Scared Heart...

Diet is a bad word at my house during the holidays, but after a traumatic holiday photo session it was apparent that Mom and Dad Kuhtz needed to do something... and 6 weeks of gluttony (2008 and 2009) was not it. Enters the Sacred Heart Diet... 7 days of soup, things that I will eat, and the guarantee of rapid weight loss. I don't know why I hadn't heard of this before because this is a diet that I can do and not feel deprived, seriously anytime I felt like eating I eat carrots or a bowl of warm soup (my favorite winter treat sans the slice of warm bread). Here is how it works: Make the soup, one pot will last 2 people at least 3 days of meals (lunch, dinner, and occasional snacks). Recipe: 1 large can or box of beef broth 2 cans of tomatoes- I like the organic 2 cans green beans- drained 1 large bunch of green onions, chopped 1 bunch of celery, chopped 2 lbs. carrots, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped- I used red, yellow, orange too! 1 box Lipton chicken noodle soup- the directions say 1 package but that didn't taste right to me Chopping is quick if you don't worry about how pretty they look, I like my chucks big. Salt and pepper. I added cilantro, jalapeno, and hot sauce. Start to finish the whole process takes me about 15 to 20 minutes, that includes the 10 minutes it is supposed to boil. The Week: Day 1- As much soup as you want and fruit Day 2- As much soup as you want and veggies, baked potato with butter once during the day, I added green onion to mine. Day 3- As much soup as you want veggies and fruit. Day 4- As much soup as you want, veggies and fruit. Bananas and skim milk. Day 5- Beef and tomatoes- this is weird. We just ate soup like day 3. Day 6- We cheated... it was Saturday. But is was supposed to be 10 to 20 ounces of beef- gag! One steak please! Veggies. This is a great day to eat out for dinner, how easy is it to find a steak and veggies and ask for no starch! Day 7- Brown rice and veggies. Eat soup at least once... we cheated... how can you resist pizza and Crumbs cupcakes? The Rules: NO SODA! You can drink sugar free juice, coffee, tea, and LOTS of water. Corn is a no-no. White beans no can do. The Result: Steve lost 12 pounds. Rachel lost 8 pounds by Saturday. My pants fit better, I feel better. After cheating for 2 days I do not feel bloated or gross like I usually do. No sodas or bread (pizza and cupcakes don't count) in a week and I feel great! I think this is a great diet to get you started on your real diet. Very doable especially this time of year when what we mostly eat it soup. We are planning to continue this week until Thursday and then figure out what our next step will be next Monday. The Holidays (candy, bread, parties, alcohol, etc.) kind of make it are to stick to the diet bandwagon. Wish us luck!

Blessed...

Abby asked me yesterday what I was thankful for, I simply told her I was thankful for her. But after some more thought I realized that I was thankful for many things.

We are blessed with...

• a beautiful house.
• a healthy family.
• jobs that keep us busy.
• laughter.
• two wonderful children.
• a sense of adventure, that every day is a new challenge and obstacle.
• friends and family.

For all of these things and more I am thankful.

What was Abby thankful for? "Flowers, the sun, the moon, my family, and my cat and dog."

OVERWHELMED...

Between work, Medicare phone calls, the kids, school, homework, swim practice, dance, Junior League, and a husband that is working more hours than there are in the day... I am taking a much deserved bloggy break... I will see you... January 1!

I am keeping fantasy thoughts of Maui in my mind...