See you next year....September!

It's fall here, and things are in transition...changing. The leaves are turning bright red, orange, and yellow,  the mornings are cool, and the days are warm (that's quickly, very quickly about to change!). It's a magical time of year.

I'm changing too. The change is slow, but it's happening. Though not always apparent on the scale, I look a little different. My belly is smaller-go figure!

 I wanted 'dessert' last night.   I thought of all sort of things: ice cream, pie...you get the idea. I could have had anything I really wanted, but it just wasn't that appealing.  Instead I put a few blackberries in a bowl, some ready whip and crumbled a few of those tiny, crunchy Joseph's cookies...and it was satisfying.  Yep, I'm changing.

I'm also going to change up my routine: I'm going to follow Fast Track-starting Sunday.  This Sat. I'm going to get foods, etc. prepared, so I should be ready by then.  Since it's a very specific food regimen, I'm going to get a least the first 3 days work of meals ready:  Getting snacks ready is small bags--ready to go if needed. Grill or prepare the meat proteins.  I think I could roast some veggies too, especially the brussel sprouts...and get the salad dressing ready. Though it is pretty restrictive-it's good to be a be able to trade snack for snack, etc.

I see from some posts that a few of you are starting on Sunday too.  We didn't plan that, but it works out nice!  We're all good at sharing and supporting each other.

Good bye September--hello healthier October!

Best Wishes to you all-
Jeri

Fast Track

I'd love some feedback on who may be doing the FT. I haven't gotten the book, so I'm behind the times.  Any of you thinking of trying it?

Here's a picture taken about a month ago. My middle looks a little smaller than it did a few months ago. I just need to keep going...

Random and not related:  I've been having problems trying to post comments on many of your blogs. Any recommendations for the cyber-limited person.

Vegetable of the week - Bok choy

Monday, September 26, 2011

Bok Choy:

I love this little nutritional powerhouse. For us BFC'ers: 1 C Raw/shredded = (s)/1 (c)/2...and about 52% of our Vit. C. You've probably ate it in stir frys, but it stands alone as a side dish...or raw in salads. My son puts some of this mild veggie in his green smoothies.

Check out http://nutritiondata.self.com to see some of it's other nutrients as well. Just put in Pak Choi-that's just another name for it...AKA: white cabbage.

My DIL lived in Malaysia as a girl and her family cooked it simply:

Thinly slice white stalks and saute in little oil & add grated fresh garlic/ginger. I use my microplane and it works really well. Once it softens add the shredded green leaves and quickly cook until slightly wilted. There are lots of recipes online as well.

You might like this...

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

- Norman Mac Ewan



...just a little thank you to some of the most generous people...I've never met.

Have a blessed day!

Jeri

Friday night confessions!

I think I might have slightly lost my my mind last night-after I ate a few ravioli (ok, it was 6 I think...I really didn't count!!!) I did eat them with some sauteed bok choy & shrimp, so all wasn't lost. But just like the 'old' days-I wasn't full. All I could think about was eating carbs-sugar--whatever I could get my hands on. Instead I did finish  Dawn's chocolate cookies...with whip cream (5 cookies-and a lot of whip cream) It could have been so much worse...but it wasn't.

Funny how after doing the BFC for 3 mos. that carb/sugar addict is there in me, just waiting to come out.  I didn't jump on the scale this morning-I walked past the large bathroom mirror, and said "whatever."
 It was just one meal and today's a new day. So I'm ready to plan a little better, and not get so hungry. It may be best for me to stay away from those ravioli!!!

Here's to a new day!! And I hope yours will be wonderful.

P.S. Thanks Rosy for your post. I appreciated how you invited anyone on any plan to be a part of the support offered...I like that. 

Beans...beans...

Ok, so you know the rhyme about beans.
They're not sexy like chocolate, but they're good for you!
I've been on a I need less animal protein and more veggies.  I know this about myself.

Beans are delicous, protein & fiber rich, and good for you.  Google: benefits of beans, and consider how to add them to your diet. And they can be BFC friendly too.

I soaked, seasoned and cooked some yesterday. Great on my afternoon salad, and 'refried' some for dinner.
To make refried beans (no oil):
Heat can of beans (black is great-check out labels for fiber, etc...pretty impressive)  Or some of your home cooked ones w/ the juice-
Add seasoning...I like Costco's taco season mix, but a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic, pepper, etc. is very good to. No need to add salt w/ canned beans-in my opinion.
Once they get bubbly-start smashing with a potato masher or immersion blender-depending on the consistency you like. And within minutes you have 'refried beans'. If they start looking too thick before you're done mixing-just add more bean juice or water.
One day I'll be better at uploading pics, but for now I'm pretty proud of myself for blogging!
I hope you each have a wonderful day-

P.S. Speaking also of chocolate...go to Dawn's blog and check out the 'cookie' recipe.  They are tiny chocolate nuggets of yumminess.  (Is that a word?). Why not have them on occasion, instead of a square or two...or three of chocolate?  Fiber/heart heathy fats/protein, etc. 

She was right...

Hello BFC'ers:
So you know how I was was kinda whinning on Monday morning that I was up 2 lbs?  Rosalie was right-it's gone, and it took another one with it, and 1 more inch gone in the wasit.

Just another lesson is patience.

11 lbs lost in 3 mos...not that impressive.  But I've learned a lot, and my tummy looks way better.  So cheers to another day. I'm going to have a repeat of my lipid panel, and I'm curious to know of the changes that are taking place-I'll let you know how that goes.

  Here's my food diary for yesterday:

Bfst.- None (that almost never happens!)
Lunch- Flat bread cracker, 1/4 avocado, roasted chicken...green smoothie: almond milk, kale, raspberries(mixed with ice, water, little Stevia and blended)
Snack: Cauliflower & hummus...few pistachios during the day.( Just FYI: Trader Joe's has these Thai chili & lemon grass pistachios that are delicious)
Dinner: Spinach & Arugula salad w/ (6) count them (6) raspberries , roasted chicken & 2 T sunflower seeds...made a quick dressing of lemon juice & olive oil
Totals: S/5 - C/6

Do any of you miss eating an abundance of fruit like I do-how's that been for you?

Monday-Monday

Monday-Monday--
Doesn't that just make you want to listen to the Mamas and the Papa's...that comment surely aged me.

Good day all. I've been up for hours, but still on my bed-wading through mail, bills, life etc...and might I just add...I'm grateful to have a life to wade through! I do have clients this week-but not today. I'm always grateful in this economy to have those who still feel they benefit from massage therapy.

  I'm determined to get up (very soon) and take a walk. My man left for a business trip, so it just me and Max (the dog).  I'm on track and looking forward to my day-eating healthy-exercise-work. I may even take myself to the movies tonight, if I find anything good. I'm  also looking forward to the week ahead.

Question?? Anyone have any BFC recipes that are full of veggies and meat free? Anyone out there have any good tofu or bean recipes?  I'm not a vegetarian, but I do like to add vegetable proteins to my meals. I have Rosalie's stir fry recipe.

Best wishes to each of you-
Jeri

I'm Back-

It's good to be home-but my arms feel a little empty without those grandbabies.
I got on the scale the morning and found I gained 2lbs-not too happy about that.  I didn't track while I was away, but I made lots of good food (health) choices, and my days were full and busy.

I'm ready to:

1. Return to my meditative walking---I just made that up (good word, huh) , but that's what it is for me. I've chased little ones around a lot for the last 3 weeks, but haven't done much focused walking/exercise
2. Release this extra weight-I just don't need it anymore! 
3. Catch up with you -I've missed your support and updates.

Though I have longings-I still feel abundantly blessed. We all are!

Hello BFC'ers

Greetings-I'm working today and getting ready to leave for CA tomorrow afternoon.
Grabed a walk this morning after eating some Uncle Sams/Almond milk...had some nuts/celery for snack.
Man, I've been off the last few days...I will get on track...I will get on track...
I hope you're all having a great day.
Jeri

Just a heartfelt thank you!

Hello fellow BFC'ers...It's been such a full week with company and all that entails. My family goes home tomorrow, and it willl be a sad day here at the May home. I'm leaving to go out of town for 10 days-starting on Wed. I'd love to announce how well I've stayed on plan this last week, but I can't. It could have been a lot worse, so I'm pleased with the progress I've made. So how is that for being nice to myself! I'm feeling a little anxious about being away from home, but I'll do my best. I plan on packing my Chia seed, whey protein, few nuts, etc. Once I get there I can do a little shopping if needed. My family-- I'll be with are very health aware and will be supportive. Their lifestyle is active, so I'll stay active as well. And I'll be on the coast of CA in Sept. and enjoy some of the most beautiful days of the year in that little section of the world.

Thank you to each for you for your comments and emails-I so appreciate each of you: your time, your stories, your support, and your efforts as well. We're all on the path of self-improvement-yeah for us!
Take Care,
Jeri