No Takeout Challenge Update #3

Goldfish--a family favorite

We are chugging along in our No Takeout Challenge.  It hasn't been easy.  I've been craving brisket and potato salad from Bill Miller's.  I will have to buy some brisket and place it in the slow cooker.  I've heard one can also make barbacoa with brisket; I could make several meals with such a large portion of meat. 

Baggies labeled for reuse

Our portioning out of snacks is working greatly.  The snacks are lasting longer.  I still have one of two boxes of Goldfish in my cabinet.  Of course, the cabinet is in my room!  I have been holding onto snacks in my room for a few years so my kids won't overeat them.

Last night, I put beans in the slow cooker.  I then made some flour tortillas this morning.  I wanted these two ingredients for some good meals over the weekend.  I can make refried bean tacos.  We can also make potato and egg tacos.

I can't make tortillas all the time.  Hubby asked me to make the tortillas for the weekend; the tortillas are too fattening.  I just wanted to change things up a bit as I have been craving tacos.  I know that making the tortillas is labor intensive.  I do think, though, that my arms get some good exercise.

We keep running out of milk.  We already buy 3 to 4 gallons.  That isn't enough.  I'm gonna have to buy the powdered milk again.  It worked in the past, but it takes time to make.

Lastly, I hope to create a unit study about cooking and health.  I have some notes that I had written up months ago.  It might be time for me to put it together.  It would be fun to start the new "school year" this August with a family fun-packed study about how to put a nutritious meal together.  It goes without saying that I would love to share it with you, my dear readers.

Thanks for reading this update.  I appreciate all your tips and prayers.  I hope to share more tips next week to aid others in this challenge of going without takeout.  Stay tuned!

I've accepted this no-takeout challenge, which began Friday, July 1st to December 31st.  It is not easy, but I know it is worth it.  I want the many benefits that can come from not eating out.  If you want to know more about this challenge, you can visit the SIX Month Money Challenge Facebook page.  If you would like to join, please "like" the page and join the yahoo group that accompanies it, as well.

How about you, my readers?  How often do you buy takeout?  Have you ever tried not buying takeout?  What's the longest you've gone without takeout?  I encourage you to see how you can cut out takeout.  I think it's worth a try.  The benefits are endless.

 

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Weight Loss Update: I've Lost Two Pounds

Healthy meals are a must!

I've lost 2 pounds...but will I keep 'em off?

I've gained and lost the same two to three pounds during the last year.  I've tried exercising.  I've tried eating a few different diets.  I've eaten the wrong foods.  I've changed a few things recently.

My family is participating in a No-Takeout challenge.  We are staying away from restaurants for six months.  If we want something that we would normally buy at a restaurant, I am trying to make it.  Over the weekend, I made tortillas.  I wanted a bean taco, and I ate it this morning. 

Hubby is learning to embrace spinach and smaller portions of potato chips.

I have continued to make portions of cereal and snacks.  I've now portioned out ice cream.  It is amazing how much ice cream has been served out before.  Only half a cup, like the container of Mott's applesauce,  is a serving.  That means we had all been over-eating ice cream.

Reusable cup helped me portion ice cream.

Half (1/2) a cup is 4 ounces.

Portion control = lower calorie intake.

Because I have a severe skin-condition, I have done some researching.  I've found that rebounding, or jumping on a trampoline, could help me.  I suspect I have clogged lymph nodes.  Since I can't afford a trampoline, I have started jumped up more when dancing.  I could jump rope, but that hurts my feet and knees and is not realistic in a small indoor living space.

I'm back to taking some supplements.  Taking Chlorella because it helps repair cells in the body.  I'm taking Chromium Picolinate because it helps control cravings.  I'm taking Cranberry because it helps the bladder.  I'm taking Acidophilus because it provides beneficial bacteria for the gut.

By posting this update, I wanted to jot down what's working for me.  I would also hope this information helps someone else.  Please pray for me, if you have a chance.  Weight loss is not the ultimate reason for changing food choices and exercising.  I want to feel, and be, healthier.

Thanks for reading this entry. I appreciate it.

How about you, my readers?  Have you struggled to lose weight?  Have you struggled to eat right?  Have you struggled to exercise?  I encourage you to consider bite-size changes in your life, gradually accumulating the better habits in your life.  If you need to improve your health, search your heart and ask God to help you.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints that I discussed here are just my opinions.  Please consult your physician before altering anything relating to your health.  I am only suggesting here to take charge of your health.  Don't just leave your health in the hands of your doctors; become your own advocate.  You know best how your body is doing.

 

Moderation to Aid Health

Chocolate animal crackers are delicious.

Animal crackers are delicious.  Chocolate animal crackers are even more delicious.  Eating too many animal crackers is not a good idea, but how do you stop it?  Do we have willpower to eat one serving size of animal crackers?  What about pre-measuring?

One serving size of these animal crackers--16.

Used sandwich baggies to divide portion sizes of crackers.

Enlisted help from child who learned how to count.

Individual baggie holds one serving size of animal crackers.

Enlisted same child to create portions of Cheetos--her favorite.

Reused an ice cream container to hold baggies of Cheetos.

I also worked on our cereal, which turns expensive when the kids eat too much in one sitting.  I worked on Cheerios, generic Honeycomb, generic coco rice cereal, and Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, too.  I really needed to do this because our kids need to see what an actual portion size looks like.  They saw me use measuring cups to divide the portions.  They now see the baggies full of one portion size of their favorite cereal and snacks.

Kashi cereal was portioned out, too.

I reused the box to hold portioned servings.

I hope this idea helps someone.  I thought I would show that, with moderation, a snack can be pleasant.  My primary reason for portioning out cereal is for financial reasons.  Cereal and milk have run out mid-week.  I could also see the health benefits of measuring out portion sizes of cereal and snacks.

Well, thanks for reading this entry.  I made it to tell of how I am working on my No Takeout Challenge.  

How about you, my readers?  Do you ever overeat?  Do your kids ever overeat?  Do you need to pre-measure your packaged foods?  I encourage you to consider breaking down cereals into serving sizes.  You just might find that your food lasts a little longer.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints that I discussed here are just my opinions.  Please consult your physician before altering anything relating to your health.  I am only suggesting here to take charge of your health.  Don't just leave your health in the hands of your doctors; become your own advocate.  You know best how your body is doing.