How do they taste??

They're delicious ... very light and cakelike ... I was really going for a dense chewy blondie but these are workable. Wondering if the sugar content is too high ... would be good with brown rice (low glycemic) or honey (lower than sugar, anyway) or just cut the sweetening in half altogether. But I need something sweet if I'm going to give up candy.

Ok, back to work!

Hmmm. I think these are basically a madeline type thingie!

Ok, three in a row ... was wondering if anyone else is experiencing a rise in obscene spam that is picking up on words or ideas they've just posted on this site ... I have all sorts of privacy and spam protection but it's not stopping it ... and it's repeating things I've posted here, almost instantly in some cases ... anyone else notice this or am I paranoid? It's only recently that I've gotten any spam at all that got past the blocker ... you know I don't really mind insurance ads or whatnot in my inbox but filth and obscenity really bother me!

Food for thot . I do get a lot of spam but hadn't noticed that it was linked to here...although this is the only forum I belong to....I get a lot of body part enhancements...with strange spellings and punctuations, and anything addressed to ceara I delete right away. I don't need viagra or its relatives yet...Dh is fine and I've not got the pertinant equipment...of course the email I use is S-O- antiquated that I can't block subject stuff....it is a symptom of carrying a sword you know...

I have an appointment with an ob/gyn on Tuesday...5 weeks of this is enough and as I said to my GP...if you were bleeding from your p***s for this long you would have done something! After he killed himself laughing, he agreed and voila! Pays to have an in with the guy...So I am to be assessed with possible surgery if appropriate. At least this guy will do a hysto if necessary...none of this "Well this area is too high statistically in that type of surgery and I can't do it" mentality. Like do you have to have no red blood left or what?

So amidst dr's appts and people in hosp (Gramma is home finally) and people & my dog dying my life sounds like a C & W song...I should get Cerise to sing it for me...after the Blues!!!!

Love you guys....can feel the vibes!

Ceara

Ahhhhh. I just woke up an hour ago. Yes, at the obscene hour of 1pm. Geez. I'm keeping hysterical self-reproach (my grandmother, for instance, is turning in her grave) at bay by telling myself firmly that I needed it. And indeed I did.


So, here I sit with a lovely breakfast in my tummy (edamame, vitamin pills, and my favorite: oatmeal with raisins and milk and honey. The ultimate comfort food), "Chocolat" soundtrack playing, my favorite coffee (what kind doesn't matter as long as it's French-pressed) in my favorite mug on my favorite mug-warmer (humankind's best invention to date), my second glass of ice-water almost gone, and you. The week from ****'s over and you helped sustain me. Thank God the company lets me check in on you during the day. So, there's a list of things I adore in life. Do I sound like the world's biggest nerd or a true Epicurean? I think the latter. Epicureanism's a big thing with me. I'm the one you see in a restaurant closing my eyes with every bite.

I've stayed OP all week so far. Can you believe it? This from the woman who hates food journalling. WW points-counting is keeping one thing in my life Under Control, and the feeling of having my eating going so well has really kept the week from being impossibly negative for me. The only thing that doesn't resonate with me with WW is the fact that I'm an aspiring whole-foods eater, and a lot of cherished foods for WW veterans are low in points but heavily processed. It's just a little more challenging, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting less to eat because I want to eat real food, not fat-free cheese slices and sugar-free fudge bars. No offense to those that eat that food (hey, I still eat the odd Twinkie - I'm by no means cured!), and I won't completely abstain from it, but it's a food choice I made a long time ago and I'm desperately trying to make a real habit in my life. I'm glad that eating less has brought into focus the fact the I want the little food (or so it seems to me right now) that I eat to be as nutritious as it can be. I was hoping that food-journalling would help me in this, and it seems to be working. Anyway, sermon over.

Kaylets, your thoughts are just exactly what has been bothering me lately. About free food, and why we don't eat the foods we don't eat. I was grappling with the free food thing at work during the holiday season. As soon as I saw the email: "chocolate from [insert vendor name here] now in the Trading Area." I would think that I'd better get over there and have a piece. Just because it was there. Will I ever learn? But then, I'd remember what I think you said once, that totally abstaining from the candy dish (or whatever) was easier than taking a taste and then trying to stay away after that. It helped, but then I'm not against having a piece of chocolate if it's good quality. I think it's good for you. It also helps that I'm a total chocolate snob - I won't eat it if it's not fine. No M&M's for me. More epicureanism to brighten your day. About the Foods We Won't Eat thing, I'm mystified by that. Why don't we just say "those cookies aren't good for me" and leave it at that? When I find that a food's not vegetarian, like it has beef broth or rennet or gelatin in it, it's like turning a switch in my head. I won't consider eating it, and I don't even want it anymore. Why can't I be that way with French Fries? Or Twinkies? They have absolutely no redeeming qualities...but I love to eat them. Crap.

Amarantha, I'm going to try your Blondies-cum-Madeleines recipe. I think I'll even get a Madeleine baking tin to put them in. Except that I've never used protein powder and will have to Buy a New Kind of Food (always hard for me - I haven't even tried cooking with seitan yet). For an Epicurean, I'm a real . I always DO try new things eventually, though, so I'm not a total loss. Thank you for the recipe, dear.

Punkin, Light of My Life, thank you for reminding me on Friday that it was Friday. It's hard to remember when you're in a working frenzy, isn't it? I'm sorry about your meltdown. It seems like you have a lot of emotional goings-on at work to deal with (people, I mean) along with just working hard. Sorry if I'm stepping on your toes here. It's different when you're not, well, close to your co-workers. You can sort of go back to your cubicle, mutter "dick" or whatever about the person who's bugging you, and it's over. Not so when you're close to those you work with. I'm not saying your environment is unhealthy or anything, but it HAS to be more challenging sometimes. I know! Come see US! We had guests over to our little apartment last weekend, and they said that they had a restful, restorative time with us, so it's proven. People who come see us are guaranteed to feel better. This is a serious invitation, you know. Well, to all of you, really.

Dear Anagram, I feel the way you seem to on vacation sometimes. Kind of a desperate, panicked, "this isn't WORKING" feeling - it's inevitable that you're not 100% in a state of mind to "drink in the peace", enjoy the ocean, and restore your soul thereby all the time. You're still living, for Pete's sake, and living means being stressed out and grouchy sometimes. Not that I believe for a second that you're ever grouchy. When you're feeling not-so-great, just remind yourself that you'll be back to "restore the soul" mode soon enough. Uh, great. I'm telling a someone ELSE how to relax. That's rich.

Arabella, your dryer story made me hoot with laughter. Believe me, love, I was worrying along with you about your poor son. Must've scared the **** out of all of you, including him. You know, I seem to remember times in my youth (ahem. I can FEEL everyone bristling, since I haven't even hit 30 yet), I mean my teenager-hood, periods of prolonged hysteria, for days at a time, when I acted like a total nutter and my parents DID make me talk to a counsellor (or a pastor, which they thought was a better idea ). I think normal folks all have periods of unbalance, and that's part of what makes us sane for the rest of the time. Meltdowns, we call them. I usually have them right before I have my TOM. Have an AMAZING time to yourself, dearest.

wsw, your friends sound absolutely wonderful. It puts my mind at ease that you seem to have a community around you that you can rely on. I'm willing to bet that they think their help is little payback for the priviledge of knowing you and spending time with you. I mean that. You have a giving heart.

Eydie, reading your posts has (literally, I think) kept me sane of late. Hugs to you, and thank you.

Frogger, I'm still thinking about you. Hang in there, darling.

Ceara, I'm going to the 21 day thread after this to see what's up. Hope you're OK, love.

Uh, Zadie? What's happening? Everything cool? Just busy?

OK, dears. Sorry for the novel. I seem to have dispensed with a lot of unsolicited advice, too. Hmmm. Delete? Naaah. You know me. Don't take me too seriously. I sure don't. Take it or leave it or just ignore it and be yourselves. That's what I really want for all of you.

Kisses,

Arabella, I'm so happy that your son is feeling more like himself! Who knows why we humans do the things we do? Goddess knows I've had moments where I wanted to go screaming into the night. Wow. Now there's a visual.

Dear Ceara, thinking peaceful thoughts for you and your friend. You're a generous, kind woman and I'm proud to know you.

Amarantha, that's pretty creepy if you're being 'quoted'. Let us know what comes of that. I haven't had anything like that. And thanks for the blondie recipe!

Kaylets, yes, we feed the birds. lots of little juncos, cardinals, and some alarmingly BIG crows show up--and the occasional greedy-gut squirrel! Loved reading your thoughts on 'free [?] food'.

Cerise, I keep you sane?!?! You may be surprised to know this, but I don't think I've ever heard that before! Anyway, thanks!

zadie, wsw, Wildfire, Ma Frogger, Punkin, Anagram and all---HELLO!

Brrr....cold here tonight. Just for fun, me and the old fool are going to sleep on the air bed in the living room in front of the heater like a couple of dawgs! Pajama Party!

Hmmm, thought I'd just get on the computer and work a bit but here I am at 3FC, not working. Imagine that! Never coulda believed it!

Cerise, lots of vegetables and fruits are really very low or free on WW, though. I just discovered that it takes two clementines to make a point ... I was counting them a point each. So that's lucky. But I kind of agree that a lot of things people (me, in the nutritionally deficit past) eat tend to be low points but overprocessed. Re protein powders, lots of these have animal products but I used to use a really good one made with soy ... the name of it escapes me, though, since it's 1 a.m. ... I think I should come see thee as I believe I'm having a meltdown also. I think they used to call this a nervous breakdown ... usually mine are short, but ...

Ceara, hope thy appointment with doc finally gets you into a better place healthwise! Re spam, it seems if you're getting things with "ceara" that it does relate to this site, unless you're using the name on other forums as well ...

I'm not saying any actual obscene avaricious spammer lurkers out there are reading the forum and culling words to use in evil spam ... just that their software is scanning things that are typed here ... I haven't noticed from other forums I've been on except for Yahoo things.

I really despise spam ... also with some of this garbage, I never really see the point ... it just has a lot of ugly words thrown together, not a message to buy anything ... I guess the purpose is to verify that an email address is real ... I try not to open anything like this but the email program opens it automatically sometimes ...

I'll stop ranting now!

Guess I can sleep after all.

Punkin, hope thou be feeling better by Monday ... get some rest ...

I don't feed the birds here as they are too fat already!

To all, mentioned and unmentioned, I'm going to bed (again) but saying avanti to thee all the sameth!

Hello all!!

Storm is still expected this evening so DH and I plan to be part of the first wave of folks grabbing "The Essentials" ....
That makes me grin....ever notice what folks buy when these big storms are coming in??
Don't get me wrong, I get caught up in the frenzy sometimes too but I've never figured out why chips would be as essential as diapers or bread or eggs...
Guess its just what I said, a frenzy for most of us.



******
Thought of the day :

“Things we do for us die with us. Things we do for others live for eternity.”
----Norman Vincent Peale

Question of the day :

"Have you ever been snowed in somewhere other than home?"

******


******

Punkin-- I hope you do use your accrued time.... I can understand liking to have a "cushion" of time, I have some myself ( love a job that lets you carry it to the new year!)....but on the other hand...

I wonder why we are so driven not to take the time.... Don't get me wrong, I've been in situations where literally things would not get done ( ie. when I was a Manager for newspaper deliveries... too often you get a message, " I quit...come get the list"..)

And after a time, I began exhibiting severe symptons of what today is called IBS... Which can make working out of your car very dicey .....
Long story short, my employer's response when I had to call out was always, " Will you be in tomorrow??". When I finally gave my notice, as I just couldn't keep up the pace anymore, within 4 hrs, 3 other folks were assigned to "cover" my territory. In other words, he had known all along that what I was doing more than most would do.

It took me a few years to realize I was as much to blame as the boss. I still hate to say, " No, I can't handle that responsibility". I have to force myself today to think of myself as a coworker.... Why do I expect less from others is a mystrey too.... I am getting better but still have to remind myself often that if I was a pro athelete, everyone would expect me to rest, relax, regroup......

Interesting....


Need to come back in a few....
take care
Kaye

Kaylets, I know someone who works at a big supermarket and she swears and declares that when a big storm is predicted folks come in to buy milk, bread, beer and ice cream!!!

TRUE CONFESSION! There was a time, long ago, when I thought I'd be snowed in, I'd go to the closest store and stock up on junk food: Chocolate bars, bar-be-que chips, and Swiss rolls, etc. Who was that person???? Glad she's gone!

Hello all!

Didnt mean to be gone so long but my stomach became very nauseous while we were out. I went to bed once we were home again and slept nearly 3 hours. I awoke to freshly baked wheat bread. Its amazing how my stomach feels just fine now! :0

Even the dogs are begging for some!

Dh's annoyed because altho he oiled the pans the bread wouldn't come out..
I cut the last 2 loaves in half and than seemed to do the trick...

So, not a balanced late lunch at 2:30 but was delicious. Luckily, ww treats me miles better than white bread so I'm safe from out of control bingeing.

Cerise- I know lots of the WW's board posters focus on prepackaged meals, snacks etc... but just as many work the system to their preferences. Looking back, I can't believe how long it took me to appreciate how filling, satisfying and economical home made soups are. But then, our Q of Friday talked about soups from the very first. Part of my problem was that I had this idea that they needed to simmer all afternoon on the stove. That's nice but the real key IMHO, is the "next" day soup ... when the flavors have had a chance to as Emeril says " Get Happy".
Just this week, Dh's "perfected" sliced apples in cinammon and water "steamed" in a small pan on the stove. We've been having them w/ 1/2 a waffle and cool whip.... In fact, I wonder what you and Ramon might come up with it to share with us!!

Speaking of your soups Q of Friday, I seem to remember a pea soup...
Do you use dried peas?? I have as well but for some reason, never seem to see the peas in the store with the other dried beans....

Empress, I have had my share of spam but now that I have the service I do now, much seems abated... I believe the big outfits were so inundated they have their own filters or they wouldnt be able to handle the volume. I have never had anyone use anymore than a "sign on name" ... I've never had what I've written be used in a spam... Again, as someone else said, I've recvd spam for things I never have discussed here nor will I personally ever need.
The biggest deterrent supposedly is to just delete from your in box... if you
click on "click here to be removed from list"... it proves to the sender that your address is a live address.... Many of those "click here " boxes are just to prompt you to help them figure out if its a live address.

And yes, sometimes the spelling is atrocious but I think that is to get by the filters....

But Empress, I just realized, you gave me a perfect hook to start my speech!!! Everybody hates spam mail!! Everybody knows about it too!!
Oh, you are the best!!

And here I was feeling like a slug because I didnt do much work on my speech today... I guess I can say, I've been researching!!
!!!



WSW-- Its getting so close now for you!! How handy to be able to move things into the new place at your own pace. I've never been so lucky... the closest I've ever done is to have things in a storage bin and then pull things out of the bin at my own pace ...( and please don't ask how long that took!)

Eydie-- How goes the remodel at work?? Just think, you won't even be able to recognize the place when they're finally done!!

Wildfire--What's new your way??

Zadie-- We miss you!

Frogger-- Am thinking about you!

Anagram-- Enjoy-- I know it got chilly where you are but there is snow on the ground and more coming... mixed with Sleet to turn to ice! Although, I can appreciate that you might be getting tired of eating out.... But do you miss doing the dishes??

Arabella-- how's the trip?? Do they know their in the precence of royalty??



Who else am I forgetting... so sorry, I know as soon as I click submit I will remember....


Kettle is on!

My trip thus far:

I was supposed to leave yesterday but plane delays and cancellations kept me on PEI. Checked flight status before leaving for scheduled 8:35 departure and saw there was an hour delay. Checked again before leaving for new departure time - supposedly, the flight was scheduled to leave on time. Got to the airport, only to find that the flight had a further delay until 11:30, too late to make my connection in Halifax. Rather than spend 8 hours in the Halifax airport I decided to fly out today instead. It took the ticket agent an hour to make the arrangements (I know not why). Went home and tried to salvage something of the day.
Today:
Got to the airport at 5:50 a.m., got on the plane at 6:15 only to find there was NO HEAT! This in -23 (about -9 F) weather. We could see our breath in the air onboard, water was frozen, etc, as well as soap in the washroom and even the little towlettes. My toes were almost totally numb (but for the pain, of course) by the time we landed in Montreal. Then getting through customs was so slow it meant that I almost missed my flight. Discovered that ticket agent yesterday hadn't booked my changes properly. Got on just as we were scheduled to take off, but that didn't happen for another 20 minutes because ... there was NO HEAT! Bah! Wonder if it was the same plane, bet it was...

Got to the hotel room, achy from schlepping my laptop through airports so I could work. There's a T1 connection, but it wasn't working, so my first hour here was spent with a guy from guest services and tech support. All to find that my laptop doesn't have the requisite Ethernet card (although I thought it did), so I had to find a dial-up number. And now I should have been working, but feel so crabby and achy I'm having difficulty making myself do it... This is not the trip I planned! I think I'm going to go down to the little store in the lobby and see if I can't treat myself to some painkillers!

Sorry to bend your lovely ears with my tale of woe!

I'll try to be more positive next time!

Anyway, having finally gotten an Internet connection here, I guess I should get some work done, so that all the shlepping of laptop through airports & etc will not have been in vain.

Arabella! Don't they know they are dealing with a royal personage? And please tell me you are in a warm room w/ steaming hot water in the bath??

Sorry about the computer connection issues....

OH FOR PETES SAKE!!

Is there room service available?? or at least a kettle or coffe pot or microwave to make something hot at least to drink !

I am horrible when I'm cold... its would be the perfect way to torture me...

sending warm vibes
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((WARM)))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))

Kaylets, thanks for the warm thoughts! Yes, the hotel room is lovely and warm and I treated myself (well, on behalf of the company) to a nice buffet as soon as I got rid of tech support. Painkillers are starting to kick in, got a little work done and I'm okay for the moment.

Good luck with your snowstorm (hope you get a nice snow day!)

Hi all,

What a frustrating day. DH and I went to the mall to see the travel agent about our Vegas trip at the end of March. As we were going up the escalator I spotted a great cheetah print top in the sidewalk sale, so I went over for a look, took the top and a slim black skirt to try on. Both too BIG! What do you know, I found a boutique with REAL sizes. Nice saleslady got me the smaller size, and for $34.00 I got the outfit that would have regularly cost $130.00. We did a little wandering, then as we passed the Danier Leather store, DH said for me to go in and not come out until I found a jacket. (I've been wanting a new one for some time.) Tried on several but just wasn't in the mood or something, and nothing looked right, so I passed. He found a gorgeous brown single-breasted lambskin jacket suitable for spring/fall weather...and get the price...$200.00 regular $850.00!!! All this was fine, then came along the annoying saleswoman (again). She had already asked us twice if we needed help and I had politely said no thankyou, we are just looking and we will let you know if we need help. This would NOT leave us alone! Finally I had to say in a rather firm voice, No THANKyou, we don't need any help. She came back three more times! And the place was mad busy, not like she had no one else to help. She just saw the possibility of TWO jackets being sold. She then proceeded to tell the cashier twice that she had helped us, so she would get the commission on the sale. I told the cashier that the jacket should go in the house account and that we don't appreciate pushy salespeople. Geez Louise! Take the hint already! Well, the cashier did credit the pushy one's account, and I am going to write to the head office about it. I did retail, high-end retail, for several years, and you just don't treat customers like that. If they say go away, you bloody well GO AWAY and make yourself available IF they ask. You can be sure I'll never buy from that store again and I intend to make it known, dammit. DH has given me a rain check to use at any time I find the jacket I want. I plan to wait until I've lost at least 2/3 of my weight (30lbs or so) so the jacket I do get will still fit when I reach my goal. Which I fully intend to do. So I'm holding out for the full length black leather coat! Which will NOT be purchased that particular Danier store.

Ok, rant over. I feel much better now. Good thing I did that here and not in my e-mail to the head office.

We did groceries today, too. I'm making some zero point soup tonight and I'm going to freeze it in individual ziploc containers to grab for lunches this week. Also going to try some 2pt pineapple carrot muffins. Hope they turn out well. I've discovered I'm not eating enough during the day, most days only 8-9 points, then when I come home after work I want to eat anything that isn't nailed down. Hey, did you girls know the biscotti from Starbucks are only 2.5 points for the WHOLE cookie? Great treat with a coffee.

Arabella, you poor thing! I can't imagine how cold it would be way up in the air with no heat in the plane! I'm surprised they were allowed to fly like that. And then computer troubles to boot...I say help yourself to the mini bar courtesy of the company! Glad you're safe and warm now.

Kaylets, it's sad but true that some people can't imagine being without junk food for a day or two during a storm. I suppose it's the whole 'comfort food' thing...stay inside where it's warm and cozy up to a bag of Doritos and some Rocky Road ice cream. Yes, I've done it on occasion, too! Great ideas for your speech! Will you share with us when it is complete?

Amarantha, I hate spam too! I have noticed in the last few months it has been cut back drastically in my hotmail account. I used to get upwards of 60-70 per day, now I only see about 15-20 a week, so Hotmail must be doing something about it, finally. It all lands in a junk mail folder in my account, anyway.

Cerise, so nice to see a long post from you again! I missed your chattiness! Sounds like you had a lovely morning. Congrats on staying OP all week! I don't rely on the prepackaged entrees or treats. I don't like aspartame, and I find the frozen meals low quality in taste, not to mention the questionable sources of what they call meat. (Sorry if that's too graphic) I have made my own frozen dinners, though, when feeling ambitious, and they are very convenient to grab on my way out the door to work. I just spend a couple of hours on a Sunday and make a dish or two that I like and freeze in individual portions. I nuke 'em at work, and I know what went into them and how many points they are. You can also do this with regular meals if they are four portions and you and Ramon only eat two. Pack up the rest for lunch or freeze for a dinner later in the week. WW is a little challenging for me because I can't eat a lot of fruit or veggies with my weird gut, but I'm managing. You'll find ways to make it work for you, too!

anagram, sometimes when I go on vacation I get vacation anxiety. That "okay we're here in fabulous wherever and we only have this much time to do all these things and we have to do it all and enjoy every second of it" feeling.

Ceara, good for you for making your doctor take notice! Keep us posted about the possible surgery.

Punkin, take some time off! Come to Canada....yeah...that's it...nice winter vacation....we'll shop and skate and shop and shop....

Where is Zadie?

wsw, sounds like you have great friends there. How is the arm after the vaccination?

Frogger, how are you feeling?

If I've missed anyone, hello! I have to go divide up that bulk pack of extra lean ground beef and get it in the freezer.