Northwoods Scrapbook: July 2024

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Weight Loss, New Habits, and Loving this Temple (and some favorite snacks)

Hello Friends!

I thought I'd take a minute and share some of my weight loss journey and share some real and honest insights. I think weight loss is something most of us work on in mid-life. When I was much younger, I was blessed to not have to worry about weight much. I was naturally smaller and was always active. But most of my adult life I've been overweight...even though by American standards I'm considered "average sized". When I went through the worst time of my life (when I discovered my ex's affair and we were trying to work on things) - I think I lost close to 40 lbs. However, in the years since then I gained a good majority of that back.

When I was younger I used to focus on losing weight as dieting. And wanting to get down to a certain size and mainly focusing on the way I looked. My views have changed so much now that I'm older.

I think of my body, like a Temple, ...as something sacred. It was made by the Creator in His image and worthy of being treated sacredly. Not something to be judged at in the mirror. But, instead, something to be grateful for and all that it does for me in each and every day.

I like this imagery too 💗

When I went through the herniated disc saga a few years ago...it changed my perspective on how I wanted to get stronger. To focus on health even more than a number on a scale or how my clothes fit. I had to take it easy for a year. I couldn't really work out. I went through different meds and P.T. and it was such a trying time. But it changed my focus - so I started working on myself, physically once I was given the green light it was safe to do so. I started working on strengthening and toning more than I ever had before. I'm far from a hard body - Lol But I'm so much stronger than I was and that's why I was able to walk 7 miles on just one of our European excursions! Let alone all the miles we put on there in total over the week of walking excursions. However, my weight hadn't changed a great deal. And I could tell how it's still too much weight on my back and my joints when I like being so active.

So late April/early May is when I first decided I wanted to change my lifestyle and habits and to work slowly and steadily losing weight. Matt has been a wonderful supporter, even though he tells me I'm gorgeous to him in every way. But he cares about his health too and lost close to 90 lbs about 3-4 years ago doing keto. He has gained some back - but is still in great health. Ways he supports me is by being more active with me and changing some things in our daily diet and meals. He likes to fast and does it often. I think it's so much easier to be on a journey like this when your partner lives the same lifestyle with you. 😊

Since i began this journey I have hit 22 lbs down. My goal is to lose at least 50 lbs ultimately. But I'm determined to do it right - slow and steady so I can maintain that goal and lifestyle for good. Back in early June I was at the MD office with my weight already down a bit and they suggested semi glutide meds to help me further "faster". I did it for about a month. I didn't mind the injections and it helped me lose more weight, but I didn't like the way it made me feel (belly aches and my blood sugar would drop and I'd feel faint). So I stopped that and have continued on my journey and have been losing weight naturally. Here are some things I have changed and do now:

*increase my daily water intake

*focus on protein a lot more

*drink sugar-free coffee in the AM with protein creamer

*as a rule I fast from 8PM at night until lunchtime the next day (I use an app to track)

*workout almost daily or do some form of exercise (Matt and I go on walks, play pickleball, go golfing etc)

*cut out a lot of the potato and starchy parts of our diet and our dinners now mainly include a protein and vegetables (we do still eat potatoes, bread sometimes ...just not as much and/or try do low carb versions)

*cut down sugars (everything in balance, because I still love to bake!)

*I don't count calories but I limit my dinner portions compared to what I used to eat

I thought I'd share some of my favorite snacks and things that help me stay on track. I love premier protein - especially the cafe latte ones. But the vanilla and strawberry are so good too! I love sugar-free salted caramel syrup pumps in my coffee each AM (or vanilla) along with a splash of one of those protein drinks.

I enjoy a "treat" every night to end my night but I try to have it before 8PM. And then I fast until lunch the next day (try to do a minimum of 13 hours fasting - it's often more)

I LOVE the flavors of all the light & fit greek yogurts by Dannon - so I eat them like I would ice cream. They're only 80 calories and 12 grams of protein! Some of my fave flavors besides this one are: banana cream pie, cherry pie something?, vanilla, and key lime pie. I scoop it into a bowl and top it with with fruit or a drizzle of chocolate syrup & some nuts or granola - and sometimes all of the above. Lol I just monitor the amounts so it really doesn't add too much to my calories (try not to exceed much above 100 cals)

Another favorite sweet treat is to take medjool dates and cut them in half, scoop out the pit and fill with some natural peanut butter (or can make a pb fit protein powder into peanut butter). Only put about a tbsp in and add a couple of peanunts. Top them with a little bit of melted chocolate and some sea salt and chill. Keep them in the fridge. It tastes like a snickers bar- truly not an exaggeration! But the date is filled with vitamins and fiber and the naughty bits are kept to a minimum - so each one is probably only about 120 calories and I usually have 2. And they're surprisingly filling! I will also sometimes just take some strawberries or mandarin orange segments and cover them in a little but of chocolate like this with sea salt on top and chill and they're also such a yummy treat also filled with vitamins and fiber! And they're even less calories a piece.

And I'm such a salty munchie girl. So I like using rice cakes that I'll put some natural pb on. Or apple slices or celery with natural pb or pb fit protein pb. Or I love when Matt mixes cottage cheese in the blender with ranch seasoning and a tiny bit of milk or lite sour cream to make a dip that we have with these chips we get at Costco. There are different flavors of these chips but I love that they're zippy, salty, crispy and a texture like a chip but they're pure protein that we then dunk in basically pure protein dip (cottage cheese is so full of protein). Truly a favorite snack for me!! 😋 We will also dunk veggies too. Using greek yogurt or cottage cheese in place of things like sour cream etc can make a big difference for health and calories.

If you're focusing on your health, weight loss, or any part of a journey where you're trying to improve your health and change your habits - I see you and please know I cheer you on!

It's not easy teaching an old dog new tricks. Lol (speaking for myself) and I know I'm forever going to love to bake and I'm going to eat gluten and sugar, because I live in reality. But I can change habits and limit it so I don't feel deprived, but can stay on a healthier path with more balance. And I love that I'm sleeping better with less back pain already and don't "pay for it" when I am active. That I continue to see the scale go down each week. That I'm looking towards the next size down in clothing right now, and know that I will reach that big goal ultimately. And when I do, I will work to maintain a healthy lifestyle that keeps it off. I plan to be a very active granny one day 😉 and I will continue to love this vessel God gifted me with and treat her the best I'm able. 🙏🏻

Thanks for being here Friends and always being such wonderful supportive blogging Besties! I appreciate you beyond measure.

Blessings.

💗💗💗

Monday, July 29, 2024

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and happy new week to you sweet Folks!

I hope you had a great weekend! It was a relaxed one here. We hibernated in a lot because it was so hot and muggy (90's and humid). We had a work crew here cutting 14 - yes 14! dead trees around the property. The ash borer beetle had killed most of them. Some were in spots that we were worried about them falling on the house or our shed in back. So they were the main ones needing to be dealt with. We had them take several others though too. They did such a great job and had amazing equipment and even put down tracks in the yard so as not to hurt it. They cleaned up and hauled all the wood away and I can't say enough what an amazing job they did! So that's a great job done.

This weekend we also went to church and out for dinner and ran errands - kind of the usuals. And we went to a beautiful rose garden in our area which I like to visit each summer. But mostly we hibernated in and watched some movies and the olympics.

I agree with many who were appalled about the opening ceremonies display and mockery of the last supper. I understand that the opening ceremony often shows the host country's culture, music etc. But I don't get how that would be part of their culture seeing as France has always been a very Catholic country? I know people who were saying they were going to ban watching the olympics and I completely understand your anger and standing up for your faith that way. I support that fully. I was outraged too - but I guess I view it differently as I don't feel the amazing athletes that worked years to get to the olympics, and had nothing to do with planning the opening ceremonies, should be banned from being watched and cheered on. I think the committees that put together the opening ceremony should be to blame and punished - so I direct my disgust there. So Matt & I have been watching the games and it's been fun to see our amazing athletes doing so well already... especially in the women's sports! 💗

But I will say I sure pray for our world every. single. day.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

sugar free iced coffee with a little protein creamer (fasted)

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

hair appt, run to furniture store, other errands, home projects, yard work, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:

projects I'd like to accomplish this week

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It rained this AM but sun is out now and I can tell it's going to be another warm one! Keeping the blinds shut - like I did all weekend - to keep it a cooler sanctuary in the a/c.

CURRENTLY READING

Nora Roberts trilogy starting with Awakening - only kind of into it - might switch to something else?

ON THE TV TODAY:

Olympics, House of Dragons, Grantchester, Bachelorette, HGTV shows, Big Brother, jeopardy

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY - BLTs, corn on the cob, green beans w/ lemon, watermelon

TUESDAY - blueberry wild rice stuffed brats on the grill, asparagus with lemon, fruit

WEDNESDAY - chicken crust pizza with lite caesar salad on top (we didn't have it last week)

THURSDAY - might go to the local fair and split something fun?

FRIDAY - veggie + egg breakfast burritos (low carb wraps), fruit

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

work on organization home projects, watch shows, read in some Fall cookbooks, do diamond art

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

they're so good to throw in smoothies too - or to use as a binder/sweetener in healthy sweets

FROM THE CAMERA:

it's right around the corner! 🙈

daisies are a fave of my mom's and I recently made and framed this diamond art for her 💛

rose garden beauty:

PRAYER LIST:

For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence. For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Praying for peace and blessings for you always Friends. I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Wednesday Wonder: Bobcat

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

A Little Autumn Indulgence

Hello my Lovelies!

How are you this fine Tuesday?

It's a beautiful day here - in the 60's - breezy and a little cooler. I met with our wedding photographer today to go over the plans. She is such a sweetheart and I know she's going to do an amazing job! And since our wedding is in early Fall...and it's a cooler day, I started indulging a little in dreaming on the Autumn ahead.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still soaking up summer like crazy! Matt and I are planning our next golf outing. And what we want to grab for groceries to throw on the grill. And right now it's a regular lily-palooza around our deck and it's so pretty.

But once I start down the rabbit hole of Fall it's difficult to stop. So I thought I'd take just a small moment to dream on chillier days of sipping hot tea out on the deck, instead of iced. Needing a big soft sweater to stay warm. When you want to sit by the fire out there because you're cold...not just to make s'mores. 😋 When the geese start flying overhead and that cozy starts down in your toes and works its way into your soul. When we'll take Ruby for walks along roads filled with crunchy leaves underfoot. And I'll see kiddos getting off the bus after their first days at school with their new backpacks slung over their shoulders. When nostalgia fills your mind with past memories of your own first days at school with your favorite brand new outfit and your pencil case all filled with a cool new highlighter and colorful markers. When you'd be talking with your besties about your plan for what you'll dress up as for Halloween.

So thank you for giving me just the tiniest of moments to sink into the coziest of daydreams about what is to come. Because this year will be extra special as I will be a brand new bride as well. So much to look forward to and dream on! And to top it off I'll share a few pics from my archives and Autumns of the past around here:

my friend made these cookies - isn't she amazing??

can you smell the apple crisp ahead??

Thank you for humoring me in a Fall minute... I'll return you now to your regularly scheduled summer sunshine. ☀️

Blessings. xoxo