A Little Update And Some Home Made Soup

Good evening friends!
How was everyones Tuesday?

It was a very productive day. Four more loaves of bread were made (thanks, Darling Rose), a double batch of cornmeal muffins (thanks again DR), this home style chicken noodle soup and some biscuits that our 15-year-old daughter made as well.

This is the first time I made the soup this way. I used some home made whole wheat noodles that had been sitting in the freezer for like two months. I also used a bag of chicken that had been sitting in their for a few months too. I added my broth, onions, carrots and canned corn...and it was unbelievable!

Everyone loved it!!

My daughter cooked up some biscuits. These actually use white flour, but they look wheat because we ran out of white and had to knead it in wheat flour.

So, those are my two pictures for today.

Now for the update with my maternity appointment.

When I met with this midwife this morning, I got to talking to her about her kids and forgot to ask her some questions. Also, she did not do a physical exam to see if I was dilated, if my cervix was softer ect.. So, after I got home I felt annoyed with myself for forgetting my questions and not asking to be examined. I told my husband about my frustration. So, he suggested I just call her back and ask her those questions. So, I called back, got some really good answers AND set another appointment for this Thursday to have a physical exam.

Lets be real here.

Ive got less than two weeks now before my due date and I dont want to have to wait another whole week to see if Im even dilated. I would be just too annoyed with myself for the next seven days.

But what I do now know...

She thinks the baby weighs around 6 1/2 pounds. My abdomen measured 38 centimeters as compared to last week where I measured 36 centimeters. So, my abdomen measurements now match the weeks along that I am.

Remember those stomach pains? Well, I asked if there were any side effects to taking Evening Primrose Oil tablets. The side affects can be that if you take too much: "nausea, vomiting and GI distress".

You know what GI distress is, dont you? Gastro intestinal distress. I would heartily describe my stomach pains as GI distress. One of the directions for taking those evening primrose tablets is to take it with food. So, there must be something in it that can affect my stomach. What I do now is to just take two tablets a day instead of three. I havent had any pains in the last two days.

See?! I didnt need the GasX! Ha, Ha!!!

There didnt seem to be any adverse affects from the raspberry lea tea extract.

Oh, I was leaving the clinic this morning from my appointment and in the elevator, when a gal with a newborn stepped in too. Her little baby girl had just been born on Friday, the 15th, a month early. It was her first baby. I asked to see her; this little girl looked so precious and delicate. Perfect little fingers, nose, and mouth. My heart just swelled with the joy and anticipation of soon being able to see our baby boy too.

The mama said she was on her way out to go shopping for her baby.

In the meantime, with all the cooking, I did stumble on my diet again today. I actually had a slice of white bread with some home made strawberry jelly. And I had a small biscuit. And then I had a small coffee with sugar and cream.

So, its back to a new day tomorrow.

Again, thanks for all your comments!

Hope your Wednesday goes well!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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UpDate

Hello friends!

Its been a few days since Ive blogged, but I have been busy.

Not only have did I get in all the work-outs I wanted to get in last week (six days of running and five days weight lifting), Ive also been signing the kids up for fall activities like swimming lessons, karate, flag football, gymnastics, boys choir, piano and violin lessons.

Plus Im figuring out their home school schedule.

I have been reading up on some some body building magazines to double check to make sure I am "doing it right" with my diet and exercise program.

I deduced that 1,400 calories is adequate. But Ive decided to incorporate HIIT work-outs. High intensity interval training. And doing cardio that focuses on my glutes like raising the incline to the highest it can go on the treadmill and running that. (I havent done that yet)

When I run to the gym I will do sprints. I did that tonight and that felt decent. I am still training for my half marathon, but I will "sprinkle" my week with three days of HIIT work-outs. And then two days of the week when I run my long runs, I will try it with an incline.

Also...I have been doing the same weight lifting routine for two or three years. So, Im going to switch in some different exercises that work my muscles from a different angle to see if that will help rev up my metabolism too.

Its strange. Tonight I felt down again looking at the mirror. I wonder if my metabolism is slowing down because Im not eating enough. I wonder, "what if I only lose one pound a week?". Then, I wonder, "Why am I doing all this anyway?"

Its like I can see the future...and I sometimes just think, "wow, months and months of this. Will it never end?"

But Ive lived the alternative.

Out of shape. No hope. Low energy. Unhappy.

The food that I eat now is so healthy that I am nourished, happy and satisfied at 1,400 because not one of those calories is wasted.

Ive noticed that I think more clearly. I have more energy.

Even though my weight isnt where I want it, I feel good about my appearance.

I have hope.

So, I suppose even if I dont hit that two pound a week average, I will keep at it.

I am really shooting for a two pound drop by this Saturday. Right now I am at 10. 2 pounds down. So, I want to see a 12 pound drop.

Well see if it happens.

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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8 4 2012 Update Coming Down the Pipe

Greetings all. My Spirits are soaring and my Energy is good.

What next? Is there a next? Does there have to be a next? Do you have to keep repeating the word "next" so many times?  OK, we dont have to be rude! HA!!!

What "next" indeed! If I did not know better I would think "Cyber Mom" is poking fun at me. I know it cant be those "voices" again. Or is it?



Back to business or should I say fun. OK then, what is next for the future? Yes, I said future. With me you never know. One minute I ready to "Sign Off" for good, the next I am creating a new blog knee deep in an experiment. Go figure.

Right, anyway I am really working hard in my oh so little spare time on a new... new... oh, I dont know what to call it. I guess an idea or ..... again I dont know what to call it. It wont be anything fast, but it wont be forever. It will take a lot of work and at present time is not what I have a lot of unfortunately.

That being said this is sometime that I feel I need. Something that will help me put things in prospective. It will be something that will help me achieve good if not great health. I hope. Most of all I dont mind sharing it with you my Friends and Family. It is just who I am. How much will it cost you?

Hmm...... let me see. How much is it worth? A lot to some, nothing to others I guess. OK, the price: PATIENCE.

Hey the support I get from those who are willing to share are payment enough. Not everyone shares on the blog though. Many share through email. I really wish they would share "anonymously" online so all can benefit from their input. Even if it is just a question. You will be surprised how that helps others. And "others" is one of the big reason I continue this blog or blogs or whatever. Hey I am not trying to pressure anyone to go public. HA! Continue to do what makes you feel comfortable. The choice is always yours.

Again, I am working on something that will put together what I have been working on for the last two years and to a degree things I have been working on my whole adult life. Will it be all diet? No. Diet is oh so important, but life has a balance.

Yes, my Friends and Family a Balance Indeed! What is my version of balance you may wonder? Well I kinda lead on to it in some of my responses in my comments to my dear Friends and Family that took time out to respond to my latest posts.

Riddle me this: Diet, Food, Exercise, and Spirituality.

Did I leave something out? Probably. I do feel that I did, but at the moment I cant think of it.

Have a Healthy Day my Friends and Family. No Surrender, No Retreat and Battle On!!!

I See the Light

Cheers,

Dave

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1 10 2013 UPDATE NEW 30 Day Challenge

Greetings all,

This is to announce a new 30 Day 5 Bite Diet Challenge. The TWIST??? Well I will be doing it Ala Zero Carb. That being said the 30 Day 5BD Challenge will be conducted on my Zero Carb Blog:

http://zero-carb.blogspot.com/

I will start this challenge 1/14/2013. I will post daily results, foods I ate and all that stuff. 

Have a Healthy Day my Friends and Family. Keep the Faith and Always Battle On!!!

(ZC)er Up to the Challenge

Cheers,

Dave

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A Little Update

Hello again!

Thank you for all of your congratulations!

Im at the library with baby this time and hes asleep. I had stopped in to pick up the latest Jack Reacher novel, and I thought, "well, well see how long he sleeps."

He just got weighed again today and hes now 6 pounds 11 ounces, as compared to 6 pounds 6.8 ounces on Monday. Im guessing that he will hit seven pounds very soon.

I dont know how the weather is anywhere else, but its been in the 70s here for the past three days which has been wonderful for Daddy Rainmaker to get some outside things done at home.

I have been doing some house cleaning and around 7:00 p.m. last night I hit the wall and fell asleep for four hours. But Ive been working hard to make sure I get my sleep. Each day I feel a little bit better recovery-wise. Im also very glad that we made all that food because meals are a breeze.

Tomorrow and Friday I start back with some homeschooling, so well see how that goes. Also, I am thinking about going back in the gym next week, but that will depend on how I feel.

The whole family just loves baby and loves holding him. I dont even mind changing his diaper. Well, I think hes waking up.

I will blog when I can.

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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5 Bite Diet Update and News you can USE

Greetings all,

As you can tell by the dates of the previous posts that this blog is not current. It was designed as an experiment for myself and later for Connor.  The 5 Bite Diet is not designed for daily use for life. It is designed as Weight Loss Tool and a Tool to learn about Portion Control. It really works effectively when applied correctly. I will leave this blog open for viewing to those who want to see results on this diet. You can no longer post comments here. You can always email me with any questions you may have and I will answer you back as soon as possible. I dont know if I will update this blog in the future. I wont say "no" at this point. It does have some good qualities about it. So for now it will remain as an "Archive" of my 5 Bite Diet experience. I hope it helps those who are interested going down this path. 

When the weight has come off I suggest to you to try the Zero Carb Diet or should I say the Zero Carb Lifestyle. This is my suggestion to you and has nothing to do with the 5 Bite Diet. As many of you know there is a link to my Zero Carb Blog formally known as "The Chronicles of David" and now has been renamed "Zero Carb Chronicles". Right now Connor is giving the Zero Carb Life style one more try. He has failed in the past due to his inability to curb his cravings for carbohydrates aka "POISON" in my book. At the time of this posting he has successfully been on the Zero Carb Lifestyle for 33 days and has lost 7 1/2 pounds with ease. Anyway if you are so inclined click the link to the Zero Carb Chronicles Blog and see how Connor is doing and read all the Scientific Data that our resident expert "Denis" has provided the Zero Carb Chronicles Blog over the last few years. You can use the "search" option on that blog and input "Denis" and read his important and informative science research on the subject of the Zero Carb Lifestyle.

Below is the Link to the Zero Carb Chronicles Blog:

http://zero-carb.blogspot.com/


Eat this and lose all the weight you can imagine. It takes a little longer, but the result are lifelong.

Have a Healthy Day! Live Long, Be Strong and Always Battle On!!!

(ZC)er For LIFE

Cheers,

Dave

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9 1 2012 Update Shoot for the Stars

Howdy Yall! My Spirits and Energy levels are great!!!

I have to say that I am have a great day so far. I am focusing on my task at hand which is refurbishing my gas grill. Jeez, I did not know that so MUCH grease could be in places that you would not or could not imagine. This is the second washing that I am doing before I begin to sand it down. I need to finish this today as I plan to use it tomorrow. So sand, paint and assemble needs to happen before the day has ended.

I am also painting my kitchen or lets say I am on the starting stages of painting. We have paint a few test patches and will probably go with a color called "Soft Candlelight" from Glidden. I want to brighten up my kitchen  The paint is the same on the walls from when we bought the house a few years ago and it is cheap flat paint. I dont like it and it makes my kitchen dull. So yet another project in the works. I will then start to plan to buy a new stainless steel gas stove to replace my white electric stove. Then I will plan on replacing the counter tops, back-splash and sink soon. Yes a total kitchen update. I like the wood floors so they stay. Oh yeah I will also replace my metal 1 inch mini-blinds with 2 inch wood blinds.

I am still working on the "New Blog". I need to come up with a good title. I will take my time and plan it right. I really want it to be my last blog or least my last "MAIN" blog. This will indeed take some time. So be patient............. all good things come with time. I guess. HA!!!



I might have some good news soon. Maybe. I dont know. I cant share now because it may not be anything at all. Regardless of the outcome I will share later. Yes, I know you guys and gals hate when I do that..... but what can I do? Again some things just have to wait. What I can say: it will be interesting.......... interesting indeed. I am just a simple person........ yet very independent. I dont jump into things on a whim unless I am fully confident that its the right thing. Life is too important to me to "CHEAPEN" myself. Example: I rather have a small social gathering at my home with Family and Old Friends than have a meal at a fancy pancy restaurant with a celebrity. Unless that person was a friend or someone of good standing. I guess this is strange for some folks, but not me. This is who I am.

For now I am eating Zero Carb with portion control. I feel good if not great. I do plan on another 30 day challenge  but not just yet. Maybe in a month or two. Sorry that is what it is. Right now I need to focus on projects on hand. Things that I have mentioned and a few that are private... well at least for now. I will be going to the Texas Renaissance Festival in October or November. I cant wait!!! I love it and look forward to it every year. I am here and I am not going anywhere yall. On the new blog I do plan on posting daily... what? Well we will find out together. I sort of would lid to have a few of you post some pages yourself about your Journey. I dont know. I think it would be interesting. Not like a forum, or who knows. I guess the comment boxes may be enough. Alright too much thinking OUT-LOUD Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not that strange laugh again? YIKES!!! OK comedy hour over and out.

 Look-it: At the end of the day we have "Free Will" and yes that means choices. Good choices and Bad choices. So easy, yet so hard. Believe me I know. Been there done that. Solutions can seem easy on paper, but hard to follow. We sometimes know better, but give in to forces that....that... well, seem to overpower us. The answer is not magic. Dig deep my Friends and Family and Fight.......Fight for your very LIFE, Fight for your very Happiness, Fight for your very Being. Have a Health Day my Friends and Family. Win the Day, and Prepare for Tomorrow. Keep the  Faith and Always, Always Battle On!!!

Hold the Line

Cheers,

Dave

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An Update And Ive Lost Four Pounds So Far

Hi Yall!

I feel like I should post a picture of the baby or something. ha! I think Ill do that tomorrow. Hell be two weeks old.

I figured I should make a post now...while Im still wide awake because I cant guarantee how Ill be feeling tonight. Last night, I laid down at eight at night and didnt awake until sometime after midnight.

This child of ours is exhausting me. He is constantly eating, which is great! But...Im beginning to feel like...slightly suffocated. But sleep helps. Actually, from my experience, the first year with a newborn is usually the most challenging because they are so dependent on you. And, its also a time when you are adjusting to caring for another person while trying to balance that care with your other responsibilities.

I think, all things considered, its going well. Im back to homeschooling, getting that done and developing more ideas to make things go even smoother.

Also, newborns present a special challenge for moms who want to work out at the gym...like me.

Yes, you all knew I would be wanting to hit the gym ASAP. But, it can be challenging, because I first have to pump breast milk before I go, and then hope that he doesnt cry too bad while Im gone. Because often babies dont like breast milk in a bottle. Usually by the time I get to the gym, Im feeling a little out of breath from all the histrionics I go through just to get there. But, whats amazing about being gone from baby, even for just an hour, is that Im in a great mood when I come back and I feel even more love for him than before I left.

So, I may try to work out tonight, or tomorrow night. I want to fit in at least two arm work-outs this week. The leg work-out may have to wait until next week.

As for my diet...remember I said Id start on Monday?

Ive already lost four pounds. But, usually I will lose about five pounds in the first week and then I will lose nothing for about ten days. But by the end of ten weeks, the average will be about two pounds a week. Also, I may still be losing water weight from just having a baby. And, I am breastfeeding, which they say burns between 200 to 500 calories a day. It depend on how much breast milk the baby drinks. They say you burn about 20 calories per ounce that the baby eats.

Either way, losing that first five pounds is an encouragement to me to keep eating healthy.

I really appreciate you all visiting me and checking on me despite me not being able to check up on you. I hope to remedy that soon.

So, lets see...where does ten weeks take me...Monday, January 17...which is two days before my husbands birthday...and three days before my dads birthday.

Can I do it again?

Can I lose twenty pounds in ten weeks again?

When I did it before, I was able to run from the beginning, but I cant run right now because my body isnt completely healed.

But Im going to do my best!

Hope you all have a great day!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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