The Coffee Shop

The crushed plant

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:57:00 -0600

If you know me, you know I love plants! I find it very clear why God gave man the job of tending a garden... such beauty!

So, I have a few plants around my back patio. I enjoy them, I know them, I care for them.

and then... my two year old: that boy!

I was peacefully sitting in my living room when I saw pillows flying from the deck (second floor) and onto the patio below, where my beloved plants are, those pillows are not fluffy! they are outdoor furniture pillows and they fell directly on one of my favorite succulents. My husband bought that one for my from the Milwaukee Domes during our last trip there. Everything that comes from Wisconsin I treasure, if it is a plant... even more! So I was afraid to even lift the pillow.

The sight was not pretty. My precious Crassula Rupestris (Kebab Succulent) had been crushed... there were leaves, little pieces of branches and dirt everywhere. A big part of the plant remained in the pot and attached to the roots but not intact. Some pieces were just gone. The whole plant suffered. I felt overwhelmed with sadness and even anger... it was a bigger reaction than you would expect for a little plant... and it's because I saw myself in that plant... I saw myself and friends and brothers and sisters in those leaves that were so violently snatched from the plant.... and yet the story doesn't end there...

As I picked up the pot and the broken pieces... I immediately ~~yelled at my son~~ ehem... started to work on the plant. I started to carefully place the leaves and stems into different pots, some stayed in bigger clumps together, some individual pieces went to new pots and containers.

What once was a beautiful plant would all start to become different plants all of their own. This could only happen because of my love for them and because I know what to do. Some will struggle a bit longer than others, some will immediately start to grow roots and even the original plant will never look the same and was severely wounded. For each of those now separate plants somehow things will begin to be better... and then even blossom into perfect, healthy new life.

This wasn't my original plan for the plant. What happened wasn't my purpose for it or what I desired for it, and even though I knew I could do still do something about it, it still hurt. I still wish it hadn't gone through that. There will be discipline for the one who caused it, because it wasn't entirely unintentional... he knew exactly what he was doing. The plants might look at me and think I did this for this very purpose. I am so good with them that when they see themselves healthy and beautiful they might even think I caused them the initial pain so that it could lead to this. My plants will not ever understand this is something I never meant for them and I was never behind their crushing... but even when that wasn't my plan, I love them enough to still restore and redeem and I can turn something that could have destroyed them into something good. Yes, sometimes there's pruning and cleaning up that might be painful and I am behind that but, other things happen just because we live in sinful world... where even Jesus had to pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"... we are definitely not there yet! And still I trust the perfect Creator to heal and restore the pieces that are broken in all of our lives.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for being oh so gentle! for caring for us your children even more than we could ever care for plants... Thank you for your gentle hand when pruning... and for your mighty hand to do something beautiful even out of any and all unexpected events. You are above it all, you are able!

© Paloma K.

New Mercies

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 07:54:00 -0500

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Leaving a church... not The Church

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 23:10:00 -0500

What a busy time this has been! And in this point of life we are finding ourselves going through an indescribably painful moment as a family as we have left the place that we have called "our church" for exactly 8 years... so get ready because this is going to be a loaded post....

In this period of time where I go from disappointment to sadness to anger to zeal to thirst and hunger for justice, to numbness and denial and feel like I am almost in a loop ... I cling to God and cling to people who I have found through this process that are also believers in God... not in man... people who thankfully see what we see... feel as we feel and have too been convicted with the same convictions and it makes it all more endurable.

But there is something I have found and I feel the need to talk about (well.. in all honesty there's so much that I feel the need to address but all in due time) I find myself often thinking of the verse that says:

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (James 1:19b-20)

I don't always succeed with the slow to become angry.... so pray for me there!

So today I want to talk about:

Reasons for leaving a church:

What are the reasons to leave a church? Well... we are free... (while at the same time being bondservants of Christ and submitted to Him)... of course as believers we should have a strong commitment to the Body of Christ and realize that The Church IS God's answer for the World until He comes back... we are never going to leave The Church.... but we are not necessarily tied to a local church in an unbreakable covenant that we cannot leave because that would be a cult... not a church... but something I have heard a lot, lately is the

"as long as the Word keeps being preached you should stay"

or

"as long as the Gospel is being proclaimed you shouldn't leave"

and it made me think of how sadly I have said those same phrases in the past... without any biblical foundation... is that the only reason to leave a church? if the Word of God is no longer being preached? I mean... if it got to that I hope you of course know to identify it and leave it... if the Word of God is not being preached please, I don't think you need to read an article to tell you that is not the church... at all...

but... I am going to dare to say the following... You can leave the local church you attend when:

- It changed so drastically and dramatically it is no longer the church you joined.
I mean... what would the difference be then between that church and another one? If you can't even recognize it? again... we are not in a cult, we are in local churches where if you leave it doesn't mean you are telling those people you no longer want anything to do with them... I am sure those that are close to you will continue to be close even if you leave. I guess what I am saying is ... if you want to stay you're free to do so.... if you want to leave... you are free to do so too... I know it's a weird concept to understand but sadly sometimes it seems that those that those who changed EVERYTHING expect everybody to be in agreement... and if anyone wants to leave for that they're mocked like they're not strong in the faith or something... and those leaving end up being attacked just by their preference... Many say it's bad to leave a church because of music preferences and lights or worship styles... and while those might not be the deepest reasons or holiest sounding reasons the truth is that we all usually attend a place where we feel free to worship even with our personality styles... some people wouldn't like to worship dancing inside the building, some would, some wouldn't like tambourines, some would, some wouldn't like music that is extremely loud, some would and that is all ok... we can still love one another and decide it is no longer the place where we want to worship... That is OK! So if you leave a place for those reasons... I'd say how happy for you... because ... at least you're not going through terrible heartache.... It's not a division or a deception or a horrible conflict... it's just a matter of preference... it shouldn't divide anybody... some like to worship one way, some another and it doesn't make those who stay or those who leave better than the other.

Paul and Barnabas are a good example of brothers that parted ways over a disagreement that was not a doctrinal issue... (can two walk together if they don't agree? ) The rupture involved a personal dispute based upon a judgment call. neither Paul nor Barnabas let the conflict distract them from their efforts of spreading the gospel... and it didn't mean one hated the other.

But... the other thing... and maybe deeper reasons to leave would be:

2 Tim. 3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

So.... what about the preaching of the Gospel? Well... the Bible also says:

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

And the Bible also says that we can honor God with our lips and yet our hearts are far from Him!

Another one:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

So... honestly... the whole "only leave a church if they stop preaching the Word of God" doesn't hold much water if by "preaching" or "teaching" we are referring to the words that come out of their mouth.... we might be far away from what the Word of God actually says!

So... what about all the pastors that have abused children and were at the same time "preaching the Word of God"? Should we stay "as long as the Word of God is being preached?"

I have to remember that the devil himself knows Scripture and quotes it and has tried to deceive many (including the Son of God Himself) with the very words in that Book throughout the history of humanity... (from the very beginning).

Just recently I had an encounter with someone I thought I knew and now I realize I never really did.... some leaders in our churches expect us to follow blindly the one in the front because he is "being led by the Holy Spirit" ("don't you dare question that or I cannot longer talk to you!" is the response)... do not be deceived brothers and sisters... you and I have the Holy Spirit as well... (or what do they think we're following?) They trusted us for a voting when we had no real information except our trust in them when they were the designated group looking for a pastor... and now that we actually start to discover what the plans were all along (and which were never disclosed to the whole church) they are offended if we question it and I guess we're no longer Christian in their eyes? or the Holy Spirit somehow left us?... It's us... THE CHURCH! SAYING... THIS IS NOT FROM GOD!

If only one person or a certain group of "leaders" has that access to God then again... it's not a church with the Holy Spirit indwelling each believer but if He seems to reveal himself only to the one getting paid for it... that is not The Church... it is just a weird cult of our own making.

Also... if you can't even question what's going on.... and you're met with bullying tactics... if you can't even ask anyone what's happening and they demonize anyone for questioning... . When people in leadership abuse members because "that's how things are done whether people like it or not" when people are fired because we are pursuing trendiness. When they tell you they can't say more because they don't want to bash anyone (like that's not precisely BASHING them just by saying that). When there is so much secrecy that that's exactly what creates rumors and divisions, when the hearts of our brothers and sisters are being broken behind close doors but in public we make it appear as "we are all ok, let's pray for their faithful ministry", when we sound more like a wordly corporation than the church, honestly... shame on us if we let it continue... I am sure many will still continue... even after knowing the truth... and that's ok... but everyone should at least have the chance to know what really is going on!

I used to sell self defense tools... I mostly care about sharing the information for women, children and teens to protect themselves against abuse and sexual violence and there is one thing I learned..

ABUSE LIVES AND IS PERPETUATED BY THE SILENCE OF THE VICTIMS

Abusers always have one MO they tell their victims that it would be best for them to not speak to anyone else about it because "you don't want to hurt others" ... the shame is put in the victim, they make them feel guilty and even responsible for the pain "they're going to cause"...

But in many of our churches you will hear how approachable they are and "If you need to talk to someone talk to your leaders" well, isn't that convenient?... it's like asking the victim to talk to the abuser to "address her fears" ...

The molester tells the little girl to not tell her mommy because her mommy will be devastated

the husband tells the wife to not tell anyone because he also can say things about her.... and her shame is enough to get her quiet...

Abuse happens... in churches too... not always in ways that make the headlines but I have witnessed it now from up close happening...

in our churches sometimes it's wolves telling the sheep to stay quiet for the sake of the unity of the flock...

when it's them ... who are devastating and ravaging the flock

When can you leave your church?

When not only can you leave but it would be wrong for you to stay?

When the Word of God is being preached from up front and stepped on with the actions when nobody else can see... When the Body of Christ is being dismissed for age or style, when the Word of God is being used for personal gain and to form a personal kingdom rather than to extend the Kingdom of God... When there is deception and lies! Where can we find a good church? Not a perfect church because hey... we're not perfect... but if the Word of God is being preached and there's no blatant deception, abuse, demonzing those who dare question... when you feel like the music is extremely loud even.... thank God that if you are in Christ you are never leaving THE CHURCH.... you and I are family even if I have never met you... then You know HIS voice and follow it.... if you are not making a dime and you stand up for your brother and sister... if injustice, money hunger, the Word being deceptively "proclaimed" makes you want to scream "How long o Lord? How long? until your Bride is safely forever with you and free from those who want to ravage it pretending to be shepherding it...."

I am sick of the corporation or club... what a stinking waste of time if that's what we are doing on Sunday mornings!!! I would rather stay in bed! I do not covet "a position in the church" what a dangerous place to be in... I am sick of the hired consultants to tell us what our vision is... it's ALL IN THE WORD OF GOD for crying out loud! Someone even told me recently that the church in the United Kingdom died because they weren't willing to change...

absurd! churches die because they look for man made strategies to keep them alive rather than going the The One who sustains it! How spoiled, self centered, self sufficient and arrogant have we become to believe that we can plan for "the success of the Church"? HIS CHURCH! THE KING'S CHURCH! ... when it is God the One who adds the ones that will be added... when "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."

It's not about up to us to "make it succeed"... yes... many of our churches are "successful" (apparently) because of their many activities and strategies and because of the ruthless leaders taking them "higher". We have pastors that no longer suffer for Christ and somehow convince us that this is their "calling" (In many cases a six figure calling!)... I wonder if they knew their lives as pastors would be like Paul's was if they would feel the same way about this calling!

"24Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiledand have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."

And yet Paul wouldn't be hired by us .... because He probably didn't have the looks, the money, the "influence" the "leadership skills"... He wasn't a "visionary" or young enough...

And here we are ... running like headless chickens... choosing to have our churches led by strategists, visionaries, CEOs and consultant groups because it's easier than a life of prayer... they seem to have it all... they grow and grow and become the biggest, the greatest in the eyes of men.... I wonder if we could see with God's eyes where that most successful church is... is it meeting in an old building? Does it have really bad music but a heart of worship? Is it in a quiet home with the prayerful family? I wonder.... I just know that we sadly buy into the deception

And then... the whole "everything happens for a purpose" phrase has infiltrated our churches who then give more permission to those running the show to take advantage... I wonder how many of our leaders are actually God's judgment and not God's blessing... like in the days when Saul was crowned king... that God's people wanted a king so badly that God gave them exactly what they wanted (even if it was bad for them) ... and then we tell the victims to find "God's purpose" behind what they're going through... and How God is "doing all this" we sound insane! not in a good Biblical way just insane.... God is not behind sin... He is not behind the abuse... He is not the cause of the deception... and Yes... He will not waste these momentary tribulations in their lives... but Woe to those who were willing and happy to be the cause for His children's pain and suffering.

When do you leave a church? I don't know about you... You tell me...

Just don't say "when the Word of God stops being preached" if you only refer to the words that are said out loud. Because the evil ones hear you and this allows them to keep preaching the Word of God with their lips but with their actions they deny it.

I just can't stand to be on the side of injustice... Because even if I lose any leftover reputation I might still have, or lose the "friendships" of some that I now know never were, I'll also lose the comfort of having the place that was my my other home, fun activities, a place to go to... I do it for what's correct... not without pain... and I rejoice to join in the pain of those who have been unjustly treated, I rejoice (in tears) to teach my children that following God is not always following the majority, that it hurts at times, that if I can't endure this then if any days of persecution come I won't be able to endure that, I rejoice in the fact that The Church can't be divided and I am a part of it... I rejoice in the fact that God is faithful and He never changes... I rejoice while it hurts... because God will comfort me from that too!

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." Matthew 23:27

© Paloma K.

Fat again and again but never quitting

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Tue, 9 Oct 2018 11:13:00 -0500

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I last posted anything here... Life has been busy, beautiful, chaotic, blessed and filled with smiles and moments to treasure... it has also been pretty fattening for me... Let me tell you a little background...

I've struggled with my weight for a long time... At first it was more of an imaginary struggle, I was the teen that just wanted to be skinny and petite... even when that just wasn't me.... I liked a guy who liked skinny girls so even at a healthy weight I started to obsess about it... that's when my love/hate relationship with food began....

I submitted myself to pills, crazy diets, shots in the "problem areas", etc... I would always lose weight and then I'd gain it all back but then some.... and that... that's exactly when the problem started... every time I reached my goal weight then I'd gain it all back but with additional pounds that weren't there to begin with... and at some point the imaginary issue became a real one... my eating was deeply connected to my emotions... I'd lose weight out of "spite", I'd gain weight out of sadness, I'd lose it to prove a point, I'd gain it because I didn't know how to stay thin! it was crazy...

Fast-forward many years... to 2011 (a husband and 2 beautiful daughters later) I started to change my life for my health not just for the way I looked... I had two girls to care for, to play with, to enjoy life with and to live long for! I wanted to be healthy and enjoy outdoorsy activities with my wonderful husband, life was good and I no longer wanted the quick fix or to impress someone... I wanted to live a good, healthy life and set a good example to my children... I started walking a lot and then running, I counted calories obsessively (not really knowing how food works or anything about nutrition) and I managed to lose 50 pounds... I was on top of the world... But ... I still wasn't happy ... I still wanted to lose weight and I started to realize that after months of intense exercise and watching my calorie intake more than ever the weight just wouldn't budge... I went to doctors who said "well, eat less" (how??)... I was becoming increasingly discouraged and frustrated... what was going on? A doctor even prescribed a low dose of thyroid medicine (Levothyroxine) and mentioned I had thyroid issues... the medication didn't seem to make a difference (except that I just didn't feel quite right)... back then (and as you'll be able to see on this blog) I was an avid baker... I loved sugar, butter, flour! I enjoyed baking often throughout the week and while I didn't eat what I baked I was giving it to my family because well... they didn't have a weight issue... in my desperation I started to read medical books, researched about thyroid and started to look into different eating plans... That's when something clicked! I now learned how food can heal you or make you sick... it's not all about counting calories... especially if what you are pursuing is HEALTH... I also learned how your body "gets used" to a certain level of exercise and you have to "switch things up" a bit for it to work... I loved all this and I now realized that I was hurting my family by feeding THEM sugar and flour.... (I then learned butter was fine! I always thought I had to eat everything LOW FAT! LOW CALORIES!) ... I started to see food differently.... as a source of fuel! I also learned that I am not a slob! (hahahaha).... I learned that while society sees all fat people as undisciplined, lazy cows... we sometimes are the most disciplined of all.... submitting ourselves to painful and even dangerous procedures, diets and medications... many of us are willing to *lose our lives* on an operating table to MAKE THIS FAT GO AWAY! I ALSO learned that while I had read books that made my fatness seem like a spiritual issue IT WAS JUST NOT THAT! I didn't need someone telling me that I was fat because I wasn't going to Jesus when I craved cupcakes!

******

I want to make sure I am clear on this... I am not saying that having a relationship with Jesus won't help you through it all.... I am saying that YOUR WEIGHT AND MY WEIGHT can't be blamed on our spiritual lives. Because if "you go there" and you tackle your weight issue as a spiritual issue then ... when the weight doesn't budge or when you "gain it back" now you'll be discouraged for being a double failure... not only in the physical but in the spiritual area too... and I think that's dangerous.

*****

When we have a weight struggle we all try to find the ONE REASON behind it... the ONE THING that will do the "trick" to help us lose the weight and keep it off.... the truth is that there are SO MANY FACTORS BEHIND IT ... I learned that many of them I CAN'T CONTROL.... and many of them I can.....

Girlfriend, if you're reading this and you've tried everything let me tell you YOU ARE NOT ALONE... I have been there... If you, like me, have gone through phases where you start posting pictures on social media of yourself because you finally start to feel comfortable with the way you look and then at some point there are less and less pictures where you appear and then there is just NONE.... I get it! I've been there! It breaks my heart when I start to see less and less pictures of the people I love and I know have struggled with their weight... because I want to give them a hug and say "I KNOW! I know! It hurts!" I know exactly what they're feeling because either I have felt it or I am feeling it right at that point.

So.... back to where I was.... Like I said... I started to learn about nutrition and exercising... seeing it all differently... and through it all I kept working... pushing through... and I joined a gym I think in 2015 (Life Time Fitness) .... I started to train everyday by myself and occasionally with an amazing trainer... (Aaron Miller)... He taught me about different things I could do and introduced me to strength training.... I had never understood "weights" and now I was using them and actually enjoying them... I started to see my body changed... I lost weight but now that wasn't my only metric... I started to see my body fat go down and my muscle increase...it was awesome! For the first time in my life I felt STRONG... stronger than ever... I wasn't pursing skinny... I was pursing health, strength, muscle definition... I started to understand how with age you want those muscles to protect your joints and bones... Now the whole food=fuel thing made sense... I was eating to fuel my body, to restore, to replenish, I was eating with a purpose... Protein and carbs they all had their place in my life... sugar wasn't even tempting any more... I did things I never thought... it helped me even overcome some fears and set goals not even weight related... My goals were now go climbing or get on a zip line (which I did) ... I felt young! (even at 37!!) and in my "I'm so young" feeling hubby and I thought "let's go for another baby" ... (I am so happy for that!) ... I got pregnant right away... it was 2016 and I thought this would be the easiest, healthiest pregnancies of all ... it wasn't ... somehow I developed gestational diabetes... WHAT??? .... I managed to keep my numbers controlled by not following the doctors' recommendations and diet... I armed myself with a glucometer and my knowledge of food... this would be my chance to prove what I've been doing... and it was! I tested following the doctor's diet... low calories, low fat ... and my sugar went through the roof... I followed my own knowledge of food, how things work... and my numbers were perfect... My doctor said he had never seen such great numbers.... I was ecstatic that regardless of a medical condition I could protect my baby now with my knowledge of all these years of studying and researching.... I then had my baby... a 3rd. C section... things weren't easy inside the operating room.... The doctor was amazed (scared) at how thin my uterus was and how it miraculously didn't rupture... he said "had he known this, there would've been an emergency c-section way sooner" ... he managed to close the uterus... (he explained what he had to do but I won't bore you with that) ... I was recovering and hoping after the delivery I would, naturally, lose weight... but it wasn't the case.... after having my 9 pound 8 oz. baby I went to the dr's office for my 1st check up and huh... I had gained 5 pounds... HOW? 1 month later I was another 15 pounds heavier (than my heaviest at pregnancy!!!) and then I continued to gain.... I went back to the gym trying to give it my all... I went back to my knowledge of food and it just wasn't DOING IT! I continued to see my reflection get bigger and bigger... what in the world happened? My body wasn't doing what it was supposed to....

I have a friend that I work out with and she said "Paloma, I see all you do! I think you should go to the doctor because this isn't normal" she was right... But doctors had disappointed me so many times before... could they help? I decided I would go back to Mexico to see a doctor there.... The private medical practice in Mexico is outstanding... the service is personal, they care to dig to find the real source of the issue.... and an aunt of mine recommended an endocrinologist there... (I thought it had to be my thyroid just like the endocrinologist here in the USA told me)... I set up an appointment....

As I waited for the day to come to go back to Mexico I discovered some classes in my gym.... I started to attend Strictly Strength, Pilates, STRIKE (kickboxing), Life Barre, Barre Fusion and Zumba. It was challenging for me... My body was against me.... I felt embarrassed, self conscious and just disgusting...

Have you ever felt like you have to explain to people "trust me! I am not a lazy fat person! I really try!!!"? I felt like that.... while other people were doing crunches and planks I was sweating just trying to lift my head from the ground because of the massive body I was trapped in....

One day I hit a new low.... It was a day in July this year (2018) right before my trip to Mexico to see my doctor...

It was my second times trying the Pilates class... where thankfully the lights are dim... and as I sweated and puffed trying to do the challenging movements I started to cry... I could've started sobbing uncontrollably but of course I wasn't going to... I was surrounded by people... thankfully I was sweating so much that you couldn't tell there were so many tears.... but inside of me I was yelling... screaming at every move! Wondering how in the world someone so dedicated like me got to this? I have helped people change their lives around... I have blogs and facebook pages about nutrition, I have held nutrition classes in my home, a friend of mine not only lost weight but her consistent headaches were gone following the tips I shared with her.... and yet... here I was .... reaching the morbidly obese title all while I NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING!!! I didn't deserve this! I should be able to do the movements! and yet... I am an ungraceful mass attempting to do Pilates. I should just have a cheeseburger!

I am letting you in my deepest feelings..... I was hoping nobody could see me.... I was hoping I could just disappear and yet I felt like "the BIG center of attention" ... I reassured myself and told myself "don't worry... it's just your mind! I'm sure nobody notices" ... As the class ended I wanted to run out of there... I picked up my mat and bolted towards the door... when I saw a lady I know... she's sweet and her intentions are good... but given my state... you understand how I felt when I saw her...

She's graceful and slim, she's very outspoken about nutrition and healthy living.... I can't see an ounce of extra weight on her.... She doesn't really know me that well so of course she doesn't know what I've been through....

She stops me... I am in pain inside....

She encouragingly tells me "Paloma, you did a great job... "

I want to disappear

She tells me "We're all in different places in our journey..."

I want to run.... I start to explain... I want her to know... My journey is long... I am not a beginner... I should look like her... not like me....

The worst happens....

I start to cry.... UGH!!! I even start to explain I am going to see a doctor!

She starts to pray for me (I told you ... she's sweet! I just didn't feel I could go through that... not in that moment) ... People are passing by us because we're close to the door..... I didn't want anyone to see me and here I am... being prayed over out loud by the door.... with the mixed feelings of thankfulness for her taking the time to pray for me and try to encourage me and sadness and anger that I am seen LIKE THIS!

I thanked her and disappeared... I couldn't get to my locker quickly enough... I picked up my kids from childcare and got in the car.... now to cry even more.... I got home, wiped my tears away and started cooking lunch... hubby came and I started to tell him... now sobbing....

Praise God for my husband.... He's so good through all of this, encouraging and always tells me how much he admires everything I do... So he just listens while I sob...

And so we started our trip... As I saw the doctor I explain to him what's going on... he sees my lab results (of all the tests he ordered) and tells me there was no way I was going to lose the weight ... I needed help... it's insulin resistance... It is different for everyone as not two people are exactly alike... In my case I just couldn't lose the weight and on the contrary I continue to gain...

I explained my frustration... he listened... I asked all the questions I needed to ask about food/exercise and since his wife is a nutritionist he understands all my questions about proteins and carbs and fats... and when he suggests me to watch the fat intake (for now) I ask him about the ketogenic diet (which at some point I attempted) and he explains why and how it just wasn't going to do anything for me... finally a doctor took the time to listen and had the full knowledge to answer... He prescribed some medication (metformin) and I explain how I don't want to be on meds my whole life... He tells me I won't have to because if I put the work I say I do ... the time will come when I will be able to continue on my own... I don't want to get my hopes to high but I leave his office with answers and it just made sense...

I continued with my normal routine of exercise and tweak my food intake a bit.... (didn't really change much but I was less wary of carbs) ... And I started to see results....

God has put people in my life that have been amazingly NEEDED in this process... not only my doctor has been helpful through this all, my husband, my beautiful children, my friends, the person who prayed when I felt like hiding, my siblings, my parents but also my instructors... I am going to say particularly Annika!

That short girl that is fiery as nobody else... She deceives you into doing "just one more" (don't trust her though), she pushes you, challenges you and gets you to do what you thought you couldn't do....

It was through her STRIKE (kickboxing) class that I knew I needed her in my life.... As I went to her first class and I heard her speak... I wondered if everyone else was feeling like me... Each class is like a breakthrough session... like a therapy through physical movements.... I wondered who else was facing their demons through her class as she yells "punch him in the face!" ... because as she says... "your enemy might not be a person" ... And every time I am in her class I do... I punch my fears, my I can'ts, my insecurities and my negative self image, I punch the guy that followed me and my girls at a store and took pictures of us, I punch the voices of people (or a person) who once put me down.... and I get goosebumps and as the class ends I get the feeling of being a winner... I get to lift my arms in victory because regardless of it all and everything you've read... I am a winner... hey ... not everyone "sticks with it" after years and years... I am no quitter, I am stronger than I might appear on the outside... and like my oldest daughter once told me "mommy! You just never stop!"

Because while my body might not show it... My girls have seen it... and while I don't look like the "example of health" I AM the very example that I wanted to set for them... to fight, to not make excuses, to overcome and to keep going no matter what...

Have I felt like quitting? Many times!!! I am far from perfect and if it wasn't for the support I have I probably would've quit already.... There are times where I have actually thrown in the towel and eaten what I shouldn't but then I pick the towel back up and keep going. Not because I am special.... Everyone can do it.

I told my doctor it's hard to continue when I see no results and he said...

"oh but you do see results! If you weren't exercising and eating the way you do you would be diabetic right now.... because of what you do you're NOT"

See... eating healthy and exercising and taking care of yourself is never without reward... You deserve it!

I have so much to say... And while I am thinking of writing a book or starting a group or a page or something... For now I tell you...

If you have weight issues it doesn't mean...

You're lazy
You're not disciplined
You're less spiritual than...
You're a failure....

Just like not every skinny person is hardworking, spiritually "there", disciplined or a success....

We can't generalize.... ever... Your issues are not my issues... I can't pretend to understand exactly what you've done, I can't say "you're fat because...." and simplify it into ONE thing ... it might be even outside of you....

Genes, leptin, fat cells, age, etc... all play a role... in my case that last pregnancy, at my age, with my medical history, hereditary factors all caused the perfect storm and at some point no matter what I did I still needed something external to come in and interfere....

And right now... while I have lost 30 pounds (since July 20th 2018) and I strive towards losing many more.... (many many) and while I hope to be able to keep all the pounds off I know it will always be something I struggle with.... for me (like my doctor said) it will always be an uphill battle... and I know for many people it is the same way...

Do not get discouraged... keep fighting...

You're not alone in this! Don't compare yourself to others... If keto doesn't work... You're not doing something wrong... it might just not be for YOU. Remember... When it comes to weight loss and health NOT ONE THING works for everyone... What might be good for others might not be fore you... you might have to tweak things a bit for yourself... Are there plans I recommend? Of course... My favorite ones are:

Trim Healthy Mama
The Fast Metabolism Diet
The Paleo Diet
The Whole30

And if you want to get all into it (like I did) and learn about the science behind it all... I absolutely recommend this book:

Hungry Gene: The Science of Fat and the Future of Thin

You'll learn so much from all these books ... But again, take your time with it all... Be consistent and see what works best for you specifically.

And here's a picture of me.... still with lots of pounds to lose, still far from where I want to be but celebrating the fact that I am healthier and never quitting... and the fact that I entered these jeans again!

Thanks again to everyone who has been supportive through all my stages... thanks again Anikka for being MY trainer... because if you go to her class.... she's YOUR trainer (no matter how PACKED that room is!).

If you're trying this alone... Don't do it... Surround yourself with support! I'm here for you! If at least as comfort to know that someone "gets it".

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: This post contains may contain affiliate links. Which means that if you follow a link a buy a product I get a small percentage of the purchase. It doesn't cost you more. I am not paid to recommend any of these products, these are my actual, real, personal opinions.

The BEST oils for a tight budget and skeptical ME

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Fri, 4 Dec 2015 12:19:00 -0600

Hello everybody, first of all let me tell you that when I started this blog, about 7 years ago, I didn't know how much things would change... or how long I would even keep up with a blog (not that I've been keeping up that great lately) but this blog of mine started like an outlet when I first moved from a city in Mexico to a city in Wisconsin, USA... When I married my online boyfriend (on the 7th time we met in person), who loves coffee very much... So the name "The Coffee Shop" was created... I started sharing about life, faith, then pregnancy, motherhood, coffee of course was always present... and even started sharing recipes in my newly found love for baking. In this blog I've shared my marriage, two pregnancies, our move from Wisconsin to Texas, about our church, concerts, sometimes I've even dared share some sort of political rant but I think I do a well job staying away from those, I've shared about my culture, my love for baking with lots of sugar, regular flour, lots of butter and even the oh so gross and oh so great for oh so very flaky pie crusts CRISCO shortening, etc... This blog has also seen me turn into all things healthy, no wheat, no sugar, yes real foods like butter, I've gained weight, lost it and sadly gain some... I've talked thyroid health, gall bladder issues, kids crafts, etc... I've baked beautiful things and had total disasters in my kitchen... homeschooled and keep on homeschooling... And in all this long thing you've never seen me talk about essential oils! What's this hype about essential oils that everyone talks about? Come on! Another FAD! how can oil help anybody's health? I mean... yes... I knew coconut oil was good for you and I embraced all good fats! But ... why would smelling an oil improve anything? A few months ago I read a bit about aromatherapy and I felt like I got the gist of it and it didn't convince me... Then I read you can't ingest oils and I thought everyone who said they were putting drops of oil in their water or baking with it were complete nuts! Don't they know you can't ingest essential oils? Oh! The horrible fate that awaits them for using them internally! They should know better! And I am the one that should've known better... I continued to see FB friends and relatives praise their oils and I was convinced it had to be some sort of collective brainwashing... Then when I saw the prices of some of the oils I thought for sure they were all trying to convince themselves they worked... why would they want to admit they spent all that money for something that doesn't really work? .. I decided to give oils a try and hubby got me some "great pure therapeutic grade oils" at a local supermarket... I felt awful, the smell itself me me nauseous and I knew I was done with oils... Yet I kept looking at people who were really looking healthier/happier I even saw marvels of "chewing gum" being removed from a carpet with some essential oils and I thought I had to vie the "expensive" oils a try... A wonderful friend from church very patiently explained about her own experience with oils and helped me get started... I'm actually just waiting for my very first batch of oils but I've already been using many samples and my goodness! Have they already made a difference here... I can already say that they have helped with the overall mood in the house (Yes, there's oils for that!) and I even helped some digestion issues my 7 year old has suffered from birth... Am I going to praise my oils? No... But now that I've been reading/learning more I realize it was so easy! the answer was right there! Our Creator made and provided things for us to use in nature... things that will definitely benefit (or hurt) us depending on how they are used... There's powerful stuff in the life of plants, the plants that God created, I had never seen all the references about oils and plants in regards to medicine in the Bible, I mean of course I had "seen them" but never really SEEN them.

About the price: While oils like Young Living are indeed pricey they are in no way expensive... My question would be... just to give a quick example... how much does a dozen of roses cost? how many roses do you need to make 1 ounce of essential oil? don't know? about 60,000 ... sometimes more (it all depends on the process) ... What about the growing of said roses? ensuring they are grown in the most perfectly balanced soil? By people who know how to grow them, free of pesticides, etc... A whole lot of steps and work are involved in this process, to protect the purity of the real good oils (I can only vouch for Young Living )

If you know me you know I'm all IN with the things I am passionate about... After just "Trying" this I am convinced, passionate and sharing with you! Because if you're like me and one day you end up diving into the oils... You'll feel like YOU MISSED OUT for a long time!

Now... You don't have to pay for the full price of oils... You could join as a member/distributor and enjoy 24% off of all of their products, if you enroll to their essential rewards you would then gather points that would go towards free oils, etc... Also Join NOW to take advantage of December promotions.

Trust me... I am in no way in the position of overspending... I enrolled on the Monthly Essential Rewards to receive monthly products from YL so I can get to know the rest of their products and share with you... My monthly order is only 51.00 (saying the word "only" is painful because for us that is not a small amount) but I've made tweaks in our budgets and cut our only 2 times eating out per paycheck so that we can do this... You didn't need to know that... but I am sharing so you know how "ALL-IN" I am in this... I will be trying the oils, doing some experiments and sharing it all with you! Join me in my newly found OILY journey!

Join me in living a healthier life...

(Note: I am not telling you to ingest essential oils... I am telling you to try Young Living and YOU WILL KNOW what you can ingest and what you can't ... If you can't ingest any of your oils... they might not be the best... definitely don't eat them!)

© Paloma K.

Easiest EVER Broccoli Soup - THM FP, S or E

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 00:22:00 -0500

Hello everybody! So... as you know I am on a mission (involuntarily) to share very INEXPENSIVE recipes that are on plan (Trim Healthy Mama). I can never say it enough: YOU can be a Trim healthy Mama even with a Trim Unhealthy Wallet! And here's one of my favorite new additions in my menus... Broccoli soup! I know, I know... it doesn't seem like the "newest" or most creative of things... But soups (in my opinion) should never be overlooked or underestimated... They can be packed with nutrition, it's a great way to say "I love you" to your family and now that the cooler temperatures are close (I live in Texas so let this girl dream) I feel like soups are the perfect thing to incorporate to your meal, they can be very filling and satisfying!

This Soup can marvelously be made with 1 ingredient only! YES! You heard that right! My sister told me how she heard of this and tried it in total disbelief and how much she loved it even when she didn't even expect to do so! So... I had to taste it to believe it... and am I glad I did! I can make it in the blink of an eye! I am still shocked at how easy and yummy this is.

So... What do you need? BROCCOLI!

This soup can be adapted to eat in any of the Trim Healthy Mama settings! so... I love it for that!

Let's see how it works:

For an FP or E Setting:

Yield:
2 servings (but feel free to eat the whole thing away)

Ingredients:

Broccoli Florets (about 8 florets or 1 medium sized broccoli crown)

Directions:

Cook the broccoli florets in 3 cups of water until the broccoli is fork tender but preferably make sure it still keeps some of its vibrant green color. Transfer the cooked broccoli to a blender, season with salt, pepper and even some garlic powder if desired, add about 1 cup of water where you cooked the broccoli (that's where all the flavor is) and blend away! add more of the liquid if needed to reach desired consistency/thickness. You can garnish this with a dollop of 0% greek yogurt... You could also use Fat Free vegetable/chicken broth to cook the broccoli and add more flavor but you'll be surprised even with just water! It's yummy!

When serving in an "FP" Setting make sure you eat this as a side, Enjoy it freely to fill you up when eating some extra lean protein such as Chicken Breast, wild caught salmon, extra lean deli meat, etc.)

If you are eating in an "E" Setting Make sure you add a good source of carbs, you could have a deli wrap using "on plan" Sprouted Wraps (like Ezekiel) and extra lean deli meats, you could also eat a yummy sandwich using extra lean meats, laughing cow cheese and lots of fresh veggies. Get creative!

For an S Setting:

Ingredients:

Broccoli florets
1 tbsp. of grass-fed butter (I love salted Kerrygold)
Shredded Cheddar cheese (garnish)
Dollop of sour cream (garnish)

Directions:

Follow the directions given above and just add the butter when blending... season to your taste and top with the shredded cheese and sour cream. Enjoy with the protein of your choice, you can have any kind of meat you like (fatty or lean).

This soup was so successful that my 7 and 4 year old princesses are asking me to make it even for breakfast... and that is a huge thing to say for my 4 year old because while she does enjoy some green veggies, she is more of a fruit eating girl... and I am so happy to see her devour this like it's ice cream!

I hope your family will enjoy it just as much!

What THM CAN and CAN NOT do for you

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Fri, 9 Oct 2015 12:10:00 -0500

Ah! Complications!... Wouldn't we want everything to just always go smoothly? I often see on the THM groups on FB things that sometimes sound a lot like my very own thoughts.... comments like:

When there are pictures of yummy recipes my (and it seems that I am not alone) thoughts are:

- I wish I had a chef
- I wish I had more money for different ingredients
- Could you come and cook for me?

(and many more)

Sometimes I just click on "Save Recipe" or "Follow post" or "share" with the hopes of "being able to make such yummy recipes" some day... But let me tell you something...

If you haven't started THM yet and if you're waiting until "everything is perfect" let me tell you... stop waiting and start NOW.... Will it be perfect? No! Will things go smoothly right from the beginning? NO! But you will start taking steps in the right direction... Yes, yes, sometimes you will take 1 step forward and then take 1 back ... yes... sometimes you will feel overwhelmed with lots of information that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to you yet... BUT MY TIP TO YOU will be... Grab 1 thing... ONLY 1 thing and apply it... practice it, rehearse it... and it will soon become 2nd. nature... if you apply 1 thing and 1 thing only each day (or even each week) at some point you will get very, very good at this!

Now.. if you are already a "THM Veteran" like me... but still find yourself drooling over luscious looking pies with ingredients that you can't afford at this very moment... this post is for you (and for me too)

THM can give us the guidelines to a healthier lifestyle
THM can provide tools to motivate us
THM can (and does) provide with tons of women that want to encourage and motivate you
THM can give you ideas for yummy meals on plan

THM CAN'T make us rich
THM CAN'T cook the meals for us (yet... LOL! Maybe some day!)
THM CAN'T start for us!

So... while we might not be able to change some things like our financial situation... we can focus on the things that we can change... starting with our attitude!

1. Focus on the YES! Start thinking of all the things that you CAN afford and how you can combine them according to plan! Make them look pretty! Enjoy them and be thankful (1 leaf of parsley over your soup can go a long way when it comes to VISUAL!)

2. CELEBRATE your victories! I love the THM Beginners group for that! I see so many women celebrating that they didn't eat a biscuit with their chicken or that they said no to candy! You go!

3. STOP COMPARING! (OY! Tough one!) your journey is not like anyone else's ... each and every single person is different.... way different! rejoice for those that melt away the pounds like butter in the sun and if that's not your case... don't throw the towel! What will that do to you? Keep at it! You're on the very right path.

I am not a "weight loser" I am a "weight finder" ... I feel like I smell food and I gain weight! If you are like me... stick with me! Let's be friends! I'll cheer you up and you might do the same for me when I'm down... Stop by my Facebook page and stick around for recipes, tips and encouragement!

Look at some simple things I ate yesterday... Yummy, inexpensive and PERFECTLY ON PLAN:

What's in the picture above?

(bottom left) A zucchini frittata (basically zucchini, eggs and some butter/cream cheese) with coffee that was an "S" meal,
(top left) Chicken tenderloins seasoned with Mrs. Dash Savory Seasoning
and a cabbage/mayo slaw (the expensive "special" thing there would be that bai5).
(top right) a yummy (E) steel cut cinnamon oatmeal topped with 1 tbsp. of chia seeds.
Last but not least: My precious! Oikos Triple Zero! Lots of protein ... Zero Fat... no added sugar and by itself is an FP.

By the way... if you feel like it... and can splurge right now... check this out:

FOR A LIMITED TIME Amazon has a 20% off Coupon on Bai5 Beverages: HERE

See? Not hard at all! Not complicated! What ingredients do you have? If you let me know what your favorite ingredients are I might be able to provide you with ideas on how to use those! Just let me know!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Big Bags filled with Air

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 5 Oct 2015 15:47:00 -0500

Last week we went to a big grocery store... it was all decorated with Halloween stuff... Masks and big inflatable decorations were everywhere... My 4 year old is very sensitive to those things and no matter how many times I've told her there's nothing to be afraid of, she still shivers at the sight of those things. My 7 year old on the other hand is no longer scared of them and she tries to help me convince her sister that there's nothing to be afraid of because Jesus is with us, mommy is right there and those things are not even real.

Interestingly my littlest one is still terrified but at the same time oddly mesmerized by those big inflatable "monsters" and while very afraid and shaky she still takes a peek through her fingers while covering her face.

"Those are just huge bags filled with air" I tell her
"Those things aren't real! They are just like huge balloons" I reassure her

My oldest one, while very compassionate and patient tells me "I don't understand why she is still so afraid" and the best way to explain it to her presented itself that night.

I usually send my girls to bed at 8 p.m... They are usually still giggling and talking with each other until one or both end up falling asleep... But that night was different and my oldest came to me with tears in her eyes and told me: "Mommy! I am so afraid... I keep thinking in my head that you are dead" I know exactly what she is talking about... and I know is totally unrelated to the "monsters in the store" because those thoughts are sadly common for her... just like they were for me when I was her age... just like they are for me still this day!

Talking in all honesty my fears are so "real" that they show themselves in my head... almost like pictures! I can SEE the very things that scare me the most "happening" in my head! When I was little I was afraid my parents would die, I could see them like a clear image in my head... lifeless... with their eyes open... "staring at me" but not really looking. I remember how afraid I was sometimes even to get home from school because those images would "attack" me while at school and I was afraid to confirm my fears once I would get home... Those fears are still very "real" for me to this day... But today is not my parents or my siblings what appear in my horrible "awake-nightmares" it's my husband or my daughters! And those thoughts make me even gasp for air! It's not always the same fear... the fears are way more "complex" now... it's not just "death" or a "blank stare" it's so much more! And it's the knowledge of our sick/dark world that has made my nightmares way more elaborated.

So when my 7 year old came to me that night, crying about what she was "seeing"... I was happy I got the answer so quickly! I told her:

- "Those are just huge bags filled with air"
- "What?" she said.
- "Yes baby! Remember at the store you couldn't understand why your sister was so afraid of those bags? Well... she was scared because to her, those monsters seem sooo real... but ... are they?"
- "No, they are not!" she replied
- "Well, your fears look big, and real! but they are not! and we need to fill ourselves with truth and understand what's real RIGHT NOW so we can overcome and not be afraid of those *monsters* anymore... once we see them for what they are... they won't be as scary and every time we see them again we will just have to remember the TRUTH about them"
- "Ah! I see!" She said wiping her tears and almost with a smile in her face.

So I proceeded to read out loud from Psalm 91: (it was the first one that came to mind)

¹Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
³Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

As I said each word of these verses tears started washing my own fears away... fears that I wasn't even thinking about before I started reading... But the Word of God is surely alive and it reveals things! It changes, transforms, cleanses, breaks, restores, heals and convicts! My daughter and I had a special moment... when we both just admitted our very weaknesses and our need to go to God and give it all to Him... Praise God for His Word and for the freedom we still have to read it to one another.

Are there any "Bags filled with air" scaring you right now? they might be very different from what I described but... what is it that you're going through? Are you experiencing anxiety? overwhelming sadness? paralyzing fear in your life? Deflate them with THE TRUTH! Pop those huge, scary balloons that look sooo real and powerful with the sharp sword of His Word. Let the big scary shadows vanish with His light! I am not saying I know exactly what you're going through... I am sure you might even have very justifiable reasons to feel the way you do... But remember you have a Sword, a Shelter, a Refuge, a Strong Tower... Our Almighty God and His Holy Word at all times with you. What are your favorite Bible verses for times of desperate need of comfort/peace and encouragement? Share them so we can together focus on the TRUTH.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philipians 4:8

© Paloma K.

THM, Bible Studies and Wreaths

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:23:00 -0500

Hello everybody! It's been ages since I last blogged anything! I've been feeling totally disconnected and it's been hard to find my "blogging groove again" ... It doesn't mean I haven't had anything to blog about... You might not see me around as much but I am still on Trim Healthy Mama... It's still kind of a "my own THM plan" ... just because of some of my own thyroid needs but usually I adhere to the rules most of the time... I do get some crossovers in... and I've had some low (very low moments, just this very last week) but I've also had great highs too! I just recently introduced weight lifting into my exercise routine and it's been great! I can actually see/feel changes starting to happen... and while those changes are NOTHING to some for me they've been huge given my thyroid issues. I do Trim Healthy Mama the 'easiest/cheapest' possible way my meals are easy and with "everyday" ingredients... here are some pics of some of the things I've been eating to give you an idea:

As you can see I've been eating meals made with common ingredients:

Spicy Roasted almonds ( THM -S-)
Fried eggs with pan roasted veggies and avocado (S)
Lightly breaded Chicken with buttered zoodles -used coconut flour for the breading- (S)
Chicken Salad over romaine hearts, avocado, jalapeño peppers and strawberries on the side (S)
Low fat cottage cheese with strawberries (FP)
Chicken breast with veggies (FP) (or add a side of brown rice and make it an "E").

See? It doesn't have to be too fancy or complicated to be yummy and perfectly on plan.

... I have no budget for special ingredients, But if you do go ahead and enjoy them! Trim Healthy mama has some special ingredients and others that are more common in their store... all of them at great prices here: Trim Healthy Mama Store

Now... what else has been going on with my life?

Well... This Summer I volunteered to translate a book from English to Spanish for our Bible Study... I highly recommend this study for you! You can suggest it in your church if they do studies like this, but if you don't have a Bible Study group you can still do it on your own... I highly recommend it:

Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break by Kelly Minter

This Study is really amazing... I don't want to give much away but trust me... God can use it to change your life.

Another thing I've been busy with... interestingly have been crafts! I have been feeling crafty lately and I've been checking out the "wreath making" world, these are two wreaths I've made:

Burlap Wreath with Fall Foliage

Straw Wreath covered with Yarn, decorated with felt flowers, pine cones and ribbon

And last but not least... We've had a great response to hubby's First Book...

Suffering Well: Job’'s Stubborn Faith

I mentioned it before that it was finally published and we are so blessed to have great friends who have been praying with and for us! Our church family has been just as excited as we are and our Pastor and his wife hosted a beautiful celebration to dedicate the book, have a beautiful prayer time and some book signing of course.

Our Pastor's wife besides being a great support for her husband and all of us in church, she is also a great blogger, amazing hostess and a very creative homemaker... You have to check out her blog and you can see how she decorated for our Book Dedication Celebration here in her beautiful blog: Quite Simply - Gay Jeffries Blog.

Of course there's a lot more I could share but not without making this the longest blog post... So I will end it here.

I hope I can bring you some new recipes soon!

We got our book published! - Suffering Well

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Wed, 5 Aug 2015 11:28:00 -0500

Good day friends from "The Coffee Shop" from the start of this blog I knew I would do book reviews, share recipes, talk about family, faith, love, etc... But... I never even knew I would be talking about OUR very own book!

After 2 long years of hard work and sleepless nights hubby got HIS book published... I've just decided to talk about it like its "ours" because I do feel like it's our whole family project, while there's not even one phrase of mine inside that book we've all made this project an important thing in our lives...

I know I haven't kept up with my blog as much as I'd like to ... I have neglected my sharing of delicious, healthy, THM recipes! But I'm trying to juggle so much all at once! My girls are taking most of my time and... I am also tackling a huge translating project (I will share more about that soon) ... I feel like summer is slipping away... but for now I am just so thrilled to share this big news with you and I hope that you get your copy of this book that I can assure you has been prayed over, reviewed, re-reviewed (I could say this about 10 more times) and it's really been a blessing even for me to read!

We'll really appreciate it if you would support us by getting your own copy! We are not in this for the money (if you are a writer you know what I am talking about) but this is a book that I feel will help anyone in moments of trials and pain as it takes a deep look (with a different approach) to the life of Job, his stubborn faith and even the trials of his wife (who usually only gets judgment from most of us)... If you are going through pain or if you want to know how you could encourage someone who is experiencing suffering... This book is for you.

Please take a picture of your book copy and tag us on Facebook Suffering Well FB Page, we will love to stay in touch with you and hear how God is using this book to highlight truths directly from His Word in your life... We also hope we can be an encouragement and will be honored to pray with you if you let us.

You can get your BOOK HERE

Or in Amazon: (Amazon has a mistake in the Hardcover price, they took the number of pages as the cost but it should be updating soon)

© Paloma K.

Delicious, creamy, frozen custard...

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:40:00 -0500

Hello everybody! I was looking for a good ice cream recipe! Ice cream has been my "stumbling block" more than once while on Trim Healthy Mama... Particularly because I am not satisfied with just any ice cream... and while I had found really great recipes out there that could kind of keep the cravings at bay... I hadn't really found what I was looking for... Especially because I had been spoiled with the best ice cream of all: "Wisconsin Frozen Custard" while I lived up north for 4 years when I had just gotten married.

You already know Wisconsin is famous for its dairy... the delicious cheeses! YUM! Custard is a specialty there.... whether you get it at places like:

Leon's

Adrian's is our very favorite

or even "old style" at Grandma and Grandpa's backyard

... When you have frozen custard there... you become an "ice cream snob" whether you like it or not.

Culver's has great frozen custard as well... and when we first moved to Texas (about 4 years ago) we were so thrilled to find out there was a Culver's less than 1 mile away from our new home... But, then, I wasn't so happy when, in my efforts to lose weight I felt I had to just forget about frozen custard entirely... unless I "cheated" so cheating I did... not often because I am pretty strong and strict when it comes to staying on plan... but when I did OH I DID! So just recently I took on the challenge to make my own frozen custard at home... but this time... it would be SUGAR FREE!!!

What's even better, my recipe is simple yet truly satisfying (even for the most strict critic)... it does require a bit of patience but the result is definitely worth the effort! This recipe is so good that you could even have it for breakfast! Why not?

If you are a "Trim Healthy Mama" you know why a "heavy" dessert like this one is COMPLETELY GUILT FREE ... if you don't know what Trim Healthy Mama is yet... You are missing out! Get your Trim Healthy Mama book here

Here's my recipe:

Paloma's guilt-free VANILLA frozen custard
THM - "S" for Satisfying

Yield: 1 pint
Servings: 2

Ingredients

4 egg yolks
10 Packets of Truvia
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk
pinch of sea salt
splash (about 1/2 teaspoon) of vanilla extract

Directions:

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and truvia until well combined. Whisk in cream and cashew milk until yolk mixture is fully incorporated.
Place pot over medium-low heat (from 1 to 8 it would be a "2") and cook, constantly whisking (don't stop or you'll get scrambled eggs, don't turn the heat any higher either), until a thin (it won't thicken much yet) custard forms on a spoon and a finger swiped across the back leaves a clean line, or until custard temperature reaches 170°F. Stir in salt and vanilla.
Strain custard through a Fine Mesh Strainer and chill in the refrigerator until it is very cold (at least 4 hours). Churn in Ice Cream Maker according to manufacturer's instructions, then serve right away or transfer to an airtight container and chill in freezer for 1 hour to let custard firm up slightly. Serve custard within two hours of it being made, don't store for another day.
Optional and not so purist: Drizzle sugar free chocolate syrup on top!

Enjoy!!!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Our "MUD RUN" - Nuestra Carrera en Lodo

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Sun, 10 May 2015 16:05:00 -0500

Today ... is a special day... It's mother's day and I happen to have the privilege to have been born in a wonderful family with the best mom ever... and ... it's also special because it's my sister's birthday! She is turning ... well... who's counting? Right?? So... This is for them!

---- OUR "Mud Run" ----

While I see so many people... voluntarily submit themselves to mud runs... I can't help but think of MY FAMILY... and our own adventures!

We lived in a rural area in Mexico for a few years.. The romantic idea of "chickens and goats" (not even our own but the neighbors') running through our big piece of land (a bit bigger than 2 acres) really enticed my parents... The land was cheap and the house seemed nice when we bought it... In that house we lived through some of the hardest (financial) times of our lives growing up and some of the most wonderful and REALLY WEALTHIEST (not financially) times as a family too! It was our very rural "piece of heaven" (and to be honest, anywhere we lived was always a piece of heaven, not because of the place but because we were together and because singing praises to God was always, ALWAYS happening wherever we were). Sometimes we had no electricity or even gas inside the house... so neighbors thought we were always 'partying' because we were outside cooking beans and cactus on a grill and of course... singing... always singing!

We had no running water there, the streets were not paved... and this is when THE MUD comes in.. oh the mud!!! every time it rained!! we would get deep in the mud (sometimes knee deep or even deeper if anybody happened to fall) it was thick, it was heavy and it was hard to walk in it... Many times we had no car and when we did... well... it would get stuck... backs were hurt while trying to push it out of the mess (did I happen to mention that our car, when we had it, had no "reverse"?) and even feet were trapped under the tires of the car when it managed to slip out of the mess...

I took this picture from the internet, because I don't have pics of our own, a very common scene!

Because we had no running water, we had to wait for "la pipa" to get our containers filled up with water, sometimes "la pipa" wouldn't pass... most times the water wasn't that clean so we used it mostly to "flush the toilet" with buckets...

"La Pipa"

So many times my dad would carry big containers (yes, like the ones people use in mud runs to take pictures with), my dad would fill the containers up and bring them to the house (no time -or camera- to pose for a picture of course)... My dad carried most of them but my mom wouldn't wimp out of it and my sister... being only as young as 10 years old would gather all her strength to help carry too! Sometimes we had a car, many times we didn't ... so we would either travel long distances with those containers of water in the car or even walk a lot with those containers... filled with water... all to be able to wash dishes, clothes and take ... well... I can't say baths... and I can't say "showers" either for obvious reasons... but we would use buckets to "wash ourselves"

We would do all this whether the weather was nice or not.. if it was rainy season sometimes we would fall in the middle of the mud while carrying buckets of water... sometimes the containers would end up spilling... sometimes we would lose a shoe that would end up trapped in all that mess... and yet... I think we always found a way to laugh about it! We actually became "really skilled" at the whole "mud thing" ... we knew where to step and the balance we had! Was pretty impressive! We would do this daily of course because we had go to school, work and church, miles and miles away from home... sometimes with a clean change of clothes in plastic bags for when we finally made it to our destination.

I can say I've been in many "MUD RUNS" with my parents and siblings! Sometimes it felt like a "permanent and endless" mud run... But I am happy to say that by the grace of God nobody ever quit! There are so many stories I can share of our "Free and involuntary MUD RUNS" ... We never had to register to join any of them... Life just brought them to us... We didn't get to take any pictures either... but they are forever burnt in our minds and souls.... They became part of who we are... and they make us appreciate every single thing and not take it for granted.

Today the special recognition goes to my mom and sister... Who... being the princesses and ladies that they are... They were tough and strong through it all and they're still going through their race with a smile in their faces!

Thank you Mom for being such an example to your daughters! The only reason why we could go through all that with such peace and joy and not even have a "bad memory" about it is because of your constant prayers and content attitude!

My mom and me!

Thank you sister for being the best sister of all and for showing your teeth to adversity... both literally and figuratively! I am proud of YOU! And I am glad we went through all that TOGETHER! As best friends! With you in my team is easy to get to the other side!

My sister and me!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!.... Happy Birthday sis!

Thank you Lord... for washing us clean from the mud... in every possible way!

MUD RUNS help you bond with your family FOR SURE!!!

----------- TRADUCCION --------------

Hoy es un dia especial... Es dia de las madres y resulta que yo tengo el privilegio de haber nacido en una maravillosa familia con la mejor mamá del mundo... y ... es también un día especial porque es el cumpleaños de mi hermana... Ella cumple... Bueno... eso no se dice.... verdad? Este post de hoy es para ellas!

--- NUESTRA CARRERA EN LODO ----

Al ver a mucha gente inscribirse voluntariamente en carreras en lodo... no puedo evitar pensar en MI familia y nuestras propias aventuras!

Nosotros vivimos por un tiempo en una area rural en México... La romantica idea de gallinas y cabras (que ni siquiera eran nuestras, sino de los vecinos) corriendo en nuestro terreno (de poco mas de dos acres) realmente atrajo a mis padres... El terreno era barato y la casa parecia comoda cuando la compramos... En esa casa vivimos algunos de nuestros tiempos mas dificiles en cuanto a finanzas en nuestra vida y algunos de los tiempos mas maravillosos y ABUNDANTES (no financieramente) como familia. Era nuestro "pedacito de cielo rural" (y para ser honesta, en cualquier lugar donde vivimos siempre fue un pedacito de cielo, no por el lugar sino porque estabamos juntos y porque cantar alabanzas a Dios fue una constante en dondq quiera que estuvieramos. Algunas veces no teniamos ni electricidad ni gas dentro de la casa... asi que los vecinos pensaban que eramos unos fiesteros porque a menudo nos veian cocinando en el asador (frijoles y nopales) y por supuesto siempre... siempre cantando!

Ahi no teniamos agua corriente y las calles no estaban pavimentadas... Es ahi donde comienza nuestra carrera en el lodo! Cada vez que llovia terminabamos enlodados (algunas veces hasta las rodillas o aun peor si nos caiamos) era un lodo espeso y pesado en el cual era dificil caminar... Muchas veces no teniamos un automovil y cuando si teniamos se atascaba, hubo espaldas lastimadas y hasta uno que otro pie apachurrado tratando de ayudar a que el carro saliera del lodo (por supuesto nuestro carro no tenia reversa)

Como no habia agua corriente, teniamos que esperar a que pasara "la pipa" para llenar nuestros contenedores y pila de agua, a veces no pasaba la pipa y la mayoria de las veces el agua no estaba tan limpia asi que solo la usabamos para "bajarle al baño" con cubetas...

Tantas veces mi papa tuvo que cargar botes (si, como los que usan en las carreras de lodo para tomarse fotos y verse muy "fortachones"), mi papa sin mucha pose llenaba los botes y los traia a la casa... MI papa cargaba la mayoria de ellos pero ni mi mama ni mi hermana se rajaron jamas... Aunque apenas tenia 10 ella tambien le entraba con todas sus fuerzas! Algunas veces, teniamos coche y muchas veces no... asi que teniamos que viajar largas distancias con esos botes famosos en el carro o aun caminar cargandolos... todo para poder lavar trastes, ropas y bañarnos a cubetazos.

Todo esto lo haciamos cuando el clima era favorable y también cuando no lo era tanto... hubo ocasiones en las que nos caiamos en medio del lodo y a veces se nos terminaban vaciando los botes... algunas veces se nos quedaba un zapato atrapado en medio del lodo y aun asi encontrabamos algun modo para reirnos al respecto! De hecho nos volvimos unos expertos en todo eso de caminar en el lodo... sabiamos bien donde y como pisar y que buen balance teniamos! Era digno de verse! Todos los dias teniamos que ir a la escuela, trabajo y 3 veces por semana a la iglesia, kilometros lejos de nuestra casa... algunas veces teniamos que cargar con ropa limpia en bolsas de plastico para cambiarnos cuando llegaramos a nuestro destino.

Puedo decir que he participado en muchas 'carreras en lodo' con mis padres y mis hermanos! A veces se sentia como que estabamos en una carrera "permanente e interminable"... Pero me alegra decir que por la gracia de Dios nadie se rindio jamas! Hay tantas historias que podria contar de nuestras carreras "gratuitas e involuntarias"... Nunca tuvimos que pagar un quinto por ellas! La vida simplemente nos las regalo... Tampoco pudimos tomar fotos... pero las memorias quedan para siempre en nuestras mentes y corazones... Son parte de quien ahora somos y nos ayudan a valorar cada cosita y no dar nada por hecho.

Hoy el reconocimiento especial es para mi mamá y hermana... que... siendo las princesas y damas que ellas son... fueron lo suficientemente "duras" y fuertes a traves de todo eso y aun lo son en su carrera que siempre enfrentan con una sonrisa en sus rostros!

Gracias Mamá por ser tan gran ejemplo a tus hijas! La unica razon por la que pudimos atravesar por todo eso con tanta paz y gozo y no tener malos recuerdos al respecto es por tus oraciones constantes y tu contentamiento.

Gracias hermana por ser la mejor de todas y por enseñarle los dientes a la adversidad (literalmente y en sentido figurado). Estoy muy orgullosa de ti! Y estoy agradecida de haber pasado todo eso juntas! Como mejores amigas! Contigo en mi equipo es facil llegar al otro lado!

Feliz Dia de las Madres Mama! Feliz cumpleaños hermana!

Gracias Señor por lavarnos del lodo! En todos los aspectos!

Las carreras en lodo de veras que unen a la familia!

© Paloma K.

Does Trim Healthy Mama allow "questionable" ingredients?

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Fri, 1 May 2015 11:31:00 -0500

Hello everybody! Here I am ... Today is day 19th of my 30 Day "Allergen Free" Challenge... If you've been reading my previous posts you know I've eliminated:

Grains
Dairy
Sweeteners of any kind (including stevia)
Peanuts
Beans

This is just for 30 Days and I am praying to God I can finish... It's proving to be harder than I thought. This is something I decided to do with the purpose to "shock" my body... If you know me you know I've been following the Trim Healthy Mama Plan for a while... and it's helped me improve my health and it's given me hope to know that there's SOMETHING I can do for the rest of my life that should help me reach a healthy weight without having to feel deprived! In Trim Healthy Mama there's freedom to make it as "purist as you want" or as "relaxed" as you want to as well...

Some things I often read/hear is that Trim Healthy Mama is awesome, there are really amazing testimonies and shocking before/after pictures from beautiful ladies that share their own stories with tears of joy that are just contagious and encouraging for those around them...

Some other things that I hear/read are not so great and I often see people, who don't really know the plan yet... judging it by "one aspect or two" that they disagree with...

Today I am going to focus on the controversial topic of sweeteners!

Why Trim Healthy Mama allows sweeteners like "truvia" when there are so many "posts" out there and articles trying to say that stevia is not a good sweetener...

Well... I am going to tell you why... Trim Healthy Mama allows these sweeteners because... the sisters Serene and Pearl (authors and creators of the Trim Healthy Mama plan) are out to get us and want to make us as unhealthy as they can... (insert maniacally evil laughter here)

ehem... No... Obviously not...

Why is it then? If there's no evil plot in their minds to cause the destruction of the health of many women... why are they allowing such a "horrible thing like stevia" to be consumed by us?

Well... the truth is that these "questionable" ingredients... happen to be "questionable for some" and really AWESOME for others! If you've read things like "stevia sweeteners often contain other not good for you ingredients" you can rest assured that the Trim Healthy Mama Stevia is made with Non-GMO ingredients... My favorite is the Pure Stevia Extract (1 oz. pouch) ... there's no other ingredients added to it and just a very tiny bit goes a long way!

There are many other concerns behind stevia... But... guess what? I am not even going to address them... 1st. of all because I disagree with many of them... 2nd. because some have been debunked and others are just myths... and 3rd. because I am just going to tell you... You DON'T HAVE TO use it....

That's the main thing... The Trim Healthy Mama Plan can be done by people who have food allergies or sensitivities... and can also be followed by people who never want to have stevia in their lives...

See? We shouldn't debate so much whether stevia is bad or good for you... Do your own research, definitely ... But know that... interestingly the worst thing for us is OBESITY... now... that one will reduce years in our life for sure... and will also cause innumerable of issues while we're alive... But... if you come to the conclusion that you hate stevia and want to stay away from it... know that ... There are many people like you in the Trim Healthy Mama groups... and they're losing weight and getting healthier and they're not allowing *one ingredient* get in their way towards a lean/healthy life.

Just recently I came across a few posts of people who "quit" Trim Healthy Mama... and while we all have freedom to eat what we want to eat and do what we want to do.... I was just shocked at how they were misrepresenting the plan... I actually read some of those posts in the beginning of my journey and they scared me a lot... but I still decided to see for myself and form my own opinion about it...

Some of the things I read were statements from people being very concerned about ingredients that Trim Healthy Mama "promotes" like:

De-fatted peanut flour?

Egg beaters?

Low-carb pasta?

Reddi-Whip?

And they even add a comment like: "You've got to be kidding me"

... Well... The authors of such posts are entitled to their opinion about those ingredients but they don't have to "deceive" their readers with statements that make others believe that any of those ingredients are required to follow Trim Healthy Mama Plan... The truth is that... there is NOT ONE INGREDIENT that is *indispensable* in this plan... The truth is that, since I was already eating mostly whole foods before Trim Healthy Mama I didn't even have to introduce new ingredients to it! Actually ... my grocery list looks pretty much the same (except when I've decided to splurge and buy some Trim Healthy Mama Whey Protein or some Jay Robb Whey Protein... I've actually added more healthy ingredients to my pantry by stacking it full of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil,Chia Seeds,Raw Hemp Hearts, Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, Nutritional yeast and my VERY, VERY, NEWEST FAVORITE:

COCONUT AMINOS!!

I never buy Reddi Whip, I make my own whipped cream with real heavy cream, I absolutely never buy Low Carb Pasta... Instead I use spaghetti Squash for my "S" meals and Brown Rice Pasta for my "E" meals... I've used egg whites on occasion for a desert here and there and I do allow myself to use stevia for desserts because I figure that all the other good stuff, all my exercising and all the positive changes I've made outweigh any other concerns I might have about stevia!

As you can see I am about 80% Purist 20% Not! (At least when I am on plan because when I fall off plan I am 100% not purist at all... ugh!)

So... should you use Stevia? Well.. it's up to you... But I just want to give you peace of mind... You don't have to if you don't want to! There's nothing that you are going to "have to eat" if you Join THM! Am I saying everyone should do THM? Well... everyone could... but everyone is different! I am not saying that THM is the "only" way to lose weight... I am not saying "the rest of the weight loss plans of the world are wrong and we own the absolute truth when it comes to weight loss" ... I am saying it's worth the try and for me it is the most sustainable thing to do for the long run! ...

And when it comes to sweeteners alone... You should know the whole list of on plan sweeteners... You might agree with some, disagree with others... but they are ALL on plan and which one(s) people use... it's up to each individual:

Stevia
Erythritol (sugar alcohol, not for people with a sensitive stomach)
Non Gmo 100% Birch Xylitol (sugar alcohol)
Monk Fruit Extract

And... if none of those are sweeteners that you feel comfortable with, then you don't have to use them... Some ladies have switched to some OFF PLAN sweeteners like honey or Organic Coconut Sugar when they have reached their goal weight or even before just because they are more comfortable using those... those are not "THM approved" sweeteners... but again... I am sharing what some decide to do.

I hope these helps dissipate some concerns about Trim Healthy Mama and the "approved ingredients" ...if you've read the book... You know that "approved" doesn't necessarily meant "encouraged" ... There are some ingredients that are "approved" with a warning... like certain low carb products that are definitely approved for convenience but not necessarily recommended, especially not to be used frequently.

Whew... that's it for today... Gotta go now... Thank you for staying tuned!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

30 Days Allergen Free - Trim Healthy Mama Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:25:00 -0500

Hello friends! As you know (maybe?) I started a 30 day challenge on My Facebook Page last week... Today is Day 9! My new friend Sherry from I Like Rice A Lot has done great changes towards a healthier life and I was totally inspired by the things she was doing... I already follow a great plan... Trim Healthy Mama but due to some health issues (thyroid, etc) I am trying to adapt my plan for 30 days (just for 30 days) and see how I feel and I hope to learn some things in the process... One of the crucial things of this 30 Day Challenge (besides excluding grains, dairy and beans) is NOT weighing/measuring and even when at times it is hard and I want to at least measure myself I am staying strong!

Today I am going to share with you a very simple and yummy recipe....

Salmon Salad with Homemade mayo

The recipe will be at the end of this post... FIRST... I want to share with you some of the things I've been eating to hopefully inspire you to jump on the "health wagon" and realize that you don't have to "miss out"

- Cauliflower Rice and Shrimp

- Eggroll in a Bowl

-Grilled chicken with this delicious side salad (avocado, cucumbers, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, fresh squeezed lime juice, salt and pepper)

- I've been having eggs for breakfast, I know there are other grain free, dairy free, legume free options somewhere but I am so happy with eggs that I don't even look for anything else I just get creative how I prepare them:

And lots of yummy stuff that doesn't even let me miss dairy (ok... I miss it a little) and grains! Some of the meals I am eating are considered crossovers on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, crossovers are definitely on plan they just don't promote weight loss by themselves... but since I am not using some ingredients I am allowing myself to introduce some s-helpers and crossovers to hopefully help with my thyroid issues... I also want to share with you what I ate on Sunday... we went to a picnic from hubby's work and this is what I ate there:

I used the veggies for the hamburgers as a salad and then just ate 1 hamburger patty and some pulled pork (without bbq sauce), I also had a larabar (only 3 whole ingredients YEAH!) It does contain dates which are not THM approved... YOU don't have to use them, they are off plan and I don't intend on abusing these, but since for these 30 days I am not even using stevia I am allowing myself to have a little bit of dates on extreme circumstances.

Now... let me share with you the Salmon Salad with Homemade Mayo recipe

Mayonnaise Recipe:

Don't get intimidated by mayo! You can make it super quickly! It's delicious and you are in full control of the stuff that goes in it... (slightly adapted from: Whole30 Mayo Recipe, all mayo recipes are very similar)

Mayonnaise was first created by chef of the Duke de Richelieu in 1756 so... basically the original credits go to him :)

Ingredients (for the mayo only):

1 1/4 cup -divided- of your favorite (on plan) Extra Light Oil -or a combination of two light oils- (avoid strong flavored oils like avocado oil or EVOO, you can use a light olive oil)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. of salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard
lime or lemon to taste (about 1/2 to 1)

Instructions:

Place the egg and 1/4 of a cup of oil, salt and mustard in a bowl of a standing mixer (if you don't have a standing mixer you can use a blender or even food processor but I used a standing mixer and the results are fantastic).- I love my KitchenAid Standing Mixer and my Ninja Blender -
Run the mixer (or whatever you are using) on high and while after about 30 seconds into it (and while it's running) carefully and very, VERY slowly drizzle the remaining oil (do not let the oil touch the blades if your blender is uncovered or whisk attachment or it can get messy).
When you've added all the oil and the mixture has emulsified/thickened add the lime or lemon juice and mix for 5 more seconds just to incorporate.

Transfer to a glass container with a tight lid and store in the fridge... To know how long you can keep this mayo just use the expiration date of the egg you used.

Enjoy your homemade mayo! All the good stuff, none of the bad! Make the delicious salmon salad from the first picture.... I used:

Ingredients:

1 can (6oz) of wild caught salmon (I use Bear and Wolf Pink Salmon ) for my salads because it doesn't have any bones or skin already.
1/2 medium tomato (chopped)
3 tbsp. white onions (chopped)
1 stalk of celery (chopped)
2 tbsp. (or to taste) of your delicious homemade mayo
salt and pepper to taste (I use this Himalayan Salt) ... Himalayan salt is great for you (not indispensable for this recipe) but the health benefits due to the many minerals in this salt are amazing. Hopefully you will try it.

Mix it all together with a fork, enjoy with cucumber slices instead of crackers!

This salad is an "S" on Trim Healthy Mama.

Enjoy!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Allergen Free on Trim Healthy Mama - Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:42:00 -0500

Hello everybody, how is it going? I am here... man! Day 2 was rough! I was HUNGRY!!! And I don't like that feeling... like... at all... But, who does, right?

Trim Healthy Mama has spoiled me by never letting me go hungry... if you've been reading my previous posts you know that I am kind of switching things around to my own needs and I am taking the challenge of using more "pure" ingredients, whole and avoid things that could cause inflammation due to my healthy problems... I am doing this for 30 days and... I hope I finish! I like to take on new challenges and in the food freedom I've found on THM I realize I can do things like these and not mess up my life long journey with THM!

So... Day 2 was rough! Hungry, hungry... and just craving everything and anything... I might be a bit of a weird person because even when I hate hunger I am enjoying the challenge of "submitting my flesh" ... Man... it's hard! Especially when your husband gets a big slice of chocolate cake out and eats it right in front of you... Now, don't get the wrong impression, hubby is really supportive.. who knows what possessed him last night to eat in front of me like that... I think it's because he sees me so strong he thinks it doesn't make a difference... plus... poor guy... since I started THM he's involuntarily lost about 11 pounds he couldn't afford to lose! (MAN! Right???) even when he was eating crossovers!!! So ... I guess it's ok he eats "off plan" once in a while! Let him eat cake!

I still stayed strong! Now... if you want a word of wisdom it will be: Don't stay up late! Cravings hit harder at night and if you already had your good dinner you should avoid heavier meals that late ! So... yeah... last night I went to bed a bit past midnight and I couldn't wait to get up this morning and have some breakfast!

Now... here's what I ate yesterday:

Eggs with steamed zucchini and avocado, I also ate 1/2 a banana

THM Bit: The breakfast above would be a perfect "S" on Trim Healthy Mama, awesome to lower your sugar blood levels. (just omit the 1/2 a banana that I had with it... Bananas are not encouraged but they are still on plan, keep them in an "E" setting -1/2 of a banana- to avoid crossovers)


Chicken thigh, sweet potato with coconut butter and salt, avocado (and some strawberries)

THM Bit: This lunch above would be a crossover, which is perfectly on plan (you have to remember that) but it's not weight loss inducing... What makes this a crossover? The fats in the chicken thigh, avocado and coconut oil, the carbs from the sweet potato... keep your carbs and fats separate to have an E or an S.

Ground pork with zucchini, spaghetti squash with coconut butter, salt and garlic plus 1/2 an apple

THM Bit: Dinner above would be a perfect S (minus the extra 1/2 an apple that I had) ... non-starchy veggies and fatty meats/oils are a perfect S combination.

And that's it...How are you doing? Did you accept the No measuring and no scale challenge? I think I am going to keep that NO numbers challenge past the 30 days... I am enjoying not being a number... not my age, not my weight, not my size!

I want to thank Sherry from I Like Rice a Lot for sharing about her own journey and being such a great inspiration! She is following a different plan but I realize now that I don't have to take a break from THM to do things differently... I just have to avoid the foods that could be causing some issues for me. Follow her! And comment on her amazing blog... hopefully she'll motivate you to a healthier you as well!

And... also... Don't forget to visit my fellow THM bloggers (see my favorite THM blogs on my right sidebar) you will love them! They are not making this easy for me... They keep posting yummy, fat melting, on plan THM treats and dishes everyday! I can't wait to finish my 30! I have so many plans for my "THM Oat Fiber"

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

30 Allergen Free Days on Trim Healthy Mama - Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 09:21:00 -0500

Hello everyone... My first day on my 30 Day "Allergen Free" Challenge went great...Have you joined Trim Healthy Mama yet? Don't wait any longer!

Now... if you don't have much healing to do ... you will probably just melt the pounds away on THM.... BUT if you need to heal... you might see the weight go down slower... either way, you will learn to beat food addiction and your relationship with food will become a healthier one where you realize you don't have to deprive yourself to be healthy... Plus there are fb groups specific to encourage everyone... whether you have allergies, lose weight slowly, are breastfeeding, etc... there's the right fit for you!

The recommendations:

Don't be afraid of fats! They are indispensable for you! Coconut Oil is king! Avocado is thoroughly enjoyed!
Protein is key to a healthier you! And it's the foundation of your meals
Vegetables! Fill your plate up with it!
Drink lots of water, stay active, don't go too long without eating.

What I am doing:

NO Sweets! (Oh! how I miss thee THM desserts!). For 30 days I am not going to use any kinds of sweeteners and/or try to recreate sweets/treats/desserts.
NO GRAINS allowed, at all... zip! zero! Nada!
NO BEANS (except green/snap beans and sweet peas)...
NO store-bought mayo, no dairy (cheese??? NOPE!) I am missing the delicious grassfed Kerrygold That I love so much!
I am eating some meals that are "Crossovers" on THM ... I am combining some fats and carbs.
If I want almond milk I will be making it... no store bought at all.
No slips I will try to be strong and no off plan foods for these 30 days.

Here's what day 1 of 30 looked like to me:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with sauteed green beans, avocado and 1 mandarin

THM Bit: The breakfast above is considered an s-helper. The fats in this meal (from yolks and avocado) would be an S, but adding the fruit (which is always best in an "E" setting) is what takes it out of the S category. The carbs are not high enough for a full crossover though.

Lunch: Ground beef with broccoli, 1 small sweet potato with coconut butter and salt, 3 strawberries

THM Bit: This lunch would be a crossover because of the amount of carbs (sweet potato) mixed with the fats (S) from the coconut butter and olive oil I used.

Dinner: Chicken breast with lots of greens dressed with olive oil, fresh and lime juice. Avocado and tomato slices

THM Bit: This dinner would be an "S" on THM, (just watch the tomatoes and don't use too much of it, they're higher on sugar)... healthy fats are great for a healthy "S" meal on THM.

Now... of course I haven't weighed or measured myself... I can't do that for these 30 days either... that's a great thing... hopefully it will help me with that bad habit! I am more than a number!

As I said... I am trying to re-connect with my more "purist" side, and not abuse those wonderful ingredients that are allowed on THM but that should be used with caution. Taking a break from dairy and sweeteners will give me a chance to re-stock on the amazing THM protein Powder and their yummy sweeteners! (My favorite, always: Their pure stevia extract)... Get THM products HERE

Now... if you still don't know what I am talking about RUN... don't walk... RUN to join Trim Healthy Mama, it's not as strict as I am doing it... personal health issues are taking me to try a "no grains/no dairy" approach to see what happens... you WILL have the opportunity to make delicious desserts that are totally on plan and that will actually help you stay on course and continue to improve your health.

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Trim Healthy Mama - when you can't lose weight

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 09:38:00 -0500

What's one supposed to do when you can't lose weight? When you see all the other happy Trim Healthy Mamas losing, celebrating and rejoicing enjoying their new bodies with their families, etc.? (and then on top of that they'll say "and I don't even do it 100%)

Well... you:

1. Rejoice with them
2. Cry a little for yourself
3. Shake it off, get up and make some changes!
4. Quit? NEVER!!!

So... I've been doing the Trim Healthy Mama plan for possibly 1 1/2 years... and it's been great! I've learned a lot about food and about myself... my numbers (triglycerides, cholesterol, etc.) improved dramatically! and it led me to realize that part of my health issues is my thyroid... I went to a doctor and I finally was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease/Hypothyroidism... I am so thankful to this plan!

But...I am taking 30 days kick things up a notch.. I am challenging myself for 30 days... I am re-connecting with my more purist "side" and removing all things that could be the cause for my weight stall and also my not so great health. I am also watching portion sizes.

A friend of mine has a wonderful sister, her name is Sherry, she has a blog and even when she is doing a different temporary plan, I loved what I saw! She is sharing her wonderful motivational journey here

That gave me the idea to follow on her footsteps... and even when I will be doing pretty much exactly what she is doing I realized I don't need to "quit thm" to do so... On Trim Healthy Mama you have the freedom to be as "purist" or "non-purist" as you want... and I am choosing the "harder road" for these 30 days... I am allowing myself some crossovers to help with my adrenal gland exhaustion that I know I suffer and to support my thyroid as well. I feel like I just need to hit a "reset" button.

During these 30 days I will NOT USE

Use:

Grains of any kind
Beans/Legumes (pinto/navy/black/white/fava beans, chickpeas, etc.) -exceptions: green beans, sugar snap peas, snow peas.
Sweeteners of any kind (including stevia)
Treats, desserts that "resemble" junk food but prepared with "compliant ingredients" - I am hoping to remove some addictions from the brain too -
Dairy
peanuts
other vegetable oils (I am only using coconut and olive oil)
The scale or measuring tape

And I think that kind of sums it up!

So... While at first I thought I would need to take a break from THM I've come to realize that I can still stay on plan while removing the things that I suspect are causing some inflammation, etc. due to my personal health problems.

During these 30 days I will not be able to re-create desserts (because of my personal choice to avoid sweeteners) -let's see how long I can last-

A big thing about this 30 day challenge is the not weighing/measuring! Join me on FB where I am encouraging you to do whatever you're doing but NO SCALE/Measuring tape involved: The Coffee Shop on Facebook

This is just a 30 Day "Learning Experience" You can try it too if you want! (You don't have to do the exact same thing I am doing... THM can be personalized to your very own needs)

Now... if you are not a Trim Healthy Mama yet, what are you waiting for? Trust me... it's worth it... Join US on Facebook and learn more about the plan you can do FOR LIFE... If you are already on on some temporary challenge (exercise or diet) and you don't know what to do "when it's over" you are on the perfect moment to start something for life:

Get their book and products HERE

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Italian Sausage, Peppers and Mushrooms over Pasta - perfect to get back on plan

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:14:00 -0500

Hello friends! Sorry about the abandonment my blog has suffered! I just moved from an apartment to our new house and these days have just been too hectic and busy! Packing, unpacking, cleaning, etc... But it's all worth it! We're thankful, excited, happy and a bit scared like with every change!

Now if you are a Trim Healthy Mama like me... I will tell you some "THM related things ahead" if you're not... you can skip all my ranting/venting and go directly to the recipe! This is an "On plan" recipe but ANYBODY can enjoy it! If you love the recipe... then come back to learn more about this plan that is designed to help you improve your health, lose weight and enjoy food freedom!

Now... so... let's see some of the discoveries I made during this move and that I will share just for the sake of "keeping it real" and to show you that we are all on the same boat... yes this plan is easier for some than it is for others but it is definitely doable for everyone!

I don't do very good with food when moving! I totally went off plan just because "I felt like it"... I just wanted to eat, eat and eat! I had lots of ice cream too!
I am not like one of those people who find "sugar loaded things" horrible after they've been on plan for a while... ice cream tasted just as good as ever! (maybe even better? Don't know!)
I could've totally stayed on plan if I had planned ahead... now... I don't plan on moving again but if it ever happens I will make sure I plan, cook and freeze meals ahead of time!
Now... this is not "news" to me... but I will share it again! all that "off plan" food was definitely not worth it... Not only my shape is suffering the consequences but also my skin, mood and my poor stomach! I won't even go into details!

But the good news! This plan is for life... so ... we just pick up where we left off! After eating the way I did it's comforting to know that I can have fried eggs and bacon for my "first meal" when on plan again! And that's what I did! Don't "punish yourself" for going off plan! That's the problem with many diets! After you "sin" then you have to suffer through horrible "cleanses" or you feel like you should now eat less than 1400 calories a day and you spend your days eating "rabbit food" just because "you deserve it" for being such a bad girl! Who can live like that though? that "punishment" only makes you want to be "a bad girl" again and binge! That's not the case with THM! You can have really yummy, satisfying food that will make you realize you didn't even need to go off plan to begin with! So... that's my focus right now that I am on plan again! I am pretty much cooking Comfort Food "THM Style" and that's what I will be sharing with you today!

I am also making lots of delicious THM Smoothies with their amazing Pristine Whey Protein! I had been pacing myself when using it because it was out of stock but it's back along with all their amazing sweeteners (my favorite is their pure stevia extract) and their yummy peanut flour! You can find it all here:

Trim Healthy Mama Store

And now... The recipe I promised:

Italian Sausage, Peppers and Mushrooms over "Pasta" (S)
Yield: 4 generous servings

Ingredients:

1 lb. raw mild -or hot- (I use mild so my children can eat) Italian sausage (I use jennie-o Lean Turkey Italian Sausage)
1/2 large white onion (chopped)
1 large green bell pepper (seeded and cut into chunks)
2 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 a can (14 oz.) can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (undrained) - you can also use regular diced tomatoes.
1/4 tsp. salt (I use Himalayan Salt)- or to taste -
roughly chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Grated/Shredded Parmesan Cheese For topping

Directions for Stove Top:

Using a large skillet, heat the oil over med-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sausages and turn occasionally making sure all sides are browned (this will take about 10-12 minutes). Stir in the oregano and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the onions and peppers and cook until the onions are translucent, add the garlic, stir and cook for about 2 more minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, mushrooms, season with salt, reduce heat to low and let it all simmer together while you cook the pasta (or cauliflower)

Directions for slow cooker: (I would double the recipe for the slow cooker)

Using a large skillet, heat the oil over med-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sausages and turn occasionally making sure all sides are browned (this will take about 10-12 minutes). Stir in the oregano and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes with the juices, mushrooms and add some water (about 1/4 a cup), salt; simmer for 3 minutes.

In the bottom of a slow cooker arrange ONLY half of the onion-pepper mixture and then cover with half of the sausages and their sauce, cover with the rest of the onion-pepper mixture to form another layer and top it all with the rest of the sausage/sauce. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low.

Now... "The Pasta"

Instead of Pasta I use (for myself) steamed cauliflower (and then slightly "crushed" with a Potato Masher), while still hot I add some butter, garlic powder and salt to taste. I also use Roasted Spaghetti Squash (buttered as well and with garlic powder and salt)

For non-purists (I am not necessarily a purist but I am not fond of Frankenfoods if I can avoid them) but you could use 1 serving of Dreamfields Pasta) and still keep it an "S"

For a crossover for my family I use my very favorite (not-franken food) Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta but that's an E so if you are going to use it with this stew it would be a crossover (great for you but not weight loss inducing)

Right before serving remove the sausage links from your stew and cut them on a cutting board (carefully, they are hot!), return them to the skillet or slow cooker and stir! Serve your "pasta", top with the Italian sausage and garnish with fresh basil (optional). Top with grated parmesan!

Enjoy!!!

Now... I can't promise I'll be blogging again too often too soon.... another discovery I made is that I don't actually have a desk! Our apartment had built in desks and shelves so I am typing right now with the computer on my dresser in my bedroom using a chair from my dining set... trust me... it's as uncomfortable as it sounds!

I'll be back as soon as I can!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

THM Snacks for Moms on the Go

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

Every girl needs some chocolate! Having skinny chocolate at hand is life saving!

Hello beautiful Trim Healthy Mamas! am in the middle of moving so I am packing and cleaning and not much time of blogging! I am missing supporting newbies on fb, helping answer questions or give them encouragement... I'll be back soon! I promise! Once it's all settled!

For now... I am sharing some great ideas for snacks that you can enjoy "on the go" ... Last week it was all about sharing everyday THM menus It's all here on this Pinterest Board and this week is all about Easy/quick recipes or those meals that you can prepare ahead and have them ready when you need them.

Last week's menus I put it together mostly from my own recipes... This week I am needing help from great fellow bloggers (Briana Thomas and Darcie from Darcie's Dishes)... I hope you will enjoy them, would you please let me know?

First, here are some tips of my own for quick/easy snacks on the go:

Hard boiled eggs (S), always have a few cooked, peeled and refrigerated. They are great protein source and easy to just grab and eat.

Prepare your veggies ahead and keep them in ziploc bags. Celery sticks are great (they sell the bag of pre-cut celery at Costco). Non starchy veggies are great for any setting so have them ready. Triple washed organic salad mixes are awesome! You can quickly fix yourself a great salad (those hard boiled eggs from point number 1 might help you too!)

Oikos Triple Zero yoghurts are always a life saver! And it's a great FP snack on its own! Lots of protein there!

Protein Powder! always have some on plan protein powder close by! Smoothies sound more "intimidating" than they really are! Just throw 1 cup frozen berries in the blender, about 1/2 cup of unsweetened cashew or almond milk, some cocoa powder (optional), 1/2 scoop of whey protein, a splash of vanilla and stevia sweetener to taste and voila! You got yourself a great, delicious snack that will keep bad cravings away!

Shop Smart: Always keep in your freezer, fridge or pantry (accordingly) sliced deli meat, cheese sticks, 1 - 2% cottage cheese, wasa crackers, almonds, unsweetened peanut/almond butter, and apples! Having the right ingredients on hand will help you stay on plan. You don't have to go hungry, ever!

Please make some "Skinny Chocolate" There are many versions out there... The book has the basic recipe but I tweak my skinny chocolate to my own liking.. I don't even have a recipe I just keep tasting and tasting until I like it... I substitute cocoa powder for Unsweetened Baking Chocolate and I use about 1 oz. of chocolate for each 1/2 cup of coconut oil (I don't like it too bitter) and I do grind my Truvia for a smoother texture:

A coffee Grinder works great:

Now... enjoy some of the great THM snacks wonderful Briana Thomas and Darcie want to share with you today right here at The Coffee Shop:

Briana's:

- Favorite 5 Minute Drinks, Snacks, Shakes and Meals
- Easy Snack Balls

Easy Snack Balls, you have to get this recipe!

Darcie's:

30 Snack Ideas

So... I am coming back with some more recipes or tips for dinners/lunch that will hopefully make you make the big decision of joining Trim Healthy Mama or will make your journey even easier! If I am not here tomorrow just be a bit patient, like I said... I am in the middle of boxes and bags right now.

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

10 Easy THM Breakfasts for Moms on the Go

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 07:59:00 -0500

Hello everybody! Today is a whole new day! If you didn't do too good last week or yesterday... just scratch that and take advantage of the new mercy that's available to you TODAY!

I hope you enjoyed my series of menus from last week... I am so happy to see many of you got inspired by them! Thank you for your comments (here on facebook), likes and shares! You are all too kind!

Now... last week I told you I want to put together a menu for Moms that are "on the go" recipes/tips for quick meals/snacks or just things that you can just prepare ahead to enjoy later...

I asked for help from fellow THM bloggers that I know and trust and I am going to share with you today some of those recipes that might help you feel like you don't have to spend "all day/everyday" in the kitchen. Some of these do require work and preparation, but they can be made in those times when you do have the time to be in the kitchen and then just store for when you are on the run.

Today it's all about breakfasts:

We got for you:

1. (S) Salted Caramel Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake by Cate at The Fabuless Wife I love shakes like this! Packed with protein, just throw it all in the blender and TAKE IT with you! If you have a blender with individual cups like a Ninja you don't even have to worry about transferring your drink to any other container.

Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shake

2. Or how about you take some time during the weekend and prepare this delicious (E) Sprouted Wheat Cinnamon Scones by Judy at Wonderfully Made and Dearly Loved. She told me these store great and they are delicious! They sure look it!

3. Or try Jennifer's (E) Baked Blueberry Oatmeal from A Home with Purpose, she prepares this, puts it away in the fridge and eats it cold! It sounds yummy, and you're getting your e meals in!

4. You could also try her Warm Chia Porridge Dry Mix, she keeps it on hand and ready to avoid throwing things together in the morning.

5. If you are more of a "cereal in the morning" kind of person, you won't miss that on THM ... You can always get Ezekiel Cereal:

and just have it with unsweetened almond or cashew milk for a perfect "E" and there's almost no preparation involved!

6. If you want you can also make your own cereal, I loved (S) The Nutty Banana Crunch Cereal also from Judy at Wonderfully Made and Dearly Loved, it's a great low carb cereal that you can prepare ahead, store in a glass jar and have it ready when you need it! I would double her recipe, here at home we liked it better with a bit of almond extract instead of banana extract. It really has a great crunch! I love it on its own!

7. You could also just have a slice of Ezekiel Bread toast with 1 tsp. of butter, 1 individual container of Triple Zero Yogurt and 1 cup of berries (I love it with strawberries). This would be an "E"

8. You can never go wrong with Scrambled Eggs! Whole eggs are always an S (just some quick THM info) And Teresia from Nana's Little Kitchen has a very easy (S) Quick Spinach and Egg Breakfast

9. Leftovers! Yes... have dinner (or lunch) for breakfast! The most important thing you have to do is EAT! Don't skip a meal... Don't stay too long without food in your stomach... just make sure you stay within the appropriate setting (S, E or FP)

10. Fruit... If you go for fruit make sure it's not an abundant amount... Have some protein with it (Extra lean protein) to keep it an E (Fruit is always an E, except berries... those can be used in any setting -up to 1 cup- except for berries up to 1/2 cup if you want to use them in any setting. You can even grab 1/2 a banana and have one of those triple Zero Yogurts. The Chia Pudding from the book is a great breakfast option on the go as well.

I hope this has been helpful for you... Let me know!

Got your Book yet???

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Sunday Funday - THM Menu One Day at a Time

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

Chile Relleno Casserole, THM (S) ... One of the several dishes featured on Today's Menu

First of all Happy Birthday to me! Today I turn 36! I am looking forward to celebrating it... I even used a coupon to get the "So delicious" Coconut Milk, No sugar added mint chip ice cream! I am all ready to enjoy my birthday!

Now... to the menu... Have you enjoyed this week of Meals and Menus? They are easy to follow, aren't they? You haven't seen any ingredient that has scared you too much, have you? I don't use many specialty ingredients on my recipes... So you don't need to wait to jump right in and be a Trim Healthy Mama... The main principle of this plan is to keep carbs separated from fats ... those do not combine! It doesn't mean you can't eat carbs... it just means you have to eat them with extra lean proteins, eat them, enjoy them and just don't exceed the 45 gram count in a MEAL ... yes... in a MEAL... that's way above the limits that low carb diets set for you so do not get THM confused by a low carb diet. Now... if what you're craving are fats (like a juicy steak with a garlic/herb butter melting on top) or like a delicious chicken baked until the skin is soooo crispy... then... that's when you do want to keep your carbs to a minimum (10 grams tops).

Now... Let's close this week where we've been having so much fun together with a menu that will be flexible for you... whatever your activities are on a Sunday:

SUNDAY

E Breakfast: Apple and Cinnamon Quinoatmeal (you will have to leave your quinoatmeal soaking overnight and they will cook really quick in the morning)

This is the Quinoa I use: Red Quinoa

- or - if you, like me... have to have a heartier Breakfast on Sunday Mornings because you go to church and .. well... you just get extra hungry... you could have:

S Breakfast: 2-3 Fried eggs (in Coconut Oil or butter) with some slices of avocado on the side and even some "bread in a mug" (recipe in the book)

Snack: If you are on the go on Sunday (like me) then you want to have something easy to carry with you. I usually have almonds. or sometimes I carry frozen berries in a small container with a tight lid and add some yogurt in it. The frozen berries will keep the yogurt cold and fine.

S or E Lunch: If you eat out on Sundays (like I sometimes do -although most times I cook on Sunday too-) then I highly recommend Chipotle or Jason's Deli. You can choose from the Salad Bar and Enjoy their veggies, hard boiled eggs, cheese, bacon, ranch dressing, YUM! Go crazy with a great "S" salad. If you go to chipotle you can have an E or S salad depending if you choose beans or not. If you do choose beans avoid any sour cream or avocado (to avoid crossover) and go crazy with their salsas, pico de gallo, enjoy a portion of beans and brown rice with it and some of their chicken. YUM! Or ... avoid the carbs (beans, rice) and get guacamole, sour cream and cheese with it! you can have their steak or chicken! (I am not so sure their pulled pork doesn't have sugar in it, most bbq sauces do so I stay away from the pork). If you go somewhere else you can easily customize your meal and adapt it to THM, steakhouses are great, go to town with meat and veggies with butter or if it's a seafood place order some fish with a creamy sauce and buttered veggies, in a hamburger joint you can ask them to wrap your hamburger with lettuce (no buns) and enjoy it like that, most fast food places now have salad as an option. I know! We don't want salad when we go to "Culver's" so if you think it's going to be too hard to stay on plan at a certain restaurant you have three choices:

1. Politely suggest a different restaurant (one where you have more choices and don't feel deprived)
2. If No. 1 isn't possible then be strong and try to stay on plan with a cheerful attitude, make the best of it.
3. Or just go ahead and enjoy whatever is on the menu, even if it's off plan. This is a lifetime plan, get back on track in three hours! (Try to not make a habit out of this one, especially if you're just starting)

E Snack: If you still have enough hours on your day to have a snack and later have dinner then find something like an apple with 1 tsp. of peanut butter and a couple of slices of extra lean turkey or 1/2 of an on plan protein smoothie (might be S, FP or E depending on your fuel source).

S Dinner: Chile Relleno Casserole or "Shrimp and Rice" (Cauliflower Rice of course!) or even another "S" option: Fried Chicken Strips and cauliflower rice (Breading for chicken strips: Salt pepper your chicken strips, pass them through coconut flour, then egg/half-half mixture and then coat with a mix of ground pork rinds and almond flour, fry in coconut oil)

And so we reach the end of this series. Please leave here your comments, questions, suggestions, etc. I am always happy to see what you think and how the things I share are helping others.

These are so practical for casseroles! I absolutely love my set:

Love,

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

THM Menu One Day at a Time - Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

Featured on Today's Menu: Crispy Hot Wings (Baked!)

Woah! I am so overwhelmed! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the pins, likes and follows! You are all so amazing! Thank you also for letting me know that this is helpful! I loved it that someone told me they were thankful because they didn't even have to modify my menus, they are that simple! And that's what you're going to get with me... I don't use many specialty products. I am on a tight budget but I try to get creative with the resources I have... I hope you find all these doable and enjoyable.

And now the traditional reminder: The Snacks are optional if you don't have "enough hours in your day" to get all these meals in... don't worry... skip 1 or both snacks... Just remember to never let more than 4 hours go without food. You should always wait at least 2 1/2 hours between each feeding (no munching in between! even if you are not switching fuels! Yes.... again... I say it... even if you are NOT switching fuels) Now... if you are switching fuels you should wait AT LEAST the 3 full hours.

This week I am sharing the SAHM eddition... I am hoping that next week we can work together on a "on the go" menu.

Saturday

E Breakfast:

THM Pancakes (page 223) I absolutely love them! Hubby does too! You can find the recipe on the book (some have posted similar recipes on pinterest too) remember to use low fat cottage cheese (2% or less) so that you don't "crossover".

FP Snack:

1 Triple Zero Oikos Yogurt with 3 strawberries (optional).

S Lunch:

Egg Salad:

3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 tbsp. Real Mayonnaise
2 tbsp. plain 0% greek yogurt
1 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onions
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. (or to taste) Yellow or Dijon Mustard
Salt and ground black pepper to taste (mix it all together, you can have 1 light rye wasa cracker with it). Serve over a bed of green leaves or chopped romaine lettuce.

FP Snack:

Smoothie made with up to 1 cup of frozen strawberries, unsweetened cashew or almond milk, a splash of vanilla, 1-2 tsp. cocoa powder, stevia to taste (I use 1-2 doonks) and 1/2 scoop of on plan protein powder (I love the Pristine Whey from THM brand)

Dinner: (S)

HOT WINGS I love that I can eat delicious hot wings on THM, there is a recipe on the book but I experienced that the skin didn't result that crispy. My tip is: Marinade (for at least 2 hours) the desired amount of wings in a generous amount of Frank's Hot Sauce (about 3/4 cup for about 24 wings). and 1 tsp. of garlic powder. Heat your broiler to high and arrange a rack one level above the middle. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on it (that way it will cook and crisp evenly without sogginess) Place the wings on the rack (or on two racks if needed) on a single layer (and don't let them touch if possible). Broil for about 10-11 minutes, turn and broil for 11 more minutes on the second side. Meanwhile combine 1/3 cup of hot sauce and 1/2 stick of melted butter in a bowl and set aside. Once the wings are cooked toss them in the bowl with the sauce/butter mix. Serve immediately!
Still want dessert? I'd have a couple of squares of dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa) or you can enjoy some delicious "Skinny chocolate" (recipe in the book) or one serving of Carb Smart Breyer's Ice Cream (don't overdo this one)

Note: This menu that I've put together can NEVER replace the knowledge that comes from reading the book and applying the principles yourself... You will eventually want to be FREE and put together your own food combinations and meals, this is an aid that will allow you to "see" what a THM menu looks like IRL but reading the book is crucial to succeed on the plan. Every good thing is worth the extra work. My tip... is get the book and start reading the chapters about the different types of Settings (S, E, FP, S helpers and Crossovers), start applying every new principle you learn and keep going. I do not charge for sharing my menus and meals, The authors of the book have worked too hard on creating this plan and their own name. Those who use the THM name to sell menus and meal plans are doing so in full knowledge that they are taking advantage of someone else's work. Hopefully they will re-consider and stop. Make sure you do not support those who do so.

Some tools I use in my kitchen for the "hot wings"

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

THM Menu sample One Day at a Time - Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

This meal is featured on Today's Post... AND ... There's pizza for Dinner! Great stuff ahead!

Hello everybody! And so the series for THM one day at a time continues. It's Friday... So... It's Pizza Night! Yes... lose weight eating pizza!

Remember: The Snacks are optional if you don't have "enough hours in your day" to get all these meals in... don't worry... skip 1 or both snacks... Just remember to never let more than 4 hours go without food. You should always wait at least 2 1/2 hours between each feeding (no munching in between! even if you are not switching fuels! Yes.... again... I say it... even if you are NOT switching fuels) Now... if you are switching fuels you should wait AT LEAST the 3 full hours.

This week I am sharing the SAHM eddition... Next week we can work together on a "on the go" menu.

Friday

S Breakfast:

Zucchini (or Poblano) Frittata I love it with a delicious cup of coffee with some half and half.

FP Snack:

2 Light Rye Wasa Crackers, 1 wedge of laughing cow cheese and some extra lean turkey slices.

S Lunch:

Salmon and Avocado Sandwich: I use Joseph's low carb pita bread, toasted it a bit and filled it with a mixture of canned wild caught salmon, avocado, mayo, cilantro, a bit of chopped onions and tomatoes. Salt/pepper to taste and a squirt of fresh lime juice.

FP Snack:

Smoothie made with up to 1 cup of frozen strawberries, unsweetened cashew or almond milk, a splash of vanilla, 1-2 tsp. cocoa powder, stevia to taste (I use 1-2 doonks) and 1/2 scoop of on plan protein powder (I love the Pristine Whey from THM brand)

Dinner: (S)

Pizza (click for recipe) I absolutely love this pizza recipe! It's easy and delicious! Hubby doesn't even miss the bread! I eat lots of greens with it and a bit of ranch or blue cheese dressing! You can also use the book recipe! I love that cauliflower crust as well, just make sure you really squeeze all the liquid out of the cauliflower before putting it all together.
Still want dessert? I'd have a couple of squares of dark chocolate (at least 85% cocoa)

You could even make your own "pasta" if you want a side for your pizza

And yes... even to make my pizza I use my:

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

THM Menu Sample One day at a time - Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

Featured on Today's Menu, a recipe I created for THM. Picture credit: Rhonda from the Trim Healthy Mama team

Hello everybody! And so the series for THM one day at a time continues.

Thursday

E Breakfast:

French Toast and 1 container of Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt.

S Snack:

1 Hard Boiled egg, celery stalks and a bit of mayo.

FP Lunch:

A big salad prepared with lots of greens, extra lean deli turkey slices, some fat free or 1% cottage cheese (I use the cottage cheese almost instead of the dressing), a couple slices of tomatoes, onions and 1 light rye wasa cracker.

S Snack:

Handful of Almonds and some slices of deli meat

Dinner: (FP, E or S)

Mexican Chicken and Zucchini Dish (click for recipe) I am very proud of this recipe, it got the Admins attention on the FB groups, so the sisters used my recipe, got a photographer and took a pic of it and share it with the world! I hope you enjoy it too!
For Dessert I recommend a delicious Strawberry Shortcake (click for recipe). If you choose an "E" or FP version of the Mexican Dish and you want to keep it that way, use 1 capful of Fat Free Reddi Whip instead of Heavy whipping cream to go on top of your cake.

THM Menu One Day at a Time - Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Paloma) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0500

Featured on Today's Menu "Chicken Pecan Salad"

Hello everybody! This week I've been sharing with you day by day my "typical menus" on THM.

Wednesday

S Breakfast:

Egg Breakfast Tacos: 2-3 scrambled eggs mixed with 2 tbsp. of no added sugar salsa (I use Pace) topped with shredded cheddar cheese. For the tortillas I use low carb whole wheat tortillas. Keep it to 6 grams or less NET carbs (carbs-fiber=net carbs) for low carb store bought products like this one.

E (or FP) Snack:

low fat cottage cheese (2% or less) with fruit of choice: If you use berries this would be an FP, you can use up to 1 cup of most berries, except for blueberries, you have to keep it to 1/2 cup to stay in FP territory. If you use any other fruits this would be an "E", make sure you stay within the 20-45 carb range. (Don't abuse the fruit!)

S Lunch:

Chicken/Pecan Salad (click to see recipe)

S Snack:

Celery sticks with peanut butter you can add a couple of slices of deli meat for extra protein.

Dinner: (S)

Meatloaf and "Mashed Potatoes": I make my meatloaf by mixing Grassfed Beef (about 2 pounds) with chopped mushrooms, slightly cooked bacon/onions/green bell peppers, season with salt and pepper, add two eggs and a little bit of half and half and ground golden flaxseed instead of breadcrumbs. Cook in the oven at 450 for about 45 minutes. The Mashed Potatoes is just mashed cooked cauliflower with butter/cream cheese/cheddar cheese, salt and garlic powder.

If you still feel like having dessert I would choose something not as heavy... because your dinner was pretty "loaded" ... a couple of dark chocolate squares are always a great choice.

I love using my Ninja Processor for my mashed potatoes... the result is so smooth!!!

Note: This menu that I've put together can NEVER replace the knowledge that comes from reading the book and applying the principles yourself... You will eventually want to be FREE and put together your own food combinations and meals, this is an aid that will allow you to "see" what a THM menu looks like IRL but reading the book is crucial to succeed on the plan. Every good thing is worth the extra work. My tip... is get the book and start reading the chapters about the different types of Settings (S, E, FP, S helpers and Crossovers), start applying every new principle you learn and keep going. I do not charge for sharing my menus and meals, The authors of the book have worked too hard on creating this plan and their own name. Those who use the THM name to sell menus and meal plans are doing so in full knowledge that they are taking advantage of someone else's work. Hopefully they will re-consider and stop. Make sure you do not support those who do so.

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.