Bringing our A-Game in April!

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Replies

  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    Karrie, Oops! I haven't closed my browser before replying before but I've hit a side mouse button that accomplishes the same thing. I feel your pain.

    Great losses, Mihani! You are on a roll.

    Jacque, I did a juice fast for 3 days to get rid of that "I'm hungry all the time" feeling, but fasting isn't my favorite! I think powering through it like Mihani did might be a nicer way to go. It has been so much easier for me to stay on track after getting through that stage.

    This week I'm officially in Onderland! Yay! I was so close last week, but my weight fluctuated and I didn't get there. I'm down 1.8 lbs for the week.

    I had my first real stumble yesterday when we were celebrating some family birthdays. I had a cupcake. I'm not going to beat myself up over it. It was sickeningly sweet (even though everyone else was commenting on how they were nice and not too sweet) and I had a sweet feeling in my throat for an hour after and felt ill. It also tasted really fake and processed. I had a little homemade trail mix later in the day with raw unsalted nuts, raisins, and dried cherries and that was a much better treat.

    Both hips are still very sore and I had a hard time sleeping last night. Today is the last day without rain for the next week, but I'm not sure if I should walk or not. Maybe a 20 minute walk at a slow pace. The treadmill has shipped at last, which means roughly 12 more days until it arrives.

    B - smoothie
    L - mixed greens topped with leftovers, side of smokey black eyed peas
    Snack - pear
    D - tom kha soup w/ cilantro brown rice



  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    Everyone is doing so well. Carla, congratulations on onederland!!! That is so exciting. It is the weather and the walking bothering your hips?

    Mihani, congratulations on 16 lbs. that is quite an accomplishment.

    Well my big weakness is Italian cookies. I had Brooks put them in a box to send to his Mother for Mother's day along with a tablecloth I found in Italy she wanted. I wanted to get into those so badly.

    I have had terrible jet lag. I am ready to go to bed at 4:00 pm and up wide awake at 4:00 a.m. We took the dogs on a 3.5 mile walk yesterday and I was exhausted after. Made a few cards and had oats and fruit for dinner...then went to bed after falling asleep before a movie started.

    We are going swimming this afternoon and I think that will help me wake up. I have lost 2 of the 3 lbs I gained. Haven't decided what to do for diet: either 6 week plan or Carla's plan. I am just not motivated to shop, cook or eat. The first day I had a big house cleaning and laundry day when I got back and cleaned out refridgerator. All my prep containers are clean and empty. Brooks signed us up for another bike tour. This time at the big King Ranch in Texas so I need to start training for that. It is suppose to be beautiful at this time of year with the wild flowers blooming.

    Carla, Brooks and I went to the Mosaic School in Spilembergo, Italy. I toured there before. It was beautiful. I forgot my camera but Brooks has pics I will have to down load.

    http://scuolamosaicistifriuli.it/en/

    Went on some new hikes in the Italian Alps. The city above Arta Terme we explored was new. Where I took the picture on Easter day on the cross in the mountains. I avoid the big cities such as Rome, Florence, Veronoa...I have been to them. I did go down to Venice to get some gifts. Venice is close to where we lived and we would take guests and new people down there frequently.

  • liapr
    liapr Posts: 648 Member
    Hi guys!! We are a third of the way through April practically but here I am hehe. I've started a 1 week ETL plan for myself after being inspired by Mihani, and too terrified to think of 6 weeks. I would like to do at least 4 weeks but 4 1-weeks sounds so much more manageable. I know myself !!

    Donna, your italy pictures look incredible!!! We've been having a whole wave of snow this first bit of April, and just looking at photos of Italy makes me feel better! Lol. Awesome that you are so active! Do you speak Italian?

    Woohoo Carla and Mihani!!!!!!!!!! Such incredible losses <3 So funny about the cupcake. Sometimes I think those "slips" are awesome because it makes you realize that you don't miss what you thought you missed after all. I remember missing bacon incredibly for the first year I went veggie and finally tried a bite, and was so revolted by the texture. I don't even remember what meat tastes like anymore (this is my 6 year veggie anniversary) and so alternatives seem great to me lol.

    Jacque, I'm with you! I'm in the hungry phase too lol. It's strange but it's sort of nice in some ways, because I realize how seldom I let myself get hungry when I'm not eating well. Also, I loveeeee my instant pot. I couldn't figure out why, but I think it's because I don't have to watch over it like I would something simmering on the stove. I just throw everything in there and leave the kitchen. Such a nice feeling.

    Hi Karrie!!! I do that all the time.... ugh. Hope you're having a good week with not too much crappy weather. How are the houses?
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    edited April 2018
    I hate when that happens Karrie! Are you still hitting the treadmill?

    Carla, sounds like you did really well for being surrounded by tempting food. Dinner sounds yummy. Hope you aren't so sore tomorrow. YAY for Onederland!!! WOOHOO!!!

    Donna, I knew you'd drop those extra few Italy pounds quickly! Glad the cookies are out of the way. The trip sounds so lovely, looking forward to more pictures.

    I predict a great week 1 for you Lia! I don't remember what meat tastes like anymore either, but it's funny a couple times I have had faux meats that made me really suspicious because I felt like they were too close in texture and taste. I can't remember when I went vegetarian, it was quite some years ago, but I went vegan 2012. Kind of hard to believe, a true cheeseaholic like me lol.

    L - big ol' salad with romaine, spring mix, shredded beet and carrot, balsamic and nooch
    D - small salad of spring mix with walnut vinaigrette, leftover bean concoction with sides of greens and stir-fry broccoli, a wasa cracker, bowl of frozen mixed berries slightly warmed in the microwave and sprinkled with chia seeds, cinnamon and a couple chopped walnuts

    I forgot, I've been eating one or two brazil nuts most evenings before dinner.

    Got ALL the GBOMBS today. o:)
  • CoffeeandHumblePie
    CoffeeandHumblePie Posts: 139 Member
    Carla, congratulations on Onederland! It's a fantastic milestone! Thanks for the recommendation about juice. Great idea!

    Donna, hope your body clock gets reset soon and glad those cookies are out the door!

    Karrie, I've lost a post more than once - all those words lost in cyberworld! It's frustrating for sure.

    liapr, it's nice to meet you! Glad to hear of another Instant Pot fan. I'm working on my husband to convince him that we need one. Our kitchen is quite small so another large appliance will have to be well worth it for me to convince him.

    I did some intermittent jogging yesterday and I didn't die! (I thought of you, Karrie) I met a lady at the track who is turning 60 soon and started jogging a month ago. She's almost able to do a full mile without walking. Inspiring! I asked what prompted her to try to jog and she said she'd always wanted to try it, but mainly she'd noticed her body shape morphing rapidly with middle-age spread and when she asked her doctor what she could do about it, her doctor said, "fight like hell!" It was just the push she needed to give jogging a try.

    Even though I'm following ETL loosely - "mostly" eating plant based - I'm feeling good! However, I'm depending on things like Field Roast meatless sausages and Larabars a bit too much. But, hey, baby steps! Anyway, I am realizing that I have way overstocked my pantry & fridge considering that I'm the only one in the family eating plant-based. I gravitate toward the same meals pretty regularly which means I have a lot of the extra food just sitting there. My reasoning for overstocking is, "what if I want something different and I'm understocked and then make bad choices because I don't want what's in the fridge?" I know, I need to chill. B) Bottom line is, I'm really hoping to streamline what I purchase so there's less waste (fresh produce, especially).

    So, here's a poll for you:

    What are your top 5 must-haves in the fridge and in the pantry?

    Even as I type this I'm looking up at Mihani's post about GBOMBS. That would be a good start, wouldn't it?

  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    C&P, I can't narrow it down to five, but the following is what I always have on hand: 1) canned beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, 2) fresh greens (kale/collards/chard/lettuce/baby spinach, etc.), 3) rolled oats, 4) frozen berries, 5) fresh fruit, 6) onions, 7) good selection of various nuts, seeds, dates, raisins (especially need for making yummy dressings), 8) variety of condiments like vinegars, coconut aminos, mustards, tahini, 9) other fresh veggies for salads and stir-fry, 10) lemons and limes, 11) onions

    That is pretty much all I need if I'm following ETL 100%. I also keep a good stock of frozen greens and other veggies. Not my favorite, but good to have in case I run out of fresh.
  • CoffeeandHumblePie
    CoffeeandHumblePie Posts: 139 Member
    Great list, Mihani, thank you! I didn't think about canned mushrooms! I have been considering dried mushrooms but canned would be even quicker. I have everything else on your list. Woot!

    Donna, I wanted to thank you for your post on April 6th. I get impatient with weight loss "programs" and I need to remember that this is a lifestyle change and therefore will take time.
  • whats_her_name
    whats_her_name Posts: 716 Member
    My top 5 must haves: mushrooms, green onions, rice, tomatoes, garlic

    mmmm.....

    Still nothing on the old house yet. Grrrr.

    Mihani, I am happy to say that I am still on the treadmill every day. Gonna be time to add the sprints in soon, maybe next week. I'm very stiff after sitting for awhile, so I think I'm going to have to add in some yoga too... 'Cuz I've got so much free time.

    Carla & Mihani congrats on your great losses! I hope to be hot on your heels into onederland soon Carla!! :smiley:
  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    Donna, the Mosaic school sounds so interesting! How much time do you have before the bike tour? Does he surprise you with these signups?! I bet it will be lovely with all of the wildflowers. What kind of temperatures are you likely to be biking in?

    How's week one going so far, Lia? Did you make meals you've had before or are you trying out some new recipes?

    Hmm, 5 must have food staples. Probably very similar to Mihani's! We have a huge variety of nuts and seeds in the fridge, with backup bags of them in the cupboards. We go through cashews and walnuts the most. We have dry beans in bulk (chickpeas, pinto beans, kidney, lentils, etc). We have about 6 different kinds of vinegar on hand at all times, mostly because the meal plans uses all of them. Also tamari, vegan Worcestershire and coconut aminos. We have sprouted grain bread in the freezer always, and a good supply of frozen blueberries. We always have a box of pre-washed organic baby spinach and mixed baby greens ready to go. We have bananas for smoothies and at least one other fruit. Right now that's oranges and pears. And I like to always have a homemade dressing in the fridge. Oh wait, you didn't ask for our top 100 staples LOL oops.

    My favorite small appliance in the kitchen is my blender, followed by the Instant Pot. We have a big food processor with a ton of attachments and we use it because we have it, but we could get by fine without it for the most part. We started using it more now that we do batching on weekends because once it is out and dirty, may as well make use of it. It does a nice job of grating and slicing, but I find it hard to get the right size when chopping.

    I did a slow walk yesterday and it started out on the painful side. It got better as I warmed up, and then got more sore again by the end of the walk. It did seem to help overall for the rest of the day and I got a much better sleep.

    Today
    breakfast - a change! Rip's Big Bowl cereal, the one with bananas and walnuts w/ almond milk
    lunch - salad, island vinaigrette, chickpeas
    dinner - korean bbq pizza, salad


  • liapr
    liapr Posts: 648 Member
    Hi guys, week 1 feels good so far except for the headache today! I knew it was coming, and I was just lucky yesterday I didn't get it. Also, my sleep has been weird since the baby is sick too, so that may be part of it. I'm going with tried and true (Fuhrman and OSG this week, and some basic salads) but I really need to expand my salad game!

    Jacque, Good question re 5 staples, it's so interesting seeing everyone's answers! Every week, among the various groceries we buy, we always make sure that we have (1) Cans of beans/tomatoes, (just starting to get into dried beans in the IP) (2) A big container of spinach and big container of spring mix (3) Bananas and oranges (4) Frozen fruit & almond milk for smoothies (5) Bags of rice and lentils (6) Veggie stock

    Carla, I know this is probably stupid but I never thought about using the food processor to prep veggies and stuff lol. Maybe enlighten me a little?

    Karrie, please come to Ontario - I've just heard that they are running a goat yoga session at the end of the month in my home town!!! What could be better?!?! I love little goaties, and I love the idea of them jumping on and around me lol. (I will probably stink like barn afterwards, but WORTH IT!)
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Fun to read everyone's staples. Karrie reminded me I always have garlic too, and Carla I also have sprouted grain bread in the freezer. I haven't had any bread since starting the 6 week plan though.

    Well done on the treadmill Karrie! Do you go to yoga classes or do it at home?

    Carla, hope your soreness wears off soon. I've been meaning to try some of the Engine 2 cereal. How was it?

    Lia, it's no fair for babies to be sick. Hope you are both on the mend. Glad the first week is going well!

    C&P, I love fresh mushrooms but hate cleaning and chopping them, so if it's a choice of throwing a can of mushrooms in whatever beans and greens concoction I'm making or having no mushrooms, I am okay with canned.

    I was actually considering buying something a little indulgent while at the grocery, since I'm through the 6 weeks, but I didn't see anything that literally called to me, and I thought it's kind of crazy to plan on having something just for the heck of it, with no craving or social occasion or anything. So I bailed on that idea, and will wait until there's at least some reason to indulge.

    L - big 'ol salad same as yesterday
    D - small salad same as last night, the last of the great northern bean concoction, sauteed chard, two wasa crackers, a tangerine with a couple walnuts and some chia seeds
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Goat yoga sounds so weird, and so fun!
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    edited April 2018
    Jet lag is officially over! I feel good. The mornings are still cool here but sunny. Great time to walk. Cleo and I went for 4 miles yesterday. I had several phone calls to make and discovered my bluetooth head phones were great for walking & talking. I am sure I look like an old nerd.

    Liapr - I love goats and goat yoga sounds like a blast. I too like everyone's list. It has helped me to get focused.

    Carla - I think it will be 70's for most of the ride. Hopefully not that horrible headwind as the last ride. Brooks found a beginner's triathlon for me to do in Austin, Tx first of May. Yikes. Then a sprint Triathlon in August. It is in Culver, Indiana at his high school. One of his friends asked us to do it with them and they have a vacation house there, so ....wow...now it feels real. I hope we are swimming in the pool there and not the lake. Not ready for that experience.

    I speak a little Italian with a horrible accent.

    Mihani, I get so inspired by reading yours and everyone else's menu for the day. All I can think of right now is breakfast and going to have a bowl of banana, blueberries, walnuts and almond milk (inspired by Carla).


    Jacque - I get very impatient too. Even though mentally I "allowed" myself to gain 5 lbs on vacation (and I only gained 3) I have been fluctuating at about the same weight since February.
    I am 2 lbs away from onederland.

    I made a Mother's day card for my MIL who is obsessed with tea yesterday.j96lmb5p9935.jpg
    muxbdeer3cw2.jpg




  • CoffeeandHumblePie
    CoffeeandHumblePie Posts: 139 Member
    Good morning all! Thanks for your input on your food supply - very helpful and I now realize I'm well on track.

    Donna, your bike tour sounds fun! My old 10-speed bike was not a good fit (back issues), so WJ (husband) surprised me with a retro bicycle. It's cute, but no gears, so hills are a no-go for this old bod. [me: No gears? What were you thinking, hubs? ;) ] But, it works well for our neighborhood rides as our streets are flat.

    Goat yoga! Our niece is a yoga instructor and shared pics recently of her goat yoga experience. She loved it!

    Carla, are you doing better? Lia, how about you?

    Karrie, house selling can wear on the nerves, can't it? Hang in there!

    I was ready for a big salad for dinner last night! I've been eating what sounds good and haven't been up for the big salad lately. Mostly, I've been eating raw veggies and beans on high-fiber whole wheat pita (topped with spinach and salsa).

    Today:
    B- oatmeal w/cinnamon, banana, 1 T. nut blend (finely chopped walnuts, almonds, pepinos, coconut), and a teaspoon of Enjoy Life mini-choc chips.

  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    Wow, I love that pop-up card, Donna! I'm sure your MIL is going to love it too. (I have that same washi tape :) ) That's exciting about all of the events you guys are signed up for! Nothing like a deadline like that for motivation.

    Lia, the recipes in our meal plan will sometimes specifically instruct me to use the food processor. Things like "add the garlic and pulse until minced, then add the onion until a fine dice (don't overdo it and turn it to liquid), then add the garbanzo beans, cilantro, etc and pulse 10 to 20 times, until the beans are crumbly but don't turn it into hummus! .... stuff like that. I have a grating plate and a slicing plate that I use whenever I need grated carrot or other veggies, and the slicer is fab when I need even slices done fast. I have a little manual press that I use a lot for onions when I want them evenly cut and not too small. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HC7BNJA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Goat yoga?!? I think I need to go to ON, too!

    Karrie, I love how you get into a groove with exercise and kill it! I hope you get some action on the old house. Things should pick up now that it's spring! Do you still have furniture in it?

    Jacque, a retro bike sounds cute! But I'm with you on the no gears, no hills mindset! My MIL and FIL have powered bicycles to assist them going up hills. They have amazing range. We've though about getting one of those each but the temptation to use the assist all the time might be too much for us!

    I've been following the tracking info on my treadmill somewhat obsessively, and yesterday it made it to Seattle! The local courier should be calling to set up a delivery date any day now. I was hoping to have it by this weekend, but realistically it will probably not be here until some time next week.

    My art class got canceled due to low registration numbers, so I decided to take a (yarn) spinning class instead. It starts in a week and a half. I'm going to lug my own wheel to class. I'm hoping I get inspired to do a bunch of spinning again. I have some lovely fiber that has been waiting for me.

    Yesterday I over-ate at lunch and dinner. I don't want to fall back into bad habits so today I am on the straight and narrow. (The Korean BBQ pizza for dinner was really good, but too tempting for me to eat beyond full.)

    Today
    B - smoothie
    L - salad, baked tofu, dressing
    S - mandarin orange
    D - oven-fried cauliflower salad w/ mandarin oranges, sesame dressing & crunchy noodle & almond topping
  • whats_her_name
    whats_her_name Posts: 716 Member
    Lia, goat yoga would be great! They ran a goat yoga class here last year; I only heard about it after the fact. It would be cute, but I'm not sure I'd actually get any yoga done. I'd be too busy playing....

    I usually do yoga at home. I have a couple of videos and a book. I have taken 2 different classes. One I loved and the other I hated. It completely depends on the instructor and what you're there to achieve. So that's why I do it at home now. I just have to find some time to fit it in...

    Carla, we do still have furniture in the old house right now. Some we're keeping, but most of it is going to be sold. But we don't want to show a vacant house, as it's likely to get us a lowball offer... Almost all of my craft room is still at the old house. Only my knitting has been moved so far. So that's going to be a huge job. Everything else is just furniture. Dining room table, couches, beds, etc. Sell it and let the buyer worry about moving it...

    I didn't have a meal ready last night and I had to cook, but I ended up inhaling half of my pantry while I was waiting for supper to be ready. Oops. :neutral: Dang it...

    My daughter had her braces adjusted yesterday and they're very sore again (hasn't happened in a while), so I'm going to make vegan potato leek soup tonight. It's her favorite. I'm looking forward to it too; yum!

    Oh, I keep forgetting to post the lemon pie date ball recipe. Here it is finally, SORRY!

    Lemon Pie Date Balls
    - yields 4 date balls, serving size is 2 date balls
    6 medjool dates, pitted
    3 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
    1 tbsp. pecans
    juice and zest of 1 lemon

    place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until mixture comes together.

    Of course, I usually double the recipe. I also usually roll them in more shredded coconut so they're pretty. Very simple and tasty! A great way to tide you over between meals.
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Sweet card Donna. You are definitely back in the groove, 4 mile walk is excellent.

    Glad you are enjoying your salads more C&P.

    Carla, maybe when you get the treadmill you can program in the delivery route and walk it lol. Sorry to hear your class got cancelled, but glad you signed up for something else.

    Lemon Pie Date Balls sound really good Karrie. I’ll make a note of that. I remember a while back seeing a website that had a whole bunch of different lara bar type recipes. I was planning to make some but decided they might be dangerous!

    I was glad I didn’t give in to my impulse to eat something off the 6 week plan yesterday. I wasn’t planning a total free for all kind of indulgence, but thinking something like a veggie burger or a pita pizza. The more I thought about it, I have lost my cravings lately, but the time I had the Mary’s Gone Crackers during the 6 weeks I overate on them. I just don’t need to test myself like that right now.

    L – big ol’ salad, small handful of walnuts
    D – small salad, sautéed turnip greens (still not my favorite greens, think I may give up on trying to develop a taste for them when there are other greens I enjoy eating), “stir-fry” broccoli and edamame with ginger, garlic and soy sauce, frozen mixed berries heated up a bit and tossed with a fresh chopped pear and chia seeds
  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    edited April 2018
    LOL, not a bad idea on mapping the delivery route, Mihani. It came from somewhere in CA. No reason to bring those cravings back when you aren't even really wanting something. I was completely over my cravings, but 1 cupcake and a few handfuls of trail mix and now I'm having to fight to stay on track again. It isn't worth it.

    Thanks for the date ball recipe, Karrie! I think I'll make a single recipe up the next time my mom and I go for a long walk so that we can go out for a tea/coffee and have a little snack to go with. I've taken 2 yoga classes as well and loved one and didn't even finish the other even though I paid for it. The one I loved was 90 minutes of hot yoga. Fantastic but took too much of the day because it was about a 20 minute drive each way on top of the 90 minutes and very necessary shower after. The more recent yoga class was too hippy dippy for me and not enough of a workout.

    I just finished reorganizing my clothes closet and pulling out some of the items that are too big now. I found a few smaller clothes in a box that fit and almost fit. For some reason I don't have a workout tank and I don't see any around in the next size down either, so I may get a cheap one for now. I just wear a t-shirt for walks but when I'm jogging I like something cool that wicks the moisture away and dries fast after washing so I can wear it daily.

    Last night's salad was really good! Loved the baked cauliflower and the sesame dressing with mandarin slices. I made the bowls a little too big and got stuffed. At least I was stuffed on salad.

    I bought a few loose leaf teas to help tide me over now that I'm dealing with a few cravings again. I got Okinawa Lemon and Evening in Missoula. Both very nice. The Missoula one has spearmint and chamomile in it, among other things.

    B - smoothie
    L - mixed baby greens with mandarin slices, baked tofu & leftover sesame dressing
    S - orange or pear, tea
    D - Teriyaki Tofu Tacos
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    edited April 2018
    Everyone's meals sound delicious.

    Brooks rocked it last night. He made a quinoa bowl with black beans, roasted corn, tomatoes, red onion, lime and avocado. I had roasted some sweet potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower that we had too. I was so full but down again today!

    Great walk with dogs. We came upon about 16 vultures having a feast and later saw a bald eagle plus the usual deer.

    Started spring cleaning today. Carla you have me inspired to start on my closet next week.

    B - blueberries, banana, walnuts, flax seed and walnuts plus almond milk
    L- leftover quinoa bowl with an egg.
    D - Chana Masala with roasted broccoli and cauliflower
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Love finding "new" clothes right in your closet Carla! I am looking forward to wearing some of the things that I am soooo close to fitting into, but just not quite there. They fit, but would be a tad uncomfortable over a whole day at work. I think I need to lose another 5 or so for them to fit right.

    Quinoa bowl sounds delicious Donna. What chana masala recipe do you use?

    I am having a debate with myself whether I want to run to the store tonight or wait until tomorrow. I kind of like the idea of just getting it over with tonight.

    L - big salad, threw the leftover broccoli and edamame from last night in it that was nice
    D - small salad, sauteed collard greens, 2 Lundberg Red Rice and Quinoa thin stackers crackers, dessert 1/4 cup oatmeal with mixed berries, oat milk, cinnamon

    I really like these Lundberg Thin Stackers that I came across recently. The only ingredients are puffed brown rice, red rice and quinoa. Serving size is 4 cakes for 100 calories, zero sodium, 1 g fat, no sugars. I only eat 2 cakes when I have them. They are really good, but they don't cause that mindless eating some snacks give me.

  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    Mihani - I tried this one. It seems okay plus I added veggies to it. https://simpleveganblog.com/simple-chana-masala/
  • whats_her_name
    whats_her_name Posts: 716 Member
    Just checking in; yesterday was terrible. My "Friday the 13th" came a day early... No time to chat this morning, but I hope everyone has a great weekend. I know I am REALLY looking forward to it!!
  • Carla_wfpb
    Carla_wfpb Posts: 1,372 Member
    Ack, sorry you had a bad day yesterday, Karrie! Hope today is lucky for you :)

    Ruby went back to the vet and we're going to go ahead with the ligament surgery. She is going to have to stay a few nights in the hospital afterwards, and then she will have exercises we need to do at home and physio appointments as well. They have a water treadmill they use that keeps most of the weight off her leg while she walks. We don't know when she'll be scheduled yet, but in the meantime she is on more anti-inflammatories and pain meds. She isn't allowed to even move around freely in the living room anymore and has to be confined to the laundry room. It takes 12 weeks to heal afterwards. Poor pup!

    I got in a walk with Joe after work yesterday. It was a gorgeous sunny day with a cool breeze. My favorite walking weather. Good thing we did, too, because it is raining today and the forecast is rain for the rest of the weekend.

    I had trail mix last night. Bah! Joe was eating it in front of me and the temptation was too great. I'm not buying any more raisins, except in the quantity needed for recipes.

    B - smoothie
    L - salad, sesame dressing, mandarin orange
    D - bowl w/ udon noodles, broccoli stir fry and 'yum yum' sauce.
  • liapr
    liapr Posts: 648 Member
    Hi guys, happy Friday the 13th!! Does feel like it was a bit of a weird week. Hope yours finished off better than yesterday, Karrie! We are having crazy rain apparently all weekend long (with the potential for freezing rain). I'm so ready for spring!!!

    Mm your meals always sound so interesting, Mihani! Simple but things that don't seem obvious to me. I should throw broccoli into my salad!

    Donna, so cool that you reguarly get to see some wildlife in your walks!! Also, what does a beginner triathlon entail?! ! You're so brave. Also, I wish I could make things like that... soo cute.

    Carla, oooh send pictures of your yarn spinning!! Yay for new found clothes too. I can always find justifications for new exercise clothes too... "it will make me go to the gym more!!!" lol.

    Jacque, I totally go in and out of salad phases too!! I generally prefer cooked veggies, but luckily I've been into salads lately. I can tell I'm going to be bored soon though so I'd better find some more interesting recipes. I'm feeling better though, over my cold finally!!!
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Thanks for the recipe link Donna.

    Hope everything is okay Karrie!

    Awww... poor Ruby :( So hard to have to keep her cooped up too.

    We finally had a real spring day today Lia. It's about time! How is your ETL week going?

    One more weekend of work hell and I am going to take the following weekend completely off (unless the weather is crappy in which case I'll go ahead and go to the office and choose another weekend).

    L - I totally forgot to eat, too busy
    D - brought home my lunch salad, had some Italian seitan in the fridge so I opened that and browned it (without oil) in a cast iron skillet and threw some on the salad with some of the cashew caesar... yum! Thinking it would be good with some sauteed onions and peppers on the salad too. A bowl of mixed berries with chia seeds and cinnamon and 1/4 cup of oats with oat milk for dessert.
  • bisky
    bisky Posts: 1,090 Member
    edited April 2018
    Carla - I am so sorry Ruby has to have surgery. The water exercise sounds great though.

    Mihani - I hope you get to enjoy the spring weather despite working.

    Liapr - It was a weird week, or weird day. I don't suppose you want to hear it was in the 80's this afternoon here in Texas ?

    This is the beginners Triathlon I am entering: Rookie Triathlon – 300 meter Swim, 11 mile Bike, 2 mile Run. In Italy I was up to 2000 meters swimming but I am a slow swimmer. 11 mile bike ride will be easy but I am not running so I might walk or run/walk.

    I had planned to dog walk with a friend in the morning. Brooks was going to a field exercise but unknown to him it was cancelled so he got to join us for a 3 mile walk. I did not have time to have more than coffee & fruit. Then we went to this place called the Mellow Mushroom. I had vegetarian mushroom pizza and shared a spinach salad.

    We were going to swim in the afternoon but Brooks hit a wall. I actually had my swim suit on under my clothes when he took a nap. Now going to go help friend stuff swag bags for a tennis tournament tomorrow our YMCA is having. Our local YMCA outdoor pool opens Monday and it will make it so much easier to swim laps.

  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Wow, the triathlon sounds tough Donna!

    L - big ol' salad with 6 Mary's Superseed Crackers
    D - going to make a sprouted grain pita pizza with tomato sauce, spices, nooch, peppers, onion and the rest of the seitan from last night with a side salad and a piece of fruit
  • CoffeeandHumblePie
    CoffeeandHumblePie Posts: 139 Member
    edited April 2018
    Hi everyone! We are in day 2 of an on-again-off-again-blizzard. Lia & Carla, I wonder if it's the same storm system that's giving you rain? Yesterday was movies & popcorn & cuddling with Tucker (bichon-poo). Oh, and my 21 year old asked if he could take me to breakfast (oatmeal!) before the storm hit. A rare treat to have one-on-one time. Today, Wes and I got out for grocery shopping and to get our 18 year old to work. Also got my walk in at the track and was able to work in some jogging - it felt great! Tomorrow we're supposed to drive north for father-in-laws 91st birthday but with the snow we may have to postpone.

    I've started body brushing again. It's supposed to help a lot with flabby skin as you lose weight and I'm down enough that my skin is wrinkling in areas I didn't expect. Since I'm on a blood thinner I wasn't sure about doing it as I bruise at the drop of a hat. So far, so good though. If you haven't tried it, it feels great!

    I was thrilled to find 3 varieties of no-salt canned beans at Walmart today. Organic, too! I'm sticking with a menu that's working right now, but I've decided to make one new recipe a week (something with leftovers) and have decided on lentil meatloaf. I will use Jill McKeever's recipe.

    Donna, your triathlon sounds so exciting! I'm rather phobic about putting my face in water so my "swimming" is very slow. Can't wait to hear how it goes as you prepare.

    Carla, pulling out stored clothes is just like shopping sometimes! What a great feeling to fit back into smaller sizes. I have been a size 18 for over 20 years, so I don't have a stash to go to. I've been relying on Kohl's coupons & sales for a few items and will be shopping at local thrift stores for some summer things. Sorry to hear about Ruby! Hope everything goes smoothly.

    Mihani, hope your work weekend is better than expected! And Karrie, hope the aftermath of Friday the 13th is treating you well!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    B - Oatmeal w/banana, mixed raw nuts and a teaspoon of Enjoy Life mini dark chocolate chips
    L - Sweet potato topped with pinto beans, salsa, onion and jalepenos, Romaine & Kale salad with cherry tomatoes & 1 T. of Olive Garden dressing. (It's my one oil splurge....)
    D - I'm gonna try to make that meatloaf and serve with salad.








  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Way to go on jogging C&P! That's some dedication to go out in a snowstorm to get your exercise done. Let us know how the meatloaf turns out.
  • Mihani
    Mihani Posts: 4,100 Member
    Week 7 results 2.2 total 18.2. The only thing I did differently this week is added salad to dinner. During the 6 weeks it was just easiest for me to have a big salad at lunch then cooked greens and other veggies with beans or tofu (and maybe a grain) at dinner. Maybe there's something to this salad at lunch AND dinner thing. Hoping to hit the 20 pounds down mark in week 8.