Lemon Rice Croquettes-Feature of the Day

I am learning all kinds of things from my readers this week.  Until Sheryl from The Wilderness Wife shared her delightful recipe for Lemon Rice Croquettes, I don't think I have ever heard of them before.  (If I have, I forgot what they were :))  I even lived near Boston for a year as a child, but I guess we did not eat at that department store she remembers so fondly. You can see how Sheryl makes croquettes and more about them, but going to The Wilderness Wife here,.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Sheryl! 

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Starting My Weight Loss Journey

I thought I would share something that is going in my life right now.       I know it is something that many others are probably also going through, and maybe we can go on this journey together.   

As many of you may know, I have been having some health problems in the last year.    Because of those health problems and a few other things,  I  have gained a lot of weight in a short amount of time.  This is  kind of new to me, because I was blessed to never have an issue of gaining too much weight before.  When I was kid, I was extremely small.  I was only 4'6" and 68 lbs in the 8th grade.  Kara was that size in 5th grade, and she is not that big herself.   I finally grew in high school to my final height of only 5'1". I was also a healthy weight.  In college I actually lost weight. (that's what happens when you live on the opposite side of campus than  all of your classes, and you don't have much of a food budget. I was burning way more calories than I was taking in)  When I graduated from college, I was only around 90 lbs.  I did gain a little bit after graduation, because I was not walking so much every single day.  After I got married and had my kids, I was at a healthy weight again.  I stayed that way until the last year or so.  

This was me a couple of  years ago picking apples with my family.  I was at a great weight, and I really did not have to worry about what I ate. When I was looking for pictures for this post, I realized that I am not in that many of them since I am always the one behind the camera. When someone else is in the family does take a picture  of me, it is usually blurry or from a goofy angle. I think I need to change that!

This was me 14 months  ago.  I was sharing in a post that I was hoping to slimdown for the summer.  Little did I know that I was already having problems with my thyroid, and just a few months later I was going to be diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis.  (autoimmune thyroid disease)  While I was a little heavier than I wanted to be, I was still on the high end of a healthy weight. 

I can't believe I am showing this, but this is me now.   I currently weigh 152 lbs.  While that might not sound like a lot to some, it is a lot when you are just over 5 feet tall. I gained 20 pounds in one year.  None of my clothes fit. I am tired all the time, and my ankles hurt with the extra weight.  My BMI index according to WebMD is 28.7.  I am in the high range of overweight, and only a little over a point away from being obese. How in the world did that happen?  

Actually I do know how that happened, and there is a real medical reason for the weight gain.  Since I have to see my Dr every few months to check blood levels for my Hashismotos Thyroiditis, she has seen the weight go up.   At my last visit earlier this month, she said she wanted to check things like insulin and hormone levels to see if she could figure out if there was a reason for the weight gain. 

Yesterday I met with her to go over the results.  I had been trying to lose some of the weight without any results, and I now know  there are several things working against me that has made it even that  more difficult. 

Hashimotos Thyroiditis 

My T4 level is high, 

My Cortisol level is high 

and I am in my mid 40s  

Basically all of those things are affecting my metabolism and can cause weight gain.   I am hypothyroid because of the Hashimotos and the T4 levels.  Cortisol is caused by stress, and I have seen more than my fair share the past few years.  Elevated Cortisol  might be the reason for my Hashimotos.  It suppresses thyroid function and lowers immunity.  It often causes weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.  (which is where I am carrying a lot of the extra weight)  My age is also a factor. While we do not believe I am  in perimenopause yet, the body's metabolism naturally slows down  when you are in your 40s. 

So.. I am now working with my Dr. to hopefully get myself back to a healthy weight.  To reach my goal of 120-125, I need to lose 25-30 lbs.   Hopefully I will be sharing that journey on the blog. Maybe now that I know what is going on,  I will be more successful.  Anyone else going on a weight loss journey right now?    

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Crepes with Walnut Cream and Caramel Sauce-Feature of the Day

Linda from With a Blast shared a crepe recipe that caught my eye.  I never thought to fill it with walnut cream. In fact, I have not ever heard of walnut cream.  It looks like it would taste really good though.  If you would like to see the full recipe on how to make Crepes with Walnut Cream, be sure to check out With a Blast here.  Thanks for linking up to Dare to Share Linda! 

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A Goodbye, and a Hello

I wasn't sure if I was going to write this post, but this is something that many of us with pets have to  go through.  On Friday night we found that Kara's hamster Shadow had died.  He lived to the ripe old age of almost 3.  If Shadow looks familiar, you might remember my post about him in January when he went on an adventure in the post Two Cats and a Hamster.

One problem with being a  pet loving family is dealing with the death of the pet.  Kara loves all of her animals dearly, and takes each of their deaths very hard.  The reason why she is wearing her winter animal hat  in 80 degree weather is because she was wearing it when her first hamster Sonic died.  She asked me to photograph Shadow's service for her so she can look at the pictures when she is ready.    While the pictures are for something sad, I think they also  show a lot of beauty and compassion.  Here she is preparing his memory stone.  

Her dad dug the grave and she bravely placed him in it.  He was in his special box she decorated just for him. 

We had a few moments of silence when no one said a word.  We just allowed her to be in the moment. 

Then when she was ready, she helped cover him up. I am sure it gave her some closure.  

Goodbye Shadow, you were a great hamster! 

Now you are probably wondering about the Hello in my blog title..  

Say hello to Mocha! 

We were not planning on a new hamster so soon.  Kara still has Sonny, and was not in a rush.  When we were at the pet store, they just happened to have a hamster that was exact type and color that she had  told me she had wanted  the day before.   We think Mocha is a girl, but are not 100% sure yet. 

Hello Mocha! 

Welcome to the family! 

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Recycled Envelope Notepad-Feature of the Day

Do you have a lot of used and unused envelopes?  I pay a lot of my bills online, so I have many more than I need.  It seems like such a waste to just  throw them away.   Now there is something we can do with all those envelopes.  Crystal from Make It Easy Crafts shared a great way to make our own notepads from  all that extra paper.  What a great idea!  I love that you can customize them with your favorite scrapbook paper.   If you would like to see how to make your own notepad, be sure to check out Make It Easy Crafts here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Crystal! 

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Dare to Share #59

We just finished what was probably our busiest week of the school year. Not only did we go to Cedar Point for a choir competition, we also had two choir concerts.  On Monday all 283 chorus students in Kara's grade had a concert with a British theme. As you can tell by the her picture, one of the songs was by Elton John.  On Tuesday the choir club had a concert with choirs from two others schools.  On Wednesday was one of two dance classes, (we missed one because of a concert) and then Thursday was Yoga with her Girl Scout troop.  Whew! I think that next week we will be back on our regular schedule. 

You can read all about our day at Cedar Point here.  It is one of our favorite places to go each summer, and where a Bloggy Conference will be held in Sept.

Since we had such a busy week, I shared an oldie but a goodie.  A Quick Patriotic Wreath with Crafting with Kara.

I would share about Mother's Day, but can you believe that I forgot to take pictures?!  Now that the kids are older they don't give cute little homemade gifts anymore.  I did get the breakfast in bed that I was promised after I woke up the person how promised to make it.  LOL!

Have you seen the Dare to Share Features of the Day yet this week. If not, here is a second chance.

Baked Zucchini Boats by Williamette Valley Wonder Woman

Strawberry Cheesecake Struesel Muffins by Turtles and Tails

Garden Art Light by Kathe With An E

Now it is your time to share.  I don't have a lot of rules, you can link up anything that you would like to share. You are not required to be a follower to link, but I would sure love it if you would. If you are chosen as a  Dare to Share Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+

Link up and HAVE FUN!

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Garden Art Light - Feature of the Day

Would you like to decorate your garden with a pretty, but inexpensive piece of art?   I love what Kathe from Kathe With An E made for her garden.  It is simple but elegant and will look so pretty at night.  To see how she made her garden art, check out Kathe With An E here.  Thanks so much for linking up to  Dare to Share Kathe! 

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Strawberry Cheesecake Streusel Muffins - Feature of the Day

What perfect time for a strawberry muffin recipe with strawberry season right around the corner.  My local berry picking place said picking could start as early as June 1.   With all those wonderful strawberries, I want to try many new recipes like the one  Barb from Turtles and Tails. shared  She made these Strawberry Cheesecake Streusel Muffins that I would like to eat right through the screen.  Thanks for sharing this recipe on Dare to Share Barb! 

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Why Cedar Point Rocks!

You are probably wondering where I have been for a few days.  I had the opportunity to go to Cedar Point over the weekend with our school choir group for the Music in the Park Festival.  As we were walking up to the front gate we got an awesome view of the new coaster Gate Keeper. Since it was opening day, as you can image the line for that ride was extremely long so we did not even attempt to ride it. (yet!)   

If you don't know anything about Cedar Point, it is an amusement park in northern Ohio, right on Lake Erie.  It has been voted the best amusement park in the world for many years, and has more coasters than anywhere else. You can see all 16 of them here. 

Unfortunately after a week of gorgeous weather, we went on a day when it was gray and COLD. We only saw a little bit of sun much later in the day.  

We had a few nervous riders in our group, so we did not make it on any real big rides this year.  We did go on the Iron Dragon which is a fun suspended coaster.

This was one we did not go on this time.  It is called the Mantis.  On this ride you are standing up while going 60 miles per hour. We definitely want to ride it on another visit.

This is a coaster I have seen many times, but have yet to go on.  It is the Top Thrill Dragster.  The entire ride lasts only 17 seconds. You go from zero to 120 miles per hour in 4 seconds.  You shoot up 420 feet straight  in the air and then come back  down at the same angle.  There is viewing area where you can watch the riders as they are shot out of the gate.  I have to say it is fun to watch smiling faces turn into sheer  terror when the coaster starts.

Kara with a new friend she made in Frontier Town.  I actually bought him early in our day with ulterior motives.  The monkey was reasonably priced at $9.99.  Since she got a gift early in the day, she did not ask to play games or buy more expensive items later in the day. 

He also helped keep her entertained while we were waiting in lines.

 

This picture cracks me up.  Kara and a couple of her friends were very naughty that day.

Mid afternoon we stopped for a snack at the Dippin Dot cart.  We decided to share the LOL size.  I think it is called LOL because Cedar Point is laughing at how much they can charge for it.  It was the best deal though, you could mix two flavors and it was cheaper than buying two separate small cups.

The Wave Swinger  was one of  their favorite rides.  They seriously rode it 5 times.throughout the day. We did not have the time to ride several of the coasters today, but we did manage to also ride the Gemini (twice), the  Cedar Creek Mine ride, the Cedar Downs Racing Derby, Antique Cars,  and the Iron Dragon in less than 8 hours

During the award ceremony held late in afternoon, we found out that they got first place for their age group and division with a superior rating.  We came home exhausted, but what a fun day.

We can't wait to go back!

 

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Baken Zucchini Boats - Feature of the Day

I love zucchini! It is almost time to start our gardens in my state. I always try to have a few zucchini plants in my garden, because I love them so much.  I think these bakes zucchini boats from Melissa at  Williamette Valley Wonder Woman  look like a recipe I really want to try.  I really hope my zucchini plants do well this year.   Thanks so much for linking up on Dare to Share Melissa!

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Oldie but Goodie - Quick Patriotic Wreath

With a very hectic schedule of two concerts, a choir competition at Cedar Point, Mother's Day, and 2 dance classes in a matter of a couple days, I thought that this would be a great time for an Oldie but Goodie post.  

Last year at this time Kara put together a Quick Patriotic Wreath using items from the dollar store. We found a straw wreath form, blue star garland and a couple of different bows.  

She started to make the wreath by wrapping it  with the garland. 

She used two strands of the garland to cover it all

She decided to go with the bigger bow, and her Quick Patriotic Wreath was finished. Total cost only $4.

This wreath would be perfect for both Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

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Dare to Share #58

Dare to Share is going up a little bit early tonight, since we have a very early day tomorrow. We have a choir competition at Cedar Point.  This is exciting because after the kids sing, we get to spend the day in the park on opening day.  I love Cedar Point so I was more than happy to be a chaperone on this trip.  

I will be sharing pictures of  the day on Instagram.  I would love to have you follow along.  I might even get some pictures of the new coaster Gatekeeper. 

Did you see our taste test for the new Totinos Pizzeria pizza rolls.  Thanks to Totinos, General Mills and My Blog Spark we were given the chance to try all 3 of them. 

You can have a chance to try them too with my Totinos gift pack giveaway. You will get 3 VIP coupons for FREE pizza rolls, a really cool tiled wooden tray, and the cutest little chef salt and pepper shakers.   You can still enter through Sunday night at this link here.

Did you see the features for last weeks Dare to Share?  If you haven't, here is a second chance. 

Teacher Appreciation Ideas by The Pin Junkie

How to Fix Solar Lights by Kathe With An E

Decorated Flower Pots by Wesens-Art

Uses for Petroleum Jelly by Fluster Buster

Now it is time for this week's party.  You can link up anything that you would like to share.   I don't require you to become a follower  to link, but I would sure love it if you would.   If you are chosen as  Dare to Share Feature of the Day your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, G+

Now link up and HAVE FUN! 

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