Beautiful People...

Love this quote that I read on my friend Stephanie McLawhorns Facebook page and had to share....

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. -- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Be Beautiful!
J-Tru

The "Perfect" Life

Lately I have been thinking about my life and how it really is "perfect". I have a wonderful family who is supportive of everything I do. I have a fantastic husband who encourages me on a daily basis to be me and to not let anyone bring me down. I have amazing in-laws who accept me as I am, even though I am a Clemson fan :O). I have terrific friends who are always there for me even if we haven't talked in ages. I have a Christ-centered Church family that lift me up through words, thoughtful gestures, and simple cards. So to me that is "perfect".

I am not saying that I don't have issues that arise but to me the most important thing is that I look at the positive side and not dwell on the negatives. Yes, we have bills to pay but is that going to keep me from enjoying fun things? NO! Yes we have stress but does that make me Mrs. ILL-PANTS all the time? NO! There are always worries about the future but do I let that keep me from enjoying the present? NO! I don't want to be so caught up in all the worries of life or stresses of life that I forget to enjoy my life. I don't want to be the one who is always negative or posting "woe is me" status messages on Facebook (and no I am not saying that I have never had one of those moments!). I mean who really wants to read (or stalk) peoples Facebook pages if they are ALWAYS being negative Nellie's!!!--Not this kid!! I want to be uplifted by people and at times when I ready those negative updates, it really makes me wonder if they are doing this to get attention or if there is truly some deep down issue that they are not dealing with appropriately. ***If you have an issue get professional help, that is why they are there!!!!***

Ok enough of my preaching....was I on my soap box?? YES! So overall, I think my life is perfect. I wouldn't want to trade lives with anyone for one minute. I enjoy the struggles I have b/c I grow and learn from them but I also enjoy the absolute days of JOY b/c I know that the SON is shining on me and that is all that matters.

So, don't dwell on the negative or you will never be happy with your "perfect" life!!!

J-Tru

Snack Attack--Weigh In :O)

This week at WW we talked about snacks that we eat to help us get from one meal to the next. My new favorite is 1tbsp of peanut butter with an apple. I cut it up into disks and then smear the pb on it. SO delicious. The crunch of the sweet apple with the peanut butter is the perfect snack to hold me over. In fact this past Saturday, it was my lunch time meal. It was refreshing and filling--of course i had two tbsp and two apples for that meal. Some other snacks the members suggested were the Fiber One brand granola bars and brownies. Don't get me wrong I love Fiber One but they are addicting and if you eat too many---you erupt!!!! Another suggestion was yogurt and one man in the meeting stated he has a turkey sausage and smears mustard on it for his snack, and its only three points!!!

This week I was DOWN 2.8 pounds for a total of 58.8 pounds gone!!! My goal of 75 pounds by November is getting closer and closer into reach. I keep thinking about how much my health is improving and how much better I feel, not only physically but also mentally. I feel that I look better and this helps with self-confidence. Not that I have struggled with that but when you are heavier people do look at you differently and for me that is not fair. I hope to not judge others by their appearance but to accept everyone for the differences--after all God is the one who made us all and He makes no mistakes!!!

So what are you favorite healthy snacks??

Keep pressing on!
J-Tru



This just in: I was reading my friend Mandy's blog and she had a link to the saltiest foods....check it out. Some may be surprising!!!

was i born fat? OR was i born skinny?

Its no secret that I have decided to make a change in my diet and start eating better plus exercising. Why am I doing this?? Well the answer is b/c I want to be healthy. This got me thinking the other day, was i born with a fat gene?? Was I predestined to be overweight?? The answer is NO! While eating lunch one day this past week I picked up The Elgin News from August 4, 2011. In this little paper was a fantastic article by Dr. Chester Ferguson. In the article he stated that " our genes contain the predetermined code that is built into all living things. This code does determine to a large degree our health potential but not necessarily our outcome." I think this is where people get the idea that they are born to be fat. But the truth to that is that people use it to justify their poor family health history or their own poor nutrition choices. In the article, Dr. Ferguson uses this as an example: " All living things have what we call limits of matter. This simple means that a person with one kidney may not be as healthy as a person with two kidneys or will certainly have some limitations but they can reach 100% of the maximum potential for a person with one kidney." So with that stated, no matter what your family health history or genetics YOU have the choice to either meet your maximum health potential or not. To meet your potential you may need to exercise, eat nutritional meals, and take a look at your stress levels. It is our responsibility to make GOOD choices. You don't have to give up chocolate cake or ranch dressing BUT you did need to have them in moderation. Don't eat chocolate cake every day or pour two cups of ranch dressing on your salad. So was I born fat? No, but I did make the decision to eat what I ate and am now working to reverse that. Eating well balanced meals and exercising is the BEST way to combat obesity and I am going to win this battle.

Never Giving Up!!
J-Tru


The Elgin News, August 4, 2011, Does What I Eat Really Matter, Dr. Charles Ferguson

We are Foodies...

It is not secret that Rob and I love to eat. We like to eat out often but we do save some money eating at home. I have decided that we are going to spice up our meals--chicken, chicken, and more chicken- by trying new recipes. So if you have any that you love please pass the along.

The first one we are trying is Pork Chops with Salsa Beans. This recipe was emailed to me by Pillsbury so I thought we should try it for Sunday Lunch. Here is the recipe....

2 pork chops 1/2 inch thick (it called for bone in but we prefer boneless so that is what we used)
1/2 teaspoon peppered season salt
1/2 cup Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Niblets Frozen Corn
1/4 cup Old El Paso Salsa
1 can (8oz) baked beans (undrained)

Heat a skillet over Medium Heat. Sprinkle chops with peppered season salt; place in skillet. Cook 2 to 4 minutes or until browned on both sides.
In a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker, mix corn, salsa and beans. Top with pork chops, overlapping as needed and pressing gently into bean mixture.
Cover, cook on low setting 4 to 5 hours.

We doubled the recipe and it cooked in the same amount of time. The dish was very good. We loved the flavors.

Enjoy!
J-Tru

Roddys First Vet Visit

Rob and I got up early on Saturday to take Roddy to his first vet appointment at Carolina Veterinary Practice in Oburg. We were told about them from Robs aunt and uncle. We headed over and of course our little one had no clue what he was in for. He was in his crate for the 6 minute drive and whined the whole time. I complete the paperwork and then it was time to meet the doctor. We met the doctor and he was super nice, so was the assistant. We told him about Roddy and then it was time to get the shots and other info. Roddy was given one shot and also a dose of de-wormer/hartguard protection. He had a fecal specimen taken as well and he didnt even whimper. He was a trooper. Roddy was calm once the doc had completed the exam and he wanted to snuggle with mom. He did get his nails trimmed and that was the only time he whimpered b/c one was cut to close. They assistant whisked him to the back of the office and fixed him up. He was weighed and came out at 4.6 pounds. Rob thought he was 7 pounds but he is still a little guy.

We brought him home and he layed on me the rest of the day. He was sore from his shot but after a few hours of loving from mom and dad he was back to his playful and chipper self.

We love him so much :O)
J-Tru

Got another 5 pound STAR!!!

WHOA its already AUGUST!!!! That is absolutely insane that we are in the eighth month of 2011. Today was the first day at the new weight watchers location in Camden. I arrived and told my cousin, Carla, that I wasn't sure if I wanted to weight today but I did it anyway. I was hoping for at least .6 pounds to get me to 55 pounds BUT I lost 1.6 pounds and now have lost 56 pounds!!! That is right folks I am inching closer and closer to 75 pounds!!!! I am excited to see the changes in my body and also love feeling much better--healthy is the main goal for me!

My goal this week is to step up on my exercise when I am able to get to the gym. I have two days where I wont be able to get to the gym this week so I am also going to watch my food intake very closely.

Enjoy your food!
J-Tru