Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

One of the things I'd like to do regularly on this blog is share my favorite recipes with you all (healthy ones, of course!) So, I thought about sharing my cranberry sauce recipe.

Most people just get the canned cranberry sauce, and that's what I always had growing up. But I never liked it. I never liked the fact that it stayed in the shape of the jar when my parents plopped it onto the plate. And then they would just slice is up. Yuck.

Last year I made cranberry sauce from scratch, and loved it! If you don't make anything from scratch for Thanksgiving, you should at least make this because it's so much better and way too easy and quick.

1 pound whole, fresh cranberries
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup OJ
2 tsp. orange zest

Cook over medium heat until it thickens and most of the cranberries pop open, about 8 minutes.
Enjoy!

No Pigging Out on Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Natasha and I survived our day of fasting the day before our day of pigging out. NOT. If you read my last post, you'll know that Natasha twisted my arm to get me to fast with her today so that we will have more self-control on Thanksgiving Day. Pigging out is not an option!!

I have to confess....I was not having a good attitude today. Even though I agreed to fast, I was not completely sold on the whole thing. I really, really wanted to eat. The last time we fasted, I drank coffee with cream and sugar and Natasha said I couldn't do that anymore. So I was not happy with that.

And I didn't even really pray. While my family ate lunch, I sat on my bed throwing a spiritual temper tantrum. I held the bible in my hands and had my head down, but I wasn't really praying or communing with God. Not good.

Also, I didn't get much sleep last night, so I was really tired all day. I had so much cleaning to do to get ready for tomorrow, and I really just had no motivation to do it! So, I finally realized I just needed to take a nap and get caught up on sleep. I actually was able to take a 2 hour nap! I musta really needed that. I felt much better when I woke up.

We actually agreed to just fast breakfast and lunch. We both ate dinner like normal. So, that made me feel better too : )

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. I would love to hear how it went for you, eating-wise. What kinds of yummy things did you eat? Were you able to control yourself and not pig out? I hope so! May God receive glory for the way we eat and enjoy ourselves on Thanksgiving Day!

Hungry

Hungry, a song that I sang last night at bible study. I am not sure who wrote it, but it is about spiritual hunger. I am not sure I feel this way all the time, but I want to.

Here is the song...

Hungry, I come to you for I know you satisfy
I am empty, but I know your love does not run dry
And so I wait for you , So I wait for you.

I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus you're all this heart is living for

Broken, I run to you for your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know your touch restores my life
And so I wait for you, So I wait for you.

May this be my heart's cry. Praise you Jesus.

Weigh In

As we weighed in this week, I was not happy. The scale was not my friend. I had gained 6 pounds. Now, mind you, this was over two weeks. But, needless to say, this is not good.

In all seriousness, I have not been recording my food intake, nor have I been exercising like I should be. So, now I am picking myself up again. Again. I exercised Friday afternoon and yesterday. I have followed my eating program, and wrote everything down. Yes, I am not happy about this. I don't really feel like doing this, but I know that I have to. I want to feel better about myself. I want to be healthier. Most of all, I want to honor God. I do not want to separate myself from Him.

Another thing that Claudia and I talked about was the fact that we are not giving God the first fruit of our time each day. We made a commitment this week to do just that thing. Of course, I also suggested the all day fast the day before Thanksgiving. Wasn't that a funny post by her? I am serious about that. I am addicted to sugar and need to break that. I need to realize that Thursday is not a free pass to sin!

With all of that said. I know that God still loves me. I need to remember that. God is not surprised by my sin. Of course, it is not an excuse to sin, just a reminder that I can approach God at all times. He still loves me.

Praise you Jesus!

Late Weigh-In

Hi Everyone! I am so sorry I haven't posted....my computer has been down! And it isn't even up yet; I am on the computer at my husband's office. So, now I am trying to get caught up. I am going to have to keep it short because I don't feel like being here all night on Saturday night! {not that I don't love blogging and sharing my life with you guys :O) }

Natasha and I weighed yesterday and I was so amazed. I was down 1 pound. I was sure I would be up a couple pounds because I cheated at the beginning of the week, and then stopped writing my points down at the end of the week. But, I did exercise twice as much as what my weekly goal is {yay!}. So, I was pleasantly surprised.

I need to do better this week, though. I want to lose 9 more by Christmas, and at this rate, it ain't gonna happen! So, 2 pounds this week. 2 pounds. 2 pounds. 2 pounds. 2 pounds.

Oh, sure. Lose 2 pounds during the week of Thanksgiving. Mmm-hmm. Sure.

Well, Natasha had a great little idea for us. She is well aware of her weaknesses and they're the same as mine. When it comes to Thanksgiving, we have a tendency to treat it as a "free" day and allow ourselves to pig out.

Well, seeing as pigging out (eating too much) is gluttony, and the Bible is clear that gluttony is a sin, and is usually held up at the same level as drunkenness, then there is never a time when it's okay to do it.

So, Natasha proposes a *great* plan (hear the sarcasm in my voice?). It went something like this:


Natasha: Why don't we fast on Wednesday?

Me: {straight face. no response}

Natasha: I just think it will help us on Thanksgiving.

Me: {straight face. no response}

Natasha: When we fasted the last time {24 hrs} I found that I was able to control myself better the next day.

Me: {straight face.} Mm hmm.

Natasha: Well, why don't you just pray about it. Maybe we could fast for 2 meals, lunch and dinner.

Me: Alrighty. I will pray about it and get back to you on that. {straight face still.}


In all seriousness, she's probably right. But, my problem is, we just fasted! It was only supposed to be once a month, and it's only been like 2 weeks. I told her we should have just waited until this Wednesday for our first time fasting together. But, I will probably end up doing it.

Fasting really is an awesome thing for me spiritually. So I know it will help alot and I probably won't pig out as bad on Thanksgiving, and just be thankful for the food God gives me to enjoy and to sustain my body. Thank you, Lord!

Life's choices

Today I realized how much I was mistaken about my weight issues. I always thought that "all I had to do" to lose weight was eat less and expend more energy daily. Simple right? The bottom line is, in fact, less calories/more energy. But I know now how much my food issues are tied into some many other aspects of my life.

For example, I do not make the time each week to make a shopping list, shop, chop and plan meals. Instead I eat fast food, freezer meals or make dinner plans with others. (which leads me to not be a good steward with my finances)

I do not plan my exercise for the week. And if I do, I usually allow myself to be inticied by other social activities. (which again does not make me a good steward of money and time)

I do not like to be alone at home. I used to, but I think I feel more worthy if I am busy. So I fill up my days with friends/family/bible studies..anything to avoid being alone. These things are not bad in themselves, but sometimes I feel so overextended that I miss out on my ''rest'' with Him. (bad steward of time management)

Which the above things leads me to be tired. I am exhausted and anxious, then I turn around and eat. I stay up too late..do not sleep properly which is not good for me physically or mentally.

Then, because I am tired and conflicted, I usually become passive/aggressive. I do not confront situations that upset/hurt me and just stuff it down. Usually with food.

So, again, I realize that I must change other things in my life to stop this cycle of overeating. It is not just a matter of saying I will eat less. Maybe it is, but I am just making this all too complicated? I do not know. I am waiting patiently for wisdom to come.

Onto a positive note:
I love that God speaks to me through His Word. I love that He gave us His Words for us to read at any moment. I love that He is faithful when we are not. I love that I am forgiven. Thank you Jesus!

1-Meal Fasting

Today Natasha and I are fasting for just one meal-lunch. And, I think we agreed that we would not save those points/calories for the rest of the day; rather, we count them as if we used them (Natasha is doing a diabetic-type diet, and I am doing Weight Watchers).

This morning I was so tempted to just eat a little extra, knowing that I would be losing about 8 points at lunchtime. But I didn't. It kinda defeats the purpose, ya know? So, hopefully, by God's grace, I will control myself the rest of the day and just eat normal.

So, my normal snack time is 3:00, and it's 2:20 now. So, I plan to have a yogurt and maybe some pretzels. And then dinner will be at 5:30. Which reminds me! I need to get it in the crockpot!

Keep your eyes on the Lord and honor Him in all you do today!