Discussion Board

I can relate to not wanting surgery. I'm getting labs and a CT scan today because scar tissue from a surgery a decade again seems to be growing back, starting to obstruct urine getting from the kidney to its desired destination. I'm getting more uncomfortable in general plus having episodes of plain ol' pain, and I won't have any choice but to have it fixed. There is a part of me that wants to stomp my feet and say "I don't have time for this!" But, the Bible says: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Perhaps the good in this will be to force my kiddos to learn some more responsibility about the house if I can't do things for awhile.

My daughter is truly a source of stress and concern. She is just amazing at avoiding work, doing a horrid job, making a job taking F O R E V E R to do, etc. I've given her extra work as punishments, removed everything from her room except a bed and some clothes, etc. You name it, doesn't seem to matter. That, along with tween attitude, and let's just say she is enough to drive me to my knees.

Well, moving on, my weight loss has been at a stand still for a couple of days - that time of the month I think (I had a hystectomy years ago, but every month I get a little bloated, weight loss stops, I get moodier, etc) plus getting in a mood about the heath issue and munching on nachos. Yeah, not my best move, not sure what got into me. Could have been the three hour wait at the doctor's. Not an exaggeration, I was there that long before I saw the doctor. OY!

Don't get me wrong, I have SO much to be thankful for, and I truly am! I could list a ton of things, way more than I have to pout about, I just needed to vent briefly. Anyone know the feeling?

Thanks for the warm welcome and the encouragement. To those of you struggling with health issues, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. By the grace of God, I am healthy now (well, except for this extra 50 or so pounds I am carrying around, and hoping to get rid of by following this eating plan, and a little bit of back trouble, which will probably leave along with those extra pounds), but I have been through more than my share of health issues - cancer, back surgery, more surgery to correct problems with the surgery, etc.

I know that God can and does heal miraculously, and that he also heals through doctors and medicine. We all want to avoid surgery and meds as much as we can, but I believe they can also be God's instruments of healing of our physical bodies.

On the food front, thanks for the support and reminders that whole food is the best. I do try to eat that way as much as I can, and am really enjoying discovering so many new foods that I had ignored for all these years! My "cheating" usually comes when eating out, when I can't check for ingredients in the bread or whatever. I'm sure that avoiding eating out is the best solution, but that is one thing that my DH and I enjoy doing together, so I hate to cut it out altogether. We do try to always find places that have vegan options, but sometimes you just can't be sure about all the ingredients. I have cut out going to fast food places for lunch 100%, and always take a lunch to work, unless going out with a group, which only happens occasionally.

I am blessed that my DH loves to cook, and he is cooperating with my new eating plan, even tho he is not 100% on board with the idea. Last night he fixed an Indian cauliflower and potato dish and stir fried broccoli. (I know, it had added fat for the stir frying, but this is SOOOOO much better than the SAD way we used to eat that I hate to complain!) The cauliflower dish was yummy!

Luvoatmeal asked about the Devoted Bodies study that got me on this path. You can learn more about it at devotedbodies.com. There are some recipes and other resources there too. I really liked this course because it focuses on our health from a Christian perspective - how can we be better stewards of this body God has given us? It really helps me to refuse the "yucky" food when I keep in mind that I am really feeding God's vessel, instead of just satisfying myself and my desires. Unfortunately, I don't always remember that, but I am trying to have that attitude more and more.

There is so much to check out on this board and other web sites. I could spend hours and hours doing nothing else! I need to try to be wise about using my time too, and not waste too much trying to read every single thing. Sorry for the loooooong post - just trying to respond to everything I have read.

Tex gal -

I forgot to say hi .

Glad you have come to join us .

Donna

I gotta take the kids swimming but just wanted to say thanks for the prayers and concern. At least my sugars are getting low finally, my weight is comming off finally, and I'm optimistic. By the grace of God Almighty. kc

Tex Gal: I know how it is with eating out. My hubby and I really enjoy going out for a meal. Unfortunately, we don't have much choices where we live. But we do have a few.

We have a local Subway sandwich place. Granted Subway is a take out place, but they do make a really mean veggie delight sandwich. Ours here in addition to the lettuce, tomato, and onion also gives you the choice of spinach, cucumbers, shredded carrots, green peppers, and black olives. If I'm not in the mood to cook we can ALWAYS do a veggie delight.
We do have a Howard Johnsons 10 miles away. Yes, it is a Howard Johnsons. There are only 2 left, and one is ours. They have a food bar but it's too hard to do. The lettuce is usually iceburg and everything else is either meat, or salads like macaron or potato loaded with mayo. But we did find recently that on Sunday afternoons they are STILL doing breakfast. They do a mean oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins. I added a plain bagel and presto--eating out. My hubby ordered bananna pancakes. Granted, the pancakes had milk and eggs, but he justified them because of the bananna. Said they were pretty good.
We also have a local cafe. I have been ordering the Ceasar salad. Yes, it does have dairy, and a high fat dressing, but the lettuce is romaine and pretty good. And I also discovered they do THEIR OWN VEGGIE BURGERS!! Yes, it was probably cooked in oil on the grill, but I tasted kidney beans, grains, etc. They put it on a whole wheat bun with green leaf lettuce, tomato and red onion. Boy was it filling.
We also have 2 Chinese take out places. One does a steamed brocolli with sauce and white rice. You can order either a gralic or brown sauce. I know the sauce probably has some oil in it, but it sure is tasty. We are also getting a new Asian Buffet place soon. Hopefully they'll have a good menu.
Recently, we also tried a Panera Bread place 1 hour away. They have a low fat black bean soup, classic salad with field greens, romaine, tomatoes, onions and their own balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and a mediterranean veggie sandwich. The sandwich does have feta cheese, and probably some oil, but it is a choice.
We have also done Pizza Hut. Naturally, it's vegetarian pizza WITHOUT the cheese. We like the thin crust, and it is really good with all those mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, etc. And you actually taste the veggies and not all that cheese.
Don't give up that easily about eating out. Yes, it is difficult, but it can be done. There are places where you will find a few things you can eat. My hubby and I enjoy going out after Church on Sunday. Lately, we have just been going to Howard Johnsons and asking for their breakfast menu. And we recently discovered a sandwich place nearby that looks like they have some great salads with low fat dressings. This is our next place to try.
Be patient and persistent. Eventually you will find places you can go out to eat on occasion.

Hello Everyone,

I'm still here even though I haven't posted for a few days. My grandkids are off on spring break plus we have been trying to get some spring cleaning done.

I'll check back in few days when things are not so hectic.

Cathy

If your name was "Mankiller" would you want to change it? Would you want to pass on such a name to your child or grandchild?

I did not know anyone had such a name until today. Then I read the article related to this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/us/07 ... r.html?hpw

The good news means that those who believe in Jesus can get a new name. This name, Christian, is one I trust that you would like your offspring and many others to share with you.

Peter wrote, "15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name." (1 Peter 4, NRSV).

In my life I can count far more blessings than sufferings associated with this name and I am grateful! Even though Peter, Paul and many others died for the faith, they could also count greater blessings than sufferings. Paul wrote, " 18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." (Romans 8, NRSV)

So today, think about the blessings. Look up and know that it is a great honor to wear His name. Live so that others will see Him in you before they read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.

"19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6, NRSV)

Dear Father in heaven, may we glorify You in our bodies today. I pray this in the name of the One who died on the cross and rose again, the Beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.

Yes, the kids are home from school this week. So I am off to the park and WendyJane I am going to pop by subway and get the kids a sandwich. It's finally stopped raining and going to be sunny and beautiful.

i am doing fine on program. No problem for some reason. I gotta get back into cooking recipes. Last night was so awful.

Pink thanks for the words. I know He works all things together for good for those who loves Him.

My word today was 'look first to the kindom of heaven." I've been worrying about this leg and praying. for today, I am gonna stop, think of Jesus and focus on Him. Have a blessed day, kc

Hello to everyone!

I have had a crazy couple of days, topped off by a fender bender this morning in our driveway of all places... sigh. But God is good no matter what, and I choose to praise Him today for all His many blessings and wonderful promises in His Word.

tex gal - thank you for the link to devoted bodies. I looked at it briefly due to time constraints, but I will check it out more very soon!
I'm so glad that you have joined us here. It sounds like you have been through some serious health issues, but I'm sure that vibrant health is in your future by following Dr. McDougall's guidelines.

kc - I'm glad your blood sugars are lower and the weight is coming off - yeahhh!! You are right, it is God's grace and help.

catmatt - have a great time with your grandkids and the spring cleaning

pinkrose - I'm thankful that I have a new name, and it's written down in glory. II Cor. 5:17

I am doing well today with the eating - breakfast was an apple and oatmeal, lunch was a baked potato and some steamed kale, asparagus and broccoli, with some little cutie mandarin oranges for dessert. Tonight will be a big salad and some more oatmeal. Yesterday I let some little foxes slip in and I felt yucky and didn't sleep well. Lesson learned (hopefully )

God Bless you all and have a great day!

Wendy Jane - I tried the Subway veggie delite today ... not bad! I split a $5 foot long with my DH, so you can't beat the price!

Tonight I attended the first session of a Beth Moore Bible Study on the book of Esther. It was so good! She talked about how sometimes God works thru ordinary people instead of thru miraculous interventions, and about how God has a destiny for each of us, and it might be something very unexpected. I am so excited about this study.

Evening!

I did go to subway and go a veggie sandwich which I stuck a slice of boca burger in. I am eating these twice a week at the most.

I am feeding three guys who eat meat so I think I'm doing well even though it's not recommended. I made some glorious chicken soup with a organic chicken (at least). I was tempted cause I do like chicken, but you know what? More and more it's starting to look like canabalism or something. So I guess I'm getting vegan weird. I choose to think I'm eating healthy.

I was just wondering? Which state are each of you in?

kc - Northern California
Tex?
Pinkrose?
luvoatmeal?
cattmatt?
WendyJane?
dib?
Lovethe lorax?
Have I got everyone?
Well, I am gonna look up some web info on hurt knees and see if there is anything I can do to speed my recovery. Be blessed, kc

Thanks for asking! I am in Wuhan (a little village of about 10 million) in the province of Hubei in central China. My roots are in TN.

As you reduce your weight, I hope your knees will feel better!

I'm from Nevada - Las Vegas area. Many years ago I told my hubby I never even wanted to visit LV, much less live in LV. I had some idea that only showgirls lived here or something.... God has a sense of humor since I've now lived here for 8 years.

Sigh... my worst week in 3 months for weight loss ... out-of-town family here, my DD's birthday, stress from the kidney issue, etc. I know, a bunch of excuses (yakking at myself here). I am NOT falling off the wagon for the next 3 months though. Today I had some things I shouldn't, and tomorrow I will be back on plan! I'm quite sure that Friday will not be showing a loss, but that gives me even more incentive to make sure that the following week is good.

The comment about eating meat feeling like being a cannibal - I had to laugh... a few nights ago I had a dream that I started eating some chicken - something I haven't done since January. In my dream I started chewing, then became upset at what was in my mouth and spit it out. I couldn't stand the idea of what I was eating - that it had been alive! And indeed, I'm not tempted by meats when I'm awake - but those rotten little Easter candies were calling loudly today. They will be placed out of sight so that I am not so tempted.

I'm still thinking quite a bit about the little foxes eating at the vine. Guess my little foxes of temptation were busy today looking at candy! The Lord keeps bringing those verses to mind, obviously I have some more to learn. The story of my life... the Lord sometimes needs to use a spiritual 2x4 to get through to me! LOL!!

Good Morning Everyone,

I am back McDougalling again today. I fell off the wagon a few days this week, the good news is that I didn't gain any weight! I know beyond any doubt that this is the program I am supposed to be on, and the enemy will do anything he can to divert my attention away from it. But, I have recommited my eating back to God and I'm sure I will do fine now.


kc - I live in Kentucky about 1 1/2 hours from Louisville in a small town on the Ohio River population 1400. Born and raised here. On a side note, I've known my husband since we started first grade together in 1969!

Well, I've got a busy day planned with my grandsons. We are going to Chuck E Cheese's today and tonight we are planning to go see "How to Train Your Dragon"

I hope everyone has a wonderful day,
Cathy

Hey All -

Yesterday, while praying for something (not food related), the Lord lead me to this verse.

I can easily see how it could be food related - like a very good thing to say when you are staring down a donut or something , so I wanted to share it with you all.

Psalm 71:3
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.

The "continually" part really got my attention. There are somethings that I can give to the Lord and let it be. In others, I need to continually go back and back to Him.

Donna

kc - I live in Amelia Island, Florida. It is about as north and east as you can go. Next step is Georgia.