Eating This and Still Losing!

Strawberry-Banana with Cacoa Nibs

Me at 183 lbs. - 13 lbs lighter and still going!

Okay, so we all have that thing that is so hard for us to give up when we are trying really hard to lose weight. For me, that thing is ice cream. I love it! I have been known to eat a Friendly's Sundae only to have severe stomach pains because my body does not tolerate cow milk very well. I know, why would I do this to myself? One word . . . . weakness. 

I live on a goat farm so I have full access to wonderful goat milk. And I do make goat milk ice cream - which doesn't bother my stomach. But making goat milk ice cream is time consuming and still loaded with sugar. This treat is great for special occasions, but for a weekly or daily occurrence this is not acceptable. I was surely disappointed but willing to accept this fact until I came across a great little gadget that changed things for me. 

Yonanas Machine

Mango

It is called a Yonanas. My thrift-store shopping surely paid off on this one. I found it at Salvation Army on Family Day (50% off day) and scored this baby for $2.00. I had remembered reading about it in Prevention magazine. I read about the woman with a lactose allergy and her husband who invented it for her. I figured for $2.00 it was worth a try. Clearly the previous owner misjudged this wonderful machine. And clearly the employees at Salvation Army had no idea its true value. It is priced at $50.00 at most stores. I have to be honest now that I have tried it I would definitely pay full price for it. 

It works by putting frozen fruits into the top part and out comes the smoothest frozen treat I have seen. I love my blender  . . . but it can not do this. It is just frozen fruit . . . no sugar or fat . . . just fruit. I love it, my kids love it. And I get to enjoy an ice cream like treat without the guilt.

11 Down . . . 55 to Go

Me at our community center.
Photo by my friend Lisa.

Day 44 of this quest and I have lost 11 pounds. I am feeling great and 185 but I know that my quest is still in the baby stages. I am trying only to lose the weight slowly because I know slow weight loss is usually lasting weight loss.

Some things to think about:

1. Healthy Habits are better than Dieting

2. Any exercise is better than nothing - keep moving. Even if you already did your workout . . . any other movement is just bonus! Take the stairs, park your car further, and for all of us with older kids (don't tell my kids) stop ordering them to get stuff for you - get moving and get it yourself!

3. Fill up on veggies - you can eat that casserole or homemade stew and bread with your family just remember your portions and start with a huge salad or pile of steamed veggies. After the salad or veggies you won't want as much stew and bread. But if you deny yourself you will be more likely to binge eat later.

4. Beware of hidden calories. Yeah, that salad is healthy, but did you drench it in ranch dressing. Remember usually a serving size of dressing is 2 Tablespoons (I actually cut that in 1/2) and I choose vinegarette dressings instead of creamy dressings. Better yet, use just flavored vinegars. 

Found on Mark's Daily Apple

Having a drink. Yeah sure, you drink red wine for your health. It is okay to drink wine but a serving size of wine is 5 ounces (which is 100 calories). A regular wine glass can hold up to 20 ounces . . .you might have well eaten 4 cookies instead. A 12 ounce glass of Hard Cider is equal to a donut - you may want to have both but we are talking about weight loss here. If I am going to relax or socialize with friends I may choose Rum and Diet Coke, or a Lite Beer. If I want that wine I just may need to plan ahead for the extra calories. I don't encourage drunkenness but I did find this cool site Get Drunk Not Fat.

Found on Jessica Sepel
Health & Lifestyle Advisor

5. Talk to your friends about what they are doing - but remember one size does not fit all. You have to do what helps you lose weight and encourage your friends to do the same. We all have different weaknesses and strengths. Your differences can help each other but you must not try to be each other! 

6. The food pyramid is not the same as the old one . . . with science we discover new things or rediscover the old ones. Check out the 2 new ones I displayed here.

7. Do your research . . . read about weight loss, exercise, eating healthy. The more you learn the more motivated you will be . . . . 

8. HAVE FUN!

Ring in the New Year with Smoothies

Beet-alicous

I made it through the holidays and actually lost a few more pounds. I now weigh 189. Holidays can always be hard on diet/fitness routines and the average person gains 6 lbs. from Thanksgiving to New Year's. My only goal during that time was to  not gain anything. Which was a success because I actually lost about 2 more pounds.

Now that it is the beginning of a New Year . . .  I must double my efforts. I watched a motivational movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It is a great film about weight-loss, health and determination. It really inspired me, but the film maker method is juicing all his veggies and fruits. I am a great fan of fruits and veggies, but not of juicing. I understand the whole process of helping your body digest your food and in a liquid state your blood receives the vitamins and minerals more quickly for a fast, great impact. But I think you can receive the same benefits plus the fiber and protein with smoothies instead. Smoothies are better for your glycemic levels and it keeps you fuller longer.

My Little Ninja at work!

Not-your-average-Granny Green Smoothie

Juicers can be expensive and everyone seems to already have a blender. I happen to already have a Ninja. I know my friend Sherry just got herself a Vitamix (btw thanks Sherry for encouraging this post). You may have one of those cute Bullet mixers . . . or maybe a Walmart special. No matter what type of blender you have the year 2015 is going to be my year of health, so join me in making smoothies, losing weight and getting healthy.

Here are a few tested smoothies to get you started . . .
Please share your great smoothies recipes with me  . . . . I am looking forward to it! 
Have a Blessed New Year!

Beet-alicous 
1 fresh beet (chopped)
1/2 cup of frozen blueberries

Super-duper Green Smoothie

1 celery stalk chopped
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of mixed berry juice

Not-your-average Granny Green Smoothie
1 small granny smith apple (chopped)
1/2 a small cucumber (chopped)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of water

Berry-Kale Smoothie
1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
3 kale leaves (ripped or chopped)
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of water

Super-duper Green Smoothie
1 small granny smith apple (chopped)
1 celery stalk
1/2 small cucumber
1/3 cup of chopped honey dew melon
1/2 teaspoon of spirulina powder
2 ice cubes
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 Tablespoons of water

AND MORE RECIPES TO COME SOON!