Core Chat: Dec. 17- Dec. 23
 

Here's some new pages...a few posts today on last week's date.

Hope you're all well. I lost another pound!

Rhonda

Congratulations Rhonda! Aren't we silly gooses.....we can't even remember to start a new page even though you reminded us before you left.

I think I'm getting a new modem tomorrow. Still nothing done and Christmas is a week from tomorrow.

Yeah, but what a loveable flock of silly gooses! And, Vickie, just wait a week and it will be over and there will be nothing to do!!!!

Nothing to do! Wouldn't that be wonderful? And we're retired! You'd think we'd be "loaded" with nothing to do.

Rhonda, I didn't even realize we hadn't started the new thread till you made this one. What a hoot.

Vickie, I'm not as busy as you, but I am busy. Where does the time go?

I saw Rachel Ray make some "Core" sausage yesterday. I made it today and it's good! I think I'll use lean beef burger next time. I don't think Curtis had an easy time with the coloration of turkey burger.

1 lb turkey burger
1 fist of poultry seasoning
1 fist of grill seasoning
1 fist of fennel seeds
Now here's where Rachel and I differed.
She used some maple syrup to make maple flavored sausage while I used crushed red pepper to make spicy sausage.

Shape the mixture into 4 or 5 patties.

Spray a hot skillet with non fat spray then add some evoo. "Fry" the sausage patties till done through and through.

We had ours on 2 pt hamburger buns with a slice of onion and mustard. The bun was 2 pts. The rest--Core.

And you didn't invite us over? Jim and I would have loved that. Although, I'd skip the fennel, add garlic, and definitely go with the crushed red pepper. Ohhhhh....and maybe some lovely italian blend mozarella/romano/parmesan veggie shred blend. Yummmmo!

The telephone company declared my line clear. I have to call them to tell them the speed is still slower than dial up. We bought a new surge protector for the computer which I'm going to hook up now. I'll try to be back later.

Oh yeah.....my eating stunk today at lunch. I did, however, weigh in today and I lost .6. I've just been trying to eat a bit less and not eat so late after dinner. It seems to be helping a bit.

Hey ladies! I thought I'd poke my nose in here and see if anyone I recognized was still here. Lo and behold, I see some of the old regulars! :)

I have had a hard last 1/2 a year, with dh losing his job etc etc. I have used the ensuing stress as an excuse to let my eating go, and because of that, surprise, surprise, I am up at least 10-15 pounds off my WW goal. I am feeling pretty disgusted with myself right now, but once I decided to stop the madness, I knew right where to come for loving support. :hug:

I need to find ways to deal with stress without eating, and find a way to feed myself and my family healthily, but on a low budget. I know I have some challenges, but I feel confident that I can at least do better than I was.

Vickie, I'm so happy to see you here especially. I'm glad you haven't given up...and I loved the Christmas card with the adorable Scotties! You guys are the best!

Angela

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would check in for a few.
WELCOME BACK AGHIOWA
VICKIE Hope you get your computer problems worked out soon. How is hubby doing. Hope he is getting along ok. Congrats on the loss. That is great.
ONTARGET the sausage sounds good. Will have to try it.
TEJAS How are you doing. Did you have a good trip.
Well I did lose the 2.2 lbs that I gained last week. Guess there was problems with the scales last week. Seemed everyone was gaining. So they changed the scales. And they were working better for everyone.
Guess tomorrow will have to run some errends.
And then the rest of the week try and get everything else done. Still have to decorate some. Wrap packages. Clean the house. Stuff like that.
Am thinking of each of you.
coco

:welcome: back, Angela!!!! What a great surprise to see you here. You're right. This is the best place to come for support.

Vickie, your version of sausage sounds good. Curtis just told me he doesn't want me to ever make any more. He didn't like it at all. He's normally not picky. Guess it was his turn.

Speaking of Curtis--he lost over 3 lbs this week. I gained almost 2. I am my highest weight since over a year and a half ago. So? My eating fiasco is over. Our leader gave each of us a "jingle bell" to use as an anchor during the holidays. I'm going to put mine on some curling ribbon and make me a necklace. I'm going to jingle myself back into shape.

Welcome back Angela...and good luck Sandra....you'll make it!!

I'm really, really tired tonight, so I'm just saying "hi." I had a great trip, a late night, and a full day today....nitey nite!!

Rhonda

Hello ladies I am back. Life has been crazy for me. My father has lung cancer and I have been dealing with that. He finally has a very competent doctor and is in good hands so now I have time to come back.
Congratulations to everyone who lost and good luck this week to anyone struggling. Don't beat yourselves up. Remember we are all human and face struggles and we are trying to learn to deal with them in a way that is best for each of us.
I do hope everyone is doing well. I sure like the little book I got at my meeting, it makes me excited, even though not much has changed. I am learning to eat on Core and so I have some ups and downs.
I am supposed to get weighed tonight but have a Christmas concert to go to.
Maybe I can go to a meeting Thursday or Friday.
Have a wonderful day everyone. I have missed you all.
Take Care
Ann

Hello Ann! It's funny that your post is the first I read in this thread, because I'm having a very difficult time this week. I haven't been eating well at all this week and last night... I had a binge. That's a very very VERY difficult thing for me to admit here, because I've read through other posts here about binge eating and people are all like "how can I stop this???" and I think to myself JUST STOP. But I realize now that it's not that easy. At least it wasn't for me yesterday. It was like I was outside of myself, like I had no control over what I was doing; something or someone else just took over and moved the ME that would NOT have eaten those things to the passenger's seat and took the wheel. :(

I woke up sad and SOOOO disappointed in myself, but determined to not let this stretch out into the rest of the week OR turn myself into some kind of person with an eating disorder, restricting my food and/or exercising like crazy to counteract what I ate. I'm just trying to tell myself "today is a new day", move on and return to Core and all the good things I had been doing prior to this week. Please keep me in your thoughts, I know that you guys can relate to what I'm going through. I just hope I can move on from this... I'm so close to my goal, I don't want to be derailed.

The month in general has been pretty stressful... I'll just be happy when this week is over.

And Ann I'm sorry to hear about your father. I hope he makes it through okay...

A good day to all! Happy Thoughts!

Cammie, you are so close to your goal. Give yourself credit for how well you have done.....yeah you. You have done awesome.
I find if I plan out my eating it works better for me than if I have no planned eating. When I leave things to chance it becomes a disaster for me.

Good luck, I will keep you in my thoughts. I am sending you positive power dust so you make positive choices for the majority of your day....Go Cammie.

Everyone else have a great day too.
Take Care
Ann

Ann,
Thanks for reminding me about planning. I, too, make much better food choices if I plan it out in advance.

My friend came to visit today and brought me a box of clementines! Yay - what a nice Core present. :D

I plan on having one or two of those for a snack today.

Time to fold laundry,
Angela

Oh YAY! Welcome back, Angela. I was hoping my card would remind you of us. You'll be ok if you just get back on program and don't ignore the warning bells going off with your gain.

I can't stay now. I just came to read and catch up for two minutes. I need to plan my cookies and make a shopping list for later. Then I've got to work on my budget and paperwork. Then wrap. Drumroll please. I think I'm going to bake on Saturday and Sunday which will minimize the amount of time the stuff is in the house and my will power is weak.

Hey Sandra, BTW, I don't have a street address for you anymore now that you've moved.

Oh boy, I needed those posts about binge eating. I'm just about to go out for a party and the hostess is a fabulous cook and will have all kinds of "bad" food out!

Ann, I'm sorry about your father. It will make a lot of difference to have a doctor that your father trusts. They can't work miracles, but good physicians are really a blessing.

I can't believe that I have only two more days to work before the holiday time starts. I'm going to be either cleaning house OR watching movies OR sleeping for two weeks!

Gotta run...

Rhonda

Ann, I am so glad to see you back here. That is good news about your dad's getting a doctor that he likes. That's very important.

My binge ended day before yesterday. I am feeling more like my old self already. I am really a food aholic. Now I'm out of that gutter and plan to stay sober.

Vickie, sounds like you have a good plan.

Ann, you're right. We need plans.

Rhonda, how did you do at the party. I just noticed your tracker is halfway to your goal. Congratulations.

Cammie, great to see you.

Ann, I'm so sorry about your Dad. Mine, too, had lung cancer. I understand emotional eating completely. It is one of my biggest struggles. We are pretty much all emotional eaters here. I try to come here when I'm scared or worried instead of eating. These ladies don't even know how many times they saved me.

Sandra, one meal at a time. A lapse is not a collapse. That's my favorite saying by my Leader.

Rhonda, are you completely well now?

Angela, how are you doing? It's not easy getting back on program during the holidays but I know you can. I ate a piece of Hershey's chocolate yesterday and was disgusted at myself for eating it. It was mindless and it didn't even taste that good.

Well Chicks....Jim has PT this morning and I'll be wrapping packages right after breakfast. I've got the next 4 days all plotted out on my calendar. Busy, busy, busy. I have a sit down dinner party to go to on Friday. She's serving beef tenderloin which I'm sure will be fabulous. It's the non-Core sides that I'm worried about. But....I'm allowing myself some treats at that meal and on Christmas day too. My Sister cooks pretty healthy and we are having ham so much of it will be Core.

I'm baking on Saturday and Sunday. That will be a test for me. Jim is licking his chops. I'm known for my baking. Probably part of the reason that I have 120 pounds to lose?!

Drink as much water as you can to flush any bad stuff down that you are eating.

Hello ladies, I just typed a long post and lost it. Why do I do this to myself, I do know better.
Thank you for all your kind thoughts. You are all so supportive.

Rhonda, I do hope you are feeling better. Hopefully you will get to relax for the next couple of weeks.

Vickie, sorry about your dad. I do hope Jim is doing well. It is awesome you will get to bake. My DH loves to bake and I love to cook. We make a great team.

Cammie, how are you doing?

Sandra, I do hope you are on plan today and are enjoying your day.

Hello to Coco, Patti, and Angela, and anyone else out there. Have a great day.
Take Care
Ann

Hi all. I can't stay - I'm working this afternoon. I'm actually a substitute paraprofessional in the schools. It's pretty fun to get paid for doing what I would normally do anyway! (volunteering at school).

I am doing well with my eating. I went grocery shopping and stocked up on a few essentials (salad, bananas, cottage cheese) and I'm raring to go. :)

Gotta go,
Angela

Much much better today! Thank you so much for asking! Last night as I was walking home thinking about what I was going to eat for dinner I really literally stopped in the middle of the street and said NO! You can turn this around right now, you don't have to continue to binge and eat bad things. So I went home, made my meal, whole wheat pasta with homemade meat sauce, a mini bag of popcorn and that was that. I reread the first few chapters of the Beck book and decided to rededicate myself to this. I got up and worked out this morning , ate breakfast at home AND touched NOTHING but fruit at my departments quarterly breakfast catered meeting. No powdered eggs, french toast and sausage for me. Just some pineapple slices.

It's hard. I still have bad foods on my mind, but I'm getting better. Today is a new day. Thank you all for your concern, I really do appreciate it. I hope to get some of your names down and respond directly as you guys do in this thread. :)

Ann, I hate when that happens.

Cammie, no one ever got fat from thinking about bad foods...so think away. Congratulations to both you and Angela for getting back on program during the holidays.

I've done well so far today. Back to wrapping before I go out to dinner.

Vickie, I have a lot of weight to lose and am not even known for my cooking. I'm just known for my eating. Another saying, "A minute on the lip; forever on the hip." And another favorite of mine: "Sit down and eat with dignity." If we're going to indulge in something, we should enjoy it with dignity.

Cammie, I'm the old archer here. That's why I have the username I have. Vickie's right--it doesn't hurt to think about decadent foods. Congratulations on getting back OP.

Rhonda, how's your day, Cuz? When are you going to DC? I can't remember. I do remember Feb = Israel. We're having our family Christmas get together this Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing family but am dreading temptations. Oh, well, life goes on.

Angela, it's so good to have you back here. I am proud of you for coming back and getting OP before you regained much. You get an "Atta-girl."

Hi Everyone
Just a quick check in. And to say "HI"
NEWLIFESTYLE I am sorry to hear about your Dad. Glad he found a good Dr. that means alot. I will keep you and your Dad in my prayers.
I am thinking of each of you.
Need to go and read all the post. So I can get updated on each of you.
So everyone have a great night.
Will be back tomorrow. When I can be on here longer.
coco
P. S. Has anyone ever fixed fresh salmon. My Dad is going to get some. And was wondering how to fix it. Thought maybe one of you might know. If not I will browse the internet for a recipe. Thanks.

Thanks for the "atta-girl" Sandra. It's a long time in coming. :) I went out and bought myself some new pants today with a gift card I had. My thinking behind it was if I have to be this size right now (not for long hopefully) at least I can feel decent while I'm working on it. The pants I was wearing were too small, and uncomfortable, and I knew they looked bad. And the bigger ones I had were terribly out of style and made me even more uncomfortable! :lol:

I am doing well with my eating today too. What I have decided will work in my budget is this: I will have a decent size portion of whatever low-cost entrees I feed my family. I will augment this with extra veggies/salad or whatever healthy side we may be having. If I am feeling like a snack, I will offer myself a fruit/veggie. If I don't feel like fruit/veggie, than I'm not really that hungry. :) I am also allowing myself one treat a day, but only one, and I have to plan for it. I know this isn't really Core, but I think it will have to work for me right now, with the constraints we have.

Anyway, I did well - I avoided all the junk the kids brought home from their school holiday parties. Another thing I have done for myself is quit playing the video game I am addicted to. I realized recently that about the time I started playing it seriously is the time I started regaining my weight. Coincidence? Probably not. Plus it leaves me with a lot more free time. It's scary how addicted you can get to a video game. In fact, I will admit this to you ladies, because I know you are not judgemental. I had trouble sleeping last night because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Ugh, my girls seem to be having a lot of trouble falling asleep, even though I know they're exhausted. It's probably because of all that sugar they had today. :0

Has anyone heard anything from Melissa? She's had the baby by now, right?

Okay, I'm off to watch a movie with dh.

See you all tomorrow,
Angela

Angela, Melissa checked in recently. She's going to come back after her baby arrives.

It sounds like you have a good plan. I did the same as you and bought 2 pairs of larger pants the other day. Best thing I've bought myself in a long time. Having them has relieved some pressure and much discomfort. I think I look better, too. I'm not built for tight fitting jeans any more. (If I ever was.)

Wow, I've just read all the posts and am exhausted!! ;)

It's really good to have more activity on the Board. I'm sure it helps each of us to hear how others are doing and what's working (or not!). We can all do this.

I was OK but not great at the party, but there weren't a lot of Core choices. There weren't even any carrot sticks! Today has been decent enough.

I started my list for baking. I think that I will just make a few things that I really like and not worry about it too much. I'm going to be all right if I can keep the candy out of the house. And, since DH hates shopping, I can just refuse to buy it.

Again, it's really nice to hear from so many of us now...keep it up!!

Rhonda


Sandra, I went to DC last weekend...had fun with my niece for her belated 50th birthday. I can't I have nieces and nephews in their 50's...I was born late in the family, with much older siblings.

Good morning Chicks! I'm up in the wee hours. I couldn't sleep and now I woke up Jim AND the dog. I'll be calling the doctor later to see if he will give me a couple days more of my antibiotic to get me through Christmas. I don't want to have to go to urgent care over the holidays.

We have to drive a long way to a dinner party tonight. I'm really going to have to get a nap to pull it off.

I hope you are all sound asleep in dreamland. I'll probably start the actual wrapping in a little while. Last night I just finished putting presents in boxes with tissue. Thank God we are retired.

Drink your water. The doctor has me taking mucinex so it's making me dry which is helping me to drink more water.

Angela, Sandra is right. You have developed a great plan that will work for you in your current situation. You are to be commended and admired. It'll be Core enough for now. Not using the emotional stress and lack of funds as an excuse takes courage. I'm including your DH in my prayers that he finds employment soon.

Rhonda, I'm trying to bake less this year too. I'm only baking those things that everyone swears they can't make as good as me. I think it's a racket! There's a large gap between me and my Sisters as well. My oldest Sisters children are only 11, 7, and 5 years younger than me. I'm already a Great Aunt 9 times! We'll I've always been a great Aunt, but now it's official.

Sandra, you are a positive force and i know you will be back in the groove soon.

Coco, I don't eat fish at home because Honey Lamb won't eat it and hates the smell. I do, however, eat it out at restaurants and I enjoy salmon regularly. I always order it broiled either dry or with a bit of olive oil. It is such a fatty fish that it doesn't really need any oil. I love it because it gets a little crispy. I hope you enjoy it. It is Core and is amazingly good for us because of the Omega 3 oils.

Good Morning:

You were up early this AM Vickie. I woke up at 6AM but managed another hour's sleep. I'm a great aunt 10 times over and I'm a great, great aunt once. One of my nieces gave me a sweat shirt with "world's coolest aunt" emblazoned on the front for my 60th. So, you know what I gave her for her 50th don't you. I just hope the other nieces don't get jealous!

Coco, salmon is easy to grill or broil. You can even pan "fry" it. It's good with lemon, or with dill.

I've got another long day, but not too strenuous. LAST DAY of work for two weeks!!!!! :dance:

Rhonda

Im off for two weeks myself now......that is great BUT so hard to stay out of the cupboards. Im making some plans for after the holidays to keep busy and getting some more yarn to make another afghan...keeps my fingers busy at night.
Off to bake and cook and clean and.......haha you get the picture..

:dance: :dance: :dance:

I'm off from work! Hooray!! Ok, I'm off to run a few errands myself. Off to the grocery store, etc.

Did I tell you all that Toronto got lots of snow last Sunday...it's a big mess here. Almost all of my Christmas decorations are in a shed in the back yard and the snow has drifted over the door. I am NOT digging it out, and I'm not asking DH to do it either. We'll make do with what is out now.

Rhonda

Hi Everyone
Not much going on here.
Been busy today. But cant really tell anything I did.
Did get the bathroom all cleaned. New shower curtain up. And soap thing out. Need to see if I got a couple of snowmen decorations that I can put on my shelf in the bathroom.
Did some cleaning in the kitchen. But cant tell.
Wrapped our son's gifts. So Santa can bring them now. Our son is in his 20's. And he still wants Santa to bring his gifts.
Now to get everyone else's done.Will work on them some tomorrow. And finish them up on Sunday.
Well I am going to get off here for now.
Got to go and get a couple more things done before bedtime. Actually I could take a nap now.
I am thinking of each of you.
Thanks for the ideas about the salmon.
Night
coco

I'm here. I posted about an hour ago but it didn't go through. Since then I've cooked and eaten dinner. I'm op!!

I guess Vickie's already left for her dinner party.

Rhonda, what all did you decide to cook? I'm not going to cook anything. Guess I'm a fuddy duddy. We're going out with family Sunday then having a get together afterwards with desserts. My sil is making it. Am I spoiled or what?

Coco, that's cute about your son's wanting Santa. My bro and I used to hunt Easter eggs when we were in our 40's. Some of us don't want to grow up.

Wow! No one has been here yet today. I'm busy so I guess all of you are too. I've baked a batch of chocolate chip with nuts and chocolate caramel bars and wrapped a couple of packages. So far...so good with eating.

The party was awesome last night. There was a lot of Core food but most was not. I was as good as I could be. I thought of Frouf since they had lox and cream cheese balls. I miss her.

I'll be back later.

Okay, I am officially done shopping, which is good since a winter storm is moving in to the area even as I speak. We could get up to 8 inches of snow, I heard. I'm thinking it won't be that much, but you never know.

My arms and hands ache because yesterday dh and I hacked, chipped and heaved huge slabs of ice off the driveway. We had that terrible ice storm a while ago, and had never cleared the driveway. It was about 4" thick. Ugh. But at least it's clear now so we have some kind of chance of getting the snow off.

So for Christmas my sister is making my mom a quilt, and we are all supposed to sign a block and write something nice. I wrote a poem for her. It's kinda sappy, but I like it. Here it is:

Mother and Daughter
My sunrise came, you carried me
and sheltered me from ill,
As years passed by, you set me free
to grow and learn free will.

When I grew up and moved away
You stayed beside me then
I found that you were human too
And had become my friend!

Time moved on, my children learned
that all good things I do,
To teach and love and understand;
These things, I learned from you.

When generations pass through time
And you need shelter too
When in the sunset of your life,
It's then I'll carry you.


So anyway, that's it. Ooh, now it's sleeting outside. Glad I'm home. I'm doing well with eating still.

I miss Frouf too Vickie...wonder how she's doing.

Angela

Hi Everyone.
Just thought I would get on here for a few. Taking a few minutes break.
Then got a couple more things to do before bedtime.
AGHIOWA The poem is beautiful. Hope you dont get too much ice and snow.
VICKIE Your cookies sound good. Hope you are doing ok.
ONTARGET how are you doing. Are you having good weather.
TEJAS hope you are enjoying your days off.
P.A hope you are also enjoying your days off.
Well better get off here.
I am thinking of each of you.
Have a wonderful evening.
coco

Vickie, now I'm hungry for cookies. :hungry: I'll bet Jim's been hanging around the kitchen being your tester. Ahhhhhhhh.

Angela, that's good that you finished shopping before your weather deteriorated. Congratulations on being OP. Your mother is going to love the poem. You are a very talented chickie.

Coco, we're having super high winds this afternoon/evening. Gusts up to 40 mph. I'm hanging around inside the condo cuz I'm still sick. I looked online and saw the pollen count is high and is mainly cedar/juniper. Guess what I'm allergic to?

So far so good with the eating. We're meeting family at Olive Garden tomorrow. I need to go surf to see what would be best for me to eat. I want more than salad.

Hi All:

Aw, Angela, that's sweet...your Mom will love it!

I made fudge, date squares, bourbon balls and cookies. I ate a date square and a piece of fudge. That's all. I'm not even very tempted. But, I did buy ribbon candy and chocolate. That is dangerous and I might have to hide it from myself.

Anyway, the goodies will mostly go to my former in-laws. Since she can't bake anymore, I try to make sure they have something for Christmas.

Ah, Sandra, I can smell that cedar all the way up here. Achoo!

Night all,
Rhonda

Good morning everyone.
I do hope you all have a wonderful holiday.
Sorry I am not posting much, I just find I am so busy.
I just wanted to remind everyone that this has been an awesome year for all of us. we have had many success and even some not so successful times, but we have learned from all this. I hope everyone has the best Christmas yet and that your new year is awesome.
Take Care
Ann