Sunday February 5

"After I took early retirement from the Navy, at age 37, I was a writer, an HR consultant, a website developer - which I still do - and a successful commercial butterfly farmer"

Wow! How varied and fascinating! You and David should talk! He is a Jack of All Trades (I wouldn't even say master of none, I think he master's them very successfully!). You also have adoption in common with him and he just renovated an Airstream to live in!

Man, compared to you all, I live a very mundane life!

Paula

How big is the motorcoach? 

Planning the next big step is very exciting.  I haven't don't that sort of thing professionally for decades.  Lots of mini-next steps but nothing like that.  Enjoy the process.  

Sheri, best wishes to you and your girls.  Personally, I think the national road trip in your parents' RV sounds fabulous!  If not now, when?

Wherever you go you'll still be you -- with all your gifts, your inner compass, and your capacity for passions.  Even on the road you aren't leaving your contacts, your skills or any of your other resources.  You're just opening yourself up to new ones.  

(Can you tell I've had a little experience with risk-taking that led to major changes in my own life's trajectory?)  

One bit of advice:  I wouldn't worry overmuch about monetizing your passion.  It's been my experience that when I truly find and follow my passions that the money always works out. :)  More importantly, the trip is so much more enjoyable.  

Finally, we aren't practicing for anything.  This is it.  As a favorite aunt told me at the end of her life:  "Do it now!"  "Do what?" I asked.  "Everything," she said.  "Do it now."  

oooo, new mantra:  "Do it now!"  "Do what?" I asked.  "Everything," she said.  "Do it now."  

>Finally, we aren't practicing for anything. This is it. As a favorite aunt told me at the end of her life: "Do it now!" "Do what?" I asked. "Everything," she said. "Do it now."

I absolutely love this!! Thanks so much!!

My parents' coach is 38 feet (I think) with two slide outs. They are open to the idea. Will talk more on Tuesday with my Mom, while Dad is in surgery. 

My Dad is a woodworker. He's built a sailboat and restored a wooden boat (1930s cigarette type), also furniture, and etc.  I still love the smell of sawdust - reminds me of my childhood!! I'm pretty handy with power tools....  :)

Sheri

Happy Sunday! 

I think this area is expecting snow tonight.  We are on High Alert.  

123 OTD

Made Kalua Pork yesterday.  It is a higher fat protein than I am used to and has a fair amount of salt.  Will be nice on a 1-2 tiny slider tortillas  with mango salsa, a bit of cabbage plus a dollop of my DIY Greek yogurt.  Might save room for apple and PB. And that will be my Super Bowl splurge.  I typically don'****ch the game.  I try to, but then I get interested in doing something else. 

Macros

Protein 141

carbs 118 

fiber 23

sugar 59

fat 81

cals  1711

fruits/veges. 5-6

Have a happy day, may your favorite team win.  

Shel

Morning everyone.   Welcome Sheri.   Congratulations for your 22 no anniversary Diane!   Yay!

 Digging out from snow yet again, the weatherman is promising rain.    

Calories 899 but now walking.   Too slippery.

Kairk hope you feel better.   Dave!  Wild turkeys in the field.  Nice!

Managed my food goal well yesterday. I will take any win I can these days! Hehehehee! Seriously, though, after a couple of days of unrestrained eating committing to eating no foods with added sugar can be a bit of a challenge, but I managed - even when in the bakery with Ron and Kathryn. I also successfully declined a bite of Ron's salted caramel chocolate fudge cupcake. So, yeah, that's a win! 

Weight is still stable but a little higher than it was a few weeks ago prior to my stress over Blue's pregnancy. Hard to believe the lone wolf will be here in 2 weeks! There are no signs of milk production yet. Worrisome....

Ann, please share with me how you are able to manage 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables! How large is a serving? Fruits and vegetables are sorely lacking in  my diet overall. Generally I get 2 one quarter cup servings of veggies and 1 or 2 quarter cup servings of blueberries IF I am in a routine of having my Greek yogurt with blueberries. 

I did not take the time to sit down and think over stuff, so I really do need to do some introspection today, if only to plan some food prep. 

Shell - I just tried Kahlua pork the other day. Would you share your recipe? I loved the flavor of the meat, but the dish had far too much cabbage in it for my liking and the pork was watery because of all the cabbage.

Have two Cairns to trim today. Should be done by 1:00 pm. Most likely won'****ch a lick of the Super Bowl. Football, meh.... So, the party food will not be an issue for me. 

Diane O - if you have a good boarding kennel don't worry. Remember, dogs live in the moment. Though Sadie may miss you initially, she'll rebound quickly. I bet you are looking forward to the mild weather of So Cal after all snow and cold you've had in upstate NY. 

Diane S - Hope your 22nd celebration was splendid!

David - we have a local flock of about 20 turkeys, too. There is another flock just over the hill that is about 50-60. It's incredible to see them walking up a trail in single file. The line just goes on and on!  

Kairk,

WARNING:  LONG POST

Here are my 5 veggies/fruits from yesterday (Saturday) 

Breakfast -- 1/2 C. fresh blueberries with All-Bran cereal and half cup of milk

Lunch - 8 baby carrots sliced into chips and a whole Roma sliced tomato as part of my turkey/cheese/tomato sandwich

Dinner - a full serving (1/2 cup) of grilled zucchini from Ruby Tuesday along with one-third of a Ruby Tuesday rack of BBQ ribs (hubby ate the rest of the ribs and got the brown rice pilaf side dish)

After dinner - 1/2 cup Greek vanilla yogurt with another 1/2 C. fresh blueberries 

There were a few other things on the menu, but that's ^^^^ where the veggies / fruits were.  I rely on berries and melon when I can find them at a fair price.  

* * *

Today (Sunday) my MFP eating plan for today has 4 veggies and 3 fruits:  

1/2 C. fresh blueberries with my cereal (see above) AND half of a large Red Delicious apple (hey, it was a big apple, so I'm counting half as one serving)

Lunch - a side dish made from 1/2 cup of Heritage cherry tomatoes (different colors) marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper ... KILLER!

Dinner - 8 baby carrots and a sliced Roma tomato (in that turkey/cheese/tomato sandwich repeat meal). Also will be adding as much Romaine lettuce as I can get on it.  

After dinner -- 1/2 C. blueberries with vanilla yogurt again.  

* * *

I'm certainly no vegetarian!  I usually eat north of 80 grams of dense protein, although the last few days' menus have totaled lower than that.  But I am pushing hard to keep my foods as varied as a WLS patient can.  I greatly appreciate the value of fiber for both satiety and regularity.  ;) 

* * * 

Here some other things I do to get more veggies and fruits in my meals: 

Stir-fries -- mmm mmm!

Oven "fried" colored veggies of all kinds

Adding sauteed spinach to healthier, boxed pasta dishes -- like the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamer meals (we love them)

Making a meal out of 1.5 to 2 cups of different berries and high-water fruits with some yogurt.  Sometimes I'm just tired of meat.  

Snack of a small apple and 1 oz. of cheese

Snack of 1/2 a peeled grapefruit

Snack of a mandarin orange ("Cuties")

Half a (frozen?) banana dipped in SF chocolate pudding

We have similar food patterns, even down to Bran in dairy (bran buds and yogurt for me)

Have never,ever done the banana thing in chocolate pudding, tho. 

I eat dense protein because that's the rules and I am committed.  But, it is rare for it to be the star of any meal. DH is opposite.  He would prefer protein only his plate.