Ideal Protein Foods

Like +, Dislike -, Purchase Date 2/14/2013 (84.00), 2/21/2013($140.00), 3/6/2013
Butterscotch Pudding Mix
Strawberry Pudding Mix
+Vanilla Pudding Mix
Blueberry Pudding Mix
Dark Chocolate Pudding Mix (original formula)
+Milk Chocolate Pudding Mix
Lemon Pudding Mix
+Banana Pudding Mix
-Crispy Cereal
100% Natural Pancake Mix
+Chocolate Pancake & Muffin Mix
Raspberry Jelly Mix
+Rotini Pasta
Strawberry Wafer Cookie ®
Maple Oatmeal Mix ®
---$2/21/2013 Omelet Mix
-Fine Herb and Cheese Omelet Mix
+Mushroom Soup Mix
Leek Soup Mix
+$2/14/2013Chicken Soup Mix
+Tomato & Basil Soup Mix
$2/21/2013Vegetable Chili Mix ® $$$$$$$$
*Bolognaise Spaghetti Mix ® 
Wildberry Yogurt Drink Mix
-Soy Patty Mix
+Brocolli and Cheese Soup Mix
-----$2/21/2013Potato Puree Mix
Chicken Noodle Soup Mix
Orange Drink Mix
Lemon Iced Tea drink Mix
Pineapple & Banana Drink Mix
Blueberry, Cranberry & Pomegranate Drink Mix
+Cappuccino Drink Mix
+Chocolate Drink Mix
Pink Lemonade Drink Mix
Peach & Mango Drink Mix
-Pina Colada Smoothie Mix
Vanilla Drink Mix
Salt & Vinegar Ridges ®
+BBQ Ridges ®
Southwest Cheese Flavored Protein Curls ®
White Cheddar Ridges ®
Chocolate Chip Cookies ®
+Soy Nuts Garlic & Onions ®
Soy Nuts BBQ ®
+2/21/2013Dill Pickle Zippers ®
Soy Puffs - Chocolate Coated ®
Apple and Cinnamon Soy Puffs ®
+Lemon soy puffs ®
Peanut Soy Puffs ®
Double Chocolate Bars ®
100% Natural Raspberry Crunch Bar ®
+$2/14/2013Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Bars ®
Cookies N Cream Bar ®
White Choco-Cinnamon Bar ®
Double Chocolate Bars ®
Chocolate & Peanut Bars ®
Vanilla & Peanut Bar ®
White Choco Crispy Bar ®
Cran-Granata Bar ®
Caramel Nut Bar ®
Caramel Crunch Bar ®
Vanilla Crispy Square ® 
Strawberry WaferCookie ®
Peanut Butter Crunch Car ®
Vanilla Drink UHT (premade)
Chocolate Drink UHT (premade)
+Mango Drink (premade)
Strawberry Banana Smoothie (premade)

Ideal Protein wk 2, Day 8

Today started out great.  i was eager to see my results and they were good.  I lost 4.4 pounds, and an inch off my waist and hips.  Then life got crazy.  Valentines expectations, work, running kids was piling up.

Ideal Protein wk 1, Day 6

This morning I woke up feeling great.  i am so excited to go to the gym.  My body doesn't hurt, my head isn't bursting and my sinus feel good.  I am still coughing stuff up and blowing my nose but it is very manageable.  I am beginning to wonder if i have a bit of an allergic reaction to dairy and/or wheat.  I know that both of these can be mucus producers.  This may really help me stay on tray if my well being is affected by what I eat.

Wow.  Today was really hard.  i just want to eat everything in sight.  Really had a hard time when i got stressed about work.  i just couldn't figure out this online postage.

I was really happy with myself.  i did not fall to temptation.  Even though i had to make cheese tacos and PBJ for the kids.  I didn't even take a taste.  Yippee for me.

i ate almost half a head a lettuce instead and had my pudding snack early.

I can't wait to weigh in tomorrow.  i hope i am not disappointed.

Weekly Monitoring

Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 5
Physical effects 6
Impact Family 8
Cheating/Temptation 5
 Outlying factors that made this day challenging 5
(WORK, online postage, husband, kids)

Ideal Protein wk 1, day 5

Today has started well.  It is only 8:20 and I have already finished my bible study and am ready to start the day.  I slept well and have good energy.  I was REALLY glad to see the # on the scale.  I saw a big jump in the right direction.  Really helps with the motivation.

The chocolate drink* was good and I have a great selection of vegetables to have for lunch with my mashed potatoes*.

Mash potatoes were wall paper paste.  Not the worst but I have never been fond of instant potatoes.

The rest of the day went well.  I made an amazing salad and fished off the deer meat.  I need to eat my snack a little earlier and just leave a little for an after dinner snack.  it felt like I was forcing myself to eat it last night.

Weekly Monitoring
Weight Lost/gained - 203.5 at home w/clothes & shoes  TOTAL LOSS = 4.7

Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 9
Physical effects 9
Impact Family 9
Cheating/Temptation  9
 Outlying factors that made this day challenging 8
(Husband, busy day & meeting church )

* ideal protein

Ideal Protein wk1, Day 4

Scurrying around.  the weather doesn't look good for my outdoor show today.  A lot of work getting everything together before I go to church.  Feeling good but apprehensive.  This will be my 1st day to eat on the go.  My plan for veggies is to get them at the market today.  I have a bar of some kind for my lunch.

A lady at the farmers market made an amazing salad.  It did have a few strawberries, apples and oranges but otherwise is was all amazing veggies.  The dressing was olive oil and lemon juice.  I did pass up eat any of the amazing fruit.

I was able to get some really good greens, I can't wait to try.  It was a wonderful environment.  No tempting foods or smells.

No when I got home I was starving.  Randy had grilled.  The ribs that were for me were tough and nasty.  He had made another piece of meat that was yummy but after 1st taste I could tell it was covered with sugar.  I ate it anyway.  Then I made some veggies from the market.

So I cheated a little but it was a good learning experience.  Eating a little bit of sweet fruit/sugar really increased my desire to keep eating well past being full.  Not to mention nibbling rather than making my plate is danger, danger.  Then I was to full to eat the required Ideal Protein snack.  So I didn't.

Weekly Monitoring
Weight Lost/gained - 206 at home w/clothes & shoes  TOTAL LOSS = 2.2

Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 9
Physical effects 9
Impact Family 9
Cheating/Temptation 7
 Outlying factors that made this day challenging 7
(Craft show, eating on the run, Selling Girl Scout cookies)

Ideal Protein Wk 1, Day 3

I slept pretty well, woke up with good energy and overall feel pretty good.  i am a little disappointed that I am not down to 200 yet.  what am i crazy.  Lose 8 pounds in 3 days.  i guess I just can't believe i got this far over my 200 line.  Maybe it was that 2 weeks of steroids.  well no sense looking back.  I just really want to get down to 150 by the end of all this.  i wanted  that to be a 200 pound loss in 18 weeks.  Now I have 58 pounds to loss.  That means i would have to loss an average of 3-4 pounds a week.  Not that realistic.  Lord please make it so.

Double yuck.  The crisp cereal with powdered imitation milk.  Then to top it off my water wasn't cold enough.  I made myself eat it.  I'm not getting ANY MORE food till noon.  Grant and I had a big laugh at mom eating yuck cereal.  i did get creative with the remaining milk.  I added instant coffee, artificial sweetener and ice.  i am stomaching this quite well.

Eating unpalatable food is a good reminder at how much food and pleasure go hand and hand for me.  i am reminded that I want my pleasure to come from my relationship with God not consumables.  i never thought about my eating good food as thrill seeking, but i guess it is.  Always needing a rush of good feelings.  i may be a seeker of good emotions but i pray i can find a healthier avenue for this emotional rush.

The rest of the day went pretty well.  I wasn't all that hungry or felt deprived.  I really like the soup mixes.  I was able to add leeks and mushrooms to make a really robust soup.

Weekly Monitoring
Weight Lost/gained - 206.5 at home w/clothes & shoes

Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 9
Physical effects 9
Impact Family 10
Cheating/Temptation 9
 Outlying factors that made this day challenging 10
(none)

Ideal Protein wk1, Day 2

Yesterday went pretty well.  The coffee shake was a good way to start the day.  I did find myself a it hungry around 10:30.  I held strong.  The best thing was my allergies were not as bad.  The pressure was down.  I woke up energized.  I drew a picture of the skinny girl within me that is dying  to get out.  Grocery shopping was very hard.  Looking around seeing all i usually buy and choosing not to.  The hardest part is thinking about the families needs .  I wish I could be self focused during all this. For lunch I had the soy patty.  It actually wasn't the bad but seeing it come together from a powder and water was to much for me.  I had fun making my Mexican deer meat.  I added no flour or cooked onions and it was very yummy.  I may have used more oil than is required and my salsa, beef broth, and canned tomatoes had some sugars.  I think they are the natural ones.  A girl has to be able to cook.

Weekly Monitoring
Weight Lost/gained - 206.5 (home w/ clothes & shoes)
Measurements Lost/gained - Bust (44), Waist (50), Hips (51)
Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 8
Physical effects 7
Impact Family 9
Cheating/Temptation 8 
Outlying factors that made this day challenging 7
(grocery shopping)

Ideal Protein -Wk 1, D 1

Ideal Protein

 I am on a road to loose a minimum of 45 pounds.  It is a bit scary as I see my family eating What a Burger.  Going through the line, Waiting to come home to prepare my food.  Will I steel a fry,  will I feel deprived? Yet day 1 went well.  I liked the food and the vitamins gave me no trouble.  I stayed strong and felt good about it.  It is totally embracing to share the raw data of how big I really am.  But i am not doing it to tell those i love.  I am doing it to record how this is going for me and to share with others that need to hear my story.

My sinus are in real trouble.  Yet I feel much better this morning.  Maybe all the water I am drinking is helping.  I still struggled to sleep but I feel alert and in good spirits eager to make this work and take on the day.

Weekly Monitoring
Weight Lost/gained - 208.2 (Dr.s office w/ clothes & shoes)
Measurements Lost/gained - Bust (44), Waist (50), Hips (51)
Rate the following on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best)
Attitude 9
Physical effects 9
Impact Family 9
Cheating/Temptation 9
Outlying factors that made this day challenging 5
(family ate out, I was struggling with REAL sinus trouble)

Leadership

What does it mean to be a good leader?  Can just anyone lead?  I am a great talker, not to bad a teacher, a caring friend, but am I a leader?  I want to be.  My heart is in it but I feel like i lack that special something that I see in people who have a following.  For a Shepard without sheep is rather pointless.  i have never had a lot of friends, i was never the popular kid.  I am  not really that interested in winning the approval of man.  I think of myself more of a prophet than a leader.  Prophets are told to say something regardless of peoples response to it.  It is a life of obedience even if you are hated for what you are called to say.  I say what I think God wants me to say and sometimes what i want to say.  My life has been salt and peppered with encouragers telling me I give good advice, I should be a counselor, that I write well, that I was spot on with what i had to say was from God.  Yet at the same time.  i rarely have people come to me for help.  I see people practically waiting in line to tell there stories and troubles to certain people.  I know because I have been in the cue.  Their smile, their welcoming presence, the way they listen, what they say and don't say.  All has me and others drawn to them in times of need.  i want that.  i have wanted that my whole life yet the more i try and be that the more I realize I'm not.  i want a front man.  The person everyone just loves and comes to to be my wing man.  They can give the people what i can't.  Or better yet they can teach me.  Be honest enough to show me why others don't follow me.  Sometimes I wonder if it is my life of turmoil that causes people to to lack confidence in me.  It certainly gives me caution.  Yet oddly enough I really believe that all the God's parts of my life while in turmoil are really good for everyone.  i am way more humble, or so i think, while i am still living in difficult times.  Yet I think a true teacher should have trouble behind them, living the good life, resting on their lorals as they have already won the race.  Yet i will probably be dead before I have achieved such victory.  i am OK with that as god is ever close to my side teaching me to trust in him.  What ever it takes to keep my by his side.  i get it.

Dating

Do you let your kids date?  At what age?   Well I am giving this some though  not because my daughter is getting ready to date but she does have interests.  I better set the parameters for hanging out with boys now rather then waiting for a situation where I am trying to reestablish rules.

So here is what I have come up with.   Boys of good character will  be considered once you are 16.  Until  a good candidate is found and you are at least 16 the following will be our rules.

1)  You will not be allowed to spend any time alone with a boy.  Your bed room will always be off limits even if others are present.  You will not be able to spend time together in places that are considered romantic.   No moon lit walks or movies.

2)  All activities where boys are present will be done in groups.  We will not take you on dates nor will you be allowed to sit next to a boy you like at the movies.

3)  No PDA.

4)  You will be allowed to have private conversations but only in public places.  You can sit on the front porch, the playground, the couch in the living room.  This privacy is given to allow you to get to know each other but not to be inappropriate.

I have explained to my daughter that these boundaries need to become her's not mine.  That I expect her hormones to try and talk her out of them.  She will only be able to stick to them if she find real value in what they are protecting herself from.  I tried to explain that I am trying to protect her from a desire to both physically and emotionally connect with a boy.  That we were made for such attraction and connection and that to give away your heart or body in any way will cloud your ability to see this guy for who he really is.  That if he is as amazing as you think he will be worth waiting to give even a small part of your heart to.  If you choose to guard your heart you will stay objective enough and when you are old enough we can decide together if this guy is worth dating.

We laughed as I explained how a simple brush of her arm by his hand or a compliment on how smart and beautiful she is could seen her swooning and meditating on his words for days.  While the same words and actions by a girlfriend may go unnoticed.  That this is exactly why she must guard her heart.  Hormones are not a good judge of character.

Accountability Partners for Leadership

Initial Interview

Why accountability?

1       1)   What do you believe about the Bible, prayer and being led by the Holy Spirit?  Do you think your views would line up with the beliefs of most of the leadership in this church?  Do you have any applications of God’s word that you think might be unique to you?  Do you think the rest of modern day Christians are wrong about certain things?   What do you believe Christ’s death and resurrection did to our requirement to follow the law?  If we are under grace rather than the law then to what benefit do we have in continuing to submit ourselves to the law?  If we are no longer under the full Islamic law of the Old Testament.  How do you know what aspects of the law you are to follow and what aspects are not required?  If God is still the same yesterday, today and forever then does this age of grace allow us to be in God’s presence, and be guided by His word and Spirit if we live continually seeking grace without true repentance?  Do you have aspects of your lifestyle that you know are against God’s law that you choose to participate in regularly.  For example:  Everyone in my family explodes at the drop of a hat that is just how we are.  God made me this way.  Therefore you have stopped repenting and trying to change.  Not only have you stopped repenting you now justify and defend your behavior.  Are you open to re-evaluating your justifications in light of God’s word and guidance of the Holy Spirit?

*You may need to stop and reassure the person you are interviewing that you are not trying to judge them.  They may be afraid to answer honestly if they struggle with wrong thinking about God’s word.  Remind them that you are only here to help them see themselves in light of God’s word.  It will be their choice to allow the Holy Spirit to convict.  It is important as the interviewer to NOT try and persuade them to right thinking.  Speak truth, from the Word.  If you sense resistance write a note to yourself that this is an area of you will pray for them to have a break through.  Remind yourself you have sewn God’s seed, you must water it with prayer and possible fasting.  Resorting to many words to convince them will only fuel their fire to defend their position.*

2)      2)  What do you believe the bible says about the standard leaders are to be held to?  Let’s have a look at some verses.  OK now that we know, let’s unpack these verses.  How do you see that you measure up?  Is God calling us to a level of perfection no man can attain?   If not, what are we to do when we have moments, days or season where we are not meeting this standard?  Is our only choice to step down, hide it or quit?  If not what are our options?

3)     3)   Do you believe that accountability could help you be the leader God intended you to be?

4)     4)  What hang-ups or preconceived ideas do you have about accountability that makes it less than desirable?  For example I already have a nagging wife, I know my faults all too well, and my dad never stopped pointing them out.  What I like about being an adult is not answering to anyone.  Be prepared to show empathy and reinforce that criticism is not in and of itself helpful for growth.  Be prepared to share verses about how authority misused to dominate causes pain and suffering.  Be prepared to pray and break the lies that have been spoken over this person.  You may want to set a separate time to pray and seek God’s healing as you don’t want to move to quickly and negate the Holy Spirits moving.

5)     5)  What do you think good accountability would look like?  Have you ever experienced it?

What would you be accountable for?

6)     1)   What does your quiet time look like?  How often and for how long do you read/pray/praise.  What do you do to apply God’s word?  How often do you feel inspired by the word?  How often do you find yourself caught up by the Holy Spirit?  Delighted to be in God’s presence?  How often are you thinking about other things, bombarded with other thoughts, not able to even remember the words you have read?  Tell me of a time in your life when your quite time really spoke to you?  What was different?  In light of this conversation what do you want your quiet time to look like and how do you want me to keep you accountable?  *Help your interviewee to stretch themselves but be practical.

7)     
      2) What does your relationships with your wife and children look like?  Do you have areas in the way you respond to them that troubles you or them?  *Redirect the conversation if they try and point fingers at the poor behavior of those in their family.  For example:  Wow that would be hard to deal with.  I can see how that would be frustrating.  Let’s look at how you respond when that happens.  Is it helping or hurting the situation? Also if they bring up major issues you may want to refer them to getting some outside help.* Now that we have reflected on how you react to your family what would you like to be held accountable for?  *Keep this to a short list if they are seeing need for much change.  Remind them that trying to change too much at once would most likely lead them to a path of failure.  Now have them share what they are doing right in there relationships.  Add this to your list.  You want them to share the good they are doing weekly as well as the areas they struggle with.

8)     
      3) What does your relationship with yourself look like?  For example:  Do you push yourself to hard,  do you lack self-discipline,  do you have emotional issues, depression, mood swings, do you have some “go to” patterns of sin that are waying you down?  *I know this may seem heavy.  So let’s move on to what you feel you are good at, what you want to keep doing.* so what are the ways you are taking good care of yourself?

9)      4) How are you impacting those you have influence on?  *Let your interviewee know that good leadership will be a byproduct of them having success in the above 3 areas of their life.  For when we are free from the entanglements of sin and are listening to God he will lead us to lead.  So the abundance of opportunities they have had to influence or lack thereof will most likely be in direct proportion to how they pursue God’s path in these areas.

*Now this information should be converted into a concise bulleted document that can be used by both parties for accountability and prayer.  Now establish how and when you will meet.  You may decide to meet electronically weekly and just once a month face to face.  Be realistic.  You want this to be a help not a burden.  The interview process should be the longest meeting you have.  I recommend giving each person only 5-10 minutes per topic.  If a topic seems like it needs more time table it.  Then after both parties have shared in all areas you can decide if you have time to revisit the tabled topics.  You don’t want either party to be short changed nor do you want time to become a burden.

Boundary Setting

1) Write down the name of person you are struggling to establish boundaries with.

2) Write down issues that have caused you to feel your personal boundaries have been crossed.  Pray that the Lord would begin to heal the wounding this has caused.  For your pain and fear will stand in the way of your objectivity.  Pray the Lord give you strength to stand up for yourself.

3) Take that list and re-write it as boundaries you would like to have.  Remember to set small boundaries at 1st.  Ones you are confident that you will be able to follow through with.

4) Write down your action step when the other party does not respect those boundaries.  Be realistic.

5) Write down what you will get back for yourself and for your relationship if these boundaries were to be followed.

6) Tell a friend.  Be ready to adjust your boundaries and action step. 

7) Tell the person you are struggling with that you are sorry that you have not been predictable in how you respond.  That out of love for yourself and your relationship you are going to be working on your yes being yes and your no being no.  Tell them in love how you have let them take advantage of you.  Ask for forgiveness for how you have responded to feeling taken advantage of.  Be specific.  I am sure you have been ugly to them.  Example have you (nagged, guilt, stonewalled, manipulated, etc.) Ask for forgiveness for this.  NO SARCASM. Then tell them what your boundary will be and what your action will be if not respected.  This is not a threat.  This is just a fact.  Then open a conversation on what both of you think you could get back if this boundary is respected.  Don't judge, just listen to their view.  If they can't find anything positive to say empathizes with them that you understand that it will take time for them to adjust to this change.  Then change the subject.  Don't let them drag you down or try an talk you out of your boundary.  This is a great place to interject humor.  "Look at you trying to talk me out of my new convictions,  Ha you almost got me.  Not this time bro."

8)Be prepared for it to get worse before it get's better.  Be prepared to ask for forgiveness from this person every time they try and push you to let your boundaries down.  For example "I can understand why you keep ...  I have allowed this for a long time.  I am sorry I haven't been stronger in the past.  I am sorry that you are having to adjust to a new me.  But this boundary isn't moving nor is my reaction to your request.  Remember, I love you and more importantly I love us.  So again I have to say ..."  Now try and find humor and get off the topic.  A positive diversion is your best tactic at this point.  Remember your MO (nagging, manipulating, yelling, crying) DOES NOT work.

9)After they try and push your boundary go back and read/remind yourself of what you will get if this boundary is finally respected.  For you are just at the beginning of the race and you have a long way to go to get to the finish line.  It is worth it.  You are worth it.  Your relationships are worth it.  Keep pressing in and keep believing that one day you will win that race with your loved one at your side.