I Survived a Trip to the Badlands!

 Today was a test of my willpower for sure. I had to pick up the little guy for his bi-annual cleaning at the dentist. In spite of our very best efforts, my child has yet another cavity that will have to be filled. How old does a child have to be before it is considered too old for you to brush their teeth for them? Just kidding. It seems every dentist appointment we have, there will always be a followup for the filling of a new cavity. So glad we have dental insurance.

After all the fun at the dentist my little guy insisted that he hadn't eaten all day (though his school lunch was about 30 minutes before I picked him up). I looked at my watch. I had a meeting in less than 45 minutes and I had to get him back to school. Feeling frazzled, but not wanting my child to go hungry, we made a detour to our local Burger King. Mind you I have been on my best behavior during this challenge, but walking into one of those places takes a considerable amount of willpower. As bad as I know this convenient cuisine is...my head immediately starts going places it ought not go. I start rationalizing out each item on the menu and how I could fit them into my challenge. I mean a "french fry" is a potato, isn't it? OMG! They have "apple fries." I had to dig deep and get a grip! No, no, no! Bad food...bad, bad, bad.  I looked at the clerk,  sighed and said, "I will have a side salad, no dressing with a small ice water." There it was. I did good. Of course my little guy had chicken tenders, french fries and a chocolate milk. I know, not healthy. Convincing an eight year old to order a salad and a glass of water just isn't going to happen. It's not the norm. Don't worry. Today was just a "treat" for him. Me? I remained challenge faithful! I will lead by example.

Tonight I did come up with my own creative quick dinner though! We had homemade Succotosh and gluten free pasta! Yummy, quick and simple! Three of my most favorite things. Bon Appetit!

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Succotosh  Made Simple

1 cup Edamame beans
1 12oz. pkg frozen corn (thawed)
1 can diced tomatoes and jalapenos (drained)
1 cup spaghetti sauce (I used tomato basil - no sugar)
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp minced galic
1 tsp basil
1 tsp sea salt

Mix all ingredients in medium sauce pan. Bring to rapid boil. Boil about 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. So yummy! You can eat it plain or serve it over your favorite gluten free pasta. One dish delish!

Day 60 Results!

YAY ME! I am down 12 lbs and 6 inches!!! I know I still have a ways to go, but it is so exciting to see that scales moving. Today is a GREAT DAY!

Down, But Not Out - The Human Side

"Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be. ~ Charles "Tremendous" Jones

I had a really tough day yesterday. I was so excited to be finally going to see my doctor after being medication free for one month. I can't believe how anxious I was to get there. The nurse escorted me back, asked me to step on the scales and "SURPRISE" - 12 lbs lighter than last month! WHAHOO!!! I did it! I broke my plateau and life was sweet. I could do nothing but relish in my inner most praises for Tony Horton, P90X and eating clean.

When I got to my exam room, she took my blood pressure. I could tell by the grimace on her face it was not good. She looked at me and says, "Your blood pressure sucks." As unprofessional as that may have sounded, I don't think any other words would have softened the blow. My heart sunk deep in my chest as she went to get the doctor. I may never know what that first reading was. Maybe I don't really want to know.

My doctor came in and took my blood pressure once again: 164/106 resting heart rate 96 - not good. He was very complementing on the weight loss. Made the normal chitchat and then came the, "we really have to fix the blood pressure though." I sighed heavily. I knew exactly what that meant. No easy way around it. I am going back on medication. It was a hard pill to swallow, but nonetheless the one life just gave me...again.

Now I allowed myself a day to grasp just what happened in that tiny exam room. I let myself feel defeated. I went home, took my medication and basically sulked. I have been working extremely hard, haven't I? Well, yes. I am making healthier choices; exercising more...I am with the program. True. So what is the deal? The deal is it has ONLY been one month of doing everything the way it was intended to be done. It is not the end; just a new beginning.

I do have power and that power is choice! I can choose to remain defeated and accept this is how it has to be or I can take it all in stride and be the best I can be. Tony Horton taught me that. "Be AMAZING. Set your mind to it and be the best you can be. Make others take notice," he had said to us in one of Team BeachBody's chatrooms.  I remember those words so well. I wrote them down as I often do when I get the chance to listen to him. I visit my notes daily. They inspire me and they fuel my passion to be better. Now this has become more than just an "eat clean challenge." This is my way to show the world diet and exercise can make a difference. I can make a difference. I choose to be "AMAZING." I will walk the talk and I will succeed! This isn't about diet and exercise – this is about my life!

Broadening our Taste

I am now into the next week of Tony's Eating Clean 2-Week Challenge. I am learning this can be quite the adventure. Now instead of my normal 15 minutes in and out of our local grocery store, I am finding I can spend a considerable amount of time shopping. I am especially fascinated by produce department. How did I manage for all these years to not notice the assortment of hidden treasures waiting to be explored? I literally spent over 30 minutes just taking in how many varieties of certain items there were. Until today, I wasn't even sure what a shallot was. I find that amusing because I have always prided myself on being such a good cook. I actually thought a shallot was some sort of seafood. Now I know what it is and even helped the check out clerk by proudly telling her what was in my produce bag. See, I'm not the only one.

Tonight for dinner I made Bean and Kale Ragu .This is simply marvelous! Our family is giving it 5 STARS! It is definitely a surprise of spice combinations. I don't think I would have ever thought of combining ground cumin with oregano and basil. But WOW, totally perfect combination. I can also honestly say this was my first experience with kale. Cooked in this dish, it was beautiful and rich in color as it was flavor. My husband and I both will definitely be keeping this dish on the menu.

We also made Garbanzo Bean Burgers. These were very good. My 8 year old ate them without any complaints. With ketchup, of course. Shopping for the ingredients was yet again, another seek and find mission in the grocery store. This recipe called for Tahini Sauce.

I searched endlessly through all the spices, sauces, salad dressings never once thinking I probably could just ask a clerk. Not that I am really sure any of them would have had a clue either. Besides, this was an exploration. I am learning my grocery store. For those of you curious and that don't already know, Tahini Sauce is a sesame paste. After spending close to 45 minutes in the specialty section, I came across it in the Mediterranean food section. You will also find the cannellini beans for the first recipe there, too. But don't let them fool you. Cannellini beans are simply "white" kidney beans. Save yourself a few bucks and shop for those in the regular foods section.

We served our dinner with fresh cantaloupe and red seedless grapes. Dinner was very delicious and healthy. I'm learning that eating healthy isn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Our Dinner Plate