Let Food Be Thy Medicine

Its been awhile since I last posted. My day job as a teacher and mom has kept me very busy. Not to mention feeling like a failure to my body.

Why a failure you ask. No head way with loosing weight. As posted before I joined Weight Watchers. I did well in the beginning but then hit a stand still. Overall I lost 10lbs but no where near what I was hoping for. Disappointed in myself I did not feel like I had anything to share. 

So, what has brought me back. 

With the break from my day job, it is time to get back on track. The first thing I have done is find me a nutritionist. Not just any nutritionist, but my college friend Dr. Llana Call Smith, chiropractor and nutritionist. Dr. Smith has been practicing in a different state but recently moved to North Carolina close to where I live. It is great to see a Doctor who knows me personally but I am most intrigued in her work with nutrition. Dr. Smith is trained in Nutrition Response Testing and since she first tested on me years ago at a college reunion has had me intrigued. 

Yesterday I went for my first Nutrition Response Testing. It took two and half hours. Yes, some was catching up but honestly it did not feel like I had been there that long. Dr. Smith explained every questionnaire and test she performed. She wants you to truly understand your condition and how nutrition can heal your body. 

So what did we learn. First, my nervous system is not working like it should. This is made obvious by the sore on my leg that has refused to heal for over a year. Next, my body does not like wheat. I took this one in stride but as I read food labels and think about the foods I enjoy (bread, pasta's and sweets) I am now on the fence. I am going to miss those foods. I am currently missing them right now but the thought of not having the health issues I have and live free of pain would be awesome.

Going gluten-free. So my thoughts on this is go natural. I know I can go buy gluten-free products and from what I hear are tasty but I think my body would appreciate more whole natural food. This starts a research project. First, learn what foods I need to avoid. Breads, pastas, anything made from flour is easy. However, yesterday I was surprised to find wheat in a salad dressing. Really. Why in the world would there be wheat in a dressing. 

As I learn what to avoid I plan to find recipes that my family and I to enjoy. I am looking forward to finding new recipes but not getting it past my husband and daughters. They are picky eaters. The key to this will not to tell them what is in it until after they try it. 

Here's to the adventure!

Foods to Eat

I had some time and decided to check out my weight watchers website. Here are some foods that are good for you. Now to remember to eat them and add them into my family meals.

Fats to Eat:

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Trout
• Healthy oils (like the ones in your Good Health Guidelines: olive, safflower, sunflower, flax seed and canola)
• Avocados
• Sunflower seeds
• Nuts

Carbohydrates to Eat:

• Whole grains (such as brown rice, 100-percent whole-wheat bread, and whole wheat pasta)
• Legumes (such as beans and lentils)
• Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, peas, corn and carrots
• Fruits
• Oatmeal
• Milk products (such as low-fat, non-fat yogurt, milk)

Protein to Eat:

• Lean cuts of meats
• Skinless poultry
• Lean fish and shellfish like cod, halibut, bass, and shrimp
• Low-fat, non-fat dairy products
• Legumes (dry beans and peas)
• Soy products

Fiber to Eat:

• Fruits, vegetables
• Légumes (such as beans and lentils)
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains (such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice)

Yummy Juices

I might be on weight watchers but I am still juicing. Below are some that I made and enjoyed this past week. 

Skinny Creamsicle Smoothie

Dr. Oz's Green Drink Juice

Apple Cucumber Celery Juice

Powerful Weight Loss Juice

Give these yummy juices a try!

Left Right Left

Back in the day. Like over 20 years ago I was in the band.

Oh how I loved band. Since my school was small (above is my H.S. marching band) I got to play lots of things. Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bass Drum, Cymbols, Bells, Keyboard and Piano. I was in it all. Regular band which I guess is called orchestra (we didn't have stringed instruments), marching band, pep band and the jazz band. Trust I am not a musical genius, very mediocre skills, but it didn't stop me from trying. I do think that band (chorus helped too) played a huge part in the wide variety of music I like.

Okay, back to the whole reason I started this blog. I have literally not marched in a band for 20 years now. However, I find that when I walk to music I keep pace with the beet. Yes, I can Left Left Left Right Left to my music. It is crazy how something that was in grained in you as a kid stays with you even as an adult. I must thank Mr. Brooks (my band teacher from 5th grade and up through high school) for teaching me how to march and keep time with my music. It is helping me get back into shape.

Last night and this morning I got on a treadmill and enjoyed over an hour of walking. Here are some of my favorite songs from the workout.

Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO

God Bless Texas by Little Texas

Little White Church by Little Big Town

Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham

It Aint Over Til Its Over by Lenny Kravitz (good cool down song)

Just Dance by Lady Gaga

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum

Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil' Wayne

Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson

Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me by Keith Urban

Boogie Shoes by KC & The Sunshine Band

Last Friday Night (TGIF) by Katty Perry

Ice Walking

It has been since last weekend that I have had an opportunity to go for a walk and really wanted to get one in this morning. I figured that since it stopped raining yesterday morning all would be nice. Nope, I was surprised to find ice on the sidewalks and road. Had to be careful in some places but I still got my walk in.

Of course I had my music with me. I started off the walk right with Nowhere to Run by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. I love music from this era.

The next few songs I like, bring back good memories or just fun to sing but they didn't get me excited about my walk. That is, until I got to Movin' on Up by M People. I love this song! Always brings back to MTV's The Grind exercise videos with Eric Nies.

I am so tickled, I found my favorite Grind Workout. Brings back memories of college and my first years out on my own. I will have to show this video to my daughters and have them workout with me this week.

Towards the end of my walk What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong came on. This song came on at the right time. I was cresting a hill, sucking in wind and needed to start my cool down towards my house. Calmed me down, such a relaxing song. As I got in my house Macarena by Los Del Rio came on. This will be my next song the next time I go for a walk. It could be interesting as i am sure I will do the Macarena moves. As I think about it, I will also have to introduce this song/video to my daughters. It would be a fun workout.

Time to get serious about my walking! My school district's 2nd annual 5k is coming up in March. My husband and I talked and we plan to sign up our whole family and walk the entire 5k. Our daughters can run if they want but me and my husband are not runners, yet.

Music

I love music. All kinds. If you were to look at my ipod, you would find a wide range of music from classical to rap. For me, music can take you back to great memories, calm the soul and pep you up to get moving.

The past few weeks I have been enjoying dancing with my girls at night. We have a Wii and have been dancing away to Just Dance games. If you don't have a Wii, check out youtube. I think every song from every Just Dance is on there. I am not the greatest dancer. Honestly, I do not like to dance in public due to me thinking I look like Elaine from Seinfield.

I should follow the motto on the poster but I do prefer busting my moves in the privacy of my home. If you love to dance, try Just Dance. Puts a smile on your face and you get some great exercise.

As I said early, music peps you up. The past two mornings I have taken a walk in my neighborhood with my music in tow. Below are some great songs that got me a moving, dancing and singing. Yes, someone could have seen or listened to me but luckily not many folks are out at 7am on the weekends.

Happy by Pharrell Williams

Stayin' Alive by N-Trance

I'm a Believer by The Monkees

Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead

Enter Sandman by Metallica

Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues by Martina McBride

Its crazy how God works. This morning when I went on a walk I thought about this blog for music. I started the blog before heading to church. Our church always has music playing outside as you walk up to the church. There is of course the music before the sermon. Our band is made up with guitars, drums, electric piano and occasionally a soprano saxophone. The band can rock and today they did just did that. Today's music was awesome! Totally pepped us up for today's sermon and open to hear God's word. I wish I knew the songs we sang so I could share with you but unfortunately I do not. 

What's your favorite music to get you going?

Crunchy Florida Shrimp Roll

Due to some errands that needed to be run, we planned to go out to dinner as a family. It was decided that we would go to Asian Cafe.

Because I wanted to stay in my points I researched last night what I could eat and stay in my point value for the day. I decided on the Mico Combo which included the Miso Soup, California Roll, Tuna Roll and Yellowtail Roll. All racked up to be a total of 12 points.

What I did not plan on is my family all ordering bento boxes. I am really the only one who likes sushi and so I was really excited about all the sushi I would have for lunch. Unfortunately, I didn't count on my husband and one of my daughters ordering the Crunchy Florida Roll.

At the restaurant I ate about four of their pieces as well as a a bite of bang shrimp and crab salad, which I have learned is Kani Salad with some internet searching. I am all proud of myself thinking I did well and had points to spare.

Then I get home. I begin planning out tomorrows meals. Tomorrow's lunch, yes, left over sushi rolls, especially those darn Crunchy Shrimp Rolls. Holly mollie, a roll is 13 points! 13! That is more than I eat during a normal meal.

So what did I do with this info. Got mad, frustrated and threw in the towel. Yep, ended up eating all the remaining Crunchy Shrimp Rolls. Now isn't that crazy. In my mind I wanted to just get rid of them, in my tummy that is, and not go over my points tomorrow.

Even though I wanted to through in the towel I still logged my points. Yes, my daily points were high but I was still left with many of my extra weekly points.

What did I learn, stop freaking out and just own my actions. All will work out in the end.

Lessons Learned

Last night I started to work on a plan to take my girls out to breakfast. Our school district had a a two hour delay today. This means teachers (me) have to report to school on time and the kids don't. To help kill a little time I take the girls out for breakfast to kill a little time before I officially have to clock in. 

OMG! It was so hard to find anything to eat that was healthy and didn't kill my point values. I have gotten use to my juices and smoothies and even though they are range from 6-11 pts I know they will keep me full until lunch. 

This morning I made the mistake of looking again to see what I could find to eat and ended up wasting time. Also due to thinking I would eat out, I did not make the juice I had planned even though I wanted to. Lesson learned, go ahead and make the juice. Or in my case, thaw the fruit. Last minute I decided I would make my juice. How hard could it be to blend some strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. HARD! They kept freezing into one chunk. I microwaved it three times before I was able to get it all juicing. I know the lime juice and water I added help cause this problem but it was really thick. Next time, defrost the fruit so that it is not one solid chunk when blending. 

I still took my girls out for breakfast. Not as planned though for this morning my car was making a lot of racket. This caused a quick trip to my mother-in-laws to get her car so my husband and I could go to work. Breakfast was provided by McDonalds. I stayed true to my juice but did get a small diet coke. Let me tell you, that was the worst diet coke. I haven't had one in awhile and new it would taste different but this one was horrible. I ended up throwing it out once I finally got to school.

This afternoon my husband was able to get my car checked out. What was the issue? A rock. Yes a rock from a gravel road. When visiting my family in Illinois (rural Illinois) we managed to get a rock up in the tire well that didn't want to leave. Even after getting a full monty car wash it still hung out in there. Yesterday it made its way into an area that started making lots of noise, I mean wake the neighbors noise, every so often. The shop thought my husband was crazy when he told him the noises we heard this morning but sure enough where he told them to look was the rock. Great thing about knowing people and going to small mom and pop locations, they didn't charge us a thing! Hallalejua!

So now, we are home. Kids are working on their homework, hubby is playing with his trains and I await chicken nuggets and fries to get done in the oven. Didn't plan on this meal and worry what the points are going to turn out on. Unfortunately the chili I put in the fridge to defrost is still a frozen brick as of tonight. :( Here is to hoping I stay with in my points value. 

Okay. So 4 chicken nuggets are 4 points. 20 crispers french fries are 6 pts. And it is not fullfilling. I am still hungry. :( Not really wanting veggies or fruit but going to turn to it. Ohh, apples with peanut butter that would be yummy. Then some Just Dance with my girls. 

Very Annoyed @ Etools

Today was my first official day of weight watchers. I was tickled I lost 3 lbs this last week. WooHoo for me! I am back in the 250's. Makes me so happy.

The meeting, it was okay. Nothing major about it. Just another generic meeting of we are getting started.  What I was really excited about was my etools voucher. I was looking forward to setting up my account and get cracking at logging my food, building recipes and adding my vivofit to my account. Unfortunately, when I went to set up my account I had some computer error and now waiting on their customer support to get back with me. Unfortunately, I am very impatient and want to get going on setting up my etools. So annoyed about it all that I want to cry and feel my body tensing up. Have I ever mentioned I suffer from depression. Yeah, it is kicking in right now.

I hate feeling this way. I am letting my frustration take out the joy of, I lost 3 lbs. I shouldn't let it get me upset, I should do some Just Dance with my daughters or something to get me moving.

Night Before

Tomorrow is the first official day that my weight watchers journey will begin. I was pleasantly surprised to find fellow employees I knew from other schools attending the meeting last week. It will be nice to go through the process with friends who will help encourage me along the journey. I have learned one of them is very competitive and may end up in some helpful challenges. 

Even though weight watchers does not officially begin until tomorrow I have started my journey with juicing and getting some exercise in. I have been wearing my vivofit by Garmin and its increased my average steps per day from 7,000 to 8,000. 

My goal is to get it up to 10,000 steps per day. To help get me there I have been doing Just Dance with my girls and today got a walk in with one of my daughters. And yes, I have danced to this song below. 

Besides the exercise I have started to incorporate my juices and smoothies. I made another one from my new blenders manual. Chocolate Banana Super Smoothie and its delicious!

Yum Yum! Tastes like chocolate and bananas but full of good nutrients.

Ingredients:

1 tablesppon flax seeds, ground

1 cup chocolate almond milk

1 tablespoon agave nectoar

1 handful organic baby spinach

1 frozen banna

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 pitted dates

2 ice cubes

Directions:

1. Ground the flax seeds. I use my Power Pro Personal Blender (like a nutri bullet) and it works great!

2. Mix all ingredients until nice and smooth.

3. Enjoy..  

Weight Watchers Journey Begins

As you can tell from my prior post I do not have the best track record. I start, something gets me off track and I find it hard to get back on. Due to this and the school district I work for, I have decided to 

aasdoijoin Weight Watchers. 

I have obviously known of Weight Watchers for a long time, even have followed it on my own as well as using their online program. I never joined in the past due to its cost, time and meeting with strangers. What finally got me to join is, I feel like it is a worthwhile investment (helps we are on Baby Step 3 of our financial journey), I know I have to start taking care of myself so I have to make the time, and I have a group I know I can go to that involves people I know (well didn't know that for sure but was hoping). 

Today was our first unofficial meeting. It was where we all signed up. Personally I am a little sad because I was hoping to get my online code and other material so I could track it. I did get a free candy bar sample and a weekly flyer. The candy bar was okay. The flyer came with some helpful information and a recipe. I look forward to trying the recipe. 

Our leader also brought different Weight Watcher cooking items. I spied a serving spoon set. These things are cool for they also measure. I am highly thinking about this for that is one thing I hate to do, meausre my food. If you have ever used these spoons before please let me know!

Now even though I am joining weight watchers I am not giving up on juicing. In fact, I can't wait to access to my WW online account to build how much a juice is. Today, I tried my new juicing machine. After Christmas I scored a great deal on JC Pennies Cooks Power Pro. This is very similiar to a Nutri Bullet. Check out the price below if I was to buy online today. I go it for only $40. Merry Christmas to me.

It worked like a dream and love it. So easy to use and clean up is a breeze. The only thing that I am dissapointed about is recipes. It only came with two! I was hoping for more but I will turn to the internet and Pinterest for yummy recipes. I did try one of the recipes today and it was delicious! So good, that I made up another one for tomorrow. 

Sweet Apple-Acai Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana, peeled and chunked

1/2 cup acai berry juice

1/2 cup apple juice

1 handful of baby spinach

1 tablespoon agave nectar

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to the tall tumbler.

2. Add the blending (cross) blade and blend for 15 seconds, remove tumber and shake well. Continue blending until smooth and creamy.

If I remember I will take a picture of its yummy goodness.

I guess, I should own up and state where I am at weight wise. Today I weighed in at 262.6 lbs. I am not surprised but yet I am. I am sadden that my weight is this high. I know it will take a lot of work. My group will be meeting for the next 17 weeks. My goal is to loose 34 lbs. I think this is reasonable at 2lbs per week. 

Even though my group doesn't officially begin until next week, I plan to start making changes. I am starting to get my food in order but the biggest key is to start exercising more. Tonight I will join one of my daughters in playing Just Dance on the Wii. It will be fun and a work out all in one. Love it!