1 Year Anniversary of my Gastric Sleeve Surgery....BEST...DECISION...EVER! :)

Weight loss total June 23, 2015 - 364 days post op
129 lbs GONE! Current weight... 323 lbs

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Good Morning!  It is June 23rd and I realized that tomorrow is the one year anniversary since having my gastric sleeve surgery!  I proudly stepped on the scale this morning not caring what it read (because I feel great), but still excited to see what the actual "numbers" say.  So as of this morning, I weigh 323 lbs.  I've lost 129 lbs since my surgery and am averaging about 5-7 lbs per month now.  I was stuck in a rut for a few months (stress related I am sure) but now my body seems to be moving in the right direction again.  I've lost about 1/2 the weight I am shooting for and have zero regrets about having this surgery done.  I don't have a lot of time to write this morning before work so I'll just simply say this...I feel better than I have in almost 20 yrs and I am enjoying my new found body.  It's not perfect and I'm not at the finish line but I'm loving every day.  I feel good, I'm healthy and I eat foods that are good for my body...98% of the time.  ;)  I'm more active and can do most of the things I'd like to do.

I will see if I can post some before and after pics later today.  Have a great week!

6 Month update - Gastric Sleeve Procedure

(update from my Gastric Sleeve page listed above)
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Weight loss total January 10, 2014 - 6 and 1/2 months post op...115 lbs GONE!
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Phew!!  I finally took the time to get back on here and give some updates.  I'm sorry I haven't been on in so long.  I didn't realize it had been that long.  In any event, here is my update.

As of this morning I am still sitting at 115 lbs lost at just over 6 months post-op! :)  I say still only because I've been at this same weight for about 3 weeks.  I'm not concerned at all.  I know that it's just something my body has to go through.  If anything these stalls are a good thing because they help you stop and re-evaluate what you are doing on a daily basis and what calories/protein/nutrients you are putting into your body.  This stall also happened to be over the holidays (more sugar added to my diet) and while we were on vacation (additional stress and change in habits) so again, I'm not worried.  ;-)

At this point in the journey I can eat just about everything I would've/could've before  BUT it's a WHOLE lot smaller portion and/or at a LOT slower pace.  For example if I want a piece of pizza that my son and husband are having I get one and it takes me every bit of a full hour probably of little bites to get that down without being in pain.  If I forget and take a normal or large bite or two back to back I literally have to stand up and stretch and walk around for a minute or two because its a discomfort in the top of my stomach that feels like I'm trying to shove two whole tomatoes through a straw....lol. ;-)  So as long as I remember that my stomach width is A LOT SMALLER than I do just fine.  People ask if I feel like I am deprived or if I regret this surgery and my answer is always the same...ABSOLUTELY NOT!  At this point I HIGHLY recommend this surgery for anyone who has battled their weight or is morbidly obese.  If you are 20 lbs over weight, this is probably not the solution for you.  Not that it wouldn't work because it would but you could get the same results by simply going on a juice diet for 2-3 weeks and shrinking your stomach in my opinion.  Those of us who are 50, 100, 200, or more lbs over weight the Gastric Sleeve Procedure really is what we need.  It's hard to explain exactly why I feel this way but let me just say this.  There are so many different emotions, hormones, habits, and addictions that come into play for those of us that are morbidly obese and having a permanent, no going back, force you to change or puke-your-guts-up solution really is the only way you are going to achieve permanent weight loss in my opinion.  For me, this is how this has gone.  I decided on the surgery on a day when I felt I had exhausted all my other options.  I was sick of my current weight and I was ready for a change...no matter what.  So I booked the surgery for like 2 months out.  Then it came down to the time to start the 10 day pre-op diet and I got going with excitement and nervousness.  By the 3rd day I was seriously thinking about cheating but the thought of getting all the way down to Mexico and then being denied because my liver hadn't shrunk enough to get out of the Dr's way was enough to make me be good...for the most part. ;-)  Then you are also committed to travel plans and have told family and friends what you are doing...so you go.  You are committed and you just go through the motions.  Then you get to Mexico and are excited about the new adventure...yet still apprehensive but again...you are here...there is no backing out now.  So you go through the surgery and begin your recovery.  You are just focused on recovery for the first several weeks.  Seriously, as you saw from above you are busy documenting every little detail...what you ate, what you've lost, whether you are pooping on schedule or loosing your hair, etc!  :-)  Hahahah....and that goes on.  You just plug along day by day going through the motions.  You have an experience where you are stressed or emotionally drained and you reach for one of your old go-to snacks that seemed to make you feel good before, you eat it just like you used to...and then it hits...within SECONDS....the discomfort and pressure and then depending on just how much you ate and/or how fast...you may throw it all back up.  Now for me, it wasn't on an emotional binge that I had my first "throw up" session but rather on some Quinoa that just didn't go down right.  ( I think I described that with the recipe above.)  The second time however was on a mindless, emotional reach into the fridge.  I didn't throw up my toenails...I just threw up the 2-3 bites that were sitting at the top of my stomach.  I don't know if I described this in the beginning but after the surgery I had a MAJOR fear of throwing up because I was worried about what it might do to my newly sutured/stapled/glued stomach.  So in a way that fear helped me a ton!  It made me THINK before I put things in my mouth.  And then when I would go past the thinking and caring and reach for a piece of food, my smaller stomach would step in and give me the extra reminder with the REALLY STRONG discomfort (not really pain...just uncomfortable).  So that's why in a nutshell I think this specific surgery is THE ONLY OPTION for people who are seriously overweight and don't get accepted onto The Biggest Loser or to train one-on-one with Chris and Heidi Powell. ;-)  This surgery has helped me to overcome habits and simply be more aware of my body as a whole.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not cured, fixed or done by any means.  I still struggle with addiction issues and emotional eating.  But I'm not beating myself up about how imperfect I am.  Rather I know this is a life-long journey...and I really am enjoying the ride.  

We recently went to Hawaii over Christmas and for me the proof was in the pudding.  I had so much fun with my family and friends and was able to do things I never would've been able to consider last year including fitting in the seats on the airplane, walking through the terminals, etc.  Like I said, I've only lost 115 lbs and I still have over 140 to go but the amount of energy, flexibility and stamina I have now is simply wonderful.  I feel good and I am just focusing on creating a healthy body that my spirit can reside in.

Happy New Year to everyone!!  I hope your year is filled with love, laughter and good memories.  MAKE your life what you want it to be.  <3

Homemade Seasoning Combinations

Homemade Seasoning Combinations

I am a big fan of knowing what is in my seasonings and find a certain level of peace by putting together some of my own combinations vs buying the packets in the store.  I do this with the ones I use all the time.  Here are some of my favorites:

BYU Creamery Homemade Ranch Recipe (THE BEST EVER!!  I triple this recipe and keep in a 2 quart container with the directions written on the side.  You can get all these ingredients at Sam's Club or in bulk at Winco.)

1/4 cup Black Pepper
1 1/2 cups Parsley Flakes
1/2 cup Garlic Salt
2 T Kosher Salt
1/4 cup Granulated Garlic
3/4 cup Granulated Onion
2 T Dill Weed

Combine all ingredients and store in air-tight container.

To Make Dressing:  Use 2 T of mix with 2 cups mayo, 2 cups buttermilk (or reg milk), 1 tsp lemon juice.

For Ranch Dip: Use 1 T of mix with one 16 oz container of sour cream and just a little dollop of milk to make smooth.

Cream of Soup Mix (I use this mix in place of any canned soup called for in your recipes.  This way if you don't have a specific can of whatever on hand you can still make your recipe.  Great food storage idea.  I double this recipe and store in air-tight container.)

2 cups non-fat dry milk
3/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup instant chicken bouillon
2 T dried onion flakes
2 t Italian Seasoning

Single recipe equivalent to 9 cans of Soup

To substitute in recipe:  Combine 1/3 cup dry mix with 1 1/4 cup water, whisk until blended.  Cook while stirring until thickened and then add to your casserole.


Taco Seasoning (I use this mix in place of buying packaged taco seasoning.  It is WAY cheaper and SO MUCH BETTER.  Use with beef, wild game, chicken, shrimp or fish.)

1 T Cumin
1 T Chili Powder
1 t Minced Garlic or Garlic Granules
1 t Minced Onion or Onion Powder
1/2 t Cayenne Pepper
1/2 t Salt

These amounts will season 3 lbs of meat.  Below are the amounts to create a large batch to store in an air-tight container.  You will then use 1 Tablespoon of dry mix per 1 lb of meat.

1 cup Cumin
1 cup Chili Powder
1/3 cup Minced Garlic or Garlic Granules
1/3 cup Minced Onion or Onion Powder
1/6 cup Cayenne Pepper
1/6 cup Salt

83 days post op and down 85 lbs...even with a two week stall!

Sorry for the delay in posting for the last month.  It's been a crazy few weeks around my house.  ;)

In any event, be sure to check out the latest updates on my Gastric Sleeve blog above.  It includes things like weight lost, changes to my body, food issues, jiggling body fat, and a yummy recipe.  Enjoy! ;-)

100+ Weeks of Healthy Meals Menu Planning

This website also includes printable shopping lists!  Great resource and a great way to keep your family on track with healthy eating.  Can't wait to get started on this list!

http://shrinkingkitchen.com/menu-plan-your-butt-off-more-menus/

Week #7 Update - 49 days post op and 69 lbs lost!

Life feels more normal now.  I hardly know I've had surgery except when I am eating smaller portions.  You are welcome to check out the latest updates on my Gastric Sleeve page.  Just scroll down to the bottom to get the latest information.

Week 5 update...Gastric Sleeve pain, struggles and triumphs

Weight loss total August 1 - 38 days post op
61 lbs!

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Week 5 update:

This last week has been kind of rough, I'm not going to lie.  I'm down 61 lbs which is absolutely awesome...it just didn't come without some pain and frustration. 

Scroll down to the bottom of my Gastric Sleeve page listed above to read the updated information.

Weight loss total 24 days post-op ... 51 LBS!!!!

Week 3 Update:  Ok so I posted my weightloss just above and yes that is accurate...51 LBS!!!  I was so excited when I saw that number for three reasons.  First, because I hit the 50 lbs lost mark.  Second, because that puts me approximately 1/5 of the way to my all time healthy self.  And third, that also puts me within a pound or two of being in the 300s!!!  I know, when I write those numbers I actually feel kind of embarrassed that I'm sharing all of this with you guys, but then I just throw those thoughts to the way side and keep my excitement in the moment. 

Be sure to check out the latest updates on the Gastric Sleeve page above.

Gastric Sleeve - Food Addiction Issues the week of July 8-14

So some of you may be able to relate to having a certain relationship with food and the desire to eat whatever you want, when you want.  Well when it comes to how this is working out for me after having the Gastric Sleeve, you'll have to check out my latest update for the week of July 8-14.  Ugh...

Doing the Gastric Sleeve weight loss procedure

On June 24th, 2014 I went down to Mexico and had a weight loss procedure called the "Gastric Sleeve" done.  I am blogging my experiences with this procedure and my weight loss journey in a new page here on my blog.  Check it out above if you'd like to learn more for yourself or to check on my progress. ;-)


Almost 3 weeks out as of today.  BEST. DECISION. I'VE. EVER. MADE!

Family Budgeting & My Camo Budget Forms

Happy 2013!

As I start this new year, I find myself revamping a bunch of stuff including my family budgeting system.  So while I was searching Pinterest (my new favorite addiction!  :-)  I think they've created a monster!! Lol), I came across one awesome blogger (Jordan Page, www.FunCheapOrFree.com).  One of her posts talks about how she keeps track of her family budget and why each family should have at least 7 different bank accounts....Yes...I said 7 different bank accounts.  Check out her link here for more information and you'll understand what I'm talking about.  So, after deciding to revamp our family budgeting process, I also decided I needed some new "Budget Forms" ...alas, my latest creation.  Because we are a big outdoor/hunting family, I decided to customize my budget forms accordingly. 

Feel free to use if you'd like. :-)

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 1

 Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 2

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 3

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 4

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 5

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 6

Document Link - Camo Family Budget Page 7

Food Break - Turkey Pot Pie

Ok so I know you all either still have (or will have possibly at Christmas) some left over turkey.  You know, the stuff that is left once everyone has picked it clean.  Whether it's large chunks of white meat, dark meat or little bits and pieces, grab it and let's make a REALLY yummy Turkey Pot Pie. :-)

Now, you will find with my cooking that sometimes I just go with the flow...I throw in whatever looks, sounds like it would be good. :-)  This was one of those moments...but it turned out great!

So here is the "official" recipe...according to this momma blogger. ;-)

Turkey Pot Pie (this recipe makes 2 pies and will feed 5-8)

What you will need:

2 pie tins or baking dishes (could also do one large pot pie in a glass 9x13 with this recipe)
4 pie crusts (what ever you prefer...frozen, homemade, from a box, etc.)
1-2 cups turkey chunks/pieces
1-2 cup diced fresh carrots
1-2 cup chunked potatoes (small chunks, peeled)
1 cup frozen peas
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons of butter
water or chicken broth (chicken or turkey broth will give more flavor but water works well also)
flour
Garlic salt, pepper, celery seed ... start with 2 tsp each of garlic salt and pepper, and about 1/2 tsp of celery seed...you can add more seasonings just before you place in pie crust if it needs more salt or pepper.

You'll notice that I was open about the amounts of turkey, carrots and potatoes in the recipe.  Basically you want to come up with about 6 cups of those three items.  So if you have more of one thing and less of something else don't stress about it...just make sure you come with 5-6 cups of those main ingredients all together.

Begin by melting butter in large, non-stick pot.  Add onions and saute for a minute or two on med/hi heat.  Add turkey, potatoes, carrots, and fill pot with water or chicken broth to about 1/2 an inch above all the vegetables.  (As a side note, I also added the left over turkey gravy I had and then the water to the fill point...gave it great flavor and used up more leftovers!)  Heat to a boil and then turn down to a medium heat.  Boil for 15-20 minutes or until carrots and potatoes are tender.  Add peas during the last 5 minutes of boiling time.  During this time, press bottom pie crust in pie tin and then bake at 425 degrees for about 3 min.  Just long enough to start cooking bottom crust.  Remove from oven.

In small dish add 1/2 cup flour and just enough cold water to make a smooth paste.  Slowly stir into boiling vegetable mixture.  Remove from heat (do taste test now to make sure if you'd like more salt or pepper) and poor mixture onto bottom pie crust.  Place top crust, seal the edges, make a few vent slits on top of crust and then bake at 425 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and mixture is bubbly.  Remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Yummy, yummy...Enjoy!

Yoga/Meditation Starter Program

This program is not one which you will find in a quick meditation guide; it has been studied and thoroughly experimented with throughout long periods of time.

If you really want to obtain the highest state of meditation, you should commit yourself to following through with your practice. Many people fail after trying only a few times. However, the ones who persevere with their meditating will achieve a higher state of being.

The process is very simple. Let's begin!

FIRST MONTH

The goal for the two first months are:

• To learn how to sit every day at the same time (make it a habit).
• To develop a good sitting posture.

We previously described the different sitting positions and it very important that you choose one. Easy Pose is recommended, however, you may decide you are more comfortable in a different one. During the first month of meditation you may choose to sit against a wall for support. Although this may seem easier, you will soon have to learn how to sit independently without any support.

As mentioned before, the surface that you practice on should not be too soft, too firm, or too high. A good meditation surface could be a wooden plank and a couple of blankets folded into quarters.

Keeping yourself in a steady position means that you must keep the spine in perfect alignment with the neck. In the beginning you will encounter different challenges such as numbness of the extremities, perspiration, shakes, twitching in the eyes and also dry throat or excess of saliva in the mouth (which are both signs of improper nutrition). If you experience a dry throat you may want to get a sip of water.

Don't try to sit for too long. Start with fifteen to twenty minutes. Every three days you can increase your time by three minutes. You want to go slowly and progressively so it will be a pleasant experience and thus you will look forward to meditating again the next day.

Once you are sitting down do a mental check from head to toes:

• No tension in the forehead.
• The eyes should be closed. To help focus the mind most people use the dristhi. Dristhi are specific points in the body. When the eyes are directed towards dristhi will help you to focus the mind. Some of these points are the third eye, tip of the nose, top of the head, and so on. The eyes can be directed to the dristhi, however, do not do this with too much intensity because you could develop a headache. You can direct the eyes in a gentle way and some meditations even have a specific given dristhi.
• The lips should be sealed. The teeth are touching (gently). No tension in the jaw.
• No tension in the neck.
• No tension in the shoulders.
• No tension in the arms and fingers. The hands are placed on the knees, or as close to the knees as the length of your arms allows you to bring them without bending the spine.
• No tension in the chest.
• No tension in the pelvic area.
• No tension in the legs, knees, and feet.
• Start over again from the toes to the head.
• Take ten long deep breaths in and out while you allow the body to relax deeply. If you feel there is still a point of tension, mentally ask your body to let it go. The mind has the ability to heal the body.

Getting to know the mind

It is through the senses that we perceive the world. The conscious mind relies on ten senses to obtain information. Five of those are cognitive senses that include sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. The other five are active senses and include the hands, feet, power of speech, organs of reproduction, and elimination. The mind stores impressions in the unconscious and reuses them when needed.

All sadhanas have the same goal, which is to train the mind. Once your mind is a single, pointed focus, you become aware of the immortal soul beyond the mind.

Through the daily practice, or sadhana, we can discipline and clear our minds. A clear mind is capable of conscious healing and the prevention of disease. Never doubt this!

Sadhanas also allow you to accurately perceive and assess the exterior world, to clearly collect data as it is.

There are 4 functions of the mind:

MANAS: These lower interaction of the mind with the outside world. They also take sensory impressions, data, doubts and questions. (If this tendency is prominent it may cause problems.)

BUDDHI: This mean a higher inner mind and the ability to make wise decisions, judgments, and cognitive discriminations. It also deciphers the wiser action between two courses of actions if MANAS accept its guidance.

AHAMKARA: This is the individual ego and provides a sense of identity along with feelings of separation.

CHITTA: This is our memory bank. Chitta stores experiences and impressions.

Through meditation we start to be conscious of the different functions of the mind. We can observe our very own minds and watch them through our actions and speech.

Once you are able to meditate in a perfect and still meditative pose, you can start to pay attention to the breath. The body must not shake, jerk, or squirm because this hurts meditation. The breath should be comfortable and full. You want to take care of the four most common problems with the breath which are jerkiness, shallowness, noise, and extended pauses.

SECOND MONTH

After doing your Yoga asana and breathing exercises, deeply relax the muscles, the subtle muscles, and the nervous system.

Alternate breathing can be beneficial, but during meditation you are only going to practice "breath awareness". There is a fine relationship between the mind and the breath, which is why we focus on the breath.

• Sit in a cross-legged position.
• Inhale through the base of the spine to the crown of the head, and exhale from the crown of the head to the base of the spine. It can be very helpful to visualize the three nadis in the spine: ida, pingala, and the central channel sushumna. Inhale and exhale through the central channel (a milky white tube). Feel the energy as it goes up and down through the spine from the pelvic plexus to the medulla oblongata.
• Observe how many times the mind gets distracted. The distraction is always followed by an irregularity in the breath.
• When breathing, focus your attention on the breath as it goes in and out. You will notice that one nostril is more open than the other. This is normal and it can be changed by paying attention to the closed nostril for just a few moments. It will also give you control over the flow of breath. Breathing through the right side brings a warming effect and breathing through the left side brings a cooling effect. Depending on what side is in charge, disturbances in the mind can occur making it important that we gain control over disturbances of the tattvas.

• AWAKENING SUSHUMNA. By focusing the attention in between the two nostrils, you can make both nostrils flow equally. This does not mean that you direct the eyes to the tip of the nose. The focus should always be on the awareness of the breath just above the upper lip, which is the union between ida and pingala. This state where there are no fears or negative thoughts can help to distract the mind and is truly amazing. Unfortunately it doesn't last long. Although, if you practice regularly in the morning and evening it can be easy to obtain.
• Once you can hold this state for five minutes you have overcome a major obstacle. You have now developed a one-pointed mind. Keep practicing this for three to four more months.
• The point now is to witness your own thought process and also be able to remain undisturbed by different mental scenes, emotions, memories, and concepts. This seems unthinkable to most people! Practice this for three to four months.

There are different levels of the mind and the unknown unconscious mind is one of them. This is where impressions of our actions, desires, and emotions are stored. This level of the mind corresponds with the deepest level of the mind. It is still a mystery and one single memory can create a disturbance. Be patient. Contemplate and analyze your fears. You will gradually be able to inspect your thinking without disturbing the mind. This state is called Samadhi. There are four stages of Samadhi and when you can focus the mind for just ten minutes without disturbance, you have come close to achieving this state. The final step is to be silent. This silence is regarded as indescribable, the opening of intuitive knowledge of all times. From silence comes happiness, bliss, and peace.

I found this information on http://www.thesecretsofyoga.com/.  It was an extremely informative website which consists of info on poses, breathing, relaxation, meditation and much more.  Feel free to visit this website and use this information to develop your own relaxation/energizing routine. :)

Happy Meditating!

Food Break - Canning Recipes

Brook’s Garden Style Canned Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

          1 Bushel Roma Tomatoes (or whatever kind you find on sale)

          3-4 large onions (I prefer Vidalia or Walla Walla)

          2 Green Peppers

          2 Red Peppers (can add or substitute orange or yellow if desired)

          1 bundle celery

          1 large bag carrots (10-12 if from garden)

          2 cups oil

          ½ cup dried parsley (1 cup if using fresh)

          ½ cup oregano

          1 whole garlic clove

          ¼ cup salt

          1 ½ cups sugar

          8 small cans tomato paste

Blanch tomatoes by dipping them in boiling water for a few seconds and then into cold water and remove skins.  Set aside.  Chop onions, peppers, celery, and carrots into small, bite-sized pieces.  In large stock pot (non-stick works best), add oil, onions, peppers and celery and sauté until soft.  Add tomatoes and mash until desired consistency.  Add carrots, seasonings, and tomato paste. Stir until blended.  Cook on medium low heat until carrots are soft and sauce thickens. (I usually cook 4-6 hours)

Add hot sauce to hot canning jars and process in hot water bath for 45 minutes or in pressure cooker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

For a smoother texture instead of chunky garden style, cook carrots in separate pan of boiling water and then when you add to the other veggies you can put all the mixture through the blender before you cook down.

Food Break - Yummy Recipes!

Easy Wheat Bread/Rolls  (using bread machine dough cycle)

1 1/3    cup milk

¼         cup warm water

2 tbs     honey

2 tbs     butter (softened)

2 cups  wheat flour

2 cups  white flour

1 tsp     salt

1 ¼ tsp yeast

Put all ingredients into greased bread maker pan in the order listed above.  Select dough cycle on bread maker.  After dough cycle is complete (1.5 hours), divide dough and shape into 2 medium greased loaf pans, 1 large loaf pan, or rolls on a cookie sheet.  Let raise in warm location for 10-15 minutes.  Bake @ 375 for 25 minutes.  Brush tops with butter.

Brook’s Easy Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Shopping List

8-12 cups chopped, fresh broccoli                    2 teaspoons thyme

2 cups shredded carrots                                    2-3 teaspoons black pepper

1 medium onion, finely chopped                        2 teaspoons salt

2 bunches green onion, finely chopped  8 slices of processed cheese

3 stalks celery, finely chopped               ½ cup half n half or milk

1 stick butter                                                    2-3 tablespoons flour

1 large can of cream of chicken soup

1 large can of cream of mushroom soup

1 small can of cream of celery soup

In large non-stick pot, sauté onions, celery and green onion with stick of butter adding spices.  When onions and celery are soft, add broccoli and carrots then fill pan with water to cover all ingredients.  Boil on medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until carrots are crisp/tender and broccoli is tender.  Turn pot down to low-medium heat. Add canned soup and processed cheese slices and stir well.  In small cup add flour and then cold half/half or milk. Whisk until there are no lumps and then slowly pour into pot while you stir.  Cover and slow cook on low until ready to serve.  Garnish with shredded cheese if desired. J

Robert's Yummy Jambalaya

1 lb. chicken, cubed                                     1- 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 lb. Italian sausage                                      8 c. chicken broth

1 lb. shrimp (peeled & de-veined)                 4 Tbsp. Creole seasoning OR

1 large onion, diced                                        -2 tsp. cayenne pepper

4-5 stalks celery, diced                                   -2 tsp. black pepper

1 green pepper, diced                                     -2 tsp. white pepper

3-4 cloves garlic, minced                                -1 tsp. oregano

3- 8 oz. cans tomato paste                              -½ tsp. thyme

2 bay leaves                                                 3 c. rice

In non-stick pot, sauté chicken & sausage w/2 tsp. of Creole seasoning (If you don’t have Creole seasoning you use the pepper, oregano, and thyme listed below it).  In large stock pot, sauté onions, celery, and green pepper. Add tomato paste and let brown (Be sure not to burn. The browning helps the tomato paste merge with all of the other flavors in the pot).  Add 2 cups broth & stir until smooth.  Add rest of seasonings, tomatoes, and salt.  Cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.  Add meat & seafood and cook another 10 minutes.  Add rest of stock & rice.  Cook uncovered 20 minutes on low with lid removed from pot.  At this point I turn the burner off, stir the pot and just let it sit for 10 minutes or so and then serve.  Enjoy!

Brook’s Chunky Chili

Shopping List

3 lbs cooked burger (perfect for beef, elk, deer or antelope)
2 cans kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans diced tomatoes w/green chiles
1 can tomato paste
2 pkgs chili seasoning (or 4 tablespoons of your own homemade chili seasoning)
1 lrg green pepper diced into small chunks
1 medium white onion diced into small chunks

Add all ingredients to large Crockpot and then fill with water to just above the level of your ingredients.  Cook on high for 2-3 hours stirring occasionally.  Serve topped with crumbled corn bread and a dollop of sour cream.

Brook’s Chicken Tortilla Soup

Shopping List

2-3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced into small chunks)
1 small onion chopped
2 pkg of taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons of your homemade version
2 cups green, yellow, or red peppers chopped into small pieces
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can of corn drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 avocado (cut up into small chunks)
Shredded Cheese
Tortilla Chips
Sour Cream

In large pot, add a small amount of oil to cover bottom of pan.  Add chicken and cook thoroughly.  Add taco seasoning, onion and peppers.  Cook until veggies are tender.  Add black beans, corn, tomatoes, and fill with water about 1 inch above ingredients.  Simmer for 30 minutes (or on low all day in a crockpot) and then add cilantro just before serving.  Top with avocado, shredded cheese, tortilla chips and sour cream.  Enjoy!

Old-Fashioned Ham and Five Bean Soup

Shopping List

1/2 cup dry navy or white beans
1/2 cup dry red beans
1/2 cup dry lima beans
1/2 cup dry garbanzo beans
1/2 cup dry kidney beans
2-4 cups cooked or left over ham, cubed or shredded
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp dried or fresh basil
1 tsp dried or fresh oregano
2 bay leaves
6-7 cups water
Salt and Pepper


Rinse all of the beans and put them in a large soup pot.  Cover completely with water about 1 inch above level.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes.  Drain off water.  At this point you can add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and cook your soup in there or put in a crockpot.  Add remaining ingredients, stir well and cook on medium low heat for 8-10 hours.  Serves 8 people.  Enjoy!

Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup

Shopping List (This recipe can be made any time of year with either frozen or fresh vegetables.  Substitute frozen for fresh when available.)

1 16oz pkg frozen stir-fry vegetable mix
1 cup frozen corn
1 medium zucchini, sliced
2 bone-in chicken thighs and/or breasts, skinned
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse ground pepper
1 can chicken broth
1/2 pkg grandmas soup noodles

Put all ingredients in crockpot.  Cook on low 6-8 hours adding noodles during the last hour. Remove bones and break up chicken.  Serves 6-8 people. Enjoy!

Cheesy Creamy Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

Shopping List 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up into bite size pieces
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium walla-walla or white onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and cubed
1 can whole stewed tomatoes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp celery seeds
1 tsp ranch mix
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 can chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
3/4 cup cubed velveeta cheese


Combine all ingredients except velveeta in crockpot. Add water to cover all ingredients by 1 inch.  Cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours stirring occasionally.  Add velveeta cheese chunks during last half hour and stir.  Serves 6-8 people. Enjoy!

Conquering Fears and Overcoming Myself

Recently, I gleaned some knowledge from a session I attended on overcoming the roadblocks I place in front of myself and how to reject "Fear" and not let it lead my day-to-day activities or thoughts.

I wanted to share some of the information and homework I have been given.  You are welcome to glean these thoughts, activities and ideas for use in your own life.  Part of this process is writing down the things that would constitute your deepest fears in the areas of Health, Love, Family, Success.  Putting these to paper helps in the realization of their existence and gives you the beginning tools to finding solutions.

Homework #1

Say to yourself the following statements beginning in the morning and then throughout the day:

* I reject the fear of failure
* I reject the fear of being out of control
* I reject the fear of not being happy

Homework #2

When you feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, have a list of 2-3 activities you can go do to take your mind off the current situation.  The keys to this activity are picking something you enjoy doing and that doesn't allow your mind to "check-out" completely.  You want to be able to do something you like while still being able to think about the stressful situation and solutions to the stress.  Examples could be:

1. Take a 10-15 minute holiday (have a glass of water and go for a walk, go work in your garden, etc)
2. Plan a project you would like to complete (an outdoor garden, a flower garden, an herb garden, landscaping, home organizing, etc)
3. Do some Yoga, Stretching Exercises, soak in the bathtub

Remember the following:

Fear is a state of mind.

True happiness should not be measured by anything that can change.
(i.e. wealth, image, career, opinions/comments from other people)

Good luck in your endeavors!

Time Management Basics When Working From Home

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time at home either working, watching kids, or looking for something to do because you're unemployed, you know that time can simply slip right through your fingers. The entire day can just be gone in the flash of an eye with no significant accomplishments being completed.  You could have the best intentions of doing the laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden, putting in several job applications...and then you get online or you start something else and then POOF...the day is gone.  The kids are home from school, the spouse is home from work and it's time for dinner.  You then look back on your day and think "Why didn't I get these things accomplished?"

Well don't be too hard on yourself.  The first step is being able to recognize when it's time to search for some answers and put together an action plan. :)


Through the course of working from home and attending some excellent courses on Time Management, I've learned and developed some tips to making the most of your time.
 
Adopt some of these principles and actions into your own daily life to help you accomplish the tasks at hand.
 
1.  Make a list starting the night before of the things you'd like to get accomplished the following day. (Take 10-15 minutes to start putting these tasks to paper and then know you will be adding to them possibly the next morning)
 
2. Each morning, take the time to get yourself ready for the day.  Taking a shower, getting dressed, doing your hair and/or putting on your makeup go a long way in setting your mindset for the day.  This time could also be used to complete other personal tasks such as exercise, yoga, scripture study, etc.  Putting yourself first and getting these things out of the way will enable you to feel confident as you start your day of business.  Whether that "business" is processing client invoices, making phone calls, or doing the laundry...the tasks are not important.  The important part is making sure YOU are taken care of before you try to take care of anything else.
 
3.  Take 10-15 minutes to analyze and priortize the task list you have created for the day.  You can use a "abc-numeric system" or simply list them in a specific order with check boxes for completion.  When thinking of your daily tasks, be sure to include things relating to not only what you'd like to accomplish but the things you have to do such as pick up Johnny from school, or run Suzie to her 4pm dentist appt.  Putting ALL the activities in your daily lists will help save you from unnecessary stress.
 
4.  Use a paper planner and/or family notebook to keep track of your scheduled events, dr. visits and other vital appointments.  When you use a paper planner such as a Franklin, all the tools you will need to plan your daily activities will be at your finger tips each day/week/month.  For stay-at-home moms/dads, Family Notebooks have become a great tool in organizing your family.  You can find out more information on these at http://www.organizedhome.com/.
 
5.  When working from home, set your business hours.  This one item is VITAL for your business.  Be sure you figure out the times you will be working each day of every week and post those by your computer and/or on the fridge so the other people in your household know the schedule as well.  Once you have set your "business hours", commit to doing worthwhile activities that promote or further your business during those times.  Alphabetizing your Rolodex for the 3rd time doesn't count as a "worthwhile" activity. :)
 
6.  Schedule business training into your weekly activities.  Many times we don't put these items on our task lists and then we just don't make the time.  If you don't have regularly scheduled training that is put on by someone else in which you just attend, then use the time to research information on businesses like yours online, network with other like-minded individuals or attend training on business building skills.  Keeping your mind engaged will catapult your successes.
 
7.  When planning long term goals, success or activities break down the time and activities you will have to do each month, week and day in order to reach that goal.  Once you have those activities broken down put them into your daily, weekly, monthly task lists with a projected completion date if desired.  Something I learned recently was that the "projected completion date" isn't as vital as knowing the baby-steps needed to complete your goal and putting those into action.  The theory is if you have broken down the steps necessary to complete your long term task and you are completing those tasks on a daily, weekly, monthly basis you will automatically reach your goal within the projected time frame.  And that putting a specific time frame could set you up for emotional let down.  On the other side of that coin, some people believe having an "end date" in mind helps you stay focused and pushes you to work harder.  So decide for yourself whether or not the "projected completion or end date" is for you.  Either way be sure to break down all the smaller steps necessary to complete your larger projects and add those to your daily lists.
 
8.  When you put together new plans or new time management techniques, be sure to give yourself two-three full weeks of committing to these techniques before expecting them to be second nature. 
 
Developing new habits can be difficult at first but most find they are so very rewarding in the end.  So get busy, spend a few minutes putting your days together and maximize your efforts for success!
 
Good luck in your endeavors!