Well...I am just wondering if anyone is out there reading this blog. It has helped me, and I hope it can help someone else. Tony & I started phase 2 of our diet. That means that we have been on this for about 6 weeks. I am praying that God will continue to help us through this phase as well.

Butternut Squash Fries

Peel a butternut squash. (This is so good, you will want to use a couple of them.) Cut in half and scoop out the seeds and discard. Cut the pieces into small bite sized pieces.

Create a mix of salt, pepper, chili seasoning (all to taste) and olive oil. (I am addicted to the greek seasoning too, so I add that in as well.) Pour the mixture over the squash, making sure that each piece is covered. Put in the oven (350 degrees) until the squash is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

This is an adapted recipe from my favorite cook, Rachel Ray.

It is a family favorite.

Grilled chicken with Polynesian peanut sauce

I made this tonight for dinner and it was great! Very different from the usual, especially if you are on a diet and you eat chicken all the time.

Use boneless chicken and then make a marinade of Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic, olive oil and greek seasoning. Pour it over the chicken before putting in the oven to bake at 350 degrees (I didn't put amounts, because it would change according to how much chicken you had.)

While the chicken is cooking, combine 2 tablespoons of NATURAL smooth peanut butter, 4-5 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt (sour cream works great too), 1/4 of a small onion and 1 clove of grated garlic. I know it sounds disgusting, but it makes a really tangy sauce that has a unique flavor. I think it is a love it or hate it recipe. Sometimes I mix in a few packets of sweetener. The whole recipe has 200 calories and you only use a few tablespoons.

Serve it with the chicken.

Let me know what you think.

Are you addicted to the scale too?

This only happens to me when I am on a diet, but I use a piece of plastic and metal to tell me whether or not I have been doing what I am supposed to do. Something is wrong with this picture. I know that I have been measuring and counting calories and that I have been good. I know I should not be so dependent on the scale to confirm that. I guess it is only normal. Anybody else with ideas on this subject?

TCAP writing test, parent-teacher conferences, awards ceremony...ugh! What a loooong day yesterday! I thought about how much I would normally eat during this day. Chocolate would always be my friend on TCAP days, because I needed something to help me through the stress. Then, when parent-teacher conferences came, I would consume a couple of cups of pimento cheese and crackers and chips and probably more chocolate. It was wonderful yesterday to just depend on the Lord to get me through the day. I had more energy and I knew that I was counting on something that would not let me down. He has never failed me before, and he didn't start yesterday. Another victorious day! Thanks hubby for praying for me yesterday!

Our Journey Begins

My husband and I have been on this weight loss journey for a little over a month. I wanted to share with others our struggles and victories in hopes that it would encourage others to be more than conquerers through Him who made us. It is only by God's grace that we have been able to be so successful this far. To date we have lost a total of 58 pounds together. More than that, we have learned to depend on God and not on food. He is truly all we need. I hope that our journey, told through this blog, will give God glory for changing our lives into healthier servants for Him.
Christie