icuwishing,

come on to NC anytime - it's a great place (although I may be a little prejudiced since I've lived here my whol life!! :)

UGH! The pedometer is working great. I installed the software but haven't taken the time yet to learn how to use it for anything. So far today I have walked a whopping 896 steps, plus however many I had to go to answer the phone when Robert called to let me know he was on his way home for lunch and the phone woke me up. I think 896 is a LONG< LONG way from 10,000. I am ashamed of myself, but I was so tired...I had to go to sleep for a while. Still tuckered out, but I have some stuff to do and hoping to get moving before he comes home after work so I can ride the bicycle. I hope I am not getting sick. I am completely exhausted :-(

Barb

Hello

Since New Year, I have been bouncing around losing and gaining the same kilo over and over again. The year is now a quarter over, and I am no further along on my weight loss journey - which is turning into an odyssey ... I've shed 12 kilos (about 28lb) which I've managed to keep off and even lose a little more over the past year, so I really feel like those kilos have gone never to return - yay! Now, to tackle the next 28 kilos ...

Soooo, a new week, new resolve, new tactics - one of which is to join in the forum - if I may? Is it OK for people from other countries to join on here? I have been *lurking* for a little while, and I like the way you offer constructive advice, and the way you are so positive about exercising. I hope to be inspired, shamed, guilted (whatever works!) into realising that I actually need to get out there and do!!

Cheers

Welcome Koala! Of course you can join us. It's looking pretty quiet right now, but I'm sure more of the chicks will be along eventually.

I went on a bike ride today, 4 miles. My pedometer is almost 8600 steps now, so I just have 1400 left to get to 10,000. I was here earlier whining because I was so tired this mornign that I took a nap and didn't get much activity. I made up for it this evening.

Nice to meet you!

Barb

Welcome Koala! We would love some international flavor to our forum. Join right in.

Angelskeep-you are becoming my dieting buddy in more ways than 1. Even eating mediterranean food. I LOVE tabbouleh but here's a recipe out of my middle eastern cookbook that has bulgur and chickpeas in it. I haven't tried it so if you do, let me know how it is.

Bulgur Pilaf with Chickpeas
4 1/2 cups water or chickenstock (or stock of your choice)
3 cups coarse-ground bulgur, washed in cold water and drained (I doubt it matters what kind of bulgur you have)
4 tbsp butter or sunflower oil
1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained
salt and pepper

Bring the stock to boil. Pour in the bulgur and cook, covered on low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the grain is tender. Stir in the butter or oil, the chickpeas, and salt and pepper, and heat through.

Whoever asked about the breadmachine-I have a Cuisinart and I like it.

I sent out an email today at work saying that I was planning to take a vacation in June and wouldn't you know.....there was a problem. Some of the days I want off overlap with some days the nurse practitioner wants off. I think I can put it off a couple weeks and take a nice long vacation. I'm thinking maybe a few days in Savannah and a few days in Charleston.

I actually made it to a yoga class tonight. First time in probably 2 weeks. That was nice treat. I may try to get to pilates tomorrow too. Exercise 2 days in a row-my body will be in shock :lol:

Koala, Welcome! There is always room for another friend! My nephew just returned from a study trip to Australia. He had a terrific time and has some amazing photos to share!

Angelskeep, Sorry to hear you have not been sleeping well. Great job getting those bike rides in! Enjoy the pedometer, it’s kind of fun to see the steps add up!

Newleaf, thought of you today! Stopped at Walgreens to pick up a couple things. Ended up in the candy aisle and was very tempted to buy a bag of gummy worms. I don’t know what came over me but I was able to talk myself out of buying them.

Annie, We have been to Perdido Key several times. Love the area! Sorry to hear about your trip to the dentist. I would rather eat rocks than go to the dentist!

Petra, DH and I honeymooned at Kiawah Island, SC and spent several days in Charleston. Love the history there. Lots to see and do. Gets my vote! Tell Mary to book it! I get a kick out of those who refer to themselves in the third person!)

Kittehmomma, Hope you feeling better, time to ease back into a little exercise. Don’t over do!

Wizzie, Looking good! I agree with everyone else, time to give up going to WW, waste of money! If the diet is working, you can still count the points.

WLW, Good news about the apartment. Time to break out the sunscreen!

ICU, Sounds like you hit the motherload shopping! Nice to have your hard work rewarded with smaller sizes!

Lambchop, Sorry you have been having such a rough time. We’ll be thinking of you Sunday!

Slroth, Eggplant sandwich sounds delicious! Sorry to hear about your son having mono.

Kittygrrll, Welcome to our group! I love NC! Lived in Winston Salem when I was in middle school. Very beautiful!

RedRose, Glad to have another newbie in the group! Hope to keep hearing from you!

Marie and CruiseCat, hope things are good with both of you! We miss you!

I’ve had another good week. We have friends coming for the weekend. I’ve been to the grocery and have a good plan to eat right! I know what can happen if I just wing it and I’m kind of on a roll here so I don’t want to ruin it. Hope everyone has a great weekend! I’m loving all of the activity around here!

koala: welcome!

Mary: hope you make it to charleston, but if not I have friends in savannah and would love an excuse to go visit : ) thanks for sharing the recipe! funny thing is, even though I looked for it, the indian market didn't have any curry that I could see.

someone else asked about using a scooter, sorry it was a few pages back so I don't remember who it was. charleston is flat (they call it the lowcountry for a reason!) and we have plenty of sidewalks so even if you explore the older areas with the cobblestone streets you should be able to get around ok. I've never been to the more expensive restaurants like 82 queen etc down on king street, but one day....and it will be worth the splurge in calories just to have the experience : ) we also have lots of sushi, thai, seafood and a couple of indian restaurants so you really can find something within your eating plan/preferences.

off to pack for my trip to texas, plane leaves this afternoon. I'm sooo excited! I will be online during my vacation. have a great weekend everyone!

Kathi-Indians don't typically use curry pastes like you see with thai food, they use spice blends and it is also traditional for them to roast their spices. I would be shocked if your indian market did not have curry powder-in fact, several varieties and maybe curry leaves as well. Enjoy your trip. I'll PM you about mine.

I'm so excited to have a free weekend. Hope to do some work in my yard this weekend but the gnats here are unreal. One of the "benefits" of living at the beach, :lol: I also plan to finish my meal plan for April and get some more exercise. I don't want to overload myself this weekend although there is a lot I really need to do. I also really need to rest.

Just quick before yardwork time...

Petra, I got the chicken out to thaw, so tomorrow we'll be having that. Bulgur and chickpeas sounds pretty good, think I might try that. Will cut the oil in 1/2. I havne't looked to see what the calorie cost of ghee is yet...but I'm scared! Will have to keep adjusting stuff until maintenance. I have an awesome Lebanese cookbook that we make recipes from quite often. Well, we used to anyhow. I'll tyr to remember later to post what it's called. I biought it quite a few years ago at the international grocery in Denver, but it might still be available. Also have a really good Indian cookbook that my daughter got us. I'll have to look and see if there's anything in there I'd like that will fit on plan.

Barb

Good for you, OnMyWay!! Definitely keep on walking... I always tell myself that me buying that junk may be in the store's best interest, but certainly not in my own...

Welcome, Koala and any other new people I missed and any lurkers out there! Of course you are welcome; happy to have you!!

We had a wonderful organic chicken last night, made me think of you Petra. Any word on the guinea hen?

WeightLossWanted have a great trip to Texas!!

Here, weight holding steady and I want to make it through the weekend down a tad; that would be nice. Mini-goal: move the ticker on Monday morning. Lots of dr's appts next week and will hopefully get my surgery date on Thurs.

okay, just some clarification on that. I want to move the ticker down on Monday morning. I'm sure it would be very easy to meet the goal by moving it up! LOL

quick check in:

have my 13 miles tomorrow - will be gone for the weekend..will catch up when I get back, and think once this is behind me, I'll be able to settle into a new routine again - which I'm ready for...no pressure

ok, deep breath - next half marathon - one foot in front of the other...just keep moving...weather looks good, and my mind is in a great place - so i feel ready to tackle it (even the big hills!)

Good luck Deb! We'll be thinking of you and rooting for you.

Heidi-guinea hen is on the menu for dinner. In fact, I'm trying to decide when I need to start this meal because I think it's going to be labor intensive. It's another Moroccan dish.....imagine that! It's out of my middle eastern cookbook and I haven't made it before but it sounds good. Chicken with Almonds and Honey. Djaj bel Loz is the arab name. The chicken is stewed first and then baked. Good luck with your appointments this week. I know this is tough but it is better than waiting till something happens and you have no choices.

Barb-I have a book you might like. It's called The Mediterasian Way. It has a mix of mediterranean and asian recipes in it. It is meant to be diet friendly however the recipes don't include nutritional info and when I have run some of them, they need to be split into more servings which really isn't a problem because its a lot of food.

Finished my meal plan through the 10th of May! I'm feeling good about that. Now I just need to stick to it.

Reporting back on my exotic dinner. I just tasted a little piece of the guinea hen, wasn't brave enough to eat a whole piece but it was okay. It is a little gamier than chicken but not too bad. I think I'll be able to eat it. I doubt I will like it enough to buy more. I have another one in the freezer yet-maybe this method of cooking is the key: cooking the heck out of them! :lol: The dish is good but a bit high in calories. Full of good fat though-like 80% monounsaturated fat. Would be a gret low carb recipe.

I did get some yardwork done today. Practically took a bath in Off beforehand but it seemed to work. Absolutely beautiful day here.

Good luck Deb! : )

Checking in from texas. Planning a walk with my sister tomorrow, a slow one as she is still having trouble with her back. Then off to San Antonio on monday and tuesday to visit the alamo and the riverwalk, so lots of walking. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!