Repost: Forward movement and change

This re-post seems fitting...Deep into production of my upcoming cookbook, Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, I had to make a difficult change. A decision. For a myriad of reasons, I had to change print companies. Since they printed my first cookbook I felt I owed it to them to let them print my sophomore effort. Loyalty I guess. But it was becoming more and more apparent that it wasn't the place for my second book. That's okay. We don't have to stick with something if it's not working out, it's not working out. Move forward. Next.

Change is good.  Change is frightening. Change is liberating. Change is necessary.   So often we become stagnant in our everyday lives and are afraid to make changes. Even when the changes are for the better. It could be the smallest change: a new hair cut, maybe spruce up our living room with a new bold color paint, or buy a new daring pair of shoes. Then there's the major changes: dump the partner that is zapping our energy, quit the dead end job, or lose those unwanted 30 lbs. Whatever it is that is keeping us in a negative place we often opt to stay there because we're fearful of making the changes and putting in the necessary work. It's a crazy oxymoron.

Everything is going well in life all is fine and dandy. We find ourselves in a comfort zone. We like our job, our partner, etc., but there are always areas that we can improve to make us better.  I'm always looking for ways to improve, grow. I strive everyday to be better. I refuse to become complacent and sit still. Life is about forward movement. My weight loss and self transformation journey to date is the BIGGEST change I've ever made. I say this all the time, this is a transformation from the inside out. Besides, making changes in my diet and becoming physically active. There were plenty of things I did NOT like about my character:

• I'd tell someone I was going to do something and then I wouldn't. And, to boot I'd have a flip attitude about it if they asked me about it. 
• I gave up really easy. If anything caused a challenge. Forget it. Game over. I quit.
• I didn't value myself and had a horrible desire for validation from others
• Negative outlook
• Selfish, selfish, selfish

I've had to take a long hard look at myself and make all sorts of changes. It's been a long painful yet very rewarding journey. Sometimes, I wonder when will I stop changing.  I think, I can honestly say-- never.

For those in a comfort zone. For those in a negative place. I challenge you to find it within yourself to make the necessary changes to do whatever is you want to do, reach for whatever goal you want to reach, and become the BEST person you can be. One thing is for sure, you can't keep doing the same things and get different results. If you've been contemplating making changes in your lives - the time is now. Here's to forward movement and change.

Repost: Do You

This post was originally written about two weeks after Farewell Fatso! made it's debut. Just think if I would've listened to the person who was trying to give me advice... Thank goodness I didn't.

Along my journey to combat obesity and create a healthy lifestyle for myself --I’ve shared my trials, triumphs, and story with plenty of people. For the most part, people are very supportive and are truly excited for me. Of course, there are those who  half-heartedly listen to my story for fear they may have to look at themselves and re-evaluate their lifestyles. And, then some folks like to give advice on how I should proceed on my journey. Since I'm not really a private person and I have the propensity to open up to people. Sometimes folks feel they need to give me advice – even if I’m not particularly seeking it.

Recently, someone suggested to me that perhaps I should focus on myself more and not worry about helping others by blogging,*facebooking, and helping parents with their overweight children. After all, I still have plenty of weight to lose before I meet my weight goal…So maybe, just maybe I should take care of me, first.

Long pause. Deep breath. Regroup.

The truth of the matter is my blogging, facebooking, and helping others is actually very cathartic for me. By reaching out to you all it helps me work through my feelings, and furthermore it keeps me accountable knowing I have all of you rooting for me. Besides, what am I to do, wait until I lose all the weight and then begin my work? I don’t think so. I’m not promised tomorrow. None of us are. So I’m doing my thing today.

Here’s my unsolicited advice to you. Do you. Heed others opinions with caution. Remember, you have to be comfortable with the course you are traveling. Don’t let anyone dictate the path you take to get to your destination. In all likelihood the person giving the advice is trying to be helpful, but when it comes down to it, you have to know within yourself the road you travel is at your pace. No doubt, along the course you may hit some road bumps those are to be expected. Stay the course.

In closing, this journey is mine. Me, and only me, chooses the route I take. The course, I’ve decided to travel includes: Blogging, facebooking, and reaching out to the public in hopes to help and inspire. All aboard!

The Inauguration

"5 or 50"

Wow. Whoa. What a turnout! Last night, I facilitated the inaugural "5 or 50” women’s group at the Cascade Park Community Library. 25 ladies showed up to hear my story and share theirs. I arrived to find several women there already in the lobby chatting. It was the coolest thing. You could just feel the anticipation, the positive vibes, the buzz.

I started the meeting with a brief introduction and my theory behind the group. Next, we  went around the room introducing ourselves and what we hoped to gain from the meetings.

In sharing there were several reoccurring themes:

1. Loss of spouses
2. Yo-Yo dieting
3. Lack of confidence / self-esteem

We discussed sustainable weight loss, positive self-esteem, mindful eating, and I shared healthy snacking options. I’d have to say this was a very,very successful first meeting. I am so proud to be able to share my story and help others along the way. I look forward to our next meeting of sharing, growing, and together finding ways to live positive healthy lives. Thank you all for coming out. We are beautiful, strong, and capable.

--

Thanks to LiveWell/The Columbian for promoting the event – lots of folks said they saw it in the paper, and to Teresa Torres for opening the doors of the Cascade Park Community Library to us.

Next meeting,  Wednesday, August 22 from 6 -7:30 p.m. 

Cascade Park Community Library

Repost: Inside out

My self-transformation and weight loss journey began with a walk. For weeks, prior, I was drowning my sorrows and escaping from my fears by sleeping the days and nights away. But, during the brief waking moments there was a nagging voice within telling me to lace up my tennis shoes and go outside and take a walk. Obeying that nagging voice saved my life and is the reason I'm able to write this blog post today.

In the late fall of 2009 I was in a dark, miserable place. No job, no car, no boyfriend - all these losses happened within six weeks. I felt like I had no reason to go on. I felt like such a failure, loser. I couldn't imagine there was any reason to continue on. There were a number of things that required my attention. From my attitude to my finances. Losing everything forced me or I should say gave me the opportunity to sit still and figure out what was causing me to keep finding myself in dark situations.

The first walk (which by the way took every ounce of strength I had) was only ten minutes, but it opened my eyes and gave me a glimpse of light -- desperately needed light. After I strung together several days of walking I saw more light. I decided that maybe, just maybe I lost my job so that I could take the necessary time I needed to look within. I decided not to squander my gift and so I laced up my tennis shoes in the rain and sometimes in the snow. I used the walks outside to get fresh air, reflect, and get in touch with my inner self. Soon I began enjoying the walks they were cathartic for me and I was getting exercise. After a few months, I had even lost a few pounds.

In retrospect, I believe looking inward is the first step in starting a journey of this magnitude. I suspect (I know this was true for me) many of us who are struggling with weight and especially obesity have a myriad of other issues going on that lead us to food. Like I told the TOPS weight loss group I spoke with last week, I won't come out later and say I was raped or abused. I had a pretty normal childhood it's just that I found comfort, solace in food. Once I sat still with myself I found there were other things that brought me pleasure.  .

I started those walks just to save myself, but I ended up finding the whole me. Wellness and health aren't just about the physical state, quite the contrary, it's holistic. Once I started feeling better about myself, everything else just started coming together. When I started walking, I lost 8 pounds without really trying. The light was shining brighter and I started trying different things, surrounded myself with like-minded people, and became more social.

My self-transformation and weight loss journey has been from the inside out. I feel people should take time to look within and the rest will all come together. Today, I'm blinded by light: 170 pounds lighter, happier, and healthier -- it's a holistic approach. Might I suggest, if you are struggling with your weight, your health, spirituality, maybe it's time you look inward. Really, really look inward. Don't just make a plan, let the plan manifest in you. Inside out.

Repost: Small things

Often overlooked and less celebrated are small things.  Small things are the foundation for big things. Without small things, well, big things can't happen. Seems to me celebrating the small things en route to the big, ultimate things makes more sense. Why delay the celebration? Big things, are big, and they usually don't come around as often.

Case in point: Battling obesity is a big thing. But, when you weigh 388 pounds losing a pound is a small thing. I could not, however, have lost 170 pounds without losing the first pound, five pounds, ten pounds, etc. With each pound there was cause for celebration because those first pounds were the foundation.Those first pounds gave me the strength and confidence to go on.

On the flip side: A nonchalant attitude towards small things such as missing a scheduled workout can be damning. It's just a workout -- not! Maintaining a workout routine requires discipline, effort. It's the attitude, the spirit. Sure, one workout is a small thing, but ultimately weeks, months, years of working out can become a big thing. Y'all with me?

Let us celebrate small things, and let us not take small things for granted. For small things become big things. And, if you are impatient like me big things just take too long.

Repost: Be encouraged

Many of you have written to me to tell me I've motivated, inspired, and encouraged you along my journey, thank you. I feel honored to be able to pass on what I've learned, and to know that people look to me for ideas and motivation is just amazing. Remember, I'm the gal who use to weigh a miserable 388 pounds, eat highly caloric, processed so-called food, and my exercise consisted of going back and forth to the kitchen. Today, I promote a healthy fit lifestyle and folks look to me for inspiration. Ha ha. That's awesome.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with a young woman who came to my blog after reading "The Columbian" article written about me back in July 2011. How totally cool. Anyhow, she was interested in buying a copy of Bringing Cooking Back. I agreed to meet with her at New Seasons Market. I signed her book, we chatted about my weight loss, and I offered her some tips and suggestions. Next thing, I know, my passion for good whole food and sharing my knowledge led us to the produce section. Before I knew it we were traveling the entire store -- I was giving her a Personal Grocery Shopping 101 tour.

As we walked around the store and I introduced some of my recipe ideas. She pointed out that she doesn't like oatmeal, Brussels sprouts, and a few other things I suggested she try. I gave her permission to not like these items. There are plenty of other healthy delicious foods that she may like. Our shopping experience/conversation prompted this blog post...Look to me for your inspiration, motivation, but remember the path you travel is unique. Let me be your guide, but your journey is your journey. You may be able to use some of my recipes, exercise routines, tips, however, some of my methods may not work for you and that's okay. Adapt what you can from me and others, but your journey will be different. Be encouraged by me, but remember your journey is uniquely yours. Good luck! Do continue to look to me, I love it!

New Women's Group: "5 or 50"

Proud to announce...

New

"5 or 50" Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Lifestyle Group  

Wednesday, July 25

6 – 7:30 p.m.

Cascade Park Community Library Community Room 600 NE 136th Avenue Vancouver WA 98684

Grab your girlfriend(s) and come on out!

Ladies, I've learned from you as you've learned from me. I've come to the conclusion after talking to many of you that it doesn't matter if you are five pounds or fifty pounds overweight. We all have the same self-sabotaging issues. Let's silence those demons. Let's find healthy ways to keep the weight off while living life. Let's learn to love ourselves beyond physical attributes.


Stop! Stop obsessing over: Your weight, your looks, and every bite you put in your mouth. Stop looking at her, and wishing you had legs like her. Hair like her. I'm betting you she's looking at someone else thinking the same thoughts. Start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable.

I'll facilitate and the Cascade Park Community Library will open their doors to us. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

Read the blog that started this all, 5 or 50 

Hope to see you all there! 

Repost: Grocery Shopping No-Nos

Arrrrrrrrrrgh. This blog post has been in me for a while, but Saturday it all came to a boil. I was at the grocery store restocking on produce -- low and behold I spotted some major shopping offenses. The cart was being pushed by a young boy about ten years old and was full of processed crap: Totino's pizza, Noodle-A-Roni, Bar-S sausage, ice cream, etc, etc. There was no sign of REAL food in the cart. You know food that has not been genetically engineered. The boy's father was gleefully catching up to him with a bag of Cheetos in his hand, (apparently he had forgotten them and HAD to go back). Heavy sigh. What's even more disheartening the two were not native to America. So I guess it's like when in Rome do like the Romans do. SMH.

I shop at a variety of stores because certain stores have better bargains and some just have better quality. I am a regular at New Seasons Market and Chuck's Produce & Street Market for local, organic, specialty goods, meat and fish. I do shop at Fred Meyer's too because it's close and I like the one-stop shopping element. When I shop at New Seasons and Chuck's the shopping experience changes as well as the customers. This has nothing to do with race or ethnicity it's an economic issue. While in these stores you don't see grocery cart no-nos because most folks shopping there understand the importance of good real food and a lot of the name brand processed stuff isn't carried in these stores. Again, it comes down to socioeconomic status (class, education).

It is not my intention to come off as some food snob or act like I've never touched processed boxed so-called food. No doubt, I use to fill my cart with no-nos too, but I've since found my way and I want to raise awareness about processed, boxed so-called food. For me returning to the  basics of cooking fresh meals has been KEY to my success. I prepare 99 percent of my meals at home. Shopping at New Seasons Market and Chuck's Produce can be more expensive, but I bargain shop and most importantly I realize this is an investment in my health.

See the links below for more information...

The Benefits of Healthy Whole Foods
The World's Healthiest Foods
4 Most Harmful Ingredients in Packaged Foods
What are the problems with processed foods?
Wean Yourself Off Processed Foods in 7 steps

Repost -- Chew: Real food

Sparked by a conversation I had with the Wellness Manager at New Seasons Market today and with my upcoming cookbook -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, I felt this was worthy of a repost...
 
You can trust what I'm about to say. After all, I use to live inside the box -- the processed food box. Now, that I happily live outside of the box.  I can tell you the truth: Real food tastes better, is better for you, and it makes you feel satisfied sooner and longer.

Yesterday, I sat down to eat the gorgeous salad I made for myself: Baby spinach leaves topped with wheat berries, sliced red and orange peppers, feta cheese, and drizzled with a freshly made lemon vinaigrette. Yum! After about five good bites I was full. Probably because I had to actually chew. Raw spinach is roughage. Wheat berries are whole grains (the germ, endosperm, and bran) little chewy kernels that require you to really chew.  BTW, I'm in love with wheat berries.

When I use to eat boxed, processed food I could chow down and eat tons of that crap. Most of the time I would eat way more than the recommended serving. Yet, never feeling satisfied. I just ate and ate. The more I ate, the more crappy and sleepy I felt. At my heaviest -- 388 pounds I use to fall to sleep while driving. Ticking time bomb, for real. But at the time I didn't realize what was happening. Now, I see that I was drugged from all the crappy processed food. The more I ate, the more I craved. I was trying to feed a hunger that I could never satisfy. It was a hard addiction to break, but I've successfully done it. I've changed my eating patterns, and I prepare and eat fresh whole food.

I love the way I feel. I never feel tired and crappy like when I gorged on boxed, processed food.  Food is suppose to fuel our bodies so that we have energy to perform not make us feel crappy and tired. And, we shouldn't have to eat large portions of food to reach satiety.

Though, I'm a journalist by trade right now I'm acting as a blogger. Sometimes I feel bad because I throw heavy issues out here and don't fully explore them. I hope I pique your interest enough where you want to seek more information.

Go forth, chew real food and seek more information. You'll see, I'm right.

Farewell Fatso! turns 2

Woooooo! Two years ago today Farewell Fatso! made it's debut. Happy BLOGday!

Oh, the places we've gone...The things we've done since our last birthday:

• 227 blogs
• Just shy of 400 followers on FaceBook
• Almost 30,000 hits to the blog
• Featured weekly in The Columbian/Live Well for 26 weeks
• Two articles and eight calendar mentions in The Columbian/Live Well
• Two articles in The Portland Observer
• Appeared live on AM Northwest - KATU Ch.2
• Hosted 16 cooking classes at Chuck's Produce & Street Market
• Authored two cookbooks in less than one year: Bringing Cooking Back and Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box -- on the shelves August 27, 2012
• Bringing Cooking Back gets a Dewey Decimal number (641.563 MOSLEY) 
• Bringing Cooking Back on the shelves at Fort Vancouver Regional Library
• Bringing Cooking Back on shelves at Clark College bookstore
  
• Bringing Cooking Back book signing at Clark College
• Bringing Cooking Back on the shelves at Clark College Library
  Bringing Cooking Back on shelves at New Seasons Market (Fisher's Landing, Concordia, Arbor Lodge)
• Bringing Cooking Back book signing and sampling at New Seasons Market - Fisher's Landing in February and June
• New Seasons Market features Farewell Fatso's Simply Unforgettable Tomato Soup in their deli and Grab & Go section
• Spoke on obesity at Cascade Park Community Library and Vancouver Community Library 
• Coordinated/facilitated viewing of film, FRESH at Cascade Park Community Library 
• Offered motivational tips at TOPS Weight Loss Meeting
• Motivational speech at Fisher's Landing Assisted Living 
• Motivational speech at Courtyard Village Retirement Community -- x 2
• Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle class at Cascade Athletic Club

Thank you all for reading, attending my events, buying my cookbook, and for the ongoing support, encouragement, and love. We've got so many more places to go, so stay with me.

Repost: The Very Thing

The very thing I questioned my entire life.  The very thing that caused me to feel weak, to feel vulnerable. The very thing that caused me to live with a negative spirit under a dark cloud. The very thing that caused me to be lazy, antisocial. The very thing that caused others to look at me in disgust and with contempt.

I've never been what you consider a "normal" size. I've always been fat. At my heaviest, I weighed a miserable 388 pounds. I spent most of my life questioning why and not doing much about it, other than complaining of course. It wasn't until I was knocked off my axis in 2009 that I really, really began to look at myself. Sure, the physical weight was an issue, but the emotional, spiritual -- the inner stuff was the biggest factor. I know I sound like a broken record, but to battle obesity and win, I believe looking inward is paramount.

I had to cast down the demons. I had to find inner strength.  I had to get in touch with myself in order to break through all the negative stuff that I had going on. The negative stuff that caused me to want to just eat, and eat, and eat. Eating, in hopes that it would somehow erase everything, but truthfully it only exasperated the issue. Negativity begets negativity. And I couldn't seem to find a way out of that negative space.

I'm proud to say, I've turned my negative into a whole lot of positive. The very thing that caused me to question myself, my being has caused me to become a strong, positive spirit today. The very thing that caused others to look at me in contempt is the very thing that causes them to look to me today as their inspiration.  Just as negativity begets negativity. The same is true for positivity. "What you think, you become."

Today, I teach cooking classes, speak to the community about obesity, author cookbooks promoting healthier home cooked meals, and am a social butterfly. Amazing how the very thing -- my fatness is what makes me the strong, positive spirit I am today.

Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box

Phew. After weeks, months writing and testing. Testing and writing. Laying out pages. Editing. The cookbook is off to the printer. I jokingly told the staff at the print shop, this morning I feel like I am giving birth. It started off fun and interesting, then it moved into the phase of okay let's get through this, and by the time I dropped the files off I was like get this thing out of here! Ha ha. No, seriously...

So honored to be asked to work on this project and super proud of what I've created. I can't wait for you all to see it and own a copy.


From the front inside flap...

60 simple, delicious healthy recipes

Reconnect with your food and take control of your health in your very own kitchen using this collection of simple recipes focusing on whole, natural foods.

• Cool Fruit Soup
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Roasted Peppers
• Zucchini & Mushroom Tacos
• Greek Quinoa Bowl
• Orange Granita
• Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
• Lentil Soup
• Chili
• Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
• Go Green Drink
• Granola Fruit Nut Crunch
• Mac & Cheese
• Veggie Wrap
• Blueberry Kale Banana Smoothie
• Sweet Potato Bisque
• Mexican Cilantro Rice Bowl

Other features:

• Grocery Shopping & Planning section to help you maneuver the grocery store and stock your fridge and pantry.

• Basics: A section on how to cook basics that will help you whip up a healthy meal in a flash (Beans, Whole Grains, Tomato Sauce, Olive Oil Drizzle,  Vegetable Stock, Vinaigrettes, Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs).

I'll have draft copies in hand to pass out to the editing team by end of the week and we'll get this baby shelf ready in no time -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box coming August 27, 2012.

Like Bree Van deKamp

Folks who know me, know...It's all about the presentation. The ambiance. I'm a great hostess, so if you're coming by my place for a gathering. You're guaranteed to be spoiled and eat good. I love cooking and sharing my passion. I think for most people who cook, it's just natural to want to entertain. A good meal is better shared over conversation and laughter.


Entertaining is when you showcase not only the food, but you get to set everything up just so. Depending on the time of day or type of the occasion, here's a few things I do to create a feel-good atmosphere:

• Fresh cut flowers on the table and/or candles
• Fun or classy table runners depending on the food served
• Tableware -- I'm partial to white because it highlights the beauty of the food - I do stray though
• A bowl of seasonal fruit and/or some type of light snack
• Good eclectic music

We see food with our eyes first, then we smell, and finally we taste.  So, I don't slap anything together. I want the food to look appealing, inviting.  Those who have taken my cooking classes see it in action. It's all about presentation (kind of the case with everything for me). When in class, I showcase my food on beautiful platters and bowls. If sauce drips on the side of the bowl, I take time to wipe it off. It's the little details that make the experience, enjoyable and memorable.

I often joke that I'm kinda like Bree Van de Kamp from Desperate Housewives she was known for throwing the best gatherings/parties. She was so fussy, down right persnickety. Everything had to be just so. For a long time, when I watched the show, I so didn't like her character. I came to realize the reason I didn't like her much was because I'm just like her when it comes to entertaining. Everything has a place. Everything has to be just so.

Repost: Drive-thrus and ATMs

No quick fix.  Just a never, give up attitude and HARD work.

We are a society that craves instant gratification. Fast food drive-thrus, ATMs, and 1-10 item check-out lanes at the grocery store. We don't like to wait. We want, what we want -- now. So no surprise that when it comes to losing weight and adapting a new healthy lifestyle we're no different. The changes aren't happening quick enough, we grow impatient. We become discouraged. We...

I can honestly tell you, ladies and gentleman the drive-thru (DT), ATM mindset does not work when it comes to losing weight. This is the HARDEST thing I've ever done in my life so I'm speaking from experience. The only way to get the weight off is through hard work, diligence, and a sense of humor. There were plenty of times when I became discouraged because the scale wasn't moving (it's at a stand still right now), I wasn't able to perform a push-up, or I had a slip-up and indulged in chocolate chip cookies. These types of things are normal -- it's life. Instead of hanging my head and throwing in the towel, I made adjustments. Heck, in July 2004 I had gastric bypass surgery which was my DT, ATM approach and that did not work. Sure, I lost some weight, but ultimately it wasn't until I truly made up my mind and put in the necessary work through diet and exercise that I began to see results. The point is I did not give up. More importantly, I dismissed the DT, ATM approach.  I adapted a healthy lifestyle that consists of conscious food choices and exercise.

I think it's important I mention that results shouldn't only be tied to the scale when trying to lose weight. Look to other things like a change in your endurance, strength, and your attitude. Yes, the goal is to lose weight but ultimately the goal should be a lifestyle change. The way I live my life today looks totally different then in July 2004. I say all this to say, if you plan to set out on a path to healthy living and weight loss, there is no quick fix. Stay focused. Stay diligent. Leave your DT, ATM mindset behind because folks this all about HARD work.

Breathless

Breathless with Kristin

I've been cycling hard the last few months, and I have the cycling buns to prove it. Ha. I think I may be addicted to the rush, the burn.

Every trainer has a different style. Each class will take a different course, but for sure you will be challenged, sweat, have fun, and if Kristin is leading the class -- you will become breathless.

Dim the lights in the room, crank the music, and then we embark on our journey. Starting with a warm up and usually during this time everyone's a little talkative and we may even be cracking jokes. The trainer lays out our course for the day: hill climbing, sprint intervals, or a combination of both. The course is typically broken into 2 - 6 minute segments. 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds...a minute. I like the format. I've learned I can endure just about anything for 30 seconds. Sure, I'm panting, legs burning, and I'm breathless. But when the trainer calls out "10 seconds" to the top of the hill, I know I can do it. Not sure, if I'd be so motivated to climb the steep hill alone.  It's nice riding with a group alongside me and a trainer guiding us through the course. We're all in it together. Breathless, in fitness and in health.

--
To work on your cycling buns, become breathless or whatever your goal -- check out my training studio Northwest Personal Training. They have lots of cool specials and events going on this summer.  Tell 'em I sent you and receive a complimentary two-week pass.