What's hiding in your drawers?

I have a secret candy stash.  I used to call it a chocolate stash until recently when I opened a desk drawer to find lolly pops, skittles, gum and sweet tarts.  Halloween candy remnants.  They’re all over…..the shoe closet, lingerie drawer,  office desk, kitchen cupboards, laundry room and even the garage.

There may be a problem here but I can’t give it a thought now.   

one body…one life….how you livin' it??

You can't walk into Target and get a new "earth suit" when you've worn out the knees in yours.  You better be sure you won't "beat the band" in that size 4 dress you've been eyeing in Mr. Big Department Store if you've been pounding Little Debbies since Easter….you know that's right!

Are you eating healthy?
Do you feel good in your skin?
We get only one body, you know.

one body…one life
what will you do with it?

Conviction knocks at my door with a gentle, yet constant reminder; you are responsible for this body God has given to you.

Have you watched the movies "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" or "Forks Over Knives"?  Well I have and you'd think that would have arrested me to the point of change.  Fact: I must make a shift.   From fast food and sweets to veggies and health food.  I MUST start thinking of every morsel of food and drink I allow past my lips. (aside from s'mores … they're exempt from any dietary plan I concoct because they're an American Outdoor Adventuring staple….don't mess with my s'more action, y'all )  

Here I go again…..down a rabbit trail tossing popcorn.   I could stay here for pages but I digress.

The real reason I wanted you to come by today was to

Happy Freedom & Independence Day!!!

I had this big long post ready for tonight but I scrapped it for this. (you realize I type these up the night (or early morning) before I post at 8am:) 

In celebration of the 4^th of July my cousin, Natalie, (who’s in town for a couple weeks) and I decided to make some special cupcakes for the pool party we’re attending tomorrow.  We signed up to bring watermelon but to be quite honest we spent most of the evening devouring one of the 2 we bought for the occasion. 

 therefore.....

at 7pm Plan B was in full force.

We made simple chocolate mini-cupcakes with vanilla icing—boring, right!  For added pizazz we topped them off with sliced strawberries & a blue berry.  

Admitting this to you is a bit tough...I use box mixes sometimes.  We decided to cheat a bit since it was a bit late when we started and the grocery store

I'm finally cooking! miracles do happen

I'm used to calling a recipe a "menu" because that's all I'm used to reading when it comes to food so I had to share this video Marc & I filmed today of me cooking my first meal in....uh....maybe....uh....OK...who knows when!  We're on day 9 of this Fat Sick and Nearly Dead lifestyle shift that will NOT just be a little "get skinny" diet but an entire change to our lives, habits, health & kids!

I'm sitting here typing while my tummy grumbles ....first time in ages.  Loving it!  When I was skinny (and mildly healthy) I loved going to bed between 2-4am with a rumbly belly but since I've been pregnant or nursing for 4 years I'm used to stuffing myself silly in the name of "making enough milk for the baby".  Ha!  He's now 18 months and if my milk dries up we'll all be just fine:)

Enjoy my silly but very serious attempt at dinner...with a twist at the end.  If you don't wanna sit through till the end...let me give you a tip...Marc ends up finishing my work as always:)  No seriously...

its about time for a reboot!!!

My body has been screaming at me for some time now.  Apparently snickers, ice cream, Chick-fil-A and pizza don't make up a balanced diet.  So here I am on Day 4 of my Reboot....and regardless of my energy level now I'm loving how my physical future looks.  The Bible says my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.....this run down temple is getting a swift kick in the bootay!

The scale says I've lost 5 lbs but I really don't care about numbers...I care how my clothes fit!  And once I've conquered my cravings, reboot my body & my taste buds I'm sure I'll get excited about some form of exercising...then the shopping starts:)

Today at the local Farmer's Market with my family....(find a market near you)

keep your JARS!....corn dogs vs. salmon

my tip for the night:

Think of everything you use on a regular, even not so regular basis….  Does it function for you? Does it hold visual appeal?  If it doesn’t look good make sure you stow it for goodness sake!  Hide the clutter or the “uglies”.  That should go without saying:) 

My point?  I save all jars that come my way. 

I use small ones for spice mixtures (ok, Marc’s spices), buttons, sewing supplies, toiletries, and other things I can’t think of right now. 

I use large ones primarily for paint—a jar is way easier to open than metal paint can & I can see the color straight away….I also keep a stash of jars above the stove so Marc can use them for kitchen type things…spices, sauces, dressings, etc. 

That leads me to tonight’s dinner:

Facing dinner time, Marc went to the freezer.  Having been presented these two delectable options, he considered our weight loss goals and opted for healthy...salmon, salad with feta & pears.   What does this have to do with reusing jars???  the mason jar in the back you can barely see (looks like a dark piece of wood:) is used to house the balsamic dressing creation my Honey made for tonight's dinner:)

What a delightful dinner presented in the most glorious way.... decorated plates with food of not only color & texture but also taste…..mmmmmm (forget the fact that I'm still hungry...let's focus on my shrinking waist)  

Way to go Marc!   He’s the spitting image of the husband I always imagined during my single days:)  Go ME!!!

healthy hugs,

Trish

breaking up with cookies....finally

Look at this old post from May 2011 I found that I never published...never too late to share a laugh with friends:)

I'm not sure just how long ago it was...a month...maybe longer when I had my first (as far as I can remember) noteworthy interaction with cookies....yes, that's right....cookies.

I was walking by the pantry one afternoon knowing I only had a few hours before I was breaking into that bag of cookies (after boys' bedtime). 

----------no limits. 

----------no one telling me how bad they were for my body or echoing my weight loss goals (as if I really established any of those since Koen was born). 

Here it is...wait for it!

I winked! 

Not only did I wink AT the cookies, I gave them a little "I'll see you later" kind of grin across my face.  Just as I made my way from the kitchen to the living room it dawned on me what I had just done & I burst out laughing...."I just winked at the cookies" I rattled off to Marc. 

Laughing-tummy-pains followed.

My latest incident was last night (5/21) after spending cuddly time with my honey on the porch in the rain storm.  I went to the kitchen (11pm) to have ANOTHER cookie, which could've been my 8th but who was counting, and I exercised self-control for perhaps the first time in 10 years.  I wrapped up the 2 remaining cookies & 2 brownies (what!?! only 2 left?  I couldn't have eaten that many, surely Marc’s the guilty party there) and told them I was done with them.  I broke up with my cookies!  Then, now here’s the wacky part (as if the rest is balanced & centered:), as I placed them in the pantry I told them I'd see them tomorrow!....

Really….what is my deal???

So there you have it....my cookie break-up.  Now if only sugar probation existed -- where I had to answer to someone for my sugar weakness.  Marc is no help because if we're out of sweets in the house he'll beg me to go to the store regardless of the hour or the activity I'm wrapped up with.  No help from my Honey! 

Honey.....(ponder...pause)........

yummmm.....

Mind...shut UP!!!

xox

t

Eat More Pie...and pray for someone...maybe not at the same time:)

After a really long day I nearly went to bed just now…then remembered I had some things to share with you.  You see, you’re part of the family & I must share with you the little nuggets of the day.  How are you living decorated today?  Have you written down your vision yet?  Takes some time, eh?  Well, as long as you’re being honest with yourself & moving forward no one can give you a hard time, least of all me:)

A few things I want to share about today... but let me rewind to yesterday briefly to tell you about a great lady who lives decorated by doing what God has truly gifted her to do & surrounding herself with things & people she loves.  Julie owns Texas Pie Company in Kyle, TX and if you haven’t been you MUST go.  We went yesterday & I was immediately inspired by the Eat More Pie sign…I mean HELLO….totally my motto.  Maybe you can add ALL desserts to that tag line then it would be more “me”.  Anyway, she had just made this funky chandelier out of utensils (how fitting) and the unique guitars I guess she made as well. There are loads of write-ups about this place featured one one wall & the other is filled with pictures of her family...inspiring! So check her out & you’ll certainly be back for more.  Say hi to Shana when you go!

Now I jump forward to my “today”.  I received a voicemail that my dearest best friend just lost her Mimi & is in San Antonio.  I loaded the kids in the car as soon as I unloaded the groceries (and played with the lost dog who wouldn’t leave our yard) then headed her way.  My friend is one of the kindest women you will EVER meet with such a heart for God, Jesus & her family.  To see her hurting is nearly unbearable.  After catching up on each other’s lives she asked that I pray for her. We put the kids in front of the TV (no worries, it was wholesome programming) and we headed to the car with Koko. I thank God for answered prayer! 

I was inspired to share for this reason; someone may have asked you (or will ask you) “pray for me” and what better gift than to stop everything you’re doing and pray right then and there?  Time doesn’t always allow but when it does…when you MAKE time I promise when you see prayers answered.  there is no greater gift or way to beautify your life by sacrificing for someone you love…someone God loves!   She has VICTORY TODAY….by faith she received it!!!

Thanks for letting me share that very close-to-my-heart story from my day’s adventure.  And a road trip is always a great way to shut everything out & touch base with your Creator.  Watch the clouds roll in (or around) as you chug along.

Jumping a bit more ahead: remember that cute dog?  Well while driving to SA I prayed & asked God to have His perfect will with that curly bundle of love.  SO….sure enough when Marc got home he was still here…just as adorable as can be.  I gave him a bath (with Tiernan’s help, of course) and now he’s waiting for me in my bed.  Even as I write this I have tears peaking in my eyes. Do you know how much I miss Paisey Poo…still?!  This may be an answer to prayer (even though I promise I did NOT pray for another animal)

Did I steal someone else’s dog, you ask?  NO!  I went door to door in the cold trying to find his home (even though I admit I hoped against it).  I left my card on houses, left flyers near both mail centers….now I pray he will be in the perfect home for him.  Sorry for the length of this one but you’re probably already signed off & I’m all alone here…oh, well.  I LOVE HIM! 

Disclaimer:  I would NEVER want to take someone else’s dog (or make a little kid cry) so I have to do all in my power to find his home but he acts as if he’s been here forever.  Hopefully he’s potty trained:)

Do I have to eat?

I am surrounded by the most wonderful people!  People that love God.  People that know how to pray.  People that support, encourage & lift each other up.  People with a hunger for God & His will for our lives.  I am truly blessed!  Some great things....great big things are taking place right now.  Things I look forward to sharing one day, as the Lord allows.  Victory!  Breakthrough! 

Family's all in bed & I'm so excited I can create, blog, read my book "Heaven is for Real", or just chill with a cup of tea.  So why oh why is it that all I can think about is putting on my eye pillow & getting some much needed rest for body, rest for mind?  Why did God make us to need sleep?  I sure could get a LOT more done if I didn't have to sleep:)  Funny.......usually its 2am before I'm feeling this way thinking BED...NOW!

That brings up another question which I'll have to save for Jesus when I'm in heaven: why do we have to eat?  On occasion I enjoy eating.  You know, lunch after church with friends, dinner with my honey at a fancy restaurant, stinky cheese with fruit & crackers.  But for the most part I eat because I need it....my tummy screams & the room starts spinning if I don't get it.  You can't tell this by looking at me though.....excess fat BE GONE in the name of Jesus!  The name of Jesus is powerful folks!  Never doubt that.

Oh, then there's the nursing factor...baby's gotta eat too:)  Time for a bowl of cereal before bed!  Ciao