Holiday Healthy Eating Challenge

You know how you always find yourself on the other side of Christmas, after New Years with a few pounds more than when you started. You know what I am talking about, "Holiday weight gain." Well at least that is what happens on my end! I hate it...And sometimes those pounds are pretty stubborn at taking a hike. In fact some of them have been my constant companion for a few years, which is not good. Well this year I decided to do something more then just wish that I wouldn't gain weigh or lose my mind and overeat everything in site! Come on! I will feel so much better if you tell me that you have done the same thing...Anyway this year I decided to be proactive.



My Breakfast Green Smoothie

Last year I discovered an amazing book called "Eat To Live" written by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I love this book because it is not some crazy fad diet but great information on food, and it's effect on the body, good and bad, and how to use food to heal your body and bring it to it's proper weight. As I said I love this book and have learned so much from it and have implemented many of his suggestions in my life.

So, getting back to the holiday weight gain thing, every year Dr. Fuhrman initiates what's called the "Holiday Healthy Eating Challenge." Instead of over-indulging on too much sugary, fat-laden, unhealthy foods I do the opposite and focus on eating as much healthy, nutrient rich fruits and veggies as possible. (Now you see why it is called a "challenge" in the middle of the holiday season!) But honestly it is not a big challenge for me. (I can't believe that I just said that! Miracles do happen). The reason being that for the past few months my eating syle has changed. I started eating and making more nutrient dense foods and recipes earlier in the year and my appetite is totally changing. I haven't eaten sugary desserts for awhile and I am not...More about that in another post. The challenge goes from November 19 - Jan 8. I am really excited about it...My breakfast is usually a green smoothie with a combination of fruits, spinach and kale etc mixed in my vitamix...My lunch is usually some sort of bean salad with a combination of any salad fixings and beans on top...My dinner is usually a huge green salad with fruit or a delicious veggie soup or veggie casserole...

My Black Bean Salad

So stick with me as I continue this challenge and feel free to join me if it works for you...

Disclaimer: I am not in anyway in the medical field. I am just sharing what I find that works for me...Check with your doctor before starting any sort of eating or exercise program.

Leave me a comment below...

Happy Eating!
Sandra

My Kiwi Salad and Salsa

Sunday fun

Well it's a rainy chilly day here in the Great Northwest. Up here we call it 'liquid sunshine.' And yes it really does rain about 9 months out of the year. But I LOVE IT HERE!! When the sun comes out it really puts on a delightful and beautiful treat for us, making up for all of the rain drenched days...and the great thing about people in the Northwest is we never let the rain STOP US! (Well actually I just adopted that attitude once I moved here). I realized that if I waited for the rain to go away before doing anything, I would never do anything!! Can't have that!

And that leads me into an excellent Joy Nugget: If you wait for the "rain" (family issues, money problems, trouble, heartache, pain etc) to go away before deciding to be happy and enjoy life, you will spend a huge part of your life waiting instead of living. It is possible to be happy and enjoy yourself even during "the storms of life." Don't wait on perfect conditions. Find some joy today in spite of it all!

On another note my sweet husband decided he would take us to a movie. Great idea! Unfortunately the one that we wanted to see was sold out. Bummer. So it was a great opportunity to do a little shopping since we just happen to be at the mall. We had a great time together and David found himself a great spot to wait as I shopped. I hope that you also enjoyed your day and make sure that you're not waiting on the rain to stop! You know what I mean!!

Leave a comment below and let me know that you are not going to wait on the rain to stop before enjoying your life!

Blessings
Sandra

I really like the color of this Tunic, but I left it here on the rack!

David and his IPhone keeping each other company while I browse. He is a good 'waiter.'

Flashback 2012 - Wyoming Trip



We took a drive over to Jackson Hole. Beautiful!!

Okay so I just had a really great idea...Since I started this blog last year in November but didn't share any of "Life 2012" I thought that I would do a recap of last year and call it "Flashback 2012." I have about 6 weeks before the end of the year to share some adventures from this year. So I better get started!  Here's the first.


One thing that I love to do is travel, and my profession provides great opportunity for that. I am a Bible Teacher/Conference Speaker. One of my greatest passions and source of fulfilment is sharing God's Word with people, encouraging them to believe in this awesome God and in themselves. Earlier this year in May my husband David and I took a trip to Riverton, WY where we spoke at a weekend conference with a friend. What a blessed time we had!

I love meeting new people and taking in new scenery. We saw The Grand Tetons, a beautiful mountain range, and visited the park by the same name. Whenever I travel away to speak I always try and make sure to have a day to play, take in some sites, and do a little thrifting. (I can't tell you how much I enjoy rummaging in 2nd hand stores looking for treasures, clothes, and something unique to bring home).

Here is a joy nugget for you:


If you happen to travel in your line of work, try to make every trip memorable. Do fun stuff, enjoy the beauty of the hotel where you are staying, check out a unique restaurant, take in a show, take a walk downtown or in a beautiful park. Really find something to enjoy about the area. (This is of course if it's not against your company's policy). Anyway, take care of business and make it a great trip!

Enjoy your Life
Sandra














 

 

Picking up right where I left off!



Okay here I am again starting resuming this blog. It's been about a year since I posted anything. Right after I started it, I decided that I wasn't quite ready. Now I feel like I am ready to do it and I am excited about the journey and sharing lots of "fun stuff" on here. (At least I hope so) I debated on deleting my previous posts since there were so few, then I could just start all fresh and new. But I think that I am going to leave it, and just pick up where I left off. It's all part of this 'blog journey.' And hopefully I can grow and learn to keep up with it with minimal neligance. Pray for me because I will surely need it!



I love the colors of Fall...Beautiful!

Now on to other things...I love this time of year! I have began planning my Thanksgiving meal. It will be delicious but mostly healthy. Lots of fruits and veggies and as few processd foods as possible. I began a few years ago paying more attention to the health of my receipes. Even though it's the Holidays and a great time for parties, dinners, and special treats, I still want to keep an eye on health. I will tell you later about a Holiday Challenge that I have entered. So have a great time and enjoy the season but stay healthy!

Here are a couple of great Fall pictures from my morning walks (taken a while back)...Enjoy

Sandra


Our God is so creative...



Nothing like a morning walk to get your day going!


 

Holiday Work Party

Every year my husband's company puts on a Holiday Party for their employees. They do a great job choosing a good location, decorating, providing a band, and usually catering a great meal (although I wasn't thrilled this year with my dish). But all in all it was enjoyable. We go every year, and why wouldn't we? A nite out, in a beautiful setting, with my honey, and FREE food and entertainment!! Did you get that all this is free?!

Chandelier and beautiful lights on the ceiling

Yes, right...And on top of that they always have great prizes like trips, money, gift cards, great electronics etc. And guess what? This year my husband won the top prize which was a brand new IPad 2!! Now if you knew my husband and how much he enjoys technology and new gadgets, then you would know how totally excited and blessed he was. 


 I had a beautiful green dress planned, but was bummed when I got make-up on it...But I was pleased with my back-up outfit. Always have a back-up outfit for a special occasion...Hope that you guys are enjoying your holidays...Have fun and fine someone to bless...It will make your holidays special.

My husband (David) and I

Gotta have sparkles for the holidays

Beautiful Holiday Solitude

My cozy "comfort" quilt.

I had a slow start this morning...It was intentional and on purpose. I like to start my day with prayer and the Word...Reading my Bible. But I added something else today. In the spirit of the holidays I grabbed a cup of coffee (I am not a coffee drinker, but every now and then I like it), plugged my Christmas tree in, put on some Kenny G Christmas instrumental music, (on my old school CD Player, imagine that),  got my favorite quilt, and curled up on the sofa in my jammies. How cool is that?! I sat for about an hour just enjoying the quiet, the music, good thoughts, and counting my blessings. Moments like these feed my soul.

What's left of my coffee!

 It's so important to take the time to nourish your soul with some quiet time, good music or a good book...whatever works for you. Find joy today by intentionally grabbing a moment or two to turn down the noise around you and enter into a place of peace and rest. It's so good for your soul and peace of mind... Especially during the holiday season with all the busyness shopping, parties, and to do lists. It also makes you a better companion, mom, dad, and friend. You can find a moment in the morning or late at night...It doesn't matter...Just be intentional about experiencing the joy of a beautiful moment of solitude. Wishing you a great day of blessings and solitude.



Old school CD Player and Kenny G

Sandra




Enjoying the Holidays

Everyone loves this time of year...I mean, what's not to love about it: Fun shopping, hanging out with family and friends, delicious food, Christmas lights, presents and all kinds of goodies...And the most important of all is the real reason that we celebrate: Jesus! Yes I am a Jesus lover and I so enjoy this season because I think that it is just a taste of what heaven will be like...Can't you just feel love in the air. Yes I know, I am sooo mushy...But I can't help it...It's me; just the way that I am. On another note one of the things that I enjoy about the season is the holiday parties and gatherings...They are so fun and you get to dress up in fancy sparkly attire, and the colors of the season...Of course you don't really need a reason to dress up...The fact that you want to is good enough. But on Friday I got the chance to attend a small dinner party with some special friends of mine...My husband David (you will meet him later) and I were invited, but since we had two events to attend on the same night, we decided to divide and conquer...I would go to the party and represent us there, and he would go to the other event and I would join him later...It worked out fine...You could say that we were able to be in two places at the same time.
Anyway I want to encourage you to enjoy the holiday season. I know that for some people it can be a difficult time. Especially if there are sad memories or you have lost a love one. I really know what that is like. But I am encouraging you to find the joy in family and friends around you. It is so important to reach out and let other people bring love and joy into your life. Don't allow yourself to become isolated and don't sit at home by yourself and get depressed. Reach out to friends. If you don't have any then this is a great time to make some! You can make new friends at your workplace, at church, at your local gym, your next door neighbor, or at the grocery store; anywhere there are people. Make some new memories and traditions. And if you get some good party or dinner invites, make sure to dress in your 'finest' and go have a ball...I am praying for you this holiday season that it will bring great joy and sweet memories to you...Happy Holidays!!