Jude - I have two pressure cookers - one "traditional" and one "microwave". They are great for cooking things fast. Just don't make soybeans in one without great care. I had one explode on me while cooking soybeans. There were soybean hulls everywhere. I think I was finding them in the weirdest places for MONTHS afterward.

My microwave one is quite nice. It cooks beans in about 30 minutes. I don't use it for rice any more since getting the rice cooker, but - it did a nice job!

Lori - DO get cracking on the weight before the wedding. I so wish that I had done so before DS1 got married. I couldn't and it is done, but every time I see those pictures I wish I had been able to start this journey about 5 years earlier.

Oh, well - at least I did FINALLY get started

Hello everyone!

Jude, off work for a week! That sounds great! I take it you're staying put and just enjoying your time. I would love to do that.

Hm, I've never had a use for a pressure cooker. Now, a rice cooker might be worthwhile, since rice and I often do not work out together.

This morning I did some editing work and then some hedge trimming around the house. I planned to do just enough--by which I mean, I didn't try to do it ALL and I didn't have to rush. The two bushes I didn't get to will be happy to wait until next weekend. See, who says that age doesn't bring wisdom?

Now it's back to editing. I'm cooking pork chops and green beans for supper--and we're having it early because we have a symphony concert tonight. I bought season tickets to make sure we'd get there, and I'm very glad we did. If I were faced with buying tickets now, I'd probably decide they cost too much. heh. We're going to hear Holst's The Planets and also two by Debussy--Prelude to Afternoon of a Faun, and Nocturnes. Should be very nice.

Hope you're all enjoying the day.

Jay

Laurie does a pressure cooker do a good job of rice? And by microwave to you mean an electonic one or one that actually went into the microwave?

Jay I am thinking of this for cooking rice as well as other stuff.
Here is fool proof rice:

Spray pyrex dish/or add a little oil.
Add one cup brown rice and two cups BOILING water.
Cover and put in oven at 350F for 50 minutes.

Turns out fabulous and I hate trying to cook rice.

I had a major case of the blues last night. I posted and the internet wiped it out so figured best left unsaid. little of the sugar withdrawal and a lot of life disappointments. I am really trying to move forward but it is so hard.

It is cold and wet here today. When I hear you pruning bushes I wonder why we live in this cold.

I am going to try and go visit my son later and then hit a meeting and hopefully the gym. Get me out and about.

I did go weigh in this morning. Could not leave it for a month. but I am down another 2.5 pounds so that is awesome.
I will try and go 2 weeks now and see how that is.
Just had this breakfast recipe with tofu in it. Won't be doing that again!!

So I am off to shower and get into the day....Jude

Jay I have never been to the symphony. Tell me what does it feel like?

Good morning!

The symphony was very good--I'm quite impressed with The Florida Orchestra. First rate!

Jude, sorry to hear you've been feeling so down. It's probably depressurization from work--when I used to take vacations, back when I worked for a computer company, it would take me three days before I could actually be "normal" again.

What does the symphony feel like? Hmm, good question. Well, the orchestra is right there in front of you, so you are interested in what the different instruments are doing. For example, Holst's piece The Planets uses a lot of brass instruments--horns, trumpets, etc.--and percussion. You've got your kettledrums, some big chimes, a huge gong. So that's interesting.

It's helpful to have heard the pieces before, because then you have an idea of where the music is going. But if you haven't, you can still immerse yourself in the process. Sometimes I close my eyes so I can just feel what the sounds are doing. Is the music mysterious, delicate, sad, exciting? What happens next? The Planets has some really rousing sections (as you might figure what with all the horns and drums) and they were very exciting! Plus the orchestra members are excellent and played almost flawlessly.

It also helps if you can choose concerts with pieces you like, which we did. They have one concert coming up that's all Strauss waltzes. Some people just love that, but it's not my favorite thing, so I skipped it.

I'm going to try that method of cooking rice! We have the Pyrex casserole dishes.

Yeah, instead of shoveling snow, I get to trim bushes year round. It's still work but I had had it with shoveling snow...

Folks, I'm sorry to say that my concert clothes were tight. I couldn't button my jacket. I'm feeling pretty miserable about that. I guess that the trip to Mass. really did me in. Now I've got these pounds to deal with and they are not coming off fast. It seems like any little "mistake" or "poor choice" sets me back. My initial weight loss didn't work this way--I looked back over my diet history, and I wasn't doing things a whole lot different... just more consistent. Wish me luck.


Jay

. . .

Going out to look for a bobble-head-doll today They were a dime a dozen a few years ago, but can't find one anywhere now. My eldest son recently had a thyroidectomy and I figure this would make a terrific little gag birthday gift for somebody who just had his throat cut on purpose.

See you later.

Good Morning all, I had to work 3 days straight, 12 hour days. That doesn't usually happen, just got a bad schedule this time. So, no posting. Lots of left over Halloween candy brought to work too. That I could resist, but one of the nurses went to Dunkin Donut and brought fresh chocolate chip cookies. I had one, ate it, enjoyed every bite, moved on. We're now going to work in the dark, coming home in the dark. When I left work Sunday evening there were snow flurries! I know the weather people had predicted them, but it still came as a surprise. That first snow always serves to walk winter in.

I haven't used a pressure cooker in a long time. I used to quite often, don't know why I got out of the habit. Really handly little gadgets. Cook well and so much faster, preserve nutrients. I'm sure my old one is too out of date to use, but I might rethink this.

Laurie, Never heard of the microwave one, Sounds interesting. That is something I need to look into. I do a lot of soup and stews in the winter time, along with chili. But I kind of enjoy them on the stove, simmering away....Good for you for getting the closet cleaned. I found i had to make several attempts to really "clean" everything away. I had a hard time letting go of some things that were really useless to me anymore. Now, if it's there it fits, it's mended, it clean, it's ready to wear. For non wearable items, it's useful, something I truly use, not just bought, cost a lot of money and hate to throw out, or might use "someday". I have a few more closets to clean and I am actually looking forward to it. I guess I am in the "mood".

Jude, Congratulations on the weight loss!! That is awsome lady!!! Thanks for the brown rice cooking recipe. I always keep a bowl of brown rice in the fridge. I like it so much better than white rice now. So much nuttier and richer tasting, and healthy to boot! Sorry to hear that you were really "blue". Hope you're feeling more like yourself.

Jay, nothing inspires you to lose weight like tight clothes!! I know I won't buy a larger size so wearing them is a constant reminder not to eat! I think elastic waist pants were a big mistake for me. Comfortable, but let me fool myself into thinking I was the same size for way too long! Another one here that has never been to the sumphony before. How un-cultured can I get. Got to broaden my environment!

Linda, Hope your son is feeling better and got a kick out of the Bobble-head.

everyone, make it a good day

Jude
on the loss!!!
The microwave pressure cooker does a great job on rice - yes, it goes right in the microwave. I have an old one (about 10 years old), but it is similar to this one.

Jay - I wish we lived close enough to a city to get symphony tickets! Our little community has a small group that has one concert a year. We don't live too far from Interlochen, so we do try to get there for a few concerts.

Jay Keep at it, you WILL get those stubborn vacation lbs. off! That being said, you are facing a challenge - with two major holidays coming soon. But, you are a woman up for a challenge - so - I'm betting you will do it! Consistency really is the key, isn't it. It was so much harder to lose weight after I turned 50. You are so right - every little slip seems to take forever to undo.
But - Go Girl!!!!

Linda - if you can't find one locally, try the tourist trap type places - around here they ALWAYS have them. And then, there is always online ...

Freda - I like the microwave cooker because it is smaller and it takes less time than the old "traditional" pressure cooker.
For soups and stews, I love my Crock Pot. I have several slow cooker recipe books, but I don't use them much since most recipes are for meat-based dishes. I should probably do some internet searching for some new recipes. <note to self: put that on your "to do" list>

I hate coming home from work in the dark too. And, the Freep had a lead story about all the accidents down your way because of the black ice. We still have snow on the ground, but rain is predicted for later in the week.

Hope you all had a fun Monday. Happy Veteran's Day all! Our high school does a really great candlelight ceremony and invites all the local veterans - very cool. AND - all the kids dress up - the guys wear ties and everything. It truly is a sight!

Well another day out and about. I have lots to do in a week off. Did some car maintenance today so that is out of the way.

I am doing very well remaining abstinant from wheat/flour/sugar. Some kind of record for me.
But the biggest thing is that I am doing it in spite of what life seems to throw my way. I always thought I would do this when life got a little easier. But it has not gotten easier. I thought these would be good times now that the kids are older but they are not.
My son is growing into a nice young man. And so I am happy about that.
So I am biting the bullet and staying OP no matter what. I am trying to constantly remind myself that there are good things to come.
I need a life no matter what. Don't want my tombstone reading she died trying to be that girls mom.
Surely there is more to come. Tired of being single so that might be next.
Good thing I am doing this now or would cerainly scare anyone away with this emotional rollercoaster.
So I am looking at what I can handle and what I can not because if it is a not it is also a trigger.
Today I am staying OP no matter who says what. And that will be one more day in the right direction.
So first need to learn some patience with myself and then some patience with the universe.
Just because I wanted to be one of the Waltons, it was not in the grand scheme of things.
Good night John-boy.

Thanks for being there everyone. It helps to have someone to talk too.
Jay loved your description of the symphony. I figure it must be a wonderful experience. I will go one day.
Laurie that is the cutest pressure cooker. I think I may go with the Cuisinart electric. Gotta pay some bills first. This healthy eating is not cheap.

They tell me that after a week OP I will be over the cravings. That would be the physical ones. My body is adjusting. I can feel my body getting lighter. Love that feeling.
Yes have to get what we need from where ever it is given.
Again thanks for listening. I will try to keep it a little less personal. I am going to stay away from people and things that will rob me of my abstinance. One day at a time....

Good nite ....Jude

The slim me! 3 days of 12 hours! Agh! How did that happen? Glad they let you out of your cage... Yeah, Dunkin' is evil, I can tell you that from experience. I am "wearing" a maple frosted donut around my waist even now, which I put there in Mass. just in case my waist was getting too thin...

CountingDown, yes, I am usually up for a challenge. Unfortunately I also tend to get willful sometimes, so for me it's a combination of surrendering to reality while at the same time I "woman-up" for the effort.

One thing I noticed about the new president elect is that he's on the cover of Men's Health and is also one of the top 25 fittest Americans or some such thing. And I read that he works out every morning, no matter what. Now that makes it pretty hard to come up with a good excuse, doesn't it...

meowee... Did you find your bobblehead?

hijude, now I hope you manage to do something enjoyable with your vacation days. If only sleeping in! Wouldn't that be lovely... I almost never do that, even on vacation. My internal clock goes off, or if not, the cat gets me up when I'm home.

Revelations can come from odd places. Many years ago, I used to put blond highlights in my hair. And I was opening the streaking kit one time, and on the inside flap, the package said, "Everything you need is here." Huh.

Let's hear from more of you who are peekin' in! You know who you are...

Jay

No bobbleheads anywhere . . . . . . Oh well, I did get my haircut.

Linda - glad you made the most of your trip - no bobbleheads? WOW!

Jay - I'm betting you WILL get rid of that dounut soon. Are you making it to the gym? Any more swimming?

Jude - hang in there girl! I'm proud of you for doing this NOW and not waiting until life is less stressful. That was my excuse for years! The one thing I've learned, that when one area of my life becomes easier, there is usually another area that is waiting to take up the slack. And there is always a surprise around the bend!

Hope you have a nice week off - and congrats for staying OP. I always have a harder time when I am home all day.

Speaking of which - Jay - I don't know how you do it, working from home. It is so much easier for me staying OP when I working away from my pantry!

Another busy day here with having to chair a meeting again tonight. I have a cat draped across my lap and keyboard as I try to type. This cold weather has made him super snuggly. He loves the fan on the laptop and tries to place his body strategically so that it keeps him warm. Makes typing extremely challenging though

Hope you all had a GREAT day!

Hi everyone. Well today is my 4th day of 100% abstinance from wheat, flour and sugar.
It is a roller coaster ride for sure. The hardest part is now when I am not really feeling the weight loss. Well maybe a little. The payoffs come with feeling better and losing weight.
Laurie I find it so much easier at home. I knew this week would be a tough one emotionally as I have done it before and failed. But this time I believe there is a reason and the reason is me. I think I need to try and fix the world only by one person. And that is me. Now that is my second addiction.
Give me a couple of weeks and hopefully my sanity will come back.
I am off to watch the Biggest Loser. Too bad they don't take Canadians!!
Thanks for all your encouragement...Jude

Hi folks,

Another nice day in Fla., but we're going to have rain, probably, tomorrow. And then it's supposed to be "cold" this weekend. I won't bother talking too much about that--but I'm hoping I can find some Java Logs for my fireplace.

I've been on plan--and glad about it. CD, yes on the gym. But I realized I had gotten into a rut there. I needed to change things, up my weights, make more progress, do things differently. Unfortunately I overdid it a little yesterday and got my knees sore. Hmm. So today I went swimming instead. Give the knees a chance to settle down.

Yeah, working from home can be a challenge--because the kitchen is right off my office. But I've worked at home for, gosh, 18 years now, so I just stick to my scheduled meals and snacks, and don't mess with "mr. in between." Plus I was always able to find food when I worked in an office, and it was always getting brought in. It was the good old days in the computer industry when the company had a party every Friday after work (starting about 3 pm). I'm glad that back then, the only thing I was worried about was staying away from the booze.

Also, the really tempting foods just don't come in here. My partner and I have come to agreements about food.

meowee, do you like your haircut?

Now where is Freda... is she still recovering from the work days?

Jude, I hope you're managing to have some relaxation here and there while off work.

See ya all!

Jay

Hi all - hope you had a good day! I'm feeling tired tonight - not enough sleep this week. No one to blame but myself - I can't seem to get to bed on time.

I did a couple new workouts today I was getting into a rut in the morning, so I ordered some new videos. So far, I am liking them. They are a bit more difficult than some of my others. And - I did take the time to read reviews and preview them at Collagevideo. So, I am thinking that subconsciously, I probably wanted to ratchet up the workouts.

I did have a fun moment today - we had a sub in the high school office - she retired from my office about 5 years ago. She didn't recognize me at first. Her reaction when someone called me by name was priceless - totally made me smile

Gotta fly - laundry to finish and a shower to take, and I have a pair of pants to hem - some days I wish my legs were longer!!