A pain in my side.....

For the last few days it has felt like I had a pulled muscle in my side. Sleeping was uncomfortable. Last night I did something about it. I didn't put heat on it, I spoke to it. Once I got into bed last night, I pictured all the people that could be causing the pain in my side and spoke to them one-to-one in my mind. This morning the "pulled muscle" is gone. This speaks to the power of mind over matter and the importance of a good night's sleep.

Was it a fluke?

Two days after the scale dipped below 160, it was back up again showing an 8 lb. gain. Was this possible? Since I am resding The Oz Principke about being accountable, I looked at what I ate over the two days rather than blame the scale. While I have determined that I do better (less to no snacking) on a high protein diet, some proteins are healthier than others. So, I'll stick to almond butter and kefir and skip the peanut butter and cheese. This causes a dilemma since PB&J is my favorite sandwich and I regard cheese as a spice. Well, now I know what I need to work on in the coming weeks/months.

The scale tipped

Finally! December 2014, I embarked on a  30-day nutritional cleanse with Isagenix and the help of a friend and health coach, Marie. I lost 5 lbs and my clothes fit better. This lead me to believe that I lost inches too. For over a year, my clothes have remained fitting better. My weight stayed between 160 and 165. Well, today it was below the 160 mark. In the past year I have learned that I need a high protein diet to fight off sugar cravings and snacking. Finally, three high protein meals is paying off. I am not at my goal weight yet, but now I am more hopeful that I can reach it. Awesome!

Vacations epiphany

I am on vacation, luckily to a sunny destination, and I realized today that food is my downfall. Funny thing is food is needed to survive. So I how do I change my mindset from food, especially sugar, most of the time to food for sustenance only. I guess I just need to tell myself this repeatly--make an affirmation for it. Any ideas?

High and low.....

Low: snacking on cold Chinese food before bed (rough evening)

High: completing 98% of a crossword puzzle on the across clues. The best I have done.

Shout outs are due....

I have been recovering from surgery and tomorrow will be the two week mark. So some gratitude should be given out. First, to my mom who has taken care of me —finishing unpacking after our renovation, cooking dinner and giving me sponge baths, until I was allowed to take a shower. I remember loving sponge baths as a kid, but  not so much as an adult. Second, to my daughter who reminded me everyday that laughter is the best medicine (keep it up). Last but not least, to my extended family and friends, who sent well wishes in the form of cards, food, flowers and healing energy. At two weeks out I am rested, energized and ready for life in my new body thanks to all of you. At this time of year it is important to count our blessings and not the number of presents we get.

Rice pasta vs. Me — a clean sweep...

I love to cook and feel I am good at and yet not matter how many times I cook rice pasta and adjust the cooking times, it comes out overdone and so, rice pasta wins every round and tells me I should stick to spelt pasta.

Great advice.....

GF Sweet Potato Pancakes

2 Medium Sweet Potatoes

2 eggs beaten
2 Tbsp. GF Flour
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a cookie sheet with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Wash and grate potatoes. Mix in eggs and flour. Form into large "meatballs" and flatten on cookie sheet. Brush tops with remaining olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Serve warm with apple sauce or sour cream. Makes 6 pancakes.

(P.S. These pancakes have been an excellent dessert this week.)

An early's mother's day gift....

This morning at a local farmer's market, I pointed out the mother's day cookies at a bakery stall and my daughter said, "I would by you one, but I know you want to lose weight, so it wouldn't be good."

(Thanks, Sweetie.)

In the kitchen on Thursday.. A recipe from a friend.

Last night I made Chicken and Rice from the Family Plate Cookbook by Marie Isner and my family loved it.

Full Disclosure: Marie is not only my health coach but also a dear friend. My hat goes off to her for writing a cookbook.

To purchase the cookbook at Amazon, click the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Plate-Cookbook-Real-Families/dp/1500147273/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429219452&sr=8-1&keywords=marie+isner

(P.S.I made the Italian Meatball recipe too and thought it to be better than the one in the Joy of Cooking.)

In the kitchen on Thursday or not....

For my Thursdays, I post a recipe that I have made recently and well since I had wrist surgery last week, I haven't been cooking and not starving either since I hired a caterer to prepare some meals for me, so my family could eat well (not take-out every night) and I wouldn't have to worry thankfully.

In the Kitchen on Thursday....Oatmeal Pancaks

1 C. Oats
1/2 a medium Banana
2/3 C. Almond Milk (Soy milk or cow's milk)
1 egg.
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Maple Syrup
Oil or vegetable shortening

Preheat oven to 350. Blend all ingredients in a Cuisinart or high powered blender (I use my Nutribullit). Grease a muffin top pan. Pour batter until each top is 2/3 full. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Serve with jam, syrup, butter or other topping. I spread almond butter on mine. Makes 6 pancakes.

In the Kitchen on Thursday: Asian Salmon

1 lb. Salmon filet

2 Tbsp. Teriyaki sauce

2 tsp. Soy sauce

1/2 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger

Mix the last three ingredients together. Place in a bag of covered dish with fish. Shake to coat. Let stand at least 1 hour. bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes depending on the thickness of the filets. Serves 4. Great with salad or brown rice and veggies.

Tuesday Tips: Natural moisturizers

These oil are know for their moisturizing qualities for skin, feet and nails:

Almond

Avocado

Cocanut

Olive

A little TLC goes a long way...

In between loads of laundry, a quick grocery shop and making chili for Superbowl Sunday, I was called an "awesome mom" because I made Sylvie baked donuts to have breakfast this week with all the fresh berries in the house because she said she wanted to eat yogurt, berries and granola for breakfast to be healthy which lasted a few days before she got bored.

Tuesdays; Tip: Itchy Scalp

Make a paste out of lemon juice and baking soda. Rub on your wet scalp and let stand for 2 minutes and then rinse. Then rub Avocado oil, olive oil or coconut oil on your scalp.

I tried this home remedy and it worked great on my itchy scalp.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Overnight oatmeal

1 C. Water
3/4 C. Oats

Place ingredients in lidded jar or bowl and shake. Place in the fridge overnight. In the morning warm up the oatmeal with whatever add-ins you like.

Wednesday's words on exercise

”A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.”― Winnie the Pooh

Tuesday's tip: Water. Water, everywhere

I just read that to be fully hydrated, you should divide you weight in half and drink that many ounces of water per day.

For example: 150/2=75, so 75 oz.