Becoming Lean, Mean, Endurace Event Machines in 2008

[Creativebeth]

Connie: Feel better....it's the season for sickness! I hope the popcorn helped!

Maria: I am always full of tips......I don't always follow them though!

Tip for today:

1. To limit salad dressing when eating a salad, WW taught me to dip my fork before taking a bite. So you always have dressing, but not alot of it!

2. Try to get 25g of fiber a day. It fills you up, and keeps you fuller longer. If you don't eat that much fiber a day now, you must increase your fiber slowly. It can cause intestinal disruption!!!

3. Don't eat 2 hours before you go to bed. I use 8 pm as my cut off, but as long as it's 2 hours before bed I am fine!

Beth

 

[deekaypee]

Beth: Whoo hoo for bringing your breakfast & lunch. Does all that $ saved go into a special-treat fund for you? It should! 25 grams of fiber, huh? Can I track that on Spark People, do you know? (Geez, is that lazy or what? I'll just go look.)

Maria: DO add the water on the challenge. It's going to be what I add, because I'm still struggling with maintaining a healthy intake. Most weekdays are good but on the weekends...

Connie: I understand totally what you mean by the desire for something being fueled by its forbidden fruit quality. I think it's because we're all rebels, on the inside anyway. I hope you're on the mend and, now that your cravings have subsided, back to your normal eating routine.

As for me: I'm still napping more than normal, as is DOOD. I think we're fending off something. The good news is that I ran on the TM today and had an easy run, for me. It's short, as I'm still in that C25K program, but I (almost) had a good time!!! I'm actually looking forward to Saturday, which is the next day of running planned!

And, if you'll allow me to brag just a little...I'm just about finished with my 2nd week eating Seven Stars Yogurt. I don't know if y'all remember, but the additives in my yogurt bothered me. So I switched to a lowfat plain yogurt produced locally from an organic farm that specializes in Biodynamics (a new term for me). And, in keeping with my efforts to switch to less processed foods, I'm not eating oatmeal instead of my Cheerios (a childhood favorite that lasted well into my so-called adulthood). I'm trying to make changes bit by bit so I'm not overwhelmed.

 

[Creativebeth]

Debra: What a good girl you are!!! I too don't like so many additives. I have taken to making most everything myself. I never realized how cheap pizza can be to make.....delivery is so expensive. We are having pizza every Friday with a Sicilian pizza dough recipe I found. The kids love it! I don't eat it, but usually make a pizza for myself on a low carb pita.

Water is so easy for me to get in at work. I work in a hospital, so I just have to fill my big cup at the ice machine. At home is a different story! I find water really difficult at home ((((impossible to keep the ice tray full))))).

So many of these things are a habit, but so easy to forget. I have to keep it all in mind every day.

I had a treat tonight....felt like I needed it! I got a kids cup at Cold Stone Creamery with sugar free/fat free sweet cream with pecans! It was really good, but still not to bad for me. Many places don't have a sugar free choice, but Cold Stone usually does.

Hope every other Lean Meaner is hanging in there!

Beth

 

[princessrunner]

Mornin Lean Meaners!! I was totally MIA yesterday. Kidlets home from school due to snow, house cleaning day, called in to work for a couple hours (down side of working at home) and then DH had to run for parts an hour away so I got conned into riding shotgun. Up at 4 a.m. yesterday and bed at 9:30 p.m. Just a tad tired today.

Debra: I too have been cutting out the unnatural things in my life (and everyone else in my house). We only eat organic fruits and veggies, I make all our breads and some granola bars/snacks. Most of my shopping is done at the natural food store. Glad to hear about the yogurt. I must have missed that thread. So much yuck in our foods now....kind of scary.

Connie: I have suffered from the food denial thing for a lot of years. I have now decided that I CAN eat anything I want, it is what I choose to eat and/or can justify in calories. If I don't tell myself I cannot have it, then it is not forbidden fruit anymore. I can have it, I choose not to. Okay, well sometimes I choose to but I make myself take 1 more mile or something to that effect as payback. Makes it not look so good sometimes.

Where the heck is Bill anyway????

Vic: You are NOT a princess but a very special prince here anyway. Silly Pandas!!!

Beth: I still give you kudos for bringing your own lunch and breakfast. It does save $$ and calories too. You can make a better choice, feel fuller longer and not munch all afternoon. The water helps too!!

I have no idea what to add as a challenge. I don't quite get 25 g of fiber a day but dang close, I drink my 2 cups of coffee in the morning and then am on ice water (I have the ice maker at my beckoned call), so I am just really unsure what else to add in. Any suggestions??

 

[windwalker]

Silly Pandas, Lisa? I resemble that remark.

Bill has decided to leave the law career and become an international adventurer. He has purchased a whip, a hat, a gun and a leather jacket. He perfers to be called "Indiana Bill" now. Last I heard he was off to London to find the long lost underware of the Knight's Templar.

As far as poor Robert he fell into a snow bank and was attacked by a herd of starving beavers. He started telling them one of my stories and when they went to sleep from bordom he slipped away.

Vic has decided to run for president. His campain is based on fitness for the masses. His campain slogan is "shoot a drug dealer for america". His running mate is Maria, who's "Hugs not Drugs" idea is sweeping the nation.

Debra and Beth have joined to form a new business. For a fee they will come to your house and throw out all your food and stock your pantry with healthy stuff. Their "Does your dog eat healthier than you", has been a huge success. They are going global this year.

Lisa is finally getting a sled team so she can get out in the winter and not have to work at home. Of course her clothing optional work habits would be a hit at the office.

Ok now aren't you glad the Panda only gets two days off a week? Monday I go in for extensive dental surgery (they are adding wisdom teeth since I need all the help I can get), so I'll probably be of line for at least a day. I don't think the world is ready for me to be posting drugged.

Love y'all, have an awesome day and run/walk strong.

Mentally Challanged Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Morning Lean Meaners and Silly Panda!

Greatly improved today! Thanks for asking....you did ask, didn't you???

Sweet Princessrunner, I don't suffer from denial very often, but yesterday I kep telling myself I don't need this stuff, I need GOOD FOOD to get healthy! Myself kept telling me that, but darn it all I wasn't listening! I don't punish myself with exercise, either. I want walking and working out to be fun and feel good. If I use it to get even with my appetite, it becomes punishment instead of fun. Instead, I just go back to my healthy eating habits and get on with life. My philosopy, gotta eat, sometimes I just gotta eat poorly!

As a challenge, how about adding a new fruit or vegetable you haven't tried? Or how about making one dinner this week from scratch? Kitchen time savers include a pressure cooker and slow cooker! And I dont' think I could live (well I guess I could live, but I wouldn't be happy about it!) without my kitchen aid!

Need recipes? I got 'em!

 

[princessrunner]

Connie, I don't punish myself with exercise, it helps me decide whether it is worth it or not to eat the evil treatie in front of me. I also try to take a deep breath, drink a glass of water and figure out if I NEED it or not. Exercise is not punishment for me, it is pure joy....except when I am on the TM for 6+ miles, then it is torture!!!

Silly Panda: Glad to see you are here causing trouble prior to being drugged. I think it would be a hoot to have you posting drugged on here. We might actually catch up!!! Seriously, good luck on the dental work. I would rather run 6+ miles on the TM.

For the add challenge, I could add 1 more serving of fruit but then I would have to add 1 more veggie cuz I try to keep those balanced. I already make everything from scratch so maybe I should add a meal out... oooh or some chocolate...

 

[Steffwalks]

Princess Runner --That sounds perfect!! --A new recipe, then??

So many people don't cook anymore. And most of the people I know, open a box. Makes it really hard to avoid the ingredients that the mad scientists have created.

 

[princessrunner]

Connie, I totally agree. When I really looked at the ingredients in my kids granola bars, I almost died. How, could I feed my kids these things?? I started making things from scratch and it took the kids some getting used to but they eat without fussing much anymore. My DH loves that I make bread, it is his favorite "treat". We raise our own "organic" beef and an uncle has a red deer farm with buffalo and elk so we get some of that also. Not big with chicken and pork as I have not found a good place to get those organically but I am working on it. Kidlets will eat haddock and tiliapia.

Sooo, who has a good recipe for me to add in??

Here are my 2 favorite lunches to share:
1. Black beans, brown rice, salsa and a little bit of reduced fat cheese melted on top. Yummy, fiber and a little kick from my salsa!
2. Low-carb whole wheat wrap, chicken (I bake and slice my own for sandwiches...I know anal), low-fat cheese, jalapenos and a squirt of mustard.

 

[JustSmile]

Good morning, Lean Meaners.
Jeanne: Yum, Margarita Monday's. WTG on the power walking, sorry about the shin pain. Ouch!
Debra: 1 1/2 lbs. WooHoo. That's awesome. I know what you mean about the headache, lethargy, yuck feeling. We've had it around here for a week or so. It's not bad enough to take you down, but it's enough to make you feel really cruddy. Hope it passes soon.
Maria: Sweet Romeo & Juliet story. It's amazing that we find our perfect match in the most unexpected places.
Connie: Yum, popcorn. Sometimes those little cheats are exactly what we need.
Beth: Yum, Cold Stone Creamery. I didn't realize that they had sugar free. I'll have to look into that.

Me: I just realized that I wrote "Yum" 3 times here. I swear I am so hungry lately. I started yesterday with making sure I ate every 3 hours. It seemed to really help with the afternoon blood sugar dip. After the kidlets went to bed last night, I sat down with DH to watch TV. Every commercial was about food and I kept saying, "Yum" . So I went to bed to stay out of the kitchen. I'm hoping that this means my plateau is about to break. That would make me sooooooo happy.
My tip for the day came out of Shape magazine: The vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables begin to diminish the moment they're harvested. The longer you store produce, the fewer nutrients it will contain. If you're only grocery shopping once a week, buy frozen vegetables, they will have more nutrients.
Lisa: I put beans (black or refried) on a whole wheat tortilla with 2T. shredded cheese and Taco Bell restaurant sauce, then dip in salsa. Yum(again)
Take care all, stay strong, and have a Wonderful Day!ixiedust:

 

[JustSmile]

Oops....
Panda, good luck with the dental sugery.

 

[jeanneg]

Connie: feel better! If you're feeling crappy and are really hungry, try having some peppermint tea. it's very soothing and takes the edge off your hunger.

Dave: good luck with the dental work. I fear you're going to be even more of a force to reckon with once you get that Hollywood smile!

Happy workouts to everyone else!

 

[Steffwalks]

Princess Runner, you are going to love this.

Corned Venison or Elk (celebrate St Patty's day)

2 quarts water
1/2 cup canning salt
1/2 cup Mortons' Tenderquick
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons pickling spice
4 bay leaves
8 whole black peppercorns
Lots of fresh garlic cloves crushed (I use about 20 cloves)

1. Mix ingredients and brine to a boil.
2. Let the mixture cool, then pour over the meat in a plastic, glass or ceramic bowl. Do NOT use metal.
3. Refridgerate for 4 to 5 days. Once or twice a day, turn the meat to circulate the brine.
4. remove meat and discard the brine. Rinse the meat (or not, if you like it saltier).
5. cook meat in a pressure cooker or conventional oven.

Pressure cooker: Combine mean and 1 1/2 cups of water cook at 10 pounds of pressure for 45 minutes. Use leftover coooking liquid for side dishes like potatoes or cabbage!

Conventional oven: Preheat 300 degrees F.
Drain corned been mean and place in roasting pan. Add water to cover 2/3 of the meat, put on lid and cook until very tender.

 

[princessrunner]

Connie, my DH is gonna love you!!! Funny how we rustic girls have odd recipies isn't it.........

 

[Steffwalks]

Jeanne

Connie: feel better! If you're feeling crappy and are really hungry, try having some peppermint tea. it's very soothing and takes the edge off your hunger.

My favorite green tea with mint is unavailable! Can you believe that???

princessrunner originally said: Connie, my DH is gonna love you!!! Funny how we rustic girls have odd recipies isn't it.........

I knew I had just the right "add" for you! We do deer and elk and home raised beef and can you believe this....we have wild hogs on our place!

 

[nepatsfan73]

We do deer ... and can you believe this....we have wild hogs on our place!

Let me understand. You EAT Pumba and Bambi!?!

 

[Steffwalks]

nepatsfan73 Quote:
Originally Posted by Steffwalks
We do deer ... and can you believe this....we have wild hogs on our place!

Let me understand. You EAT Pumba and Bambi!?!

I am a lion! Right??? I personally never eat anyone I have named unless those names are: roast, bacon, prime, T-bone, chops, etc!

 

[windwalker]

Let me understand. You EAT Pumba and Bambi!?!

Around this part of the country doing livestock can mean something else. Really a place in the mall that rents/sells tuxes for weddings, has tuxes in mosey oak pattern. Now that is redneck to the inth degree. It also carries maternaty wedding dresses. Not that we are in a behind the evovutionary cycle place or anything, but:

http://www.statecollegetux.com/images/mossyoakreverscrp.jpg

http://www.yardwear.net/blog/content/binary/camo-wedding dress.jpg


Walk like a Panda

 

[postesf]

Around this part of the country doing livestock can mean something else. Really a place in the mall that rents/sells tuxes for weddings, has tuxes in mosey oak pattern. Now that is redneck to the inth degree. It also carries maternaty wedding dresses. Not that we are in a behind the evovutionary cycle place or anything, but:

http://www.statecollegetux.com/images/mossyoakreverscrp.jpg

http://www.yardwear.net/blog/content/binary/camo-wedding dress.jpg


Walk like a Panda

WOW. and I thought living in Johnston County, NC was Redneck!

 

[JustSmile]

I'm feeling positively city-fied We live in the suburbs and always say it's like a small town. Everyone around here moves and stays within the same zipcode. We live on a small postage stamp of land and have always said we'd love to have a few acres of our own. Although, I do still cook most things from scratch, so I must have a little bit of rustic in me.