Oh, I'm so lost. If it isn't bad enough I've gone crazy for the last 3 days and gained 3 lbs, now this forum suddenly is off my subscription list and I had a hard time finding you again.
It was too hot to walk so I didn't do that. Then I went crazy with sweets, with both being tired from not enough sleeping (my fault) and having a sinus headache. I know some is the weight of the food, and water as well so it will come off fast.
Please tell me how to subscribe to be sure I can find y'all.

Ok, I'm resubscribed. Whew.
Ripples, that is so sad. And I understand how you feel. We must hope she will come back. Maybe the other cats scared her away.

Mel, I love the idea of spraying the oatmeal. DH does a lot of the food shopping and just brought home 3 marked down cans of it. Will try. Does anyone know what the recommended serving is to reduce cholesterol? My cannister doesn't show it.

Oh, now I'm catching up on this oatmeal reading. For me, I always do better with a high protein breakfast. The oatmeal may be filling at the moment, but no, I'm buzzing around feeling light pretty soon. So I'd need some protein, like the egg whites, with it. Love to sautee veggies and have em around for throwing with scrambled eggs, or omlet.

Thanks ladies for the kind thoughts. It means a lot. We are praying that she has just run off and will return. Yes, she is like a baby to me as well as our 7 yr. old shelter dog Ripples. She even looks lost. She paces the floor and goes over to the front screen door and looks out and then goes and lays back down. The two were such clowns together. Every AM and PM they had a little ritual where they would wrestle-usually Layla started it. They were more fun to watch than the TV at times. DH looked for her yesterday am for about an hour. He keeps telling me not to blame myself, but I know deep down if I had not messed up and forgotten her she would still be here. I'll just keep having faith and pray that she's in a better place if she doesn't come back.
I did eat a little oat bran for lunch-you guys got me thinking about the oatmeal. My DH loves oat bran and it is good-6 grams of fiber in 1 cup and not quite as lumpy as oatmeal, but I love oatmeal too. I like to put honey and peanut butter or bananas in it.
Thank you again for all your kind words. I'll be keepin' the faith and hoping for the best.

Thanks guys for all the oatmeal ideas. I don't know if we have the flavored ones here. I'll check. Maybe I just need to get used to it. I'll try it again one of these days.

Ripples, I'm so sorry about Layla! I hope she turns up. What a horrible situation :(

I think I'm gonna lower my calories. I've lost 2 pounds in 1month. I know myself, I'm just not disciplined enough to lose weight this slowly. I *always* get discouraged after a while. At this rate, it'll take me 5-6 months to get to my goal. I think I'll post a menu for you guys to have a look at.

Ripples I am so sorry about your cat....however they do tend to show up sometimes. I had one gone almost a week years ago and he came home all skinny and ragged looking but fine.

If she got hurt in a fight she may be hiding and taking care of her self and will show up when she is better or not scared anymore.....leave some food out for her.

Let us know what happens.....and don't blame yourself. Phyllis

Thanks for the encouragement Phyllis. I am hoping.
I guess the oat bran is as good as the oatmeal for "sticking to your ribs" b/c I have gone all afternoon without any hunger pangs or cravings. Maybe I'll eat it more often at lunch instead of breakfast-afternoons are usually when I get my cravings.

Originally Posted by SusanB:
Piece de Resistance Oatmeal

Make your oatmeal in advance and put 1/2 cup measures in containers in the fridge. In the morning throw 3 egg whites and 1/4 cup low fat milk in your food processer and add one of your container of oats. Whiz and then microwave for 2 minutes. Stir it up and eat. It's lovely and sorta custard-y.
You can toss some protein powder and psyllium husks in too, to muscle it up some.

That sounds really good Susan! What kind and where do you get your psyllium husks I just add some Bran Buds with psyllium ...

Hi Ilene! It's good to see you here! I cook steel cut oats in the crock pot over night. I buy them and the psyllium husks in a bulk food store. Very cheap!

Morning everyone! Did you meet Ilene? She is one of the ladies I've admired since prit nearly the first time I came to 3fc.

Hellow again Ilene!

About the oatmeal- I love oatmeal- but i only buy the ones with fruits in them! Blueberry is my favorite! Then I add raisins or strawberries and just add plenty of fruits and I dont do it with water, I warm up the milk and pour over it! Its filling, and i love having it for breakfast, all of those fruits really get your metabolism going!

Morning All :).

I had a deficit yesterday of 1000 so I think I'm back on track (again :D ).

Ripples I'm sorry to hear about your cat, I have a cat that is missing also. We put him out over 2 weeks ago and haven't seen him since. I feel bad about putting him outside but he's been having issues with urinating on furniture (long story) and on that night in question I caught him about to pee on our love seat. So I put him out, didn't know what else to do. I hope yours returns at least.

About psyllium, ground flax is also a wonderful fiber. Contains omegas. Lowers lipids. Tastes nutty. Good sprinkled on salads or in smoothies, add anywhere. But do not heat - the heating destroys the omega properties. So If I'm adding to something cooked, I add it after heating. It doesn't keep for long so I buy mine already ground and freeze most, then take out part to keep in the frig. Frig is good for weeks.
Flax seeds themselves just pass through the system. It has to be ground. I have grinded my flax seeds in a blender. Coffee grinder works fine.
Had to mention since I'm trying to lower my chol and triglicerides.

Hi all. Thanks Lynne. I hope your cat is just "wandering" like I'm hoping mine is. My heart is so broken. This cat was just like a baby to us. We've had other cats, but she was just sooo affectionate. She would jump up in my lap and meow at me and I would pet her and if I stopped she would take one of her paws and touch my chin with it as if to stay "don't stop". It is so devastating. My poor dog just laid by the screen door last nite and watched outside. If she heard a noise she lifted her head up and then would put it down. She wouldn't even sit by me like she does every nite-even when I called her over she wouldn't get up. Sorry to go on about this. I know this is not the place probably, but it's good to know you guys are here. Think I'll try to stay off this thread until I can get my "thoughts" together. It's like grieving for a person!! Take care all. Keep on losing!

Originally Posted by Lisi:
About psyllium, ground flax is also a wonderful fiber. Contains omegas. Lowers lipids. Tastes nutty. Good sprinkled on salads or in smoothies, add anywhere. But do not heat - the heating destroys the omega properties. So If I'm adding to something cooked, I add it after heating. It doesn't keep for long so I buy mine already ground and freeze most, then take out part to keep in the frig. Frig is good for weeks.
Flax seeds themselves just pass through the system. It has to be ground. I have grinded my flax seeds in a blender. Coffee grinder works fine.
Had to mention since I'm trying to lower my chol and triglicerides.

Psyllium and ground flax are great sources of fiber. I've found that Trader Joe's has the best price for psyllium husk powder and we buy our flax seed (golden flax) online, although you can buy regular flax seed pretty reasonable in the bulk bins.

Every other day I have a smoothie for breakfast with 1 cup nonfat milk, 1 scoop Designer Whey vanilla protein mix, 1/2 scoop Balance vanilla shake mix (soy based), 1-1/2 tbsp. psyllium, 1 tbsp. ground flax seed, 1 small banana and a few ice cubes. I must say this is the most filling meal ever! I have no appetite for lunch on days when I have this shake and usually have something light for lunch and save my calories for dinner. All that protein gives me lots of energy too! The nutrition info is: 360 calories, 17%fat/51%carbs/32%protein

ripples - I hope your kitty comes home soon. I feel for you - I don't know what I'd do if one of my cats went missing they are "people in fur" to me.