Chicken Cabbage Stew!!!! :)

 People wanted to know how many calories are in this dish.  About 180. =) I personally don't count calories, so that info is only there for those who want to know. =)
You will need:

• 2 five-piece packs of chicken thighs (organic)
• 4 large stalks of celery (organic)
• 4 large carrots (organic)
• 1/2 head of cabbage (organic)
• 4" stick of fresh rosemary (or to taste) organic
• 5 large leaves of fresh sage (or to taste) organic
• fresh parsley (to taste) organic
• Crock-Pot, or other cooking mechanism (not organic haha)
• 4-5 cloves fresh garlic (organic, and these were store-bought)

Start by:

Chop the celery and carrots into large pieces. Or smaller if you like. :)  We like a chunky stew.  Place the chicken in the pot along with the vegetables. We leave the bones in. Sounds crazy I am sure, but that is how we do it.  I think it contributes to the flavor of the broth. 

Pour in enough water to thoroughly cover the meat and veggies. Cook for three hours. 

Three hours later, chop your cabbage and throw it in there. Or place it in there...it's entirely up to you. :) You will also be throwing in your herbs at this time.  Matthew planted herbs and vegetables this year, so all the herbs used in this recipe came from our garden.  The other ingredients didn't, however they are all organic.  If you can't buy organic, don't beat yourself up!  If you are just starting to eat healthy, do the best you can, and be proud that you have come this far! We all start somewhere, and heck, I'm just starting over. :)

About three hours later was when we ate, for an approximate total of 6 hours cooking time. I seasoned my bowl with salt and pepper. =)

I didn't suspect I'd be that good at typing up recipes.  And I wish I had been able to photograph my dearly beloved prepping this and throwing it together.  Next time I will be sure to get step-by-step photos.  This wasn't bad for a first time, writing up a recipe, if I do say so myself. :)

Until next time, love yourself, because I love you too. XOXO

Slacker.....

So, I began "slipping" so to speak. So strange, because I began seeing results, and immediately self-sabotaged...that is old behavior, and definitely not acceptable. I can however, treat it as an experiment and present my findings. :-)

It began with my diet. 

After two years eating gluten free, we decided to have pizza. Then, we tried fast food. Then we had pizza again. Before I knew it, at least once a week we were eating junk. :-( My face began breaking out like it used to, and I began feeling like CRAP. 

Progressed into my work out regimen. 

It got to where I couldn't get up to work out in the morning. At first I thought I was just being lazy, but I could barely get up to go to work, let alone work out. I was so tired during the day! Oh my goodness. Exhausted. I thought my thyroid levels were off (I am hypothyroid).

Went and got my blood work done, and what do you know, my thyroid levels are perfect. So....

That led me back to the beginning with my diet.  Putting two and two together, I was able to determine that this was of my own making, and that I would have to start over. 

Paleo YAY!!!

So,why not go all out? Seriously, why not? No more grains, potatoes, ice cream, processed food. None. Today is day two, and I already feel better.

Hubby made an organic, Paleo chicken cabbage stew for dinner. It is one of my favorite dishes EVER. I'm going to post the recipe later. :) 

Don't worry.  This setback has simply prepared me for a COMEBACK! And comeback I will. :)

Until next time, love yourself, because I love you too. XOXO

Because Everyone Has Setbacks

I don't know what the heck happened to me within the past couple of weeks.  My motivation took a nosedive, as well as my physical capability to get up at 5:30 a.m. to work out. UGH!

Went to the doctor today, and it turns out my thyroid might be out of whack again.  I don't know if I ever told y'all that I have Hypothyroid Disease...well, now ya know.

I decided that instead of beating myself up daily because I didn't get up that morning (which accomplishes NOTHING), I will go back to working out in the evenings until I can get back on track with my morning workouts. I do not like working out in the evenings, but until I can get back on track with working out in the mornings, this is what I am going to do.

Stop being an effing crybaby and just do it!  I know, I know...All I have to do is get up and do it!  People with superb self control will never understand this.  I, on the other hand, am learning it. Now.  At 28 years old.  How sad.

Well, now that I have vented to the world how I feel about the last two weeks, and now that I have become accountable for my lack of action, I will carry on with my fitness journey.  :)

Love yourself, because I love you too.