LESS Alcohol ~ August 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

@itladyee I do really like your spreadsheet, you did a nice job there. I may borrow it to track no chocolate days. When's your sister's surgery date?

Over here I'm experimenting with finding the best tasting pea protein shake. My protein intake is pretty low so I've given up and bought powders. While last night I did make "the right" dinner of ginger flavored sockeye salmon with avocado, brown rice and broccoli, that type of occurrence where I get "macros" right is well, like only once or twice a week at best.

@LittleSurferGirl7 like you, I have some at home exercise gear and that's what I am doing today after a walk outside. I am aiming for just 10-15 min weights, 5x a week, while immersed in youtube. Then drinking half a serving of pea protein shake plus chocolate collagen powder mix. Maybe it will do something magical for my muscles, who knows, but I will give it a try.

Today I will drink only good healthy stuff.

@globalhiker I use different protein powders on a fairly regular basis - both pea protein and whey isolate based products. My DH and I enjoy them on most days. I’ll have mine when I return from Barre this morning.

Whey + is a natural grass-fed whey isolate protein powder from dairy farms in Ireland - by Legion. Buy on Amazon- Very clean and the Dutch chocolate is delicious. Also combine with 1/2 banana in my ninja to make thick, chocolaty banana shakes for 150 cals.
Or, I just tried the Costco Kirkland creamy chocolate whey protein isolate (huge bag - 5 lbs.). Very tasty and provides protein synthesis with most of amino acid chains. We will be using this during my husband’s knee surgery recovery period.

Sprouts brand is also a very good for Whey- Choco or Vanilla. I just don’t get over there too often.

Lastly, I do use a pea protein ( which you asked about) ‘super food’ powder occasionally by the popular Orgain brand for plant protein - Vanilla or Strawberry. It offers probiotics as well. I mix in blueberries or strawberries for added fiber and flavor. ‘Pea’ seems to have a bit stronger flavor for me, but with all the added fruit and sometimes a Stevia it packs a punch resulting in a thick, sweet and healthy shake for under 200 calories. It’s really the only brand of pea that I do like.
I also love Vital Proteins Collagen in my coffee every morning (since age 60) in addition to the shakes. Goodness gracious the battle to maintain muscle is real. I found Creatine recently by Legion for muscle endurance, recovery and brain health, lol.

All the PP’s provide between 22-25 grams of protein.
Good luck on your quest! You are doing great.

Today, I will be drinking only healthy beverages with you.

@Womona and @LittleSurferGirl7 sometimes all you need is a good vanilla ice cream. I love a good real vanilla bean ice cream when in can get it. I’m a chocolate fiend, but I will pass it up for real vanilla bean ice cream.

Was thinking about a walk today, but it is raining and I’m tired. Hubby didn’t sleep well last night, so I didn’t sleep well last night. He’s talking about going for a walk in the morning, but it’s calling for thunderstorms at the hour he wants to go. I think I’ll pass.

Slow day at work, leftovers for dinner hopefully staying under my calorie limit for the 2nd day, and an AF evening.

A-2
AF-3

@tmbg1 you got this!! Have a great time with your family, always good to have a plan in place

I’m at 50/50 for the first 6 days of August. AF plans for tonight after a busy day ahead of lunch with friends and a Derm appt.
I’m already thinking of just getting into my pajamas early and cozying up to my book.

Also planning a simple N.A. birthday brunch for my elderly mom for Sunday with family. God willing she will make the 2 hr train trip on Amtrak on Sat. for one overnight and home.

@LittleSurferGirl7, sending prayers to you and your husband. I hope he recovers from the effects of the fall, and that he experiences no problems with that aneurism, that's scary. Best wishes on your choices today.

I'll bet a short term diet of ice cream and protein shakes will help people be AF more easily.

@Michieb125 really great advice - I'll check into the Orgain. And I use Vital Proteins chocolate flavor, half the amount daily. If I skip it for 2 days, the morning joint stiffness sets in bigtime. I take it with 500mg vit C and that is supposed to help with arthritis and it totally works for me.

I like powders pretty plain, no gums, fake stuff, low lactose. I have Truvani in the house and it's just OK. It lacks flavor intensity and a bit too sweet. Would only buy it when seriously discounted. Other days I am happy with plain Siggi's yogurt mixed with nescafe espresso powdered decaf or a spoonful of organic raspberry preserves.

@Womona vanilla ice cream is delicious with chocolate syrup or some pistachios or cherries or all 3.

@LittleSurferGirl7 I hope your husband feels better. Once I randomly and unexpectedly fell and fainted and landed in the ER and kept overnight and tested for weeks thereafter only to hear that it's most common to not know what caused it. They thought it was heat or low salt. I wasn't even drinking when it happened but it was after a cup of coffee. ER doctor says sometimes we just go ALT-Control-Delete. Yep he really said that.

Have a great rest of the week everyone - next time you feel like a drink maybe try something like a diet root beer with a scoop of real vanilla ice cream :)

Thanks everyone! Hubby is still kind of laid up. Hopefully, he'll be more mobile tomorrow.

There's been a lot of good discussions about protein powders, etc. I will have to back track to read it all.

Have a nice night!