Thankful..a month of blessings

Facebook allows me to give brief snippets of what I'm thankful for, but I needed more space to write. It's been a while since I've blogged, and I have a ton of ideas in my head, just not enough time. I'm glad that I focus this month on the things I am thankful for. Not the obvious; my God, Eric, the kids, but the small things that I tend to over look most days.

Day 1: I'm thankful that the kids were able to trick or treat and have great weather to do it in. Because October 31st had some crazy wind and rain, our community postponed the trick or treating to Friday night, November 1st. We spent the evening at my mom's, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire pit, taking the girls around for candy, and meeting some of her neighbors.

Day 2: I love watching the kids play in their sports. This fall, JD played baseball and Louba played softball (Jules played on the playset or wall ball during their games). My kiddos love sports, and for that I'm thankful. But, I'm also thankful that this was our last game day until spring! It wears a momma out going from one field to the other across town. I'm thankful for the wonderful friends we've made through the kids sports.

Day 3: Today is Orphan Sunday. A day I really didn't know existed until the year before we adopted Louba. I didn't know this was the journey I would take. It's been a long, hard, emotional roller coaster. I know it will continue to be. Adoption is HARD. But, the journey is worth every tear. Louba is an orphan no more. She has a mom and dad and brother and sister and a huge extended family who love her to pieces. I love telling our story. I'm thankful for the friends who told me the good and the bad about adoption. I'm thankful for the friends who let me cry and scream and complain that the process was not fair, that this little girl should not be without a family. I'm thankful for the friends who listen to me today talk about how sassy Louba is and how she is our "LAST ONE!" I'm thankful for a little girl, who lived for three and half years without a mom and day, but loves me as her mom.

Advocare Meals and Recipes

I'm not a doctor or a dietician, so take my advice for what it's worth.

I've had a physical in the last few months, and while I'm not dying, I'm not living to the fullest either. The doctor put me on a low dose water pill to help with some blood pressure issues I've been having for the past couple of years that we feel is stress related (our adoption, plus all the test/evaluation demands of being a teacher). I used AdvoCare products in 2010 and loved the results I had (20 pounds and about 20 inches lost) in the 24 day challenge. Over the years, I've sporatically used the products, but I haven't been consistant to say the least. But, I've kept the weight and inches off!!! We used AdvoCare to fund some of our adoption too (see the link on the sidebar for our store). But, after the blood work in November and then another test just this week, I knew I needed to do more to get those pesky numbers where they needed to be. 

I LOVE to eat.  I HATE to exercise. But, I want to be around to see my kids grow up without having a stroke or heart attack.  When I used AdvoCare consistently in 2010, I had some great blood work numbers, and I hope that the products, along with a better diet and exercise plan helped.

I've recently started back at the gym a couple days a week, and now it's time to adjust what I'm eating and the products I'm using.

Here's what I'm starting on Monday, and the meals I'll be preparing. I'll try to link to the recipes I'll use as well.
Products:
Herbal Cleanse (I love the peaches and cream variety)
Meal Replacement Shakes (in chocolate and berry for breakfast during the 24 days)
CATALYST
Spark (variety of flavors at our house; once or twice a day)
Omega Plex
O2 Gold (on cardio days)

Meals:
Tuna Salad (with light mayo, pickles, and eggs) on lettuce wraps
Buffalo turkey burgers and salad
Meatloaf (with 93% lean beef and turkey mix)
mashed califlower
Chicken lettuce wraps

Snacks:
I don't love almonds, which is a recommended food on the cleanse and Max phase, so I opt for the others listed below.
fruit salad (grapes, oranges, banana, whatever looks good at the store)
raw veggies and Publix spicy hummus (cucumber, celery, carrots, califlower, brocolli)
turkey slices; not processed
homemade Kale chips

What do you want to know?

I post a lot on Facebook and tend to neglect the blog. I've noticed I have had a big increase in traffic. So, what do you want to know about the Elliotts?  I'll try to come up with something exciting for you to read while I'm waiting.