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baby steps and organic eating

The kids are out bowling with a friend of mine, so I figured it was a perfect time for a blog post!



So much has been going on... I am officially back to work. The first day with students isn't until August 1, but we have so much professional development that I am already back in the swing of things. I am excited about the upcoming school year and blessed to still have a teaching job.



A lot of thinking and emotions have been playing out in my head about my eating and weight loss journey. I am still praying through a lot of things, and asking God for guidance. And it feels good to have "help" from that area.



After my last blog post, a few people made comments referring to my "all or nothing" attitude when it comes to dieting. One person implied that I set myself up for failure by putting so many restrictions on my eating, and suggested small changes. Exactly when I was reading that comment, I was pretty much beating myself up for having a bad day eating, and for not being able to "get it right". So I prayed. And then I thought to myself...



What if instead of making restrictions that I don't seem to be able to stay with long-term, I just made small changes every day. Small steps in the right directions. And at the same time celebrated those small victories instead of being so disappointed in myself for continuously failing at weight loss?



What if?



Over the past couple of weeks, my stomach has been uncomfortably bloated. My raging heartburn has returned to the point where I am about to start taking medication again. On Monday morning when I was getting dressed for a teacher-inservice, my capris were TIGHT. Since summer school ended I've been wearing sundresses or elastic-waist bottoms, so I just wasn't expecting that they would be TIGHT. So what did I do? I ate like crazy all day. And then at the end of the day, I had that hopeless, disappointed feeling that I hate.



Tuesday morning, I prayed for a better day. And as if God Himself were talking to me, the thought popped in my head to eat a good breakfast. So I got up and made an egg sandwich on whole wheat bread. And guess what? I was totally satisfied until lunch. For lunch, I had Subway. And guess what? I was totally satisfied until dinner. I had three solid meals, and not once was I hungry in-between. I felt like I was in control, finally.



And so I got up this morning and did the same. I have made good choices, and I feel good.



At the same time all this is going on, my entire family is going on a new path of eating. Last week, my family and I watched Food, Inc. For those of you that have watched that movie, you know EXACTLY what I mean when I say that movie is mind-changing. My kids even turned down their favorite McDonald's when someone offered to take them.



I have started buying organic milk and eggs as a start. I have not been able to buy any meat, because I keep seeing mad cows and exploding chickens. The cage-free chicken and grass-fed beef that I've priced is RIDICULOUS, so I haven't  bought any. When I empty my pantry and deep-freezer, I am going to replace it with good food. My kids are now begging for healthier food at home, so I am a fool if I don't give it to them. It benefits all of us.



With that being said, if anyone can refer me to any sites with tips or recipes for clean and organic food please let me know. I HAVE to start cooking. And with school starting, I have to start figuring out options for lunch and breakfast since my kids will NOT be eating school lunch this year. Good food is more expensive, but I am convinced that the benefits are worth it. But I have to find a way to try.



I think this all ties in. Me making good choices. My kids making good choices. One step at a time.

baby steps and organic eating

The kids are out bowling with a friend of mine, so I figured it was a perfect time for a blog post!



So much has been going on... I am officially back to work. The first day with students isn't until August 1, but we have so much professional development that I am already back in the swing of things. I am excited about the upcoming school year and blessed to still have a teaching job.



A lot of thinking and emotions have been playing out in my head about my eating and weight loss journey. I am still praying through a lot of things, and asking God for guidance. And it feels good to have "help" from that area.



After my last blog post, a few people made comments referring to my "all or nothing" attitude when it comes to dieting. One person implied that I set myself up for failure by putting so many restrictions on my eating, and suggested small changes. Exactly when I was reading that comment, I was pretty much beating myself up for having a bad day eating, and for not being able to "get it right". So I prayed. And then I thought to myself...



What if instead of making restrictions that I don't seem to be able to stay with long-term, I just made small changes every day. Small steps in the right directions. And at the same time celebrated those small victories instead of being so disappointed in myself for continuously failing at weight loss?



What if?



Over the past couple of weeks, my stomach has been uncomfortably bloated. My raging heartburn has returned to the point where I am about to start taking medication again. On Monday morning when I was getting dressed for a teacher-inservice, my capris were TIGHT. Since summer school ended I've been wearing sundresses or elastic-waist bottoms, so I just wasn't expecting that they would be TIGHT. So what did I do? I ate like crazy all day. And then at the end of the day, I had that hopeless, disappointed feeling that I hate.



Tuesday morning, I prayed for a better day. And as if God Himself were talking to me, the thought popped in my head to eat a good breakfast. So I got up and made an egg sandwich on whole wheat bread. And guess what? I was totally satisfied until lunch. For lunch, I had Subway. And guess what? I was totally satisfied until dinner. I had three solid meals, and not once was I hungry in-between. I felt like I was in control, finally.



And so I got up this morning and did the same. I have made good choices, and I feel good.



At the same time all this is going on, my entire family is going on a new path of eating. Last week, my family and I watched Food, Inc. For those of you that have watched that movie, you know EXACTLY what I mean when I say that movie is mind-changing. My kids even turned down their favorite McDonald's when someone offered to take them.



I have started buying organic milk and eggs as a start. I have not been able to buy any meat, because I keep seeing mad cows and exploding chickens. The cage-free chicken and grass-fed beef that I've priced is RIDICULOUS, so I haven't  bought any. When I empty my pantry and deep-freezer, I am going to replace it with good food. My kids are now begging for healthier food at home, so I am a fool if I don't give it to them. It benefits all of us.



With that being said, if anyone can refer me to any sites with tips or recipes for clean and organic food please let me know. I HAVE to start cooking. And with school starting, I have to start figuring out options for lunch and breakfast since my kids will NOT be eating school lunch this year. Good food is more expensive, but I am convinced that the benefits are worth it. But I have to find a way to try.



I think this all ties in. Me making good choices. My kids making good choices. One step at a time.

Weekend Eats

I’ve been so busy the past few weekends and didn’t do much cooking at home, but I’ve had some wonderful food while out and about.

We had some family in town last weekend, and I recommended Land Thai Kitchen on the Upper West Side for dinner on Friday night. We went early and didn’t have to wait to sit down. I had a lychee margarita and shared root vegetable spring rolls and vegetable dumplings for appetizers. Both apps were delicious, but I especially loved the vegetable dumplings because they had a nice crunch inside (thanks to crumbled peanuts). I ordered a Jamaican Curry Tofu and Vegetables meal for the entree. I forgot to ask for brown rice, so I mostly stuck to eating the tofu and mixed vegetables which included green tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, carrot, and more. I’m always happy with my food at Land Thai. It’s so fresh and the vegetables are never overcooked.

All you care to eat...

Thought for the Day...Day 3: We were made for more! More than this failure . . . more than this cycle . . . more than being ruled by our taste buds, body image, rationalizations, and guilt. We were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.





Wow... I needed to hear that today. 





My bff and I took a short trip out of town on Monday and just got back yesterday. It was a girlfriends trip... just me and her. It was so nice to get away for just a few days... no kids, no responsibility. For that I am thankful.

Doubles (Trinidad Street Food)

Ever since we got back from Trinidad, I’ve been dying to make some of the foods we ate on our trip. Last night I made curried chickpeas and fried bread (doubles). They came out great! When we were in Trinidad we ate doubles on the street several times and I loved them. They are loaded with flavor thanks to gobs of curry powder, garlic, onions, and hot sauce. I used a half teaspoon of some super-spicy homemade hot sauce we brought back with us from our trip.

Frying the bread was a new thing for me. I typically don’t fry my foods because it’s obviously not the healthiest cooking method. But this was fun for a special treat. Plus, the curried chickpeas filling is super healthy, vegetarian, and full of disease-fighting curry spices.

I used a Doubles recipe from the cookbook I bought on vacation: The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & The Caribbean. If you want to make these doubles too, I found an almost identical recipe on the Fabulous Foods website.

It feels good to experiment with new recipes, and I know my boyfriend loves that I’m learning how to make homemade Caribbean food. Can’t wait to try more recipes from the cookbook! For more on Trinidadian food including pictures from my recent vacation, click here.

Kosher Jewish Pickles recipe – 67 calories

Apple Walnut Pancakes recipe – 143 calories

Apple Walnut Pancakes recipe – 143 calories

Day 2... again

Thought for the Day: God made us capable of craving so we’d have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only One capable of satisfying them.





I stayed focused and on plan yesterday. I journaled and counted points for everything I ate. That was my goal, and it was accomplished. For that, I am happy.





I still had a few cravings, but I didn't leave the house all day so I was ok. Today will be a challenge. So far, I've been lazy all morning but me and the kids are about to hit the road. I desperately need my eyebrows done. Then I am driving into town to visit a teacher store I've heard good things about. While I'm there, I am going to take my kiddos to play at Monkey Joe's, one of those inflatable play places. I might meet up with one of my friends while I'm there, and will probably eat out. Tonight, I want to paint my girls' room before my oldest daughter gets back from camp tomorrow (surprise).





I also have an old friend from high school that is going to let me have her points calculator, since she has a high-tech phone with a WW app. Having a points calculator should help me a lot since I can take it with me wherever I go. Hopefully, I can meet up with her today, too.





So... the rest of the day will be hectic, but I plan to stay focused. My plan... stick to my points and journal everything like yesterday. I also need to make good choices and eat more fruit and veggies. When I go to Walmart for paint, I am gonna also stock up on produce.





I have prayed and read my devotional. When I start to crave food today, I will remember that I must crave God instead of food.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria Fruit Cups recipe – 122 calories

Peace all around me...

Thought for the Day: Eating in its proper context is not the problem. God gave us food for nourishment, strength, and even celebration. But when pleasure becomes unrestrained, there’s a problem.





Today is day one of the 21-day devotional series that goes along with the book I'm reading (Made to Crave). I woke up this morning, and I prayed for God to help me. My goal for the day is tracking and staying within my Weight Watcher points. Baby steps, yes, I know. But it is the step in the right direction. I need to be in control. I have to admit that I feel a sense of peace about my eating today. I'm not craving, or just wanting to eat because I've told myself I can't. I'm gonna make it.





Yesterday was so busy. It was my first in-service of the summer, which basically means that I will be back to work in no time at all. The floors have been waxed in my classroom, and everything is out of place. I worked on organizing some shelves yesterday, and I may go and work on my room a little today, too. I would like to get organized so I can start planning soon. I have the opportunity to really get a head-start on things so that the first few weeks of school will not be so stressful.





My teenagers went to camp on Tuesday, so I only have my two younger kids (ages 10 and 5). It is so quiet around the house... so peaceful! I have been trying to get off my butt and clean today. I also have to mow the lawn later... something that I haven't done at all this year. Hey... I have two teens that can do it for me! I was griping about it on Facebook, but someone reminded me that both cleaning and mowing are good exercise, so I'll take it!





I would love to go swimming, but I've temporarily lost my swim teacher. We are not exactly seeing eye-to-eye right now. That sucks.





Which also reminds me of something that I was thinking about while cleaning the toilet this morning... In the grand scheme of my life, my weight loss and health journey are just two of the MANY things that I have on my plate. My thoughts and emotions and priorities are all over the place. If I could just focus on what I eat every day, I would be able to go so far! But when I am constantly drowning in money issues, bills, car repairs, love life (or lack of), being a mom, worrying about MY mom, being a teacher, grocery shopping, etc, it's hard to make weight loss or even ME a main priority.





So maybe this route will work, since I am making GOD my main priority, and using my weight-loss journey as the way that I am showing my devotion to Him. I am finally seeing (again) that if I put God first in my life, everything else falls in place.

Peace all around me...

Thought for the Day: Eating in its proper context is not the problem. God gave us food for nourishment, strength, and even celebration. But when pleasure becomes unrestrained, there’s a problem.





Today is day one of the 21-day devotional series that goes along with the book I'm reading (Made to Crave). I woke up this morning, and I prayed for God to help me. My goal for the day is tracking and staying within my Weight Watcher points. Baby steps, yes, I know. But it is the step in the right direction. I need to be in control. I have to admit that I feel a sense of peace about my eating today. I'm not craving, or just wanting to eat because I've told myself I can't. I'm gonna make it.





Yesterday was so busy. It was my first in-service of the summer, which basically means that I will be back to work in no time at all. The floors have been waxed in my classroom, and everything is out of place. I worked on organizing some shelves yesterday, and I may go and work on my room a little today, too. I would like to get organized so I can start planning soon. I have the opportunity to really get a head-start on things so that the first few weeks of school will not be so stressful.





My teenagers went to camp on Tuesday, so I only have my two younger kids (ages 10 and 5). It is so quiet around the house... so peaceful! I have been trying to get off my butt and clean today. I also have to mow the lawn later... something that I haven't done at all this year. Hey... I have two teens that can do it for me! I was griping about it on Facebook, but someone reminded me that both cleaning and mowing are good exercise, so I'll take it!





I would love to go swimming, but I've temporarily lost my swim teacher. We are not exactly seeing eye-to-eye right now. That sucks.





Which also reminds me of something that I was thinking about while cleaning the toilet this morning... In the grand scheme of my life, my weight loss and health journey are just two of the MANY things that I have on my plate. My thoughts and emotions and priorities are all over the place. If I could just focus on what I eat every day, I would be able to go so far! But when I am constantly drowning in money issues, bills, car repairs, love life (or lack of), being a mom, worrying about MY mom, being a teacher, grocery shopping, etc, it's hard to make weight loss or even ME a main priority.





So maybe this route will work, since I am making GOD my main priority, and using my weight-loss journey as the way that I am showing my devotion to Him. I am finally seeing (again) that if I put God first in my life, everything else falls in place.

Spicy Chipotle Coleslaw recipe – 110 calories

Shrimp Cocktail recipe – 195 calories

Banana Blueberry Crumb Muffins recipe – 174 calories