***Bay Area Babes-Getting Beach Ready***

[mamabird1953]

Thankyou for the info. When I was on the raw food board for about a year no one ever answered questions much and did not want to hear it if you blew it. I did feel good on raw but I started losing muscle tone and I got way too skinny for my age. Plus no one knows how to prepare meals for a raw person when you got invited over for dinner. I still like a lot of raw but I feel I need more. And I can't live without Salmon! Thankyou again for the communication and willingness to help.

[Kris T.]

The place I get my sugar-free syrups is BevMo, just for future reference.. They sell the whopper bottles. Cost Plus has the large ones too. Safeway and Walmart have a few each, but they are small and usually only vanilla and carmel; basic ones.

Mamabird-we love salmon too! I usually cheat and buy the pre-seasoned stuff at TJ, but my husband just picked up some grilling planks that we're dying to try out. I'm not a seafood lover, but salmon is yummy!

Liz, I haven't tried that Indian store on Dougherty yet..I've been to Namaste (lots of flies and crabby people) and one other one on Dublin Blvd..in one of those little strip malls near Athens burgers (very small). The only reason we found it is we were biking to the library and I happened to see it on the sign. It's tucked in there, but don't bother with that one. I'm glad you liked the turnip recipe. They cost .25 at the store next to Allure Salon, so I need to stop and get some more. You can't beat that price!

I've been my usual exercise fanatic-KB for an hour M, W, run on Tues, Fri, and step/pump on Thurs. I also added in a boot camp. The scale is not moving, so I guess I'm at a set point, which is fine. I'm sure I probably need to eat more. I've also been biking everywhere because I'm so flippin' tired of the gas $.

Oh, I just made a coconut bark recipe posted today by Twyla. It uses chocolate whey powder and is a lot better than the other recipe I used, at least I think so. It's not nearly as oily.

I haven't had an egg cream in a while. I've been so busy between scouts, play practice, judo (all for the kids) + work. It's all I can manage to make healthy meals in between. The kids also bring in their lunches every day.

Ok, have a good day everyone, I'm off to pick up Aimee at kindergarten (on my bike). And it's windy...again..ugh. My muscles are killing me from biking into that constant wind.

[hummingbird11]

Originally Posted by Kris T.

Oh, I just made a coconut bark recipe posted today by Twyla. It uses chocolate whey powder and is a lot better than the other recipe I used, at least I think so. It's not nearly as oily.

Ohhhhhh ~ where can I find this post? The other CB recipe is too oily for me too!

[Kris T.]

2 T of Chocolate Protein Whey Powder
1 T of coconut oil, melted
1 T s/f Davinci's (I use English Toffee)
2 T of flax
1 T chopped, toasted almonds (optional)
Stir, refrigerate till hardened (less than 5 mins), enjoy!
No greasiness, just crunchy, chocolately goodness!

Ok..now I copied it as posted, but I think she meant put it in the freezer. I made it in a pyrex dish and it was a pain in the butt to chip out of there. My future plan is to either use my silicone muffin cups, or line a pan with tinfoil or something similar. This had a thicker consistency, and it will take the shape of whatever you use to freeze it in, so if you want a thinner bark, plan accordingly. Mine didn't pour though, I had to scoop it out due to the thickness.

I have no idea about the carb count, but I ate the whole thing at one time. Since there's only a small bit of coconut oil I was not worried. Besides, I was hungry!! That bike ride just took it out of me today.

[skinhealth]

Hi everyone - hope you're enjoying this gorgeous day!

Off to work here in a bit.
Did Turbo Jam Fat Blaster and 25 push-ups this AM
and will do Callanetics Evolution when I get home.
I really can't believe how much it kicks my butt -
I'm praying for it to be over half-way through.
What keeps me going is that I saw a very noticeable
improvement in my abs and saddlebags after the very
1st time!

So far I've had an EC and celery and almond butter today.
Also a multi-green kombucha.
Will have taco salad tonight (making a batch right now).
For you newbies - this is what I do for that.
I brown a pound and half of ground chuck and then mix
in Mexican seasoning.
I keep it in the fridge and heat up a bit over the stove
whenever I'm hungry.
I spoon it over a bed of organic micro-green sprouts from TJ's.
I then top it off with Mexican blend cheese, sour cream,
and guac - it's SO yummy - haven't made this since the
end of April.
Will be having this for dinner along with more celery.

Liz - thank you regarding the exercise - the motivation is easy
though with the almost instant results from Callanetics - I hope
you decide to try it again - it's just so amazing.

Mamabird - It will be cool to have another low-carber in SC.
As far as my EC goes - I don't use any protein powder or flavored syrups - just cream, coconut oil, eggs, unsweetened cocoa, xylitol, and coffee and it's super yummy.
I love your cat - sounds like quite character.

Hummingbird - how was your b-day?

[hummingbird11]

THANKS!! I'm gonna line a pan w/ parchment paper and place it in the freezer...

Originally Posted by Kris T.

2 T of Chocolate Protein Whey Powder
1 T of coconut oil, melted
1 T s/f Davinci's (I use English Toffee)
2 T of flax
1 T chopped, toasted almonds (optional)
Stir, refrigerate till hardened (less than 5 mins), enjoy!
No greasiness, just crunchy, chocolately goodness!

Ok..now I copied it as posted, but I think she meant put it in the freezer. I made it in a pyrex dish and it was a pain in the butt to chip out of there. My future plan is to either use my silicone muffin cups, or line a pan with tinfoil or something similar. This had a thicker consistency, and it will take the shape of whatever you use to freeze it in, so if you want a thinner bark, plan accordingly. Mine didn't pour though, I had to scoop it out due to the thickness.

I have no idea about the carb count, but I ate the whole thing at one time. Since there's only a small bit of coconut oil I was not worried. Besides, I was hungry!! That bike ride just took it out of me today.

[hummingbird11]

Originally Posted by skinhealth

As far as my EC goes - I don't use any protein powder or flavored syrups - just cream, coconut oil, eggs, unsweetened cocoa, xylitol, and coffee and it's super yummy.
I love your cat - sounds like quite character.

Hummingbird - how was your b-day?

YOUR TACO SALAD RECIPE SOUNDS GREAT!

My Torani SF syrup just replaces your cocoa & xylitol.
I think the PP makes it a healthier meal replacement.

I'm in "damage control" mode from my 45th B'Day w/e!

Really, I ate pretty good, mostly on track. The only off-track moments were a bit of potato salad on Saturday and a few pancakes on Sunday. My B'Day cake was a crustless cheesecake - YUM.

And a LOT of fine wine. Oh we had Pinot Noir GALORE from wineries all over Napa, Dry Creek, Santa Barbara!!

My two best girlfriends (since 2nd grade!!) flew in w/ their hubbies (from DC and TX) and we enjoyed an AMAZING weekend together. This one goes down in history as being one of the BEST, ever.

[Kris T.]

Hummingbird, don't you love living here!! All our relatives are so envious because we're in wine country. I'm happy that you had such a great birthday!!

Ok, one last thing from me and I will shut it for the night. This is my mini-me:
She really is a sugar-free kid Our son is too, but I don't have a recent pic of him. Sorry this is so huuge.

Night all!

[hummingbird11]

WOW - she is beautiful. Stunning. Love the outfit! What's she all dressed up for? She looks adorable.

Yes! I living here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Kris T.

Hummingbird, don't you love living here!! All our relatives are so envious because we're in wine country. I'm happy that you had such a great birthday!!

Ok, one last thing from me and I will shut it for the night. This is my mini-me:
She really is a sugar-free kid

[mamabird1953]

Good Morning, I bought my egg cream stuff at Whole Foods last night. Since I work there I get a 20% discount. I bought some organic eggs with the DHA, Omega 3s, and Folic Acid. I bought heavy cream and coconut oil as well. I read somewhere that one woman put Greek Yogurt in hers. I just might try that. My manbear wants to try one this morning with me. I'm trying to decide if I should take one to work with me. Maybe in a thermos and add some coffee from work. We get it for a dollar. Maybe some crushed ice too.

[mamabird1953]

One more thing.... remember when we had the low carb stores around here? They didnt last long. I can't even find anymore low carb products in any store for that matter. Also, I looked at W. Foods and TJs for Torianni and Davinci syrups, nothing at all in the sugar free version. Not even low carb protein bars.....rats!

[hummingbird11]

Hey Kris, I think T actually did mean "fridge" since she also commented:
Meek, here's my "mud" recipe. It's more like mud as opposed to bark, in that most bark recipes make a smooth, chocolate-like candy. When I add the texture (flax, PP, almonds, etc.), it's more like mud.

I'M GONNA USE ALMOND ROCA TORANI'S SF SYRUP - YUMMERS!!

Originally Posted by Kris T.

2 T of Chocolate Protein Whey Powder
1 T of coconut oil, melted
1 T s/f Davinci's (I use English Toffee)
2 T of flax
1 T chopped, toasted almonds (optional)

Stir, refrigerate till hardened (less than 5 mins), enjoy!
No greasiness, just crunchy, chocolately goodness!

Ok..now I copied it as posted, but I think she meant put it in the freezer. I made it in a pyrex dish and it was a pain in the butt to chip out of there. My future plan is to either use my silicone muffin cups, or line a pan with tinfoil or something similar. This had a thicker consistency, and it will take the shape of whatever you use to freeze it in, so if you want a thinner bark, plan accordingly. Mine didn't pour though, I had to scoop it out due to the thickness.

I have no idea about the carb count, but I ate the whole thing at one time. Since there's only a small bit of coconut oil I was not worried. Besides, I was hungry!! That bike ride just took it out of me today.

[hummingbird11]

I know that both WF and TJ's carry ThinkThin bars...2 net carbs/no sugar.

for the SF syrups: try Cost Plus/World Market or BevMo or WalMart.

Originally Posted by mamabird1953

One more thing.... remember when we had the low carb stores around here? They didnt last long. I can't even find anymore low carb products in any store for that matter. Also, I looked at W. Foods and TJs for Torianni and Davinci syrups, nothing at all in the sugar free version. Not even low carb protein bars.....rats!

[hummingbird11]

OK ladies, I am NOT going to let this get to me BUT:

I've been bouncing btwn 163 and 165 for a month…
I started the Re-Induction Challenge weighing 166…
On Monday I weighed 170!!!!! and Today I weigh 168!!!!!
WTH?????
I am GAINING instead of LOSING!!!!!

My inches have NOT changed either. They are STILL:
39 chest
35 waist
22 thigh (right)
12 arm (right)

HOWEVER, I do have Lymphedema (which messes w/ EVERYTHING) + I did drink a LOT of fine wine this w/e (!) + my BodyFat has actually reduced from 30% to 25% to 23%...

So...my Trainer feels that since my body comp is changing...that I am gaining muscle and losing fat...so this is a good thing. He told me this (when I went from 165 to 166):

Originally Posted by btinc

If your bodyfat has gone from 30 percent to 25 percent, no changes are needed. Remember I had the guy that lost a ton of fat, but only lost 2 scale pounds. You need to tell the whole group that you gained a pound but lost over 8 pounds of fat, 8 pound drop and about a 8 pound gain in lean body tissue, that is the best, give yourself a big hand.

I'm telling you this so that if/when it happens to you and/or if the scale does not budge for a while ~ please try to NOT get frustrated because the SCALE DOES LIE!!!!!

I am REALLY trying to NOT be discouraged that I'm not going to weigh 150 by June 6th (as I had planned since starting Atkins on 3/24).

But I'm a little depressed/disappointed. BUT I'm gonna TRY to keep btinc’s words in mind, keep on trucking, stay on plan, keep exercising AND WORK A LITTLE HARDER AT THIS ~ and know deep in my heart of hearts that this WILL happen for me eventually...right??

[mamabird1953]

I had an egg cream. It was good, but I'm hungry 2 hours later. I feel unsatisfied and feel like I had all these calories for nothing. I'm still afraid of calories, especially since I'm short, 5' 1".My metabolism is slower because I'm 54. I can't eat as much as others. Nothing seems to work. I'm frustrated too. The only thing that seemed to work was raw foods, but I lost muscle tone. I'm not ready to give up though. I love the support here.

[Kris T.]

HB-I totally know where you're coming from. I'm ready to pitch the damn scale out the window. Mine's going up too, but like you, I'm thinking it may be muscle? It still is frusturating to see that number go up and up. OH..and meanwhile, my husband, Mr. 1 beer a night-I exercise 1x a week and eat carbs all day- has LOST 4 pounds. I'm about ready to call a divorce lawyer-lol!!

Mamabird-I stopped the eggcreams. They never gave me the appetite suppression that everyone else raved about. Personally, I need something like an apple or something I can chew..drinkable calories never seem to satiate me. Being small myself, I know I can't eat as much as everyone else too. There's simply not enough of me to spread it all around! What seems to work for me is eating the same amount, but upping my output-i.e. exercise. It sucks. I'm lazy by nature, what what else can I do? I'm also seconding Cost Plus and BevMo. You can call beforehand to see if they have the syrups, but I've been to 3 different BevMo and 4 different Cost Plus and they all had them, so I think it's a standard.

[mamabird1953]

Thanks Kris for the info. I think I'll stick to my Fage Greek Yogurt. I'll check out the other stores for the syrups. They'd be good in my yogurt. Well I'm off to work! Have a good day Ladies.

[hummingbird11]

Originally Posted by mamabird1953

I had an egg cream. It was good, but I'm hungry 2 hours later. I feel unsatisfied and feel like I had all these calories for nothing. I'm still afraid of calories, especially since I'm short, 5' 1".My metabolism is slower because I'm 54. I can't eat as much as others. Nothing seems to work. I'm frustrated too. The only thing that seemed to work was raw foods, but I lost muscle tone. I'm not ready to give up though. I love the support here.

What was your Recipe? Did you add PP and EVCO?

Are you doing any resistance training w/ weights?
That is really the only way to keep from losing lean body mass (muscle) while dieting.

[skinhealth]

So didn't do Callanetics after work last night -
was much too busy searching for and adding new songs
to my MySpace page...priorities...

So I just finished doing it just now...I still can't get over
how much it wipes me out.
I'm actually able to look in the mirror now and like what I see
for the 1st time in a few years. I'm getting closer to being
back in a size 6 everyday - everyone's been freaking out
lately about how skinny I'm getting - I swear it's the Evolution.

Had an EC so far today...will be having a taco salad here
in a bit.
I have a date with an airline pilot captain at 3:30 - just for
tea/coffee - we've talked on the phone for an hour and half
already and have sent emails back and forth - this is the
1st one I've been interested in so far...the others were for
practice...I tried to talk them all into dating other women
cuz I wasn't ready to settle down with anyone just yet...so funny

Hummingbird - yes, I this taco salad - i've been eating it everyday
since the end of November - I took a couple of breaks from it but I keep coming back cuz it's so yummy and convenient.
Glad to hear that you had such a great B-day!
Are you doing Callanetics? or are you doing weight training?
I know when I did weight training years ago that I became firmer before
I lost inches and pounds. - Hang in there - you're going to do it

Kris - your daughter is just gorgeous!! Wow - if she's a mini-version of you - you're gorgeous too!

Mamabird - regarding the EC - a lot of times I need to have something with fiber on the side to stay full for a long time. Lately i've been eating celery with raw, sprouted almond butter - this combination keeps me full most of the day.

[skinhealth]

Mamabird -

I forgot to add -
I know it's scary upping calories, fat,... but it really does work.
It's possible that the EC may not work - gotta listen to your body.
All I know is that many have been on a plateau for months and the EC
is what broke it. For me, I've been losing weight faster with it - plus,
more importantly, I feel good when I have them.

You don't have very much to lose - so maybe that's why it's slower?

Are you drinking a lot of water? regular bowel movements?
exercise? I highly recommend Callanetics - it has been just amazing
at re-shaping and losing inches - for me - and many on this board.

Please continue to share any struggles you may have with this WOE -
that's what we're here for - we'll figure it out together

[pri17cess72]

Oh my goodness ladies...I feel so behind on the posts. I am going to read through them and catch up.

Doing well on the eating day 3 of back "in the saddle'

Menu
B: protein bar (I eat the think think creamy pb)
L: smoothie
D: tri tip and zucchini (kris T recipe)
S: pickle and chicken salad

I bought some tilapia for dinner tomorrow with a garlic lemon sauce and asparaus. I really need to start eating more fish. I, too, like Salmon and plan to have it next week. Mama, I dont know much about the raw food diet. I am very curious. I have a friend who loves eating that way.

Really need to get into the exercise like the rest of you, ladies. You are such an inspiration.

Sorry to hear about the scale issues HB. Sounds like you are doing well on plan and have a good exercise program. Might just have to do with the lymphedema.

Kris, your mini-me is beautiful!! She looks so cute in that dress.

Anyone watching part 1 of the top chef finale tonight?