Days on the Farm

I am really blessed to have a family that loves to plant and garden and play in the dirt! Since I had the day basically free, I went up to help out with the garden, since I am enjoying the bounty. . . .Today was the first time I have ever really encountered red noodle beans, and can I tell you something? They are amazing!!!!!!!!!! Daddy has one long row of red noodle beans and I picked two five-gallon buckets of noodle beans -- and could have picked more!!!!!!!! They just hang from the bushes like long red snakes, just waiting to strike. They can truly grown up to 1 yard -- yes, 3 whole feet! They are supposed to be similar to green beans, and I am anxious to try them. I have them waiting on me as we speak to snap and shell. The reviews are all rave, and I can testify to the fact that they are relatively easy and amazing to pick.

It's such a great season with so many things coming off in the garden that is wonderful -- especially if you are trying to eat healthily as I am: tomatoes, squash of varying kinds, cucumbers, etc. After the noodle beans today, I broke some ears of corn, picked some squash and 2-3 pints of blueberries. Then I brought a bunch of tomatoes home and cooked them down so they are ready to freeze. The garden waits for no one.

The recipe I want to share tonight is a really simple, but delightful one -- great for a refreshing treat after a hot morning in the garden. It serves one, but is easily doubled.

Cucumber-Mint Smoothie

one 4-6 inch cucumber, peeled and chunked
4 oz of apple juice or white grape juice
5-7 chocolate mint leaves (you could easily replace with spearmint leaves, peppermint leaves, or a bit of mint extract)
6-8 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in blender and process until ice and mint leaves and cucumbers are finely chopped and smoothie-consistency.

Revisiting the Journey

Wow! I just reread all my posts. It's been a really long time since I posted -- it was a wild and crazy school year, but it's over, so I'm hoping I can get back to some regular posts. The very cool thing is that I've come a long way since my last post. . . I hit my 60 lb. mark last week!!!!!!!!!! Yes, 60 lbs. It's fluctuated this week back up a bit, as there have been lots of eating out and a few cheats along the way, but the pool is going, and I'm hoping to get back on the exercise bandwagon. The school year brought myriad challenges -- exercise being the most difficult, with my schedule so very busy. I find myself not quite as vigilant as I once was, and portion sizes have crept up. Therefore, my loss has slowed considerably. . .only maybe 1-3 lbs a month, with some months seeing no movement whatsoever. My plan is to get back on my plan for the summer. . . .Yet and still, I find myself down to 176 - 179 lbs right now. -- 58-60 lbs less than last April. . . .

I've moved from a size 18-22 (depending on how it was made) to a 14-16 (and many of the 16s are too large now). Some shirts I'm even wearing a medium (that from a 2X . . ) . Wow! It has been quite a journey, and it is far from over! I still have another 40-50 lbs to go. I had a goal set for my anniversary, coming up mid-July, but at thing point I will almost certainly not make it, so I have revised it in hopes to be down to 170 by then -- lofty, but reachable. Currently, I weigh less than I did when Shane and I met.

I've learned much along the way, and still have much to learn. God has blessed my endeavors, and my prayer is that He will continue to help me be the best me I can. . . .

Tonight's "recipe" is more of a strategy. If you struggle, as I once did, to get enough water, here are some tips for you -- "mix-ins" if you will. Check these out and enjoy refreshment on another level:

Flavored Waters

Fruit Flavors:
Cut up strawberries, orange slices, lemon or lime slices, crushed cranberries, etc. or some combination thereof into a glass or pitcher of water. Add ice, if desired, and enjoy.

Vegetable Flavors:
Cut up cucumbers, celery sticks, or other flavorful raw veggie into a glass or pitcher of water with ice.

Herb Flavors:
Wash bunches of spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, pineapple sage, lemon verbena, rosemary, etc.

For really snazzy flavor, mix it up -- do citrus water with lemons, limes and oranges; cucumber and spearmint; oranges and cranberries. Be creative and try interesting combinations. Shane and I really like orange and spearmint together. It's a much more fun and interesting way to drink water!

Other tips for getting enough water:
~Experts recommend 1/2 as many oz. as your weight. Figure your total oz. needed, and measure it out into personal cups or bottles for the day and you'll know when you've had your quota.
~Put a rubber band on your wrist for every 8 oz (or 16) to help you keep a tally of oz drunk.
~Put a bottle of water by your bed and drink it first thing in the morning to jumpstart your daily intake.
~Order water when you go out to eat -- it will save your wallet and increase your water intake.
~Set a timer throughout the day and drink a bottle or glass of water each time the timer goes off.

Cheers!