Restart!

Have you ever attempted to make a change or do something in your life only to fall short of the goal? Well, I have. I have not had success at the "no carb" dietary change. There...I said it. I told you that I would be honest on this blog and my new adventure. I have wanted to blog about my frustrations but I would think about it when there just wasn't time. So, there are a number of factors involved in my lack of success:

• I am STILL totally stressed out by the virtualization project at work.We are having so many issues and I wonder if it was a good idea to implement a virtual environment.
• I have been having debilitating headaches and mild fevers. Some of my research indicated that going "no carb" is basically a detoxification of your system and that you can experience flu-like symptoms.
• We have had other activities that were not conducive for "no carb" eating such as our church's leadership retreat this past weekend.
• Life is busy and I have not totally prepared. Z has activities on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. I have possible activities every other Thursday and every Friday. I feel like all I do is run, run, run!

Despite all of these factors, I know why I have not had success. It is because I am trying to do make these changes on my own. I am missing the most important component to my success: GOD! I have totally left Him out of the entire equation. I have really been trying on my own ability to decide how to eat, to find decent recipes, and to deal with cravings.

In Matthew 19, Jesus tells the disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. I believe that Jesus meant this statement as a condition of the heart. I do not believe that there is anything wrong with being rich. Anyway, the disciples were surprised and asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied by saying, "With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible." I love this verse because it gives me such hope! I believe that, if I put Jesus first in all things, He will help me to accomplish them when they line up with His Word (Philippians 4:13).

Now, I do believe that I am supposed to be a good steward and take care of this body of mine (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). So I am declaring a RESTART for this dietary change.

Blessings!

Judi

Oh Snickerdoodle!

Last Friday, I woke up with a head cold...just in time to head to G's for the cookie bake. My head hurts, my eyes hurt, my body hurts, and I have not had much of an appetite. I am starting to feel better but some of it still lingers. I honestly don't get sick often. Yet, I have now been sick twice in the matter of a month (except that the last time was the flu...nasty fever, chills/sweats, and the like).

oh snickerdoodle!

Anyway, I just haven't had the desire to eat the cookies that I baked on Sunday. That's a good thing! I love my Chocolate Chip and M&M cookies but I just can't get "in to" eating them. Tuesday night, Z and I finished baking the cookies from the dough that I had prepared at G's. Well, I can tell that I am starting to feel better because those Snickerdoodles have been such a temptation to me. I will admit it: I came home from Z's karate tonight and ate 4 cookies with a small glass of milk. You know what happened afterward...that's right: Now, why did I eat them?! One cookie (without milk) would have sufficed. But I chose to eat 4 cookies instead. Urgh! However, I cannot live under the guilt and condemnation. I made a poor choice but it's over. Today is a new day!

On the eating note, I am still working on ideas for breakfast. I want to kick this thing (carb-free eating) off after the new year. I am not doing it as a New Year's Resolution. I have simply chosen that time frame because of the holidays and Z and I will be at G's after Christmas (annual tradition).

Are you ready for Christmas? Do you have all your shopping done? We are almost done. The boys and I will be going shopping for My Love on Saturday and then we are finished. Have I told you that I am notorious for taking small presents and wrapping them in big boxes? Well, you should see the presents under the tree this year!! Lots of disguising going on!! :-)

Blessings!

Judi

I Can Bring Home The Bacon

I absolutely love bacon...love it, love it, love it (especially Smithfield Thick-Cut Bacon). But, while I love bacon, I don't like making it. It is a mess to clean up. I have discovered that the best way (for me) to make bacon is to line a rectangular baking pan with foil and make the bacon in the oven. Yes, it takes longer but there are no splatters and, after letting the fat solidify, I just pull off and throw away the foil...UNTIL NOW, that is.

yummy bacon

Yesterday, I found a timer saver while at Sam's Club. They carry Hormel Black Label Fully Cooked Bacon. This is a resealable 72 count package of pre-cooked bacon. Open it up, take out the number of slices desired, zip it shut, and put it back in the refrigerator! Now, pop it in the microwave or do as I did this morning and place the slices in the skillet for 30-60 seconds after scrambling eggs. Voila! Already, I can see how this will help me in preparing breakfast meals on the fly during the week. Yippee!

What good protein-filled breakfasts meals do you have during the week? I'd love for you to share some of your ideas.

Blessings!

Judi

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

It is time to get started with the changes. Well, let me back up a bit.

oh sugar!

In my introduction, I mentioned the medical conditions that I have: two of which are diabetes and candida neither of which these are fun to deal with (but then again are any medical conditions but pregnancy fun?). The diabetes (high sugar levels) feeds the candida and the candida (overgrowth of yeast/fungi which causes cravings) feeds the diabetes. In my case, the candida seems to be causing more issues than the diabetes itself. So, I feel that I need to respond to the candida first (which will inadvertantly also reflect on the diabetes). So, I did some research on alternative ways of dealing with the candida. I have found that one method of ridding the body of candida is to starve it (the candida, not the body). If the food that candida eats is not available, then it will eventually die. What food does candida eat, you may ask? Well, sugar/carbohydrates of course! Therefore, I must rid my body of sugar for at least 6 months. After reading that information, the great debate ensued in my head: Wait a minute...I am diabetic. How can I cut out sugar and carbohydrates? Eventually, I decided to stop debating with myself and I went to see my Doctor. I told him about the research that I had done and I asked whether or not it was permittable (and safe) for me, as a diabetic, to cut out all carbohydrates. He replied, "Absolutely!" He told me that it was a very good idea and that my body should respond well.

eggs and bacon, anyone?

OK, that's great I thought. But then came my next question. What do I eat for breakfast if I cannot have carbohydrates? So, I asked. He asked if I like eggs and bacon. (Oh do I?!) Next question...aren't they high in fat? He said that something happens to the body when it is starved of carbohydrates. It actually handles the fat content much better. I left his office elated and flying high! I wished that I would have ridden that high and started right away with the changes. Unfortunately, other situations in my life prohibited me from starting right away. So, let's start back at the very beginning with a change in eating.

The first order of business is to discover breakfast ideas. I have to avoid fruits, breads, milk/yogurt products, and, of course, pasta, rice, and snack foods. I am also supposed to avoid cheeses but that's a hard one. I think most people do not realize how many carbohydrates are in various foods. I love apples (especially red delicious apples) and, while they are high in fiber, they are also high in carbohydrates. You see, I am only supposed to have 2-3 carb servings (or 30-45 grams) of carbohydrates per meal and 1 carb serving (or 15 grams) of carbohydrates per snack. The large red delicious apples being sold in the stores today have 45-60 grams of carbohydrates. A slice of bread can have between 11 and 20 grams of carbohydrates (even wheat bread). Yes, even yogurt has 20-28 grams of carbohydrates.

I already have a few breakfast ideas (see below). If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

BREAKFAST IDEAS

• Scrambled eggs (mixed with a little water or whipped egg whites)
• Scrambled eggs with salsa
• Egg bake with fresh veggies, ham and/or bacon
• Omelette with a side of bacon
• Cottage cheese with crumbled bacon bits
• Cottage cheese with sunflower kernels
• Grilled tomato with canadian bacon and dippy egg

These are just a few to start. Now, to find the time to make breakfast before leaving for work at 6 AM!

I would love to hear your feedback.

Blessings!

Judi