Ok, back on the band wagon. Trying to complete the Whole30 thing, starting today. Only exceptions are slimfast with almond milk (20 carbs total) and my rockstar in the am. Need....energy....lol. So hopefully this will help me out of my slump.

Oh ladees, I come here out of habit, but I'm feeling so lost.... Yesterday was, quite unexpectedly, my D, DB's last day to walk the earth. I had just spoken to him the night before; he was looking forward to the holidays and full of plans for the future. Memories and regrets are racing around inside my head. It's all so difficult to grasp and find perspective. And my own daily grind has not stopped whittling away the hours of my life just yet. I have to go to work and be professional during the silliest of meetings on schedule for today and show no tears or weakness, else I will be cut down and judged.....Somehow through all this, I hope to truly know the meaning of life and learn what is the right and appropriate thing to do...

SMF :hug: Praying for you and your family today. So sorry for your loss here at the holidays. I feel your pain as I went through that 15 yrs ago with my 2nd DH. He had planned and bought all the food he wanted me to cook for Thanksgiving and Christmas that year. On the Monday night before Thanksgiving, he complained about being so tired (so not him). I told him that he didn't have to do anything so just sit down and take a nap. DD and I were on the phone planning the food for TDay. I hung up the phone and looked over and he was gone. He had gone to sleep in his chair and never woke up. He was the love of my life and we had been married almost 31 yrs, but known each other since our teens. I will be praying for you.

P.Q. So glad to hear your brother is improving. I know how y'all feel about visiting him with the vent. I sat for 24 hrs one time when DH#2 was on one and coming out from under the meds. I actually had to sit and hold his hands down to keep him from yanking it out. I was so relieved when they finally removed it.

Jacqui Your cat is beautiful. I love a black cat. Never thought of them as bad luck. LOL I'm not much of a superstitious person any way. Although I never had much luck my 2 black cats. My 1st one was when 1st DH was living. My baby sister came to visit us and while she was there I started missing my cat. She was about 9 or 10 at the time. I asked if anyone had seen my cat and she said, "I gave it away". Years later I went with a SIL to get her a cat from someone giving them away and I saw this beautiful black baby kitten and brought her home. I had been given a beautiful Cocker Spaniel puppy for Christmas. He thought she was his. He was the only dog she knew. One day she got out and the big German Shepherd from across the street killed her. She didn't know to be afraid of him. I decided then not to have any more cats.

We used to go all out decorating for Christmas. DH#2 decorated outside. Present hubby doesn't do outside but when we married we went all out on the inside, but that was when his kids were around. Since it is just the 2 of us now, we have a little tree we bring out and enjoy. I guess if there were kids around we would do more.

Mars Hope you are having a good day.

I've decided I need more structure and I need to know what I'm doing so I went on MFP. I sure didn't like logging my weight as I have gained since I used it last. I made my percentages on there to include the approximate 90 grams of carbs doctor suggested which was 25%. I guess I'm ending up with a HFLC plan after all because looking at the amounts of grams for protein was way more so I made it 25% leaving 50% for fat. Sat my calories at 1500. I just had to do this because my blood glucose was going up and so was my weight and even my BP was going up. So I need to see what I'm doing # wise.

This also helps me get my exercise in. I like seeing it written down and knowing I'm doing it. I get up and get my 20 minutes on the recumbent bike 1st thing before breakfast.

Carol Sue I noticed you said you don't get 30 grams of protein at breakfast. Neither do I. Plus I think the added protein not only raised my blood sugar, but I think it caused me to gain weight as well. So I'm not shooting for 30 grams a meal. I've also been having some problems with my joints and I went online and read about foods that raise inflammation and foods that help balance it. Seems that too much protein can cause inflammation. I also need to get back to eating greens and colorful veggies.

I too made cookies Saturday and Sunday. I did eat some of them and it helps keep me from pigging out on them yesterday since I had to track them. Should have been tracking them on Saturday and Sunday, but then maybe that was the deciding factor for me to go back to MFP.

SMF, I'm so sorry for your loss and praying for you and your family. May he rest in peace. It sounds as though he did not suffer.

Trish, I think adding all the vegetables to my diet cured me of craving sweets. That's the only thing that's changed. I was actually craving carrots the other day. LOL

Jacqui, we always had dogs, but never cats as I am allergic. When my step-daughter got married she was disappointed that they were not allowed to have a dog where she lived, but they were allowed cats, so we got her a black kitten. They named him Smokey, as her husband is the fire chief. He passed away a couple years ago, and now she adopted 2 kittens that were dumped in their trailer park. They are mostly black with a spot of white. Cute, but I can't get too close to them or I get all congested. Darn allergies.

Tehshort1, welcome back! I'm going to research Whole30 so I understand what you're talking about. Different things work for different people. I hope you have found your nitch.

EDIT: I just checked this website http://whole30.org/ and the pictures of the food there look delicious! I'll have to look into this further.

I haven't had a bro update since Saturday, because things went downhill overnight/Sunday morning. He had cardiac arrest and the paddles used due to a lung collapse smothering heart.....abscess was not repaired well enough for valve to take and it was leaking. Six-hour surgery (1-7pm sunday) with very poor prognosis. He made it through surgery and doc didn't think he'd come out of it/wake up from induced coma.

Well guess what? Heart was strong enough for pump to be removed today, he was able to wake up, and was following simple commands. The nurse said it was "like a miracle after what he went through this weekend."

He's not out of the woods, but he continues to amaze me by defying the doctors two times now. Previous to getting sick, he had the body of a much younger man and is sooooo stubborn. I appreciate it now :)

Cheers all!

I am so sorry to hear this SMF. I have been on the verge too many times lately and cannot imagine what it is like. But you are in my thoughts....you must take care of yourself. I am also sorry that you must go to work. I wish you could have taken at least a day to grieve. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am to work with such wonderful people that would never in a million years expect someone to come in after that type of loss.

Try not to think about regrets, just remember the good times you had together. Sending peaceful thoughts to you and the family.

SeeMyFeet, oh my gosh, I am just so sorry. I lost my DB in September and I know how devastated you feel right now. Just thinking about it makes me cry. I wish I could take away your pain. I'm so glad you got to talk to him the night before. It's a small blessing but a blessing nonetheless. I know he knew how much you loved him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. :hug:

PrairieQueen, I'm sorry, I didn't even see your post earlier! How awful for all your brother went through this weekend, but thank goodness he came through it! I will continue to pray for him!

PQ, I think it is because your brother is young and was healthy before this all started that he is coming back so well from setbacks. I am still praying for him that his body can fight this.

Mars, I checked my pantry and the little tin I thought was capers is actually anchovies. I found these 2 recipes that don't call for either capers or anchovies so I am going to go according to them, and might add 1 little anchovie chopped up. I'm out of garlic so will have to wait until I get some. I have also seen recipes that mix different types of olives so I might add some green olives in with the kalamato. I normally don't like salty things, so I hope this isn't too salty for my taste. There's only one way to find out.

http://www.mylifeasamrs.com/2011/07/...-tapenade.html

http://www.food.com/recipe/black-olive-tapenade-223703

Yesterday's menu....

Break - McD's sausage burrito w/hot sauce, ice tea w/stevia
Snack - one white chocolate-covered pretzel
Lunch - Amy's bean/cheese burrito
Snack - Skinny popcorn
Dinner - grilled wings, lite beers

Overall, it was a pretty salty day, and did I get my own back on the scale this morning. I totally forgot to drink my evening water while we were doing some Christmas decorating.

SeeMyFeet and PrairieQueen, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers! I hope you can find some peace and joy this Holiday Season, despite all that has happened. I know each of your brothers would want that for you. PrairieQueen, I hope your brother continues to amaze his doctors and nurses! :yes:

Tehshort, happy to see you back and on plan! :high:

Carol Sue, I'm so glad you didn't burn your hand! Again, your DH sounds like mine, haha! My DH definitely would have invoked the 5-second rule with freshly baked cookies, lol! And oh, your cookies sound delicious! :T I wish I had your lack of cravings for sweets! We have all kinds of Christmas candy set out around the house and it's a constant mental-emotional battle for me, especially since I'm no longer losing! That little devil keeps popping up saying, "Go ahead, it's the holidays!" and "You gained a lb or half lb anyway while being good, so might as well!" Ugh! It torturous, but so far I have been able to make myself stay focused on the FACT that despite the holidays and daily fluctuating water weight (that is too often not in my favor recently), IF I give in, I WILL give in again and again until I'm no longer trying to keep my weight down. I've been through this too many times! I know I am an "all-or-nothing" person AND I am cognizant that I have now reached the same time frame (7th month) when I made this mistake last time! Therefore, I have to keep reminding myself that I am so lucky to have a Carb Day when I can eat sweets ON PLAN. I have to keep knocking that devil off my shoulder! :devil:

Mars, is it the 23rd yet? C'mon sun! I need you! :sunny:

Trish, thanks! Barnabas is becoming more comfortable with his new home each day! :D He's starting to do that playful kitty thing of racing through the house and trying to climb/jump as high as he can, lol! I have my fingers crossed that the Christmas trees don't occur to him as something to climb! I've already had to rearrange some breakables on bookshelves, side tables, and fireplace mantles, lol! :lol:

I don't know why my number was up yesterday, but I expected it to be up even higher today because we ate dinner out last night at a buffet. I ate too much, and I figure it probably had more salt that I normally consume. I was pleasantly surprised that my number was down from yesterday! :cp:

Week 29: High 171, Low 170
11/29--171
11/30--170.5
12/1--170
12/2--170
12/3--170
12/4--DNW
12/5--170.5 Carb Day

Week 30: High 173, Low 169
12/6--173
12/7--172.5
12/8--171
12/9--170.5
12/10--169
12/11--170
12/12--170.5 Carb Day

Week 31:
12/13--172
12/14--170.5
12/15--171 (Really, scale? :tantrum: )
12/16--170.5
12/17--
12/18--
12/19--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Lunch
Protein Bar
Diet Dr. Pepper

Tea Time

Dinner:
Tyson chicken tenders
Pumpkin seeds
Mio water

Today's Exercise:

I got on the scale today and I am still 199, by some miracle. In fact, I might be 198 because I weighed after breakfast and coffee, and after my shower. I always think that I weigh more after my shower because the water soaks into my dry skin. Is that possible? I'm counting on it. LOL

Jacqui, I will tell you the same thing I tell everyone and you can do what you want with the information. I started eating tons of vegetables....sauteed cabbage with onions, kale or collard greens sauteed with onion and mushrooms, cooked broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brussels sprouts, and roasted vegetables, including some I had never tried before, like frozen artichoke hearts, cubed parsnips, turnips, anything I saw in the produce aisle that I had never had before. I was still eating my regular diet including sweets and snacks. After a couple months, I started to notice that not only did I not crave sweets, but when I did eat them, they tasted so excessively sweet that I couldn't stand them. I still eat a lot of veggies but not as much as I was, but I still don't have much interest in sweets. Dr Joel Fuhrman says that when your body is getting the nutrients it needs, it no longer craves sweets. I also quit getting a lot of the body aches and pains I had before, or they aren't as bad.

Joel Fuhrman said the key to weight loss is beans, greens and onions. And for cancer protection we should eat a diet of GOMBS. (greens, onions, mushrooms, beans and berries, and seeds.

I have had a cookie or two while I baked. DH definitely followed the 5 second rule, but I didn't put any of the cookies that went on the floor into my cookies for Christmas. We have a dog, and even though he is not a shedding type of dog, I don't want anyone saying they got a dog hair in their cookie. DH just brushes them off. LOL

My biggest temptation is chocolate. Plain chocolate with nothing else, like Hershey's Kisses. I can buy a 16oz bag of them and have them gone in 1 day, so I don't buy them. My grandson loves them too and I used to buy them to have on hand when he comes, but I found that I would get into them and have most of them gone before he got here. One time I even had DH hide them for me, but then I threatened him and made him get them back out for me. LOL So now I just don't buy them anymore. Just talking about them I want to go buy some. I also want to buy some of that old fashioned hard candy assortment that I remember from my childhood. DH said his mother always had that at Christmas and no one ate it, but it means Christmas to me. I might get a small bag of it closer to Christmas.

Just keep those tree lights on for now Jacqui!

:wave: Trish How's it going?

SMF I'm still thinking about you and yours in this difficult time....virtual hugs and take care of yourself.

More good bro news....today the doctor himself said that my bro's continued improvement is a miracle. He can't explain how he has come through it all. Chest tubes out today because there was more improvement. They were also talking about "test/trial" to see if his ventilator can come out .

Yesterday's menu....

Break - McD's sausage burrito w/hot sauce, ice tea w/stevia
Snack - frosted pecan cookie (200 calories!)
Lunch - Amy's bean/cheese burrito
Snack - Skinny popcorn
Dinner - cheesy potato/ham bake

I decided to start eating beans again and had some pinto beans yesterday. I guess I over did it! In the bathroom half the night. TMI

I must be getting too old to be baking cookies anymore. I had another semi-catastrophe. This morning I was making these cookies that you brush the dough with melted butter, press the ground nuts into the dough, roll them up and brush with egg wash before baking. I was making the second batch and realized I was brushing the dough with egg wash instead of melted butter. LOL I left them that way. They got mixed up on the cookie sheet so I don't even know which ones they are, but I don't think anyone will be able to tell. I think the only purpose of the butter is to help the ground nuts stick to the dough. I think as long as they are sweet and taste like a cookie, they will eat them. LOL

Carol Sue, lol! I'm sure the cookies will be delicious! :T Yay on staying in Onederland! If I could stay in the 160's, I'd be elated! :yes: Thanks for the tip on the veggies helping curb sweets, and I'm sure once your body adjusts to your eating beans again, it will settle down! :lol:

Mars, yes, I suppose so, lol! It was a sunny day here today and that was so nice! I don't know why the winter gray seems to be bothering me more this year than in other years, especially since it's been a very mild winter here. :dunno:

PrairieQueen, that is such great news about your brother! Hopefully, the ventilator will follow! :crossed:

SeeMyFeet, thinking of you! :hug:

Trish, hope you're having a good day! :wave:

Tehshort, how's the diet plan coming along? :goodluck:

Rennie, I hope your work schedule has slowed down and you're able to spend some quality Christmas time with the family! Drop in when you can! :hug:

Chickadeee, Mary, and Bewildered, I hope the Holiday Season is going well for you! We'd love to hear from you! :grouphug:

I seem to be going around in circles, but today I dropped back down into the 160's, so yay! :carrot:

Week 29: High 171, Low 170
11/29--171
11/30--170.5
12/1--170
12/2--170
12/3--170
12/4--DNW
12/5--170.5 Carb Day

Week 30: High 173, Low 169
12/6--173
12/7--172.5
12/8--171
12/9--170.5
12/10--169
12/11--170
12/12--170.5 Carb Day

Week 31:
12/13--172
12/14--170.5
12/15--171 (Really, scale? :tantrum: )
12/16--170.5
12/17--169.5
12/18--
12/19--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Lunch
Protein bar
Pumpkin seeds
Mio water

Tea Time
Hot green tea

Dinner:
Pulled pork BBQ
Steamed broccoli and cauliflower
Mio water

Today's Exercise:

Bro's vitals still good. All chest tubes out. His trial run for breathing went well until towards end he was having to work too hard. So they're keeping vent in for now. They'll test again tomorrow. He's only on 30-40% oxygen....which is great.

Today's menu....

Break - McD's sausage burrito w/hot sauce, ice tea w/stevia
Snack - skinny popcorn
Lunch - leftover cheese potato/ham bake
Snack - skinny caramel latte
Dinner -spaghetti w/bolognese sauce

Tomorrow, I think I'm skipping breakfast so I can get a Penn Station pizza sub for lunch :)

SMF, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother! {{{hugs}}} I lost my brother suddenly and unexpectedly as well several years ago, I know the profound grief and shock that brings! Praying for your broken heart!

PQ, I'm glad your brother is doing well, I will pray for complete recovery!

Jodi

:welcome2: Jodi! If you are doing a carb-conscious diet, I hope you'll stay and join us!

PrairieQueen, I'm so happy that your brother is continuing to improve! I know that has to be the best Christmas present of all! :present:

I'm trying to decide if I want to take Carb Day today, a day early, since Christmas Day is next Friday. Hmm. :chin: I'm up a lb from yesterday, but still around 170. I did so well yesterday until last night. I had made pulled pork for dinner and had it warming in the oven till DH got home. When he finally did get home, he wasn't feeling well and didn't want anything to eat. So I started putting the pork away and, well, it looked so good, I had a couple more bites, and a couple more, and a couple more, lol! It wasn't off plan but I had already had dinner and I didn't need to eat more! I'm not surprised I jumped back up on the scale. :dizzy:

Week 29: High 171, Low 170
11/29--171
11/30--170.5
12/1--170
12/2--170
12/3--170
12/4--DNW
12/5--170.5 Carb Day

Week 30: High 173, Low 169
12/6--173
12/7--172.5
12/8--171
12/9--170.5
12/10--169
12/11--170
12/12--170.5 Carb Day

Week 31:
12/13--172
12/14--170.5
12/15--171 (Really, scale? :tantrum: )
12/16--170.5
12/17--169.5
12/18--170.5
12/19--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Lunch
Protein bar
Mio water

Tea Time

Dinner:

Today's Exercise:

I am glad to hear that all is well with everyone, that PQs brother is making good progress.

Hi Jodi! Welcome to our thread.

Jacqui, I love pulled pork. I would not be able to stay out of it either!

SeeMyFeet, you and your family are in my prayers. Hoping that the peace of the holiday season help you cope with your loss.

Mars! I agree! I always appreciate your words of wisdom and support! Thank you! :hug:

Lol, Carol Sue, it's one of my favorites and I swear it was calling my name! :lol:

I decided not to go with Carb Day today, for no other reason than I wasn't feeling tempted by all the candy that is out around the house. I figure if I'm not tempted, why bother? Lol! :D

Guess whom I Facetimed with tonight? It was bro.....he's now known as Miracle Mark at hospital, and docs and nurses have been peeking in all day to give their best to my family. Vent is out and he can barely speak, but managed "What am I doing in here?" Best Christmas present ever!

Today's menu...

Break - cheesy potato/ham bake
Lunch - Penn Station pizza sub & fries
Dinner - pickled Korean radishes (daikon) and dill pickles
Snack - light beers

PrairieQueen, that is such GREAT news! :trampo: :yay: :cheer: :cp: :woohoo:

What a wonderful Christmas gift for your family PQ. Miracle Mark! He will be surprised when he hears all that he has been through and how you've all worried about him. He slept through the whole thing!!

I had a really carby meal last night, way more than I normally do. We went to a local restaurant that has delicious fried fish and the best mac and cheese on Fridays. I usually eat half and save the other half for lunch the next day, but I ate it all. Plus, they brought garlic bread, which I usually decline, but that tasted delicious, too. I didn't even test my blood sugar, just took an extra pill. I will have to do strict no carb today to make up for it.

My body is handling the beans a little better. I'm going to have to hold off on them next week, as my company would probably not appreciate it. DH had the fan running in the bathroom yesterday! LOL I love beans!

Yay, in the 160's twice this week! :carrot: Ohhh, but today was Carb Day and it was one of my worst ever days, nutritionally! :eek: I have a friend who brought me a box of her homemade Christmas cookies last night, and wow, can she bake! To give you an idea, our town has a well known pumpkin festival each year and she's won first place before in the pumpkin pie-baking contest...at the pumpkin festival! Everything she bakes is amazing! I could not stay out of those cookies today! And in between my cookie "meals," I'd eat a handful of candy, just because I've been eyeing that candy for days, lol! I've had to have eaten 7-8 cookies today, along with 2 handfuls of candy! So then I think, okay, no carbs for dinner, but then Carol Sue mentions mac & cheese and I just happened to have a box of Kraft mac & cheese in the cupboard, lol! (No, I'm not easily hypnotized; why do you ask?) :dizzy: Oh my, this is bad, even for sugarholic me! But I have to admit, I'm in a happy mood! :lol: Hopefully, my RA won't make me pay for it tomorrow! :crossed:

Week 29: High 171, Low 170
11/29--171
11/30--170.5
12/1--170
12/2--170
12/3--170
12/4--DNW
12/5--170.5 Carb Day

Week 30: High 173, Low 169
12/6--173
12/7--172.5
12/8--171
12/9--170.5
12/10--169
12/11--170
12/12--170.5 Carb Day

Week 31: High 172, Low 169.5
12/13--172
12/14--170.5
12/15--171
12/16--170.5
12/17--169.5
12/18--170.5
12/19--169.5 Carb Day

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
Homemade Christmas cookies
Mio water

Snack:
Mint M&M's

Lunch
Homemade Christmas cookies
Mio water

Snack:
Hershey's chocolate kisses with almonds

Dinner:
Leftover pulled pork
Kraft mac and cheese (and 2nds)
Diet Dr. Pepper

Late Night Snack:
More chocolate candy (It's so true: Quick-burning carbs beget carb cravings!)

Today's Exercise:

:wave: Hello everyone. Welcome to the thread Jodi.

P.Q. Great news about your brother. I wonder if they will give him something to forget the trauma of his ordeal. When DH# 2 went through 3 days on the vent etc, he never remembered any of it because they gave him something so that he didn't remember it. He would tell people "I lost 3 days of my life and wouldn't know anything about it accept that she (me) was there to tell me about it."

Jacqui I have been so proud of myself for staying away from candy this year. Went to the store and saw the can of Christmas candy that I always loved. I realized one time that I loved it because it brought back fun memories of always having it when my sisters when we were young. Stood in Walmart (who never carried it before) and put it in my basket... then it hit me "I don't want this" so I put it back on the shelf. I felt so good about my not buying it.

After reading you post, I had to laugh because I was so proud I didn't get the candy, but brought home 4 different kinds of tollhouse cookies to bake and a $5 Gourmet popcorn tin they always sell at Christmas. DH and I both love those. So I still went crazy with the sweets.

I hope the good that is going to come out of my carby eating over the past few days is that I am sick of it. I am so ready for this part of the holiday be over and to get back OP although I do plan to eat one more carby lunch Christmas day. While my plan is to get back OP at the next meal, I will definitely get back OP the next day. Just going to be just DH and me so I already bought those packages that has only 2 pieces of pie in it... one of DH favorite and one of my favorite so there won't be any holiday goodies in the house on the 26th when I get back OP.

SMF You and your family are in my prayers that the Lord will comfort y'all and give you peace.

Mars Hi.

Bro was on a reclining type chair today.....good for lungs. The meds that induce coma cause amnesia, so he doesn't remember anything so far. I'm sure he'll have some stories to tell when his body is "clean."

Tonight I took a widow friend to a "radio" dinner show of "A Christmas Carol." Hubs had two small parts and I had three big courses :)

Today's menu.....

Break - cheesy potato bake, Coke Life
Lunch - black bean soup w/feta
Snack - mini mincemeat pie
Dinner - goose confit and fig salad, prime rib w/Yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes, plum pudding w/rum sauce, two light beers

Christmas Candy. The only thing I bought this year is Miniature Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey's Kisses. I bought them for cookies that I'm going to make next week. DH opened them and started eating them, so I had to hide them from him so I don't have to buy more. When I was a child, my mother always bought this candy called Chocolate Drops. They are very sickeningly sweet fondant covered with chocolate, in the shape of a pyramid. Every year I buy a bag as it reminds me of my childhood. This year I saw them in the store, pointed and said to DH "Look! Chocolate Drops" but didn't buy them. First year I didn't. No one else eats them, they are really way to sweet, and my BS doesn't need them. I did want to get a bag of that old fashioned mix, different colored hard candy. DH said his mother always bought that, but I know I will be the only one eating it so I didn't get it. Still might if I can find a very small package of it. It's something how these things take us back to the holidays of our childhood.

PQ, glad to hear bro is getting up into a chair. He'll be walking soon.

I love your secret goal, and also the two light beers! LOL

SMF, Hugs and prayers for you today.

Jacqui, DH only likes MY pumpkin pie because I put less spice in it than the recipe calls for. We were in a restaurant that has an in-store bakery and saw their pumpkin pies in the case. A couple of them were burned. I get extremely upset if my crusts burn and DH tells me not to worry about it. I don't think they should have had those 2 out for sale. They were really black. Who is going to buy those, unless they are the only ones left. $9 for a burned pie.

We always have Kraft Mac and Cheese in the house for DH, but I can't eat it. I like home made baked mac and cheese with a thick cheese sauce. I'm sorry I made you crave it.

Trish, I always liked to buy one of those tins of popcorn. I like the colorful pictures on them. Last year I realized we only like the caramel corn and the rest gets stale, so this year I'm going to try making my own caramel corn. I've never done it, but it sounds so easy. Just make the caramel and pour it over the pop corn on a baking sheet. I think I can handle that. LOL

Carol Sue, oh don't be sorry! It was yummy! In fact, I went back for more, and of course Carb Day is the only day I can have it, so I was happy to remember it was there! :T I agree with you on the pumpkin pies. I wouldn't buy ones that were burnt. I don't like a burnt taste on anything. Some people like blackened fish or pork burnt ends. Not me! Every once in a while when I make chili, I'll get busy doing other things and accidentally forget to stir it in time and scorch the bottom and I get so upset (like you with your pumpkin pies), and I will stir that chili, over and over, and spoon out any black pieces I see till I can't see any more, lol. My DH thinks I'm a nut, but I really dislike burnt taste! :nono:

SeeMyFeet, I am thinking of you. I hope you're doing all right! :hug:

PrairieQueen, I love reading your positive updates! It is just such wonderful news! :spin: I'm glad you had a good time at the radio dinner. I bet that was lots of fun! :D

Trish, great job putting the candy back! :bravo:

Mars, you must be staying busy! I miss your chatty self! Hope all is well! :yes:

Tehshort, how's the diet plan coming along? :crossed:

Rennie and Chickadeee, miss you! :grouphug:

I ate so much sugar yesterday! I went back for 2nds on the mac & cheese and then late-late, like 11:45 pm, I ate more candy! I have to admit I was a little worried about today, about whether the carb cravings would stay with me, but thankfully, nope! I had my eggs and bacon and water for breakfast (have to get to the store for yogurt) and I'm good! :carrot: Even more incredible, I am still at 169.5 on the scale! I thought I'd weigh 175 today, lol! :yay: Typically if I don't gain the day after Carb Day, I gain the day after that though, so I'm expecting a jump up tomorrow. Hopefully it will only be a lb or two and not up to 175. :D

Week 29: High 171, Low 170
11/29--171
11/30--170.5
12/1--170
12/2--170
12/3--170
12/4--DNW
12/5--170.5 Carb Day

Week 30: High 173, Low 169
12/6--173
12/7--172.5
12/8--171
12/9--170.5
12/10--169
12/11--170
12/12--170.5 Carb Day

Week 31: High 172, Low 169.5
12/13--172
12/14--170.5
12/15--171
12/16--170.5
12/17--169.5
12/18--170.5
12/19--169.5 Carb Day

Week 32:
12/20--169.5 :cp:
12/21--
12/22--
12/23--
12/24--
12/25--
12/26--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Mio water

Lunch
Protein bar
Mio water

Tea Time:

Dinner:
Chicken wings
Steamed brussel sprouts
Diet Dr. Pepper

Today's Exercise:

Guess who discovered that Christmas trees are fun for climbing?! Lol! And of course, Barnabas didn't go for the tree with the plastic, wooden, and homemade ornaments. Nooo. He went for the sparkly tree with the vintage mercury glass ornaments! Luckily, I was just starting to decorate it, so I've only lost 4 ornaments so far, haha! I just hope the whole tree doesn't come down because I don't want him to get hurt! He does make the cutest decoration on the tree though! However, I decided to move my favorite vintage ornaments to the aluminum tree in the parlor. It rotates! :)

http://i.imgur.com/bWCDgvd.jpg?1

Jacqui so adorable! I've been lucky that my girl Limoges isn't very adventurous, and Mr. Darcy is bored easily if "things" aren't interactive.....he gives up after about 30 seconds of tapping the bottom ornaments.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with aluminum trees :) However, I really scaled back this year with the decorations and only one full-size tree. We didn't have our annual party either.

PrairieQueen, thanks! What cute names you have for your cats! :) It's completely understandable that you scaled back on the decorating and didn't have a party this year! :yes: Oh, I love aluminum trees! They bring back such memories! I used to have 5 of them, but nobody needs that many, so I'm down to 2, a big one and a small one. I have gone from 15 trees to 4 now (not counting little tabletop ones). I just don't have the energy to do all that anymore. I don't think I'll ever get down to one tree though. I figure I may eventually get down to 3, the family room tree with the kids' ornaments and colored lights, the foyer tree with vintage glass ornaments and white lights, and the large aluminum tree in the parlor with more vintage glass ornaments and of course the rotating color wheel, lol! So, I'm almost there! :D

Bro is still doing well. He yanked his feeding tube out, so they had to put mitts on him.

Today's menu...

Breakfast - hash brown, pimento cheese, sausage, fried egg stack, Coke Life
Lunch - three deviled egg halves, one mini mince pie
Snack - Skinny popcorn
Dinner - chicken fajita

Jacqui I love the picture of your mischief maker in the tree--a furry elf! Yay you for staying in the 160s after Carb Day! That decade is calling you :yes: Yes super busy and I'm afraid will remain so for awhile. Will be sporadic in my posting. Wishing you and all a wonderful holiday!

:snowglo:

Mars, I bought some Tapenade today. It's not a premium brand, it's from Aldi's. They had a small jar for $1.99 so I figured I'd try it. I liked it. It has capers in it but not anchovies. It's made with both kalamato and green olives, which is what I plan to use, and has EVOO, red sweet peppers, garlic, capers, salt, white wine vinegar, basil, oregano and parsley. When I make mine I will use less olive oil as this seems to be oilier than it needs to be, and omit the salt, as olives are salty enough. Two tbs is 50 calories, 45 of which come from fat, but with olives and EVOO it's healthy fat. I don't usually make omlets, but I can eat a spoonful along side my scrambled eggs.

Thank you for helping me find another thing to add to my foods I like. Just what I needed! LOL

Jacqui, cute kitty in the tree. I don't know if my step-daughter's new kitties like the tree or not, this is their first Christmas. Rusty is not even aware that it's there.

Jacq Cute kitty in the tree. :)

SMF Praying for you.:hug:

P.Q. So glad your bro is getting better.

I don't know if I shared here that my sink was stopped up or not. DH usually can clean it out but couldn't fix it. It cost $331.00 to fix it. We learned that the noodles DGS puts down the garbage disposal (and maybe left over rice I put in there when we have Chinese food) caused the clog. WOW. He told DH that noodles are one of the worst things you can put down the garbage disposal because it swells and hardens and clogs the pipes. (He told DH he could show him pictures of what it does to the pipes.) He had to cut a piece of the pipe out where it was clogged and replace the pipe. My beautician had already told me the day before that rice and cabbage will clog it too. This makes me wonder... if this stuff does that to my sewer pipes what does it do to me? Maybe that is why it isn't wise to eat it.

I don't know if the non-flour pastas or brown rice does the same thing or not as I didn't talk to the plumber. DH did. However, this does make me re-think low carb... perhaps this is why low carb is so much better. Hum:?: It certainly makes sense to me as to why we should be more careful when it comes to eating simple carbs.

Changed my ticker to fit where I am. While MFP shows I am down 1.2 lbs from last week and I'm thankful for that... no fanfare as this is all recycle lbs which I shouldn't be having to deal with if I hadn't had so many carb days. Trying to do better between now and Christmas Day.

I'm sure all of you are busy getting ready for family gathering. Y'all have a great day!!!