Vailara Member

Well done on making your own stock! It will be great to have some in the freezer. I have done that, but I admit not for a long time. Turkey is relatively cheap here too. I used minced turkey leg as a substitute for pork the other day. I used to be able to get turkey legs really cheap and used to cook one as a big Sunday…

That's quite some walk, Suzy! You're an inspiration! I'm hoping your upcoming trip will seem less exhausting when you've got the journey to the coast out of the way. Maybe it will help with your moods too, even if physically tiring - tiring in a good way?

You are so good to your parents :). What a drive! I'm glad you have your Arkansas trip to look forward to. And I hope you get some answers for the odd smoke thing and your moods. Have a lovely time on your trip, when you finally get there!

Oh, that sounds absolutely awful! Poor you! I'm glad you're starting to see some improvement. I hope you're fully better soon.

It's funny you should mention that, Suzy. I went through something very similar to Snooozie - it honestly felt like I was losing my sanity at times, even though the "highs" were sometimes fun! I'm much more stable now. However, just recently, I've started sometimes feeling like I did with PMS again. The moods aren't too…

That recipes sounds great, Suzy! I almost always have to cook things longer than it says. I think my oven might not be at the right temperature. The discussion about strength training got me thinking about how I keep missing workouts, despite having access to lots of material (apps, printouts, youtube, etc.). I had a bit…

Youtube has some strength training videos. This video doesn't have many moves, but I like the way she explains them, and that they are simple bodyweight exercises that can be varied according to ability https://youtu.be/XT2Xb5ul_kc . Of those apps, I've used You Are Your Own Gym, and the 7 minute workout ones (and C25K,…

I'm glad the new cholesterol results are encouraging. Not that I understand them = mine is 3 or something, so it seems like there are two measuring systems! So true about strength and activity. I'm a big fan of exercise - I honestly believe it's one of the most important things you can do for your health and with so many…

The programme is going well, thanks. It's very low key now, and hardly anybody talks, but I like having it and look forward to new messages. I have tried a couple of recipes for spiced stews - one chicken stew, and one Morrocan butternut squash and chickpea stew. All the recipes are easy and turn out well - I'm actually…

Amazing pictures, Susan! I didn't even know those places existed. It must have been incredible looking at those ancient pictographs, and the scenery is stunning. I'm glad to hear the surgery went well, Snooozie. One less thing to worry about, and hopefully you will be back to normal soon. I'm sorry about your results,…

Have a lovely time with your sister! :smiley:

I always feel that spiders are useful against flies (which spread disease), so I welcome them in my house and garden. I would freak out if I was over-run with them, though! My ex was allergic to cats. I sometimes used a product for washing the cat (I think it was called Petalcleanse - there might be different brands) - you…

So funny about your mom talking over your dad, Suzy! I suppose they have been together a long time. I love your recipe, Snooozie. I do the same thing with putting vegetables in during the pasta cooking. The tomatoes, I also split the skin and drop them in while the pasta is cooking to loosen it, then take them out to skin…

Well done on the stair machine! I'm convinced that's the hardest machine in the gym. I suppose it's similar to the leg press in a way (straightening your legs against resistance) so no wonder you are tired - I bet it is doing wonders for your strength, though. Wow, you sound busy, Suzy! Maybe I need a dead spider to…

Oh, and well done on the kitkat, Snoozie! I would probably have eaten it, just to "tidy it away". After dinner is my danger time too. Actually last night wasn't too bad, but the rest of the day was a write-off. I'm going to mark it and move on and do better today!

Those single serve deserts look fun! I love fruit crumble and sometimes make one in a little ramekin dish. Normal crumble topping of flour and butter, but a small amount. I do add sugar, and crushed bran flakes (for crispness, sweetness and fibre!). I have not tried making it in the microwave, though. I make it in the…

One pound at a time - I like that! I was a bit fed up when I put my "realistic" goal into my app and realised how long it's likely to take to get there - with a half pound loss on the weeks when I do everything perfectly, and no loss the other weeks - lol! But you're right about one meal at a time too. It's so easy to…

A pound a week is fantastic! Faster than me, and faster than I lost during my big weight loss a few years ago. I know it's frustrating though - I feel the same! But to be honest, I think much more than a pound a week isn't even realistic. This is a little diversion, but back when I used the MFP "method" I worked out why a…

Welcome back! I'm so sorry about your mother. I know how I felt when I lost my own mother, so I understand - it does completely change your focus, and everything seems touched by the loss. *hugs* You mentioned having a shape change - I don't know if that was after you lost your mother, but I remember when I lost mine I had…

Congratulations on your good numbers, Snooozie! And great attitude about your A1C. I'm thinking about what you said about it being a positive. I need to get some of your attitude - it's so easy to lose focus and not have the motivation for doing this and I can see how it would be helpful to have a reminder, and a clear…

I'm glad to hear you're managing OK, Snooozie. I'm laughing at you not doing chores because you don't want to run out of things to do! I'm always finding excuses to avoid chores. I don't think I could ever run out because I'm always behind - lol! I hope you have some more fun things lined up to do as well. The pickleball…

So funny about rolling up a body in a rug (or not!). Thank you for the laugh! Sounds like you have been working ver hard. I've been working in the garden today, and I do find it tiring. And it works up an appetite, unfortunately! How are things going, Snooozie? I like your one week at a time approach. I know it must be…

I'm glad you've got the tablet working, Suzy. So funny that you're the chatty one in your group too! I wouldn't even say I'm that sociable ... but I do find it helpful to talk to people. Wow, your walk sounds hard! I hope it was enjoyable as well and not too exhausting! What an achievement! It's great that your husband is…

Snooozie, I'm going to have to try it, after having had it's company in my living room for a month! It does make me laugh though. It's like something out of Frankenstein's laboratory. It's a shame about your tablet, Suzy. I have had problems with my "tech" too, not working as intended. But thankfully I can still do the…

I hope your dad is recovering OK, Suzy. Good luck with the decluttering. I always want to sell stuff, but realistically, I don't get round to it, so I end up giving it to charity, or throwing away. I do think it's quite a hard job, deciding what to keep, sorting things out, and so on. I tried Konmarie a couple of years…

Sorry, for posting that at the wrong time! And of course, walking has other benefits, as you say - it just doesn't seem to have the same effect on insulin sensitivity, according to my article today. I have done HIIT, but I'm always a bit wary with my heart anyway. Strength training I'm a fan of anyway, because of the…

The exercise is going OK, thanks, but I haven't been managing my step count. It has been put up twice since I started, so I feel I'm chasing it. It's quite time consuming trying to fit it in, even though I probably walk more than most people (I usually walk to get my shopping rather than driving). I do cycle to the shops…

Congratulations on the granddaughter to be! Maybe if you were so sure, she's going to be a tomboy? I'm so lazy, I think I'd just cook things everybody could eat ... but then I would miss onions. I had to give them up when I was on that FODMAP diet, but I was able to eat the green parts of leeks and green onions. I wonder…

I'm glad I'm not the only one who overcooks! I have ruined meals that way, particularly salmon, which isn't nice if overcooked. I do have an old meat thermometer but tend to use the needle thermometer - it's really quick and doesn't leave a hole. Hoping the sun is staying out for you!

That's great that you had such a nice time in the city at night. My city tends to get a bit rowdy at night! But Toronto sounds lovely with the buskers. I think it's great to be a tourist in your own city sometimes! I love musicals too, although I don't get to go very often. I do like films too, though. And musical films! I…