Penny, this meditation class is sort of an overview of mindfulness or insight meditation, but our teacher is very much in the Buddhist (Vietnamese) tradition. Most of our time will be focused on silent and walking meditation. Just thinking about the class is relaxing . There are only six classes, and I'm trying to rig my travel schedule so I don't miss any of them. I have guided meditation CDs from Kripalu at home, but I don't use them often enough. I would very much like to establish a daily meditation routine, and hope that this class will get me rolling in that direction. Sorry about the IBS, it sounds miserable. Hope you're feeling better today.

Carol, I'm glad that you're sticking up for yourself. Sometimes I worry that confronting someone will make the situation worse, but this has gone on for quite a while, and life is too short for this kind of nonsense. Are you getting one last blast of snow?

I just had a big lunch--corned beef, cabbage, peas and carrots I guess that will be my tribute to those long-ago Irish (and Scots-Irish) ancestors who are a mysterious part of my heritage. No carousing for me, though, I'm too old for roaming the streets with green beer.

I haven't worked out very much this week. I'm blaming it on the time change, but I think I'm still just tired from the past few months. This will be a weekend for decluttering my house and preparing for my sister's visit later this month.

Have a great weekend!

judy

Happy Friday everyone!!! I am back - I had a great time. Bodysurfed, exercised, ate reasonably and didn't touch a computer. Not bad for an IT person. It was in the 80's and sunny everyday. The ocean was 76 degrees and very swimable (except that on Monday apparently a guy was bit by a shark about 10 miles up the beach. Good thing I didn't know that till I was leaving.

Today, DH, DS2 and I went to Crater Lake and went snowshoeing. It's about 60 some degrees and sunny. Absolutely beautiful. I'm thinking a nap sounds good. Florida irritated my asthma and the snowshoeing in the heigh altitudes was difficult so I got a little tired.

Carol, I'm sorry the office mate isn't moving on. What a tease. To raise hopes then to dash them. I don't know what I'd choose, but I'm thinking probably sharing the office with the other 3 and bringing an older laptop of my own. Irritating people make life hard and life is too short for that. I look forward to seeing the dress but you'd have to post a direct link to it since Chadwick doesn't work with searching by the item number if you don't have a catalog.

Judy, the meditation sounds nice. I did a little (little is a very appropriate word) in grad school. Always helped me clear my mind so I could sleep. If I have trouble these days I rely on the old ZUMS. It really does work for me.

Penny, sorry about the upset stomach. I hope you feel better soon. How would acupuncture work for that? I really don't know how that type of alt care works.

Nikki, hope you're doing ok.
Marie

Marie - Welcome back - we missed you! It sounds like you had a lovely time. Snowshoeing must have been quite a change of pace and scenery after Florida. You have so much energy - you must be doing all the right things. My tummy is a lot better today. I took some deglycerized licorice tablets and they helped calm things down. I was surprised to find out that acupuncture can help with stomach problems too. I've no idea how it works but if it does I'll be happy as a clam.

Judy - I see you got an early start for St. Paddy's Day. I have a little Irish in me too, but I'm not all that keen on corned beef. I love cabbage, peas and carrots though. I'm partial to a sip of Guinness now and then - my grandmother swore by it for curing all kinds of ailments and in fact they gave it to her to drink when she was in the hospital as a pick-me-up (I doubt that they do that nowadays!)

Carol - I hope you can soon resolve the problem with the troublesome co-worker. It's hard to be in such close proximity to someone you don't get along with. I have a similar situation with an ex-buddy that I have to see quite often at social events - thank goodness I don't have to share an office with her or I'd go batty!

I was up a pound today . Maybe when my stress level goes down I'll start losing again. I found a very cute beige Bill Blass linen jacket at the resale store where my friend volunteers. It's size Medium and fits perfectly!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Hi Ladies -

Penny - Hang in there.

Marie - That sounds like some time body surfing and all.


I am doing well I maintained this week thank god. I am trying to unsubscribe and resubscribe to the thread to see if I have better luck with the emails. If I dont see an email I get so busy I forget to pop in .

Hope all are well

Nikki

Oh, an easy-going Sunday...I'm feeling the need to declutter, so I've piled some things I never use--like a sorta rickety set of tray tables--by the door to take out back and deposit next to the dumpsters. I'm supposed to be clearing up the paperwork in my home office so I can do my taxes, but I haven't been able to focus on that yet. Yesterday I got my hair done, which pretty much took care of Saturday.

Marie, I'm so glad that you had a nice trip and that you weren't bitten by a shark--that would have really put a damper on your vacation.

Hi, Nikki! I wonder if when you subscribed to this thread, you've set up your notifications correctly. It really helps me to get some of the posts by emails (they come to my Blackberry), especially when I'm feeling "too busy" to check in here regularly. Hearing one of your voices on an email always brings me back.

Carol, the recipe was in the January-February issue of Weight Watchers magazine. It's a little on the long side, so I'll put it in a separate post.

I had a popcorn binge last night . I haven't done that in a long time. otherwise I'm eating okay. Still not in my usual workout pattern, just 20 minutes of cardio this morning, but I will lift weights shortly, while I watch basketball on TV, I promise!

judy

Here's the recipe for Slow-Cook Turkey Vegetable Soup, from WW Jan-Feb magazine:

2.5 pounds of bone-in turkey thighs, skin removed
1 tsp salt
Half tsp pepper
2 large red onions, thinly sliced
6 thin slices fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1.5 tsp curry powder
Half tsp allspice
1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
4 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
2TBS cornmeal
Half head of small Savoy or green cabbage, thinly sliced

Skin the turkey, remove the bones, and cut into small pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spray a nonstick skillet and cook the turkey in batches on medium-high until browned, about six minutes. Place the browned turkey in slow cooker.

Add red onions to skillet, reduce heat and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. add ginger, garlic, curry powder and allspice and cook for 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any bits that stick to the pan.

Add onion mixture to the slow cooker, then the carrots, then the sweet potatoes. Cover and cook until fork-tender, 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours low.

About half an hour before cooking time is up, gently stir the cornmeal and sprinkle the cabbage on top. Cover and cook on high until the stew thickens and cabbage is tender, about half an hour. Remove the ginger before serving:

Per 1-2/3 cup serving: 290 cals, 4 g fat, 624 mg sodium, 37 g carb, 7 g fiber, 27 g protein, 108 mg calcium, 5 WW points.

Note: I had to use drumsticks instead of thighs, but that worked out fine, but buy closer to three pounds if you do. Also, you must debone the turkey first, especially if you use drumsticks--otherwise the bones splinter and are a drag to pick out of the stew.

Mangia!

judy

Hi -

Judy- I am hoping I fixed the problem.

Last week I did not weigh in because I had TOM. I will get my official weigh in this week on Wednesday. I am noticing that my body is reshaping and I feel if I lose another 10-15 I may be happy and not need to lose the full 27. I would really love to do the 15 by Summer. 3 months should not be a problem if I just stay focused !!! How is everyone else doing? I feel like I have alot of catching up to do.

Nikki

Morning everyone, I had a BUSY weekend. DH and I drove to Portland (sorrry I didn't have a chance to call Penny) and bought a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4 door. Oooo, it's the one I fell in love with skiing a couple weekends ago. So I guess we'll have a car payment for another 4 years. BTW, we didn't trade anything in. We're up to about 7 vehicles for the 2 of us. I guess I'm a glutton in more areas than one.

But the drive was incredible. Penny has SPRING!!!! The pretty purple trees were in bloom (apple trees???) and daffodils were being gorgeous everywhere. DH and I stopped at the halfway mark on the way home and walked through a literal rain forest like places. Moss, ferns, lichen everywhere. But now I'm back to where snow is in the forecast tonight...

I'm not doing great on eating these days. Nothing like in years past, but I'm not as in control. I must get that munchie out of my system. I'm up to almost 500 cals so far today and it's only 10 in the morning. Boo-hoo I need to get control.

I walked 2 miles this morning before work - yes I'm back at the daily grind. Since Florida I've had asthma problems. The abuterol is making the breathing better but making my arms and leg muscles fatigued. So I'm letting the maintenance drugs do their thing and not overdoing.

Nikki, maybe you and I need a new challenge. How about we follow our plans to the letter for the next week. What do you think?

Judy, I'm sorry about the binge wiht popcorn. I can relate, really I can. I'm into coffee treats lately - the fat free mochas with a scone or biscotti. I think I'm fine with the coffee, it's the treat that gets me.

Penny, good job on finding a nice Medium outfit. it's amazing how that label can help so much.

Well, my desk looks like Judy cleaned her home office onto it so I better get back to it.
Marie

Marie sounds good to me

Nikki

Happy Monday! It's still a bit brisk out but the sun is shining, and I can tell that this is the last little bit of cold weather, quickly losing steam...yaay! I am still sluggish in the morning. Maybe if I stop trying to get up so early (5:45AM) and just set my alarm 45 minutes later, I can still do all my weekday morning stuff, plus workout and meditate, before heading off to work. I'm lucky in that I have some flexibility in the morning, and if I come in a few minutes later than usual it's not at problem. But I do have show up at a reasonable time.

Nikki, maybe it would be helpful to set an aggressive goal for us all as a group. I've not been able to build any momentum for more than a few days at a time. I think I'm still psychic-ly tired, and have benn for the past few months. At this rate my '50 by 50' campaign will be more like '10 by 50,' which isn't nearly as inspiring.

Marie, I'm jealous that you've already experienced a little spring already. I think I'll see more blooming trees by this coming weekend. Wonderful for the eyes, hard on the sinuses.

Penny, I think I read something recently about scientists finding specific benefits to drinking Guiness.

Okay, must run, day is getting away from me.

judy

Judy - Thanks for posting the recipe - it sounds delish and I'm definitely going to try it. Not too many calories either. I know what you mean by psychic-ly tired - everything seems so much harder when you're stressed out.

Marie - Congrats on your new auto. Spring seemed to arrive suddenly around here the last week or so and it's great to see all the flowers out (not so great for my allergies!) We got a fair amount of yard work done yesterday before the rain came back again.

Nikki - Maybe that's a good idea to lower your goal a little bit. You've made great progress so far and your diet seems to be working for you.

Carol - I hope you're having a good Monday.

I'm currently doing all I can to reduce stress because I know for sure it affects my weight loss, but just when things even out something else hits. Today one of the other people organizing our fund raiser blithely handed out a couple of free tickets to people she feels sorry for. We are all busting our butts getting this thing done and it really rankles me that one person takes it upon herself to basically give away our hard work - which is supposed to raise money for charity. We all agreed not to do this anymore as we ended up giving away six tickets last year - that's $120 less income. I hate having to be the 'bad guy' and bring this up with our group but nobody else seems to want to say anything. I'm really craving some chocolate or cheesecake but I'm not going to cave in as it will just make matters worse .

Judy thanks for the recipe. I will make this soon. Your meditation program sounds devine. I work with a youngman whom is from India. His mom I have known for years she used to work another position with me. She always meditates daily. Maybe I should try it. I also had the cornbeef and cabbage the only one whom in this house likes cornbeef. So I bought a small one and took part of it to mom yesterday. The rest of the meal they liked pot. cab. etc. Oh well can't please them all but did myself this time around. Yes sometimes you can ignore office politics til they start effecting you daily. Then yah have to do something this worked well and now she is at least acting better towards me. I think sometimes people forget how their treating someone and in this case she said anyways that it wasn't me but the upper hand. Well I share an office and whispering, ignoring etc. was getting out of hand. I am feeling better now even though the whispering and something is still going on she isn't treating me badly and thats important. We are suppose to have a 100% harsment free work environment. Hah hah! Not so really but the upper hands would like to think so. Marie glad the shark didn't get yah scary though. Right before we went to Hawaii right at one of the beaches we went to a girl had gotten hit by a shark too. The kids never told me that if it was your Tom time they can pick up on that from miles away. What a dum move that was for me. But thank goodness I didn't have a problem. Body surfing you go girl! I got the dress but haven't tried it on yet. My daughter was suppose to come over but they when to the SU basketball game last night. I painted my front hallway sunday. Its yellow a bit brighter than I thought it would be. I have to do one more coat because of shadows. Wondering if I should tone it down a bit or leave it add some garden charm with some pictures etc and see how it looks? Nikki if you and Marie challenge I will too sounds like a movement we may all need. I think I am doing okay but haven't visited my scale have increased my exercise wish the snow would stay away. Gym day today after work. Let me know girls count me in! Penny oh how these menopause days are tough the hot flashes at night are crazy 6 times etc. waking up is not fun. I did go to the health food store and bought some drops I started last night. Things weren't great but a tad bit better. I do 3-4 drops on my tongue 3-4 times a day. Its suppose to help even out my hormones and moods etc. Then once your stable you lower your dosage. We'll see the lady says its the best and liquid gets in the system faster. Anyone ever hear of such a thing??? Leave it to me! Penny hope your feeling better soon I am sure spring time will make us all feel a bit better at least. Gotta go think I may be sick on friday and paint! Opps did I say that???

Hi All-

It sounds like we need a challenge. I graduate with my Masters degree May 20. My goal for myself will be workout 3-4 times a week and lose 15 pounds by graduation. I have 8 weeks from today ! Lets have a Nikki's graduation challenge instead of a summer challenge lol.

Today is my 2nd day in a row of working out this week and day 2 of going back to the diet. I plan to watch my carbs and eat healthy 6 out of 7 days a week and on the 7th only have a little of what I want and only if I really want it. I won't eat just to eat !

Nikki

Carol, if you were a true SU fan you'd paint your doorway bright orange . A good friend from college grew up near Syracuse and was a rabid basketball fan. In the late '70s and early '80s, I was forced to watch their big games and root for them (although I was secretly a Georgetown fan, but kept that to myself).

Penny, I have been in and around nonprofit fundraising for a long time, and have heard your story many times before. All you can do is make sure everyone comes to an agreement re comp tickets at the start, including how the committee will decide when to break the rules, and repeat it over and over. People are funny about money, which is why fundraising can be such a grind. You aren't being a bad guy--you're helping the organizers reach your goals of raising a certain amount for a good cause. And whatever you do, step away from the cheesecake

Marie, have you cleaned your desk yet? I have more stuff I need to pile someplace

I'm signing up for Nikki's graduation challenge. I want to permanently graduate to a lower weight decade ....May 20 is also my mom's b-day so it's an easy date for me to remember. So for these two months I will work out at least five times a week (cardio, strength training and yoga) and plan each day's eating. I've fallen away from my daily menus, and it shows. I'm doing well on giving up chocolate (and candy in general) for Lent, but other than that I've not been in a good overall rhythm in two months...and that shows, too!

judy

Woohoo Judy we can do this