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

[Kris T.]

We're having:

Hamburgers stuffed with blue cheese
Hotdogs
(buns for some)
Steak with blue cheese (from TJ)
No-sugar homemade coleslaw
Veggies with sour cream dip
Chips for some
Almonds
Peanuts
Flax pizza bites

For dessert:
Strawberries with a cream/cocoa powder/stevia dip (whipped up)
Sorbet for some
Smores for some

yumm, and all is so easy!

[hummingbird11]

Hey Everyone! Hope you all enjoyed a great holiday! We had friends; food; fireworks & fun over here at our house! We can see the fireworks shows of 3 cities from our deck - it was awesome!

Since 2 of our friends are vegetarians, we didn't grill a bunch of meat. Instead, we made whole wheat pizzas & cauliflower crust pizzas on the BBQ grill - everyone got to make their own mini-pizza - it was a lot of fun!

Someone brought a HUGE magnum of champagne so I enjoyed some of that too! Plus I made a "plain" LC crustless cheesecake and we put raspberries & blueberries on top for red, white & blue! YUM!!

AND somehow I woke up 2 lbs lighter today - woo-hoo! I'm at 163 today. I hope I hope I hope I can see 159 by the end of the month - that would be SWEET!

How is everyone doing today????????

[hummingbird11]

Originally Posted by Kris T.

Strawberries with a cream/cocoa powder/stevia dip (whipped up)

Hey Kris your July 4th Menu looks awesome! How did this turn out? May I have the recipe please?

[Kris T.]

I hope I hope I hope I can see 159 by the end of the month - that would be SWEET!

Oh gosh, I'm sure you can!

The recipe is easy-peasy.

I take cream..use however much you want. Naturally when it's just me I don't use a lot, but last night I used about 1/4 cup. I put in about 1-2 T of cocoa powder and 1 Stevia packet. Then I whiz it all up in my magic bullet.

The beauty of it is that if it's not cocoa-y enough, add more cocoa powder. Not sweet enough, add more Stevia. Less whipping makes it thinner, more whipping makes it like a thick mousse/butter. I just scraped it out, plopped it in a pyrex dish and we dipped strawberries in it. I made it thick. Like buttah. You could use less Stevia and more cocoa powder if you like a more dark chocolate-tasting dip/mousse.

Ok, and I ate 4 marshmallows. Toasted, of course! And our friends brought vanilla vodka to mix with diet Sunkist. I'm not a big soda drinker, but they went down mighty smooooth. Like a big orange creamsicle. Needless to say I had a monster headache this morning.

[hummingbird11]

"orange creamsicles" & marshmallows! that sounds pretty yummy, and yeah, like a sugar hangover for sure! but sometimes it's just worth it.

thanks for the yummy creamy cocoa-y concoction, that sounds like a great option to calm a sweet tooth fairly legally! (berries are always legal for me!)

last night, me & hubby grilled maui short ribs (TJ's) + grilled figs & apricots (drizzled in hawaiian honey) & warm brie. YUM. very decadent and delish.

we also polished off the last of the sangria (left over from the BBQ). I know that alcohol slows my weight loss ~ and I have to get back to no drinking Mon thru Thurs for sure. I know I'm always gonna enjoy wine w/ hubby on the w/e's (Friday & Saturday). It's just part of our lifestyle. But not sure about Sunday's. I think I will strive NOT to on Sunday's, but not beat myself up if I do.

my July Goals:

Lose 5 pounds min by August 1st
Take daily AM/PM supplements
Do Callanetics Quick Stomach every day
Alternate upper body weights and HIIT (elliptical or sprints) every other day
Drink min of 64oz (1/2 gallon) of water per day - but aim for 128oz (1 gallon)
NO wine/beer Sunday thru Thursday (allowed Friday/Saturday nites ONLY)

Weigh & Record EVERY bite I eat and strive for:
1600-1800 Calories (as high as 2200; not lower than 1200)
20-30g Net Carbs (carb cut-off is 3 hours before bed)
120g Protein (minimum to keep from losing lean muscle tissue)
60-70% Fat (aim for 65%)

[hummingbird11]

FYI: BARF = biologically appropriate raw foods

I have 3 Shelties and 1 Border Collie, here are 3 of them (LOL):

YouTube - The Z Word

[Kris T.]

Hmm. We may be adopting a kitten. Any tips from those of you who have cats. Liz?

We'll take our dog to meet him tomorrow and go from there. If Pete thinks it's a chew toy, then it's a no-go.



HB-love the video!!

[Kris T.]

Well, unfortunately it is not to be. Petey chased the poor thing and it's hissing and cowering up a storm. Plus, my left eye is all red and swollen. Guess I haven't outgrown my allergies to cats yet. The kids are heartbroken. They named him Danny.

In case anyone is interested, they are at Dublin Creek Kennels, 2 boys and 1 girl. They're all tested and ready to go, free. I know he'll find a good (dog-free) home.

[hummingbird11]

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry to have been AWOL the past few days. We've been experiencing a family emergency.

My oldest dog, Sunny (13+), had a horrible freak accident which required a trip to the emergency vet hospital on Tuesday afternoon, a surgery on Wednesday, and then another trip to emergency on Friday. She is home now. I fear she is not long for this world and we are providing "hospice care" and plenty of TLC. I will post a few photos of her later. She is a sweet sweet sweet angel and a very stubborn old lady with a will to live like I have never seen in ANY dog. She has "died" 3 times in the past week (literally) and is such a courageous little fighter. I adore her spirit and her sweet soul. I will not keep her here "past her time" but meanwhile I want her to be as comfortable as possible as she deserves that and so much more. All animals do, IMO. They are the voiceless innocents.

Meanwhile, I've been eating as "on plan" as possible, seems we are out of just about everything so a trip to the grocery store is imperative this w/e!

I'm happy to say that for the first time, I did NOT allow "stress" to make me reach for a bunch of "carbage"! Oh yes, there were a couple of times that a "drive thru" burger (on the way to/from vet hospital) would have been easy AND satisfying, but I typically never eat fast food and I did not allow stress nor lack of time (and lack of food prep) to provide an excuse for me to "go there" either. I came home and scrounged for whatever I could find that was the most "on plan" possible. Yay! Go me!

And drank a lot of coffee and a decent amount of water. No real exercise this week as most of my time has been spent caring for Sunny and trying to keep up with my crazy as ever job. Thank goodness I work from home 90% of the time.

I will catch-up with everyone soon... How is everyone doing?

[Kris T.]

Diane, as a fellow animal lover, I feel your pain. I'm so sorry that she's going through all of this, but rest assured that you've given her the best life possible..

Sometimes I actually prefer animals to people! Petey is going on 13 and ranks right up there with our kids. He's at his usual spot (on my feet).

And good for you for staying on plan.

Hang in there~((kris))

[hummingbird11]

Aloha Liz, Angel, Angela, Mamabird!! WHERE R U ??

R any of U gonna join me & Kris for Dinner on Sunday, July 20?

Please let me know by Wednesday, thanks!

XO,
HB

[hummingbird11]

thank you so much, Kris! Here's a Sunny update:
Team 11 ~ Boot Camp Butterflies ~ Gimme 12 Days! :)

And yes, I am for sure right there with you! Check this out:
ECOSHIFT: Deep Ecology

Have you read The Outermost House by Henry Betson? I love this passage:

“We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals.

Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion.

We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

Originally Posted by Kris T.

Diane, as a fellow animal lover, I feel your pain. I'm so sorry that she's going through all of this, but rest assured that you've given her the best life possible..

Sometimes I actually prefer animals to people! Petey is going on 13 and ranks right up there with our kids. He's at his usual spot (on my feet).

And good for you for staying on plan.

Hang in there~((kris))

[Kris T.]

Thanks for the update..love the boots! That website is VERY interesting!

Since the kitten didn't work, we've been considering another dog, a special-needs one: Adopt a Jack Russell Terrier: Susie: Petfinder I just submitted a pre-adoption form, so we shall see.

It might just be us this weekend? Any ideas?

Kris

[hummingbird11]

Awww! Good for you! Susie is adorable! I didn't know Jack Russell's came with long hair. I just love Terrier's in general. Great dogs. Cute and smart! And usually a little naughty. I adore naughty dogs!

I have 3 shelties (mini collies) + 1 border collie + 1 black cat (reincarnated from a dog in his past life) - ALL rescues. and ALL sweet, smart and borderline naughty. Perfect! Here' are some photos!

1 - Symphony & Sunny (mini collies) are up on the bench.
Zeus (giant mini collie - hahaha) & Murphy (border collie) below.

2 - Sunny; Symphony; Zeus

3 - Murphy

4 - Wolfie Kitty

5 - Sleeping Monkeys (Monkey, wirehaired terrier, passed last July)

6 - doggie butts! Sunny; Symphony; Monkey

7 - treat time! Sunny; Monkey; Symphony; Zeus

Although maybe no takers here at BAB's, I think there are some others that want to join us. Let's do a "poll" and choose the restaurant location based on everyone's home base. If we don't have anyone joining from the South Bay, maybe we can stay in the East Bay instead of hiking to SF. Whaddaya think?

[Meekness29]

Hey D!

You have a house full of babies, don't ya?!

[Kris T.]

maybe we can stay in the East Bay instead of hiking to SF

I'm fine with that too.

Love the pics!!

[Kris T.]

restaurants loc: Walnut Creek, CA - Google Maps

I wasn't sure where Martinez was, so I googled it. Halfway would be Walnut Creek. Vic Stewart's looked good (steaks). Havana looked interesting too! I've never even been to Walnut Creek though.

[hummingbird11]

Walnut Creek is perfect! And I think Vic Stewarts is supposed to be Great, I'm going to ask my friend. I will check out Havana too. Thanks for the suggestions, Kris!

Originally Posted by Kris T.

restaurants loc: Walnut Creek, CA - Google Maps

I wasn't sure where Martinez was, so I googled it. Halfway would be Walnut Creek. Vic Stewart's looked good (steaks). Havana looked interesting too! I've never even been to Walnut Creek though.

[hummingbird11]

From: Heather Noire
Subject: RE: Walnut Creek restaurants

Vic Stewarts is an old train depot. Very cool. They have 2 railroad cars and if you call ahead, you can reserve a private dining car. I highly recommend it. The food is great, its a steakhouse and i have loved everything i have eaten from salads to soups to steaks. a bit expensive but when you have a private car, it makes it even more worth the price.

Havana is a "upscale trendy cuban" restaurant. Known for their mojotos. inside its a standrard small joint with a cuban flair. I was never blown away by the food or service. Tends to get busy and loud. I would recommend checking it out for lunch if they still have lunch prices before going big on a dinner there.

I had the lobster bisque at Vic Stewarts and now claim it to be the best i have ever had.

[Kris T.]

Hmm..How about Vic's!?

Editing to say..I just checked..their prices are not cheap which may scare some people. I don't care too much about that since I never go out. Havana may be more reasonable. Should I flip a coin?

Vic's would be more LC friendly, Havana is known for their sugary mojitos, apparently, and black beans. Both a no-no!

[hummingbird11]

Havana looks more affordable than Vics (normally I wouldn't care but we had 5k in vet bills last week - ay ay ay!) + Havana looks like a lot more FUN!

[Kris T.]

How about Havana then? I could live on Tapas alone!!!! I bet they'd be willing to do a SF mojito (unless it's from a mix).

Should we plan on that? What time works best? I'm free from 3pm onward. "Dinner Hours: Sunday; 5:00pm - 9:00pm"
Who else is coming? Are you bringing your hubby? I need to leave mine home with the kids. Besides, he says he's not babe enough.

Should I call for reservations? I guess people can PM me if they are coming so I can get a head count.

[hummingbird11]

hahaha! I'm leaving my non-babe hubby at home too! let's go have some girl fun!

HEY LIZ; ANGEL; ANGELA; MINIMOMMA:
LCF Dinner in Walnut Creek, CA - Sunday, July 20 at 6:30pm