Fasting for the Win!

Decided to tackle my eating habits to cut out the sugar and late night snacking. Ran across an intermittent fasting tracker and decided to take the plunge. 

It's been a little over a month and I've eliminated 95% sugar from my diet, along with white carbs, pasta, rice, and potatoes.  I also started walking every day (weather permitting) and lifting dumbbells.  I drink more water and black coffee with no more flavored creamer.  My eating now consists of veggies and fruits, protein, very limited cheese, wheat bread on occasion, avocado, seeds, almonds, and homemade protein shakes once in awhile.

The fasting portion has been relatively easy, especially since a good portion of the fast you are sleeping.  Was doing a 16-hour fast with an 8-hour eating window but I just switched it up to 17-hour fast and 7-hour eating window. I usually eat breakfast/lunch around 11am then eat dinner between 5pm and 6pm and start my fast, which has eliminated my evening snacking.  If I want a snack during the day, I eat celery with hummus - in fact, made from scratch hummus with less salt and it turned out incredible!

And the great news is so far I've lost 23 lbs! Also feeling much better without all that sugar in my system!  I don't feel hungry and don't have the cravings for crap food.

I plan to continue with this program until I meet my goal. And of course I'll have to buy a whole new wardrobe which will make this all worth it!!

Mice and Moon and Birthday Oh My!

Received a gift certificate for Michaels for my birthday so swung by last week to browse.  Ran across some Christmas mice marked down 80% so picked up a few. Stripped them down, dug out the pile of fabric, and made them clothes.  Aren't they cute? Made hats out of acorn tops - one of them had a knob on top that looked just like a bird so I went for it.  May just swing by tomorrow to pick up a few more!

Had a little hummingbird visit who hung out on my metal flower sculpture. Sweet!

Snow came to visit last week. Thankfully it was just for a day.

Full moon was beaming like the sun the other night. 

Happy birthday to my youngest son Sam tomorrow!  He's turning the big 30 - hard to believe he's 30 already!

Mr. Thirty with his girlfriend

Kudos to son Jordan who just did his first commission sketch. He drew a tattoo for a client based upon his input. Turned out great and he made some cash!

Happy President's Day tomorrow and Happy Day Off for me!!

Check In for February

Going back to work has really interfered with my personal life, including blogging!

Christmas was great having the boys and Candy over for breakfast and gifts.

The new year brought Manny to OHSU for surgery to remove the remaining amount of tumor.  Chemo and radiation had reduced it by 95% so just a small amount to be removed. The biopsy showed negative for any cancer on the edges so he is now cancer free!  

Todd and I turned 61 on January 30th. We met up like last year at the Fiesta Bonita to celebrate, which of course included the hats!!

I spent my birthday getting my hair colored adding lowlights so it wasnt so bomb light!  My hair goddess Abbie even gifted me the service so that was a nice surprise.

Sam and his girlfriend Shelly took Manny and me to dinner the Saturday after my birthday.  We were going to the new restaurant in Castle Rock, Amauros, but the parking lot was so packed we went across the street for Mexican.  Good times.

This last week the Blue Jacket Divas met up at Riggos Latin restaurant to surprise Sally on her 80th birthday. We had a good time visiting and celebrating Sally. From the pictures, she had a good time as well.

My friend Marie asked me to repaint an old birdhouse and create a memorial rock to place on the burial spot of her pet lizard Mushi.  Painted the birdhouse using Dallas Cowboys colors as she's a cowboys freak!

For my birthday I bought myself a new dog, who I named Stella. Isn't she cute? No potty problems, no chewing, and already trained!

Have a great week everyone!  Here's a beautiful pic of the sky for you to reflect and count your blessings!