Petty, Congratulations on your loss! You have done so well. The food you talked about in your post made my mouth water! Paula T.

My favorite recipe is CHILI! Ever since surgery I just Adore chili - this makes wayyy too much but you can feed it to your family too and it's scrummy. Keeps awesome in the refrigerator for days of leftovers as well. And with the beans it's good protein! FYI, I use all organic products even canned stuff cuz it tastes better - I highly recommend that: approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil - more may be needed to keep vegetables from sticking 1 large red onion chopped (not too finely) 1 red bell pepper chopped (not too finely) 1 green bell pepper chopped (not too finely) 1/2 lb. of ground turkey 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes 1 14 oz. can of kidney beans 1 14 oz. can of black beans 1 14 oz. can of tomato sauce 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic minced Spice quantities are VERY subjective - I never make this the same twice as I just toss in the spices till it smells good approximately 2 TBSP ground cumin (vary greatly depending on taste - I love it, so I'm pretty liberal - if you hate cumin, cut this back) approximately 1 tsp of turmeric (use in relative quantities to the cumin) approximately 1 tsp of celery salt approximately 1/2 tsp of cayenne powder (I have been known to go as high as 1-2 tsp of this, bu****ch out, cayenne is where the burn is at!!) approximately 2 tsp of paprika approximately 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper - more for additional spiciness Brown the ground turkey and set aside. Heat a large stock pot on high and put in the olive oil. Put in the onion and garlic and toss in all the spices. Don't worry if the smell seems strong now. The onion and garlic should be heavily coated in spice. Cook, stirring frequently until onion is tender but not browned. Toss in the peppers and continue cooking until they just begin to soften. Add ALL the cans of beans and tomatoes including tomato sauce into the pot WITH their juice - do not strain any of them. Also add the browned turkey. Bring to boil then reduce heat to maintain simmer. Stir after simmering about once every 10 minutes or so. I tend to coo****il everything is very soft. Serve anywhere from immediately to days later - toss a little shredded cheddar and green onions on for additional yumminess.

Sounds about par to me. I am able to eat more of watery foods....vegetables, soup, protein shakes, etc. I can get a 12 oz protein dirnk down in fiv eminutes now! I just got four chicken strips at the grocery for lunch. I ate two of them and sat very, very still for about five minutes because I was sure if I jostled too much they were coming back up! I eat mostly fish for protein, but work in chicken at least a couple times a week. I do not measure everything I eat. Label me a heathen.....but it isn't convenient and I am still losing, so I am goning on the assumption I am ok. I am down 57 pounds since surgery, which is 57% of my weight loss goal. I think at almost five months, that is just fine! Congrats on the success. Congrats on the fluid consumption and keep up the good work! Vicky

Welcome and congrats on a great loss.

welcome that is great 83 pounds congrads