Okay so how do you post multiple pictures in your profile? I can get my before in but not sure how to get a recent one up there?

Here's a really easy recipe from our Maintenance cooking class tonight. It took less than 15 minutes to put it together and serve it. It was very tasty.

Shrimp, Pasta, Spinach and Artichoke Hearts

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 lb. peeled and drained shrimp
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
Dash of cayenne pepper (this is a thermogenic and helps keep metabolic rate up)
1/4 cup of butter buds or can use ICBINB spray
1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 package frozen artichoke hearts, chopped
2 cups of cooked whole wheat pasta

Cook pasta and set aside when done. Saute garlic in pan sprayed with Pam or in small amount of olive oil. Add Italian seasonings, pepper and shrimp to garlic and oil, spreading butter buds over mixture slowly and letting the food absorb it. Add the spinach and artichoke hearts and let simmer. Slowly add cooked pasta to mixture, sprinkling with parmesan and additional cayenne pepper, if desired.

Can also add chopped green onions or chopped red onion.
Can add diced tomatoes at the end of cooking and heat until warm.
Can substitute chicken for shrimp.

Makes 4 servings. Measure out servings of veggies, pasta and shrimp to make sure you have the right portions.

Gina - very nice testimonial and shows you've spoken from the heart. I haven't yet written mine but will get around to doing that as soon as I figure out exactly the words to use to convey what this weight loss has meant to me.

That looks yummy!

Okay so the picture in my avatar was during out trip to CA last month and when you click my profile pic it shows my before pic from my 40th in August before I started MRC! I'll have to have hubby take a little better one!

Judy, thanks for posting that recipe. Looks wonderful--I've printed it off.

lv2ski2004: WOW, you look FANTASTIC! What a difference!

Gina: Love your new avatar photo!

Here's a photo of me (in the middle) and 2 of my friends in Amsterdam last week. Meemo, I did have a traditional Dutch pancake which was pretty good. My big eating out splurge was Mexican food. I hadn't had Mexican food since starting MRC in JAN 2008 but the rest of the group I met over there were Americans expats living in England or Holland and they were dying to try this Mexican restaurant that had gotten a good buzz.

Here's a photo of me (in the middle) and 2 of my friends in Amsterdam last week. Meemo, I did have a traditional Dutch pancake which was pretty good. My big eating out splurge was Mexican food. I hadn't had Mexican food since starting MRC in JAN 2008 but the rest of the group I met over there were Americans expats living in England or Holland and they were dying to try this Mexican restaurant that had gotten a good buzz.

Finz: You look fantastic! I'm glad you had such a good time.

You look fantastic!

You're such a cutie! Love the pic!

I was with Judy for this class and I have to say.... this was tasty, easy to make, and light.... very good! I can't wait to make it for the family! Thanks for posting it Judy!

I know exactly what you mean. I couldn't write it back in Oct when I first stabilized. I just wasn't there mentally yet & I was having a really hard time putting into words all that this program meant to me. I'm relieved to have it done, and resisting the urge to go back and rewrite!!

I edited mine in a different photo program then saved it as 1 picture and then imported it. I don't remember exactly how, but remembered that it wasn't easy!!

You look awesome!! And I like your new avatar too!

Judy, the recipe looks amazing. I can hardly wait to try it.

Finz you look awesome!
Shineon I thought that might be what I need to do! I'll play with it when I get home.

I started Stabilization today! Yea!! I know the stabilization part is 6 weeks long, but someone told me to count on 8 weeks - that a lot of people have trouble with week 3. My question - how long was your stabilization?

You should be ok with 6 weeks as long as you follow everything. A common problem seems to be the cocky phase They start introducing foods, you're no longer in the chemical burn, you're still losing and some of the cheats start sneaking in. If you gain or don't lose in a week, they just have you repeat it. Last time I was traveling and vacationing a lot during the process, so I finally put the breaks on during week 6 - not 6 weeks into it - on week 6 of the food sheets!!! So now I'm finishing up week 2 and doing fine. Just take your time with it. Your body iwill be doing a lot of adjusting. It's important to journal during this time too. The mood, the food and the attitude. Really key in on what triggers your hunger. I wasn't that aware last time. This week I had a half of banana with breakfast and my stomach started growling within 30 min. I'll try it again in a few weeks, but bananas may just be a trigger food for me. I had them last time and wasn't aware that it triggered me.

My NSV for the day - I ran with another MRC chick (KeepingOnandOn) and we ran 5.2 miles in 53 minutes!!! Neither of us had run more than 3.3 miles before and we had seriously strong head winds on our last 3 miles back. I feel so good - my legs are very wobbly, but I feel great! We both decided today that we are going to run the 10k during the Lincoln marathon in May. I can't believe how radically different my life is now. I couldn't have run a half a block before, let alone even dreamed I could run for almost an hour. According to my nike plus program, I burned 634 calories today. Looks like I will need an extra HNS today. Good thing I get an extra carb at lunch!!

Thank you. I am starting to be a little "cocky" with my food choices. Sometimes I decide to have 2 creamies in one day and I justify it by eating half of my bread alotment. I needed the reminder that the menu is what it is because it works. Congrats on your run!

My NSV for the day - I had to go in for blood work today and knew I needed to wear a short sleeve shirt. I have not gone through my short sleeve shirts in my closet since I started MRC in October (haven't needed to in Colorado!). Well, I tried on a dozen of them this morning and they all looked huge on me. The only one that fit was a t-shirt I got on my honeymoon 20+ years ago. I didn't think I'd ever be able to get into it again and was just saving it for the memories.