Build Your Own Nachos: Gluten Free with Dairy Free Options {THM S, E or Crossover}

With a family of six, it is often difficult to make a meal that everyone can enjoy without complaint. Which is why Nacho Night is one of our family favorites.

Build Your Own Nachos empowers everyone to get what they want without any extra work on my part. It is also flexible with what you have on hand in the fridge or whatever produce maybe on sale at the store, making it a win for the budget as well as the tastebuds.

Build Your Own Nachos:
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
1 lb of Ground Meat of Choice
Sweet Bell Peppers
Lettuce
Mexican Style Shredded Cheese (Or Hello Cheese pg 487 THM Cookbook for Dairy Free)
Salsa
Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
Guacamole

Everyone gathers around the table and builds their own plate as they please, dairy free for me, mild salsa for the kids, spicy options for my husband. It's the perfect dinner to accommodate all of our different tastes and dietary needs. 

Notes for Trim Healthy Mamas:

For an {S} Meal, skip the chips and add more peppers for a nice crunch

For {E} Use Baked Blue Corn Chips, skip the cheese (or use Hello Cheese) and guacamole and add fat free refried black beans for creaminess

Simple, Tasty, Kid Friendly, No Special Ingredients... It truly is food freedom!

Until Next Time,

Sonja 

730 Days of Food Freedom: My Two Year Trim Healthy Mama Update

(This post contains Affiliate Links... no additional cost to you... a few extra pennies for me. Thanks for helping support this blog!)

Two Years! 730 Days of choosing health and enjoying my food freedom. I can honestly say there are zero regrets! I have kept off all 65 pounds and maintained my goal weight over the past year with little changes to my daily routine... in case you missed my original Trim Healthy Mama testimonies, you can read them here and here.

Never heard of Trim Healthy Mama? A very basic description would be a low glycemic lifestyle. Removing added sugars and bad starches and creating a customizable diet that meets you right where you are. Learn more at their website... you won't regret it. I promise.

Same jeans as 2015!

Over the past few months I have had to adjust my diet to remove dairy and gluten in attempts to gain better control over my skin health (I will share more of that journey later). If it wasn't for THM, I don't know that I would have been able to successfully manage such a big change in my diet. The new cookbook is full of dairy free options and I don't have to feel like I am missing out on anything.  There are so many options for each individual, because it's real food. No special labels, no counting calories; just good food and the knowledge you need to take control of your health.

No, Trim Healthy Mama isn't a miracle to solve all your problems, it's a tool to help you achieve your health goals. A very effect, easy to use, tool... that encourages foods like Chocolate and Bacon (seriously... who doesn't love bacon!)

I am so grateful to have been introduced to this lifestyle. I can live my daily life without the stress of being overweight or the constant struggle to "watch" what I eat. I walk in freedom knowing that I am making the best choices for my health and enjoying every meal!

If you are new to Trim Healthy Mama or would like to know more about it, feel free to contact me. I love helping people gain the knowledge they need to achieve their goals.

Until Next Time,
Sonja

"Noatmeal" a Hot Cereal Makeover - Dairy, Gluten, and Sugar Free (THM S)

My plans of writing more frequently have been interrupted by what I like to call "the blue screen of death." It is the error screen that shows up every time I turn on my PC informing me of its dismal state.

Until a decision is made on how to repair (or replace) it I am limited to the use of my smartphone. And it is just not the same as sitting down and using a keyboard. 

That being said I had to share my new favorite breakfast with you.

Having recently moved north we are adjusting to colder temperatures. I love it! I love fuzzy slippers, cozy sweaters, and sipping hot tea all day.

However, breakfast can get a little boring. I normally save eggs for dinner and now that I am gluten and dairy free I have even left my standard oatmeal breakfast behind. Thanks to Pinterest I found this recipe for Noatmeal and it hits the spot! It is fast, easy, warm, and filling. Everything I need in a breakfast. It has more of a Malt-o-meal texture than oats but it is just as versatile. Here is my take on the recipe:

Noatmeal
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds
2 Tablespoons Ground Flax
1/2 Cup Almond milk (or dairy free milk of choice)
1 Tablespoon Pyure Stevia
Pinch of Mineral Salt
Dash of Vanilla

Optional Add Ins:
Liquid Egg Whites (see note)
Cinnamon
Maple Flavor

Mix ingredients in small saucepan, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until desired thickness is reached. Mine takes approximately 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in desired add ins.

Transfer to bowl and serve (or save a dish and eat it straight from the pan) So easy!

Note: I wait to whisk in my egg whites until after cooking, but while still very hot. This adds a nice creamy protein source without adding any eggy flavor to the dish.

I hope you can enjoy your cozy winter morning even more with this yummy hot breakfast.

Until Next Time,
Sonja

Hello Again!

I cannot believe it has already been six months since my last post. How my life has changed! I am excited to share about our latest adventures but there is so much to tell I will have to spread it out over the next few weeks!

To start we have moved to Iowa! My husband received a promotional transfer and we packed up and headed North. This journey has been a testament to the faithfulness and unending love of our good God. He has provided for every detail and unforeseen circumstance. Even the situations that felt like delays turned out to be divine timing. We have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Ps 27:13) and I am so blessed!

Another journey I have started since my last post is a transition into a dairy and gluten free diet. Thankfully with Trim Healthy Mama, it has been an easy leap. I will be sharing new recipes and tips as well as reviewing recipes from the new Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.(Affiliate)

Our boys are always the center of our adventurous life and this week we will be celebrating our baby's 2nd birthday! How can time pass so quickly???

January 2014

I am completely in love, how could I not be? Again, God has been so good and I am looking forward to sharing more with you soon!
 
Thank you for stopping by and until next time I pray the goodness of the Lord shines on you as well!
-Sonja

Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins - THM {E}, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Low Fat

Summer has officially arrived at our house. My oldest graduated from Kindergarten this week! All A's and the Reading Achievement Awards... It was a proud Mommy moment. :-)

Having all four boys home from school for the summer means LOTS of snack requests. As we continue in our journey of healthy eating I am always on the look out for easy recipes to fill my picky eaters with nutritious snacks rather than empty calories. We have enjoyed this Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Muffin recipe in the past, with whole wheat and honey it is great for the kids as is. However, since I have been a Trim Healthy Mama (affiliate) since March 2014 I wanted to convert the recipe to be on plan and be able to enjoy some of these yummy muffins as well.  I am please to say they turned out great!


Spiced Sweet Potato Muffins - THM {E}, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Low Fat
Makes 12 Muffins

Ingredients:

1 Medium Sweet Potato, Cooked

Dry:
2 Cups Oat Flour (Ground Old Fashioned Oats)
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

Wet:
1/3 Cup Liquid Egg Whites (or whites from 2 large eggs)
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 Cup of Water
1/4 Cup Sweet Blend/Truvia

6 doonks* (1/32 of a Teaspoon) Pure Stevia powder
*We started with just the Sweet Blend and added the Stevia, 2 doonks at a time until the desired sweetness was reached

Directions:
Cook Sweet Potato with desired method (I used the Potato Sensor Cook option on my Microwave - could bake in 400 degree oven for approximately 40 minutes)

Preheat (or reduce) oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin tin with paper liners

In Large Bowl: mix dry ingredients.
In Medium sized bowl: Peel and mash sweet potato add wet ingredients; except Stevia Powder. Mix well (I blended mine with an immersion blender until smooth, because I got one for Mother's Day and I love it and use it for everything!)

Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until combined.  Taste and add Stevia accordingly.
Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 12-15 minutes

Notes:
The original recipe calls for a almond/oat topping, I left this out as to not have to worry about adding any fat to this recipe to keep it well within {E} boundaries. 
Also, you could use all Stevia with this recipe and leave out the Sweet Blend, I might try this next time and add 1/4 Cup more water to make up the difference in bulk if necessary.

Converting recipes is always an experiment. I am grateful for my Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle and how it has not only given me food freedom but also more confidence in the kitchen!

Enjoy and have a happy and healthy summer!

Until Next Time,
Sonja

Caramel Apple GGMS

Having great options for food and drinks is one of my favorite things about being On Plan with Trim Healthy Mama.(affiliate)

Just wanted to take a minute and share my favorite way to make Good Girl Moonshine (GGMS).

For a 1 quart jar:
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 cap full (approximately 1/2 tsp) Caramel extract
1 rounded doonk of Stevia
A few shakes of Apple Pie Spice
A pinch of salt

Swirl to mix well. Fill jar with water and ice enjoy!

A Glimpse Into My Trim Healthy Life : My Current Go-To Meals and Daily Exercise Routines

I am overwhelmed by the response to My One Year Trim Healthy Mama Update. Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement! I love our THM community!

A few people have asked about my daily meal plans and workout routines. Being a Stay-At-Home-Mom I normally freestyle my meals and fuels. However I find that I mainly stick to the same foods for a few weeks and then change it up to something different. In the beginning I made Choco Pudding and Chocolate MIMs all the time! I still have "Martha Stewart" dreams of beautifully organized weekly meal plans and full course family dinners, complete with beautiful desserts, but for now reality requires something a little different. :)

Please remember, every body is different and I have been (and still am) Breastfeeding a beautiful chubby baby boy during my journey on THM. Now that we are beginning to wean I am adjusting my caloric intake as not to over eat since I am not automatically burning an extra 500+ calories a day.

My current daily routine looks something like this:

(6:00am) Breakfast: Old Fashioned Oats (microwaved and un-soaked, because I can never remember to soak them, even though I eat oats every morning) with a scoop of unflavored protein powder (or liquid egg whites) and Polaner Strawberry Fruit Spread {E} - I also have my cup (16oz) of coffee with 1 Tablespoon of Beef Gelatin and 1 Tablespoon Half-n-Half

On the weekends I like to change it up with Strawberry Shortcake made with a Vanilla Coconut MIM, frozen strawberries and cream {S}

(9ish)Mid Morning Snack (one of the following):

• Plain Greek Yogurt with Stevia and Berries {FP} 

• 2 Slices of Ezekiel 4:9 (or Easy {E}) Toast with 1 Light Laughing Cow Wedge and Polaners Fruit Spread {E} 

• Muffin In a Mug {S} ( if it has been a full 3 hours since breakfast)

(11:30-12pm)Lunch (one of the following):

• Sweet Potato (microwaved) topped with a can of tuna, Greek Yogurt (or cottage cheese) and Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning and occasionally a sprinkle of skim mozzarella cheese. {E}

• Brown Rice Bowl - Brown rice, black beans, steamed (or canned) veggies, canned tuna/salmon/chicken, greek yogurt and seasonings of choice {E}

•  2 Hot Dogs (Premium Nitrate Free Turkey Franks) smothered in cheese wrapped in a Joseph's pita with a side of raw veggies and Ranch dip. {S}

•  Just Like Campbell's Tomato Soup (page 292) with Grilled Cheese made on Bread In a Mug (page 265) {S}

(3pm-4pm)Afternoon Snack (one of the following):

• Mixed Nuts and Oolong Tea {S}- usually thrown into a cup and eaten on the way to get my older two from school :-)

• Apple Slices w/ 1 tsp Peanut Butter {E}

Dinner: A note about dinner time: Four nights a week my husband and I go to the gym, however our local gym does not provide childcare so we have to take turns after he gets home from work. So our week night dinners look a little different than the weekends. I also have four extremely picky eaters so most of the time I will fix the boys something and then use that time to clean my kitchen and then I will have a Whey Protein Smoothie after the gym.


(6:00pm) On non-gym nights:

• Family Spaghetti Night (about once a week) made with Dreamfield's pasta, ground venison (cooked in bacon grease) and homemade sauce. {S}

• Bacon & Cheesy Scrambled Eggs (or fried eggs on a bed of greens) {S}

• Joseph's Pita Pizzas

Desserts:

• Skinny Chocolate{S} (page 371)
• Cake in Mug {S} (page 379)
• Cheesecake Berry Crunch {S}  (page 373)
• Frozen Berries with Cream {S} or Almond Milk {FP} poured over, let sit covered in the fridge for a few minutes and it starts to thaw the berries and freeze the cream... yum!

That is normally what my week looks like. I know I need to eat more greens and veggies but most times I am lucky just to have time to sit down and eat while my food is still hot! Sometimes I fill in the gaps with Earth Milk (Chapter 27) which is surprisingly really yummy.  I rarely eat {E} dinners because when I do I wake up starving in the middle of the night. Now that Spring is upon us our meals will probably change as we will be grilling out a lot more and the produce selection at the store increases in quality.

Exercise:

 As I mentioned above, my husband and I take turns going to the gym in the evenings. We tried for a few years to do the "home gym" thing but with four small children it just never worked out for us. As a one-income family of six, I debated for a long time about paying for a gym membership but as I began to seek God about it He opened the door and now I use that hour in the gym to be by myself (a miracle in itself) and recharge. It also is a reward of sorts for staying On Plan and continuing to pursue healthy living.

Since THM I have learned that it really isn't so much about calories in - calories out. It's about restoring your metabolism and fueling your body at the right times. So I don't worry so much about cardio-specific exercises. We go on hikes and walks as a family, so when I am at the gym I want to dedicate my time to strength training. So I lift weights. The real ones, where the guys normally work out. Because I want to be strong and have curves in the right places.

When I first started strength training (about 6 months after starting THM, when the bulk of my weight was off and I had tons more energy) I used this total body routine and really enjoyed it, however after 6 weeks I started to get bored and wanted to change it up. Since my husband is an avid body builder, he helped me plan out my current routine. I always make sure to research proper form and not lift too heavy. 

My Current Lifting Routine:

MONDAY:
Back - 4 Sets of 12-15 Reps - 30 second rest between sets

• Lat Pull Down
• Upright Row
• Seated Row - Narrow Grip
• Back Extension

Biceps - 4 Sets of 12-15 Reps - 30 second rest between sets

• Barbell Curl
• Alternating Dumbbell Curl
• Reverse Curl
• Hammer Curl - Drop Sets

TUESDAY:
Chest/Shoulders: 4 Sets of 12-15 Reps - 30 second rest between sets

• Flat Dumbbell Bench Press
• Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
• Cable Flys
• Shoulder Press - Drop sets
• Lateral Raises - Drop sets

Triceps: 4 Sets of 12-15 Reps - 30 second rest between sets

• Cable Machine Rope Pressdowns
• Cable Machine Overhead Extensions with Bar
• Bench Dips to Failure

THURSDAY:
Legs & Butt: 3 Sets of 12-15 reps - 30 second rest between sets

• Deep Squats
• Sumo Squats
• Stiff Leg Dead Lift
• Glute Bridge
• Leg Press
• Sideways Leg Press
• Walking Lunges (20)
• Leg Extensions
• Leg Curls 

FRIDAY:
Calves : 3 Sets of 12-15 Reps - 30 second rest between sets (one set toes pointed straight, one set toes pointed out, one set toes pointed in)

• Seated Calf Raise
• Standing Calf Raise (on Smith Machine, use step)
• Leg Press Calf Raise

Abs: I currently am in the process of healing my Diastasis Recti - I am down to a 2.5 finger gap and am able to do more advanced core workouts.  I am currently using this one.

So that basically sums up my week! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. However, don't copy me, find what works best for you and your life on this healthy journey. Your Trim Healthy Mama (affiliate) Book is your best resource. Email the staff at THM or visit one of the Facebook group pages because I know from personal experience, the THM community is always there to help with questions.

Until Next Time, Enjoy Finding Your TRIM!

Sonja

How I found My Trim : My One Year Trim Healthy Mama Update

I almost don't even know where to begin. ONE YEAR! I'd say I can't believe it, but every time I watch my 14 month old attempt a new milestone, I am reminded how fast the time has gone. He is running after his big brothers now, and thanks to Trim Healthy Mama, (affiliate) I can too!

I began this journey in March 2014. Two months postpartum with my fourth (and final) little boy. Having topped the scale at 212 pounds during my pregnancy I was very disheartened at the idea of beginning a weight loss plan. I knew (or I thought I did) from previous experience, how difficult it was going to be to watch what I ate and find the time to put in those hours burning calories on the treadmill. Thankfully my friend Jesi didn't give up on me. She just kept mentioning her success with this book she had about switching up fuel sources and cutting out the sugar. Looking back now, I'll have to blame my delay on our long distance relationship. Because when you see a person shrinking before your eyes it's hard to argue with the results. However her persistence finally broke through my hesitations and I bought the book. You can read about my first six months and an overview of the book here Food Freedom: My Six Month Trimaversary.

The last six months have continued to bring forth more health and freedom. I can't say I have reached my goal weight, only because I never set one. My goal is: To be in the best shape of my life, by my 30th Birthday. I still have one year left to reach that goal but thanks to THM all I have left to do is tone up this trim and healthy body. Officially, I have lost 65 pounds and gone from a size 18 down to a size 4. My only regrets are not starting sooner and not taking my measurements. Since THM is a protein centered lifestyle, inches fly off faster, and more consistently, than pounds because you aren't losing your muscle along with the excess fat.

 

The wonderful thing about THM (besides eating chocolate and bacon and shrinking without effort) is that it's designed for life. So now that I am nearing the end of my loosing phase I am slowly transitioning over to maintenance. I am beginning to incorporate both carbohydrates and fats in my meals to maintain a healthy weight and satisfy my dietary needs. I may still have a few inches here and there to loose but I am discovering that I feel better with some S-Helpers and Crossovers added to my week.  Some of my favorite go to foods are Gwen's Nest, Easy {E} Bread, Skinny Chocolate (Page 371), Choco Pudding (Page 366), Joseph's Pita Pizzas, Vanilla Coconut Muffin In A Mug, Frozen berries topped with heavy cream, Oatmeal with Polaners All Fruit Spread, Bacon, Peanut Butter Yogurt... this list could go on for a long time. So I will stop here and say, whatever you are craving there is a high probability that you can satisfy that craving and stay 100% On Plan. There's no need to cheat when you love the foods you are "allowed" to eat.

One of the greatest joys of being On Plan with Trim Healthy Mama is being able to inspire others to begin their journey to health. My success has made a positive impact on my family and friends and I can joyfully announce I will be celebrating my One Year Trimaversary by facilitating my first THM group session with a number of the ladies that have been watching me shrink this past year. I love that THM not only opens the door for physical health, but spiritual health as well. God desires us to glorify Him with our lives, wholly and completely, including how we steward our bodies. He provides us with grace and healing through community and fellowship and I am looking forward to being used by Him to encourage others who have joined me on this journey.

Another blessing THM has shown me is how to celebrate Non-Scale Victories. Here are some of mine from this past year:

• Being able to wear my wedding rings again
• Feeling full on a "diet"
• Comfortably crossing my legs
• Being told I don't look like I've ever given birth, especially to 4 babies in 6 years.
• Being called "A Tiny Little Thing"
• Confidently wearing horizontal stripes
• Feeling skinny 
• Contentment

I could continue this list for pages! I can truly say Trim Healthy Mama has changed my life. I feel good, even when life gets in the way and I am stuck eating something off plan, there is no guilt, maybe some bloating and indigestion, but no condemnation. Just a few hours until I get a fresh start and I can reward myself with something good for me. Because my mindset has changed; I truly believe it is more fulfilling and rewarding to eat On Plan than have a "cheat". Thanks to Trim Healthy Mama, and the persistence of a good friend, I have found my trim and gained a lifetime of food freedom.

Until Next Time,

Sonja

(If you are interested in learning more about Trim Healthy Mama feel free to contact me or visit any of the links on my page)

Cinnamon Lover's Muffin in a Mug (with Variations) - THM {E}

I love quick and simple food ideas. I am a mix between a "Whole Grain Jane" and a "Drive Thru Sue" but mainly out of necessity. Having four boys under five has taught me that if I want to eat anything the first time it is heated, I better do it quick or someone will need me before I get to finish... So I have come to cherish the In a Mug/Bowl recipes shared in the Trim Healthy Mama (affiliate) book. However, I have also been "On Plan" long enough to discover my body operates more efficiently when I stick to an {E} breakfast.

I routinely grab some oatmeal in the morning, but every once in a while I like to change it up.  I usually don't have the special ingredients to make the Muffin in a Bowl recipe [p.258] (Because 2 in diapers + 1 income = Tight budget) So, I experimented with a fuel switch on the Muffin in a Mug recipe [p. 256]. This was a big step for me, I am typically a strict recipe follower, and overly cautious when it comes to culinary experiments. I hate waste and will choke down whatever recipe fail I am subjected to. But THM has given me more confidence to “Own it!” and thankfully this risk was worth the reward!

Check it out and own it for yourselves. {Pin It}


Cinnamon Lover’s Muffin in a Mug (with Variations) – THM {E}

The Ingredients:

2 Tbsps. Oat Flour (ground Old Fashioned Oats)

1 Tbsp. Flax Meal

1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

4 Tbsps. Liquid Egg Whites

1 Tbsp. Fat Free Greek Yogurt

½ Tsp. Baking Powder

1-2 Doonks Pure Stevia Powder

Pinch of Salt and a splash of Vanilla (optional)

The Directions:
Add to your favorite mug and Mix well, Microwave for 1 minute (or pour into a waffle iron for a yummy cinnamon waffle!) and Enjoy.


The Variations: 
After the confidence boost that resulted from my success I attempted a couple other flavor combinations. 

Chai Spice: Reduce the Cinnamon to 1 Tsp and Increase the Oat Flour to 2 ½ Tbsps. Add ¼ Tsp. Cardamom, 1/8 Tsp Black Pepper and 1 Tsp Vanilla

Apple Pie: Reduce Cinnamon to 1 Tsp and Increase Oat Flour to 3 Tbsps. Replace Greek Yogurt with Unsweetened Apple Sauce and Add 1/8 - 1/4 Tsp Apple Pie Spice. Add chopped Apples (optional) 

All of these variations turned out nice and moist. I think this would be wonderful topped with Fat Free Redi Whip, but I didn’t have any. I tried a Greek Yogurt topping but I didn’t like it very much (but yes, I ate it all anyway.) I also tried to use all Oat Flour as the Flax adds approximately 2.2 grams of fat, but I liked the texture better with the Flax meal. I think the possibilities are endless; Blueberry, Pumpkin, Banana... I'm excited, and hungry!


Until Next Time, be brave in the kitchen and enjoy your food freedom!

Sonja

*If you like what you see, please share and link back to this site*

Food Freedom: My Six Month Trimaversary and Trim Healthy Mama Book Review

Six Months! That doesn't seem like very long... but my sweet little baby is already crawling and starting to pull up to standing, my oldest started Kindergarten and I have lost almost FIFTY pounds! So A LOT can happen in just six months... but let's rewind...

My fourth and last baby was born at the beginning of this year. I had two pregnancies worth of weight to loose and I was really dreading all the hours I was going to have to spend doing cardio and counting every calorie that came near my face... because I had done it before. I spent a year trying to loose the weight after my first two pregnancies. I was so stressed and tired that I literally have very few memories from that summer of my life, it's all just a blur. I didn't want to go through that again. I want to soak up and cherish every moment of my boys early years because we all know, they go by way too fast.

I had heard of this Trim Healthy Mama (affiliate) book from my dear friend and fellow blogger (check her out at: Kids, Clutter, & Chaos) but I just kept thinking, oh it can't be that easy (I am so glad I was VERY wrong.) But I really didn't want to go another summer being overweight and stressed out about food and muffin tops. When I began my journey in March of this year I was wearing size 16/18 and 190 lbs. At 5 feet tall, it was way too much weight, all my joints ached, and I was tired. So figured I would give it a shot and I ordered the book.

Quietly reading the 607 paged book from start to finish was a bit more than I could manage with a newborn, toddler and two preschoolers living in the same house. So I just dove into the middle to get the basics of the plan down and I was hooked. Despite assuming I "knew how to eat right" I read it and learned so much (like eating fat doesn't make you fat - Bacon? Yes please!) Even now I go back to re-read different chapters and I am still pulling out new treasures and helpful information I missed in the beginning.

The authors do a great job using every day language to explain the 'why' behind the few foods that are considered "off plan" and give you suggestions for living this life in the real world, including tons of great easy to follow recipes. It is well written and entertaining. The information covers much more than weight loss. Totally body health is the ultimate goal. Not a number on the scale or a race to get there the fastest. They address all the issues that effect us and our everyday health. Including identifying your personality when it comes to your approach to food and the needs of your family life and how that all affects our successes and failures on our health journey.

So what is this Trim Healthy Mama (THM)? While a bit difficult to summarize, I generally explain it as a low-glycemic lifestyle. No sugar or white starches, combined with a way of eating that allows your body to burn it's own fat stores... but really it is so much more. It is food freedom.

Cutting out sugar seemed daunting at first (Have you looked? There is added sugar in everything!), but the natural sweeteners made it easy to adjust (check out my review on a great Stevia brand here)
Now I eat more sweets than ever before. I started eating rich chocolate muffins, creamy puddings, dark chocolate and peanut butter yogurt. I had real bacon and cheesy scrambled eggs for dinner at least once a week. And tons of other yummy foods. I began to notice a difference immediately. More energy, my skin and nails became healthy and strong and best of all; baggy pants! Sure, I have days I eat something "off plan" but that's okay, there is no guilt on THM, no food condemnation, three hours later just jump back in with a wise food choice. However, on those days I eat "off plan" I feel bloated and sluggish, and I am quickly reminded why I love THM so much.

 

Since March I am down to a size 6/8 and 143 lbs. I eat chocolate every day! I am free to eat butter, cream cheese, and bacon (and of course all the other wonderful foods like salmon, grilled chicken, fruits and veggies, sweet potatoes, beans and brown rice, but we all already know those things are "healthy") I eat until I'm full, no counting calories or points. No countless hours on the treadmill. Although exercise is encouraged and discussed in the book. I have begun strength training, because I finally have the energy to do so!

 

I am so excited to continue on this journey. Once I reach my goal, I won't be left to wonder what to do next, because THM has a plan for weight management, as well as weight loss. It is adaptable for every season of your life, whether you need to gain, lose, or maintain. If you have allergies, special medical needs or just want to invest in your health. It is not just for Mamas! This is a lifestyle the whole family will benefit from and I will forever be a Trim Healthy Mama.

Until Next Time!
Sonja

Stevia Select: Chocolate Raspberry Liquid Stevia Product Review

As most of you know I began a sugar free lifestyle back in March when I started Trim Healthy Mama, (affiliate) it has been life changing and I am loving it! (I will be sharing that journey with you soon!) When I started my search for sugar alternatives I had read that quality Stevia could be difficult to find. I stumbled upon Stevia Select while browsing Amazon.com and after reading all the positive reviews I thought I would give it a try.

I first ordered the 100% Pure Stevia Powder and was delighted to discover that not only did it taste great, it had none of the bitter after taste that I was warned about from other products. Since then I was able to be in contact with this family owned small business and I received a bottle of their Liquid Stevia in the Chocolate Raspberry flavor to review.

I was a little disenchanted at first since I normally do not like the blend of chocolate and fruit flavors (apart from the occasional chocolate covered strawberry). However, I was pleasantly surprised by this little bottle of Stevia. It has nice delicate raspberry flavor that isn't overwhelming.

I first tried it in a serving of plain Greek yogurt and it took about 10-12 drops to get to the sweetness level that I like but it blended in smooth and creamy. It left the best after taste, the kind that leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

After that I used it in a cup of black coffee, and the warm drink really brought out the flavors. I didn't have to use as much, just 6-8 drops, and could really taste the fullness of the flavors better than in the yogurt. It was also just as yummy in a cup of hot Oolong tea {for those of you on THM: Chocolate Raspberry Shrinker! Yummy!} I discovered that, as the bottle states, it really does need a good shake between each use and the dropper works best when emptied completely after using to prevent clogging.

The real test was my beloved Chocolate Muffin in a Mug. I followed the recipe in the book and added 6-8 drops of the Chocolate Raspberry Liquid Stevia.

Then I made a Chocolate Raspberry Whip to spread over my muffin. 

Because who doesn't love losing weight eating whip cream smothered chocolate muffins!?

I topped it with Skinny Chocolate chips and it was delicious! 

I am very excited to have this product in my pantry and I cannot wait to try the other flavors Stevia Select has to offer.

Check out their website to learn more about this great company and order your Stevia today!

Until Next Time, 

Sonja