General Diet Plans and Questions - PMD #69 - The Prevention Healing Diet

This Diet is currently being promoted on newstands as the Prevention Healing Diet. The booklet will be on sale through Nov. 23, 2001.

Prevention Millennium Diet*

Daily servings
veg and fruits, 9 servings ( 5 veg/4 fruit)
whole grains, 3-6 servings
high-calcium, 2-3 servings

Weekly servings:
Beans - 5+
Nuts - 5
Fish - 2

Serving Sizes

veg. & fruit
1 serving = 1/2 c. chopped fruit
1/2 c. cooked or raw veg.
1 c. raw green leaves
3/4 c. veg or fruit juice

Whole Grains
1 serving = 1 slice whole wheat bread
1/2 rice or bulgar
1/2 c whole wheat pasta

Calcium 1 serving = 1 c ff or 1% milk
1 c ff yogurt
1 c calcium fortified O.J.
1 oz. reduced ff cheese

Supplements
100% DV multivitamin/mineral
500 (under 50) to 1000 (over 50) mg. calcium
100-400 IU Vit. E
100-500 mg Vit. C

Keep calories to 1500 a day - 250 cal. per meal. Eat 6 small meals a day. Do not exceed 42 fat grams per day.

Drink 8 glasses water and 1+ cup of tea daily.

* Copied from the Jan. 2000 issue of Prevention Magazine

This Diet is currently being promoted on newstands as the Prevention Healing Diet. The booklet will be on sale through Nov. 23, 2001.

I hope you find me over here under the slightly revised subject. I thought I'd make it reflect the latest title of the diet which people might pick up on supermarket stands until Nov. 23. I need to look at the prevention web site and see if they have it posted there under the new name.

I am wearing a pair of pants today that I last wore summer before the one just passed. Exercise and a little more discipline with eating is slowly making a difference. I tried on another outfit that I wore at my slimmest and they are wearable too, though they'll be even better when I lose a couple more lbs. I think.

No special plans this weekend so I will once again try for a PMD weekend.

All is well here, though busy. I will be attending an out of state conference beginning the 17th so I am trying to get things in order so I can leave.

Ledom, weigh! to go on getting into the skinny pants. I have a few new outfits that I bought in the next couple of sizes down that I keep measuring myself again.

Good idea on the thread change. It sort of reflects where the diet is at today.

Alice, I don't like a lot of liquid in the oatmeal either. I put less water too. I like the rough cut oats the best.

I am counting my range 26-33 points but allowing myself to eat 40 points but then I am much ...er, fatter than you are. Anyway this last week yielded a 3 pound loss and I think it is only the exercise that is doing it. I am for the first time trying to eat less carbs. too. Having the yougurt instead of toast for breakie. But with a MONSTER pile of fruit on it.

Yesterday, the magic boots took me around the BIG lake on the island in 1 hr. 15 min. Wow! I haven't tackled the big lake for over a year. I walk around my small one. They had improved the trails so much, built some boardwalks etc. was it ever nice. I noticed too how happy my dog is since he has been exercising. Lhasa Apsos are not known for their exercise needs but even they need get out and move.

I got Parasha's ashes. They are in a little urn and I put a picture of her by them. It is her riding in our jeep with her hair flying and looking big and fluffy with a huge smile on her face. We took her down to San Diego from Vancouver in the jeep with the top down. She looks so happy, what a sweet dog she was.

That is it for now. Do you girls get the SIGNALS catalogue? I don't know how I got it. It just came in the mail. Is it ever:cool: If you have it, I bought the Irish Walking Cape on page 36. I think this is their address GiftCatalog.com

Have a good day everyone!

It has been raining all night and still at it this morning. This is a much needed rain and it feels cozy in my house this morning. I am home from work today and plan to spend time in my darkroom. But first I am going to the bookstore to look at magazines and buy a cup of really good coffee. It is just that kind of morning. Actually I have been kind of weepy as I watched the morning news shows. Guess everyone is aware of the 1 month anniversary of our tragedy. I find myself approaching life in a more fatalistic way, just trying to make to make sure the things I do are the things I really want to do. Things that are important to me, who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Well, enough of that. You guys are making me hungry for oatmeal. Have you tried the steel cut Irish outmeal? It is good. I have my oatmeal with raisins, a packet of sweet and low and skim milk. I am just a little lazy about making it. Seems like I don't want to wait for breakfast, cereal or a toasted english muffin are my breakfast style.

judi, I am so proud of your walk yesterday. It sounds like a beautiful place to walk. Those new boots were made for walking!

I guess that is enough chit chat for now. Be safe.

The weather is starting to warm up again. They say that some places may even see 80 today! I hope we are one of them, or close to it anyway. DH parents along with DH aunt & uncle may be coming to visit sometime this afternoon. His aunt & uncle have never visited before, so I have been cleaning furiously for 2 days!!! I don't know how 2 people and 1 dog can make such a mess!! :?:

judi~Congratulations on your 3 lb. loss!! I would say exercise played a major role in your weight loss, especially that walk around the big lake. It sounds like you would have a lot of pretty scenery to look at. Well.....you have given me the incentive to take my little:devil: for a walk a little bit later.

ledom~I buy McCann's Irish Oatmeal, which I can nuke for a couple of minutes ;) I have seen the steel cut oatmeal, but that takes a long time to nuke. I have never tried it with sweet and low, but have tried it with Sugar Twin brown sugar. I also had tears in my eyes this morning while watching the news this morning. There were all kinds of memorials around our state, and one young widow along with her toddler, who's husband was on flight 11 spoke, and in another memorial all the young children said the Pledge of Allegience.

I hope that you all will have a great day. Alice

this morning. As I sit here drinking my SECOND cup of espresso and making my SECOND post of the morning I realize I am STALLING. Well, anyway, I forgot to say way-to-go-judi! I think Alice is right, it's the exercise. You go girl.

When I went to starbucks this a.m. I decided to buy a bag of espresso roast to make at home so of course I had to try it out. I am planning supper for a BUNCH of people on Oct. 24. I have been trying to figure out a menu that wouldn't just make me crazy as far a preparation time. I picked up the Oct. issue of Saveur and I think I have it figure out. There is a New Mexico stew that looks good. I think that with corn bread, maybe cheddar cheese, lots of fruit, and apple cobbler would be about as easy as I could make it. Some good Merlot to go with. What do you guys think? Should I have a salad?

OK, NOW I am going to get busy!!!

We had our company yesterday afternoon. We all had a nice visit.
I was reading an article about weight loss secrets of people who have lost quite a bit of weight. One woman said that she lost weight by eating any kind of soup for lunch 5 days a week. When she went into a restaurant she ordered whatever soup they had on the menu, but she did not eat the crackers or bread. I think that's what I will do, it's easy (my favorite part);) and I'll see how it goes.

ledom~Your dinner menu sounds delicious. What is in the Mexican stew? A salad sounds like a great idea as long as it doesn't mean any extra work for you. If you have to chop veggies anyway for your stew, you might as well throw some into a salad. You have just mentioned one of my favorite things to do, sitting with a steaming cup of coffee. I can't think of anything more relaxing. I know someone who gets up very early in the morning so that they can do just that before they have to get ready for work. How are your kitties doing? Do they still like the great outdoors?

judi~How is the hiking going? Have you and Marley been to anymore interesting places? I took Lacee for a walk yesterday, and at times it was a battle of wills:rolleyes: We will be going again today.

Shebacat~I hope that all is well with you.

I hope you all have a very safe and fun weekend. Alice

Hi girls!

I watched the memorial service on tv too and it made me just cry. It was so moving. The whole Sept. 11th incident has just taken a lot of joy out of everyday life. It is hard to be to get back to what used to be "normal" when one realizes so many peoples lives have been changed forever and many people have so much suffering. The up side of it though is that people are drawn together and the real good in people is showing all the more clearly.

Well, we sat down today to look at our finances and to see if maybe we can take an early retirement, by about 13 years for my DH. We plan to decide one way or the other this month.

I got my DH a pair of Merrell magic boots too. If it isn't raining we plan to take our boots and the two dogs to the dog park tomorrow.

Ledom, your company menu sounds great.!!! I wish I was coming. You do so much entertaining and you are such a busy woman too. Superwoman.

The soup idea sounds good, Alice. I know I have read that people who eat soup daily consume less calories overall in the day. I love soup on a rainy or cold day. Today we had a Russian sauerkraut soup that I got from a Jewish veg. cookbook. If any one likes sauerkraut I can post the recipe. I know when I eat soup I feel full a lot longer.

I like the steel cut oatmeal too. I cook the oatmeal on the stove. I don't mind the long cooking part, it is that pot washing after I don't like, especially if it sits around for anytime at all.

Did I tell you about my french manicure on Wed.? Well, on Thursday I had a pedicure and my first full leg wax (da**, that hurts :( !!!) It is all part of my overall being good to myself package that I plan to do about every 6 weeks.

How are you doing Shebacat?

Big squeeze for all the pets.

Shebacat, I hope everything is ok with you, we haven't heard from you in a while!

I don't know about superwoman Judi. I am looking forward to this dinner party, it is a bit different - different guests than usual. As a matter of fact my circle of friends seems to have recently gone through a "pulling-apart" period. It has caused me concern, left me feeling lonely. And yet, in the ebb and flow of a life I guess not all that unusual. There has been no big rift or arguement, just a gradual thing.

Well, I am doing so-so this weekend. Better than last in the food department, but not as good with exercise. I haven't done anything for the last 2 days. When I finish here I plan an extra long hike. It is fabulous weather out, a cold front just blew through and the fall foilage is gorgeous so I need to be out in it. I'd rather be kayaking, but I guess I better not as that always takes longer and my "to do" list is a long one.

The kittys are our friends again now that it s getting cold and rainy. They have been in more than out the last couple of days. We were feeling rejected by them for a while. The most beautiful big gray cat has been hanging out in our yard the last couple of days, his coloring is such that he looks as if he is lit from within. D and I are so taken that we are trying to make friends with him. Most strays we try to ignore.

judi, and other near vegetarians that post here. I just read the best book. It is fiction, based on fact. It is called My Year of Meats. Actually it might be upsetting to you, but it is a good read on many different levels.

I'll be heading to Lubbock, TX on Wed. for about 4 days. I am looking forward to getting away from it all and at the same time feel some anxiety about leaveing with our world feeling like such an unstable place now. I drive everywhere, as I am (and have always been) afraid to fly. I like long roadtrips alone actually.

judi, good luck to you and DH as you focus on your future and the big decision before you. You 2 seem to enjoy your lives a lot. Good for you.

Have a great week everyone.

We had a great day on Sat., but today it is very dismal, but it is a nice change. Friends of our's came up to close up their cabin on Sat. On their way home they stopped in for a brief visit.

I went to a discount book store this morning and I bought a soup cookbook. There is a recipe for Winter Squash Soup, which looks delicious. That is one of my favorite vegetables.

ledom~Have a safe trip to TX. I am with you re: flying. As far as I am concerned, the last time I ever plan to fly was 3 yrs. ago when DH took me to Hawaii for my 50th birthday. I have told him in no uncertain terms that whenever they build a bridge from Calif. to Hawaii, then and only then will I ever go back there;)

judi~I wish you the best of luck with your decision for an early retirement. That's great you bought your DH with some the same hiking boots. It's a lot more fun when you exercise together.

Take care. Alice

Ledom, that book title sounds intriguing.

Things change with friends, sort of an ebb and flow, it is not anyone's fault or right or wrong, it just happens. I have been at an ebb for awhile now. I really appreciate having you and Alice to talk with.

Alice, I make acorn squash soup for a company soup. I like it too. Today I am making green pea soup. Yup it is raining and cold here. A good soup day. I am going to make bread too.

The weekend was a write off as far as the diet was concerned. Eating whatever...not lots... but not carefully. OK I ate the last sour cherry and chocolate brioche this morning for breakfast but NOW I will try harder...sure, after the brioche is gone;)

How is the doggie doing on the leash? My guy is enjoying the walks so much. It is funny how much closer the dogs are when you do something with them. I know on the days I take Marley out for a walk he sticks to my side all day. Other days he will sit by me but wander off to sleep on my bed upstairs or come around when he hears the microwave bell ring but on walk days he is right THERE!

Thanks for the good wishes on our "perhaps impending" retirement. I am looking forward to it but I am finding it kind of SCARY at the same time. I worry that the DH might get bored or feel he has burnt his bridges. I know he will never be one of those guys you see following the wife around in the grocery store making suggestions of what to buy or not after she has done the shopping all their lives...but it is a big step. With the big tax drop we will stay more or less the same financially so I don't think that will be a problem. (Plus, I have already used up all the cupboard and closet space in my house and now the RV...) I dunno. I know we would get into a healthy routine if he were at home, walking etc with the dogs. I make more of an effort when he is around. We enjoy being together, not even really doing anything very much just sort of living the quiet life is something we both like.

Shebacat, hope all is well with you and the kitty. Check in if you can.

I am glad I have you guys to talk to too. This morning as I was driving to work I started thinking about you guys. What do you look like, what are your houses like, what would it be like to sit down face to face and have a good visit. I think it would be lots of fun. Anyway, I really depend on you as sounding boards and confidants and appreciate you very much!

Well, drum roll please, yesterday SUNDAY, I stayed on PMD all day. Sat. wasn't too bad either. I got my hike in yesterday a.m. and this morning was up at 5 for my workout. I added another block to my jog and then on the way to work I clocked it. I did 1.2 miles. Very proud of myself.:smug: I think the jogging makes the biggest difference. I am back to looking in the mirror and see some subtle changes. I tried on that blue jean skirt last night and it is still too tight but DOES zip more easily. So I guess I am on a bit of a roll. Not to jinx it or anything. I am thinking about my 5 days on the road and out of my routine this week and really want to hang on to progress I have made. I think I'll take my 8 lb. dumbells and at least do some strength training in my hotel. I am a little nervous about jogging in a strange place.

Take care, girls and have a great Monday.

It started off very dismal this morning, but by the afternoon the sun came out. DH & I had to go shopping this morning...lunch out. Went to Olive Garden and I think I did ok, except for their delicious breadsticks YUM!!! I do know we will be having soup for supper. We went to a nursery and bought some Holly Bushes for our front yard. When my Dad passed away, my MIL & FIL wanted to plant a tree in our front yard in his memory. My MIL told me to pick out whatever I wanted. I have always wanted Holly Bushes, and I decided to get the male in memory of my Dad, and a female in the memory of my Mom. Naturally, I have named the Holly Bushes after both my parents:love: I too often wonder what type of houses the both of you live in, ledom, I remember seeing a photo of you last year, so I have an idea what you look like. judi, I often wonder what you look like. I also feel very fortunate to have the both of you to talk to.

ledom~Sometimes in hotels/motels they have an exercise room. We have stayed at a few places on trips that have such a room with all kinds of exercise equipment. Maybe if they have an exercise room where you will be staying you could get your jog in on a treadmill. Good for you for staying on PMD on Sun. My weekend wasn't so great eating wise. But....today is another day and the start of another week.

judi~Lacee stays by my side, under my feet, chasing my feet, just about all day:dizzy: She has her good days and bad days on the leash. I am very glad that I put a harness on her whenever we walk because she tugs on the leash. I have one of those retractable leashes that extends to 16'. When I know there will not be any traffic I let her go the whole 16' and she is actually pulling me! It sounds as though you and your DH get along very well, like DH and myself. We work out of our home and we are together 24/7. It is almost like semi-retirement. I am sure you both will adjust to retirement very well.

Since I was unable to go for my walk this morning, I believe I will do it now and take the little :devil: with me. The both of you take care and stay safe. Alice

Ledom, the above is your drum roll! Good going!

Alice, my D's Bentley is the same on the leash. It must be a Boston thing for sure. Her dog sits with his legs straight out in front of him and his back perfectly upright. It is just SO cute.

My D is home this week. So yesterday we went out and he came shopping with me. He never does this so it was fun.

The weather is rainy and grey. Ledom, you cats would just hate this weather. I would like a couple of good days in a row just to put the garden to bed for the winter.

Alice, when we first moved here and built the house 2 Holly trees were the first garden purchases I made. BUT the trees that I have are both m/f so they always have the berries. They both really have grown too, very quickly. I think trees are a very nice memorial for people. I always grow Maltese Cross, a tall, bright red flowering plant in the garden in memory of my grandmother because she grew it her garden and they had it in the old country but called it by a diff. name. So I have a big clump of them in the corner of my garden. It really grows best in a place like the prairie provinces but my are doing ok here on the west coast considering it isn't the ideal climate for them.


Hey, have you girls been able to get good oranges??? I don't know what the situation is here with the oranges but we haven't been able to get sweet oranges all year. The ones we are getting now are mostly from Australia. What happened to the California ones we used to get? Did they freeze or something? I notice that the mandarins have come out here...I tasted one yesterday, still too sour...blech, blech.

My eating went well last night. After the lunch I had yesterday, I had soup for supper, and with my coffee later I had some vanilla sugar-free pudding with some nutmeg added. I cut out a recipe for regular vanilla pudding that you add rum extract and nutmeg. It is supposed to taste like eggnog. It really does! I leave out the rum extract because I do not like rum in my eggnog.

judi~DH went for a walk with Lacee & I yesterday afternoon. I was handling the leash, and I don't know how many times he got tangled in it:^: While we were walking, this elderly couple drove by in a car very slowly. The gentleman had his window open and asked me who was walking who:?: I have never heard of a Maltese Cross. It sounds very pretty. We now have to think of another spot to plant the Holly bushes in. We noticed on the instructions that they cannot be in direct sunlight. The spot we hand chosen in our front yard gets sun all day long. Back to the drawing board!

ledom~How did you Monday go? I hope everything went well. Good for you with your jogging.

Take care. Alice

Yesterday went well. I timed my workout this a.m., it lasts 40 minutes. I did my warm up, some upper body work and the jog. Food was good too.

My mother has always had a way with birds. Two years ago a parrot of all things found its way to her backyard and stayed as long as the crab apples lasted, it would spit out the apple and eat the seeds. Now a guinea hen has found her. I think it is the only one of a neighbors flock to escape the dogs. Anyway it is very happy following her around all day as she works in her yard. Something my mother does every day. Whenever I talk to her I hear about their latest adventures, she calls it her little friend and it is such company to her.:lol:

Last night I got a call out of the blue from a girl I lived next door to in the dorm with when I was a freshman in college. She had just bought a Carol King CD and it made her think of me. Isn't that :cool: ! Anyway, it was a blast from the past. Very good to hear from her.

Guess I better get busy. Lot's to do before leaving work with a clean desk for my little trip!

A last post before heading out on my trip this morning. I decided to weigh this morning and there was a satisfying kerplunk sound of weights falling on my scale. I'm down 3.75 lbs. so far this month. Making me just over 21 lbs. away from my immediate goal of 25 lbs. I am pleased with those results, slow as they may seem.

I am vowing now, NO COOKIES during the coming holidays. They are the worst, full of butter and sugar, no redeeming qualities whatsoever! Just easy to eat and eat and eat

judi and Alice, I know you'll hold down the fort while I am gone. I look forward to checking back in on Monday.

DH & I had to take my car to get it's mileage checkup. While we were at the dealership, we bought a new car. We had been toying with the idea of getting the new model that just came out, it's a better car all around, plus it has everything we wish we had in the one we have, plus they gave us a fantastic deal on the trade in. We pick it up Fri. I've had time to think on it some more, and I am wondering if we did the right thing. DH says "YES", but then you know men and cars:rolleyes: I am sure I will like it as much as I like the one I am presently driving.

ledom~KUDOS for losing weight:cool: That's fantastic!!!!! Everything I have read states that you should lose weight slowly, but I know it can be frustrating to lose slowly.

judi~I was in the grocery store yesterday, and I noticed that BOCA has sausages. Italian flavor and regular flavor. From the looks of what was on the shelf it appears that the Italian flavor is popular. I was tempted to pick up a box, but I was far from home, had more errands to do, and did not have a cooler with me. I plan to go back later in the week and pick up a box.
How is the hiking going?

I think I ate very well yesterday. We had lunch out again, at WENDY's this time. I had their Deluxe Garden Salad with 1/2 packet of their Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing. Then for supper we had some left over Teryaki Chicken, brown rice, & winter squash.

I hope everyone has a great day. Alice

You bought a new car Alice!!! :cool: What kind is it? I am taking my car (a red 97 Honda) into the body shop today. My DH backed into it with his big truck (a Ford) and put a bend in the side:lol: He was so mad but it was at himself.

Wow! Ledom, I didn't realize you have lost so much weight. You never really mentioned it. That is so good!!! You are inspiring!!!

Alice, those Boca sausages are the very ones!! When we came back from out last trip we brought back a whole freezer full (the freezer in the 5th wheel). Most of them were the Italian ones but the bratwurst are good too. When you cook them, cook them in the pan they describe how on the box. I found that to be the best way.

Ledom, that is interesting how birds find their way to your mom's place. A parrot....hmmm, I wonder what his story is.

Speaking of the upcoming cookie season....I just threw out a box of shortbreads that were in the freezer since last Christmas. I am resolved not to make as much this year. Thank goodness I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I have my ongoing battle with peanuts and sharp cheddar cheese (& wine) well, the last one isn't really part of the battle...I just give into it. I do plan to make Christmas cake this week. I will be without my car for about 4 days (AUGHHHH:( !!!) so I thought it would be a good time to do something. I also plan to organize all my mom's photos into albums. She loved taking photos. Every family occasion was marked by some pictures. So diff. from my DH's family. They have one or two pictures and that is all.

Are you looking forward to your road trip Ledom? I am starting to feel it is time to go somewhere again but so far no word about any future trips. I am resolved NOT to fly again...if I can't drive there, I don't want to go. We have travelled in Europe quite a bit, a bit in the Middle East, latin America etc. but now I feel the ONLY place I want to visit is in the USA and Canada. I have seen everything I need to see off the continent. I don't know how long I will feel like this but for now other than our two countries I don't want to go anywhere. I am with you Alice, I wish they would make a bridge to Hawaii. Anyway, Ledom enjoy your drive, put on some great music and drive carefully. I like the freedom of travel on the road, stop when you want etc. You will have a nice time.

I watched the video "Dogs & Cats", it was good for a giggle.

Our holly trees are in a very shadey spot (just luck on my part because I didn't know they weren't supposed to be in the sun) and they are quite big now about 7-8 feet so that must be right. They were little guys that I gave a vicious pruning to when I bought them. (My first pair of Fiskars and I had to use them on something) But they not only survived but thrived. Good luck on finding the right spot for them Alice, I am sure you will. I plan to plant some bulbs for spring if the rain gives me a break.

Have a good day. It was nice to read the posts this morning Ledom & Alice.

It is awfully chilly. When I went for my walk yesterday it felt so invigorating. It must've been invigorating for Lacee too because when we got into our front yard I let her run loose and she ran, and ran and ran in circles. She tired me out just watching her.

judi, I drive a 99 Audi, which I absolutely love. I am sorry to be getting rid of it, but DH & I could not pass up the deal we got with the trade in. I know how you feel about being without your "wheels" for a few days. I live in an area where I need a vehicle for everything. It would take me 2 days to walk to the store:lol: My weaknesses are the same as your's. I cannot have peanuts or cashews in the house, but we do have wine in the house. DH's weakness is potato chips.
That is really nice you have all those photos from your mother. Our family is like your DH's family, we didn't take many photos, so that I don't have many recent photos of my parents. A wife of one of my cousins was researching for a family tree and asked me for a recent photo of my Dad. I wasn't sure I had one, and I was delighted to find a fairly recent one taken at my grandmother's 100th birthday party. Enjoy making your Christmas Cake!

Take care. Alice

Well, we had kind of a sad day here. My DH's Akita died in the night. He was 9 years old. It looked like a heart attack or a stroke. We are having him cremated. So now we are down to one dog. We decided to leave it like that for awhile.

I didn't go out and walk today. It is just pouring, rivers of water are running down the pavement on our hill. Yesterday we did have a break so the DH and I got out and dug a new garden area. It is going to be the site of a big spring garden. I planted diff types of Alliums (lots of the tall purple ones) and various types of daffodils. I still have some bulbs to plant. It was fun and expected to be stiff today but I was ok.

I bought all my baking stuff yesterday. So I am set for a big bake off.

I tried to talk my D into letting her Boston come stay with me for a few days...no dice, maybe "someday". I took some pictures of him when he was here. That Boston face is pretty photogenic. What great little dogs. Lacee sounds like she is a real character.

An Audi...that is a NICE car, Alice! What color is it? HMMMM, your DH must be sweet on you;)

I am so sorry about your DH dog. I know how sad it is when you lose 2 dogs so close together. I send you both my deepest sympathy. Is Marley the one left? If so, how is he taking it? Animals are so sensitive. Many years ago, DH & I had 2 Boston Terriers. One was a year or two older than the other one. Six weeks after the older one died, we lost the other one. After that we vowed never to have 2 dogs at the same time.

Your Alliums sound beautiful!! Are they a deep purple or sort of lavender? Is all the rain you are getting usual in your area? We have had hardly any rain at all. The last two times we had rain it was a cold drizzle. If the weather cooperates this weekend we plan on planting our Holly bushes. The woman at the nursery told us to wrap them in burlap for the winter since this will be their first winter.

My new car will be denim blue. It's a blue with a pearlized paint underneath. DH thinks the color is HOT, and I'm just hoping I'm not going to get sick of the color, since supposedly we will keep this car for the next 10 yrs., which is the same thing he said when we bought our 99.

Enjoy your baking. I can imagine how good your kitchen will smell. Too bad you can't bottle that aroma ;)

Take care. Alice

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Yes, Marley is the only dog left. We decided not to get anymore dogs until he passes on which won't be for a LONG time, I hope. He sat on Bob's knee all morning being consoling.

I bought a few more bulbs to plant. I am very happy with what will be the spring garden. We planted the really tall purple alliums, lots of them. I also have a few of the fancy types of daffodils. I have to have deer proof bulbs (they love tulips) since this garden is outside my fenced garden. The house looks down on this garden so I know I will be glad I made the effort in spring.

I bought two small tube pans to bake cakes in. So I can freeze one and have one to serve. Since there is only two of us we usually end up chucking out half a cake. I HATE wasting food. So these pans take one cake mixture nicely between the two of them plus the shape of the cake is nice. Yesterday I made two lemon/cranberry angel food cakes...3 pts a peice.

Your car sounds just beautiful:cool: I don't think you will get tired of a color like that.

My D's Boston (Bentley) has started going around the apt. eating stuff:?: this morning he swallowed his 3rd ear plug. Why would he be doing that??? He is well fed and not ignored. This morning when he saw my D wanted to take away the earplug he swallowed it...causing lots of consternation of course.

I haven't weighed myself for a week :o Don't really want to know.

My DH stayed home all this week, it was so nice.

Ledom, I hope you are having a beautiful drive and a safe one.

Hi Shebacat, hope you are doing great.

Hi ladies,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My poor baby cat passed away on October 3rd, and I'm still trying to recover. Judi, I'm sorry about your husband's puppy. When I'm more emotionally stable, I'll write in. Take care.

I am SO sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved kitty companion.

Shebacat, I am SO sorry about the loss of your little kitty. Animals are so much a part of a family. It is hearbreaking to lose one.

judi, When I saw the car again I liked it better than I thought I would. When I drove it home I felt at ease with it, until DH started playing with the temp. control and hot and cold air was blowing in my face:nono: I did feel rather sad leaving my old car behind. Your lemon/cranberry angel food cakes sound really good. My eating hasn't been very good this weekend. I read an article in a magazine. They polled some women about losing weight and 32% were experiencing diet burnout. I think that is what I am feeling now.
Your garden will look beautiful in the spring. What month will your daffodils bloom? Lacee eats a lot of stuff she's not supposed to. The other day she was outside sniffing on the ground. Some sort of white feather was stuck to her nose. By the time I had gotten to her to remove it, her tongue came out and she inhaled it! I just don't know what to do to break her of that habit. I can only hope she grows out of it.

Take care. Alice

Good evening,

You now have your new car Alice, that must be fun. I can't wait until I get mine back from the body shop. I hate asking the DH to drive me in his truck here and there and I really feel a loss of independence with my car gone.

The feather and the earplug must be a puppy thing.

I am not sure when the bulbs will come up, I am trying to remember I think we are a bit later than Vancouver. The island is colder.

I baked my Christmas cake today. I made a dark one, I got the recipe from www.baccalieu.com/yaffles/dccake.htm on the internet. It made the 2 small angel food pans and two small loaf pans. It is now "aging", I hope it will be good. It looked good.

I also made a Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup from www.celebritydeli.com It made a lot so I had some to freeze.

My eating was kind of hit and miss today. I know I didn't get 9 fruits and vegetables, more like 9 refined carbohydrates.:(

It's a fairly mild day today. Yesterday it started out raining, but it cleared up by the afternoon. We did get our Holly bushes planted yesterday afternoon. We have to go out and buy some burlap to wrap them in for the winter. While we were outside I decided it was time to get my garden ready for winter. The only thing left to do is rake again when all the leaves fall.

The puppy isn't feeling very well this morning:( She had me up a few times during the night, as she had dirreah. She has been subdued this morning, and just a few minutes ago she vomited. I don't know if it was on account of that feather she inhaled, or from her constant chewing on her nyla bones. If she doesn't feel better by tomorrow morning I will have to call the Vet.

Judi, would you post your lemon/cranberry cake recipe? It sounds like something I would like. Thanks, I'd appreciate it. Do you use angel food cake mix, or do you make it from scratch?

Once the weekend is over you'll go back to eating right. Something about the weekends makes you forget about eating right.

Shebacat, I hope that you are doing ok.

Take care. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Alice

Sorry to here about the puppy feeling poorly. I hope she is on the mend soon. Maybe she found something and ate it?

The lemon cranberry cake is just the Robin Hood lemon angel food mix with the addition of dried cranberries. It was a suggestion on the side of box. It is really good.

Guess what? I have the my D's Boston here for a few days:) She wanted us to have him here to help us with our "bereavement". He is busy checking everything out...Marley has taken off to the upstairs.

It was so good to read your posts this morning. I felt like I had been gone much longer than 5 days.

Shebacat, I am so sorry about your cat. I know you had her somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years. That is such a long time - you probably are thinking back through all those years you shared with her. One of my friends lost his 19 yr. old cat recently and I know how hard he took it. Everyone deals with it differently. When my beloved Sandy died a couple of years ago I immediately got two kittens because I just couldn't stand to be that sad. They of course could never replace him, but they brought new joy into the house.

And judi, so sorry about DH's dog as well.

Well, Alice - what a great car! Congratulations, now you have to plan a road trip.

Hey, I am going to have to cut short here because I should be ready for work and I haven't even started yet. Was a 13 hr. drive home yesterday and I guess I am feeling entitled to dawdle a bit but I have a big week coming up. My trip was just what I needed. More later.

Hi Ledom! It is nice to have you back, I am glad to hear that the trip was what you needed. Your drive was long so I hope you are not exhausted.

Hi Alice and Shebacat!

The baby Bentley is here, he is running laps as fast as he can go through the house with his ears back pretending he is a greyhound. What a clown.

I am going to treadmill today instead of going out for a walk. It is too miserable outside. Good thing Christmas is in the winter season or I would grumble about it all the way through. We don't even get a lot of snow anymore so I it shouldn't bug me. It is the greyness I think.

Have a good Monday one and all.

For some reason I have been having an awful time getting to the posts. I was able to get to the thread, but all that would come up was the PMD eating plan, but nothing afterwards. It was very frustrating to say the least!

WELCOME BACK LEDOM I am glad to see that you are back safe and sound. I'm also glad that you enjoyed your trip. Wow, 13 hrs. is a long trip. I would be exausted. DH & I used to go to Va. Beach quite often, and that is a 12 hr. trip for us. We would surely go to bed early and crash.

judi, That is wonderful that you have Bentley to console you. It's so nice to have a puppy around to make you laugh. I know that Lacee helped heal 2 broken hearts after we had to have Shamrock put to sleep. I can't imagine life without Lacee now. Speaking of the little :devil: she's fine now. After she vomited up whatever was in her system, she started acting her bratty self again. Now we are giving her hard plastic toys to chew.

Shebacat, How are you doing?

My eating was not very good over the weekend, but I got on the scale this morning and I did manage to lose 1 lb.:?:

Take care. Alice

I'll start a new one when I get to work and can use the FAST computer.

Oh, I am tired and I don't forsee rest and relaxation until the end of the week. We have a guest doing a sculpture workshop this week and I am acting as hostess. My dinner party is tomorrow night. The house is clean and groceries purchased, I hope to get most of the cooking done tonight. (But I also have to watch the last episode of Victoria and Albert)

I changed my menu because on my trip to west Texas I was able to pick up some goodies that I can't find here. I bought freshly made tamales (yum), and found posole and red chilies that I use to make a great soup. I am also going to have rice and black beans and mushroom enchiladas. Someone else is doing dessert.

I made my workout a light one this morning. Just no stamina and what I have I know I need for later, but all the same I didn't want to skip it.

I haven't weighed since getting home. Actually I think I did good for being away from my routine. I declined the shuttle from the hotel to the conference site, about 3/4 mile, and walked instead. The weather was perfect and west Texas is FLAT. I made the trek 3 or 4 times a day so I probably got more exercise than usual. I didn't go crazy eating, and I had fruit in the room so I stayed away from the vending machine. This week will be crazy too, I actually look forward to getting back to my spartan habits;).

One of our students has lost a lot of weight. An older man who is back in school, I hesitated to mention to him that I'd noticed he'd gotten in shape, but yesterday the opportunity presented itself. He and his wife have been doing the Suzane Somers diet. I am not sure what that is, but he looks a lot different, he said he started it the first of 2001. Anyway, the part of loved best, he commented on my weight loss! I haven't lost that much in a long time, I know it is more a case of shifting some muscle mass around. I do look better. Right now when I look at myself in the mirror I get the feeling that I am right on the verge of something big. I look toned and healthy and if I could just get the next 10 - no, the next 25 lbs. - off it would be really noticeable. Sigh! I am working on it.

OK, enough of my navel gazing. You guys have a great day and I'll try to get a new thread up sometime today.