HC 1/1/09 Happy New Year!

Verna,  I'm adding ham to the collards, will that count.  If you like greens I think the cabbage/collard will be a good recipe, it has bacon in it, which I had planned to leave out. lol
I never ate collard until a couple years ago and I love them.  I'll post the recipe here and then on our Recipes to Remember later.

Collard with Cabbage
1 large bunch of collard (or frozen)
1/2 head of green cabbage
1 lb. bacon, diced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp.. red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. kosher salt, divided
2 cups chicken broth, divided
Wash the collard well, cut away the ribs, roll up the leaves and slice into strips.  Cut away and discard the cabbage core, then cut cabbage into slices.  Keep the collards & cabbage separate
Divide the bacon between 2 large pots over medium heat.  Cook until fat has rendered but bacon isn't crisp.  Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside.  Then turn heat down, add 1 cup chicken broth and about 4 cups water and bring to a boil.  Add the cabbage and about 1/2 the bacon, cover and simmer 20 minutes, until tender.  Add onion and pepper flakes to the fat in the second pot. Cook until the onion is softened, add 1 cup chicken broth and about 6 cups water. Add collards, reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour. until tender
When the cabbage is tender, remove it from the pot with slotted spoon, draining liquid, Place it on a cutting board and chop finely with a large knife, set aside
Remove collards from the second pot with a slotted spoon, saving the liquid. Place them on a chopping board and mince them.
Mix the minced cabbage and the collards and return to the pot with enough liquid to make a mixture that is juic and not too soupy
Reheat and serve hot with hot sauce or peppered vinegar on the side

We watched some of the Rose Parade today too.

Maureen, it must be quite a sight in person, since the commentators on TV won't let you really enjoy seeing it without thinking they have to keep up a steady commentary.  I think we could do without at least some of that.  LOL 

Lusi, when Tom called to wish us a Happy New Year from a party he was at last night, I still worried about his driving home on a night when there are lots of accidents.  Of course, I could put it out of my mind since I wasn't waiting to hear him walk in the door. I can sure remember those days, though, and don't mind leaving them behind me. 

Viny, I hope Pat is feeling better today. That's a pretty high fever for an adult, she must have been very sick.  I hope you will have a chance to get the brace for your ankle soon to get that a little support. 

Marti, you've set really specific goals for the new year. I have no doubt you'll achieve them.  If you just can't get in the much needed protien, Shaklee has a Protien Powder that you can mix with milk or juice each day.  I've heard that their products are very good and good for you too.

Verna, keep that shredding going.  LOL  I know how files can fill up and need to be  thined out too.Mine are in need of a thinning and  I might just save them for shredding day offered by the township.  I'm not sure when the next one is though. 

Barb, I used to love Chinese food, but just can't eat it much any more. It's way too salty and the vegies aren't cooked enough for me to digest.  Now there goes a guilty pleasure without me even having to make a decision.  My eating has had to change so much lately.  I think if I would only listen to my body, I wouldn't have a hard time making healthy choices at all. 

Shirley, it sounds like Holley has no trouble getting motivated. Didn't you say she was a tiny person.....that's why, she never sits.  Please ask her to send me some of her get up and go.  lol

JoLynn it sounds like a nice last minute party, especially getting to see old friends and make new ones.  We didn't go out at all and you still beat us to bed.  LOL   I can remember belonging to a bowling league years ago when Ken and Tom were still babies.  My sister and I joined the late league, so that we could have dinner finished, and the kids in bed before we left.  I don't even remember feeling tired before we left.  Oh, how wonderful to be that young and energetic again.  I can remember driving my sister home and then coming home in the middle of winter on icy roads and that didn't bother me either.  There's a lot to be said for being young and fearless.  LOL

Maureen, that's exactly where my pain is, in the hips.  lol   I think you're right about getting into some exercises before we try the bowling every week. Today, I don't feel like doing much walking at all, ouch! 

I wasn't a part of the group when it  was on  KC, it was on Hints when I started.  Then, I dropped off for  a while and when I looked for the group again, someone let me know you had moved to Healthy Choices.    It's good to be back.  You've all been so supportive thorugh my ups and downs, not to mention the inspiration I get from the pep talks.  lol  I hope I've been there for you too,  when you've needed me. 

Okay, a new year and new goals for all of us.  I have a good feeling about our determination and enthusiasm.  I'll be joining you in the journaling and have already registered on line for WW.  I'll be weighing in on Mondays, which is good for me because the weekends were always the times I cheated. 

Enjoy the day.  Jo Ann 

No Miss Marti....you need a hunk of meat.  No wonder you have to take B12 shots.  You don't eat enough meat!  I love veggies but I have to have some meat.  I am trying to cut back a bit on the amount of meat.  I could eat six ounces both lunch and supper!  That recipe looks right tasty but what a lot of bacon fat!  A whole pound of bacon cooked in to it!  I think a couple of slices per pot is plenty.  Love the flavor it adds and it can't be duplicated.  I just know this is good!!  With a big ole pan of cornbread...actually I like muffins better because I like the crust!  Yummola!!  Can't for you to review it.

Barb....so you're going to change to popcorn?  Does that not bother your IBS?  I don't have IBS but popcorn bothers me.  Perhaps it's the amount I eat....y'think?? 

I've had my black eyed peas today.  I made a lunch of peas, cole slaw and ham.  No cornbread in the freezer so I had 5 Wheat Thins instead.   I seasoned those peas with garlic, ham bits, onion and jalapeno...they were mighty good!

Sue, I can't imagine what that energy drink would do to me.  I am sooo sensitive to caffeine...I'd probably still be swinging from the chandelier!  I hope I never get any by mistake!

Maureen...I love hot teas...were those you mentioned caffeine free?  Both of them?  I like Tazo brand Warm Cinnamon Spice and Wild Sweet Orange flavors.  Also like Yogi brand of Ginger tea.  DS got me some lemon ginger tea but haven't opened it yet.  Bigelow makes a white tea with tangerine that is quite tasty.  And of course, Celestial Seasonings Blueberry tea.  Republic of Tea makes the one I had this morning...pineapple ginger.  I may go make another cup of it...I feel cool even though it's 59º outside with sunshine.

Jo Lynn...not sure we have a "community shredding day" here but there are companies that will shred things fairly reasonably....but they deal with large volumes.  If several families went in together and split the cost, it would be reasonable.  Seems like I shred more than I file or toss.

OK...that darn dryer won't quit buzzing so I guess I'll have to tend to the laundry.  Unfortunately this batch is hang up clothes so it can't sit.

More later.

vammie

Viny, you are right.  It was TVCat.  Or TVLCat.  She was so much fun.  I wish she was still with us.  And I miss Kathy too....Missycat.

I'm sorry Pat continues with her smoking.  And I know how it upsets you.  My DB's DW smokes.  And she has had breast cancer !  He told her he sure hates to see her killing herself when they have worked so hard to have such a beautiful home and yard.  He says he's afraid she won't be around to enjoy it. 

Did you go get that ankle brace ?  I'm wearing mine again.  Not for my ankle but the bottom of my foot at the instep is killing me.  I have no idea why.  It seems like I wake up with some new malady every day lately.  This particular ache has been hurting me for several days. Maybe I stepped wrong when it was icy and bruised it deep inside.   I've really been having foot problems the last few months.  I'm going to be doing Sit and Be Fit exercises myself if this keeps up.

I know Verna is right and that we need to eat some beef.  And I do . I used to love steak and roast and all of that but then I read a book that changed my whole outlook. 

  I suppose you all know the serving sizes but just as a refresher, this is what was in Womans Day.

Protein...4oz. beef, fish,poultry, or tofu;1/2 Cup beans:2 Tbs. peanut butter; 1 egg;8 oz. milk;6 oz. yogurt

Carbs....1/2 cup pasta;1/2 cup rice; 1 slice bread;1 samll potato;1/2 Cup beans; 1/2 cup couscous

Fruit... 1 med. size whole fruit; 1/2 cup cut up fruit; 2 Tbs. dried fruit; 4 oz. 100% juice;4 oz. sugar free applesauce

veggies.....1/2 cup cooked vegetables; 1 cup raw or salad

Dairy....8 oz. milk; 6 oz. yogurt; 1 oz. cheese; 4 oz. cottage cheese

Fat .....2 TBS. salad dressing; 1 TBS. oil; 1 tsp. butter; 2 TBS. peanut butter; 1 oz. nuts

Here's another reminder of what we already know.

Fill half your plate with veggies or saldad greens, one quarter with lean protein and one quarter with complex carbs (sweet potato, brown rice, whole wheat pasta )

Here is what a serving should LOOK like;

Steak =iPod classic

Cheese=matchbox

pancake=DVD

pasta=ice cream scoop

potato=computer mouse

fish=checkbook

butter=postage stamp

salad dressing=1 oz. shot glass

brown rice= baseball

peanut butter=golf ball

beans= lightbulb

dark chocolate=dental floss container

If anyone is interested, there is some good info. at www.womansday.com/eathealthy

Well, I think that's all the information I have today.  Except don't put any plastic in the microwave or dishwasher.  They've revised their findings on that again. 

Verna, the collard & cabbage were good together.  I didn't use the bacon, but cooked the collard with pieces of ham, chopped my cabbage small and added it the last few minutes of cooking. Joe can't have lots of greens but he liked this.  I tried to eat lots of the ham, I know I didn't make it, but I'll do better tomorrow.  I did eat 3 oz. of steak last night.

Hi everyone, 

Viny, I don't blame you for  being upset with DW and I'm betting she know that what you're saying to her is because you love her.  Smoking must be such a difficult addiction  to break because I know my DS has tried so many times to quit and always goes back. He looks so healthy and fit and I keep thinking what a shame that he's putting that poison into his body.  He knows it too, so that's why I can't figure out why he doesn't just stop.  It has to be one of the most difficult things to do.  Maybe they should have rehab places for people addicted to smoking. 

I have a computer question for you, if you don't mind.  A window came up on my computer saying that my "virtual memory" was low and that the computer was going to increase it.  Do you have any idea what "virtual memory" is?  If so, is there anything I can do to help the situation?  Thanks for any information you can give me.

DH came down with whatever bug is going around.  Either that or he has a case of food poisoning.  He became really sick today 4 times.  I've been encouraging him to drink tea or ginger ale so he won't dehydrate.  He thinks it's  food poisioning from a piece of summer sausage he ate that was in a gift basket.  I don't know, because I never eat that stuff.  He could be right, but then someone from the fire department called and said that 3 of the guys had to leave today because they were sick the same way.  Sounds to me like they all, including DH, have a stomach flu.

Before he became sick I had a pork roast in the oven and made sauerkraut and spaetzel; our usual new years day dinner.  I sent the whole thing to Ken and Judy's for their dinner.  Ken just called to say thanks and how good it was.  I know DH is getting better because he heard me talking to Ken  and saying I was glad they enjoyed the roast, so he called me to the guest  bedroom  where he's staying till he's better, to say  it's a good thing I made the roast pork because  he really thinks  a slice of that  will make him feel better.  LOL    His sense of humor is still there, even when he's sick.  LOL 

Thanks for all of the good information, Barb.  It's always good to review  those things we learned at WW about portion control. 

Hope everyone has a good evening.  Judy and Ken gave me the book "The Last Lecture" for Christmas and I think I'll go to bed early to read tonight.  Has anyone read it?  Hope it's as good as it sounds.   Jo Ann    

Happy New Year to everyone!

Sue, hope you got a nap this afternoon. I have enough trouble sleeping without trying to take an energy drink. Hope work straightens out for you, I hate those bad days and nights. I too worry about things that happen there. No baby pony last night. I did go out & talk to her about keeping us waiting. She just looked at me with those big eyes and she was having a bad hair day too.

JoAnn your time with the trips sounds like fun. I haven’t bowled in years either. Hope Adam finds his wrist wallet with the money in it. Hope your DH gets to feeling better fast, then you better make him his pork roast again! Who is your book written by?

Lusi, your new year celebrations sounded nice. Family & friends, what more can you ask for.

Marti, you will really have a challenge getting that protein in but with Verna after you daily, you’ll do it.

Verna, shredding stuff if something I’m always putting off. It sure doesn’t take time if I can keep up with it but I’m a procastinator...

Barb, on the chinese foods, I’ve kind of given most of them up after I figured out what 1 meal added up to in WW points. NOT GOOD! Too many points in my opinion.

Shirley, you are going to have that house cleaned out in no time with Holley around. LOL!

JoLynn, your night last night sounded nice too... Are you having DS and DFIL over for that lasagna too? Tell Les Happy Birthday!

Maureen, did you get that banana bread made? Barb is still the lead task master, isn’t she? LOL!

Viny, I hope Pat is feeling much better but I sure can understand you getting mad at her... You are not a bad husband, just a husband that wants his wife around for many more years. She has an addiction that she cannot control, it controls her. My mom was exactly like that too. She smoked to her dying day. You cannot quit trying to keep healthy just because she can’t do it for herself. What kind of food is served at this Granite Place? And what town is it in? Hope Pat feels like going out then....

Today has been a quick one. Had breakfast out with Colleen & her DH. Went to Walmart for a birthday card for Kayla, her birthday is Jan. 11^th and we never make it down there for that one. We had cake & ice cream at Lynn’s in-laws at 3, with opening of presents. I’m sending her main gift home with them so she has something to open on her real birthday. I’ve done a couple loads of laundry, repacked the cookies so Lynn can take them to her soldiers, they were asking her if she’d be bringing any back with her again this year. I love sending stuff in to them, they seem to appreciate things like that. Dale has gone to bed, guess I kept him out too late last night, we were home about 10:30 and in bed by 11:00. Guess I should be following him pretty soon, I’m starting to wilt myself.

Next Thursday, I’ll be back to WI at WW. I need to look over the new plan they have started and get with it! Hopefully, I’ll do better now than at the end of last year. Just have to get my head wrapped around it.

Has anyone received their Christmas cards from Lynn? She did send them out late and might not have all the correct address’s as she lost her list. Hope I sent her the right one. The kids are growing so fast now.

Till later! Pat A

Pat. good to see you check in.  Sounds like you had fun last night if the baby didn't show up for New Year's.  That must be so much fun to be with the horse and see them with their babies.
I assume Lynn is still there.  Wish I could have packed up my cookies, candy & C akes for them. Some went with Randy for his work, some went to the workers at the house, more today and  some to friends.  I can't have that "stuff" here and eat right
Viny, my heart goes out to you.  I remember when Joe did this after his first heart attack, it would make me furious but all my nagging and fussing didn't stop him, he just quit on his own one day and said he never wanted another one. I had finally quit saying anything to him, he never smoked in the house and I would not ride in a car if anyone had smoked in it, so I guess I stood my grounds that way.  I'm just glad he finally gave them up and Pat will, but she has to want to.
I do hope she feels better tomorrow and your ankle is better.
Shirley, when Holley finishes, I sure could use someone to push me,  I think I think there's no hurry and I just keep putting it off.