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Coffee Talk 10.09.16

coffee-talk

Good morning, friends! I hope you’re all faring well this weekend. I think we’re getting the after effects of the hurricane this morning. I woke up to a strong wind rattling the blinds on the open window by my bed, and it’s still dark here at 7:30. I stepped outside to gauge the situation for my run, and it’s spritzing already, so I think I’ll stay put. I don’t mind running in the wind, and I don’t mind running in a bit of rain, but the two together certainly aren’t ideal conditions. I got a short 2 miles in yesterday, so I’m giving myself a free pass for today.

No matter how hard I try not to start every post with a weather report, it always ends up there, doesn’t it!?! I give up!

I’ve been checking in with friends down South, and it sounds like many are still displaced and hoping to get home soon to assess the damage from Hurricane Matthew. It has to be an odd feeling to evacuate your home and not know what you’re going back to. I’ve never experienced that. I hope y’all are hanging in there!

We never made it to the pumpkin patch yesterday. The weather (here we ago again!) was definitely not cooperating. Tomorrow looks sunny and beautiful, and the kids have off from school for Columbus Day, but it’s also my youngest daughter’s 11th birthday, and we have party plans. I hope we can fit it in sometime soon because I was really looking forward to doing something festive for fall this year.

On the flip side, since I was at home yesterday afternoon, I was able to catch up on bookkeeping, and I went through all the boxes in my office and the clothing I want to return, and it’s all boxed up and ready to go to the post office. Plus, I got all the stuff I sold on my Instagram mailed out last week, so my office is actually cleared out and tidy! It feels amazing. It’s been ages since I had it this cleared out. It’s amazing what I can accomplish when I’m home all Saturday afternoon.

Let’s see, what else?

Ooooh, I tried a new recipe last night I want to tell you about. I saw it on my friend Darcie’s blog. It’s so simple but so delicious. My family gobbled it up and told me to feel free to make it once a week. It’s simply roasted potatoes, sausage & asparagus, and it’s a one dish dinner. Gotta love that! It does take about an hour to prepare, so you have to have some time, but it’s a great easy dinner to keep in rotation.

I’ve had a few people mention my weight loss on Instagram lately. I guess it’s starting to be noticeable. I’m not trying to lose any more. In fact, if I do, my clothes are going to be too big, and I have no desire to replace my wardrobe.

My goal with the new eating habits was to a) feel better and b) fit better into my clothes. I have achieved both, so now I’m trying to figure out how to stay where I am in both respects. I’m noticing that now I’m more sensitive to the crappy foods when I do indulge, which is kind of cool, because it’s a deterrent, but on the other hand, it’s kind of a bummer. I’d like to still enjoy crappy food from time to time, ha!

I guess I need to get moving here and get ready for church. I teach the preschoolers this morning, so I can’t be late. I hope y’all stay dry and have a blessed Sunday!

Join The Conversation

25 Responses

  1. Just curious – what changes have you made to your eating habits? I may have missed it if you’ve mentioned it before. I tend to play catch up on your blogs on weekends. You look fantastic!! Enjoy your Sunday.

  2. The feeling of evacuating and uncertainty of not knowing how your home fared is an experience we have had on several occasions. Once with a wild fire then several hurricanes. During the fire I took the kids to my parents house. Mama was trying to reassure me and all I could come up with is “mama I won’t even have clean underware”. Leaving our home last Thursday at 4am, what was the last thing I grabbed? All my underware! I wear the soma brand that won’t give you a wedgey. Can’t lose them, they cost too much! God as truly blessed us by allowing us to live in paradise. We live along the banks of the St. John’s river. Matthew destroyed all our docks and we had a large limb penatrate the roof of our garage. Some trees are down and screen enclosure is messed up, but everything is repairable. We are fine and so are our neighbors. Family is safe. We are blessed! I guess what I’m trying to say is that the feeling of uncertainty really restores the appreciation we feel for the place we call home! We love where we live, and this massive amount of work set before us is worth all the effort it will take to get it accomplished. God is good, he has provided all our needs!

    1. That’s funny about the underwear. (I should remember that, should I ever be in a similar situation – I’m picky about mine too! Haha!) You have a great attitude about it all. So glad you are all safe and the property damage isn’t too severe.

  3. How much have you lost and how long did it take you? Just curious because I’m doing a similar eating plan and have lost 12 pounds so far but want to lose more. You look great! Love your blog!!
    Debbie

  4. We have only had to evacuate 3 times in the last 10 years. Definitely a scary experience, especially when you’re listening and watching weather reports that your town is getting hammered. We’ve only come home to one major devastation-our home was flooded and totaled by Rita. We lived in a travel trailer in our yard for 6 mos as we rebuilt…good times, ha! I’m just so thankful that was pre-Austin. Now that would’ve been interesting!

    I will definitely have to check out that recipe…sounds like something we would love!

    1. That sounds like quite a trial! You have a good attitude, and yes, I am sure it was good that it was pre-Austin. 🙂 That would add a whole other challenge to the situation.

  5. I know you’ve blogged about your new diet before, but could you do another post on what your diet looks like these days? What do your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners look like? I tried the whole 30 before and it was too time consuming, expensive, and restrictive. I found I got sick of my go to meals and ran out of quick and easy foods to eat. I would love to be able to revisit it if I could find a way to make it more manageable. Reading about the modifications you made might help me to reasses and try again.

    1. I’m pretty boring, and I still eat much of the same stuff — eggs with veggies mixed in for breakfast, salad with protein on top for lunch (and homemade salad dressing or no salad dressing – I’m lazy) and then dinner varies, but mostly a meat and veggie and maybe a potato. Popcorn for snack attacks and berries or other fruit for a sweet treat after a savory meal. I do take cream in my coffee, and I have wine with dinner. It does get old, and it’s not cheap to eat well – especially fish – but then I think about what I’d spend on takeout, and I figure it’s a wash financially and so much healthier for us to eat food I cook at home. I try to cook an early dinner on the nights that are busy with kid activities so I don’t resort to takeout. The biggest challenge (for me) is the planning and grocery shopping. If I have good choices in the house, and none of the things that tempt me to binge on crap, I’m good. But when I don’t have what I need to cook, or I have a weak moment and bring home crap from the store, I find myself sliding back into old habits (takeout, snack-fests, etc.) 🙂 It’s a daily choice, even though it’s becoming more and more my new normal. 🙂

      1. The recipe you shared today looks great! My issue is inspiration for clean menus that the family will eat. I get weary of complaints or even things that don’t taste good to me and revert to old menus that aren’t too healthy. How do you navigate that with kids and hubby?

        1. Honestly, mine don’t complain that much. My girls eat anything, and they can always get a snack later if they aren’t full from dinner. My biggest issue is my son is already under-weight, and he doesn’t eat much of the dinners I’ve been cooking recently. He never complains, but he will pick at things. I was always the mom who figured they’ll eat when they get hungry, and I never worried if my kids picked at their dinner. But he is getting so thin, I am thinking I need to start making a big pot of rice or pasta or something that he will fill up on. As far as foods tasting good – i do like eating this way. If I make a meal that I don’t love, I figure, oh, well, a chance to drop a pound, ha! But I think you do have to try to find recipes you like and the family likes, or it won’t be sustainable. I googled easy whole 30 recipes, and asked around for easy ideas, and I’ve found quite a few good ones. I’ll try to keep sharing here when I find new ones. 🙂

  6. I did notice your arms looked quite thin in a sleeveless top you posted recently. I think you look fabulous (as always). I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. It’s a go-to for us lately. Thank you for sharing it!

    1. Ditching empty carbs and sugar has made all the difference, but it’s bigger than that. It’s about taking on a whole new mindset, I think. I realized I have to look at the carbs and sugars the same way as I look at gluten (I’ve been gluten-free for several years.) I don’t even want glutenous stuff, usually, because I view it almost as poison. If I can see the sweets and sugars and empty carbs the same way, it’s easier to avoid them. I tell myself they’re gross. 🙂

      The hardest part is the grocery store. If I have weak moment and bring home crap, then I eat it, and feel like crap (ha!) If I can be strong and not bring it home, I do fine here at home with only good choices. Planning is key too – especially with meals. I have to make sure to have plenty of fresh ingredients around at all times.

      I do allow myself an occasional indulgence so I don’t feel completely deprived, but I’ve learned that one indulgence leads to another, so I feel better off when I just avoid the crap entirely – especially sugar. Sugar makes me feel yucky after I eat it, but it also makes me want more sugar, so it can be a vicious cycle. I think it’s better to avoid it altogether.

  7. I like it that you include weather in your blog chats- it gives me a little more knowledge about Philadelphia weather . I sure agree that weather affects pretty much all we do so it makes sense that you chat about it!
    You always look very pretty, slim, and trim- glad you are feeling more energetic and healthy!

  8. You look amazing! I notice that you wear mostly skinny jeans. Is this the “it” style or just what you prefer? I am pretty curvaceous and I know skinny jeans are supposed to look good on everyone, but sometimes I can’t quite get them to fit. Any suggestions?

    1. Hey Beth. Skinny jeans are definitely trending, although bootcut is making a comeback, which is nice. I think women should wear what they look and feel best in – and skinnies aren’t the easiest look for everyone to pull of, although I think they can with the right top and shoes. It depends largely on body type. They do work well for me, and I also just think they’re the easiest to wear (no worries about heel height, etc) so I do wear them mostly. If you are curvaceous, try a “curvy” style like Joe’s Honey Curvy Skinnies: https://rstyle.me/n/b23przgthw. Other brands have curvy styles too. I hope that helps!

  9. Hi there, I too recently lost some weight so my clothes fit better and I feel better overall…yay!! I allow myself one cheat day every week where I eat whatever. I also don’t feel well when I eat crappy food but the once a week indulgence really keeps me satisfied and in check 🙂

    As always, thanks for sharing and you look fabulous!

  10. You are looking amazing! I, too, eat clean and run (and do CrossFit- can’t forget to always mention that HAHA!). Eating clean has made such a difference in how I feel! I know just what you mean about eating crappy food and feeling it! My hubby and I take one day off each week (Mondays- our “metabolism reset day”) and every Monday I indulge in sugar and carbs (because yum!) but then every Monday night I feel so gross. It even carries into the gym Tuesday morning. It is amazing how even just a little non-clean foods can affect a person! But since we eat such a limited menu, reset day is super important for us- physically AND emotionally! I couldn’t imagine a life without chocolate- but a life with just one day of chocolate a week I can handle! HA! 🙂

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