Jenn's Journal - It's a Low Carb Life

[Storygirl]

Sunday, July 17

bfast: 1/4 cup raspberries, splenda and cream
2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
diet lime coke

Not sure what is up today - we have to meet my dad to go over some things (he makes personalized photo wood puzzles and since DH is a computer geek we're going to help him set up something on ebay) and I don't know if we're going to have lunch or not. Dad is really supportive though - always has been. He's recently lost 30 pounds but I attribute it to love. He finally has a friend/companion (I can't say "girlfriend" because he's 61 and my dad so that's just wrong ) three years after losing mom and so he's exercising, eating right and finally happy. So if we do lunch, it'll be easy to stay on target. I envy his relatively easy weight loss...but since DH and I are coming up on 8 years in October the "new love" thing isn't really there...and I think he'd frown on me falling for someone else just to get that weight loss endorphin rush . Ah well, I guess I'll stick with that old fashioned settled in love that lasts instead...

Hope you are all having a great Sunday!!

Mid morning snack: 2 polish sausages DH grilled yesterday.

Met Dad at McD's so DS could run around and work off some energy - it is just too hot here (96 now at 5:00) and I thought he'd enjoy playing in AC. He did. I had a double cheeseburger, no ketchup or bun and a diet coke. Oh and a bite of DH's Big Mac...haven't had one in a long time and it looked drippy and good. It was .

Spent a long time there talking to Dad, stopped at the grocery store on the way home and then made some sugar free jello ice cream cups. I can't wait to try them! Dinner tonight will be rib eyes on the grill, if weather holds out, and I am going to try to make green beans like 'Ohana...I have no clue what I'm doing, but I'm going to fry up some bacon pieces, caramelize a little onion and then stir fry/steam the beans in that with some soy sauce and a little splenda. I have no idea if it will be the same, but at least it should be good, hopefully...!

afternoon snack: 2 polish sausages DH grilled prior - lc ketchup and mustard. Had this late afternoon after Dh decided we wouldn't have dinner until late (he had some work to do and he's the grillmeister). Should keep me from a late evening snack though, right?

Dinner: 2/3 ribeye, stirfried green beans and sf cherry jello ice cream dessert.

Dinner was both excellent and eh. The steak was tasty, but I would have wanted to send it back in a restaurant - very fatty. That's okay for low carb, but not for my tastes. The beans turned out GREAT! And the Jello dessert was just perfect - I need to get more lc vanilla ice cream to make more. It is a fantastic dessert to have on hand. And 8 carbs in the whole batch so divide that up 3-4 ways? Perfect!

Now time for Law and Order CI and bed - Mythbusters Shark week will have to wait until tomorrow. Love my DVR!

Good night everyone!

 

[pearlieq]

Yeah, your DH may have a bit of an issue with you finding a boyfriend, whether he helps with your weight loss or not!!!

Glad to hear your dad is happy and healthy. I love hanging out with folks like that--I think a little rubs off.

It looks like you're doing great! Have a wonderful day today!

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Jenn!

Happy sunday!! You did good at McD's and I bet your DS loved playing in the AC if it is 96 for you today! Talk about sweat city! hehe
Your dad's puzzle sound so cool!!

Your green been idea sounds yummy! I like to steam the beans in a smidge of water and then saute them lightly in EVOO and garlic. Then fresh cracked pepper and sea salt get tossed in. Mmmmm. But Bacon and onion first? Wowza, sounds totally delish!

Have a great night!
Mike

 

[Storygirl]

Mike - that recipe for green beans sound heavenly!!! DH and I love garlic and these are one of our fave veggies. I read it to him and I believe we will be trying it soon. Don't you love fresh ground pepper? I used to decline it on my salads until I tried it and now I can't eat my chicken caesar without it!And yes - my dad's puzzles are terrific! He took photos of DS and my niece and nephew last Christmas and made them into wooden puzzles. The kids loved them!

Pearlieq - Yup, DH frowns on the boyfriend thing...but says if Ricky Martin or Orlando Bloom ever offers themselves to me on a silver platter I can go for it.

Somehow, I think he's safe...

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Jenn!!

Glad to have swapped green bean recipes with you! I agree fresh ground is the way to go. I turned my mom onto it recently too. She called last week and was excited because she bought a peppermill. hehe. I love trying new spices. Actually just placed an order to try some new things and stock up on others with my fave spice site, Penzeys.com.

I wll end this post now just in case Orlando or Ricky are trying to post too!!


Have a great night!
Mike

 

[kardiebelle]

It is very hot here today, right. You seem like you are doing great. With you working with cindy and us you are going to do just fine. And when I say us I mean MIKE most of all. Doesn't he just make you smile. Everytime I see his name in a thread I know that I am going to smile (or laugh). Have a great week. good luck with everything. Stay out of the heat for the week. SMILES

 

[Storygirl]

Monday, 7-18-05

Good morning! Got up early today and (gasp!) walked my 20 minutes on the treadmill. I wish I could say it felt good, but I was still really tired, so the only thing that felt good was having it done. I woke DS up, he bundled up in blankets (the downstairs is blissfully cold with the AC) and we watched Mythbuster's Shark Week for a while.

Breakfast: Cherry vanilla jello cup (2 1/2 carbs!)
diet coke with splenda (ran out of lime)

Yikes. the ice cream jello cups are good, but they don't stick with you. Had to eat a lc protein bar for midmorning snack.

Walked again with VBF - 1 mile. She had a tiff with her (not so D) H last night so we had plenty to talk about.

Hope you are all having a great day! My STB is gone and life is heavenly!

Lunch was pretty good - we went to our usual restaurant and I ordered this lovely shrimp antipasto salad. It was good, but it had waaaayy too much feta cheese (which normally I love) and therefore was really salty. I ate half and left the rest.

My throat is really beginning to hurt - ached a bit when I woke up, and has gotten worse through the day. Since DS had strep last Tuesday, methinks I better just get a streptest after work to be on the safe side.

Argh.

Had another 1/2 mile walk with VBF after lunch - it was some fight with her husband - needed more walking...

No snack after work - got into talking to DH and playing some duckie game with DH and DS (DS cheats!!) and then it was time for dinner. I tried Mike's garlic green beans and oh my! I was very impressed!!

2 cheeseburgers, 1/2 lc bun (5.5 carbs in the 1/2 bun)
garlic green beans

I was going to have ice cream for dessert, but with the extra carbs in the bun and lots of veggies, I may eat the last cherry vanilla cup (2-3 carbs total). But we shall see...

 

[Cruise04]

I've just had a chance to read through your journal and you're doing well. I also want to commend you on letting us be here for support to you. I work in a counseling center for an eating disorder specialist so I know, kind of, what you are going through. I'm glad this is an avenue for you to come to and write out instead of purging out - I BRAVO YOU ON THAT!!!!!

You are rocking and keep up the good work...

Keep on

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Jenn,

Just got caught up from the weekend. You made great choices at McDonalds. Way to go!

Sounds like your whole weekend was good choices.....

You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Jenn!!

Sounds like you have had a pretty good day! Great job on the walking!
I hope that you are strep free!! My fingers are crossed for you!

Mike

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Hi, Jenn! And welcome to WISH! I have noticed quite a few Jenns on WISH lately. Anyway, I am glad that you were blessed w/a ds despite the odds! You are doing great so far and I look forward to reading more of your journal!

 

[Storygirl]

Thanks everybody, for the great comments!!! I really appreciate it!

And, according to the very non helpful nurse, I am strep free!!! I'll get a call tomorrow if the culture yields anything, but I'm going with no (there's a minute chance of the call, so I'm happy with that!).

I would much rather have a minor sore throat than full out strep. I don't know if it's in my head, but I don't have tonsils (which I guess are definitely not in my head anymore ) and I feel like strep is just worse since they're not there anymore...

Hope your evenings are GREAT!

Jenn.

 

[pearlieq]

Yay! Thank goodness it's not strep!!!!

Sounds like you had a super great day yesterday! Congrats to you!!! Glad to hear your VBF is coping with her DH troubles by walking and talking with you! Can't think of a better way to deal with it.

Have a wonderful day!

 

[Cruise04]

Glad to hear it's not strep - that is one thing I don't wish on anyone - I hate my throat being sore!!!!

Have a good day today!

Keep on
Chris

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Jenn,

Good news!!! No strep! I too hate having a sore throat! That could be the only thing wrong and my whole body hurts!!

How are you doing today?


Have a great day!

 

[Mykelogan]

yay for no strep!!!
Very happy for you Jenn!!! Keep eating those green beans to keep your body's defenses strong! hehe

Mike

 

[Storygirl]

Hello everyone!!! Thanks for the support and thanks for stopping by!

Today has really sucked, workwise, but I'm sticking to the food plan and all is well.

breakfast: a 2 carb protein bar
diet coke, splenda

lunch: beef broth with some beef and two pieces of carrots (ate around the noodles) and then shredded chicken, no sauce or bun.

I ended up meeting my dad for lunch - VBF had to pick up her daughter from daycare (icky tummy) and I needed to get out of here after a run in with STB (7 work days until 2 weeks away from her!!!). So I had a nice long chat with my dad at his favorite BBQ restaurant, which is not MY favorite low carb restaurant, but hey! He was buying and the company was great so it's all good.

VBF and I also walked our mile this morning before she had to leave so that's done!

Dinner? Not sure yet. I'm not really craving anything and my throat does hurt (but not strep, so I can definitely live with it) so I'm not too hungry. Thank goodness for ibuprofen! I've always taken lozenges for a sore throat before, but never ibuprofen. WOW! It really works!

This Thursday is the third anniversary of my mom's fatal accident, so it's a tough one for me. Every year since, I've forgotten it on purpose until I end up in bed, sick as a dog. This year I've been aware of it, so I thought I'd stay healthy and deal with it on my own. However, I am feeling a little bit on my own with this, because my dad is so happy with his new friend. I am thrilled she is in his life and I know how much he misses my mom, but I do feel kind of alone in my grief. And I pray to God one of her best friends doesn't send me flowers again. Argh!!! I always see flowers as celebration...and while I of course celebrate her life, I do not choose to do so on the day she was taken away from me. I prefer to make a fuss on her birthday (Sept 11 - isn't that ironic?). So I'll look ahead to celebrate that, and continue to pump vitamins and fight this ailment off. If my mind can MAKE me sick, it can MAKE me healthy, right???

Right!

snack: 2 oz cheese

dinner: pepperoni/canadian bacon/sausage pizza, very light sauce, no crust
cherry vanilla jello cup

dessert (later): chocolate/toffee vanilla ice cream with reddi whip.

Wow - I'm done now! I know that pizza is usually a no no on a diet plan, but with lc it works. It's our favorite lazy night dinner and the place we order from is so low sauce that it is really easy to pick the tops off. I just have to be careful not to eat too much and too many calories. Adding the jello cup made me even more full (2 1/2 carbs).

Dessert was this Kemps lc ice cream (love!!!) with toffee bits and chocolate bits. 3 carbs per serving. Yum!!!

Now, a chat with DH (of course I have to fill him in on the continuing saga of VBF and her (still not D) H...then I am so going to sleep.

Night all!!!

Jenn.

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Jenn! It sounds like you are doing so great (notwithstanding your non-strep sore throat). You should be so proud of yourself for how successful you have been sticking to your healthier way of eating. It's a shame STB had to come back today and ruin your week, right? Oh, well, not much longer and then you will have 2 less stressful weeks.
I am so sorry about how difficult this week will be for you because of the very sad anniversary Thursday. Please know we will all be here for you. Just tell us what you need from us (if we aren't 'getting it'!). I am so glad you have DH and DS to provide love and hugs since we all can't be there in person.

Take care of you!
Hugs,
Cam

 

[Storygirl]

Happy Wednesday!

bfast: 2 carb lc protein bar

Today is weird. I'm on Day One of Week Three and while I don't feel any difference really in my clothes, I am awaiting TOM and that generally makes a difference. It's a rough day. I am totally craving all kinds of comfort foods...stuffing with gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cake, doughnuts, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, croissants with melted butter, banana bread...wow carbs. I guess "craving" isn't the right word...more like "daydreaming" about them.

I have lunch packed - chicken caesar with shredded parm, slivered almonds, avocado. It'll be good, but it isn't what I want. I am just in Binge Mode and I want to be home, eating. And although the things I want are all carby, if I could have anything now it would be a piece of cheese, lc toast, leftover pizza tops...

I miss my mom.

What I am going to do for myself, to get through the next few days, is to rearrange my goals. I am not going to have carb foods, but I am going to relax the carb count I shoot for. I am also going to continue walking. So I am not going to worry if I eat 2 cups of ice cream (8 carbs) instead of 1 (4)...it's still better than 2 cups of regular sugar ice cream (120), right? I can't eat sugar or I will tailspin, but if I continue denying myself everything when I feel like this, I will eat sugar and worse, I will purge it and then I can kiss two good weeks goodbye.

So...

Chicken Caesar for lunch, with an entire half avocado, not 1/4.

Cheese for "after work snack".

20 minute walk on treadmill.

Something really good for dinner.

Ice cream.

I can do this, you know!

Oh, &^%$ I just got a reminder that I have to do my performance review self assessment. From an STB who thinks if you're anywhere below perfect, you suck. Dandy. I need to get myself into a good esteem mode, so I am honest, but not "I suck" or "I'm outstanding" (so her comments can say, no, you suck). I look at the categories and all I can think is how SHE will respond to them, not how I would. I am so burnt out from dealing with a manager who is ready with the "feedback" <-----aka, criticism and not ready with the compliments.

Example:

You know what? This is my pity party and I think I'll spare anyone kind enough to read my journal. Suffice it to say, I am not impressed with her skills.

ARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!

After work snack - 2 oz cheese, a few pieces thin sliced hard salami

later - bowl of lc ice cream with whipped cream

dinner - leftover pizza tops and more lc ice cream and whipped cream

Tonight has been okay. I've stuck to my plan, but didn't walk. I am not feeling good and I just wasn't up to it. I may have had more carbs than usual, but I didn't eat carb food. And that is good.

 

[Cruise04]

I'm sorry you're missing your mom. But you know what I'm missing mine too - mine has been gone for almost 3 years and I'm in the month mode where I tend to find myself becoming more depressed as the month grows closer to her departure date. But I think I'm missing her more because I'm doing so well on losing this weight and sticking to eating sensible and working out and I can't tell her. She would be so excited for me!!!! But you know what - I think she's guiding me to do this - I really do!!!!

So here's some extra because of that and because of your STB!!!!!! Wouldn't you just once like to tell her how much working for her sucks!!!! Just give it to her like she gives it to everyone else???!!!!! (PUNCH - in the air to get that frustration out for you!!!! - try it it feels good!!!!)

Hang in there - it's only got to get better!!!!

Keep on
Chris