Day 28

 

We survived the Arbonne 28 Day Detox and couldn’t be better.  Mr. Miller and I have a new lease on life and are not stopping.  Here are the amazing totals for the 28 days:

I lost 20 pounds and 27.5 inches!

Mr. Miller lost 13 pounds and 22.5 inches!

Who would have thought that 28 days ago I would have been able to do this?  Not me for sure but I  was willing to give it a try.  I just had to begin.  Simply begin, make that change for you first.  That’s what I did.  I am grateful to my husband, Anna, Karolyn, Elizabeth, Kristen, Mandy and Melinda for supporting me through this journey and taking their own steps toward a healthier lifestyle.  I can’t wait for my friends, Rachel and Kelly, to continue their journey.  I am pulling for you girls!

Mr. Miller and I plan on keeping this lifestyle.  We truly have never felt better.  Plus I can’t say how good it feels to have jeans that you couldn’t get up over your hips be too big now.  That pretty much rocks my world.  I have a long way to go but know I am not alone on this journey.  If you want to make a change all you have to do is begin.  I am here for you.  Together we can move mountains, lose pounds, lose inches and just plain feel better.  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  Simply visit here and I will help you begin.

 

almond butter protein balls

 

I visited a wonderful new place here in Kansas City called t. LOFT.  Some of the RHOSTM and I gathered there on Wednesday morning to “catch up”.  Our resident “foodie”, Anna, planted the seed in mine and Kristen’s mind a couple of weeks ago when we started this amazing 28 Day Detox Boot Camp journey together.  So we called Courtney and Beth who also believe in a healthy and clean eating too.  Oh were we excited and pleased.  First its any kind of tea you could want and the couple that owns the place live a completely Gluten Free lifestyle.  SCORE.  There is no gluten what so ever on the premises. The best part for me is that a fellow Alpha Phi from Washburn, “J”, is doing all the baking and cooking there.  What a blessing to run into “J” that morning.

I sat there looking at the menu like a kid in a toy store.  Gluten Free, Clean and Paleo choices awaited my decision.  I couldn’t believe it I felt like God had planted this little sanctuary right in front of me.  I decided on the suggestion of “For Her” decaf tea and a protein ball.  I love that even had the ingredients listed so I could check and make sure that all items listed were ok on the Detox.  It was an amazing little protein ball.  I thought right away I know I can make these at home for Mr. Miller and I.  So here is what I came up with and added the Fit Essentials Vanilla Protein Powder.

 

 Almond Butter Protein Balls

  
1/2 c. almond butter

1/4 c. raw agave nectar or less

1 scoop chocolate Fit Essentials Protein Powder*

1/4 c. ground flax seed

1 c. dry gluten free oats

1 tbsp. coconut oil

Heat the Almond Butter, Coconut Oil and Agave Nectar together. Add protein powder, oats and flax seed. Mix well. I use my food processor. Use Pampered Chef small scoop and make balls. It should make 18 bite size balls.

*may substitute with Vanilla Powder

Put in sealed container keep in fridge.

day 14 and still losing…

 

Drum roll please….

I lost another 11 pounds this week plus 9 inches.  That my friends is a total of 17 pounds and 19 inches.  Mr. Miller lost another 4 pounds and 4 inches. His total is 10 pounds and 14.5 inches.

We are rocking it here thanks to Arbonne.  Are you ready yet?  I can help you customize to budget and plan that suits best to you.

Head over to my Face Book Page and message me.  What are you waiting for?  What do you have to lose besides unwanted pounds and inches.  I promise you will thank me!

 

Here is our menu for the week:

Detox Week 3 Menu

Monday

Taco Salad

Tuesday

Salmon Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Brussels Sprouts

Wednesday

Tomato Basil Soup, Grilled Cheese (made with GF Bread and Cheese Sub.)

Thursday

Sweet Potato Hash, Eggs

Friday

Shrimp and Fried Rice, Salad

For Fried Rice: Sauté spinach, onions, broccoli, carrots in coconut oil.  Add 1/2c cooked brown rice.  Scramble 1 egg into side of frying pan.  Add some Earth Balance if you want.

Saturday

Dine Out

Sunday

Porcupine Balls, Green Beans and Salad

clean chicken tortilla soup

 

I just had to share our dinner with you last night.  I made a Clean Chicken Tortilla Soup.  We added brown rice to make it stretch and oh my!  We are loving our newly adapted lifestyle of clean eating thanks to the Arbonne 28 Day Detox Boot Camp. The evening meals are so amazing.  You wouldn’t know you were on a Detox plan.  Clean eating is really the way to go.  Last nights menu called for Chicken Tortilla Soup so I cruised Pinterest and picked up some ideas and then put a little Green Acres love in it.  Boy it was amazing, I will say “slap your Mama good”, sorry Mimi I couldn’t help myself.

Clean Chicken Tortilla Soup

1lb Organic Free Range Chicken

32 oz. organic Chicken Broth

1 can Organic Diced tomatoes with juice

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

2 tsp. cumin

2 garlic cloves crushed

1 tsp. onion powder

1 cup fresh salsa (no vinegar)

1 cup cooked brown rice

fresh spinach – about 2 handfuls

guacamole

Rinse chicken add to crockpot.  Combine broth, tomatoes, beans and spices.  Pour over chicken.  Add Salsa.  Cook on high 5 hours or low 7-8.  Shred chicken when done cooking.  Add cooked brown rice and spinach.  Let set in crockpot for 20 min.  Serve with Guacamole on top. 

 

green diy silver cleaner

How many of you have a Silver Set that looks like this?

First I will say I love Silver Service Sets and I have several in boxes still that someday my “mansion” will have enough places for them to show.  This particular one came from The Deacon and Pops.  It was given to them over 40 years ago as a Wedding Gift from a dear family friend.  I received it a few years ago at Christmas and have loved it every since.  I particularly love the little pineapple on the top. 

 

Well it sits out and tarnishes and I hate, let me repeat… I HATE to polish silver.  I am not sure if it came from helping my Grandmother’s and my Mother polish theirs as a child but I LOATHE it!  That being abundantly clear now I noticed it needed a little attention.  I set out on Pinterest to find a “greener” way to polish the old silver.  Pinterest of course had the answer, I swear it is like the Helpful Heloise of the New Millennium.  Here is goes, you won’t believe how easy it is. 

Cast of Players:

Dirty Silver

Baking Soda

Foil

Salt

Boiling Water

 

Line your sink or shallow wash basin with foil.

 

 

Next add silver.  Pour 1/2 C Baking Soda and 1/2 C Salt over top.

 

 

Last pour boiling water over top to submerge.  Wait 2 minutes, Rinse and dry with Clean Dish Towel and Ouila’!

 

 

My camera doesn’t do it justice.  It really is shiny and sparkly.  Took me all of 10 minutes.  Wow!  If I would have only new that in 1977.

Day 8

 

 

Wow!  That is what I can say at the start of Day 8 and Week 2.  Mr. Miller and I cannot be more impressed by this Detox Boot Camp.  I am down 6 pounds and 10 inches overall and he is down 5 pounds and 10.5 inches.

We feel great and can’t be more excited to see what week 2 brings.  I will admit we had a few “rocky” moments.  You know irritability, hunger, frustration and all that comes with a Detox plan.  I have learned so much about my body this week and that I really shouldn’t have gluten in my life.  It is evil for me.  I don’t miss the sugar, I will admit that I do miss my wine and Diet Soda still but I know it will fade.  I have discovered my new love for sleepy time tea at night before bed.  Mr. Miller and I have our tea and actually a conversation.  NO TV!  Who would have thought it.  We are in bed before 10 and feeling good in the morning.  I am excited for this weeks menu plan.

DETOX WEEK 2 MENU

Monday: Salmon Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Salad

Tuesday:  Chicken Tortilla Soup, Spinach Salad

Wednesday:  Anaheim Turkey Wraps, Apples

Thursday:  Blackened Salmon, Rice, Asparagus

Friday:   Grilled Tomato Basil Sandwiches, veggies and hummus

Saturday:  Eat Out

Sunday:  Left overs

We have a few challenges this week such as Cameron’s 10th Birthday and Party, Family from out of town and all that comes with it.  I am going to remain strong and adapt as I can.  I know with prayer and willpower we will endure and overcome the cravings. 

If you are interested in learning more please visit my Facebook Page  and I will be glad to answer any questions and help you get started.   I can customize a plan for you and adapt to your budget as well.  While you are there give me a like.  Don’t forget the Green Acres Page while you are there

14 years

 

14 years ago in Topeka, a little Church called Grace Cathedral I said “I Do!”.  I haven’t looked back since.

I have the honor of being married to my best friend, lover, father of my children and amazing partner on this journey of life.   We have had some ups and downs, twists and turns but it has been one heck of a ride so far. 

I feel so blessed to be married to you Mr. Miller.  I love you more today than ever before.  You have given me unconditional love, respect, honesty, passion and two amazing little boys.  What more could a girl ask for.  Thank you for asking “Where I had been all your life?”.  Look where one little question that ended in a kiss that night took us.

LOVE YOU and Happy Anniversary.

day 1 down, 27 to go…

 

 

Mr. Miller and I have embarked on a new journey in life. ..  The 28 Day Detox Boot Camp 2014. 

We started our Boot Camp yesterday and will continue for another 27 days, at least this go around.  I have a lot to loose so this is a true “Life’s Journey”.  Many of you know that I became a Independent Arbonne Consultant in September.  I am loving it.  This company follows all the product values and views on clean living that we believe in here at Green Acres.  Pure, Beneficial and Safe ~ how can you not love that?  I am so lucky that I have a few partners on this journey ~ Mr. Miller, Anna, Karolyn, Elizabeth, Kristen and Mandy.  We can do this!  I am remembering everyday Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”

We are following a strict plan of NO Sugars, Gluten, Dairy, Alcohol or Caffeine.   Eating all natural and organic with replacing 1 –2 meals a day with our Arbonne Fit Essentials Protein Shakes.  These shakes are the best protein shakes I have ever had.  They have 20 grams of protein, Gluten and Soy Free, Dairy Free and Certified Vegan. Nothing artificial either.  We follow a simple plan.  Our menus and grocery lists are made and posted every Friday for us.  This couldn’t be easier.  Last night I made Chicken and Rice soup with Carrots from our own garden and a spinach salad.  The boys went to town on it.

 

 

Our dinners this week look like this:

Monday: Chicken and Rice Soup, Spinach Salad

Tuesday: Taco Salad (no cheese) with fresh Pico De Gallo

Wednesday:  Spaghetti with Rice Pasta, Mixed Greens and Lemon Garlic Dressing

Thursday:  Salmon over Rice with Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Friday:  Veggie Wraps with Hummus and Vegetables

Saturday:  Turkey Chili and Spinach Salad

Sunday:  Left overs

Day one is over and in the books.  Did pretty well.  A little nauseous at times but I know that is part of the detox.  Did you know that Sugar/Aspartame withdrawals are  very similar to detoxing from Illegal Drugs?  Scary, isn't it.   Follow me on this journey.  Who knows you just might want to join me in November.  If you have any questions about the product let me know.

TBT:: 4 years ago this week….

4 years ago this week I was still hanging diapers on the line

Henry was cruising around on his knees

Cameron was making his first PBJ by himself

garden gifts

Just before the rain rolled in this morning I walked through one of my happy places, the Green Acres Garden.  The place where we have for the past 4 summers toiled, planted, picked pesky bugs, slapped mosquitoes and for me, ruined many a manicure.  I love this little patch of heaven.

From our Inaugural Garden in 2009 to today.




Oh, how I love our Garden so.  This morning to my delight we found lots of Bell Peppers, jalapeno peppers and finally my tomatoes are coming around.  We have had a crazy tomato year.  Lots of vine, not many fruit and the fruit that was showing up was a salad bar for our new puppy and the tree rats.


So the question was raised ~ what to make today?  It looks like Tuna Pasta Salad, Jambalaya for dinner and possibly going to make a batch of pickled jalapenos for my Mr. Miller.

Yummy Crockpot Jambalaya

• The Cast of Characters
• 5 c. chicken broth 
• 1 can black beans*
• 4 peppers – any color you want, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large can of organic diced tomatoes (leave the juice) or 2 small cans
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 bay leafs
• 1 lb. large shrimp, raw and de-veined
• 1 pkg kielbasa or Andouille sausage
• 2 c. okra (optional)
• 3 tbsp. Cajun Seasoning or a little less if you want
• 1/4 c. Frank’s Red Hot (or hot sauce of your choice) 

1. Put the Peppers, Tomatoes, onions, Frank’s, Broth,black beans,  garlic, bay leaves and Cajun seasoning in crockpot.  Set on low for 6 hours.
2. About 30 minutes till end of time add cut up sausage and shrimp. Remember to take tails off and devein.
3. While shrimp and sausage are cooking make up some rice or crazy some quinoa to change it up a bit.
4. Serve over rice.
5. Your mouth, tummy and family will thank you.

*My family loves black beans.  I know it is not a regular ingredient found in jambalaya.  The beauty of cooking is that it is your canvas, make it how you want. You could use chicken instead.

fins up!

Fins Up!  Are you ready for the weekend?  We are!

My little men love Jimmy Buffett as much as Mr. Miller and I do. 

Henry was rocking out a few weeks ago when Jimmy was on the Today show.  We take pride in the fact that

they can sing most of his songs by heart. 

It’s getting near the end of summer and finally we have a break in the heat.  Not truly complaining we had a rather mild

summer here in Missouri.  I feel an evening in the backyard tonight with a Margarita possibly.  First Tee for Cameron and Parish Picnic tomorrow. 

A visit from Mimi that the boys don’t know about yet. (Secret surprises are fun!)

Followed by my Ribbon Cutting for my Arbonne business and a double header of football games for Cameron on Sunday. 

Yep, full weekend indeed. Hope you enjoy yours as well.

not a choice…

I have been facing a few challenges lately with being the Mama of that “kid”.  You know the one with the quirks.  The one who has the meltdown because things are not going his way.  The one who makes the noises.  The one that can’t look you in the eye and you think they are ignoring you. I am that Mama at the store that people look at and then away.
Yes I AM!  I AM the Mama to an amazing child and gift from God.  Yes, we may not be “normal” but what is normal anyways. We were chosen by God to be this beautiful boys parents. 

I AM the Mama to a child with Autism, Asperger’s to be exact with a side of OCD, ADHD and SPD.   I often joke that we have Alphabet soup behind our name.  I am writing this today to let my fellow “Superhero” Parents and friends that we are here for each other and to support each other.  Lately I have had some friends facing some rough times with “fitting” their piece into the mainstream puzzle and it has really spoke to me.  I have been there.  I keep remembering to take a deep breath, pray and I count to 10 a lot.   I have learned to speak up and am teaching Cameron to advocate for himself too.  Thank you Ms. Anna K for that reminder. 

I am grateful to be at a school that does a pretty good job of inclusion, not perfect but we are getting there.  We have STM for All and the support of Friends of FIRE.  These two programs help keep my “gift” and others in a regular classroom and help in the fight for an Inclusive Religious Education.

I am grateful to be in an amazing network of friends at that school.   (We refer to each other as the Real Housewives of STM or RHSTM.)  I am grateful to be on this journey with Mr. Miller.  I am grateful for my family and my faith.  Without all of these components I couldn’t do what I do.

I was cruising Facebook this morning and a gal I love at Autism With a Glass of Wine had a great picture and caption this morning.  Head over to her page, give her a big ol’ LIKE.  She might enlighten your world just as she has mine.  

“I am beautiful not broken.  Different not less.  Challenged not challenging. 

Overwhelmed, not spoiled.  Autism is not a choice.

However, acceptance is.”

Remember the next time you are at the store, park or wherever that child who isn’t “normal” in your eyes might not have a choice in how they are feeling and how they are reacting in the moment, but you do.

pancakes

Pancakes for breakfast not such a crazy idea right?  I have a secret to admit here, I have never made pancakes truly from scratch.  Yes, I have bought the Krusteaz Mix and done that but when I say from scratch I mean pull out your inner Olivia Walton along with the flour, baking powder, eggs and milk.  I have often spoke of my unhealthy affair that I have with Pinterest well when Junior Mint asked for pancakes one morning I got brave.  Really it just gave me an excuse for a rendezvous with my obsession.  I looked and found a great and simple recipe, of course it was a “good thing” as it came from Martha.  Basic Pancakes, so easy that Junior Mint got in on the action himself.  I found some blueberries in the old Frigidaire (pardon my reference to Steel Magnolia’s) and threw them in too.  Let’s just say it met to Junior Mint’s approval.  Saved the extras in a container for the next morning.

Confession time…yes I do still occasionally buy the frozen pre made cakes but I am going to do my best effort to make batches ahead of time and use my sealer to keep them ready and in the freezer.  The from scratch ones that is.  I am truly amazed at how easy, tastier and healthier it is to make “Simply From Scratch”.   We are trying to keep a handle on funds and so if I can stay on the exterior of the store to buy fresh and not the interior for processed it does help.  The other factor is trying to clean eat.  With Cameron’s Asperger’s clean eating is essential. Disclaimer:  We are not perfect nor experts but simply parents who want to do the best for him and ourselves. 

Junior Mint channeling his inner Bobby Flay.

A hot cast iron griddle, not a must have, is a big help.  Thank you Erika and Randy for this gift from years past.  I love it still to this day.

 

Voila’ breakfast is served.  If you haven’t tried the Organic Syrup at Aldi you are missing out.  At $3.89 a bottle you can’t beat it.

The clean plate and purple stains around his mouth say it all.

UTH:: weekend find!

UTH, you probably read that and went what is she talking about?  I LOVE Thrift Stores, Garage Sales and Craigslist.  Let’s face it I love a deal, you might as well call me “Second Hand Rose” yes, I love Barbra Streisand too but that’s another story. I have in the last years named these adventures Urban Treasure Hunts aka UTH.  We used to only do them in Big Red the Explorer but since we got Gertie, Mama’s new Passat wagon – she was a UTH too, we take her also.

Mr. Miller and I were driving through Mission this weekend after a visit to Diaper Daisy and we came upon a yard sale and he had these wonderful wash tubs on a stand.  That definitely caught my eye but alas he wouldn’t budge on the price so I moved on.  I walked the yard through all of his lovely treasures, since all were 50% at that point.   I came upon this gem tucked away and filled with other treasures.  I looked at the tag and it said $5 so that meant $2.50 call it SOLD!  I paid the man and it got loaded in Gertie on top of Cameron’s golf clubs that I forgot were still back there and away we went.

 

When I got to the car Mr. Miller gave me “the look”, you know the one where they are saying “now what is she going to have me do”.  I re-assured him this was an easy project.  I just simply wanted to use it for the garden hose in the back yard.  It already had a rusted hole in the bottom so I thought we could bring the hose up through the bottom and coil them in.  He agreed.  Sometimes this Mama is pretty clever.  I love the challenge of repurposing old into new.

Mr. Miller did a great job with placement.  He set it up on some pavers so the hose didn’t get kinked and put it out by the kitchen so I could get the garden easily and the rest of Green Acres.  Nice job Honey!

 

Warning the cute Puppy in the next picture is not for sale or trade.  Introducing our newest member of the Green Acres Family, Penelope Karolynn aka Penny.  She is a 20 week old German Bulldog who loves to pose for pictures.  We are working on commands, she thinks she gets a treat whenever she sits Pretty for us.  What you haven’t heard of a German Bulldog?  She is a Pedigree German Shepard and English Bulldog.  We love her to bits.  I will share her story soon.

this moment:: a brief moment from our visit to Pana Lake, IL this weekend…

 

T B T ... Turn Back Thursday a glimpse from the past.

I thought I would try something here, TBT... Turn back Thursday a glimpse at the past.   I was sitting here this morning pondering over many ideas to write about.  Of course I got side tracked, hard to believe.  LOL.  Maybe Cameron's ADHD is rubbing off on his Mama.  I had just spent a lovely morning on the patio with my girl, Beth, I really feel that we are sisters from another mother.  We really get each other.  Our children go to school together and met there.  When we met we couldn't believe how much we had in common.  See what I mean I just got sidetracked again. When Beth left and I decided to get onto my day I got turned to my to do list and on it was Menu.

Ugh the dreaded MENU planning.  I do love it at times and well others not so much.  Menu planning does help save money and keep the rhythm of the Green Acres Kitchen together. So this is where the TBT comes into the story.  Remember when I did this story last November?  November 2012 Menu Plans  I decided to give monthly planning a go again.  This way it is done and I only have to make my weekly list for the store.  Simplicity at its best.

Here is what is on the Menu for September 2013 at Green Acres.  I have some new adventures ahead for us here at Green Acres in the City and on the home front.  This will truly help keep things in check.

September 2013

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Lake	Lake	Out	Fish Tacos	Fried Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad Corn on the Cob	Greek Festival	Chicken Noodle Soup Biscuits
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Roast Carrots Potatoes	Chicken Noodle Soup Biscuits	Tacos	Salmon Fruit Noodles	Open Faced Sandwiches Fruit Carrots	Topeka	Parish Picnic
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Jambalaya	Hot Dogs Cucumbers	Tacos	Jambalaya	Crock pot Stroganoff	Pizza Veggies	Dos De Oros
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup	Chili Cornbread	Tacos	Chili Cornbread	Meatballs Mac and Cheese  Green Beans	Crock pot Pizza Fruit	Enchilada Casserole Salad
29	30
Potato Soup Rolls	Cheeseburgers Tots Carrots

Here are some links to a few of the recipes.  Pinterest is truly an addiction and blessing.

1.  Mississippi Roast
2. Crock pot Pizza
3. Crock pot Stroganoff