Blogger of the Week "A Suburban Princess Speaks"

I would like to introduce you to Kork. To me Kork makes June Cleaver look like a wimp!

I've never met Kork in person but have been exchanging comments, emails for the last couple of years now. I met her through another blogger.

Kork, is a stay-at-home mom to two precious tots, a domesticated goddess to a house that puts fly lady to shame, a dedicated and loving wife, a business entrepreneur, and a student.

In reading her blog, she blogs of her day to day chores, her children's milestones, and how she wants to be a great wife to her beloved, her struggles and strifes as a mother who only wants the best for her children, her husband and herself, how can she be better sister to her church family, and how she can be a better sibling and daughter to her family at home. But what strikes me even more she is constantly looking at what her passions are and how she can better herself.

Her new dream is being acheived currently attending classes for a degree. I can't say what as it has not been released on her blog. But I do know that I am proud of her, for pursuing her dreams and bettering herself. What an example she's teaching her children.

Recently Kork was confronted by family members on how much her health meant to them and how they were concerned at where she was presently. While anyone from thin to morbidly obese is startled to hear these confrontations with their family. Kork first was taken back by their concerns. Then she reflected on their talks, took their concerns and some of hers to her doctor and asked the Dr. for thoughts and recommendations. The outcome it would be best if she tried to lose just a few pounds due to hereditary conditions that could lead to complications later in life. A life that she wanted to live for her children and husband.

Kork is learning what we all are learning and re-learning. That we (mothers/fathers) must come first in taking care of ourselves and our health, if we are going to be able to take care of anyone else in our family. Kork has added new food and recipes to her daily menus and now integrating a form of exercise into her her daily life, aside from all the house and yard work that she maintains daily. I'm watching her take off in this new self discovery of I don't want to. To I want to. To OH MY GOSH I DID!! I love seeing her progress. She is learning about balance and that is what so many of us are trying to learn on our journey.

I sent out an email to Kork and asked her these questions:

1) What was that defining moment that made you want to lose weight and stick to your plan?

The moment that made me truly want to start losing weight in a serious amount and manner was actually just in March, when I saw my doctor for my annual exam. She looked at me, after listening to my concerns, the issues that I’d had since the birth of my daughter in January 2008, and told me in such a serious way, the look on her face, the tone of her voice, that if I didn’t lose at least 35 pounds I would be severely compromising my health, and would be lucky to make it past 45. There have been others that could have started me down this path at other points in my life but it took the thought of leaving my husband and kids to really make it hit home.

2) How long have you been on this journey?

I’ve been on this journey all my life really. I was always a little chubby, a little “softer” than the other girls my age. I have struggled with self-image for as long as I can remember. Always being the “little sister”, I felt as though I had to be better than I was…smarter, faster, louder, funnier, skinnier… More recently, it was in April of 2008, when my husband was told he had high cholesterol did it make me pause as well. We started together, even though I was still nursing my daughter, eating correct portion sizes and amounts for our current situations. And, then, even more recently, hearing those word in the doctor’s office 2 months ago made me really sit up and take notice.

3) What plan are using to lose your weight?

Simple as it sounds, I am simply “eating less, and moving more”. Although that is oversimplified, that about sums it up. I am journaling my food intake, measuring with measuring cups and spoons, and a kitchen scale, the correct amount of food to meet the recommended caloric intake from my nutritionist. I am eating more slowly, putting down my utensil or food in between each bite. Really tasting the food in each bite, enjoying it more. Listening to my body…when I begin to feel full, I stop eating. I also am making sure that I dedicating the time when my children nap in the afternoon to exercise for at least one hour.

4) What are your strengths/weaknesses in this journey?

My biggest strength would have to be the support that I’m getting from my friends and family. It makes such a difference to know that your friends are there to cheer you on, and that your husband is on board, not just for his own program, but yours as well. My weaknesses? Boy! That would be anything that resembles a bread product…chips, crackers, cookies, pretzels…I simply have to have only things for the kids in the house that fit into that category…otherwise, I’d eat them all by myself!

5) Why did you turn to blogging about your weight loss?

I blog for a few reasons, with the first being accountability. I know that having people who will tell me truthfully if what I’m eating and doing are really the right choices or not makes a huge difference to me. These people aren’t going to sugar-coat things just to make me happy, or make me feel like I’m doing well if I’m not! Secondly, I know that I’ll be more successful if I can look back and find the reason why things are happening the way they are. If the scale goes up one week, I can look back and say “Oh! That box of Thin Mints that I ate on Thursday…that’s what did it!” Third is that I hope that somewhere in the community of people that blog who may stumble across me, someone, somewhere might just find what they need to start their own journey to health. After all, I started getting so interested in it because of your own blog!

6) What do you want to accomplish when you reach your ideal weight loss goal?

First and foremost is just to know that I am doing all that I can to be healthy, to live and be around to be in my kids’ lives for a long time. Second, is my new business that I’ll be opening as a Certified Personal Trainer. What better way to market your skills and abilities than with your own success story? I want my clients to know that I was there, that it is possible to make a change, because I did it myself!

7) Do you think your weight has held you back from some of your dreams?

Undoubtedly it has held me back! When I was younger, I wanted to be a performer, but I would never audition for anything. My best friend growing up was one of those people who never seemed to struggle with her physical appearance, and she would come back from an audition glowing with the compliments she’d been given. The one time I tried out for a part I was told by the Director that if I wanted to act in her Company, I should lose 30 pounds and get a nose job. I was 13 at the time so you can imagine how that felt. I just assumed that an adult whose job it was to pick the right person for the part must have known what she was talking about and I never went back to any audition again. There are other things, like skydiving, hang-gliding…other things that still hurt to bring up…some things were truly because I was too big to do them, others were because I believed what I was told about my size, and how it would keep me from being accepted or successful at whatever it was that I wanted to do…

8) What makes you get up in the morning and want to keep trying?

The biggest reason is my family. Knowing that I am happier, and have more energy to play cars, read books, search for dinosaurs in my living room, splash with the kids, run through the sprinklers, ride bikes with my husband, play golf…knowing that by doing this every day, choosing my food wisely, exercising when I’d rather still be in bed, or reading a book, that I’ll be able to see my children start their own families, and enjoy grandchildren. Mostly, I want to be able to participate in the lives of my family. I don’t want to be that parent who shows up to a graduation with a cane at the age of 55, like my MIL did to my husband’s college graduation.

9) Can you share a favorite recipe?
Should it be healthy? OK – Just kidding!
Right now, I’m big into “fast and easy”, so I’ll share 2!
First is a big hit at our house right now, as my 3-year-old son is big into dipping his food.
HUMMUS
Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
Up to 1 Tbsp EVOO
4 – 5 drops sesame oil
¼ tsp sesame seeds
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt
Turmeric

Directions:
Dump the rinsed chickpeas into a blender. Add 1 tsp EVOO, the sesame oil and seeds (you can use tahini for this instead, but it is costly and doesn’t keep very long), and lemon juice. Add salt to taste (start with a pinch, and add a little bit til you get a flavor you like). Add a generous sprinkle of turmeric. Blend until smooth, adding oil as needed by the teaspoon until it blends evenly without slowing down the blender. Makes about 2 cups of prepared Hummus for only about $2! Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Serve any number of ways…my favorite it to take a “healthy” tortilla (I like the low-carb ones at King Sooper/Kroger/City Market), drizzle it with a teensy bit of EVOO, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Pop it under the broiler until lightly golden and slightly crispy. Cut into strips or wedges. Spoon a little hummus along with some chopped cucumber, diced tomato, and red onion and enjoy! You can also just dip raw carrots, celery, and cucumbers into your 2 TBSP serving. You can spice this up using roasted red peppers, or flavored oil, chili powder, garlic…it is so much cheaper, and easier to control what you’re getting when you make your own.

My other favorite thing right now is to take a salmon filet, spritz it with EVOO (I have the Pamered Chef Kitchen Mister) or Cooking Spray, sprinkle a little dill, some sea or kosher salt and pop it under the broiler for about 10 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily. I serve it with broiled asparagus, or steamed broccoli, and steamed brown rice for a really fast and easy meal that is yummy and good for you too!

10) Why do you keep reading my blog?

I read you because you inspire me. I enjoy every triumph as if it were my own, and my heart hurts when the rough days happen. It is such a joy to know that there are people out there who are unafraid to share their deepest selves with a world of readers…and you are great! I know that every day, you make the choice to be healthy, in your attitude as well as your body, and that some days you stumble, but you still get up and do it all again and again day after day!


I'm so honored that Kork agreed to do this post for me. Thank you Kork. You are such a huge Success in my eyes!!