Why Not Just Eat It All?

 I was asked a question today about my juicing. Oh and by the way I am not full force on this. I am doing juicing throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and snacks but now eating dinner with the fmaily. I guess I wasn't as ready as I thought I was.  Having to cook food for the rest of the family is hard to do, at least right now. I do plan on doing a juice only in the near future but for now baby steps.
 Now back to the question that I was asked today was "Why not just eat all the fruit and veggies? Why does it have to be juiced?" Okay technically two questions. I guess I could eat all of the vegetables instead of juicing them but I really don't think I could eat as many as I put in one juice drink. Example my Morning Eliminator  has 4 carrots, 1 lg. cucumber, 1 lg. beet, 2 apples and 3 stalks of celery with a touch of  ginger and sometime a little lemon. That is a lot. Another thing I thought of was when I have something like a cucumber I like it with salt, when I have a beet I like salt and vinegar on it. I seriously don't think I would like sitting down and eating all of these with a fork. Plus the preparation of these foods would take way more time. Maybe I am lazy but it is so easy to wash them, cut them up a little and just let the Vitamix do it's thing.
 I have been having cut up fresh fruit & veggies for snacks. Funny how cravings change over the years. Last year I would have been wanting a Hershey with almond candy bar or two but now I crave fruit, veggies and protein most of the time.
 This like most things that I try are learning experiences. I was starting to get down on myself for not being able to stick with the full juice and no chewing food but instead I have learned that it isn't a competition I need to do what my body needs and that is that.
 I know I need to add more movement to my days so I am doing this gradually too. I know that when I go at this with a all or nothing approach  I burn out and don't stick with it. So baby steps for me. I need to make life changes not just changes till I reach a goal.
 I am currently working on finding out what holds me back from doing the things I want to do in my life. So many excuses but none that truly make sense to me.
 Any questions or thoughts I would love to hear from you. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Juice Feast For Health

 After watching the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, by Joe Cross on HULU. I thought about doing a juice feast but just wasn't ready for it. Now this was almost a year ago. Then since I have been weeding out the process foods out of the families diet and especially mine I watched it again. Deciding that this is what I needed right now at this time in my life. 

 I had been doing some juicing off and on but at least once a week. I have noticed the difference in when I drink juice and when I don't.

 Well I have been wanting a Vitamix machine for a long while now and I have had some money being put aside just in case I had a big purchase item. Well I found at the Vitamix  website and I found that they have reconditioned one for cheaper but you can still get a 5 year warranty. I ordered mine but got the extended 8 year warranty for just a little bit more. 

 Isn't it beautiful! 

  So me having OCD issues I waited till today to start using it on my first day of my Juice Feast. Most people would call this a juice fast but I feel that I am still getting my nutrition just not having to chew it. I will be adding physllium and a fruit protein powder to my juices at least once a day. Just to make sure I am getting enough fiber and nutrition. 

 This morning I made my breakfast that consisted of : banana, orange slices, pine apple core, carrot, homemade yogurt (sugar free), ice and physllium. Now I am going to listen to my body if it is needing something besides the juice I will listen to it. I think this has been one of my problems in the past is NOT listening to what my body needs or wants. 

I couldn't believe how quickly this thing chopped and mixed everything together.

 Looking into orange tropical goodness

 And my breakfast of  a champion (ME) yummy!! 

 I have been dealing with an ear infection for over a month and just this past week it has gotten really painful and closed up for a day. After much sleeping off and on, Reiki, then using oils, hot moist compresses it is feeling a little bit better today. I will continue to do what I am doing and hopefully by the end of this week it will be completely gone. 

 For today I need to run errands, make yogurt, wash and Monday chores. My might do list is make curtains  for our bedroom and do some independent studying. 

Everyone have a wonderful day. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Energy

 If  you have followed my blog for a while you know that back in 2010 I went back to school to become a massage therapist. One of the classes that enticed me into taking the master body worker program was the Eastern Paradigm. This is Eastern modalities that deal with acupressure and energy work. It was during this class that I was introduced to Reiki and chakra's. Soon after graduating and getting my license I decided to take the Reiki class becoming a Reiki Master. It is a wonderful gift that I enjoy. 

 In the last part of last year there was a class offered Chakra Alignment by my Reiki Master Jimmy, who was also one of my instructors at the massage school. I have been wanting to take the class but it never seemed the timing was right. Finally this past Saturday I was able to take it. I mailed in my payment last month so I would make sure to get it in. The class was very small, informative and a lot of fun. It was somewhat of a review of what I had learned in school but in greater detail. I won't go into a long explanation of what chakra's are and what goes on in a session. Some people think it is a bunch of hooey and some call it voodoo. All I know is I have seen and felt it work. I am lucky enough to have experiences in this life that some may not have. I try to be open minded to things.  Anyway we each received beautiful stones &  pendulum to help us with our sessions in healing. 

Each stone is for the individual chakra's I think they are just beautiful. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Request In Comment Section

 On Saturday May 26Th I posted about the Bountiful Baskets and my sweet friend Megan requested that I post about what I will be using all the veggies and fruit . I will do my best with this.
 I serve at least 2 veggies with dinner, cooked or raw depending on what we are having. Trying to add more colors to get the maximum of all the nutrients into my families diet.
 I have made a huge salad with the lettuce. I chop it, put it in a salad spinner and then add all the goodies to it. I place it in the refrigerator with a moist paper towel and cover with foil. It will last for almost a week this way. If I want it to last longer I would leave out all the added goodies (nuts, cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs). Also since this is a darker green leaf lettuce I will also use these in my juice.
 Oranges I like chilled, skin cleaned off and then cut in sections in the fridge for snacks or put on the table for lunches & dinner.
 The cantaloupe cut up and ready to eat. Same with the pineapple.
Pineapple is great in smoothies or use them with Hawaiian Haystacks.
I use at least 2 apples a day in my juice, plus snacking on.
The artichokes will be boiled and eaten with dinner, dipped into some butter with a little garlic. Cooked and put on pizza or added to pasta .
Orange peppers are so yummy to be grilled, chopped and added to omelets, or my favorite is just cut up with a  little salt and dipped into ranch. I have some pre-cut for the week for snacking on. You could also stuff these with a meatloaf filling and cook. Alan doesn't like peppers so I don't make them for us.
 Potatoes will be used for home made fries. 1 potato per person is usually enough. Cut up in to wedges, dredge in oil, placed on a cooking sheet season or salt very well then cook at 450 for about 35 min. or more till done to your liking.
 I cooked up some of the corn for our cook-out on Memorial Day. I will be grilling the rest for dinner this week.
 Tomatoes I LOVE! I enjoy adding these to sandwiches when I have them, slicing them for salad, you can hallow these out saving the insides, make a chicken salad, add the insides to it and stuff the tomatoes with it. YUMMY! I like sliced tomato with a little sea salt and just munch on for a snack.
 I know this is a lot of basic things but I love having the fresh veggies and fruit.
 I have cut WAY back on having pre-made snack garbage in my house with more fruits and veggies. The family is getting use to having to make things to eat instead of just getting something from a box then being hungry 10 to 15 min. later.
 All of these micro nutrients that are in the fruit and veggies are so important.
 I suggest of those who have Netflix watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It is a great documentary. Now I am not a vegan but I am limiting my meat intake upping my veggies and fruit to a good portion of my daily intake.
 If anyone has any question, thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear from you. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Bountiful Baskets

Have you heard of Bountiful Baskets? It is a food co-op that you order on Tuesday then later in the week it is delivered to a location where you go to pick it up. In our situation it is at our park in our community. 

The baskets contain 50% fruit & 50% vegetables and it is 100% yummy! The price is reasonable and it is actually kind of fun because you never know exactly what you will be getting. So what I do is after I pick up my basket (or in this case we bought 2) I take it home, go through it and then decide what meal it will be used for on the menu. Of course there is usually plenty for snacking.  Being that we are trying to eat less process foods this is perfect for us.

This is the basket that I took and filled up plus I had a large reusable shopping bag with items in it. 

Doesn't this just scream fun? I am a little weird and think it does. 

 Yummy corn for Mondays cook out

 Navel oranges, pineapples, cantaloupe,  2 bags of Fuji apples and bananas 

 Tomatoes 

 Artichokes and orange peppers

 2 heads of lettuce

 and last but not least potatoes 

So happy with all the great foods we got today. I brought it home made my list and prepped a bunch for meal and snacking .

Hugs, Bobbi Jo 

I've Come A Long Way Baby

Yes I've come a long way baby in just almost a months time. I have been clearing clutter, dis-owning things and enjoying the freedom of all of this. I still have so far to go but I feel I have made a great dent in my minimalism journey.

Looking back on a few key areas

Went from this 

To this

Now this no longer exists. 

This scary mess 

To this

This pantry full of canned processed stuff 

To this and then 

To this. There are still cans in here but slowly I am getting rid of them

Glad to have the open spaces and knowing that I am feeding my family with a healthier choice. 

Slow and steady is working out well. 

What have you been up to lately? Would love to hear from you.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Induction to National Junior Honor Society

This year Faith was invited to join the National Junior Honor Society. So she filled out the paper work, got recommends from 3 of her teachers and after them going over all the paperwork and such was excepted. Last night we went to the induction ceremony for the new members. This is Faith getting her spot on stage. 

 Faith is at the far right bottom row & third in. 

 Faith looking very happy

 After the ceremony Alan took us out to dinner to The Olive Garden to celebrate. The food was so yummy and we all had a good time. 

I had to get a picture of Faith when we got home. I think she looks so pretty and we are very proud of her. She is an amazing person who is as beautiful on the inside as out. 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo (proud mamma!)

What's Cookin?

 Today was a fun and busy day. I must say I enjoyed it so much. Being at home and not really having to be anywhere was really nice. I woke before 5 and did a distant Reiki session. Then I got ready for the day.

I worked in the garden and look what I pulled out! They are so chubby

What do you do when you A LOT of broccoli? Well of course you make cheese and broccoli soup. It is so yummy. I also made a broccoli salad that I didn't take a picture of.

 

I swear Coco (our oldest) and I are on the same wave length in our thinking. She and I had been reading the blog Money Saving Mom. She has a fill your freezer in a month cooking segments going and I was thinking that was something I should do. I use to do a lot of freezer meals. Funny thing is Coco was thinking the same thing. So today I got started on it. I made Freezer Waffles. Hoping this will get kiddos to eat breakfast instead of skipping it.

This is the waffles in my maker.

Waffles on the cooling wrap

I used wax paper and have two waffles per piece to keep them from freezing together.

This is all the waffles I made today. I then placed them in a Rubbermaid container that is almost like a basket (Sorry no picture of it) and placed it in the freezer.

And another satisfied kiddo. Faith came home from her first baby-siting job and said the waffles smelled so yummy. So I let her have one before she left for her second job. 

I then decided to make homemade yogurt. With trying to eat healthy and avoiding the additives I thought this would be a great thing that we all love to eat. So this is the yogurt in the making process in the crock-pot

The crock -pot is hiding under the towel. It must be shy! Actually you are suppose to keep it well insulated for 8 hours so this is where it will sit till tomorrow morning. I haven't made yogurt in over 2 years it is great to get back to the basics of yumminess. 

And that is what I got cooked up for today. I am working on this weeks menu and will be doing some more cooking this week to put in the freezer. 

Now I am off to get dinner ready for tonight. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

In 20 min. & Update

Thursday evening everyone was gone. I hadn't been alone in the house for a while. So what do I do in my alone time?

Well I organized kitchen drawers.

This is the way the drawer started out. Not too bad ....

This is how it ended up. I moved things around in several drawers and made homes for things that I use. The other items are being donated. Letting go of the great chef & dinner entertainer that I held on to for so long felt good. Yes I enjoy cooking but I don't need all of the tools that I had. The items in the drawer were in a chicken canister that was on the counter top. 

Better don't you think? 

This is the next drawer. Much messier. 

And after.

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse well check out this one. 

This isn't suppose to be a junk drawer although it holds some odds and ends. 

I think this is way better and more efficient. 

Very happy with the results. But there is so much more to do.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures they are from my phone but, hey at least I remembered to take them. 

Now update on my workout. I have been faithful getting my workout in. Feeling good and enjoying the increase in the energy already. Amazing! 

 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Letting GO

WARNING: This post is a little more serious that what you are use to from me!
 I have been going on a lot about de-cluttering and letting go of things. It is a slow process but so worth the feelings I am having.
 I've also been thinking about all the things that I am still holding on to in my life. These are not material things but experiences, anger, disappointments, emotions that are doing me no good what so ever. I need to work on these things to get them out of my life forever.
 As I have been working on slowly changing my eating habits, eliminating processed foods, fast food and pre-made garbage in my life I am feeling better but not losing weight as I had hoped to.
 I know back in 2009 I worked my but off literally to lose weight and I was getting into shape and feeling good about myself. Long story short I decided to go back to school full time, Gabby went into the hospital, life got way too crazy. Then this past year I had been working, had several surgeries and procedures that put me out of commission and I still don't feel like I have gotten all my strength back from those.
So now the work begins.
 The work I am starting needs to continue for the rest of my life. I can't stop this time. I know all the above mentioned of the emotions and such all need to be taken care of and dealt with. I know as a healer I need to be at peace to help others to heal or they can feel it in your touch and mannerism.
 My 1) goal as of starting tomorrow is to get back on the proverbial  horse or in this case the treadmill. I am starting out slow due to it has been a long time since I have worked out. This is so sad to say but I am keeping it really folks.
2) practice meditation daily
3) incorporate yoga into my week maybe just 2 times this week and adding on to this
4) deal with issues that have been eating at me or I have been eating because of
5) make me a priority in my day every day

I will follow up and let you all know how things are going. Hugs, Bobbi Jo