Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas
&
Happy Holidays

Love and Peace

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Try not to overeat... pace yourself.

I am thankful to be alive...

Make today and everyday a happy day...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace

Just checking in...

This weigh in is for 11/2/2009...

I usually weigh in every other Wednesday, but I felt like I had reached the 160 mark and I was right.

AcaiBerry Diet has helped me get down to 160 pounds. I have not had any adverse side effects.
The only thing I would say is that it has kept me "regular"...
This is a plus for me because of all the gastrointestinal issues I have had with crack (Wheat)...

I have lost 5 pounds in about 56 days...and kept it off
That isn't a lot but Rome wasn't built in a day and I didn't gain 50 pounds in a day...week...month...or Year!

I have been exercising more... even with mild back and neck pain... maybe that is keeping the weight off.

I am motivated again and ready for the Holidays...

I need to start pulling out the gluten-free and wheat-free recipes... My DD is already planning to make my mother's Lemon Meringue' Pie... Uhmm so good... makes my mouth water just talking about it... Maybe I will try it Chebe mix for the crust....

Bring the Holidays on... I ain't"'skcurd"...Crack (wheat) will not have me singing the blues this Holiday season... Bring it on...

So after 50 days or so of taking AcaiBerrry Diet I give it 2 thumbs up and 5 stars out of 5...

Peace

Wednesday Weigh in

162.5

That is the number for this week.

Looking good I am still losing. I am still taking AcaiBerry diet and I have not had any bad side effects.

I do not have any photos of weigh in... sorry.

I will have photo update next week.

My friend has not been taking AcaiBerry diet on the regular basis so I do not have a report from her.

I have spoken to a couple of people about giving up bread and wheat products and I hear they have been losing inches. They have noticed their clothes fit a little loser.

Good luck to them I hope this will be a good jump start to a successful weight loss journey.

I am actually looking forward to my next weigh in...

Yeah me!

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

167

This weeks number is 167 lbs.

I can handle it... I am bloated and I know why and I am okay with that. I woke up this morning to stiff and swollen fingers. I knew it was not going to be a good weigh-in. I am going to start back drinking my water and lay off the salt. Some times I just have a craving for salty foods. I know for me that is a sign I am not drinking enough water. I have been dehydrated with dry lips and dry itchy skin and scalp... so bring on the water.

At least I know why I went up in pounds... it's all good...it's correctable.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

164 lbs

I weighed in @ 164 lbs...

I have been sick with a head cold for the last week...

I have not been taking the AcaiBerry Diet because I have been taking Sudfed, Advil, Mucinex, and vitamin C. I forgot about the AcaiBerry Diet...

I have been drinking orange juice like it was the antidote to the common cold. I know I have read some where taking orange juice helps shorten the duration of a cold...

Well I did not eat much in the last 10 days... just swallowed a lot of orange juice.

Maybe that is why I did not have a major increase or decrease in weight...

All my friend and family keep telling me I look like I have lost weight... the scale still says 164 lbs.

I measured myself and it shows I have lost an inch to a forth of a inch here and there.

As of today I have started back on the AcaiBerry Diet...

How much weight will I lose in the next 45 days or so?

How many inches will I lose in the next 45 days?

Will AcaiBerry Diet be a winner or a loser?

Tune in next week for the answers to these intreguing questions and more...

Same channel, same station.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

Hmm...164 lbs

I don't know if it is the AcaiBerry Diet or the 4.5 miles I walked yesterday. I would count cutting the grass this morning but I have been doing that all along and have not seen much weight loss from it.

I can say that I do feel a little more energized. I am also taking Bee Pollen...1/2 tsp a day.

I am working on increasing my water intake. My dear friend bought me a H2O mini jug to help get me started. It holds 18 oz or 540 ml. I am downing my first 18 oz now... I have about 80 oz to go. If you know me forget exercise... drinking that much water is the challenge of the day!

Well I am off to a great start... Sunday will be a full week taking the AcaiBerry Diet. I will check back in Sunday.

Oh yeah... on Tuesday I walked over 5135 steps. After I walked the 4.5 miles I took the pedometer off and forgot to put it back on. So I am not sure of my total steps for that day.

I know I should wear it everyday. I keep losing them. then I buy another one and the lost one will show up. So I now have about 10 pedometers. My DH thinks I collect them...he also thinks I hoard things. I don't hoard... I just have clutter issues, which I am trying to resolve with the help of Flylady .

Tata for now....

Peace

AcaiBerry Diet

I started taking Natrol's "AcaiBerry Diet" on Saturday September 12. I am going to take it for 2 months and see what results I get. I take 2 caplets in the morning with breakfast.

According to the ingredients it has:

Chromium Picolinate 40 mcg
Acai Extract 4:1 500 mg
Green Tea Extract 160 mg
EGCG 80 mg
Metabolic Activator Caffeine Blend 100 mg
Berry Digest Enzyme Blend 5 mg

I am also taking 2 softgels of Spring Valley "Natural Wild Harvested Acai". 2 softgels contain 1 g (1,000 mg) of Acai Extract.

I weighed in @ 165 on Wednesday September 9.

There is nothing in either of these supplements that would cause adverse effects like ephedrine. I might have to watch the caffeine because I have had adverse effects in the past.

I think the digestive enzymes that are in the formula are very good. But there might not be enough to produce good results.

If this works great... and if not, it is still an excellent antioxidant.

Peace

Last Days of Summer

Have a Safe Labor
Day!

Peace

Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

Here is my gluten-free peach cobbler recipe. It looks great and has very good flavor...

However, the inner layers of dough were a little too "gummy" or "doughy". I plan on baking the three inner layers before I begin to alternate dough and peaches layers next time. So here is my original recipe. After making it with adjustments I will post that recipe.

Gluten-free Peach Cobbler

4- 15-16 oz. cans of peaches
2 Tbs lemon juice concentrate
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 cup sugar
1 package "Che`be`" all purpose bread mix
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
2 eggs
2 Tbs oil or softened butter or margarine
5 Tbs milk or milk substitute or water

Preheat oven 400*
Place peaches with juice from only 2 cans into a saucepan over medium heat and discard juice from remaining cans. Add lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and sugar. Taste mixture and add additional ingredient to taste. Stir and bring to a boil. Once mixture boils lower heat to low and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Prepare "Che`be`" all purpose mix stirring in cream of tartar to dry ingredients and continue according to package instructions. Separate dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough to fit into deep baking dish. Line the deep baking dish with first piece of rolled out dough. Spoon peach mixture on top of first dough layer. Continue to alternate dough/peach layers ending with dough on top. Sprinkle with 2 tbs of sugar on top and bake for 25- 30 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

Peach Cobbler is a personal thing and there are many different recipes out there. If you have a favorite Peach Cobbler recipe which you can no longer enjoy because of the all purpose flour (wheat) try substituting Che`be` all purpose mix. Just follow the rest of the recipe as usual.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

165

This is the number for the day...

I walked yesterday with friends. Yes I am feeling it, I have not walked in over a month. I walked 10695 steps. Thanks to my friends who pushed me and encouraged me to keep going . I wanted to stop several times. I made it and felt very good about it.

Peace

Weigh in...

I weighed in at 165 on August 5, 2009...

I am losing again!

I checked out some books from the public library: "Superfoods For Dummies", "Neo Soul", "The Sensitive Gourmet" and a couple of others. I am hoping to get some great recipes and tips that will help me with eating healthy and food allergy-free.

I have had a little stress in the last couple of weeks. So I started doing some Yoga and other stress relieving activities. How long does it take before you see improvement!? Hmm...

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with life and even other peoples lives, to the point of literal shut down. My friends and family have to keep reminding me to take extra time for myself, so I do not burn out.

Well I am on vacation starting today.

This week our family will be celebrating several family member's birthdays and enjoying some well deserved down time. I am looking forward to tossing back a couple of glasses of wine, margaritas, guacamole and chips.

I am grateful to God that my brother is well and healthy, God bless you boo!

I am happy to be alive and well myself, and on my way to a healthy lifestyle.

Today I am grateful for all good things that flow my way and overtake me.

Love and Peace

Pita/Flat Bread

Tapioca and rice flour pita/flat bread recipe

1 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
1 tbs oil
1 egg
water

Mix all dry ingredients into a bowl. Add oil and egg mixture will be crumbly. Mix in water with hand until mixture is a pastry dough consistency. Divide into balls which are slightly larger than a golf ball. Flatten with hand and heat in a lightly oiled skillet. heat until lightly browned about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Enjoy!

Peace

Chebe Bread

www.chebe.com

I have been searching for some good tasting gluten/wheat free products and I found a brand I like. I have been reading about Chebe products and searching for it in my local health food and grocery stores.

Today I finally found it at one of my local health food stores. The funny part is I called them several days ago to ask if they carried the product. The young man I spoke with told me he had never heard of it and if I wanted it I would have to place an order with a manager. Well to my surprise I found it today... in the very store which had never heard of it.
Go figure...

It is really simple to make...

Set oven to 375^o F.

1. With a fork or dough mixer, blend contents in a bowl with 2 tbsp. oil and 2 eggs. (Optional: Add 100g of grated Parmesan cheese.) Add 4 Tbs. (60 ml) milk or liquid milk substitute while continuing to blend.
2. After dough is blended, knead it with hands. Work dough until it is well blended and smooth. If too dry, add more liquid 1 tsp. at a time.
3. Flatten dough with a rolling pin to about 1/16" (1-2 mm). Place dough on a non-greased baking/pizza pan. Poke surface with tines of a fork.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. If puffed, remove and flatten with fork. Bake for additional 10-15 minutes or until ligthly browned. Remove, add toppings and bake until they are warmed.

Directions courtesy of the the back of the package...LOL

My toppings were Prego three cheese spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. It tasted delicious.

I would rate it 5 stars out of 5.

I plan on trying more of their products. They carry several dry mixes; Original Chebe Bread Mix, All Purpose Bread Mix, Foccaia Mix, Pizza Crust Mix, Garlic-Onion Breadstick Mix,and Cinnamon Roll-Up Mix.

Oven ready frozen dough mixes; Frozen Rolls, Bread Sticks, Tomato-Basil Breadsticks, Pizza Crusts, and Sandwich Buns.

The site also has recipes for crab rolls, cinnamon crackers, sausage calzones, and chicken and dumplings. They have many other recipes which sound very appetizing.

The price was very appealing also, $2.99 for the Pizza dry mix.

Koodles to Chebe Bread Products!

I am still working on the weight-loss. I have not lost any weight... Urgh!

However... I have not gained any weight...yep yep!

I am hanging out around 169 pounds.

I got some motivation back by watching "smile2daytears2morro" on youtube.

She motivated me to do some pushups...

I can do this thing!

Peace

RIP Michael Jackson

Love Peace and God's Blessings

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Love and Peace

Whistle Stop

www.clipartheaven.com

I am back from my nephew's high school graduation.


We took a train through 4 states.

I had not been on a train in 20 years and it was an experience. It was over 22 hours from point A to point B. The car ride would have taken about 19 hours.

Going down to my brother's house was not so bad but the ride back was interesting to say the least. We rode 20 hours without air-conditioning. That is, our section of the train and only our section of the train did not have air-conditioning. It was so hot I felt like I had stepped out of a swimming pool with all my clothes on. I was wet from my head to my toes. The people in the front part of our train car along with the other cars had so much air conditioning they would come to our section just to warm up. The people in our section would go to the observation deck and lounge to get air.

The sad part about all this was the lack of costumer service by the engineer, conductors and porters. They kept apologizing for being late for dinner reservations and not having a credit card machine but not once did they apologize to the passengers in the sweat box. The man who ran the lounge car refused to give us extra ice which we Had to purchase a drink in order to get the da** cup of ice in the first place.

It was so sad I had to laugh in order to keep from crying.

When I finally got home I felt like I had sweated off 10 pounds. To my surprise when I weighed myself, I had lost about 5 pounds!

Well I enjoyed myself during my trip to see my brother and family. I am proud of my nephew, who graduated in the top 10 of his high school class of over 600 graduates. Leaving my brother and family was bitter sweet. I miss them so much it was hard to say goodbye.

Hey bro and sis if you are reading this thanks again for your hospitality.

Then again it was time to get back to the DH, I was missing him.

Peace

Weight Frustration and Workout Motivation

I have been so frustrated this last month its not even funny.

I have been hanging out with a friend who I had not seen in months and she has lost so much weight. She looks good! I have watched, listened and become motivated by her. She usually works out twice a day. She will do strength training in the morning and then do cardio at night... I am lucky if I do anything day or night.

In the last 2 weeks I have gotten on my treadmill twice walking and a little running for a total of about 2.5 miles. I always feel better afterward but it is too easy for me to just not do it.

It is so sad because I get motivated to work out but fail to follow through. Like yesterday I dressed for walking and talked about it all day to just about everyone I saw. My friend even came over and was like "well let's just go walking now around your neighborhood" I made some lame excuse and didn't go, didn't get on treadmill either. She kept telling me to go work out while she hung out but I didn't.

My kids are always encouraging me to workout. they keep reminding me why I bought the WII Fit... it is funny when I first bought the WII Fit I was so excited for about a month. Then I got upset because I didn't see my weight decrease. I kept telling myself I was gaining muscle. I think I may be expecting overnight results.

Well in this fast food, fast pace world why would I expect to workout on Monday and lose 5 pounds on Tuesday.

This is so stupid because I feel so much better when I work out but it is so hard to get started.

URGH!

I am going to lose this last 30 pounds, and I am going to keep it off!

Yes I can!

PEACE

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all...

I am having a great day with more great days to follow...

I got wonderful gifts...

My family made dinner... Bar-B- que

Simcity Box... one of my faves

PRINCE "Lotusflow3r", that is if you are really into his purple badness...

sniggle giggle

Hugs and kisses to my wonder-lishous family!

Peace

Red Rose

OMG LOL

I finally finishes this Red Rose. It took me several months but it was worth it. Now I keep looking at it saying I need to fix this brighten that and darken it over here. I kept painting and re-painting until I just decided to hang it on the wall and be done for now. I figure it will hang for a couple of months and I will fix the things I still feel need to be fixed.

DH wants a picture of Sly Stone so I guess I will get to work on that.

Peace

Wednesday weigh in

169.5 pounds

I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries.
- Theodore Rubin, "Love Me, Love My Fool"

Weigh-in for Flat Belly Diet

After being on the 4 day Anti-bloat portion of the Flat Belly Diet, I weighed in @164.5.

I lost another pound.

I lost 1/2 inch in the waist and 1/4 inch in the chest. I gained 1/2 inches in the arms, calves and neck. No change in the hips and thighs.

I will stick this diet out.

This is day 5 and I have 27 days to go.

I will post results on Wednesdays...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

I weighed in@165.5.

Thank you Flat Belly Diet!

Wow a 4.5 pound loss in 4 days, well not 4 complete days.

I will weigh and measure myself tomorrow morning to see what the numbers are. I don't expect a big difference in weight. I am excited to see what my measurement will be. I think I have lost inches because my clothes feel better.

The last 3 and a half days have been a roller coaster ride. The first day of this diet started out a breeze. It ended with me feeling hungry and unsatisfied. I do have to admit that I did not drink a full recipe of Sassy water each day like I was suppose to.

The next day I wasn't starving but I wasn't as full as I usually feel. I began bleaching on the second day. I guess this was the anti-bloat working. I did drink more of the Sassy water. and I felt fuller in between meals.

My third day was a day filled with elation and frustration. I was on a high because I could feel the difference in my jeans. However, I have to admit that I felt a little light headed between lunch and dinner. After drinking about 16 ounces of Sassy water I felt better. So I think drinking the Sassy water is the trick to not feeling like I was on empty.

The forth day is almost over and I have to say it hasn't been a bad 4 day diet. I do feel like it eliminated a lot of bloat.

I need more than 1200 calories a day!

I need to drink more water!

I did not exercise at all and still have lost 4.5 pounds so far.

I have the rest of today and 28 more days to go. I am happy with the results so far...

Yeah me

"To follow, without halt, one aim: There's the secret of success."
-Anna Pavlova

Peace

Flat belly diet day 1

I made it through day 1 of the initial 4 days of the Flat Belly Diet. This is the four day anti-bloat portion of this diet. My total daily calories for these days is 1200. Then I will move up to 1600.

I am drinking this "Sassy water". It is lemons, cucumbers, mint leaves, and ginger mixed with water. It taste better than it sounds, even my kids said it doesn't taste as bad as it sounds. I am suppose to be downing 2 liters a day. This may be the hardest part. I normally drink about 8- 16 ounces of water every 2 days. Water is all I can drink... ugh.

I have to tell you, after eating breakfast and lunch I was pretty satisfied. I felt full and did not want to eat more. However, dinner and the smoothie (snack) has left me wanting more. I so plan on drinking the rest of the "Sassy water" and going to bed.

I can't believe I feel like I am starving right now. I actually feel like I am on a fast of sorts. I thought 1200 calories would be a breeze.

Oh yeah I weighted in @170...rut roh

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
-Charles Haddon Spurheon

Peace

Gluten free doughnuts and buns

I made an attempt at gluten free doughnut holes and they actually turned out good. The next time I have a craving for doughnut holes I will just make me some...He he Ha ha

Now let's talk about the hamburger and hot dog buns...
Well they had a excellent flavor but they were very crumbly. I am going to tweak the recipe and see what happens.

I forgot to take pictures but I will the next time I make them...
We are using the buns crumbles for bread crumbles in my meatloaf and the kids are loving it.

The doughnut hole recipe was an adaptation of "Oster" bread machine's recipe for raised doughnuts...

Doughnut Holes

Flour Mixture:
3/4 cup White rice flour
3/4 cup Brown rice flour
3/4/ cup Potato starch flour
1/2 teaspoon Cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Baking powder

Mixed all ingredients in a large bowl. Place ingredients into bread pan in following order.

2/3 cup Buttermilk
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Soft Margarine
1 Egg
Flour Mixture
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoon Active Yeast

Set bread machine to dough cycle. When finished set dough on top of a warm oven and let rise for 45 minutes. Separate dough into small balls. Heat oil in a deep fryer about 2 to 3 inches deep. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and drain, then roll in powder sugar while warm and enjoy.

The mixture was not thick like dough, it was similar to thick cake batter...
So next time I might add 3/4 cup of tapioca flour or sweet rice flour to flour mixture and see if it is a thicker dough.

The recipe can probably be made without the bread machine...
I would mix the ingredients with a mixer and let it rise for 45 minutes. Punch the dough down and let it rise for another 45 minutes before separating dough into small balls.

My first gluten free experiment turned out pretty good this recipe is a keeper.

Peace

Weigh in Wednesday

Weighed in @ 167 pounds today.

That's all I have to report today...

PEACE


Avoiding the phrase "I don't have time...", will soon help you to realize that you do have the time needed for just about anything you choose to accomplish in life.
-Bo Bennett

What are MUFAs?

MUFA stands for monounsaturated fatty acids. Prevention Magazine's Flat Belly Diet suggests eating MUFAs with every meal. Prevention Magazine also states that research has shown that adding controlled portions of MUFAs, healthy fats, can help you feel full longer. See March 2009 issue of Prevention Magazine for more information

Some healthy fats that are listed in The Flat Belly Diet book are nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, avocados, and green and black olives.

I have not jumped fully into The Flat Belly Diet, but I am incorporating some of the MUFAs into every meal. I do have to admit that I feel fuller with each meal. I am not eating as many in- between "snacks".

Because I have this allergy/sensitivity to wheat I can not eat some of the foods listed on The Flat Belly Diet. Once I figure out a good substitute for the wheat products I will be ready to jump right in.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mohandas K. Gandhi

Peace

Happy V-Day

Wednesday weigh-in

Weighed in @ 167.5 today.

I need a jump start for my exercising.

Starting tomorrow 30 minutes of uphill walking on treadmill and 30 minutes walk away the pounds.

My DH has decided to join me losing weight. His goal is to lose 14 pounds by May 30, 2009. My goal is to lose 30 pounds by May 27, 2009. That is a 2 pound loss per week for me. DH is losing approximately 1 pound a week. Can we do it...

I have not started the Flat Belly Diet yet but will try to start by February 20, 2009.

I have no idea what DH will be doing... this should be interesting.

I have been staying away from wheat. I noticed my fingernails are not splitting anymore... my hair is still gray.

I am hoping with time my hair color comes back...I may have to enlist the help of Miss Clairol.

I do not feel sick and achy anymore... but my butt is still not motivated to exercise.

Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes. ~Robert M. Hutchins

Peace

Recalls

CNN reports a recall of enoki mushrooms produced by Phillips Mushroom Farms in Pennsylvania. The recall is for 3.5 ounce packages of enoki mushrooms with UPC # 33383 67540. They are packed in clear plastic bags with blue or green graphics and sold between January 12 – 30.The preliminary tests show possible listeria contamination. Symptoms of listeria include flu-like symptoms; fever, muscle aches, nausea, and or diarrhea.

Consumers are asked to return the mushrooms to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Visit http://www.phillipsmushroomfarms.com/ or call 800-722-8818 for more information.

-------------

Peanut Butter Recall

Video from FDA concerning peanut butter recall

Stay safe...

Peace

Working on a rose

Unfinished Rose

This is my latest painting. It has three panels. I am close to being finished.

My husband and kids have been encouraging me to paint more. I have worked with pencils, charcoal, acrylics and watercolor.

I want to work with oils too.

Love and Peace

Weigh in Wednesday

I weighed in @ 167.5 pounds.

I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I usually weigh in first thing in the morning on weigh in day.

For my birthday my family gave me the book, "Flat Belly Diet" by Liz Vaccariello. The book is from the editors of Prevention Magazine.

I am going to incorporate the plan into what I am currently doing...minuscule.

The book claims "not a single crunch required", well I am going to see. There is a 4 day anti-bloat jumpstart. Some of the foods to avoid during the 4 days are salt, high carbohydrate foods, bulky raw foods, gassy foods, chewing gum, sugar alcohols, fried foods, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, tea, coffee, hot cocoa, and acid fruit juice. There is a shopping list of foods to eat on the 4 days.

After completing the first 4 days the plan continues with another 28 days.

Well I will see if this works. After I get the items on the shopping list I will start the plan.

I lost 1.5 pounds...

Peace

Wednesday weigh in

Okay, I weighed in at 169 pounds this week.

I am still doing the Sparkpeople.com New You Bootcamp.

I am shoveling a lot of snow and doing the Bootcamp workouts.

It is a slow start but at least it is a start.

My goal for this month is to weigh in at 162 pounds by the end of January.

I have not had any wheat this month, I feel good and getting better.

Love and Peace

Sparkpeople Bootcamp

I started the Sparkpeople.com Bootcamp today and here is my before picture.

I am still weighing in at 169 pounds.

This Bootcamp starts today January 4 and ends on January 31. There are exercises everyday for 10 minutes or less. I think this will be a good jump start, since I have not been working out regularly.

I hope to lose 8 to 10 pound in the next 28 days.

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

Happy New Year!

169 pounds for yesterday's weigh in.
No picture of scale/weigh-in.
A 3 pound gain.
I over-ate.
I did not eat wheat.

Happy New Year!