Good Afternoon GG's,

Cold here too, but no new snow. I think ours is supposed to start Tuesday evening. Lots of snow still on the ground though. Nothing exciting over the weekend. Took DGD to the movies to see Tangled. Saw that they actually have adult movies there. Who would have thunk it! I haven't seen an adult movie (except on TV) for ages. The grands are coming over after school and they are alays starved when they get in the door, so I have a roast on. It's hard to make a roast for just DH and me, so I make them when the kids are going to be here.

Bunti, I exercise for 1/2 hour a day, most days. And I lift weights EOD. I like the benefits but don't see much difference in longer times. I will walk a little longer if I have someone to walk with. The medicine ball is just a big ball with a hand hold. I've tried them, can't say i'm a big fan. I'll stick with my weights. They come out with the new "miracle" every month, guaranted to make you look like a model in 2 days. We all know that doesn't happen.

Karen31, I got the weighted hulahoop from Curves for Christmas. I do enjoy doing that, it's not like exercise at all. And unless I sling something out of place, i'll continue with that for awhile.

Karen3, Yes, I've noticed that both parties are trying to put the blame for tha killings on each other. I think That words do encite, but if you're not unbalanced anyway, they aren't going to affect any one. That young man was totally unbalanced. So many warning signs that no one did anything about. I hate to here people blaming the parents for what a grown person does, but in this case I really have to say, where were they?

Donna, hope you get some relief fro that siaticia pain.

MINancy, It will be awhile before we are able to get back outside and walk here. We won't see the ground for several more months. I go to the mall and walk occasionally too. And I agree with you about the weight charts. If I weighed what they said I would be bones. I said I would know when I had lost enough, and I did. Have to listen to your body. And have a friend that tells you the truth. In my case my sisters, who won't let me talk myself too seriously. and have noproblem telling me if i'm too heavy or, ccasionally, too thin.

Z, hope you stay well. Hard to do when everyone around you is ill. Stay away from DH and wash your hands a lot. My DGD stayed home from school today with a fevor and coughing. And I was with her all evening at the movies and she will be here after school today. I'll have to take my own advice.

Bobbi, I'm supposing you're at the Dr.'s. Hope you start getting a lot of relief really soon.

Where are out other new ladies? Come back.......

Make it a good day,

Freda

Hello all,

My kitty and I miss that sunshine from the other day. It is chilly and overcast here today. I am shamefully snuggled under a blanket with a heating pad on me. I need to make some lunch, but hate to get out from under my blankie I should warm myself up and do some sort of exercise like some of you are doing. I admire you for that. The yawning and sleepiness are setting in again. Monday is always kind of my catch up day after working the weekend (16 hours back to back on Saturday and Sunday). I have such a short night of sleep on Saturday night that I feel kind of tired on Monday. But I love the job now, and having the rest of the week free ~ so I don't mind the little bit of downside to it.

Last night at work one of my coworkers was eating something. I had never seen anything like it ~ it was a beautiful purple color. I thought maybe food coloring had been added to what ever it was to get that color. But, no ~ that is what the real color of this food was. It was a purple yam ~ several of my coworkers are Philipino ladies and this is a food that is one of their foods. It was fixed like mashed potatoes but had a little sugar added. They said you could purchase them at an Asian market. I think it would be fun to try to get some. It would be like a treat to eat that beautiful purple colored food

Hope you all are having a good day.

Take care

Hi everyone..wow that is purple wonder how it tastes..i had a lazy day..was going to start on my scapbooks but had my nose in a nelson demille book..sipping tea and staying warm,my favorite kind of day.. we have to get up early tomorow..have to leave here by 6 am to be in anchorage for my 6 week ckup..im looking forward to getting out and about and maybe some shopping at wallmart ill be back lol rosey

Hi G.G.s,
Been having a nice snow day here. About 2 inches on the ground & supposed to be a little more on the way. Around here that’s enough to pretty much shut things down (schools, most businesses, & gov. offices closed), because we don’t get it very often. We canceled SO’s PT appointment this morning - they were open, but we didn’t want to take a chance on the roads.

SO’s DD left here about 10 AM to drive to the airport in Charlotte (usually takes an hour, but took her 2 today). She was picking up a boy friend (but NOT boyfriend?) & then they were driving back to college. That’s about 120 miles from the airport, & they had to drive through the mountains to get there. We weren’t happy about her driving in this weather, but she’s 20 & does what she wants. She called a little after 3:00 this afternoon, when they were leaving the airport, & then finally called a little before 8:00 to let us know she arrived safely . It took so long because they stopped to eat on the way, but she didn’t think to call & mention that they were doing that.

Thanks again, Donna, for your kind words. I really do need to smack SO, because I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to be helpful. He loves to say things just to bug me. He just walked by & read my salutation & said “shouldn’t that be Hi fat girls, snicker, snicker!”. Any volunteers to come over & do some smacking? I think I did okay with the buffet, the scale only showed a half pound gain this morning. I know sometimes it takes longer to show up, but I don’t care. It was worth it! We left the car parked at the restaurant & walked across the parking lot to Walmart, so I got a little exercise in. Sorry about your leg. Are you sure shoveling snow was a good idea?

KarenFL, Yay! on the weight loss! Don’t question it, just be proud. Can’t be just water if the shirt is roomier! Sounds like you’re off to a great start.

KarenMO & Freda & all you other exercising ladies, I’m so impressed with your routines. I just can’t make myself exercise (& I never could hula hoop!). I’ve got a treadmill that I’ve had for years, but never use. I refuse to get rid of it, ‘cause I just know someday I’m going to get started on my own routine, & need it. Could happen, right?

Bunti, I agree with your hubby about the cold. That’s exactly what I did this morning! And your exercising, still way more than me.

Zoe, sorry most of your family’s feeling bad. Hope everyone gets better fast! And good for you for staying OP! Your muffins sound really good, & healthy! I’m always sticking individually wrapped treats in the freezer to save for when I can afford the calories, but mine are seldom healthy.

Gayle, how can you call snuggling under a blanket shameful, after working 16 hours back to back?!! That’s what I was doing until 10:30 this morning (the blanket part, not the working), & I have NO excuse. Sure was nice. The purple yams look good (I love baked sweet potatoes), but I think I would keep expecting them to be grape-flavored because of the color. I would like to try them though.

Rosey, good luck on your check-up, & happy shopping!

Guess I’m going to get off here now. SO’s DD left a 7oz. Hershey bar here that she didn’t want (can you imagine that?! obvious SHE doesn’t have a weight problem!). SO just polished off half of it, & I just might have to eat the other half for my nighttime snack. NO, I won’t! Just read the calories - 480! Either I’ll have to settle for a fourth (& I don’t think I could do that) or eat something else. Sigh!

Goodnight Everyone,
NCNancy

Hello Ladies,
I thought that I would say that the hulahoops that I have been doing are, I guess you would say, virtual! They are with the Wii Fit program and you stand on the balance board and move your hips but don't have to worry about any hulahoop falling down!! Just like the downhill skiing I did this morning in the living room, just pretend but it keeps track of the calories you burn! I've really been having fun with it. I'm still trying to get an hour in there everyday.
Tim took the treadmill apart this afternoon and found out it was just a loose connection so I will be able to add some of that in while watching TV in the evenings now. I just figure that will be a little extra that I can do instead of just sitting and watching tv. I didn't do that tonight though-- just was so cold that I didn't want to go outside to go down the stairs. Yeah, the basement has an outside entrance so that makes it handy for the "SON" to come and go but kind of unhandy for me. No real place to put a stairway inside. I think I was more just lazy tonight and that was as good an excuse as any! It is just out the back door and to the left about 15 feet!! yeah, think I was just lazy!

Rosey, will be anxious to hear about your 6 week checkup! Sounds like you are doing fantastic.

Freda, I had thought about getting one of the weighted hulahoops because when I was younger I was pretty good at it--- I mean WAY YOUNGER!!! I use to do several around my waist and neck at one time...wouldn't even try that now! I think I would have a hard time keeping one up now!

Zoe, sorry to hear about your family being sick. We've had this bug since the first of December(doing 100% better now) but on the tv the other night on the news they said it looks like the flu and cold season is here! It sure made us miserable and I found a hot steam vaporizer helped more than anything for me. Also my Aunt said her DR. told her to use the Robitussin cough syrup but to take a 1/3 out of it and add vodka or whiskey to it. They had to change the formula and it isn't so good anymore. I used my Dad's recipe of whiskey, honey and lemon juice and took it like you would a cough syrup--only because I had already mixed that up when she told me about the other. Tim uses Robitussin when he is sick so I think I will save an empty bottle to try this next time we need it.
I hope everyone has had a good day-- Bobbi, Where are you? Haven't heard from you in a day or two.
It is pretty cold here still and snowing--not much on the ground and that is ok!! This is the first snow we have had this year. Well, have a good night everyone and I'll catch everyone tomorrow.

Ooops! Gayle, I've never seen a purple sweet potato either! Pretty interesting. Does it taste the same? Enjoy your days off!

Good Morning Girls...
I'm up early because DD was doing a segment on TV about activities you can do with your 1-5 year olds, it was at 6:10am...who gets up that early to watch tv?
Bunti or Nancy, can't remember which or both of you were talking about exercising. Put me in with Donna and Zoe, I'm another one who hates to exercise. I did bone builders class until doc said I had to quit because of my headaches. Who mentioned weighted hula hoops? Never heard of them. I purchased a Wii Fit and hated it. The hula hoop thingie Karen was talking about was kinda fun but I was just too impatient to wait between the sets on Wii Fit. Too much delay, too much senseless gabbing and setting up next exercises. Blah, hated it! I gave it to my DD and she and the grands liked it. I'm going to go down and try doing the Leslie Sansone tape, might last 10 minutes if I'm lucky. I've pretty much lost all my weight from just lowering my calories and no exercise.
KarenMo...I joined the Biggest Losers on this site and been posting alot there. They have a menu site that's very useful and also a chat thread. There are all ages on the challenge, suppose to be 60 people on my blue team but everyone that signed up hasn't signed in yet. I'm sure some people have already backed out, the chickens. I plan to drop enough weight to get to my true height weight. 10 pounds should do it.
NancyI'll be right over.

Quote:
Any volunteers to come over & do some smacking?

Rosey...good luck today on your doc's appointment.
Glynne...so happy to see you posting on a regular basis. You can join us in the 'I hate to exercise Club'.
Freda...I never thought to ask you freda, how long have you kept your weight off? I'm sure your exercises help and I commend you for your diligence. Right about that, I've never taken a diet pill. Good old fashion calorie counting works best for me.

Quote:
They come out with the new "miracle" every month, guaranted to make you look like a model in 2 days. We all know that doesn't happen.

Zoe...I never did eat the Chia because they made me fuller, I eat them every morning on my cereal because of all the healthy benefits to them. Dr. Oz said to eat them and you know I believe everything the saint says NOT!

Quote:
Bobbi, I fell off the chia wagon. At first I thought they were reducing my appetite, but after a while I didn’t see any difference.

Yesterday he had some tips on headaches, he said to put a pencil in my mouth to help relieve the tension in my jaws that aid in forming headaches. What? I don't have tension in my jaws plus can you see anyone walking around with a pencil wedged in your mouth?
Bunti...do you subscribe to any of the cooking magazines? I just order the light cooking magazine for a few new ideas on our menu. DH and I both like to cook and what fun it is to try new recipes. Do you ever have clients that want low calorie foods? One year Kelly Ripa on Halloween did a (Regis Philbin show) Paula Deen skit, she was eating whole sticks of butter. I have a hard time putting butter into recipes, not that I don't love it. How refreshing to use applesauce in some baked recipes instead of the oil/butter. I don't know how you have the will power to not eat the foods you cook for others.
KarenFla...Guess I missed you talking about leg cramps, what goes?

Quote:
I have been making the vegies with tons of beans and so far have not had any leg or foot cramps.

Hi to anyone I missed, not with it this early in the morning. I'm going to go down and do 10 minutes with Leslie Sansone unless a miracle happens and someone stops me. Please, someone stop me

Good morning GG

Kitty (Meso) and I are happy ~ sunshine is back today. It is cold outside, but just having the sun out makes me feel better. Kitty is in her favorite window basking in the sun, I have crawled out from under my blankie

I have to confess that I have to have my little helps (who ever it was who said) to remember everyone's names. I make a list and check off each one as I do the personals. I think maybe as part of that list, I will make notes (and I think one of you was doing this too) as to who said what, so I can remember the things I wanted to comment on. I need all the help I can get because I have CRS LOL.

Thank you for the encouragement to post regularly. I guess I wasn't because I would feel guilty if I was not able to do personals everytime.

Yes, Bobbi ~ I should probably be part of the "I hate to exercise" club. I don't mind it, but if I can lose weight without doing it ~ then I just don't get around to it. I know that it would be good for me, but I just can't seem to make myself do it. I have read that it helps your body to better utilize the insulin in your blood stream, so for that I should try harder, but it seems that there is always something else that I should be doing, and exercise ends up last on the list.

At one time when I was between jobs, my husband used to walk with me every evening after work. We never missed a day ~ that is just how he is ~ if he sets a goal to do something he never messes up and misses ~ sickening ~ LOL. But his idea of walking with me was for me to walk a few feet ahead of him ~ he would walk and read a magazine and occasionally glance up to see me so that he didn't go off the edge of the road. Goofball. After you all go to smack NCNancy's SO, you can come here and apply a smack to my DH (take the D which ever way you want to

Prayers were answered ~ my brother was able to get things straightened out with the IRS for my parents. I am so thankful. Poor dad was worrying so much that he was having trouble sleeping at night. Mom (who has alzheimers) couldn't remember long enough what was going on for it to cause too much stress for her.

Got rested back up yesterday, so better get off here and take advantage of that sunshine making me want to do stuff and get going.

Hope you all are having a good day.

Take care

Here is Meso enjoying the sunshine

Can you tell I am procrastinating again ~ need to go run errands, but dragging my feet ~ it is cold out there. Not as cold as some places, but cold for Texas.

Afternoon from a cloudy but warm Fl....wonder when Lynn will be back and how it went in Orlando???

Halfway into week2 of level 1 on South Beach. Feeling so much better and less fluffy. This really is a low fat/carb cardio diet after the first 2 weeks. Those 2 LONG weeks detox the sugar/carb cravings away. About now what I miss is snacking on something. eat and chew eat and chew kinda mindless yummys.....So I found the recipe for roast chickpeas(garbanzo beans). OMG are they good. Serving is 1/2 cup. Of course I had chick peas popping around the kitchen. Another recipe called for roasting green beans. Did a tray of them, but haven't gotten into them....look kinda brown....well tried them and they are either dry burnish tasting or soggy. Think I'll get some frozen whole beans nuke them and try....definitely not canned greenbeans.

3 15oz cans of chick peas into colander and rinse well
Drizzle with olice oil to coat add spices of choice
Spread on baking sheet
Roast at 400 for 30-40 minutes tossing frequently
Remove and cool

Now is that easy or what! I used dry ranch dressing mix and kosher salt as my spices. On the green beans used Jane's Crazy salt. Found need more spice than you think.....

Got lazy and decided to do my tricky easy dinner. portabella muchroom cap with a turkey sausage patty popped on top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Finished the 1st book on the Kindle. Put it away until we travel. It was okay, but expensive and just not worth it. Seemed like I was clicking the page turner so often. Single page.....guess am sot in my ways as my DGF would say.

Can't wait to hear what the Doc had to say out about Our Rose. Geesh wasn't that a line from an old show?

Darn just remembered have to order DD's honeybells today....off to vegie stand....karen3

Karenfla...I've made the garbanzo beans before, very delicious. I baked them too long and we almost broke a tooth on them. I tried the baked green beans too, I liked them. Have you tried baked squash fries or baked sweet potatoes? I tried baked zucchini fries and they were mushy on the inside, yuk! Those are good with cajun seasonings on them. Now you're making me hungry.
I went down and did 10 minutes of Leslie Sansone, I swear I looked at my timer every 2 minutes to see if I was getting closer to done. I told DH to pull the cross country skis out, he was all excited to go out until I told him maybe I better wait until I talk to Doc tomorrow. I don't want to go backward in my healing process. We actually love to ski but pulling on the ski poles might mess me up. Back to that darn Walking DVD.

We are still in Benson, AZ still waiting for the part so they can fix our pickup! Didn't dream it would take this long...think it's been a week now. Nothing much to do here but we take a short walk each day and sometimes I walk down to the little on-site store for some sunflower seeds, mostly to get another little walk in. We are recovering slowly from the virus but still tired and with Joe's leg too we are not yet up to long or fast walks. I can walk fast but stay with Joe plus know I would not be able to walk fast very long due to my fatigue. Hopefully we will be all better soon, so accepting this time as a time to be kinda quiet, rest and enjoy our time here for what it is.

My diet....what diet?!!...LOL I honestly haven't been dieting on this trip! Trying to watch my carbs some due to the diabetes but not doing that very well either...not eating right. As far as my weight my only saving grace is that with being sick I did lose a few pounds, so I my weight is about the same, maybe even a little lower than it was when we left home. Still have not gotten back down to 158 as my sig says...It was 164 this am. Now that I'm feeling better I hope to get back on track. Told my dh no more candy as we have been picking up candy bars now and then recently. Most of my eating is out of boredom. I get tired of TV and don't enjoy browsing the web as much with my little netbook...plus I have to watch my time online since I have a 2 G limit...it's not bad though. In fact I started with 5 G and cut back as I found I didn't need that much.

I brought my flaxseeds and chia seeds but have forgotten to us them. So the posts have now reminded me.