voiceomt2002

My daughter (DD3) has moved in with us. She's 24, and hadn't been able to find work in her field in Denver. Hence a desperation flight to us filled with hope. Since she works in the same fields as my DH, we have hope they'll motivate each other. DD3 has another motivational point in her favor. Like me, she tends to be overweight. She's 5'10" and weighed a couple of pounds more than I did when she arrived. Immediately, she saw the benefits of dieting with me on the buddy system. We've each lost four pounds! Woohoo! This is going to work!

Love that last picture, BG! LOL!!

ROTFLMAO!!! Girlfriend, you have no idea how much I needed that laugh. Thank you!

::Raising my hand:: I know darn well why I'm not losing weight and it has nothing to do with the band. It's my fault I'm being a naughty bandster. I'm trying to correct the problem despite the saboteurs who eat naughty foods in front of me, but I'm not saying they put a gun to my temple and made me eat the stuff, either. It's called personal responsibility.

Hi Kathy, Here's a link to all my recipes: Pictures by voiceomt2002 - Photobucket To copy any one of my recipes like the too-small Lasagne recipe, simply right click on it and "Save as" to your computer. Then you can click on it on your own computer and it will appear in a larger size. The numbers are calories and carbs. My doctor, the wonderful Dr. Michael Baptista, prefers that his patients monitor both calories and carbs, even after surgery. So, I went through all my cookbooks and wrote those numbers prominently. (I'm 50, and after so many hours in front of a computer writing, my eyesight isn't good.) I'm still compiling the cookbook. Upon occasion, the original recipe needs minor alterations. For instance, tonight DH and I have altered a Crock Swiss Steak recipe. The original was bland and the large chunks called for in the recipe made me have a nasty PB. However, we decided it was worth a second attempt, since the meat itself was tender and the one-step cooking method a delight to a busy working person like myself. Coming up this week is an altered version of Shepherd's Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, and Chicken and Dumplings. These "feed a crowd on a budget" recipes only require minor reworking, with the dumplings being the biggest challenge. (DH just dramatically put a hand over his heart and swore to sacrifice his taste buds in the name of good eats for bandsters. LOL!)

Good for you, sweetie!! Rock on!

Next week is one of those weeks that will test me and my band. Two of my daughters and two of my grandchildren will live here with DH, Dante, and myself. Our grocery bill just doubled. Thank goodness, it's only temporary. However, in the meantime, I must return to dollar-stretching meals like casseroles, shepherd's pie, pot pies, lasagna, chili, and stews. Fortunately, there are low-carb and band-friendly solutions to these problem recipes. I'll start with the one everyone quite rightly fears-- lasagna. This is a challenge, with its layers of pasta. However, there is a solution, and fortunately, it's available right now. Zuchinni! Yep, the ol' zukes, sliced lenthwise on my mandoline (v-slicer, not the musical instrument) become thin, flexible substitutes for the thick, gooey pasta for even cheaper! Hooray! Notice that the recipe I posted is already not really a BAD one for carbs at 27g per serving. By using a few slabs of zuke on one end (one corner does the trick), I can have the same sauce, cheese, and deliciousness as my family with no feelings of deprivation or extra work making two meals. (I am not a masochist!) I'd love to buy one of those ceramic pie birds to mark which end is mine, but until then cutting into the lasagna and serving whatever appears on the correct plate is fine. Cut in one end and find pasta? That's the family's side. Find zukes? Mine! LOL! Yep, I'm looking forward to this.

Next week is one of those weeks that will test me and my band. Two of my daughters and two of my grandchildren will live here with DH, Dante, and myself. Our grocery bill just doubled. Thank goodness, it's only temporary. However, in the meantime, I must return to dollar-stretching meals like casseroles, shepherd's pie, pot pies, lasagna, chili, and stews. Fortunately, there are low-carb and band-friendly solutions to these problem recipes. I'll start with the one everyone quite rightly fears-- lasagna. This is a challenge, with its layers of pasta. However, there is a solution, and fortunately, it's available right now. Zuchinni! Yep, the ol' zukes, sliced lenthwise on my mandoline (v-slicer, not the musical instrument) become thin, flexible substitutes for the thick, gooey pasta for even cheaper! Hooray! Notice that the recipe I posted is already not really a BAD one for carbs at 27g per serving. By using a few slabs of zuke on one end (one corner does the trick), I can have the same sauce, cheese, and deliciousness as my family with no feelings of deprivation or extra work making two meals. (I am not a masochist!) I'd love to buy one of those ceramic pie birds to mark which end is mine, but until then cutting into the lasagna and serving whatever appears on the correct plate is fine. Cut in one end and find pasta? That's the family's side. Find zukes? Mine! LOL! Yep, I'm looking forward to this.

You should check with your nutritionist to see how your doc prefers starchy vegetables to be classified. Mine would say it's a starch, and he doesn't care what produced it. (grin) I'd serve this on a day where I knew I was definitely eating low carb the rest of the day, even with my substitutions. After all, 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin is a whopping 9 carbs all by itself. Still, for something as tasty as a dessert, it's not bad!

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

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

LOL!! I had to buy a book on re-designing and sewing jeans so I could fit my old jeans! LOL! Okay, remind me not to get the big hair back, too?

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/)

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/)

Honey, call your doctor ASAP. Doesn't matter what the reason is, you're a hospital case waiting to happen for dehydration and nutritional deficiency.

Hi, Imaluckydog! Yes, I do have all the recipes you need. Here are the links: http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u323/voiceomt2002/Recipes/CreamofVegetableSoup1.jpg http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u323/voiceomt2002/Recipes/CreamofVegetableSoup2.jpg http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u323/voiceomt2002/Recipes/BasicChickenBroth.jpg One is my basic chicken broth, the other two are how to make delicious cream of vegetable soups of all kinds to get you through. I highly recommend using a crock pot to make the chicken broth and freezing about ten ounce serving sizes. Most recent bandsters can only manage about four ounces, but invariably the family wants their bit too. I make the cream of mushroom soup on a regular basis to replace the high-sodium and carb condensed versions in cans, so I have a large amount on hand for recipes. I manage to freeze only half because of my family dipping in! (Hiding the ladles don't work, they used a coffee cup! ARRGH!) While you're there, feel free to browse through all my other recipe albums. Many of those recipes are for the bandster. Also, look around my earlier entries of my blog for more mushies. I posted quite a few. I'm always on the lookout for more!

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.

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.

Let me know what they say about your personal fishing line, BG.

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!

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!

As long as the color black is never offered! I own two black maillots because they were the only color offered besides a hideous print. Now I'm scared to wear them to the beach for fear beachgoers would grab up buckets of seawater to throw over me as I sunbathed, yelling about the beached killer whale and calling Sea World so I could be a mate for Shamu.

LOL!! If some trucking company crosses my DH's palm with enough silver, I'd move from my beloved sun and sand.

Buwahahahahaha!! I have my own mulch pile, presently under an inch or two of water with all this rain.

Hooray for Parrot Heads! Dancing to a steel drum band with you, babes! Break out de barbeque and fire up some shrimp, mon! I'll try not to be toooo envious! PAAAARTAAAY!