Snapea Crisps - Have You Tried Them?

Meet my newest favorite snack food! OH MY GOODNESS! They are awesome! I love potato chips -  from BBQ to Corn Chips to Sour Cream,  but they just aren't healthy for me because I eat way more than one serving once I get started. I can't help it. I have tried all the baked chips and I just don't feel like they even compare. 

I actually bought these as a salad topping, but I found myself eating a handful here and there, omitting the salad. Now they are my go to snack. 

Ok, that being said - I have to confess - these are not really "healthy" either.  A serving is 150 calories - pretty much the same as a lot of potato chips. HOWEVER, I don't have the need to  over indulge in these. I don't know why - but I am satisfied with a small handful of these. I never eat a full serving at one time.

This week I bought the Black Pepper Snapeas and they have only 120 calories per serving! Even better and sooo good.

Seriously, try them!

Time to Rant - Not On A Diet

I have not had sugar to speak of in, let's see...2 months at least. I am talking about desserts - cakes, cookies, pie, ice cream, candy - I haven't been sugar-free- I just don't partake in birthday cakes, desserts after dinner, picking up a candy bar in the convenience store, that kind of "no sugar".
Well, I am tired of it!! I made an executive decision today between me, myself and I. I lost about 5 or 6 pounds - but that was because I also went "low sodium" - so basically, that was water weight. I put it right back on. The reason? because I am constantly looking for something to eat because nothing .I. do. eat. satisfies. me. N O T H I N G.
This is what I have decided - and my decision is final - non-negotiable.

 I am eating ice cream - not yogurt, not fat free, not sugarfree, not even 1/2 the calorie mess. I bought the real deal today - my fav - PRALINES & CREAM - and I haven't even opened it yet! I haven't wanted it (yet) but it is there when I am ready for it, by George!

I am eating cookies - not sugarfree, not fat free, not those little just enough to make you mad 100 calorie wannabe cookies either! I bought Keebler - chips deluxe with coconut. You heard right - and I have eaten 4 of them and boy, were they good!

My thinking is - I will be so much more satified - I won't eat an extra 600 calories trying to satisfy myself. Hey, it's worth a shot - I sure ain't getting any skinnier trying to eat right!

The next birthday at work - I am eating cake! Yes Mam - I am!

Kicking The Sugar Habit

Now that I have kicked that white stuff to the curb - you know that sweet, white, powdery drug that is accepted by the majority  of America? Sugar - I think I am strong enough to talk about it here. I am sure there are people out there who may benefit from my experience.

I had to quit cold turkey - that is the only way it will work for me. I am not one of those who can eat 2 cookies and be happy. I can't have a small piece of cake and be satisfied. Once I start - I don't stop until I pretty much make myself sick. Set a cake in front of me with buttercream frosting and I go nuts. I have had my moments of demolishing a whole box of Little Debbies. I have terrible luck setting boundaries for myself when it comes to sweets. I know it is a pale comparison - but just like an alcoholic can't handle a glass of wine or one single beer - I can't handle just one candy bar. It sends me on a binge.

Understand when I say "sweets" - I am talking about cake, pie, candybars, candy. I am not totally "sugar free". I eat yogurt, fruit - I eat some things that are naturally sweetened - for whatever reason I don't have a problem with those types of foods. I just try to stay away from most anything that is sugar loaded.

Some other changes I have made - I have switched from diet coke to diet 7Up - diet cherry 7Up - less sodium - no caffiene.
I have lowered my sodium intake all the way around. I am using a salt substitute and reading labels to try to keep my intake under 2300 mg daily.

I am trying to watch my starches, too. With a lazy gallbladder - I am watching my fats more.

I am finding it easier and easier to just say no. It helps to find support in reading blogs of others who deal with the same kind of addiction and believe me it can be an addiction.

By the way - I have lost 6 pounds since going "cold turkey".

Blissful and Domestic: Blogger Not on a Diet

Blissful and Domestic: Blogger Not on a Diet

I am joining up with this lovely lady in my quest for a healthier lifestyle. We are saying NO to that ugly word (D I E T).

I used to always be on the skinny side - even had some not so nice nicknames in my younger days, but those days are long gone and I have jumped to the other side of the tracks.
I am not overweight - by any means - but nor am I happy with the way I am now. I have had years and years of unhealthy junkfood eating and it has finally caught up with me.
I have gone about a month now leaving candy, cakes, pies, cupcakes, etc. off my every day menu - and a few weeks pushing all the salty snacks away. I am buying healthier foods, more veggies and fruits and looking at the labels a little more closely.

Join in if you would like - the more encouragment - the better!
Thanks to Danielle for sharing her blog and the offering of the link.

High Five 4 Friday

Once again it is Friday and not only that, but Good Friday. That means a 3 day weekend for me and that brings me to my High Five Friday which I am linking up to Lauren at From My Grey Desk

1. A 3 day weekend and it looks like the weather will be beautiful! I hope every one has a wonderful Easter and remember the reason that this weekend is so special.

2. My Betsey Johnson give away is going well and I was able to get a few more pieces of jewelry for future giveaways.

3. I downloaded Redeeming Love on my Nook Color. You can check it out

4. I have now lost a total of 5 pounds since going No Suger and Low Sodium.

5. I am going to see Titanic 3D today - I saw the movie when it came out 4 times on screen, owned the movie when VCR were the thing - and watch it every time it comes on television - I must like it or something, ya think?

Have a GREAT weekend and Happy EASTER

High Five For F R I D A Y

So Ready for the Weekend  - TGIF

Even tho I had a short week - I stayed home yesterday due to my lazy gallbladder (see previous post) it was still a LONG week because of STAAR - state testing.

Here are my top 5 Highlights of the week:

1. I reached $100 in Adsense for my Youtube videos and blogs - my goal was by June - so since I made my goal early - that makes me happy. I am not blogging for the $ - but if I can get paid for doing it - why not, right?

2. I saved $404 at Kohls PLUS got back $50 in Kohl's cash - went back 2 days later and spent enough for $20 more AND I had a 30% coupon!!

3. I downloaded Draw Something and got totally addicted...not sure if that is a good thing or not.

4. I lost 2 pounds - I have sworn off sweets for the time being. I would have hoped for more, but 2 pounds is probably healthier than 10, which I would have preferred :-)

and....

5.  I started "secret" guitar lessons. shhh! I will blog about that later!

I hope all have a happy Friday - and are doing the happy dance with me.
Linkin' up with From My Grey Desk

Remedies - Barry Joneshill - Rosebud, Arkansas - My Review

Remedies in Rose Bud, Arkansas

While in Arkansas for Spring Break - I visited a little shop in Rose Bud called Remedies.  Barry Joneshill is a homopathic/herbalist/legend/gifted man and people from all over visit him.  We went twice while there and both times people were lined up to see him. People say he has a God given gift that he can talk to a person and God will tell him through prayer what that person needs to help heal their body or make them feel better. I was anxious to see him and so when I did go I was surprised by everything he told me.
*I have had chronic pain for over half of my life. I have been to many many chiropractors, general practicioners, sports doctors, osteopathic surgeons, you name it. I have taken so many muscle relaxers, pain pills, nothing ever keeps the pain away. My back and neck always hurt no matter what I do. We have had a temperedic mattress, a posturpedic mattress, foam mattress - I will try just about any thing for relief. *

My first visit - I went with my mother - who has been to him many times. We sat down to wait our turn, there were about 6 people ahead of us. When it was finally my turn - he asked, "What's on your mind?" I did tell him I have a lot of back and neck pain - eye twitching - weight gain - trouble sleeping. I am a talker and I know most people say you don't even have to tell him much - he "reads" your body - but I couldn't help myself - I didn't want him to miss a thing! (lol) He was writing on his little white card and covered the whole card which was about the size of 2 index cards. He excused himself and went into another room for a couple of minutes and then came back in and sat down. He said " I tried to condense this all down because I know there is a lot going on with you but God told me that this is what we need to work on. I have broken it down into 3 sections and numbered everything as to what we need to work on first." He then started explaining it all to me. 

So....

I have shingles in my kidneys and urethra
I have 3 cracks in my left hip
I have parasites in my heart

Now after I told him all the things I thought were wrong with me - he told me what each of these things were causing in my body - things I had NOT told him. 
He said I probably have a lot of cysts and sties - which I do - I have had 2 cysts surgically removed - one on EACH SIDE OF MY GROIN AREA - caused from the shingles. (one of them was this month) I have had at least 6 sties  on my eye lids in the past 5 years - one had to be surgically removed because it would not go away.

He said the weight gain is from all the sugar and high carbs I eat caused from the parasites in my heart - and I am a binge sweet/carb eater. I am talking B I N G E - like in 3 or 4 candybars at one time, a whole box of cookies, that sort of binging.

I am low on potassium - and probably have a lot of leg cramps - which is very very true - they wake me up at night.

I fell head first on wet concrete about 5 years ago - which caused nerve damage in both ears so I have hearing loss. I didn't mention this at all - and didn't even think about it - but it could certainly explain the 3 cracks in my left hip.

The "remedies" he recommended:
Potassium, Boron, BHT, Black Walnut, Bioflavonoids
$98 worth - because I wanted it all - no sense in working on piece by piece!

I went back a couple of days later so that my daughter could go and hopefully she will blog and link up. I told him that I forgot to mention that in the last couple of months that I have become a very deep snorer - which I hate! He said no problem and handed me a copper toe ring for $10 to wear on my middle toe right foot. I did not snore at all that night - according to my husband. The 2nd night I snored lightly. The 3rd night he said I was about 50% less of what I was before. Last night he said I was about 75% less.  I guess it comes and goes - ha! I will continue to wear it tho, but I think losing the 10 pounds I have packed on has something to do with it!

Yesterday I went to my chiropractor and told her all about it and what I was taking and she was all for it! She was able to adjust my back and neck for the FIRST time without me wanting to reach up and slap her!! I think something is working! I am going to continue this regimen and will update in a few weeks.

Sidenote - I am also taking Cayenne Fruit, Cranberry Chewables and B12 dissolvables on my own. After doing some research I think these may also be helpful. Stay tuned!

Me after seeing Barry - my mom's finger got in the way...ha!

Patty Cake Patty Cake - Cake Mix & Diet Pepsi

I've seen recipes where you can add your cola of choice to a box of brownie mix. I have also heard that Weight Watchers says you can make a cake using diet cola and your favorite cake mix. Today I decided to put it to the test. The only cake mix I had in my pantry was German Chocolate. I always have either Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi in the fridge. Simple enough - no eggs, no oil - just 12 ounces of Diet Pepsi - add to the mix - stir stir stir. ( I am not motivated enough to drag out my mixer, put it all together and then have to clean it up - put away again:-()

I made mine using 2 layer cake pans. Once out of the oven - I decided at the last minute to put a layer of Nutella on one of the cake layers while it was still hot. I LOVE Nutella. I let them cool just a bit before putting the layers together. I sprinkled powdered sugar all over the top layer and then cut into it while still warm.

It was amazing! It was so gooey inside with the Nutella melting into the bottom layer - I think the next time I make it I will add some caramel sauce to it. That will really set it off. I don't think this would meet Weight Watcher approval, but then I don't do WW - so no problem for me!

So - now I know - any flavor cake mix - diet coke/pepsi - Nutella, caramel or chocolate sauce - or any other favorite topping - and a yummy quickie cake is born.