voiceomt2002

ROTFLMAO! Thanks, BG. Actually, for a crafts project, I was thinking of a yardstick incorporated into a kitschy chair rail so you could take a picture of the inches sliding off you. Bring your own yardstick, but I've got all the acrylic paints anyone could need. LOL!

Yep! I have a blog where I post a lot of healthy bandster recipes: Fat Frog Diary. Here you go! Great for when you're late. Microwave on medium about 1 minute or so. You can change out the meat and/or veggie to make use of leftovers in the fridge. Sausage-and-cheese Breakfast Cups (Phase 1) Makes 6 servings Description These egg "muffins" make a hearty breakfast that can be eaten on the run. Make them ahead and warm them in the microwave for a fast and slimming breakfast treat. Ingredients 4 ounces turkey sausage or crumbled turkey bacon 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped 1/4 onion, chopped 5 large eggs 1 can (12 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 6-cup nonstick muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups. In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, pepper, and onion for 5 minutes, or until the sausage is no longer pink. Spoon the mixture into a bowl and cool slightly. Stir in the eggs and mushrooms. Evenly divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the egg is set. Nutritional information 140 calories 9 total fat (3 g sat) 195 mg cholesterol 4 g carbohydrate 12 g Protein 1 g Fiber 400 mg sodium

I hear you on the PCP, Biker! Amazing how they wanted nothing to do with us and blamed everything on the weight (or also in my case, the smoking. I've since quit.) I so badly want to look at my PCP and say, "Now what will you blame this pain in my foot on? Can I see a podiatrist now?" I have to get her referral for everything.

Sign me up for SHA, please! I'm so bad, I use a wipe off marker to keep track of my daily weigh-in on the bathroom mirror. "Hmm! I weighed 245 yesterday! What did I eat that made me gain a whole pound! Ack! Okay, meal replacement shakes for breakfast and lunch! Must lose! Must lose!"

::Headdesk:: I spent too much money! Add temptress to my mother's list of skills. (sob! sob!) She took me to a seafood restaurant, where I impressed her with my choices and how quickly I filled up. Then the evil woman suggested we hit places like Crocs, Liz Claiborne, Jockey, and (dare I say it?) Saks at the outlet mall. Evil woman! Eee-vile! ::Lena peeks through her fingers to see if anyone's buying the abdication of responsibility bullcrap::

::Taking a bow:: Thank you! That's going to be quite a pile you're sending. Should I have my DH drop by your way with the semi? LOL! I have that bumper sticker BTW. The bear is actually very easy and takes maybe an hour to cut and stitch. I hand-stitched the pearls on while I watched TV last night. Not that difficult, really. Lena

For those who didn't see the blog, my assistant Selena had a teddy bear I'd made her. She gave away that bear to an autistic child going into the hospital. Here is the replacement bear I'll send. I've named it, "A Pearl Beyond Price" because that's what Selena is, and not only to me.

For those who didn't see the blog, my assistant Selena had a teddy bear I'd made her. She gave away that bear to an autistic child going into the hospital. Here is the replacement bear I'll send. I've named it, "A Pearl Beyond Price" because that's what Selena is, and not only to me.

Julie.Ann and several others told me about online food journals like sparkpeople.com, thedailyplate.com and fitday.com. I've been keeping a print food journal for over two years, but the ink and paper costs were eating me alive, to be honest. Finally, I looked at the three I mentioned and decided on fitday.com. That's a personal choice! I don't advocate any one brand. However, I'm now totally converted to online food journals after just three days. At first, I was frustrated by searching for my specific food I'd injested, especially when it came to recipes. Finally, I started using the Custom Food option when I couldn't find what I needed or wanted to use a recipe's nutrition info. Whew! Much better. Funny thing is, I'm staying on my diet better now. Maybe it's that whole "I know nothing on the net is truly private" paranoia, but I'll take what works. I never fudged on calories or carbs in my journal, but this way ensures a certain level of honesty. Today, I'll probably break my diet --again. This time, in a good cause. I'm driving down to St. Augustine to visit my Mom. Mom's a underweight very eccentric retired artist. (Yes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the creativity department. She painted with color and glass, I paint with words.) I'd better take notes of what I eat. Better put a notepad in my purse.

Julie.Ann and several others told me about online food journals like sparkpeople.com, thedailyplate.com and fitday.com. I've been keeping a print food journal for over two years, but the ink and paper costs were eating me alive, to be honest. Finally, I looked at the three I mentioned and decided on fitday.com. That's a personal choice! I don't advocate any one brand. However, I'm now totally converted to online food journals after just three days. At first, I was frustrated by searching for my specific food I'd injested, especially when it came to recipes. Finally, I started using the Custom Food option when I couldn't find what I needed or wanted to use a recipe's nutrition info. Whew! Much better. Funny thing is, I'm staying on my diet better now. Maybe it's that whole "I know nothing on the net is truly private" paranoia, but I'll take what works. I never fudged on calories or carbs in my journal, but this way ensures a certain level of honesty. Today, I'll probably break my diet --again. This time, in a good cause. I'm driving down to St. Augustine to visit my Mom. Mom's a underweight very eccentric retired artist. (Yes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the creativity department. She painted with color and glass, I paint with words.) I'd better take notes of what I eat. Better put a notepad in my purse.

I got another NSV tonight. I put on an old favorite sleeveless pajama set for lounging around the house and the pants just slid around my hips and almost off my butt to the floor. I juggled my cell phone and managed to grab the pants before they hit the floor around my ankles. Another thing on my own growing pile of "tailor this down" mending. However, I have one sewing project that tops everything. My assistant, Selena, is down sick with the flu. She telecommutes from NJ, and I of course telecommute from here in FL. Selena and I chatted by email about a promotion, but she was so sick she had to go lay down. I told her to go cuddle the teddy bear I'd made and sent her last year. Selena answered, "I can't. I have a friend with an autistic son who went in the hospital for surgery. I gave him my bear to make him feel better." You know I'm making her a new teddy bear ASAP. Such selflessness deserves the best bear I can make. It'll be soft baby blue flannel with faux pearls in a necklace and "earrings." I've named it "A Pearl Beyond Price." She's earned it. I'm getting all sniffly just thinking about it.

Hooray for you, Peanut! I know it's silly, but I'm a little envious of y'all that get fills. You're "adjustable" and I'm stuck. (pout) Lena

I have a lawn you can mow down here in Florida. (Hopeful look) Lena

ROTFL! Points to your DH. That's a good one.

I sew. I sew a lot. Not only do I make my own clothes, I make teddy bears, quilts, costumes, and occasionally the odd decorating item. Yes, I'm one of those annoyingly creative people who have to decorate anything that holds still long enough. A few months ago, I made myself a beautiful white jacket out of silk brocade covered in white-on-white phoenixes. I loved that jacket, but had to put it away when cold weather struck. This morning, I needed to make some decisions on what to wear for a trip to visit my mother in St. Augustine. Mom, who is a blonde size 6 soaking wet, dresses to kill and doesn't look her age in the slightest. She also hasn't seen me since the day of my surgery. If you've seen my "before pictures" here, you know we don't look a thing alike. Needless to say, my feminine sense of competitiveness makes me want to dress up as best I can when I go shopping with Mom, especially since she prefers some pretty exclusive little establishments. Anyway, I pulled out that gorgeous jacket and decided to try on a pair of black jeans and black silk shirt I've not worn in years because I couldn't stuff my fat body into them. The jeans not only slid on, the shirt was too big! I screeched and ran out to show my roomie, a gay man named Dante. The jeans were loose and almost baggy, and Dante rejected the shirt. "Honey, you look like you're a little girl trying to wear Mommy's clothes. Do I need to take you shopping?" (giggle) I'm still wearing the outfit on Saturday if Mom's free to go out, but I think my proud grin will outshine whatever Mom wears. Guess I'll take in the shirt, though. Good thing I know how to sew.

I sew. I sew a lot. Not only do I make my own clothes, I make teddy bears, quilts, costumes, and occasionally the odd decorating item. Yes, I'm one of those annoyingly creative people who have to decorate anything that holds still long enough. A few months ago, I made myself a beautiful white jacket out of silk brocade covered in white-on-white phoenixes. I loved that jacket, but had to put it away when cold weather struck. This morning, I needed to make some decisions on what to wear for a trip to visit my mother in St. Augustine. Mom, who is a blonde size 6 soaking wet, dresses to kill and doesn't look her age in the slightest. She also hasn't seen me since the day of my surgery. If you've seen my "before pictures" here, you know we don't look a thing alike. Needless to say, my feminine sense of competitiveness makes me want to dress up as best I can when I go shopping with Mom, especially since she prefers some pretty exclusive little establishments. Anyway, I pulled out that gorgeous jacket and decided to try on a pair of black jeans and black silk shirt I've not worn in years because I couldn't stuff my fat body into them. The jeans not only slid on, the shirt was too big! I screeched and ran out to show my roomie, a gay man named Dante. The jeans were loose and almost baggy, and Dante rejected the shirt. "Honey, you look like you're a little girl trying to wear Mommy's clothes. Do I need to take you shopping?" (giggle) I'm still wearing the outfit on Saturday if Mom's free to go out, but I think my proud grin will outshine whatever Mom wears. Guess I'll take in the shirt, though. Good thing I know how to sew.

Yep, plateau'd for about a week and a half before the scale moved again. Totally freaked me out. Part of it was my fault. I made some bad food choices and stopped doing a food journal. Apparently, I need the journal. Someone on my blog (I'm too tired to go look right now) recommended an online journal. I chose fitday.com, though the commercial for the program is getting annoying. Between getting back on the wagon with good food choices and being concious of my trigger situations, I've lost two more pounds. (Hope they stay lost!) Guess I just can't get complacent. Lena

Heaven forbid if I start dressing like my beloved DH. I adore him, but the man has the most appalling taste and prefers to wear his faded, torn tee shirts everywhere! Lena

This was surprisingly tender, but I did cut the beef extra small. I'd imagine ground turkey could be substituted for those watching the fat grams.

This was surprisingly tender, but I did cut the beef extra small. I'd imagine ground turkey could be substituted for those watching the fat grams.

Thanks for the encouraging words, Julie.Ann. I checked sparkpeople.com, but I've already been using another log and was reluctant to switch. Maybe I'd better reconsider.

Thanks, Handrews! I'll be doing a bit of traveling by car in late April, and I hoped to take a picnic basket with these included.

LOL!! Normally, I do too. This recipe is one of my "special occasion" recipes I make for picnics and camping. You can also substitute ground turkey for the sausage to reduce the fat. Tell you what, Shamrock-- Why don't you try baking the eggs instead of frying and let me know? I'd be curious.

Forgot to note that you can substitute crushed fried pork rinds for the bread crumbs. I whirl up a bag in my food processor and use the results just like bread crumbs for a no-carb substitute that adds a mild bacon flavor to foods.

Scotch Eggs [/url]Servings: 6 Notes: Scotch Eggs are a great way to use leftover Easter Eggs and are one of my favorite foods, although I don't indulge in them too often. Since they are delicious hot or cold, they make a wonderful addition to a picnic. Ingredients: 6 hard boiled eggs 1 pound spicy sausage meat 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme 1/2 teaspoons dried basil 1/2 cup flour, divided 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 eggs, beaten oil for frying Instructions: Peel the eggs and set aside. Mix sausage and spices in a small bowl. Divide sausage into 6 equal portions, set aside. Mix breadcrumbs with salt, pepper and paprika, set aside. Dry each egg with a paper towel, then roll lightly in flour to coat. Take one portion of sausage and using hands, shape a coating around the hard boiled egg, completely enclosing it (see photos). Roll in flour again, then dip in beaten egg then roll in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining eggs. Heat about 2-3 inches of oil in a large skillet. Fry eggs, turning frequently, until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels. Let cool slightly before serving. To serve, cut each in half and serve with some good mustard.