Healthy Food Discoveries!

During the past week, I have come across a couple of really great foods that are good for you in several ways. The first is Kashi Go Lean cereal. I've always heard about Kashi but never tried it until now. I love it! With only one gram of fat and 140 calories for a one cup serving, it tastes wonderful and also gives you 10 grams of fiber. What a great way to stay full and give your body what it needs.

The second item is Newman's Own Organic Coffee. My grocery store was out of my usual coffee, but just started carrying Newman's Own. They have partnered with Green Mountain Coffee to make this incredible java. I have the Nell's Breakfast Blend, which is perfect to keep this writer's brain going all day! There are several other varieties to choose from as well, to suit your particular tastes. And on top of that, Newman's Own gives a portion of the money to charity from your purchase...so you are not only helping yourself, but other people around the world.

As I try different products, I will let you know what I think about them. Also, if you know of any great healthy or organic products, please leave a comment so we can all give them a try. Here's to our health!

Back on Track

What a crazy week last week! From all of the celebrities we grew up with that died too soon, to my High School Reunion, it was a whirlwind. I will say this...I am so thankful to God that he got me through this past week without gaining any weight! I got on the scale Monday morning, fully expecting to see a number I didn't want to see. I weighed exactly the same as the Monday before! Even with all of the celebrating over the weekend, I must have done something right.

Of course, this does not mean that if I keep partying like that I will continue to maintain my weight. Besides, I need to lose, not maintain. I appreciate the fact that I'm not starting back up again further in the hole...but now it's time to really take charge!

I'm always inspired by the Biggest Loser contestants, but now I am also motivated by a new group of wonderful people as well. Oxygen has a new show called Dance Your A** Off, which combines all of my favorite elements. It's Biggest Loser meets So You Think You Can Dance, so it is must see TV for me! They even have Dr. H from BL to guide them on their journey. I write about the show for Ballroom Dance Channel, but I would be watching no matter what...it's that great! While I watched it the first time I was writing, but the second time through I just danced right along with the contestants in front of my TV.

As for my eating, Monday I started back to the healthy stuff. When I went this morning to pick up a prescription, I stocked up on my favorite Fage Greek Yogurt and Organic Starbucks Coffee. (Bonus: the coffee was on sale and I saved $1.50 on it!!!) I'm drinking a lot more water again and making sure I get more produce into my diet. I plan to finally make a trip to the Trader Joe's that is 15 minutes from my house, so I'll fill you in on that when I go there. I hear so many great things about that store from several reliable sources.

It feels awesome to be back on track, and I really do feel better when I eat the right foods. Never ever give up...and whatever you do, KEEP ON DANCING!!!

When I Ruled The World

Thank you to Coldplay for letting me borrow a line from "Viva La Vida"...it was just too appropriate for this post. Whenever I hear that song I think back to a time when I thought I ruled the world, or least that the world did not rule me.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this journey, I lost 65 pounds not too long after I graduated from high school. I really was on top of the world. No longer did I hear "such a pretty face", I just heard pretty or beautiful without any conditions attached to it. I could wear any style of clothing that I wanted, and high heels did not bother me because I did not have as much weight to balance on them anymore. I got a lot done, both things that needed to get done and things I've always wanted to try...all because I had more energy and confidence in myself.

Now, what 19 year old female would not enjoy all of the compliments and attention? I know I loved it - I am human after all. I've always known that there is more to a person than his or her outer shell, but when you're used to being ignored because of your size, it sure feels good to hear something so positive, even if it's about something as shallow as looks.

Many things have happened in my life since then, just as I know that a lot has happened to all of you over time as well. This time losing the weight is about more than just looking good in clothes, although I will be very happy about that! We are all beautiful no matter what our size, and what matters the most is our health. This time it's about doing the right things for my body, first and foremost.

This is why finding out about the things that I've been putting into my body is such an eye opener. Chemicals and preservatives in our food, medicines, and household items have been taking a toll on health...not only weight, but other conditions too. I told you about the yogurt yesterday, now I've tried the organic coffee. It tastes just as wonderful as the other coffee. I still have to make sure I don't drink more than 2 cups of it because of the caffeine, but at least I'm not throwing hazardous and unnecessary chemicals down my throat now. It was also a very pleasant surprise that Starbucks organic coffee is the same price as their other coffees, at least at the store I shopped at on Friday!

If all of us take charge of our health and well-being, it will make a huge difference in our lives and the lives of our family and friends. With God's help, we can all rule the world...together!

Marie :o)

I Tried It...And Loved It!

I've heard from a few of my friends how great this stuff is, but I'd been putting off even the thought of trying it. It's a little more expensive than what I normally buy, so with our tight budget I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the extra dough. (I just had to say dough, didn't I...I have to stop thinking about those refined carbs!)

I went to my grocery store, and once I stocked up on my produce I headed right for the organic section. There it was...Fage, which is Greek yogurt without all of the chemicals in regular yogurt that our bodies don't need. It was even on sale! Granted, it was still more expensive than other yogurts, but the sale price gave me an extra push to go ahead and try it. I bought two. I also bought organic Starbucks coffee, which was not any more expensive than their other coffees. I am currently drinking the last couple cups of the coffee I already had at home, so I will let you know tomorrow how the new coffee tastes. (And yes Jillian...I will be done with my caffeine before noon!)

After my son's baseball practice we came home and I got out a carton of Fage. I took a taste, and it was a shock at first. No sugar or artificial sweeteners, so it was definitely not a sweet flavor. It was good though, and very thick and rich. I sliced up some strawberries and added them to the Fage, along with some cinnamon for flavoring. (No sugar, just straight cinnamon out of the jar.) It was so delicious and extremely filling!

The way I see it, Fage is worth the extra cost, because after I ate the other yogurts I was always still starving, even if I paired it with a piece of fruit. This way I will not need to add more to my snack and it will save money in the long run. Besides, it will cut down on my sugar consumption and help eliminate the artificial sweeteners from my diet that have been making me feel so crappy. I can't wait to try some of the other ideas my friends have come up with for their Fage snacks! If you eat Fage and have any ideas, I would be grateful if you would share them here with me.

I ate really well yesterday and got my exercise in...so happy I've rekindled my love affair with my step. No more playing cards on it; I've got to treat my baby right! Let's all keep positive no matter what life throws at us. God made us all, and He has given us the strength to do everything we need to do. Keep the faith...I know I am!