Welcome sun and warmer weather!

      It's been such a cold, dark, and dreary week this week! But today, the sun is out and the birds are busying themselves with, you guessed it, building nests! At least that's what it looks like the bluebirds on my porch are doing. I'll have to keep watch to know for sure. They are singing; and Randy said he thought he saw a Robin. Could it be? Already? You know what that's a sign of: Spring! We are experiencing temps in the fifties today! And they are supposed to be like that next week as well! I'm so happy! If the hens would only lay me some eggs!

      I have really been looking at how to be more healthy lately. Since I had the flu for about two weeks, I was unable to exercise much. I did a lot of reading and experimenting with my diet. On the days after I got my taster back, that is. I hate when I can't taste or smell! I still eat, but not enjoyably! So this week started off good since I was able to taste again. I had my recipes ready and began my experiment. I made baked oatmeal and have really been enjoying that for breakfast, along with an egg, several days this week. They say to use egg whites but I just cant throw away that yummy yolk! I think it's good for you anyway! I've finally decided on a 1500 calorie diet, with more protein than I would eat in a normal day! I didn't realize that I could have been eating so much food! I am enjoying about 4-5 meals a day, two of those being snacks. I did good to eat two meals a day, with mindless, random snacking. And I thought I was eating healthy! No wonder I gained weight! I don't weigh myself since we don't have scales, but my clothes tell me when I gain or loose. That's why I had to buy larger sized jeans awhile back.
      I love to exercise, but with the cold weather we were having, I didn't get to go outside and do my usual walking. I wasn't able to lift weights at that time cause I had an elbow injury that lasted from September until December. I started weights this week and am going to try lifting heavier weights today. That's where the body shaping comes in; from lifting heavier weights. But the main thing about lifting heavy weights is that women as they age have bone deterioration. Heavy usage slows that way down! I need to slow mine down and maybe I'll stop having so many injuries.

      It's a trial and error thing to find out what works for each person. I try things and if they don't work, I move on to something else. At first, I was using Stevia in my coffee instead of sugar. I switched back to sugar cause I don't like the aftertaste of it. I also tried almond milk, but changed back to cream. Some things a body just has to have! I'm not giving up deserts forever! Just not everyday or every week. I am eating a piece of homemade pizza for dinner tonight and tomorrow some Mexican. I just make allowances in my caloric intake for the week. I don't count everything I eat cause I'm learning what the servings look like. I think this plan will be my new way of eating. I love to eat and deprivation didn't work! I also love to exercise so maybe I'll see changes soon! I hope you are thinking about ways to improve your health. First, get right with God. He will show you, just as He's showing me, how to eat and exercise. Trust Him with all your decisions; not just about health. Let Him prove to you that He cares! You'll be amazed at what He can do! I am! Thanks for reading and commenting! Stay healthy and warm! Blessings from Bama!

Making a new binder for healthy recipes.

I didn't see my leg til now! This is tilapia with all kinds of veggies and my minestrone soup poured over it.

Minestrone soup.

Randy smoked chicken breasts earlier in the week.

I've really been enjoying this tea! Drinking a warm cup of tea when I'm cold and hungry makes me warm; and the hunger subsides temporarily!

Princess Layla!

I drink my green juice after a workout.

I cut some wood one day before it got so cold.

I worked on an anniversary present for Mom and Dad.

Still loving my Zen Tazo! I made some hummus. It's really good with veggies, on a whole wheat pita with veggies, or just from a spoon!

I painted some angel wings for the girls.