H L topic of Week of Sept. 17- 23~ The Perfect Salad~

June yes we had heard that Mr. Sullivan has passed away. :( We didn't know them personally, but have heard them several times. Did your nephew play with them full time or in the past? Dh was trying to figure out which one he was..lol

If you can play guitar at all, you are much more talented than I am!!! LOL I don't play anything at all, Dh has ALL the talent!! ;)

I took some aleve this afternoon and then took a nap....feeling a lot better this evening TG!! I had a migraine for most of the afternoon. Now I am not sleepy for tonight.

Went out for Mexican for supper...yummy! Had enchiladas. So not to bad health wise.

Dawn the Rain forest we have never tried, but tried a couple places in the mall and never did really find one we liked. We did find a steak house on the road over by the Cracker Barrel that we enjoyed tho. Had really good food. and of course Cracker Barrel is always good. We usually hit it up for breakfast if our motel doesn't have one.

Been trying to figure out the FB. I know a lot of people are upset that it changed, but its not to bad I think...you just have to get used to it. lol

I have been craving something sweet this evening.....hopefully the temptation will pass soon. lol

Jetlovs2cook:  My nephew's name is Josh Dean.  He is an amazing banjo player.  His wife is Kim.  She has sang with the band.  That is actually how they met, many years ago.  Josh was playing with The Sullivans.  He is in his 20's, medium height, very slim, glasses.  He was "discovered" by them, and went on the road with them for awhile ... Yikes, I know those mirgraines are awful. Glad you are feeling better.   Funny you should mention a headache, b/c I woke up with one.  Mine is from not sleeping much last night.   I'll be keeping my 2-year-old granddaughter this morning, so this headache needs to scoot!  ... Those sweet cravings are the worst, aren't they!  I used to crave breads (carbs), too, but since being on the FAA Food Plan, I don't seem to do that anymore.  But I have ALWAYS been a sugar addict!  Had to have something sweet after every meal.  I don't think those cravings will ever completely go away, but they are a LOT better than they used to be. 

Good Morning~!!

Jill - dh said the same thing with FB. Sites change all the time (TOH LOL!!), but we get used to things I guess. Some people have a hard time with change    You're craving sweet, I've been craving salty LOL!!!  I hope you're feeling  better. Do you think the "blah" feeling is due to  Riley? My first thought was maybe you were grieving over not having her - she's been in your life for how long now, and this fall was a huge adjustment for both of you (((((hugs))))).

Natasha - how long will you have the trainees?  It can be irritating when the "obvious" is missed. One guy at work - the Office Tool - he will pull the coffee pot off the burner, pour his cup full, put the pot back and walk away. Oh, did I mention the coffee is still dripping? and he doesn't wipe up the mess?   He and I have had a few Come to Jesus talks.... LOL!!!!

Morning "june" LOL!!!!  sorry, had to do that it's hard to come up with a good name, if you don't want to give your real one. The "V" in mine is actually for my maiden name. DH had a stroke when he found out I used my real name (and state!!) for a public forum.  He's a cop so he doesn't  trust anything LOL!!!!! So I changed my initial to my maiden name.  So far no axe wielding murders have come to the front door....

Sherry - how was the hospital?  Are you feeling better?

Dusta - LOL at mel and the finger nails. See? no bubbles, finger nails clicking...  Now we know why Fish is ornery   I think the "mills" malls are set up sort of the same. That's what Opry Land mills is like too, and the one here - Concord Mills. Oval shaped, numbered entrances, and it's an "outlet" but sort of not really.... LOL!!!  Wish sometimes they had the same things though - they do it regionally, but I would LOVE to have a Rainforest here. We had one in Richmond VA and Myrtle Beach, but both closed 2-3 years ago with the economy slump.

Good Morning Debi, Cindi, Candy, Rebecca, Kris and everyone!!!

It's raining again today - not a bad thing as we need it terribly bad. It's a nice steady drizzle. Only bad thing is the humidity has crept up again

This weekend I'm going to reconfigure samantha's closet. I have an extra hanging rod, some peg board, hooks & container thingys for the pegboard;and a shelf thing that sits on the floor. I spray painted the peg board purple (her choice of color) then spray painted a stencil on the shelf thingy (sides & top). I needed a hanging rod to be lower so she can reach her shirts - Sweet Pea is getting a nice lesson in how to hang up, take clothes off hangers and put her clothes away   She is good about it, but up until now all of her things fit in the chest of drawers so we didn't use the closet all that much. The peg board will go on 1 of the side closet walls & be used for her extras - necklaces, belts, all the flotsam & jetsam a 3 y/o girl collects & has no where to put LOL!!!!  This is working out better than I thought - she's helped pick everything out and is going to "help" us get it all done. She's very excited about it & I'm hoping that means she'll keep doing it LOL~!!!!

hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful weekend!

dawn

meal plan for today~~~~~

b'fast - fiber one bar, coffee

lunch - raw veggies & hummus

snack - yogurt or apple

dinner - jalapeno chicken sandwiches

Dawn:  Love it!  It make me laugh.  Yep, I'm right there with your DH.  I worked for the District Attorney for 30 years!!  ('nough said, huh?)    I never told anyone my real name or where I lived or any personal info for the YEARS I was originally on the TOH BB years ago!  I've already told more personal info this time with you girls than all those years I was on KC or Backyard Chat!  I guess being retired has made me 'reckless and risk-taking'!    I see some of you have mentioned FB.  I do have a FB page, too.  I thought I would - with you girls' permission - hang out here awhile first (gotta watch out for those axe murderers, ya know!), then maybe share our FB pages?  After chatting with you ladies awhile, it will be GREAT to get to see pictures!!!!  ..  A slow, steady rain sounds wonderful; we need it, too.  Enjoy  .. Is Samantha your daughter?  She's 3?  I have a granddaughter that turned 2 this week and her sister who is 4.  Two grandsons - 16 and almost 15!  My son had two sons, and my daughter had two daughters, so it's soo cool that we (me and DH) get to enjoy them all!  I'll be keeping the 2-year-old shortly, while her Mom takes her sister to Speech Therapy and runs errands. 

Dawn:  I meant to ask if you make the hummus yourself with chickpeas or refried beans?  That is allowed on this Food Plan.  I've never made it homemade, but I finally found a container at Walmart; it was very good.  I need to make some, though, to eat on rice cakes.  Your daily menu doesn't look like much food at all.  Are you being real restrictive on purpose? 

I wish TOH wouldn't have all these food pictures popping up everywhere - especially the chocolate!    Very distracting !  But I guess it IS a food site! 

Hi June - Yes, Samantha is my 3 y/o :-) She turned 3 in june and is definitely "my" child LOL!!!!  Full of spitfire and independence. DH says it's about time I got a little of what I've given to everyone else over the years   ah, the DA.  Yes, I imagine you would understand dh's position on privacy LOL!!! It's amazing what ya'll see....   I think a few people have shared FB pages. I have one sort of - dh uses it for pictures to family. We don't go on it a lot. I'm actually pretty clueless LOL!!! Beside, you may decide we're too odd of a bunch to be friending   Kidding. Sort of. *snort*

food... let's do the hummus thing first. I buy it, usually walmart & grocery stores carry it in produce or deli. I've shopped around and found the best prices, either BJ's or Super Target/Super Walmart in my area. I'm a fan of Sabra hummus, but I'll eat any of them. My grocery stores are expensive.  I do make my own from black beans, I have a really good recipe that I use for this spicy chicken burrito type recipe. I'll post that for you - it may be in the HL main recipes thread. We have our own recipe catagories on the main HL list (like where you click on the weekly thread). I'll check there for you.

I"m sort of being restrictive. My issue is portion control - so I've been keeping a journal and listing calories, seeing how much I eat vs how much I *think* I"m eating. Big difference!!!!!  Throughout the day I usually don't get very hungry, although some days I could gnaw on my desk (LOL!!!). Over the past few months I've found the things that fill me up but keep my calorie count in check. I aim for 1200-1500/day.

like today I've got an estimated 1250 calories (give or take) - fiber one bar is 170 calories; Hummus is Sabra Roasted Garlic - I measured out 2 portions, so 4 tbsp, that's 140 calories ; veggies come in around 150 (the variety I have today is cherry tomatoes, raw cauliflower & broccoli, raw green beans and carrots); yogurt is 170 (yoplait regular, no artif. sweeteners for me, this has real sugar); apple is about 100 Calories.  The chicken sandwiches are a good bit - about 500 calories. it's grilled chicken & jalapenos, marinated in olive oil, dijon mustard & garlic. Served on a whole wheat sub roll with a sauce (1/2 c. low fat sour cream, chipotle powder, and 1 tbsp. low fat mayo).

the 1250 cal. doesn't include the beer I'll have with dinner (LOL!!!) or if I snack later tonight, or if I dig around for something sweet.  All that will bump me up. I try to control my days so I can splurge a bit at night, have a beer or glass of wine with dinner and not feel guilty.

June, sounds like you did GREAT eating out yesterday! Wow, a salad with no dressing croutons or cheese? You are amazing! The baby girl is Murils granddaughter, Macie :) I think shes a lil more than 6 months now? Or somewhat close to that! She watches her a few days a week. (I only answer, cause I know Muril is away for the weekend).

Jill, I dont have any musical ability either :) Glad your headache has subsided. YUM I love Cracker Barrel! Wish we had one!  I dont mind the new FB too much. I went in and changed it so I see all of everyones updates, instead of just what they deem important.

Dawn, LOL on the coffee pot guy! These two will be with me for 10 working days (2 weeks). Itll be a long few weeks! Your hubby is just too cute with worrying about your name on a forum :) Yep, I think were all safe. Oh my, our humidity is horrendous lately even though the suns not really out. Its crazy having the AC on when the sun isnt shining! LOL. Woo hoo on the closet project! She is gonna be such a great young woman. Very responsible. Ooh Im comin over for dinner!

So thankful that today is Friday! Im only off for one day, Saturday of course.... unsure what we are going to do. But just gonna enjoy the day together for sure.

Breakfast - Pot roast sandwich, iced coffee
Lunch - Egg in a hole, banana
Dinner - Sloppy Joes

Hi ladies.

Been working on the motor home, going to TX next week. Will be so happy to go home.

Had email from stepdaughter her dh is going to Afghanistan in December for 4 months.  I sent her a text and told her I wasn't ask, but I thought he was to old. Had a text from her he said "to kiss his grits."    I was sort of kidding him but he is 52 why are they sending him there?   His degree is in law-inforcement and he is really careful too.

The Fish died, Lulu and I took him out to the flower bed and buried him. I just couldn't flush him.

Hugs

((((((( Dusta & Fish )))))))) I'm so sad to hear that he's left us :-(

Dusta! Im so sorry to hear about "The Fish" *hugs*

Dawn:  3 is such a CUTSIE age!  They can still be "bad" and be cute!  By age 4, a lot of people (not me) expect them to be more, I don't know the word I am looking for - growney?  calmer?  I guess beause a lot of 4-year-olds go to school and have to sit still and pay attention and such.  I know she is a joy to you ... I will look for that recipe, and thank you for telling me about it.    ... I keep a food journal, too, on this FAA Food Plan, but you don't count calories or fat or carbs, just amounts (like 4 ozs. chicken, 1 cup green beans, etc.)  I find that it makes a HUGE difference for me if I write it down.  It holds me accountable.  When I start thinking about that bad food choice, I can "usually" forego it, because I don't want to have to write it down!   I read somewhere that people who keep a food journal have a 50% better success rate with loosing weight.  I have almost filled up a whole notebook, though, so I am now thinking, "Hmm, do I do this the rest of my life??  That's gona be a lot of notebooks!!"  I think I am fearful now, though, to think of  stopping writing it down/being accountable.  So I'll just keep buying notebooks for now if that's what it takes ... Your statement about you could about knaw on your desk makes me think of a statement I read somewhere that said (re: dieting) to chew on your fingernails and pray for strength.  That's about what I feel like some days ...I sure know what you mean about what you eat versus how much you "think" you eat.  Yes, it is definitely an eye-opener to measure and write it down.  ("The paper don't lie!")  I enjoyed hearing about your menu and the calorie content.  I have NO idea how many calories/fat/carbs I am consuming on this FAA Plan.  I keep saying I'm curious to see, and I want to figure it out, but I've been too lazy I guess.  I think I'm going to be surpised at how much it is, and then again, maybe not.  The chicken sandwiches sound WOW fantastic.  I can't have bread, though.  I may have to make that sometimes, though, and leave off the bread ... I don't use artificial sweeteners at all anymore on this Plan.  No sugar either, so the only 'sweet' I get is from fruit.  I'm shocked at how much sugar is in milk, too.  But I know it's lactose, a different kind, but it's still 'sugar" on the label!  So when I drink milk (I can have non-fat, 1%, or even buttermilk!), I try to think of it as dessert, same as fruit.    You mentioned yogart, have you tried putting frozen fruit in just the plain, nonfat kind?  The greek kind is definitely the best.  You mix a cup of that with a cup of fruit (frozen blueberries is my favorite), then I put in the freezer about 15-20 minutes - YUM.  I used to hate the plain, nonfat kind, but now I love it with all that fruit.  It's very sweet and yummy to me.  I guess my taste buds are really changing ... I don't drink alcohol but if I did, it would be a glass of wine at night.  Isn't that supposed to be heart-healthy? 

SunysAngl:  Thank you on the salad compliment!  DH likes a litle salad with his dressing (, so he thinks I'm very weird.  I alternate putting a T. of Newman's Own Oil & Vinegar Dressing, and eating it dry.  I also put a T. of Dukes mayo occasionally.  (This is a mayo that my dauhter found online that is "clean"/no sugar of any kind.)  ... Thanks for telling me about Muril's grandbaby.  I bet she is a joy to her ... Ok, I have to ask - what is an 'egg in a hole'? 

Txcookie:  Oh my, on your step son-in-law.    And I, too, am surprised b/c of his age!!  I know it is scary times for the whole family.  Has he had to go before?  .. Sorry about Lulu, too. 

Today's breakfast::  1 egg,  1 cup oatmeal, 1 apple pear.  Lunch:  5 slices of Oscar Meyer Natural Smoked Ham (this is the ONLY kind of lunch meat that Walmart carries that is not sugar cured), spread with mustard, filled with finely diced lettuce and homemade salsa, then rolled up.  Supper:  No idea yet.  I might meet DH at work and go out to eat then head to Home Depot to pick up some things. 

Tomorrow is Nettie's birthday party at the park.  Cake and ice cream.    I told my daughter I'm not eating any.  If I don't, it will be an ABSOLUTE FIRST for me.  But I'm afraid one bite of cake and I won't be able to stop!  I have FINALLY reached my goal weight after a year and I don't want to mess up!  I'm going to be having a blast at the party helping the kids at the playground, plus taking pictures.  It's not about the cake.  (I keep repeating that to myself -- maybe I'll convince myself before tomorrow!)  It's about family time and making memories! 

I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth. The next few days is going to be crazy though.

Today after work went to Safeway to get groceries and an RX. Going to swim real quick, then go get gas (I have 40 cents off right now), stop and get something for dinner (maybe a slice of pizza and a salad at Napoli's) and then to Fry's electronics to get CD's and maybe another season of the old Hawaii Five O. Haven't watched any of those for awhile. Then to Lowe's to get a board and then I have to go home and cook for the potluck tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be work from 5 am until 3;30 pm, then drive cross town to the potluck, spend a few hours and drive back. That will a whole day gone.

Sunday I have church and then at 1:30 am meeting a friend of mine from nursing school and going out to eat and I haven't seen her in years since she has been living in CO. She just moved back to help care for her parents. And next week is the week I have all the parish nursing stuff and I haven't done much at all on that and we are really busy right now, which is great because if the overtime will just hold up, I won't have to work any extra days at the hospital.

The hospital was pretty bad yesterday, but not terrible.

The girl who was so sick at work Tuesday was out for 3 days with bronchitis and she still sounds terrible. I feel ok and the minute I go in that post offfice, I feel awful again. Post offices are notorious for not that great of air circulation and a ton of dust.

37 days and counting (LOL). I got to sit at my own keystation today and it was wonderful :-). I hope they are almost done training people on parcels so I can have my machine back. No such luck tomorrow though, but at least where I will be keying is an ok area and not anywhere near the lady with bronchitis!

Gotta get going or it will be midnight before I get to sleep, which isn't good when you get up at 3:30 am!

Hi, I am not new to the TofH, but have read some of the post's here. I am a regular poster's on the other healthy forum.

June1, I have been following your food plan posts. I tried e-mailing but don't see a place to do that now. I have been on a low carb diet for 2 weeks and the choices are so limited. I am thinking about trying this one you are on. How long have you been doing this? I see you have lost to your goal weight.
Hi ladies, I am a married, grandma and great grandma. Live in E. Tennessee.
My DH is retired military. I am retired, was a server for Cracker Barrel for 15 years, then Perkins for 6. I did not want to retire but have problem's with my sciaticia nerve.

Natasha, you sound so happy all the time, and remind me of my daughter.
Carolyn

Today dragged, so thankful that its over!

Dusta, Im sad about the fish. Are you doing okay?

June, youve never heard of an egg in a hole!? My word. Its a piece of bread, with a hole removed in the middle, and a egg in the middle. Fry it all up together, its delish and easy. I KNOW you can go to that party tomorrow without the cake. No need for cake, its not that good anyway. The important thing is spending time with family :)

Sherry, seems to me youve fallen off the earth! LOL We miss you! Please, fill your gas tank using your own club card number, and then use my discounts! I have 20 or 30 cents off added up on mine. My number is 360-388-1991. If you dont use it, tell a friend to! Someone use it! Hope you enjoy the potluck tomorrow! I havent been to any in years. I love em!

Carolyn, welcome to our board! Sorry you are feeling so resticted on the no carb thing, I sure would too. I love Cracker Barrel :) Aww I didnt know I sound happy all the time. Hmm, well I guess thats a good thing (though I surely have my days...). I have a "friend" who is always sad and a pain in the butt because shes so negative. I try to surround myself with positive :) Check back in with us as often as ya can. We are like a big family on here!

Feeling a bit peeved this evening. The house is a mess, Sean gets home at 4pm, walks right past it and plays his Xbox. I get off work, see the mess and of course, clean. Dishes needed unloaded and reloaded, some need handwashed, laundry all over the place, and on and on. I ask him, why doesnt he do anything around here. He says "well, you didnt tell me to. I didnt see it". HOW CAN HE NOT SEE IT!? Im like, [expletive] ever. Seriously. Must be nice to not do anything, because you know itll get done. Grr. Whats the matter with him? I just shouldnt HAVE to ask him to do it. He sees it, I know he does. Its super frustrating to me.

So, now that Ive cleaned for a half hour right after work, I gotta make dinner, so off I go. I should just make myself some cereal and tell him hes on his own ;)

grateful:  I stay very busy myself, but your post made me tired just reading it!    ... Do you watch the new Hawaii 5-O?  I really like it. It's very fast-paced, and I like all the actors ... Are you a nurse?  I really admire nurses because that is something  I could never do.  Just too sensitive or something.  You sure have to go to work early ...Enjoy your lunch tomorrow with your friend.  That will be nice ... What is the '37 days and counting'? ... I love your beautiful Fall graphic, as well as the saying at the bottom about Faith - so true. 

Carolyn:  Welcome to the forum!!  I've only been coming here a few days, and have been enjoying it very much.  Is that a picture of  a grandchild?  What a cutie.  You may have read one of my previous posts that I worked for the District Attorney for 30 years (I'm retired), and I'm sooo chicken about giving out personal information or email.  But I would love to provide you with more information on the FAA Food Plan, so I will send you a private message with my email - IF I can figure out how to do it!  Do you know how to check your private messages on here?  I've been on the Food Plan for 2 months.  During that time I lost 15 pounds.  Prior to that (for about a year), I've been just eating very healthy, but I had a lot of setbacks with the holidays and such.  I've finally managed to loose 45 pounds total.  I started the FAA plan because I have a problem with binge eating (on sweets and carbs).  I had never heard the expression "food addict", but since learning more about it, I am probably a food addict.  They have a website (just type in Food Addicts Anonymous), with all the information.  There is a message board that I've been looking at for actually about 3 months.  It took me about a month to make up my mind rather to try the Food Plan or not.  I LOVE bread of any kind, and cereal and pasta.  The idea of giving all of that up seemed so, well, drastic to me!  It is based on a 12-Step Program like AA.  They encourage you to buy the literature (there is a "Beginner's Bundle"), and to attend workshops, participate in phone meetings, and to get a sponsor.  My daughter is the one that "found" this website.  She ordered the literature.  I was able to borrow it from her.  I just made me a copy of ONE sheet - the one that tells what to eat.  I put it in a plastic cover to protect from moisture, etc.   I was shocked at how much food you can eat.  Now that I'm used to doing it, some days it seems like a lot of food, and some days it doesn't seem like enough.    In a nutshell, breakfast is a protein serving, a dairy serving, a grain or starch serving, and a fruit serving.  Lunch is a protein serving, a cooked veggie serving, and a raw veggie serving.  Supper is a protein, a cooked veggie serving, a raw veggie serving, and a grain or starch serving.  Metabolic Adjustment (nighttime snack) a few hours after supper is a dairy serving and a fruit serving.  No other snacks of any kind are allowed during the day.  No sugar, flour, or wheat.  No artificial sweeteners.  No caffeine.  HOWEVER, i still drink regular black coffee on occasion, and I drink de-caf quite often.  This sheet lists the different grains, fruits, veggies, etc.  This information is also on their website.  The purpose of this Food Plan is to keep your blood sugar regulated, to eliminate food cravings and binges, and to enable you to get to a normal, healthy weight and maintain it.  My problem has always been maintenance.  I can loose, but I have never been able to keep it off.  Terrible yo-yoing, which I've always heard is very unhealthy ...  Retirement is wonderful, isn't it?!  I retired 3 years ago.  But I'm so very sorry about your sciaticia nerve.    I know that is painful.  I hope it doesn't bother you all the time and that you are able to get some relief from it.  I've had a little back trouble myself and it is certainly no fun.  I hurt my back within months after retirement (trying to do too much), now I have to be more careful or it flares up again.  I got soooo upset about that.  I'm healthy as a horse and used to bouncing around and doing any- and everything I want to.  I don't like limitations!  ... I bet E. Tennesee is beautiful!  DH and I went to the Smoky Mountain National Park 10 years ago.  (The only vacation we've ever taken.)  Oh it was fun and so beautiful

SnnysAngl:  LOL, I can see how that would be called an egg in a hole!  Never heard of that! ... I think I dreamed about the birthday cake and ice cream last night  , so I hope I can refrain today!!  Being a sugar addict is like being an alcoholic - you can't have that first bite... Your DH sounds exactly like what I am used to.  Men are clueless!  It is frustrating, but after close to 40 years of marriage, I know that he's not going to change!  I gave up nagging about 39 years ago.    All he did was get worse if I asked him to do anything.

Beautiful, Fall weather here.  I hope everyone can get outdoors and enjoy it.