Lessons In Living

  Travels…..

This summer my youngest daughter and I had the opportunity to travel to Europe. She had been there before, but this was my first trip abroad.
I knew I would enjoy the trip but not as much as I did. I loved every second of it, every mile we walked (at least 6 per day), every step we took (at least 10,000 a day) and every memory that was made (too many to count).
What a crazy group of travelers we were…made up of RHS students, teachers, extended family and college students, all looking for adventure in a foreign land!

First stop…London, England
Land of cell phones, trains, busy streets, crazy drivers, royals and a few hillbillies taking it all in….

"Look Clark! It's Big Ben!" European Vacation

Our tour guide was Helen Stokes, an amazingly intelligent young lady who speaks several languages fluently and is also a talented artist. She made our trip! She was funny, caring, and well-organized. 
And a Dolly Parton Fan!!!!!

Parliament Square….

Westminster….

Trafalgar Square…

Pause for an Elvis sign sighting…..

Just me and my travel buddy…

Picadilly Circus….
(are we having fun yet?)

City of London…
Random shots 

St. Pauls….

St. James Park…

My Peeps….

Buckingham Palace….

Hampton Court…

Home of Henry VIII

Stayed tuned…much more to come!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

It is easy for us to let the words of others hurt us to the very depths of our soul. What we must remember is that God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The Lord tells us: "Thou art all fair, my love; thou is no spot in thee." Song of Solomon 4:7
When we believe the words of others about us and we allow them to judge and cause pain to us, we are allowing the Devil to define us. We should look to what God says in His Word. It reveals our true beauty. A woman who seeks God's face and searches His Word is a truly beautiful woman. Let haters hate. Let the Love of God reign!

Dear Jesus, 
My prayer is that I find my identity and worth in Your Love and Your understanding of me. Help me not to allow others to hurt me and judge me by their standards. In Your Precious and Holy Name,
Amen

Well-behaved women rarely make history.

            I was at a Miranda Lambert concert last night with my youngest daughter and two of our closest friends. I enjoyed the concert. I have to admit that trips to the Grand Ole Opry have spoiled me and preferred over concert venues at my age, LOL. The music is a little too loud for my old ears and the light show is too bright for these old eyes of mine. However, loved the show, loved the music. Two of my favorite Miranda songs are, of course, “Priscella”, and “Automatic.”

            Her whole show strongly promoted girl power. Way to go Miranda! She had old clips and videos from women through the years that have faced challenges of being a woman and succeeded at great things like Amelia Earhart , beauty icons like Marilyn Monroe, and sports icons as well (I didn’t recognize them LOL). I was very impressed with the overall theme of her concert. As the concert ended, a quote came across the screen, ”Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History!” I have heard the quote before and every time I see it I chuckle to myself. But when I really stop to think about it, I know a few well- behaved women who have made quite an impact on history- take the Proverbs 31 woman. She is described as a “Virtuous Woman”. Now she was an awesome lady and she has been quoted at more funerals than any woman I know of.

            Let me ask you this, “What would you like to be remembered for?

Decluttering my life!

I have a bad habit of having too many irons in the fire! I have the ability to multitask, but too many times I find myself in the middle of one project when I begin another and unfortunately, I never complete either one! As a result, I have little piles of “things” everywhere. Have you ever thought about how clutter affects your life? I find that the times that I have clutter in my home, I also have clutter in my life. I am unorganized. I can’t think clearly and no matter how hard I try, I just seem to spin my wheels. I miss appointments. I run late continually, and I am never prepared. I feel hopeless and helpless.

Yet, when I finally de-clutter my home, I tend to just feel better-physically, emotionally and even spiritually. I feel that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to. It’s a no-brainer that clutter costs us time and energy, but did you ever think that it can cost us financially? Think about it. If you can’t find something you need, you have to replace it. If you are like me and you misplace bills, it can be costly to pay late fees, and it affects your credit rating as well.

            2015 is my year to de-clutter! It’s not easy for me to let go. I don’t like change. But I have come to the conclusion that clutter is a burden in my life that I need to unload. It causes me to feel depressed and drains my energy. It takes up room in my home and makes my cleaning time longer because I am moving clutter from one place to another instead of getting rid of it once and for all. So join me as I de-clutter my mind, my priorities, my finances, my home and my life!

Goals for the Week:

I will start each day with quiet time to meditate, read and pray.

I will make a to-do list and put the list in order of importance.

I will eliminate energy drainers-clutter, unfinished projects, negative relationships.

I am editing my blog! I have changed my page from Clean Living to Lessons in Living. Over the past two years of blogging, I see that there are so many blogs dedicated to clean eating and living. I want to merge this page into a place where bloggers can come and enjoy a fresh idea or a passage that will inspire and encourage them in their journey through midlife. As a mid lifer, I am enjoying finding my style and my passion for living as I enter a new page of life. Please join me as I learn these lessons in living!!!!

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

1/2 cup cooked broccoli                    1 small orange, peeled and mashed

1/4 cup chopped parsley                    2 TBSP chicken stock

1/2 cup bread crumbs                         2 pork tenderloins

1/4 cup steel oats                                1 tsp dried sage

1/2 chopped almonds                         1 tsp rosemary

Sea salt                                               1 tsp thyme

In a medium bowl combine broccoli , breadcrumbs, oats, almonds, parsley, orange, and chicken stock. Mix well and set aside.

Place pork tenderloins on cutting board and butterfly them.

Spoon the stuffing into each of the tenderloins.

Fold one side over the other and tie with cooking twine, starting at one end and moving to the other end. Sprinkle with dried herbs and sea salt. Place in a shallow baking dish and bake in preheated oven 350 degrees for 25-40 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.

Try this for breakfast....
Steel Oats with fresh strawberries and almonds!

The best way I have found to enjoy steel oats is to bring a cup of water to boil and pour over dry oats. Place a plate on top of bowl and allow oats to soften (about 5 minutes) and then top with favorite fruit and nuts.

This keeps me full until lunch! 

Try it :)



Tuesday, January 21....weight check....

I have to admit I have had moments of weakness and grains and sugar have touched these lips. However...moments of weakness lead to feelings of sluggishness and I happily admit how much better I feel when I stay on track with my healthy diet. And...this morning the scale read.....196.7 lbs!

Our school has started a wellness program and staff members are supposed to log 30 minutes per day of exercise. Would you believe I was walking everyday until I signed up for the program...Seriously! What's that about? I want to get healthy for me, but what an opportunity to join my co-workers in getting healthy and fit! Seems like every since school started back after Christmas, my schedule is so jam-packed exercise isn't making the cut.....gotta work on that!

Thursday, January 9....the big weigh in....

Today has been one week since I began eating a healthy diet. I have chosen foods with no processing. I have stepped away from grains (two more weeks to go for this) and I have increased my water intake. I can say that I have had more energy.  I have had a clearer mind, and I have not napped as much this past week!
This morning I got on the scales and I weighed......200.9 lbs!
I realize this is still outrageous considering that I am only 5'2", but I have lost almost 4 lbs in one week. I have not been hungry, and I must say I have been a gourmet cook at dinnertime. I will share some of my recipes as we go along, stay tuned!

Here's to another week....

 Healthy Lunch

Chicken Dish

Chicken Breasts

Garlic

Sea Salt

Pepper

Natural Cheese, shredded 

Nitrate Free Bacon 

Olive Oil

Sour Cream

Preheat oven to 350.

Place 2 TBSP olive oil in small fry pan.

Season chicken breast and place in pan.

Cook meat until done, add garlic and let flavor soak into meat, cooking on low and turning constantly.

Remove chicken from pan.

In another fry pan fry several strips nitrate free bacon, remove and let cool and crumble.

In a baking dish place chicken, sprinkle with cheese and crumbled bacon.

Place in oven and let cheese melt place a dollup of sour cream if desired :)

I served this with sliced apples and lemon water.

The weather outside is frightful...

but we are inside enjoying my beef stew classic (clean version of course!)

Basic Beef Stew

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 lb sirloin tips

1 package frozen veggies for beef stew

1 can Hunts 100% Natural Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano (no salt added)

1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

1 TBSP fresh minced garlic

2 dried bay leaves

In a large pot, heat oil on medium high and add beef  and cook until browned.

Remove beef from pot and place on papertowel to drain.

To crockpot add frozen veggies. Place beef in crock and add Diced Tomatoes, Worcestershire, garlic, 1 cup water and bay leaves.

Cook  on medium in crock pot for 4 hours. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Here are some tips for success...

8 glasses of water per day...

Place fruit in water to give it a little flavor. Frozen fruit works even better because it helps to keep it nice and cold!

Snacks are important...

Apples and natural peanut butter is a perfect snack!

January 2, 2014!

Happy New Years!

I just weighed this morning, and as I promised on my homepage, I am posting my weight from this mornings weigh....204.7 pounds!

I have never been this heavy in my life. I am 50 years old (I will be 51 in February). I am on high blood pressure meds, and medicine for anxiety. I feel terrible all the time. I take at least one nap a day, more if it is at all possible.

I am ready for a change. I cannot commit to a diet...they fail. I have lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds in my life time only to regain them. What I need is a lifestyle change. One that offers me health and energy, a clear mind and goals to reach and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Today, I begin the Perfect 10 eating plan.  The Perfect 10 Diet is based on the concept that diet and nutrition affect the longevity of life by modulating hormones.  The book is written by Michael Aziz, MD. It is broken into three stages and I begin stage one today. I will eat three meals a day. I will not consume grains for three weeks but will incorporate healthy whole grains on week four. 

This past summer my daughter Clancy began this eating lifestyle and has lost 32 pounds since then. She feels great and looks great, and she has completely changed her eating and exercise habits. I know this works!

Potato Soup

2 cups slice peeled potatoes                                                             1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup finely chopped onions                                                         1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup water                                                                                       1 cup shredded cheese

11/2 cups half and half                                                                     Crumbled bacon

1 Tablespoon butter                                                                           1 cup sour cream

In a saucepan place water, potatoes and onions and cook on medium until potatoes are tender. Mash potatoes with a fork and thicken. Add remaining ingredients, except for the cheese and bacon. Reduce heat to medium low and stir frequently to prevent scorching. Cook for 20 minutes. Add cheese and crumbled bacon. Enjoy!

Book Review for the Holidays :)

Check out The 100 by Jorge Cruise! I have read them all and tried them all. I have to say, I am impressed with the simple lifestyle plan. He stresses limits on sugar calories, which include carbs. It is a low carb, paleo based eating plan. I think this is a plan I can actually work with. I am trying to decide if I want to go with plan 1 or 2. Plan 1 gives you choices to make your own menu and plan 2 gives you a four week menu plan. Both plans guarantee a weight loss of 18 pounds in just 2 weeks. I hesitate to start this the week of Thanksgiving, but I plan to use this week to finish reading the book and get my shopping done. Stay tuned for more.....

How did THIS happen??????

It's that time of year, time to drag out the sweaters, leggings, jeans, boots.....

Time to switch out the closet from Summer to Fall with Winter soon to follow. I began the task late yesterday evening only to discover I have organized my plastic tubs with my Fall and Winter duds in such a meticulous fashion, I can't find some of them! I have looked in the attic. I have looked in the garage, spare bedrooms....even the dog's room. I can't find them! And that wasn't the only disappointment. In the switching of clothing ritual, which includes trying on and making piles, you know- still fits, never fit, still looks good, what was I thinking? I discovered there was very little in my still fits pile! I am starting a new season with hardly any of the basics. My pants are too tight...all of them. Yes, even the elastic waisted ones!

As a Careers teacher, I make an effort to dress professionally each day to allow my students to relate to me as a professional and hope that they will model it someday. I call them my "PITS" or Professionals in Training". Now close your eyes and imagine Mrs. Phillips walking into class in her sweats or pajama pants! NO WAY!!!! 

And so, with my faithful readers and fellow bloggers as my witness...I have returned to my sugarless and processed foodless ways. I am getting serious about my weight and my health. I know-you have heard this before, but if I don't put it out there in cyberspace I won't be accountable. So now I am accountable to all of you! Wish me luck.....And stay tuned we still have to uncover the halloween mystery of the Missing Clothes Bins.....Bahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!

Banana Bread

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour                      1/2 cup organic shortening

1/2 cup sugar                                               3 ripe bananas

1/2 teaspoon sea salt                                    2 eggs, well beaten                  

1 teaspoon baking soda

Add dry ingredients and combine with shortening. Add bananas to the beaten eggs; fold into the dry ingredients very quickly. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes in a greased and floured loaf pan. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Choose whole, natural foods and eliminate processed foods!

Choose unrefined foods!

Include carbohydrates, proteins and fats at every meal!

Beware of SALT, SUGAR, and FATS!

Eat 5 to 6 small meals each day!

Don’t spend your calories on beverages! (Drink more water)

Move!!!!!!!

Clean Spaghetti Sauce

2 ripe tomatoes

one 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (no salt)

one 8 ounce can tomato sauce (no salt)

one 6 ounce can tomato paste (no salt)

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp fresh basil (ground)

1 tsp fresh oregano (ground)

1 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 lb ground round or turkey

1 clove fresh garlic

Brown meat, add garlic clove and cook until brown. Drain and set aside.

Mix all ingredients for sauce in a large sauce pan and stir well over medium heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

A Clean Lifestyle

            Today a new term has emerged and people are talking about “eating clean”. Exactly what is eating clean? And, why should we consider this alternative to eating “unclean”? I have read several books concerning this practice, and I have to admit, I have come “clean” with my eating habits.

            Clean eating omits processed sugary foods and preservatives that allow our food to have a longer shelf life.  A longer shelf life is not a healthy choice.

            It’s simple…eat your fruits and vegetables, legumes and wheat in the most natural state. Before you purchase a food, check the label. No label-perfect! That means the food is close to the natural source. If you can read the label and imagine how it grows, it’s clean. Clean food is naturally grown and has little or no processing.

            The first ingredient on the label is the most prominent. When it seems you need a foreign language to read ingredients, it’s time to take a step back and rethink your choices. If you can’t read the ingredient list, neither can your body.

            One of the most important lessons I have learned from this healthy habit is that my cravings have basically disappeared. I can eat something with sugar and within in an hour, I can already experience cravings that cannot be controlled apart from eating more unhealthy carbs to satisfy. The worst part is, I feel overly full and sluggish afterwards. This is an unfamiliar feeling now that I have cleansed my body of the unhealthy foods. I can honestly say that eating clean has given me more energy, a clear mind and a healthier body in the past six weeks. I can also see a big difference in my clothing. I never weigh because I become obsessed with the numbers, but my clothes can definitely measure my success!

            Here’s a challenge….Give up sugar and white flour for one week. Eat only “clean” foods that have no label, or easy to read labels and see if you can tell the difference. I guarantee you can!