Add the Recipes, Subtract the Weight!!

Only a week since my last update!!! I'm getting better at this whole keeping up with blogging thing eh? Time seems to be flying by since we came back out to our new home in Nebraska after Christmas. I guess that's what happens when your working 50 hours a week, going to the gym and forming new friendships--I wouldn't change a thing about that. Being busy keeps my mind right and to me, that is what is most important when striving for success. Although things at work have been a bit stressful with the new position--I am really loving it. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming and I fall more and more in love with the brand every day. Even with my busy work schedule, we have been able to maintain our healthy eating habits during the week--and even on the weekends! We did order some Chinese food on Friday night after the long week--but we made wise choices and typically we would go out to eat both weekend nights--this week we kept it to one night. Saturday was taco night with crockpot chicken tacos--amazingly easy, yummy and super healthy! I weighed myself for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday and I am done a full EIGHT pounds simply from cutting back portions, eating right, and exercising. I was so encouraged by this that I went straight into the kitchen and chopped up fruits and veggies for the week. I love seeing that number on the scale drop, such a great feeling especially when you know that you truly deserve it because you have been working so hard. My new goal is to have a green smoothie for breakfast at least 3-4 days out of the week. I am considering saving up for a vitamix--the last time I attempted to blend kale in my ninja blender I experienced little pieces of NOT fully blended kale coming through my straw--not the best tasting smoothie by a long shot. With that being said, This week we tried some new recipes and had some that we keep repeating each week. I really am obsessed with the crock pot. It is so amazing to come home from work with a hot meal already done with NO prep. Love that. Here are some pictures of the recipes we tried this week. SO yummy! Enjoy! Until next time-- J

Lemon Basil Crockpot Chicken (see recipe on previous blog)

Deadwood walking trail--newly discovered behind my house:)

Grilled Brown Sugar Chicken with Broccoli and Sweet Potatoe

Organic Chicken and Veggie Stir-fry with veggie salad

Fridge stocked with healthy foods from Whole Foods! Free range organic chicken, fish, shrimp and produce!!

Low Fat Brown Rice Stir Fry with Wild Caught Shrimp and Veggies

A New Year, A New Start!

2013 was an interesting year to say the least. I was off on a great start at the beginning of 2013 for my health and fitness progress. I had lost 13 pounds and was down a dress size, which was freaking awesome. But those of you that know me, know that I had suffered with digestive issues for a long time. I had a super clean diet and couldn't figure out why I was still having all of the issues. In september I was diagnosed with an issue having to do with the colon which called for major surgery. My surgery was at Mount Carmel in Westerville on October 21st. I had one of the best colon surgeons in Central, Ohio--so I was confident. Surgery went well except for a small set back. The surgery was supposed to be completed lapriscopically, meaning only two small incisions would be necessary. During surgery, the doctor had to make a decision to make a larger incision in order to take out the parts of my colon which needed to be removed. I now have the 7 inch scar across my bikini line as proof. Waking up from surgery was probably the most painful experience of my 24 years of life. I can't ever remember feeling that kind of pain and that little pain pump that they give you? Not. even. close. to being enough. I spent 7 days and 6 nights in the hospital before I was able to head home to Wadsworth for a very lengthy 8 week recovery (which turned more into 10 weeks). I still have a day every now and then when I get some spasm like pains but I am finally capable of getting back into working out. Sitting on the couch for 10 weeks straight recovering with no exercise was not exactly what I needed for my weight loss. And the giant scar with the scar tissue has caused me to put on some additional weight in my stomach which I am really unhappy about--so it is time to get back at it. I am so excited to not only re-lose those 13 pounds but to finally reach my healthy weight for my height. It has been about 6 years since I have been at the weight that I should be for my height and now that I am finally in the best medical health of my life, I am ready. This is my year. This will be the year which I FINALLY reach my goals. No more excuses. No more looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person that I have become. No more not feeling pretty. I am taking control of my life and my body and thus, my happiness. I start my new job this Monday at Cabelas as the Marketing Communications Promotions Specialist and Nick and I are joining the gym after work. I guess I forgot to mention that after surgery we up and moved to Sidney Nebraska? Yeah...big life change would be an understatement. Nick got an incredible job as a Senior Video Manager and financially we had to make the move. So we are busy adjusting to our new lives out West too. It's all very exciting right now and I can't wait to get back into a routine. I used to blog about random things on here but from here on out I plan to just use this blog to write about my health journey and to share healthy recipes with you! I just spent $200 grocery shopping for healthy clean eating items and I have all my pinterest recipes printed out. I will be posting all the recipes which turn out well, and which we enjoy. I hope to share things with all of you that are on this same journey! Thanks for reading and be sure to check back next week for some recipe updates:) 

In health and happiness--Jordan