Well I have been back as far as 3/28/07 trying to read all the posts from there. Great work all. I have ordered the books from EBAY. I went to the library today and it was not in. So, waiting. I hope the threads continue and do not die as I want to climb on board. LOL!

Welcome, spcdcider! The books are a great help, and so is this forum. 3FC is fab for providing support on this journey, and although the Volumetrics link can be sporadic as far as frequencies;) of postings is concerned, there are many who pop in, and others who might lurk - if you haven't seen a recent posting here, it isn't due to lack of interest, I assure you! If you have a question or want to share, feel free - there are a "core" group who frequent this portion of the 3FC domain, and if we can help or just give you a pat on the back or a :hug:, we will. Be sure to check out the other threads as well - for me, the weight loss support and calorie counter threads are great sources of info and inspiration. Visit several threads that might sound interesting - I can honestly say that there isn't a community on the 'web' that is as wonderful, enlightening, educational and heartwarming as 3FC.

So, how is everyone doing? Nothing new or interesting going on here. I bought broccoli and fennel yesterday. Not sure what I will do with the fennel.

Things aren't too exciting here, either. I walked to the farmer's market yesterday and bought too much, so I had to carry it all home again (made the same mistake last week!) I guess I can count it as adding to my weight-bearing exercise! I bought peaches, nectarines, zucchini, cucumbers, apples and blueberries. I just love the farmer's market! In my home garden I'm harvesting tomatoes, greens, peppers and basil.

Does anyone have exciting, fun plans for the holiday weekend? We don't, but the weather looks nice.

Gail- I've roasted the fennel bulbs before and they were good. Not fantastic, though, so maybe you can find a more interesting way to use them. I thought they were surprisingly lacking in taste- I was hoping for the licorice pop that you get from fennel seeds, but didn't find it.

Fennel reminds me of celery. I just wanted something different. Maybe it would be good roasted with other things like bell pepper and onions or garlic.

We are getting together with our neighbors for a picnic. She always makes something good. He is Mexican and likes to eat some of the more exotic Mexican stuff. I bought a bag of frozen octopus legs/squid tentacles and who knows what seafood parts to do a sort of seviche type salad. Carlos and I will be the only ones eating it. LOL. Hmmm....maybe I'll throw a little fennel in the mix.

Hi everyone. I'm back from vacation. Glad to have gone, enjoyed being "off", but also very glad to be back. I'm sharing a favorite fennel recipe below; a few thoughts about exercise, salt, and using volumetrics to save money; and a new magazine I found.

On vacation, I made a yummy fennel, apple, and onion savory dish. My relatives enjoyed this new dish. I learned it a few years ago from a friend who is Hebrew language instructor. I've both baked this and fried in light oil.

Recipe
1 Whole fennel, sliced
2-3 Sweet apples, cored, chopped
1 Valdalia onion, sliced (same width as fennel)
1 Tbsp Canola oil
1 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp Salt

Heat oil in a large (cast iron) pan. Add onions and fry until just lightly carmelized. Add fennel and apples. Mix in pan together, add pepper and salt. Cover and turn down the heat to medium or medium-low. Check and stir occassionally. Makes 4-6 servings.

Note: This is yummy with the sweetness encouraged. So carmelizing onions, adding sweet apples, and plain flavor oil will keep that going. You might consider adding a bit of honey, raw sugar, or artificial sweetner (I use "Truvia").

I understand fennel and apples taste great with pork. I prefer this as a main entre where I cover a large plate with fresh baby spinach then pour about 1 to 1 1/2 cups hot fennel dish on top. I always have a calcium-rich/dairy item with each meal. So, for this one, I sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded cheddar. If you want to add pork, try a savory spice rub and back in the oven. You can slice up and place 2 ounces on top of the hot fennel and fresh spinach.

On reflections for vacation, I really enjoyed getting my exercise routine accomplished. Over fourteen days, I exercised my regular routine ten days. We also went for long walks a bunch of days. I purposely enjoyed lots of treat foods. On our Amtrak train lay-over in Chicago, we walked all the way to the world famous Buckingham Fountain. The boys "rip-sticked" over and ran around the fountain a whole bunch of times. Great exercise during a long train trip.

I gave up salt before vacation and found myself once reaching for the shaker but remembering just in time. As a major salt fan, I'm very surprised how easily I gave it up. Not a problem at all. In fact, I didn't choose to share my son's fries because I wouldn't be able to salt them up. That's a win-win!

For mayo, I'm planning on substituting pickles (or avacado but I really don't eat mayo foods nor have avacados normally around so it's mostly my idea not actually).

Now, I'm giving up sodas as of Tuesday. I told myself last vacation that I'd treat myself to diet soda while "dieting" but now that I'm at goal I'm done.

From Tuesday, we're going to budget ourselves very closely to both keep me on my volumetrics track but to save money. I'm planning on leaving my job next summer so I want to "practice" with reduced discretionary funds. This idea is from the suggestions about buying a house (i.e., figure out how much it will cost monthly for mortgage and other expenses, pay your "mortgage" estimate each month for six months, and if you were successful you can afford to buy a house).

I've always felt that my over eating was also over spending on foods at the grocery and eating out. So, we're basically going to keep focused on volumetrics and modest spending--all in one.

By the way, I'm really enjoying a magazine I found at the news stand: http://www.fitnessrxmag.com/inthisissue.php. It has lots of great information. You must totally ignore the advertising--all "magic" weight loss potions. However, the articles all promote the fact that nothing but good nutrition and healthy fitness. Fabulous charts about exercise and nutrition. Very useful.

Happy Labor Day.

Volumetrics and the Fall--anyone?

What recipes are you looking forward to for keeping low-density foods primary on the plate?

I've been out on vacation and really missed my routine. I am so close to my goal that I'm adding in new things to keep me focused:
1) gave up salt a month ago
2) gave up all diet soda and flavorings for water
3) giving up most dining out

For me, I've really abused salt and it's gotten worse and worse. Luckily, I don't have any health issues from it but I certainly can see how bloated I get. For diet soda, my teeth were getting discolored because of the acid. I'm also wasting alot of money. As for dining out, it's been increasing more and more. It's almost impossible to stay on low-density food plan if I'm heading off.

I want to lose these last few pounds but vacation and a hip injury are slowing me down. I'm back on track, though. Another reason for me to restrict soda and dining out--preparation for next year's school. We'll be living very low income while I'm in a phd program. I thought we'd "practise" now to see how we can do it and save everything extra we don't spend.

What are your low-density food favorites and challenges?

favorite low-density foods? Well, besides veggie soups, I love making broccoli slaw - with shredded jicama, cukes, snow peas, and dressing it with a ginger/sesame dressing, and a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds or almonds. The only problem is the kids drill it too, so I rarely get seconds! The other is spinach salad, and sometimes dolling it up with sauteed firm tofu (other than eldest son, I'm the only one eating that).

The garden is LOADED with winter squash, so I'll be coming up with different ways of cooking them, once the weather cools.

The fennel recipe sounds good!

My octopus legs/squid ring salad came out pretty good. Just sort of a marinated seafood salad. Not particularly volumetric, but not hi calorie either.

I walked to the Farmer's Market today (I do it every Tuesday), and I bought too much stuff! Acorn squash, spaghetti squash, cauliflower, peaches, nectarines, apples, zucchini and plums. Unfortunately, I had to carry it all home, and it was really heavy. I was wondering if it weighed as much as the weight I've lost so far, so I weighed it when I got home and it was only 25 lbs. That seemed too light, but it still illustrates my purpose of inspiring myself by carrying around the amount of weight I've lost. Since my heaviest, I've lost 60 lbs, so that's a lot more than what I carried home today!

Hi Ladies, I am sorry to bring the news that Meowee passed away this afternoon to an aggressive bout with cancer. We have a condolence thread going for her family here. Please feel free to post on it, and we will send the link to her family so they can read how much she meant to so many people.

I'm just in shock! I had no idea that she was that sick.

Oh, no - how sad and heart-wrenching. Meowee will truly be missed. Her wisdom, gentleness and strength was deeply appreciated, and I pray that she is now pain free in the palm of the Creator's hand. I lift her family and friends in hopes that they find some comfort in this time of loss. ...sigh...such a difficult time...

New to volumetrics
 

Hi everyone,
I have been reading these boards for a while and finally have decided this is the plan for me. I am 43 and entered the overweight catagory for the first time in my life. I am ready to make a change that will be a lasting lifestyle. I just wanted to say hi and hope to get to know you all better.

Welcome, sunnysky! This is definitely a sustainable way of life!