http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/ Atkins Diet and Low Carb Diet Support, research and free low carb diet recipes. Resources for low carbohydrate diet plans such as the atkins diet and the south beach diet. en Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:22:33 GMT vBulletin 60 http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/images/misc/rss.jpg http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/ http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/406-day-11.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:27 GMT Well I am hanging in for the long haul and have dropped 4 pounds.

I have pinpointed the 'witching hour' where I've noticed I tend to want to eat when I am not hungry(between 4 and 6 pm) and have switched to drinking a cup of tea instead.

I also am limiting my time in front of the computer and TV and started reading again.

So taking it slow and steady this time around. ]]> LucyB http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/406-day-11.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/amy/405-confessions-carb-addict.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:52:46 GMT I have been fooling myself. I have told myself that if I cut out the sugar, then I'm LCing. And maybe it would actually be correct, if I wasn't an addict. The small portions of potatoes and bread lead to small portions of carby fruits, which leads to small portions of something sugar, which leads to larger and larger portions.

So, as of right now, I am on the induction phase that I have subconsiously been avoiding. I know that it's necessary in order for the struggle with my will power goes away. I have a headache. I want to get into the halloween candy. I am irritable and grouchy and snappish. But this too shall pass. And I will come out on the other side with the poisions cleaned out of my system. And I will feel stronger. And I will feel less stressed, and less tired and fatigued. I will sleep better. My skin will glow. I can get there, and I will get there.

Here's to us!! *lifts her glass of H2O* ]]> ***Amy*** http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/amy/405-confessions-carb-addict.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/403-food-between-friends.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:39:30 GMT Today I spent some time with my friend who has just moved four miles away. We have always shopped together, gone out for lunch, etc. I didn't realize it would matter to her so much that I follow a low carb food plan. Everything she mentioned I'd say I couldn't eat it. I was looking for Bob's almond meal flour at the Health food store and she said "what about whole wheat flour? You won't eat that?" I told her no and she looked bummed out. Baking bread is what people who are into homesteading do. And homesteading is what I write about and people ask me about. So she couldn't understand that I won't do that anymore. At least not now......in the future I will find alternatives for that. Right now though, I am keeping my carbs at 30 or below. :reddance:

A little later, she says to me, "I had potato soup today. You probably couldn't eat that could you?" I tell her no. Then she says, "what about a sweet potato?" I say no to that too. Then she says, "I'm glad I am healthy and don't have to worry about that. I could never eat that way. I'd get sick if I tried it." I tell her that sugar and white flour is like poison and I am not hungry at all on this. She says she'd starve. :whistle:

Now for one thing, she is not that healthy. She had her gallbladder out last year, has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was not trying to get her to try LCE. Never mentioned it. But I think she is disappointed that I cannot go to her house for meals because it is all high carbs. :what: Or go out to eat with her for the types of food we used to eat. Desserts! Everyone likes that sugar laden piece of pie or cake after a big meal. Not anymore!

I can go out to eat and I do.:) My husband and I go out to breakfast mainly. But there are a lot of things you can eat that are low carb in a restaurant. Now going to someone's house is another story!:eek:

katlupe ]]> katlupe http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/403-food-between-friends.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/402-hump-day.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:06:06 GMT Well I have not had any loss yet but I am being more mindful of what and when I eat. The mindless eating is what caused my to gain. You know, you take the big Costco sized bag of whatever and sit down in front of your computer or TV or at your desk to catch up on reading/bill paying and soon... Well I have not had any loss yet but I am being more mindful of what and when I eat. The mindless eating is what caused my to gain. You know, you take the big Costco sized bag of whatever and sit down in front of your computer or TV or at your desk to catch up on reading/bill paying and soon you realize, 'Hey where did all the(insert your fav snack) go?" Hmmm I will strive to eat mindfully and not mindlessly.:spider:PS I have decided not to do Induction(Atkins Fan here) but OWL as I don't have that much to lose and am not in a big hurry. ]]> LucyB http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/402-hump-day.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/amy/400-back-again.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:44:17 GMT So I sit here, again. At this one thing, I have continually failed. Don't get me wrong, I have had some successes, but I always seem to find myself letting it go. I try to convince myself that I love myself unconditionally. Cos I know I should. But this layer of my body that I have hid behind, that makes me feel less, I don't love it. I don't want to accept it. I have tried. I have tried to just look myself in the mirror and say, "You are enough. You are beautiful no matter whether your 100 pounds or 300 pounds" And oddly, sometimes for awhile I can start to feel accepting. But the feeling of self deprecation always finds it's way back to me.

So, now, I know that this won't be the last battle of my lifetime. (Life is never that easy on us) but it is one that I am going to succeed at. I have all the rest of the pieces of my life in the right places. I have done a TON of self work on my issues. And I am ready.

I am doing this for me this time. I am not doing this to make someone want me or love me enough. I am enough with the weight or without. I just want to feel pretty to me.

When I get married next year, I want to look at the pictures and feel from the inside out, that I am gorgeous, and beatiful and glowing, and not hiding behind a layer of fat or a layer of clothes to hide the fat.

I am committing to this WOE and also to continue my time at the gym. I have tried help everyone else be the best that they can be, and now it's my turn!!

:reddance: ]]> ***Amy*** http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/amy/400-back-again.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/399-day-one.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:45 GMT Well it's a gloomy Monday but I am in a good mood. Looking forward to getting back to where I was earlier this year.

Time to break the bad habits and continue to add good habits.

Off to the woods with my furry girl, Rita!:bat:
]]> LucyB http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/lucyb/399-day-one.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/398-putting-things-off.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:36:59 GMT Fall is here in upstate New York and I look around and wonder where did our summer go? I think people do that with their lives every day. They keep saying I will do this when I have more money. I will do this when I get married. I will do this when I have children. I will do this when I am older,... Fall is here in upstate New York and I look around and wonder where did our summer go? I think people do that with their lives every day. They keep saying I will do this when I have more money. I will do this when I get married. I will do this when I have children. I will do this when I am older, when I am thinner, when I am _________ whatever.

I know I am guilty of this myself. You cannot put things off that you want to do because you just might never do them. I make goal lists now every day. I keep them on my desktop and check them every morning. I admit my goal lists are not earth shattering things like hiking around the world or exploring the tropical rain forests. There are many things I have started doing around my home that I would never have done by now because I kept putting them on the back burner.

Many times losing weight is exactly one of those things you put off. Keep putting it off and you never start. I know a few people who talk about how they lost weight easily on Dr. Atkins, but they have some excuse why they can't do it right now. And what is happening to them now? Yep! You guessed it......they keep getting heavier and keep having more health problems. Those health problems keep being more serious each time.

Now how many people will put off starting a diet because the holidays are coming and they don't want to be restricted by following a food plan at that time? Almost everyone starts their diets or new exercise programs on the new year......after they ate themselves silly the night before. Just think if you started now in October, what would you look like on New Year's Day 2010? When everyone is just starting their new diet.......you will be 68 days ahead of them! :wow: ]]> katlupe http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/398-putting-things-off.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/393-way-making-dreams-come-true.html Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:26:50 GMT Well, I am back! Missed you all.
First of all I had the worst flu I have had in YEARS. I don't think it was swine flu, or whatever they are calling it right now, lol. But it was almost as bad. Back in the 70's I had the Swine flu and it was AWWWFUL! One morning I was 16 years old, strong and healthy, if nuts, and jumping off my roof to practice "tuck and rolls" for the skydive I was planning to make later in the evening when it started to cool off. I was wearing a coverall and heavy boots, which is always kind of hot here in New Mexico in July-- I think it was about 106 outside. I remember thinking I hadn't ever felt that hot before, and that this would be my last jump before a big glass of iced tea and collapse under the swamp cooler. The next thing I knew, I was seeing purple and red swirls on the ceiling and my best friend was trying to get me undressed and into bed. I figured I had missed the "tuck part" and broken my neck or knocked my brains out, lol... but no,
I had 106 degree temp complete with 100 % aches agonizing pain and top of head blasting headache, chills, fever, heat, halucinations, etc. etc.

I wished I had just gone ahead and jumped out of that plane without the parachute! It lasted about a week, and boy was I mad to have lost one whole week of my VERY IMPORTANT SUMMER and another one being weak as a new kitten while I recovered. How much skydiving, water ski jumping, dirt bike and horseback riding, and flirting with cute boys you miss in one week! I couldn't even get out to the corrals, much race hotrod around town or go country dancing, lol

Well this time, whatever it was felt about as bad, but my temp was only 102. I figured my really close to 50 abused body just couldn't take the heat. I am sorry to relate that I ate several chocolate chip cookies which didnt even taste good, because they were the easiest food to get to and get into my mouth. I didn't enjoy them, but at least i didnt gain any weight.

I must say my low carb resolve went completely out the window while I was sick. If someone had offered to put bread, white rice or a french fry directly into my mouth I probably would have eaten it without a second thought, but no one did. I stayed home alone after sending my son (also sick, but not bad enough to keep out of trouble) to grandmas.

Anyway, I'm baaaaaaack. and it feels great to be eating low carb and not feeling bad. While I was gone we have really taken lots of steps toward making our dreams come true. We have decided to look for farm or ranch property we CAN afford, (as opposed to the 2.5 mil lavendar farm we wanted) and to move to subsistence farming as soon as possible. We are in the research stage, but I am pretty sure you are talking to a future goat roper. LOL.

My stepmom and I are lunatic crocheters/weavers/knitters (well, she knits, I am not bright enough to do that. Ha Ha, she has been trying to teach me to cast on for about a year now. I can do wonders with a crochet hook with or without pattern, but i can't even keep the loops on the needles in knitting!). So we are also researching raising angora goats for mohair/meat or various types of goats for fibre (Cashmere) which we would sell to coop and keep some for ourselves, and our hand spun hand dyed yarns and or garments. Then we started looking into the goat dairy business, and farmstead cheesemaking.

My DH has just about killed himself working in the computer business, and it is still slow. I think he is looking forward to working outside again and getting immediate satisfaction from knowing a job is well done, and done with the hands.

This all started because the three of us (Me, stepmom, and DH) were all raised on farms or ranches, but ended up in town . We are looking at our son/grandson and wanting him to have the life we had. We are also really tired of traffic, iritated people, rampant growth in our area and no planning for agriculture or wildlife, etc. etc. etc.

That said, I've been putting myself through "Goat University". LOl. I always planned to be a farmer when I was growing up, but ended up with fine arts and teaching degrees instead.

When i went to college, small farms were dissappearing faster than chips and salsa on the table at my favorite Mexican restaurant. The programs they offered at the state ag college were seemingly geared toward agribusiness, large scale farming, and range management. They had a great wildlife science dept here, but I knew I didn't want to work for the federal government, and in those days that was it besides NM game and fish. (Now I sometimes wish I had gone ahead and done it, lol).

So, I am spending hours researching goats, remembering what I haven't used in a long time (canning, organic gardening, small animal husbandry). While my daddy was healthy we always "homesteaded" in town, lol. For a while, in this little sleepy college town -- the one it used to be not the gian city it is becoming-- we even had a burro in the back yard a mile from the college. Ha, he walked on a leash like a dog, and nobody ever complained.

But I have not been living that way much since I started teaching-- the demands of my job took away the time i used to spend growning and canning or drying my own food, making fresh bread and tortillas every day, etc. etc. (well, the bread part is gone forever).


All of us have been collecting books, links, websites, and classes on small farm marketing plans, livestock plans, grants and loans for small farmers, and looking for real estate. Twice now we have found the "perfect" farm only to have it sell before we got to actually visit the property. I'm also doing genealogical research for myself and my stepmom. We know and can prove that we are both of Cherokee/Choctaw/ Chickasaw descent, but there are some loan programs which require Dawes roll evidence. I probably won't find it on some of my relatives, they hid out in the hills of Arkansas rather than going on to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears-- but it is a great excuse to finish the genealogy project I started years ago with my grandmother. In my mind it is definintely tied up with both farming and family traditions and even oddly enough gaining or losing weight. I sure do miss my old folks, and all the stories and knowledge they had. Looking up geneological info and Farm/goat info has triggered some long lost memories in my brain. I thought of people, places and even Cherokee recipes that hadn't crossed my mind in YEARS in my lunatic paced urban life.

Well, thats where we are. I am still on a plateau, but feeling better and determined to keep it up. Back to induction again I guess. Felt so good last night to go out for an ice cream cone with the family and not even want an ice cream. They ate theirs and I sipped a diet coke which tasted just fine.
See ya on the farm!
S ]]> Oonagh http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/393-way-making-dreams-come-true.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/sassygirl326/390-back-track.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:02:38 GMT I've slacked. Majorly. ...there I've admitted to it. After getting back on track this week I've finally mustered up the courage to log back in. After poking around a bit, I ended up editing my profile. I am happy to report that, even though I've slacked, I've kept off a decent amount of weight. So I've updated my current weight and even knocked off 5 lbs off of my original goal weight (extra motivation).

Here's to happy (healthy) eating low carbers!

:thumb: ]]> SassyGirl326 http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/sassygirl326/390-back-track.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/389-low-carb-meals-easy-prepare.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:09:03 GMT Having access to all the recipe websites such as recipezaar, allrecipes and cdkitchen, etc, just to name a few and that is not listing all the lowcarb sites and blogs where there is a wealth of recipes, it is not difficult at all to find whatever recipe you need. I go to the recipe sites and put... Having access to all the recipe websites such as recipezaar, allrecipes and cdkitchen, etc, just to name a few and that is not listing all the lowcarb sites and blogs where there is a wealth of recipes, it is not difficult at all to find whatever recipe you need. I go to the recipe sites and put "low carb" into their search box and usually get pages. Sometimes I find recipes that are not really low carb but can make the changes to them to make them acceptable to me.

Using vegetables in place of noodles or rice has become second nature to me. My husband is willing to eat my low carb foods as long as they taste good. He KNOWS it is a healthier food plan but has a hard time giving up bread, sugar and snacks, though he has replaced potato chips with peanuts. I notice though that if he buys the peanuts he gets the honey flavored ones :no: and I get the regular ones.

It is true that most people think that low carb means no carbs. So hard to get that through their heads. I told the girl in the grocery store the other night that I eat low carbs and she wanted to know how long I have to stay on that. I told her "forever!" She said she knows she eats all wrong because she lives alone and gets something frozen and brings it home and microwaves it. I think microwaves are really bad for you and would never have one in my house so I felt pretty bad for her. I told her low carbs does not mean no carbs it means meat, cheese and lots of vegetables. She was surprised about that. As most people are.

It does seem to me that if you have a family, including children you would want to start them eating this way. Just start cooking this way. Provide low carb snacks and they will change. It is a little more work but if a member of your family had a health problem and had to eat a certain way wouldn't you be willing to do it for them? Of course you would! So instead of waiting for them to get a health problem start making homemade food for your family that is low carb and they would never even realize it. :nod:

One thing I like to do instead of sandwiches is making a antipasto platter. Set that out on the table for a snack. Everyone can snack on it and you can put what you want on it. If you can find an old cook book or if you have some, they are a goldmine of recipes. The ones I like are from the 1930's-1950's and have recipes for sandwiches using meat that you chop or grind up with mayo, olives, hard boiled eggs, banana, peanut butter, anchovies, chopped onion or vegetables, cream cheese, cream, etc. Nobody seems to make those type of sandwich fillings anymore. I remember my grandmother did and they were good. Just be sure to put them on something low carb! :clap: ]]> katlupe http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/389-low-carb-meals-easy-prepare.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/388-comparing-recipes.html Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:56:19 GMT It is so hard for me to keep my mouth shut when I see or hear people discussing low fat foods. Like for instance on facebook right now, there has been an on going discussion regarding low fat cream of chicken soup. I mentioned to a FB friend that I make my own mixes because if you take a look at... It is so hard for me to keep my mouth shut when I see or hear people discussing low fat foods. Like for instance on facebook right now, there has been an on going discussion regarding low fat cream of chicken soup. I mentioned to a FB friend that I make my own mixes because if you take a look at the ingredient label of Campbell's cream of chicken soup you'd be wondering what EXACTLY was in there! As a modern homesteader, I have made my own mixes for years now. But have changed even that since going low carb.

So now the friend did figure out her own recipe but it is low fat and no sugar which is good of course. But the discussion between her and her other friends was all about not wanting any butter in it at all.

I found a new recipe for it myself today and I can't wait to try it. Mine of course, has butter AND heavy cream. And EGG YOLKS! I doubt that any of them would want to try it. It is called Low Carb Cream Of Chicken Soup. Very simple. I will tell you the ingredients of the other one includes flour, cornstarch and milk. Probably as bad for me as Campbell's. Campbell's did have MSG in it and that is VERY bad for you too.

katlupe ]]> katlupe http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/388-comparing-recipes.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/386-what-i-want-when-i-grow-up-next-installment.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:42:55 GMT I want to be able to get up off the floor without looking like a large marine mammal. I want to be able to bend over my vegetable garden without feeling like I am going to barf, from pressure on my stomach? We found a Lavendar farm and ranch with about 2000 acres in the mountains, I would... I want to be able to get up off the floor without looking like a large marine mammal.

I want to be able to bend over my vegetable garden without feeling like I am going to barf, from pressure on my stomach?

We found a Lavendar farm and ranch with about 2000 acres in the mountains, I would so love to buy it and farm it, raise goats and spin my yarn, We do crafts, and I would enlarge the B &B part for a retreat type atmosphere, and maybe add riding stable. There are trails in the forest land too. There is a upick garden and a business selling lavender products and blackberries. I would like to be healthy enough to do these things, even though I know I would have to commute 20 miles to the local school so I could get retirement and insurance.

I would like a place to invite local musicians for a community barn dance and music fest, a place for artists to come and work, a place for weavers to come and take classes,

I would like my dogs to run free and my son too. I grew up that way and I still miss it.

The fun part is that this is one dream that doesn't have much to do with weight, except for my empty purse, lol. Its light. The property is listed as 2.5 million dollars, and I can barely pay the bills we have now, lol. Maybe the Lord wants me to be a Lavender farmer and something amazing will happen. Anybody want a time share? I keep telling my friends,
Put in some money and I will share anytime you want to show up, lol. :)

The FAT/SKinny thing is that it would be hard for me to do some of the work with my health as it is right now, but I am trying to get stronger as I reach goal, just in case....:) Well, maybe I can just go visit it sometimes. ]]> Oonagh http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/386-what-i-want-when-i-grow-up-next-installment.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/381-fat-dreams-skinny-dreams.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:04:54 GMT I have always had a very rich dream life. There were a couple of years when I slept only an hour or two a day because of fibro and not dreaming was as disruptive as the exhaustion. The only thing i can complain about is how real they are, lol. You know the old saying about flying dreams? (You... I have always had a very rich dream life. There were a couple of years when I slept only an hour or two a day because of fibro and not dreaming was as disruptive as the exhaustion. The only thing i can complain about is how real they are, lol. You know the old saying about flying dreams? (You never feel the crash) That has never been true for me since everything is in living color, surroundsound smellovision etc. The pain in my dreams hurts worse too. I really hate it when the monsters finally end up eating me bit by bit, but it is balanced by the joy of hugging my Grandmother, making her laugh, spending time with my Daddy and others who have passed long ago, etc.

Just this week I realized it has been a month or two since I had any of my alltime least favorite dreams. BEING TRAPPED. Over the years of my heaviest weights, I frequently dream of being stuck like Pooh in Rabbit's house: the front end outside in the rain and the back end used as a towel rack for wet towels and raincoats. Lol, only MINE are terrifying, not funny.

In these dreams, I am caving, cave diving, or fighting a fire, or trying to get into or out of a house, store, etc. I am stuck, wedged tight in the door or hole, suffocating, having a full scale panic attack, claustrophobia, and shame and mortification because there are always witnesses. In the case of cave diving or fire fighting, i am alone, slowly suffocating and or roasting while the tide rolls in and no can find me or help me.

Before i started treating my sleep apnea, I was also struggling for every breath. Sometimes in the hospital in an old time oxygen tent, dying from pnuemonia, sometimes trapped underwater with my air running out and my fat body wedged beneath the wreckage of a ship.

Since I started losing weight, I no longer have any of these dreams. Phew~ Now if I can only find a way to get the trex from following me I'll be great~
Sweet dreams. ]]> Oonagh http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/381-fat-dreams-skinny-dreams.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/379-one-minute-muffin-better-known-omm.html Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:45:42 GMT One of the hardest things for most people when switching to low carbs is the no bread thing. I mean, how can you eat a sandwich with no bread? :eek: What can you eat with your eggs in the morning? What about peanut butter? You can eat that! But without bread!:heh: Anyone care for peanut butter on a... One of the hardest things for most people when switching to low carbs is the no bread thing. I mean, how can you eat a sandwich with no bread? :eek: What can you eat with your eggs in the morning? What about peanut butter? You can eat that! But without bread!:heh: Anyone care for peanut butter on a spoon? Well, to be honest, I have eaten it that way myself. Not bad.

The One Minute Muffin or better known as OMM comes to the rescue. I eat it with my eggs all the time. I cut it in half and use half with each egg. Dips great!

You can spread peanut butter on it or whatever you want. If you go to the thread about it....yes, it even has it's OWN thread on here.....and read the whole thing.....you will see there are so many ways to eat it. Quite versatile to say the least!

I have tried it several different ways and so far my favorite is to use the DaVinci's Sugar Free Gingerbread syrup in it for the sweetening and flavoring.:writethink:

The link for it is right here http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-di...te-muffin.html and if you have not tried it.....now is the time! :clap:

If you become creative with it.....post on the thread and let us know so we can all try it.

katlupe ]]> katlupe http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/katlupe/379-one-minute-muffin-better-known-omm.html http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/378-carreer-changes.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:46:16 GMT I am sitting at my computer in my classroom at 4:31 pm on Friday of Labor Day Weekend. Something is wrong with this picture. I still have to score tests, rescore tests someone else did wrong, and clean up for open house. I am so tired I am crying, but I had to do something else for a minute or... I am sitting at my computer in my classroom at 4:31 pm on Friday of Labor Day Weekend. Something is wrong with this picture. I still have to score tests, rescore tests someone else did wrong, and clean up for open house. I am so tired I am crying, but I had to do something else for a minute or go crazy. I hurt all over too.

I tested 56 kindergarteners today in both their first and second languages. Thursday I had to give them a "fill in the bubble test" in English, Hey, they can't read, but they have complex listening tasks and reading tasks in their second language they need to do, right? I don't agree.

I have given 20 years of my life-- heart, body, soul and mind to this profession. I am not sure how in the world I didn't get divorced-- there was a long time there when DH would have to call me at 10-11 at night to remind me to come home. I always said if I was single, I would probably be skinny because i would have a cot, a cat, and a couple of can's of tuna in the house (no time to shop). Thank God I got my priorities straight when my son was born.

Every day I see myself doing things I don't think are appropriate for young children-- things like really testing them to death, forgetting all about play because someone higher up is pushing a curriculum that USED to be 1-2nd grade, etc. I see myself getting grouchy because they come to me with little oral lanuguage in any language, no idea how to behave with others, etc. etc. This is in an atmosphere of extreme pressure and negativity from administration, lawmakers, and the press.

Arrrgh. I used to love this job. Even though the stress has probably accounted for the 10 pounds a year I have gained since I started teaching.
Now I still love children and teaching, but when the next nine years are done, I'm DONE!!!!

Well, we can't live on retirement pay and since it doesn't seem like I am ever going back to being a writer or an artist, or any of the other hundred or so jobs I've had, I need something to do to provide for my family and help me survive the nest that will be empty a year or two after I retire.

Lately I have been dreaming about how to combine some of my talents and my interests to come up with something new. I got excited when I saw Jonny Bowden's website ad for a weight loss coach: I can imagine myself opening up some kind of business that combines weight loss (LOCARB) coaching, maybe exercise where nobody cares if you are fat (I don't plan to be when I hit goal, but I still remember how people stared at me last time I had a gym membership) so exercise or dance, and some kind of spa/cafe or even B&B where you could eat really good locarb food and just RELAX, REJOICE, RENEW, etc. Music and art fit in here somewhere, as well as massage therapy, and prayer. Nope, can't do all this myself, even though i still think I can. I know burning the candle at both ends is part of how I got in such lousy shape in the first place.

But how i would LOVE to go to such a place, and how I would love to be able to afford it. I wouldn't want an EXCLUSIVE anything, just a place where ordinary women (and men, I guess) of any class could go and find acceptance, peace, great motivation, and help.

Any ideas?
Maybe I just crave peace right now. Is this a totally crazy idea or do you think it might work??? ]]> Oonagh http://lowcarbeating.com/low-carb-diet-support/blogs/oonagh/378-carreer-changes.html