I have been so fortunate to be the recipient of a great deal of hand-me-downs during my weight loss journey. This week, I decided it is time to find a pair of jeans that fit me just right. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find a pair of jeans that fit in all the right place. But all that is about to change.
New blue jeans and sweater 11-30-13
Shopping used to be SO frustrating for me. I often ended up buying something that didn't fit right, because nothing fit right. My clothes were usually too big. My store choices were limited: The Avenue, Lane Bryant, and Catherine's.

In recent months, I expanded my shopping experience to include Penney's, Macy's, and Dress Barn. I even ventured into Victoria Secret's this year and purchased a few items.

This time I was hot on the trail for some new blue jeans at Coldwater Creek. I was determined to buy a few items from a "normal size clothing" store.

It was Black Friday and the saleswomen were wonderful, so full of patience. I told them that I have a few pair of Coldwater Creek corduroys that are size 18P and that they are too short. I asked for their help finding the right fitting blue jeans.  It was as if they were as determined as I was to find me just the right fitting pair of jeans. I have no idea how many pants I tried on, but trust me--I tried on a lot of blue jeans.

I started with size 16. I really wanted the size 16's to fit, but none of them would zip up. I wanted jeans I could put on without having to lay on my bed, so these would not do for me. Sigh. Keep moving. Nothing for you here.

I moved up to size 18 and they were not fitting right either. They were poochy in the thighs and too big around the waist.

I even tried on a size 20, just to see if I was missing something. Nope - too big. A big sigh of relief followed.  Keep moving. Nothing for you here.

Back to the 18's, this time with a lower waist. The tag indicated "Natural Fit Straight Leg, sits at the waist, shaped through hips and thighs." No poochy thighs. No baggy waist. The hemline was exactly where it should be. OMG - these are perfect! Woohoo! These are the blue jeans I'm wearing in the photo above.

I tried on a ton of blouses at the same time I was trying on the jeans. Every blouse I tried on was a size 14 and not a one of them fit. The size 16 blouses turned out to be a bad fit too. While I couldn't button the 14's, the 16's were baggy. At my current size, this is not the store for me to buy blouses.

I did find the beautiful turquoise sweater that I'm wearing in the photo at Coldwater Creek. I tried an 18, but just for good measure, I had to try a 16 too. No, no, no. The 18 looked fabulous. The 16, not so much.

Yesterday I wore my new blue jeans and the turquoise sweater and I felt incredible all day. I haven't felt this good in my clothes in a very long time. It feels wonderful to feel this way!

I went into Chico's next. I have a couple Chico size 2 tops, so I didn't hesitate to try on 2 beautiful size 2 tops. I bought them both and I'm excited to wear them this week.

There's nothing more rewarding than finding a pair of blue jeans that fit like they were made for you.  Having a beautiful sweater to go with those jeans - priceless!
December 01, 2013
Contributor Chris shared this Caramelized Onion and Sausage Stuffing recipe and it is yummy! I know this, because I made it for dinner tonight. It may be too late for you to make this for your Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, but you don't need to wait until Christmas to try this. 
Caramelized Onion & Sausage Stuffing. Photo by Theresa
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

 Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground pork sausage
  • 2 yellow onions, sliced
  • butternut squash (diced)
  • 1 container of mushrooms, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp vinegar (I did not add this)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth (I've also used beef broth)
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fat of choice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place diced butternut squash on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and salt and pepper.
cook butternut squash until tender
3. Bake for about 15-25 minutes or until are tender, then set aside in a large bowl. Leave the oven on so it will be fully heated when you add the casserole.

4. While the butternut squash cooks, place a tablespoon of fat along with the garlic and mushrooms in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook down.

5. Add salt (optional) and pepper and cook until soft. 
cook mushrooms until soft
6. While the mushrooms are cooking down, in another skillet heat 1 tablespoon fat and add onions. (I only used 1 skillet for this recipe.

7. Once the mushrooms are done cooking, add them to the bowl with the squash.

8. Stir onions frequently to caramelize. This will take about 10-15 minutes. When onions are caramelized, set them aside (not in bowl with other items); these will go on top of the casserole after it cooks.
caramelize onions
9. In the same pan used for the mushrooms, add the pork sausage. Use a spoon to break up sausage and cook until almost cooked through.

10. Once sausage is done, add the sausage to the squash and mushroom bowl to cool.
cook sausage
11. In a small bow, beat the eggs then add them to the bowl with the sausage and veggies, then add the broth, vinegar (optional), squash, and chopped herbs. Mix well.
add beaten eggs, broth, vinegar and herbs to the bowl
12. Place in 9 x 13 baking dish or a round casserole dish.

13. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-20 minutes; make sure the egg is fully cooked before you pull the casserole from the oven.

14. Add onions to the top of the stuffing and cook for 5 more minutes.
November 27, 2013
Today I want to pause to look back at the way I used to see things on this program. It's not all bad, it's all just part of my journey. Before I talk about some of my process, let's have a look at how I looked - literally.
November 2013 vs March 2011
One of the issues I had in the early part of being on this program was what to say to people when they ask what diet I'm on. It was an issue, because I found when I described the Key weight loss program to others, many were quick to judge or discredit what I'm eating.

In March 2011, a couple months after I started the key program, I visited friends in California. When we planned to have dinner together, I told them about the foods I didn't eat. They immediately asked me "what kind of diet are you on?"

This is a natural question.

"If I've lost a lot of weight the next time you see me - ask me this again." I told them.

I was excited about my journey, but I felt vulnerable talking about it. The other reason I wanted to avoid details, was to stay away from negative conversations that often happened, even with the dearest of friends. I didn't want to debate the pros and cons of why, for example, I don't eat fruit yet bacon is okay.

Friends near and far see this diet is working for me, so unless someone really press me for details, I tell them I'm doing something similar to Atkins and then move on to another topic.

Our success is not contingent on what other people believe we should be eating. Accept the fact that most people don't get this program. When you reach your goal size and they see you stay that size, they may change their opinion. Meanwhile, move on to another conversation.

Sometimes the negative conversations were from within. Sometimes I got caught up wondering when can I have X again? I don't need to know when I can I have X again. X is what brought me to a size 30/32.

Just for now, I tell myself and others, I'm not having X, because I want to lose weight.

I went to a refresher yesterday and I'm so excited about my weight loss journey - where I am and where I'm heading. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is incredible.

One of the many take-a ways for me is that I can stop obsessing about my size. Recently I've been so frustrated over not being a smaller size. Several times this month I've heard myself say I don't want to be an 18 one more minute.

This is my old way of thinking and seeing myself. Part of my journey is moving through these feelings and letting them go. I don’t need those feelings anymore. They no longer meet my needs.

I learned not to focus so much on my size, because it's no different than focusing on the scale. When I focus on my size, I'm trying to tell my body to lose weight and our bodies don't respond to that very well. Instead, I choose to focus on becoming healthy. Our bodies want us to be healthy and our bodies respond to these thoughts really well.

I was reminded at the refresher that plateaus are part of our journey. Plateaus always last longer than our ego wants them to last. Our ego wants to GET THERE NOW (to our goal size). Our bodies know what’s best for us. Our bodies want us to heal. Our bodies will take however long it needs to heal. Accept plateaus as part of our process.

Gaining weight is also part of the process. Remember the deck of cards analogy? We put on fat and gain weight before we lose any weight. Add fat to our body, gain weight, then lose more weight than you had on you before. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Plateau along the way. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.Stay the course.

The goal is to reach your goal size and then learn maintenance. This too has it's own process we have to learn. Learn maintenance by adding one food in at a time (which foods and how much? Ask your body these questions. Observe how your body responds to each food you add). You may come to hate maintenance, but do it anyway. Learn maintenance. Learn maintenance. Learn maintenance. Learn to accept the maintenance journey. Learn to like the maintenance journey. Own maintenance.

Because of yesterday's refresher, I have a better idea of what my life will be like when I learn to cycle in and out of the river on maintenance. I understand that it may be difficult at first. I may not even like it, but I will cycle in and out of the river until my body learns this natural cycle process. My body will embrace the cycles. My body will learn to enjoy them. I can visualize myself at maintenance and I like what I see.

I see my arms and legs are becoming stronger and healthier. I appreciate how slender my body has become and how good I feel as my body becomes more and more healthy. I visualize my body reaching my goal size. I no longer need to obsess with my journey. I know what to do. I know what not to do. I live my life and I embrace my healthy lifestyle.

How badly do you want to reach and maintain your goal size? You have the tools. Stay the course and see your journey through.
November 26, 2013
Hello All, This is only my second posting, so here goes! I went to Julie in March of this year, 2013. It has been an amazing experience, as it has been for so many people. Before hypnosis there was no off switch for me and if I compare that to a light switch – the light was always on. Julie found a way to turn off that switch….the darkness is nice, rewarding. There has been no real pull to stray from the plan. Now it is November and I am worried, the goal is in sight. I started at size 20, I can now fit into the roomy size 10 clothes and I think I can be an 8/10. My biggest fear is that I get to my goal and I start to add food back in and the light switches on. I need to find a dimmer switch, so I have scheduled a refresher for December 9th. I am hoping Julie will show me how to moderate the light switch. What has life been like at goal for the rest of you?
November 26, 2013
I was first introduced to celeriac earlier this year when I was in France. My friend Andrea was making a beef stew for my last night visiting at the end of the week and she wanted me to have something in lieu of rice. At lunch one day she ordered mashed celeriac and when I tasted it she was happy she found just the right thing for me to have with her stew.
Andrea's celeriac. Photo by Theresa
Andrea diced her celeriac and then cooked them in boiling water like a potato. She seasoned them with salt, pepper, and butter, then placed them in a casserole dish and kept them warm in the oven while the stew and other vegetables finished cooking. She served the celeriac in the casserole dish. I was careful to balance my meat to veggie ratio.

BTW, you can substitute celeriac for potatoes in most any recipe. 
 
Celeriac and Parsnip Mash
This celeriac and parsnip mash recipe comes from our contributor Jennifer and may be just what you're looking for to add to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
  • 1 lb parsnip, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 celery root, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 3 cups water (or enough to just cover vegetables) or 3 cups broth (or enough to just cover vegetables)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • optional seasonings: bay leaves or thyme or caraway seeds or even curry 
Directions
  1. Saute the onions in the first tbsp of butter or oil in a large, heavy pot, until just soft, not browned. 
  2. Add the spices and the garlic, saute one minute longer. 
  3. Add the parsnips and celery root, then cover with the liquid. 
  4. Simmer over medium heat until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
  5. Remove bay leaves. 
  6. Drain, reserving liquid. 
  7. Return solids to the pot and mash. 
  8. Add cooking liquid to desired consistency. 
  9. Stir in butter, adjust seasonings to taste. 
Celeriac in my kitchen guarded by army men. Photo by Theresa
Celeriac at the open market in France. Photo by Theresa
Andrea's beef stew served with mashed celeriac. Photo by Theresa

November 25, 2013
Here's another holiday recipe, this one if from Gayle, who says this is "a great option for a yummy Thanksgiving side dish, this comes from Moosewood cookbook by Mollie Katzen and has been a favorite of mine for years."

Ingredients
  • 4 cups cooked squash or pumpkin mashed
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped mixed red and green peppers
  • 2-3 large cloves crushed garlic
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 4 beaten eggs
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 cup cheddar
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • dash of cayenne
  • dash of black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
Instructions
  1. Saute oions, garlic and spices in olive oil until translucent.
  2. Add peppers and salt, cover and cook 5-8 min
  3. Add saute to mashed squash, along with corn and beaten eggs. Mix well. Taste to correct seasonings.
  4. Spread into a buttered 2 quart casserole and top with cheese.
  5. Bake in 350 oven, 20 min covered and 15 min uncovered.
November 25, 2013
This recipe comes just in time for the holiday. Thanks Chris for sharing it!

Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 9-12

Featuring fresh green beans and caramelized onions, this homemade green bean casserole is just about as clean as it gets. Rather than relying on a cream-based soup, it’s held together by a creamy puree of parsnips and mushrooms! The caramelized onion topping still delivers the buttery onion flavor that we all love, without the deep-fried grease and flour to go along with it. All of our favorite flavors covered, without the heavy food-coma to follow!

Ingredients
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced thinly
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or butter
  • 2 cups parsnips, chopped
  • 10 oz. mushrooms, chopped * 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ cups water (or broth)
  • 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 lb. fresh green beans
Instructions
  1. Heat oil/butter, in a large skillet and add the sliced onions. Saute gently over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Use a splash of water, as needed, to prevent sticking. Once the onions are tender and golden in color, remove from heat and set aside in a bowl for later.
  2. While the onions are cooking, you’ll have plenty of time to steam the parsnips. Fit a steamer basket into a saucepan, and fill with one inch of water. Add the 2 cups of chopped parsnips, and bring the water to boil over high heat. Cover and reduce the heat to low, steaming for about 8 minutes, or until the parsnips are easily pierced with a fork. Transfer the steamed parsnips to your blender container, and set it aside.
  3. Using the same steamer basket and saucepan, break the pound of fresh green beans into one-inch pieces, and toss them into the steamer basket. Bring to a boil, then cover and steam for 6-8 minutes, until the green beans are bright green with a bit of crunch. Transfer the cooked green beans to an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish.
  4. At this point, cook the green beans to be as tender as you like– if you prefer them softer, steam them longer. The baking process later will not make them any more tender, so this is your chance to achieve the texture you like.
  5. Once the onions have finished caramelizing, you can use the same pan to saute the mushrooms and garlic. Heat more oi/butter, and saute the garlic for about 3 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Cook for about 6 minutes, until liquid is released from the mushrooms.
  6. Spread half of the mushroom mixture into the baking dish of green beans, and pour the other half of the mixture, along with any liquid, into the blender container with the steamed parsnips.
  7. Into that blender container, add 1½ cups water/broth and 1½ teaspoons sea salt to the cooked parsnips and mushrooms. Blend until smooth and creamy. (This mixture may be a bit salty to taste at this point, but keep in mind that it will be diluted when it’s poured over a pound of green beans!)
  8. Pour the creamy sauce over the green beans and mushrooms in the glass baking dish, and stir to coat well. (You may very well have more sauce than you need for this recipe– I only used about 1½ cups to coat the vegetables well. Save the rest for a future dish!)
  9. Smooth the creamy vegetable mixture with a spatula, and top with the caramelized onions to finish.
  10. At this point, you could cover the dish and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to heat and serve.
  11. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350F and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until bubbly. 
  12. Serve warm and enjoy!
November 25, 2013
This pumpkin sausage soup recipe comes from one of my key friends. She served this at a family gathering and her grand-niece really enjoyed it. I made it last night and it was yummy. This may be just what you need in the cold winter nights ahead.
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces) of Jimmy Dean plain sausage
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings (packaged salad dressing)
  • 1 -2 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped 
  • 1 can pumpkin (15 ounce)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (I used 2 cups - I like my soup thick)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk 
Directions
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
  1. Brown sausage, drain, then add the onion, garlic, Italian seasonings and mushrooms and sauté until done. 
  2. Add pumpkin to this mixture and mix well. 
  3. Stir in broth and mix well. Use less broth for a thicker soup; I used 2 cups.
  4. Simmer 20-30 minutes. 
  5. Stir in the milk and simmer on low another 10-15 minute. If soup is too thick, add more broth.
  6. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed (optional). 
12/15/13: I'm making this recipe as I type and it is perfect for cold, snowy, winter days like today. It's ready in less than an hour and the whole house smells wonderful the whole time! If you haven't made this yet, add it to your short list of new recipes to try!

In Jennifer's kitchen

Jennifer, one of our contributors, also made this soup and shared a few words:
I just tasted it and all's I can say is OMG! Do I HAVE To share with my husband? I highly recommend it! easy TOO! -- Jennifer
November 19, 2013