I'm Not Losing Weight, I'm Leaving it Behind

Having gestational diabetes changed me.  It changed my mentality toward food and it changed the way my body deals with food.  I know that the diabetes went away once I gave birth.  I know that I am perfectly healthy.  I also know that I crave sweets in a way that I didn't before.  I can't lose weight as easily as before.  That is actually the point of this blog post. 

I've been thinking about the phrase, "lose weight."  And I kept thinking 'this is wrong.  I don't want to lose it.  That indicates I might find it again (as I have many times before). I don't want it back.'  I pondered this for a few days, and then a friend wrote something on her facebook page that clicked with me.  She said, "I left 15 pounds behind in July."  That's it!  That's the phrase!  She left it behind.  She doesn't intend to go looking for it.  It is not something lost.  It is something given up!  Given up for something better.  Doesn't that ring truer in the ear?

 Isn't that a statement of determination and strength. " I'm leaving it behind." This is on my terms.  Not because of a fad diet, or a sense of loss, or any inability on my part. "I'm leaving it behind" indicates that I am in control.  This is not a matter of begging the scale to cooperate.  This is me telling my body how it will act. 

I am actively working on eating in a more healthful way.  I am working on exercise.  I am working on leaving some weight behind.  But more than that, I am working on understanding that I am in control.  I can, at any point, leave this behind.  It may take practice, but it really is up to me. 

Rochelle's Pumpkin Cowboy Cookies

I firmly believe that everyone needs a treat every once in a while.  For me, it's the "once in a while" that does me in.  I really really like sugar.  Such a hard thing to give up.  Now that I am not diabetic anymore, it is really hard to make myself stay away from the sugar.  I keep trying, and trying, and trying.  I'm doing really well with exercise, averaging 8-10 miles of walking or running a day, but the sugar . . . I do love it.  

You probably think this post is going to be for a low sugar low calorie treat.  I'm sorry.  You're wrong.  This is about one of my favorite yummy treats.  I know.  Cruel.   How about this.  I promise that I will produce some nice, healthy, low calorie, diet friendly, diabetic friendlier recipes in the next few weeks.  :)  For now, enjoy this fun treat, but only eat 2 and then give the rest away.  Your neighbors will like you, and you will still get to enjoy a little bit of the sweet life.  :)


Here it is. Rochelle's Pumpkin Cowboy Cookies
1/2 c butter (do not sub margarine)
1/2 c shortening. (Can use all butter but will stay softer with the shortening)
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 large eggs
2/3-3/4 cup pumpkin purée. (I used fresh so don't ask me the can size but its probably that amount that is always left over after you make a pie. Lol). You could also sub a jar if baby food sweet potatoes or yams.
Cream and beat everything til it looks silky like creamed honey butter

Add
1/2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 T vanilla
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t cloves
1/4 t allspice
Pinch of ginger

Cream until light and fluffy

Add

2 1/2 c flour ( go ahead and make the 1/2 cup whole wheat. Then you can pretend these are healthy.)
3 c granola type cereal. I like the great grains pecan).
Or
2 c old fashioned oats

Also add 1 bag butterscotch chips
1 bag semi sweet chips.

Or
1 c craisins
1 bag white choc chips.

Bake 350 for 10-12 min.

Taco Salad Too

 

I know that I have already posted my favorite Taco Salad recipe, but I thought I would add another that I also enjoy.  

Taco Salad
1lb. ground beef (Or Turkey or chicken- whatever makes you happy)
1/2 fajita seasoning packet
1/2 ranch seasoning packet
2 Tbl. Ketchup (I know, back with the ketchup, but this is a kid friendly recipe)

Cook your meat till it's all nice and brown. Drain. Add 2/3 cup water and the seasoning packets and ketchup. Cook until the liquid has reduced. Set aside.

Shred a head of Romain Lettuce and place in bowl. Add any of the following:

Tomato
Black Beans/kidney beans
green onions
1 c. cheddar cheese
1/2 c. pepper jack cheese
1 can corn, cooked and cooled
1 avocado

I also added some "Mexican" rice. Meaning, I had cooked rice in the fridge, so I added some salsa to it and heated it up and added it. Honestly delicious.

I also had pity on my family. I took 1 bag (the size you put in sack lunches) of Doritos. I crushed them and added to the salad. I mean the small bag- the really small bag. This is supposed to be healthy but easing a family into it is easier than all that change at once. ;)

Mix it all up and serve. Makes a delicious salad, and not delicious leftovers, so if you want left overs, keep everything separate and allow people to load their plates buffet style. :)

Cheeseburger Salad

Cheeseburger-Salad

A fun recipe for you.  I have some friends who have tried it, and their boys now ask for it.  Yup!  That's boys asking for salad.  I'm telling you, this is good stuff, and sooooo easy!

Seriously, this is more a guide than a recipe. Its sort of 'a little of this, a little of that' in nature. I'll tell you how I did it, and you can make it work for your family. :)

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 small or 1/2 large yellow or white onion
cook together in a frying pan

When the meat is done add:
About 3 Tbl. Ketchup
about 1 Tbl. Mustard (yellow prepared mustard, just the plain stuff)
about 1 1/2 tsp pickle juice (Dill)
Cook and stir and taste. If it needs more of anything add it. don't get it too wet though.

To your lettuce add:
3-4 pickles chopped
1 large tomato chopped
1 avocado chopped (I LOVE avocados! I use them for everything!)

Put your hamburger (or turkey) mixture on top. Add about 2 cups of Med. cheddar cheese grated.

You can serve with some home-made croutons.

I served with Ketchup on top, but you can use thousand Island or Ranch or nothing. The meat has plenty of flavor. I actually think some french fries or potato chips would be tasty, but I am not advocating it. lol.

Cheeseburger-Salad