2Fr- What's a mince pie? I don't think that I have ever heard of them. Although, I'm sure you have lots of different treats over there that a lot of us have heard of. What are some of your favorite foods?

Gina- Mmmm...peppermint tea sounds really yummy. I might have to get a variety of caffeine free teas when I go grocery shopping again.

This week I have changed my breakfast foods. I have been eating eggs/egg whites with turkey bacon instead of my usual oatmeal. It seems that the oatmeal keeps me full a lot longer, but I am also eating an hour earlier than normal. I ate about 7:30 this morning and I am starving now! I made tuna salad with a little pickle relish, low fat mayo and I will put it on salad greens. Yummy!

Mince Meat is my DH favorite pie. He loves it. I don't know anyone else that does though. It came from england to the USA. It is a beef mixture, usually soaked in brandy, Apples, Currants, Raisins, lots of sugar and molases and spices such as what is in pumkin pie. The meat is ommited most of the time these days. It was something that kept for months without refrigeration so back in the 1800's it was very popular over the holidays. It sounds like it still might be something popular over in England, that is something 2fru would have to tell us. I personally don't care for it but like I said my husband loves it! I love a T Bone Steak and Baked Potato personally.

We had so many kids last night. Handed out 10 bags of candy. They where at my door until 9:00 p.m. last night. I was surprised we had so many. It was fun. The little ones are so cute. I fixed a 5 quart pan of chili and it was gone. Everyone loved it. It was a fun Halloween. I stayed away from all the cake, cookies, and donuts. It was hard but I didn't eat any of them. Luckly I have teenage daughters with friends that can afford to eat it.

I weigh in weekly and it's easy for me to keep track because JC does it for me. I have a flow chart and it shows how much weight I've lost from the start. It is kinda neat to see it on paper.

Mince Pies are traditional Christmas treats. They tend to have suet in now instead of the minced meat. Very sugary and yummy and I didn't realise how much I like them till I tried one for the first time a few weeks ago! They had them at work yesterday and they were humungous! I did have one, but it fitted into the day ok, so I'm not too stressed about it!

Went kickboxing last night. Got bashed in big time. There is one guy who's just too violent. I always go home in pain after I've been fighting him!

2fr- Aww...sorry about that guy. That would p@ss me off big time! Actually, my husband and I used to wrestle for fun and he always pins me or restrains and it really ticks me off and then I go off like a wildcat. We had to quit doing that, b/c he is just too strong and I'm too competitive. Then I am MAD!!! It was kinda fun up to a point, though. Now, leg wrestling...I can kick his butt easy. LOL

Harley- Yeah, if it had beef in it, I wouldn't care for it. If it's sweet stuff, maybe. I kinda wondered if it was like chicken pot pie, but it doesnt sound like it. Your Halloween sounded like a lot of fun. I wish that we had kids around holiday times...it would be more fun, probably.

Speaking of traditions and with Christmas coming up...what is everyone's traditional Christmas meal?

My mom is full hispanic, dad is white (which is funny b/c I look Irish, not hispanic!) and we celebrate by going to my grandparents (on mom's side) and eating tons of tamales!! YUMMY!!!! We do eat a traditional "American" Thanksgiving, though.

Well, I have meetings today and won't be in school. Everyone have a wonderful day!

Well went to JC last night down another 1.4 lbs. Consultant informed me thier having a class to let us know how much fat is in Thanksgiving dinner. I was thinking geez thanks a lot what every person wants to know.

We have traditional Thanksgiving with turkey and all the stuff. I will be cooking this year as my mom is terminally ill and just can't do it. My DH mom passed away 3 years ago so it is up to me these days. Christmas is different now too. We used to go to in laws on Christmas Eve and then my folks in the morning. Last year I cooked dinner for the fire house my son works at. I think we are going to do the traditional brunch this year that my mom started years ago. Crustless quiche, Chili reno casarole, quick breads, rolls, stewed peaches, ham yummy!!!! You really can't eat a dinner after that to full! Used to be on Christmas Eve we would have all these appetizer's. I think I might do that this year. Not sure.


2fru My dh used to teach kick boxing and he would come home all bruised and battered. I personally don't like it when they get to physical. Learn a good round kick to take them down or something that will teach them not to mess with you!

Waiting to here what the rest of you like to fatten up on over the holidays! Have a good one!

Well I talked to my instructor (a slightly rushed conversation) and he knew that I was going to rant about this bloke and said, "Well if you're going to be an instructor then you have to deal with people like that..." But I didn't get chance to tell him that this guy actually hurt me, it wasn't the dealing with him that was the problem, it was him smacking me about that I have a problem with! If I was an instructor I would've 1) Been able to whoop his @$$ more and 2) I would've told him to get out of the class if I thought he was being dangerous. So yeah I can deal with him, but point is, I shouldn't have to yet because this guy doesn't know that I'm training to be an instructor! I'm and I did think twice about moaning to the instructor cos I thought he might come back with something like that, but I'm only saying because I think the dude's dangerous! Anyways, the instructor's going to ring me back, but I guess he won't make it today, he sounds like he's having a busy day at work!

I think I'll skip on the mince pies...the last thing I need is something new to crave..
2Fru - way to go sticking up for yourself...if he hurts you, he's hurting others and it needs to stop. Kickboxing should be fun or people wouldn't want to do it...at least you are taking the high road...I might just kick him where it hurts..but then I'd be at his level...

Xmas traditions...DH is 100% Mexican...that means tamales and atole....we buy them when we aren't in Mexico for the holidays. They are a lot of work to make. My heritage is pretty much caucasian mutt...mostly Scottish (no haggis, please) with French, German and some other stuff mixed in. I don't know who is doing Xmas yet this year - prolly me 'cause I'm the only sister in town with the parental units. Mom is trying really hard to lose weight - we don't usually go traditional meals any more. We do lots of grilled meat and veggies these days. She is unable to exercise (she's in a wheel chair - she had polio when she was a child and now is suffering from something called post-polio syndrome. It basically means her muscles are worn out. If she tries to exercise she just gets really tired)- so she really has to watch her calorie intake.

I have managed to avoid the halloween leftovers so far...well, I ate one...it wasn't that good so I think it won't be a problem. (Famous last words - i think I'll put the bags in DH's van to take to work)

Harleymom WTG!!! You are doing so great!

I miss Star already...

Holly? How ya doin?

I know...I miss Star too! I am hoping that everything went well with her.

2fr- Yeah, that guy needs to be kicked out of class or told that he really needs to be aware of the fact he's hurtful. He may have a real anger management issue and that kind of situation is not the best in dealing with that. It's one thing to deal with bad attitudes, but quite another when someone is being hurt. I hope your instructor takes it serious, because it really is.

Harley- I'm sorry to hear that your mom is so sick. That must be pretty difficult for your family. Your traditional brunch sounds so tasty! Oh yeah, and whoo hoo on the 1.4 pounds lost!!!!

Gina- It must be really helpful that your family is on the same page about eating healthier. My parents are finally learning some heart healthy substitutions to favorite foods. That's only b/c of Dh's heart attack. Good for you not eating too many of the leftovers from Halloween.

Well, the meetings were pretty interesting, but I am ready for the weekend. It seems like this has been a long week...

I told my instructor about the dodgy guy sweeping me, and he sounded really shocked! He said, "I NEVER sweep people, and if I do I always hold onto them while they're going onto the floor!" He said he'd talk to him about it and remind him about the "other times"! OTHER TIMES!!! Anyways, the instructor says that I don't have to spar with him and I can just tell him to go away if he tries! He he he

2fru The "other times" makes you wonder doesn't it. Wow I would stay away from that guy. I wish I lived near by I'd send my DH in to kick his rear for you. That is in the gym. Sounds like that guy needs a good dose of his own medicine.

It feels like it should be Friday. One more day to go. Oh well. Wanting to go to the Christmas craft shows this weekend. Fun to look but most of the stuff is way to $$$$$. DD said she would go with me.

Something else on Holiday traditions. I am going to have a Ginger bread house making party on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Did it for the first time last year. We had so much fun. I am not allowing small children this go around as last year I had royal frosting all over my walls, floor and ceiling until February. Everyone brings the house pre baked and candy to share and use for themselves. Then you just get to work on building your house. It is a lot of fun. I have a friend who does an ortament exchange every year too. It is a lot of fun. We put a 5.00 limit on it then you do it like a white elephant. It is nice to catch up with old friends at that event. Plus I always take home a pretty new ortament for my tree. With Christmas parties and holiday events I think I am going to busy until February.

Well Chicks have a good one. Keep on Keep'n on!

Oh a gingerbread house! I really really want to make one! Perhaps that'll be a new tradition! When do you demolish the house??? That'd be all I'd want to do! He he he!

Believe it or not I didn't eat the ginger bread house. I was so happy with the way it looked I couldn't touch it. Crazy. I was eatting everything else in sight last year, you would think I would have eatten it.

Y'all crack me up....I'm picturing myself looking longfully at a dusty gingerbread house....dreaming of living in such a house...the land of sugar plums and candy cane lamposts...fa la la.. Made my whole morning. Back to work - but at least I'm smiling now.

Hey ladies.

Busy busy day. It sucks, they pay me a little money and then expect me to actually work all the time. Hey, I need my computer time, too! Hehe! Kids were wacky today and then I had to tutor after school. Whew!

Harley- The Christmas craft fair sounds like a lot of fun. Some people have the neatest ideas. I wish I had more creativity. I made, or should say attempted to make a gingerbread house. It was a disaster. The whole damn thing caved in! I don't think that I baked the walls and roof long enough. I should try it again someday. Of course that requires baking and my idea of baking is buying that Pillsbury cookies that you throw on a cookie sheet. LOL.

2fr- I am so glad that you talked to your instructor about that jerk. He has no right being so violent like that to anyone.

Gina- Are the sugar plums still dancing in your head? I wonder if sugar plums are yummy? Thats me, always thinking of something to eat.

Have a great evening girls!

Oooh gingerbread house! I am so gonna make one! I baked oatmeal & raisin cookies last night because it's DF's birthday! He's taking them to work so I am spared! I only had one while I was baking and I've stolen one for snacks today!

We are off out in Oxford for nice chips and beer and maybe some dancing!