Almost there

It's been six months since my last entry, and I am almost at the end of my Pre op classes. My insurance required that I complete six months of classes, meet with a nutritionist and undergo a psychiatric evaluation ( whew! I passed lol) Now I am just two weeks away from completing my very last course. The pre op class! I am anxious to get my final insurance approval and ultimately a surgery date. Through the process I have learned a lot. I am more in tuned with why I am eating, and more careful about what I choose to eat. At my surgeons request, I cut out soda. It was difficult and took several try's, and lots of headaches (caffeine withdrawals) but I managed. Within two months of cutting out all soft drinks, I lost 14lbs! Crazy I know. I find myself focusing on my future, and all the things I want to do. There isn't an aspect of my daily life that isn't overshadowed with the issue of my weight. I am ready to move past it. I have chosen to continue meeting with a psychologist throughout my weight loss journey. It's amazing how much of my weight is self inflicted and deeper than just food. 

With that being said, I am ready for this life change. Let's do this! 

No looking back

So things are happening faster than I thought they would! My Bariatric coordinator called today to let me know that she scheduled my VSG surgey for February 2015. Just three months away....yikes. I have done my research and am ready to make a drastic and positive life change. I will post updates as well as pre op pictures prior to surgery. There's no looking back now!

Starting over....again

ÎI originally attempted this blog a few years ago. A way to journal my cooking, crafts and motherhood. Pretty much like every other blog out there. However, as it is in life , life got in the way and my blog was pushed aside. I am now reenergizing my effort to commit to blogging and my weight loss journey. My hope is that this blog will act as a tool to keep me accountable. 

First of all I guess I should start with full disclosure. I have always battled my weight, but I was always able drop the weight with diet and exercise. I could feel my clothes get snug and immediately cut out sugar and carbs and manage to drop the excess weight. In 2003 I joined Weight Watchers and over a course of a year I was able to drop 40lbs. I had my Son in 2007 and was able to get back to my pre pregnancy weight with out difficultly. I was also diagnosed with Hypothroidism and prescribed Armour. For several years after I was able to maintain my weight without difficulty. Fast forward to 2012..... I started gaining weight rapidly! I was constantly tired and irritable, anxious. I began experiencing a pulsation and pain in my lower left side. When I would bend over I could physically feel "something" poking me. After countless Drs visits, several emotional breakdowns and 70 extras lbs, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. I under went a Endoscopy and DNC to remove the excess tissue. After surgery, my Dr informed me that I had stage 4 endometriosis, and that it was so sever he had to remove it from my bladder and bowels. He was optimistic that my symptoms would reside, however he did state that I would most likely have to return within two years for additional surgeries. After my surgery, I no longer experience the daily weight gain or pain and discomfort, BUT the weight did not want to come off....and that is where I am at now. Within the last 9 months I have tried diet,exercise and drugs. Nothing is working. Feeling like I am trapped in my own body, uncomfortable in my skin and desperate to regain my excitement for life, I have decided to persue Weight Loss Sugery. I have researched my options and have made an appointment with my PCP to start the process. I know this is just the beginning, and I know there will be challenges and a lot of hard work ahead, but anything worth having is worth fighting for right?!

So I welcome you to follow along with me on this new journey.....it's gonna get interesting!

Rainy Day Craftiness

Due to the lack of Sun and Warmth, today was a stay inside kind of day. Browsing through my Pins, I found a cute little craft. Repurposing an empty Shampoo or Lotion bottle into a Cell Phone Charger/Caddy. I followed tutorial that can be found at
www.makeit-loveit.com.

The end product is not exactly what I wanted, but it was my first go at it. I think I will try this again , but use fabric as suggested to cover it. At least I have some pretty place to store and charge my phone for the time being.

I am Stuffed

This morning I decided to switch up our usual Sunday morning breakfast (coffee and cereal) with something extra special. Stuffed French Toast! I used a combination of several recipes to get just what I wanted. It took only a few minuets to prepare and was delish! Plus, it looked pretty ;) The recipe is as follows,

8 ounces,Cream Cheese, softened
3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
8 slices of day old bread
2 whole Large Eggs
1 cup Milk
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract ( I used lemon extract)
2 Tablespoons Butter
Cinnamon and Sugar to taste, For Topping

Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar, set aside. Combine eggs, milk and extract. Spread the cream cheese mixture onto each slice and sandwich together. Dip and flip each "sandwich" in the egg mixture. Place on hot griddle set at 350. Cook 4 min on each side or until toasty golden brown. Sprinkle with powder sugar and cinnamon, add syrup and enjoy!

Bang! Thats good

I am always on the look out for a new yummy and EASY recipe. When I came across this one at Skinnytaste.com, I just had to try it. It is a leaner version of the popular BoneFish appetizer, Bang Bang Shrimp. The original recipe calls for it to be served over shredded cabbage, I opted to serve it over a brown rice and veggie mix ( its what I had on hand ). To be honest, I was not completely convinced that Mr. Gump would like it. Imagine how pleased I was when both my guys cleared their plates. Mr. Gump even went back for seconds! This recipe is definitely a keeper. Try it and let me know what you think :)

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1/4th or recipe • Old Points: 5 pt • Points+: 5 pt
Calories: 215.7 • Fat: 7.6 g • Protein: 23.8 g • Carb: 11.9 g • Fiber: 1.0 g • Sugar: 6.3 g
Sodium 443.9 mg


5 tbsp light mayonnaise
3 tbsp Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
1 tsp Sriracha (to taste)

Shrimp:
1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined (weight after peeled)
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp canola oil
3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
4 tbsp scallions, chopped

In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. Set aside.
Combine lettuce and cabbage and divide between four plates. Set aside.

Coat shrimp with cornstarch, mixing well with your hands. Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat, when hot add oil. When oil is hot add the shrimp to hot pan and cook tossing a few times until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and combine with the sauce coating well. Place shrimp on lettuce and top with scallions.

Squeaky Clean

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a DIY Diva and a Thrifty Queen. That's why I am so excited to share today's post. Anyone who has kids, knows just how many loads of laundry come with the territory. Being a Mamma of one rough and tough little boy, I found my self going through laundry detergent quicker that ever before. I also noticed that the containers of detergent were getting smaller but the price continued to grow! So, being determined to find an alternative, I took to Pinterest. As always, I found a great recipe for homemade powder detergent. All the ingredients cost around $16 dollars and you end up with a 6 month supply of detergent. I just had to try it.....

The recipe is as follows:

1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking isle

1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle

3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, found in the detergent isle

2 small containers of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle.

I used a 5 gallon bucket and mixed all the ingredients. The Fels-Naptha comes in bar form. You will need to use a food processor or a cheese grater to grate up the bar. I used my handy dandy Pampered Chef Cheese Grater, it worked like a charm!

Once the ingredients are all mixed , you will need to store it in an air tight container. I used a Rubbermaid cereal container. One Tablespoon is all it takes to have squeaky clean laundry. How does it smell you ask? FABULOUS !! It leaves your clothes smelling clean with a light fresh sent.

I encourage you to try it, the recipe can be tweaked to fit your specific needs. For example , if you have babies with sensitive skin, you can replace the Fels-Naptha with Dr. Bonners Baby bar soap or any other bar soap you prefer. I wouldn't say that I love doing laundry now, but I do love the fact that I am no longer dumping money down the drain, literally :)