February Challenge - Day 11, Wednesday [Archive]

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 06:11 AM

Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow
Ralph Waldo Emerson

If we do what we have to do today, tomorrow will take care of itself! I thought of that this morning as I brought down the clothes I picked out last night when I was thinking clearly. I appreciate that now in the fog of early morning. I also have lunch in the fridge ready to throw into my bag on my way out.

Breakfast will be a protein shake, lunch will be chicken/sausage/broccoli alfredo. Dinner will be shepherds pie without the potatoes or the rest of the chicken stuff.

What did you do to prepare for today?

Puddin

02-11-2009, 06:50 AM

I tend to work on a live today and tomorrow we'll think about that in the morning. Of course, with DH already planning my day for tomorrow I don't even have to think about that. Seems that tomorrow morning is folding nets.Only 3 more really long panels and WE'RE DONE. This afternoon is schelpp branches so I'm actually making progress since if I schlepp them todayI won't have to do it tomorrow when I'm supposed to fold netting. Today's progress is definitely assuring that the workload is divided equally...or at least could be if tomorrow there weren't also branches to schlepp (we're into pruning 150 plants so tune in for the 'grove exercise activities'.

Meals today were ok so far:

Breakfast - leftover baked salmon coffe/cream

Lunch - Sausage and artichoke sautee

Dinner - rack of boar ribs baked naked - salt and garlic powder.

Snacks - oopsies

Rushing off to get some things done before the temperatures drop. Right now we're at 13°C. That's a wonderful warm streak which I can really enjoy!

Carol, I actually think better in the morning. By evening I'm comatose!

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 09:03 AM

Puddin, a farmer always has something to do! Do you call it a farm when it's an olive grove? It seems to keep you active. Is there ever a slow season?

My car was misbehaving this morning so the Geezer got out of his chair and brought me to work. Amazing, because he usually sleeps in. His own truck is in our Auto Mech program and will be finished today for me to drive home. Too many coincidences! :rolleyes:;):D We're down to our spare vehicle, which I've been threatening to get rid of, but it sure comes in handy in a pinch!

Jackie

02-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Yesterday was a write off!! spent all day travelling in terrible weather conditions to pick up a truck we purchased. The roads were wicked! We also got about 8 inches of snow!!

This morning I spent an hour shovelling, then DH came to my rescue with the tractor. There is just too much to move by hand.

Breakfast is a protein shake (pumpkin)
Lunch will be chicken, lettuce flatout wrap

dinner: no plan yet

I am back to substitute teaching, declined the job I was offered earlier this week. Too political!!!. I have to work this afternoon in my fav school. Love it!!!

Billie

02-11-2009, 09:38 AM

You know when you are disappointed and life kind of sucks and you want to eat...I didn't!! :) It is all about perspective so your quote for the day Carol is perfect! THANKS!!

Gabe is doing far better than I. He is down 9 lbs and I am still at 2.5, so I am doing away with the protein friendly foods like nuts...gone....cheese...gone! And NEANing much more strictly. My schedule is brutal this week and worst next, so I know staying on plan has to be a planned effort, I am there!

And by the way, if any of you work for IRS, I don't like you today!! The tax man taketh! :mad::mad::mad::mad:

Ammy

02-11-2009, 09:49 AM

I am really using your quote lately cause I'm doing what I'm suppose to do, but the number on the scale is just jumping around.
No worries, I don't plan on "eating" over it, just an oddity.
Progress, not perfection is a motto I live by, but progress leading to assurances tomorrow...yes, I like that!

Meals are planned. Evening is booked solid. I can't wait to go on vacation so I can start exercising again!

7am 2almond scones
8:30am cauli-sausage casserole
12pm lc lasagna, 3oz pickles
3pm iced latte, 1.5oz nuts
6pm 3eggs, 3oz turkey sausage, 1lc bread

Pro: 146
Ecc: 37.8
Fat: 158.9
Cal: 1900

Sorry about the taxman Billie! I actually checked my bank account last night and have already received my refunds from the IRS AND The state. The weird thing is that I MAILED my return to the state and efiled to the IRS, but the refunds arrived SO QUICKLY! 10 days!! wow.

Puddin

02-11-2009, 09:51 AM

And the TAXMAN rarely giveth back....even in Italy!:mad: Good going Billie! That's really will power!

Carol, actually our grove is not called farm. We only call it home and though we make our own oil it is really not a business. We also have animals but they are at the other house where the vinyard is. So as you can see, it is fairly spread out. There is no slow season in our neck of the woods: the harvest year is calculated from es: October 08 to October 09. So it is a full year in which I must keep an agenda of activities such as pruning, fertilizing and harvesting. Agenda is necessary for the Region of Liguria so that they can have a good idea of how things are going and the loving care you give to your plants. In October we put down the nets, sew them in place. In November begin harvest and finishe that by January (if we're on scedule). Then the nets get taken down, the trees get pruned, wood cut and put in its place, we burn the branches, fertilize etc. By March that is finished and the only thing we have to do in the olive grove is cut the grass. The vinyard is a 365 day year because there is always something to do: Pruning is done right after vendemmia (harvest) then it's clean the area, spray constantly with products to help the vines grow leaves, not have viral illnesses (they get lots), tie the vines to the wires, straighten the poles that hold the wires. Then there is the veg garden to plant and care for, the summer veggies to get processed or frozen, the rabbits to care for, the 1500 meters of land around the house to keep clean, weeded, watered (for now M.Nature has been generous), bulbs in order, roses too. So you can see that for me the thought of a gym sort of makes me:p

After that I still have the house, meals, etcetcetcetc...and maybe even socialize if I have the energy. SO...........

Karole

02-11-2009, 09:53 AM

I we do what we have to do today, tomorrow will take care of itself!

Carol, that statement is as good as Emersons !! Now, all I have to do is make that my mantra !!

I do have my exercise over and done with for the day. Feel really good and ready for the day now.

Billie, hang in there hon. It sounds like you have a heavy schedule for next week, but you are also determined so you'll shine through and then feel really good about it.

Don't men aggravate you to death--I'm referring to Doc losing so much more--my dh always, always loses faster and more than I do simply by skipping lunch for a week. Grrrr.

maxlharris

02-11-2009, 09:59 AM

Funny, I was just saying yesterday how, when I decide to leave DOL, the IRS would be one of my top three governmental agencies to go work for. I feel I could do the most good there. This came up as I was talking with one of the people who approves travel in our region. A man has submitted a travel voucher in which he claims three nights of maximum hotel reimbursement. He submitted a receipt for 2 nights at the Hilton, which doesn't give a government rate. Since the two nights are less than the total three nights (he got a third night as a perk for membership or something), he wanted to get the whole 3 night max (plus taxes... he wanted tax reimbursement on a night he paid no taxes). The difference is about $50 in his favor. Had to dig into the regs to find out why he couldn't be reimbursed (sometime, common sense rules just don't apply and you need to find the common sense regulation... in this case, the definitions of "per deim", "Lodgings plus per diem", and the Prudent Person rule... things in the very start of the travel regulation... funny, a prudent person can't stay at a luxury hotel that doesn't offer the government rate... funny how that is).

This attempt at small time cheating made me a little hungry to go work small business audit in the IRS. Or try to build data models on who to audit. Or something to crack on cheats.

(my other gov jobs that I'd like would be in GSA and OMB).

I do not plan for today. I exclusively plan for tomorrow. Then, when we get to tomorrow, it is handled. I learned this while working in TV. You always need to anticipate demands, so you can fill them ahead of time.

I actually refridgerated my shake, and put my briefcase in front of the fridge to make sure I took it. When you are as distractable as I am in the AM, you need to set yourself up for success and give yourself reminders.

Sometimes, I feel like that guy in Memento. Like I need notes to myself to sort it all out.

lisanurse81

02-11-2009, 10:12 AM

Good morning.. afternoon, Puddin! Has anyone read Dr. Eades blog.. really interesting stuff about how we make decisions about eating or buying things. Good to note.

Today is going to be a good day.. Lots of sewing, some housework. Getting a yoga dvd via netflixs.. so will probably do that this afternoon.

Forgot to mention my DH got offered his own branch for the ins company he works for. It's a huge acomplishment for him, and I am SO proud! The only thing... it is bringing stress and anxietiy for the next week or so as the transition takes place... but it will be fine. I just need to remember that this stress.. even though it is *good* stress, will not derail me from my lc efforts.

Belfrybat

02-11-2009, 10:16 AM

I'm pretty much holding my own on diet/ exercise and weight control. So that's progress that will have benefits for tomorrow. But it's hard not to comfort myself with food right now. Since the NP refused to renew my insulin, I'm running between 130-140 fasting (normal is high 70/low 80's) and after meal readings are 160 - 180's (normal is below 120). Just as I attained a success in weight loss and was looking forward to enjoying more carbs, I'm going to have to go back to Intervention levels to keep blood sugar from going out of control--all because the medical profession refuses to allow type 2 diabetics to exercise tight control. I'm disappointed, angry, hurt, feel punished, etc. etc. etc. And I really would like to go face down in a 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell Moollenium Crunch ice cream. And to add insult to injury, it's on sale this week.

Breakfast was a protein/blueberry shake. Lunch will be venison steak w/ marinara sauce and zucchini, dinner will probably be the same. In between I'll have an apple, SF dark chocolate and almonds. Maybe wine tonight.

Have a great day, everyone. :)

Puddin

02-11-2009, 10:20 AM

KAROL! forgot to ask if you got the stink out of your house. It is always such a tough job.

Lisa, :thumbsup: for DH. What a wonderful accomplishment. Am sure that you'll be able to deal with the stress. This time the stress is positive stress. ;)

BC! I never even heard of that kind of icecream. Guess I don't know what I'm missing. Are you on insulin? Asking you this because my DM is taking a kind of medicine which is called MYETTIN (believe it is spelled like this). New kind of cure which works on things in brain. Maybe you could check it out through your DOC. My DM is in heaven because it has brought her bloodsugar under control, helped her weight to remain stable etc. Saturday and Sunday are my two days to open Challenge right?

Wanted to ask you all: half and half is half whole milk and half whole cream right? I made some for myself the other day but then I had some doubts...used 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup of cream. It is really good but I would need someone to give me the info.

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 11:49 AM

...After that I still have the house, meals, etcetcetcetc...and maybe even socialize if I have the energy. SO...........Oh My Goodness! :eek: Thank you for that great picture.

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 11:53 AM

You know when you are disappointed and life kind of sucks and you want to eat...I didn't!! :) Yes, I do, and hurray for you for not! :cool:

I am really using your quote lately cause I'm doing what I'm suppose to do, but the number on the scale is just jumping around.
No worries, I don't plan on "eating" over it, just an oddity.
Progress, not perfection is a motto I live by, but progress leading to assurances tomorrow...yes, I like that!Excellent, Amy. I love your attitude.

--my dh always, always loses faster and more than I do simply by skipping lunch for a week. Grrrr.It ain't fair. I agree!

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 11:57 AM

This attempt at small time cheating made me a little hungry to go work small business audit in the IRS. Or try to build data models on who to audit. Or something to crack on cheats. I know what you mean.

Has anyone read Dr. Eades blog.. really interesting stuff about how we make decisions about eating or buying things. Good to note.I started this morning, but work interrupted me! :) I'll get there again presently. Congrats to DH on his promotion!

But it's hard not to comfort myself with food right now. Since the NP refused to renew my insulin, I'm running between 130-140 fasting (normal is high 70/low 80's) and after meal readings are 160 - 180's (normal is below 120).That is just so unfair, BC. Hold tight!

Jazzy

02-11-2009, 01:07 PM

Happy Wednesday!

Today is my daughter's 30th birthday. Wish me luck getting past the birthday cake!

Jazzy :) :) :)

Karole

02-11-2009, 05:15 PM

(((((BC)))) Were you going to try and find a more reasonable doc? Hope you can as you were doing so well. Not fair.

Pudding you asked about the skunk odor-- I just got back from town and the pet store had a spray to use that is guaranteed to remove the odor so I have sprayed the affected areas and hopefully it will work its magic. I am so ready to have a pleasant home to walk into again !! Thanks for asking.

BeccainSC

02-11-2009, 06:10 PM

Hey all, I'm having a rough day here... already off plan simply because I have nothing on plan (other than cheese) in the house that's not frozen. :( Worked way too late today, then had to run to the store to pick up cookie dough for the girls to make for school tomorrow. Unfortunately didn't have time to do my own shopping (not to mention no clue what is truely needed) so the headache, starving and just plain "don't care" attitude has struck. :(

My foot is now a lovely shade of purple and it really hurts to stand, much less walk, on it. I still can't see me doing any real shopping anytime in the near future. I may have to type up a very detailed list and send DH, and that is a scary thought indeed.

I've already put the meat that was to be dinner into the fridge cuz I'm not up to cooking, and that then blows tomorrows lunch as well.

Guess I'm venting, prolly should have put this in my journal instead. I'm really struggling to not just give up completely til next month, or even next week.

'becca

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 06:56 PM

Guess I'm venting, prolly should have put this in my journal instead. I'm really struggling to not just give up completely til next month, or even next week.
Nope! I'm feeling your pain, Becca. Give DH the list and make do with what he brings, even if it's eggplant instead of lettuce! ;) Do you have a microwave? If not, there are some things that freeze well and can be used right out of the freezer. Smoked sausage is something I keep in there, also ham steak. They both thaw quickly. I used to put a pound of ground beef in a gallon ziplock and press it flat. They stack up nicely in the freezer and thaw quickly. I also keep ricotta cheese or greek yogurt in the fridge. It lasts a long time and it's good for a quick, no-fuss meal, at least for me.

Karole, I hope your spray worked!

Hi Jazzy!

I had to stop at the store for one item and I came away with some Boar's Head deli beef and a chunk of Australian cheddar. Pricey! I didn't want to drive to the mega-market so I went to the yuppie store. Love it, but the prices are considerably higher for the same things.

My car's got serious radiator problems, the guys say. We'll have to start with a flush, but we may end up with a new radiator in my 1996 Blazer. At any rate, I'll be driving the Geezer's Ranger for a few days. :p

Karole

02-11-2009, 07:22 PM

Glad you do have something else to drive while your rig is in the shop !!

Totals for today were High in protein and calories(but who's counting) Pro: 137 carbs 30

veggies/fruit: tomatoes,lettuce, assortment of peppers,onion, olives, blueberries

See everyone tomorrow.

Anniesnan

02-11-2009, 08:21 PM

well, the moussaka was a bomb. I'm going to try to find a better recipe on the net, plus a friend is giving me an authentic Greek recipe.

I've been sticking to plan, but today I was tempted.

I woke with a headache, kept it, it became tolerable, then worse and when I went to lunch I didn't feel like grilled chicken Caesar, but knew anything else was going to lead to trouble - then I saw the Cobb salad.

Perfect and filling, but headache got worse and worse and stomach joined in ...

but, I'm still on plan :D

gitfiddle

02-11-2009, 08:35 PM

- then I saw the Cobb salad.

Perfect and filling, but headache got worse and worse and stomach joined in ...

but, I'm still on plan :DI enjoy Cobb salad, too. So sorry about your headache, Agnes. We call those "sick" headaches. About all I can do is sleep them off. Hope it doesn't last all night! You can be proud of being on plan!

Billie

02-11-2009, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the lovely view of Italy, I love to travel--even if it is vicariously!

My youngest and his wife are traveling to Rome, Florence and Venice at the end of March, they are excited and I am for them.

Carol and Karole :D thanks!

Max, I do so much consulting for the Gov that is part of my problem with the taxes, ah makes you have character!

Everyone, is holding their own very strongly I would say tonight, and you know with the weather, at least as bad as it in the Chicago area....what 60 degrees day was that recently? Today I drove home from DeKalb where NIU is through fog, thunderstorms, lightning, hail and then snow!! Bring on Spring!

But in spite of the doldrums of winter, we are hanging tough, good for us!

Speaking of Mitra, I have missed her lately, wherearthou?

BeccainSC

02-11-2009, 09:52 PM

Nope! I'm feeling your pain, Becca. Give DH the list and make do with what he brings, even if it's eggplant instead of lettuce! ;) Do you have a microwave? If not, there are some things that freeze well and can be used right out of the freezer. Smoked sausage is something I keep in there, also ham steak. They both thaw quickly. I used to put a pound of ground beef in a gallon ziplock and press it flat. They stack up nicely in the freezer and thaw quickly. I also keep ricotta cheese or greek yogurt in the fridge. It lasts a long time and it's good for a quick, no-fuss meal, at least for me.

Thanks Carol! Today was one of those days where I need an AA type of sponsor, someone I can call/IM or something. Posting here helped, but wasn't quite enough. I did manage to eat some more cheese and my intended carb-fest for dinner didn't happen. Got to where the thought of fries and a brownie was making my stomach do somersaults so I went with my "good" option (though not strictly LC - 20 ECCs vs 180 for the meal).

The freezer has pre-done burger patties and there was eggs, but when I'm like that, cooking ANYTHING beyond toast or opening a can of tuna is out of reach for me. As DD2 put it later "Mommy had a melt down this afternoon". I can't think, cooking requires thought ;)

DH is more than willing to do the Sam's run tomorrow, downside is we put DS on the card a couple of years ago instead of DH and DS has lost his card :( We've decided that we'll all go and I'll sit in the snack area with my foot up til it's time to pay (since that's really all the member is needed for). He's also driving me to/from work to spare me the clutch in my car, he needs the other car do help some elderly ladies computer shop.

I'm feeling much better emotionally at least. Physically, still have a bit of a headache, though not as bad. And the foot is worse cuz I hit it again! This time on my son's leg as I was trying to prop it up on my exercise ball. DH has wrapped it in an ace bandage for now.

So for the day...

Protein: 188
Carbs: 91
Water: 96
Supps: nope :(
Reading: gave up on that. Gotta find my cassettes/CDs and try that route.

'becca

Belfrybat

02-11-2009, 10:22 PM

(((((BC)))) Were you going to try and find a more reasonable doc? Hope you can as you were doing so well. Not fair.

Pudding you asked about the skunk odor-- I just got back from town and the pet store had a spray to use that is guaranteed to remove the odor....

Yuk! I had a skunk come through the cat door a year or so ago -- I had almost gotten him shepherded out without incident when the cat came in and scared him (her?). Took months to get all the odor out. But what works wonderfully is a mixture of 1 quart peroxide, 1/2 cup baking soda and a good squirt of dishwashing liquid. Spray on liberally and then wash off. The cat wasn't amused at getting bathed, but it worked for him, for me, and for the washable portions of the house. The rug lightened a bit, but it was better than the alternative. Wish I had known there was a commercial product that would work. Good luck!

Puddin -- Blue Bell ice cream is a Texan brand. Moollenium crunch is my favourite -- vanilla ice cream filled with pieces of milk and dark chocolate, caramel, and pecans. I'm drooling just writing the decription.

I was on a once a day long-acting insulin. Worked wonderfully as I was able to keep my blood sugar close to normal levels. But I was shot down by the nurse practitioner I see for having too good BS levels. I just need to get over this inertia and find a new doctor. But every time I think about doing it I start bawling. I haven't felt this helpless in ages. Part of the problem is I'd have to travel 20+ miles to the next nearest town. It's so convenient going to the NP locally. But I can't deal with these higher numbers -- the stress is getting to me, so I need to do something. And I will soon.

Oh, I almost forgot -- I saw a black panther today! Almost ran off the road watching him/her. There's not many left in this area of the country, so seeing one is a real treat.

Food was sort of OK today. Light on the veggies, but ECC was within norms and protein was fine. Did get a bit of exercise outside in the sun, so that was nice.

lisanurse81

02-11-2009, 10:44 PM

Thanks for all the congrats.. my fam and friends just don't get it... but that's okay.

So here's the final count.. did pretty good except for the cals. I'm okay with that, I haven't lost any more weight, but my body is changing.. more toned and less flabby.. I can't complain.

Didn't get any sun, it was cloudy all day, but did read that blog last night, so must count for something.

Calories 2,528
Fat 209.9
Carbohydrate 39.4 (ecc 29.2)
Dietary Fiber 10.2
Protein 124.6