Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen: February 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

HEALTHY Crockpot Turkey Meatballs!

Made this last night and they were so easy and YUMMY! PERFECT!

Crockpot Turkey Meatballs:

Ingredients:
-1.25lbs of ground turkey (93% lean)
-¼ Cup of Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs
-2TBSP of Italian Seasoning
-1 Egg
-1 Clove of Garlic (crushed)
-Salt and Pepper to Taste
-Low Sodium, no Sugar Added Pasta Sauce (Ragu has a light, no sugar added sauce) or make your own! (My hubs wanted extra sauce so you might want more sauce if you like it saucy!)
-zucchini noodles, or we used whole wheat noodles

Directions:
1. Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, seasonings, and garlic into a bowl and mix together.
2. Form small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each
3. Add meatballs to crockpot
4. Add sauce on top of meatballs (add enough to just about cover the meatballs.
5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
6. Serve with Zucchini Noodles or just stick a toothpick in there. Or heat up some whole wheat pasta
7. Enjoy!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Friday, February 26, 2016

There Are No Quick Fixes To Losing Weight


I went through my cupboards and did another clean up of things that I just don't need anymore. I did this about 6 months ago and finally threw out some of my "quick fix" pills that I thought would work at the time. (Garcinia Cambogia and the green coffee bean extracts pills) And guess what? I found 3 more bottles of these pills that are meant to help get me "high school skinny!" Why do I still have these? Honestly, in case I got desperate. (after pregnancy of course) But not anymore. They are gone. In the trash! No more wasting my money on pills that won't work and sticking with what I finally know works!


I was that girl that was always looking for the easy way to lose weight. The magic pill to help me so I wouldn't have to work as hard. But guess what? There is not magic pill! Nope, never. You have to learn to eat right and fill your body with the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs, and that is why I never lost the weight while taking those "magic pills." I would still eat crap thinking that my pills would take care of it for me. They didn't.



Stop taking the easy pills, eat good whole foods and a healthy diet. That is the first place to start, every single time. If you don't know what foods to eat, or even where to start, please EMAIL ME, let's talk. THIS IS WHAT I DO AND LOVE DOING! Coach, motivate, inspire. Together we can get you on the right path so that you never have to take those pills again, or even want to, and still be able to eat and keep the weight off! You are worth it to finally be in control of your life!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

21 Day Fix Approved Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Check out one of the recipes I will be making this week for us!

Fix Approved Buffalo Chicken Wraps

INGREDIENTS:

1. One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
2. ¾ Cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3. 1/4 cup of Franks Red Hot (I'm using Trader Joe's Chili sauce)
4. 1 tsp Garlic Powder
5. 1 tsp minced Garlic
6. 1/2 cup Diced Onion
7. Bib lettuce or Romaine lettuce

DIRECTIONS:
1. Add all ingredients into the crock pot
2. Cook on low for 3 hours
3. Stir after the first hour and a half so that all of the chicken is washed with the seasonings, yogurt and hot sauce
4. Once cooked thoroughly, you will be able to pull the chicken apart into shredded pieces
I put mine over a salad or in a lettuce wrap smile emoticon

This counts as 1 Red and 1 Blue, and in the lettuce 1/2 green- 1 whole green depending on if it is a wrap or on a salad on the ‪#‎21dayfix‬ meal plan!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Running While Pregnant Is Possible


I just realized last that 2 years ago I ran in my FIRST half marathon at 29 weeks PREGNANT!

First of all, I can't believe that it has been 2 years, almost seems longer, but secondly, I am still amazed that I did it. Did the race. What a blessing that I was able to be healthy, and have a healthy pregnancy, and that my body allowed me to do it. Yes my body, because, it is no joke training for a half marathon!

I learned so much about myself that day:

1) that I am a very determined redhead, that when I set my sights on something, come hell or high water, I am going to do it! I even said the day I registered, pregnant or not, I will be doing the race. And I did.

2) That it is totally ok to exercise while pregnant, as long as you have the okay from your doc. Every appointment I asked, "You sure it is ok for me to do x amount of miles this week? Can I still do the race?" He fully supported me. But also told me what to watch out for.

3) I learned to listen to my body and realized that my body is a heck of a lot stronger than I thought it was. I did up to 11 miles, on the treadmill in the space of 3 hours. I did that during my training. I kicked butt, and I survived, I had to take a nap every weekend to get my energy back but I still did it.
4) To believe in myself even when others around me didn't. People told me I was crazy, even the morning of the race in the corrals. People looked at me funny at the gym because I was running while pregnant. I was told it wasn't safe, and I was going to hurt my baby. But I believed in myself and my body and we did it!

Our bodies are amazing. We can make babies, and bounce back to how we were before we got pregnant. We can feed a human being. We can be kept up all night from worry over those little human beings. Believe in you and your body.

Right now I am hosting my regular health and fitness support group and a fit pregnancy group, It is so amazing watching women and moms just kick butt at the gym, or home workouts. They are taking care of themselves and their babies. I love what I do as a coach, working with so many women who are ready to change their lives. Pregnant or not, if you are ready to join my groups for motivation and support, CONTACT ME! Comment below, or email me. Let's chat.

It's kind of fun to do the impossible!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Fighting Those Pregnancy Cravings!

We all have them, CRAVINGS, pregnant or not. But when you are pregnant there are 2 things that happen to us.

1) Cravings when pregnant go on overdrive. They become so much more heightened!

2) Giving into cravings happen more because, you're pregnant!

Don't get into the cycle though, speaking from experience here peeps, to just throw in the towel and eat whatever you want. That is the last thing you want to be doing. Yes you need to be eating 300-500 more calories while pregnant, IN THE LAST TRIMESTER! But in the beginning, no. You don't need to increase your caloric intake. I know it is so nice to "finally" eat the foods you want to eat because you are feeding for two. But what happens. You start to gain weight too quickly, and before you know it, you have gained 10 pounds in just a couple months. It is the last thing you want to go through while you are making a baby.

So advice on fighting those oh so hard pregnancy cravings?

1) Make it a treat. Only occasionally. Yes, you will still give in to them, because if you don't you will binge later on.

2) Choose only 1 day a week to allow yourself those cravings if you have to. Schedule it in. Make it planned. Not spontaneous.

3) Work really hard to eat really well the rest of the time. And when you do that, eating a treat won't matter at all!

4) CUT THE GUILT OUT OF IT! This taken from a post on Facebook by
Mama Lion Strong "I haven't done anything wrong and there's nothing to feel guilty for. And no, I will not follow this up with a punishment of skipping breakfast, a salad for lunch, and broccoli and grilled chicken for supper.
I wake up and carry on as normal. Because Snickers happens. Ice cream happens. Chips happen. Normal people eat these things. They can be part of anyone's well balanced diet and will make no difference in how you look or feel overall.
That is.... Unless you make yourself feel rotten for it. And that rotten feeling makes you eat ten bags of Snickers because you're a bad, bad girl.
Do this for the next year, then it might start affecting how you look and feel overall.
If you have a trainer, a nutrition coach, a friend or family member pushing an extreme food mentality on you I'm just going to say it: they probably have an eating disorder. Don't get sucked in. Eat your Snickers and carry on."
Cravings suck! But sometimes you just have to give in to them, allow them to happen, enjoy your life and move on to the next! You are worth it to take care of yourself, but enjoy life too! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Monday, February 22, 2016

You ARE Worth It - Stop Doubting Yourself


Last night I was reading from one of my books. It talked about the phrase "I Am Worth It." And sometimes that phrase, on some days that might not be going the way they should be can turn back into, "Am I Worth It?" Some days this is going to happen. Trust me. On days that the kids are arguing with me, not listening, not following the things I am asking I start to question how good of a mom I am, or if I am even worth it. It is an awful feeling to deal with. It can quickly turn into a downward spiral and then all the good work you had been doing can just shatter.

Just know, there are going to be times that you are going to doubt yourself, but have a stronger conviction to not listen to those moments. Or at least don't dwell in them. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You are worth it.

Have you ever felt this way? That pesky, "Am I worth it" phrase come into your thinking???

Here is the thing. YOU ARE WORTH IT! NO matter what your brain or anyone else tells you. You are so worth every hard decision, workout, quiet time, me time, alone time, or anything else you can think about that can just get you down. You are worth it! Never ever forget it. You are worth anything! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon


Good luck to all the Princesses running in the 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon today! It is a great course! Stay safe, hydrate and above all, HAVE FUN! Wish I was with you. One day I will be but until then, Have a great time!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Friday, February 19, 2016

10 Tips to Cut Sugar Cravings

Wanna cut your sugar cravings for good? Follow these 10 tips to help you cut your cravings!

1) Fiber will keep you full and give you more energy without raising your blood sugar so there’s no [hangry] crash afterward. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2) High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer.


3) Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way sugars do. Pick proteins like nuts, or beans, or lean meats, yogurt or eggs.

4) Drink plenty of water. Sometimes sweets cravings, are actually a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sweet snack, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes.
5) Fruit and sweet vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, turnips) are naturally sweet, have tons of nutrition, and are quite delicious. The more you eat, the less you crave sugar.

6) Spices can naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings. Coriander, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will add flavor without calories.

7) Scout Out hidden sugar. Sugar can hide in foods where you least expect it. Although they don't seem sweet, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and pasta sauce have loads of sugar. So do reduced-fat salad dressings, bread, baked beans, and some flavored coffees. Get in the habit of reading labels. Filter out high-sugar foods before they hit your shopping cart.
8) Get physically active. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts energy, and reduces tension which will eliminate the need to self-medicate with sugar! Exercise can help wipe out those sugar cravings and change the way you eat in general. You will start to feel better and want healthier foods. Do what you like whether it’s walking, riding your bike, swimming or hitting the gym. Start out slow, and work toward at least 30 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.

9) Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation. Simple carbs such as sugar are the most readily usable forms of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you are in chronic state of stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is - sugar.

10) Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways. Every craving is NOT a signal that your body biologically requires sugar. Cravings often have a psychological component. By identifying the causes of food cravings and substituting lifestyle and relationship adjustments accordingly, you can begin to find balance and take charge of your health.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

5 Reason to Cook At Home

It can be very tempting to order out, head to a restaurant, or get frozen packaged food when you’re short on time. Trust me, even I fall prey to this sometimes. Because I just don't want to cook. Why bother? There are so many reasons! (being pregnant and having no energy is my current complaint!) 

But by making your own meals, you know exactly what you are putting into your body. That includes salt, and sugar. Which are used too much in fast foods, packaged frozen foods and even at restaurants. 


1. COST
For starters, cooking at home is way cheaper. If you find a few recipes that appeal to you, make a list, and buy only what you need, you can make a week's worth of dinners for about the same amount of money you'd spend in a mid-range restaurant for two or three meals. Check out a restaurant menu online and add up the costs: entree, drink, tip. Times two. See what I mean??

2. HEALTH
Another reason, it’s generally healthier. You can control the amounts of fat, sugar, sodium, and other ingredients. You can also control the portion size of your food. Portion control is as easy as deciding how much food to put on your plate, eliminating the temptation to eat all those fries that came with your restaurant burger. Or to chow down on that entire Chipotle burrito bowl!

3. LEFTOVERS
If planned right, you don’t need to cook every day. You can cook in large batches and have some food for the next day, making your life a little simpler. This is one of my favorite ways to “meal prep”. I cook extra on one night and heat it up (possibly add a few more ingredients) to eat the next night. Simple dinner on a busy weeknight! 

I know a lot of people do not like leftovers. But it is a great way to help save money and make your week of cooking a lot easier. I didn't like leftovers in the beginning either. It just isn't as good the second time around, but there are many dishes, like soups or stews that are much better after they sit for awhile. Start small. With one leftover a week and increase from there! 

4. FIT FAMILY
It can be a great way to get the family together to help! Getting your kids involved in the kitchen will teach them valuable life skills. Plus, you can pass on important nutritional information while making it fun. My boys LOVE to be my little helpers and they are more likely to eat healthy foods if they were involved in the preparation. Especially Mason. Now that he really wants to help! 

5. TIME
Finally, cooking at home can be faster than going out. Add up the time spent driving to a restaurant, waiting to be seated, waiting to be served, eating, paying, then driving home again. You could have fixed something simple and tasty much faster and been more comfortable in the process. You can cook and eat in your pajamas or workout clothes if you want to! 

BONUS: 
Cook for your taste buds- When you cook at home, you can control the amount of each flavor is in the food. Creating the perfect taste for you. I don't add salt to my foods and often when we eat out, most foods taste too salty to me. Or if I want to spice up my Mexican Foods, I can do that more easily in my own kitchen. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Drawbacks To Eating Sugar During Pregnancy

(image: Shutterstock)

Ok mom's, who has thought this while you were/are pregnant? "YAY! I'm pregnant, I can finally eat whatever I want!" (raise hand here!) Honestly when I was first married, I started to eat whatever I wanted, and I started gaining weight because of it but my excuse was, "It doesn't matter. I'm just going to get pregnant and then breastfeeding will make me lose all the weight!" WRONG! Not only did it take us 9 years to get a baby, but Breastfeeding did not help me lose ANY WEIGHT! Not 1 single pound.

Being pregnant is the last reason to start gorging on foods, candies and sweets and treats. That is the time you want to buckle down and eat a good whole food diet filled with nutrients that will not only keep you healthy but help support the growth of the new life in your body. Too many times, pregnant mom's give in to cravings while pregnant. I will admit it first, that I did! I gained 55 pounds with Mason, the last 2 months I was drinking a super thick chocolate shake at least 3 times a week. With Collin it was Oreos for the last month. And I gained 20 pounds with him. But I probably could have saved myself 5 pounds if I didn't. This pregnancy I am determined to eat more healthy and not give into my sugar cravings. Thankfully so far the baby is craving VEGGIES! The last thing I thought I would ever crave. So.... Is it safe to eat sugar during pregnancy? 

Here are some drawbacks to eating sugar while pregnant. 

Make your pregnancy symptoms worse. 

Eating too much sugar can actually make your pregnancy symptoms worse. Add more heartburn, more sick to your stomach feel if you are eating too much sugar at once. And of course make you even more moody especially if you aren't getting the sugar that your body is demanding for!

Increases in Exhaustion

It is commonplace among pregnant women to feel lethargic and lack energy at all times. Eating too much sugar can only heighten this feeling. Sugary drinks and foods generally contain sucrose, which causes blood glucose level surge followed by a fall in energy. And it can also make you more susceptible to be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. 

It Can Make Baby Craving For Sugar:

Research has shown women who crave for sugary foods in pregnancy, have kids who grow up as sugar cravers too. This actually paves way for obesity and related ailments in the long run. And as we can see from all around us, there are too many obese children out there. And as a mother, that is the last thing that I want my children to deal with.

Weight Gain:

Eating sugar during pregnancy causes weight gain.While all women gain some amount of weight during pregnancy, those who intake, excess sugar put on more weight than usual. They also find it harder to shed the excess flab after childbirth. (um, yes!) 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Monday, February 15, 2016

Addictiveness Of Sugar: Cut Your Cravings!


This week I am all about educating myself, my family and friends about the addictiveness of sugar. Yesterday morning Mason woke me up, not with a "Good morning mom!" or "How are you mom!" No. He said, "I WANT CANDY!" Broke my heart. My oldest who I denied sugar, sweets or anything artificial for his entire first year is already addicted to sugar. He is refusing to eat the food I make, yet he will eat french fries, hot dogs, sweets, crackers, and other crap.

I am seriously kicking myself. Maybe I gave in too quickly to give him sugar? Maybe I bribed him too much to get him to eat something? Maybe I ate too much sugar in front of him and shared?  Heck, I know how great candy and sugars are. I have been addicted for years. It wasn't until I started drinking Shakeology daily that I didn't "have to" have my sugar fix. And I am so thankful for that. Do I still eat sugar? Yes. Because I enjoy it. But no where near what I used to eat. And when I do eat sugar, I do my best to keep it "clean" and avoid treats that have any Artificial Ingredients, Additives, Preservative, etc. There are thousands of additives out there. These are a few of the top, scary ones to watch out for:

- MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) – it is a neurotoxin and used as a flavor enhancer...found in many canned, frozen, processed and fast foods (also in many foods in Asian restaurants – particularly soups…Ask the waiter/waitress). Also be on the lookout for the following additives, which always contain MSG: textured protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed protein, plant protein, oat flour and vegetable protein, sodium and calcium caseinate, and yeast extract. Reactions to MSG include weight gain, heart problems, headaches, ADD, asthma, and headaches.
- Food Dyes – derived from coal tar and petroleum, and can be found in many baked goods, beverages, candies, ice cream, cereals, cosmetics, etc. They have been linked to tumors, as well as, hyperactivity and behavioral effects in children. NOTE – natural and safe food colorings include paprika, turmeric, and beet juice.

- Artificial Sweeteners - aspartame (Nutrasweet & Equal) accounts for the most adverse reactions to food and food additives combines. These reactions include headaches, dizziness, rashes, vision problems, slurred speech, and can trigger or worsen chronic illnesses such as MS, fibromyalgia, birth defects, and Parkinson’s disease.

-Sucralose (Splenda) can cause gastrointestinal problems, slurred speech, mood swings, blood sugar increase, and weight gain. Yep, weight gain. Studies show these artificial sweeteners stimulate your appetite, increase (bad) carbohydrate cravings, stimulate fat storage and weight gain
- High Fructose Corn Syrup (Iso-glucose, glucose-fructose syrup, corn syrup, fruit fructose) – made from GMO corn through a chemical brewing process. The consumer is exposed to mercury and side effects include, liver damage, hypertension, elevated “bad” cholesterol levels, weight gain, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Products that may contain HFCS include various processed foods, yogurt, applesauce, soft drinks, children’s vitamins, jellies and jams, and even ketchup. HFCS is also found in many fast foods.

In the end, it's best to avoid highly processed sugars, candy, treats, and candy bars as they are filled with any number of preservatives. Stick with the ingredients you know and understand. Make your own sweets from howe. That way you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Your body will thank you for it and you will be closer to reaching your goals!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Friday, February 12, 2016

AMAZING 3 Day Refresh Results

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!?! My fellow coach and good friend Susan ROCKED her results with the 3 Day Refresh. In just 3 days she lost 7.8 pounds, and 5.5 inches! OH MY GOSH! She is a ROCKSTAR! Way to go Susan! Next up, she is going right into and rocking 21 Day Fix and getting even more leaned and toned! She kickstarted her progress in an amazing way! Want to try 3 Day Refresh? Click here to learn more

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Weight Loss Victories


Do you have a little itty bitty accomplishment? Even the smallest of accomplishments are actually HUGE! How many times have we overlooked the smallest moments of our lives because we haven't made it to the final goal yet? I know it can seem silly, but somedays I celebrate the fact that I got my workout in, because my day was so hectic or crazy. Or a few months ago I celebrated the fact that I could fit in a sports bra I got that ended up originally being too small. Don't lose sight of the little accomplishments that you make in life. In anything. Because before you know it, that time will be past and there will be something else to celebrate!

~New pant size- celebrate it
~New outfit fits-celebrate it
~lost 2 pounds- celebrate it
~been stuck at a plateau and finally moved past it? CELEBRATE IT! 

Losing weight is hard to do. So celebrate your accomplishments. Not with sweets and treats or a big slice of cake. But make it known to your friends. Post about it on Facebook. BRAG ABOUT IT! You deserve to brag about it and don't let anyone bring you down. 



Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Saying Good-bye To A Family Pet

(Archer's last picture before we left to forever say goodbye)


Yesterday was such a hard day for the Allen household. Our dog of over 13 years took a turn for the worse this past weekend. We took him to the vet on Monday to have him checked out and blood work done. We received the results yesterday morning. Archer, our Puggle, was suffering from 3 different very bad diseases, only one of them were were aware of in November, with slightly elevated liver levels. But the other two were very aggressive.  With him fighting 3 diseases out vet advised that he was just too sick to help him out. We knew he was in pain and suffering and less than an hour later we said our final goodbye. The vet said that he is a fighter because of what was wrong with him. He wanted to be with us even though it was really hard and painful for him. 






It was bittersweet to be with him as he passed knowing that he will feel so much better and without pain but also knowing how quiet our house and lives will be without him and how sad we all will be. He was apart of our marriage since the beginning. We will never forget him. The vet gave us a clay paw print to remember him by. Which was a nice gift.




First of all, these pregnancy hormones are HORRIBLE! I cried almost all day long. And any little thing just sent me off. But he was my best bud. He was always my shadow. Hanging around me. He even knew I was pregnant before I did and made sure to protect me more (he became an even bigger shadow when I was pregnant.) He was a sweet dog. Very good with kids (unless Mason pestered him too much, then he would pitch a fit.) He was a snuggle bug, spending most winter as my personal furnace in my bed. He had a long life and I am pretty sure he was happy, always knew he was loved. It is a hard thing to say goodbye to your household pet that is a family member.




We got Archer from a pet shop just 3 months after our marriage. When we had decided on him, he was the runt of the litter and the most submissive, were almost done with the paperwork, I asked what his birthday was. We found out that it was our wedding day. It was fate! Also, we were originally going to name him Porthos, after the Beagle on Enterprise, but it didn't fit him at all. So we went with the Captain of the Enterprise, Archer and his middle name, Malcolm, is from the armory officer on the same ship. Archer Malcolm Allen became part of our family. We had so many years with him.





Here are some tips that we used to help Mason cope with the loss of his dog:

So Mason doesn't quite understand what is happening. But we decided that we need to be upfront with him. The "going to sleep" thing wasn't working and honestly I didn't want Mason to think that when he goes to sleep he won't wake up either. So we have been very up front telling Mason that Archer is very sick and that the doctor can't help him anymore. That we have to help him by letting him to go sleep and dying. Mason is now telling us that Archer died today. He is sad, but he isn't confused. Or at least he understands a little bit about it. He does keep asking when can we go back and get Archer. Which we remind him that Archer died. Then he says that Archer is with Jesus eating, and getting strong. One comment he made that just shattered my heart was, "Can Jesus send him back for a little bit to play with me?" Oh so sad, but it is what it is. So be upfront with your kids. Help them understand as much as they can, and think about how much you want them to know. but the biggest thing for them is to just be upfront.


Coping with loss of dog for adults:

Apparently males and females process this different. I have been crying and sad all day long, and Matt has been more internal. I know he is sad, but he isn't showing it. I suspect to be strong for me. Take time to accept what happened. Take time to be sad. To grieve. It's ok. Don't be quick to get another dog to replace your previous one. Honestly, we have said for many years that we wouldn't get another dog. I don't think we will. But only time will tell. Probably not until the kids are much older is what I am thinking. But be sad. Take time. It is not shameful.

One thing I have been thinking is that I have been blaming myself for not taking him in earlier. But honestly, this is what was meant to happen. He let me know he was ready, even last night. He was just tired last night. He was ready. And I am at peace with that, but for a time I was blaming myself. Don't blame yourself. Things work as they are supposed to.


Dogs are only with us for so long. Take the time to enjoy your 4 legged family member as long as you can. Remember the good memories! To Archer, I miss you already puppy. I hope you are enjoying your time pain-free in puppy heaven, and playing with your best buddy, Bubba. Love you Archer.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 
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