Trust Your Gut is a series of stories about real people with weight issues, and complications arising from those issues. It will explain what the person is facing, what their options are, what they have decided to do to take action, and why they chose the path they are on. Each person’s story will be based on truth, so it won’t all be happy, but it will be real. The goal of this series is to get people talking about options that are available for people who have weight issues, on either end of the scale. If you would like to contribute to this series, there is a contact form linked on my Homepage for this blog. I know there are people out there that want to help people like them; as I do.
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 35
Another week, another story. Here I sit, planning a million and one things in my life all at once. I have chicken breasts cooking with greek dressing as a marinade. I have 3lb of ground beef to cook. 2lb for spaghetti sauce, and 1lb for Big Mac Salad. I will use my spaghetti squash and zucchini when I eat my spaghetti. Roy will have pasta. He isn’t following the plan with me, but I must get myself back on track. So I am planning meals again.
I am not making it to Zumba as much as I would like to be able to. Transportation is my biggest issue causing me to miss it. And a stomach bug this week did NOT help. I am feeling better tonight and starting to look forward. The weekend is busy, and having food prepped will help me be ready.
Big Mac Salad is something I love to make and eat.
BigMac Salad for Two
It is really an easy recipe and can be found all over Pinterest. I cook the ground beef, then add onion soup mix. I use iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar, thousand island dressing, dill pickle relish, and to give it the BigMac without the bun garnish, I sprinkle sesame seeds on top. When you want a BigMac, and you are trying to eat healthier, this is a great way to do it.
The idea is not mine, and like I said, there are many versions online, including the THM Trim Mac Salad which is found in the THM cookbook. There are recipes that are completely from scratch for the dressing, but I prefer to just use the Kraft Thousand Island dressing. It does the job. They even have BigMac sauce for sale now in grocery stores now, if you are a hardcore BigMac fan.
The other thing I like to have made for the burger cravings is Cheeseburger pie. That is a THM recipe that I make frequently.
I am not the creator of either recipe, but I can recommend them both as delicious. I like to add tomatoes and dill pickles after it is cooked. The recipe link shows it being served over lettuce. I have yet to try it like that. ( I usually eat it straight up.) I also add ketchup and mustard. One time I made my own THM ketchup. I would like to make it again sometime. I am working on finding time to cook again, as I am not happy with the way things are now.
I will make cheeseburger pie another night, as I am going to do what I have to do and compromise. So I am making spaghetti sauce and going to have it on my vegetables. I am going to keep moving forward on my plan because I need to get going in the right direction again.
If you try the recipes, let me know what you think!
Trust Your Gut is a series of stories about real people with weight issues, and complications arising from those issues. It will explain what the person is facing, what their options are, what they have decided to do to take action, and why they chose the path they are on. Each person’s story will be based on truth, so it won’t all be happy, but it will be real. The goal of this series is to get people talking about options that are available for people who have weight issues, on either end of the scale. If you would like to contribute to this series, there is a contact form linked on my Homepage for this blog. I know there are people out there that want to help people like them; as I do.
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 30
I am happy to say that I am doing better. Not 100% organized or on the plan, but better. I did get in 2 Zumba classes last week. Due to things happening in my life that I have to deal with and work through, I was not at Zumba this week. The good news is that I will be going back. No worries there, I have to keep going. I need the outlet, and it is good to get the workouts fit into my week.
It is hard to climb and claw my way back out of a slump. Sometimes life has other plans. The good news is that I am cooking again. Cooking means less junk food. That is a great thing. The easy way out is not always better, in fact, it is usually the wrong way. I attack a lot of my own problems from the wrong side, not the easy way first. I just use my stubbornness to my advantage and push my way through whatever is going on.
I have said prep cooking and planning are key points for my success. I have said that I need to stop making excuses. I have actually made progress with both of those tasks. However, I am still not ready to commit to being on THM 100%. Why? There are two reasons. One is that it is a lot of work. I have to plan and cook. It would be great if my husband was following the plan with me, but he is not. There are just some things he refuses to eat. So that is one of my lingering excuses. The other is a fear of success. The success itself would be wonderful. But then
The other is fear. Fear of success. The success itself would be wonderful. But then what? After I find my way to being healthier, and the need for the push is over, then I would have other, new issues. I may need plastic surgery for excess skin. I may give in a little more until I find that I am putting the weight back on. I may lose my gumption halfway and fall off the wagon and revert to my old ways.
Let’s face it, I didn’t become morbidly obese overnight. I didn’t choose this path for myself. I choose what to eat and drink. I choose to not exercise and do things that I find more fun. I choose to listen to the monster that wants junk food instead of the beautiful inner spark that longs for freedom, and the power to defeat that monster. So what is it going to take?
I already know. I have to want it bad enough to do the work. I have to want it bad enough to plan it out. I have to want it enough to have to go shopping for a new wardrobe. Hmm…I may be on to something with that last one.
The biggest reason for anyone facing weight issues is themselves. You have to pick a path, follow it, and commit to seeing it through. Here is the kicker. At least for me, it is. You have to believe in yourself. You have to believe that you are worth the effort, and that you are going to stick to it, and that you are going to come out OK on the other side of changing your entire life. You simply have to do it, succeed at it, and change your life for the better. Shut that monster up with salad. Don’t forget to drown it with water, and feed the inner beauty healthy morsels of amazing food choices. Take her out for a walk. She needs to get fresh air and exercise to thrive. A little sunshine is always a nice treat.
Wow. I am winning this weekend all over the place. I have so much going on, and I wanted to write to share some big news with you all. Big news. First I need to give you the rest of the story.
Friday night is a distant memory. I am still floored by the fact that when I checked my Blog on Friday, that I had 930 followers. I know there are more now. This little Blog that could (it is my nickname for this blog and a title I have used for a story on the blog) is just amazing. I am so thankful that there are people that take time out of their busy lives to read what I am writing. It gives me such a rush! It confirms that I am on my way as an author, and inspires me to keep going.I worked so hard on Saturday, I don’t even remember what else I was up to on Friday. Saturday was the start of something new. And big. Did I mention big? It’s huge.
I am in the process of building my own website. I took the leap, and have had a lot of friends want to help. I am working on leveling up! It is good to know that people support me and want to help. Technology is not my passion, but I am asking questions and trying new things all the time. It is still a lot of work, but now it is a little more familiar than the first time I started this blogging adventure.
I needed to schedule time away from the computer this afternoon. I was so focused on the new website yesterday that I spent all of Saturday online. I am thinking Saturday might be needing a new definition for me. It hasn’t been chore day for several weeks. It is hard to tear myself away, but necessary. If I don’t make time for prep cooking and cleaning, the week will be expensive and messy. So I am going to take a break from the computer today and get some other things done.
Before I left, I decided to try and start a movement this week. I called it #ShareYourLoveSunday and I made a graphic to go along with it. What do you think?
The goal is to start a discussion, based on love, positivity and good news. I have had a few people join in, so maybe I am starting to learn more about turning things around, and shaking things up in a good way. If you want to participate, leave a comment here or on my Tish’s Treasure Seekers Group on Facebook or @Tish MacWebber on Twitter. I wanted to start something small that could have a big impact. If you choose to join the facebook group, why not take the extra three minutes to join the Tish’s Treasure Seekers Birthday Bling Club? There is a form with 5 required questions and one optional one. I will be checking progress later on. For now, onward with the things that I don’t want to do because I need to do them, and also so I can get back to working on the things I want to do. What are you doing this weekend?
Long weekend! Yes! I had planned to take Friday off as a vacation day. I am working on the Holiday. I earn holiday pay, it is a Stat. So I am OK with that, as I enjoyed having yesterday off.
We started the day off at a local restaurant for Brunch. It was my second time at Claudine’s Eatery on Main Street, in Fredericton. It was my husband’s first time there. When I spoke to the owner about writing about our experience, she was concerned that we took pictures of our meals. There was a new cook, and apparently, they are not trained on presentation, yet. I told her not to worry, as long as I had permission to use some pictures from her online pages. She said that would be fine.
I didn’t know if I should go for something fancy or not, but when I saw a number of choices on the breakfast menu that included lobster…I decided to take the plunge in for some seafood. I ordered the lobster omelet with a side salad instead of homefries, and also no toast.
My husband got “The Maritimer” a traditional bacon eggs sausage toast and added ham. The new cook forgot to put the pancakes on his plate. They brought them out on a separate plate. He liked his breakfast. I enjoyed mine, immensely. There were large pieces of lobster in the omelet, and the side salad was fresh. I would recommend it to anyone, it was wonderful. The pic below has toast, mine did not.
Other than specializing in many types of Eggs Benny, they also have french onion soup listed as one of their favourites. While I was searching through their pictures, I spied what I will try the next time I go for lunch.
Lobster grilled cheese with gouda and a small crock pot lobster poutine at Claudine’s Eatery.
My husband is not a fan of seafood. Lobster ranks higher than chocolate or pizza on my list. I will be going to try this, and maybe to talk about my favourite way to eat lobster. Always Thinking…
I then made my way out to King Woolens and Yarns after I brought my husband home. I was planning to visit my friend, the owner, and check out what she set up for the new display for my Tish’s Treasures in her store. I forgot to bring my new blue flower earrings. 🙁
Blue Flower Earrings
She had found a picture of a display online that she asked my opinion on. I liked it and told her so. She didn’t need help assembling it, but I went out to look for ideas for the base with her. She had the new display assembled and ready. It makes you want to walk around it to see what else is there. She did a great job on it. I happened to bring out a few new jewellery displays I had found yard sale shopping earlier in the summer, and we made a few changes. We worked on it together, and it looks great now!
Tish’s Treasures Grape Cluster Necklace and Butterfly Necklace at King Woolens and Yarns
Snowflakes by Tish’s Treasures at King Woolens and Yarns
Tish’s Treasures array of Earrings, Dragonfly Suncatchers, Flower Pendants, and a Turtle Bracelet at King Woolens and yarns.
Necklaces and earrings by Tish’s Treasures at King Woolens and Yarns..
Sock Monkey Cup Cozy found at King Woolens and Yarns
King Woolens and Yarns is in Douglas, just a few minutes outside of Fredericton, NB
Yarn at King Woolens and Yarns
Saturday was a day for Blogging, errands and social media work. It was busy in its own way. I have been fighting a sinus headache. I think I am winning, and I finished my day with making a pot of chili. Not a lot of prep cooking today, but we have leftover chili to eat when we are hungry.
Sunday is here. I am Bouncing the House, still with plans to go to Church this evening. I then have a skype date with my cousin. Until then I busied myself with the Master Bedroom cleaning, and shopping at the local Northside Market. When things slow down and I have access to a better camera, I will be writing about the different markets in the city, and maybe guest blogging about them. If that plan works out, I will be sure to share the links.
I bought a large fresh cabbage, and some ground pork while I was at the Market. I plan on making egg roll in a bowl late tonight so I can have it for lunch at work tomorrow. I bought meat, eggs, and vegetables for groceries, and splurged on some His & Hers Samosas (we each like different kinds) and a bag of apple muffins for a treat.
It was a busy long weekend. What are your plans? What did you do this weekend?
Trust Your Gut is a series of stories about real people with weight issues, and complications arising from those issues. It will explain what the person is facing, what their options are, what they have decided to do to take action, and why they chose the path they are on. Each person’s story will be based on truth, so it won’t all be happy, but it will be real. The goal of this series is to get people talking about options that are available for people who have weight issues, on either end of the scale. If you would like to contribute to this series, there is a contact form linked on my Homepage for this blog. I know there are people out there that want to help people like them; as I do.
The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 28
Somebody asked me a question the day that made me stop and think. The question was, “Where do you get your energy?” My quick response was, “Coffee and kickass multivitamins.” But I thought about it some more and felt that the person that asked me the question deserved a better answer. I met up with him a few minutes later, and I explained that it is from following my passion. When I am being creative, it makes me push my limits and myself. I am inspired all the time, even in my sleep. If I let myself go when it comes to being creative, whether or not it is writing, there are no boundaries. I can be struck by an idea for the blog by having a conversation with my husband or a friend. It can even happen when I am working. I can wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, and when that happens, I make myself go write it down.
I wish I could harness this energy, and direct some of it towards my metabolic rate. The feelings of utter joy I have when I am making progress on one of my projects is unmatched anywhere else in my life. It is all me, from my very core, and it radiates out. It is contagious. It is visible. People can see the change in me when I am working on something that makes my heart sing!
Note: I realized after this was published, that I forgot a very important part of my answer to this question. YOU! Every time someone reads, likes, shares or comments on this blog, it adds fuel to my train of momentum. So thank you, each and every one of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to include reading my words. It means more than I can write here, in just one paragraph, and even if there was a longer place for this note, I don’t know if words can describe the feelings I have inside about every bit of growth it has from your continued support. You all amaze me.
I am starting to prepare for my challenge. It starts tomorrow. I have a long weekend. With the work I have done in the last month with the other challenges, I want to keep the momentum going. I am going to focus on making healthier choices. I am going to use the same fire and determination in my journey to be a healthier version of myself. Tonight, I am getting it out of my system. This weekend, I am going to be setting up my new routine. I will need to get organized and to do that I will need a plan. That means food, specifically meals, and snacks, drinks, testing my sugars frequently, recording all of this and how much insulin I am taking. If I am serious about this, I know I will see results. I wrote in my challenges about why I want to be an entrepreneur. Part of the answer was because I want to lead by example. I am working hard on my dreams, and one of them is becoming a healthier version of myself. I am going to start with planning the next week while I start this weekend.
I will be researching new recipes in my Trim Healthy Mama book. There are other recipes online, and there are my favourites I can mix into the meal plan. I have not made a lot of desserts because I was not certain of the sweetener ratio. I am using swerve in the powdered and granular form. THM uses their own sweeteners, and there are conversions for their blends of sweeteners. I have the chart on the inside of a cabinet door in the kitchen. I have most of the ingredients I need for making THM recipes, so I am going to expand my horizons with testing some new recipes and adding the ones I like to my rotation. I think that might be why I have not been as inspired to stay on plan. I know I need to do this.
