Slaying The Sugar Dragon

A few months ago I wasnt really happy with my body, I was gaining weight and feeling sluggish and unhappy, I wanted to start eating healthier but each day id make a promise to myself, not to eat sweets or rubbish yet every day id break the promise. I was in a vicious cycle of sugar highs and lows and I just didnt know how to stop the cravings. Id buy a slab of chocolate that was meant to last a week but then id have 2 rows and id say to myself "tomorrow you have to eat healthier so u cant have a chocolate on your desk, just finish it now so there's no more temptation tomorrow" so I'd eat the whole chocolate (insert blushing face here). And so it would continue day in and day out.

I started searching on the internet about the ingredients of fast food (mcdonalds) and sweets and the effect they had on your body and I was horrified. And it put me off of fast food but the sweets and chocolate, well, lets just say it wasnt enough.

In searching all these ingredients I stumbled onto blog about healthy eating and while reading the post I became intrigued and clicked on her link to the whole30. I read all their info and decided there and then this is exactly what I need.

Whole30 is basically eating only whole food for 30 days...EEK! No sugar, no carbs, no dairy, no grains, no legumes and no alcohol. Only fruit, veg, meat and healthy fats. I immediately called my mom and said this is what we doing for 30 days, she hopped on board (insert thankful face here). I am so grateful she joined me, I wouldn't have been strong enough on my own. 

So a few days into April we started our challenge. The first few days were tough, but better than I expected. My cravings werent to bad (except for during easter-that was tough with 2 small children), we survived a trip to the game reserve whith our family who was still eating normal foods. We cooked healthy whole meals and we didn't kill anyone (I came close a few times). The feeling of accomplishment was huge especially when the jeans are loose and your husband is commenting on how good you look. I felt so healthy and happy,

Then it came to an end, the 30 days were over and the challenge was done, I had lost a total of 5.1kgs in 30 days, WOWZERS!! My sugar dragon was slain.....or so I thought, without the strict rules of the whole30 I feel myself slipping slowly back into the sugar cycle, 3 weeks after completing my first whole30 it turns out the dragon isnt slain he just had a nap and is now fully awake! So what to do, what to do?

Another whole30 I think. No I know! And this time my husband and children will join me. (Heres to hoping). Tomorrow I am buying the groceries and preparing the meals. Monday its time to get my whole30 on.

Lets kick this dragon in the butt!

Results of my 1st whole30...

I Heart Photography

One of my passions as far back as I can remember has been photography, when I was younger I remember snapping away, before digital cameras were available, eager to rush the film to the photo shop to be developed, that hour spent waiting for the photos, it seemed like forever, the anticipation to see how they came out, nervously opening the envelope and wanting to get the first glimpse before anyone else, just incase I looked like a dunce...ah how times have changed, now we can preview them on the screens of our digital cameras and smartphones deleting and editing as we wish, before you have to show anyone and risk the embarrassment. The joys of technology.

A few months ago I decided to get to know our (my moms that ive adopted) canon a little better, determined not to use the auto function and set the aperture, shutterspeed and iso myself, so after a little research and alot of practice (and deleting) I am finally getting the hang of things, and my passion has grown, my desire is to be a professional photographer one day, I want to study it, get to know it better, practice it, perfect the art and create beautiful images that hang on peoples walls, that capture the beauty of love, of life.

So I started offering to do photos of friends and family, and my kids are my main experiment when it comes to photos. I love capturing their laughs.

Untill the time comes when I can take photos professionally and quit my day job I will continue to practice on willing friends and family.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This is me

I am a 27 year old mother of 2, my first born is the beautiful Liah, I cannot begin to describe the way my heart swells with pride when I look at her, she is beautiful, kind, smart and loving, she loves to save things...insects, geckos, moles, you name it if its hurt she will try to nurse it, if its drowning she will try rescue it if the dogs have caught it she'll save it. She has a heart of gold. My second born is a handsome little boy who's ethan, he got the nickname effie-beefy at school, I dont know what the teacher was thinking but it stuck, the helpers at his school call him shorty because he is a head shorter than his peers (which he unfortunately inherited from me) and he is my little prince, hes everything boys are made of...frogs and snails and puppy dogs tails, mischief and naughtiness but oh he gives the best cuddles and he tells me I'm pretty, hes talkative and smart and has the most beautiful laugh that comes from deep inside. I dont know what my life would be without them.
My husband is Dolf, I met him when  I was 12 years old, we started dating when I was 14 and I feel like ive loved him forever, we know eachother so well and I dont think anything could seperate us, we've stood many trials and still stand. Our love continues to grow.
Most of all I love Jesus Christ I believe he died for me, hes set me free from bondage and hes forgiven my sins. I want to grow closer to Him and although I face many troubles and heart aches and pains I know he is right beside me He will never leave me. Oh for everyone to feel His love, how my soul longs for my friends hurting and broken, my family striving and doing life in their own strength, how I long for them to be swept away by the fathers love.
So ill leave you with one of my favourite verses
Jeremiah 29:12-13 ESV
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.