Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Ron is 68 today. Happy Birthday, Honey! I am hoping this year the distance between our ages narrows a bit as he regains his health. Poor guy, his day didn't start off great. He stayed up too late taking a hot bath, then last night his bag leaked so he got up to deal with that (luckily, I slept through all that!), and then he arrived at his urology appointment to have the catheter removed for the day and they had no digital record of his appointment. Apparently, the appointment nurse was a real power hungry ***** and tried to read Ron the riot act for missing his appointment that was scheduled LAST week. Luckily, he had proof of today's appointment with him. LOL! She ungraciously gave him an appointment for tomorrow after making him wait for 40 minutes. If I know him and his ability to upset the apple cart over things like this, she is not going to be too happy when he is through with her. A formal complaint against her is forthcoming.

Luckily, we are going to a new favorite restaurant of his for dinner. I have never been there. His principal took him last spring to celebrate his employee of the year award. It is a Peruvian Rotisserie. I am looking forward to eating there.

So, we are on track to ease into the new eating program. I did the shake breakfast and have packed a lunch. What I won't adhere to tonight is the dinner and then tomorrow we begin in earnest.

Breakfast shake: To all who say you don't taste the spinach, you lie like rugs on the parlor floor! LOL! It was not offensive, but I could certainly taste the faint hint of spinach and iron in my smoothie. I will say that it was magnificently filling, if not the magical taste sensation one might like it to be!

I got quite excited for Paula last night when I thought she was going to go to her beloved Hawaii. But it wasn't so. It is not in her cards.

OceanDiane, I think it is wonderful that you are going to the Carolinas! I vote for low land in some of the inlet communities. I think that "swamp" low land is gorgeous. And, yes, "exploring" in a rig is not the most enjoyable. You know there are several RV apps available that map out RV safe routes for areas that are unfamiliar.

Well, it is now after lunch and I have to share that that shake kept me 100% satisfied until lunch. It has been a long, long time since I have felt full that long on a school day. I admit it makes a huge smoothie and it took me an hour or so to drink it. I'm guessing if I had a normal stomach, I could have chugged it down much more quickly. If any one is interested in the recipe, let me know and I will post it.

I have a vision of myself floating in my mind from the picture I saw the other day. Such a pleasant feeling. Going to hold on to that image for as long as possible.

Terrific Tuesdays to all!

Devon, I would love to have your breakfast shake recipe!

Okay, remember it is a BIG smoothie.

1 1/2 scoops whey protein powder (vanilla or chocolate) (30 grams protein)

2 TBS Cacao powder (not Cocoa)

1 TBS Chia seeds

1 tsp virgin coconut oil

2 cups unsweetened almond milk

2 cups baby spinach

water and ice (add as needed for your desired consistency)

Cals: 386, Protein: 50, Fats: 14, Carbs: 15

********************************

Variation on above:

Omit the Cacao powder and coconut oil. Substitute 1/2 frozen banana and either 1 TBS natural/old fashioned Peanut Butter or 2 TBS PB2 powder

Changes cals to 452, Protein to 51, Fat to 20 (if regular PB) and Carbs to 17.

I made the variation today since I did not yet have the cacao powder. Picked that up on my way home today.

I kid you not, FULL for HOURS! Also, I noted a very nice energy balance all morning long.

Thanks Devon

I might give this a try - need to reign in my eating....

P.S. And please tell Ron that an old lady he'll probably never meet said she hopes he's having a happy birthday! :)

Done! Ron says, "Thanks, old lady!" LOL!

Peruvian Restaurant? Do they serve guinea pigs!! Lol.

Shake sounds good. Any reason you use almond milk rather than cow milk?

DS

Good Morning - Little later today - Ive been up early but running around doing things in between working. Our bedsheets are on the line - they will dry in no time as its already around 88. Went over to my SIL last night and we picked berries - my hands are all stained red but they are so yummy. Bought 6 ice cream containers home - I will seperate into containers and freeze today - we are so lucky to eat so well. We have most of the family coming for dinner tommorrow night. I will make a shepherds pie tonight so the flavours can develop. Yum

Not much planned for this afternoon when I finish work. May clean out the other fridge - scrubbed the drinks fridge yesterday. Want to stew the last of the cherries for dessert tommorrow too. And blanch the balance of the silverbeet from my aunts garden. Will pop it in the freezer for future meals. I also have a ton of zuchinni that I will likely make into bacon n zuchinni loaves if I get time. Have taken out steak for dinner - plus a big serve of potato bake I froze and steamed squash - so will be an easy dinner tonight - with leftovers for lunch tommorrow no doubt.

Ann - Glad you had a good sleep and well done on all the activity - you amaze me

Diane - Yay for the shower being finished early and so pleased you are making plans to escape the cold. I cant imagine how bone cold you guys must be feeling. Look forward to seeing the pictures and start marking the days on the calendar - an end is in sight..

Cec - Your pics are amazing. You look stunning in that black dress! Go Girl. As Devon said - just give yourself permission to enjoy it all :) Food and everything. It looks and sounds totally amazing. Count me in if you all go cruising (well I would try my hardest to get over)

Shel - hey :)

Liz - Sorry for your loss :( Life is short and its a reminder to live it to the fullest. I went back and read the Menu thread and Im so sad to hear about that member. She is one of the kindest caring people on the thread. Will keep her in my thoughts as she works through her demons.

BB - Hope you love the drapes and enjoy making plans for play dates with Becca - the zoo sounds fabulous

Diane S - Hope DH goes ok with the eye checkup and it resolves soon. Good luck with the running around too

Peps - Happy Birthday to Ron - Hope you both have a wonderful dinner together tonight. Your breakfast shake sounds good. Can you please post its contents - I am a spinach lover :) So it may go down easier he he he - but have never been a big shake fan - curious

Well I best get back to work - slight headache today - 3 cups of tea already and may take some pain relief with more fluid shortly

Have a wonderful evening all

Shirley

Hi Shirl! I posted the recipe above in the thread. Have to tell you, and please take this as the ultimate compliment, because it is: Your life reminds me of my Granny and my summers with her. The canning and freezing and the shepherds pie (I learned to make it from my Granny) and the bed sheets on the line. I read your dailies when you're on the farm and such wonderful memories come floating up from my past. Thanks! Today's post made me smile from deep within.

Thanks for the recipe Peps :)

Thank you also for the compliment - made me smile. This is the lifestyle I hope to raise our grandchildren with so that they too can have the wonderful memories that you experienced. Roll on retirement ! Its a simple life but one I would choose over the hustle and bustle of the city anytime. Funny seeing myself type that - I was a city girl till I met my now DH. He grew up on farms so its ingrained into his well being. You work hard but the rewards are bliss. I would have loved my sons to have been raised like his children. It teaches a whole other level of being handy and resourceful plus hard working- things that many of our kids miss out on these days - whilst glued to a phone or IPAD! Now I really am sounding like a granny huh (ha ha ha)

This 49 year old best get back to work - enjoy your dinner with Ron and like Ann said "Wish Ron a very Happy Birthday" from Melbourne Australia x