Whole Wheat Bread and Vegetables

                                    

I have always wanted to be more consistent in making whole wheat bread, and I've been doing better this last month, but it's still challenging to keep up with, sometimes.  I am happy to say that my husband is even eating the whole wheat bread more (my children have always enjoyed having it to snack on).  I make 4-5 loaves at a time and then freeze all but one or two (at my house, everyone seems to like a piece of bread, hot out of the oven).  It is time to make it again.  

I am getting better at incorporating more veggies into my day, and it helps that my husband is "on the bandwagon"  He makes delicious salads too!

I want to start making some of the delicious Mayo Clinic recipes, but, like making the bread, it is all food from scratch and can be a bit tricky for me to work into my schedule.  So far, I find it easier to just eat wheat bread and veggies and fruit and focus on dinners.  One of the vegetables that I noticed on the in the Mayo Clinic Diet was jicama.  I mentioned it to my mom and she said she likes it.  So I thought I'd try it.  It doesn't look so exciting at the grocery store, but cut up and ready to eat, it doesn't look unappealing to me either, and it is really delicious!  It is sweet and crunchy.  It takes a bit like a pea, but different.  

I am more likely to get my 4 + servings a day of vegetables, if I cut up veggies and put them in the fridge for later.  I like red and green peppers, carrots, some celery, jicama, and left over dinner salads for lunch.  

Here is a great quote I read yesterday:  "Success gives you pleasure, while failure helps you learn and grow.  Gratitude finds meaning in both."  Amit Sood, M.D.

Beginning

I have been striving, not to get to my 21 year old weight again, but a healthy weight.  I would like to have a healthier body in general.  But, that means losing weight.  I enjoy food (and sweets) and I also have a schedule that makes it a bit tricky to be finished eating by a certain time each night and still have a dinner with my husband and children (which I think can be harmful in and of itself to relinquish).

January 2, 2015 I realized wanted to do something… I feel like my weight was getting the better of me and I needed to change.  I had seen an advertisement for a Mayo Clinic Diet, but I didn't want to waste money on something I might not follow through with but after looking at it more closely, I realized this diet/ lifestyle fits my values/ views and I was excited to get started, and have been more impressed since attempting it for the last three week and 9 lbs. lighter, with other benefits, that I never could have dreamed of (more positive outlook, more excited about accomplishing my daily jobs, satisfaction that I can control what I am doing).  I am heavier than I should be, but I feel better about my self!

I have enjoy the encouraging daily email from the Mayo Clinic.  I have also appreciate news stories and others that help me daily to hang in there!  I think it is amazing how much easier (for the time being … don't want to let my guard down), it has been three weeks into this … the first and second week are the hardest. 

I have noticed some of my trigger points… way to many!  Such as (my old habit of, after church on Sunday getting a bit of candy).  Grocery shopping with children, buying treats to help people behave to get through the store, being stressed, being on vacation, long drives, etc.

It helps to realize these trigger points, so I can be prepared and figure out ways not to let them get me down.

I have a goal to lose one point a week, until September 2015.  Then, I can just maintain my weight :)

Here are some of the articles and informations that empowers me to be stronger:

Physical Health

Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence

Jan's Story -- Mayo Clinic Diet

Hilary's Story - Mayo Clinic Diet

Identical Twins experiment: Sugars vs. Fats (and how veggies can help you!)

Trent Heppler: Lost 140 lbs. in less than a year after being overweight for a lifetime.

My body needs food for energy, not for comfort.  

It takes 3,500 calories to gain one pound (3,500 over what our body requires for energy through out the day).  It takes burning 3500 calories in a week to lose one pound.