SOUL VISION

TA DA!

2011-07-18T18:50:00.004-05:00

NEW NEST <<<<<<< CLICK HERE COME VISIT!!!!!

LOOK FOR THE NEWNESS

2011-07-18T12:12:00.002-05:00

GOING TO CHANGE ADDRESSES AGAIN AND CREATE A NEW HOME... TIRED OF THE OLD DIGS AND ME AND MY IMPATIENT SELF NEED SOMETHING FREE AND NEW

IT ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL BETTER WHEN i AM WRITING IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT WILL POST ADDY AS SOON AS SOON AS A NESTING PLACE IS FOUND~

FOOD, IT'S A CRIME~

2011-07-18T10:09:00.000-05:00

COMMON SENSE TELLS US THAT EACH OF THESE FOODS IS REALLY A LOUSY DESSERT CHOICE.. EVEN THOSE WE THINK THAT MIGHT BE FAIRLY HARMLESS LIKE TOFUTTI.. PACK STATS LIKE THIS :

210 calories

13 g fat (2 g saturated)
15 g sugars
EVEN STATS LIKE THAT ARE NOT GOOD

The comfort illusion is just not worth it...
Fresh fruit is a better option..
Even these are better options :

Skinny cow frozen novelties such as the
COOKIES N CREAM TRUFFLE BAR

GOOD CHOICE!

FOR A COOL SUMMER TREAT..

I AM ALL ABOUT PORTION CONTROL

I also am trying these shakes on for size to help me control my appetite as well as cut back on calories since my exercise is so limited with the leg brace and all...

So far I am just doing them for lunch meal replacement eventually I will be doing a breakfast and lunch meal replacement just to speed up the weight loss as tolerabley as possible...

Otherwise I am still following weight watchers and losing weight slowly there.. the shakes though seem to speed the weight loss up which I like... and of course it is because I am just limiting the caloric intake.. the way I see it is.. less energy out.. less food in... when I can exercise more I will eat more.. for now though I think this is a good option... 5 days a week lunch replacement.. it does work...

Have a great week !

NEW DECORATIONS TOO.. .GONNA CHANGE THINGS HERE

2011-07-14T14:33:00.001-05:00

PROBABLY WILL CHANGE THE NAME AS WELL... BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A FACE LIFT...

BACK AND HOPEFULLY WITH REGULARITY TOO!

2011-07-14T14:32:00.000-05:00

As always life is hectic and fun..
We are getting ready for the big family reunion which will be here this time... we will have around 120 people or so.. We are hosting a cook out the Thursday night before all the festivities and then Friday night we have a cocktail party and dinner at the hotel , schmoozing in the hospitality room.. then an early am continental breakfast in the hospitality room .. Steve and me are doing.. then folks are going on trips... either to Barbers Motorsports, the cemeteries or West Blocton, which is the original area that this part of the family lived in an old coal mining town.. Then Saturday night there are pictures, another big Dinner , karaoke, a game room for the kids, contests for the kids.. dancing.. .. then Sunday is a brunch and a family business meeting.. We have these reunions every 2 years.. at various places across the country.. So this all happens in 2 weeks...

THen of course we have are usual 3rd quarter food shows and all the craziness that ensues with that...
Otherwise life goes on..

Will check back soon.

OUT OF POCKET SO SORRY

2011-06-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

WOW.. just been crazy busy... we did a road trip to the mountains it was gorgeous.. mostly I am posting on FB more than anything and have been less and less involved in the blog world.. which is bad because I love to read my blog list I just have been short on time writing...

All is well and good..
Last week I finally got my leg brace... Think Forrest Gump.. it comes up to right below my knee,

I hope this will eventually help .. and no surgery will be needed.. will be in this for at least 6 months..
Oh well.. otherwise life is great...WW is great.. still doing well for someone not able to work out.. I am swimming though... 3 pounds in 2 weeks.. will keep plugging away.. my trainer thinks it great to have lost that with out working out..... got to buck up the swimming and hopefully that will help more..
Otherwise life goes on..
have a great week~

YAY first week down.. and 2.6 pounds gone.. yay Honi

2011-06-14T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well week one is gone.. and so are 2.6 pounds of me..
heading out for a short vacation on the bike soon.
pictures and video to follow shortly...

we are going to head out in the next day or 2 around 4 30 am.. so to beat the heat to the mtns.. it sgives us about 6 hours to get up there before the heat takes over...
We will be back this weekend.. same kinda travel early A.M. to beat the heat..
Very happy... Work is good,... weight loss is good..
Life in general..
Oh so good!

Day 4 & NOT MISSING A BEAT YAY!

2011-06-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

Life is good..
WW is good
Watermelon is good
Water is good too.

Busy weekend coming up.. have a birthday party for Steve's grandson who is turning 5..
We are having a cook out after the party at their house..
IF we can we are going to a surprise party for a good friend later that evening and still if time allows we are going to a Pride Parade.. we did that last year and it was so much fun... however last year not everything fell at once! the Pride Parade was in July.. and we did not try and slam it all into one evening.. but we shall see what we can do..
then Sunday AM we are hosting a brunch over here.. and possibly going to here the ASO play at the park later that Sunday not sure if that will happen or not though the heat here is so intense .. I really do not want to sit outside longer than I have too..
My plan for this weekend is of course to stay on track.. Eat what I can.. and know that eventually I will get home to wear its a bit easier.. that is the hardest thing about not being in my own environment.. and you do not want to appear rude and you do not want others knowing your business.. so its almost like you fake eat.. lol... I don't want to bring anything as I don't want to draw attention to myself... Its easier going to a restaurant because you can plan ahead and manage your points. Going to someones house is much more complicated... I know that I will eat lunch before we get there so that's easy..its dinner I am worried about .. oh well will work it as I get there..
Otherwise life is good...
Have a great weekend and stay COOL!

SO WHAT BRiNGS ME TO THIS POINT- DAY 3

2011-06-09T08:43:00.000-05:00

That indeed is a very blah answer... I joined WW because Sara motivated me to and not under some big revelation or desire to lose weight.. or mortal hatred of myself as I am now.. In two days I have learned what my biggest issue is and that is PORTION CONTROL.. I eat for the most part VERY healthy.. BUT I have no clue when it comes to controling the amounts of what I eat.. In two days I have learned what a real portion is.. and it is not very big compared to what I was eating prior.. Am I hungry.. the first day I was .. Yesterday I figured out to spread out my food more and opt for lower point items and more protien through out the day.. so I was not that hungry thankfully. I wonder what I will learn today...
I do know that at the weight I am now I am uncomfortable.. I do know that weight loss will help with the PTTD. I do know that the pain I am in now might lessen but I also know that between the Fibro and PTTD these issues will always be there... Today I am trying to move around with out the ankle brace. my husband convinced me to wear shorts today ( I have not worn shorts in FOREVEVER) ... the bonus for me would be looking better.. the Winner for me would be feeling better.. so if I have any motivation it is that .. So going into 3 days I have done great..
I am not looking down some yellow brick road at what my future holds.. I am just taking it a day at a time.. the new WW is much harder than the old system.. it also appears to be low carb based and higher protien.. I do not feel I am missing anything.. I do not feel anxious... and I am not worried about the scale... the fact is.. if you follow anything and do what you are suppose to do minus EXCUSES you will succeed. So thats where I am now.. Neither BURSTING with Excitement or a NERVOUS NELLIE... I just am.. I just am relieved ...

WEDNESDAY

2011-06-08T16:46:00.000-05:00

SO MUCH to say .. lets see

Swam today and met two unique ladies.. one I knew from the pool.. she showed me snapshots of her gorgeous paintings.. she has fibro too and her two fav things to do are getting in the therapy pool and going home and painting these amazing canvas'... Her colors are rich and real... like a picture as opposed to a painting.. they have depth and are really really wonderful... she is very talented indeed.. the other lady is a writer.. Claire Datnow.. she is published and can be found all over Google and Amazon.. really amazing lovely lady...

One of the things I am not really sharing I guess is that yesterday I started WW again for the millionth okay... 4th time... its a brand new program.. totally different than before.. and I like it... My husband's daughter just started and wanted a buddy.. so I joined... she is tryng to lose for her upcoming wedding next year...

Saw Dr. Mcbryde the day before yesterday and had the MRI yesterday.. now I am waiting to hear back from him on what we need to do.. he is going to help build a special brace for my left ankle.. he is going to work with Pro Fit locally and then if that does not work they will see about using a company called Insightful something or other that does specialty braces for PTTD.. so we shall see what happens...
Otherwise life rocks on!

CONFESSION OR NOT~

2011-06-01T12:09:00.000-05:00

A while back I was a diligent blogger and then life gets crazy work gets crazy and since I am on FB a lot.. I just do not have the juice to write like I used too.. I love being outdoors now , watering my plants and watching them grow .. hoping my blueberry plants will actually yield a few blueberries.. and hoping my roses survive this oppressive heat so early in the summer..my potted plants are doing okay. as long as they are watered at least once a day.. my herbs and tomatoes are surviving one tomato plant fell off the deck and is no longer in existence anymore.. (sigh) .. but the other one thrives and grows.. and there are tomatoes on it just waiting to ripen up and be picked and used..
I have been perusing the blog world.. not commenting as I usually do not comment.. I am a confessed lurker.. lol... just wanted you to know I am alive.. am doing okay.. Seeing the orthopedic doctor next Monday to see what the next step is as we reevaluate my left ankle and foot..
Otherwise life goes on.. thank heavens for the pool at 119.. got my swim on this morning.. yay and I feel great!
Hope all is well and the heat is not getting you down yet in your neck of the woods...
have a great day
I am working on that!

Crazy in my neck of the woods

2011-05-23T10:17:00.000-05:00

Been working hard.. Food show last week... and a busy bee this week too.. Won't be going back to the doc over the foot .. until.. June 6th at 8 am YAY... you see they wanted me to come in today at 530... then they called me Friday and wanted me to come in today at 7 pm.. not to mention that they wanted me to park my car about a mile away and walk to the office... since the valet stops at 3 pm... well that does not work in my world.. I can not do that...yet.. I can not walk that distance.. and I wont walk that distance at night.. through 2 empty long hallways.. into a dark parking deck by myself far from the building I need to be in.. hence I usually valet and walk in .. so I am going for a bright an early morning appt.. I should be seen fairly close to on time.. or .. i could end up being seen at 3 pm lol.. there is always a wait and usually a bad one...

Lets see in other news.. the Food show was hectic... things are busy.. I am picking up my wonderful Aunt today to run some errands with her.. that will be fun, then I am picking up dinner and heading home.. I am so excited we are getting the house deep cleaned today and this lady is the BOMB she .. she cleans all the cabinets and blinds and chair railings... I have unit that I need to clean out its all glass and enclosed.. otherwise she does everything.. amazing even cleans off the doggie snoot marks on the windows and glass doors..
YAY! for thorough..

Well back to work goes me.. hope all is well...

Tuesday

2011-05-10T11:40:00.000-05:00

The world from the boot.. is sucky... I hate having this thing on my left foot.. but seems it will help it heal faster .. or so I hope.. not sure what to do.. but wait and see..
as I am not a fan of foot surgery or any surgery for that matter..

Got some neat info from Hungry girl... so here ya go..:

got to sample these recently and was pretty much unimpressed... TOO sweet.. yeah there I said it.. TOO SWEET.. whoever thought those words would come from me... I prefer Very dark chocolate now... almost bitter... I still like my fro yo and skinny cow bars from time to time.. but I just do not like overly sickly sweet stuff... these are great however for those of you that like a portioned control snack.. the sizes are small mind you .. so you really have to be one that has good self control and will be satisfied with a smaller serving than your average candy bar... here are the stats:

There are Heavenly Crisp candy bars (Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter flavors) and pouches of Dreamy Clusters (in Milk and Dark Chocolate). Each bar or pouch has 110 - 120 calories, 6g fat, 40 - 115mg sodium, 14 - 20g carbs, 1 - 3g fiber, 8 - 10g sugars, and 1 - 2g protein

On my own I will Push Red Mango Fro Yo.. I love this stuff..... low calorie good for you.. who can complain .. they have a limited edition flavor out right now..RASPBERRY CHEESE CAKE.. (click on name and there are stats there..) will be trying that soon..my fav flavors are the Strawberry, Dark Chocolate and Banana.. thats usually what I get in a small cup... I pretty much can eyeball 8 ounces now and I love when they weigh it and I am right on the money... tasty stuff..
Well off to make Tuesday an even better day
Have a good one!

HI WORLD... I AM BACK...

2011-05-09T12:51:00.001-05:00

These are photos I took of the Tornado Damage in Cullman... bear in mind this is a slight snippet of the damage to this great state... unbelievable violent storm.. scary... stuff..

SO here is how it went... we were out of town last week... Vicksburg Miss.
Here are things I learned about Miss.

Thoughts on Vicksburg: A place where they fry everything... including asparagus.. WHY ON EARTH Would you FRY asparagus??? Oysters, Frog legs.. that makes sense.... the only place I have every been to where I had to look for things not fried... and when you say grilled apparently that means Blackened.... worked hard with Steve during the day. had a little fun in the casino in the evening.... and watched as they are preparing for some serious flooding as well..loads of sand being brought in to build up around the building ... we are at Riverwalk Casino in Vicksburg...

I still can not get over Fried Asparagus...

Mississippi 's new slogan should be : WE DON'T DRY CLOTHES.... WE FRY CLOTHES!!! ... damn that place ... whew... so glad to be home eating real food.. and feeling better...

However, there was that tiny no big deal incident .. where we were working and the kid in the deli kicked my left foot by accident... and I actually saw stars... sat down for a minute and tears rolled down my cheeks.. I never made a sound... to say it took my breath away was an understatement... had a had a clue and a half I would have bought my boot with me.. and kept it on while we were working..ON A CONCRETE FLOOR FOR 8 HOURS OR SO a day.. standing for a few hours on Concrete is not a good scene for me at all.. imagine for someone with a normal foot .. that your feet might get tired.. now imagine having the tendon issues.. and someone kicking you right in the worst spot possible... hence the boot is back on.. the foot is staying elevated when I am sitting... and I see the doctor in 2 weeks.. with some PT prior to that and at least I can get in the water and swim.. its the only place I can go and not hurt.. .. Okay.. so back to Birmingham and surrounding areas...

We toured Cullman on Saturday .. the photos are from what we saw... scary indeed...

Later after we went up to Springville ( we did about 210 miles on the bike) .. to Old farts farm for fresh eggs... I went to Publix and picked up a bunch of stuff to donate at the firehouse... wish we could do more...

Well make it a good monday I will..

Very Short Post

2011-05-01T21:10:00.001-05:00

Most of you by now have heard that parts of Alabama were decimated by a horrible tornado... at one point there was a tornado hitting somewhere nearly every minute..... dropping down. going up.. dropping down.. Straight line winds... Storm after storm... ravaged my beautiful state.. and killed over 250 people ... through out the south east storms such as the one in Alabama though not as severe.. struck and killed others too... so far the death toll through out the southeast is over 300 ... staggering...
Steve and I watched the massive tornado that stayed on the ground for 7 hours and was massive in scope and size... at one point over 1mile and half wide with winds over 200 miles an hour.. .
We watched on live tv the tornado rip through tuscaloosa ... though we did not see the actual deaths we knew what we were watching as it happened was killing and injurying people as it cut a swath of land all the way west of Birmingham.. ripping parts of West Birmingham along the way.. it was horrible..thankfully our home is fine and we are fine but at one point the pressure did build outside and you could feel that somethine was terribily wrong... it was a terrible pressure .. and then it passed.... the morning portion of tornados did not touch us either however 2 streets over there were trees resting on houses.. and my old stopping ground Cahaba Heights has major damage.. not decimated like some areas but now a different landscape too... very shocking to see... Thankful that we and those close to us are fine...
Not much for posting right now.. too much too do.. will be back very soon though...

Easter Brunch Recipes

2011-04-21T05:58:00.000-05:00

Arugula & Chicken Sausage Bread Pudding

Ingredients

Custard

4 large egg whites
4 large eggs
1 cup skim milk

Seasonings

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup sliced fresh basil

Bread & filling

4 cups whole-grain bread, crusts removed if desired, cut into
1-inch cubes (about 1/2 pound, 4-6 slices)
5 cups chopped arugula, wilted (see Tip)
3/4 cup chopped artichoke hearts, frozen (thawed) or canned
1 cup diced cooked chicken sausage, (5 ounces)

Topping

3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat an 11-by-7-inch glass baking dish or a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
To prepare custard: Whisk egg whites, eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Add mustard, salt, pepper and basil: whisk to combine.
Toss bread, arugula, artichokes and sausage in a large bowl. Add the custard and toss well to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and push down to compact. Cover with foil.
Bake until the custard has set, 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the pudding through Step 3; refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Bake as directed in Step 4.

Tip: To wilt greens, rinse greens thoroughly in cool water. Transfer them to a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and punch several holes in the wrap. Microwave on high until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the greens before adding them to the recipe.

Nutrition

Per serving: 272 calories; 11 g fat ( 4 g sat , 3 g mono ); 174 mg cholesterol; 24 g carbohydrates; 20 g protein; 5 g fiber; 696 mg sodium; 435 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Folate (29% daily value), Calcium & Vitamin A (25% dv), Iron & Vitamin C (15% dv).

Banana-Blueberry Buttermilk Bread

Ingredients

3/4 cup nonfat or low-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
11/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
11/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11/4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
Whisk buttermilk, brown sugar, oil and eggs in a large bowl. Stir in mashed bananas.
Whisk whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in blueberries. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
Bake until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Let cool for about 2 hours before slicing.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Wrap and store at room temperatre for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Ingredient note: Whole-wheat pastry flour, lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour, has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods. You can find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.
Muffin Variation: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 (1/2 cup) muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners. Divide the batter among the muffin cups (they will be full). Bake until the tops are golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes more before serving.

Nutrition

Per serving: 278 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 43 mg cholesterol; 49 g carbohydrates; 16 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 3 g fiber; 298 mg sodium; 195 mg potassium.

Mini Mushroom-&-Sausage Quiches

Ingredients

8 ounces turkey breakfast sausage, removed from casing and crumbled into small pieces
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
5 eggs
3 egg whites
1 cup 1% milk

Preparation

Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Coat a nonstick muffin tin generously with cooking spray (see Tip).
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Add oil to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to the bowl with the sausage. Let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in scallions, cheese and pepper.
Whisk eggs, egg whites and milk in a medium bowl. Divide the egg mixture evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of the sausage mixture into each cup.
Bake until the tops are just beginning to brown, 25 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Place a rack on top of the pan, flip it over and turn the quiches out onto the rack. Turn upright and let cool completely.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Individually wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30 to 60 seconds.

A good-quality nonstick muffin tin works best for this recipe. If you don't have one, line a regular muffin tin with foil baking cups.

Nutrition

Per quiche: 90 calories; 5 g fat ( 2 g sat , 1 g mono ); 105 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 9 g protein; 0 g fiber; 217 mg sodium; 108 mg potassium.

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

Ingredients

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Note)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup poppy seeds,toasted (see Tip)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk, (see Tip)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 large eggs, at room temperature (see Tip)
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar

Lemon Glaze

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 12-cup Bundt pan, preferably nonstick, with cooking spray and dust with flour (or use cooking spray with flour).
Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Combine buttermilk, oil, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice in a glass measuring cup.
Beat eggs, egg whites and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until thickened and pale, about 5 minutes.
Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture with a rubber spatula, a third at a time, alternating with 2 additions of the buttermilk mixture. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
To prepare glaze: Sift 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl; mix with lemon juice and water to create a thin glaze. Poke 1-inch-deep holes all over the cake with a skewer. Coat the warm cake with the glaze using a pastry brush. Let cool completely. To serve, set the cake on a serving plate and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan, preferably nonstick

Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten forming potential than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Store in the freezer. Sources: Available in large supermarkets and in natural-foods stores, and from King Arthur Flour, (800) 827-6836, bakerscatalogue.com, and Bob's Red Mill, (800) 349-2173, bobsredmill.com.
Tips: Toast poppy seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: the ratio is 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.
To bring cold eggs to room temperature quickly, place in a mixing bowl and set it in a larger bowl of warm water for a few minutes; the eggs will beat to a greater volume.
To separate eggs safely: Use an egg separator, an inexpensive gadget found in cookware stores; separating eggs by passing the yolk back and forth between pieces of eggshell or your hands can expose the eggs to bacteria.

Nutrition

Per serving: 215 calories; 6 g fat ( 1 g sat , 2 g mono ); 27 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 2 g fiber; 146 mg sodium; 70 mg potassium.

Parmesan Spinach Cakes

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh spinach, (see Note)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, or low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 large eggs, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Pulse spinach in three batches in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta (or cottage cheese), Parmesan, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
Coat 8 cups of the muffin pan with cooking spray. Divide the spinach mixture among the 8 cups (they will be very full).
Bake the spinach cakes until set, about 20 minutes. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife and turn out onto a clean cutting board or large plate. Serve warm, sprinkled with more Parmesan, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: Muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Note: Baby spinach is immature or young spinach—it's harvested earlier than large-leaved mature spinach. We like the sturdy texture of mature spinach in cooked dishes and serve tender, mild-flavored baby spinach raw or lightly wilted. Baby and mature spinach can be used interchangeably in these recipes (yields may vary slightly); be sure to remove the tough stems from mature spinach before using.
Weights & Measures
10 ounces trimmed mature spinach=about 10 cups raw
10 ounces baby spinach=about 8 cups raw

Nutrition

Per serving: 141 calories; 8 g fat ( 4 g sat , 3 g mono ); 123 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrates; 13 g protein; 2 g fiber; 456 mg sodium; 560 mg potassium.

IT'S NEVER ROCKET SCIENCE~

2011-04-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

FOLKS~ its so easy... find a program you like.. like Lose it ( an app and book both on my ipad now) .. create a food log ( if you are computer phobic.. of course you would not be here if you were) ... Keeping a food log is one of the best things you can do... knowing what goes in.. helps you stay on track.. this works and is proven over and over again.. People do not realize how much they shovel in and if you keep track of it it makes a little light go off in your little crispy brain... that says.. ohh I am logging this... do I really want it... is it worth spending x amount of calories on this one item or could I do better by having some better for me fruit or raw veggies.. twice as much food for half the calories... ( thats sorta my song lately get the most bang for your buck as they say)... so START LOGGING it .. so you u know what you are really doing... fact is ... you are only lying to yourself ... and why do that... Log your food.. stay in your calorie budget.. get out and move.. and the weight will come off... ohh and do yourself a favor do not get bogged down with the calories used for exercise.( at least for me this is working) .. do not include that for now with what you are doing.. just because you worked out it does not mean you need to eat more... let those expended calories be just that..something to help you burn the the calories... do not use exercise as a tool to eat more.. use it as a tool to burn what you have stored already...... once you are where you need to be then start using the exercise as a tool to maintain your weight... and increase your caloric intake.. but for now.. the mode is LOSE..Get strong... eat healthy.. and keep your LOG!..
I know I am on my way..
Hope u are too..!

I LOVE MY LIFE!

2011-04-18T13:34:00.000-05:00

I love my life it is rich in its varied hues... Tonight we celebrate the first night of Passover with family and friends.. we are going for Seder at my Aunt's house.. it will be lovely..
Then this Sunday we will go to Steve's Son and daughter in laws to celebrate Easter with a Easter breakfast and watch the kids hunt for Easter eggs.. its a mixture indeed...
Wishing everyone a Happy Passover or a wonderful Easter . however you celebrate may your family time be blessed and happy!
..

A TWO DAY EXTRAVAGANZA OF DEATH BY FOOD PART 2

2011-04-15T05:36:00.002-05:00

I have never felt the obesity issues of our country should be blamed on the plethora of restaurants out there... I have always felt and still do that it is up to the individual whether he chooses to pollute his body with unhealthy foods or nourish his body with healthy foods... its a simple choice ... the ingredients in what you eat should be pronounceable and recognizable .. eat close to the earth... fresh fruits, veggies, should dominate your menu... meats should be treated as sides... not the other way around... ideally that's how we should eat.. but in this vast array of sugar free choices and other options.. there are choices... and whatever choice you make should be what is right for you... I shared these foods with you because they are out there .. and even those that seem like they might be remotely okay.. are usually not... My husband and I pick and choose where we eat... be it alone or with friends or family... we make sure we can either share... that there are healthy choices on the menu.. and we have gotten in the habit of bringing home at least half of our food.. for another meal... when we go out...

Have a great weekend..

we are off to Old Farts Farm this weekend..

and maybe Pepper Place to see whats in season and new there.. depends on the time..

DEADLY FOODS BELOW... HOPEFULLY NONE OF US EAT THIS GARBAGE ANYMORE.. FOR ME I CAN SAY NEVER.. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THE FOODS EVER ON THIS LIST OR FOR THE MOST PART ON ANY LIST... IT IS A SHOCKING DISCOVERY THOUGH NOT SURPRISING THE GARBAGE PEOPLE WILL CONSUME ...

THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE WORST FOODS OF 2011 Per MENS HEALTH MAGAZINE AND EAT THIS NOT THAT!

Cheesecake Factory Bistro Shrimp Pasta

2,727 calories
78 g saturated fat
1,737 mg sodium

Uno Chicago Grill Mega-Sized Deep Dish Sundae

2,800 calories
136 g fat (72 g saturated)
272 g sugars

Cheesecake Factory Crispy Chicken Costoletta

2,494 calories
85 g saturated fat
1,677 mg sodium

Uno Chicago Grill Classic Deep Dish Pizza (individual size)

2,310 calories
165 g fat (54 g saturated)
4,920 mg soidum

Outback Steakhouse Kookaburra Wings

2,145 calories
185 g fat (75 g saturated)
3,711 mg sodium

Baja Fresh Charbroiled Steak Nachos

2,120 calories
118 g fat (44 g saturated, 4.5 g trans)
2,990 mg sodium

IHOP "Big" Country Breakfast

2,040 calories
55 g saturated fat
159 g carbohydrates
4,500 mg sodium

Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake (Gotta Have It size, 24 fl oz)

2,030 calories
131 g fat (68 g saturated, 2.5 g trans)
153 g sugars

Denny's Smokin' Q Three Pack

2,020 calories

110 g fat (22 g saturated, 3 g trans)
3,570 mg sodium

SCARY STUFF... ......

WTF THINGS I FIND ONLINE

2011-04-15T04:30:00.000-05:00

dunno about you but the last thing I want is my weight projected on a wall...

Lord I hope I never need one of these... this is welll.. for those who can not reach their back end.. its a extender.. u put toilet paper in the holder.. and .. well you know.. then flush...

for larger rumps the " BIG JOHN" hey I don't name 'em...
I had no idea they made those in extra large.. .. wow...

A TWO DAY EXTRAVAGANZA OF DEATH BY FOOD~ PART 1

2011-04-14T05:26:00.003-05:00

PRESENTING THE WORST FOODS OF 2011 PER MENS HEALTH MAGAZINE AND EAT THIS NOT THAT~

Outback Steakhouse Baby Back Ribs (full rack)
2,012 calories
160 g fat (59 g saturated)
2,600 mg sodiuM

PF Chang's Doube Pan-Fried Noodles Combo (served with beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp)

1,820 calories
84 g fat (8 g saturated, 3.5 g trans)
7,692 mg sodium

TGI Friday's Santa Fe Chopped Salad

1,800 calories

Cheesecake Factory Grilled Shrimp and Bacon Club

1,746 calories
28 g saturated fat
2,306 mg sodium

Hardee's Loaded Biscuit 'N' Gravy with Large Hash Rounds

1,530 calories
110 g fat (26 g saturated)
3,020 mg sodium

Domino's Chicken Carbonara Breadbowl Pasta

1,480 calories

56 g fat (24 g saturated)

2,220 mg sodium

Five Guys Large Fries

1,464 calories
71 g fat (14 g saturated)
184 g carbohydrates
213 mg sodium

Wendy's Triple Baconator
1,350 calories
90 g fat (40 g saturated, 3.5 g trans)
2,780 mg sodium

Blimpie Special Vegetarian

1,180 calories
59 g fat (18 g saturated)
3,540 mg sodium

Stouffer's White Meat Chicken Pot Pie (large)
1,160 calories
66 g fat (26 g saturated)
1,780 mg sodium

California Pizza Kitchen Kids Curly Mac 'n' Cheese
1,038 calories
38 g saturated fat
1,651 mg sodium

Sunshine Day!

2011-04-13T08:11:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day today is.. got.. went for my first walk in MONTHES with Cookie... left foot was very painful but did it anyway... sigh..... came back.. brushed a dog off Cookie, brushed a dog of Shayna and a dog off Bazzie... As long as they are brushed often .. the shedding is kept to a furry minimium.... which is a good thing...

Tried the Lean Cuisine steamers Pot stickers... SUCKED.. threw it out.. not one of their best...

Tried the Rold Gold Cinnamon pretzel sticks.. SUCKED.. too....

Well the house is calling my name to be cleaned...
Have a Happy Wednesday!

NEW STUFF

2011-04-12T05:11:00.000-05:00

made from brown rice and almonds and are dusted with classic chip seasonings -- Nacho, Sour Cream & Chive, and Sea Salt. A serving of 14 - 15 chips has 130 calories, 3.5 - 4.5g fat, 160 - 210mg sodium, 21- 22g carbs, 1g fiber, 0 - 1g sugars, and 3g protein

New Lean Cuisine goodies? SCORE! We're big fans of LC's Market Creations steam-in-the-bag meals, so we can't WAIT to get our teeth on these. The pot stickers come in a sweet chili ginger soy sauce with edamame and veggies; the other is a pasta dish with veggies, beans, a chili-cheese sauce, and (of course) chicken. Each meal has 270 - 300 calories, 5 - 6g fat, 640 - 750mg sodium, 40 - 42g carbs, 5g fiber, 7 - 16g sugars, and 11 - 24g protein ( all info from HUNGRY GIRL of course)

Not sure how many of you have heard of Phil Lempert Supermarket Guru.. like his site.. watch the video ~
Phil Lempert Supermarket Guru website

Might just check these out soon...
Have a great Tuesday!

NOISEY AROUND HERE

2011-04-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

Was just outside watering the Rosemary, Basil and Cilantro and the Husky Cherry tomatoes and Bonnie Grape tomatoes ..The track is still busy .. They must behaving some kind of Event at Barbers still hear the Indy Cars going around the track.. must be some type of after race events going on there.. can hear it even from inside the house...

Well we managed to leave one of the garage doors up over night and now the garage has May Flys visiting and lord knows what else is down there now.. no plans on going to find out right now either..

Getting busy at work.. Checking our bulletins for the upcoming food show and making sure everything is all correct.. otherwise it is just another Manic Monday here..
Wishing everyone a great week..
Looking forward to getting back in the pool on Wednesday..

Friday and the races and weekend are almost here

2011-04-08T05:44:00.000-05:00

You can hear it starting at 8 am the pre races and the drivers getting familiar with the track out at Barbers.. this weekend is the Honda Indy races... Cars not motorcycles ... we prefer motorcycles... It is going to be wild down there.tons of people massive traffic even with parking off site this year.. its loud and wild.. We can here the cars in our house.. thats how close we are to the track.. and we are about 1 mile away from it... We are hoping to take a ride out to Bailey's Cove near Huntsville Saturday.... have lunch in Guntersville at this little organic coffee shop I love... pick up some bagels at Bruegers.. do some business at one of the stores there... and head on back... Next weekend we head out again to Old Farts farm to get our eggs for Passover.. and we will also get to see the new Newfie Pups too.. yay!...
I am looking forward to the ride .. not so much the traffic but it will be fun especially the back roads that I love so much...
Have a wonderful weekend!
I am planning on it..

Fun Thursday

2011-04-07T17:44:00.003-05:00

Had my Jenn ( my niece) here with me while Ryan went on his interview... we shalll see what happens.. I would love them to move to Bham for 3 years... it would be nice to have them here with me.

We went and had manicures together.. I had my tips changed from white to sparkly with a irridescent hue... Love them.. better than the regular pink and whites.. We went over to the Grand River and walked around for a bit.. I bought Steve a suprise from the Ghiradelli (sp) Shop... then went over to Red Mango and had some Frozen Yogurt.. we walked some more.. shopped some more.. and then came back home.. Jenn had to leave shortly after to pick up Ryan and head back to Nashville (boo) .. but it was so great to see them and they are coming back in July for the Family reunion.. we will know mid June if they are moving to Bham.. its a interesting process what these doctors go through for their fellowship programs..
Ryan wants to go into geriatric oncology and eventually ending up in Oncology... He along with 399 other applicants sent in their paper work.. UAB chooses 30 people to interview .. and they are interviewing for 3 or 4 spots.. then after the day of interviewing is over, UAB will look at in house candidates.. and fill usually 2 spots.. that leaves 2 spots for 30 people... so the likelyhood of him getting choosen is pretty darn small.. however he made the 30 cut.. so maybe he will be chosen .. then if UAB choses him.. they go to a central location in the USA... they combine the places Ryan Ranked in order of where he wants to go..( Vandy was first, UAB third.. and they combine the interviews he has been on.. he went on two.. Vandy and UAB with in those interviews they have 3/4 interviews with different people at the schools... ) with how the hospitals ranked him.. then they match him up.. so he might end up at Vandy. or UAB.. or neither.. and end up working a year as a hospital doctor ( make some good money) and send out applications next year... what an ordeal....
So I am hoping for the best for both him and Jenn.. but of course I would love them here...
Well have a great Thursday..
**** Just spoke with Jenn, they are back home and she told me he felt things went well.. he will go to Vandy ask what his chances are there.. if its not positive then he is going to rank UAB # 1 and he is going to stay in touch with the Dr who told him he if he was interested in UAB to stay in touch with her... and Jenn also told me he was one of 20 not 30 chosesn for interviews.. so thats all good..

achooo

2011-04-06T09:52:00.000-05:00

Kinda been quiet lately ... frankly because I have been woopingly sick... first sinus infection... still dealing with that .. antibiotics.. meh.. I get a massive fever blister that takes over the lower half of my lip and chin.. get meds for that.. Much better now thank heavens.. then .. I get that .. horrible side effect from the antibiotic .. I won't even go there.. its just enough to drive me into passive insanity...
So its been all downhill since Friday.. and I sucked it up .. and went swimming Monday.. Tuesday everything sucked.. today I hope I am on the road to feeling better..

Eating.. not so much..... food is tasteless.. never thought I would type that... hopefully that will pass too..

On happier notes... we have a great evening planned ... and a fun tomorrow.. my niece and her husband are coming in tonight... he has an interview at UAB for a fellowship and hopefully he will get it.. we will know in June.. I would love having them here in Birmingham for 3 years... We are going out to dinner tonight and tomorrow Jen is going to be with me while Ryan is at his interview... looking forward to that..

Work is clipping along which is good.. just wish I felt more human ...
Working on the human factor..
Have a Rockin' Wednesday!

WHY I LOVE ANIMALS AND NOT SO MUCH PEOPLE

2011-04-04T14:14:00.000-05:00

SO up at the farm we visit a few times a month.. Old Farts Farm... someone decided to help themselves to 4 goats, and 4 rabbits.. they stole them from an angel of a couple who run a wonderful farm... took her prized lop eared black and white breeder male rabbit and 4 tame baby goats.. just amazing how obnoxious people are and how much more I love my animals and care for people less and less...
We were up at the farm this past weekend to get our eggs and Sue was still so sad.. hopefully we helped to cheer her up.. I got to meet her yet unnamed puppy that was given to her...

Been hitting the pool religiously and I love it.. I feel so good and strong when I swim.. 3 times a week for 30- 45 minutes...
am trying some new products.. will have more info on them soon...
Otherwise have a great Monday!
I sure will

SORE FEET PAIN OUCH.. BUT STILL FEELS BETTER

2011-03-31T05:06:00.001-05:00

So the new orthotics have been my constant companion.. or Painion lol.. feet are sore but getting used to them.. Thing one seems happy ( left foot) .. Thing two not so much.. ( right foot)... it was very happy in the old orthotic and has to get used to a far more ridged device now.. the left foot seems to be liking the extra support.. and not being able to wobble.. have to get to PT soon.. going to learn how to walk properly with the orthotics.. will be working on balancing.. ..
Yesterday was a sucky pain day .. weather was cold and wet.. seems better today..
Tomorrow back to the pool...
Hope everyone is doing well... just been crazy busy with work.. getting new items in and having to fill out forms and sending them to the various companies.. stuff like that..
Hypnosis.. is awesome.. I know its different .. and to tell you the truth I have no idea whats being said because I relax so well that I tune out...
but here are the sublte changes..
I am eating even less.. eating when I am really hungry now
Pain is less intense..
I am eating slower.. therefore eating less its just little things... but interesting..
Steve says I am appearing more energetic and more rested..
He sees a change in my attitude to.. me I have no idea.. except that I feel better.. We shall see.. I know it sounds like Hokum.. but there must something to it..
Anyways.. Have a great day..
I will !

NEW FEET AND LENTIL SOUP

2011-03-30T05:48:00.003-05:00

So I got my new orthotics .. will take about 6 weeks to get used to them.. hopefully they will help
We made a wonderful Lentil soup the other night.. its delicious...

simmer:
salt pepper to taste
carrots ( 3) choppped
Onion (sweet ) (1) chopped
Celery (3 stalks) chopped
lentils
chicken broth plus water
simmered for a little over 1.5 hours..
mashed and whipped them with hand mixer..
had a rich tasting filling heart soup.. sooo yumm..
Got my swim in.. and am loving it.. I feel so much better when I can move.. and I feel so much stronger too
I highly advise any Fibro patients to get in the water.. its the best thing you can do for yourself I will be in the water at least 3 days a week from now until early October.. or when it starts getting really cool again.. Cant swim in the winter.. actually on of my friends at the pool recommended this schedule by then I should be able to do more walking ... so I am on a long journey with this recovery they said it can be a year to 2 years.. so we shall see.. Otherwise its all good..
have a great Wednesday.. I know I will...

CREATIVE KITCHEN

2011-03-29T05:07:00.001-05:00

WE love to cook.. No Surprise there..

Here are a few of our favorite dishes

Honi's Scrambled Eggs
serves 2

4 farm fresh eggs beaten with ff milk lightly salted and peppered

1/4th of sweet onion chopped

Sautee chopped onion in a smidge of Smart Balance Olive Oil blend spread.
If you have a great pan .. you almost can let the onions sautee in their own juice.. but a little of the spread gives it a little extra flavor and it sautees quicker...

on a low flame and a warm pain .. add beaten eggs.. lightly stir with a wooden spoon add a sprinkle of romano cheese as eggs become firmer.. add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese as well.. add onions.. turn heat up just a tiny bit.. stir with wooden spoon until well blended..

enjoy..

Tuna Salad

4 cans white albacore tuna packed in water and drained

flaked into large bowl

2 hard boiled farm fresh eggs chopped

1/2 sweet onion choped chunky and medium sauteed in a little Smart Balance Olive oil blend Spread

chopped red pepper 1/2 of red pepper

chopped celery ( 2 or 3 stalks)

Light mayo of choice to taste DO NOT MAKE CREAMY .. just enough to hold together..

optional chopped garlic and green onions to taste

MIX well.. and chil and enjoy great alone or for sammys on light whole wheat bread..

FALLING AND THEN FINDING LOSE IT-

2011-03-28T05:58:00.002-05:00

IF YOU HAVE AN IPHONE, IPAD ITOUCH.. or can just connect to any pc.. there is a great website / book/ app out there.. it is called LOSE it here is the link to the website LOSE IT .
I have the app on my IPAD and I TOUCH.. I have the book downloaded to my KINDLE APP.. and I love it.. its common sense with great tools..

IF you get the APP ( not available yet for ANDROID users) which I hate...
You set it up to your specifications.. it prompts you along the way it i gives you the choice to lose 1 -2 pounds a week.. they use references from various sources including Harvard Medical as well as other well known sources that it lists.. you can add your own foods or use their data.. its easy and kinda fun and really teaches you what you are comsuming.. prior to starting this ( my nutritionist suggested it last week) I was not logging my food.. and was not really attuned to my intake.. l was eating healthy .. but with out exercise I was not losing weight.. then I went through a 2 week phase of not giving a damn because the the bad news regarding my foot... I had a pity party.. and have Partied that pity out of the house...

THE features that I like the most are how you can draw up weekly and daily reports you can export them out or just have them sent to you.. its a great record of what you are doing . you can send those records to anyone you want.. in my case I can send them to my nutritionist or trainer who can give me tips about my food choices and ways to tighten things up...

After seeing my foot specialist and he showing me how for every 1 pound of weight you lose thats 2 pounds less on your feet.. he gave me visual cues and explained the barbaric surgergies I might face as well.. it was not a happy day but he did wake me up... I started Lose it last week.. with no exercise and only monitoring what I was eating to get an idea.. and much to my chagrin I was eating in excess of 1600 calories a day.. with no exercise... You will now find me in the pool 3 days a week.. and once the new orthotics are set I will be walking the days I do not swim.. eventually I will go back to boxing and free weights but for now.. I can not do anything that causes impact on the left foot.. I have watched myself bring my Calorie intake from 1600, to 1500 to 1400 and averaging at 1360 my calorie budget is no more than 1329 letting me lose 1.5 pounds a week.. or more as was the case this first week coming down from where I was going .... I had been doing 1200 and working out... prior to the diagnosis.. I will work my way back there.. was a major shock the damage I was doing over a 4 week period with most of the damage in the last I do not give a damn weeks..

I believe Logging your food.. ANYTHING THAT ENTERS YOUR MOUTH.. is a lesson in actuality and not what you think you have done.. it is a HUGE wake up call how quickly we can go in the wrong direction....

I almost let pain win.. now I am going to fight back..
I have some great tools. Peggy my hypnotherapist, Paul MKenna my hypnosis APP .. ( love him saw him on dr. Oz and love his app )
( the disclaimer for the above is .. I have tried everything for pain.. working with Peggy and listening to the cds and this App.. helps to relax me and focus on the lifestyle changes I am trying to make with positive reinforcement.. call me crazy but at least for me I know its working... I love Pauls easy relaxing exercises.. )

Well off to the POOL .. have a great Monday Make it COUNT!

PTTDS - POSTERIOR TIBIAL TENDON DYSFUNCTION

2011-03-23T06:04:00.002-05:00

This is the official diagnosis for me.. it is a progressive problem.. and eventually I will have surgery..
PTTD ..
went and got fitted for NEW orthotics .. paying 200.00 for that luckly they can use the original molds of my feet so i did not have to redo those.. sadly since I have not met my deductible I have to pay that out of pocket.. and I had to pay 100.00 the first time.. shesh getting these feet straight is a expensive issue ... my goal just to be able to take myself and my dogs for a walk because I can not even do that right now.. ... so below are some of the self treament choices.
So below is what it is:

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), also known as posterior tibial tendonitis, is one of the leading causes of acquired flatfoot in adults. The onset of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction may be slow or abrupt. An abrupt onset is typically linked to some form of trauma, whether it be simple (stepping down off a curb or ladder) or severe (falling from a height or automobile accident). PTTD is seldom seen in children and increases in frequency with age.
The characteristic finding of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction include;
Loss of medial arch height.
Edema (swelling) of the medial ankle.
Loss of the ability to resist force to abduct or push the foot out from the midline of the body.
Pain on the medial ankle with weight bearing.
Inability to raise up on the toes without pain.
Too many toes sign.
Lateral subtalar joint (sinus tarsi) pain.
A common test to evaluate PTTD is the 'too many toes sign'. The 'too many toes sign' is a test used to measure abduction (deviation away from the midline of the body) of the forefoot. With damage to the posterior tibial tendon, the forefoot will abduct or move out in relationship to the rest of the foot. In cases of PTTD, when the foot is viewed from behind, the toes appear as 'too many' on the outside of the foot due to abduction of the forefoot.
In advanced cases of PTTD, in addition to the pain of the tendon itself, pain will also be noted in the subtalar joint and sinus tarsi. The sinus tarsi refers to a small tunnel or divot on the outside of the subtalar joint that can actually be felt. This tunnel is the entry to the subtalar joint. The subtalar joint is the joint that controls the side to side motion of the foot, motion that would occur with uneven surfaces or sloped hills. As PTTD progresses and the ability of the posterior tibial tendon to support the arch becomes diminished, the arch will collapse overloading the subtalar joint. As a result, there is increased pressure applied to the joint surfaces of the lateral aspect of the subtalar joint, resulting in pain.
There have been many proposed explanations for PTTD over the years since this condition was first described by Kulkowski in 1936. The most contemporary explanation refers to an area of hypovascularity (limited blood flow) in the tendon just below the ankle. Tendon derives most of its' nutritional support from synovial fluid produced by the outer lining of the tendon. Extremely small blood vessels also permeate the tendon sheath to reach tendon. This makes all tendon notoriously slow to heal. In the case of the posterior tibial tendon, this problem is exacerbated by a distinct area of poor blood flow (hypovascularity). This area is located in the posterior tibial tendon just below or distal to the inside ankle bone (medial malleolus).
Tendon is most susceptible to fatigue and failure at an area where the tendon changes direction. As the posterior tibial tendon descends the leg and comes to the inside of the ankle, the tendon follows a well defined groove in the back of the tibia (bone of the inside of the ankle). The tendon then takes a dramatic turn towards the arch of the foot. If the tendon is put into a situation where significant load is applied to the foot, the tendon responds by pulling up as the load of the body (in addition to gravity) pushes down. At the location where the tendon changes course, the tibia acts as a wedge and may apply enough force to actually damage or rupture the tendon.
Equinus is also a contributing factor in cases of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Equinus is the term used to describe the ability or lack of ability to dorsiflex the foot at the ankle (move the toes towards the shin). Equinus is usually due to tightness in the calf muscle, also known as the gastroc-soleal complex (a combination of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles). Equinus may also be due to a bony block in the front of the ankle. The presence of equinus forces the posterior tibial tendon to accept additional load during gait.
Additional contributing factors that contribute to the onset of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction may include obesity, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, smoking or arthritis.
PTTD is a progressive condition, meaning to say, that if left untreated, PTTD will become worse over time. The progression of PTTD begins with focal tendonitis. If left untreated, tendonitis will progress to partial and then complete tears of the posterior tibial tendon. Several classifications have been developed to describe posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The classification as described by Johnson and Strom is most commonly used today.
Stage I Posterior tibial tendonitis without tendon tear

Tendon status - Attenuated (lengthened) with tendonitis but no rupture.
Clinical findings - Palpable pain in the medial arch. Foot is supple, flexible. Too many toes sign may be positive or negative.
X-ray/MRI - Mild to moderate tenosynovitis on MRI, no X-ray changes found.
Stage II Posterior tibial tendonitis with partial tendon tear
Tendon status - Attenuated with possible partial or complete rupture.
Clinical findings - Pain in arch. Unable to raise on toes. Too many toes sign positive.
X-ray/MRI - MRI notes tear in tendon. X-ray noting abduction of forefoot, collapse of talo-navicular joint.
Stage III Posterior tibial tendonitis with partial to complete tendon tear.
Tendon status - Severe degeneration of the tendon with likely rupture.
Clinical findings - Rigid flatfoot with inability to raise up on toes. Too many toes sign positive.
X-ray/MRI - MRI shows tear in tendon. X-ray noting abduction of forefoot, collapse of talo-navicular joint
An additional consideration in diagnosing PTTD pain is the presence of an accessory bone called an os tibiale externum. The os tibiale externum, or what is frequently called and accessory navicular, is a small bone that resides within the body of the PT tendon. The os tibiale externum functions to facilitate motion around the navicular. The os tibiale externum functions much in the same way that the knee cap (patella) works to guide the quadraceps tendon around the knee as it bends. The os tibiale externum can undergo degenerative wear called chondromalacia. The os tibiale externum also can fracture. Therefore, the os tibiale externum must also be considered when diagnosing PT tendon pain.
Treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Treatment for PTTD is dependant upon the clinical stage and the health status of the patient. It is important to recognize that PTTD is a mechanical problem that requires a mechanical solution. This means that treating PTTD with medication alone is fraught with failure. Prompt introduction of some form of mechanical support is imperative.
PTTD is a condition that increases in frequency with age and the prevalence of poor health indicators such as diabetes and obesity. As a result, many patients with PTTD are poor surgical candidates for correction of PTTD. Prosthetics such as an ankle foot orthotic (AFO), Arizona Brace or other bracing may be very helpful to control the symptoms of PTTD.
Surgical procedures which focus on primary repair of the posterior tibial tendon have been very unsuccessful. This is due to the fact that tendon heals slowly following injury and cannot be relied upon as a sole solution for PTTD cases. Surgical success is usually achieved by stabilization of the rearfoot (subtalar joint) which significantly reduces the work performed by the posterior tibial tendon.
Stage I PTTD may respond to treatment that includes variations of rest. Variations in rest include an ankle brace, walking cast with an elevated heel or a hard, below the knee non-weight bearing cast. Pain and inflammation may be controlled with anti-inflammatory medications. It is important to be sure that Stage I patients realize that the use of shoes with additionalarch support and heel elevation is imperative. Arch support and heel elevation should be continued indefinitely. Arch support, whether built into the shoe or added as an orthotic, helps support the posterior tibial tendon and decrease the amount of mechanical load applied to the posterior tibial tendon. Elevation of the heel, reduces equinus, one of the most significant contributing factors to PTTD. If Stage I patients return to low heels without arch support, PTTD will recur.
Stage II patients typically require surgical correction to stabilize the subtalar joint prior to further damage to the posterior tibial tendon. Subtalar arthroeresis is a procedure used to stabilize the subtalar joint. Subtalar arthroeresis may only be used in flexible feet. Arthroeresis is a term that means the motion of the joint is blocked without fusion. Subtalar arthroeresis can only be used in cases of Stage II posterior tibial tendonitis where mild to moderate deformation of the arch has occurred and MRI findings show the tendon to be only partially ruptured. Subtalar arthroeresis is typically performed in conjunction with an Achilles tendon lengthening procedure or endoscopic gastrocnemius recession to correct equinus. These procedures require casting for a period of weeks following the procedure.

We gotta deal with what we gotta deal with .. as far as I am concerned I will do what I can to avoid surgery.. for now.. make the day count.. I sure will..

ONE LITTLE CHANGE and a DEAL ON TWO LIGHTLY USED BATHING SUITS

2011-03-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

It seems to me that one little change can make all the difference..
For example.. in my strange little mind I always believed that the swimsuits with the little skirt always looked best.. Fact=when you are large, overweight, obese whatever... no bathing suit.. is going to make you look your best.. WHAT you go for is .. what is the most comfortable . I found black tank regular bathing suits.. at Wallhell... These suits work great.. and I feel so much better in the water. I am going to sell the two swim suits here are photos of them if you are interested... I will gladly UPS them to you.. the cost for both suits is 40.00 includes shipping

The brown and aqua colored suit (2010 style) cost me about 80.00 when I bought it last year... It Figures is the brand and they run anywhere from 50.00 to 125.00.

The black and multi color suit is a Suddenly Slim by Catalina available at your fine WallMart retailers.. they run around 32.00.. and is a 2011 style. Let me know if anyone is interested~
The brown and aqua is a 14 W ( this comes from IT FIGURES who makes larger bathing suits with out using the W sizing)
the black and flowered suit is a regular XL (16/18) and is not a plus size.

The skirts are usually not the wrinkled sorry for that .. just noticed that.. Let me know if anyone is interested!
Make it a great week!
I know I am ..

YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT

2011-03-18T05:33:00.003-05:00

YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT:

UNTIL your joints hurt
UNTILyour feet hurt
UNTIL walking up steps take more effort each and every time.
UNTIL you get winded way to easily
UNTIL walking is no longer simple
UNTIL moving hurts
UNTIL you know you need to do it or you will die if you do not
UNTIL your blood pressure is sky high
UNTIL your first Heart Attack
UNTIL your pants are too tight
UNTIL you are embarrassed to buy clothing
UNTIL you get the pitiful stare
UNTIL someone calls you because they are scared you are either going to get horrible diseases or die
UNTIL your phone no longer rings
UNTIL you hear your first nasty cat call and then another until the words do not hurt you any more
UNTIL you can not bend down
UNTIL you can not tend to your foot health
UNTIL you lose your sex drive
UNTIL you hate yourself

UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD~

DO NOT DO IT FOR HIM

DO NOT DO IT FOR HER

DO NOT DO IT FOR GOD

DO IT FOR YOU!

YAY FOR THURSDAY

2011-03-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

It has been a good week so far..
Finally Spoke with the doctor .. have a foot plan now.. I am getting the orthotics remade with more of a boost and support for the issues I am having.. because this issue is progressive.. I can no longer do exercise with any type of impact.. in order to build strength in the tendons and create a more balanced environment for my bones in my foot.. swimming is now my new best friend.. On monday I was in the therapy pool doing the exercises I was given.. water jogging.. marching.. side steps, kicks and knee lifts.. will be adding resistance weights soon and using a jog belt in the full pool.. It was an epic fail on Monday though.. thought using a robe would help me with the long walk from the pool area to the locker room.. the robe gathered all the water from my bathing suit and clung it to my legs.. by the time I made it to the locker room I was shivering.. today I treated myself to a new bathing suit and 2 new big bath sheets.. (towels) .. this way .. I will use one bath sheet which will absorb the water after I swim.. and then one after I shower.. keeping the shivers at a minimum YAY!

CRAZY BUSY IN MY WORLD

2011-03-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

Been super busy in my world. Getting ready for 2 food shows.. taking care of Honi.. getting appointments set up for my new orthotics, getting appointments set up for hypnotherapy for pain management and weight loss.. yeah you might think it cheesy but .. sometimes you have to be open to new things.. and I am always open to new things that are natural and self imposed.. so we shall see......
Hope everyone is having a great week!

GET YOUR CRUNCH ON ( why YES ! Virginia there are healthier options out there for a snack attack )

2011-03-15T05:28:00.014-05:00

FOR YOUR CHEEZY NEEDS.

.
Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals
Simply Cheddar Cracker Chips

27-piece= 130 calories,
3.5g fat,
250mg sodium,
24g carbs,
2g fiber,
4g sugars,
2g protein

GET YOUR CRUNCH ON :

FLAMOUS BRAND FALAFEL CHIPS

In Spicy and Original
, a 1-oz. serving (about 10 - 11 chips)
118 calories,
6g fat,
79 - 80mg sodium,
6 - 17g carbs,
4g fiber,
0 - 1g sugars,
4g protein

MORE CRUNCH FOR YOUR MUNCH

1-oz. serving (about 7 - 17 pretzels, depending on the variety)
has 110 - 120 calories,
2 - 2.5g fat,
290 - 390mg sodium,
20 - 22g carbs,
<1 - 2g fiber,
<1 - 4g sugars,
and 2 - 3g protein

My Favorite New Kid on the block :

I love the Trop50s .. sweetened with Stevia.. and just the best We love the Apple Juice, Pomegranete Blueberry Juice and look forward to Raspberry Lemonade and Lemonade.. yum... not a huge Pepsi, V8 or Ocean Spray Fan..

Sign up for Hungry Girl newsletters for Spotted on the Shelf items..

Hungry Girl

MORE SNACK ATTACK

2011-03-14T15:11:00.003-05:00

Per enchilada:
140 calories
3 g fat
9 g protein
3 g fiber

Per bar:
110 calories
3 g fat
9 g sugars
2 g protein
3 g fiber

Per bar:
150 calories
4.5 g fat
10 g sugars
3 g protein
9 g fiber

Per pocket:
220 calories
6 g fat
10 g protein
4 g fiber

Per 5 pieces:
110 calories
4 g fat
3 g protein
2 g fiber

Per 13 crackers:
120 calories
4.5 g fat
22 g carbohydrates
5 g fiber

Per package:
90 calories
8 g fat
5 g carbohydrates
1 g protein
1 g fiber

This comes with a dipping Ranch Dressing

Enjoy...

CREATE A DIVINE KITCHEN

2011-03-11T05:38:00.000-06:00

YOU .. the one that looks in the mirror back at ya... that YOU~ you are a 5 day a week dieter.. and then on the weekends.. you suddenly become .. the YOU that allows YOU to consume whatever the hell you want.. and then you wonder why on MONDAY YOU feel so yucky.. why on Monday the scale borders on OBSCENE.. you have a mental block when it comes to admitting that in order to really succeed you have to change.. YOU the YOU in the mirror can not finagle eating.. you can not have a slice of cake.. then have brunch the next morning loaded with saturated fats and God knows what else and expect a healthy outcome...

NOW me... the ME talking to YOU is not saying that you can't indulge once in a while.. but Every WEEKEND? nope not a good idea...
Create what works for you.. what keeps your body in rhythm 7 days a week... Create recipes that nab that sweet or savory tooth... Create a Kitchen that is divine that encourages you to eat most of your meals at home.. We go out on weekends and I always know the menu ahead of time.. I know what to expect.. and I know how to eat healthy .. and not feel I am "missing out". You can too .. just hunt.. find.. create.. Be creative as you change yourself... peruse cook books.. peruse the internet.. talk to healthy friends.. create a recipe book... It really does work.. and really can change your life...

SOME OF THE WORST PACKAGED FOOD LIES FROM EAT THIS NOT THAT

2011-03-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

Interesting article from Eat this Not that!

Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry
The Claim: "Juice drink"
The Truth: Words like "juice drink" and "juice cocktail" are industry euphemisms for a huge dose of sugar water. In this case, the product is also adorned with a cluster of other claims that attempt to hide this simple fact. (Most of Ocean Spray's juice products suffer from a serious lack of juice; this particular one, with just 18 percent juice, is one of the worst offenders.) Ocean Spray, to be sure, is not the only juice purveyor guilty of this sleight of hand: Dozens of manufacturers, including Welch's, Minute Maid, and SunnyD, perpetrate similar nutritional injustices.
What You Really Want: Every juice that hits your lips should be 100 percent juice. Period.

7UP
The Claim: "All Natural Flavors"
The Truth: The FDA doesn't have a definition for this claim. Case in point: 7UP now boasts that it's made with 100 percent natural ingredients. That's because they've switched from carbonated water to filtered water, from citric acid to natural citric acid, and from calcium disodium EDT to natural potassium citrate. Got it? Here's the kicker: The soft drink is still sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which can't be made without the help of a centrifuge.
What You Really Want: A healthy choice, like lemon and seltzer. 7UP's tactic is employed primarily by companies making junk food (see also: Natural Cheetos). Considering that the calorie counts are nearly always identical with their "unnatural" brethren (in the case of 7UP, calories and sugar counts are the exact same), concentrate on the bigger issues and find reliably healthy drinks and snack.

Mama Celeste Original Pizza

The Claim: "Original Pizza"
The Truth: Ever had a pizza without cheese? Well, if you eat this one you will have, since Mama Celeste doesn't use a single shred of real cheese in making this problematic pie. What does she use? Imitation mozzarella, which is the second ingredient on the list and is composed mostly of partially hydrogenated soybean oil, endowing each serving with 5 grams of nasty trans fats. Also watch out for the attachment of the word "flavored," as in "strawberry-flavored"; it's a surefire sign that the product is utterly fruitless.
What You Really Want: Cheese, strawberries, or whatever you think it is you're getting. If the name or flavor in the food's title isn't one of the first few ingredients, find another product.

The Unnatural Fruit

Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bar
The Claim: "Naturally and artificially flavored"
The Truth: While the FDA requires manufacturers to disclose the use of artificial flavoring on the front of the box, the requirements for what is considered "natural" and "real" are not strict: Even trace amounts of the essence or extract of fruit counts as natural. So yes, there is fruit in this bar, but it falls third in the ingredients list, behind HFCS and corn syrup.
What You Really Want: An honest snack with nothing to hide. Lärabars, one of our favorite snacks in the aisle, are made with nothing more than dried fruit and nuts.

Bogus Bread

Home Pride Wheat Bread
The Claims: "1 gram of fat per slice"; "wheat bread"
The Truth: This over-trumpeted claim (since when has bread contained much fat, anyway?) tries to distract from the fact that each slice has three times more sugar than fiber. Whatever wheat that went into this bread was stripped of all of its meaningful nutrients. Perhaps most concerning, the ingredients list here is more than a dozen items long, many of them unpronounceable additives, chemicals, and preservatives. Whatever happened to the days when bread was just flour, water, and yeast?
What You Really Want: Ignore fat when it comes to bread; there's rarely enough in a slice to make a real difference. More important, seek out a bread with more fiber per slice than sugar and with as few ingredients as possible.

The Cereal Conundrum

Kellogg's Smart Start Cereal
The Claim: "Lightly sweetened"
The Truth: Unregulated by the USDA, the word "lightly" gets tossed around like a Frisbee in the food packaging world. Always take it with a grain of salt; in many instances, "light" is the first sign of trouble. With this healthy-sounding cereal, "lightly" means 14 grams of sugar from 5 different sources, all of which adds up to a cereal with more added sugars per serving than Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, or Apple Jacks.
What You Really Want: A cereal with less than 10 grams of sugar per serving (and ideally less than 5), with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. Look at cereal as a sugar-to-fiber ratio; you want a ratio no higher than two to one.

The Vitamin Vacuum

Kelloggs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pop-Tarts
The Claim: "Good source of 7 vitamins and minerals"
The Truth: Five of the seven vitamins and minerals are derived from this product's first ingredient-enriched flour. That's the code word for "refined flour that's had nutrients added to it after it's been stripped of fiber."
What You Really Want: A breakfast without the nutritional profile of a dessert. Studies show that people who opt for high-quality protein (eggs, yogurt) over refined carbohydrates (pancakes, bagels, Pop-Tarts) lose weight faster and maintain higher levels of energy throughout the day.

The Fat Fake-Out

Smucker's Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter
The Claim: "25% less fat than regular natural peanut butter"
The Truth: Smucker's has indeed removed some of the fat from the peanut butter, but they've replaced it with maltodextrin, a carbohydrate used as a cheap filler in many processed foods. This means you're trading the healthy fat from peanuts for empty carbs, double the sugar, and a savings of a meager 10 calories.
What You Really Want: The real stuff: no oils, fillers, or added sugars. Just peanuts and salt. Smucker's Natural fits the bill, as do many other peanut butters out there.

NOTHING IS A SURE THING

2011-03-10T05:19:00.000-06:00

Nothing is a sure thing.. unless you really are ready to challenge yourself to succeed. By doing the same old same old and I have said this a billion times.. you get the same old results while expecting something different.
Why expect something different if all you are doing is the same thing? seems silly to me.

I was doing some research and am going to change things up a bit for myself. .nothing drastic still in the 1200 calorie range.. I am going to start leaning my eating toward the Mediterranean style.. here is some info I found on Fibro this morning and I am thinking of trying it.. It only takes a bad Fibro day like today to remind me to try different things...

Here are some excerpts from what I read:

Fruits and veggies are typically low in calories, high in fiber
, and rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals.
That’s good news for those who are, respectively,
battling obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
or autoimmune disorders —
all common among fibromyalgia patients.
Plus, natural foods lack the additives
that can aggravate symptoms.
“Preservatives and coloring tend to
have a negative effect on a person
with fibromyalgia,” Matallana says.
“Eating more natural foods is very important".

The "good fat" found in cold-water fish and walnuts
is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties,
according to Jeffrey Thompson, MD, an associate
professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation
at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
And while omega 3's may not offer pain
relief across the board, they’re a worthy
addition to any diet: "Just for heart health,
it's not a bad idea," Thompson says.

Reducing your carb intake and packing more protein
into your diet can keep blood glucose levels from fluctuating,
which can trigger fatigue. "
One thing we recommend is the Mediterranean diet,
because it helps people avoid those sugar rushes," Matallana says

Mediterranean-style vegetable or bean-based soup, such as minestrone or lentil soup
Whole-grain roll or flatbread
Grilled or steamed seafood
Cooked fresh vegetables, such as spinach
Fresh salad with oil and vinegar dressing
Fruit for dessert

The more closely participants adhered to the Mediterranean diet,
the better their long-term health outcomes were.
Other studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet
also has beneficial effects on fasting blood sugar
levels and insulin sensitivity. In general, eating in this
way has been shown to have long-term health benefits.
Of course, many people are interested in weight loss
in addition to creating a healthy diet. In a study
comparing a calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet
with two other diet types (a low-calorie/ low-fat diet
and a low-carbohydrate/non-restricted calorie diet),
people lost about eight pounds over the course
of two years on the Mediterranean diet,
significantly more than those in the low-calorie/low-fat
diet plan and just slightly less than those on the low-carb plan.
For better health, steady weight loss,
and a tasty regimen that has staying power,
the Mediterranean diet is a plan worth trying.
When you look at the above a lot of it is
really just common sense stuff and a
majority of what I am doing now ...
finally figured out that the advil reall
y does help with inflammation so started that again..
and getting my potassium in as well.
May start taking other supplements ..
Ginger especially to see if that helps too..

WEDNESDAY RECIPES

2011-03-09T04:54:00.001-06:00

Prep Time:15 min

Start to Finish:30 min

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

makes:8 servings

2	tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2	onion, finely chopped
3	garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2	celery stalk, finely chopped
1	medium sized carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1	pound of ground chicken
1	(28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1	cup Progresso® Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
1/2	cup white wine
2	tablespoons fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1	teaspoon sugar
1	pound uncooked multigrain spaghetti
1/3	cup fat free half-and-half
1/4	cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1.	In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, celery and carrot. Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
2.	Add ground chicken and brown for a few minutes. Then, turn up heat and add tomatoes, broth, wine, basil and sugar, being sure to stir and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
3.	Simmer uncovered over low heat stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. If sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken stock.
4.	While sauce simmers, cook pasta in large pot of boiling water. Add fat- free half & half to sauce and serve over cooked spaghetti; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 80);
Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 35mg;
Sodium 690mg; Total Carbohydrate 54g (Dietary Fiber 6g,
Sugars 8g); Protein 19g Percent Daily Value*
: Vitamin A 40%; Vitamin C 15%;
Calcium 8%; Iron 15% Exchanges: 2 1/2 Starch;
1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable;
1 1/2 Very Lean Meat;
1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 3 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

WHOLE WHEAT BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Whole wheat flour and a touch of honey update classic blueberry muffins. From eatbetteramerica.

Prep Time:15 min

Start to Finish:35 min

makes:12 muffins

Topping
2	tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4	teaspoon ground cinnamon
Muffins
3/4	cup fat-free (skim) milk
1/4	cup canola or soybean oil
1/4	cup honey
1	egg
1	cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1	cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
3	teaspoons baking powder
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup Cascadian Farm® frozen organic blueberries (do not thaw)

1.	Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray , or place paper baking cup in each muffin cup. In small bowl, stir together topping ingredients; set aside.
2.	In large bowl, beat milk, oil, honey and egg with spoon until well blended. Stir in flours, baking powder and salt just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy). Gently fold in blueberries.
3.	Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (cups will be full). Sprinkle with topping.
4.	Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and muffins are golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Decrease baking powder to 2 teaspoons. If using paper baking cups, spray with cooking spray before adding batter.

Nutritional Information

1 Muffin: Calories 170 (Calories from Fat 50);
Total Fat 5g (Saturated Fat 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g);
Cholesterol20mg; Sodium 230mg; Total Carbohydrate 26g
(Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 10g); Protein 4g Percent Daily Value*:
Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 10%;
Iron 6% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 0 Other
Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

ZESTY CHICKEN WITH CORN SALSA

Add zing to your chicken breasts with

chili powder and ground cumin

. From Prevention Healthy Cooking.

Prep Time:15 min

Start to Finish:30 min

makes:4 servings

2	teaspoons chili powder
2	teaspoons brown sugar
1	teaspoon ground cumin
4	boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
2	tablespoons olive oil
1	can (7 oz) Green Giant® whole kernel sweet corn, drained
1/2	small red bell pepper, chopped
1/2	small cucumber, seeded and chopped
1/2	cup Progresso® red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3	tablespoons lime juice
1/4	teaspoon salt

1.	In cup, combine chili powder, brown sugar and cumin. Rub both sides of chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
2.	In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken in hot oil 12 minutes, turning occasionally, or until instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion reads 160°F and juices run clear.
3.	Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together corn, red pepper, cucumber, kidney beans, lime juice and salt.
4.	Evenly divide corn salsa onto 4 plates. Top each with a chicken breast.

Nutritional Information

1 Serving: Calories 320 (Calories from Fat 110); Total Fat 12g (Saturated Fat 2 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 85mg; Sodium 380mg; Total Carbohydrate 19g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 5g); Protein34g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 30%; Calcium 4%; Iron 15% Exchanges: 1Starch; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 1 Vegetable; 4 Lean Meat Carbohydrate Choices: 1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

NEW INFO AND IDEAS

2011-03-08T05:40:00.000-06:00

NEW PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET:

NEW LUNA BARS, CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS AD NEW FLAVOR FOR PUDDING CUPS: BOSTON CREAM PIE.

THESE LOOK PRETTY DARN GOOD BY KASHI CHERRY VANILLA CEREAL BARS..

LOVE THIS LINK: GOOGLE RECIPE SEARCH

Outstanding Family Weekend

2011-03-07T12:40:00.000-06:00

We had a blast this weekend in Atlanta .. the bar mitzvah was great and funny enough it was a double bar mitzvah and I knew some of the family members of the other bar mitzvah.. they were from here and my folks had been good friends with their folks. Wonderful to see them.. and be with my family as well..Just a super weekend by all..
We checked out a Trader Joes.. everyone is always talking about them like they are the best... eh... I prefer Whole Foods and Fresh Market.. was not the least bit impressed with Trader Joes at all.. and did not see any product I could not find elsewhere for less.
Well back to my Monday!
Have a great day!

Friday Links

2011-03-04T05:13:00.001-06:00

Coupons Coupons Coupons!!
In these money saving times... SAVE SOME MONEY use COUPONS!

COUPON.COM

HEYITSFREE.NET

COUPONMOM.COM

COUPONCABIN.COM

COOL COUPONS

SHIT YOU DO NOT NEED..

JUST IN CASE YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT BANKING YOUR CALORIES FOR ONE OF THESE..... EEEEERRR !!!! WRONG ANSWER!!!!

INFO REGARDING BK STUFFED STEAKHOUSE BURGER

RECIPE THURSDAY

2011-03-03T05:58:00.001-06:00

Chix Nuggets..

Ingredients

1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
2 teaspoons honey
1 pound chicken tenders, cut in half crosswise (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Mash blackberries (or raspberries), mustard and honey in a small bowl until it looks like a chunky sauce.
Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl, add the chicken and toss to coat (discard any leftover cornmeal).
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook the chicken, turning once or twice, until browned and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total (thinner nuggets will cook faster than thicker ones). Serve the chicken nuggets with the berry mustard.

Tips & Notes

Chicken tenders are the lean strips of rib meat typically
found attached to the underside of chicken breasts.
They can also be purchased separately.
Four 1-ounce tenders will yield a
3-ounce cooked portion. Tenders are
perfect for quick stir-fries, chicken
satay or kid-friendly breaded “chicken nuggets.”

Nutrition

Per serving: 184 calories; 5 g fat ( 1 g sat , 3 g mono )
; 67 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates;
3 g added sugars; 26 g protein; 2 g fiber
; 452 mg sodium; 70 mg potassium.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

OVEN FRIES..

Ingredients

2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into wedges
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F.
Toss potato wedges with oil, salt and thyme (if using).
Spread the wedges out on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until browned and tender, turning once, about 20 minutes total.

Nutrition

Per serving: 102 calories; 5 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono );
0 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars
; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 291 mg sodium; 405 mg potassium.
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

___________________________________________

LOADED TATER..

Ingredients

4 medium russet potatoes
8 ounces 90%-lean ground beef, (see Variation)
1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
1 cup water
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 scallions, sliced

Preparation

Pierce potatoes all over with a fork. Place in the microwave
and cook on Medium, turning once or twice, until the potatoe
s are soft, about 20 minutes. (Or use the “potato setting”
on your microwave and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions.)
Meanwhile, brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat,
stirring often, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl
Increase heat to high, add broccoli and water to th
e pan, cover, and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the broccoli; add to the meat.
Carefully cut off the top third of the cooked potatoes;
reserve the tops for another use
. Scoop out the insides into a medium bowl.
Place the potato shells in a small baking dish.
Add 1/2 cup Cheddar, sour cream, salt and pepper to the potato
insides and mash with a fork or potato masher.
Add scallions and the potato mixture to the broccoli and meat; stir to combine.
Evenly divide the potato mixture among the potato shells
and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Microwave on
High until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare and stuff potatoes.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Microwave and serve.

Vegetarian variation: Replace the ground beef with
a soy-based substitute or omit the beef altogether and
increase the broccoli to 1 1/2 cups and the cheese to 1 1/4 cups.

Nutrition

Per serving: 274 calories; 10 g fat ( 5 g sat , 4 g mono ); 52 mg cholesterol;
24 g carbohydrates; 22 g protein; 2 g fiber; 514 mg sodium; 740 mg potassium.
____________________________________________________________________________

SPAGHETTI..

Ingredients

1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 pound lean (90% or leaner) ground beef
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tender,
8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring occasionally
, until the onion is beginning to brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning; cook until fragrant,
about 30 seconds. Add beef and cook, stirring and
breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink
, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase heat to high.
Stir in tomatoes and cook until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in parsley and salt.
Serve the sauce over the pasta, sprinkled with cheese.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to
3 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Per serving: 384 calories; 9 g fat ( 3 g sat , 3 g mono );
48 mg cholesterol; 52 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars
; 28 g protein; 10 g fiber; 416 mg sodium; 655 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (49% daily value),
Zinc (34% dv), Iron (26% dv), Vitamin C (23% dv)
, Magnesium (21% dv), Potassium (19% dv).
3 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 2 lean meat

Happy Wednesday!

2011-03-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

WORK day for me... gotta get some chow for the pups.. and get ready to go out of town of a bit for a family affair.. I think it is the last Bar Mitzvah from my generation of cousin's children.. wow.. should be a fun time.. love seeing everyone and just hanging out .. time is slipping by and people are getting older in my family.. just a blessing to be with everyone I feel..
Otherwise same old same old.. looking forward to getting back to swimming and working out.. been down going on 3 weeks now.. so the change back to normal will be good... otherwise... SOS here..
have a great Wednesday!
I will!

Tuesday... bleh Needles

2011-03-01T05:48:00.002-06:00

So I go and get my shot.. for the bone scan.. then I come home.. hang out for 3 hours.. and work.. then head back to the diagnostic center for the actual scan... the doc should know something by Thursday and then we know how to proceed.. its all good hopefully!
Not much going on right now.. Working hard.. and trying to get the tests in and done..

They are killer on the old wallet.. 250.00 at my favorite place, and hopefully about 100.00 at the diagnostic center.. though not 100% insurance is a pisser.. at first the D.C. wanted to charge me 290.00 but now its less.. we shall see though.. Just want to get this all done and over with so we have answers..

I can not wait to get in the pool next week that will be wonderful! looking forward to that a great deal...
I am proof that even with an injury one can work out some way.. granted I had to take 2 weeks off.. but it is all working out now...NO EXCUSES HERE!

MONDAY MONDAY!

2011-02-28T12:48:00.001-06:00

PT early in the a.m. .... got some good news.. looks like boot might come off next Monday and I can start swimming on tuesday and thursdays.. and bike and walk on Monday and Wednesday that will be it until everything heals up.. Tomorrow they do the bone scan.. to see why the bone in the left foot is moving like it is.. there is a structure issue, a deformed bone that they are interested in.. this will guide them in rebuilding the orthotics so I do not have major problems down the road.. so that is soooo good..
Otherwise it is suppose to be a stormy Monday.. we shall see..
Have a great Monday..
I sure will..

RECIPES FOR FRIDAY~LETS GET MEATLESS.... THESE ARE VEGETERIAN RECIPES NOT LOW CALORIE SO BE SURE AND CHECK THEM!

2011-02-25T05:33:00.001-06:00

INGREDIENTS

1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
or reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 cup shredded fontina cheese or
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
dill or chives or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups chopped vegetables,
such as broccoli, carrots
and snap peas, or 16-ounce
bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 16-ounce package frozen cheese tortellini

PREPARATION
1. Put a large pot of water on to boil.
2. Meanwhile, whisk broth
3. and flour in a small bowl
4. . Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Add garlic and cook,
6. stirring, until just beginning
7. to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broth
8. mixture to the pan, bring to a boil and cook,
9. stirring occasionally, until the sauce is
10. thick enough to coat the back of a spoon,
11. about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and
12. stir in cheese, tarragon (or dill or chives) and salt.
13. Add vegetables and tortellini to the boiling water;
14. return the water to a simmer and
15. cook until the vegetables
16. and tortellini are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
17. Drain; add to the pan
18. with the sauce and stir to coat.
NUTRITION
Per serving: 424 calories; 15 g fat (8 g sat, 4 g mono);
68 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrates; 0 g added
sugars; 14 g protein; 5 g fiber;
566 mg sodium; 321 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (126% daily value),
Calcium (20% dv), Vitamin C (17% dv), Folate (16% dv).
3 Carbohydrate Serving

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small eggplant, (about 12 ounces), cubed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 tablespoons tahini, (see Note)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 15- or 19-ounce can chickpeas or
cannellini beans, rinsed (see Tip)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley,
plus more for garnish
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup halved pitted briny
black olives, such as Kalamata (optional)
4 whole-wheat pita breads,
warmed and cut in half or into wedges
PREPARATION
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add eggplant, garlic and 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook,
stirring occasionally,
until the eggplant is soft and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk tahini, lemon juice, water
and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
Stir in chickpeas (or beans), parsley and the eggplant.
Arrange the chickpea-eggplant salad,
tomatoes, onion, feta, olives (if using) and
pitas on a platter. Serve at room temperature
or chilled and sprinkled with more parsley, if desired.
TIPS & NOTES
Make Ahead Tip: Cover
and refrigerate the chickpea
salad (Steps 1-2) for up to 4 hours.
Note: Tahini is a thick
paste of ground sesame seeds.
Look for it in large supermarkets in the
Middle Eastern section
or near other nut butters.
Tip: While we love the convenience
of canned beans, t
hey tend to be high in
sodium. Give them a good rinse before
adding to a recipe
to rid them of some
of their sodium (up to 35 percent) or opt for
low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties.
(Our recipes are analyzed with rinsed,
regular canned beans.) Or, if you
have the time, cook your own beans from scratch.
NUTRITION

Per serving: 313 calories;
11 g fat (3 g sat, 5 g mono);
8 mg cholesterol;
46 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein;
10 g fiber; 648 mg sodium; 622 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (40% daily value),
Folate (28% dv),
Magnesium & Potassium (18% dv), Iron (15% dv)
2 Carbohydrate Serving.

I
NGREDIENTS
1/4 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 14-ounce package firm o
r extra-firm water-packed tofu, rinsed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons plus 1
tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped
8 ounces white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup prepared marinara
sauce, preferably low-sodium
1/2 cup shredded
part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
PREPARATION
1. Combine breadcrumbs and
2. Italian seasoning in a shallow dish.
3. Cut tofu lengthwise into 4 steaks and pat dry.
4. Sprinkle both sides of the tofu with garlic powder
5. and salt and then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture.
6. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet
7. over medium heat.
8. Add onion and cook, stirring,
9. until beginning to brown,
10. about 3 minutes.
11. Add mushrooms and cook
12. until they release their juices and
13. begin to brown, 4 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl.
14. Add the remaining
15. 1 tablespoon oil to the pan.
16. Add the tofu steaks and
17. cook until browned on one side
18. , about 3 minutes. Turn over and
19. sprinkle with Parmesan. Spoon
20. the mushroom mixture over
21. the tofu, pour marinara over
22. the mushrooms and scatter
23. mozzarella on top. Cover
24. and cook until the sauce is
25. hot and the cheese is melted,
26. about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.
NUTRITION
Per serving: 262 calories;
16 g fat (5 g sat, 7 g mono);
13 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates;
16 g protein; 3 g fiber; 597 mg sodium;
443 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Calcium
(40% daily value),
Selenium (15% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving

CLICK HERE >> ADDITIONAL RECIPES

ONE THING THAT STRIKES ME

2011-02-24T05:58:00.000-06:00

IT is so easy to make excuses ... they are the first thing that slides out of our mouths when we stumble along the way.. be it an actual stumble or a whine or whimper..

We think carefully and quickly about what we are going to put out there.. to our family to our friends.. what we can say .. what we can create... but it is very simple..it is still an excuse..

What would happen if we held ourselves accountable..

accepted our own RESPONSIBLITY FOR OURSELVES!

Made the right choice and stuck with it!

Wouldn't the follow through be amazing?

TIME TO DROP THE EXCUSE!

NOW!

FOR YOU!

WHAT MUSIC CAN DO FOR YOU

2011-02-23T05:52:00.000-06:00

THIS APPLIES TO EVERYONE!

Get your MP3 player out or whatever device you have..

Create a music list that gets you moving.. now go outside and walk..

or stay inside and dance.. or go outside and dance... or walk and dance.. whatever gets you moving..

I get really tired of these arguments.. "gym costs too much" "i do not have time" AND THE BULLSHIT FLEW!... you do have time.. you can find time no matter who you... dance in the closet, in the bathroom.. where ever.. get yourself going make your heart pound.. funny enough it will make you smile... you know .. one of these things..

Now that hopefully your weather is getting warmer the only thing that needs to be canned now is EXCUSES...

WE ONLY HAVE TODAY!
WE ONLY HAVE RIGHT NOW!
MAKE IT COUNT!

TIPS for TUESDAY

2011-02-22T05:48:00.000-06:00

I love finding new things... and I love finding new ideas that might be helpful along the way... pain management can be a difficult thing.. everyone is unique to what works for them. I have run the drug treadmill and nothing worked... the side effects were worse than the actual pain... I have thought about many options out there from acupuncture to marijuana use.. anything to get a little peace from my body that screams sometimes.. I would love a day that I could wake up with no pain.. NO PAIN imagine that.. I would run if I had no pain.. RUN.. but the likelyhood of that ever happening is not ... well very likely..sure I can feel better and get stronger.. always.. but pain is and will be my constant companion... hopefully I can get it down really low which is my long term goal...

On to more fun stuff...

Recipe Links:

GINA'S SKINNY RECIPES   ***** THIS IS A WW FRIENDLY RECIPE SITE

HUNGRY GIRL  ******* HUNGRY GIRL IS NOW ON THE COOKING CHANNEL.. THERE ARE GREAT EASY IDEAS HERE BUT WELL.. IT IS LIKE WW YOU KNOW .. NOT EVERYTHING IS WHOLE AND FRESH.. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PRE PACKAGED FOODS USED AS WELL AS A LOT OF SNACKY STUFF.. WHICH IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING WW TO A TEE IS A GREAT DEAL... BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR RECIPES IN GENERAL IT MIGHT MAKE YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD A LITTLE .. NEVER THE LESS I AM A FAN OF HUNGRY GIRL.. AND HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO SOME GREAT PRODUCTS THAT ARE HIGH IN FIBER AND TASTY TOO..

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SITES TO ORDER FROM IS VITALICIOUS   WE LOVE THEIR MUFFIN TOPS AND BROWNIES.. AT 100 CALORIES AND 5-7 GRAMS OF FIBER A SERVING ITS A GREAT CONTROLLED SNACK .

MAKE TUESDAY COUNT ..
I WILL

FUNNY MONDAY...

2011-02-21T07:48:00.000-06:00

I am doing alright still booted.. I go to the gym tomorrow early in the a.m.. for cardio and pt.. foot feels best in boot.. but heel still is pretty painful...

Some FUNNYS for Monday

THE ART OF YOUR STATION IN LIFE

2011-02-18T05:22:00.001-06:00

So there was this girl who was very wealthy... she had money to join the finest gym.. have the best trainers and even hire a personal chef... there was a girl... who was not so wealthy and had to rely on her neighbohood Y.. but she went deligently... she ate what she could mostly lean cuisnes or the Walmart cheaper version light meal... she got bags of salad when they were on sale... and she drank her water..

Ms. Wealthy had every opportunity... but chose bon bons over boxing or ballet... she ate the finest ( read richest) foods.. and went out to fancy dining establishments regularly..

Ms. Not So Wealthy was thrilled when the farmers market opened and she could by less expensive fruits and veggies.. in fact.. she even figured out a way to make her own garden.. to help her eat healthier with out spending too much of her budget... every now and then she would by boneless skineless chicken when it was on sale or fish from time to time.. she tried very hard .. and even though her station in life was not that easy... she worked 2 jobs.. and did not have a great car.. she got by though.. and she worked towards getting herself healthier day by day...

Ms. Wealthy never made changes.. ohhh she would put on a good front mind you.. act like she was doing something.. but she always went back to her bon bons...

The point is... is that it does not really matter how rich you are .. or poor.. Money is not an excuse not to get healthy ! You can make it work! You can participate in neighborhood co ops for gardens... check with your local growers asscocation to see if there is one near by... you can make your life work for you to get yourself healthy if you really want... using creativity anything is possible! So never use your station in life as a safety net of excuses... empower yourself with the tools you have all around you.. i.e. go for a walk... check out your local farmers markets and co ops and pick your own at farms... IT CAN BE DONE ! willingness and effort.. makes things happen!

Have a great Weekend!

GOD LAUGHS

2011-02-17T05:16:00.000-06:00

So You think you have it all planned.. and then pops up a party, or a dinner... you think you have self control, but what about the luscious chocolate cake that someone brought... you make wonderful plans on getting fit and healthy... however the thing about plans is..
We make plans and God laughs... what that simply means is that no matter what you think you have in control.. something is always going to come along and change it... so you can make all the plans you want.. but be prepared for surprises.. Know what you would do an any given situation you can think of.

Preparedness is always a good idea.
Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday References

2011-02-16T05:57:00.002-06:00

ARE YOU A JUICEAHOLIC?

A LINK TO FACTS ABOUT JUICES

JUICES

WE ARE MAJOR SUGAR CONSUMERS

BUT WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT SUGAR?

CLICK THE LINK AND SEE..

SUGAR

THIS IS A GREAT SITE FOR HEALTHY EATING TOOLS ONE I REFER TO FREQUENTLY CLICK HERE:

HEALTHY TOOLS

TRY CHIPS AND OTHER FINDS

2011-02-15T05:12:00.004-06:00

Here is a link that gives you viable info on Try Chips... check it out.. it really is a great snack...we are going to use them for motorcycle trips rather than snacking on cereal bars.. I also enjoy them in the afternoon when I get the 3 pm munchies... I have also noticed that if I have a bag ( and they are hefty bags.. no little chintzy 100 cal bag here) which by the way is 100 calories, a good source of fiber and if paired with a glass of water or 3 .. makes for a filling afternoon snack.
Also a good snack after a work out as well... I love them... A great flip on a fruity chip!

Lean cuisine Spring Rolls make a great light lunch paired with a salad..
or even a good snack.. paired with some carrots and celery slices..

Smart Taste by Ronzoni makes a healthier Pasta for those pasta lovers..
check it out... I still use the Barilla half and half.. still not a huge whole wheat fan so we mix em up.. by using Barilla plus...

The Fage is a great choice for yogurt lovers

One of my favorite nip it in the bud snack craver shut downs is this paired with 4 triscuits..

this is a pretty cool tool :

HEALTHY DINING GUIDE

FOOT NEWS

2011-02-14T11:52:00.000-06:00

WELL I AM OFFICIALLY IN ONE OF THESE : and its a bitch to walk on... bleck.. hopefully it will help my foot.. tomorrow starts PT ... hopefully I am just trapped in this contraption for 2 weeks but it could be 4 weeks... I love my clarks though.. they are so comfy... I got my new wallet finally and am pleased still waiting on my travel bag and purse...
I also got my Try Chips too..

check out this website.. and better yet ask for a free sample... or just hunker down and order them at 100 calories a big packet.. 4 grams fiber its a filling snack... we are going to use these for our motorcycle trips as opposed to eating empty calories of cereal bars.. this is a good bit better for you..
trychips.com.. they reccomend them for folks who run.. or bike .. or just are trying to find healthy options out there for a nutritious snack... I like em a lot!
tell them Honi Gottlieb sent you to their site as well..so they know you how you found them.. again .. they are delicous fruit snacks that are extreemly filling if you pair them with water.. for my husband who is mister finicky about healthier foods.. to really like them is the most amazing thing..
Well off to enjoy the rest of the day ...
Have a sweet Valentines day!

FRI DAY

2011-02-11T05:25:00.001-06:00

Today is the day...

my appointment is at 11 30 with the orthopedic specialist...
going to write my questions list right now

hoping for some answers !

SOUL VISION

TA DA!

LOOK FOR THE NEWNESS

FOOD, IT'S A CRIME~

NEW DECORATIONS TOO.. .GONNA CHANGE THINGS HERE

BACK AND HOPEFULLY WITH REGULARITY TOO!

OUT OF POCKET SO SORRY

YAY first week down.. and 2.6 pounds gone.. yay Honi

Day 4 & NOT MISSING A BEAT YAY!

SO WHAT BRiNGS ME TO THIS POINT- DAY 3

WEDNESDAY

CONFESSION OR NOT~

Crazy in my neck of the woods

Tuesday

HI WORLD... I AM BACK...

I still can not get over Fried Asparagus...

Mississippi 's new slogan should be : WE DON'T DRY CLOTHES.... WE FRY CLOTHES!!! ... damn that place ... whew... so glad to be home eating real food.. and feeling better...

We toured Cullman on Saturday .. the photos are from what we saw... scary indeed...

Later after we went up to Springville ( we did about 210 miles on the bike) .. to Old farts farm for fresh eggs... I went to Publix and picked up a bunch of stuff to donate at the firehouse... wish we could do more...

Well make it a good monday I will..

Very Short Post

Easter Brunch Recipes

Arugula & Chicken Sausage Bread Pudding

Ingredients

Custard

Seasonings

Bread & filling

Topping

Preparation

Tips & Notes

Nutrition

Banana-Blueberry Buttermilk Bread

Ingredients

Preparation

Tips & Notes

Nutrition

Mini Mushroom-&-Sausage Quiches

Ingredients

Preparation

Tips & Notes

Nutrition

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

Ingredients

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake

Lemon Glaze

Preparation

Tips & Notes

Nutrition

Parmesan Spinach Cakes

Ingredients

Preparation

Tips & Notes

Nutrition

IT'S NEVER ROCKET SCIENCE~

I LOVE MY LIFE!

A TWO DAY EXTRAVAGANZA OF DEATH BY FOOD PART 2

DEADLY FOODS BELOW... HOPEFULLY NONE OF US EAT THIS GARBAGE ANYMORE.. FOR ME I CAN SAY NEVER.. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THE FOODS EVER ON THIS LIST OR FOR THE MOST PART ON ANY LIST... IT IS A SHOCKING DISCOVERY THOUGH NOT SURPRISING THE GARBAGE PEOPLE WILL CONSUME ...

THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE WORST FOODS OF 2011 Per MENS HEALTH MAGAZINE AND EAT THIS NOT THAT!

Cheesecake Factory Bistro Shrimp Pasta

Uno Chicago Grill Mega-Sized Deep Dish Sundae

Cheesecake Factory Crispy Chicken Costoletta

Uno Chicago Grill Classic Deep Dish Pizza (individual size)

Outback Steakhouse Kookaburra Wings

Baja Fresh Charbroiled Steak Nachos

IHOP "Big" Country Breakfast

Cold Stone Creamery PB&C Shake (Gotta Have It size, 24 fl oz)

Denny's Smokin' Q Three Pack

WTF THINGS I FIND ONLINE

A TWO DAY EXTRAVAGANZA OF DEATH BY FOOD~ PART 1

Outback Steakhouse Baby Back Ribs (full rack)

PF Chang's Doube Pan-Fried Noodles Combo (served with beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp)

TGI Friday's Santa Fe Chopped Salad

Cheesecake Factory Grilled Shrimp and Bacon Club

Hardee's Loaded Biscuit 'N' Gravy with Large Hash Rounds

Domino's Chicken Carbonara Breadbowl Pasta

Five Guys Large Fries

Wendy's Triple Baconator

Blimpie Special Vegetarian

Stouffer's White Meat Chicken Pot Pie (large)1,160 calories66 g fat (26 g saturated)1,780 mg sodium

Stouffer's White Meat Chicken Pot Pie (large)

Stouffer's White Meat Chicken Pot Pie (large)
1,160 calories
66 g fat (26 g saturated)
1,780 mg sodium

California Pizza Kitchen Kids Curly Mac 'n' Cheese
1,038 calories
38 g saturated fat
1,651 mg sodium