How sweet it is!

Hi guys! Happy weekend. 

I work 10-5 today and then it's MY weekend! :) 

We have been deal with drought in some areas in the NE. After yesterday, that can't be possible any longer! We got so much rain. It rained non-stop the entire day. I was beginning to think we were going to need an ark to get around. Today seems like it's going to be nice! Lets hope it holds. Warm and sunny with a high of 77. I am supposed to be going to a Bridgeport Bluefish game with my boys tonight. I got the tickets through my friends sons cub scouts as a special thing. They are fun! Minor league games right down the street. Pretty great. Especially if it's a nice evening! 

I've been reading about buying fresh produce and how to properly freeze them. I don't have a ton of space but I do prefer freezing over canning. And buying frozen fruits and vegetables in general is fine and often better for you than the canned versions in the grocery store. They are often frozen at the peak of freshness and retain all the nutrients whereas the heating process during canning can kill a lot of the good stuff as well as contain a lot of added salt. I grew up with my grandparents having gardens in Oregon and they would have a huge freezer in the garage or basement specifically for frozen goods. And my grandmother would make homemade freezer jam. Honestly one of my favorite things to this day is her homemade strawberry freezer jam on a homemade biscuit!! Not the healthiest thing ever but wow...my mouth is watering thinking of it right now! At least with homemade jams, they are prepared at home. You know what's going in them. There is a lot of sugar but you can control that when you make it yourself. I would probably just put it on whole grain bread or something now. ;) This is a great article on how to properly freeze the fresh fruits and veggies you grow or buy at a farmer's market. And she talks about her own grandma and the giant freezer!! I need to get one of those one day! haha! I think it's a given when you grow up in the country. Properly Freezing Produce

And because I am all about balance and having treats, here is an easy recipe for strawberry freezer jam. One taste and you'll send me an email of gratitude!!! There is no boiling with freezer jam and it lasts up to a year in your freezer. Strawberry Freezer Jam-freezer

If you're struggling to lose weight and want some simple tips to lose it for good, here you go! 

First of all, get plenty of sleep. I will work a long day and want to stay up and do something but it's more important to listen to your body and get rest. You will feel so much better the next day and it will give you so much more energy to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Sleep really is one of the best things we can do for our overall health. 

I mentioned eating until 80% full in a previous blog post. That is a good one. Eating until satisfied but not full/stuffed. Many of us grew up being told to "clean your plate". This habit is not really helpful! Eating until stuffed during the day leaves you tired by the afternoon. Eating until stuffed before bed leaves you feeling yucky and bloated and is not great for weight loss at all! 

Try to have your meals be loaded with lean protein and non-starchy vegetables and limit the grains. Even though there are good gains, keep them to a minimum. Focusing your calories on the protein and veggies is going to fill you up and help your body to shed the weight. 

Try to keep the sugar to a minimum. Treats are allowed but having them throughout the day in the form of muffins, soda, sweetened drinks, fruit juices, etc...you are going to cause problems with your blood sugar and are going to crash. It's better to save them for dessert following dinner. I like a small piece of chocolate. Trader Joe's has this dark chocolate with caramel and coconut inside. A little of that does me just fine! I do have some during the day on occasion (a co-worker and I enjoy a piece here and there!) but I don't drink sugar laden drinks. Ever. 

Have a great Saturday folks! Maybe attempt at making homemade freezer jam! :) 

Leaving you with Mario Lanza! Ahhhhh! I was listening to Pavoratti on Youtube and this one popped up as a recommendation. I love it. Always reminds me of the movie Only You with Robert Downey, Jr and Marisa Tomei! GREAT movie if you've never seen it. :) Plus it's just a beautiful song! 

"If you do not find peace in yourself, you will not find it elsewhere" - Paula A. Bendry 

xoxoxo
Tam