I am also trying to stay focused for tge holidays @yakkystuff. Fortunately, we live in an area where there aren't tickets or treaters ( houses too far apart, they do the trunk or treat thing in town.) So no candy in the house.

I have been having some fun with the tracking again. Really trying to focus on finding the best breakfast. Right now I have a couple ofcreally good options. 400 to 500 calories with 30+ grams of protein.

Thanks for the pointers on the days. I'll keep my eye out for that. TBH, there are some names I recognize from another group I was in that was....interesting. Long-ish story. Kind of waiting to see how it goes but staying in for now.

How is November going for you so far?

Yeah @yakkystuff the traditional foods do get me. Especially some types of Christmas cookies. I used to be a baking fool around the holidays. Now keep it to just 2 kinds, really. And give most away. I do believe in having some during the holidays so tend to eat at maintenance and enjoy for the week of about Dec. 24 to the 31st. And Thanksgiving and day after too.

It seems as if you are trying to focus on a lot on whole foods. Trying to do that as well and avoid the truly processed ones as much as possible. We live in a great area with lots of local farms, so access to awesome fruits and vegs at a good price. My husband hunts and fishes, so that's a lot of our meat. And we can get other local meat easily as well. We frequently talk about how privileged we are and grateful to be here.

I love pb fit stirred into yogurt. I'll use it as a dip with my apples. Breakfast this morning was yogurt, some chocolate protein powder, a sprinkle of granola and fresh pineapple. So yummy.

I get what you mean about some tough months. Feels good to be getting back at it. And doing it more slowly this time has really helped me identify some fast changes I can make that will help me stay on track. Like swapping out cheddar cheese for low fat mozzarella. Better for calories and my cholesterol level.

I like the new group so far. I agree i think things will quiet down then really jump up again. Pretty typical, I think.

I know what you mean about the dirty pots and pans!! We only eat out once every couple of weeks. Usually splitting a meal and app because portions are so big. But all that home cooking means lots of dirty dishes.

But I really like the control over what I am eating and how it is prepared. We have been trying a bunch of new recipes this year based on local produce and access to foods. Things like acorn squash stuffed with wild rice, mushrooms and sausage.

We are supposed to get snow this weekend. I am not looking forward to this because i am so not ready. But, just guess that is what I get for choosing to live where I do. Maybe I'll make a big pot of chili this weekend. Will make my week easier.

Ok @yakkystuff I finally figured out our Thanksgiving menu. Turkey breast (only a few if us,) mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, Parker house rolls (I have an amazing recipe and it makes a ton, so these will be repurposed all weekend,) beet salad with ricotta and micro greens and finally roasted Brussel sprouts. So, I have never been a fan of Brussel sprouts but hubby lives them. I found a great looking recipe, bought some fresh and going to give it a try. And the turkey breast was buy one get one free so I have one in our freezer ready for another day.

Also, come December I am going to start another thread on here to see if anyone else may pop in.

Hope you are well.

That traffic sounds horrible. I wouldn't go back out either. We are getting a bit of snow and high winds, so happy to be hunkeref down for the weekend.

How was your Thanksgiving? A good one, I hope. Lots of leftovers here, which I am happy with.

Hopefully we'll get some of the other folks to chime in next month. How us that only a few days away?

It is cold and Lake Michigan is rocking! Only about an inch of snow. But we are supposed to get 4 to 8 inches later tonight into tomorrow. We will see how it ends up.

That is a crazy back up!!! I avoid shopping this weekend as if my life depends on it. I'll head to some local shops next weekend, maybe. With no kids and our family pretty spread out, Christmas is pretty chill now. I prefer that to some of the crazy years we had when we were first married.

Hope you are rested from Thanksgiving