518 POSTS LATER

I did start off with a bang.. I did change my universe for a while.. I still have kept most of my weight off.. but largely have had no movement in the past year... I am well settled into married life... life goes on..it was a spinning year.. covering the emotional spectrum over and over again..
2008 was an eventful year... not particularly good but the fact that most of us are still alive and surviving I guess makes it a good year partially.. It was a year of financial scares.. an exciting presidental campaign, A new president with new views, it was a year of distrust in the financial world. It was a year of loss.. my mother, friends.. It was a thought provoking 2008 .. it was a quiet finish for me.. quiet in the sense that there is a huge gap of silence where my mother was.. I chuckle to myself when I think how right before Christmas she would be calling me and saying how she would be alone for Christmas and ask me what are we going to do for Christmas.. actually this call would come along in September.. and I would say to my mother.. Mom.. we don't celebrate Christmas.. we are jewish.. remember??/ she would laugh but still she would say she did not want to be alone .. and of course she was not.. we did the typical jewish thing.. Chinese food on Christmas day.. as was done this year.. only minus my mom.. It is so hard to explain the silence.. it is a deafening silence sometimes.. a huge gap .. and now with both parents gone.. there is just an emptiness..
I have wondered if I have tried to fill that gap with food.. perhaps.. but those gaps in our lives when we lose a parent.. can not be filled.. they . well those gaps.. just are.. they are just there.. Sometimes I try to ignore them.. and pretend they do not exist.. and sometimes I can not avoid looking into the abyss of memories.. endless.. which I guess in a way is a gift.. a bittersweet one at that...
When you and I over eat .. I often ask myself.. what are we trying to fill.. is it an abyss of some type? a gap... are we trying to fill real hunger.. ? are we able to listen to real hunger signals.. ? or do they get lost ? things I have been tossing around in my brain... I can tell you this, though, I have plans for 2009 ... things I am going to work on.. and I know you do too..
As 2008 comes to a close.. take a minute and focus on what is good in your life.. if you still have your parents.. and the relationship is not good.. fix it.. or try to fix it.. forget the couldawouldashouldas . and just try and fix it.. if the relationship is not fixable... then let it go.. let yourself go from whatever feelings you might be holding on too... its time...... if the relationship is good.. call them.. hug them... love them.. you are blessed to still have them.. For your children do the same.. don't waste time on the petty stuff.. its the real stuff that matters.. We are all inviduals caught up.. in this mysterious, adventurous thing called life..
There is a old toast that comes to mind... it is from an episode of MASH.. MAY THE BEST OF YOUR PAST BE THE WORST OF YOUR FUTURE.. I wish that for each of us...
I will be introducing some new ideas in the coming month.. that I want to share with you.. I am hopeful it will help me attain those life long goals of mine..
so no more platitudes for right now...
Wishing you each a very happy new year!
2009 the year I leave my fat ass behind.. :-)

Holiday Photos

SAYING IT WITH PHOTOS

HERE ARE PICTURES FROM OUR CHANUKAH PARTY YESTERDAY..
YES I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE LATKES, AND THE DESSERTS.. BUT THE TABLE SURE LOOKED PRETTY.. ALSO BECAUSE I LOVE YOU GUYS TWO BONUS PICTURES.. ONE OF COOKIE AND ONE OF BAZZIE
ENJOY...

FEELING GROOVY

I am so thankful to be among the living today.... Wednesday night I took an Ambian CR.. apparently I was given the stronger dose.. and apparently my body did not like that very much.. for yesterday was hell day for me.. I was sick all day and it was awful... Friday.. today .. I am a world better.. No drugs for now.. I am staying drug free.. going to let my body set its own time clock .. and hopefully reset to sleep.. I did okay last night woke up a lot but eventually went back to sleep..
This weekend we are having our Chanukah party on Sunday, and Saturday night we are going over to friends to celebrate Christmas.. its a Christmas Chili party.. should be fine minus heartburn of course.. lol.. I am looking forward to both events..
Wishing you all a great weekend!
Until next time ...

My friend who in September was diagnosed with esphageal cancer.. is Cancer free for now.. he had a percentage of his esphagus removed.. he has lost 86 pounds, and is now also free of insulin dependant diabetes... He feels as if he has been given a second chance and is going to take advantage of that. Six small meals a day he said.. he told me to get healthy.. now before I have a whoping health scare.. Get healthy Honi.. now..get healthy friends now..

RECIPES FOR WEDNESDAY

LOWFAT GINGERBREAD CAKE

MINI SHEPERDS PIE

ANGEL DELITES

20/20 SUPER FAST CHICKEN RECIPES

SWEET POTATO FRIES
ENJOY~

Holiday laughs

Just some stuff to smile at..

hope your holiday preperations are going well..

Am in the midst of reading a couple of books I will be sharing with your soon..

Until next time..

BAKING IN FULL SWING..

WITH HOLIDAYS RUNNING WILD RIGHT NOW.. I am sure your kitchen is abuzz with activity.. lord knows mine is .. and I do not even celebrate Christmas... we are having a Chanukah brunch at our home next Sunday.. and have a nice menu planned. Not a very healthy menu but with some healthy options thrown in...
Here are a few recipes taken from Nutrition data..
DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE COOKIES
MARBLE CHEESE CAKE
CRANBERRY SCONES
Just a few ideas ..
I know the next week and a half will be hectic for you .. be sure and take time for yourself.. breath in and breath out.. and if you over indulge... let it go.. do not berate yourself over and over.. you did it, its done , its also over... let it go..
Take care of yourselves..
Until next time..

RENOVATIONS AND REVELATIONS

Changing the face of things around here for 2009... I have retired Healthy Honi and changed the title of my blog to A TASTE OF HONI.. you will notice I changed the description too.. ( the addy is the same location.. )
Just trying to create a new environment for myself.. Of course I want to get healthy thats goal number 1.. but I am tired of things I have focused on in the past.. finding that.. if I do the same thing over and over I just end up with the same results.. which is nothing.. With A TASTE OF HONI.. I am going to post more healthy recipes.. more food photos as we cook and change our ways in the kitchen.. ideas and exercises that work and do not work.. new products.. and in general just sharing my thoughts as I continue this journey of a lifetime...
My Tag line for 2009 is ~ Leaving the Weight behind in 2009~
I have been doing a lot of self research over the last several weeks.. things I thought I really understood .. I truely do not... for example I have extreem portion distortion issues.. that is one factor I am working on.. I just ordered a book called Picture Perfect Weight loss by Dr. Howard Shapiro.. He does a lot of visual comparative analysis between foods... comparing photos of various items .. and showing for example.. a croissant is equivlant in calories to a full breakfast.. just various pictures so you get a visual idea of volumetrics and what food switches can do..
I also purchased another book about a well known movie critic who has lost over 75 pounds by really addressing her core issues.. I will let you know more about that once I recieve it.. as well as the the Picture perfect book.. I am still going to work with my nutritionist.. but I am also going to really work on myself.. I get so side tracked in life.. things turn my head and make me stop focusing on myself.. SO perhaps My tag line for 2009 should also read.. A LITTLE SELFISHNESS on my part is absolutely FINE..
Last night I was talking to my cousin Heidi and she said.. you know something Honi, I have the same problem you have... where your issues are food related... mine are men related... I have portion distortion as well... She tends to pick the guys who end up being unhealthy for her.. yet they sometimes are the most appealing.. like food.. for example... I am far more attracted too dark chocolate.. than a brussel sprout.. ( although as this week I now have a fondness for brussel sprouts) I could certainly appreciate what she was saying... we had a good laugh over that.. She asked me about having less invasive surgery like a lap band or other weight loss surgeries... I told her.. I need to go this journey.. I need to do this the right way for me.. and that is learning how to deal with food... stop trying to medicate myself with food.. and stop trying to use it to comfort me.. things I have done for now 45 years.. how does one change 45 year old habits.. ??? I am hoping with a sense of good humor, a sense of diligence, and accomplishment and effort that I can achieve this finally in 2009.. I am doing a lot of private leg work right now.. and trying to scope out my best options..
Did you read the latest from OPRAH... Happens to the best of dear Oprah.. this is forever.. and forever is a mighty long time when stress happens and mashed potatos beckon.. and all those down home comfort foods call...and we suffer from portion distortion.. but I do wonder.. how someone like her, who has the best of everything at her fingertips.. has a food issue.. I mean she can have a personal chef, a personal trainer.. a personal shopper, a personal person for her personal person, a personal person who chews her food for her.. she could have it all and yet.. she like me.. like you still struggles.. with food.. just goes to show you its not all about the money you have to help you make those lifestyle changes... its far deeper than money.. its about willingness to change and not go back to what was.. as the saying goes and I said it earlier in my post.. IF YOU DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE DONE THEN YOU GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE GOT. Its about being okay with not being perfect.. and finding a place where you can live in peace.. I am never going to be 95 pounds.. EVER.. BUt if I could just be 132 and stay with in 5 pounds of that.. I would be so proud of myself.. thats the magic number for me.. and I wish I could tell you why.. it just is~~~ I felt so good there.. I want to feel that good again.. I was far from thin, but I looked good.. and felt good.. and was proud of myself.. I get tired of feeling ashamed of myself.. I get sad when I see that look in my husband's eyes .. its not a mean look.. it is more like I am worried about you.. and I want you just to be healthy.. and feel better.. and I know you can do this.. and in that look I see dissapointment too.. lets face it.. he loves me for me.. but I know he would love me smaller.. because to him that would mean I was healthier. and frankly in all reality he is right.. and if I am healthier.. we can do more things.. take more trips.. and feel good together.. I also think that if he sees me getting healthy.. not some marathon crazy healthy but regular normal healthy.. then perhaps he too will eat less meat, lay off the donut samples.. say bye bye to the ham sandwiches.. etc.. thats what I think..
I have not.. and for those of us , actually.. lets just say .. we that have not reached our goal yet WE MUST FIND A WAY... whatever works.. for us in the healthiest most optimal way.. I know its out there..
A long term solution .. no quick fixes...
Here is one of my favorite websites with great recipes too...
EAT BETTER AMERICA
Have a super weekend!
Wish me well
Wish you well too..

LAUGHS FOR FRIDAY!

SIRENS AND STORMS

Yep.. so Steve is out of town until today... and darn if old man tornado did not decide to blow right on over to my area last night.. The sirens went off around midnight and did not stop until after 5 this morning.. on and off on and off.. Rather than run up and down the steps all night.. Cookie , Baz and me grabbed some pillows and a bathrobe, a radio a portable tv, water, and a flashlight. and went down stairs to the unfinished area where a sofa us.. Steve has an office downstairs too in the half finished basement/ garage.. Baz got in the chair, Cookie got on the sofa with me.. we turned on the tv for a while and then switched on the radio.. and damn if the Alarms where not going off on the radio.. it was loud.. but we kept the radio on and tried to rest as we listened to things being tossed in the wind... It rained furiously .. and the lightening was intense.. wind gusts were up as high as 75 mph at one point.. A tornado touched down about 10 miles away but we did not have any issues other than wind shears.. otherwise it was a noisy stay up all night not feel good today night.. YUCK!.. my eating has been terrible today .. but I am just trying to stay awake.. looking foward to the bed tonight.. HOWEVER, we are in for another night of storms.. ohh and this morning at 3 am it was 70 outside.. VERY SCARY.. normally its in the 30s.. this time of year.. or low 40s at the highest.. Now here is the icing or SNOW FALL on my cake... Tommorow , Thursday we are suppose to get snow showers YEP .. more storms tonight then tommorow it gets colder and the white stuff is suppose to fall.. no accumulations expected... Talk about a cornucopia (or however you spell that) of weather.. sheesh...
Otherwise.. just trying to survive the day and get back home..
Wish me well
Wish you well too..

NEVER TOO OLD

Like the title sizes.. you are never told to try new things...
and you may never know if you like something unless you try it.. assuming you will not like something is closed minded.. but if you try it and its not life risking.. well.. you might find something you enjoy that you did not know you would enjoy until you tried it...
Example.. Motorcycling.. I had no idea I would love it until I tried it.. I was scared.. but it was fun.. I do have my limits though.. Heights are huge with me.. so I doubt you would find me parasailing..
I have my limits with food too.. but I do try different things... My husband made brussel sprouts the other night for dinner.. I had never had them and always assumed I would not like them.. but guess what I LOVE THEM>.. he used a little olive oil and garlic powder to saute them in.. and they were wonderful.. I like to try new fruits like pompagranite and star fruit.. .. new ways to cook things.. and I am always on the search for new recipes..
I have become more adventurous in my older age.. I love to explore new areas .. and walk around.. I love to go on trips via bike with Steve and see the world from a different perspective..
I am not saying break your limits. but do try different things.. including veggies and fruits.. and activities.. you just might be pleasantly surprised...
Wish you well
Wish me well too..

IS IT REALLY VIABLE TO EAT HEALTHY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WHAT a silly title.. is it really viable to eat healthy for the holidays.. We know the answer to this age old question.. OF COURSE NOT!! kidding... of COURSE IT is VERY VIABLE.. and easy too..

Think about it... I am not telling you to say NO! to everything.. I am just saying.. be aware.. think before you eat.... by perusing the internet you can find some great ideas.. they are all common sense things.. but here is a reminder..
There are things you can do.. as a hostess of holiday parties that your guests will not even realize that will ultimately benefit them as well. As a guest of holiday parties you can apply some of these ideas as well..
For example:
1~By planning ahead, you can put in a few extra minutes per walk and eat healthy meals on before and after a party. Don't go to a party starving! You'll grab the first goody you see without thinking about it. If you're the party host, you can choose serve lighter fare and use smaller plates to help control portion sizes.
2~Mind eggnog and spiked cider !! Drinkable calories still count as calories! If you're going to imbibe, be aware of what's in it. Low-cal options include diet soda (with or without a mixer), white wine, or seltzer water with a splash of lemon or lime. Watch out for high-cal counterparts: egg nog, beer, and sugary drinks like punch.
3~ Pick healthier options from the menu and spend your extra calories carefully. If Auntie Martha's homemade truffle cake makes you weep with joy, don't fill your plate with Uncle Bert's so-so Bean Dip. You'll enjoy what you really like instead of what you don't care much for.
4~Incognito calories - Watch out for healthy foods swimming high-fat sauces, dips and cheeses. Good-for-you celery turns into a caloric nightmare when covered in creamy dip.
5~Your overall health is determined by your long-term choices throughout the year. The menorah's packed away and the Christmas tree has become fertilizer, but you don't want to be left with five or ten pounds of holiday memory around your middle.
REMEMBER Less can go a long way if you want it too..
The holidays do not have to be a lose lose situation.. Mindfulness goes a long way too.. and combined with culinary goodness it can be a healthy holiday season as well as a tasty one too..
Wishing you a great weekend~
ROLL TIDE!!!!!

DEFEND YOURSELF

Here it comes creeping around the corner at full speed.. it is called the HOLIDAYHUNGRYS ... and now they are not all that sinister.. they wave before your face in chocolatey goodness, or that once a year pie or cake or delicacy of your choice.. I have always believed with holidays and once a year treats that a little is fine.. but scarfing down the bowl just will not do... You can be a renagade and redesign your holiday happening by eliminating all the once a year treats and creating newer healthier treats for you and your family.. there are lots of choices out there via just a click of google and a request from you... Or you can say PFFT .. it does not really matter and eat yourself into oblivion for the holiday season .. then make that same old choice... JANUARY 1 err 2 the diet starts.. yeah.. its the same old voice.. the same old diet.. the same old.. thing..
I have had to work on developing a whole new realm of thinking for me .... I have had to learn over the last few months how to adapt to IBS and Fibromyalgia.. truthfully.. the last thing I want to do is meal plan or think.. or deal with eating right.. I am just now to the point I can eat veggies again.. for a while there I could only eat Carbs.. but now I can eat protein , veggies and even some fruit.. but I have to be careful with a lot of fiber.. so I am taking a step at a time.. developing a new program that works for me and then adjusting it so I can actually lose weight.. I now eat about 6 times a day .. small meals.. with the larger meal being during the mid day usually.. that seems to be the best situation for me.. I am suppose to drink drink drink a lot of water.. I am worst at that but getting better.. so I am as usual a work in progress... working on defending myself from the Holiday goodness of both Christmas and Chanukah treats... For me I have a warning signal.. if its fatty.. its not going to work for me.. I will suffer from indulging.. so its not worth it .. for those of us that do not have those warning signals... really think about it.. I know its the holidays.... but what if this time since you know what "that" tastes like you pass by it and opt for something a little more nutritious.. or just take a bite of "that" remember 4 bites is all you really need and all you really remember anyhow.. the first 2 bites ( small ) and the last 2 bites ( small) .. Defend yourself .. and continue on your healthy journey... mine is being revamped right now so I can do just that..
Be sure and get out and move .. walk, swim (indoors of course) ride a bike.. it all really helps..
Wishing you a healthy holiday season
Wish me well too..

SHE IS ALIVE

YUP I am alive just way too busy .. Thanksgiving was nice.. a little hard with out mom but really nice... Loved spending time with my Sister, brother in law and niece this past weekend.. they came in On Saturday , left early Sunday.. wish they had been here longer..
Hope all is well in your world..