Celebrating along the way...

Thanksgiving Day 2011

This is what 171 lbs looks like on me.  (Yes, I just posted that!)  I have  least 30 lbs to go.
When I'm at goal::
Will I be happy with how I look?
Will I dislike my less taunt skin?
Will I still be unhappy with my belly?
Will I be able to celebrate what I've accomplished?
Will I feel satisfied?
...just things I think about.

Tuesday's Musings...or something like that

Sleep is incredibly important...just ask those who would like more of it!  Enough said about that. 

The other day I saw a quote (found on Pinterest, of course)

 "Eat for the body you want, not the body you have" 

I interpreted that as: Jeri, you are working towards a healthy, active and lean body, so eat those foods that will support that.

I've thought about that the last few days. Last night I wanted to 'pound' a pie I saw in the grocery store, but didn't. Or eat a big fat hunk of bread, but didn't. (Can you tell I'm totally hormonal?)  I am eating for that body I working to create. 

So that's what I'm going to do today...

A New Week

...yesterday, I rested and rested. My sleeping is crazy-so I would like to say I feel rested this morn, but no.  Any over-the-counter sleep aids that won't make me feel loopy the next day?
At 1:00 am-- I was considering my options!
However...
Today is a new day:
* dental appt.
* clients
*holiday shopping
* keep working on projects
*Zumba in the evening
* Say something really kind to myself - "Good for you for making time to exercise"
I hope you're as kind to yourself as you are to me-and others. That's something I'm always working on.

Rush - Hurry

...two words I REALLY don't like at all.

I recently found out I'm needed in CA (new grand baby to love!)  a week earlier than originally planned. So...I have to be completely done w/ all my Christmas shopping/wrapping, holiday everything...by Dec. 15th.
That includes finishing up baby blankets-and a family history picture book  (what was I thinking??)

I'm not a rush/hurry type of girl. I spent most of my life in that mindset, but now I don't/won't/can't over schedule myself.

I'm feeling off today because I haven't slept well the last two nights, and haven't exercised in over a week!  It doesn't take much to get off balance does it?

So we just keep pressing forward-that's my plan
...and maybe a nap.

No Black Friday Regrets

It might be because:
my husband & I spent Thanksgiving-just the two of us (I've been feeling grateful all month-so I didn't feel I had to put all of that into one day...or one meal!)
or
I'm getting older
or
I'm less addicted to sugar
or
???
But it was another day-granted more food, and food I don't generally prepare, but I did just fine. I savored a few appreciated bites of mashed potatoes & stuffing. I'm creating a lifestyle I can live with.
No matter how you 'celebrated' yesterday-I hope you savored all the things and people you love.
No black Friday regrets here...have a great weekend!

Just a thought...

"The line between failure and success is so fine that we...are often on the line and do not know it.  How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success."

-Elbert Hubbard

I make a toast (me w/bubbly water) to each of us, for our effort, our patience, and our shared success.

...Happy Thanksgiving

P.S. I lost another 1 1/2 lbs (If you're keeping track that was almost 3 wks. worth of effort and patience!)

Saving room for dessert & other holiday tips

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving-
This has got to be the easiest (for me at least) Thanksgiving ever...it's just me and hubby.  I'm cooking some of his favorites-less the rolls.
I'm preparing a small turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, spinach salad, jello salad and a few 'mini' fruit pies for him...and I have my pumpkin pudding. There will be a can of redi whip...I always have one in the fridge.
I can easily eat the turkey and spinach salad.  I'm going to make my own 'mock' stuffing with all the ingredients I generally use for stuffing-less the bread, and will add zucchini, mushrooms, and maybe even eggplant. (I'm fast tracking, so I avoid grain carbs)
A few things that will help me on Thursday-and helps me on other days as well is:
*I won't let myself get too hungry: Eat the meals before your Thanksgiving meal.  When I get too hungry-I don't make as wise of choices.
*I am planning what I will eat, and that includes dessert
*Check out my friend's blogs: We all have our own strategies for staying on course for the holidays and for every day. Feel welcomed to join in.

Tastes like the holidays-

Creamy Pumpkin Pudding

I wanted something 'pumpkin' in honor of Thanksgiving. It's just a method, so it could be changed up in lots of ways.  Servings: Depends :), but 6 seems about right for 'dessert'

In a bowl mix together:

8 oz cream cheese (room temp-beaten until smooth)

Then add:

6 T Chia Seeds

1 C almond milk

1/2 sm can of pumpkin (maybe next time, I'd add the entire can)

6 pkgs. Stevia

2 t vanilla

1 /12 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t ginger

It set up really well in about 1 hr. I topped this with redi whip and freshly grated nutmeg.

Happy Thanksgiving

See you all on Monday-

It's suppose to snow here...
so I'm going to embrace it, YES, enjoy it:  
This weekend I'm going to create some BFC friendly chili, drink lots of herbal tea  (Yogi Brand- Vanilla/Hazelnut-tastes like Chai-and is delicious), finish crocheting a new scarf, and work on Christmas gifts. If I do anything 'brilliant', I'll post a pic too.

I hope you all have a great weekend-you are all often doing something 'brilliant', and I appreciate you sharing your talents-that includes your thoughts with me.  Thanks for your never ending support-it keeps me going.
A big welcome to any newcomers-I think you'll be glad you joined in.

Take Care-

Another Coconut Bread Recipe- My favorite so far

Orange Pound Cake

I adapted this from a recipe I found online.  These had the best texture so far-not dry at all-for coconut flour. And as you can see I added (2) Ghiradelli Choc chips before baking...everything is better with a little chocolate. Once cooled they go in the freezer, and get pulled out for 'treats' only. Sometimes I just need a little something w/ Redi whip on it!


Orange Pound Cake-
350 degrees- 30 min. baking time in muffin tins
Mix in bowl-until well blended:
5 eggs
1/2 stick melted butter
1 C almond milk (recipe calls for coconut milk)
2/3 C water (recipe calls for OJ-I just adapted)
Zest from orange
1/2 t orange extract
1 t vanilla extract
7 pkg. Stevia
1 T apple cider vinegar
In separate bowl:
1 C coconut flour
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
Mix well - wet/dry ingredients together

Have a good day, from your BFC/FT'ing friend
Jeri
P.S. Zumba was fun!

Zumba and Other Important Things

I finally made it on our elliptical yesterday. I was on 1/2 hr. while I watched Rachel Ray-Jorge was on.
My decision:  I'm glad I have it, as there are times 1/2 hr is better than nothing...but... I'll be bored out of my mind by June (when the weather gets stable again, maybe!)  if I do that everyday.  So I'm going to a local Zumba class tonight-why not!  I can go and try it out, and see if this class/instructor fits.
 I tried to prepare for this winter: The, I need to workout/I get bored with my exercise videos/I miss my mountain river trail walks--type of mentality.
Exercise is my brain pill. I can say that because many of my family have depression, anxiety, etc., and I know how beneficial medication can be. For me: eating well, exercising, working, and a little sunshine/ fresh air help keep me physically and emotionally well.
Obviously, I am no athlete, but I don't have to be to enjoy movement. That's the key for me: I need to enjoy it so much, that I look forward to it each day.  If I don't--- exercise just becomes something on my mental list-that I just don't get to.
So I'm off to eat well, work, and get a little exercise today...as you know I'm allergic to cold, so we'll see about the fresh air thing.  I can only work on so many things at one time!!
Have a great day!

I weighed in today-

The 'other' Jeri would be have been disappointed with only a .5 lb. loss, but the new Jeri is elated!
I finally lost the last .5lb gained while in CA, plus another; for a total of 19.5 lbs.  Yes, it's taken me 5 mos., but that extra weight is coming off.
I may be the winner of the slowest weight loss in BFC/FT history, but I can live with this lifestyle.  I say that, and I'm FT'ing.
Another thought: I'm not worried about the holidays, because I feel like I have so many options. Once I began looking for them-I found them in abundance.
I wish you abundance as well!

"Whatever you're looking for... it's not in the pantry"

...that's what my husband told me last night.
 He was right.
 I was feeling frustrated from a meeting I had had earlier, and I  had spent some time 'venting' to my husband.
When I was done, I got up:
went to the pantry
opened a bag of tortilla chips
 and ate one
...very quickly.
  In the old days I would have eaten a lot more than one-I would have probably finished the bag.
I ended up drinking another cup of  Pero, and ate a square of chocolate
So I'm making progress after all.
We all are.
I hope you have a good day-and find what you're looking for :)

Sunday-Hope it's your day of rest!

Thanks for the cold-weather compassion!  Katie's bed warmer may be most dear to my heart!

The day is starting well:
Brfst.
Spicy Shrimp leftovers (I told you I ate odd)
2 eggs w/ lots of spinach
Hot Pero w/ benefiber-touch of almond extract & almond milk
I've lost 1 of the 1.5lbs. I gained while away in CA...but we know that can change by tomorrow.  Yep-I need to get on that elliptical!

Then I'm off to get ready for church and a few planning mtgs.  We all 'rest' in our own way :)
Anyone finished with their Christmas/holiday shopping? (in case you wondered, I'm not)
Any great gift  ideas for a 23 y/o single guy?

I'm allergic to the cold

I do this every year:
...feeling sluggish as soon as the weather changes-and gets below 50 degrees.  I am not doing well in the exercise department.  When it's warm outside-I feel like I come alive.  I can hardly wait to get out and walk...long, luxurious walks. Yes, you heard a longing in my voice.
I have a gym membership (waste of $$ for me), lots of exercise videos, etc. And we have an elliptical.  I know what I need to do.  If I wait to be motivated before I get it moving... it won't happen: work first-then the motivation comes.  I know this.
Just an FYI, I'm writing this as I lay in bed-covered in blankets.
Are you allergic to winter too?

TGIF 11.11.11

 I'll be spending the morning with our grand-daughter-working this afternoon-and hubby will be coming home from business trip early this evening. All good things..

I realize how 'odd' I eat sometime, but let me share this kale salad recipe. If you don't like or want to eat kale- Check out the salad dressing-it would be good on Taco salad or on grilled meat or veggies.
 I really love this side dish, and it was perfect with the shrimp I grilled (love my grill pan). Kale can be a strong flavored green, but the dressing holds it own, and mellows the kale right out... I will be making this again.
Kale Salad w/ Chipotle & Avocado Dressing (Recipe modified from the Raw Chef)
2-4 servings
Put in serving bowl:
1 head of kale (take out rib, finely chop- I used the food processor)
'massage' w/ 1 t salt-will soften and look wilted
Add veggies of choice: I added red bell pepper (recipe called for tomato)
Recipe calls for 1/4 C hemp seeds, but I didn't add any. Toasted pumpkin seeds to garnish would be good though
Chipotle/Avocado Dressing ( I put all dressing ingredients in  food processor- could use blender)
1 avocado
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 clove garlic
1 chipotle pepper (I used canned in Adobo...spicy, but good
1/4 C olive oil (I used 1/8 c.-I don't think I'll use any next time)
1/4 C lemon juice
1/4 C vinegar
Process and mix w/ chopped kale. Stores well for a few days.

Greetings

I'm still FT'ing, and  I plan on continuing through Christmas. After that I'll  decide how I feel it's going. It's so easy, and I feel content. See Cat's blog for some thoughts on contentment.  I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I can have anything I want, but right now I just don't want lots of sugary, higher carb foods.  What a relief it is to not feel dissatisfied, and hungry all the time.
Here's a little snapshot of my eating-this was yesterday's meals:
Brfst:
2 poached eggs (I highly recommend the microwave poacher-got mine at Wal-Mart for less than $3.)
Spinach- I lightly heat this, until just wilted
Lunch: got busy working/running errands-but had a serving of pumpkin seeds
Mid afternoon snack:
Ricotta pudding- In addition to the 1 T of choc chips, I also added 2 t of homemade almond butter. See Dawn's blog for directions for how to's. It's so easy and delicious. Making it yourself is a real $$$ saver, as almond butter can be pricey.
Dinner:
Italian Sausage
Kale salad w/ red bell pepper-homemade avocado dressing
After dinner treat:
Reddi whip/choc
I'm with Rosalie-I always have a can in the fridge. I like having a 'treat', and this does it for me.  I don't do 1/2 & 1/2 in my Pero, so I feel ok about having the reddi whip...just about every day!
Blessing to you all-

Happy Wednesday

My daughter Erinn and I.
Can you believe she's going to have a baby in 7 weeks.
I think I've shared how I really don't like to have my picture taken.
That being said-I do like seeing my body changing-my face is getting smaller-among other things :)
My children and grandchildren are great motivators for me, and I want to be able to keep up with my growing family.
I think its valuable to remember why we started this journey
Happy Wednesday everyone!

Home!

I've sure missed you all this last week.  I can report I did very well FT'ing while gone. Yes, I had a few bites of this and that-but I kept my personal promise of  making as smart choices as possible. If you've been in the Los Angeles area there is an old deli called Langers. They have exceptional rye bread-so I ordered the #1: Pastrami on rye.. thoroughly enjoyed the few bites of bread. I'm up 1.5 lbs. this am, and I'm not concerned at all. It'll be gone in a day or so. It's been my pattern.
 I try/tried to not make a 'big deal' of my lifestyle changes. As I've said before it's really simple. My children are pretty health conscious, so I didn't have a lot of explaining to do. My daughter did want to know what was in my
ricotta pudding. I can appreciate some of my foods are odd-so be it!
I'll try to catch up on your blogs-I have a few clients today-I'm officially home!

"Leaving on a jet plane..."

I'm leaving for CA this afternoon and will be gone until next Monday evening.  I'll be enjoying my family, and a baby shower for our youngest daughter Erinn. Her baby is due right at Christmas. They're choosing not to know the gender of this little one. They have a son-Eliot who is 18 mos., so she'll have 2 babies!

To prepare for FT'ing: I packed some portioned out nuts/choc...my pero w/benefiber & stevia, a few portions of Jay Robb protein powder (just in case), and the almond crackers I made yesterday. I'm determined to FT as best as I can while I'm away. It's a little more challenging when you're at someone elses' home, etc. But I know how to make smarter choices-so I'm going to be smart :)

If I'm able to check in while I'm gone-I will. If not...keep taking care, and I'll be thinking of you.
P.S. 2 lb loss on the scale this morning!

I love these 'crackers'

I just wanted something spicy...besides my hubby :) So I made these last week-and again today:
Spicy Almond Crackers
2 C almond meal (I didn't have flour, so used the meal)
1 T oil (olive or coconut)
1 egg
2 T water
1/4 t: salt & garlic powder
1/2 t cumin
now here's the spicy (but not too spicy) part:
1 lg dried chili (I had pobalano-shake out seeds & remove stem)-Grind this up in a blender-it will be a fine 'chili powder'--or you could just put in 1 T of your favorite chili powder

Mix/roll out between parchment, cut (I use pizza cutter)
Bake @ 350 about 15 min or so. Break apart a let cool.

Have you ever cried in a dressing room?

I did yesterday...

  I went into Old Navy...tried on a size 12 pair of jeans, and they we're just a tad too big. I knew in a few weeks they'd be way too big. So I got the 10's, and yes they fit. They'd look better in a week, but I could totally zip them up (without help).  I got teary even before I knew what was happening, and then I realized how happy and relieved I was.

So the scale is only one indicator of how well we're doing.  When I type out 6.5 lb loss w/FT'ing in 28 days; it seems minor, but standing in that dressing room, surrounded by mirrors, zipping up those size 10 jeans, and liking my reflection was worth all these last weeks.  And it didn't feel too minor at all, and we can celebrate our 'minor' victories-way before we get to goal. (I have about 25 lbs to go to reach my 1st big one)

If you haven't already, you may end up crying in the dressing room too :)
Bless you all for your support-it's made all the difference for me.
Keep taking care-