voiceomt2002

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!

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!

Thanks, BG. I'm getting that Back to Basics section of the cookbook together right now. Between the broths, sauces, homemade mayo, and a few other little additions, this is fun! Pretty soon, my friends and I will be doing preserving! We're trying out a pile of recipes for that this year after the success of the pickles last year.

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.

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.

I too am needle phobic. I talked to my doc and he made special arrangements so I'd be stuck the least amount of times. He arranged for a special IV so they could draw blood from there instead of trying to find a non-existent vein in my arm, etc. Believe me, it's a lot better to have the EJ in the neck! Trust me on this. I've lost over 50 pounds since my surgery in January. I have a new job, new wardrobe, and so much energy it's scary. Your day is coming, BKMom30. Really.

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.

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.

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

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

I'd better be discreet about the side work. The Husqvarna salespersons have the corner on the market of trying to get the customers to buy the machines and do it themselves.

Yep, you're right. I found out too.

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!

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!

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!

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!

This too shall pass, my friends. Happy Banding, BG! I too spent the weekend in the hospital. More when I get a chance to update my own blog! LOL!

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!

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. :thumbup::thumbdown: 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!

They're right, BG. Have to admit, if I weren't scared of needles I'd have a porthole tattoo done over my port site as a private joke.

Hooray for BG!! And now her new life begins! (Happy dancing for BG)

You nut. I want to see that porthole drawing. You know that, right? Hehehe! You're welcome on the soups. Hugs and much love! I'll be waiting on the flip side, of course. Lena

What can I say? I've reached that maniacal point where you stop giving a darn if you offend anyone, and figure if you're going to hurt financially, then you may as well party while you do it. Sad, isn't it?