Heart Thoughts

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 This book is on Amazon.com for $2.99 for your Kindle

Here is a paragraph from her book that really made me think about how we treat our bodies.  Our family has not used any type of medicine, prescription drug/non-prescription drug since January 1st, 2011.  We have really started listening to our bodies and treating the cause not the symptom. 

My body, mind and spirit are a healthy team

The body is always talking to you.  What do you do when you get a message from the body such as a little ache or pain?  Usually, you run to the medicine cabinet or the drugstore and take a pill.  In effect you say to the body: "Shut up!  I don't want to hear you.  Don't talk to me!"  That is not loving the body.  When you get the first ache or pain, or the slightest thing seems to go wrong, sit down, close your eyes, and very quietly ask your-self: 'What is it I need to know?'  Listen a few minutes for the answer.  It may be as simple as, "Get some sleep" Or it may be stronger.  If you want your body to work well for you for a long time, then you need to be a part of the body, mind and spirit healing team. 

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This book is so great!  Louise Hay has written affirmations for intimacy, health, career, finance, fear, addictions...or any other major concern that you must deal with as you go about your daily life.  Her words are beautiful and you start to feel better just by reading her words and saying them to your-self.  This book can be read over and over and help you learn to release these concerns in your life.  I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

Happy Reading!!!

Cocoa Crispy Rice Snacks

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This morning I made cereal peanut butter balls.  Hunter and Matt were the official taste testers since I am still on hCG.  They each gave two thumbs up with their mouths full of these!!  I had extra crumbs after make the cereal balls and I am just going to use it to top our non-dairy ice cream!  Yummy!  

I also didn't do the wet hands thing....and it worked just fine.  

This cereal is Matt's favorite.  He loves it.  

1/2 Cup Organic Smucker's Chunky Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Organic Honey
1/2 Cup Organic Chopped Nuts
1/2 Teaspoon Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 Teaspoon McCormick 100% Organic Cinnamon
2 Cups Erewhon Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

Mix peanut butter, honey, nuts, vanilla, and cinnamon together in a bowl.  Add cereal and stir gently until cereal is well coated.  Place a dish of water near the bowl.  Using wet hands, form the mixture into walnut-size balls and place them on a lightly oiled dish or on waxed paper.

For variety, try rolling Erewhon Cocoa Crispy Rice Snacks in coconut, chopped nuts, or sesame seeds.  Also try adding your favorite dried fruit to the mixture.

Makes approximately two dozen

Recipe courtesy of Erewhon Cereal

Phase 3

Yesterday was my last day of Phase 2.  Here are my results:

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First day weight of Phase 2:

139.0 lbs.              

Last day weight of Phase 2:

126.6 lbs.

Total loss:  12.4 lbs

Starting Measurements for Phase 2:

Chest:  36 in
Waist: (Belly Button) 33 in
Hips: (Fullest Part) 38 in

Ending Measurements for Phase 2:

Chest: 32 in
Waist: 28 in
Hips: 35 in

I feel I have lost plenty of pounds and inches.  It actually exceeded my expectations!  I am a size 4-6 now.  I am still amazed how great of an experience this is.  I feel so much better all around...more energy, more get and go.  I love it.

I started Phase 3 today.  This is the most important of the phases.  It is called Lockdown.  It is 21 days long and this is where your weight losss is locked in and your hypothalamus is reset.  I must weigh myself everyday in the morning and if I go over 126.6 by 2 pounds I have to do a Steak Day to get the 2 pounds back off.  I eat 1200 calories a day and can not have starches, sugars, processed foods, low carb, nitrites, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, alcohol,  and fruit juice.  It is a lot like phase 2 only I get to eat a lot more.  My breakfast must be my biggest meal again.  I did that today and I was so stuffed.  haha  I have to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks with a lot of protein.  I also get to take my supplements again and start exercising more if I want.

Off to eat my snack!

Review of Laundry Ball

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As promised here is my review of the Laundry Ball.  

I love it!!!

I have been using it now for a couple of weeks and it makes my laundry smell great.  It is so easy to use.  Seriously you just leave it in the washing machine.  Yep...that's it.  No detergent, no nothing.  

It is even making my chemical-free dryer sheets work better now that my clothes have no chemicals on them. 

If you are thinking of getting one...don't hesitate!  You will love it too!

Blueberry-Maple Waffle Sundaes

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 We all know that blueberries are high in antioxidants but did you know 

blueberries are a good source of dietary fiber?  

A diet high in fiber keeps your cholesterol in check and helps aid in digestion.  

Why not add some healthy blueberries to your dessert???

1 Cup Organic Blueberries
1/2 Cup Maple Grove Farms Organic Maple Syrup
1/4 Teaspoon Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract
a little lemon zest from an organic lemon
Natures Path Organic Buckwheat Wildberry Waffles
Organic So Delicious Dairy Free Creamy Vanilla "ice cream"

Simmer blueberries, maple syrup, vanilla and lemon zest in a stainless steal saucepan until slightly thickened.  Toast waffles and top with ice cream.  Drizzle with the blueberry sauce.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine- June 2011
Nutrition on blueberries found here http://www.blueberrycouncil.com/nutrition.php

Second week of Phase 2

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Here are my results for my 2nd week on Phase 2:    

Saturday:      133.8 lbs

Sunday:        133.6 lbs  -0.2

Monday:       132.2 lbs  -1.4

Tuesday:       131.0 lbs  -1.2

Wednesday:  130.0 lbs  -1.0

Thursday:      129.8 lbs -0.2

Friday:          129.6 lbs  -0.2

Saturday:       128.8 lbs  -0.8

Total loss this week:  5 lbs!! 

This week has been great.  I have more and more energy everyday.  I feel happier and lighter.  The weight loss protocol is also effecting another part of my life that I have struggled with.  I have never been a morning person.  It took a lot of work for me to get out of bed around 8:15 am.  This past week I have been waking up at 7:30 and springing out of bed.  Not slowly trying to coax myself on getting up.  Today I got up at 7:00 and its Saturday!!  I love it!!  

This paragraph is from a book I am reading.  I thought it was beautiful.

'As long as you hate me,' her body said, 'I will be heavy, carrying the burden of that pain.  

Fill me with love instead of hate.  For love is light and hate is heavy.  Take care of me, nurture me, 

cherish me, love me absolutely.  Begin exactly as I am, and I will put down the burden; 

I will let the weight go, and I will become as beautiful as I was born to be.'  

-Men, Money, and Chocolate by Menna Van Praag 

( Book for 99 cents for the kindle!)

Steak and Zucchini Recipe

The zucchini is low in calories and contains useful 

amounts of folate, potassium and Vitamin A

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This recipe is so easy and it is such a yummy meal that we all gobble it down.  My kids love love it! 

Ingredients:

1 pound or more of Organic Grass Fed Round Steak                        
1 whole Organic Onion
1 1/2 teaspoon of minced Organic Garlic
1 can of Libby's Organic Corn
1/2 cup of Purified or Spring Water
5 Organic Zucchinis
1 1/2 teaspoon of McCormicks 100% Organic Ground Cumin
1 tablespoon of Organic Olive Oil
Simply Organic Pepper
Sea Salt

Directions:

Cut up Round Steak into bite size chunks.  Cut up onion and mince garlic. 

In enamel cast iron pan, add oil, steak, onion, garlic, salt and pepper-to taste.  Fry until steak is cooked.

Add zucchini, corn, cumin, water, more salt and pepper-to taste.  Let simmer 15 minutes or until zucchini is soft. 




Can serve as thick soup by adding more water
Can serve with Organic Corn Tortillas and roll up
Can serve with Organic Flour Tortillas (if you are just organic and not gluten free)

Hope you enjoy!!!

First Week hCG

My first week of the hCG diet has been great.  I have so much energy.  

My mood is a lot lighter.  I am not hungry at all.  

I was hungry on Monday but that was the only day.  

I am getting way better at drinking my water.  

It was hard for me to drink a gallon a day.  

I have added my teas into the mix and that makes it a lot easier 

getting that much fluid in my system.

I weigh myself every morning right after waking up. 

Here are my results:

Saturday:  139.4 lbs

Sunday:    140.6 lbs  +.8 

Monday:   139.2 lbs  -1.4

Tuesday:   137.2 lbs  -2

Wednesday:  135.8 lbs  -1.4 

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Thursday:  134.8 lbs  -1

Friday:      134.2 lbs  -.6

Saturday:   133.8 lbs  -.4

Total loss so far 5.4 lbs!!!

I am loving it so far!  

Time to go drink my water!!! 

Laundry Ball

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I just purchased this laundry ball from Amazon.com for 12.99.  This is what it does......

• Cleans clothes without bleach, soap or detergent in cold water.
• Hypo-allergenic, great for sensitive skin
• Eliminates mold, bacteria and odors.
• Leaves clothes with a clean scent.
• No synthetic detergents eliminating the need for rinse cycles.
• Protects from discoloration and oxidation of fabrics.  
• Maintains elasticity of fabric.
• Provides the most spectacular bright whites without bleach.
• Reduces scale, rust and lime build-up in washing machines and pipes.
• Compatible with any washing machine.

It states you will save $500-$1000 usd per year.

What are your opinions on this?  Have you used anything like this? 

I'm super excited to start using it and I will give you a review of it after a couple weeks.