Chicken and Apple Sausages

I went shopping last weekend and came across these Aidell's susages. I bought the apple and chicken. I was kind of leery at first, but I sauteed them up and boy they are good and good for you. I highly recommend them to anyone. They are just more nutricious than regular pork or beef. Its the apples or vegatables that make all the difference.

An Aidells sausage combines years of culinary experience and original spice blends all in a natural casing. WThey combine the finest quality poultry and meat with chunks of chopped fruits and vegetables, flavor them with the freshest herbs and aromatics and fire them in specially-designed smokehouses. Since 1983, they have been creating the finest sausages money can buy.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

A 4 DONUT KIND OF DAY!

A 4 DONUT KIND OF DAY!  That is what it has been for me today.  The manager bought in donuts and they are sitting on the desk next to mine, not even five feet away.  And to top it all off, they are not even the kind of donuts I like.   They are Dunkin Donuts.  The worst in the world.  I had Dunkin Donuts.  I think it is the chocolate.  I can only eat the chocolate glaze.  I might be PMS’ing. I am not sure.  It is something about that chocolate which is drawing me in like a magnet.  There are now 2 chocolate ones left and they have the sprinkles.   I am not a sprinkle person so hopefully that will end the donut fest I have had this morning.  The bad think is that I have eaten about one an hour and it has not made any difference in the size of my hunger.  I am still starving!  I will go out and get a nice lunch.  I think something with lots of vegetables and some liver.  I would love some liver and onions.  There is a cafeteria style restaurant close to work.  I think I will go there.  They have that on the menu –liver--several times a week.  I hope it is today.  If not, I will get something else nutritious.    That will be my only other meal today.  Chocolate has a lot of calories that I have to spend down today.     

A 4 DONUT KIND OF DAY.  Man it has not been a good day.  My only saving grace is that I have drunk an entire liter of Perrier water.  I love that and I can go thru 3-4 bottles a day at my desk. 

More Than Just Lobsters!

When I think of Boston I will always recall a great lobster dinner I had there once in the bitter cold of winter when the temperature was in the negative teens. Boston has a lot more than that to offer anyone who is looking for a place to live. It is the big city, full of big city traffic and big city living. Today, the city of Boston boasts the nations seventh largest metropolitan area, and it does so with areas and neighborhoods that have been able to retain the same originality and grace that existed years ago. The city and its surrounding communities have thrived on the shoulders of Boston’s incredible business and academic societies. You know...all those ivy league schools. I actually had a chance to see Harvard Yard when I was there.

To actually live in the city the best bet will be Boston Condos. They are plentiful and with a city that size the only way to go is up. Up where the views that take in the water are beautiful. The site receives thousand of unique visitors every day looking to buy sell or rent condos. There is even a way to get specialized, indiviual help with your real estate via a building specialist. Now this really is for the exclusive, rich clients. They work directly with you to sell or rent your property. Boston is booming with the renewal and expansion of the waterfront. If you are thinking about a busy metro area and the fast, exciting pace of life in the big city, please check out Boston CondoCompany.com, It is your number one source for buying or selling condo property!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

The Hot Sauce Diet

I saw a blurb about this on the news last week, about the Hot Sauce Diet.  Eating hot sauce can assist in loosing weight.  I am not too sure about this one as I can barely make through an order of hot wings. This below, drinking hot sauce whenever he wanted a donut, sounds like some sort of bad torture.  If I can barely make it through an order hot mild hot wings, how will I ever be able to drink up some hot sauce.  The bad thing is that I like the taste of hot sauce.  But it does not like me.  I get terrible indigestion and most of the time need an antacid. 

I remember once I got a packet of hot sauce from Bo-jangles and put it to my mouth to rip open the plastic.  Just a drop of two got on my tongue and I swallowed.  I had such an ill effect from that.  I was up half the night burping with ingestion and that was from a few drops of undiluted hot sauce.  I like sauce and would love to be able to eat all sorts of hot things.  I guess I could eat a little and try to build up a tolerance.  It would really take some time. 

I will never forget the time my brother got into a contest with one of his high school buddies in a jalapeño eating contest.  He ate so many in such a short period of time he got some weird case of uncontrollable hiccups.  I got scared because he could not stop them and had no way to control them.  They stopped after an hour.  We were all ready to take him to the emergency room.  That was a scary thing.  Needless to say he has not done that again.  If hot sauce is your thing, then be sure to check out the hot sauce diet.            

Dr. Spiro Antoniades, an orthopedic surgeon from Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, came up with the idea to down a shot of hot sauce every time he got a craving for something unhealthy, like doughnuts or cookies. After a while, he had punished himself to the point that those goodies just didn't seem very appetizing anymore. And guess what? His plan worked. Antoniades slimmed down in less than a year. Today he's a health nut, runs every day and watches his food intake, all because of a little bottle of heat. So many of his colleagues asked about the diet that he's actually published a book. There's no science to it. It's really simple behavior modification. 

Next Lowest Round Number

I got on the scale today and I have lost a total of 10 pounds.  I am now at 230.  God that is an awful number but it is slowly and surely getting lower. That is a good thing.  (I love using these different fonts.)  I know it might be hard to read but it is just sometimes for fun.   I have been thinking about posting a picture but still can’t decide.  I don’t know.  What stays in my head is that I am thinking about food all the time.  Not wanting to eat it, but not wanting to eat it.  Calories, how much is in each thing.   I went to lunch with some church members on yesterday and had a great salad.  There was free ice cream with the salad bar and the friends with me said they all were going to get a cone.  I did not discuss anything about getting it or even talk about it.  Then all of a sudden, all were asking me if I was going to get a cone.  I said no.  I was trying to be good.  Well, the all said it was just a little cone.  I could get one.  Well, I bowed into the pressure and got a very small cone of just vanilla ice cream.  It was okay.  I savored it as I vowed it would be a very long time before I had it again.  

I can see how easy it is for friends to sabotage a diet.  They may not mean it…..well I am not so sure.  I can see it is very easy.  For me I will have to avoid bowing to the pressure of eating things I do not want to eat.   I have a goal   See the swimsuit below.  I am still aiming for that this summer.   

Apricot Bars

I went to Costco and found the most wonderful apricot bars for breakfast.  They are low in calorie and taste great!  They are a good way to start the day.  Normally at work I sometimes opt for the unhealthy snack machine.  When I do that I am really desperate mode.  I might end up with those white powered donuts, or the chocolate ones.  To prevent the chocolate ones from tasting like chocolate covered wax, you need to heat then for 8 seconds.  That will give you the illusion of a fresh, chocolate donut right from the bakery.

Other times I might end up with a honey bun.  They are the worst.  So sweet that they make my teeth hurt.  I am glad that I have found salvation in apricot bars. I just hope that when I go back they are still available.  They sometimes change out products there.  I bought only one container thinking that if they were bad, it would only be $6.99 lost.  Why does everything in that store cost about $6.99?  I almost dread going in there, but I love it so, because I may go in for 2 things and come out with eight.  I might have only wanted to spend $20 but end up spending $80.  This is what happened to me on Saturday.           

Apricot Bars

·       1 cup dried apricots

·       1 stick butter, softened + extra to grease pan.

·       4 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar

·       2 eggs, beaten

·       1 cup light brown sugar

·       1 teaspoon baking powder

·       1 pinch salt

·       2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·       1/2 cup chopped walnuts

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8" x 8" pan.
1. Place the apricots in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, then drain and chop. Set aside.

2.  Combine the butter with the sugar and 1 cup of flour and mix well.

3. Put the mixture into the prepared pan and pat down. Bake for 25 minutes.

4. Combine the brown sugar with the 2 eggs and mix until the sugar is dissolved.

5. Mix in remaining 1/3 cup of flour together with the baking powder and salt.

6. Add the flour mixture to the brown sugar and eggs and mix well.

7. Stir in the vanilla extract, walnuts and chopped apricots. Spread this mixture over the baked layer in the pan.

8. Return the pan to the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan, then cut into squares.

To serve:

Makes 12 bars.

Tension

I feel like oatmeal today. Not for eating.  I “FEEL” like oatmeal today.  Limp and lifeless.  I have such a headache I cannot think.  My back and neck and shoulders are full of tension.  I need a massage.  Bad!  I just asked my co-worker for a Tylenol and she only had prescription medication. She gave me an 800 milligram Advil that she got from the doctor for back pain. It is about the size of a large date it is so big.  I cut it in half.  I hope it kicks in soon.  I need some headache relief so that I can try to focus on all this work I have to do. I have files multiplying on my desk.            

Doing Good with Flax Seed

I did very well yesterday and today until about an hour ago.  On yesterday I had a day full of juice.  I only ate one meal yesterday and it was a dinner of okra soup.  For breakfast I had a large glass of V-8 Juice. I just love it!   For lunch I went home and juiced like crazy.  I juice ½ a cantaloupe and drank that.  I was still hungry so I juiced an apple and a large bunch of grapes.  That was very good.  I was full after that.  I just love my Jack LaLanne power juicer.    It really makes a difference. 

The other thing that I have with breakfast is a large tablespoon of flax seed. The omega 3 fatty acids are what I want.  I know there is some debate to the benefits of the flax seed verses the omega 3 fatty scids/oils found in fish.  Fish is supposed to be better.   What are some of the benefits of flax seed? 

Its high content of alpha linolenic acids has made the ancient flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha linolenic acid is a type of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Benefits of flax seed as shown in many studies include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) levels. Other benefits show that flax seed may also help lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack.

Normally I just crunch them up alone, but you can add them to cooking. You can bake them into muffins or brownies or sprinkle them into yogurt or ice cream. 

Other benefits of flax seeds are:

Anti-inflammatory

Omega-3 fats are used by the body to produce Series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, which are anti-inflammatory hormone-like molecules, in contrast to the Series 2 prostaglandins, which are pro-inflammatory molecules produced from other fats, notably the omega-6 fats, which are found in high amounts in animal fats, margarine, and many vegetable oils including corn, safflower, sunflower, palm, and peanut oils. Omega-3 fats can help reduce the inflammation that is a significant factor in conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and migraine headaches.

    

Protection Against Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes

Omega-3 fats are used to produce substances that reduce the formation of blood clots, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease.

Omega-3 fats are also needed to produce flexible cell membranes. Cell membranes are the cell's gatekeepers, allowing in needed nutrients while promoting the elimination of wastes. While important for everyone, flexible cell membranes are critical for persons with diabetes since flexible cell membranes are much better able to respond to insulin and to absorb glucose than the stiff membranes that result when the diet is high in saturated and/or hydrogenated (trans-) fats. In the colon, omega-3 fats help protect colon cells from cancer-causing toxins and free radicals, leading to a reduced risk for colon cancer.

How are they found?

I buy the whole seeds and jeep the in the refrigerator.  Flaxseeds can be purchased either whole or already ground. The two different forms offer distinct benefits. Although ground flaxseeds may be more convenient, whole flaxseeds feature a longer shelf life.

Whole flaxseeds are generally available in prepackaged containers as well as bulk bins. Just as with any other food that you may purchase in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the flaxseeds are covered and that the store has a good product turnover so as to ensure their maximal freshness. Whether purchasing flaxseeds in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure that there is no evidence of moisture. If you purchase whole flaxseeds, store them in an airtight container in a dark, dry and cool place where they will keep fresh for several months.

Ground flaxseeds are usually available both refrigerated and non-refrigerated. It is highly recommended to purchase ground flaxseed that is in a vacuum-sealed package or has been refrigerated since once flaxseeds are ground, they are much more prone to oxidation and spoilage. Likewise, if you either purchase ground flaxseeds or you grind them at home, it is important to keep them in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent them from becoming rancid.

Flaxseed oil is especially perishable and should be purchased in opaque bottles that have been kept refrigerated. Flaxseed oil should have a sweet nutty flavor. Never use flaxseed oil in cooking; add it to foods after they have been heated.

Lap-Band System

Adjustable gastric banding is much more effective long-term than a very low-calorie diet for people who are about 50 pounds overweight, a study shows.

Medical guidelines support this surgical procedure -- which puts a band around the top of stomach to create a feeling of fullness -- in patients who are extremely obese, about 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight, or those who are almost as overweight and have serious medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia, recruited 80 patients who were on average 52 pounds over a healthy weight. Half had the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery.

The other half followed a medical program that included a variety of strategies such as a very-low-calorie diet (500 calories a day) with liquid meal replacements, prescription weight-loss medication and behavioral therapies.

Findings in today's Annals of Internal Medicine:

• After six months, both the surgery patients and the low-calorie dieters lost an average of 14% of their starting weight.
• After two years, the gastric band patients lost 22% of their starting weight. That was about 87% of their excess weight, or roughly 45 pounds. They also showed marked improvement in their health and quality of life.
• At the end of two years, the dieters had regained much of their lost weight but were still 5.5% below their starting weight. They had lost 22% of their excess weight, or about 12 pounds.

Full Story

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

5 Pounds Gone!

I got on the scale this morning and I have lost a total of 5 pounds. Can we say happy! Slow and steady will win the race.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Cupcakes for breakfast

I have been doing so well.  Until this morning.  Someone brought in chocolate cake and cupcakes and mini cheesecakes.   I had one mini cheesecake and a cupcake and I plan to have a little piece of chocolate cake in about 2 minutes. Scores for this morning?

Chocolate ---3

Will power—0

The day is young and there is still time to work off those unneeded chocolate calories.   

    

Dinner Tonight

What was dinner tonight? A slice of honey baked ham, the largest glass of V-8 Juice I could drink and a bumbleberry blossom.

In regards to my ham, it was almost a ham disastre. It was shipped to me around Christmas and I got a ticket that a package came. With lots of family disaters, I did not pick the package up until today. That ham has been sitting in the box pakced up since December 28th. I just got it today. I smelled it. It smelled good. It looked good. No mold or anything. It was kept in an airconditioned office. I tasted it. It tasted all right. I cut into it to see if the smell, taste were consistent and it was. I ate some at 2pm to see if I would get sick, food poisoning. So far nothing. I froze most of it in 2 large packages. It was a 9 pound ham. I cut some off for the fridge. so far so good. I was able to salvage it. Thank God! Next time ...any packages that are delived will be picked up within one day!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Disclosure is the Key!

Have you ever thought about a disclosure policy for your blog? I had not, but I have seen similar things or manifestos on other blogs. I think it is a good thing. Check out mine! There is a link to it in my blogroll in the sidebar.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts paid insertions or other forms of compensation at times.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for ads or posts, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Three Pounds Less

I got on the scale and I am three pounds lighter!  Yeah!  I was hoping I would see some sort of result soon.  Well off to a good start!  I am excited.  How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!     

Jennifer Hudson Weight Loss

How did she loose that weight? The "Terror Trilogy!"

Jennifer Hudson’s Workout

Chicago-based trainer La-Fonza Alston gave Hudson a plan she can do on the road: squats, pushups and abs (four sets of 25 each), plus running. “I never would have guessed I’d be up at 4 a.m. to run,” she says. “I love it!”

25 squats
25 pushups
25 abs
running
-------------
I will be checking this out. 25+25+25 does not seen so hard. Yeah right! let's get thru 5 sit ups first. I finally got on the scale. Starting weight is 230.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

The Rules for Men!

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down Finally , the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)

We always hear " the rules "

From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules!

Please note.. these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.

We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is N OT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.

Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 6 months is a problem See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the  other one .

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.

Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color! Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will Be scratched.  We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.  We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine... Really

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or  golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.

Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Buffalo Burgers

So far so good. I had buffalo burgers for dinner last night. I even like the taste of them better than hamburger. They were good! I did do something I was not supposed to do. I had a snack package of 6 oreo cookies. As I ate them I knew I should not, but they tasted so good. The chewing part was the best. With the juicer and having some meals as a "juice meal," I have begun to miss chewing. It was good to chew the oreos.

Back to juice today. Here are some facts on the benefits of buffalo. It is healthier than beef!

Buffalo meat has a rich, beef-like taste. Being lower in cholesterol and calories yet higher in iron and protein makes buffalo a perfect beef substitute for the health-conscious, or those on restricted red meat diets. In fact, buffalo has less cholesterol than chicken with the skin removed or even most fish!

Important differences when compared to beef include:

1. 70% to 90% less fat (depending upon the cut of the meat.)
2. An average if 50% less cholesterol.
3. 30% higher in protein and less calories.
4. No growth-inducing hormones or steroids.
5. No known human allergies.
6. Higher in Iron (great for Women)
7. No Problems with E-Coli in Buffalo

I bought my buffalo at the grocery store. I was surprised to see it in there! There are several places on line to get it, as well. Check it out. Buffalo is worth it. You will not be dissappointed!

Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat

Bison Ridge Ranch

Burger's Smokehouse

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Saturday

It is saturday! Finally! so far so good. On yesterday I replaced two meals with a juiced meal. One was a large glass of juiced cantaloupe, rind and all. It was really good! The next juice was surprisingly refreshing! I have a very large glass of carrot and cucumber juice. Juice one large cucmber and 3 large carrots. That was light and cold and refreshing! It tasted really "green" but it sure was good! The only bad thing is that now I am missing chewing. Odd! One of the things recommended is to eat nuts. That will help with the urge to chew. I have a large bag of pecans. A handful of those should do the trick.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

diet~weight loss~juicer

2007: A New Beginning!

Well, it is a new year and it is a new day. Last year I have no discipline at all. This year I feel a new focus within me. It seems like food is constantly on my mind. Not that I should eat, but what I am eating or what I should eat or not eat. Whenever I look into the refrigerator I see lots of food, but it is food that I do not want to eat. Food seems a bit repulsive to me now. I wonder if that is a good thing?

I have found a renewed interest in my Tae-bo tapes. I did the 30 minute workout on yesterday and walked about 1/2 mile. This morning I went to the grocery and got some fruits and vegetables for my new juicer I bought myself for Christmas. I got the Jack LaLanne power juicer. It is great! I love it. My old juicer was worn out. The blade was old and dull.

It takes 21 days to change a habit, so I must stay strong for the next 20 days. My goal? I would love to be in this suit by the summer.

This is my goal that I am working toward. To get into this suit. I might post a picture of me now so that I can see the progress. I will have to get the digital camera out. That will be for later this week. I will also need to get on the scale to get a beginning weight. That will be for tomorrow. Happy Year All! It is a new year and a new day!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

diet~weight loss~juicer