Hi, Turtles,
I see that we're getting onto page 2. I'll start a new thread over the weekend. Today I'm swamped. I need to do my post and get going.
Erin, I agree with you about most American chocolate. However, now that there is a market for extremely high quality chocolates, some American companies are starting to make chocolate to meet that demand. They're not available everywhere, but Ghirardelli's should be available in your area and it's what I use when I can't afford the really good stuff. When I'm really stuck, I use Hershey's. What I won't use is that '50's standby-Baker's. It's inedible. I also don't like Guittard because it has a slight alcohol flavor, most likely from the fake vanilla. I recently learned that Godiva is making baking chocolate. I'm planning to try it the next time I'm using chocolate for a special occasion recipe.
It is so cool that you've found a point level that's working for you. It doesn't surprise me that it's higher than you expected. You do so much exercise and your body needs the calories to fuel it.
Lauren, I didn't know that about WW recommending no more than 2 points a day for sugary treats. (rant warning) If you follow that every day, you'd never eat desserts, not even lowfat or healthy ones with fruit, nuts and whole grains. You'd be stuck with sugar-free Jello and nonfat Cool Whip. I don't care what WW says about it not being a "diet", some of the things they say are "diet stuff". This suggestion is one of them, IMHO.
I noticed that they also tend to quote point counts that are higher for the former "bad" foods than if I calculate them from the nutrition label or use MasterCook to calculate my own recipes. An example is whipping cream. In 123 Success the point count was exactly the count on the label. When they went to Winning Points they increased the number of points per serving. But nothing about whipping cream changed. They just want people to eat less of it, thus, I think, showing by their actions that some foods are "bad" in their book.
One of the things I hated about WW meetings was that when they discussed recipes and food, there was always a reliance on artificial sweeteners, low fat foods, foods processed for people who want to lose weight. Part of that is that a lot of the members think that eating that stuff will help them lose weight faster or let them eat more food every day, so they wanted that kind of recipe. My experience when I used to try eating that way was that neither one of those assumptions are true. Whole foods fill you up and keep you satisfied in a way the "fake" ones don't. But, despite the official stance in the guidebooks that suggest we should eat a whole food diet, I've always had to look elsewhere for support for my desire not to eat that stuff. I'd rather stay fat than spend my money on overpriced, fake food that doesn't taste good or make me feel full, like I actually ate something. (End of rant.)
I'm still staying in my point range, despicte 2 bouts of "PMS meltdown". This month was a good one, though. It was only the day before and the first day that I seemed to crave the carbs. That's so much better than the 2 whole weeks of fighting with this that I sometimes get. I'm sure it's the supplements, but it surprised me worked this month because I had some days when I couldn't get them in for various reasons.
Lauren, what you jokingly said about using your lowest weight during the week cracked me up. When I was doing weekly weigh-ins, I avoided the scale the rest of the week precisely so I wouldn't do that.
But I like the weekly average because the general trend is more valuable to me due to how flaky my weight gets during PMS and TOM. The average gives me numbers that mean something.
I'm glad that your eye exam went OK. My dh and I need one really bad, but our HMO doesn't really cover eyes without us paying more than we can afford. I hate paying so much money every month for such poor service, but we have to keep it or we may not be able to pick up the good plan if we ever get back to San Jose. (sigh)
Kathy, it's good to hear from you. Salmon is great grilled or broiled with a little olive oil sprayed on top, some salt and pepper. A little lime juice is good, too. Some people like dill. That's the herb you will see most often in recipes. I like to try other herbs like thyme or tarragon. Salmon holds its flavor well against strong herbs, just be sure not to put too much.
I'm glad you didn't stick with a group that wasn't right for you. It's hard for a lot of people to let go of things like that because they fear hurting the other people's feelings. Kudos for making the right decision for you and for the group. They can find someone who is more in tune with what they are doing and strengthen their group and you can focus on what you do best.
It's funny, though, that your art group sounds like they do the kind of quilting I'd enjoy. But I wouldn't keep the quilts. I don't care if it's art or not, quilts should be used or hung on the wall of someone who loves what you made. The bookstore I used to work in had a whole bunch of books about watercolor quilts. You create Monet-like pictures using the fabric as your paints. They were so beautiful and I wanted to try it, but I had such a limited budget because I was saving for school for me and my oldest son. And, of course, right now with my son with college expenses and no job, things aren't any better. Whatever money we can scrape out of our budget is going to help pay his expenses.
It's good that you're happy with your life, your program, and I love how peaceful you seem. That's so cool. I think that will help you reach all of your goals.
Happy turtlin'!
Lin
I've got two nieces/nephews (We don't know which yet) and the baby of a cousin (second cousin, would that be?) expected next summer! I keep telling my mom she has to teach me to crochet...
