Day 53

I finally got around to watching this week's Biggest Loser episode last night.  This season, Biggest Loser is focusing on the childhood obesity epidemic.  In this week's episode, the trainers introduced  the teenage contestants to Seventeen Magazine's Body Peace Pledge.  If you have a daughter, this is definitely worth taking a look at with them.  Click here to sign the Body Peace Treaty.  Many of the items on the pledge are battles I have faced myself for years.  In today's world of "picture perfect celebrities", it is important for young women to learn to love themselves for who they are and to have "peace" with themselves.

If you're ever having one of those days where you feeling low on the "self-confidence" front, just remember the words of Ecclesiastes 3:11.  In HIS eyes, we are ALL beautiful and if we're good enough for HIM, that's all we need.  Remember..........Everything 4:13!

Day 52

It is amazing how much more "with it" I feel when my house is un-cluttered.  I had time to straighten up the house after school today. Once I had time to sit down and admire my hard work all I could do was breathe a HUGE sigh of relief.  Until.........a few minutes later when I discovered more dirty dishes in the sink, a cowboy hat in the middle of the floor, 2 mismatched dirty socks, and an unflushed toilet. Oh well......at least the "with it" feeling lasted for a few minutes. Remember......Everything 4:13!

Day 51

Well......tonight I'm going to eat something that IS NOT on my diet........my words!  Last night, I said I was going to "disappear" from Facebook and Pinterest for a while........until reality set in.  I didn't realize how many apps I use that are connected to my Facebook account.  I also didn't realize how much I rely on Pinterest for my classroom and cooking.  So......here it goes, "I CAN NOT disappear from Facebook or Pinterest."  I am going to re-word and say, "I'm going to try to REDUCE the amount of time I waste on Facebook and Pinterest."  Another reason not to "disappear" is the fact that I would miss no longer seeing my daily blog posts to my Facebook wall.....since right now my wall is pretty much an online chronicle of the first 51 days of my 2013 year!  So.....don't fret!  You can still find me on Facebook.......you can still re-pin the numerous recipes, teaching ideas, and random stuff I "pin"........I just won't be visiting either as frequently as I have in the past.

Speaking of time.......I'm thinking about giving the whole "Freezer Meal" trend a try.  If you're not sure what I'm talking about click here to learn more.  Basically, you prepare and freeze a month's worth of meals in a day. (Takes around 4-6 hours)  It would be FABULOUS if I didn't have to take the time to plan a weekly menu, grocery list, and especially come up with the time to cook and clean the kitchen.  The only problem is.........I have to find 4-6 extra hours to get the month worst of meals put together.  Have any of you tried the freezer meals before?  If so, how did it work for you?  Feel free to share any tips or pointers you may have to help me get started.

My "time management" went much better for the most part today...........until I got home and had to participate in an online class that lasted almost four hours!  As I sat there in front of my computer screen, all I could think of was all of the other things I could be getting done instead.  Tomorrow is another day and I'm a little excited at the fact that I have NOTHING to do after school so I'm looking forward to getting in some exercise, laundry, cooking, and dishes tomorrow afternoon.  Fun, fun!  Remember........Everything 4:13!

Day 50

What is the BIGGEST obstacle I face in my weight loss battle? TIME........there just aren't enough hours in the day.  The quote above is so true...........if you don't manage your time, the rest of your life is chaos.  That is exactly how I feel right now...........I have got to get a grasp of my "time" and figure out how to balance it all. 

It's not that I don't have the "tools" to help me manage my time.......there are 1000's of apps, calendars, timers, and planners out there to keep you organized......I have many of them.  I start out each day with "a plan........the problem is that plan doesn't have any room for error.........if one little thing changes....then the WHOLE schedule for the day is out of whack.  What gets pushed to the side 99.9 % of the time.............EXERCISE.  (Cooking a healthy meal, doing laundry, and cleaning house coming in a close 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place)  As Ephesians 5:15-16 says, I MUST make the best use of my time and prioritize.  What is REALLY more important?.......getting a few minutes of exercise or checking out the latest pins on Pinterest and Facebook posts?  I've tried it before with a VERY short-term success, but starting tomorrow I am going to attempt "unplugging" myself from the social network world until I can get a better grasp on my time.  Don't worry.......I'll keep up the blog........if you want to "follow" me, you'll have to subscribe to my Blog via RSS or e-mail (look for the links on the right side).......Every time I get tempted to log-in and catch up on things in the Facebook world instead of devote my time to more important things, I will have to remember.........Everything 4:13!

Day 49

 

I was FULL of excuses not to stick to diet and exercise this past week........ my son's birthday, my husband's birthday, stressful day, out of town company, Valentine's Day, too tired, too busy, the list goes on and on!  Even though I didn't do too great last week, I was still down one pound.  The end of the month will be here before I know it though, and I still have five more pounds to lose to reach my 8 pound monthly goal. So........I've GOT to let go of the excuses this week and stick with it. Anytime I am tempted to come up with an excuse, I need to remember.........Everything 4:13!

Day 48

Twice-baked potatoes are one of my favorite sides to cook when we grill steaks.  Since my "recipe" consists of a stick of butter, mayo, sour cream, and LOTS of cheese.......I figured it probably needed some modifications.  I found the following Weight Watchers Twice Baked Potato recipe.......at only 2 points per serving, I must say.........it was a delicious substitute to the high-fat original version.

Weight Watchers Twice Baked Potatoes

Points Plus Value:  2 

 Ingredients:

3 large baking potatoes
1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/3 cup thin green onion slices
1/4 cup Light Sour Cream
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika

(You can also add bacon crumbles, Points value would increase to 3)

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Pierce potatoes in several places with tip of sharp knife. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until tender. Immediately cut potatoes lengthwise in half; scoop out centers, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells.

Beat potato pulp, broth, 1/2 cup cheese, onions, sour cream and mustard with mixer until well blended. Spoon into shells; top with remaining cheese and paprika.

Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 6 Servings

Per Serving: 88 Calories; 1g Fat; 2.5g Protein; 17.3g Carbs; 2.3g Fiber

Everything 4:13!

Day 47

I'm busy visiting with family from "home" (AKA....GA) this weekend.......so I'm keeping my blog post super simple today.  I think I'll make this a weekend theme from now on.........motivational pics on the weekends........that will leave more time for me to spend with my family!  Remember.......Everything 4:13!