Coconut Chicken aka OMGCHICKEN!

I have found that it's really important for me to pay attention to my body when it comes to food.
Since I am pretty sure that I have a food addiction, I have to be very mindful of what I am
eating, when I am eating it and why I am eating it.

You may think this sounds silly, but if you've ever tried to lose weight or cut out certain foods from your diet, you might understand.

Sometimes I will think I'm hungry, so I'll get up and start looking in the fridge or pantry... and all of a sudden, I realize - I'm not hungry at all.  I don't even know what I'm doing there in front of the fridge!!
Has that ever happened to you?  Or you see some food out and you start munchin down on it without thinking?  Like maybe after you've eaten dinner and there's left-overs or someone brought in donuts and you just migrate over like nom, nom, nom!!

Quit it already!! *Yelling at myself* haha.

So, here I am today.  Home by myself and I'm hungry.  I had 1 soft boiled egg with some deli turkey for "breakfast".  I wasn't really hungry, but knew I should get some protein in me.
So lunch just rolled around and I've been doing some work around the house.  I stop and inspect the fridge.  Hmmm...  There's some uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast from last night.  I was going to make a salad with it...

Switch it up!! Just remembered an idea I had and was excited to try it.  I recently bought some Coconut Flour and unsweetened coconut flakes.  I love coconut shrimp, but find that the sweetness of the coconut is not something I like as much.  But how about this? It's unsweetened!
So I cut the one breast into really thin slices.  I seasoned it with my favorites: sea salt, garlic, and pepper.  I beat one egg and set up a little station with my coconut flour and coconut flakes.
A little coconut oil in a hot pan?  Sure, why not!?
Dip thin cutlet in flour, then egg, then flakes.
Add to hot pan.
Only needed 2 or 3 minutes per side.  Whoops. First few pieces cooked really fast and got dark!
That's okay!!
Made a little side salad of mixed cabbage slaw (just a little bit of ranch dressing on the side) with some fresh tomato and there.  Beautiful meal.

Coconut Chicken

The chicken was SO good.  Very slight coconut flavor to the mild chicken, light crunch to the "breading" and lots of flavor from the seasoning.  I ate what was probably only half the breast and I was full.
So I STOPPED.  I could have and usually would have eaten the whole thing - after all, it's just one chicken breast - but I didn't.  That right there is progress!!

If you want to read more about coconut flour, I found a good article right here on Mark's Daily Apple.  He's got some great recipes too.

Have you tried using coconut flour or coconut products?  What's your opinion?

Doctor, Doctor! Give me the news!

Photo Source

It's been about 6 years since I've seen a doctor just for a check up.

We have not had our own health insurance for all that time - 

that means that we only went to the doctor if we were nigh unto death.

Practically.

Anyway, so my husband and I both went it today.  

It was a relief and it was nerve wracking all at the same time.

The first thing I learned - and already knew - was that my blood pressure

was really high. Okay. Working on that.

So the doctor asked me if I might be under any stress.

Um, insert meltdown.

I tried. I really tried to hold it together.

Wasn't planning on releasing the flood gates like that - 

but there it was.

I kept apologizing to him for crying. 

Oh, you know. Don't want to make the doctor feel uncomfortable. O.o 

THAT'S a whole other issue.

Okay. So after we established that I might want to see a therapist,  >.<

we talked about my weight.  

I told him what I was currently doing as far as eating and exercise

and he agreed that it was a good start.

I don't know what I was 18 days ago, but I know that I am 

at least 14 pounds less than I was at the end of August.  

I am not weighing myself at home because I don't want to obsess.

My next appointment with my assigned doctor is in two weeks.

I am also going in this weekend to get blood work done.

For the first time in FOREVER, I feel like I may be on the road to 

R E C O V E R Y and H E A L I N G.

I feel like I can get control of my health somewhat and know what 

I am dealing with...

My first weight loss goal (not counting the 14 I've already lost) is:

to lose 30 lbs.  

I just want to get to that first.  Then I will continue from there.

I will do this by: continuing with my Paleo way of eating.

I want to:

workout consistently at least 4 days a week for at least 

40 minutes.

I already pray on the daily, but I want to take it a step further and really:

incorporate some healthy meditation time into my daily routine.

I have been doing this, but I want to continue to try to:

be in bed before 10 p.m. - or 11 p.m. at the latest if it can't be helped.

The doctor would like for me to start taking some vitamins and 

he also recommended that I take vitamin D.  I would like to: 

get this through my diet directly from the source,

but will probably get something once I research what I really need.

Lastly, for now, I'd like to: continue reading and researching the 

works of Brene Brown. I am reading and learning about vulnerability, 

perfectionism, forgiveness, self-awareness, and more.  I have already 

been able to connect with so much of what she's written...even if it's difficult to admit.

So I think that's it for now. That's ALL. haha!  How about you?

Do you have any goals? Would you share one or two with me in the comments?

Thank you friend.  Thank you for walking with me as I ramble on about all of this. <3

p.s.  The doctor also said that I may want to consider cutting coffee out of my diet altogether.
What the HECKING is he talking about?? Like, can I see your license please?? *sigh*

Day 18 | Not that I'm counting...

So, I am actually 18 days into this "journey".
I write that in quotes because it's so overused these days, don't you think?
Everyone's on some kind of journey.
Well, it's true though.
This is a definite journey.

Google defines journey as 
1. an act of traveling from one place to another and also as a long and often difficult process of personal change and development.

Whoa! Do you see that?  The word PROCESS??  
Yikes!
So I guess this isn't going to happen overnight?
Hmmm...
Okay. I can dig it.

As, I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself with a vocabulary lecture,
I have been on this journey for 18 days now.
I started the day my kids went back to school.
I like starting things on a Monday, or the first of the year,
or the first day of fall, the first of something - know what I mean?
I like new beginnings.
So, the best thing about August 26, 2013, was not only was it a Monday,
but it was the first day of school.
Those that know me, know that I struggled even with that because
it was the last week of the month.  Ick.
Should I wait until September 1st??? It's on a Sunday...
No. This can't wait another week!! So, I started that morning.

I chose to go back to a way of eating that I've tried a couple times
before. It's called PALEO.
I'm not going to take the time here to get into all the details of Paleo,
because like I said, I'm mainly talking to myself here and I already
know what it is.
But just in case you stumbled upon this humble blog from out there
in cyberspace, you can just click on the link and see what's up.

I am probably not a good example of "doing it all right" because
I am learning as I go and I am also doing only what I can do right now.
Eating Paleo (and hoping to make it a lifestyle) can be expensive.  So, I
cut corners where I can, without compromising the point of eating this way,
wherever I need to.
Paleo diet basically is this:
Good: Fruits, Veggies, Meats, Seafood, Nuts & Seeds, and Healthy Fats
Not Good: Dairy, Grains, Processed Foods & Sugars, Legumes, Starches, and Alcohol

There are some exceptions, but that is the basic list.  I have not entirely cut out all dairy.  I still enjoy some sour cream and cheeses once in a while.
It's also stressed that you should be eating grass fed, no hormone, organic, caught wild, as much as possible. That's great and I agree - but it's just not physically possible for me to do that with everything, so I do the best I can and always choose the best quality when possible.

I know that the changes I've made so far have been for the better, but I have some other goals set too.

My next post will tell you what my "itinerary" or plan will be for this journey.
It's not just about food.  This whole journey is about redefining ME.

I am ready.  Are you ready?

So many reasons, but the main reason is the obvious.

Photo Source

I've just gotten really fat.
Yep. I'm not afraid to say it.
You don't have to get offended at the word - 'cause I'm talking about myself.
Basically, I've gotten to the point where I am heavier than I've ever been.
Even heavier than when I was pregnant with each of my four babies.

So, that being said. It's time. I can stand it no longer.
Not that I was able to withstand it before...
It's just that I've gotten to the point where I don't feel comfortable in
my own skin.

Here's the deal though.
I know that in order to lose weight, you have to change the way you eat.
Okay. I can do that.
You have to move - aka - exercise.
Alright. I like that.  I just need to make time for it. I enjoy it.
I've also recently learned that getting enough sleep really matters.
You got it.  I'm going to try to get to bed earlier.
But here's the kicker - high stress contributes to weight gain.
I'm screwed.

So anyway...
If you want to join me on this journey - come along. If you don't - "Bye Felicia!"
'Cause I don't need any looky loos.
I need a swift kick in the arse. Yep.
So are you with me? Or what?
I'm kind of talking to myself since I won't be announcing this blog to anyone. hehe.
Here we go.