luluc

Hard to say, Lauren may have a different explanation. But I find them to be similar to a regular Pea Pod?? but with a nutty / earthy rich flavor, salt really adds to the taste (for me). They carry so much protein, I could eat a bucket of them daily. One other place to find them, of all places....Super Target. Just found that out last wk, so happy since I think I live @ Target.

Edamame is a Soybean. I take about a cup frozen / nuke them about 3/4 minutes and add salt. They are one of my favorites foods, you'll find them in any Sushi / Japanese Restaurant.

I was trained initially with the handguns: glock 23 40cal & colt delta elite 10mm. Hubby wanted me to learn w/the big boys and not a PU$$Y gun, though they did jack my hand up with the thousands of rounds they have you shooting. My hand is pretty small (I'm only 5'), so he bought me the Keltec to keep in my Hummer. It's nice to have if I need it. Rifles are hard for me, except our AR15 (that's a fun one) - Might be that my arms aren't that strong and they are nubs (short) according to husband - I'd like to take a class this spring on them. Enjoy chatting, my NY family is rolling over in their graves knowing I'm on a ranch now / shooting shit...LOL

Both my husband and I have our TX CHL, we own several guns - in all types including automatic, I like my little Keltec 380. I was never a fan of guns, part of my NY upbringing, but I married a good ol' TX boy who was hunting at the age of 5. We are EXTREMELY deligent in the housing of guns, our safes are bolted down through our wood floors & each gun is locked in it's own casing. I'm on a ranch now, so the shot gun is a necessary daily it seems with the coyote problem. We've lost a few dogs due to them, one pop sound and they take off running. I go every year and take additionally classes, I've actually grown to enjoy going to the range. MO, if your going to have a gun....be liscensed & be responsible.

Totally addicted, hubby laughs at me cause we were banded together,...each day he asks what I've learned knew..Ha

I realize it's Holiday Season, and some are on Vacation, I've just noticed that many of the Long Term Band Vets are noticebly gone. There have been MANY threads that seemed to have gone down a slippery slope of bashing individuals who apparently have had crossed paths in cyberworld before. Quite frankly I don't care the reason, I just miss the advise & knowlege that I got the first few weeks when I joined. I enjoy reading the threads regarding religion / politics / etc, knowing my opionions and feelings are just that, and any chance of "converting" others is not likely - but having a forum to learn others experiences you may not ever have the chance of learning about is quite entertaining/enlightening to me. With that said, I sure hope vacation ends for some soon I think some valuble individuals are sorely miss - whether I've agreed / liked what they've said in every post. Hope I don't get slammed now for mentioning this, but I'm a big girl (no pun intended). Merry NYR all!

wow - congrats!

I keep the 4oz cottage cheese cups / hummus / tuna / frozen shrimp / frozen bags of edamame / nuts / danon lite & fit smoothies around handy at all times. The only food I can't get down are crackers & some breads..which is what got me fluffy in the first place.

Well Yeah!, As a newbie I found strength in those banded before me & hoped my millions of questions didn't piss off to many or chase away.

Hey Wendy - Shrimp is fine, and I eat it several times a week. Some may have to chew an awful lot and not be able to get it down...but I have no problem and it's a good source of protein. BTW - Also Self Pay w/ Dr Felts:)

Cedar Fever - only have the sneezy's .. nothing too bad tho my ranch is covered in those suckers.

Wow - I really enjoy reading others heritages / stories & how they've shapped the way we are today. I love knowing a little bit of back story, thanks for sharing yours. We've got some in common, I too am a product of dual faith parents. My mom is of German Jewish decent - but was never really one to practice her religion. My dad - Italian Catholic...mom had to convert to marry & that was how my brothers and I were raised. We all did the communion / confirmation classes - but were encouraged to seek other faiths if need be after what my parents classified "done our part of religious instruction/influence" ... you may now seek what suits you. None of us participate in the Catholic church any longer, all for different reasons - but a lot of similarities. My staunch republican parents have mellowed substantially when the real world came into our family framework: Divorce / Death / Homosexuality / Abortion / etc.. I now have Democratic parents, and I'm no longer the only one.. I am married to an ex "Assembly of God" member....and I'm rubbing off on him and his family too...ha My abortion in France was in 1989, Paris. I was so young, so was he and well I let his family take care of everything for me. They wanted me gone I'm sure., so I was in a private hospital, all bills paid by them - as well as meds. 2wks later I could not get a hold of him * never would. Que Sera?? I mentioned in my first response to this thread that I've read it all. I finally responded when the throws of stats kept coming, without many real stories talked about. I appreciate this thread, it's done nothing more than reaffirm my decision back in '89 (wow that was a long time ago).

Mindy - I'm in. Started Monday, then again today the Wk2 program/Workout 1. This a TX thing?...LOL

Green, I had to reply back - I find you extremely rational & eloquent when discussing this topic....I too was in France & my birth control did NOT work. I was put on the pill at 14, as many woman are due to bad periods. My niece, not so fortunate...a product of NO education as my brother is a single parent working and raising 3 kids with very little help. She was embarrassed to discuss with him., but even more so when she had to tell him she was pregnant.

Agreed BJean - I would never want any kind of Free Speach Limited, as tasteless as it is to taunt woman entering a building seeking medical intervention or education regarding pregnancy. My husband has a mantra "You Woman Would Rule the World if You Could Ever Get Along" - he's correct. This thread exemplifies that statement. The fact is, The Womens Movement of the 60's/70's - of my Mom's generation has gone by the wayside. There is no one speaking Loudly these days to protect the rights fought for & gained during this time frame. In 1973, my mom gave birth to her last child & upon delivery she wanted to get a tubal ligation. First she was not able to have my brother at the Catholic Hospital where the rest of us were born, and her Dr. (also Catholic) told her she needed to provide him a Notorized Letter from my DAD saying he was OK with her having her tubes tied. She fought him, said she go to another OBGYN (even though he delivered her previous 4 kids) & that no way in hell was she going to get such a letter. She didn't need to, her Dr agreed...he just wanted her to be sure she was done having kids & that so was my dad. I too wish the Pro Choice Movement would be as active - Unless Woman step up and take that lead.., we allow ourselves vulnerable to male politicians, who's regard for the unborn child is less than that of political gain.

I think so - I weigh 3/4 more lbs during my lovely PMS & can eat more as well. Once I start the "flow" the pounds come right back off & my restriction comes back 2!

As lulu's story indicates, however, this is not how it works in the real world. Very True Marjon, Abortion should never be something to be proud of, however the thought of it not being Legal / Safe truly terrifies me. I had mine done in a hospital in Eurpoe while attending school. I was treated with the utmost respect and cared for lovingly by my Dr & nurse. Fast forward 20yrs to the US and last month, when I took my neice to a Planned Parenthood to get a pregnancy test, at 18 herself, with a full scholarship to college, she IS terrified. What we encountered just to take a pregnancy test scared the SH*T out of her and me, bombarded with picketers, people shouting, and even more disturbing - young children holding posters of fetus'. I think this should be illegal - but they are very effective, it moved my niece tremendously - and she will be having her baby. Unlike me, she has a support system of parents and family that totally supported her Right to Choose & have an abortion...I knew my parents would feel the same, I just kept it quiet and moved along with my life - coming home to the states 20, unmarried, and with a baby was not what my parents had in mind for me - no what I had planned for myself. The story doesn't necessarily end there - She will be having the baby, but My husband and myself will be adopting he or she - So my niece will have the opportunity of college and young adulthood, and I will get a baby that' I've wanted for the last 7 years. This is how I believe it was suppose to be for me - mapped out this way. I realize the Pro Life movement should be pleased with this outcome.., I know I am - but this is not a real depiction of how an unwanted pregnancy & keeping it comes to fruition.

I have a pork loin recp that I've condensed to be fat/calorie concious: * 1 4lb pork loin (one that will fit your crockpot - 3/4lbs works for mine) * Salt & Peper loin & "lightly dust" with whole wheat flour * Sear loin on hight heated pan with light olive oil - on all sides locking in * S&P giving a light crust. * Line the bottom of crockpot with 1/4 cup white wine / 1/2 cup fat free chicken stock / 2/3 cup of Lowerys Lemon Peper Marinade. * Place Loin on top - add 1 seeded or unseeded (me i like hot so unseeded) jalepeno & 1 medium onion. * Cook 4/5 hrs depending on size, you may need to add more chicken stock. * You can add any veggies half way thru cooking process - potatos / celery / .. I use zuchinni & squash. For those that can't eat pork, this works so well...It turns out very moist.....,

2 of my many labs - Papa & baby bear:)

I LOVE the Buzz best!! Such a pretty face you can totally pull that off. Last month I cut 14inches off and dontated to locks of luv. I love having short hair again & will keep it that way.....Really love the buz.

Totally Agree!, I had to give them up completely, which is fine as my Dr would rather me on solid Protein rather than the liquid form. I couldn't drink one w/out having to be in the bathroom almost immediately - I will after a fill drink the occassional Atkins shakes....But the Isopure is in the pantry collecting dust.

Hey Justin - Did you go through w/the surgery? Love to hear back what you decided.

That is fantastic Karen - Can't wait to be in the same place. GOOD 4 U!!!

I'm not one to shy from the subject, nor could get grief here that I haven't imposed on myself. Counseling has been a part of my adult life with this subject both inside and outside the church/temple, to not do so would have been devastating spiritually to me. To still carry it around to me is healthy - I feel it would be callous to act & forget. I mentioned I was a contradiction on this subject. I can't give you the answer that satisfies either camps. I made a decision at 20 as and undergrad in Europe. Would I make the same decision at 38 - No. Do I want that right abolished - absolutely not. I'm very doubtful I can give you an answer that "fits" a camp precisely. Just my story - it is my body, it was a child, and I had a legal option at the time to abort. Interference by any govt on this topic truly infuriates me, as I will always see this as a personal issue, free from the need of laws. I truly respect your position - You and my BF have the same passionate opinions on the subject, I'd swear you were her. All the best for the NYR.

Because I believe it "was" a life, not just a fetus & something I can never shake. That's just me, my gut of sin - I have nothing more to explain it in words. As I mentioned earlier, I HOPE it's the hardest decision one makes. To go down the road why I feel it should remain legal, for me, is simple - I don't want law dictating what I can / can not do with my body. I've read all the posts, and realize I contradict myself & my position in many eyes on many fronts .... The net result was I made a decision, it impacted me profoundly, and from where I come from God is forgiving. Not sure I explained myself completely... yikes~ Lulu