Weight Loss #3 Mid Update

Hi huns!

Okay, I really had to post this out to you guys now. I have been battling frustration for a good week  and I just want to let you know, if you're on the journey of losing weight, that you are NOT alone.

I have been counting points to the dot, and my weight loss is slow. It has a trend, and it is going down, but it's fluctuating downward and when it fluctuates, it's depressing.

I'm in a hurry, my body is doing it right. But while living in a shallow world, sometimes the shallow mindset rubs off on you. I begin to hurry. Then the mindset is all wrong, then I get discouraged and disappointed and shallow. I'm thinking not good enough, not enough, not good enough.

I lost my focus. I lost my more important reason for this weight loss.

Also, I took 3 days off. Yes, you read this right... it just happened. One morning I postponed tracking my points on my app and before I knew it, I was munching away for 3 days. I could've stopped and picked up from where I left, but I kept postponing that too. No worries though, at least this is how I feel like because, I was munching on nuts, seeds, fruit, kashi bars and so on. So, anyhow, back on track! Like I said, this diet, won't last forever. I just badly need to get back to a healthy size and become fit, build stamina, help my heart!

Next week I will update on my weight, hopefully it'll be more dramatic:) Stay tuned!!!!

Read more about my weight loss process HERE

Gardening 2013 Part 4

My very own raspberries. It seems that we pick a handful daily. Perfect! I freeze them for my smoothies...mmmm....

Luscious berries. What can I say... I'm so very pleased.

Zucchini. From MY garden. Ah what bliss. So, I read that courgettes (zucchini) should be picked when the size of your finger, any finger really. They say, that when they are self grown they are the sweetest and, if left to grow larger, they become tasteless and dry. I slice up one every morning into my 1 egg and 3 egg white omelet.

The sweetest carrots I've ever tasted.

My radish, all shapes and sizes. Funny thing is, I can't remember what I did with them? Maybe added them into a coleslaw...

Laundry Whitener 2

I've experimented with every laundry whitener there is. I have used oxy vanish, lemon, baking soda, vinegar, borax, bleach and so on. I must say that the #1 main laundry whitener I have during the summer is, the sun. How come most of us didn't know that? This is old school, something our grans used to do, yet never passed on as important stuff, like most of the old school, healthy and economical stuff. Sad.

Well anyway, the sun brightens my whites like no tomorrow and even removes stains etc. Incredible.

Raw Almond Butter

I made raw almond butter. There is no way I would roast almonds. By doing so, you kill the enzymes and kill most, if not all, of the goodness in them. I put them in a food processor and kept scooping the sides clean once in a while; however, the seeds' and nuts' own oil will "activate" and therefore no need to add any oil. If you want to add oil, then I recommend taste-free coconut oil or almond oil.

After I covered and chilled the butter, I found it easier to cut slices off, rather than buttering it on the apples. I prefer it this way, especially with tiny little hands with tiny little sticky fingers, a.k.a my kids.

Weight Loss- Recipes, My Favourite!

 Quinoa Salad

Makes 4 Servings

Points 4 per serving

• 2C cooked quinoa, chilled
• 1/3C pecan halves chopped
• 4T orange juice
• pinch of fresh thyme
• seasoning
• 1/2C dried cranberries, or to taste

 

 Serving suggestion

Quinoa Salad and Chicken Thigh (but please omit the skin).

My Pre-Workout Snack

Serving(s) 1

Points   6

• 1C fat free Greek yogurt with 
• 1T hemp hearts, 
• 1T chia seeds, 
• 1T ground golden flax seeds, 
• 6 pecan halves, 
• 1t xylitol
• berries and cinnamon.

Weight Loss #3 Part 7

Okay, before I tell you about how much I've lost so far, I want to share with you my two top lunches that I love, and about my new -old -thing, which I have taken more seriously than ever! Keep reading...

Here are my top two favorite lunches. 

Recipe one

Serving(s) 1

Weight Watchers points 7

1/2 C quinoa, cooked and chilled

1/2 cucumber, deseeded and cut in chunks

1 tomato, deseeded and diced

1 T fat free Ranch dressing

100g extra lean ground beef, fried and seasoned.

Mix -ENJOY!

Recipe two

Serving(s) 1

Weight Watchers points 9

1 whole wheat tortilla

1 slice of cheddar cheese (wrap)

100g extra lean ground beef, fried and seasoned (preferably with taco spice)

handful of shredded lettuce

1t death sauce, or any other spicy hot sauce (speed up that metabolism!!!)

1T salsa, hot

And now, the updates.

Last week I pulled my back for the second time in a few months. This is not good. Obviously, I have been so focused on weight loss and exersice that I have lost focus on well-being within, meaning the core. Well-being for me, is STOTT Pilates. I, as an instructor, should know that it's the best way to heal the body, especially the core. Not only does the body get stronger and leaner, it actually sculpts the body as well. No other exercise has been as fast as STOTT in losing inches around the waist. It's incredible. I suffered years of back ache, neck ache and so on, had to quit my job as a hairdresser 2005 because of it. Ever since I started doing STOTT Pilates in 2009, the pain and aches went away.  Hence the reason I became an instructor.

Back to the story, so yes, I pulled my back for the second time! This is because since giving birth to our 3rd, I haven't done any STOTT whatsoever. Why? I don't know how to answer that, I don't know why. I guess the people or places you associate with weekly rub off, a certain way of thinking, especially when it comes to health and fitness. No, I'm not putting the blame on them, I am keeping the blame on myself, myself only. I had attended group ex body pump and so on without strengthening the core at the same time. This is a big mistake. I won't even blame the group ex pump for my bad back. The pump did amazing stuff for the rest of my body, but focusing on the superficial muscles, made my problems worsen. Since I pulled my back, after my back felt a bit better, I've been on the mat again and after one session of STOTT Pilates, the difference is amazing. I feel way better and feel like I'm on the road to recovery and well-being. I won't quit lifting weights, however, it's not my priority. It's high up there on my priority list, but STOTT Pilates is for sure #1 at this moment.

Then for some picture updates... tam-tam-taa! 

was 205 lbs

I found that top which I am wearing in the top picture, to show you the difference in how it fits me today. On top, it's tight. Below, not so much!

Yes, I'm being silly.

Now I am  185 lbs!!! Yay!

This means, I have lost -20 lbs!

I have give or take 40 lbs to go!!!

Here is my Diastasis Recti -Seperation of the abs. I am doing STOTT Pilates to help my body to bring it closer together and give my lower spine the support it deserves! I'll keep posting updates on that side of things as well.

Read more on my weight loss #3 here, where it all began

Read more on STOTT Pilates here, where you should begin

Read about my Diastasis Recti here

Homeschool - DIY Story Time Pillow Covers

We have circle time daily with our kids. This usually happens just before bed time. We ask the kids to grab their "Bible-Piiri" (Bible Circle in FINg-lish) pillows and gather around in the living room. My husband has normally prepped a topic, which he then reads about and then we discuss it. This is a real hit, the kids have so much input. Sometimes we discuss straight from their kids Bibles and sometimes the topic is related to what happened during the day.

Anyhow, here is how we made their circle time pillows even more special. I got a set of white pillow cases from Walmart and fabric pens. I have increased the colour range of the pens since then, ready for future projects.

 They drew things that made them happy, things they like, are good at etc.

The theme of the month is OBEDIENCE. This theme should last a life time, hence the printing on the pillows :) A good verse to memorize.

Gardening 2013 Part 3

In this post you'll read about the new scary addition to our vegetable patch and about how we made a SAFE fungicide and pesticide.

Well, we have had a few set backs. Sigh! One, is the thieving crows and two, is the mildew growing on my zucchini plants.

Set backs, set back, but very educating ones. Firstly, I've needed to expand the little knowledge that I have on gardening, and secondly we get to build our very own custom made scare crow!

The weather has not been the best, little sun and lots of rain. It looks like my garden has taken a long pause and my pea plants have not grown a millimeter since I transplanted them. BIG sigh.

There is not much I can do, but to wait. Wait for the sun, hope the crows stay away and hope I can save my plants from mildew.

Two ways to fight fungus (mildew) on your plants. One is to mix 50:50 ratio water and milk into a spray bottle and spray generously over the leaves. Second is to puree an onion, a head of garlic and 4T cayenne pepper with 4L of water, let it sit for a hour and strain the water into a bucket and then some into a spray bottle. This can be used as both, pesticide and fungicide. Don't spray too wildly with the garlic concoction, it kills the good bugs too. 

Oh, I have a ton of reading to do tonight! I think I just might make it, just maybe. I am slightly hesitant about dreaming of canning our own produce.

Until next time!

FLUBBER -Homeschool Science Experiment and FUN!

 Stretchy, slimy, soft, and bubbly FLUBBER!

Here is how,

Instructions

• 2C white glue (I want to try it with clear and add food colouring)
• 1 1/2C warm water
• 4 tsp borax
• 1/3 C warm water

A. Mix the first two in a bowl

B. Mix the last two in a separate bowl

Pour A. into B BUT, DO NOT MIX! 

Cover over night. Store in air tight containers or zip lock bags.

 It makes FUNNY sounds, ha ha! I know, I'm such a kid. Flubber molds to any surface and can be used as meditation putty! ...Just kidding, it's just fun to squeeze it.

Use as PIZZA crust and be creative with toppings, they come off easy once play time is over.

ENJOY!

Diastasis Recti

DIASTASIS RECTI 

It means abdominal separation. In pregnancy, diastasis recti is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the enlarging womb. It’s more common in women who have had more pregnancies, due to repeated episodes of stretching. Basically the left and right sides of your abs (rectus abdominis) aren't joined together anymore.

This is what it looks like,

Like I would be 5 months pregnant, always. (11months since our 3rd child was born and do note, she was 11lb when she came out!)

Is it "curable"?

There are a few different methods to deal with it, two which I know of and recommend if need be, are one, surgery and two, STOTT Pilates. Surgery maybe for those who have it "severe", and STOTT Pilates for everybody! 

I pulled my back for the 2nd time since our 3rd baby was born yesterday and today someone asked me if we were expecting our 4th. Oh man, it's time to tackle my core and get some support, literally.

As a STOTT Pilates instructor, I'm going to go the STOTT Pilates route and, I will be blogging updates with pictures!!  Stay tuned!

Find out more about the STOTT Pilates method HERE

and find out more about my weightloss #3 HERE

Homeschooling DIY Stepping Stones

Welcome! 

If you're new here, please click on my blog title and have a look around. There may be some other things that interest you or will be helpful in your motherhood journey! 

I have nothing to hide, motherhood is rough! Wifehood rougher -have a look, take a moment, comment if you like - I'm just like you, figuring this stuff out with my hubby and our 5 homeschooled children. -Cathrine

DIY Stepping Stones

You'll need

• bag of cement
• anything non sharp, that looks pretty :) such as bottle caps, stones, broken tiles, rhinestones, etc.
• empty cereal boxes or pie plates lined with cling film

Prepare the cement according to the instructions on your bag. Pour the cement carefully into your molds and wait a few minutes before gently placing your "treasures" on top. Let it dry and peel off.

Simple!

SIMPLE!

Check this out! How to make your own wall decor, step by step guide!

MORE FUN STUFF TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS HERE!!!

MORE ON HOMEMAKING AND ORGANIZING HERE!!!

Busy mother's gym guide HERE

Weight Loss #3 Part 6

-16 lbs!

I started at 205 lbs, and now I weigh 189 lbs. Getting there! But actually, after Lucy's birth I did weigh 2011. However, at the start of WW, I weighed 205. So technically, I've lost 22 lbs! 

Today, I nearly tripped over a temptation. Chocolate chip cookies. Oh yah. I'm glad that I found the strength to walk away, after I had offered everyone else one -with a smile-, and then forget about them. I realized that it takes a couple of minutes to overcome the strong urge to devour a whole box... I'm so happy, I stayed away. Really. Because NOW, I am at that "so NOT worth it!" mind set again.

We still have visitors over, so the amount of temptations are through the roof. Everyday, throughout the day, someone is tasting this or that, finger lickin' good food, and I feel like I am fighting against a giant. I find it hard, honestly. But, I know it's going to be so worth it and I know, that this is NOT forever. Time is going to go by, whether or not I am on a diet. So, I choose to be a little (lot) lighter at the end of this season. 

The scale went something like this...

205

203

199

197

197.5

198

194

193.5

190.5

189 ...

It's slow, but it motivates me. It WILL motivate you when you see those numbers drop! My problem has been that I weigh in every morning. You really should weigh in only once a week.

 Picture update!

BEFORE

RECENT

My favourite sis-in-law and I.

My brother and his family have been visiting us from Cambodia. Him and his wife, are both very active and it's been lots of fun gymming it together. She and I enjoy the same group exercises, STEP and BODY PUMP and we also all have running in common. My husband and my brothers' wife are the "marathoners" though, as for my brother and I... we aren't that "ambitious"... yet.

Gardening 2013 Part 2

My Garden "Highs and Lows". 

Some of my seedlings didn't survive the transplanting, even though I had hardened them prior. So, I lost some plants, some altogether, but some are thriving, thankfully!

The plants that I will start growing again and more of, are watermelon, giant pumpkins, grass pampas', cabbage, cilantro etc.

The plants which are thriving are, methi (fenugreek), dill, broccoli, strawberries, raspberries, courgettes, cucumbers, radish, spinach, tomatoes, basil, lettuce, carrots etc. Also, all of my herbs and chili peppers are doing well.

I have neglected the weeding and pruning for a few weeks now and, I can really see consequences in doing so. After the rain stops, I will start my weeding-blast and hopefully, I will stay on top of it. It needs prioritizing in my weekly tasks. I'm still learning!

I collect eggshells throughout the weeks and grind them small enough for plant protection (against slugs) and, also I use them as good fertilizer.

I'm waiting for my plants to really blossom lusciously, so I can take a whole garden shot and post it here. I'm thinking mid July, IF our summer is anything like last year's. Hot and sunny, perfect for my vegg!

You may want to read more about us growing our own food this year and the year before. Click on the link! http://holytempleunderrenovation.blogspot.ca/search/label/Growing%20vegetables%20and%20herbs

What are you growing this year? How is your crop coming along?

Homeschooling Physics Experiment DIY Balloon Fountain

Okay, here it is! It's quick, it's fun, it's just a really cool project to do with your kids! It covers arts & crafts, science and physics!

DIY Balloon Fountain

You'll need

• blue/white tack
• cling film
• a straw
• an empty bottle
• a balloon
• knife
• duck tape, J.I.C
• food coloring

Using the knife, carefully, create a small entry way for the straw mid bottle. Cling film around the bottle for it to be leak proof and insert the straw through the film. You can either use the tack or tape to prevent leakage. Fill the bottle 3/4 full with water (colour it, if you like) and blow up the balloon (do not tie it!). With the next step, you'll need to be quick! Cover the opening of the bottle by pulling the balloon over it. This should be a tight fit, if not, use a bigger bottle.

Tadaa!!! How cool is that!

more on homeschool:
Why WE homeschool?

Weight Loss #3 Part 5

..."You do not have to taste everything everyone else has. You do NOT have to taste everything that is on the table. Have you forgotten what chocolate cake tastes like? Is it worth losing your points? "Think skinny".... "think skinny!"... My typical convos with myself during bbq parties or any other get togethers, which involve tons of good food, mouth drooling flavours etc... sigh

THINK ABOUT IT. Not too long and you'll be where you want to be. Don't give up.

Today I enjoyed everything, well almost everything, that was on the hamburger table. I swapped my buns for lettuce and skipped the brownies altogether. I ate so many cherries that I felt full and enjoyed just hanging out with the people visiting.

My picture last week..the week before?

Not the most flattering picture, but still. I am wearing the same trousers and I find them to be a lot looser around the waist today than I did last week.













                                       My picture TODAY

I am excited! Results always give the boost and motivation to keep going. Yay!

Here is a FAB recipe for y'all to try, TEXAS style! 

BBQ Hamburgers in Lettuce

Ingredients

• 500g minced meat
• 1/4 C BBQ sauce, your choice
• iceberg lettuce
• onions, fried
• condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish etc)
• cheddar cheese (singles)
• mushrooms, fried

Mix minced meat and BBQ sauce together, form patties and let it sit in the fridge for 30minutes. Grill them thoroughly. Wrap in lettuce and garnish with ALL, YUMMY!

Senere Chaos and Other Updates

Well hello! It has been a very busy week with family visiting. How does one stay focused on blogging and a rhythm when so much extra and new buzzes are happening around you? I guess you just don't.

Anyway, my past week in weight loss has hit a plateau. I think I know what the reason may be and it will be fixed asap. NOT enough water! T'is true. I think?

I will put it to the test and let you know.

One thing I have learned this week, is that you DON'T have to taste everything everyone else is having. The second thing I have learned is that menu planning is still crucial and that there has to be a plan B, on what to eat, when you find yourself out and about and need to eat out. Be mentally prepared! I haven't been...

This week my weight has been the same but my clothes still keep getting looser, so, I think that it's just water retention.

You may like to read more on my weight loss #3 journey here:

part 1

part 2

part 3

part 4

Also, coming up I will share with all of you homeschoolers and fun mums about the coolest science/physics experiment, ever! Well, at least for this week!