Lots of exciting things going on. My mom is about to make the deal on the sale of her home in TN tomorrow afternoon. We just met with our handyman, Ray. He will start ripping off the old siding on our home Monday and we will have all new siding, and a painted garage and shed to match. He also assured me that he will have the flower box for Dolores made by Mother's Day.
When there is alot of great things going on, my energy level is high and nothing can bother me. I do everything I'm supposed to do and enjoy it. So I've been eating really good and exercising.
When I'm depressed I just don't care and don't do what I'm supposed to do. I have to make sure that there is something going on that is exciting or fun so my energy level stays high and I'm happy doing what I'm supposed to be doing.
Someone kick me in the butt if I can't figure out how to get out of my rut next time!!!
For lunch we had Carl Buddig lunchmeat on whole grain English muffins with mustard and low fat cheese. We ate cut up red and green peppers and celery. To add more lean protein, we shared some fat free cottage cheese mixed with sugar free cran-apple sauce. We each had 10 reduced fat Cheese Its.
I get itching for something sweet around 2:30pm most days so I bought some sugar free Russell Stover candies. If I can't stand it, then I will have one of those and a cup of black coffee and I'll walk around the office.
I'm enjoying this great Spring weather. Tomorrow at work our "wellness" group will walk around the office building together. We begin together every April 1st at 3pm. This will be our 3rd year. I have more people in the group than ever so that is also exciting.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Encouragement
For our delicious, healthy dinner tonight I pan-seared 2 salmon filets and some mushrooms in olive oil. Then I made some scrambled eggs. I prepared 2 plates of romaine lettuce, tomato slices, chopped green onions, blueberries, and Jarlsburg cheese. I put the scrambled eggs on top of the greens, then put the salmon filets on top of the eggs. I melted 1 slice of cheese on top of the salmon, then put some mustard and fat free sour cream on top of that. I sprinkled everything with balsamic viniagrette. Sounds like a lot of different flavors, but it worked beautifully. It was very colorful, flavorful, healthy and fulfilling.
So far so good with the Mulberry diet supplements. I'm taking 2 with breakfast, lunch and dinner for 10 days straight, then only 1 with each meal after that. It's supposed to stop the sugar from the carbs absorbing into my system. It also is great with belly fat. I have no side effects from taking these so that's good.
I'm getting more exercise now that the weather is being cooperative. (Walking)
I have new incentive to losing weight other than I need to and I want to...I will meet my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Susan for the first time near Christmas. Many of you know that I was adopted and I am meeting and building relationships with my new family members since my birth mom and I were reunited August 2008. I am so excited and motivated.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
I welcome your help and support to keep me going. I was talking with my Mom yesterday about being motivated to "really do it this time." We both agreed that I get really motivated and then I peter out and go back to my old habits. I really don't want to do that this time. I wouldn't mind a special message from you from time to time encouraging me along the way.
So far so good with the Mulberry diet supplements. I'm taking 2 with breakfast, lunch and dinner for 10 days straight, then only 1 with each meal after that. It's supposed to stop the sugar from the carbs absorbing into my system. It also is great with belly fat. I have no side effects from taking these so that's good.
I'm getting more exercise now that the weather is being cooperative. (Walking)
I have new incentive to losing weight other than I need to and I want to...I will meet my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Susan for the first time near Christmas. Many of you know that I was adopted and I am meeting and building relationships with my new family members since my birth mom and I were reunited August 2008. I am so excited and motivated.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
I welcome your help and support to keep me going. I was talking with my Mom yesterday about being motivated to "really do it this time." We both agreed that I get really motivated and then I peter out and go back to my old habits. I really don't want to do that this time. I wouldn't mind a special message from you from time to time encouraging me along the way.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Fondu Party Night
We had a great time with 2 other couples last night. Sheila and Mark had us over for dinner along with Brian and his wife, Bobbie. We had a fondu party. Lean beef, chicken and shrimp with onions, poblano peppers and mushrooms. Sheila makes this wonderful garlic sauce to dip everything in.
Friday night we had another healthy dinner. I had a chicken dish with grilled asparagus.
For dinner tonight I had a chicken sandwich with mozzarella, tomatoes and lettuce. I also had 3 onion rings. Not the best choice and they were so greasy that I couldn't eat them.
We have some fun things planned this week including getting our taxes done! ha ha . Seriously, we are looking forward to being with my half-sister, Marie and her husband's family for Easter.
We watched Romancing The Stone from 1984 with my Mom today. It was a joy to watch again. Especially holding Baby in my lap.
Tomorrow I will begin Mulberry tea supplements which are supposed to block the absorption of sugar and therefore help metabolism in diabetics. I will let you know if there are any side effects that I feel from this. I am looking forward to dealing positively with my belly fat.
I have a bit of a stomach ache tonight so going to be early.
Friday night we had another healthy dinner. I had a chicken dish with grilled asparagus.
For dinner tonight I had a chicken sandwich with mozzarella, tomatoes and lettuce. I also had 3 onion rings. Not the best choice and they were so greasy that I couldn't eat them.
We have some fun things planned this week including getting our taxes done! ha ha . Seriously, we are looking forward to being with my half-sister, Marie and her husband's family for Easter.
We watched Romancing The Stone from 1984 with my Mom today. It was a joy to watch again. Especially holding Baby in my lap.
Tomorrow I will begin Mulberry tea supplements which are supposed to block the absorption of sugar and therefore help metabolism in diabetics. I will let you know if there are any side effects that I feel from this. I am looking forward to dealing positively with my belly fat.
I have a bit of a stomach ache tonight so going to be early.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thank You
I recently received some very good advice from my friend, Nancy:
"Get the American Heart Association Cookbook which I bought when Lee had some health issues. We pretty religiously followed the fat content of foods. He was only allocated 44 grams of fat per day. Really interesting results (which we weren't even looking for). After 3 months he had lost 15 pounds and I had lost 6----and I wasn't even trying to lose weight. Salt is a major factor, but primarily it was the fat content. Seems the less fat content, the more salt is added to food. Bad deal in terms of taste, but we got used to it. Keep plugging away. "
Thanks, Nancy!
Aaron and I both lost weight this week. However, I am still losing the weight that I gained eating all the fast food and comfort food after Dolores died in December. So, I only have 2 more pounds to lose and I'm back down to wear I was when I started this endeavor. I can do it, I can do it.
Thank you to all of you who are encouraging me. It helps!
"Get the American Heart Association Cookbook which I bought when Lee had some health issues. We pretty religiously followed the fat content of foods. He was only allocated 44 grams of fat per day. Really interesting results (which we weren't even looking for). After 3 months he had lost 15 pounds and I had lost 6----and I wasn't even trying to lose weight. Salt is a major factor, but primarily it was the fat content. Seems the less fat content, the more salt is added to food. Bad deal in terms of taste, but we got used to it. Keep plugging away. "
Thanks, Nancy!
Aaron and I both lost weight this week. However, I am still losing the weight that I gained eating all the fast food and comfort food after Dolores died in December. So, I only have 2 more pounds to lose and I'm back down to wear I was when I started this endeavor. I can do it, I can do it.
Thank you to all of you who are encouraging me. It helps!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Our Stories
Tuesday night and all is well. I keep having this great feeling. I'm light, energetic, happy and have an overall sense that everything is going to be ok. Thank You, God for watching over Aaron and I and our family members. I love You.
Tonight we had BLT's with light mayo, whole grain low cal bread, low fat cheese, tomato, lettuce and regular bacon. Can't skimp on the bacon. The brand that we like the best is Corn King. The reason is that in a pound you get 16 pieces rather than 20 as in other packages. The slightly thicker cut makes the bacon a little chewy even though it's crisp. Yum! Seems like you're getting more bacon when in fact you can cut down a little and still be satisfied.
I've written some more poems about Dolores. I will polish them a little and then post them here and on Facebook.
Aaron and I are doing very well on our dieting plan. Soon we will begin walking outside regularly now that the weather is shaping up nicely.
We recently had our deck replaced and it's almost finished. We can't wait to sit outside and just enjoy the beautiful back yard that we have. I have to put forth effort to not want wine and instead think of having lemonade or an iced tea on our deck. Really trying to cut back!
Food For Thought:
Dolores's recipes are all now in one place so I can begin making a scrapbook. It's been bittersweet remembering our family meals and special dinners together. As Jim Harrison says, "Death steals everything except our stories." My Mom, Aaron and I are going to make a great story book remembering our special times together that we will treasure for years to come.
Tonight we had BLT's with light mayo, whole grain low cal bread, low fat cheese, tomato, lettuce and regular bacon. Can't skimp on the bacon. The brand that we like the best is Corn King. The reason is that in a pound you get 16 pieces rather than 20 as in other packages. The slightly thicker cut makes the bacon a little chewy even though it's crisp. Yum! Seems like you're getting more bacon when in fact you can cut down a little and still be satisfied.
I've written some more poems about Dolores. I will polish them a little and then post them here and on Facebook.
Aaron and I are doing very well on our dieting plan. Soon we will begin walking outside regularly now that the weather is shaping up nicely.
We recently had our deck replaced and it's almost finished. We can't wait to sit outside and just enjoy the beautiful back yard that we have. I have to put forth effort to not want wine and instead think of having lemonade or an iced tea on our deck. Really trying to cut back!
Food For Thought:
Dolores's recipes are all now in one place so I can begin making a scrapbook. It's been bittersweet remembering our family meals and special dinners together. As Jim Harrison says, "Death steals everything except our stories." My Mom, Aaron and I are going to make a great story book remembering our special times together that we will treasure for years to come.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Good Vibrations
Good afternoon. I feel so energized today. I think it's because I've been in communication with most of my new family members today. My mother Sue, my sisters Gail and Marie, my cousin Jared, my uncle Ralph, my aunt Susan, and I'm reaching out for the first time to my cousin Joe who I really hope will return my message so that I can get to know him too.
I have all my meals planned through the first week of April. I have a bunch of healthy snacks available at my desk at work and at home. Aaron and I are down to only 1 drink per night IF we even decide to have a drink, which most nights we don't anymore.
We both feel lighter today even after a 3 day weekend. The sun is shining and we are in love with our new cats.
I guess today I can't think of anything negative. I LOVE DAYS LIKE TODAY!!!
I have all my meals planned through the first week of April. I have a bunch of healthy snacks available at my desk at work and at home. Aaron and I are down to only 1 drink per night IF we even decide to have a drink, which most nights we don't anymore.
We both feel lighter today even after a 3 day weekend. The sun is shining and we are in love with our new cats.
I guess today I can't think of anything negative. I LOVE DAYS LIKE TODAY!!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
How To Fill The Void
I took a walk this afternoon along a pretty, winding path near a mini waterfall. It was beautiful and fulfilling to commune with nature for awhile.
I sat on the bench that I sat on almost 2 years ago when I was talking with my Dad in the nursing home on my cell phone. It made me miss him. It made me realize how much has happened over these past two years.
Thinking things over and counting all of the hardships that I've lived through, especially these past two years, I was saddened and frustrated and depressed. But then my perspective changed and I thanked God for a truly full life and the gift of experiencing just about everything both good and bad.
When I got back to work I was still tired, frustrated and depressed, but I did think about how I was grateful for a full life. This will be a work in progress.
Food For Thought:
Now if I could just fill this void of emptiness with something other than food. I have to find that fulfilling activity that gives me the pleasure I get with eating something. What will it be? Writing?
I sat on the bench that I sat on almost 2 years ago when I was talking with my Dad in the nursing home on my cell phone. It made me miss him. It made me realize how much has happened over these past two years.
Thinking things over and counting all of the hardships that I've lived through, especially these past two years, I was saddened and frustrated and depressed. But then my perspective changed and I thanked God for a truly full life and the gift of experiencing just about everything both good and bad.
When I got back to work I was still tired, frustrated and depressed, but I did think about how I was grateful for a full life. This will be a work in progress.
Food For Thought:
Now if I could just fill this void of emptiness with something other than food. I have to find that fulfilling activity that gives me the pleasure I get with eating something. What will it be? Writing?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Blood Test Results
Both Aaron and I received some disturbing news from some blood tests that we recently had done. Needless to say we are once again renewing our efforts to become healthy.
Tonight for dinner we had stewed chicken with asparagus and mushrooms and had bottled water to drink.
We soon will see our family doctor and get his blessing on our plan of action.
I began this blog on October 27, 2009 so April 27, 2010 we should have lost 30 pounds, right? Wrong! We are nowhere near that kind of weight loss and that in and of itself is disturbing. Today we find out that both of us have some additional health issues that we didn't know about before. Both of us received quite a punch in the gut from the news. We are very upset. Now reading this, you might think it's cancer or something like that, it isn't, but its a moderate size step in the wrong direction. We are both committed and looking forward to turning things around for the better. It's not out of our hands and that's the best news of all!
We both need your prayers and support in our dieting and exercising efforts now more than ever.
Tonight for dinner we had stewed chicken with asparagus and mushrooms and had bottled water to drink.
We soon will see our family doctor and get his blessing on our plan of action.
I began this blog on October 27, 2009 so April 27, 2010 we should have lost 30 pounds, right? Wrong! We are nowhere near that kind of weight loss and that in and of itself is disturbing. Today we find out that both of us have some additional health issues that we didn't know about before. Both of us received quite a punch in the gut from the news. We are very upset. Now reading this, you might think it's cancer or something like that, it isn't, but its a moderate size step in the wrong direction. We are both committed and looking forward to turning things around for the better. It's not out of our hands and that's the best news of all!
We both need your prayers and support in our dieting and exercising efforts now more than ever.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Dolores's Recipes
Me, my Mom and Aaron all went through Dolores's recipes yesterday. We were laughing, remembering and crying. It was hard, it was fun, it was fulfilling. The idea for the scrapbook is going to be where I choose a recipe, make the dish and then take a picture of the finished product and then write about it. We'll put the recipe next to the meal in the album but the recipe will be removeable so I can continue to make her special dishes.
I'm going to start off with Chicken Paprikas next weekend. This project is going to take a long time, but that's ok. Who cares how long it takes? It will be a wonderful tribute to our special mom.
Aaron and I despite our efforts of dieting seem to be either staying the same weight or gaining a 1/2 pound. I'm going to have to try harder to make us eat healthier, exercise and take care of ourselves. We are both quite heavy right now and I'm concerned about our health.
I'm going to start off with Chicken Paprikas next weekend. This project is going to take a long time, but that's ok. Who cares how long it takes? It will be a wonderful tribute to our special mom.
Aaron and I despite our efforts of dieting seem to be either staying the same weight or gaining a 1/2 pound. I'm going to have to try harder to make us eat healthier, exercise and take care of ourselves. We are both quite heavy right now and I'm concerned about our health.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Soup:
2 32 oz cartons of Chicken broth - fat free
1 pound of boneless pork chops - cut into strips
1 red pepper
4 green onions
8oz mixed mushrooms - button, portabella, shitake - sliced
2 baby bok choy stalks cut into pieces
3 garlic cloves chopped
rice wine vinegar to taste (1/2 cup?)
soy sauce to taste (2 tbls?)
white pepper to taste (2 tbls?)
1 egg
Brown the pork and put everything into the soup pot and cook until veggies are soft but not overdone. Then crack the egg over the pot and stir as it is dripping into the pot.
This soup is best made the day before you are going to eat it. Just let it sit in the fridge overnight. It takes time to meld all of the flavors together.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
I went through all of Dolores's recipes tonight so we can begin making the scrapbook and I can begin to cook using her recipes. What a trip down memory lane that was. I love her handwriting. It's fun to see the grease and remnants of food on her recipes and the torn, yellow paper. She had everything from Polish to Japanese and Chinese to Weight Watchers and Rachel Ray. Quite a diverse cook she was. This is going to be fun - heart-wrenching - but fun!
2 32 oz cartons of Chicken broth - fat free
1 pound of boneless pork chops - cut into strips
1 red pepper
4 green onions
8oz mixed mushrooms - button, portabella, shitake - sliced
2 baby bok choy stalks cut into pieces
3 garlic cloves chopped
rice wine vinegar to taste (1/2 cup?)
soy sauce to taste (2 tbls?)
white pepper to taste (2 tbls?)
1 egg
Brown the pork and put everything into the soup pot and cook until veggies are soft but not overdone. Then crack the egg over the pot and stir as it is dripping into the pot.
This soup is best made the day before you are going to eat it. Just let it sit in the fridge overnight. It takes time to meld all of the flavors together.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
I went through all of Dolores's recipes tonight so we can begin making the scrapbook and I can begin to cook using her recipes. What a trip down memory lane that was. I love her handwriting. It's fun to see the grease and remnants of food on her recipes and the torn, yellow paper. She had everything from Polish to Japanese and Chinese to Weight Watchers and Rachel Ray. Quite a diverse cook she was. This is going to be fun - heart-wrenching - but fun!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
All These Things
Hello, it's been a busy couple of weeks. Mostly due to work that I've been bringing home to prepare for our annual physicians retreat, which was Saturday. I anticipate that I can now write more often.
First of all, Aaron and I both lost a pound this week so that's good news. I haven't been able to cook very often over the past couple of weeks, so I'm going to celebrate my free time by making Hot and Sour Soup tomorrow night. I will tell you about it after I make it. It's one of our favorite oriental soups.
I wanted to post the poem that I recently wrote about Dolores in case you wanted to see it so here goes. It's called All These Things.
First of all, Aaron and I both lost a pound this week so that's good news. I haven't been able to cook very often over the past couple of weeks, so I'm going to celebrate my free time by making Hot and Sour Soup tomorrow night. I will tell you about it after I make it. It's one of our favorite oriental soups.
I wanted to post the poem that I recently wrote about Dolores in case you wanted to see it so here goes. It's called All These Things.
ALL THESE THINGS
All the medications and home health visits
All the state of the art medical equipment
All the meals we cooked and ate together
All the naps taken on Sunday afternoons
All the visits from friends and neighbors
All the church going and soul searching
All the special food and shopping trips
All the love we pressed into her hands
All the care and concern we gave her
All the meows from Baby and Dolly
All the hospitals and there were four
All the trust we put into technology
All the questions for all the doctors
All the time spent in hospital rooms
All the days since her first surgery
All the prayers for her well-being
All the times we cried out of fear
All the times we said I love you
All the cleaning out of catheters
All the doctors and surgeons
All the fun we had together
All the talking and sharing
All the laughter we shared
All the plans we had
All the hope we felt
All the hugs
All the tears
Could not
Save
Her
All the medications and home health visits
All the state of the art medical equipment
All the meals we cooked and ate together
All the naps taken on Sunday afternoons
All the visits from friends and neighbors
All the church going and soul searching
All the special food and shopping trips
All the love we pressed into her hands
All the care and concern we gave her
All the meows from Baby and Dolly
All the hospitals and there were four
All the trust we put into technology
All the questions for all the doctors
All the time spent in hospital rooms
All the days since her first surgery
All the prayers for her well-being
All the times we cried out of fear
All the times we said I love you
All the cleaning out of catheters
All the doctors and surgeons
All the fun we had together
All the talking and sharing
All the laughter we shared
All the plans we had
All the hope we felt
All the hugs
All the tears
Could not
Save
Her
These were my thoughts as we were in the hospital with her on her last day. I was looking around thinking about how many people were trying to help her to continue living but it just wasn't in the cards for her. We struggle with it daily still.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Aaron keeps asking about Dolores's recipes so my Mom and I decided to make a scrapbook of Dolores's recipes and a photo of what it looks like after I make each dish. It will take awhile to put together. I think I'll start with Chicken Paprikash...
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