Second Quarter of 2016: April 3-June 30: Winners All at Losing Weight!
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The any time bar was a big help. I ate half in mid morning and half in mid afternoon!0
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Maryanne--Is JC tastier than NS? I've heard that it tasted better, but that may not reflect everyone's opinion. I actually ended up having the NS baked beans and chicken with veggies for dinner.0
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I've heard the artificial sweetener arguments from multiple sources, but I think like most things, there is great variability among individuals. I drink Diet Coke and don't find that it increases my thirst or desire for additional sweets. I probably drink more of it than I should, but I also drink a lot of water so I think I'm ok as far as fluid intake goes. I prefer my Diet Coke sweetened with Splenda because I detect a difference in flavor over regular Diet Coke, but I will drink either. I can eat a small piece of pie or cake or a couple of cookies and stop at that, so it doesn't trigger bingeing for me. I'm also unable to do the six small meals regimen as that does cause me to overeat because I feel hungry all of the time and I am constantly thinking about my next meal or snack. I do much better eating three reasonably sized meals and limiting my snacks to one dessert a day, although I often skip that unless there is something I really like available. Ice cream doesn't tempt me, fortunately, since DH always has to have ice cream in the house. I guess the key is that we all have to listen to our bodies and figure out what works and then do it.
The news was good yesterday on my neighbor. He was awake and sitting up in a chair, and although he is somewhat confused about what happened, his brain seems to be functioning well. He answered one of his nurses in perfect Spanish, which is not his first or even second language. His family thinks while he was in the coma he must have been absorbing what they described as a telenovela that was occurring all around him in the ICU, lol. There was no update today, but I am hoping that means nothing new to report.
I had my hair highlighted today. I was long overdue for it as I had planned to make an appointment the week after we got home after Christmas. I'm not sure I'll stick with this hair stylist. She's very young and although she seems very competent, I'm just not sold on her yet. I miss my old hair stylist who retired without warning. I definitely had a bargain with her. She always charged me $100 for highlights, lowlights, cut and style on my shoulder length hair. This stylist charged me $115 for partial highlights, lowlights and blew it dry but didn't style it or cut it. I guess I was spoiled by my old stylist!0 -
I ended up filing for Social Security when I turned 65 just so they could take the premiums out of the check. 66 would have been full SS for me but I didn't want the hassle of sending in check and the amount wasn't that much less. I didn't realize there was an increased deductible if I'd chosen to send in checks. I'm like Maryanne with the Skinny Cow. It doesn't seem to have any negative effect on me. I only have them once in a blue moon anyway. We're wrapping up things here to be ready to leave Monday. I still have to call the cable company to go on seasonal but I did the mail, newspaper and returned my library books.0
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Jean - I think the JC tastes better - both the shelf stable and the few frozen things I've had the opportunity to try. I do think they should concentrate more on protein in their breakfasts but so should NS.
Helene - there wasn't a higher deductible paying for Medicare by check but in a quirk of a poorly written law, people paying by check aren't grandfathered into their premium. Rather the way they wrote the law, the people paying by check are subject to an increase to cover Medicare losses. Because it's a small group, dividing Medicare losses by the small (relatively) number of people made for a potential huge increase last year. Luckily Congress did a partial fix before the increase kicked in but I didn't want to risk a second increase.
Applying for spousal benefits was fairly easy. It's something that won't be available to anyone younger than 62 now. What's fascinating is apparently they call every single person who applies for Social Security. The size of the bureaucracy required to do that blows my mind. Want to know what proof they wanted that I'm married to DH? They asked where we got married and when and then had me put him on the phone and asked him the same questions. I got a kick out of that. Especially since I have NO clue where our marriage license is. But they handled the switch from Medicare by check by Medicare out of monthly payment really efficiently. I'll give them that. DH suddenly realized I needed to call BlueCross and Express Scripts with my new Medicare number. That hasn't been quite so smooth.
Pam - I'm glad your neighbor continues to make progress! I wish I didn't like ice cream although luckily DH doesn't so it's only in the house if I bring it in.0 -
Dh never worked under SS. He always worked in Civil Service. He couldn't get a spousal benefit through me because he has a government pension. He has Medicare taken out of his pension. We've never combined our health insurance. My jobs provided an employer contribution so I wasn't giving up that. He wanted to stick with his insurance too. When I retired, he thought I'd switch to his but my employer still picks up part of my premium and Iike the coverage I have. So unless they stop the match, I'm not switching. If I switched, I'm not allowed to go back.0
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I had eggs for breakfast! My eggs have a good two servings of vegetables in them so I feel virtuous and I feel like a chef!
I got my hair done today. Took along a protein bar. DH caught a fish which he wants for dinner so I get to rethink dinner. Guess I'll have a lean cuisine or something.
I have a little time before dinner to work on CROM paperwork. It's never ending! LOL!0 -
Rainy day here with flood warnings. It is a day to be lazy.
Maryanne--Breakfast sounds great. Good planning on taking a protein bar along to the hair appointment. I love Lean Cuisine options.
I had the NS oatmeal cranberry bites for breakfast. Those have 9g of protein in them; they also make a great snack in the evening and have more protein than most of the NS desserts. For a late lunch, I had the Progresso Light soup.
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The oatmeal cranberry bites have that much protein? Interesting. Because I don't like cranberry I never really looked at them.
I rummaged in the freezer and found a Smart Ones steak fajitas. Decided on that for dinner. I just can't eat the fish DH catches. My mind goes to them happily swimming around this morning. Don't know why - it's been years since I really did vegetarian.
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Fish is a great source of Omega 3's, which is heart healthy. Try the Gorton's tilapia. The luncheon size of one is 100 calories. You can find it as well as the larger size in the frozen food section. They haven't been swimming for a long time.
Yes, I was surprised also at the amount of protein in the oatmeal cranberry bites, which are very good I don't find Smart Ones as satisfying as Lean Cuisine.
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I'm having my last LC mac and cheese tonight. DH has a GF version of mac and cheese and I've got green beans to go with it. I'm using up whatever is in the refrigerator and freezer since we leave here Monday. We had Egg beaters with peppers, onions, a a bit of shredded cheese. I probably have enough Egg beaters for Sunday morning as well. I've been cleaning today. I still have laundry and vacuuming left to do but counters and hard surface floors are done. I put the cable on seasonal today. It shuts down the day after we leave and starts up December 31st. I don't know for sure when we'll be back but I can easily change it once I know for sure. They need a weeks notice and since we drive down leisurely, I just have to let them know before we leave the Cape.
I'm printing things at the library. I print so seldom it wasn't worth getting a printer. It's more I don't like the hassle of setting it up than the cost of a printer. I'm finished here so I'll head home to laundry.0 -
The next step in James Patterson's plan of world domination: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/business/media/james-patterson-has-a-big-plan-for-small-books.html?_r=0
Helene - your Florida sojourn sounds like work! I remember my office mate had to have someone come in to fix their refrigerator once in their Florida condo and the repairman made some comment (I imagine before he thought much) about it would work better if it didn't look like an old lady freezer (i.e. mostly empty). Of course it was mostly empty because they were headed back shortly.
I love saute'ing onions and peppers and then adding my egg with egg beaters. I even bought a new pan. It's probably the fanciest cooking I do most weeks. (And I use fancy with complete knowledge that it's all relative - I mean, I've seen my sister cook!)
My dad told my brother that his current plan is to move home now "Octoberish". I'm super conflicted about all this. I feel like I should want him to be happy but there's no way I can take care of him that far away should anything happen. And now that my sister is in Arizona I do feel like it's on me. I was feeling sort of guilty this week and then I had an epiphany. It is okay for me to want me to be happy too. He doesn't have to do what I want but that doesn't mean I shouldn't want it. (How's that for a convoluted sentence.)
The food is set for the day. Eggs for breakfast; salad and turkey for lunch; heart healthy steak for dinner!
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Helene--I think you will need to rest up on your way back to your Northern home.
Maryanne--Great menu for the day. I saw them selling the heart healthy steak again on the Q again the other day but no heart healthy steakburgers.
I'm going to pick up my niece who lives an hour from me and take her out for the day. She hasn't been out except to go to physical therapy. Her kids came in to visit but never took her anywhere that might be considered fun.
As soon as this med sits a half hour in my tummy, I will be having a Kellogg's Special K breakfast sandwich.0 -
One of these days I'll try roasting a turkey breast. It would have to be SO much better than any turkey I can buy. And I'd think it would freeze well even after cooking.
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Maryanne, I think you have the right attitude regarding your dad's decision to move back. It's not wrong to want what you think is best for him, but ultimately it is his decision to make. He probably has weighed the pros and cons and may even have a plan for when he's unable to take care of himself. If not, then when the time comes you and your sister can figure out together what the best plan is for his care. I wouldn't spend much time worrying about it now because many things could change before that time comes. That's my unsolicited advice, anyway.
Turkey breasts are pretty easy to cook. You can even do it in a crockpot if you have one that is sized right for the breast you get. You can find lots of recipes on the Internet, but really the only thing you need to be concerned with is how long to cook it. If you want to get fancier, you can add a marinade, which is also very easy and there are lots of recipes for that as well.
Helene, I hope you and DH have an easy trip home. It does seem as if your Florida stay this time has been more work than relaxation. Hopefully you will enjoy the fruits of your labor on your next trip down.
Jean, I'm sure your niece will enjoy the outing with you. From my recent experience I can say that I really appreciated when my friends came to see me and/or created opportunities to get me out of the house for something other than a trip to the hospital or doctor's office. At times I was reluctant because it seemed like such a huge effort to get ready and get there, but afterward I was always so happy that I went and it lifted my spirits for days afterward.
I'm having a quiet day today. DH and I went out for dinner last night and I made a solo trip to Target for some things I needed yesterday. My foot was aching some last night, so I think all the walking at Target might be to blame for that. Naturally, the things I needed were on opposite sides of the store, so I had to do quite a bit of walking. Most of my other trips so far have involved much less walking at one time.
Our neighbor is out of ICU now and they are hopeful he will be able to be flown home soon. He apparently is regaining more of his usual personality and is no longer being the good patient he was while in the coma. He is impatient to get up and get out of there, understandably. His family is finding this to be very encouraging, as he has never been a passive, relaxed type of person. The nurses are less thrilled, lol!0 -
Finishing up the last of the packing and loading. The hardest part will be carrying everything downstairs. Boy do I wish we had an elevator! The houses here are built on pilings because we're in a flood plane. I'll get my exercise going up and down the stairs this morning. I love being here for the inter but the getting ready to leave both destinations is a killer.0
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Helene - that stair climbing doesn't sound like fun. We lived on a flood plain when we lived in central PA believe it or not. We were actually ordered to evacuate twice because of flooding. Nobody did. Everyone went around and helped each other carry stuff out of the basements. Luckily no one suffered for our disobedience. The water never got higher than the basements.
Pam - it's good that your neighbor is making such progress. For awhile there that didn't sound good.
I lost a pound last week. I am now (barely) not obese. Just in time for our client seminar this week. LOL!
My sister talked to Dad. He's now convinced his step children will take care of him (even though as I recall only one of them lives where he lives (the last time I saw any of them was at the wedding - the families never interacted)). Good one!
Had my eggs this morning.
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Biggest Loser contestants after the show ends: http://jezebel.com/study-former-biggest-loser-contestants-metabolisms-are-1774210493
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Helene--I am with Maryanne; that stair climbing doesn't sound like much fun.
Maryanne--Congrats upon your continued weight loss and the "label" change!
I had the Lean Cuisine chicken parmesan tonight. I don't think I'll be having that again; it was a pale imitation of the real thing. It is one of the few Lean Cuisine items I don't like.0 -
Maryanne, here's a link to a blogpost on cooking a turkey breast in the crockpot:
http://pocketchangegourmet.com/slow-cooker-turkey-breast/#_a5y_p=2360775
It sounds super easy.0 -
Pam--That is a super easy recipe with few steps involved. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not working today which is good as I could use the break. I do, however, have some things to do around the house. Motivation, however, is eluding me.
I had the NS oatmeal cranberry bites for breakfast. I really like those things for breakfast or for a snack at night. 9g of protein in them makes this one of NS's better options for a snack in the evening.0 -
Pam - that looks so good! Thanks!
I've got my food laid out for the day. I have to take the newsletter to the printer and then meet a friend for lunch. Hopefully I'll stay strong at lunch!
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I don't think a turkey breast cooked in the crockpot will have crispy skin on it, but you can always brown it under the broiler for a few minutes if you want that. If you plan to remove the skin anyway, then it probably won't matter.
Our neighbor will be flown home sometime this week! His daughter reported that his ICU Doctor came down to visit and told them that she really had thought that he had one foot on the other side and that seeing him fight so hard to recover was the reason she does what she does. Apparently there is a huge amount of red tape involved in setting up a medical flight home for him. However, in a further sign of how well he is recovering, the pilot in him is suggesting the route and type of plane they should use for his flight home. So it would appear that his brain is working well after this injury.0 -
Pam--It definitely sounds as if your pilot neighbor is definitely on the road to recovery. If I did the turkey, the fact it had no crispy skin after preparation in the slow cooker is a plus. I don't eat turkey or chicken with crispy skin.
Maryanne--I'm sure that you managed lunch fine.
I had the NS pasta fagioli and steamed veggies for dinner.0 -
Applebees has another new menu. I had looked online and was confused because the nutritional information seemed to be for a different menu than the menu shown. Sure enough, it was. The online menu hasn't been updated. Weird they'd update the nutritional information first. Anyway I had a 6-ounce sirloin, steamed broccoli and half an order of sweet potato fries and felt quite virtuous compare to my "usual" at Applebees which I won't even describe because it would make me hungry. LOL!
Today I'm having mostly JC frozen and shelf stable. I have a couple frozen meals left from the 3-day sample package I purchased.
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Maryanne..Is the JC sampler in the freezer case or is it shelf stable meals? I originally thought it was shelf stable but now I'm not sure. I want to know where to look when I get home. We arrived at my brother's house last night about 8:30. I was pleasantly surprised that he had dinner waiting for us. He made a gluten free pot roast in the crockpot. I'd called from the road about an hour out to see if he had anything in the house that DH could eat. I fully expected to have to stop at a Walmart we pass by to pick up dinner. I was surprised and pleased by the results of the conversation. Plus my sister had called him to remind him to buy Half and Half for DH's coffee. I have the best siblings.0
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I think I created the confusion.
Walmart has a JC kit on the shelf that's all shelf stable. It's in the health and beauty section, not the food section, at least in the Walmart here. It has coupons in it for food should I ever get myself signed up.
JC also sells a 3-day intro kit on their web site that's part frozen/part shelf stable. Not sure how often you can order that. I forget whether that had food coupons in it or $x against the membership fee.
Helene - you do have good siblings! My sister is doing the gluten free thing but she knows I'm no cook. LOL!
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The JC and NS kits at our Walmarts are found in the health and beauty section. In one, they were in a special display in a big aisle going by the health and beauty section.
This is interesting reading if you are a fan of Extreme Weight Loss:
https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/chris-powells-7-secrets-of-extreme-weight-loss-126929498138.html0 -
Apparently Extreme Weight Loss is not coming back this summer. Just looked that up. I'm sorry to read that!0
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Maryanne--I read that Extreme Weight Loss was renewed but ABC had not set a time for it to come back for the new season.
I had the NS peanut butter granola bar for breakfast. These are very good but with 6g of protein, they are not as loaded with the cranberry oatmeal bites which have 9g. The calories are the same.0
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