New and would like a buddy

[HoneyBera]

I went to the doctor's this afternoon and ... <DRUM ROLL PLEASE!>

273.6 LBS!!!

I AM SOOOOOOOO [COLOR="Red"]THRILLED[/COLOR]!!!! I didn't think I'd lost an ounce! I have lost 5.3 MORE lbs!! It's been exactly a week from the last time I weighed. I couldn't believe it!!!

My food is almost fixed in the kitchen. Rotel, dear T., is a combo of tomatoes and peppers, semi-spicy in the Original flavor, but you can get it in a Mild flavor too. It is so yummy (to me at least) in this main dish. Look in the tomato sauce aisle, or just dump in a small can of Ortega's Diced Green Chiles with your tomato sauce. [COLOR="DarkOrange"]At Safeway, I get this Smoked Fontina cheese that just makes this casserole! [/COLOR]And it gets better the next day in the fridge! Here it is:

CJACK1'S LIKE VELVEETA RO-TEL MAIN DISH
ROTEL MAIN DISH.JPG
2 pounds ground beef [or ½ gr. beef + ½ Italian sausage]
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
10 ounce can Ro-tel tomatoes (tomatoes with green chilies)
16 ounces cabbage, finely shredded, about 1/2 a medium cabbage *
8 ounces Deluxe American cheese, diced (not cheese food)

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with salt and pepper; drain the fat. Add the Ro-tel tomatoes, undrained, and the cabbage. Simmer, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. Stir occasionally. Add the cheese and stir in; heat on low until melted then stir in well.
Makes about 6 servings
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Can be frozen[/COLOR]
* The recipe originally called for a 10 ounce bag of angel hair cabbage, but I couldn't find that and shredded my own. I decided to use an even pound of cabbage. In the photo below you can see how I shredded mine. Not having seen angel hair cabbage, I can only guess that it would look similar.
ROTEL MAIN DISH - CABBAGE.JPG
Per 1/6 Recipe: 417 Calories; 28g Fat; 34g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs

This comes from someone with the nickname cjack1 at Low Carb Friends. This is not fancy food, but is a very easy one-pot dinner. The recipe didn't mention any seasoning so I didn't add any at first because I wasn't sure how much salt the tomatoes and cheese would add. I recommend seasoning the ground beef with the seasonings I've listed or to taste. After eating this dish, I think this could easily be varied with different sauces and vegetables. I may try a variation using an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce, instead of the Ro-tel tomatoes, and add some mushrooms, onions and garlic to the ground beef. A cheesy sloppy joe or Mexican variation might also be good. [Chipotle Chili Powder + Grandma’s Chili? Even Taco Seasoning.]
If you can't get deluxe American cheese, and must use the individually wrapped "cheese food product", the counts would be as follows:
Per 1/6 Recipe: 407 Calories; 26g Fat; 33g Protein; 9g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 7g Net Carbs

In fact, this mention of lowcarbfriends is what got me to find you all! So I guess it's only fitting to share this with you. I have so many recipes! Plus, any time that you see brackets on something, it's me editing it.

Got to go get ready for bed now, plus get my stuff ready to go into the truck for another work week. TTYL (tomorrow)! 273.6 lbs.! I can hardly believe it!!! 31 lbs. so far!!

HB

[MI CHICK]

Congrats to you HB!!!! Boy I bet you forgot about your sore knee right quick LOL!!! You are an inspiration to us all!!

Sorry to hear your IA is acting up on you Teresa!! Funny how the eating bothers it too....never have taken the time to try & look up the "why" behind that but I always think of it each time I bring it on by my eating way off.

I agree w/Teresa HB about the soup. You would really need to figure out the carbs/calories carefully. It may not matter so much now for you but when you hit the 200 mark those kind of things will screw you up, so the sooner we get a gripe on how to live w/o or work around them the better. How did your cranberry sauce come out? I've read about the liquid Splenda but have been cash short the last few months & haven't tried it yet. Your casserole sounds real good. Will have to give it a try. I use the Rotel Mild a lot--adds a nice flavor. You'd probably like the spicer ones Teresa.

Sure did enjoy having the last couple days off!! Hope I don't have to go back to those long hours. DH has been real pleased w/his new job Teresa. He hopes it lasts the next few years. I am still having a piece or 2 of fruit a day Teresa as I think it does curb the sugar cravings. South Beach does allow fruit & folks seem to loose well on it so I don't think it should really throw you off if you are not crossing the lc line with other things too.

Well it's off to bed. Have a good week HB--hope you get a better bus this week! And the one nice thing about cold & snow 3-4 months a year is that it keeps those pesky ants down! LOL!!!
corrisann

[Lorena72]

Originally Posted by HoneyBera

I went to the doctor's this afternoon and ... <DRUM ROLL PLEASE!>

273.6 LBS!!!

I AM SOOOOOOOO [COLOR="Red"]THRILLED[/COLOR]!!!! I didn't think I'd lost an ounce! I have lost 5.3 MORE lbs!! It's been exactly a week from the last time I weighed. I couldn't believe it!!!

My food is almost fixed in the kitchen. Rotel, dear T., is a combo of tomatoes and peppers, semi-spicy in the Original flavor, but you can get it in a Mild flavor too. It is so yummy (to me at least) in this main dish. Look in the tomato sauce aisle, or just dump in a small can of Ortega's Diced Green Chiles with your tomato sauce. [COLOR="DarkOrange"]At Safeway, I get this Smoked Fontina cheese that just makes this casserole! [/COLOR]And it gets better the next day in the fridge! Here it is:



In fact, this mention of lowcarbfriends is what got me to find you all! So I guess it's only fitting to share this with you. I have so many recipes! Plus, any time that you see brackets on something, it's me editing it.

Got to go get ready for bed now, plus get my stuff ready to go into the truck for another work week. TTYL (tomorrow)! 273.6 lbs.! I can hardly believe it!!! 31 lbs. so far!!

HB

That recipe sounds deeeeelicious!! Thanks for putting it up!!

Kudos to you for your newest weight loss, Yeahhhh!!

[HoneyBera]

Hello Everybody!

And welcome to our group here, Lorena! I was reading your other thread. I am diabetic, too, but not nearly as much since I started Atkins.

And for some reason, I'm finding this WOE to be easy to follow. ( "Oh, my word! What a pain in the a** she is!" <--- I know I sound like I'm holier-than-thou, heading for a brick wall behind this pink cloud I'm in.) LMAO But someday, there will be an "end" to it (maintainance), and as I see it, it's a small price to pay for the only WOE that WORKS! You couldn't get me off this with a crowbar! I'm clinging to it for dear life!!! And FOR life! I like this WOE! I am so grateful I found it!!

People in the grocery store look at what I'm buying, like chicarrones (fried pork skins - taste like bacon and I can throw them in a snack/sandwich bag for hunger emergencies on the bus - oh Baby!! ), and they give me the weirdest looks, like, "Dang! Big fat *****! Like you need those!" But a 31 lbs. weight loss is nothing to sneeze at! You can't argue with success, and if chicarrones with my morning coffee float my boat, nuts to them!!! (No pun intended!) Old busybodies!

I'm honestly trying to make this as easy as possible for me, but if I had to do it the hard way, that'd be OK too! I feel like I'm in a dream...a REALLY REALLY GOOOD dream!!! Why would I want to "cheat" (myself) and screw this up? I know that it's working. And it has for 7 wks. now. I went to the store for horseradish "cream style" . I had to be careful. Some of it has quite a few carbs (AND high fructose corn syrup - YUK!!), but I got the plain stuff with just >1 carb per teaspoon. That stuff will blow your head off if you're not careful with it. YEOW! So I'll just mix it with 0 carb mayo or a tablespoon of sour cream. (I use Mexicano Sour Cream - it's thick like butter sometimes, especially on the lid.) I'm spreading some of the horseradish mixture over my med. rare rotisserie roast beef in the fridge. What's not to like on this diet?

I've got to go to work now (2nd half). MI CHICK, they always give me the worst equip in the afternoon. Oh! I have just discovered the Atkins Adv. shakes, and bought the Strawberry flavor. It's ok...not too filling. Nothing to write home to Mother about, but it's ok in a pinch.

TTYL
HB

[Teresa3]

Wowie-Zowie, HB! Another 5 lbs. off! Yeah! You go girl!
I really like the sound of that ground beef casserole--very low in carbs, and I love cooked cabbage w/ground beef and tomatoes. Thanks for thhe recipe, and the pics--how fun is that!

HB, I also use a mixture of horseradish and mayo as a sauce for meats. And the other day I ran out of horseradish so I put a mixture of cayenne, chili, and curry powders with a little soy sauce and dash of vinegar into the mayo, and it made a great spicy meat sauce. No carbs!

How's your knee doing? I bet your doc is mighty pleased about your weight loss, too!

Corrisann, so glad you got a nice rest this weekend, and that your dh likes his new job! Aaand that you don't have to work those long hours anymore! What will you do now that you have some spare time? I love the fruit, but I've stalled the last few days, so I'm cutting it out for awhile and going back to 20 carbs a day to see if I get a drop. If I can just lose one lb. a week, I can reach my goal weight by the 1st of September; that's what I'm hoping for! Take care, T.

B - egg yolk, bacon, 1/4 c. spinach
L - salad, jalapeno dressing, 1 shrimp and 1 chicken enchilada (no tortillas)
D - sirloin steak, w/spicy mayo, chard, zucchini w/bacon (I cooked!)
S - few almonds, 1 oz. cheese

[HoneyBera]

Hello everybody!

Wowie-Zowie, HB! Another 5 lbs. off! Yeah! You go girl!

Thank you so much! And thanks for that recipe. You know how I love recipes! Now I have something for you: Juanita's Foods : Mexican Food Manufacturer - Menudo Soups Hominy I just got some of Juanita's (canned) Chile Verde (Pork & Green Chile Sauce) from SaveMart Grocery Store, and it's only got 2 net carbs per 1c. serving! Pair that up with a bit of shredded cheese, maybe some lettuce, and a low carb tortilla and talk about Wowie-Zowie! This "diet" is so good it feels sinful sometimes! And miracle of miracles, I still lose!!!

I don't know how spicy you like things (it sounds like you really do! - me, too~!), so you might try this McCormick Chipolte Chile Seasoning I get over at Safeway. It has that nice smoky taste of Chipolte peppers to it. Delicioso! But plz be careful...it has quite a kick to it, about like cayenne, maybe a little bit milder.

[Teresa3]

Thanks for those great tips, HB! I do love Mexican food--the chile verde sounds like a fab idea and easy to fix, and I love the smoky chipotle flavor, too! I had a pretty good day today, staying lc and watching portions, but I am really hungry tonight! Tired, too, so won't say much, other than thanks, and ttyl. Hope you all had a great day! T.

B - egg yolk, lox, cr cheese, spinach
L - cauliflower, salad, striped bass filet
D - roast chicken, zucchini w/bacon
S - lc choc, cheese, few almonds

[MI CHICK]

Good morning ladies!!!
Boy the winds have been major here the past couple days!! But the temps have been high--60. Nice break til we go back to winter!
Well I did pretty good the last couple days. And my bacon is cooking as I type. On my new removable plate George Foreman grill that I bought with my Christmas money. Loved my old one & used it all the time, but hated
cleaning it!! The Kroger's in our area has a store brand bacon that is lower sodim but also no sugar added!! So I have been using that the last couple years.
I have a Sav-A-Lot by me HB but not a SavMart. Haven't heard of that brand before. Is it "spicy" or "hot"?? I don't like hot but I do like spicey!!
Teresa I have using my piece of fruit for before bed. I always want a snack & don't like to go to bed on all the calories of a protein something & the thought of celery sticks as a snack just doesn't make it....LOL!! So that's when I have my piece of fruit, which is very satisfying & low in calories. Had a pink grapefruit last nite, yum!!
I was thinking that if you cook something like a pot of chili you only have to stand on your feet once but can eat for several meals A crockpot would do the same thing for you--toss it in--go sit down--hours later eat. How perfect is that!!
Well I need to get off & cook my eggs. Then I am off to use the airwalker for 20mns then it's off to work.
corrisann

[Teresa3]

Glad you have been doing well, Corrisann! I have been thinking about adding the fruit back just at bedtime because I have been having a hard time going to sleep, and I thought maybe it's the high protein that's doing it, so perhaps some low cal no starch carbs at bedtime might help make me sleepier. So it's interesting that's when you eat your fruit. It can make me stall, though. But I'm thinking that if I go for just one lb. per week I could get away with it.

Chili sounds like a great idea! Dh has been doing some of the cooking lately, so that helps. I just picked up a whole roast chicken from Safeway yesterday, and without the oversalty skin, it wasn't bad. When we were in the desert I found some Kroger bacon, and I thought it was some of the best I've ever tasted.

Are we still going to do our Wed. weigh-in? Or at least report in? Since I'm going for slow and steady now, mine won't be very exciting, so I will just report that I did manage to lose one lb. since last week, and am down to 155 now. Still not back to where I was at my lowest here, but inching back down there. HB, we know you don't want to be weighing too often; we're happy to hear about your progress whenever. So happy it's been all great news!

Corrisann, what's an airwalker? Is that the Gizelle you used to talk about, or are you trying something new? I have been riding my stationary bike 10 - 20 min. a day, and am going to try going back to the gym starting today. My back is feeling a little better, so maybe I can ease back into exercise slowly. HB, how is your knee doing? Y'all have a great day! T.

B - egg yolk, bacon, spinach
L - salad, 2 enchiladas, no tortilla
D - roast chicken, chard, green beans
S - cheese, almonds

[Mr Big1]

You're doin great sweetie!!!

[HoneyBera]

Hi all!

Sorry to have been gone so long. Life has gotten pretty interesting! My daughter, 30, may move back home (to my house). I am already having 2nd thoughts. It was my idea for her to do so in the first place, but now I'm going ! I woke up last night and couldn't go back to sleep for an hour thinking about it. I wonder if I'm setting myself up for a sabotage to my Atkins! She needs the help, but should I get involved? Do I need the drama? I have a lot of thinking to do.

I have a Sav-A-Lot by me HB but not a SavMart. Haven't heard of that brand before. Is it "spicy" or "hot"?? I don't like hot but I do like spicey!!

Corrisann, it's a local grocery store. Living in Calif. is great b/c of the ethnic diversity here, and our grocery stores reflect that. I can go get REAL AUTHENTIC Indian cuisine ingredients, Chinese, MEXICAN FOR SURE, just about anything, and it's the real deal! When my dd moved to Minnesota she just about went nuts trying to find the authentic ingredients that are just "in the stores" here. It's one of the pluses of living here.

I can hardly wait for late springtime when the strawberries come in! We have a little farm where they raise strawberries right around the corner from my house. They pick them daily, and those FRESH juicy berries mixed with REAL whipped cream sweetened with Liq. Splenda...oh man!! And by then I'll have my little Weber Gas BBQ for the back of my pickup truck. And my pressure cooker. Woot!! I'll be in like Flynn!!

BTW, my ds says the Saturn Peach tree has arrived and is sitting on my front porch! And it's supposed to be in the mid-60s this weekend! Sounds like a good time to pick a spot for the tree and to plant it. Either now or when I get some more time off in early Feb. (a 4-day weekend).

I have to go now. I have the Horrific High School Hellions today before I do my express route! OMG, they are AWFUL!!! They swear like sailors, have mooned me twice, have threatened to all get out and tip the bus over by pushing it on one side, even the police can't control them!! I only have them for today and tomorrow, but I am dreading it!! The upside of it is I get paid really well for doing it, and I only have the two more days of this high school. The others aren't that bad, just these monsterous kids! I'd better go face them.

My foods been ok. TTYL
I hope...

HB

[Teresa3]

Well, HB, so many women I know have had to take their adult daughters back in at one time or another! So if you do, you certainly are not alone. But usually, there is a lot of conflict. So my advice is to only do it if it's really necessary, and only until she gets back on her feet. Would it help her to get back on her feet if she moved in with you? Would she be helpful to you personally? I do have one friend who gets along really well with her daughter, and she shops, cleans house, helps with gardening and cooking, and gives emotional support. This is not the usual experience, though!
Whatever you decide, I hope it works out well for the both of you. You sure don't need anybody sabotaging your weightloss!

Man, those kids sound unbelievable! Is that some alternative high school or something? Good Luck!

I did well staying on program today, and I went to the gym! I am not as sore today as I was yesterday, so I am hoping I can keep up at least some mild exercise on a regular basis like I was in November. I am having trouble with insomnia, though, so I am tired a lot. Anybody got a cure for sleeplessness? Have a good one! T.

B - egg yolk, bacon, spinach
L - salad, 2 shrimp enchiladas (no tortillas)
D - skirt steak, chard
S - lc choc, almonds, cheese

[HoneyBera]

Hi all!

Well, HB, so many women I know have had to take their adult daughters back in at one time or another! So if you do, you certainly are not alone. But usually, there is a lot of conflict. So my advice is to only do it if it's really necessary, and only until she gets back on her feet. Would it help her to get back on her feet if she moved in with you? Would she be helpful to you personally? I do have one friend who gets along really well with her daughter, and she shops, cleans house, helps with gardening and cooking, and gives emotional support. This is not the usual experience, though!

The point is, she doesn't need any help. She doesn't like her job, but she has a very good job that pays well. She would like to buy the house next door to me, but her credit stinks on ice! She could only do this if I commit to the house, too (cosign), and allow her to build a day care/foster care business out of my house initially so she has an income to buy her house. AND this was MY idea!! I think we need to think this one over for quite some time. I think I may be just borrowing trouble.

The brats at the high school threw a penny at me at high velocity. It grazed the top of my ear, hit my glasses, then my thigh. Scared the heck out of me. ONE MORE DAY WITH THOSE BRATS!!

I did ok on my food today. I'm having a 14gm of fiber tortilla (5gm net carbs) every day for breakfast. I nuke it with Pepper Jack cheese and Mex. Sour Cream in it. Oh man, is it good! That plus vegies and the Rotel Main Dish.
And roast beef, and salad w/blue cheese-bacon dressing.

Gotta go to bed...zzzzzzzzzz...

[MI CHICK]

Good morning ladies!! Still hovering in the low 40's here so we're getting rain & it feels like spring outdoors. Such a nice winter break!!
My fil had a stroke Wed nite. Something else to deal with. Don't know what will happen at this point but my work schedule was all nuts going between my client that had went into the hospital & a new client I was suppose to start with today....had such a headache & was so tired!! So I called in & took myself off the schedule until Mon. Slept for 9hrs last nite & am relaxing with my coffee this a.m. before I'm off on my own agenda for a change!!!
HB you sure need that week off driving monsters like that around!!! Am glad to hear that they at least pay you well to conpensate for all that stress!!
Grown children coming home....such a trend at todays living costs. Living next door---well that is an old idea when you think about it. People lived in the same small town down the road or on the same farm/ranch property that their folks did. It's all in the attitude. So it could work well for you 2. Think it thru real good. Course the real concern is that it not become a trigger to send you backwards!! Another gal, Kathleen, that was with us for quite awhile had a similar situation & the daughter did end up in her own home just a couple blocks or miles away & it was pulling her down--since the holidays we haven't heard from her & I fear the worst!!!And Kathleen if you're reading this check back in with us--even if the only thing you are doing with food is eating it!! LOL!!
I have been doing good during the day & then doing some bad evening snacking. That's been a bad problem for me for years..... I have been doing my time on the Gazelle each day. I didn't weigh on Wed cause I plain out forgot....was such a crazy day schedule wise! But I know I didn't loose so I didn't hop on this a.m.
You do a lot of repeat eating Teresa. Doesn't that bore you?? I couldn't do that. I have enough trouble staying on track with getting in a variety of foods LOL!! I did check the brand of the lc food that my one client orders off the internet, Home Bistro. Her favorites are a turkey w/cranberry stuffing & veggie and a grilled ck in peanut sauce w/veggies. Her dh gets a lot of the beef/veggie meals. So you might want to get on line & check them out. The co does more than lc so you'd have to look in the lc section. They always smell real good when I fix one for her.
I have bacon & eggs for bkft & tuna salad for lunch & salmon & veggies for dinner. I have a lc ice cream bar for the evening snack time, but I'm hoping to succeed in passing up snack time. My pink grapefruit too--yum!
Glad to hear you are getting your exercise in Teresa!! You feel better when you do, so I don't know why we avoid it so much I am figuring at 1lb a week I could be below 200 this time next year---oh that would be so grand!!!!!
Have a great day ladies
corrisann

[HoneyBera]

Hi all!

This is a very weird day for me emotionally. I have said goodbye to the old 59 line - they have discontinued it as of today. It sure is going to leave a lot of ppl stranded! I loved that old route.

And ON THE OTHER HAND , this is the LAST day I have to drive those rotten kids from one of the richest high schools in the area! Yesterday I overheard them say (loudly enough for me to hear, of course!), "Man, that fat old bus driver is a real B****!!" and if that weren't enough, they began to talk about how fat I really am, in great detail, laughing like a bunch of wild hyenas at me!! They think they are so witty, but believe me, they're only half right! Then someone threw a penny at me HARD, which hit me and scared me more than hurt me. JUST ONE MORE DAY!!! THANK GOD!!!!! I've had to drive these monsters home 2-4 days a week since Oct. They are the meanest kids I've ever had the displeasure of meeting! Absolutely vicious!! But today is it! NO MORE!! I bid on a new route for next sign-up, and the high school is a different one.

Every 3 months (quarterly) we have what's called a "bid". You can change your route (if you want to and have the seniority to do so) at that time. Then you are stuck with your choice and MUST drive it for 3 months straight. Since I have 20 yrs. in, I have BIG seniority, and have a great deal of routes to choose from to bid on. I usually choose a "long (4 hr.) split", giving me the time I'm using now to write to you all in the afternoon, take a leisurely lunchtime, and even sometimes, A NAP! (WOOT!) (The benefits of having your 'home-away-from-home' right in the parking lot! )

I have been doing a good deal of walking this sign-up for exercise. I walk what works out to about 15 city blocks each day. It's built right into my day, with many little 5-10 min. walks making up those distances.

[Before Atkins, I could barely walk!! I couldn't breathe, and would begin to wheeze and gasp for breath after only 5-15 steps! So it was start and stop, start and stop, catching my breath! Ppl would come up and ask if I was alright! I still walked the 15 blocks, just very VERY slowly!!!! Gosh, I have come so far!!!! ]

I have been referring to my current 15 blocks, walked at a rapid pace, sometimes up and down steps or hills, sometimes flat, as my Phase I. Phase II begins next Monday, and it includes just about what I have been doing with the 15 blocks, EXCEPT I plan to add a walk in from the light rail to the yard. That takes about 20-25 extra walking minutes along a beautiful tree-lined lane with sidewalks. Very pleasant! I can add extra minutes as I get stronger and thinner by getting off the train at different stations and walking the extra distance. It's up to me and is VERY flexible, almost at a moment's notice, depending on how I feel that day! I hike with a 20-30 lb. back pack.

Phase III is when I add riding my recumbent trike to the mix! I showed it to you already. landstrider trike.jpg It works the thighs and the abs like crazy, and it's just so much FUN!! We have bike trails all over the place here. I need it just a bit warmer though. Soon...real soon! My only problem with my recumbent is that once I get out there riding, I don't want to come back!! I need to get that helmet and a flag for it soonish.

BTW, that seat is black mesh like a beach chair, and the pedals are up in the very front of it.

I need a nap all of a sudden...I guess just the very thought of those demonic children make me tired! I'm going to eat the plate of rotisserie roasted beef, melted Swiss cheese, ¼c. sauerkraut mixed with 1T. 1000 island dressing, which makes a Mock Reuben (my favorite sandwich!). I CAN HAVE IT!! Then a quickie nap! Every bus driver knows of the 20 min. POWER NAP!

Take Care!

HB

[Teresa3]

So sorry to hear about your fil, Corrisann. How's he doing? Your dh must be pretty upset; I hope he's going to have a good recovery.

It's nice you're taking some time off after having worked so hard for so many weeks--you deserve a break! And good going on the Gazelle! We've made a lot of progress this past year changing our habits; now this year we will see additional progress on our weight loss. We will get there!

I do eat a lot of repeat meals, don't I? I haven't really thought about it that much. I guess because I can't cook things that require time and ingredients, so I just eat pretty much the same breakfast, and when I cook dinner, there is a lot of repeat simple meats and fish and there aren't that many lc vegetables! But since we eat out a lot, I guess that's where I get more variety. There is a Mexican restaurant I've been a regular at for over 15 years. The owner and waitresses know me and give me very personal service. It's kind of like family. I usually eat their enchiladas, but they have many different kinds of sauces they use, made from different kinds of chilis, and they offer a variety of fillings, so there are actually a lot of choices. But dh and I are very much creatures of habit! That's what happens when you get old!

HB, it's so sad to hear about how those nasty kids have been treating you! I'm so glad you don't have to haul them around any more!
And congratulations on all the walking you have been doing--superior! That's really going to keep helping the weight to come off, and improve your health. You are already feeling so much better--Yay!
Your bike looks like so much fun--I can just imagine you riding around town with your flag flying!

I just have to say your description of that reuben made my mouth water--you guys are giving me some new ideas about luscious things to try. And thanks for the tip about the website, Corrisann. Maybe I will try some prepackaged meals to have on hand for when I don't feel like cooking the same old thing.

Had some char-grilled prawns with mango sauce and salad for lunch today--that was really good! Y'all have a fun Saturday, T.

[HoneyBera]

Good Morning, Everybody!

I have decided to just sit down here and say hi, just relaxing! There are so many comments I want to make to you as I read your posts, but I just read, say a tiny bit, and then run off to the demands of the day. Not today! Here goes:

Good morning ladies!! Still hovering in the low 40's here so we're getting rain & it feels like spring outdoors. Such a nice winter break!!

Corrisann, you make me happy to be a CA girl! 40ºF and you're looking for that bikini to put on??? But just wait until summer and you will hear me complain about the 100ºF days all throughout July over in the San Joaquin Valley! Great for tomatoes, but not for me!

My fil had a stroke Wed nite.

I am very sorry to hear that. I hope he is feeling well soon.

HB you sure need that week off driving monsters like that around!!! Am glad to hear that they at least pay you well to conpensate for all that stress!!

No, no, no!! NOT a week off! I NEVER HAVE TO SEE THOSE LITTLE BUGGERS EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!! Yesterday was my last (and best) day with them. The RINGLEADER, this big tall punk with a shaved head, got on and paid his fare (fast, so he could get by me without my noticing!), and I said, "Oh no! You're not riding with me!! Now get off the bus!!" He said, "F*** you! I already paid my fare!" So I told the next kid in line, "Give him your fare!" and when she did, I said, "NOW get off the bus!" So he MOONED ME! He has done this before (twice), and I said, "Oh, pull those pants up. We've seen it all before, and it still isn't interesting! NOW GET OFF MY BUS!!" and the whole bus roared with laughter at him! He LEFT, and the whole bus settled down, and the rest of the trip went off without a hitch! In fact, they were very polite. NEXT sign-up (for the next 3 months) they are getting Robert, a Hispanic ex-marine with an attitude, a short fuse, AND he's a 25yr. veteran bus driver! Good luck, BRATS!!!

Grown children coming home....such a trend at todays living costs. Living next door---well that is an old idea when you think about it. People lived in the same small town down the road or on the same farm/ranch property that their folks did. It's all in the attitude. So it could work well for you 2. Think it thru real good.

I haven't even discussed it with my daughter yet. She still thinks everything is ok for her to move home now. But it's not b/c of her "being in financial need" (b/c she's NOT!) that we're contemplating this move. It would be to "better" her financial health, and the more I think about it, the more it looks like I'd be borrowing trouble. I am finding that more and more, I like my solitude, my quiet life. It's not half bad. And I am going to need to concentrate on MY needs for a while: my dramatically changing lifestyle, my WOE, this discussion group and others I'm involved in, my time for exercise, and of course, my work (so I can afford all this!). And I need it in a stress free environment (or as close to that as I can come). And all of this is my OWN responsibilty to ME!! (Selfish as that may sound.)

Course the real concern is that it not become a trigger to send you backwards!!

Funny you should mention that. I woke up last night with a thought similar to that. NOTHING is a trigger for me b/c here is my thinking about 'triggers'! My doctor has been telling me for a year that he thinks gastric bypass surgery is an option I should be considering. GASTRIC BYPASS!! THE KNIFE!!! HACKING AWAY AT MY PRECIOUS, NEVER-FAILING, IN GOOD HEALTH, INNOCENT STOMACH B/C I COULD NOT LOSE WEIGHT ANY OTHER WAY!!!! That terrified the holy crap out of me!!!!! But before Thanksgiving weekend last and trying Atkins in a DESPERATE attempt to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING!!, and having it MIRACULOUSLY WORK , I was even contemplating that horrid surgery myself!!

So...whenever something attempts to sway me from my weight loss program(that WORKS!!) and hence, push me towards the slashing scalpel, the answer is a flat and resounding "NOOOOOOOO!!!!"

There is no "pause" to it! There is no "well maybe" to it!! THE ANSWER IS NO NO NO!!!! I don't want the knife!!! I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE ANSWER! I feel like a religious convert! Why, oh why, would I "cheat"???

Sometimes I feel kind of "left out", like I'm acting like a "goodie two shoes", and like I'm a big "stick in the mud". But I must admit that if you stood there offering me a big juicy fudgy-wudgy brownie (even with choc. frosting on top!) in one hand, and a scalpel in the other, I won't take the brownie, no matter how dull a person that makes me! Sorry about that. And that's just how I see this diet, ever since the Thanksgiving epiphany. It's a gift and a blessing that I'm not willing to give back, not even for a slice of bread or cake or whatever!

And that's another thing. I have been trying really really hard to kind of replace one thing with another. I don't want to cry b/c I had to give up my "Super Colon Blow" bread (I loved that stuff! But it had TONS of carbs, so no more bread...PERIOD!!) Now I have found an answer to my constipation (shhhhhh!) problem. I have a tortilla every morning with my breakfast. And not just any tortilla, but a "Super Colon Blow" LOW CARB tortilla!! ([COLOR="Red"]14gms fiber, 5 net carbs[/COLOR], and yummy!!) And I haven't said much to you guys b/c I thought you could only buy them at WinCo, a grocery store over in the Valley (relatively local). But I just went out on their website and they carry them everywhere out here, even Safeway! Here is their website: www.latortillafactory.com

Corrisann, I hope they have them near you, too! I'm praying for Kroegers (sp?). You can pop them into the microwave for 15 sec. to "soften" them enough to wrap any "goodie" up in them, eg. scrambled eggs (w/bacon, vegies, low carb salsa, whatever) or meats and/or vegies with sauces (like roast chicken or beef or pork with sour cream or cream cheese...ANYTHING!)
OR
YOU CAN FRY THEM! Filled or not. If you just put shredded cheese in them (Monterey Jack or Fontina or Mozzerella or whatever floats your boat) (+ variations are grilled chicken strips or onions or Mexican seasonings or low carb meatballs or whatever is on hand), wrap 'em up and fry them in hot oil, they get all crispy and crunchy and very filling and satisfying! Careful not to burn them...they brown very quickly and easily. Just keep turning them til they're nice and brown all over. Mmmm!
OR
YOU CAN MAKE TOSTADAS! (Those are open-faced tacos.) Fry the tortillas, both sides, til brown, put on a plate, and add shredded cheeses, meats, shredded lettuce, tomato bits, and a nice taco sauce. Dig in!

The best part of all this is that they have only [COLOR="red"]5 NET carbs[/COLOR], and [COLOR="Red"]14gms of FIBER[/COLOR] each! One for breakfast and one for lunch is 28 gms of fiber + 10 net carbs! I can do that! And they are portable (for the bus).

I did check the brand of the lc food that my one client orders off the internet, Home Bistro. Her favorites are a turkey w/cranberry stuffing & veggie and a grilled ck in peanut sauce w/veggies. Her dh gets a lot of the beef/veggie meals. So you might want to get on line & check them out.

I did. OMG!!! Although they looked good, did you see the PRICES??? I would have to take out a 2nd mortgage on my house!! How rich are these people?? I can whip up Poached Salmon and Asparagus even here in my trailer! AND IT'S GOOD! And it doesn't cost me $15-20 for 10-12 oz. + $15 S/H! Then I went over to see another one that showed up when I Googled Home Bistro, called DineWise. I checked out their "low carb menu" and found that THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOW CARB IS APPARENTLY!! They showed corn and peas as a LARGE vegie accompaniment to their sparce meat meals. That ain't the way a plate looks in MY low carb world!! (Maybe I should go into business?!)

I just have to say your description of that reuben made my mouth water--you guys are giving me some new ideas about luscious things to try.

I was just thinking that the Corned Beef should be coming out soon (for St. Patrick's Day), and that flavor combo of sauerkraut and 1000 island is [COLOR="SandyBrown"]GREAT[/COLOR] (even with sausages)! Have to watch those carbs on that 1000 island, but just a T. goes a long ways when mixed in with the ¼-½ cup sauerkraut. Re: Corned Beef - I have found that the extra money per lb. for the round cut instead of the brisket is well worth every penny, and then you BAKE IT, not boil it. OMG, it is so tender and good, with all the flavors! Melt some Swiss onto it, top it with the Sauerkraut mixture...I can hardly wait!! REUBEN!!!!

I do eat a lot of repeat meals, don't I? I haven't really thought about it that much. I guess because I can't cook things that require time and ingredients, so I just eat pretty much the same breakfast, and when I cook dinner, there is a lot of repeat simple meats and fish and there aren't that many lc vegetables!

T, you're preaching to the choir here! I totally understand! In Dr. Phil's diet book, he actually recommends that we find something comfortable for us THAT WE WILL DO, and then DO IT! Even if it is over and over, as long as we are comfortable with doing it that way, he feels it's ok, b/c we will actually do it. What would be the point to do something so elaborate that it actually undermines our efforts? If you get bored with it, you can always change it. I love that Rotel Cheese thing I make. I've eaten it for 3 weeks running, every morning for breakfast. It's been quick and easy. Now my schedule is changing (radically) and so I have to change my breakfast to something that will fit in. No big whoop. I've already got something in mind. But the point is, if you are comfortable with a set routine AND IT IS WORKING, who is going to argue with success? And if you are in a set routine that ISN'T working, change the routine to something that does work, and on you go.

But dh and I are very much creatures of habit! That's what happens when you get old!

You're telling ME?? You're preaching to the choir again, T!

One more thought before I get going, pack up, and head for home (the disaster area - UGH), and that is my changing body and attitudes. One of my passengers must have read my mind and she brought me a gift yesterday to say goodbye since I have now left her route. Two gifts, really. She is Vietnamese, a very sweet lady, and first, she brought me Walnuts with Sesame Seeds mixed with soy sauce (yummy and I can have them!!), and second, this Body Lotion from VICTORIA'S SECRET! I haven't had anything from VS in so many many years!! I used to be really into that sort of thing, but since I gave up on me and love ever happening years ago, I have simply not addressed that sort of thing. Both of you apparently have dhs. Not me. Not even a bf! That makes me sad in a way.

As I lose weight, my face is coming back, like a picture that has been out of focus for a long, long time. Bones I haven't felt in years I can feel again. My hips are really small under this mountain of prison-like fat, and now I hold the key to freedom. Heady stuff! I swear, I don't know how I've carried all this weight on my smallish frame for all these years.

As I drive by clothing stores, I find myself checking out the cute dresses and skirts in the windows. My work shoes are getting roomier, and I wonder if I will ever be able to wear cute shoes again. My uniform pants are only held up by a belt and the grace of God, and the belt is getting too big. And once the weather gets a bit nicer, I'm going for trike rides again! I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!

I'm off and running...so much to do, but I needed this time with you...

HB

[HoneyBera]

Oh, and I forgot to tell you...

I don't know if you guys get FMLA on your jobs, but it is a federal program. Since I have diabetes, I qualify for it, and it allows you to take off for up to 12 weeks a yr. to take care of assorted problems you might have, such as doctor's visits, illnesses, etc. BUT you have to have worked at least 1250 hrs in the last rolling year. Yeah, I know it's confusing, but it is federal. It's like the IRS with all the rules etc.

Well, last year (2007), before I knew any of you or the miracle of Atkins, I had been REALLY REALLY sick for most of the year (anything you could name practically!). By Sept. I had only made around 16k for the ENTIRE year! I was barely making my mortgage on disability. Horrible! But since I had missed all that work, the FMLA program no longer applied to me. We have an attendence policy here at work that demands that EVEN IF YOU ARE SICK AND CAN PROVE IT, you still get a ding on your record that sits there for a year. (Get too many dings and you're fired, Union or not!) The only way around that is the FMLA program. And I no longer qualified due to that 1250 hr. rule.

Well, I just checked to see how many hours I have in towards that 1250 now: 756! I need like about 500 more hours and I'll be able to take a day or so off, here and there, without the threat of what my job calls "Occurrences" (sick or ANY other reason you're not in the seat, driving! Even being late!!). It will take so much pressure off me! I should have some sick leave accrued by then, so I would even get paid. Having the health problems that I have and not having that "safety net" of FMLA and a bit of sick leave under me is quite stressful. But by the end of this sign-up (April) IF I don't get sick in the meantime, I should have that "safety net" back under me. And that should reduce my stress levels considerably!

Also, I just checked and it's supposed to be in the mid-60ºs over here all next week! So I'm bringing my trike over! I will let you know how it goes. That means that I'll be walking an extra mile/day 25min. or so, PLUS riding my trike as much as possible.

TTYL
HB

[HoneyBera]

Going to the doctor's office today. I will let you know the results when I get back.

[Teresa3]

Hi, Everybody--

Hope you all had a very nice weekend! The weather has been nice all weekend, so HB, I hope you got a chance to get out there and ride your bike! Likewise, Corrisann!

We went to the gym on Saturday, but then went out to lunch to a new French restaurant in a nearby town that dh wanted to try. Of course I have no willpower in such a situation, did lc for the main course of beef stew and salad, but blew it on the chocolate mousse dessert! Oh well, at least it wasn't a large serving!

HB, I sure got a big kick out of your story of your last day on that bus route! That kid got what he deserved--good goin', girl!

How nice your sweet Vietnamese lady kind of made up for that with her lovely gifts to you--there are some nice people out there after all! You deserve good things! It's good to hear you've been thinking about taking time for yourself, too. It seems to be in our nature as moms to always put ourselves aside and put others first--that's one big reason a lot of us started overeating in the first place, huh!

Sorry you are feeling a bit lonely without a bf, but glad you are getting your life back, and hey, you never know what's around the corner...

HB, I am so happy for you that you refused the gastric bypass surgery! I've just heard so many stories lately about all the complications that often occur after that! And can you imagine what it would be like to only be able to eat a meal of 1/2 cup of food at a time? I have to wonder about doctors sometimes, I think they lose their grasp of real life! Kudos to you for changing your way of eating and doing it the old-fashioned way! It's not easy , but you'll be a lot healthier and happier in the long run!

BTW, thanks for the info about the lc, high fiber tortillas! What a great idea for breakfast. When I go on maintenance, I'm going to be sure to look for those!

So, how did your medical appointment go?

Corrisann, how was your weekend? Hope you had some decent weather and got to get out and do something fun!

I have to work hard the next couple of days, or I won't be losing my 1 lb. this week! TTYL, T.

[HoneyBera]

Went to the doctor's office, but they were gone for the day. Just as well. Next weekend will be fine.

BTW T,those tortillas are low carb, and are ok for now, I think. They are at Safeway now. And there is a SaveMart in Watsonville. Really good Chicarrones! El Saboroso is much better than Mission Brand. They taste like bacon! YUMMY!

This week the menus are:

• Pinwheel Steaks (skirt steak with cheese, spinach, and red peppers rolled up) [Safeway]

• Beef Stew w/onion, celery, and a hint of carrot, thickened w/ThickNThin for "gravy"

• Mexican Grey Zucchini

• Rotel-Cheese-Cabbage-Hamburger/Sausage Main Dish

• Braised Chicken in a Pot w/"Gravy"

Corrisann, I see where you tried that Heinz Low Carb Ketchup. How did you like it? I goofed up royally, I think, and just used reg. Heinz Ketchup today , so I just went ahead and counted the carbs (4 carbs = 1T.) I really miss ketchup, of all things! And where do you FIND that stuff? (I may have to order it from netrition.com) Time for bed!!!!!!!

HB

[HoneyBera]

I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!!!!

I walked the entire way in from the light rail!! Whew! What a workout!

This is the first day of the new sign-up (which lasts for 3 months, into April). My god, what a WORKER that route is!! I pulled out a few minutes late this morning (heavy traffic and fog on the way in from the Valley slowed me down getting to work), and my whole morning was shot! My co has radically changed our system and ppl are so lost! When I got to the end of the line the first time, I was 17 min. "down" (late) and since my "break" time of 14 min. was already over, I had to just push on (and I was instantly ALREADY 3 min. late for the next leg of my journey.) All this on 5 hrs. sleep!

And then this lady gets all huffy with me, shaking her finger in my face, b/c I didn't stop at the last stop for her. She said that it was an "AUTOMATIC STOP"! "She'd been riding the bus for 3 yrs. and they ALWAYS stopped there!" (Maybe that's b/c they had time for a flippin' BREAK there! I didn't!!) Wait til she finds out I'm her regular driver for the next 3 months.

One nice thing though...I have a nice driver friend who relieves me on the road. I can ride the light rail over to this big elaborate bus/train station that is hardly used anymore by anyone and go into the locked driver's room there (I have a "key"), finish my breakfast and/or use the restroom in peace and quiet, and then take my BIG 20-MIN. walk down the shady lane.

I decided to leave my trike at home for another week. I don't have my helmet nor do I have the money to get one quite yet. And my trike is so low-slung that cars might have a hard time seeing me without a flag. I need to get all this together before I ride the trike. But once I get it, I may just do my walking back and forth to the bus parking area (approx. 3-4 city blocks, depending on the bus # and where it's parked.). It takes about 7-10 min. and I do that 2 times a day PLUS less than half that far at night when pulling in, b/c the fuel island personnel let us pull up within a block or two from the driver's room. Nice of them, huh!

That means I'll just walk to get my bus, maybe take the shuttle in from the light rail (or walk), and then take a good "bike" ride. I'm counting on you guys to help keep me honest on this. Let's face it...I'm in my sixties, with diabetes, and still weigh at least 273!! But I PROMISE I will give it my best shot!

I HAVE TO TAKE A NAP!!!

Take Care...HB

BTW, I have my NEW high school kids today! I already had a huge group this morning (I didn't know about them until they were on my bus!), but today is my OFFICIAL afternoon "school tripper". The kids this morning were GREAT! Very well behaved.

[Teresa3]

Hooray for you, HB on your walking! It sounds like that little trip is going to work out well to fulfill your daily exercise requirements. Great going! So good you got some nice high school kids for a change--you deserve that! Hope you get good news from the doctor next time you go!

I started some acupuncture today to see if it will alleviate my chronic pain and hot flashes so I can sleep better. My other doctors can't do it all for me, so I figure this can't hurt, and maybe it will be helpful. I have so many physical problems, if I just get a little improvement I'll be happy. One thing she did tell me though is not to eat fatty meats because they can produce more inflammation. So I am going to have to think hard about that, on Atkins. I guess I could try eating less fat protein for awhile and see how it goes. I have to boil herbs and make tea out of them. That does not thrill me.

Well, I confess I have been off again a bit the last couple of days, eating some dessert again. Not a lot of calories, but just enough to keep the scale from going down. The acupuncturist says I need to not eat sugars except for fruit, so maybe I better take the advice to heart! Change is sooo hard! TTYL, T.

[HoneyBera]

I only have a few minutes here. Lunch is warm in the kitchen and will be eaten behind the wheel. I HAVE TIME TO DO THAT NOW (IN THE AFTERNOON ONLY)!

My truck is needing a new battery. More on that later.

THE AFTERNOON KIDS ARE GREAT!! (As are the morning kids.) For me to have such a long ongoing and severe problems with high schoolers is rare for me and speaks volumes about what TOTAL BRATS those others are.

Sorry to hear of your insomnia. Hopefully something will work. You sure are attacking that problem from all angles!!

MUST run! I LOVE MY JOB!!!

HB

[Teresa3]

Hi, All--

Sooo glad you are loving your new route, HB! With all these good things happening, I hope your eating plan is going as well!

I did not do spectacularly this week--stayed the same. But I cheated a few times on desserts, so what did I expect! I have to somehow get myself back on induction, so I will stop craving those sweets!

Corrisann, how's it going, girl? Miss you! T.

[MI CHICK]

Just a fast hello ladies! My fil's funeral service is today & of course things have been crazy. These past 4mo's have been hetic for one reason or another. So hoping things calm down in Feb! My eating is a mess. Moments of doing ok & then moments of eating anything that passes my way. Glad you are doing so good HB!! Good health is the best goal of all! I know that's what you are struggling for too Teresa. Actually I'm doing it for my achey feet & the fear of ending up being a diabetic some day.
Today is my 32nd wedding anniversary.....thought I knew so much when I was 21 & got married....LOL!!! I never even had a concept of what it was to be 53, let alone married this number of years.....life is stranger than fiction ya know!!!
We're facing another week end & I hope you gal's do good. I'm hoping to get myself back on track.

[HoneyBera]

Hi Guys!

I am doing well on my plan! I will go weigh this weekend at the doc's ofc. and see just how well I'm doing. I barely got a chance to eat today! BUSY!!

I was almost out of whipping cream (a necessity for my morning coffee + Liq. Splenda + cinnamon = YUMMY!!), so I ran over to SaveMart and found they had these wonderful thick Pork Chops with nice fat on them for 99 cents a lb.!!! Well, fried pork chops being one of my favorite benefits of Atkins, I bought several 5lb. packages of them with the idea of storing them in the driver's room freezer until Friday night when I go home. I had the clerk bag them in two bags, making each one weigh 10lbs. each. When I got to the yard, I threw my backpack on my back and took one bag of pork chops in each hand to tote them up to the driver's room. To my absolute surprise, I could barely make it across the parking lot! It was just like before Atkins!!! I could barely breathe, had to stop every few steps, and my heart was pounding...I don't know how I carried that much weight all day long, not just across the parking lot!! I finally had to have another driver help me carry those bags!

It makes me so grateful that I've found Atkins and low carb eating! I will never ever go back to the old ways. I did also get some low carb-high fiber bread (7 net carbs/slice) and some jam with "NO SUGAR" (5 carbs/1T. but I'd settle for just a teaspoon! I would see it as a "dessert" on that bread.) Is that too outrageous? I guess I could just smell that bread. It does smell good, even through the wrapper! And the jam is good until 2009, and I should be all the way to goal by then. So I don't have to eat it now. What is your opinion on this?

I am actually on OWL right now, but for some reason I end up eating only about 20-30 net carbs per day and about 1200-1800 calories, and that's almost Induction. I don't mind that though.

Time to go to sleep. TTYL! HANG IN THERE!!

HB

[Teresa3]

I'm very sorry to hear your fil passed on, Corrisann. No wonder you have had a hard time staying on the plan. I hope your load is lightening up now.

On a brighter note, congratulations on your anniversary! Not many couples these days have a long and successful loving relationship! Something to be very proud of and grateful for! I wish you both many more wonderful years together!

Well, my eating has been out of control the last couple of days, too. I think I'm getting back on track, then I go off and binge, like tonight on Chinese food and pie. I don't know why I can't stay away from the pie; maybe it's a winter thing. Hopefully we will both start doing better next week, Corrisann!

HB, hope all is going well for you! Teresa

[HoneyBera]

HB, hope all is going well for you!

It is! My coworker, Sue, saw me today for the first time in a long time and she said, "Are you losing weight?!" That made my day!! I was trying to decide whether or not to walk today (the extra 25 min. stretch), and that did it! I WALKED!! Good on the food, good on the exercise.

Got to scoot BACK to work!

HB

[Teresa3]

Congratulations, HB, on your walking and doing good on your food!
It's so great to be making recognizable progress--that compliment from your coworker must have really felt great! That's a good motivator. I wish I were doing better--I'm still on a binge of Chinese food, and a friend had a birthday lunch today, so there were desserts... I just can't get myself back on program and I feel terrible! I hope this doesn't last much longer. Glad you are sticking to the plan, HB! T.