My Plant-Based Family

Eating Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet recipes, On a Budget.

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Getting Fit: A 30 Day Challenge

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On Monday I told you how my husband and I made a commitment to get fit. I left of most of the details so I’ll share those today.

Our 30 day Fitness Challenge started June 18th. We were discussing it the day before we started and I somehow agreed to doing P90X. Of course I was afraid I would die, but thankfully not yet. The first week I was still trying to find my groove. Some days my schedule does not accommodate a workout. Working out with my kids around is not only impossible it is also the most frustrating thing on the planet. I think I would rather let ants sting my eyeballs.

Also, we have been dealing with a situation that takes some time (that is normally when we work out) and drains our energy.

So what do my workouts look like? On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday I do P90X for about an hour. I use resistance bands instead of weights. I try to go on a run after my workout. We usually start working out around 7:30 or 8:00 after the boys are in bed and it has cooled down to 100° F by then. Sometimes something comes up and we can’t do a full workout. On those days I usually try to run and/or we will do one or two 10 Minute Trainer video’s, basically a speedy version of P90X.

What does my running look like? I almost hate to even call it running. So far I’ve kept to the same course, the sidewalks and streets of my neighborhood; it is about half a mile. Originally it took me about 10 minutes to jog (with a little walking) and now it takes just over 5 minutes. This weekend I plan to take a new, longer route. I’ll update My Plant-Based Family on Facebook if I think about it. Even though I’m not running far or long it totally wipes me out, much more the my other workouts, I’m guessing the heat may be a contributing factor there.

So far this week I’ve only been about to go on two runs and do two workouts. I know I’d have more time if I would wake up earlier to run before it is too hot, or to workout but I’m not that committed yet. I normally get up between 5:30 and 6:00 just to get ready before my boys wake up and I’m not ready to get up any earlier.   

Results? In a week and a half I haven’t seen any weight change but I can see more muscle definition. Since my runs take less and less time I know I’m doing better. Also I am hungry all the time. I’m eating a lot more so I’m assuming most of that is due to the workouts but I know a small portion is just me wanting to be a little piggy. 🙂

I want to say thank you to all of you who have given me tips and advice. The whole time I’m running I’m going over everything my friend Aletia has told me. I’m also formulating my goals like my friend Breht advised.

Do you have any tips or advice for me? What about favorite foods to help me stay fueled?

 

Gratituesday: An Anchor

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There are moments in life we never expect to happen. They vary by degree; but we will all find ourselves in a moment where we can’t believe what we are hearing. I have a few friends walking through such moments and now I find myself in this unfamiliar land as well. 

At a different point in life this situation would have been too much to bare, and even now it is almost maddening. Thankfully I have an anchor to rely on. Most of us know an anchor as thing that is dropped from a boat to keep it from moving or drifting, it provides security and stability. My anchor is my hope and faith in Jesus.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.      Hebrews 6:19 NLT

I’m grateful for this lesson I’m learning. My trust in God is not dependent on my level of  health, prosperity or possessions, the behavior of my kids or friends, or any other thing for that matter. If they are all taken away He is still worthy of my adoration. 

I still wrestle with anger, disappointment, unbelief, and much frustration over this situation we find ourselves navigating. I am not happy about it and I wont pretend to be. My faith doesn’t require that I’m “happy” with everything that happens. At the center of who I am, in the deepest place of my heart, and the most logical parts of my mind I know that Jesus is LORD and I trust Him!

I’ve been singing this song long before I new of this situation. I’m so grateful that my heart was prepared. 

God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed
Give me vision to see things like You do
God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from
Give me wisdom; You know just what to doI will love You Lord my strength
I will love You Lord my shield
I will love You Lord my rock forever
All my days I will love You God

Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns forever
All my days Hallelujah

Jenn Johnson/Ian Mcintosh Bethel Music Publishing 2010 
 

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

My Husband’s Story

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In October of 2011 when I began this journey I wasn’t traveling alone. My (incredible, amazing, loving, smoking hot, crazy, considerate, passionate) husband joined me. After my first conversation with Eileen (my plant-based coach) he told me he would be supportive but he wasn’t going to change everything I was changing. One day I had a few minutes before going to an appointment so I turned on “Forks Over Knives” then paused it to go. When I returned home my husband was watching it, completely enthralled. He looked at me and said, “We are doing this!”

You can read more about my story and why I decided to begin a plant-based diet here. Today I really want you to hear his story, so without further ado meet JIM!

In the last few years my health had taken somewhat of a downward turn.  I was sick a lot, I was heavier than I’d ever been, I felt run down, etc.  At one point, I was at two hundred and tooooo many pounds and at the doctor’s office…  again.  I was tired of it.  I decided to try some things that I’d heard of…

In the following months, I started exercising and “eating healthy” or so I thought and although I lost a good amount of weight and was more fit and theoretically healthier, my stomach also hurt a great deal of the time.  It seemed like the normal doctors remedies weren’t working so I went to my Chiropractic Doctor friend Steve and asked him.  The problem was what I was eating to make me healthy…  was making me sicker.   AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!  I stopped eating that way, I slowed the exercise and the weight came back with a vengeance.

I would try a few more times at excercising and “eating healthy” only to end up in the same crummy place again.  THEN I finally saw “Forks Over Knives” which my Doctor friend Steve had recommended to me before but I just “hadn’t gotten around to it”.  I guess I’m kind of a typical guy from the perspective that you’ll need to show me before I believe something…  As many of you know, the movie is an extremely well done film that provides data that is way too good to be rationalized away.  An old Pastor of ours, Pastor Gary had a message on “rational lies”  (pronounced the same way), his premise was very clear on the potential for us as humans to lie to ourselves and call it something else.  The data presented in this movie is just too clear for that…

So my best friend and I started on this rocky and crazy journey together, six weeks after we started I had a checkup scheduled with my doctor…  Not only was I down about 25 pounds from my peak, I felt great and my bloodwork was through the roof!  My cholesterol went from high to 171 and my blood pressure was in the “AthleteChild” range…  Yeah baby, now we’re talkin’

Well here we are many months after that doctor visit and from my peak I’m now down over 40 pounds…  without excercise…  I’m even below my high school weight.  Praise the Lord that now I can kiss the yo-yo weight loss weight gain cycle goodbye for good.

Next step excercise!


Gratituesday: New Relationships

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Over the last several weeks I have had the opportunity to meet several new friends. Some of these friends I haven’t actually “met” but I’ve been conversing with them online. I know that sounds kinda creepy but I assure you it’s not. Some of these new connections have been through my blog or through My Plant-Based Family on Facebook. Mostly they have been amazing women who are friends with Amanda, my friend who had a stroke 3 weeks ago.

Others I have met and we even had lunch together. Later this week I’m getting together with an acquaintance, but since she is such an amazing women I hope we become fast friends.

Most of these new relationships will probably stay casual friendships or even just acquaintanceship; but a few have the potential to be something more. Before moving to Arizona in 2006 I had a few really good friends. My friend Autumn since junior high, Crissy since high school, and Jessica who I worked with after college. We didn’t talk often but we appreciated each other and knew we could depend on each other. Since moving here I have made some friends that I believe will be life long friends. I know I can depend on these friends no matter what.

It’s exciting to think that right now may be beginning of a life long friendship. So this post is to all my new friends out there…Kelli, Krista, Breht, Angela, Melodee, Lisa, Susan, Heather, Nancy, Kathy, Angie, Danica, Kris, Ashley and the others that I am forgetting… today I am grateful for you.

Have you wondered why I post Gratituesday each Tuesday? It is because I like taking one day a week to share what I’m thankful, grateful for. Laura at Heavenly Homemakers has been doing it for years and she gives other bloggers an opportunity to “link up” their blog too. I enjoy clicking through the links and being encourage by what other people are grateful for, and seeing how God is working in their lives. Last week I had a crazy dream that Laura emailed me asking to stop commenting! I told you it was crazy! I think about what I’m going to post for Grati(Tuesday) all week-long. So all week I’m thinking about all of the things I am thankful for. You don’t have to blog about it but feel free to leave a comment so others can be encouraged.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

 

 

Gratituesday: Progress

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There are so many things I am grateful for today. There are two things that pale in comparison though.

First is the progress that my friend Amanda is making in her recovery. If you are just tuning in, a little over a week ago my 29 year old, super fit, health conscience friend who is a mother of 4 with one more one the way had a stroke. Yes I know it doesn’t seem possible. She would be the least likely person I would ever imagine to have something like this happen.

Yesterday I posted a quick update and said I wouldn’t be mentioning her all the time but when I think about what I am grateful for she is one of the top things I think about. Even in the last 24 hours or so she has made more progress, she was able to lift her left leg and eat real food. I saw her last night and she was smiling, laughing and talking so much better.

The second thing I am incredible grateful for is my husband. Yesterday we celebrated our 7th anniversary. My husband is such a great man who honors and supports me. I can’t imagine life without him. He is a great father to our boys and seeks to honor the Lord in all he does. He is a blessing to me.

What are you thankful for today?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

I’m Here, Kind Of…

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Hi friends,

I’ve been absent and will continue to be for a while. 

My dear friend Amanda had a stroke late Sunday night. Let me tell you about Amanda. She is in love with her husband and kids (4 with one on the way), she LOVES Jesus! Amanda is a runner, a homeschooler, and one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met. 

She will overcome this! She will preserver and be victorious! 

If you pray, please pray for her and her family. Can you imagine? I can’t get my head around it either. When something like this happens it makes us reexamine our priorities, and for now I’ll take a little blogging break and try to be there for my friend.

If you are moved to help and would like to send a gift card to this family email me or like My Plant-Based Family on Facebook and message me there. I’ll answer the Facebook messages a lot faster. 

Thank you friends,

Holly