:bigsmile:

welcome to the Menopausal Mad Hatters Dani!

Hot flashes are free, a glass of wine is $1 and the support and encouragement, priceless!



:drinker:


(The virtual $ goes into the Hatter fund... to be used in case of bail money needed ..we've had a few issues with fights over the thermostat control at the Hatter homes during hot flashes LOL) :bigsmile:

and for Merobi (spell)... issues with family on vacation - and for cbm - issues with PITAs (pain in the a...)... lol...

LOL @ cmb - you are right!! I should rephrase it to "funds available to any Hatter in need!"


Very glad to hear the ECOH went off well!

Morning Hatters!

I only managed 3 veggies and one fruit yesterday Janet.. but I've definitely upped them since starting your challenge - every day I think hmmmm gotta get those veggies in! Mother Hubbard's cupboards were bare yesterday, and I ended up having one of the Belvita breakfast bars just to get something in my stomach.. and I actuallly discovered I didn't like it.. it had a very "processed" taste to it and was kinda yucky... I don't know whether my taste buds are changing or if it was just that particular item, but it was interesting to discover!

I'm planning an omellete with onions and peppers (2) for brekkie today, and lunch will be leftover peas and yellow beans with a fast fry pork chop, (4) - havent figured out dinner yet but it will involve either something that swims or clucks LOL!

I have a question for the Hatters please... if you eat something AFTER you've posted your diary, do you go back and add it and re post it the next day? or just add it and not repost it, or add the calories to the next day? I went crazy last night and popped a thin crust spinach pizza into the oven at 11pm and ended up eating 2 slices with a glass of wine - it was a total emotional eat fest; and I'm not going to beat myself up over it today - it happened, hopefully i will learn from it for next time, and I'm simply stepping right back on the path where I stumbled .. many time before a stumble would have done me in and had me packing up and giving up, but I think my mindset is finally starting to change ... realizing there's nothing to fall off of since I'm not on a diet.. don't get me wrong, I'm not using it as an excuse, but it sure feels better knowing that today I'll just go back to eating "normal" (my NEW normal) without freaking out and thinking i've ruined everything... and it's a good feeling for a change! For now I think I'll just go and add it to yesterday's diary, but wondering what other do?

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday - it's pouring rain here which is good because it'll force me to finish up the chores around here! But brekkie first!

Thanks TA.. that's what I was kinda thinking.. as long as I'm honest about logging it.. doesnt really matter where it goes.. )

And I have to admit.. I had picked up the pizza to have on hand in case of a craving.. I chose that one because; it's a new frozen one and completely additive free and thin crust, with spinach and provolone.. in case I got an urge.. it was on sale for $3 LOL.. so I figured instead of giving in and ordering one for $15 and having to log 25 million calories, at least this way if I craved it it would be a better choice.... but should have known if it was in my freezer... i was gonna eat it when the emotional meltdown happened lol.. and it was really good I must say, so it filled the requirement and as you said, i prolly would have eaten a bunch of other crap isntead of anyway...

HUGE CONGRATS ON YOUR 5 LBS GONE TA!!!! ohhhh im so happy for you.. and you are already sooo close to your next goal you set..... well done!!

Sun just came out (was supposed to rain all day)... so I am flying out because I have been putting off and putting off any exercise because of my pinched nerve; every moment of my arm hurt but i am 2 days free of big ow; just minor now so no more excuses.. iam going to go for a 30 min walk!!

@snoozie - thanks - If it's late and I've closed the diary when I login in the next day - go back to the previous day and add...

@ Janet - yep - tiger moms unite

@ TA - my body HATES greasy :grumble: and over sweet food - "unless it's chocolate" :laugh:

See you all soon....

Carol

Thank you ladies for the warm welcome! I'm just getting back, checking out comments and loving it! I'm looking forward to next week and participating more.

Good Morning Hatters!

Little late getting up this morning; was up several times during the night (and ate an apple at 2am lol) but what a great wake up to see all the pounds lost this morning and over the weekend... Tammy, Janet, Adiane... big big congrats ladies!! Doing the happy feet dance ... you are working so hard and its so great to see the results for you!! :flowerforyou: Plus seeing your successes always keeps me inspired to keep going.. !

Time2 - you have been doing great with the stairs and making the small changes we're all striving for every day!! Sorry about the collard greens; I've never had them but I grew up on turnip greens LOL.. haven't had any for a while so thanks for the reminder!

I spent the afternoon cooking yesterday; one of the chicken dishes was so-so, one was good, chili and peppers/beef will get frozen down today and may make a big pot of soup altho im runnig out of room in the freezer - i bought a load of frozen veggies for the October challenge so I best be eating them up to make a little more room!

Welcome as well to the new members I see have joined; feel free to lurk awhile and see what's going on, or jump in anytime - we'd love to get to know a little about you! :laugh:

As you Hatters know, I'm trying to incorporate a few lower carb days a week into my days this month; not cutting out any food groups like grains or taties, just saving them for the higher days - but am learning certain veggies have higher carbs than others!! And high sugars in some... I discovered last week CABBAGE is huge in sugar (which is fine, I just need to make sure I eat it with a protein for my BG levels) but I could happily chow down on a bowl of it all by itself (yeah i'm a freak.. i love cabbage) :bigsmile: so it was a bit of a shock when I logged it to find out what I thought would be an excellent choice....would NOT have been a good snack on its own.. live and learn!! But really... who wudda thunk it about CABBAGE.. (it may become my word for the day just cause i like the sound of it...lol

I'm supposed to start nites tonite for a week, but am only going in for a few hours tonite (9pm to 1am) then took the next few off.. I'm a little worried to be honest, as nights are tough for me to start with now (after 28 years of shift work, they are no longer as appealing to me.. i think in part because my sleep is already scrwed up with menopause, and i dont sleep well on them anyway, and most importantly... my eating has always been horrible as I can't face tuna at 2am, or a bowl of broccoli for the first few nights until my body switches over... I haven't had to work them since I started at MFP as I always take my vacation weeks for em.. so I think I'm a little nervous about how my eating is going to go. I'll just have to take it one day (or night LOL) at a time...but I think that's why I took the first few off; I only have to get thru 4 of them instad of 7, and don't hit that shift for another 5 weeks ... so this one will be like a "trial run"... so heads up Hatters.. ignore any wailing or screaming you hear coming from my corner, but beprepared I may need a helping hand and a pair of glasses to find your lanterns on the path if I start to stray.

Oh...typing this directly and don't want to lose it so i'll post for now and hope it gets there.. Have a great week Hatters!! We WILL rock this month!!!!!

At request

Shredded Buffalo (sauce) Chicken in the crock pot  (you may want to compare sodium content of different sauces)

4 boneless skinless chicken breast 
1 bottle of Franks Buffalo Sauce 
1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Powder 
2 Tablespoons Butter 

Throw the (frozen or thawed) chicken breast in the crock pot, top with 3/4 bottle of franks buffalo wing sauce, add packet of ranch powder. Cook on low for 6 hours. After 6 hours, shred chicken with two forks, add butter, stir, cover and cook for another hour to let the chicken soak up the sauce.  This can be ate on a bun, in a wrap, or in lettuce leaves. We ate it on flour tortillas with cole slaw on them for supper.



Most Amazing Pork Chops 

4 Bone in/Thick cut pork chops 
1 can cream of chicken soup (healthy request)
1 envelope onion soup mix 
1 envelope dry pork gravy mix (low sodium if you can find it)
1 1/2 cups chicken broth 

Directions: 
1. First place the pork chops down in the bottom. 
2. The remaining four ingredients will be mixed in a mixing bowl and then poured over the top of the meat. 
3. Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours. 
When ready to serve I take 1/2 cup milk and stir in 1/4 cup flour until smooth then add it to the crock pot stirring until thick. I remove the chops for this. I served with white rice but also could be served with mashed potatoes.


Bourbon Pork with sweet potatoes

2 lb Pork loin
4 sweet potatoes
6 apples
Mccormick Gourmet - Bourbon Spiced Pork Seasoning Mix, 1 container (12 tsp mix (3g) ea.)
Package has number of sweet potatoes and apples but I added extra. For the rest follow package directions for putting together other than putting in over. For cooking I put in the crock pot left in fridge overnight. In the morning I took it out, plugged in, and cooked on low from 7 am until 5 pm. I removed the peeling from my apple slices and mashed them in the sweet potatoes and didn't add any butter to the potato, that was the first time I have ever eaten sweet potatoes without butter !!!

Hiya Kathryn and welcome to the Mad Hatters!!!

AWESOME move on the junk food free decision!! Well done you!!! How's it been going for you?? We wilsupport and encourage you along the way and share a few laughs!! Any particular junk that's a real toughie for you (mine is potato chips and we have a few other items in the Hatter "emotional eating ed to send us here" category.. we're working on changing our habits, making small changes every day in what we eat or how we move our bodies, and learning a lot about ourselves and what led us to this point along the way - glad to have you with us!:flowerforyou:

TA: Thanking you for the recipes!!! I'm thinknig you were back to school today... were they hellions or angels awaiting ya? :devil:

Time2: I know you were worked off your feet today; hope you get some down time tonite!

Tonya poor little punkin... hope the meds work soon and you are feeling yourself again.. miss ya!

I am heading in to work for just a few hours but claiming an IPOM (AN ACRONYM FOR I'm Proud of Me moment for the new peeps)..

I ate lunch late at home before going to the meeting, so I wasnt at all tempted to order anything except a cup of tea to sip on.. even the plate of fries next to me weren't calling to me because i was stuffed with squash and beef LOL.. and was starving by the time I got home, but because i PLANNED ahead (notice that TA?? I planned....!! I'm working on it!!) I had cooked up the squash and a baked potato this morning, and had all the chicken cooked yesterday, so a quick nuke and dinner was ready in five min! IPOM!! :bigsmile:

altho I have to say ladies.. I thought there would be cake at 100 days. They told me there would be cake. and I was hoping for carrot cake so I could claim another veggie for today... :sad:

haaaaaaaaa KIDDING!!! Have a good night, Hatters... see ya tomorrow!!

Snoozie, had one more day off so its back Tuesday. I got lots done and am hoping the changes will again move things in a better direction. YES, I am very proud of you for planning ahead as we are learning its the little things that become habit that make big changes in the journey !!!

The husband is on a road trip for more schooling until Thursday so today I made Chicken/Cauliflower (replaces carb potatoes)/Carrots/ Mushroom/TomatoCelery/ /Noodle soup. I use a cup of skim milk with 1/4 cup flour to thickin the stock after its done. When serving I add a dollop (1tbs) of sour cream per bowl. The total calories is 98 calories and 12 carbs. We are learning to season individual bowls after cooking and that keeps the sodium down. Some nights I add shredded cheese. I have the recipe saved and just go in a change according to each cooking so that I have an accurate account of calories and things. So I have lunch and supper made for tomorrow also. Think this helped me hit the 9 veggies/fruit again today !!! going to have to make grocery store run on the way home tomorrow for more.

The girls are enjoying a 321 Mug cake. I have to say while these are not a lot of cake (teaching portion control early) sure fit the dessert section when wanting cake without having to cook a whole cake that has to be eaten !!!

Well everyone enjoy Tuesday and remember keep trying each day !!!

Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, " I will try again tomorrow" ~~Mary Anne Radmacher

Janet - great minds think alike... absolutely right about not needing to beat ourselves up anymore; just hop right back on the path where we were! And yes.. I think corn pops absolutely count as a veggie LOL..

i have no experience with the kettle things but I know a lot of peeps at my work who use them.. the only thing I've "heard" is that FORM absolutely counts; you really have to do the "swings" right as the momentum has to be controlled by using your muscles.. sowwy I can't help.. but huge IPOU on getting to the body pump this morning - any sign of the interloper in front of you this time?? Do we need to do a Hatter intervention or do you have the place to yourselves again? )

Snoozie- I know hat you mean about being rocked by your own behavior, and good for you for recognizing your mindset shifting.

I must admit I have been discouraged lately. My body doesn't seem to want to lose more than the 20 pounds, or even stay at that (it likes 18 or 19 pound loss better). I have Metatarsalgia - Ball of the Foot Pain from exercising and have spent a fortune on trying different shoes for it, and now my latest $160 pair have apparently gotten up and walked out the door as they are nowhere to be found. It seems like I am losing everything but weight. And My arthritis flared mightily when the weather shifted, and no matter how much yoga I do (did you know a session is 90 minutes?), I'm still quite stiff, but at least the pain has subsided as the weather settles down.
I know this is nothing but whining, but hopefully it is OK to vent with my fellow mad hatters.. I feel like have an angel who whispers one thing on my right shoulder and a devil who whispers another on the left. Thing is, I know there is no real choice but to persevere as my former ways, while seemingly more fun, were absolutely ruining my health, which is no fun. So thanks Hairspray for the quote Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, " I will try again tomorrow" I also need to remember that I am making a lot of good choices and am overall feeling much healthier. So here's to continued good choices and a healthier lifestyle :-)

Hubby is bringing baked ziti (left over) and not that good - to his work tomorrow - so one less carb in the house...:laugh:

Still working thru the veggies and fruit.. and sausage and meatballs..... will be creative... and have sausage / eggs for dinner tonight.....:)

Nobody is allowed access to the cake except for me... :noway: and Jr since it was his day.. and his metabolism can handle it....

Turkey sandwiches are gone....

Leftover rolls are being saved for November stuffing....

And the brandy alexanders have been wonderful....."smiles" - just what the doctor ordered... will be having the ice tea at a later date....

And tomorrow night gym (dreadmill) is on the schedule....

Gotta get back to normal.....

See you soon....

Carol