Hi guys,
Fly by for me. I worked today, so I'm shower and sofa bound...LOL.

Peg! glad you checked in, and glad you are having fun! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Barb...hope your home 'puter is back on line. Did the *live in* geek take a peek at it?

Alida...you sound like a pretty busy lady this week. Be well.

Donna...ditto on a busy week. The same...be well

Judy...will you get to stay home this weekend?

Nita, Bert, Heather,...hola!

To our MIA's...Bren, Rach, Teel...wishing you all well!

My throat is WAAAAY better today. I took a *BIG* dose of benadryl last night, then this morning, I took a Claritin(non drowsey) and the drainage/congestion is almost totally gone...TMI, I'm sure. Anyhoo...I think the last several days have been more allergy symptoms than a sore throat re-occurance...whew! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...I refuse to get sick again!!! I mean it!!!!

Off to watch a little HGTV!

(((hugs to all)))
Shell

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

I'm HERE!

DH stayed an extra week in FLA--looking into some other living situations for his Mom--you all know the drill. She is ok, but dh senses it's time to start considering alternatives for her. Meanwhile, I was essentially computerless in spite of overabundance of electronics around here--- and couldn't get the laptop to wifi anywhere. DH came back Tues didn't have time until this evening to fix/replace the "whatever"--ye gad, some board or other in the server, and oh, yeah, the laptop was "reconfigured" at some point during the last few months w/o the wifi board....

I haven't caught up with you all yet but wanted to see if my chair was still by the fire and/or my blanket on the beach. It's been eerie, but interesting to be in time warp. I know I should have gone to the library, but kept thinking, "well, dh will be home tomorrow" which went on for several tomorrows. Don't know if I'm making sense tonight--a little bleary here, but am glad to be able to report in.

I want to catch up before I say anything inappropriate, so will see you all tomorrow.
HUGS, WHEW!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Welcome back, Brenda. Yup--we're still here, except for Peg, who, as you see, is in Bora Bora. We love her, but we hate her!

It wasn't my computer acting up, I'm thankful to say--just a slow day from my internet provider. Seems better today. My printer however....

As for the geek--I hardly ever see him. He's working on his senior project at school late into the night, and still sawing logs when I leave for work in the morning. I suppose he's getting something to eat on his own. These days, I never know who's going to eat what or when around here. I try to plan for mimimum spoilage.

We've been enjoying the rain, although it's amazing how long the chill is hanging on. We'll probably go straight into a scorching summer, and wish for a cool day to come along.

Donna and Heather, life goes on, doesn't it? We just do what we do, and see how things unfold. Shelley, I'm glad you're feeling better. You've had a rough go.

My scales are "stuck," too. But that's okay with me, considering the unseemly quantities of chocolate bark I've been making and eating these days. I know that if I make it, I'll nibble at it until it's gone--you know, as though if I only ate it a little piece at a time, the calories don't count? Talk about your old attitudes! I'm counting on the "healthy" properties of coconut oil to make up for the indulgence.

Gotta run. Take care of you.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Good morning!

Today is SHOW DAY. I hope we have lots of people at the booth. The booth arrived from our 3M distributor yesterday .... and not one Prestige sign. Sigh. So I am trying to patch together something that looks like a Prestige sign for the booth.

Brenda!!!! It's so good to hear from you! I know you mentioned earlier that your server was on the fritz. Gosh. That was a long fritz! I hope DH has figured out something for his Mom. I know at one point you were thinking of having her in Chicago.

Sorry -- I have to run -- but before I do, BARB, would you post that Chocolate Bark recipe?

XXOO

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

COCONUT BARK

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted in microwave
Cocoa powder to taste (I use 2-3 heaping TBS)
Splenda to taste (I use 2-3 packets) Stevia is good, too
Chopped nuts if you want

Put a metal pan in the freezer until it's good and cold. Line it with a piece of wax paper.

Melt the oil, and mix in the other ingredients. Pour this into the COLD pan. You can control how much it spreads by cooling the mix a bit before you pour it. Pop the pan back in the freezer to harden the bark. Break it up into pieces. Voila! Store in the freezer or fridge, as this stuff liquefies at room temperature.

Be careful how much you eat, if you're not used to consuming coconut oil. Can cause digestive distress.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Howdy everyone!! It's thundering and lightening in the distance now. The kids are all up sitting on the couch watching cartoons and enjoying the rain. We've been up for an hour enjoying the storm. The only bad thing about it is that we won't be able to walk today. I jumped on the elliptical yesterday and will make sure that I find time today too. Only have Jays doctor appointment to hopefully get a higher dosage on his ADHD medicine. He's been having a hard time in school, church and here at home focusing and following through. I think that a bonus to having ADHD is that it would keep you thin. Just think if we could all have that much energy ALL THE TIME.

Donna - Have a good day either shopping or going to the ballgame.
Peg - Oh Peg, I hope you have the best time!

Shelley - That's great that you are feeling better!

BC - Looks like it is starting to be blanket at the beech time. Aww....such a nice thought.

Barb - Have to forget that I ever saw your recipe. Looks to wonderfully delicious for me to be responsible around - lol.

Alida - Have a great day at the show and please let us know how it all goes when you are ready. I can imagine how tired you will be after.

__________________

Hope that you have a great day Shelley with your DH celebrating!!

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Awwww....thanks, Heather.
Yeppers...today is our 33rd wedding anniversary. DH is at work, but lucky me, I'm off for the rest of the week...yippee...skippee!

I"ve got errands and grocery shopping on the agenda for the day; hope the T-storms don't move in until I get back home

So....I guess I'd better hop to it, have some brekki, and hit the road!

Oh...since today is memorable, I'm honoring the day by starting Atkins induction!
So, Alida...looks like we'll bop along together down that road!

Hopefully back later, chickadees!
(((hugs to all)))
Shell

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Shelley: Happy, happy anniversary. 33 years....wow.....good for you. Are you celebrating? Good to hear that you have finally shaken that bug.

On the day that you were getting ready to be married....I was screaming my fool head off while in labour. Yup....ds is 33 today too.

Alida: Have a good day at the show. At least you get to get out from the basement at work. Sometimes a change is good, ya know?

Don't forget Survivor and Grey's Anatomy tonight. After a busy day you might have to fight to keep your eyes open.

Brenda: Silly girl. Of course your seat is still here and kept warm for you. We knew you didn't desert us. Good to see you back. Nice to have dh home?

Barb: Any ideas how many carbs in that Coconut Bark? I'd have to be careful cause I'm not used to coconut oil....had a real time of it one time when I got into the low carb candy that had malitol in it....not fun.

As for stuck scales.....they are still stuck today. *sigh* I'll keep on keepin' on though.

Peg: Do you know how many people here hate the fact that you are there and we are here? lol Sure hope you're having a perfect time!

Heather: T storms huh? It's a gorgeous day here...blue skies, sunshine and a warm breeze. Wonder what the afternoon will bring? I have grass to cut tonight so I hope this keeps up. Dh has a ball game in town (I'm staying home for Survivor).

****

Well, guys I phoned the dr's office yesterday to see what they wanted with me....and it turns out it was dh they wanted. I guess his cholesterol tests are back and they want to talk to him. Wish the stupid receptionist would have talked clearer. Now he's all worrried and can't get in to the dr. until tomorrow. Maybe he should have worried before he let his health go downhill...(meow)

My youngest grandson will turn 3 next Thursday. I didn't have a clue what to get him until I opened up the Sears catalogue and there was a sheet set and comforter with Spiderman on it. Now I know I will be giving him something he wants! Little guy just loves Spidey and the Ninja Turtles. And....it will arrive the day before his birthday. Gotta love catalogue shopping.

So, I guess I have to swallow my pride and call my ds today for his birthday. We haven't talked since he let loose on his sister. I hate this not talking in families....life is too short.

I have a friend on the ballteam who has been so sick since she got home from a trip to Maui. Can't shake what she thought was the flu. On top of that she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. They got the lump out and now she has to have radiation. When she went for blood tests for the radiation....they found out that she has hepatitis. I'm not saying she got it on the trip...but they say you can get it from ice cubes in drinks. She's such a nice lady....hope she's okay.

Okay, it's time to get some work done. I've been here an hour now and I think I have most of the "important" things done....like talking to you guys. Have a good day.

__________________
Donna
238.5/166.4/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Ohh, Donna.....I had forgotten today was your *labor day* as well!!! Happy laboring!
May 3rd is a good day
Sending Happy BD wishes to your *baby boy* I bet he'll be so glad to hear from you, that he will not even mention his squabble with his sister....hope so anyway.

(((hugs)))
Shell

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted here, until I looked back to start "catching up".

I've gotten back on all my supplements, and am feeling much more myself now that I'm back on my St. John's Wort. I tend to get into a negative mode of thinking unless I'm religious in taking it. And Monday I started on strict induction, and so far have lost 2.5 lbs. I was reading Dr. Mary Vernon's blog, (she used to be affiliated with Dr. Atkins) and she made an interesting point about each of us finding our balance as far as carbs are concerned. Here's what she said:

"Dropping down to 20 grams of carbs/day from leafy green vegetables and eating the remainder of your energy needs from meat and fat, then adding low glycemic carbs back in slowly (after you have attained metabolic health) allows each person to find their own balance. If that is 20 grams of carbs from leafy greens every day for the rest of their life, then that's what it is."

She seems to be describing me in that last sentence. Since Monday, the only carbs I have are from the cream in my coffee & tea, and the 2 salads I eat each day. If the losses continue steadily, when I'm down 20 or 25 lbs, I'll think about adding in more carbs, but right now I'm leaving it as is. Dr. Atkins used to say that some of us might not ever get above the 20 gms per day.

We have had some bad weather earlier this week, with tornadoes skirting around us out in the less populated parts of the county, and most of the really heavy rain bypassed us, too. Now today is sticky humid, but really pretty outside.

Where do I start?

Bert, I'm so glad your dh's surgery went well. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Barb, keep hanging in there with your hubby. I guess those of us with weight problems just don't understand how anyone can just not eat. Perhaps the dr threatening to put in a stomach tube will get your dh eating again.

Shelley, so you and Alida and I will be inducting! I'm glad to have the company. And happy anniversary.

Alida, 4 lbs is fantastic! One nice thing about doing induction is that it's so simple to make meals.

Heather, it's so much fun watching thunderstorms roll in. We used to sit on the front porch when we were kids and watch. Actually, we'd play out in the wind until we saw lightning, then run onto the porch and wait for the rain to hit. (We were easily amused.)

Donna, the first 3 days of the month are the busiest for me, too. Today is extremely busy. People who get social security and TANF get their money today, and they all want to pay their rent today. And since 2/3 of our residents get social security or SSI, we really get swamped! I hope it slows down a bit for you.

Brenda, nice to see you pop in. Don't know what I'd do without my electronic geeks around. Probably have to go back to smoke signals.

Peg, we want to hear all the details about the trip, and pictures!

Judy, I hope the nasty weather skirted around you, too. In this part of the state, we never complain about rain, even if we get flooding. We know that too soon we'll be praying for the rain to come back.

Who am I leaving out? Please be assured that I'm not snubbing you. I just have a short memory. If I missed you, I wish you a wonderful rest of the week, and an even better weekend.

__________________
Nita

Shelley, congrats on 33 years of marriage. You've got the secret--a little distance, eh?

Donna, 33 years of motherhood deserves a medal, too.

Nita, I'm a big fan of Dr. Mary Vernon. She lives in Lawrence, KS, which isn't too far down the road from here. Her blog is informative and helpful--and I consider her the living disciple of Dr. Atkins, in case I ever want to give "him" a hug for making my life so much better.

According to Fitday, unsweetened cocoa powder has 12 cals and ONE net carb per TBS. What a bargain! If you figure eating a third of the batch, that's only about two carbs, counting the Splenda. The oil is fairly calorific, but coconut oil is a special version of saturated fat--medium chain fatty acids. If you're doing very low carb, I think it's one of those fats that doesn't stick to you. YMMV, of course. It won't give you a tummyache like maltitol, but it's easy to O.D. on the oil until you work up to it a little. I eat CO every day in my OMM--about a TBS, so 1-2 more TBS as chocolate bark doesn't bother me.

The other day, I got carried away, and ate THREE Russell Stover SF mint patties, made with maltitol. The whole rest of the afternoon, I tooted relentlessly, and wondered why.:o

I need to go home and look after the patient. The nurse came today to draw blood for liver enzyme tests, and after sticking him FOUR times, never found a vein that worked. She was apologetic, but dh was apoplectic. What can ya do?

Take care.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

If anyone is interested, I dug up the old PODO journal in the journaling forum.
I'm going to start again with posting my totals for each day. I need the accountability it offers. So c'mon over to PODO and lets keep each other inspired!

Day 1 of induction went well; just not enough water, but I'll get there...LOL!

later, chickadees!
Shell

__________________
~~~~
Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

I did my Leslie Samson 4 mile video, 30 minutes on my elliptical, doing my laundry and WILL get in my thigh master tonight while watching TV. Busy day but I've built up to this much exercise again thankfully. Have to keep it up and use the energy when I have it.
---
Shelley - that is wonderful to hear that you will be honoring the day by starting Atkins rather then eating until you explode. // Enjoy having a week of from work.

Donna - glad that you aren't giving up with that stuck scale. I'm really dreading on getting on the scale this Saturday because of my huge cheating binge (for days) around Easter. I know it was awhile ago but when I gain, I gain big time. If you aren't giving up I won't either even if the scale shows I'm at a huge gain. Had 2 weeks off at my diet center since problems with my gall bladder. Been eating healthy for 10 days straight now and feeling good. // The Spider-man sheets are going to be a great hit! This is something he'll enjoy and think of you each night. What a good grandma and thoughtful one you are. // Sorry to hear about your friend.

Nita - I'm glad to hear that you found something that is working for you. How are you feeling on this eating plan?

Barb - I'm still thinking about your recipe. It looks like the dish could be about 500 calories. Now if I split that between 5 of us (which includes M) then it would be a nice treat!

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Yay Friday! I've had a decent week, work-wise and otherwise. A little skimpy on the workouts, but hanging in there with healthy eating.

Nita, Dr. Vernon's prescription--20 carbs, and work up from there--sounds so simple. I think I'm at a point, metabolically speaking, where most of my carbs come from a big salad, cream cheese, cream (or half-n-half), and Splenda. I haven't been keeping a food diary for many weeks, and my weight is holding absolutely steady. So for the first time in my life, I'm not thinking about calories, even with Chocolate Bark on the menu.

I had lunch with my bf this week, and ordered a glass of wine. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. It seems that, for me, an occasional glass of very lovely wine brings more pleasure to life than a couple of mindless glasses after work at home. Good to know.

The newspaper has plopped on the front walk. Let's go see what disasters have befallen today. Worried about Dallas. How are things at your place, Judy?? Wet, I'll bet. Take care!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal