My 30 Day Challenge Extended…I’m on Day 130

On April 1 I decided to make a change for the better. I was, and still am, determined to be the healthiest ‘me’ possible. My first food change was decreasing the bread products I consume on a daily basis. I traded in my morning bagel with cream cheese for yogurt with berries or a tofu scramble w/olive oil and vegetables. I also stopped eating frozen meals for lunch. I’ve always been a real big bread eater. I don’t eat much meat so breads and pastas were my typical lunch and dinners. As of today I have cut a lot of that out of my diet and feeling great. Of course I occasionally have something sweet that is not a whole food, but on a typical basis I stick with healthier food choices. I still eat some whole wheat bread products but I'm focusing on whole foods which haven't been processed-you know foods without all those additives. If I can't pronounce the ingredients, I have a hard time believing it's good for me or my family! I’ve eaten pizza probably four times in the last four months. If you know me then you know pizza was always my favorite meal. Unfortunately, it also causes me major bloating and weight gain. It’s not my friend. :-( So I've traded an easy pizza dinner for baked/grilled chicken with veggies. On occasion my daughter and I will have fun making a homemade pizza-at least in that case we can control the ingredients....and can pronounce them.:-) 

My initial goal was to start exercising. They say moderate exercise is 30 minutes three times a week. So I wanted to find out if I would lose weight if I started exercising; thus was the start of my 30 Day Challenge. I had wanted to exercise for quite some time. I truly enjoyed jogging in my late teens/early 20’s but my body has changed so much since then; mostly my fault but not completely. Along with scoliosis of the spine, I have a type of rheumatoid arthritis. The last 1 ½ years have been a huge struggle mentally, physically, and emotionally. Thankfully my rheumatologist was able to find the right medicine for me to begin feeling better. Though I still have pain, some days are still bad, overall I am much better (cold weather is awful for me!). I felt better and therefore it was the perfect time to try to exercise. I started jogging and walking intervals on April 1^st. I did about 12 miles a week for about a month. I iced my ankles and feet just about everyday that first month. The pain was awful but I knew I had to do it for me…for my kids…for God. He gave me this body and I haven’t taken care of it like I should. I lost about 2 pounds the first month, depending on the day. I was a little disappointed but proud of myself that I hadn’t given up. I decided to continue and change my 30 Day Challenge to a Life Challenge. Trust me, it hasn’t been easy at all but I didn’t expect it to be. Almost 4 months later my workout time just fits into our daily schedule. Sometimes the kids exercise with me, other times Tim will watch them. Sometimes we will go on a walk/stroll as a family. I’ve come to look forward to exercising because I know it’s good for me. I push myself, but I know my limits. I workout 5 days a week now for at least 50 minutes each. I’m just now pushing for even longer. It’s been too hot to jog outdoors much so I’ve been doing a cardio dvd most days. I no longer take my Prednisone and pray that I don’t have to restart anytime soon. That has been great! I’m still taking my other arthritis meds and know they are truly helping me right now. My back hurts often and recently my knees have been awful. Am I pushing myself too hard? I don’t know…maybe…but I’m not quitting. Please pray that those things will ease up soon. I am not giving up. I have not met my goal yet but I hope to by the end of this year….I am not giving up…I will push myself…I will better myself. This is not easy.

Anytime I feel like I can’t go on, when the pain is too hard to bear, when I don’t have the energy, or have too much on my mind, I imagine Jesus jogging right beside me cheering me on and telling me “You can do this”.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

 

So if you have a change you want to make in your life but you don’t know where to start, Start with Him…start with God. He is my source of strength, and my cup runs over. You might say or think it’s not a big deal to start exercising, and maybe you’re right to an extent, but it has been hard for me. I give God all the glory for my endurance and the mind to stay focused. I hope that you too will put your faith in God and know that He is always with those who trust in Him. When it gets difficult just know that Jesus is right beside you. 

Remember: The most important change starts on the inside. 

Progress To Date: I’m down 16 pounds and 20 inches, and on my way to a healthier 'me'.

Shawna

Poppy Seed Chicken Salad

A few weeks ago I went to lunch with my sister Summer. We ate at the Apple Cake Tea Room in Farragut. It’s one of our favorite places for “girl time”. My favorite dish there is the Tea Room Medley which includes delicious chicken salad with poppy seeds. I was inspired and started my recipe search for this type of chicken salad. I found a great recipe online. The only thing I changed was the mayo. I used egg-free and all natural Vegenaise ®. Rather than using regular bread, which I’m trying to avoid btw, I used Wasa Multigrain Crispbread. the golden raisins added the perfect sweetness. The salad turned out to be a delicious, healthier version of the inspired chicken salad; even the kids gobbled it down. Enjoy!

What You Need

~2 c. cooked chicken I shredded mine

~¼ c. Vegenaise

good squirt Dijon mustard

~1 Tbs. poppy seeds

~1/3 c. celery, small dice

~½ c.golden raisins

salt

black pepper

Directions

After you cook and shred the chicken combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and serve how you wish.

You can find the original recipe here at girlichef.com. <-----for some reason I can't get that link to go to the right page. Anyhow, search Chicken Salad w/ Poppyseeds & Yellow Raisins on the website girlichef.com.

ENJOY!

Shawna

Jackson’s 1st Haircut

Jackson’s hair was getting a little too long in the back. It actually started to look like a rat tail which is, in my opinion, completely horrendous. So despite several people telling me not to cut his hair, I did it anyway. I saved a cute little curl for his memory box! 

A little curl!

See people, he still has curls...I didn't cut all of them.

Ignore the happy, cheesy mom smile and look at that adorable fella.

 I’m obviously not a professional hair stylist but I think it turned out cute. Little Jack is so handsome! 

Shawna

Fourth of July Party

Summer and Joe have a July 4^th party every year. Joe and his brother buy A LOT of fireworks, they grill the meats, everybody brings a dish, and we hang out together in the smoldering heat. It’s a lot of fun! Here are a few pictures of our memory making event.

We Love the Zoo

We make it out to the zoo several times a year. It’s such a fun place to go with the kids, plus teachers get in free! This was the first time the kids got to play in the new splash pad at the zoo. I was impressed with how big and nice it was.

Look at that face. :-)

My favorite picture of him in the water. Do you think he had fun?!

Having a blast!

Close up view of the elephants

I guess he was just chilling.

Celebrating Makayla’s 3rd Birthday

Sweet*Sweet Girl...she loved her "tattoo"

Makayla’s 3^rd birthday party was on the hottest day of the year…okay actually it made the record book in Knoxville. I think maybe 107 degrees. Good grief it was hot and I’m so glad we planned an indoor party this year. We opted for a family get-together and boy was it a fun day for everyone, especially our birthday girl. Several months ago I asked her what kind of party she wanted. Her response, “I want a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party.” So Strawberry it was. We got her a Strawberry Shortcake bicycle which brought back fond memories of getting my own Strawberry Shortcake bike as a kid. I loved that bike, and Makayla really likes hers too. My favorite part of the day was just watching her smile. Makayla’s smiles and energetic personality always light up the room.

Happy Birthday Makayla Grace! We Love You More Than You Know!

Quick picture with Mommy

You know what she's thinking..."let me eat already!"

First glimpse at her new bike. Do you think she was excited? :-)

running...she can't wait.

What a big girl!

Picture with Nana & Grandad

swinging with Uncle Joe & Aunt Summer

Hanging with sweet friend Chloe

Grandpa, Grandma, Great Grandma, & Jackson stopping for a picture with the birthday girl!

Add caption

Doing good with Aunt April's help.

Playing with friend Abigail.

Chilling with my little brother Jackson.

 Wow, it seems like just yesterday she was a newborn and now she is three. As a mom there is nothing greater than seeing your child grow, and grow in many different ways. Makayla has not only grown upwards (she's 39 inches tall!) but she's also grown as a daughter, a sister, a grandchild, a niece, and as a child of God. The sweetest moments take place when we are talking about Jesus or praying together. Being a mom is not what I expected....it is so much MORE! It's the BEST! :-)

Cheers & joy,

Shawna