More on South Beach Diet - 16 lbs so far!

1 was so excited to hear that we wer going to visit family in Seattle for the weekend...but a little nervous. I have been doing great on the first phase of the diet and I didn't want to ruin it. When I packed for the weekend I was sure to pack a few things for the diet.... 1. Lettuce 2. Salad dressing 3. cucumbers 4. cherry tomatoes 5. 2 cans of beans (all of the above for lunches) 6. celery amd peanut butter 7. nuts 8. sugar free jello 9. cheese sticks (and above for snacks) 10. crustless quiche for breakfast. 11. vitamins 12. a few spices to make a quick dinner if needed This diet was a breeze this weekend because I was prepared. I was never hungry because I had snacks on hand in my bag when we were visiting family. I wanted to be sure to eat like normal so that my blood sugar didn't drop and make me feel like I was having sugar cravings. For dinner last night we went to Applebees and I got steak, vegetables, and a side salad with italian dressing. It was SO yummy! I ate every bit of it! Afterwords everyone felt full and heavy and I felt great! I was satisfied but not sluggish. When we came home we sang happy birthday to Nix and Grandma and had cake and icecream! Yes I had some!!! I still feel great today! I love that I made a good choice so that I didn't have to feel full, sick, sluggish all night. So yesterday we went to the thrift store...can I jus say I missed thrift stores!!! I got 2 shirts and a new jacket. (I'll post pictures later.) I'm excited because I have lost a total of 16 lbs so far!!!...here's the breakdown. March-We started the diet and lost 8 lbs the forst 2 weeks and 13 lbs total. Than we fell away and I gained 5 back. 2 weeks ago Monday I started phase one again and have lost 8 more! Woo Woo!! I tried on my size 4 pants and they fit! Only 7 lbs to go!

Oops! Phoenix had an accident!

We usually spend a lot of the day outside. Nix's favorite things to do are feed the chickens scratch, hold them, and collect eggs. I see a lot of broken eggs. Sad because We only have 4 laying hens (which equals 4 eggs a day) because my 5 other girls aren't going to start laying till August. It doesn't really bother me because I know that she is learning responsibility and that's all that matters. Here are also pictures of their snack time today. This little table has been put to good use! So cute!

Today...

Brandon, I thought I'd just let you know what we've been up to today. When I woke up the kids were still sleeping (probably because I was up with each of them twice last night). I was still tired but I knew that I had to get up and pray and read before they got up or else it wouldn't happen. As soon as I finished Nix got up. We made blueberry pancakes and as soon as those were ready Atti woke up. We all had breakfast, them and their pancakes and me and my turkey bacon quiche and V8. This is a picture of Atti busting out of his chair. I have to lock him in or else he climbs on the table. After breakfast we cleared the table and Nix vacuumed under the table...just because she wanted to. We looked over and Atti was reading in the little rocking chair so we had reading time together. Then they found a flashlight and asked for a fort so I made one for them so that I could get a few things done. While they played I did laundry and dishes. Then I put in a movie for them and I worked out. A GOOD work out and a shower. By the time I was done they were already ready for a snack. Then we went outside to play. We watered the garden and marked the new plants so that you won't weed them. Then we fed the chickens and collected eggs. After that they rode bikes for a while. Nix is getting really good at riding the tricicle. It only took 2 or 3 tried to get the petaling down. She will try the bike with training wheels but it's wobbily and I think that's why she doesn't choose it. I took Atti for a ride on it though. He kept saying, "One, Two, Three, Woooooooo Hooooooooo!!!" It was so cute! When we came inside I put him down for a nap and Nix wanted another movie. So here we are.... The kids are growing up so fast. I can't believe how quickly Nix is turning into a little girl and out of my little baby. She is always by my side and wants to help me. I love it but I also like my space. Her immagination is growing like crazy. She loves to play "Sharp Tale" from "The Land Before Time." What is cute is that Atti is starting to play along. She likes to eat pretend food. I remember when she gave him a piece of pretend food he got mad because he wanted real food. For a while he would look at her like she was crazy but now he actually plays along. I just tried to lay down with her for a nap and she rubbed my back and told me to close me eyes and relax. What a little mama. Atti is the little nurturer too. Whenever Nix is sad he picks up toys off the floor and brings them to her. He says, "Aattoo!" (Sounds like Atti and You together.) He has just learned to make the kiss noise when he kisses and now he's kissing her all the time. SO CUTE!! Now I'm going to start dinner and get FHE ready!Can't wait to see you in a few hours! I love you!

Recipe Time!!! Gotta Try!

If you know Brandon, you know that he is really laid back. His replies are always, "sure" and "ok." It drives me nuts because how do I know how he really feels? He thinks I'm kind of a spaz because my replies are, "Woo Hoo! This is Awesome" or "That is the worst thing on the planet!" Anyways...so I made this dish and I said, "Woo Hoo! This is Awesome! Do you think so?" and he said, "YEA! This is a keeper." It took me time to reply because I was shocked! Needless to say...he liked the dish!

Spicy Roasted Green Beans (or Broccoli) and Shrimp (click for link)

I got this recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen, a blog that I love! You can use green beans or broccoli. I was nervous that it wouldn't be filling enough so I used the seasoning in the recipe for the shrimp on some chicken and baked in a pan with foil for 50 minutes. It was really yummy but we didn't find out till later because we were good with just the shrimp and a side salad. Note: This is spicy! If making it for kids cut down pepper and cut out the cayenne pepper. It was perfect for me though!!!

Day 5, Before and After/During Pictures!

I woke up this morning before everyone else (at 7:15) and prayed, read my scriptures, worked out and showered! Wow!!! It felt great! The best part about today... Yesterday I struggled a little with the diet. I haven't broken it yet but I have wanted to. I didn't last night and this morning I am glad that I didn't! My abs are almost FLAT! So...here are a few pictures. This is me when Brandon Graduated BYU I Last year in July. How come I never noticed I was this big?... And when I went to Rainier 2 months ago to visit Jennifer...See the pudge..... This is Today. Wondering why I love this diet...This is Why. Nice! I am wearing size 6 shorts that I bought when I was 127lbs! Woo Hoo!! (I don't have a scale but I'm betting I'm a little less then 135! Either way I feel great! It's like I'm not as tired and sluggish. I WANT to work out and eat right! This diet is for me! I love it because I can eat as much as I want. On this diet unlike other diets I don't crave as much. It may not be for you but I LOVE IT!!!

Activity of the day

I was trying to think of something for the kids to do while I weeded the garden so I had them pick up rocks and put them in buckets. I then felt bad because I was giving them busy work just to protect my little sprouts from being stomped on...further stomped on. So I had this idea....

PRAYER ROCK

I'm your little prayer rock and this is what I'll do... Just put me on your pillow until the day is through Then turn back all the covers and climb into your bed WHACK! your little prayer rock will hit you in the head Then you will remember as the day is through To kneel and say your prayers as you wanted to And then when you are finished just dump me on the floor I'll stay throughout the night to give you help once more When you get up in the morning CLUNK! I'll stub your toe So you'll remember to say your morning prayers before you go Put me back upon your pillow once your bed is made And your clever little prayer rock will continue in your aid Because your heavenly Father cares and loves you so He wants you to remember to talk to Him, you know?

Author unknown

Why do I feel 41 weeks pregnant?

Dieters Beware!!! The first few days on this diet you pee like you're 41 weeks pregnant!!! We call it detoxing because that's what you feel like! Day 3...much better then 1 and 2. My insane withdrawals to sugar are gone. I had SO much energy! Worked out 2 times and still ran around with the kids. (My new trick is trying to wake up before them and if I don't then I put on a movie for them for 30 min.) Here is my snack for the morning. Yum Yum! After not having sugar for so long you wouldn't believe how sweet cucumber is! (It is part of the watermelon family.) For lunch I had a salad with leftover meat from 2 days ago. Still juicy and yummy. While I made my salad I cut up veggies for Brandon's lunch tomorrow and dinner tonight. The best investment I made for the diet was Tupperware. That way I can do all the prep work for a few days at once. Saves tons of time! Dinner was amazing and quick! I had enough to freeze 2 servings (large servings because on this diet you shouldn't be hungry!) for Brandon to take to work! Here it is...

Doc's Chili This recipe is from The Biggest Loser.

Ingredients

3 cups chopped yellow onions 1 pound lean ground turkey (or lean turkey sausage) 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground mustard 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 1 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans (one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained ) 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained ) 3 cups diced tomatoes (or one 28-ounce can roasted diced tomatoes, undrained) 1 cup fat free chicken broth 1/2 cup black olives 1/2 cup chopped green onions or chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Spray a large saucepan or Dutch oven with a few sprays of cooking oil spray. Add onion and sautà over medium-high heat until soft and just starting to brown. Add ground turkey or sausage; cook over medium high heat, breaking up meat with a spoon, until cooked through; about 6 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano, cumin, mustard, garlic, beans, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Garnish with olives and green onions or cilantro and serve immediately. Yield: 2 ¼ quarts; twelve (1-cup) servings Number of Servings: 12