Some of my Cookin:)

  So as you know, it wasn't too long ago that I just had twins so skinny, fit or super healthy are not words in my current vocabulary. However, I have been cooking every day for the last about month and it's been great! I am kind of unconventional when it comes to cooking (like my parents!) and I often don't follow a recipe.

Here are a few things I have made lately:

Breakfasty Casserole:
    Combine in casserol dish:
     3-4 cups cooked rice, 1 (or 2) cans of cream of mushroom soup, 4 eggs beaten, 1 lb cooked low fat breakfast sausage, 2 cups frozen corn, 1 sauteed onion, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup (approx) maple syrup. Mix that together. Top the casserole with cheese, any type.
I made this on Halloween and it was sooo good, the maple syrup makes it taste a little sweet and salty! It was a big hit at our house.

Easy Spanish Rice:
In a frying pan:
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sautee 1/4 onion and 1 C minute rice
Add:
1 C chicken broth
1/2 can green chilies
1/3 packet of taco seasoning.
Simmer for 3-5 minutes and then cover for 5 minutes.
I made this up when I cooked tacos last night, I used most of the seasoning packet for the meat and then the rest for the rice. It has just enough kick.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
In the crock pot:
4-6 chicken breasts
1 bottle of BBQ sauce
1 sweet onion chopped thinly
Cook on High for 5 hours or low for 8
Pull the chicken apart and serve on hamburger buns with a salad on the side.
This is Sarah's idea that I have adopted

Leftover Rice:
In a frying pan:
2 T of olive oil
Left over rice (can be any kind)
Sauteed onion
Rice vinegar until moist
Add cheese until it's nicely distributed

Salad is old news

Its sideways I know. But I made these salads for us the other day! A few olives, carrots and chicken! It was really good and healthy. I was proud of myself!

Runnin' low on gas these days....

So lately, I have been so busy that I cant make healthy food. I was at 5 hours of rehearsal on saturday and have a 4 hour rehearsal tomorrow night. Needless to say we have been eating out a lot.

I am proud to say that today, I made potato salad and pasta salad for the fridge so Colin doesn't eat chips and salsa all week.

I need some more ideas for things that I can keep in the fridge. We don't have a microwave to leftovers are a little difficult if they cant be heated up on the stove.

Any ideas ladies??

ANYONE Can Do This. I Dare You All!!!

Ok guys and gals. I know I never post here but this really inspired me! It's the simplest and most painless running schedule I've ever seen, in all my years of perusing running and fitness magazines. I'm in the worst shape I've been in since I joined the Army, so I'm starting this Monday.

Love you all!

Rachel

Our Light

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Marianne Williamson

Posting Day

Again a new idea pops into my head. I am well aware that for every implimented idea, a hundred others are discarded. Not discarded because they are bad, but because my capacity for perfection is earthbound right now. I have learned that all those failures are important. So with dignity (I know, dignity is not one of my personality traits) I accept that this new idea may not survive the cut. But I am declaring it with characteristic enthusiasm, because even if I can do it twice before going under, it will have been worth it.

Idea: I need a scheduled posting day.

Getting it from I need to I will is the next step.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Oh My Gosh!!!! Sarah told me about this chicken a while ago and I finally made it. It is so stinkin' good. not too complicated but she told me gave me the recipe four days ago and I have already made it twice.

Seriously, just try it.

Thanks Sarah. It's one of Colin's new favorites.

Around the house

So mom solves this with that plastic ice cream lid thing that she keeps by the microwave. I had to wipe out the cupboard that this olive oil lives in. Then I thought of THIS!!!! Ha ha!! Totally ghetto but it works.

This is one of the latest wall projects. Black shelfs- by themselves, boring. Even just things set in them, could be boring. But take a look at THIS!! I cut out silhouettes in vellum paper and put it over colored paper. Good idea eh? I love it!!

And this is the scrap paper rub on that I put on a mirror. Ya it took a while because it doesn't stick to glass very easily.

These two pictures are for dad. Love ya.

Apple Pie- Success.

Some of the things

Hey girls,
So I am majorly on track at this point in my life and I feel really good. I found this website that I can put in all my food and enter my exercise. It's another tool for WW (even though they don't make the site)! I really like it cause I am on the computer a lot for school.
Here are some of my favorite snacks lately:
~Banana
~kettle corn mini bag smart pop
~Watermelon
~Kellogg's Fiber Plus bar
~5 ritz crackers with 2 tbsp chili con carne topped with 3 tbsp low fat cheese,
melted in microwave
~Cherries
~Raw mushrooms (I got hooked on those when I was visiting mom and dad)

Just wanted to share these things, they have been helping me a lot!
Love you guys

I found an awesome blog site that has a ton of AWESOME recipes with the WW points per servings! check it out here

My 4 point dinner

Hey all my favorite girls! So mom got me all set up to start weight watchers last Sunday. So I am concluding day 5 and I feel great! I am so excited to get rid of the extra weight I have accumulated since I started nursing school. I spent so much time in class (on my butt) then all the rest of my time studying (on my butt!) I am so excited about this!
Tonight I decided to throw a little casserol together and here were the things I threw in:

2 cups instant brown rice
2 cups water
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of pinto beans, drained
1 can green beans
1 small bag frozen broccoli
2 cups frozen corn
pepper
salt
other seasonings I like
Mixed these things together and topped it off with:
1.5 cups bran flakes, crushed
2 teaspoons of olive oil
After I spread the bran flakes mixed with olive oil, I popped it in the oven on 350 for about half hour or so.

While that was cooking, I jumped on the elliptical and earned a few more points.

For the dinner, 1/8 of the casserole adds up to about 4 points! Most of the ingredients are "free"

After dinner, Sean, Kayla and I went for a walk in the wildlife reserve and enjoyed the beautiful gift of nature.

Love you all!

So... I thought I would share just a tidbit of holistic healing with you.

This morning I had a headache. I knew I hadn't had a lot to drink and had been biking yesterday. So I drank 2 liters of water in about 45 minutes. Guess what! My headache is gone. It's amazing what our bodies do to tell us we need something!

Love you all

I Missed a Birthday--again?

Well, I somehow, three years in a row, got Ruby's birthday wrong. Why do I think she was born on the 4th? Then I read the blog and saw that it is actually on Emily Messerly's birthday. Don't you think that would help me remember?

I thought all day about calling her tomorrow. I practiced singing, "Lollipop Song" in case she is still young enough to want me to, even over the phone. Last year when I went to Florida to visit, I remember her lovely smell as she pressed against my rib cage so she could feel my voice in "Little Bear". She never throws tantrums when I visit, she asked sweetly and politely and shows me her best love and respect for Mommy and Daddy. She gets extra stickers on her chart and lets me choose the book, and the song, and the poem. She puts me in charge of picking up her things and putting away her laundry. We love to eat things together, in our own separate bowls, of course. And she never vexes Lilly or Grace.

I don't know what I will do when I visit in seven weeks, and her hair falls heavily to the side, instead of all over her sticky face. She will be able to see my face closer and notice that I am not as tall as she remembers. Instead of knowing what her day was like, she will have to tell me. I hope she gives me lots of details (you know how Gramas are). This visit will be different, but the same eyes (my color), the same lips, (her mom's), the same middle child that I love (not for long--the middle child part, I mean!).

I think I should just give up and realize that maybe my job is to lengthen her birthday by calling her on the 4th every year! Think about her all day on the 3rd and call the next day.

Post Script!!! Sarah just called and told me that she blogged ahead. I am so.... But now I know that:
Ruby was not born on Emily's birthday, but the next day--the 4th.
I must have called on the 5th last year.
Sarah reads this blog at midnight.
I love Ruby fiercely, no matter what day it is.
Birthdays are not what I am good at.
I'm going to bed now.

33

Not many of us reach the 33 year mark. Not because we are old, but because we are in a world where rotten choices and circumstances beyond our control lands us in short marriages. We, on the other hands, despite the rotten choices and circumstances beyond our control, are still at it. We are healthy for the most part, very happy and have a million reasons to celebrate!

So we celebrated last night. We removed all the children from the home. Dad BBQd a Filet Mignon steak which nearly killed us with pleasure, I sauteed some fresh asparagus, and we put together some other items, building a three course meal to die for, without dying financially and the company was divine. Lots of conversation about work, kids, what we love about our relationship, the highlights of our marriage and the low spots, our diets and our fears, and of course practice on scripture mastery.

Then I asked the fateful question: "So what else shall we do?" Dad suggested a movie and we finally decided to be crazy and watch AVATAR. So we went, donned our 3 D glasses (a brand new experience for us) and buckled in for the ride. And what a ride! There was plenty that amazed us, amused and astonished us. But we laughed so hard all the way home and stay up talking with the girls for a half hour about it. We will remember our 33rd for some time.

Still loving each other, working hard and having too much fun!

Back again

Well, I am reviewing the week on the blog here, when I stayed with it and lost 2.2 pounds. The following week was a little off and very busy and full of excuses and shame. But I read what I had written and was renewed.

I have a headache. A great excuse to eat chocolate. A great reason not to eat chocolate. So should I be thankful for this headache that has not gone away in two weeks? Yes. And if it brings me to my knees, I might as well ask for His help in my eating journey while I am down there.

Why?

Is there any way to take the eating habits I am claiming are solidified after a massive five days and put them in tomorrow to work their magic like they did today. I love the feeling of NO sugar (other then what occurs naturally in foods) in my body. I also enjoyed the feeling of not being overly hungry after not having consumed food for a full four hours. Just five days ago it would have been four minutes. I ate everything slow and carefully, enjoying my one helping more than I have in a long time.

Day five ditto.

HEAVEN

Went to dinner at Happy Sumo with my friend. Got the Mango Mamma sushi roll. I audibly heard mmmmmm come from my mouth with every bite. It was heavenly. Probably the best sushi roll, in fact, best taste that has ever past my lips.
I better go to bed so I can dream about it.
You can call me a freak now.
Until you try one.

On my Way

Day four ditto.

Day five planned.

Getting harder.

Getting better.

Day Three

FINALLY! I have had a wonderful day three. I know...it is about time, but something is different about this time.

Sunday night, I put on a really cute dress (I LOVE that dress!) that I will look so good in at my right weight. Now the family is always so complimentary about my looks, saying that I look so good and they are surprised that I am even over goal. Well, when I put on that dress, no one could say anything. I put make up on (lipstick), nylons, fixed my hair, just as I will wear it all the day I make it all the way down. But it is extreemely unflattering. Isaac snapped some pictures and Tammy put them in an easily accessable file for me on the computer. This will be a weekly ritual for as long as it takes.

The next day (my second first day), I was very dedicated to eating well and carefully. I tracked everything, stopped eating when I had eaten a reasonable amount and did not eat again until I was truly hungry. Novel. I started the day by looking at that picture. It is a nice picture, my smile and everything, with the dreadful fit... but I am determined to wear that dress to a Weight Watchers meeting and look smashing.

I exercise with the PACE approach. It has me walking then sprinting, repeating as I can. I do it outside, a little embarrassing at first but now OK. I stretch, then walk about 5 minutes, sprint for about 20-30 seconds (up from 15 seconds last week). Then I walk until I feel like running again. This lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. I can get in about three or four sprints in that time and feel quite exercised! I come home to do my self-developed resistence regimen: bench press (while on my back) about 5 pounds of canned chicken. I'll show you the routine sometime. Good for arms and abs! My goal is at least 3 workouts a week or more for right now. Up to four soon.

Day two ditto.

Day three ditto.

Day four is already planned.

Alright girls. I know, I know...how do I have the nerve to post something only every few months when I get to reap the rewards of you all posting regularly!!! But I just couldn't help myself on this one. Now I realize that this blog is for "Health and Happiness", insinuating that it's mostly about healthful eating, active lifestyle, etc. But I'm going to venture out on this one...I'm going to post about MENTAL (which translates also into EMOTIONAL) health!!! Namely money.

Now, we all know that Rachel's strong point has never been managing her funds well. I've come to the conclusion that this is a combination of forgetfulness, spontaneity, generosity, adventurous-ness, and just plain old lack of skill in doing it. I have a regular job now, and a real car, and I managed to get rid of all my bad debt...and in only a year my credit score increased 60 points! While that alone helped my mental well-being immensely, I know there is something more. The next step is (GASP!!!) making a budget, sticking to it, and saving extra money.

So Brandie (who is uncannily good at money matters such as budgets, investing, and saving) sat down with me last night and we hashed out my money situation. We listed all my income, bills, taxes, goals, wants, needs, and unnecessary spending. We plugged all the leaks with the little things that I spend cash on, made saving goals, and wrote a detailed plan down of what I would do with every penny every month. I actually had way more money to work with than I expected. And it also became painfully obvious how much I was spending on meaningless, needless things...eating out, clothes, treats, etc.

It turns out I can pay ALL my bills, have plenty of money to eat and enjoy things and still save 550 bucks a month straight to my savings!!

So even though I don't weigh less or run faster than I did yesterday, I feel heaps healthier and way more responsible! And the best part is that the "budget police" (Brandie, who by the way could get me in a choke-hold in 2.5 seconds) lives right down the hall and if I deviate from my plan...well let's just say I'd rather just pass up that new pair of boots than have a UFC match in my own living room!!

Love you all and wish me luck!!

Rach

Third Day

I am in a quandry about whether to call today the third day or scrap the rest and start over.

Scrapping: I can erase the shame of the failure. I can gain a fresh and new start, knowing that I can do it.

The third: I can count the success of Day One and Day Two and feel the pride of including it in my season here, keeping the slump that followed in its place.

I'll go for risking a few down days between the great days. The habit of scrapping it all (including the triumphs) gives me the sense of total failure and never reaching something. Embracing all my successes and failures weaves my tapestry tightly and bravely includes the threads of a few failures--yet I am still moving forward In an Amish quilt there is always a flaw included so that we can remain humble and needful of His grace. Who am I to question that wisdom? It feels right. Not in the "drag around my garbage" way, but in the "I am the sum total of my weaknesses and strengths" way. The Lord does not make my strengths into strengths, but my weaknesses.

So that means:
1) Embrace all my efforts and failures as cheering points and turning points;
2) Remember to weave more good threads than bad;
3) Let the Lord help me change me and strengthen my weaknesses.

So today is the third day. I have spent the last 15 minutes in philosophy instead of eating. Good start!

Gosh

So day three and four are not pleasant days to blog on the subject of being on a healthy lifestyle. But being it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I will release myself from the accusations I am want to administer. So in celebration of the holidays and the forgiving nature of its origins, I shall share the truimphs and own them.

Dad and I walked 3.7 miles this morning. I threw away half of my pumpkin pie. I ate a beautiful salad today. I did not eat anything yesterday while I was out shopping and then ate sensibly when I came home. I made popcorn last night during the movie--94% fat free. I instantly forgave myself after I had polished off all the junk food in my stocking.

The sugar intake was enough to remind me of the reason I am severely limiting it. So I shall consider the failures of yesterday and today feedback instead. I am looking forward to re- entering the crusade and conquering the various opponents that raise the sword against me. Plan for the strategy, prepare the food and the psychie, clear the foods away that are lying in wait as I write.

Maybe I could call tomorrow day three and forget about the last two days. Or maybe that would be terrible, to have to endure day three and four twice!!

Day Two

It is amazing how quickly I feel better when I eat right. I think that the key to my success today is that I am having to use every spare minute to shop for Christmas gifts! Also, I began by drinking 24 oz of water before I ate breakfast. Day two is usually a good day (after the many times I have had a day two, I am quiet an expert). I am not sure why. This one was no different. It was a good day.

Now if I had added walking, tracking and no fudge, I could have described it as an awesome day. But awesome is not what I am after. Just good. Days that I feel in control and stop eating before my helping is gone because I am full. I had half a piece of fudge from a caroling plate and it was so good. But I ran from the room when I was done and played the piano. That plate greeted me again two more times but I had had my peace (piece) and I did not eat any more.

I overate twice, with a mega sized salad which I didn't finish because I was full. And at dinner I had a second bowl of Bethany's egg noodle spagghetti. I have felt wonderful all day, no ill affects from overdosing on sugar. No desire to look back with anything but gratitude that my biggest challenge is having to cut back on food. Tell the people in Mozambique that.

Tomorrow is the day I need the most support. The third day and the fourth seem to be like sneaker waves that engulf me by 3pm. Gotta get a plan. Before dawn tomorrow. Before bed tonight.

I think this picture represents us all in this Christmas/New Year season. We are all thinking about the ensuing New Year's resolution to eat better yet we are overwhelmed thinking of trying to eat well through the Christmas holiday at the end of this week...

We can do it ladies, some of us might just stand around and look the other way (Miriam), others will feel like they are being beaten in the act of trying (Naomi) and some will be gloriously triumphant! (Rachel).

It's all about the attitude ladies.

No No No No No

Today is a sad day. Jared and Lynn left, leaving behind memories of an incredible year. But I will go on about that another day. I have a few minutes to tell about today's triumph(s). After a year of neglect, I am finally saying no. Today is my first day. I have said no so many times that I cannot count them, yet each one is a remarkable and difficult event.

You see up until now (this year), I have allowed sugar to be my drug. Like meth or heroin, I must have it, the consequences are pushed from my mind as I scrounge for it. I place it in my mouth like an addict into the vein. The effects come after many milligrams of the substance. I continue to push it in until I fall over in delight. Then, somewhere in the next hour, the ill feelings begin--jitters, lack of ability to focus, disgust for what I have done, need for a salty snack, lack of energy--the signs of overdose. No narcan is available and I must suffer withdrawl alone, embarrassed and self-loathing. Upon regaining my senses a half a day later, I am tickled with thoughts of chocolate, lemon or other lovely things. The scrounging begins yet again, and I am left berelft of sane thought except, of course, of SUGAR.

Today, without a straight jacket, without a therapist, without intervention of any kind aside from within, I faced withdrawl with determination. My hand caught me on the way down many times as I hallucinated. I saw myself with a cookie in my mouth, a piece of piano candy, a bowl of brownie batter, swirling together in colorful screaming and reaching. But "no", with a raised hand, cut through the episode and vaporized the visions. Still locked into the physical need for the rush of a sugar high, I press ahead to find a diversion.

This is the horror of my first day in recovery. The single "yes" consisted of two tablespoons of leftover FHE mint ice cream. I feel like bedtime is months away. But I think I can make it now. As I sit here typing, an empty can of olives sits laughing at me. The lid is connected and is jiggling enough to make it giggle. I swear. I will write you as my symptoms abate and I can join society without attacking every buffet that happens by.

Isaac made a salad today. It is a start. Another start.

PERFECT Hard-boiled Eggs...FINALLY!!!

I don't know about y'all, but I'm hit and miss when it comes to hard-boiled eggs. There's that pesky shell in the way that completely blocks your view of the inside so it's a guessing game as to if and how well they are done. I wish I could say I figured this genius idea out on my own, but alas, I found it on the internet! Couldn't NOT pass it on though, since I just got done eating the most perfectly boiled egg I've ever had. Try it!!

1. Put eggs in a single layer in a saucepan or pot, put JUST enough water to cover them.

2. Put a few shakes of salt (helps with the peeling) and a 1/2 T of vinegar (this helps with the cracking). I used only salt and they did not crack, and peeled like a dream!

3. On a gas burner: Put the pan on the burner and crank it up to high. As soon as the water begins to boil (not a huge rolling boil, just the little bubbles coming up quickly and regularly), remove from heat for a few seconds, then place the pan back on low heat for one minute. After the minute, remove eggs from heat, cover, and let sit in hot water for 12 minutes. On an electric cook-top: Crank the burner to high and bring to a boil, same as above. As SOON as you get a good boil going, turn the burner off and let the eggs sit for one minute (the residual heat from the cook-top will keep them simmering). After the minute is up, cover, remove, let sit in hot water for 12 minutes.

4. Have a bowl of ice-water ready and use a slotted spoon to remove from hot water into ice water. You can also use super cold tap water, run it over the eggs for a few minutes to cool them.

5. Using this method it is nearly impossible to over-cook the eggs (you know, when you get that gross greenish gray film around the yolk), even if you accidentally leave them in the hot water for 15 or 20 minutes.

Try it, it's awesome!!!

Love you all,
Rachel

Thanks to Mom

It hasn't been since I moved away from home that I realized how much I learned from mom in the kitchen. Last night was an awesome example.

We don't have tons of food lying around since we have been here for a grand total of 4 days. I pulled some cooked and seasoned chicken chunks that my friend had made us when we got home. I cut up that which made about 2 cups. I found a can of green beans, a can of cream of chicken soup and some rice in our cupboard.

I made 3/4c of uncooked rice, hoping that would be the right amount. It was a little much for two people. I put the chicken in a pan, warmed that up, then put in the green beans. The cream of chicken soup was thick so I mixed a few spoonfuls of that with some milk. Creamy! As the chicken, beans and creaminess was finishing heating up, Colin came home... with Ryan. Hmm. So i just put a few more spoonfuls of green beans in there. The rice problem was fixed too. It was the perfect amount and there wasnt any leftovers!!!

A grand success for me. Awesome. Thanks Mom. and Dad.

Into the Light

I am going to the fourth wedding of the year (the fifth sealing because Tammy's parents were sealed in the temple in April). Another time to shed the dayliness and step into the warm day of Medleyness. Each time we anticipate a gathering, there is the usual "gosh, who is going to make it?" In all the hubbub we discover always that more came than we thought. Once in a while ALL of us are there. It never matters who is there and who isn't because where two or more are gathered, there is noise, food, laughter (lots and lots of that), longboards, shopping, dancing, singing, crying (usually the baby), trading clothes, complimenting ties, adjusting waistlines, hugging (lots and lots of that), sparkling cider, organizing who will ride with who, making sure we don't forget someone, hair things (lots and lots and lots of that).

A wedding is so special. There is the advice from the married siblings, and the rapt attention from the unmarried. The bride is primpt and fussed over by many females (always plenty no matter who made it or not). The bride does not even have to be an original Medley to receive the ridiculous amount of attention, such a given. In this family there is room for all.

My heart skips beats every time I stop and think about seeing them all again. My heart is soft and ready to sponge up the sounds, smells, sights, tastes and the feelings saturating our circle. How much joy can one heart take? I'm over my quota and still I walk into the lovely ten days to come. All the fancy writing, the elite journalism, the artistic pen cannot come close to what it is really like to be the mother of these incredible children.

That's all I can say because I have to wipe all these tears from the keyboard...

Apple Snicker Salad Dessert

My old roommate told me how to make this and it was delicious! I didnt take this picture but this is what it looks like.

You will need:

1 red apple

1 green apple

about 6 snickers

cool whip

flavored yogurt(i used strawberry, just dont use plain)

Cut up the apples into little bit size pieces. Put 'em in a big bowl.

Cut up the snickers into bit sized pieces. Put 'em in that same bowl.

Put some cool whip and yogurt in there(more cool whip than yogurt) and stir it all up.

Ta-da!!! Super easy and really good. It easily serves 5 or 6 people good size servings.

Enjoy girls!!

Here's a little email coorespondence we had and I am putting here just to have it in print. It regards our newsletter we have started called The Medley Circle:

Me: Hey groupies,
Do you think we should keep our newsletter monthly or do you think quarterly would be better? The majority (not counting the three kids at home) decides and Mom isn't voting. Well, since I am the vice president of the family, I will break the tie if there is one. So let me know right away.
Monthly _______ Quarterly _______
Love, Mom

Rachel: MONTHLY MONTHLY MONTHLY!!!!

Sarah: quarterly. I think I will keep up on it better.
3½ hours later: I answered quartlerly.. that was before I actually read the newsletter. I'm changing my preference to monthly. This thing is SWEET. I loved reading everyone's entries!!!

Hannah: MONTHLY!!

Naomi: i would say monthly. I know that lots happens in my life and i love to share it. i also talk to family members every few days so i love frequent contact.... my vote is monthly.

Dad: Monthly ____x___ Quarterly _______

Majority rules and after Gideon's resounding MONTHLY over the phone, I think that it is a clear consensus, even before the last two votes come in. My vote would have broken a tie with a MONTHLY. So I'll "see" you next month. Love, The Editor--Mom

Health and Happiness

Health and Happiness.
That is what my whole life is about. I have spent years being an emotional wreck or moving mountains or keeping balance. I am 52 (still) and I am so glad for the little miracles that make up health and happiness that have brought me to the place I am now.

Then, health and happiness meant:
-going to the gym at 6:00am
-fitting into my pants without elastic
-dinner ready on time
-all the children out of diapers
-making enough money
-all the kids behaving in church
-no fighting
-raising the kids to be responsible
-trying not to get mad

Now it means:
-being able to tie my shoes without a written plan
-fitting into my pants with elastic
-dinner
-knowing I am not in diapers yet
-still struggling with the money
-all the kids (and their kids) in church
-getting everyone together
-not being able to stop smiling
-trying to live up to the excellence of my amazing kids

When I write it out, it does not say what I really feel and on a blog, the wet spots from the teardrops are not visible. Health and Happiness--what a great name for this blog. It reminds me of all that we have together.

Be healthy, be happy, and know that you are both!!

Love, Mom

You must read this.

You guys. This is serious.

I went to a bread making class in our ward from a lady who is a baker extraordinaire. The "bread recipe" she shared with us isn't anything super special. Although it's the perfect combination of moistness and saltiness and sweetness. BUT what she did share that completely changed my life (or at least my baking life) was that you can do ANYTHING with bread.

Don't look up the cinnamon roll recipe separate. Just use your same bread recipe, roll out the dough, spread melted butter, cinnamon and sugar (you don't even have to combine them beforehand), roll it up, rise, bake, etc.

Want to make asiago cheese rosemary and thyme bread? Sure, add them in.

Want to add eggs? Sure, add one or two, it won't change it much and you don't even need to rearrange the other ingredients. It's revolutionary. Last night I decided to try something new. I rolled out one of my loaves of dough. Spread butter, cinnamon and sugar in between. I rolled it up, shaped it into my bread pan and let it rise. Before the oven, I mixed together a concoction of the same thing- melted butter, cinnamon and sugar (but thicker than before) and brushed it all over the top of the loaf.

You guys.

I never thought such deliciousness was possible. I almost died it tasted so good. The top was all crunchy and the inside moist and doughy and sugary. mmmm... And the inside looked like a swirl. Like legitimate cinnamon swirl bread. I didn't think I was capable of such a thing.

Alright.

Here it is:

2 cups warm water
1/4 cup sugar
5 tsp yeast
PROOF for about 10-20 min. No set time. Just until it starts to grow.

add 1/2 cup vegetable oil (could use extra V. olive oil, lard, etc. ANY kind of fat)
1 1/2 tsp salt
5-6 cups flour (white or wheat, doesn't matter. Wheat takes a little longer to cook and will be heavier healthier bread).

Knead 15-20 min by hand or 10 min in a mixer.

Let rise to approximately triple its size. This varies, doesn't have to be exact.. In Florida (in a bowl on top of a 350 degree oven) it takes about two hours.

Punch down, Knead about five times (not five minutes).

Form into whatever you're making. Bread pans, braided artisan bread on top of a cookie sheet, little dinner rolls in muffin tins, cinnamon rolls in a 9x9 pan.

Let rise to the size you want.

Regular white bread loaves bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Wheat, closer to 25. Littler loaves on a cookie sheet, more like 15-18 min.

Olive Bread: add olive oil and 1/2 cup chopped olives

Herb seasoned bread: can add oregano, thyme, garlic, rosemary. Just about any herb.

Bacon bread: fry some bacon, add some of the grease plus the chopped bacon.

If you want your bread shiny on top (which I do every single loaf), you beat one egg and brush it on top of the bread right before it's put in the oven.

Seriously.

Makes us smile every day, makes us laugh even harder.
There is nothing that compares to the love a parent feels for their child.
I am still hoping she won't grow up and the stories I tell her about when she was a baby, while she smiles and listens intently, will influence her to hold on to the beauty of childhood for as long as she can.

moms garden

dads strawberries

I gots a RECIPE!!

Hey ladies! Since this is a "health and happiness" blog and I'm terrible about being consciously healthy, I'm sharing something today about happiness!!! I went to the Stake Relief Society fireside tonight where our ward did the musical number that I arranged and was super awesome. but that's not the point of this post. One of the sisters that spoke gave a recipe and I want to share it because it's awesome!

How to have a Happy Life
(verses from 2 Nephi 5)
1. Be with family 5:6
2. Keep the commandments 5:10
3. Plant a garden and raise animals 5:11
4. Study scriptures 5:12
5. Have children 5:13
6. Be prepared 5:14
7. Attend the temple 5:16
8. Be industrious and learn to work 5:17
9. Accept church callings and serve others 5:26
10. Keep a journal 5:29-30
11. Look forward to Christ's coming 5:32
Mix it together and get- 5:27

Additional/Optional Spices
-Chocolate- be passionate about life, be excited, learn, be the one
-Be flexible- have a plan B, C, D, E... Learn to laugh at yourself
-Develop a grateful heart- see the Lord tender mercies in your life, write them down
-Look for good in other people and cultivate a good attitude

Hope you like it girls!

Runners, Yeah We're Different

These guys are serious and so are we...

Aaron and I started running too. Sorry about the naked guy but that was the best one. Anyone can join us. The guy in the bank is! Love you all!

So I am just checking in with my fabulous girls! I have started to get on track and work out more because I was letting myself go! I have made some long distance running goals and I am way excited to carry them out! I am not really sure what made me want to run a half marathon but I do. Maybe it's the realization that we only live once and I want to accomplish a big goal like that in my lifetime. I think of you all often and pray for you always. Much love!

just a little spontania!!

ok peoples....this is sad! well......i shouldnt really be talking because i have blogged....once?

but anyway, i just wanted to say, i thought of the coolest qoute ever!!! and i thought it up all by myself!

ok here it is......

the only excuse to stop living is to die

isnt that so awesome??? well, just wanted to say that!!

<3 <3

Musings on a Beautiful Life

A few things I love:
Progresso Lentil Soup
Salad with Mazzotti's Italian (of course) dressing
Knitting washcloths
Talking with my kids
Talking about my grandkids
Dusting with a Swiffer
Pita bread hot with just butter
I look forward each night to brushing with my electric toothbrush
Singing, really singing
Feeling not-full
A stormy ocean
Teaching Mariah piano
Using my green bags when I go grocery shopping
Singing the Lollipop to Ruby all day
Looking for alligators in Florida
Wearing and buying earings
Going to sleep when I am tired
Giving my sister her shot everyday
Being so ridiculously busy that finding a moment to pray is my only truly essential task
Among other things...

10 minutes

The family is hiking today. They are going where they don't want to take me--frightened of certain elevation configurations. So I go around assessing what I can do in the quiet of solitude. The Email. Oh Jared has a new post. I have neglected to examine his new photo blog. I have been on it to glance, but today I sat and watched the most beautiful thing ever. Each photo spoke to me and I was caught a number of times blinking. Jared carries his talent as all of you do, confidently, joyfully, gently. Thank you, son, for the gift of your heart--forever to be shared with all who choose to leaf through your folders. It was a lovely 10 minutes.

A Renewal of Commitment to Health!

Well, I have been enjoying everyone's posts a lot, so happy to see that Rachel is drinking soda... I don't even do that!
I have a few exciting things to share!
For my birthday, my present to myself was an elliptical! Jared, Miriam and Aaron came up from Utah Valley to surprise me that night and they helped me put it together while Sean went to the ER due to him smashing the heck out of his finger. I love this machine! I have worked out every day since and it totally motivates me to eat healthier.
I found a few great discoveries at Costco last visit (as seen above.) The soup is ZERO points!! And, it's good! These twists are super good too and only ONE point each. Super yummy treat.

I also found a website that is a point calculator that is pretty cool:

http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php

Love you all, keep up the posts!

Burn Baby Burn!!! Disco Inferno!!!!

ok so i have heart burn and i dont know what to do about it. you know how sometimes theres something you can eat or do to help? well is there any thing that will help for that? i was going to email rachel and then i remembered that my happy place was waiting!!!

Parents Came to Florida.

This is what we've been up to! Mom and I are eating carrots and jawing away. She organized my kids' books!!! We have discussed healthy eating habits (whilst eating pudding w/chocolate chips). It's been lovely. They have been here one day and I never want them to go back home. We have the best family and parents. We miss everyone!

The end.

HELP

ok i am making dinner for my apartment on tuesday and i have no idea what to do. i am on a very low almost non existant budget. any ideas?? i also am trying to think of things that i can have here just for me to eat that are healthy and not too involved. i have fruit and bread and that but i can go more tahn a few days on that. this is my fist time at this... help me out ladies!!

Sitting

I sat on the chair the day he left and scrolled through the pictures he took over the years. Each one has a voice, and the greatness of his heart saturates each one, the keen eye catching what is within. Those understanding eyes, that voice so full of calm, how I miss them already. Get me that kleenex box!

I sat after I hung up the phone. He sounds so good, so wise and capable. Beyond my thinking. I try to keep the dam from breaking. He will leave the place he has come to love. He will leave a part of himself there. I still hear him in my heart. The telephone click at the end was loud. I sat for awhile and then let the tears go.

I sat down for awhile when she left. Kevin took her with him. Lucky guy. Her life is utter adventure, in the sky type. I love her voice, her laughter, her pursing of lips when I am not hard enough on the 12-year-old, her unconditional love and forgiveness towards me, the delicious hugs. I sat down and wondered and tears stung.


I sat down the night she left, in her room still dotted with clutter and untossed trash sacks. The bed was noisy, no clock hummed and no laptop glowed. She takes with her the ability to find photos for me, pick up the kids, play for my recitals and cry on my shoulder. I sat, then I laid down and smelled her sweetness awhile. And mixed it with a little sobbing.

I sat down when she left. I am often a little lost when one of my little girls gets married. Will she call me? Will she think of home sometimes? Will she be loved by her sweetheart as much as I am by mine? Will she have enough problems to make a fantastic marriage? Will she wish I was making her practice? Will she want to know how I did it? Did what? It all just happened, and now she leaves and I am saying good-bye. And I am just sitting, and crying again.

I sat down in the passenger seat, the drool still enshrined on my cheek. Still warm are the hugs from the mothers in my life, the beautiful, amazing, lovely mothers of my 5, 3, 2 & 1 year old girls. They towered over me with their athletic ways with Lilly. Passing her between them like they were not two, but one. I looking on in awe. I sat all the way home, wishing for one more laugh, one more hug, one more moment in the temple. My tears find their own way home.

So I sat a lot this past two weeks. They flew and I sat. I don't know whether to love it or grieve. Maybe both. I still sit as Tammy turns 17, Bethany plays endlessly on the piano and Isaac makes breakfast for Tammy this morning. I want to do something, but if I do, I may miss all this. So I'll sit, and cry, and sit some more.

And though I am so very busy, I will be sure to sit much. It is everything.

Steering

At the wheel? I've been hunting for that wheel for months now. Someone else is steering this baby and I am losing stuff, watching the clutter and the pounds piling up, forgetting to call people, crying during both receptions I missed...
I have taken control of one aspect of my life for the past two weeks--WHAT I EAT. Dad made a small goal a couple of months ago to not eat after 6:00pm (or after dinner) which he has now abandoned for better choices. Within about five days, he started to ask me how many points for this or that. I handed him a journal and he is now an amazing 10+ pounds down!! Now, mind you everyone, because he is taller and a male, he gets to eat nine more points a day. Well I showed him how I felt about that--I didn't control my eating. Eventually, with gentle encouragement and a fantastic example in front of me, I am now in control. I have seen a little difference weight wise, but mostly just the confidence and energy. There is something magic about writing down what I eat. I can't explain it.
I can't control the tears when the car drives away with my children inside, heading off to home or college. I can't control the worry when my surfer dude does not call me two hours after leaving to tell me another dip found him safe again. I can't control the passing of time and rising of elevation in the children. I can't control the longing to spend lots of time with those sweet granddaughters. I can't control broken-down cars and busted ovens. And I can't control the headaches on Fast Sunday. But I CAN control what goes in my mouth, and I CAN write it down. This one change will be my blessing. I owe it to myself. I owe it to all of you. I owe it to this great country where I CAN control this!!!

No More POP!!!

AAAHHHHH! Ok, Sarah, OK!! I'll write something.

I, too, have plummeted down into the depths of un-health-nut-ness. I started drinking soda from time to time. The last time I ran...let's see...about three weeks ago. So I am trying to huff and puff and lumber toward the bandwagon and try to jump back on...1st step...no more soda pop, period!

Rach

The Chub Continues.

Girls, this is getting ridiculous. We need to make it a new year's resolution to post more. Mom? I know you're getting this in your email, but we need to hear from you. You're the one at the wheel, remember?

So I've gone off the deep end. I don't exercise and I eat whatever I want. Let that sink in. Then let it be known that I am consequently not happy with my body. Help me. I need more energy, I need more time! Should I try a morning workout? Or after the kids are in bed? Or perhaps just bench press Lillie a hundred times? Or dance to Mama Mia with Grace... Those are just a few options. I'll try and figure it out by myself, since NO ONE IS POSTING ON HERE ANYMORE.

Get with the program ladies.

Disco Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

From the dead....

Or really, should say just dead to the world.
I'm glad you sent out a post Sarie, good for you. I've actually still been trying to be conscious of all the intake and output (being excersize) and have been trying to stay on top. I ran for what seemed like forever today on the bonneville trail up above provo on the mountains. Both Aaron and I were dead so that goes to show that it was a good workout. Im going to run a 5K next monday, finally! I've always wanted to. I missed the last one cause Jared took the north exit instead of the southbound...and then got pulled over. So, tragic but true, we missed the 5K down in Payson. But I'm going to do this one, so I'll post the results.
I'm also in a weightlifting class now and am excited about that too.
Best of wishes to everyone!

It's Been A While

Well aren't we getting ridiculous?? It's been over a month! Where is all the love? Let me see... I think I'll recap some recent events. Rachel made the Golden Knights, Naomi got accepted to BYU-I and is moving to Idaho. Miriam got engaged to Aaron "the stud" Hone. Kayla turned two. Hannah is experiencing some major changes as far as jobs and school. I am buying a house. Jared is getting married... oh wait, no he's not. Nevermind. Jared's mostly maintaining his shrewdness as a business man. Gideon is coming home. Bethany and Isaac are working on their radness. Dad probably lost some more hair, and Mom is doing 1,002 things probably as I write this. Lillie cut two teeth, Grace got a love note from a boy and Ruby learned how to say "the" instead of "duh".

Other items to note:
I have eaten crap for the last month and still lost five pounds. Gotta love nursing.
We will ALL see each other very very soon!
We will gain a brother in law.

Cheers to eating, not eating, losing, gaining, and change in general.

LOOOOVE to everyone.

Sarie

Look!

I found a WW points calculator online!

Also, I wanted to share a really fun 1 point treat! As seen above, the hostess 100 Calorie packs are really yummy, three cupcakes and ONLY ONE point for the whole pack. Can you believe it? This has been a really fun thing to have a s a treat. There are 5 grams of fiber in the pack!

Keep posting you guys, it is always such a treat to see your posts!

Missing.

So...
I added Bethany's email to our updates and also invited her to this blog.
I added her blog on our sidebar.
I changed a few things around.
When I get photoshop (that Jared and Aaron got for me from the student store) in the mail in a few days, I will definitely make a new banner for the top. This is, after all, our meeting place.

I miss everyone. So much. I've got Lillie's hot little baby body on my chest, wrapped in a blanket and sleeping. She smells like a dream and wears hand me downs from her sister AND Kayla! I love it. I miss Kayla! She probably says so many words now and runs around like crazy! She was not even walking when we left. Ahh, so sad. I will see you all soon I hope! I talked to Dad today about Gideon's release date and it's January 29th, so I'm hoping to see Mom and Dad a few days before, and then have Gideon come back down here for a day so we can have a blessing for Lillie. If all goes well, it'll be one of the best weeks ever.

Love love, miss miss.
Sarie

just a share...

im sitting here and its past midnight and i should be finishing my homework thats due tomorrow but i wanted to share.
today, we tabled on campus. we have a table with church and missionary sort of stuff and tell people about the church if they have any questions. we meet some interesting people to say the least. the elders serving in the branch come and help us out. i have become really good friends with both of the elders and i was talking with one of them and was telling him about when i was talking to a friend yesterday, he asked some questions about the church. i didnt really know how to answersome of them and i got upset with myself. i wanted to know how to answer but i was like uhhhh. it felt annoying. so i told elder allen about this(mind you hes going home in 12 days so hes on a spiritual peak) and told me all i can do was bare my testimony in situations like that. we dont always have the answers for everyone right off the bat and thats ok. pretty much we talked about that sort of thing and other spiritual stuff and before i knew it 45 minutes had gone by. it was so awesome.
it just felt really good that i could talk to someone like that who can sit with me here and now and see eye to eye with me and listen and understand what im talking about. i know i can talk to any of you girls but it was just so nice to have that spiritual talk with someone that i see all the time. i dont know if he knew how much that meant to me.
well i just wanted to tell you guys about that cuz it was a cool experience that i had today and i feel really good about it!!
Loves to you all, nomes

mom

so i love mom sooooo much. she has loved me through everything. i have worn the most rediculous things sometimes and all she does is look at me and smile.

the last few months have been hard with joe leaving and the last few weeks she has been awesome. she has listened to all of my blubbering at 11:30 at night when she was about to go to bed but she would stay up and talk to me. she usaed to stay up with me to finish book reports the night before they were due but now we stay up to talk. if i get home at 10pm she is dead tired but will stay up for a while to talk about how my day went and how i was doing. i love her a ton for that.

i dont know what i would do with out mom in my life. she has done so much for all of us and i know there is no way to thank her. all we can do is love her as much as we can back!!

i love you mom!! you are truly the best! love your little naomi

Well I have a second while Kayla babbles an intense conversation on the phone she has pressed up to her ear. (which is actually the iPod)

I just wanted to share that I have been keeping a food log again for three days now. I could tell I was really off track and decided I needed to get focused again. Yesterday I ate too much but today I have kept it to a minimum so I can indulge a little bit for dinner!

Life is too short too stress out about it, but it feels great when you feel like you are on track huh?

Love you all

Returning from the Wild...

hey, i'm not a slacker. i love you guys and am dropping a post just to let you know i love you all and haven't abondoned healthiness...although it may have abondoned me. But we're all working on it.

Mostly Stuff

Well I think we know who the slackers are in the family... (N, R, and M).

I wanted to say hallo to all the Medley girls. And say that I am officially in pig out mode again. I can't help it. I'm hungry all the time. It's nursing, I know, of course, but I do need to exercise some self control. On the brighter side, I think I've lost five pounds. I've been more active lately and just getting up and doing more. I would have lost a lot more if I would have been eating better!!

One of my favorite late night snacks is steamed edamame, so that has really helped! I bought a double stroller finally and plan to really use it this coming fall and winter. These seasons are the more 'active' seasons in Florida since the summers are too hot to do anything.

All of my love and keep posting! I miss you all in my Florida exile! :)

Mom as wife

Hey, I remember meeting her when she was a young woman. Literally. She was a senior in High School and I was a freshman at HSU. We dated. Once we decided to get married - we kept pushing up the date. We were excited to do all that cool stuff that goes with marriage. You know. The stuff you dream about - washing clothes together, going to Church together. All the stuff marrried couples enjoy. Ah, the passion of youth. She was what today is termed 'real'. No makeup. No funky hairdo. Just a down to earth, righteous hippy type. That was about 35 years ago. We still enjoy married life. You know. Washing clothes together, going to Church together. All the stuff marrried couples enjoy. Some things never change... Dad

Spotlight on Mom

I am totally in on this idea, Hannah, it's perfect!!

Mom is friendly. She can talk to anyone, anywhere. She never holds back, acts shy or acts too cool for anyone. We have followed her example. She lifts up the broken hearted, sad, and lonely everywhere.

Mom is thorough. This is something I appreciate now that I'm older and don't have any chores for her to inspect! When someone asks her to "plan a treasure hunt" or "be in charge of Women's Conference", you better believe it's going to be the most well-thought-out, most prepared task you will ever witness. The same goes for everything in her life.

Mom is thrifty. I haven't been back to Eureka in over a year, but I bet money she's still using the same tupperware containers for baking soda and salt that she did 20 years ago.

Mom is complimentary. This is something that as a mother is so important! She was constantly telling us that we as her children were the greatest piano players and were gifted in so many ways. It was such a confidence builder and has really carried over into my confidence as an adult. I can honestly say that I have no manic issues associated with my mother at all. Which is more than some can say!

Mom is loyal. She sticks with you. Especially the scouting program. She still, at the age of 50, involves herself and her whole heart into the small ward scouting program in Eureka. She had us attend and support the small youth program in our ward. No excuses. She's been Grama Dotty's support even when times got tough. She's got friends that she's had for a thousand years. Because people love her and she sticks with people, even if she's sick of it.

Mom, you've got amazing qualities and I'm so thankful the Lord has given us to you.

Love.
Sarie

A Fun Idea.

Okay guys, so i was thinking that it would be really fun to do a spotlight on someone and keep it going so everyone gets a chance.
I think that we should name a reason or two or three about each person in our sister blog group (could be a memory, quality, etc).
We will start with Mom then go Oldest to Youngest. The last person that posts about Mom will start the next circulation with Rachel, hope that makes sense.

MOM:
Mom's personality is full of charismatic qualities.
Mom loves us even when we are not showing perfection in our lives.
I know that Mom loves me individually and also loves each of her children individually.
Mom is the perfect example of patience and long suffering (she suffered long with all of us)
I feel like Mom always supports my decisions.
Mom is always so happy to share ideas, insights and listen to my stories.
Mom, thank you for teaching all of us to love eachother and love life.

Love you MOM!


****Now every one takes a turn in posting a spotlight blog for Mom! Have fun!

itsa me! anaomi!!

ok so here is a little bit about my health and happiness at the present time. my health has been great until wednesday when my face decided to break out into this weird rash. we thought that it might be herpes or something but i went to doctor craigs and he said it looked more like a reaction to something. so i have had to deal with this on my face for the last half of the week.

this is something that i have done to contribute to my happiness. i was down cuz of the thing on my face, i got up friday morning and made myself a "feel-good breakfast." eggs with some 'meatless meat' that rachel got when she was here, toast with blackberry jam and a glass of milk. my friday got off to a great start.

so this is my first blog post. short and sweet. i've gotta get used to it!

10 Reasons I Love This Blog

1. It is a place I can talk freely because my girls and I think alike, we laugh at the same things and value each other's differences.
2. I don't have to maintain a blog of my own and worry that no one is reading it.
3. It movitates me to do something worthy of writing about, which is always a good step for me.
4. I am not alone in my weight loss and general health and happiness issues.
5. I can laugh at myself safely, and have plenty of giggling company.
6. I love trying new recipes, sharing ones of my own and giving advice.
7. The name of the blog is perfect because it reminds me that we are not about weight loss in this family, but truly our health and happiness.
8. I know all of you are reading this.
9. It is a connection for all of us, my closest friends and most beautiful people in the world.
10. We can blow our horn or bear our souls and the love just deepens.

Lose for Good

"Lose for Good" is a current drive Weight Watchers is doing for the next six weeks. Each member's weight loss is recorded for each of the six weeks and then we sent them in to corporate, where they add it to all the weight lost in the world through WW. Then WW will donate the equivalent of one pound of food for every pound lost by the members during the drive, up to one million dollars.

Let's have fun and do that amongst us girls (and the guy(s) who can afford to join us). You call (or email) your loss for the week, or whatever, then I will put on the counter a pound of food for each pound lost by us in the next six weeks and then I will take a picture of it, post it on this blog and then I will take it to the St.VDP soup kitchen or the Food For People. It can be our little monument to something more than just our own weight loss. Starting a week or so from now, either email or call in your weight loss and I will post the total here. No more than 1-2 lbs each is healthy, but I will take whatever you give me and add mine in too. I am needing this way more than all of you! Be sure to weigh yourself today (unless you went to WW and weighed in this week already). Very important.

Questions, just call me.
In 2000, 1.1 billion people were underfed in the world. And 1.1 billion people were overweight.

Back from the Dead...and left a little behind...

Hey wonderful sisterhood of the thinning-pants...I'm back.

I realized how much I've been out of the loop when I got on and there is a slew of posts that I haven't even ever seen for scrolls on end! But school now starting and having my own apartment, my life might be a little more even paced...but then again, maybe not. 

Meanwhile here is a good success story that I didn't even see coming. 

So, a few days back Aaron and I both bet each other a foot massage (don't be alarmed mom) that we weighed more than the other. The kid is a beanpole like Jared so I was quite confident that I would win. We finally came across a scale in Sports Authority today and jumped on to determine the case. Aaron weighed in at 138.8. Oooh, it was in the bad, I thought. Last weigh in at weight watchers was 145-ish and having eaten terribly lately I though there was only one wat it could go. So, I hopped on for my turn...140.1....uh, I was rather shocked. Granted, I weighed more than him, but only by 1.3 pounds! So, I won the bet AND I've lost weight. I couldn't believe it. 

So, there you have my unexpected success story. And this is good news since I'm working towards running a 5K next friday night. My first...and maybe my last. No, I'm excited. It's one of my life aspirations. I'll give a report. 

A Very Happy Wednesday

So... I was feeling a little less than up beat today after work and knew I needed a little therapy. I decided that I was going to search the pantry and throw together a healthy meal. Here is what I found:
5 frozen chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Zesty Italian Dressing
Garlic powder with parsley
course ground pepper

Frozen bag of edemame (Rachel bought it when she was here and I forgot it was still there!)
salt

half a bag of red potatoes
canola spread
milk


First, I made the sauce for the chicken by mixing the cream o muchroom, a bit of zesty italian dressing, garlic/parsley powder, black pepper and a little water.
Then, I thawed and trimmed the chicken.
Next, I placed the chicken in a casserol dish and poured the sauce on top. I baked that at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

I boiled the potatoes, cut up. Then I drained them and added the milk and canola spread to taste and texture. Then I added black pepper and garlic powder.

Next, I boiled the edamame for a few minutes, drained and salted the heck out of it.

I really don't know why but this was so theraputic. I have been spending so much time studying anatomy and physiology with sean and so much time worrying about school and money that I have been forgetting to do little things like that for myself. It was fun and it made a Wonderful dinner!

Lean times are the best times!

Being on a budget, tight or loose is the lot of many and brings tears and frustration as well as enterprise and adventure. I am afraid I have succumbed to the former way too often, missing out on the adventures. Working full or part time and being a mom adds a lot of stress as well.

Humbly I suggest a fun exercise that has helped pull me out of a few slumps in my attitude:

Take a piece of regular paper and fold it in half to make two columns. Write on the top of one column "lower cost" and the other "expensive". Now I know that there are times in our lives when EVERYTHING is expensive, but just work with me here and even pray about it if you need to.

Now for a week or two, carefully fill out the paper during trips to the store, or looking at newspaper ads. Write only healthy items, placing them in the appropriate column. Write it in pencil so you can change things around if you need to. Write approximate prices as this will help as the list gets longer. You will face a long list of expensive things, believe me, but make finding less expensive things a mission of yours. Be sure to avoid the one trip/complete the list technique. This can lead to losses of findings that take several forays.

When the list begins to speak to you, start making notes on the meals, recipes and menus that can be created for your family. Letting go of the treats that cost a lot is the biggest challenge, but with herbs, spices and determination, it can be done. Remember that someday it won't be so hard (I am still awaiting that day!). When family helps financially sometimes, be sure to write thank you notes and then resist the urge to satisfy the spurge urge. Wise use of these generous offerings brings strength and trust.

Hope this helps. I think it is time for me to do it again. My paper is sitting right here folded and ready to go. Let's share our insights as we go. Being rich is never this much fun! Of course, how would I know?

By the Way, do any of you remember the month that I served the exact same dinner every night? Turkey, steamed rice, vegetable medley, and salad. It was so inexpensive, nutritous, simple and I appreciated what much of the struggling world doesn't have (and what we do have). I bought one turkey which lasted the whole week, a bag of rice lasted the whole month, vegis I bought every few days. It took you all about a week and a half to notice we were eating the same thing every night!

Good luck, girls.
Love you all so much. Mom

Seeking Ideas, Please Help!

I need a little help and I know there are good ideas floating out there!
So this semester and for the next about 6 months we are super duper poor, like poorer than we have ever been since we have been married. (this is due to a few factors such as, school books, hospital bill for surgery, tutor for Sean and other various things). Since I have been all about the health, I have been able to afford things like fresh fruit, All Bran crackers, almond thins from Costco AND I just ran out of all the one and two point bars that I got in Eureka.. sad! So now that I am fresh out of sweet tooth satisfiers and have very very little to buy food, what do I do? I am lost without my fresh fruit, all bran crackers and Weight Watchers treats! So since we have all experienced "shopping within a budget" in our lives, I know that you all must have some great ideas. Please help! Love you all:)

One Point Bran Muffins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix in bowl:
2 cups Kellogs All-Bran Cereal
1½ cups cups skim milk
Set aside for 15 minutes.

Then add:
1¼ cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1TBS+1tsp baking powder
1½ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup no-sugar applesauce
¼ cup egg substitute
½ raisins

Mix together until just blended. Pour into 12 muffin cups and bake 20 minutes.
Served hot is best.
You can substitute for the applesauce ¼ cup apple butter or ½ cup chopped fresh apple or .
And instead of the raisins, you can use ½ cup blueberries or ¼ cup dried cranberries, although the cranberries will raise the point value, I'm afraid.

They are very satisfying and delish. I got it from a friend who had found it a few years ago in a Weight Watchers Cookbook. It is not on Core, but for a low point breakfast using one of your 35 point allowance, it is great.

Soup 101

I know this is too late to rescue Sarah, but I want to share a few tips for soup magic.

In your pantry, always have some cans of broth such as beef, chicken and vegetable broth. Also bouillon powder or cubes. I like Knorr chicken cubes (found around the Mexican food section) and powdered beef bouillon. I am never without granulated garlic, basil, cumin, hot chili powder, pepper and vinegar. I rarely add salt to my soups. Also I always have some kind of canned beans on hand, that's just me and my love affair with beans in every recipe and soup. (And I complain about the gas?)

Once you have a base broth going, anything can go in it. All herbs and vinegar go in at the beginning. Leftovers are heavenly because it is so fast, but throwing any fresh or frozen vegetable in and cooking it in the soup makes the flavors soak in.

Meat is always optional, precooked is best. I never cook meat in the soup because I don't care for the fat layer it makes. Try turkey sausage sometime, YUM.

Starches are fun and make it hardy. As I said before, any kind of beans are my all time favorite. Canned or precooked, it is the same, just as long as they are cooked and well rinsed before adding them in. I like day old baked potatoes which have been cooked to just tender (not mushy, although mushy is great for the thickening effect). Onions are a must and mushrooms (sauteed beforehand) are an extra treat. I always cook noodles in the soup, unless I am using leftover pasta. And I never put in uncooked rice, always cooked. A handful of cornmeal is fun although it may sink to the bottom.

Creamed soups are easy, just add hot milk (non-fat is as good as half and half) at the end with mushy potatoes or potato flakes. A little butter is very good, although I never add it or I will get used to the heavenly taste again and lose my control. A more time consuming but more reliable thickener is making a small pan of white sauce, to which you can also add cheddar cheese in vegetable soups, then slowly pour it hot and thick into the soup stock, stirring well while pouring. We have used canned refried beans (not in creamy soup) to thicken it as well, but it would be a little weird to explain this to guests. In fact we call soup we have added refried beans to "Bum Stew".

I sometimes add a can of Tomatoes to add color and a new flavor. Nothing comes close to my home canned tomatoes, even though I use store bought when I don't have any of my own. I always cut them up small before adding.

This took a while to write but it is fast and easy, especially if you have the basics on hand and after you get a bit of practice doing it. You don't need those high salt, expensive soup starters. Nothing like doing it yourself. Master status brings great honor to you, for soup is a favorite of everyone.

Fruit Compost...er I mean Compote!!

Hey all...well for my first post, I'd like to just pass along a very simple recipe for a delicious fruit-sauce topping for light vanilla ice cream or froze yogurt. It's actually called "compote" which dad likes to call "compost" which of course brings lots of laughter to the dessert table. Here it is:

(all amounts are approximate and very flexible)

1 carton fresh strawberries cut up
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 bag frozen raspberries (no sugar added, just fresh-frozen whole fruit)

Lay the frozen raspberries out on a cookie sheet and allow to thaw for about 30 minutes. In the meantime, cut up the strawberries into hawaiian-haystacks-tomato-sized pieces. Rinse the blueberries and chuck them right into the bowl with the strawberries. By now the raspberries should be soggy. Spoon them into the mixture and use the spatula to scrape all the juice in. Use a big fat spoon to mix it all together, then cover with plastic wrap and let it sit awhile. This will allow the raspberries to thaw fully and the juices will blend together. Now you have an awesome, all-natural, no sugar added, tart and tasty topping. As long as you are smart about what you put it on, this can be a low-guilt dessert!

Try these bases:

Light vanilla ice cream
Vanilla frozen yogurt
Light angel food cake squares
Plain yogurt (this may be a bit tart since there is not a ton of sweetness in the berries)
Chocolate cake squares

Enjoy and if you think of variations, please post!

Rachie

Good Soup

Mom- I need a good soup recipe to cook tonight or tomorrow. Nothing creamy, and not too many weird things (Jake is a simple man). But something that has a good, savory broth to it. And of course, not too hard to make.
Love,
Sarie

Another midnight vigil

Hey girls! It is seriously 1:37am and I am, this time, waiting for the applesauce to get done in the boiling water bath. Scene: Mom and Isaac slicing and inspecting a total of three lugs of apples, cooking them down, one batch at a time, spooning the steaming soft apples into the Victorio while Isaac cranks out every last crank, adding cinnamon, filling the jars, wiping the rims, setting the caps, twisting the rings, processing them in four batches, taking each carefully out and admire the handiwork, while listening to the pop of the sealing of the 32 jars here and there over the next few hours. In fifteen minutes I will join the rest of the family (including Isaac who had to be forced to quit helping me) for a short night's sleep. And by the way, every one of the 32 pints we canned tonight are for Grandma Dotty. Tomorrow we will finsh up the last ones for us.

I am a bit over the top as I have stacked in the hallway all the fruit boxes as they empty just so I can admire (and remember) the volume I have accomplished over the last two weeks. Seeing how far we have come is essential to our vitality. Journals, before photos, memories and gatherings at family reunions when we remenisce (sp?), all help us keep our perspective.

I just learned how to play speed scrabble. Move over Settlers of Zarahemla! I am hooked. As I nuked the field with the highest score, Naomi, having a lousy hand that round says, "Like my life sucks right now!" I have no idea why it struck me so funny--not able to talk, cheeks in a state of permanent seizure, everyone in a laughing fit over my sudden grip of laughter--but it did. Like Sarah said, with Naomi every day is like a musical, or in this case, a tragedy (or was that a comedy?).

Control, etc.

Hannah, sometimes when I eat something that I know I shouldn't, I think of it like this. In college, sometimes I would go out with, hang out with, or even kiss a guy that I knew liked me but I didn't want to date him. I always felt guilty. But I knew it was up to me, and I knew that I would end up cutting him off because I just didn't think it was working out. Well, this is a horrible example, I'm sure, especially since Mom reads this blog :) but I think we should realize that we have to indulge sometimes. We have to have some white bread because it tastes good, but not feel guilty because hey, we can enjoy life at times. We are entitled to at least that. And you know that you're not going to have white bread every single day. You know that you just had some that day and that you are ultimately in control. If you are in control and you made the decision, then that food has no control over you, remember that!

Ok so I went on one of my long tirades...

Back to business. I am on my fourth day of eating nothing after dinner. Last night I was hungry and guess what I ate at 10pm? A handful of almonds and a huge glass of water. And my hunger for more was not there anymore. And those laffy taffys? I just laughed at them. They had no control over me.

Love you girls.
Sarie

Kicking the Guilt

So today we went to a place called Rumbi Island Grill with Sean's parents. I love this place. They have great salads and rice bowls with brown rice, tons of veggies and your choice of Shrimp, Chicken, or pork. When I went today I decided I would try something a little different. I thought I would get a Hawaiian grilled chicken sandwich. The sandwich also came with a mix of sweet potato fries and regular fries. When it came out to the table, it was a white and fluffy as can be burger style bun! I started to feel bad. I enjoyed the sandwich and the sweet potato fries were soooo good dipped in that dang thousand island type sauce. So my question to you is, how do you kick the guilt? Should I feel super bad when I do that? Why is it that most of the time I make the healthier choice such as a half portion brown rice bowl with chicken, or a Hawaiian chicken salad, but once in a while I make a decision like a sandwich, only to regret it later.
This is the never ending battle.
Anyway, I love and miss you all. This blog is heaven- sent and it is so delightful to read and write and feel connected to the girls most important in my life!

Some Goals

So I've decided. I'm not going on a diet. I'm not eliminating sweets or carbs. I'm not joining a gym. I am merely writing down two things that I am committing to for now: No eating after 7pm. And I am going to walk at least a mile every day. The exercising might be hit and miss, because I don't have a double stroller, I have to rely on Jake's mom to walk with me and push one of the girls (Grace will be in school so I only have two girls). So there it is. Eliminating my late-night binging will do wonders for me I think! And Oh--- I almost forgot! Most importantly. In bed by 11pm!!!! No excuses (unless Lillie creates one for me). But if I stay up later, it can't involve anything except a glass of ice water.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

So, when the girls were in town (so much fun by the way), Rachel bought a lot of super good and healthy food. She dazzled us with her artistic food preparation, it was great! When she left, there were still 5 green bell peppers left over. I decided to get creative and cook stuffed bell peppers. They are in the oven as we speak. Here is the summary of what I did:

1. Cut off the tops of 5 bell peppers and gutted them.
2. boiled them for 5 minutes.
3. Put them in a casserole dish
4. Stuffed them with a throw together type of sauce (Marinara, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ground turkey, brown rice, spices, and whatever else sounds delish.
5. Bake on 350 for 20 minutes covered with foil.
6. Take out and sprinkle low fat mozzarella cheese on top.
7. Cook uncovered for another 10 Minutes.
8. Indulge and Enjoy

Sore Muscles are Motivating

So, Rachel inspired me and Hannah affirmed my resolution to add muscle strengthening to my exercise routine. For some reason (I've heard it all a million times), I finally realized that muscle toning is just as important and effective in your weight loss program as are cardio exercises.

So, after going through Rachel's ab workout yesterday and being sore after just 20 minutes of her exercises, I'm inspired to keep going and aniticipate some exciting results!

Gas issues

Result of nectarine experiment: I lost 1.6 lbs this week.
This week we shall try peaches. It is 1:30 pm and I am already well into the numbers.
The known results of any of these experiments is the yearly gas situation.
Lets just say that it is a good thing it is summer and we can keep the doors and windows open during the day.

Mental Illness at Midnight

Ok, so I am writing here at 12:30am because I have nothing else to do while waiting for the canner to finish boiling up the tomatoes. We did 24 jars in four hours. This is while the four youngest Lund children are staying here (due to a reunion trip their parents are taking) through Sunday, Daniel 9, Alison 7, Spencer 5 and Joshua 3. The TV is off due to the grounding now in effect. So Isaac is the amazing boy with endless energy playing, and entertaining this energetic bunch. Which renders him useless on the canning team (except that without him we could never accomplish all this). Tammy and Bethany were completely fantastic tonight blanching, peeling, trimming, cramming, wiping, capping and installing jars into the canner for three consecutive batches. They did an entire batch without me, saying that they wanted to be like Hannah...even though many after her followed in the tradition of doing batches without Mom to help! Now the 45 minutes of the final batch continues to move toward completion. Tomorrow we are gearing up for 36 more jars and then getting a start on the peaches (without Tammy, Dad and Isaac to help at all, which leaves the Lunds, Bethany and me). We have 12 gallon freezer bags full of nectarines (from about one and a half lugs), and a gallon bag full of dehydrated peaches (constituting an entire lug). I am rambling now. All I wanted to say is that it is late and I am the only one up to empty the canner. Life doesn't get better than this.

And I think I am getting sick of eating nectarines.
And I think I gained weight this week.
How much do 15 nectarines weigh anyway?
The canner is done, so am I.
I weigh in tomorrow.
Sweet.