update: this sucks!!

but really, I'm not loving this. I am getting super discouraged! I lost so much the first 2 weeks and was doing so good, but it's been another two weeks and I havne't seen a bit of progress. Last week I dislocated my knee and I had to put my daily walks on hold, I'm sure that didn't help at all. So today was my first day back walking and you'd think I hadn't walked in years....holy cow, I was dying after 1 block. Hopefully the rain will stay away, my knee will continue to heal and I'll finally see some results. If not, I'm quitting life this stupid diet!

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

red pepper soup

here's my version of red pepper soup, in 5 ingredients.

first, chop the clean peppers, I like to chop them in quarters, just works best for me. I also spray them with olive oil spray, helps everything brown up well. Next bake them at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until nice and soft.

This is what they look like all roasted and sweet. Place them in a plastic bag or paper bag to steam.

After they cool, you have to peel of the skin, it's really easy and totally worth it, the skin is where all the bitterness is.

I like to puree them in the blender, it seems to work better than the food processor. This is as smooth as I've ever made it. This is where I added the cans of italian style tomatoes, I really don't like chunks in my soup.

Then I add the goat cheese (about 3 oz.) and 1/2 cup fat free half and half and 3 cups broth or stock...I had chicken but veggie works great.

Mix, heat through.....and enjoy!

i've made a huge mistake.....

Big, fat mistake.....

.......no more daily weigh in, to be honest, no more hourly weigh ins. I get so frustrated to see the numbers flucuate so much in one day. Stupid scale!

On a positive note, I'm on day 12 and if the evil scale is to be trusted I have lost 7 lbs! I have not ever stuck with anything this long, really! I truly believe the "three cord" approach is helping...imagine that, a biblical theory that works. Thank you friends for your thoughts, prayers and encouarging words! I'm in this for the long haul!

my big break...

.....I realized just recently, while watching Parenthood, that I haven't had a break on my own in almost 5 years. I HAVE to take a break! I deserve a break right? I don't remember a time when I wasn't "in charge" of someone....even on my vacation last month, still had to take care of Billy. A few dear friends have recently started blogging about running. They have both mentioned the freedom that running brings. I'm not sure if it's the running (or walking in my case) or just the fact that they are away from the kids. I think it has to be the kid thing. For my sanity and the well being of my family I have decided to take 30 minutes away from everyone every day.....I need it!  

Today I went for a wonderful walk, all alone, well except for these guys....

I noticed something when I returned from my walk.....the world won't end if I walk away from the house. The kids might steal a pen and add some creative touches to the new bed, destroy important documents and undo a few hours worth of cleaning (remember I was only gone 30 minutes) but they will live, and because I get out of the house, so will I.
I think my break and I are going to be very good friends, very good friends!

biggest loser!

Ok, not biggest loser but happiest and most shocked! I've lost 5 pounds.....haha when I typed that the first time my finger slipped and I typed 58...wouldn't that be amazing? So hey...only 72 pounds to go...I know other people have done it....right? my biggest challenge today was trying not to tackle the girls for their all fruit fruit roll ups....they just looked so smug enjoying their fruit....punks! Oh well, more mashed cauliflower and chicken breast for me! Have I mentioned that I'm on a high protein diet and I don't like eggs, fish or lots of meat? Yeah, these next few weeks are going to be a blast. If anyone has any tips on high protein/low vomit inducing foods, I'd love to hear about them! Thanks!

day 1

Thanks for all your support!! So day 1 went really really well. I really felt full after all my meals. I'm still trying to decide if I will diary my meals. If I do, I run the risk of boring you all to death really quickly. But, on the plus side, if anyone sticks with me, they can hold me accountable to the diet. Also, if anyone has tips to help, I'm open to suggestions.

tomorrow....

Tomorrow is the first day of our new diet. Let me tell you, I have no self-control, hence the new blog. I need accountabillity. I know if I post this first blog, and if anyone actually reads it, I will have to keep it up. I went out and bought a whole ton of groceries for the south beach diet. Tomorrow I start my low fat, low carb lifestyle. Lots and lots and lots of chicken breast. If anyone has any tips, I would love them! These first two weeks are going to be hard, I love sugar and carbs...love them! The first two weeks are supposed to break the sugar addiction, also, it can't be bad for the type II diabetes beating me up. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!
I just read a devotion and it really spoke to me, it encouraged me to start over and to not go it alone,

Whether it is extra weight on our thighs or excess baggage in our souls, we women all face heated, hard battles. Our key verse today teaches us to decide not to wage war all alone. Enlist another strand or two to strengthen one another in the fight to overcome strongholds and worship God alone. Satan shudders when God's gals band together, with Jesus at the forefront, to courageously face the battle before us.
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)


So here we go, it's going to be a tough road, but with Jesus and the support of my friends, I can do this!!!