DECISIONS, DECISIONS DECEMBER
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Oh and today is our covid booster shot day! took longer than expected to book an appointment. will be nice to have it done and off my mind again.0
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Nance, the only Dr. McD soup that I really liked was the hot and sour, and they changed the recipe somewhat so I don't like it as well now.
They are so easy for lunches at work on days when I am out of prepped foods. I will still eat them but just don't like them quite as much.
I need to get better about making big batches of soups every 2 or 3 weeks and freezing for easy meals. My own soups are always going to be better.
So glad you had a nice visit, Carla! Yay for family time. Your new workbench sounds wonderful.
We're going to our favorite bar/restaurant for Christmas Eve to hang out for a couple hours. Time for new traditions, but it's sad because of my friend's death last month and not being able to get together like we have for the past almost 40 years.
I think I'm going to do a 2 day juice fast on January 1st and 2nd. Maybe even a 3rd day but we'll see. I'm going off the rails a bit lately. Some days great, other days too many nuts or getting into the pretzels and blue corn chips. I think I'm going to try a whole month of NO grains/bread in January. I know Austin was good about that, and got her starches from winter squash and sweet potatoes. I just know grains and breads, even ezekiel bread and oats, tend to make me crave more.
B - ezekiel toast, a banana, tomato juice
L - leftover brown rice and cooked greens
D - salad
S - too many nuts
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Carla, didn't see your post about the booster. I'm going to do that soon after the first of the year. I can't take a chance on not feeling up to par the rest of this year with all the work to finish, but I want to get it done and out of the way shortly after the new year.
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That's probably a good plan, Mihani, I am definitely feeling it today...achy and tired. But also glad to have it over with!
Yesterday was another bad food day. It is out of control.
Starting out today with some Dr. Fuhrman blueberry oatmeal. Planning for bean chili for dinner.0 -
Sorry you're feeling it today, Carla. Most people are telling me it isn't as bad as the second shot though. Hope you had a good WFPB kind of day.
Long days continue for me. I'm so tired and have spent so much time at my computer lately that my eyes are ready to fall out of my head. I am not going to do any work tonight. I have 5 Christmas bottles of wine that various clients and friends have dropped at the office the past week... think I'll open one tonight.
B - ezekiel toast with a smidge of almond butter, banana
L - leftover stir-fry and brown rice, 2 clementines
D - will be a big ol' salad and maybe some fruit
S - almond milk yogurt, couple handfuls of pumpkin seeds
Going to do a load of laundry tonight and chill. I think I've decided to do two days of juice next week and another two on January 1st and 2nd. That should get me off to a good start with the New Year! I just don't feel like doing three days in a row does much for me than two days and I also don't know that it's good overall because while I usually do drop a couple pounds when I juice for two days it's not fat loss.
I'm just really getting tired of struggling with these last 20 pounds. They are going away in 2022! I'm working on some plans and strategies to set boundaries with work and not let it continue to consume my life.
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Carla, your Family Reunion with your parents sounded amazing...very, very sweet indeed.
Mihani, thanks...I think I will rethink the soup ...I wasn't that much of a fan when I had them...gave them away at the end...so nix that idea.
I will go with Amy's...Cedarlane lasagna and the Sheperd's Pie was ok. I will try and make up a soup...rice and beans and then when people ask...just get me fresh broc and cut it up...bring it over and we'll steam it. I like the Daring chic'n ...and cook that up and mix together with some sauce...easy. Ideas like that should work. Trays of roasted veggies also, when people ask what can they make.
Christmas is at my sister's. I am making Gardein burgers, at home. Bringing Dave's killer buns, LTO and enjoying it cold...I actually do not have a problem with it cold. Also LTO.
Making fresh pico and Late July chips...I know they love my fresh pico.
My juice arrives 12/28...will do two days, maybe three...12/29 - 12/31. I ordered five days, so I will freeze two days and use during my down time, after surgery...not a fast but to help with getting greens into me, easily. My juices have little fruit...mostly veggies...and spice...ghost pepper.
My cleaning gal has covid...so she is not coming today. I decided not to go to my little departments pot luck tomorrow...I work on Friday...I'll see them then.
What else...physical yesterday...wasn't much of a physical...but blood work today...going after I sign off here.
Still need another EKG...my last one was abnormal...the one I had before hernia op. Anyway, I had to do a whole big thing to get cleared. So, have to contact the cardiologist and get cleared again.
I have something called a right bundle branch...not serious ...just annoying when getting an EKG, cuz it gives out an abnormal read.Ok, dollies...time to scoot. My kitchen is still clean. YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!PS I need to lose the last 20, as well. Hopefully after surgery, my KNEW KNEE will be so fabulous, I will be walking Lulu like a champ...and helping to eliminate all the extra fluff!
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New-Knee-Nanceeee! walking all over the place with Lulu. I love it.
Good idea on the boundaries with work, Mihani. I hope you come up with some great plans. I think you'd be an absolute rock star with your food and workouts if you just had a bit more time for you.
The booster left me pretty tired and achy yesterday. Joe too. There was a lot of laying around and whining LOL Feeling much better today.
Doing a video chat with one of my friends this morning. We're picking a hand spun knitting project that we're both going to make. Something small0 -
oops hit 'post' too soon...MUCH better than losing text!
anyway, making something small ... either a hat or gloves/mitts. we get the same spinning magazine, and the latest issue is 'heads and hands'. should be a fun project. i'll post pics of what we both make when we're done0 -
What a fun project with your friend, Carla...that is a great idea...brings a new element of joy into it.
Went to two Walmarts...no DK bread buns, nor the Gardein burgers I like...they were their old ones...I think they redid a lot and these particular burgers got the axe.
I have a few options...so, I am good...no more going out.
CYA later, dollies.0 -
Nance, I'm sure you are going to do great with your surgery. You are doing a fantastic job of planning ahead! And all the healthy food will help you heal faster.
Carla, that sounds like a wonderful way to connect with your friend and do something fun "together". Glad you are feeling better.
I decided to just do a 2 day juice fast on the 1st and 2nd and not bother next week.
B - ezekiel toast, low sodium V-8
L - Dr. McD soup, a handful of pita chips
D - pita pizza
Yeah, I need to cut out the starches in January. I am so starchy carb heavy in my diet lately, and while I think whole grains and ezekiel bread and things like that are healthy and certainly not bad for me, they just make me want more, and my weight won't budge.
So my starches in January will be sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash, etc.
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Thanks, Mihani...however, not sure how good a job I am doing with my exercises...and food still is a challenge
today:
just egg/chao creamy shreds/spinach/505 Southwestern chile...all cooked together in fry pan...yum...NO TORTILLA
Enjoying this egg concoction now...after surgery, for sure, back to oatmeal as it will be easy to prep in little baggies with cinnamon, flax, frozen blueberries... hmm, not sure what else...but I think I put one other thing in there...maybe a pinch of salt.
broccoli and Daring plain chic'n and sauce (don't ask)
salad or maybe a juice
tea
Made a fast trip to two stores today...way early. Found the Dave's Killer bread buns...and the Gardein Chic'n fillet veganaise, cranberry sauce and iceberg lettuce...so that will be my holiday meal...along with fresh pico and Late July Chips.
Keeping in mind my disaster of a meal for Thanksgiving...I am doing it over the top simple...and something I will enjoy.
Hanging out at home now...just took a hot shower, had breakfast and hoping for some sleep...only had three hours.
Later, my sweets.
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Ya know, the weird thing that hits me sometimes is I honestly feel just as fat now as I was when I was 60 pounds heavier. Isn't that odd? I say I need to lose another 20 but it's probably more like 30 if I am completely honest. But 20 is what I gained back when I only had 10 or 12 pounds to go. LOL
I am buckling down after Christmas Day. I'll be having dinner and some wine on NYE with my brother at his house, but I'm going to be super strict ETL next week and be ready to dive into January full on WFPB no junky stuff.
Anyway, I'm just rambling. Glad you found your Dave's buns for Christmas, Nance.
I actually came home early but there's a crisis so I gotta get back to work from here.
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Oh my goodness, Mihani...you and I could be twins...20 is necessary to lose, 30 would be ideal...but I can't even lose five...so yeah, 30 is really going to happen.
Sorry, there was another "crisis"
at work...gosh darn it...what would they do without you!
I've got to be honest...I am so scared at this moment about the surgery...I guess because I live alone. We have a class 1/3 to go over stuff...so I will bring that up there and ask for a home nurse for a few days to check on me...also PT! How am I going to get there. That, too, I will bring up at the class as well as the last appointment with the surgeon before surgery, which is 1/11/22.
Anyway, work today...I'm sure we will be out early...then my sister's tomorrow with her husband...very low key.
Today...
Not the best choices...but there is some broccoli in there and a salad...won't mention the other stuff.
Just finished my coffee...time for shower and get out of here...did NOT go in yesterday to the department Christmas potluck. I think they did not too kindly about that...it was my day off and I did have only three hours sleep the night before. Oh well.Later, my sweets.
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I'm sure the anxiety about upcoming surgery is very difficult to cope with, Nance. It's definitely scary. I was a wreck for two weeks before I had root canal. Which wasn't as bad as I feared but certainly wasn't pleasant. Anyway, hope work goes well today and that you have a wonderful Christmas with family.
I'm taking it easy this morning. Confess that I drank some beers last night and feeling a little rough. It was such a stressful day and the beers were just sitting there in the fridge! I have no more beer now and going to stay away from it for at least a couple months. Wine is fine because I will drink a glass or two and be done whereas for some reason beer is just too easy to keep drinking.
Better get moving. Have been lingering over tea for a couple hours. I think I'll wrap presents first then get up to my desk for the rest of the day before going out to meet up with friends for dinner and vino.
Merry Christmas Eve!
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Merry Christmas Eve!
Cute 'flat'! Hope you have a nice time with your friends tonight, Mihani. Don't do any work on Christmas day!!!!
Nance, definitely ask what kind of at-home services you can get living alone post-surgery. I would totally come visit you and help out if I lived closer. I can see how it would be nerve racking to have the surgery on your mind constantly and I'm sure it will be a huge relief to have it behind you. Make sure you collect some books or mags, get a new puzzle or project, something special to start on while you're recovering.
Our Christmas celebration was this past weekend, but Joe and I will still have a holiday meal, play some Christmas music, and try to make it special. I am thinking about making a dessert too and may as well since we have these ingredients in the house now. It is snowing here, and the forecast is for a white Christmas, which doesn't happen all that often. We haven't had enough snow yet to try out our new sled, so that will definitely be a Christmas day activity if there's enough snow.
I have one last hat to knit. It is for Joe's dad, but we aren't seeing him until early January, so I get a bit of a break from all of the hat making. I'm hoping to make some Christmas items interspersed throughout 2022 so there isn't a big crunch in winter. Good progress on my shawl, no progress on the 2nd pair of socks (too many things on the go). I received a big order of yarn for dyeing in all different blends and weights so I will be diving into that in January after the cold snap.
Today I'm going to work on a plan for my fiber arts in 2022. I'll always get inspired and go off on a tangent, but I at least want a roadmap of what I most want to learn about and play with. I want to make it more synergistic so that my dye projects and spinning are done with upcoming knitting and weaving projects in mind. Tame the chaos a bit but still leave room for creativity.
Thanks for bearing with (or scanning over LOL) my 'making' babble.
big Christmas Eve hugs to you!0 -
Just have to let you know, Carla and Mihani, these are my two YOUTUBE docs...they are from Canada and are the best...so sweet and smart and easy to listen to...this is about knees, but subscribe to their channel, they might have something for either of you, that you may need:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYI3lmZgTsRs202mY15QfA
Talking With Docs (you're in charge of your own health)
They have a great series on TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT!0 -
Slept in a little this morning. Not getting together with the family until afternoon so I may do a little work this morning while watching Christmas movies. I need to do a load of laundry but that can wait until tomorrow. We had fun last night, and a really good dinner of spicy tofu with broccoli and rice. So not ETL approved definitely had a fair amount of oil.
Cool you found a youtube with info on knee replacement, Nance. Have fun today!
Carla, can't wait to see what beautiful things you create in the new year. So much talent. Your quiet Christmas for Two sounds lovely.
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Moring sweet peas...hope everyone has a great day. I only worked a half day yesterday...that was so nice...came home took a nap with Lulu...got up, made the pico for today...just had a relaxing evening with my best girl
Happy you had a wonderful time yesterday, Mihani. Enjoy the festivities later today.
Carla, have a lovely day with Joe and the four legged fur babies...I'm sure you still have a warm feeling from your visit with your mom and dad.
BTW, those two docs are not just for knees...so if there is anything ailing you, check them out...do a search under their channel...they just might have an answer for you.
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Mornin' all! Hope you had a nice Christmas. We had a very good day at my brother and SIL's house. Good dinner, lots of laughs. I think everyone liked the gifts I got them and I got some cool loot.
First load of laundry in the washer. Have two more to go. I changed the sheets this morning and I also got some new towels a month or so ago which are still sitting in the box waiting to be washed before I use them.
Having coffee this morning. I rarely drink coffee anymore but I got a cute little 5 cup coffee maker some months ago for the rare occasions when I want a cup or two. I think this is only the 3rd or 4th time I've used it.
Going to make the Shane and Simple vinaigrette for my salads this week. Also going to make brown rice and a big stir-fry for lunches through this week. Breakfasts will be just fruit, probably blueberries, goji berries, and sliced apple or a clementine topped with some chia seeds and a few walnut halves. After NYE I'm going to do the two days of juice and then 6 weeks full on ETL.
Plan for today:
B - fruit
L - salad
D - stir-fry and brown rice, maybe an apple
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Good morning sweet peas!
Just watched a Dean Martin special on TCM...King of Cool. Had me crying. Oh, how I miss those days. You two are too young...but this man was a part of my growing up years...my parents loved the Real Rat Pack...anyway...
Today's Plan...
Probably not the greatest...but two juices in there...cut back on amount...not even sure what it will be.
Had a fabulous time yesterday...they loved my gift (I bought a machine to turn photographs into digital)...and I received nice things from my sister and BIL. Very generous and loads of gift cards, which will really help when I am out of work.
Have a great day. Mihani, your plan sounds wonderful, as usual.
Later, my dear pals.
PS my chic'n sand was soooooooooo good. Take that Chick Fa Lay!0 -
Laundry today…and cleaning up around the house.
One trip to UPS …two returns. 🌹🌹🌹0 -
Sounds like you both had a lovely Christmas! We had a nice day here and finally managed to do a little sledding - let me tell you, it is much more work now than when we were kids! Sure got the heart pumping! We have about 6 inches on the ground now and it is a very chilly 13F. Much colder than normal for here, and it is expected to last all week.
I guess we'll brave a walk out there, but I can see lots of snow blowing across the property in swirling gusts and I do not own proper cold weather gear. I ordered some waterproof winter pants and gloves but they likely won't arrive until this coming Friday. Hopefully they drop them off at the end of the driveway because no one will be coming up our driveway a week or two.
The plan for today is a breakfast smoothie and leftovers from yesterday's feast. If I stay away from anything sweet, I'll consider it a win.
Have a lovely Boxing Day!0 -
Glad you had fun on Christmas, Nance, and that your gift was a hit.
I well remember Dean Martin, and still listen to him now and then. My parents had hundreds of albums and I listened to all those guys growing up but Dino was my favorite! I just re-watched The Sons of Katie Elder a few weeks ago with Dean as one of the brothers. I have quite a few CDs of music from that era. The one currently sitting in my car CD player is Mel Torme. So see, I'm not too young! LOL
I like a lot of music so my car stereo presets are classic rock, alternative rock, classical or oldies. I just over the past few years developed an appreciation for opera and listen to it sometimes at work.
Carla, happy you and Joe finally got to use your sled. That sounds like so much fun, and great exercise too.
I am planning a good week on plan. I've been all over the place the past month. Have my stir-fry (which turned out so yummy) and baked tofu ready to go for lunches and salads with some beans added for dinners.
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Good Morning, my sweet peas...
Not a great sleep, but ok. Work day...12 hours...no surprise there...Monday and Friday 12 hours, Saturday is 11 hours.
My juices arrive late tomorrow...not sure how I am going to go about it...I might have four juices with one meal. And make that one meal WFPB, pure! That would be an improvement for sure...and try and keep it that way going into surgery.
I think potatoes, rice, beans, tofu, veggies...make it beyond simple. No recipes.
Just seasonings. Think I will head over to Well Your World shop and see what he has.
I think if I get back into a really healthy eating regime, it will calm me down, since I will know I am doing everything possible to l lower the inflammation.
Ok, cya later...off to shop.
LOVE THAT YOU ARE SUCH A FAN. If you have TCM, Mihani...I saw the special there...King of Cool.Have fun with snow, Carla...here's a special smiley for you and Joe.
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Ok, I put in a big order...seasonings and dressings...all sugar, salt, oil free. My thinking is one meal a day with the juices. I have to do this...no choice. I know this has to help with the healing process...I just know it.
https://wellyourworld.com/collections/all-product0 -
Had a nice video chat with my friend this morning. We both ordered yarn for a cardigan we're going to knit. Excited to make my first garment. The yarn is coming from Denmark, so we'll see when we both get it to determine when we're starting. In the meantime, I have a shawl to get off the needles so that I can use them for the sweater.
Our project for January is going to be a woven item. She's doing tea towels, and I'm going to do a windowpane scarf.
It is record breaking cold here today and yesterday. Yesterday it was 9F and it broke a record of 12F from 1971. The snow has a cornstarch-like texture which is very rare here. Normally it is so close to freezing that the snow is wet and balls up very easily. It is too cold for the dogs to go out, especially Radar. We tried to go on a quick walk with him because they were hounding us (<- haha) but after only a few minutes outside he kept picking up one paw after the other, and then laying on the snow to get off his feet. And then up because laying on it was too cold. And then down because his feet were too cold. We were out there for only 3 or 4 minutes before we came back in. It took longer than that to get all bundled up!
Yesterday my food was better than it has been but could still stand some improvement. It will be a while before we have fresh greens around since we can't get out of our driveway - or more accurately we could get out due to the slope but would have trouble getting back. We have some cabbage on hand, so we can at least make sushi bowls once our chili is gone.0 -
Plans for tomorrow...will use a time stamp each time I complete a task!
Declutter and/or clean up:
master bedroom
master bath
guest bath
office/guest bedroom
hall
living room
dining room
kitchen
Finish up Laundry!0 -
Your plan sounds solid, Nance. I'm also much better at sticking to a plan when I keep it super simple. Hope you are able to get all your chores done.
Oh, poor Radar! That is nasty cold, Carla. Your projects sound like a lot of fun!
I did 20 minutes on the treadmill this morning. Woohoo! I just want to get back in the habit this week so I'm not worried about time or speed. Busy day at work and I'm feeling the stress, but pretty sure I have addressed all the end of year deadlines. At least the ones I can. Some had to be extended.
B - fruit with chia seeds, a few walnut halves, cinnamon
L - stir-fry and brown rice, baked tofu, 2 clementines
D - big ol' salad with chickpeas added, shane and simple vinaigrette
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Oh gosh, Carla...that does not sound fun...poor Radar...hope this does not last...goodness...I do not do well in the cold. It's 44 right now...cold enough for me.
Mihani, your menus are always so good...team that up with the treadmill...you'll have those 20 pounds gone in no time.Ok, so I slept much better, thankfully! Now, having coffee.
My juice arrives late this afternoon. I might make a quick trip to Sprouts and get cukes and ginger...I have the pineapple and lemons...that juice in the in blender will help get me on the right track. Yesterday was a complete food disaster...totally lost control, mostly from treats at work. Cleaning out the fridge today of things that are ok but are not going to help me get to where I want to be.
Will be back later to post my menu.
Off to get dressed and get started on all my chores.
Later, dollies.
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Yay for a treadmill walk, Mihani!
Nice that you got a better sleep, Nance.
Furhman oatmeal to start of my morning, along with too many cups of coffee. Sushi bowl for dinner tonight. Likely some Ezekiel bread with natural peanut butter to get through the afternoon.
Just spent the morning working on the numbers for my scarf. I'll be warping it up today. Here are the colors I'll be using:
Here's our chilly property. It is 13F now, a slight improvement.
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