A WHOLE MESS OF STUFF

With all the garbage in the world... senators having/soliciting gay sex in bathrooms.. ( okay sorry i f u are a fan of this guy.. but I laughed my butt off when I heard about that...sheesh..) horrible events in the news... bizarre weather all over the country and so forth... and then.. you have me..I rant about cakes.. and losing weight... and anything else that winds through my mind... does this make me frivolous? a butter head... ( as opposed to a fat head) ? a silly ninny ( that's another word I like.. ninny.. its just so silly ) ? I hope not... I hope.. I have something to contribute to the vast blogosphere out there....

Which brings me too this.... why on earth do folks post anonymously and then leave nasty messages regarding various posts... this happened to a sweet friend of mine.. Kellie at her blog.. http://myrambles.wordpress.com/ ... so dork face... ( yeah I know Kellie, in your comments .. dork face was not exactly what I said.... ) posted some really ugly babble about her... and her blog.. and it really made me angry... My deal.. if ya don't like what I write.. for heavens sake.. BUG THE FUCK OFF... don't read me... if you like or can relate to what I write.. by all means leave me a comment I love my comments....

Okay on to something else...

In October... I am doing something really cool or maybe it's really wrong?... Remember I told you that I started losing my weight with the Mayo Clinic Healthy Eating for Everyone program??? well i have been asked to give a motivational speech for one of the evening classes and it will be taped for one of the morning classes... I have to go tell these folks what motivates me to be successful in losing weight and I am not at my goal yet... does this make me a hypocrite ??... How can I motivate anyone when I still am trudging along.. yeah I know I have lost roughly 30 pounds.. but I still have 50 to go... and my weight loss has been stagnent this summer.. yeah I know I have been down in the back.. and had a bad foot infection etc... and I am still having back, neck and shoulder pain... I have another call into my the bone doctor too see if we can get some type of relief going for me.. I really like my doc ... he is a surgeon... and for a surgeon to say... you know.. we are not going to do anymore open back surgery on you... with the 3 herniations , he felt that surgery carries its own risks.. worse pain than I am in now.. and various other issues.. so we are trying other things... waiting to hear back from them... I probably will start going to a pain managment clinic.. which is good because they can do noninvasive things... and I can hopefully get some relief.. oh.. and for the record I am anti - pain meds... I don't believe in them.. they just make me fuzzy in the head.. and mask the pain.... I don't need a paint job.. I need relief... realistic relief... ( am aware the pain will never completely go away.. but there simply has to be a back off point.. i hope) .. okay enough of a pity party... as I was saying... is it right for me to give this lecture.. to discuss with these hopeful weight losers... what helps me... can I really be a role model for motivation... ??? I am not really sure... On the plus side... I have not gained anything back... I have maintained... on the minus side. I have not moved forward and lord knows.. I have a ton of poopdom to not create an environment of motivation.. BUT.. ironically I am motivated on the real hope that less weight will mean less back pain.... but what if i reach my goal and I am still in pain.. what then... does that mean I did not reach my personal goal.. NO PAIN or a LOT LESS PAIN??? no.. it means I lost my weight.. I got healthier than I am now.. and pain is relative... its there.. its a fact and I will have to handle it the best I can... perhaps that is more realistic... I really do not know... I do know I want to help motivate people to be successful... I do know I get great joy out of helping others.. its very selfish of me.. because it makes me so happy to know .. that if my actions can change just one person's life just a little for the good.. well. then I really have done not only for myself ... but for someone else.. and that is always good... still reading???? what do you think... is right for me to give a speech on motivation and weight loss... with out being at goal... what can I say to these folks... that in the summer I hit a wall because of pain.. but on the plus side I did not gain anything and on the plus side I am working hard to continue on my journey to better health... ??? should I say that... or say.. hey its all a crap shoot.. you may get some weight off.. you may not... .. you may reach goal.. you may not.. or is the truth .. simply that if you give something your all... and work on a system of constant change.. and adjusting then you can achieve anything.. it may not be with in a set time but in the long run you will be successful.. maybe thats it... Stay tuned for my success...
Have a rockin' good weekend!!! and labor day...
Wish me well
Wish you well too

NEW CAKE

Okay , here is the thing.. I spent about 2 and a half hours perusing pictures of cakes last night.. and the sweet cake lady and I .. my mom and aunt... created my own design... we combined some cakes she had done.. so the bottom teir is octagon shape.. the next one is round, the next octagon and the top one is round too... it will be ivory color with luster dust on it.. to make it a little sparkely.. then it will be outlined in dark chocolate. then it will have groups of 3 small dots all over the cake... in dark chocolate.. the top of the cake will have choc covered and white choc drizzled strawberries on it.. Does that make sense???/ I am going to post pictures of several cakes.. the pictures are pretty bad because i took them with my cell phone and they are pictures of pictures LOL.. oy! what I won't do for a good cake!!!! okay remember the cakes are really blurry.. so maybe u can get sort of an idea what it will look like.. I will post pictures of the cake after the wedding along with a few wedding shots... First cake is a ivory cake with round tiers and dark chocolate decoration ..second cake is octagon shape.. and final cake is a round cake with luster dust and with little dots on it.. those are single dots mine will be 3 in a grouping spread all over the cake in dark choc... okay so.. use your imagination and combine all 3 cakes LOL ohh and I almost forgot .. it will be a chocolate .. like a devils food chocolate cake... YUH YUMMMM!!!!

SO thats the cake solution.. it costs about 100 bucks more than the original.. but I am also getting cake service with it.. she will provide everything but the plates and forks.. she will do the decoration of the table as well... I got my tiara last night.. gotta call the hair lady now..

and so it goes my friends...

Wish me well

Wish you well too..

I THINK I AM CAKE WHORE.. voyeur maybe??

Lets see.. if I was really a cake whore that would mean I indulge in it.. when technically I am a looker... as is examples of the following sites... so I guess I am a voyeur .. so are you my friendly Budda girl.. .. although cake whore sounds funnier... than cake voyeur.. oh well... check these pictures out anyhow...
http://www.weddingcakesbykurt.com/index.html#bridesselect

http://www.magnificentcakes.com/brides-cakes.htm

http://www.sweetsbypeggy.com/brides.html

http://www.charlsiescatering.com/wedding.html

there are some pretty cakes out there locally.. sweets by peggy has so really sharp looking buttercream iced cakes.... really nice...

Okay enough about cakes... my eating is good.. had a rough bought of pain yesterday.. back pain BAD.. I think it was weather related because the pain did not get bad until a storm blew up... I am going to the gym tomorrow night to walk and swim.. yay me....
Otherwise I am on a cake mission now...
Wish me well
Wish you well too...

BRIDEZILLA STRIKES AGAIN...

Okay maybe I am not exactly a bridezilla. but boy I was pretty upset.. I just had to cancel my wedding cake I had picked out a couple months ago.. they do not deliver on Sunday.. and the country club does not have a place nor can they take responsibility of the cake on Saturday... soooooo so much for that cake I had picked out.. tomorrow night I meet with a lady the folks at the country know.. she will deliver on Sunday.. and will even do the set up, service and packing up of cake.. so we shall see how that goes.. she does not work with fondant icing as she does not like the way they taste and she does not sample cakes either.. So on your wedding day what you see is what you get... she wants you to have the real thing.. not a sample that could be stale.... at the country club they say her cakes are great in looks and taste.. so tomorrow night I look at the books.. and hopefully will find something comperable to what I had already picked out... (SIGH)... one more tweak in the game...
Wish me well
Wish you well too...

SETTING REALISTIC GOALS

Here is some info I found online from Dr. Pamela Peeke .. from Discovery Health.. Discovery Health Channel National Body Challenge:

Many of my patients ask me: "Dr. Peeke, what's the best way to start a weight-loss program?" It's a great question because there's so much information out there that it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused, especially when it comes to the question of which diet is best.
I recommend keeping it sublimely simple ("KISS"). Watch the quality and quantity of what's going into your mouth. Then get up and move to burn it off and get fit.
The only successful way to fight fat and to lose weight is to make healthy lifestyle changes. Make that mind-body connection! That means developing physical fitness, incorporating more fresh and whole foods into your daily diet and reducing the stress in your life. Yes, folks, stress can make you fat!
So, let me help you get started on the path to health. Here are 13 tips to help you kick-start your weight-loss program as you prepare to join the Discovery Health Channel National Body Challenge.

1. Make a formal commitment. Write a BODY CHALLENGE contract to yourself. For example, "I ______ will commit to try to the best of my ability to get in 30 minutes of walking every day that I can, and to focus on eating healthy and nutritious foods."

2. Get real and be specific. Write down three to four goals, keeping them to one sentence each, and be realistic. Here's an example: "I will try to shed one-half to one pound of extra body fat each week. I will walk for 30 minutes at least five days a week, although I'm aiming for every day. And I'll try to chill out and stop letting stress get to me." Avoid what I call fantasyland goals (i.e., "I will lose 60 pounds in a month and still eat all the foods I love!"). They will only frustrate you and send you back to self-destructive behaviors.

3. Get prepared. I always say, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." De-junk your house right now! Give away or throw out any "bingeable" foods, as well as all processed foods. Fill your fridge and pantry with fresh, whole foods (that means lots of fruits and veggies). Buy that new pair of walking shoes and put out your comfortable walking clothes. Buy that relaxing CD to listen to during the day. You can't shed weight and get fit if you're not prepared.

4. Get support. No man or woman is an island. Whether it's your best friend, spouse or pet armadillo, it helps to have some nonjudgmental and nurturing support when you're trying to lose weight, especially during challenging times.

5. Become a master regrouper. Don't let life's obstacles derail you. You're supposed to stumble around and make mistakes. It's all part of the learning process. Expect mistakes and learn to refine your "regrouping" skills. Flexibility is key. Be willing to switch from plan A to plan B. Above all, keep a healthy lifestyle despite life's tough times. I know that can be difficult, but healthy habits will yield far better dividends than stress-induced ones!

6. Measure your progress. It's not just about the scale. Get out your tape measure and check out your progress. Use a clothes-o-meter (belt, jeans), which is my concept — a piece of clothing that within five pounds or so will fit better. Try on your clothes-o-meter once a week. The best reward is FIT — not WEIGHT. The ultimate prize is fitness and health.

7. Make a note. Research has shown that keeping track of your daily exercise and food intake — even on a simple spiral-bound notebook — will increase the likelihood of your success. Keep it simple or, if you're so inclined, write a novel. Just hold yourself accountable!

8. Create a food-free reward system. How about a hot new workout outfit, a pair of jeans or, what the heck, a whole shopping spree, spa treatment or weekend getaway? You deserve this kind of treat when you achieve your goals.


9. Buy a pedometer. Wear it on your waist every day. At the end of the day, scope out how many steps you took. Your BODY CHALLENGE goal at the end of 12 weeks is to increase your daily step total to 10,000 steps (or more). You'll burn roughly 100 to 125 calories by taking 2,500 steps (about 1 mile). This means that during the Challenge, you'll ultimately plan on burning 300 extra calories a day and eating roughly 200 fewer calories a day. This 500-calorie daily deficit will translate to one solid pound of fat off per week and a healthy boost in your self-esteem!

10. Don't skip breakfast. Research shows that the most successful "losers" never skip it. Make sure to include protein, some fat and a healthy carb. Here's a good sample breakfast: An egg white omelet with fresh berries and a piece of whole wheat toast. Or how about a skim milk shake with fruit and yogurt?

11. Nix the late-night eating. Hey, I have a poem I made up (my one stab at poetry): If you eat after 8 (p.m.), you gain a lot of weight! If you eat a lot of excess calories after 8 (p.m.), you wear them the next morning! Put a stop to this by making sure to eat a healthy dinner of lean protein, veggies and fruit. If you have to eat dinner later, eat lighter veggies and protein and control the portion sizes!

12. Eliminate the processed sugars. Processed sugars are carbs that have been stripped of their valuable nutrients. How do you identify processed sugars? They are all white: table sugar, pasta, rice and bread, and they're nothing but trouble since they kick up your appetite for more of the same. Steer clear of these.

13. Have a midafternoon snack. This will help curb your appetite and fuel you up for your after-work walk or workout at the gym (a snack is especially important for women). The key is to eat protein with healthy carbs and a little fat. This combo will sustain you until dinner. Here are some great options: Try reduced-fat peanut butter on a thick multigrain cracker, or try a couple of pieces of low-fat string cheese and an apple, or cottage cheese with pineapple, or low-fat cheese microwaved in a whole-wheat pita.

You're bound to enjoy success in the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE if you incorporate my 13 weight-loss steps into your life. And even if you try just a few of them, you'll be ahead of the game. Just remember that your patience and persistence will always pay off in the end.

Sounds good to me!!
Wish me well Wish you well too

MAKING CHANGES......

Funny how it is with fall... nearly the end of the year.. yet always a new beginning... School starts... life seems to pick up a bit.. and.. oh yeah.. I am getting married... in the fall... so thats a new thing too... :-) a very good new thing... Starting tomorrow I am making a renewed effort with weight loss and exercise.. I will be released from my PT today.. and able to start back in the pool starting tomorrow... I started last week slowly... getting into the exercise mode.. and now I am going add the pool in... I feel ... relieved... ??? yeah relieved .. its nice to have a plan and decision.. its nice too feel motivation again.. and it as always is nice to go in the right direction.. I weighed yesterday and am at 184.4 pretty much with in that 2 pound range I have been in all summer.. I lost nearly 30 pounds.. with virtually no exercise.. so the time.. is NOW.. seems to me.. that if the eating is good.. and I start exercising.. regularly.. something has to give.. right???? so here I go.. jumping off that plateau cliff...
CHCHCH CHANGING.. yeah!!
Will weigh in again either towards the end of the week or on Monday!!!
say an extra little success prayer for me...
Wish me well
Wish you well too..

IT'S HER FAULT NOT MINE .. warning.. one of my too much information posts...

IT'S HER FAULT NOT MINE... you know the her I am talking about.. she comes for a visit.. makes you feel yucky... and leaves and then you pretty much know she is coming back next month... unless you have her set on a special schedule... boy she can be so bad... You are glad you have her.. and mildy annoyed when she visits... at least I am ... she is evil.. she thinks evil things.. like if that dumbass driving in front of me doesn't start putting his foot on the GAS... I might just have to go visit him in his front seat.. using my car to get there!!!!... Or when I am on my way to work... that stupid lady who starts honking at me because I am blocking the road.. to let someone out of my odd shaped parking lot... so I can get in with ease.. BITCH... or the sweet fact that my charming cousin wanted to send me a huge box of Rugalah that he knows I just love.. but his extreemly smart wife.. suggested otherwise because she knows how I am working to lose weight... in this case.. she was brilliant.. and I applaud that because had he sent that box to my house.... my evil little friend would have surely .. stacked each piece in a nice circle.. stacking them up and up.. and centering herself in the middle of the stack.. and eating.. each one of those yummy morsels... FOR SHAME EVIL FRIEND.. can you not leave me alone... She is a trickster too... For example if the night of her expected arrival.. I go to bed with the requirred protection... she will not arrive.. should I forget the required equipment... well.. ... you know the drill.... what a little viper... speaking of Vipers.. I think those are really sharp looking cars...... okay enough rambling... just thought I would give too much information today... but hey .. at least we can all relate to it.. and we all have our stories to tell... one more thing.. If my house had been made of chocolate last night... hmmm I would have been homeless today...
Have a delightful weekend....
Wish me well... wish you well too...

OH!! MY GOD!!!! I HAVE A VIRUS ..

WOW!! OBESE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD UNITE we can rejoice!!! ... we are not obese because we over eat.. we are obese because we have a virus.... !!!! say what??? a virus???? yes.. for those that tuned into the Today Show this morning... they said that there are new studies that the same virus that causes common colds and pink eye may cause obesity in some people ...... check out the link... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20359961/ seriously... I know these things... I am not obese because I have a virus.. and my friends do not make me fat or fatter.. nor do I them... This is me.. I got this way on my own.. and with .. the the grace of God, willpower, a good attitude and exercise.. I am changing.. this summer has been a drag because all I have done is maintained.. between the back pain.. the physical therapy, the foot infection, antibiotics, and various other uncontrolable things.. no excuses... just the way it is... With that said.. there has been no significant weight gain so that is good... now... with my release from PT coming on Monday and the release from the podiatrist happening this past Monday.. I meet with my nutritionist this coming Monday and I am going onward and downward... ACHOOO.. oops .. bless my obesity...

Wish me well... wish you well too...!!!

MONDAY AND HAPPY FEET

YAY ... I was released from the podiatrist today,... looks like I am keeping my toe..not that I was about to lose it or anything.. but .. that infection did not want to let me go.. seems I am all cleared from infection as well.. I was not to happy about the dremil tool buffing but.. at least things are much better... yay...
Well the damage from eating unwisely was not as bad as I thought I got on the scale yesterday morning and I was 184.2 ... I am thinking that I should be able to knock 4 pounds off easier now.. with getting to exercise finally.. I just want to see the 170s. So if everyone could wave their weight loss wands over me.. and give me some good karma... and I just get out there and exercise and eat healthy.. well I should be in the 170s soon.. YAY...

Well not much in other news.. its pretty quiet in my world right now.. which after last week is a very good thing..
Wish me well.
Wish you well too..

THINGS YOU COULD SAY

You could say ..you were under a lot of stress dealing with the flight and your mom .. and the oddities of aging. stopping at the store in the airport.. mom complaining that she needed gum.. the airport does not sell gum... mom walking down the hallway with her purse wide open and me explaining that you just can not do that.. You could say.. well Honi you know your mom almost fell in the grave at the cemetery head first.. so its okay.... You could say.. yeah that was funny about your mom with the lipstick in her hair... You could say a lot of things.. to me.. fact is there was no excuse for the way I ate the last 2 days... fact is I should have had better self control fact is .. I did not. At the cemetery .. in the jewish faith one of most meaningful things you can do for someone who passes is help bury them.. you pick up the shovel usually backwards.. ( so it would not be a task of ease ) and scoop some dirt in... I kept telling my sister to watch mom... sure enough when mom was putting the dirt in the grave she tripped and
almost fell in head first.... thank god.. the woman that officiated was there and grabbed mom... she looked at me and said.. boy I almost had a heart attack ...last night we were in the kitchen and I noticed a lump in moms hair.. I was laughing cuz I thought .. she had chocolate cake in her hair.. there were tons of folks here night so that was believable.. only it was not cake.. i pulled a chunk of it out. I really got tickled because I honestly thought it was cake until I smelled it and realized it was lipstick ... well I lost it at the point and started laughing tears rolling down my face... .. so did my cousin... we tried to get the lipstick out and then mom had like a purple patch of hair ... we were hysterical.. laughing... finally mom was able to get it out... how the lipstick got in her hair is a mystery... and it was her lipstick because my cousin discovered a chunk missing out of her lipstick oy... we were laughing this morning about it.. bless my moms heart... I just watch these things that happen to her... I almost feel she wants to be old before her time.. with some of the things she does... other times it just makes me sad to watch things just change with her... memory.. being self assured.. physical stability... emotional stability... just makes me sad...
Though it was wonderful to see my cousins I prefer it be under better circumstances... we did a lot of remenising... and laughing... My aunt was the type that took no shit from anyone... for example.. when my cousin was being bar mitzvahed .. my aunt went to publix to pick up some pies.. the lady behind the counter at the bakery said.. You jews are all alike.. picky and wear too much jewelry... my aunt did not say a word.. she then asked for a pie .. a boston cream pie.. she wanted to look at it.. she had it in her hand.. looked at .. and then promptly smashed it into the womans behind the counters face.... The police was called my aunt fell apart when she realized what she did... truth be told.. she knew what she was doing.. in her own somewhat not subtle and yet most wonderful way... All she wanted was to make it to our wedding.. all she got.. was being buried in the dress she had planned to wear...
In our faith... we have a period of mourning called Shiva.. it means 7 .. as in 7 days of mourning excluding the sabbath and jewish holidays... .. initially... most folks do 3 days...depending on how religious you are.. SO last night before the Shiva service... the woman who had officiated at the funeral.. her name is Beth Schafer Beth Schafer - Uniting people of faith through music. talked about my aunt... my cousins had told her I am planning on walking down the aisle to one of her songs... she played it for me.. in front of all the folks from the synagogue who came to make a condolence call last night... it was amazing.. you can go to her website and hear the song if you would like.. its called Lev b Lev.. ( it means Heart to Heart) its primarily in english .. so listen to the words... http://www.bethschafer.com/music-21.html ..

We got home this evening.. and it was fairly uneventful... a fairly large guy sat next to me in the plane I was between my mom and him.. and it was driving me nuts... he was pretty spread out and sleeping the whole way .. lucky my mom is little because I came close to sitting in her lap.. lol..

Well now I am home.. back in my routine..
Wish me well..
Wish you well too...

EVER CHANGING LIFE

At 11 am today Steve and I attended a memorial service for a wonderful gentleman.. He was leader in our community and up until he broke his hip 3 weeks ago at 96 years old a very active and vital man. He passed away this past Saturday morning in his sleep... Our synagogue was filled to the brim.. the service was lovely.. we did not go to the graveside service but we saw the processional leave the temple. Steve and I felt blessed because when he was 95 years old we made a dream of his come true... Steve gave him a ride on the motorcycle... and he and Steve had planned that when he turned 100 that Steve would take him out to Barbers Motorsport park for a ride around the track... We honestly thought he would make it too... his death though sad.. is a celebration of a good life.... On our way back to work.. my cell phone rang.. it was my sister letting me know that This morning my Aunt passed away..... I find comfort in knowing she does not suffer anymore.. and that I believe she is with my Uncle and might even be with my Dad. I find comfort in believing that those we lose are there to guide us from this life to that life. The funeral is Wednesday and I will be there with my mother. I probably will blog again on Thursday.. wish u all a great week...
Am going to try and remain balanced with my eating... and patient with myself.
Wish me well
Wish you well too...

NEVER EASY TO SAY GOODBYE

I have a very indifferent feeling right now.. I am waiting for the phone to ring with the news that my Aunt has passed away. 8 weeks ago she was diagnosed with cancer all over body 10 weeks ago she was a doting grandmother and worked in a business with her children. For everything we take for granted be reminded that in an instant it can all be taken away from you.. Most everything in our lives is beyond our control. Our lives... the one thing we think we have the ulitmate control over.. our bodies.. we really don't even have that. Sure we can control what we put in our bodies.. but we can not control what ultimately will happen to our bodies.. We really do not got to choose how we die. That is one of the quirks of life. You can be fine one second and poof.. gone the next.... Or you can linger .. not quiet ready to say goodbye... for some reason just holding on... and then you slip quietly away... I just wonder sometimes what the plan is.. why things fall as the do .. and why those we love have to suffer.. but I guess that is just one of those life questions with out an answer.. They say its just a matter of days now.. Hospice is back.. and the clock just sits there and ticks back and forth... Where is the comfort? the comfort is knowing that through medication she is no longer in pain.. For all we know.. my uncle is waiting to take her hand as she leaves us.. thats what I would like to think.. that she is with my uncle right now.. and might even see my dad soon... I would like to think it will be a peaceful transition for her.. Those of us here left with the suitcases full of grief.. and the tangible proof of life.. have the hard part.. I simpley do not know how my cousins are getting through each day... wondering when the last second will be that they have with their mother...
So my friends.. all I can say .. is love your family.. make sure they know it.. be thankful for all the goodness in life.. put the pettiness aside.. see people for what they really are not what you percieve them to be...and simply just be thankful for all of God's gifts.
Have a good weekend..
Food is good.. weight is good..
I walked on tuesday at the gym
and I have another infection in my foot.. oh JOY... other than that.. I plan to get back walking again.. even if I can not do a lot .. I am determined to do something...
Wish me well..
Wish you well too

WHAT PART OF START DON'T I UNDERSTAND

OKAY ..so I am nearly down 30 pounds.. whooo hooo great... but for the last 8 weeks I have weighed in and around the same weight... 183ish... SO WHAT PART OF START DON'T I UNDERSTAND!!!!!!! I have got to START moving again... I have got to START exercising CAREFULLY.. why am I so afraid of injuring myself.. ( DUH because I do it all the time) ... SO here is the plan.. today I have been released from PT to Walk on the track or any flat surface.. I can do the sitdown stair stepper, I can do the recumbant bike.. I still have another week before I can get in the pool.. SO on that note I went to Walmart I got an Armband for my IPOD.. and I am going to walk on the track after work today.. 30 minutes... moving my fat ass... Hopefully with my decent eating .. this will help shake up my system to start moving.. my goal before my wedding is to be out of the 180s... C'mon Honi this is doable.. I can do this.. my long term goal is 132... Rise and Shine Honi.. get with the program.. it is TIME!!!!!..
Wish me well
Wish you well too...

FLEXISM..and other tidbits from the news

Being a fan of Sparkpeople.com I love to read articles this website produces... here is a a great article about ... FLEXISM.. the ability to limit meat in your diet and adopt a more vegitarian outlook... in other words.. as I have said often times.. treating meat as a side item instead of the main course...http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=902.. It is a super article that discusses food options that are appealing with out sacrificing flavor or taste...

How about that study regarding the Mcdonald's logo on preschoolers... the power of advertising is amazing....http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5030930.html and alarming obesity experts say.. OBESITY EXPERTS.. what the hell is an obesity expert... I think.. we all are obesity experts.. forget the lab coat... sorry.. I just hate the term obesity experts... anyhow.... the article stated that children given food wrapped in Mcdonalds wrappers prefered that over food wrapped in plain wrappers... the food was identical.. even baby carrots served in a Mcdonalds french fry wrapper was prefered over the typical wrapping of baby carrots.. Through the lovely media children are taught that anything in a Mcdonalds wrapper has to taste better then a plain wrapper.. hmm... I think that could be used to Mc D's advantage.. by promoting healthier options for everyone... It would have the Mcdonalds label on it.. but be more nutritionally sound... that would indeed be amazing..... Take a peak at the article and tell me what you think...

Gotta go log my food..
Wish me well.
Wish you well too..

MELTING MONDAY with a side of Questions...

okay!!! I am officially ready for winter... forget fall.. just bring me some cold outside air... it is sooooooo hot here.. will be about 100 today... even if it does rain it only succeeds in making the air so muggy its hardly breathable... Summer go away .. Winter come on down!!!!!

Enough weather meanderings... so here is a question for all of us out there? ... do you think you eat more in the Summer or winter.???.. In the winter do you feel sort of like a bear in hibernation.. pack on the warm rich foods of winter and stick to the cool fresh fruits of summer... Seems I find that I am less hungry in the summer because of the heat... I prefer cooler things.. Steve has gotten in the phenominal habit of making fresh fruit salad nearly every week.. We get Honeydews, Cantaloupes, Watermelons, grapes... and an occasional mango and mix it all together and you have a weeks worth of yummy good for you fruit salad... In the winter we tend to make a lot of soups or chili.. this year that is going to have to be ammended a little.. watching the fat in the soups and chili ... which I think is very doable..

Are you better at exercising in the summer or winter ??? I think I do better in the cooler weather but I am trying to get better in the warmer weather.. I just hate heat.... Yuck....!!!!
Well I am off to work...
wish me well
Wish you well too!!!

CHECKING OUT THOSE FOOD LABELS, WANDERING AROUND IN RECIPE LAND AND VARIOUS OTHER FOOD PONDERINGS...

Here is a link to one of my most favorite sites Hungry Girl.. this is todays newsletter about food that can seem friendly.. but should be avoided.. it also has a great blurb about label reading.. WE GOTTA READ THOSE LABELS CAREFULLY.... http://www.hungry-girl.com/girls/biteoutdetails.php?isid=1174 read it!!!...

This link provides in depth info about label reading... http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/foodlabel/newlabel.html#serving

Be informed and understand what a real serving is.. and if you see that that serving seems skimpy to you find something else that better suits you. HINT EAT YOUR VEGGIES... EAT YOUR FRUITS.. ( FRESH) remember bulk up on those water rich foods.. not calorie dense foods with no nutritional value...
The Summer time provides each of us with many great food adventures.. check out your local farmer's market for some fresh veggies and fruits... Or how about a little exercise with your shopping.. Check out one of the many blueberry and black berry fields in rural areas that let you pick your own fruit.. Steve and I picked fresh peaches not too long ago and it was a lot of fun to do. HEY!! here is a cool recipe website... check it out....http://www.recipezaar.com/
Otherwise its the same old same old for me... No change in the scale... this plateau has a hold on me.. but its all good.... . Have a great weekend
Wish me well
Wish you well too..

WHEN IT IS ABOUT PORTION CONTROL

I suppose a lot of folks would call me crazy.. but I firmly believe that creating illusion when you are trying to lose weight is a great idea.. in other words.. by using smaller mugs, bowls, plates and even eating utensils... it helps create the illusion that less is more .. and pretty soon this becomes habit.. For example .. last night we had cereal for dinner... Steve prepared it... even measuring out the cereal ( fiber one honey cluster cereal) he cut up a banana and divided it between the two GIANT mugs that he poured the cereal, milk and bananas in.. even with all of that the mug was only half full... and then he put a big spoon in it... My sensors went off like crazy... My first reaction was that this was not enough food for me.. I was hungry damnit and here u are giving a this tiny amount of cereal.. etc... Now if I had done it.. I would have used a smaller mug, measured everything out .. and used a smaller spoon.. guess what... same amount of food but since it is in a smaller mug it creates an illusion of being a lot ... and my mind is like .. OHHH yum this is great .. perfect.. I will be filled up... Food is such a head game for me.. and when I play the game right I always win. I used a smaller spoon and it helped me eat slower.. and I did get filled up... its just the illusion it creates.. I don't think Steve or most folks understand the power of illusion when it comes to serving food.... I like to use a smaller plate for my food.. again.. I create the illusion of a full plate even though its smaller than the dinner plate.. but I dont feel like I am missing anything.. I think when we work to create our meals or snacks in such a way that less is more.. then we are not only physically satisifed... but our mind's eye registers satisfaction too... I think it helps us realize that we can allow our bodies time to register to the fully mark... It takes around 20 minutes for the brain and body to communicate to each other that it is full... I think creating these illusions helps with that..
Just a thought..
Wish me well
Wish you well too...