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New Beginnings for January!
bisky
Posts: 1,112 Member
I’m back! more later but definetly back
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Yay! welcome back Bisky! How was your trip?
I went for my walk outside this morning. I've been using the treadmill because the ground outside is either too wet, or lately, frozen, which makes for a lumpy and treacherous walk in the field. Today Joe is in the office so I took the doggos for their morning walk. There's something in the air that doesn't smell great - smoke with chemicals mixed in. Maybe from the LA fires.
Tonight we're having one of our favorite Plantage meals, Chickn 'Fried' Tofu with Mixed greens, ranch dressing and baked yukons. I could probably eat it every night for a year before I got tired of it.1 -
TY Carla! The trip was fantastic. Highly recommend Viking cruises. Expensive but the staff, service, fresh food and excursions were wonderful. Thought I would really adore Vienna, Austria and we did enjoy it but Bratislava, capital of Slovakia stole by heart. Beautiful old town with quaint little shops. The least commercialized city. We also did a day visit to a big Abby in Austria that had their own vineyard and apricot trees. Bought apricot schnapps. The Abby had thousands of acres, hiking trails and beautiful structures.0
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Ok, this I really enjoyed for starting out the NY and thought I would share:
Success isn’t about big dramatic changes. It’s small consistent actions that stack up over time.
1. Set Daily Goals:
Start every morning by writing down 3 non negotiable tasks that move you closer to your dreams.
2. Learn a New Skill:
Dedicate 1 hour a day to mastering or learning something that increases your potential.
3. Prioritize Health:
Commit to clean eating, exercise and at least 7 hours of sleep.
4. Detach From Negativity:
Avoid drama. Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on what truly matters to you.
5. Take Consistent Action:
Show up daily, even when it is hard. Progress compounds over time.
It snowed in San Antonio last night! Stay warm my friends.
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Oh and the best part after coming home from cruise? I lost 4!lbs. I was sure I was up a few but i concentrated on healthy choices. Because of the gluten allergy I could not have most of the vegetarian options that had pasta or flour. I did have fresh fruits and vegetables all 3 meals. I love cucumbers for breakfast. I did have veggie egg white omelet for breakfast. Soups for lunch and salads plus vegetables for dinner. I was sure I would be up a few lbs. we walked 5-7 miles a day.0
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First of all, big congrats on losing weight while on your cruise! I bet there's not many people that can say that. Plus all of those miles walked. I should rethink the cruise idea. You never know which place will steal your heart and it is a great way to see several cities. I didn't know it could snow in San Antonio
cute pic
Today I have some work to get through that will take a good portion of the day. Aside from that, I am going to go on the treadmill, and then do some experimental weaving.
here it the sampler in progress, the fabric will fill in and even out once I wash it.
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I would highly recommend Viking cruises. They are pricy. The river cruises are about 200 people. not like the mega cruises. The ocean cruises have more people. You can be as active as you want. plus so much healthy food. And no children under 16! No snobby formal dinners. most people wear jeans or very casual clothes.
Your weaving is beautiful. Did you design that pattern?0 -
I'm definitely picking a small cruise ship if/when we go. Viking was one of the ones I was interested in. Healthy food & no snobby formal dinners are both at the top of my priorities list. We had to cancel our Azamara cruise and it has been several months - I have read that they are hard to get refunds from...I need to check our card and see if they ever did refund us. If that turns out to be a problem, of course we will never choose them again, but for healthy food, good ship space to people ratio, and casual atmosphere, they came out at the top along with Viking.
There's no pattern. I'm just making up some of my own stuff and trying different techniques from some reference books I have. I chose a black warp (the up and down threads) to go with anything. Guess what one of the weaving techniques is called? Brooks Bouquet! I'll get a close up of that one once it is off the loom.
I need to go get on that treadmill now before I lose my oomph!
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If you choose Viking tell them Brooks referred you and we each get a $100.00 off! We are looking at some Dec cruises. Also Overseas Adventure Travel is suppose to be good. Not just cruises.
Had vegetable bean soup with rice for lunch and multigrain gluten free seed cracker with pure almond butter and 1/2 a banana for snack. I have a new favorite from Trader Joe’s that I have to limit myself, caramel cofffee almonds! So good and a bit healthier than chocolates or cookies.
My rant. My middle sister keeps asking about my diet and what I am eating. I tell her basically gluten free, no processed junk foods, nuts, beans veggies and fruit plus my protein shakes. So for Xmas she sends me a big box of gluten free snacks. In it are things like Fritos, fake onion rings etc….mainly processed junk foods. Few bags of nut mixes. I took the box to pickle ball to share.0 -
Thanks, I'll check out Overseas Adventure. My in-laws are on a small cruise line right now, might even have been Viking, but I'll get their review in a few weeks when we meet up with them. If we book with Viking, I'll do the referral thing for sure.
That was the perfect thing to do with your snacks! I try to send things like that along with Joe when he goes into the office.
I just discovered Kaffree Roma, an instant coffee substitute with no caffeine. It really hits the spot when I want a coffee after I've had my allotment and want something in the afternoon or evening. Beats the heck out of tea, for me. BUT this one contains gluten. There are others that don't. (Teeccino Dandelion Dark Roast Herbal Coffee: A certified gluten-free, unsweetened herbal coffee, and others)
The weaving continues. It is a long warp so it could be on there for several more days, though I do have a shipment coming on Wednesday and once that arrives I have a new project I want to do. I signed up for a subscription box that comes 4x a year, each with 3 projects worth of yarn and patterns.0 -
Went out to brunch with friends. Nothing healthy. I ordered yogurt, fruit and pecans but they were out of Greek yogurt. 🙄 Had an egg and potato. We had a big salad for dinner.
The move last fall really put me over the edge. It was the 3rd move in 3 and a 1/2 years including to Japan and back. I think I have moving ptsd. We have just started emptying out our storage units and unpacking. I only unpacked clothes and some kitchen stuff last fall. I turned our dining room into a reading room with 2 comfy recliners, plants, candles and books. I never want to have formal dinners again. I never want a group more than 6 for dinner which will fit in the kitchen nook.
We did reserve another winter cruise from Prague to Paris and staying a couple of extra days in Paris after! It is only $25.00 to reserve a spot per person. We leave Dec 10. Few rooms left Carla!
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Your place looks lovely, Donna. We never use our dining area. We sit at the island or at the t.v. That big dining room table (which has 2 or 3 inserts to make it even more ridiculously large) doesn't get used for much more than stretching out yarn for weaving.
I find it really annoying when a restaurant can't have a few healthy options for vegans. I love Thai, Vietnamese and Indian food for all of the non meat options and vegetable dishes.
Not only have you moved 3 times in 3.5 years, which is mad by the way, but now you guys will be picking up and moving to Alaska! At least you will be able to keep most of your things in TX.
I think I'm going to give up on travel for now. It is too difficult to find someone to take care of our dogs. We won't leave them at a kennel again, unless it is for a few days in an emergency.
Prague to Paris sounds fantastic. Hey, Mihani, maybe I'll leave Joe to take care of the dogs and you and I can bunk on a cruise together!
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Good idea Carla! Two of my friends from Mah Jong are leaving their husbands this summer to go on an Alaskan cruise ending in Anchorage. They plan to stay a couple of days with us after the cruise.
I really hate going out anymore. I have to be so careful of the celiac problem. All I really want is a rich vegetable bean soup anymore.
Plan for today finish unpacking 3 more boxes, find homes for stuff and donation for thrift store. Walk dogs….TJ run for a mirepoix mix as base for one of my favorite vegetable bean soup ( because I am lazy and my hands have had an arthritic flair up from moving).
AND drink lots of tea!
Ciao for now.0 -
We have some sunny weather this morning, so I brought my newest scarf along on my walk with the doggos to get a pic. It is feathery soft and light.
I've been having an Ezekiel english muffin with a folded just egg for breakfast lately. I know it isn't a well rounded meal or anything, but it is quick and savory. I am so tired of blueberry oatmeal. Not that I've had it recently, but I overdid it and now it is unappealing.
We've got tofu cutlets with roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash with barley pilaf tonight for our dinner.
Missing you, Mihani!
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My mom turned 75 today. She and my dad are coming over for lunch. I'm giving her the scarf I made for her, which I forgot to post once it was done.
I ended up having cassoulet for dinner last night. Yum. lots of beans in it, and had it with a big green salad.
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These are beautiful scarves! I am sure your mother will love it. Happy birthday to her. Your dinner sounds delicious!
I poisoned myself two nights ago. I had Asian stir fry vegetables from Trader Joe’s. Delicious but with in 60 minutes I had severe abdominal pain. Checked package and it had wheat and gluten. Was sick all night. 🤢 Stuck to liquids next day. Better than Bouillon vegetable base is a safe recovery drink. I need to be so vigilante about checking labels. 🙄
I had preop appts today. Getting a cochlear implant in the ear I lost hearing next week. Kinda uneasy 😬.0 -
Oh wow, what a strong reaction to gluten! It must be hard to make sure it is never in anything, especially when you eat out.
I would be uneasy before surgery too, but it's very exciting that you're able to get the implant! I hope it works out great for you. Is it outpatient surgery? Does it start helping right away?
We had a nice visit with my parents and my mom loves her scarf. My dad made us a 2-D life sized rooster out of metal and affixed it to one of our fence posts out by the barn. I'll take a picture of it when it is light enough out.
Last night we had soup with some awesome bean balls in it and a sweet potato biscuit. Tonight will be a repeat. It was one of those meals that I wasn't looking forward to in particular but really enjoyed.
Happy Friday!0 -
Thought I'd wander in and say hi. Sorry haven't been around I was just feeling kind of sad about things and needed a break. I wrote a whole post and it disappeared. Figures.
No time to recreate the whole thing I need to get moving and get to the office, but in a nutshell still grooving on the starch blaster idea from Well Your World and lost 7 pounds in January. I eat that one or two times a day, and the rest of my meals are potatoes or sweet potatoes, fresh steamed veggies, atoria lavash wraps with lettuce and raw veggies, etc. plus fruit.
Carla, love the scarves!
Bisky, good luck with the operation. When are you heading to Alaska?
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Good Morning!
Mihani, you are back. Yay! 7 lb loss! Wow. I looked up Starch blaster and saw that there was an instant pot stew recipe. I love a good vegetable stew recipe. I could not find the actually recipe. So many times I have hit that Done button and erased my post. Now, after typing a . after a sentence I hit save draft.
Carla, I am sure your Mother loves her scarf. I know the relationship with mothers and daughters are fraught with drama but I miss my mother so much and wish I had made her more gifts. Can’t wait to see the rooster. Were the bean balls gluten free?
Need to make vegetable and bean soup today to get ready for surgery next week.
I had VD’s card workshop yesterday.
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Congrats on the 7lbs, Mihani! That is awesome. It is nice seeing a post from you again, you have been missed.
Looks like a fun card making session, bisky. I'm a big fan of polka dots and pandas so I'm loving those cards.
My mom does love her scarf. She is one of the people in my head when I am making things. I always want to show her what I've made and she always loves it, so it is easy to give to her.
We have maybe half an inch of snow on the ground, the first snow this season. The forecast is calling for varying amounts overnight. It doesn't take much for us to be snowed in with our steep & twisty driveway. Fingers crossed that Joe can get out by Wednesday to get to an appointment and to pick up our Plantage meals.0 -
Carla, hope you don't get too much snow.
Bisky, the card party looks like fun.
So, this will be a long post but you asked. LOL
The beauty of the starch blaster is there is no recipe. You can watch the demo here: https://wellyourworld.com/blogs/youtube-videos/starch-blaster?srsltid=AfmBOorvzoq-DH20zrBTQsojC0LBcZJtcpsxm6U3Wx4GwcqSDq9boIZl
I have made probably 8 batches now. A batch will last me 4 to 5 days then I make another one. I do kind of keep track of what I'm throwing in just so I can remember ones that turn out extra delicious. I have only had two "failures" which were still edible just not very enjoyable. One batch came out way too watery and I just threw in a handful of cous cous while it was still hot to soak up some of the water since cous cous cooks quickly. Too thick just add a little more water. I've always been pretty good at throwing things together and not worrying about recipes so they generally turn out great.
Probably my favorite so far that I've come up with is a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas, red lentils, brown rice, red or wild rice, whole wheat pasta, soy curls, lots of spices (that changes a bit every time) and some nooch, frozen spinach/kale, frozen peppers and onions, dehydrated veggie soup mix. I got a 5 pound bag of dehydrated veggie soup mix and it really adds a lot of oomph.
The one I made last night is similar to the one in the video. Another time I did a sort of 3 bean and barley chili that was really good. I have not got bored with it because it changes up every time, and I'm saving a lot on buying fresh produce that doesn't get used up. Not a big fan of frozen veggies but in the starch blaster the texture doesn't matter.
I've calculated them in the recipe builder through cronometer and seems to average around 400 calories for a serving, and I'm talking huge servings. I have no desire to snack after I eat that huge bowl for lunch, and eat a lighter dinner. I still eat oats a couple times a week for breakfast, but most days it's a sweet potato with steamed broccoli and some blueberries.
I typed some of that this morning the post I lost. Anyway, that's my plan for the next while, and for me it feels like finally finding quick, simple and sustainable enough that I can stick with it and make some progress on the scale. I am determined to lose this last 20 to 25 pounds this year.
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Good morning from snowy WA! We won't be going anywhere for a while. Joe and to cancel and reschedule his specialist appointment and we canceled our Plantage meals since we can't get out to pick them up. I'm hoping we'll be able to get out of the driveway this coming weekend so we can get some groceries in the house and up our supply of dog food.
I finished one of my weaving samples and the sampling has turned out to be a good idea. Very freeing and I can see which materials work well together. I used about half of my warp, so I need to tie it back up and finish the project so I can move on to the next one.
I might have to try out that starch blaster, thanks for the info Mihani.
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Carla, hope you are staying warm and safe! I think you would like the starch blaster. While I love Dr. F, I've always found that I need more starches than ETL allows to stick with it. I need those starches for energy and staying full, to keep me from craving the salty snacky.
I need to do some chores around the house this weekend, but I have a ton of work to do. We're recovering from a computer disaster and I have lost days worth of productive time dealing with that, plus people off sick, and a couple projects that pulled me away from things I wanted to work on and get off my desk. It really never ends.
But I am meeting up with friends tomorrow after work. Sometimes I'm tempted to blow off these weekly get-togethers, but I just feel like it's the one thing I do all week that isn't about working, driving to and from work, or trying to get to sleep while thinking about work. LOL
I sleep great once I get to sleep, but sometimes it is hard to get there. I read something that really helps which is "relax your body and your mind will follow" and it does work. If you try to get your brain to quit worrying it just won't, but if you concentrate on relaxing your body then your brain kind of has to follow along. I try to practice mindfulness regularly too, and it's crazy when you realize how much tension you are carrying in various parts of your body. Mine seems to concentrate in my jaws, neck and shoulders so if I consciously relax those parts of my body it helps.
Making a new batch of starch blaster since I ate the last of Sunday's batch for lunch today. I really am loving this not having to think about or plan meals, less shopping, little time cleaning and chopping veggies, few dishes or pots and pans, and I enjoy mixing up the things I put in there and coming up with new ideas. I may be lucky in that I don't really care if I eat the same thing for 4 or 5 days in a row, and I do mix it up at breakfast and dinner, but keeping it SO simple. The air fryer and instant pot are my new best friends. Love cutting a potato in half and throwing it in the air fryer on roast, have baked potato in 20 minutes and top with salsa and steamed veggies. Simplicity is key for me to stay on track.
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