Eating Healthier

I have had a problem with high blood pressure off and on, but on December 16th it all came to a head so to speak.  I woke up that morning with a headache that just wouldn't go away, and just kept feeling worse and worse.  I was out running errands that morning so I checked my blood pressure while I was in wal-mart.  It was 178/90, so I went to the Doctor and according to theirs it was 182/90.  She told me we have to get your blood pressure down.  She checked my blood sugar and cholesterol and they were both fine.  But being putting on medicine for high blood pressure has been an eye opener for me.  I have got to lose weight.  I have to go back to the Doctor in March and at the beginning my goal was to have lost 20 pounds.  But so far I have lost 10, so I'm setting my goal to have lost 30 pounds.  I'm making small goals because if I look at the big picture it can seem overwhelming.  It's also not about the weight, it's about being healthy.  It's about being able to walk up and down stairs, or long distances again without my feet and legs hurting.  It's about being an example for my family that if I can do it so can they. 
How am I doing it?  Some will disagree with it probably but I am drinking Slim-Fast shakes for breakfast and sometimes also for dinner.  But most importantly it's about portion control and eating healthier.  I try to stay away from fried foods, and sugar.  I am learning if it's not in the house I won't eat it.  Also prayer and self-control.  There is an awesome new bakery in town, that makes these monster good cookies.  They use an ice cream scoop if you can imagine how big that makes them.   I had to go to the store beside it a couple of weeks ago,  and I wanted to go in and buy a couple of cookies but I didn't.  Then yesterday I was at Dollar General and they had a shopping cart with boxes of chocolate covered cherries my absolute favorite candy to buy around Christmas.  They were marked down to .60 a box I could have bought several and put them in the freezer.  Which by the way is my favorite way to eat them.  But I stopped looked at them and kept going. 
Not sure if I have mentioned it but my Mother-In-Law gave me a Nook Tablet for Christmas in which I love it.  Scott says I'm addicted to it.  But the only drawback even though it has wi-fi I can't blog on it.  I can read blogs and comment on them but it won't give me my keyboard to actually write a post on it.   Anyways there is a free app on it called Loseit.  I can log what I eat everyday and keep up with my calorie intact, I can also log my exercise and keep up with calories burned.  It also logs the weight I lose.  I began keeping track on a Tuesday so I weigh every Tuesday morning.  It gives you nutritional information on most of your restaurants and it can be mind boggling the calories and sodium in alot of the foods served in them.  So from here on out on Tuesdays I hope to blog about my progress.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I've missed so much time not blogging I get overwhelmed when I think about what I should blog about.  So I guess this is one of the easier ways to ease back into the habit.  Not to mention a great way to get to know fellow bloggers better.  So to join Joyce and the others for Wednesday Hodgepodge just hop on over.


1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?
No I didn't watch.  Can't remember the last time I have watched one.  I have talents, but none that you ever see on Miss America.


2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?
I don't have either one.  Over the years the houseplants that I have had has died.  Either I over or underwater them.  So I finally just gave up on trying.
3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?
I was definetly a hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on me type of student.  But since I have taught children in Sunday School and in a daycare, but never adults.  There is no way I could get up in front of adults and speak at all.
4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?
I always get confused between chinese and japanese.  All I know is I love me some Nikko's shrimp and rice, no veggies.
5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?
A miracle is when there seems to be no hope and God steps in and shows us what He can do with the situation.  Anything that man can't do that only God can perform a miracle. 
6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

Lyrics to When You Wish Apon A Star:

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star

As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.
Can't think of anything I didn't finish yesterday.  Parts of the day was crappy but overall it was pretty good for the most part.  Can't keep letting small things get to me.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am trying really hard to be more patient with some people, and more thankful everyday for what I have. 

This, that, and the other

I can't remember the last time I actually logged on and read any blogs much less posted anything.  I told Megan and Scott the other day that four years ago when we moved.  They both said I needed something to do, something to keep me busy, something to get me out of the house.  Well their wish definitely came true.  If I gave y'all a run-down of a normal week for me you would probably get tired just reading it.  Normal I wonder what that even is sometimes. 
My lack of blogging I wonder if it is because I am so busy, or my latest addictions that also keep me occupied.  Pinterest is one of them, lol.  And the other one is games on facebook and just this past week Megan introduced me to Words with Friends on Facebook.  It's online Scrabble.  But you don't have to sit there for hours.  You play your word when you get the chance and Facebook sends your opponent a notification and they play their turn when they get a chance.  Mine and Megan's first game took three days, but I had beginner's luck.  I won. 
Well hopefully I will be back soon on a more regular basis. 

TSMSS...........Let Me Rediscover You

I keep hearing this song on the radio but couldn't ever remember to look up the name of it.  So one day when I heard it I jotted down the day and time that it played.  Then I  looked it up on the radio website to see what the actual name of it was.  It has become one of my favorites. 
For other great music join Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders. 

YoPlait Yogurt Giveaway

I was just thinking the other day that I needed a day planner for next year.  I have one now that is more like a book and I know some people just don't use those type much these days.  But I love mine,  because I have been so busy this past year.  It really helps me to keep everything organized and in one place.  I've told Scott if you ever need to know anything just look in my day planner. 
So when Blog Spark offered this giveaway needless to say I was a little excited because it included a new daily planner for next year.
But not only that the prize pack includes a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Light Yogurt.
Small changes can make a big difference over time.  That's why Yoplait Light has created the Yoplait Light Swap to remind people that by making simple substitutions, like swapping one item from your diet per day for a 100 to 110 calorie Yoplait Light, you can cut unwanted calories and help yourself feel great about daily diet choices. 
Yoplait Light yogurt offers 33 different options to choose from in fruit, pastry and dessert flavors that contain around 100 calories or less, providing endless swapping options.

Visit facebook/Yoplait to share your favorite food, exercise and fashion swaps, find recipes and quizzes. Alison Sweeney, host of "The Biggest Loser" and author of The Mommy Diet, offers this Top Swap Tip on how she maintains her weight with a hectic schedule.



One winner will be drawn next Tuesday, September 27th for the Yoplait prize pack.

It includes the daily planner, the coupon for one free cup of Yoplait Light, an insulated tote bag, a sunglass holder, water bottle, and a ballpoint pen.

To enter please leave a comment telling, which of the 33 available flavors of Yoplait Light yogurt do you plan to swap into your diet the most?
 
 
 

"Disclosure: The Yoplait Light Swap prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark."

Hodge Podge Wednesday

It's Wednesday so it's time for another hodgepodge.  Link up to Joyce and the gang and learn more about your blogging buddies.

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?
Fortunately, I don't get a cold often, and most of the time I just grin and bear it.  Unless it gets really bad then it's dayquil, and nyquil.  I've never had a fly shot and not really sure when and if I ever will.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?
That's a hard one for me because my biggest fear is heights.  In which seems to get worse with age, and I hate it because I would love to be able to drive through the mountains when the leaves are changing colors.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.
My house is clean for a change.  hehehe
I've already started Christmas shopping, and if nothing else I've got the hardest one out of the way.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?
Nothing like that in my personal wardrobe.  I don't really stay to to date on styles, if I like it, it looks good on me, and I can afford it then it's my style.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?
I was never in scouting as a kid.  But as an adult I have been Co-Leader when Makayla was a Daisy and a Brownie.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?
Hopefully we don't have to choose from just those four.  My favorite is pecan, don't really care for fruit.

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?
One that realizes the students potential and encourages them to do all they can do, and not let them by with just enough to get by.   One that is kind but firm enough to keep control of a classroom.   A love for children and not money.  Because as we know teaching is not a high paying job, it's more of a calling. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Another giveaway coming up this week sponsored by Blog sparks, and Yo plait.

TSMSS...................In the arms of an Angel.

Words aren't needed, just watch the video.



God bless us all !!!

For more music join Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.