Monday, January 28, 2013

Take it off Monday | Week 3

I didn't want to step on the scale this morning let alone write this blog post. I just knew I hadn't lost any weight. But that wouldn't be very honest to my self or to this blog. There will always be set backs and with two toddlers and a husband who is gone twelve hours of the day, maintaining a regular exercise routine is just darn tough. And then there was the freezing, wet, and grey weather that just makes you want to curl up on the couch with something sweet to eat and yummy to drink or yummy to eat and sweet to drink ( I promise I didn't do that). This week I am happy I didn't gain and I will leave it at that.



Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs
Weight left to lose: 18 lbs
First Goal: 10 pounds 
  • Reward: Mani/Pedicure
Second Goal: 15 pounds
  • Reward: Massage
Final Goal: 20 pounds
  • Reward: New Bag
Success: Making fairly healthy meals, drinking lots of water
Set-Backs: Being really tired and a little down due to the yucky winter weather
Exercise: 1 video...My goal for this week is 5!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Book Review | The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

I've never written a book review, and perhaps this doesn't even count because I have not finished the book, but I must share how much I love this one. A couple Sunday's ago, one of the Pastors at our church mentioned a story book Bible he recently purchased for his grandchildren. I tapped on John's shoulder asking him to make a note in his iPhone of the author so we could look it up. About a week later, the same book came up on one of the blogs I follow. I knew I needed to get this book.



The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Loyd-Jones is wonderful. Written for children ages 4 and up, this book tells the stories of the Bible in an entertaining and easy-to-understand fashion. The illustrations provided by Jago are vibrant and a perfect accompaniment. Each individual tale is written in a way to demonstrate how every story in the Bible fits together to tell one greater story, the story of Jesus. How the early books of the Bible tell of His coming and the later books fulfill that promise.

Every nap time and bed time each of my kids gets to pick a story. This book is always chosen both times by my four year old. He loves it and cannot get enough of it, often wanting to read more than one story from its pages at a time. He already recognizes the connection of each story to Jesus and excitedly says,"Just like Jesus!" when we finish.

As an adult I too am enjoying reading Loyd-Jones' book. It effectively summarizes the same passages I read each day as I work through The One Year Bible on my Kindle. If you are looking for a storybook Bible either to introduce Jesus to your family or to accompany your family's devotional time, I strongly encourage you to buy this book.  

Monday, January 21, 2013

Take it Off Monday | Week 2

So I didn't loose any weight this week, but I didn't gain any either. Considering that I had raging PMS (John could probably attest to that) and gorged myself of buffalo chicken dip and beer yesterday, I think that's pretty good. I stuck to my plan of not drinking alcohol during the week and, in addition to cutting out the extra calories, I think I'm sleeping better too. John and I also worked out together 3 evenings this week. I really enjoy working out together for two reasons. Number one, he is a great motivator. Number 2, its a great way to spend the evenings doing something worthwhile, rather than plopping down in front of the TV.

Johns 49ers won their game yesterday. For them that means they are going to the Superbowl. For me that means I have a couple weeks to loose a few more pounds before I make the super yummy buffalo chicken dip again! In case you're interested, I've posted the recipe below.

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup FRANK'S® REDHOT® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or FRANK'S® REDHOT® Buffalo Wing Sauce
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups diced cooked chicken. (I roasted a chicken and used the breast meat but you can use 2 cans canned chicken too)
DIRECTIONS:
HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.
MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.
BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.



Weight loss this week: 0 lbs (ahem, did you see the recipe above?)
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs
Weight left to lose: 18 lbs
First Goal: 10 pounds 
  • Reward: Mani/Pedicure
Second Goal: 15 pounds
  • Reward: Massage
Final Goal: 20 pounds
  • Reward: New Bag
Success: Working out 3 days this week, still not drinking alcohol during the week
Set-Backs: Beer and snacks during the game on Sunday
Exercise: Video three evenings this week. My goal for this week is 5!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Take it off Monday | Week 1

I lost 2 pounds! Whoo hoo! Want to know my secret? I actually did nothing! Well, that's not quite true. What I should say is that it is not about anything I did, but what I specifically did not do.

Let me back track. I'll admit that I love wine. I really enjoy a fine wine. John and I discovered an excellent local wine during our anniversary dinner a few months back--Veramar Vineyard's 2010 Cabernet Franc. I even like to partake in a good cheap wine. Sometimes, yes sometimes that one glass of wine will turn into several which translates into lots of empty calories. So, this week I didn't have any wine. Not. One. Drop. And you know what? I didn't even miss it. Now part of that could be due to the fact that the kids and I were suffering from a horrid cold, and I just collapsed into my bed every evening, but it is obvious I don't need those extra calories during the week.

I've also decided to set some goals and rewards for myself in regards to weight loss. I've taken this idea from Jenni who writes a fantastic blog. She and I were pregnant with both our kids at the same time and it is fun for me to keep up with her life. She is one fun and inspirational gal!



Weight loss this week: 2 lbs 
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs
Weight left to lose: 18 lbs
First Goal: 10 pounds 
  • Reward: Mani/Pedicure
Second Goal: 15 pounds
  • Reward: Massage
Final Goal: 20 pounds
  • Reward: New Bag
Success: Losing first 2 pounds and cutting wine during the week
Set-Backs: 
Exercise: Nothing yet due to horrible cold (excuses, excuses, right?)

Monday, January 7, 2013

Take it off Monday: Day 1

Remember my first post of the year? I disclosed how I do not like resolutions because so many of us find ourselves right back where we started when the year comes to an end. We beat ourselves up because of it. Well, that's me. Four countless years now I have been resolving to "Lose 20 pounds," "Get back to a size 6/8/10," "Fit into my skinny jeans." And guess what? It hasn't happened. Yes, I  had two babies back to back, but I can only use that as an excuse for so long. And if I am really honest with myself, I looked better when I was nursing and following a no dairy and no booze diet.

So, this is it...Day 1 of my journey to become more happy with my self and for me that means seeing a smaller number on the scale. I'm not yet sure what that number will be. I keep telling myself it is less about the actual number and more about how I feel, but I'll be honest, twenty fewer pounds would be great!

Let's call this my before picture:


What? Were you expecting a swimsuit shot?

Friday, January 4, 2013

Fab Find Friday | Nursery Decor

A TON of women I know are having babies. And ladies, in addition to everything else going through your head, you have have nurseries to plan and birth announcements to think about. My best friend had her second son back in June and these gems, designed by her brother-in-law, came in the mail as a gift for her new addition and first son too.


Aren't they the best! I've never seen anything like them before. Hopefully there will be a girl-bot design to follow...hint, hint. If interested in purchasing your own one of a kind print contact Walter Soza

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Resolve

Resolve

1. to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine
2. to break up or disintegrate.
(Dictionary.com)

A new year starts today. So many of us think of New Years as a time for change, a chance to do something that will somehow make us a better person in our own eyes or in the eyes of others. Many resolutions will be made today for 2013. "Lose Weight," "Find Love," "Learn to be a better _____."  It saddens me that in 350 or so more days most of us will be beating ourselves up about which resolutions we failed to accomplish and find ourselves making the same resolutions on the eve of 2014 because we are once again unhappy with something about our selves from 2013.

Last year often found me browsing Facebook and scouring Pinterest. I Literally spent hours collecting projects, crafts, designs, patterns, schedules and exercises in order to find ways or things which might make me a better mom, wife, or woman. For a time I found myself getting anxious about all the crafts and teachable moments I should be having with my kids. I have commented on events and milestones in others' lives on Facebook wondering, "how does that mom/dad do it all," or "that's what I should be doing!" and then feeling guilty because of it. A pastor at our church shared with us one Sunday, "Comparison only leads to pride or discontent." Why do I put myself through that?

So for 2013 my goal is to be happy with my SELF--the person God made and who He wants me to be. I need to stop thinking about all the things I should do or become to be "better," and focus on what I am good at and who I am really. I think I was a darn good person before Pinterest came along--we all were. And while a new year does provide a clean slate for us, so too does every day. Every day we have a chance to enjoy life and be present in it. Every day we can thank God for who we are. Now I'm not saying we shouldn't aim to loose a few pounds (raising hand) or not utilize social networking, but we shouldn't let it be who we are. A resolution shouldn't be what defines us for a year or let it be what breaks us down.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Grace and another year to learn what that means for me. I pray that I can become truly happy with my Self and faithful that I am where You want me and living out my purpose in Your name. I pray that I can bring others closer to you as I grow to better know you and provide an example to my children on what it means to be a Christian. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen