Third Quarter Posts: July 1-September 30.

KonaKat

I had the Lean Cuisine meat loaf with mashed potatoes for dinner. It is so good, much better than the NS version. I didn't have the oatmeal for breakfast for a change. I was running late so I chowed down on a Pure Protein bar on the way to work, and also had done for lunch. Not a good day for variety but it works when running late. I also had a banana from the school's fruit bar.

Helene610

Jean.. I think you've been working every day lately. Do you know most of the kids from last year? I'm looking forward to trying the LC meatloaf when I finish more of my NS stash. I had the turkey sausage and bacon rigatoni. I find it a bit bland so I had to add red pepper flakes and some crumbled bacon. I added a native tomato and some grilled eggplant slices. It was pretty good with the add ins.

mdubbs1

Jean - you're right about a lot of those LC being much better than NS. It's funny. I love some of the Smart Ones, especially the breakfasts, but the LC are much better in the lunch/dinner category. You are working a lot for first thing in the year. I'm amazed that many teachers are out this early.

Helene - I have several of the newer NS dinners that I haven't had the guts to try yet. I don't know what my mental deal it - there is obviously nothing preventing me from throwing one out if it turns out to be gross.

I think I'll have "eggs" (real egg + EB) for breakfast. My first conference call isn't until 11 so I have time to "cook".

We have worked our way through all the cats/kittens from the car garage. yeah! Now we need to work on Cheeto. He's been in a foster home for too long. Got him in to the vet to update him and she says he needs to go to the dentist for a tricky extraction. Oh, joy, another huge bill. She also thinks he's 8-12. Ouch! Luckily he's the only one we have right now as placing him is going to be a challenge! She also said he's gained 8 1/2 pounds since we first vetted him. So he needs kitty NS!

Helene610

Maryanne...I haven't had anything gross in the NS entrees, I just found several if them to be bland. They needed some spices to help them along. Or adding in some veggies would help. Have something on hand you think would make a good add in before you heat one up. Heck, you already bought them so you might as well try. I had my last NS cinnamon bun today with eggs. I think I have a donut left and after that it's all biscotti's. What was I thinking when I ordered so many of them. I'm still having problems with this site when I log foods. I end up having to back out and restart my computer. What a pain.

PamS53

I gave up on the NS food a long time ago. I only did the shelf stable options and I got so tired of them that I had to stop. I found myself unable to force them down after awhile, even the ones I liked. I found so many better options in the supermarket that were less expensive, I just couldn't justify ordering NS anymore. And since DH seems to need to eat regularly, if I'm going to cook for him I figured I might as well eat it too. I do try to cook healthy meals for both of us, but he snacks a lot which I try to avoid.

mdubbs1

There are some NS items I like.

Breakfast - nutriflakes, the harvest nut bars (for show days) and occasionally a muffin/bun/donut but not often

Lunch - soups, fettucini alfredo, trail mix bar (for show days) and tuna salad

Dinner - I really like the hearty beef stew, I can eat the chicken pot pie, lasagna/ravioli/rotini, the turkey and the pizza

Desserts - I really like the chocolate cake, pound cake, chocolate walnut cookies; I can eat the chocolate bars but they seem awfully skimpy when my evening after our early dinner is SO long; I can eat the popcorn and the cheese puffs

That leaves an awful lot of meals any more that I don't like

Helene610

I did some shopping today and decided to try some of the new Lean Cuisines (black box). I had a wild rice, chicken and pecan dish which was great. It was more tasty than the NS dinners I've had recently. My next order will definitely be my last auto delivery. That way I can order the few things I like (breakfasts and lunches) and fill in with low calorie items from the supermarket.

mdubbs1

Coincidence - I had one of the black box LC yesterday. The chicken with BBQ sauce and cheesy potatoes. It tasted better than it looked but the BBQ sauce could be thicker.

I'll have to try that wild rice and chicken one.

I've been using the frozen to ease back into controlled calories but I've got to now ease myself into more of what's sitting in the "pantry".

Helene610

Maryanne..It sounds like we're doing the same thing of using up the old and supplementing with some LC. Their new offerings sound really good. I'd gone up a couple of pounds in August from lunches with friends and parties. I've been doing well with NS and portion control the last week and I'm back to my July weight. I'm driving my friend to AAA to renew her license today. She's the one who fell a few weeks ago and bruised her face. It's faded except for one small bruise she can cover with makeup. AAA members can renew at their office instead of going to the Registry. We've heard they usually have no line compared to long lines at the Registry office. Afterwards, we're going to lunch at a nice waterfront restaurant down Cape. AAA is halfway there so we decided to go the extra difference to have a relaxing lunch. I'll be back on plan tonight as I don't want to repeat my August gain.

mdubbs1

Helene - good job getting back to your July weight!

I gained a LOT in the months after Willie died. Just went totally off the wagon for months. So once again I'm essentially restarting. I'm about 15 pounds under my all-time high but I have a long way to go to normal.

mdubbs1

Our power company is having an "energy savings day" today. From 1-7 they pay you to use less electricity We sort of take it as a game. Can we "earn" more than last time? I turned off the air cleaners, ran the dishwasher before 1, turned the freezer and frig down one notch, turned off 2 computers. Had a supper that required no microwave. Etc. Today is far from the hottest day of the summer so I'm not quite sure why they picked today.

They also send out these efficiency report comparing your use monthly with other people. We are always off the charts. I think it's sort of strange. They are in the business of selling power and are chiding us for using more than average? We should get a thank you note!

KonaKat

I guess I need to check out the black box Lean Cuisine. I may have had one and never really noticed as I don't pay that much attention to packaging.

As far as teacher absences are concerned, we live in an area in which people have to travel for things like doctor appointments, car appointments, business, etc. It seems businesses have not caught on to the fact the public wants teachers to be in the classroom and want them to use weekends for appointments. The reality is that there is a sub shortage nationwide and we are no exception. We have one teacher out now because her mother just died, one is out because she had to take her daughter to an out of state hospital for a specialist appointment...and she tried to get the appointment before school started. Then there was a traffic accident.

Teachers, believe it or not, are subject to the same demands as other people and have to take off work at times for very valid reasons. We just don't have time for running to the city for an appointment because these places are not open at night or weekends. Then there are the teachers who come to school ill because they feel an obligation to be there if at all possible. Then there are the meetings out of county the higher ups at the board wants the teacher to attend as a representative of the department. All of these add up. Most try, whenever possible, to have things done during holidays, etc. but a teacher cannot control everything so sometimes things happen during the school year....deaths, illnesses, accidents, appointments, etc. The teacher is not a robot, nor is the family; they are human subject to all those things that happen to humans.

Actually, I've worked less than last year as of this date. I keep track of these types of things. There are few people willing to work the Middle School. So far, we haven't had the annual bomb threat, lock down, etc. Do you know what it is like to be in a lock down with the worst possible class unable to go to the bathroom? I was stuck with the Class from Hades until 5pm one year because of a lockdown and threat. We couldn't move until the entire building was searched. Teaching is a joy but it has its issues, and much of it comes from without and public misunderstanding

mdubbs1

Jean - Having spent my teaching career with 7th grade I can see why it's hard to get subs. LOL! So in some ways it sounds like things are very different today but when it comes to the kids, not so much.

I'm off to set up a flea market along with 4 other volunteers. Already took my Aleve - those concrete floors are murder on the feet and legs.

Helene610

Your explanation makes it much more clear why your school system needs subs. I never would have thought of most of those reasons for needing time off. I hope they double up on some of those tasks because they're already taken off a whole day. You might as well have the oil changed after the doctor's appointment. I think the black box Lean Cuisines are fairly new. I was interested because some of them have no gluten which is something I have to watch for DH. I don't always feel like cooking so it's nice to have a frozen option he can eat. The line is called Marketplace and 17 dinners have more than 15 grams of protein. Some went up into the 20s. I didn't realize how many flavors they had. Of course no one supermarket will carry all of them. The 2 I tried so far were delicious. Some of the flavors use organic ingredients.

Maryanne, good luck with the flea market. I'm going to see if I can get a manicure and a haircut today. I put off the haircut because I figured the place I go would be loaded with kids getting the back to school haircuts. It should be safe by now.

mdubbs1

I am SO tired! Of course no a/c was on in the place - would have been stupid with all the doors open. I was literally dripping with sweat. But we're done. We have "treasures" on 12 tables plus in the front of every table on the floor. We have a little section we call "guy stuff". All kinds of people were poking around our stuff (we'll find notes and money all over the place tomorrow morning - sort of the honor system). Some man wanted something from the "guy stuff" section if we could tell him what it was. Huh? That's why we call it "guy stuff" - we have no clue!

Helene610

You could have made something up since he didn't know what it was either. I got the haircut and manicure so I'm looking presentable again. I had to come back for the mani. Only 2 people were working today but I had errands to do just down the street. I timed the haircut just right. I barely sat down in the waiting area and it was my turn. By the time I was finished, the area was full of folks waiting. Dunkin Donuts is next door and I was starved by then. I got a veggie flatbread and an ice tea. I repeated the waffle and peach for breakfast because it was so good the other day.

KonaKat

Maryanne--Working with Middle School students is a challenge. They are trying to find their place. One day they are "adult," but another day, the "kid" appears. I often think of the "Blackboard Jungle" when I think of this age group. Elementary kids are so complacent and willing to please, but when they reach the middle school age, it is a battle at times. They don't mind challenging any authority, and it is especially bad when there is no parental support at home. Most subs will not sub in the middle schools because they like the nice complacent little ones.

Helene--Glad you were able to get the haircut but sorry you have to wait for the other. I try to do as much as possible when in the city, but a car appointment and a doctor's appointment on the same day doesn't leave room for much else to be done when there is travel time as they are on opposite ends of the city and you try to be home before it gets dark. I also need to get my nails done this weekend.

Helene610

I didn't really mind waiting for the nail appointment since I had errands in the same neighborhood. I had in mind a place like Jiffy Lube for car service rather than the dealership. I can see where the dealer and a doctor wouldn't work on the same day. A doctor and nails would work. I know your roads can be treacherous so I can see you have to be home before dark.

KonaKat

Helene--If I should need to do something minor with the car such as the annual inspection, oil and lube job combined with doctor appointment, one is in the morning and one in the afternoon. I prefer having all my stuff done at the dealership because it is a little cheaper and I have a continuous record in one place all that has been done to the car and the dates. The dealership gives a discount to its customers so I can get the routine oil change done less than at WalMart. The JiffyLube went out of business.

KonaKat

I just got a notice that my NS order would soon ship. Duh! Has it been that soon? I beat a hasty trip to the website and delayed it to the last of October.

I'll likely go to the city tomorrow or Sunday. I need to get my nails done and stock up on groceries.

KonaKat

I'm definitely going to the city on Sunday. I talked with my friend there and we decided Sunday would be the best. I see tilapia with crabmeat being my choice tomorrow at the Outback. It is so, so good!

mdubbs1

It was hot as blazes at the flea market. No a/c. But we persevered. Grossed $610.25. Since most items are 25 or 50 cents, that's a LOT of items!

Helene610

For sure that's a lot of items. Did you have much to pack up at the end? Jean..Enjoy your day in the city. I'll be getting back to sorting stuff in the bedroom. I have a lot of stuff to donate or toss. I'm getting rid of the work clothes since it doesn't fit my lifestyle anymore. I have shoes and purses I don't use either. I hope someone else likes them. The part I hate about sorting is the mess dragging everything out makes. It tends to look like a tornado hit when I start pulling things out.

mdubbs1

We had tons of stuff to pack up at the end. Bonnie's theory is always take loads and loads because that ups the odds that people will find something they want.

Heck, I bought a couple things off our table!

mdubbs1

When we say Lil can't go anywhere we mean it. She brought Woody home from a memorial service for a family member.

She's currently pet sitting the last of the garage cats/kittens to find a home. He and Woody immediately hit it off. She's really hoping the people will want Woody (she already emailed photos of them playing together).

mdubbs1

I'm up! Thinking about what to have for breakfast. Then I need to get some work done!

Helene610

I had a toasted flatbread. peanut butter (lightly spread) and a sprinkle of bacon pieces. Yum. And a cup of black coffee. When I'm out of breakfast bars, this is one of my favorite substitutes.

Helene610

I've been browsing the Hungry Girl cookbook for recipes since I'm low on NS breakfasts and I want to do more from scratch cooking. I made one of her Egg Mugs for breakfast. I had an NS muffin to add to it and I still came out under 300 calories. I used Eggbeaters for the eggs.

mdubbs1

Helene - that sounds like a great breakfast! I tend not to eat the NS muffins because they aren't enough so I've definitely got some stocked up. Having something like that with them would make a lot of sense. I just had the wonderslim pancakes. I see NS is discontinuing the pancake mix (along with zillions of other things) plus lots of low inventory things. Also changing the packaging. I wonder if we're about to see another big "re-do" like when they went from Advanced to Success or from Nourish to Advanced. To start now to have it rolled out for the New Year's resolution folks would be about right.

Helene610

Maryanne..I think you'd like the Egg Mug. I dice up a red pepper and nuked it in a large mug for 40 seconds. You need to use a 16 oz or larger mug, sprayed with cooking spray. If you don't have a mug that big, use a microwave safe bowl. After the peppers are softened, add 1/3 cup of egg whited or Egg Beaters. Take a Laughing Cow wedge and cut it into pieces. Drop that into the mug and nuke it for 1 minute. Stir gently and then nuke another 30 seconds. You car vary the veggies. You could use fresh spinach leaves. If you do that, the directions say to blot excess moisture from the cooked spinach before adding the Egg Beaters and cheese. Fill the mug with soapy water as soon as you finishing eating so the mug won't be difficult to clean. In the book, Lisa mentions adding a lite English muffin or a toasted sandwich thin to breakfast. The eggs alone wouldn't be enough to keep you satisfied. I would add a breakfast bar sometimes because I don't tend to do snacks. I aim for about a 300 calorie meal so anything within that limit is okay by me.