Amarantha, sometimes you just have to let things drift...eventually answers will drift back to you. High tide always returns. Hope you have a peaceful rest tonight.
Yet another fly-by. Just want you all to know I love you and am thinking of each and every one of you. Hope all my American cousins had a lovely Thanksgiving day -- and fellow Canadians a v. nice Thursday. I was side-tracked by another thread and posted and have to work like a particularly diligent demon today, so -- with apologies -- I'm going to repost my message from the other thread, just in case none of you has heard me going on long enough/enough times about the evil refined carb Still not feeling fully well, but I'm hoping the remedy following will take care of that.
Repost:
It's been a revelation to me to see how different I can feel when I take the sugar and refined carbs out of my diet. The approaches related to the glycemic index, general carbs, or systemic yeast infection all recommend the same kind of diet and it just works wonders for me. I'm gearing up to do South Beach induction phase again, because I feel like I need that boost. I've been having dates and other high-sugar fruits, plus the occasional bit of whole wheat, and so on and -- although I think I can tolerate some of that kind of thing once I've gotten my system clear -- it's enough to keep me from feeling my best.
One of the most amazing things I've found about this addiction that has made me feel so powerless for much of my life is that, once I remove the unhealthy carbs, I hardly ever have cravings and when I do they're very manageable. I don't feel that driven, relentless compulsion. I feel in control!
I so want to spend this holiday season clear-headed, energetic, cheerful, and optimistic. And I know now how to get there. Thank you so much for starting this thread -- I think I've got myself talked into taking that next step!
Love, love, love! Have a wonderful day, and a fantastic weekend!
Woke up feeling more like myself... we have sunshine today too which always makes a difference...
Yes, Wood Nymph... I finally "see" that the sugar addiction is just like any other addiction...lots of denial, rationalizations, symptons, actions, reactions, etc, etc ....
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Does everyone else have as much to do today as I do??
YIKES!
****
Thought of the day :
"Optimism is an intellectual choice."
--Diana Schneider
Arabella, is there a sugar addict's thread at 3FC? Sounds like somplace I need to visit! [When I'm not here, of course! ]
Only mini-crisis yesterday at Thanksgiving was discovering that the bottom element in my oven stopped working and I had to heat everything in the microwave and toaster oven, but it all worked out beautifully, and I didn't freak out---I mean not at all. No one's more amazed than me!
Ready to move those leftovers out. Last night the succotash was converted into a lovely soup---amazing what a can of tomatoes can do! And this morning the leftover sweet potatoes were pureed and added to pancake batter.
? of the day: yep, I take supplements religiously. Have one of those 7-day holders with 21 slots for taking them 3 times a day!
Isn't it lovely to have one day of work after Thanksgiving and then it's the weekend? Or maybe you lucky dogs didn't have to work, hmmm? I did, but when the stock market closed we bugged outta there. Yesterday went well - we were a jolly bunch. I didn't even go into a food coma! The vegan loaf and gravy I made were good, though completely (and understandably) ignored by the omnivores. You're right, though, Eydie, that I should be thankful to have relatives as accomodating and understanding as I do. I've heard the horror stories of other veggies' families' reactions to their crossing-over. It ain't pretty.
Congratulations for NOT WIGGING OUT, honey. You deserve some sort of medal, for pulling it off and for more importantly not freaking! It's a bloody miracle is what it is and you orchestrated it! You are truly a hostess diva of the highest order.
Kaylets, how's your GF's dad? Any news? Ventilators are a *****. My brother, on his pulmonary rotation for med. school, was telling me stories about how hard it was to get someone off a ventilator once they'd been on one for even just a few days - even the relatively healthy patients. I feel for the guy and for your friend. You're a wonderful support to her, I'm sure.
Oh, Amarantha. We're here for you, sister. I agree with Wildfire - drifting blows but it's normal and healthy and we all must do it. You're such a wonderful, extraordinary lady. Don't forget in your drifting how much we love, admire and depend on you.
Man, Arabella, you're a rock with that simple carb elimination thing. You too, Eydie. Geez. That's one thing I've never tried. So, potatoes are out, too, right? Oof...
Wildfire, I've been to that site many times - thank you for mentioning it. I've had to stop looking at it at work as the whole thing invariably makes me weepy. It's such a healing site for me. Thanks too for the invite - you don't know how close I've come to acting on my impulses to leave from time to time, but I'm here and I'm determined to stay and make my voice heard. Besides, more distressing to me (no offense to and Bush supporters on this fine thread) than the current administration is the partisanship and hatred in this nation - it seems more vile than ever and it bothers me. So, I'll stay on and try to ride out the storm. Hopefully America learns to fit its britches soon before we're humbled in ways we know not of. Anyone who thinks a reckoning won't come someday is a fool. Anyway, I'll get off the now. Sorry, chickies.
Hey, wsw! Dam', girl, you have got a beautiful smile! Don't get too crazy about getting caught up. We know you're around, smiling on us every day. Have a gorgeous weekend, love.
Well, Anagram, did you survive the busy day yesterday? How's the royal family? You're spending today putting up pretty decorations, aren't you?
All right, I'm off to get this party started! Naw, I'm just getting into some jammies - gonna snuggle down and eat mashed potatoes with The Ramon. Love from him, by the way. You should have seen his smile when I told him I had reunited with you guys. Guess he likes you...
Hello all!
Dh and I just watched the first 20-30 minutes of a Chi Kung ( Gong) dvd by Dr Lam and dh is even more convinced that real classes are what he needs to make sure he is standing correctly, etc...
It will be interesting to see his reaction when he has a class... wonder what he think then...
Cerise! I've done both and certainly having Friday off is more fun....
I only left the house long enough to grab 2 things at the grocery store..
Thanks for asking about my friend... I just recvd an email that her dad passed away last night. She was a wonderful daughter to the very end.
Even if she disagreed w/ how something was being done, she would never make a fuss, just find a way to compromise that let everyone win....
I could go on and on but suffice to say, I am very proud that she contacted me this morning and actually used the words "My friend" ....
DH is posting auctions on Ebay this am...
I am helping a some by funneling things to him and then "stacking" them ...
Its always a wonder what we find that we had forgotten about...
What sort of beginning, you ask? Well, I'm sitting here (you've heard this many times) with you and a mug of lovely decaf stewing in my french-press, and just got the urge to pop in The Nutcracker - one of my favorite Christmas music CDs. And it hit me.
It's on, baby!!!!
Bring it,BRING IT,BR-I-I-I-I-I-NG I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-T!!!!!!
I just got into the holiday mood.
I LOVE Christmas!!! I'm one of those schlemiels who just gets off on the commercial monster the holiday season has become, I admit. Well, OK, I'm not crazy about some of it, the XMas commercials on TV and stuff, but from Thanksgiving on slap me with holly and call me Santa! Hey, I don't participate in Black Friday - hate it, but when I talk to someone and they start in on the "I just HATE the commercialism and the plastic reindeer..." my eyes glaze over and I start thinking about mulled wine, music, midnight mass, The Messiah, wrapping presents, etc. In my defense, I try to give gifts I've made, I wrap presents with recycled paper and the fabric/wire ribbon my family saves and uses from year to year, and I participate as little as possible in the whole shopping thing. Especially since I live smack-dab in the middle of Seattle's biggest shopping district. The decorations here in downtown are stunning , ladies, but the people...yikes. OK, anyway, yearly rant over. I'll try not to be too annoying until January.
So, today (oooh, the Waltz of the Flowers just came on... ) I'm going to try to clean the sh*t out this house so Ramon and I can get started thinking about decorating. YES!!! And now there's soy eggnog...
Kaylets, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's dad's death. You are indeed a good, good friend. Though I'm sure you feel sorrow for your friend, I hope you take some pleasure in how supportive a person you are and how much she loves and needs you. Just telling a daughter that they were exactly what their dying parent needed all those years must be a healing, healing thing to say, and I laud you for putting yourself out there for her.
It's so cool that your husband is going to try Chi Thingy! I think a real class is just the thing for him. You know, I've been trying to get my parents and Ramon's parents to try Tai Chi or something, though a long life of vilifying "Eastern Religion" for both sets of parents has put up a barrier for them about all things like yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, even martial arts. However. Mom and Dad found out that they now get regular massages with their insurance. They both visited this wonderful Christian (the magic word) massage therapist and are now hooked. HOOKED, I tell you!!! I caught them talking comfortably about the fact that they also get acupuncture with their policies and that Dad's doctor is telling him that it might give some relief from his arthritis. Progress, people, progress. I'm so proud of my parents' abiliby to change their minds...
All right - off to tackle Mt. Filing, Mt. Dishes and Mt. Laundry.
Love to all - don't hate me because I have eggnog running in my veins for the time being.
Cerise, you do make me chuckle... I do agree, that it makes everything very "normal " when our insurance policies "approve" of something when when they'll cover it... yes, a sure marker of progress....
I had no idea how lovely Seattle looked till we saw a tiny snippet of news coverage on the Needle being lit up.... And I said to my DH, "Ohhhhh, do you think our two Pacific NW queens forgot to share this w/ the rest of us? Do you think they don't realize that most of us aren't aware of such a lovely tradition?"....
and I know maybe, its just me but I wonder.....
And yes, if you're up to it, so am I... this can be a challenge if you like....
How much can we get done btwn now and tomorrow evening?? I'm two loads of laundry ahead of you but you've got at least 20yrs on me....
Anyone else motivated to get things done?? Anything? You make the rules...
I need motivation...
I've been dragged unwillingly into your start on the holidays. My American hubby gets all depressed this time of year because he's missing out on a four-day weekend and a turkey feast. So I am cooking turkey as I type and we have already polished off a bottle of South African Chardonnay...boy does it have a kick! Of course, we had to have appetizers as well, so there is pate, roasted red pepper dip, assorted crackers, pumpkin-cranberry baguette, and the BEST cheese log...it's goat cheese with cinnamon and covered in cranberries...yummy! So all sense as far as eating is concerned is put aside for today. If it makes DH happy, so be it.
Mind you, we may be sitting down to dinner at 9pm....
Torrential rains most of the night -- I didnt realize till I took one of the dogs out at 4 am and listened to the rain for about an hour... even went back to sleep for awhile as it certainly didnt motivate me!! !
Seems like there is such a thin line to this holiday cheer and/not...
Recvd an email from a gf who has been struggling w/ a marriage reconciliation ... they tried for awhile but have called it quits again...
Makes you realized how fragile so much of it is....
.... borrowed the entire first season of OZ from the library yesterday-- got thru less than one episode ... it is too dark and mean for me... we then watched Jack Nicholson in " Schmidt"... didnt even bother watching the ending... I got tired and cold and felt cheated on that one too....
Hopefully, the Best of the Marx Brothers will bring a few grins...the 4th one is called " Rabbit Proof Fence".... I expect we'll bring back the two today since the library is so close by....
Big oil spill very very close to us... am afraid the Heinz Wildlife Refuge ( yes, you're right, her first husband ) is full of very heavy crude oil....
Otherwise....
I am going to set the clock for 15 minutes of Ebay auction posting and drink tea too....
Greetings, Royal Personages!
I've gotten through two days of the SB induction and all goes well. One thing that really struck me about this last time was that cravings all but disappeared, which made it pretty darn easy (why did I go off plan, then? It was a planned Thanksgiving extravaganza -- then I just never got back on the wagon ). I always thought the craving was all psychological, when -- as it turned out -- it seems to be mostly physiological, a response to the type of foods that I eat. Continues to blow me away. I'm still feeling less than 100% -- maybe 60% or so, but at least I'm doing this one thing.
Cerise, if a rock I be, 'tis an exceptionally soft one. Don't be TOO impressed -- potatoes are only off-limits for the first two weeks. The theory (if I recall correctly) is that our body chemistry is out of whack, causing an insulin reaction to even moderate amounts of even healthy, complex carbs. Two weeks of low glycemic index eating is supposed to right the balance so that we can have some carbs again in good health. And if ever one goes off the deep end, one can always return to the induction phase again. It's not actually that difficult, once you've got your head around the concept. I was motivated to get going with it again because I know how much better I feel on it and I thought "Do I want to feel semi-crummy all through the holidays AND come out of it 10 pounds or so heavier?"And when I read the article, I knew what I had to do.
I LOVE Christmas, too! I get a bit grossed out by the over-the-top commercialism, but I get that "magic" feeling trying to think of something special for my nearest and dearest. Love the carols, love the chance to be effusive and --- spread the luv!!!
SeeCat, welcome, welcome! You surely seem like our kind of gal! Love your name (Molly) too. Funny, my response to the "what would you do if time weren't an issue" question was that I'd like to learn to speak French and play the violin. Hmm... s'pose it could be fiddle when one was in the mood, huh. And I'd also like to learn to do stained glass, I think...
Eydie, the thread was the one about the Skinny Daily Post (http://www.skinnydailypost.com/archi...y_archive.html). There is a Sugar Busters thread, too, though I think and a bunch of them on the South Beach diet. And then there's WW Core, which is pretty much the same thing too. As soon as I decided to start the SB induction phase yesterday I started to get excited, knowing I'd be feeling good. It was funny, I listed all the reasons I wanted to do it and didn't even realize until later that I hadn't listed the significant factor of easier weight loss Then, when I told DH that I was going to do it, he tried to dissuade me (Aren't you setting yourself up to fail? Why not wait until after Christmas?). He took the wind out of my sails a bit, but I'm determined, and shall persevere! Avanti!
Punkin, did you have moon ceremonies Friday night? We watched a movie and by the time it was over the moon was way high up. This morning, I could tell there was a moon setting/sun rising thing happening, but just couldn't get myself dressed and go out there to see it. The moon should be pretty good tonight and it's very clear. Maybe I'll head out to see it rise... Time-lapse: it's actually Sunday now and I did make the effort, found out what time moon-rise was, and got out to see it last night.
Wildfire, YAY!!! for double-Thanksgivings! I'm all for more celebration. Your meal sounds fantastic! Holy smokes -- your Irishman story is wonderful -- what a joy to be able to revel (mostly) innocently (of course a little flirtation is good for one's soul and thus for one's marriage as well )
How's your recovery going -- are you completely better now (I hope!). Hows BFH (boss from ... ) and DD?
wsw, so happy to see you checking in. Makes me realize the value of checking in, even if that's all we do. I so often don't post, thinking that I don't have it in me to do a long message. I loved your big smile, here's one back I'm always so impressed by your ability to work at feeling well -- you are definitely an inspiration to me.
Kaylets, did your DH have a chance to check out the qi qong tapes I mentioned? Really, they were so easy to follow and explained how to stand and so on quite nicely. I felt a huge difference immediately. If he can't find a class, they would be the next-best thing I think.
Ceara, I think it's so cool that we were born within a month or so of each other! Are you a Gemini?
Anagram, don't be discouraged by not losing quickly -- you've maintained a terrific loss and that's what it takes -- the path is not straight down, but has rest areas built in. You're so close to Onederland, too. Do you think there might be some kind of psychological barrier? In any case, between steroids and stress, it's a marvel that you've been able to lose and maintain that loss
Amarantha, so happy to see the Pirate Lass sail into the palace! Hope that blue mood floats away! Kudos on trying to sort things out, too! It's so hard to even make the effort sometimes, but sometimes that's what it takes. I usually have to give myself a fairly good boot in the *** before I make the effort myself
Well, my Dovies, I really need to go and do. Love you much, mentioned or not! Have a wonderful day!
Thanks WoodNymph--
Our library doesnt have the tapes you told me about... and my best guess is that even if they did....DH feels he needs a real class to "know" he understands what the tapes are telling him.... he needs that feedback I guess...
Kaylets, I understand that the classes might be better, but if there's no class available, the tapes would be well worth buying. I found them really effective for destressing, centering, stablizing mood. Your library sounds like it's a good resource for tapes in general, though!
s and Happy Day to all Canadian 
Hope you have a peaceful rest tonight.
Happy Friday!
about the evil refined carb 
Still not feeling fully well, but I'm hoping the remedy following will take care of that. 
]
Post Turkey-Day
Don't get too crazy about getting caught up. We know you're around, smiling on us every day. Have a gorgeous weekend, love.
) I'm going to try to clean the sh*t out this house so Ramon and I can get started thinking about decorating. YES!!! And now there's soy eggnog... 
Progress, people, progress. I'm so proud of my parents' abiliby to change their minds...
!
). I always thought the craving was all psychological, when -- as it turned out -- it seems to be mostly physiological, a response to the type of foods that I eat. Continues to blow me away. I'm still feeling less than 100% -- maybe 60% or so, but at least I'm doing this one thing. 
Then, when I told DH that I was going to do it, he tried to dissuade me (Aren't you setting yourself up to fail? Why not wait until after Christmas?). He took the wind out of my sails a bit, but I'm determined, and shall persevere! Avanti!
I'm always so impressed by your ability to work at feeling well -- you are definitely an inspiration to me.
