Out of the ashes

[Fine Mind]

"Ovid tells the story of the Phoenix as follows: 'Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree. In this it collects cinnamon and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odors.

From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own cradle and its parent's sepulchre), and carries it to the city of Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun."



I've always admired the story of the phoenix, and I shall use it for my inspiration.

I have just read Mel's journal as I sit here this cold January morning on the third day of the beginning of my "re-birth." ( I hope!) I am not comfortable posting my weight of two days ago (yet), but it is the highest of my life I am sad to say. Don't get me wrong; I am not huge by the standards most people have, but I am huge to myself. I need to lose 40 pounds.

I did Atkins a few years back and got ALMOST to my ideal weight. I ALMOST can't believe how good I looked a mere few years ago. Then came the national election and Bush was re-elected. I internalized everything that was happening on the national and international scene. In the one month following Bush's reelection I gained 10 pounds. There are many who would say my claim is ridiculous, but I KNOW what sends me spiralling, and that was the trigger.

My father's health had begun to fail at about the same time and soon afterwards my siblings and I were providing round-the-clock nursing care to him in his home. Those long hours alone in his house were very frightening to me as I felt woefully inadequate to care for him. There were many hours of isolation with a ready supply of food on hand. I steadily gained weight. Through that time of my father's illness and death ( a period of about 14 months!) I would catch my reflection in the mirror with horror. I have NEVER been small, but I have ALWAYS had a fairly trim middle. My waistline had disappeared. Up until last spring, I had never allowed my size to get above a 12. By August of last summer I was in Dress Barn buying some 1X tops to start school in the fall and HATING how I looked. Once school started I made a few stabs at losing weight and before I knew it the fall elections rolled around . I was ecstatic with the outcome and managed to lose several pounds between the elections and Thanksgiving. I started a walking program with a friend but she had the misfortune of spraining her ankle and aggravating an old injury which put her permanently out of commission to walk. The holidays proved once again to be my undoing and here I am. FAT

I re-started Low carb Wednesday morning, January 17, and I am already feeling as though I am coming out of a mental/emotional fog.

I don't want to jinx myself, but I am hoping this is the beginning of my way back to ME.

I am going to try.

If anyone happens to read this, I want to say I am inspired by your success stories--particularly those who have lost and maintained and keep advocating for healthy choices. You are my inspiration.

Now I must get ready for work.

I hope it is a good day for everyone!

[Fine Mind]

I forgot to post my menus

This morning: mock danish made with three eggs and two tablespoons of cream cheese

Yesterday
B: 3 scrambled eggs with 3 stris of bacon
L: Atkins shake
afternoon: Atkins shake
D: tuna steak, green beans, 2 riounds of ring bologna
water
coffee

Wednesday
B. 3 scrambles with some cheese
L: Atkins shake
D: fish, green beans
water


I am being much better with drinking water

[bomen1948]

Hey Lin - good to see you again!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nancy Pancy]

Glad to see you are back in the saddle Lin. I know the year's been a tough one but nothing like January to start fresh, all the best of luck!

[Fine Mind]

Well, hi, Girls! How's it going? You''re both looking splendid!

School is over and I am going on a quest for some MEAT so I can stay on track. I'll yak with you later

[Fine Mind]

Day #3 afternoon


I am just home from the grocery store. I bought a rotisserie chicken and I don't know why. I hate the smell. . . Anyway this is my weakest time of the day when I like to eat anything and everything. So far I have had about half a breast of the stinky chicken and about 6 large green olives stuffed with blue cheese. I have also finished a cup of very strong Darjeeling tea--which I love.

It's cold and windy here and DH won't be home for a while

I also need to say I drank two Atkins shakes today--one just before I left work.

As always on the third day of any weight loss attempt, I am feeling good . . .

[Fine Mind]

Okay, final entry for today. I had a salad of spinach, romaine and green peppers with blue cheese and I had 3 well broiled chicken wings. I am now drinking water. I am NOT hungry. Please let me make it through the rest of the evening

[Fine Mind]

I am struggling with multiple post syndrome.

[Fine Mind]

Day #4

My weight is back where I started

I think it was the olives--verrry salty! Whatever it was, I suspect this is a temporary setback as I feel well this morning It's early but I feel rested. I need to add a Fresca to yesterday's tally and three more hot wings.

Today I have Saturday school and the sale continues in my shop this afternoon. One of the transitions I hope to make in my shop is the inclusion of a book section. I think I want to go with a mystery section, tea section and cookbook section. I want mine to be a shop where you can plop down and have a cup of tea whilst you peruse a book.

Design. My friend, an artist, has created a very dear design for the shop printing such as bags and labels. It is a very stylized drawing of the shop, and I love it.

All these plans are another manifestation of lo-carb: more energy and a clearer head: TGFI.

I have a package arriving from Coldwater Creek for the NYC show--two pants suits and a pair of pants. Sure hope they fit a week from now. They should as this big fat middle disappears. And I am confident it will.

mock danish for breakfast

[Fine Mind]

This computer is being wonky.

[Fine Mind]

my mock danish is less than great

[Fine Mind]

Lunch was 3 double cheeseburgers from Mickey D-- no bun no cheese and no condiments but lettuce and mayo

I also had an Atkins shake

And water

Now I am having a cup of tea and some sausage links.

Day #4 goes well.

[Fine Mind]

The scale shows a 4 pound loss but I am not counting it as I know how that goes Right now I am TOTALLY focused on ridding my body of sugar and flour. To that end I am making sure I have at least a cup of veggies every day, lots of protein and some fat. I am going to try another mock danish only this time I am making it more like an omelette with 3 eggs and one ounce of cream cheese and cooking it very slowly and not too dry

Wow! This is great! I like this! Eggs are such an important part of Atkins for me. I really think they are the magic ingredient.

I had some really hard moments yesterday. Being home alone is my worst challenge and it was a long day!
I am trying to get away from night eating altogether but I sucked down a whole bowl of SF lemon jello last evening.

Observation: I faced a task yesterday that I have put off for months: sorting my cookbook collection. I got rid of 20 cookbooks which are in my car for the giveaway box at the library. This sort of task is one I do ONLY when I am off the "bad stuff." Seriously. My head is becoming so much clearer. Why, oh, why do I ever leave this WOE?

[bomen1948]

and I had 3 well broiled chicken wings

Burn them aye?

Nance is in Buffalo this weekend, she'll be around tonight I am sure.

We went to the symphany last night. It was not very good. Veal for dinner for me, it was about the same as the symphany. I took photos with the new camera.....can I post them here? I am kinda homeless these days as for a place to post/call home.

[Fine Mind]

Tena!!!

Don't you look smashing??!!!
Post away, Dear Child!

[bomen1948]

Not sure why I was standing with my stomach sticking out in the full figured one. LOL! Also note, no cast. Got it off Friday - yeah. Now I just have a small brace that I can wear just when I need too.

[Fine Mind]

Anyway, here's how today has gone so far. My breakfast of a mock danish omelette stood me in fine fettle through several hours of gambling with my sister, but our luncheon plans at Long Horn Steak were scuttled when we came out of the casino to find snow coming down. Trip on the interstate was a bit of a white knuckler A little over an hour later I was depositing my sister at her house before making my way on snow-covered roads all the way home. Once here, I fired up the teakettle and put sausages on to cook. Helped myself to the last of the green olives and just now finished the last sausage. I wish there were a little emoticon that rubbed his tummy I also hammered open two pecans and a Brazil nut and munched them down. Nuts in shells are the only kind I am allowing. I want to make an emergency bowl of SF Jello for tonight. Kettle back on!

I feel good. I feel good.

Where do I find the resolve to stay this way??? I know! I'll go read the Main Lobby!!!

[Fine Mind]

OMG, Tena, both of you look totally beautiful. Everything: make up, hair, gorgeous suits. ( totally sexy top and jewels!)

Louie looks sooooo thin. How much has he lost?
You really didn't like the symphony?


I plan to post pics in. . .maybe June?

Thanks for sharing!!!

[bomen1948]

No it was not a good performance. We were given the tickets and they were in the total nose bleed section so the sound was very muffled too.

Have you tried these? Cream Cheese Muffins

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just got brave enough to post a hello message in the main lobby. Mentioned my husband eats cream cheese muffins for breakfast every day, (and lost 40 lbs. or so doing this) and Sandy wanted the recipe. So here it is. Very easy, quick, and everyone loves them!

2 8oz. pks. philadelphia cream cheese
1/2 cup sweetener (I use spenda)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Soften cream cheese about 40 seconds in microwave. Add other ingredients. Beat with mixer till smooth. Pour into 12 muffin pans lined with the papers. Bake at 350 for 20 min.

I have learned so much on this site. Thanks you guys!! Joan


They are much better than the mock danishes. Add cinammon to them as well.

[bomen1948]

Here is one other one Lin - these are good for breakfast or a snack.
Cinnamon Cheese Danish
Cinnamon Cheese Danish Atkins Rolls
Be sure to read the thread, there are some good tips.

[bomen1948]

Opps, forgot. Louie has lost 84 pounds since May 3rd.

[Nancy Pancy]

I'm home, the groceries are unpacked, the laundry will be on in a minute and the dogs need walking.

I don't know who to post to first. Me thinks I'll pick Lin cause we haven't spoken in so long.

Day #4 and you are doing amazing! I love to hear the stories of success and you are well on your way. Nice Going Woman! Stories of the plans for the shop sound wonderful. Love to see pictures of how it's looking these days if and when you can.

Tena, Tena, Tena. You and L clean up so nice. I LOVED what you were wearing! And where in the heck did the rest of Louie go? My Gawd, he looks so handsome and dudded up! Sorry the symphany was meh.

Concert was sort of that way as well. Delana (sp?) was amazing. It was her and one guy on a guitar. She sang Roxanne, so Paul was quite happy. Toby's band was on next and was quite entertaining. We too had nose bleed seats, but that was ok, cause it was so LOUD. Next came Lucas, Tommy Lee, and the other guys. Not that it was bad, but it could have been any body up there. Lucas has the stage presence of a flea. But I tell ya, not that I've been a huge Tommy Lee fan but you sure can appreciate that man's talent on the drums.

Delana and Lucas also came out to sign autographs and a photo op. Not that we tried to get through to that crowd, but we were on the 2nd level looking down and had a great place to watch that. She is as cute as a button.

Paul also had an interesting voice mail from HR in Buffalo saying "Paul please call me as soon as you can. I have some very interesting news for you concerning salary that I think you will be very happy with". Funny thing is I had a feeling the other day of what they were going to offer him. After Paul let me hear this message I told him of my feeling. But I didn't tell him what it was. I wrote it on a piece of paper and hid it in his briefcase. He'll open it after they give him the magic number and we'll see if my Salary ESP is in tune. That should be fun, hopefully he get the paperwork this week.

Gonna walk doggies, have fish for dindin and make some cream (fat free) of squash soup. I had a craving.

Tena, that muffin recipe looks very good. I'm gonna pick me up some fat free cream cheese and give er a go!

ETA Sorry for the threadjack Linny, we can get back to our regularly scheduled programing.

[Fine Mind]

NANCY!

My gosh, it's like a reunion!

I am very happy to hear you are home, Nancy, as we are having a proper snowstorm here. It is really piling up quickly.

Is Paul changing jobs?

I just took a break to destroy the kitchen in the process of making those luscious-sounding muffins, Tena! You should see the mess I've made! Thanks for the recipes

Once again, I want to comment on your make up. It looks different. Are you using something new?

Could either of you tell me what is meant by the term "troll"? Is it just someone PRETENDING to be someone?

[bomen1948]

Lin - I am using Bare Minerals these days but I think the major difference is that every night before bedtime I lather lotion on my face and neck. I haven't bought anything in particular, just using what is on my cabinet. Right now its Vitamin E St. Ives. But lathering it on is an understatement. I am putting tons and tons of lotion on, as in an entire palm full each night.

Be sure to post a review of the muffins Lin.

What context is "troll" being used?

Nance- well, sorry about the concert. Was the hotel nice at least? What did you have for dinner?


So I need advise about next Saturday. I bought L tickets to BB King here in town. Its at 7pm. So how I am going to work this? Dinner at 5:30??? that just seems so early and after the concert is way too late, isn;t it? It'll be 9:30-10pm. Opinions anyone?


4 ounce fitlet minon with jalopeno blacked eye peas and salad for dinner for me.

[Fine Mind]

Originally Posted by bomen1948

Lin - I am using Bare Minerals these days but I think the major difference is that every night before bedtime I lather lotion on my face and neck. I haven't bought anything in particular, just using what is on my cabinet. Right now its Vitamin E St. Ives. But lathering it on is an understatement. I am putting tons and tons of lotion on, as in an entire palm full each night.

Well, it's working. You look radiant!

Be sure to post a review of the muffins Lin.

What context is "troll" being used?

The muffins are out of the oven and look desirable The term "troll" was used in a post where the OP came on ready to fight with everyone. Posters stayed pretty neutral for a long while but the OP just got more and more "out there" and somene suggested there was a troll ????? So I was thinking it was just someone "pretending" to be a woman doing lo carb. I don't know[/quote]

I'd have appetizers and a drink beforehand and a very light supper afterwards. Coincidentally, B.B. King is going to be in AC next month and I've asked J if he wants to go. Great minds.

Yes, Nancy, tell us about the weekend

4 ounce fitlet minon with jalopeno blacked eye peas and salad for dinner for me.

What time?

[bomen1948]

What time?

Well I gotta pry L out of his chair and get him to light the grill...........so maybe in an hour if I start nagging him now.

We buy these little filet minons in the meat department at Wal-mart. $5 f