Third Quarter Posts: July 1-September 30.

mdubbs1

My egg breakfast is about 300 calories but takes some time. That mug thingie might be a good alternative for days when "cooking time" isn't on the agenda.

KonaKat

Helene--Sounds like a great option. I had the Special K flatbread sandwich for breakfast.

Maryanne--I like the muffins as a dessert and eat something else for breakfast.

Work was good today but it felt like Monday. Holidays mess me up.

KonaKat

I just had one of those Lean Cuisine black box creations for dinner. It was some type of enchilada creation. It was very good but hot as in spicy. I would buy it again.

mdubbs1

Holidays mess everything up. Last week was QUIET! Suddenly this week everyone is back at work and wants everything the minute they ask for it.

There seem to be more and more of those black box LC options. The larger dinners ("Satisfying Servings") seem to be gone.

I got the Smart Ones chicken and fries to try. I liked the fish and fries one.

I'm a little salad'd out so got some Lean Pockets to try for lunch.

Also stocked up on vegetables, raw and to cook.

KonaKat

Well, I am hungry. The black box LC serving didn't look as big as usual, so despite having veggies with it I am still a little hungry. I guess I'll take one of those Diet Direct pancake mixes and make a dessert waffle by putting one of those individual size sugar free applesauce things on it.

I've not tried the Smart Ones chicken and fries.

Helene610

I usually add a vegetable to any of the frozen dinners. I got used to doing that with NS because the dinners alone are filling enough. So I do the same thing with the Lean Cuisines. I had half a Jimmy Dean omelet for breakfast and an Arnold flatbread pocket. I put some of the steamed vegetables leftover from dinner last night (summer squash, red peppers and onions) inside the pocket. It came to 321 calories which is in my comfort zone. I go over the bridge for a massage today so I'll be getting gas and going to the better priced market. I'll check the black box LC dinners to see if they have any varieties I haven't found closer to home. I went on their website and see they have 35 varieties. Most stores might have 6-8 to choose from.

mdubbs1

I definitely have had enough salads for lunch for awhile.

For dinner I like to make a big plate of vegetables to have with my meal but I don't usually mix them together. I'm like a kid - separate plates please. LOL!

KonaKat

Maryanne--I'm a "separate plate" person also. I know it is mixed together once it gets to the stomach, but I like the foods separate before they go down the hatch.

Helene--I was in a rush when I bought my frozen food, so I didn't get a chance to see what varieties were available in the black boxes of Lean Cuisine. I hope you enjoy the massage and the more competitive food shopping.

I had the NS veggie lasagna and steamed veggies for dinner. I love the NS veggie lasagna but then I like all the NS Italian meals except the pizza. I got tired of it and prefer to buy the Lean Cuisine version.

PamS53

Sorry I've been MIA again. This week I've been getting ready to leave town for a week at the beach with DH and some of his family. We usually do this trip in May but had to delay it this year due to the birth of our great nephew. We leave early tomorrow morning to drive to Gautier, MS where we will stay overnight with DH's aunt, then on Friday she will join us for the two hour drive to Orange Beach AL. Then we will have to drive over to the Pensacola airport to pick up SIL and then late evening we will have to go back to pick up her son, who will be with us until Wednesday. His wife and baby won't get to come this time as she used up all her leave time with her maternity leave and hasn't accrued more yet. When our nephew was young, we did an annual beach trip which he loved, but this will be the first time in at least ten years that he's been able to join us. Hopefully next year the whole family will be able to come.

I'll have internet at the beach, so I'll be checking in. Hope all is well with everyone.

mdubbs1

One of these days I should make a run to one or more of the fancier grocery stores around here. It's probably not nearly as far as Jean has to go but somehow I just don't seem to get around to it. Maybe in my mind I'm afraid I'll find something I love. I mean after all those stores aren't going to be on my "regular route".

Think I'll have eggs and whole wheat roll for breakfast later this morning. I'm sort of tired. Because we're supposed to get 2-3 inches or rain tomorrow, I already did all my grocery shopping this week and loading for this weekend's cat show. Rearranged my week to get that done. The good news is that it's supposed to be 65 degrees tomorrow for set up. That should feel great. PLUS we got to pick our spot in the show hall AND our set up time. The organizers like Bonnie, I can't take the credit. LOL!

I never got the hang of doctoring up the NS pizza like people talk about. And that fit n free pizza people rave about tastes like cardboard to me. I guess that's the price for the lower calorie count.

I think the reasons I'm tired are (1) weight and (2) too much sitting. Once I get through this weekend I'm determined to get back on the treadmill. I know I'm not a spring chicken but I shouldn't be this tired.

Pam - have fun at the beach!

KonaKat

Pam--Getting the family together at the beach sounds like great fun!

Maryanne--I'm with you on the NS pizza but never tried the Fit n Free. Calorie wise, I think the LC and other versions of pizza work just fine for me.

I'm not working today. I started the day with the usual Quaker Weight Control oatmeal with ground flaxseed added.

Helene610

I did peanut bitter toast and bacon buts this morning. We were getting a thunderstorm when I got up and I was afraid we'd lose power, So toast and coffee was a faster, safer bet. After the massage, I gassed up the car (26 cents less than on the Cape). That kind of a price differential is ridiculous. I think the gas station owners assume we never leave the Cape. It's only a 20 minute drive and I tend to fill up when I have other errands over there too. I didn't end up going to the market I planned on. I drove 2 exits down the highway to go to Petco for cat supplies. I found out they opened a new Super Walmart one shopping center down. I figured I'd do as well there as Market Basket. They had a huge variety of black box LC. I bought 8 and only one was a repeat. I bought another chicken pecan because I really liked that one. They were only $2.50 in Walmart.

Pam..the beach trip sounds wonderful. I think I saw that town on an episode of Beach Front Bargains. The woman ended up buying 2 different condos. She was divorced with 2 teen girls. She figured she could use the bigger one when she had the kids with her (shared custody) and use the smaller one when it was just her. She was planning to rent out whichever one she wasn't using to vacationers. I'd never seen that happen before but it really made sense. It looked like a beautiful town. Enjoy the trip.

KonaKat

Helene--The WalMart prices on the Lean Cuisine are so much cheaper than here. 50 to 75 cents a package cheaper really adds up when several packages are bought. I always gas up in the city when I'm there as the prices are usually around 40 cents cheaper on the gallon. If you have to be there, then you might as well stock up and save.

mdubbs1

I'm up and getting organized to head to Chantilly VA to set up for the National Capital cat show this weekend. Here's hoping for a smooth sailing day!

Helene610

Good luck with the cat show. Have you ever considered making 50 cents your bottom price? You mentioned selling for a quarter. That's a lot of work for 25 cents. Plus people actually view stuff as more valuable if it's not that cheap. You can always negotiate if someone is buying multiple items but I think you should deep six the 25 cent price.
Today's an Egg Mug day. I made one for DH as well and he liked it. I softened a dice pepper and onions in one mug, split it into 2 servings and then added the Eggbeaters. I added the Laughing Cow after cooking and stirring the EB and gave it another 30 seconds to finish cooing and to melt the cheese. I'll probably do soup and salad for lunch.

KonaKat

Maryanne-Good luck with the cat show. It sounds like it might be a very big event with a lot of planning and responsibility.

Helene--I'm not much of a person who sells things at a yard sale, etc. but I had an acquaintance who had a two day sale. The first day, she had some items marked as "free" but were good items but not the quality of the higher priced items. They didn't go, so the second day, she put a 25cent price on the free items and they all disappeared. People here generally don't want to pay a decent price for items. A $50 top worn once would not sell if it were priced $5.

I had the Special K breakfast sandwich for breakfast and will likely have Progresso Light soup for lunch. It is a very dreary, cool day here.

Helene610

I had half a JD omelet and a Garden Lite zucchini banana chip muffin. It was one of my lower calorie breakfast (265) so I'll need a snack later. I don't usually have snacks but if I feel hungry later, I'll have a granola bar. I finally lost a pound; my first of the challenge. I'd gone up a few because of lunches and diners with friends. I got that off a few weeks ago but wasn't making any forward progress. After holding the same for 3 weeks, I finally lost a pound.

mdubbs1

Helene - I'll pass along the price idea to our flea market chair. She does SO much work I pretty much let her do what she wants. She puts a quarter on things I'd pitch and they sell!

The egg cups sound really good!

Good job on losing a pound!

Helene610

Or she could do 50 cents/3 for a dollar. I'll bet stiff would move just as well. She does too much work for 25 cents @.

KonaKat

Helene--Good news on losing the pound.

It has been a chilly day or it feels like that at 66 degrees outside. Fall is getting here early when we had little Summer.

mdubbs1

It was hot as blazes setting up on Friday. I was literally soaked through my clothes by the time I got home. I would not object at all if packing up today was done in cooler temperatures!

I haven't decided yet what breakfast is going to be today. For the show I'll pack two soft sided coolers with bottled water and protein snack packs.

KonaKat

Maryanne--The temperatures are really odd right now. Packing up today should be done in much cooler temps. AC definitely isn't needed now. Good job on planning ahead with the water and protein snacks.

I haven't had breakfast yet. It will be either the Quaker Weight Control oatmeal or the Kellogg's flatbread egg sandwich.

Helene610

I had NS bagel with LC cheese plus a banana for breakfast. I've been reading an interesting book by Cynthia Sass called Slim Down Now. She does a 4 day imp start where you eat a homemade chia seed pudding for all three meals for 4 days. It can be eaten hot or cold or made into a smoothie. She included 3 recipe flavors (Ginger Fig, Mandingo Vanilla or Dark Chocolate). You're supposed to pick a flavor and stick with it although later in the plan, you can use as a dessert and alternate the flavors. I think I'd try the Ginger flavor but I need to buy the ingredients before I start. People have lost up to 8 pounds in this phase. You switch back to regular food after the four days and she includes recipes. It's all real fresh food without added preservatives and chemicals. If you can't stick with the 4 day pudding, you can go right into the food plan. I figure I have nothing to lose but some pounds. I have a library copy of the book but I looked her up in Amazon and most of the reviews were 4-5 stars.

KonaKat

Helene--Sometimes, we need a quick start like that. Since it is used short term, any nutritional deficiencies would not impact you much.

PamS53

We are having a great time at the beach! It was cloudy but dry yesterday, with temps in the low 80's. The water temp was very comfortable. Today it is sunny with a breeze and temps still in the low 80's. I stayed in the water until my fingers looked like prunes! Hunger finally drove me out of the water. I had packed a few snacks so after refueling I went back to the water for awhile. I came back up to our condo a little while ago and took a shower. Now we are watching some football and relaxing. This is the life, for sure!

KonaKat

Pam--It sounds as if you are having a great time. The temperatures are great for you and the water is fine. What a great way to relax and then enjoy the condo facilities.

Helene610

Pam..Sounds great. I love those temps at the beach. How long are you there?
I just had the Lean Cuisine black box Vermont white cheddar mac and cheese. It's the best frozen mac and cheese I've ever eaten. You could pass it off as homemade. I could have licked the dish. Yum. I'll be buying that again! Jean..I agree the 4 day jump start won't do any harm. The one I'm thinking of trying is made with unsweetened coconut milk, chia seeds, banana, Mission figs, black beans, grated fresh ginger and shredded unsweetened coconut. You put everything in a blender. when it thickens, you can eat it cold as a pudding, nuke for a breakfast type warm cereal or thin it out for a smoothie. I need to buy the ingredients so I' using the LC dinners in the meantime. The pudding is supposed to be very filling so you can eat half and finish the rest in a couple of hours. Or if you are really full, you don't have to finish it. The recipes are all real food too. The diet is supposed to refuse inflammation and increase energy.

Helene610

Heading out to Kohls today. My mystery discount is 30% so I can't pass that up. I'll see if I can get the ingredients I need to make that pudding too.

mdubbs1

The weather is really nice in Baltimore today. DH had a company come do a one-hour roof checkup. Apparently he is not surprised that they found a lot of problems because apparently our roof is quite old (luckily one of us tracks such things). I can't wait to try to work while we get a new roof!

I had eggs and whole wheat toast for breakfast. For lunch I had an apple and peanut butter (DH brought apples back from PA yesterday so there is going to be an apple a day for quite awhile!)

I went through my diet food stash and culled the oldest items for the trash (we're talking 2012 and 2013 here LOL!). It's all now much better organized. When I get over this frozen food kick it will be ready for me.

I lost half a pound last week.

KonaKat

Helene--Good job on the Kohls 30% off. I've had two of those recently which went unused. There wasn't anything I needed at the time.

Maryanne--Yep, I think those years were destined for the trash. An apple a day is one way to get your fruit in and also keep the doctor away (I don't think there is much validity in that saying.).

I had the Kellogg's flatbread egg sandwich for breakfast, a Pure Protein bar for lunch, and Kays Naturals Protein Pretzel sticks for a snack, and for dinner the NS veggie lasagna with steamed veggies.