One of My Favorite Things....Yummmy

Over the last several months of my diet I have been experimenting with snacks. I have been trying to find foods that are healthier yet still tasty. This can be [ok IS] very difficult for a carb addicted person like myself. One thing I have rediscovered is my love of cucumbers. It was kind of accidental actually. I was feeling up the regular cukes in the supermarket one day and frowning at how they are all mushy and uappealing looking, when next to them I noticed a package of mini cucumbers. They come 4 to a package and weren't cheap but they are full of flavor and don't spoil since one is a nice serving size.

This isn't the brand my store sold but you get the idea

I have also developed an addiction to hummus. My favorite is regular or lemon. I am not brand loyal but Sabra makes a variety of flavors, my favorite being the Hummus with roasted pine nuts. [click link for varieties]. I don't know exactly the calories and nutrition of hummus but I did see a news report that it is healthy with "good" fats and it is just delicious in sandwiches in place of mayo. Tabouli was suggested to me and I like it in limited quantities. It is also good spread on sandwiches. [has raw onions but since they are finely chopped they are ok].

Anyway, as I have mentionned before cucumbers make a great alternative to crackers for dipping or piling things on. Below are a couple of pictures of my "creations"

cukes with hummus and tabouli on a celery cracker

same without the cracker

cuke with seafood salad

What healthy snacks do you like, I would love some new ideas !!

Sorry if this post is all crooked and not lined up, I am posting this from work and their ancient version of  IE.

cuke picture credit

Sabra hummus

Diet Challenge week 3

I figure most of you are bored with this all by now but for those that aren't and so I can keep track, I stayed the same this week. :-( Adam gained a few but he has been on vacation so it is understandable. I am sure he will be on track this week.

Last time I was at my doctors office I asked for the name of a nutritionist and we got talking and she forgot, so I am going to call her and today about that and see what she/he can advise. I work so hard at the gym and watch what I eat.... I need some new strategies.

I'm not giving up, if anything I am more determined than ever..... There was no side bet this week which figures since I technically won!! What about this week Adam?

What strategies work for you?


picture credit

A technical question for my fellow bloggers

As you can see on my sidebar I have a slide show with all my awards. I like it, it is neat and organized. I would like to do the same with all the blog buttons I have collected. You can see them up and down both side bars.

I have seen them organized on other blogs where you click on them and they take you to the particular blog. If I use the same program I used for the awards clicking on them takes you to photobucket... not very helpful to the bloggers I want to highlight.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Justifiable Homicide Tuesdays.... today

I had all intentions of posting a lovely blog about some cool snack/meal ideas I have, pictures and all......but then today happened. First of all my husband had the day off, who knew, I certainly didn't. He claims he told me but I don't remember. I was probably asleep for the five minutes a day I get and it didn't sink in or I ignored it, which is entirely possible. This totally put a crimp in my schedule. Next, I got grumpy with my youngest as she made her own birthday cake and ran out of butter. No one was volumteering to get some [I prefered to be the martyr and get it myself] so I stormed out and bought it for $5 a pound at the convenience store instead of going to the grocery store. I did appologize later btw. [no need for the birthday wishes, her birthday isn't until August but she and her best friend, who's birthday is in November, decided to have it early when people were around to attend.] The cake turned out great and they are celebrating as we speak [at the friends house thankfully]

I am finally trying to get some sleep [actually this was before the butter episode] and the husband decides to clean a bit...cool, but why does that involve coming in and out of the bedroom and banging around the house. He also grilled some steak for lunch [which I turned down] and every time he went in and out of the back door the screen door slammed shut. It's not like I haven't mentioned this fact before. He and the youngest decide to have a "debate" right outside the bedroom door and well there goes my sleep.

Ok, so I decide to write this lovely food blog and youngest wants to use the laptop to put some songs on her ipod for the party, ok no problem.......she is back in half hour, the laptop won't stay on and the screen flashes on and off then dies. I call Apple Care and they think it is the logic board, whatever that is, logic is something I know nothing about on the best of days. They say it needs hospitalization and suggest I call the Apple store. Cool, I call and they say the Genius Bar is closed Thursday, the only day I can go, because the new iphone is being released. WTF, the world stops for  new iphone? They kindly give me the number of a third party agent who can fix it and how wonderfully helpful they were and I will be bringing it there tomorrow and will hopefully have it back for the weekend. Meanwhile I am mourning the loss of my MacBook for the short term. [thank goodness for the extended waranty]

I did manage to go to the gym and bike my 10+ miles on the recombant bike and do the leg machines. I even enjoyed myself as I have 40, yes 40 Oasis videos on my ipod now and watching them while I bike makes the time go by so much quicker. [I have long had a soft spot for the Gallagher brothers]

It is now 6:59pm and time for bed as I have to work tonight, I guess I'll have dinner at work. Hopefully I can gt past this raging carb craving I have been having. I suppose I can't expect to have the perfect diet day every day...but I am trying.

If you managed to read all this whinning, thanks and lets hope tomorrow is a better day. How has your day been?

Weight loss challenge-Week 2

It's never as much as I want but at least I continue to lose weight each week. This week I lost 1.5 pounds for a total of 4 since Adam and I started our challenge. It would appear Adam won again....sigh....

I have discovered there are lots of  pros and even cons of losing weight... we all know the pros, our health, how we look and how we feel about ourselves. The cons on the other hand aren't always considered. Don't get me wrong the pros still out weigh (lol) the cons but they are something to be considered...... sort of...ok not at all but I'm going to tell  you anyway.

• Gym fees...not too bad thankfully
• Bottled water....need to get a water filter
• Healthy food.....who'd of thought it was so expensive to buy healthy
• New clothes.... I have been buying a few but will need more as I go.
• Gym clothes... Basically I have been wearing old clothes but I did buy a few tees and some sweat pants. 
• Zits.....Today I bought a couple of those Dri-Fit shirts. Mine happen to be Nike but there are other brands. I am hoping by keeping the sweat off my skin it will stop my chest and shoulders from breaking out. I guess you are never too old to break out.

I refuse to let any of this to stop me but I just wanted to share some of my observations.

Hey Adam... congratulations you loser. :-)


Anyone else have some pros and cons?

One of My Favorite Things

First of all I want to thank you all for the great support you have been giving me on my weightloss challenge with Adam. Although he won the first round I am determined to win the war..... As others have said even if I lose the challenge I still win. Losing weight has been a goal of mine for years and I am finally in a place where I might actually succeed. Our little wagers just makes it more fun and what better goal for a dieter than a meal at the end of it all.

During all this I have found a new food love, Arnold's Sandwich Thins 100% whole wheat. They are full of hearty flavor and very satisfying for only 100 calories. They make the perfect size sandwich. My favorite is to use minimal mayo [or none at all] and add thin slices of tomato and cucumbers. Tuna, chicken salad or a slice of cheese now and then adds a nice variety. Humos is also a delicious spread for sandwiches. When toasted they become nice and crispy and because they are thin could easily become over toasted, which is fine with me, I like burnt toast. I haven't tried the other flavors but I am sure they would be delicious too. [click the link for full details]

There are other brands of this type of bread and I have tried one other, whos name escapes me, but I found Arnold the most robust and flavorful.

What are some of your favorites?

I want to be the biggest loser

Last Monday I wrote about my weight loss challenge with Adam form Throwing Quarters. Today is my weigh in day and of course it is never as good as I would like it to be. Once again I told Adam he was going to win and he was reassuring and supportive. Me being the fool I am bet him again. This the wager was a drink that he would win this weeks weigh in......and it would appear I owe him a drink. Go see Adam's blog for his outcome...mine is a paltry 2.5 lbs. I know, I know it's ok, slow and steady blah blah blah, but I am working so hard at the gym and on the diet that I expected better results.

I know how good this is for my heart etc, but seeing the number go down would do the brain and psyche some good as well. I bought some shirts the other day and they were a size smaller so something must be happening.... muscle weighs more than fat....so there.... ha ha.

edit: I read Adam's blog Throwing Quarters before I posted mine and what a great positive post. What can I say he's 29 and I'm....well ..... older [51] . 

Well done Adam,  new week  new challenge.......what's this weeks wager?

Flashback Friday with a Friday 55 Twist

Today I am going to combine two of my favorite Friday memes, Flashback Friday the brain child of Web Savvy Mom and Friday 55 created by Mr KnowItAll.

I have wanted to participate in Flashback Friday but my scanner is still acting up so todays picture is a photo of a photo, thereby explaining the poor quality. The 55 word poem following is about the picture.

 When I was very very little,
My parents bought me a horse
Made of springs and wood,
It was pretend of course.

I climbed on its back
Straight away,
I didn’t get it
How to play.

I tried to bounce
But as you can see
I had no clue
How it was supposed to be.

 PS I did figure it out eventually and would bounce so hard it would come up off the ground.. I cried when I out grew it and my parents gave it away.

Now go visit Wev Savvy Mom and Mr KnowItAll.

Fruit Smoothie

If you read Monday's post you know about my diet challenge with Adam at Throwing Quarters. So far so good for me. I haven't weighed myself since the initial weigh in on Monday and it has killed me not to step on a scale but I am trying to resist [it's as hard as saying no to cookies]. Adam has been twittering about all the water he is drinking, something I am having great difficulty doing. I have been carrying a water bottle around with me in hopes that helps. With the extra water I have to get off the bike half way through my 50 minutes and pee.....the womans curse of a small bladder.

One way I have been getting fluids is by eating more fresh fruit. Today I stopped by a stand and was pleased at all the goodies I got for $20. [see picture below] One of my new favorite things are cukes, a great substitute for crackers as a vehicle for dipping and fresh pineapple is so yummy.

I cut up some of the fruit and threw it in the blender with some ice and half a can if a diet shake and it was delish. I had used a vanilla drink and I think the chocolate ones are better suited. It is quick and easy and tasty.... wonder how it would taste with some Meyers Rum in it........ I'm kidding....... well maybe for a dinner snack.  [see opening picture w/o rum btw]

I am feeling good about the whole process and broke my record yesterday at the gym and rode the bike for 50 minutes and made it to 11 miles on level 3 random [hills]. Win or lose the bet as Adam says we will both be winners.

Why is it that......... Part 6

Why is it that......

• ....when I'm on a diet the fridge is full of good food?
• ....the thigh machine at the gym is still broken.....have they not seen my thighs?
• ....I never realized I had a thing for shoes, just not heels...which I thought was one of the rules.
• ....just when I think I am "over" Robbie Williams I get a new DVD?
• ....I can't get past level 6 on "Bubble Town" play ball?
• ....I got so lucky to have a great work out partner in my daughter.. she motivates me. :)
• ....I get the first line or two of a poem in my head but by the time I get to write it down it is gone?
• ....a decent caserole dish costs $40 at an outlet store........unbelievable.

That's all I've got, you?

Dilemas and Decisions

This past Friday I hosted my first ever Friday Follow and it was amazing. I gained almost 100 new followers. Can you imagine that, almost 100. I blogged for almost a year with out one follower and now I have over 400... I am truely flabbergasted and honored.

This does present me with a few questions and a bit of a dilema. How many of these followers will return and read my chatter? How many were indeed interested in my posts? And if they do come back can I write interesting enough posts to keep them returning?

My "problem" in all this is trying to follow everyone back. I have visited a lot of my new followers and followed most of them in return, but I am still trying to catch up. I also wonder how many of them can I possibly keep up with and read and post comments on and still have time to eat, sleep and go to work. I don't just want to gather followers and follow blogs and never  visit. There are so many great "old" blog friends I still want to stay in touch with as well.

So what I have decided is, I will read and comment where and when I can. Sometimes I will switch it up and read some of my newer blog friends and skip the "regulars" hopeing they understand and other times I will read my regulars. One way or another and at one time or another I will visit everyone that I can. You could help me out and not be quite so prolific with the posting......... :-)

Anyway thank you all for the great turn out on Follow Friday and I will see you around the blogosphere.


picture source

Weight loss Smack down-Day one

Recently Adam from Throwing Quarters wrote a blog called Slimming Down [update] as he has been trying to get fit but instead gained a couple of pounds. That is a frustration I am well aware of so in my comment I posed a challenge. Let's see who can lose the most weight between now [today] and July 15 when we get together in Cleveland. [myself and my daughters, and Rush and her daughter are going to Cleveland to meet up with Adam, Jenn and their daughters]

Adam agreed and the bet is whoever loses the most weight buys the other dinner at the restaurant of their choice. I have a distinct disadvantage not being from Cleveland so I think Adam should have to come to Boston if I win.... but being the gracious [lol] person that I am I will google Cleveland restaurants and see what I can find. There must be a sushi place somewhere in the midwest. Michael Symon [an Iron Chef] owns a few restaurants out there so maybe I'll pick one of his places.  Anyone out in Cleveland reading this who cares to leave a suggestion it would be appreciated.

edit to add: I googled Cleveland sushi and came up with Sushi Rock, it looks amazing. Sushi for me and steak for those that don't want fish. Has anyone been there?

My plans? I will be upping my bike time and being more careful with my food choices. Walking more and hopefully getting more sleep. As for the vodka, I hear Belvadere has no sugar in it..... any and all suggestions to help me win are welcome.
So the challenge is on Adam.... let the dieting begin. All that "smack talk text" today.... enjoy it while it lasts cuz I'm going to win this bet.

Friday Follow: Building Friendships One Blog at a Time

Welcome to the 2nd Friday Follow hosted by our awesome hostesses, Stephanie at Babes Rockin Mami, Michelle at Mommy Loves Stilettos, and Laura at Vodka Logic! Thank you ladies for being willing to host! I approached them first before we announced the website.



We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to find many interesting blogs that you like. This is all about sharing and having fun.



We expect you to be on your honor and to have fun. These are only guidelines to make it more enjoyable for you. Here’s how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

• Link up your blog name and URL using the McLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
• Grab the Friday Follow button on the right side and include on your Friday Follow blog post with the linky information which you can find at the bottom of the post.
• Follow Friday-Follow.com so you can see the current things going on. If you haven't checked out the website yet, please do so. If you have any problems with the button, it's a great place to get it.
• Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. (One of the benefits of being a host/hostess).
• Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.
• Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow.

As always, we are trying to improve the Friday Follow so here are a couple of rules to make the experience even better for you:

• Only one link per blog. We do have a giveaway tab that you can include your giveaways on.
• Please try to keep your post current so that people can see your showcased work.
• Follow someone back if they follow you – this is common courtesy.
• No xxrated blogs.
• No spammers.
• Please leave your url so that others can easily follow you back. Someone requested me add this.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Congratulations to our first Three Friday Follow Winners!!!

Life, Music & Laughter

Pull up your potty seat, this could take a while

Humes, party of 3

Each week we will randomly draw from three (3) blogs from the links for the next week’s Friday Follow, and each blog chosen will be placed in the highly coveted number #7, #8, and #9 position on the blog hop. The first blog chosen will also be given the option of doing an interview which will post on Friday-Follow.com on Thursday the next week. We love your participation and want to give back to you! You could be next!

Spread the word about Friday Follow by grabbing our button for your blog and come celebrate again every Friday. Feel free to also send out a tweet, blog, stumble or share the news in your own special way!

Please stop by on for featured posts on Monday by Stephanie at Babes Rockin Mami, on Tuesday by Michelle at Mommy Loves Stilettos, and on Wednesday by Laura at Vodka Logic!

On Thursday, we will have featured interview of Amethyst Moon at Life, Music & Laughter.

Fibers is offering a $25 voucher for anything on their site, BUT in addition, you can win an iPad. Did you read that?? An iPAD!!!



Here is how you enter the giveaway to prizes:

• You must go enter their Father's Day Contest.
• You must go to Dad T-Shirts & Custom T-Shirts to get a link to the design that you like and then comment at Friday-Follow.com with it.
• You need to be a Google Friend to Friday-Follow
• You need to follow us on Twitter
• You need to subscribe to our RSS feed

Congratulations to Last week's winner Ciera who won a T-shirt from Sponsor Cafe Press!



If you are interested in being a hosting for Friday Follow, feel free to click on the link on the right side to fill out the form to request to be a host/hostess.



If you are interested in being a sponsor for Friday-Follow, please fill out the sponsorship form here.



Thank you for joining us. Have fun!



Happy Jumping!!







Thanks for joining me in my first ever Friday Follow. Hosting is an honor and I hope to see a lot of you back again. I have certainly had fun jumping around the blogosphere. So many great blogs, so little time.

Come back next Friday for another installment of Friday 55

A Rare Find

My daughter found this Lady Slipper growing in our back yard. It is bigger than it appears in the picture. I was so thrilled to see it as they are very rare to the point of being protected in most states.

Our back yard lawn abuts some woods and I like to let it grow somewhat wild. The land is slopped and I have had difficulty getting things to grow in the clay soil so I figure if it grows on its own it must be happy. I do plan to thin out some of the less appealing "wild" growth. One of the reasons I liked this house was the Mountain Laurel growing at the edge of the woods, and now with my Lady Slipper it is looking more and more "natural"

What is your favorite wild flower?

Justifiable Homicide Tuesday-not for the faint of heart

Read with care today, this is not for the faint of heart.  Today's homicidal subject is my uterus. Yes you read that right. Seems the older I get the more of a pain it wants to be...literally and figuratively.[I will spare you the gory details]

As I have gotten older my periods, you know the monthly cycle, your "friend", whatever you want to call it has become more and more unpleasant. [and I am being kind] There are days when I am afraid to leave the house for fear of embarrassing myself. The first time I went to the doctor and explained my dilemma I said I didn't like leaving my panties all over Worcester county and in the on board bathrooms of several airplanes... Wouldn't be so bad, but it was never to join the mile high club. So two years ago or so I had an Endometrial Ablation. According to Wikipedia [and my doctor said basically the same thing] Approximately 90% of women who undergo this procedure will have reduced menstrual bleeding. Of those, approximately 45% will stop having periods altogether.

As  you can guess I was not one of the lucky ones. Two months later my periods were back, as big and bad as usual. I put up with it for awhile and then spoke to my doctor again. We decided to go with another ablation....... scheduled and performed this past February. And as smart as you all are I am sure you guessed....It didn't work again. In fact "they" are worse than ever. So back to the doctor I go and again we discuss my options.

• 
  
  Hysterectomy
• 
  
  Lupron injections
• 
  
  Deprovera injections
• 
  
  Progesterone tablets
• 
  
  Estrogen [the pill]

All have their pros and cons but I opted for the progesterone pills and the doctor agreed it would be the best place to start. It will take a couple of months to know how well it works...so fingers crossed.

I would like to add I am still a proponant of this procedure since I know so many people it has worked for...... I hope you are one of the lucky ones if an ablation is in your future.