Nanc, yeah I am not sleeping well at all lately. Really odd, but I do go through periods of time now and again. Usually I love to sleep and it's more about waking up than staying asleep. How exciting about the new rug! I need some rugs for upstairs (all wood floors) but I am waiting for my contractor to do a little more work up there.

Dinner salad ended up being red leaf, steamed broccoli, pickled onion, beets, a little spicy brown mustard and a drizzle of sriracha. I know everyone is crazy about sriracha these days but it is a bit too spicy for me sometimes. I have to be cautious about how much I use.

Mihani - I am going to commissary in a few to get broccoli and a few other vegetables for steamer. How long do you microwave ? The garbanzo beans from the can were rinsed, no need to dry, toss with a tiny bit of oil and seasonings then air fry. Easy peasy. . I am going to look for a bag of chick peas to cook in instant pot tonight and then use 1/2 for hummus and air fry the rest. You are scoring on the GBOMBS today. Same with you Mihani.

Magic - How exciting to have everything organized AND NEW RUGS! When and if we move back to our house I want new rugs. I bought a big rug from an estate sale for the living room 8x12 for the house on base. Where the dogs spend most of their time. It is pretty and easy to clean but not for long term.

That is very passive aggressive for the lady on Ozempic to bring in doughnuts. What the hell? Something about that really bothers me. The whole ozempic thing sends me in a rant.
I am going to rage on for a bit. Several things that bother me about this quick weight loss drug:
They charge an arm and a leg for it. Pharmaceutical companies are making billions off it.
Seems only the rich can afford it. Oprah and Kelly Clarkson have lost their weight but can the average person afford it? I would rather take $12,000 and go to Dr. Furhman’s 30 day camp. If I win the lotto I will take us all there!
I don’t think the drug has been tested enough. Remember the Phen/Fen craze?
Health does not seem to be the goal. Just weight loss. Bringing in doughnuts? She still is making unhealthy food choices. What a slippery slope.
Focus is totally on appearance, weight loss and not on healthy diet.
All the unhealthy junk food is still not demonized. What happens if a person can no longer afford the drug? Does their hunger hormones drive them to eat?

One interesting result is how powerful the hunger hormones are. Ozempic and those drugs quite the “food noise” that the hormones that drive us to eat.
Artificial sweeteners and empty processed carbs stimulate those hunger hormones.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210928/Artificial-sweeteners-in-drinks-may-increase-food-cravings-and-appetite-study-reveals.aspx


I had 10 vials of blood drawn for annual checkup in 2 weeks including iron panel and vitamin levels plus CBC, chemistry, kidney, liver, cholesterol panel and A1c levels this am.
Lunch: arugula, beets, walnuts, raw sunflower seeds and pomegranate seeds. Yes all from Trader Joe’s.
Dinner roasted peppers, onions and mushrooms in corn street taco. Fruit for dessert.

Bisky, I wondered about how long Nanc was nuking her steamer but then I realized that I had a smaller size so likely cooks more quickly. I think Nanc said she does broccoli for 4 minutes. I do 2 to 2.5 minutes and it's just right for me. I would probably start with 2.5 and you can always cook it more. It's hard to "uncook" it. Plus, all microwaves are different.

I must be so out of the loop. I've heard of ozempic of course, but hadn't read or heard much about it. Not for me. If it was an option when I was younger? Probably would have gone for it.

I have a checkup coming too although not scheduled yet. Need to go get blood drawn then schedule.

Love to see and hear that Obi is doing so well. Is he still eating well? All the "kids" playing well together?

Nanc, I slept a little bit better last night too. Fitbit tells me a little over 7 hours. Much better than the 4 or 5 that I was getting.

Magic and Mihani thank you for the steamer info. Guess what I forgot yesterday at commissary? Brocolli and mushrooms! I was so excited that they had cut up peppers, zucchini and celery.

Unless you are rich, the Ozempic and other GLP-1RA meds will bankrupt the average person until prices come down. It costs about $1,000/ month and most insurance companies won’t cover it. It was originally developed to treat Type2 Diabetes but then when the amazing weight loss benefits were reported the demand increased, there was a shortage and the price sky rocketed. The weight loss is not sustainable if you go off it and especially if the person never changed their eating habits…I.e. doughnuts! I guess I am still ranting. It will be interesting to see the long term research on it. I think it would be okay s long as it is combined with counseling and nutrition guidance. But western medicine likes to subscribe a pill, get the profits and kick you out the door.

Hello, all!
I let life get in the way there for a bit. I am back on MFP and was delighted to this group going. If y'all don't mind a new/old face, I'll hop in!

Welcome back Austin! What have you been up to?

Magic- lack of a good night’s sleep can affect me in so many ways. I hope it does not continue.

Mihani - I have the idea of the perfect exercise equipment for you! It involves a leash and 4 paws!💕You will be committed into getting your steps in. 😂. I agree about the drugs. I only take vitamins and Tylenol when needed.

Coffee & Humble Pie - How are you doing with the meal prep and work? I bet there are some wonderful plant based you tube videos out there for ideas.

Carla- we miss you. How are the pups?

I realized yesterday I am getting more steps in the last two weeks. Maybe why I am so tired. I checked yesterday…I don’t keep track of it that much…..14,000 steps and the day before 16,000! Charlie Bear has really slowed down and loves to toddle around and sniff. My goals when I walk him is to drink 8 ounces of water. So every time he stops to sniff I drink water rather than get upset. I walk him by himself now and then give him a chew while I walk the other two. Obi can keep up with Cleo so I get a good walk in now.

Labs came back. New lows for triglyceride's ( 115)and LDL (118) A1C 5.3! Iron and Ferritin are the highest in years so not anemic! I think the veggie smoothies, salads etc. are really paying off and eliminating coffee with cream, cheese and eggs have had a big impact. The only disappointment was my protein was too low (6.0). I had stopped the protein shakes. My yearly follow up with internal med. Dr. is in two weeks so I expect a little flack but also will make an appt. With nutritionist to discuss protein requirements.

We went to a place called Sweetgreens last night….Basically build your own bowl…Had kale, broccoli, mushrooms, quinoa, tofu, onions and black beans with a spicy delicious cashew dressing! Brought 1/2 home. Brooks had almost the same except instead of tofu he had grass fed beef 🙄. he has to do him and overall it is healthier than his Friday night cheese burger, fries and a beer. He could only eat 1/2. He said to me…I really like quinoa! So I will start making it more for him and mix all his GBOMBS in except blueberries. .

Obedience clas this afternoon for Obi!