Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Save on Food cost

I have decided to become Debt Free a little over two years ago. I am almost there. It hasn't gone fast enough for me. I never claimed patience either. While Zack tries to get all the OT he can, I save on costs at home. This website gave me a great start to save on food, cleaners, and other areas of the home. Here is a link to their ebook. It has valuable information. I suggest it to anyone who wishes to do the same.

<p><a href="http://www.budget101.com/freebies/142791-2012-guide-groceries-under-250-month.html"><img border="0" src="http://www.budget101.com/hotlink/cover.jpg" width="175" height="242" alt="Visit Budget101.com"></a></p>

Monday, August 8, 2011

12 key steps for keeping your sanity while on this journey to health.

These are  my teaching notes for the TOPS program I presented tonight. The explanation I listed are examples of what I do. I handed out a worksheet for them to fill in with their own ideas. This was the best one I have done yet because I talked about the emotional and spiritual side of things. The whole room was engaged and sharing their own ideas and expierences. Enjoy!



Losing weight is a battle. Keeping off the weight is a battle. Once you start this journey, you can end up on an emotional and spiritual roller coaster. If you don’t have the right attitude, you will not be successful. Listed below are 12 Personal Keys to getting healthy. Some or all of these things are set up to help you ride the roller coaster without losing your sanity. On the list provided, write down your own ideas under each point.

12 Personal Keys

1.       Set up your morning for success: This means spending time with God, drinking 32 oz of water, and going over my meal plan for the day. I then make coffee, exercise (if the kids aren’t up) and sometimes make a pot of green tea.

2.       Accept your body my mission statement to keep me sane. I want to be healthy and I believe if I am, then I will weigh what I am supposed to weigh. I will be a friend to my body and stop mistreating it with unhealthy habits, like junk food and sitting around.

3.       Master your metabolism Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and don’t starve myself.

4.       Exercise Find ways to move. Walk the animals (dogs, cats, ducks, chickens) have a backup plan like using a good DVD. Park far away from the door at the store, take the long route.

5.       Balanced eating all things in moderation. Avoid refined sugars. Eat as close to natural food as possible. Remember the plate thing from last week. Half fruit and vegetables.

6.       Hydrate. Take water with you everywhere. Tea is ok if not sugared. Avoid sugary drinks. Eat high content veggies and fruit.

7.       Mindful eating “Am I really hungry?” How will I feel after I eat that thing? No nibbling while cooking or cleaning the few bites off the kids’ plates.

8.       Spiritual nourishment Spend time with God. Crowd the urge to overeat with something healthy and fulfilling for your spirit and mind, like reading or journaling.

9.       Reduce stress RELAX. Read, write, take a walk, bubble bath, hot shower, and talk to a friend or KOPS! Do what works for you.

10.   Long term goals Setting and looking at your goals keeps you on track. Put them in the front of your food journal if that helps. Having a vision of who you want to be and live to become that vision. Set short term and long term goals then reward you with healthy nonfood treats when they are reached.

11.   Supportive structure (includes your home, support group and your family.)  Set your home, workplace and car for success. Keep good foods in your home. Find someone to exercise with. Find exercise that you enjoy doing. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. Make yourself presentable each day so you feel pretty or handsome. Get rid of the dingy t-shirts and sweats. They are only for cleaning and construction work. If you look good, you feel good. Leave yourself notes and encouragement all around you. GO TO TOPS MEETINGS. Get accountable.

12.   Take responsibility. Be responsible with your weight loss effort but STOP FEELING GUILTY for the mess ups. It is time to take action and get back on track the next minute, not the next day. Take care of yourself but leave the blame game for the dogs. Take an inventory of yourself and your eating/exercise habits. When you find the areas that need fixing, fix them but don’t beat yourself up. Beating yourself up and feeling guilty will only keep you in bondage.

Eat Wise to Drop a Size.

Your heart, bones, and mind will thank you!

As you think in your heart, so are you! Proverbs 23:7

Monday, July 25, 2011

You don't have to finish your food.

Additions end with the act of completion. We are trained from the beginning to finish something, an activity, your plate, a drink, cleaning your room/home, etc. etc. You get the hint. However some things don’t need to be complete. For instance, the cigarette you just smoked causes all sorts of health problems. The more you puff the more your lungs and body become harmed. The plate of spaghetti is a great example. As a child we are told to finish what is on our plate because kids in Africa, Asia, Antarctica and Outer Space are starving and they would love to have one bite of our food. Therefore we finish the plate of pasta or whichever dish you happens to be consumed at this point because your child self thinks, “I too may become deprived and starving.” Then the very next emotion to rise up is success. You just finished something, a cigarette, a beer, or a huge plate of hot, saucy, tempting pasta. But what happens when you don’t finish or complete a task? You feel like a failure. FAILURE is a bad word, a disgrace to our culture, to any culture. Well we can’t have that can we? Therefore, you become addicted to food, or any other substance. You become addicted to the completion and sense of success. The thing is we have to have food to live, so this may be the easiest addiction known to man. IT is ok to not finish that food. Stop when you are full and not so full you could puke. When feelings of failure come to mind and heart, begin to pray, meditate, or whatever it is you do that pushes FAILURE out of your life. You see no one is really a failure. We need to sloth off this old man. He drags many other harmful addictions with him like self- destruction, hatred, bitterness, obesity, drug additions like smoking, alcoholism. You see what I am saying now.  Most all of these addictions lead to death, physically or spiritually.  Completion is very important to life, as long as it doesn’t lead to addiction. Complete your freedom over food and your battle over unhealthy habits, and that my friend will be the sweetest most satisfying success you could ever want.
Proverbs 23:7 As she thinks in her heart, so is she.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

After Workout recover

I pulled the information from a few places including my brother. I have started doing this very important peice of advice and I notice a difference. I will be presenting this program at my TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) meeting on Monday. Come check us out. It is at the Community of Christ Church on 4th and Godfrey. 6pm

Taken from mayoclinic.com, fitnessmagazine.com and womenshealth.com
AFTER WORKOUT REPAIR.
A snack before you work out helps give you energy and stamina to go the distance. But did you know that eating a snack after you work out is even more important? "You want to make sure you feed your body to help repair muscle tissues and replenish glycogen stores [which are depleted after a strenuous workout]," says Kristin Reisinger, a sports nutritionist.  Glycogen is energy stored in your muscles. Recovery after exercise is essential to joint, muscle tissue and energy repair. Your after exercise recovery routine has a big impact on your fitness gains and performance and allows you to get more from your workouts.
Muscle repair is important for many reasons. First, for every pound of muscle you gain, your body burns an extra 35 calories a day at rest. Second, muscle strength carries us from one place to another. They also protect our bones and help control metabolism. Muscle recovery also decreases cortisol, the stress hormone that tells your body to store fat.  Here are some ways to help in after workout recovery.
1.   COOL DOWN-Cooling down means you slow your pace after exercise. You do not want to just stop abruptly. Move around at a slower pace for 5 to 10 minutes after your workout. This helps remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscle stiffness and joint pain.
2.   REPLACE FLUIDS- When you exercise, you lose fluids from sweating. Ideally you should drink water while exercising but filling up after exercise is an easy way to boost your recovery. Water supports every metabolic function and nutrient transfer in the body. Other drinks that are good for replacing fluids are sports drink (like Gatorade) and milk (chocolate milk is ok in this instance).
3.   STRETCH- After a tough workout, consider gentle stretching. This is a simple way to help repair muscle tissue and speed recovery.
4.   EAT- You should fuel your body before a workout but it is even more important to fuel the body after. Try to eat a small snack within 60 minutes of an exercise. These should be less than 150 calories unless you are doing a HIIT (High-intensity interval training) and then consume about 200 calories.  Your food choice needs to be a high protein, high fast acting carb. “This is one of the only times I recommend a high-glycemic carbohydrate source such as bananas, because the uptake will be rapid,” says Kristin Reisinger .  Lists of great after workout snacks are included. Eating a snack right after working out speeds muscle growth and recovery.
5.   HAVE A MASSAGE- Getting a great rub down feels wonderful, not to mention improves circulation. Have your honey (spouse/loved one) gently massage your body, indulge and allow a professional do the work, or give yourself a massage with a Foam Roller. These are easy to construct but use safety precautions.
6.   REST AND GET PLENTY OF SLEEP- This comes in two parts. First, take a day of rest in between 2-3 straight sessions of exercise. If you walk 6 days a week, take a break on one day in the middle. Your body will take care of itself and recover on rest days. This happens naturally. Secondly, get some sleep.  While you sleep, amazing things take place in the body. During your sleep, the body produces Growth Hormone which is responsible for tissue growth and repair, also known as bigger muscles. Remember the more muscle you have, the more calories your burn. Aim for 7-8 hours of straight, uninterrupted sleep.

FOODS TO HELP IN MUSCLE REPAIR (180 to 250 calories).
1.   Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich.  
2.   Hummus and Pita  
3.   Vanilla Yogurt (8 oz.) and Fresh Berries
4.   Tuna salad on Whole Wheat
5.   Turkey (4 oz.) and cheese(I wedge)  with Apple Slices
FOODS TO HELP IN MUSCLE REPAIR (100 TO 180 calories)
1.   Chocolate Milk and 11 almonds or equivilate
2.   Lower fat Oatmeal cookie
3.   Lower fat dark chocolate chip cookie
4.   Turkey Wrap (2 oz. and 6” tortilla, unlimited veggies and guacamole)
5.   Trail mix (1/4 cup)
6.   Smoothie
7.   Popcorn (100 call) and Parmesan cheese 3 TB
8.   Green Tea, Dark Chocolate 70% (2 squares) and Walnuts about 14 shelled


Chocolate chip cookies redone.
Heat oven to 350 degrees
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (if stone ground, make sure it is fine ground)
1 cup all-purpose flour.
1 1/4 tsp. of baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1. Mix in a bowl and set aside
1 stick (1/2 cup) real butter softened plus 1/2 cup of cooked great northern beans, well rinsed and drained smashed.
3/4 browned sugar packed
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 egg beaten or 2 TB ground flaxseed with 6 TB water (this equals just under 1/2 cups. If using flax seed to replace egg, mix flaxseed meal with water and let set for 2-3minutes)
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add vanilla and egg (or egg substitute of flax) Mix well
4. Add flour mixture, mix well. Then add
One package (16oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips.
Mix together.
Drop cookies onto cookie sheet by rounded Tablespoon or a cookie dough scoop. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-14 minutes. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
 This recipe is made a bit healthier with less sugar, less fat and whole wheat flour. If using the beans in your cookies, make sure you rinse and drain them well. I like to cook my beans from the dried bean without any flavor or seasonings. Canned beans need to be rinsed and drained a few times before smashing and putting in your recipe. If you use margarine instead of butter, the cookie will have different texture and be a bit crisper. The bean adds protein and fiber to the cookie.
Recipe by Natasha Duncan, Cameron MO

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Roman 14:23 My weightloss goal is PEACE

But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Roman 14:23
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. don not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Romans 14:19-20

Here are some verses to help me along my weight loss this week. We need to stop looking at the scale and look for peace and freedom from a bondage of food obsession and weight loss. I struggle with this a great deal. My body doesn't shed fat fast and my muscle mass is quite great. I will get on the scale and not see the number budge. I then began to think thoughts of defeat and depression. That number is simply a number. It doesn't determine my worth. So what is my worth?
I am worth gold. I am valuable and beautiful in God's eyes. I am his daughter so I can't be anything but wonderful to Him. He wants me to rely on him and not food.
If I am to eat something that is going to make me feel guilty later, then God is telling me that my body doesn't need this food. I have felt this before and ignored it but starting now, I will no longer ignore the conviction I feel coming from God. He care for everything I feel and go through. He cares for my battle with weight loss and self esteem. But I shall have confidence in Christ.
Nothing feels as good as PEACE.
(Thoughts from my weight loss and self esteem bible study Made to Crave from Lysa TerKeurst)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

A Mommy in Your Pocket!

Oh it is another early morning for a homeschool Momma. I have put my kids in public school for the summer because Zack and I are unsure of how the fall will play out. We have a two mile long (more like two pages but who is counting) list of things that will start in full swing in August. I just added another item to the list, bass guitar lessons.  So we put our never-been-schooled-by-anyone-else 2nd and K kids in public institutions. The hardest transition is getting out of bed before 8. Everything else is under control.
This morning however, was a catastrophe for my Bugsa. She doesn't bend well with change and if this change doesn't have her Mommy near it, she wants nothing to do with that huge event (everything is huge to a kid).  So today, after breakfast, she tears up and shoots her bottom lip out as far as it could stretch. Any further and a jet plane could have landed there. I just shake my head and say, "Bugsa, why such a sad face?" She tells me that they have a new teacher today and tomorrow and she doesn't know her and what if I don't like her, and what if she doesn't like me and la di da di da. She gave me a list longer than her entire self why she can't go to school if a new teacher is there. Still holding her in my arms I calmly (but not feeling it) say, "I am sure this new teacher will be fine." She spouts back at me, "You HAVE TO COME AND SEE FOR ME." And out of this a great idea was born. I wrote a note on a small piece of paper "Mommy Loves Bugsa!" I folded it in half after reading it to her and put it in her pocket. I explained that now she can take me to school and face any new changes that come her way because on that little piece of paper is a whole lotta mommy love. She now has a Mommy in her pocket. She chuckled, then laughed a good few minutes. Well of course Beans and Bubba needed a Mommy in their pockets too. I made a few up and tucked them away in their pocket. Then my Bubba says, " Mommy, we have you in our pocket and Jesus in our hearts. We can do anything." My heart swelled with love and joy I just wanted to jump up and down and hug this smart little fellow. I just kissed his cheek instead. The whole morning thereafter was something like this. "We are going to school with Mommy in our Pocket and Jesus in our hearts." That sentence was followed by every other sentence they said. It brought so many laughs and took the edge off. We have a dead squirrel in front of our home. Beans said that the squirrel didn't have a Mommy in it's pocket and Jesus in it's heart. Lainey told him that squirrels don't have pockets. This started a laughing fit that lasted all the way to school. Now if I make it through the day without a call from the school stating my kids started a Mommy/Jesus/pocket riot, I consider this success for a very scared and unbending little girl. Thank you Jesus!

Friday, May 27, 2011

BetterMe Coaching Tool

BetterMe Coaching Tool: "The Go Red BetterMe Coaching Tool is the perfect companion to the Go Red BetterU 12-week program. Every day, you'll get tips, reminders, and more sent directly to your tool. You'll also be able to chat directly with other members of the program on the “Wall” share tips, motivational quotes, and work through barriers with others. You can also access and edit your journal entries directly from the tool."

I have been using this during my weight loss adventure. It has been a help for me each day. My weight is a yo yo right now but I am still loosing. With God's help, I know my health will come into check. I want to be around for my children and grand children (later way later) for years to come.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Weight Loss scriptures

As many of you know, I have been battling my weight for many years. It has become such a problem that I will avoid many things, events, and sometimes people because of this. I felt ugly, unimportant, and I can't believe I felt this way, but unloved. I know that people loved me but I felt they could love me more if I was prettier and thin. This became a bondage to me. My own body and self esteem was bondage. I was holding myself back from my family, and from God. I am tire of it. It was time to make a change. I decided to turn to God for help. I wasn't asking him to magically melt my fat, although I feel now, he is doing this. I wanted him to purge everything that held me back from a deep and close relationship with my Father in Heaven. The best way to do this was through study of the Word, the truth and up- in- your- face- very- blunt- it- will- make -me -cry TRUTH. I also read three books (why did it have to be so many? I wasn't getting it with just scripture and one book.) The books are Eat and Stay Thin, Joyce Meyers, Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst, and not a book but website http://www.takebackyourtemple.com.
The first scripture started with this Ps 139: 13-14  Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!  Body and soul, I am marvelously made!  I worship in adoration—what a creation!
This scripture had such importance for me I had to highlight it 3 different ways. In other words, God didn't make junk, or anything ugly. I am not ugly. Neither are you. He designed me in the womb. He set my path to the straight and narrow from childhood. He has me in his heart.
Another scripture I cling to is 1 Corinthians 6:12  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Does this mean I can eat 4 pieces of the triple chocolate mocha cake? Sure it does. But should I? NOPE! Now this scripture pertains to sexual impurities but that is not what I take from this verse. I tend to rely on food when I am sad, stressed, happy, excited, tired, and hungry. Hunger is the only reason to rely on food. God wants us to rely on Him and only Him. For me, this scripture means that food is ok and I can have anything I want, but it doesn't mean I can't turn food into sin. I was sinning each time I indulge my emotion with food. God should have been the one I cling to and celebrate with, not this triple chocolate mocha cake with a super large  raspberry mocha on the side.
God has brought me along a journey I am ever so grateful to be on. I have finally started loosing the weight, slowly but surely. It only happened after the bonds were, are, broke. Am I fixed yet? Nope, he is still working on me. When he is done, is the day I go home.
If you are like me and bought tons of weight loss book, or checked them out repeatedly at the library, then it is time to find your drive and break the bonds. Read the books I listed and pray God shows you scriptures to get you through. A fair warning, you will be aware of more than just changes to be made for weight loss, you will find all kinds of things you need to fix (God will help) to get closer to God. Oh but the reward is so worth it. My prayers are with you. I plan to add more scriptures every few days. Some are of my own, some are from these books. I hope they help.
"He's healing me, I'm gonna worship."

Thursday, April 28, 2011

God's Wedding Gift!

I had a very busy day. I enrolled the kids in Summer School. For those of you that know me, you are gasping with an open mouth and your jaw dropped. I am not against public school but it really doesn't fit our learning style. Summer school however, is different. They learn through play, guided play, but this is my way. The kids are excited, and nervous. So are Mommy and Daddy.

Then I enjoyed a cheap (oops I meant inexpensive) lunch with my Mom. I cherish moments with my mom because I know life is short and precious. She is my best friend and I love her so. I took the kids to my parents home to run off some steam. I love farms in the not-so-far-out-there country for this reason. I can let the kids outside and not think twice about them being hit by a car, taken out of my yard, or having the police show up because I am not in the yard watching them. I then learned some Spanish, checked out mattresses with my husband at the furniture store (always a fun time) just to learn that we still haven't saved enough to purchase one. A few more months on a lumpy old mattress won't hurt...too much. Debt Freedom is close enough. No need to blow it now. Then I enjoyed dinner with my family before the night came to an end. Which brings me to the reason for the title of this post.

My kids are 7, 5 1/2, and 3. They get very curious about a lot of things. Some things are appropriate for their age. Some are not. I usually explain everything I can to make learning fun. Tonight happen to be about babies. "Where do babies come from, Mommy? Don't tell me your belly or heaven because they have to get in your belly somehow and I guess that God is strong enough to magically put them there. But why do people that aren't married get them?" My 5 year old asks this question. She was wondering why some single mommies around us got their babies. I was a bit shocked but then I realized this came from my oldest daughter and just laughed a bit. My mind was racing for the right words but nothing came to me quick enough. My son chimed in with, "Ya mommy, you and Daddy make cookies at night. Is that how they get there?Cause so and so doesn't have a husband. Does she make cookies by herself?" My face turns red in three shades. Surely he hasn't figured out the code phrase. Time for a new code phrase. I kid you not. My kids were coming at me like lightening with questions I don't care to answer.

So I say a quick prayer for the right way to tell them this. "Well, there is something Mommies and Daddies do.." Nope this isn't going to work. Too young, too young.  Here is where I scream, "Lord Help!" Funny how He knows just what to do when you scream that. Here is what I tell them. "Kids, do you know that Daddy and I were married before Dayson was born. When we got married, God gave us a wonderful and exciting gift. Now this gift He gives to all married people when they have their wedding. But sometimes, women and men will steal this gift and use it. This gift brings wonderful little babies sometimes. When it isn't used the correct way, it can bring babies still but not always good things to come with that baby." Dayson asks why some family members didn't have a baby and they are married. I explained that sometimes our bodies will not work the right way. God can heal us or give us a baby that doesn't have a mom or a dad. We just have to make sure we keep our life in God's hands and use our money the way God tells us too.  My daughter Lainey replies, "How does the gift work? Is it like the PS3 because that is fun and does all kinds of things when you put a game or Netflix in it." Oh, she did just say that. I get a big grin on my face. Maybe that is the new code phrase. Maybe not.

I go on to tell them that when they are a bit older, they will understand how this gift works and it could be like a ps3 but not likely. My son asks me if Daddy and I stole the gift before we got married. He brought up a couple that just got married but had a baby before the wedding. I was proud to say that we did it God's way and our marriage is big time blessed because of this. He smiled very big and said, "Mommy I like when you and Daddy do things God's way. I am always going to do things God's way too." My heart swelled with joy and love.

The birds and the bees have a new name. I will always call it God's wedding gift. Oh look, I just found a new code phrase.....lol. I pray when my kids grow up to be young adults that they keep this gift holy. We all make mistakes. I did once and it was the greatest mistake I ever made. If your teen or young adult steals this wedding gift, let them know it is OK to start over, and give the gift back. Just don't steal it again. God will forgive them. He did me and then my soul mate showed up when I least expected him to. That soul mate provided wonderful little gifts (with mine and God's help of course) that ask questions before they are old enough to understand them. Thank you God. Thank you so much!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/be-encouraged-homemaking-hospitality-tea-tea-cozy-give-away/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingHomemakers+%28Raising+Homemakers%29

Being a homemaker is about being the light of Jesus Christ for all the world to see. Hospitality isn't about having a perfect home. It is about having the right heart and giving someone in need (children, husband, or guest) a warm cup of tea, a hot meal, a comfortable place to sit or just an ear to listen. The condition of your home doesn't matter, the condition of your heart does.
Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Everlasting God



I found a lot of comfort in this song. It is called "Everlasting God" by New Life Worship. I was very upset about several things yesterday. I came across this song by accident. I see and hear the words, and immediately feel comfort. He is my Everlasting God and when all else fails, he is still the same, he gives me what I need when I need it. He deserves my all, my effort, my praise and everything in my life.

the lyrics
One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Verse2:

One thing I know that I believe
through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays, You always stay

Chorus
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Verse 3:
One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

Chorus
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
everlasting God

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Menu for week 2-19-11

2/19/11 Today
B: Grapefruit, toast with jelly and peanut butter
l: Ramen soup
D sloppy joes, (ground turkey and sausage 2lbs, 1c ketchup, 1/4 c mustard, 1/2 c bbq sauce, one packet of onion soup mix and 1 tb garlic powder) with Roasted potatoe wedges
Snacks have been fruit and toast.

2/20/11
B: banana muffins, eggs
L: PB and J sandwhiches
D: Turkey, Stuffing, greenbeans

2/21
Oatmeal
Mac n cheese with tuna and peas (making fromscratch this week in double batches, the box stuff is full of junk)
Roasted Garlic chicken legs and thighs, Biscuits, Broccoli

2/22
Yogurt parfeit
Tuna Sandwiches, vegtables
Chiken Pot Pie

2/23
Eggs and toast, something different for mommy
Leftovers
Beans and bread

2/24
Pancakes and Sausage
Ramen soup
Tomatoe soup w/ beans and Pasta (recipe can be found on allyou.com)

2/25
Oatmeal, Fruit
pizza pockets
Cheeseburger rice

Friday, February 18, 2011

Freedom.

I was feeling pretty crummy this morning after a discussion (plus tears) with my husband. I have a huge problem with editing. I should have went to college for this but I figured to make the big bucks, I would need to move to New York or California and I didn't want to move away from family.. Anyway! He had asked me to read one of his devotions. He has been writing quite a few and they are very good. However, he didn't want me to edit it. He said some things in a joking matter but considering these "jokes" have had some sting behind them lately, I was hurt. I normally shrug off these jokes because this is who I am. I can't seem to leave bad writing grammar alone. I have always been this way, I love to write. It just seemed this morning that this character trait I possess is bothering him after 8 1/2 years of marriage. What is the deal this time?
I began to cry and suddenly don't wish to read his devotional. I yell back, "When will anyone accept me the way I am, big and bold? If you can't do it, then know one will." He leaves to the sanctuary of our bedroom. He is tired and can't think straight. I just woke up and can't think straight. Better to leave this alone for now and come back to it later. As I sit in front of this writing of his, I began to cry and pray. I plead with God for everyone to leave me as I am. I want to be accepted and not change anymore for anyone else. I have had so many changes to myself in the recent months that I don't even know who I am. If I don't know myself anymore, how is anyone around me going to love the new me. Then I hear my Father tell me, "I love you just as you are. But I am changing you for your own good and to do my work. Accept yourself and the changes I am causing with in your soul. Then all things will fall into place. Daughter I love you. Be yourself within Me." I open my eyes and look toward Heaven. "Thank you God!"
Then I decide to read my email. In my inbox was a devotion from Proverbs31 ministries. It talks of freedom. Oh how I long to be free! I have been a child of God my whole life but never have I truly been free. I struggle with a few things as we all do. I know that God is changing me for a better reason. He is changing me to be free to live for Him. Ps 119: 45 says "I walk about in freedom from my body weight, my bad self image and self condemnation, and from control, for I have sought out your precepts." Oh Lord, do I want to walk about in freedom. The author goes on to say, " Freedom is my word for 2011, a word I want to truly understand. A word I am defining for me as unconfined by human limitations and my self destruction, free to be an expression of my amazing God and his perfect love." This is my prayer too.
I want to be free from self condemnation and bad self esteem. I obsess over my weight and I have allowed it to hold me back for the kingdom of God. My husband and I just accepted a calling that we felt a while back. However, Satan has been attacking me severely with thoughts like "How can you lead a church when you can't lead yourself. You look awful and no one is going to want to come to a church with an ugly fat worthless and angry minister's wife." Sounds so silly, doesn't it, to believe these lies? However, they have been such a stronghold over me for many years, even from childhood. I hate living this way and pray for FREEDOM. These changes within me are to get me to freedom. I want to one day yell as loud as I can, so the whole world hears, "God set me free. I walk around in freedom."
I also want to be free from control. I don't like to give up control. When family and friends around me do something that could harm them or put them into a deep whole, I get angry. I want to make them do things the right way and so I get irritated. It isn't my place to be their parent or judge. I need to let God work in their lives and let God work in mine. Galations 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." This is the work God has for me. No longer do we need to be a slave to our problems. Change breaks the bonds of slavery, time and time again.
I need to remember that God loves me for me. He made me wonderful and God doesn't make trash. I leave you with this verse today. Thank you God! Thank you and I love you!
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalms 139: 17-18



Thursday, February 3, 2011

3 Effective Strategies to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt

3 Effective Strategies to Help You Pay Off Credit Card Debt
We used both Strategy #1 and #2. Use what works for you but use some sort of proven strategy. I apply the debt snowball to outstanding loans also, car payments, the second mortgage, and any debt that is not your home. That will come later. Get a starter emergency fund too. Good luck and my prayers are with you.
Debt free very Soon.
Tasha

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Importance of Modesty

The Importance of Modesty

Menu for 1-29 to 2-12

Most of these are rice and bean menu because I need to get back on track for my Debt Snowball. If you need any recipes, just email me or some you can get from Allyou.com or hillbillyhousewife.com

Breakfast
1. Yogurt, fruit and granola parfeight
2. Eggs and toast (protein smoothie for mommy)
3.Pancakes and sausage
4. Poptarts and fruit
5. Cereal or hot cereal
6. Oatmeal

Lunch
Sandwiches and carrots or chips (if I break down and buy them)
2.Soup
3. Mac n Cheese and Tuna
4 Ramen soup.
5. Leftovers

Dinner
1. Beans and fried potatoes
2 Pork Chops and Veggies
3. Chicken fried rice, nix the egg
4. Potatoe soup and salad
5 Beans and corn bread
6 Superbowl Sunday chow down food. (this is always pot luck except for guests)
7 Slow cooker slaso chicken over rice
8 english muffin tuna melts and homemade potatoe wedges
9 Hobo stew and biscuits
10 Ham ,Grits, and red eye gravy, eggs
11 chili Lime Chcken wings with Vegtables
12 Red Beans and Rice with Sausage
13 Bean and cheese Quesdillas with Homade Chips and cheese.

I got a lot of these from All you.com
Enjoy!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

My son is heading into a new phase of life.

What happens to a kid when they turn 7? I understand 3, you become a preschooler. At 13 you are turning into a teenager and 21 is an adult. However, 7 seems to be a new era for kids too. My son has gone from a little boy to a big boy overnight. He is now unable to kiss and hug his mommy (or call me mommy but mom) in public. He is understanding things in the big kids class and enjoys it in church. He is growing up, fast.
We are giving him and extended birthday celebration this year. In fact, he has three days of celebration. Once and a while, Zack and I will give the kids a long celebration instead of just one day. This weekend, we took Dayson to his favorite restaurant, Long John Silver. He went to the movies and saw Gulliver's Travels. Don't tell him it was the cheap $2 theatre. He had so much fun, I don't think he will care. He even got a whole box of candy and pop with out having to share. Then we let him play at the mall. But when I asked him to give me a hug in the play area, he said, "Mommy, can I do that later? I love you but don't wanna hug right now." He did hug me later, but not in front of the big boys. I chuckle at that thought but I do miss hugging and cuddling with my boy..

Thursday, January 13, 2011

two weeks menu 1/14 to 1/27/10

Breakfast (these are ussually the same and rotate)
Oatmeal and cinnamon apples,
Cold cereal and milk,
Toast, eggs and bacon or sausage
whole wheat waffles or pancakes, and eggs (I do cinnamon and sugar, th kids do syrup)
Homemade poptarts,
English muffin pizza

Lunch (these also rotate)
Ramen soup (with veggies)
Sandwiches, chips or veggies
Leftover
Mac and cheese with tuna and peas
soup

Dinner
Sausage stir fry and brown rice
Ham, potatoes and beans
Rice roni casserole
Spicey Shrimp angel hair pasta (chicken for the kids)
We are eating out for Dayson's birthday 2 days this week
Tacos (big sunday dinner)
Turkey, green beans, potatoes, biscuits (sunday dinner)
Grilled cheese and soup
Pork Chops, vegetables, Corn muffin
Corn bread chili casserole (leftover frozen meal from two weeks ago)
Beans and rice
Chicken noodle soup
Spaghetti or pasta with meat sauce or salt and butter
Citrus chicken, vegetables, biscuits

Snacks
Cinnamon toast, boiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, Dark Chocolate, pop corn, Hot dogs or pig in a blanket.

Now these things  will last me two weeks. It will come to about $200. I had been buying extra items when they are on sale so most of the meats are already on hand. I am still buying meat this week because country mart is having a bogo sale. so in two more weeks I won't need any meat at all. This list will also include milk x4, eggs 18ea, yogurt and cottage cheese twice. We also have a birthday part for about 30 people and we are eating out twice. I do have to buy snacks with kids. If you want recipes for anything, let me know. Some of them are fro my collection and some are from other websites. Good luck.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Praying in the shower.

Lately I have been sad. Lately I have felt failure. Lately has been just in the new year. 2011 is not suppose to start like this. Here is why it has felt bad for me. Although being a lover of God, I shouldn't allow these feelings to set in.
1. I can't even harbor a child. I lost two. I haven't been able to conceive since. It may not be in God's plan for me and I need to accept that.
2. I lost 8 lbs. I turn right around and gain back 4. It is going to take me forever to lose the same 4 I had originally lost. I don't loose at a normal rate. I am lucky to loose 1 lb a month.
3.. My house is always dirty and always broken. I live in it about 98% of my time. I am sick of it and can't seem to tackle the problem or make it go away.
4. I can't seem to get everything done in a day. Enough said.
I have always been a tough love kinda gal. I seem to wanna just deal with it when sometimes I just need to give it to God. I want to just get off my hind end and do something about these problems. However these problems never go away for me. I am really a tough love kinda gal on myself. As a matter of fact, finding love for others isn't something I have a huge problem with. Although I am constantly working on coming across in a more loving less harsh way. Goodness, I prayed about this and it seems the opportunities to practice this ability have triple and quadrupled. Thank you Lord. I am just not sure that I am passing this task.
I love my family very much and even find that loving my enemies isn't as hard as I once thought. It gets a bit easier everyday. God helps me through this. Loving myself, however, is not something I have been able to do. This battle has been fought and lost year after year.  Can I truly love God if I can't love myself? He made me after all. The Bible says "Psalm 139:14 (CEV)14I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt." I also know that God gave his only son because he loved us so much.
 I feel that everything I do, Satan is laughing at me and saying, "hahaha, you didn't finish that one did ya. You have to start all over." I hate starting all over. When I have to start all over, I feel like everything I did was for nothing. I feel like a failure. But I know this is a lie.
A funny thing about my life. I always talk to God best in the shower or in my bed. Several weeks ago, I was told to go to my secret place and find God. He will meet me there and comfort me every time. I know I can pray anywhere anytime but my most fervent prayers are always in those two places. The other day, Sunday to be exact, I was feeling another failure day. This time my clothes were uncomfortable and my belly was tender. No excuse but it is what was going on. I took a shower. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water rain on me. I wanted the worries and discomfort to wash away. I began to pray. I felt the Lord tell me He loved me. He also told me that He is always giving out do overs. He never sees them as failures. He gives them to the least of people; drug addicts, drinkers, prostitutes, liers, abusers, thieves.....OK you get the point. So why is my little problems so big? If God can give so many second chances, why can't I give my self another shot. I can start over. It is ok. and by the way, He loves me.! Romans 8:5 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful
This is what happens when you pray in the shower. Then you go to church and hear how God loves us. Then you get blessed so much that you dance, cry, laugh, and clap. I just couldn't control my praise. Nor did I want to. He loves me. I can start over. My failures are gone. They are just learning experiences. I will start loving myself. He deserves all my praise. There will be no more room for my self destruction because He loves us.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Don't be confused!

Don't confuse weight loss with fixing your world.
A woman's struggle with food brought down man kind.
We were made to crave.
Fill the void with a happy thought and prayers to God.

An encouraging note I found this morning. I had a tough night last night. I was feeling pretty crummy about my weight and my slow thyroid. I felt ugly. I went to the Lord in prayer. I know he gave me comfort. He sent the person closest to me and gave me encouraging words. I will look at them every time I feel this way. Thank you God for my husband.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Menu planning

In my endeavour to become debt free, I had started to plan my meal out each week. Because Zack is the bread winner and was able to pull extra shifts and deliver pizza, I had to make a dent somewhere. My job is to take care of the family and the home. I had to find a way to cut cost in my "career." One of those ways is menu planning and food bill cuts.  It started out as a weekly meal and I am just now up to the monthly menu. I have gotten pretty good at this but there is always room fro improvement. Take yesterday for example.  I was fretting over the fact that I had stuck to my menu and grocery list and the bill was still more than I wanted. Still haven't figured out what went wrong. Anyway, I wanted to share my tips and tricks. So here are some websites that I like to use.
1 http://www.momadvice.com/ She has free menu templates for a week. This includes snacks and extras that you may forget.
2.Tip Junkie She also has printables,
3. http://www.kraftfoods.com/  Tons of inexpensive meal ideas. It even has a weekly meal plan with a grocery list already for you.
4. http://www.allyou.com/ Same as above. Tons of budget friendly meal ideas and cleaning on a budget tips.
5.These two websites I came across just this week. The first is a great site from a stay at home mom. It is called http://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/ She post her weekly menu with recipes each week. ( I may start doing that) On her website I found a website called http://www.saymmm.com/ On this one, you enter your weekly menu and it prints a grocery list for you. It is dummy proof and free.

Some other tips on cutting your food bill is to eat out less. This was a hard pill for my family to swallow. We love to sit down at a restaurant and be served our food. This little luxury can destroy your wallet faster than a fire. So I have learned to eat out once every two weeks and start making some of those things at home. I haven't cut that out of my budget completely because doing so will make me crash and blow the budget anyway.
Convenience foods (lots of packaging and lots of preservatives) will break the bank also. Many of the items you purchase can be made at home for a fraction of the cost. Biscuits, instant oatmeal, rice mixes, cake mixes, ok most of the items in the center isle of the store. Google recipes for your convenience foods. It does take more time. This is where you need to sit down and weigh the cost and time. Keep in mind that made from scratch is so much healthier than bought from the grocery store shelf. I still by Kraft Mac and Cheese, occasionally Ramen Noodles and Almond or Rice milk. Those three convenient foods have yet to make it out of my house. We even kicked hot dogs out unless they are all beef and come direct from the factory. Not everyone has the inside scoop on hot dogs ya know...=)
I hope this helps. Feel free to comment with your own tips and ideas. I will appreciate it and hope others will too!

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