Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[gettinhealthy]

Diane, I am so sorry about your aunt. I will be keeping you and your family as well as your aunt in my prayers.

Laura, there was someone on LCF whose DD was doing MM. She wasn't very old if I remember right. I think we asked her here, not sure what transpired with it all. I don't see why he would need anything special. As for not eating veges, maybe cook them up, mush them up and sneak them into things? Just an idea.

Ok, need to take care of a few things. I'll catch you all later. Still doing well on step 1 and getting ready to try that muffin recipe. Also found a mock danish one that has cream cheese, egg, splenda and vanilla. Really want to try this one. It is versatile like the muffin

 

[Barb F.]

I preordered George Stella's new lowcarb cookbook from QVC (online through ebates with 3% back!). Did anyone else see him on QVC? He's not a very good billboard for his cookbook as he is quite chubby! He even said 'I'm a work in progress'. QUOTE]

I didn't see him but I saw the book. I ordered his last book from QVC. He gives some background information about he and his family. He does not count carbs, just cooks lower carb. I like him, I think his cookbook will give you some good information. The only thing I don't like about some of the recipes is he's still using soy flour. I think almond flour could be substituted. I ordered some blanched almond flour online along with an almond flour cookbook so I'm excited to see what I can come up with

 

[Seabreezes]

Kathy – your trip sounds like a good plan – we have lots of sun. It is a bit windy again today, but the sun is shining in on me as I type this.

Robin – yes, I mentioned the recipes in an earlier post. I am definitely going to try some to them. The ricotta soufflé looks really good. I think almost all of the recipes are legal. Farmers cheese is dry cottage cheese? I think….You can use cottage cheese. My mother used to make cottage cheese pancakes all the time. I just put in a bit of almond flour now to replace the flour the original recipe called for. She would beat the egg whites separately and then they are even fluffier. They would even be a free food for us. I think the recipes are in First Magazine, though. Both magazines seem to always have at least one good idea for low carbers.

Speaking of free foods, I noticed on the other forum that someone got an e-mail from Diane saying almond flour was a free food because it was just almonds.

You would probably need to go to a health food store to get the right kind of safflower oil. I’m going to Whole Foods today and I will look and see if they have different varieties of the oil.

Please share our recipes with your mother Kathy. She can also go to LCF and find lots of recipes – ours are still there from before and they are open to anyone.

Speaking of recipes – I thought I would make some ratatouille today if I can find a nice eggplant.

Can anyone on Facebook go on the lowcarb site?

Seeing Lisa post on beans reminded me that someone said they got dried beans. They do need to say soy beans and not just black beans on the package. They look the same dried. I made a big pot of them yesterday. I then freeze them in 2 cup amounts. I also noticed that our local Safeway is now carrying the Eden ones again, but the dried are so much cheaper. For $4.00 worth of dried I got a whole crock-pot full of cooked beans.

Nell – Google Mediterranean Diet and you will come up with all sorts of ideas.

Laura – so nice to “see” you. Do you remember the little girl Audri? Her mother had contacted Diane and she was told to have her on step 1 for a much shorter time – maybe 2 weeks and then go to step 2. They sometimes post on the other site and she is doing really well – still following the plan. Maybe you could show your son the Arrow Chart and ask what he likes off of that unless you are going to try to do this without him really knowing what plan he is eating!!

Including prayers for Florence and all her family. How sad.

Have a great MM day.

 

[Barb F.]

Speaking of free foods, I noticed on the other forum that someone got an e-mail from Diane saying almond flour was a free food because it was just almonds.

I seem to remember this was addressed by Diane on the other forum awhile back and she said to count it as a 5x5 since the amount of almonds used would be greater than a serving of almonds...I'm NOT complaining though

I'm thinking with some of us back on step1, some struggling on step1 and others maybe getting bored with what they've been eating, Let's all try some new recipes and pick out the best and post to the recipe thread. It would be a good way to kick start the New Year and our commitment to MM

 

[gettinhealthy]

Ok, I tried the other 2 recipes I found. The muffin one is really good. I think it is a bit better than ours. Fluffier because of the baking powder. I did put a bit of s/f chocolate syrup in it too.
The other one is a cream cheese type of "muffin." It is ok, but not sure if I'd make it as much as the other one. I did put a bit of s/f raspberry syrup in it. I'll post the recipes in here to see what you all think. They are both freebies. If we all seem to like them, I'll put them in the recipe forum.
There is a 3rd one, but it has 5 carbs per muffin I believe. I'll have to hunt it up to make sure. I had it in my documents, but didn't save it. Then Mike shut down the computer, and I lost the carb content

Jocelyn, I actually was checking out the low carb on FB this morning. That is where I found these 3 recipes. I will look around a bit more this evening. I still love our little world

Ok, catch up later.

 

[gettinhealthy]

MUFFIN:
1-2 tsp. butter/coconut oil (i used 2 tsp and butter)
1/4 c. ground flax (I used 1/2 flax and ground pecans)
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg, well beaten into melted butter
1-2 packets of splenda (I used 2)

Melt butter in ramekin. Beat egg into melted butter well. Add ground flax, baking powder, and splenda. Mix. Add in any type of flavorings/syrups you may want. You can also add a bit of small chunks of cream cheese. Microwave 1 minute. Enjoy!!!




CREAM CHEESE DANISH:
3 oz (6 tbs,) softened cream cheese
1 egg room temp (I mircowaved a cold one for 10 sec. in a cup to warm it)
2 packets of splenda
1tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients. Put into a Pam sprayed ramekin. Cover with waxed paper and microwave 2-3 minutes. If too "eggy" just use whites.

You can also add the following:
1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla (french toast flavor)
1 tbs lemon juice or lemon zest (lemon cheese cake flavor)
1-2 tsp strawberry extract or s/f syrup (strawberry cheese cake flavor)
you can make it plain and "frost" with: 1 tbs cream cheese, 1/2 tsp cocoa and 1-2 packets splenda
1 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (orange spice flavor)
1 tsp cocoa, 1 tsp vanilla and a few granules of instant coffee (mocha flavor)
**You can triple the recipe and put into a 5x7 pan and cut into 4 pieces, wrap and freeze. Then just microwave when you want one.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Its so nice to see everyone here more often and sharing and experimenting again!! I agree with Barb, we should all spread our wings and try some new stuff to keep it interesting and our taste buds happy!!

Kathy - going down to try that new muffin recipe in a few minutes! BTW, I have been packed and waiting on the front step for you all day! LOL

Tom - sorry you are going through the DETOX...not sure why some of us have the symptoms and some dont, but hang in there and it will be gone in a couple days!!

Laura - Welcome back, we missed you!! Have you reached your goal now? How absolutely WONDERFUL for you!! I think Audri was doing quite well on step 2, with some small tweaks by her mom...I would make a list of things your son DOES like and then let us know so we can help figure out some ways to make them healthier for him. Im sure exercise would be key too, especially at his age...one of the great health problems of this past couple decades is the ever growing number of overweight youths...too many video games and not enough playing ball outside!! You, of all people already know that...is he drinking enough water? LOL

Diane - thanks for the info on e-bates...I need to order from vitacost, so I will be checking that out! So sorry about Aunt Florence, but Im sure she is at peace and glorifying in the reunion with her loved ones and God!

Jocelyn - please try those recipes and let us know!! Im pretty sure they were in WW, I tore them out and have them saved to try too! Thanks for the pancake info too, I wil try them with cottage cheese and see how they turn out!

Now if I can only find some instructions on how to turn pony hair into useable clothing items...hmmm, looks like we will be wearing pony hair skirts on our Godiva Ride!! LOL, by the time they all shed out, I will have enough to make us all an entire years worth of outfits!!

 

[Daniele]

Kathy, I'm glad your home and staying warm! You too Pony! My poor girls are freezing up there. It's only 46 degrees here right now. I think the whole east coast is behaving oddly.

I do get my whey protein at Wal-Mart and it's a two pound drum. The scoop size is significant, so it doesn't last as long as it looks. I find all kinds of neat uses for the containers afterward. Two scoops of whey like the bodybuilders use is 6 carbs, so I use one in a smoothie. It keeps me under my 5 carb allotment.

I'm trying a treatment for insomnia where you go to bed and wake up later each day until you've made a 24 hour cycle. It's supposed to be really effective in cases where someone has their circadian rhythm way off and a lot more effective that trying to sleep earlier and wake earlier. We'll see. It will be an interesting experiment. I went to bed this morning at 7, and I woke up around 3:30 or so. It's going to be really hard to stay up even later, but if this works it will be worth it.

Tom, tell Rebecca that we would love to have her join us. It's a good time to look for a house with so many available right now. I hope you find something great. Hang in there with the detox.

Kathy, you should go to the doctor and have him check your knee unless it's very expensive for you. It may be something with the joint that could get worse over time. But if you know now then you can try whatever you can to prevent it getting worse. Also, the drug store carries braces if your afraid of your knee giving. Then again, the doctor should give you an opinion before you rely on a brace as well. In some cases it could make it worse. I am glad it doesn't hurt as bad!

Laura, it is so good to see you! And we can see you because your face is in your avatar! It's a lovely face, you shouldn't hide it in far away photos. Isn't it strange when weight has been the focus for so many years and now it's not? You'll have an opportunity to get more resolutions. Now you have room to allow your focus to go toward personal growth! I think the weight and diet obsession took up so much of our thinking, that it's almost a grieving process not having it there. It's certainly an adjustment. I hope your 14 year old has willingness to try the met B diet. I think once he gets detoxed from the junk food he may find a liking for veggies. Is he the type that would thrive in a gym environment? If he could find an outlet like body building or some kind of martial arts, it could really help him. Boys do much better with an activity focus I think. It is so true that men and women think differently, and most boys achieve better through a decisive action rather than a thought out commitment to a plan.

Diane, thank you and darn it. You did tell me about the ebates thing. I order every month, so I've got to make sure I do it that way next month.

Can you eat on step one for one day and check in with us all day to let us know how your doing? We can worry about a second day afterward. Please pick a day where your entire focus can be on doing that. You can eat non stop legal foods if you want and it will get you through. Let us know what day you can do that and stock up on cheese nuts or even hamburger, lol. You can do this with our help.

I'm very sorry about your Aunt's fall and your loss. She is dancing now with her loved ones and has no infirmities any longer. I can see her in the protective arms of God with flowers in her hair, young again and whole. I will say a prayer for her in her journey and to you for your loss.

 

[Barb F.]

Now if I can only find some instructions on how to turn pony hair into useable clothing items...hmmm, looks like we will be wearing pony hair skirts on our Godiva Ride!! LOL, by the time they all shed out, I will have enough to make us all an entire years worth of outfits!!

I only suggested it because I watched a show on the Animal Planet about cats. The owners of Persians would have their cats shaved and then a gal would loom the hair into yarn and make really cool handbags for the owners.

 

[Daniele]

Barb, I also would prefer almond flour. For most people soy is fine, but when there's significant thyroid disorder it's simply not a good food to use. I just hate the cost on it. And not finding it locally, so I'd have to pay shipping on top of that. I did think of making it myself but I'm afraid of ending up with almond butter. I also remember that the use of almond flour depended on the amount. For a breading was fine, but for muffins it should be counted because it was condensed.

Thanks Jocelyn for the idea about googling Mediterranean Diet. I should have thought of that. Lisa, you were very helpful too with the vegetable suggestions. I think I saw a photo somewhere and it got me craving. Last night I had many pea pods and red sweet peppers dipped in ranch dressing. I know the dressing is high fat, but I'm eating so few calories I don't think it matters. If I can get my mind and functionability in order I'd like to try making ranch dressing, or some kind of good dressing using flax and olive oil mixed in the proper proportions that is recommended for good health. It's so true that all of our premade dressings are way off on the omega balance. Smart balance would be perfect if they didn't add sugar to everything. I'd like to try my own.

Kathy, the recipes look so incredibly good!

Robin, pet fur (including pony) can be felted and made into all kinds of things. It's an easy process mainly involving washing it and allowing it to mat. It happens naturally on animals when you forget to brush them for so long. Some people actually make small keepsakes from their pets out of their fur so when they someday lose them they have that part of them. That's a little creepy for me, but I suppose it depends on how you feel about death. Some really nice things can be made from felted fur, like hats, gloves etc. It can be dyed also.

Figures Barb that I am also holding felting information in my brain! You think I'd be good at trivial pursuit, but alas I am not.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: Prayers for comfort for your family as you mourn and remember your Aunt Florence. You will always have the best of her in your heart.

Laura: Welcome back and there is your cute face!!! I think Met B kids are different from other kids, just as we are different from other adults that are Met A. Have you had him take the quiz? Dr. Oz has revised his book and has a lot of tips on his website. Most of his advice goes very well with our program. He gives his kids a ‘magic’ shake every morning, which is very similar to what I made myself. My son will drink them. Low carb bread sandwiches will work well. We really like the Orowheat sandwich thins. Kids would think they look a lot like a bun. Also, Jessica Seinfeld’s book on how to sneak in veggies by pureeing them is genius. My son was very lean and an athlete. He never had an ounce of fat on him until he began working at a desk and eating out too much. He’s still pretty trim, but has cut out sodas, energy drinks, coffee, burgers and the like recently. He wants to lose about 15 – 20 lbs. and is well on his way. Small changes over time can make a big difference. You’d be proud of him – he carries a metal water bottle.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Robin, I did stop by your way, but didn't see you outside from all the snow!!
In my mind's eye, we are at Jocelyn's sitting on the beach, looking mighty fine I may add, and just enjoying life. We have our iced green tea in a big glass too. I can see some ships out on the horizon, and the gentle breeze cooling us off a bit. I can hear the lap of the waves as they gently roll in and out, and sometimes they tickle our toes. We can hear the laughter of the children as they run trying to catch the waves as they slip out to sea. Then the sun begins to set, and we're just sitting there in a peaceful quiet reflecting on all the good things in our life. And at the same time, we look at each other, smile as we tap our glasses and toast all our new friends and our family and decide that yes, life is good.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi everyone! It is so nice to come here and see everyone! I just got back from Walmart, and did get a knee brace. I've been wearing it, and the pain is almost gone. I can walk normally, and the knee doesn't have that floating feeling. I will wear it to work tomorrow, that will be the test. Thank you Nell for the idea of the brace. If it does continue to bother me much longer, I will see a doctor. My insurance isn't that great. It will cover the doctor, but not much else. I don't have any type of prescription coverage, and actually prefer to go natural if possible. I did get some of the bi-flex Barb mentioned earlier. I already took 2 pills. I am figuring it may take a month or more to show any signs of improvement.
Nell, were you eating snow pea pods? I was thinking we weren't allowed peas, but then thought she did say snow peas are ok? Or am I just making this stuff up thinking she said it was ok? LOL (Old age setting in)
I may have to check into this Mediterranean diet. I know they eat a lot better than we do.
I had a great steak salad. Cooked up a couple Steak-Ums , sautee'd some onions, peppers and mushrooms and put it on top of some romaine lettuce mix. Topped it with cheddar cheese and tuscan italian dressing. Just a bit of dressing. Now I'm going to make a muffin. Let me know what you think of the new recipes!!
Ok, going to read a bit then off to bed. My computer is slow tonight, so hoping to get back, but if not, have a good night and God bless and sweet dreams.
Oh, I found some s/f maple syrup at walmart with if I remember right, 11 carbs per 1/4 cup. That's a lot of syrup for 11 carbs. I'd only use maybe a few tablespoons, so that may make it legal. They use sorbitol in it. I'll have to double check the label and get back to you all about it. That would be good in the muffins!! (I've been wanting to use that icon LOL)

 

[Seabreezes]

Robin, I did stop by your way, but didn't see you outside from all the snow!!
In my mind's eye, we are at Jocelyn's sitting on the beach, looking mighty fine I may add, and just enjoying life. We have our iced green tea in a big glass too. I can see some ships out on the horizon, and the gentle breeze cooling us off a bit. I can hear the lap of the waves as they gently roll in and out, and sometimes they tickle our toes. We can hear the laughter of the children as they run trying to catch the waves as they slip out to sea. Then the sun begins to set, and we're just sitting there in a peaceful quiet reflecting on all the good things in our life. And at the same time, we look at each other, smile as we tap our glasses and toast all our new friends and our family and decide that yes, life is good.

Kathy - you described my "front yard" to a T. Wish you were all here to enjoy it with me, too. It isn't far down the street to the pool with the same setting and there they will serve us our tea!!

 

[Daniele]

Hi everyone! It is so nice to come here and see everyone! I just got back from Walmart, and did get a knee brace. I've been wearing it, and the pain is almost gone. I can walk normally, and the knee doesn't have that floating feeling. I will wear it to work tomorrow, that will be the test. Thank you Nell for the idea of the brace. If it does continue to bother me much longer, I will see a doctor. My insurance isn't that great. It will cover the doctor, but not much else. I don't have any type of prescription coverage, and actually prefer to go natural if possible. I did get some of the bi-flex Barb mentioned earlier. I already took 2 pills. I am figuring it may take a month or more to show any signs of improvement.
Nell, were you eating snow pea pods? I was thinking we weren't allowed peas, but then thought she did say snow peas are ok? Or am I just making this stuff up thinking she said it was ok? LOL (Old age setting in)
I may have to check into this Mediterranean diet. I know they eat a lot better than we do.
I had a great steak salad. Cooked up a couple Steak-Ums , sautee'd some onions, peppers and mushrooms and put it on top of some romaine lettuce mix. Topped it with cheddar cheese and tuscan italian dressing. Just a bit of dressing. Now I'm going to make a muffin. Let me know what you think of the new recipes!!
Ok, going to read a bit then off to bed. My computer is slow tonight, so hoping to get back, but if not, have a good night and God bless and sweet dreams.
Oh, I found some s/f maple syrup at walmart with if I remember right, 11 carbs per 1/4 cup. That's a lot of syrup for 11 carbs. I'd only use maybe a few tablespoons, so that may make it legal. They use sorbitol in it. I'll have to double check the label and get back to you all about it. That would be good in the muffins!! (I've been wanting to use that icon LOL)

I don't know if they are snow peas or not, but I think the peas we can't eat are the grown up peas, not the little seeds you find in the pods. I didn't have any kind of carb reaction to them, so I'm thinking they were fine. Tonight I'm having cucumber with dressing.

 

[Seabreezes]

Kathy - unfortunately sorbitol is a sugar alcohol and you might have a problem with it. If you can find Walden Farm's pancake syrup it is really good, probaby the best product they make IMHO.

Robin - the oil at Wholefoods said expellier pressed so assume it has not had much done to it. I also saw where olive oil did the same thing for the belly. I wonder if it is because so many people are doing low fat and not getting in enough fat to absorb other minerals they are trying to get people to use more fat???

I have my ratatoulle going in the crock-pot. It smells really good. The eggplant was only $4.00+ per pound!!! I didn't get a large one, just enough for the flavor Here we pay by the pound not by the piece!!! I love it when I spend summer time in California. I go nuts with the fresh veggies.

In the First Magazine there was also an article on the Belly Fat CUre that Jorge Cruise has been writing about for quite a while. I went on his web site to see what else was available for info. One of the things he touts is Stevia and metioned a soft drink made with Stevia called Zenia. It turns out they had them at Whole Foods. I am drinking the cola as I write this. It does not taste like my beloved caffeine free diet coke, but is passable. The cost is a bit much, though and they were on sale!!! I thought trying to get rid of aspertame would be my goal for this year - or at least not getting as much as I do. I like some of the Crystal Light drinks, too and they are all aspertame. He is against Splenda, too, but then suggests making things with malitol which I think is not remotely good for you either!!! There were also some sodas made with erytherol, but they were even more expensive!!! If only I could learn to like water!!!!! I am doing better, though!

Will have to try your muffin, Kathy. Sounds good.

A lot of people in the low carb world make a crepe with an egg and add a bit of cream cheese and cinnamon and splenda as it is setting up. Voila - a cheese Danish. I have always lliked a bit of cream cheese in scrambled eggs -again something Mother did.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Jocelyn, I can close my eyes and envision your house and the beach in my mind's eye. It is so relaxing to do that. I would love to live on or near the beach! But I also love the mountains. If I could have the beach out one door and the mountains out the other door, I would be so happy. I don't know if a place exists like that. When I'm feeling stressed or down, I just close my eyes, and transform myself to the beach. I will also just lay back in my tub with my eyes closed, and pretend I'm laying on the beach and the water just lapping around me. Really calms me.
Nell, I will have to pick up some snow peas (I think some people call them sugar snap peas). I love eating them raw, or just barely cooked in a bit of olive oil. I'm glad we can have those. I'll eat "regular" peas, but prefer the pod ones. I remember when Carrie was smaller, and we had a garden, she would go outside and just start eating the veges there in the garden. To this day she loves veges. Her sister, that's another story LOL. If she can drown veges in ketchup, she'll eat them. The grossest thing I ever saw her put ketchup on was orange glazed chicken.
Well, I do believe I'm heading to bed. Long day tomorrow. It was so nice to see everyone today. We all haven't been together for a while with the holidays. I'm so excited to be back to normal with my eating. I'm also excited for the new year. We are all going to do so well!!
Good night and sweet dreams everyone. God Bless too.

 

[Cindycin]

So weird. For days, I haven't been able to post and tonight I tried again and voila...HI LADIES!!!!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday and are back on track. I will be starting tomorrow back on plan and am going to be starting the "Insanity" DVDs. They are shorter than the P90X so that will help. Got the discs today and it looks like fun!

I definitely put on some weight, but am refusing to weigh myself as I only get really depressed/upset about it. So I'm trying something new. No weighing and only measuring! WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!

Haven't read any posts this evening, but saw a couple this afternoon and am glad to see a lot of the crew on track!! yay for us!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful evening!

LOVE TO ALL!

 

[Daniele]

Good night everyone! Going to make a bedtime smoothie. I don't expect to sleep but who knows?

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi everyone! Just a quick note, then off to shovel myself self out of a couple inches of snow
I hope everyone had a good night's rest.
Jocelyn, I forgot to thank you for the advice on the syrup. I actually think Walmart had the Walden Farms. I was thinking of using it in my muffins. I'll have to see. If I use it on anything that resembles a pancake, I'm in trouble. I love pancakes!!
Hope you all have a great day!!!