HORROR-MOANS...WHOREMONES...(HORMONES)

So here it is the 24th of August.  I have been trying to get a grip on my weight, as I FEEL myself spiraling out of control.  It took me a moment to realize that a majority of the HOOPLA was due to the monthly vistor who invites herself into your space.  I was bloated, agitated, angry, lonely, depressed and what was the unkindest word for fat?  Oh yeah, a blimp...

Saturday brought on my menses like the nile during the plagues, and I quickly put myself on bedrest.  I literally did not leave my bed on Saturday with the exception of the bathroom.  The weight of a period was taking its emotional toll on me plunging me into the depths of depression.  What does a chick eat at a time like that? 

When she is mourning the loss of her feminitity?  Her sexuality?  Well let's see...PIZZA?  Cheese burger and french fries, on repeat...yup!  I didn't give a damn!  Had a nasty disagreement with my best friend (and adopted daughter) and it certainly did not help as I slipped further into the abyss...

So now it's Monday.  My "frenemy" is gone and I am determined to LOSE WEIGHT.

I have been eating Special K cerial every morning and Special K cereal Bars for snack.  (Surprisingly, they were actually GOOD.)  I do not know if ANY weight loss has been achieved, but hey...you got to start somewhere, right?  Even if it's in the middle...  So tonight, I am thinking of having a HEALTHY meal!

TONIGHT'S RECIPE

Grilled Veggie Pizzas Alfredo Recipe

This rich and smoky pizza is cooked to perfection…on the grill! The recipe calls for a medley of veggies—like zucchini, summer squash and yellow peppers—mixed with creamy reduced-fat mushroom Alfredo sauce and smoked mozzarella.

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 31 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

1 tube (10 oz) refrigerated pizza crust

1 lb whole portobello mushrooms, stems removed

1 each red and yellow pepper, quartered and cored

1 each (about 6 oz each) medium zucchini and yellow summer squash, cut lengthwise in 1⁄2-in.-thick slices

Nonstick spray

3⁄4 tsp salt

1 cup reduced-fat mushroom Alfredo sauce

5 oz smoked mozzarella cheese, shredded (11⁄4 cups)

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat barbecue grill. Lightly dust 2 baking sheets with flour.

2. On a lightly floured surface, press dough into a 15 x 11-in. rectangle. Cut in quarters; place 2 on each baking sheet.

3. Lightly coat veggies with nonstick spray; sprinkle with salt.

4. Grill vegetables, turning once: mushrooms and peppers 10 to 12 minutes (mushrooms should be tender and peppers charred), squashes 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Cut mushrooms and peppers in slices, squashes in half crosswise.

5. Grill 2 pieces pizza dough at a time, 1 minute or until undersides are browned. Using tongs, turn dough over and grill 30 seconds or until undersides stiffen. Return to baking sheets; repeat with remaining dough. Spread crusts with sauce. Top with vegetables and cheese.

6. Grill 2 pizzas at a time, covered, 2 to 3 minutes until cheese melts, making sure undersides of pizzas don’t burn.

Take ingredients to the grill along with a cutting board and knife.

Happy Eating lovelies!!!!

PCOS...Poly Cycstic Ovarian Syndrome or Please Cut Out Salt...

I think The last time I wrote in this blog, it was 5 months ago, I was in a new office, and I was on track...

Well that was then...this is now...

I now belong to an office of partiers.  They celebrate almost anything and will give a party at the blink of an eye.  What does this mean?  It means FOOD.  CARBS.  WEIGHT GAIN.  I don't know why I felt as though I was gaining, I am steady at 274.  I hate it though, because an addiction is an addiction.  I can't seem to stay away from carbs, sugar and fried foods enough to benefit from the little exercise I do get.

Well never a quitter...I went shopping.  Chicken salad, corn (on the cob), chopped chicken, turkey burgers.  I will get there...

TODAY'S RECIPE

Ingredients:

* Low Carb Tortillas

* Chicken breast

* fat free cheese

* Low carb salsa

* Cayenne Pepper or tabasco

Directions:

Cook the chicken until it's where you like it. Cut it into thin strips and place it on one tortilla. Then top it off with salsa, condiments and top it off with the cheese (2 FF slices will suffice) and place the other tortilla on top. Nuke it for 30-45 sec and then cut it into 4-8 pieces, or whatever you want

Nutritional Facts:

1 Chicken Quesadilla yields roughly...

245 calories

5.4g fat

22g carbohydrates

16g fiber

46.1g Protein

 

HAPPY EATING!!!!

Water...Agua...Vater...de l'eau potable...shui (水)...

It doesn't matter how much you eat, its so necessary to drink water.  My weight has seemed to plateau, and I realize it is imperative that I include water and exercise.  The urge to get my wellness together has crept up on me.  Food is a legal addiction; it is everywher...television billboards...

The strange thing is I am not an over-eater.  I am just addicted to carbohydrates....

So I thought I'd do the one most important thing, drink water.  I wrote the title in 5 different languages so that there's no mistaking...water is my friend...

Tonight's Recipe

A Glass of Water

1 8 once glass

5 ice cubes

add water (Can be Spring or Tap)

rest it on the counter until glass perspires

then drink up!!!

On the Road Again...

Things are on an up swing.  I am now down to 272 pounds!  I went to doctor Stacy's today, saw her dad Stanley and I lost the 10 pounds I gained.  My cooking has changed, my life has changed.  I will be working in a new office come Monday and an enormous portion of my "stressful eating" has fallen to the wayside.  Strangely, my favorite pastime had become more of a chore than a joy.  So I have taken to doing other things like writing...creating.    Sometimes the things you don't want to face are the things you need to.  I did not realize just how stressful my job had become; I did not realize that it had gotten to the point of making me physically sick.  In short, I didn't wanna be there any more. 

So here begins my long journey in my journey to becoming 175 lbs.  Lord, give me strength,

TODAY'S RECIPE

Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar

 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

3/4 lb small mushrooms, quartered

2 Tbsp flour

salt and pepper

3 Tbsp olive oil

6 garlic cloves, peeled

3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp thyme

1 Tbsp butter

Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken breast halves in it. Shake off excess flour. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and cook the chicken over moderately high heat until nicely browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic cloves. Turn the chicken pieces over and scatter the mushrooms over all. Continue cooking, shaking the skillet and redistributing the mushrooms so they cook evenly. Cook about 3 minutes. Add the Balsamic vinegar and broth, the bay leaf and thyme. Cover closely and cook over moderately high heat about 10 minutes. Turn the pieces occasionally as they cook. Transfer the chicken to a warm platter and cover with foil. Let the sauce cook, uncovered, over moderately high heat about 7 minutes. Swirl in the butter. Remove the bay leaf. Pour the sauce and mushrooms over the chicken and serve. Yield: 4 servings.

IT'S LOW GLYCEMIC...ENJOY!!!!

VITAMETAVEGIMIN!

I remember Doctor Duncan telling me upon interview for gastric bypass,  "You do know that this means you'll be taking vitamins for the rest of your life, don't you?"

In all honesty, I would've said anything to have the surgery.  I was 437 lbs., immobile and feeling hopeless.  I knew I was not beyond death.  My brother had died at the age of 21, so I knew for certain that I was not above an early demise.  I was tired of my aching limbs; weary of the weight lifting my life had resigned me to. 

I had heard of many things, researched many things, there were many ways in which to lose weight, but the gastric bypass seemed perfect for me.  So when Dr. Duncan (the doctor I'd found) told me, "you do realize you'll be taking vitamins for the rest of your life don't you?"

He could've said "Bitch, you know you'd have to roll your fat ass on coals to remove the excess weight..." and without pause I would have answered "of course, I do!"

That was in 2004.  Now it is 2010; 6 years later and...SO much has changed!  I went as low as 200, but regained 80...(F*@K); we got a black president and first lady, and I am officially anemic...

I found myself strangely fatigued.  I couldn't even think too long because that really tired me out.  It had me terrified.  I actually thought I had developed diabetes.  After careful investigation, I found that I needed iron and to restart my regimen of a daily vitamins.  I am 35 now, I can't just hope that I can swing things like in my 20s, and to gain and maintain optimal health, I will have to eat better...excersize...and take my VITAMETAVEGIMINS...

TODAY'S RECIPE

TUNA BURGERS

These tuna burgers are really low in fat and carbs and can be served in a bun or with a salad, you'll find that their very tasty.  If you cook them using the George Foreman Grill, they will spread, normal skillet is fine.

40 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

2 cups Tuna, canned in water, drained and flaked

1/3 cup Tomato (Marinara) sauce

1/4 cup Pickled Onions (or Dill Pickle) chopped

2 Egg Whites

1/4 cup Wholegrain Flour

1/4 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

Directions

Mix all ingredients together until well mashed.  Form into 4 burgers. Spray skillet or BBQ with canola spray and cook until golden on each side. 

NOTE: These are soft when you make them, they firm up when cooked.

Number of Servings: 4

Number of Servings: 4

ENJOY!!!

New Developments!!! The Road to Healthy...

Well 2 weeks ago I returned to my doctor who saw I had gained 13 pounds and gave words of comfort.  "It's fine," he said

Acupunture...One Pound at a Time

It's  2010.  My weight now is 280.  I don't think I want to go back to the weight loss doctor as I am concerned about the foreign substances that have been going in my body.  I was at a Kwaanzaa festival when I got information about a Holistic doctor in Brooklyn and I am going to make an appointment.  Food addiction is a mutha.

1/12/10 - I wrote the above paragraph exactly 4 days ago, and the reality that my eating is spinning out of countrol has made me re-think my decesion to go back to the weight loss doctor.  I am ashamed to go to Stacy and have her see me 8 pounds heavier, but I realize, I have to do something before it gets out of countrol.

My doctor is in the office every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.  I am thinking I will go around lunch time tomorrow and pick up my meds real quick.  If doctor Stacy is there, I MUST see her, but if not, I will forgo the doctor's visit.  I can do without seeing the guys...there's something about the connection between us girls...she's AWESOME!

Also I have decided that I am going to my friend Linda for acupuncture.  I will do whatever it takes to rid myself of this unhealthy weight....one pound at a time.

TODAY'S RECIPE 

Low Glycemic Index Recipes - Grilled Ham and Cheese

Share a giggle with a friend with this low glycemic recipe for grilled ham and cheese which tastes so good, you won't believe it's good for you. If weight-loss is your goal, you'll need to watch your bread in-take, so share this sandwich with a friend. It goes great with soup or a tossed salad on the side.

Ingredients

2 slices 100% whole wheat bread (stone-milled)

2 wedges The Laughing Cow® light cheese

2 oz lean deli ham

Directions

Heat a small skillet over medium heat for several minutes.

Lightly brush one side of each slice of bread with extra virgin olive oil. Spread one wedge of cheese on the other side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of bread, oil side down in pan. Top with ham and other slice of bread.

Cook approximately 5 minutes each side.

Bon Apetite!

LEMONADE…LEMONADE…THAT HEATED WEIGHT LOSS DRINK…YEAH!!!!

It started yesterday. You know what I am speaking of. The winds of change -  the fork in the road...the epiphany. I have been spiraling for the better portion of a month. As stated in an earlier blog, I had been consuming most anything I got my hands on, taking or having no regard for the end result, I ate as fast as my little (but stretching stomach) would allow. The epiphany occurred while at another school I found myself in the nurse’s office and came face to face with a scale.

 You know being theatrical as I am, looking at that scale, wind bushes were blowing by as we faced off on either side of the room. I could hear the low rhythm of the western background music as me and the scale placed our hands on the trigger of our proverbial weapons. Suddenly, we drew. I was hit, and falling fast. My weight had sky rocketed.

“Don’t go by that scale, it’s off by 18 pounds or so…who knows.” said the nurse before I burned my fleshy thighs in effigy in my mind’s eye. It was the epiphany I needed to turn things around; stop the downward spiral. To REVERSE the damage done by the depression I sank into, I am doing the Lemonade diet for the weekend. While I do understand that I require help with this, I have decided that I have got to help myself. So here is my plan:

• Get a new doctor. My weight loss practitioner is fine, but I need a general practitioner for all the things that the weight loss doctor doesn’t cover. I am interested in Metaformin or Glucophage to bring down my insulin resistance and assist in my weight loss.

• Surf the web for support groups. Weight Support; PCOS Support; and research and try out recipes to support my journey.

• Real World Assistance – Getting together a group of people that have the same goals (preferably people I do not know).  Gotta start somewhere, right?  Wish me luck!!!

TODAY’S RECIPE

TACO SALAD

Ingredients

• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced

• 1/2 pound sharp Cheddar, diced

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 head iceberg lettuce, washed, drained and shredded

• 1 pound lean ground beef, browned, crumbled and drained

• 1 cup salad dressing (recommended: Catalina)

• 1 (7-ounce) bag taco flavored chips, crushed

• 1 cup salsa

• Tortilla chips, to serve

Directions

Combine the tomatoes, cheese, onion, lettuce, and ground beef in a large bowl. Add the salad dressing and mix well. Just before serving, add the taco chips, tossing to combine with other ingredients. Top each serving with salsa. Serve with tortilla chips.

* PLEASE NOTE: The lemonade diet was attempted, but unsuccessful. I managed to forego 13 hours before I ate something. On the good hand, I think the “cleansing” portion worked!

THE SWINE THAT FLEW AWAY WITH MY DIET!!!

As it turns out, I have only been back in my office twice since I have been sent to different schools to work on the swine flu initiative. Before the craziness, I had my diet down pat in the way of plenty of water, sensible eating habits and weight management from my weight loss doctor.

Well you all know of the misfortune of the attack that I suffered a couple of weeks ago, and what transpired following was a series of unfortunate events…

There have been blatant violations… One of the many has been the fact that if it stayed still long enough I fried it. If I didn’t fry it, I sautéed it in butter and garlic…and didn’t care. I know…I suck! Anyway, the realization that I was probably going up in weight kept me from going to my doctor. I realize now that I have to make changes.

The fact that I am at a different school every other day, reeks. How do you have a balanced diet going from school to school? So today, December 5th, 2009…I change the pattern.

Water

Water

Water must become a staple…

Tonight I am eating water…

bottoms up!

Not Crashing After A Tailspin...

I am trying to find my way back.  I know trying is not the best word, but it is what it is.  Some days I fail...other days I am able to get out of bed, pull back the shades and feel the warmth of a barely there sun upon my face.  I haven't been myself lately.  There was a me emerging, a me I liked...loved even. 

Dream...dream, dream, dream, dream...dream, all that I can do, is dream...
Writers do that.  We spin our

The Leaning Tower of Pizza...

This week has been diabolical.  I ran into a bit of a tradgedy which rocked me to my core.  I have retreated inside the house, to the comfort of food and my four walls.  I got back to work on Thursday and promptly purchased a 96oz container of 7-eleven coffee.  I know damn well that this was WAY TOO MUCH COFFEE, but hell, after surviving a close call sexual violation, I feel myself slipping back to the girl I had been.  This girl was a purist in a whores clothes, she became all the things that hid the gentle heart, she was untouchable in the ways men longed to touch her.  Well I drank about half the container to keep me awake as I had not  slept all night.  I do not feel like eating properly, nor do I feel like counting or burning calories.  I reach home and prepare my son to journey to Queens alone for the 1st time.  I go to an event, then return back to the safety of my abode.  Today, I cannot stand the smell outside.  I am in need of comfort, but no one stops their lives to see about yours.  I dial the one number that I KNOW will answer...

Papa Johns.  My original intent is to eat max like 2 slices...yeah, right.  I'm done with the pie in 7 hours.  In 10 hours I have creamated the pizza, the wings (10) and 2 20oz. Sprites.  Today, I do not care.  Tomorrow is another day.  Today I want the pain to go away.

No recipe today guys, I do not feel like cooking.

Betcha By Golly...WOW!!!

I shocked myself today.  First I got up and had to go to one of the Public Schools in NY to assist with the administration of the H1N1 Vaccine.  This was my second "SWAT team" assignment and I am part of a "clean-up" crew that completes the task not finished by the regular vaccination team.  I get to my site kind of dreading it because my team leader is a major pain in the ass.  From the inception of the assignment on Friday he is complaining about working out of title and midway through the day it becomes crystal clear to myself and everyone else in the room what his supervisors were thinking by sending him on this assignment - relief! 

I am so inundated with this vaccination that I haven't been blogging, I haven't been writing affirmations...I haven't been eating well.  It hasn't been the worst, but it could be in keeping with what I'd been doing the last 2 weeks (I'd really like to maintain the 10 pounds lost while advancing toward an additional 10 pounds).  I get to the school today and wouldn't you know the "Team Leader" called in sick.  I swiftly realize that I am the ONLY administrative staff there for the remaining vaccination we have to administer.  After an hour or so into this discovery, it is also clear that no "new" team leader is coming.  I feel like one of those men in the old west when a town crisis arises that requires more law enforcement.  I am immediately deputized and made the team leader.  Sigh...does this crap come with more money? 

Ever the perfectionist, I examine the folders that were "completed" on Friday.  I found no less than 36 errors.  I took my time and corrected each form and split them into their respective piles.

I think to myself 'oh glory!  I get to go to work tomorrow!'  Right.  I get an ominus call from the powers that be and I am on my way to another school to innoculate...sigh.

On the up, I went to the gym.  Frustrated with my lack of exercise, I went to them gym yesterday at 10pm.  I decide to do the tradmill for 1hour.

At the close of the hour, my numbers look like this:

600 calories burned

4.1 speed

5.0 incline

60 minutes

I put my headset on and let the music take me away.  All of the things I was fearful of, all the things that hurt, all the things that I don't understand.  The tears have stopped falling from my eyes and are now falling from my brow, from my all my pores and down the center of my back.  I had made a goal and reached it.  Isn't it all about the little victories?  If you have enough of them, then the war is really won...isn't it?

TODAY'S RECIPE

Mashed Turnips

Nutrition Facts

Makes 4servings, Serving Size: 0 cup, Amount Per Serving, Calories 133.7, Total Carbs 16.4 g, Dietary Fiber 3.5 g, Sugars 11.2 g, Total Fat 7.1 g, Saturated Fat 1.7 g, Unsaturated Fat 5.3 g, Potassium 235 mg

Protein 2.8 g, Sodium 778.7 mg

Dietary Exchanges: 1 1/4 Fat, 2 Vegetable

Secret ingredients make these turnips taste like mashed potatoes.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Difficulty: EASY

Servings Ingredients

6cup fresh cubed turnips, peeled (about 4 large ones)

1tsp salt

1tbsp sugar

2tbsp Margarine & Butter, blend, with soybean oil, softened

1/4cup Milk, evaporated, with add vitamin A, canned, room temperature

1pinch salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1 Choose turnips the size of your fist or smaller. Cut off the tops in a thin layer. Peel the turnips with a vegetable peeler. Don't bother cutting off the root end, instead peel it clean with the vegetable peeler. Cut the turnips into medium sized chunks. Measure up 6 full cups of them. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot on the stove. Add the salt and sugar.

2 When the water boils, add the turnips. Boil for about 20 minutes, or until the turnips are tender. Drain well.

3 Add the margarine and evaporated milk. Using electric beaters mash the turnips until they are smooth.

4 Taste and add salt and plenty of pepper. Reheat and serve hot.

5 Additional Information

You can divide the mixture up between small baking dishes and treat them like twice baked potatoes. Add bacon bits, sour cream, shredded cheese, steamed broccoli, a big scoop of chili, or tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Microwave or bake until heated through. The secret to getting turnips to take on the mild taste of potatoes is to boil them in water that has been both salted and sweetened. Without the salt and sweetener turnips have a stronger flavor that some people find objectionable. If you've never had turnips treated this way then you are in for a real treat.

Give it a try!!!

YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!!!!

Is It Worth the Weight?

I have a new philosophy: "Si Usted No Lo Puede Deletrear, Quizá Usted No Lo Debe Comer" or "If You Can't Spell It Maybe You Shouldn't Eat It."  Y'all know I have been trying to lose this weight and in my quest to do so I have ingested somethings that maybe I shouldn't have. 

I'm in the supermarket the other day and I'm thinking what foods can I buy to support my funeralizing the fat?  The easy thing is to say: fruits and veggies and beans for protein.   Right!  In actuality beans are another form of carbs, and without the right knowledge of your body chemistry you could very well be packing on the pounds.  Dang!

This is when I start to think to myself that I am frustrated and I want this ungodly weight off my frame.  I don't wanna be skinny, but Lord knows I can deal with thick.

I am walking past isle 4 when I see a stand full of un-bagged teas.  One of the teas is call "Antiparisito."  Now listen, no habla espanol, but I knew enough to know it said "No parasites."  So dumb me, I'm thinking, "okay, I should clean out so that I can get an honest to goodness start, maybe I should get this tea..."

So, like most full-sized people, I over-do it.  I purchase 4 bags.  I rush home, throw the entire contents of 1 bag (although the direction say 1/3 of the bag - hindsight is 20/20) into a pot of boiling water and wait.  In 12 minutes, the contents of the pot is a rich forest brown.  I search the draws in the kitchen and find a strainer (thanks grandmama).  I put the contents into a supersize mug (ain't everything super-sized?) and add to peppermint puffs (I do not have the lemon drops or honey the bag ask for).  Greedily, and even though I am unsure of the taste I slurp down the elixir.  I wait an hour and...nothing.

Of course by now, I surmised that whatever's swimming in my intestines is too strong for one cup, so I drink another.  Again, nothing...until 11:58pm.

Before I know it, I am doubled over in pain and I can't stand up straight.  I spend the entire night on the toilet, with book in hand and entirely sleepy.  Let me be clear for those of you who haven't gotten the moral of the story:

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME.

PLEASE.

If you have decided to lose weight have your general practictioner do a blood work up on you.  It's pretty important and they can rule out anything medical.  The last thing you want to do is treat something and not have an understanding of what's happening internally.  You can trust that my dumb ass will not be doing THAT again!

I don't think I have gone back to myself yet.  God help me.  I went to the gym yesterday and worked out for an hour.  I was determined to burn 340 calories.  I fell 100 calories short.  Tomorrow is another day.

I'm ready...one pound at a time.

TODAY'S RECIPE

Hungarian Beef Barley Stew Low GI!

A delicious and very satisfying main dish stew.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat, cut in 1/2" cubes

1 large onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 28 oz can tomatoes, undrained

3 cups water

3/4 cup pearled barley

1 Tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika

2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp caraway seeds

1 cup sour cream

Directions

Heat oil in a 4 quart sauce pan or Dutch oven. Brown meat in oil in two batches. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender. Drain off excess fat. Stir in remaining ingredients except sour cream. Bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, meat and barley are tender (about 1 hour). Ladle into individual serving dishes, topping each with sour cream. Yield 6 - 8 main dish servings.

The Over Weight Lover's In the House!

Its funny.  I was SO gun-ho to handle things concerning this weight exorcism.  I still am in it to lose, but I am physically weary.  Honesty is my best policy, so here goes: I DID NOT GO TO THE GYM THE OTHER DAY...

I have been discouraged, (as I am sure we all get sometimes) even amongst the glory of victory.  I went to the doctor and low and behold my weight loss for the month of October is 10 pounds!  I know I should be happy with this...10 pounds is really no small feat.  But I will be honest in saying I do not feel excited.  I just feel like my energy pulling me toward the bed.  I don't want to do ANYTHING...

I spoke to my honey for a few moments and it was magical...as always.  He is peace for me...joy amidst an unjoyous existence.  I love hearing his voice and even if the entire day has been turbulent, once he enters via phone call or delivers himself to my door, I am elated as thought a leprochan delivered gold to my door or the mega million guy is waiting outside with my check.  He brings me THAT much joy.

One of the things I want to regain is my sexual prowess.  The extra weight has depleted my ability to own my sexual ability.  He gives me UNBELIEVABLE love-making.  I want to be able to give it back.  It's like the me inside wants to give him the best of myself and the weight tires me out.  I am determined to lose the weight.  I want to be in control of how I make love to him, just as he controls how he makes love to me.

Tomorrow my son will be going with his dad, and I think I will be going to the gym tomorrow.  I believe that I will use my man as the determination for going to the gym.  When I have reached my goal I am gonna SO put it on him!  LOL!!!


TODAY'S RECIPE
Barbequed Ribs

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours Ready In: 11 Hours 30 Minutes
Servings: 8
"These ribs require a double cooking process and an overnight bath in a marinade. The spicy rub and rich sauce make them worth the wait!"

Ingredients:

4 pounds baby back ribs

4 cloves garlic, sliced

1 tablespoon white sugar (I chose to omit this)

1 tablespoon paprika

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup chili sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 clove crushed garlic

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Place ribs on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Scatter 4 cloves of sliced garlic over ribs. Cover, and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cool slightly.

2. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and ground cumin. Rub spices over cooled ribs. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

3. In a small saucepan, mix together brown sugar, cider vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, dry mustard, and 1 clove garlic. Simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for 1 hour. Reserve a small amount for basting; the remainder is a dipping sauce.

4. Preheat grill for medium heat.

5. Place ribs on grill. Grill, covered, for about 12 minutes, basting with the reserved sauce, until nicely browned and glazed. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.


Enjoy it!!!!

Renee Michele

Exorcize! (Does Running Away From the Gym Count?)

I am definately eating better.  I did not realize how much this blog would assit me in my food choices, but it has.  I was having a pity day yesterday (as a Piscean will often do) and decided I was going to eat what I wanted to.  Oh well.  I did get fried chicken wingettes, ate 4 and brought the rest home to my son.  Quite honestly, the vegan route is difficult and I am going to make the attempts to make the right choices.  I have to do more investigating for what works for my body, and I emplore you to DO THE SAME.

Since I do have PCOS, I realize I have to get my body back in order.  Randine Lewis, who is the author of the book I told you I am reading, has a site you should look into www.thefertilesoul.com/.   Even if you don't have PCOS, she teaches on TCM (traditional chinese medicine) and ways of restoring balance back to your body.  Why should weight demise be any different?  Maybe applying the principles of what she teaches to what we are exorcizing will be what I need.

Speaking of exercise, you do know getting there - to the gym - is the battle I face.  I haven't been to the gym since the week before last and well my body feels the difference.  I have found 2 things I love the most at the gym: the eliptical and the treadmill.  I stayed away from the treadmill for a long time due to accidents I'd heard multiple friends had gotten into.  Well I am done with that.  No matter what time I get home tonight, I will find my way to the gym.  I have been exercising...sort of.  Lord knows, I have been running.  Away from the gym.  I know, I know...I'se going back!

TODAY'S RECIPE

Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

8oz spagetti (cooked)

1 pkg Chicken-free Nuggets. (we used Health is Weath brand)

4-5 slices Mozzarella Alternative (We used Soymage)

Vegan Parmesian (Again, Soymage)

1 jar spagetti sauce

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Directions

Unwrap and slice mozzarella into strips.

Bake nuggets according to directions on package. While they are cooking, cook spagetti according to directions.

When nuggets are done, cover with spagetti sauce. Liberally cover with parmesian. Arrange mozzarella strips in a cris-cross pattern on top of nuggets and sauce. Replace pan into oven and cook 3-5 mins or untill sauce is hot and cheeze gets a little melty.

Serve over spagetti.

Hint: This would work well with patties, but the nuggets let you control portions better.

"V" is for Vegan...Is It Good Enough for Me?

I did some serious investigating today. I began to mentally catalog the reasons behind my choice to lose weight. I have always been somewhat satisfied with myself, save for being 437 pounds. Quite honestly, there is no way to put a positive spin on hundreds of pounds of exccess weight. Once I had gastric bypass and had settled back in the 200s, I was mobile again, but my hormones were and are out of whack. My menstrual cycle only visited about twice a year. A lot of women were foolishly jealous and said so. Now with funeralization of 200 unhealthy pounds, my period returned every month, but only twice a month. These women thought me fortunate because they didn’t understand that NOT having a period was not a good thing. Now I am at 276 pounds. I have decided to do things differently.

After research, I realize the things I love the most (in the way of food) have to be done away with. No more 24oz. 7 eleven coffee. The pure thought of going vegan is spinning me crazy, but I have to do what I must to get my body in good health.

I purchased a book today called “The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies.” I know, I know…it may sound like that is my primary goal, but truly, it isn’t. Having PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) gives one a lot of limitations. It injects the system with great amounts of testosterone. It litters the face with hair; it literally pushes the eggs to grow outside of the ovaries instead of expressing it out of the system when not fertilized. As I leafed through the initial pages I realize one thing. I have to make a life change.

Will I have more children? I don’t know. Will I have the option? Absolutely.

TODAY’S RECIPE

Vegan JambalayaSo how does a meat eater follow a vegan diet? I found a cool website called http://www.veganmeat.com/. If you’re trying to make a life change and you’re a heavy meat eater, try this site, it may jolt youon the road to wellness…

Jambalaya
Ingredients
· 1 package Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix
· 1 package Green Giant brand fake hamburger
· 1/2 - 2/3 of a medium onion, chopped
· Badia Louisiana Hot spice.
· 2-3 cloves garlic, grated.
· Olive oil
Prepare the Jambalaya mix as per directions. Add some Louisiana Hot Sauce to the water when it comes to a boil.
Put oil in frying pan and heat, add garlic and sauté 'till fragrant. Add onions and spice. Sauté' until done. Add fake hamburger and cover with hot spice. Stir 'till the fake hamburger is hot.
When Jambalaya is done add to the hamburger/onion mix. Mix and eat. This recipe is simple and relatively quick.

Enjoy this guys! Happy Eating!!!