Transformation Tuesday

I get asked a lot how did I lose so much weight?  The answer that I give is always the same.  Diet change and I added exercise.  Different types of exercise too.  I found that changing my body was much more monumental in my life that I could have ever imagined,  It took me not only on a new physical journey, but it took my on a journey to gaining confidence and a strong spiritual life as well.  Change is hard, with change your not comfortable, your always uncomfortable.  However; it's well worth it.  We only have one body, one mind one spirit, and we need to take care of all three equally.

 As a parent I want more than anything to teach my kids that they are worth taking care of.  That they shouldn't put themselves on the back burner. I want to teach them that in order to take care of others well they need to care for themselves first.  Physically, emotionally and spiritually .

You are worth it. Take care of you.  If your still here on this earth still breathing you are needed for something.


Happy Tuesday!

75 lbs down and counting! 

I Need a Doctor

There’s an awesome story about Jesus.  It’s about when he went to Jerusalem for a festival and in this part of Jerusalem there was a pool called Bethesda.  In this part of town there were a large number of people whom were disabled.  But, there was this one particular man; he had been there for 38 years and Jesus noticed him.  When he saw him he asked him this question “do you want to get well?” The man replied “that he had no one to help into the pool when the water was stirred” and then Jesus said to the man “Get up pick up you mat and walk” and at once the man was cured. John 5: 1-19

  

This scripture goes into conjunction with our lives at certain points.  We want to get well of whatever we are suffering from (physical and emotional pain).  But, it seems like when we try to get up we are unable.  What I find interesting about this, is that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well?  Seems like a silly question right? But it’s the perfect question. Because in order to get well, it requires the full participation of the patient, the man in the scripture was ill for 38 years and in one split second he was healed.  How? Because he believed and because for the first time he really wanted it.  Mark 2:17  On Hearing this Jesus said to them. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Friends it doesn't matter how long you have been suffering, in a split second the Lord can heal you.  But the real question is “are you ready?”  Like Jesus asked “do you want to get well?”  How do we get well? Take action!  Pray read the Bible and develop a personal relationship with our Lord, and tell him you are ready. Psalm 107:20 says “He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave”.

No Pain No Gain

For a while I was using my pain as AMO...I was using it to throw in the face of those who hurt me. I had it locked up inside of me and I held onto it and I used when need be..while really the only one I was hurting was myself...I was miserable. I decided one day to give it God.  Literally, I was in my closet getting dressed and I said "I don't want to feel like this any longer"  I asked God to take away my hurt and my anger at the person who hurt me. The Lord heard my prayers and he took that pain away. How did that pain go away? It wasn't easy..... But I chose to forgive. Why did I do this?  because I am forgiven.  Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins". 

 The worst pain I've experienced in my life has brought about the biggest change in me. Spiritually, mentally, and physically. Does it still hurt? Yes. But I don't live there anymore. I moved on. I am better than what my past did to me. I am strong and fierce. I can handle whatever comes my way. Not because of my own capabilities, but because of what God has equipped we with. I thank him daily for standing up for me when I couldn't stand. He is my rock and my fortress. There is light beyond your darkness...there is peace where you never knew. Our pain is not meant to debilitate us, were not meant to live in it, we are meant to move on from it and learn from it. 2 Samuel 22:3 "my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge."

Thank You!

I am back! I've been over at www.christianwritiers.com starting my ebook, So I've been working like crazy getting it critiqued and looked over.. But I'm back! Thank you all for being so patient with me.  and continuing to follow.  I wont' be posting as much since I will still be working on my book, but I will be posting nonetheless.  Thank you to all my followers for sticking with me! and looking forward to continuing this journey of life with you and with our Lord guiding us.  If you have any suggestions or thoughts you would like me to write about please let me know.  You can reach me by email at  theprospectofjoy@gmail.com.  


Romans 1:8
... I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you ...

Never Give Up

You are capable of more than you know.  You can achieve what you have never thought you could accomplish.  You are important. Your life is significant, no matter how insignificant you think it may be. What you do matters. You are here for a purpose. You are not an accident. You may not have been planned by your parents, but you were planned by God.  Each and everyone of us hold something incredibly special that we have to offer this world. We have something even more special that we can offer ourselves. Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Hold yourself accountable. Put God first and all will fall into place.

I posted this video because every time I see it inspires me.  It inspires me to know that even when this cold dark world tells us that "you can't"...YOU CAN!  It may hurt, you may fall, but get back up because the end result you will be running.

Asian Beef

In our house we don't really eat steak...However; we were really in the mood for the other night. I decided to make this Asian beef recipe which is super quick and easy.  The flavors are perfect! and it's great for these hot summer nights.  Our family gobbled it up! Happy Friday! From my kitchen to yours!

What You Need:

1 ( 1 1/2- to 2-pound) flank steak

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 Tablespoons honey
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons minced fresh ginger
3 scallions, thinly sliced

Gluten Free Substitute soy sauce for Braggs Liquid Aminos 1/8 of a cup

How To:

Place the plastic bag in a large bowl and then add the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and oil to the bag. Whisk in the honey, garlic, ginger and scallions. Add the steak to the bag, flipping it to coat it in the marinade, and then seal the plastic bag.

Place the steak in the fridge and marinate for about 2-4 hours the longer the better though.

When ready to cook, remove the steak from the fridge and preheat your cooking surface (grill or stove top grill pan). Remove the steak from the marinade.  Boil  the leftover liquid on medium for about 5-10 minutes.  Sear the steak on each side for about 4 minutes each side. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes and then slice it against the grain and serve. Once the marinade has finished boiling add it on top of the steak for added flavor. 

Transformation Tuesday

The one question that I get asked frequently about my weight loss journey is how did I change my snacking habits?  I was a horrible snacker before…our kitchen counter was littered with sweet goodies.  I would take, a bite here, take a bite there and it would add up quickly.  I loved chips, salsa, nachos, cakes, cookies, lots of sweets you name it! If it was terrible I was most likely eating it.  But what I discovered through my weight loss journey was that if I didn't kick that habit I was just going to the gym for no apparent reason and just eating my calories back in seconds….literally in seconds.  

 So, needless to say I changed my snacking habits drastically.  What I hear from so many people is that it’s the food…and I agree! the food is absolutely the most challenging part for all of us.  I know that if someone told me that If I had to spend 4 hours a day at the gym but I could eat whatever I wanted I would have no problem with that….The discipline is in the kitchen….

With that said I changed my habits…my snacks are typically around 120 calories or less and I’m a portion person…I think for everyone it’s different.  I like to have a lot of something so what I did was try to find things that were low in calories and that I could have a lot of.  Pretty much, I live off of olives, hot and sweet peppers, and spicy vegetables for an “anytime snack” If I want a little nibble this is what I go to because it’s quick and it’s satisfying to me.

These are exactly what I snack on a daily basis...

The Sweet Peppers are fairly large and you can have 3 pieces for 15 calories!

The Giardiniera which is my favorite (the spicy vegetables) you can have 5 pieces for 5 calories and for the Olives you can have 24 of these for 18 calories!

Like I said I am a portion person...If I see that I can have a plate of of all that for under  38 calories I then add a protein which is 2 laughing cow cheese wedges for 35 calories each  which means that I have a nice little platter that would be only 108 calories and it's super satisfying and delicious! 

64lbs down and counting! 

I am not a dietitian, I am only telling you what has worked for me.   Always consult with your doctor before changing your diet.