MM Warriors - Three Steps to Good Health (As of 11/18)

[Wisteria1956]

I agree with Sharron Lee. I've had wonderful results with burlap, and it was mighty cold in Northern Maine. If you have an area that doesn't show old sheets will do in a pinch too. The plants still need to breathe. You can build up the mulch around the base of the plants too, but only for a short freeze.

We found large pieces of burlap at Home Depot today. We might wake up to white tomorrow - so crazy!

 

[momtozac]

Hope nobody minds - my card is going to say Happy Holidays because I make one card for a mass mailing and I have clients that are Jewish, etc. Thanks for understanding!Merry Christmas!

Contrary to popular fb belief, I TOTALLY don't mind!! I never send Merry Christmas cards to people I don't know if they celebrate it--but for those who do, I make sure I do(I should have been more specific and said 'to all my friends who celebrate Christmas, lets not say happy holidays or Seasons Greetings to each other). I brought that up on FB because I'm starting to get worried that the phrase 'Merry Christmas' is being changed--a few holidays started out as a christian holiday and through the years have been changed to something else. Merry Christmas still has Christ in it for now. oh well, nothing like stirring the pot on FB!!

 

[Seabreezes]

Hi ALL

Had a busy weekend and did not get on the computer for long yesterday. I read Diane's blog this morning and thought she was chastising all of us who like step one and that we weren't trying hard enough. I knew she had written it after Robin's note. I'm so glad to hear that she now says step 1 is fine for a longer time. This must be an interesting journey for her too after writing the book and then finding all the things that are really happening with people. Nothing is ever cut and dried or black and white as the sayings go.

I also thought about all of the stress you are going through Robin and was going to mention it, but see that others are thinking about that, too. I couldn't function on the small amount of sleep you sometimes get and that is supposed to be a factor in weight loss, too. Glad you got some extra sleep this weekend.

Lisa - The cheese crackers are made with Costco's Jarlsberg low fat cheese slices. They are in the deli section, not the regular refrigerated section. I cut them into 1/8ths and microwave them on parchment paper. You spread them in a circular shape on the paper. I microwave them for 2 - 3 minutes. I put about 16 pieces on at a time. You have to play with your microwave as each one cooks differently. They get a bit darker in color and nice and crispy. I sometimes microwave a whole slice and put a bit of peanut butter on it. It is just a big cracker!! I think I do that for 2 minutes. I have also used the mozzy sticks cut into 6 or so pieces. I like the flavor of the Swiss cheese, though. I think Bob likes the mozzy ones better. I have also tried cheddar, but don't care for them and there is a lot of fat that comes out and makes a mess. The parmesan ones are great, too. I think you have made those. I do mine in the microwave. I think Diane’s recipe was for the oven.

I managed to get to the pool for the past 2 days. YAY. The water is a bit cold, but once I start moving around it is fine. The sky has been cloud free so the outside temps are lovely. I hope I can continue doing this. If the water doesn't get any colder I will be fine.

I use 1/2 cup of the Frage yogurt and then put some cinnamoned nuts on it. I pretend it is granola!!! I don't think I could eat a whole cup of yogurt at a time, anyhow so it works out fine.

I can't tell you how envious I am of people finding lots of syrups in their local stores!!!. Barb, how did the muffins come out? I think they are great.

I did find the Drew's salad dressings at the health food store next to Safeway this morning so got the roasted garlic - 0 carbs!! I think they just got them in and they had a lot of varieties. Have you tried any of the other ones, Lisa? Some of them had quite a few carbs. There was a sesame - orange with carbs that looked interesting.

Hi Sharron Lee – so nice to see you back and posting. Hope all your plants survive. We used to have to put things under cover in California, too. Not a problem now!!!

Robin – I must admit that once in a while I buy a slice of Costco pizza and just eat the top off of it. It really helps the craving. Just one slice, though!! I have thought about making one out of a low carb tortilla, but don’t have any of the topping ingredients I like at home.

Carol – Happy to hear you are on the mend. I’m so sorry that you are not happy, though. Stress like that has to have an effect on you. Vent as much as you like here. I know some of the group have been through similar trials and are glad to listen. I’ve been married for 41+ years and I am very, very fortunate to have a very loving husband and he let’s me know he still loves me.

Robin – I’m glad the people found their dog as it appears it was a household pet. The poor dog, though -lost for 8 days. She was determined to survive it seems… a happy ending to the story for all.

Natalie - I hope you can find tests and solutions for your problems. How is your mother doing?

Time to go put together some dinner for us. I think it will be taco salads. I froze several servings so will get one out of the freezer.

I think I’ve rambled long enough!!!

 

[SharronLee]

momtozac: Contrary to popular fb belief, I TOTALLY don't mind!! I never send Merry Christmas cards to people I don't know if they celebrate it--but for those who do, I make sure I do(I should have been more specific and said 'to all my friends who celebrate Christmas, lets not say happy holidays or Seasons Greetings to each other). I brought that up on FB because I'm starting to get worried that the phrase 'Merry Christmas' is being changed--a few holidays started out as a christian holiday and through the years have been changed to something else. Merry Christmas still has Christ in it for now. oh well, nothing like stirring the pot on FB!!

Natalie: Personally, I think this is a pot that needs to be stirred deep and often. I have no problem with anyone's personal choice of greetings. It was never an issue until the efforts to erase any mention of Christmas or Christ. If we don't start to fight back, soon there won't be anything left of the traditions and values this wonderful country was founded on.

I have several friends that are Jews, I also know people that are not religious and none of them are offended if I say Merry Christmas. In fact all the Jews I know celebrate with their Christian friends, just as we have joined in their celebrations. Most people respect others traditions even if they don't share the beliefs.

It's people that have no joy or hope in their lives that want to rob everyone else. Sorry, it's one of my hot buttons!

SharronLee

 

[Wisteria1956]

Jocelyn: Thanks for the cheese cracker 'recipe'! I can't wait to try it! We LOVE Drews salad dressings. We really love roasted garlic, buttermilk ranch and my favorite is Kalamata. They are all 0 - 1, I believe. Oh, so is their Italian 0 carbs.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Natalie: Personally, I think this is a pot that needs to be stirred deep and often. I have no problem with anyone's personal choice of greetings. It was never an issue until the efforts to erase any mention of Christmas or Christ. If we don't start to fight back, soon there won't be anything left of the traditions and values this wonderful country was founded on.

I have several friends that are Jews, I also know people that are not religious and none of them are offended if I say Merry Christmas. In fact all the Jews I know celebrate with their Christian friends, just as we have joined in their celebrations. Most people respect others traditions even if they don't share the beliefs.

It's people that have no joy or hope in their lives that want to rob everyone else. Sorry, it's one of my hot buttons!

SharronLee

SharronLee, I can see your point, but it only goes one direction. If I say Merry Christmas, I am leaving out all the other people's holidays so I chose to say Happy Holidays and include Thanksgiving, Christmas and every other faith's day, along with New Years. We like to send cards to all of our friends that are all inclusive. None of them would be offended if we said Merry Christmas, but they wouldn't be INCLUDED either. That matters a lot to me. JMHO and sorry to have brought it up, but my card was mailed to you today and it comes with love. Hope you like it! Merry Christmas!!!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Contrary to popular fb belief, I TOTALLY don't mind!! I never send Merry Christmas cards to people I don't know if they celebrate it--but for those who do, I make sure I do(I should have been more specific and said 'to all my friends who celebrate Christmas, lets not say happy holidays or Seasons Greetings to each other). I brought that up on FB because I'm starting to get worried that the phrase 'Merry Christmas' is being changed--a few holidays started out as a christian holiday and through the years have been changed to something else. Merry Christmas still has Christ in it for now. oh well, nothing like stirring the pot on FB!!

Ha,ha! I thought you cared so much, I went in and did a special edit to your card. Just wanted to make you as happy as possible, cutie!

 

[SharronLee]

Wisteria1956]SharronLee, I can see your point, but it only goes one direction. If I say Merry Christmas, I am leaving out all the other people's holidays so I chose to say Happy Holidays and include Thanksgiving, Christmas and every other faith's day, along with New Years. We like to send cards to all of our friends that are all inclusive. None of them would be offended if we said Merry Christmas, but they wouldn't be INCLUDED either. That matters a lot to me. JMHO and sorry to have brought it up, but my card was mailed to you today and it comes with love and that's all that matters

Lisa, I'm sorry. You misunderstood my comments, I said I have no problem with and am not offended by anyone's personal choice in greetings. Happy Holidays or Season's greetings makes perfect sense in greeting cards because there are so many holidays between Thanksgiving & New Year's.

I was not referring to your greeting cards. I was responding to Natalie's post about her comments on FB and her concerns that our Christian holidays are all being changed into something more "acceptable".

I seem to have lost my communication skills, seems I'm misunderstood too often.

Have a good evening and I hope you will forgive me if I seemed judgemental, truly wasn't my intent.

SharronLee

 

[Carol-Fish]

Speaking of Christmas cards, I don't know if I received the final list with everyone's name on it. The first few I got from Nell but I thought there was going to be a different version coming out after those. Would whoever was in charge of the final one please send it to me here or at my email? Thanks

As I have grown more mature (old) I make sure that I find Christmas cards that depict some scene having to do with Christ's birth. It helps me to not trivialize or make common the birth of our Savior. I feel as if I'm sending out my testimony of Him when I send these cards. This is important to me and not something of which I judge others.

Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Wisteria1956]

Speaking of Christmas cards, I don't know if I received the final list with everyone's name on it. The first few I got from Nell but I thought there was going to be a different version coming out after those. Would whoever was in charge of the final one please send it to me here or at my email? Thanks

As I have grown more mature (old) I make sure that I find Christmas cards that depict some scene having to do with Christ's birth. It helps me to not trivialize or make common the birth of our Savior. I feel as if I'm sending out my testimony of Him when I send these cards. This is important to me and not something of which I judge others.

Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

Carol,

I'm sorry, I don't have your email and I think I have the most up-to-date version of the list. You can email me at lisa_devries@comcast.net

Your heart is lovely, as I'm sure are your cards. I hope to receive one! Friends we have had since the kids were little like to send photo cards, so we did another one of those this year. I have a file of all of the pictures since the kids were tiny. It's fun to look back...And I love being able to make all of my cards on the computer - I found myself procrastinating a few years ago and not keeping in touch the old fashioned way. Always had good intentions and then the month would get away from me. Email me and I will send you the list.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Lisa, I'm sorry. You misunderstood my comments, I said I have no problem with and am not offended by anyone's personal choice in greetings. Happy Holidays or Season's greetings makes perfect sense in greeting cards because there are so many holidays between Thanksgiving & New Year's.

I was not referring to your greeting cards. I was responding to Natalie's post about her comments on FB and her concerns that our Christian holidays are all being changed into something more "acceptable".

I seem to have lost my communication skills, seems I'm misunderstood too often.

Have a good evening and I hope you will forgive me if I seemed judgemental, truly wasn't my intent.

SharronLee

Oh, no, not at all! I'm not offended at all. I understand your perspective. This can be a sensitive subject, which is why I mentioned it, just in case anyone got the wrong idea - I love Christmas! I was just trying to explain why I made the choice I made. One of my best friends is Jehovahs Witness and they don't celebrate at all, but she sends a Seasons Greetings card as a way of thanking her clients at the end of the year. I send her a card so it's easier this way. I make so many friends among my clients and sometimes I really don't know for sure what their faith is. Our hearts are all in the right place! I love you!

 

[Daniele]

Speaking of Christmas cards, I don't know if I received the final list with everyone's name on it. The first few I got from Nell but I thought there was going to be a different version coming out after those. Would whoever was in charge of the final one please send it to me here or at my email? Thanks

As I have grown more mature (old) I make sure that I find Christmas cards that depict some scene having to do with Christ's birth. It helps me to not trivialize or make common the birth of our Savior. I feel as if I'm sending out my testimony of Him when I send these cards. This is important to me and not something of which I judge others.

Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

I'm in charge and have been neglect. Lisa also has a list. I will do my best to put it together and have it sent to everyone.

Tonight I have to turn the computer over to the other farmer. Good night everyone and see you all in the morning!

 

[Daniele]

I'm in charge and have been neglect. Lisa also has a list. I will do my best to put it together and have it sent to everyone.

Tonight I have to turn the computer over to the other farmer. Good night everyone and see you all in the morning!

I just read Lisa's post. Thanks Lisa!

I'm glad we can all share how we feel and communicate well. I don't think anyone has been offended today. I hope not. Everyone is doing a great job saying how they feel without putting others down I think. Love all of you!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I just read Lisa's post. Thanks Lisa!

I'm glad we can all share how we feel and communicate well. I don't think anyone has been offended today. I hope not. Everyone is doing a great job saying how they feel without putting others down I think. Love all of you!

Nell, I'll forward you the list I have so we can see if you have it all and vice versa. Thanks for the comments about communication. It's hard sometimes in the written word. I felt bad that I might have started something without meaning to, but we managed to communicate with love. I love our Warriors!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I hope you all stay well! My sweet husband has a very stuffy nose which is why I'm delaying going upstairs - he'll snore tonight and I'll have to crank up my sound machine. I play running water like a babbling brook when he snores. He once dreamed we were in a tsunami, LOL! It was so funny! It usually doesn't bother him - you could scream his name and he wouldn't wake up most of the time. Glad I have my Bonnie to protect me. Off I go then to snore land.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good morning everyone! I hope you all got a good night's rest. I slept like a baby other than my dream. It involved a buffalo, hippo, giraffe, and a couple other big animals, a barn and a tornado. Really weird. No animals got hurt LOL. I actually haven't slept that well in a while. All that cleaning yesterday must have been more exercise than I thought!! I got the sweeper run all through the house, while watching the Steeler game went through all my coupons and got rid of all the expired ones, then visited with Mike's sister and her family, then to Walmart and home and in bed by 10!!
Still feeling pretty good. It's just kind of weird. Almost like I'm waiting for the bottom to drop out from under me. I know when I have so many good days, I usually end up paying for it with about a week of exhaustion. I am not complaining at all. Just kind of wondering in the back of my head.

As for the big controversy, I don't mind if someone tells me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. I also believe in keeping Christ in Christmas, but I also like to include all the holidays too. My cards I send out really depend on how well I know the person. If it is an intimate friendship, I will usually send out the Christmas card. If it's "just a friend" it's the happy holidays. So I guess you all will be getting a Christmas card. Hope it's ok.

I got some greek yogurt yesterday, and 9 net carbs per cup, so I use 1/2 cup for 4.5 carbs and a 5x5. It is really good and has 5 live active bacteria cultures in it. It is called Oikos and is made by Stoneyfield Farms. A pint cost me a little over $4, but it is really good. It also has 0 grams of fat!! Here is a link for anyone who wants to check it out:

http://www.stonyfield.com/oikos/index.jsp

Have to get a shower then off to work. Have a great day! I'll catch up later as I finally got Carrie's computer hooked up downstairs, so Mike can now play jungle jewels all he wants LOL.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Good Morning! Wow, lots of sleep for me this weekend! And this may sound totally WEIRD, but my belly feels bit flatter this morning too...Im going to look at a revision of my schedule, see if I can get to sleep a bit earlier and wake up a bit later...might help!?

Diane responded again to my question about the cortisol... she said I should take my multi-vitamin in the morning, (been taking it PM), and add a Bcomplex (B-100) at night, and then try to get 10 minute exercise sessions, (aerobic, so walking would work) in the morning and mid afternoon. I think I can figure out how to get that in...versus the 45 minutes all at once I have been doing at night at the gym. She also said I should take my metformin blood sugar pill PM only for a couple weeks to help beat my pancreas back down into submission! Apparently my L & P are also type A overachievers!!

While researching, I happened onto a site called womentowomen.com...VERY interesting site for information pertaining to women's issues and adrenal fatigue in particular...took a little test there and got some great information in case anyone else wants to check it out.

Jocelyn - glad you are enjoying your swimming, hope the water temp stays tolerable for you! I think Diane is getting so much new information due to the fact that the book was written with information she got from those she treated in her practice...and now that she has thousands of new "virtual patients" she is just able to get that much more information as it pertains to those thousands of new folks with different issues and situations. Probably why she enjoys coaching us all by e-mail. I LOVE that she is interested in my specific issues and so willing to assist! I have given thought to eating the top off a piece of pizza now and then, but I have a strong feeling that this may be the ONE thing that would be likely to get me to lose control of my eating...might just have two pieces, or start doing it too often...pizza is just a big scary possible trigger for me!! I do have the 5g tortillas, so on the weekend I will go for a quesadilla with pizza flavors and call it good!

SharronLee, Natalie, Carol, Lisa - I agree with all of you for different reasons, like Sharron, I am absolutely outraged that there are those who are trying to remove Christ from Christmas...it is the day of his BIRTH and there is no way to remove Him from that! If society wants to make that day an all inclusive generic holiday that is fine too, but you CANNOT take Christ out of Christmas, end of story. I also have many jewish friends, and also friends who do NOT believe at all, so the greeting for them of Happy Holidays is inclusive of whatever they choose to celebrate. I believe our ability to celebrate whatever we choose and in whatever MANNER we choose, is part of the great country we live in, and as long as nobody tells me what to believe or how to celebrate it, then Im OK. And I will not judge anyone else's traditions or choices as it is not my place to do so!

I LOVE all my friends, no matter what they choose, and hope that they all enjoy the season in whatever manner makes them happy!

Sharron - STIR THAT POT!! Nobody is offended, and I , for one, am happy to see that so many are willing to open their mouths and speak up on this issue!!

Lisa - hope you slept well in your "tsunami" ( too funny!) and Tom will be over his cold soon.

Nell - I need the current list too please!! I have like 3 earlier versions and not sure if I have everybody!

Kathy - I would take the good days you are having and hope they continue as long as possible! Maybe some day this WOE will make the down days and exhaustion few and far between!!

Chatted with Cindy on FB for awhile, she is doing well but super super busy, so hopefully she will be back here with us soon!

 

[Barb F.]

Good Morning Ladies,

Jocelyn, the gingerbread muffins turned out awesome! I'm having one right now with my Atkins shake for breakfast. Thank you for always sharing your culinary expertise

Nell, I'm so happy your boss came to his senses and you'll be on better financial ground now. Who would have ever thought we'd be grateful for getting to vacuum and mop but that is certainly a testament to how well you're doing

Carol, I for one know what a struggle it can be to handle the ups and downs of a long marriage. We've always had difficulties due to my hubby's bi-polar disorder. I remind myself always that the good things outweigh the bad, because they do.

Pony - Has Diane suggested that you do the aerobic a couple of times a day instead of the gym? I would have no problem drop kicking the gym

I was originally upset that Diane would change her tune so often. I think we are seeing her learn from all of us, as Pony suggested. I'm also glad she acknowledged that step1 long term is not harmful.

I checked my lab results from my physical last fall. Insulin wasn't checked, only fasting BS. I emailed my Dr. and they said they don't rely on insulin testing, only fasting BS. I have a new healthcare plan starting the first of the year. Maybe I can address this with my new Dr. at some point. Do you all think it's necessary? It sounds like Diane thinks it is.

BTW, my last holiday card address list was marked "latest" on 10/29/09. Is there one after that?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: We’re going to have to start calling you “Dorothy”. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home! Your yogurt sounds delish. I make my cards with this online program that prints them for me and mails them. I know; it’s too easy! So they are generally all the same so I can get the benefit from the service. Usually, they are in my own handwriting, which is registered in the program, but this year I used another font. I used to buy cards and half the time I wouldn’t get to addressing them so they wouldn’t go out. I do all the baking, decorating and hosting for the whole family every year so I would get swept away and not do my cards! Monday is the neighborhood cookie exchange and I might be hosting that again this year, too. I have to bake, which would have scared me a few months ago, but I can do it now without temptation. Cool!

Barb: I think you bring up a lot of good points today. I used to be confused about Diane’s answers changing also. I think she is customizing the program for Robin, which is so amazing that she can give that kind of personal attention. She must be learning so much from us “real-live” subjects! I'll email you the most current list I have so you can compare. I sent it to Nell last night and she will let us know if I am missing anyone.

I’m worried about Kate’s niece since we haven’t heard about her in a few days. Sending extra prayers today.

 

[momtozac]

Hi ALL

Had a busy weekend and did not get on the computer for long yesterday. I read Diane's blog this morning and thought she was chastising all of us who like step one and that we weren't trying hard enough. I knew she had written it after Robin's note. I'm so glad to hear that she now says step 1 is fine for a longer time. This must be an interesting journey for her too after writing the book and then finding all the things that are really happening with people. Nothing is ever cut and dried or black and white as the sayings go.

I also thought about all of the stress you are going through Robin and was going to mention it, but see that others are thinking about that, too. I couldn't function on the small amount of sleep you sometimes get and that is supposed to be a factor in weight loss, too. Glad you got some extra sleep this weekend.

Lisa - The cheese crackers are made with Costco's Jarlsberg low fat cheese slices. They are in the deli section, not the regular refrigerated section. I cut them into 1/8ths and microwave them on parchment paper. You spread them in a circular shape on the paper. I microwave them for 2 - 3 minutes. I put about 16 pieces on at a time. You have to play with your microwave as each one cooks differently. They get a bit darker in color and nice and crispy. I sometimes microwave a whole slice and put a bit of peanut butter on it. It is just a big cracker!! I think I do that for 2 minutes. I have also used the mozzy sticks cut into 6 or so pieces. I like the flavor of the Swiss cheese, though. I think Bob likes the mozzy ones better. I have also tried cheddar, but don't care for them and there is a lot of fat that comes out and makes a mess. The parmesan ones are great, too. I think you have made those. I do mine in the microwave. I think Diane’s recipe was for the oven.

I managed to get to the pool for the past 2 days. YAY. The water is a bit cold, but once I start moving around it is fine. The sky has been cloud free so the outside temps are lovely. I hope I can continue doing this. If the water doesn't get any colder I will be fine.

I use 1/2 cup of the Frage yogurt and then put some cinnamoned nuts on it. I pretend it is granola!!! I don't think I could eat a whole cup of yogurt at a time, anyhow so it works out fine.

I can't tell you how envious I am of people finding lots of syrups in their local stores!!!. Barb, how did the muffins come out? I think they are great.

I did find the Drew's salad dressings at the health food store next to Safeway this morning so got the roasted garlic - 0 carbs!! I think they just got them in and they had a lot of varieties. Have you tried any of the other ones, Lisa? Some of them had quite a few carbs. There was a sesame - orange with carbs that looked interesting.

Hi Sharron Lee – so nice to see you back and posting. Hope all your plants survive. We used to have to put things under cover in California, too. Not a problem now!!!

Robin – I must admit that once in a while I buy a slice of Costco pizza and just eat the top off of it. It really helps the craving. Just one slice, though!! I have thought about making one out of a low carb tortilla, but don’t have any of the topping ingredients I like at home.

Carol – Happy to hear you are on the mend. I’m so sorry that you are not happy, though. Stress like that has to have an effect on you. Vent as much as you like here. I know some of the group have been through similar trials and are glad to listen. I’ve been married for 41+ years and I am very, very fortunate to have a very loving husband and he let’s me know he still loves me.

Robin – I’m glad the people found their dog as it appears it was a household pet. The poor dog, though -lost for 8 days. She was determined to survive it seems… a happy ending to the story for all.

Natalie - I hope you can find tests and solutions for your problems. How is your mother doing?

Time to go put together some dinner for us. I think it will be taco salads. I froze several servings so will get one out of the freezer.

I think I’ve rambled long enough!!!

my mom's feeling better thanks! have you tried the Drew's dressing? is it yummy? I want a few to alternate with