I like to play in the dirt!

 I can see it!

 I can feel it! 

My hands are dying to get in the dirt!!! 

The first real true sign of Spring arrived in my front garden today! A bird nest! I've been seeing my bulbs pop up, and I knew where close, but now its official. A bird beak-crafted (haha play on words) a warm comfy nest. Which means babies, which means spring!

Kids are excited, warm weather means hours of fun outside, soaking up vitaminD and running all their little energy out. I am excited because that mean BARE FEET IN THE GRASS! And fresh veggies, flowers blooming AND landscaping! 

"Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Genesis 1:29

Oh yes I can NOT wait any longer!

I use to be a snow-winter lover, but ever since I discovered the joys of gardening. The TRUE beauty in what God created for us to enjoy I love Spring...

"The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12

 I am still a fall girl, but I love some spring. Summer I can take it or leave it. But make Spring and Fall year round with 1-3days of snow and I would be in heaven. But til March, I will have to continue to plan, dream and save up!
Blessings
Tina

Discovering Health and a better life

So I am on the second week of becoming a healthier me. And it has NOT been the easiest road to a better me! I have "slipped" on my no-fast-food idea one day, with sick children and husband over the weekend just made it seem easier. But I am not being hard on myself because sometimes it just happens. But I have discovered some yummy foods on this journey.

Baked Potatoes Soup, is one of the favorites of the family. It has already been added to the "Family Favorites Cookbook".

BAKED POTATO SOUP

6 medium red potatoes, cubed

1 cup diced onion

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp salt

5 cups water

4 tsp chicken bouillon granules

4 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup flour

1 cup milk

Salt and Pepper

Toppings: green onion, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits

1. Either microwave the onions until softened or saute them in a pan on the stove. Add to the slow cooker.

2. Add potatoes, garlic, bay leaf, salt, water and bouillon to slow cooker.

3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4, or until potatoes are cooked through.

4. Prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet. Slowly add in the flour and whisk. After butter and flour are combined, slowly add in milk and tablespoon at a time. Continue whisking. When roux is thickened up slowly add in 1 cup hot soup (add in just the liquid part of the soup). Whisk until thickened. Stir in another cup of soup (again just the liquid) and keep whisking until thickened. Do this another 2 times. When you have a nice thick creamy sauce, add it all back into the slow cooker. Stir. Salt and pepper to taste.

5. Ladle into bowls and then add toppings, as desired.

As I go along to discover and create I am finding amazing ways to encourage my family to eat better, and healthier. I have actually found that making from scratch has brought me and my kids closer because they have enjoyed making foods with me.



Like this morning I said I am making pancakes, and my son asked "the fun way?" I asked "the fun way?"  He said "yes! With LOTS of ingredients!" AKA from scratch. And he jumped up to help and my daughter found her way to the counter too. We made a big batch of yummy pancakes, and ate a responsible amount. 

Our next journey will take us to gardening and eat what God created... To eat what God created from the ground and to enjoy the natural health from the ground!

"Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Genesis 1:29

Taste and see that the LORD is good

So, I have made it to the gym 4 times now and worked out 3 times so far. I am very proud of the support people in my lives that have encouraged and pushed me to be where I needed to be. And I thank you all and I am very blessed to have you all.
But the most exciting thing about this whole goal setting is: the class I am involved with at church!

"Teasures of Healthy Living". It is discovering Healthy Living, and eating all natural, whole foods. Yes I am very excited about this! Its amazing how much food plays a part in ALL of this!
The part that stuck out the most yesterday in our introduction was

"What are we passing

down to our kids"

 Are we passing down processed, made out of a machine, out of box meals with no vitamins or nutrition? Or are we passing down healthy, whole foods? Now don't get me wrong, I was a "add water" meal maker. And I didn't see why I need to make things from whole foods. And I definitely figured drive thru was ok because I was working 6 days a week, and didn't have time to "make" food. But now that I am a stay at home mom and I can focus on giving my children the best! I want to start a new trend with my kids, that they desire to eat MORE WHOLE foods, and make WHOLE foods.

"Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Genesis 1:29

I want them to have an amazing and longer life, and to be healthy inside and out.. and to keep the energy they have. And that I can out last them with energy and distance! That one day when I have grandkids I can run after them when they come to visit!

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Ps 34:8

I look forward to sharing and passing what I learn from Y-Change to Healthy Living study on!
Blessings

 Tina

Marilyn Monroe In Me!!

Dec 2010 - Heaviest I've been

Oh 2013 brings so many "Goals" to mind... But the one that has been on my list for about 4yrs now is lose weight! But each time I set this goal my excuse have been working full time, pregnancy and just lazy! But this year I AM TIRED OF EXCUSES! I have cleared my schedule for 3 months so i can focus on the GYM, ME and MY FAMILY! I have struggled with weight for 4 yrs since my son was born. I worked full time and had NO time to eat healthy because I over loaded myself. I planned too much in my days, and I didn't sleep well.  I am going to be honest right here... I tipped the scales at 250lb after my daughters birth Nov 2010, and I have lost 14-18lbs since then. And since Dec 2012 I put 4lbs on because of the holidays and sickness.

Me today 1-7-13

I was always compared to Marilyn Monroe, because I wasn't perfect skinny, but I was curvy and healthy! I have always had the attitude you are as sexy as you feel! I can rock SEXY no matter how you look! But I wasn't feeling sexy after my daughter was born. I was heavy and I knew it, and I found it hard to feel wanted. But my husband always reassured me I was sexy to him. Once I joined the YMCA in January 2011, I started working out. And things where moving and grooving! Then ear infections, coughing, flu and stomach bugs happened from March-June... We took most of the summer off (BIG NO NO). And I restarted in September with a friend. ! I felt confident, sexy and saw the change happening! And I found the Marilyn in me

May 2006 - My goal 

So starting TODAY JANUARY 7TH 2013 I am starting a new schedule and plan! And I am praying that I can go from what I am today, to what I was on our cruise 2006.
With God and my husband in my corner I know I can!

 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13