Mid-Week Boost

These past few weeks have been a little trying. I love me a good snow day but my rhythm has been a little off lately. I haven't made time to sit and actually read the word like I know I need to. So, I made an effort to do that yesterday and today and I feel so much better. It also gives me better things to write about and points of reflection. We have to really make sure we cover ourselves in the word because you never know what each day will have in store for us.

So since we are right in the middle of the week, here is a little inspiration to help all of us finish strong.

"God blessed those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)

Also, this video was shared by one of my girls over at Lo's Notes last week. I had to repost it because how can you not feel better after listening to this song. Check her blog out too!

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalms 23:1 NLT)

Week 3: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

So Week-2 I was like this:

(Instead of footballs imagine me kicking away unhealthy foods)

 But last week I was like: 

I didn't really have a cheat meal per-se just a crappy eating week. I have really tried to cut down on "fat talk" but to be honest last week I just felt like a fat girl. I was only able to stick to my calorie goal 4/7 days. And since y'all know I am all about getting A's, this was a huge disappointment. Without being able to exercise daily, I am struggling. Now because I want this to be as authentic as possible, if I can get 6/7 days at or under 1,500, I feel like I am winning but last week I wasn't. I managed to loose a pound though but I am not happy with that. I just can't get out of my perfectionist ways fast enough but slow and steady wins the race right?

Here is my recap:

Monday-Today I fared well because having a day off really doesn't require energy so I wasn't really that hungry--breakfast-snack-dinner-Zumba-snack and the day was over. If everyday was like today I'd be in shape in no time.
Tuesday-So because we had a midday snow storm my commute home with a toddler was about 3 hours. We had to have snacks (carrots for me--Yay!) in the car. But by the time I got home I was ravenous. Salted caramel popcorn did me in.
Wedneday-Today was a snow day and I had more salted caramel popcorn lol. I had a salad for dinner though so even though I didn't make the healthiest food choices, I was under my calorie goal.
Thursday-I got my life together today. To God be the glory. I planned well and my calorie
Friday-I could have made it this day but the way my day went, I needed a glass of wine at the end of it. *sigh* Not too bad though--1,605.
Saturday-I made it through a Saturday and even made cookies--4-ingredient chocolate chip cookies. These were the bomb and super easy! I also tried some Parmesan Crusted Tilapia and is was also a win.
Sunday-Kid birthday party fail. I almost didn't want to track what I ate because I was ashamed. Which caused me to come home and have more cookies and wine. If I would've tracked in the moment, I could've saved myself 1,000 extra calories by not diving into those cookies but hey you live and grow right?

I know people say they want to get healthy by it right now I'm trying to be this:

This Gif and the one above are courtesy of Awesomely Luvvie

In all seriousness though, each day is a new day. Paying attention to what I am eating is a start. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)
I already know that because I have church tonight I can't go to Zumba but I plan to go Saturday instead. The Super Bowl is Sunday so I will be looking for light snacking options for the family or just go lock myself in a room lol. I am also going to try to eat a little more seafood this week and a little less bacon--maybe. I also enlisted the help of my weight loss buddy extrodinare. Together a few years ago, we were some weight watchers beasts so I'm going to use her more for support because she knows my struggle and can help talk me off an over eating ledge as needed.

Planning and support are really crucial in any attempts at weight loss.

I claim victory over this week for all of us in the name of Jesus. 

Hug Your Babies

I started this draft a while ago after witnessing a student having a seizure in my class. But after watching Fruitvale Station this weekend, I am compelled to finish it and take it in a new direction. Our children are so precious for so many reasons. This movie only further confirms for me that parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world.

First, my stomach ached the entire time I watched Fruitvale Station. I knew what was coming but I didn't know when. The fact that this was some one's son and father (not to mention he was murdered in my home state of California) was unsettling. I remembered this story from when it really happened but just reliving it from the beginning to the end was almost unbearable; especially knowing that the man that was responsible for Oscar Grant's death served only 11 months in jail.

All I can keep thinking about is that I have a son and something like that could happen to him. What am I suppose to do lock him up in a bubble to protect him? Oscar's mom thought she was keeping her child safe by encouraging him to not drink and drive and look what happened--he took the train and was murdered by a police officer who beat and shot him (while Oscar was handcuffed by the way) but then claimed he mistook his gun for a taser. What can we, mothers of black boys, do?  Feeding our son's organic foods, reading to them every night, and enrolling them in the right schools can only take them so far. What happens when they go off on their own and encounter the big bad wolf?

My heart aches for Oscar's mother and all the mother's of black boys who have to teach them carefully because so many people don't view their life as having value. Oscar is only one of the countless examples of young black men who have died at the hands of police officers and senseless acts violence only to have their perpetrators walk away free.

The funny thing is kids are so oblivious to the racial hate that exists in this country.  I see this in all the different kids groups my son is in. Even in the movie, you can see Oscar having many lighthearted interactions with people of the opposite race. Everyone was just trying to celebrate New Year's. So when/where does the breakdown occur? Are other parents teaching this hate inside their homes? Do kids grow up mimicking what they have seen play out in the media so many times? Will racially charged behaviors go away as more and more generations pass? To be honest, I remember in about kindergarten or first grade when I realized that being black really in fact made me different. I guess it wasn't cool to talk about TV shows like A Different World or the Cosby Show with a kid who wasn't black. Her mama was not pleased.

This is what scares me about parenting.

At times, education is everything but you can't wear a degree on your forehead. Heck, I have definitely gotten the side-eye when I have mistakenly left my wedding ring at home and I am running around with my son. Police officers have been extra rude the few times I have encountered them. An older woman even told me to slow down once as I struggled to get my nephew and son in my car--they are very close in age. *insert shocked face* If this can happen to me as a Master's Degree--Career Having black woman, who knows what this world will serve up to my son.

*Takes a deep breath*

In the midst of all of these thoughts and frustrations, I ultimately am calmed because I know that my son is in God's hands.  Not all people will like him. People may even do and say mean things to him; but God's will for his life will be done. I will keep him in church and immerse him in the word so he will know who matters and that he matters irregardless of what others say. I will teach him to love and not hate. I will cover him in prayer each day because some of the cruelties that this world will serve him he will have to endure and learn from them.

Hug your babies, husbands, boo's,  mama's, aunties--hug everybody because tomorrow is not promised.

My kingdom does not belong to this world. -John 18:36

Week 2: All Things Are Possible

This week to God be the glory I was not nearly as hungry as I was the first week. That was just the little push that I needed.

Here is my recap from last week:

Monday: Today I stepped on the scale for the first time since October (well I think I did once but I hadn't gained or loss at that point). I have gained 6 pounds since then. I have been avoiding the scale because I figured I had gained like 20 pounds because I was not focused at all in the fall/during the holidays but all hope is not lost. I didn't binge eat everyday and ate relatively healthy when I could so thank God. Now I have a real starting point for this journey. I'll update you when I hit the scale again. Still hitting Zumba like a boss. I don't have many days to work out so, I am sticking to this one.

Tuesday: So yeah, I think this is my busiest day of the week. This is good and bad because I don't have time to think about being hungry but then I also don't have much time to eat. The hunger pains got better though. I am grateful for that. I just have to make sure that I don't dive into whatever it is that I do eat when I do finally get the chance.

Wednesday: Today felt good. I had a work lunch and I didn't know what would be served so I had a light breakfast to prep. Luckily they always serve healthy food so I had good options. I ended the day well under my calorie goal and I had a cookie at lunch. I chatted with a friend during lunch and took my time eating so I didn't even want everything I put on my plate anyhow. Tuna wraps are my new favorite thing (on a whole wheat tortilla by the way).

Thursday: Today I ate one of my faves--a plain bagel with veggie cream cheese from Dunkin Doughnuts. I opted for a lighter options throughout the day to allot for this treat and it worked in my favor.

Friday: I had a date night dinner with the hubs and managed not to go over my calorie limit! *insert praise dance here*. Planning is key on a day like this--shoot everyday for that matter.

The Weekend: This weekend's treat was Salted Caramel Popcorn. OMG delicious!!! I had way to much on Saturday but managed to sneak away with only eating 1,817 calories for the day. Over my 1,500 but not as bad a last weekend's 2,119 calorie Sunday. This Sunday was low-key. I had more popcorn but cut out some other snacks and managed to stay under my calorie goal.

Overall: The only thing that wasn't super great this week was getting in 106 ounces of water a day. You really have to focus. I got close most days but that was tough when I didn't make time to always refill my bottle or when I was just at home lounging around. Also, this plank challenge that me and my husband are doing is no joke though. We are up to 1.5 minutes now. INSANE. After a minute, I am done UGH. I am ready to give it up lol. Overall though, I really feel like I can do this. Hopefully as the weeks go by, things will continue to get easier and healthier eating will become second nature. I am trying my best to make this as normal as possible so I will be able to keep up with steady weight loss throughout the rest of winter and in to the spring.

Continue to pray for me. I hope all are doing well with your New Year's Goals!

Salted Caramel Popcorn

Salted Caramel Popcorn is the name of the game tonight courtesy of Shelly over at Cookies and Cups. To God be the glory that I had enough after one serving and didn't dive right in. All things in moderation remember? If you love caramel this one is for you.

Note: I didn't pop my popcorn in a popper. I used a good old fashion pot on the stove. Also if you wanted to make this a tad bit healthier, I think you could cut down a little bit of the butter and sugar and get the same effect. I think a 1/2 cup of each would be fine. (I'll try this next time and post an update if it works out good).
Also make sure you take out the popcorn kernels before you pour the caramel topping on.

Let me know if you try it!

Happy Saturday!!!

Salted Caramel Popcorn

Makes about 16 cups of caramel corn

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels (about 16 cups popped corn)
• 1 cup salted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 - 2 tsp kosher or sea salt, divided

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 300°
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
3. Pop popcorn kernels using air popper into a large bowl.
4. In a small saucepan melt butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and 1 tsp salt together over medium heat. Bring to boil. Boil for 4 minutes without stirring.
5. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and stir to coat evenly.
6. Pour popcorn into lined pan, sprinkle remaining salt on top (1/2 tsp - 1 tsp depending on your personal taste preference) and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
7. Allow popcorn to cool on a parchment lined counter.

Notes

You can add in 2 cups of nuts to the un-coated popcorn if desired! Coat with caramel as states!