Hey there everyone!!!
A hearty Hello to Jonda Welcome to our little group! Say Howdy to Rich (he's welcome here as well - we like seeing some testosterone here at 3FC every now and again! )
Today was my first day back at the gym since my surgery (see the previous thread if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about). Did a REALLY LIGHT CARDIO workout on the elliptical for 10 minutes - then a light upper body workout (based on one of Draper's 'getting started' workouts - only I left out the leg press and leg extensions. I did do calves though). I am still wearing the garment for at least one more week so I didn't want to sweat all over it. FELT GOOD to be back! The bruising is almost gone - I still feel a little numbness and soreness in some small areas but I massage every evening.
The renovations in our apt are just about done - all that's left is the windows and finishing up the yard. Since I've basically spent the past three weekends at home recouping - I had CABIN FEVER big time so yesterday Jim and I went on a long drive through the Coastal Range (Skyline, Saratoga, Santa Cruz). The only problem was after awhile the winding roads (25 miles of hairpin turns ugggh) started getting to me. Jim loves driving those kind of roads but my tummy can't take it (no, we weren't going fast - I just don't have the stomach for it). It was nice getting out for a few hours though, beautiful day yesterday to boot. I think I'll be riding again starting this coming Saturday. I have REALLY missed my horses.
Beth - tips on keeping the food budget reasonable...let's see - I always buy on sale - every so often Safeway sells boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.99 to $3.99/pound (of course you have to buy a big lot of them...) I buy a bunch, then divvy 'em up into Ziplocs with some key lime juice or other marinade and freeze them - the night before I just toss one in the fridge to defrost. I used to buy those IQF boneless skinless chicken breasts bags - but they are too salty for me, especially now that my surgeon has told me to cut my sodium way back. Eggs are always on sale at Safeway - generally it's buy one get one free on the 18-egg cartons. Egg Beaters or egg substitutes are the most expensive way to go - I know it's tough to toss the yolks sometimes, but still it's cheaper than buying egg beaters (I generally do the 4 whites + 1 whole egg - that way I use less eggs than doing all whites).
Fruits and veggies I always buy IN SEASON if they're fresh and ON SALE if they're frozen. Actually I buy lots of frozen veggies - I like the chopped onions and the southern cut hash brown potatoes (or Potatoes O'Brien). I checked the nutritional status vs. 'plain' potatoes and they are basically the same, besides being easier to measure! If you have a local Farmers' Market in your area - check it out, they generally have good deals on produce, and it's organic to boot (well around these parts anyway).
Hope that helps-gotta hit the showers!