Needs vs Wants

It's a rain drenched day in the countryside and we're home on the mend. The meds I was given for my sinus infection seem to finally be kicking in...I can taste more of my food and breathe a little better. The best part is that most of the pressure in my sinuses has been relieved. Thank you Jesus! G is still a snotty mess, continuing to run a low grade fever. The doctor said it's just a cold and like all things, this too shall pass...we just have to wait it out. Poor baby.

I've been doing really well with my sodium intake and portion control. I can't wait to do my weekly weigh in on Monday (I've never looked forward to that haha). I've been learning an important, long awaited lesson over these last few weeks: need the food you eat. I know you're thinking, duh, we NEED food to live. Yes...but do you need to eat pasta multiple times a week? Do you have to submerge everything in a tasty cream sauce? Do candy and other sweet things have to be a staple in your home? No.

Needs vs Wants is a topic that I teach in my first grade classroom. It's funny because I've never really applied it to my eating habits but it totally goes! Do I need another helping or do I just want one? When I want something sweet, do I need a handful of Rolos? I'm learning to accept substitutes. Substituting seems so much better than completely denying myself. If I want something sweet, instead of a handful of Rolos, I opt for an apple and peanut butter. Every once in a while I'll indulge, but I'm proud to say these sweet treats are becoming the exception instead of the norm.

I'm learning what my body needs. This is not to say that I do not occasionally enjoy a white fudge Oreo or a delicious creamy Alfredo, but I'm learning and embracing the idea of giving my body more of what it needs instead of what it wants. (And I'm told in time my body will begin to actually want what it needs...yippee!) I'm expanding my nutrition horizons. This week I ventured into the world of kale. This resulted in a go to "healthified" version of one of my favorite soups, Sausage, Potato and Kale, a BBQ Chicken and Kale pizza and a Sausage and Kale breakfast casserole. Yum!

I'm also learning how to balance the things I eat and portion control. A lot of prayer has also gone into this. I continue to give this "getting healthy" part of my life to the Lord. I honestly feel like this submission has been one of the biggest reasons I've felt so successful over the last 3 weeks. When I get the urge to go against my discipline, I feel that gentle pull bringing me back to what I know I need to do instead of what I want to do. I also believe this is a major reason why I'm feeling more content when eating. Just three weeks ago I would not feel "full" if there was food left on my plate or extra left on the stove. I would just have to have an extra helping! Now I feel content after eating. If I'm hungry a little while later I have healthy snacks just in reach. God is good and evident in all things.

This healthy way of life has also challenged me in my cooking. I'm finding healthy alternatives to many things I use...primarily sodium. It's amazing how many low sodium/sodium free options there are! (Thank goodness!) Tonight I'm treating us to a tasty Balsamic London Broil. It's a new recipe so I'm hoping it turns out well. I'll probably pair it with some brown rice and green beans.

This next week, since my illness seems to be subsiding (fingers crossed) I'll be beginning the exercise component of my health goals. Woohoo!

P.S. I'm so proud of my bestest for making it to the gym this morning! You rock!

New Recipe!!!! BBQ Chicken and Kale Pizza

For the last few days I have not been able to taste anything. So, this evening, as my taste buds began to come back to life, I was trying to decide what to make for dinner. I had a comforting soup on the menu but I did not have the energy to make it (even though it would have totally been worth it). I then thought I'd go for a quiche or pasta dish...but nothing seemed to jive. I hate the thought of wasting anything and the kale will only hold out for so long. So...I decided to opt for pizza...and kale? Oh yes. I've been breaking into using kale and I am so excited that I now have another "go to" recipe!

Here's the "how to".

Preheat your oven to 350.

Crust
1c white flour
1c wheat flour
1 pkg quick rise yeast
1c hot water

Begin by mixing the hot water and yeast into a medium sized bowl. Let it set for a couple minutes. Then add the flour. Mix until a ball forms. Flour your hands and need the dough until all the flour is combined. Roll out onto a cookie sheet or pizza pan. Set aside.

Toppings
1c kale, washed and chopped
1 1/2c shredded chicken
6 tbsp. favorite barbecue sauce (I prefer Garland Jack's Sweet Brown Sugar)
1c shredded Monterey Jack cheese

In a bowl, mix the chicken and 2 tbsp. of sauce. Take the remaining sauce and evenly spread it over the pizza crust. Evenly distribute the kale over the sauce. Next, toss on the chicken. Finally, evenly sprinkle the cheese over the other toppings. Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes.

It's SO YUMMY!!!