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If you can find someone who doesn't like ice cream, I'd like to talk to them! Most of us just love this sweet treat. I like ice cream year-round, even if there's snow on the ground. The...
I love food. I am passionate about flavor, taste, texture and presentation. The healthier my diet has become, the more my palette has expanded. I enjoy the flavors of the world and...
There is a green, leafy vegetable that just may grow even faster than weeds! My sister's garden has finally begun to blossom and reach its peak! Some veggies, believe it or not, are still not...
Blueberries are now in season and we recently received a notice from our favorite "pick your own" farm that they were ripe and ready to pick. I told Dan we couldn't wait until the weekend... we...
I have been out to eat twice this past week. The first was a large, chain-style restaurant near Cleveland, and the other an eclectic, farm-to-table restaurant in Tremont. Going out to eat used to...
I was at work last week talking with our salon owner Mary. She cooks gourmet meals every night that even her 2 1/2 year old son enjoys! Not only does she cook fresh meals that could be on the...
I should have named my son Benaiah a different name -- banana. He was born a long 22 inches and his weight dropped to an alarming 6 pounds. I dare say that his physique resembled a banana! My...
My sister Amy has always been one of my inspirations. Her generous heart, wisdom, beauty, kindness and encouragement are constantly overflowing and are obvious to everyone that knows her....
Dan and I have been on a few road trips recently. When I think of foods to pack for the drive, my mind always tends to think about healthy snacks that we can nibble on. We both love homemade...
My sister came over today for what I'd like to call my first "real" postpartum workout. Yesterday, I went to the doctor for my check-up and got the thumbs up to resume all activities. There are...
It's been almost 6 weeks since our second little miracle entered our lives! As I have said before, pregnancy is difficult for me mentally, physically and emotionally....
It’s February. Here we are in the cold north. This time of year we all start itching for spring. I was reading in a magazine this week about the fresh foods that are in season during this month. I...
The one nice thing about blogging is that if I'm feeling the need to get something off my chest and I want to vent, I can just start writing and hope that someone out there will read what I ...
This holiday season has felt like a whirlwind. I am sure many of you can relate. There have been parties, fun, festivities and food! I absolutely have to share with you all my favorite...
I am currently sitting in the waiting room as I am undergoing a 3 hour glucose tolerance test. I am unable to go anywhere or do anything. I have to be in a restful state. So, I am thinking. I am...
I am now 30 weeks pregnant and I finally feel like I'm in the home stretch. This pregnancy has been very different than my pregnancy carrying Benaiah was. Could the fact that I'm having a girl...
My sister volunteers at a local cooking school and is always sharing with me new ways to enjoy healthy foods. In a class just last week she was learned a new, interesting way to use Brussels...
Thanksgiving is here! I always tend to get somewhat sappy this time of year. Thanksgiving is the day each year that I celebrate my life. I began my weight loss journey on Thanksgiving day and...
One of the many battles I had to overcome was eating in front of people. The sheer thought of others watching me eat would cause a rush of emotion. I wondered if I ate something healthy if...
My mom went to our favorite grocery store this week that always carries all of our local fresh foods. Cauliflower is in season now that the temperatures have been so chilly. Our grocery...
My body has been going through so many changes. I am experiencing pregnancy very differently than I did 2 years ago with Benaiah. Back then, I walked every day of my pregnancy; 7 days a...
Emotions can steer us towards eating a bag of potato chips or wanting nothing but the sweetest sugary treat. My emotions for the past 21 weeks have been comparable to the world’s fastest and...
I am at the halfway point and my baby is the size of a mango. It weighs about 11 ounces and is a little over 6 inches long! At my last appointment, I found out that my total weight gain up to this...
After watching an episode of The Dr. Oz Show recently in which he shared the cancer fighting benefits of artichokes, I have found myself eating more and more of them. I happen to already love...
I just got back from my local grocery store and before I could even walk through the front doors, my eyes were gazing upon every variety of gourds and pumpkins known to man. Fall is beginning...
I've always viewed my cravings as a bad thing. They are an extra burden for me because I am already a hungry girl. Usually, I crave carbohydrates and I prefer salty things more than ...
I was helping my sister load boxes into a U-Haul today as my dear grandmother watched over my son, Benaiah, and my sister's oldest son, David. I walked past her a few times before...
Flashback! Six weeks ago was like any other day until I ate a bowl of organic O's and a spoonful of almond butter - only to find myself heaving over the porcelain goddess...
At the time my husband and I met, I weighed over 200 pounds - and he loved me. He loved me as I weighed in on our wedding day at 323 pounds. His love has never faded, even when I...
DENIAL. That single word encompasses so much of how I used to think, act and feel on a daily basis. I was in personal denial, living with the blinders on, as well as being in total disbelief...
This month has been full of parties. It started with July 4th, then a few birthdays and pool parties were added into the mix; it could have meant a recipe for overeating. One of my old favorite...
I have never really been a big drinker. Alcoholic drinks don't do much for me other than make my body bigger and make my pocketbook smaller. I really only enjoy the ultra sugary,...
I believe I have the power to empower. I believe God gave me my struggle with weight because He knew that I had the strength to overcome and help others. He knew I would beat my addiction to...
I tend to write my blogs at night. My day is filled to the brim and usually a moment of quiet, a time for reflection or just a second or 2 to fully unwind happens after Benaiah goes to sleep....
Yesterday was the last day of school in our town – the games can officially begin! My oldest nephew, David, finished kindergarten! His little life was the catalyst, years ago, that led me to lose...
Control. Would you like it if someone told you that you were controlling? I know I sure wouldn't. It would either hurt my feelings or make me angry...maybe, both. Being referred to as "...
As many of you have seen on The Dr. Oz Show, I admitted that I still want to feel like I can “Eat Big!” I do truly love a bowl of 100% whole wheat pasta. However, at times, 1 serving sometimes...
I work at a salon where women love to chat, and I love to chat. Topics range from Dr. Oz (of course,) to local news, celebrity news, latest beauty trends/tips, etc. I am always talking about...
People often say things like, “You just need to take baby steps.” I find myself saying those words often as well. How true they are. They are not just words, because if you put those words into...
What has excess weight robbed from you? For me, it was something simple like not being able to fit into a booth at restaurants. The other end of the spectrum held captive thoughts such...
I went over to my parent’s house this weekend. Upon my arrival, my dad said, “I just picked some asparagus from the yard, do you want a stalk?” I was standing in the kitchen, munching on chives...
One of my Canadian facebook friends, Janice, introduced me to my new love. Chocolate still remains my first love. However, step aside, because King Kale has arrived! I have steamed, sautéed,...
Staying positive is something that Amy and I often talk about. It's not something that you can neglect. You have to consciously think about renewing your mind and shifting your focus....
Friday nights at the Schuessler house are now called “French Fry Friday!” It’s the beginning of the weekend, and it means we are going to be having some fun! My husband works hard all week, and...
Dr. Oz recommends doing the 7 minute “sun salutation” exercise from yoga every day. I’m sure you’ve heard him say that at some point. I was...
I think I have mentioned before that I am very blessed to have a local grocery store that specializes in fresh produce. It is always crisp, colorful and looks like it was either just plucked...
Many of you reading this are hoping to lose weight and regain your health. Medical problems may feel like a storm in your life. Even carrying extra weight may seem as though a dark cloud has...
You should only have BPA in your life in a few areas—basil, parsley and anise. Or, how about bananas, peppers and apples? You are getting my drift, right? One of the first things I bought...
I am so excited and proud of Amy and her renewed health. Every day that passes, she is learning more about herself and her body. No one, other than God, knows what makes us tick better than...
We had our first official arctic blast snowfall of the season, and that means we want to be eating some hearty soups! There is a sense of nostalgia sitting in the family room with the...
Revolution or Revolt? That is the question amongst families. You wouldn't believe how often I hear that question from people! “How did you get your husband to eat that way...and your...
A new year means trying new things, right? Well, with that said, I am about to give you a completely alternative feast to enjoy throughout the holiday season. No, it’s not a standing rib...
I have many nicknames that I have acquired over the years: Nanaloo, Nan, Nanydan, Naners, Atch and Hoon (the last two are my favorites because my nephews decided that’s what they wanted to call me...
Health and my sister Amy are synonymous. Healthy living and healthy choices have always come naturally to Amy. The interesting thing about eating healthy is that it can become contagious! Get...
Push-ups. I love them and I hate them; or, do I just love to hate them…I’m not sure! Seriously, I really do love them. If ever I am in a pinch or on the go, a push-up is such a great all-body...
Many of you ask, “What is it, exactly, that you eat?” So, I thought I’d journal one day for you. My day is coming to a close, so I will recount my food intake for you before I head off...
With the holidays around the corner, I can already start smelling all the gooey sweets! If I shut my eyes, I can see mounds of cakes, pies and frosted cookies shaped like snowmen and that shimmer...
I am going to start a continuing blog topic called, “Excess Baggage” and every time you see that posting, you will know that I am about to confess something about myself. With that, I’ll give you...
Today, I will grocery shop for the week...and right here, right now, I will make my list. Now, I always have my "staples." You will see that this consists of the fresh weekly items...
Yesterday, when I went grocery shopping, I took a photo of my favorite section...the fresh produce! When I walk into any grocery store, I try to stay shopping on the "outside" aisles, I rarely go...
Today I went out with a friend and helped her grocery shop. All I have to say is SUGAR! We were looking at labels together and I was helping her de-code them as we walked up and down the...
Dr. Oz's orders, "It’s not about the number on the scale; it’s about our waist size." When I think back, I remember when I initially determined my goal weight, I felt as if I created a...
The single most powerful piece of workout equipment I own is my pair of running shoes. I am sure many of you out there do not even have a pair. I was 27 years old when I purchased my...
Many of you have emailed me wanting some recipes since I mentioned that squash is not JUST for holiday decorating; it is for eating as well. Butternut and acorn are 2 of my favorite. Even my...
Substitution. That is the name of the game. There are certain foods that I love too much! So, I know that if I make them, I would devour the contents all by myself and then lick the bowl clean! My...
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am hoping you are all with your loved ones and celebrating life, love, friendship and all of the blessings that are so richly abundant! Tomorrow is a very...
Where I work, clients love to bring us baked goods. Instead of extending gratitude with other gestures, it is not unusual for me to arrive at work greeted with smiles by clients and cupcakes...
Amy and I discussed tonight over the phone how our minds can be our worst enemies. Not only do we need to reprogram our food, but we also need completely remodel our brain! Self-doubt is amongst...
So, today was a great reminder to never let yourself get too hungry. Bad things happen when you're too hungry! I had a busy day filled to the brim from the moment I woke up, until the moment I...
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out."
~ Robert Collier
Put these 5 rules into practice and they will revolutionize your life! I am sure you...
I love to eat foods that are in season! I never used to even know what foods were in season at the various times of the year -- and now those are the very things I seek out! A...
Last week, I celebrated my birthday. I'm 32 now. It's funny how the older I get, the younger I feel! I think I had gotten accustomed to feeling so miserable everyday that I was unable to...
Hello! Welcome to the launch of this Wellness Warrior blog! In future days these pages will be a dialogue about a variety of wellness topics, specifically weight loss. Needless to say, I am...