There seems to be sugar everywhere I turn and it seems to have imbed itself into my life so much that it seems impossible to escape it.
Thursday was a good day. I sent the leftover cookies with my husband to his work. But then my ladies group made a delicious monkey bread. Which I had two helpings of. I also had no regret with that. The rest of the day I made healthier choices, and I think that overall this is going to be a processes.
I haven't been counting sugars, but I have avoided taking a cookie every time it was offered. It isn't as easy as I had hoped, but I feel better that I am making healthier choices.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Day 0 Healthier Eating
Today is February 11, 2015 and it is what I call DAY 0. It is DAY 0 because not until almost 5pm did I decide to go on this adventure but I did think it would be important to look at the foods I ate today and see what my diet was looking like.
Please be nice to me, as I know my diet wasn't healthy, but as I pulled out the foods that I ate today and looked at the sugar content it almost gave me a heart attack by how unhealthy I am eating.
Breakfast Calories Sugars GI
Cinnamon Toast Crunch 130 9g probably above 70
Milk 2% 130 12g 41
Corn Dog 230 8g
Simply Orange Juice 110 23g 50
tomato ketchup 20 4g
ripe banana 105 14g 62
Kempswich-ice cream 320 23g
Snack size Skittles 61 11g
Total for now: Calories=1106
Sugar= 67g (not including banana or orange juice= no added sugar)
Sugar Goal= 25g
Overall I can say that I definitely need to look at labels more closely and stop eating processed foods and treats. I will also be removing high sugar juices from my diet. Although they seem healthy, I don't think that such a high concentration of sugar from a fruit juice without the fiber benefits of eating the actual fruit is a healthy decision. So I will shy away from juices and opt for fresh or frozen fruit instead.
Tonight we eat a meal someone else prepared, so I wont know all the nutritional information. But I think that making healthier choices as often as I can is what is really going to make a difference.
Please be nice to me, as I know my diet wasn't healthy, but as I pulled out the foods that I ate today and looked at the sugar content it almost gave me a heart attack by how unhealthy I am eating.
Breakfast Calories Sugars GI
Cinnamon Toast Crunch 130 9g probably above 70
Milk 2% 130 12g 41
Corn Dog 230 8g
Simply Orange Juice 110 23g 50
tomato ketchup 20 4g
ripe banana 105 14g 62
Kempswich-ice cream 320 23g
Snack size Skittles 61 11g
Total for now: Calories=1106
Sugar= 67g (not including banana or orange juice= no added sugar)
Sugar Goal= 25g
Overall I can say that I definitely need to look at labels more closely and stop eating processed foods and treats. I will also be removing high sugar juices from my diet. Although they seem healthy, I don't think that such a high concentration of sugar from a fruit juice without the fiber benefits of eating the actual fruit is a healthy decision. So I will shy away from juices and opt for fresh or frozen fruit instead.
Tonight we eat a meal someone else prepared, so I wont know all the nutritional information. But I think that making healthier choices as often as I can is what is really going to make a difference.
Healthier Eating and Healthier Living
Sugar. It is everywhere. It is in most of the foods that we eat. Even foods that we wouldn't typically think would have sugar, there it is. Hidden in different forms such as ingredients that end in "ose" and "ol"
I want to eat healthier because I want to feel better. I don't plan to lose weight, but I do hope to gain more energy and lose the sluggish feeling I have with my current diet.
For the next, however long I can hold out, I am going to try to reduce the amount of added sugar in my daily eating and focus on eating foods that have a lower Glycemic Index.
If you are unfamiliar, as I was until about 20 minutes ago, with what the GI (Glycemic Index) is and why it is important follow these links for more information.
This first link has information on what the glycemic index is, why it is important and how to use it. I plan to choose only foods, as much as possible, that have a glycemic index of less than 55, which is considered low. But especially none over 70, the high category.
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/glycemic-index-good-versus-bad-carbs
This link goes to Harvard Health and has a list of common foods and their GI. I will be using this as a guide, for the most part.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods
So I will be looking at the GI when choosing foods and the sugar level. I plan to eat less than 25 grams of sugar each day as suggested by the American Heart Association for women.
http://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-sugar-per-day/
I will be posting menus that I find, with their nutrition facts, and any progress that I notice in the next couple of days. Wish me luck!
I want to eat healthier because I want to feel better. I don't plan to lose weight, but I do hope to gain more energy and lose the sluggish feeling I have with my current diet.
For the next, however long I can hold out, I am going to try to reduce the amount of added sugar in my daily eating and focus on eating foods that have a lower Glycemic Index.
If you are unfamiliar, as I was until about 20 minutes ago, with what the GI (Glycemic Index) is and why it is important follow these links for more information.
This first link has information on what the glycemic index is, why it is important and how to use it. I plan to choose only foods, as much as possible, that have a glycemic index of less than 55, which is considered low. But especially none over 70, the high category.
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/glycemic-index-good-versus-bad-carbs
This link goes to Harvard Health and has a list of common foods and their GI. I will be using this as a guide, for the most part.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods
So I will be looking at the GI when choosing foods and the sugar level. I plan to eat less than 25 grams of sugar each day as suggested by the American Heart Association for women.
http://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-sugar-per-day/
I will be posting menus that I find, with their nutrition facts, and any progress that I notice in the next couple of days. Wish me luck!
Monday, January 26, 2015
When is it the right time?
This question I don't have an answer for. Specifically speaking, when is it the right time to tell someone about Christ?
The obvious answer would be immediately, but I don't think it is as simple as that. I feel as though each opportunity has its own timing, but how do you know when that is?
My husband and I have gotten to know a lady and her boyfriend over the past few months. Only seeing them occasionally, but we have invited them to our home twice. I still haven't said anything about what Christ has done for them, and that this gift is available for them. They do know that we are believers, at least I would hope so given our prayer times before meals, and that I am a Sunday School teacher. But is what we are doing enough?
To be hard on myself, I don't think that it is. I want to say something, but I also don't want them to think that I view them as a "project." Just another one of my to-dos on my list as a Christian. I want them to know that they are special to me, as my friends, and that I would regret it the rest of my life if I didn't share with them the One who makes my life worth while, the One I live for.
So is it as simple as that? Just putting my feelings out there, prepared for judgment, awkward silences and infamous line "I already know all about that." I wish that it was as easy as it looks on paper. I know it is a delicate balance between showing love and sharing the hope I have in Christ and having my audience accept it or coming across as holier than thou and having them reject it, and worse keep that opinion despite other Christian's efforts because I failed so miserably.
Have any of you gone through this predicament? If you are on the other side, did you share/not share, and what was their response? Any suggestions to make this end positively?
The obvious answer would be immediately, but I don't think it is as simple as that. I feel as though each opportunity has its own timing, but how do you know when that is?
My husband and I have gotten to know a lady and her boyfriend over the past few months. Only seeing them occasionally, but we have invited them to our home twice. I still haven't said anything about what Christ has done for them, and that this gift is available for them. They do know that we are believers, at least I would hope so given our prayer times before meals, and that I am a Sunday School teacher. But is what we are doing enough?
To be hard on myself, I don't think that it is. I want to say something, but I also don't want them to think that I view them as a "project." Just another one of my to-dos on my list as a Christian. I want them to know that they are special to me, as my friends, and that I would regret it the rest of my life if I didn't share with them the One who makes my life worth while, the One I live for.
So is it as simple as that? Just putting my feelings out there, prepared for judgment, awkward silences and infamous line "I already know all about that." I wish that it was as easy as it looks on paper. I know it is a delicate balance between showing love and sharing the hope I have in Christ and having my audience accept it or coming across as holier than thou and having them reject it, and worse keep that opinion despite other Christian's efforts because I failed so miserably.
Have any of you gone through this predicament? If you are on the other side, did you share/not share, and what was their response? Any suggestions to make this end positively?
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
What to do about Christmas
I have tried starting this blog post about half a dozen times and was never truly satisfied with how it was going. I continually deleted what I put down and rewrote the intro a couple of different ways. I was just about to give up. Mostly because I hate writing, it makes me feel like I assume I know more than others, which is far from the truth. But I really did want to finish this blog post, because I feel that this is important.
What do you teach your children about Christmas?
Without judgment, I do believe that parents have the right to teach their children traditions and beliefs as they see fit, as long as those don't harm others around them. But with that said I also believe that your children will be shaped not only by what you teach them, but also what others believe and will teach them, especially at school.
We have chosen to tell our children that Santa Claus is a fictitious character based on the real Saint Nicolas that lived a long time ago. Furthermore, we emphasize that Christmas is about Jesus birth and what that meant, and still means for the world.
This has caused a few issues here and there as our children have grown. "Deer in Headlights" faces and the blunt questions of why. A lot of harassment, joking and not, from fellow friends, family, and acquaintances, Christians and non Christians alike. But regardless of what other people have told my husband and I, their opinions on what we should do, it is still our decision and it is one that I am proud of as a parent. (Wow that sounds braggy) But the truth is, I am proud of the results of our teachings, which most people think is only the above statement about Santa, but in reality that isn't even close to it at all.
We don't actually talk about Santa that much, and when we do, I tell them that people still dress up like Santa, because they want to spread happiness and joy, and to remind us to be charitable and give to one another, just as God gave to us that first Christmas. That God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. That is what we focus on as a family.
And although most people focus on the Santa, and tease us about being "Santa-haters" which we never have claimed ourselves. We really don't need to worry about what other people think. It's about what God thinks. And I would like to share the words of my 6 year old's "Letter to Santa"
"The best Christmas ever: The best day of Christmas is Jesus. God sent his son, Jesus, and he loves us very much. Jesus was born in a barn and there were animals like sheep, cows, and the best gift of all is Jesus! God is the one who sent his son and Jesus loves us all."
Christmas to my family is more than traditions. I want my children to have something I didn't have when I was growing up. A relationship with the one true God, and their savior Jesus Christ.
What do you teach your children about Christmas?
Without judgment, I do believe that parents have the right to teach their children traditions and beliefs as they see fit, as long as those don't harm others around them. But with that said I also believe that your children will be shaped not only by what you teach them, but also what others believe and will teach them, especially at school.
We have chosen to tell our children that Santa Claus is a fictitious character based on the real Saint Nicolas that lived a long time ago. Furthermore, we emphasize that Christmas is about Jesus birth and what that meant, and still means for the world.
This has caused a few issues here and there as our children have grown. "Deer in Headlights" faces and the blunt questions of why. A lot of harassment, joking and not, from fellow friends, family, and acquaintances, Christians and non Christians alike. But regardless of what other people have told my husband and I, their opinions on what we should do, it is still our decision and it is one that I am proud of as a parent. (Wow that sounds braggy) But the truth is, I am proud of the results of our teachings, which most people think is only the above statement about Santa, but in reality that isn't even close to it at all.
We don't actually talk about Santa that much, and when we do, I tell them that people still dress up like Santa, because they want to spread happiness and joy, and to remind us to be charitable and give to one another, just as God gave to us that first Christmas. That God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. That is what we focus on as a family.
And although most people focus on the Santa, and tease us about being "Santa-haters" which we never have claimed ourselves. We really don't need to worry about what other people think. It's about what God thinks. And I would like to share the words of my 6 year old's "Letter to Santa"
"The best Christmas ever: The best day of Christmas is Jesus. God sent his son, Jesus, and he loves us very much. Jesus was born in a barn and there were animals like sheep, cows, and the best gift of all is Jesus! God is the one who sent his son and Jesus loves us all."
Christmas to my family is more than traditions. I want my children to have something I didn't have when I was growing up. A relationship with the one true God, and their savior Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Post
I have about a dozen rough drafts of various subjects in my blog, but I never finish them. I either feel like I sound way to pompous or I just can't express in words what I want to say.
This post isn't meant to express any opinion on any political issue but to perhaps address how we treat each other.
Christ calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Are we doing that when we treat people with a different lifestyle as if they are a leper? This can go any direction that you can image. Towards someone with less expensive clothes, hair unkempt, maybe smells, has the fanciest accessories, wears a lot of makeup, men with long hair, and the list goes on.
It even means treating homosexuals with love and kindness. You don't have to agree with someone's lifestyle in order to be kind to them. In fact, I think that is just the point. Let me tell you a recent story to hopefully let you know what I mean.
My husband and I were on vacation to Jamaica. On the plane from Miami, I noticed to ladies sitting next to each other in the first class part of the plane. They were obviously more than just friends. I didn't think much of it as we shuffled pass to get to our seat in coach. I also remember an older gentleman with long grey hair, another man of Mexican descent desperately trying to get his extremely large carryon into the overhead bin, and more. The point is that I remember lots of people from the plane. But I really remember the ladies, because we ended up taking the shuttle to the resort with them and being in the same waiting room with them and three other couples as we waited for them to get our paperwork in order and everything signed. We also ended up visiting with them, a couple of different times during our 6 night stay. They have four children and were from the New York area. They had a heavy accent, which I loved. Being from the Midwest and never traveling much it is always a treasure to hear another regions accent. One of them was brave enough to jump off a cliff on an excursion, the other was not so brave, but I almost blame my husband and I for scaring her as we met a man who jumped and bruised his legs severely. Overall they were a very nice couple, just like the many other couples that we met on our trip.
We tell stories of the other couples that we met on the trip. The first was from Conneticut and had children, another was just the two of them and she was a prosecuting attorney. We even met another gal with the same name as mine who was a newlywed from Texas. But we don't tell stories about the ladies. The reason is other people's reaction. Some don't even like being in the same area as a homosexual let alone have a conversation and get to know them. I am a firm Christian and I will not be taking any political stance because that isn't what this is about. It is about shining the love of Jesus on everyone for the whole world to see and obeying his command to love each other as we love ourselves. We never were given the opportunity to share the gospel with them, but sometimes that isn't God's plan. Sometimes we are just a glimpse at what a Christian life is, Love. Not hate or bias. Christ died for all of us and I want to keep the doors wide open for Christ to use me to spread that message. They will know that we are Christians by our LOVE.
This post isn't meant to express any opinion on any political issue but to perhaps address how we treat each other.
Christ calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Are we doing that when we treat people with a different lifestyle as if they are a leper? This can go any direction that you can image. Towards someone with less expensive clothes, hair unkempt, maybe smells, has the fanciest accessories, wears a lot of makeup, men with long hair, and the list goes on.
It even means treating homosexuals with love and kindness. You don't have to agree with someone's lifestyle in order to be kind to them. In fact, I think that is just the point. Let me tell you a recent story to hopefully let you know what I mean.
My husband and I were on vacation to Jamaica. On the plane from Miami, I noticed to ladies sitting next to each other in the first class part of the plane. They were obviously more than just friends. I didn't think much of it as we shuffled pass to get to our seat in coach. I also remember an older gentleman with long grey hair, another man of Mexican descent desperately trying to get his extremely large carryon into the overhead bin, and more. The point is that I remember lots of people from the plane. But I really remember the ladies, because we ended up taking the shuttle to the resort with them and being in the same waiting room with them and three other couples as we waited for them to get our paperwork in order and everything signed. We also ended up visiting with them, a couple of different times during our 6 night stay. They have four children and were from the New York area. They had a heavy accent, which I loved. Being from the Midwest and never traveling much it is always a treasure to hear another regions accent. One of them was brave enough to jump off a cliff on an excursion, the other was not so brave, but I almost blame my husband and I for scaring her as we met a man who jumped and bruised his legs severely. Overall they were a very nice couple, just like the many other couples that we met on our trip.
We tell stories of the other couples that we met on the trip. The first was from Conneticut and had children, another was just the two of them and she was a prosecuting attorney. We even met another gal with the same name as mine who was a newlywed from Texas. But we don't tell stories about the ladies. The reason is other people's reaction. Some don't even like being in the same area as a homosexual let alone have a conversation and get to know them. I am a firm Christian and I will not be taking any political stance because that isn't what this is about. It is about shining the love of Jesus on everyone for the whole world to see and obeying his command to love each other as we love ourselves. We never were given the opportunity to share the gospel with them, but sometimes that isn't God's plan. Sometimes we are just a glimpse at what a Christian life is, Love. Not hate or bias. Christ died for all of us and I want to keep the doors wide open for Christ to use me to spread that message. They will know that we are Christians by our LOVE.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
We did it!
We are not a special couple and what we have accomplished, many have done and will also do. It isn't the goal of life, but it was a goal of ours. We are out of house debt. This little beauty is all ours, less the taxes we will owe each year and the endless repairs, upgrades, and changes we will make in the years to come. But let's not focus on all the negative, rather the positive. We no longer will have to pay a house payment.
I know that this goal seems so far off for many people, and honestly it should. A house purchase is a huge investment, usually the biggest that we will make in our lives. So how were we able to do it at such a young age (I am 26)?
Here are some of the key defining factors as to how this was possible. All were a gift from God and without His help and guidance, honestly it wouldn't have become a reality.
1. We sold two homes already in our life time, both of which we walked away with a fair amount of cash from. This was possible because we continually upgrade, and renovate our homes, doing the work ourselves saved a ton of money that we were able to pocket when the house sold.
2. Our current home purchase price was probably less than a 1/3 of what we could afford according to the bank, who doesn't really care if you are stuck with that "affordable" payment for the next 30 years of your life.
3. Cheaper home=cheaper taxes every year. This payment to the local government never goes away and we were well aware of that when choosing this home.
4. I decided to become a stay at home mom, so we decided to cut our costs. The house was the only thing that would actually make a difference if we could reduce that. So we purchased a cheaper home. It would not be paid off however, if that was all that happened, at least not this fast, it would have taken another 2 years or so. But my husband obtained a better paying job. (more on this the next point)
5. My husband has a better paying job now. We still live off of his previous income. That means we don't spend more than we did before. The extra money we put towards savings and debt reduction.
There is more, but I will detail that later and include our monthly budget as well.
I know that this goal seems so far off for many people, and honestly it should. A house purchase is a huge investment, usually the biggest that we will make in our lives. So how were we able to do it at such a young age (I am 26)?
Here are some of the key defining factors as to how this was possible. All were a gift from God and without His help and guidance, honestly it wouldn't have become a reality.
1. We sold two homes already in our life time, both of which we walked away with a fair amount of cash from. This was possible because we continually upgrade, and renovate our homes, doing the work ourselves saved a ton of money that we were able to pocket when the house sold.
2. Our current home purchase price was probably less than a 1/3 of what we could afford according to the bank, who doesn't really care if you are stuck with that "affordable" payment for the next 30 years of your life.
3. Cheaper home=cheaper taxes every year. This payment to the local government never goes away and we were well aware of that when choosing this home.
4. I decided to become a stay at home mom, so we decided to cut our costs. The house was the only thing that would actually make a difference if we could reduce that. So we purchased a cheaper home. It would not be paid off however, if that was all that happened, at least not this fast, it would have taken another 2 years or so. But my husband obtained a better paying job. (more on this the next point)
5. My husband has a better paying job now. We still live off of his previous income. That means we don't spend more than we did before. The extra money we put towards savings and debt reduction.
There is more, but I will detail that later and include our monthly budget as well.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)