HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY FAMILIES PART II- FAT MATTERS

My kids are not "veggie freaks"...  just, FYI.

Before listening to Whitney Zaino teach on healthy living, I really hadn't been exposed to helpful information that seemed legit and "do-able" that would also benefit my entire family.  Because of this, I always bought things that were quick, easy, and cheap- like Pop-Tarts, Microwaveable Foods, Hot Dogs, Lunchables, and anything else that required minimal efforts.  I did just enough to get by, but never wanted to force them to eat veggies... because I didn't like veggies.

Until now.

I also learned, during the course of all of this re-training of my brain, that it's not all about eating veggies.  There are some other major players in the healthy living game.  Let's see what Whitney has to say about this stuff:

"What is best for you and your family to prevent and reverse disease and illness is to follow the Three Healthy Principles of Abundant Nutrition. They are broken down by food group: fats, protein, and carbohydrates. 

Fat

Healthy fats vs. damaged fats:

Eat more healthy fats: eliminate all damaged fats 

Protein

Naturally raised vs. unnaturally raised animals:

Go organic and natural for animals because these are at the top of the food chain 

Carbohydrates

Whole Carbohydrates vs. refined carbohydrates

Eat more vegetables-eliminate refined grains and sugars. 

Seriously, folks- it's really that simple... and that complicated.

Say wha???

I'll break down each of these three categories to help you try to understand:

1.  FAT.  Seriously.  You have to eat fat to lose fat.  But not only that, you have to eat fat (the right kind of fat) to function the way you were intended to.  See below from Whitney:

Fats

The number one missing ingredient in the standard North American diet is not a vitamin or mineral but good fat. Good fats are essential to brain development, cellular healing, anti-inflammation, absorbing vitamins, cushioning vital organs, increased awareness and learning abilities, increases heart health, focus and concentration.

FAT FACTS

• FACT:About 70% of your brain is fat.

•  
  • FACT:Fats play an important role in brain function, building cell membranes, clotting blood, absorbing vitamins, cushioning vital organs and protecting us from extreme temperatures.

• • FACT:Eating fat does not make you fat.

• • FACT:Americans eat more non-fat foods than people in any other country, yet our population is the fattest in the world.

• • FACT:From 1970-2000 grain and sugar consumption increased significantly, but not total fat consumption. However, during that period, the consumption of trans fats increased.

• • FACT:It is not the amount of fat that we eat that matters, but the type of fat.

• • FACT:Trans fats are the link to heart disease and cancer -- not saturated fats.

• • FACT:The good saturated fats are very healthy and can be consumed daily.

• • FACT:Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fat and is one of the healthiest foods on earth.

• • FACT:Grass-fed meat and free-range poultry have the good fats in the right ratios, unlike store bought meats.

• • FACT:About 70% of your brain is fat.

• • FACT:Fats play an important role in brain function, building cell membranes, clotting blood, absorbing vitamins, cushioning vital organs and protecting us from extreme temperatures.

• • FACT:Eating fat does not make you fat.

• • FACT:Americans eat more non-fat foods than people in any other country, yet our population is the fattest in the world.

• • FACT:From 1970-2000 grain and sugar consumption increased significantly, but not total fat consumption. However, during that period, the consumption of trans fats increased.

• • FACT:It is not the amount of fat that we eat that matters, but the type of fat.

• • FACT:Trans fats are the link to heart disease and cancer -- not saturated fats.

• • FACT:The good saturated fats are very healthy and can be consumed daily.

• • FACT:Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fat and is one of the healthiest foods on earth.

• • FACT:Grass-fed meat and free-range poultry have the good fats in the right ratios, unlike store bought meat

Healthy fats (undamaged saturated fat)make up 70% of your brain tissue. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat. “There are healthy saturated fats and there are damaged saturated fats. When animals are fed grain, their antioxidants are depleted and their fats become more susceptible to oxidation and damage. When coconut fat or even animal fat is consumed in its purest form, the saturated fat is protected from oxidation by abundant antioxidants and offers incredible health benefits. Coconut is converted into quick energy and less likely to be stored as fat or cause obesity. It supports the thyroid, heart, and immune system and is one of the healthiest foods in the world today.” Coconut is recommended for cooking, due to its sustainability in high heat. It is also a great substitution for butter.

You will want to eliminate all bad fats, such as hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils, trans fats, and rancid vegetables oils. They are linked to cellular congestion, cancer, heart disease and neuro-toxicity. We know now that all of these diseases can take years to develop and most of them begin in childhood.

 

Fats to eliminate on the Healthy Kids Plan

x Hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils

x Rancid Oils (corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil)

x Trans fats (margarine, synthetic butters, and shortening)

x Roasted nuts and seed butters

x Pasteurized and homogenized dairy products

So, did you get all of that?  Yeah...  it took me a bit as well.  Take your time and digest this.  Take notes if you need to, shoot me an e-mail.  I'll be happy to answer any questions that I can.   All I know is what I have experienced personally and what I have been taught.  And that's what I'm sharing here.  I hope you'll take some time to really let this sink in and re-evaluate the choices you're making regarding, no only what you feed yourself, but also what you feed your spouse and your children.  As you can see from the information above, it's not only about your weight.  The food you choose to consume plays an extremely vital role in either helping you to become, or preventing you from becoming the man or woman that God created you to be.  The food you choose to consume will also set the pattern for your kids and their kids and their kids to come.

You may never become a veggie freak.  Your kids may never become little veggie-freak-lets.  But you're reading this for a reason...  I hope that wherever you are on your journey towards health and wellness, that you will be blessed by the information you find here.

I'm in this with you.... and I'm not done yet!

The good news is, there is a ton more information where this came from.  Just keep reading.  Just keep reading.  Just keep reading, reading, reading...

(I may or may not have watching Finding Nemo this weekend... can you tell?)

Have a tremendous week, my friends!

Motivated this Monday,

The Fat Girl,
Slim

The Apple Never Falls Far... HEALTHY KIDS, PART I

You know that moment when you open your mouth, and your mother's voice comes out?  I had that un-cool experience the other day.  I can remember vowing to become the "cool mom" when I grew up, but clearly, although cool, I'm also my awesome mother's daughter, and a disciplinarian, at that.

It's funny to me, that no matter how hard we fight it, some part of us will take on the traits of our parents- both good and bad.  

Whitney Zaino writes, in her healthy kids book, 

"Parents are a huge influence. As leaders in the home, we must practice what we preach. How could you possibly expect your child to live a healthy lifestyle but they see you eating donuts, cookies and fast food? The same goes for what you complain about. If you turn your nose to anything green and make negative comments about healthy food, you can bet they will play copycat. We can all agree that how you are raised impacts how you will live when you are an adult. Let's give our children a running start with their health and teach them healthy habits so that when they are older they will not depart from it...." 

Whitney makes some great points here. I love how she challenges us as parents to make wise choices and become who we want our children to be.  I've noticed the "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy really doesn't seem to work out all too well in our house... or anywhere, for that matter,  So when we committed to eating healthier, we knew we were responsible for trying new things, and doing it with the same attitude we expected from our children (you'd be surprised how well I've managed to master pushing past my gag reflex with a smile on my face...  just sayin'.).  And my supplier, (my husband) had to stop sneaking junky candy snacks in his car and at night when he thought no one was looking, because we learned that it was really sending the wrong message to the kids, who ALWAYS seem to find out about these things (they're spies, I tell ya).

But there are days when I just don't FEEL like eating clean (and my scale reminds me of this).  On those days, I might cook something really healthy for the kids and pretend to be busy, so as to avoid said nutritious food, or I'll completely have the wrong attitude when I sit down to eat with them.  And apparently monkey see-monkey do in our house, so when the minis see momma with her poor attitude, they quickly adjust their thinking to mirror my poor attitude, and meal time turns in to war time- where nobody wins.

Even still- when I have a wonderful attitude, I come up against opposition at times.  Whitney writes:

"There will be some children that will inevitably rebel against the new changes around the house.  Who buys the food? You do, of course. Only buy the food you want your child to eat. Parents be parents! Give them choices or nothing to eat! I haven't heard of to many cases of starvation from a child refusing to eat food in the house. Don’t be a short ordered cook. Make the family meal and refuse to make something special for one of the kids that is not eating their food. This is sending the wrong message to the family and especially to this child. They will not starve. When they are hungry, they will eat. As long as it is a healthy meal, it should be what everyone else had for dinner. This is another great opportunity for discipline!"

Thanks Whitney.  I so needed that.  Especially on an evening where spinach and kale are a certainty.  As I was preparing our menu for the week, I went through a mental checklist of everything my kids might say and, knowing that I have a lot on my plate this week, I found myself planning a menu that was more conducive to pleasant attitudes.  You know- the easy stuff that you know they will eat quickly and without complaint.  I have been doing better about eating healthy my self (for the most part) but have found myself giving in more and more here and there to simple temptations

This week, I also entered myself in to a new contest.  This is a summer transformation contest, and I couldn't be more excited.  Unfortunately, I cannot eat all of the things my kids want to eat.  I had to think back to last summer when we first started eating healthy and I had to remember how much my persistence with the kids paid off.  I can remember weeks of tears and fighting and eventually my kids were begging for asparagus, broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, spinach, etc.  Although my kids still enjoy those foods, I have found myself more willing to make exceptions for the sake of simplicity.  If I'm really honest with myself, I'm making exceptions in the kitchen so that I can afford to be a little more lazy as a mom.  Truth.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but it's always necessary.  I don't want to raise kids who are spoiled.  I don't want to raise kids who have no respect for the hard work of others, or for their authority.

So what do I do?  I buck up.  Period. I plan the menu that will bring us all success, I prepare ONLY THAT FOOD, and I take a stand.  I refuse to be a short order cook, and I remind them, in the words of my beloved Momma "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."

Yeah, this apple didn't fall far from that tree... and I couldn't be more thankful to come from such a wise tree.

Love you Mom,

The Fat Girl,
Slim

Okay, so I keep giving you tons of tips and ideas.  I even shared with you my own faults and failures when it comes to the whole weight loss journey.

But one thing I've neglected to do is to share with you all of the information that originally triggered the start of this blog- the information from my friend Whitney Zaino that sparked the loss of over 60 pounds in a ten month period.

I realized, as I was looking back over the past months, that I have taken you through several key points in this journey, but there is such tremendous information that Whitney has shared with me, and I feel as if I'm doing a disservice by not sharing it.  So this week, I'll be sharing pieces of Whitney's book each day that I am able to write.  I hope and pray they bless you as you continue on your journey towards health and wellness.

Thanks for keeping up with us on this journey.  There is so much more to share, so I hope you'll stay tuned!

God bless!

The Fat Girl,
Slim

Plan Ahead. Menus... check!

So, remember how I was talking about planning ahead and being prepared?

A huge part of that comes from planning your weekly menu.  Have you done this?

I used to walk through the grocery aisles and piece together meals that sounded good to me... until I realized (whilst checking out with tons of food that I absolutely didn't need) that was so NOT the way to go.

And then, when I was learning to eat healthy, I'd write down exactly what we'd be eating for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and a possible evening snack.  But eventually, I realized my control issues, and  that became a pain in my backside... so I came up with a generic menu that I can rotate and change as needed.

It's all about flexibility, folks.

The bare bones of the menu are the same.  For instance, I know in any given week, we will have chicken, spinach, Brussels Sprouts, asparagus, apples, and tons more, but you get the idea.  We try to mix it up, but the core of the menu doesn't change enough to require tremendous planning.  This allows for easier shopping trips, and gives room for when things come up and you can't cook that five course meal you had planned.

That being said, last week when my mom went in to the hospital, I had not completed my menu planning and had only purchased parts of meals.  I was frustrated when I came home and had to plan and prepare meals, and attempted to balance a level of cleanliness (which didn't actually happen) with caring for my family, and cooking.    We didn't totally junk out last week, but the meals weren't what I normally would have prepared, so everyone in the house was cranky and exhausted... and hungry.

So when I went to the store this week, I had a full menu in mind.  I left no room for "what if"s in the menu.  I planned so that no matter what happened this week, we'd be prepared and my husband (who loves to cook) could select something from our menu and prepare it in my absence (if need be).

So that's my tip for today:  Plan your menu.

Plan for quick and easy, or plan for meals that take more time if you'd like (and if you know you have the time to spare).  The key is to plan ahead BEFORE you get to the store, and pick up foods that will nourish and build you up rather than deplete your nutrient supply.

We'll file this one under lessons learned... the hard way.

That's it for now.  I'm off to sleep.

But check back soon, for more from

The Fat Girl
Slim.

CHALLENGE # 3 PLAN AHEAD... CONTINUED

You know the saying "Never go grocery shopping while you're hungry"?

Seriously.

Don't do it.

It's somewhat like sending an alcoholic in to a bar to get a glass of water, or sending a kid into a candy store to grab some celery.

It won't end well.

I have a little secret- you know those sweet people strategically placed throughout the store?  You know the ones I'm talking about...  They are over-eager diet saboteurs.  That's what they are.

First, they prepare some yummy tidbit of something that you know (in good conscious) that you should not consume.  Then they lure you in by tempting your children... first.  And then they've got you.  Because who the heck would deny their "starving" children of a sample (or 12) of something that good?  Right?

Me.

I'm THAT mom.

You know the one...

When we walk by "Sample Lady", my kids rarely even ask any more, because I know what will happen.  If I say yes, the kids get a sample, and then she practically shoves it down my throat...  or perhaps I'm exaggerating a wee bit.  But you get the picture.  It's rude to say no at that point, right?  I mean, this IS the South, and we do have a certain level of hospitality to maintain, right?

*sigh*  Okay, perhaps not.  But it was really good justification for a time.

But here's the deal- I know that once I sample something, inevitably I'll (accidentally, on purpose) forget something else that I "NEED" and be forced to walk by that sweet sample-lady again on the way to the front of the store... and then sample-lady will give us more, because she, too, is weakened to the "starving children" stare my kids offer as we walk by.  And THEN...

In my weakness, I'll give in and not only take another sample, but (gasp) I'll buy the "yummy snack" that we don't actually want or need.  And then maybe I'll justify that purchase so I'll feel better about it, and I'll think to myself "Heck.  You've already gone this far... just pick up a few more..."  And so it continues.

Don't judge.  You know you do it, too...

So here's the challenge.  Plan ahead... again.

Make a menu, and from that menu, make your grocery list.

Check it twice.

And, ho, ho, ho... stick to it!

I'm such a nerd that I actually know the layout of my favorite stores.  As I'm preparing my list, I will write the items in order of where they can be found in the store.  The completely eliminates the need for back-tracking, AND if it's not on the list, I'm not allowed to buy it.  (says me)  This also eliminates the need for 7652872 shopping trips every week.

In addition, this opens up the door for the kids to have a fun time in the store.  How can grocery shopping be fun (you ask)?  Turn your shopping trip in to a scavenger hunt.  Seriously...  It works, and it's a dual-purpose activity.  Not only does it promote a little family fun, but if I go to pick up something and my little readers see that it's not on the list, they hold me accountable.

So we're walking down the frozen foods aisle to pick up our favorite bread (Ezekiel bread) and I pass by the  "frozen yummy awesome crap".  I am tempted by the crap but my kids are uber-competitive, so they don't allow me to stop.

They're like little drill sergeants:  "Eyes forward, ma'am....  focus on the goal- finding the next item on the list."

So we go through the store, aisle by aisle, and we don't kill each other, we don't melt down, and we don't leave with things we don't need.  I set the expectation before we even go in to the store, so my kids know not to ask for things that aren't on the list.  And... I try to plan my shopping trips AFTER a meal so that there is no unnecessary temptation.

Does it always work this way?  No.

Do I ever leave with things that are not on my list?  Occasionally.

But by planning my weekly menu, I am twenty times less likely to grab a quick pizza during the week or "frozen yummy awesome crap"- especially if I've already grabbed all of the necessary items from the store.

Please do not misunderstand me.  I have treats.  I love my treat days, and they sometimes include frozen yummy awesome crap.  And then I pay the price... which is why I'm trying to help you (us) reach your (our) goals in a way that is practical and, at times, very gratifying.  So consider these challenges to be more like the ideal plans to help you (us) avoid temptation.

Speaking of, I better run and prepare my "emergency fund" snacks for the week (Click here for more on that).  Have a good one!

And join us again for more from

The Fat Girl,
Slim.

Challenge # 2: PLAN AHEAD

Have you ever been through Dave Ramsey's FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY?

"Amazing" would, indeed, be an understatement.

A wealth of information that every human needs to know- no matter your age, race, financial status...

It's just an amazing class.

So in the class, one of Dave's first challenges to us, was to build an emergency fund.  He reminds us that emergencies wouldn't necessarily be emergencies if we were prepared.  So he encourages everyone to begin with a $1000 emergency fund, and build from there.

He says "When your car breaks down and you need $950 worth of repairs, if you have $950 in an emergency fund, you'll have what you need to cover it, and you no longer have an emergency on your hands.  You have wisdom, maturity, and preparedness."

As I was thinking through a list of ideas to help with this challenge, Dave's ideas came to mind.

No, I'm not saying start a savings account for your healthy lifestyle.  I'm saying this:

PLAN AHEAD.

Going to a party Friday night?  Plan ahead.  Pack some healthy option snacks (a handful of raw nuts or seeds, some organic fruit, a raw food bar) in your purse.  Perhaps enjoy a protein shake or eat a healthy meal before you go, so that when you are there, you are less tempted.  BUT if you should decide that you have an "emergency" (meaning, the cake is calling out to you....)  What do you do?  Where do you go?  

You go to your "emergency fund"- your snacks that are waiting for your in your purse.  

You don't like that idea?

Here's another option-  Plan to eat before you leave, and drink only water while you are there.

Nah.  I don't love that option either.

If you err on the side of stubbornness like yours, truly, and you feel as if you MUST have a snack while you are there... and you INSIST on trying some of the food they are offering, limit yourself to a portion the size of your palm and NO RETURN TRIPS.

Parties do not have to be all-you-can-eat buffets. 

But remember this- not all "emergencies" occur at parties.  

Not for me, anyway.  

Most of mine actually occur at my house.  And if we have junk in the house, I'll consume it during my "emergency", so I took a cue from Dave.

I try to keep my "emergency fund" stocked and ready to go on a moment's notice.  If I have healthy option snacks in my car or in my house waiting for me, I am twice as likely to make the healthy choice and pull from the emergency fund, than I am to go on a binge.

So there it is.  Challenge # 2:  PLAN AHEAD.

Get to it, and come back tomorrow for more helpful tips from

The Fat Girl,

Slim.

See ya tomorrow!

Challenge # 1- Take Notes!

On again.

Off again.

On again.

Off again....

again.

This is the story of my life.

(Insert loud, obnoxious, ear piercing scream)

I. 

Am.

So.

Frustrated.

I probably didn't take time to write and share this with you because I was too over-committed to do any one thing truly well... but guess what?  I did it.  I reached that goal of losing 100 pounds.  I think I was even down to between 203 and 205 (a total of 102-104 pounds lost).  I was excited and I was doing great.

And then, as always, life happened.  

And I fell off the wagon.  I'd like to attribute this to one specific instance, but I cannot.  Between a flurry of baby showers, weddings, women's retreat, birthdays, and more birthdays, I fell off of the wagon.

And it sucks.

I feel like I've gained a bazillion pounds.  And, truth be told, there are probably 5 extra pounds of fluid hanging out where they don't belong.  But I refuse to accept this as MY lot in life.  

Several of you have e-mailed or sent messages to let me know you are in this with me- you are struggling right along side of me, and I want to encourage you.  

I'm super-bloated.  I'm super-tired.  I'm super-disappointed, but I'm not giving up!  And neither should you.

We ARE in this together.  I will commit to writing as often as I can (especially now that most of my commitments are on hold for the summer).  I'll keep it real and I'll be honest when I'm struggling, and I'll share milestones as I reach them.

I promise- I won't abandon you again (intentionally).  

I'm really going to do this.  Heck.  I AM doing this.  And this weekend, when the pool opens, I am going to strut my stuff... under the water... away from the kids with goggles.  (Baby steps, folks.)

And you can too!

How, you ask?

Great question!  I've come up with a list of challenges to all of us.  Ready?

Okay- as I'm fighting off my food-hangover-migraine, here is my first challenge to you:

TAKE NOTES.

That's right.

Step away from the chips and queso.  Opt for the celery and the guac.  ;)  Step away from the birthday cake, the baby shower cupcakes that just seem to call out to you, and instead, pull out a piece of paper (even a sticky note or an index card will do) and write down your number one reason for re-gaining control of your health.  Re-read this as many times as it takes to kill that temptation.  

I'm looking forward to hearing from you about how this helps with temptation this week.

I have another challenge already in the works.  So check back tomorrow for some more tips on getting on this wagon and staying on- for good!  

I appreciate you, friends!  

Off again,

On again,

The Fat Girl, Slim

Here's To The Man...

And so I thought to myself the other day, as my husband hugged me...

"Here's to the man who saw me when I weighed 307 pounds (with no baby inside) and hugged me the same as he does now.  

Here's to the man who looked at me, longingly, when I was a slothful, gluttonous woman, and treated me like his queen. 

 Here's to the man who never once made me feel like an object of lust, but, rather, THE object of his affections- no matter my size.

Here's to the man who saw me at 145 pounds, pursued me passionately, and never stopped, even when I was at my worst. 

Here's to the man who stood by my side through each and every "diet" I attempted... and ultimately failed.  

Here's to the man who took his vows seriously- especially that one about loving and cherishing...  in sickness and in health.

Here's to the man who gained weight when I got pregnant and called it his "sympathy belly" just to make me feel better... and maybe to comfort himself a little, as well.  

Here's to the man who has been my biggest cheerleader and never once, not one time in eleven years, made me feel ugly, fat, unlikable, unlovable, unworthy of his affections and efforts.  

Here's to the man who didn't turn to pornography or other women when I was "morbidly obese"- but instead, comforted and encouraged me... and never once gave up on me.  

Here's to the man who gets publicly pursued by aggressive women... frequently...  in front of his overweight wife, and chooses to publicly affirm the woman he married, rather than acknowledging the inconsiderate women vying for his attention.  

Here's to the first man to ever make me feel truly beautiful, and to love me for WHO I AM, not what I look like, or what I can do for him.

Here's to the man who saw me push him away in my brokenness and shame, and refused to give up on me.

Here's to the man who consistently brings out the best in me...

And here's to the man who saw a broken woman, ashamed of who she had become, and picked her up out of her insecurities and her depression, and carried her until she was strong enough to walk on her own.

To that man, I owe my love and my life.  He demonstrated the perfect picture of how a husband should love a wife.  He is the perfect example of God's heart for me."

CANCER. The (AMENDED) Truth Everyone Needs To Read

Okay- I'm amending this, based on some new information.  Amendments hi-lighted

So, I found out yesterday, that a friend of mine has skin cancer.  During the course of our conversation, I told her I wanted to put her on a diet.  Now, before you go slapping my hand, know that I was not referring to her weight- not at all.

Through my time of researching and looking in to health and wellness, I've learned much about how your body functions, and the tremendous role diet and lifestyle play in our overall health- and not just our weight.

That being said, I explained to her a little about some ideas I had for her, and then I saw this, this morning, on Facebook.  This is not my literature.  I borrowed it directly from a site called Rockin' Wellness on Facebook, who, I believe, posted it, courtesy of Johns Hopkins (SEE BELOW FOR THIS CORRECTION)...  just so there's no confusion.  :)

***A friend showed me that this was, in fact, NOT courtesy of Johns Hopkins.  I apologize for any misconception or misunderstanding.  HOWEVER, I do not feel that the information is completely false.  I will say here, what I said on Facebook-   "There are about as many articles about this, as there are colors in the world. My best advice would be to pray through it, research it, and make the choice that you feel is best for you and your family. I know it's frustrating to read one thing and then to read another and another... and they are all opposing opinions. But thankfully, we are a people who depend on a God who can guide us in truth and in decision making- like this- not on silly bloggers, like myself."  

That being said- this is not necessarily the whole TRUTH about cancer, or the complete guide to healing cancer.  This is just a passionate opinion.  I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone- that was absolutely not my intent.  Again- this is just my blog, not the New England Journal of Medicine.  Take it for what it's worth, , and nothing more.  Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer:  I am NOT a doctor, or a nutritionist ..  or a scientist (I actually failed science one year).  I am merely a woman (a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend), impassioned with the information I've learned, who wants to encourage others to learn the truth and to be free to live the life they were created to live- and not be bound by issues with weight, health and wellness.  As with any major health changes and choices you make, you should always consult your health professional before making and major decisions.

That being said, this is a little long, but trust me when I say it's well worth your time....  read on!

‎"LATEST CANCER INFORMATIONfrom Johns Hopkins
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY …


1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.


11. An effective way to battle cancer is to STARVE the cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiple.

What cancer cells feed on:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Note: Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.


b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells will starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes t o nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines will become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(PLEASE SHARE IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)" - The Natural Way

LINK FIXED- FOLLOW AWAY!

Not that I'm begging for followers, or subscribers, or whatever they're called..  I actually detest the word "followers" because I don't want people to follow ME.  But I was reminded today that some people would prefer for these blogs to be sent to their e-mails and not have to check the website for new posts/ updates.  

I know the link was previous not working, so I checked it out and I think it's finally up and running.  

That's tech-awesomeness, right there!  (I'm so kidding...)

That being said if you would like to receive the posts in your inbox, rather than having to check the site for posts, please feel free to subscribe.  I tried to make this one simple- because I know none of us has a ton of time to do these things...  And it really doesn't affect me, one way or the other if you subscribe.  I just wanted to make sure that you knew the option was available- since several had asked.

So IF you'd like, simply type in your e-mail to "Follow by e-mail" and then follow the prompts.  I believe you can also sign up to follow on Google +, if that's your preference.

Now, back to my workout...

The Fat Girl,

Slim

It's Swimsuit Season!

Okay, folks.

It's officially swimsuit season... and shorts season.  *heavy sigh*

I'm amused that this post follows the post on Girl Scout Cookies...  it's somewhat like when I pin a really unhealthy recipe on Pinterest, and then I feel guilty, so I pin a really inspiring pin on working out...

But I digress.

I'd so prefer to hide beneath my long sleeves and layers.  When I'm covered up, people don't see:
a.- How white I really am and
b.- That I'm not quite to my goal.

However...  this IS Texas, and temperatures will reach in to the 100s in no time, so we need to consider preparing for the weather.

Because, trust me- trying to wear sweaters and jeans all summer might sound cool in your mind, but it will only leave you with a heat stroke and leave people wondering about your mental status...  (I may or may not have learned this lesson the hard way.  Don't judge...)

I know- some people are looking at blizzards.  I'm in Texas, so we could see a blizzard next week.  But at the moment, I'm staring outside at the beautiful sunshine and the upcoming potential to go from bright white... (really, almost blue)- to ivory... and eventually to beige and then by August, a nice, golden tan.

I love the sun.  I love to swim.  I love to sunbathe.

However...

I DO NOT love shopping for swimsuits.  And I imagine, if you are reading this blog, that I am likely not alone.  Shopping for swimsuits isn't fun for most people- even if you're vain.  Because, even then, I'm pretty sure that although you might not hyperventilate at the thought of cramming parts of yourself into multi-colored lycra just so you can go jump in a large body of water, trying to find just the right suit to fit your body is no day at the park.

I remember when your choice was simply a one piece or a two piece.  Now there are as many different types of suits as there are types of shoes!  The thought of finding just that right balance between not showing too much, and not looking like a nun... that's enough to make a person have a mild panic attack and run for the pantry.

Never-the-less, here we are.

So what shall we do about this?

Well, we could all invest in those Miracle Suits...  you know- the ones that hold in everything you ever had... and then some?    Or perhaps we could buy some cute cover-ups and never get in the water.  Or maybe we could lay, all day, out by the pool at just the right angle to ensure our "fluff" is sunken in to our lawn chairs?  And then pass out from heat stroke....  right?

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....  we could get our butts in gear and work off some of that holiday lovin' that left its mark around our waistlines, our buns, or our thighs...

That's right girl... or guy?

It's time to get up off of the sofa.  Stop reading tons of blogs about how to lose weight.  Stop hanging out on Pinterest, PINNING websites about how to lose weight, right next to websites about gourmet junk food.  Instead of wishing that you could get up and lose the weight, or dreaming about the day you will, DO IT!

Don't waste another minute.

If running is your thing, no excuses.  Get up and get moving.

If swimming is your thing (as it is mine), get in a pool (preferably heated) and go to work!

I've fallen in love with a 12- minute work out that you can do from home.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.  So if you aren't quite ready to hit the trails, or maybe you can't afford the time or the dough to hit the Y, look in to this video.  It will kick your butt in ways BODY PUMP only ever dreamed of- and it seriously only takes 12 minutes!!!

My workout today is this:

12 minute abs (because I'm convinced they are under there... somewhere)
12 minute legs (because I WILL wear shorts with confidence)
&
12 minute core (because I've spent way too much time chillaxin' and it's time to get my core where it needs to be.)
(And maybe...  if I can still function...  12 minute arms.... maybe)

Honestly- I can tell you that I may not be able to walk Wednesday, but it's the kind of soreness I've earned, so it's worth it!

Seriously- if I can do it, you can do it.  NO EXCUSES.

Commit to thirty minutes.  Today.  Right now.

Reward yourself when you are done- perhaps a hot soak in the bath, or a whey smoothie...  Just focus on the goal ahead, and not the road you must travel to get there.  Every step you take puts that much more of the road behind you.  So get up, and get going!  Jump in with both feet!

I'll meet you at the finish line!

The Fat Girl,
Slim

IT'S GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME!!

Okay, folks.

It's Girl Scout Cookie time!  Woohooo!  Oh... wait. Crap.  I forgot... I don't eat them anymore.

Thankfully, my daughter isn't a girl scout.

Unfortunately, GS Cookies are like crack in my house (no, seriously.  That's actually a photo of me.)

We used to buy GS cookies by the case.  Then, we miiiiiiiiiiiiight share some with the kids (on rare occasions), but inevitably, what would end up happening, is that my husband (also known as my supplier, or my enabler... my crack dealer) would sneak a box in to our room to share while we watched a movie at bedtime.

And we would eat them.

All.

As in, all of the boxes in the crate... within about 3 days.

And no, I never actually wondered how I got to 307 pounds...  I occasionally drool when recalling to mind some of the awesome details.

But I digress.

My point is that those stinking cookies will be there, taunting me, calling out to me with their caramel, chocolate, coco-nutty, thin-minty goodness every single time I walk in to the store for the next month-ish.

I know I'm not strong enough to resist the temptation on my own.  I mean, it's for a good cause, right?

Focus, Christi...

I need to remember the better cause- my health.

I mean, look at the ingredients:

If I want to stay clean, I know I need to avoid the crack.  Otherwise, I know it will just be a downward spiral and I'll find myself in a GS cookie coma, in desperate need of rehab.

So here it is, accountability partners.  No cookies.  None.  I will not buy one box- no matter how they beg with their cute little boxes and caramel coloring.

Instead, I have challenged myself to come up with a fun and delicious alternative- perhaps a paleo version of one of my cookie favs?

Sugar-free, grain-free, dairy-free...  but it wouldn't necessarily be taste-free, right?

Consider yourself invited to participate in the challenge!

The winner will have their recipe published here on the blog, and on Pinterest.  They will also win exclusive bragging rights- which, in my house, is worth more than gold.

So bring it, girl scouts.  I. Got. This.

It's on!

-The former cookie monster

a.k.a

The Fat Girl,
Slim

Public Service

I have to share this just because....  it's totally not true, nor how I actually feel, but it totally made me laugh so I thought I'd share the smiles.

Inspiration

I thought I'd share this with you today, courtesy of Pinterest....

ACCOUNTABILITY. Day 1... again.

I know it's been a while since my last post.

In part, this is because I've had sick children, and was a bit sick myself.  But mostly, I suspect I haven't written, because I recognized that if I were to continue writing, I would be accountable to you.... and I didn't want that...

Because...  I don't know why.  I guess it's because I only had three pounds to lose.

I know.  I sound insane.

Not three pounds total, but three pounds until I reached that initial goal of losing 100 pounds.

So why not keep sharing?

I told you I started out at 307.  Well, I've been teetering around 210 for over a month now.  I don't get on the scale every day, but I know when I'm actively trying to lose weight, and when I am not.  And something inside of me seems to be preventing me from actually hitting that milestone.

I can see that mile marker.  It's literally spitting distance in front of me... and I choke.  Almost, as if on purpose, I sabotage myself.  I quit moving forward.  I don't move backwards, but I don't work towards progress.  I wonder, sometimes, if perhaps there is a deep down feeling of unworthiness?  Like, perhaps I don't feel like I'm "good enough" to reach that first goal.  Or perhaps I'm afraid of success...  afraid that once I reach that goal, the other shoe will drop and I won't be able to keep moving forward (as has been my previous experience).

Whatever the hindrance, I've had enough.  I can no longer accept the compliments and encouragement of well-wishing friends, knowing that I'm purposefully sabotaging any future progress.

So, that being said- I'm writing again.

Because I need the accountability.

Because I need to believe that I CAN AND WILL reach this first goal, and continue thriving, growing healthier and closer to my goals with each day that passes.

I refuse to give up.  I refuse to stay where I am any longer.  Today is the first day of the rest of my life... and I won't waste one more second trying to prevent myself from becoming the woman God intended me to be- health and all.

So thanks for reading.  Without you, I'd have no accountability.

I told you- in it with you.  We'll get there, friend!

CHIRO... WHA??? (Written by guest blogger and Chiropractor Christie Ducote)

The post below was written by a friend of mine, Christie Ducote, who is a chiropractor living in the College Station area, and is newly engaged to be married (WOOHOO!!!)  She shares my passion for health and wellness and has written this information to share with you all.  This helps to explain how chiropractic has contributed to my weight loss (among other things).  I'll write more about my personal experience later, but without further ado, the excited, inspired, Christie Ducote!

"Our bodies were designed to need certain things.  We obviously need air to breathe, water to drink, and food to consume.  But there is something else- something much greater than these three- that your body needs every second of every day in order to live. 

You can tell how important something is to your body by how long you can live without it.  Although I like to joke and say that I could only go hours without food, truly, our bodies could last at least a month without food.  If you’ve ever watched survivor, you know that humans can go a long time without food.  Jesus, Moses, and Elijah all went 40 days without food.  Some of us can probably last even longer than others without food, depending on how much “storage” we have.

We know we should drink half our body weight in ounces of water every day, but the reality is that we could survive several days without water.  I’m reminded of Aron Ralston, the extreme hiker, who got his arm stuck behind a boulder while hiking in Utah, and lived almost a week with very little water before freeing himself to survive.  Likewise, we've all timed ourselves to see how long we can hold our breath under water.  So we can obviously last minutes without air.

 There is one thing, however, that you can’t even go one second without.  Have you thought of it yet?  What would happen instantly if I chopped off your head?  That’s right!  You wouldn't survive!  You can go weeks without food, days without water, and minutes without oxygen, but you can’t go one second without nerve supply!

 God put an amazing healing and functioning power in your brain that controls every single cell, tissue, and organ in your body.  For your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, for you to digest all of the amazing foods that you are putting into your body- that power must flow from the brain, down the spinal cord, and over the nerves at 100%.  When this information is disrupted, your body can not function and heal at its optimum potential.  Over time, this disruption leads to disease.

 How does this occur?  Well, the spine has a position it HAS to be in.  It has to be completely straight from front to back and have 3 curves from the side.  In this position, there is no pressure whatsoever on the nervous system and you can function and heal at 100%.  When one of the 24 bones in the spine shift out of alignment or you lose a curve in your spine, it puts crushing pressure on the nervous system.  This is called subluxation.  With subluxation in your spine, you can never be truly healthy.

What does this have to do with weight loss?  Well, how much good will it do to eat amazing, organic foods when you have crushing pressure on the nerves going to your digestive system?  What about when you lose the curve in your neck and the nerve going to your thyroid is getting choked?  You may lose some weight, but you certainly won’t keep losing weight.  Ever find it easy to lose 10-15 pounds and then plateau?  You probably have damaging pressure to your nervous system.

 I have seen countless patients try everything in the book to lose weight, but can’t seem to move forward.  Once they learned the principle that their nervous system was first and foremost, the weight just fell off!  If you’ve never had your nervous system evaluated, please find a structural care chiropractor as soon as possible!  You can go to www.maximizedliving.com and click “Find a Doctor” to find the one nearest to you!"

Thank you Dr. Christie for taking the time to share this information!  It's extremely helpful and beneficial to anyone who has ever been "stuck" and unable to move forward in their journey towards health and wellness. For more from Dr. Christie, please visit www.vitalityfamilychiropractic.com  or facebook.com/vitalityfamilychiropractic

Thanks for reading!  Have a FANTASTIC day!

The Fat Girl,
Slim

  

CHICKEN ASPARAGUS MARSALA

As often as possible, I will share recipes so that you can try some of these delicious meals with your family.

I meant to post this the other night, but I didn't get a chance to, so I'm sharing now.  This meal is one of our family favorites, and I may or may not be drooling while I'm thinking about it.  It's called Chicken Asparagus Marsala, and is THE reason my kids beg and plead for more asparagus.  

Seriously.

As a rule, we double this to feed our five children and my very active, hungry husband.  Occasionally we even have leftovers for lunch the next day.  But I'll post the recipe as written. 

So without further ado...

CHICKEN ASPARAGUS MARSALA  
(adapted from the Maximized Living nutrition plan book)

4   chicken breast halves, boned and skinned
10 ounces asparagus spears, cut
2   Tbsp. butter (occasionally we add a Tbsp for flavor)
1   Tbsp. coconut oil or grapeseed oil (We occasionally add more of this as well, for flavor and moisture)
1/2 tsp. sea salt (added salt to taste while cooking chicken)
1/4 C. water
1/8 tsp. pepper (we don't use this because my kids do not love pepper and the flavor is wonderful without it)
1    Tbsp. Parsley, chopped diagonally into pieces
1/2  Pound mushrooms (this is something we use on occasion as it's not necessary, but does add to the meal)
1/4  C. Marsala Wine

The recipe says to pound the chicken pieces into 1/4- inch thickness.  I don't have that much free time, or anger to unleash, so we just cook the chicken breast halves as they are.  

Melt the butter and coconut oil in a frying pan over medium-high temperature.  Add chicken and cook, turning, for about five minutes or until the chicken is light brown.  Remove chicken and set aside.  To the drippings remaining in the frying pan, add the asparagus and mushrooms and cook, stirring, for about three minutes.  Return the chicken to the pan, add the Marsala wine, water, salt, and pepper.  

Bring the mixture to a boil for two minutes to reduce the liquid.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about three minutes or until the chicken and vegetables are tender.  Arrange the chicken on a serving platter.  Spoon the vegetable sauce over the chicken.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.  

Normally, I'd have a photo to share, but the kids were so hungry the other night that I had to feed them as soon as it came off the stove.  I'll make sure I snap a photo for next time!  

In the mean time, give this recipe a try.  Even people who don't eat healthy regularly will enjoy this!  

Thanks for reading!

The Fat Girl 

Slim

HOW JUICING CHANGED MY LIFE

Meet Tracy Jai-  I went to school with her when I was younger.  I can remember that Tracy was always "that girl".  She was the girl that all of the rest of us "ordinary girls" wanted to be like.  She was (still is) effortlessly beautiful inside and out.

So imagine my surprise when I saw Tracy's before and after photos on Facebook one day.  Not that she was ever really "big", but the transformation in her photos was beyond inspiring.  So I sent her a message and asked her what she had done to reach her goals.  She was working in a show on Broadway at the time, so I didn't honestly expect a reply.  Not only did she reply, but she made time to call and walk me through some of the things I would need to know to get started on this journey.

Have you ever experienced post postpartum depression?  I used to think it was just an excuse for moodiness after having a baby...  until I went through it after having my last child.  I was knee deep in the middle of my depression, on anti-depressants that turned me in to a zombie and really took me away from being the mom I wanted to be.  I have five children that desperately needed me, but I couldn't get up off of the couch.  I couldn't peak with excitement, I had little to no energy, and I couldn't function as a mom, as a wife, and barely as a human.  I felt completely hopeless.  

So that's where I was when I spoke with Tracy for the first time.  During the course of our conversation, Tracy told me that I needed to watch a movie called FAT, SICK, AND NEARLY DEAD.  I wasn't ready for what I saw, but it really rocked my world (seriously- take an hour and watch it.  It will change your life.)  She directed me to this website. Click here for more info and shared with me her story.  After hearing all of the amazing benefits, I decided to give juicing a try. (click HERE to read more of her story).  

So...  because I'll try anything once, I borrowed a juicer from a friend and started juicing.  I didn't really know what I was doing, but I was determined to get out of the pit of depression.  I "rebooted" my body during a 30 day juice cleanse with the help of Tracy and the reboot team.  The website offered tons of juicing recipes and information to help me get started.  Then, after a few weeks of just juicing (with a couple of "treat days" where I enjoyed a traditional meal), I realized that I didn't need anti-depressants anymore.  I also felt better than I had ever felt, and I noticed my waistline beginning to shrink.  In addition to those benefits, I finally had the energy to play with my kids.  I wasn't a zombie, drooling on the couch any longer.  Instead, I was outside kicking the soccer balls with my kids, or having sporadic dance parties in our living room.  I was back, and I was free- full of hope and joy. 

One other beautiful side effect that I noticed, was that I didn't crave sugar and fast food as I had before.  It was the first time in my entire life that I'd felt hopeful about the possibilities of being free from food addictions and a life-long struggle to become healthy.  

Even still, because I was an "eater"- a food addict, I eventually quit juicing and reverted to my old ways of eating.  Being a full time mom can be exhausting.  In my mind, I had little-no time to cook or plan menus, so we just consumed whatever was fast and easy... and I didn't go back in to a depression, but I did find myself gaining and losing weight, back on the diet rat wheel, trying to figure out what was going to be "it" for me.  

Seriously- my life, up until now, has been the definition of insanity.  

But after discovering chiropractic and healthy eating, I was reminded of the benefits of juicing, and decided to incorporate juicing back in to my life.

So that's where we are now.  

****Before I go on, I feel the need to clarify that I'm not an expert, nor am I a doctor.  I am an "at-home" mom with five kids... who happens to have finally reached a goal and is excited to share the steps towards progress with anyone who will listen, in the hopes of helping others reach their goals as well.  

Juicing wasn't the only thing that helped (as I mentioned in my previous post)- it was just the beginning.  But if you're looking for a good place to start, consider a reboot- a week or a month of juicing to help jump start your progress.  I can promise you won't be disappointed.

So what is juicing?

In my experience, juicing is simply taking raw fruits and veggies, pureeing them, and drinking the nutrients rather than eating them.  It's quick and easy, and if you do it right, it has TREMENDOUS benefits.  

The websites listed below have exponentially more information on juicing (including recipes) than I could ever give you, but I will continue to share everything I've learned and the recipes to help get you going... in more than one way.  ;)

This is Joe. He's incredible and the star of FAT, SICK, AND NEARLY DEAD. Check out his website for information on REBOOTING.

And this is Drew. Click here to get more information on how you can experience lasting success with juicing. You can also like his page on Facebook to get daily encouragement, inspiration, and juicing recipes.

Many of the recipes I create are simply from my personal experience with juicing.  But before I was able to put certain foods together and come up with something that didn't tickle my gag reflex, I had to follow some recipe guidelines- which is where the above websites will really be beneficial.  :)

So what juice did I enjoy today?  I totally made this one up.  

2 stalks celery

2 cabbage leaves

1 bunch spinach

3 kale leaves

2 green apples

1 carrot

1 orange

A very small amount of ginger (which, I learned the hard way, is really NOT awesome juiced, so use it in moderation)

No- it won't be sweet.  I don't even know if it's an official "cure anything" recipe, but I know I like it and it gives me that extra boost I need to get going.  

I'll post more recipes in the coming days.  Right now I'm not in the middle of a juice-only fast, so when I said "I  EAT", I meant it.  Right now, my days look more like this:  I drink 3-4 meals a day (dominantly juicing or an occasional protein shake) and I typically have a handful of raw sunflower seeds, raw almonds, or another healthy alternative for a snack.  I will usually sit with my family for breakfast and/or dinner and enjoy a healthy meal because that's "our time"... and because I love to eat!  

And it's working.

So, on a personal note...  

I'd like to take a minute to thank my friend Tracy.  If she hadn't taken the time to encourage, to follow up with me, to inspire me, I have no idea where I'd be today (probably still pushing 300 pounds... or worse).  She is one of many who blessed me by investing in my health and in my life, and I will be forever grateful.  Thank you friend.  Your decision to reach out to me influenced my decision to reach out to others and share the information that could change their lives.  You rock!  Your life is changing lives!

So, friends, that's Juicing, part I.  Take some time and look over the information- let it marinate.  Go read Tracy's story.  Visit the websites of both Joe and Drew, and decide whether or not juicing is for you.

Thanks for reading!  I'm excited to share more tomorrow!  

Have a fantastic day!

The Fat Girl,

Slim