Who do you see in the mirror?

So this past year has been a life changing year for me. When I start something I dedicate myself to whatever it is completely.  For a while....... Then I usually jump completely off ship and revert back to my old ways. It's a vicious cycle I've been battling my whole life. 

After losing my son Wyatt in January of 2011 I completely gave up. I did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. I ate/drank to my hearts content. I justified my behavior by saying I deserved it. I deserved to let go. I deserved to find some happiness somewhere. I love my food and i love my drink but I was chasing a happiness that I could not find in food or drinking. It kept me satisfied for a minute but all I did was make myself VERY unhealthy and even more so unhappy. I hated that person looking back at me in the mirror. 

In November 2013 I joined Weight Watchers. I had to change something! I also tried to quit smoking which I quickly went back to. I dropped the first 20 lbs so easily! I wasn't exercising just changed my eating habits. I lost another 18 pounds over the next couple of months. I had lost 38 lbs by July 2014. Then I plateaued. I was going to meetings and halfway working the program. I was tracking my food. But not consistently. I was guessing points on foods which I'm sure was way off. Then came the good old holidays. Usually the time I would stop going to meetings and say I would go back but wouldn't. I did go back this time. The support from the meetings is something I have to have in my life! I crave my Thursday mornings with my amazing support group!!!! From August 2014-January 2015 I slowly put on 12 lbs!!!!! I was so disappointed in myself. But thankfully to my amazing leader Ali she wasn't gonna let me give up! Over the last 2 months I've lost 10 lbs and have started for the first time incorperating excersize 4-5 times a week. And I quit smoking again! 18 days!!!!

Even though I have not consistently lost weight every week I am so proud of who I am today. Today I look in the mirror and see a woman who has known the deepest darkest places but crawled out of that place. I see a person who still trying to find her way. I see a woman who is learning healthy living and succeeding. I see a woman who did not give up and will not give up! I'm not going back to the person who can't. Because I can. I see a woman who is healthy and refinding her spirit. Refinding her path to God.  Finding her happiness! 

I cannot wait to read this post a year from now. I know I will succeed.

Who do you see when you look in the mirror? If you don't like what you see.... How can you change that? Life is too short to not love our beautiful selves. This is your one life. Make it count.

~D

Let's talk Bone Broth...

 Bone broth. The first time I heard that term I thought "Ewwwwwwww that sounds disgusting!" Now when I hear the term bone broth my mouth starts to water. I don't know if it it is knowing all the actual benefits to drinking it, the process of making it, or both. Let me first tell you this is the cheapest, healthiest beneficial thing you can do for yourself. 

Let's first talk about all the health benefits of making your own bone broth.

 

I myself think that is quite the list of benefits! Not to mention is definitely helps with weight loss as well. Drinking or cooking with bone broth is so healing. It contains nutrients that are not usually in our every day food, including gelatin, collagen and glucosamine. These are especially good for healthy digestive systems, strong bones and joints. These are things your body requires to be as healthy as possible. Also great for your hair, skin and nails.  

Here is my BONE BROTH RECIPE

You can always save up bones and freeze them until you make a batch. This time I started with a whole chicken. Of course you can use beef bones as well. Some people add chicken feet and other stuff. I just stick to my recipe. :)

First I started my basic stock recipe. 

1 whole chicken 3 1/2 lbs plus

1 large onion

2 carrots peeled and roughly chopped

3 celery stalks halved

1 TBL chopped garlic

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1 cup apple cider vinegar

Throw everything except the vinegar in a large pot and cover with cold water  Bring to a boil and simmer until chicken is cooked through. The chicken is done when the leg is loose and wiggles easily on the bone. 1 hour plus- depending on the size of the chicken. 

Remove the chicken carefully with as many utensils as possible since the chicken will be very tender.

Place it on a plate. If you do not have time to let it cool, get a bowl of ice water to dunk your hands in a and it will make the chicken easier to work with. Pull all the meat off and put aside.. Take all your bones and throw it in your crockpot with the stock you just made along with 1 cup apple cider vinegar. The vinegar helps soften the bones.  Cook on low for 12-72 hours. The longer you cook the more nutrients you will get. If icky scum is sitting on top skim it off. When done you want to strain it in the finest strainer you have. 

Then I split my broth into two. One I left as my traditional chicken bone broth. The other half I seasoned with cumin and corriander and lime juice for a Mexican bone broth.

After it is cooled I put in jars and bags. Freeze most of it. I kept a jar in the fridge for immediate use. 

I cook with it, or drink a cup of it. It is so delicious and it is great if I am ravenous in the kitchen at dinner time. I drink a cup while I am making dinner and it curbs my appetite and I end up eating less than if I waited and I inhailed whatever I was cooking. 

 

I hope you give this a try and see the benefits for yourself!

~D