My Weight Loss Journey Week One

Ah, the dreaded scales. If you’re like me then you probably hate to face the number looking back up at you when you’re standing on them. The first 6 months after Levi was born I pretty much could have cared less about my weight. All I cared about as a first time Mom was taking care my son the best that could. Babies cute and cuddly but boy do they come with a lot of work attached to them (don’t worry – it’s worth the extra work!)!  After that it seemed like we zoomed right into cold weather and the holiday season. I did my best to find time to walk on the treadmill but extra time is not something that I have a lot of. Then in January when Levi was 10 months old I committed to lose the baby weight HERE. Well, guess what?! Since then, 5 months later I’m down 5 pounds. Sigh! Obviously I haven’t been working very hard on this. So the time has come for me to do a weekly “Weigh In” on how things are going and to keep me focused on my goals.

Losing weight is never easy for me. It’s always a frustrating journey. The last time I lost A LOT of weight I was still living at home, had little responsibility, was exercising 2 hours a day and eating like a bird. In other words I wasn’t doing it the healthy way. Now that I’m married, have a baby and work a full time job it hasn’t gotten any easier. I just look at unhealthy food and I gain weight – forget about what happens when I actually eat it. But I still know that I am capable of losing weight IF it’s what I really want to do. And it is.

What is driving me to lose weight?

#1 – I want to be healthy. And at my current weight I’m above the recommended weight for my height and frame.

#2 – Heart problems run in my family. I want to run faster do my best to stay healthy and keep my heart healthy! Despite the fact that I already eat a pretty healthy diet at 31 years old my Cholesterol is borderline to being high. It drives me CRAZY that my husband and I eat almost the same foods and he has great Cholesterol and mine is a little less than stellar.

#3 – I want to be able to keep up with my one year old. I want to be a healthy example for him to look up to!

#4 – I want to be able to hike with Husband without sounding like I’m going to die. LOL!

#5 – I like to be able to run 5 miles. This is a lofty goal seeing as how I hate running and can only do maybe a mile if I really put my mind to it.

#6 – I have all these cute summer clothes that don’t fit and I was really hoping to be back in them by now.

So I have my eye on the prize and now I need to set small goals to reach until I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and then I can focus on my goal weight.

Goal ONE: Get to 165 pounds. I’ve been so close several times but I haven’t been able to get there!

Pregnancy Weight: 205

Week 1 Weight: 167.4

Lost: 37.6 pounds

Pounds to Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 17.4

Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 150

**Goal Weight: 140**

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is by far my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. Maybe because it tastes so good or maybe because people can't stop eating them and always say how delicious they taste(everyone likes a compliment none and then, right?). There's no doubt that it's incredibly hard to stop at just one of these unless you have a lot of will power. However, tonight I proved it can be done! This jar is on it's way to work with my husband tomorrow. The first homemade treat I've made since he's started this job. I'm hoping they are a hit!!

Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 - 3.4 ounce package of instant vanilla pudding
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a small bowl, combine flour and baking soda
• In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, sugar, butter, vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla. Mix until well blended
• Add eggs and mix well
• Beat in the flour mixture
• Stir in chocolate chips
• Use a cookie scoop to drop rounded teaspoons onto cookie trays
• Bake for 10-12 minutes
• Let cool and enjoy!

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Essential Oil Varicose Vein Relief

What are Varicose Veins? Varicose Veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. The veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in your legs. When the valves do not work as they should, blood collects in your legs and pressure builds up. Although not dangerous, varicose veins can cause a great deal of discomfort when you are on your feet for long periods of time. 

Garlic capsules and Vitamin E supplements are a helpful aid in the treatment of varicose veins. Walking is the best form of exercise for anyone with this condition, but any gentle exercise is better than none. After long periods of standing, sit with your feet elevated to the same height as your head. 

This recipes uses a combination of essential oils that promote blood flow and may help get rid of of the blood clots causing the varicose veins. 

Varicose Veins Essential Oil Spray

• 4 tablespoons of Grapeseed Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 10 drops of Cypress
• 10 drops of Lemon
• 5 drops of Marjoram
• 5 drops of Geranium

Mix your ingredients together in a 2 ounce spray bottle. Spray into your hand or strait onto your legs. Stoke the legs very gently from ankle to thigh.

Here is a list of essential oils that promote circulation and blood flow. 

• Basil
• Cypress (highly recommended)
• Fennel
• Geranium (highly recommended)
• Grapefruit
• Helichrysum (highly recommended but oh so pricey!)
• Lemon (highly recommended)
• Lime
• Orange
• Rosemary

In addition to promoting circulation there are also oils that will help with the inflammation that often occurs with varicose veins. 

• Chamomile
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Marjoram (great if your varicose veins are causing you pain)
• Peppermint

You can mix and match any of the essential oils that promote circulation and help with inflammation in your essential oil spray. Just make sure to choose at least 2 oils from the circulation list. 

Always enjoy 10% off your entire www.sparknaturals.com order with 

coupon code: simplyhealth

***The information contained in this post is for information purposes only. It should not be used to replace professional medical advice or prescriptions from your physician or other health care professionals. 

Rosemary - Item Of The Week

Properties: 

• Analgesic 
• Antidepressant
• Anti-Stringent
• Carminative
• Cephalic
• Diuretic 
• Stimulant
• Hypertensive

Rosemary is both a physical and mental stimulant and has traditionally been used for stimulating the mind, enhancing mental clarity, treating skin disorders, relieving stiffness of joints, and stimulating healthy hair growth. It is good oil to use in your morning shower but is also perfect after a long tiring day. 

This antiseptic oil can be used to treat the following conditions:

• Muscular sprains
• Arthritis
• Rheumatism
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Memory loss
• Migraine
• Headaches
• Coughs
• Flu
• Diabetes

It can also be used for hair care(dandruff), treating acne and cellulite remedies. 


Always enjoy 10% off your entire www.sparknaturals.com orders when you use coupon code: simplyhealth

Mother's Day With My Little Man

As Mother's Day 2014 comes to a close my heart is grateful that God blessed us with this sweet little boy. I'm so thankful to be his Momma and for the joy he brings to our lives! I'm thankful that he's a healthy little dude and love watching him grow(even though it happens so quickly!). Yes, there are moments with him that seem to drag on forever(like when he wants held all evening long and cries if you don't) but for sure the good times out weigh the bad times. 

He's a crazy little man and full of character and is NEVER still. There are so many moments that I'd love to know what he's thinking. He loves reading books, playing peek-a-boo, bath time because it involves playing in water, Silly Songs with Larry and being outside. As a general rule he's a pretty happy little man and brings a smile to the faces of most people around him. Look at him! How can you help but smile?!?! If only I had a dollar for every time someone told me how cute he is...     

Mommy loves you little man!! <3

Essential Oil Foot Soak

{This blog post may contain affiliate links}

Warmer days are just around the corner(hopefully!) and it's time to get your toes and feet ready for flip flops and sandal season. This is the perfect foot soak to get your start. It will help soften callouses and get your feet ready for a at home pedicure. I just tried this soak today and after some scrubbing my feet felt so soft!

Essential Oil Foot Soak 

1 small handful of epsom salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 drops of lavender essential oil

3 drops of lemon essential oil

3 drops of peppermint essential oil 

Place ingredients in a large basin and fill with very warm water. Soak feet until water is cool, rinse and follow with a lavender peppermint sugar scrub.

Sweet Almond Oil Foot Scrub 

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon sweet almond oil 

3 drops each of lavender, lemon & peppermint essential oil

Mix ingredients and gently scrub feet concentrating on calloused areas. Rinse with warm water and follow with your favorite foot lotion.

Always enjoy 10% off at www.sparknaturals.com when you use 

coupon code: simplyhealth

Free Shipping at Spark Naturals!

Spark Naturals is celebrating their first anniversary! As a thank you to all their customers and because Mother's Day is right around the corner they are doing something special. April 30th through May 5th they are offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders (USA orders)!

The even better part is on top of the free shipping you can also enjoy 10% off your entire order with coupon code: simplyhealth 

It's win-win for everyone!! If you're still last minute shopping for Mom stop by www.sparknaturals.com and grab some essential oils so you can whip her up a sugar scrub or bath salts as a Mother's Day gift!