I’m Back!

Hello my friends, I have missed you!

When I took a break from blogging, because life was getting a little crazy, I only thought about the time I was freeing up for myself. I didn’t realize how much I would miss all of you! Well, I’m back.

Just to get you a little caught up on my life right now:

Met Lysa Terkeurst at our Women’s Conference!! Oh my word, she is amazing. She is wise, insightful, hilarious, caring and genuine. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak, don’t think twice. She is coming to our Shine Women’s Conference in May of 2016. I highly recommend two of her books that have been life-changing for me, Made to Crave and The Best Yes. These are books that I will NEVER give away. They are on my reading list yearly.

Our oldest daughter graduated from 12 years of homeschooling. (We didn’t mess her up too badly because she is going to college near us to get general education classes.) 🙂 She has been doing great in her classes along with nanning when she can. She also got a job for the winter. I have to say that I am super proud of how she is embracing all these new challenges in stride. We are still feeling out the whole “adult child” in our home and family. That situation is definately a work in progress.

I did another Whole 30 in Aug 2015, dropped 15 lbs and feeling great. (Made to Crave change my whole mindset about food.) Although, I still need to get an exercise routine that will work for me… no… that I will do.

My best friend moved away. 😦 Enough said.

Second oldest daughter’s senior year. She was a car-hop at a local resturant over the summer and into the school year. Last year coaching her in volleyball. Time is flying by at super-speed.

I transitioned from working at church to voluteering. There were many reasons, most importantly, I’m increasing my hours at my part-time.

And that pretty much brings us to today. I’m getting last minute things ready for our missions trip to Haiti!! We, 2nd & 3rd daughters and myself, are leaving tomorrow, Nov. 7 at 2:00 am. There are a whole lot of mixed emotions going on right now… excited, thankful, emotional, tired, nervous, hopeful, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed and peaceful, all at the same time.

We are working with Convoy of Hope. We are doing construction up-keep of a school. We are also going to be working with the children in the school and visiting a couple of orphanages. I am excited to see how God moves and changes me through this trip.

I will try to post as the week goes along. Prayers are greatly appreciated!!

Be Blessed!

Week 2 Completed: Whole30 for the Piepers

I have graduated to a weekly Whole30 post.

1. have been crazy busy and squeezing it in daily it getting difficult
2. we have been making favorite meals that I have already shared
3. I don’t have a lot of new insight. It really feels like we’ve been eating this way forever!

Time has been a huge change for me. Eating Whole30 is not quick, fast, on-the-go foods. They are good, nutritious, healthy food that take time to prepare and eat. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, I feel like it has been a bonus.

• It has created more meal times as a family.
• It encourages us to get up earlier.
• We’ve been able to get a good start to our day.

I have had some great Crockpot meals! I loved Creamy Chicken Soup (I added 16oz of chopped up mushrooms and 3 C spinach.) Tomorrow I’m going to cook a whole chicken with garlic, onions, lemons and spices. After the meal is over I’ll put bones and skin back in the crockpot with water and cook overnight to make chicken stock. I did just run across a Jambalaya Crockpot recipe that I think I’ll try next week.

Now to Easter… I think I will make:

– A roasted leg of lamb with mint pesto
– Deviled eggs with homemade mayo, paprika, (some topped with fresh jalapeño)
– Twice baked sweet potatoes topped with pecans
– sautéed mushrooms and garlic with fresh herbs

One last random though, Kim, Katie and I are going to The Gluten & Allergen Free Expo. I’m so very excited to go. I will be planning to bring most of my food to I don’t get tempted! Stay tuned for posts next week.

Recipes:

Any other suggestions for Easter Menu?

Be Blessed!

Day 10: Whole30 for the Piepers

Love talking to my family and friends about the Whole30. I am far from an expert. But I do know how I’m feeling better and loving the recipes. It makes me smile when my friends try the recipes and love them too.

Meal 1: Hardboiled eggs, orange and almonds

Meal 2: Tuna fish salad on spinach

Meal 3: Stuffed Cabbage (This is one of my kids favorites!)
Snacks: Peanuts and sweet peppers

Energy levels: More even over the whole day
Sleep: good
Gut issues: same
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: same

Daily Take-away:  I shouldn’t guess what my kids will like or not like. The meals that I think they will love, don’t get rave reviews; but the ones that I think will be voted “so-so,” are the ones that they LOVE and are their favorites!

Recipe:

So, I’m starting to think about Easter. We will still be on the Whole30 over the holiday. I want to start new traditions for our holidays that don’t revolve around. Any ideas?

Be Blessed!

Day 09: Whole30 for the Piepers

Well I’ve been feeling great. It’s 11:00 pm and this is my “snack time.” It used to be one or two squares of dark chocolate, chips, popcorn or a scoop or two of ice cream. Now, my snack is dates and pecans, grapes and almonds or a Larabar. It’s all about the choices.

Meal 1: Hard Boiled Eggs, orange and sweet peppers

Meal 2: Tuna Salad on Spinach

Meal 3: Citrus Chicken, Brussel sprouts and Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Snacks: Orange and almonds

Energy levels: the afternoon energy drop has gone away
Sleep: good
Gut issues: same
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: same

Daily Take-away: Cooking takes time. Prep, Prep, Prep… My kids would quickly grab some fruit for a snack before veggies. As I thought about it, the reason was because most fruits are grab and go. Veggies usually need to be cut, pealed or chopped before they are easily eaten. So, as  make my meals I spent an extra 10-15 minutes prepping veggies for snacks.

What are some of your kids favorite veggies to snack on?

Be Blessed!

 

Day 08: Whole30 for the Piepers

Happy April’s Fool’s Day! All I have to say is that the Whole30 is no JOKE! If you’ve ever thought that you would like to try it, you should! It’s well worth the sacrifice. 30 days is do-able. There is a end. It’s long enough to start feeling the good effects of eating healthy. I’m so glad that we are doing the Whole30!

Meal 1: Mushroom, Onion Frattata

Meal 2: Asian Beef and Broccoli
Meal 3: 10-Minute Chili

Snacks: https://cultivatingtrio.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/whole30-banana-blueberry-smoothie-recipe.jpg

Energy levels: Same
Sleep: Good
Gut issues: same
Hormonal issues: I’m on Day2 of my period and I had the worst cramps since childbirth… hormone levels must be changing.
Focus: same

Daily Take-away: Love this blog by Heather Sanders. I have been reading her blog for about a year. She started the Whole30 and blogged about it. That’s where I got inspired. Check her out here. She is on Day 22… there is hope! 🙂

Recipe:

Let me know if you have a great recipe. The kid’s favorite meal so far is the  10-Minute Chili.

 

Day 07: Whole30 for the Piepers

I’m such a bad blogger!!! I totally keep on forgetting to take pictures of our meals. I’m so sorry!! (The next time I make the Beef Roast I’ll take a picture and put it in.)

I did find some FREE Whole30 resources to share with you. They are awesome!

Meal 1: Mushroom, Onion Frattata
Meal 2: Leftover Chicken on a Salad with Mango Salsa
Meal 3: Beef Roast with Sweet Potato Hash
Snacks: Mashed banana with cocoa powder

Energy levels: same
Sleep: same
Gut issues: getting better
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: some of the teens seem to have better focus

Daily Take-away:

-Eating healthy is expensive. But that shouldn’t be a reason not to do the Whole30. When I’m planning my week of meals, I check out what protein is on sale this week. From there, I see what we still have in the fridge that need to be eaten up. I make my list. The first store I go to is Aldi. I get whatever I can there; I just have to be careful to read ingredients. Lot’s of things have sugar in them. Then I’ll get the rest at our local grocery store.

-My youngest is having the hardest time with this last week. He’s 10 and a good eater. He tries everything. I think he is just worried that he will never have candy or ice cream again. 😉 The older girls have grasped the bigger picture. They don’t always like it but they do understand it.

Recipe:

Have a Blessed Day!

 

Day 06: Whole30 for the Piepers

We had a good, sunny Saturday. Greg spray-painted the outline in our backyard for our garden that we will be putting in this spring. We are getting ready for the Whole30 this summer with our own grown veggies.

Meal 1: Melon, Banana Muffin and Veggie Omelet
Meal 2: Left over Grilled Chicken and Steamed Veggies

Meal 3: Salmon Salad with Mango Salsa
Snacks: Nuts, Apples and Hard Boiled Eggs

Energy levels: Seems to be the same, back to normal for kids
Sleep: I’m sleeping better, waking at 6:30 rested and refreshed
Gut issues: slightly bloated
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: same

Daily Take-away: Being outside and active is a great way to get your mind off things you can’t eat! A nice walk, a few min shooing hoops or even a bike ride.

Recipes:

What’s your favorite outside activity to do alone or as a family?

Be Blessed!

 

 

Day 05: Whole30 for the Piepers

So the older girls went to a party with typical party food, chips, pizza, candy, soda, etc… They brought veggies & Sweet Potato Chips to share. They also age right before they left. I guess seeing and smelling the pizza was the worst. But other than that they said they kept busy, didn’t hangout by the food and it was all good. Also, the host of the party made them smoothies with coconut milk… how considerate is that!?!

 

Meal 1: Hard Boiled Eggs, Zucchini, Sweet Peppers and a Banana Muffin
Meal 2: Chicken, Carrot, Sweet Potato, Onion Soup
Meal 3: Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with grilled Zucchini, Mushrooms and steamed Cauliflower

Snacks: Almond Butter Bites

Energy levels: same
Sleep: better, more dreams
Gut issues: feeling gassy and bloated
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: same

Daily Take-away:

• Always bring snacks! It’s inevitable that you are going to be in a situation that you are tempted. If you have a healthy choice with you it is easier to say “no.”
• Surround your self with friends that support you and the healthier choices that you are trying to make. If possible, have friends join you on your journey. We have a family that is doing the Whole30 with us! (Thank you Coady Family!! You are a blessing to us!) Even if we never cook or eat a meal together this month, it helps me to know that they are making the same hard choices that we are. We share favorite recipes and the ones that flop. Even my kids got to go to the party with a friend to support them and make the same choices that they had to.

Recipe:

Do you think it gets easier to be surrounded by food that you can’t have or is it always a struggle?

Be Blessed!

Day 04: Whole30 for the Piepers

All day today, I had to walk by the kitchen at work where there were chocolate chip cookies sitting out on the table for everyone. The first time I saw them, I had the urge to take one. Normally I would have and eaten it with my coffee. I had to consciously walk by them and not take one. It made me think of how  many times the “old” me (funny the “new” me is 4 days old and I feel so wise. 🙂 ) would have grabbed things without thinking if it was good for my health or not. I’ve decided from now on, I will make a conscious choice with everything I eat. Is it all going to be good for me? No, but I will recognize that when I make the choice.

I’m feeling very empowered today. I am going to eat to live, NOT live to eat.

Meal 1: Eggs, sautéed veggies & cantaloupe

Meal 2: Lime Shrimp Avocado Salad
Meal 3: Stuffed Peppers

Snacks: clementine and nuts & Banana Muffins

Energy levels: same
Sleep: Everyone seems to be dreaming more. I woke up at 6:30 for the last two days without an alarm clock.
Gut issues: May be getting a little worse
Hormonal issues: Acne is worse for some of the girls which is a bummer. I’m just reminding them that it needs to get worse before it can get LOTS better
Focus: same

Daily Take-away: It Starts with Food says not to try to replicate food we eat now with approved items. That would be fine for me. I love trying new foods and am enjoying the Whole30. Now for my family that is another story. They seem to enjoy sitting on the couch and discussing all their favorite foods that we can’t have. I try to redirect the conversation. Doesn’t work very well. So, tonight I decided to divide and conquer.

I sent my husband and his cravings of snack food to the store. The kids went to different rooms until he return. He did return with two bags of Whole30 approved Sweet Potato Chips that weren’t on the list. They hit the spot and seemed to start brightening everyone’s spirits.
Then he pulled out cocoa powder, the younger kids put it on bananas. (My advice would be to start a little, you can always add more.) While they were eating their dessert, I made the most amazing Whole30 approved Banana Muffins! They are expensive to make but well worth it. Next time, I’m going to try to make almond flour, although almonds are expensive too.

I would recommend that if you are doing the Whole30 on your own, enjoy the new foods and recipes. If your family is doing it with you, don’t cheat, but try to make recipes that your family is excited to try and my be even something that you eat now but will have to tweak the ingredients.

Recipes:

Do you have any gluten, dairy, sugar, legume – free recipes that you want to share?

Be Blessed!

 

Day 03: Whole30 for the Piepers

Ok, the recipe for today will be Sweet Potato Chips. I made them for the kids today and they liked them. Greg and I loved them, too. The first batch I tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper and a  little garlic powder. The kids needed to leave in a hurry so I broiled the chips at the end. I don’t know if it was my mind playing tricks on me or what, but when I ate the chips that got slightly toasted, they tasted like sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows on them. Although Greg laughed at me at first, he agreed once he tasted them. Our second batch, which was Greg and my favorite, we tossed with Chipotle infused olive oil, salt and cayenne pepper. Our only issue was that we couldn’t get them crispy enough.

 

Meal 1: Sautéed Brussel Sprouts, Onions and Peppers with Scrambled Eggs

Meal 2: Chicken Spaghetti Sauce and Steamed Cauliflower & Green Beans
Meal 3: Pork Chops and Sweet Potato Chips (They were good but a little soggy, so I changed the recipe to get them crispy!)
Snacks: Peppers, Hard Boiled Egg, nuts

Energy levels: same for me, some of the kids are feeling like they are out of energy all the time
Sleep: same, one of the children had a dream about eating chips and woke up feeling guilty
Gut issues: all kids have had stomach cramps
Hormonal issues: same
Focus: same other than obsessing about food that we can’t have

Daily Take-away:

1. Prepping is the KEY, especially if you work outside of the home. I only work part-time; so the days I worked, having veggies cut and ready to go were awesome.
2. Educate your kids, (and husband) to create a balanced meal instead of planning all the meals for them. My kids have started to cook chicken for lunch to put on salads or eat with steamed veggies. They also start to make their own choices for breakfast. (Start with protein, fill the rest of the plate with veggies, include healthy fat and add small amount of fruit if you would like.)
3. Give yourself more time. Making breakfast with whole foods and packing lunches take extra time. (The time it took me, from getting up until I was stepping into the car to leave, used to take me 55 minutes, now takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.)

Recipe:

Let us know if you have a any advice on how to make sweet potato chips, crispy! Also, any other ideas on spices to put on the sweet potato chips?

Be Blessed!