My South Beach Diet Journey - Phase 1 Day 5

Results Are In

Sound the trumpets! Ring the alarms! I have successfully completed 5 full days of South Beach, and I have some really exciting news.  **drumroll please** I have lost 5 lbs in 5 days! ::gasp::  ::faint::  I have never lost that much in less than a week.  And I don't feel like I'm starving myself. After the first day of my body being shocked from the new eating pattern, I got used to it.

What I've Learned

I think the most important thing with this diet (and any other diet to be honest) is planning.  The day before I started, I planned out meal plans for the full week - including snacks.  I then went to the grocery store and got everything all at once.  Once I planned ahead, I always had something to eat.  I eat every 2 hours! I just make sure to follow the guideliness of what foods are allowed, and I continue to count calories as well. 

I have to be honest, I haven't been perfect. One day during the week, at an office party, I indulged in a glass of ginger ale.  I also allow myself to sometimes eat lowfat popcorn, which I believe I shouldnt be having until phase 2.  But the most important thing is that 90% of my eating is exactly where it should be, so the other 10% does not have much of an effect on my results.

The 2nd most important thing with this diet is portion control.  When I first did South Beach many years ago, I didn't count calories.  I just thought, as long as I stay away from bad carbs I'll lose weight.   I would eat 2 steaks, or have 2 eggs and 3 sausage links and bacon... um.. NO.  While they do have a low amount of carbs, they're high in calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol.  So this time around, not only did I avoid bad carbs, I also counted calories and measured everything.  I know this may seem daunting but if you want results, you have to sacrifice.  For example, I will only have 39 pieces of dry roasted peanuts because that is exactly the 1 ounce serving. 

Improvements Needed

1) Exercise: I have not exercised at all.  Even though I'm not as hungry, and cravings have reduced, I don't have as much energy as I normally have when I have more carbs in my system.  I think I will save the Exercise regime for phase 2. 

2) Water Intake: I only have approximately 4 glasses of water per day.  I know that I should be having 8-10 glasses, but I don't seem to remember drinking unless I'm eating.  I think I will add water by drinking one glass automatically upon waking, and one glass right before bed.

Here is today's meal plan!

Phase 1 Day 5

Breakfast

Boiled Egg

1 TBS mayo

1/2 cup stewed codfish

Midmorning Snack

1 serving SMARTFOOD popcorn

1 ounce pepperjack cheese

Lunch

sliced sweet italian sausage on a bed of lettuce w/ chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese

Midafternoon snack

39 pieces dry roasted peanuts

Dinner

Shrimp and Broccoli in garlic Sauce

Dessert

Sugar Free Jello

My South Beach Diet Journey - Phase 1 Day 1

So I haven't posted in awhile. In fact, it's been almost exactly a year this month. What have I been up to? Hmm.. a divorce, a promotion, a loss of a total of 35 lbs... um ya, I said divorce. That in itself could be a whole other post filled with betrayal, disappointment, frustration, emotion, and new beginnings. And I promise to share as much as I can at some point, but for now, let's stick to the health stuff.

If you remember my last post, I had completed Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. That was a huge accomplishment for me! Prior to that, I never consistently exercised since my high school cheerleading days. So after my 30 Day Shred victory, I continued on to exercise and eat well. I also became a vegetarian, which was tough at first, but after watching documentaries on the treatment of animals, as well as the hormones injected into animals that are thought to lead to the development of human cancer, I knew I had to turn away from meat. Unfortunately, during the winter I got extremely busy (and lazy) and stopped my 6 day a week workout regimen. I also found out that I am gluten sensitive. So there I was, a vegetarian, thinking that I was treating my body well by avoiding meats, when all of a sudden my skin became horrible. I was breaking out terribly on my face, chest, and back. My eczema was out with a vengeance. And a skin disorder that I have, Hidradenitis Supportiva, was worse than ever.

Needless to say I was extremely confused. I started to do research and found out that many people who were Gluten Free saw improvement in their skin issues. That's when I had my Eureka moment. I realized that the moment I stopped eating meat, I naturally increased my Gluten intake through breads and pastas. So my body was now getting overloaded with the thing that was harming it. I then had to choose - Vegetarian or Gluten Free. Since Gluten appeared to be making me ill, I had to go back to my carnivore ways in order to have somewhat of a normal eating pattern (ideally hormone-free and grass-fed of course). I know, I know. Some of you out there in bloggyland are shouting at your computer screens, "You can be both a Vegetarian and Gluten Free!" And yes, while I know that I "can", it doesn't mean that I am willing to devote my whole entire life to eating primarly lettuce leaves.

In any event, here I am - 35 lbs down, but still have another 25 to go. That's why I decided to do South Beach. I did it in the past many years ago with minimal success, but it was minimal only because I gave up after a week. This time around, I'm older and wiser, and realize that it's more for health than it is for weight loss. I actually gained a couple of pounds when I began eating meat again. Why? Because I was supplementing all of my Gluten-filled favorites with their Gluten-free counterparts which mostly is equally unhealthy. Studies show that most people gain weight while being Gluten Free because the Gluten Free substitutes have more sugar and other fillers to supplement the Gluten. Finding that out was a total bummer.

This is why I decided to try South Beach again. South Beach has 3 phases. Phase 1 is when you avoid all bad carbs and sugar for 14 days. This phase is supposed to reprogram my system, reduce cravings, and lower blood sugar. It also will help me to eat more along the lines of what a true Gluten Free person is supposed to eat like. Today was the first day and... I. AM. HUNGRY. I don't believe it's because of the diet itself because the diet has me on 1600 calories per day (and more if I exercise). I believe it's just my body going through porition size withdrawal. Today I actually ate the appropriate serving size at every meal, and was satisfied but not full. Supposedly that's the RIGHT way to feel after eating. Go figure. My body just has to get used to it because I would get hungry 2 hours after the meal as opposed to 4.  

 

What's my analysis? Overall Day 1 went okay.  One issue is that I snacked a bit too much in the evening while preparing dinner.  Though the snacks were things allowable on the diet, I ended up going over my calorie limit by 260 calories. The other issue is that I ended up eating dinner at 10:00pm, which isn't healthy in itself.  But I found a solution for that one: I will be cooking the next day's dinner the night before.  So tonight I have chili in the slowcooker for tomorrow. The apartment will smell AMAZING in the morning!  

 

Due to my hectic schedule, I won't be able to blog every day, but I'll blog every week to give updates. So without further ado, here is my Meal Plan for Day 1:

 Phase 1 Day 1

 Breakfast

1 hard boiled egg

1 tsp mayo

1 cup of coffee w/ 2 TBS evaporated milk, 1 truvia packet

 Midmorning Snack

 1 slice of bologna and 1 slice of cheese wrapped up

 Lunch

 Tuna on a bed of lettuce, 3 slices of ham, 1 slice of cheese

 Midafternoon Snack

 2 ozs peanuts

1 hard boiled egg

 

Evening Snack (this is a no-no!)

 

1 slice of bologna and 1 slice of cheese wrapped up

 

polly-o string cheese

 Dinner

4 oz boneless chicken breast

mixed vegetables

 

30 Day Shred Complete! Before and After..

I did it folks!  I successfully completed the 30 Day Shred!  I did 6 days a week, and took Saturdays off, since that's the day I do the most activities with my little guy.  It definitely wasn't easy.  There were times when I had to work out at 11:00pm after a full day of work (plus all my mama duties), and I'm tellin you I wanted to quit.  But I didn't, and I'm so proud of myself.  I haven't worked out this much since I was in high school! 

The one thing I learned is that the most important thing is to have a good support system.  I had a workout buddy who always reminded me to workout - like an accountability partner of sorts.  If I said that I was too tired to work out, he'd give me the firm, yet encouraging push that I needed to keep going.  When I began moaning and groaning about how unfair it was that I wasn't seeing results quickly enough, or how much I wanted a burger and fries, he brought me back to reality and reminded me why I was doing all of this in the first place.  I was definitely stubborn at times and needed some tough love.  Thank God for special friends!

It was also very helpful that I took before pics and measurements, because I would often get discouraged from what I saw on the scale, but once I retook pics and took out the measuring tape, I felt so much better!  So now, without further ado - here are my results:

Measurements Before
Each Arm: 13.5 in
Bust: 44 in
Waist: 42 in
Hips: 46
Each Thigh: 25.5

Measurements After
Each Arm: 13
Bust: 41
Waist: 39
Hips: 45
Each Thigh: 25

Total inches lost: 9 inches
Total pounds lost: 4 lbs

BEFORE PIC ON THE LEFT, AFTER PIC ON THE RIGHT

Uh, did I just really post those pics??  Eeeee!!!  *cringe* That took a lot of guts, friends.  I know, I know, I still have a lot of work to do, but I do see a difference in my biggest problem area (the baby bump that my little one left behind as a parting gift O_o)  The hardest thing for me ended up being the healthy eating.  I would do well for 5 days, but then tank on the weekends, which would undo the work I did.  It's still a struggle for me, but I'm improving day by day. 

The amazing thing about this journey is that I have now developed a healthy habit of exercise.  I actually feel uncomfortable if If I don't work out now.  Have you heard that age old pop culture factoid that it takes 30 days to make or break a habit?  Well actually, research shows that it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, so I'm halfway there.  In any event, I've decided to do another round of Jillian's 30 Days, then either do one of her other Biggest Loser workout dvds or the dreaded "Insanity" workout by Shaun T that people have been raving about.  (Although I hear that it's the toughest workout known to man at this time...eeek!)  Anyway, I'll keep you posted!  How have you all been doing with your fitness goals?

Some Tips For Your 30 Day Shred Journey

So I've been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred for two weeks now.  Friends, it has been the hardest workout that I've ever done, but I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it thus far.  In an effort to make it easier for those of you who may decide to join the shred family, I put together a few tips: 

•  Take Your Measurements and a Before Pic - I'm so glad that I decided to do this and not just rely on the scale.  For me (and for most shredders out there), I'm seeing more change in inches as opposed to pounds.  I've actually gained a pound since beginning, but I've lost 5 inches throughout my body in just two weeks.  And mamas, those of you who are still battling the post pregnancy bulge, you'll be excited to know that the biggest change so far has been in my waist line *squeal!*

•  Take One Day Off - Jillian recommends doing the work out 7 days a week since it's only 25 minutes, but as a beginner, I felt that if I didn't get one day to relax and prepare for the next week of exercising, I'd give up.  So a rest day was imperative for me. I've seen results already, even with the rest day, so rest away!

• Low Carb It on Your Day Off - In order to stay on track on my off day, I decided to consume tons of protein, and only about 50 grams of carbs.  That way, I can boost my weight loss potential on the day that I'm not burning the extra calories.  The 50 grams of carbs should be from fruits/vegetables and/or whole wheat bread.  (For the rest of the week, it makes complete sense to take in a regular amount of carbs because that is what gives you energy to work out.)   

•  Switch Levels Every 10 Days - The workout comes with 3 levels.  I didn't know when I was supposed to change to the next level, but after researching what other shredders do, it seems to be the general concensus that changing levels every 10 days is the best idea. It gives you enough time to master the level you're on before moving up.  Of course if you're still not ready to move up after the 10 days, then stick with the level you're on. 

•  You May Gain Weight Initially - Let me tell you, I was extremely upset after seeing that I gained a pound after all my hard work over the past two weeks.  Yes, I may have had some minor set backs with my eating here and there, but for the most part I stuck to my 1500 calories per day and 6 day a week workouts.  After boo hoo-ing about it for an hour or two (or five), I decided to research a bit. I found that many shredders gain a little weight during the first 2 levels, and start to see the pounds melt away during level 3.  This weight gain phenomena actually happens to most people who begin a new workout regimen.  When working out, you retain water a lot more than if you were sedentary.  This is because the water is being sent directly to your muscles to protect them while they're growing and changing.  Your body regulates after 2-3 weeks of consistent exercise.  That's when your weight starts to drop.  So don't pay attention to the scale for the first few weeks.  Focus on inches and the mirror.

• Use Heavier Weights Next Time Around - Jillian's 30 Day Shred is awesome, but it's..well.. it's just 30 days.  And if you have a ton of weight to shred off *raises hand*, then you might want to redo the cycle.  So after my first 30 days, I plan on taking a two day rest, then going right into the second cycle, but this time using 5 lb weights instead of my current 3 lbs. 

So stay tuned, folks!  In about two weeks, I'll be done with my first cycle of 30 Day Shred, and as promised, I will post my Before and After pics for ALL TO SEE! *shriek!* *passes out* See you then!

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - Day 1

Friends, it's that time of year again.  Summer is on it's way. The heat will be rising, the clothes will be shrinking, and my body will be out for all to see.  And let me tell you, that scares me half to death. I am so not in the type of shape required to wear shorts, tank tops, and - dare I say - bathing suits.. *shriek*

It's been 3 years since I've packed on the dreaded baby-weight, and the weight seems to be stuck to me like glue!  Don't get me wrong, I've done pretty well since I seriously began my weight loss journey on July 1st of last year. Since then, I've lost 17 lbs.  I'm nowhere near my goal weight, but this has definitely been a year of becoming more aware of health and fitness.

My biggest accomplishment has been improving my eating patterns.  Most days I stay within 1500 calories, and try my hardest to keep the carbs at a minimum.  But the reality is, the major thing that has kept me from dropping large amounts of weight has been my aversion to exercise.  Yes, that's right - I hate sweating, I hate achy muscles, I hate pain.  Pretty much all that exercise encompasses.  But at this point, I think I've come to the realization that I can't reach my goal unless I add the working out piece.

This is why I've decided to complete *drum-roll please* Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!  I've tried it in the past, for a day or two, and quit as soon as I felt a muscle ache. But this time I believe I can stick with it.  I have a few close friends that are super supportive, and are doing amazing things with their own fitness regimens.  I've also been going through some difficult times (a different post for a different day), and rather than drown myself in junk food binges, I feel more motivated then ever before to focus on my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I want to be able to take care of ME for once. 

And guess what?  I'm actually going to post my BEFORE and AFTER pics on Day 30!  Eeeeeekkk!!  I'm seriously nervous about that guys, but I figure that is one more motivating factor for me to really give my all to the next 30 days of exercise.  Stay tuned because after each week of completion, I will blog about my experience.  Wanna see another mama's awesome results from the 30 Day Shred?  Check out Sara's experience over at her blog: Nurse Loves Farmer.  She looks amaze-balls!  She has definitely given me the push needed to really put my all into my new exercise routine.  I'm pumped!   So what are you doing to get into Summertime shape? 

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 4 - Fuel

30 Days of Thankfulness - In Picture Form

November 4, 2012

 

(pic compliments of my bff Veronica J.)

We are still trying to get back to normal from the chaos that Hurricane Sandy dished out to us, and because of that, today I'm thankful for gas.  I never thought I'd say that, but after spending 4 hours in line to fill up my tank, I will never take fuel for granted again.  Never, ever, ever. 

 

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 3 - Deep Friendship

30 Days of Thankfulness - In Picture Form

 

November 3, 2012

 

 

I'm thankful for a special friend, a close friend, who makes each day just a little bit brighter. "Love is a friendship set to music". -- E. Joseph Cossmann (author, entrepreneur)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 2 - My Peace

30 Days of Thankfulness - In Picture Form

 

November 2, 2012

 

My little one is my peace.  He always knows how to make me smile - even in the worst situations. This was the hurricane fort he created for mommy. 

 

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 1 - Light

30 Days of Thankfulness - In Picture Form

 

November 1, 2012

 

After Hurricane Sandy swept through the east, leaving no power, no heat, little clean water, and much devastation, I am thankful for having power again after 3 days without it.. and praying for those who are dealing with much worse.   

Pain Incites Growth

I have always been afraid of pain. Whether it be from headache - or heartache, avoidance has always been my panacea. After all, pain is just too uncomfortable. It's ugly. It's messy. It stirs up too much emotion. For most, pain leads to fear. We're all accustomed to that little connection. But it can also lead to anger, hopelessness, and even self-doubt. All those icky feelings that we want to run away from. So what do we do? We do what we do best. Avoid it. Put a cap on it. Close the door on it. Deny it. But when all is said and done, what are we really doing? We're denying the reality of life. The pain.. the problem.. inevitably comes back. And it comes back with a vengeance.

I recently started jogging, which has been amazing. The feeling of freedom and contentment that transpires during and after a run is pure bliss. For me, it has actually become sort of spiritual. There's a connection that's made. To God. To nature. To self. It's absolutely wonderful. But I have to admit, the first two weeks felt less like a spiritual encounter and more like a horror flick. Each time I'd try to run, my shins would scream out in pain. Every step felt like a jolt of electricity was being shot up my legs. It felt like torture. And afterwards, my shins were so sore that they were actually tender to the touch. There was a point in time, while laying on the couch with frozen peas on my legs, that I thought to myself This isn't for me. Who am I fooling? I'm not strong enough. I should just stop and maybe try again next summer. And I almost quit. Almost.

But this time, instead of quitting, (which remember I had grown accustomed to doing) I decided to push through it for another day. Just one more time. And after that day came and went, I convinced myself to try another.. and another... And one evening, as I was jogging through my neighorhood, smelling the sweet scents of Fall in the air, and home cooked meals floating out of kitchen windows, I realized that I was pain free. Where were those jolts? Where was the fear? Where was the doubt? They were all gone, and all that was left was peace.

That experience reminded me of the "Fight or Flight Response", which was a theory created by a physiologist named Walter Cannon. He found that when animals feel threatened, a part of their nervous system is activated which provides a burst of energy to either incite them to fight the threat, or flee for safety. The theory was later adapted to include emotional responses as well.  In the animal kingdom, both responses effectively can lead to safety, but that isn't always the case with us humans and our modern day dangers. 

In the case of my jogging experience, I chose to fight. I chose to give it my best shot, and I'm so glad that I did because it paid off. But it's not that easy when it comes to emotions. To matters of the heart. And so here we are. Here I sit, at 5:17am, going through an emotional moment, a painful time, and I want to flee. Fleeing right now would feel super. If I could just escape into a carton of chunky monkey ice-cream and hibernate from the world for a few weeks days, all would be well, right? RIGHT?! I don't think so. Something is telling me that I need to forge ahead. Something is telling me that if I want to grow as a woman - as a human being - I can't hide from emotional pain. I should embrace it, and learn from it. I should pull from it all of the creativity and wisdom that I can, in order to grow stronger.

So that's exactly what I will do.  And all that will be left is peace. 

Sunday Night Ramblings

In an effort to beef up my blogging stats, I decided to commit to 3 days of the week in which I MUST blog.  Tonight is the first!  *grin*  So welcome, to my very first installment of ::::drum roll:::: "Sunday Night Ramblings". These are just a few thoughts that I've been ruminating on for the past hour or so. 

• I'm so glad I started jogging.  I mean, I can't jog very far.. in fact I probably jog for about a minute straight, then have to walk for a bit, then jog again.  I'm also pretty sore most days, but I'm still happy I'm making an effort to get more fit. I downloaded an iphone app called 5K Runner that's helping me improve my running capabilities.  I'm really excited because I've struggled so long with weight issues, and the pounds are finally melting off.  Hmm, who woulda thunk.. weight loss is a lot easier when you add exercise to a healthy diet. *blink* Ya I know, not rocket science.  In any event, it's a great way to get into a shape, and release stress.  Love, love, love it.  And who knows, maybe a 5K run will be in my future.  ;)

                             

• I love Words w/ Friends, and Scramble w/ Friends.  You know, those word games that are played on smart phones and tablets.  I can play for hours, and I swear I'm getting smarter.  Some of the words I get points for, I've never even heard of.  But then out of curiosity I look it up and BINGO.. I strengthened a brain cell.  And by the way, I am not a supporter of those Words w/ Friends cheat... er.. I mean help sites.  Shame shame shame for those who use them.  It's like steroid use in baseball.  It ruins the integrity of the game!  *shakes finger at laptop screen* 

• Marriage is hard...  Oh wait, were you expecting an elaboration?  Let's just leave it at that.

• My son is at the precious age (2 1/2) where he now is communicating more than ever, and can share sentiments all on his own.  I love when out of the blue he says "Love  you, mama!" or "Miss you, mama!" It melts my heart each time.

• I've always wanted to go on a missions trip.  I totally should have gone before getting married and having a baby.  I'm thinking that it's still a possibility once the little one gets a bit older.  I'd actually like to bring him along when he's a pre-teen in efforts to help him grow into a selfless human being - which happens to be extremely hard out on Long Island with everything you want at your finger tips. 

• As much as I loathed riding subway trains when I was at my previous job, I do miss one thing: reading books.  I used to read two new books a month because of my long commute.  I learned so much in those two years.   

• I hate student loans.  The whole reason I took out loans and went to school, was to improve my chances of getting a good job, becoming financially stable, and achieving the American dream of owning my own home.  Now, how ironic (or sadistic) is it that the very thing that I signed up for to help me attain my goals, is now hindering me from reaching them?! A pox on you Sally Mae!  Arghhh!! 

What are some of your Sunday Night Ramblings?    

"He Sees Me" - a Poem

Ok ya'll, don't be too hard on me.  It's the first poem I've written since 2010. Hopefully it's not too bad.  Enjoy!

He Sees Me

He sees me,
so clearly.
A perfect image
of what I am,
and what I am to be.
And it's scary
to know that
he speaks my truth so vividly.

He sees me,
even when others
think there's nothing to see.
He sees the me
that I love to be.
He inspires me.

He sees me.
Incites my creativity.
And like
an open book,
He reads me. 
Provoking the person
I'm ready to be.
He sees the real me. 
He sees me.

Our Toddler's Sleep Problems Solved!

Remember when my little one was 6 months old and we were going through some MAJOR Sleep Regression? Well here we are, two years later, and he started doing it all over again!  This time, it wasn't so much regression, as it was defiance when it came to going to sleep alone and at a reasonable time. 

The straw that broke the camel's back was when, two months ago, the hubster and I found ourselves sitting on the floor by our son's toddler bed - because he wanted (no, needed) one or both of us to watch him until he fell asleep.  Here we were, two grown adults, sitting kriss kross apple sauce, staring at a 2 year old as he played with his stuffed animals.  If we dared leave the room, he'd scream, cry, run into the living room, fall to the ground, kick his feet.. ya it was that ugly.  And this was becoming a daily routine!

It was a 2 hour ritual that left all three of us exhausted.  That's when we decided to do some research on improving our toddler's sleep habits.  After a few days of reading up on Dr. Sears, watching Nanny YouTube clips, and pondering on our own son's habits, I created a 3 week plan to help our toddler sleep peacefully. 

So we tried it.  We tried this plan on our "spirited" little guy and guess what?  ... It worked!  We were so shocked!  Our son went from screaming at the top of his lungs, kicking, running away, hiding, whining, and even spitting (yes he's quite spirited I tell ya), to now being able to go into his room, lay in his bed, and entertain himself quietly until he falls asleep.  ::blink::blink:: YES.

Bedtime is now probably a 20 minute routine by the time we give him some warm milk, read him a book, and pray. We then leave the room, and can get back to our adult lives, have fulfilling conversation, and watch TV that isn't Fresh Beat Band or Bubble Guppies.  It's been amazing. 

Yes friends, for the past six weeks it's been wonderful and I've been thinking, "Hey, maybe my plan can work for other families too!"  So I'm contemplating writing an e-book about improving toddler sleep, which will include my 3 week plan ::shriek!:: I'm pretty siked about this little project o' mine, and I'm looking for some mamas who would like to test out my plan {for FREE}.  In return, I ask that you write a review for me so I can a) get some constructive feedback, and b) add the positive testimonials to my book! 

So, ::drum-roll:: calling all exhausted and desperate mamas out there!  Send me your e-mail address and I'll send you my 3 week plan to review!  I'm confident that it'll have everyone in the house breathing a sigh of relief.  Here's to a future filled with peaceful, sleepy, nights!

DIY Saturday - Homemade Dishwashing Powder and Rinse Agent

       
Recently I've been really frustrated with the amount of money we're putting into dishwashing powder and liquid.  It seems like we go through a box every week.  We do a lot of dish washing.  Between pots, pans, dishes, glasses, and sippy cups, our dishwasher is always in use.

In an effort to reduce cost, I started to do some research on how we could save money in this area.  My initial finding was that instead of using Jet Dry as a rinse agent to make our glasses sparkly (by the way jet dry didn't seem to work all that well for us anyhow), we could use... wait for it... DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR.  Yes.  It actually gets not only glasses and plates squeaky clean, but it cuts through pot grease, and reduces that white film that you can sometimes get if your area has hard water.  It also is great for cleaning your dishwasher.  (I know that seems weird - why clean the dishwasher when it's always getting "cleaned"?  In actuality, it too needs to be cleaned out every so often to really work at its peak performance.)

Directions: Fill 1 cup with Distilled White Vinegar and place the cup on the top rack.  Fill up the dishwasher as normal. I personally feel that adding an additional amount of vinegar in the little compartment where you normally would put the jet dry, works even better.  That way, it'll be time released.  (If you just want to clean your dishwasher, put the 1 cup of vinegar on the top rack, then run it through a rinse cycle while empty) 

After a little more GOOGLEing, this is what I found: you can either use the regular dishwashing powder, which still helps with the cost since you're not paying an additional amount of over $4 per jet dry bottle, OR you can go completely all natural and make your own dishwashing powder too!  All you need is Super Washing Soda, and Borax.  Both are all natural minerals made of sodium that have anti-fungal properties and are used in many cleaning agents.  Some people create their own laundry detergent with this stuff too!  (I'll save that for another DIY Saturday *wink*)

Directions: Mix equal parts of Super Washing Soda, and Borax.  Place the completely mixed powder into a large jar.  If you get a large size of both products, you will have enough for 96 washes, which is about a year if you use your dishwasher twice a week.  Not bad huh!    So you're not only saving the planet, but you're saving some doe as well... cha ching!!  $$$  <--- now that's MY kinda "green"! 

Let me know how it turns out!  

DIY Saturday - Let the {Crafty} Games Begin!

Okay.  I admit it.  Every now and then, I get totally craft crazy. It happens every few months.  Maybe it has something to do with the season changes, but it's like I get bitten by the crafty bug and can't control the ideas! This time around, it started when I got an idea from a fellow mama blogger about making Homemade Organic Deodorant.  Not only was it fun and pretty easy to make, I felt awesome knowing that I wasn't going to have any funky deodorant chemicals seeping into my skin every morning.  So after doing that little DIY project, I started doing research on other projects I could try.  Then I stumbled upon an amazing blog called One Good Thing by Jillee.  This crafty mama blogs daily about fun and unique crafts to try that make everyday life a little easier, or at the very least - much more beautiful.  She completely inspired me to add a little more craftyness to my little corner of the blogosphere. Yay!  So with that being said...

*drum roll please*,  DIY Saturdays is now born! Every Saturday morning, over a cup of hazelnut flavored coffee (yum-o), I will share the newest homemade project I'm working on.  I figure, once a week is just enough space not to interfere with my wife/mom/work responsibilities AND still get a good weekly dose of crafty fun to keep me going! *wink*

Today's DIY is a Homemade Face Cleanser, with a Homemade Face Moisturizer to go along with it.  I don't know about you, but I still get acne every once in awhile.  Okay, it's more than just every once in awhile.  It happens to coincide perfectly with a certain AUNT named FLOW that rears her ugly head at the most inopportune times.  So this week, right before my monstrous guest made her unwanted appearance, my forehead looked like a slice of pepperoni pizza.  What the, what?!  Last time I checked, I'm not the brace-faced, corny teenager I was 15 years ago. Well maybe still a little corny.. *grin*  In any event, for the DIY Face Cleanser, all you'll need are two things:

  Baking Soda

Lemon Juice

Directions: Combine 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda, with enough lemon juice to make a paste.  For me that was about 1 Tablespoon.  Gently massage the paste into your skin in a circular motion for about two minutes.  The baking soda acts as an exfoliater, scrubbing away all of the oil and dirt, and reduces swelling.  The lemon juice dries up the acne, tightens your pores, lightens up any old acne scars, and brightens your skin.

For the DIY Face Moisturizer, you'll also need two things:

Coconut Oil

Beeswax

Directions: Put 1 ounce of Beeswax in a microwaveable container, add 4 ounces of Coconut Oil, then microwave for two minutes.  (every microwave is different, so you basically just want to make sure that both ingredients are completely melted).  Take the container out of the microwave, and stir.  Once it's completed mixed, pour into a mini glass container. (you can get the containers at your local Dollar Tree.)  Coconut oil is a good source of vitamin E, prevents acne, and keeps the skin looking young and soft.  The Beeswax is just a natural way of thickening the coconut oil to a consistency that is more pleasing to slather on your face regularly.  This DIY should probably be done a few hours prior to actually putting it on so that it has time to settle and harden to it's correct consistency.

NOTE: This moisturizer can also double as a lip balm! You can even make a separate, smaller batch, add 1/2 a tsp of red koolaid, or any other tasty juice powder, and voila! Moist and YUM. 

So there you have it!  I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you give it a try.  Happy DIY Saturday, friends!

Are you a Carb or Sugar Addict?

Many of you know how long I've been on this weight loss journey. I've been on a dieting rollercoaster ride for years - losing 3 lbs, only to gain 5 lbs back.  I've done Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Fit for Life, Paleo Diet, The 15 Day Diet, the list goes on... I recently decided to get back on Weight Watchers, while doing the Walk Away the Pounds exercise program 5 days a week, 3 miles per day.  I've done this for 4 weeks.  And what has been my total weight loss?  Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

I initially lost 3 lbs the first week, and got very excited, but then the weight loss stalled, and back it came.  Probably was just water weight. Save the talks of muscle weighing more than fat, I totally understand the concept behind that (Though a pound is a pound, whether fat or muscle.  Muscle is just more dense than fat, but I digress).  The problem is, I worked my butt off this past month, which I can't say I really have in the past.  This led me to really get concerned about my health.  I started to research the idea of gaining or stalled weight despite vigorous work-outs, and Eureka!  I fell into the world of Insulin Resistance.

Insulin Resistance is a condition in which your body makes too much Insulin.  It's not quite at a Diabetic level yet, but headed in that direction.  The order goes - Insulin Resistant, Pre-Diabetic, Diabetic.  I'll try to condense the definition to avoid sounding like a Mayo Clinic nerd-bomber. So here goes:

Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas makes.  It basically controls how your body stores and uses carbs.  When we eat, our digestive system breaks down the food into nutrients and glucose.  Normally, once your glucose level increases (right after, say, you eat something like an amazing cheeseburger and a side of fries), insulin is produced to help your body take in the glucose that has just been ingested to help various body parts with regular daily activity. It then stores extra glucose away for future use.  Sometimes this process can get all screwed up (many times due to years of crash dieting, gasp!). What ends up happening is that your body becomes resistent to insulin.  This makes the pancrease all, "What up yo! I need to make more insulin since you ain't actin' right!" thus more insulin is created.  The body is not able to handle too much insulin, which leads to fatigue, weight gain, and metabolism issues. 

Overtime, if Insulin Resistance is not rectified, you can become Diabetic, which is when your pancreas either gets tired of the supersonic insulin production and just shuts down, or your body just stops responding to your natural insulin production completely.  Whoa. 

I started to read up on specific symptoms of this condition, and BING!  I had almost all of them.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  These are the common symptoms:

• Low energy
• Overweight (especially around the abdomen)
• Carb cravings
• Sugar cravings
• Dry skin
• Difficulty losing weight despite exercising
• Sleepiness right after a meal (I always thought this was just the -itis, hehe)
• High Tryglicerides
• Brain fogginess
• Family history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease

I have 8 out of the 10 symptoms.  I plan on going to the doctor in a few weeks to see if I can get an official diagnosis, although often a diagnosis is made just by counting the amount of symptoms and risk factors you possess. Some doctor's do a blood sugar test, so hopefully I can get one done.

Now before you guys start sending Get Well Soon e-cards and virtual hugs, the good news is that Insulin Resistance is totally reversable!  The main treatment is a low-carb diet, and exercise.  Also, there is a supplement called GlucoBalance that has a combination of specific vitamins and minerals that help to stabilize blood sugar naturally, as well as curb carb/sugar cravings.  I'm currently reading a book called The Insulin Resistance Factor by Antony J. Haynes, and the diet that I'm starting isn't as strict as the other low-carb diets I've been on in the past.  The focus is more about health instead of just weighing less.  You're allowed to have whole wheat carbs (i.e. bread/pasta/rice), but just in limited quantity, such as 1/2 a cup at each meal.  So it's not as restrictive, but I believe it will be more effective.  It's five meals a day, 3 main meals plus 2 snacks.

I'm actually relieved to be going in a certain direction when it comes to my health. It always seemed odd to me how difficult it has been for me to lose weight, despite my many attempts.  I'm hoping that this will be the key to finally feeling and looking healthy again.  How about you?  Have you battled with the bulge for a long time?  Do these symptoms sound familiar?  If so, you're not alone.  The best thing to do is see a doctor to be a certain, then find a great online forum that can give you the support you need. And hey, you got me too!

A Gift to You - My Favorite Mother's Day Poems

You Know You're a Mom When...

author unknown

1. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.


2. You find yourself cutting your husbands' sandwiches into cute shapes.


3. You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.


4. You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"


5. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.


6. You hire a sitter because you have't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.


7. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything

    What is a Mother?

author unknown

  

A Mother has so many things to do,
From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.

She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,
She bathes the children and washes their clothes.

When they forget to wash their faces clean,
And their clothes are the muddiest you've ever seen,
Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?
Of course, that is what a Mother will do.

Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,
Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?
Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?
She must never her duty shirk.

Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?
For missing things she must look and look?

Who becomes a listener to every heartache,
To every accompolishment that a child makes?

Who scolds their children when they are naughty,
Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?
Who tends her family with love and patience, too?
Of course that is what a Mother will do.

 

 

Fit Mama Club - Week 3 reboot

FIT MAMA CLUB STATS

Last Week's Weight Loss: 1

Total Weight Loss: 3

Last Week's High: I started the exercise program "Walk Away The Pounds"!

Plan For This Week: Track my Weight Watchers points, drink 4 glasses of water per day, and do the walking DVD 5 times for the week. I'm actually walking 2 miles each time, which is awesome! 

Would you like to join this Fit Mama Club for fitness support? Just copy and paste the HTML button code on the right, and paste it on top of each Fit Mama Club post! Oh, and when you're talking about your diet/exercise on twitter, use the hashtag #FitMamaClub so we can all connect!

That's it! No More Deodorant for Me!

Yes everyone.  I've officially given up wearing deodorant.  Before you turn away from your computer with your fingers pinching your nose, I'm not going completely bare! I read a wonderful post from a fellow mommy blogger, mommyboots, who shared the benefits of making her own natural deodorant. 

What ARE the benefits of making your own deo?

Well, for one thing you know exactly what the ingredients are.  Regular deodorant has aluminum in it, and studies show that there is a link between excessive aluminum exposure and cancer.  Interestingly enough, I read that cancer patients are instructed to avoid regular deodorant, and told to use more organic products AFTER they've been diagnosed..  What the, what?! That's like a doctor only telling you to watch your diet AFTER you have a massive heart attack.  Um, no.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather practice prevention.  Not only that, but most deodorants have antiperspirant in them, which means they stop you from sweating.  God created sweating for a purpose people - not only to cool us down, but to excrete toxins.  Where do you think all those toxins go if they can't come out? .. ew...

So how do you make it?

That's the fun part!  All you need is four basic ingredients, and most are found in your cupboard: Baking Soda, Cornstarch, Coconut Oil, and Beeswax.  Some people make the homemade deodorant with just the first three ingredients listed, but I found that adding the fourth ingredient (beeswax) solidifies the product better, so it closer resembles the consistency of the deodorant that we're used to.  Here is the complete recipe:

Homemade Natural Deodorant

1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1 TBS Cornstarch
4 TBS Beeswax pellets
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
Empty Deodorant Stick
4 drops Essential Oils (optional)

Melt the Coconut Oil and Beeswax together in the Microwave for about a minute.  Then slowly mix in the powdered ingredients.  (please note that the extra TBS of cornstarch is to provide additional thickening)  If you want to add a fragrance, you can purchase essential oils from THIS online store.  (I used a Mixed Berry Oil.)  Add 4 drops, then continue mixing.  (You can also purchase the beeswax from that store as well.)

Take the empty deodorant stick (make sure that all remnants of old deodorant are gone by wiping, scraping, and even boiling the stick if needed).  Roll the deodorant stick to the lowest point, and slowly pour the mixture into the stick.  Put on the cap, and place in the fridge for 15 minutes to set. You can also store it in a small glass jar, and apply it with your fingers.  Be sure to keep the deodorant in a cool dry place, or in the fridge if you live in a hot environment. 

To stink or not to stink?

Don't worry. Natural deo works just as well as the chemical brands.  You may go through a 1-2 day detox period where you don't smell as fresh as you'd like, but don't give up.  That's just your body getting rid of the crap that's been plugged up for so long.  I had a 1 day detox, then the very next day, I smelled great.  I even had my hubby do a sniff test. (Thank God for husbands!)  Hey, I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't in some kind of funky denial.  I am happy to report that he said he did not smell any funk at all!  And that was after a 10 hour work day in humid NYC weather.  Need I say more? 

So what do you think?  Is this something you'd try?  With recent news of young women (i.e. Guiliana Rancic) now getting breast cancer, I just feel like if there is anything I can do to minimize my chances, I'm in.  Let me know how it turns out! 

When is the right time for baby #2?

When is the right time to plan for a second child? That's a question that has been roaming around the corridors of my mind lately. Perhaps it's the influx of new babies that I see every Sunday at our church. Or the fact that I'm turning 30 in two months. Or maybe it's because my son is now 2 years old, going on 25. Whatever the reason, it's definitely a question that I've been contemplating for the past few months. The thing is, my husband and I are trying to get out of debt, and eventually buy a house. We're currently doing Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps to Financial Freedom:

■Baby Step 1 – $1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
■Baby Step 2 – Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
■Baby Step 3 – 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
■Baby Step 4 – Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
■Baby Step 5 - College funding for children
■Baby Step 6 – Pay off home early
■Baby Step 7 – Build wealth and give!

Right now we're on Baby Step #2, and we'll be at this step probably for the next 10 years - if you figure in student loans along with credit card debt, and the car note. So at what point would we shift gears from hardcore payment of debt, to financially planning for a baby? I went onto the Babycenter site and found a Baby Cost Calculator. After a few calculations, it looks like we'd need to save about $3000 for baby's first year. On top of that, we still haven't purchased a home yet, and my husband is still a college student. It's tough because in a perfect world, we'd pay off debt first, then buy a house, then have a 2nd child. But life doesn't work out that way most times. And let's face it, as women we all feel the clock tick tick ticking away at our youth and child-bearing capabilities.

I remember, when I was younger, and wished for 4 children. No. Not just wished for them, but was completely adamant that there would be no other option, because I wanted a big family. My husband felt the same way. I have two brothers and no sisters, and he has two sisters with no brothers. So we both shared a common yearning for that type of same-sex sibling connection. With 4 kids, it would be perfect. Two boys and two girls. Each would have siblings of each gender. Perfect perfect pefect. Of course when we met, I was 21 and he was 23. Both of us, kids. Knowing nothing about love, life, or babies. We were sweet... but naive.

Now is the time that reality sets in. Babies cost money. Houses cost money. Goodness me, the amount of money we pay in daycare alone would make a grown man cry. ::SIGH:: Let's take a moment to reminisce about the good ol' days. The days when people could get married right out of high school, and buy a new house immediately, or very shortly after. The days when dads could go out and work, moms could stay at home, and no one felt like they were hitting the poverty level by making this decision. Ahh, those were the days alright. Of course, I've only heard about them through word of mouth.  As if it were some old time fable of a time long lost.   

Which brings me back to my original question: how do we {responsibly} plan for our next little one? Only God knows when or if it'll happen. Maybe I'm over thinking things, and need to "let go and let God". Wait, how does that work again? Is there a chart for that? Ya.. didn't think so. Whatever happens, at least we're moving in the right direction with our finances and career goals. Eventually we'll get where we want to be. And hopefully we'll also have a few more sets of little feet to enjoy it with.