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Hello. After that miserably cold and snowy day yesterday, today has rebounded to 3C, with 6C predicted for tomorrow. It has meant I was able to get Nellie out for a nice walk. When we returned, I noticed a small bird fluttering around near my side door. It could only fly a few feet and not at all high. I put Nellie in the house and was easily able to catch it with a fish net. I phoned a wildlife rehabilitation place about 25 minutes away and was very pleased to get someone on a later Saturday afternoon and was told to bring it in. I did not know what kind of bird it is. At the centre, the man who is the wildlife specialist immediately said the bird was suffering from conjunctivitis, making it virtually blind and thus reluctant to fly much. The good news is that he said it is definitely treatable. Interestingly, he could not immediately identify the bird so it is apparently not common here. He thanked me for bringing it in; I felt good that there was something to be done as
As I was writing this, my sister called me to tell me her daughter-in-law has been sick all week, already been to the hospital and is just now going back because of illness caused by eating a Dole bagged salad; apparently there is a large recall because of listeria and the salad she had been eating is one on the recall list. She was not aware of it; neither was I but I do not use those bagged salads as they always taste to me as if there is some chemical preservative in them. It is worrisome as I believe listeria can have lingering effects.
BM, your weight loss is excellent this week and that total is starting to really add up. Yeah you!
You might recognize "kefir" if I spelled it correctly! If you are not familiar with it, it is a fermented milk product which typically has many more good bacteria than yoghurt (mine has 10 different bacteria whereas the yoghurt has two). It is considered a probiotic and good for digestion. I buy a plain, 1% fat though there are flavoured ones which typically have a lot of sugar (rather self-defeating that). Its taste is hard to describe but I find it easy to drink plain or you can put on cereal or in smoothies. I too like unsweetened almond milk and usually use it in the summer when I eat cold cereals. Almond butter is made with just finally ground almonds and I think it is better than peanut butter because its oils are omega 3; it has become extremely costly here because it comes from California where there is on-going drought and of course, the Canadian dollar is really in a dive. However, I still think it is worth it for the nutrition and I enjoy it much more than a handful of almonds. I agree that we can learn from each other about some food ideas; I'm always looking to find ways to reduce the calories but still make tasty food. Unlike you, I can use spices only in a limited fashion.
PB, did you have a lot of formal musical training and singing lessons? You write so knowledgeably about what you do. In any case, it looks like another step forward that you can get back to your choir, even if in a chair for the moment. I shall try to check out the Seal's Lullaby.
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Good evening Crackers,
BM - Llongfarchiadau! Fantastic weight loss again this week and I for one expected you to be this disciplined! You've done it before, so of course we know you can be disciplined enough to do it again. At the beginning of January we both set ourselves the target of 7lbs a month and being 2 stone lighter by the end of April. So, first milestone achieved and nearly 3lbs in hand for February. By my reckoning you are 35% of the way to that 2 stone goal. Of course, our weight loss will slow down, but what a flying start! You have earned that wine as a reward so I hope you have enjoyed it.
Really interesting to hear what everyone is eating. Thngs we have in common are plenty of fresh fruit and veg, little processed food, and significantly cutting down on our sugar. I rewatched a programme called The Truth about Sugar last week-end. It was first broadcast last year and I saw it then but it was good to refresh my memory on the amount of sugar hidden in processed foods, even those which are savoury or marketed as healthy). It really is best to cook things from scratch as we all seem to do. I'm really impressed that you make your own veg stock as well Bracken. I must say that I am guilty of taking a short cut there and use stock cubes (albeit high quality organic ones!). Nut butters are becoming more readily available in the UK now whereas previously only peanut butter was available. I make my own almond butter though as it is so easy if you have a food processor. Roast the almonds (sprinkled with salt to taste) on a baking tray for 10 mins at 200c (180c fan oven) then blitz for about 15 mins until smooth. Delicious. You do need a reasonably powerful food processor though.
Chard is a bit out of fashion in the UK at the moment. You do see it on restaurant menus and in some supermarkets but it isn't what I would call a mainstream vegetable. I must admit that I have never cooked with it but next time I see it I shall buy some and report my thoughts on it back to you Bracken.
PB I expect you will be glad to get back in control of your kitchen! Not long now. Your choir repertoire sound very ambitious to me compared to what I do. I don't think I would be capable of tackling the requiem although we have of course done Ave Verum. Good news about the car. My MOT is due in a couple of weeks so I hope I get similar good news.
I've had an interesting evening. We went to the Swansea Waterfront Museum for a talk by Helen Sharman OBE who was Britain's first astronaut back in 1991. What an inspirational woman and a wonderful speaker. She did a chemistry degree and had a job in industry with Mars in their testing department and had no thoughts or ambitions of going into space. She heard an advert on the radio asking people to apply to be a British representative on the Soviet space programme and just thought why not? She was selected from 13,000 people and went to Russia on the training programme and obviously learnt to speak fluent Russian. She did well in the training and was selected for a space flight. Her description and explanation of space travel was fascinating. As it was an early evening talk it was great to see how many parents had taken their children along and how enthusiastic the children were. In the question and answer section they picked mostly the children who had their hands up which was great. Quite a few of our friends went so nine of us went out to a new Indian restaurant in Swansea Marina afterwards. The food was delicious and I hope I selected well off the menu - no alcohol, no starter or desert and chicken in a spicy tomato based sauce with plain boiled rice. I didn't eat the whole rice portion either. Without knowing exactly what was in the sauce it's hard to estimate the calories but I certainly don't think I broke the bank.
I felt well enough to go out for a short walk today so I am definitely on the mend now.
Right, I think I am ready for bed so "Nos da" Crackers
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Bracken, your post came through after I'd written mine for some reason. Really sorry to hear about your niece, I hope she recovers. I don't like salad bags much either. Over here they use nitrogen in the bags to preserve the veg for longer. Well done on saving that bird too. Poor thing, it must have been so frightened.
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Backen, I absolutely agree with LMV, well done on saving that poor bird. I hope he will have a good future now, it would be interesting to know what kind of bird it turns out to be. thank you for the kefir explanation, I am wondering if it something similar to the Yakult bottles on sale in the UK? Maybe one of the UK crackers will know? I read with alarm and interest re your niece and the salad bags. I buy 3 or 4 bags a week at more than 5pound a bag as I believed they were the safest cleanest option. They are from New Zealand. I would not even want to guess at the pesticides etc used in the loose lettuce on sale here at is comes from Malaysia or indonesia. Was fortunate enough to have been brought up on organic fruit and veg picked daily, I dread to think what goes on in food production and growth today. I sincerely hope your niece will soon be over this dreadful episode.
LMV your stats re my weight loss were interesting. 35% of the way is just amazing! Your post a while back struck such a cord with me, I just know it has helped shape my weight loss and thinking. I have always blamed my failure to lose in the past or to stay the course on the "fact" I have low willpower. I now think that is rubbish! I have no idea how much willpower I have but I know I have discipline. Knowing it's my choice to say yes or no, and not just saying "Oh go one then, I have no willpower, sigh" (I really was like that) is just so empowering. I might be rubbish dealing with willpower issues, but my discipline is fab lol x So lovely to hear of your night out on Swansea Marina, I have spent many, many happy hours in that area. I didn't actually go out last night as after a day walking in the City my joints, especially my knees were swollen and painful. It must be my bloods playing up again, I will have to go and get them checked again. I am hoping m weight loss will help with the pain, especially in my knees.
I also had an Indian meal last night, only it was a take out. Our favourite Indian restaurant kindly drivers all the way out to us. I was good in my choice of food too, pe and mushroom curry in a light tomato gravy and small portion of rice. I had one glass of wine with lunch out yesterday, which brings my Grand total for January to 3 glasses! Who would have thought it??
PB, please let me know when your choir are singing on Songs of Praise. My son Tivos all the episodes for me and I have marathon catching up sessions when I go home! It would be lovely to see and hear you singing, as Bracken says you are so knowledgeable about it all. Wishing you well for your cast removal xx
MITM, thinking of you xx
Off shopping for a few things now, take care all, BM x0 -
BM just a quick note to say I don't know when we will be on SOP. They spread them out over the year. The first I saw was a couple of weeks ago. It was called Brother, Sister and the programme reflected on the floods before Christmas. Hope that helps. M0
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Thanks PB, I will look out for it xx0
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BM - that willpower vs discipline debate helped me too. It is definitely completely our choice what we put in our mouths but when you are an emotional eater it is easy to somehow blame outside forces and deny responsibility for what we eat. Thinking about it in terms of discipline simplifies everything and places responsibility squarely on our own ahoulders - am I going to be indisciplined and eat something I know Is not going to do me any good and will probably cause me to gain weight, or will I be disciplined and do what I know is better for me? What do I want more, to be fat or healthy? Simples!! The same goes for exercise, will I get up off this chair and do something positive to help my weight loss, or will I sit here watching TV/reading/knitting/surfing the net.................So far so good, let's keep it up! xx0
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Bracken,
I keep meaning to tell you this and always forget. You mentioned that you missed the edit function on your posts some time ago I think. When you add a post you will see a black symbol in the top right hand corner. If you click on it, it gives you an option to edit for the first hour after a post is added. After that hour, the symbol disappears. Hope that helps.
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This is a very quick pop-in but have really enjoyed reading posts and have much that I would like to respond to. Thanks re edit function, LMV. I've felt a bit harried the past two days with the unexpected. Yesterday, the bird incident. It felt good to be able to help but I did not get some things done I wanted and then today there was an incident when my friend was riding and her horse decided while she was on it that it would lie down and roll. It could have been a very nasty situation as people have died from having a horse roll on them. That did not happen but I stayed and helped her (she was quite shaken) and then we went and talked to the barn owner- all in all much longer than anticipated. Must sign off for now.0
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Oh Bracken, I had a section D welsh cob that did that to me a few times. He was an absolute Darling but the first time he did it was on a main road! I honestly thought he had just collapsed or died under me, I wasn't badly hurt just bumps and bruises but it is very upsetting. I was more aware the second time and managed to jump off as he went down. (After the first episode I used to ride with just the tips of my toes in the stirrups!) Unfortunately it became so bad I used to dread taking him out and had to sell him on. I did tell the new owners and they were happy they could break the habit, but with 3 small children I didn't like the uncertainty of it all and could not take them out on their pony at the same time. So sad but I couldn't risk it. I am so glad your friend is OK, I understand how badly shaken she was but I hope it doesn't put her off riding. My fingers are crossed your bird is doing well xx0
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IVe seen it happen but thankfully not experienced. It's scary to watch too. It doesn't seem to be a frequent thing though.
Not sure how well known Terry Wogan is across the world but here in the UK he was a legend. There is a great outpouring of sadness at his passing. But oh how good it is that he seems to be someone who was without enemies. Listening to him on the radio was always such a pleasure. A very sad day.
Take care crackers
PB xxxx0 -
I agree PB, very sad to lose Terry Wogan. Ive never seen Children in need, but used to listen to him on Radio 2 when visiting my parents. (I've been humming the Floral Dance all day!) It's been a very sad start to the year. David Bowie has been a long term love of mine. Then Alan Rickman.....I always had a soft spot for him. I loved him in the Texas video, he was excellent in Love Actually and being a Massive Harry Potter fan, I have loved him playing Professor Snape. I know there have been a few older actors passed away too but I'm not too familiar with their work. A dreadful start to the year.0
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BM it was Alan Rickmansworth performance in Robin Hood prince of thieves that really got me going. Never that interested in David Bowie but understand why he was so important to so many. It is a sad fact of life that we lose more of the icons so many much too early0
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Hello Crackers,
I'm hunkered down by the fire listening to the wind howling outside but it has at least stopped raining for the moment. No exercise going on as I nearly blacked out this morning after I got up so I'm having a quiet day. I'm still full of catarrh so I think perhaps that is upsetting my balance and making me giddy. I'm fne sitting here quietly and I have got all my Welsh homework done.
I'm preparing an easy dinner so some diced beef steak along with a series of veg from the bottom of the fridge have been thrown into the crock pot and hopefully a tasty stew will emerge this evening.
Bracken, I'm sorry about the horse incident your friend suffered but pleased that at least no physical damage was done. I'm sure she was really grateful that you were on hand to offer reassurance. I hope that checking in with the Crackers doesn't add to your feeling of being harried - there are times when all any of us can manage is a quick hello, so please don't feel posting on here is another "job" on your list. The quick hello is lovely and you can let us know your thoughts and what you've been up to when you have more time.
PB - are the injections finished now? Not long until that cast is off now, you'll be able to start counting down in hours now! Do you have to go to hospital to get it taken off? I expect your leg will be a bit weak for a while so continue to look after yourself won't you? I know you won't be doing it at the moment, but apart from your injury have you kept up with the Nordic Walking? I did a Nordic walking course over the summer and really like it. My husband has problems with both his knees following a bike accident which resulted in 80 stitches across one knee and thigh and a football stud in the other. The Nordic walking techniques for going uphill and downhill have really helped him and we have also really enjoyed striding out along the beach with our poles.
BM - I hope your knees aren't too painful and you are doing so well to continue with the walking despite them swelling up. Re Bracken's explanation of Kefir, we do have it in the UK but I don't think the supermarkets stock it. It's not as commercial as the Yakult type products. My digestive system seems to be as tough as old boots so I have never used it, but my husband has had it before now and gets it from a health food store.
MITM - you are obviously busy, but hope everything is well with you and that you get a chance to drop in soon.
Going to check on that casserole now.
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Hello Crackers. LMV, how distressing to have nearly blacked out. I'm glad to hear that you have taken it easy for the day and hope you feel better tomorrow. If not, I hope you will get yourself checked out. However harried I am, checking here never adds to my stress; I always feel better for doing so. But, as you say, sometimes a quick note is all that can be managed
which is a little frustrating only because there is so much good conversation going on and I feel there is a lot I'd like to say. Interesting comments on the rolling horse, BM and PB. My friend told me after that she was afraid her horse was dying beneath her as it is a very senior, though remarkably fit, horse. She said she was thinking of the great Canadian horse, Hickstead who won a gold metal at the 2008 Olympics in show jumping and then tragically died while jumping a course in Italy a couple of years later. My concern was that she did not roll away immediately and I really had to yell at her to move as at one point the horse was on its side and her leg was underneath.
I have posted a STS for my weight this week. This was no surprise as I have been weighing myself daily. I don't feel really badly actually as I was pleased with my diet and exercise for the
week and think perhaps having lost that initial 7 pounds, a slow down this week should not be surprising. I also remind myself that I may have lost an additional pound or two because I was following my plan for four days before I first did a weigh on January 1. I am also finding some of my too snug clothes feeling much more comfortable, if not yet too loose.I'm going to do a more thorough assessment of how the week went and look to posting on the Goals thread to go forward into February. I started the month with getting my haircut today which is always a pick-me-up and was able to do a walk with Nellie as it was very mild for the first of Feb. Last February was the coldest here since records started to be kept; this one is predicted to be milder.
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Like bracken I sometimes find it frustrating that there is so much I want to respond to sometimes. You are all so interesting. I can't believe my luck that I found the crackers. You are certainly worth logging in for daily!
Last injection today! This weekend will be an orgy of eating and drinking but after that I hope to be independent again. Poor M&D will be much relieved I think although I may find it strange to be alone again for the first time in weeks.
More soon
PB xxxx0 -
LMV, sorry to hear you nearly blacked out. A horrible feeling. Hopefully you will soon be over this dreadful lurgy you are going through! Brysiwch gwella xx
Bracken, well done on a STS. I agree the 7lb total you have lost is fab for the short time we have been doing it. I thought last week would be my time to slow or gain a little but its probably going to be this week. Just like you I also cut right down a few days before starting again on MFP so we are no doubt doing better than we are giving ourselves credit for!
PB, your orgy of eating and drinking made me laugh out loud. I am sure you won't be that bad lol x Don't forget......."a minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips"!!
xx
My knees are still giving me grief, thank goodness for my two hot water bottles! I am so hoping they will be better tomorrow. I have blamed them on everything, and I know my haemophilia/arthritis is the main cause, but I am certain they are this bad due to the simple fact I am fat! However, this time next year I will look back and take a minute to remind myself just how awful it was to be this uncomfortable because of my weight and how happy I am to have lost it!
Going to do a bit more crochet now, then have a long soak and read in the bath.....perfect!
Take care all,BM xx
MITM, thinking of you xx0 -
Hello Crackers,
Diolch BM, dw i'n gwella bob dydd a es i i ddosbarth Cymraeg y bore 'ma. Sorry about your knees, it must be so frustrating for you. I read somewhere that each extra pound of weight you carry should be multiplied by 7 (or it might have been 9) to calculate the additional pressure it places on your knees. So the 9lbs you have lost has relieved 63lbs (or possible 81lbs) of pressure on your knees. I am fortunate in that so far my knees have been fine, but I have noticed that the 2 stones I put on last year caused a few twinges in my knees. There are all sorts of health reasons why, as we get older, we should maintain a healthy weight, joints being one of them.
Bracken - well done on your STS. You must be maintaining your healthy eating really well as I know the weather conditions have curtailed your exercise so that is brilliant. Keep it up. My clothes are also fitting much better and it is this more than anything else which tells me I am losing weight and motivates me to continue.
PB - what a lovely thing to say. We too are very glad you found Crackers! So, last injection! Woo hoo!! Next the cast! What exactly do you have planned for your orgy of eating and drinking?
Today I went to my Welsh class but I was a little bit late. I managed to sleep through my radio alarm and must have switched off my phone alarm in my sleep so didn't stir until my husband woke me up at 10 to 9. I couldn't believe it. I was well and truly out for the count. My class starts at 9.30am and is about a 25 minute drive away so I did quite well to get there by 9.45am. I had a few errands to run this afternoon including a quick trip to the shops, bank and library to get the next Book Group book for those who don't like reading digitally. I parked in the furthest space from the shop and instead of moving the car to a car park nearer the bank and library I walked there and back so I managed to get a few steps in. I didn't really feel like going to cookery this evening as it isn't easy cooking when you have to keep blowing your nose and probably not very hygienic either. I packed the husband off to class though so as I write this he is cooking a chicken, bacon and mushroom dish which we will have for supper and I have put my feet up! It 's very chilly here today so I think I am best staying in the warm.
I saw this picture and liked the sentiment in it as it chimes with us all taking renewed control of our eating. Hope you like it too.
Here's to the next half stone coming off in February. As you very close to goal MITM, our half stone probably equates to 1lb for you, but wishing success to us all.
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ps weigh in tomorrow for me, fingers crossed everybody please! xx0
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A very quick pop-in but I wanted to record exercise and keep my number of days logging in without a miss- 52. As a bonus I have read and enjoyed the posts and feel lucky too, PB. Fingers crossed for you, LMV.0
