voiceomt2002

Okay Julie, you're not totally without a fix. A hotel I stayed at in Houston actually had bathroom scales available via the concierge desk. It never hurts to ask. If necessary, scoot out to the local store and buy a cheap one to keep in the hotel. You can leave it with the concierge for the next scale whore who needs one. (grin) The next part depends on location and type of hotel. Most hotel restaurants are used to a few "bizaare" requests, like bringing a child's menu for an adult, or letting said adult order from just the appetizer menu. You won't be the first bandster to travel there, unless you're going to Outer Mongolia. The hotel I'm going to in Orlando in April has already reassured me they'll have a mini-refrigerator waiting in my room for my shakes and special foods. (Call ahead and reserve one, especially if you're going to a convention.) I have a roomie on insulin for the Romantic Times Convention, so the fridge is doubly necessary. Also, I've already bought and packed a couple boxes of Crystal Light On the Go. I'm driving down, so I'm taking a case or two of my own water rather than pay for the high-priced bottled water available in the hotel shop. However, when in Houston I bought the darn water at the same price I would have paid for my usual double-chocolate latte. I ground my teeth to keep from ordering the coffee, and whimpered all the way out the door. The probably thought I was insane, but I made it out alive! LOL! My biggest problem at conventions are the "special parties" thrown for convention-goers. Chocolate and pastries are prevalent, but I managed to put a bug in a few ears well in advance that "healthier choices" like crudites for the vegetarians and low-carb items might be wise. I joined up with the diabetics and vegetarians I knew to come up with alternate ideas to give to the grateful party planners. Hopefully, there will be something better. Speaking of my vegan and diabetic friends, I deliberately sought out those folks like myself with special dietary needs. There will be a large table of us at the convention, sharing out the food. The one vegan was pitifully grateful to find out she doesn't have to starve by herself. The three bandsters and two diabetics I found (and I) have all promised to give her our vegetable side dishes from our restaurant meals if she polices us away from the carbs. "Fair dinkum!" as the Australian diabetic emailed me. LOL! A little bit of advance planning helps a great deal! Good luck!

This only sounds fancy. It's easy! http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/coq-au-vin-stew/ Don't forget to take off the skins on those chicken thighs. They look slimy and unappetizing, not to mention how much fat they hold. Get rid of them before beginning this recipe. If you can't find the Beefy Onion soup mix, just use regular Onion Soup Mix and add about a tablespoon of beef bouillion granules to the stew. The results will be the same.

This only sounds fancy. It's easy! http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/coq-au-vin-stew/ Don't forget to take off the skins on those chicken thighs. They look slimy and unappetizing, not to mention how much fat they hold. Get rid of them before beginning this recipe. If you can't find the Beefy Onion soup mix, just use regular Onion Soup Mix and add about a tablespoon of beef bouillion granules to the stew. The results will be the same.

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/crock-posole/ Again, I caution those that may be sensitive to starchy food to try this recipe with care. Hominy is a starch. If you don't know what hominy is, here's a wikipedia definition for you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hominy I'm from the south and part-Cherokee, so I grew up eating hominy in many forms. If you can't find hominy, try using some leftover cooked whole kernel corn. The carb count on this recipe is an acceptable (to me) 13g, but some folks can't handle the hominy. If you try this recipe before I report, please come here and let us know.

I found the hominy in the mexican food section of a Wal-Mart grocery.

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/chicken-edamame-chowder/ Lena's notes: This recipe does not state clearly that the edamame beans are just the beans, not the pods. Be careful about this. The pods are not edible. Try to find the already shelled beans if you can. If you can't, cook according to package directions and shell them yourself before adding to the chowder. Personally, I love edamame! It's become my new "thinking food" to snack on when I'm working here at my desk. I steam up the pods and bring the bowl right in. The pods force me not to gobble indiscriminately and the whole bowlful of used pods can go right into my compost bin out back. A little kosher salt and/or seasonings, and I'm good to go!

The pods come frozen. The beans I found in the fresh produce section.

Slainte! LOL!

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/chicken-edamame-chowder/ Lena's notes: This recipe does not state clearly that the edamame beans are just the beans, not the pods. Be careful about this. The pods are not edible. Try to find the already shelled beans if you can. If you can't, cook according to package directions and shell them yourself before adding to the chowder. Personally, I love edamame! It's become my new "thinking food" to snack on when I'm working here at my desk. I steam up the pods and bring the bowl right in. The pods force me not to gobble indiscriminately and the whole bowlful of used pods can go right into my compost bin out back. A little kosher salt and/or seasonings, and I'm good to go!

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/crock-posole/ Again, I caution those that may be sensitive to starchy food to try this recipe with care. Hominy is a starch. If you don't know what hominy is, here's a wikipedia definition for you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hominy I'm from the south and part-Cherokee, so I grew up eating hominy in many forms. If you can't find hominy, try using some leftover cooked whole kernel corn. The carb count on this recipe is an acceptable (to me) 13g, but some folks can't handle the hominy. If you try this recipe before I report, please come here and let us know.

BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/italian-vegetable-soup/ I printed this one out for myself! However, I may omit the barley, because I do find my banded tummy doesn't care for starchy things. Lena

Don't get me started on the gardening or we'll be here all day. I'm supposed to start doing my taxes online today. (Sarcastic voice) Joyous. I just love knowing how much the IRS is going to soak me for this year.

Oooh! I want one!

My azaleas are in bloom right now. I took some pictures the other day. This is the big pale pink one out back. It’s in full flower right now. Let me dig for some more. Last one. These are the fuchsia and white azaleas from the side of my house. I love the whites! They seem to almost glow. I'm still hunting a good picture of the sago palm.

Yes, I do believe the Liquids and Mushies stages are the worst for the newly banded. After that, it seems everyone finds their own niche according to their bodies and their doctor's orders. I'm still searching for you.

For BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/chicken-and-white-bean-stew/ At BG's request, I went hunting a few soups and stews for mushies. For the next few days, I'll post links to my finds. Remember, you can always strain out what you think your tummy can't handle. Lena

Want me to take pictures of my azaleas for you? My sago palms aren't that impressive, I'm sorry to say. I did find out my sagoes are the same cycads the dinosaurs snacked on! Is that cool or what?

I can eat very loose or crumbly breads in small amounts, but sandwich breads, rolls, hoagies, and other dense breads are mission impossible. Like you, I'll BP. Haven't had the courage to try rice, not even brown rice or wild rice. I'm scared of what might happen, frankly. Since my fill, I also can't tolerate carbonated beverages unless the fizz is nearly gone. Yesterday while out shopping, I was desperately thirsty enough to take a swig of my roomie's soda and paid for it in pain for quite awhile. Next time, I'll go thirsty.

For BG http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/chicken-and-white-bean-stew/ At BG's request, I went hunting a few soups and stews for mushies. For the next few days, I'll post links to my finds. Remember, you can always strain out what you think your tummy can't handle. Lena

California Vegetable Cheese Bake (3 Points) 4 cups frozen carrot, broccoli & cauliflower blend, thawed 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (can use frozen chopped onion) 1 (10-3/4 oz) can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup 1/4 cup (one 2-ounce jar) chopped pimiento, drained 1-1/2 cups cubed Velveeta Light processed cheese Spray slow cooker container with butter-flavored cooking spray. In prepared container, combine thawed vegetables & onion. Add mushroom soup, pimiento & cheese. Mix well to combine. Cover & cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Mix well before serving. 140 calories, 3 gm fiber, 4 gm fat 13 gm protein, 13 gm carbohydrate, 236 mg sodium, 373 mg calcium (3 points per 2/3 cup serving)

California Vegetable Cheese Bake (3 Points) 4 cups frozen carrot, broccoli & cauliflower blend, thawed 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (can use frozen chopped onion) 1 (10-3/4 oz) can Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup 1/4 cup (one 2-ounce jar) chopped pimiento, drained 1-1/2 cups cubed Velveeta Light processed cheese Spray slow cooker container with butter-flavored cooking spray. In prepared container, combine thawed vegetables & onion. Add mushroom soup, pimiento & cheese. Mix well to combine. Cover & cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Mix well before serving. 140 calories, 3 gm fiber, 4 gm fat 13 gm protein, 13 gm carbohydrate, 236 mg sodium, 373 mg calcium (3 points per 2/3 cup serving)

I miss bread too. However, I love my blubber being missing much more! (grin) ::Lena gathers up her baggy jeans and heads back to the garden::

Um...I wubs you, BG? Loved the pictures of the snowmen. Lena in FL :wink_smile: (Ducks from snowballs from the north flying in)

Congratulations Wendy!

On Monday (March 9, '09) I went back to Dr. Baptista and had my first fill, because last time I didn't need one. This time I did. I'd only lost 5 pounds, and that annoyed the heck out of me. I was glad doc gave me 4cc's, though I wasn't sure that would be enough. I realize my viewpoint might be a bit skewed, though. Someone so desperate to lose weight permanently as to have surgery might not be too objective. :ohmy: I wouldn't be happy unless I was throwing up everything but liquids, then went back and had doc remove 1cc. Yeah, that's a little extreme. Still, I waited until today to assess how the fill has helped me. Scale Whore that I am, I still checked every morning, but today I saw the number drop to below where it had been for two weeks. It hovered right between 242 and 243, so I'll wait to adjust my ticker until I'm sure. I'd like to be below 240 by the end of March, and down by ten pound increments each month. That's possible without being extreme. I hope. I'm trying desperately not to set myself up for failure by making my expectations too high or unreasonable. Ten pounds a month seems like a goal that requires a bit of effort but is still within reach. What do you think?