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Blog 49252

A blog by voiceomt2002

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Breakfast or Dessert? Pumpkin and Granola Parfait

This looks like dessert to me! I haven't got any granola bars, but I'll be a sprinkle of nuts would work with less carbs. Pumpkin & Granola Parfait 1 serving View Nutrition Facts Ingredients 1 container (6-ounces) plain low-fat yogurt 2 teaspoons honey (I subbed Splenda) 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice 1 whole-grain crunchy granola bar, crumbled 1/2 cup canned pumpkin Directions Mix together yogurt, honey and pumpkin-pie spice. In a bowl, layer yogurt mixture, granola-bar crumbs and pumpkin. Delicious! This isn't cheating! Woohoo! Okay, be reasonable! 1/2 cup is plenty

May 29, 2009

3

Recipe-- Lemon and Herb Rubbed Pork Chops

Lemon and Herb Rubbed Pork Chops Ingredients 1-1/2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crushed 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 8 cloves garlic, minced 4 pork loin chops, cut 1-1/4 inches thick Directions For rub, in a small bowl combine lemon peel, rosemary, salt, sage, pepper, and garlic. Trim fat from chops. Sprinkle rub evenly over both sides of chops; rub in with your fingers. For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place chops on grill rack over pan. Cover; grill for 35 to 40 minutes or until chops are slightly pink in centerand juices run clear (160F), turning once halfway through grilling. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as above.) Lena's notes: Makes only 4 chops. They may be dry if you cook them too long, making them difficult to get past the stoma. Undercook them slightly and allow them to rest for 5-15 minutes, covered with a sheet of foil. They'll finish cooking while resting. This will allow time for the juices to redistribute into the meat, giving you a moister bite you can get past the stoma. AFTER THEY"VE RESTED, cut them up into tiny pieces before you sit down, and you'll be less tempted to gobble. Nutrition Facts Calories 292,Total Fat (g) 10,Saturated Fat (g) 4,Monounsaturated Fat (g) 5,Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 1,Cholesterol (mg) 105,Sodium (mg) 371,Carbohydrate (g) 3,Total Sugar (g) 0,Fiber (g) 1. Karen Marshall North Attleboro, MA508-463-7142 Wildtree Herbs Independent Representative_www.wildtree. com_ (http://www.wildtree .com/)

May 26, 2009

1

That Which Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger

It's been a stressful two months with my husband out of work. We saw financial ruin at every turn and panicked daily at 3 AM. I'm a stress eater, and for awhile there I tested my band and hovered at gaining weight despite a band with close to 9 cc's in it. I gained and lost, adding more unnecessary stress to my life. Even when I thought I was watching my carbs, I refused to keep a food log. I truly believed I was limiting my stress by allowing myself some freedom. (Self-delusion time! Call me Cleopatra, Queen of Denial!) This weekend, I decided “enough is enough” and went back to my doctor's advice about keeping a food log. Immediately, I got results. The two pounds I'd gained dropped off me, and I was shocked to discover I once again –quite deservedly, I might add!-- had to go through with withdrawal from my carb addiction. I'm now back on track and less than one pound away from where I was when all my troubles and stress began. I now know the value of my food log and I will not stray away from it again. Someday, perhaps in the not-so-distant future, I'll be able to maintain a decent weight without logging every morsel I put in my mouth, or perhaps occasionally forgiving myself for a slice of birthday cake on my birthday. But today is not that day, and I love my smaller body size and healthier lifestyle too much to consider a quick stroke of a pen a hardship.

May 24, 2009

5

The Tension Eases Slightly

DH and I went to one of those "We Buy Houses" guys yesterday. While Patrick declined to touch our house, he did it for the right reason-- we don't need him right now. Patrick assured us that the mortgage company will call eventually, and they will likely make a deal that will allow us to keep our home. It's just likely to take awhile. He said the sheer number of foreclosures happening dictates the mortgage companies are willing to work with anyone who'll talk to them despite the embarrassment. Besides that, the volume of foreclosures mean it can take more than a year to complete the process! If Randy takes a year to find a job, then we may as well hang it up. We don't need much in the way of income. A mere $1600 a month would guarantee we could stay here and still eat. Randy and I took a few hours to digest the information and numbers Patrick gave us and decided to take his advice. We relaxed and vowed to not be so hard on ourselves. Good thing, too. The coffee pot blew up last night. LOL!

May 23, 2009

2

Stress Management Solutions-- Part Two

Sometimes, there are solutions to stress right under your nose. Just a day before my DH called to tell me he'd lost his job, I signed up for a "Learn to Quilt" class from the local quilting guild. At first, going to classes when my DH was home with no job seemed frivolous and even selfish. However, I've found a certain peace and satisfaction in this art form. Funny thing is, it ties in with my losing weight. Last summer, while I waited to visit the surgeon and jumped through all the hoops like a circus poodle, I was also humiliated to find myself making clothes in a size larger than the pattern companies made. I had to "size up" from their largest, creating a pair of pants that were grotesquely huge. In despair, I never finished those pants. I was too mortified. The other day, I found those pants buried under the piles of cloth I made teddy bears out of for my grandchildren. I laughed and cut those pants into 6" charm squares for a quilt. Then I looked at my closet door. Hmmm! I have clothes in there that cannot be re-tailored down, but the memories of the "fat girl" events they represent should never be forgotten. I now have a pile of clothes to be cut down into a memory quilt of charm squares and black rails, since many of those clothes were black (or matched black) because I honestly believed black was slimming. No, I just looked like a black beach ball. I'll finish the pretty new blue quilt I'm learning on within the month. Then, I think I'll start on my memory quilt. Maybe I'll use it as a visual aid when I write "No Fat Chicks" this fall. Lena

May 19, 2009

2

Stress Management Solutions-- Part One

In an earlier blog, I ranted a bit about some of my stresses. This weekend, I found the solution to two of my issues and relinquished worry about a third. I'll talk a bit about #3, then #1. Number #2 is for tomorrow. #3-- I've relinquished worry about my the possibility of losing my house. Let's face it, we were risking a lot when we bought it, and it did put us in the financial position of rarely having money for extras or emergencies. DH and Dante constantly fuss about whose turn it is to mow the lawn until I'm ready to bash their heads together. While we don't need the hit on our credit, I think visiting the "We Buy Houses" guy a couple miles from here just might be the very thing to lower my stress. After all, there are just some things that are malignant and best treated like surgery--just get it removed as quickly as possible. #1-- One of my stresses was also having the guys right behind me in the office when I tried to write. I'm one of those writers who must be completely alone and concentrating in the zone to get the job done. We finally moved the gaming computer into my bedroom, separating the computers and giving me a man-free space to write. The only things in here besides my computer are my grandmother's antique secretaire I use for bills and household work, and my beloved antique vanity I use as a sewing table. Now, it's blissfully quiet in here. No more bangs and explosions as masculine aggression is focused on killing tiny pixels on the screen. Ahhh!

May 18, 2009

5

Another Blow, but this one has Nerf foam on it

After spending four days in the hospital for a false alarm "heart attack" I had to go visit my PCP yesterday. (sigh) We both agree it's clear that losing fifty pounds, attaining normal cholesterol and blood sugar, and exercising three times a week doesn't guarantee good health. However, it does give you a fighting chance. I'll take that positive. The old specter of my many years of GERD has possibly come back to haunt me. I may have something like Barret's esophagus or (forgive me for not remembering the term well) hammered esophagus. (sigh) To rule out nastier problems, I'll go back under anesthesia for an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Lovely! The way I figure it, I'll be asleep. What the heck, I refuse to worry too much about it. After all, I like anesthesia. Best sleep of my life, and as a bonus, they'll take me off Coumadin for a couple days. Even better. There's enough on my "worry list" right now anyway.

May 14, 2009

3

Almost a Mushie Recipe-- Crock Posole

Wow, am I impressed with this one. Doc and I finally achieved an understanding on the subjects of meats. I've been having trouble with meats being too dry, and yet Doc wanted me to eat lots of meat to stay low carb. Can you say conflict? Well, crock pot and pressure cooker meals are the answer. This particular recipe was fast, easy, inexpensive, and relatively low carb. The meat was so tender, it was almost a mushie recipe. If you're not a spicy food lover, eliminate the chili peppers and use a few shakes of red pepper flakes to give it heat without burning your mouth. While I love "Dragon's Breath Chili" and other hot foods, DH and Dante can't take the heat. So, I use Tabasco on my portions.

May 12, 2009

2

Stress Management and Emotional Eating

When I first began my journey toward having a LapBand, I was told an odd fact: a fair percentage of bandsters often end up with other issues such as alcoholism. I thought that rather odd, and considered myself very well-adjusted. I couldn't imagine developing such a horrible problem back then. I can now. What's more, I now understand why. I'm a stress eater. When I get under stress, I run to the refrigerator, not a bottle. That is, I did until I was banded. While I can still swallow those naughty treats, I don't keep many around anymore. Even ice cream, which slides past my band like it wasn't even there isn't available as much anymore, long as I avoid temptation while in the grocery store. But where does that leave me when under stress? I don't smoke. I can't eat sweets and junk because I don't keep them around the house. Booze? Yes, it's here. I keep a small stock for cooking. Now I can see how some bandsters, deprived of their usual comforts when under stress, turn to booze. Oh, yeah. I have to admit, thanks to recent events here at home, I've had a few glasses of wine and actually considered going for the (yuk!) bourbon. I hate bourbon. But I was desperate for any tranquilizing feel-good effects. Okay, so clearly that's why my doctor has a shrink on staff. She may spot potential issues like OCD, or stress management issues long before they become irrepairable. I can see that now. Scary. Very scary. The trick has been to find new methods of calming down. Walking has worked. Working, like cleaning house, helped. Doing my crafts rather obsessively has helped. Finding a job that got me out of the house has helped. It's the little things.

May 8, 2009

5

Homemade Herb Vinegars

This is a quickie trick that can develop into an obsession, I'm warning you. LOL! I've been doing this for about fifteen years, but I've been growing my own herbs and veggies that long or longer anyway! It all started with a Purple Ruffles Basil plant. I loved that plant with its gorgeous purple leaves and mild basil taste. Then I read about making herbal vinegars by simply warming up your choice of vinegar, pouring it into an easily corked bottle (new cork, please!) and then adding herbs. I gave it a shot with white vinegar and a clear bottle that had once held wine. I was rewarded with a vinegar that slowly turned into the loveliest shade of purple and was a delight on any salad! I practically wept that winter when we used the last, knowing I'd have to grow more purple ruffles basil before we'd have more. My family made me promise to make several bottles, but it wasn't to be. My DH lost his job, and we ended up moving to Denver. We did without our purple basil vinegar for two years before I found another and successfully grew it again. Now, you can get fresh herbs in any local grocer's produce section at almost any time of year and make many different kinds of vinegars! Tarragon vinegar is a delight! Regular basil vinegar is delicious! What do you do with this liquid treasure? Salad dressings made with oil and vinegar. Marinades often call for vinegar. Homemade mayonnaise calls for vinegar. Some sauces call for vinegar, and one of the most delightful tricks on the planet is sliced cucumbers soaking in vinegar in the refrigerator on a hot summer day.

May 7, 2009

3

Homemade Mayonnaise

Ever looked on the side of your mayonnaise jar and wondered why there needs to be preservatives and ingredients you can't pronounce? I did. So, I wondered what would happen if I started making my own. Then I discovered the joys of using my own flavored oils, vinegars, and spices to create special mayonnaise just for certain recipes. One of my greatest triumphs was when I made basil mayonnaise for sandwiches. Yum! Try it!

May 6, 2009

1

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Summer's coming! Who needs all those high-calorie ketchups? Not us! Let's go light and get our fresh veggies on our grilled meat.

May 5, 2009

2

The Sauce that Makes it All Slide Down-- Part Two

Okay, the previously posted recipe was only part of the blog, but once I'd added it, the darn thing wouldn't let me type my comments below. I'm big on sauces because I need them to swallow many meats. Even the softest and smallest can cause me a bit of distress, so a sauce smooths the way and keeps me from insulting the host or embarrassing myself. (Nothing like throwing up your own cooking to impress the guests, right?) The White Sauce and its variations are a large part of my secret recipes, but there are tricks. 1. Use Wondra Flour when you can get it. This flour is ground extra fine and is made for use in sauces and gravies. Yes, you can use regular AP flour, but you're risking lumps. Do yourself a favor and sift the AP flour first. 2. Use a whisk to stir the flour and butter together, then slowwwwly whisk in the milk and other ingredients. 3. Don't turn your back on this recipe, not for a second. Line up your ingredients and measure them out before you start melting that butter so you can grab and dump with one hand while whisking with the other. 4. Note that I added the calories and carbs to the side and underlined what dish goes with what sauce. 5. Frankly, the cheese sauce goes in any dish where you might use cheese, and the cheese can be varied out for different flavors. Shredded Cheddar is the most common, but shredded swiss is marvelous over Spam and frozen mixed veggies for a fast meal on the cheap. 6. Use Creole Seasoning (like Tony Chachere's) in place of the chili powder in the Mexicali Sauce for a nice Cajun flavor. Add bell peppers, onions, and celery to the beef, pork, chicken, and/or shrimp, and you have a meal for no trouble! Play with your sauce once you're comfy. You'll love how you can make anything tasty! My fussy "I hate broccoli" DH swears I could put these sauces over a brick and he'd eat it.

May 4, 2009

3

The Sauce that Makes it All Slide Down-- Part One

May 4, 2009

1

Guilt-Free Midnight Snacks

Midnight Snacks Are you a night owl who sometimes gets the midnight munchies? It's okay to add a late-night snack to your meal plan, particularly during Phase 1 of the program when you're still getting your hunger and cravings under control. Frequent snacking can help stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels, according to Dr. Arthur Agatston, leading preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet Supercharged. Here are some tasty late-night snack ideas, suitable for all Phases: Celery sticks with hummus or natural, no-sugar-added peanut butter
I still have trouble accepting that it's okay to have peanut butter. (grin) Still, making these and having them handy with the raw veggies in a serving-size ziploc baggie means I grab what's most convenient (the baggie). Raw veggies
Lean deli meat roll-ups
Yummy and again, easily rolled up and available. Part-skim mozzarella cheese stick
These are great! Least likely to leave something visible in your teeth, so perfect for the on-the-go Nuts such as almonds, peanuts, or pistachios, but stick to one serving — about 15 almonds, 20 peanuts, or 30 pistachios — since too many nuts can impede weight loss
For me, this is one of those "betcha can't eat just one!" foods. A handful of nuts of any kind just doesn't satisfy me, but don't let my love of nuts influence you. Again, those snack-sized baggies come in very handy for portion control. Fat-free or 1 percent cottage cheese with salsa or chopped cucumber
I've not tried salsa or chopped cucumber in my cottage cheese. I grew up thinking of cottage cheese as a sweet, so I dip out a serving (about 1 cup) and add Splenda and flavored extracts to taste. Dry-roasted or boiled edamame (green soybeans)
Edamame is a recent addition to my snack repetoire, and I love them! They're as addicting as popcorn. However, let me add here that I'm a lucky bandster who can --in small quantities-- injest popcorn with no harm done. I enjoy spicing up my popcorn with cheese, ranch dressing powder, or creole seasonings. Popcorn and the more expensive edamame are the basis of my "no-guilt thinking snack" when I'm writing during the day. Fat-free or 1 percent milk
Let me add in here that, IMHO, sometimes a snack attack is not hunger but thirst. I use the same technique I did to quit smoking to get away from unhealthy snacks. Always acknowledge the craving's existence, but wait thirty minutes and drink something instead. Sometimes a glass of milk or an icy Crystal Light will do the job. Plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt
The worst and biggest craving in our house is for ice cream. My DH could eat the high fat, high calorie stuff and still look like a stick. So, for me plain yogurt and the aforementioned cottage cheese are diet salvations. By using the myriad of flavored extracts available online, such as Watkins Products, I can have everything from chocolate to pina colada (pineapple, coconut, and rum extracts, combined) without breaking my diet. Remember, nuts are allowed! A strawberry on top makes it festive. Who says you can't play with your food? Lena Austin http://www.LenaAustin.com http://depravedduchess.blogspot.com

May 4, 2009

1

BG will be proud of me...

I got the job!! I sailed in earlier, lugging my demo stuff (without sweating like a pig, I might add), gave a clear example of some of my skills, smiled when she complimented my lovely (and three sizes smaller) outfit, and proposed new classes to the Education Manager. Her jaw hit the floor at the sheer number of things I can do, and when I proved I could even handle teen projects called Urban Threads, she was thrilled. I was hired on the spot. My first demonstration of Punch Needle Embroidery is this coming Saturday, with a small side of Wood Burning Plaques for fun. One plaque of a Chinese Junk is done. One adorable punched Teddy Bear tote originally made for my grandson is done, and the punched butterfly for my granddaughter could be done tomorrow. Those will go on display to show what the class teaches. I'll just demonstrate Punch Needle Embroidery for three hours and take names of those interested in taking the class. What's even the best part is I'm not technically a JoAnn Fabrics employee, so I can wear my beautifully crafted and embroidered clothes to show off not only my skills to entice students, but also my new figure! I'm a sub-contractor, and I'm used to that particular business structure and tax system. Hehehe!! This is going to be such fun! Thanks for the encouragement, BG!

May 3, 2009

3

Good News/Bad News --Unexpected Hospital Visit

Advice from an old fart of 49: Never, ever EVER say the words, "chest" and "pain" in the same sentence, or you're risking a minimum of four days in the hospital if you use them in the same paragraph. (grumble) In these days of CYA, doctors will automatically consider you a pincushion and a guinea pig for every test known to God and man, just to make sure they don't get sued. And this was an efficient military hospital. I'm quite literally black and blue on both arms, both sides of my neck, both legs, and my belly. I'm not kidding. I look like a hideous science experiment. Because of all the tests they wanted to run I literally never got a breakfast, and sometimes didn't get lunch. I've lost five pounds, have sores from an allergic reaction to the adhesives in the EKG pads all over my torso, and until last night I hadn't had more than three hours of sleep at a stretch. If I hadn't been in the habit of exercising three times a week, I doubt I would have survived that damned nuclear stress tess and I'd still be tethered to an ICU bed by a Mongolian cluster f*ck of wires. Thank all the gods for nurses and Navy corpsmen. They are angels of mercy, kind when they can be, and quick when they can't be. Two, Greg and Naomi, will be characters in my books because they earned immortality in a positive way. Both Greg and Naomi went out of their way to be as kind as possible, even bending a few rules for my comfort. Diagnosis: erratic angina. Translation: We have no idea why her chest hurt. The good news came yesterday. My DH and I both got interview phone calls. DH went to his almost immediately, and was called back for a second interview on Monday! Whoopee! My interview is tomorrow. If I'm very, very lucky, I might be the Trend Teacher at my local JoAnn Fabrics store! (Yes, BG! I get to show off all my craft skills. LOL!) Good thing I lost those extra five pounds. I'm proud of the way I look, now!

May 1, 2009

2

When the Going Gets Tough

Well, still no jobs for DH or I. (sigh) Man, this hurts. You'd think one of us would be sweeping floors somewhere by now, at least. Now another blow. When my DH came home from losing his trucking job, he was so sick we took him to the doctor. She ran all sorts of tests, and we expected to hear something like diabetes, which runs in his family. That would have been bad enough. We didn't expect to hear, "possible prostate cancer." (gulp) Yes, I had hysterics and permitted myself 24 hours of a pity party. :tounge_smile: Didn't we have enough to worry about with job loss, and possibly losing the house to foreclosure because of the job loss? Learning to cope without stuffing myself with food has been interesting. I've never been a drinker, but twice now I've consumed a glass of wine. That may not seem like much to some folks, but for me that's the equivalent of a binge drunk. Do you know what happens when your tortured mind tries to compensate with food while your stomach has a LapBand? Yeah, you develop an intimate relationship with the porcelain toilet. Funny how you have more incentive to keep the darn thing pristine white when you hang your head over it so much your knees are calloused. :thumbup: But an old dog can be taught new tricks. After hanging around my bathroom for two days in a row, I tossed the empty wine bottle in the trash and rolled up my sleeves. When the going gets tough, the tough get cleaning. That's always been my fallback method of dealing with stress. You'd be amazed what you find on top of the refrigerator. I think I'll use some of those old classifieds to protect the top of the fridge. Today I'm rearranging the living room. I think I need to hold another garage sale. I may lose my home in a few months if the mortgage company and I can't arrive at an agreement, but it'll be scrubbed and sparkling! There are just some things in life that aren't fixed by losing weight, but it darn sure helps when you have the energy to get up and do something about it! I'm not crying Uncle yet!

April 23, 2009

4

Revenge is Sweet

When I was much younger, there was a movie on TV about a fat girl who was reviled and treated badly by everyone she knew, even her fiancee. Her only retreat was college, where she was a professional student. Then, she had a car accident after one cruel trick too many. Even in the hospital under all those bandages and in pain, she was still treated badly. Her fiancee broke up with her, among other things. She had no choice but to go on living, and when she finally emerged back into society, she had a new face and a new body. And one heck of a lot of anger. So, she murdered the people who'd treated her so badly, one by one, and very artistically. She made the punishments fit their crimes. I loved that movie. I'm sure we've all been there with that girl, when someone made it clear they didn't find you attractive or even pleasant to be around because of your weight. I'm happily married, but a year ago a man we know made the blatant statement that he found me the antithesis of sexy, despite what I wrote, because of my weight. No matter that my DH loved me, that still hurt. Fast forward one year. The other day, that same gent lavishly complimented me about my weight loss, and how he couldn't help but be attracted to someone who wrote all those erotic stories, etc. (Boy, what a hypocrite!) If my marriage ever failed (HAH!) he hoped I'd look him up. (gag!) I took such pleasure in giving him the evil eye and saying, "Not even in my worst nightmares, sweetie." Revenge is a dish best served cold, and this one tasted so much better than a frosty Ben and Jerry's. :eek: Well, back to job hunting...

April 18, 2009

5

The Economy Hits Home--One Month Later

Things have gone from bad to worse here. My poor DH has recovered from whatever illness got him on the trip home. After two weeks of flu-like symptoms and a trip to the doctor's, he's been looking for work like a fiend with no success in sight. No one will give a trucker with less than a year of experience a chance, especially not in this economy. The local want ads are full of truckers --both experienced and men like my DH-- begging for any trucking job they can get. My DH has applied for any job he can do, even forklift driver and warehouse worker. He's called and applied at every temp agency that will talk to him. They all say the same-- "Don't call us. We'll call you if we have anything." I guess he'll be applying at McDonald's next. I'm down to 237 lbs as of this morning, and I had a recent fill that's put me darn close to the sweet spot. Guess it's a good thing I'm not eating. There's not much food or hope left, here. I think we're going to lose the house. I can't remember the last time I slept a straight eight.

April 17, 2009

2

Link to Diet Detective-- Calorie Rip-Offs

Just looking at the rip-offs on the Starbuck's list makes me cringe. Those were of course my favorites. As the Diet Detective rightly points out, those weren't even meals. http://www.dietdetective.com/content/view/2108/156/

March 27, 2009

3

The Economy Hits Home--An Update

Well, DH made it home, but not without problems. Within 24 hours of his return, he was burning up with a fever. Today is the first day he awakened and said he felt better. (Relieved sigh) Now maybe he can look for a new job. I love him very, very much. Seeing him walk through that bus terminal door made my heart burst right out of my chest, plop to the floor and roll to his feet. Scruffy, sleep-deprived, and stinking from riding a bus for 2.5 days, he was still my gorgeous darling. Yeah, I'm seriously besotted with my grumpy old man. However, our savings had already been severely depleted by our purchase last year of this lovely house we live in. I'd not been able to replenish most of the money, though I managed about a month's worth of stockpile before the budget goes belly up. One month to find a job before disaster. I'm looking at the month of April with desperation. I'm lighting candles and praying to that he'll find work quickly. We don't need much. A mere $1200 a month net is all we need to make ends meet. This is also a disaster for my weight loss. My DH is a carb hound who can afford to eat rice, potatoes, bread, cakes, sweets, and starchy vegetables. The man is so thin, it's scary. My new low-carb life is impossible for him to maintain. He's positive he'll starve. (grin) So, I'm baking and cooking just like I used to before my band, and there's fudge in the fridge, chili in the crock pot, and the remains of Monkey Bread on the counter. I can resist anything but temptation, and having the Monkey Bread on the counter was too much for me yesterday. I sliced off some and hunkered down like a child stealing cookies. Less than five minutes into it, my band made me pay dearly for my naughtiness. Umm...I never want to look at Monkey Bread again. Blech! That HURT. A lot. I'm a stress eater, and right now I'm very, very grateful for my band. I can only do so much damage before my band reminds me forcefully that I'm not allowed that much self-indulgence. Today, instead of eating and worrying, I think I'll update my own resume. I may be a disabled old woman, but maybe I can sweep floors or something.

March 26, 2009

1

The Economy Hits Home--Job Loss

My husband called from California. He's been let go from the trucking company and they're sending him home by bus. Nice, huh? All the way across the country for 2.5 days, devastated by the loss. Needless to say, I'll be a bit distracted this weekend. Don't know when I'll be back. Yeah, I know. The world might just stop revolving without me to spin it. (grin)

March 20, 2009

3

Mushies- Coq Au Vin Stew

This only sounds fancy. It's easy! http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/coq-au-vin-stew/ Don't forget to take off the skins on those chicken thighs. They look slimy and unappetizing, not to mention how much fat they hold. Get rid of them before beginning this recipe. If you can't find the Beefy Onion soup mix, just use regular Onion Soup Mix and add about a tablespoon of beef bouillion granules to the stew. The results will be the same.

March 18, 2009

1

Mushie- Chicken Edamame Chowder

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/chicken-edamame-chowder/ Lena's notes: This recipe does not state clearly that the edamame beans are just the beans, not the pods. Be careful about this. The pods are not edible. Try to find the already shelled beans if you can. If you can't, cook according to package directions and shell them yourself before adding to the chowder. Personally, I love edamame! It's become my new "thinking food" to snack on when I'm working here at my desk. I steam up the pods and bring the bowl right in. The pods force me not to gobble indiscriminately and the whole bowlful of used pods can go right into my compost bin out back. A little kosher salt and/or seasonings, and I'm good to go!

March 17, 2009

3

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