Delay in Posting

I apologize for my delay in posting. I had wanted to add a new menu, but time hasn't allowed it. There has also arisen another issue. One of the reasons I stopped THM the last time was due to the IBS flare up I had. Many on-plan foods that I was eating daily caused me horrible discomfort. I went to my GI dr back then and he suggested the issue was my diet. I was not happy! I had finally found something that worked to help me lose weight and many other health benefits. I couldn't believe it! How could all these foods that are sooo good for me be causing me trouble? I was very frustrated and quit... Sad, but the truth. One thing I have learned is that we need to be truthful to our reasons for failing, not make excuses. At that time the dr told me to look into the FODMAP diet. I took the info, read it, but felt defeated. Then finances got rough and I had to forget about all that anyway and just eat as cheap as possible.

Praise GOD I always wanted to come back to THM. I knew it was good and worked. I would always say "when I can afford it again." Well, I can afford it again. I can't do all the special stuff, but really you do not need it. I have been dabbling in the plan since Thanksgiving, but fully on plan since Jan. I am losing weight again. But...the pain, cramps, and etc started again. I assumed last time it was just the sweeteners and cabbage I was eating that caused it all. So I wasn't doing that this time. Still, pain. This week has been almost unbearable at times. I have IBS, and boy was it letting me know it was irritable!! I'd rather just not eat than feel like this.

I got in touch with a friend who talked about the FODMAP diet recently. She did it and it changed her life! In case you are curious about it you can read about it all right here. It really makes sense and described what was happening to myself. BUT, it also described most of my family! So reading about all this I started to feel discouraged and defeated again. I said NO! I can do both. There are many foods on there that are on plan! I can and WILL figure this out.

So, since we still have groceries that I recently bought, we are going to finish those up. My plan is that Feb 1 we are going to start our 3-week strict diet. After that, we will slowly add things back in. the question...Will I still be doing THM? YES YES YES! It can be done. If my menus or groceries seem odd for a bit, that is why.

I wanted to post about it in case there are any other ladies or families dealing with GI issues. our family always has. I have told my hubby for years that I know the health issues without family stem from what we are eating. We have eaten gf off and on for years. It's always best when we do. But I understand why we feel better when gf now. For us our body doesn't break it down and so it goes to the large intestine and gets fermented. So, when we stay away from all gluten, we heal up some. If we eat a little it doesn't bother us, but after a while, it gets worse and worse. Why? Fermentation doesn't happen immediately! It takes time. So over time more and more gluten gets fermented and the worse we feel.

If you wonder about yourself or your family, do some research. It really is worth a shot!!
Thanks for reading,
Big Momma

So much to do!

So, today was a big prep day! I feel as though I got a lot done. Menu planning, grocery list making, and shopping is just the beginning of food in my house. There is still so much to do once you get it all home. Sorting through it all and putting it away is a big job. Today one of my twins helped me sort the meat for the freezer. It took us about an hour to label, separate, pack, and put away 2 weeks of meat. After that we made some baked THM goodies! I sure hope they all come out ok! I hate wasting food.

I do plan to post a menu on the blog, but it has been a tad busy here with shopping, cleaning, laundry, homeschool, and etc.... I plan to get it done as soon as I can. I will give you a little preview of what all we got done today!

Freezer stocked full of meat, veggies, and frozen fruit!

I made the Mostess Cupcakes. I found that many of them fell apart!! So I am going to make a "dirt" cake type thing for my kiddos!! I think that they will like that.

Those are stacked individual servings of BAM cake! Yummy!!!

I took the Blueberry Muffins from THT and made them into a cake. It was yummy!!!

This is 7 baggies of lean ground beef cooked and portioned out for individual servings. Also cooked 3 pkgs bacon to use for Quiche!

These are the mostess cupcakes. they taste good, but I think that I prefer the Chocolate Trimtastic Zucchini cake over these.

So, in case you are wondering, I made:

2.5 lbs ground beef cooked

Blueberry Muffins from THT

Mostess Cupcakes THT

3 pkgs bacon

2 Banana BAM cakes

Strawberry Trimtastic Cake (not crazy about it. Kind of strange....)

I was hoping that all these baked goods would last me all week, but not sure my kids will stay out of them! They love the BAM cake and Mostess cupcakes!!

Have a good night!

Big Momma

Update of our First Week

So we have been working through Trim Healthy Mama for a week or so now. I posted a menu for what we did. Let's just say we didn't stick by it completely. We ended up with a snow day so hubby was home. That was great but we vegged and ate cookies.. oops. Ha ha ha One thing about THM is the ladies teach Food Freedom!! Making not so bad for you cookies, but not on plan, isn't the worst thing that you can do. It's life, and that is what makes THM so awesome! This isn't a diet that rules you, you use the food ideas to help you on your health journey.

So, a review of our first week and Trim Healthy Table, the newest cookbook. My family is loving each meal I have made so far!! I have to tell you that I have found the BEST and most versatile meal in this new cookbook!! GOOD GRUB!!!! It is the BESTEST ever!!! I have made it the way the cookbook says, but I have also made it with breakfast sausage and served it with fried eggs!! Yummo! It tastes like hash! Part of it may be the Cauli rice I bought. IDK, but my children and hubby LOVE this meal. My Mr. Picky adores it!! He is actually requesting it daily!!! My little Miss who hated tortillas love this in a low carb tortilla! I am so thankful!!

We also really really liked the Little Sweet and Little Spicy chicken legs. Oh those were amazing. We love Bangin' Ranch Drummies, so this didn't surprise me. We also tried Burger Bombs. I was a tad naughty and added a square of mozzarella to each of them. Oh! that was delicious! I also made the Chili Verde. We all enjoyed that one as well. Can't say it was a favorite but one to eat every once in a  while. Over the weekend I made Crockpot Buffalo chicken. WOW! Spicy spicy spicy! I even used 1 cup of frank's red hot sauce! My son who LOVES spicy food and can take heat was shocked by how spicy it was. We all did enjoy it though. One that I will for sure be making again.

Also, for snacks you will see I have popcorn on there. I do eat air popped popcorn. I spritz it with some butter spray stuff and shake nutritional yeast, salt, and sometimes spicy stuff! Very yummy!

I also tried the WWBB! It was ok, but definitely not a sub for white bread. Personally I will try it again and use for grilled cheese or french toast. It will be something I need to play with and see if I can make work for me.

So that is my update for now! I do plan to write more as soon as I am able!!

In Christ,
Robin

Our First week

I am a menu queen! I seriously LOVE menus and schedules and lists...... You could totally call me addicted! If I make a list or menu and it gets messy, I rewrite it!! Yes, I am that ridiculous. Making menus and lists make my life so much easier! So I sat down and looked through the three cookbooks I have and made a menu, except breakfast. That one was a little hard for me. But we will get there.

Here is a link to the first menu and grocery list...

Keep in mind that I am feeding 9 people. My meals are BIG!! I rarely have left overs. If we do it is saved for hubby's lunch the next day. I do have on there to use any left over meat and put into a soup. Hopefully I will have some left!

My goal was to eat pretty basic for breakfast and lunch. Then use easy and low ingredient recipes from the books for dinner. So far the kids are loving everything I am making!! I actually have a kiddo who doesn't eat veggies scarfing down meals that are shocking all of us!!

Breakfast usually consists of eggs, veggies, or a meat. I always have coffee, at least 2 cups each day. I also always put collagen into my coffee, this is protien and so very good for you.

Lunch I do 2 days of meat and cheese on pita bread with salad, one day is black beans and rice from Briana thomas, Pasta or Zoodles with sauce, and Good grub.

Sunday we always have a roast or ham in the aftrernoon after church.

Dinner we are trying:

Little Sweet Little Spicy drummies with fried cabbage and spinach (kids eat rice and pineapple)
Chili Verde with Cheese and Sour cream
Egg Roll in Bowl part duex with brown rice
Burger Bombs with salad and buttered veggies
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken with pita and salad
Chicken Casserole with salad
Banging Ranch drummie, fried veggies (kids eat pineapple and rice)
Red Chili with baked tortilla chips
Egg Roll in Bowl (first book) with brown rice
Meat loaf from Briana Thomas, buttered veggies and salad
Totally Dope Chicken with salad and pita
Grandma's chicken Soup

So far we have tried The Little sweet spicy drummies...YUMMY!!!!! My family LOVED these!!

Little Miss Eat anything!

Mr. Picky Eater

Mr. Content with life

We also tried Good grub from the New Trim healthy table!! I have NO pictures of this. The kids gobbled it down so fast! Mr. Picky LOVED this meal so much!! It will now go on the rotation for weekly! We all agreed it would be great for breakfast! Instead of ground turkey or chicken, use sausage!! Add a couple of eggs with it. YUMMY!!!

We are all excited and doing well for the last two days. I am just thankful that my family is happy with this. I do plan to make some THM desserts soon, hoping they like them!

Lots of Love,
Big Momma

New Book and New Beginnings...

I have officially restarted Trim Healthy Mama!!!  My sweet in-laws got me the Trim Healthy Table book for Christmas. Last year they got me Briana Thomas' book, Necessary Food. I now have all three cookbooks. I am so excited to start up again!! The last few years have been tough. I started THM years ago but ended up with 2 surgeries, a broken computer which lost all my menus and planning, and finances that just didn't give me the ability to do THM. It is time to start up again. Hopefully, I can get menus and things posted here to help others out. That is my goal. Also so other ladies interested can watch someone else's progress. I will do my best to blog daily or weekly. I will also post my menus! That way others can use them. So let me tell you about myself and my family!

I am a momma to 7 amazing kids!! I also homeschool. So I do cook all day long! Lol  My goal is for hubby and I to be THM all the way. As for the kids, they will eat what we eat but as crossovers. You can read about the Trim Healthy Mama plan in their plan book and cookbooks. I HIGHLY recommend getting them ALL!!

Goals! Well, what are my goals?? I don't know exactly. I do know that I want to lose weight, be healthier than I am, and lose this dumb double chin! LOL  I would like to see hubby feel healthier and look healthier. My oldest loves the way he feels on THM. His reflux goes away 100%. We all just feel better when on THM.

Looking forward to this New Beginning!

I truly hope this will be a blessing to you all!!

Robin

Christmas 2017

Christmas 2017

So very long...

Well, It has been months since I posted any kind of an update. Health issues, homeschool, lack of funds to do THM, and life have gotten in the way. I had every intention of posting my menus that I had made. I wish that I would have been able to just get it done, but I did not. Another issue came up as well....my computer died. I lost everything. All my homeschool stuff, THM menus and plans, pictures of my kids, and all the church stuff I had worked on over the last 4 years. So, I have to start over. This time I will use google drive exclusively and will be able to post as I go.

I have not been on THM much. I did receive the Necessary Foods cookbook for Christmas and have been using it often! I am now in a place where I am pretty sure I can be THM. So, I will begin again and pray things go better this time. I will do my best to post weekly on here. I may not be 100% THM, I will do my best. I am also trying to do a mostly Gluten Free way of life for my family.

Health issues have come up in our home and I believe that gluten is one of the culprits! So out the door it goes. I also wonder about dairy. We shall see. If I take dairy away from my crew I may end up the one out the door! LOL

So please, bear with me as I begin again and try to fulfill my desire to post good menus and lists for you. Now remember we are a family of 9, with three teenagers. We consume a lot of food. I shop predominantly at Aldi and our local grocery store. I do tend to shop weekly, I find it better with all that produce.  Hopefully it will be a blessing...if I can get this going!

God Bless,
Robin

Update as of Sept 17, 2016

Hey there everyone!

I apologize it's been a very long time since I have posted here. I truly had every intention of making great menus and posting them for all to use! Then Thyroidectomy came into my life. I had surgery on July 14. After surgery I had some issues. I am still struggling with my parathyroids to start working. In the midst of recovering from surgery our church had it's annual VBS. It's basically a week long kids camp. My hubby and I run it and boy was that fun and exhausting. Then we went straight into school planning and home school. My plan was to get menus done and ready before school started again. My body had other plans.

I do plan to get menus out and posted. I have to be honest though, I have not been THM since surgery. I lost the groove I was in. We also had some financial changes so money is much tighter than before. So if I am going to do THM I can't do it the way I was. I have to do it much less and I am not sure how to do that. I want to though!! I seriously want to make it work on my small budget and show that THM is possible on little money and not using all the extra things or special ingredients. I do use gentle sweet for coffee and other things. But I am back to baking breads, biscuits, scones, and muffins for breakfast. Those are not good for THM!! Yikes!! All the carbs and fats, hello!!

I do want to say that there are other blogs out there that are wonderfully helpful!! Check these ladies out! They have some wonderful recipes, helps, and little tips you may benefit from.

Darcie has some wonderful recipes and menus.
Brianna has great recipes and just printed a cookbook!!! You go Bri!!
Sarah over at Mrs. Criddles Kitchen also has some wonderful recipes!


So, I basically need to figure all this out....again. Thank you for all your patience! I am working on it. I am also homeschooling 7 children. So time is something I am limited on!

God Bless,
Robin

Surgery and recover- Hypocalcemia and Hypomagnesia- Getting back on Track!!

Hey everyone! So very sorry to all of you. It has been a very long time. 

For those who didn't know, I was found to have two large masses on my thyroid. They decided they needed to remove my entire thyroid to check for cancer. Praise GOD no cancer!! My surgery went very well, but my recovery has been rough. 

My doctor told me in the beginning that 1-2% of people have issues after a thyroidectomy with calcium levels due to the parathyroids that they do leave in place. Sometime they can be damaged, taken out accidentally, or they can just be shocked and not want to kick in and work. The job of the parathyroid is to regulate calcium as well as other things in your body. So when they do not work, then you lose calcium and FAST! This is called Hypocalcemia.  

I had surgery on July 14, 2016. I left the hospital July 15, 2016. I was put back in the hospital for 5 days on July 16! My calcium had dropped to under 5, normal range is 8.5-10.5. The symptoms you can start having are tingly lips, face, fingers, and toes. Also severe cramps, like charlie horses, in limbs as well. I was also going numb from knees to toes and elbows to finger tips. It was not fun. I had to recieve IV calcium, magnesium, and D3. Also I had to take it orally. When I was discharged I was still low but being managed by oral meds. I am still on them, but the symptoms have gone and levels have risen up to the normal level. Now prayers that we can reduce the calcium meds and it will stay up!

I am starting to feel like myself and able to do much more. My family and friends have been so wonderful during this time. I am so thankful for all the prayers, time given, meals made, and hands on board to get things done. 

I am hoping to get back on track with THM and get menus flying out!! I have been working on transferring some of our old cheap and money saving recipes into THM. Hopefully I can get some of them up and help some of you save money!! We have hit a hard time finacial wise and need to spend as little as possible. I seriously want to show that you can do THM and eat healthy on little funds. Praying the LORD shows me the way!! Even if it is canned veggies and fruits, it can be done! I know Serene and Pearl has a rough time while writing the books and they talk about eating canned items and making the most out of it. Hoping I can make this work and share it with you folks out there!!

So God Bless!! I will do my absolute best to get to work on this and get things posted and usable for you out there that need some help!

In Christ, 

Robin

Update on my Thyroid "Cancer"

Hello Reader,

I just wanted to update you all. It has been a crazy few weeks here! God is good! I am set to have surgery on July 14th unless the dr feels I need it sooner. I am having some pain in the right side of my neck and into my collar bone often and most of the time now. We have an appointment with my dr in the morning to discuss the surgery, answer questions about recovery and possible cancer treatments. I can say that this started out as a no big deal, easy peasy surgery and life moves on. Now, I am a little more unsure and looking at it like the big deal that it is. It kind of hit me this week that I could possibly have cancer. It could be spreading. I have 7 kids to care for and wow...that's a lot. But, it also hit me that I have a GREAT BIG GOD!! He is amazing!! SO thankful to walk this road as a child of God and the peace and comfort he brings.

I will post about my surgery and recovery. I just want to share my experience in case it can help someone else. I know it's an easy surgery and should go well.

As for menus and THM planning, I am still working on it. I have to say honestly I have not planned anything in the past couple weeks. We have been flying by the seat of our pants! Lol I know that I need to plan as it is best, but I am trying to fit all the rest of our homeschool year into a month. It is really a lot more than I thought it would be. So we have been doing lots of sandwhiches, hot dogs, and easy meals.

BUT... I weighed in recently! I am down to 225!!! I have not been this weight in YEARS!!! Even though I am not 100% THM, I am still losing weight! Last fall I was 260 lbs. So happy with results. May be slow but it is soooo worth it!!

Hope you are all well!
God Bless!!
Robin

Health News..

Any readers...I just wanted to let you know that I am in the home stretch for home schooling. Also, I got some recent health news that has kind of taken a chunk of my time. We found out that I have possible Thyroid Cancer. So I have surgery set up for July 14. I have to have a complete thyroidectomy, removing the entire thyroid. It isn't a major surgery, but is surgery. Dr tells me it is a 3 to 4 hour surgery, 1-2 day hospital stay, 7-10 day recovery, and I could possible have a weak or hoarse voice for a month. So, since July will be taken up by this health issue, I need to finish my schooling and other projects in June. So I have been doing basic, not always THM menus lately.

I do plan to keep working on menus but not sure as to when I will get it all posted and set up for you all. I am very sorry that it has taken me so much longer than I had expected. I really just wanted to set up a blog, post my menus, and that's that. I found it to be more complicated than that. I want it to be nice and easy for you to use, so it has taken more work.

Know that it is a priority but not THE priority right now. Hopefully I can get this stuff set up for you all!! Just wanted to be a blessing but guess it was more than I expected! I will do it though!

God Bless!!
Robin

THM and NO More FIBRO pain!!! Reflux....GONE

Well, it's been a long week. We were tight money wise and time wise. I did not make a menu! Mistake!!! But I am thinking it was a good thing in some ways. I was able to prove that the Trim Healthy Mama way of life makes a HUGE difference for Fibromyalgia suffers! At least for this one!

My fibro causes many little issues here and there. One being the pain that radiates throughout my arms. For me that's the worst. It is literally like hot nerves misfiring constantly. Pain meds don't help when it gets that bad. After I started THM it went away, COMPLETELY! I have been on Lyrica for fibro for years. I was able to switch myself to vitamins that helped a lot. They didn't take it away and it would flare up here and there. But I would deal with it, because I dislike being on medicine. One that made a huge difference was Magnesium Malate. Nothing else helped but that. The only thing was I had to take it 3 times a day. Which was fine, I was doing it. I also suffer from severe IBS and gastroparesis, slow emptying of the stomach. I have to be very careful what I eat. Anyway....back to the fibro!

So after I started THM I noticed my pains were not there even when I missed a Mag. Malate pill. Side note: I am extremely forgetful...yes, very very much so. So, I often forget to take it, that was my issue....hence the reason for a flare up! Lol I have not taken Mag. Malate in a long time. Well, this last week we were NOT eating THM at all. I consumed many "crossovers" which weren't really crossovers, just normal old style eating. Lol Also lots of sugar, as I used to. I noticed by Wed my pains, foggy brain, and other things were back. The pains and the restless legs were the worst. I have not had these pains since a couple weeks on THM! So I can say eating THM plan WORKS!! Weight loss or not, the plan works for fibro pain.

The other things I want to share is my 14 yr old son. He has severe reflux. His is so bad he gets these super sonic burps that could peel the paint off your car! LOL, Seriously folks! They are so loud and burn so much he grabs his chest when he has them. They had STOPPED, yes, STOPPED completely on THM plan. He couldn't believe it!! Well, Saturday afternoon driving home my he said, after a huge smelly burp  "Mom, please, can we be on plan this next week!! Please!" I was already feeling his pain! Ha HA! Seriously folks, his burps have been non stop and his pain has increased.

Now, know that we are generally healthy eaters. But mixing carbs and fats was a killer on us. Also having the sugars. Yikes!! We also noticed headaches, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and joint pains. Just from eating normal. Sounds INSANE, I know!!! But it is real and true for this family!

THM has definitely changed my life. Making my menu for the rest of this week today!! If you haven't tried THM, DO!!!!

God Bless,
Robin

Recipe Reviews- First Review!!

Another thing I would like to add to my Blog is a review of recipes. I usually just use recipes from the cookbook, but I just started branching out to make other recipes from Mrs. Criddles, Gwen's Nest, and the Coers Family blogs. I will link the recipe and tell ya what we all think of it. So far we have liked most of what we have tried!

My first review will be of a yummy muffin recipe from Mrs. Criddles Kitchen's Blueberry Muffins. They were super yummy!!! I can not believe that I only used 1 cup of flour and got 24 muffins!!! I did not have blueberries so I used raspberries. I think blueberries would have been much better. The rasp. made everything more moist, which has a down side. But the flavor, moisture, and texture were VERY good!! Thank you very very much Mrs. Criddle for these yummy muffins that my entire family of  9 scarfed down!! I do plan to use more recipes from her blog!!!

God Bless,
Robin

Menu 1

As promised, I am posting my first Menu! I am trying to set it up so that it's easy to read! It will be posted as a Google Spreadsheet. I will write it out in the post as well, but will have a place for you to easily access it and print it up. This was my first ever THM menu from a few months back!!

Just to explain why the menu looks as it does. Each meal has two sections: All the regular meals are THM, Kid's meals are not THM. It's how I set up my menus so I know what to feed hubby and I, and then the kiddos!

Every Sunday we have a big Meal. It usually consists of a roast of some kind, lots of veggies, and rice or taters for the kids. I know Roast is vague, but it's different depending on what I can get cheapest that week, or if beef is on sale!!

If you are craving Chocolate cake or brownie and are really struggling, make that Volcano Mudslide Muffin in a cup! I am very serious!! It has helped me many times when I just want to buy a big brownie, donut, or etc and shove it into my face!! Lol!! This is good stuff!! I just take some heavy cream and gentle sweet and blend it to whip it. I just add a dollop to the top and add some crushed up frozen raspberries!! It is wonderful!!!!!

Things to know:

LO- Left Over
LCC- Laughing Cow Cheese

A few of the recipes on this menu come from the Big Book, the first one the sisters wrote.

Morning Quinoa (pg 226-227) is just soaking your quinoa over night in water and splash of apple cider vinegar. Then you pour off the water until you get about a scant of water above the quinoa. Then you bring to a boil, simmer with lid for 10 mins. Remove from heat and leave lid on for 5 mins more.

Basic Quiche- (pg 319) remember in Big Book
Oil baking dish. I usually use 2 pie dishes. I make a veggie and bacon one for us big folks and then a meat one for kiddos. Once dish oiled add 2 cups cheese and variety of veggies and meats. This will be an S meal!! Once you have all your filling stuff in, season with your choice seasonings. We like some garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Then just whisk up about 12 eggs per pie dish. Yep! It's a whole lotta eggs! For us we use 2 dz per breakfast, that's 9 people eating! You can use less eggs if you want, but we always use 12. Bake at 350 for 40sih minutes. You can add sliced toms with a sprinkle of pepper and parm on the top before baking, adds color and flavor.

I believe the rest of the recipes are from the new cookbook. I have put the page numbers on the actual menu so it is easier when trying to cook!!

Here you go:

Menu 1 with Grocery List

I will put together a grocery list, spreadsheet, but won't put amounts to buy. I am buying for 9 people. So you will need to determine how much you need of each item. Also, the grocery list is only for the THM menu part of things, it doesn't include the kid's menu items. If you are a smaller family than 7 kids, I would suggest making the portions they list in the cookbook if you want left overs.  Many of these meals freeze well!! Maybe at some point I will be able to list exactly what I buy and how much it costs my family.

Also, if a meal seems small, check your portions. We Americans have a false perception of the amount of food we "need" for our bodies. Eat lots of veggies, but have a normal portion of meats and grains. The book does give portion sizes. Meat is usually 3 or 4 oz and grains are around 3/4 cup for e-meals. Fill yourself with salads and yummy veggies!

I hope that this helps some of you! This entire menu is No Special Ingredients!! The only ingredient that is NOT a a basic normal ingredient is the flax meal and the THM Baking blend. I have used a 1:1:1 ratio of almond flour, coconut flour, and flax meal and find the 2 muffins I have on menu work fine. They are just single muffins in a cup.

Please post a comment if you have questions or if something is unclear! Thanks!!
God Bless,
Robin

Working hard!!

Well, I am working as often as I can on transferring all my menus over to google docs so I can post them on here. Thanks for all your patience, kind words, encouragement, and hints a long the way! Lots of ladies on the THM Facebook page have helped me out as well. I just want to make sure I am doing this well and right. I have been double checking recipes, ingredients, and the like. To make sure the meals are thm approved and labeled correctly.

I will also be trying different recipes online and sharing what we think of them. I found a few Almond flour recipes I want to try this week. I have been trying all the different breads and still searching for "the one!" An E bread is easy! The Soft Sprouted Wheat bread in the cookbook is amazing!! So that is good for E sandwhiches and also the Wipe your Mouth BBQ! We use mostly pitas right now for sandwhiches. I would like to come up with something I can make at home that isn't so pricey. I am trying! I will write about the Nuke Queen's Bread and the Swiss Bread later. I have tried both but haven't gotten them right as of yet.

I wanted you to know that by Friday I should have at least one or two menus up. I will try to post one a week or more. After I get the 6 or so I have done up and posted then I will post a weekly menu like others do. I will try to use limited to no special ingredients, but I have bought some over the last month. Just so I can try things out.

Another things taking time is writing out a grocery list for everything. I do not have a stocked pantry. We depleted it months ago. Lol! So it will be based on having to purchase everything. I will even put my normal price around here in New England. SO you can see a possible price for the menu. I know that is helpful, as least it would be for me.

Again, sorry it has taken so long. I have been trying to get it done! Hopefully it will be a blessing and help to you ladies once I get them all moved over.

God Bless, 
Robin

April 23, 2016- An Update

Well, here I am, up extremely late at night! Yikes! I am never up this late. I was packing for a day trip for the family when I remembered my blog was prettied up! So I stopped in to take a look. Wow does it look nice. So excited!! Then I realized that I never really updated on the Fuel Cycle Week or my progress.

We started THM in, hmm, I want to say end of Jan, maybe Feb. It's been a couple or few months. Unfortunately I didn't write it down. It's been a crazy few months. It took me about a month to actually figure it out. I still don't have it all figured out, but I can make S and E meals. I can do some Fuel Pull meals. And I can lose weight eating fatty foods! HA! No, really!!

When I started this I was 244lbs. I am now at my first goal weight! I don't know why I chose it, but it was my first goal. Most likely because I haven't seen anything under 236 since baby 5! As of this week I officially weigh in at 230lbs!! All my clothes are loose on me as well.

Another change is that my sweetheart and I have started walking 3 times a week. For right now we are walking, but in another month we will start short runs. We are training for a 5K in the fall!! I can not believe I am going to attempt to run.

I have had some major non scale victories too. We walk 3 times a week for 30 mins. Most of the time we walk at a fast pace and cover about 1.5 to 2 miles. For a Mom who have been active "in the house" for years, this is great! But we live on the top of a hill. I have always dreaded that hill. I have not attempted to ever walk it at all! Well, the way that we walked last week required us to walk up that hill, at the end of our walk! I did it with ease!! Seriously folks! My knees could barely help me make it up stairs let alone a big hill like that one. I was so excited! I have since walked that hill 2 times now. Praising the LORD for the health and strength I have building up!!

Another victory has been for my teenage son. He has lost 5ish lbs and has slimmed out a lot. He enjoys the THM way of life, but misses junk food. Lol. I don't keep him 100% on weight loss plan. He does cross overs frequently. He doesn't have a lot to lose.

So this is my little update! I am working on getting menus up and running. My goal is that I can sit down and post a monthly menu and grocery list. It's a goal! Working hard to it!!!

God Bless, need some shut eye!
Robin

Big Changes!!!!

WOW! I am so thankful for having a dear friend who knows all about graphics and blog design!! I don't know anything about it at all. Thank you so much Denise Coombes!! You are an amazing and talented lady! I truly thank you for the great blog set up.

I asked her if she had time, HA HA, if she could work on my blog for me. Not only did she tweak it and make it pretty! She also made me my own sweet little logo for the top!!! I am loving this new design.

Again, thank you Denise!! What do you think?

(Now to figure out the best way to post menus so you can actually down load them onto your computer and change things if you want......)

God Bless,
Robin

I have been Nominated for the Liebster Award!!!

So, through another blogger I met through THM FB group, I am now nominated for this neat award! It's called The Liebster Award. I guess it's an award given to new bloggers by other bloggers. And she nominated my Little Space here! Pretty neat!! Thanks Anne Lauria from http://www.ourthriftylife.com/. Just a simple Momma trying to feed my family well and help others in the process! I think I am supposed to answer these neato questions for you!! I guess the other part of this is to nominate other bloggers. BUT...I don't know any! I am a new blogger in every sense of the word. So I am not trying to break the chain, just have no one to add to it! I can answer the really fun question, but that's about it. Sorry Anne!! If you want me to do anything else, just let me know!!

So, here are the fun questions:

1. What is your favorite microwavable food?

My favorite nuke food?! Well, right now I would have to say THM Mudslide Volcano Muffin! Yumminess in a cup!!

2. If you had $1000 to go on a vacation, where would you go and what one category would you spend the most on?

Vaca? What't that!? Ha HA! Hmmm. I really am not exactly sure how much of a vaca $1000 would get a family of 9. So let me think. I would have to say just a camping. A week long camping trip in a nice cabin or tent. What would I spend the most on? Neat little shops and FOOD!

3. If you could go back in time– what purchase would you stop yourself from making?

Oh My, I have no idea! Really. Anything put on a credit card!! UGH!

4. What is your favorite easy dinner to make?

Again, THM, either Egg Roll in a Bowl or Cheeseburger Pie!! Yummy!!!

5.If you were given $500 but had to give it to a charity, which would you choose?

My church! That was easy!

6. Where do you purchase your favorite pieces of clothing from?

Thrift Shops. I rarely, if ever, buy brand new clothes.

7.If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

This one is also easy! It's a place I have always wanted to go. Russia! Why? I have no idea. But, I have always wanted to go there. I would love to take the train all the way across and see the sights. St. Petersburg, Moscow, Siberia..... Would love to go!

My second choice is Ireland. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! 

8. How do you feel about public speaking?

So-so. I can act in front of others with no issue. If I need to speak I will.

9. What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled?

I am not a prank puller... Not really any way. Sorry I am a boring person! Lol

10. If you could only have one: Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook?

Seeing as how I don't do either of the other two, Facebook. 

11. What is your dream car?

With 7 kids...I would love a brand new 15 passenger van with working ac!

I hope that I am not too boring for you Anne! Lol! Again, if you need anything else just let me know!!

God Bless, 

Robin

Day 2 Fuel Pull

Ok, so I discovered the recipe for Strawberry Muffin on the new cookbook! It is a Fuel Pull so I made it last night to test it out. It was a success. I did not have strawberry extract or strawberries though. Ha Ha So I used Lemon extract and raspberries. My hubby liked it, not loved it, but liked it. My son LOVED it. I very much enjoyed it. I could see myself eating it a few times a month with different berries here and there. I subbed it in for the Cookie Bowl Oatmeal, on my FCW menu, since we really didn't care for that.

Something else I noticed-

If you use Coconut Creamer in your coffee it tends to have floaties. I wondered why...  Then I remembered that word- emulsifier. I wondered if for what ever reason, that I don't know, it needed to be emulsified. Well, then I said to myself "I need to look into this and see if there is any merit to is at all." And guess what?!! I was right, well I think anyway! If you are interested you can read all this science stuff here. It was actually quite fascinating. I felt like my Mr. Scientist hubby! Ha HA! Seriously ladies!! The fats of the coconut milk wouldn't mix in to the coffee, they just sort of floated on the top. Then when I blend it, I get a yummy, frothy, and amazing coffee!! Loving it. Look at this

 See--- YUCKY!

But then you blend it into this BEAUTIFUL Frothy Coffee!!!

Love it!!!

So far this is going ok. It has been very very hard , but worth it. I am just about to my first goal weight! I really can not believe it!! Woo Hoo!! 

God Bless, 

Robin

Fuel Cycle week UPDATE!!

So, the hubby, son, and I have been doing the Fuel Cycle Week, FCW! It hasn't been the easiest! If you read the previous post you know that we are doing it the way it was written in the old book: 3 days Deep S, 2 Days FP, and 2 Days E-meals.

On the Fuel Pull Days the breakfast was supposed to be Cookie Bowl Oatmeal. Well, we weren't crazy about the texture. Sooooo... I had to change it. I decided to try the new Nuke Queens Bread going around on FB. To change it up we had egg white scramble and toasted NQ's Bread. It was good. I put on a little all fruit. Our bread came out a tad dry, but I think I nuked it too long. Oops!

My son got super hungry today and needed more food. He's a teen with not a lot to lose. He just wants to do THM with Dad and I! He's a big kid. 14 yrs old, 215 lbs, and just a tad under 6 ft. SO he isn't fat. Ha Ha! Oh and don't forget the size 15 shoes... AHHHH. So he needed some extra food!

So far the FCW has been a tad rough for us. But, we are surviving. We know it's a diet and we need to change food in order to get healthier and trimmer. We also started our walking this morning! 1.23 miles in 25 mins. We have a long way to go to get to a 5K but we are working on it. I will post on that later! Couch to 5k for us!!

So that's a little update on our FCW. I will update the menu for it at some point. I want to finish the week and see how we do!
God Bless,
Robin

The Fuel Cycle Week

Since I have already posted this on the FB page and many ladies are now asking for it, I decided to post the Fuel Cycle Week Menu first. I am hoping that this will work this way. For this one it will just be the pictures that you need to print up. There is no grocery list as of yet. It is just pictures of my FCW, Fuel Cycle Week, that I am currently doing. I want to tell you about it a little first!

I took it from the FCW in the Big book from THM. From what I have learned today the new book has it slightly different. In the old version you will see, on my menu, that a FCW is:
Day 1- Deep S
Day 2- Deep S
Day 3- Deep S
Day 4- Fuel Pull
Day 5- Fuel Pull
Day 6- E-meal
Day 7- E-meal

In the newer version you take Day 3- Deep S and move it to the end of the week. So it then works out to be
2 days Deep S
2 days FP
2 Days E-meal
1 day Deep S

Hope that helps with any confusion.

This is NOT how to start the THM plan! This is only to be used when you hit a plateau in weight, struggle with weight loss, or if you really feel it is needed for you. My hubby and I chose to do it for our own reasons. I say that because it is HARD!!! There are absolutely NO carbs, except veggies, for the first 2 to 3 days. Then it's no full fats or full carbs for 2 days. Then low fats... We are just starting our FP day tomorrow. We are both struggling with this. But I am glad we did it!!So is my scientist hubby! I will post my little tid bits of advice for a Fuel Cycle Week in another post later this week. I just wanted to get this up and posted for those who have asked.

So, here is the menu

As I post more I will repost this as a printable PDF. I have so much to learn!! 

God Bless, 

Robin