here goes....

As most of you know, I have really made it a concentrated effort to get healthy!

At the encouragement of some of you, I am coming clean with inches and weight lost... AND an embarrassing before picture!

I began to make getting healthy a top priority in August. I did this quietly, without any fan fare or forewarning to anyone! Nope, not even Mr. Producer knew! Having tried and quiet before, I didn't want to publicly (yep, even to my own husband) admit that it may happen again.

There is no secret diet I followed, no magic pill, no special new exercise. I did it the old fashioned way... I ate less, better and exercised more! I go without nothing. I still have a reese's peanut butter cup or chips or rice if I want it. But, I make up for it by doing without other stuff or by doing more cardio that day!

I am not going to break it down into individual body parts... here goes...

I have lost a total of 30lbs and 28" overall inches!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!
I still have days where I don't want to work out, where I want to eat nothing but junk food, where I think I am still the girl in the size 12/14 and am taken back by wearing a 6/8.

I am not perfect, I don't have the answers, I am not a professional! I am just a girl, on a journey, trying to lead by example! I still have 10 more pounds I want to lose, I want to be a definite size 6, but I can appreciate how far I have come. I can enjoy shopping. I can be proud of myself for sticking with eat, eating healthier and feeling better!


ugh....before

middle-ish

pretty recent

I am not looking for accolades, I am just sharing! Mel, you were my inspiration. Baby, you are my encourager. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement!!!! It helps, truly it does!

In a pickle.......

As any good cook, baker, barista, canner, or pickler knows, you have to have a secret ingredient in your recipe to make it unique and uber-delicious. Here's mine.

Pickles (from both cucumbers or squash)
1. Start out with an abundance of vegetable
2. Heat some pickling spice, vinegar, dill, garlic
3. heat jars, either with a canner or the old fashioned way
4. combine ingredients
5. seal, allow to sit on shelf and "pickle" for 4 - 6 weeks
6. open, enjoy!

Strawberry preserves
1. start with fresh picked (washed) strawberries
2. cook mashed berries with pectin, sugar
3. heat jars
4. pour cooked preserves into jar
5. seal
6. when ready, open and enjoy

Blueberry syrup
1. begin with fresh picked, washed, mashed, ripe blueberries
2. cook syrup ingredients, sugar, water lemon juice, high tech stuff here....
3. cook blueberry ingredients, blueberries and water, imagine
4. drain blueberry ingredients through a cheesecloth (impressed aren't ya?)
5. combine ingredients, cook
6. heat jars
7. pour syrup into jars, seal.
8. when ready to use, open and enjoy.

Really, these recipes are nothing special, there are no secret ingredients here, you can find them on the Internet.....So, what makes my so special you ask? Here goes...........................

For picking, taste testing and general helping.............




For growing, having a green thumb, loving it and just plain being way too cute.......
and the big guns who helps with all of it, the growing, picking, canning, taste testing, recipe ad libbing, cheeseclothing, clean-up and encouraging.........................


You guys are the greatest.............I am proud to be your mommy and wife! I love you......

p.s. if the final products don't taste great, well, they helped with that too :)

Heeeeeeeere's broccoli

The post you have been waiting for with bated breath!





I know, I am horrible for keeping you in suspense for so long! Can you ever forgive me?





Here it is, Adam's broccoli from his 4h garden

There truly has never been a more proud child!

It weighed in at 5lbs (not the 13lbs some of our fellow gardeners pulled in their cauliflower, but impressive in it's own right for this 1st time gardener) and taste delicious!!!!

Since we all love broccoli in many forms, not a drop of this heaven sent blessing will go to waste.

Now to really give credit where credit is due, we only planted the seeds. Our Father took care of the rest. Really, we only went back 2x after the initial planting and checked on it! Isn't it amazing what He can do when we quit interfering?

Great Job Adam all the same for your planting, checking and picking! It is wonderful and so are you!

Greetings from the U.S.S Diavom

Hi all. I am sending greetings from the u.s.s. diavom.

It is day 11 on our voyage to circumnavigate the porcelain globe and I thought I would send you an update on the ports we have visited, the weather we have been having and what we have been doing to pass the time while on ship.

First let me say that we do have a wonderful cabin. It is quite roomy with lots of portholes to view the outside. Of course, there is always a dream for a bigger galley and an extra latrine but the kids do have room to play and I have a space for my laptop. We also have a small rowboat that Mr. Producer can use to get back on land when he needs to work.

Today the storms got so bad that we had to stop a couple ports. While this cruise has been nice for us to spend so much time together, I must say that is was SO nice to drive, er, walk on land and see land natives.

Our first stop was at the port of pediatrics. The people there were SO NICE! OMG! They loved the kids. The kids got a lollipop and sticker and I managed to pick up some sympathy, a diagnosis, advice and hope.

Since we have been on the ship for so long, I thought perhaps being in port too long might be too much for the kids so I took them back to the ship. Thank God I was able to find an attendant to care for them as I had to get off at the next 2 ports we stopped at.

The second port we stopped at (where yes I did get some much needed time to myself) was the port of lab. There was not much too see here. Not too many natives and the ones I did see were not really of the outgoing variety. But, I did manage to pick up some sample jars that I need to fill with some fluid from the storm and return so we can figure out what is causing this weather (but more on that later).

The third, final and probably the most overwhelming port of the cruise was the port of publix. Man, not only were there a lot of people, mostly very nice, but just the noise, lights, sounds and choices. It was slightly overstimulating but fun at the same time. Other people had their children at this port and I wish I could have brought mine as there is a rumor of free cookies. Alas, that was not to be, but boy did I stock up in some much needed supplies. They had Cheerios,, english muffins, gatorade, juice, handsoap, cleaning wipes, banana's and gloves galore. I was in buyers heaven. I even snuck in a treat for mommy, creamer for her coffee! Ahhhhhh, heaven I tell ya. I really hated to leave this port but I really was missing the kids and the cruise ship (man, I am crazy). With a last look goodbye and a packet of M & M for god measure, I head back to my cabin.

I am very grateful to the willing and loving attendant that was there for the kids when I could not be. They were very well cared for and seem to be having fun. And honestly, I think it was good for everyone to spend time with other people.

As for our activities on the ship, there has been a lot of time spent cuddling like kitties, hibernating like bears, and occasionally hopping like kangaroo's. We have been enjoy arts and crafts time, music time, computer time, swimming time, literature time and yes, even TV time. Unfortunately for mommy, there has also been lots of time in the hull of the ship washing laundry and in the galley washing dishes. In spite of that, we are all enjoying each other and everyone is getting along beautifully. There is lots of hugs, kisses, lap time, helping and sharing (mostly of cups and germs and not so much of toys ;).

I have been promising news of the weather. Well they say this has been the perfect storm. I guess that can only occur when you have fluids from both north and the south are being stirred up at the same time. You can call it whatever you want, but I have to tell you, it takes a strong person with a hard stomach to withstand the rocking of this ship. The forecasters are not sure what has caused this storm in the otherwise seeming calm of the world around them, hence the reason for the fluid samples. Now the good news is that today the storm has seem to subside, both the north and the south are experiencing very few precipitations. Let me warn you though, precipitation has dwindled before and then regained strength. However, this time we are being optimistic. Armed with the knowledge and products we received from the ports and what we have within us we know that we have what it takes to weather this and any storm.

Well my friends, it is time for lights out. Before I retire for the night let me just say, please feel free to send me some love, at least through the computer; it helps keep me busy. Also, send your prayers for a quick return to the port of wellness. Prayers can be sent to Heaven C/O God Attention: wellness dept. Postage is free and really it only takes a second, and throw in a thanks for your health.

Signing off now. I will send you another letter when we return to the port of wellness.

XOXOXOXO

It is just food after all......

Perhaps my absence has clued you in to the ongoings in our home, or maybe not. That too is ok. I really don't mind that nobody missed me. No one sent out an email or a massive search party to knock on all the doors in my area looking for funchaos.



Really, it is ok. Believe me, I have been shown more LOVE this week than every before.




This week above all others, I tip my hat to mothers with more children than I and I envy (maybe too strong a word) mothers with less.

This week above all others I am thankful for Mr. Producer.

Being that today is Thansgiving, I could share all about how wonderful our meal was, how nice it was to spend time with family, I could post about all the things I am thankful for, including shelter, clothing, friends, etc or I could keep it real and give you the truth. Below I will shoot straight from the heart, err, hip, err, stomach about all the things I am most grateful for and some that I could do without.

Are you ready?

Weak stomach's beware!

I am thankful for my washing machine and dryer. Seriously, if you did as many loads of laundry as I have this week, you too would realize how taken for granted this always giving machine is.

I am thankful for indoor plumbing. You have never failed me yet in times of need. I hold you in the highest regard, you are my BFF (as A would say).

I am thankful for Bleach and Lysol. 2 of my dearest friends in the world, I could not brave life without you by my side.

I am thankful for toast and tea. I owe tremendous gratitude to whomever discovered both and for the record, if we ever run out of tea, I am gonna haunt some bostonians.

I am thankful for plastic buckets and towels. Really, there are many things I could live without in this world, but these are not 2 of them. Always, there, Always faithful, Always willing to catch whatever life throws at them.

Sleep, I am not certain you can ever have enough. There is no better way to pass the hours when need to escape or get better.

I truly am thankful for my children, all 4 of them, including their bodily fluids. Because there is nothing that makes them appreciate me more than a good bout of the stomach flu.

Yes, I am most certainly thankful for Mr. Producer because I can not think of anyone else I want sleeping on the living room floor with me and twins while they (COVER YOUR EYES IF YOU ARE WEEK) vomit in tandem.

In a few days, when we can all eat again without the fear of seeing it again, I will be Thankful for turkey and all that goes with it!

Mostly, I am thankful for the quiet time, relaxing time, just the 6 of us together with no where to go, SNUGGLE TIME! THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE FOR THIS REASON ONLY!

Just to be fair, I do have to list a few things that are HIGHLY overrated!

Carpet, if you have ever had children with the stomach flu, you know what I am talking about. Anyone have a few extra bucks to throw my way for some professional carpet cleaning?

Housekeeping, other that the laundry and bathroom, I have decided that everything else is very inconsequential (at least this week)!

The Phone, really people, I know you mean well. BUT.ENOUGH.ALREADY. We are sick, when we survive the sinking of the ss. yucket bucket, we will let you know. Until then, the phone ringing just wants to make me run to the bathroom. I do mean this in the nicest way possible!!! Luv Ya!

Pedialite. This stuff alone would make you sick even if you weren't to begin with. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE!

Lastly, FOOD. Really, you have no idea how overrated it is. I promise, the human body can survive for days with only bread and tea (I would make a great prisoner, at least for the moment)

I hope everyone had/has a great day eating turkey and being with family. We will join you in the merriment, but in true family fashion, we will be late!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Favorite Food Friday!!!!!

Yep, if you know anything about me, you know I LOVE FOOD!!!!! I like to both cook and eat(when I am not rushed by a gaggle of screaming mouths).

So, what better way to indulge my love of food and begin designated days then by bringing you this little gem.

I made it up, there is no name for it other than delicious!

This, paired with a glass of milk and a sugar free choc. for dessert, can be lunch or a snack. The choice is your, but either way you HAVE to give it a try.

Step 1. Cut up red and green bell pepper, tomato and onion.

Step 2. Add peppers and onion to pan with butter of your choice and little garlic.

Step 3. Cook, just until almost not crunchy.

Step 4. Turn off heat, add tomato

Step 5. Top crackers with cheese (I use fresh mozzarella) and veggies!

Step 6. Enjoy, take pictures and blog about it. Ok, last 2 parts are optional!!!!

changes

To say I am at a crossroads in my life is perhaps not the most accurate statement. Let's try to be more precise and say that some of my thoughts/ideals are changing due to newly received information. None of this newly received information is exactly new to the world, just me. Take for example, food co-ops. While these are not the recently discovered answer to economical or global salvation, they are an enlightenment to me. I suppose I knew they existed, I just never thought about them. Now that I am exploring them, I am in awe that they exist , that there are not more of them, that everyone doesn't want to be involved. There are many angles to take this stand point from. Doesn't everyone want to save money? Doesn't everyone want to eat healthier? Doesn't everyone want to know where they food is coming from, what is on it, what is was grown with? Doesn't everyone want to give their kids only the best life has to offer? Doesn't everyone agree that doing better things for the environment is healthier for us, our kids, our grandkids? I can honestly say that just a few months ago, I was like a lot of people. It wasn't that I didn't want these things, I just didn't think about them. Now, some people's first inclination might be to say that it is because I am hanging out with more people from church and that they (christians) are generally more tree huggerish (taking a tracy liberty here and making up my own words for understanding), more back to the basics, more concerened about the environment, community, world. I have to disagree. While that might play a factor in it, it has more to do with becoming more aware of the world around me as I grow up. Most of this fascination and interest was actually sparked by an immediate family member that is not a church goer (and that is perfectly ok). Although, I guess I could argue that maybe the fascination was always there and just dormant since one of my most used sayings on any aspect of life in the past couple of years has been "200 years ago....". Now, here is where I grapple with my new found interest. While I am intrigued with the go healthy and it all makes sense to me, I have yet to find a co-op to be in and truth be told, I like chips, cookies and chocolate (we have already discussed this in an earlier blog) and honestly, I am not looking to make a world of new friends (will discuss this in next blog posting). Now the last comment is only a small portion of the reason why and please no one be offended by that! But really, I like chocolate and chips and cookies and I just don't see how healthy living fits in with that. I know, everything in moderation!! But honestly, if I buy it, have it, am around it, it is very hard to resist. So, I guess I have to learn to walk the walk and talk the talk and indulg OCCASSIONALLY!!!!!!!!!!! After all, I have 4 sets of eyes learning from everything I do and if I am reshaping my family tree financially then I might as well be doing it nutritionally too and maybe I can find the common ground where the 2 go hand in hand!!!!

Love ya,
T

treadmills, reading and not my mothers body

I love my mother with all my heart. Her and I are very close. We talk on the phone daily, sometimes a couple times a day. Other than my husband, she is my best friend. I admire how she raised me, I enjoy the relationship we have, I desire her patience and cringe at her body type and lack of motivation to so anything about it. With that being said let me back up and say that until about 10 years ago, my mom had an awesome body. She was always thin with curves in just the right places. I began to gain weight (probably from dating a fat-ass, hi pot I'm kettle;) before my mother did and longed then to have her body. Now mind you, I am not obese, just fluffy. At 5'4" and 170lbs at the start of this week, it would be a true statement to say that I could stand to lose a few pounds. Furthermore, even a 110lbs soaking wet I have always had more of a J-Lo butt. The biggest problem area I have now is not my J-Lo butt, although I do probably have close to 2 of them, is my belly!!! I love my twins with all my heart and soul and thank God for them daily but the incredible growing of the stomach to accommodate them and then the ever present extra skin they left me with as a reminder of them is not something I had planned or prepared for. I guess much like them. Unfortunately, what they possess in cuteness, my road mapped jelly belly lacks. So, I am day 4 into my no carb diet and have already fallen off the wagon with pizza and beer last night and since I can't do anything half way, I had 3 pieces of pizza and 6 beers. Boy, did I feel good (thanks Julie)!!!!! Well, until my 4 angels felt like they had to wake up this morning. So, with tylenol and coffee as breakfast, although I would have loved a banana with peanut butter, I jumped back on the bandwagon with a vengeance. I have done the South beach diet before and with good results (hence the resulting pregnancy) so I know I can do it again, but..... This time around I have become more aware of the crap people put into their bodies in general and some of the low carb food is not likely to be considered real food. Let me digress again and say that I am doing low carb in place of fat free, etc because with 3 diagnosed gestation diabetic pregnancies and diagnosed PCOS, I know that my body does NOT like carbs. Not true really, my body LOVES carbs but that don't get along so well. Now back to the present, I have begun to read a book just about sugar control and guess what, it lets me still eat carbs. So, now I sit here, alone, listening to Jewel, the country version, and ponder my lifestyle eating dilemma. Do I continue on with no carbs at all for 13 more days, or do I say screw it and reintroduce fruit. Have I mentioned yet that I MISS fruit. I would give my weeks worth of grocery money for a banana or a pear right now. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, anyway, both books make sense and I guess have the same idea's as each other. It is just the strictness of each book that I am up in the air about. Now that I have gone off track enough to be in another city lets look for the round-about and find the original story of mom. So, back in the day I loved her body, but over the last 10 years it seems that while I dumped fat-ass and all the weight that went with him, my mom seems to have found it. It is a very accurate statement that my mom and I can lose weight fairly easily with diet and exercise. And here is the biggest stumbling block of the whole blog. Where in God's name do I find the time to exercise other than laundry and dishes? UUUGGGHHHHHHHHHH! On that note I decided to join a gym that had a childcare facility, great. But, dd I mention the kids get sick every time I take them there? Yep, now I go only when I don't have to take the kids. Hehe. That might work except Jim is usually out of town 3-8 days a month and he usually isn't home before bedtime hour begins at 7pm. So, for 2 weeks I got up early and went to the gym in the morning and I felt GREAT, I missed my sleep, but I felt great. Enjoyable we got to go out of town together for 4 days to Vegas and then it took me another week to readjust to our time zone, my monthly visitor and kiddie colds and so I quite going. Now I think about setting the alarm clock for 5:15 to go to the gym and I really want to, but I can't get my fingers to flip the button to on. That brings me to the last purchase made in our home, we are the proud owners of a new (to us) treadmill. Jim is going to pick it up on Sunday and I will walk 10 thousand miles and I will walk t10 thousand more... I don't really know how the rest of the song goes... sorry! Again, I have veered off track. Last week my mom called me to come over and see if I wanted any of her clothes because she decided that she wasn't going to keep her thin clothes, if she ever got thin again then she would go buy new. What depressed me most in all of this is that those thin clothes were too big on me only 2 years ago. Now I am not sure who I am most depressed about here, myself for being such a lazy pig or my mom for being one. As I sit on her bed and watch my mom try on all these clothes that do not fit her I am hit with the realization that as much as I had loved her body 10 years ago, I hate her body now and if I can fit into the "fat" clothes I gave her 2 years ago that are now the "thin" clothes to her, where am I going to be in 2 more years? God help me, but I am praying and beginning to do anything and everything in my power to not become like my mom. Mom, if you ever read this, I love you more than anything but this is one area that I can not follow in your footsteps.
*****addendum day 6 into no carb and 3.5 lbs down.*****