Homemade Detergent

I will jump through hoops of fire if it will save money.  I will stretch a dollar as far as it will go by using coupons and buying items when they are on sale.  One item I stopped buying is laundry detergent. I started making my own in Oct of 2012.  As I see it, I will never purchase it again.

My mother in law gifted me a jug of her "homemade blend" to try after a recent visit.  I used it and had to admit that I was very impressed.  Curious, I googled 'homemade laundry detergent' and found there to be many recipes and variations to choose from.  I decided on the recipe below as it was the quickest.  Basically the time it takes to boil water. 

Boil 5 cups of water

Add:

4TBsp Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

4 TBsp Borax

4 TBsp Dawn dish detergent

If you need a more powerful detergent you can add 1 TBsp more of each ingredient to the same amount of water.

Place ingredients in heat safe bowl and dissolve borax and washing soda with boiling water.  Add 5 cups of COLD water. Add the Dawn now.  Make sure it cools completely before placing it in the storage container. Don't buy a special container, reuse one from your previous detergent purchase.  Put on the lid and shake. Done.

 My mother in laws' recipe was similar except she used about 1/2 of a  Fels Neptha bar instead of the Dawn.  You grate the bar up and melt it in with the other ingredients. It smelled so good, not like a manufactured fragrance.  The smell is just clean.  I usually keep a bar of this handy as it is quite an inexpensive yet highly effective laundry necessity.  The Fels Neptha is quite a steal about $1.50 a bar. This bar has gotten out grass, oil, and blood stains.  I soaked a white cycling jersey in it and the results were fantastic. The stains came out and my dirty, dingy jersey was white again.  

 This concoction works!  And it smells good.  We are six months in on our supply and I have half of each box left, which leads me to think I will get a solid year out of them. The Borax and Washing Soda run about $4 each.  I buy Dawn at Walgreens when it is on sale for $1.  

Spending $9 on detergent instead of $9 a month = $99 savings a year.

March Inspiration " Amy McGhee "

January 2002

I met Amy at the Club Fitness in Wentzville, Missouri in late 2012. I overheard someone mention that she had lost 100 pounds!   Now that's a story I wanted to hear.  I introduced myself and found her eager to share and willing to let me write it.  Amy's story is about having the courage to believe in yourself, believe you deserve better, then being brave and going after it. Thank you Amy for sharing your journey with me and allowing me to put it out there.  You are going to inspire so many people.

Amy stands 5 foot 3 inches tall and at her heaviest weighed 224 pounds.  Her clothes were size 18/20.  She emailed me her "before" pictures, I knew the hard work she had to do in order to achieve such a transformation.

January 2004

As her story unfolded, I sat and nodded my head.  I have heard this story before, I lived it.  Like many women/men, Amy was so busy helping everyone else she could not help herself.  She made other peoples emergencies her own.  She took on their problems which shifted the focus from her own life. Amy stopped putting AMY on her "to do" list.  As a result, she lost herself and in the process became obese, which added to her stresses.  She was miserable and desperately wanted to turn things around.

 Amy McGhee is the youngest of three, born and raised in Colorado and came to Missouri in 2006 with her husband and young son. She left behind friends and family. Food was comforting and helped her cope.  Food also kept her company late at night while her husband was travelling for business.


Amy admitted she has struggled with her weight and her "relationship with food" her whole life. She could never seem to get a handle on it. She would workout, mostly in-home Dvd's like P90X and Insanity, but was negating the results by eating poorly. Her weight yo-yoed up and down for many years.

In 2007 she started attending Weight Watchers meetings.  She acknowledged that portion control was a huge issue and she wanted help with it.  Through personal and web based interacton she learned how to control her portions. The scale started to go down.  And then... she got pregnant.  She was mindful of what she ate and her protion size so she did not gain as much weight during her pregnancy.  In April of 2008, her daughter was born.  Amy gave herself  ONE year to get it together and lose the weight.  With a smile, she told me it only took her 10 months to reach her goal. "Goals are dreams with dealines attached".

November 2012

May 2012

 Amy had to learn how to control her portions and deal with her emotions, instead of feeding them, if she was going to be successful. " Being aware of the benefits that eating healthy and exercise does for my mental and physical well being", is what keeps her motivated.  Amy went from 224 pounds to a healthy 135!  She now wears a size 4/6!  She lost a total of 95 pounds!

Look at those arms! 

In 2012 she started working with a personal trainer and loved the results she was seeing. Time progressed and she found her calling.  Amy recently completed the fitness trainer program at MO college with a 4.0, perfect attendance, and on the president's list.   She is currently looking for the perfect place to use her newly acquired NASM certification.


Amy's Advice
Do it for yourself
Start small and be aware of small victories
Don't focus in the number
Make smart and attainable goals.


Amy does not regret any of the changes she has made in her life.  She was very honest in saying " the hardest thing for me, and still is, my relationship with food.  Some days are easier than others but I still rely on it for comfort.  I will continue to work towards realizing it is to fuel my body not resolve a problem."

Amy is currently signed up to Master the Met and has a goal to beat 7 minutes and 31 seconds for 42 flights of stairs.  She is also thinking of running a half marathon in 2014.  Don't worry, I will be keeping an eye on her and will update you on how she is doing.

Healthy Valentines

It's been estimated that the average American man will spend approximately $131 dollars --women slightly less-- on Valentines Day.  I am not a fan of flowers or stuffed animals. Furthermore, my husband knows better than to hand me chocolate in obnoxious quantities.  What's a guy/gal supposed to get their healthy, active sweetheart?

With the big day closing in I wanted to urge you to use your money wisely and show your support at the same time. When your significant other is working their tail off to get healthy and be fit it just doesn't make sense to gift them an enormous box of  garbage containing thousands of calories or take them out to a ridiculously expensive restaurant that serves rich/fattening food.  Don't do it! Beyond sending the wrong message you will negate what they are trying to accomplish.

Thanks, but no thanks

 What's your valentine into?  What gift would help motivate them?  Help them get closer to their goal? Or, reward them for reaching a goal?

 Hooked on a runner/walker? They should change their shoes after roughly 500 miles. Since shoes are hard to buy for someone else, I suggest a gift certificate from their local  running store.   Buy an awesome pair of wool socks and slip the certificate inside them.  A new runner could ask questions while buying their shoes and take advantage of the knowledgeable trained staff.  A Road-Id is also a great idea if they run/walk alone.  Accidents happen, it's smart to be prepared.

Will pink make her faster?

Don't leave home without it

 Love a cyclist?  They are super easy to buy for.  We tend to go through a lot of tires, tubes, Co2 cartridges and hand-warmers.  Gift certificates to their favorite bike shop could replace worn gear or invest in a pair of  winter cycling tights or gloves. There is no such thing as cold weather if you have the right gear to deal with it.

Pearl Izumi makes great stuff

Know someone who likes to play outdoors in the dark? Keep them safe and buy them a reflective vest that glows in the dark.  I received one, instead of the usual t-shirt, at a race in 2011. I wear it always!  A new headlamp complete with batteries would be good choices too.  It helps tremendously if you can see in the dark and also alerts others that you are out there.

HI-VIZ  Vests

 Still not sure.... a massage or a few sessions with a personal trainer might work.  Hey, you could also buy yourself some personal training and a massage while you are at it.  Getting healthy as a couple can be fun.  Plus, it's easier with a buddy.

Another thought: Spend time rather than $$ on your relationship.  A hike in the woods or a walk hand in hand around the neighborhood = priceless.

Have a healthy and Happy Valentines Day.
Wendy

February Inspiration **** Traci Berry

Empowered!

I love to hear about weight loss success stories.  I want to know EVERYTHING about the journey. Losing weight is not easy.  There are good times and bad times.  Life doesn't stop just because you need to lose weight. You have to make it work. Meet Traci, she made it work.

Tena and Traci (Aug '11) 

I met Traci about 5 years ago.  She was in her early 40's, stood 5 foot 4, and weighed 190 pounds.  We saw each other at bike races and chatted about our kids and,of course, riding bikes. I had not seen her for a while and almost walked right past her last year.  She had lost 50 pounds and looked amazing. I wanted to know every detail and asked Traci if I could write about her journey. She answered all my questions.   Prepare to be inspired.

Traci started gaining weight when she went off to college.  She began eating chips/dips, junk food, fast food, and drinking beer.  Upon leaving college she yo-yo dieted, tried Weight Watcher's and Nutri-System, Slim-Fast, got married and gave birth to three boys. She just couldn't shed the weight.

Traci and her boys

  In 2011 she had an eye opening experience while doing a research study for women having a high BMI.  Unfortunately Traci fit the bill and participated in the study. Her measurements were taken and then she had to perform some fitness tests.  She absolutely crushed the tests and remembers the tech saying " she was amazed that a person of (her) size could complete those tasks so easily".  The tech was a friend of hers,Traci knew she was not trying to be mean.  However, it did get her thinking "about others seeing me as fat". 

Traci had  finally realized she needed to take care of herself, especially if she wanted to be around for her boys.  She had lost her father to heart disease when he was only 38!  She was becoming a prime candidate herself and needed to turn things around.  She already knew that the 'diets ' she tried were not going to work.  So, Traci changed her lifestyle.  She does not eat out, watches her portions, and keeps healthy snacks on hand so she won't make poor food choices.  She started using a food tracker app on her IPhone.  Recording every bite, even a StarBurst fruit chew. She likes the accountability and says it keeps her on track.  Calories in, calories out.   Traci said her diet is " a healthy mix of proteins with vegetables and healthy grains".  When she wants something sweet she reaches for an apple or banana. Instead of chips she enjoys popcorn.  

Summer 2012

Traci has always been a cyclist.  "Before actively losing weight, I would ride when I could", she said.  Now she has the energy to ride any time she wants.   She commutes to and from work, 24 miles round trip, three to four days a week.  Traci's passion is mountain biking however, she need something to do on days she didn't ride.   She began hiking in the woods and walking fast around her neighborhood.  Just recently she has graduated to running. Don't tell anyone.... she has her eyes set on a half-marathon ( in the future)   

Traci told me she had an incredible support system.  " My boys and Tena have been extremely supportive...... (Tena)  reminds me regularly everyday that if I made bad choices that tomorrow is another day......It's a lifestyle NOT a diet".  

Before and after

Traci's Advice

Always read food labels

Be mindful of portion size

Listen to your body

Be prepared with healthy snacks

Up physical activity

Continue to learn about proper nutrition

Break The Fast, Eat Breakfast

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Why don't people eat it?  I know everyone has their own excuse/reason. Whatever it may be,  I am going to shatter all your excuses and inspire you to eat a healthy breakfast.  Below are pictures of breakfasts I have made for myself and my family.  From start to finish, these dishes took 8-10 minutes to make.  If time is your excuse, wake up ten minutes earlier.  Your body deserves a healthy start of the day and if you start out healthy the rest of your  meals can go in that direction.

Donuts and bagels are a thing of the past for you.  Oatmeal can be boring. You need some healthy options to get you going in the morning and keep you full.  Notice: after eating a donut or a bagel only I was hungry about an hour later. You know why?  I ate carbs and sugar.  Not an ideal meal to begin the day with.

A perfect breakfast for me has a little bit of everything.... protein, healthy fats, a few carbs, and natural sugars.
Oh, almost forgot.  Coffee!  Black coffee!

My reminder cup

Humor at Target




All of the ingredients used in ALL of these dishes were from leftovers .  Don't toss out even the smallest amount of  veggies, rice, potatoes, or meat. You will notice the dishes pictured do not contain any meat, I don't eat it.

Rice, black beans, corn, spinach, cilantro
I added two eggs.

Lots of left-over veggies from my garden steamed. Brown rice added.

Sweet potato, spinach, and eggs are tasty in a wrap and can be eaten on the go.

                             

Fave! Sweet potato, spinach, rice.  Can sub couscous

Yukon gold, peppers, spinach and eggs

*** Edited  You can add lean turkey, bacon, or lean chicken breast to any of these.


I hope that gets your creative juices flowing.  Breakfast can be quick and easy by just saving left-overs. A little of this and a handful of that along with a couple eggs or egg whites is a simple breakfast.

Feel free to share your ideas on my FaceBook Page.  You can inspire me too, ya know.

Thanks for reading,
Wendy

You Get What You Give

I tried something new at the gym today.  Not because I wanted to, because I had to.  I have been nursing an injury to my right ankle/foot for the past month.  When I take time off from pounding the pavement, or run the trails,  it doesn't bother me. I needed to find another option.  I hopped on the elliptical machine.  I had not been on one in a decade.  These machines have come a long way.  All kinds of buttons and a flippin' tv.  I did not turn mine on.

I think you get what you give with this type of machine.  If you want to talk on your phone or FaceBook, I guess you could do that.  (the ladies next to me were)  But, why would you do that? Don't you pay a lot of money to belong to a gym?  Aren't you here for a reason?   I consider my workout time MY TIME! No one is allowed to interfere. ( unless it's an emergency) I do NOT want to be bothered so,  I leave my phone in the car. I may have appeared very anti-social or stuck-up to those around me. I had blinders on.  I was on a mission.  It was to sweat.  It was to push myself. Try to be better than I was last time.  I owe that to myself.  I owe it to myself to be the best I can be on that particular day. I will not settle. I can do better,I can do more, and I can go longer if I stay focused.

  After 6,000 steps, roughly 40 minutes, I hopped off and it felt like I was still on it.  Neither of the ladies next to me had broken a sweat.  I was dripping.  See, you get what you put into it. I walked over to stretch and my son said " that is what you are supposed to look like when you get off a piece of cardio equipment" while pointing at me.  Yes, I looked a hot mess. I smiled real big because I had earned that glisten. After I had 45 minutes of weights, sledgehammer, and pushing the weighted sled, I looked even better.  In my opinion.

While I am not an indoor runner, I think I can be for a while.  I will embrace the elliptical for now, it is better than nothing.  I have a half-marathon, 13.1 miles, trail run on Saturday at 5pm.  Stay tuned to see how that goes.

Wendy

Feed My Peeps

My mountain bike team puts on an annual non-race, roughly 25 mile bike ride complete with obstacles, at the end of the year.  Three years ago I suggested that the non-racers bring a couple can goods as their entry fee.  That year over 300 cans were donated to Operation Food Search. In 2011, over 200 cans were collected and donated to Hope Food Pantry in O'Fallon. This 2012 year has been the best food drive yet.  Over 500 cans were collected!  

  

All ready to go

After bagging and counting I had to decide where to place all those groceries.  In my research I found that there is a LOT of need out there.  Food pantries are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.  There are many people who depend on them to keep food on their tables.  It's heart breaking to think that many pantries have had to close early or close down entirely due to lack of food donations.  

Jacki

I came across Jacki Dirksmeyer via FaceBook when a friend suggested I check her out.  Jacki's organization is called Feed My Peeps, she began her mission about a year ago. In her own words...         "  FEED MY PEEPS is about moving food and feeding people. We pick up food from local restaurants and caterers to distribute to families with limited resources ."   Jacki has been cooking for most of her life and felt a huge desire to "feed people", which is totally different. She felt that "God (had) made it abundantly clear my (her) path".  After having met Jacki and hearing more about what she is doing I got goosebumps.  You can't miss the passion in her voice as she talks about her work. Plus, you can see how fulfilled she is to be doing it. 

Yea! It fit, barely.

  Feed My Peeps went into full-time mode when she retired from L'ecole about six months ago.  Jacki has been receiving help from several organizations collecting clothing too.  I took ten minutes in the basement and came up with several blankets and a bag full of warm clothes for a boy and girl.  

Blanket quilts from Jim's Mom

Jacki could use your help too.  Have some coats laying around?  You could donate them.  Are you handy in the kitchen?  You can donate your time, she does "working Wednesdays", sign up for one.  Her card is below, give her a call and see what she needs.   

Jacki 's info

Thank you for the cookbook.  They sell for $10. 

Writing this made me think.  Can one person really change the world? Maybe....maybe not. I do know that if you can change a persons world for the better you should. Thank you to all who donated.  These groceries are going to help quite a few families. Giving feels good, doesn't it? We should do it more often. 

Happy New Year Feed My Peeps!

Wendy