WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2014

Good morning --- it's 7:30 and I have walked the dog, but no coffee Yet! it is calling me - just had to leave this quick note; will go back and read and comment after coffee!!!

Today is check in for me... and I skipped last friday - I was so busy I never even remembered!!! So I have been pretty good this week (making up for the week before) and gained 1/2 of a lb - actually I feel really good about that because I think the week before I gained about 3 --- so the net is great. BUT the weird/interesting/odd thing is my measurements bust/hips/waist all went down and down by between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch each... So cool!!! just not what I expected.

Just re-proves to me the scale is only part of the whole picture!:drinker: :glasses:

more later-- Kim in CA

:drinker: Happy 4th of July to our US friends enjoy your day

been busy picking strawberries our local fields are finally ready and was well worth the wait, my friend and I picked 6 baskets
now to clean and preserve them, pop a few in the freezer for smoothies I feel like Michele and Heather this am cooking and freezing lol!

have stayed on track this week only down half a pound so will wait to add it to my ticker, have been moving more and inches are showing a better improvement so onward and (downward) I will go

Welcome to all our new friends enjoy visiting and learning with us

Best wishes to all have a safe and happy weekend

juanita in sudbury

Happy 4th!

Big gardening day in store, time to catch up with the weeding. Storing produce - well, my fridge is always packed full of greens & things, and what we don't use goes in the compost. I give a lot away to neighbors, students, and to the senior center, plus we trade and share a few things with neighboring gardeners. We're not allowed to sell produce grown in the community garden since it's a non-profit organization. Giving is more fun, anyway.

Potatoes are stored in old milk crates in the garage and covered with towels to keep the light out. I braid most of the garlic, hanging a few braids in the kitchen and the rest on hooks out in the garage. We'll save a lot of bulbs for seed come fall when we plant again.

I do lots of freezing - carrots, parsnips, peas, leeks, spinach, raw bell peppers, roasted peppers, tomatoes, scallions, marinara sauce, roasted winter squash, corn, and kale. This year I made a batch of cauliflower puree that I froze for soups. In the summer when it's time to defrost the freezer I take all of last year's frozen goods and make a giant pot of soup which I freeze again in small batches for easy lunches.

I make cases of jam with the berries to send for gifts at holiday time, and I always bake a few pies. I package lots of the berries in small bags to add to my smoothies and oatmeal. Every year I make boysenberry brandy and raspberry vinegar.

And then comes canning. I processed 100 jars last year :noway: pickled beets, pickled hot peppers, corn, green beans, tomatoes, applesauce, dilly beans, chunky salsa, taco sauce, roasted red peppers and diced green chilies. We store everything in the garage. I'm always going out there to grab a jar of something!

In the dehydrator we dry halved plum tomatoes and store them in the freezer. We let many of our Anahiem chilies turn red, dry them, and grind them into chile powder. We make our own red pepper flakes from cayenne peppers.

Hubby helps with lots of the harvesting & processing. He'll shuck the corn, roast, peel & seed the peppers, slice peppers for drying and do the grinding. He's also a great help with braiding garlic, and has been known to blanch & peel 10 gallons of tomatoes to help when I'm making his favorite salsas and taco sauce. He's also a fantastic gardener, and loves it like I do. So you see, this craziness is not all my doing. :laugh:

Have a wonderful day everyone! It's going to be a beauty here, sun's out nice and bright. I'm dreading tonight with all of the fireworks...my poor doggies hate it. I'll be cranking up the stereo, boy howdy. :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

jb in Portland who will take some photos of the quinoa plants :glasses:

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!:drinker: :bigsmile: :drinker: :bigsmile: :drinker: :bigsmile:


Anamika: Thanks for your good wishes. In our neighborhood, the 4th of July is literally a blast. :explode: I wonder about this year, though. I haven’t seen them installing the fireworks on the island across from our house where they’re set off. I may have banished my poor dog to the vet’s office for nothing. :ohwell: :flowerforyou:

Moondogz: I agree with you. To be successful, healthy eating MUST become a way of life, day in and day out. There is room for celebration once in a while, though. Celebration does not mean having a total pig out. :noway: :flowerforyou:

Kim in CA: Smaller measurements show that you are definitely on the right path. :bigsmile: Congratulations on a terrific NSV. :flowerforyou:

Juanita: Congratulations on your success. :flowerforyou:


Yesterday we went to a fish sale and bought steamer clams that we’ve already eaten, and salmon to smoke. The salmon is currently in it’s brine and we’ll smoke it later today. We also bought some to grill and eat. Guess what is on our 4th of July menu. Cheers! :drinker:

Have a great day.

Katla in beautiful NW Oregon

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison



July Goals:
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!

Hello everybody, and happy 4th to those of us who live in the US. Well, happy 4th to the rest of you too. I'm sure you can find something to celebrate! I hope those of you on the east coast of the US and Canada stay safe and dry!

We had fireworks going off in our neighborhood last night. They don't bother Molly, but Bruno was a little rattled. He wasn't sure what to think, this being his first 4th of July. He climbed into my lap and stayed there most of the evening just for a little security. Both dogs love hubby best for the fun stuff, but if they are scared about something they come to me. Somehow that makes me happy to know they feel safe with me.

I'm a little sunburned from the pool outing yesterday, but not too bad. It was worth it. Monday the new session of swim lessons start and the little guy is going to take classes too. He wanted so badly to do the slides and stuff yesterday like his sisters.

We are enjoying slightly cooler than average temperatures for the next few days. I'm certainly not complaining.

Welcome to all the new ladies! I can't wait to get to know you all. Please post often! If you are serious about weight loss, this group is just the support team you need.

JB, it sounds like you know really what to do with peppers! Do you have any suggestions for me? I have four "salsa pepper" plants that are going gangbusters! It doesn't take many to make salsa. I found that out already. Do you take the seeds out? I have four cayenne pepper plants but am not sure when I'm supposed to pick them. They look so tiny, but they are bright red. Is that when you pick them?

I've never done canning, but might look into it. In the meantime, I'm planning to give away as many as possible. Hubby has a lot of co-workers from the middle east and apparently they like spicy food. My habeneros have some teeny tiny little pods starting, which I assume is the pepper but I haven't tried to pick any yet. Do they turn colors? I'll have to google this stuff and see what I can find.

Here is the joke of they day:

:happy:

So there's this man with a parrot. And his parrot swears like a sailor, I mean he's a pistol. He can swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself.

The trouble is that the guy who owns the parrot is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy.

One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!" But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever.

Then the guy gets mad and says, "That's it. I'll get you." and locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet.

This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches, and when the guy finally lets him out, the bird cuts loose with a stream of invective that would make a veteran sailor blush.

At that point, the guy is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer.

For the first few seconds, there is a terrible din. The bird kicks and claws and thrashes. Then it suddenly goes very quiet.

At first the guy just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. After a couple of minutes of silence, he's so worried that he opens up the freezer door.

The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary from now on."

The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot.

Then the parrot says, "By the way, what did the chicken do?"

:laugh:

Have a great day!

Sylvia

Happy 4th July all you US folks, it's business as usual over here in the UK. And in my neck of the woods in the north west of England, it's raining, again!

But it's Friday and I weighed in this morning and I'm off the starting blocks - 3lbs off. July has started well.

On the down side, I'm working very hard at the moment in a stressful job - and the pace is pretty relentless. I think the only way I can handle the stress is to stay fit and healthy (and to fantasise about retirement!).

Cheers,

Manc Lass, Manchester, England

Happy 4th.
Gonna see all 4 grand babies today as well as my siblings.
Had a nice dinner last night with my daughter from In and her kids.
HUGS
jane

Katla and Yannie Jannie - I was brought up on all those old TV shows too. Was mad about horses and dogs, but we only had cats as pets. I took horse riding lessons when I was 11 -12 but the reality didn't live up to the fantasy and my mother said I could either have the lessons or the money. I took the money! Clever mummy!:laugh: But I fondly remember Rin Tin Tin and Trigger. I was also hooked on Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I Love Lucy. I must have been about 7 years old.

I have all sorts of fears and thoughts about travelling, not the least about the awful human rights records of these countries, but the people are so lovely and I feel that one's fears should not dictate one's life. I go despite my fears and reservations. When I am there I am sooooo happy. It feels as if that is what I was born for. Just like I feel about my dinner parties! ! ! ! :laugh: :bigsmile: :laugh:

Heather, waiting for the rain to arrive in Hampshire UK

Yea I agree about the pigging out and that is actually my point. I think that eating in moderation and knowing that in life there will be days, even for people that don't have food issues, one might eat more or less. When I get into diet mentality, is when I personally lose my way. When I remember this is a life long journey and it will have it ups and downs, it is easier to navigate the day.

Meg, Molly once had an issue with chewing a hotspot on her foot and I made her a sleeve out of a tube sock. She hated it, and tried to get it off, but it lasted long enough to help. By the time she got through it her foot had healed a little. Another time I made her a homemade "bite not" collar using a butter tub that I cut apart and covered with fleece and made a Velcro closure. That worked pretty well for an area farther up on her leg. It kept her from bending her neck.

Here's what it looked like.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=bite+not+collar+for+dogs&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=33025742768&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18359333385079115176&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_5kj2zthgjn_b

Sylvia

We had a wonderful, wonderful time with the family at the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch today. I know my husband really wanted the have both our girls, SIL and grand kids just to our family only for lunch but I don't know what we could have done better. Since there were 16 of us, oh just 15, explain later, we made sure us and our girls and family were at our end of the table and the other two families at the other end. Of course a 1 and 2 year old always gets a lot of attention from a lot of people. And they are precious. The 16th person couldn't come. He's the Dad of the little ones and my brothers only child. He is still on probation still and his house arrest ankle bracelet only has a 3 county range and he couldn't come. My husband really has a problem with him leaving his responsibilities to 'find himself'. I got some great pictures. Taking pictures with the mini iPad is so easy, the 2 year old could have done it. So we just passed it down and one person took a picture of the next two acting silly. And then the iPad would go on down the line like that. My sister and her husband really don't like their pictures taken so it involved only my family. I figured out my food last night and stuck to it. They give a dish of spumoni with every meal and I gave mine to my youngest grandaughter. She is crazy about it.

Analisa, I don't remember everyone's names. Some people have this system of keeping two tabs open while reading, they apparently skip to the other tab to write notes as they read. I would never be able to figure that out so I just take little notes. If anyone really notices, I generally respond to the people right before I post, not a page back. We just want to know you so tell us about you and you will gradually get to know several names. That is the most wonderful thing about this group. We are here at MFP to eat better and take better control over our lives in that way but have all gathered here because we all have one thing in common, females over 50. OOPS, I guess that's 2 things! It's like sitting and having coffee with your best friend who may be 'across the pond' but is actually on the other side of my computer. I love it when I read peoples goals. It isn't just about goals of dieting, setting goals for our lives help us get our diet together also.

Beth, I agree with you about Allison. I think she could be nominated for sainthood or something. Even this thing about the tree going down and the grand child inside sleeping. In my house that kid would be outside helping just because that's what people do when they love some one. Allison is one of the most caring people I have met.

Safe wishes for all on the east coast and everyone have a good, safe, happy 4th of July!

Joyce, Indiana

Allison, I think that's a great idea to volunteer with the elderly. It takes a special person, especially to work with those with personalities. I am a certified lay speaker and am often called to provide the Sunday morning message at a local retirement village. One resident is a true character. Last time I was there she announced loudly in the hallway that she wasn't going in, that she was going back to her room to listen to Charles Stanley! The nurse talked her into coming in anyway. She thanked me for coming in the end. One other time she came late and was not happy that the service was over. She told me that God would not be happy with me! I apologized and offered to stay and do prayer/devotion with her, but she was having none of it. I learned early on not to take it personally.

Hi my screen name is Lestan48 and real name is Lesley. I am 66 and was born in North of England in 1948 and migrated to Australia in 1978 with second husband and daughter from first marriage (she was 7) We needed to get away from ex-spouses and start a new life in Australia. never regretted it.
We went to Victoria and I worked as a path scientist until 1980 when I got the cancer research position. Worked at Peter Mac until 2005 when told I had to retire. That was hard but needed to be done to save my life.
I have genetically high cholesterol, diagnosed when I was 21 and was controlled by fibrates. Then on 2000 doctors said I HAD to go on statins. My cholesterol levels kept rising and I had no strength and gave up body building. By 2004 I could hardly walk or lift my arms. Lucky for me a new doctor, fresh from America, who knew me years before called in my doctor. They did tests and showed my skeletal muscles were falling apart but heart still strong. Came off the statins and retired in 2005 to Tasmania. I started walking, painfully, increasing the distance every day until i could walk 5 Km with no pain.
In late 2005 I joined Jillian Michaels' and Tom Venuto's sites and got great help and recipes. Ileft this year. I was OZ size 24 and now OZ size 12
Just over 2 years ago my cholesterol levels were getting high and I was put on Lipidil, a non-statin and my levels have gone down. My HDLs are in normal range but LDLs high as NO HDL receptos in liver and it churns out more LDLs. My doctor is real happy and next test is in December this year
I love walking and do race-walking round my own 400M track to get good cardio. I exercise in my bedroom to Jillian, Bob Harper and Jeannette Jenkins DVD. I LOVE kettle-bells.
I have a 11 1/2 year old female beagle who used to come on long walks with me but now just walks in our paddocks.
I cook from scratch with healthy fresh fruit, veg and meat. My favourite recipe books are by Jamie Oliver. Lamb shanks baked with veg for dinner tonight.

We live on a 10 acre rural property in a rural setting in NW Tasmania.
I love walking and Cradle Mountain walks are a favourite

Joyce.........That is a VERY good picture; you look fabulous!!!!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!

Joyce...love the new picture!

Eileen near San Diego