Easter Pasha (S)

Calling all Nordics! THM'fied Pasha is here! Okay, a day late -but it's here! You got like 2 days to make this, devour it and call it Easter. This is the ultimate Easter dessert! Well, at least in Finland. Here we go,

You'll need

• 1.5 sticks of butter
• 2/3C Gentle Sweet
• 1 egg
• 2 1/4C Greek Yoghurt/Qwark
• 3/4C whipping/heavy cream
• 2-4T sultanas/diced apricots (if you don't mind going over to the XO'r, then don't shy away)
• 4T almond slices or slivers
• juice of 1 lemon (I also added a few drops of doTERRA Wild Orange Essential Oil)
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1-2t vanilla extract
• fine mesh sieve or bonus points if you have the traditional "pasha mold". (I obviously didn't!)
• muslin/cheese cloth

Instructions

1. Whisk together butter and Gentle Sweet. 
2. Add egg, yoghurt and cream. Whisk for 1 or 2 more minutes. 
   
3. Pour into a pot and turn the stove to medium LOW -do not boil!
4. Heat and keep stirring until the mixture loosens up and begins to steam. Make sure you don't simmer or boil, else it will separate. This process usually takes about 5 minutes. 
   
5. Zest the lemon in and add the vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool an hour or 2.
6. Add the almonds, sultanas and lemon juice. 
   
7. Line the sieve with the cheese cloth/muslin, and pour the mixture in. Cover it gently with the cloth and rest the sieve in a large bowl. Place the bowl into the fridge over night and unravel the next day. 
   
8. Flip onto a serving plate and decorate with fresh berries or more sultanas. I used dried apricots. 
   
   
   
   

So this is my "little bit of Finland" during every Easter. I have let go of many traditions to save my sanity, but this is something I can easily keep and my family doesn't mind at all.

I brought this dish over to our friends today and within minutes this dessert was devoured and the plate licked, if I hadn't interfered. Ha!

Let me know what you think if you do decide to give it a go :) Oh, and some of you might notice the spelling differs from what you're used to or may disagree with the origin of Pasha... who cares! More power to you! It's a yummy dish, am I right or am I right?

Blessings!

Do check out my recipes on HolyTempleUnderRenovation
HERE

If you need to order THM products, use my affiliate link HERE Thank you for supporting my family!

Irish Soda Bread -Crossover (Trim Healthy Mama)

This week I have been teaching the kids about St. Patrick and Ireland. Irish Soda Bread is kind of like a must have, I guess LOL. I probably could have made it into an "S" meal, but I decided not to bother but still make a recipe that was compliant to the plan. 

So here it is! Our very first, GLUTEN FREE Irish Soda Bread -THM Crossover... *drum rolling*...

Ta-daa!!!!

It was so yummy, especially smothered in butter! :)

Ingredients:

• 2C Baking Blend
• 1 1/2t Baking Powder
• 1t Baking Soda
• 1t Salt
• 2t Xantham Gum
• 1 stick/ 1/2C Butter (room temperature)
• 2 Eggs
• 3/4C Almond Milk (unsweetened)
• 1t Lemon juice
• 2T Raw Honey
• 1C Currants or Cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees.
2. Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately and then combine and beat on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined. Do not over mix.
3. Dump the dough onto a baking stone. Shape it and cut an X across it.
4. Bake for 30-40 Minutes until a knife comes out clean. 

Follow me on Instagram @trimhealthycathy for encouraging and inspiring meal ideas!

To support me and my family, use my affiliate link HERE to purchase your Trim Healthy Mama products. Very much appreciated!!!

My trim Healthy Mama SCALE Victory So Far.

SO, I've posted about my NSV's (non scale victories) quite a bit. The reason I have not posted about my SCALE victories is because I have had the hardest time finding any before photos of myself at my heaviest. I look at the pictures from last year and it seems that any picture that I'm in, I'm either hiding behind something or someone and my camera angle is deceiving. Understandably, I'm guessing! I didn't want to be "seen".

These "before" pictures are not from when I was my heaviest, but they're "up" there, so they'll have to do.

My starting weight was around 245 lb 2015

My current weight is 192 lb

(Do note: I'm 5'8/ 171cm tall)

These photos were taken late August 2015

And now the photos from today...

Sorry for the extremely dirty mirror. Oh what joy is it to have little sticky hands, a.k.a CHILDREN!

I have a long way to go, but I'm midpoint! Another 20 to 50 lb, I'll take whatever :)

My top 10 THM products that I can't live without.

The link below is my affiliate link. If you choose to order through it, thank you a million! If you do not, no worries! However, I do encourage you to try the Trim Healthy Mama plan out, regardless of whether you can purchase the brand name products or not. There are many other brands at your local health food/Walmart even, that sell them.

1. Collagen. Integral Collagen is a pure protein powder for health and beauty as well as yummy food creations. From the grasslands of Argentina and Brazil, 
   bovine Integral Collagen is pork free and processed with integrity. It dissolves easily in liquid with no blending required and is completely tasteless. This makes it the perfect choice to swirl into Greek yogurt or pour into your hot tea for a nutritional overhaul.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg's)
3. Gentle Sweet. Having trouble adjusting to the taste of Stevia? Sweeten those “hard to get right” treats with Gentle Sweet and you can bank on the “yum!”  word passing your lips. The Trim Healthy Mama community fell in love with our pure Stevia extract and Super Sweet Blend, but some of you kept begging us for a sweetener that popped like pure sugar itself. Gentle Sweet blend has a cotton candy taste but won’t mess with your blood sugar.
4. MCT Oil. This is the ultimate “trimmifying” oil, with 100% Medium Chain 
   Trglycerides that boost your metabolism life rocket fuel. MCT Oil has 
   become the delicious and multi-talented dietary BFF of Trim Healthy 
   Mamas all over the globe. Its succulent silky texture and neutral taste 
   make it perfect to whip into your morning coffees that we call 
   “Trimmies” and to drizzle over large leafy salads topped with protein. 
   It delivers a very fatty mouth feel but provides the fewest calories of 
   any oil!
5. Miracle Noodles. Not-Naughty-Noodles contains 6g fiber, which is known to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels as a part of a healthy diet. They are made from Japanese Konjac Root which is one of the most alkalizing foods found in nature (even higher than green super foods). Konjac Root fiber is known as Glucomannan and is both a powerful colon cleanser and detox aid. Glucomannan is a healthy alternative to processed flours. Unlike other noodles that explode the fat cells, Not-Naughty-Noodles make fat scram. So twirl them on your fork and indulge heartily.
6. Oolong Tea. Oolong tea is 100% natural, fat-free, calorie-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and preservative-free. So feel free to sip your way to increased vitality and better health. Keep on sipping for all the many benefits it offers. But above all… drink it because it’s delicious. Either in The Shrinker or just as an iced or hot tea. It harmonizes beautifully with a Doonk of Trim Healthy Mama Stevia Extract.
7. Sunflower Lecithin. Lecithin is not a weird defangled man made substance. It is a powerful 
   brain food. Did you know that approximately 1/3 of your brain is made 
   from lecithin? When you include lecithin in your diet, you are 
   nourishing your brain and helping to support your nervous system. 
   Lecithin is a historical superfood that is making a comeback from the 
   source of sunflower seeds. Trim Healthy Mama Sunflower Lecithin is pure,
   soy-free and does not contain any GMO’s.
8. Nutritional Yeast.
9. Baking Blend. You can totally make this from scratch, like I do, but when I can afford it, I buy it. Finally a gluten-free, low glycemic baking mix that isn’t excessively loaded with fuel. Our blend also contains disease-fighting lignans and satisfies any hungry tummy with large amounts of insoluble fiber.
10. Troodle, Noodle Maker. What on earth is a Troodle? It’s a magic little gadget that makes your 
    noodles trimming! Yup, this Mama toy can twist out trimming noodles in a
    couple of minutes. Waist whittling pasta can be twisted on your fork 
    tonight for dinner. Try it… it turns kitchen work into play. Say goodbye
    to fattening noodles and welcome Troodles into your life.

To order yours, go to Cathy's Affiliate Link.

Eating Trim Health Mama Way, Ethically. Possible?

The Trim Healthy Mama Plan is amazing! It's biblical, it caters for all individuals. It works. It's been a blessing to me for the past 6 months. I've had about 20 victories with the THM plan and I can't hype about it enough HERE and HERE. I love THM!

At first our dishes were loaded with dairy products. The THM book recommends to eat the "full fat cream" and "butter" and enjoy the "cheese" for they are approved foods. The book even quoted "Abraham's encounter with the angels: He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

" and other scripture where it clearly reads that dairy was consumed etc. 

So, my conscience has been bugging me about the grain fed, GMO fed, caged and mistreated animals, which lead me onto a mission to buy more organic and trust that making these healthy egological changes, god would provide us the means. It happened, we've managed to buy organic grass fed beef, homestead organic eggs, and organic cheese etc. Great, right!? Well there is more. Sadly.

After stumbling across a short clip of how dairy cows are impregnated and separated from their babies right after birth, over and over again, just for our dairy "needs"?

This picture got to me. I have a baby. I know that we differ from the animals, and have been given "stewardship" over them, but I do not believe in exploiting them. 

What else did I come across?

This... the milk, that have the "cow growth hormone" is not allowed for her, but taken -for us.

and...

this. Is this ethical?

I ended up doing my own research and contacting a few local organic farms to find the "ethical farm" that would not do such an inhumane thing as separating a baby calf from it's mother immediately after birth... surely?? 

Unfortunately, I have yet to find one :( 

What I did find, I am struggling with. It made me question my family's diet and where we buy our foods from. I have gone back and forth with scripture... "He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree"... what about the exploitation of dairy cows..what am I supposed to do.. now that I know. But now I know. Now, I know. How do I move forward with the information, conviction, guilt and trust the Word??

Just to dissect the scripture a little the lay man way, before I talk about my ideal way of raising dairy cows -

He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, -stop here! He brought these to ANGELS. Not, billy and Jane next door, but to divine angels. Angels! Did the cow just give birth to a calf that didn't make it? Was this an unfortunate birth that ended sadly, and nothing was wasted? Was the cow milked and the milk made into butter. Was this a special treat, a special "angelic treat"? I wonder if back then, dairy and cheese and butter was such a special food, that only happened once in a while? Was it reserved for guests of honour, weddings or such? It makes me think. Okay let's move on, .."and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree". He obviously didn't eat it himself. Interesting...? Any thoughts?


So what is my ideal dairy cow farming? I am not sure, I guess I am still thinking through it, but let's dream a little. :) (I know farm life, so I won't go into all the details of water expense, the labour etc) Firstly, I don't think we ought to be consuming so much dairy in the first place. (Then the second part, seems to be more realistic) Secondly, I think a neighborhood should share a cow. "Cowshare". Let's pretend I have a homestead, mostly "plant based" homestead. I got myself a dairy cow, her name is Bessie. Bessie is a sweet cow, she grazes all day and fertilizes the ground for the next years crop. She is expecting:) (naturally) yay! Our kids are super stoked to "baby" Bessie's calf. She is so adorable. She is nursing well and is playful. It's so lovely to see them bond! There is our window to milk Bessie in between her feeds with her baby. We get enough milk for homemade cheese and perhaps some fresh milk. Maybe we can make clotted cream for our homemade scones, and any other special dairy treat that we've been craving for :) buttermilk, kefir, etc? Lovely! Bessie's babe is growing well, everything is well at the homestead. It's just like "Little House On The Prairie" where these special foods are not taken for granted. they feed our tummies and our souls, oh how do we appreciate Bessie's dairy! One day, unfortunately Bessie for one or another reason has to be put down. She served us well, we appreciate her, we love her and "wish her well". Her meat nourishes us for quite some time, her bones are made into broth, her blood nourishes the land and her hide is put to good use. She is not wasted, and her beautiful creation, "baby Bessie" takes her place on our homestead. SO the cycle starts all over again.

Yes I know, that sounded like a fairy tale and that there is so much "more" to having a dairy cow... I know. But this is MY daydream. This dream is the "ethical" that is missing in my "organic". 

SO, how am I going to keep on following the THM plan according to my convictions?

• I am going to have to give up or eat very little dairy. I will have to hunt for dairy free options and be on a mission to eventually find my "ethical farm". I am sure He will provide. Until then, I hear great things about "goat's milk" and their "baby breaks". maybe I'll develop a taste for goat's yoghurt and cheese? (we haven't drank dairy milk in 7 years anyway)
• Increase protein and calcium rich plant based food in our diets.
• Keep moving forward with buying more organic vegetables, eggs and meat. (I have my "dealers" I know where my eggs and beef come from)
• Eat less meat.
• Grow our own urban vegetable garden, and teach my kids how to also.
• Keep doing the THM plan like normal. I mean, it's possible, there are a lot of people out there allergic to dairy! It can be done.

So, for those who also struggle with this, put it out there, God knows where you're at, He will meet you THERE. He loves to provide. LOVES. There is nothing wrong with going "ethical", but there is something wrong with going against YOUR convictions. Pray about it, ask Him to take them away if they're not from Him, or to give you options if they are.

Let me know what your thoughts are??

**I am not looking to debate, any negative comments will not be published**

My THM (Trim Healthy Mama) Non Scale Victories 2

I listed 15 NSV's HERE, and here are a few more... How exciting, this never gets old!!!

(pulled Chicken, spinach, Nando's hot sauce on Wonder Wraps and cilantro)

1) Yearly check up at the dentist. Zero cavities. Nada. Zip. Wow. That saves money, now doesn't it?? I'm wondering if all that ACV did the trick? Any thoughts?

(GGMS)

2) Feeling really good about the "bedroom" and hubby :) As another fellow THM buddy puts it "BOW CHICKA WOW WOW!" He he 

(Ezekiel Sandwiches)

3) My skin, especially on my heels are not dry, or cracked. This time of year... -weird! 

(My E-day breakfast: Collagen loaded creamy oats, GGMS and a stirred MCT oil collagen coffee)

4) I can think more clearly, and prepping and planning are running a lot smoother than before. Homeschooling has come up from its "lul" and we're on the way up again. Thankfully, I am motivated and inspired again. I think more clearly and not overwhelmed with 4 kids, homeschool, house work, me time, hubby and me time, outdoors time, and every other errand that you can think of. I feel like I have it "under control". This is BIG for me. I'm sure that my brain is being fed good omegas, proper nutrition, the lot. I am happy.

(fuel cycle week 2)

5) More energy than before. I have been working out at home during the days, and feeling energized and positive. I am currently doing the 12 week MUTUSystem online. It's so so so worth it. I am hyped up about it :)

(Chicken-Avocado on "troodles")

6) Lost 7 lb last week. Oh yeah. Fuel cycle week 1 took me down 7 lb. I am 6 days away from finishing week 2. I am wondering if I will enter the 180's. Last week I went down from 201 to 194. My over all starting weight was 245/250, for those who do not know. My desire would be 140-150 lb. But who knows what I'll end up weighing. I am just enjoying all these NSV's along the way :) So motivating and inspiring! 

(Fuel Pull-day lunch: Wonder Wrap Tacos)

I found an ethical grass fed, beef farm that delivers, and a local organic, free range egg dealer lol YAY! I will be making a grass fed, cheese order next payday. I can't wait!!I have been very much convicted of the way our meat and animal products are raised and produced. I believe with all my heart that if we move towards ethical and organic produce, that God WILL provide. He loves to provide. We were called to be good stewards of everything He has given us. Let's not turn a blind eye to how the meat industry is treating our animals and what chemicals are being sprayed onto our produce. I know that the THM plan approves all foods, but I am convicted not to let ill-treated foods hit my plate, or my family's plate. Anyone else feel this way??

(I still can't get over this)

7) Besides my skin looking amazing, besides one little pimple -my body is changing shape, my hair is shiny and my mood is a lot better. Here's to 2016, "the year of change" in all ways possible!

(My favourite breakfast these days)

Let me know what your NSV's are, if you're on the THM plan? I would love to hear more! 

Follow me on Facebook! Everyday, I post about all the THM buddies around the world and their victories. Click HERE -remember to like my page! :) Thanks!!!!

To support my family please consider purchasing your THM products through my affiliate link HERE. It's much needed and appreciated :)!

Follow my meals and weightloss on instagram @trimhealthycathy :) see you there!

The Struggle Is Real -2016

I know that women in developing countries have serious struggles of their own, but can you imagine what our struggles might look like in their eyes?

• Having to endlessly pick up after our kids around the house, I can't take it!
• You can't find your shoes, where are your socks??!
• I'm having to trip over stuff to get to where I am going!
• The sink is overflowing of dishes, again.
• This (food) is out of date, ugh!  my life is so hard!
• The laundry just keeps on piling, I can't keep up with it..:(
• Who left all of the books strewn all over the floor, -pick them up!!?
• It's been nonstop all day for me, I just need to take a bath.

I could go on and on with our "struggles" but the more I think about it, the more ashamed I am. Oh the guilt! So, I'm turning my shame into motivation to seriously purge my home.

I feel like I'm always purging my home. Is it just me or does anyone else seem to be donating boxes or bags of stuff after a huge purging episode?? I swear, the enemy knows my weaknesses. After 8 bags of purging, feeling that much lighter and free, someone brings me boxes of hand me downs of stuff. The hoarder within me, says "yeah, sure I'll have a look!" and guess what, EVERYTHING has potential. I should learn. If I can't see it, I won't miss it and even if I see it, I probably will not miss it. A fact.

How then do I de-itemize my home for good and is "for good" even a realistic expectation? Looking up at those struggles listed, could I swap those struggles for things that matter eternally? Let me break them down for us.

1. Having to endlessly pick up after our kids around the house, I can't take it! Our homes in westernized countries are so full of stufffffff. We think we need it, we hoard it, we save it, stack it, storage it and we keep accumulating more stuff. I cannot even wrap my head around the sum of $$ we would save, if we were not so easily swept away with things. The things we buy, we end up purging anyway sooner or later. The things we own, end up binding us, they end up owning us in one way or another. We lose precious time for instance, we become around the clock cleaners, maintainers, and hunters (hunts for the missing {insert here}!).. It robs us from time for ourselves, as mothers. Our kids go to bed and you have so much to prep for in order to survive the next day, and then you're done for the day. Would you not want to curl up and read your favourite book? Read those blog posts that you bookmarked for a quiet moment? Could this be your quiet moment, where you work on a project you've been thinking about for months? Does motherhood and you time have to be a balancing act? Can it not just be the journey you are on and there is no seperation of the two? How would it be, if instead of STRIVING, we could be THRIVING in the coming days? Would the shouts and arguments over toys scattered around the home be swapped into talks and cuddles and outdoor walks? What steps must we take, in today's society and the areas we live in to make this a reality? 
2. You can't find your shoes, where are your socks!? How many pairs of shoes does one child, never mind woman have? YES, there can be too many shoes. This is a nuisance in my home. My kids never seem to find their shoes, always one shoe missing. I see them trying to leave the house with sandals in the middle of winter, and it drives me bonkers! "Where are your shoes?!" How many pairs do kids need, as they are growing up fast anyway, and don't get a chance to enjoy them long enough? A few "shoe cultures" I admire are the Finnish and Koreans. Finns never walk inside the home with their shoes on and leave them beside the front door. Koreans always seem to take their shoes off in the most respectful way possible. Say what? Yes, have you ever seen anyone place their shoes away in such a symmetrical manner, I have! Koreans :) If I had the shoes I need, (which I actually have fewer than I "need"), my kids would live by example. If they had just the right amount of shoes for designated weather, they would be lost or mistreated, especially when you have multiple kids! I can't help but think of Little House On The Prairie, when the girls would cherish everything they had as it was gold. Their corn husk dolls, special laced up shoes.. polished, ready for school. Could we adapt that mentality? How can we, when we live in this society. how can we fight the strong winds of today's capitalism and pass that onto our children? I'm talking about shoes, but this goes for every piece of clothing.
3. I'm having to trip over stuff to get to where I am going! What would your life look like if you were not swayed by Walmart or Pinterest? Would you walk into a temple instead of a westernized, asthma risk house? Would our homes be a place of rest and worship? Would you be aware of your surroundings, instead of being drowned in visual noise? Picture this for a moment...What would your home look like? I have purged so much, yet I still have too much stuff I have a hard time parting with. I guess I don't have the answer for that, yet. Yet.
4. The sink is overflowing of dishes, again. Well, how many dishes do we need? Most of us have a dishwasher, how crazy is that. We tend to talk about how back in the day, they had house servants, and how we have to do everything by ourselves. Well, we have house servants too! We got a dishwasher, laundry machines, most of us have a coffee maker, fridge, the endless kitchen appliances - list yours! We even have a vacuum cleaner! How cool is that! A machine that sucks up dust and bits and good Lord, is that not a praise worthy privilege? Not to forget, the toilet! We have running water, electricity.. it's just mind blowing when I think of the stuff we have, yet we moan about our "load". Can you picture that the developing world mothers face, when she sees your list of "servants"? Embarrassing! Turning my shame into motivation-turning my shame into inspiration! What can we do, to own less dishes. Every dish has a story, a potential- how can we minimize our cupboards? Keep on purging, I know I'll get there! And, so will you!
5. This (food) is out of date, ugh!  my life is so hard! I read this thing on the "time-wasting-book" page once, "When I buy a lettuce, I usually bin it right away. Saves me doing it in a weeks time".. I chuckled, but it's so true! Not only do we have this gadget in the kitchen that keeps our food fresh, we forget about our food. We take the food for granted in some way or form. Take the time to look at this video below. I'm on a mission. I would like to go back to basics with 'food'. Simplify the ingredients and the source of food, so that it gets the respect it deserves. Genesis 1:29 and 2:9 and much much more... Read the THM Plan book!! HERE is my aff'link, check it out! (For those who do not know, this is the reason for my cleared up complexion! read about it HERE) 
6. The laundry just keeps on piling, I can't keep up with it..:( So my girlfriend and I were daydreaming about what our laundry piles would look like if all of our kids and us, had 2-4 sets of clothes. The loads would be smaller, and it would be a small load to carry (ha ha pun intended!). The kids wouldn't get bored, they're growing kids! The turn over would still happen, correct? And, we would always have something to wear! No longer would we have mismatch items, speaking gibberish to us. It would all make sense.
7. Who left all of the books strewn all over the floor, -pick them up!!? Sometimes I catch my kids using the books in their plays, as chairs or whatever. They're on the floor instead of where they belong. I hate the fact that the baby gets a book and manages to rip out a page or two. A lot of book mending going on in my home, it sorrows me. I love books. Books used to be irreplaceable. Now we get most of our information online. I would like to keep this art very much alive in my home. The smell of pages when you open the book, I love it! How can we, in today's tech savvy world, pass on these things to our kids? Put them behind locked doors, watch over them as they read -not in my house hold. Is this just a lazy-mother syndrome, or do you see where I am going with this? I cannot stand over them and watch them put away each book. Is there another way to pass on the value of books on to my kids?
8. It's been nonstop all day for me, I just need to take a bath.  What if we didn't have all the stuffff to do everyday that having a moment to yourself that gets interrupted, wasn't such a big deal after all? Get what I am saying?

Thoughts??? Please do share!

Kids Can Do The Trim Healthy Mama Plan Too!

..."I'm reading the book right now and I'm curious to talk more to people who have used it in their families... do your kids eat that way too? I know we need to make some changes to our diet, but it's always so intimidating when I don't have much time to think about such things"...

winkhymiö

At first I was making huge meal plans for 4 weeks at a time. I would then incorporate different meals in for myself, so that I would stay "on plan", yet my kids would get more "fillers" as they are at a growing age and I was in a de-growing age ha ha!

That didn't last long. It was too much work, intimidating and too stressful. I couldn't give that much time in the kitchen, hovering over the stove and oven, making custom made meals for me and the rest of the family. I was having to go back to two separate recipes constantly to keep up with the cooking, losing my page marks and it kind of robbed the joy out of an awesome life style.

It wasn't until I called it quits and regressed into my old habits again that I had to come up with another plan. I wrote up another meal plan, first I made a 2 week meal plan, then I really cut lots out, and came up with a "7 Day Master Meal Plan" that I knew would keep us happy for some time. I know, I never thought that I could come up with 7-14 meals that we would happily eat over and over again, and yet I did! Let's see how long it takes to bore my family to tears. 

In my 7 Day Master Meal Plan I made sure that I didn't have to cook seperate meals, and that it was a no-brainer for me. Depending what meal (S, E, FP, S Helper) I was eating, I could just assemble my plate with ease at each meal sitting.

So basically, I wrapped up everyone's favourite meals and made them Trim Healthy Mama proof, and voila! So just as an encouragement, there is no need to give up the meals that you already love to eat or are at ease preparing for your family.

Here is my 7 Day Master Meal Plan (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 1

• Cereal (THM approved) with unsweetened almond mylk. You can easily make your own granola!
• Deli Sandwiches, veggies and dip. We buy Ezekiel bread from Superstore.
• Chicken stir fry with noodles (troodles or konjac noodles for me!)

Day 2

• Apple-Cinnamon Oats, home made.
• Fried eggs on toast, veggies and dip. I  can easily just have the eggs and veggies and dip.
• Taco Tuesday. Normally, I've made a big batch of Wonder Wraps, and use them as my tortillas.

Day 3

• Cheese and deli wraps.
• PB sandwiches, veggies and dip. 
• Pasta Bolognese with spaghetti squash

Day 4

• Cereal
• Quesadillas (THM approved tortillas or Wonder Wraps)
• Chilli/Cheeseburger Pie/Enchillada. The new cookbook has these recipes. YUM!

Day 5

• Apple-Cinnamon Oats
• Refried Bean Burritos
• Chic pea curry/ eating out

Day 6

• Wraps
• European wieners/meatballs with homemade sweet potato fries and side salad.
• Salmon, greens and quinoa/brown rice

Day 7

• Cereal
• Pancakes -the lot! (Bacon, whip cream, berries, eggs...)
• Bacon and cauliflower bake.

So this is what we'll be eating for the next how ever many weeks until we get completely tired of it. Of course there'll be days we'll be out and about, eating in restaurants or visiting and our menu will differ. Maybe there'll be days that we go "hey, I'm in the mood for _______" and lunch might change, but generally, this is it.

I encourage you to purchase the new Trim healthy Mama Cook Book. If you don't know about the plan yet, get the Trim Healthy Mama Plan as well. You will not regret it. You will change and you'll begin to see changes so fast that you won't wanna quit! Like I said in my previous post HERE, this plan is for all age groups, pregnant or nursing, all genders -this is no diet. This is for life.

The food is great, everything is on plan unless you're allergic to it and you will not be deprived in anyway, shape or form.. well, except for excess body fat- I'll take that! You will bloom! Here are a few before and after pictures of what THM did for me in just a few months. Incredible. I still cannot get over it. 

I assure you that I have no make up on whatsoever in these pictures. If anything this is my NSV, today this is my NSV (Non Scale Victory)!

If you do want to try out the THM plan, please consider ordering books/products through THIS LINK For those who do not know me personally, I am a homeschooling mother of 4, and through my affiliated link, you support my family :) I thank you.

What does your menu look like? What are your Non Scale Victories?

Follow me on Instagram @trimhealthycathy

My Trim Healthy Mama Non Scale Victories -So Far!

I have hyped about the THM (Trim Healthy Mama) plan so much on here, here and here.... and I'm about to hype about it again! LOL 

To those who do not know what the THM plan is, go here! But in summary, it's a "diet" (more like a plan for life) that apparently "doesn't deprive you of anything but excess body fat". No calorie counting. Everything is on plan. Yes, fat as well and in abundance! You can eat a 3 course meal in every sitting, including desserts and yes, you will shed off pounds. You can do this while pregnant and while nursing and the plan is suitable for all ages and gender. It makes sense. 

Okay, so I facebooked about my NSV (non scale victory) a while ago regarding my complexion. The past 10 years I have had quite the story with "adult acne" and quite the journey with trying to heal from it. For some years my complexion has just been brutal and other years mending really well. Never a dull moment I guess, either ups or downs. 

This year has been one of the medium-crazy-kind-of-acne-battles for me. I couldn't shake off the zits and the inflammation. I was very, very close to signing up for a continuous skin care regime, that was going to cost me lots of $$. For several reasons it never eventually happened, I didn't sign up as a consultant and I was frowning at the idea of having to go forward without it. 

I had just started my THM journey and I didn't think of it as a tool for healthy skin, but more as for losing weight, so I just basically continued on and focused on being a better mom for my 4 kiddos and wife for my hubby. My weight will shift! Won't it...?

I'm one of those lucky women who really doesn't lose the weight while nursing, but only afterwards after the baby/toddler has weened themselves off. I was still getting a bit discouraged because I was the "tortoise" rather than the "hare" in losing weight. So, one day I took my phone and took a selfie of my face. Surely something positive was happening in my body after I eliminated sugar and processed wheat out of my diet?? And sure enough, I was in awe.

As you can see, I was not wearing any make up on either photo. This was the "NSV" that everyone on THM facebook groups took turns posting about! Finally it was my turn! And you know what else, it did not stop there.

Here are my NonScaleVictories so far!

1. I've had to buy smaller clothes
2. People have noticed my weight loss
3. I can see my collar bones
4. I can feel my hip bones
5. My libido is coming back...
6. My skin is doing so so much better, no pimples, no inflammation and no soreness! 
7. My hair is thicker and shinier
8. I feel more energetic, not relying on caffeine anymore
9. I have been off caffeine for over a month now
10. I sleep better, even while still night nursing my 1 year old
11. I've returned to the gym with more motivation and energy.
12. No more embarrassing and painful "trapped gas scenarios", hoping visitors would leave soon! LOL
13. No more bloating, no more stomach pain
14. No more midnight snacking, regular blood sugar levels
15. And I am far less flaky than I was, he he! I am not so forgetful!

The list goes on...

This complexion change happened in a month for me. Your body doesn't need much to get back on the right track. Everything we eat, communicated to our bodies at a cellular level. Isn't that amazing?!

I'm less worried about whether I will see my abs or not, but more focused on how I am nourishing myself and my family. Truthfully, this isn't a diet but a life long plan.

I've had to make some adjustments to some recipes on our weekly menus but I've not switched out a single dish, so my family is still enjoying their favourite meals. I've learned how to bake again, make desserts in a different way, but that is not a big job or a sacrifice considering that these desserts are "fat stripping"! 

These don't look like depriving dishes, do they?

In summary, THM is an answer to my husband's and my "pleasure that is undermining our happiness". Pleasure and Happiness aren't the same thing. Our pleasure, which was eating at late hours, and eating the wrong kinds of foods were undermining our happiness. There is no happiness in painful joints, knees, ankles and hips from excess weight. There is no happiness in having health problems, PCOS, or adult acne in my case. There is no happiness in losing your libido, and never being in the mood for your husband. There is no happiness in being too tired to run around with your kids, and always sitting at the side lines when you truthfully would want to be in the midst of all the fun. There is no happiness in a raised heart rate when you walk up a few stairs. And the list goes on... Fill in the blanks.

In my case my pleasure was robbing me of true happiness. This is where THM stepped in for me. Balance. Balance just as God intended, or as close as we can have it in today's world.

Want to start your journey with THM and put your calorie mindset at rest once and for all? Click HERE

Thank you for letting me share!

-Cathrine

Follow me on Instagram @trimhealthycathyhttps://www.instagram.com/trimhealthycathy/

My 3 Week Fuel Cycle Version

5 years ago I was on a diet that was meant only for 3 weeks to kick start your metabolism and to put you on the right track for healthy eating. I've never been on another *diet that worked so well. 

Right now I am not on any diet, but on the "THM" (Trim Healthy Mama) plan indefinitely. THM plan in my mind is very biblical and I've always "preached" about Genesis 1:29 and 2:29 and so forth. What God has made is good, and nothing is "off plan" unless of course, you're allergic to it.

On the THM plan you lose weight automatically if you are overweight. And when you've reached your goal weight, you look and feel incredible! You can eat 3 course meals at every sitting, with the most fatty desserts and still lose weight. Oh yes, you can!

It's safe for pregnant and nursing women. I constantly come across comparison pregnancy photos of when women were off and on the THM plan. The results are breathtaking and encouraging. 

It's safe for the whole family regardless of age or gender. And most of all, it's HEALTHY, NOURISHING, and VITALIZING. You wont want to go back to your old unhealthy eating habits after you embark on the THM journey.

What really makes this plan GREAT is the fact that some things on plan, like the desserts I'm eating, would normally trigger the alarm in any other diet, but in THM it is very acceptable to eat this way!

Okay, here is my 3 week version of a fuel cycle that works like a charm. Now know this, this isn't the typical recommended THM fuel cycle or eating plan. I only do this when I hit a plateau, or I want to spur things along for a specific event or such. I have lost lots of pounds within 3 weeks of eating this way and I am not the only one! Hundreds, if not thousands of people have as well.

THIS CYCLE IS FOR 3 WEEKS ONLY!

There are rules to this 3 week cycle, and they are...

... NO CHEATING! This is a chemical reaction happening in your body, and the slightest, tiniest, puny cheat will hit the "STOP button" of your weight loss. Don't try it, it's TRUE. (here's a secret: I've made that mistake thinking I know better! It's so not worth having to start from scratch, after you're half way in, ugh!)

There are a few guidelines to this, and they are...

• drink 2-4 liters of water a day
• eat every 3 hours is the best, but between 2 1/2h and 4h is okay...NEVER past 4! Get an app on your phone that tracks the time between your meals or use the timer on your stove/phone.
• take your vitamins, especially your omegas and double the dose by eating a recommended dose in the mornings and the same at bed time.
• No starchy vegetables and NO fruit. Strawberries and raspberries are ok.
• If you workout, drink a post workout protein shake (1 scoop of whey and water) immediately after your workout.
• Have protein in every meal!
• no sugar/no hidden sugar -beware!
• weigh the meat/fish before cooking
• Some of my meals on my 7 day menu are from the new Trim Healthy Mama cookbook. You can order it and needed ingredients (Integral Collagen, Pristine Whey, etc.) from HERE (it's my affiliated link, thank you so much for your support :)! )
• If you are male, add another 1t oil and 50g of meat to you lunch and dinner meals.
• no wheat unless it's sprouted whole wheat
• no white potatoes or white rice
• 100g is about 3.5 oz and 200g is about 7oz ( I have remembered everything in grams..)
• for coffee drinkers who love milk and cream in your coffee... :( sorry, you have to come up with a Fuel Pull coffee recipe for the time being... I know, but it's not forever!! Also, limit your coffee to mornings only. If you need to sip on something, drink herbal or decaf teas! Be aware of hidden sugars.. yes, in tea too!
• collagen is vital! Don't skip on your daily collagen!
• If you find yourself very hungry in between meals, you can add zero calorie konjac noodles to your lunch or dinner! Truly a miracle noodle, so filling! 

Basically for those who know already what S, E, SHelper, XO and FP mean, you can either come up with your own 3 week menu with the help of my quantity guidelines, or you can just follow my 7 day menu below. 

For 3 weeks eat

Breakfast-E

Lunch-FP

Snack-FP

Dinner-SH

Snack-FP

Day 1

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g extra lean ground meatballs, 200g non-starchy vegetables, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, 1t oil and seasoning

S) Strawberry-lemon-gluccie collagen smoothie

D) 100g chicken breast, 200g veggies with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 2

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) Egg white and 1C spinach omelet, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil. Side with sugar free kimchi or 1-2 sugar free pickles.

S) 1/2C-1C 0% Greek Yoghurt and 100g of strawberries- smoothie it up or eat from a bowl. Sweeten with stevia.

D) 3 medium sized Wonder Wrap p.204 tacos filled with 100g beef and 200g of vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, dark leafy greens and cucumber. Top with 1-2T salsa. Season your meat with homemade sugar free taco spice, with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) Pristine Whey Protein (order here, my affiliated link :)!) with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 3

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g Chicken fillets, 200g chopped and fried up zucchini, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil.

S) Salted Caramel Creamy Oolong p.434 

D) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g green beans and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato, with 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 4

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) Egg white and 1C spinach omelet, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil. Side with sugar free kimchi or 1-2 sugar free pickles.

S) Chocolicious Thin Thick p.423 

D) 3 medium sized Wonder Wrap (p.204) tacos filled with 100g beef and 200g of vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, dark leafy greens and cucumber. Top with 1-2T salsa. Season your meat with homemade sugar free taco spice, with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) Pristine Whey Protein with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 5

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 3 Wonder Wraps p.204 medium size with 100g chicken fillets, 200g vegetables, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese and 1t oil

S) Singing Canary p.398 

D) 100g steak, 200g troodles (zucchini noodles), 1t oil and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 6

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, and 1t oil

S) Cottage Berry Whip p.374 

D) Super Salmon Patties p.177

S) Pristine Whey Protein (order here, my affiliated link :)!) with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 7

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g Chicken fillets, 200g chopped and fried up zucchini, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese with 1t oil.

S) 1/2C-1C 0% Greek Yoghurt and 100g of strawberries- smoothie it up or eat from a bowl. Sweeten with stevia.

D) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g green beans and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato, with 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Repeat cycle 3 times.

The first 3 days are the toughest. You probably will be feeling hungry and irritated some what, but on the 3rd day when all the sugar has left your body, you will feel great and energized. Also, by then you will already be seeing some progress! It's that powerful! I want to encourage you to stick to it, don't quit. As long as you remember what chocolate tastes like, you're in no danger! *smirk* Just persevere and keep chuggin' along! You wont regret it!

I recently became a THM affiliate. I'm hoping that this would be a little side income for me as a homeschooling mother :) Thank you for supporting us! To order your products through my blog, go HERE

*THM is not a diet, it's a plan for life! No more dieting! I urge you to get the PLAN-book and the new cookbook. So so so so worth it!

I'm also posting my meals on INSTAGRAM daily for inspiration and accountability. Please visit! GO HERE TRIMHEALTHYCATHY

I can't hype enough about THM plan. In one month of sticking to plan with no cheats, my skin cleared up. I was so close in signing up for a continues skin care regime ($$!!) and I'm so grateful I waited! My skin went from bad to worse into super healing mode. These faces have 4 weeks between them, incredible!