Trying to get Healthy

Trying? Yes, as the title to this blog is Journey, so is almost every aspect of our lives a journey and today, I am focusing on Healthy Habits.
Many of you may not know that last Aug. Jayden and Xavier's brother, Zaachi was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma and needed a home. Marc and I took him in and we began chemo and he underwent two surgeries. One to replace his femur bone and one to remove the cancer from his lungs. The leg surgery was in Nov. of 2008 and he is still in physical therapy three times a week. This summer my kids lost their mother in a violent tragedy and Zaachi's father is awaiting trial for this.
I must say that when I needed it most I was not practicing healthy habits, which could explain my near emotional crash. It was frustrating to try because many times there either was no time or there was no strength. But usually if I made a plan it would get changed out of necessity or emergency. This, even though, unavoidable was frustrating at times. I did go to church and that was life to me, to sing and surender all I was. This wa one of the only habits that got me through. Don't get me wrong, I did pray but it was not in a routine manner. God got us through but now that life is starting to take on some routine I am enjoying the daily discipline that bring such joy.
So, all that to say I am trying to eat more healthy. I now have the time to plan a healthy meal and go to the gym. I have gained about 20 pounds in the last year or so. My goal is lose 40 and here is my plan. I am going on a detox for the first 12 days of Feb. (in hope to be more thin on Valentines Day), then I am gonna have a wonderful Valentines Day and then continue to focus on mainly Fruit, Veggies and lean meats while working out till my Best Friends Baby Shower on the 27th of Feb. I hope to have lost at least 15 pound at that point and then continue into March and lose 25 by the time we go to Disney on Zaachi's Make-A-Wish. So, I am gonna blog in order to keep myself accountable and record what works and doesn't for me.

I welcome any healthy tips or recipes and if anyone would like to join me in this endeavor, we can get healthy together. I have been struggling with pain in my joints for a few months now. I read today that gluten can contribute to swelling. So, I am gonna try to avoid most wheat products and see if that helps.

I want to share a recipes with you I created the other night,
Soup Mix
4 Chicken leg quarters
12 cup of water
1 Yellow onion
3 cloves of garlic
5 carrots diced
over 1/2 a bunch of celery

Fresh Mix
4 tomatoes
1 small red onion
1/2 yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic
handful of celentro
1/2 a lime squeezed
one jalapeno
salt, pepper to taste

Slow cook chicken till it comes off the bone easily. Strain broth and put pulled chicken back in broth. Dice up carrots, onion, celery and put in. Also, mince the garlic and brown it slightly in another pan with a dab of olive oil, then put it in. Simmer till veggies are tender.

When that is simmering dice up all the other veggies in a separate bowl. When the soup is ready pour a bowl of soup and then add 2 tlble spoon or so of the fresh uncooked veggies and it gives a spicy and healthy fresh bite.

I also skimmed the fat off the top of my broth to make it less fattening.

Enjoy!