to move to Utah for 5 months while the rest of us were in Oregon preparing for the move.  With all he suffers from stress and us being several states apart, he put on some of his pounds he lost (20-30).  So now that we are back together and settled, it’s time to focus on him.  So much of the focus has been on me and getting to my goal weight, having my surgery, running my first 5k, keeping up with my blog, etc.  It’s now his time to continue this journey and reach his goal - and then BOTH maintain.

I realize so much moreso now, how much choice and control I DO have over my life.  To change things takes EFFORT and WORK, and sometimes we shrink from that.  But then down the road, we’ve often only created more work.  NOW is the time to take control of our lives!  We are worth living a happy and healthy life.  If you don’t like your circumstances, then CHANGE them.  If you don’t feel that you can, then write down what you need to do and your goals, write down a plan of action and then PRAY everyday to be able to do that.  I know for myself that God hears our prayers and does grant us power to overcome our trials!

Rainbow we saw the other day while driving - it goes right into the lake!  Gorgeous! 

Life is good and SOOO worth it!  One good choice at at time.  

XOXO ~Margene

Maintenance Meals

For me, I am thinking that I need to view every meal as a "maintenance meal".  Yes, I can splurge when I give myself permission every once in a (long) while, but for the most part, I aim to have my meals:

1. Small in portion

2. Balanced in healthy fats, protein, complex carbs & nutrition

3. Every 3 hours or so

And to drink LOTS of water.  Water is SO KEY to losing weight and maintaining a good weight and health!  The days I've forgotten this and not had much water have really affected my hunger level as well as my energy level.  I am trying to keep that water bottle by me at all times and chug away!

Here is a one of my meals from last week:

A little cup of low fat cottage cheese with fresh pineapple along with half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on my own whole grain wheat bread.   Yum!  (No, I did not eat the sandwich with the fork!)

What are your favorite "maintenance" type meals you can share with me?

I am up way too late...

I had to get something printed for my girls before school tomorrow so I came to my computer and I've been on here for like 3 hours!  You know how it is, the house is quiet and I actually have time for myself.  So I thought I'd take the time to read some blogs and write a post of my own.

I've been reading my blog list posts but haven't commented as much as I used to.  I hope all my blogger friends still know I keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Life is so different and fun and crazy and hectic.  I would love to have a best friend here to call and talk about things more often.  I find that I crave that interaction and relating.  Yet, I am blessed with wonderful friends who tolerate my ramblings and long emails.

Having teens is so much fun, yet it requires SO much emotional effort than when they were little.  I have so much more appreciation for my own sweet mother and all she did for me, most of which I did not recognize or truly appreciate until now.  I can see that in my own teens now.  But they are good kids with strong amazing spirits and I feel blessed to be their mother.

My younger daughter is taking a foods class at school and she is learning to make some tasty things.  Things like cookies, brownies, cobblers, pancakes, etc.  I have already been guilted into eating some of her delicious creations here at home.

The other day she made cookies and then rainbow cupcakes.  All night I thought about how I knew I would eat way too many of those if they were in the house.  So I got up early and wrapped all those cookies in little containers and all the cupcakes in a paper bowl.  Then,  as my kids and husband left for school and work, they each got a goodie bundle to share with their friends and co-workers.

How Brilliant is that?  I felt so good!  I had successfully thwarted myself from the oppressing GUILT I would have felt AFTER I would have eaten most if not all those sugar bombs had they been left in the house.  I was FREE to enjoy my day eating only healthy foods.

Or so I thought...

When my older daughter got home from school, I asked her if she enjoyed sharing the cookies I sent.  Now this daughter LOVES to share treats with friends so I was sure she'd have a fun story to tell.  But she only shared two cookies and pretty much forgot about the rest of them.  I thought she ate the rest herself... but no, they were there in her back pack.

OH NO!!!

DANGER!!!

I was really HUNGRY when she told me that.

Drat!  Those cookies were enjoyed by me with a glass of milk and devoured in less than 5 minutes.  They were so good.  And then I didn't feel so successful anymore.  I think my feelings of brilliancy got swallowed with the cookies and milk. (At least it was fat free milk)

If I would have paused for a few minutes to think before I dived into her back pack, I COULD HAVE saved them for when my son got home and quickly gave them to him.  Or gone out and tried to find some neighbors I haven't met and introduced myself and gave them the cookies.  Heck, we have dogs now so I could have given them to the dogs (except they shouldn't eat choc. chips).  I could even have crumbled them up and shoved them down my disposal yet that seems kind of wasteful.  They did have some of my whole wheat flour in them.  So maybe they were kind of healthy?

No.  I can't buy that.

But anyway.  Alas, I am so evidently human that I can only laugh.  Laughing is funner than crying and crying just gives me a headache anyway!  I certainly don't need a headache.

I think I will encourage my daughter to learn to make main dish meals now.  Ones that are healthy and nutritious.  I certainly would love to taste test those ones.  But I am happy she is learning and getting excited about actually doing something in the kitchen.  What's a mom to do?

Saturday, my older daughter and I are going on a bike ride with some other young women clear up the valley on a 15 mile trek.  I am looking forward to that.

Have a healthy and fabulous weekend my friends.  Remember to PLAN ahead and make good healthy choices!!  You are worth that.  Life is good!  XOXO ~Margene

I used it finally...

My food storage that is!  The other day, Brent said that I ought to get out my wheat grinder which has been in storage for over a decade and only used once, and grind some of our wheat from our food storage to make some bread.  This was after I bought a bread machine at a yard sale for only $2.  Normally, I'd think I don't have time for that, but this time, I thought it was a fabulous idea!

 You know what?  Yard sales here here in Utah have WAY CHEAP stuff compared to Oregon!!  So, the next week I picked up another bread machine for $2.  (So I have two now) I've been grinding my own wheat and making my own bread now for over a week!  I feel like such a good mommy and wife!  :)  Good healthy bread these days are so expensive so I know I'm saving us some money, too!

And oh, how good that bread tastes without preservatives and with fresh, simple ingredients!  No high fructose corn syrup and no "enriched flour" but all good stuff!  My kids don't know how lucky they are.  I've also added a couple tablespoons of flaxseed in them for some good fiber too.

I even have used my freshly ground wheat flour in making some Pumpkin Pancakes!  Wow, they were good.  Add a little Walden Farms Sugar free syrup and they were to die for!  I got this recipe from my friend at Pocket Full of Pink (way cute crafts) where she posted this Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes recipe - and I just changed the bananas to a can of pumpkin.  This is really worth trying!

Today, I made a favorite of Brent's that I haven't made since before our weight loss journey.  And that is roasted potatoes!  I mixed them with some onions and used this recipe, and baked them laid out on a cookie sheet at 375 for about 50 minutes and they were so yummy.  Brent loved them!

I also made baked chicken using this marinade recipe and it was very tasty.  I marinaded them for several hours and then baked them on the broiler rack for about 25 min. at 350.  I like using recipes that have lots of good ratings and feedback. :)

One day at a time... one healthy choice at a time.  All things in MODERATION!  And move your body MORE!  That's my mantra this week.  God bless you my friends!  XOXO ~Margene

PS - Life is GOOD! :)

Choices

We had our first real “vacation” type experience this year just yesterday as we took our kids to LAGOON amusement park.  The last time we were there was in 2007 - 4 years ago.  We scoured the park all day long and stayed until closing and had a fabulous time that we didn’t want to end.  We stayed through the heat and then the rain until they kicked us out!

                                      

Lagoon 2007                                                  Lagoon 2010

LAST time I was there in 2007, I remember NOT going on most of the rides and being TIRED much of the time.  THIS time it was a blast!  We went from thrill ride to thrill ride and I even rode the coaster “Wicked” which I was too scared to even think about last time.  I rode it with my girls 3 times.  

What a rush!  I really think I could get into thrill coasters.  Now I’m thinking about planning a trip to Magic Mountain!  After going on a ride called the Spider with the kids, I was running and skipping down the exit way towards my husband and put my hands in the air like it was a party.  When I got to him and we hugged, he whispered to me, “You are so young!”  That made me feel good.  I’m glad he didn’t say “You are so immature” even though that is closer to the truth!  lol

I am finding that everyday is about CHOICE.  One bad choice (or several) need not continue or discount good choices OR determine my next choice.  I really love this quote that Christine put on her post a while back and I’d like to share it here:

Whether we're on the path toward victory or defeat is determined by the very next choice we make. Not the choices from yesterday. Not the choices five minutes ago. The next choice. Our very next choice. May it be that of an overcomer.

by Lysa Terkeurst

Every day I start fresh with my healthy food choices.  I refuse to be a statistic!  I truly believe it’s possible to keep this weight off and maintain a healthy lifestyle, even when life gets hard and stressful.  Being healthy makes it easier to handle the stresses of life!  I’m still counting my blessings.  Life is good!

  

Chicken salad with cottage cheese           Salad with chicken meatballs (and hot sauce)

Here are some of our dinners (lean and greens) we had the other day.  Yummy.