2015 Challenge

Who's up for a challenge?

As I mentioned in my last post Ashley, Julie and I have collaborated to come up with a year long challenge to help keep up motivated.

We are all busy individuals, who understand and appreciate that the challenge needs to be manageable for all walks of life.  One that can accommodate working people, married people, single people, lazy people, EVERYBODY!!!

Each month comes in 2 parts....one part is a daily calendar that includes motivating words, simple exercises and challenges for the day.  It will give you something different to try, strive for or think about each day.

We also knew there needed to be a more "intense" challenge each month and that is the second part.  Realizing that having one that lasted a whole month would be too time consuming, we agreed that a 7 day challenge would work better.  That would leave each individual participating to pick 7 consecutive days that worked best for them.

Without further ado, below you will find pictures of our calendar and mini monthly challenge.  If you like what you see, pop over and "like" my Facebook page.  You can also ask me to e-mail you the file for you to print off at home.

We hope that you will join us.  I will (hopefully) be posting and encouraging you to comment each day on my Facebook page with your progress for the challenge.

Here is to a fantastic 2015!!!

Almost The New Year

As January 1st creeps around the corner, it's time to reflect on the year past.

For me, it started out strong, peetered out in about April and never recovered.

I even tried to pull it together over the last month and still couldn't do it.  I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone by not following through with my TOPS workout plan, but in truth....I didn't follow it even one tiny bit!  Things around here got too hectic and I wasn't focused.  Even though the New Year renewal and resolution thing tend to wear out, I do always feel refreshed and eager to start a new.

Together with two of my blogging buddies, we are coming up with a plan to help motivate ourselves and possibly others for 2015.  I'm sure at least one of us will blog our plans for each month, so make sure you pop over to visit Julie and Ashley's blog.

Ashley's last post had her listing 15 things she wanted to accomplish in 2015.  I felt it was a great list, with some things I would never think to put on, because my mind wouldn't view them at BIG things, so in the spirit of all things 2015, here is MY list!

15  for '15

1. Commit myself to this new challenge with by buddies
2. Make no excuses to NOT go to TOPS
3. Spend more time outdoors with my kids
4. Read more, both to my children and for myself
5. Minimum of  90 minutes of exercise a week
6. Donate to our local food bank on a weekly basis
7. Put some money in a savings account
8. Organize decor ideas for our move
9. Be the best Spark and Brownie leader I can be
10. Do some strenght training
11. Try at least 6 new recipies, even if they are just for myself
12. Minimum of 3 "Date Nights" with my husband
13. Have 1 month of "NO GAINS" at TOPS
14. Get a new hair style
15. Be more organized in general

There you have it....what sort of things are on your list for 2015?

Get Healthy & Active Plan - Week 2

So, how did everyone do with week 2?

Did you wear your pedometer and log food for 3 days?

Did you pick your mantra and say it to yourself daily?

Did you not do them all or any?

I would honestly say I fall into the last category mostly.  I picked my mantra but didn't get it on the fridge and then forgot about it.  I didn't wear my pedometer for 3 full days and I certainly didn't log one bite of food.

Does that mean I have blown the whole 10 week plan?  Nope, not a chance and if you didn't have as much success as you hoped, it means you haven't either!  Today is the start of a new week with new challenges....together we can still do this.

Eat Better

• Begin drinking 1 glass of water with at least 2 meals each day.

Move More

• For 3 days, add 1000 steps to your average number of daily steps.

Stay on Track

• When you catch yourself review old hurts or beliefs ("My aunt always criticizes my weight." "I'll never be able to walk a mile"), try this:  Take a deep breath in.  As you exhale, let go of the thought.

I know I didn't do a fantastic job as a cheerleader for week 1, but what can I do for you?  What can I do to help you succeed....because if I am encouraging others, I do better for myself!

Get Healthy & Active Plan - Week 1

I mentioned yesterday that I am starting a plan to get myself back on track.

Every two months TOPS provides it's members with a magazine full of ideas, recipes and motivational stories.  The latest magazine is the December/January edition, so it has lots of ideas to be healthy over the holidays.

Their Get Healthy & Active Plan caught my eye.  It's a 10 week program with weekly plans for eating better, moving more and staying on track.  I read it and felt it was completely do-able and not overwhelming.  I'm hoping it will help me stay on track over this difficult holiday season where we tend to over-indulge.

Below is the program, I hope after you read it, you will join me and together we can create a great team of support.

Get Healthy & Active Plan

Ready to make healthy changes and get fit?  This simple plan encourages you to eat better, move more and stay on track with three weekly goals.  Designed by a registered dietitian, a certified personal trainer and a certified professional coach, the plan builds upon itself, so that you continue to work on goals from previous weeks as you incorporate three new goals each week.  These healthy behaviors are recommendations, but you can do as much or as little of the plan as you like.  If you want to focus on simply eating better first, for example, you can work on just those goals.  Do what is right for you now.  We hope this plan helps you as you work toward weight loss - and keeping off pounds.  Here's to a healthier, happier you in 2015!

Here is a better view for Week 1

Eat Better

• Begin keeping a food journal, writing down everything you eat on at least 3 days

Move More

• Begin wearing a pedometer for at least 3 days a week.  At the end of this week, calculate your average number of daily steps

Stay on Track

• Choose a positive statement or mantra below that supports your goals.  Repeat it to yourself while brushing your teeth.

1. Today I choose joy!
2. Good things take time.
3. I can, and I will!

So there you have it!  I promised you something that is manageable...it's not asking you to make these changes every day....3 DAYS!!!  That's it!  Tell me you can devote 3 days of small changes to making yourself healthier!    Let's do this together and use my Facebook page for support when you start to feel yourself get off track!  Trust me, I need this just as much, if not more, than you do!

TOPS

I have come to realize that while I talk about TOPS a lot on here, I have never really explained what it is.

TOPS stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly and is a non-profit weight loss support group.  It was founded in 1948 around the kitchen table of Esther S. Manz.  From there is has grown and spread to countless chapters around the world.

Why should I join you might ask?  Well, studies show that people who have support during weight loss have more success than others to try to do it alone.  A recent study has shown that participation in TOPS is just as effective as Weight Watchers.  

Ok you ask...why should I join on over the other?  For me the deciding factors were both location and cost, with cost being the biggie.  Let's face it, Weight Watchers is pricey.  Part of that is they pay for endorsements and heavily advertise, TOPS doesn't.  Currently my yearly membership is $32 with a monthly fee to my branch of $10.

Have I peaked your interest at all yet?  Let me continue some more...TOPS can help you reach your weight loss goals by providing you with the tools, information, support and accountability you need to be successful.

Now say you want to check out a meeting, but don't feel ready to sign up just yet....good, we can help you with that.  The first meeting at TOPS is free, with no pressure to sign up.   Right here, right now, I'm going to be honest and share my personal thought.....JUST SIGN UP!!!  Do it right there that first night!  If you leave with plans to think about it, chances are you may talk yourself out of it or convince yourself you can do it yourself.  Don't tell me you haven't spent more money on other plans....gym memberships, protein shakes, body wraps, etc.  

Ok, so you have talked yourself up and have decided that today is the day you choose to change your life....what should you expect from a meeting?  Meetings typically last for about an hour.  You can expect a private weight in, discussion about member's weeks and what was challenging for successful.  Roll call is taken, meeting business discussed and typically a program is put on.

Does TOPS offer an eating program and do I have to follow it for success?  The quick answers?  Yes it does and no you don't.  Details of the programs can be found here, but you can also use whatever method works best for you.

Ok, so I have gone over the basics for you and if you are still making excuses as to why you can't join, don't let one of them be that the meeting times in your area don't work for you....wanna know why?  Because if you have just 3 other interested people, you can start your own chapter.  A chapter only needs 4 members to start.  Maybe you have some friends at work that have similar goals, here is a chance for all of you to work together.

I know I haven't been the most model TOPS member as of lately, but the truth is, I haven't quit.  I keep going and getting on the scales, attempting to get myself back on track.  I just want to tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS!!!  You do not have to do it alone and support is only a click away.  Make today the day to change your life!  

The Truth of Amy Ruth

Truth time...

I'm not feeling it lately!  Not feeling the blog, not feeling the health train, nothing!  While I hoped my motivation would return by joining the Rocktober challenge, it has not!

I have no reasons for not feeling it.  In fact, it has been a year long struggle if I am being honest.  Perhaps it's because I have been on this ride for almost 8 years, activity, but a lifetime in another sense.

Thanks to Ashley over at A Dreamer On A Journey for sending me a message on Facebook to remind me it had been too long since I blogged.  I just felt like I had nothing much worthwhile posting about.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm by no means giving up.  I try to start fresh nearly everyday.  I just can't make it my own yet.

To those who follow me...Thanks!  It does mean a lot and I still have faith that I can do this!

Happy Rocktober Everyone!

On one of the many weight loss blogs I follow, the host created a challenge for the month of October to help people rock it out!

Jess over at Operation Skinny Jeans put this together, complete with Facebook page and everything!  Make sure you check it out!

She has given us a set of "rules" for the month or rather, things to complete and when it's all done, you have a chance to win a prize!

Let's be real here....I need accountability...LOTS of it!  More than what I had in place and I wanted to really get October on track before my surgery in November where I will be home and am unsure how long I will be laid up.

Through this challenge, we were asked to pick an accountabilibuddy.  That term is FaBuLoUs by the way!

I've paired up with a lovely woman from France.  I'm going to break out my worst French and together we will give each other pep talks to keep us going strong and successful through the month of October!!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Well, the contest I started at TOPS last week did me well...at least in terms of paying attention to what I was eating and getting my exercise in.

I logged it all...the good and the bad.

The results are in:

Last week: 251.75 lbs
This week: 251.25 lbs

Loss of  0.50 lbs

My downfall was the overabundance of mint girl guide cookies in the house this week.  I'm the contact guider for our local girl guide group, so on top of storing and selling...we had to sample them too (not as an official rule of course)

Two of these babies will set you back 120 calories, which is pretty standard for cookies really...HOWEVER, they are about the quarter of the size of a regular cookie and you almost need 4 to get the same portion.  Do you know how easily 4 turns into 8 turns into 12?  Super easy!

I plan to indulge less in them.  I took a little survey at the meeting tonight to see which of us members that logged food ALSO lost weight....5 out of 6 of us did.  Time and time again it proves that logging works.  I should get that through my thick skull!!

Here's to another good week with the scale on the downside!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

My lack of focus has continued on for yet another week.  I'm not sure what it will take to make me snap bck into it.  Clearly the motication of losing weight is not enough.

Last week: 251.25 lbs
This week: 251.75 lbs

Gain of .50 lbs

Not huge, but it's been a steady increase, not a slip up from one week.
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I created a new challenge for my TOPS group.  Partly out of my own need and selfishness.  I needed to do something to make me food log, exercise and feel motivated to eat better.  I think my group is in the same position though.

One of the things I did to help keep the incentive there was to partner everyone up...that way, your personal failure not only affects you, but your partner too.

Part of the challenge includes food logging and exercise.  I refuse to let my partner down because I couldn't manage to walk every day.  As for food logging...I didn't indicate it had to be full of healthy food...it could be all chocolate bars for all anyone cares, just write it down.

Linking up this week....because I can!

Road Trip Review - 2014 Edition - Months 7 & 8

Well, Julie and I have been trekking along for quite some time now.

I have done terrible....I'm going to come right out and say it.  There is about a month and a half left to go, and I am soooooooooo far behind, I might as well start over!

I'm not giving up....just facing facts that I am terrible.  Perhaps Julie will be lenient on me and we can extend the deadline until the end of December!!!!!

Julie has also been way better at getting her updates up too...check out her latest one HERE

Let's see how I have fared shall we?

Quickly, here are the rules and the road so far

The Facts:

• First Pit Stop of the journey is Crowley State Park, Arkansas - 1399 km
• Next stop and final destination is Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas - 325 km
• Total of 1724 km
• 5.70 km a day, 40.95 km a week and 172.40 km a month
• We have 10 months to complete the journey, from January 1 - October 31
• Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance - 2.85 km
• Each 30 minutes of non-walking/running exercise counts as 0.50 km, up to 3.20 km of our total

The Road So Far:

Month 1 - January

- total walked: 197.53 km

- total eligible: 174.22 km

  ( + 1.82 over)

Month 2 - February

- total walked: 180.13 km
- total eligible: 160.05 km
  (- 12.35 behind)

Month 3 - March

- total walked: 242.54 km
- total eligible: 201.23 km
  (+ 33.22 over )

Month 4 - April

- total walked: 176.30 km
- total eligible: 141.75 km
  (-27.91 behind)

Month 5 - May

- total walked: 204.43 km
- total eligible: 165.64
  (-10.97 behind)

Month 6 - June

- total walked: 182.40 km
- total eligible: 136.42.64
  (-34.58 behind)

Month 7 - July

- total walked: 190.49 km
- total eligible: 157.33 km
  (-18.14 behind)

Month 8 - August

- total walked: 140.98 km
- total eligible: 134.02
  (-42.68 behind)

GRAND TOTALS:
- total walked: 1514.86 km
- total eligible: 1270.66 km
  (-111.59 km behind)

How the frig am I supposed to make up that many km?  I'm hoping to make a big dent on them on Wednesdays.  I have those days off and now both kids are in school.  From the looks of it, realistically I should be walking the entire day!

By the end of July, it appears that I have ended up in Kentucky.  Let me say this though...while geography was never my skill....I am utterly lost here in the US.  When I look at the Google map...I cannot tell where I am!

While I end this leg in Kentucky, it looks like I am camped out at an Airport.  This nerds me out a bit and let me tell you why.  For those of you that don't know me well, I lived in the Yukon Territory for 2 years.  One of the jobs I held there was as an Observer/Communicator at the local airport.  This job had me responsible for recording the weather every hour and communicating and providing critial information to airplanes, either passing through or landing.  So I think it's pretty awesome that my random click on the map had me camped out on the taxi of an airport.

In August I am back to roughing it in the bush...I'm real close to the Kentucky/Tennessee border (or as best as I can tell anyway)  Once I put my markers up on my map....I am much closer than I though.  Hey, I might just do this after all!!!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Last night was my return to routine!

I got my butt back to TOPS after 3 weeks away, and truthfully, missing much of the summer as well.

The last time I weighed in was August 12th.

Last weigh: 249.75

This week: 251.25 lbs

The last time I was able to squeak by without going over my mental goal of 250, however I knew there was no chance of it this time.  I have made 0 effort to this journey...eating until I was stuffed and more treats and desserts than one person needs.

My treadmill had so much dust collected that it was embarrassing.

Each each before our TOPS meeting, a small group of members get together and walk.  I even managed to get myself out of the house to make it on time for that.  I can tell you this, that walk was much harder for me than is used to be or should have been...but that is what happens when you have done little exercise since April.

My day today was pretty good.  It was my first day off with both kids at school and I promised myself that once that day came, I would make Wednesdays about ME!

I walked the kids to school and continued on for my own walk.  It was a lovely morning.  When I got home, I hung out some laundry, grabbed a book and sat in the hot tub for 20 minutes.  The rest of the day was filled with household stuff, but I didn't spend it sitting on the couch for sure!  I'm already looking forward to next Wednesday!

The Truth of Tuesday Night

So, the truth of Tuesday night is that I didn't go to my meeting.

Next week brings the beginning of September and my re-commitment 100% to everything.

This summer has just been so busy.  My TOPS group typically dwindles down to just a few people each week during the summer, but I have missed more meetings this summer than in previous years.  However, this summer has been busier for us than in previous years too.

From what I could tell by the scales at home, I was down a bit at least.

I've upped my water intake and have done better with that.

If you read my last post, I mentioned my new Facebook page and put in the link for it.  Apparently, I'm new or something...because the link didn't work.  I soon realized that I had to make the page "live" for that to happen.

So, it's done, I think it's safe to say you can now click HERE

                                                                                                                                                HERE
HERE
                                                                           or HERE

and be taken to my page!

Motivation Monday - # 1

It's time!

Time to get off my pansy ass and smarten up!  I have been failing myself since April really.  Since that time, I have put back on about 12 lbs.

I am not proud of that and my "skinny" jeans are now getting tight.  I refuse to buy larger ones, so I have no other option.

I was talking with a woman the other day and she was commenting how much she loves fall.  That it has this feeling of refresh and starting new.  As I got thinking about that later, the more I agreed with it.

There is only one more week left of summer and then the kids go back to school.

It's the return of ROUTINE!!!!!

This fall will however bring a new routine for me.  My daughter starts full day kindergarten and my Wednesdays off will just be me.  I would lying if I didn't admit that I can't wait!  As of right now, my plan is this....walk the kids to school and then finish off with a walk of my own.

I will then spend some time with my blog and showing it some love too!  It's feeling much neglected.

Quite some time ago, I played around with the notion of starting a Facebook page for my blog.  I felt it would be give me a space to share my blog post without clogging up the TOPS page and I didn't want to put it in my news feed for everyone to read.

I did start one, it's out there ready to go, but I wasn't committed enough to make it "live".  That changes today.  I need the accountability of it

So, if you would like to "join" my page, pop over HERE and "like" it!

So, with the renewal of fall in mind, here is a quote just to help you remember!

A Week of Goals

I was talking with my bestie, Julie, about how frustrated I was.  That I can't seem to commit to anything since April.  I can't commit to eating well, to exercising, going to my TOPS meetings or my blog.

I am just frustrated with the whole process, yet can't bring myself to make the changes necessary.  Each week I tell myself it will be a better week, I will exercise each day and count my calories....but by lunch time the next day I have forgotten and blow it completely until the next week when I vow to start over.

With oh-so-wise advice, she suggested I take it just one day a time....set one goal each day and do your best to stick to it.  If I don't, just start fresh the next day with the new goal.  I have gotten into the mentality that it's all or nothing with this journey.  I have to have everything on par because if I don't, they will work against each other and the whole thing is pointless.

So, inspired by her wise words and a TOPS exercise of creating a daily inspiration calendar, I have put together some goals for the week.

Starting yesterday, my goals for the week are as follows:

Tuesday - go to TOPS
Wednesday - drink 8 glasses of water
Thursday - be thankful
Friday - walk
Saturday - eat in moderation
Sunday - walk
Monday - remember...1 pound at a time

Well, I managed to hit my goal for Tuesday and am par with my water challenge for today.  To help with my goal today, I put a sticky note on the water cooler and am marking each glass I have.

What goal can you set for today?

The Truth of Tuesday Night

Here's to hoping this post is back to it's regular self.

It's been 3 weeks since I last went to my TOPS meeting.

Last time I was there, the scale weighted in at:

247 lbs

This week:

246 lbs

Yes, I lost a pound, but it took me 3 weeks to do that.

It was hard going back...it goes to show just how easy it is to quit.  If I didn't have a role as leader at TOPS, it would have been so easy to just not go anymore.

What about you?  Have you ever quit something because you just didn't want to face going back after an absence?

Road Trip Review - 2014 Edition - Month 6

Julie and I are now more than half way through this challenge.

I'm still wavering, but how about we don't re-count all that crap, let's just look at the numbers, the pictures and get on with it.

The Facts:

• First Pit Stop of the journey is Crowley State Park, Arkansas - 1399 km
• Next stop and final destination is Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas - 325 km
• Total of 1724 km
• 5.70 km a day, 40.95 km a week and 172.40 km a month
• We have 10 months to complete the journey, from January 1 - October 31
• Our daily, everyday walking counts, but only up to half of our required distance - 2.85 km
• Each 30 minutes of non-walking/running exercise counts as 0.50 km, up to 3.20 km of our total

The Road So Far:

Month 1 - January

- total walked: 197.53 km

- total eligible: 174.22 km

  ( + 1.82 over)

Month 2 - February

- total walked: 180.13 km
- total eligible: 160.05 km
  (- 12.35 behind)

Month 3 - March

- total walked: 242.54 km
- total eligible: 201.23 km
  (+ 33.22 over )

Month 4 - April

- total walked: 176.30 km
- total eligible: 141.75 km
  (-27.91 behind)

Month 5 - May

- total walked: 204.43 km
- total eligible: 165.64
  (-10.97 behind)

Month 6 - June

- total walked: 182.40 km
- total eligible: 136.42.64
  (-34.58 behind)

GRAND TOTALS:
- total walked: 1183.39 km
- total eligible: 979.31 km
  (-50.77 km behind)

So, I have wound up in the woods, just outside the campus of Vincennes University in Indiana.

And my fabulous wall map?

Garden Update # 2

It's amazing how fast things come along in the garden.  Just a quick little update for tonight.

We are now eating more than just lettuce!

This is our first cucumber and there is another ready for tomorrow.  Hayden is a HUGE cucumber eater and this one lasted about a day.  I did sample it too, pretty good!

As for the carrots, Hayden wanted to pick one to see how they were coming along and about 12 came out together.  I will pick some for dinner tomorrow though.

Rant Time

It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to!

Now that you have been warned, I am going to rant about one of my many pet peeves.

I see this on Facebook quite often and it drives me crazy.  What is it you ask?

It's the term FML

Do you know what that means?  It means F**k my life!  I should add it took me forever to figure it out....it's not a thought process that crosses my mind, nor language I use often.  I had so many other ideas first

Seriously, if someone had told me when I first saw this acronym that it stood for this, I would have believed it!

Anyway, this rant came about because one of my best friends, challenged me to 5 days of gratitude, where I have to post on Facebook 3 things everyday I am thankful for.  It's not the first time I have done an exercise in gratitude and I think everyone should do it at least once in your life.  It's eye opening and humbling.

Anyway, I see people use this a lot and it bugs me.  We are a society of privilege and wealth.  We have food in our bellies, roofs over our heads, free healthcare, etc.  I mean, I get it....they are trying to say they are having a crappy day and things didn't work out like they planned, they don't really mean their whole life has gone in the crapper...but that IS what they are saying.  Your life could always be worse, even if it doesn't  seem like it at the moment.  Your child is sick and you need to take them to the hospital on a weekend?  Lucky you...you can do that!  You don't have to worry about how you are going to pay for that visit or have to decide if they are THAT sick or can wait a couple of more days until you can take them to your own doctor.  A FML moment should be "oh the sweat shop I work in just blew up, now where am I going to work to bring home my $12 a day?"  Even that situation could be worse...you could have died in that incident.

A little extreme of an example perhaps, but you get my point.  Perhaps a more appropriate term would be  FTD (F**k this day)

So, if you are one of the people who uses this term, please re-consider...start your own lesson in gratitude and for the next 5 days, right down 3 things you are thankful for.

Garden Update

I know it hasn't been that long since I did my post about the garden, but it has changed SO much.  A burst of warm weather and rain is what it needed.   Let's have a quick looksi-poo:

Tomato plants....most have flowers now

Better picture of the tomatoes

Green pepper plants...they have flowers now too

Carrots in the front, tomatoes in the back

Romaine Lettuce

Onions

Potatoes are flowering

English cucumbers
 (this was taken Wednesday, they have at least doubled in size by now)

Flowering cantaloupe

Carrots

Lettuce

My helper holding the lettuce we picked for supper

Carrots are coming along nicely!

Non-Scale Victory - # 21

It has been a crazy long time since I have participated in this link up...way back in March actually!

That's roughly the same time I fell off the wagon, got trampled on by the horses pulling it and landing their pile of crap!  That really is the perfect description to sum up the last few months for me.

But, it's a new month....I've picked myself up, found a stream to wash in and jumped on a new ride!  This new wagon has higher sides, so hopefully I won't fall off so easily.

Getting back to it is a victory in of itself.  However, my victory for this week is that I managed to plan and pack a semi-healthy lunch.

Lunch is my nemesis.  I hate it...not the eating it part necessarily, but the making it and planning it.  I am not a typical lunch food kind of person.  I don't care for sandwiches unless they are made fresh and I wouldn't eat anytime of healthy salad to save my life.

Today's was a compromise and I brought out the big lunch dish again.

Today's lunch includes some ham and turkey...red pepper and cucumber, dip, cheese strawberries, cottage cheese, yogurt and 2 marshmallows.  Ever since I was pregnant with my daughter...I find I need something sweet after each meal.  I picked marshmallows because I had them in the cupboard and they are 25 calories each.

Come join the link up and share what you are proud of this week!

The Garden

For the past 3 years or so, instead of flowers in our front flower beds, we have planted veggies and each year we plant a bit more.

It never occurred to me to plant a garden.  We are not much on veggies, plus my parents just live around the corner and have a large garden that they were happy to share.  But let me tell you, there is something nice about going out your front door for fresh produce.

I always planted a tomato plant for myself for a sandwich, but that was about it.

Last year was our biggest year to date...we planted about 6 tomato plants, green peppers, lettuce and potatoes.

This year...we expanded!

Front and centre....Carrots and lettuce

Wispy bit at the far right - garlic
4 green pepper plants

close up of carrots

Lettuce and Onions

Potatoes and the tall plants at the back are sunflowers

plants at the wheel is cucumber

the other side has cantaloupe

View of the garden at the front of the house

smaller garden in the front with cucumber, cantaloupe and more tomato plants
Yes!  We have a cannon

few more tomato plants

In part this post is to show just how well I grow veggies, but my main point is to show you that even if you don't have a large space, you can have a garden.  Do you have lovely flower beds you plant every year?  Swap them out for veggies next year.  Your gardens will still look lush and full, but you will profit off of it later.  I bought all of the veggies (except potatoes) already started and the total cost was $24.00.  That is a HUGE savings, also if you take into account that the tomatoes get turned into spaghetti sauce.    Oh and fresh tastes better....it really really does!  Lot of work you say?  I don't think so.  There is some weeding, but if you stay of top of it, it won't overwhelm you (or you can find a hubby like mine that does the work), and I water mine when I remember.

How does YOUR garden grow?