Well, you have all probably seen how I respond to stress. I checked out for a few days this week. I stayed mostly on program, but I didn't have time to check in with everyone, and I feel badly about that.

On Wednesday, my daughter was in a talent show at her school, and I didn't get home until late. Thursday was just as hectic because we were in a play for Maundy Thursday. I enjoy these events, but it is hard to work all day, and continue to go without a break until bedtime. I slept 9 hours last night. I guess I was overtired.

I'm sure everyone will be busy all weekend. But if you do check in, I'd love some ideas on how you deal with being very busy and eating healthy.

Yesterday was busy! I didn't get out of work until late...and was glad that I had a bag of almonds to keep me going. Ahh, but they are so high in calories (but they are good calories!) - and I lay in bed last night bemoaning (outloud to hubby) that I wanted chocolate! He sympathized (sorta!) by "uh-huhing" occasionally, and knew that I wasn't about to go over my caloric allotment after last week...

My yummy recipe of the week was a water/cream of mushroom based potato/bacon/veggie soup. I used to make this cream based, and by playing with it - it is only 70 calories per cup! On the down-side, my kidlets (which are very thin) really liked it, but it is not going to put any weight on them whatsoever!

Have you tried the 60% cacoa chocolate? It is the healthy kind, and it is delicious.

I haven't. Is this a baking aisle sort of thing? I have my stash of See's Butterscotch squares in the freezer - for when I'm truly desperate (but only allow myself one!)

I'm also looking for a good chocolate replacement for my *skinny* mocha I make. Currently using Nestle Nesquik (13 grs sugar per serving) tried Nestle's fat free hot choc mix (at 4 grs), but so tasteless. Have tried Torani sugar free choc syrup - but off taste. I go over my sugar grams allotment with just my yogurt and mocha, and haven't even made it out the door for the day!

Now that I am at goal weight, my new goal is to find suitable food replacements - cutting down on the sugar in my life. I currently use Stevia as my main sugar replacement (the taste if fine, just have to be careful not to eat too much in a day - it makes one gassy and give loose bm's)...haven't baked with it yet - but will have a bit more time over summer break to play with my recipes.

Ghirardelli makes chocolate squares with different % of cacoa...i personally like the darker the better 85% cacoa...serving is 4 squares but one will definitely fulfill chocolate cravings.

In terms of stress...we are building a new high school around the current building....I have had a jackhammer outside my classroom all week. The room just shakes and the students cannot even hear me. I have just taken the motto.....KEEP CALM and PRETEND ITS IN THE LESSON PLAN.

Love your motto!! :laugh: We have our highway dept redoing our closest intersection to the school that crosses a highway (as in they are tunneling under the current highway)...needless to say, all the roads in the vicinity are backed up at any given time....I've had students stuck in traffic for 45 minutes...I myself have shown up 20 minutes late. We just shrug and deal with it - and it isn't due for completion until 2013.