RETRO THURSDAY

1970s jingle
A is for Apple, J is for Jacks. Cinnamon toasty Apple Jacks! You need a complete breakfast, that's a fact. Start it off with Apple Jacks. Apple Jacks! Apple Jacks! Ten vitamins and minerals-that's what it packs. Apple-tasty, crunchy, too! Kellogg's Apple Jacks!
HERE IS WHERE IT ALL GOT STARTED:
FOOD TIME LINE
THEY ATE WHAT??!!
BUGS??!!
HUNTING FOR FOOD
THIS IS HOW THEY DID IT
RETROLAND
RETRO FOOD COMMERICALS
I HAD ONE OF THESE IN BLUE
MORE RETRO COMMERICALS
BAD FADS
70S CEREAL ADS
BABY BOOMER FOODS
FOOD HISTORY
COMMERCIALS FROM THE 50'S AND 60'S
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF FOODS OF THE 70'S
STUCK IN THE 70'S
WILD 60'S
STUCK IN THE 60'S
HAVE A GROOVY THURSDAY
WISH ME WELL
WISH YOU WELL TOO

THINGS I TASTED RECENTLY

I tried the Fiber one toaster pastries (found them at walmart) ( can not even find them on the fiber one website otherwise I would have linked it) .. yes the cinnamon one is tasty.. but its the same caloric value as one Poptart only with fiber.. so this is a NO! for me but a better choice for your kids for a quick start for breakfast than just a regular Poptart..
I tried Golden Flake baked potato crisps.. for 110 calories a serving .. this one and the ruffles baked chips for 120 calories are nice compliments for a sandwich or a snack.. thats ONE SERVING FOLKS.. not the bag.. this is a YES!
Watermelon can still rock your world.. you can still find some good ones.. eat it.. its good for you!!!
Wheat thins came out with a new fiber rich cracker in veggie or multi grain flavor.. i think 5 grams fiber in a serving.. GOOD CRACKER.. check it out.. can not find it on Nabiscos website..
We have also been expermenting with various cheeses.. like gouda goat cheese , parano and a few others.. 1 oz is around 110 calories .. and sliced in small chunks with grapes or apple slices and a few of those yummy new Wheat thins.. makes a great snack.
We also became a fan of Luigis Italian ices.. most of them are under 80 calories a serving.. and yummy..
ahhh and here is a total gadget thought.. I am waiting for the brand new phones coming out by Tmobile before I get my ugrade.. they are called android phones and are comparable to IPHONES.. .. gonna be there checking those things out you can bet..yeah me likes my gadgets and am looking forward to this new phone.. or at the very least one of the newer models being put out there this fall by Tmobile android or not.. but boy this sounds neat.. from what I gather Tmobile is working on this phone that will run google apps.. everything from gps to all other types of applications.. not really sure what .. as I have been trying to deciepher it all as I read.. here is another link HTC DREAM .. well as I said I like those gadgets..
Wish me well
wish you well too for a Wednesday!

THOUGHTS

On the forefront of my life.. I am starting to feel good about going to St. Vincents One Nineteen Health and Wellness and taking the Healthy Weight For EveryBody program again. If you click on the links listed peruse around the site a bit its a great facility.
I am also thinking so many things... regarding my mom.
We got the OR report.. and its very sparse and just not complete.. I feel they were caught by surprise and were not prepared for how serious mom's surgery was. I think this caught the doctor by surprise.. These guys they do about 5 or 6 of these surgeries a day.. and the one question that haunts me is why were they not better prepared.. mom was a second replacement.. this was her second time.. should they not have thought ahead about the possibility of complications like she had.
At the end of the report.. the surgeon put he was the only one doing the procedure.... I think he was just covering his assets .. if you will.. I mean .. I would think that other doctors were there.. I just wonder if someone screwed up.. well obviously they did.. because they had no clue.. and did no tests prior to her surgery that would indeed prepare them for any of these types of complications.. I have lost a great deal of faith in this hospital and could never in good thought recommend this surgeon I do not care how many articles there are on him.. or how great he is suppose to be.. He left a family ill prepared for the outcome of this surgery .. he should have never said there was a better than 85% chance of full recovery.. He should have gone in more depth about possible complications that can arise with a second replacement.. maybe I am wrong to feel this way .. I don't know.. SO you ask me are we going to pursue this.. and the answer is.... I don't know.. but it sits heavy in my heart.. I want answers.. the right answers.. nothing will bring back my mother.. but if someone screwed up.. or if they were ill prepared for this.. I want to know.. but I doubt if we ever will know.. doctors protect doctors.. but I can tell you this.. my mom wanted to live.. sure she missed my father horribly .. but thinking that she is happy now because she is with dad.. well I find no comfort there now.. its just a bunch of knotted up words to me that means nothing until I know more.. so that is were I am with that.. and thats why I have been sort of quiet around here.. I have been peeping in on everyones blogs.. .. though.. its usually how I find my smiles through out the day.. and I thank you guys for your sweet emails and comments.. it really means so much to me..
well thats it for a tuesday..
Wish me well
Wish you well too

THINGS WE DO

So today I cancelled my weight watchers online subscription.. in an effort to be honest with myself... I have not followed the program nor logged anything since before my mom's death..I gave up... I quit.. so whats the point in paying WW 16..95 a month if I am not using the program... it sucks to be honest but .. I have to be... WW is a FABULOUS PROGRAM.. if you work the program.... so it is time to find something else before the weight piles back on.. which is something I DO NOT WANT TO HAPPEN ever again. So the first step.. Honesty was accomplished today... now I have to find a plan... Steve and I went to the gym this morning.. we swam and got in the jacuzzi and then showered and came home for a breakfast of one egg over easy and a toasted whole wheat bagel.. so that is good. We noticed at the gym that the HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS for EVERYONE is about to start again so I am thinking about joining it.. I lost 30 pounds in 2007 doing it.. so perhaps .. I can do it again.. I have not been on a scale in the last 3 weeks.. I am hoping my weight is not horrible.. I go to the doctor for a physical the first friday in Sept.... so i want to have a plan lined up before then.. I think I am leaning towards the Healthy Weight for Everyone program again.. this is the program..
Well we are off to run some errands..
Wish me well
Wish you well too

ANOTHER TURNING POINT

TWO events happen with in the next few days.. Last night.. we addressed the thank you cards for all the contributions and food trays from mom's funeral. We had around 200 cards to address .. So many people remembered Mom.... ... On Sunday I meet with the agent who is going to sell Mom and Dad's house. She is a family friend so that makes it easier.. but well still difficult at best.. Next weekend my sisters come in to do the great divide.. It is a neccessary yet sad task too. I ache for the day these tasks are over.. who ever said it takes 9 months to come into the world and about 9 months to leave it was not joking.. we are in for the long haul and just hoping that the house sells with ease.. Luckily it is located in a in demand area so that is good I guess.. There is a certain blah that has settled over me and I really do not like it and hope that overtime it desolves.. It is hard to find things to smile about.. or really show much interest in anything.. I am chugging along.. though. bit by bit..
Otherwise its a Thursday
Wish me well
Wish you well too..

RECIPE WEDNESDAY

GOOD INFO ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

LIME MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SALSA
SPINACH AND MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD
SPINACH AND SALMON SALAD
APRICOT GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS
GRILLED CHICKEN WITH MANGO SALSA
BLINTZ SOUFFLE ( use cheese blintzs not the fruit one as directed) also use a square pyrex or a rectangle pyrex do not use a loaf pan
Almond crusted chicken
enjoy
Wish me well
Wish you well too

a FOOD CONFESSION

This past weekend we attended my cousin's bar mitzvah celebration....Bless my cousins heart .. does she know how to throw a party or what.. of course this is her business so we should not have expected less.. The Bar Mitzvah was for her oldest son.. and she really went all out for this event... it was so lovely..and in 3 years we are doing it all again.. lol for her youngest son... anyhow..We arrive at the hotel to be greeted by a box filled with all sorts of gourmet cookies, and goodies.. and fuji water.. this was our hospitality box, it had a beautifully done itineary of the weekend as well as directions too.. we go up to our room.. freshen up a bit and go up to the hospitality room. Her parents hosted this area.. and let me tell you it did not lack for any food what so ever.. from cakes, to shneckin, to mandel bread.. to cakes.. to chips to dips.. to sandwiches , alcohol, sodas.. and assorted sweets.. it was a haven for the hungry ... then we went back to our room.. and rested a bit and onwards to Shabbat dinner ( sabbath dinner) at the hotel too.. IT was a nice dinner.. we walked in and were presented with Mint Julips.. that was interesting considering I dont drink.. it was tasty but then i opted for my usual diet coke...I was doing great.. when I walked in the room.. and the wonderful well intentioned family and friends came up to me to offer condolences regarding my mom.. that was hard.. and it was hard to look at the table where my parents might have been sitting had they been alive.. it was so hard to see all the family there but them missing.. in the laughter.. that was really hard... but thinking about how my dad always enjoyed these gatherings so did my mom.. though after dad was gone it was hard for her.. she still loved seeing everyone... ..and seeing the food and the company it was indeed wonderful... we eventually would end up back in the hospitality room.. and then off to bed ... Saturday morning we went to temple for the Bar Mitzvah and they had another huge spread for lunch.. lox and cream cheese, bagels, sweet noodle kugel.. salad.. desserts and drinks... the service was wonderful followed by that wonderful lunch... we had a great time that afternoon too.. my cousin who is a hair stylist .. flat ironed my hair and it actually looked fantastic... we had a great time Saturday night at the party too.. there was a cocktail hour with a guy playing the steel drums.. and plenty of appetizers and drinks... dinner was.. from my cousin's company... starting with gazpacheo shot glasses then followed by an appetizer of salmon that had a fried green tomato on it topped with a small scoop of spicey potato salad.. the dinner was a combo dinner of a steak and piece of chicken that had a berry glaze presented over lemon risotto .. fresh bread was at each table.. and they had a fantasy dessert bar.. it was amazing.. they had lollipops that were small rice krispy treats dipped in dark chocolate, marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate, there was serving spoons filled with creme brule' and chocolate mousse cakes and an ice cream bar as well.. it was wild.. they also had a coffee bar where you could add everything from cinnamon to chunks of dark chocolate to your coffee topped off by real whipped cream.. we had coffee but did not partake in the dessert bar.. it was just too rich for us.. but we sure did admire it.. you could stand 2 feet away from the dessert bar and just smell all the sugar and chocolate lol.. I was really saving myself for Sunday because I LOVE JEWISH BRUNCH FOOD... and my cousin did not dissapoint at all.. she had wonderful bagels , with blocks of cream cheese, lox, white fish, scones, fresh fruit.. a station that served scrambled eggs with toppings .. everything from sauteed spinach to fresh onions or tomatos.. there were sauces and cheese grits.. ( I passed on the eggs and cheese grits) but were I did indulge was the real wonderful bagels and cream cheese and.. hold on to your seat.. because this was the highlight of this food extravaganza in my book... they had a station that had white chocolate bread pudding french toast.. you had your choice of berries, warm syrups, chocolate chips.. or whipped cream to top it with.. they served it by the plate or in a martini glass... I opted for the glass figuring it would keep it much more portion controled.. and it did.. I used the warm maple syrup on my portion and it was DEVINE.. I also indulged in a dark chocolate mousse cookie.. hmm that was how i capped off brunch... and then we go back to reality and kept the rest of our day simple food wise.. we did make homemade pizza for dinner when we got back to town though..
My pups were so happy when I picked them up yesterday afternoon from the vet that Bazzie pooped walking up the steps to the house LOL.. it was funny but.. stinky lol..... well regardless it was wonderful to celebrate something happy for a change instead of sad.. very wonderful...
Wish me well
Wish you well too

WELCOME TO INSURANCE HELL

Its slow for a monday...
but I do have some advice to share with you.. Standing on 12ft soapbox because I need to shout!!!!!!
WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT REGARDLESS IF IT IS THE EYE DOCTOR OR your REGULAR DOCTOR.. C'MON FOLKS KNOW YOUR STUFF... AND HAVE MANNERS!!!!!!
Obviously I am a little pissy right now.. because .. we had an 830 patient who not only decided to be a no show but never called... this is NOT right! Nor is it right to think.. we know all about YOUR insurance, we have limited info regarding the insurance we carry... You should know your benefits.. or at the very least the types of insurance you carry.. or wether or not you have a vision rider or not... you should know wether or not your insurance covers vision too..It is not my responsibility to know all about your insurance. Yelling at me .. won't make me know more than I know... It is not my job to research your insurance benefits , My job is to seek authorizations and make sure your insurance is valid. I have no idea why your insurance does not cover everything they say they will.. perhaps thats why they always say THIS is not a guarantee of coverage..sheesh.. I do not know everything.. sometimes I wish I did though!
NOW FOR YOU ASSHATS AT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
I am not a mathmatician so say what you mean and mean what you say... I say stick with a fucking formula that is simple and easy for all people to understand that does not require an encyclopedia of math to know what they hell you are talking about... If you tell a patient you care going to pay fucking 55.00 for a exam pay it damnit! dont divide it 12 ways to hell and beyond and expect me to be able to decipher what you are TALKING ABOUT.. I DO NOT KNOW nor do I CARE keep it SIMPLE PULLLLLEEEEEZEEEE!!! You make my life a living HELL at work! and I passionately hate you and feel sorry for all of your employees.. except the ones that are not located in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.. yes thats right... HIRE FROM FUCKING WITH IN.. I am so tired of talking to "JOE" in Kazakistain who knows jack shit about what I need and I can not understand what he is saying .. while he fucking reads to me out of a fucking book that does not have the answers to my questions in the first place.. SHEEESH!!!! HIRE AMERICANS we need the JOBS!!!!! .. I often say Insurance companies are secretly the Taliban.. I am starting to believe it now.. MAKE YOURSELVES USER FRIENDLY FOR BOTH THE PROVIDER AND PATIENT!!! by keeping it fucking simple.. DAMNIT!!!!!!!
FOR EVERY INSURANCE MANAGER OF OFFICE PERSON OUT THERE WHO WORKS WITH MEDICAL INSURANCE.. I SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ABILITY TO NOT HAVE YOUR BRAIN MELT OUT OF YOUR EYES AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT... I on the other hand have lost my brains many times due to melt downs... sigh...
Thats my rant for today ..
In other news had a really great weekend which I will be writing about tomorrow..
hope the weekend was kind to you too..
Wish me well
Wish you well too