Hello everyone!
It's time to wake-up with your morning java or whatever you want. What's waking you up?
Got back from Louisianna yesterday afternoon. Love the people, Cajun food, and the accent. Two busy days there. Always glad to come home, however.
QOTD-What's your WL food strategy to deal with the upcoming holidays this year? Even though I love to make desserts, I decided that when we have a family holiday get-together, I'm making something other than dessert-like a salad or veggies. I always have loved to try out a new cheesecake, but it's way too dangerous for me. Hard with a band 'cause those are "sliders" and don't get dumping to discourage it.
Have a good one!
Deb

Good Morning all!

I'm drinking some iced tea....my treat to get me through another rough day at work.  Welcome back, Deb. 

I want to add today a welcome home to all of those that just had surgery.  By the time I read through all the days' posts, it's hard for me to go back and comment on every one.  So welcome to those I haven't welcomed yet and hi to those that I didn't respond to. 

QOTD-I'm hoping that I'll be on a liquid or soft diet during the holidays!  If not, then I will just do what I do all the time.....try to eat my protein first and decide on one splurge.  What amazes me about the holidays is how much we consume.  At any of my family gatherings we have no less than 5 desserts and all kinds of dips and snacks and alcohol.  I don't know if anyone in my family even knows how to make a healthy dish!  My mom is so funny...she makes that layered mexican dip with tons of real sour cream and cheese and chips and says that she makes it for me, because the beans have protein!

Hope you all have a good day!

Good Morning All
In my cup this morning is 1 t of V protein, 2 t of instant coffee and one scoop of unflavored protein. That combo seems to be working for me these pass couple of weeks. Our daughter and her family (from TX) arrive on the 21 of Nov and will spend the week with us. My plan is to make the pumpkin fluff for me and will have pies for the rest of the family. Were going to have a traditional thanksgiving dinner. I will make sure I don't eat that much as I don't want to get sick! I can only eat about 1/2 cup of food at one sitting. Not unless its chili then I can eat more..and I have no clue to why.

Cheryl
 

Good Morning All,

Same strawberry protein shake for me today.

I watched that interview with that 5 year old boy who wants Christmas cards.  I cried like a baby.  I am going out shopping today and I will have to pick up a kool card for him.

QOTD--The holidays have always been at my house.  I have always done all the cooking and baking.  My house was always the biggest so I was the lucky one.  My neice just moved into a new house.  She asked if she could have the holidays at her house.  Now I can just ring the door bell and set my dish on the counter.  Not sure what it will be but it is a big burden off my shoulders.  Nobody ever helped me.  I will still bake my pies (pecan, I hate pecan pie).  So far it does not bother me what other people eat around me.  I hope it stays that way.

Have a great one!

 Good Morning,

I'm actually having a pretty relaxing morning and enjoying some good old coffee.

QOTD:  I'm really not all that worried about making choices during the holidays because I finally got my surgery date this week and it's December 2nd.  (Hurrah!)  So by Christmas, I'll still only be on pureed foods.  

I'm actually a little more worried about eating my limited diet without making the rest of my extended family feel uncomfortable, but I'm sure it will work out. 
I'm also lucky that my pre-op diet plan includes one small meal a day, so Thanksgiving will be small, but I don't have to sit there and drink a protein shake or eat nothing at all..
I know this stuff feels shallow, but it's good stuff for me to worry about instead of getting anxious about surgery.  All the 'what ifs' just might drive me crazy!

Enjoy your Thursday...it's almost Friday!

-Gillian

morning all,

Finishing up my coffee, and then back to some water. 

Yesterday was a very hard day for me.  Not sure why.  I was hungry, and no matter what I did I just could not seem to get full.  Tried my usual things that fill me up, but nothing seemed to phase me yesterday.  I also had an incredible urge to smoke.  I have not smoked in over 20 years.  I wanted on real real bad.  Almost bought some 3 times yesterday.  I talked to my hubby about it, and nothing would get me over it. 

It is gone this morning with the hunger.  Not sure if the two are related or not.

QOTD - I am getting to the point of not liking holiday meals.  Every year they get to be a bigger pain.  I vote for going out to eat for the holiday meal.  Everyone can get their own thing. 

Hope everyone has a great Thursday

Pam

Yogurt Cheese Cake

Drained yogurt can get as thick as cream cheese. And if you use non-fat yogurt, this cream cheese equivalent has no fat. It takes at least 24 hours for yogur to drain enough to use in baking, but the cheese is thicker and creamier if drained longer. The volume of cheese you get varies, as some brands of yogurt drain more than others. YOGURT MUST BE GELATIN FREE.
55 Minutes to Prepare and Cook
Ingredients

3000 g of plain 0% fat yogurt (strain with a coffee filter for two evenings) MUST BE GELATIN FREE. Will be called yogurt cheese after this point.

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp butter

Filling:
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3 cups yogurt cheese
1 Tbsp vanilla

Topping:
2 cups yogurt cheese
1/4 cup sugar

Berries:
4 cups berries
1/4 cup sugar

Directions

Combine crumbs and melted butter. Pat evenly over bottom of a 9 inch cake pan

Bake in a 350 degree oven until crust is slightly browner, 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat eggs, 1 cup sugar, 3 cups yogurt cheese, and vanilla until well mixed. Scrape mixture into hot or cool crust.

Bake in a 350 degree oven just until center jiggles only slightly when cake is gently shaken, 40-45 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat remaining cheese with remaining sugar until smooth. Spoon onto cake and gently spread to cover top.

Refrigerate cake, uncovered until cool, at least 2 hours.

Serve, with berry mixture.

Number of Servings: 12

Number of Servings: 12

You can replace the sugar with stivia.

Hey Mary..  nice avi!  I'm still waiting for a  smile though.

Sandi

You know what they say beware of smiling faces.

old song.

I am working on one tha I like. My pic always come out funny when I smile.

Good Morning All!

I have had a busy morning this already . . . doing nothing is getting old . .  I have my last appointment with the surgeon tomorrow and one last visit with my family doctor on Monday and it looks like I will be going back to work.  I am getting bored so I will be ready.  

I haven't caught up on all the posts for the last month  . .. what up with you Brenda are you having a revision????  I see your post about soft food.

QOTD- My family has been very good the last three years about holidays . . we do weight loss friendly desserts and more fruit and veggies to pick at, instead of bowls of chocolates we have nuts . . no one seems to mind actually everyone feels better about it.  My two sisters are doing some kind of 12 step weight loss program and they are doing really great on it so there won't be many goodies for the kids this year either  . . except Christmas Cookies . .

Enjoy the sunshine . .