What to do?

Hi, this is Shelia (joined a couple days ago), and hoping everyone is on track or trying like myself.  I have browsed some of the site, and just wanted to know what to post?  Can it be anything, or mostly WLS related?  I have noticed several ppl posting what they eat daily (thanks Tess, and others) and that really helps.

I am on day 3 of the 5 day pouch test, and boy was I happy to eat today.  I got through the first 2 days with no problem except a mild headache.  I have about 8 or 9 journals dating from the night prior to my surgery until about 6 months out.  I've been rereading them to remember what I used to eat during my "honeymoon phase".  I used to add the liquid from pickled jalapenos to my chicken and beef broth (really good with the beef), and make a version of southern style collard greens "pot likker" by boiling collards in the chicken broth, then straining and consuming the broth (likker).

On day 1, I made low fat roasted butternut squash soup.  It was even better the second day.

So days 1 and 2 were broths, sf jello, 3 protein shakes each day made with unsweetened almond milk, and 1 serving each night of butternut squash soup.

Today I had:

B:  baked eggbeaters "Southwestern Style" with diced and sauteed (in Pam) mushrooms, onions, and low fat cheddar.  I usually add spinach and turkey sausage, but not today.  Measured 4ozs and ate with 1 tbsp salsa.

S:  4 ozs low fat cottage cheese

L:   tried 4ozs water packed sardines with lemon juice and hot sauce....ate within 10mins and not feeling any pouch fullness so ate another 2ozs.  Felt my pouch after that!!

S:  protein shake made with water and ice

D:  salmon cakes browned in Pam, then baked, 6 ozs and done for the day.

I already feel a difference in how full I feel since starting this test.  Lean ground beef and salmon filet tomorrow...yum!  Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to share my day, and a big thank you to others who do.  There is a wealth of info between us all, and I look forward to the sharing/caring.  Thanks fellow BOTTs, and good night!

Welcome Shelia,

You are doing really well getting bot.  This is a kind and supportive group...even when we have setbacks.  I primarily use this group for my food record.  I like reading what other people are eating and try to pick up ideas from them.  You can post what ever you want though, not only your diet record.  Welcome, Tri

Thank you, Tri...it's coming back to me day by day.  I am praying for the strength to maintain and feeling better already.  The carb monster has definitely been wounded :)

I also like reading what others are eating, and I will try to post my daily intake too.  Started this morning with a protein shake and trying to get half of my water in before I have another meal.  Pleasant day to you and to all.

Welcome aboard!! I love the flexibility and the knowledge that this group offers. I post in Tess's eats and cardio thread everyday because I need the accountability.(plus you get great feedback and menu ideas) This group seems to be open to posts on just about anything. There's been support for our families, careers, pets and our daily interests. It's how we get to know each other.

I look forward to reading your posts in the future. Have a great day.

- Iris

Thank you, Iris.  I'm loving this group already!  Everyone has been so warm and welcoming, and that is sorely needed when you feel you have failed or are failing.  You need that "shot in the arm" to get started again, and I have certainly found it here.  As time permits, I will have to navigate around to find everything (including Tess's eats and cardio thread.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Hi Shelia:

We post everything here.  It is a place to share your day, thoughts and vents if you have them.  We are a great sounding board.  You are doing really great on the 5 day pouch test and I love (pot likker) haven't thought about it in years though.  My daddy use to fix turnip greens and I love the pot likker with cornbread and raw onions as a kid.  Couldn't wait.  Have a great day!

Pot likker with onions and radishes for this kiddo.

LOL!  So you are familiar with pot likker too.  I eat turnip, collards and all the other "greens" a lot, and I always loved the pot likker too.  I don't load my pot with all the pig fat anymore though...I try to stick with smoked turkey necks now...still tastes great, though high in sodium.

I will try to post daily, as I love the fact that there's help here...people from all walks of life and we can all identify with one another.  Thanks, Tess.  Have a great day!

Shelia 

I could be wrong but I think you have to be a southern girl to know pot   likker.  growing up in Louisiana makes me qualified..  Corn bread and pot likker.....a childhood memory.  we always put vinegar in bottles with hot peppers.  that's what we'd sprinkle on our greens.  when the bottle was empty pour more warm vinegar over the peppers and you're good to go.

That's what we do here in VA also.  It's a staple in some ethnicities too.  You'll find that everywhere...hot red, green (or both) peppers in bottles of vinegar.  We use it on fried fish too, and lots of other things.  Good stuff, and next to no calories to boot!

Tonight ends day 4 of my 5 day pouch test.  I did well today, but can't wait to get back to my vegetables.  Today I had: 

Early morning protein shake

B:  southwestern style eggbeaters omelet with low fat cheddar and 1 tbsp salsa

S:  4 oz cottage cheese

L:  5 oz  lean beef burger with 3 sauteed (in Pam) portobello mushrooms

D:  5 oz same burger with 1 tbsp lowfat cheddar and 1 tbsp salsa  

S:  1 egg fried in Pam

I think I might have gone kinda off the pouch test rules by having the eggbeaters and the fried egg.  Was I supposed to have firm meat/fish for breakfast also?  I actually didn't realize it until I wrote this post tonight.  Also, I was supposed to have salmon filet tonight, but just didn't feel like it and substituted another burger instead.

But I feel fine, and can really feel the full pouch again.  

I hope everyone had a good, productive day and pleasant zzzzzzzzzzz's!  G'night

Shelia