Back to Blogging

---1---

After a very hectic last month, I decided (with some encouragement) to get back to blogging. So here a short, but heartfelt 7 best things of the week...

---2---

Trip to the Farmer's Market

Oh how I love the farmer's market. So many delicious and tasty treasures to enjoy. I'm most excited this week about the plum-colored bell peppers! I have no idea what those taste like, but I'm going to find out tomorrow.

---3---

Busy week month at work. The more I try to do for God (I work in ministry), the more challenging things seems to be. Or perhaps it just has been one of those weeks (...I mean months), but I am focusing on being faithful to God's mission through the work I do at Church and trying to not let me spiritual gaze go astray. 

---4---

All or nothing mentality. That is often how I view food, healthy, workout, faith, relationships....basically everything. I realize that is probably unhealthy and is related somehow to how I was raised. However,  God has revealed a lot to me as I have been doing a lot of internal "repair work" and this one of the things He continues to bring forward in my prayer life. So basically, this "all or nothing" approach to life is something I want to try and work on. Perhaps being more flexible with judgement on myself and others. Also, with my approach to health and eating. If I have a poor "eating day" then I give up by lunch and don't consider the repercussions of my later decisions. I guess i'm just realizing I have more control over my emotions and rest of the day then I "feel" like.

 This week, Lord help me to depend more fully on your and not give up on myself when I hit a bump in the road.  

---5---

Devon's Birthday Dinner

We had a delicious dinner at BLT Steak for Devon's birthday, which was fortunate for us also Restaurant Week. Restaurant week is when a huge list of upscale restaurants in Charlotte offer an appetizer, main course, and dessert for $30. We spoiled ourselves (and the birthday girl) with amazingly crafted rolls, hand-churned butter, and an amazing steak- all while enjoying the lovely atmosphere. I can't wait until the next restaurant week in January, which also is the same week of my birthday...who-hoo!

---6---

My video choice of the week....Oh Mark Hart, how we love you!

---7---

"Hope. It is the only thing greater than fear."
~Fireflight

51 Rules: Week #2

This week on 51 Rules, I'm going to try and maintain last week's goals (low sugar, CC+LP, and keep goals in mind). This week I hope to track all my food (both good and bad choices) and workout 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes.

I will let you know how it goes at the end of the week. I'm off now to make a detailed food plan to for the week!

Be strong...

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

First Week

Well, after my first week of  "eating clean" most of the time, I have lost 4 pounds. I am definitely excited, but the first week on a diet/back on a diet is always the easiest. Week 2 and the coming weeks will be more of a challenge. I have to say the most difficult part of my week was eating out. Last night, I had a friend over and we made salmon burgers, homemade salsa and roasted yellow squash...it was delicious! I do great when I'm at home and prepare my own meals, but when I go out to eat practicing self-control is super hard!

I hope everyone has a great weekend...here's to another week of eating clean!

Quick Takes - Week #1

--- 1 ---

New at this...

I'm so excited to be starting a food/life blog! This is something that I never thought I would do and have been talking myself out of for a month. Not only do I hope to share my love for cooking, sharing meals and experiencing new food, but I hope to my journey as I transform my eating habits into something my health-filled and wholesome. I hope to share the articles, tips, recipes and just plain excitement "For Love of Food."

--- 2 ---

A delicious meal for MG's birthday @

Enjoyed a Tuscan Grilled Chicken Salad (Arugula, Beets, Shaved Fennel, Red Onion, Endive, Gorgonzola, Walnut Vinaigrette)

--- 3 ---

Paula Deen, so proud!

                                                                            --- 4 ---

I'm obsessed...

With season 8 of the office. It is just the comic distraction I need from the stress of the day, but at the same time the distraction that keeps me from workouts. 

                                                                            --- 5 ---

How to change my attitude about working out? 

Workouts...can't live with them, can't live without them. Ugh, perhaps it would be better utilized as a reward for working out each day

--- 6 ---

Question for the week? When do you work out? Why? 

My dilemma: is it better to go in the morning and get it out of the way OR workout at the end of the day as a stress reliever? 

--- 7 ---

Inspiration for the week.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

51 Rules: Week #1

So as a part of my journey to better eating, I have started reading Just the Rules By Tosca Reno. She reviews 51 essentials rules to eating clean. My goal is to gradually incorporate them into my daily lifestyle.

Here are my goals for week one (I tried to stick with some of the "bigger picture" rules that I think are more foundational to healthy eating).

#1) CC + LP Seating in a tree!

Ok, I'm sure your like, "what?" However, Tosca does a great job in the book explaining that Complex Carbs (oats, brown rice, whole grain breads, fruits and vegetables) go together with Lean Proteins (lean red meat, white fish, legumes, nuts and nut butters) like "K-I-S-S-I-N-G"!

Anyways, the play on words will hopefully help me remember to eat 5-6 times a day and include CC+LP at each sit down.

#2) Cut out the sugar!!

Sugar is everywhere and I will be the first to admit how much I love it!

One of the resources in Tosca's book is: NancyAppleton.com & the following video:

#3) Set a goal.

This was actually pretty hard even though it isn't something I need to implement right away.


First, I plan to go on a personal pilgrimage sometime in September (more details to come). 


Next, KT and myself are going to start training for a 5K at the end of July (this was not my idea!) However, that means we are going to look for a 5K to participate in sometime after October 1st...ugh!

Finally, my long term-ish goal is to eat "healthy" for 6 months and enjoy the results of my clothes fitting better, feeling better about my physique and hopefully celebrating with some shopping!

Ok, so here goes...

Apples, Spinach, and Almonds....oh my!

10 Healthy Foods

These are probably very obvious, but nothing wrong with getting back to basics!

Sugar...the Legal Cocaine!

Cheesy video, but very true. I agree that sugar is totally addictive and is in everything we eat disguised as a variety of different ingredients. Check out this website for more info!

Sugar Check-In

Motivation.

If Tosca (53) can look that good, anyone can with healthy eating, regular workouts and a little old fashioned hard work.

Day One...

I know this is a blog about loving food, but I wanted to post this video from a dear friend that I love (KT) about someone that I love (AJ)

Happy Tuesday :-)