Pizza that is almost really Pizza

My kids wanted pizza tonight so being the mom I am I got everything to make us pizza and decided to try a Flatout Crust.  Not quite as good but for the low sugars, high fiber and fact that it's healthy it's a great substitute. 

Enough with the If Onlys

I don't know why as a whole people don't see the good in themselves. You look at another and think if only..... enough with the If Onlys... I am realizing that it is more important to love oneself than another. It's also one of the most complicated things to do. I grew up feeling like I was never good enough. I thought I was fat. I was incapable of accomplishing anything. I never looked in the mirror and saw the beauty I was looking back at me. Here I am almost 43 still struggling to see the beauty others see. I see myself through better eyes than my beautiful teenage self but still struggle to see what others see. 

All three of my girls are confident, strong, beautiful girls but my 11 year old radiates confidence. "I love you.." "I know!" "You're cute!" "I know." It's not even a question with her that she 100% believes these things about her.  From the mouth of babes. Now let's go out and teach ourselves that we too are beautiful, loved, smart, and many other qualities that we have but don't see. Look deep in the mirror for the person that others see when looking at you. Don't just look at the reflection look deep into your character. Become the person that when someone tells you you are beautiful you say, "I know!"

This is the start of a beautiful future. My tan is peeling, my makeup is smeared, the sadness is behind my eyes, however, that does not define me. If looking deep I see a strong woman who has just finished working out, a mom that loves her children, a friend that cares deeply, a wife that loves madly, and a beautiful work in progress!

It's been a while but I am here for good

I hate that I have been off of my healthy journey for far too long. I know it is absolutely a necessity and yet.... I have spent the last week getting my mind in the right place. It didn't hurt that I tried to put on my life jacket from last year and I couldn't even come close to zipping it.

Yesterday I finally got rid of the debilitating withdrawal headaches from sugar. I know now how much I need to stay away from the stuff. I am so excited to be moving forward. It is amazing how much of a difference a switch in your mentality can make. I will be really working on finding great recipes that are yummy and healthy. Today my family is not here so I have been eating stuff that wouldn't be a hit with them. I had a scrambled egg with ham and mushrooms. I know that the ham is processed and need to move to completely clean eating but one step at a time. 

Remember we all have the choice to eat what is best for us and workout as much as we can. I have realized it is important to find an activity that we enjoy. Here's to many more motivations and updates.

Making goals and sticking to them.

So I have several goals I am working on now. I will run a half marathon in under 2 1/2 hours in August. With this I am starting a running program again. I ran one mile the other day and thought I had a lot longer journey ahead of me than I thought but yesterday I decided I could run 3 miles. It was slow and steady but it proved to me I could make it a bit further than I gave myself credit for. Tough things are becoming easier and I will accomplish the goals I have made over and over in the past and not quite ever believed I could reach. I know without a doubt I can do this.

It gets easier with every day that passes.

It's crazy how much easier it is getting to just say no. Maybe it is because I want it so badly this time. We bought a boat today so I have something to look forward to and a swimsuit to wear. I found a great saying today and it rings so true!

Diet is the key.

As much as I hate it that's the truth. I have been working out everyday for a week and know that that definitely helps but the keys to success are what we nourious our body with. After 6 days of sacrifice I am down 15 lbs from my heaviest. Maybe it's not such a sacrifice after all since it will give me a much better time with my kids and husband. I can not give up I have to continue down this path that I have started without looking back. Eventually I know I will be able to cheat a little without consequences but as far as now it's just not worth it.

I'm not so sure that sacrifice is what I am doing when dinner looks likes these. They are both equally tasting and super easy.

Turkey Chili

Makes 12 1 cup servings

1 c onion

1 lbs ground turkey

3 cups diced tomatoes (or one 28-oz can diced tomatoes)

1 15-oz can pinto beans

1 15-oz can black beans

1 cup chicken broth

2 tbs chopped garlic

2 tbs chili powder

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground mustard

½ c black olives

Spray a large saucepan or Dutch oven with a few sprays of cooking oil spray. Add the onions and saute over medium-high heat until soft and just starting to brown.  Add the ground turkey; cook over med-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Herb Roasted Chicken

2 tbs chopped fresh basil (1 tbs dried)

2 tbs chopped fresh parsley

1 tbs chopped fresh oregano (1/2 tbs dried)

1 tsp chopped fresh or dried rosemary

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

¾ tsp salt

¼ tsp ground pepper

1 3-4 lbs chicken (discard giblets)

5 garlic cloves, peeled

Preheat the oven to 375. Combine the basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Rinse the chicken inside and out; pat dry with paper towels. Carefully lift the skin from the chicken breast and thighs and rub the herb mixture evenly outside the chicken, under the skin, and in the cavity, breast side up. Place the garlic in the chicken cavity.

Roast the chicken, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until temp is 180. 1 ¼-1 ½ hours. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and cool for 10 minutes before carving. Remove the skin before eating.

I will continue adding delicious recipes as I go through the weeks. Have a healthy fun weekend.  

Wow, it's been a while

I feel off the bandwagon big time. Gaining all that I had lost plus an additional 20 pounds. After all the hard work last time I had promised myself I would never let myself get to that point again. Not only did I fail I failed badly. I am ready to continue this journey that I started and get to where I know I can go. It's a daily battle and I know that I have a lot of hard days ahead of me but as for now I'll take it one slow step at a time.