Good morning, everyone! I hope you all crush your day today. My plans involve decorating my WNBA "Woman Cave," taking the kids to basketball practice, and hopefully squeezing in a quick workout. I'm also doing research on which weight loss surgery is the best tool for me and looking for a Bariatric Psychologist.

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Savory "Everything" Oatmeal

Lunch: Red Lentil & Sweet Potato Dal

Dinner: "Lightened Up" Shepherd's Pie

QOTD: My plans for February are to find a bariatric surgeon, cook more healthy recipes, stop drinking, attend more of my kids' basketball games, and be an even better Mom.

Happy Monday Gang!! Yesterday was the only day it was actually really cold outside. I made a Mississippi Pot roast but used a pork shoulder instead of beef. I came out pretty good. Irvin and I shoveled a path for the gas man to deliver gas and when I went grocery shopping Irvin got the bobcat running and did a bunch of snow clean up in case we get more snow.

We have training 3 days this week at work and next Thursday we have our second waterwash on the other boiler. Then we have to get the plant ready for a BAU audit at the end of the month and next month we have our first outage of the year. Things are already ramping up at work.

QOTD: What are you plans for the month of February? Some of mine are getting the veggie seeds started. I did plant tulip bulbs that I had picked up on clearance last year but didn't get them in the ground so I put them in pots until Spring. Finish organizing in office and basement.

B: coffee and protein shake

L: pork shoulder

D: soup and salad

Hitting the Y for weights and treadmill.

Have a great day everyone!!!

What should I expect during the Evaluation at 400+ lbs? I have a lot of grit, but I want to be prepared. Did they focus more on your food history or your future goals

I I want to be active like I was when I was playing high school basketball, but my joints hurt at this weight. What were the first 'exercises' you did when you were still over 400 lbs?

Happy Friday Gang!!! Today and tomorrow are going to be potential record-breaking cold conditions. I had to get boots for Meisha yesterday because the cold was just too much for her feet. She is none too happy about them but realizes that her feet don't hurt when she's out in the cold. A little good news about the weekend it looks like the snowstorm is going to miss us and stay out to sea.

I never told you all that Irvin and I went to this very amazing herb store on Saturday to get some Blue Lotus flowers that the shoppe owner had ordered for us. The little store had so much stuff I could have spent hours in there looking at everything. We ended up spending a little over $100 on four different kinds of teas, Lions Mane mushroom powder, dried elderberries, Goji berries, Hogwarts smudge stick, crystalized ginger, Korintje cinnamon, Super greens powder and 5 bags of Blue Lotus flowers. She had stuff that I've never even been able to find online. We will definitely be going back. I currently have some of the Blue Lotus infusing in some white wine. In ancient Egyptian time Blue Lotus was found to have several medicinal properties and is still used today like helping with anti-inflammation, better sleep, and immune issues. I'll let you know how things go in a couple of weeks when its ready.

QOTD: For those of you who cook your own meals do you use herbs and spices? Many of you who have been around for a while know that I grow several different herbs along with garlic. I love to explore and experiment with different flavors and will find natural herbs or spices that will give a sweet or salty or even spicy taste flavor to a dish.

B: coffee with collagen

L: meatballs with sauce

D: baked sole with spinach

We braved the cold last night and went to the Y for a yoga class and tonight we will do our weight circuit.

Have a great day and weekend everyone!!!