It's already Wednesday! Good morning peeps!

Hello Lw's,

I have had an extended vacation, I have to work 12 hours Thursday and Friday, so I sit here enjoying the quiet, sipping my protein coffee thinking about the day ahead.

Seriously need to start thinking about Christmas, I cant wait too much longer! I work 12 hours on the 24th and off the 25th, which means I will be cooking. Need to do some menu planning, and definitely some shopping.

Glad I have had some time off to regroup and focus a little more on me. Especially this time of the year when things can get too hectic. I think I need to keep that up. I definitely feel its part of the problem with the regain. Being too tired or too stressed, just makes me want to eat more. Now that I have backed off the carbs and staying on track, I feel a lot better physically but also mentally. I just cant believe how slow it is to get rid of the regain! But as long as that metal monster is not going up, I shouldn't complain.

I was also pleased to read an article regarding restorative yoga, it is a practice that is focused on relaxing and calming your nervous system, is great for weight loss due to the decrease in stress and stress hormones. Need to make sure I keep going to that class! I usually want to focus more on movement, but I may need both. I think I may need to start a part time job or volunteer at my favorite yoga place to get some free classes.

I hope all is well with you all today and you find yourselves safe happy and warm!

Namaste! 

I would love to hear what kinds of things you plan for your meal for the holiday. I'm making the ricotta bake today and may offer it up as an option for Christmas to the family. I'm having my fiance and son taste it today. I'm looking for other options as well for the holiday. We didn't have money for a ham or anything like that for Christmas this year So we are just going to have every day food. SO any suggestions are welcome. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I like that you may volunteer to get some free classes in. Maybe I could do the same thing at the Y where I am. It would be nice. I love my Y but it just isn't in the budget with me loosing my job.

I really like to make this recipe from Eggface for the holidays.  It's super yummy.  Buy frozen cauliflower and you can boil or steam it.  Cheap alternative to fresh cauli!

Shelly's Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

4 cups Cauliflower, steamed
4 Tbs. Butter, divided use
1/4 cup Flour
1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
3 cups Milk
3/4 pound Sharp Cheddar Cheese (3 cups)
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs (optional)

Steam cauliflower set aside. Melt 3 tablespoons butter, blend in flour & seasonings. Add milk. Coo****il thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in cheese; pour over steamed cauliflower and mix till combined. Top with optional crumbs mixed with remaining 1 tablespoons of butter. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Sounds yummy.  I also steam cauliflower, drain it while it is hot, sprinkle it with soy sauce, cover it with shredded sharp cheese and put the top back on for the cheede to melt.  Yum and you don't get the carbs from the flour or the hassle of making a rue. 

Since surgery my meals are more simple. Some type of roasted meat salad veggies and a potato for the others. maybe a pie or cookie, something that I am not too fond of, and then something sugar free for me.

I have cut out the pasta dish we would have too. Just too much food

I am thankful that my gym just charges one fee and then you can go to any classes for free.  I don't get there much besides muscle pump but it is an option. 

It is cold here this morning, 22 when I got up, but the wind is still and it is sunny so I'm headed out to walk.  Later I want to work at least one pony.  It's one of the few days I don't have a ton of work stuff staring at me and it is suppose to get up to 50, we'll see!!

At the Christmas party last night I was pleased with myself.  I had turkey, pork roast, green beans and a bite of brocalli casserole.  2 bites of desert and that was it.  I came home not at all stuffed and after boning the rest of the turkey, had my protein shake.  Hurray for me.

I know that nurses/medical professionals work really hard on the 12 hr days but it is nice that it allows you a good break too.  I would have a really hard time going back to 8 hr days.  There are lots of days I kind of work your schedule, then allow myself a play day.  Like today, hurray.

Nice job with the party Price! And moving getting your exercise in too

are horses like my dog when the weather is cooler are they more frisky?

they will sometimes play more in the pasture when it is cold and they can be pretty sluggish when it is really hot.  Mostly when they are working, you don't see much difference related to temp.