thank you, kathy. we hope so, too. maybe we'll be core maniacs again tomorrow.

Evening gals! I've been pretty bad today too. I think it MUST be something going around. Actually, I'm just a little sick with a cold, which always makes me want to pig out on bad carbs.

Kathy, I made your easy 5 can Mexican soup tonight. Wow, it is easy! And it was tasty too, although next time I'll use the Rotel mild I think. I'm such a wimp about spicy stuff, and it's hard on the kids too!

I promise to be good tomorrow and eat well. I'm going to bed now, as it's my bedtime (after 10). Talk to you all tomorrow.

Angela

Hey all.....even with me the day was awful.....try as I might I couldn't get it right yesterday....Melissa I feel for you as far as work goes ... I too have one of those unappreciated jobs...I work my a$$ off everday for the good of the Company and it pisses me off that "it's expected" ...... an atta girl every once in a while would be nice.
Then I get pissed and I stress eat......that is how it's been for me even counting.
Kathy I didn't know you were lowcarbing in a sense, guess it's the closest thing to WW core plan.
So today is the First Day of Summer......start anew....seems some of us had messed up day or two....good to know we are not alone :-)
Now I am challenging myself to be at my goal by the end of summer Sept 21St....I think that is enough time???? As they say....if you work IT.....IT works!!
Good Luck today.....Lj.

Hi all!
I'm sure having trouble keeping up with this thread. I just don't have enough hours in my day to keep reading through it all, sadly.

However, I did want to report in that I had an idea for a "cheesecake" crust of sorts that I may try putting into action today!
I was thinking of putting puffed wheat cerial in my food processor (probably at least 1 1/2 cups?) and then adding 3T (1T = 0 points and certainly you would not have more than 1T per serving) and adding Splenda and 2 - 3 tsp canola oil. Then, I would pulse in the food processor until it's grainy in appearance. After that, I would put it in a small bowl and add enough sugar free maple syrup to make it all stick together and press it into the bottom of a pie pan or spring form pan. Then, mix 2 packages of sf, ff Jello Cheesecake (or any other flavor you choose) flavored pudding with 4 cups of plain, ff, sf, yogurt and spread over the crust. You could add the fruit of your choice over top or just use ff, cool whip?
I have not tried it yet and don't have the measurements down of how much to use, but I think this would make a great core crust that could also be used for other things as well? Any ideas of what else could go into it or on it that are CORE?
Also, I've been thinking about shredded wheat and how similar it is to my beloved (but not core) Triscuit crackers. I was thinking of pulsing shredded wheat cerial in my food processor and adding a few ingrediants to make it into something I could bake to make some kind of interesting and good tasting cracker. I'm working this out in my head and haven't yet come up with the right idea. I will though!
Hope you are all doing ok!
Linda in NH

Morning everyone!

Whew! You guys do move fast!!!

Eating went well yesterday......thank goodness!

Can anyone tell me to find the 5 can Mexican soup? It sounds yummy!

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

I'll pop in later - after I get my teens moving!

The Mexican soup recipe is on our recipe board under the Soups category.

Someone could probably give you a link to it - I'm not sure how...

Here it is as I remember though:

1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
1 can water (from tomato soup can)
1 can ff chicken broth
1 can Mexicorn
1 can chicken

I guess that's 6 cans if you count the water. Just stir it together and heat it up. Easy as that! (It's Kathy's recipe - she made it up)

I'm heading out to the natural history museum and to visit my younger sister today with the kiddos, my mom and brother. What an outing! Anyway, the glands in my neck just started hurting like the dickens this morning. Ow! If it doesn't get better by tomorrow, I'll be in to see the dr.

Later!
Angela

Good morning, all! What a super day here that I'm having! Can you believe I'm down another 2 this morning? I tell you what ... there is really some benefit to sticking to a plan! What took me so long?? (Oh wait, I remember ... it was seeing the scale on Saturday morning.)

I went ahead and brought my lunch today just so I wouldn't be left with nothing to eat in case the catered lunch doesn't suit me. I love Schlotzskys but no way in heck would I be tempted to eat it because I refuse to undo the last three good days with just one meal. Tonight the party after work will be grilled burgers, brats, and lots of beer. I can have a burger with lettuce and tomato, etc. and brought a cooler to take my own Diet A&W, Coke Zero, and lots of water. I'm not staying very long so I can get home to feed the pups and watch basketball.

Angela, that's rotten about your glands. I hope you're better soon! I'm glad you liked the soup. I guess it would actually be Six Can Soup, but I had assembled five cans on the counter (didn't count refilling the tomato soup can with water). We could just call it Mexican Dump Soup! Or ... maybe not.

I'm off to see what trouble I can get into! Back later ...

I think it's hysterical that NH Linda and Cindy think the board is moving fast and the rest of us think it's dead!!!!

Good Morning, Everyone! I'm just trying to finish out this week being as Core as possible.

Cindy, the recipe for Kathy's soup is on our recipe board but I don't remember what category it is under.

NH Linda, I can't help you out too much with creating recipes. I'm a recipe kind of girl. I'm like Melissa. I'll tweak a bit once I have a recipe but I probably won't create one from scratch. The stuff you're talking about sounds cool to me but they would definitely be red light trigger foods for me so I'll probably not indulge.

Linda, everyone needs to be appreciated. Maybe you should look for a job where they'll appreciate you. You always talk about being tied to your desk and that the job makes you stress eat. Maybe your body is trying to tell you something!

Angela, I'll have to look at Kathy's soup recipe again. I need some new things for lunch. I'm tired of the same old same old. Poor thing. You still can't shake that cold, huh? Isn't it awful how they hang on sometimes? I think what I'm feeling is TOM related. Between that and my eating this week (which will continue tomorrow at the ballgame), this weigh in is not likely to be pretty. I'm just trying to eat as many Core meals as possible between now and then.

Melissa, the wheels on your little wagon are flat from all of us having to flop back on there today! I never think you are whining. Venting is good. Sometimes while venting you actually come up with the solution to your problem. Remember (not that you asked ) that after we stress eat the problem is still there and so is the bloat/weight. I'm still in the middle of my lifelong search to find an alternative to stress eating because I do it myself. So far, all I've come up with is other distractions like bubble baths, reading, and coming to talk with all of you. I'm not trying to be a know it all. Just wishing myself that I hadn't spent so many years doing it myself and eating myself up to 307 pounds. I hear the pain in your voice and wish there was something active that I could do to help.

Sandra, will we be Core maniacs together today?

Kath, I'm glad your plan is working. I can imagine how I'd feel if I were you and reapproaching 160 or whatever the scare weight will be for me when I get there. You are doing great even though I know you don't feel like you are sometimes. At least your brakes are working. Mine didn't used to...that's part of how I ended up at 307. Maybe if I say 307 enough it will keep me focused. I DO NOT EVER want to go back there.

Well, I have to exercise yet and get those meals planned. After today, we won't be home for dinner again until Saturday. Dear Lord, this isn't going to be easy.

Have a great day!

Ouch, Angela. I had that a couple of months ago. I couldn't get rid of it and I finally had to take antibiotics. The weird thing was that the glands were really my only symptom except for a headache. Don't wait too long like I did.

Kathy, WOO HOO!!! So what were you down to this moring? 151? You could be below 150 by Saturday if you keep it up. Too bad I'm not willing to give up my carbs. Have fun today.

Nope, still 153. I didn't change my ticker -- but I have been working off of the highest: Saturday 159, Sunday 157, Monday 155, and today 153. I haven't missed carbs at all, in fact I've stayed more satisfied and full since Saturday. I think my blood sugar might be starting to level off too. Fruit and potatoes and rice and pasta ... all that. I'm still getting in plenty of vegetables, lean meat, etc. It also might be in the beverage department where I'm gaining ground. I've had all my water, but no real cokes or beer or juices. And even though I know it's not fat I'm losing just yet, I am amazed that the water weight is coming off this fast. It sure does keep me motivated!

Hey, Kathy, take advantage of whatever motivation you have. I know I'll hear you in Chicago the day you get on the scale and it says 149. I'll be that loud when I step on the scale and it says 199. I haven't been in the 100's in many, many years! Unfortunately, even that is very, very far away.

I think all that "off track" eating was due to a change of season - right? I'm sure we can all get back on our plans for the "summer"!

Melissa - I feel for you and understand how you are feeling - once you get that "taste" it is sometimes hard to get back to healthy eating. I don't know if fasting is the answer - maybe more water and small snacks instead of meals? (all core of course!). Hang in there!

Angela - poor you - hope you do not get any worse and are feeling better soon. Have fun at the museum!

Vickie - can't wait to hear the results from your appt on Thursday - good luck w/the hair. I have an appt on SATURDAY and can't wait as my hair is too long and unmanageable and takes soooo long to blow dry! Good luck w/your eating plan for the game and dinner - take it ONE MEAL AT A TIME! (you can always just ask for oil & vinegar and make your own dressing?)

Kathy - the incredible shrinking woman! Wow - you are on a roll and I can see it's very motivating - keep up the good work!

As for all those coke products - I'm sure you realize we have none of that up here! We do have the "silver" can diet coke and I am shocked to hear of a splenda version - and of course it will probably be years before we see any Coke Zero here! (I did find something new the other day - diet pepsi w/lime - pretty good). I am sure that on my upcoming trip to the sunshine state I will be able to find these exciting products and will definitely try them out! (dare I smuggle some across the border? )

Had just fruit at my "dessert party" last night but was hungry before bed so I had some milk and cereal. So I'm in the kitchen and notice dd EATING MY LUNCH I HAD PACKED FOR TODAY!!! - she smiles sheepishly and says do you want to the rest? Like no - it's half gone! I was so CRANKY - but tried not to freak out. Of course my first instinct was to feel bad for myself and just forget about it - but I knew that would be trouble!

Found 4 hb eggs in the fridge so mashed those up w/lf mayo for a vat of egg salad. I am able to buy a tossed salad downstairs as a "side" and that should do it! (but I really had my heart set on the pasta/sauce/chicken leftovers!)

I am also finding it hard today as my first instinct was muffin and coffee - but I stayed strong. Hoping to walk today - maybe at lunch (altho it's supposed to be around 30 degrees!) or if not later tonight when it cools down.

Anna - welcome back and glad you had a fun and busy holiday!

Cindy - hope you are enjoying your long vacation! Any plans?

LindaNH - I am impressed with your "creativity" - let us know how your recipes turn out!

Well almost lunchtime and I'm starving!

Later,

Froufie

Frouf, you sound VERY strong today. Tha's good! DD sure loves to yank your tail, doesn't she?! Could she possibly have NOT known that she was eating your lunch. I probably would have been a very bad Mother and freaked. The egg salad sounds good though. I might make some for myself today. I'm afraid that my cooked roast turkey has been in the freezer too long. I might need a plan "B". I'm very proud of you for not indulging in the muffin. Good job! I bet they will have oil and vinegar. Jim is suggesting that we bring an ice chest to put my teeny tiny cup of salad dressing in. I don't know how I managed to get such a great husband. Gotta go get on the treadmill. I promised him I'd get on while he was out shopping! He's been gone since 10:00!

good morning, girls. i'm ready to be a core maniac. if food had been drugs, i'd have od'd yesterday. but--i did get my fruit and veggies eaten. that's a plus. today i'm re-dedicated. i've been enjoying reading your posts this morning. that's very "calming" for me. just knowing you're all in this with me helps tremendously. but i know ya'll already feel the same. good place to be, isn't it?

frouf, congratulations on responding instead of reacting to your lost lunch. that's very important. egg salad sounds good, too. i'm out of eggs. i'm also out of diet cokes. it's definitely time to go to the store.

kathy, what % of our bodies is water weight? i can't remember but i do know it's a large %. i'd take a water loss anytime. congratulations. you're very dedicated. have fun tonight at the party.

lindanh, let us know how the recipes come out. after yesterday i may have to wait awhile to try them. i'm thinking of cutting down on the carbs (cept for my fruit). i have to have fruit in the summer.

angela, does your sister work there or are ya'll all meeting there for an outing? i hope your neck feels better. i had to get an ortho pillow. (i'm old.) it sure helps me.

linda, it's good to see you. are you still eating basically core even though you're counting pts?

cindy, thank you for asking about the soup recipe. i think i'll try it today. i have all the ingredients.

got to go. i need to start lunch. the soup sounds good. that's on the menu for today for sure. i'll be back later.

No, dd did not eat my lunch on purpose - and as you know this has happened in the past, so I guess I should be extra diligent and put my name on the tupperware (and something like "KEEP OUT OR ELSE") so there are no misunderstandings.

So co-worker tells me it's around 22 degrees outside - so I'm thinking I really should be OUT WALKING - this would be perfect walking weather and even tho I"m STARVING I can walk and eat later. So out come the runners, walkman and off I go.

After the first 2 minutes I realize there is no way it is 22 degrees - definitely WARMER but there is a nice breeze so I continue. Of course at the 20 min mark I am expiring and had to slow down the rest of the way - came in pretty red and hot! But I am proud to say I did get my 30 min walk in already so this takes some of the pressure off.

Had my vat of egg salad (I ate 4 eggs - isn't that absurd?) and bought some cut up veggies (celery, carrot sticks, brocolli, cauliflower) and just finished 4 huge slices of pineapple and I am stuffed. But not having much luck w/my water so need to increase that for sure!

Vickie - I bet you could even bring your own "oil & vinegar & spices" concoction and that would not need to be refrigerated? (as we normally would not keep oil or vinegar in the fridge?) Do you have one of those insulated lunch bags? That would work w/the small amount of dressing in a container w/a small ice pack? But I'm sure you will figure something out as we all know you are very determined!

Thinking of making that mexican bow ties casserole thing for dinner - I think I have most of the ingredients and can "fake" the rest!

Frouf